Serendipitiously

New companion

2007-09-23T13:26:00.000+08:00

Went shopping yesterday for something that I've been wanting to get for a long time. I only realised how much I really needed them when I stepped into the new Reeboks. Yum, now hitting the asphalt will feel a lot less like hitting the asphalt.

That said, my trusty Nikes have served me well. They've been around since I really picked up running regularly. They've taken me through two Singapore Bay Runs and I've taken them all the way to London so that I could jog around the Thames. Now it's time for them to retire from the running scene. But since our government is all for re-employment of retired workers, Nikes will probably find a new vocation as my regulation "close-toed shoes" in lab. I'm sure we will continue to have a really good working relationship.

Happy 42nd, Singapore!

2007-08-09T15:32:00.000+08:00

Taken during the last NDP rehearsal last Saturday. The parade segment was real, as in the marching stuff, but the performance part wasn't. It wasn't even full-dress or full-attendance. Probably because the performers need time to launder their costumes for the actual parade tonight. I liked the parade, especially since there were extra items to celebrate NS 40 this year. The organisers got people to stand in for the MPs, the MM and PM and the President. The way the master of ceremony went, "Please rise to welcome the arrival of the President... simulated" was rather hilarious. You can practically hear the parenthesis in his tone. Sadly, there were no fireworks, the highlights we were expecting. As were the scores of people camped on the steps in front of Marina Square. They had it worse as we were at least informed during the show.

Anyway, catch the real thing online or on TV later. Maybe I'll finally understand what the performance segment was about this time. Yes, the MC gave up the commentary after the parade part. Presumably there will be celebrity hosts, who weren't there that day.

In other news, I'm having a break! Heh, for about a week. Happy.

INTP

2007-08-05T22:04:00.000+08:00

Followed a link from plhu.

This result is different from this one I took some time ago. First thing that sprang to mind is: "Oops, that's quite a change." Especially since I've always felt that I'm more Feeling than anything. Haha, yep, look inside and it's all cotton-fluff and candy floss. But. Upon closer inspection, the percentages for all 4 traits are in the 50+ range. Hmm, seems like I'm pretty much split both ways and not too much or either eh.

Taken with a pinch of salt, grin.

Stir-fry

2007-07-17T09:57:00.000+08:00

Q: What's the difference between serving a steak and presenting a stir-fried meat dish?
A: You let everyone do his/her own cutting when you serve a steak whereas you do the cutting for everyone if you prepare a stir-fried dish.

Maybe in some way it represents feminine empowerment because the woman doing the cooking will only do so much. The rest is up to the diner. If you want to spear the whole slab of cow and chew, go ahead. But I guess that would appear too barbaric and not reflect very well on the diner and the community on the whole.

Not cutting up the meat beforehand lengthens the time needed to consume the meal considerably. There are several advantages to this effect:
(1) It is definitely more gratifying to the chef; the time taken partake the dish is more proportionate to the time taken to prepare it.
(2) It encourages family bonding because everyone stays at the table for a longer duration.
With regards to point (1), haven't you noticed that it takes just 10 to 15 minutes for a family to finish a home-cooked Chinese meal consisting of several dishes (meat, fish, veg, soup) when it had actually taken the matriach 2 hours of preparation+cooking? All everyone needs to do is wield his/her own pair of chopsticks and take what he/she wants. Then it's back to TV/studying/computer games while the poor Mum does the cleaning up.

So I say the Western Mother (ok, I'm generalising here) must have found the secret to letting everyone do their fair share of work in filling their tummies.

While I don't think you can persuade your mother to start grilling steaks and burgers anytime soon, I suggest that you:
(1) help out in preparing your meal;
(2) eat slower and enjoy the dishes;
(3) help clearing up... or at least clear your own plate and
(4) finish up the dishes and tell her that you do enjoy her cooking.

我毕业了

2007-07-08T22:22:00.000+08:00

Event: Commencement 2007
Date: Wednesday 4 July 2007
Location: University Cultural Centre, National University of Singapore
Significance:
(1) Got to wear the graduation gown and mortarboard, shake Pro-Chancellor Andrew Chew's hand and collect my degree scroll;
(2) Marks the end of my undergraduate career;
(3) Was a day that made my parents very very proud and very very happy;
(4) Got to share the joy with friends who made whole journey all the more memorable and fun.

And now to let pictures do the talking :)

Some things to show for my four years in NUS.

My family, sans elder brother.

Wonderful girlfriends with whom I sat in lectures, moaned nearing exams and deadlines, worked for assignments and gossiped during lunch. Clockwise from top left: me, boon, kathleen, pw and voz.

My very treasured friend, Wenwei.

Labmate, lunchmate, stay-overnight-in-lab companion and brilliant multitasker Huifun.

Kay Wee, who shares the same surname as me... which is how we became friends in the first place, heh.

Jian Hong, a capable, sensible and reliable guy with whom I have the pleasure to be acquainted.

Jiamin who has a really nice smile! Really :)

没那么简单

2007-06-24T13:54:00.000+08:00

有些东西，有些事，不是说喜欢就拿起，不喜欢就放下。
尤其当其中还牵连到另一个人。
人是有想法，有感受的。

你以为这是酒店吗？要来就来，说走就走。
这张帐单不是签个名就可以还清的。
留下的痕迹也不是刷一刷就不见了。

在你还不了解这个道理之前，我想你还是呆在家里，自己陪陪自己吧。
Don't inflict yourself on someone else just yet.

Taken from Wikipedia:
Tact is a careful consideration of the feelings and values of another so as to create harmonious relationships with a reduced potential for conflict or offense.
Tact is a form of interpersonal diplomacy. Tact is the ability to induce change or communicate hurtful information without offending through the use of consideration, compassion, kindness, and reason.

Quiz quiz quiz

2007-06-21T14:40:00.000+08:00

You Are Strawberry Pocky

Your attitude: fresh and sweet
Comforting, yet quirky ... quietly hyper
You always see both sides to everything

What Flavor Pocky Are You?

My favourite flavour, muahaha.

Your Learning Style: Unconventional and Insightful

You are very intuitive and ingenious. You're attracted to any field of study that lets you break the rules.

You Should Study:

Art
Art history
Architecture
Comparative religions
Eastern religion
Education
Music
Philosophy

What Should You Study?

Hmm, where's science?!

You Are Midnight

You are more than a little eccentric, and you're apt to keep very unusual habits.
Whether you're a nightowl, living in a commune, or taking a vow of silence - you like to experiment with your lifestyle.
Expressing your individuality is important to you, and you often lie awake in bed thinking about the world and your place in it.
You enjoy staying home, but that doesn't mean you're a hermit. You also appreciate quality time with family and close friends.

What Time Of Day Are You?

Your Five Factor Personality Profile

Extroversion:

You have low extroversion.
You are quiet and reserved in most social situations.
A low key, laid back lifestyle is important to you.
You tend to bond slowly, over time, with one or two people.

Conscientiousness:

You have high conscientiousness.
Intelligent and reliable, you tend to succeed in life.
Most things in your life are organized and planned well.
But you borderline on being a total perfectionist.

Agreeableness:

You have high agreeableness.
You are easy to get along with, and you value harmony highly.
Helpful and generous, you are willing to compromise with almost anyone.
You give people the benefit of the doubt and don't mind giving someone a second chance.

Neuroticism:

You have low neuroticism.
You are very emotionally stable and mentally together.
Only the greatest setbacks upset you, and you bounce back quickly.
Overall, you are typically calm and relaxed - making others feel secure.

Openness to experience:

Your openness to new experiences is high.
In life, you tend to be an early adopter of all new things and ideas.
You'll try almost anything interesting, and you're constantly pushing your own limits.
A great connoisseir of art and beauty, you can find the positive side of almost anything.

The Five Factor Personality Test

Sounds good! *grin*

Haiya

2007-06-14T22:18:00.000+08:00

Don't think so much. Why spend time so non-constructively? Just make the decision and then take the time to live the EXPERIENCE.

Yes, spend time experiencing the event and not thinking about which event to experience. You just run out of time to experience this way.

Dilemma

2007-06-11T14:57:00.001+08:00

Why is it that while the world is seldom, if ever, presented to us in black and white, we are always having to frame our decisions in terms of "yes" and "no"?

Maybe, because if not we'll always be standing around trying to make up our minds as the world passes us by.

Is free will over-rated? Wasn't it fun when Mummy and Daddy made the decisions so that all we have to decide is whether to eat that plate of broccoli or throw it on the ground? Or whether have that plate of noodles for recess or to spend the 40 cents on a new pencil? Those were easy decisions because they were really quite inconsequential.

I would like to think that free will is a privilege that we should treasure. But when faced with the great unknown, I suddenly feel frightened of the choices I have. Because ultimately, I have to live with my decision. My yes/no decision.

Penang

2007-05-20T19:00:00.000+08:00

Day 1 - 5 May

Breakfast at some coffeeshop near KOMTAR in Georgetown

Mak cik and pak cik: waiting for the bus back to Georgetown after dropping our barang off at Lone Pines at Batu Ferringhi

Lunch was the famous Penang Chendol... even Phua Chu Kang says so!

St George's Church, Georgetown

Dinner at Gurney Drive

Day 2 - 6 May

International Buffet for breakfast

Off to Bukit Bendera, also known as Penang Hill. In our rented Proton Kancil, no less.

Lunch was at a coffeeshop near Kek Lok Si

Kek Lok Si

Seafood dinner (YUM!) at the fishing village back over Batu Ferringhi

Last day - 7 May

Dim sum breakfast at random coffeeshop near KOMTAR. This has got to be my favourite meal of the trip.

Amused...ouch!

2007-04-29T16:08:00.000+08:00

I just can't help but want to laugh when I see this sign. Who's going to stand under the barrier anyway? It's in the middle of the road and a car would have just passed out of the gentry. But the sign itself is just too funny!

Musing

2007-04-23T18:17:00.000+08:00

An interesting thing happened today.

I met this mother accompanying her daughter who was going for the interview for admission into medicine. She stopped by the bench where I was studying with her two daughters, the younger one being all of six years of age.

They had some time to spare. While the interviewee-to-be was engrossed in reading and preparing, the mother started talking to me a little. The conversation picked up some more when the girl went off for the big event. It turned out that the mother was quite anxious about her girl's studying as she (the girl) tends to have high expectations and stresses herself. Which in turn stresses her mother. So her (the mother's) greatest wish is for the child to graduate as soon as possible and start working. She's all for the girl to lighten up. And preferably not choose something too stressful. To which I told her she had better be prepared if the child does get into medicine. Now, isn't that the greatest understatement! Well well. If the girl really does want it, she should just go for it. And hopefully she learns to manage herself better. Anyway, she'll have all her classmates to support her.

That was actually not the most interesting part. What left me thinking was what the girl said when she came back from the interview. As the family was leaving, she told her mother that she was asked what was the proudest moment of her life.

Now, that is a question worth thinking about. What was the proudest moment of your life? I've been asked what was the greatest failure in my life (too bad, I'm not telling you what I said in reply) but I've never thought about the proudest event. Ever.

And so I started thinking about that (while staring at my Drug Discovery notes, haha). I think to be proud of something necessarily involves working really hard for it. That's why it means so much when you get it (or don't get it, but feel really good about the effort).

I think I've worked hard at quite a few things in my life, but honestly, I don't think I can pinpoint that one single proudest moment of my life. The crowning glory. The wow-yes-i-did-it thing. Somehow when I think about it this way, what I worked at seemed ok-worthwhile but not exploding-fireworks-spectacular. There are things which I am very glad to have done and made me really happy. But these are just not that one proudest thing.

And so I think I should try hard to find that one thing, that one moment. And I'll let you know when I do.

lol. I'm glad no one asked me that question before I thought about it.

Today, last year

2007-04-12T11:39:00.000+08:00

Inside the dome at the Reichstag, Berlin.

It's quite incredible how much difference a year can make.
But then again, it is also incredible how much remains the same.

I wish I could

2007-04-08T21:19:00.000+08:00

but I can never say what is closest to my heart.

Bad luck. Either someone discovers that mind-reading is for real, or I'll just keep my secrets forever.

For (poster)ity's sake

2007-04-03T16:44:00.000+08:00

Heh.

C'est moi... (thanks to pw, the photographer who knows me best)

et ce sont pw et moi. (This may be bad grammar, but then I haven't done conjugations in a while.)

Don't whine, zephyr! You lousy lousy. Tsk tsk. No one likes whine-babies.
It's just a while more. Yes. Really.

慌

2007-04-01T08:59:00.000+08:00

What I need now is a lot of reassurance and hand-holding.
Better still if it's by someone who can judge my work.
But then I can do with sth that's just filled with love and sincerity too (not that I haven't been getting any, actually I get quite a lot, but I just can't be reassured enough).

Help help. Panic panic. Can someone hit my calm button please. Bah. Curse April 11th.

Demoralising, overachieving, over-efficient people please just stay away until the 12th. Then, I'll bite you with all the power of my wit and sarcarsm. For now these are running a little low. Let's fight on fair ground ya.

Go figure.

2007-03-30T21:55:00.000+08:00

I just discovered that short of a few words, the title of my (UNDERGRAD HONOURS) project was actually a PhD project. O.o That somewhat calmed me a bit over my lack of exciting results. But the fact remains that I have to write damn a lot in the next few days.

Mini lab outing last week, before Susanne left to head back to Germany. (Was it only last week?!) L-H: Haitao, Hui Fun, me, Susanne, Eugene, Daniel. We were at DXO drinking a tower of whisky green tea.

《最重要的小事》

2007-03-25T18:57:00.000+08:00

五月天
曲:玛莎词:阿信

我走过动汤日子追过梦的放肆穿过多少生死
却假装若无其事穿过半个城市只想看你样子

这一刻最重要的事
是属於你最小的事

世界纷纷扰扰喧喧闹闹什麼是真实
为你跌跌撞撞傻傻笑笑买一杯果汁
就算庸庸碌碌匆匆忙忙活过一辈子
也要分分秒秒年年日日全心守护你
最小的事

我就算壮烈前世征服滚滚乱世万人为我写诗
而幸福却是此时静静帮你提著哈罗凯蒂袋子

这一刻最重要的事
是属於你最小的事

世界纷纷扰扰喧喧闹闹什麼是真实
为你跌跌撞撞傻傻笑笑买一杯果汁
就算庸庸碌碌匆匆忙忙活过一辈子
也要分分秒秒年年日日全心守护你
最小的事（最重要的事）

你笑得像个孩子每个平凡小事变成永恒故事

Degree

2007-03-12T10:27:00.000+08:00

It is one thing to be enthusiastic.
But quite another to be a kan cheong spider. (Thanks Faisal, for teaching me this very apt term.)

*pull hair*
I don't quite know how else to express my exasperation.

Never mind; and all this shall pass.

2007-03-06T22:53:00.000+08:00

山穷水尽疑无路
柳暗花明又一村

Good morning, Singapore

2007-03-03T03:37:00.000+08:00

The time now is 3.39am.
It is Saturday, 3rd March.

I am in lab!
And I am hungry.

Sweet Sweet Love

2007-02-17T11:46:00.000+08:00

1% Agarose Roman Columns

2007-02-02T18:18:00.000+08:00

This is what happens when agarose solidifies between the teeth of the 15-well comb. Cute right, haha. Sorry for the lousy pic though; my phone doesn't have a macro funtion.

Hogfather (2)

2007-01-22T11:43:00.001+08:00

This story is actually an exploration of the theme of human beliefs. But because (1) I read it a really long time ago, (2) I am not doing a PhD on Pratchett's work (yes! there are people doing it!) and (3) I cannot put my thoughts (more like feelings) into a coherent tangible paragraph, I will not try and discuss the story in any intelligent manner here.

The advances of technology, namely YouTube, are to be applauded at this point. I found most of the 4-hour show in 20 10-minute parts online and spent much of yesterday afternoon stuck in front of my computer. (Hey, I read immuno while the parts were loading ok.) Only 17 parts worked properly, so I had 170 minutes of the film in all.

It was great! Every minute of it. The computer graphics were excellent and the characters were really close to what I had imagined them to be like. I thought Susan was very well portrayed: dignified and no-nonsense. I didn't like Teatime very much though. Death was well done, but I had always thought his voice was deeper and more ominous. He SPEAKS LIKE THIS IN PRINT, see. I always feel a little bit sad for Death; he tries so hard to understand humans but he just doesn't get things. And so he is almost always very lonely.

It was mentioned that if this TV release were a success, there will be other adaptations of Pratchett's work. I am really looking forward to those! There would definitely be comparisons to Harry Potter and LOTR then, but I feel that Pratchett is in a totally different genre. The only similarity is that it's all fantasy. Pratchett's got humour and there is (most of the time) an underlying message in his stories.

Ok, rather than wasting time convincing you with my very bland writing, why don't you just pop by there nearest library or bookstore. I love all the Death stories and I like the Watch very much too. The wizards are definitely entertaining but I don't enjoy the witches at all. Take your pick!

Hogfather (1)

2007-01-22T11:01:00.000+08:00

By a grand stroke of serendipity, I found out that Sky One, a TV channel in the UK made a film based on Terry Pratchett's "Hogfather".

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH! TERRY! PRATCHETT! HOGFATHER!

Ok, that was an understatement of how excited I was. I was first clued in that there was a film adaptation when I followed a link to the website of Paul Kidby, official illustrator for Pratchett. First I saw the 2007 calendar featuring the (human) cast and then I found the illustrated screenplay.

So I googled around and discovered that Sky One made the 2-part film for Christmas release last year. (Sidetrack: how come our TV stations don't make quality things like this? I think I've seen as many CNY variety shows as I am old.)

Briefly, the Father Christmas figure of Discworld, Hogfather, goes missing on the eve of Hogswatch. If he isn't found by daybreak, it would result in the end of the world. In order that things may be set right, Death (my favourite character in the series) takes his place to distribute presents to children around the world while his granddaughter, Susan tries to find out what happened.

New Year Festivities

2007-01-01T17:43:00.000+08:00

At Cafe Iguana at Clarke Quay last night.

We sat through a brief drizzle at our al fresco table holding up our own umbrellas with the vain hope that we might see the fireworks performance over at the Esplanade area at midnight. And the promise of free tequila shots helped a little. Heh. Turned out that our view was blocked by some buildings ahead and we only managed to see the light, some smoke and some sparks from the highest of the pyrotechnics.

Still it was fun: Dinner was decent with the grilled prawns very nicely done and we got our drinks at half price cos it was happy hour; the music was good (not too loud cos we sat outside) and there weren't anyone smoking near us. It got a bit messy at midnight from the confetti and snow sprays but hey, it's New Year!

The Primary Investigator of the Parasitology Lab

2006-12-30T13:40:00.001+08:00

Watch this if you haven't. Who'd know that the prof would be so sporting?

Scientists can party! Er.

2006-12-30T13:17:00.000+08:00

Presenting the DBS Christmas Binge!

Complete with too-loud karaoke, a colouring contest for the children, multi-coloured helium balloons (home made ones! secured with... rubber bands!), and a lucky draw at the end. Of course, not forgetting the refreshments, which was the only thing keeping people seated through it all. Binge yes? I doubt the leftover document bags from a conference (wrapped in newspaper!) given away as lucky draw goodies were much of a draw. Hurhur.

Eugene wondered if the lights on the much bedecked Christmas tree were fluorescing bacteria.

It's really too bad of me to be so cynical. Heh.
It was all good fun la. I think the cleaner aunties, other uncles and the small kids enjoyed it. And it was a chance to see the lab people let down their hair and sing their hearts out. Not fantastic, but entertaining nevertheless.

Psychoanalysis

2006-12-28T10:46:00.000+08:00

Sometimes I feel like I'm striving to become something that I am not. As in:
What I am: an upper-middle achiever, with a splash of mediocrity somewhere
What I am deluding myself about: that I am more than that
Result: I keep having to do things that I don't really want to do

In which case, I should just plant my feet solidly on the ground and look for a 9-5 after graduation. Or I could even do something I like, such as things to do with books (as in fiction) or craft (as in the craft in art-and-craft).

But some other times, I'll think that that's not true. As in:
What I am: an above-average achiever, capable of greater glory *snicker*, with a timid streak somewhere, but really wanting to make it big somewhere.
So: to give up is just to take the easy way out, which everyone can do BUT to knuckle down and fight for my glory should be the way to go, which is not what everyone can do.

In which case I should ra-ra and become a warrior. Doesn't that sound really romantic.

What I need is affirmation (doesn't anyone?). As in from people who really know me and understand what I am talking and thinking about. I need to know that I am not deluding myself on this. I also wish that someone could hold my hand and do this with me. But this is asking the impossible, as far as I can envision. So it's up to me.

Fight to the end!

PS: haha, this sounds like quarter-life crisis to me.

2006-12-21T16:19:00.000+08:00

What I really don't like is staring at a computer screen.
Give me printed material anyday man. *sigh*

The holiday season is giving me a headache.

Yesterday I experienced Regret. Yes, with a capital "R" no less. *sigh* I knew the moment I walked out of the shop. Dang it, shouldn't have been so easily persuaded when I wasn't even convinced.

Why like that?? The PCR machine doesn't like me.

Argh. I want to go to the beach. Why got monsoon, I ask you.

Chocolate only helped that much.

Crap. Maybe I'm suffering from SAD. Yep, seasonal affective disorder... even though Sg is equatorial. Must be the monsoon.

Trudge trudge.

Post Exam Madness

2006-12-09T14:54:00.000+08:00

I have been going out everyday from the day I had the last of my papers. Haha. Even I'm surprised by myself!

5 Dec, Tue
Went Carl's Junior with the girls to have lunch after the rather expected Pharmacogen paper. My first time there actually. And my verdict: it's probably rather exciting for people who take beef. There are over 10 varieties of beef burgers with exotic dressings like guacamole and interesting fillings ranging from bacon to portobello mushrooms (pw went straight for this one). The fish and chicken burgers are considerably less varied but they are more than decent. I love how they give entire leaves of fresh crunchy lettuce instead of the standard fare of yellowing strips of sad vegetable. My Chargrilled Sante Fe Chicken was just right; the others all had massively filling (should I say stuffing) servings for theirs.

Following that, we walked around PS in a bid to aid digestion. Though waffles were going for half-price at Gelare, no one could even entertain the thought.

6 Dec, Wed
Met xq for crazy earring shopping and Ding Tai Feng for dinner. That has been one year in the making, I tell you. And it was definitely well worth the wait.

The appetiser, which is one of the recommended dishes. xq's favourite. I'm ok with it.

Xiao Long Bao! Very very good. The soup was tasty and not oily and the meat was nicely flavoured. The skin was nice and thin. This dish actually has the Health Promotion Board's "Healthier Choice" mark, so I guess the soup in the bun wasn't the result of frozen fat blocks like vally wally wrote.

Then we had the egg fried rice. I like how the egg was nicely distributed throughout the rice. Tasty.

Shrimp wonton soup. The shrimp! So fresh! So crunchy! Oh, this is bliss, I tell you.

And finally we had yam pau for dessert. The yam paste was smooth and not too sweet. We both liked them very much. Did you know that there has to be more than 18 folds on each bun?

7 Dec, Thurs
Met qy for Sakae Teatime buffet at Harbourfront. Sam joined us one hour into our meal. Having learnt our lesson, both of us went in at the start of the buffet time slot and not 15 minutes before the last order. So this time round we took 3 leisurely hours to eat. (And still failed to eat enough for the price we paid! 3 of us consumed 20 plate. Dismal, I know.) The dessert included in the buffet price was strawberries and cream. Real strawberries were filled with ice cream, coated with some sweet white thing and then frozen. Heaven.

After the meal we wandered into Vivo City for a bit to look for cards. Went up to the sky garden thingy which had a play pool made to look like the beach. I wonder why you'd want to play in there when Sentosa is just a stone's throw away. Ok, maybe the kids don't know. Didn't get to the waterfront facade though, which was what I quite want to see.

8 Dec, Fri

(Tired of reading yet? Haha..)

Went shopping with my mum at Orchard. We started off at OG at Somerset and worked our way up towards Orchard. It was raining cats and dogs when we got there soon after lunch but fortunately the water ran out while we were in OG. Eventually we made our way to Taka for which she had vouchers to spend.

I was sort of looking for heeled shoes so I took her to Far East Plaza (!) after failing to find anything I liked. Far East was thronging with teenagers as usual. I kept going for shoes with some sort of bow or quirky bauble, much to my mum's disapproval. Most shoes were really too high for me to function in; if I got them I would only be able to stand around! But tall shoes really do make a girl look good.

We got home around 9 pm. I have to say that I am really quite surprised that we walked for as long as we did; my mum was wearing low heels and she is more than twice my age. The only two times we stopped were to drink coffee at 5 o'clock and to have dinner before we came back. Haha, people still surprise you even when you've known them all your life.

Today
Will be off to an AWC gathering in the evening. Wahahaha. More fun! I think I'll buy Mini Cornettos to bring along.

I'll go back to lab on Monday happy.

Shut Door Meditate

2006-11-21T13:47:00.000+08:00

That's bi4 guan1 xiu1 lian4 for those scratching your heads, heh. Can't be bothered to switch to Chinese typing... I only meant to check my email!

Anyway, the purpose of this post is to shout about "The Story of Slimderella."

Way to go, Joyce! That was really funny :) and totally educational to boot.

Cavemen died

2006-11-17T13:17:00.000+08:00

In this day and age, it is my firm belief that sheer brute force has no place in our lives anymore.

Speaking loudly doesn't make you more reasonable. Nor does it mean that you are confident. You just look dumb when you are talking to someone sitting about 30 cm away from you.

It's just really annoying when there is loads of noise that doesn't serve any purpose.

Maybe the person who's speaking is hard of hearing. Ok ok, if you look old and you speak loudly, I'll give you the benefit of doubt.

If you deserve attention, you don't have to demand it. People will pay attention to you. If you demand attention when there is none to be given, then you are just wasting your energy. Hah. I have no sympathy for you then.

Being aggressive and forceful is not going to win you your point when you are clearly in the wrong. So just take your energy and go clean up your house/drawer/desk. That is at least constructive.

That you can exert great force, whether through yakking at glass-shattering decibels or punching through ten metres of concrete, doens't mean much. It doesn't even show any skill.

It is when you can control yourself, speaking and acting appropriately such that your point gets across and people respect you, that it is truly impressive.

Didn't the cavemen all die out a long time ago.

Discontent and ennui - the bane of my life.

2006-11-03T10:44:00.000+08:00

Yes, isn't it amazing? I actually have time to be bored. While other people are worrying about lab and term papers and CAs, I have time to visit library (the National Library, mind you) and read FICTION. Haha.

I am terribly bored.

I must say this semester has to be my slackest ever. Strange but true. Only 3 modules: 1 straightforward and not difficult, 1 is not straightforward but doesn't have much content anyway and the last is straightforward, could be difficult but have gone through one round of CA. So, my conclusion is that I don't have much to worry about. Also, lab is quite own-time-own-target and I've been assured that I'm well on the way, so that's that.

It's not that I have NOTHING to do. It's just that what I should be doing basically involves reading academic stuff. Only. Off the computer screen, no less. Very unattractive prospect. If I knuckle down to do it, I could be:

(1) reading papers about mitotic misregulation and ageing and about Hutchinson-Gilford Progeria Syndrome vs Werner's Progeria as models for ageing
(2) reading papers about the SLC22A group of organic cation transporters in the kidney
(3) reading papers about complexes involved in protein trafficking in yeast
(4) reading papers about tandem affinity purification
(5) reading papers about... sorry, I got carried away. But you get my drift.

Argh. I don't like reading pdf files on the computer! But I can't possibly print everything out. Too wasteful.

I could read about applying to grad schools. But it's more reading off the computer screen too. And the prospective information overload is not exactly something I look forward to. Bleah.

(Sidetrack: the GRE PowerPrep software arrived in the mail yesterday... after I've taken the test AND received my results. Well done!)

I need to DO something. And not just sit around and read things.

The sun outside makes me want to go to the beach. Bad.

Oh yes, I had the most fantastic thought yesterday, haha. It just struck me that my ultimate (unattainable) fantasy is to be an Esprit mannequin. Then I can wear all the latest collections without having to spend a cent. The downside is, of course, I would have to be dressed in public AND I'll have no head. hahahahahaha.

Well, I said it was a fantasy.

Some things/occasions that make me happy

2006-10-23T20:49:00.000+08:00

- a good book
- a bar of snickers almond, the best chocolate ever
- good sunny weather
- when i give and don't expect
- when i get what i don't expect (have i ever mentioned that i love the concept of serendipity)
- when i see and talk to my friends
- when i receive encouragement from people who matter
- when i see and talk to people i care about
- when i dress up for myself
- after i run
- when i see/meet kind strangers
- when i manage to crack sth that was difficult
- after i bathe
- good music
- gorgeous scenery
- calvin and hobbes
- when i am loved
- when i love
- when i am in love

* list is not exhaustive =)

Introverted iNtuitive Feeling Judging

2006-10-17T10:12:00.000+08:00

You Are An INFJ

The Protector

You live your life with integrity, originality, vision, and creativity.
Independent and stubborn, you rarely stray from your vision - no matter what it is.
You are an excellent listener, with almost infinite patience.
You have complex, deep feelings, and you take great care to express them.

You would make a great photographer, alternative medicine guru, or teacher.

What's Your Personality Type?

For a short quiz, the result is quite accurate, I think. But I don't really think much of being an alternative medicine guru. "Alternative" and "guru"? Nah, not my cup of tea. And I think I've told almost anyone who cared to know that I don't think I can teach. I'll die from wanting to whack people when they can't get my message. Haha.

There are lengthier descriptions here and here. I like the piece written by Marina Margaret Heiss at the first link.

I can't remember what I got for the personlity test I took in secondary school though. Haha, but my guess is that it's probably not changed much ;P

Breadth and Depth

2006-10-11T11:23:00.000+08:00

It struck me during lab meeting today that undergraduates have a hard time balancing breadth and depth.

On one hand, we are supposed to take several modules every semester spanning a great spectrum of specialities. But at the honours level, at least, textbooks are no longer fully sufficient.

On the other hand, we are required to be well acquainted with one area of research in the course of doing the FYP. It is not enough to read one paper to get some background knowledge to start off. We have to be intimately familiar with what has been done, what it all means, what we can do to move on from there. It's a little bit like postgrad already. Not to the same extent, but quite enough.

The thing is: postgrads devote all their time to understanding their field of research. That is all they do and it is what they are rightly suppposed to do.

But undergrads have to do that and we also have to read papers for our modules. We have to know more than a bit in breadth and more than a bit in depth.

It's between a rock and a hard place, really.

I need time.
And I need the brain capacity!
And then should I finally absorb enough, I need to able to execute.

Argh. Not simple life is.

And vast science is. Really.

But then it's good to learn new things. Exposure, exposure!

2006-10-03T16:36:00.000+08:00

Wei Theng, your IQ score is 141
The way you think about things makes you a Creative Theorist. This means you are a highly intelligent, complex person. You are able to process information of nearly every kind with ease, using both creativity and analysis to make sense of the world. Compared to others you also have a very rich imagination.

How did we determine that your thinking style is that of a Creative Theorist? When we examined your test results further, we analyzed how you scored on 8 dimensions of intelligence: spatial, organizational, abstract reasoning, logical, mechanical, verbal, visual and numerical. The 3 dimensions you scored highest on combine to make you a Creative Theorist. Only 6 out of 1,000 people have this rare combination of abilities.

The Super IQ Test

Fun in the Sun

2006-09-03T10:58:00.000+08:00

Spent the day at Sentosa yesterday. Finally managed to be at the, or rather a, beach without the skies emptying upon us. The weather was really really good! Next time we'll get a proper beach mat, heh.

Didn't get to watch the musical fountain show though, as it was full house when we got there. Tsk tsk, why don't they just expand the seating capacity.

His wrist and my wrist

2006-08-29T09:57:00.000+08:00

gag

2006-08-29T09:49:00.000+08:00

got this from plhu

sugar overdose!!

Social Life at Hogwarts

Most people that know you, like you. You are a little shy, friendly, and very sweet and innocent. You try your best in your studies and often get an okay grade. You are scared of the dark, monsters, and bugs. You love your friends, but sometimes don't trust all of them. You are very quiet around strangers, but when your with your friends you could be the loudest person in the room.

Harry: He is happy for you and Ron and thinks you are a great person. He is kind of torn about who he thinks should be with Ron in the end. It's either you and Hermione, but he thinks you are both good for Ron.

Ron: He loves you. He's glad that you both share the same fears, such as spiders. He thinks you are great to be with and is completely comfortable in your presence. He knows that you and Hermione have a tension between you and always leaves quickly when you three are all together. He is so glad you are his girlfriend, and prays that you'll never leave him.

Hermione: She hates you because you took Ron away. Her logical side knows she's judging you wrong, but her heart refuses to forgive you. She wants to be your best friend again, like she was before you started dating Ron, but everytime she sees you with him she storms off. Jealousy is a tricky thing.

Ginny: She is one of your closest friends. She can't wait til you and her become sisters-in-law. However, she is also torn, like Harry, on who is more of Ron's soul mate. She always says gross when she sees you and Ron snogging, but besides that she's happy that your around the Burrow all the time with Ron.

Neville: He thinks your nice, but that's basically it.

Fred and George: They adore you and pick on you for going out with Ron. They like to tease the two of you when you are snogging and laugh when you both blush. They always tell you about there pranks and love how you laugh and appreciate them. They are ready to weldome you into the family.

Oliver Wood: He doesn't know you that well. Only sees you as the quiet girl who is Ron's girlfriend.

Cedric Diggory: Doesn't know you.

Cho Chang: Thinks you are really cute and the sweetest little thing. She thinks you are very innocent and is always very nice to you.

Lavender Brown: She finds it hard to hate you, since you are so nice and all, but deep down she hates you with every fiber in her body. She is thinking of joining with Hermione to get rid of you, but knows that Hermione wouldn't go that far.

Draco Malfoy: Thinks you and Weasley deserve each other. Both blood traitors. Deep down he wishes he found someone like that, but won't admit it. He thinks you're an okay person, but can't say that for fear of getting punished.

Pansy: Doesn't know or talk to you.

Crabbe and Goyle: Same as Pansy.

Dumbledore: He thinks you are very nice and wishes you the best with Mister Weasley.

McGonagall: She appreciates your effort in class and thinks you are a great student. She just wished that you and Mister Weasley would stop staring at each other during class.

Hagrid: He thinks you are a great girl and laughs when you and Ron always blush. He thinks you two are the cutest couple. He calls it 'puppy love'.

Snape: He doesn't notice you and doesn't care. He takes house points from you every now and then, not because he hates you, it's because you always manage to do something wrong in your potions.

Voldemort: Is thinking of using you to get Ron, but doesn't know if you're worth the trouble. Has you on his list of people to kill, but you aren't exactly his top priority.

Reputation: The Nice Girl
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National Day Special

2006-08-11T15:12:00.000+08:00

Singapore celebrated her 41st birthday on Wednesday and for the first time in my whole life (if I remember correctly), I decided not to stay home and watch TV specials. Instead, I took a little trip around the sunny isle to see if there were Kodak moments worth capturing. First up: Istana Park, all dressed up for the occasion.

The fringe activities at Kallang.

En route to the stadium; redder than Chinese New Year!

The spectrum of men serving the nation. There was a whole array of crisis vehicles (I mean things like ambulances, fire trucks, special ops vehicles etc) parked in a line at the carpark but I didn't get a picture.

One last one at the National Stadium...

I then headed to town. Buses (at least the SBS ones) now carry a Singapore flag as do taxis. And that was a whole bunch of tourists on a city tour. I didn't realise the tour company has its grip here too! These buses are all over Europe, at least in ALL the cities I had been to so far. Scary!

Closer home, this is the display my RC put up and that is a very patriotic neighbour living in my block. Now maybe they should have paid more attention when hanging the flag...

And to round it off, the moon decided to put up a show that night.

Weekend Gallivants

2006-08-06T14:41:00.000+08:00

15 July: Alien Invasion!
National Orchid Gardens (Singapore)

Orchids are really quite bizarrely designed flowers. Other than the fact the they have the same number of petals, there doesn't seem to be any other rule that govern the gamut of colours, shapes and sizes that runs in the family of our national flower.

29 July: National Cuisine?
Changi Airport Terminal 2

The sundae is our very own creation: sticky chewy chocolate and blueberry flavours for icer-cream and butterscotch and marshmallow for toppings. We found out that the marshmallow topping is in liquid rather than solid state. Heh. The chicken rice and wanton (hurhur, no pun intended) noodles are quite decent considering that they cost more than counterparts from your neighbourhood foodcourt. The chicken is tender and tasty and the serving of xiao bai cai is generous.

5 August: Pyrotechnics!
Singapore Fireworks Festival, Esplanade Waterfront

Why is it that I never have my tripod when I need it? AND that whenever I do bring it out I don't get to use it. Tsk tsk. But I managed to take some okay pictures I think, so I'm not going to complain anymore, heh. I like fireworks! Seems like many Singaporeans do too because the waterfront was packed when we got there at 7.45 pm while the fireworks were slated to begin only at 9 pm. The little boy is so cute; the fireworks hadn't started yet, in case you are wondering. Pre-emptive measures eh, grin.

You can still catch the displays on the 8th, 11th and 12th. And don't forget the National Day ones on the 9th!

Zzing!

2006-08-04T22:06:00.000+08:00

The more I sat, the more tired I felt.

The more I read (whether it is a novel, a reference book, a scientific paper or even newspapers), the more tired I felt.

The more I did nothing, the more tired I felt.

But. The moment I put on my running shoes and step out for a jog, I feel awake. Alive. Happy! I'm so glad I discovered running. The wind (if there is wind) in my face, the sun (if there is sun) on my skin... but most of all the clarity of mind that inevitably comes along.

I like running at the neighbourhood stadium. More so than at the track in school or on a treadmill somewhere indoors. At the public stadium, I get to see people of all ages and from all walks of life. Interesting! (There was a cute kid today; his grandpa took him out for fresh air. He's really cute, haha, like small kids are. And pretty agile and fearless!)

It suddenly struck me as I was running that much as I like research and lab and academia (or maybe I think I like, haha), I don't think I'll survive if that is the only thing in my life. I need to get out and work something other than my brain!

So. I want to run!

And I also want to shoot!

For as long as I can. Heh.

And the diagnosis is...

2006-07-29T10:07:00.000+08:00

I have come to the conclusion that I am a true-blue escapist. No no, I don't specialise in jail-breaking or anything criminal. It's a bit less exciting than that. I mean that I would rather run away than to confront something, expecially when I know it is going to hurt big time. Hah, this explains my passivity eh.

When I am unhappy about something, and even when I am angry about something, I often clam up and ignore rather than rant about it. Cold war, not arm-to-arm combat.

If possible I try to do things in ways that do not involve troubling other people. If I can do it myself, I do it myself. If no one notices anything, all the better.

When I see an acquaintance in the distance and I know that after saying "Hi!" there would be an awkward pause, I would not say "Hi!"

I don't often call people.

I want to fade into the background when there is an argument around me that I can do nothing about.

I always thought that weakness is abominable and I had hoped that I am not weak. But I think, in my hearts of hearts, I am so very weak. No strength of character. Not garang enough. I don't know if I will ever be strong enough to fight for something. Most things feel very lukewarm at the moment. I guess they have been like this forever already.

In some ways, this contradicts my need for control. When I know I can get my way, I must have it in my way. But who said that life is going to be easy. I guess it's when I know that it is beyond my control that I escape. Well, that just about showcases my cowardice in its full glory.

This is so incredibly sad. It saddens even me.

On Local TV

2006-07-19T11:01:00.000+08:00

Oliver's Twist

For some reason, this is one show I never get tired of watching. It was shown about 3 years ago, then it went off and then it's now back on air. That our local TV station likes to milk every show they've ever bought bone-dry is nothing new. And it's not why I'm writing about the show today.

I find that I'm rediscovering the show. I used to like it because of the way it is shot: all the bright colours and rioutous cacophony Jamie Oliver whips up in his kitchen. The food wasn't the main point because I didn't really have any real concept of Western food. If you know what I mean. As in, I couldn't relate.

Now I find myself drawn to the street scenes that precede the actual cooking and then to the actual dishes. I can recognise some of the places he visits! Spotted Borough Market once... and the backdrop view of the Thames and St Paul's from his kitchen window is definitely familiar! Yum. And having steeped in British cooking (ok ok, British supermarkets), I now find his pasta and sandwiches rather exciting! But he uses too much rocket. Bleah!

Commercial time

I have come to the conclusion that these slots of repeating trailers/spoilers/advertisments and what-nots are meant to kill brain cells. No, no, exterminate brain cells. There are only so many times I can tolerate the too-loud soundtrack for a certain local talent show. Really!

Now I know why plhu records her shows and watches them sans the breaks.

If a show is scheduled for Friday and if you regularly watch that channel, then I only hope you have a high threshold, starting on Monday.

Mid Year Resolution

2006-07-17T20:18:00.000+08:00

I resolve to gripe/complain less.

You know when you observe two people in conversation, there are instances when you can clearly tell that one party is talking too much and that the other is only listening with half an ear (and wishing with his/her whole heart that the former would just give it a rest). Yet the one's who talking too much still goes on. And on. And on. It is a lot worse for the latter when the former goes on in that kind of sneering/whining/self-righteous tone. Bleah.

I think the world will be a better place if we tell other people happy things. Of course I don't mean for people to bottle up all their unpleasant emotions. But since most of the time complaining will only propagate frustration, my suggestion is to deal with negative feeling to sort it out as best as possible before relating it to someone else with as much neutrality and peace-of-mind that can be mustered. Yep, I hope I can do that.

Here's something that pw sent me; they were taken on the day we moved out of Wolfson. Don't we look so very happy!

Prunes!

doing nothing

2006-07-13T11:39:00.000+08:00

random madness.

i've not been up to much lately. does trying to read count? managed absorb some basic details about the bacterial T4SS and some stuff about a protein. some consolation i guess. well, i've put a stop to this inefficient mode of working: i'll be going to lab tomorrow! yay. decided that it's better to get my hands dirty first. being confounded in lab will probably be fresh impetus to read more. just reading with no aim is, frankly, difficult.

did have 2 bad dreams over 3 nights though. in vivid detail. that i still remember. brain on overdrive to compensate for lack of activity in the day? maybe.

ach. my bestest friend has gone abroad. it's not that we see each other a great deal. but knowing that we are on the same island is a good feeling. well, she probably felt the same when i ran off at the beginning of the year. heh. now to rely on the wonders of technology i guess.

ok, going off the gallivant in town. actually i'm hoping to find a cd at hmv. wish me luck.

Commencement

2006-07-09T17:52:00.000+08:00

Trust the school to come up with such a name for convocation.

Well, I suppose it is true that while graduation does mark the end of one's education, it also heralds the beginning of a totally new phase in one's life. I know, I know, the "new phase of life" phrase is so often used that some part of the brain just shuts down when one sees it being used to describe an event.

BUT. Isn't it really so. Perhaps for (roughly) half of the country's population, entering the army and serving the nation is the first time when this phrase truly applies. That is when one's entire life changes and when old routines become meaningless and get overwritten in quite an abrupt manner. Yet for the other 50%, it's been school all along, just in mildly varied methods of teaching. For them this is the breakpoint.

Graduating from university. I don't know about you but the thought of it never fails to make me draw a larger breath. It entails making so many decisions about the future. To study more? Or to join the workforce and start contributing to your CPF? (Or to work for a year and then study more?) To be idealistic, looking for that perfect job? Or to be realistic, taking what comes?

I don't know how many people actually still think about this now but the idea of wanting to do better than the last generation is probably not new. Like our parents probably dreamed of living in HDB flats and working in the new industrial estates rather than following their parents', our grandparents', footsteps in the family farm. And my hopes of living in a penthouse with a fantastic view and my other hopes about my future employment.

This "doing better" notion is always hanging around my conscious thoughts somewhere. It is real. I have the potential of earning hell of a lot more money when I start working. I really do. So sometimes I just feel like I should get the *bleep* out of school faster and start working. (In the mean time I should not spend so much of my parents' money). I guess for some of my contemporaries whose parents are university graduates and working professionals (or whose family is quite happily well off), this is entirely irrelevant. Or just less relevant. I don't know.

I wonder if I should do post-grad and spend more time in school or go out and start earning my keep. The unemployed feeling is... uncomfortable. I should be supporting my parents or something.

Commencement. Well, I had better not screw up my honours year. Ok, let's not mince words here. I WANT A FIRST CLASS. I want to do my parents proud. I want to do myself proud.

So before Commencement 2007 comes around, here's presenting a member of the Class of 2006: Congrats! (heh, again.)

Back again!

2006-06-29T13:38:00.000+08:00

I'm back!

Spent the last couple of days unpacking, packing, washing, washing and washing. Oh and watching TV. Heh.
The weather is actually ok; I'm not feeling like I'm melting or anything. In fact it is rather nice not to have to depend on the weather forecast to dress to go out!

Ok, back to packing. It's really crazy how much stuff I have. I should just stop buying things altogether. Unless I can buy a house to store them. Haha. Ok, nuts I am.

Last Night in London

2006-06-24T05:28:00.000+08:00

I'm going to miss this place, that's for sure.
The Thames.
The walks along the Thames.
The runs along the Thames.
The ever-changing view along the Thames.
The people along the Thames: lovers and couples, families and friends, baskers and tourists, peddlers and stall holders...
The bridges across the Thames: Tower, London, Southwark, Millenium, Blackfriars, Waterloo, Hungerfort aka Jubilee, Westminster, Lambeth and Vauxhall. I'm proud to say that I've crossed them all!
The view from my window. (ok, to be specific, Room 1202 of Wolfson)
The parks: Hyde, St James's, Regent. Hyde's got to be my favourite.
My friends from hall: Peter, Eun Sun, Jamane, Holly.
The lovely blue sky... when it is clear!
The shops we frequent: Tesco, Sainsbury, Boots, Upper Crust, M&S.

The list probably can go on, but these are the most salient things off my mind now.

But then again, it'll be nice to go home.
Hang on, I'm coming home!

Back from Edinburgh

2006-06-20T17:53:00.000+08:00

It was a cool trip! The best part of Scotland has to be the spectacular scenery and the awe-inspiring views of the sea.

The first day we went along the Royal Mile to see the "wynds" or the undulating little streets and then ended up at Holyrood Park, hiking up Salisbury Crags and maling it all the way up to Arthur's Seat. It's 250 m above sea level and the view from the top was well worth the scrabbling and scrambling up the last lap on all fours. Heh, amateur rock-climbers eh. cy's judicious question saved us much grief; if not for it we might not have gotten to the Seat this trip!

The second day was rather slack, mainly because it rained most of the time and also because we were all unwilling to fork out money for admission into Edinburgh Castle and Rosslyn Chapel (yes, the one in "The Da Vinci Code"). So like all good tourists, we took photos outside and were happy with those. We did go for a Scotch Whiskey Tour though and I had my first taste of the very strong brew. Highlight for the day was probably the very nice lunch at The Mussel Inn. But I didn't have mussels... ok, I had one.

On the last day, we visited the Museum of Flight for "The Concorde Experience." It took us about an hour and a half on the bus to get to East Lothian Airfield, where the museum is located. En route we passed by North Berwick which boasts an award-winning seaside. cy and I spend the time waiting for our connecting bus taking pictures while the other 4 experienced an award-wnning toilet and hunted down pastry. The beach makes us think of "The Old Man and the Sea." On the return journey, we had lunch at a teashop called "The Pantry" in Haddington where a middle aged couple approached us and remarked on how "quiet" and "gentle" we were through our meal. They are Haddington residents and had apparently been observing us eat. Oh, they first asked where we were from. Haha, they must have had some nasty experience with rowdy Asian tourists in the past. After lunch we headed back to city centre and had time for a little retail therapy along Prince's Street before catching our train back.

The train ride back was very pleasant and comfortable... because cy and I had a lot of leg space! Heh.

All in all, a good trip!

2006-06-16T07:49:00.000+08:00

"Rudeness should always be intentional, otherwise it's insensitivity."

- in An Unsuitable Job for a Woman by P. D. James

Mostly Arty

2006-06-09T17:41:00.000+08:00

Phantom last night:

For some reason, the theme for today was 'art'... and I didn't orchestrate it though! Heh.

When I was out running, I saw this group of girls sprawled in front of the Tate Modern doing pencil sketches of the Millenium Bridge. They looked like they take some sort of art class.

Then I decided to go visit the National Gallery in the afternoon. On the way, I passed these 2 groups of people also sketching some part of the view in front of the Tate Modern again. Don't the little group of retirees look so... happily retired? Heh. How nice to have time for leisurely pursuits like this and to have a group of like-minded companions to share the hobby with!

I like the National Gallery. I didn't want to look at the Renaissance pieces today, so mainly I looked at paintings from 1700-1900. These included the impressionists like Monet and Manet and also painters like Degas, Renoir and Cezanne. I rather like Cezanne's works and some of Renoir's paintings. And I like many of the paintings of that period depicting the French countryside.

My favourite one has to be "Bathers at Asnieres" by Georges Seurat. I like the pastel but luminous colours he used that gave the scene a sunny and pleasant feel. Isn't it lovely? (the real thing is definitely loads better than this.)

People seem to kiss more frequently, spontaneously and passionately these days. Must be the summer heat!

All the King's (Queen's) Men...

2006-06-07T07:51:00.000+08:00

Horse Guard at Whitehall:

"Toy Soldiers" at Buckingham Palace:

... ok ok, sentries at guard boxes.

Changing of the Guards at Buckingham Palace:

Spent an hour squashed up against the Palace gates to catch this (and many video snippets). The Military Band played Abba! Haha. The whole thing was quite entertaining.

Serendipitiously, caught the rehearsals of a "Military Spectacular" at Horse Guard Parade when I went back to St James's Park to get flower pictures:

The little old lady near me was so happy to have caught it as well. It was "fantastic" and she had "a lovely afternoon". How very English!

My trophy photo for today:

Perfect Summer

2006-06-05T21:39:00.000+08:00

Summer has dawned on London fiercely and brightly the past few days. The sky's been the colour of cornflowers and in Peter's words, "it's so clear it's ridiculous." The sun just beats down and everywhere there are people taking advantage of the precious rays. It's as though all the sunshine that didn't penetrate the thick clouds all winter is being spilled over the city in a single dash. I do so love the sunkissed feeling on my skin.

We took advantage of the first light (it was warm but not clear on Friday) on Saturday to go on the London eye. The view was wonderful and since we took the Discovery Flight (it's not a ride but a flight because British Airways is a partner of the Eye), a guide provided us useful nuggets of information throughout the 30 minutes.

One of the most interesting tidbits is that Westminster Bridge is painted green and the Lambeth Bridge red because the Lords wanted to cross a different bridge from the commoners to get to work at the Houses of Parliament (which, in as you are not aware) is divided the House of Lords and the House of Commons. Correspondingly, the terrace outside the Houses of Parliament are colour-coded with green and red awning so that there are separate eating areas as well. Aristocratic snobbery? You bet!

Then it was off to Hyde Park! I love the place, not just because of the flowers but because the park is really a lovely place. That said, the flowers DO drive me crazy. Wild daisies peek out all over the grass, roses of all varieties bloom left and right on bushes and vines. I stopped to smell one that was in full bloom and it was lovely. Bees buzzed around, busy with nectar collecting. On top of that, there are many many kinds of flowers I didn't recognise.

People do everything and anything at the park to take advantage of the good weather. There are people playing frisbee, playing soccer, picnicking, eating ice-cream, cycling, roller-blading, jogging, reading, sun-tanning, rowing, sleeping... There are families, friends, couples and singles. And there are really people who lie down on the grass in their bikinis. It's just like East Coast Park... minus the sand. My favourite part is that there is actually a deck-chair rental service! It's just so amusing. I've got to admit it's good business acumen!

On Sunday I went for a walk along the river. The weather was still great.

I originally only planned to catch Tower Bridge lifting, have lunch along the river then go back.

But one thing led to another and so after the lift:

...I had lunch on one of the ubiquitous benches along the river with a book. And then I strayed to the book market under Waterloo Bridge:

I was planning to get back to hall to call home but then my mum called while I was out. Serendipitious, heh. So after talking, I went on walking.

There was a spontaneous party taking place below the bridge. There was actually a bit of "beach" (it's the river back) as the tide was out.

And this is one of the ice-cream trucks that's sprung up with the good weather. This one has a really cute license plate though!

There's this really cute saxophone-playing boy outside the National Theatre. Really, he can charm the skirts of any woman! Heh.

I crossed Hungefort Footbridge:

...otherwise known as the Golden Jubilee Bridges. While on it, this little old man stopped to talk to me. He thought we've met before but we haven't. Still he was really pleasant and he left me to my shutters after we bade each other good day.

I then strayed to Trafalgar Square and there was a demonstration taking place:

After that I decided it was too good a day to be indoors and so didn't go into the National Gallery but went on to Leiscester Square/Chinatown/Covent Garden before heading back via Waterloo Bridge. I was going to go up Kingsway but the shops were mostly closed on Sunday, so I didn't.

Then when I got back, I got locked out after leaving all my barang in my room. But that's another story altogether. The lock's fixed now. Or rather, the handyman took out a strip of my doorframe, sawed off the bolt, threw out the old lock and put in a new one. He says since my floor's going to be refurbished this summer, it's ok (and easier) to hack the doorframe out. Haha.

Locked out!

2006-06-05T03:10:00.000+08:00

I've been locked out of my room cos the lock has decided not to be friends with the key anymore. So I'm spending the night in an "emergency room" before the handyman comes and fix it tomorrow.

Sigh.

But at least this is not the exam period and I don't exactly have big plans and important appointments to keep this evening or tomorrow morning. And it has been comfortably warm this few days, so I won't need my warm clothing. And I have food in the kitchen, which I can access. So I guess it's not that bad. And people have been really kind to lend me stuff.

I was actually planning to blog about the perfect summer day I spent yesterday. I guess it'll have to wait. zhen shi ren suan bu ru tian suan!

2006-06-02T06:30:00.000+08:00

Yesterday's lunch at Kintaro:

It's saba shio rice (grilled mackerel with salt) and it was actually very nice. I like the fish.

And this is today's lunch at Assa:

From left to right: fel, eunsun, me and pw.
Fel's flying home tomorrow and then she's going to San Francisco to do art next year. So no more kcl for her. Eunsun is hoping to meet her conditional offer from Birmingham, so now she's studying really hard.

Kim chi fried rice. Spicy and nice. But I forgot fried rice means ALOT of oil. Oh well, hopefully I walked it off already. If not I'll just run like mad. The weather's supposedly good till Tuesday. Whee!

And by the way, I found zong zi today! How crazy. Saw them in See Woo, this Chinese supermarket that we didn't enter yesterday. They were labelled Hong Kong style and they looked and smelled exactly like what we get at home. So Hong Kongers do eat them afterall! I didn't buy it though, cos it's not duan wu jie anymore... and each cost 2.20! So that's that.

Just a quick one

2006-06-01T18:13:00.000+08:00

Zong zi doesn't exist here! So sad. I think Hong Kongers probably don't eat it cos when pw asked one of her HK coursemates, she hadn't even heard of them before! We scoured the all the restaurants and dim sum places and the closest they had was mini glutinous rice wrapped in lotus leaf. Which turned out to be lo mai kai in lotus leaf. We had jap food for lunch instead.

Heh, then ld and I went shopping along Long Acre. But I didn't buy anything. I was greatly amazed that H & M (and possibly other stores) allow customers to take up to 10 garments into the changing room. 10!

Ok off to top up my oyster. The next time I blog I would have a Korean lunch under my belt!

Yada yada...

2006-05-31T02:00:00.000+08:00

That was for pictures. Now it's for rant. Haha.

Today is the last day of studying! Woohoo~ Last paper tomorrow and then I'll be officially on holiday! Happy. Will be going out to Chinatown to eat zong zi after the exam, with pw and ld and fq. Cos it will be the fifth day of the fifth lunar month. I wonder whether the dumplings will be different. Do the Hongkong people eat a different kind of dumplings from Singaporeans? Well, I'll find out tomorrow! Can't wait.

I've just finished what I wanted to study and I'll just need to look through the more important stuff again afterwards and before the paper. Actually I was super distracted today and I spent much of the afternoon looking out of the window and squinting at every plane and helicopter that flew past. Haha. And yes, needless to say I tried to take pictures. But I shan't waste your time showing you. Hahaha.

I cracked my glasses! How amazing right. They fell smack onto the bathroom floor when I dropped them just now. Luckily I have another pair.

On Thursday, pw and I are going for lunch at a korean restaurant with Eunsun and Felicia. My first outing with people I live with! *gasp* pw's a lot more experienced on this front; she's been out for 2 dinners with her floor people already. It'll be the first time I try korean food as well. Can you believe that I have not been to Seoul Gardens? Well, I haven't!

Scones and Bank Holiday

2006-05-31T01:40:00.000+08:00

First up, my scones from last week. Don't they look yummy? I'm so proud of my first baking attempt. Heh. Maybe if I can't find a job, I can set up shop to sell delectable scones to people. And I'll import clotted cream from Bath to eat them with!

Then this was taken yesterday when I went for a walk. It was bank holiday, so the riverside was just teeming with people. The picture shows the Tower of London and then the Gherkin is in the background.

After I got back, it rained a bit and this was taken from my window. I was clambering on my table trying to find nice combinations of raindrops, haha. I wouldn't mind working as a photographer or a photo-journalist; I really do like photography!

Then in the evening there were fireworks. But then this time they were at the St Paul's Cathedral side instead of the Tower Bridge side, so Guy's Tower (that's the hospital block of Guy's Hospital, behind which I live) was right in the way. You can see the edge of some sparks and loads of the smoke. I was so frustrated as I stood in the stairwell listening to the muffled booming in the distance. I think this had happened before, but the last time I didn't see anything at all, even from the stairwell. People living in the flats wing would have had a good view though. And oh, it looks like evening, but that's the sky at 10pm. Heh, that's summer in the northern hemisphere for you.

take a break! (have a kit kat!)

2006-05-26T01:52:00.000+08:00

I've been taking a break from my books since the end of yesterday's paper. Now it's 4 down and 1 to go; the last one's Developmental Biology and it's on the 31st. So discounting my holiday today, I have 5 days to study enough to write 3 essays out of 8. Heh, definitely sufficient time... so much so that ld's going to gallivant off to Brussels for the weekend! Tsk tsk, this 8 choose 3 business really doesn't encourage learning. Hah, in NUS it's more likely to be 8 choose 6 or 6 choose 4. That will force people to study!

So while off my books, I tried my hand at baking scones, my favourite confectionary of all time. Haha, it was a grand success! fq and ld came over and while fq languished with pack of tortillas, pw, ld and I whacked up the dough and stuck the scones into the over in less than an hour. And the actual baking only took 15-20 minutes. pw declared the scones better than Grandchester and ld was muchly pleased with her first encounter with this yummy delight. fq was rather filled up with tortillas by this time, but she still said they were good. Me, I ate like 2 of them! I like!

With all the flour and baking powder and all on hand, we made pancakes and then omelettes after the scones, wrapping up dinner with all the stuff that we should be eating at breakfast. Heh. Then we had trifle. Wahaha. An evening of good food! (So, now for a week of moderation, hahaha). Happy.

This morning we went grocery shopping and then I spent the afternoon springcleaning my room. Now I'm hungry, so I shall go and cook dinner already. Programme for tonight? Bridget Jones 2: The Edge of Reason. If my comp can play it!

From my window

2006-05-24T01:47:00.000+08:00

random ranting

2006-05-21T23:37:00.001+08:00

muscle and exercise has got to be the worst module i've ever taken. the notes are lousy and uninformative, the lecturers are lousy and uninformative, the textbooks are outdated and irrelavant and the curriculum is messy and unstructured. bah, what have i gotten myself into. i should just have taken 4 modules this sem. see la, gei-kiang. now i bang my head and clutch my hair every morning and drift into periods of blankness in between studying. bleah. can't wait for it to be over. and i know i'm so not going to do well. but i just can't find the motivation to work at it. it's just totally not conducive.

someone's stolen my bread! pissed me off, it did. especially since i bought expensive kingsmill bread this time instead of the cheap supermarket housebrand. especially since i've only eaten from the loaf like 3 times. especially since the bread was taken from inside the sticker-sealed bread-bag inside the tied-up sainsbury plastic bag tucked all the way at the inside-most corner of the freezer drawer. and especially since i have been saving the bread for next week. if the thief (yes, this cannot be an accident) steals one more slice, i won't have enough for what i planned to eat on my 2 exam days next week. the thief must have seen me take bread from the freezer before. this is premediated crime! deserve to die! die!

there's a used condom on my corridor. i think i know whose it is. well, if you have time to have sex in the corridor, maybe you can spare a few seconds to dispose of the condom properly? how difficult can that be?! the condom packaging is on the kitchen floor. i feel a bit sad for my nice cleaner lady when she comes to work tomorrow. or maybe someone will get rid of it tonight.

i wish it would stop raining.
or maybe if the heater is turned back on, i won't mind the rain so much.

i wish i have more than 20p in coins now, because i so feel like eating chocolate from the vending machine now.
ok, but since i don't i shall just look forward to my salmon for dinner later.

finland won eurovision last night. the voting was totally biased and useless.

i saw fireworks from my window last night. nice.

radio bbc2 is very funny to listen to on saturday mornings. the djs are totally off-the-wall funny. reminds me of the class 95 morning show, only loads funnnier cos the djs are much more politically incorrect!
on sunday mornings, it's a bit too spiritual to appeal to me.

i should be getting back to work. i am so going to regret wasting time (so i want to study) but then i dread going back to work (so i don't want to study). what a dilemma! if i were a robot, i would have gone mad from this. or maybe not. i'll just do whichever task that generates a higher potential in my circuits. seeing as i'm not a robot, i'll just have to make a choice, yes?

bah. i miss my mum.

saturated... or just sian! ><

2006-05-20T00:39:00.000+08:00

aiyo i'm feeling bored out of my wits now even though i've studied a grand total of 2 and a half hours as of now. it's 5.30pm now by the way! yes, that is how completely productive i've been.

despite the realization
.
.
.
i feel no inclination to work harder!

haiz. haha. this feels like the long period of studying before i had any papers. t think this long dragged-out studying thing doesnt work for me very well. i think acute stress is better than chronic stress! haha. at least i wont have time to feel bored. and i'll prob work harder.

mmmm. let me go read stuff online.
hahaha.

Post-Physio-Exam

2006-05-12T22:06:00.000+08:00

For some inexplicable reason, I started feeling extremely nervous and ill-prepared for my physio paper (which I had this morning; which turned out ok, i think) yesterday. That was the first time ever that I've felt crappy about a written exam. Usually when I've finished studying, I will have this rather invincible feeling. Like, throw me a question and I WILL be able to answer you. I was just feeling like I would not be able to do the paper and so die a horrible death despite having spent the last 6 days immersed in physio. (hmm, maybe the immersion wasn't deep enough...). That was around 5-6pm, so it would have been 2am in Singapore. Which was really bad, because I so wanted to talk to someone.

So I sat around and flailed about and mildly panicked until pw came up for dinner. Then I told her and she tried to reassure me. To be exact, she told me not to be a 'kan cheong spider' like Faisal. Haha. So after dinner, I tried to relax but then tried to cram at the same time. You can see the problem there! In the end, I didn't even look at the stuff I wanted to because I went to do some online revision thing. Which turned out to be not a bad idea since what I wanted to see didn't come out anyway. Basically I went to bed with a "Crap, but too bad, I need to sleep now" feeling.

This morning, the message from my boy arrived the moment I woke up. Very good timing, I must say. And then the sun was happily shining and it was totally NOT cold. I felt a lot better, I have to say. Not the best, but not too bad.

When I reached the Royal Horticultural Halls (yes, KCL doesn't have mpsh-esque halls to hold exams in), I took a last look at stuff, exchanged pleasntries with some people I know, put my stuff in the cloakroom, went out, regretted-it-want-to-look-at-GIT-notes-forget-it-the-cloakroom-is-too-crowded-now, waited outside the hall in a trance (ok, not really in a trance) and then *drumroll* finally had the exam. Turned out the GIT part that worried me didn't come out, so that was ok. Haha.

So that ends my episode of pre-physio-exam jitters.

Actually I think this American guy, who is also on exchange, was a lot more kan cheong than I was. That the mcq sheet turned out to be different from what we were told we would get was really a minor thing. I mean, this one we got was even more convenient to use! He was worried and asked the invigilator about it. In fact, he clarified it rather extensively. But, no this was the right mcq sheet.

After the exam, the weather was (and still is) so good that I went around (and am still going around) in my racer-back top. Woot~ I like!

Now I'm wondering if I should go out for a McFlurry. Hmm... to eat or not to eat.

Quizzes~

2006-05-10T00:50:00.000+08:00

yes you can see that all the studying is getting to me...
hahaha, but these are seriously fun.
quizilla has nice long ones (with really nice anime pics!) but i cant get the codes to work properly, so well.

You Are a Frappacino

At your best, you are: fun loving, sweet, and modern

At your worst, you are: childish and over indulgent

You drink coffee when: you're craving something sweet

Your caffeine addiction level: low

What Kind of Coffee Are You?

You Are a Caramel Crunch Donut

You're a complex creature, and you're guilty of complicating things for fun.
You've been known to sit around pondering the meaning of life...
Or at times, pondering the meaning of your doughnut.
To frost or not to frost? To fill or not to fill? These are your eternal questions.

What Donut Are You?

Your Luck Quotient: 65%

You have a high luck quotient.
More often than not, you've felt very lucky in your life.
You may be randomly lucky, but it's probably more than that.
Optimistic and open minded, you take advantage of all the luck that comes your way.

How Lucky Are You?

if brains could make noise

2006-05-06T21:03:00.000+08:00

then my whole building will be buzzing.
but as it is, it's silent as anything though almost everyone on my floor is in.
yes, the power of examinations.

Menu for the day

2006-04-27T04:29:00.000+08:00

Breakfast: Kaya toast and kopi-O

Lunch: Fusili with celery, mushroom, tomato and egg

Dinner: Tomato and Pepper Tortelloni with baked beans and seaweed

What the hell

2006-04-25T21:09:00.000+08:00

Two things will make me happy now:

1) Losing weight
2) Finishing the psychology essay

Don't anyone come and say I'm not fat and blah blah. Ok I'm not. But I am heavier than I would like to be, ok. So keep quiet and let me be.

THE NET IS BACK!!!

2006-04-23T02:37:00.001+08:00

That is like the best news of the month!
Really!

Did I mention that it was gone?

Well, from the day before I gallivanted off the Germany, I have not been able get my comp to connect to the school's wireless network.
Till now.
Haha, serendipity, my friends.
I was only going to get my comp to play music. Then I decided I might as well try the net.

Yay!
No more going down to the kiosk after lunch to fight with people for a measly few minutes on the net.
No more going to school every other day just so that I can use the net longer than 3 minutes.
No more needing to check something out and then realising I have no connection within reach.
No more having to read The Straits Times very quickly and with only half a mind because I also need to check my mail, renew my library books ang talk on msn all at the same time.

Yay! Yoohoo! Yipee!

Spring has Sprung!

2006-04-18T21:45:00.000+08:00

今天去了一趟唐人街，结果买了不少东西！呵呵。

这些还不包括我已经放进冰箱的小白菜和青辣椒。买了面食－我接下来一个多月的午餐。
我还买了汤匙与碗筷，因为继续从锅子吃午餐真的是有一点凄凉。虽然是迟了一点，但是只要我现在多用一点，还是值得的！更重要的是，好好吃一顿饭，我的心情会好很多！
既然都到了唐人街，结果我们就买了点心当午餐吃。你们看！

哈哈，一看就知道是很不健康的选择，但是我可是来回走了一个多小时的路才吃得到它们！所以还不算太过分吧！好好吃哦！

good day!

2006-04-16T20:21:00.000+08:00

it's been a jolly good day so far.

i woke up at 7+ and had too much breakfast. then started on my renal physio chapter before the sun and the blue sky lured me out for a run.

think it's because it's easter sunday, so loads of people are out along the river: families, tourists, joggers, friends. this was my first time running in london and i got a bit muddled and ended up running up and down more steps than i bargained for when i hit the bridges. anyhow, the run did me good (though not at the shiok extent yet, heh).

got back, showered and had a good (but weird lunch). i cooked fusili in chinese soup style, haha. it's all starch in solid form anyway, like any noodle. so there was broccoli, tomatoes, seafood sticks and chili padi in the soup. and i ate with the ladle from the pot! tasted good, as i expected. and the ikan bilis stock cubes i brought finally made their appearance!

shall go hoover my room afterwards and then continue studying.

the sky's really gre now! glad i caught the sun in the morning!

Friends

2006-04-15T23:58:00.000+08:00

Taken while waiting for the U-bahn at Studentenstadt. It was the day we were leaving Munchen for Berlin. Heh, so much barang!
From left to right: Xiaoling, pw, me and Wei Jie

11 Feb

2006-04-14T19:49:00.000+08:00

From plhu's blog:

A Wikipedia birthday meme:
Go to Wikipedia and look up your birthday (excluding the year). List three neat facts, two births and one death in your journal, including the year.

3 Events
1809 - Robert Fulton patents the steamboat
1889 - Meiji constitution of Japan adopted; 1st Diet of Japan convenes in 1890
1999 - Pluto, a planet with an irregular orbit, changes from the eighth to ninth planet furthest from the sun. It had been the eighth furthest since 1979

2 Births
1847 - Thomas Alva Edison, American inventor and businessman (d. 1931)
1962 - Sheryl Crow, American singer/songwriter, musician

1 Death
1650 - René Descartes, French philosopher (b. 1596)

In Munchen I am

2006-04-08T03:17:00.000+08:00

ok ok i know this is a bit overdue, cos i'm like halfway through my germany trip already but i can explain!

the first 3 nights in hahn i was on a farm 10 km away from the airport and 100+ km away from the city of frankfurt. there was no internet access for the guests at the hostel, so that's that. but having painted you an extrememly ulu picture of hahn, let me say that hahn is actually a very lovely area. and because it is so far from the city lights, the nightsky (when it is clear) is breathtaking.

from hahn we came to munich (munchen!), stopping at nurnberg for an afternoon. i love nurnberg and i would love to go back there again. one afternoon is definitely not enough. in munchen, pw and i are staying with xiaoling and weijie respectively. they are from pw's german class and are now on sep here and so we get internet for these few days. the weather literally turned freezing cold the 2nd day we arrived and the rains turned into heavy snow. and so i had my first taste of a snow-blanketed landscape.

we went out to fussen today to visit king lugwig II's fairytale castle, schloss neuschwanstein. the snow just added on to the surreal feeling you get from the lonely castle atop the bavarian alps. the view from the castle is wonderful, for want of a better word to describe it.

will be leaving for berlin on sunday. not sure if i'll be connected again. well, to sum up my feelings about travelling and about germany so far: i love going around a foreign place and seeing things that i'll probably not get to see again. and i am really struck by the beauty of both man's creations and of nature's intricate hand. however, it is definitely tiring to be on the road, walking more than 6 (?) hours a day! well, that said, we are only young once! and i'm glad to have the chance to see the world and open my eyes.

i do thank my lucky stars, really.

For anyone missing my face...

2006-03-30T22:21:00.000+08:00

and for narcissistic me, heh.

If not for the French PM...

2006-03-29T19:36:00.000+08:00

I would be on a National Express Coach right now on my way to crossing the English Channel and setting foot on France. As it is, France is now in a rather messy situation and therefore I am here in the NHH ISC writing a blog entry griping about the messy situation.

So, will be flying into Germany on Friday instead. In the 13 days we'll be there, 3 days will be spent in Frankfurt (Hahn), 6 in Munich and the last 4 in Berlin.

From Hahn, we'll take a day trip out to Freiburg to see the Black Forest; from Munich, we'll be going out the Fussen to see Neuswanstein, King Ludwig's fairy tale castle and from Berlin, we are probably making a day trip to Potsdam.

En route from Hahn to Munich, we stop over a Nuremberg (think Hitler!) and between Munich and Berlin, we'll pause at Dresden.

Don't get me wrong, I'm very happy that I AM travelling and I am sure I will love Germany as I love any new place. It's just that France has a special place in my heart, see. And it's just next-door to England. How infuriating.

Trips out

2006-03-28T07:18:00.000+08:00

Last Week: National History Museum

Good weather that day! Wonder if the tree got tricked to throw out her blossoms; these few days it's been raining non-stop. Anyway, very pretty.

The museum from the outside...

and the dinosaur on the inside!

The place is really big, just like the British Museum. We only went through selected bits, including the dinosaur exhibit! How can we miss that. We had to tear our eyes away from the display cases in the Minerals and Rocks hall to get to the meteorites at the end. That hall is really nicely done up and the amazing display of rocks will make Mrs Chua (my sec 3 geog teacher) faint.

Today: Covent Garden, St James' Park, Buckingham Palace, Victoria

My Ben's cookie at Covent Garden. It's white chocolate with cranberry: there were WHOLE cranberries, not bits of fruit.

St. James' Park: my first visit to a UK park. Really beautiful. When more flowers bloom as spring marches along, it will be even more breathtaking.

Buckingham Palace: actually not very spectacular but the gorgeous blue sky makes up for it.

Right next to the Palace is The Royal Mews, where the horses that draw the Royal family's carriages stay. We were lucky to see not one, but two carriages pass by!

The weather turned very gloomy in the afternoon and it alternated between raging rains and hail for a while. After the violent period, it settled for a sort of drizzly grey. A girl actually threw her umbrella at the side of the road because she got so frustrated by the wind turning the brolly inside out.

Hail:

First day of Easter Break

2006-03-26T07:15:00.000+08:00

It's been a totally nuah day today.

7.15 am: Woke up.
7.30 am: Skipping, crunches, push-ups.
8.20ish am: Shower.
9.00ish am: Breakfast (wholemeal bread, Lady Grey tea) cum reading.
9.30ish am: Wash up; Laundry.
10.00ish am: Household maintenance (ok, I tightened the raffia rope that I hang things from; it was beginning to sag in the middle).
10.30ish am: Went online for a while.
11.15ish am: Got fq's call to get my ass down to pw's kitchen to make mee hoon kueh.
11.30ish am: Got my ass down to pw's kitchen to make mee hoon kueh. Had mee hoon kueh. Wash up.
1 plus pm: Adjourned to pw's room to play bridge.
3.40 pm: Left for Borough Market. They all wanted scallop. But we got there too late and found the scallop stall only when the stall holder was washing up. fq and sh were very disappointed. I got a scone; pw a slice of loaf cake and fq chocolates from cranberry.
5.30ish pm: Got back to pw's room to eat M&S trifle and talk.
7.00 pm: Left for dinner at Melati, a restaurant doing Singaporean and Malaysian cuisine.
8.00 pm: Reached Melati.
8.15ish pm: Began eating (curry chicken, sotong in indonesian sauce, kangkong and tauhu goreng with steamed/coconut rice)
8.45 pm: Finished eating.
9.00ish pm: Went into Costa to nuah somemore. Ended up with 1 cup of coffee among the 4 of us. Then we all settled down to read newspapers for the better part of the hour. Haha.
10.00 pm: Made our way to Leicester Square to take tube.
10.50ish pm: Got back in my room.

Now I shall go shower and then will hit the sack when my hair is reasonably dry. Can hardly keep my eyes open now!

The clocks go forward at 1.00 pm tomorrow to British Summer Time (aka Daylight Saving Time). What fun!

A quick one on Cambridge

2006-03-25T18:54:00.000+08:00

Went to Cambridge the last weekend to disturb aa and t, a new friend. I really like the place; it is so different from London with all its greenery and the quiet tranquility that comes with being a university town. Lovely.

Arrived at midnight on Friday night and were chauffeured to t's room to spend the night. He gave up his room to us 2 girls and went to bunk with v, just a corridor away. The goodwill of people I barely know!

There was a party going on at the function room across the lawn but it stopped VERY promptly at 1 am in the morning. Amazing, I think.
(to bluebacterium: this college was supported hugely by Lee Seng Tee! there were quite a few buildings named after him.)

Sat morn, we cycled to Granchester for tea under the (bare) apple trees. I was majorly traumatised by the bicycle that was too big for me. When I was moving it was fine, but once I stop I take on average 4 tries to start. I kept swerving left and crashing into various things; luckily t was very good and did not laugh at me while waiting for me get started. If not I believe I could have cried.

My tormentor:

Scone and tea! I love scones!

After lunch, we went punting. Very fun! We all took turns doing it.

That's t punting us. Haha, doesn't he look like he's been doing it all his life? And the bridge in the background is the Mathematical bridge. Sir Issac Newton designed it and it was built without the use of any bolts at all. Yes, it was many interlocking logs. Now there are bolts to hold it up.

Sat evening, we left t to go to aa's. She took us to Nando's for dinner. pw was very gratified cos she's been wanting to eat there for ages. They serve chicken (roasted I believe) in various degrees of spicy-ness: shiok!

On Sunday, aa took us around the colleges and the town area, with a break to eat lunch with the very formiable Chan Lek. By formiable, I mean his mind. Really makes you feel rather inadequate. pw doesn't really get why I feel a bit awkward around him though. But then, she makes friends and talk to people THIS easily.

Me and aa on the Mathematical bridge. Don't we look like kids?! Terrible.

We left on Sunday evening by the 7pm National Express bus. National Express really has earned a fair bit of money from me already!

Barcelona III

2006-03-23T05:00:00.000+08:00

Day 3: 13 Mar

Woke up not very early on our last day in Spain. Packed up, left our keys with a note for the hostel lady and left at about 10 am.

We decided to take a cruise around the port and coast area instead of going up the Montjuic mountain as we had our bags with us. Faisal was especially happy cos we finally got to relax and chill out rather than going non-stop from place to place.

The weather was drizzly and grey and not clear and blue like the last 2 days but that was not going to stop us from enjoying ourselves! Or so we thought. While buying tickets, the lady in the booth asked us if we could take the slightly choppy sea. We said yes, but all of us got rather seasick half an hour into the one-and-a-half hour cruise!

The beginning was ok and we all excitedly took many many pictures (as usual) on the top deck. The captain even let us into the control room to pose. We then settled down to savour the sea breeze and view. bb was the first to feel a bit off. After that we all decided to move downstairs. With the exception of Faisal, all 3 of us spent the rest of the trip trying not to feel too ill. Haha, I succeeded... by leaving my breakfast on the boat! With my stomach empty, the seasickness went away. Heh.

We were all very glad to reach the shore.

Next up was shopping! We took the metro and hit the shops along La Rambla. And being in Spain, we were not going to leave without stepping into Zara. Ironically, Faisal, the Zara-man, didn't find anything he liked. I bought a long sleeved shirt.

Then it was late-lunch/early dinner at a buffet place before we had to catch the bus at Sants Estacio to get back to Reus. This time around we were determined not to miss the bus. If we go to the airport the way we came, it was cutting a bit too close for comfort. The metro gave us a minor heart attack when it paused mid-way to Sants Estacio and when we finally reached the station, bb started running. And so we followed. Luckily the bus was not hard to find (cos there was a freaking bus station!) though it WAS quite a distance from the metro. This time Ain threw up. Buffet + mad dash = bad idea.

Made it safely onto the bus and to Aeroport de Reus in good time. We played bridge and tried to spend our euro coins at the sole cafe at the airport while waiting for the plane. Being the ulu airport that it is, the Ryanair personnel had to serve in different positions. This allowed the rather pretty girl at the admin counter to appear again to do plane boarding, making bb very happy.

We got back to London at around midnight and had to go through the whole rigamole of taking the coach to Victoria and catching the night buses back. Luckily Faisal stays in Wolfson too. I wouldn't want to be out alone at that time of the night! Finally reached Wolfson around 3 am and I managed to hit the sack by 4 am.

And so that concluded my Barcelona trip.

Barcelona II

2006-03-22T17:44:00.000+08:00

Day 2: 12 Mar

We spent the most of the second day visiting Gaudi's architecture, for which Barcelona is famous.

In the morning we went to Sagrada Familia, a grand cathedral that has been under construction since 1892... and still is. Partly because Gaudi died and so stuff slowed, partly because it was supposed to be built on donations and I think partly also because the architecture is just SO intricate. We paid €5 to get in and it was really worth it; if I hadn't gone in, I would have thought that the building was hideous. Then of course there was more architecture to admire within the building.

After the Sagrada, we went on to Le Pedreda. It looked deceptively near the main street on the map but we only found it after bb asked for directions twice and walked for ages along Passeig de Gracia. While we were looking, bb was like, "This had better not be a small lousy building or I'll be very pissed." Haha, happily, La Pedreda was worth every ounce of our efforts.

La Pedreda was originally built as an apartment building and it was Gaudi's final civil work. It was a culmination of all his architectural innovations including the final evolution of the lightwell into an internal facade and the use of arches in the attic to free up space for practical usage. The view from the top was breathtaking and the sculptures dotting the roof itself were art pieces to behold.

By the time we finished La Pedreda, it was late afternoon and we haven't had lunch. So we went in search of food and ended up in Macs... mostly because the lousy restaurant put us off unfamiliar food for a while. I had a McFlurry sitting by the roadside! As in at the roadside cafe. Chill man! Haha, pw found it terribly amusing that I'm so taken by McFlurry's that I had to eat it everywhere I went.

We took a long time for everyone to find food and along the way we dropped by Placa de Catalunya, a shopping street whose name I can't remember and Hard Rock Cafe. Ain and bb bought T-shirts. Most shops were actually closed as it was Sunday. How amazing is that?? This was a totally foreign idea cos back home, crowds will be thronging the streets most of all on Sundays!

By then it was dark and we found ourselves back on La Rambla. Wondered around and ended up taking weird photos when we were at the port area. Haha, the crazy things we do!

We returned to our place to dump stuff and headed out again! That was at 11.30 pm I think! We wanted to explore the area near our hostel cos the nice lady at the hostel told us that the area was safe at night and that there were shops and food all around. We walked and walked and found that not many things were open actually.

We finally ended up at a turkish kebab place at around 1 am very very hungry indeed. But that place was a real gem! The kebab was very good and the chilli sauce even better. bb found the wine there very good and very cheap and he was very happy. The very friendly owner was even happier!

PS: there's sth wrong with my freaking internet connection, so i can't upload any pictures onto blogger! go look at my flickr for the moment k.

Barcelona I

2006-03-21T17:46:00.000+08:00

Day 1: 11 Mar

Arrived at the hostel after lunch that day cos we missed the direct bus from Reus to Barcelona. So had to take bus 50 to Salou then take the train. That took double the time but then the scenery on the train was gorgeous since it went around the coast.

Dumped stuff, washed up and headed out for La Rambla, the main tourist trap in Barcalona. It's a long street lined with shops, buskers and plenty of roadside dining. You can even find pet shops selling cockerels there! Walking along it would lead straight to the port, which was where we ended up.

Took many pictures of the very blue sea and the very blue sky before we headed east. Walked more and hit the beach around evening. A picture speaks a thousand words I tell you.

After that we headed for dinner. Since the Spaniards have a siesta culture, it was rather difficult to find food at OUR dinner time. Finally had dinner at a lousy restaurant (we didn't know it would be lousy when we went in) and it wasn't even spanish food! Anyway, I think our presence attracted other customers who didn't have a good time either. A group of French tourists had an argument with the owner and chef over the oxidised wine they were served. These are people who have been drinking wine since they were babies, so there's no getting bad wine past them!

smoothed edges

2006-03-17T04:33:00.000+08:00

just now in the shower, i suddenly realised that my ring looked much shinier than usual. upon closer inspection, it turns out that half of the outside face of the circle has been smoothed over so that instead of many small verticle facets, it's really now one continuous silver surface.

this probably has to do with the very basic fact that one half of the ring is on the palm side of my hand and so is always being rubbed against something.

but as i was looking, i was just plain amazed by the smooth shiny surface. isn't the smoothing out of the rough edges a sort of a metaphor for the relationship? as time passes, the blunt hard edges wear out, becoming bright and polished. the age starts showing, but like wine, that just makes it better.

ps: i will write about spain soon.. as soon as i have time to do something about the photos. have to finish an essay about ergogenic aids first. bleah.

Spain!

2006-03-12T04:33:00.000+08:00

Hey!
I´m in Spain!
The weather is wonderful: sunny, blue skies, cool wind, 15 deg C!
The sea is so blue.
The beach is so long.
People take their time to stroll and sit down along the ports to chill and unwind.

I love it!
Love it.
Love it.

in need of love and comfort

2006-03-07T04:57:00.000+08:00

comfort silly old me please.
sincerity muchly appreciated.

there's just this hole somewhere..
leaking..
leaking..

a quiz (from plhu as usual)

2006-03-05T19:37:00.000+08:00

the Peacemaker
Test finished!

you chose BX - your Enneagram type is NINE.

"I am at peace"

Peacemakers are receptive, good-natured, and supportive. They seek union with others and the world around them.

How to Get Along with Me
- If you want me to do something, how you ask is important. I especially don't like expectations or pressure.
- I like to listen and to be of service, but don't take advatage of this.
- Listen until I finish speaking, even though I meander a bit.
- Give me time to finish things and make decisions. It's OK to nudge me gently and nonjudgmentally.
- Ask me questions to help me get clear.
- Tell me when you like how I look. I'm not averse to flattery.
- Hug me, show physical affection. It opens me up to my feelings.
- I like a good discussion but not a confrontation.
- Let me know you like what I've done or said.
- Laugh with me and share in my enjoyment of life.

What I Like About Being a Nine
- being nonjudgmental and accepting
- caring for and being concerned about others
- being able to relax and have a good time
- knowing that most people enjoy my company; I'm easy to be around
- my ability to see many different sides of an issue and to be a good mediator and facilitator
- my heightened awareness of sensations, aesthetics, and the here and now
- being able to go with the flow and feel one with the universe

What's Hard About Being a Nine
- being judged and misunderstood for being placid and/or indecisive
- being critical of myself for lacking initiative and discipline
- being too sensitive to criticism; taking every raised eyebrow and twitch of the mouth personally
- being confused about what I really want
- caring too much about what others will think of me
- not being listened to or taken seriously

Nines as Children Often
- feel ignored and that their wants, opinions, and feelings are unimportant
- tune out a lot, especially when others argue
- are "good" children: deny anger or keep it to themselves

Nines as Parents
- are supportive, kind, and warm
- are sometimes overly permissive or nondirective

The Quick and Painless ENNEAGRAM Test written by felk on Ok Cupid

Hmm, some parts really do feel quite right.
But I don't think I felt ignored as a child. No, I'm sure I didn't.
Not too sure about the hug though. Physical affection, yes, but always give me things in graduation k.

The parents part sounds worrying. Haha.

To the Men in my life

2006-03-05T19:06:00.000+08:00

These 2 weeks are important ones to the men in my life.

Firstly, my younger brothers got their A level results on Wednesday. That is really quite significant. Afterall, I have seen them through their nights of toiling and alternating between the tv-study desk-kitchen stove. Heh. Well, guessed it was really a load off their shoulders now that the verdict is out! So now is the time they have to decide their path, at least for the next 3-4 years. Come to think of it, it didn't seem as important to me then. Oops, is that why I feel a bit aimless right now.

Ok I digress.

Anyway, I wish I could be home NOW NOW NOW to help them through this period. I don't want any of them to have any regrets. Really. I'm glad that their choice of JCs had turned out well, especially for second brother! So happy for you!

Secondly, both of them survived the 24 km road march last week and didn't fall out against all odds. I don't really know the details, but "hell" was the word used to describe the experience. The march has certainly served its purpose(s) though. They got closer to their platoon mates and the pride and sense of achievement they felt will do much good in the future. I can tell.

Thirdly, they are passing out of BMTC! On 7 March. A real milestone. Ach, I wish I could attend it. Now they are MEN. Haha. Well, you win some and lose some. I certainly can't have my cake and eat it. London has to console me for missing out all these!

And finally, my boy is having his exams this week. Good luck! Not that I think you need it. When it come to things like this, you have it all under perfect control already, don't you? Heh, anyway, take it as a bonus. I'm sure it will be okie-dokie for you, as always!

Along the river

2006-03-04T00:58:00.001+08:00

I really do hate Fridays.

It is mostly because Muscle and Exercise is such a dreadful module. The lectures really do not interest me the least and having been lost through the first half of the module doesn't help matters. Then there are 3 lectures per session: that makes 2 plus hours of something I can't stand. Painful! When I get the lecture handouts, I first flip to see how many pages I would have to endure. The lousy, cramped basement LT just makes everything worse. Because Muscle and Exercise is held at Guy's, which is 2 minutes from my hall, if there's nothing on after class, I'll just go school-have bad lecture-eat packed lunch-go home. There is zilch to look forward to.

I felt SO stifled today that I had to get out and go somewhere.

I think I left pw a bit bewildered.

I decided to take a walk along the river since the weather was reasonably happy. Also, I would be away from grey buildings, the narrow uneven streets and the polluted roads. (Now I know why our nation's founding father ordered so many trees planted along the roads!)

The long stroll did me good.

I stopped to look at the scene on the river. I noticed things I missed before. I heard the river lapping the banks: the quiet sound was lovely. When I hit the small square on northern end of Southwark Bridge, it began to snow! White fluffs descended from the heavens and danced and swirled in the gentle wind. The brilliant winter sun caught these flitting specks in its light as they whirled away onto the river. It was really really pretty. This description doesn't do the picture justice; a poem would be more romantic... but I'm no poet. I didn't have my camera with me or I would have attempted a video. But then again, I find that I generally become blind and unobservant when I become trigger happy.

I turned back at St Paul's Cathedral and crossed my favourite Millenium Bridge. And promptly fell in love the spot in front of Tate Modern. I hadn't noticed how pleasant it is before. When the temperature and wind drop their bite and winter release its grip on this country, I WILL bring a good book and sit there for an afternoon.

Lovely.

To end off a good afternoon, I returned to my room for hot coffee and a good read. (No, not scientific papers on gap junctions.) What would I do without books!

2006-03-01T06:18:00.001+08:00

我找你找得好久
无印良品

可以彼此分享得意骄傲不担忧谁的心里不是味道
可以传染给你心情不好连说一个理由都不需要
可以直来直往提醒劝告就算争吵也都是为对方好
可以和你商量秘密苦恼不害怕全世界都会知道

我找你找了好久一个互相了解的朋友
生活有人分享的时候快乐就变得容易许多
我找你找了好久一个拿心来换的朋友
伤痛有人抱紧的时候未来有什么路不敢走

我找你找了好久一个互相了解的朋友
生活有人分享的时候快乐就变得容易许多
我找你找了好久一个拿心来换的朋友
伤痛有人抱紧的时候未来有什么路不敢走

伤痛有人抱紧的时候
未来有什么路不敢走

If you are reading this, you know who you are.
*big hug*

Beautiful Bath

2006-02-28T07:35:00.001+08:00

Went to Bath Spa over the weekend. It is a beautiful beautiful place. As they say, a picture speaks a thousand words. So I shall let my pictures do the talking. Alas, there could have been more, had my camera batt been more cooperative. Must be the cold! Moral of the story: lug the charger around!

1st Day: 25 Feb

On the National Express Coach to Bath

The River Avon

The Royal Crescent at Sunset

This is my favouritest place in Bath. I need a helicopter to do the view justice.

Caramel Apples!!
I SO wanted to eat it. Yes yes, it's just an apple coated with caramel and chocolate bits. But looks sell! But I didn't la. Haha, the rational mind was still stronger.

2nd Day: 26 Feb

The Roman Baths

My Sally Lunn Bun with Lemon Curd

This is not any old bun ok! It's a must-eat at Bath. Comes with many toppings.

The Abbey

Along Sydney Place (where houses are a million pounds each o.O)

Jane Austen stayed in one of the houses around this area too when she visited Bath in her time.

Really idyllic way to spend a weekend! *bliss*

Snow and Duck

2006-02-24T08:49:00.000+08:00

It snowed this morning!

Well, it wasn't the first time I've seen snow, but it was the first time I'm seeing it in Central London. I was totally exhilarated when I realised that it was not rain. Laughter just bubbled out of my entire being. I felt like a little brook burbling (ok I made this word up) and gargling with excitement. I felt like a small kid. So I called pw and woke her up just to tell her that it was snowing. I HAD to tell someone!

The snow didn't come down in delicate flakes or pretty white fluffs; it was more like little pieces of ice. If you don't look carefully, it may even pass as rain, just that the pieces land and hang around on your coat for a while before melting. Though cold enough to snow, it was not cold enough for it to accumulate, so the ground wasn't white but wet. Anyhow, the snow came and went, so it was alternating snow and rain. Luckily there wasn't wind, so it was not nearly as cold.

The wetness is really testing the limits of my shoes. Let's hope they hold out and remain water proof!

6 of us went for Four Seasons duck today for dinner. It was really quite good. Very different from the roast duck that I usually get (and do not like). The meat was soft and the skin rather crispy and nicely flavoured. I ate it up, fat and all as that was what I was paying for. But I think I'll walk it off in a few days. And anyway I'm beginning to exercise, so no problemo ;P The gravy that was served together went excellently with it.

Besides duck, we had 罗汉斋，calamari and a chicken dish. All the dishes were good. pw was thoroughly contented after dinner! heh.

The Delicate Art

2006-02-22T05:24:00.000+08:00

Londoners should take a month out and travel to NUS to observe bus 95 and 96 just before and just after lecture hours. Or any of the internal shuttle buses. It is my sincere belief that they have yet to master the fine art of packing themselves into an already packed bus. It doesn't help that that bus driver just will not allow anyone to stand near the front door, because of regulations.

Basically there is a lot of frustration and angst all around! Tsk tsk. Maybe they just resent being pressed up against one another. But then, there is also THAT much space in the bus right. So.

On another note, the London cyclists are doing very well. They all follow several rules that protect themselves and other road users:

1) Wearing reflective strips/vests
2) Wearing helmets
3) Having blinking lights on the bicycle; some even have them on their bag straps
4) Giving hand signals
5) Following traffic rules

The reflective strips/vests and blinking lights really do a lot to improve the cyclists' visibility to motorists. That, I think, is very important, since London traffic is such a maze!

Dinner, milk-thieves and Hailstones

2006-02-17T06:50:00.001+08:00

Dinner on Wednesday was a cheery affair. Peiwen unleashed her herbs and cooked 六味汤 for us. It took her 2 hours at the stove babying 9 drumsticks in 2 pots. I contributed by slicing up a mountain of baby cabbage (and in the process generated many red shreds of IKEA cutting board) and cooking them till soft. Or as soft as I could get them.

Dinner is served!

After the main courses, we ate grapes (that Lian Dee bought) and oranges (that pw wanted to get rid of) and chocolates (that I saved! the minibites! XD). When we were done, Lian Dee said, "这样才像样!" Heh, yes, she's getting sick of lousy Brit hall food.

Someone's been drinking my milk! Not just once, mind you. At least twice. The first time I thought I was mistaken. But this morning I made a note of the milk level and then checked it during dinner. It was definitely lower. The bottle certainly didn't drink it!

Having a thief around is quite terrible. People are also losing crockery. It's really bizarre. Hallo, if you borrow stuff, at least have to decency to ask and then wash and return right. Don't pile them up in your room and take a new one everytime. How rude.

On a totally unrelated note, I experienced HAILSTONES today! How exciting is that I ask you! One moment it was pattering raindrops and the next it was ice chips! pw realised it first when she felt pain when the stones hit her. Then she grabbed my hand and we ran for the bus stop. The hailstones were small, thankfully, less than 1 cm across. It stopped stoning (haha) after a while and reverted to rain. That put an end to our plans to go Chinatown. So we caught RV1 home. THEN, the sun came out and it became brilliantly bright. Talk about unpredictable weather!

Anyway it was a good decision to come home. Because although the sun came out, the wind was still up and it was rather cold. pw's down with flu already, she doesn't need more aggravation.

On the way back, we saw Starbucks giving out free coffee at London Bridge. This man strapped a tank of coffee to his back and there was a hose connected to the tank to pipe coffee out. It was rather interesting to watch!

On yet another unrelated note, the queue outside the Dungeon is really nuts. Is it that good? Maybe it's just the holidays.

Weekend News

2006-02-14T07:25:00.000+08:00

I got ambushed coming out of the shower! It was only supposed to be a surprise Knock-Knock-Open-Room-Door-"Wah, Happy Bday!" thing, but my good timing in having a shower resulted in greater amusement all around.

And this was after "Prize Presentation"! Heh. There was M&S Irish Cream Liquer Mini Rolls, a bootiful pendant from Camden Market, a CD of fq's singing and piano-playing and a card signed by my floormates. Very very happy!

Yummy!

So presently my food stash stands as such:

Ok I digress. Next up HC Night!

We were scared of the cold lar. Hence the jeans. Haha. And i was in sport shoes. Practical considerations you see. Hurhur.

It was basically like a mini prom thing. There was also the pre-requisite videos, singing of hc songs and mass dance. Not bad la, quite a pleasant evening. That there was a lot of chocolate along the way helped *grin*

Happy Birthday to Me!

2006-02-11T22:27:00.000+08:00

I'm 22 today!

Yet another significant day of my life spent away from home. It's been a quiet day so far. Woke up early to write my essay, had a nice talk with Peter over lunch, ironed my dress and lazed around. I wanted to go disturb pw but her floor door is very unfortunately (fortunately from her pov, i guess, heh) locked at this point in time.

I went down to look into my mailbox instead and found the security guard ranting at a drunk homeless man sleeping at the lobby. He must have followed a student in. But why the guard only noticed him now I don't know.

Greeting count: 5!

Eating out!

2006-02-09T17:44:00.000+08:00

Went for dinner at 海外天 at Chinatown yesterday. Was supposed to eat dim sum but we got there too late. But the food was still good!

Before:

After:

And then we went for ice-cream! The pictures speak for themselves.

Before:

And after!

I was a very happy girl. Haha.
But this sort of thing won't happen that often ok. Really.

Power Failure

2006-02-07T06:21:00.000+08:00

Yet another hitch in my life at Wolfson. Heh.

It occurred just when we were starting to cook dinner. The rice was on the stove, merrily cooking away while the pile of cut cauliflower and carrots was just ready for the pot. I don't know whether it was me, but it went dark just when I was turning on the stove for the veggie.

Everyone was stunned for a sec, then Jemane went to open the door to check if the corridor had light. So we found out only the kitchen was affected. We were all worried about the freezer and I was particularly traumatised by the half-cooked rice. All of us went out to the corridor after Jemane discovered there was a fuse box near the ceilling (and he could reach it without climbing onto anything!). But then none of the switches were down and turning the one dial didn't help. We gave up.

pw and I shifted all our stuff down to her kitchen. Then I went to inform the security guard. Then we resumed cooking, eating and cleaning on the 11th floor.

Fortunately, when we went back to deposit our cookware, the electricity was back.

So our meat won't rot and our hot cross buns are still happily frozen. *grin*

Portobello Market

2006-02-05T19:33:00.000+08:00

Portobello Market

pw, ld, doreen (ld's friend), bb and I went to Portobello Market yesterday. bb was our tour guide again. Before embarking on our tour, we were taken to this Chinese restaurant to have lunch. I explicitly asked for hot food. Hot food is very important now that it is winter! For 5.50 I had an enormous plate of rice and 3 types of topping. It was very filling and I was very happy.

Then we started walking. Portobello is essentially a second hand antique market. So there were many stalls selling vintage jewellery, intricate magnifying glasses with ivory handles, old cameras, watches, sextants (instruments for navigation on the seas) and loads of other interesting things. There is also a food section where prices for fresh fruits, vegetables and pastry drop like crazy at 5pm when they close shop. bb and doreen got big juicy seedless grapes for half the price you get at Sainsbury (the local supermart).

Some stuff along the way:

I debated long and hard over some interesting socks/stockings but I didn't get them in the end.

At the Highland Shop (sells Scottish things), pw, bb and I went mad and did weird things. See if you can see what is wrong! Haha.

And here's bb at a stupefied moment. I can blackmail him with this 10 years down the road. Haha.