I am currently glued to BBC for 3 hours now watching the most anticipated royal wedding. The whole world is tuned in for sure. It's not every year a British monarch (a very paparrazied one since birth at that) gets married. And to stroke every girl's fancy, he married a commoner - in contrast to most consorts-in-waiting for over 350 years.
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Showing posts with label hello world: England. Show all posts
Showing posts with label hello world: England. Show all posts
Friday, 29 April 2011
Tuesday, 24 November 2009
UK Movie Locations
During my two years stay here in UK, I had the privilege to visit some locations that were used and featured in my favourite films. Here’s the initial list.
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- Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone
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Saturday, 14 November 2009
My Jimmy Choo for H&M Haul
Barbs and I went to the H&M store at Oxford Street around 10AM. There was of course a queue at the doors but it wasn't too bad. We breezed through in just 10 minutes. Inside we were told that could we shop freely at the womenswear area but had to queue again inside to get into the shoes area.
Queue again? No worries. We were only there for the shoes after all. It's Jimmy Choo. Duh! On our way to the shoe area queue I grabbed for myself a sequined racer-back sleeveless top, slim fit trousers and some cool accessories. Barbs got her hands on an exquisite sequined dress and some accessories as well.
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Queue again? No worries. We were only there for the shoes after all. It's Jimmy Choo. Duh! On our way to the shoe area queue I grabbed for myself a sequined racer-back sleeveless top, slim fit trousers and some cool accessories. Barbs got her hands on an exquisite sequined dress and some accessories as well.
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Friday, 13 November 2009
Jimmy Choo for H&M
Jimmy Choo is coming to H&M on Saturday, the 14th of November.
Yep, that’s tomorrow! And you now you have an idea where I will be tomorrow.
Gosh, Barbs and I are so excited! I still don’t have a bridal shoes, so really, I have to be there…
The uber high-end designer brand has teamed up with the affordable Swedish mega fashion store to bring their merchandise more accessible to the public. The Jimmy Choo for H&M collection includes womenswear, menswear and accessories, with prices starting at £14.99.
"It’s all about capturing the DNA for the H&M price point," H&M's Jen Uglialoro said.
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Yep, that’s tomorrow! And you now you have an idea where I will be tomorrow.
Gosh, Barbs and I are so excited! I still don’t have a bridal shoes, so really, I have to be there…
The uber high-end designer brand has teamed up with the affordable Swedish mega fashion store to bring their merchandise more accessible to the public. The Jimmy Choo for H&M collection includes womenswear, menswear and accessories, with prices starting at £14.99.
"It’s all about capturing the DNA for the H&M price point," H&M's Jen Uglialoro said.
Read more...
Saturday, 7 November 2009
Theatres Galore
In a span of less than a week, I have watched not just one but two theatre shows at London West End and not alone mind you, but with friends! Ahhh to share the good things in life with friends indeed makes every experience more enjoyable.
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Saturday, 24 October 2009
Happy 2 Years in UK!
Exactly two years ago I arrived at London Heathrow, breathed England’s cold air for the first time, hopped on my first black cab ride and headed to the Anne Boleyn hotel in Staines, Middlesex.
Two years ago I did not own a pair of boots. Now I have two pairs of knee-highs and a pair of ankle-length boots.
Two years ago I did not own a single pair of skinny jeans. Now I have 3. No wait, it’s 4. Errrm no. I think there’s one stuck in the laundry basket so, oh, it’s 5 actually.
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Two years ago I did not own a pair of boots. Now I have two pairs of knee-highs and a pair of ankle-length boots.
Two years ago I did not own a single pair of skinny jeans. Now I have 3. No wait, it’s 4. Errrm no. I think there’s one stuck in the laundry basket so, oh, it’s 5 actually.
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Monday, 5 October 2009
A Visit to Lincoln Cathedral
Lincoln Cathedral is one and finest Gothic structures in Europe. It has been a place of worship for nearly a thousand of years (dates built 1185-1311).
Its Gothic spires, stained glass windows are a site to behold. This cathedral is indeed so gorgeous that it has been featured in two major films:
Da Vinci Code (a replacement to the Westminster Abbey scene as the film wasn't able to get a permit to shoot in Westminster Abbey) and Young Victoria.
HOW TO GET THERE
Lincoln Cathedral’s postcode is LN2 1PX
By Rail:
From London Kings Cross take the National Express Rail service to Edinburgh. Transfer at Peterborough Station. Then take the connection train at Platform 2 to Lincoln.
Other connections include Nottingham, Grantham, Skegness, Grimsby and Birmingham.
By Road:
A1 and A46 east from Newark
A57 east from Sheffield
A15 south from M180 Scunthorpe and Hull
A15 north from Sleaford
A46 south from Grimsby
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Its Gothic spires, stained glass windows are a site to behold. This cathedral is indeed so gorgeous that it has been featured in two major films:
Da Vinci Code (a replacement to the Westminster Abbey scene as the film wasn't able to get a permit to shoot in Westminster Abbey) and Young Victoria.
HOW TO GET THERE
Lincoln Cathedral’s postcode is LN2 1PX
By Rail:
From London Kings Cross take the National Express Rail service to Edinburgh. Transfer at Peterborough Station. Then take the connection train at Platform 2 to Lincoln.
Other connections include Nottingham, Grantham, Skegness, Grimsby and Birmingham.
By Road:
A1 and A46 east from Newark
A57 east from Sheffield
A15 south from M180 Scunthorpe and Hull
A15 north from Sleaford
A46 south from Grimsby
On our way to the Lincoln Cathedral
Lincoln Cathedral Information
Lincoln Cathedral Nave
Beautiful stained glasses adorn all over the Lincoln Cathedral
The Dean's Eye window - an 800 year old British heritage whose restoration completed just recently costed millions. (Source: Stewart Design UK)
Historical key stages of the Dean's Eye.
The East Window of the Lincoln Cathedral
Spot the Lincoln Imp!
Close-up of the Lincoln Imp. It is the symbol of the city of Lincoln.
The Lincoln City Football Club are nicknamed "The Imps" and an image of the Lincoln Imp appears on their crest. (Source: Wikipedia)
Filming of theYoung Victoria in the Lincoln Cathedral.
Sir Ian Mckellen and Audrey Tautou while filming Da Vinci Code in the Lincoln Cathedral.
(Image lifted from: http://www.mckellen.com/)
Sir Ian Mckellen and Tom Hanks while filming Da Vinci Code in the Lincoln Cathedral.
(Image lifted from: http://www.mckellen.com/)
The Lincoln Cathedral is indeed beautiful.
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Sunday, 20 September 2009
Hearthrobs London 2009 LIVE!
Kapamilya Fiesta in cooperation with KCC Productions proudly present…
SAM MILBY, PIOLO PASCUAL and JOHN LLOYD CRUZ
with Pokwang and Bea Alonzo in London
on 8 November 2009, Sunday
at Theatre Royal, Drury Lane Catherine St. London WC2B 5JF
UPDATE!
I received an email this morning (30th of September) from Ms. Roselle Collado on behalf of Kapamilya Fiesta / KCC Productions that for every ticket sold £1.00 will be donated to Typhoon Ondoy Victims.
Of course I am going. In fact I already reserved a ticket. JLC watch out! *evil grin*
How to reserve and book a ticket? Click here.
Indeed I wouldn't miss this for anything. It's a rare opportunity. Imagine Sam, Piolo and JLC under one roof? This is going to be the grandest jologs moment of my life and here in London no less! Finally I will see JLC in person! Gosh I think I'm gonna swoon. Help.
Map of Theatre Royal, Drury Lane
Nearest underground: Covent Garden
View Larger Map
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SAM MILBY, PIOLO PASCUAL and JOHN LLOYD CRUZ
with Pokwang and Bea Alonzo in London
on 8 November 2009, Sunday
at Theatre Royal, Drury Lane Catherine St. London WC2B 5JF
UPDATE!
I received an email this morning (30th of September) from Ms. Roselle Collado on behalf of Kapamilya Fiesta / KCC Productions that for every ticket sold £1.00 will be donated to Typhoon Ondoy Victims.
Of course I am going. In fact I already reserved a ticket. JLC watch out! *evil grin*
How to reserve and book a ticket? Click here.
Indeed I wouldn't miss this for anything. It's a rare opportunity. Imagine Sam, Piolo and JLC under one roof? This is going to be the grandest jologs moment of my life and here in London no less! Finally I will see JLC in person! Gosh I think I'm gonna swoon. Help.
Map of Theatre Royal, Drury Lane
Nearest underground: Covent Garden
View Larger Map
Read more...
Tuesday, 2 June 2009
Finally, Stonehenge!
When Barbs told me that she wanted to go to Stonehenge, I volunteered to tag along. I had long wanted to go there, really curious of those big stones after watching a BBC adaptation of Tess of the d'Urbervilles (it's the book that Sharon's character received from a British oldie in the movie Caregiver - erm gets? hehe).
We booked a coach tour that not only took us to Stonehenge but Salisbury and Bath as well. It's an exhausting ride from London to Stonehenge and such a shame to just go there and see a bunch of bato (oh okay they're huge, but still bato :-|), we reckoned it's better to do some side trips. Here's the link of Stonehenge++ tours coach tour offered by Evan Evans Tours. I guess the tour we got was worth it, in just 10 hours we were able to visit 3 UNESCO World Heritage sites (Bath, Salisbury and Stonehenge).
Honestly, I think Stonehenge amazing. They say it was erected as a ritual site of druids. The first set of stones were laid down around 2400-2200 BC, an era when there were no machines yet capable of transferring large structures from one place to another. There were no steel so they had to carve those stones by sheer brute force using other hard stones. How those stones got there is still a mystery. Some claim they were built by aliens and that site is really intended for extraterresterial landings. Or maybe the druids just outsourced the job to the Egyptians? Hmmm interesting.
View our pics.
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We booked a coach tour that not only took us to Stonehenge but Salisbury and Bath as well. It's an exhausting ride from London to Stonehenge and such a shame to just go there and see a bunch of bato (oh okay they're huge, but still bato :-|), we reckoned it's better to do some side trips. Here's the link of Stonehenge++ tours coach tour offered by Evan Evans Tours. I guess the tour we got was worth it, in just 10 hours we were able to visit 3 UNESCO World Heritage sites (Bath, Salisbury and Stonehenge).
Honestly, I think Stonehenge amazing. They say it was erected as a ritual site of druids. The first set of stones were laid down around 2400-2200 BC, an era when there were no machines yet capable of transferring large structures from one place to another. There were no steel so they had to carve those stones by sheer brute force using other hard stones. How those stones got there is still a mystery. Some claim they were built by aliens and that site is really intended for extraterresterial landings. Or maybe the druids just outsourced the job to the Egyptians? Hmmm interesting.
View our pics.
Read more...
Monday, 4 May 2009
All That Jazz
There are a few theatre shows, especially the famous ones, which have movie versions. Like Oliver, Phantom of the Opera, Chicago, Les Miserables, Hairspray and Mamma Mia, to name a few. Well what is the difference between the theatre version and the movie version, which one is better? Though I have only thus far seen Phantom, Chicago and Les Mis, but I daresay, the difference is huge. Theatre is way better. Even if the stage effects can never compete with the digital technology of movie effects nowadays, but the acting is of another level, hearing the powerful live singing, actually seeing the actor cry and even noticing occasional showers of saliva as they deliver their lines in oozing emotions – going to a theatre is an experience one can never forget. IMHO it is more difficult to act on a stage, to connect to a live audience. It is more challenging. There’s no take two in theatre, that’s why I greatly admire the enormous talent and skill that every theatre actor must possess.
I took my guests, Erskine and Jake, to watch Chicago at West End last Saturday. I had booked the tickets one week ahead through LastMinute.com, where I got discounted best available seats. I was a bit worried at first that what if they would not fancy it, that paying a lot for one ticket would not be worth it. But the moment the show started and sexy ladies sang and danced and even performed splits in nothing but black fishnets, I knew I did not need to worry. During the break I still asked to confirm if they really were enjoying, though I was careful not to gloat. They were literally grinning when they answered that they (referring to the female actors in nothing but fishnets) did not have to sing. Oh well what can I say – boys will always be boys!
It was very enjoyable. Definitely better than the movie. One thing is still the same after having watched the theatre is that I still prefer the Velma Kelly character (played by Catherine Zeta-Jones in the movie) than Roxie Hart (played by Renee Zellweger in the movie). She has more kick and spunk.
So what’s next on my list? Mamma Mia, Phantom of the Opera again, Oliver!, Wicked, Les Miserables again and then, errm I am open to suggestions (anyone?). I will conquer the West End! God help my pocket...
List of West End theatres (from Wikipedia, scroll down)
Read more...
I took my guests, Erskine and Jake, to watch Chicago at West End last Saturday. I had booked the tickets one week ahead through LastMinute.com, where I got discounted best available seats. I was a bit worried at first that what if they would not fancy it, that paying a lot for one ticket would not be worth it. But the moment the show started and sexy ladies sang and danced and even performed splits in nothing but black fishnets, I knew I did not need to worry. During the break I still asked to confirm if they really were enjoying, though I was careful not to gloat. They were literally grinning when they answered that they (referring to the female actors in nothing but fishnets) did not have to sing. Oh well what can I say – boys will always be boys!
It was very enjoyable. Definitely better than the movie. One thing is still the same after having watched the theatre is that I still prefer the Velma Kelly character (played by Catherine Zeta-Jones in the movie) than Roxie Hart (played by Renee Zellweger in the movie). She has more kick and spunk.
So what’s next on my list? Mamma Mia, Phantom of the Opera again, Oliver!, Wicked, Les Miserables again and then, errm I am open to suggestions (anyone?). I will conquer the West End! God help my pocket...
List of West End theatres (from Wikipedia, scroll down)
- If no show is currently running, the play listed is the next show planned (dates marked with an *).
- If the next show planned is not announced, the applicable columns are left blank.
Read more...
Tuesday, 28 April 2009
Platform 9 3/4?
Erskine and his colleague Jake after a month of training in Ireland “stopped over” in London for two days before going back to our motherland. Of course I offered my services to show them around, in which I was paid with a packet of Chocnut and a box of Curly Tops. I had never thought that Erskine and I would hang out again in London, no less!, after all these years. Is the world shrinking or what?
Jake, a Harry Potter fan (Though I regard him as not a 100% HP fan because he has not completed all the films - just the books, he claimed. That's surprising, a guy who likes reading more than oogling at special effects?), asked me to take them to Platform 9 ¾. I agreed and then warned him not to expect anything because I had not been to platforms beyond 8 at King’s Cross. So yeah even if I read all the books and seen all films (and watched again Prisoner of Azkaban twice), I realized I was not a 100% fan either. Why I never had had any urge in my 1.5 years stay here in UK to go see if 9 ¾ did exist still baffles me!
So we went to King’s Cross Station last Sunday and got lost. But this sign was an indication that we were not the first HP fans to do so...
We followed the directions and voila, found it! Yipee yeah yey!
Kudos to King’s Cross Station’s management for wasting a good trolley just to make HP fans like us smile. I hope they can be persuaded to donate a good train and turn it into a Hogwarts Express.
Read more...
Jake, a Harry Potter fan (Though I regard him as not a 100% HP fan because he has not completed all the films - just the books, he claimed. That's surprising, a guy who likes reading more than oogling at special effects?), asked me to take them to Platform 9 ¾. I agreed and then warned him not to expect anything because I had not been to platforms beyond 8 at King’s Cross. So yeah even if I read all the books and seen all films (and watched again Prisoner of Azkaban twice), I realized I was not a 100% fan either. Why I never had had any urge in my 1.5 years stay here in UK to go see if 9 ¾ did exist still baffles me!
So we went to King’s Cross Station last Sunday and got lost. But this sign was an indication that we were not the first HP fans to do so...
We followed the directions and voila, found it! Yipee yeah yey!
Kudos to King’s Cross Station’s management for wasting a good trolley just to make HP fans like us smile. I hope they can be persuaded to donate a good train and turn it into a Hogwarts Express.Read more...
Monday, 16 March 2009
Point and Shoot: Weekend 14-15 March '09
A brother's love. (Staines, Middlesex)
I miss my girlfriends. (Staines, Middlesex)
A fallen grocery cart. (Station Path, Staines, Middlesex)
On their way to Twickenham Stadium to watch the England vs. France rugby match.The English triumphed over le French. (Twickenham Station)
Surfboarders and Rollerbladers' nook (Thames Path - Embankment)
Book sale under Waterloo bridge. Don't know if this occurs every weekend.(The Queen's Walk - Embankment)
What? No sandcastles? I still prefer a sandcastle over a giant sandbeetle - or is it a sandcockroach?(The Queen's Walk - Embankment)
Blackfriars bridge, with St. Paul's Cathedral behind, on a glorious day.(taken from The Queen's Walk - Embankment)
I must agree with these kids that indeed rolling down the path is a faster way to enter Tate Modern. (Tate Modern - London)
Contemporary art by Dominique Gonzalez-Foerster sponsored by Unilever.
Hmmm just rows and rows of bunk beds, a huge flat screen, a giant apple and a giant spider.
(Tate Modern - London)
Hmmm just rows and rows of bunk beds, a huge flat screen, a giant apple and a giant spider.
(Tate Modern - London)
At least these beds have practical uses. (Tate Modern - London)
Back of a huge flat screen (Tate Modern - London)
Oh, hello there! Sorry kid, I don't have a Kleenex. (Tate Modern - London)
Need a part time job? Be a Velotaxi (pedicab) driver on weekends. You only have to wear that interesting hat on St. Patrick's Day. (Trafalgar Square)
Proudly Irish.Celebrating the feast of one of Ireland's patron saint St. Patrick. (Trafalgar Square)
A vintage car, also in St. Patrick's Day spirit. (near Trafalgar Square)Read more...
Monday, 2 March 2009
V. Posh
Posh (Victoria Beckham), along with her husband David, is a British royalty, a fashion icon. Her popularity has not waned even after moving to L.A. Writeups about her - right now it's about her latest weight issue that she's too skinny - still feature on the front pages of newspapers, covers of tabloids and magazines in every supermarket and WHSmith shop everywhere.
Last year when Harley and I went to Harrod's we noticed a lot of people milling around a certain car. I got curious because they were taking pictures of it or with it. I dragged Harley to get closer. Lo and behold it was Posh's car! So we joined the vigil of waiting for her to emerge from the equally posh store. A pretty girl beside me, clutching a Prada with one hand and her boyfriend with the other, announced, "Oh I just want to see how skinny she is in person!”
After waiting for almost like half an hour, a woman got out from Harrod's carrying lots of shopping bags, immediately jumped into the car and it sped away. We were very disappointed because she wasn't Posh at all – maybe her P.A. just taking care of some errands.
But at least I got a picture of the car...
It's odd that I haven't seen her smile in any published picture of her. She always has that distant, untouchable expression and pose. But I saw this video by Fashion File and it is hilarious that she made fun of that. She looked at her picture and shouted, "Oh she's the happiest soul. She really is. Smile b***h!"
British accent is truly adorable, don't you agree?
Hmmm I really should start posting about weddings and stuffs and get serious with researching inspirations because it's already March. How time flies!
Read more...
Last year when Harley and I went to Harrod's we noticed a lot of people milling around a certain car. I got curious because they were taking pictures of it or with it. I dragged Harley to get closer. Lo and behold it was Posh's car! So we joined the vigil of waiting for her to emerge from the equally posh store. A pretty girl beside me, clutching a Prada with one hand and her boyfriend with the other, announced, "Oh I just want to see how skinny she is in person!”
After waiting for almost like half an hour, a woman got out from Harrod's carrying lots of shopping bags, immediately jumped into the car and it sped away. We were very disappointed because she wasn't Posh at all – maybe her P.A. just taking care of some errands.
But at least I got a picture of the car...
It's odd that I haven't seen her smile in any published picture of her. She always has that distant, untouchable expression and pose. But I saw this video by Fashion File and it is hilarious that she made fun of that. She looked at her picture and shouted, "Oh she's the happiest soul. She really is. Smile b***h!"
British accent is truly adorable, don't you agree?
Hmmm I really should start posting about weddings and stuffs and get serious with researching inspirations because it's already March. How time flies!
Read more...
Thursday, 26 February 2009
Absolutely Delighted
People here are very eloquent. It seems that they don't go out of their houses without being armed of a list of adverbs and adjectives inside their pockets, a wide range of vocabulary that they try to use everytime they open their mouths. It is endearing that they relish using their language. Yes there's a huge difference between American English and British English. It is about three to four words per sentence.
For example, we say "I'm pleased to meet you." whenever we are introduced to someone. Here they say 'I am absolutely delighted to meet you.' or the longer version, "I am absolutely delighted to have made your acquaintance.", the word absolutely reinforcing their being delighted if by chance the person they're saying that to is not convinced. The first time someone told me that I was floored. I almost blurted out "Really?" because that sounded very nice indeed and I noticed that involuntarily my smile got bigger than usual. I then started obsessing about bestowing the same words to another myself.
I had no luck. Oh I had numerous chances but somehow I never remembered to say them. Always, the moment just passed me by. I only managed curt "nice to meet you"s or its variants. I really am a woman of few words to people I have just met and it's really hard to wean out the habit of shortcutting everything. It's even worse when I got introduced to someone blue-eyed (or was it gray?) because somehow words literally escaped me. All I could do was grin and jerk my head upwards - a gesture of greeting that only us Filipinos could possibly understand.
But that didn't deter me from rehearsing the "I am absolutely delighted" phrase. I never lost hope that someday I would use it. In fact I think I practiced it countless of times in blogging. See previous entry as proof =P
Last week I told you about our project collapsing. It has gone downhill and seems like it will stay there at the bottom for months. Our company is still negotiating with the client to close some contract. To date there is no progress whatsoever. Mid last week all of us were warned that we would all be let go and it's just a matter of how soon. My manager's assurance to extend my assignment beyond its end date of March 15 is now kaput.
But I am always surrounded by angels and this time it's no different. Two previous colleagues of mine recommended me to the projects looking for resources with my skills. On Friday I was interviewed by Project A and on Monday by Project B. By yesterday I received offers from both of these projects. 2 offers! So lucky indeed to be given options considering that the competition is now tougher because people that have been on the bench for quite awhile are more aggressive to get an assignment for a new bench management policy (aka redundancy program) has been recently released. Of course it helped that I am inexpensive. Being an offshore staff my basic charge rate (BCR) is way cheaper compared to my British counterparts. One manager aptly described me as a "good value for money" in his performance review. I couldn't help feeling like a piece of meat when I read that.
I mulled over which one to accept last night. I woke up this morning clearheaded and decided to accept Project B. I walked to the office with a renewed spring in my steps. Then I remembered that I could finally say those words, though not in the same scenario of meeting someone for the first time but in a much better context. I almost rubbed my hands together in anticipation before I picked up the phone and called the manager of Project B. The moment after he answered and I informed him it's me, I carefully uttered the words, sprinkling each with just the right amount of drama...
I am absolutely delighted to accept your offer.
And I meant every word of it. I am absolutely delighted that I am assured I am going to spend another Spring to Autumn here in the land of the Queen.
Read more...
For example, we say "I'm pleased to meet you." whenever we are introduced to someone. Here they say 'I am absolutely delighted to meet you.' or the longer version, "I am absolutely delighted to have made your acquaintance.", the word absolutely reinforcing their being delighted if by chance the person they're saying that to is not convinced. The first time someone told me that I was floored. I almost blurted out "Really?" because that sounded very nice indeed and I noticed that involuntarily my smile got bigger than usual. I then started obsessing about bestowing the same words to another myself.
I had no luck. Oh I had numerous chances but somehow I never remembered to say them. Always, the moment just passed me by. I only managed curt "nice to meet you"s or its variants. I really am a woman of few words to people I have just met and it's really hard to wean out the habit of shortcutting everything. It's even worse when I got introduced to someone blue-eyed (or was it gray?) because somehow words literally escaped me. All I could do was grin and jerk my head upwards - a gesture of greeting that only us Filipinos could possibly understand.
But that didn't deter me from rehearsing the "I am absolutely delighted" phrase. I never lost hope that someday I would use it. In fact I think I practiced it countless of times in blogging. See previous entry as proof =P
Last week I told you about our project collapsing. It has gone downhill and seems like it will stay there at the bottom for months. Our company is still negotiating with the client to close some contract. To date there is no progress whatsoever. Mid last week all of us were warned that we would all be let go and it's just a matter of how soon. My manager's assurance to extend my assignment beyond its end date of March 15 is now kaput.
But I am always surrounded by angels and this time it's no different. Two previous colleagues of mine recommended me to the projects looking for resources with my skills. On Friday I was interviewed by Project A and on Monday by Project B. By yesterday I received offers from both of these projects. 2 offers! So lucky indeed to be given options considering that the competition is now tougher because people that have been on the bench for quite awhile are more aggressive to get an assignment for a new bench management policy (aka redundancy program) has been recently released. Of course it helped that I am inexpensive. Being an offshore staff my basic charge rate (BCR) is way cheaper compared to my British counterparts. One manager aptly described me as a "good value for money" in his performance review. I couldn't help feeling like a piece of meat when I read that.
I mulled over which one to accept last night. I woke up this morning clearheaded and decided to accept Project B. I walked to the office with a renewed spring in my steps. Then I remembered that I could finally say those words, though not in the same scenario of meeting someone for the first time but in a much better context. I almost rubbed my hands together in anticipation before I picked up the phone and called the manager of Project B. The moment after he answered and I informed him it's me, I carefully uttered the words, sprinkling each with just the right amount of drama...
I am absolutely delighted to accept your offer.
And I meant every word of it. I am absolutely delighted that I am assured I am going to spend another Spring to Autumn here in the land of the Queen.
Read more...
Monday, 2 February 2009
Heavy Snow in UK!
London rarely snows. In my 15 months of stay here I only had witnessed two instances of a few hours of trickling snow. But today nearly a foot of snow landed in most of UK (Staines included!) by noon. Meteorologists had already forewarned this and since UK is not equipped for heavy snows, schools were closed and most public transports were suspended.
Only a few reported to our office. We were advised to work from home. I think no one really worked today. A colleague had a status on his communicator saying "Taking the day off. Must help the kids build snowmen.” Hehe so sweet :)
By 3PM I abandoned any attempt to force myself to work because it's not working. I was distracted. I couldn't help but gaze outside the window, stare mesmerized as the snow fell down. My flat is just beside a busy street so I noticed people passing by wrapped in fur-trimmed jackets, lovers cuddling as they walked slowly and carefully, and kids running and hurling snowballs at each other. It’s like my bedroom window was suddenly transformed into a Hallmark Christmas eCard.
So I went out and breathed in the snow. Ahhh it was simply wonderful. The blanket of pristine white, the biting cold as I tried to grab a handful and the clean, cool smell (yes it has a smell) humbled me. I am in awe again of His magnificence. I had to utter a word of thanks for making me experience it.
Not as deep as some areas in the UK
Snow covered bench
The lamppost in Narnia?
Read more...
Only a few reported to our office. We were advised to work from home. I think no one really worked today. A colleague had a status on his communicator saying "Taking the day off. Must help the kids build snowmen.” Hehe so sweet :)
By 3PM I abandoned any attempt to force myself to work because it's not working. I was distracted. I couldn't help but gaze outside the window, stare mesmerized as the snow fell down. My flat is just beside a busy street so I noticed people passing by wrapped in fur-trimmed jackets, lovers cuddling as they walked slowly and carefully, and kids running and hurling snowballs at each other. It’s like my bedroom window was suddenly transformed into a Hallmark Christmas eCard.
So I went out and breathed in the snow. Ahhh it was simply wonderful. The blanket of pristine white, the biting cold as I tried to grab a handful and the clean, cool smell (yes it has a smell) humbled me. I am in awe again of His magnificence. I had to utter a word of thanks for making me experience it.
Snow-gazing at my window
Snow outside my apartment building
Snow outside my apartment building
Not as deep as some areas in the UK
Snow covered bench
The lamppost in Narnia?Read more...
Monday, 26 January 2009
London Night Shots
Fern, Darlene and Regi from Logica Philippines are here in UK for a 3 week training. It is Darlene and Reggie's first trip abroad - very bongga UK agad!
Yesterday we went to a Filipino Baptist gathering and after the service I "attacked" the Filipino eat-all-you-can free lunch there (I admit the food was the reason why they succeeded in dragging me there in the first place). It was raining, which put a damper to our original plan of me touring them around London's famous landmarks. So instead after lunch I accompanied them to Primark at Oxford St. as they also had to shop more winter clothes. We had dinner afterwards at LaTasca - a Spanish restaurant, which was very disappointing because their serving of paella was so cute for its price it made me cry with frustration. We didn't have our fill at all! We had to eat again, as in we need too because our tummies were literally grumbling their discontent, in Costa (Fern and I) and Burger King (Darlene and Regi) before going home.
As we walked towards Waterloo station where we were supposed to catch our train back to Staines, I couldn't resist to take pictures of them with the beautiful night lights of Trafalgar, London Eye & Big Ben. Even if I had to get a bit wet (yes it was raining the whole day - it's England after all) because it's tricky to shoot using my DSLR while balancing my leopard-print umbrella with my armpit, it was worth it. I was able to capture good enough photos. Yipee it seems that I am getting better with this manual settings thingy! I showed this shots to Harley a while ago and he exclaimed I have levelled up... (Talaga? hehe di naman masyado *blush*)
So my friends, come, visit London! I am not only a free of charge (willing to accept tips) tourist guide but can be your personal paparazzo as well. Sige na while the British Pound is at its lowest value ever!
Fern, Reggie & Darlene in front of National Gallery, Trafalgar
Darlene, Fern & Reggie at Hungerford Bride (London Eye & Big Ben at the background)
Fern
Reggie
Darlene
Darlene, Fern & Reggie again
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Yesterday we went to a Filipino Baptist gathering and after the service I "attacked" the Filipino eat-all-you-can free lunch there (I admit the food was the reason why they succeeded in dragging me there in the first place). It was raining, which put a damper to our original plan of me touring them around London's famous landmarks. So instead after lunch I accompanied them to Primark at Oxford St. as they also had to shop more winter clothes. We had dinner afterwards at LaTasca - a Spanish restaurant, which was very disappointing because their serving of paella was so cute for its price it made me cry with frustration. We didn't have our fill at all! We had to eat again, as in we need too because our tummies were literally grumbling their discontent, in Costa (Fern and I) and Burger King (Darlene and Regi) before going home.
As we walked towards Waterloo station where we were supposed to catch our train back to Staines, I couldn't resist to take pictures of them with the beautiful night lights of Trafalgar, London Eye & Big Ben. Even if I had to get a bit wet (yes it was raining the whole day - it's England after all) because it's tricky to shoot using my DSLR while balancing my leopard-print umbrella with my armpit, it was worth it. I was able to capture good enough photos. Yipee it seems that I am getting better with this manual settings thingy! I showed this shots to Harley a while ago and he exclaimed I have levelled up... (Talaga? hehe di naman masyado *blush*)
So my friends, come, visit London! I am not only a free of charge (willing to accept tips) tourist guide but can be your personal paparazzo as well. Sige na while the British Pound is at its lowest value ever!
Fern, Reggie & Darlene in front of National Gallery, Trafalgar
Darlene, Fern & Reggie at Hungerford Bride (London Eye & Big Ben at the background)
Fern
Reggie
Darlene
Darlene, Fern & Reggie againRead more...
Saturday, 8 November 2008
Fireworks and Raclette
Alain invited me to watch the fireworks display at Bishops Park (in the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham) with his family and then dinner afterwards since they live close to the park. Alain was my team leader. After our application got released and cleared by System Test last March, the whole team got disbanded. Two went to another project (now working in other locations of Logica) and while the three of us are still on the same project, we are now assigned to different teams. Even so we still have coffee breaks everyday, we bonded maybe because our nationalities both start with an F... he's French and I'm Filipino (oh diva :-|). Sometimes when the Spaniard Carlos (one of the three) is not working from home, he usually joins our coffee bonding.
Last night was the fireworks display - an annual event that occurs during the weekend of Guy Fawke's night. Remember, remember the fifth of November, the gunpowder treason and plot. I know of no reason why the gunpowder treason should ever be forgot? What you don't know that? It's a famous English nursery rhyme, and like all nursery rhymes it has a dark hidden meaning. It talks about Guy Fawkes and his co-conspirators' plan to kill the king (King James I) by blowing up the Houses of the Parliament, also called as the Gunpowder Plot of 1605. Guy Fawkes was caught red-handed on November 5, 1605 beneath the vaults of the House of Lords on the verge of igniting barrels of gunpowder. He was then hanged, drawn and quartered. That is, he was dragged on a wooden frame to the place of execution, hanged by the neck for a short time or until almost dead (hanged), disembowelled and emasculated and the genitalia and entrails burned before his eyes (drawn) and the body divided into four parts then beheaded (quartered). Tsk tsk, that punishment was quite harsh! Guy Fawkes’s night or Bonfire Night is an annual celebration on the evening of November 5, to celebrate the foiling of the Gunpowder Plot. Fireworks and bonfires are lit in many parts of Great Britain. Guy Fawkes is also the inspiration of the movie V for Vendetta.
Fireworks at Bishops Park
So last night was an extension of the Guy Fawkes's night. I got to meet Alain's lovely wife (Ann Veronique), his two cute and really pretty daughters (Eve and Penelope), and also his daughters’ friends (Sky and Hope). I also met their Italian au pair (Janice). Au pair is a French term of a young woman or a young man from a foreign country who chooses to help look after the children of a host family. He/she is given room and board and paid weekly salary. He/she usually is given a one year contract. Students here in Europe (I don’t know in US) after graduating from secondary school opt to rest for a year and live in a foreign country before going straight to the University – maybe to use that time for soul searching as to what to pursue as a profession. So to have a pocket money, they can do au pair-ing. There are sites where they can post their resumes so couples looking au pair can browse them. Some couples here prefer an au pair to a nanny because the latter is very expensive since it is considered a profession here.
I spent a lot of time talking with Janice during the fireworks because she’s just 22 - parang magka-edad lang kami :p She was very happy to converse with me because she wanted to practice her English. She's taking care of Eve and Penelope only 3 to 4 hours a day during the afternoons when they come home from school, while waiting for Alain and his wife to come home from work. Since she's free in the mornings she decided to go to an English school. She's fluent in French as she studied it before for 8 years. She said after mastering English, she'll study Spanish because she wants to be an interpreter by profession.
After the fireworks we went to Alain’s house and I was introduced to Sky and Hope's parents. Sky and Hope were to sleepover there. Ann Veronique told me that Eve (their youngest daughter) was very excited, spent the whole week looking forward to it because it's her first time to have a friend for a sleepover. She told me girls here usually start inviting their friends and getting invites of sleepovers around 3rd grade. Hmmm that's one way to know kung sikat ka pag marami kang invites na natanggap. After both couples sent their kids to bed, we finally had our dinner. Gosh around 9 na yun, kumakalam na sikmura ko - tapos unang sinerve e wine pa! But the dinner was worth the wait. The French couple served us Raclette - a French dish made by melting a kind of cheese of the same name on a hot plate and then pouring the melted cheese on slices of boiled baby potatoes and then you can eat it together with cold cuts. It was heavenly - ang sarrrapppp! Too bad I didn't take pictures. Nahiya kasi ako baka they would find it rude clicking photos while we're in the middle of a classy dinner (classy kasi aside from wine, we had table napkins! :p). Ayoko kaya ma kick out, sarap ng food noh! The 2 couples were very polite, they included me in their conversations kahit wala akong alam about school uniforms and their daughters' teachers. We closed the evening with a yummy dessert baked by Melissa (Sky and Hope's mother). I had a great time. It was already 1:00 AM when I got home.
Here are pics of a Raclette I got from the internet.
Raclette cheese
with the Raclette equipment
and how it is to be eaten.
I think we can do something like this even without using a fancy Raclette equipment.
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