<body><script type="text/javascript"> function setAttributeOnload(object, attribute, val) { if(window.addEventListener) { window.addEventListener('load', function(){ object[attribute] = val; }, false); } else { window.attachEvent('onload', function(){ object[attribute] = val; }); } } </script> <div id="navbar-iframe-container"></div> <script type="text/javascript" src="https://apis.google.com/js/platform.js"></script> <script type="text/javascript"> gapi.load("gapi.iframes:gapi.iframes.style.bubble", function() { if (gapi.iframes && gapi.iframes.getContext) { gapi.iframes.getContext().openChild({ url: 'https://www.blogger.com/navbar.g?targetBlogID\x3d35559745\x26blogName\x3dMy+castle+in+the+air+where+I+dream\x26publishMode\x3dPUBLISH_MODE_BLOGSPOT\x26navbarType\x3dBLUE\x26layoutType\x3dCLASSIC\x26searchRoot\x3dhttps://mycastleofdreams.blogspot.com/search\x26blogLocale\x3den_US\x26v\x3d2\x26homepageUrl\x3dhttp://mycastleofdreams.blogspot.com/\x26vt\x3d4608764988068280806', where: document.getElementById("navbar-iframe-container"), id: "navbar-iframe", messageHandlersFilter: gapi.iframes.CROSS_ORIGIN_IFRAMES_FILTER, messageHandlers: { 'blogger-ping': function() {} } }); } }); </script>
•
I'll swing left and you'll step right
9:41 AM
I'll swing left and you'll step right

Its 2am and I have yet to take a bath and I still have European Union seminar work to finish so that I can complete my Criminal Process and Constitutional & Administrative law seminar tomorrow night so that this weekend I can hopefully cross-off some tasks on my to-do list.

Wtf, November is coming to an end and I'm still in the "beginning-of-term I just came back to UK" mental frame. And why is my chronic cough getting worse despite my abstinence from drinking cold drinks and why la do I feel like I'm gonna get a nosebleed real soon? =.=

I think its a bit childish but I cannot help feeling that way because its like wth now you make the decision when you could have made a decision earlier so that it can all go well (at least for me and I'm also sure it wouldn't really throw you off-track) but no you have to leave it till now. But then I realised that its quite selfish of me because I still get the benefit and therefore whichever way the decision is made it really shouldn't be a big deal. And I think it could be possibly pretty good for me in a sense if I make the best out of it.

Whew, what was that all about?!

I am not going to stop work and go to bed because I know once I take a nice warm shower I will go into my preparing-for-bedtime mode and my work will be half finished.

I want to meet someone who knows how the game is supposed to be played.
It would be a refreshing change.

Written on Wednesday, November 26, 2008; 9:41 AM
2 comments
•
Where it ebbs and flows with the sweet smell of candy apples
11:59 PM
Where it ebbs and flows with the sweet smell of candy apples

I wanted to write a soul-searching post but I'm not sure about what I want to write, or rather what I dare to write after looking within. There's still those days where I don't understand the world, or you or even myself, or how I would come to think and feel this way. Too many slides, too many people, too many masks and roles and holding back. On some days my skin fits perfectly on me and on other days the rough edges snags on a jagged nail, stopping me cold.

I'm smart enough to realise that I don't know and understand fully what I want and envy but I'm not that smart enough to stay away from things that sway too far to the edge for my own good. I crave for different things at different times and I don't understand why.

I love not with blazing desire but with a quiet glow that sometimes flickers and strengthens, sometimes nearly forgotten, sometimes seemingly extinguished with a preparatory brace of hope and disappointment but somehow, somewhere, it is still alive.

What would you say if you knew that I loved that person? And what would you think of me if you heard what I told her? Would you judge me or would you look at me awkwardly or would you pat my hand and tell me that it will be alright?

I really don't know. And sometimes I think that I don't care. But than you come along and remind me of the why's and the reasons to curb and to yield. And that everything has a pricetag that has to be paid either by me or by someone else.

Don't spoil me this one time, let me pay this one on my own. You have already paid and bought for me chances one too many times, knowingly and unknowingly.

But if I fall, than help me up so that I may learn.

Written on Monday, November 24, 2008; 11:59 PM
0 comments
•
With care, something that beats whipped cream and chocolate sprinkles
5:40 PM
With care, something that beats whipped cream and chocolate sprinkles

I finally bought a heater after spending a very cold night huddled under my blankets cuz it was -2 degrees celcius last night and Liberty Park's heaters don't seem to give out enough warmth.

My toes are being warmed by my new heater and the rest of me is warmed by my dear lovely flatmate who made me a mug of hot chocolate after hearing me whine and panic about tomorrow's 2 seminars and the fact that I would love to have a McD's, a Starbucks and a Chinese restaurant serving home-cooked food on the same street as my flat. Its nice to have housemates who are friends instead of strangers...

I'm so screwed cuz I have International Law seminar and Consumer & Contracting seminar to prep for, which means at least 120 pages to read, 9 structural &1 problem question to answer.

Nevermind, I will die tomorrow and come back to life on Tuesday when there is badminton and tonight there is rump steak, salad and eclairs to look forward to for dinner!

Go me!!! =D

Written on Sunday, November 23, 2008; 5:40 PM
0 comments
•
Discounting the discounts
10:07 AM
Discounting the discounts

Marks & Spencer has a 20% discount on all items (excluding food) today and I can't go to look look see see because my schedule today is jam-packed with classes and I'm still preparing for my Criminal Process seminar which coincidentally talks about plea bargainings and 'discounts' that offenders get off their sentence if they plead guilty at first reasonable opportunity!

*cross fingers and hope for another discount day*

Back to reading my textbook while my hungry tummy rumbles...

Written on Thursday, November 20, 2008; 10:07 AM
0 comments
•
Will you be for me or against me?
2:35 AM
Will you be for me or against me?

I want to bury myself in a cocoon under fluffy comforters where I can feel safe knowing that in the darkness no matter what, there is that shelter of warmth and protection. Where I can close my eyes and let it all drift away and there's nothing but the sound of silence.

I'm keeping my fingers crossed for you.

Written on Tuesday, November 18, 2008; 2:35 AM
0 comments
•
The happy plastic twinge
9:42 PM
The happy plastic twinge

I have 3 bloody seminars tomorrow and I'm taking a trip down memory lane when I don't have time for shit like that. Why la am I such a sucker for things that will make me wanna kick myself later on?! If you ever discover why, please tell me and I will give you my stash of Lindt truffles!

Hmm, I realise that I use a heck of a lot of profanities. Tsk tsk.

Right now it feels like I won't ever say goodbye.

And that is a very comforting feeling.

Written on Sunday, November 16, 2008; 9:42 PM
0 comments
•
Green fishbubbles that I have
1:44 AM
Green fishbubbles that I have

My dad e-mailed me saying that my cousins got 5A's for their UPSR this year and one of them is from the school that is top in the Wilayah district again and I hope they didn't kick my old school's butt in terms of results! Her school even had a mini convocation on results day and loads of parents attended along with reporters from The Star. In my time, all we had were teachers pinning up results sheets and students swarming all over them. As for parental attendance, lets just say that if you wanted to tell your parents immediately, you had to queue up for the public phone cuz mobiles were huge and couldn't be snuck in and we didn't have one of our own!

Oh oh oh and did I mention both my cousins are girls? Hehe. The girl tradition continues... =)

Anyway, out of curiosity I googled to see how well SKTM did this year and I couldn't find the results but what I found was pretty interesting. The PTA of the school has its own blog now and that 12 year-old students have their own blogs and digital cameras and mobiles. Sigh. When I was 12 I didn't even have MSN. =S Oh how times have changed... I saw some pictures and things seemed to have changed quite a bit, my beloved fishpond looks different now, the science lab looks much older but with funkier-shaped tables and they have freaking amazing ICT labs! Even the annual collectmoremoney-thon prizes are wonderful things like iPods and cameraphones instead of BMX bikes! School syllabus seems more interesting with robotics experiments and whatnots and on an overall, my old school seems to be doing pretty good. I think I'll go back and take a little look-see next summer if I do go back home..

Something a little funny and scary at the same time, the internet can be so small at times that it feels kinda weird in a 'omg did that's so funny-weird but how on earth can it happen cuz the chances are like what, near to impossible and its a bit freaky that it happened?!'

You ask me what I believe in?

And I'd tell you that I believe in a good many things at different times, but I'll always believe in you. That you are watching out for me in your own way and helping me smile when I can't seem to do it on my own.

Written on ; 1:44 AM
2 comments
•
Just because, you know
7:54 PM
Just because, you know

I feel so relieved that its another week of classes over but at the same time worried because time is running out and I've got a lot of things to do in the short-term (like within the next 2 weeks) and I have yet to start on them. Super stressing out with pimples, though I suspect that is more due to late sleeping and fried, unhealthy food.

Lately the temperatures been dropping and it gets dark by 4pm but today's moon was spotted at 5.30pm and it was simply large and glowing and so awe-inspiring that it kinda makes up for it. I've seen some of the most beautiful night scenes here in UK; luminously soft rays with twinkling stars among the velvet blackness of the sky in the crispy cold air. It makes you feel a little warmer as you're huddling by the bustop waiting for the bus with bags of groceries.

Today, I started down the slippery slope of seminar skipping. I slept at 2am last night and couldn't drag myself out of bed for my 9am constitutional seminar and I'm a little disappointed at myself because I did the work, I rather like the subject and because I wanted to have a perfect record of attendance after last year. And also because I could have made it, albeit a lot of rushing and a little late entrance but I was too lazy to do it. Sigh.

On a random note, I really like my table lamp and I don't know how I managed to survive in UK without it previously. And I foresee that I shall need to get a heater when winter really sets in or I shall freeze because I persist in wearing short-sleeve tops under my coat and shorts at home.

Its a bit weird because I don't know what who is saying about whom and I'm curious in a way but I don't think I shall find out. I guess its a small world after all and I think its all meant in a friendly way. *crosses fingers* On another note, I'm really missing all my friends who aren't in Coventry and I don't know how many of you actually read this so if you do, I would love it if you dropped me a comment/IM/e-mail (cuz I really like getting e-mails that are not just the usual forwards)!

Just a little cheer-upper on what consumerism can do for your mood! =) The Radley bag is for my sister, the cardholder purse is for Crystal's birthday and the Estee Lauder Beyond Paradise perfume is for me which smells really yummy!

I've got a couple of posts in the brewing but I shall watch my dramas and have a good round of Mario Kart Wii and cards tonight with my dear housemates first!

Written on Friday, November 14, 2008; 7:54 PM
7 comments
•
7 tiny buttons
5:14 AM
7 tiny buttons

I've finally realised the joys of wearing thin, buttery-soft cotton cardigans under coats. Note to self, cardigan and long-sleeved top spree coming up this weekend!

The weather was freezing today and I could barely stop shivering like a spastic idiot while waiting for the bus. And I got bus sick again today. Bother all number 12 bus drivers who speed and do sudden brakes and swerve up on curbs! As though the Monday blues ain't bad enough... My elbows are starting to feel sore and crackly each time they come into contact with something eventhough I put oodles of lotion on them. Any recommendations to avoid that?

I don't really have a reason for blogging today, except to say that dinner consists of 6 grapes, 5 prawns and 1 scone with cream and jam. And that's because I had chicken takeaway with the girls for tea after classes!

Oh oh oh and I really really like Gossip Girl! I remember reading the books some years back and I wasn't too impressed by them which was why I kept putting off watching the show. But I was hooked onto it by the first 2 minutes of the 1st episode which tells you how deliciously yummy the show is. Quick go watch it all of you people who haven't already done so!

I'm going to watch some drama and have a nice warm shower and relax because tomorrow I have no tutorials and I get to play some badminton finally. Yay!

Written on Tuesday, November 11, 2008; 5:14 AM
4 comments
•
Consumerism makes me feel better today
12:02 PM
Consumerism makes me feel better today

Because I've been so wordy, this is for all you people who don't like reading my rambles. =P

London on 5th October at Canary Wharf where I went to watch Les Miserables with Kah Yang and his friend. The theatre was small and the steps were so steep that I was terrified and clutching on the the railing cuz if I fell, it seemed like I would topple straight down to the stage which was a far way down. LM was a good watch, perhaps a tad long but I really enjoyed it cuz I read the book and the singing was great. Had my much craved for Malaysian food and headed back to Yang's place which is much nicer and bigger than mine. Slept at 6am that morning and was supposed to go to mass at Westminster Cathedral but failed because parts of the Underground wasn't working, hence no transport. The Canary Wharf tube station leads off into this really posh office buildings along with nice restaurants where we ate Nando's which is gazillion times better than Msia's Nando's and very nice shops.

You like the dress the mannequin's wearing? Take a closer look.... Yeap, that's right, her dress and the stand is made out of Financial Times!
The shops, which looks like a PJ mall except when you realise the clothes are way more high-fashion and the price tag way more exorbitant, even with the exchange rate of 5.7. My attempt to take a surrounding picture of the Canary Wharf area which is a high-financial area which means very posh and expensive. I managed to capture 2 iconic London signs in it, the red-double decker and the Underground sign which is pretty tiny in this pic....
After my complaints that my surrounding pic wasn't nice, Kah Yang decided to show me how it was done and took the above picture. Very, very nice Kah Yang. =P But you managed to capture the bane of last year's life, the HSBC which took away my shopping money...=(Classy areas can't be just all modern buildings, must also have some greenery...the weather wasn't too good cuz it was raining as usual.

Next up is Birmingham, the 2nd largest city in UK which has the largest mall in UK and supposedly Europe as well. I went there to celebrate a flatmate's birthday and we had Malaysian food which they all loved! =)
Birmingham City Gallery I think...its quite a nice old building spoilt by the 2 red poppies on the balcony. There were people selling this paper poppies in memory of the WWII.
Birmingham town hall which kinda reminds me of a Roman or Greek classic building. I love how UK has so many of this old-fashioned buildings along with clean, modern ones. I don't know who this gentleman was, but he was holding papers that said 'Free Vote', 'Liberty', 'Democracy' and all such pleasant things.
Me looking very chubby on the side view of the gallery. Gosh, I really need to step up the salads and decrease the snacking. =(
A random picture because it was lousy weather and all grey...
McDonald's, America's little stamp on the rest of the world. I have decided to take pictures of McD's and Starbucks in every new place that I go to just to do a tally of places I've visited.
The Bullring, the famous shopping mall. I only covered like maybe 10% in the 3 hours I was there? This place is super huge and I can't wait to go back there again. Ooh and I bought a very comfy grey sweater from MNG in the picture for 15 pounds only to discover 4 days later at Primark that there was a similar design for 4 pounds. Nevermind...quality counts! =P
Watching people stream past colourful shops makes me glad...Imma city girl all right.
St. Martin's church which is located at the bottom of the avenue of the above picture. Imagine going for mass on Sunday morning than having UK's largest mall just a few steps away... The birthday girl, Crystal is in this picture eventhough she doesn't realise it. Hehe. The 7th Starbucks I've seen in Birmingham and I've only been to the train station, the town hall area and the mall which is really close by. I discovered that Body Shop here sells 3 extra body butter flavours which I think Malaysia doesn't sell, coconut shimmer, Japanese cherry blossom and Moringa which smells so good that I'd have bought it if it was on promotion. Sadly, I haven't found a Body Shop that sells stuff cheaper than Malaysia...
I thought Borders back home was decent, but this one puts it to shame with 4 freaking stories!

There will be more Birmingham pictures coming up along with Coventry pictures as soon as I can get them from my flatmate. I've gotta go do some Consumer and Commercial Contracting work because I've been up since 10am and done no studying nor cooking and I'm hungry!

Written on Friday, November 07, 2008; 12:02 PM
3 comments
•
Orange wooden tables
7:30 PM
Orange wooden tables

I loved this person long before I realised it and I will continue to do so because I cannot and will not stop myself. And that, is a good thing because there is more to it than just that.

On to more prosaic things, I am going out to watch Quantum of Solace, the new James Bond show in exactly 75 minutes time and I have yet to bathe and make dinner. I am obviously still the same girl who runs out of the door 5 minutes late juggling her mobile and her handbag.

Written on Sunday, November 02, 2008; 7:30 PM
0 comments
•
Reading week has come to town!
2:00 PM
Reading week has come to town!

Its the start of reading week and I'm lovin' it!!!

Went to Birmingham yesterday afternoon to celebrate my flatmate's birthday and I bought something and took pictures eventhough the weather was not very nice. Pictures will come later I promise. Had Malaysian food and my pricey but beloved laksa and other food that I will not normally gush over back home but here the home-cooked taste and extortionate price sets me to lavish praise on it.

Am going marketing soon and I need to get dressed because I've been eating brunch and playing Wii in my dressing gown and I missed mass today too. I'll be back! =)

Written on ; 2:00 PM
0 comments

Flip My Past:
  • Today
  • Dissertation
  • Pictures post Barcelona
  • A sad but true possibility
  • Changes
  • The dream that you wish will come true
  • white horses
  • but for
  • Self stupidity.
  • belle maison

    • October 2006 November 2006 December 2006 January 2007 February 2007 March 2007 April 2007 May 2007 June 2007 July 2007 August 2007 September 2007 October 2007 November 2007 January 2008 March 2008 April 2008 June 2008 July 2008 August 2008 September 2008 October 2008 November 2008 December 2008 January 2009 February 2009 March 2009 April 2009 May 2009 June 2009 July 2009 August 2009 September 2009 October 2009 November 2009 December 2009 January 2010 March 2010 April 2010 May 2010 June 2010 July 2010 October 2010 January 2011 February 2011 April 2011 July 2011 August 2011 September 2011

    Profile; The Blogger




    Siew Yen
    22
    London
    Comments/Enquiries
    Cbox, Flashbox, Haloscan, Chatterbox.

    Friends
    An Yi the baby genius
    Bernice the doctor-in-making
    Clareen adores rain
    emanazrin the photographer
    Kah Yang the economist & Wai Ee the accountant
    Kinz loves his kicks
    William the ambulance driver
    Zhan Sheng the professor



    Credits Inspirations: DelusiveFantasies
    Image: deviant!
    Designer/ Base: jtt.justin
    xo
    (C) Jtt '08.