73\\ Amsterdam bound

Can't believe how we planned everything in just a week. Decided to fly to Amsterdam in one afternoon and spent the next few days booking accommodation and creating our itinerary. Super thankful for Jo, my travel partner. I really do not know how to start planning our journey without her. I've to rely her for everything including booking our accommodation since I could not read the map.

Our three days stay in Amsterdam was superb. This is exactly what we see everyday we open the door. I love how we plan our trip, renting a bike and exploring the city ourselves after visiting red light district in the midnight. I was morose when we were in the bus leaving to the airport. We have only just begun to remember the way to get back to our apartment from the city, and we have to leave.

Traveling makes me realize how lucky I am, having the chance to see the world.

More to come, stay tune!

xx, Shan

72\\ amsterdam video diary

Hey ya!

It's the end of our Easter break and we are back from Amsterdam. It was a spontaneous trip suggested by someone we met in Liverpool, telling us that this will be the best time to visit Amsterdam for the tulips. And I, as eager as always, checked for cheap flight tickets right away and an adventure to Amsterdam is confirmed! I love how spontaneous/adventorous we are. Cheers to awesome us! 

More details on our next blog post. Here's a video diary of our Amsterdam trip. 

Have a wonderful start of the week. :)

x, jo.

71\\ of spring and noms

I''m back from Liverpool. Was supposed to head to the north during this Easter break, so I bought a bus ticket to Liverpool as first stop and decided to plan the journey when we are at Shan's place. But things turn out... Just as I imagined, I kinda expected that we will not be heading anywhere except Liverpool itself. Oh well, procrastination at its finest.

Had dim sum at Mei Mei on the second day of our visit. Not sure if it's really good or I just simply miss dim sum, worth every single pound I would say. Not to mention their friendly service, and here is where the upcoming Amsterdam plan started. Thanks yo.

One of the many reason why I love Liverpool better than London (Hatfield, to be precise) is the people there. Shan is one, then her really nice flatmates. I was feeling unwell, Shan told them about me (roll eyes, and so much to thank you about), Tracy whom was really kind made me all kind of teas so that I can feel better, and Jochyn who share me her bed, thank you so much, fret not! I'll be back very soon, lol!

LEAF, to me is the best place to hang out for such wonderful weekend. There are wide selections of tea, just the right place for tea lover like me. We then had some mini photo shooting session on the upper floor where no one was there, occasionally having some couple who showed so much PDA at the couch area.

The next few days in Liverpool were mainly about food again. Fish n Chip at Albert Dock, dim sum again, afternoon tea at Cuthbert's and Moose Coffee on the last day. Also, thanks Shan for all the things she cooked for me just because I wanna try them. Very fattening mac and cheese, 很入味的卤肉饭, heart warming chicken herbal soup and heart melting japenese cheese cake. Ok, I think I'm really gonna marry you if our parents allow us to.

Signing off now, see you after Amsterdam. (:

x, jo.

70\\ colder spring

These photos were taken the day I left Hatfield whilst we were waiting for cab to the train station. Third time in Hatfield and I'll never get bored. It is spring now, they said, but I couldn't feel anything except the fact that we have longer day. Despite the sunshine, the wind seems to pierce through my (very thin) denim jacket. We literally could not stand straight up due to the strong wind.

Am planning our trip for this Easter break with Jo, she is coming this Friday to see me again. Yay! :)

xx, Shan

69\\ instagram diary

1. Roses on valentine's // 2. Taiwanese braised pork with eggs on rice // 3. Current obsession: postcrossing // 4. Baby bangs // 5. Homemade mac 'n' cheese // 6. Team regret cutting my hair // 7. Bring me back to Paris // 8. Striped dress x utility jacket // 9. Paris, Paris and more Paris! // 10. Random shot at Manchester street

68\\ gong hei fatt choi

It's the fourth day of Chinese New Year, and just the same as Shan, I'm having classes too, even worse rushing coursework that's gonna due on Tuesday. You probably won't even know it's CNY without anyone telling you. Not a single hint of the CNY atmosphere here, and it's real sad. I guess mom has her car playing CNY songs right after Christmas already, and I miss it, though I was pretty annoyed by it. Btw, it's Loo Mama's birthday today! Happy birthday may may, much love from UK.heart emotico

Everyone was having reunion dinner on the 18th, le elder brother even sent me photos of every dish my mom cooked for the dinner. He thought it was funny or sweet, I understand that cause I might be doing the same shit if I were him, but... I literally cried, too emotional plus serious homesick shit. And so I stayed in my room crying until I fell asleep (I know right, dramatic sia) and woke up by the trios for simple dinner that night. 

On the first day of CNY (basically, there's no difference here, but we/I want it to be special!), woke up early to do groceries shopping for our reunion dinner, and we had been working nonstop since then. Gathered at my flat to cook, and whilst preparing for the dinner, I made kimchi jjigae for ourselves and it was shoooo damn good! Recipes will be up next. ;)

For dinner we have sweet and sour fish, brocolli mushroom and scallop, the heavenly siew yok, soy sauce shrimps and a whole chicken. Ohhh, and really heart warming cabbage soup. Literally 大鱼大肉 man.... And we are proud of our outcomes. *insert lansi face* But most of all, thanks to our Chef Alex, and assistants chef junior Jeff, Desmond and yours truly. High infinity high fives to the trios for being so awesome. Yay!

And things went back to normal, I need to get back to my work right now. Siew yok was good, but I really miss bak gwa, pineapple tarts, chrysanthemum tea and of course angpaos! Ohh, and have I ever mentioned? I made a few pretty girl friends here. Finally not the only girl hanging out with the guys, so happy I cry! (Maymay, don't worry, I'm not alone. Hahah)

Once again, Gong Hei Fatt Choi. 恭喜发财

With love, from UK.

x, jo

67\\ chinese new year 2015

Happy Chinese New Year guys! Sad not, I still have classes on chinese new year albeit it is only one or two hour classes. Back in Malaysia, one week break is already short for us now we have none. NONE! After all, we have 15 days for Chinese New Year isn't it?

Heard chinese new year song playing in a Chinese supermarket the other day and I was surprisingly happy. Our supermarket start playing it the day right after Christmas for subsequent two months to remind us how near chinese new year is and it is freaking annoying to listen to the same song for 61489 times a day all sang by different people. Never know that I somehow need all these songs now to feel like home.

Things I miss about Chinese New Year in UK:

1)My family

I miss my mum's cooking, my dad blasting chinese new year songs and how my sister complains about my laziness. No, of course I dont miss the spring cleaning part. But I miss how we wash our car porch together after dinner while thinking what should I wear for the first day of chinese new year.

2) Reunion Dinner

Everyone posted the photos of their reunion dinner my heart screams "I want!" every time I scroll Facebook. I actually tried to control myself and guess what? My family and friends kept sending me photo of the food they are having for reunion dinner now makes me so much sadder! I want to lou sang too, I want to be part of them too! Anyway I prepared my reunion dinner for 5 with Tracy so dont have to worry. (Mum, dont have to worry if you are reading this.)

3) The J Monsters

This bunch of people has been visiting my house during chinese new year since I was 17 (or 16?). The rule is, they can stay as late as they want as long as I am still awake. They treat my house like their own. Fixing the karaoke and sing themselves, grabbing the cold drinks in my fridge and stalking my sister. (!!) It is really fun, always fun to have them around. It is most probably the only gathering I have with most of them every year.

4) Cookies and Bah Kua

Kenyung told me he is sending me these last week and I have been checking my mailbox everyday to make sure I get my hand on them the moment they reach my hostel. Not only bah gua, also fish crackers and pineapple tarts! I miss munching all day and night and there are still a table full of cookies at the end of chinese new year.

5) Angpaos

 I dont have photo of angpaos in my picture folders but I dont want to just simply grab one on the internet. Who doesnt know how angpaos look like right. I remember filling in the angpaos the night before chinese new year and secretly observe to check how much is my mum giving out to each of my relative since I know the amount inside by differentiating the design of the angpao packets. Anyway, if you're looking for me while giving out angpaos, please hand them to my sister. She will convert 'em into pounds and send to me. Thank you very much for your kindness. Just kidding (or not)

Enjoy your day everyone! You're going to miss it when you are away from home, like me.

xx, Shan