Last day in Bangkok

Woke up pretty fresh, we went to Chatuchak market, mainly for me and my shopping pleasure.
Many shops were closed but I managed to buy what I like under S$50. It's truely 'chiip chiippe'.
We had some time until Lunch time so we decided to take advantage of the chiiip chiip massage place for a whole body oil massage. And I mean the healthy kind. Or so I thought...
For lunch, we met up with Sylvie and Marc to a Moet free flow, all you can eat seafood lunch at Intercontinental Hotel.
From oysters, salmon sashimi to foie gras, we had a satisfying catching up lunch for only 1500Bhat each.
It was a nice weekend getaway, not in Singapore nor to Jakarta as usual.
This time we only scratched the surface, but we will definitely go back for more soon!

Wet in Bangkok

Woke up with a slight hangover, we headed out to a sunny day on the river.
Took the canal boat exclusive to ourselves (show off), we went a detour to the back canal, between houses of the local people, then back into the main river to the Grand Palace. Matt said it's a bit like Venice.

We then got off and saw the big chilled out Buddah and some temples.

The most obvious celebration of Songkran is the throwing of water.
People roam the streets with buckets of water or water guns, even a garden hose and drench each other and helpless tourists, like us.
Originated by pouring water gently over Buddah statues symbolizing good luck to the New years, and also to celebrate the harvest which was brought by water, it's just seems like a good excuse to play with water.
We had been warned but was attacked, by what we thought were innocent playful kids on the streets, while riding on Tuk-Tuk on the way to lunch. We were drenched to our under pants with one good splash!
Saturday night, we went to FACE bar, and ate at Lan Na Thai.
Only after being recommended by Sylvia I realized that I do have to go there!
Lan Nah Thai and Hazara in Jakarta was once my playground, where Emi perfected her hosting skills 15 years ago!
And thanks to that, I met Steve who is now the Manager in Bangkok.
Matt and I got pretty drunk by the cocktails and the 2 complimentary Mojito from Steve, we went back to the hotel and had an early night.

Two Nights in Bangkok

This Bangkok trip was a X'mas gift from last year from Matt, and the date was randomly selected.
Little that we know, it was a New Years Eve in Thailand - Songkarn - which is celebrated every year on 13 April to 15 April.
The traditional things to do on Songkarn for the Thai people is to visit Wat (temples) and visit relatives, just like our New Year.
So the streets were quiet and we managed to avoid the infamous traffic!
We stayed at LUXX hotel, a stylish gayish hotel in the city (which was Matt's choice...). There are only 13 rooms and so the service was very personal. There was a wooden bath tab, DVD and iPod player in a room that has a living area, tiny kitchen (won't use it anyway) and a huge comfortable bed. I so support these boutique hotels!

Met Sylvia and Marc who just moved to Bangkok in January at 'Spring & Summer', a very posh Italian restaurant bar in a 2 story glass villa.
Oversized white and black bean bags were placed in a big garden, it's like having a chill out party at some billionaire's house.
After that Matt and I ventured into Patpong, just to experience what Bangkok's night is famous for. We went into King's Corner which I later discovered, has the largest collection of post-operative transsexuals in Bangkok.
But maybe because of the New Years and all, the whole atmosphere felt softened and tamed.
Here's Matt going for the favorite snacks of the Thai people - crickets, grass hoppers and bugs. Deep fried and seasoned heavily with salt and sauce, Matt said it's just like pork scrachings. We offered them to the girls and soon found ourselves popular among the hungry girls.

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!