11 months. I guess I don't count the days as much as I use to. But I do know the milestone of "1 year" since moving here is only 1 month away. Its quite amazing because I feel like its happened so fast and my end goal of staying at least 2 years doesn't seem so far away.
I've been thinking of a way to commemorate such a momentous event, maybe posting something new everyday about what I've learned about myself or some kind of Top 10 list that would lead up to the one year... but that would result in some extra effort and pre-planning! So I'm really unsure about the whole thing right now.. but I am open to some suggestions!
Here's a few I've come up with:
1. 10 memorable moments since moving here.
2. Top 10 things I wouldn't have done if I stayed in Chicago.
3. Top 10 things that I do now that I didn't do before moving.
4. Top 10 things that haven't changed.
5. Top 10 blog posts (not sure about this one, but I'd blog about them again?)
Anyway, not sure yet, but I'd like to do something, just don't know yet! Or maybe I'll do them all as one post each! That's ambitious!
Weekend
A taste of Oxford, and Clubbing yet again. I did meet some Brazilian women who taught me some Portuguese, but unfortunately I wasn't successful enough to see if they were "true" Brazilian.
Monday, July 31, 2006
Friday, July 28, 2006
Use your hands!!
And there it was.. in all its glory.
The "OZ" Lamb Burger they called it. Sitting in front of me.
I opted for the Steak instead of the Lamb, but it was going to be good.
Fried free range egg, grilled pineapple, yellow beetroot relish, red beetroot slice, tomato & lettuce, and of course the slab of meat, all in between a sesame seeded bun.
I've had it before and was truly enjoyable.
My other colleagues ordered it too. I think all of us ordered burgers except for one person.
I took my knife and cut it in half so I can handle it properly.
As I salivated, I placed a napkin on my lap and rubbed my hands together to enjoy such a glorious meal.
As I looked around to make sure everyone had their food, I was just about to grab my burger.. when..
What's this? What is everyone doing? Why are they doing that!! No!!
As I briefly paused, I watched everyone continue to use their knives and forks!
What the hell is going on! Why is everyone using utensils to eat a burger!!
I understand using them to cut the burger in half, but to eat the whole thing?
Immediately as I grabbed the one half of the burger and took a big bite, I slowly put it down and grabbed my knife and fork. Don't ask me why, but I just felt like a pig compared to everyone else! I felt it wasn't "proper" to eat the thing with my hands!
So instead I give into peer pressure and eat it in a more proper way. Eating a big burger with a knife and fork... I tell ya, its not the same. You don't get the same effect because once you use a knife and fork, you don't get to shove the whole damn thing in your mouth encompassing all the layers of the burger! Instead you cut it up in little pieces. Maybe a little part of the bun with some of the meat, maybe a piece of meat with the egg, etc. It truly gives a new meaning to the saying "the whole (burger) does not equal the sum of its parts!"
The "OZ" Lamb Burger they called it. Sitting in front of me.
I opted for the Steak instead of the Lamb, but it was going to be good.
Fried free range egg, grilled pineapple, yellow beetroot relish, red beetroot slice, tomato & lettuce, and of course the slab of meat, all in between a sesame seeded bun.
I've had it before and was truly enjoyable.
My other colleagues ordered it too. I think all of us ordered burgers except for one person.
I took my knife and cut it in half so I can handle it properly.
As I salivated, I placed a napkin on my lap and rubbed my hands together to enjoy such a glorious meal.
As I looked around to make sure everyone had their food, I was just about to grab my burger.. when..
What's this? What is everyone doing? Why are they doing that!! No!!
As I briefly paused, I watched everyone continue to use their knives and forks!
What the hell is going on! Why is everyone using utensils to eat a burger!!
I understand using them to cut the burger in half, but to eat the whole thing?
Immediately as I grabbed the one half of the burger and took a big bite, I slowly put it down and grabbed my knife and fork. Don't ask me why, but I just felt like a pig compared to everyone else! I felt it wasn't "proper" to eat the thing with my hands!
So instead I give into peer pressure and eat it in a more proper way. Eating a big burger with a knife and fork... I tell ya, its not the same. You don't get the same effect because once you use a knife and fork, you don't get to shove the whole damn thing in your mouth encompassing all the layers of the burger! Instead you cut it up in little pieces. Maybe a little part of the bun with some of the meat, maybe a piece of meat with the egg, etc. It truly gives a new meaning to the saying "the whole (burger) does not equal the sum of its parts!"
Tuesday, July 25, 2006
Street Wars!!
I use to partake in "Stalker" back in University for an Asian Organization. Basically you get details of a member in the organization and you "stalk them" with a water gun. You either play on two teams or you are given a name to stalk and once you kill them with "water" using a water gun, or whatever means necessary, you get the name of their victim they're supposedly "stalking" and go after them.
The game was fun because you never know who's "stalking you" on the whole campus.
But imagine if it took part in a whole city! Well it has! Here in London!
It started today! Wish I knew of this earlier! What's funny is that the news is making a big deal of it because if played in a public area, people might feel threatened, esp with some of the water guns looking like the real thing! I'm hoping to spot a few players in the next few weeks. Should be interesting!
The game was fun because you never know who's "stalking you" on the whole campus.
But imagine if it took part in a whole city! Well it has! Here in London!
It started today! Wish I knew of this earlier! What's funny is that the news is making a big deal of it because if played in a public area, people might feel threatened, esp with some of the water guns looking like the real thing! I'm hoping to spot a few players in the next few weeks. Should be interesting!
Monday, July 24, 2006
Killer Instinct
"You just have to go in for the kill."
A nice comment from an English mate after watching me dance with some random chick on the dance floor at what I would call London's version of Chicago's "White Star." Restaurant by evening, then nightclub by late night.
The theme is consistent like the past two weekends. Expensive Drinks. Expensive cover. Beautiful women in scantily clad clothing. Awesome music and a fun time with some random chick, who whispers in my ear a few times not knowing what she said, but after a long night of partying and an empty wallet, I go home alone. =)
There was one point I was watching the crowd and it amazes me how two random people start snogging in the middle of the dance floor. This happens more than it did in the States. Eventually one of the girl's friends pull her away from the lucky guy, which is strange because I always got the feeling that the English women were more reserved than American women! Perhaps they just fancy a snog rather than the shag. Who knows! Can't say I have experience on this, but maybe one day I will. =)
A nice comment from an English mate after watching me dance with some random chick on the dance floor at what I would call London's version of Chicago's "White Star." Restaurant by evening, then nightclub by late night.
The theme is consistent like the past two weekends. Expensive Drinks. Expensive cover. Beautiful women in scantily clad clothing. Awesome music and a fun time with some random chick, who whispers in my ear a few times not knowing what she said, but after a long night of partying and an empty wallet, I go home alone. =)
There was one point I was watching the crowd and it amazes me how two random people start snogging in the middle of the dance floor. This happens more than it did in the States. Eventually one of the girl's friends pull her away from the lucky guy, which is strange because I always got the feeling that the English women were more reserved than American women! Perhaps they just fancy a snog rather than the shag. Who knows! Can't say I have experience on this, but maybe one day I will. =)
Wednesday, July 19, 2006
They're everywhere!!
"Did you find the love of your life?"
"No I didn't Dad."
Why would a father ask such a question? Mainly because I was telling him about the annual event in London called the Barrio Fiesta.
Barrio Fiesta is this 2 day event west of London where all Filipinos gather for a huge party. A picnic, a carnival, some performances, and Filipino food stalls everywhere!
I was always told that there are so many Filipinos in UK but it didn't hit me until this past weekend. The further west we went on the tube, more and more Filipinos were getting on. It was like the Philippines!
Once we got off at the tube stop, long queues of Filipinos walked to the picnic area. It was really an unbelievable site. I guess a reported 60,000 visitors went to this Barrio Fiesta (Village Festival) last year and I wouldn't doubt if that came close over this past weekend.
I went with my fellow Britofinos and their families. As we walked in I felt like it was the Philippines. Its felt a bit commercial with all these booths trying to advertise a certain product: phone cards, condos, medical services, etc. The area was pretty huge and even include a carnival and a stage for musical performances.
Overall it was good fun. Ate some good food, kicked the football around, and even got to go up to random people and hand out free music CDs to promote a Filipino organization.
I did meet a handful of new people. And yes, some were pretty Britafinas. But nothing worth writing about unfortunately.
A few of comments about this experience:
It was a good experience overall, and I hope I can go again next year!
"No I didn't Dad."
Why would a father ask such a question? Mainly because I was telling him about the annual event in London called the Barrio Fiesta.
Barrio Fiesta is this 2 day event west of London where all Filipinos gather for a huge party. A picnic, a carnival, some performances, and Filipino food stalls everywhere!
I was always told that there are so many Filipinos in UK but it didn't hit me until this past weekend. The further west we went on the tube, more and more Filipinos were getting on. It was like the Philippines!
Once we got off at the tube stop, long queues of Filipinos walked to the picnic area. It was really an unbelievable site. I guess a reported 60,000 visitors went to this Barrio Fiesta (Village Festival) last year and I wouldn't doubt if that came close over this past weekend.
I went with my fellow Britofinos and their families. As we walked in I felt like it was the Philippines. Its felt a bit commercial with all these booths trying to advertise a certain product: phone cards, condos, medical services, etc. The area was pretty huge and even include a carnival and a stage for musical performances.
Overall it was good fun. Ate some good food, kicked the football around, and even got to go up to random people and hand out free music CDs to promote a Filipino organization.
I did meet a handful of new people. And yes, some were pretty Britafinas. But nothing worth writing about unfortunately.
A few of comments about this experience:
- I didn't eat as much as I liked. I didn't even have rice!
- I did drink a lot of San Miguel in the hot weather which lead to a quick buzz.
- Sporting a tattoo is pretty common amongst Britofinos.
- Ironically out of all the Filipinos there, I bonded with a South African.
- While kicking the football around, I almost fell on my face. (My excuse: I was wearing flipflops instead of trainers like everyone else!)
- Apparently wife-beaters are called "vests" in British terms.
- Beautiful Filipina + British Accent = entirely possible
It was a good experience overall, and I hope I can go again next year!
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