Gateway to the North

Norway is an interesting country in its own ways where you can find

- police patrol on road on horseback;

- kroners coins having hole in the middle.

The trip begins.... =)

Angels wanted to bake cakes.

They mischieviously played with flour and accidentally spilled them all over. See! everything turns white dy!

Thats the problem with ryanair, never park properly at the terminal. Have to walk our own ways out to board.

Vikings never build ships with rulers; all measurements were taken by eyes. How amazing!~

What were that two doin at the back huh? hehez.

Archeologist said 'A viking ship was considered of top quality if it were to be bailed only 2 times in 3 days.'

Haha.

It wasn't easy to make facial muscles contract at negative temperatures.

~ best place for furnitures & lightings shopping ~
Extreme climates make Scandinavians indoor people spending most times sitting at homes thinking how to design their furnitures and make homes look nicer. =)

this place looks Christmassy almost everywhere!

While Aberdeen ppl had no reaction seeing inches of snow, I was excited and happily jumping around! Wheee..! =)
Edinburgh's snow will never accumulate, always melt when it touches the ground.

Do you see a snow angel? =)

Candyfloss cottage

I look so hobbit. -_-

Ships at port. Frozen.
Hmm... how fishermen still able to catch salmon leh?

AiyaKk!

So coldddd.

Mama says, 'Naughty boys...'

High-end cars in developing country = Cabs in developed country: Mercedes.

Jack D Salmon. Yuuummmmyyyyyyy!

Aikz..Too bad the stay was too short for fjords visits. I definitely wan to go again to see the fjords, heard they are soooo pretty! yeh yehhh.. See ya soon Oslo, hopefully... hehez!~

Gentle Reminder

Dearest Mr. Vincent,

I know you are forever busy and your fully-occupied brain might have no space for this tiny little event. So, I'm writing this down in hope that it helps remind you of promises last night... ;)

You said if I manage to score an A this sem, you will let me work in your company for non-commercial/ maybe 'fun' purposes this coming summer holidays. I don't know if I can make it but will try study harder lah. Hehe. And, I promise I won't spill coffee on your table, won't mess up your work... I'll be all good. =)

Hopefully you still remember by then. Okie? ^_^

Nice Warm Flat

In Teviot place, our flat has 3 members. Pei, Matt and myself.

Flat above has another 3 guys. CS, James and Nick.

6 of us cooked dinner together. Each day they will be a chef and a dishwasher. Let say James cooks today, Matt wash dishes. The next day, Matt will cook and it's Nick's turn to wash... and so on.

Dinner kicks off at 7.30pm daily. Our daily menu includes:

one meat.
normally chicken. cheapest and least efforts to process, just go to any pakistanis shop, say '3 pairs of chicken leg, cut small'. 5 minutes later, the uncle will hand you a bag with fresh, sometimes abit bloody chicken and price written on the bag.

Come back, wash, throw into pans, done! Normally this kind of chicken you cook, no need to put oil, very economical. You buy chicken, they free oil for you. Super duper oily. If cook soup, can readily scope out half a bowl of oil from top when it's done. Eiyerr.
However, we recently discovered how to make char siew already. So not much of chicks tales anymore.

one vege.
Although 4 out of 6 of us are carnivour, another 2 strongly hold that vege is a must in daily diet. So, after the house council, we decided to have one vege everyday. Haha. Tell you, if no vege in the meal, later on 2 hours after meal, you will see Nick starts cutting up Kiwis to make up for the Vit C bits already.

one soup.
Usually herbs lor. Don't know since when our house starts having endless supplies of chinese herbs. All sorts.

one extra dish
Depends on cook of the day.

and rice. Hehe.

Everyone in the house got different specialties and signature dishes. People say the ways one cook reflects their personality.

CS - He loves chicks. So does his dishes. Famous for chicken, best with tandoori, soysauce and sweet sour chicken. Especially his tandoori, memang superb already. Got chance must try. =)

James - A stronghold catholics, honest and trustworthy. His dishes always very old days grandmother style. Never too oily, taste just nice. Signature dishes: Ginger chicken. Potato salad with tuna.

Pei - New dishes discoverer. She reminds me of my mum seriously. Always add this add that, end up come out become nice new dish. Haha. All rounder in the house. All sorts of food, if she tries it, probably the next day you will see her start making. She can even amaze us with mee hun kuey.

Nick - People always say beautiful people makes nice dessert. This hongkee's in charge of our house desserts department ranging from banana toffee, tiramisu, cheese cakes... all sorts.

Matt - BEing a multitalented person who masters more than 5 languages and is currently picking up more, plays well in all sort of sports ranging from golf to pingpong, his dishes resembles him alot. Pasta with one layer of ham on top and one layer of vege at the bottom. All in one. Easy and nutritious.

Me - Vege department and seafood department. Brocolli and fish are my favourite. No oily styles generally. Avoid sharing of saliva.

Trend of the house: If we ever discovered a new dish and if the house like it, then sorry seems to be to the inventor already. It will continually get demanded and due to public pressure, the inventor will have no choice but still need to cook it even though it's not his/her day of duty. Until we all jelak with it! Hahaha. And after that perhaps like 3 or 4 months later when we are not jelak anymore, we will think of it's best-ness again. However, something is weird. It's like no one can ever get the taste right again, not even the cook him/herself. So we normally just abandoned it.

Hehe. Had Nick's tiramisu today. So yummy. Luv it to bits. Got his recipe already. Gotta try do it next time when he isn't around. Jenn's cranberry muffins are good too. It's sour so I like it. Feel good living with all these people and get pampered with all the fine desserts. =)

Cold hard world

Got out from bed with world spinning badly around. Whiskey can never make good mix with red wine. Almost turned my stomach inside out upside down last night, awful feeling.

Find it funny how I went to wrong flat's toilet and vomitted there without realising it wasn't my friend's flat. Their door wasn't locked and I just walked in, locked myself in toilet for like half an hour... haha. It was really stupid of me to not realise till I went to the wrong living room and found everyone weren't there.

Last night on a rare event, encountered a real life story about how a girl got beaten up by the boyfriend for not agreeing to have sex with him. Almost couldn't believe it actually happened to a girl so innocent and so sweet like this friend of mine. I wasn't feeling quite well myself, didn't catch the whole story but her lines was such a big shock of my life.

she was drunk whole night keep saying....

'i'm sorry...i know it's my fault...'

'I shouldn't have disagree with you...'

'should have just let you do whatever u want..'

'you asked me if i love you, and you said if i love you, then 'let your clothes down'... '

'you told me u love me so much, but why do you hit me so hard that even if I beg, you never stop..'

'please don't leave me...would you come back again...'

Seriously her thinking gets abit out already. She keeps thinking it's her fault to not satisfy the boyfriend which eventually make him leave with great disappointment in her.

In the end, she kept mumbling 'don't beat me...don't...' to sleep. Very very very pitiful of her. Must be hard for her to accept that someone she loves so much turned out treating her this way. Our hearts sank while listening. She is the kind that looks so sweet, so small and so needy-for-protection. What kind of jerk on earth can do such things to her. Haiz. Must agree this world is complicated with all sorts of people around. Love itself is scary.

Don't know what title to put...

Result's out this afternoon when I was happily talking to mom. Thank god it wasn't as bad as I thought. At least I don't have to rebook my SIA return tickets at the moment.

Since tomorrow is an off day thought going out for a night to maybe.. not a pub of course but a cafe will be a nice idea. Then, got an email from JPA London warning all their students to stay in and avoid areas with big trees for strong gales is affecting the UK with quite a number of people killed from it. That's rather thoughtful of them. Matthew said because we are like their properties they invest in thats why they will not want any harm or risk befall their assets like how when a flood comes, people will tend to protect their cars and houses. So, plan out cancelled!

On a happier note, watched 'The Holiday' at home. I like it! Cameron Diaz looks like a barbie indeed. Kate Winslet smiles like Cecilia Cheung. Kids have a bed I for reason wanted since young. Jude Law is goodlooking. Certain scenes reminded me of him, again whom I have been avoid thinking for quite a while. Yes, I am not thinking I need to get better....

Jenn said she'll be here for cards session soon...

Got back Finally - Event Two

It wasn't too long a wait before the boarding gate opened. Sitting in the crowded waiting lounge catching my breath, the flight seems to be fully booked. This time I'm really going back. Relief!

20 minutes later, I was in a flight seat ready for a nap. Unlike MAS's stewardesses that generally look the long and thin kind, SIA stewardesses mostly have wide shoulders that makes them look 'bigger' and 'wider'.

As usual, Captain went on with his speech..seatbelt fasten...remain seated.... Before he finished, exhausted I quickly felt asleep.

Then, vaguely in my dream, I heard this announcement,

'Please could any medical personnels on plane identify yourself as we have an emergency case over here. Thanks for your cooperation....'

The next minute, one chinese man with big specs and knowledgable look walked pass me making his way to the front. Must be the doctor.

This situation reminded me the first lecture in med school...

' don't simply identify yourself in any public emergency case... '

' you are not a doctor yet. there might be lots of things u haven't been taught....'

Being an obedient student, I quickly resume to fully-asleep state again thinking maybe it was just fever or diarrhoea case.

Then again not long afterwards, another announcement was made...

' due to an emergency medical case on the plane, we need to make an emergency landing in Istanbul. Please remain seated as we will be arriving in Istanbul in one hour time....'

This time, I'm awake. Fully.

Istanbul? Where is it? I know Jay Chou song got mention it before lah but his lyrics didn't say in which country it's located. So I asked this Belgium guy next to me who was concentrating on Economist with his Blackberry on.

With his wise look, he said,

'It's in Turkey. A wonderful city to go for sightseeing but phew... their hosp is horrible!'

Surroundings soon became noisy as could see everyone head start popping out from the seats towards the direction where the doctor and a few stewardesses stood with someone holding high up an iv drip. *Din know plane has an iv drip on it.*

Okie. We finally landed in Istanbul. But weirdly, no one seems to move in or out the plane. Maybe like my neighbour said, their medical services isn't that good so perhaps need to wait a while more.

... 5...10....15....20....25....30 minutes.

That's getting a bit long already isn't it? Still, no one come in. I thought it's an emergency case. How come no ambulance... no medical equipments... no doctors.... no strectcher...

Basically, no one is doing anything. What's everyone waiting for?

Finally, someone appeared. A few bulky men who don't look like doctors but security guards instead came in. I can't catch a glimpse of what exactly they were doing but presumably some medical assistances been given. Thank God he's being rescued finally.

Then 5 minutes later... I saw the few big men
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.
.
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.
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.
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carrying a big white plastic bag with something like a

HUMAN BODY inside.

The man died.

What? Died just like that? I can't believe it!!!

Air stewardess next to us said the man was certified dead a few minutes before we arrive in Istanbul. Apparently this man was diabetic and had been vomitting all along the journey.

This is the first time I felt a death being so close to me. Can't imagine while I was happily in dreamland someone so near to me was struggling hard battling for life... and apparently he didn't make it. Can't imagine his family expecting his arrival in the airport receive a deadbody instead.

His body was placed at the backseat of the plane. Everyone stared in disbelief when the body was carried pass them.

Then captain went on...

'We are now ready for take off. We estimate to arrive in London with 3 hours of schedule delay. Please remain seated and have your seatbelt fasten....'

Got back Finally - Event One

It was a fine morning. Happily I packed my stuffs off and left for KLIA after a wonderful 3 weeks holidays back home.

In KLIA at the SIA check in counter, I show my reference number to a lady. And later on she look look look, and turn to me saying,

'madam, can I have your credit card please?'

'Huh?' what credit card she wants? I wonder.

'the credit card you use to book this flight? we need it to verify your ticket before you board.'

'Huh?? Why do you need it? I thought the flight was paid for long time ago?'

'Yeah, thats right. But thats our policy to see your card again before you check in.'

Normally it isn't a problem as most people will purchase ticket with their own credit card. But this time, due to some credit card company reason, I didn't use my dad's one but ChoonSeong's bro's instead.

In other word, the credit card is in PENANG now.

So I went on telling the lady,

'I'm sorry, I don't have the card with me. My fren booked it for me and he's now in Penang.'

'Alright. I'm very sorry to say we can't anyhow check you in without the card being presented to us.'

WHAT? She expects me to get CS's bro to rush all the way down to KL from Penang whereby my flight is leaving in 1 hour time. So I said,

' Is there any other options available? Or can I see your duty manager?'

That lady was a bit unfriendly and seeing her expression like layan tak layan. C'mon. As if I cheat your company money using fake card is it???

Reluctantly she brought me to her supervisor who is a very nice and thoughtful old man. By leaving me and my passport with the old man, she left. Haha. Guess what. The old man called her back and said with a firm and unhappy face.

'Nurul, can you please let me know what is the case before you walk off?' Haha, kena scolded!

That time I was extremely stressed lah. Seems like they insist to see the card before allowing me to check in. So I ask the manager again regarding what options available and what I can do atm. Calm and steady, he explained that I can either purchase a new ticket which cost another RM11000.00 to avoid missing the flight OR....

Get ChoonSeong's bro to rush to nearest SIA office in penang in 30 minutes time to present the card. If not, they can't check me in on time. Flight is leaving in 75 minutes time.


WAH. That's like rush hour man. Okie. Of course I am not payin 11k and also I don't have so much money. Immediately, I called Choonseong in UK and ask him get his bro asap as begin from now on, every minute counts. No wonder people say, TIME IS MONEY.

After 5 minutes, he replied saying his bro is rushing there and estimating to reach in 30 minutes.

Anxiously, I waited.

5 mins... 10 mins... 15 mins.... 20 mins... 25 mins...

Shall I give him a ring to check his situation?

So, I called CS's bro. He said...

'Sorry la..JAM leh. Penang working time la. Wun be there in another 5 minutes time. Will be there in another 15 minutes time I think.'

'HUH?' Okie Okie. You take your time k. I try to ask for extension.'

I will be 15 minutes later than the time given. So I told the old man my friend will definitely be there but maybe I need extra 15 minutes. He wasn't quite happy but at last agreed as he said next available flight to london will be one week later for all seats are fully booked.

Okie. 5....10.......15 mins

Yes! Finally he reached. Happily I go to the manager again and he called up Penang office talking to an officer there trying to verify the credit card and prove that I wasn't faking up a card or something. But as he talked, his look turn more and more worried and before he put his phone down, I heard him saying
.

.

.

.

.

.

.

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' So, IT WAS THE WRONG CREDIT CARD. Ok.'

HUHHHHHHHHH????? WHATTTTT? WRONG CARDDDDD????

My goodness. I almost fainted. Really.

Looking at him with my helpless face, I asked him what I can do for now.

Then calmly, he said,

'Okie. I'm going to trust your fren is the genuine card holder and so I am going to check you in now. BUT, ONLY to Singapore. If your friend can't bring the CORRECT card to us in 1 hour time before you arrive in Sg, I'm afraid you might need to fly back to KL again without being able to proceed to Sg-London flight. So, I'm now issuing you only the KL-SG boarding pass. Collect your SG-London boarding pass again in CHangi and hopefully your friend can make it. Ask him bring along ALL HIS CARD.'

It was close. He checked all my luggages in and wave me goodbye reminding me again to get my friend to bring along all his card in next one hour. Because the flight is leaving in 15 minutes time, I simply wave goodbye to my parents and sisters before I ran all the way to the boarding gate.

One hour on the plane was indeed very tension.

Finally we landed. As I walk out the plane nervously, an air stewardess ran to me and said,



'Miss, this is your boarding pass. Have a safe flight to London.'

=)

He made it.

Thanks and sorry for all the hassles. That was first event. To be continued...

New year 2007

Sometimes, reality world can be a harsh one making people losing faith, confidence as well as themselves. I think that as we live through daily's life it's the care and love from people around that keep us going.

~ Loving today. Loving everyone in my life ~

Being someone who love face, I must admit that most of the times my words don't express what I was exactly feeling . I don't remember sincerely saying big thank you to friends or family face to face for how much I do appreciate you people for bearing with me through years.

All these while I've been complaining, feeling unsatisfied with circumstances, intimidated by a big stage featuring many new roles. I think that as we go through daily life, it's inevitable to feel weak, lonely or lost. Family is dearest to heart always.

Terms gonna start again. Gonna leave home soon next week. Gonna miss everyone back home terribly. It's gladdening that in you guys I get to find pieces of myself again. Also from you guys, I learn that things might seems non visible at one point but it doesn't simply conclude to their non existence. Old friends are sweet like honey. It's like even though you don't get to see or contact each other for quite a while but once the lines get connected again, transfer rate can go extremely fast without lagging. Isn't it nice?

p/s: oh ya, just to mention, i think I've overspent in this winter back home and it isn't a good sign to start a new year off with. Broke year ahead. Huhu +_+