Life in Knocked-Up Mode

Since the Festive Season has just passed and we’re left to move on with our lives, I think 2012’s Festivities are worth remembering – thus this post 😉

The Office Christmas Party

For years, I dreamt of having one. This year, WE threw one!

You do happen to know that we have the coolest office in the world, don’t you?

Well, the office itself is nothing without its lively people. This is the best team I’ve ever had in years, and I do appreciate them all. They’re a happy bunch consisting of a strange mélange of people originating from different backgrounds and doing different things in the office, and even it’s not just one company – there are three! (And this week – the second week of January 2013, three become four, after that, four will become five in the next months – and hopefully by the end of the year 2013, this office will house nine to ten different companies altogether like branches rooting to the same tree)

The office has everything that makes you want to move here. And I truly hope everyone at the office will be happy, staying for a long time there!

So, the office Christmas Party was planned two weeks prior to the date. I wanted to invite everyone to a classy JW Marriott dinner, but J says “That’s so NOT special – you can do it any other time! This is Christmas. I want something special. So screw JWM and let’s cook the meals ourselves!”

So it happened as the boss’ wish is always our command.

And t’was extremely FUN! FUN with big F. I didn’t know I’d enjoy cooking with everyone that much. Everyone cooked something. We even made sangria – lots of fruity bits chopped in small cubes (Thai fragrant mangoes, lemons, blood Valencia oranges, kiwis, Black Autumn grapes and whatnots) soaked up in a punch bowl filled with a blend of Vodka, Red Wine and no-added-sugar OJ) – surprisingly the sangria was sooooooooooooooooo good even though, against all regulations, it was only soaked up at 3 PM in the afternoon to be enjoyed at 7 in the evening (usually it has to soak up overnight).

In short, we had these wonderful itsy bites of food to share: Stuffed Chicken, Swedish Meatballs with Parisian Champignon Mushrooms, Grilled Blackpepper Salmon Steaks, Chicken Cordon-Bleu, Baked Macaroni, Baked Bacon Garlic Bread, Fresh Garden Salads with French Vinaigrette Dressing, Tuna-Mayo with Asparagus & Cherry Tomatoes, looooooooooots of Canapés and my ever-famous No-Bake Strawberry Philadelphia Cheesecake.

We also had a lot of drinks and talks and laughs.

We exchanged gifts too – I got a very cute Bath & BodyWorks Pocket Bacteria Holder in Pink Paris!

The BlackBoard Wall in the Playroom with our own ecological Sapin de Noël (ecological cos it’s not a real one, just a sketch one of the graphic designers made)

Some of the food – Swedish Meatballs and Tuna-Mayo with Asparagus and Cherry Tomatoes

Louis surrounded by his groupies (wth with that Minnie Mouse Hat!! *_* But he still manages to get away with it thanks to his cuteness)

Some of the food – Fresh Garden Salads, Baked Macaroni and the presents

Some of the food – Stuffed Chicken, No-Baked Strawberry Philly Cheesecake and Blackpepper Salmon Steaks

The Office’s personal bartender (stolen from one of the guys’ Instagram)

The PlayRoom (stolen from one of the guys’ Instagram)

New Year’s Eve Gala Dinner in Gran Meliá Hotel Jakarta

Another thing that was guh-reat was that we got to spend the New Year’s Eve in Gran Meliá Hotel Jakarta.

We. LOVE. This. Hotel!

The food is always excellent, the staff super-friendly and the service impeccable.

So, when we got the chance to spend NYE there, which was kind of last-minute plan to be honest, we just hopped in to the car and off we went!

The Gala Dinner was amazingly delicious. We had turkey, foie gras with mango jelly, foie gras with fig compote, Wagyu sirloin, Alaskan King Crab, almond bread with blackberry confit, Raclette fondue, and what else – a lot, actually. Let the photos speak for themselves.

Louis was also too cute for words. He loved being with us and enjoyed every bit of the moments as much as we did.

We’re definitely going to do some staycations in 2013!

PS: Their Sunday Brunch is also the best brunch in town 😉

Christmas Roses at the Hotel’s Lobby

My own personal Christmas gift! Guess what’s in the box??

The Premium Room at the Gran Meliá Hotel Jakarta

Candy Fondants made by the The Meliá’s Pastry Chef

Croquembouche! Like the one Bree van de Kamp made!

Salmon Gravlax with Dill, Foie Gras with Fig Compote, succulent Prime Wagyu Sirloin au jus, Almond Bread with BlackBerry confit, Turkey with Cranberry Sauce

The amazingly delicious Macaroon Christmas Tree / Tower

Seafood Galore with Alaskan King Crab crowning the middle

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