VN-Gal and the Drummer are supposed to take care of my place....I hope they do...and keep it clean too ;) you know how crazy I am w/ cleanliness........LOL!!

I am really enjoying my vacation....although I knew when I came back I would be really busy w/ the project....this yearly trip I make is still a family vacation where we all meet (from all over the world) to spend a few weeks together….there was no real privacy or opportunity for isolation….nevertheless, I always manage to take the “me” time away from everyone…..

I also get to hug and kiss my niece and nephew...and snuggle w/ them every night...life is good! I hope to get lotz and lotz that would last me a whole year...'til I see them again!!

Princes Bridge

King Domain Garden

Eucalyptus

Chinatown

---------------------------------------------

My dad's birthday is on the 26th....I had a deep discussion w/ "someone" over a bottle of Moet Champagne....

The fact is part of my parents do live on in me…. Parents are the first experiences that children have, so it seems only natural. I will take the best and leave behind the rest…….my parents gave me opportunities….my mother tried her very best to set up my life so that I would never really really need anything….

I have always bigger plan in my life….traveling represents an opportunity to find myself….. I really do love the freedom of going where the wind takes you... skiing in Lake Tahoe one day, snorkeling in the Bali, and then having hotpot in Singapore the next.

As for me...if I want to see if the world can treat me better is to move forward. I still remember the nursery song: The itsy bitsy spider went up the water spout and got washed down ... how many times does the spider get washed down?…….but…it is still going at that sh** ever since my childhood and continues on doing it endlessly.....LOL

I know my life is not easy at times. But I have no choice-- I have to keep pushing and believing in HIM…..and His proven promise to me…that it will all be worth it. I'm rooting for HIM and HIM only….!

------------------------------------------

I was busy preparing for Christmas.....and yeah..including shopping with friends and families....such a blast!!!!....

I got to spend time w/ my bro: E too..which is good he has started working w/ one of the Big 4 Int'l financial firms....

Tons of yummilicious food:

Sweet corn soup with basil veloute

Fish of the Day on poached Queensland Scallops, Asparagus and Confit Poratabello with Corriander Hollandaise.

-------------------

Church services were awesome......

And with a blink of an eye, there goes 2007. Our New Year's Eve was very warm and pleasant. On the morning of the 31st, I woke up and raced to the fish markets to buy five dozens of the freshest Rock Oysters, and helped my sis-in-law to prep the rest of the food. Their friends: J & K bought a WHOLE salmon which was filleted, and it was amazing to work with such a large, uncut portion of flesh (which normally is only reserved for restaurants). While I was slicing it thinly, I purposely made mistakes (or "bung pieces" we called it) just so we could keep snacking on it while we were preparing. Our collaborative menu for the evening designed to match Rose Champagne

Freshly Shucked Rock Oysters served with Champagne Vinegarette or Soy Mirin and Ginger dressing

Antipasto selection of olives, baby octopus, grilled zucchini, pestostuffed bell peppers to accompany dips of taramasalata, hommus withflat lebanese bread

New Style Salmon Sashimi (Nobu Style, where boiling hot oil is poured at the very last minute before serving so the flesh is slightly cooked)

Caprese Salad with Buffalo Mozzarella

Roast duck on julienned green mango salad with sprouts, baby grape tomatoes, thai basil and cilantro with a palm sugar sauce. Served on Chinese spoons

Salad of Baby Rocket, Toasted pecans, Nashi pear, Stilton blue cheese

Mini Wagyu burgers with tomato and onion relish, baby cos lettuce

Chinese style crispy skin Roast Pork

Selection of Cheeses: Morbier, Truffled Brie, Ashed Chevre served with baby currant grapes, quince paste, lavosh bread

New York Style Cheesecake from Yellow Bistro

End 2007 - Begin 2008 Rose champagne degustation:
Billecart Salmon Brut Rose NV
Louis Roederer 2000 Rose Champagne Vintage
Laurent Perrier 1997 Grande Siecle Rose, Cuvee Alexandra
Billecart Salmon Demi Sec NV (something sweet for the stroke of midnight)

--------------------------

2007 I came down from the “HIGH” and fell out of love….I do try to embrace endings when they arrive…becz..to me they always signal the beginning of something brand new. If there were no endings, there would never be new and better beginnings. Sometimes when I am handed a chance to change, I knew what I had to do…but yet..I fight with it…I try to resist every ounce of it…..but then I get tired and accept it….and go with the flow….SOON, the world looks brand spanking new again. And there it is........the resilience and strength I don't know I have through HIM. And nobody's life spirals downwards forever. The upswing comes eventually. And I wanna be ready to grab the opportunity when it swings by, because better days are ahead - that’s HIS promise.......:):)

I love New Year's celebrations, ushering in a brand new year. It’s when I toss out all the crap, do some spring cleaning of the soul, and resolve to be a better person next year. After all, new year's resolutions are all about being a better person. And I carry that hope with my forwards without looking back. So here's to the year ahead, full of satisfying weirdness, less clutter of the soul, and more kindness all around. Hope. Its buoys the spirits, buffers the soul, and excites me about all the myriad possibilities around the corner.

I was so ready to countdown. Now who's gonna do it with me?? LOL!!!!

------------------------

Happy 2008... and what betta place to start the new year than at the beach…..
Soaking up the sun..
Cloudless blue skies.
Preparing for a mid-morning siesta
Feeding the fishes & looking for baby sharks.
But most acute of all, a year of solitude.. perhaps more than I wanted.
Let’s see what 2008 brings

BTW...my sis-in-law and I have a great time together…..despite our differences at times……we have another yr of enduring friendships... distance really has no hold over us :) I have been given by HIM a super-kewl sista!!!

She gave me this super-delish Borscht recipe

Ingredients:
Half baby savoy cabbage, finely chopped
10 x organic baby carrots, finely diced
Half a brown onion, finely diced
One clove garlic, halved in centre
One cob of sweet corn
One organic zucchini, finely diced
Ossobuco (2 pieces - around 500g)
350ml organic tomato puree
350ml beef stock
500ml water

1. Cover the ossobuco with water in a large pot and bring to the boil
2. After one or two minutes of boiling, discard the liquid (clears broth of impurities)
3. Add beef stock and water into the pot again, on medium heat, add all vegetable ingredients
4. Gently stir in tomato puree
5. Simmer for around two hours
6. Add salt, pepper and chilli oil to taste

Removed the corn, and dice the beef (ossobucco) before serving.

----------------

Another great food:

Summer Shellfish Salad - blue swimmer crab, squid, scallops, mussels, rocket, basil cress, cherry tomatoes

And finishing it off with a bottle of Heidsieck Champagne - Gold.

------------------

Sitting on the balcony and facing the ocean. It's a great feeling. I must have exchanged some 50 text messages...with "him".. a round-the-world trip, talking in 3+ languages... we're a riot.
So close... yet so far.

-----------------

Lastly the trip to the winery:

Sumac spiced prawns with a watermelon, marinated fetta and mint salad

Caramelised onion, olive and duetto tart

Poached asparagus with a smoked salmon terrine and soft boiled egg
Matched with three TarraWarra Estate White Wines

Wood spit-roasted duck with sauteed Ya pears

Wood char-grilled cumin lamb fillets

Wood char-grilled beef with parmesan polenta
Matched with three TarraWarra Estate Red Wines

The journey was waaaaaaay tooooooo long.....I was losing my patience...but when I finally made it...I was sooo glad that we decided to meet at this destination......it's breathtakingly beautiful....

Observing the people at the 3 airports:

Je vois toujours des visages contentes quand j'suis a l'aeroport.. c'est la ou les amoureux s'attendent, les familles se reunissent.. des sourires et des larmes partout.

----------------------------------------------------

On my first day - I got to enjoy Coopers....w/ my Coopers buddy: sis-in-law.....

Coopers - Australian beer company (Australia's sole remaining family owned brewery).....contains no additives or preservatives....my favorite beer since my first Sydney visit in 2005.....

I had a kewl sis-in-law who also enjoys drinks occasionally....... LOL....but the difference is she had to have her pilsner glass to drink it w/ and me? just straight out of the bottle......LOL..LOL...

Yeah...yeah to those fancy-dainty beer-drinkers.... I know the red label Coopers is sparkling ale (considered light) so pilsner will be the right glass to drink it w/....whatever....whatever....

Ha...me drinking beer out straight out of the bottle used to horrified the ex-Frenchie or even the German Dude!!! Oh well.....so unlady like of me! LOL....

----------------------------

Christmas eve was a very peaceful one....it is all about HIS never-ending love to us....I never cease to be amazed of how much blessings God had given me.

And then it was off for a BBQ after... lots of food and wine.. LOL…I ate tons....I think..

It has been a nicey vacation sooo far and it is just the beginning.....I have lots to update................

Although it's been said many times, many ways, "Merry Christmas to you."

I have been super busy at work doing last minute tasks before my departure......my boss is super kewl he told me that I could leave @ 1P tomorrow so I won't be rushing.....

These few days 2 0r 3 morning cups of coffee have been my faithful companion..........I have a whole lot of work to do for this project....!!!!

"I put my heart and soul into my work, and lost my mind in the process"
Van Gogh...LOL

December in Houston has been so mild....I could recall how cold it was last year in ATL....bro R...told me that ATL has been in the 20s....geez and Houston's high is like 60s.....how about that!

I am all packed and ready to go!!! And this might be my last entry for this year...since I am not sure if I would have much time to update......I just wanna wish everyone - a Very Merry Christmas and a Blessed New Year....!!!!!!

----------------------------------------

WOW... that's all I can say. talk about dropping a bomb right on the head. I guess I always knew. I guess the signs were always there... I just didn't look too much into it, never paid enough attention. and now that I'm piecing everything together, it starts to make a lot of sense. It's kinda weird, really. I'm trying to wrap my head around it but at the same time I feel like I've been expecting it all along, like somehow I just knew about it....I wish I could say more about it but this is one can of worms I wouldn't be touching. I guess i just gotta let this one slide, no matter how much it affects me....if only I knew what to make of this whole thing.

------------------------------

Gosh, you meet different types of people in life, and there are those who you know are true friends and then, there are the acquaintances.

To me a true friend is some-one who would be there for you whenever; rain or shine. They don't judge you, but they aren't afraid of telling you when you're wrong and even go the extra mile to save your ass. They'll come over uninvited, share anything from secrets, information, stories, jokes, feelings and advice. They'll be there for you and understand when you need your time to be alone. They are loving, generous and supportive, even protective and genuine.

I have been tagged by dearie TEI - GA - soooo here we go!

WERE YOU NAMED AFTER ANYONE? Not that I know of.....

WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU CRIED? This is not a kewl quest...LOL....when I recently decided to break up my engagement w/ "u-guys-know-who"

DO YOU LIKE YOUR HANDWRITING? Yeah, got compliments all the time about it....

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE LUNCH MEAT? Ughhhh I guess would be turkey?

DO YOU HAVE KIDS? Nope :)

IF YOU WERE ANOTHER PERSON, WOULD YOU BE FRIENDS WITH YOU? Oh yeah...most definitely :) ;)

DO YOU USE SARCASM A LOT? Only when it's absolutely necessary...

DO YOU STILL HAVE YOUR TONSILS? Would you like to check to make sure? J.K...yes I do!

WOULD YOU BUNGEE JUMP? I HAVE! Even though I am kinda afraid of heights...I did it bcz I was being challenged to do it and I wanted to face my fear....would I do it again? NOPE.....

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CEREAL? Alpen (Muesli) cereal (Blue Box) has yummies like juicy raisins, crisp wheat flakes, roasted hazelnuts and almonds and rolled oats....organic and no added sugar or salt....

DO YOU UNTIE YOUR SHOES WHEN YOU TAKE THEM OFF? Not when I am in a hurry

DO YOU THINK YOU ARE STRONG? Yes, my strength came from the Lord....

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ICE CREAM? Mocha/Coffee…

WHAT IS THE FIRST THING YOU NOTICE ABOUT PEOPLE? Their smile and their eyes…….

RED OR PINK? I guess pink but my fave is purple and all its shades..........

WHAT IS THE LEAST FAVORITE THING ABOUT YOURSELF? My fickleness...

WHO DO YOU MISS THE MOST? Both of my parents...I still think of 'em often.....

WHAT COLOR PANTS AND SHOES ARE YOU WEARING? Black tailored pants and black ankle boots

WHAT WAS THE LAST THING YOU ATE? Tangerines

WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO RIGHT NOW? Christmas songs to get me in the mood of packing.......

IF YOU WERE A CRAYON, WHAT COLOR WOULD YOU BE? Pretty obvious - purple: the princessy color......

FAVORITE SMELLS? Nanette Lepore Perfume

WHO WAS THE LAST PERSON YOU TALKED TO ON THE PHONE? R.K….

DO YOU LIKE THE PERSON WHO SENT THIS? YES-YES-YES!

FAVORITE SPORTS TO WATCH? Basketball

HAIR COLOR? Darkest Brown/black

EYE COLOR? Beauuuuuuuutiful brown eyes…..LOL!

DO YOU WEAR CONTACTS? Used to….’til I got my Lasik surgery about a year ago…

My -ex: "the guy w/ the new gal"....came by to pick me up...he took me to his music school so I could get lost in my own world playing classical tunes on the piano when he unpacked his drums from last night show.....




I had forgotten how much I love playing the piano....it's has always been such a soothing escape......when my mind is heavy....I love to run away by playing a few of my fave classical tunes.....it reminds me of my mom...she was a piano teacher....it reminds me the time when I was a little gal, she would patiently teach me songs and sing along together............


I was there for about an hr...then he dropped me off back home.......he knew that the piano would definitely cheer me up!

-------------------------------
The ultimate dream of a traveler is that.....being able to close her/his eyes and pin point any spot on a map and the next second he/she would be catching the next plane to that location for a long getaway........total freedom, of choice and of responsibilities and commitments.




I had this discussion w/ A......he typed and I quote: "the best thing about traveling is as soon as the plane takes off you just forget about everything at home".....Oh, I so totally agree.......and then he asked me...if there....a place anywhere on earth that I would wanna be right now?


I couldn't realy think of one particular place....to me as long as it is to somewhere far, somewhere nice...and for at least a few months....three...or maybe four...what about six? A year would be nice also.....where I would be departing for what I like to call, a mini globe conquest.

------------------
Places I've been in recent years and don't feel like visiting anytime soon: Holland, France (Paris), Japan, Thailand, Singapore, Hong Kong.
Places I don't mind visiting again: South of France, Switzerland, Australia, Indonesia.....

Currently Listenin' to:

Wake Up Call - Maroon 5

Never Too Late - Three Days Grace

Over You - Daughtry

Apologize - One Republic

How To Save A Life - The Fray

Lips of an Angel - Hinder

Big Girls Don't Cry - Fergie

Pastor wife called...wow...she heard about the news...and talked to me about love and endurance...etc.

Last night I caught up w/ some friends...chatting...it has been a while...most of 'em had heard the news and were concerned.....it was sooo good to be able to hear from 'em....especially my bro - E too...

About 10P I got a phone call asking me to meet everyone at Baker's Street Pub in Sugarland...

---------

Morning came - church as usual...the message was powerful! I am renewed in the spirit!

Then I run around to get last minute crapolas before Wednesday! Stopped for lunch to meet w/ B-dearie...we had Korean....

I dropped off my bro his Christmas gift too....

I feel happy...content...blessed....and ready to face Monday......

--------------

OH BTW there is this one cutie guy @ work....by the name of R.....he has been flirtie-flirt a lot....and this one chicka that is obviously liked him has been giving me a go-2-h look...like don't touch my man kinda thingy....

R - is cute a mixture btw British and American...super chic...

Everytime she heard him came over to my area to chat...she would immediately be there in a second....SIGH....no mo' drama in my life....you can have all of him!

Last week the power went off for about an hr...so all of us were just hangin' around chatting...after a while I took my cell phone and told him that it would be a good time to make a phone calls....he took his cell out and looked dead @ me he said: EXCEPT I don't have anyone to call.....oh pleaseeeeee I had to try soo hard not to roll my eyes a thousand times....do you really want me to believe that a man like you don't have anyone to call....LMAO.....

I saw Tam, R, V earlier today....we all laughed and laughed and laughed more over silly stuff....

My strength comes from GOD alone!!!!

About an hr ago....I just spent almost 2+ hrs on the phone w/ him....trying his best to convince me that things would be different....I somehow doubt it!

I know I told everyone that I would be at Sam's Place @ the Fountains...but for some reason....I sorta changed my mind....I now wanna just be a home-body.....enjoying the solitude...and PACKING for Melbourne......

Afterwards I would like to have a cuppa herbal tea and a read a good book....

:) :)

I used to be the special 'lil gal in his life....for 18 yrs....

We were together for 13 + yrs....

After....he never really in a "serious" relationship w/ anybody else....

We are still very closed....I am still closed to his family and likewise he is to mine...however our closeness was more like a bestiest.........we know each other so well......what the other likes/dislikes etc......

All our mutual friends are still in tact....he's basically my security blankie...he fixes my boo-boos whenever I have bad days...or I will call him to share my inner feelings that I won't share w/ anyone else...he is truly my confidant...he was there for me for the BOZO-dude...and now for this one too..............

UNTIL.............he is now finding himself in this "serious" relationship....I heard the joy in his voice and the happiness in his eyes that used to be for ME and ME only.....

I was trying hard not to show my jealousy....the jealousy that I have it's not that I want him back in a relationship...but was more like I am losing my closest friend over a DUDETTE! I can't compete becz I have no place to do so!!!

After months of pouting every time he mentioned her name.....and being a spoily little brat..(he patiently just smiled and shook his head)....I finally got to hang out w/ her all night in a bar where he played drums.....then I realized she's really nice....I realized that I am also happy for him.....so when he looked at me that night and he saw me smiled...an "approval-I-am-truly-happy-for-you" smile....I saw him smiled back in relieved.....

I am turning from the GREEN-EYED MONSTER 'LIL GAL to a "FRIENDLY" GREEN-EYED MONSTER 'LIL GAL...LMAO!!

JUST FYI - I am still waaaaaaaay cuter than her!!!!!! ;) ;)

You still focusing hard on the past.....

I am scrambling to move forward.....

Things done, time spent, moments shared… it all seem meaningless now. Suddenly everything that were wonderful, everything that kept me prancing in the morning, humming while taking a shower, giggling inside became memories in an instant.

HOUSTON - therefore it rains. This wet weather however failed to thaw my heart, or it is because I’m already too frozen inside? I press my hand over to my chest close to my beating heart: “Yes I’m still alive.”

I dreamed about you last night...so vivid that I reached out for you............only to find an empty space next to me............

-----------------

Last night I had a ball w/ really close friends.....eating and enjoying Mojito-Merlot mixed...!!!

Counting down Melbourne!

Tonight I am going to Sam's Place @ the Fountains...those who want to see me can meet me there.... :)

You called and asked me if I still remember about last Christmas in Sydney...

Of courze...good memories are not going to just disappear in a day or two, in a month or two, in a year or two......

Tis' Christmas it is absolutely going to be different w/out you.....

I luv you still.....but I haven't changed my mind yet.....

It’s a little while since I have him to share a nice quiet dinner with, to hold hands and take a walk in the park or just to lie in bed looking up at the ceiling and hearing him whispering sweet nothingness about our future.

Many who came out of a relationship convinced me how wonderful single life is. I must agree! It has been delightful. To lead a life without control, to go out with whoever I wish, to pack up and leave the country whenever I want for however long I want, for a week, for a month, a year even and no one to hold me back.

Yes it has been pleasant……or at least that’s what I really wanna myself to believe??

Counting down the days – I can wait to squeeze the kiddos…LOL!!!!

I really enjoyed my life back in the city...LOL.....all my friends are mucho kewl....I had a drink w/ Tam....we really enjoyed our girly talk....

Work is busy - boss is super kewl....I talked to Bro R, KM, and T today during the power outage at work............I do miss them!! I am praying for Bro R....

I worked late bcz I am preparing report for the meeting tomorrow @ a different location again - geez twice in this week!!!...the weather is finally getting a bit cooler.....it had been sooo hot that I was running around w/ shorts over the weekend.............

Decided to meet some friends at a sushi place after work.....sumptuous dinner!

-------------

I was asked to go on a date ;) the third time from 3 different dudes.....this single life ain't bad after all.....I am taking it easy nothing heavy.....yeah....I am not just gonna jumped to another relationship....it is all going to take time...actually I really enjoy my freedom at this moment.....I am not going to tangle myself w/ any boys ;) not for a while anyway.....

I am buying me a little place in 6 mos....LUV the place..

Tar, Nar and I are starting our own little business soon....in fact I am meeting her in ATL on the 19th before leaving to Melbourne!

I feel blessed.....

I feel peaceful....

I feel joyful

I fell content...

All praise to HIM!