Today is where my book begins

Finally I have a chance to watch a football match in London! It was Fulham vs Newcastle.

I wasn't really into football but I want to experience the atmosphere and understand what is so fascinating about this game that capture both the young and old hearts of men. There are probably 20,000 people which is considerably small compared to Arsenal stadium which can hold up to 50,000 people.

I would say looking at the crowd is more interesting than in the game itself. They would sing or cheer together. The thing is I don't see a leader leading the crowd into singing or cheering the same lyrics and they are all in harmony. They would stamp their feet to cheer for their team.

Some would speak in vulgarities if example a player miss the ball or the referree misjudge. They would stand up when there is about a goal to be shoot. They would make sound like "oooh", "mooo" when the ball miss the goal post. It was really funny looking at these people. They seem to be living at the age of 5 yrs old.

At the last 5 mins of the game, Fulham got a penalty which resulted in Newcastle getting a free kick to give the final score 0-1.

It wasn't an exciting game but to be able to be among the audience was something.
After the match, I still don't understand the love of football for men. Perhaps that is the only place where they find some brotherhood and bondage.

5th November marks the failed plot to blow up the Parliament by Guys Fawkes.
There will be several places in London where fireworks and funfairs will be held to commerate this day.

We have chosen Alexandra Palace Park which is near to our house.
As we hope to get a good view of the fireworks, we were there 2hrs before the start of the sparks!

We went up the hills and managed to squeeze ourselves sitting on top of the railings. It was an extremely cold night so the wait was painful.

When the first spark brighten up the night sky, the wait was all worth it. It was a 30min of display accompanied with classical music.

Cool breeze, raising sun, vibrant colors, feathers, whistling, sound systems and smell of bbq fill the air of the 2007 Notting Hill carnival on 28 Aug 2007. It's the world's second largest street party after the Rio Carnival in Brazil.
There are at least half a million of people on that day. So comparing to our chingay, ours was Kachang Puteh.
Nevertheless, i now realised that even with so much laughter and people around you, you can still feel lonely. Not just lonely but extreme loneliness. Therefore, accompany is important even the event is small scale.
I was glad that i left early that day as 3hrs later, there was a shooting.

In London, there are lots of free magazines and newspapers that you can pick up everyday. I don't have a habit of picking up one coz they are mostly gossip but last wed, i decided to have a read and saw there is a Singapore festival that will be co-held on Sat by Singapore Tourism Board and Tiger Beer at Bricks Lane. I was looking forward to that as i finally get to eat my Laska, Chilli Crabs, Satay etc.

There was a long queue into the main hall, approx 70. Finally, when it comes to my turn, i heard one of the ushers saying to the crowd "there is no need to queue, just proceed into the hall". I was smiling and thinking to myself. Half of the people here must be singaporean coz only we will queue to get in. Imagine 70 people rushing to get thru a small door, that will be chaos! I was suddenly feeling proud to be a singaporean coz we are always so organised and orderly.

I was drawn to the smell of chilli crabs and was queuing to get them when i heard someone called my name. I turned around and was caught by surprise to see my poly mate Aileen. We didn't keep in contact after graduating from ACCA and hasn't bump into each other in SG too. What a small world it is! I was so so so happy to see someone i know. It had been a long time since i speak singlish and the feeling was so good. I guess that is what fate and surprise is all abt. Never expecting.

From yesterday 6pm till Thursday night, there will be at least 6 lines out of 9 of the tube service not running due to a strike action by RMT members at Metronet. The funny thing is that they actually tell you before hand like 1 week ago that there is going to be a strike from when to when.
Though it cause inconvenience, i didn't hear much complain from anyone. Everyone just plan their alternative route to get to work or home earlier.
Luckily for me, i have a direct bus back home though it takes a bit of time coz imagining everyone in london trying to get into a bus, it's going to be so packed.

Last night, i decided to wash my bedsheet as i starting itching whenever i'm on it. To my digust and horror, i found a few horrible looking black bed bugs at the seam of the bedsheet. I was horrified and the next thing i do is throw away my bedsheet, check the bed and spray one whole bottle of insecticide. My housemate thought i was trying to kill myself in the room!

To my relief, i haven't found anything but i'm not going to take any chance. Later, I'm going to do another round of checks with a pesticide that can specially bust those creatures. I'm going to make a complain to my landlord when she is back next month and make sure she get a someone to do some cleaning up.

On Mon, we have a mini birthday party for one of the housemates. Here is a chance to see how my housemates look like.

Nurumo (Thai) and her hubby Yo (French-korean)

Natasha (Russian) and her bf Mile

There is also Fred (French-indian) which i forgetton to take a pic. Oops sorry. next time then.

Here is a pic of my cranky roommate from Hungary who is at work while we having the party.
This was taken recently when he went back to his hometown.

Cooking is never a task that i need to do back at home. There is always food on the table whenever i'm hungry. Oh how fortunate i am but i have never learn to appreciate that!
Those good days are gone now.

Last week, i have a strong craving for green bean soup. note: i'm not pregnant but i guess been away from s'pore for some time make these cravings more often than usual. Thank goodness that i have a vivid recollection of how my mum prepared the soup or else i will end up dreaming of it in my sleep and regretting why i didn't learn that from her. That day, i am so proud of myself as i have managed to satisfy my "difficult to please" stomach.

Writing this now make me want to have Tau Huay and You Tiao!!! I missed those days when i went to eat the forever so smooth Rochor beancurd with my friends after movie. (okies let's not get into debate on which stall is nicer ya? it will take forever to reach a verdict) Those Tau Huay that just melts in your mouth... Can someone pls give me a receipe on how to make Tuay Huay???

Among the three gals in the flat, i'm the worst cook. I always have to ask them is the water enough for my rice? How long do i need to microwave those sausages? Then there is one day, i was frying an egg. When the russian girl saw i flipped the egg over, she was in awe. She said that i cook like a chef! That was very funny at that moment considering i'm the worst. I didn't know that she put the fried egg into the oven to cook the top portion!