London! day 7

2nd day in the Cotswold.

I realised that my cam battery was dying. And my charger was left behind in Fenny's place.

I decided to use my backup - trusty sony ericsson phone cam. Then I realised that I forgot to bring the data cable from home.

Argh.

But it was a good day out in the country. With Barry's suggestion (and directions), we went to Broadway, Stow-on-the-Wold, Burton-on-the-water, Upper & Lower Slaughter.

Country air smelled difference. English summer was really deliciously sunny yet cooling. The pace of life slowed down a beat as you look at the vast landscape.

Will upload once I have chance.

London! day 6

Cotswolds!

Today's journey started with Fenny and me going to pick up the rented car from the outlet at London City Airport. And with that, started a minor nightmare of navigation. Since I was the only one who could drive, I became the designated driver for the whole trip (sigh...). So Fenny had said that she should be able to navigate with the map. We started driving out of the airport at 1030am. By 12.30pm, we were still stuck in London city, not knowing which direction to turn to in order to hit the motorway (sighx2.....). By sheer luck of a turn based on my gut feel, we had finally saw the roadsign of A40 to head out of london, toward M40 and finally towards our destination.

Another nightmare ensued after we reach the area of Cotswolds, after getting off from M40, in trying to find our B&B at Mickelton. In the end I decided to just stop the car, asked Fenny to call the B&B, and while holidng the line, we reached the place with directions given real time.

By the time we found our B&B, it had taken us 6 hours. From the website, it would have had only taken us 2 and half hour to reach (sigh x3....................)

Our B&B Brymbo was a homely B&B ran by a couple in their 50s (?), Barry and Gene. By sheer luck, there was a local event called the Olympick Games at Drover Hills. Barry (who was the one giving us the direction over the phone) told us the best way to catch the actions. So with a couple more of missed turns (that was the point that I wished I had another set of eyes and brain in order to read map and drive at the sametime), we headed towards Chipping Camden, which was also the nearest town near Mickleton. Found a place to park, ate some pub grub, and we were off to Drover Hill.

Photos of the Olympick actions are on Facebook :)

The event ended with the finale of a great bonfire. At first we stood downwind from the pile of firewoods cos the weather had turned so chilly with the sun going down (at 10pm that was..) and the wind blowing, but then we quickly learnt that it was a SUPER BAD IDEA as when the fire started burinng, we saw the fire and burning bits of firewood coming towards us. Scrambled like mad :s

And then there was the procession down Drovers Hill, and from there we picked up our car and drove back to Brymbo, and had my first experience of country road driving - no headlights, cars coming from opposite direction travelling like 150km/h, hard to find road signs.

By the time I washed up I was so tired and knocked out once I hit the bed..

What an exciting day.

London! day 3-5

I know..I skipped 2 days cos I was simply too shag from walking, and still suffering from jet lag. I had woken up at 5am for the 2 days consecutively, until I miraculously woke up only at 7am.
o.(>.<).o

Hmm..I think I upload the photographs first..I must be still in Lala-land, cant remember where I went already..

London! Day 2

Woke up at 5am. Not bad considering that I conked out at 9.30am london time, and slept quite well. I even got the luxury to nua a bit and then got my lazy ass out to go running at 6am. A bit chilly at first, but once the rhythm kicked in..it's bliss running in cool weather like this. Too bad there isn't a running path along the embarkment of Thames, if not it would be great to run with the magnificent view of the river and the Tower bridge in the foreground.

So went back home, and a lil accident involving

(a) a window lever

(b) my left thumb

which left my left thumb bleeding, and with the racing heartbeat recent from the run, it took the whole morning (after breakfast, after I board the bus, until I got to Picadilly Circus) before I stopped pinching the piece of tissue onto my left thumb. =.="

The Jubilee Line where I was supposed to get onto is out of service, and I had to take a rail replacement bus to London Bridge station (huh? Why wasn't there any announcement posters or anything when I took the tube yesterday? *sigh*)

It could have been the adrenalin pumping too, as I was rushing to the Visitor Centre to grab my London Pass by the opening time of 10am (stated in the confirmation email) and go Buckingham Palace by 11. By the time I was there at 10.10am, the queue was super long. And then I saw the sign beside the counter, that the collection actually start by 9.30am on Monday, and 9am from Tues-Fri. (But why wasn't this in the email? So much for efficiency *double sigh*)

By the time I grabbed the pass by 10.40am, it was dash all the way to Buckingham Palace. Luckily for me, I reached the Palace on time and met up with Celes & Francis. So we were hanging around the monument (cos of vantage for Francis' powerful zoom camera). By 11.25am, I decided that my limited-zoom camera need a shorter range for shots, so I hopped down to squeeze a spot in front of the fence. When I saw this:

Huh?? There are like at least 1000 people waiting around the area and they dont even bother to send someone to announce that there isn't a ceremony?? In SG sure kena complain one. Waste time *triple sigh*.

So after this, I embarked on my tourist trail.

Queens Gallery

Hmm..compared to what I saw at Tate later..Tate's better.

Westminster Abbey

Cheapo me almost didn't want buy the tickets, which cost 15 GPB (that's about 36SGD) to go in, cos this was one of the places that was not covered by the Visitor Pass. But I was glad I did. The richness of the history was definitely worth it. Guided by the voice of Jeremy Irons from the audio guide, it was befitting the sombreness of the abbey.

Jewel Tower

I'm glad I didn't have to pay for the entry ticket, since it was already covered under the London pass. 'Nuff said.

Tate Britain

This wasn't in my plan, cos I was only interested to visit Tate Modern, until one of the friend said, "Yeah, but the paintings are really, really, really, really nice!"

And I agree. It helped that I had free audio guide, that explained certain paintings, on the story behind the paining, some of the things about the painters, and some other trivias (like most of the women subjects were mistresses of someone-someone..). The audio guide (a Dell PDA) was interactive enough to highlight some of the features of the painting ( "Now look at the picture on your scree (a picture of the painting loaded up onto the PDA screen). Choose one of the 4 areas highlighted (poked at one of the highlights). Look at the area above the subject's arm, where the inscription says..")

It's weird how some paintings stir feelings within you. And this was my favourite painting. Carnation, Lily, Lily, Rose by John Singer Sargent

It gave me the sense of whimsical calmness just by looking at it. Bought a reprint :) But the reprint is quite lousy. The actual painting was so much nicer.

By the time I was done at Tate, it was already about 5.30pm, and most other attractions would have closed by 6. So decided to swing back to Covent HMV and checked out the fish & chips place.

Bought a DVD requested by a friend, got the fish & chips, got home (in a roundabout way no less, with the Jubilee Line still out of service). With aching legs (from run & walk).

But what a rewarding day :)

London! Day 1

After 13 hours of flight with only 4 hours of intermitten sleep clocked, I reached Heathrow at a glorious time of 5am. By the time I hit the tube, it was already 6am.

When 6am in Singapore is still a 黑漆漆moment, 6am in London enjoys a good 9am-like sunlight (I dont know whether if its a good thing for a night owl like me..), with even hearing birds chirping while travelling on the tube. Wasted a little bit of time trying to find Fenny's apartment (it pays to ask the RIGHT person for directions!*&$#%), by the time I stepped in the apartment, it was already 9am.

It looked a bit bleaked - not being able to find the place even after walking for about 20mins

So washed up a bit, nua-ed a bit, and it was to Covent Market with this Aussie girl who I sat beside the plane.

This is Ally from Australia. 27, she just graduated from uni and is going to her friend in Geneva tomorrow, and then travel (and try find work at the same time) for the next 6 months.

Covent Garden was abuzz with people. Alright, I don't find the shops and store pretty interesting, but I like the crowd, the way people sit in the sun (it was blazingly hot!) with just a potato jacket, or ice cream.

Busker, doing an impersonation of a caged bear (I think). Ally said aloud, "Oh my, what if someone comes around and grab all his busking money? He cant chase in those."

No, not my camera's exporsure got problem (but I admit that framing was bad). The invisible paid a visit to Covent Garden.

We ended up sitting and listening to a really good busker. I tried to video this guy, but shall spare everybody my lousy videoing skills.

After like 4 or 5 songs by that guy, we walked around some more. Must have been the jet lag. I see shops and stuff that I think I would like. Like this really beautiful red shawl that cost 3GBP. But was simply not in the mood to buy. I think I will go back again since the Transport Museum is there, and I havent tried the "really good fish & chips along Endell Road that I must try". Ally ended up buying stuff that she would need for her trip.

Finally, Ally left for her friend's place where she was going to crash for the night before flying tomorrow. As I was on the way home (erm..technically so for the next 8 days), I decided to skip an appoinment with a friend for dinner at Canary Wharf, and stayed in with a simple home cooked meal (I was at that moment thankful that my mum had forced me to learn cook rice when I was young; and that I got a friend who got a kitchenette).

The clock on my lappie, tuned to SG time, says 3.15am. It is only 8.30pm here and the sky is still bright! Like it's only aboug 6.30 in SG. I give myself another hour before crashing...and I so need to run to tune my body clock. Just hope that the weather holds up tomorrow for the run and also to see the change of guard at Buckingham Palace!

Flying Off

So..this is it.

Am now in the waiting lounge waiting to board. It looked like a super full flight...and I spotted a few wailing kids already =.="

The rest of the passengers are ang mohs, while I noticed that there was only one another asian girl with her mac. The rest of the ang mohs are either

(i) reading
(ii) spacing out
(ii) reading
(iv) er..(more) spacing out.

I think only singaporeans are so hooked onto (and addicted!) to wifi.

(I am finishing up the book that I am reading now, so brought another book up. And then I saw Neil Gaiman's Graveyard Book in the bookstore so I grabbed that too. So now I have 3 books with me. I is too greedy I think..)

13 hours!

Checking in!

Yesterday I was suddenly gripped by apprehension..

What if I cant find my way to the Tube at Heathrow?

What if I lose my way to Fenny's place??

What if I trip over the steps to the bus with my luggage and stuf???

It's not the first trip flying alone (HK, Jkt..), but it's the first trip going to place I have never been before (JC geography school trip doesn't count), so far away from home, and with no one to meet me there.

:s
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Last week I suddenly had a thought.."Maybe I should change some pounds first..so even if the exchange rate go up or down next week before I fly, I still gain 50% either way".

But then, when I was at People's Park, the atm machine broke down. When I was at Vivo, I realised that I forgot to bring out the cash I had drawn out, and atm card not with me. When I was at Jurong Point, I became distracted looking at shoes, after checking that the rate was SGD 224.5 to 100 GBP.

Today the rate went up to 231. And that made it 30 bucks more expensive for me.

Grrr.....
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I went to British Airway website 5 mins before the site was available for check in. Hmm..got time.

Went Facebook.

Hm...bejeweled. Ok, since got time...

By the time I managed to check in, it was 10 mins past the starting time of check in. But I'm checked in!
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13 hours flight!!

freaking hell..

I just realised that my idea was stolen too....

!%!#%*&$#&*!!!!!!

Ok, I'm done dissing. Whatever..

Super pissed..

..for kena dua-ed (second for the year; the first was a story by itself). I thought forward thinking, teamwork is such a common term nowadays that it becomes a taken for, especially after some years of experience in the workforce.

But seems that it isn't the case all the time. To be flexible or able to wear more than one hat. To have the consderation or subtlely even if trying to score.

Just that I hadn't see that it would affect the next two days before I fly. N'ermind..兵来将挡，水来土淹。I am sure I can handle whatever comes.

But still, what an idiot.

It's just one pair of walking shoes!

I tried 3 different pairs of walking shoes since yesterday - 1 at Jurong point, 1 at Vivocity, 1 at Queensway. 1 pair of Lee Cooper canvas and 2 Asics Onitsuka Tigers.

They are either

• too big
• too small
• no stock cos my size ran out

And why am I looking for walking shoes? Cos I wanted a pair of shoes which I can wear socks and walk in, comfortable enough for long walks (in London city as well as the small villages), and yet something nice looking (which is why I forsake the idea of running shoes).

Hiao! Yes I know! And I am suffering from it now cos I cant decide which is worse - suffering from cramp feet & blister or being caught by fashion police.

I am going to scour the town tomorrow...see if I can get my hands on a pair of Onitsuka Tiger Mexico 66!

Just let me find my size for one of them!

橙月

Part of lunch routine at Anchopoint will see me checking out the 10 dollar CD booth just before popping out to wait for the shuttlebus. I am a sucker for CDs even when I know that I will never go through the covers after I buy them, and also that I dont have enough space for CDs already (amongst other things like books, dresses, earrings...). But then again, it would always be the CD covers that beckons to me to give them a chance.

That's how I came to lay my hands on this.
I have heard him as "Khalil 方大同" and I would always wonder why would this new Taiwan guy give himself a Malay name?! But anway this CD cover look nice (I am so shallow), plus the uncle manning the booth was saying that this was one of the the newest stock. So went my $10, ripped and uploaded into my Ipod.

And the album was on repeat mode in my car today.

Then I found out from wiki that first, he is not a Taiwanese, and actually from Hong Kong. Second, he swept like 4 awards from producer to best male singer in Commercial Radio Hong Kong 叱咤风云大奖 in 2008。

Youtube is flooded with users now I think..so the last clip on Khalil Fong..together with Joanna Wang.

I've got mail!

This came in on Thurs.

Was contemplating whether to buy the oyster card after I touch down in London, but then I thought..do they start selling the card at 5am in the morning?? And since I have to make my own way to the accomodation, to be kiasi a bit, I decided to buy the card in advance and pay 5 bucks extra for delivery. And I was pleasantly surprised when the mail came in and a london guide, tube map and the casing was thrown in.

And contrary to my previous feeble excuse , I began waming up to the idea of driving as I began reading up more on what is available in Cotswold. And to explore the bigger area of Cotswold is probable only if you drive (though I was quite keen on the idea of cycling or walk around each town). So, went to apply for a International Driving Permit, and it came today :))




I is super excited about next sat :D

You need friends like this..(part 2)

who gives you the weirdest analogy..but knows that they mean well. Well, in a warped sort of way.

Met up with G (who always bring out the ah lian in me..) for dinner at Colbar . Amongst all the crap we talked about, he gave me this analogy of why I am still single.

"You know..you walk into a shop and then you saw this si beh atas dress. You sure think, wah..this one sure cannot afford. Then you won't dare to ask the salesgirl to take and try right? The same like Jaguar or Porsche what. You walk past the showcase then you see until lau nua, but then you wont dare to step inside and test drive also ma..you like that guys won't dare to chase you one la"

"No ma, I where got atas... Then what, become 平价合作社? Maybe the problem is attracting the right customers leh?"

"No..平价合作社will then attract more customers ma, then got more choices!"

Dinner at Melben

My lousy phone cam didn't do the crabs justice. I miss the black pepper crab already..

( I would have put in the dinner group photo..I have not met any waitress who was so adamant to take photograph for us and made us move around the table just for a good shot. But Ms donut, the file you sent I cannot open!)

And thanks for this! ;D

Hello Hello! Are you ok?

I was doing my Emergency First Response (EFR) class today, which cover all the things a first aider might do in an emergency.

Frankly speaking, I was sniggering inwardly through the session, whenever the EFR trainers have to do the standard line when approaching Annie the victim-mannequin, "Hello I am (name), I'm an Emergency First Responder. May I help you?"

Whenever I hear that line all the images during the first aid course my squad did, when we were undergoing training in 2002, came back to me. Then, we had a squadmate whom we nicknamed 潇洒哥, just for the fact that he would walk with his arms swinging at a wide arc around his body, and at a tempo one beat slower than the normal person. Not only that, he would usually walk around with a semi-smile, aka Chow Yun Fat's "I knew what you cretins are up to" kind of smile. It was a parody of the Hong Kong 黑帮老大, and he was the only one whom we knew who rapped instead of sang 张学友's “吻别”. Anyway, the nick stuck even till now (I heard he's known as the "Space Man" now..as he would often space out without rhyme or reason. That's another story by itself).

During the first aid course, all of us being enthu students, we went through all the procedures with the necessary urgency required to simulate a real example. 潇洒哥being his true self, walked in his usual half-tempo-slower strut, knelt down, smiled at the mannequin, and ask "Hello hello! Are you ok?" Then as per procedure, he looked up at the instructor, smiled, and said "Call 995."

We almost fell off our chair laughing at our super weird squad mate.

Anyway in that span of a few minutes reminiscing the times during training, I was thinking about the 19 of us who made up C6/2001 - all the good and bad things that had happened during the 6-9 months, and following another 7 years after that. 2 left, 1 got into trouble with the law, others went to do well, some not so well, and the latest being me leaving. I remembered receiving a lot of smses and emails from most of them when the news was officially broadcasted in the force order. One was quite upset (I heard from another squad mate) that I left when it appeared that I was doing well, others thought that I had definitely left for something better.

The last time we had a gathering was during one of the squadmate's wedding, and we did the sword party for him. While waiting outside the main entrance of the church, we were clowning around in our number-1s and with our ceremonial swords. I think I will miss that kind of comaraderie which only come from staying together for 6-9 months, plus facing a wayang course manager, facing disciplinary investigation as a squad, sneaking out of camp at night for supper, bashing through Thai jungle and coming back to Sg emanciated.

It's really a one-of-a-kind experience.

How I survived my 31st birthday

I chose to sneak away to Malaysia over the weekend:-

(i) to test out my new buoyancy control device (whee~!)

(ii) to get out of SG for a while

(iii) basically to do something that I think I will enjoy, since 生日最大 :p

The outing has done me some good - 1 don't think anybody can fight against the sight of the blue sea, soothing cool water, and warmth of bright sunny skies.

I am supposed to find this in London...

And the only song I remember from TLS was this :


And it was in 1996; when I remember the guys in my school took MC, went AWOL, just to catch the matches.


Wow, it has been that long....

And then I finally found out this song was sang by The Lightning Seeds.


Pure & simple everytime.

You need friends like this..

..to remind you that you should never take life too seriously :p

On Msn...

ms.super emo says:
i singing lalala song
ms.super emo says:
hahahaa
(and the conversation goes..)
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ms.super emo says:
u sing babababababa
ms.super emo says:
hahahaha
ms.super emo says:
i am lxxx (to protect her identity u see) so is lalalala
ms.super emo says:
u bao so is babababaa
ms.super emo says:
ok lame
Fїѓєbãll Bao says:
very!
ms.super emo says:
haha!
ms.super emo says:
hehehee
ms.super emo says:
hoohooo

More of London

Thanks for an ex-colleauge (and has to be a guy!), I'm reminded that London is a place for cult brands and chic british fashion.

And that's how I stumble across this.

At this rate, I will never have enough days in London!!

End of Hockey Season

2 back to back games. 1 player down with a hairline crack fracture, which could have been me. 1 player whose knee finally couldn't make it. 1 stiff back, and 2 legs which felt like they weren't mine. 1 goal and it was out of the semis.

With that, it was end of the hockey season. For our team at least.

I think I better go pick up some other sports. I need such diversions before I go crazy handling people who say things, just for the sake of making some noise.

Maybe go breath some underwater bubbles soon.