Modernised 80's

I know, I've been going on and on about the modernised 80s party that I am planning. It's actually 4 days away from now and finally, I found THE dress. 80s is anything big in my opinion. So when I saw the dress below, I WAS SOLD! It was the last on the rack and it was size 10! Oh god, I hope I didn't go a size up cause it fits me perfectly. The dress felt like a cross between Balenciaga and Balmain. I love it!!!

THE DRESS.

I'm thinking of wearing my hair up. What do you think people?

Bank Holiday Weekend

Day 1: Reading Festival

Remember my blog about queueing for hours for festival tickets? This is what it was for! We started late as my friend Melay couldn't leave work early and I don't want to go alone as it is my first time to go to festival here in the UK. To be honest, I didn't know what to expect. I have this idea that the place is packed with drunk, drugged and crazy people but it was tamer than I thought. Getting in is easy, we showed our thrice, one for letting us in cause we have tickets, then another for checking if the ticket is valid and third for double checking if the ticket is a resale and if the rip on the ticket match. On the fourth time, we have to exchange our tickets for a wristband. We were surprised once inside, they have tents set up - totally expected cause people camped for 3-5 days on site, generous amount of loos, ferris wheel, stalls everywhere from clothes, foods, memorabilias and to camping equipments! Yes, you can camp out, not bring anything and buy everything on the spot. It will cost you loads of pounds though! Once on the stage site, we were faced with another queue where the marshalls check for untampered wristbands. They have stages set up in the ground but we only saw 3 of them, Introducing Stage, NME/Radio 1 and Mainstage. Noone was performing on the Main Stage when we got there so we went to the next best, NME stage where Friendly Fires was performing. They rocked the house and everyone was enjoying them play! We left with enough time to buy a pint of cider and just before the Kaiser Chiefs performance. I was a bit disappointed with their set. I was actually looking forward for them to play. Aside from the bad sound system(it goes from loud to soft to loud again), it felt like the band didn't enjoy themselves. Sorry Kaiser Chiefs Fans. They sang Oh My God I Can't Believe It as their last song and left. With band break, me and my friend thought that the crowd will clear up so we can move to the front and have a better view of the Main Act for the night - Kings of Leon but the crowd had piled up! They were thinking the same thing that we were thinking! Hahaha! I think I must have gotten the full experience. One Kings of Leon first few songs, I was showered with a pint of drink. It hit me directly in the eye and with contact lens on, it burnt! I gotten over of the pain quickly and focused all my attention to the band. Next thing you know, you had pee on you. Someone threw pee on the crowd. They couldn't wait to go and filled their cider cup with pee. Can I also add that I got elbowed in the cheek? The crowd went wild when one of the songs were played and everyone was dancing/slamming on each other. Me and my friend had to dance with our hand on our faces as to not get hit again. :P One of the guys got hit and he strangle the guy who hit him. He also told him not to touch him again. The guy on my right was high and couldn't handle himself. The people around tried helping him but they all got pissed off with him at the end and had a fight with him. Ohhh, festival fun! Kings of Leon set lasted for 1.5 hours and the festival ended at 11:30PM. I know, too early but in the UK you have to have permits on everything plus there are loads of houses in the vicinity.

Before the Keiser Chiefs Performance. I was fully made up cause I went to see Ate Macy. It was her last day at Lancome and they haven't got any customers that day. We made full use of the time(and make up) and did 2 make up tests.

Reading Festival Main Stage. This is the only good pic that I got cause this is still minutes away from the actual performance.

Me and my friend Melay with our ciders.

Left side cider face, right side piss face, smudge make up. Think puke will complete it all. Yikes!

That's how I looked like that night. My disposable 2 quid shoe from Primark in case it gets muddy.

Day 2: MJ Tribute Concert

It should have been MJ's 51st bday. When my friend Petal asked if I wanted to see MJ's Tribute concert in Jazz Cafe, I said yes immediately. We agreed to meet early so we can both have dinner. We went to a Carribean Restaurant called the Mango Room where we both have Camden's Famous Meal - a curried goat and we had rice with black eyed peas and a mocktail each. To be honest, I don't know what a black eyed peas is so I had to ask Petal and the waiter to explain what it looked like. :P It was a lovely dinner complete with girly gossips. LOL! After dinner, we met up with P&J(they are on a credit crunch). I got ID'd on the door as usual and was lucky to be allowed in. He was like, your bday quick. Now, I don't perform well under pressure so I was scared that I would forget my bday or something.

The concert didn't start on time,online it says, door opens at 7PM and we assume that it will start at half 7. We were all tired from standing esp me with my usual KILLER HEELS so when Phil sat on the floor, I couldn't help myself but sat on his knees. Didn't last long though. I don't want him to break his knees cause of my weight! LOL! Photo of P&J.

Petal and Me.

P&P. Phil and Petal. We took few photos while killing time. Jen went to the loo before we started taking photos.

They had different performers that night who is at one point have direct connection with MJ. He is one of them. Most of them are from America BTW. I especially love when one of them did a reggae rendition of MJ's song. Reggae as most of you know is one of my fave music genre. For some reason, her song brought me to one of my happiest memories. 2 hours is worth the wait. We had to leave early though as we need to catch the train back to Reading.

Day 3: Vishal's Wedding

When I learn that my friend Luke is going to Vishal's Wedding, I asked him if I could go. First, I like weddings(I'm that cheesy) and second, I want to see an Indian Wedding. To be honest, I was lost with the wedding. I didn't know what was going on and why people were chatting instead of watching the wedding itself. If that was my wedding, I'll be disappointed with my guests. Guess they saw so much weddings, it wasn't that special to them.

I asked someone what's going on, he said, they were chanting so the groom will come out of the car and go to the ceremony. Lovely Saris don't you think?

Me and my good friend Luke. He was back in England for a week. Sorry for the bad photo sexy babes, you didn't smile in time. :P

Think that would serve as a offering to the bride. They were holding Saris on closer inspection.

That's Vishal on the chair.

His wife in Red. Auspiscious Wedding Colour for Indians. I wish you could see how intricate the detail in the dress was. It was embellished with crystals and beads, I think. Look wasn't able to take good photo when people are carrying her to the ceremony stage.

We left at 5:30, 5 hours after the ceremony started. We then head to a pub called Bald Faced Stag(Don't ask me why. Pubs here got weird names!) where we each had a drink. Everyone was full at this point apart from Graham who skipped lunch. After a drink, we went to Angel and to another pub called Nags Head. Luke informed me that Nags are horses. Thanks sexy! After few drinks, we head to Ridizio Rico where we had all you can eat meat. We were lucky, we were served at least 10 different meats in the span of 15 minutes and everyone was struggling to down the food at that time. Luke skipped dinner though. Poor guy wasn't feeling too well.

While having a meat break, me and Luke took photos. I took photo of him and he took stupid photo of me in his mobile. Thanks sexy for rescuing me from my high heels. Loved the fireman lift!

LOVE THIS

Maximum Cheese on my Part. Awwww.

My Plans so Far

It's been 5 months since I lost my job. So much things had happened then:

1. I travelled most of Europe. Something that I've always wanted to do since I wrote my list 4 years ago on my 20th bday. :P Although there are still places to see in that part of the world, I am happy with what I have accomplished.

2. I did things that I have never done before - fishing, shooting, camping out under the storm, go ape-ing and riding all the scary rides. Bungee Jumping is next on my agenda. I regret being a chicken in Netherlands!

3. I saw who my real friends are. I've only been in the UK for 3.5 years but I am happy to have established lasting friendships with people. Cut all negatrons. Friendships is a two way relationship. If you want to be my friend, keep in touch. I have friends from wayyyy back in Elementary School and I am excited to see them when I return from the UK.

Everyone asks me what my next plan is. To be honest, I don't really know. I am still figuring out what I want and how to get to where I want. Sometimes I want to work in Tourism as I love to travel and plan out things, sometimes Hotel Management cause you deal with different problems everytime. Other times, I feel like I should be working in the fashion industry and do Merchandising. Shopping is what I do best at lowest cost possible. At one point, I want to be an Event Coordinator. :P There are only 3 things that is clear at the moment. 1. I want to learn Spanish and be good at it. 2. I want to try wall climbing and do it on a regular basis. 3. I want to learn how to swim to enjoy water sports.

Paris Day Trip

What do you think of going on a trip to Paris alone? Is it safe? The return trip will cost less 100 quid but I have to take the first trip to Paris as it is the cheapest and return at 7ish PM that night. I have been to Paris before but I haven't seen the city properly. I went to the Eiffel Tower, did the boat ride and tour around the city on a bus on my first time. I still have so much to see, Sacred Heart, Louvre(I haven't been inside) and NotreDame de Paris. I need more convincing! Hahaha!

Day 7: Antwerp, Brussels and Home

ANTWERP:

We left Rotterdam at 9:55AM with no plans of stopping by at Antwerp but when the train stops at Antwerpen Centraal, we couldn't help but leave the train. We intend to stay for an hour and take the 12:03 train to Brussels Midi but that all change when we saw the place. Aside from the fantastic high street that I was talking about, Antwerp is full of surprises. We saw a square lined with cafes and restaurants before the Grote Markt and each turn you see an old church. I really like it. I wish we had more time on our hands. Plus the weather is perfect during that day. The place isn't congested as well.

Cafes in Grote Markt.

Fantastic fascade isn't it?

Guildhouses on the Square.

City Hall on the background and Statue of Brabo.

This is where we got mum's toy. She was looking for a toy she got when she was younger so everytime we see a toy shop, we have to stop and look for it. She thinks that the toy might be from Germany.

BRUSSELS:

We only have 4ish hours to spare when we got to Brussels. My sister's only wish is to see the Atomium as it's a famous landmark of Brussels. So that's our first destination. From Brussels Midi, we took the Number 6 train to Heysel. We spent 20 minutes taking photos of the place, the travel time is longer than the time spent taking photos. It was 3PM when we got to Gare Central. We had a 30 minute lunch there and spend the remaining time at Grote Markt. I wanted to take my sister at Jubel Parc but didn't get enough time. It was only 2 stops away from Gare Central where the Grote Markt is located.

Wow! The Atomium isn't as high as I think it is - NOT!

This gold statue is lucky. Touch, make a wish and hopefully it will come true.

My sister doesn't know who Tintin is. :P Van Gogh statues on the background.

Mannekin Pis - means little man urinating in Dutch. I don't know why this statue is famous.

Chocolate Museum. Love it!

This street is lined with restaurants.

Galleries of St Hubert lined with expensive shops.

St Michael and Gudula Cathedral. This is the best photo that I took. I suck at taking photos.

Day 6: Kinderdijk

We didn't do much on our 6th day. We left Jack's at 10AM. Kinderdijk is an hour away from his place by boat. I didn't enjoy the boat ride much cause I was tired. I slept most of the trip actually - under the sun. The boat was packed with retirees. Jack was clever enough to buy tickets in advance. We only spend an hour in Kinderdijk as Jack needs to go to work. It was very very hot on that day! In line to my dating ideas, I found one again. Picnic-ing in an open place.

That's me copying the ducks.

Photo with the Windmill on the background.

Another photo with the Windmill background.

And another shot of the Windmill. You get the idea now, Kinderdijk is full of windmills. Some windmills were converted into a home.

We went to the City Centre afterwards to do some shopping but we weren't successful. We were too tired to do anything. Me and my dear sister had an early day and I spent the afternoon sleeping and as soon as I woke up, saw 3 cheesy films. I love the My Sassy Girl American Version! I think I need that craziness and spontaneity in my life. I need a man as crazy and spontaneous as me. Where are you???

Day 5: Brugge

We woke up late the next day, we were ready by 9AM and took the 9:55AM train to Antwerp. The train arrive 10 minutes late and because of that, we missed our IC train to Brussels. To make the story short, we reach Brugge at 2:20PM. That leaves us 4.5 hours to explore the place. As usual,we have lose itinerary with us. Works well for me as I am very controlling when I travel. I MUST see every spot. The more I know, the more controlling I become. So for me and my company to be able to enjoy the whole trip, I must have less knowledge of the place. Papa Jack was supposed to accompany us on that day but he was too busy at work. He said he wants to rebel against his boss but it wasn't the most sensible thing to do. We didn't have a hard time finding the city centre. Jack told us to ask when in doubt and follow where the tourist go. Very good advice I say. We took the first boat that we saw. Jack told us that it's a must - he said it's the highlight of the trip. It didn't disappointed. I like looking at the buildings and feel the calmness of the water. Plus it showed us where we need to go.

This is the usual site on the boat ride.

Belfort in the Centre.

One side of the Square

Another side of the Square

And another side of the Square. On the last side, you'll see the Belfort.

Jan Van Eyck Statue. I hope the camera is powerful enough. Pretty houses lined the canal of Brugge.

Horse Drawn Carriage is the Taxi of Brugge. I didn't see any male drivers.

Godshuis in Brugge.

This is a warm snack vending machine. A first for me.

That's a small portion chips. Imagine how gigantic the large order is. I must add, Netherlands has the best mayo I've tasted. I forgot to try the peanut butter

sauce.

Additional Info:

Brugge passes by Antwerp, Ghent and Brussels. So if we left early enough, we would have time to see Antwerp properly unlike the last time.

Day 4: Den Haag, Scheveningen and Delft

I didn't realise that we went to 3 different places on our 4th day. In Netherlands and Belgium, you can exit a train station without the actual exit barrier unlike here in the UK. So you can hop in and hop off the trains until you reach your final destination. This results to unplanned stops on me and my sister's part. We already paid for the tickets, might as well use it while we still have time to explore. :P

That's me scaring my sister with water. I love this shot!

The sculpture is called, Frog with Umbrella. I can't see the flag nor the umbrella. Can someone point that out to me?

We got grease on our clothes from sitting on that thing. Poor Dear Sister, she was wearing her white skirt from Top Shop.

Sculpture by Javier Marin. I notice that they have sculptures everywhere in Den Haag and Scheveningen. BTW, Den Haag and Scheveningen is where most expat resides in Netherlands. You'll see why in the coming photos.

Taken outside the Palace. I don't know why I did this stupid pose when I can stand still.

Crying Giant Sculpture in front of the Scheveningen Beach.

I've never seen so much "do nots" in the beach.
Reason 1 why expat resides here: strip of bars in the seaside.

Reason 2: Leisure - they have an indoor skiing facility and bungy jumping. Both I haven't tried before. I had the perfect opportunity to bungy jump but I chickened out. It is not fun to do it alone.

Reason 3: White Sand, Clear Water

This was taken outside the 4 star hotel Just 4 stars. I can't imagine how 5 stars looked like.

Taken outside the Bora Bora bar. That's me drinking my cappuccino. I am a change person. I am totally addicted to coffee. I used to think that I have allergies in coffee cause I once had a palpitation/I can't breathe incident so I stopped taking for years. It was very relaxing to sit on the beach while drinking coffee and just listening to the sound of the ocean. *gay* See, another dating idea on my part. I bombarded my sister with non-stop dating ideas.

That's the white sand beach. It was very very fine. On the far left of the beach, you can go fishing. In the afternoon, people play volley ball and fly kites here.

We had a hard time taking photo of the tilted church. BTW, the church is called Old Church. Very creative, I know. Ehehe!

And that's me looking at the random info.

I love this photo. The water is very still. That's the reflection of the Old Church in the water. Take note of the parking on the left. Do not park stoned or drunk or you might end up in the water.

Me, the Old Church and the Bridge.

The Delft City Centre. This is the best photo that we got. The square is very dirty that day. Delft is the Uni area btw. I didn't see so much young boys in my life.

In Netherlands, it is normal for houses to have cover like this.

Oh I learn few words/phrases during my trip:

Dank u wel - thank you

Lekker - delicious

Om/Tante/Tas - Uncle/Aunt/Bag(personal fave of mine)