museum.hopper

How's your weekend?

On Saturday afternoon, we went to a museum in Rotterdam, a place that we wanted to go for awhile but never really make it happened and today is the day.

First starting with lunch at the cafe of Kunsthal, the food is nothing more than any typical Dutch cafe galore but the crowds gathered here are very different. You almost not seeing any typical Rotterdam crowds like those in the city center here...

Inside the museum, admiring the paintings by a group of American artist. These are reproduction, otherwise I wouldn't have taken any photos.

Inside Kunsthal, at the various exhibition halls, I love the way they play with colors and light, it makes the venue a lot lively and colorful on a cloudy autumn afternoon.

Someone is jumping from the roof!!! That was really my first reaction before I realize it is just an sculpture and an art display... A pleasant surprise...

It was a nice Saturday out at Rotterdam, just being in the museum alone already made us forgotten about the outside world. It is good to shift the focus from the dreadful daily life to something artistic and walk out the museum feeling complete relaxed and refreshed.

from.dawn.to.dusk

0530 woke up, changed and ready to go

0600 hit the road

0645 checked in, waiting for boarding

0710 flight departed on time

0715 arrived London city airport (one hour different)

0730 breakfast at E.A.T

0800 colleagues from Amsterdam and Antwerp arriving

0830 London taxi to London Wall

0900 arriving at client’s place

0930 presentation, discussion, discussion, questions, answers

1230 meeting over, lunch with our partners at Pizza Express, a full extended lunch and Dutch conversation all the way…

1330 walk from London Wall to Old Bailey just to find out no workspace or meeting room for us (Grrhhhhhhh)

1400 ended up discussing at Starbucks nearby

1500 finally I am free to do what I want to do…

1530 arrive at Knightsbridge, checking out Harrods

Harrods is lite up with green light...

Laduree inside Harrods

1700 soak up in Waterstones bookstore at Piccadilly, browsing and reading book

1800 getting bored and decided to go to Oxford Street – just window browsing this time

1900 Hopped into Central line Marybone station to Bank station and changed to DLR bounds for LCY airport

1930 arrive at LCY, checked in, took a bite, tapped onto free WiFi to work

2030 flight depart for Rotterdam

2215 arrived Rotterdam airport (an hour different)

2230 start driving home (in rather mad speed)

2255 home sweet home

2300 catch up with emails and responded some urgent emails to Manila and UK

2330 finally Zzzzzzzzzzz

What a day…An account of 12 hours in London...

busy

busy, Busy, BUsy, super BUSY today

company.doctor

It's been a very wet day. I managed to change to winter tyres for my car this morning before I drove to Amsterdam zuidoost for the appointment with company doctor.

Thankfully not too many traffic at that hour and thus I did get to my destination in time. The doctor is very sympathetic and based on his diagnosis, he will advice my company that I should remain on 50% reduce working hour until end January when the 3rd hysterescopy is done and the next step is clear.

Then I drove to another location for a meeting in preparation for the trip to London this Wednesday, on my way home, the rain is out pouring again, plus rush hour, plus it is dark... I drove maximum 50km/h throughout the journey

I am completely exhausted after I reached home. Welcome the real stormy autumn day and traffic. I just hope that the weather will be fine this Wednesday, otherwise it will be a bumpy trip to London on Fokker 50.

petrus.&.petra

Do you know the different between Petrus and Petra? In my knowledge both are alternative names for Peter. It is my first time coming across these new definitions. Our pastor shared about a church that built on the rock and that Petrus means small stone but Petra means big solid rock, a firm foundation….

Read Matthew 16:18

??fitness??

How's your weekend?

Our Saturday was quite warm and sunny, we cycled to Fitness Dom which is not very far from where we live to enquire about the fitness program.

The trees in our neighborhood are almost bald, with one or two exception lingering with a few golden yellow withered leaves still trying hard to hang on the branches.

We had a bit of challenge in getting the bicycles out from the storage room, but after much trying (as seen in the photo above) we succeeded and headed off to Fitness Dom.

Fitness Dom is a rather spacious fitness center, not many people on Saturday morning, it also has sauna and steamed bath facilities, even a sun bed. The reason to get into a more active rhythm of life is of course for the health and vitality of life. I used to go to gym 3 times a week when I was living in Hong Kong, with Physical Fitness center just right besides the path that I passed every morning and evening, it makes it so much easier to pop in for a lesson of aerobic, a 45 min track mill or spinning. Since moving to this country, I have stopped doing gym except occasionally when I stayed in a hotel that has a gym/pool and that my schedule is not too busy or hectic.
Fitness Dom membership is at least 50€ a month for day pass i.e. not applicable after 5pm or a full membership is 65€ a month. It is a rather expensive premium and the subscription has to be for a year at least. I am still contemplating because it is quite a price to pay plus I must make a determination to pop in 3 times a week in order to justify this investment.

We can buy some training equipments and put them on the attic but I am sure we will not touch it after awhile. With Fitness Dom right in front of us each time we drive in and out, it does sound like a good stop to hop in on the way back from work or on the way out to somewhere else.

Anyway, they do offer a one week trial program; I think I will get Johannes to join me in this one week trial program to see how it works…

Still when I think of the almost 700€ investment a year in fitness is a pinch, BUT… perhaps it will worth a healthier body??? What do you think?

books.arrived

I bought some books at amazon.co.uk a few days before I actually know that I am going to London, these books arrived on the day I returned from London.

I have already finished reading one book (A year in Japan/日本の一年) by Kate. T. Williamsen. It is more of a journal cum pictographic with a lot of sketches, drawings about Kyoto than really a novel that fills with words. A decent book for those who are new to Kyoto or Japan, as for me I find it a bit shallow... however it lights up the spark and passion for painting again.

I have stopped painting since I came back from Japan last summer and when my physical condition worsen, I hardly even think of painting let alone be inspired.

After reading "A year in Japan/日本の一年" I started to have my own inspiration on how I wanted to complete the watercolor painting book that I initiated prior and during my summer trip to Japan. I have a lot of sketches drawn on the spot right then I visited the places or I captured those ideas via digital camera. There were quite a lot of empty pages before I abandoned the project in view of sickness, now, as of today, all those empty pages are filled with humble sketches and the flow and storyboard of my watercolor painting book is finally kick starts and in progress again. I hope to be able to share my humble master piece with you soon, definitely by the end of this year.

swine.flu.vaccination

About a week ago, I received a letter from the GP inviting me to take the swine flue vaccination. This afternoon I went to the clinic to have it done. I guess I am now being considered as those high risk categories. Anyway, it only took less than 20 seconds to get the shot done.

Perhaps I am now "immune" from swine flu??

There is another shot to take in 21 days time.

How about you, do you have to take such vaccination agains swine flu?

mac.hunting

Yesterday I mentioned that I have been carrying the little brown bag across the London streets, tubes and even on the flight...

Those are the little sexy macarons that need a lot of loving care to handle as they are too delicate and fragile... Actually my highest point of the London trip is actually hunting down the macaron.

The Laduree boutique at Burlington Arcade, such a petite outlet that glitters in gold color wall and colorful arrays of macaron

My macaron supply... assorted flavors but I already know what is my best...

Then a few steps away from Laduree is this La Maison du Chocolate, they are famous for their chocolate but they also have macarons of which most of them have chocolate fillings....

A small box of 6 macarons from La Maison du Chocolate...

There are a couple more shops/patisseries offering macarons such as Paul, Fortnum & Manson but thinking that I cannot finish them all in short time so I didn't go on with the macaron hunt ... well... save it for the next trip...

fly.back

Well, it's early in the morning but I am getting ready to fly back, I have enjoyed myself here in London even though it is a short less than 48 hours turnaround...

My new winter jacket in red and I have to hand carry the little brown bag from La Maison du Chocolate as there are two boxes of macaron in there that need tender loving care...

Breakfast at Starbucks at London City Airport while waiting for my flight. This airport is so so convenient to navigate.

View from Fokker 50, almost leaving the mainland of England

I slept for a few hours in the afternoon as I was so tired from lack of sleep in the last 2 nights in London, but now I have caught up with my sleep...

It will be a busy week at work in preceding to the next meeting in London again next week.

london.sights

Well, it's been a long day... I started the day with serious walk (in drizzling rain) and of course serious work at 60 London Wall. The meeting went well and the sky also cleared up by the time we are done with the meeting...

It is my first time exploring London wall area, the stony wall still exists today although most of the area is overwhelm by the high rise office buildings..

Met up with JH for lunch at Barbican center, she seems to fall in love with this arts center. After lunch, I went back to change and then hit the city... First checking out the Laduree at Burlington Arcade, Fortnum & Maison, Maison du Chocolate, all located at Piccadilly area, also a pleasant discovery of the Royal Academy of Arts, an oasis of the busy Piccadilly.

Then I walked from Piccadilly to Regent Street and cut over to Oxford Street, the Christmas lights already on and the Holiday atmosphere is already here... Also it seems that every other lady is carrying a blue paper bag "Jimmy Choo by H&M". I walked pass one and took a snapshot of his glittering and affordable collection at H&M.

Here are some lights and window display... Don't you think Christmas is already here?

Goodnight everyone, tomorrow I will be flying back to the rainy Holland...

And guess what, I will most likely come again next week, but I don't really excited anymore as I have spent enough money to boost London's retail economy today...

hello.london

It's been awhile since I last stepped into London, I think it must be at least 3 years already since my last visit. I arrived London at around 4pm local time, the flight was as smooth as silk, no turbulence and beautiful sunlight and superb bird's view throughout the short 50 minute journey.

Top Left: view from Dockland Light Rail (DLR), Bottom Left: Descending to the London Tube at St. Paul's station, Right: Ever charming and quiet St. Paul's cathedral

Travelling to London city airport is really hassle free..., easy transfer to city by DLR - cheap and efficient...

Get out at Piccadilly circus station adjoined to Regent street, here is the beautiful street light of Regent Street

The ever busy and bustling Leicesters Square

My dinner at a Malaysian Restaurant C&R in London China town, and a good long chat and catch up with JH.

Now is the time to prepare for my meeting tomorrow...

duck.duck.tonight

Dinner tonight

Pan fried duck breast

Roast baby potatoes with garlic, sage and rosemary (from our garden)

Cranberry compote - the sweet and sourness accentuate the taste of the duck meat

And of course (rather exceptional lately) with 2 glasses of Greek red wine....

It's been awhile since we are in the mood of cooking especially the western cuisine. Tonight's duck breast fit the autumn weekend perfectly.

Hope you enjoyed your Saturday too!

spicy.szechuan.dumplings (钟水饺)

Good day everyone!!

After completing the house chores (I am energetic today, in fact I finished all ironing, changed new bed sheet and hang all the laundry in the morning) and since Johannes is heading town for his monthly errands, I made this spicy lunch for myself. The pork/shrimp dumplings are from my MIL, and the spicy Szechuan (钟水饺) is ready made paste that I bought from store.

Spicy Szechuan dumplings (钟水饺) accompanied by my daily green

Spicy Szechuan dumplings (钟水饺) with generous sprinkle of white sesame

It is spicy, but I wish it could be a little more spicier to get the kick but it is still a nice meal on a windy November afternoon, my body is warm now by the chilli oil and peppers...

london.calling

Just booked my air ticket to London this morning. I did mention about the possibility of making a business trip to London and as of Thursday's meeting at the client, it is confirmed that I am going instead of my supervisor.

The chance comes by rather sudden and I have been in fact thinking of making a trip to London before Christmas since we won't be making any trip between Christmas and New Year.

As my idea conceived, the chance came right in front of me. The reason why I SHOULD be going is simply because I am the only one who has exposed to the client's UK operation few years ago through another project. Secondly I already know a few people that will be present in the Monday's meeting and of course since I am still 50% sick, my supervisor is quite hesitate for me to go but he happened to be moving house this weekend and thus is not in favor to fly, so it landed on me!

Anyway, I am thrilled with the idea of flying again, it has been awhile since I am making any business trip and the chances is down to zero with the economic downturn. I has also been awhile since I commute to London on weekly basis... But, I know it is the Lord that grants me this desire of my heart... Now I am not only going to London but on company's expenses. Well, I have to foot my accommodation because this suppose to be just a day trip and my supervisor is okay for me to staye with my own expenses....

And why this photo, because 60 London Wall is where I am going....

It's Friday again, have a good weekend!

::solitude::

I went to a client's meeting in the morning and then returned home after that. In the afternoon, after collecting dinner from my MIL, I just fancy some fresh air and thus drive to the lake nearby our area. It was 12C, not too bad for a November late afternoon but not a perfect moment to sit out either. I have the whole place by myself...

I choose a table overlooking the lake, then lay my table cloth, just as if I am having a mini picnic, look out the open lake in front of me, letting the cool breeze kissing my face, slowly crunching my apple and enjoying some solitudes... with no one else, just by myself and talking to God....

Here is a B&W view of the same lake but the colorless magnifies the mystique's of the moment.