J'aime Paris

Everytime I come to Paris, I stay at different districts. In 2005, we stayed near the Eiffel Tower in a district called Commerce. That was where many of the middle class Parisians live. A very good and rich area indeed. We always moved to Bastille and Marais areas – very historical areas where the French aristocrats used to stay in the 18th century.

In December 2007, I won a lucky draw stay at Le Meurice, just opposite Le Lourve. Very central and near to all the up market shopping areas but can be very hard to find cheap food.

This time, I stay at a hostel in Latin Quarter. This is where Ernest Hemingway, James Joyce and other poets and writers hung out. There are plenty of bookshops and full of university students, especially it is near to La Sorbonne – the oldest university in Paris.
Everytime I only visit the neighbourhood areas of where I stay, instead of venturing out to other districts. It is like discovering a new soul of Paris in every visit.
More photos here

The concert of the Year

The concert started at 9pm. But at 6pm, lots of people had started to make their way to Stade de France, the venue of Madonna's concert.

The show started with a guest appearing of DJ Bob Sinclar an hour before the show. Oh yeah, this was NOT a concert, but a SHOW.

At around 9.30pm, the show started with first song, "Candy Shop" from her latest album. The theme was of black neighbourhood, with colourful outfits, dance routine and very "pimp". In this theme, she sang "Human Nature" with a surprise background videos of Britney Spears and others with videos of P Diddy, Pharell.

Second theme of the night was Latin, in which she sang songs like "Spanish lesson", "La Isla Bonita"

The 3rd theme, as usual very political.

The final theme of the night was singing songs like "Like a prayer", "Hung Up" and "Give it to me" in Rock music. This was when we all danced the night away.

It took me an hour to head back to Paris. Imagine thousands of people going home at the same time. Security was very strict and organised.

p.s. More pictures will be featured in my facebook when I get home. I cant remember the whole song list especially blogging in the cold and windy Parisian park.

How can your holiday be spoilt?

I have encountered several ways of how my holiday was spoilt

Event 1 (Night train from Leipzig, Germany to Warsaw, Poland)
My luggage was stolen on my second day of my 2-month holiday in Europe by rail. Apparently we were gassed while asleep in the train. The thieves were able to go through the luggage, and stole the valuables.

Event 2 (Siam Reap, Cambodia)
I was so looking forward to taking photos on my trip to Angkor Watt. The day just before our trip to the temples, when my friend returned me my camera after taking my pictures, it accidentally hit the ground. So, I couldn’t take any pictures on the trip.

Event 3 (Dubai, UAE to Paris, France)
I arrived in Paris and my luggage arrived 2 days after me. My luggage was still in Dubai and the check in personnel at Dubai airport didn’t bother to make sure if my luggage was going through to Paris. The feeling wasn’t great when I had to shop for all necessities on my first day of arrival.

So how can the spoilt holiday be unspoiled?

Just think positive and look for any contingency plans (e.g. extra cash). Nothing else you can do. That’s simple.

Transit in Dubai

As some of you may have traveled through Dubai airport, you can see that it looks more like a refugee camp. Waiting passengers are seen lying on the floor everywhere. I even saw one African lady and her connecting flight is like in 18 hours time. What a pity when she didn’t speak the local lingua.

It was a good idea for me to apply for the Priority Pass membership. I could have the privilege of using the VIP lounge. At 3am, breakfast was served. The hot meals included, scrambled eggs, bean stew, fried mee, sausages, fried tomatoes, mushrooms and stewed chicken liver (this is breakfast!!!) Of course I tried everything.

The relaxing RBA VIP Airport Lounge

I was expecting the Brunei airport as busy as the past few days with full flights and scholarship students leaving for the UK. So I went as early as 5pm, only to find out that it was not busy at all.


After check in, I could have gone home and came to airport at 645pm, since my flight didnt leave till 7.35pm. Anyway, I was thinking of trying the RBA Sky Lounge, since I have free access as a RBA AMEX Gold card holder.


The atmosphere was totally relaxing with free buffet (Chicken Rendang, sweet and sour fish), choices of tea and coffee and lots more. One can even take shower lol


Here are the pictures to justify what I just mentioned.

The power of Good Bye

Warning: No pictures

Hmmm, about yesterday at the airport. Let's start with the annoying stuff first. First of all, the gate of P2 at airport couldnt open when I entered. So I had to wait for 5 minutes for the gate to be opened manually. Then it was the queue for parking ticket payment (20 minutes). When leaving, the gate again was stuck and waited for 10 minutes this time.

Now for the emotional part:

Didnt see Nurthaqifah at the airport - too crowded.

Saw Amin going through the Metal detector while sorting out something at the check in counter. Was really surprised that he went in as early as 6.15pm, before sungkai... Hmm, about the state of him - red eyes .

Now Azrin's turn. He was going in around 7pm. It got very emotional and his friends started crying while he was saying goodbyes. I can actually control my emotion, but not when others start losing it. I guess it is normal to cry...we are all human beings...lol Fakhira got the emotional scene captured.

The surprising thing is about Azim. He is always the cool and carefree guy. He actually broke down and weeped. I didnt expect that...you know...the rocker...I didnt take any pics, so Azim - no proof lol... Just picture this scene, he hugged his mum and buried his face on his mum's shoulder and weeped like a minute or so.... Then he repeated the same with his sister. That was really emotional......(the winner of the night)

That's all for my report...lol

Miss you guys... and good luck and all the best...

The long road to payment

After I saw the students off at the airport tonight, I rushed down to pay for my parking ticket. There was only one payment counter there and it took 40 minutes before it reached my turn.

Need not say more....

Getting ready NOT

I have been going to the airport to see students off since Friday. Then it suddenly hits me that I will be travelling myself on Wednesday night, I havent packed or whatsoever.

All tickets and accommodation booked. There are still some necessities I need to bring along, eg shampoo, toothpaste and some instant noodles lol

I hate packing as I have to bring out jackets etc. And I sneeze everytime I touch them, dusty as well as I am kinda allergic to woollen clothings.

Since it is still 'summer' I dont have to bring thick clothings, just a jacket will do. The European weather can sometimes be very unpredictable. I just checked the weather in Dubai...gosh it is like 40 degrees...definitely T shirt and jeans for that. Luckily I will be there only for 2 days.

I better make a list of what to bring; otherwise I bound to forget something.

Countless Good byes

Lately I have been touched by songs about leaving and good byes. I think maybe the reason is seeing some of the SMSO students leaving for overseas studies. I also begin to reminiscing the time when I left Brunei for my overseas studies. I was away for almost 7 years.

Last Sunday this Chinese oldie song from the 80s was played on Wa! TV. The lyrics are cool (like in winter) and it has always been a classic.
大約在冬季 - 齊秦

轻轻的我将离开你 请将眼角的泪拭去
漫漫长夜里 未来日子里 亲爱的你别为我哭泣
前方的路虽然太凄迷 请在笑容里为我祝福
虽然迎著风 虽然下著雨 我在风雨之中念著你

没有你的日子里 我会更加珍惜自己
没有我的岁月里 你要保重你自己
你问我何时归故里 我也轻声地问自己
不是在此时 不知在何时
我想大约会是在冬季

Let me translate this into English:

The title of the song is:

Maybe during the winter by Chyi Chin (Qi Qin).

Silently I am going to leave you. Please wipe away your tears.
In the long nights and days to come. Please don't cry for me, my love
The road ahead is long and winding. Please wish me well in your smile
Although it is rainy and windy, I will be thinking of you.

The days without you, I will look after myself
The days without me, please take good care of yourself
You asked me when I would return home. I also asked myself the same question
Not now, and I dont know when
I think may be during the winter

Again, it sounds a bit lame when it is translated from Chinese to English :)

I have attahed the video from you tube. Gosh, the 80s fashion and hairstyle!!!!

Song for SMSO Alumni

Someone was asking me if I would dedicate this song in my blog, to the SMSOnians who are leaving for the UK, starting from 12 September 2008. At first, I was thinking to put this in the SMSO career blog, but again the career blog is supposed to be a formal blog for the school. With lyrics and songs dedication may create somewhat strange...lol...so here it is ...

I find the lyrics are very "relevant" :)

Grew up in a small town
And when the rain would fall down
I'd just stared out my window
Dreaming of what could be
And if I'd end up happy
I would pray

Trying hard to reach out
But when I tried to speak out
Felt like no one could hear me
Wanted to belong here
But something felt so wrong here
So I would pray I could break away

[Chorus:]
I'll spread my wings and I'll learn how to fly
I'll do what it takes til' I touch the sky
And I'll make a wish
Take a chance
Make a change
And breakaway
Out of the darkness and into the sun
But I won't forget all the ones that I love
I'll take a risk
Take a chance
Make a change
And breakaway

Wanna feel the warm breeze
Sleep under a palm tree
Feel the rush of the ocean
Get on a fast train
Travel on a jet plane, far away (I will)
And breakaway

[Chorus]

Buildings with a hundred floors
Swinging around revolving doors
Maybe I don't know where they'll take me but
Gotta keep moving on, moving on
Fly away, breakaway

I'll spread my wings
And I'll learn how to fly
Though it's not easy to tell you goodbye
I gotta take a risk
Take a chance
Make a change
And breakaway
Out of the darkness and into the sun
But I won't forget the place I come from
I gotta take a risk
Take a chance
Make a change
And breakaway

Breakaway by Kelly Clarkson

p.s. Don't Cry :)

My Italian Dream

This is one of my all time favourites - Tiramisu

Tiramisu in Italian, means "pick-me-up" (Tirami su), a reference to the effects of the sugar and espresso, but can be translated figuratively as "cheer me up".

In order to prepare it, the following ingredients are needed: Savoiardi biscuits, eggs, sugar, rum and cocoa. In the original recipe, no liquor is added as it is mainly eaten by children and the elderly.

I have come up with my own version of recipe.

Ingredients:

3 Eggs (Separate yolks from whites)

300 ml strong black coffee with 100 ml rum (optional)

1 packet (250g) Cream Cheese in room temperature

3 Tablespoon sugar

250g Thick Double Cream

1 packet (175g) sponge fingers

Cocoa powder (for sprinkle)

Methods:

- Beat yolks and sugar for about 3 minutes till pale in colour

- Add cream cheese and beat for 1 minute

- Fold in double cream into the mixture

- Beat egg white till foamy and add into the mixture

- Soak sponge fingers quickly in the coffee and line at the base of the tray

- Layer the sponge fingers with cream cheese mixture, and add another layer of coffee soaked sponge fingers. Top with another layer of cream cheese

- Put tiramisu in fridge for 4 hours or overnight. Sprinkle with cocoa powder before serving.

Note:

Since eggs are not cooked in this recipe, the eggs must be fresh or liquor to be added. If eggs are not used, you can substitute with another packet (250g) of cream cheese with 200ml of warm water to beat with sugar.