Spontaneous Getaway!

So I decided to take a spontaneous long weekend trip to Iceland! A friend of mine asked if I fancied going a just over a week before I went; so I thought why not! I could do with a mad trip away from city and the crap hitting me at work, I needed to get away!!

Landed and arrived to Keflavik Airport about Midnight, getting on the bus, I was quite dark and I could just smell the salty air, reminded me of the beach; nicer air compared to London!

4hours sleep of course everyone’s fussy minded in a daze; despite the lack of sleep during the trip and early morning, naptime was always a good call on the bus, especially the Golden Circle tour!

Visiting one of Reykjavik’s power plants, the air stank of Sulphur, passing green houses that grew Reykjavik’s fruit and vegetables including bananas! The island can afford it as their electricity and hot water Since Iceland sits on geothermal plates so free hot water!

Moving over to the Geysers. Really interesting, couldn’t believe how blue some of the pools were and was really exciting seeing the Geyser blow a lot of steam surrounded us!  Next location was to the Gull Foss waterfalls before that we checked out a smaller waterfall and loved the sign saying no peeing next to the hut!! Was seriously amazing the water was crashing so fast, around there was still ice around us. Was good to have food in the restaurant yummy lamb soup, very homely tasting ^.^

Finally over to the Thingvellir National Park, didn’t look like much of a park as the tree aren’t very tall, and seeing the divide of the two continent plates North American and Eurasian – it’s quite a big gap, I couldn’t get over how wide the crack was and how clear the water was, I would have wanted to dive into the water! But this place is where the Vikings used to have their annual assemblies where different tribes gathered with political issues…. Enough history from me, as I’m not the best at it!

The Blue Lagoon is another amazing thing so relaxing, blue and waters heating up to 38C and free silicate salt masks to exfoliate! Was so cold in the beginning especially the wind chill >.< but we dunked ourselves in the water and went through the water gate as oppose to the double doors and to the pool!

Shame we didn’t see the Northern Lights, due to crap weather conditions but this was a really fun getaway from all the hustle and bustle of Capital City, definitely would recommend as a place to check out and explore ^.^

I shall do a food porn blog of Iceland food!

Cloud 23

Afternoon Tea on Cloud 23, The Hilton Hotel, Manchester. Part of Mimi’s birthday, we decided to head to Manchester’s tallest building, The Hilton Hotel for a spot of afternoon tea.

The Building is very interesting; 52 floors but only up to 23 floors it belongs to The Hilton; and there upwards are apartments.There’s the direct lift up to the 23rd floor, amazingly quick a floor a second. As we arrive we are just taken away by the high views from the building.

As we were taken to our seats the seating plan is very modern interior and furniture. The red lip chairs were amazingly comfortable and a very new piece of design.

The Waitresses were quite dresses up like they were air stewardesses very polite service.
Afternoon tea cost £15 per person choice of Tea, with Sandwiches, cakes and Scones
The tea to be honest wasn’t a large range, around 4 options, sandwiches were quite nice, smoked salmon, egg and mayo, pate and cucumber and a chicken wrap, and I have to admit the wrap was pretty good!

Even though it didn’t look like a lot of food, it really filled us up! Food was not too bad, cakes were very good but so rich!!

Overall I will say it’s quite a nice treat going to Cloud 23, not too expensive, good view very modern feel and way of having an English Afternoon cream tea

Bloggin about The Hood

Whey! the 60th post!!

This weekend, I was out of the M25 Bubble and headed up North to Manchester.

As travelling up that way, it started to get pretty grey, and entering Manchester you could tell you were in Manchester as the place is more industrialized.

But Yay my 老婆 came to pick me up from the station <3>

Taking the Tram over to Mimi pad was, you could see the contrast and Mimi kept going on about “we’re entering the Hood” so so funny.

Into Sainsbury’s to buy groceries, we were still in the hood! Have to admit the Cashier in the Sainsbury’s were very chatty and friendly, as we went outside, a lot of the Council house dwellers “we in the hood!!”

As Mimi and I were looking for the restaurant just by China Town, catching up with some family friends; we had no clues where the place was. Bring on Google maps! thinking ooh we're heading the right direction; Yan Yan said the Restaurant was downstairs from the NCP car park. I see one right infront of us.... the restaurant was right in front of us.... diew diew diew!!!!!

I have to admit out of the 2 nights in Manchester, sleeping on the airbed at Mimi’s compared to Sleeping at the hotel; hotel was really nice and posh with interior however too many pillows & were too high; but Henna and I are thrifty people grabbin what we deserved of hotel good!! ^.^ I found my match in Thrifting! Hahaha!

Shopping in Manchester’s City Centre is not that bad with a

range of different boutiques and chains, department stores; Wei kept picking out Chavs…. Ooh there was also a Manchester’s Wheel, but it moved faster than the London version, and was smaller.

Popping into China Town, is smaller but things are more spread out, food was not too bad; prices to eat not too expensive which is good. Karaoke in China Town; why not drinking, singing, rapping all funny!

I would definitely like to see more of Manchester, there is a lot of potential in that city, there is some pretty awesome architecture in this City, particularly The Hilton Hotel being 52 Floors; 23 belong to the Hilton, rest are Flats

It's nice to do things; bonus the fact they are free!

Bank Holiday Monday, I wake up latish after spontaneous outing to Chinatown @ 2am for a drive and food with friends

Since I woke before 12pm I wanted to get out of the house and explore, thing was what to do and not expensive. A friend mentioned

the Garden Trail happening around London so I thought why not do something different, as I do!

So out I went to the Gardens in Wimbledon Village so beautiful refreshing to breathe some green air, being out in the spots of sunshine and nice taking photos of flowers; though i think the

camera is slowly dying after 5years of owning it (sadness)

I definitely would have wanted to take my mum to this and free! Can't complain on that four letter word! ^.^

Snow Trip Part deux

Since last post I mentioned the journey getting there, here's the anecdote of the 21 of us partying it in the evening @ Alpe D'Huez!

Evenings were very Epic! We all chipped money towards alcohol and brought @ the Duty Free on the boat… My GOD! We brought A LOT! & aimed to drink most of it in drinking games and what nots. I mixed my drinks, drank in a pint glass played Ring of Fire, Asian Flush kicked in and I’m a lightweight; oh well! Some random girl decided to piss literally outside my mate's flat! bang out of order! some 19 year old boy came into our gathering chatting up (attempting) some of the girls; FAILED! and cried when Mahavasee told him to "FAWK AWWF!" hahahaha! it became her phrase!

plenty of Korean music played and dancing, Chinese people can be such lightweights with the liquor, well we're a cheap date! hehehehe Jokes!

If any of you guys got me on FB you'll see our antics from the films and photos! I've got lazy to blurb about this little adventure! hehe! ^.^

My First Epic Snow Trip!

As some of you guys may know I decided to take a holiday to the French Alps for a bit of snowboarding!!! Never done it before so very exciting, was glad I wasn’t the only Rookie/ beginner going, I still can’t get over the fact there was 21 of us going at that!! Now here’s me trying to document the highlights short but sweet in two sections, makes it easier of the training times and the evening craziness! hehehe

We were pretty lucky the fact we weren’t flying, but coaching and ferry instead, but man it was a long journey! 16 hours ~.~

Though we managed to survive killing time with conversations, watching Anchorman (funny film!) playing on the NDS multi player of Mario Kart, (I’m so not very pro @ that game!) and playing fun simple picto chat!! ^.^

Pit stop before the Alps, some of the guys brought Candy Up, it’s the French version of Yazoo, chocolate milkshake, very sweet. ^.^

As you can see in the pic, Roger modelling and advertising the large bottle of milkshake! it's all good and such a novelty!

As we finally reached Alpe D’Huez, it was getting pretty sunny, not too cold either but I layered up a bit, in case! As we all kitted up and hit the green slopes I was so nervous thinking; OK where to start?

So I started out learning to board backwards & skating Goofy (right leg first) bad terminologies, mixing skating and boarding terms! Any who; Yay! I am able to board backwards doing the falling leaf movement and falling along the way on my front and back; going down too quick and losing balance! Thank God I had wrist guards, but seriously wished I invested in a pair of impact shorts! Would have saved my ass from excessive failures!

Next stage was boarding front ways, using heels to control…. Still need practice! I can do it a bit but not so well >.<” Though most of the time I was boarding backwards as it was easier and I was very conscious of falling on my arse some more, really needed impact shorts!!

One of the last runs for the day, one of my friends Eric & I decided to toboggan out way down the slopes on our boards! Was exhilarating and fun! Though shame on me! Half way down the slope, I got off the board and was just about the clip onto the board, it runs away! >.<” Me trying to run chasing it, failing miserably! Luckily Will sped down on his board and rescued it… I felt so guilty, nearly hitting a pair of skiers and it was like an invisible man going down really fast! Major PHAROH!

You guys may seemed quiet confused but we all picked up of a fair few highlighting words; Beginning of the trip I couldn’t stop saying “Yea Man!” damn Will! We all said Epic a lot, and of course FAIL! Creating PHAROH! = major fail!

Song for the trip was definitely this Korean Tune b ShiNee, Ring Ding Dong, so catchy!!!

Love of Devon

Gosh it seriously feels like I haven’t posted in a LONG TIME!

As some of you guys know I have been extremely busy manning the fort of garment techs in the office, taking care of production relateds, chasing factories & such, but came Good Friday was back down to the Shires of Devon!!

Was a good one at that despite the slight cold, and heavy rains, typical Bank Holiday! Was good spending time with friends and family, home cooked foods; such treats I had of Vietnamese cooking and good old hot pot with the family on Easter Sunday and breathing Devon Air!!! ^.^ catching up with old friends

Devon has seriously become quite a student-orientated town; my God there’s so many of them! I forget how Emo Exeter is as well! Hahaha!! (I admit I used to be one of them, with the love of Gigs & slight fashions!!) But come to think of it, it helps living in the Shires managed to get some sale pieces for Snowboarding next week, can’t wait!!! ^.^ Devon is known for sports like hiking surfing and such, mental note, summer want to get back into kayaking!!!

So jealous of my old school mate Aimee, She’s was kayaking this Easter over in Dartmoor, down rapids & such sigh I miss the extreme sports!!! >.<

Caught up with my guy mates of Exeter as well, good old Man Bitch how I miss him! So funny hanging out with the Boys playing pool having drinks and decided to do some spontaneous bowling!! All good!!! I even managed to get my Devonshire accent back for a bit!! It’s fun hanging out with the more laid back crowd, where things are a bit more of a slower pace compared to The Big Smoke.

Sunday is always family day in Devon, Mum woke me up before 9am asking if I was up for the Car boot… I’m always up for Car boot sales!! I always love going to check out the little treasures that are in store! I really need to go with an open mind and not aim to buy anything particular, else you never get or find it, Karma I’ll say! So jealous of Mum she always manages to find such good bargains! She even got a stand with a draw for £1!!!

Gosh as I was rummaging through my old collection of films and music I found my Favourite Tool Album!!! ^.^ Schism is a def all time favourite tune by these guys! Enjoy the eccentric MV!

The Little Things (II)

The saying home is where the heart is, I think that can be true. It’s so refreshing to go home visiting the folks and catching up with friends, and winding down to the slower pace and breathing fresh green air; it’s definitely nice to get out of the city, sometimes it can be too much.

I couldn’t believe there are now so many students around Exeter now especially the international students, they look young & I feel old!! Even though there are times I don’t act my age! Hehehe

Its so nice to enjoy Devon in the sunshine, makes it so different though I think it’s a bit too extreme, I spotted a fair few people wearing shorts, tees and flip flops…. Springs here but we’re still away from summer! There I was in my jacket and knitwear!

It’s so exciting catching up with old friends, I managed to see one who I’ve known for 20years and a few from college days, time flies, people change, some have had babies and some still same old same old.

I couldn’t believe that Hog’s Head in the town centres become a pub with a dance floor called ‘The Chevalier” the place has indeed become like it’s nickname, the “Chavelier” so many of them!

Moving on to an old haunt Time Piece where all the kool indie Kids hung out, various genres of music played, though they played cheese & chart tunes on a Saturday…. Rococo & Arena play enough of that shit! I was catching up with old work friends, we opted for staying down in the bar, more chilled out environment and more eclectic tunes played, ranging from Hives, Jackson 5, ODB; I swear that “Baby I got your Money” tune is over 8years old! I remember one of my childhood friends being obsessed with that tune & was constantly playing the single in her room.

Catching up with people is always good, sharing fun memories ^.^

Sunday is always one of my favourite days in Devon, so chilled out. Winding down from the night before, though I wasn’t hung over only a few casual drinks & no clubbing, aren’t I good!

Well Sunday’s always car boot sale day and pop out with the parents having a walk around and seeing what findings we could find. Mum did better than me, finding things for 10p each, from crystal glasses to a big brolly, there were things I wanted but was still a bit expensive, there was so much vintage jewellery I liked but nothing cheap enough I would have wanted as a keeper. Though we did buy an interesting wooden figurine for 50p!! Still trying to decide what animal it is; is it a mouse, or a pig? Pygmy?

Wedding of Simon & Novanne

Weddings are indeed a happy and memorable occasion.

Catching up and sharing a loving event with friends and family. The Registration office was a lovely Tudor building, very heritage.

As the bride and groom started signing the marriage certificate, the tears started from the Best man, and Grooms parents; which set the Groom and Bride off crying as well, such an emotional moment.

Evening dinner was held at the Guildhall in Coventry a very Traditional English location, next to the old Cathedral I think my history isn't that great!

Typical me being with the "cool" table, sat with a good bunch, we had a lot to talk about many interesting discussions, jokes and anecdotes to share, lot of laughs! Very sociable! I think we were the loudest table stuck between the Bride/Grooms who were at the top & other tables around us, they seemed much quieter than we were. The Lewis the Best Man and his Mum, were glad we were having a good time & knew we would be the best and lively table of the room!! (yes to the under 30s table!!)

After the dinner Groom & his old School mates went out to the court yard for a celebratory cigar, typical me I can't say no & decided to join the manly session! First time I've ever smoked a Cigar! Not bad! Though Yan my best mate who was also at the wedding said I'm becoming like my dad!

Dancing in the Hall was good! Lewis did some breaking with his crew who were really awesome & I couldn't get over one of the members did such a sick job with pop and locking, and he's 42!

DJ played chart tunes and of course classic floor fillers from the 90s! definitely couldn't say no to Dancing to Wigfield's Saturday Night, which I finally remember the moves

to, the Macarena, it's a must and YMCA!

fun fun times & congrats to the Happy Newly Weds! I wish them all the best

First dance was to this classic Chinese Love song ^.^

Ice Festival

From Snow weekend in Devon to Ice Festival over in Canary Wharf.

Some of the work was quite nice but what was there was kind of disappointing. Shame about the weather, RAIN! Muddy grass and finding the irony of a sign on the grass!

Maybe it should have been better if

we were still having snow week, might have looked

really pretty!

White Devon

I was a little bit pessimistic coming back down to the Shires this weekend because of snow and ice affecting train travel, but it’s all been smooth riding there and back.

Despite my mad antics in the club (well maybe its normal actually!) Exeter in the snow is quite pretty. As I walkedabout from home to Town, passing the signature building of Exeter that's the Cathedral.

Met up with one of my old school mates from Secondary school days, ended up buying a pair of shoes (1^st pair for the new year) these are heavy-duty practical shoes, Dr Martens! Quirky floral pattern, can go with other things, apart from the skinny’s I think skirts and stripy tights! Hehehehe quite punk rocky styled I know, perfect for a gig! Or my look when I was 17…..

It’s just lovely taking time out of the Capital and winding down to the easy pace, though I was still fast walking around the town shopping but as I I walked home I saw a dead black bird in the snow lying in the snow, was quite a sad thing.

Simple things were so relaxing to do, one which isn’t teaching Mum how to use the computer to surf the net and look for cheap travel tickets; doesn’t help that my old computer brought in 2002 is VERY Slow! As teaching mum how to surf the Internet, I noticed a fat bird in our garden that was hanging about in our garden rummaging in the snow for food, when I was taking a photo of it I saw it poop! Hahaha! Mum thought I was nuts. It’s so cute I want it as a pet! Surprised it hung around the garden for quite a while, and then moved to the front.

I couldn’t help myself with the inner kid in me to play out in the snow in the back garden, might as well do it, no one else was gonna play in the snow, well I can’t imagine my parents having a snow fight! Even though I didn’t take enough time making my sculptures I cracked an attempt at a snow Penguin and Rabbit…. Damn, I think I did a better job at snow bunnies when I was 17!

Hmm as I’m travelling back to Londontown I see a guy hand writing letters to people, its quite an aesthetic touch, with very beautiful joined up writing, it’s quite sad how hand writing letters is a very rare thing these days and the thought of receiving letters; now days it’s all electronic and digitalized, txting, e-mails and instant messenger, man I sound like an oldie!

ooh definitely want to share this song with you guys even though I know it's a pretty old tune, but it's just my favorite song to have playing on a Sunday. Drake is was last years Next big thing, a bit like Kanye and Lykke Li is a Swedish Indie Electroish artist. Drake did a mash up with her song

hope you guys enjoy it!