Justin’s cousin, Catherine and her 6 friends from Malaysia are in Melbourne for a week so Justin and I invited our friends and had dinner together at our home.

Catherine bought me plenty of duty-free tobacco , but I stop smoking so I gave these to my friend who I always steal tobacco from every time we go out together.

Catherine is my favourite of Justin’s relatives. Seems Catherine knows that Justin is actually my boyfriend. But I was told not to confirm. So I did not say anything. I said Justin is my share mate.

Chinese family seems very very complicated compare to modern Japanese family. Many, many secrets and that’s how things work.

Anyway, dinner and drinks was so much fun. I love my friends and Justin’s cousin. They always make me happy. I like people who make me happy. But my new Japanese assistant lady could not make it to the party tonight because she was busy. She is real hard working lady and best assistant ever. Do you know she also bakes cake every week for me? Just last week she baked the yummiest brownie ever.

Every time when Justin and I have dinner party, we both realise how lucky we are. We have good friends, good food, beautiful dog, good family and good jobs.

So this morning when I woke up, I felt so happy.

One great thing working in shipping business is that everywhere we go in the world, I think people will take us out for yummy dinner and drinks. Sometimes that is good and sometimes bad.

When people served me frog legs in Singapore, I was not very impressed. Pig intestines in Malaysia was not my favourite either. Lady with dick in Nagoya was very surprising.

My favourite restaurant in Singapore was SOS,  just in front of  my office building when I was working in Tanjong Pager. I think I am very lucky I have great colleagues in Asia, a very good young boss who bought me good food and wine, and an old boss who bought me Rolex at Singapore Takashimaya after three years of very hard work.

So today, I have done the same good thing that my colleagues and bosses did for me.

We had a visit from our Manila office. So I took Lea to a restaurant in the city. She gave me just 5 hours notice before her visit and it was real tough to find a good restaurant before dinner time on Thursday.

My boyfriend is real helper when it comes to finding good restaurants and gifts in an urgent situation. He may be better than American Express Japanese overseas assist desk.

I used to love American Express counter emergency cash service at Collins Street. I have to say, as a former family card user, American Express is the best for kids. When I first came to Australia, I could not speak any English and Amex Japanese Assist Desk even translate to order my haircut. Diners has not much cool factor and service for family card user and when I was university student, not many place took Diners in Australia. Worst thing is Japanese Diners categorise and details each purchase and when they issued monthly statement, my father knows what I did that week and where I went to. But my father loves me very much so he never stopped my card until I started working as a company employee.

I love my father and my mother very much. They always let me do what I want to do even though sometimes I did not succeed. My parents are not really typical Japanese parents, that is why I am always proud to show my parents to my friends.

Anyway, without Justin I am sure I would not able to keep my clients happy all the time. Do you know Justin is organising drinks and dinner at our house a week after next Saturday for my clients and friends too.

Justin found this restaurant called Gills Diner just behind Commercial Bakery in the CBD.  The interior is nice, menu is so-so but easy to understand. Wine selection is fantastic but I still prefer whisky. We ordered duck confit and lots and lots entree and lots and lots of wines. My friends who work just across the street from the restaurant joined us after work. Justin and my new Japanese lady assistant also joined to meet this very powerful lady from Manila.

I really hope she enjoyed dinner and drinks that evening. The staff at Gills Diner even gave us yummy bread from Commercial Bakery for free. Justin, Eriko, all my friends and I had such a good time, and we all reached home at 2 AM. I cannot recall what happened after dinner. But I have bite mark on my right ear and very painful. Also I woke up in the spare bedroom.

The next morning, I went to work on time and stayed until official work hour. But Eriko and I were so dead at the office all days.

I‘m very thankful to Dr Lionel Kowal, the only one strabismus specialist in Australia, my parents and Justin.

Despite his tight schedule, Dr Kowal did not give up on me and performed 4 operations within 5 months. My pap put on hold his dream of buying his new car. My mum prayed every morning for my success of operation and helped other unfortunate kids. Justin took more than one week’s leave from work and brought my favourite chocolate from Koko Black and sushi from Sushimasa to hospital. Justin also agreed to buy a brand new Triumph Bonneville to celebrate my successful operation.

Now my both eyes are 100% aligned and move together.

This strabismus operation was supposed to be performed inTokyo, at my much-loved university hospital, the Teikyo Medical School. But work was pretty busy and there was no way to take leave from the office for four weeks. Instead, my GP introduced me to the best strabismus doctor in Australia.

Since I was 18, my right eye turned up 3 degrees. It is not noticeable unless I am tired or drunk. At the office, I have to use the computer for long hours. That made my eye very much stressed and my right eye noticeably turned up since november 2008.

First operation was performed in July 2009 at St Mercy to shorten my top eye muscle, so it stays in the centre. It worked in the beginning but my muscle responded differently over time and then the right eye turned 3 degrees inwards.

3 degrees seemed trivial, but it wasn’t good enough.

I requested a second operation, and Dr Kowal agreed to peform a second operaion at Clivedon Hill to shorten the eye muscle closer to my nose bridge. Clivedon offered white or red wine or beer after operation. Dinner was fantastic. It was three course menu with yummy dessert and you can order as much as wine you want.

First two weeks after the second operation, my right eye stayed in the centre, but after going back to work, my eye turned 3 degrees inwards again.

I was so upset. I could not understand why it happened to me. I have  been good and always respect my ancestors. I just could not accept that the two operations failed. So I called up mum and she organised airticket to Tokyo for Justin and I. We flew home and visited my grandparents’s grave and prayed everyday.

When we returned to Melbourne, Dr Kowal wanted to do another operation. This 3rd operation was at St Mercy again, and things went horribly wrong. My right eye turned in 15 degrees and my right eye did not move because a stitch slipped and there was nothing to hold the right eye.

Dr Kowal organised an emergency operation the following Friday. This time I was so exhausted from so many operations and I was still reeling from shock. But I did whatever Dr Kowal told me to.

6 hours after the operation, I woke up. I was so tired but could not wait to check my eye with my own mirror.

My right eye seemed a little bit out from the centre.

Next morning, Dr Kowal measured and it was 1 degrees out.

He said “perfect” but I was not happy. So he performed his suture technique in the afternoon to move my right eye just a little bit during while I was conscious.

Now my eyes are perfect and move together.

Through these 4 operations, I learned so many things. I feel very different now and see things very different.

Justin and I woke up at 10am Sunday, had shower and went to Animal Orchestra for breakfast. The cafe is close to Melbourne University. We would almost always pass by this cafe on the way home from work, but have never been there in the last three years until now.

Animal Orchestra has a cute barista and waitress, and also the interior – we both liked. I actually enjoyed coffee very much and have to say breakfast is fantastic. Not too much, not too small. Justin installed Hipstamatic on his iPhone, so we took photos all days today using that app. Photos turned out cool.

After breakfast we went to shopping to buy some clothes. Justin loves Incu, but no cute clothes there that day and we moved on to Manchester Lane. I found 10deep. I was very happy I can find 10deep in Melbourne. We spent two hours in the city, but Justin can not find cute clothes this week but I am sure he will find something nice next week.

Best thing that day was I found someone who likes Billionaire Boys Club and Ice Cream. I have not yet met people here who actually like Billionaire Boys Club or Ice Cream. One time I wore Ice Cream mashroom sweater to buy some fish at Victoria Market, I felt out of place. One thing I miss about living in Tokyo is that people wear whatever they like. Maybe it is only my circle of friends?

After shopping, we are little tired, so went to bar to have little break. Hell’s Upstairs had Yamazaki Whisky. We are both impressed with the selection of Whisky at Hell’s. Of course we had Yamazaki with ice. Yamazaki made us very refreshed, so we went to another two hours of shopping.

We went to GPO but no cute clothes and getting little grampy. Justin bought me sushi and water to make me happy. I love Justin so much. He knows how to make me happy. He never tell me off even I buy a lots of clothes and eat yummy food as long as I spend within my allowance. Plus he is designer. I love designers because they can make something from zero and they are cute.

My first designer was quite a well-known Singaporean fashion designer, and I lived at his house when I worked in Singapore. (I actually never stayed at company condominium except the day my boss pick me up to go to office.) Since that time I learnt how great designers are. They are smart and know colours and not bitter. All my exes always told me off when I buy lots of clothes and eat yummy food except Singaporean designer. I think because Justin is the first boyfriend who does not have wife. That is why he is not very tight with money and know how to enjoy clothes and food. Not like all those daddies I had in the last ten years.

Justin is planning to cook soup this week, so we went to buy pot at David Jones. We found a very cute green cast iron pot. Justin was asking a sales assistant about the different types of pots and the cooking methods. A customer overheard the conversation, and immediately questioned Justin’s cooking abilities. A bitch fight erupted. It was fun to watch. Justin is small but mighty. I can not wait to eat his soup this week. Justin should update his soup recipe with you soon.

Please note, this lady sales assistant from David Jones pot section: she is really nice lady, studying fasion and loves Billionaire Boys Club and Ice Cream. She introduced me to Walter Van Beirendonck and Jean-Charles de Castel Dajac. She is real good.

After all the shopping’s done, we caught up with my best friend and her husband to eat pizza at I Carusi together. Yummy pizza + good friends = best time.

The next day, I had breakfast with my friend and my dog, but without Justin. Justin is very busy at work. He has to work even Sunday. Ford Motor is launching Fiesta in four countries in Asia and he has no time for breakfast with me.

Yesterday was end of financial year and I worked more than usual in the past few days, so I decided to treat myself to a relaxing time with hairy people in a bath tab. I went to Japanese bath house tonight with Justin. But no hairy cute bear was there. I and Justin always discuss that White man who come to Japanese bath house has actually no big sausage. That make me feel more like home.

As usual having bath for one hour make my body so relax and feels so refresh. I wish they can serve nice Japanese food there. But food selection there is worse than ooedoonsen at Daiba. If they have good cook working there, I think more people goes to that.

On the way home in the car, we decided that we should go somewhere with nice bath and nice food. I will submit annual leave form tomorrow.

Yay

My old friend from Paris visited Melbourne for holiday so Justin and I organised drinks at our home for all my old friends here. My friend from Paris, Yuko is still tall, skinny and beautiful, same as when I first saw her at Prada 9 years ago. Of course all Prada team came and drink a lot. Love my old friends, they can drink a lot and smoke a lot and still remain tall and beautiful.

Yuko and Missy both helped me when I was not happy after completing my Masters in stupid poo poo subject. I was not able to find a job and then, the Japanese yen became so weak. No money and no fun at that time. I always went to Prada when I was so board and Yuko and Missy always gave me tabacco.

Yuko and I still remember this one horrible lunch experience when we were both not happy. We had lunch at a cheap and nasty Chinese restaurant in Caufield and we talked like sad people. I was nearly going back to Japan to work for my father, and Yuko was trying to apply to work as cabin attendant with Jetstar based in Cairns.

But luckily we did not do it. Now Yuko is working with Air France in Paris as beautiful cabin attendant. And I am not working with my father and I have cut up my family card.

We have both experienced the worst time of our lives and that is why we can enjoy what we got now.

Best thing is now Justin enjoys hanging out with my friends and all my friends also love Justin.

Sorry, Missy I did not attend your hubbie’s birthday party. I was too drunk and could not move much last weekend.

Gyūtan was created by a yakitori restaurant in Sendai more than 60 years ago. This restaurant, Tasuke, is still considered one of the best places to eat gyūtan in Sendai. Back then, the restaurant owner of Tasuke open this restaurant to use cow tongues and tails left over by occupation forces, which were stationed in Sendai, after Japan was defeated in World War II.

My best friend who loves yummy food and beautiful furniture recommended us to Takumi to eat gyūtan. Good thing is my best friend and Justin share the same taste in arts, furniture and food. So now they are good friend too.

Justin spend all his free time with me and my friends. Soon Justin turning Japanese. Yay!!

Staff at Takumi restaurant were so friendly and very efficient. Plus Asahi was only $6. That means I can drink more than usual as long as Justin approve of the amount I get to drink.

We ordered karubi and gyūtan. Both are our favorite meat. Justin loves gyūtan and I love karubi.

We ordered five dishes of meat and vegetables for grilling, salad, rice and soup, 3 Asahi, 3 glasses of wine, and a parfait to share. The price was good and we had really good time. I and Justin both recomend Takumi to you. Order karubi and gyūtan and Asahi, then you can be happy people.

I eat Japanese food every day and work with Japanese people and go to Shiatsu on Saturday and Japanese bathhouse on Sunday. No wonder I never feel homesick much.

I really do not understand why some people can feel homesick in Melbourne. Melborne has so many yummy restaurants, cute shops, beautiful parks for my dog, many nice flower shops, nice spa and friendly people.

Love my life xoxo

Japanese trading houses smell money in Australia and are beginning to open offices here, so I went to visit Japanese expats in Sydney because I smell money too.

As usual meetings went to well and they are happy with my service and guranteed shipments. When I was a University student, I was working at a Japanese men’s club and prepared drinks for expats. Then, I always thought I never be able to have chance to sit to talk to Japanese expats. Now, I actually talk business with them. You never know how life will turn out.

As usual, my boyfriend came to business trip with me. My boyfriend always comes whether the trips are in Japan, Singapore or Sydney. I am actually not sure how come he can take so many annual leave just come to business trip with me. His boss must be a very patient person.

I and Justin stayed at Radisson Plaza Sydney. It was OK, but not fantastic. Beautiful buildings and yummy room service, but bed sucks. I had trouble sleeping four days and missed shopping in Sydney. But Justin slept so well. I heard snoring all four nights.

I stayed at Radisson Plaza Sydney six years ago with my good white friend. I thought Radisson Plaza was good hotel. Seems my taste changed or they have not changed bed springs since 6 years ago.

Corn thingy at Bills

Pancake at Bills

Next day, I and Justin went to Bills for breakfast. Last time Justin ordered yummy corn thingy and mine was not very yummy. So this time, I ordered pancake and Justin ordered same as last time. Justin let me eat half of corn thingy and it was real yummy. I am more than happy to go Bills for break fast every weekend as I love Surry Hills.

I did not do much things this Sydney trip caused by horrible bed. I am very sorry but I would not stay Radisson Plaza Sydney ever again and I would not recommend to you.

Love my life xoxo

Last year, I went to Pier restaurant at Double Bay for the first time with a Japanese client and loved the scenery and food, plus bearded man working there.

So this time, I took Justin to eat yummy lunch together.

Amazing thing is after one year, things have changed very much.

Last year, it was full house even at lunch.

This time, at a table next to us, there were only two lunching ladies talking crap and discussing curtain colours and competing with each other on who eats the least.

I do not understand why expensive restaurants like these serve such small portions. People say, the portions are small so one would focus more on the taste. But the portions are so, so bloody small my entire focus shifts instead to the void in my stomach.

Don’t get me wrong, after all these, I don’t have much problems with Pier. I still love the bearded man, beautiful scenery, excellent service and yummy and wonderful food presentation. It’s much the same as Japanese food – half the focus is on the presentation and the other half taste.

One thing I did not like this time was the fish roe, chopped raw kingfish with kaffir lime leaf  stuffed in a fried-wanton skin (at least it tastes like wanton) cone. It was really pretentious. It might be good for rich people, but I don’t “get” it.

However, I have to give them credit for keeping to the time I have to spare. Our return flight to Melbourne was due in 2 and half hours, and they managed to serve up the entire meal in the time we had.

Yummy food always make us very happy.

We have been to a few Michelin-star restaurants in the last four years and Galileo is still the best, best experience we had. Worst place of all for me is Jacques Reymond.

I was so grumpy and upset with Justin at restaurant so I fart a lot after the third course. I did not understand why such food is worth two weeks of pay.

I have no problem paying one month’s pay as long as the food is yummy.

I would not go back there. Some people like it but I think I got different taste.

Since my ex who lived together for 7 years took my much cherished motorbike, my art and my Jeep as exchange for freedom and being with Justin, I had no motorbike for nearly two years.

In the last couple of months, my life has been very tough. I had to go though eye operation twice with Justin. Justin knows how much I had hard time staying at hospital and needing eye drops for 8 weeks.

Now, Justin agreed me to buy brand new motorbike. We wanted to buy something not too loud, and also vintage-looking, to match our helmets. (Yes, we got the helmets ahead of everything else). We found Triumph Bonneville T- 100 at City Triumph. The sales guy was so helpful patient.

This weekend, we went to pick up our CUB home.

It was not easy getting this number plate. It took three weeks to finalise the entire process.

We both love this motorbike. We can be like my mum and pap going to touring every weekend during summer.

Today was pretty nice weather 25°, so we went to cafe riding our sweet CUB.

We are planning to go Japanese Inn in Daylesford as our first long touring soon.

I love my life xoxo