Its Friday night, me and my classmates at Diqiucun language school are going out together.
I take Siska with me and later on, Yatty will join us.
First we went to a coffe shop together, me,siska, ben and bill.
Around 7 we meet up with some Korean classmates and ate Korean bbq together.
After dinner we went to Touch Nine, located in Wudaokou and we call it 韩国楼.
We play games, and we drink a LOT. Yatty finally join us, then there we were, in one big table, chat, talk and having fun. With Korean friends, you can expect them as a good drinking friend !
That night Bill and me exchange our phone number. Just because I need to go out with Siska to meet up with Yatty, and I left my bag on the bar with Bill. So I need him to let me know if they are leaving the bar.
That time I was thinking that "Ah, what a cute creature ! :D"
I remember some of my classmates started to get drunk, including Bill and I think Ben as well.
Saturday morning, me, Siska and Yatty are going to Temple of Heaven. I was so tempted to send sms to Bill, but I didn't. Siska remind me to keep on waiting.
So he finally texted me, he said "你醒了吗?" Means "are you awake ?"
Hahaha, from there we kept on sending sms back and forth.
Me, walking around at Temple of Heaven with my friends, and Bill working on Saturday recording session.
After several texts, he asked me out. He wants to meet me at The Wu subway station around 7.30 I guess.
Dinner with Yatty and her family is done, I rushed to the designated place to meet him.
And there I saw him, squatting in his black-blue rain jacket and his brown pants.
From there, we went out on our 1st date... :)
Where ? 北京大学的未名湖 (Beijing University)
The details of the 1st date will be post later ;)
Monday, February 16, 2009
valentine's day
This is our 1st valentine's day where we are not together.
Bill is back in Seattle and I spent my valentine's day by working from 9am-10pm in the office.
No celebration, no flower, nothing.
On our first valentine's day, we went to a hotspring near Beijing.
It was on February, Beijing winter and the hotspring was outdoor !
It was nice to get into the hot water during the cold cold day. And when we want to move to another hotspring, we would walk fast, cold cold cold just to jump back into the hot water. That's life... :)
On 2nd valentine's day, we went out to eat on a Vietnamese restaurant.
I still remember that time I just got my new Samsung slide up phone and I'm wearing my black dress and sandals on winter time.
We took taxi to go to the place, and I remember that we can only use cash to pay for our food, and we dont have cash in hand !
We walked for about 20minutes to find the closest atm, and then we got back to the restaurant and enjoy our dinner.
On the way back home, we took taxi and I lost my cellphone. So it was nice but also not nice at the same time.
I lost 2 phones in 2 months ! + 1 bicycle ! *ouch!*
The similarities of these valentines is that Bill always bought me 1 red roses, in front of me !!!
I think he never thought about buying me a red rose, till he saw them. So he buy one for me, and he bargain for it in front of me ! =D
Hahaha...it's always funny and I always happy for it.
But this year, no celebration, no red roses, no presents.
It's ok, we have next year and years after that to celebrate our funny valentine.
Oh, I do receive something this valentine on my inbox :
Tessa will you be my valentine?
Love b
Happy belated valentine's day, people !
hugs
Bill is back in Seattle and I spent my valentine's day by working from 9am-10pm in the office.
No celebration, no flower, nothing.
On our first valentine's day, we went to a hotspring near Beijing.
It was on February, Beijing winter and the hotspring was outdoor !
It was nice to get into the hot water during the cold cold day. And when we want to move to another hotspring, we would walk fast, cold cold cold just to jump back into the hot water. That's life... :)
On 2nd valentine's day, we went out to eat on a Vietnamese restaurant.
I still remember that time I just got my new Samsung slide up phone and I'm wearing my black dress and sandals on winter time.
We took taxi to go to the place, and I remember that we can only use cash to pay for our food, and we dont have cash in hand !
We walked for about 20minutes to find the closest atm, and then we got back to the restaurant and enjoy our dinner.
On the way back home, we took taxi and I lost my cellphone. So it was nice but also not nice at the same time.
I lost 2 phones in 2 months ! + 1 bicycle ! *ouch!*
The similarities of these valentines is that Bill always bought me 1 red roses, in front of me !!!
I think he never thought about buying me a red rose, till he saw them. So he buy one for me, and he bargain for it in front of me ! =D
Hahaha...it's always funny and I always happy for it.
But this year, no celebration, no red roses, no presents.
It's ok, we have next year and years after that to celebrate our funny valentine.
Oh, I do receive something this valentine on my inbox :
Tessa will you be my valentine?
Love b
Happy belated valentine's day, people !
hugs
Saturday, February 7, 2009
when we first met
October 2006, After my Graduation, I fly back to Beijing, to continue study Chinese.
During this period, there were no new class open, so I decided to take class at 地球村 near the 五道口subway station.
I apply for the 汉语口语二and take my class.
I was late, so when I get into the class, the lesson has started.
Not so many students on that class, Not more than 8. I took a seat near the white board, sit quietly and try to put my concentration on the lesson.
After 1 hour, there were 10-15 mins break. I know nobody on that class, and not interested to talk to anyone. So I sat quietly and look into my book, when suddenly I heard a voice asking me "新同学，你叫什么名字？“ (hey, new classmate, what's ur name ?)
Me surprised, point my finger to my self “我？" (me ?)
“我叫罗美香or Tessa" (my name is luo mei xiang or tessa)
And it was Bill who asked me for my name. He asked me FIRST !! Haha...!
As far as I remember, we didn't talk so much on my first day.
That's how we know each other.
During this period, there were no new class open, so I decided to take class at 地球村 near the 五道口subway station.
I apply for the 汉语口语二and take my class.
I was late, so when I get into the class, the lesson has started.
Not so many students on that class, Not more than 8. I took a seat near the white board, sit quietly and try to put my concentration on the lesson.
After 1 hour, there were 10-15 mins break. I know nobody on that class, and not interested to talk to anyone. So I sat quietly and look into my book, when suddenly I heard a voice asking me "新同学，你叫什么名字？“ (hey, new classmate, what's ur name ?)
Me surprised, point my finger to my self “我？" (me ?)
“我叫罗美香or Tessa" (my name is luo mei xiang or tessa)
And it was Bill who asked me for my name. He asked me FIRST !! Haha...!
As far as I remember, we didn't talk so much on my first day.
That's how we know each other.
Friday, February 6, 2009
Simple and Sweet
It was in the end of summer 2008, I was in Seattle, visiting Bill.
We haven't see each other for about 3 months, and that day we just got back home.
He hugged me and said "Tessa, I like life best with you"
Simple and so sweet.
We haven't see each other for about 3 months, and that day we just got back home.
He hugged me and said "Tessa, I like life best with you"
Simple and so sweet.
back home to seattle
Well, I'm here in the Taoyuan Taipei Airport using there excellent free internet terminal. The trip is done, I arrived in Jakarta a lost soul searching for meaning in the dark hazy bowels of this humanly world and left with a guiding light and purpose in the shape of a smallish girl named Tessop. Ah, I suppose you could say I'm exagerating a little there, but really, life will take on a whole new dimension and trajectory from here on out. Much of it oriented towards answering that all-too-important question: "When?!"
So, for the next two months I will be in Seattle, finishing up the economics course, saving money, and growing a mustache and then on to Shanghai!
So, for the next two months I will be in Seattle, finishing up the economics course, saving money, and growing a mustache and then on to Shanghai!
Thursday, February 5, 2009
we're ENGAGED !
It was in Bali, January 30, 2009.
My parents, me and Bill are traveling together. Our route : Jakarta-Jogjakarta-Bali-Jakarta.
That day me and Bill decided that we want to take a trip on a cruise. We chose Bali Hai, Aristocat package. Unfortunately, the Aristocat has to be fixed that day, so Bali Hai crew transfer us to the Bali Hai II boat.
It was nice and sunny. We get on the boat, and walk straight to the top deck. There we sat. For me, it was a nice boat ride. About 1 hour to get to our destination, Nusa Lembongan Island. Bill and I talked about how we want this and that in the future, and Bill wished to have a boat, so that we can sail around with our boat. Ironically, Bill got a little bit of seasick. I think he is not ready to become a sailorman (yet)
On the way to the island, Bill spotted a "private" beach and he told me that we should find a way to get there. So once we arrive on the main beach, grab our snorkelling stuffs, he told me to ask on how to get to that beach.
I asked, people told me, then we walk to the beach.
It was a NICE beach !!! Clean, not even a single trash....!
With bathing suit on our body, we are ready to play in the water !
The wave are too big for me, and several times I got hit and knock down by the wave.
Some time I hold on Bill, so I could stay in place.
Tired with the water, I decided to sit on the sand. Bill sat there, right beside me.
It was quiet. And suddenly Bill roll over, look at me in the face and said
"Tessa, will you marry me ??"
I was laugh at him, and thought that he is joking, since we played "Tessa, will you berry me" game a lot lately !
Then he said he is not joking, so I said "when ?"
He laugh, and said "I dont know",
Then he asked me again "Will you marry me ?"
I said "I do"
He look away and smile and said "Thats not how you answer to this question" out of frustration (I guess)
for the third time he asked "Tessa, will you marry me ?"
and finnaly i said "Yes"
I was happy and surprised ! Never thought that he is deadly serious with me, and ready to take this big decision in his life. We hugged, we kissed. We took picture and then we walk back to the main area, because I am hungry !
Lunch and another sun-sea-snorkelling time. And then we sail back to Tanjung Benoa Harbour, ENGAGED !!!
I told my parents once we got back to the hotel, they are so happy for us.
We had dinner at Jimbaran, Get some seafood ! Grilled Fish, Crab with padang sauce and Sweet and sour Calamari. It was a gooddddd food.
That's the place where Bill asked my parent's permission.
Bill " So Tessa told you that I propose her to marry me, and at the first she said When, then she said I do and finally she said Yes, So now I want to ask your permission to marry her"
Mom "Ok"
Dad "Sure, but you have to take care of her, because I only have one daughter"
Bill "I will"
There it is !
The story of our engagement...
SO here we are, engaged. We are going to spend the rest of our life together, so we started our own blog, so we can remember every single thing, and share it to the world.
Living our happy life :)
My parents, me and Bill are traveling together. Our route : Jakarta-Jogjakarta-Bali-Jakarta.
That day me and Bill decided that we want to take a trip on a cruise. We chose Bali Hai, Aristocat package. Unfortunately, the Aristocat has to be fixed that day, so Bali Hai crew transfer us to the Bali Hai II boat.
It was nice and sunny. We get on the boat, and walk straight to the top deck. There we sat. For me, it was a nice boat ride. About 1 hour to get to our destination, Nusa Lembongan Island. Bill and I talked about how we want this and that in the future, and Bill wished to have a boat, so that we can sail around with our boat. Ironically, Bill got a little bit of seasick. I think he is not ready to become a sailorman (yet)
On the way to the island, Bill spotted a "private" beach and he told me that we should find a way to get there. So once we arrive on the main beach, grab our snorkelling stuffs, he told me to ask on how to get to that beach.
I asked, people told me, then we walk to the beach.
It was a NICE beach !!! Clean, not even a single trash....!
With bathing suit on our body, we are ready to play in the water !
The wave are too big for me, and several times I got hit and knock down by the wave.
Some time I hold on Bill, so I could stay in place.
Tired with the water, I decided to sit on the sand. Bill sat there, right beside me.
It was quiet. And suddenly Bill roll over, look at me in the face and said
"Tessa, will you marry me ??"
I was laugh at him, and thought that he is joking, since we played "Tessa, will you berry me" game a lot lately !
Then he said he is not joking, so I said "when ?"
He laugh, and said "I dont know",
Then he asked me again "Will you marry me ?"
I said "I do"
He look away and smile and said "Thats not how you answer to this question" out of frustration (I guess)
for the third time he asked "Tessa, will you marry me ?"
and finnaly i said "Yes"
I was happy and surprised ! Never thought that he is deadly serious with me, and ready to take this big decision in his life. We hugged, we kissed. We took picture and then we walk back to the main area, because I am hungry !
Lunch and another sun-sea-snorkelling time. And then we sail back to Tanjung Benoa Harbour, ENGAGED !!!
I told my parents once we got back to the hotel, they are so happy for us.
We had dinner at Jimbaran, Get some seafood ! Grilled Fish, Crab with padang sauce and Sweet and sour Calamari. It was a gooddddd food.
That's the place where Bill asked my parent's permission.
Bill " So Tessa told you that I propose her to marry me, and at the first she said When, then she said I do and finally she said Yes, So now I want to ask your permission to marry her"
Mom "Ok"
Dad "Sure, but you have to take care of her, because I only have one daughter"
Bill "I will"
There it is !
The story of our engagement...
SO here we are, engaged. We are going to spend the rest of our life together, so we started our own blog, so we can remember every single thing, and share it to the world.
Living our happy life :)
When??
I got seasick as soon as we hit the unprotected waters on the way to Lembongan. The rocking catamaran pitched violently and I was grateful that our smaller original boat, The Aristocat (a sailing catamaran) was down for repairs that day. But perhaps it was more than my lack of sea legs which had me feeling queasy, nauseous and more than a little anxious. I had decided that I would ask Tessa to marry me that day. It's not that I was seriously scared she would reject me (although the thought had crossed my mind), it was the magnitude of the request and the life-altering consequences which had me more than a little flustered.
We arrived and immediately I spotted the perfect place to propose, a sheltered cove with only one other couple on it. The water was so clear that you could see the boundaries between coral and sand. We quickly hiked over to the spot and promptly rushed headlong into the crashing surf. There was no break so the waves were breaking right on shore, often so hard that Tessa would be knocked down and rolled around, all the while giggling uncontrollaby with that silly grin she gets when she can't contain the joy any longer.
What a perfect place and time to do it! Yet still something held me back, again not a fear of rejection, but a desire to do it at the absolute right time. Many perfect moments came and gone, sitting and resting under the shade of a palm tree or in the water during a calm spell. But still all I could do was open my mouth and nothing came out.
Until we were laying in the sand freshly worn out after a thorough thrashing by the surf. Why I chose this time I still am not sure. We were exhausted, over stimulated and distracted by the waves and surroundings, and fully exposed to the brutal sun. I don't want it to sound like this was the wrong time to do it, but looking back I'm not sure what motivated me at that moment to do it. Recalling the instant before, it was much like the rush you get standing on the edge of a high dive, or before jumping into a lake you know is freezing cold. You stop thinking and start doing..
So I did, I rolled around onto her legs in a sort of half-kneeling, half pleading stance and just let it out: Tessa, will you marry me? (Here is where it gets interesting), Response: What? / again / Will you marry me? / You are joking! / I'm being serious, will you marry me? / (drumroll here, at this point its clear I am not kidding and expecting the words to fall from her mouth.../ Response: When? / What? I don't know...soon. / (smiling, but still looking dead serious) But when?? / I look away for a moment here (i'm completely flustered) , and say, that doesn't matter, will you are won't you marry me? / I do! / (smile) / Or I mean Yes!. At this point I'm pretty sure she kept on pressing the when part. And for all my confidence and reluctance and rehearsing this moment I didn't have an answer! But she said yes and thats all that matters.
It might have been the massive amounts of salt water or the direct tropical sun, but I'm fairly sure that the tears forming in the creases of her eyes were from emotion, equal parts happiness and desparation to know the exact date of our wedding. (not coincidentally I spent today with her dad and we talked of his admirable dedication to punctuality, life father like daughter).
The rest of the day was sort of a blur: I remember we ate delicious food, eyed each other in a slightly different light, and snorkeled on top of a big coral reef.
I do remember, quite vividly, that I felt perfectly fine and at ease on the choppy sailing back to Bali.
We arrived and immediately I spotted the perfect place to propose, a sheltered cove with only one other couple on it. The water was so clear that you could see the boundaries between coral and sand. We quickly hiked over to the spot and promptly rushed headlong into the crashing surf. There was no break so the waves were breaking right on shore, often so hard that Tessa would be knocked down and rolled around, all the while giggling uncontrollaby with that silly grin she gets when she can't contain the joy any longer.
What a perfect place and time to do it! Yet still something held me back, again not a fear of rejection, but a desire to do it at the absolute right time. Many perfect moments came and gone, sitting and resting under the shade of a palm tree or in the water during a calm spell. But still all I could do was open my mouth and nothing came out.
Until we were laying in the sand freshly worn out after a thorough thrashing by the surf. Why I chose this time I still am not sure. We were exhausted, over stimulated and distracted by the waves and surroundings, and fully exposed to the brutal sun. I don't want it to sound like this was the wrong time to do it, but looking back I'm not sure what motivated me at that moment to do it. Recalling the instant before, it was much like the rush you get standing on the edge of a high dive, or before jumping into a lake you know is freezing cold. You stop thinking and start doing..
So I did, I rolled around onto her legs in a sort of half-kneeling, half pleading stance and just let it out: Tessa, will you marry me? (Here is where it gets interesting), Response: What? / again / Will you marry me? / You are joking! / I'm being serious, will you marry me? / (drumroll here, at this point its clear I am not kidding and expecting the words to fall from her mouth.../ Response: When? / What? I don't know...soon. / (smiling, but still looking dead serious) But when?? / I look away for a moment here (i'm completely flustered) , and say, that doesn't matter, will you are won't you marry me? / I do! / (smile) / Or I mean Yes!. At this point I'm pretty sure she kept on pressing the when part. And for all my confidence and reluctance and rehearsing this moment I didn't have an answer! But she said yes and thats all that matters.
It might have been the massive amounts of salt water or the direct tropical sun, but I'm fairly sure that the tears forming in the creases of her eyes were from emotion, equal parts happiness and desparation to know the exact date of our wedding. (not coincidentally I spent today with her dad and we talked of his admirable dedication to punctuality, life father like daughter).
The rest of the day was sort of a blur: I remember we ate delicious food, eyed each other in a slightly different light, and snorkeled on top of a big coral reef.
I do remember, quite vividly, that I felt perfectly fine and at ease on the choppy sailing back to Bali.
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