3-in-1

22nd Nov 2008.

I thought I might as well mark this day in my blog. It was the weekend when one of my ex-coursemates came down all the way from Mexico. I wanted to organize a pizza party on the weekends after my birthday. However, I've decided to postpone it to the following weekend. Well, you may say that I'd use it as an 'excuse' to gather some people, especially since E, came all the way from Mexico. J came from Hundersfield while B came from Scotland.Or you may say it as a welcoming party for E. This day also coincided with A's birthday gathering. Hence, A actually suggested that we combine our celebrations together. We thought that it would be kinda cool combining his friends and mine and thus in a way widen our social circle. So, we met at a Pakistan cross Indian restaurant near the White Chapel Road. B, J, E, J and F are my friends who came while A invited J,P,O and W. After lunch we headed to P's comfy place for tea although E,F and J left for Harrods instead.


I must say that I had a great time. It was a very intellectual yet relaxing chat with the bunch of A's mates-mostly consultants. To my surprise, I really enjoyed talking and hanging out with them. We chatted on the topics such as olympics (well, most of them are consultants for the coming 2012 Olympics projects), Sudan (O would be posted to Sudan to work as an engineer in a maternity hospital), immigration (rules and different viewpoints), Cambridge coursemates and lots more. I was also impressed by J who apparently was the Gates scholar(yes-Bill GATES fund!). She did appear to be pretty witty and presentable,for whom I truly admire.

After that, B and I met J,F and E near the "Living Fountain" at Piccadily Circus. Then, we left to have another round of tea at F's place. It was a nice catchup this time with the ex-MSPME coursemates. Again, the 'old good days' memories came flooding in.

However, I can't help comparing the two group of friends I have which are the ex-Cambridge-ans and ex-MSPME-ans. There are certain distinct differences and some similarities. I enjoyed both companies, nonetheless. Peculiarly, through them, I've realized I have actually changed-in my outlook of life, the way of thinking and a sense of maturity and adaptability. I can see the differences. Hopefully they are for the better.

Birthday Retreat: 7th-9th Nov 2008

I was lucky to be sponsored a free trip for my birthday. Not only had I a free train ticket but also a home cooked dinner. I went to Edinburgh to spend the weekend with B, just a few days before my birthday. I took the evening train straight from work on Friday and arrived Edinburgh at midnight. B was late but nevertheless we've found each other at the station. The next morning was spent resting at home and catched up with a common friend, LM. We then had our quiet birthday celebration. Just my taste which was reserve and relaxing.

The next day, we met up with P and J, both who are currently working in the city. It was a nice catchup, knowing how each other are doing and rekindle the memories we had in this city exactly 2 years ago.

It was a short, but a worthwhile visit.

26th October 2008

Today is KY's birthday.

Today is also the day when the clock turns back an hour.

It also means an extra hour in the bed.

Today is another day for recuperating from the cold and flu.
Which makes me took a few hours of afternoon nap since a long time.

Today, I've cooked turkey for the first time, which taste pretty good.

Today, I've finished the book "Jane Eyre".

Today, it is raining.

Today, I brave the rain to the church.

Today, I've also witnessed a traditional service, with hyms we sang along with a very meaningful sermon.

Today, I went to bed early.

The Notebook - Remember When (ALAN JACKSON)

This was recommended to me. It was so touching that I just can't help tearing.

I've watched this movie sometime ago and I would recommend it to you.

Rendez vous-Long lost friend

Last Sunday, I met a long lost friend. She found me through facebook and we came to know that both of us are in London. So, we thought we should meet up.
I've never met TWC since 1995. 13 years later, in Oct 2008, we met in Leicester Square and we went to a Malaysian restaurant for lunch.

We did had a good catch up on the years that we've lost and also recapping all those good days -including the days when her mum used to fetch her to my house for tuition. My mum used to give tuition when I was little. It was about 20 years ago, geez, how time flies.

Nonetheless, as I chatted with her, I came to know that she really came a long way, despite her family background, and I really admire her sheer determination and will power. One thing I like about her is that she never gives up easily. I am one, for sure very happy for her because all her attributes and hard work pays off-moulding her into a strong, and yet I would say pretty successful consultant in the engineering field. Indeed, I am really proud of her.

She suggested that we should have a monthly meet-up. I guess it would be nice.

Who would ever thought back then when we were just teenagers, that 13 years later, we would have a rendez vous sitting by the rear window at the 5th Floor of John Lewis building right at the Central London, enjoying our hot cappucino? (Well, I had juice instead:))

It just strikes me-Life is so unpredictable!!
With God's plan on mind,I know that I want to live the moment and appreciate every little things that God has provides. It's is just too short to waste it. Don't you think so? I am glad I went for this rendez vous to rekindle the friendship with a long lost friend.

Travel

"Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry and narrowmindednes"

Mark Twain

Edinburgh Revisit

Last weekend I revisited Edinbugh, the mysterious city with its queer yet finest character of its own. I recalled the first time when I landed in this very elegant place two years ago. The only difference was that back then it was in autumn.This time I went to catch the famous Edinburgh Summer Festival. Well, to be honest really, I was looking for a relaxing weekend, which is to spend time with friends rather than sightseeing. Also, this time I took the train instead of plane and of course the journey is much shorter as I travelled fro London instead of K.L. Nonetheless, it was a nice revisit although I've missed the finale of the festival on Sunday night. Same place, same people, different feelings, different wheather, different purpose.


I stayed at a friend's place, in a 2 bed room apartment, very well located , right in the heart of the city. But what makes it really great was the location itself which is right beside the Edinburgh castle,atop and overlooking the Princess Garden. Also, what I am really impressed was the age and "character" of the apartment itself. From Princess Street, one can just look up and see the 5 level apartment right on top of the "volcano", so elegantly poised with the easily identified red balcony. Yeah, I did enjoy my stay there, living in a typical Scottish traditional house which was built probably some 300 years ago. Old you may say, but that what makes it really different than the rest.



Two years back, when I was just a student, I was walking along the Princess Street. Then,I have never thought that I would ever have the chance to stay in one of those cute little white houses on top of the hills near the castle. Today, two years later, I revisited the same city, same place though not as a student but rather as a working person, as I look up on the same buildings from the Princess Street, wow, it's like living in a fairytale, even though it is only over the weekend. It's like in a dream. It is something hard to believe, really unexpected reality.

Today, my company had an internal launch for the e-Reader, portraying the fable "Alice in the Wonderland", where Alice wanders in a land of wonder. I felt I was Alice.:) Somehow, I held a deep connection with Edinburgh- perhaps because of the mysterious element, or perhaps it has to do with its very own personality. Inexplicable, one just gotta feel 'it'.