Matt's Best Friends

After the wedding, we drove up to London to meet Matt's closest friends.
We decided not to go to the actual rugby game, instead, went to a pub to watch it.
First we had lunch at an Italian restaurant where they greeted us with Champagne, then we went to a pub, England won and happily we went to a lounge for more drinks, then we went to Rules restaurant http://www.rules.co.uk/restaurant/ which was established in 1798, the oldest restaurant in London. It serves traditional British food and I had rabbit meat- a wonderful meal, then we went to an Oyster bar for more champagne and a gulp of an oyster.
Such looseness and merry good time.
Vicky, Jim, Ginge and Kiwi - said they will come to our wedding in August, which is really nice to know. They miss having Matt in London and Matt's finally missing living in London.

Horsham, West Sussex

Before and after the wedding, we stayed at Matt's parent's place in Horsham and also drove down to Brighton on the last day.
In Horsham, we went to the O'Leary's favorite pub, had wholesome home cooked food (oh, how Matt misses his sausages...), walked around the arcades and went to the family's hairstylist who keeps cute chickens that hatch lovely eggs!.
It was nice to get to know Matt's home town again.
Matt's brother Paul and wife Lucy and baby Ned came to visit us too.

Ashley & Jacky's Wedding

Matt and I took another short 5day trip to UK in March.
This time was for Matt's colleague's wedding, thus Matt's parents were also invited, and to Matt it was a reunion with his fellow Citi colleagues from London.
We It was a proper English wedding in a Georgian Palladian mansion that dates back to 12th century. http://www.handpicked.co.uk/opencms/sites/default/HPH/hotels/buxted_park/about/history.html

The mansion has turned into a luxurious hotel and all rooms were occupied by the guests on the wedding night, courtesy of the newly weds.

Wedding Planning

.....the pressure is too much on the one day. 

Matt and I am 'checking out' potential restaurants and bars for our venue. 

We dine and wine as often as we can and it's really cool knowing these new places, but it's definitely not working well with our fitness plan. 

I think we finally chuck the word [detox] out of our lives.

Then yesterday Yayoi-san said a good thing to me.

She said, "Sutoresu ni naranai teedo ni" - plan within your means.

As simple as that. 

After all, it's my family and dear friends who are coming and I know it's going to be great anyhow!

- Having no expectations is such a powerful tool in being happy and contented.

Taking a Plunge

So Matt and I decided to get married.
I think it's because there's no reason not to.
And once we agreed and announced the news officially, it feels like we are on a whole new level of a loving relationship.
Our families are happy to hear the news and both sides are coming to Singapore to celebrate the day with us, which I'm so grateful.
We don't want a big fat wedding.
But we want to make it a memorable day for us and also for our guests from overseas as a token of appreciation for making their way to share our big day.
It's getting slightly bigger than what we first imagined (BBQ and drinks at our pool side. sounds familiar).
But we are enjoying every aspects of the planning together.

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.