Bristol Day 23

Aren't Sundays supposed to be spent with family but my dinner was all alone in a posh restaurant so you must wonder why am I complaining? It is different. Even if I was fed dragon meat, I won't enjoy it because family aren't here with me.

Spent 7 hours in the casino and I need not have to lose any money until the rain came pouring down while I was about to walk out of the building. Damn. I walked right back into the lion's den. You can't blame me. I was bloody bored and I likely spent the whole afternoon in the casino and had a playing time of only 30 minutes max before the rain started. I enjoyed walking around and seeing people play but then things changed when the rain came. I just had nothing to do thus I changed 50 pounds and lost them all.

Eventually, I had to walk in the rain anyway because this rain didn't stop even after my dinner at San Carlos.

Sunday started late today as I slept in till about 8 odd before going on Skype with family. Headed out for Sunday roast after that at Aqua, some Italian Ristorante which served very good roast in a fine dining setting. Well, I couldn't find one with the typical English pub setting thus settled for Aqua.

The food was pretty good and again the portion was huge. Look at the side dish. Cauliflower in cheese in one big bowl and brussel sprouts and carrot in another big bowl. Finished everything else except the two side dishes. Tasted a little cauliflower and didn't like it as it was really filling with the melted cheese. Imagine carbonara with lots of cheese.

Dinner was interesting. I ordered a four course meal which consisted of a bean soup with bread cubes, a big bowl of mussels in white wine and carbonara sauce, Italian dumplings called Ravioli filled with scallop, prawns and cheese. Last was a three scoop sorbet. Well, I enjoyed everything except the 'wanton'. The skin was too thick and I immediately associated it with Xiao Long Bao. But everything else was perfect. The staff were friendly, the ambience was good and the toilet was clean. :) Walked out paying quite a hefty sum of 50 pounds.

I rather me being in Singapore and spending SGD3.50 for a prawn noodles. Grass again is always greener on the other side.

Practically did nothing today. No shopping all day except for table hopping at the casino, watching people have their ups and their downs. Caught the Everton-Liverpool game and also caught the Arsenal-Chelsea game. Yahoo. 3 goals and 3 more points for Chelsea. Geoffrey must be feeling upset with how Arsenal played. Never mind the match. Doesn't matter to me even if Chelsea lost because I won't benefit from the loyalty and wins anyway.

It is a new week again and just can't wait for Friday to come. Haha. Sad isn't it especially when Monday hasn't even started yet. The faster the week passes, the faster my arrival at Changi Airport.

Preparing to go to bed in half an hour at 10pm. It will be an early day for me as I need to head into the office to make calls to the Singapore office. Hope to end work early too if possible but let's see what happens.

New X-Japan Song - Jade.

What a bad fan I am. I didn't even know there was a new song called Jade.

Thanks to Youtube that I found out about it if not I might not even know about it until my baby is 3 years old.

This is going to be a little heavy and if your speakers are blasting, I suggest you don't even try listening to it moreover, you might not like it because I didn't think it was good because it sounds pretty similar to I.V from the soundtrack of Saw IV.

Endless Rain - X-Japan.

I guess when one is lonely walking down a street he likely thinks of something. For me, I hum or at times sing and very much I sing to the emotions that run through me at that moment.

Today the rain fell on a little hard and I had to be walking alone so I started with the verse ...I'm walking in the rain ...

Try to find me in the below clip because I was there for the concert held in HK. Two nights of it. A great experience and surely an emotional one where tears trickled down my cheeks. If I have a chance again to watch an X-Japan concert, I will do it again and hopefully it'll be in Japan. That'll be crazy.

Endless Rain -

I'm walking in the rain,
though everything seems to be hurting me for some reason.
There is only nothing.
Just kill me now ... as I roam forever.
Until I can forget your love.

To me sleep is a confusing, narcotic
that only quiets the beating heart.
All my love seems to flow from my body like a heart felt memory.
I keep my love for you to myself.

*Endless rain, fall on my heart In this wounded soul.
Let me forget, all of the hate, all of the sadness,

Days of joy, days of sadness slowly pass me by.
As I try to hold you, you are vanishing before me.
You're just an illusion.
When I am awake, my tears have dried in the sands of sleep.
I'm a rose blooming in the desert.

It's a dream, I'm in love with you.
Hold me warmly in your arms.
I awake from my dream
I can't find my way without you

The dream is over.
I can no longer hear the voice of your gentle words.
Floating off tear stained walls.
So awakening in the morning, I'll move into my dreams ...
until I can forget your love.

repeat *

Endless rain, fall on my heart, in this wounded soul.
Let me forget, all of the hate, all of the sadness.
Endless rain, let me stay a memory in your heart.
Let me take in your tears, take in your memories.

Bristol Day 24

A start to the weekend alone. Well, it's my doing because I wanted to Skype with wife and visit the casino. Saw the picture? That's where I visit usually. That's the biggest around in Bristol.

Started the day having breakfast with sushi chef Pang and then took a short walk to the casino. Walked around and watched people play for 3 hours before changing a hundred pounds to entertain myself. Stayed for about 6 hours and got myself not losing or gaining pounds. Breaking even is good given the time spent entertaining myself with Blackjack and Roulette.

After the casino, I took a walk. Walked to places I have yet to discover and I was glad I did that because I found some really nice restaurants for dinner. I might consider heading there for Sunday roast too.

Settled for a seafood restaurant near the Riverside at Welsh Back City. Loch Fyne was considered an expensive restaurant and I wanted to much to order more food but was really afraid I couldn't finish the meal thus I only went for an orange juice, fish soup with tomato base and a grilled whole sea bass. And do you see the half hard boiled egg on the table? Yummy.

Frankly, when I saw the main course I was a little shocked because stupidly I didn't think it had bones. I thought it was de-boned but I was wrong. It took me 45 minutes to dissect the fish and finish the sea bass. I had to be very careful with the bones because I forgot to bring my X-rays with me.

Well, I had three or maybe more but the main ones were usually Mum, Dad and of course Sandy. Eating fish can be a dangerous process or at least that's what my mum thinks. She avoids fish food or rather food that has fish. She gets paranoid and extremely careful which can be a good thing because that makes us kids worry when we eat fish with bones too. I am one example. I love fish but when I take fish, I just smash the meat up and make sure no bone is left in there however big or small.

So noone's here to help me and I have to do it by myself thus it took a long time. I am used to curry fish head which uses big fish but this sea bass was kind of small thus the bones too were small. All right. I shall stop the fish nonsense but other than the processing time to de-bone, chew and chew again the meat it was a very good meal. Very fresh with the taste of lemon and olive. Now I am feeling hungry because the meal was taken three hours ago at 5pm and now at 9pm, I need to munch on some chocolate.

I will sleep early tonight so that I can wake up as early as I did today to speak to my darling and family back home. Sigh. Another three weeks odd before I can starting dreaming on my own bed. Can't wait. Really can't wait. If only it was this coming week that I can go home and I will be so happy. Really really happy but for now it is only wishful thinking.

So what's on tomorrow? I have plans to visit the best and supposedly the most expensive Italian restaurant in Bristol. I wanted to eat there this evening but I was told in the morning that it was full house tonight. It had better be good. As for other programs tomorrow, it'll be casino again in the afternoon and some shopping before dinner and after which, I look forward to the next weekend and the two more weekends to come.

Sad right? Always ranting about going home. By the way, it wasn't a hard boiled egg. It was butter in a bowl. Haha. Bet you didn't realise it.

Bristol Day 25

TGIF!! I now look forward to the weekends because work has been hectic and in less than 25 days I will be home. Finally.

Last night I had fun with my colleagues and had a lot to drink. Had some drink called Winter Warmer, a dark ale which was rather high in alcohol content. These ang-mos sure can drink a lot. I really wonder if their liver is harder by the day because this afternoon, the same group of guys asked me to join them for drinks at mid-day.

I turned them down because I had a team lunch. A colleague from the team is going on maternity leave next week and today is her last day. One year of maternity leave. That's a long time isn't it? Can't wait for Sandy to go on maternity leave too. Exciting.

Carol and Queenie are visiting Singapore this weekend and it is a pity I aren't there to keep them entertained but maybe they'll enjoy it better without me. :) Amy Leung and Sam will also head to Singapore on Saturday from Bintan. The Hong Kongers sure know how to enjoy life.

It is Friday night and I am back in the apartment early.It is only 950pm. No casino tonight because this weekend, I am sure I will spend some time there as I am not joining Angela to Swindon. Same for Sunday as I won't join her to Stone Henge. Just dislike the traveling and I can get more time to Skype.

I will be meeting Pang for breakfast tomorrow. He is the top chef from Masa and he has offered to take me out for breakfast. Wonder what's for breakfast? After meeting up with him, I might take a trip to Hippodrome to catch a musical - Cabaret. Hopefully there are still tickets for the matinee. If not I will have to spend the rest of the time shopping and getting stuff for friends and family and afterwhich do my favourite - look for food.

I want to try Beefeater but that is perhaps best after work since it is only next to my office building. So let's see what I can find tomorrow and I'll update you again. :)

I miss steamboat ...! Yet Con!! Farrer Park Prawn Noodles !!! Ion's Beef Noodles !!!!

But I have not much choices but to make do with the resources I have here.

Lunch today was Lasagne at Italian restaurant La Grotta. The other photo you see that has lots of mushroom is a Funghi Bruschetta that my colleague ordered. Looks nice ya? Dinner was half a roast duck, sweet sour pork and a plate of whatever veggie is that from a popular Chinese restaurant, Mayflower.

The Chinese meal was fantastic but again, ducks are overly oily but surely a taste of traditional Cantonese cooking. Loved it and might go back again to try other dishes but then again, I should try to explore other eateries right? I have another 20 odd days to do so, may as well enjoy it right?

Oh. And the plate of fried noodles you see is a Singapore Fried Noodles. Do we have that in Singapore? It was served at yesterday's lunch with Alvin, another Chinese director. We shared some dim sum too at Shanghai Nights. Yes. Same place again.

And do you see the pui kia at the pool table? That's Scott, my colleague and he plays pretty good pool. He kicked my ass and won me three games in a row. Sigh. The ball size was just different. Really. He promised he'll play with me again next week and Chris Davies will join in too. I'll show him my might then. :)

Have a great weekend!!

Bristol Day 27

I have problems counting ....

tonight I had quite a wonderful time with colleagues. It was a farewell for a New Zealand counterpart and many of us headed to Hort's pub for a drink. Well, more than a drink thus this this blog is going to be really short.

I had a lot to drink and as Asians. without food in the stomach makes things worst. I had to get my way to Masa for sushi to fill my stomach. Ordered a curry seafood rice. Frankly, I should have gone out to the posh restaurant next to the pub for some cheese.

I had plans to visit Beefeater but didnt get to do that because I attended the party.

Well, I spoke to many colleagues and got a good understanding of both the organisation as well as UK itself.

Shall share more with you soon.

It is a public holiday in Singapore but for us, work as usual in Bristol.

I miss home....

Bristol Day 31

I had an enjoyable evening tonight. Every reason to be because I played snooker with Chris Davies. It was very good company I had for snooker and dinner. Maybe because it has been a long time since I touched green cloth and held a cue in my left hand.

After work today, Chris took me out to a Riley's club for snooker. It was a very cosy place with your typical bar counter and perfect green tables with washed balls. Indeed a very good experience to play in England but frankly, more people play pool and snooker aren't that popular anymore because it requires concentration and precision. The training in Singapore I had prepared me for tonight's game. Frankly, I hardly play so well but today I just had to concentrate because I was playing with an ang-mo. I played seriously and planned my shots. Baya, beware!!

We had two frames of snooker and then we headed out for an Italian dinner where I ordered a veggie risotto. I love risotto and if I am not wrong, it is my third or fourth time eating risotto in the UK. Just love it!

We chatted about our personal lives and I found out we sort of have similar personalities. He is a nice chap and a good role model for me but too bad he will be leaving the company in three months. Quite a pity but as a family man, he'll need to do what is right and best for the well being of his children.

Enough said.I had a great time tonight.

Lunch was again at Cafe Amore. Jacket potato with tuna and crab. Filling. Very filling.

In another 4 weeks I will be home. Can't wait. Can't wait.

Corner of the Sky

The first time I heard this song was when local celebrity Sebastian Tan sang it at his solo performance at the Esplanade. I still like his version but couldn't find anything close.

Here is the composer singing Corner of the Sky from the musical Pippin. Never got to catch the musical but sure will if it ever goes to Singapore.

Interesting lyrics ...

Corner of the Sky -

Everything has its season
Everything has its time
Show me a reason and I'll soon show you a rhyme
Cats fit on the windowsill
Children fit in the snow
Why do I feel I don't fit in anywhere I go?

Rivers belong where they can ramble
Eagles belong where they can fly
I've got to be where my spirit can run free
Got to find my corner of the sky

Every man has his daydreams
Every man has his goal
People like the way dreams have
Of sticking to the soul
Thunderclouds have their lightning
Nightingales have their song
And don't you see I want my life to be
Something more than long....

Rivers belong where they can ramble
Eagles belong where they can fly
I've got to be where my spirit can run free
Got to find my corner of the sky

So many men seem destined
To settle for something small
But I won't rest until I know I'll have it all
So don't ask where I'm going
Just listen when I'm gone
And far away you'll hear me singing
Softly to the dawn:

Rivers belong where they can ramble
Eagles belong where they can fly
I've got to be where my spirit can run free
Got to find my corner of the sky

Earth in The Dark

I bought this single when I was in Tokyo back in June 2008. Definitely an unforgetable honeymoon I had and if given a chance, I sure would want to go back there for a long vacation. I hope to do it with my parents and brothers some time soon. In fact, there were plans to do it in June next year but with our precious baby due in May, it is very unlikely this would take place unless someone is willing to take care of the baby.

In fact, I sort of promised my youngest brother that if he gets good results for his 'O' Levels, I will surely take him there. Aren't I bad to break this promise? Maybe we'll still go but later into the year when Wei Sheng completes his army. Three brothers on a holiday is something I always wanted. If Japan isn't feasible, maybe Hong Kong first. Sandy can come along too. Let's try to aim it for HK in Jan or Feb. Let's see.

Anyway, this song is Earth in the Dark sung by Toshi, vocalist for X-Japan on one of his own projects. Pretty nice and surely a song that will bring me memories of my honeymoon. It'll never be forgotten for many reasons. Many.

Bristol Day 32

I was told I am slowly turning English because I always talk about the weather just like the English. Weird isn't it? I guess because the weather is so terrible here that it always get talked about. Thankfully Singapore's weather is just perfect. Really perfect.

Why perfect you may ask. See, we can control the temperature because we have climate controls in our cars, homes, offices, malls and especially on our public transport. When I was using their 'underground', I was perspiring so badly because there wasn't any air at all. It was stuffy and when I looked around, I seem to be the only one dripping perspiration. I guess the people here like it warm and stuffy. The same went for the bus I took back from London. There was no air flow.

Maybe if I stayed here long enough, I too will hate the coldness and enjoy still air but for now, Singapore's weather still the best. The only thing I would likely miss here is the 'free food' and maybe the casinos but we'll have that in Singapore soon anyway.

Lunch was Mexican tuna sandwich at Cafe Amore once again. It is either Shanghai Nights or Cafe Amore. Even though we are right in the centre of the 'city', we have limited choices for nice food around the work place. Maybe because we are spoilt and didn't want Macs, Burger King, Subway or KFC.

There isn't one single day where I don't think of home and the food that is offered in Singapore. The entertainment along Clarke Quay, the comfortable walkways along Orchard and the temporary not-so-pretty Sentosa. Missing it.Maybe when I am back in Singapore, I should head to Amara Sanctuary with Sandy and our baby to take a walk. Maybe stay a night too. Well, let's see what happens because when I am home, I rather be sleeping on my own bed than any other hotel bed.

Dinner was at Masa. Had a not so delicious Oyako-don but a yummy Uni sushi and a Kirin beer. Love it!

You know what I should do this weekend? Skip! I haven't used the skipping rope just yet. Haha. I need to shed off some fats I have been gathering all these while.

And yes, there are some pretty working Japanese ladies staying in the apartment and I bumped into them this morning. Young working ladies. What a good start to the day ... now I know why I smiled the whole time even though the day at the office wasn't so pleasant. Let's hope to see them again tomorrow. It sure will lift my spirits. Better if I could date them for dinner. Haha.

Kidding my dear wife. I was only kidding. They were Chinese. Yahooooo!!!

Bristol Day 33

It is only the start of the week and I had to stay till 645pm at the office. Not complaining but I was the third last person to leave the office this evening. Busy day really. Good because time flies.

I have four more weeks to go before I smell the air in Singapore. It might not be as fresh as Bristol but home carries the best scent.

The weather in Bristol wasn't as terrifying as London. Here still bearable under a thick jacket and fleece. I was told thermal underwear would help lots but no point for me to buy one. If I need one it will be needed to protect the balls more than anything else because my disposable undies are really thin. Talking about undies, I think I need to find another 2 packs of disposable underwear as I am finishing my stock soon.

Lunch was beef congee at Shanghai Nights again. No where else to find nice place for lunch near my office. Limited choices. It was crowded and filled with tables of Chinese. For a moment I wondered if it is Chinese New Year. Everyone was in celebration mood except for Angela and me.

Had plans to visit the casino today but didn't because I finished the day late thus I joined Angela and family for a Thai dinner. Ordered a few dishes to share. We had a plate of vegetable, green curry chicken, sweet and sour pork and some sweet sauce chicken. The food was pretty good and a pretty Thai girl served us. A little plump but surely attractive because of her personality. If only ......

Stop the imagination. I wanted to say if only Sandy and family were here with me to enjoy the delicious meal. :)

Angela and family will be visiting Cornwall this weekend and I was thinking if I should join them. I doubt it because I am a little lazy to make my way by train for 3hours. I think I'll just hang around in Bristol this Saturday and maybe drop in to Swindon to look-see and say hello to Juliana but let's see.

I shall turn in earlier today as I haven't slept enough for the past few nights because of the travel to London. Don't I make it seem like London was just a nightmare? Frankly it was a terrible experience. Arghh....

Remind me to get a UK lottery this Wednesday, I might just get a windfall for Christmas. :)

Bristol Day 34

Typing this entry on the bus returning to Bristol. My. Suffering from a stomachache. I wonder what is it that I ate.

The weaher again didn't turn out good as the rain poured on us. Merciless. My shoes are wet and so are my socks.
I guess the pair of shoes I am wearing will be disposed and won't join me on my trip back to Singapore in 4 wees
time. 4 weeks is a damn long time.

visited the Queen's palace at Buckingham as well as Abbey Westminster this morning and sort of spent the afternoon
at Harrod's. I really wonder what is the hype all about Al Fayed's departmental store. It was filled with lots of tourists.

A funny incident happened today while at St Jame's Park. I was strolling the park and suddenly a pigeon landed on my
shoulder. And then another. A good sign? No idea but it freaked me a little but after getting used to it, I
'summoned' some other birds to my wrist. Different ones came on. Feeling was nice but weird they were attracted
to me epecially when I had no food with me. Was it because I have a special scent on me? Yes. It could well be
the shampoo I am using at the apartment. It smells like coconut.

Breakfast was a traditional English breakfatst (again) but this time I had cornflakes with milk as well as a cup
of yogurt. Ah. Maybe the yogurt turned bad. Or the milk?

Lunch was skipped but Angela and family walked into a Chinese restaurant opposite Harrod's for dim sum. I was still
feeling bloated from the heavy breakfast.

London wasn't at all an attractive place for me because I found the walkways too narrow and the place is super
populated. I miss Bristol where it wasn't so crowded and definitely more space to walk around. Didn't need to
push my way through. Transport in London was also terrible. I just find it a messed up system or maybe because
we Singaporenans are spoilt. Yes we are. No doubt.

Dinner was fish and chips at The Shakespear pub near Victoria station. They had a sign board outside the restaurant
that said ' World's famous fish and chips' and thus we had to try it. After all, a lot of bragging about the fish and chips
here. This time the experience was better than the one I had in Bristol. It was a sit-in dinner. NOt a takeaway.

It is raining cats and dogs now as I make my travel back to Bristol from London. The weather is everything to complain
about because it is usually dark and gloomy here. I don't think I can be a happy person living here for a long
period of time. I will go crazy. I miss the sun we have in Singapore.

I see the signboard that says M32, the exit which leads us out of the highway and into Bristol. Can't wait to head
back to the apartment for a good sleep. Am tired from all the walking and shoving. And yes, LV was super crowded and I didn't
even bother walking in. So were the other brand names. People are rich during the economic crunch. As for Muji, didn't
walk pass it thus no bag for Andy. Sorry.

Ok. I shall continue the blog again once I head back to the apartment.

-----

Back at the apartment now and preparing to sleep soon but before I do that, I thought it would be good to upload more photos as the photos I took yesterday wasn't able to load up.

Tomorrow is a start of a new week and the coming weekend I might just stay in Bristol to chill out at the casinos or do any other thing except travel. Maybe catch the new movie 2012 or do some shopping in Bristol. After this trip to London, I never will understand why shopping in London is fun. Maybe I just aren't used to crowds. Again, comparing London and Bristol, the amount of people on the streets in comparison makes Bristol look like a really suburb town. I enjoyed the space when we walked back from the bus terminal and to the apartment.

Enjoy the photos and see if I grew fatter in the pictures. :) I doubt it because my pants just fits well.