Eugenie's Top 10 Christmas Wants 2004:
(1) Black Balenciaga motorcycle bag
(2) Marc Jacobs' Blush - I'd really like to smell like a garden of fresh jasmines iPod
(3) Dinner made by Akira
(4) A bunch of phalaenopsis orchids to sit by my bedside. Everyday.
(5) Black cigarette jeans
(6) Manolo Blahniks to go with those jeans
(7) To spend it with those who matter, and lots of wine
(8) Health and happiness. For me, and those who matter
(9) Dance to Fly me to the Moon with he who matters
(10) Real Christmas cards in the mail

Go see: Before Sunset
Why: A sequel that took 9 years to come to life can only be good. Because it's not about reel-life random romantic encounters, and sweet happily ever-afters. Because in real life we sometimes meet people even when we're in relationships we think are near-perfect, and still be swept away by late-night conversations. Because it is based on an intrinsically human premise - a yearning for engaging connectedness, an alchemic reaction that sweeps through all barriers of levelheadedness. The chemistry between Julie Delphy and Ethan Hawke is sincere and beautiful. The acting is so compelling that you'll naturally relate to the oscillating states of mind; temptation then hesitation; sexual tension, rationality, then awkardness. And it's got a cute little soundtrack too. But if you're watching it for closure, forget it.

Linguine - 1 packet
Scallops - frozen is ok. If large, 3-4 per serve; smaller, 6-8 per serve
Shitake mushrooms - as many as you like, cut into thick slices
Asparagus - ditto
Brown/ Red onion - 1 large, chopped
Garlic - 2-3 cloves, crushed
White wine - don't hold back here
Cream - 4 dollops
Butter - a nice cube (you could substitute with olive oil, but IT'S JUST NOT THE SAME)
Fresh parsley - handful, chopped
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(1) Cook asparagus in a pot of salted boiling water until just crisp-tender.
(2) Drain asparagus, run under cold water, set aside
(3) Cook pasta and set aside
(4) Melt 1/3 of butter, brown onions and garlic
(5) Saute asparagus really quickly, remove from heat
(6) Melt remaining butter, add scallops, season with salt and pepper, toss around gently until just cooked through
(7) Pour wine, mushrooms, and asparagus in. Stir a little, lower heat, then add cream
(8) Add pasta, stir until coated with sauce, season to taste
(9) Serve with parsley and parmesan

Fusilli - 1 packet (don't use fresh if you're not a confident cook)
Grape/ Cherry tomoatoes - 1 punnet
Squid - 3-4 medium-large tubes
Capers - As you like
Tomato puree - a generous amount
White wine - As (much as) you like
Brown/ Red onion - 1 large, chopped
Garlic - 2-3 cloves, crushed
Fresh basil - handful, finely shredded
--- * ---
(1) Clean squid, remove insides, cut into thin rings
(2) Cook pasta until al dente (I never know what this means, so just follow instructions on back of packet), run under cold water, and set aside
(3) Brown onions in olive oil, toss in garlic when onions are almost translucent
(4) Throw in squid. Once opaque, add tomatoes, saute
(5) Add wine, tomato puree, capers
(6) Salt and black pepper to taste
(7) Lower heat, toss in pasta, and stir gently to make sure all spirals have a coat of sauce
(8) Finish off with a generous tuft of basil and fresh parmesan

Revellers - 8 of
Vital stats - 11.11.04, 1930
Ocassion - I just felt like cooking and playing host

Whets:
Cheeses - camenbert, double brie, comti
Tomato dip
Olives - mixed, spicy
Parma ham and cantaloupe
Brushchetta
Wine - rose, red, white
Introductions, ice-breakers

The Substance:
Salad - of enoki mushrooms, corals, japanese cucumber, snow peas, grape tomatoes, balsamic vinegar and extra virgin olive oil
Fusilli with squid, fresh tomatoes, capers, and lots of Cornerstone white
Linguine with scallops, shitake, asparagus, some cream, and lots of Cornerstone white

Always Room For:
Pannacotta with raspberry coulis
More wine
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Recipes to come soon
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It was a long day - of making shopping lists, choosing wines, shopping in the monsoon downpour, averting disasters. It was a delightful evening. I wish you were here too.
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Some days I skip, whistle, pretend to be leading the SJP life, buy candy-pink dresses, do silly dances to Pink Martini, chat with cab drivers, think about old friends, play with babies, twirl my hair into scrolls.
And days like today I wear full black, keep my shades on, have my much-needed coffee order omitted, spend the entire afternoon doing three re-writes of a six-page proposal, chew on raspberry lollies to battle a flu, and find myself close to tears while humming along to The Rainbow Connection.
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The birthday is coming. And this year I feel like doing something. Not flee the country like I usually do. It falls on Monday, and I'd like to dress up in a pretty black Paul and Joe dress, be surrounded by good friends, wine, and some kind of warm fuzzy feeling. Sunday is no good because people will want to be home in time for the mandatory pre-Monday 8-hours' sleep. Saturday is no good because people will be hungover from New Years' Eve soirees. And Friday is no good either because people will have other parties to go to. Then there's the problem of choosing the venue - not too crowded, but busy enough, easy access, tasteful music, vast beverage options...... Don't buy me a present. Just come visit. But if you can't, then send me orchids at work, earrings from Jolie (Scotts Shopping Centre, #03-16), some kisses.
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I believe in the temporal fragility of meaningful relationships. I've often wondered about the grant of incidental alignment. Like when we walk past each other everyday, you in your boots, me in my cocoon of embellished bitterness. We never meet, really. Him and her, eyes twinkling, hearts fluttering. It was not to be, not then, and it seems now, never. Poor timing; confounding distractions, they said. Then of two people, brought together at first by fleeting flirtation, snapped apart (and awake) by the pragmatic soberness of distance, and reconnected, 6 years on, by time's events. Still apart. Part written in the stars. Part orchestrated - I took the leap, then you, or perhaps...
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I'm learning to enjoy my own company again. Here, with book, juice, curious stares. Most days I bask in the energy of natural light. I'm happy, in case you're wondering. I've spent much of my perceptive years stumbling into milestones. Sometime last year I began to yearn for definite change - of the geographical, romantic, broadening sort. Someone said You're finally letting go of the control freak inside; I thought I'm finally letting go of trying to find that last reason.
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I'm starting to buy shoes again. Five pairs since I've been back. None sensible, mostly whimsical. I am myself again.
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River Cafe. I've found a place to satisfy pasta cravings. I've missed penne (sometimes linguine), tossed in extra virgin olive oil, garlic, fresh parsley, with a generous handful of fresh seafood and parmesan. This place does a seriously tasty version, well-priced too. Service isn't as attentive and personal as its sister-restaurant Broth, but I liked that it was nicely tucked away from traffic and crowd.