MUJI!

I bought a laundry bin from MUJI. Other than fucking awesome, I can't find a better phrase to describe it. Don't be jealous, it cost me 19gbp.

Anyway, my point here is that I really like the stuff in this MUJI place. Cool design with a modern Asian touch. (Well of course, its a brand name from Japan.) They should really expand into Melbourne. Hopefully they will be there by the time I get back. Hah!

I feel uneasy when I am spending.
No, it should be I loath the feeling of dependency.
Knowing that the money that I spend now is not mine,
just makes me feel disgusted.
I need to erradicate this situation.
I need to get a job.
I need to be financially independent.
Only then, I can choose my way of life.
That's how things should be.
That's how things should be.

Going Wild

It was 10 rounds of drinks. And there I was clubbing in some sport bar, on the stage, with a couple of people that I just knew today. Interesting.

And then, I walked her to the bus station. Half an hour walk but an hour worth of interesting conversation.

It was a very good party. There was 2 Americans, 2 Swedish, a French, a German, a British, a Norwegian, a Luxembourger, 2 Aussies and a Malaysian. This is what we call a proper diversity based on nationality, isn't it? What an international experience, what a London experience.

I left Palmer's Lodge at around 12.45pm. It was a good stay in the backpackers. Nonetheless, I'm glad that I've now got a permanent place to stay. Treated myself a good lunch which cost 6gbp. Ouch... but I guess I'll have to get used to the price here in London. I can see that things are getting better. At last.

Fried Tofu with Teriyaki Sauce

note: I was so excited when I had the first spoonful of rice. It felt hearty and warm. Such a sucker for rice, I guess I'm after all an Asian.

Had dinner with Andrew at Angus Steak House. It's like a chained steakhouse here in London. You'll see quite a few of those outlets just around the Soho area. That's my first decent meal here in London. Roughly 25gbp for a sirloin steak with Bearnaise sauce, a bowl of chips and a glass of cabernet sauvignon. This triggered old memories. I miss the steaks in European and Moreton Brasserie...

Subject: Accommodation in the Gardens
From: "Pavla Navratilova"
Date: Wed, September 24, 2008 9:51 pm
To: "Pavla Navratilova"
Priority: High
Options: View Full Header | View Printable Version | Download this as a file | Bounce| Add to Addressbook | View as HTML

Dear student,

There are a few rooms available in the Garden Halls. Please get back to
me by 5pm today either by email or telephone (020 7121 7500) if you wish
us to send you the contract.


Best wishes,

Pavla Navratilova

The Garden Halls

And finally, I've got a place in the residential college. Odd timing, but who cares. Hoorah for my last homeless night!

Hostel or Hotel

Moving from hostel to hostel, it kinda makes me wonder what do we essentially need in order to live comfortably. A bed, a place to shower, Internet, a good breakfast and a comfy couch. That's probably about it. I don't need to stay in some luxurious five star hotel with build in wardrobe and reception area to feel comfortable. Sometimes, its just hard to comprehend our ridiculously simple needs. Throughout this whole homeless experience, I've manage to somehow find comfort and peace in simplicity.

But then, isn't it because of our desires and wants, we are only able to move forward and fight for a better tomorrow? Should we be content about our current status or should we encourage desires and wants? Such contradiction forms the basis of human nature. Its always interesting to see how people juggle between these two mentalities.

Under that calm surface, an unspeakable turbulance of emotion is at work.

Its already my second week in London and I haven't even got my accommodation settled. Agitation and desperation are starting to sip in. Sigh. If only...

And there she was, a stunningly gorgeous German gal.

Leaving St. Athans...

First the toast.

Then the fabulous English Breakfast.

At the entrance with my luggage.

Getting further away.

Adios!

Fire Alarm

The fire alarm in St. Athans went off in the middle of my slumber.
It was just half past five in the morning,
and that is why we woke up annoyed.
While the rest are still procrastinating on the bed,
I opened the door and checked out the corridor.
No smoke, no burnt smell.
Just a bunch of half awaken neighbours standing outside of their room,
with an expression that somehow looked like "wth".
We sent M to go investigate and I climbed back into bed.

After awhile,
it strikes me that our attitude towards warning and emergency were shockingly absurd.
Five minutes to decide that we should come out of bed,
and another five to decide go find out what happened.
Trust me, there were no sense of urgency or fear at all.
Maybe its because there's no one screaming.
Maybe its because there's no sign of fire.
But then, if this was a real fire,
it would be too late.
We would all be dead and regretting in hell.

Anyway, M came back and told us someone smoked in the room and tripped the fire alarm.
(Smoking at 5.30 in the morning? You must be crazy!)

I woke up at 9am in the morning,
feeling refreshed and ready for my last English Breakfast at St. Athans.

And finally,
I'm enjoying the luxury of sunlight and blue sky.

Flashback

I was in the sky of Afganistan.
Looking down through the window,
the dunes, the villages, and the valley,
they mesmerizes me.
And all of a sudden,
I wanted to visit this place so badly.

This is my third day here in London. Starting to love this place even though I haven't really settled down. Wandering along the streets in london, I can't help but to murmur under my breath in excitement again and again, "I'm in London." Yes, that's a sign of excitement. I'm finally here in London!

The buildings here are old. Black filthy walls are the end result of the smog from the industrial pollution. Sunlight is a scarce commodity, just like the accommodations here. Streets that are all crooked and messy coupled with a bad raod sign system just make "lost" so apparent. Gloomy seems to be a fitting word for London. Indeed.

Yet, despite of the physical features of london, there is life in the city. The city itself is a living entity. There's a story in each and every corner of the roads. History itself is a powerful elixer and it granted London its life and a distinct aura. Standing on the streets, it feels like your current "time" crossed path with the past. Its a sensual feeling, as if you've been tranported back in time and withnessed something important and to be part of it.

I'm not sure how my stay in London will eventually end up, but I know for sure its going to be exciting.