Europe Trip: UK > London! (07/06/07...feat. Trigular Square, Piccadilly Circus, Leichester Square)

Trigular Square!Well, it is just a square ya? :PThe fountain!Haymarket Royal Theatre! There are quite a number of theatres in this area as the locals seems to enjoy watching musicals...I also want! :)Streets of London...popping by Pret-A-Manger for a sandwich dinner! :DBurberry!Piccadilly Circus!Here is where the vibrant UK youngsters come...lolWish I could stay here just a while longer...Walking along the heart of London......and here we are at Chinatown!I see the familiar HK Chinese restaurants around...hahaha...lolA park @ Leichester Square! Like this clock...see the video below:

Another part of Leichester Square...with all the theatres around...

Anyone keen for a musical or movie? :P

Here goes my London city day tour... leaving for Scotland that night...oh I tell you that is even so so much better! :DD

Europe Trip: UK > London! (07/06/07...feat. Big Ben, Parliament House, Westminister Abbey, London Eye)

The travelling bug is biting me again...this year's plan is to travel with Yingz and Steph to a nearby sunny beach as theirs and mine belated grad trip together. :P Another plan in the progress is to backpack and drive with Tina to New Zealand end of the year...would I be able to save enough for these? Oh wells... :X

I desire those fond memories to keep after each journey...

Mega 3-in-1 of London: Big Ben, Parliament House, London Eye!

Streets of London Protest outside the Parliament House...what a sight indeed...lolWestminster Abbey Mum called at that time when I was pondering if I should pay the entrance fee to visit the church or not...and when I have decided to go in, the entrance was closed...what a bummer... :SParliament House! Majestic isn't it?London Eye! Thames RiverLondon Eye & Madame Tussaud's Wax Museum!Waiting to get on our Singapore Flyer soon! :PLondon's street artist...they are really pro! :DAnd this is my most favourite street artist throughout my trip -- The Invisible Man!Many spectators for his performance as everyone is trying to figure out how he/she makes this possible.

The trick here is that the 'man' is as big as anyone else and you can see through the gaps below the chair. From the side view, the chair is as flat, or even flatter than just any other chair!

After pondering long enough over these questions, I realised I must have been played a trick on. Let me just say this: while you are focusing on the possibilities on how he can do it, why not think how big or small is this person? Or...even if he/she is an adult! *wink*

Evening view of the Thames RiverLove this picture! :P

If I were to name just one thing...or it could just be the one and only thing I like about London, it will be the Thames River -- spending a day river-watching at some cafes along the banks... :)

Cafe Cartel Breakfast! =)

Best of friends forever!

Cafe Cartel breakfast! :DD

All thanks to dear Steph who doesn't give up on the idea of having breakfast there even though we were all late for it. It is always the time well spent with my two best friends, enjoying a wonderful meal and catching up on one another's life...love you gals! *muackz* :)

Time is never enough juz to hang out with the two girls. We are 3 people who can talk non-stop about everything that is happening in our lives and around us, from a normal breakfast all the way to deep sharing of our visions, goals and dreams. Despite of how busy we are, we try our utmost effort to meet up whenever we got the chance. I truly treasure every moments spent with my best friends.

You guys are certainly angels sent by God to walk with me together here in my life! *hugz*

Fear

Fear (23/02/2008)

by Pastor Ulf Ekman

Isaiah 41:10

"So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God.

I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."

Mark 4:35-41

• Fear is in our spirits.
• There is an influence/atmosphere/culture of fear.
• We need to tackle and analyse our fear.

Genesis 3:6-13

• As a result of first rebellion, fear comes into Adam and Eve.
• They feel ashame and scare because they ate the fruit they are commanded not to.

Romans 12:1-8

• Do not be conformed by the spirits of this world, but be transformed by the renewal of our mind.

"FAITH is the expectancy of something good, while FEAR is the lack of faith."

We fear because we are selfish.

• Love is defined as "unselfishness".
• Christianity is about God.
• Devil will pervert every gift you had and fear is just the door to it.

We may also based ourselves on what we can do and trying hard to prove ourselves that we are better than others.

• Because of this mindset, you will live your life with ups and downs.
• Your faith could be taken away because you based your belief in what man thinks!

Rebellion is pointing out the weaknesses in others and trying to make yourself look better than them.

Miracle of Jesus Walking On The Water (24/02/2008)

Matthew 14:22-33

• Walking on water is a supernatural act.
• So is the ministry of Jesus to do with supernatural.
• In this miracle, God supernaturally cures the fear inside Peter and his disciples who sit in the boat in panic.

"If we do not walk by faith, fear will become one motivation that will hinder us in our lives."

As Jesus walks on the water, he walks past the boat and goes on.

• We are to be his followers and follow him but not the other way for Jesus to follow us.
• It is not possible for us to receive the Holy Spirit while we are sitting still on the boat.

We cannot mix fear and faith too, just like water and oil.

• It will eventually hinder you with uncertainty.
• You will never go out of your comfort zone.
• You need a specific word from Jesus in order to jump out of the boat to walk with him.
• If Peter just jump out of the boat without asking Jesus, he could have gotten himself drowned.

Only 1 out of the 12 disciples jump out of the boat.

• It tells us that not all of us are keen of the supernatural side of God.

When you leap out in faith and expect circumstances to change...well, they don't change immediately.

• Jesus is not interested in changing the circumstances.
• He is interested in changing YOU!

So what it means by walking on the water?

1. Do nothing and simply trust in God in all situations and circumstances!
2. The temptation to stay in the boat is no condition or criteria for a future leader!
3. To let go of our fear.
4. Be prepared if the Lord speaks to us as there will be fear, but you will have to trust in Him so the fear will not come.

"When fear is out of my life, there will be no limitations!"

Fear of judgement.

• It happens when you thought you dare and yet in the end you are not.

"Truth will come in a pathetic voice that you either accept it or kill it."

Hebrews 2:14-15

• Jesus come to set us free from the bondage of the fear of death.

Peter becomes the leader in the future because Jesus has set him free of his fear.

Can you imagine the joy of Peter walking hand in hand with Jesus back to the boat?

Friendship Week!

Celebrating Lynn's birthday @ Terence's homeTerence's mum bought her a large birthday cake and cook us a yummilicious lunch. We sang birthday song with Terence's family, watch her make her wish and blew the candle...quite a heartwarming scene...Terence your the man bro! *wink* :P

Lynn's reaction upon opening her birthday gift from Terence...

...and guess what it is a customised lavender PSP! You can tell from her expression that she is indeed a woman in great happiness now...hahaha...lol

May you two have a relationship that will build to last! *hugz*Hanging out at Mac after watching Jumper...oh well the show isn't that nice though...haiz...

Friends are angels that God send to us...even juz a short chit chatting at Mac makes me happy...hahaha... :)

HK CNY 2008 (06-10/02/08)

Setting off for our trip!The newly constructed transit area for terminal 3. There are so many shops, restaurant and food outlets that you might wish for a longer time to linger around here...hahaha...lol Reminds me of the chinese idiom: "夕阳无限好, 只惜近黄昏."

Here we are @ Hong Kong International Airport! I had my reunion with my parents and Shu Hui at one of the food outlets here as it is quite late when we arrived there...CNY Flower Market @ Victoria Park!If not for the girl, I wouldn't want to come to this super crowded place. Guess what the highest number of people came here hits 45,000!

Gosh...we actually squeezed through a stretch of stalls, about 100m, and it took us 30mins to come out! We went home soon after that... :SBecause of the cold weather this year, there aren't as many flower stalls as the flowers have not bloosomed yet. Most of the stalls were run by young adults and students selling all sorts of toys, accessories etc...

Want a jumbo-sized ferreror rocher? :PThis antique car is still here! :)Star Avenue @ Victoria Harbour

The highlights are the palm prints on the floor, just like that in Hollywood!Though the weather is super foggy, the sea view from here still looks great!Clock Tower @ Tsim Sha TsuiThis year the theme for the CNY decorations focuses on Beijing Olympics 2008. Hence, the 5 mascots can be seen almost everywhere. It is truly an event that all Chinese should be proud of and awaiting for that historical moment to arrive -- 08/08/2008 8.08pm!The names of the 5 mascots are Beibei (福娃贝贝), Jingjing (福娃晶晶), Huanhuan (福娃欢欢), Yingying (福娃莹莹), Nini (福娃昵昵).

If you just try to take out 1 word from each of the 5 names and read it in the same running order, it will sounds like "Beijing Huan Ying Ni! (Welcome to Beijing)" So smart! :DI brought Shu Hui to a Japan restaurant that leaves me quite a deep impression about their sashimi sushi when I dined at this place last year.

They sell really unique and exotic sashimi sushi, like elephant clam, japan flounder, jumbo scallop, that you cannot find in normal Singapore restaurants. All their ingredients are very fresh and imported directly from Japan and mainly Hoikkaido. And of course...the price is pretty high -- we only have 5 plates of sushi and it is already SGD15 for each of us! *broke*

But just a look at the pictures...oh I will drool... :PFoie Gras Sushi! (Roasted Goose Liver)

Roasted goose liver is a French delicacy and signature dish. Japanese loves French cuisine and I guess that's why they even put them in sushi.

Highly recommend you to give this a try as the taste is unforgettable...hmmm... *grinz* :)As usual, I went to visit my uncle's house (dad's brother) on the first day of CNY. My aunt cooks really wonderful Cantonese dishes and soups. Yet this year I won't be able to see my younger cousin who is still in Tokyo for her training as an air stewardess for JAL...hot babe! Hahaha...lol

The picture above is a Chinese dish called "盘菜". It is a traditional custom to have it during CNY as there are all sorts of ingredients inside the bowl...usually ranging from at least 20 to even over 50 kinds!

Of course, this is not easy to prepare and my uncle bought it from a restaurant downstair... :)Tai O Fishing Village @ Lantau IslandThey called this "Venice of Hong Kong" because of its uniques stretch of boathouses and bridges. Just like venice, the main transportation here is by boat and everywhere is accessible by walking as well.Don't you think it look similar to the scenery at Grand Canal in Venice? :)We took a ferry ride as I had not been here for almost 20 years now. The morning view of the Tai O is very relaxing, very peaceful, very beautiful...

I love the real Venice at night where the road is no longer crowded with tourists.

I love this Venice of Hong Kong in the day as it brought me so much closer to the nature... :)将军石 (Rock of the General)

Look closely at the cliff from the side...do you see the shape of a human face there? *wink*Although the fog is really thick and block the clear view of the mountains, yet because of the fog there seems to be some suspense and mysteries added into the picture too...don't you think so?Anyone wants freshly BBQ dried squids, fish eggs and peeing prawns for snacks? :))Tai O -- A characteristic little village with the sundry shops, local cafes and temples.I love it here...and I shall be back again...soon... *smile*Giant Buddha and Po Lin Monastery @ Lantau IslandThis is one of the Asia's largest Buddha statue in which you need to climb up a long fleet of staircase to get to its bottom where it will be surrounded by many smaller statues of different buddhas. It is usually very crowded during CNY where the believers will come to make their new year wishes.Wisdom Path (15 mins walk from the Giant Buddha)On each wooden stand there is a verse, from one of the Buddhist scriptures (般若波罗蜜多心经), inscripted on it. It is quite a spectacular view to see the numerous wooden stands lined up on the top of the mountain, and overviewing the greeneries of Lantau Island.

Hmm if they are bible verses...I think the mountain cannot hold them all! :PThe famous verse that you heard often from the movies and dramas -- "色即是空, 空即是色."Do I look like I am in China or Beijing here? :)Ngong Ping Village!

This is a newer tourist attraction, constructed right next to the Ngong Ping 360 Cable Car Terminal. It is to be designed in such a way that looks very similar to those villages in China.Gui Ling Gao is my, and also Shuhui's favourite!!!

This is the turtle herbal jelly that helps to clear the heat inside our bodies and to clear away pimples...and it tastes a little bitter but yet super ICHIBAN! *thumbs up*

Ngong Ping 360!

This is known to be the longest cable car ride in Asia that will last for 25 minutes, linking Lantau Island to Hong Kong Island.The foggy sight of the mountains intercepting one another...lovely...

Seems like a thrilling ride...don't you think so? :P

Night view of Hong Kong and Kowloon from The Peak

We came here to watch the CNY fireworks which starts at 8pm. Unfortunately there is such a huge crowd that we cannot even go up to the terrace area. So we juz look at the fireworks from The Peak Tower...but the view is still fantastic from there... :)

Golden Mouse @ Times Square

I am a mouse too! :P Nightlife @ Lan Kwai Fong

Hong Kong has a vibrant nightlife and the city shines brightly in the dark night...love it here...

Hong Kong -- The Pearl of the East!

Finally it's dim sum time! :DD

We head to my house in Dongguan on the second last day of our trip as I want to have some time there shopping and watching dvd at home...you can find really good deals these days over there!

Ladies Market @ Chang Ping (Dongguan, China)

Reminiscing on the delicacies of HK...I wish and I wish not that I can spend a longer period of time there...hee... :P

First time I tried the Jetstar meal on-board as we did not have enough time to get our dinner at HK airport. I got the curry chicken which taste pretty good...but still I believe we should make ourselves full before boarding to save up some money...oh well... *shrug*

CNY is a festive that you must not try spending without your family...or at least that's for me. Even for juz a few days, it is worth going back and spend the time with my parents. Because I believe that you can earn back the money you spent...but you can never earn back the time that has been passed...

This year CNY is special with Shuhui's company. I really have to get down to planning it in case the shops are not opened during this special period, which I was wronged. Going to Tai O Fishing Village and Lantau Island is something I have not done for almost 20 years. I truly love the natural environment and you will expect me to make more visits to such villages the next time I am going there again... *wink* :)

Well, travelling is juz so fun. Planning to go backpacking again but not sure if I will be allowed to do so, in China, Australia, US or New Zealand. Taipei sounds good too and Vietnam...the place I want to see most now...don't know why I have that urge too...hahaha...lol

But first and most important of all...let's save up more money -- my new year resolution ya? :P