Little Adventures

Back to Work...

2006-03-26T20:31:00.000+02:00

Back to work it is for me. Its been a week since I started working, am loving every single minute of it. Well all except the travel time. Takes me about an hour to get to London. Yes! that's about two hours in total, will definately have to learn to sleep while standing, file my nails, pluck my eye brows on the train...ok sorry getting a bit gross here.

Weekends are starting to be so precious! Today Phil and I cycled to Eton and Windsor, we visited Eton College and Windsor Castle. Its 13 pounds to visit the castle! 13 pounds!

and day light saving has started/ended?? whatever it is, I am 7 hours instead of 8 hours difference from Singapore/Malaysia. Which means tomorrow I did have to wake up ONE hour earlier!! wahh... better get to bed now.....

Short Update

2006-03-08T19:34:00.000+01:00

After 3 rounds of interview and "trying" my very best to do minimal embarrassment to myself, I landed up with a job offer to work in London. I am not too sure how I feel at the moment as I have not accepted the job offer. Yes, I know I am being very picky here.

Yawn...

2006-02-22T01:06:00.000+01:00

and
Its midnight again.
and
Its been a week since I last posted an entry.....
So, be nice to me while I just ramble on about what I have been doing....

I vowed to write more often but chores and job hunting does not leave me with very much free time. Writing my Resume, or known as CV here is mentally exhausting. My last resume was written 5 years ago, having reviewed it, had to part with a huge chunk of tertiary info which are no longer relevant. Unlike Malaysia or Singapore, you dont have to stick your photos on the front of your CV, and there is no need to put your gender, date of birth, marital status or nationality. They dont care who you are as long as you can get the job done.

Then there were more forms to fill up and documents to be sent to the Home Office (its like the immigration department) to get my Resident Visa. Phil and I have to send our passports in for 1 to 6 months (depending on how efficient the Home Office wants to be). So we are 'stuck' here til we get our passports.

At least we had a get away during the weekend with the new Jeep. oh yes.. must make a mental note to blog about our new baby (the Jeep people, the Jeep! I am not pregnant... yet!)...

I am going all out this Valentine's Day!

2006-02-14T12:11:00.000+01:00

In my 28 years of existence, I have never ever once bought flowers for a guy. To me buying flowers were always a man's thing, this year I thought it will be ~~fun~~ "nice" to surprise Phil with some flowers (lets see how Phil's colleagues react when he gets the flowers!! hehehe.... Sly laugh). So the plan was simple - get flowers delivered to his office on V Day, I soon found out that the execution bit was not as flawless as I had hoped it would be. I nervously walked along High Street and curiously eyed on the florist. What would they think of me? Will they think that I am desperate for a guy? A splinter?

When I finally gathered enough courage to enter, my feelings of THIS being a man's world was truly correct. There in front of me were 5 men in line waiting to order flowers. After what seems like an eternity (1 minute), another line formed behind me, and as predicted they were all men! So I waited patiently for my turn watching the MEN in front of me order, they seem very efficient in ordering flowers for their valentines. My turn finally came and I was given a 'Menu' with 6 selections of bouquet that comes in different flowers, shapes and colours. The man behind the counter stared at me as I studied the menu, obviously getting impatient as the queue behind me grew longer by the minute. I shyly asked "erm, is there more I can choose from?", "Nope sorry, miss that's all we have for valentine's day". "oh...." blink blink, blank look not knowing what to say or to choose. The ~~people~~ men in front of me, choose their selection effortless and there I was asking if there were other flowers I can choose. I sighed and concluded that the menu was definitely tailored for men, for all it had was the photo of the flowers and price. Buying flowers are definitely not made for women for we females need "more style, bigger variety, and various combination" than just "THE SIX". The man behind the counter politely asked me to step aside to make my selection as I was holding up the queue. I studied the menu intensely as if I was studying for my exams, going back and forth, looking carefully at the flowers and packaging. I finally decided on a long red rose beautifully set among a stem of orchids in an angular glass vase. During my intense study, I notice that two men had ordered and left while I making the hard decision of choosing from "THE SIX" flowers. How can they be so quick? Its like the make their judgement based on how expensive the flowers were.
"Would you like balloons or a Teddy Bear to go with that?" enquired the man behind the counter. Hmm.. I might I might, I should! Instantly I conjured up the image of Philippe holding heart shapes balloons and a huge teddy bear. I laughed and was brought back to reality when man behind the counter said "sorry?", thinking that I was being rude and laughing at him.
"No, just flowers thank you". I really should not let Philippe suffer in front of his colleagues.

I then went to the bookshop to choose a card to accompany his presents (spa package for two plus some books). Unlike choosing the flowers, which I had a tough time because there was not enough variety, there were just too many cards to choose from. I could not decide on which card to get so I got two cards. I saw the cashier running his eyes through the cards and then looking at me. He probably thought that I two timing as he had a cheeky smile with that "I know what you are up to" look on his face.

HAPPY VALENTINES DAY!!

Love @ First Sight..

2006-02-13T15:45:00.000+01:00

It was love at first sight. There she was, quietly by the corner in black, as if not to seek any attention from us. Phil was the first to set his eyes on her and he gently squeezed my hands in excitement. I followed his gaze and was surprised to discover what caught his attention. She was huge to our original intentions of finding something small and practical. But she sure was pretty. We walked into the office and was greeted by a man in his early 30s with a bright smile, Nick who casually gave us the keys "Feel free to check her out". Phil attempted to open her with the keys, but it set off her alarms which went piercing through our ears the same way when you scratch your finger nails on a black board. Nick hurried out to save us and Phil apologized while I joking said "thank you, we just wanted you to feel how cold it was". Nick laughed at my cheekiness as he hurried back into the office as he did not have a coat on.

We entered her, she had light brown coloured leather seats that were freshly polished with plenty of leg room at the front. I looked at Phil and I knew instantly that he was smitten, this would be our car. After playing around for a bit in the car, we proceeded back into the office. Phil asked if we could have it. I was silent, it was a far cry from my idea of a small car. But since the beginning, Phil had always wanted a four wheel drive. My thoughts were how was I going to drive this monster? Phil reassured me saying that we would go on practise rides together. His face brimmed with hope and excitement that the only words I could come up with was "yes". We went on a test drive and Nick gave us all the information that we needed.

Eager to get the car, this morning I called the car company. The person on the other end of the phone sounded so much like the cheerful Nick but it was not. It was the neighbour's car company who was helping to answer the phone. Over the weekend, sometime after we had left feeling happy over our new addition to our little family, Nick had lost his young son. A small lump developed on my throat as I struggle to answer his questions about leaving a message. I had troubles remembering my phone number as my thoughts were with Nick. Only after losing someone close to me, I am now able to sympathize with another person's lost. The car can wait a while...

Its So

2006-02-10T11:23:00.000+01:00

COLD here (by my standards). Everyone is telling me its been warm since I got back. I am having difficulties understanding how 2/3 degrees can be classified as warm. People here go around wearing just a t-shirt and sweater, while I am all wrapped up in my 4 layers of clothes PLUS a woollen coat and I am still freezing. Phil says that my favourite words are “its cold”.

Since I cannot convert my Malaysian Driving license to UK, I will have to take a British Driving license. Have not studied for the theory but did a mock exam on the internet, gosh I got the most horrible results, luckily I did not have to enter my name else they would have banned me on the roads. I got 18 out of 35!. What is a pelican crossing? And which vehicle has blue or green flashing lights? .....errr..... I have no idea even on some of the vocabulary used. Have to get a book to study. This weekend, Phil and I are going to look for a “small”, hopefully already bashed up car so I only need to add minimal damage to it.

The other day when we visited JobSeek to get Phil’s National Insurance Number, there was a sign there which read

“Free box of Ferrera Roche with every CV review”

Chocolates can unfortunately leave you with a bad impression....

Me: Excuse me, can I get my CV reviewed here? (obvious question! ghhees.. I am so smart sometimes huh?)

JobSeek Employer: Yes you can

Me: How do I make an appointment?

JobSeek Employer: Well, do you want to make an appointment now?

Me: err.... No... Actually I just want the box of chocolate...

JobSeek Employer: Speechless and frowns...

He probably black listed me! On a serious note, I do need to update my resume (and get a free box of chocolate). Its been two years since I last worked, I hope I still have it in me to find a job. There are so many job recruitment agencies within a 10 minutes walk from my home. No excuses for procrastinating.

When will this end.....

2006-02-10T00:53:00.000+01:00

Hoping to get cheat my internal clock, I slept at 1 am last night but once again, I awoke at 6am, like the sun faithfully rises in the morning. arrggghhh..........

Feeling tired, I fell asleep from 10am til noon. Now my sleep cycle is really really ~~screwed~~ confused!

So what do I get up to when the rest of England is asleep?...

Lucky for me, my cousin Elaine from Sydney got me the coolest gift ever. At wee hours of the morning, when most British are still snug up in bed, this little baby allows me to talk to my Dad in Malaysia, cousins and aunties in Australia for FREE. It is FREE as long the other party has the system. Its a VoIP phone service. Plug a phone into this baby and then into the router, and call whoever that has the same system for free. Imagine where phone companies will be if EVERYONE had one of these. Even if the person you want to call does not have a Netfone, the calls are much cheaper than using a phone card or your normal home phone.

So my internal clock might have gone hay wire, but nothing will stop me from talking.....

Its just pass midnight, lets see if I can cheat my body clock again. oh Please, please let me sleep til 8am.

Jet Lag

2006-02-07T07:59:00.000+01:00

Its the third morning I have woken up before the sun rises. A task that normally requires a lot of effort on my part. Still trying to adjust to drastic change of 30 degrees in the temperature. Its about 4 degrees outside but at home, its cosy at 23 degrees. From t-shirt, skirts, slippers and shorts to jeans, boots and wool jacket.

More blogging and photos soon to come.........

Here is a sneak preview to the Thailand blog entry...

Anyone up for some insects? they come with sauce for the extra flavour....

yummmmmy......

Still Here

2006-02-06T07:16:00.000+01:00

After walking for an hour around KLIA, Satellite C, I finally found internet connection that works! For best internet signal, one has to sit in front of Burger King. Trust me, I have sat in like 5 different positions before finally finding a cosy place that allows me to read my favourite blogger and to write this entry.

Two days ago, sitting on the floor, I slowly opened my chest of drawers that contained my most precious possessions. Potential theives out there, dont bother planning to rob my house, as my precious belongings are not gold or diamonds or silver - they are cards written by my late Mother. This day is one particularly difficult for me, as I lost my Mummy after her brave struggle with cancer.

As I took out the cards she had so carefully and thoughtfully written, memories of her filled my mind. The first card was one she had written after we had a slight disagreement just months before she passed away. It was sent to my office in Singapore with a few simple words "from someone who loves you very much from the day you were born". Tears streamed down my cheeks as I remember the day I received the card. Today, I search my mind and I could not even vaguely remember what the argument was about. A sense of regret hit me, had I known that I would one day lose her so soon, will strive for more happy memories than those that will cause her pain. The next card was one send to me on my Birthday where she wrote "thank you for letting me pamper you, and thank you for coming home to see me, and thank you for making me happy by saying that my cooking is good". If only I realise how important she was to me, I would have.........

Just before when I was at the immigration, a teenage daughter shouted to her Mum saying "let me live my life! I am old enough to do what I want!" after her Mum so sweetly asked her to wear her cardigan for fear that she might be cold. I felt like whacking her on the head and telling her how lucky she was to HAVE a Mum. But then again, that might have been me when my Mum was alive. Until the day Mummy passed away, I always thought that she was INVINCIBLE! She was always there for me when I was suffering from sickness, nursing a broken heart, stressing out for exams, craving for home cooked food and virtually everything that was important in my life. Losing someone closest to me was like a shock and realisation of how important my loved ones were.

As I read through her other cards, I realise that I never really did lose her. Her memories are still so strong and alive in me. Little things which she used to 'remind' me like switching off the fan and lights or wearing house slippers ( and other countless advices that I so conveniently forget then), is something that I automatically do now. She has implanted little things in my subconscious mind that works like an auto pilot now. So in very many ways, her presence like the cards I so preciously guard with my heart is still here with me.

When the time came for me to write her second anniversary memorial, I sat staring at the computer, dumb folded, lost for words. My brother came up with one that literally took the words out of me........

Better Late then NEVER so....

2006-02-03T15:34:00.000+01:00

HAPPY CHINESE NEW YEAR!!!!

I am home in Malacca now. Sorry for the lack of updates, as I had limited internet connection. I have so many photos to share from the ~~super luxurous backpacking~~ trip.

The next entry I make will be from England......

Short Note from Bangkok....

2006-01-20T18:02:00.000+01:00

A short note from me! I survived our GRADE A PLUS backpacking trip, arriving Bangkok this evening. After leaving our luaguages at my brother's place, we went the "World Music & World Bar-B-Q". Its a little past mid-night and I am all all exhausted.

Uncle Soon, its not cold in Chiang Mai...and Zaibs, will eat insects! Will put up photos on the internet as proof.....

Very tired now..going to Zzzzz.....

Thailand here I come....

2006-01-12T16:19:00.000+01:00

I went to collect my blood test results today and the results were much better than my previous test. My cholestrol level which was 6.6 the last time, dropped to 4.2! (I seriously dont know why, either I have been cycling or it might be because of my new super secret recipe in France) I am in near perfect health, only lack of iron and calcium. So I am all ready to go for my backpacking trip to Thailand this saturday with my Daddy....

Wat cha thinking! Me backpacking???? Yes, I know I know, one look at me you think I did be blown away by the wind. But according to the dictionary, I still qualify as a backpacker, as backpack means having something worn on a person's back to carry camping supplies. And backpacking is to hike while carrying a backpack. Well, I am carrying a knapsack so that's backpacking for me, and camping supplies? well, does shampoo and contact lenses solution classifies as supplies? to stay in a hotel ... ok ok, maybe not but lets go easy for me as this is my first time backpacking.

I am so excited. Its GRADE A backpacking for me as my iBook and iPod travels with me while I attempt to hitch a ride. Ok OK, I got things really easy for a backpacker as I have an unfair advantage of having a brother that lives in Bangkok. Our bus ticket and hotel accomodation has already been booked. huh? told you I am GRADE A backpacker......

Apparently insects are high in calcium, I'll go eat some while I am in Thailand...

back pack
n.
1. A knapsack, often mounted on a lightweight frame, that is worn on a person's back, as to carry camping supplies.
2. A piece of equipment, often containing life-support devices, designed to be used while being carried on the back: a parachute in a backpack; an astronaut's backpack

Wedding

2006-01-07T16:14:00.000+01:00

I had such a great time during the wedding in Malacca. The hours went by so quickly. I thank everyone who were present for making it such a beautiful night for me. Here are some photos to share.

On the day of the wedding dinner, we had the luxury of sleeping in, as we did not have the usual "pick the bride and torture the groom" ceremony. Instead, Phil and I indulge in a quick fix stress releasing method - eating breakfast.

We started around 5pm with the tea ceremony. I had given Phil a brief lesson in the way to call uncles and aunties in Cantonese and Hokkien, he did really well. While Philipe wore a Chinese Traditional costume, I wore an 60 year old "quai" that belonged to my grandmother who used it to serve her in-laws tea every morning for a year. It was such a beautiful and delicate outfit.

8pm and time for the walk in....

Champagne pouring

Phil and Eric playing the guitar with the band

And then time for drinks...

Special thanks to

My bodyguards..

And My Daddy, doesnt he look happy???

Its 2006 and

2006-01-07T11:06:00.000+01:00

I am a BIG girl now because.......(drum rolls)....

There wasnt any light in the room which meant that it was not time to get up but I was wide awake. I had a vague recollection of my dream that this mosquito the size of coca-cola bottle poking me with a big blunt needle.

So this morning, we went to Pathlab, my stomach was growling when we entered as we were not suppose to eat anything before the blood test. We were greeted by 3 very warm and friendly nurses. My Dad made it known to everyone there that I have this unusual habit of fainting after a blood test. Maybe to prepare them for what may come as a few years ago, he and a few nurses had to carry me to an examine table after I faithfully fainted after a blood test.

Looking at the needles and samples of blood on the table, my legs started to feel wobbly. By then, everyone at Pathlab knew about my fainting rituals. The "doctor" who happens to be one of my Dad's friend, seeing my plight came to my aide and started talking about England. I was calmed for a minute or two. Our small talk came to an abrupt end when the Malay male nurse pulled a needle that seems to be gigantic, partly caused by my huge needle mosquito dream. I watch slowly as the room started to turn like the way water flowed down a flushing toilet bowl, and my lungs felt that it needed more oxygen. The "doctor" notioned to one of the 3 very warm nurses who greeted us at the entrance to help hold me down. Dad came to my rescue by saying some calming words which I apparently did not hear, as darkness was slowly seeping in. I remember someone asking if I wanted to look which at that point of time I knew if I did, I would have fainted. For a second or two, I was in my very own fairy-tale world of darkness and the next thing I knew the needle was out. My only recollection was the nurse saying "just think of what food you are going to eat after this", she probably heard my growling stomach despite my agony!

So, I self concluded that I did not faint. Ok, I admit that I did feel moments of unconciousness but it was like a split or a mini micro second, not enough to classify as a faint.

WOO HOOO.... hey that's one big step for a fainting girl!

Blood test results will be out in a few days.......

2006....

2006-01-05T15:19:00.000+01:00

HAPPY 2006 EVERYONE...

My new year's resolution - try not to be so clumsy....

Well more like "wai sek" (glutton in English)... Daddy and I had just finished eating Chicken Rice for lunch when I walked out of the restaurant and looked, ok more like stared at this man enjoying his drumstick. Then out of no where, a step appeared which cause me to fall to the ground with a

sprained ankle

ouch...

The pain was so excruciating that I fainted in the car. There is more than one way to make me faint. I had been saving up my "faints" for my yearly blood test, which happens to be my

New Year's Resolution Number 2 - Not to Faint....

Ever since, Mum was diagnosed with cancer, Daddy and I have been going for our yearly blood test. The procedure is quite standard, we walk into Pathlab, wait for my turn, sit down, needles goes into the skin, blood spurts out everywhere because of my nervousness and I faint. Its as easy as that.

anniversary...

2005-11-29T05:47:00.000+01:00

Philippe and I celebrate our ONE year anniversary on the 20th. Before I got married, I had this all romantic idea of our first's year anniversary to be in a romantic alfresco dinning setting under the moonlight with candles on the table (but no buzzing mosquitoes to bite your legs since it is my dream and i can dream whatever I like), sweet wine, foie gras and maybe this guy who appears out of nowhere to play the violin and instantly dissapears when you have had enough him playing.

Instead the totally opposite happened, well at least I did not have to worry about any mosquitoes infesting my legs as it was a freezing minus 2 on the day of our anniversary so anything eaten alfresco style will be instantly frozen. I stuck my head out of our front door and mist started coming our my nose when I breathe, reminding me that I was in a cartoon character that breath out smoke when he was angry. Phil and I have had a hard day from unpacking the remaining boxes and our guests from Paris has just left a few hours earlier.

Had I been younger, I probably insisted on Phil bringing me somewhere. Being a bit more sensible and realising how exhausted we both were, I forego living out my all so romantic dream, and cooked some special anniversary oriental fried rice. Dinner in a less romantic setting of our dinning room ended up with lots of laughter and somehow in our busy madness I forget what a comedian my husband can be at times. I guess life will never turn out the way one expects it, just have to learn to make the best of things. My dreams will have to take a rain check for next anniversary.....

The COLD.....

2005-11-26T20:44:00.000+01:00

When Phil and I left to buy a computer table earlier this evening at 4.30 pm, the sky was completely dark and it was one degree. As usual I bundled myself up like a polar bear with layers of clothes which restricted my movement. No matter how many layers I wear, its never warm enough.

When I left Australia in 2001 for sunny Malaysia/Singapore, I left my winter clothes behind, vowing that I will never again suffer in cold winter months. I spend 8 years in Australia, never once looked twice at an Australian man, so I thought that being in Asia where there are less European, American or Australian, the chances of me ending up in one of those cold countries will be like winning a lottery. The lesson I learned is that, I never know what life holds for me. When I was not looking or searching for love, Phil popped into my life and here I am in freezing my ass in UK.

The feeling of home sick slowly takes me over, I miss the warm weather. Phil and I went for lunch at a Chinese All you can eat Buffet this afternoon. He sense that I was missing home, being moved around so frequently has slightly put me off balance. I longed for some sense of stability, some sense of familiarity. Being in UK is much easier in terms of language than being in France, but cultural shock still remains the same. I struggle like an 80 year old, half blinded lady when I eventually have to use my coins or risk breaking my wallet. Simple things like identifying the correct coins itself was tiresome, yet alone trying to understand certain terms and slang being used. and did I mentioned that it was COLD here?????!!!!

So I am so relieved that....

I will leaving for HOME in Malaysia this wednesday. I arrive Malaysia the following tuesday. Yes! I know, it will take me a little less than a week to reach home. Wednesday we leave for Paris spending three nights at Novotel Hotel, where I first stayed when I was on business in Paris two years ago, then on Saturday I fly to Bangkok to see my brother for some nice massage and real authentic Thai food, and leave for Malaysia the following tuesday afternoon. Its a long long journey but I am so EXCITED!! Let me just feel the heat of the sun on my skin, eat what the British and French will term as unhygienic Pasar Malam food and walk around in shorts. The sun will still be shining brightly at 4.30pm in Malaysia!!!

Sneaky Sneaky Phil...

2005-11-17T12:31:00.000+01:00

I realised that my blog entries has been less and less. Sorry people I know how frustrated it is to come in here and the same post as you have read appeared again... anyways here is one...

Sneaky, sneaky Phil.......

Sometime last week....
Phil has been sneaking off during lunch, before work and after work. Where he goes, puzzles me. Then one night we sat in the kitchen, he drinking his whisky and me drinking my last few glasses of muscatel from my Father-in-law. Then he got out a little box, about the size of a cassette. You cant find cassettes much these days but if you are as old as me, you will remember how big they are. Anyways, so he takes out this box and asked me to guess what's in it. I have been eye-ing on an Ipod Nano for a while now, anyone who has spent time near me had to be either blind or deaf not to realise how desperately I ~~needed~~ wanted one. So I very slowly and carefully peel away the tape and the wrapper, and guess what I found???? I have been wanting the ipod so much but was clueless on how it was packaged. Behind a thin flimsy plastic cover I found this...

I know I know! I was so EXCITED, I thought it was an IPOD NANO, until I took it out and it folded into half. My heart skipped a beat, "shit I broke the Ipod even before using it!!!"

in my excitement, I failed to read the box,

Its the protection silicone case for the Ipod Nano....

Phil realises my dissapointment "oh.. they said the Ipod will be in there, let me have a look" still confused I handled him the folded 'what I thoght was my broken Ipod'. He walks away. Later on after when I was much calmer I was thinking if Philippe took acting classes? Cause he was so convincing that I would have given him an Emmy awards if he was an actor.

He returned with another gift in hand, I was too excited and just tore away the wrapper like a 5 year old kid getting her Christmas present. This time it was the official IPOD box and I thought, yes finally my gift!! opened the box and found this

What is this???? I have been so consumed in my IPOD that I forgot that it needs a docking station. Before I could say anything, Phil handed me another gift.

And it was my new baby....

Apple iPod nano - 4GB White

Phil has been going around looking for Ipod Nano however they were out of stock so he had to go a lot of stores before finding me one....aw.... he is SO SWEET!!!

Weather Report: Its been so cold in UK!!! So cold that I freeze like a lounge room lizard when we are outside. The only thing to that keeps me moving is the thought that in just TWO weeks I will be in warm warm Malaysia again...oh give me the Chow Kuay Teows, Satay, Nasi Lemak!!!!!

A Simple Gesture....

2005-11-15T17:04:00.000+01:00

AmyCres ...

A simple gesture yet you managed to touched the hearts of my in-laws.

I remember the day we first met in Uni like it was just yesterday. There you were my first friend at Monash, sitting silently by yourself. And I introduced myself asking if you wanted to join me for lunch. Our friendship lasted through those trying years, copying assignments off each other, exploring Melbourne City trying our best not to get lost, discovering some "very interesting movies" together, I remember panicking when we realise you got lost along with our other friends hiking at Grampians....there you were always a friend to rely on. Before we knew it, Uni days were over and we ended up in Singapore where we both started our careers. Our busy schedules took a toll to our friendship and we grew apart in some ways yet each time we meet the gossips just flowed. You patiently watched me changed boyfriends after boyfriends while I kept asking when you were going to get one. I ended up marrying a French man.

And you joined my new family for Christmas last year.

When I first told you that my Father in law had cancer, you asked me for their address. Little did I know that there you were planning to write a letter in French to them. My Mother-in-law upon reading your letter, was touched by the words you so carefully and thoughtfully wrote for them. Tears flowed down her cheeks as she opened your present.

My dear friend, I thank you for your simple gesture of kindness. After about 2 weeks of exams in the hospitals, the Doctors found out that what my FIL had was a very rare case of Lung Infection and was not cancerous. In times when their hopes were low, it was assuring to know that there is someone out there who entered their house as a total stranger but left leaving them with beautiful memories to cherish and who cared so much.

GuItaR lEsSoNs

2005-11-15T00:39:00.000+01:00

Short update.. I am alive! I am alive!! thank you to those that sent me e-mails asking if I am ok, I am really fine as we are in UK, not in the middle of riots in France. Lucky huh? cos knowing me I will probably end up being torched or joining the riots....wah.. nah you wouldnt believe I would do such a thing....

The past week just zap pass, and it was over before I knew it. I have so much to tell yet cant find the pRoPeR words to express things, my brains are a bit knotted and tangled up like a pile of messy strings knotted together. I want to write HELL A LOT OF THINGS but my fingers are sore from attempting to make some sort of musical tune from the guitar. Phil has been giving me guitar lessons, I have self inherited ~~one~~ two of his acoustic guitars since I am currently in this “guitar learning phrase” which I honestly tell you I don’t know how long this new found interest will last but for the moment lets say Phil is very happy to teach and I am an eager suffering student. I want to see how long I am able to silently torture myself trying to play the notes, twisting my hands and fingers in positions that I never thought it can bend. Phil says that his teacher used to force him to play til his fingers bleed. Luck is on my side as I am Phil's wife and making me do such a thing will be terminal for my teacher as he will not get any dinner if my fingers are not useable. As of the moment, I still cant play a recognisable tune, but then again I am tone deaf. I am dead serious, after taking organ lessons for what felt like a decade, I cant play the organ, nor can I tell the difference between an E or a G note. WISH me plenty of luck, I will keep you all updated on my progress.....

Moving House

2005-11-07T15:35:00.000+01:00

So sorry for the temporaly absence....Phil and I just moved into our new home in UK. You know Murphy's Law = If anything can go wrong, it will go wrong... I feel as if all our furniture have been in the washing machine, tumbled dried and back into the washing machine again. The so called "Prestige Moving" that we got was harldy anything close to what it is called.

On the day of the moving, we had 3 guys coming into pack, no after we opened the boxes, pack is too nice of a word to use, more like stuffing things into boxes. Phil and I thought we could trust them as after all they are the pro, the experts in packing, so we both busied ourselves packing our own belongings trusting them to pack the rest.

When it comes to "Prestige" as explain by the receptionist from the moving company, you will not have to worry about packing or unpacking your belongings and you will have the sense of never having to have left home.....

HUH????

If ever Phil is retrenched there is another occupation waiting for him, Mover. When our furniture arrived at our new home, only 2 French guys came to unpack, and one was 63 years old and he was sick. And how could we have the heart to ask a sick man, who is as old as my own father to carry things when he is sick.....So he was left to wonder around the house, streets, Phil kindly offered our bed and pillow to sleep in, I was shocked but aiyah...what to do got a kind husband, so I quietly changed the sheets before we went to bed.

So Phil and this other mover, called Faysad moved everything in the morning and attempted to assemble the bigger furniture. I provided support by cooking porridge for the sick "uncle", providing them meals, water, and carry boxes that were 1/5 my weight.

After the movers left, we had a chance to open the boxes, to our horror the boxes were stuffed the way a chicken will be stuffed. We ended up opening all the boxes and slept at 3am, just t

This is what we found when we unpacked.

-Phil's printer was found underneath his boots without any paper in between or bubble wrap (what's it doing in the same box anyways???? computer equiptments and boots are not in the same category, hey even the casher in Tesco knows how to sort between food and toilet products) , and

-we have two standing lamps that are no longer standing,

-a cupboard that no longer holds clothes, its having a hard time enough holding itself,

-scratches, scratches and more scatches on our Speakers, Playstation, Phil's Bass guitar, cupboards......(the list goes on and on)

We have photos to prove, will put it up once I find the wires for the camera.

This is Prestige moving, I wonder what would have happened if we had Standard moving? Drive the truck to UK????.....

xoxoxoxox

The 1st of November

2005-11-01T16:00:00.000+01:00

is the 305th day of the year, with 60 days remaining for 2005
is Deepavali, the Festival of Light
is La Toussaint or All Saints Day, National Holiday for France!! Yippieee....

ah.. but none of that is important, I tell you what is important.....

is my Daddy's Birthday, and he turns 60!

Daddy Daddy Daddy,

Do you remember the time when I wanted to make coffee for you? I put the kettle on the gas stove, only to find out 5 minutes later when the whole house smelled of burned plastic that I accidently put the electric kettle on the gas stove....

and of course how can we forget the time when

I volunteered to cut the price tag off your new shoes and accidently cut your shoelaces instead.....

hah! yes if raising me was hard enough...

then I decided to marry a French man whom you had difficulties understanding but respected my decision and let me have my way.....

You so patiently taught him how to wear the

Sarong

while he taught you to eat that Smelly Roting French Cheese...

Roquefort

Somehow despite the differences in culture we all got along...

and then you had to keep up with our sillyness....

So on this day we not only want to wish you a very

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!

but also to give you the award for.....

Confused at Konfusius

2005-10-30T22:58:00.000+01:00

I dont know when I will ever learn my lesson. Each time I see an Asian, I automatically assume that they speak some sort of Chinese. We ended up in this Thai Restaurant when Phil's friends actually wanted to bring us to a Chinese Restaurant. The interior reminded me very much of the Bangkok that I have grown to love, as a result of my yearly visits to my brother. Even the waiters were Asian and once again I innocently assume they spoke Thai.
Me said "Sawadikup" as the waiter gave us our menus..... and blink blink from the waiter with pierced earrings in both ears....ignoring me, probably thinking I was just mumbling and continued his "the blah the blah" in french and walked away. Me still excited from the fact that all the waiters looked Thai and determined to find one that I could test my Thai on and tried another waiter "Khop Khun Kha" said me when another waiter brought us our drinks, once again more blank looks from the waiter and off he went. When when oh when will I ever learn my lesson. Silly me... its like walking into a Japanese Restaurant in Malaysia and expecting them to speak Japanese...

To the French, the restaurant was reasonably priced but if anyone of you have been to Bangkok will know that our 4 person dinner which cost us 5000 baht will go a long long long way with plenty of meals, massages & Tukx 2 rides in Bangkok. Its our last week in France and we ended up in a Thai Restaurant. I am not complaining but I am wondering maybe I should be stuffing myself crazy with foie gras, roquefort cheese and bordeaux wines.

Come to France, Free Education!!

2005-10-30T00:19:00.000+02:00

Its been 5 years since I was a student. I forgot how life was being a student until one of the friends I met in Language school called me up to visit her in her new apartment (well its actually a room, rent in Paris is crazy). My friend is from China, and for those who know me, you will know that to speak to me in Mandarin, you have to be prepared to speak to me like a 5 year old because that is all the vocabulary I possess.

I finally understand "where" part of Phil's hard earn tax goes to. I always thought the reason the tax are so high is because Paris needs the $$ to clean some Louise the XXX statue or the Eiffel tower or its numerous museums. But get this... International Students in France not only get FREE education if they are in University but also get housing allowance from the government. wah! not bad huh? I remember back in Australia, International Students had to pay more than AUD 10000 a year for tuition fees plus their own accommodation.

Yes yes... come to France, come here to study, after all it's free and the government gives you money to cover at least half of your accommodation. I know I should be complaining because Phil's tax goes into funding these students but what the heck, we are leaving France anyways. I dont know of another country in the world who is so benevolent towards foreign students and extorts money from its citizens to fund them.

nothing much...

2005-10-28T13:43:00.000+02:00

I have been back in Paris for nearly a week now. With so many things going on at the same time, I forgotten the existence of my blog, hence the lack of updates. ok, I am lying. By the time I find the time to sit infront of the computer to write, I am all exhausted from the day and just want to Zzzzzz......

The house is in a complete mess, I wished I had my camera with me so you can see how I have been tackfully dogging boxes, twisting my body in weird positions so I can get from one room to the other without hitting the boxes. Phil's father has been going for medical exams in Paris. They will be coming over for dinner tonight, I will have to teach them to dodge boxes too.

The proffesional movers are coming in next tuesday to proffesionally pack stuff. I have packed most of my clothes. I feel funny about having strangers touch my clothes... no offence, I am sure the movers are clean and wash their hands but urrggghhh....dun wan le.... I just feel funny weird cos I dont know what they have been up to..you know you know.. gosh.. when did I start getting this way? I think I am starting to be paranoid....Helpppppppp.......

Wrongly Insured.

2005-10-25T09:40:00.000+02:00

Philippe received a letter from his insurance company. The letter was in French, and according to Phil, it accused him of trying to deceive the insurance company. He has "illegally" included a child who is over 21 in his insurance company. Reading further on, it had my name as the Child.

They thought I was Phil's daughter!!!

Spend a Penny

2005-10-22T00:32:00.000+02:00

My aunty excuses herself politely from the table saying "Excuse me, I have to go spend a penny"... Before I could asked her "What are you buying?" She leaves the room leaving me with my cousin and uncle on the dining table. Puzzled I was tempted to follow her to see "where" she was going to spend her penny. We were in my aunt's house and I did not think she was leaving the house to go to the shops, else she would have told us.

I am sure glad I did not ask what she was buying or followed her as I later learned;

spend a penny Vrb phrs. To urinate, to go to the lavatory. A euphemism derived from a fee charged in public toilets, albeit usually only in the women's; the saying is based on a pre-inflatatory figure. {Informal}.

Notting Hill

2005-10-20T14:18:00.000+02:00

The day after we discovered about Phil's father, we decided that there was really nothing much we could do but things to cheer us up. So we took the train to London and ended up in Notting Hill. We had not a slightest clue as to where to begin at Notting Hill apart from wanting to search for sites where the movie was filmed. And we walked up and down the streets, looking for the blue door that Hugh Grant and Julie Roberts made it famous. No blue door to be found as we later learn from a bookstore owner that it was no longer there. ??? The house which belonged to the writer of Notting Hill, Richard Curtis auctioned off the door at a charity and it is now on some rich man's yatch.

When our legs could not carry us any further, we stopped at a bus stop. Our next destination was Kensington South, to see the Science Museum. It was only two stops by the tube but we thought we did be a bit more adventurous by taking the bus. So on the bus we went, not knowing how Kensington looks like, thus not knowing where to stop. The bus went through the busy streets of London, as we asked a man if Kensington was near, he answered not yet, a while more. I took a sit in the middle of the bus just behind the doors where passangers exited the bus. And Phil stood at the doors of the bus. As the bus went on its journey, it picked up more passangers. It was funny seeing Phil being push around like a ball in a pinball machine by the people going in and out of the bus and the opening and the closing of the doors. As I was laughing at him, this fat lady stands in front of me, almost nearly pushing her breast into my face, towering over me and before I knew it, the fat lady's friend shouted "Get up, she is pregnant".... She shocked me into standing up and I gave my sit to the fat lady, well according to her rude friend is not fat but pregnant. I stood beside Phil as as the bus was filled with people I shouted, "English people are all so fat, I could not tell she was pregnant", turned around and saw Fat or rather pregnant lady's friend staring at me, and so was the other people on the bus. Oppss.. I have to remember that I am no longer in France and that people here understand English.

Discovery

2005-10-17T17:39:00.000+02:00

Tears streamed down my cheeks when Phil broke the news to me. I know how he felt, I know how much hurt he must be going through. For I went through it myself two years ago with my Mum. Suddenly nothing mattered, the rent I had been fussing about all week, the stress of how we were to pack our fragile items so they will not break, the headached as I try to figure out how to arrange our furniture in our new home, nothing seems important anymore - suddenly life seems so fragile. My mind raced back to the time we were in my in-laws place, how my father-in-law was so proud that I have learn to love one of his favourite drinks, Muscatel, which he so carefully packed a bottle for me to bring home; or the time when he laughed so hard when I found out that Preservative in French was actually condoms as I pointed to a bottle of cumber that was preserved; and the time he so sweetly took care of my friend who visited us from Singapore for Christmas as his home. I felt numb, I felt helpless not knowing what to say to Phil to make him feel better.

Knowing that Phil's father's cancer had relapsed, this time in both his lungs reminded me of when my Mum had cancer. Life is so fragile. Phil and I will have to learn to cope, like the way I learn to cope when we first discovered Mum had cancer.

And I wonder why people have arguments and disagreements as when we leave this world, all we leave behind is memories for our loved ones.

Slight Disagreement

2005-10-11T12:43:00.000+02:00

Phil and I have got very different concept of moving. I am like a semi-pro in moving, having moved many times in a country and to different countries that it no longer bothers me. I am not an organised mover but hey what? things worked our fine for me, I still managed to move. Sometimes you just have to have a bit of faith, luck and trust the one above you that things will eventually work out itself. This seems like a totally new concept to Phil as he has never moved anywhere else apart from France and his 15 years of working in a Project Management company has certainly sharpen his organising and risk management skills until the point that it has affected our 'well planned life'.

We have the luxury of travelling back and forth from UK to France as it is a relatively short distance, but if we were to move from one continent to another, it will mean giving up our apartment before we find one, having our furnitures in "storage", and not being able to pack "guitars", "vase" along with sentimental personal belongings into our car. Cause that's what moving is all about. Some how a sudden trust developes with the people who are moving our furniture, when a hell lot of money is paid for things like "insurance" to make sure that our belongings are in order when they arrive at their destination. Phil takes none of these in and it would be nice if he listens to someone who has actually moved to a different country instead of consulting a friend of ours who has only really moved within Paris and has no intentions on moving to another country or in fact experience the whole ordeal of moving. The facts are that we have have told the movers that we want to move on the 3rd of November and there is no point keeping our aparment in Paris after that as "we will not be there", it will be like, no it is paying empty rent. And that we should have sent a letter to our land lord in Paris, last week saying that we would like to move as you need a month's notice. His friend's advice which Phil decided to follow was only to send the letter to the landlord once we have signed the lease for the house in UK, which is at the end of this month. How smart to be advising us to pay an additional 3 weeks rent when no one will be staying in the apartment.

After a long night of discussion, I have decided it is time to hold up my tiny white flag, in show of defeat as I have given up trying to explain it all to Phil, so I am letting him handle the move - althought I can assure you that it will take twice the effort on our side and double the cost!

Wedding Annivesaries List

2005-10-10T11:07:00.000+02:00

This is what happens when I am down with flu.....

WY: "Darling, make sure you live up to 102, I want a diamond for my 60th wedding anniversary"
Phil: "huh????"

Now.. whoever that came up with this Wedding Anniversay List dont expect to go by it do they?
Must have been a guy who wrote it cause no decent wife will accept Paper for her first year or cotton for her second year anniversary. The Modern anniversary list isnt much better, to give a clock? In Asian Tradition its bad luck or in relation to a funeral. If wifes wrote the list it will be much simplier
1 year to 100th year = Diamonds, 1 carrot bigger each year.

I am only doing all these research cause Phil and I celebrate our one year anniversary next month. Time passes huh?

	Tradition	Modern
1st	Paper	Clocks
2nd	Cotton	China
3rd	Leather	Crystal, Glass
4th	Linen (Silk)	Appliances
5th	Wood	Silverware
6th	Iron	Wood objects
7th	Wool (Copper)	Desk sets
8th	Bronze	Linens, Lace
9th	Pottery (China)	Leather goods
10th	Tin, Aluminum	Diamond
11th	Steel	Fashion jewelry
12th	Silk	Pearls, Colored gems
13th	Lace	Textiles, Furs
14th	Ivory	Gold jewelry
15th	Crystal	Watches
16th		Silver holloware
17th		Furniture
18th		Porcelain
19th		Bronze
20th	China	Platinum
21st		Brass, Nickel
22nd		Copper
23rd		Silver plate
24th		Musical instruments
25th	Silver	Sterling silver
26th		Original pictures
27th		Sculpture
28th		Orchids
29th		New furniture
30th	Pearl	Diamond
31st		Timepieces
32nd		Conveyances (e.g., automobiles)
33rd		Amethyst
34th		Opal
35th	Coral (Jade)	Jade
36th		Bone china
37th		Alabaster
38th		Beryl, Tourmaline
39th		Lace
40th	Ruby	Ruby
41st		Land
42nd		Improved real estate
43rd		Travel
44th		Groceries
45th	Sapphire	Sapphire
46th		Original poetry tribute
47th		Books
48th		Optical goods (e.g., telescope, microscope)
49th		Luxuries, any kind
50th	Gold	Gold
55th	Emerald	Emerald
60th	Diamond	Diamond
75th	diamonds, diamondlike stones, gold
80th		Diamond, Pearl
85th		Diamond, Sapphire
90th		Diamond, Emerald
95th		Diamond, Ruby
100th		10-carat Diamond

Home sweet home...

2005-10-06T11:44:00.000+02:00

Hmm.. I have not gotten much into a "Discovery Mode" lately. Which is pretty unusual and so unlike me as I should be keen to explore London. Instead I am just happy being at home with the heater on, looking at the window, watching the weather go from sunny to cloudy to rainy back to sunny again, and reading "Memoirs of A Geisha". I really really really should get off my bum and discover London. Maybe next week. I bought too many magazines to read. Ok I lied, I bought the Magazines because it comes with freebies, like a free bag (oh I want the bag), or a free belt (oh I want the belt), a free diary (oh I want the diary)... and end up with a whole lot of magazines that comes with the freebies.... ok It should be the other way around.. but what the heck, I got free magazines to read....plus I have this sore throat and dry cough that have been bugging me for the past two days now, its like the start to a flu. Drink more water? I am partically drowning myself with water that I feel I am going to dilute into water, it that is ever possible...

ok.. I am going back to reading my "Memoirs of a Geisha"

Phil's new girlfriend

2005-10-03T09:48:00.000+02:00

Filled with jealousy, I eyed Philippe's new Jane like a green eye monster everytime she talks. Well, I have to admit she is so smart, knows all the roads and how to get to places. Cant blame me for being jealous can you?

Phil's got a new girlfriend, her name in Jane and she goes everywhere with us, in the car, into the shops (although Phil left her in the car the other day cos I got tired of having her around all the time), at home.... well, I did say everywhere didn't I?. She is British and has a lovely voice but the down side is that she loves to talk, I am serious, she just talks talks talks talks talks, even when we are ignoring her, she just talks talks talks talks. She talks even more when Phil touches her.

I got a photo of Jane... you wanna see what Jane looks like?

Say Hello to Jane...

And Phil's new lover is called Tom x 2...

Tomtom is our new portable GPS car navigation system...

Everything is Beautiful

2005-10-01T22:36:00.000+02:00

Short updates...

Girl's night out. Phil's colleague's wife, which we seem to click the moment we met, studies in University. So when the opportunity came to go to an Orientation Party, we jumped at it. It was so sweet of Phil to tell me to go ahead and enjoy myself. It was not a difficult task as I always manage to enjoy myself whatever I do, that is if I dont end up getting lost or into trouble. My initial guilt of leaving 'the boys' home to babysit Phil's colleague's two kids, sliped away as we walked into the crowded Union Building. I tell you being with Uni kids made me feel so young and and and and so filled with energy.... until the next morning.....

The results was a very tired but happy wife who went to view a house for rent first thing this morning. I am not sure if my tireness affected my judgement, as I fell in love at first sight with the house. Initially reading the description of the house, I was not keen on viewing the house, aiyoh 3 storeys le - too many stairs to climb, too much cleaning to do, and miss blur pot (yes that is me) will probably stumble and fall on the steps.... But the moment we walked into the 19th Century Victorian house, I decided that the steps and cleaning will keep me fit and I will climb the stairs with two hands held to the railings. Seriously, I did not think it will be this easy to like and find a house. I was expecting to go see 10, 20 maybe 39 houses, driving Phil nuts, before finding "the one". Not the first house we see. Hmm.. maybe I am happy, that's why things seems prettier....

Eurotunnel

2005-09-29T10:39:00.000+02:00

I am learning to multitask - professional couch potato and blogging is no easy task, dun play play ah....

I was so excited to take the eurotunnel across to England, ok I admit I was ~~very~~ a bit afraid as I am clausterphobic. The 20 minute smooth journey across took 15000 workers 7 years to dig the 50 kms tunnel, of which 39 kms are 45 meters underneath the sea. (I know I know, I am starting to LOVE numbers!)

Taking the Eurotunnel to England is a lot easier that taking the plane. You can bring more than 20 kilos along with your car (with hidden fishes), no custom (or bomb) checks, no need to remove your shoes and put it in the x-ray and ~~you can sleep along the way,~~ watch the sceneries along the way.

The cars entering the "rail wagons". The huge containers that are joined together.

Driving in the "rail wagon"

We stop and the doors to the wagon closes. So if the wagon catches fire, only people in the wagon dies, along with their illegal fishes.
Lots of room around the wagon, not enough "little spaces" to feel clausterphobic. I was looking out for the official border between France and the United Kingdom as it is a painted line roughly halfway through the tunnel but I fell asleep...ZZzzzzz......British immigration authorities added sophisticated listening and imaging to stop illegal imigrants by using hi-tech equipment to hear the heartbeats or sense the breathing of such stowaways. "Harlo officers... did you hear that "gulp, gulp from my fishes?".

20 minutes and a nap later, we arrived England. The doors open and off we go. French cars are reminded to drive on the left. That's when the fun starts!

Incredible Phone Cards!

2005-09-27T11:11:00.000+02:00

Phone card for 5 pounds, talk time of 5000 minutes to Malaysia. That is is 83 hours! Equivalent to 3 1/4 days of talk time. oh mi gosh...how do they do it?

Sky TV has 900 over channels (with duplicates in some) including, Indian, Chinese, French and some other languages I cant even figure out.

My new occupation : Professional Couch Potato...

Little comforts in life

2005-09-25T21:55:00.000+02:00

INTERNET! I am so happy the wireless internet connection in our apartment works. We arrived at our new home at 4.30pm, fishes are alive - all 3 of them! I am so happy to be in UK, I can order food in a restaurant without having to repeat myself twice, I can watch English channels, I can buy magazines and understand what I am reading, I can even read the ingredients on a milk bottle, ok ok why would I want to read the ingredients on a milk bottle? hah! but I can if I wanted to.... yippieeeee..........

We are going to England....

2005-09-24T17:36:00.000+02:00

We are all packed, ready for tomorrow. Dont know what I am feeling, dont know how to feel. oh.. how I have grown so attached and love this small 'ville' we live in, Bretigny Sur Orge. I will miss the familiar faces, of the people at the little bakery just downstairs our apartment that gives out the smell of lovely fresh bread in the mornings, the manager in the small minimart 20 meters from home who greets us with a big smile each time we enter, the man who sells us tickets in the cinema who secretly wonders why I watch french movies when I dont fully understand. I will miss the familiarities in my short stay here.... but boy oh boy.. I look forward to being able to buy magazines at the bookshop, to go and cinemas in English, to shop and understand things I am about to purchase.......... wah! English! England...here I come...

The next time we come back to France, will be to pack our belongings to be moved to England. A new life, a new adventure...........

A Fishy Story

2005-09-23T10:55:00.000+02:00

I felt that somehow I had to blog about my 3 goldfishes cos I dont know if they will be alive by Sunday night. Never been lucky with fishes. Bare with me while I recount my fishy tales. It all started with my Uni friend getting a pair of goldfishes in Melbourne. I wanted one too and got a pair. They survived for 8 months under my care (what care??) until that summer I had to go home to Malaysia for my holidays. So my brother was fish caring for me while I was away. Gold fishes decided that it was time to go to fish heaven as they have had enough of the hot weather - 44 degrees, near the window with the sunlight. And that was that. Back home in Malaysia, I bought another 2 goldfishes, only to have them join my other fishes in fish heaven before my 3 months summer holiday was up. Cause of death? I fed them a piece of bread and their skin started bleeding after that. Hey.. I was trying to be nice, I thought that the fishes would like a change in their diet from their normal boring fish food - apparently not.

Next summer, Mummy brought a mix of 10 fishes, 4 different variety and different sizes. It was fun watching the fishes chase each other, like watching "Survivors" in a fish tank. One by one the fishes went to fish heaven until one sole remainder, he was the fittest, the toughest of them all - the Survivor!

Not happy that I dont own any fishes, I bought 10 guppies - they supposedly are the "most endurance" fish one can have. Then again, under my care (what care??) only two survived. When the time came for me to leave for Singapore to work, Daddy decided that Mum's Survivor fish should make friends with my 2 surviving guppies, by this time Survivor fish had doubled its size, huge compared to my tiny guppies. So they were transferred into the same tank. Mummy called a week later
"err.. there is only one of your fishes left in the tank, I cant find the other one"
"what happened to the other one? Its so tiny, check under the rocks or maybe it fell out of the tank when Daddy was changing the water?"
"hmm... your remaining fish is hiding underneath the rocks. My fish has certainly shitted a lot lately"
Mummy's Survivor fish ate my guppy! A few days, there went my other guppy too, into the Survivor fish's stomach. What a way to get to fish heaven. Mummy's fish then grew so big that it was no longer swimming in the tank, more like floating.

I never gotten over my fishes, so Phil got me 3 gold fishes when I came to France. Well 4 but lets not be reminded of unhappy stories. This Sunday, my fishes are going to make the 475km drive from France to UK in their fish tank...
"Philippe, dont they need to get some medical certificate? You know Papa's dog had to go for a medical exam when they brought him to UK"
"Dogs run around, they might infect people, our fishes are never going to leave the tank"
"But what if the customs stop us?"
"Over some goldfishes?"
"Yeah, what if they need a GOLD fish passport? you know I dont want to go to jail for illegal immigrants..."
So if I dont blog in UK, you know that I am behind bars because of my goldfishes. The sacrifices we do for our fishy.....

Just my thoughts...Part 2...

2005-09-21T13:33:00.000+02:00

This entry is dedicated to someone very special and dear to me. I hope reading about Philippe and my life will give you some light in yours. Philippe and I will always be here for you......I am sorry if the rest dont understand the meaning...

Philippe recorded a CD for me two Christmas ago. Recorded as in him composing, playing and recording the songs using his guitar and whole mix of hi tech sophiticated equiptments. So sophisticated that I dont even know where or how to began writing about it. There were some parts which he spoke in French. Of course when I first heard the CD, I had no idea what it meant. I remember listening to it so many times in the past and wondering what he was saying. Each time I ask Phil, he would say I will one day understand it. Since Phil and I had gotten married, the CD was kept in the furniture. I am now with him, and therefore did not need a CD recording of him to remind me of him.

While I was packing our belongings, I stumbled upon the CD and decided to listen to it. It was like a sudden enlightenment as if I found the answer to the reason we are on earth. I finally understood his message. Two years ago, we had no plans of getting married and certainly not when he compiled the CD, but there he was telling me in his recordings that he hope we will spend the rest of our lifes together and have children. Its such a funny feeling hearing this now because we are now living out our life that was only once a dream before. It makes me appreciate being with him more, appreciate being here in France. It reminded me of all the long distance phone calls, the times we shared over the phone, longing to be together. And yet, when we are, I forget and take things for granted that it was such a fight for us to be together. Sometimes we forget how important the people closes to us are as we see them daily. If this is what we have dreamt for, longed for and hoped for....let's take a bit of effort, a bit of self sacrifice to make it work. Life is build on dreams, when the dream comes true, we move on and make new ones. Just dont forget your dreams and to keep on dreaming....

But what?

2005-09-17T19:07:00.000+02:00

Last week we went to see the wine cellars at BUT. I know it is a weird name, But is a store that sells everything from furniture to electronic goods. When Phil first told me about the store last year
P: "we are going but..."
WY: "but what?".. (thinking that he did not finish his sentence)
P: "going but"
WY: "yeah I know we are going, but what?"
P: "huh what what?"
WY: "I dont know what what?"

Welcome to living life as a multicultural couple.

Phil has been bugging me for a wine cellar for weeks now. This is the way our couple works, although he earns the money, we both decide and agree on the financials. Yes, yes, I very often break the rule when I go on my shopping spree, but that's another story altogether.
And I asked, "Why wine cellar? cannot put in the fridge ah?" and Phil replies "Wine must be kept in the right temperature for the right taste"...oh yes, I remember the cultural shock he suffered when he saw ice being drunk with wine in Malaysia. For me, Wine is wine like coke is coke, and orange juice is orange juice - I cant tell the difference. My dear frenchie husband uses his huge frenchie nose (big as compared to Asian standards, shit -now dont go staring at his nose the next time you see him) and a sip of wine and he can tell if it is good wine or not.

So, last week, I told Phil that we will get a wine cellar if we could find one half the price, a task which I thought was almost impossible - so I thought. If there was a "Wine God", he must have been listening to Phil's prayers. Yesterday, as we entered BUT again, Mr. Wine God decided that Phil should get his wine cellar. The model that Phil had been eyeing on was on half price! Talk about coincidence.

Yes, a wife has to honour her words and now we have a wine cellar nicely positioned in the dinning room, waiting for its new home in UK. I wonder if I can defrost some frozen chicken in it....

iPod Nano...

2005-09-16T13:47:00.000+02:00

Meet the new iPod nano.....Oh mi gosh.. Apple, apple, apple has shrunk it again. Look how tiny it is? this little baby can store between 500 to 1000 songs and has 14 hours of play time. I can imagine iPod nano being best buddies with my iBook.

Dear hubby, yes Philippe that is you.. if you are reading this...Christmas quite near le. oh! wedding anniversary even nearer... Have I told you I LOVE YOU lately???!!!

Broken Flowers...

2005-09-15T10:10:00.000+02:00

I have read so much about the film Broken Flowers that when it had a sneak preview in English at our local cinema, I absolutely had to go watch it. Although it meant going alone as Phil was in England and all my English speaking friends stayed in Paris, it was worth the shot. I know that it was released earlier in other countries, but France is a bit slow, having to translate and add subtitles to English movies.

The cinema was half filled when I arrived. The first ten minutes of the movie was just sceneries and music. I sat there silently wondering if the movie was in English as it was unusual for such a huge turnout. Usually there will be no more than 5 people in the whole cinema, mind you I live in the suburbs and hardly anyone here speaks English. The genre of the film was comedy, and one of the reasons why I love going to cinemas to watch comedy is you get to laugh with the rest of the people in the cinema. The only people laughing was me, myself, I and the guy sitting a few rows behind me. It was a really good film, I found it fun and fascinating, after all it did win one of the awards from the Cannes Film Festival. So why wasnt the rest of the people laughing?

A. French have a different sense of humour to the Americans?
B. the subtitles gave a different meaning?
C. translation was lost?
D. French cannot read subtitles and watch a film at the same time?
E. All of the Above???!!
F. They are silently laughing....

Moving

2005-09-14T13:33:00.000+02:00

A week ago, the plans were to move early 2006. Since then, Phil's company decided to hasten the process and we are going to London next Sunday. Next Sunday? YES, next Sunday! Ironicly 25th of September, the date we are leaving for UK was the date I arrived France last year.

Moving as in just Phil and me and whatever we need for the months stay in London until we find a proper "home" to move in the rest of our furnitures. Our aim is to finish our move before going home to Malaysia for our '3rd wedding'. (Dont worry, I am still marrying the SAME person.) Aiyoh, not much time huh? and we will have to sacrifice our original plans of endulging a week of massage and spa in Bangkok. That I am not too happy but since my air ticket stops at Bangkok, I might still be able to catch a massage (or two, three if I am very lucky) before continuing my journey to Malaysia, making it just in time for the wedding.

There is suppose to be a lot of things to do before moving, but I dont know what. So I am going around the appartment pretending to be busy doing something but nothing to do with moving. To think of it, I should be like a 'super pro' in moving. The past five years, I have moved from Australia to Malaysia to Singapore, then back to Malaysia and then to France. I have a collection of PRs on my Malaysian passport; Singapore, Australia, France and now UK. What's your hobby? Collecting Permanent Residents.

One of the first things I did was to call my aunty in London "Harlo... 7th yee ah, got Chinese Shops in London that sells sauces ah? Cant live without my sauces le.." Her answer was yes and I know I am definately going to survive London.

Parisian Waiters

2005-09-12T21:12:00.000+02:00

When I first arrived in Paris, I thought it was my bad french that made French waiters rude to me. Since then, I have learned that French waiters are just plain rude and its got nothing to do with me. If you been to Paris, you will know that it is like winning the lotery if you get a friendly french waiter. I am NOT exaggerating, its true and here is the proof. One of the funnier acticle I have read on French Service is from the The Observer;

"The French have a saying 'le client est roi' - the customer is king. But we all know what they did to their royal family. The guillotined head of Louis XVI bounced across the Place de la Concorde as a few thousand Parisians laughed at it - and those chuckling spectators were the ancestors of today's French waiters."

A quote from the movie French Kiss;
Kate: The key to French waiters: If you're nice to them, they treat you like shit. Treat them like shit, they love you.

So when we walked into this hippy looking cafe this afternoon, I was expecting for the worse. I was the last to enter the cafe and almost tripped on the entrance steps when the waiter gave "bisous" (air kisses) to all 3 of my friends who were ahead of me. And guess what? Cos I was with them I got bisous too. Its must be MY LUCKY DAY!! it was an honour to get a kiss from a French waiter, since the words snob and rude seems to go hand-in-hand with french waiters. Must buy 4D later!

Museum Dali

2005-09-09T10:10:00.000+02:00

Very tired so photos will have to come later, and I hope this entry makes sense cos my brains have fallen asleep. Went to Salvador Dali's museum at Montmartre. Its not very big – about 4 times the size of my dining area (I know you dont know how big my dining area is, just use your imagination ya....). There was an area where they sold his paintings. If you have 5000 euros to spare you let me know ya, I buy you a sculpture, if not for 1500 euros can get some sort of painting ah. Although the place was not very big, I spend 2 and a half hours there. I was the longest spending visitor. I was walking around in circles, and cos it was so small, you kinda recognise the faces of people after a while. These famous artist got very complex love relationships, Dali married a women 10 years older than him called Gaya who was married when they met.

I like Dali’s philosophy, very interesting about his concept of time and life. Very cheem... Dali says that "All men must bend to the passage of time. Balance between life and time. Man must understand how to balance the two in order to maximise the gift of life"... this one even better "Time is not rigid, but one with space...fluid. Time is subjective and extension fo the individuals perception. One man's time in space is decidely different from another's. The speed of time is dependent solely on one's universal fate of being"....

Told you it was complicated....will sleep on it...

Museum Rodin

2005-09-08T10:10:00.000+02:00

The "new toy" I rented for 4 euros known as 'the audioguide' saved me from thinking that Rodin was just another French sculptor who made nude figurines for a living.

Auguste Rodin, according to the audioguide was one of the greatest and most profile scupltors of the 19th century. Although I visited his museum, I got distracted when my toy mentioned "Rodin's lover"- Camille Claudel who was 24 years younger than Rodin . I discovered new ways to punch in numbers into my audioguide to get more information on this mysterious person who started off as Rodin's student, and eventually becamed his lover, his model, his source of inspiration, and mother of his 2 children but never his wife. This was getting more intersting than reading Cosmo or Cleo Magazine!

Camille apparently a born sculptor met Rodin when she was 19. The two artist inspired each other, however Rodin's works was celebrated while Camille's was ignored. Her works have been said to be much more creative than Rodin's. The art establishment rejected her simply because she was a women, worse still an unmarried one and one known as Rodin's mistress. Their love affaird led to an end when Rodin refused to leave his wife of 20 years. It resulted to Camille having a mental break down in which she was put into a mental institute until she died. Now you understand why I got side track? Hearing all these from the audioguide, made me want to discover more! its like solving a puzzle. Its figuring out why Camille and Rodin made certain sculptures at certain time. Now I know, never visit a museum without one of those "ear thingys", you never know what you might uncover.

My first impression was someone sitting on a toilet bowl, but this is "THE THINKER", one of Rodin's famous statues.

"The Gates of Hell", and you see "The thinker" at the top again.

Just My Thoughts

2005-09-07T10:10:00.000+02:00

As my time in Paris will end soon, I am desperately covering Paris monuments, museums, places that I have yet to set my eyes upon. In less than one year of me being here, I have fallen so much in love with Paris, the city of lights and lovers. I am sad as I have not stayed long enough or known enough of Paris to call her my home. Grateful to have given this chance and opportunity to at least discover a small part of this city which is filled with so much history and culture.

I dont know what lies ahead in my next destination. The feeling of uncertaincy makes life pretty exciting, n'est pas?....

Bra Warning

2005-09-06T10:10:00.000+02:00

Note: If you think the following pictures are porno, I am sorry to announce that you are on the wrong site, it is only the local French Carrefour advertisement....

An article from the IOA, warns European tourist traveling to Asian country to beware of not finding bra sizes to fit. Abstract taken from the article:

" So what's the fuss? Thai women are just that much smaller in certain respects, and the local market does not cater to the thousands of expatriate women resident in this metropolis, who happen to be bigger.

'No. No. Big body'

Even a lady of minor proportions, say from Germany, can suddenly find herself going from a 36A to a 38C in the course a 12-hour flight from Frankfurt to Bangkok. Flattering you might say, but for the woman entering one of Bangkok's many department stores it is not a pleasant experience being told by one of the many smiling Thai shop assistants, "No. No. Tua yai" - "No. No. Big body." It can, in some cases, be soul destroying. "

Aparently European countries warn their expatriates to make their purchases before leaving, else there is another solution;

"So what is the solution? One Russian woman said she bought maternity bras to get the right fit, even though she had her last child more than 20 years ago "

The opposite applys for Asians going to European country - Asians will find that bra sizes in Europe are a teeny wenny bit TOO big.

Unfortunately for me, I did not get any warnings, advices, or my local embassador telling me to be bra "equipt". Maybe they think that in the worse of all cases, we small bust asians can always rely on

TWEETY

CHILDREN'S BRA!!

Malaysian Bazaar

2005-09-04T16:06:00.000+02:00

The lady before me bought 10 tickets, the person in front of her, bought 15. When it came to my turn, the seller asked "Cik nak berapa raffles ticket?" (How many raffles ticket do you want, miss?) and I answered "Satu!"(One!) She studies my face closely, wondering if she had heard wrongly, I showed her my single index finger to comfirm that she indeed heard correctly. "But I want 30 euros of food coupon" I said smilingly. I have never been lucky with "lucky draws", being on French soil will not change my luck. So I rather invest my money on food. Its a sure win! As she handled me my food coupons she said "you sure you want only one raffle? can win two air tickets to Malaysia you know?".....And that was the start to the Malaysian Bazaar.

I felt totally at home during the Malaysia Bazaar. The weather was 30 degrees, the air was filled with smells of Malaysian food and with so many Malaysian around, it was hard to believe that I was actually in Paris

Nasi Lemak was 3 Euros, which is equivalent to 15 Ringgit. Back home I will be able to eat at least 7 plates. So what do you do when you have been deprived from Malaysian food for six months?

You send your husband to buy it while you happily snap photos of "kui loh" husband buying nasi lemak from another "kui loh".

Got Teh Tarik some more! See his apron? It reads "Pewakilan Paris". I tried to get one but they said they needed it for their next Bazaar. He instead gave me a box of the unfinish teh tarik tea leaves, which I gave to a french man who was madly in love with the tea leaves. See how nice we Malaysians are hor? ok ok.. I kinda regreted my kind act, could have start a teh tarik stall on my own.

We ended having nasi lemak, satay, roti canai, 2 poh piah, 4 cendols, 2 teh tarik, 1 fried banana chips, one batik cloth (support Malaysian tourism ma), one pewter kiris (support Malaysian tourist somemore ma) and one straw hat (to finish off the coupons cos no more space in my stomach to digest anything). My one single raffle ticket won nothing but at least my food coupons did me justice and I went home feeling full.

Me and my new hat!......

Blast from the Past

2005-09-02T22:21:00.000+02:00

Dont you wonder what your friends look like when they were younger?

"When I was younger, so much younger from today". This was me....

No prizes for guessing which is me. I am Chubby Cheeks!

Paris Chinatown

2005-09-01T22:10:00.000+02:00

Venture into Paris Chinatown and you will find the same Haussman style buildings that you can find around Paris. The only difference is the Chinese Shops with their Chinese Signboard on the ground floor.

We went to a restaurant that read "Chinese, Vietnamese, Thai" food. Coming from Malaysia, I know that its quite different between these 3 asian food. I guess French cant tell the difference huh?. We sat down and I carefully studied the menu, and came across "Riviolis Crevette" and I asked my friends what it was. They look at me as if I was some kind of alien "You dont know what Riviolis is??" I replied, "Yes, but I dont know what it is doing in a Chinese, Vietnamese, Thai Restaurant". The last I checked, Riviolis was served in Italian Restaurants. As I was out with my group of Indonesian friends, they had troubles trying to explain it to me, so one of them did the honour of ordering it. When it camed, it was

PRAWN DUMPLINGS

We then took a walk around Chinatown and I squirm with excitment when I saw...

DURIANS!!! yummy... yes, I know it is the stinkies food we asians have learn to love. The smell? I overheard one French man said the smell was a mix between a rotting dead cat, fermented onions and overriped cheese. For me, its the best smell next to my Davidoof Cool Water perfume. I was debating if I should squat uncivilisely at the side of the road to eat my durian or to bring it home. I rulled out squating as I was wearing a skirt. I had a strong strong urge to bring one home. However, I already had the experience and embrassement of my employer (in Australia) wanting to evacuate my work place when they thought there was a gas leak, until I told them that it was just me eating belachan (spicy prawn paste). Paris does not have any warnings signs against durians. Hmm....I might end up being the reason for them to install some....

Getting to your Destination

2005-08-31T22:10:00.000+02:00

In Primary School, "Cikgu" (teacher) taugh us that if we wanted to get to your destination, just follow the arrows. I listen with attention as I wanted to go places and did not like getting lost. My destination was QUAI D'ORSAY

Step 1) Quai D'Orsay - Arrow pointed right so I go right loh.. quite simple hor?

Step 2) Then I reached an escalator.
Step 3) Going up the escalator I saw my destination with an arrow for Quai D'Orsay pointed down.

Eh? But I just came from the level below. Must have missed something
Step 4) so I went back down to find the same sign board as Step 1.
Step 5) Followed it and ended up back at the escalator with the sign pointing downwards.

I repeated Steps 1 to 5 about three times. Felt quite silly and the metro staff probably wondering what this idiot doing going up and down the escalator. Hmmm... maybe what "Cikgu" taught me in school does not apply here. When French sign board has their arrow pointing down, it means walk straight ahead!

HAPPY MERDEKA DAY MALAYSIA!!!

Paris Plage

2005-08-30T09:56:00.000+02:00

With Palm trees along 3 kms of golden sand, one can mistake this for Redang Island. But no - its Central Paris, along the right bank of the Seine River. Plage in French means beach. Paris has a beach? Can meh, where got sea and sand? There is definately no sea around Paris but they can bring in the sand. To make a realistic "beach scene" 3000 tons of sand are brought in. That is 2 721 554.22 kilograms!! I try to imagine how heavy that is so I divided it by my weight and got 54431 me. Wow that is a lot of me, opps, I mean sand. There are volleyball courts, a swimming pool (for the sea effect I guess), a rock-climbing wall (mountain effect), concerts, hammocks and lawn chairs, and cafes to make you "believe" you are on a beach. By lunch time, it becomes quite imposible to find a free chair as Paris plage is transformed to this....

Paris Plage is perfect for those who have not experienced the "real thing"....

REDANG ISLAND, MALAYSIA....

Secret Recipe

2005-08-29T10:10:00.000+02:00

I know I am becoming "wife" material when I sit across the table and scoop big amount of my cooking onto Phil's plate and repeatly say "eat, eat". ah.. so the wise old Chinese saying is true "the way to a man's heart is through his stomach". Unfortunately I did not inherit my Mother's great cooking talents, fortunately Phil loves whatever it is that I am cooking for him, Sweet and Sour Pork, Lemon Chicken, Teriyaki Chicken, Ma Po Tau Fo, Tomato Garlic Prawns, Black Bean Beef, ...etc...etc... I will share with you my secret recipe to be a good cook. First of all, one needs

a pair of

And

TA DAAA....

Life Cycling

2005-08-28T13:19:00.000+02:00

The last memories I had as a child on cycling was when I was about 13. I remember cycling around my housing area, never venturing too far, going home for drinks when I was thirsty or stopping the 'ice cream - ice cream' uncle on the motorcycle. That was what I thought we were to do in France. So when Phil said "We go cycling this weekend?" My replied was "CAN! No problem!" Of course things did not turned out the way I remembered.

First we had to choose a cycling destination. I was suprise when Phil brought out a handful of map. Cycling around our neighbourhood must have map ah?

Then we packed our bags - 2 liters of water (what about cafe stops?), a compass (huh?? was Phil really serious), equipments to repair bikes....

And lunch?

When our bikes were loaded on our car, I guess we are really not going around the neighbourhood.

We ended up 80 kms from our home, at what I know back home as a "hutan" called Fontainebleau. The prettier name is forest. Our little ride, took 5 hours, one packed lunch, countless reference to the map and endless swearing on my end! I have to admit, although I complained hell a lot, I did enjoy myself and I think I just found a new hobby, only one slight problem....

Where are the
TOILETS??!!

La Vallee

2005-08-26T09:57:00.000+02:00

La Vallee Village being only 5 minutes drive from Disney Land looks and feels like Disney Land. It is one row of artificial town, with little houses on both sides of the street with cafes, fountains, and lot of security guards. Maybe to keep the dogs out. The "petite maison", or little houses are homes to individual brands. The size and style of the houses will depend on the how expensive or luxurious the brands are. Its reminds me so much of Disney land that I half expected Mickey or Donald to walk up to me for a photo. Instead only a security guard came while I was attempting to take a photo. What? No photos? Yes, how can I forget, La Vallee Village website also wrote that "Please be advised that bicycles, rollerblades, scooters, trollies and cameras are forbidden". err.. no trollies? oh so in a way, no children allowed huh?

I got a bag! Phil was in the London airport catching his flight home while I was on train on the way home when he called and I excitely told him about my purchase. He has misheard the price to $300 euros. Coming home, he asked smilingly knowing what a bag lover I am, "where is the $300 euros bag?" ......."huh"...wow..... he did not sound one bit angry or disspointed, ok, next time I will put more money on a bag then! just joking ah! My bag was one of the cheapest thing in the La Vallee Village. A Channel suit which was on 30% discount costed the same price as my airfare home. Instead of wearing a suit, I rather be flying home in a plane. That will be the last of La Vallee (for now). I will stick to museums and churches for the time being.

GONE SHOPPING

2005-08-25T10:00:00.000+02:00

Today I am taking the train to La Vallee, the Outlet Shopping Village, 40 kms from Paris. Its suppose to be this huge factory outlet. The tourist information on the website wrote:

"We also regret that we are unable to welcome dogs, unless guide dogs"

Huh? It took me a few seconds to register that sentence as its the first I have ever read since stepping foot on French soil. France being such a dog loving country not allowing dogs to go shopping with its owners? Its like saying, no children allowed. Maybe there will be a lot of people pretending to be blind....

Summer Holiday

2005-08-24T13:51:00.000+02:00

Six hours of car ride and a sore bum, we finally arrived at our destination, Brittany. My parent in-law, or in french they are reffered to as Belle mere for my mother-in-law and Beau Pere for my father-in-law, which means beautiful mother and beautiful father.

After four days of basking around in the sun, lying on beaches we had a new addition to the family. No I am not pregnant! My in-laws got a little English Setter, only 2 months old. Boy he was part of the family, my Beau Pere gave up his bed to sleep on the sofa so that little puppy was not lonely and did not cry at night. (Hmm.. I wonder if he would do the same of me). Little puppy was called "Ael". Ael because French has a particular way of giving names to their animals, and 2005 you must name your dog starting with the alphabet "A". So "Ael" which means Angel in celtic language became his name. He was so "damn cute" until we decided to take him for a ride in the back seat of our car. Little Ael, not quite accustomed to car rides, decided that he will leave us something to remind him by, he vomitted on the car seat. This sent the car flying into the ditch. Phil has another shock as he climbed out the window and grabbed onto the electric fence - "ouch". That was my first car accident in France.

Car went to the garage, puppy went home, and we went to Ouessant, a little island 4km by 8km. We rented bicycles and I pretended to be healthy and sporty. In actual fact, I was panting and trying my best to look “cool” keeping up with Phil. Gosh he might be 14 years older than me but has triple my energy level. My legs were on fire each time we cycled up a little slop and I swear, mumbling beneath my breath that I will never cycle again as he briskly cycles aheads of me, as if it was the easiest thing to do. hah! but how could I lost out to him? so last weekend we bought a bicycle for me. I will secretly train while he is at work....

New Home

2005-08-24T00:58:00.000+02:00

I have decided to move to HERE as I find Blogspot more user friendly. Finding a suitable name was tough as most of the names were taken or taken but not in used. Be patient with me as I get use to technology. Updates coming soon...