Friday, December 31, 2010

2010 NY Resolutions - 2nd Review.

Well,  today is the last day of 2010!
Taking a break from my London posts to wish everyone reading my blog a
Happy New Year!!
May 2011 bring better health and more joy for everyone!!

So, at the beginning of 2010, I made some resolutions and in June, I did a review to see how I was fairing.
Since it's the end of the year, I think I should also do a final review (like annual review).

Here goes...

1) To reduce my spending on clothes, bag, shoes & accessories etc a month to S$150- S$200. (I try...wahahaha..) 
June: Some months I'm spending more and some months less so I guess it equals out lo...ROFL
December: erhm..I have to buy new clothes, shoes, lingerie to accomodate my bulging tummy so I think it's still within the range I set myself up for but underspending/overspending on some mths too. So, I think it justifies...=P


2) To chat with Amy, Michelle and Ma at least once a week. 
June: am trying too..MSN counted? But again, Michelle's so busy..BF more impt le..*tsk tsk*
December:: I think I did for Amy still but maybe not Michelle and Ma (but the London trip should cover all the talking I missed out on).


3) To see them at least twice a month. 
June: I am seeing Amy more since we meet for lunch! Mich..again no where to be seen even during the steamboat gathering *tsk tsk tsk*
December: I think almost there since I spend the day Mr Look's on duty over at their house =)


4) To finish watching all 5 seasons of 超級星光大道 by the end of this season. (Am done with season 1!! Yay!!)
June: OK! This I officially gave up!! Got kinda bored after the 2nd season. Would rather spend time to watch drama series.
December: yeap this is given up on but no harm done.


5) To stop buying eyeshadows, blushers and primers (makeup la) for the next 6 months. (Keeping my fingers crossed on this - cnfm will break this once I go Japan so set = not setting..wahahahhaa...)
June: BROKEN!!! Bought so many =X but I also swapped away my old ones on MUA! I need a bigger wardrobe!!!!!! I shall add to this - time to get a new, bigger and better drawer from MUJI for my MU!
December: This was broken BIG TIME. No harm done too. I just need to store and use them up! Already got the Muji storage and it's working fine..... for now.....

6) To save at least 35% of my salary monthly. (this is my Shi Fang Qian..shhh)
June: more or less there.
December: yeap, more or less there. Some gone with my London trip though. Contrary to the believe most people have that my husband paid for my trip..I paid all myself. FYI. So stop gossiping that I am spending his $.


7) To travel overseas (not including Malaysia) not more than 6 times in 2010 (counting my trips - Japan in Feb and Thailand in April, so I have 4 more to go =P) 
June: OK, let's see. Japan, BKK, Phuket, Batam - that's 4 already. Although BKK and Phuket didn't end up well but it's counted as travelling la. So I have 2 more trips I can plan. =)
December: yeap, I did just 2 more - Taiwan in August and London in December. HK was for business so that's not really counted.

8) Hopefully, meet my 5 Secondary school sisters more than 6 times a year (we usually only meet on birthdays which equate to 5 times and Christmas so that's 6!) 
June: OK, let me count. I think we met up 2-3 times already. Still shy of the 6 times. Everyone's been so busy so I shan't complain la.
December: I think I missed some gatherings in between due to my condition so this probably wasn't met. Nonetheless, we met up 4-5 times this year. =)

9) I will learn to control my temper at work and at home better.
June: WIP.
December: I think the pregnancy made me change my viewpoints in some stuff so losing my temper doesn't happen that often anymore.

10) Need to learn to relax and take things slowly.
June: WIP.
December: Doing just that.

11) To start exercising lei..(I know Yong trying to get me to exercise. Will try to go swim 3 times a week starting next week, ok?)
June: change of plans. not really into swimming but jogging! So this resolution is also WIP since my other 2 targets of Shape and SCM is coming up. Hopefully I will be able to do the Nike one too =)
December: Change in circumstances so no swimming or jogging or races soon. I'll do pregnancy pilates and walking instead.


12) Per Xiaxue's blog's last resolution- ' I will be more patient with dumb people.' (I try.... =P)
June: WIP too
December: Still working on it...


 
Well, looks like I've kept to most of my resolutions except those that were altered due to a change in circumstances.
What's your resolutions for the New Year ahead?
I think for me - it's simply to try to stay happy and keep a good health.
That's all.
For the rest, I'll just let it come naturally.

Thursday, December 30, 2010

18 Dec: Day 2 - St Paul's, Tate Modern, Borough Market, Leicester Square.

*Photo Intensive Post*

After the first day, I realised a couple of 'mistakes' in my planning.
1. Food wasn't as expensive as I thought it would be. Budget about £15 per person for a normal meal will be good.
2. Nightfall came really early in the winter - around 4pm. Plan activities accordingly.

Also, if you are travelling F&E, be sure to check the tube updates and get alternative travel routes such as buses.
Walking is also good. It may seem far on the map but it isn't really when you walk on foot.
Get the Oyster Card from any train stations for traveling on the tube and buses.
It works the same as HK's Octopus Card, SG's EZlink Card or Taiwan's 悠遊卡.
Best of all, there's a cap amount and it's much more cheaper than getting a one way fare (a lot cheaper).
The deposit is £3.
If at the first purchase you want to put in £20, the value will be £17 reflected.
Upon refund, the £3 will be given back.
You can also use the card on buses there.
Only need to tap in as it's a single fare for all distances.
So, most of our trips we took the tube.

Saturday morning to St Paul's.
Since we left the hotel late (ma forgot her Oyster card), we missed the first walking tour of St Paul's.
I suggested going to King's Cross Station first to find Harry Potter's Platform 9 3/4.

I didn't do enough research so we didn't find it la.
So, we headed back to St Paul's Station.
The current standing St Paul's cathedral is the fourth one on this site.
As with many other names in London, St Paul was built to commerate St Paul and this was re-architect by Sir Christopher Wren.
Before heading to London, I happened to catch the show 'Megastructures' on cable and they covered the architecture behind St Paul's.
I was truly intrigued.
Do note that it is recommended to check their website for events or closures before planning your dates if you want to head into the Cathedral.

If you take the tube, you'll need to pass through the above Temple Bar before seeing St Paul.
This monument is the only surviving gateway into the City of London which was originally standing at the Strand.
Previously, the structure was made by wood but after the Great Fire which devastated London, it was instructed by King Charles II to remove the remains of the the wood structure and rebuld it with stones.
After many turns, it was re-erected here.

Past the bar, you'll see the side of St Paul.
Currently, the cathedral is undergoing a cleaning and repairing of the surfaces which costs over £40 million.
This is to mark the 300th anniversary of the cathedral in 2010.


The front of the Cathedral.
It was magnificient.
Since we arrived late, the Cathedral was closed for a Christmas Carol session.
We took some photos and headed off so as not to waste time.

As you can see I was bundled up really well.
I guess I was wearing close to 5 layers (tank, thin thermal, turtleneck, dress and jacket) or more.
There is a reason why the lampposts in London were painted black.
And, it's for a real sentimental reason.
Queen Victoria (24 May 1819 – 22 January 1901) married Prince Albert in 1839 after falling in love with him.
Prince Albert died in December 1861 (after Queen Victoria's mum passed away earlier in March the same year).
Queen Victoria went into self-imposed isolation at Windsor Castle and was always wearing black.
The nation painted all lamp posts black as a mark of memory.
Since than, it has always been black in London.

We walked towards Millenium bridge and saw the dome of the Cathedral.
This was the side entrance.
It looks small right?
But this was taken after we crossed the road and walking a short distance away.

Crossing the millenium bridge to Tate Modern.
It was freezing!
Millenium bridge is the only bridge not opened to traffic that crosses River Thames.

Does this look like Korea or Japan?
The trees were standing there in a small plot of land so we focused on it.
It was surrounded by concrete buildings.

That's St Paul, the Millenium Bridge and River Thames.
We decided to head into Tate Modern to be arty-farty.
Lest did we know we'd be saved from a snow storm coming.

Tadah!
Snow Storm!
So we sat in the cafe for lunch.
Which we all regretted a little and you will know why later.

My egg mayo with bacon sandwich.

Minced Meat Pie.
Which I read was a Christmas only pie.
I was really shocked to find it sweet!!!
I finished it anyway.
And there's like no meat inside.
Mr Look told me I took the wrong pie from the tray.
So I went to wiki it (yeap, I ate it first not knowing what it was and than wiki it when I came home).
Mr Look, it is minced meat pie!!!

From wiki:
"A mince pie, also known as minced pie, is a small British sweet pie traditionally served during the Christmas season.....its ingredients were a mixture of minced meat, suet, a range of fruits, and spices such as cinnamon, cloves and nutmeg."

Mr Look's arty-farty lunch.

After lunch and a quick trip to the toilet, the snow fall cleared up a little (or so we thought).
Time to leave!!

If you can compare this to the earlier photo you'll see the amount of snow that came down in that 45 minutes.
Narnia!!!!hahah...the snow and black lamp post only.

Shakespeare's Globe theatre.
We gave that a miss since the theatre was open air and no seatings on the tour.
We walked and trudged and it snowed and snowed!
There was even a short period of time that it wasn't snowflakes falling on our head but small ice balls!
Finally we found the destination!
Borough market!

See how heavy the snow was?

Christmas Trees for sale!
Remember I said we regretted eating in Tate?
The below pictures will show you why.

Freshly baked breads.
All sorts!!
I'm a bread person, give me bread anytime over rice.

Mr Look and I saw this at the pub we went for dinner during the first night and had wanted to try.
This is Mulled wine.
Also only found near Christmas period.
We had no idea what it was except that it was warm and red.
Basically, it is red wine heated and spiced with cinnamon sticks, vanilla pods, cloves, citrus and sugar.
Tasted unique and different.

Since I had to pass on the wine, we saw this other winter warmer.
Hot apple and cinnamon.
This was made from fresh apple boiled with cinnamon sticks and other spices.
This was yummy and really warmed me up from inside out.
Basically, the whole market was a gathering of various stores selling stuff from olive oil to bread to cheese to poultry and sweets!
There were so much to eat but we were too full from the sandwiches!

Fresh Turkey!

Fresh Ducks!
We don't see this in Singapore anymore so it was pretty interesting =)


Turkish Delight.
Nope, we didn't get any as we felt that it might melt/stick together when we come back.
Time to head back to St Paul's to see the interior.

Subway =)

The compound in front of the Cathedral.
Sad to say, we didn't see the interior as it was closed due to adverse weather conditions.
We still couldn't understand why as it's already stopped snowing and the cathedral was sheltered.
Anyway, change of plans which is what I like about going overseas F&E.

We wanted to wait for a bus but I felt we've done enough waiting so we took a LONDON CAB!
Mr Look's first experience as he's never sat in the Singapore one before.
Headed to Leicester Square to get tickets for a show that night.
I think the cabby heard us and dropped us right in front of the TKTS stand.
For those of you who like to catch a musical like Chicago or performance like Stomp, head to TKTS booth at Leicester Square to get tickets for that day's matinee or night performances at a cheaper price.
Note that not all performances are available.
I wanted to catch Wicked and it wasn't available at TKTS but I managed to get the tickets at another booth.


Somewhere in Leicester Square.
We walked to Chinatown.

The gates leading to the start of Chinatown.
We came too early, around 4 so we weren't able to have dinner here.
Instead, we walked around and headed back to Hotel.
The tube lines were delayed!!!!

My tickets for show that night.
We headed to Victoria station to have our dinner at Shakespeare Pub.
Hahaha...so arty the whole day!



Very full dinner.
It was about £40 for 3 pax with drinks.
Headed to the theatre while Mr Look left to meet his friends.

The stage setup!
It was truly an interesting experience.
Basically, the performance was a musical which told the story of the witch of Wizard of Oz.
Read up on your Wizard of Oz before heading to watch this.
I told ma I think this might not come to Singapore due to the props on the stage!
During recess, they did not announce and I thought it was the end but the performance didn't make sense.
Luckily, we went back to our seats to wait patiently..hahaha..
Oh, during recess they brought in stuff to sell..guess what it was??
Ice-cream!!!
I'm still wondering why it was ice-cream....

Wednesday, December 29, 2010

17 Dec: Day 1 (Part 2) Original London Bus Tour & Harrods.

After the snowy session of Changing the Guards, we headed back to Trafalgar Square.
The area is littered with cafes and restaurants.
We chose (or rather I chose) Garfunkel's.
It's everywhere so I don't think it'll be any worse then the super salty pie I had the previous night.

And boy, was it all warmed up inside!
Anyway, we chose from the lunch menu where the mains were only £6.95 (S$14.50, exchange rate was about 2.08 when I changed).

Mr Look's London Pride Lager (£4.75) which he said was out in a few places.

Cozy, cozy.
Mr Look was trying to log on to the 'free' wifi in London almost everywhere we went.
Sad to say, there were always errors in connection.
He only managed to do it at a couple of spots in London.

I love the chunky fries they have in London!!!!
This was Mr Look's Salmon & Broccoli Fishcakes.
Yummy~

I took their Lagsane and finished everything.
We went for the bus tour next and we took the Original Yellow route which covered most of the tourist sites in London.
Below are some of the photos taken on the bus.
It went to St Paul's, Tower of London, Tate Museum etc etc.




We alighted back at Trafalgar Square as we needed to switch bus route.
The sun came out =)

I was really cold in this photo and I was shivering while waiting for the other bus.
Taking route 2, we headed to Oxford Circus, Piccadilly Circus and our next stop Horse Guards.

Horsey, horsey~
He was really friendly and kept 'smelling' me.
I think he wants me to sayang but read the plaque behind me?
It says, ' BEWARE Horses may kick or bite Thank You'.
I was worried it might kick me!

Yong sayang-ed him.
He likes it!
When mummy wanted to take a photo, we were suddenly all ushered into the compound.
Again, we waited.

All the guards formed a line.
Then we realised it was time to pang kang (knock off)!
We walked a bit further and saw everyone taking the photo of a street name.
10 Downing Street.
The PM's residence..hahahha...=X
Walking further down the street we saw the infamous Ben.

Big Ben and the Parliament house.
The night fall in London during Winter came super duper early.
If you can see the time on Big Ben, it was only 4:10pm.


Photo shoot opportunity.
Maybe it is the flash, kinda look super imposed.
I had wanted to head to Westminster Abbey but looking at the quick nightfall, I gave it a miss.
Instead, we took a tube to Harrods at Knightsbridge Station.


Their Christmas decor was based on Peter Pan!!!
Very colorful and pretty!
Well, the inside of the store was definitely worth a visit.
The Egyptian escalators and the food hall should be worthed a trip there.
Don't have to buy anything but just take a look.
My guide to Bath said it was 'Horrids' due to the prices they charge.
Another attraction was obviously the Harrods bear!
Ami, this is for you~

Small Harrods bear in Scottish uniform.

Super Duper Big Harrods bear!
Yes, this was on sale too!!
£1,200!

Another one in a police uniform.
After a quick stroll of the merchandise, I headed to look for the food hall.
I must say I was in awe.
Taka was nothing in comparison.
Neither was those in Japan Isetan or Mitsukoshi.
A sneak preview of 1 of the food halls (yes, 1 of the food halls).

After visiting Harrods, we headed back to our hotel.

We had Mac for dinner.
The menu was about the same as Singapore.
Nothing fancy other than the Christmas specials which didn't really catch my attention.
Give me Japan's pork burger anytime!

I bought some desserts from Harrods' food hall cause they were all too pretty.
I couldn't stop staring and salivating over them.
Tiramisu, carrot cake and a lemon tarte.
Yummyz...

On the day I arrived, Mr Look actually left a surprise on the bed for me.
However, after such a long flight I was too groggy to pay attention.
He got me a long stemmed red rose (the stem was really long) and a small Longchamp bag which he left by the bed.

Only on the second day did I remember that I can't bring the rose home.
It looks this withered after just 1 day.
Stupid me!