Time flies, the month of May is over soon. My lunch time kakis are getting lesser and lesser each month. How sad. From a time where we had 7 pax, dropping down to 3, soon or maybe 2.
First SY went off to another team and right now we were having difficult times to have same lunch hours and she since joined another clique. Then Nat went off for a greener pasture, followed by SP left for Japan to further her studies. Finally, our dear Ju will also be leaving - for a better future. We were a group of happy colleagues - no, not colleagues anymore. We are friends. Good friends. We talked about anything under the sun. There were no secrets (i think). We helped each other during work, and even after work. All the girls provided good listening ears and they are able to give advices when needed.
My company is not able to give promises right now. So they prefer to play it safe and not to hire any pple. Which means, our work load will increase! July is the month of promotion and increment. I hope that they are able to do something to retain staff.
For me, I'm in the lookout too.
26 May 2011
14 May 2011
Day 9 to12 in Birmingham
I didnt mentioned that I did blogging each day when I was in Europe. So from Day 1 to Day 12 were my dedicated blogging on my iphone notes - just without publishing them. I wanted to wait for the photos to be ready and post together with them.. But never did I realised, upon reaching London, I was getting lazy and stopped. So my blog posts stored in my iphone just stopped at early day 12.
Right now I am lazy to try to recall what i did for the after that. ;) so pardon me. Photos on FB will tell!
Day 9:
Gave hotel breakfast a missed as I wanted to sleep in. Dear went to work at 9am n I lazed around, had my mini instant noodle for breakfast.
Went out around noon to bull ring shopping centre to get jersey for yt. Had my lunch - a yummy big chicken n mushroom pie and finished up with a cone of mango ice cream! Walked around to see if there's anything worth buying... Found some clothes for the girls at home but just couldnt decide which color's for who. Thus I was thinking to return with KK after his work on thurs.
Kk came back and told me that we were meeting his colleague for dinner, with boss the next day and with a group of distributors on thurs. So no dinner dates for the both of us... and I couldnt do the shopping on Thurs night. Only more me time. Anyway, shall visit the cadbury world tmr
Day 10: cadbury world
For the first time, I ventured out myself. Bought train return tickets n went bournville... The cadbury world. Dropped off the station n got a bit lost, luckily I overheard someone asking and followed them. It was quite a walk there, and not forgetting, the wind was strong and a bit cold. Upon reaching, I quickly went to buy a ticket. There's a lot of pple! Entrance fee was 14.30£ and I got free chocolates before entering the exhibition hall. After exiting, I bought a lot of chocolates for 5.83£ only! Cheap!
I got around to the back of the mail building and purchased a chicken burger for lunch, before goin to the last stop stated on the world map. Free chocolate tasting again! After the choco tour, I understand a bit of history of cadbury chocolate n left the place, back to the warm cozy hotel room.
Dinner was with his boss n colleague, to a buffet which I think mainly consists of Indian food.
Day 11 and 12
Went out to pallasade and got the delicious pie for lunch. Then I bought a shawl for 2£ just in case London's too cold for me esp during the river cruise. Then I got to H&M n bought 5pcs of clothings for nieces n nephew, walked around, tried 3 dresses but none to my liking. In the end I got tired n got myself a drink and my early dinner pizza, coz dear mentioned that he will probably have to go for dinner with all the distributors. He then came back n told me his boss invited me to the dinner as well, hence the pizza was wasted. We had half n discarded the rest.
It was an awkward dinner for me, but it tasted good. Haha
Day 12:
Woke up n went to the breakfast in hotel. Didn't have much appetite coz it's really getting sick of English breakfast. Board a cab n went to take the train to London. Bye Birmingham!
Right now I am lazy to try to recall what i did for the after that. ;) so pardon me. Photos on FB will tell!
Day 9:
Gave hotel breakfast a missed as I wanted to sleep in. Dear went to work at 9am n I lazed around, had my mini instant noodle for breakfast.
Went out around noon to bull ring shopping centre to get jersey for yt. Had my lunch - a yummy big chicken n mushroom pie and finished up with a cone of mango ice cream! Walked around to see if there's anything worth buying... Found some clothes for the girls at home but just couldnt decide which color's for who. Thus I was thinking to return with KK after his work on thurs.
Kk came back and told me that we were meeting his colleague for dinner, with boss the next day and with a group of distributors on thurs. So no dinner dates for the both of us... and I couldnt do the shopping on Thurs night. Only more me time. Anyway, shall visit the cadbury world tmr
Day 10: cadbury world
For the first time, I ventured out myself. Bought train return tickets n went bournville... The cadbury world. Dropped off the station n got a bit lost, luckily I overheard someone asking and followed them. It was quite a walk there, and not forgetting, the wind was strong and a bit cold. Upon reaching, I quickly went to buy a ticket. There's a lot of pple! Entrance fee was 14.30£ and I got free chocolates before entering the exhibition hall. After exiting, I bought a lot of chocolates for 5.83£ only! Cheap!
I got around to the back of the mail building and purchased a chicken burger for lunch, before goin to the last stop stated on the world map. Free chocolate tasting again! After the choco tour, I understand a bit of history of cadbury chocolate n left the place, back to the warm cozy hotel room.
Dinner was with his boss n colleague, to a buffet which I think mainly consists of Indian food.
Day 11 and 12
Went out to pallasade and got the delicious pie for lunch. Then I bought a shawl for 2£ just in case London's too cold for me esp during the river cruise. Then I got to H&M n bought 5pcs of clothings for nieces n nephew, walked around, tried 3 dresses but none to my liking. In the end I got tired n got myself a drink and my early dinner pizza, coz dear mentioned that he will probably have to go for dinner with all the distributors. He then came back n told me his boss invited me to the dinner as well, hence the pizza was wasted. We had half n discarded the rest.
It was an awkward dinner for me, but it tasted good. Haha
Day 12:
Woke up n went to the breakfast in hotel. Didn't have much appetite coz it's really getting sick of English breakfast. Board a cab n went to take the train to London. Bye Birmingham!
09 May 2011
Day 7 in Barcelona, Day 8 in Birmingham
Day 7:
Got up and got prepared to go Casa mila. Upon reaching, there was a long queue for the tickets to enter. We then decided to give it a miss, since the tickets were quite costly, plus trip advisor mentioned that it was not really that good on the inside - only the roof top's beautiful.
We continued our journey and walked to Casa batllo.
The queue was shorter n we decided to go for it. The tour was fantastic! Audio guides were provided too! The house was really nicely built. A place for the rich!
Bottom view of a chandelier
After the tour, we bought a nice photo frame of the casa batllo in the souvenior shop. ;)
Palau de la Musica Catalana was next but too bad English guided tour was sold out for the rest of the day! Thus we went to get some postcards and then went to a place recommended by tripadvisor for brunch. :)
We went to La ramblas next and the shops there were all closed on Sunday! Wat a waste! No shopping for us. We walked the whole stretch of road n watch peddlers n performers along the street.
We got back to hotel after that, rested for a while and went to a shopping mall named maremagnum.
Outside the mall there's a display of a really cool car. We took some pictures of it and then went into the mall and do some shopping. I only manage to buy a cardigan. ;( We then had our dinner at a random restaurant and ordered 2 paellas. The servings were huge! (and they didnt taste good actually).
Here's a picture we took while walking back to the train station. It was really cold that night!
That was our last night.
Day 8 : Barcelona to Birmingham
Had breakfast with our stash collected over the past few days before taking the train to the airport.
Reached Manchester at 2.40pm n we immediately went to a cafe and have our lunch. We were so so hungry! Nice BBQ chicken wings and beef pie! For the nex three days, expenses in Birmingham will be reimbursable from his company - more or less. Woo hoo!
Took the train to Birmingham. We took an early train and luckily the conductor closed one eye n let us be on that train. Checked in at Marriott hotel - a little old n classic n situated right opp kk's new office building. Very nice office I must say!
That night, dear brought me to the center's shopping mall to have our nice dinner at Naados. I would be alone for the rest of the days in Birmingham while he's working.
Got up and got prepared to go Casa mila. Upon reaching, there was a long queue for the tickets to enter. We then decided to give it a miss, since the tickets were quite costly, plus trip advisor mentioned that it was not really that good on the inside - only the roof top's beautiful.
We continued our journey and walked to Casa batllo.
The queue was shorter n we decided to go for it. The tour was fantastic! Audio guides were provided too! The house was really nicely built. A place for the rich!
Bottom view of a chandelier
After the tour, we bought a nice photo frame of the casa batllo in the souvenior shop. ;)
Palau de la Musica Catalana was next but too bad English guided tour was sold out for the rest of the day! Thus we went to get some postcards and then went to a place recommended by tripadvisor for brunch. :)
We went to La ramblas next and the shops there were all closed on Sunday! Wat a waste! No shopping for us. We walked the whole stretch of road n watch peddlers n performers along the street.
We got back to hotel after that, rested for a while and went to a shopping mall named maremagnum.
Outside the mall there's a display of a really cool car. We took some pictures of it and then went into the mall and do some shopping. I only manage to buy a cardigan. ;( We then had our dinner at a random restaurant and ordered 2 paellas. The servings were huge! (and they didnt taste good actually).
Here's a picture we took while walking back to the train station. It was really cold that night!
That was our last night.
Day 8 : Barcelona to Birmingham
Had breakfast with our stash collected over the past few days before taking the train to the airport.
Reached Manchester at 2.40pm n we immediately went to a cafe and have our lunch. We were so so hungry! Nice BBQ chicken wings and beef pie! For the nex three days, expenses in Birmingham will be reimbursable from his company - more or less. Woo hoo!
Took the train to Birmingham. We took an early train and luckily the conductor closed one eye n let us be on that train. Checked in at Marriott hotel - a little old n classic n situated right opp kk's new office building. Very nice office I must say!
That night, dear brought me to the center's shopping mall to have our nice dinner at Naados. I would be alone for the rest of the days in Birmingham while he's working.
08 May 2011
Day 6: Barca! Barca! Barca!
Day 6
Woke up at 10am, got ready n went to buy tickets for Barcelona match for a whopping of €138 for 2 pax!! Dear was so so happy about it coz he didn't managed to watch the Milan match the other day.
On the way to train station, we just went in to a cafe n have light snacks as breakfast for €6.20. Then we went to visit the sagrada familia n the crowd is too long to tempt us. We took pictures outside the building got some souveniors and then off we went to our next destination.
It was a long walk n steep slope to park guell by the train.
A pretty place. I bought 4 necklaces for from street vendor n coz we have no small change, we have to run around with them coz the police were reaching. Went to souvenior shop and got a magnet to have small change! After a walk, we went down and bought some snacks as gifts and went lunch at bar-rte la cartuja. A random shop but they had nice paella n fretuccini! Went back to hotel for a short break before heading towards the stadium for Barcelona match!
The train was really crowded with ppl going to the match. We just followed the crowd and walked towards the stadium.
It was exciting to see so many loyal supporters and I was happy to see dear dear being so happy. haha! It was a full house! We got there slightly early and hence bought hot dog for sharing, which last till the whole match. Bacarlona won, 3-1!! Yeah!! First half was boring and it got exciting after that. It was a nice match I really enjoyed the atmosphere in the stadium.
Woke up at 10am, got ready n went to buy tickets for Barcelona match for a whopping of €138 for 2 pax!! Dear was so so happy about it coz he didn't managed to watch the Milan match the other day.
On the way to train station, we just went in to a cafe n have light snacks as breakfast for €6.20. Then we went to visit the sagrada familia n the crowd is too long to tempt us. We took pictures outside the building got some souveniors and then off we went to our next destination.
It was a long walk n steep slope to park guell by the train.
A pretty place. I bought 4 necklaces for from street vendor n coz we have no small change, we have to run around with them coz the police were reaching. Went to souvenior shop and got a magnet to have small change! After a walk, we went down and bought some snacks as gifts and went lunch at bar-rte la cartuja. A random shop but they had nice paella n fretuccini! Went back to hotel for a short break before heading towards the stadium for Barcelona match!
The train was really crowded with ppl going to the match. We just followed the crowd and walked towards the stadium.
It was exciting to see so many loyal supporters and I was happy to see dear dear being so happy. haha! It was a full house! We got there slightly early and hence bought hot dog for sharing, which last till the whole match. Bacarlona won, 3-1!! Yeah!! First half was boring and it got exciting after that. It was a nice match I really enjoyed the atmosphere in the stadium.
07 May 2011
Day 5: Milan to Barcelona.
Day 5: Milan to Barcelona.
Arrived at malpensa airport and had our lunch at spizzico. Yummy!!
Upon reaching hotel and they suggested an upgrade from standard room to executive room for additional of €12 per night. It will include bedroom slippers n bathrobe n complimentary coffee n tea. Hm.. Makes me wonder how the standard room looks like! Anyway, since it's our honeymoon, dear decided to go ahead. Upon entering the room, we were like "wow-ed!" It's huge and nice with unblock view, plus a nice huge bathroom for us to use. Nice!
We went to magic fountain (that's near our hotel) n watched the fountain lightings.
We had to wait for the sun to go down before the lightings start. Thus we find a good spot and rested. While seated down, we spotted a really good looking guy walking past us and dear snap a pic of him secretly. He looked a bit like Zac Efron!
Anyway, the musical fountain started quite late (as the sun sets late). The fountain was pretty and huge but somehow it gets boring after a while.
We left and headed to a restaurant recommended by tripadvisor, however the whole stretch of road was in renovation n dear left with a heavy heart. Got back to hotel lobby for the wifi n quickly find another place to eat. It was 10 pm when we found the second venue tripadvisor recommend... But we didnt go in coz the menu is not in English n there's a strong spice smell in the restaurant. Which i didnt quite like it.
We walked around n ended up in a cafe and had light snacks n calamari platter. It was 11pm. Ppl here was used to having late dinner. Very late. What surprises us was when we got back to our room, there's a bottle of champagne on our bed!
We were still guessing n joking if the champagne will be charged n then came a buzz in our door. A steward came to pass us the happy honeymoon card!! Kk was so so happy n touched. We opened the bottle, drank a bit and off we went to sleep.
Arrived at malpensa airport and had our lunch at spizzico. Yummy!!
Upon reaching hotel and they suggested an upgrade from standard room to executive room for additional of €12 per night. It will include bedroom slippers n bathrobe n complimentary coffee n tea. Hm.. Makes me wonder how the standard room looks like! Anyway, since it's our honeymoon, dear decided to go ahead. Upon entering the room, we were like "wow-ed!" It's huge and nice with unblock view, plus a nice huge bathroom for us to use. Nice!
We went to magic fountain (that's near our hotel) n watched the fountain lightings.
We had to wait for the sun to go down before the lightings start. Thus we find a good spot and rested. While seated down, we spotted a really good looking guy walking past us and dear snap a pic of him secretly. He looked a bit like Zac Efron!
Anyway, the musical fountain started quite late (as the sun sets late). The fountain was pretty and huge but somehow it gets boring after a while.
We left and headed to a restaurant recommended by tripadvisor, however the whole stretch of road was in renovation n dear left with a heavy heart. Got back to hotel lobby for the wifi n quickly find another place to eat. It was 10 pm when we found the second venue tripadvisor recommend... But we didnt go in coz the menu is not in English n there's a strong spice smell in the restaurant. Which i didnt quite like it.
We walked around n ended up in a cafe and had light snacks n calamari platter. It was 11pm. Ppl here was used to having late dinner. Very late. What surprises us was when we got back to our room, there's a bottle of champagne on our bed!
We were still guessing n joking if the champagne will be charged n then came a buzz in our door. A steward came to pass us the happy honeymoon card!! Kk was so so happy n touched. We opened the bottle, drank a bit and off we went to sleep.
05 May 2011
Day 4 in Milan
Day 4:
Took the subway n transfer bus to a cemetery. Yes, a cemetery. This particular cemetery is slowly becoming one of the tourist spots.
Wonderful and beautiful statues and sculptures were above almost every grave we walked past. I think those buried there were either famous or rich! It was a huge cemetery n we were both lazy n tired to explore it all. We headed back to a little cafe by the subway and had a drink to rest our tired feet.
After that, we went to Leonardo science n tech museum. It was an interesting, large museum and I particularly like the communication section. =) (Of course there were other sections to explore and discover in the museum)
After having covered most of the floors, we had our late lunch (again) at a cafe just outside the museum - and it sucked.
We hanged around for a moment coz we didn't really know where to go next. We had almost covered the tourist spots that were printed on our map. So what we did was to go to another shopping district n did some window shopping. From there we were able to walk back to duomo area and then we bought a set of pajamas n blouse for me, and a long sleeve top for kk inside some random shop. After shopping, it was still early so we went mc cafe to have a drink before we heading out to our last destination for dinner :)
We nearly gave up looking for the restaurant, coz we didn't have the exact address, just estimation from trip advisor. Luckily in the end, we managed to find it and I'm glad to have dinner at that restaurant! We had calzone n bolognese and I personally feel that it was the best meal we ever had in Milan. It's of a reasonable price too!
Took the subway n transfer bus to a cemetery. Yes, a cemetery. This particular cemetery is slowly becoming one of the tourist spots.
Wonderful and beautiful statues and sculptures were above almost every grave we walked past. I think those buried there were either famous or rich! It was a huge cemetery n we were both lazy n tired to explore it all. We headed back to a little cafe by the subway and had a drink to rest our tired feet.
After that, we went to Leonardo science n tech museum. It was an interesting, large museum and I particularly like the communication section. =) (Of course there were other sections to explore and discover in the museum)
After having covered most of the floors, we had our late lunch (again) at a cafe just outside the museum - and it sucked.
We hanged around for a moment coz we didn't really know where to go next. We had almost covered the tourist spots that were printed on our map. So what we did was to go to another shopping district n did some window shopping. From there we were able to walk back to duomo area and then we bought a set of pajamas n blouse for me, and a long sleeve top for kk inside some random shop. After shopping, it was still early so we went mc cafe to have a drink before we heading out to our last destination for dinner :)
We nearly gave up looking for the restaurant, coz we didn't have the exact address, just estimation from trip advisor. Luckily in the end, we managed to find it and I'm glad to have dinner at that restaurant! We had calzone n bolognese and I personally feel that it was the best meal we ever had in Milan. It's of a reasonable price too!
04 May 2011
Day 3 in Milan
Day3:
Had a hearty breakfast provided by hotel Berna. Took a shower and off we went to duomo. On the way to central station, saw peddlers at the central square area and bought a fridge magnet as souvenior. Upon reaching, we saw the magnificent cathedral (Duomo) and we went ahead to get the entrance ticket to the rooftop via lift.
The cathedral had very high ceiling, chandeliers, huge oil paintings I assume, statues, blowpipe piano, stain glass etc.
It was simply amazing. We were there for quite sometime, enjoyed the breeze and sunshine on the rooftop, took loads and loads of pictures and then head for a late lunch at burger king. oh ya, we paid 15 cents for 2 packs of tomato sauce!
After lunch, we walked around to do some window shopping and sight seeing, bought a photo frame from milano store along the way, and went to a gelateria for ice-cream :)
We then got to a departmental store named La Rinascente and had dinner at the highest level of the departmental store, open air (with a lot of smokers) over seeing the magnificient duomo. The restaurant was obika, mozeralla bar. The food was nice, but it the cheesy mozeralla was too much for us to take it!
Before we left we took a few more pics n returned to hotel where we book tickets for Paris disneyland, tickets for lion king musical, tickets to London eye, madam Tussaud and Thames river cruise.
Had a hearty breakfast provided by hotel Berna. Took a shower and off we went to duomo. On the way to central station, saw peddlers at the central square area and bought a fridge magnet as souvenior. Upon reaching, we saw the magnificent cathedral (Duomo) and we went ahead to get the entrance ticket to the rooftop via lift.
The cathedral had very high ceiling, chandeliers, huge oil paintings I assume, statues, blowpipe piano, stain glass etc.
It was simply amazing. We were there for quite sometime, enjoyed the breeze and sunshine on the rooftop, took loads and loads of pictures and then head for a late lunch at burger king. oh ya, we paid 15 cents for 2 packs of tomato sauce!
After lunch, we walked around to do some window shopping and sight seeing, bought a photo frame from milano store along the way, and went to a gelateria for ice-cream :)
We then got to a departmental store named La Rinascente and had dinner at the highest level of the departmental store, open air (with a lot of smokers) over seeing the magnificient duomo. The restaurant was obika, mozeralla bar. The food was nice, but it the cheesy mozeralla was too much for us to take it!
Before we left we took a few more pics n returned to hotel where we book tickets for Paris disneyland, tickets for lion king musical, tickets to London eye, madam Tussaud and Thames river cruise.