Getting a weekday off for me, has the same frequency as an eclipse. It almost never happens and when it does, you better whip your camera out (proverbially speaking, of course) and savour the moment because, it’ll be a LONG while before another one like it will come along.

LF  had the day off too and, I cajoled him into watching the first showing of the day for “He is just not that into you”. For those who are considering watching the movie after reading the book, let me help you save some money. Don’t. It is quite different from the book. For all intents and purposes, it is a feel good movie. Without giving out spoilers, half of the cast end up being the “exception” which the original book begs you not to do. You are almost NEVER the exception. Always the rule. So, why does the movie make it different? Acting wise, I could find no fault. I love Drew Berrymore who had not enough screen time, and ex-beau Justin Long did a great job of carrying the story. You can’t help a sucky script.

It was disappointing. Poor LF was giving me dagger stares for bringing him to such a poofy movie.

It feels strange being in HK. Having spent all morning trying to find the restraint not to call him, I realise that I deleted his numbers with exception of his CH mobile a while ago.

What a woman can tell with someone’s voice. It was extremely telling. Like the others, I chose to walk away.

I really have to learn to stick around.

“Heaven has no rage like love to hatred turned / Nor hell a fury like a woman scorned.”

- The Mourning Bride” (1697) by William Congreve

The phone rang with an unexpected caller on the other end. It begun with curiosity and, quite expectedly the knowledge that an ex is still one and the same leopard. Offering assistance to a perfect stranger, one whom does not have the best impression of me is the only thing I can do especially when there’s an unborn at stake. What’s worse than telling a lie? Telling a lie, being caught and suffering the repressions of said lie. Makes you think long and hard about the toes you step on today, innit?

All I can say to TRS is, hang on with all you got because, it’s going to be one HELL of a bumpy ride.

As imaginative tots when asked to draw what 2010 might look like, we came up all sketches worthy of a NASA scientist having an epileptic fit.  While we are no where close to gallivanting about in a floating shiny silver tin can, we have found alternative means for energy, a step closer to creating blood and, we’re still fighting tooth and nail in our search for an alternate space to live just in case, Earth decides to konk out on us.

Last year, I scratched off a couple of “must do’s” from my ambitious list. Truth be told, the list is anything but frivolous.  “For better or for worse, it is the voice in my head reminding me to do better.” Some people have naggy mothers, I have a list.

LF snuck out of a corporate do and in a healthy role reversal, I drove by to pick him up. The plans were to steer clear from the bottle but, I could not resist.

My archilles’ heel was in the form of a gorgeous Gerwertztraminer, 2006. As delicious as it was, I found myself yearning for a good red. Comes with the season, I suppose.

I did wish that I was better dressed for dinner. Truthfully, I have a level of admiration for women who preen flawlessly. Most days, I struggle to make sure that I have enough sunscreen on. Yet, there they are, all coiffed and decked in their Sunday best, all the time.

New resolution: Be well-dressed all the time.

Merry Christmas!

In life, you are rarely given a chance to rewrite “wrongs”, much less re-live the “rights”. We trundle through the ebb and flow of our mundane routine leaving nothing to chance.

At 14, LF was uncomplicated, faultlessly innocent, utterly adorable and calm that I desperately needed yet couldn’t hold on to. Towering me with his broad swimmer shoulders, penknife thin slits for eyes coupled with a hearty laugh that caught my attention before my heart latched on.

On hindsight, LF set the tone for all the boys from then on. As we sat there, I realised that a decade, four countries, three continents, a couple of bus stops and a few relationships later, we are right back where we first started. Of course, we are better dressed now. At least, I am.

Being the eternal organiser, the sms folders in my phone are organised to a T. With the Prof, I had started an email folder especially for all things, TL. When my computer crashed, along went the idea of giving him the best present ever. Our “conversations”. Lately, my life has seen the need for some housekeeping.

Folders > View > GB > Delete

In a matter of moments, what once was there did not exist anymore. Funny, isn’t it? In the arvo, my chest tightened to a familiar feeling and I had to tell myself to breathe. People don’t realise the impact they have on your life when they decide to walk out. They do what they do because, they are who they are.

She knew you were you

2008 is proving to be a better year than 2007 ever was. No passings, no incredible sadness and no pondering of what might be.

Patience is something I’ve yet to learn. The idea that a journey begins with a single step is something I grapple with. Daily. Yet, on some level, I am here.

Amelie was being difficult and Shyster K told me to be patient, to leave things alone. Knowing what a battle that is, I replied that it was impossible. Moments of silence passed as he indulged my endless barrage of queries amidst the yawns. I stood up to find that Amelie decided to be better to me. She’s a fighter, that one.

Less than a month ago, I was served with a writ of summons. For all intents and purposes, it is absolute proof that life is not fair. Counting my blessings, it is a battle for the powers to be because, I no longer want to fight.

Fight-or-Flight? Do or do not.

In the meantime, gewgaws keep me satiated.

iolite solitaire

In a recent effort to placate me, Jade made the call to Buko Nero. While he balked at a very bad six letter word – fusion, he made the attempt to appease me (or so he says) and I suppose, that’s all that matters.

Amuse Bouche

Buffalo Mozzerella with Balsamic Vinaigrette Reduction

Starter

Spanish Melon & Mescuni Salad with Lime Dressing

Soup

Cream of Corn & Sea Scallops

Palate Cleanser

White Peach Sherbet

Main Course

Lamb Chops

Dessert

Soft Milk Chocolate Cake with Caramel Coulis

With Buko Nero’s strict “No Photography” policy, I went with a single aim in mind – Enjoy. Oh and enjoy I did, every dish had a distinct layer and texture. There was not a dish that did not send big signals of “yummy” down my spine. The finale was the dessert, and it took the cake. It was light yet creamy, sweet but not cloyingly so. Perfect.

We made our way to Cafe Le Claire where the service is reliably bad but the sheesha (hookah) is affordable and conversation always runs easy. Vanilla is my new found favourite though, I wish that they had a double version of it because a single shot was too light for my usual “double apple” lungs.

Buko Nero

126 Tanjong Pagar Road
Singapore 088534
Tel: 6324 6225

Café Le Caire
39 Arab Street
Singapore 199738
Tel: 6292 0979