United Kingdom

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.

When I woke up this morning, the sky was filled with black clouds and the wind was howling.
As I have made plans to visit Brighton today, i have no wish to postpone it.

I was praying that when I reached Brighton, it will be bright and sunny. My heart sank as it started raining when i took the bus from Three Bridges to Brighton which is only half an hour journey.

As i walked towards the direction of the Pier to take a bus to Devil's Dyke, there was a sudden gush of wind which is so strong that the girls walking in front of me are holding on to one another to prevent themselves being blown away. I tried to push myself foward to the nearest pillar to hide where I waited for at least 10mins before I started advancing. It was frightening as i could see myself falling down if i didn't hold on to the pillar fast.

Finally i boarded the bus and arrived at Devil's Dyke viewpoint. I was surprised by the greenery as i thought we are approaching winter. The weather seem to change for better as it was less windy and no rain, so i decided to go for a short walk. As i walked further, it seem to get colder so then i decided to go back to the one and only cafe at the hill top but unfortunately it was closed due to power failure. I was so frustrated as it's the only place that can shield me from the harsh weather and the bus will only come 30mins later. I decided to take a short walk again rather than sitting in the cold. The wind become strong again as i walked and this time, i fell as there is nothing that i can hold on to.

I was glad to catch the bus and went back to Brighton. I made my way to the beach and most of the facilities are closed due to the adverse weather.

Most of the beaches in Europe are pebbles instead of white sandy one like in Asia which is really not suitable for walking barefooted or lying down. I hang around at the beach and enjoyed the setting down of the sun before proceeding to do some window shopping. The Lanes is the place to buy jewellery if u want and probably u won't find the same piece anywhere in the world.

I didn't browse for long as the weather is too cold and all that I wanted is to get back to my own warm and cozy bed.

What a wasted trip!

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.

All the world's a stage
And all the men and women merely players;
They have their exits and their entrances;
And one man in his time plays many parts,
His acts being seven ages.
(As you like it)

The writer of the above lines doesn't require much introduction since
we would have learnt much about his works in school or even not, the production of the starcross lovers Romeo and Juliet starred by Leonard Dicaprio and Caire Danes would have make him well known.

I went to the town of Stratford-upon-avon where Shakespheare was born and raised. There was an air of literary as you walked along the streets. I visited Shakespeare's Birthplace, the house where he is thought to be born and spent his formative years.

I also visited the New place where he spent his retirement. Unfortunately, the New Place had been razed to the ground by his neighbour's Gastrell and sadly all was left today was its foundations and the remnants of a well.

Since I'm at hometown of Shakespheare, it would not complete the trip without watching a play in the Shakespheare's theatre.

As I was pondering which seat to choose in the threatre for the play Henry V, a gentleman approached me and enquired whether I will be interested to buy his 26 pounds ticket at 10 pounds. What a stroke of luck!
I took up the deal immediately.

The actors are simply fantastic. They could project their voice to the whole theatre and their acting was so expressive though most of the time i couldn't make out what they are saying. It was a whole 3 hrs play and it was really a good experience!

O! for a Muse of fire, that would ascend
The brightest heaven of invention!
A kingdom for a stage, princes to act
And monarchs to behold the swelling scene.
(Henry V Chorus.1)

Gosh! I didn't realise that i haven't been updating my blog since early Sep. Unbelievable that we have come into the month of Oct! How time flies!

Life is still the same. The tube still do get suspended due to some reasons (today, it was suspended due to signalling problem. Last week, it was because of a strike as the drivers feel unsafe to drive the train due to the braking system). The people are still as unhappy as always and getting drunk everyday. I'm still waking up everyday.

One thing that had probably changed is the weather. Leaves have started falling, the rain had come more often and dark had crept in as early as 7pm. Farewell to summer and welcome to autumn.

Two weeks ago, i went to Madam Tussaud. Never ever thought of going there for a visit coz i guess seeing wax figure wasn't as exciting as seeing greens and flowers in the mountains. Anyway, i got in free (One adult ticket cost £25) thanks to my roomate who has the vouchers. There were so many people and just waiting to take a photo with those fake figurines (without anyone else in the background) took such long time. Not ever going there again.
Will post those photos which we have painstaking took online soon.

For those who i have not told, I will be going to New York from 20-31 Dec. Finally, a trip outside UK! Niagara Falls, here i come!