Darmawangsa Hotel

It was Matt's first visit to Jakata!

And so staying at the beautiful Dharmawangsa Hotel featuring ethnic Javanese style, which happens to be just around the corner from Emi's house was undoubtfully the best choice!

Ofcourse, I want him to see the best. (at least on the first trip!)

Rani's Wedding

Our family had little or almost no involvement in Rani, my cousin's wedding preparation. But my parents took place of her parents, as her dad passed away few years ago and her mother and sister sought assylum to USA and couldn't come back. We didn't know what to expect and almost had no expectation but it turned out to be a simple, well arranged wedding ceremony, thanks to her Church friends who helped her. When she sobbed, I felt a pang in my heat as I thought how happy yet sad she must be feeling, without her family, all this time and on her wedding. I hope she finds love and happines with her new family.

Went to see the doctor to check Emi's pregnancy progress. Baby is too small (2,400g) but wants to come out 2 weeks earlier than expected. Emi waited for so long but now that it's coming out, she's sort of not ready... but ready but not but yeah but no....

Room in Jakarta

Things are falling into places like a well played tetris.

Out of the 3 rooms at my parent's guest house, 1 room has become vacant as Moriyama-san, the longest tenant left for Vientnam for good last week.

I was going to be a free loading daughter, but the odds are too much in everyone's favor that I have to be a respectable adult and pay my dues.

Rent comes up to about the same as my room in S'pore, except that I get daily housekeeping and laundry services! yay!!

But I will miss Matty :(

Short term tenant

I get along with Yayoi my flatmate so well and I don't wanna loose my room, so I got another lady to rent my room for at least 2 months.

And because I had to empty half of the closet for her to use, I threw (donated) a bag full of clothes which I don't wear anymore. It gave me a sense of emotional transition, that I might not have to wear office clothes, for the rest of my life!

And at the same time remembered how i dreamed to wear powersuits and strut with a pair of stiletto on a business district like a bitch in control, when I was a student.

It's one of those dream vs reality thing. Now i'm mostly in skimpy clothes (coz it's hot!) and a pair of sandals.

Baby Boy's name

Back in Jakarta, my mom is frantic about choosing the boy's middle name.

Dai-chan's dad chose RIKU for the first name. RIKU in Japanese means Continent.

So it's my mom's request to pick the boy a middle name which is in English. (And she even chose the spelling for RIKU to RIQUE. Just so French and chic.

They chose LEON for the middle name as he is expected to be born on Aug 1.

But now with the early delivery frenzy, they are trying to pick yet another name...

oh, things adult do for an unborn little thing.

So anyway, I found this website on Japanese name assessment. http://www.seimeihandan.net/free/index.asp

If you have a name in Kanji, try it. It's fun.

For example :

Me: 竹谷 直美 Takeya Naomi　- 浮沈変転運 fluctuating and changing

Sister: 竹谷 恵美 Takeya Emi - 奇人変人運 An eccentric

Dad: 竹谷 聖 Takeya Satoshi - 英雄・怪傑運 A hero / marvel

Dai-chan: 岡村 大正 Okamura Daisei - スタミナ野人運 Wild person with stamina

And the baby boy: 竹谷 陸 Takeya Rique - ボス頭領 Head of all bosses

Dempsy Hut

Matt's friends Alex & Jo - the soon to be husband & wife couple are born in June. This Gemini couple's birthday party was just as happening as any weekend drinking session! Geeting LOOOOSE!!

To the Land of Dukes and Spice Girls

This is my new blog site on the UK trip! Please visit!

http://ilovelondoninjune.blogspot.com/

Sun is in the sky, oh why, oh why
Would I wanna be anywhere else?

without a safety net....

Ok, now I'm freaking out.

From next month, I will no longer see that once a month glorious day on my bank account.

And being me, I don't have much to last.

My 2 year old computer is almost useless now, if anything it's causing too much stress.

I've reformatted and reinstalled but still it's very very very very slow...

I'm sure everyone knows how frustrating it is to have a retarded computer with no cure for it.

So it looks like I have to get a new computer, most likely a laptop, with my last pay check.

Today, Inez and I made a big decision to seperate MaNic's women's wear and the maternity wear, basically because Inez will be moving to Melbourne and I, God knows where...

We will still be mentors and support to eachother, providing information wherever we are.

So I will take on the maternity wear alone, Inez the women's wear alone.

So...Bon Voyage to an uncertain and exciting future!

LOVE COMES QUICKLY by petshop boys

It's too obvious my mood but as I was humming to this one, I became curious to the actual lyrics.

Then it made me sick to my stomach or should i say heart

... coz then, LOVE GOES OUT QUICKLY too?!

Sooner or later, this happens to everyone

To everyone

You can live your life lonely

Heavy as stone

Live your life learning

And working alone

Say this is all you want

But I don't believe that it's true

'Cause when you least expect it

Waiting round the corner for you

Love comes quickly, whatever you do
You can't stop falling (Ooh ooh)

Love comes quickly, whatever you do

You can't stop falling (Ooh ooh)

You can live a life of luxury

If that's what you want

Taste forbidden pleasures

Whatever you want

You can fly away to the end of the world

But where does it get you to?'

Cause just when you least expect it

Just what you least expect

Love comes quickly, whatever you do

You can't stop falling (Ooh ooh)

Love comes quickly, whatever you do

You can't stop falling (Ooh ooh)

I know it sounds ridiculous, but speaking from experience

It may seem romantic, and that's no defense

Love will always get to you

Sooner or later, sooner or later, this happens to everyone

To everyone

You can fly away to the end of the world

But where does it get you?

Love comes quickly, whatever you do

You can't stop falling (Ooh ooh)

.....................

tiny delicate thing

Had dinner with Emi, Dai papa, Dai-chan's sister, her husband, their baby and his parents at Don. I love the idea that I have a relative from Kyoto now.

Baby was 7 months old and it gave me and Emi a real feel of what it's like to have a baby around.

I can totally empathize with Emi's distress. Even after the agonizing 9months, she won't be a free woman...

Meanwhile, without baggage, Emi, Dai and I went back home for more quiet grown ups' chill out session.

It really dawn on me to teasure the moment as it will not last forever.

ROBBERY!

The 2nd night in Jakarta, Bruno was barking at night waking me and the whole block. I was so worried for his safety, I tried to calm him down but he wouldn't. It was 3am. Finally the guards and people gathered to the street in front of our house.

As it happened, the house opposite our house was broken into and thier brand new car was stolen!

And I thought I saw the neighbors themselves coming out of the house. But actually what I saw were the robbery!! 3 of them! In no time, the police came (amazing! or not depending on what they are really after), and to my surprise, 2 tv media came and started shooting the scene.

Next day Dad tightened the security and Bruno was given a big bone.

(But he still barks to bitches regardless)

Back Home

Took a 2 weeks leave from work and went back to Jakarta.

My sister Emi was undeniably pragnent (7 months) , the lethargic
and sleepy period has passed and she's well into the eating (esp ice cream) & shopping mode. (and so here I am)

She had already done her search for maternity clothes but said there aren't much choices. She's right though. hm.......$$$

The other day, mom & dad vowed it's the grand parent's duty to take care of the baby, which is such a relief for Emi who's still not in touch with the growing reality. Emi & I agree it was afterall a good thing that the baby thing was delayed.

Cutover!

Project is over!! Celebration!! This is why I like short term jobs and projects.
But really, because this project deemed to be impossible by so many, (and had been in discussion by the management for 7years), it feels damn good that it's actually, successfully over!
The 1year I was with Citigroup, has to be one of the best experience in my life. From dipping into a world I never imagined knowing to meeting people I normally won't associate with.
I remember my eye couldn't stop twiching for a month when I first joined the company.
On the first week, I had to translate a meeting on "Mainframe migration by encrypted data transmission and batch execution on UAT environment from TIS to APPC via NDM." on a conference call, where the members of the board, both in Japan and Singapore were expecting to understand what the hell it means.
I never worked so hard for a company before. It might be the last... I guess I was able to pull it off because I had a good boss and colleagues.
- At Scruffy Murphy's East Coast.

Come Dine With Me?

I have to confess my addiction. It's my obsession with curry at its peak.

I have curry every morning if I could, and I'm rarely satisfied with any other food that I rather have plain o nothing.

And I know, I have a 'unique' taste in cooking. A fine line between unique and weird.

This time though, I have to admit, I'm crossing the line...

Variations of Curry:

Curry with Pear & Tomato with Crouton

Curry with Cucmber & extra Yoghurt on Brown Rice

Curry with Cucmber, Squid & Squid ink (accidental) on Brown Rice

What Is LOVE?

This has been and more strongly so now, an ultimate question of my life! (call me however you like. I admit I'm a hopeless lover who's bad at it).

Let's see what's the definition of LOVE. 1 describes feelings, almost dreamy idealism. 2 describes the science, more physical.

love (lŭv) n.
1. A deep, tender, ineffable feeling of affection and solicitude toward a person, such as that arising from kinship, recognition of attractive qualities, or a sense of underlying oneness.
2. A feeling of intense desire and attraction toward a person with whom one is disposed to make a pair; the emotion of sex and romance.

And this site from Australian program was one of the best readings I had this year. (just shows how much I read)
http://www.abc.net.au/catalyst/stories/s1210487.htm

So when the good old trusty instinct, the cusmic energy and all the good advice from the people who actually cares, fails, these scientific explanation is a comforting rationalization to what the drama is all about.

Precious Illusions

you'll rescue me right? In the exact same way they never did
I'll be happy right? When your healing powers kick in
You'll complete me right? Then my life can finally begin
I'll be worthy right? Only when you realize the gem i am?

but this won't work now the way it once did
and i won't keep it up even though i would love to
once i know who i'm not then i'll know who i am
but i know i won't keep on playing the victim

These precious illusions in my head did not let me down when i was defenseless
And parting with them is like parting with invisible best friends
this ring will me yet as will you knight in shining armor
this pill will help me yet as will these boys gone through like water

but this won't work as well as the way it once did
cuz i want to decide between survival and bliss
and though i know who i'm not i still don't know who i am
but i know i won't keep on playing the victim

these precious illusions in my head did not let me down when i was a kid
and parting with them is like parting with a childhood best friend
i've spent so long firmly looking outside me
i've spent so much time living in survival mode

- Alanis Morrisette

Life in my own hands....

Yes, I am finally realizing my dream to start my own label.

It's been almost 6 years since I left University. I have always majored in Fashion since high school.

Along the way, many factors in life have distracted me from the basic purpose of why we, fashion students even study fashion..... It's never about working for a famous fashion company nor to get a certificate.

It's only because we want to create what we want.

So I have decided. After working for citigroup, I will leave the corporate world for good!(hopefully)

And despite of a premonition of going partnership with a buddy, teaming up with my 'girlfriend', an ex-flatmate and a long time schoolmate, seemed like a natural idea. Especially when timing is just right that she was also feeling tired of working for others, when she could do her own.

So we decided to take "MaNic", Inez's T-shirt company label to a new level.

Wish us luck for our new venture!

Obaachan

幼なじみの久美ちゃん。おばあちゃんが８８歳になった！！のをお祝いに、３世代揃って（久美ちゃん、お母さん、おばあちゃん）とで、グアムに行ったときの写真を送ってくれました。それにしても、おばあちゃんは本当に若い！これからもずっとずっと元気でいて欲しい！

Kumi-chan is my oldest and closest neighbor and family friend. Obaachan turned 88years old this year so they celebrated her birthday in Guam. (But Obaachan's first travel to overseas was Jakarta last year!)

True to the statistic on the average life expectancy of Japanese women which is 86years old, Obaachan is still going strong and healthy! And I hope she will stay healthy for more years to come!

Post Card from Tokyo

さ～く～ら～♪
さ～く～ら～♪
Chiori-san, (my ex first flatmate) from Tokyo.

Despite of the full bloom sakura, this week, it snowed in Tokyo! That is just too unusual. We really have to do something about the global warming man!!

Ayurvedic Food

After a night of guilty indulgence in high toxin intake, I awoke with an obsessive need to compensate with some healthy food.

So I tried Brown Rice and challenged Bitter Ggourd and egg in Turmeric rich curry flavour stir fry accompanied with fresh Tomato in Vinegar and sprinkly of Seaweed.

"Bitter gourd contains vitamin A, B1, B2, and C. It also contains minerals like calcium, phosphorous, iron, copper and potassium. From the ayurvedic perspective, bitter gourd is excellent for balancing Kapha. It helps purify blood tissue, enhances digestion, and stimulates the liver. "

"Brown rice helps control blood pressure and also reduces wide fluctuations in blood sugar. The high fiber content of brown rice has a good effect on controlling cholestrol and cholestrol control is of prime importance in keeping away heart disease."

"Turmeric is highly valuable for the influence it exerts on the digestive system and the liver. In both Ayurvedic and Traditional Chinese Medicine, it is considered a digestive bitter and a carminative. It can be incorporated into foods, including rice and bean dishes, to improve digestion and reduce gas and bloating. It is a cholagogue, stimulating bile production in the liver and encouraging excretion of bile via the gallbladder. This improves the body's ability to digest fats. "

Having said that, how about the taste?

YUCKs!!

She's really gone

Little that I know, this picture would be the last picture of her....

She usually does whatever makes her happy on Saturday nights and comes home on Sunday afternoon.

But last week she didn't come back. Another week passed by and still no sign of her.

Probably she's lost, found a better home or ....

Whichever way, that's what cats are. Damn unfaithful one...

TRAGIC FALL

Chiori, my room mate was packing to leave Singapore on her last night. I bade farewell to her and went to bed. It was past mid night when she was waiting for her friend to send her off.

Chiori was very good to Mio, feeding her and playing with her, more than I was. We were just talking about how Mio is so energetic and naughty, it's hard to believe she is a female cat. Mio also liked being around her and always jumped into her tall laundry basket, often surprising her when she springs out from it.

At 4am, Chiori woke me up. Her voice shaking and her face stiff with shock and disbelief. She said she was clearing her stuff and wanted to throw trash down the garbage chute, which is placed under the sink where Mio loves to go. One of the garbage was too big so she treid to make them into smaller lots. She did not think much and left the garbage chute's door open. Then suddenly she heard the door closed. BOMB!.......

We live on 11th floor, the top floor of a gigantic residential block.
Mio is nowhere to be seen. The garbage chute door tightly closed. What happens to a cat when it falls down a garbage chute from 11th floor?

The garbage collectors only come and clear the garbage in the morning 10:30am on Saturday. Otherwise the door on the 1st floor is locked. Who knows what's thrown down by the residents by Saturday 4am.

I do not blame Chiori. She was just trying to throw the trash. I can understand Mio. She's such an adventurous little cat. She was always looking at me curiously, when I threw those garbage.
so what can I say?.........tragedy. poor Mio. I didn't want to think too much about how it is like in the garbage shoot or how she's doing. As I went to bed I missed her annoying but cute presence.....

I woke up to a first day without a room mate and Mio.

I got out of my room, sat there for a while when Mio quietly tip toed in the house from the window oblivious to my delight......!

I now appreciate her on a new level.

Gorgeous Chandelier

Now, this is what a call a bar with GOOD interior;

There are about 6 of them in a row inside. Smaller in size coz this one in the picture is hanging at the entrance stair case when we come up.

the white thing at the bottom is a projection of the sign "BARFLY" on the wall, moving around. it's really impressive.

But rather empty....

I've only been there 1-2times but i think the music is too loud for a lounge. (there are more sofas than standing area like clubs).

CFJ

Jonathan & Kohiyama san came to Singapore for 2 days intensive meeting.

So we did the typically original Business Visit rounds of East Coast Chill & Pepper Crab dinner, Boat Quay Thai food, Robertson Walk Bar hop etc etc...

Homemade Yoghurt

私も自家製ヨーグルトに挑戦しました。
粉ミルク＋低脂肪プレーンヨーグルト！結果は、飲むヨーグルトと食べるヨーグルトの間のような物。

酸っぱさが全然無い。最初にしてはＧＯＯＤ！

So I challenged to make a homemade yoghurt too.
From Anlene (the powder milk) + low fat plain yogurt.
The texture is a little like drinking yogurt but it's not sour at all!