Christmas

Christmas is still roughly a month away and the glittering lights are popping up all over the shopping malls in Singapore. There might be a recession going on right now, but the stalls are still going all out to woo consumers to spend during this festive season. What I truly miss though, is something far far away, on the other side of the globe: the Christmas Markets in UK... especially the one in Manchester!

To my horror and dismay, I don't actually have in my possession any proper photos of the markets to speak of. No talking moose head on top of the wooden shed selling mulled wine and eggnog. (They are very friendly too, offering free cinnamon cookies to accompany your beverages as you warm yourself up).

The best start to visiting the market has always been this drinks shed as you pick from various brews like Mulled Wine (yes I am biased towards this, I am an alchie, so what?!), Eggnog, Hot Chocolate with flavourings like hazelnut or almond, Irish Coffee, etc. etc. You then cosy up in a corner with your friends as you warm up from the freezing temperatures and take in the crowd, smells, lights and fantastic atmosphere. From your excellent vantage point you spot an opening in the snaking queue around the Bratwurst Stall commanding the centre of St. Albert's Square and slip right in to claim some of those huge German Sausages before proceeding to browse through the offerings of the other stalls.

The old stalwarts of Danish Cookies and Chocolate coated fruit on sticks aren't to be missed. However, you don't have to rush there either because they will be there for the rest of the month, ready to gratify your sinful cravings (a mid-day or after school snack perhaps? City is sssssssssoooooooo near to Northern Campus after all) so for now, you are satisfied with just strolling amongst the crowd and checking out the newcomers and their wares. Over the past 3 years there have been delightful additions like giant choux buns, the pungent garlic cheese (I think there was once Brian, Clarence and I all bought a wedge of this back home within a day of each other), paellas were the newcomers 2 years back and hugely popular.

I will gladly admit that I am guilty of frequenting the Christmas Markets in St. Albert's and St. Ann's square way too often. I've even managed to find pick out respectable Xmas gifts from the trinkets stalls more than once. Oh yes, I am definitely a sucker for them. Maybe the Markets cast some sort of enchantment on me with their gay spirits and sprinkled Christmas dust onto me. Yes I am rambling, I know. But honestly, Christmas in Singapore just pales in comparison.

Last Day In Manchester

Fittingly, my last dinner in Manchester was in the cosy setting of Room Manchester Restaurant. I've come to really like the friendly service and good, but affordable food served here. Maybe friends have even come to associate the place with me!

My last day in Manchester was surprisingly beautiful. The sun was out the whole day and the temperature pleasantly cool. To top it all off, we saw this rainbow from our table side window during dinner. You can barely see it... but it is there.

I don't mean to be melodramatic, but it is as if Manchester was saying goodbye to me and reminding me that there is always something good and beautiful in life. Just pay a little more attention and put in a bit more effort, it will all be worth while when you do see that rainbow that was there all along, waiting for you to discover it.

Goodbye Manchester. Fare you well. Thank you for the memories.


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Now playing: 似曾相识 - David Tao
via FoxyTunes

Graduation

With the end of this phase of my life, of course pictures have to be taken to commemorate graduating. Really glad to be done and am looking forward to starting on my career. More photos are on facebook and flickr and it was a beautiful day with smiles all around.

And It Did Stop Raining

About 2 hours after my rant, the clouds broke cover and the sun finally broke free. Seems like someone up there heard me and was granting me a reprieve. Seizing the opportunity, I headed to town for a walk and do what I usually do on these solitary walks: look.

Looking at family and couples lazing on the grass or playing the water fountain at Piccadilly Gardens.
Looking at the shopping throng in Arndale hunting for sales bargains.
Looking at the clouds float by while sitting at the big screen.
Looking at flowers and stalls in the market at St. Albert Square.

So it was that my footsteps brought me back to school and such a strong sense of nostalgia struck me as I looked at the red brick buildings of old - so distinct of Manchester's industrial history - and couldn't help but smile. I've changed in these ancient buildings, chilled to the bones in winter as the bricks did nothing to insulate us from the elements. Truly, I am a Northern Manc, for these are the sights I will remember Manchester by:

I'm Fed Up! Stop Raining!

Stop raining! Alright, I know being rained on is part of what living in Manchester is about, but give it a break already and let me enjoy this final summer in the UK. Seriously, counting the real number of days I have left in Manchester, it amounts to no more than 8 days. After I return from my trip with Mom and Sis, it is almost immediately off to Singapore I fly.

So...stop raining. Let the sun out. It'll be too late very soon.

feeling: rained on

Time to go...

So it begins. The time to get my feet wet and start slaying these papers have begun. The imagery in my mind is something like that of a trench battlefield - just try your best to last through it all and don't make any stupid mistakes. First up, Management 3!


Oooo...It seems that going to NY might be possible after all this summer. We'll see how things go after SIA and Krisflyer gets back to me regarding that free ticket.

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Now playing: Ryan Cabrera - In Between Lights
via FoxyTunes

Very Full @ Michael Caines

Lunch was a grazing affair at Michael Caine's in Abode Manchester with many dainty little dishes to excite your palette in different ways. The idea of a western dim sum style lunch to have as much choice as possible without over stuffing oneself was well executed here as I was thoroughly satisfied.

The marrying of Asian herbs with scallops was skilfully done and the Japanese mushrooms with sesame seaweed and bean sprouts that accompanied the fish served as a refreshing counterpoint to the strong lemongrass foam sauce.

Not that the classical European styled dishes were lacking in any quality either! The duck risotto is probably one of the best risotto I've ever had and I really hope it is something the chef can pull off consistently and not just an one-off on the day. Nothing much to say about the lamb as it was just classically cooked, but very flavourful and presented very elegantly.

Overall, 3.8/5 as I felt the chef was a little too enthusiastic about using foam as a novelty point in the dishes. It loses to Room's rating of 4.25/5 only for price, even when not using the Magnificent 7 offer they have in Room. Service was very friendly and attentive (might have to do with how only 3 tables were occupied) and the staff knew the menu well. Very enjoyable experience and I am looking forward to returning and try the set lunch menu.

Duck confit risotto -

Wild mushrooms

Pan-fried scallops -

Caramelised cauliflower purée,
sweet raisin vinaigrette and cauliflower
and cumin velouté

Best-end of Herdwick lamb

Onion and thyme purée, fondant potato
and tapenade jus

Slow poached sea bass -

Thai purée, stir-fry of mangetout,
shiitake mushrooms and bean sprouts
with lemongrass foam

Passion fruit soufflée -

vanilla bourbon ice cream

Millefeuille banana parfait -

caramelised banana and lime coulis

Field Day

My newly acquired sandals were broken in today for the very purpose I bought them: sunny days in the park! :) My solar batteries are fully charged and I'm good for another few hours of intense revision.

Sandals: "Hello world~~"

Close up Non-Squeaky

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Now playing: Rufus Wainwright - Cigarettes and Chocolate Milk
via FoxyTunes

Exam Timetable

This is it, the final 5 papers I will be taking as an undergraduate student here in the University of Manchester's faculty of Mechanical, Aerospace and Civil Engineering (MACE). Fittingly and mercifully, the hardest paper is also the last of them all.


1. Management 3 @ 15/05/2008 from 0945 - 1145

2. Advanced Aircraft Design @ 19/05/2008 from 0945 - 1145

3. Aeroacoustic @ 21/05/2008 from 0945 - 1145

4. Advanced Aerospace Propulsion @ 29/05/2008 from 0945 - 1145


5. Advanced Aerospace Structures @ 30/05/2008 from 1400 - 1600

A pretty well spread out schedule for me as revision hits the high gears now. Tat will be camping in the library as usual while I get into my own routine of guzzling countless cups of Chinese Tea and pumping music out in order to drown out Clarence's.

Conversation topics nowadays among friends invariably gravitate towards what one's plans for the future might be and if you are in the "stay in UK and tough it out" camp or the "going home to where you belong" camp. Personally, I don't have a preference for either choices, but career prospects for the aerospace industry in Asia are booming right now with Singapore as a prime location to dive into the field and get involved in the growth of the business due the country's huge investments and contributions to China's and India's expanding market in aero-nautical transportation. (Both passenger and freight)

Thus the beginning of the end is upon us, but I am actually looking forward to embarking onto the next phase. Before all of that though, farewells have to be said and hugs given to people you suddenly realise you won't see again - possibly forever. It is definitely a bitter-sweet experience leaving the UK for good after spending nearly 6 years here interspersed with my National Service in between. The connections and bonds made however, I will bring them home with me and put in every effort to ensure they aren't severed. For it is thanks to these one or two connections that I have had the opportunity to experience love here in Manchester. So, thank you, I love you too.

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Now playing: Nicole Kidman - One Day I'll Fly Away
via FoxyTunes

It Was A Beautiful Day

Enjoyed myself immensely this weekend. Cosy Korean dinner in fallowfield and watching random movies in bed. Enjoying the sunshine and exploring Manchester by letting our feet do the thinking. It really was a beautiful day.

Remember remember, the 5th of November

Fireworks display at Plattfields Park

p.s. I love this new background song.

SingNite!!!

SINGNITE!!! Yes, finally, the pics from the formal dinner and dance night held in Manchester for ALL Singaporeans in U.K. are in. It wasn't a stuffy puffed up event, but more like a social gathering for everyone to have a chance to dress up and have a nice evening together in a relaxed atmosphere. Frankly, despite the cheap wine and horrendous food, I enjoyed myself immensely that night. It must have been the wonderful company I had throughout.

The boyzz

Me n Clifford

Yuan

Some pics at reception before the dinner

Left to Right : Me, Ling, Yovita, Brian

Was sssssssooooo happy that Ling agreed to be my date for the night, even though she was quite reluctant to do so. Can you tell I was just elated and overjoyed? :P



I kid ;P I was absolutely thrilled she came. The fact she enjoyed herself in spite of her earlier reservations made it all the better!

Nice shot of Brian and Cathleen

Shu Mei and Kristie

Our dear Emcees for the event, Sujatha and Clifford

Qi Lian and Kuan Ching

Sebez with the gals

Lay May with Yuan

Shu Mei and Alec

Aaron and Tracy

Brian, smile, show some teeth! Like Yovita

CHEERS!

OOOHHHH~~ Mask neh...

Mei Xuan with Alec... why the boys always dun smile.. even me...

Ling and Clifford smiling nicely together

Clifford, Philemon and Zhi Wei

Me with Best Fwen Shu Mei and Angry Fwen Brian. Hahaha~~

Clifford n me again

Group Hug!

the usual suspects

Table shot

Smile!

That's it! Everyone looked different, didn't they? :) Pat, look, I found someone who turns as red if not redder than you after drinking! However, she doesn't throw it all up afterwards like you do. Thank goodness. XP