Heh, I'm proud to say I've met Jamie Oliver in real life! Whoaa... Put it this way, I've seen him yesterday for his book signing at Waterstones (Oxford St). His latest cookbook was hot selling at £16.99, and the queue was horrendously long - imaging it circling around all the shelves at the basement of the store. I did think of getting one, after one look at his devoted fans, I decided against the idea. I had made the trip during my extended lunch hour (its 2.5hrs!!) so I couldn't possibly spend the whole afternoon there. He was fashionably late for half an hour - big stars always do this, don't they! But he wasn't a let down at all, he was posing with that big grin for his fans and media. Damned one thing, I forgot my digital camera. I had to resort to the low-quality camera phone, can't say how glad I've bought this now.
Anyhow, I'm not a Jamie Oliver fan, I'm more excited to meet "famous" people in London for once since I'm here. I do watch his shows though and I thought my lil sister loved him (maybe I'm wrong)!
8.10.04
Horrible friday
The house. Fridge with a spoilt freezer, has a door that might fall apart anytime. Bathroom with only bath and no shower, includes a flush that still works but got stuck this morning - can't stop flushing! The house is falling apart, is it not, I reckon it needs some good renovation. I secretly wish that the owner is going to say,"Look, this is not working, that is not working. I don't know how I am allowing you girls to stay here..." I'm still thinking of the ending phrase, should he chase us out or should we stay there at a discounted rent! Hah, what do you think? I've such a restless mind making up all this crap... ooo... sometimes I thank God for that, keeps my mind occupied!
On my way to work, walking across Thames river (taking a stroll to two bus-stops ahead), I spotted him. A familiar face. Then again, I can't be sure at all, been 19 months since I last met him. 5 metres away, I was there thinking,"Oh god, is that Alex??" I was nervous but there was a possibility I have mistaken; I walked past looking down. He didn't look up either, just kept walking with something in his head! I turned around... No, I still can't be sure! Afterall, so many head shaven british does look alike. Then again, the last I known of him - he was living in the south too.
THANK U my new mate, Riyaad!! Great evening, great dinner, great company for my birthday in London, I couldn't have asked for more. Its a shame my friend here is heading out of London for work, one mate less whom can crash Camden Market again with me. Visit me sometimes eh!
On my way to work, walking across Thames river (taking a stroll to two bus-stops ahead), I spotted him. A familiar face. Then again, I can't be sure at all, been 19 months since I last met him. 5 metres away, I was there thinking,"Oh god, is that Alex??" I was nervous but there was a possibility I have mistaken; I walked past looking down. He didn't look up either, just kept walking with something in his head! I turned around... No, I still can't be sure! Afterall, so many head shaven british does look alike. Then again, the last I known of him - he was living in the south too.
THANK U my new mate, Riyaad!! Great evening, great dinner, great company for my birthday in London, I couldn't have asked for more. Its a shame my friend here is heading out of London for work, one mate less whom can crash Camden Market again with me. Visit me sometimes eh!
High soaring
... flying swiftly like a swallow
I called home for 8 minutes. All seem to be fine and a lot more cheery than when I first left, I feel relieved. I asked my dad for a red packet (he always gives me one on my birthday every year), he said he forgot to mail it. So I get double next year ;) As usual, they're dying for my return - the usual "Don't wait till january, come back when you don't have a job or don't have enough to survive". I understand the worries of my parents but somehow I'm enjoying the distance from home. The 6000 over miles is making them accepting me, and bringing us closer at the same time. I love and miss home... I know I'll return one day, so let me fly with my own wings for a while till I'm tired... When I can no longer fly, I'll be back!
It reminds me now of my favourite song I used to sing in school:
There's a calf with a mournful eye
High above him there's a swallow
Winging swiftly through the sky
How the winds are laughing,
They laugh with all their might
Laugh and laugh the whole day through
And half the summer's night
Donna, Donna, Donna, Donna
Donna Donna Donna Don
Donna Donna Donna Donna
Donna Donna Donna Don
'Stop complaining' said the farmer
'Who told you a calf to be
Why don't you have wings to fly with
like the swallow, so proud and free?'
How the winds are laughing...
Calves are easily bound and slaughtered
Never know the reason why
But whoever treasures freedom
Like the swallow, has learned to fly
How the winds are laughing...
I called home for 8 minutes. All seem to be fine and a lot more cheery than when I first left, I feel relieved. I asked my dad for a red packet (he always gives me one on my birthday every year), he said he forgot to mail it. So I get double next year ;) As usual, they're dying for my return - the usual "Don't wait till january, come back when you don't have a job or don't have enough to survive". I understand the worries of my parents but somehow I'm enjoying the distance from home. The 6000 over miles is making them accepting me, and bringing us closer at the same time. I love and miss home... I know I'll return one day, so let me fly with my own wings for a while till I'm tired... When I can no longer fly, I'll be back!
It reminds me now of my favourite song I used to sing in school:
DONNA DONNA
On a wagon bound for marketThere's a calf with a mournful eye
High above him there's a swallow
Winging swiftly through the sky
How the winds are laughing,
They laugh with all their might
Laugh and laugh the whole day through
And half the summer's night
Donna, Donna, Donna, Donna
Donna Donna Donna Don
Donna Donna Donna Donna
Donna Donna Donna Don
'Stop complaining' said the farmer
'Who told you a calf to be
Why don't you have wings to fly with
like the swallow, so proud and free?'
How the winds are laughing...
Calves are easily bound and slaughtered
Never know the reason why
But whoever treasures freedom
Like the swallow, has learned to fly
How the winds are laughing...
7.10.04
Extended birthday celebration
I'm celebrating throughout the whole 31 hours of 7 October. 24 hours of UK time plus 7 hours ahead yesterday of Singapore time. Who can have such a long birthday, ok, unless you are Singaporean in US, I'll let you win...
Three mails from Singapore. Sweet.
1. The biggest box. Its from my sister and cousin (and behalf of my mum, dad & lil sister). This one is such a pleasant surprise as I did not expect her to know exactly what I like. The first time I ever had my eyes on those toys, I never think I'll have them. Reason being I have enough "furry" animals on my bed... pig, penguin, dog, small winnie pooh, etc back home in Singapore. The second thing that fascinates me is they aremade in Germany German branded. I just hope I can have the whole range of collection one day!! The appeal about this toy is its fur - so soft that it doesn't feel like a normal stuff toy. Amazing, you can be sure of this. And so... guess what I've received. A GIRAFFE!!! I actually set my eyes on the tiger... lovely strips. And there's one more, might be a leopard if I'm not wrong. There it goes, my collection will start...
Let me share another cute thing about these animals, they have a belly button/navel... awww. Now he is sleeping with me!!
2. The smaller box - from my Rabbit-florian. Two mini-CDs of songs, I'm wondering why you chose them (if you happen to read this!)... A tiny piggy that doesn't look like you, but still it will hang there on my bag. Banana-choco pocky, like a replicate of that banana coated chocolates I gave you. The loveliest of all, a handwritten letter, I love letters!!
3. A bubble-wrap protected package. Signed off by the remaining Fab3, BS and Peilin, nice to know I'm not forgotten.. he he he. A very pretty red handmade "weird size" photo frame (and photos of the farewell - thanks for that) with two glow-in-the-dark sheeps. Bonus: lot of tissues!! Very much appreciated, angela and girls and "pa"...
Handy tissues to come along, Angela. I was actually spending an hour or two on my bed going through everything last night, it was emotional somehow. For the first time in near two months, I cried for the genuine thoughts from everyone back home. Yes, I miss all of you too!!
Enough of the presents and emotional speech... I know all of you are wondering how I will spend the birthday here. Surprise, I'm not into clubbing (ya, like you know), I only do that with my close friends. Shops are closing 7-8pm, no self-pampering shopping too. Another crucial point, I haven't get my first salary. So... Okay, ahh, I've been making a big round to the actual answer.. I was going to spend it at home, in my room watching some TV. Sad, huh! Fortunately no! A friend of mine (south african) decided he can help me by spending it with me, just a simple dinner - not sure whereabout. I'm supposed to pick the place, I've no idea about good food here :S Whatever it is, this is going to be a different birthday ultimately...
note: listings are made according to package size and not order of preference!!
p.s: Angela, is it colorful enough??
Three mails from Singapore. Sweet.
1. The biggest box. Its from my sister and cousin (and behalf of my mum, dad & lil sister). This one is such a pleasant surprise as I did not expect her to know exactly what I like. The first time I ever had my eyes on those toys, I never think I'll have them. Reason being I have enough "furry" animals on my bed... pig, penguin, dog, small winnie pooh, etc back home in Singapore. The second thing that fascinates me is they are
Let me share another cute thing about these animals, they have a belly button/navel... awww. Now he is sleeping with me!!
2. The smaller box - from my Rabbit-florian. Two mini-CDs of songs, I'm wondering why you chose them (if you happen to read this!)... A tiny piggy that doesn't look like you, but still it will hang there on my bag. Banana-choco pocky, like a replicate of that banana coated chocolates I gave you. The loveliest of all, a handwritten letter, I love letters!!
3. A bubble-wrap protected package. Signed off by the remaining Fab3, BS and Peilin, nice to know I'm not forgotten.. he he he. A very pretty red handmade "weird size" photo frame (and photos of the farewell - thanks for that) with two glow-in-the-dark sheeps. Bonus: lot of tissues!! Very much appreciated, angela and girls and "pa"...
Handy tissues to come along, Angela. I was actually spending an hour or two on my bed going through everything last night, it was emotional somehow. For the first time in near two months, I cried for the genuine thoughts from everyone back home. Yes, I miss all of you too!!
Enough of the presents and emotional speech... I know all of you are wondering how I will spend the birthday here. Surprise, I'm not into clubbing (ya, like you know), I only do that with my close friends. Shops are closing 7-8pm, no self-pampering shopping too. Another crucial point, I haven't get my first salary. So... Okay, ahh, I've been making a big round to the actual answer.. I was going to spend it at home, in my room watching some TV. Sad, huh! Fortunately no! A friend of mine (south african) decided he can help me by spending it with me, just a simple dinner - not sure whereabout. I'm supposed to pick the place, I've no idea about good food here :S Whatever it is, this is going to be a different birthday ultimately...
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MYSELF, I HATE TO BE 23!! BUT I'M PROUD TO BE NOW.
note: listings are made according to package size and not order of preference!!
p.s: Angela, is it colorful enough??
6.10.04
It's not our fault, it's you - androgen!!
Useful information for those prone to "naughty hormones"... ok, I mean red, big, ugly acnes!! I came across this article on MSN, and I'd like to share with you - if you are/were also a victim of these horrible monsters. Read more...
quack quackkk II
"quack quack quack"
Did you hear it again?? Yes, lovely duck for lunch again. I'll never say "NO" to a roast duck meal ever in London. I turned them down in Singapore because I was sick of chicken, pork and duck. Maybe another thing I wouldn't reject here is rice - white, yellow, fried or whatever. All right, let me tell you what's on my menu today: Roast Duck Leg with Dauphinoise Potato & Cabbage.
Can you resist that?
Maybe you can, but I'm too desperate for duck meat... Creamy melty cheesy potato was getting me down a bit, but crispy duck is just fantastic! It was too much for a lunch, 150% portion of what I normally have. No dinner again, or maybe just soup with brown bread roll.
Did you hear it again?? Yes, lovely duck for lunch again. I'll never say "NO" to a roast duck meal ever in London. I turned them down in Singapore because I was sick of chicken, pork and duck. Maybe another thing I wouldn't reject here is rice - white, yellow, fried or whatever. All right, let me tell you what's on my menu today: Roast Duck Leg with Dauphinoise Potato & Cabbage.
Can you resist that?
Maybe you can, but I'm too desperate for duck meat... Creamy melty cheesy potato was getting me down a bit, but crispy duck is just fantastic! It was too much for a lunch, 150% portion of what I normally have. No dinner again, or maybe just soup with brown bread roll.
Friend. Book. Food.
Mr. Bobby. I had a friend whom came over to London and we hooked up for a drink and dinner last evening. Such a nice feeling when you see someone you knew/know! He's a British working in Singapore; I'm Singaporean working in London. Somehow it sounds amusing...
Another thing that drives me mad in London is books!! I can never find so many books on ARTS back home. Fine arts, animation, graphic design, photography, sculptures, icons, multimedia, photography, erotica; anything you name it - you find it! I wish I can own a library here, I want to stock up a huge collection only if I can bring them home. Or well, I don't know how I can carry them along... Air freight??
I'm a sucker for sweet things since I came over. I wasn't much of one in Singapore. But here the Maltesers and Haribo got my sweet tooth started... argghh. I just "spanked" my hands from getting two packets of Haribo earlier (just because they are 2 for £1.50, I should still look after my TEETH right!).
Another thing that drives me mad in London is books!! I can never find so many books on ARTS back home. Fine arts, animation, graphic design, photography, sculptures, icons, multimedia, photography, erotica; anything you name it - you find it! I wish I can own a library here, I want to stock up a huge collection only if I can bring them home. Or well, I don't know how I can carry them along... Air freight??
I'm a sucker for sweet things since I came over. I wasn't much of one in Singapore. But here the Maltesers and Haribo got my sweet tooth started... argghh. I just "spanked" my hands from getting two packets of Haribo earlier (just because they are 2 for £1.50, I should still look after my TEETH right!).
4.10.04
Smell them...
Something fishy about the feet...
I just can't stop shopping for socks over here. Big, daring bold colors. Cute. Girlish. Lacy. Hold-ups. Tights. Fish-net. Flowery. Novelty. Knee length. Ankle. Black. Silky. Toe-less. Warmer. Nylon. Cotton. They just got me hooked; I'm not crazy about clothes (Zara, Mango, Next, Kookai, Dorothy Perkins, Warehouse, Topshop, Karen Miller, Monsoon, Urban Outfitters, etc...), I just don't care about those. But socks.... I don't stop looking...
3 pairs now and counting...!!
I just can't stop shopping for socks over here. Big, daring bold colors. Cute. Girlish. Lacy. Hold-ups. Tights. Fish-net. Flowery. Novelty. Knee length. Ankle. Black. Silky. Toe-less. Warmer. Nylon. Cotton. They just got me hooked; I'm not crazy about clothes (Zara, Mango, Next, Kookai, Dorothy Perkins, Warehouse, Topshop, Karen Miller, Monsoon, Urban Outfitters, etc...), I just don't care about those. But socks.... I don't stop looking...
3 pairs now and counting...!!
2.10.04
Brit's thumbs up
I've said so many disappointing things about London, I reckon it's fair enough to mention a few good things!!!
(1) First and foremost, there isn't an annual income limit to own a credit card. Yeah!!! So make sure you can afford one if you want one here, its free but not recommended to apply for one just for the sake of owning one. Actually I don't need one, I wanted to have a Visa (in case for emergency) because all my cards are Master Card debit. But then they gave me another Master Card :( Visa Platinum only for future upgrading, but whatever.
(2) You can get a decent Italian meal for £5, at least they are really Italian!! Many wide choices of food, e.g. the chef in my office restaurant plans a weekly menu ranging from Italian, Spanish, English, to whatever else. Well, you get all variety in Singapore too I have to admit, best for Asian food. But London's a good mix for European food! Besides cheap yogurt, many kinds of chocolates, and cheap pizza (for oven but good enough), best is I can get my Haribo gummy. Fruits are not cheap but reasonable!
(3) Cosmopolitan city
(4) Most/all public toilets are free to enter and supply toilet roll (no 10 cents entry or 20 cents for toilet paper)
(5) Seasonal weather, I seem to like it!
Wait till I find more...
(1) First and foremost, there isn't an annual income limit to own a credit card. Yeah!!! So make sure you can afford one if you want one here, its free but not recommended to apply for one just for the sake of owning one. Actually I don't need one, I wanted to have a Visa (in case for emergency) because all my cards are Master Card debit. But then they gave me another Master Card :( Visa Platinum only for future upgrading, but whatever.
(2) You can get a decent Italian meal for £5, at least they are really Italian!! Many wide choices of food, e.g. the chef in my office restaurant plans a weekly menu ranging from Italian, Spanish, English, to whatever else. Well, you get all variety in Singapore too I have to admit, best for Asian food. But London's a good mix for European food! Besides cheap yogurt, many kinds of chocolates, and cheap pizza (for oven but good enough), best is I can get my Haribo gummy. Fruits are not cheap but reasonable!
(3) Cosmopolitan city
(4) Most/all public toilets are free to enter and supply toilet roll (no 10 cents entry or 20 cents for toilet paper)
(5) Seasonal weather, I seem to like it!
Wait till I find more...
1.10.04
Man can cook III
The answer: if you'd like men that can cook - go for Koreans. Asian men with single eyelids. Men you drool over watching Korean drama. As good-looking as you can get. Seriously, I mean they do cook. I reckon a lot more than men back home or even in London. That's a hearsay from the people I met. But you'll find out when you meet some...
I'm a vivid food lover. So I need to date men who can cook... Not Koreans for me when I have already grabbed one whom can do the job. *wink* So u better do some lecker food, I'm waiting!! And wait, I'm brushing up my skills - I just need a kitchen to practice.
Arghh... time to pay another week's rent tomorrow - money seems to go fast but doesn't come fast!
I'm a vivid food lover. So I need to date men who can cook... Not Koreans for me when I have already grabbed one whom can do the job. *wink* So u better do some lecker food, I'm waiting!! And wait, I'm brushing up my skills - I just need a kitchen to practice.
Arghh... time to pay another week's rent tomorrow - money seems to go fast but doesn't come fast!
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