First Day at Work. 好似打完仗返來咁啊﹗(Feels like I just returned from battle!)

Well, almost J.I actually enjoyed myself. I feel blessed. To have met some nice people on my first day. And that everything generally went okay, save a few reprimands by a supervisor, despite my initial woes. In short, it was 5 hours of continuous walking (more like dodging my way thru the meandering, narrow gaps between the tables) between the kitchen and my tables (tough luck that I got two at a far end). But I’d say movin around was the hardest bit, also the time when I served the main course – ‘tis how it was supposed to work : we were not to serve our own tables as we normally do, but just get the dishes from kitchen and ask our respective supervisors which table we should serve every time we come out with dishes. The problem : I had difficulty spotting my supervisor (wasn’t the only one in my group with tis prob) – none too pleasant when you have three hot n heavy plates of roast duck breast between your fingers *ouch*. Met a nice girl from Guangxi China, a Greek guy and a Spanish girl who lives in my hall (most of the agency’s employees are foreign, ie. non-Brit). And Spanish guys are good-lucking lar! Haha, at least the two I saw at work tonight… Like, dark, structured features. Think Raoul! Oh, and, I managed to nick two chocolates from what remained of the petits fours. Also, tis job’s good exercise for lazy me >.< Works my arm and leg muscles!

spent two whole hours at agency

Recently registered myself with a sort of catering agency. They provide people to serve food/wine at dinners or to work at bars/kiosks at stadiums. Having completed training, it’s now up to me to call into their office every week to ‘book work’, is. Find out what work is available for the coming week, and book myself a slot for when I’m available.
Why then was I at the agency for a whole 2 hours? They had an ‘open day’ for us temps (‘temporary workers’) to book work for the whole of December. It was supposed to be from 8.30-9.15pm. I arrived at the office just on time and it was packed full of youngsters like myself. So I was geared up for a wait. When it was finally y group’s turn, we were asked to stand around table of a staff at the agency. She listed the jobs available, day-by-day for a week, and whoever’s available booked him/herself for the job. It didn’t help that this first lady we got was particularly cranky, having been in front of the computer doing that for quite a few hours I suppose, and the room being that crowded, with an ongoing noisy din. Luckily, we came to nicer people as we moved on to the other stations. What relief when it was finally over. Also helped that the lady who printed out my placement schedule was so nice. Phew! Finally, off I go!
These jobs will finance my Geneva trip (switched to Geneva, cos my friend’s worried bout the riots in Paris), and then some : D. The job on New Year’s Eve pays £10/hour! Woohoo… Bummer though that I’ll have to buy some parts of the uniform. Will try to relax and not break/spill anything at work.. Thanx, C, for the reassuarance : )

Trip Down South Part II

Visiting the National Art Gallery in London, 1 November 2005

Yup, I made it to the National Gallery after all. Was quite intent on goin there this time around ‘cos I read in The Da Vinci Code that Da Vinci produced two dissimilar copies of The Virgin of the Rocks, one of which is displayed here in the National Gallery, the other at The Louvre. Since I’m slated to go to Paris with friends in December, I’d like to take a look at the one here first. Plus, my interest in art galleries has been piqued ever since that visit to the Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery earlier this year.

Finding my way to the gallery from the bus stop was a challenge in itself. I got lost, again! That’s why I prefer the tube (the London Underground) over the bus. You know for sure when you get to your designated station, and there’s a map of the surrounding area in the station. The simple map I copied from Li Vyen (my coursemate with whom I came to London with) covered too small an area and was not helpful in face of the dense, non-perpendicular streets of the area. Eventually, I got directions from someone and found some signposts on the street.
Imagine my relief when having wandered around worried and exasperated with luggage in tow for a good 15 minutes at least, a cluster of relatively magnificent buildings came into view, and I saw a signpost indicating I was just steps away from the gallery. At first I mistook a nearby church for it :p Good thing I spotted the board about times for mass and the closed door >.<. The gallery stood in front of a large square (which I later learnt was Tralfagar Square). The sun was halfway up the eastern horizon and its rays cast dramatic shadows of the various objects in the square – the raised platforms, the people and especially a statue perched atop a very high pillar. Climbed the steps to the Roman-pillared Portico entrance (one of a few of the entrances to the gallery), filled with relief. Took a few pictures of the square and made my way in. Greater relief when I realised they have a cloakroom! Which means I can put these bags away for a while : D So off to the cloakroom (which was situated amidst a corridor of low white arches over a black floor which created a sorta mysterious subterranean feel), then back to the main reception for a plan of the gallery and an audio guide. The Virgin of the Rocks was situated in the first room I entered and it is indeed a masterpiece in my view. The glowing faces of Mary, Uriel, baby Jesus and baby John stood out in stark contrast to the dark background of a rocky cavern. I can truly imagine how eerie, as the audio guide commented, this painting would seem, hung in a dimly lit church where it was commissioned for. I was attracted instantly by the angel’s downcast gaze. The soft expressions of the characters and their subtle gestures were somehow arresting, and it’s truly impressive how the master, with the use of colour and shades made the figures appear to come to life on the two-dimensional canvass. I was quite awestruck as you can probably tell. ^.^ The image lingered in my mind throughout my trip round the gallery and remained my favourite piece. Must have to do with the novel!



There were some other pretty good pieces as well, but I was hard-pressed for time, having to meet Li Vyen at the Café de Hong Kong (imagine Kim Gary) near Chinatown in 40 minutes, and so wasn’t able to browse at a leisurely pace. The museum was also fairly busy with groups of school children and discussion groups and other visitors. Was mainly just looking out for the prominent works in an express tour of about half of the gallery.

The food at the Café was ok lor. They could’ve spread more peanut butter on the French Toast and the Black Pearl Tea (珍珠奶茶) wasn’t as good as Manchester’s Wong Wong Bakery’s. But overall, ok, and I like the familiar sound of Cantopop tunes they usually play in Chinese eateries here.

Immediately after lunch, I made my way to Euston train station for my trip home to Manchester.

Phew, that was quite a long one. Sorry if I’ve bored you with the narration >.<


"Patisserie Francois" in Bayswater

Trip Down South Part I

Backtracking to Sunday, 30 October 2005…

An enjoyable day in London. Must admit that of my trip down South, this is the leg I most looked forward to. Was greeted by excellent weather (read : warm rays of sun : D ) when I made my way to Malaysia Hall. It got so warm I no longer needed my jacket. Left my bags with a friendly makcik at the Hall.
While on my past trips I had C as my guide, thus never havin to rely on my (oh, is it there?) sense of direction, today I travelled completely alone. Found my own way between the coach station - Bayswater (where Malaysia Hall is) – Chinatown, then back and out again. I was thoroughly exhausted by the time I got to the British Museum (slight disappointment: I’d wanted to visit the National Art Gallery – forgot there is a difference between museum and art gallery : p ). So I really was not up to wandering around the Russel Square area in search of the museum (yup I actually did not have a map). Nevertheless, I discovered a Sicilian avenue en route, and was eventually shown the way by a good samaritan : “… It’s a massive building on your right. You won’t miss it.” Indeed. The entrance to the museum comprised of a courtyard and steps leading up to a porch held up by Roman pillars. Promptly joined an ‘eye-opener tour’ of The Classical World (Rome and Greece) upon arrival. I was particularly fascinated by one of the frieze sculptures of the Pantheon temple which featured men on horseback making their way towards a feast.Awesome how the sculptors could o effectively depict the growing momentum of the procession. Also visited the Egypt rooms but wasn’t all too impressed. But I was perhaps juts too tired to fully appreciate the artefacts. Rested on the steps at the entrance before making my way back to the tube station. Felt like a wandering traveller as I joined other worn-out tourists there, leaning on a pillar with music from my discman in my ears (Sammi Cheng’s album, which I couldn’t get tired of throughout my trip. The songs 傷 and 世界之最我願意 really grew on me).

Mood adversely affected by Weather

It’s a well-known fact that the English complain a lot about their weather. I’d say they have good reason to. It is like a woman’s moods. While it rarely ever rains as heavily as it does in Malaysia, its unpredictable nature and the incredible length of time for which it stays can be unpleasant : ( .Malaysian thunderstorms get us drenched to the knee. But they herald their coming with thunder and lightning and storm clouds rolling in so you get your weapons ready for the battle ahead. What of English rain then? Well perhaps ‘cos the skies are often grey anyway, you don’t see it coming until you’re caught in it. Yup, sometimes it's like rapid threads so it takes a keen eye to spot it through the window. And the true star of the show is the wind, which turns your umbrella and sends shivers to your bone (if you’re not too well-covered, that is).

Perhaps you would’ve guessed by now that I’ve just gotten back from a stroll in rainy weather. And my umbrella’s broken, ish! So I was walking with one side of it flapping down >.<

ghost mallows!!!

Munwei is feelin happeee after dunkin a ghost mallows : edible, adorable, white-with-blue-eyes ghost-shaped marchmallows from Harrods muahahaaaaa. So cuteeeeeee! So soft… But none too delicious. But really cute : )

Writing amidst brewing warfare...

... or what sounds like it rather. It’s really people burning fireworks like nobody’s business ‘cos of the Hari Raya celebrations. I can really hear bursts of explosives from practically all directions! As my room is on the top floor, am able to catch glimpses of the fireworks – I’m totally Fascinated with fireworks, so I do look out for them. But there’s nothing like watching them from where they are extinguished, watchin the flames fall down like rain… Lookin forward to 初八 (Eight Day) of Chinese New Year celebrations in Genting next next year already!
Have been experiencing a recurring sense of déjà vu the past two days. Or maybe the term déjà vu is not accurate…. Lying in bed just before I fell asleep last night, images of Ipoh city were flashing through my mind. The feeling of standing on the five-foot way of a pre-war shophouse… and memories came flooding back : driving past the older part of Ipoh with my family, visiting a roadside tong sui stall with parents when I was much younger. Yup I’m homesick. What a shame that I won’t be goin back this Christmas… *SIGH*
I’ve finally managed to get my ass off the bed (only figuratively – I’m still sitting on it >.<) and my eyes off 酒店风云 (Revolving Doors, a TVB series about hotel management), to start work on my essay, which is sadly due on Monday.
Revolving Doors is a pretty good series by the way. Well worth a watch for its intriguing plot. Although the scenes of corporate struggle pale in comparison to those in At The Threshold of an Era, it’s still good. But Ron Ng Cheuk Hei could be a better actor. I’m currently also addicted to its theme song, 心機 (Sum Gai – Scheming) by Hakken Lee. But I find the end credits song, 别怪他 by Ron mildly irritating, mainly ‘cos of the repetitive chorus.