Over and Out Sunday, 28 January, 2007
Posted by paperdoll in prance.2 comments
I really should be sleeping now. I do have an 8am Eurostar train bound for London to catch. Bah. My hair is still kinda wet. Should have showered earlier, but I was packing! I would use my hairdryer, but my next-door neighbour forbids it past 11pm. He is rather old and needs his beauty sleep. The wall that separates our rooms is THIN. I can er… hear him clear his throat. Not pleasant, to say the least. What’s a girl to do. Cheap rent cheap rent! Well cheap-er, at any rate. He’s quite quiet, and I am quite quiet, so we live next to each other rather harmoniously. Don’t want to spoil that now by blow-drying my hair. Besides, less frequent blow-drying never hurt anyone’s hair now, did it?
I met Hui today! So odd that we were walking and talking in Paris together today. So odd! But in a good way. She made me really realize that I’ve been here for 5 months and that much has happened in that time. Incroyable! (Un-kwa-ya-blur.) (Haha that looks funny.) Unbelievable.
My oral examination on Friday, for which I was rather nervous about, went fine. That’s that then! Semestre 1 officially over. I survived. And pretty well too. ROAR! I celebrated by going to Galeries Lafayette. Spent a long time at the Gourmet section. Even longer than at the Women’s Fashion section. (Collective gasp at this fact.) The Gourmet section is divine. D-i-v-i-n-e. Divine divine divine. I want to describe it in detail, but I’ll save that for another time. Because! I really need to go get some shut-eye NOW.
Okbyebyegoodnight!
Snow Wednesday, 24 January, 2007
Posted by paperdoll in pretty.2 comments
I awoke from slumber, flip-flopped to my window, pushed aside my curtain to look out the window and there! A magical moment to be treasured.
Snow is a-falling!
The Wind Wednesday, 24 January, 2007
Posted by paperdoll in people, places, pretty.add a comment
The wind is scary! The weather’s nuts. Over the weekend, I was feeling restless. The weather was great- sunny and quite warm! 14 degrees celcius on Saturday and 8 on Sunday. I headed out for jogs on both days to and around the lake to work off my restlessness. Today, it was 0! 0 degrees celcius with strong winds. I had to run errands, unfortunately. I piled on insulation and left for the outdoors bravely. The thing about running errands is that one needs to go in and out of different buildings. The buildings were too warm and the streets were too cold. I was alternating between feeling like I was in an oven and feeling like I was in a freezer. Mad.
Anyhow. How is 2007 treating you so far, my dear friends? Well, I hope(:
Last week, Chris (Australian I met at Yale) was in Paris and I met him at the Gare du Nord, where he arrived on Eurostar from London. After he put his luggage down in a swanky hotel right next to the Pantheon (!), we went out for dinner at St. Michel. Dinner, Notre Dame, river Seine, Shakespeare and Co.. The following day, we met at Musee d’Orsay for lunch and a tour of the entire museum. I love Musee d’Orsay! The pieces there, the place (it used to be a train station- Gare d’Orsay) itself. Love it more than the Louvre, I’d say. After that, I got ripped off for roasted chestnuts I’d been craving for grr. We walked along the Seine to the Tuileries, from where one can see the Musee d’Orsay, the Louvre, the Eiffel Tower and the Arc de Triomphe. It’s seriously magnificent. Thereafter, we headed to Champs Elysees for dinner at Quick with Zheng Yang and of course, the obligatory Louis Vuitton flagship store and La Duree (for the macaroons) visits. Chris wanted to have dinner with me again the third night, but I simply couldn’t. I was beat! Too much.
On Saturday, I attended a concert at the Grand Amphitheatre of the Sorbonne with Fabien (tall handsome German friend I’m not attracted to -snort-) and Zheng Yang. It was an orchestral performance to usher in the new year. Mighty good! Popular classical pieces, for the most part. As a treat, a singer from China performed three Chinese songs with the orchestra. Since I’m a student, I only paid 2 euros for the ticket, which is less than 10% of the original price. Superb deal.
Yesterday, I removed a standing lamp and a pee-eww ugly shelf thing from my room. I moved my closet, I re-positioned my desk, I antibacterial-wiped everything, I sorted things out. End result: satisfaction! My room is very very nice now. I should take pictures of it eh? Yes I should. Soon!
Oral examination on La France de la Belle Epoque in two days. Concentrating is proving to be tough RAH. Hui arrives on Saturday, so I’ll be meeting her. Rather exciting! On Sunday, I’m off to Cambridge to visit my cousin and to soak in the erudite-ness there. Thereafter, off on my own to Edinburgh! Very much looking forward to my me-myself-and-I holiday in Scotland.
(Note: I could include accents to make my french words proper, but I seem to be a bit lazy about that.)
2006 Monday, 15 January, 2007
Posted by paperdoll in ponder.7 comments
There hasn’t been an introspective post for a long time. It’s not because I haven’t been thinking about things. I have. Plenty. Paris is good like that… it encourages pondering. Something about the air, the architecture. Like black-and-white photography, Paris slows things down. It wills me to sit still and take it all in. That’s what’s good about this city and what I’d most like to take away from it.
2006 has been a magical year. Should have known. 26 has always been my lucky number. I’ve seen more in 2006 than ever before. It’s been nothing short of amazing. I worked very hard and played very hard too. There was a conscious effort to live live. Head on, no regrets… that sort of thing. I guess 2006 is what’s called a turning point, especially so because 2005 was such a messy what’s-happening/who-am-I/who-do-I-want-to-be year.
I’ve come to like doing things that scare me. I don’t know where it comes from but I’m glad it’s there. The time at Yale really stoked it, that much I know. The amazing people there… from the university itself and from other parts of the world. All fascinating individuals doing fascinating things. The conversations I never wanted to end. And what about New York? Overwhelming. There’s something about America, isn’t there? That makes it what it is, that pulls the rest of the world to it. I remember most the out-loud opinions, the enthusiastic hellos. The bold zest for life is inspiring. You start genuinely believing that nothing’s impossible and your dreams can absolutely for-real come true. Scary’s inevitable on the road to realizing your dreams but it’s also totally temporary. That’s what makes the scary attractive.
Paris is… interesting. Temperamental. I have a love-loathe relationship with it. It is achingly beautiful at times. When the wind blows and the sky’s a deep shade of some colour and the tall trees bend and the buildings stand stoically. It is also perfectly capable of being most frustrating. When people shrug at you and say they simply can’t help, when certain train lines go on strike, when you nearly step on dog poo. I like it and I don’t like it.
What I very much like is being on the bus, the train, the plane. 2006 saw me on many buses and trains and planes, mostly by myself. All that time to listen to songs on my ipod. To look out the window. To look at other people and construct stories of their lives. To think. To blank out. Being alone in the company of complete strangers can be oddly soothing.
I’ve learnt much about myself in 2006. I’ve also changed, which is what I like most about 2006. How I’ve changed, I can’t put my finger on and have no intention of trying hard to pinpoint. Subtly is, I suppose, the best way to put it. Here and there, a little bit, quietly. They add up to make me more me.
I am the same girl, but not really. Post-2006 me is happier. Not the euphoric/excited sort of happy that comes with anxious worries. A more low-key kind of happy. To see me through 2007 and embrace everything that is to come. A few more months in Paris, with friends visiting and to visit and to go new places with. Fun to be had, work to be done, moments to be stored away in my mind. Then it’s back to Singapore. Home. To all that’s familiar. I know when I’m on my seat on the plane bound for home, I’ll be happy that I’ve lived the year that I have here and be ready to be happy living where home is.
Here’s to 2007 being a pleasant one filled with smiles and laughter and nice surprises.
Fortnight Away Sunday, 7 January, 2007
Posted by paperdoll in people, places.6 comments
What a long hiatus! A brilliant fortnight away- four days in Venice and ten in London. Venice was a pretty sight. Not as pretty as I thought it would be, but it still delivered. I had been warned of the smells of Venice, but since it was extremely cold when I was there, it was free of unpleasant odours. A rather detailed account to remember my holiday by follows, although I really shouldn’t since I have my first final exam on Tuesday and I haven’t started my post-holiday revision. It’s right, you know- one does need a holiday from a holiday, ungrateful as that sounds.
Day 1- Visit to the doctor in my town. Food poisoning! And off I bravely went to take the train to take the bus to take the plane and then the final bus ride to my hotel just outside of Venice Venice. Joanne met me at the airport.
Day 2- Excellent lunch at a restaurant to celebrate Joanne’s 21st, where we both discovered the delicious squid ink pasta. Where I was also hit on by the waiter who served us. “Come back at 9 tonight! I offer you drink.” Too much gelato. Walked around and admired the buildings and the bridges and the water. Met an architect who showed us the inside of a house he was renovating! Took the boat and caught the sunset while on it. Shopping in the shops lining the streets, looking for the perfect murano glass ring and painted mask.
Day 3- Doge’s Palace Secret Itineraries Tour. Enjoyed that tremedously. Stories of political conspiracies and the notorious escape of Casanova from his cell, which we also visited. Second plate of squid ink pasta in Venice which was not as good as the first one. Contemplated going back to the restaurant where we had our first plate, but Joanne and I thought it awkward, since I did stand the waiter up. Bridge Rialto, where we caught the sun mid-sky. More shopping. I bought three pairs of exquisite earrings! At a shop run by a black-faced woman, at a higher-end jewelry shop and at a vintage shop that smelt strongly of incense.
Day 4- Literally spent the whole day travelling. Waited at the airport for hours. Flight delayed. Then on to the bus which was delayed too, then train and then YAY! At Joanne and Jilyn’s dorm room on UCL campus. Merry Christmas Eve! LONDON!
Day 5- Merry Christmas and down time in the room. Nothing was opened! And there was the need to conserve energy for sales starting Boxing Day. Read magazines and fluffy novels and cooked.
Day 6- Boxing Day! Walked to Oxford Street, where I shopped at my favourite Urban Outfitters and Miss Selfridge and Topshop and FCUK. Bought very nice clothes. After battling women-with-prams/weapons and scary teenagers (I just realized I’m no longer a teenager) in as zen a mood as possible, I decided to rest my tired feet at Starbucks in Borders. Browsed the magazine section for reading material. Got picked up! By a guy named Rodney who asked for my telephone number. Proceeded to Starbucks for a much-needed pick-me-up (ha) cuppa latte.
Day 7- Zihua Day! Went to Leceister Square to get tickets to Mary Poppins The Musical. Super excited. Off to Russell Square, where we had lunch at Hare and Tortoise, which serves seriously good Asian food. I had fried rice and a plum wine spritzer. The portions are very big too. I had half the fried rice and packed half for the next day. Off to Persephone Books, which was closed. Was harrassed by a young boy near it, which was quite a funny experience. Off to Portobello Market to go to the Hummingbird Bakery for its cupcakes, but it was closed too. Visited cute shops there and sat down for tea and muffins. Mary Poppins time! SO GOOD. I’ve loved the movie for ages and was afraid the musical would not do it justice, but no it did. There was more plot development, and it really was a very magical experience. Zihua and I then discovered that we were staying in neighbouring buildings. Me with my friends at UCL and her with her friends in LSE, but really I knew her friends and she knew mine.
Day 8- Bought yoghurt-covered and chocolate-covered nuts and fruits. I love them. Hopped on a bus to go to Camden Market, which I loved the last time I was there. Didn’t like it much this time, so I spent only an hour or so there. Bought interesting food from Marks and Spencer and continued reading a book I’d started back in room, and to watch Rent The Musical on Jilyn’s laptop. It’s SO ENJOYABLE! Highly recommended. Packed to move the next day.
Day 9- Moved to Angela+Tien Tien+Shining’s house. After a bit of chat with Shining, I left to trawl Oxford Street again. I know- hopeless shopaholic. Ended up in Borders to read a book- my feet were aching from my 8 days of walking (minus Christmas Day) in high-heeled boots. After a panini at Starbucks (I love paninis), I was revived (a little) and bought a ticket to see Ben Elton’s We Will Rock You, which was a musical based on Queen’s songs. Not bad, but Mary Poppins is still better, and Rent even more so.
Day 10- Slept in till about noon in Angela’s big bed, since she wasn’t back from her holiday yet. Comfy. Gorgeous sunny weather. Millenium Bridge, then Tate Modern Museum. I love Tate Modern! Modern art housed in a former power station. Absolutely loved it. Onward to Shakespeare’s The Globe, which was right next-door. Pouring rain. The rain then stopped and was replaced by SUPER STRONG WINDS. Felt like I was going to be blown off the Millenium Bridge when I was on it. Met Angela and we had dinner with her cell group. More Singaporeans! Watched Love Actually back at home. Perfect.
Day 11- Covent Garden with Angela. Cornish Pasty and Ben’s Cookies. Met Tien Tien and Crystal (a fellow house-guest) at Sainsbury’s to shop for our decadent get-fat New Year’s Eve dinner. Rested, made the dinner, had the dinner, sang songs from RGS! Sounds a little odd, but it really was very fun\: OOO ooo, get it, RG girls reading? How can one not love the accompanying sounds. Watched TV, played bridge. Watched the fireworks around the London Eye on the tele- magnificent.
Day 12- Time to move again! Off to Charlotte’s. I came to know Charlotte over the summer session at Yale. We had dinner at a nice pizza place where we caught up with each other. Then, it was off to watch Casino Royale armed with popcorn and Ben & Jerry’s. I thought Daniel Craig wouldn’t be a good Bond, but he really is a good one. He’s sexy and so is Eva Green.
Day 13- This was quite a day. Panini breakfast. Yay panini! Leceister Square to get Les Miserables tickets. Harrod’s, where we looked at things we still couldn’t really afford at the discounted prices. Krispy Kremes and La Duree. Walked down Sloane Street and King Street. Had tea with Charlotte’s spunky grandmother in her house. Fortnum and Mason next. It’s a grand departmental store. Very old-school. Time for Les Miserables! A musical that’s been on stage as long as I have been in existence. I didn’t enjoy it as much as I enjoyed Mary Poppins, but it was definitely more enjoyable than We Will Rock You.
Day 14- Eurostar from London back to Paris! Zihua had been staying in my room with a friend. Friend had left, but she was still there. We left for tea at Angelina (which supposedly serves the best hot chocolate in Paris). I left Zihua after to go back and unpack and make a collage on my wall of pictures, postcards, ticket stubs and things like that. It’s quite nice. Rather soothing to have it in my room. Feels more like MY ROOM now.
There you have it! Fourteen days of fun, with accompanying photos. I know it’s 2007, but the fact that it’s a new year doesn’t ever really kick in for me until a week or two after it does, so… I will write my thoughts on 2006 and my wishes for 2007 in time.
