addiction

I am soooooo dead.

This is what I did today:

Woke at 9.30 with the intention of studying (reading strategy, a course that should be damn interesting and super important to me, cos I want to do consultancy) but of course I switched on my computer, watched Bleach from 9.30 till 12. Then watched more Bleach till 3, and finally picked up my strategy book, read 2 pages, then fell asleep 2 hours.

Then back on Bleach. So I kinda covered 20 episodes in one day. *applause please, and pat on back* super proud of my achievements in life.

Oh. and I found the clip on Clifton Suspension Bridge. Here it is:



Enjoy.

a mail from one sister to another

papa was talking to me
then b2 tot it was u.. wanted to interrupt
then took the fone.. n said HI MOMMY
i said b2 its yee yee not mommy
and she went - NO! i love mommy, not yee yee
then put the fone down...super kns

then b1 n i had long conversation abt masked rider

then he told me to flip the phone n call 11607... so i said okay.. can hear ma in the background - aiyoh dun tok to yee yee abt such things

then after that i told ma to tell pa to buy 4D of the numbers bear gave.. and ma was trying to get the numbers from me... then can hear bear in the background going - I know the number its 1-1-6-0-7 ... .like so proud like that.

so super cute cute cute...

make way, singaporean coming thru!

Had my final paper on statistics today. Although it wasn't hard (with a bit more practise I am sure I can handle it all), I found myself becoming depressed after the paper. Felt that I wasn't giving it my best, and since I'm spending £20,000 on this course,...yadda, yadda...

But in retrospect, I think I may have done okay. Still. Everything got on my nerves today. One of my classmate, who is a really nice person, talks a lot and it got on my nerves. And then the paper, and then I had to wait forever for 3 people to move to have lunch, boy next table took forever to move his butt out of my seat, and the bus took forever to get back to home.

Sure I know, I appreciate how polite and nice, and how they take time to address your problems, but sometimes, I just wished that they'll do it double time.

Quick lor, pick up one stupid bag take so damn long one meh?! Nb. Sigh wish my vulgarities ridden friends were here.

was that the first sighting of...*gulp* snow?!

As they say, it's always good to start a conversation with anyone in England about the weather. And of course I've talked about the weather quite a few times on my posts. Just because it's sunny one minute and then the next its just grey, cloudy and can die weather.

The strong winds actually killed a few people in the UK and in Europe the past week. So its seriously some crazy weather out there.

I was grumbling cos there was potential sightings of snow in London, but none in Bath. But yesterday the temperature fell to 2 deg. Plus strong winds. And I thought I saw snow. It was just flaky-ish kinda of rain? I thought that's funny rain, then realised, that it may be snow! Of course I was in a building then, and by the time I got out, there were just like 2 flakes of snow falling, and I couldn't be sure if it was it.

BUT... I shall call it anyway - time of first snow sighting: 250pm on 22 January 2007.

OMG I can't believe that January is almost over. Some of us were talking about job hunting again. The thought of working. *sigh*

Though my classmate said that those bus drivers who drive in Heathrow between airport and airplanes earn like £50,000 p.a.

New ambition liao - I want to be bus driver.

---------------------------- Rascals Update --------------------------------------

Good news is my two favourites might possibly be coming to the UK, mostly to visit their grandparents. But I am way over the moon. I know it's like EIGHT months away and in between I have 5 more modules, 1 group presentation and my 20,000 word dissertation PLUS job hunt, but, but, but I will see my darlings soon!

And I have it all planned out - will meet them at airport (if job application for re: above) goes through, I might even pick them up from airplane!

:) happy, happy, happy.

But also tired. In the words of my classmate Barrie,"I just spent 3 hours of my life writing bullocks."

rascals update

My cousin just told me some stuff about my favourite boy B1.

He's just changed kindergarten and recently asked my sis,"Does Yee Yee know where my school is?"

So my sis replied,"When Yee Yee comes back, we'll show her where your school is."

So super cute hor.

And me cous oso said that B1 said,

"It's been one year already (cos new year just passed) why isn't Yee back from UK?"

I told her that when B2 and B1 were in UK 2005, then B2 was like 1+ years old. We reconvened at Guildford after I was out to Bath, and I saw them come up the street, and I pretended to walk pass B2. She couldn't speak yet then, sat up in her pram and pointed to me.

:)

No wonder I super miss them!

From the top, left to right: B1 and B2 in the UK 2006 September; me B1, mom and b2 on Boxhill at Surrey 2005; B2 playing with sand on Sports Day in July-Aug 06; B1 under age of 1 drinking milk; B2 in June 2005

stress

I blame the exams for my expanding waistline. This is what I had for the entire day...

Breakfast:

• 1 and 1/2 bowls of museli and milk (my current craze now)
• Coffee

Lunch

• 2 slices of multi-nut toast and Sainsbury's full-fat garlic with herb soft cheese spread
• Coffee
• 2 Clementines

Tea

• Orange Juice
• 2 Clementines

Dinner

• Noodles with soup, carrots and brocoli
• Half bowl of museli with milk
• Cappucino
• 1 minced pie
  

And now at 12.28am, I'm still hungry. Jialat. Either really using brain, hence need re-fuelling or plain greedy.

Accounting and Finance exam tomorrow. Hope I know what's going on...at least enuf to answer the questions.

*sigh*

exams

Struggling through my finance bits of revision, which really isn't so bad, if I was given another 3 weeks. :P Got my student exam number, so will call home to give it to me dad, who, without a doubt, will get down to Singapore Pools today to buy the numbers.

Of course since my flat butt can only take that many hours of sitting down, I end up lying down to do my work, which inevitably leads to me zzz. Eh I cannot help it mah, I blame my genetically flat butt.

Hmmmmm. Okay, for some reason I am craving for cakes from the Patissier - Empress Dowager and the Passionfruit meringue.

oooooooo Would be so yummy. And cakes from Bakerzin also. They some how don't have places like that in UK. They should! Maybe that'll be my idea for the Claverton Project. hmmmmmmm

Miss Hump-a-lot next door picked up a new boy from Paris, and they've been having 12 year old squealling parties in the room.

Party for 2 please, lots of alcohol, ice-cream, loud music in a room under 4 sq metres and lotsa jumpin'. ooooooooooooooo ain't life great?

nb, people trying to zzz or study. If she fucks up tonight and goes squealling, I'm definitely going over to give her a piece of my mind.

the world just gets weirder

Went to Sainsbury's yesterday with Annie, and wonders of wonder, guess what we saw along the eggs shelves? Pastel eggs - no kidding they were a light blue shade, ecru, and something else.

It's kinda too early for easter isn't it?!

marriage

There seems to be 2 schools of thought when it comes to marriage.

1. Marriage is something sacred. Vows are made to last forever, love is everlasting. You make a committment to each other.

2. Marriage is just a more complicated getup from a girlfriend-boyfriend relationship. Could be good if the bloke has money. If not then that's where the complicated part comes in.

A friend of mine is considering a divorce, between friends there those who believe in 1. And 2 (namely me lah). I just feel that if love fails, or the person doesn't have respect for you, then what's the point? Why struggle to make it work, when the other party doesn't bother?

Of course, if the other is willing, then it might be worth a shot saving the marriage. But honestly, in this day and age, what's the point? With pre-nups, cynicism, anything is allowed, what's sacred about anything anymore?

Unless you're lucky to find a rich man who is willing to marry you without a pre-nup. Then Jackpot! :)

Anyway, here's my favourite picture of my favourite boy.



Jialat, tummyache after my emergency ravioli. Doc Mark Bligh told me to take food before the meds, which I didn't believe, so last nite, I took med without food. I nearly died. Today forgot and did the same, and once I had the effect of wanting to throw up, immediately headed for kitchen to open my can of emergency ravioli. But dunno why now tummyache! Jialat!

end of holidays

It's 12 January, and I've just done my second essay within the week. The first was the marketing one, which I was struggling a bit to get done before my big road trip. That was submitted on Monday. Tomorrow morning is HR.

Which kinda marks the end of my holidays. So I might as well finish up with my blogging on my road trip.

Day Ten - 31 December 2006

THE day, the reason why we're at Edinburgh on the very last day of new year - for the amazing Hogmanay party. Reputed to be like damn happening, with over 100,000 street party goers on Prince's Street, damn exclusive, must buy tix to go in one.

And so we did. But the howlling gales prevented us from going, and Hogmanay was cancelled. If it was anything good, it was shopping at Livingston. I didn't buy much. Was tempted to buy the £15 UGG imitation boots. But didn't in the end. Janet was furiously shopping.

By day ten, my lousy foot was hurting way too much. So when we returned to the B&B I told the gals that I would ride out their trip to Holyrood Palace, official royal residences. The gals took my brolly and braved the wind and rain to Holyrood. I slept most of the day at the B&B, called S to bug him and read some "Witchery Tales" of Edinburgh. It was really interesting cos that's when I read about stuff like Dr. Jekyll and Mr Hyde story originated from Edinburgh, and they had other things, which I can so imagine happening in Edinburgh.

The gals came home with bags from Sainsbury's, I was glad that they at least had a chance at Sainsbury's hahahha :) And KFC. So it was another eat in session. At 10pm, we realised on TV that Hogmanay was cancelled from another 2 guests at the B&B.

Left to right: Some view of Edinburgh with a rainbow; welcome 2007!

Day Eleven - 1 January 2007

We woke real early that morning, as we had a long ride to York. But Janet who always wakes up earliest had bought Bons and I a teddy each.


Ed, my teddy from Janet. Christen Ed for he was given to me in Edinburgh; how the hell do u rotate the pix!?

Almost final leg of our journey. I realised that after that night, I wouldn't see the gals in a long time after that. I did feel a bit sad, and jealous, especially Janet, that she was going back to Singapore to see rascals to hand them their gifts.

It was a long drive - about 4 hours from Edinburgh to York. Bons did the first half, I took over and did the second. We did a slight detour as we were going down the M6 again, and wanted a change of scenery. So, Bons directed me off the M6, and coincidences of coincidence, we were back on the trail that we took to Hadrian's wall just a few days back. But we aborted the detour when it would take us another 4 hours to get to York. I don't know how the navigation system worked, since it was cutting through anyway.

Holmes Lea Manor at St. Peter's Grove in York is beautiful. When we stepped in we weren't so thrilled to find that our room was the exclusive "penthouse" ie, highest floor. With heavy pieces of lugguage, we lugged it up the stairs. However the room was beautiful. It had 2 rooms really, the first upon entry had a double bed, with one of those attic windows on a slanted ceiling. The walls had really nice wallpaper, everything looked a bit modern and romantic, and cosy. Very Laura Ashley if I may add.


Clockwise starting from top left: Janet sitting on day bed, bons on my bed; view of the twin bed in second room; Bons and my royal pose; take 2 of our group shot, this one has my feet behind bons' ear

We were soooo reluctant to get out of the B&B but had to get food, and kinda see what York was like, so we took the car out, even tho York is pretty small, like Bath.


Clockwise starting from top left: Bons and Janet in their rooms; view of my room; York Minster, Me with view of York Minster behind

Since everything was closed (it's NY day) we bought Micky D's back to the room to eat. Also the realisation that it was our last nite together hit me. Bons caught a flu that night, and was sick for the rest of the week.

Day Twelve - 2 January 2007

We had to set off early as we didn't want to hit London at its peak congestion. However we were overly ambitious and woke too early. With Bons sick, and me not having slept well the night before, we were too zombie-fied to set off, so after breakfast, it was back to the room for another catnap.

I drove back the entire leg of York, cause Bons was sick, and although she volunteered, if I quite like driving, and knowing I'll miss it for some time to come, so said - it's okay.

We reached London at 3pm. Hertz had NO record that the car was wrecked, to which we quickly said thanks and got out. We hung out at Starbucks till 5, where the gals split to head to heathrow, and me towards Paddington. Somehow, that stretch of London was kinda familiar to me and I wasn't completely homesick. But it felt strange to be alone again.

--------------------more on rascals---------------------

I called B2 just because it's her first day at school.

"Hey princess, did you like school?"

She said," YAH!" Then continued her muffled conversation with me, as her mouth was too close to the mouthpiece.

My mom told me that she said,"Yee Yee, I miss you."

Super heartbreak man.

broken

It's definitely a sure sign - I am getting old.

Went to the doc's yesterday for the second time to do a checkup on right foot, and this was another doc (damn cute too). He looked at my foot and gave a more thorough examination. I told him that I was flat-footed and in the same sentence, he exclaimed that I was seriously flat footed. In fact he did that a few times, I thought, "geez, it's only flat-footedness and not like I'm handicapped."

But I guess in the medical world, flat-footedness is a handicap. The seriousness of it all was when he said that if the foot doesn't heal, I may need to be hospitalised for foot surgery. Hmmmmm - thoughts of shopmobility ran wildly in my head.

Then while in class during discussion yesterday, I suddenly felt that my joints where all starting to hurt seriously bad. And my head was groggy. A classmate of mine said that I am plagued with illnesses. Well, I can't help it really. It's my genetic makeup. Though at that point in time I was thinking,"Some sympathy will be good." Everything aches, even peeing does! hmmm

I mean seriously, who wants to be sick? Dr. Mark Bligh gave me some super duper high dosage, more powderful than ibuprofen 400mg medication to stop the pain and inflammation.

So hear, hear, when I tell you that I am tired from walking, or I can't walk very far, or very fast, it's not an excuse, I am not being lazy, I just seriously cannot keep up.

Unfortunately, I can visualise some skeptics giving me the dirty looks, thinking I'm just being a lazy ass.

Good thing was, the doctor said I could do sports - biking, swimming or eliptical machine. But the sad story is, I got to rush my essay out and it's just no fun when all I want to do is lie in bed and sleep.

Even sitting up is tiring.

leading up to new year's day

Day Eight - 29 December 2006
On the night before we left the Lake District, we decided to watch some videos and got Janet to put the tapes in, but Bons was at the back pressing eject on the remote control. Janet got so frustrated cos she didn't understand why the machine kept spitting out the tape. We were rolling in laughter.


Left to right: Janet putting finger on tape to prevent it from spitting tape out; Bons furiously pressing eject on remote.

Pity we didn't have much time at the Lake District, it is fantastically gorgeous, even in winter. But we decided to drive around Lake Windermere, which is the largest lake in the Lake District. It'll be soooooo romantic to be there in summer. Must find some man, nab him and force him to go with me to Lake District in summer.


Clockwise from top left: View of Lake Windermere Bons take pix; me on pier trying to act like a duck, view of pier, Bons and Janet at Beech Hill with strong winds

On this day, the winds were starting to get a little strong, and I was wondering if Scottish winds are just generally stronger. Never occurred to me that it was the start of a gale in the northern regions.


View of the north while we stopped at Westmorland pitstop. Click for bigger view

The north is generally very scenic, with miles and miles of rolling hills, and lots and lots of sheep. I still find the sheeps amusing, just because they have woolly fleece and black faces and legs. We stopped at one of the most amazing pitt stops along the M6, which is Teby or something, but it's the Westmorland hotel. It has an amazing farmshop, which had stuff like cheeses, spices, chocolates, stollens, pies etc. Nearly drove me mad trying to restrain myself. Ended up buying 1 for £1 Ladybird books for the rascals, some clotted cream fudge for S, organic truffles for my cousin in London and Cadbury fruit and nut for myself.

We headed up to Hadrian's wall. Emperor Hadrian, which built the wall spanning from the east to west coast of UK to mark the extent of the Roman Empire in AD122 to separate Romans from the northern barbarians. Pretty much like the Emperor Qin who did up the great wall of China, I wonder if they had a forum to exchange ideas about such stuff. hmmmm



Clockwise from top left: Me with Minah Lim; Hadrian's Wall at Bridoswald; Janet on wall - evidence that she violated rules hahah; bah bah black sheep around the walls

But it was amazing going up the wall. Touching the wall was like touching the past. Can you imagine 2000 years ago, someone actually laid the stones down by hand?

I have some amazing footage going up to Hadrian's Wall, but haven't figured out vlog, plus pending assignments and exams at the back of my head.

When we reached Edinburgh at 7pm, we kinda decided to not tour around we were dead tired and had kebabs for dinner. :)

Day Nine - 30 December 2006

After a gloomy day travelling up to Edinburgh there was brillant sunshine. Clear indication that we should be on our way to Edinburgh Castle, which sits on top of an old extinct volcano. Marvellous example of how man has mounded his surroundings to the natural environment, with the slope coming down from Edinburgh Castle as the main road - Royal Mile.

Clockwise from top left: Standing at the esplanade to Edinburgh Castle; View of old town in morning sun; me with view of new town Edinburgh in background; Haven't found out what that is!

Edinburgh is nice in that it still retains a bit of its history, you can almost feel it in the air. Not everything is done up touristy (or maybe they have, just that they've done a really good job that I didn't feel so.) It's almost like modern day life has taken small steps to move into this old city. Case in point, the esplanade where I took my picture was a place for public execution, and on other days, a day for couples to go out on dates. And you can almost imagine how it was like, though I wouldn't to be pat-tor-ing while someone was beheaded.

We walked down the Royal Mile, almost made Bons do her horse act, ie, neighing and galloping, which she does brillantly, down the mile, as if to herald our royal entrance on the Royal Mile.

We made our way to the Royal Yacht Britannia, which was at Leith. We took a bus out to Ocean Terminal where the decommissioned yacht was resting. It comes from a royal lineage of yachts.

Funny thing about Scotland, where I stayed as a kid was at Phillips Ave. But around that area they had names of all Scottish places, like Rosyth Road, Leith Road, Glasgow Road, so it was really funny coming to Scotland and finding out that THAT street name is an actual place in Scotland.

The ship is really cool, why it's decommissioned is my question to Thomas, my Scottish classmate. Can you imagine Charles and Diana had their honeymoon on the ship? And other royalities and important people were entertained on board? They even had a sweets shop! And the engine rooms (which I didn't want to see at first) were sparkling clean.

We had dinner at Ma Potters or something, only cos we get 10% off from the ticket stub to Britannia. Then headed back to city centre. Good thing that Bons and Janet suggested we go George Street for some Hogmanay performances. I was about to say,"Let's go back to the room." For foot was hurting quite badly. But I am glad I went. They had bagpipers and drummers come down the street playing. And in the cold nite, it was almost like magic.


Bagpipers, some really cute men in kilts too - woohoo!

unmerry christmas

Day Four - 25 December 2006
This will be the day that everyone on the road trip remembers as "The day that nothing was opened"

Roman Baths were closed. We decided to drive down to Stonehenge - which was closed. To Cheddar Gorge - closed. Clifton Suspension bridge, open only because it's a public road. But it was a nice drive around the countryside, where there were surprisingly no cars. It was nice for a change to not have cars around you and another trail of cars behind you as you drive along those single carriage A-roads.

At Cheddar Gorge, we found a pub that was opened, and the lady boss offered some pity canapes to us, as it was Christmas. Gratefully, we ate the stuff, as we didn't stock up on proper food for Christmas.


Left to right: Me warming ass by fireplace, Bons posing by fireplace

That night, the gals came over to my hall, and thankfully I had enough ingredients to cook them a decent meal. I made them spicy pasta with sausages with Parmesan cheese. We had minced pies, pizza and for each person a chicken filet. I was going to dreg out the mulled wine, but the gals didn't want it. So now that bottle is still in my cupboard.

We left Bath the next day for Warwick. Which was a bit of a disappointment. What was scary was that they led us into the dungeons where people were imprisoned or hung and tortured. One of it was a metal body case that was hung from the ceiling, and very often, prisoners would be put in there till they die and rot. Was a creepy feeling being in that torture chamber. I am sure it must have been filled with spirits in there watching us as we watched at the torture devices.


Left to right: View of living quarters at Warwick, where Daisy Maynard entertained. Bons and Janet on the Mound

When we headed for our B&B in Warwick, which was at Emscote Road, we realised that the owner wasn't around. He had left a note on the door that said."Arrivals or enquiries call 07xxxxxxxx". To which we were frantically trying. But it was sent to a voice mail. That really made me upset cos I was looking forward to resting. So we decided to have dinner and had our traditional English dinner - at Taste of India (Warwick) It was fantastic, and was Bons' first taste of Indian food. The guy was so sweet and gave us a rose each after dinner. :)

It all turned out well as the guy Paul from the B&N called us back, plus he was cute so we were happy.


Janet's shocked face at Taste of India, when we heard no news from Warwick B&B and I suggested driving back to Bath.

Day Six - 27 December 2006
Stratford-upon-Avon - Always thought it was going to be some cheesy touristy town, and true enough it was! But still it is a nice town and I'll definitely go back again. We had a lovely time at the Crabtree & Evelyn restaurant at Stratford.

Clockwise: Yummy cream tea set; Tudor styled house at stratford; Scones; Scones set from Crabtree


By now our Fiat was chucking a bit jerkily, and we were wondering if it was just a FIAT. if you know wot I mean. But we made our way through rain up along the M6, and through to Windermere. Ashleigh, which was the accommodation we stayed at was lovely. I thought it was one of the best so far. But best was yet to come.

Day Seven - 28 December 2006

Doomsday.

With trips there is always one freaking big incident that screws it up or makes it memorable. I havent gone on a trip where everything was planned and had gone smoothly. We planned to go Burrow to look at the Furness Abbey but never got there. At Newby Bridge, right southern most point at Windermere, we realised that the Fiat takes diesel. Not petrol, which we had been pumping all the time. Hertz didn't even bother telling us that it runs on diesel!

I was horrified at the realisation, and just thinking how much it was going to cost me. I texted S to let him know what happened. He called back and assured me that it was okay, and should be fine. That diesel engines can take a huge beating and still be alright. By the time I was done talking to him, I was in tears. I guess the (irrational) thought that I probably have to trade in my MBA for a miserable rental car was just coming up in my head.

We waited 3 hours at the petrol station, and I got pricked by the holly left on the table as Christmas decor.


Waiting & waiting at the Texaco Bistro at Newby Bridge. Real holly on table as decor, warning its leaves are lethally hard and spikey

It was just waiting and waiting. First waiting for the tow man. Then second tow man, cos it's a 4 wheel drive and had to be lifted on the truck, then waiting at the garage.

Boy were we glad to get home. We went down to Windermere's city centre, which had a chinese food shop opened. Ordered take-aways and pigged out in the room.

a very long engagement

Since I am still high on my trip, (a bit diluted on the high though, as today is day 3 since returning), but my excuse is - I don't want to do my assignment till I get me trip out of me system - don't remind me that I have an assignment to hand in on Monday and another one on Friday, plus exams coming... jialat....

So here's getting it out of me system.

Day One - 22 December 2006
3.00pm, I was at Bath Spa railway station. Fumbled my way up on my £9 tix from Bath Spa to London Paddington (Yes, for those uninitiated, Paddington Bear was named after London Paddington station cos he was found there). Upon reaching Paddington, saw salvation - Krispy Kreme outlet, to which I bought 3 doughnuts, and also a pack of Walker's Sensations as sort of a welcome to England initiation pack.

I trodded to Norfolk Square where Janet had booked the hotel room. The gals, amazingly lugged stuff which my mom asked them to carry, plus my tennis racquet up 6 flights of stairs to our hotel room. The gals chomped down the doughnuts and decided we ought to get out of the B&B.

We didn't do much, except to run by to Oxford Street, started shopping at H&M, Topshop and I was furiously hunting for Marks & Spencer's stollens, which were to die for. We wanted to go by Chinatown for food. By by the time we were done shopping, jetlagged for the gals and achy foot for me, we started our first road trip meal with Burger King. But it was nice to be reminded that it's Christmas with the street decor, which Janet told me that this year's Orchard Road X'mas decor are way way better than any in the past. Sigh... to be home.

Day Two - 23 December 2006
Rise and shine to a full English breakfast of bacon, fried eggs, baked beans, toasts and museli. We covered a lot of territory that day. First was a trip to Camden Market - where they had tons of stuff for Goths. But we found our salvation at Aldo, which had a discount shop at Camden. I got meself a pair of funky sequinned dark pink shoes, Janet - a pair of black track shoes, and Bons bought a dinner bag, earrings and funky white belt.

Then it was off to the Tower of London. I was all keyed up about heads that were chopped off at the Tower of London. But at £15 for entrance, we all decided - let's just let history lay where it should be - in the past. We just furiously took pictures of Tower Bridge and traitor's gate.


We had lunch at the infamous Wagamama, which I thought wasn't that good really. But it was really cold that day, and so it was nice to have a nice bowl of piping hot spicy noodles with soup. We took the river cruise down River Thames, just because I rememebered how much my mom liked the river cruise, plus you get to see quite a bit of London from the river ride. But none of us were brave enough to venture on the upper deck. We all chose to sit in the heated enclosed lower decks. Then was a trip to Buckingham Palace, which to be honest, wasn't that impressive.

After that was a trip to Harrod's. Which was really funny, cos they had demonstraters outside, who were demonstrating against Harrod's selling fur. Personally, unless the creature is endangered, if some bugger really wanted to pay ££££ for fur, let the idiots do it. Why not? Of cos no one bothered with the protesters, and they were there for a good long period of 1 odd hour shouting. Cui bought Leonidas chocolates from Harrods - damn atas taste man. I survive on Cadbury fruit and nut.

By then my right leg was hurting quite a bit. So thankfully the gals rested at Starbucks for a cuppa, which Cui tan tio, and got a Grande Gingernut latte even though she paid for a tall. Then was a pilgrmage to Zara, where I got a work dress, in case I get called for an interview. The stuff that my sis was supposed to pack came with bikini bottoms no top, no winter scarves and my pencil Zara skirt was replaced by another casual one. So... sigh. Sparked off a buying frenzy for me.

Then we had dinner at Covent Garden, where we had the world's most expensive fish & chips - £11. But it was a freeeee meal thanks to Bons, who decided to treat us. We met her colleague Hilton (not related to Paris) who happened to have studied in London. But by the time we were done, we were all knackered and just wanted to go back to zzz. For the next day, we were supposed to set off to Bath.

Day Three - 24 December 2006

Hertz's never lost - always makes us lost

Janet wanted to see St. Paul's Cathedral, so I accompanied her there, while Bons went for a church session at Hillsong. Supposedly award-winning sermons, didn't know they had those sort of awards, but from the tracks I hear, quite happening.


We finally got our car, which was a Fiat Sidici or Sedici can't remember the spelling. But anyway this car was quite a nightmare for us, which I will elaborate further later. London roads are a nightmare. So we had a navigation system which was utter crap. Every time we start it up, it'll reboot itself for the first 20km. ie, about half an hour sometimes. Which rendered us always lost. Funny thing is, the tagline for the machine was Hertz never lost.

For like 50km I was driving without headlights, while getting to Bath. It was getting dark at 3pm. So I guess I can add that onto my driving CV. We finally figured out how the lights worked. Another time was while I was driving down from M6 into the A roads to Windermere, with no streetlights, I had to highbeam, and accidentally switched off lights, going at 70miles/hour. Freaked the gals out. hahah, but I knew it was a straightroad, so just had to turn lights on.

When we reached Bath, it was all dark, so I showed the gals their hotel and wanted to go Sainsbury's to stock up, but it was 6 by the time we reached Sainsbury's, and everything was closed. And was to be so for the next 2 days. Which was miserable.

S. called me to find out if I was going over to show my gfs the invisible supposed "boyfriend" that I was with last year. So since we had no food, and nothing much to do, we went. Something happened along the way from the week before I met S and on x'mas day eve. We were acting all coupley and missing each other. Hmmmm I wonder if it's just hormonal surges or real missing each other. And it went so for the rest of the trip. Must be hormones. Anyway we ended up playing playstation at his place cos his son was there. The gals were bored after I had to be in duel with S on playstation for 20 minutes. But it was sweet to see S try really hard to entertain the gals.

By the time we got back to the B&B we were all zonked. I was back in my hole-in-the-wall at Thornbank for the next 2 nites, which kinda felt weird. Cos my life at Bath has always been so separate from Singapore, so it was weird that my friends were coming in to see Bath. What was disappointing was that everything was closed and I couldn't really show them what Bath was actually like.

I called the rascals that night so that they could open their presents from me. After they opened it, it was a goner, none of them wanted to speak with me. Should have known!


Rascals watching TV


Family at Christmas


Christmas dinner which I missed - goddammit! Check out the honey baked ham!

Photo credits of Rascals and Christmas dinner by Raena Leoh