Djakarta again!

Went back to Jakarta during CNY and finally met Rique.
Here's Rique getting his first Ang Pao from Vanda. He's so much bigger now after 3months.
Last day we celebrated Daichan's 33rd birthday, Jakartan's style...clubbing and tequila shots.
But it was all about Rique for me. So cute!

Ned's Christening

Under Construction

Matt's brother Paul appointed Matt to be his first son's God father, so we left Singapore on Thursday night and arrived Heathrow on Friday to attend the ceremony on Saturday. On Friday night, we went to a local place to listen to some Jazz over few pints with Matt's dad's friends. The souvenir from Singapore Chinese New Year 'Ba Kua' was popular. Then we traveled by car with Matt's parents, Matt's grand mother aka Nan, Matt and myself for about 2hours to get to the Church the next day.It was my first time to meet his extended family and his nephew.After the ceremony, we went to Paul's house for the after party, then at night we went to meet Matt's old school mates at a pub which chased us out (closed) at 11pm. We were left outside to freeze so we ran back to one of Matt's friend's parents house for some port (only alcohol left in the house).

BBQ at Chez Rat on Australia Day

Under Construction

To bit farewell for Lucas who's going back to Sydney for good, and to commemorate Australia Day, Matt and I organized a BBQ party at our place.
We thought we ordered enough burgers, ribs, sausages, wings etc from the Ozzy Butcher, but it was gone like they never existed.
Matt cooked his infamous Chilli again, which was also scraped out from the pan clean.
There was definitely enough booze, thanks again to San Miguel the faithful sponsor.

Shiba-ken

Matt wants a Shiba-ken. He begged me with his puppy eyes.
See how cute this puppy is? No wonder Mom got us "Bruno" when I was about 9. Who can resist a thing like that!
Anyway, I know it's impossible to have a dog so active like Shiba-ken in our apartment now.
Our apartment is just nice for 2 adults.
What more, it costs S$4000!
But I also know that one day, one day... we will get a Shiba-ken.

To resolute

It's publicizing the obvious, and I dread the idea of being further predictable than I already am, but being such an open and sharing person that I am, I bare my most vulnerable self again, year after year, for the tinge of hope of actually making it come true...
This year though, I realized, the definition of the word "Resolution" is synonyms to "Big fat promises we make on January 1". So I decided to be practical and call it,

"My to-do-list for 2008"

1. Reduce smoking (1 packet a week in the 1st half, then 2 packets a month in the 2nd half).
2. Save money (hold only disposable money, and the rest in fix account).
3. Get a certificate (of Interpretor).
4. Run or swim (at least twice a week).

I know there's only 4 items but if I cleared them all, I am on the right track!

10 Reasons Why You Should Date a 30 year old English boy in Singapore

Like Matt.
Actually there's No reason why I shouldn't date this incredibly thoughtful, intelligent, smart, positive, active, fun, handsome and adorable man.
He cleans, he encourages me to run, he plans and books travels, he's my financial advisor,
On top of it, HE COOKS.
I'm eating well, thanks to his won't-take-2nd-best-ingredients-as-an-alternative principle.
But most of all he doesn't leave a massive mess in the kitchen behind for me to clean coz he cleans as he goes!
In less than 2 weeks, he has prepared so many dishes, the recipes which are familiar to him (Jamie Oliver type).
They all tasted really good. Restaurant quality, if not better! Let me show off my perfect boyfriend's food!

Happy New Year 2008!!

Celebrated 07/08 New Years Eve slash Jason's birthday party at Senso, an Italian restaurant on Club St. We had loads of beer, wine, champagne and some cocktails, like there's no tomorrow, with a 5 course meal, if I'm not wrong. We made so much noise all through the night and literally chased other guests away by the countdown ;P It was a fun night again. And it should well be!! It was the most expensive meal I've ever had!

Festive Fat Buster

Went for a run, yes, RUN to East Coast with Matt as a coach who was going "Come on, you can do it!" by my side.. It was my first run ever, in my adult life and it was hellish.

I couldn't stop caughing and felt like puking. I was serious about calling the ambulance.

But I did it. 2.5km?

.....and that classic tune from Rocky in my head.......

Merry Christmas!

Had X'mas Eve dinner at home when Calven received a turkey and the frills for free! Not knowing what to do with it, he called Matt, who called Lucas and I called Keith over - and what was supposed to be an impromptu party turned out to be a great relaxing night with lots of laughter.
On X'mas day, Simon & Carol invited us for a real English style X'mas meal at their beautiful pad. Started popping champagne from 2pm and had a slow slow sumptuous meal that was just amazing! All the goodies on the table! As an English tradition, there's a 'Secret Santa' where we exchange gifts that are the most useless gifts and we wear silly paper hats the whole day. Nobody is exactly sure what time we left but it was definitely pass midnight. My thoughts on my first English style X'mas day meal.... I forgot how fun X'mas was! That is how it is and how it should be!

Keith's B-day @ Brewerkz

Keith's birthday is on Dec 23 and every year I was away for his birthday bash.

Last year was his 40th! so it was huge, and I missed it.

This year, he didn't even plan for it til the last minute, but quite a lot of us (mainly the alcoholics) managed to turn up.

He's taking up "Ikebana" (flower arrangements), and I know he loves flowers so I gave him an oil painting of a Poppie for his pressie.

BritCham Ball

Went to a Ball organized by the British Chamber which was held at Shangri-La Hotel.
We first went to Robertson Quay to meet the boys and a house party for a pre-drinking then to the party.
I wore the dress Mom designed and Bang Anen made and even though I didn't know there was a 'Disco Fabulous' theme til I arrived, I felt good in it as I always do.
Wine and champagne flowed freely and we hardly remembered the food, everyone was everywhere.
My thoughts on my first Brit Ball..... It's ALL and ONLY about drinking, and they are proud of it!

Calven's Birthday @ Chez Rat's* Chilli Night

We celebrated Calven's birthday and it was also Matt's turn to whip up a meal and be the host for his friends on the monthly drinking club, so he cooked his meanest chilli at home.
I helped to prepare garlic bread, mash potato, rice, coleslaw and a mocha birthday cake while everyone brought a bottle or two.
The idea of having 8 blokes at home freaked me up but everyone was on their best behaviour, drank a bit too much for Wednesday, but with great food and fun friends, it was a successful night.

*Matt a.k.a Rat (he was a rat in Pinocchio play when he was a child therefore this nickname)

I Won!

Out of sheer curiousity, I Googled my name and found I won an iPod Nano from Zouk!

I didn't even know I was on a mailing list or some kind of member with Zouk.

It was announced in April 2007 and the collection due date is April 2007...it's now December isn't it?

I don't think I either received a call, email or sms during that time, or I would have collected!

Doesn't hurt to have another iPod, does it?

I think it's a scam! I hate Zouk management anyway.

http://www.zoukclub.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=1743&sid=39813a0790ec2ad7a8a683c732ecc11b

So anyway, when I Googled my name + Singapore, my blog "Survivor Singapore" came out.

So did Emi Takeya. So I'm going to type out my parent's name here - Sumiko Takeya and Satoshi Takeya for the sake of being found out on the www, in case some of my parent's friends might be Googling them.

Goooood morning Vietnam!

So it's Matt and my first time to Vietnam!
This time we chose to spend the rest of the holiday at Ho Chi Ming City also known as Saigon.

It was my first experience to go to a place where the traffic is worst than Jakarta!

Lots of motorbikes - so there were many fancy Vespa and Piagio.

There were more 'Chinese' faces - fair skin and slim!

We stayed at Park Hyatt Saigon - probably the best in town, thanks to Matt's corporate rate... hi hi
It is located in the central HCMC, very accessible to many attractions in the city

I fell sick on the 2nd day (worst hangover + my monthly curse) So unfortunately we had to skip the Mekong river tour and the cave tour... a good excuse to go back again!

And though we stayed only in the city, we loved it and will gladly move here if we have to!
People were generally friendly - some guy helped us cross the road or some men pointed at the directions from far - of course, we probably looked like helpless tourists.

But also it is an exciting city... Communist country? hm...nothing I imagined.
We experienced gun shooting scene at a bar where we had a beer, on the first day.
Or a 3years old street girl smoking....

Anyway, please check out http://hochimingcity-nov2007.blogspot.com/ for more photos!

Bali - November 2007

BUT, before I get on with 'work' and 'reality' in Singapore, I'm off to a relaxing holiday with Matty to Ubud for a week!
It was Matt's first time to Bali and my 4th visit. I had not been back for almost 5 years. It was so peaceful, it made me think, this paradise is so near us and why didn't I do this more often.

While soaking in the beauty and serenity of the nature, ironically I thought how nice it will be to go with a big loud group, Mom, Dad, Emi & Rique, and of course Daichan and his family who will bring with them another level of fun to the trip.
Matt's family and friends in UK has never been to Bali so we are planning for another trip, perhaps with them too.

We stayed at Ubud for the whole week in a beautiful villa called "Alam Shanti".
This villa was rated No.1 in Trip Advisor in 2006.

Please see
http://mattsfirsttriptobali-naomi.blogspot.com/
for more pictures of the villa, sights and tour we took.

Moving back AGAIN

5 months in Jakarta - tried, distracted and learnt some lessons...

Firstly, I am no longer scared and unfamiliar about babies! They will be born and they will survive, just by being a baby - has everyone's attention. It's just natural.



And of course, though I wasn't much of a substantial help to H20, it was interesting to dip my toe in the F&B industry, adding to my 'Jack of all trades, master of none'ness.
Fashion - leave it to the people in the trade.
But most of all, I strongly felt the inevitable cycle of life.
So where am I going from here?
I'm still searching for what I really want...
But I'm looking forward for the new chapter of my life.

Company Outing

Went to Puncak - the highlands 2hrs drive from Jakarta - with KiraKira Ginza, Jurin and H20 staff.

I was surprised and touched at how the staff sincerely enjoyed themselves, so much so that most of them were too excited to sleep!

Food was plenty, winning the hearts of everyone there - ending with Kambing Guling - Lamb BBQ.

It wasn't even a hotel accomodation, rather they slept at the attic with futons side by side, men, women, boys and girls all in 1 place. They even organized games on their own.

Such appreciative bunch of pure and beautiful people.

Jurin - Realization

While H20 is closed for the fasting period and renovation, I worked at Jurin with Toko-chan.
But when Toko-chan went to Japan to see V6 in concert for a week, I took over the role of Mama-san!

And through this experience, I found the ugly truth about myself.

That I cannot fluently speak and joke in Japanese. And not even in English like the natives. It's a dilemma that I can't belong to any groups.

Secondly, I found it painfully difficult to make conversations with the Japanese men who patronize this place.
And that's because I am not a good listener! And that my general knowledge is...er embarrassing. I am shallow.

So I started grabbing books in my hand again.