In which life follows me to Europe
This is going to be a long post. I know people are looking for like a picture post and stuff but most of the pictures here aren't taken by me due to unavoidable circumstances. The photos taken by me are the ones starting from after Amsterdam.
For easy reading, this post will be in point form (brilliant I wonder how long that's gonna take ahahahhaa....) Mostly its about things that went through my head as I was in that place and not much on everything else. Mostly we went to historical places so I am ASSUMING most of you know the places I'm talking about or this post will never end 8D;
Ok starting now
Friday 14/11/08
- Took the 11 hour plane ride to Rome.
- Turbulence scared me. I hadn't been on a plane since I was 14. I thought we were having major malfunction. Mum laughed D8
- Tried to watch the movies but constant turbulence made me feel sick.
- Played Tetris for 3 hours because I couldn't find Mario ;A;
- Slept for about 8 hours
- Plane food was oddly very filling X_x;
ITALY
ROME
Saturday 15/11/08
- Arrived in Rome at dawn. About 4 in the morning was about right.
- Took a bus to Vatican City where we met our guide. Vatican City is gorgeous, and St Peter's Cathedral, cannot be described in words. Its massive. Actually everything in Rome is massively tall.
- Doors in Rome are at least 3 times the height of people. Seriously.
- Went to the Basilica, Roman Forum, Coliseum etc etc. Greater monuments of Rome etc.
- Rome is a haven for pick pockets. We saw one in action. They're fast. And they disappear like the wind >_>;
- I was quite amused. I was in Vatican City. Our guide's name was 'ESTHER' and she had eyes like a TB artwork complete with the blue colour eyeshadow. It doesn't look sick on her like it does on Asians O_o;
- Trevi Fountain is quite epic! I like it very much. Full of couples.
- Mum is shocked at how 'open' the Italians are with affection. I was shocked at her being shocked lol.
- Italians are very pretty people. Like seriously.
- The Pope is one very controversial man. That and he has guards who wear the uggliest uniforms. And they're all Swiss. They only can be Swiss.
- Esther was talking to our guide, Mok, about how she was worried about the economy. Apparently tourism is the only thing keeping Italy affloat and stuff. Quite interesting.
- had to sign language to eat some sort of Italian Sandwich. The people there are damn amusing.
PISA
Sunday 16/11/08
- went to Pisa for the Leanieng tower and the Square of Miracles. Its quite lol. Lots of people taking lots of amusing pictures.
- Winter is fantastic in Rome when the sun is shining 8D
- did lots of lol things for the tour group
- had fun drawing people there
- went to Via Santa Maria. Lots of artists and the square is gorgeous
- ate a huge chocolate truffle. Seriously it was the size of a baseball.
- watched Italians eat an entire pizza. EACH. Their pizza's good btw
- The Italians are very suave people.
FLORENCE
- Went to the tour of Tuscany and the Piazza Michelangelo. The view is breathtaking. And we went during SUNSET. It is just too gorgeous for words.
- David is like small. If you know what I mean 8D
- I tripped on a big big cobblestone. while I fell my mind was telling me to do something but I didn't react. Now I have a big bruise on my knee lol
- Walked in Florence in the night. Its just so gorgeous with so muhc history. Pity we didn't have more time and gosh the Italians are gorgeous people O_o; I love the statues and the piazzas. I'd sit and draw more if I could.
- Chinese food in Europe is pretty good actually.
- Tall Asian people are an abnormalty in Italy it seems. Its the reason why they stare so >_>;
- Mum was convinced that the excitement was going to kill me judging from the look of the bruise. It didn't hurt though. Walking in Italy was rather amazing~
- Amazing people in Italy 1 (Pisa)
Helped a guy who fell down pick up his things and his stuff that was roling away since I was near the street and apparently no one stopped him. He thanked me and said 'you're a very beautiful person'. STONE.
- Amazing people in Italy 2 (Florence)
Some kid was running around crying outside the Chinese restaurant we were at. I just stepped outside for some fresh air and stuff so I just picked him up and tried to talk to him to get him to tell me what was wrong. No go. Italian kid. He did stop crying for a bit though. Later apparently his older brother showed up. Thanked me frantically and said ' You are a very beautiful person. Thank you'. STONE.
Venice
Monday 17/11/08
- Been waiting ages for a trip to this place. You cannot believe the excitement.
- I rode a Gondola 8D I ran around the whole of Venice. The Byzantine Basilica was awesome. Everything was just awesome.
- I ate a gigantic slice of pizza for lunch and a gigantic biscuit for desert. I shared the latter with the Cheah family. It was just too big.
- Bought a Venetian mask *___* Went crazy getting souveniors.
- Bought boots from Bata on sale 8D Score Boots 1.
- Took gorgeous pictures of sunsets in Venice.
- Amazing people in Italy 3
Shopkeeper : *stares at me* ....You know miss, you are very beautiful.
Me : *stones* ...err thank you?
Shopkeeper : *puts hand on heart as if I wounded him* No no, you must not doubt it. I mean it from my heart that you are beautiful.
Me : 8DDD;;;;; THANK YOU??
Mum : *comes up* what's going on?
Shopkeeper : Maam do you know your daughter is very beautiful?
Mum : HAHHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHHA (Me : ;A;) Ok since she's so beautiful can you give us a discount?
Shopkeeper : Non non madam. I cannot. Love and business are two different things. My heart tells me one thing, my boss another.
Me : (OMG IS HER FOR REAL) LOLOLOLOL?
He said this in a very suave tone mind you. I don't know how to explain it to you. Its just damn wow. Totally Italian. and he looked good to
- Said shopkeeper kept calling out to me 'MI AMORE~!' everytime I walked past. DAMN LOL.
- Experienced the nightlife in Venice.
- The canals have been cleaned and gosh the people are damn sporting XD
- Amazing people in Italy 4
Our bus driver was this rather moody looking Italian but he was always very nice to me. I didn't understand why. Mum says its because I always greet him and stuff. Like seriously, he only talked to me. It was kinda odd. Then that night he was busy on the phone so I helped unload the bags and he tried to stop me. I said its fine since he's busy anyways and he's been driving us around, I might as well and everyone else is preoccupied. He thanked me and said,
'You are beautiful!'
My brain kinda stopped here. Brushed it off after that. After that he was increasingly nice to me. Even my tour guide noticed it.
Lake Lugano
Tuesday 18/11/08
- Right before we left the border of Italy we visited this Italian Leather shop goods.
- Owner used to be part of the mafia. Was a very boisterous man.
- Didnt' buy anything but the boots were awesome
- Amazing people in Italy 5
Someone accidentally knocked down one of the boots and this whole domino effect took place. So I helped stack it back up sinec I was waiting for everyone else to get upstairs since they were all browsing leather goods downstairs. Boss thanked me and said 'You're a very beautiful person'.
.....................
Yes I know.
MY ITALIAN CONCLUSION : 'You are beautiful' must be some direct translation from some Italian compliment or something. I can brush it off once, twice or three times but five times is just plain BIZARRE. They sure know how to make a girl feel good about themselves though.
Lake Lugano - Switzerland
- We got to Lake Lugano sometime before Sunset and went shopping in Bucherer. Mum went mad with the Swarovski here since it was cheaper and stuff.
- Walked around the Piazza Reforma. Mum has been having this stapple for ice cream so we tried this brand called 'Peace of Cake'. It was nice <3
- Found clearance sale. Wanted to Finish up Swiss Francs so we bought another pair of boots here.
- Our guide followed me and my mum towards the end of the day so we learnt a lot of things about him. He has a damn colourful life.
Lucerne/Mount Pilatus
Wednesday 19/11/08
- Lucerne is gorgeous. So peaceful and lovely scenery all around with Spanish mixes. DId I tell you I love their Hot Chocolate. Peaceful time
- Went up Mount Pilatus. SAW SNOW FOR THE FIRST TIME. I WENT A LITTLE PSYCHO WITH THE LING FAMILY AND CHEAH FAMILY.
- Met this really cute and amusing Portugese guy XD; He asked me to draw him so I did.
- saw the Lion Monumne known as the saddest rock in Europe. The surroundings were gorgeous.
- pretty relaxing day with lots of lovely scenery.
GERMANY
BlackForest/Rhineland
- Lake Titi is massive and gosh the Black Forest is really black.
- Technically its black beacuse the pine trees stretch on for miles and are grown so closely that its very dark.
- Had my taste of Pork Knuckle. F**K its huge D8; Had a taste of authentic Black Forest Cake with Rum. So nice <33
- The people at the restaurant wanted me to draw for them because my tour guide ratted on me D8; The Europeans are easily amused by people who can draw O_o;Drew their waitress in the end.
- The Rhinefalls are amazing. They're huge.
- We were in the bus a lot but we saw expanses and expanses of forests and fields.
- Saw with my own eyes sunlight that shines down on only specific spots. It looked absolutely heavenly.
- Saw how Cuckoo clocks were made etc. It was awesome.
Netherlands.
Amsterdam
Thursday 20/11/08
- Went on a night tour around Amsterdam and went to the Diamond making factory.
- Diamonds are truly a girl's best friend. Learnt the value of evaluating a diamond.
- Went to the red light district. Quite interesting place.
- Asians appanretly fetch a very high price in this place.
- Teased the boys on the trips a lot. It was so amusing.
- Walked around a lot and stuff. Amsterdam is a beautiful looking place.
- Watched Cheese making 8D
Friday 21/11/08
This is kinda where my luck kind took a downturn. In the morning in Amsterdam I was robbed and it devastated me for the rest of the day. What happened.
- the hotel we stayed in was five star so when we went to the restaurant we were the only people there. Not peak season.
- they asked for our room numbers so there was some security to who they let in.
- the rest of the tour groups left their bags on the chair to get their food so we followed suit.
- i wrapped my bag in my down jacket, left it on my chair and left to get my orange juice. I didn't want to spill anything.
- turned around barely a minute later and my jacket was on the floor and my bag was gone. The people sitting close by didn't see anything asides a man walking past.
- seems this man posed as a guest and said he wanted to meet someone in the restaurant so the staff let him in, in which he walked past my table, swiped my bag and left quick. Probably a pro since he was really quick.
- the hotel was heavily criticised for poor security and apparently their excuse was that their security cameras had malfunctions so it didn't catch anything.
- I was crying very hard, but thankfully the passports weren't taken. But I lost these things
1. My Wallet which had my IC, Drivers License and Bank Card. If you're wondering why I had those with me, I'm rather green in a sense that I thought you needed such things asides from your passport because I've only traveled to Singapore in the past 8 years or so and you need it for that at times.
2. My camera and all my pictures. I was really sad because I had a lot of fantastic pictures I was so upset
3. My handphone. I lost all my contacts *sigh*
4. My SKETCH JOURNAL ;A; IN WHICH I HAD LOGGED AND DRAWN VARIOUS PEOPLE, SCENERY AND STUFF. THIS DEVASTATED ME THE MOST. Because it took a lot of discipline to draw up to 100 pages in the span of those days no matter how tired I was and take the trouble to write and stuff. This devastated me the most.
- I was told I was targeted because I stand out because of my height and my bag was big with a Guess logo. Though I was told this person obviously won't be getting much. My camera was scratched and not worth much, my bag was far too out of date to fetch any price in Amsterdam, Malaysian currency doesn't help much in Amsterdam either. It still ruined my day though.
Brussels
- We moved across the border to Belgium in the afternoon and the tour group was really nice to me and sympathetic and everyone became more cautious since all their bags were there as well.
- The Ling Family passed me their extra camera to use.
- Cheered up a little towards the evening. Brussels being very pretty was a good cheer up.
- Molested the Saint statue for studies. Quite amusing.
- Brussles is amazingly beautiful. Its highly undervalued IMO.
- Had Godiva hot chocolate and awesome waffles.
- There are lots of Lolita shops everywhere. Lace and lace and more lace.
FRANCE
Paris
Saturday 22/11/08
- The ride to Paris was a long one. It took practically half the day. We got to Paris at 6. Before that we made random stops here and there. Their road stops are really nice.
- Walked around Paris at night.
- European people walk very fast. It keeps then warm.
- When Europeans tell you its 10 minutes away, Malaysian translation means its 20 minutes away.
- McD in Europe is very different. Sign language again 8D;
Sunday 23/11/08
- Went up the Eiffel Tower. Twas awesomely cold up there. The wind was so strong.
- Went from place to place to see locations and landmarks. Like the ARC de Triumph and so on so forth.
- Didn't manage to go up close to Notre Dame and go into the Louvre. I'll do that next time
- Took a cruise along the River Seine.
- It rained when we were at Monmartre Hill. Bought a barret here <3
ENGLAND
London
Monday 24/11/08
- Rode the Eurostar to England into London.
- London's pollution reminds me of KL. Didn't phase me one bit.
- London's rather lackluster once you've been to Vatican City and stuff but it was pretty expected so I took it in my stride.
- Buckingham Palace, Big Ben etc etc. Usual places to visit.
Tuesday 25/11/08
- Had the last breakfast with the tour group. We all agreed we'd miss each other because its rare to get such a harmonious small and nice tour group. Exchanged contacts and we went our seperate ways.
- Met my mother's friend Aunty Annie. She brought me around London.
- Saw my future university. Wow, talk about culture shock. I've truly experienced complete fish-out-of-water syndromme.
- Hostel was nice. Chances are I'll be booking it for all its facilities and stuff.
- Got a hang of the London Underground.
- Lugged luggage onto the train to Surrey and went to Aunty Annie's house.
- Her house is huge by British standards. It was pretty. And her daughter is an awesome cook.
- I ate 'Gourmet Burger' for dinner.
Wednesday 26/11/08
- Went to London again where we went shopping in Harrods and around London City.
- Was basically to let me get a hang of using the Underground further.
- Ran around the city a lot looking for bookstores and stuff.
- I found Borders. It was epic huge and epic cluttered. So I found everything yet nothing.
- Found clearance sale. Got stuff there.
- Found out I lost a pants size with all the walking. But wtf no loss of weight. Got skinny jeans here.
- Went back home happy and stuff. Mum has no sense of direction.
Thursday 27/11/08
- Went to Hampton's Court and the surrounding gardens.
- Its so gorgeous. I want to come back in spring.
- Bought grapes and blueberries and raspberries to eat. So nice <3
- Walked around someplace near Kingston for shopping.
- Ate in a pub. Damn food there was cheap. The people there looked at me odd because Asians are rare in Surrey and usually people my age don't go to that pub. Quite lol.
- Went shopping later. Scored some shirts and another pair of boots and shoes.... What they were on discount 8D; That and like, mum got stuff too.
- Went home to help prepare for dinner. Took too much wine so went to sleep almost instantly.
Friday 28/11/08
- Stayed home and used the internet since mum wanted to go Thanksgiving shopping with Aunty Annie.
- Helped with Lunch and basically chatted the night away or something.
- read books and played guitar hero.
- Helped prepare for Thanksgiving dinner after packing up all our bags and stuff.
- Turkeys are huge. Had our first official Thanksgiving dinner. Like wtf three glasses for one person X-x; Talk about formal.
- Was sent to the Airport after dinner.
- The airport is terrible D8 That or I've been spoilt by KLIA. But wow talk about disorganized.
- 13 hour flight back home. Got back on Saturday. And thus that was my trip.
And extra segment as to how being robbed affects my ODIN SPHERE DOUJINSHI!!! PLEASE READ AND PIMP TO THOSE YOU KNOW IN THE DOUJINSHI ;A;
I'm going to say this. I'm sorry to all of those who contributed and honestly, no one could be more disappointed than me. I'm sorry the announcement came late but I just recovered from jetlag and severe tiredness.
THE ODIN SPHERE DOUJINSHI WILL BE DELAYED TO GACC 2009 (march).
Explanation as to why.
- Being robbed of my IC, LIcense and bank card has its effects.
- I can't drive as far to puchong for printing because I have no license. The police report only gets you so far.
- I have no I.C. so this is really bad for anyone going out of the area with no one to accompany her.
- I have no I.C. to reclaim a new bank card. My money is in the bank and I can't get it out because the account is frozen due to the robbery for at least 2 weeks. By that time printing will not make it in time for CF.
- I am not willing to ask my parents for money because the printing is not cheap and they just sent me to Europe.
- This year has been a very bad year for me. I'm disappointed but I'd rather do a quality doujin for another event rather than botching it with all the work.
I really am very sorry for all of you who tried so hard to make it for the previous deadline. The good thing about it is this
GOOD REASONS FOR PUSHING THE DOUJINSHI
- Very few people sent me submissions for comics and more illustrations. I'm guessing this is also because of the tight deadline and that CF was coming closer. I'm hoping now with the later deadline I can get more people so I can make printing it in offset worth it.
- Anyone of you who rushed it is free to touch up and add more things and call more people. I highly doubt the next deadline will be any later than before middle of February next year. So there's still time.
- I can honestly say without CF to stress me I can focus on putting even more quality into the doujinshi and I do want to look for more international collaboraters for this project so if you've got anyone to suggest please feel free. For now the pages aren't all that thick and I understand its my own fault for that too.
- I think my bad year has serious karma. If anything I am severely paranoid of having this be botched up by 2008 luck. I'd love this to go well.
I hope you guys will still support me and I'm really sorry.
Sorry if the post was not very descriptive. Its already really long and gosh it took hours X-x;;; Nite everyone.
For easy reading, this post will be in point form (brilliant I wonder how long that's gonna take ahahahhaa....) Mostly its about things that went through my head as I was in that place and not much on everything else. Mostly we went to historical places so I am ASSUMING most of you know the places I'm talking about or this post will never end 8D;
Ok starting now
Friday 14/11/08
- Took the 11 hour plane ride to Rome.
- Turbulence scared me. I hadn't been on a plane since I was 14. I thought we were having major malfunction. Mum laughed D8
- Tried to watch the movies but constant turbulence made me feel sick.
- Played Tetris for 3 hours because I couldn't find Mario ;A;
- Slept for about 8 hours
- Plane food was oddly very filling X_x;
ITALY
ROME
Saturday 15/11/08
- Arrived in Rome at dawn. About 4 in the morning was about right.
- Took a bus to Vatican City where we met our guide. Vatican City is gorgeous, and St Peter's Cathedral, cannot be described in words. Its massive. Actually everything in Rome is massively tall.
- Doors in Rome are at least 3 times the height of people. Seriously.
- Went to the Basilica, Roman Forum, Coliseum etc etc. Greater monuments of Rome etc.
- Rome is a haven for pick pockets. We saw one in action. They're fast. And they disappear like the wind >_>;
- I was quite amused. I was in Vatican City. Our guide's name was 'ESTHER' and she had eyes like a TB artwork complete with the blue colour eyeshadow. It doesn't look sick on her like it does on Asians O_o;
- Trevi Fountain is quite epic! I like it very much. Full of couples.
- Mum is shocked at how 'open' the Italians are with affection. I was shocked at her being shocked lol.
- Italians are very pretty people. Like seriously.
- The Pope is one very controversial man. That and he has guards who wear the uggliest uniforms. And they're all Swiss. They only can be Swiss.
- Esther was talking to our guide, Mok, about how she was worried about the economy. Apparently tourism is the only thing keeping Italy affloat and stuff. Quite interesting.
- had to sign language to eat some sort of Italian Sandwich. The people there are damn amusing.
PISA
Sunday 16/11/08
- went to Pisa for the Leanieng tower and the Square of Miracles. Its quite lol. Lots of people taking lots of amusing pictures.
- Winter is fantastic in Rome when the sun is shining 8D
- did lots of lol things for the tour group
- had fun drawing people there
- went to Via Santa Maria. Lots of artists and the square is gorgeous
- ate a huge chocolate truffle. Seriously it was the size of a baseball.
- watched Italians eat an entire pizza. EACH. Their pizza's good btw
- The Italians are very suave people.
FLORENCE
- Went to the tour of Tuscany and the Piazza Michelangelo. The view is breathtaking. And we went during SUNSET. It is just too gorgeous for words.
- David is like small. If you know what I mean 8D
- I tripped on a big big cobblestone. while I fell my mind was telling me to do something but I didn't react. Now I have a big bruise on my knee lol
- Walked in Florence in the night. Its just so gorgeous with so muhc history. Pity we didn't have more time and gosh the Italians are gorgeous people O_o; I love the statues and the piazzas. I'd sit and draw more if I could.
- Chinese food in Europe is pretty good actually.
- Tall Asian people are an abnormalty in Italy it seems. Its the reason why they stare so >_>;
- Mum was convinced that the excitement was going to kill me judging from the look of the bruise. It didn't hurt though. Walking in Italy was rather amazing~
- Amazing people in Italy 1 (Pisa)
Helped a guy who fell down pick up his things and his stuff that was roling away since I was near the street and apparently no one stopped him. He thanked me and said 'you're a very beautiful person'. STONE.
- Amazing people in Italy 2 (Florence)
Some kid was running around crying outside the Chinese restaurant we were at. I just stepped outside for some fresh air and stuff so I just picked him up and tried to talk to him to get him to tell me what was wrong. No go. Italian kid. He did stop crying for a bit though. Later apparently his older brother showed up. Thanked me frantically and said ' You are a very beautiful person. Thank you'. STONE.
Venice
Monday 17/11/08
- Been waiting ages for a trip to this place. You cannot believe the excitement.
- I rode a Gondola 8D I ran around the whole of Venice. The Byzantine Basilica was awesome. Everything was just awesome.
- I ate a gigantic slice of pizza for lunch and a gigantic biscuit for desert. I shared the latter with the Cheah family. It was just too big.
- Bought a Venetian mask *___* Went crazy getting souveniors.
- Bought boots from Bata on sale 8D Score Boots 1.
- Took gorgeous pictures of sunsets in Venice.
- Amazing people in Italy 3
Shopkeeper : *stares at me* ....You know miss, you are very beautiful.
Me : *stones* ...err thank you?
Shopkeeper : *puts hand on heart as if I wounded him* No no, you must not doubt it. I mean it from my heart that you are beautiful.
Me : 8DDD;;;;; THANK YOU??
Mum : *comes up* what's going on?
Shopkeeper : Maam do you know your daughter is very beautiful?
Mum : HAHHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHHA (Me : ;A;) Ok since she's so beautiful can you give us a discount?
Shopkeeper : Non non madam. I cannot. Love and business are two different things. My heart tells me one thing, my boss another.
Me : (OMG IS HER FOR REAL) LOLOLOLOL?
He said this in a very suave tone mind you. I don't know how to explain it to you. Its just damn wow. Totally Italian. and he looked good to
- Said shopkeeper kept calling out to me 'MI AMORE~!' everytime I walked past. DAMN LOL.
- Experienced the nightlife in Venice.
- The canals have been cleaned and gosh the people are damn sporting XD
- Amazing people in Italy 4
Our bus driver was this rather moody looking Italian but he was always very nice to me. I didn't understand why. Mum says its because I always greet him and stuff. Like seriously, he only talked to me. It was kinda odd. Then that night he was busy on the phone so I helped unload the bags and he tried to stop me. I said its fine since he's busy anyways and he's been driving us around, I might as well and everyone else is preoccupied. He thanked me and said,
'You are beautiful!'
My brain kinda stopped here. Brushed it off after that. After that he was increasingly nice to me. Even my tour guide noticed it.
Lake Lugano
Tuesday 18/11/08
- Right before we left the border of Italy we visited this Italian Leather shop goods.
- Owner used to be part of the mafia. Was a very boisterous man.
- Didnt' buy anything but the boots were awesome
- Amazing people in Italy 5
Someone accidentally knocked down one of the boots and this whole domino effect took place. So I helped stack it back up sinec I was waiting for everyone else to get upstairs since they were all browsing leather goods downstairs. Boss thanked me and said 'You're a very beautiful person'.
.....................
Yes I know.
MY ITALIAN CONCLUSION : 'You are beautiful' must be some direct translation from some Italian compliment or something. I can brush it off once, twice or three times but five times is just plain BIZARRE. They sure know how to make a girl feel good about themselves though.
Lake Lugano - Switzerland
- We got to Lake Lugano sometime before Sunset and went shopping in Bucherer. Mum went mad with the Swarovski here since it was cheaper and stuff.
- Walked around the Piazza Reforma. Mum has been having this stapple for ice cream so we tried this brand called 'Peace of Cake'. It was nice <3
- Found clearance sale. Wanted to Finish up Swiss Francs so we bought another pair of boots here.
- Our guide followed me and my mum towards the end of the day so we learnt a lot of things about him. He has a damn colourful life.
Lucerne/Mount Pilatus
Wednesday 19/11/08
- Lucerne is gorgeous. So peaceful and lovely scenery all around with Spanish mixes. DId I tell you I love their Hot Chocolate. Peaceful time
- Went up Mount Pilatus. SAW SNOW FOR THE FIRST TIME. I WENT A LITTLE PSYCHO WITH THE LING FAMILY AND CHEAH FAMILY.
- Met this really cute and amusing Portugese guy XD; He asked me to draw him so I did.
- saw the Lion Monumne known as the saddest rock in Europe. The surroundings were gorgeous.
- pretty relaxing day with lots of lovely scenery.
GERMANY
BlackForest/Rhineland
- Lake Titi is massive and gosh the Black Forest is really black.
- Technically its black beacuse the pine trees stretch on for miles and are grown so closely that its very dark.
- Had my taste of Pork Knuckle. F**K its huge D8; Had a taste of authentic Black Forest Cake with Rum. So nice <33
- The people at the restaurant wanted me to draw for them because my tour guide ratted on me D8; The Europeans are easily amused by people who can draw O_o;Drew their waitress in the end.
- The Rhinefalls are amazing. They're huge.
- We were in the bus a lot but we saw expanses and expanses of forests and fields.
- Saw with my own eyes sunlight that shines down on only specific spots. It looked absolutely heavenly.
- Saw how Cuckoo clocks were made etc. It was awesome.
Netherlands.
Amsterdam
Thursday 20/11/08
- Went on a night tour around Amsterdam and went to the Diamond making factory.
- Diamonds are truly a girl's best friend. Learnt the value of evaluating a diamond.
- Went to the red light district. Quite interesting place.
- Asians appanretly fetch a very high price in this place.
- Teased the boys on the trips a lot. It was so amusing.
- Walked around a lot and stuff. Amsterdam is a beautiful looking place.
- Watched Cheese making 8D
Friday 21/11/08
This is kinda where my luck kind took a downturn. In the morning in Amsterdam I was robbed and it devastated me for the rest of the day. What happened.
- the hotel we stayed in was five star so when we went to the restaurant we were the only people there. Not peak season.
- they asked for our room numbers so there was some security to who they let in.
- the rest of the tour groups left their bags on the chair to get their food so we followed suit.
- i wrapped my bag in my down jacket, left it on my chair and left to get my orange juice. I didn't want to spill anything.
- turned around barely a minute later and my jacket was on the floor and my bag was gone. The people sitting close by didn't see anything asides a man walking past.
- seems this man posed as a guest and said he wanted to meet someone in the restaurant so the staff let him in, in which he walked past my table, swiped my bag and left quick. Probably a pro since he was really quick.
- the hotel was heavily criticised for poor security and apparently their excuse was that their security cameras had malfunctions so it didn't catch anything.
- I was crying very hard, but thankfully the passports weren't taken. But I lost these things
1. My Wallet which had my IC, Drivers License and Bank Card. If you're wondering why I had those with me, I'm rather green in a sense that I thought you needed such things asides from your passport because I've only traveled to Singapore in the past 8 years or so and you need it for that at times.
2. My camera and all my pictures. I was really sad because I had a lot of fantastic pictures I was so upset
3. My handphone. I lost all my contacts *sigh*
4. My SKETCH JOURNAL ;A; IN WHICH I HAD LOGGED AND DRAWN VARIOUS PEOPLE, SCENERY AND STUFF. THIS DEVASTATED ME THE MOST. Because it took a lot of discipline to draw up to 100 pages in the span of those days no matter how tired I was and take the trouble to write and stuff. This devastated me the most.
- I was told I was targeted because I stand out because of my height and my bag was big with a Guess logo. Though I was told this person obviously won't be getting much. My camera was scratched and not worth much, my bag was far too out of date to fetch any price in Amsterdam, Malaysian currency doesn't help much in Amsterdam either. It still ruined my day though.
Brussels
- We moved across the border to Belgium in the afternoon and the tour group was really nice to me and sympathetic and everyone became more cautious since all their bags were there as well.
- The Ling Family passed me their extra camera to use.
- Cheered up a little towards the evening. Brussels being very pretty was a good cheer up.
- Molested the Saint statue for studies. Quite amusing.
- Brussles is amazingly beautiful. Its highly undervalued IMO.
- Had Godiva hot chocolate and awesome waffles.
- There are lots of Lolita shops everywhere. Lace and lace and more lace.
FRANCE
Paris
Saturday 22/11/08
- The ride to Paris was a long one. It took practically half the day. We got to Paris at 6. Before that we made random stops here and there. Their road stops are really nice.
- Walked around Paris at night.
- European people walk very fast. It keeps then warm.
- When Europeans tell you its 10 minutes away, Malaysian translation means its 20 minutes away.
- McD in Europe is very different. Sign language again 8D;
Sunday 23/11/08
- Went up the Eiffel Tower. Twas awesomely cold up there. The wind was so strong.
- Went from place to place to see locations and landmarks. Like the ARC de Triumph and so on so forth.
- Didn't manage to go up close to Notre Dame and go into the Louvre. I'll do that next time
- Took a cruise along the River Seine.
- It rained when we were at Monmartre Hill. Bought a barret here <3
ENGLAND
London
Monday 24/11/08
- Rode the Eurostar to England into London.
- London's pollution reminds me of KL. Didn't phase me one bit.
- London's rather lackluster once you've been to Vatican City and stuff but it was pretty expected so I took it in my stride.
- Buckingham Palace, Big Ben etc etc. Usual places to visit.
Tuesday 25/11/08
- Had the last breakfast with the tour group. We all agreed we'd miss each other because its rare to get such a harmonious small and nice tour group. Exchanged contacts and we went our seperate ways.
- Met my mother's friend Aunty Annie. She brought me around London.
- Saw my future university. Wow, talk about culture shock. I've truly experienced complete fish-out-of-water syndromme.
- Hostel was nice. Chances are I'll be booking it for all its facilities and stuff.
- Got a hang of the London Underground.
- Lugged luggage onto the train to Surrey and went to Aunty Annie's house.
- Her house is huge by British standards. It was pretty. And her daughter is an awesome cook.
- I ate 'Gourmet Burger' for dinner.
Wednesday 26/11/08
- Went to London again where we went shopping in Harrods and around London City.
- Was basically to let me get a hang of using the Underground further.
- Ran around the city a lot looking for bookstores and stuff.
- I found Borders. It was epic huge and epic cluttered. So I found everything yet nothing.
- Found clearance sale. Got stuff there.
- Found out I lost a pants size with all the walking. But wtf no loss of weight. Got skinny jeans here.
- Went back home happy and stuff. Mum has no sense of direction.
Thursday 27/11/08
- Went to Hampton's Court and the surrounding gardens.
- Its so gorgeous. I want to come back in spring.
- Bought grapes and blueberries and raspberries to eat. So nice <3
- Walked around someplace near Kingston for shopping.
- Ate in a pub. Damn food there was cheap. The people there looked at me odd because Asians are rare in Surrey and usually people my age don't go to that pub. Quite lol.
- Went shopping later. Scored some shirts and another pair of boots and shoes.... What they were on discount 8D; That and like, mum got stuff too.
- Went home to help prepare for dinner. Took too much wine so went to sleep almost instantly.
Friday 28/11/08
- Stayed home and used the internet since mum wanted to go Thanksgiving shopping with Aunty Annie.
- Helped with Lunch and basically chatted the night away or something.
- read books and played guitar hero.
- Helped prepare for Thanksgiving dinner after packing up all our bags and stuff.
- Turkeys are huge. Had our first official Thanksgiving dinner. Like wtf three glasses for one person X-x; Talk about formal.
- Was sent to the Airport after dinner.
- The airport is terrible D8 That or I've been spoilt by KLIA. But wow talk about disorganized.
- 13 hour flight back home. Got back on Saturday. And thus that was my trip.
And extra segment as to how being robbed affects my ODIN SPHERE DOUJINSHI!!! PLEASE READ AND PIMP TO THOSE YOU KNOW IN THE DOUJINSHI ;A;
I'm going to say this. I'm sorry to all of those who contributed and honestly, no one could be more disappointed than me. I'm sorry the announcement came late but I just recovered from jetlag and severe tiredness.
THE ODIN SPHERE DOUJINSHI WILL BE DELAYED TO GACC 2009 (march).
Explanation as to why.
- Being robbed of my IC, LIcense and bank card has its effects.
- I can't drive as far to puchong for printing because I have no license. The police report only gets you so far.
- I have no I.C. so this is really bad for anyone going out of the area with no one to accompany her.
- I have no I.C. to reclaim a new bank card. My money is in the bank and I can't get it out because the account is frozen due to the robbery for at least 2 weeks. By that time printing will not make it in time for CF.
- I am not willing to ask my parents for money because the printing is not cheap and they just sent me to Europe.
- This year has been a very bad year for me. I'm disappointed but I'd rather do a quality doujin for another event rather than botching it with all the work.
I really am very sorry for all of you who tried so hard to make it for the previous deadline. The good thing about it is this
GOOD REASONS FOR PUSHING THE DOUJINSHI
- Very few people sent me submissions for comics and more illustrations. I'm guessing this is also because of the tight deadline and that CF was coming closer. I'm hoping now with the later deadline I can get more people so I can make printing it in offset worth it.
- Anyone of you who rushed it is free to touch up and add more things and call more people. I highly doubt the next deadline will be any later than before middle of February next year. So there's still time.
- I can honestly say without CF to stress me I can focus on putting even more quality into the doujinshi and I do want to look for more international collaboraters for this project so if you've got anyone to suggest please feel free. For now the pages aren't all that thick and I understand its my own fault for that too.
- I think my bad year has serious karma. If anything I am severely paranoid of having this be botched up by 2008 luck. I'd love this to go well.
I hope you guys will still support me and I'm really sorry.
Sorry if the post was not very descriptive. Its already really long and gosh it took hours X-x;;; Nite everyone.