Ring Ring! ..........we're engaged

My beloved Rob proposed on my birthday (30th December) after bringing me breakfast on the balcony of our cabana overlooking beautiful Kantiang beach on Koh Lanta. It was very romantic.

Needless to say, I squealed with excitement and accepted immediately (almost before he had actually finished proposing). A few moments later he was somewhat upstaged by a macaque monkey leaping from an adjacent tree right onto our balcony to steal a piece of watermelon.

We had a truly memorable holiday in Thailand (will post some photos in due course) - Krabi / Lanta / PhiPhi / Phuket / Bangkok - it really couldn't have been better.

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Since our return to London we have been to visit most members of our family and the wedding preparations are underway - all v exciting and just slightly stressful.

We have settled on a venue and a date, which happens to be Maya's birthday, our little niece will be having the biggest 1st birthday EVER (even if she has to share it with us).

My blingadingding is currently at the jewellers being reset but I hope to get it back by the end of this week. I am like gollum without it. Who would've thought diamonds would be so addictive?

Maya's Christening

photos courtesy of Cousin Tom

With her Auntie

And Tito Tom

With her Mama

......... and Papa at the church (see font in background)

.....on the shoulder of Granny G & T, just prior to sharing her latest meal with Granny's red top

Tito Tom just can't get enough!

These stage parents can be so pushy.............

Outside da Kirk with Great Aunt Sue and folks

Our little sumo was christened yesterday, what a little angel - she didn't cry all day even tho she was handed round and cuddled by everyone.

It was a great day - so sunny and beautiful and lots of people who have had a hand in bringing us up were there.

Vancouver - Me and my girl Maya

We had a tense drive to Heathrow as there was only an eggcupfull of petrol in the tank. And on the plane we were sat at the very back row by the bogs and kitchen. In the middle section. Unfortunately for Juling I had filled in her health profile on her Opodo registration so she got a low cholesterol horror meal that was even worse than the dismal fare the rest of us had. Oops.

But it all got better very quickly and we are now in Vancouver with Sam, Tomo and the mighty Maya. How wonderful to finally get to hold her in my arms, it is an inexpressible love. She is a very chilled out baby who eats, sleeps and gurgles a lot and cries not at all.

All the D-Ts were there at arrivals waiting for us and it was so great to see them as a FAMILY for the first time: Sam all glam earth mother and Tomo proud dad. And seeing my niece in person was love at first sight.

S&T have done a lot of home improvements incl an outdoor den for the smokers (it has been quite rainy here so am v grateful). Tomo has been cooking up a storm (!!) .... most congenial.

It has been amazing to watch Juling revert into full Yaya mode, she knows just what to do at all times and has a very tactful way of helping. I am slowly learning but still a bit nervous of such a tiny, wobbly, fragile new life.

Here is Juling with our babe fast asleep in her arms.


so tiny, so perfect

Today Juling and I woke up around 4am and pottered around until we had disturbed everyone enough to all get up and since then friends of Sam and Tomo's have come round incl Pia, Aldo and Amori who is S&T's godchild and has the cutest most hilarious hair (see above).

A wonderfully relaxing day of eating, drinking, talking and cuddling in the excellent company of family and friends.

Quite hung over today after going out to play on a school night. I was treated to drinks and dinner at the Carlton Tower by Michele Ho, their Marketing Manager - the dinkiest, craziest girl in London. V glam - pink champagne at the Gilt Bar and fantastic food at the Rib room.

We went to the Mandarin afterwards for a post-prandial cocktail ... it is a lovely venue but Grrrrls, stay away from there..... it is a midlife crisis centre for Eurotrash businessmen. . No amount of cash can hide that tragic desperation. Boys, pay a visit and see what could become of you if you decide to go solo in your 40s.

I rolled in after 1am and decided to call m'sis in 'Coover. Clearly I was shouting drunkenly because an angry Rob appeared in the doorway to tell me to shut up and come to bed. I am still giggling at the memory of him standing there glaring at me in his boxers with a purple eyemask attached to his forehead.

Not long before I visit my niece! Only a week to go!

Cousin Tom has signed me up as the latest member of the Scissor Sisters - you too can join!

http://www.dancesisterdance.com/myvid/index.php?v=4d1534b93a036

...........And if you are looking for a toupe but not quite sure what style you are after, you can try on any number of wigs from the comfort of your computer.

More Pics (from Andy Pettit) Pip, Andy & Tash
Andy and Rob!
Emma, partner in crime par excellence and Pip!

BOAT PARTY PHOTOS (courtesy of Charly Smith)








God is a DJ

I see you baby................
Cooperchilluns

The party went very well and we raised £1930 for cancer vaccine. That means that at least 193 attended. Not bad. Wiggy played an excellent set (as always) before jetsetting off to Sri Lanka straight from the party to begin his 'Wiggy gets his mojo back' Tour of SE Asia and where he will be writing a manual on 'How to make a grand exit'.

Chris's brother Sam came along which was the highlight for me as I have not seen him or the lovely Sophie for far too long.

The afterparty was back at Rob's and mine - all good dirty fun - final straggler left at about 1100ish - so Saturday came and went in a blur. Rob had the good sense to take us out for dimsum on Sunday.

A great time was had by all.

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Today I went to the Canadian High Commission to apply for a visa for Juling aka 'the monkey' aka 'yoda' aka 'other mother' - it was gruelling: an hour outside waiting to get into the queue inside, security, further queueing, an interview and more waiting for the visa to be processed.

The guy who did the interview has clearly been in London too long - he was one of the rudest, chippiest people I have ever come across - quite unlike every other Canuckistani I have encountered who, to a person, have been the politest, cheeriest folks on the planet. Tut.

At least they granted the visa and the flights are now booked! Hooray! We are off to see Maya the Magificient at the beginning of November - I shall finally get to cuddle her! http://mayadancethomson.blogspot.com/