Malacca wasn't just home to lion dances and assorted fashion disasters. It's also the hometown of Patrick and his lovely wife, Steph, who did their CNY pilgrimage back from KL with their girls. How time flies. When I first met Patrick's family in London, Rachel was still a shy toddler who wouldn't address me above a whisper. A very different ( Read more... )

It's a new year and time to put aside old grudges,  send glad tidings of peace to all and give up some love for God's creatures. Even those that bug you.

(Live on a low floor and the insects tend to saunter in ever so often. We usually just pick them up and toss them out. Not the cockroaches though. Those we kill. Why the discrimination I don't ( Read more... )

I'm going to London in January so I checked the concert websites there. Chey. Nothing I really want to see ( Read more... )

It used to be so simple getting from mine to Char's. Now it takes considerably more time because I start off at Xian's.

First I walk to the bus stop 5 minutes away and wait 20 mins (for bus) and grumble. Then I hop onto the bus and take a 15 minute ride, getting off at my old hood. I turn into the Shad Thames and pass the courtyard to the apartment ( Read more... )

We decided to spend Sunday visiting the markets and did ourselves proud by being thorough about it. And London did her best to remind us that like all grand ladies, she can be fickle as hell.

She was sweet and sunshiny while we walked crawled through the very crowded Petticoat Lane Market, which reminded me of nothing as much as the old-fashioned ( Read more... )

No, this is not about Michael Jackson (who unfortunately seems to have taken too many pills for his heart). This is about me OD-ing on food, which perhaps is also not very good for my heart.

An example. Yesterday.

Went with Xian to to MacDonald's for their bacon, egg and cheese bagels. Then to Fortnum and Mason's for rarebit (the crumpets were beyond ( Read more... )

Today a number of bands performed while I picnicked on strawberries and cream, salads and sandwiches. They were all good bands. But of course two were superb.

Shine on, The Kooks

( Read more... )

Yesterday, we wandered across the heart of London's tourist areas providing additional spectacle for the hordes of visitors enjoying a sunny day out. There was Char in her long gown with flowers in her hair, EO wearing a suit and a grimace, Eugene carrying his weapons of choice, poised to shoot... and me in my tiara. Well, the tiara is Char's but ( Read more... )

I've got 5 minutes to spare before I head out to buy groceries and I just want to blog a bit about food. In case anyone is going to London to visit and wants to try some other yummies not already mentioned in other posts. Yeah, London has lots of good food, contrary to popular belief, provided you are willing to look...

Yesterday, we were treated to ( Read more... )

Just drive a bit out of London and the landscape changes so markedly. Rolling green hills, grazing sheep and cows, charming little cottages with flowering gardens... and if you head to a national park like New Forest in Hampshire, there are the quaintest villages and farmhouses to dine at and gorgeous views that include herds of wild ponies, deer ( Read more... )