A Passage to India

The last night in London concluded perfectly with a 'Passage to India'. We decided to have Indian food and by no better reason or whatsoever, we chosen La Porte des Indes which is probably the closest Indian restaurant that I know.
I definately didn't anticipate that there is an 'oasis' in the restaurant. I originally thought it was just a little indian restaurant but it turned out with an secret oasis and garden. The setting was in the British Indian colonial style. At the centre of the restaurant, there is a man-made waterfall with over blossomed paradise bird. This is definately going to be a high indian with a price and expectation to match.
The fact that there are lots of indians came here for dinner is an guarantee to the quality of the food served. We ordered our individual dishes and it came out perfectly done.
The Icelanders couple next to us also added extra conversation to our dinner experience.
Overall, the food was excellence, the embience was great, and the price is off course there to match.
Then again, how often we can enjoy life like that, a little pamper to ourselves would'nt hurt. I count it a blessing to be able to enjoy good food with my beloved half.

Our new HP printer

For years we have been using a laid back printing technology at home. Despite of recognising the need to replacing it and catch up with the technology, we just couldn't come to an agreement of the sort of printer we want. Johannes wanted an all-in-one laser which I felt is over spec for our humble home office.
Finally we decided on this one HP Office Jet 7210 All-in-One. Even though it of injet technology, I still marvelled at the speace and the high quality product of it. The copying and printing features were great, still need to get use to the scanning tool and yet too try out the faxing modem.
With HP 7210 in our studyroom, it does brighten up my printing, and it comes with colour. :)

A view from my London office window

Photo: (1st: a view of Wallace Collection on a groomy day from my desk, 2nd: the setting up of the shooting on another day)
As you may know I am now working on a project in London. The office is by Manchester Square and literally next to Wallance Collection. I am blessed to have a seat next to the window where I can pause and embrace the non-stop motion outside the window.
Wallace collection appeared to be a very attractive place, lots of visitors, tourist, stylish of that sort hopping in and out the mesuem. On a good sunny days, people lunching, picnicing at the fields.
Sometime I wonder why am I doing inside the office building while people are enjoying the good day outside.
I took this two pictures by my window, there was one morning where I saw the crews setting up the light as if there will be a shooting (movie or documentary) taking place in the afternoon. Unfortunately, I didn't see any rich and famous but just the motion of setting up and dismentaling all the equipment. Nevertheless, it keep me busy that day :D.

F.R.I.E.N.D.S. Reunion

Tuesday 16 May, I met up with Vicky and Charles, Yip and Marc in London.
Yip and Vicky are my goodfriends and we met in Hong Kong. We started as colleagues and eventually they both left the company earlier than me. We remain good friends since today.
Vicky and Charles lived briefly in Netherlands while Yip married to Marc not too long ago and they live in Richmond, greater London.
The meeting was fun, a lot of catching up and also thanks to Vicky who helped me to source for my new digital camera. I am now back in candid shots again. My new digital camera remain Canon IXUS, simply because I know the operating mode. This time I have the latest model IXUS 800IS.
We had Lebanese food along Egware Road, on Charles's recomendation based on close distance from my hotel, cheap and of reasonable quality.
It is a good catchup, lots of chatting, sharing and laughing. It is a pity Johannes was not around, otherwise I will feel more complete, but there is always next time.

Mother's Day

Today is Mother's Day. There are some celebrations in the church, and as usual, it is kind of weird for me. In Indonesia, a lady who has married is called 'Ibu' which in Malaysia, Ibu is always reference to 'Mother'.
Pastor Vivie called for a combined cell meetings and handed out this very specially printed, highly personalised card to us.
It also followed by a special message out from Bogota, the head of G12 movement. It talks about the Spiritual Blessing in Christ, and being a women, a wife, and a mother (AMEN!), women are special to God.

Ephesians 1:3 - Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ

Freedom to believe

Today is Mother's day, Paster Assien came to our church and he preached on the following points.

• What you believe is base on what you hear
• What you believe in, determine how you behave
• What you believe, is what you receive

The supporting scriptures are from the following:
Mark4:24 - "Consider carefully what you hear," he continued. "With the measure you use, it will be measured to you—and even more.

Mark 11: 23 -24 - "I tell you the truth, if anyone says to this mountain, 'Go, throw yourself into the sea,' and does not doubt in his heart but believes that what he says will happen, it will be done for him. 24Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours

Lord, thank you for lifting my pressure and stress. Thank you that I am indeed set free in this area. All I want to do is to 'Simply Believe' that You have the best plan for me. AMEN

Bye Bye Canon IXUS40

Well, for those of you wonder why I have been silence for awhile....
The reason is, I have destroyed my digital camera. On my first return trip from London, I bought a bottle of water with a non-secure cap. The bottle cap probably opened during the flight without me realising it. The water is soughing in my handbag, my beloved Canon which has followed me for many years to many places. The disaster doesn't stop there, it almost destroyed my passport and my purse. This 'mini' Katrina has nearly caused an unrecoverable damage to me (I mean everything in my handbag), but thankfully I had a lether cover for my passport which serve as a protector.
It is a pity to say good bye to my digital camera, I know there is no point to repair it as it would cost probably more than a new one.
Canon IXUS 40, it is time for your retirement and rest in peace. I will cherish every photo that I have taken with you.

blomen in Lente

Spring time is always an excited time for me.
Imagine the fields full of flowers, patches of red, purple, pink, yellow. It is as if the cold dark winter has come to an end and is treading the grey and rainy sky with the wonderful colours on the fields.
It hasn't been many flowers so far, since the spring was rather cold this year, but I was impressed by the patches of tulip fields that I saw along the flower heartland around Lisse.
Thank you for brighten up my life.
Spring I welcome you.