sunshine through the fog

26 Jun 2006 (Mon) Rainy

Long long long flight. Didn't sleep a wink the whole 13 hours. Why I dislike flying. Envy those people who sleep through flights. Makes the dreary journey literally fly by so much faster. Not for me. I either stay wide awake or if I do manage to doze off, it'd be time to wake soon again for a meal or arrival. But I digress.

Drizzling. Landed at Heathrow early but can't debark as the landing dock was occupied. Waited nearly an hour on the plane on land. Customs and luggage retrieval took forever. By the time I finally walked out and looked around for the chauffeur, nothing. I've a bad feeling he's left. And I'm right. Called the car company. They'd send another driver but, more waiting.

Enthusiastic driver took me on a mini tour of London city. Appreciate the gesture but too tired to enjoy it. Reached apartment, rest a bit and ventured out to look for food and water (tap water here tastes weird). Cold. Still drizzling. I thought it's summer? Why's it so cold then?

Wandered around Canary Wharf. Found some chicken place for dinner then Waitrose to buy groceries. Lugged a dozen mineral water back myself. Heavy. Arms ache hands pain.

Cold. Miserable. Pathetic. Alone.

I miss my darling.

And to round off a fabulous day, no hot water for my bath.


27 Jun 2006 (Tue) Sunny

First day in office. Worked. Returned to apartment. Slept.

I miss my darling.


28 Jun 2006 (Wed) Sunny

Woke. Went office. Worked. Returned to apartment. Slept.

I miss my darling.


29 Jun 2006 (Thu) Sunny

Woke. Went office. Worked.

Went for drinks with colleagues at Bar 38. Left at 9+ as I started shivering from the cold while everyone else seemed to be enjoying the nice english summer weather. Starving since haven't had dinner. These people don't seem need for food when there's beer.

Ta-pao'd Burger King for dinner. Not nice - Singapore's better. I wanna have mushroom swiss when I'm back!

I miss my darling.


30 Jun 2006 (Fri) Sunnier

Woke. Went office. Worked.

Met Dingyang and Shiyan for dinner. Tube was so so so crowded. Scary.

Went Chinatown for dinner. Funny. Come London eat exorbitant zi cha.

I miss cooking for my darling.


01 Jul 2006 (Sat) Trés Sunny

Took the Thames Clipper ferry on advice of an English colleague. Very nice. Much better than the tube. More expensive but well worth it.

The tube's a moving oven. Sardines packed in the summer heat with no airconditioning and minimal ventilation. It also has different parts of the line down almost everyday. Test of tube map reading skills and coming up with different ways of getting from A to B. Surprised as didn't remember it was that bad. Really appreciate our MRT now.

National Gallery. Spent a leisurely 2 hours strolling around and attending a (free) guided tour. Very nice. Apart from the blistered feet from getting lost previously.

Covent Garden. People people people everywhere. Lunch alone at courtyard restaurant. Wish my darling were here with me.

Met DY+SY & friends to watch the England v Portugal match. Thought it's a good opportunity to experience the atmosphere, especially given England's widely thought to be a shoo-in. (Alas!) Pub at New Bond Street. Very crowded but we managed to get seats in front of the screen! At one point (when Portugal missed the first penalty) a few of them were so happy they jumped up, hopped around and hugged each other. Very violent. Dangerously near me. As soon as it ended, friend said to quickly leave. In case the drunken and disappointed turn aggressive and we get embroiled...

Went Chinatown for dinner. Funny. Come London eat exorbitant malay food.

Watched the France v Brazil match at a Soho Pub.

It's been a long while since I've watched a complete football match. And today I watch TWO, in London, on the day that England lost to Portugal for the third time, in penalty shootout. My heart goes out to them.

Went Chinatown for supper. Funny. Come London eat exorbitant chinese dessert.

Arrived back in apartment past midnight. Surprisingly quite a few security guards still milling around Canary Wharf. Still feel relatively safe. Fortunately.

I wish my darling were here walking back hand in hand with me.


02 Jul 2006 (Sun) Trop Sunny

Trés fatiguée. Can barely drag myself out of bed.

Met up with Ros at Camden Town. Camden market was a colourful place with colourful people and lotsa little stalls. A huge ang-moh pasar malam. Didn't buy anything but was fun looking around and absorbing the festive mood.

Went to a nearby Belgium restaurant for mussel and fruit beer. Strawberry beer for me. Passion fruit beer for Ros. Very nice. Very palatable especially for the girly tastebuds. Wonder whether it's available in Sgp. Must go back and look for it at belgium restaurants back home. Mussels were yummy too. :) One of the better meals I've had since I arrived.

British museum. Focus - Egyptian Mummies. Thought it might be rather morbid but not really. Quite fascinating. Amused by the mummification of animals. Especially the one of this big bird with a minuscule head. very funny looking.

I wish my darling were here laughing at the silly birdie with me.


03 Jul 2006 (Mon) Sunny

Trés trés fatiguée. Can barely drag myself out of bed.

Woke. Went office. Worked. Returned to apartment. Slept.

I miss my darling.


04 Jul 2006 (Tue) Sunny

Woke. Went office. Worked.

Decided to treat myself to a nice dinner (on company expense of course :p) on my last night in London. Opted for the Plateau Bar & Grill as it's near my apartment and seems decent.

Very good choice it turned out to be. I opted for the 2 courses menu prix fixe. Starter was a salad I've been wanting to try for the longest time - buffalo mozzarella with tomato and fresh basil. Delish. The slightly bitter basil was a perfect accompaniment with the salty cheese and sweet tomato. Drizzled with some olive oil (I think) dressing, it's a nice and light salad to begin the meal with.

The salmon a la pancha (main course) was exquisite. Definitely one of the best I've ever had. The skin was crisp and savoury but the meat done just right, barely crossing the border between sashimi and grilled. The sauce tasted vaguely of teriyaki and wine but surprisingly not boring. It was accompanied by aubergine caviar (not bad - goes well with the fish) and fig caviar (interesting taste but a bit too sweet for my palate). All in all, very much to my liking. *yum*

The waiters were very friendly. At least 3 of them stopped to talk to me and asked me how's everything. Perhaps because I look lonely - a young (still!) chinese girl having dinner all alone in a noisy chic restaurant? One of them even brought me a fresh fig to try as I told him in passing I've never had it before. Cool huh? It was not bad either. I like the fresh one better than the cooked caviar/jam more like.

I miss my darling were here to taste the fabulous food with me.


05 Jul 2006 (Wed) Sunny + Noon Drizzle

Woke. Checked out. Went office. Worked.

Rushed off from the office at 615 - worried late for the car and the driver won't wait for me (again!). Reached apartment at 630 sharp. Slight jam on way to airport.

France vs Portugal. 1-0

I'm seeing my darling soon...

Singapore home I come! :)


06 Jul 2006 (Thu) Sunny

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