Department 'outing'

Went to MJ's place for the second time yesterday for our department meeting-cum-lunch-cum-mini housewarming. She'd done up her house real good and was involved in every process, from making major decisions to considering the nitty gritties of everything. Not bad, cos her place is now so much nicer compared to what it was previously like. :)

Her house kinda follows a resort theme, and the furnishing's pretty much barang-barang style. Very zen indeed. My favourite spot would be this lovely heart-shaped pond that's right under the staircase and next to the dining area. I went to play with the fish in her pond with some other colleagues and our hands stayed long enough in it to let the fish nibble at our fingers. So ticklish...haha...

Lunch came once the proper business was all settled-- MJ got her faithful housekeeper to cook a range of delicious spicy items for us -- I especially loved the sambal chicken and garden salad, which went really well with the nasi briyani. There's also a cold fruit cocktail dessert which had an assortment of fruit swimming in cream and what tasted mildly like melted mozzarella cheese. Cool! Also tried the stuffed sour mango pickle for the first time...Sophia warned me saying that I wouldn't like it but I thought there wasn't harm in just trying it. Turned out I took a small bite and almost puked -- it's too sour and salty and there's too much Indian spice in it, I guess. I love the curries and sambal stuff and all, but now I know my palate's not too keen on connecting with so much spice all in one dish! :p

Heh, no matter how yummy the food was, it could never compare with the fantastic time I had playing with Bo, the large, handsome male golden retriever in the house! He's so affectionate! Bo was initially chained to his dog house at the back of the house, and Sophia and I started playing with him. Then upon being let out, he started running about joyfully, and leapt up at me a couple of times, leaning his whole weight on me as he stood on his two hind legs...my goodness, he's so strong he could even make me stagger backwards when he did that! Haha...so cute...and he seems to run and kick at the same time, throwing his butt in the air at regular intervals. Omg...so hilarious...and I also got whipped by his muscular tail several times...found out that it's a sign of his affection...haha...

Sigh...I went home with a lingering doggy smell on me and a longing for a furry companion of my own...