::welcome to slow rock::

Saturday, June 29, 2013

Probably, I'm too comfortable with where I am in my career right now. I realised that I haven't really thought about my career directions after commissioning. In fact, I'm on a "take one step at a time" approach, allowing circumstances to shape me rather than me determining how circumstances should shape me. It's time that I start planting a vision for myself instead of allowing circumstances to "drift me forward". That'll entail setting new goals and objectives. I should start crafting my list...

Entered by platinum at 1:37 AM

Saturday, June 22, 2013

:: LONDON Travelogue - 22nd June 2013, Saturday

>> 1130H - Spitalfield Market

Nothing much to see or do in this market, which i think has lost most of its "market-ish" charm with the modern compound in which it is housed. It's clean, organised, very unlike what you'd expect of a typical market. The only indications that this is a market are the temporary stands which line up neatly in rows. Sells mainly clothing, bags and accessories. I was done with this place in 20mins.

>> 1230H - Bayswater

While on the way to Portobello Market, I decided to make a short detour as I passed Queensway Tube Station along Bayswater Road, to Bayswater itself. Stopped by Papa Roti to try their famous coffee bun (which I know costs much cheaper in sg but I wanna try the papa roti version from across half the world map). The coffee smell wasn't as rich as the one back home. It's much sweeter too (maybe coz the brits have a soft spot for anything sweet.. think of their cupcakes).. Roamed around the area for a bit before hitting the road again

>> 1300H - Eggs Benedict Lunch! (Daylesford)

Tucked in a small corner just off Portobello Road, this shop is set amongst a row of lively coloured houses. It sure didn't feel like London as I walked through the place. This made me anticipate what lunch could offer even more. Without hesitation, I went for the eggs benedict with smoked salmon, with a cup of carrot juice fused with apple and a tinge of ginger. Boy, that concoction was heavenly. The ginger sounds out of place, but it's the reason why the drink tasted soooo good. It gave the drink... more character - adding a tangy, zesty feel to an otherwise mild mannered combination of apple and carrot. Then came the star - 2 poached eggs delicately balanced atop a toasted slice of bread with a generous amount of hollandaise sauce spread over it. Ironical as it may sound, I am always reluctant to progress from the "admiring" part to the "eating" part. I just can't bear to poke that "little bundle of joy". But when I finally do, that decisive moment where you see the yolk oozing out is what determines a good eggs benny from a bad one. The first egg I poked wasn't quite what I was hoping to see, but the second was delightful. Lunch wasn't heavy at all, which meant that I have room for more as I throng Portobello Market soon after :)

>> 1400H - Evans Cycle

Got on my bike for a short 3 mins cycle to the start of Portobello Market, but that 3 mins was all it took for my front tyre to start making funny noises. I stopped the moment I heard them, but what followed was a squeal which grew increasingly louder and then "poof"! dang, not again.. tyre failing on me, this time at the other end of central london. I contemplated taking a cab back to my apartment, but some quick calculations told me that it's ridiculously expensive to do that. Besides, I only have got a day left on London. I don't wanna waste it repairing my bike. Then I thought about my Galaxy Note and what google can do for me - search for bike shops nearby! True enough, there's an Evans Cycle outlet just 10 minutes from where I was. Got my bike fixed in 30mins, for 14 pounds. But it's money well spent in my opinion, coz it would have signalled the end of my adventure otherwise.

>> 1445H - Portobello Market

Now this is what you call a true market - shops lining the streets, crowded walkways, the smell of food drifting through the air... I had such a good time looking at the antiques for sale. Walking along Portobello Road was in itself thrilling enough coz it's one long stretch of road lined with shops selling interesting gems from yesteryears, such as a toy figurine of an American Sergeant from the Vietnam War, a rusty red london bus, LDs of bands like Pink Floyd and the Beatles etc.. just too many to name..

>> 1700H - Bak Kut Teh with Line and Shiyun

Was invited over to Dylan's place (where line and tungsy are currently putting up) for a meal that means so much to Singaporeans - Bak Kut Teh.. Great meet up over some great home-cooked food, though the soup became a tad too spicy towards the end as we left it to simmer. Last dinner in London with the remnants of Commonwealth.. kinda sad..

>> 1930H - Buckingham Palace

Had intended to head straight back to my apartment after dinner, but I can't stand the thought of lazing around in my room when there's daylight still.. so I decided to make a trip to Buckingham Palace. I dunno why I've never made time to go see it, so I felt I needed to before I leave for the summer. it felt great to cycle down the red coloured roads running outside the palace grounds, with the union jack hung from every lamppost which lined the streets. It sure made me feel grand. haha.

>> 2030H - Thames (Embankment to Blackfriars)

Just felt inclined to head to my favourite chill out spot in London to relive good ol' memories and soak in the scenery for one last time. Took a leisurely walk with my bike down the river till about 9pm before cycling back to Farringdon.

>> 2115H - 30 St Cross Street

Was starting to get hungry and I went around my area looking for some classic British food to eat. First on my mind was Fish and Chips. But dang, almost everywhere was closed! save for wetherspoon. But me no wanna try wetherspoon coz I tried it a few times already and the atmosphere in that pub is, well, pretty much dead. Contemplated buying some ready made meal from sainsbury's but once again, I just couldn't stand the idea of getting back to my room! So i decided to head back to Blackfriars and go across the river to this pub I saw earlier.

>> 2130H - Doggett's Coat and Badge

Went for their signature dish - beer battered fish and chips, with a pint of Fuller's London Ale. To finish off the london experience, I decided to go al fresco, dining in the open by the Thames. I watched the sky go dim as I waited for my fish and chips whilst sipping on the ale. When it finally came, I was thoroughly impressed. The fish was really crisp on the outside, and this crispiness stayed throughout the 30mins i took to complete the meal (yea i know it's long, but well what to do when you've got the river sights to distract you?) The meat (by the way, cod fish was used here) was firm and had texture, not like those nua ones that simply break off in your mouth. It wasn't too oily too - i swear some british fish and chips joint just drown their fishes in oil. I felt it only had one minor flaw - the batter was overfried. It had a bit of chao ta smell, which I would gladly welcome if this was hor fun, but no, I felt it masked any hint of beer in the batter. I'd definitely visit the pub again to try the fish and chips, to reaffirm today's assessment of it.

>> 2300H - Home at last!

Yessss, with great reluctance, I end off my last day of adventure here. London, it has been a pleasure to be your guest. I sure look forward to September!

Entered by platinum at 7:28 PM

Friday, June 21, 2013

back from lampeter.. finally, no more sheep, no more shit.. but to be honest, the sheep were dang cute though.. the annoying part was the shit.. was littered everywhere in the field we worked.. they say in NS, you grow used to the mud.. in lampeter, we grew use to both mud and shit.. lol.. shan't talk more about lampeter.. i'll need to find another time to consolidate my thoughts about it..

so i arrived one day early in London coz i bought a train tix from Carmarthen.. did a brief stopover in Cardiff and boy did I feel a sense of nostalgia.. it didnt seem too long ago that i was there (btw, that was back in November).. finally reached my new place in Farringdon around midnight, with less than 72 hours left before my flight.. time to get things started..

spent the next morning packing up my room and dropping by argos to get a plastic storage rack.. went for a haircut in the afternoon before cycling to Stamford Bridge (i made it one of my must-dos before i return), Harrods, and then Selfridges (first time i set foot inside).. I spent an entire hour at the section selling travel books, browsing through those written about London.. lol.. and UK in general.. i really should explore this country more.. there're just so many gems within.. had dinner at Boldein's (finally, after being turned down so many times before).. the beef brisket and pulled pork i had was awesome.. went to Lilywhites to try and find an Arsenal jersey for Kelvyn, but it's out of stock.. decided to leave my bike at the bike shed and take a walk down regent's street instead to do some "sightseeing", but i couldnt help but be tempted by all the signs which screamed "SALE".. lo and behold, i got myself a blazer, on a 50% discount from H&M.. ahaha..

been a fulfilling day.. now for some market frenzy tmr.. spitalfields, then portobello, and hopefully an eggs benny lunch at this restaurant called "Daylesford", which has received rave reviews about its eggs benny.. :D

Entered by platinum at 5:22 PM

Sunday, June 09, 2013

Just completed my first ever 100km on a bike! feeling rather accomplished.. haha.. The event was Nightrider 2013, where participants cycled for a charitable cause.. We could choose to adopt one charity out of a whole list focused on different causes, from cancer research to helping the mentally disabled. We chose WaterAid and Temwa as they were championing the building of sustainable communities.. Sustainability is a concept that has been drilled into us civil engineering students and we felt it will give more meaning to the cycle and unite us all in one vision.

The cycle was enjoyable.. got to see many sights around London at night, especially Thames! we weaved up and down the various bridges along the river so many times it got frustrating but it was all part of the organiser's plan to take cyclists past the key landmarks.. the route took us from Alexandra Palace to Crystal Palace and back - a full 100km loop.. These 2 places are the highest points in London and the ride up was no joke.. Especially towards the end where my muscles were screaming..

Have got many things to thank God for this cycle.. Survived an early scare that my front tyre was loose, so I was checking the screws from time to time.. managed to keep pace with my 3 other coursemates who've been cycling far longer than me.. perfect weather which was a little chilly at times but once we were warmed up from some cycling, felt like air con.. completed the cycle within 6 hours including breaks, which is what we had targeted :D

alritez, Lampeter tomorrow.. gotta read up on my lecture notes (which I haven't been doing so coz of the move!) and pack my bags :(

Entered by platinum at 8:23 AM

Saturday, June 08, 2013

Just shifted to my new place which is so far from UCL, it even has "far" written in it - FARringdon.. gosh.. it's about 30mins to walk and probably 15 to cycle.. i'm not sure how i'm gonna survive winter, with the cold wind pounding in my face as I bike to school.. then again, i quite like my new place.. room feels really comfy.. have got a huge table to do my work on.. and best of all, the entire room is furnished in wood! woots!

it's been so tiring trying to get all my stuff up 4 floors.. i'm kinda sick of climbing stairs now.. legs are aching from all the climbing and cycling to and from hall to pick up stuff..

and darn, i got the nightrider event tonight.. 100km around London.. wish me luck.. i'm gonna fall flat on my bed tomorrow morning..

Entered by platinum at 9:50 AM

Friday, June 07, 2013

Date a boy who travels. Date a boy who scoffs when he hears of guided tours, for the word “exploration” makes much better sense when it is led by your own two feet and guided by your instincts. You might find him at the tourist information counter, rummaging through the tons of touristy brochures for that all-important area map. And he’ll be sure to keep it with him even long after the trip, for the streets and landmarks shown help capture all his thoughts and experiences, and helps him relive the feeling of being in that place whenever he looks at it.

You’ll know him because he keeps a stash of “useless” memorabilia, from purchase receipts, bus tickets to hostel booking confirmations. His Facebook page will show photos of his travels, and he’ll be sure not to upload every photo but only those few that will serve to summarise the trip and tell everyone what a beautiful place it was. When he travels, he travels with his homeland in mind and reminds himself of the things that are normally taken for granted back home.

Buy him anything that will help him to survive the night should he find himself stuck in some unknown place - a multi-tool, a first aid kit, torchlight, or a compass. You may scoff at the idea of a compass, but he’ll tell you that north is all you need to find your way around. Once he gets home, he gets stumped when people ask him how the trip was, because there are just too many experiences in one to briefly summarise in a sentence. Ask him specific questions, get him talking. Once he knows you’re genuinely interested in his experiences, he’ll share more.

He'll tell you that what defines a journey isn't really the place, but the company. He'll tell you that company doesn't mean being engaged in a continuous conversation - peace and quiet are conversations in themselves. He'll tell you that he'd rather spend his time thronging the streets instead of going for a relaxing massage. He'll tell you of how the world passed him by as he sipped his coffee at a coffee joint. He'll tell you that there isn't a "best" part in the trip, and if he ever mentions one, he most probably meant "better". Cos' he'll tell you that the word "best" is a blatant, convenient mask to hide all the other aspects that are beautiful in their own right. And if you're still listening at the end, he'll invite you to join in his adventures...

Entered by platinum at 1:46 AM