Of veggies and spiders,

Spring is here and I've been gallivanting about London and nearby towns for the past week - a much appreciated sojourn from reading academic papers. My Anthropology paper is two weeks away so I'm pretty much out enjoying the wonderful weather ♥ I've also recently cultivated a habit of buying veggie groceries from the different places I visit, Asparagus from Portobello, Zucchini from Cambridge and Lady fingers from Coventry. The latter brings to mind how A brought her friends home yesterday and her Japanese course mate called it Okra....either an interesting cultural experience there or just a failed asian on my part. On the side note, independent living has seen me getting all jumpy over a ceiling spider (with whom I share a not-so-harmonious bathroom relationship with) and has since passed away due to suffocation from my dry shampoo spray, kitchen cleaning liquid and bathroom soap. RIP dear spider, may insect heaven be what you have always dreamed of.

Moving in,

The first week of moving is all about expectations and reality setting in - although my flatmates and I all come from different countries (and continents!), it's amazing how we can get along so well with each other and for that I'm truly thankful ♥ Administration wise, it was a huge headache. We had some trouble settling payments since all of us were international students and overseas transfers take time to get verified. Not surprisingly, it took a long while for us to get hold of our keys, which was such a pain for me and Yvonne as we arrived early January and had no place to crash. We also had problems with the heating system, and I remember that faithful night where we had to boil a pot of water to keep ourselves warm in the kitchen (winter woes). Later on, we also realized that our inventory report ridiculously states that the electricity gas meter was "too far high up to be read" which obviously warranted a lot of giggles from us! But such is the queer (and infectious) charm of Brit coolness, because here I am sitting by Mornington crescent station having a cuppa Earl grey tea at Costa coffee. Rewinding back, Yvonne meets me at the coffee place with her second hand pink bike she bought on Gumtree and we walk back to the apartment. As the other two girls arrived much later in London, we had to lug back an ambitious amount of cutlery, heavy kitchenware, pots and pans and whatnots back home in the winter cold all by ourselves - welcome to independent living.

But after all the hassle, the 'We finally got our house keys bitches!' moment was immensely satisfying, and the rest as we know it is history ♥

Captu(red),

Embracing the advent of summer with a new thrust of colour and the snip of my long locks, if you may call it long to begin with - you may not be able to see it clearly, but I redid my red subtle highlights. It feels like capturing summer blood on your hair, not necessarily wild. But free, yes free.

Christmas market,

I usually stay home for family gatherings during the december period and not travel out, hence it was my first time attending a Christmas market amidst the winter season. So, within the first few days of arriving in London, R brought me down to the Winter wonderland in Hyde park. Albeit the cold, the Christmas spirit was really heartwarming and the different cuisines were pretty alluring (not the prices though). While it sounds gimmicky, it was worth the trip down for the atmosphere and the mood in itself.

Tried mulled wine with Viking's blood and loved it - something tells me that warmth, wine and winter can never go wrong together. And amazingly after this shot, the angelic boy who posed for the photograph shoved a 'Tips' cup in front of us, nice one there lad.

Sauerkraut, German sausages and roasted potatoes for dinner, which was extremely filling if you ask me - cost us 7.50 pounds of yummy goodness. Our wonderful chocolate crepe cost about 4 pounds!

There were tons of games around like any good carnival should have - so we invested in this hoop game. Tried relentlessly to aim it into the bottle neck, it's harder than it seems really! Finally stopped after coming to terms on how we were just throwing pounds away, but it was quite fun seeing everyone's ialmostwonamillionbucks face (disclaimer: they were giving out reindeers)

Outdoor concerts and beer despite the cold, I'm loving it.

Tacky looking oriental pavillion that served chinese wok noodles

Soiled our shoes on our way out, but it was a night well spent even though it got really cold towards the end (the icy wind was just pushing it) Definitely worth a visit with your friends and family if you're into carnivals!

Winter wonderland 
Annual event 
Hyde Park, W2 2UH, London
More information here

Flower power,

The days are getting much warmer, for Spring has finally arrived! The peeks of sun rays are enough to make me sufficiently happy through the day, but I'm glad that the long winter is finally over ♥

Headed down to Portobello market today, as I'm having a short break in between my papers during exam season. Scored a few bargains as well as fresh vegetable shopping along Westbourne grove (such a dream). Gallivanting in Notting Hill was such a feast for the eyes, because the rows of terrace houses are simply gorgeous and there are plenty of retro vintage shops around to source out treasures. Riding on my Vitamin D high, I also brought home a pot of Begonia and she now sits happily on my window sill - love how her bright primrose pink petals matches my curtains! She also caught the eyes of tons of passer-bys enroute back to my apartment which sparked off a few interesting conversations on gardening, such a charmer for a plant really.

The start,

The beginning is always bittersweet, like saying good bye to 365 days of summer every year and the familiar orange city lights in the night skyline during take off. Yes, even though it's only 6 months. And it's hard to write a start because you just want to plunge into the middle bit, or so they say the real deal. Like in a dream, you're always thrown in the midst of nowhere before you grapple on to reality. But this is different because there were so many hiccups and arrangements that I had to overcome to get here, and of course I can't express my gratitude for how my family and some of my close friends could find time to send me off with a brilliant DIY apron they made me wear at the departure gate  ♥ 

But as soon as my transit plane from Dubai begins to touch down onto Heathrow, the bright foreign skies look heartwarming enough to make my heart skip a beat - surreal much.

New chapter,

Hello old friends, I've been on a long virtual hiatus and to that I give my sincere apologies! London has been treating me lovely under her warm (or not so warm, it's been a long winter) embrace, and it's been so amazing meeting people from all walks of life ♥ 

Spend the start of the week trying to catch up for the looming exams at Senate library (libraries here are gorgeous) and pigging out at Burger and Lobster, ...while the next two days saw me paralyzed in bed battling a cold; but I definitely got better and took a walk around Camden market for some munchies and headed down to Sigmund freud's house - where I saw the renowned reclining couch where he conducted therapies for his patient. Simply amazing for any Psychology student! Came back to finally change my halogen room lights so I'm no longer living in half darkness. Headed out again where Yuechin brought me to have, possibly the best, salmon donburi I've had in London and had good ole long chats before bringing her home and coming back to Lina asking me if I had any eggs. Obviously stared at her in awe because it sounded ambigious (hahaha) but it turns out that she and Ana used all the eggs in the fridge for a giant omelette - I love my housemates.

Ah, such is life.

I'll try to recapture my journey slowly, and hopefully catch up with my daily routine ♥ Ciao!

The dream begins,

Greetings from London...while I do my nails! It's currently subzero temperatures but I'm toasty indoors in bed with hot tea ♥  I've been settling in well, and enjoying most of the classes in school - especially the guest lecturers invited for their specialized field of study. Their passion is infectious and definitely reminds me of the beauty of Psychology and why I chose to major in the first place, so I'm thankful for this intellectual exploration. It has been nothing but a blessing these few weeks (except a few hiccups, like my apartment heater being as dead as a doornail no matter how many times we tried to ignite it) and meeting my fellow affiliate coursemates and housemates who turned out to be so incredibly nice and whom I've grown to love! And of course, having R around to help me out so much. Still finding my way around the city, it's hard not to wander aimlessly along the streets of London albeit the cold. The snow has started to accumulate on the sidewalks, and it's such a gorgeous white sight to behold from my room window. Truly the words spoken from a summer girl like myself! London has been beautiful by far, and I hope to be further charmed by her for my stay in the next 5 months ♥ Ciao!

London calling,

Happy 2013 to all! The past year has been blessed with the joyous and its fair share of downs, and for that it has really taught me that whilst God permits us trials, He also provides us with the comfort when we fall. I'm truly thankful, and for the Christmas miracles that unfolded one by one ♥ And it's even more surreal that in 24 hours I'll be setting off for the next 6 months, something so excruciatingly exciting....yet still bearing that cloud of apprehension. I'm honestly really thankful for my parents and friends who supported me through my affiliate application, and provided much needed support and advice. It's funny how I have (most probably) experienced the epitome of being a Singaporean in the past week than in the years of existence - Gardens by the bay, MBS, partying, char kway teow, old airport road, East coast park cycling, sunbathing, seafood dinner and homely family gatherings!

An unending list of to-dos, but for now - London is calling. Ciao, mes bons amis!

Snippets of life III,

4 days till I leave for London, and it's been a pretty blessed time catching up with friends and meeting up with everyone before I leave ♥ And of course, soaking up the essence of Singapore (especially the good food!) This Christmas season has also been yet another time to spend with my loved ones, and for that I'm truly thankful. And of course, for His miracles throughout the season, reminding me that He is in control of everything - something we often forget in the hustle of our lives. And of course, a shoutout to my special someone who has been constantly there for me throughout :)

 Flying off for 6 months can indeed be very apprehensive, but I'm really very excited for the great adventures ahead...say hello to Europe in my backyard! I've been hearing so much about my friends' epic exchange stories - hello Alvin's naked man skydiving and mugging ninja incident stories, and it's finally my turn to embark on them ^^

Alvin back from exchange with lovely maple cookies!

Seeing Delvin off at the airport

Finally played squash after being dormant in the sport for at least 4 years, how refreshing! And negated all the exercise with Singaporean food feasts @ Old airport road which Jeanie has been raving about. (Do try the Whitney road prawn noodles, it's worth the wait and really good)

Been meaning to try the main courses @ Marmalade pantry, and went down on a fine Sunday afternoon with Xiner before our shopping trip! The pancakes and sticky date pudding were awesome, but the eggs benedict felt like they were missing something. And of course, singing Christmas carols at R's homely family gathering.

Met up with the classies towards the end of our school term to Celebrate David's birthday, NYDC desserts never go wrong!

Gorgeous french lavender straight from London, love it when the breeze comes by my window and my room smells so sweet ♥ 

 

Also, I'm slowly learning how to master the art of baking swiss rolls! It's really tricky, especially since the cream melts very easily and if the batter is too cold, it doesn't roll as neatly. Made them for 2 Christmas gatherings, Will share recipe soon, made a lot of healthy adjustments to call it my own :)

And I couldn't fly off without meeting up with my dearest Carren, love how we always end up laughing till we almost cry hahaha so much nostalgia really ♥ 

Christmas feast with the classies! And the hugest pizza I have ever seen from Pepperoni's hahaha

Met up with dearest Karen who flew back to Chicago before my term started, love how we had Mu parlour to ourselves and as usual, almost cried whilst recollecting good ole times hahahaha miss you ♥ 

View from Rochester park avenue - Star vista! And lunch with my fellow tutors from the social enterprise I work for :)

So touched by what my students wrote for me on my last day :')

Sonia, my soci paper buddy! Thanks for being such a great partner, and us rushing online at 2am in the morning frantically referencing our paper and meeting the next day in starbucks for intense editing :) We deserve our A! ♥ Hope you enjoyed your stay in Singapore, if I do go up to the States I'll definitely contact you!

A shoutout to my French homies for making French class so terribly entertaining with the Frenglish, and the singing during our LAF1201 oral -  we are so amazing. Beer and saucisson next year at the French alps!

The face of whom who woke me up at 3am in the dead of the night because she was afraid of the thunderstorm, such a qtpie. She will be dearly missed when I'm overseas, especially bombarding her with many hugs and kisses hahaha.

Beer, live music and great company can never go wrong. And especially when we broadcasted silly messages on Timbre's TV dedication channel, happy birthday to the arabian name aka us!

And not forgetting a meetup with one of my favourite colleagues during my summer stint, partner-in-crime for underground office chats! Love the hair dude, many Anthony live forever.

New Year wishes @ Orchard road!

Played taboo with the classies, and you know it's awkward when your self-volunteered to download Taboo iPhone app stops the game because it ran out of trial cards.

East coast cycling, the azure blue sea and fine skies captured just half an hour before it started pouring and we sought shelter at Burger King with fries, what a classic no-no to negate all the exercise.

Nav's 21st @ Avalon at Marina bay sands after a short trip down to Gardens by the bay, amazing night for him and the others with the Santarina,....and let's leave it as that hahaha.

Merry Christmas everyone ♥ Hope everyone had a blessed Christmas this 

season with your family, friends and loved ones!