After almost a perfect weekend escape in the tiny island called Singapore ... it’s really hard to stay in touch with reality. Holiday merry blues still haunt and rule each and every inch of our body, mind and soul. What we dearly miss there....
1. Friendly pavement for pedestrian
From Sommerset 313 to (long and straight) Orchard (aka Mandarin, Takashimaya, Wisma Atria, Wheelock Place and cross the Scott Rd and so forth)... the big, shady and lu
sh pedestrian path that so friendly with turistas like us .... It’s so nice to watch people go by whilst gazing the flock of black, half-ugly doves fly away and play at the mini fountain in front Ngee Ann City. The sun almost sets .. the hour is lazy .. the air is breezy ... It’s de-lovely!
2. Sale Fiesta
There is only one Takashimaya, Tangs, Robinsons .... but there are a lot of sale. Offering a bargain we can hardly escape to miss ... An absolut total retail bliss for us. Who can’t resist a 300 ml Marc Jacobs Cucumber EDT (unisex) for only S$ 70 and a pair of we-can’t-find-it-in-Jkt-Sport-Station-Puma Mihara for a mere S$ 59? We are under the spell of ol mantra called buy buy buy!!!
3. Food Food Food!
The temptation of oyster omelette, balacan baked sting ray, mee siam, roti prata, naan set, ice kacang, tahu telor, curry puff are so intense. We lose the fight, surrender the diet and succumb to comforting bites and munch. It’s a culinary affair we always remember...
4. Decent Public Transport
Singapore has the best transportation system ever! Hop in from one MRT station to another and be part of the commuter. No afraid of soaking rain and the heat of 12.00 o clock sunrays. Just keep walking. Taxi is the last option, only for dropping us off to the airport.
5. The Path Less Traveled
Sorry ... Many trip there but we skip and forgetting Singapore Flyer, Ann Siang, Asylum, Little India, Y3, Holland Village, Clarke Quay and Cafe del Mar @ Siloso Beach, Sentosa. For us, the zoo and Jurong bird park is too kiddy.
6. Kopitiam Pinggir Jalan
Kaya toast never taste this good with the view of Singapore’s busy but less polluted traffic. Ice Milo and Ice Coffee would be the great companion. Try the soft bun too ... two thumbs up!! Perfect Sunday morning are made of these!
7. Old Chang Kee
Yes, we know Old Chang Kee already open their booth here in Jakarta. Pity ... they place it on the neat indoor mall like Senayan City, EX, Klp Gading and Taman Anggrek. It doesn’t give us the same feeling like the one on the Orchard road. Drop by and pause for a yummy munch and continue our hunting “eh kita kan belum ke sini yahhh ...” again ... (kan udah ada energi dari sepotong Old Chang Kee :p)
8. Foto Sana Sini
Inside the MRT. At the window shop display. Between meals and drinks. Everywhere... anywhere... We think it’s a nice place. Don’t know why... suddenly we become self-obsessed, strike a pose or two and unleash our “narcist” soul.
Summer time is not yet come and the living ain’t that silky smooth sassy. Your daddy ain’t the “Mr. You’re fired” called Donald Trump and your mama is no Victoria’s Secret earthly angel named Heidi Klum. But who says you can’t have a beautiful wonderful delightful magnificent life? This is our life ... so we are fully permitted to set our own rules! No need to be a Hilton or get in Kardashian clan to have a fabulous life (altho’ it’s damned nice to obtain their 1/3 bank account ;) Here are my version of la dolce vita:
1. Durian + ketan
It was my dear grandmother who introduced me to this deadlicious duet and I forever feel grateful to her. This is like the closest feeling of heaven on earth. Okay that’s a little bit “lebay” but once you feel their sensation, you’ll know what I mean.
2. Starbucks hot mochacino
Coffee never fail to boost my mood! Special when your credit card offer a “buy one get one” program on “tanggal tua”. Superb!!
3. Laid back weekend with a stack of new DVDsNo deadlines. No overtime on weekend. No one home. No problemo. Push play and jump away from scene to scene. Pause for a steamy action.
4. Four hours karaoke with your girlfriends
Sing your heart out! Hit that high notes! This is not the time and place to be “jaim’, let out your inner Beyonce even it’s a little bit pitchy. But who cares…Simon won’t be there to judge your performance.
5. 90 minutes body massage at Bersih Sehat
Yes, we’re Sagittarians... So we are massage junkie. Ask for lavender or peppermint aromatherapy to boost the level of relaxation. Heaven on earth.
6. Free lunch in the middle of the month aka “tanggal tua”
The best things in life are free and the best of it all if it happened when you almost broke. When “warteg” is your only choice for lunch then it’s your friend birthday and he/she treats you lunch at Sushi Tei, Plaza Senayan. Life is so god-damn beautiful!
7. Green tea ice cream
Trully a pure pleasure. Maca ice cream it’s not gonna put an extra pound to your hip right? Green tea is healthy, right? So it’s okay to order another cup, right? Am I right?
8. Shopping spree at Melawai Plaza
Zara’s inspired dress for only Rp 150.000. Legging “injek” for Rp 35.000. Gap look-alike cardigan around Rp 80.000. Stop by at Kari Umbi for delightful ”kue-kue cantik” and siomay! You can even shop here on “tanggal tua”. Ain’t life grand?
There’s nothing new under the sun ... but it does not mean that life is pretty dull cloudy and boring. Life is always beautiful. Come rain or come shine. Celebrate life and strive to be happy. Wake up ... smell the coffee ... sniff the green grass after the rain ... treat yourself a rum-raisin ice cream ... or simply just relax and doing nothing (be a couch potato is not a sin). At every turn and corner ... expect the unexpected and be amazed ... be thankful ... be generous ... be a sponge ... be a life’s petite wanderer ... be a good listener ... Well ... I don’t mean to be a zen preacher but it works tho ... and here’s my stuff to keep me sane in the insane world ...
1. Pirated dvd (cd included)
Every now and then movies (and music) actually nourishes my mind (and soul). I indulge ‘em, get addicted and somehow becomes my guilty pleasure (for several titles :P ... you don’t have to know)... They truly are the best thing in life since food) .... Jakarta offers plethora of good quality (pirated) dvd (and cd as well). Any genre. Serial. New releases. Cult. Classic. You name it. Mangga dua and its ITC counterpart has ‘em (all). Confession : No offense to original dvd (and cd) lovers. With due respect, I actually am purchasing the original ... especially the hard to get one titles and treasure them forever.
2. Factory Outlet
GAP sale @ Senci : Rp. 179,500 (50% off). Outlet (no sale) : Rp. 99,500 (no knock off – and bears the same GAP quality) Recession ... downsizing ... economic havoc still haunt us there ... Be a clever customer ... In a nut shell : at least we can wear something branded that does not cost arm and leg :p
3. Black Forest @ AH
Buttery tender chocolate cake with a chunk of dark cherry ... bite once and you’ll hook up ... crave for more... 100% Guaranteed!! (Thank God it’s sooooo affordable too) AH is recently spotted at Blok M and Cikini (Formule One Hotel).
4. Ice Green Tea
The award goes to Fres Tea and Joy Tea ... available everywhere ... any time .. any minute of the day ... Add crush ice and a lil vodka ... it takes you to a great mmmmmmhhh (good snack and good music are optional ...)
5. Refleksi Kaki
Be it in 5 stars mall ... ITC type ... Nearest Ruko .... let’s pick one! They are ready to transport us into a better well being afterward ....
6. Tukang Nasi Goreng Tektek
Poor for those who dwell in a cluster, gated, guarded housing zone as the instant and fast cook fella can’t drop by. Add one egg ... additional pickles and crackers ... this foodie is a salvation and redemption of apres-nuit hunger attack.
7. Adul si Muka Lucu
Fall in love over and over with this natural-born extra petite comedian. He always spread the sunshine all over the place and God please bless this guy so we can have a great laughter after the irrational deadline, greedy clients, dumb big ego boss, (simply : hard’s day @ work).
8. Side Job
Show me the money ... having extra cash in my pocket is always nice. To shop (hard) is human after all ...
9. Dapat undian
If I could choose ... car ... cash ... or holiday get-a-way ... are the ultimate dream wish. Have mercy on thee ... grab me three of these :p
Earthlings ... we are so bountiful blessed in many ways !! Our sensory delights in all sugar and spice ... naughty and nice ... :pWhat sounds make you go high ... What eatery delights make you go ehmmm ...What smell turns you on ... 1. French Macaroon
Delectable colorful meringue crisp biscuit ... So many flavors ... so hard to pick yet so notoriously difficult to make ... This petite creation makes Oprah go ehmmmmmm ....
2. Clean Men Fragrance
Closest thing to straight-ahead shower smell. Pristinely fresh since the embracing aroma of lime, grapefruit, clove, lavender and musk awaken your mind and enrich your senses. Masculine, elegance, distinction and gentlemanly discretion.3. Xavier Cugat
Arranger cum businessman cum cartoonist. Resides in US. Born in Spain. Chill out in Havana. Popularized Spanish tunes into mainstream listener in America. Wong Kar Wai immortalizes him. Woody Allen adores him. The Simpson pays tribute to him. What not to cherish ... from Siboney to Manhattan to Perfidia ... Cugat remains the Mambo King!4. Coco Chanel 
Tan, smooky, husky, witty, charming ... all superlatives belong to Mademoisalle Chanel. Born as a peasant, spend pre-teen in orphanage, enjoy a lavish life, die in The Ritz. Never married but (hurrahhhh) has many affairs with remarkable figures at her time. A very fine example of how to live life at the fullest. PS: A trip to Paris is not complete without drop by @ Rue Cambon. Her tribute to luxe-simplicity makes the stuff bearing the inter-locking C logo an object of desire ... (and makes the women go hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm) 5. Blossom Dearie 
A distinctive, girlish voice, crisp, impeccable delivery, and an irrepressible sense of playful swing made Blossom Dearie one of the most enjoyable singers of the vocal era. Her warmth and sparkle ensured that she'd never treat standards as the well-worn songs they often appeared in less capable hands. Listen to her and the serenity New York will come to mind! Mmmmm in another level ... I suppose ;) 6. Beautiful Tomorrow by Blue 6
House groove has never been so seducing and smooth... Feel the pulse of stripped-down, naked vibe urban soul. It’s like prelude to a luxurious sensual chill out evening. Play "Music and Wine" ... and various mmmm will come your way !!! 7. A bar of dark chocolate 
And God created the chocolate. Popularized by the Mayans, worshiped by the Aztec ... and branded by the modern society namely as Godiva, Hershey, Lindts, Toblerone, Meiji, Cadburry, Silver Queen (the list is endless). One of the affordable luxury that still makes me (and you) go ehmmmmm. 8. Marvin Gaye
If temptation has a name it’s gotta be the marvelous Marvin Gaye. Son of a preacher man slash the prodigal son slash the sexiest Motown star. Perhaps, perhaps, perhaps he’s now “reborn” into the talented man called John Legend.
Not a big fan of V day, but I like how the media treated this day. Romantic movies will be flooding your TV and that inspires me to make the list of my favorite romantic comedy. Here we go...1. Notting Hill (Julia Roberts & Hugh Grant)“I’m just a girl, standing in front of a boy, asking him to love her” Oh Julia, Julia…you know what every girl asked from a boy.
2. He’s Just Not that Into You (Jennifer Anniston, Ben Affleck, etc)“Are you the rule or the exception?” Gosh…we all wanna be the exception. Specially for Justin Long ;) or Bradley Cooper or Ben Affleck or Kevin Conolly or whoever good looking guy you prefer on this movie.3. The Holiday (Jude Law, Cameron Diaz, Kate Winslet, Jack Black)“For you Iris, I only used the good notes” Now who would thought Jack Black could be so sweet & smooth? And Jude Law couldn’t get any hotter than this! I wish I have house of my own to swap with someone who has a brother as hot as Jude Law!
4. Four Weddings and a Funeral (Hugh Grant, Andie McDowell)
We gotta thanks this movie from bringing out Hugh Grant to the romantic comedy world! His thick and laid-back British accent will amused you and WH Auden’s poem oohh…*tears
5. When Harry Met Sally (Meg Ryan, Billy Crystal) When you make list of favorite romantic movies, Meg Ryan’s is a must! Although I think men & women can be friend, only, for the men, make sure she’s not Meg Ryan.6. Sense & Sensibility (Kate Winslet, Emma Thompson, Hugh Grant)
“To love is to burn! To be on fire!” I wish they filmed all Jane Austen’s book. It’s freakin’ romantic! And hey, did you notice, Hugh Grant is on the list again. He really is romantic comedy’s whore! :D
7. Ada Apa dengan Cinta
Oh come on…! Admit it! You fell for Nicholas Saputra too! That eagle eyes…that baritone voice reading this…”Aku akan kembali dalam satu purnama untuk mempertanyakan kembali cintanya. Bukan untuknya bukan untuk siapa. Tapi untukku. Karena aku ingin kamu. Itu saja” Ahh…
After hard-dose of romance you have to get out of your room! You need a reality check. Hit the gym, window shopping at the nearest mall, “ngopi2” with your friends, join LSM or “gerakan” something. Because too much romantic comedy mess your mind up, blurring the line between fact and fiction.
Whilst Ms. Mocca hand-pick and personally select her greatest movie marathon ... I recommend several soundtrack to accompany the moment of affection. Let the lush, sun-drenched rhythm embrace the very tender heart and soul of you. Happy Valentine to all ...
1. Till the cop stops knockin ... Maxwell
Forget whatever .. whenever ... this is pure sensual, soulful Maxwell. Gonna melt your heart
2. Chega de Saudade ... Antonio Carlos Jobim
You can’t go wrong with Jobim. Laid back, harmonious, refined.
3. Tenderly ... Bette Middler
The swingin Miss M is tenderly divine!
4. Lover’s Rock ... Sade
Sip a bubbly champagne ... rose wine ... frozen rita whilst listen to this. Superbly amazing!!
5. Este Seu Ohar ... Diana Krall
Diana sings Portuguesse ... her imperfect makes it perfect!
6. That’s All ... Eliane Elias
The lyrics. The haunting melody. The sultry voice ... makes you fall in love again and again.7. S’Wonderful ... Joao Gilberto
English has never been awfully sexy since it’s performed by Joao.
8. On The Street Where You Live ... Nat King Cole
The crooner at his best. Nough said.
9. Mi Buen Amor ... Gloria Estefan
You don’t have to understand to appreciate the splendor glory of love by Gloria :p
10. Wave .. Joao GilbertoAgain the imitable Joao make the timeless tune even greater!
11. The Face That I Loved ... Astrud Gilberto
The ultimate simplicity in overall ... make the tunes immortal !!!
12. Let Me ... Jil Scott
You get the groovin’ chill with Jil13. Les Yeux Ouverts ... Beautiful South
Makes you want to hug him/her more ...
14. My Cherie Amor ... Rod Stewart
So timeless ... can't get enough of it !!15. Cherish / Windy ... Barry Manilow
The harmonious combination always get the perfect score!
16. I Want You ... Marvin GayeSeduceful ... playful ... wonderful !!!
17. Keep Reminding Me ... Phil Perry
Add Perry and smooth jazz sounds better and sexier ...
18. A Minute Of Your Time ... Gunter Kalman Choir
The lyrics gonna stay forever ... in short : together forever in love ...
19. Trouble Sleeping ... Corinne Bailey Rae
Her sleepy voice is amazingly addicted ...
20. Weather Storm ... Massive AttackMysteriously sexy like a deep sensual journey ...
21. Please Baby Don’t ... John Legend
Does the lyric conjure the real John? You decide ... :p ;)
sh pedestrian path that so friendly with turistas like us .... It’s so nice to watch people go by whilst gazing the flock of black, half-ugly doves fly away and play at the mini fountain in front Ngee Ann City. The sun almost sets .. the hour is lazy .. the air is breezy ... It’s de-lovely! 
