This is the T-Shirt I got for Blinky.
If you can read it, it says, "Lovable Dog". =_=

They ain't sell no kitty stuff, hokay?!

And it's too small and short.

But he does look really sporty in it.
It must be the electric blue trimmings.

It took us some time to get the T-Shirt onto Blinky.
As for Tiger, he simply refused in the most obvious manner he could think of, and we obviously got his point.

We are gonna have to go back to Hol V to upsize the T-Shirts. =_=

I know it sounds weird that we are buying clothes for Blinky and Tiger out of the blue. But trust me... It's gonna make sense soon.

'Good Fren' and I woke up to a most peaceful morning. Somehow, this is quite a rarity in the recent months.

Went to Holland V for some Vietnamese pho. While he had his haircut, I walked around and bought some doggies clothes for Blinky and Tiger because I couldn't find any cat clothes. In fact, most of the dog stuff on sale are NOT clothes. They are more like costumes. Trying to dress up a dog as a rabbit or something. It's very weird.

(I shall write about pet garb separately later.)

Had tea at Haagen Dazs and read about the dramatic murder incident at Paya Lebar Crescent. I wondered for a moment about the lives of these people, which the press will inevitably play up because the husband of the suspect is a member of an opposition party.

Also, because we read about the revamped Tanglin Post Office, we dropped by on our way home. Simple renovations make great differences. Once the Denise wineshop outdoor refreshment area is up and running, it'll be a pretty cool place to hang out..

Brought XiaoBai for a quick bubble bath before coming home. It was only 4pm. We then watched BABEL.

The film was rather intriguing and all, but as the credits went up, 'Good Fren' reached for Wikipedia and said,"I'm gonna find out what this is all about." =)))

Apparently, it's about Life's Pain and Hope.
But I think it's really a sarcastic remark on how boring and mundane the audience's life in fact is. Everyday people do not deal with their pain by flying to Morocco. They just pretend nothing has happened and buy themselves off the local shelves.

I think those local artsy folks should make a real local film by following a sample of people around. No need for a story plot coz the everyday life is really quite plotless. A HDB auntie, a couple of teenagers, a taxi-driver, a yuppie, a tai tai, a Giordano salesgirl, a teacher etc. Don't glamourise anything. No rehearsals. Just follow them around. Perhaps ask a set of questions along the same theme or something.

I went to bed rather early, woke up around 3.30am for a pee, and couldn't get back to bed. While surfing around, I decided to blog about this film which 'Good Fren' and I had watched recently.

Read about the film here because I shan't go into it.

I am more interested in lobotomy.

I mean, most of us have heard of the term 'lobotomy' in popular culture, and probably remember it because it is catchy-sounding. The last time someone tried to explain it to me, I left with a vague notion of sticking ice picks into one's tear ducts. Kept me wondering whatever the fuck for?

Basically, a lobotomy is a procedure which destroys specific bits of one's brain with the aim of altering one's behaviour, i.e. from crazy to not-so-crazy. In fact, it is effective precisely because it dumbs a person. Wow... Like that's really convenient. It's just one step short of killing the person. It kills the consciousness while leaving the body intact.

It like... "Look... We really think this person has to go... But we didn't kill him hor!! We merely fixed that part which renders him irritating to us."

I wonder how the first person came up with this idea. A neurologist was given a Nobel Prize for his contributions to refining the lobotomy technique.

The barbarism of the procedure aside, I am intrigued by how people have arrived at the conclusion of who is deemed 'crazy enough' to be selected for a lobotomy. It is rather dangerous to be different from the crowd, isn't it? Especially when they have invented punishments for not being like them.

And if you think,"Please... Such behaviour only exists in history books. We (Mankind) have progressed," you need to think again. Perhaps the punishments are not as crude (then again... I may be inaccurate, because it is plausible that one degenerates into a lobotomised state without having gone through a procedure) O.o

If the feeling of disgust stems from the understanding of what a lobotomy does to the human brain, it suggests that the human consciousness is precious because of its existence and probably also because of its 'intactness'. But is it enough to leave the human consciousness alone? Perhaps you shouldn't prod it with ice picks and lasers, but you could tickle it with knowledge, whiffs of nail polish solvent and mahjong?

They look like toy soldiers!

Over the weekend and a couple of MSN chats, I managed to consolidate the Yuppie Dream.


FOR HIM

1. Be part of a 'male group' (to hang out regularly with)
2. Believes he is a boy and that's cool.
   
3. Own 1 or more expensive European (cannot be Asian car so as to differentiate from the boorish ah bengs) car, e.g. BWM, Audi etc, watches, and the latest gadgets. These, regardless of size, function and efficacy, are known affectionately as 'my toys'.
   
4. Be in a rock band.
   
5. If possible, also own a 'HER' as mentioned below.
   

FOR HER

1. Be part of a 'female group' (to compare regularly with)
2. Believes she is a woman, and that's sexy.
   
3. Own a roomful of branded handbags, shoes etc. These, regardless of size, function and efficacy, are NOT toys. These are stuff any real and self-respecting woman ought to possess.
   
4. Bear a couple of kids and still wear a taut body.
5. Of course, gotta nab a 'HIM' as mentioned above.
   

FOR THEM

1. Gotta have that private housing complete with retro-chic wallpaper and designer furniture.
   
2. Gotta have that perfect wedding (complete with pics, little blue box, huge car, baby picture video, colleague-filled guest list etc)
3. Gotta have that lifestyle honeymoon.

Such unions are pretty amazing, aren't them?
More fascinating than National Geographic.

I was reading up on bicycles online when I came across this wonderful creation.

It's called the Conference Bike, and its inventor is Eric Staller. Do read more about it here.

The person at the wheel is supposed to steer while everyone else peddles away. It does give true meaning to the term 'Group Dynamics', doesn't it?

This is like a neat little visual summary of human group interaction.

I think all organisations should buy a couple of these bikes. The perennial teams/committees /task forces/ ought to get on it every once in a while to remind themselves that their existence was meant to move from Point A to Point B, and that if everyone peddled their worth, the journey would less painful and of course, take less effort on the average.

And when a nifty racer zips past, let that be a reminder that sometimes, it's because we hold one another back by sheer cumbersome density.

While 'Good Fren' is working in the room, I'm watching Closer.
..............................

Finished the film at around midnight, and went into the room tearily to demand for a hug. He is still working. So I left him in peace and put up the laundry.

About 10 minutes into the film, I realised that I've seen the Chinese/Cantonese play of this story. The film is much better, I must say. Because the play was so forgettable (the stage-acting distracted from the story), the film still managed to surprise me.

The deceit and anger in the story disturb me.

It has been a while since I last was part of and/or within the vicinity of such emotions. Long time ago, I wished very hard for someone to take me away from it. I didn't expect it to be executed in this manner. In fact, I didn't know how it could have been executed.

While I take comfort in the warmth of our current bliss, I also take a moment to mourn such hurtful existence. It's amazing how much we can hurt one another... and live with ourselves afterwards.

I almost forgot how addictive pain can be.

Because, pain, in all its ethereal beauty and unlike love, is readily accessible. Sometimes, despite its ramifications, we just want something that is easy to get. That perhaps for once, something, even if it's pain, does really want us.

Next time... When I am brave enough...
I'll attempt this number... alone... =P

Erm... That's not me... =)))

She's one of my readers, Ming aka Suzie Wong, who has started her studio for pole dancing. It is named Acro Polates and is located at #02-29 Waterloo Centre, near Bugis Junction.


The fitness regime which incorporates lots of stretching, muscle toning in order to execute the pole tricks.

If you are keen to give it a try and/or watch Ming's demonstration, give her a ring at 63342382, then turn up at Acro Polates before 6.40pm tomorrow evening.

The studio is pretty nice eh?!

It has been a long time since I last played basketball. At least 3 years to be exact.

It must be one of the best feelings in the world to run till you pant and squat by the court with a cigarette in dangling off your fingers which are in turn dangling off your knees.

Perhaps I can play again.

Or better still...

Play handball again!!

I think the virus is affecting my thoughts.

We brought Blinky and Tiger for microchipping and more on Saturday.

It took us more than 20 minutes to get Tiger into the carrier. Loads of hissing and unhappiness.

At the clinic, 'Good Fren' was rather mischievous.
Once, Tiger got his microchip implanted, 'Good Fren' went up to him and called,"Oi... 2362!!"

=_=

I was merely glad that Blinky and Tiger didn't make a fuss. In fact, they didn't even flinch!

My babies!! =)))

Lack of posts coz I've been ill... again... =_=

Regardless, the world keeps spinning.

I've been watching quite a bit of these vids on Youtube about the Akihabara Killing.


You know how we take for granted that when we cross the road, no one will accelerate and run us down? That when we are rude/assholic to one other, the other will not stab you with a pencil.

This is the fundamental fibre which holds society together in order. The crux is that this understanding can easily be ignored.

Of course, the law is meant to deter such behaviour. But the key word is deter. If you are one of those killed in Akihabara, the presence of any reprieve doesn't make a difference to you anymore.

Taken from here.

PATNA, India (Reuters) - A rich 80-year-old Indian widow has spent thousands of dollars on a feast for 100,000 people in the hope it would please the gods and open the doors of heaven for her, local officials said.

Out of the blue, I thought of this song tonight.
Can't believe it has been 15 years since I first heard it. I was in JC then.

I read this article with utmost discomfort.

Albinos in Tanzania

face deadly threat

To think we have been around for the past couple of thousand years, and still we refuse to learn.

Mluge is an albino, and in Tanzania now there is a price for his pinkish skin.

"I feel like I am being hunted," he said.

My jet lag is worse than that of 'Good Fren's. He managed to get to sleep by 2am while it took another 2 hours for me. This morning, he woke up at 10am, while I groggily stumbled out of bed at 2.40pm?! =_=

I can't wait to get to sleep early tonight because there is WORK tomorrow?! I took some sleep-inducing potion from Eu Yan Sang. Let's hope it works.
....................................................

'Good Fren' and I watched half of Amadeus tonight. I think I've seen it in my younger years. Watching the film led to almost 2 hours of wikipedia-ing.

Read up on the film, then Mozart. I didn't know Mozart was a Freemason. Read that on Wiki. And finally it lead to New World Order. Amazing, isn't it? Mozart to New World Order? Secret signs and symbols. Regularity and moral uprightness.
.....................................................

After a week of walking through historic buildings, I realised something.

In the West, people would not hesistate to remember their leaders, heros, gods etc by placing them inside, outside of and on the buildings. Americans even carved the faces of 4 former presidents into the mountains. But in the East, their influential figures will most often than not and eventually be turned into deities and worshipped inside their buildings, away from the elements.

I wonder if anyone has studied this difference. It will be a great PhD thesis for scholars from different fields.

Ok, I need to try to sleep now.

The flight back was really good. Not screaming babies. =)))

I must say... London's air is exceptionally bad. Cleaned my nose once I got back and the stuff was BLACK!!! =_=

Trying to finish the blog entries... Too many pics...

At the same time, the washing machine is working overtime trying to cope with our dirty clothes.

I missed Blinkz and Tigz so much that I squeezed them twice. I love our home. It's so comfy.

We are going home tonight!! I miss Blinky and Tiger.

We have a bit of a headache here because we are to check out of the B&B by 10.30am, but our flight is after 9pm?! What are we going to do with half a day on our hands? Go to London maybe? We tried to look online but it doesn't seem like we can check in our bags early.
....................

After some surfing, we decided to take a bus to Heathrow, dump our bags with Left Baggage for GBP6.5 each, then take the train to London.

At the station, we met a Singaporean couple while buying the train ticket. I first noticed them because of the distinctive Singaporean accent, then 'Good Fren' saw the guy's pink NRIC. =)) He was training in Denmark and had come to London to meet up with his wife. Spent about 40 minutes chatting in the cabin.

We got off first Piccadilly Circus. It looked a little gloomy, but it was real fine. Little or no rain, and not too chilly. In fact, it got a little too warm. =))


Because it was 1pm and we were famished, we stopped for some food.


Caffe Concerto caught our attention with its delectable window display.


And we ended up having some English Afternoon Tea.
YUMMY!!

After a satisfying meal, we decided to walk around town to kill 3 hours. This hotel, under a facelift, caught me attention. It's the Langham. One day, I will stay there and have afternoon tea. =))




Somehow, the pubs in Britain mostly start with 'the'. E.g. This pub is called... The COCK... O_o


Found this scribbled on a road sign.

I wonder what's the difference between Consumism and Consumerism.

We found a really tiny car, driven by a not-so-tiny man.


Somehow, amidst the search for a loo, we found ourselves at the National Gallery.


It has such a breathtaking view.


We couldn't take pics of the exhibits (though I did see some people doing it). I still cannot believe our search for the loo gave birth to our first encounter with Vincent van Gogh's famous pieces and many masterpieces by other painters.

What better way to end the afternoon with some cake, tea and wine at the Gallery's cafe.

We observed that the cafe was filled with elderly people. So was our B&B in Oxford and many other places we have visited on this trip. In fact, we have spoken with a disproportionate number of elderly people, while at breakfast, on the move, in the university etc.

With our aging population, it's high time someone/thing invested some resources (time, talent, money) to usher our parents into their Golden Years beyond a TV ad and line dancing.

After the European culture-infused afternoon, we found ourselves in Chinatown.

We are running out of places to see in Oxford!!!

Woke up to yet another bright and sunny morning (we must be in luck), had breakfast and headed for city centre again.


Today, 'Good Fren' wants me to see where he used to stay in Oxford.

While we were covering the streets, I realised 'Good Fren' seemed a little distracted. When asked, he admitted that he was trying to avoid stepping on the invisible lines streaming out of these yellow markings.

He sheepishly concluded that some people would call such behaviour 'autistic'. That's when I came clean that I was trying to avoid the slate borders yesterday but gave up coz it prohibited me from walking fast enough to catch up with him.

Onto more 'normal' stuff...

This was where 'Good Fren' and 3 other Singaporeans put up some years ago. It's a really really tiny house. Check out how huge the car seems!!

A few streets away is the other house 'Good Fren' and friends stayed in a year later. This is much more decent.

Check out the tiny living room. I keep trying to imagine his friends squeezing in it during Chinese New Year.


After loads of walking (again), I needed a rest. We found this little cafe and sat down for some tea and soup.

And it's on our feet again.
My feet must hate holidays. Coz I keep abusing them whenever we are on foreign soil. =)))

As we approached his school (department), we found this charming hotel with an atas restaurant. We are so tempted to dine there. =)))


Anyway, here is where 'Good Fren' got his education.


This is where he sat, listened and thought.

Somehow, his Oxford experience was rather un-Harry Potter-like, wasn't it?

Check out the view from the seminar room!

I looked out the window and saw green, green, green and more green.

Leaving his department behind, we walked through town again.


And headed for some Chinese food.

I dun get why it says 'the Chinese-Chinese Cuisine'. Does restating 'Chinese' make it more authentic?!


Apparently, the restuarant still looks the same. It wasn't very crowded. The largest table was filled with some old Chinese people who are religious academics (or so I thought I heard).

And the food was so-so.
Zi-Char wins frying slice down anyday.

'Good Fren' looked rather happy being back again. He said,"I've shown you my life in Oxford."

After spending a lazy late afternoon in the B&B, we took a slow stroll to a nearby establishment for some dinner.


This is lovely, isn't it?


Cold breeze in our faces, warm oily food sliding down our stomachs, and sweet sweet beer to wash everything into pure bliss.

Oxford has been absolutely enjoyable.

We have been waking up around 4-5am everyday since we got to Cambridge. Today was no exception. Woke up at 5am, watched TV, showered, packed, took a short walk around the neighbourhood...


And had breakfast.

At breakfast, we met a man who is probably in his 60s. Said he was from Scotland. And that he would travel to Cambridge every Sunday for work, and would go home on Fridays. This arrangement came about because a significant number of jobs up north was lost due to political shifts. I dunno how many hours of travel that is, but it cannot be a mere 45-minute train ride. He also said they had been contemplating the exchange of their current house for a smaller one, but the credit crunch got into their way and stalled their plans.

I asked if he had children and he told us that he had just gotten married last year. His wife has a son from her previous marriage and he has a daughter from his previous marriage. She had just made him a grandfather out of wedlock, and was really hesitant to tell him about it initially. He said with a wide smile,"Why would she keep something so wonderful from me?"

I keep wondering if a Singaporean man in a similar position will tell a tourist/stranger about his life and family. I know cab-drivers talk a lot, but I have never heard anything similar to these levels. Perhaps the weather makes one more keen to share in exchange for 'human warmth'.

It's a mighty miserable day. It's raining.
There is something about the rain in the UK. When it's light, it's really light. The rain comes down in really fine droplets. Like weather feathers. We do not get that in Singapore. Only huge droplets if any. Perhaps tropical rain has to be different. I dunno.

Amidst the icy cold rain, we lugged our luggage and originally intended to take a cab to the bus station. But the rain had grown such a long queue of cab seekers just outside the train station. So, we decided to walk. Just then, 'Good Fren' thought we ought to check out the bus. And there was one in the bus bay. Great!

So we took a bus and was told to get off at Regent Street, then found our way to the Bus Station.


A 3-hour ride through places like Milton Keynes, Bedford etc before we got to Oxford. As the moving bus made the electric cables bifurcate and converge, we saw so much land, sheep, horses, little brown and white houses. This trip has been like an extended flipping of a stack of postcards. Picture Perfect.

Struggled to get off the bus along George Street, Oxford, and sought shelter from the icy rain. Found a cab, then the lovely Bed & Breakfast where I am blogging from now. The wonders of WIFI!!!


I am starving... But it's raining and a Bed & Breakfast doesn't serve lunch. =_=

We bought some 5 boxes of ginseng tea bags from Eu Yan Sang at Changi before we boarded the plane. Gave away some yesterday. Gonna give some to his lecturer tomorrow. Didn't think we would consume any till this cold rainy day. =))) We love Eu Yan Sang!! YAY!! That's why we sent some to 'Good Fren's friend (aka Dancing Uncle) who is training somewhere ulu in the US. We love Eu Yan Sang!!

Will uploads the pics and more later... Meanwhile... lemme enjoy my cup of hot ginseng tea amidst this grey chilly day in Oxford.
.........................................................................

After the short rest, we made our way to the city centre on foot. I was rather excited to see the city in which 'Good Fren' had spent 4 of his formative years.

To get to the city centre, we had to cross Folly Bridge.

This set up looks pretty similar to the restaurant we were at in Cambridge along Bridge Street, and it pretty much sums up the difference in scale between Oxford and Cambridge. Cambridge has a cosier scale. Roads are around 2-lanes in width. While Oxford expands most bits (population, infrastructure etc) by at least 50%. Hence, that also explains the diversity of goods and services available in the latter.

While some parts of the city are made up of historic buildings like these...


Oxford is largely a mixture of old and not-so-old.
This pedestrianised Cornmarket Street is perfect for window-shopping.

Because it is such a romantic town, every time we stopped at some junction, I kept asking 'Good Fren'...

BM: So... So... Was it here? *points to the ground* That you held hands and kissed?
GF: Not lah...
BM: (Quite happy with the negative answer)
GF: ... It's across this street... Over there *points*
BM: ROAR!!!!

'Good Fren' brought me to the Covered Market in which I enjoyed myself very much. I love markets!! Fresh produce lifts one's spirits.


Are they trying to tear down the Covered Market?!!
Nooooooo!!!!!

I love this cake shop!! Check out the adorable wedding cakes?!


The Bag Cake is a real winner!

'Good Fren' says this building facade used to have a champagne stain from one of the windows because his friends spilled some during New Year celebrations. But the walls look pretty stainless now coz they have been painted over.

He told me they would stand on the street and throw coins at the window to get the friend's attention. =_=

The cafe next to the building often gets vandalised. I'm sure you can tell how and why.


I saw many people walking along the streets in long black gowns. Some wearing carnations of different colours. Those wearing red ones looked especially elated.


This back street is strewn with festive spray, red carnations, rice and other celebratory stuff.

'Good Fren' tells me it's a tradition for students taking exams to wear the black gowns. On the first day of the exam, one would wear a white carnation. The in-between papers meant wearing a pink carnation. And finally, the red carnation is worn on the day one takes his final paper.

'Good Fren' figures unofficially that it's the same carnation throughout. The colour changes as the exam progresses because the carnation gets stained by blood spilling out of the candidate along the way. HAHA... Nerd joke.

These barricades kept crazy friends/fans from hogging the narrow back street.

Erm... Yes... People actually wait for you outside the exam hall to celebrate the end of your exam. Imagine the guy with the latest paper?! Celebrate for others until sian jit puah oredi.

This guy was really enthuz. Yes, that one in the blue skirt. He was walking around town like this for the entire afternoon coz we ran into him elsewhere later that day.


Wondering into another part of Oxford, we stumbled upon this wonderful new hotel nested within part of the former prison grounds.


While this is the Malmaison hotel bit, there a museum at the back where one can find out more about the history of these stone buildings.


I think the mix of old and new is apparent, yet unobtrusive. Krispy Kreme anyone?


'Good Fren' had wanted to bring me to his favourite Japanese restaurant in Oxford (I bet he brought his Jap ex here like a million times... *sulk*). We walked a long way to find it. Then hor... It's closed. Check out the sulky on the left. HAHA!


By this time, I was getting really tired. So we decided to make our way back for an early night. But not before some yummy ice cream at G&D's!!


Mr Greedy bought a double scoop which he couldn't finish! HAHA!!


By the end of that day, my feet were totally blistered, and my calves were screaming bloody murder. Why do we punish ourselves while on a holiday?!!

Day 3 at Cambridge is why we made this trip. It's the Cambridge Judge Business School (JBS) MBA Programme Interview Day. *gulp*

We got up really early to get ready. Put on business suits. Lightly powdered my face and glossed my lips. Bunned my long hair and smoothed the flyaway strands with hairspray. It's like preparing for a huge show, except a lot more work had been done many months ago. "This is it," I said to myself in the mirror as the butterflies in my stomach awoke.

After a light breakfast, we started walking towards JBS. We thought we could remember the way, but got lost a little before arriving at JBS, all sweaty. =_=

Once we got inside the building, we were each given a folder and a nametag, then ushered to a huge waiting area on the second floor, where many other candidates were waiting. Everyone looked earnest and serious, and was on his/her socialising mode. A lot of hand-shaking and introduction. A typical conversation went like this:

X: Hello... *sticks out hand* My name is XXX.
BM: Hello... my name is Lee Hsin... *shakes hand firmly*
X: Where are you from?
BM: Singapore. And you?
X: Ahhh... Singapore... I was there a couple of months/years ago for XYZ. I'm from XYZ.
BM: XYZ!! I've never been there.
X: So what do you do?
BM: I used to be in the public service... for 7 years... I recently switched to banking...
X: What did you do in the public service/bank?

And the conversation goes on... Everyone taking turns to check out one another... Assessing their potential coursemates and competition. It can be intimidating because (i) Singaporeans are not used to such in-your-face conversations, and (ii) these candidates have pretty amazing resumes.

This was when I commented that it's like a pageant. People from all over the world, strutting their stuff. James, one of the administrative staff, then had a brainwave, i.e. to include national flags on the name tags for the next round! Cool... "Hello... You are... Mr Japan? Hi! I am Ms Russia."

THE BRIEFING
After about 30 minutes, everyone was ushered into the lecture theatre for a formal briefing by the key personnel. When one of the directors, Karen, started her speech, she said something like,"It's wonderful to finally see all of you in person. Before this, I only get to see some online." I thought she was looking at me when she said that. I must be overly-sensitive.

The day was supposed to go like this:

• Briefing
• Interview with Faculty
• Session with Careers Unit
• Lunch
• Short Tour of Cambridge University
• Tea with Current Students

THE INTERVIEW
I was scheduled to be interviewed in the first slot. Met with Dr Jiang. A gentle person. He was very kind and very upfront with his concerns about my undergraduate performance. He shooked his head and said,"Your grades... This is really lousy..." I didn't know whether to cry or laugh. I felt bad that he has to spend time interviewing me. Sometimes, I feel that my undergraduate grades made it difficult for people to give me a chance, even if they really wanted to. Simply because grades are the most direct (not saying it's accurate) proxy to assess one's intellectual abilities and, probably, self-discipline.

He then made me promised that I would go to school regularly if I got into the programme. I didn't see that coming.

On the whole, it didn't feel like an interview. It felt more like a 20-minute chat. He also shared course expectations in terms of working in teams and contribution during classes.

Once out of the interview, I rejoined the chatty group. Soon, it was 'Good Fren's turn with another faculty member. His interview was largely similar, except he had an additional on-the-spot brainteaser.

Back to more chatting... Karen, the Director came to join us. That was when I realised that I was not being overly sensitive during the earlier briefing. She did read my blog as part of assessing my application. She knows about Blinkymummy and 'Good Fren'. She even got her husband and kid to read it! I asked her what she thought of it, and her reply,"You have some existential thing going on there..." =)))

CAREERS CHAT & LUNCH
Soon after, it was my turn to meet up with the Careers Unit. A short chat to get to know the candidate better to facilitate future job placements.

By then, I was super hungry. Talking non-stop requires loads of energy. Soon, we were lead to lunch at Pembroke College next door. JBS even arranged for current students from your country/geographical area to sit next to/near to you for Q&A during lunch. And Singapore, being so damn small... The girl who spoke with us is... get this... (i) the best friend of my ex-colleague, and (ii) the best friend is the wife of 'Good Fren's squad mate in NS. *fainted*

(If you read the later MBA entries, you will realise that the Singaporeans are connected in some ways. We have a huge suspicion that people from similar backgrounds end up making similar life decisions.)

THE TOUR
After lunch, we had the loveliest guide to bring us around Cambridge. We visited quite a few colleges, greens, chapels... listened to many many stories... and walked miles and miles.


TEA
My feet were hurting after a couple of hours. Coupled with the excessive cycling from the day before, I was beginning to feel really really tired. Fortunately, it was teatime back at JBS! I plonked myself on the couch and rested. The administrative staff were really friendly. Had a great chat with them while trying to catch my breath. Tea was also a great opportunity for candidates to chat with more current students.

By the end of the session, I was extremely tired from the walking, the chatting, the smiling and much more... It was definitely a fruitful day of exchanges amongst the candidate, JBS, current students, Cambridge University as a whole. We are very glad that we made the trip, even if we did not qualify for the course eventually. We walked back to Cityroomz feeling very satisfied.

Woke up at 4.30am Cambridge time and sorted out the pics. Watched BBC news at 6am. Saw this piece of news where people got together unofficially (informed one another through online means) in the Tube and drank shiteloads, coz a ban on drinking on London transport starts on 1 Jun 08. This unofficial party paralysed Liverpool station and encouraged plenty of rowdy behaviour and trash.

Imagine if something of this scale happens in Singapore.
The red buses (not London Bus hor...) will certainly make their appearance!
..........................................................

Ok, we're going to rent a bicycle and ride around Cambridge today. I wonder what 'Good Fren' has in mind. But I hope it's less tiring than WALKING!! ROAR!! =))

As we were up too early, and breakfast wasn't ready, we took a walk to an internet cafe we saw along the way yesterday. A clean and neat joint.


After checking our emails and blogging a little, we headed back to Cityroomz for breakfast.


Then waited outside Station Cycles. It was a cold morning with a slight drizzle. A Korean tourist family was waiting with us. We conversed in somewhat halting English to ease the wait.


Once we got onto our bikes, we cycled non-stop for about 40 minutes. My arse was hurting so much! 'Good Fren' had a better seat. I wished I had checked my seat before I rode away. =_=


So where is this?


We had arrived at the Orchard Tea Garden, Grantchester for some strawberries, English Tea and a walk in green.


We had tea in this little building.


It's something my mother and aunts would love to enjoy.


I must say we loved it too!! =)))


After walking around and stuffing our faces, we got onto our bicycles and made our way back to the centre. The ride back seemed shorter, though my arse was hurting quite a bit. Dropped by Market Street and bought an umbrella in preparation for Day 3.