"Verbal" Diarrhaea

The month long Olympics in Beijing has ended & itz 4 yr till the next Olympics in London!!

Marpig wanted to quickly get her CEng & move to smwhere else but!! She actually registered to be a volunteer in the 2012 Olympics (not confirmed being selected until nearer to the date)!! Hmmm... does tt mean she will still be in the UK for so much longer? Hmmm... might be... but no, shez not gonna retire in the UK

Marpig mentioned tt her company is in the process of making pple redundant & itz still ongoing. *xed her trotters* Marpig am safe since she is still doing healthcare projects (link to projects Marpig am working on can be found in previous bloggie entries) & hear!! hear!! Marpig am involved in building 1 of the many buildings in the Athletez Village in Stratford!! Just had the 1st meeting with the team todae in London!! Wow!!

Marpig mentioned previously (when she was anxious whether she will be the crab tt will get hit by a falling stone) bout wat else can she be if she isnt an engr. However, it bcame clearer tt Marpig really loves being an engr, a consultant

As mentioned, Marpig liked science bcos of tt 1st Lego set she got as a present from her uncle long long time ago when she was in primary sch. She always thought tt she had chosen engring in the uni bcos her sis advised her to (Marpig wanted to chose math or sci actually but Marpigz sis talked or... a-hem, scared Marpig out of it)

Little did Marpig noe, it is in her tt she loves engring. May be bcos Marpig likes to gain knowledge & to question ths. Marpig wants recognition, appreciation & see products of her efforts. Marpig wanted to share her ideas, her limited knowledge, to engage in conversions bout everyth, etc

Marpig really loves her career now, despite the fact tt she still got to bite on in the early yrs but at the end of 2009 and even 2012, she will be able to finally see smth she has designed & built!!

Yes, end users may not know who are the pple bhind it all but seeing the finished pcs of "artworks" is the best satisfaction Marpig could get (of cos, if end users have praises for the "artworks" it would be better!!) Hmmm... no wonder Marpig wanted to retire as a lecturer... :)

TT aside, Marpig just conquered the highest mountain in England & Wales!! The mountain is Snowdon in Snowdonia, North Wales, & itz 1085 m!! Actually, itz so much lower than Mt Stong which Marpig conquered too & even lower than Mt Kinabalu which Dingko Nut conquered!!

However, the climb was so scary!! Itz not muddy mud mud & therez no trees to distract Marpig from the heights!! Itz wet rocks (though not entirely slippery) since the water falls down these rocks & itz much like rock climbing. The best part is~~ ~ the route Marpig took was around the edge!! AH~~~~~~~!! :D Shall blog more bout it smtime later... (got to fin tt Italy trip. Tsk) But Marpig am so glad she made it (despite wanting to give up many times then)!!

TT aside, Marpig visited sm of the village shops in North Wales & therez this interesting coaster with this sentence on it, "The best man for a job is a woman" muahaahahahahaha this is so taking the piss!! But Marpig likes it!! All right, all right, letz be fair to both gender!!

Easily being misunderstood for pple who cant decipher watz going on in a cancerianz mind, pple might thought tt Marpig is a feminist. Well, not entirely. Marpig just wanted to fight for appreciation for the "weaker" gender

Marpigz idealogy is tt God is fair. Although He makes men physically stronger than women, He bestowed women the ability to procreate. He is fair bcos although He made men & women different physically, both genders have the same brain capability. Sadly, bcos women are physically weaker than men, they have taken on the roles of "gatherers" while men are "hunters"

Whether itz in the eastern or western worlds, women were confined in the houses to learn to cook, knit, do household chores etc & to be literate is either minimal or none at all. No wonder the world see more of male inventors and so little of female inventors (there are but very few)

Likewise, there are men who xcel in ths tt are "traditionally" considered for women such as baby sitting (yes), cooking & even knitting!! (Marpigz dad noes it ok!!)

Hence, instead of only having eyes for seeing the "lacking" in each other, both genders should (as wat God would hope) come together, understand each other & complement each otherz strengths. Don understand y pple like to see the bad sides of pple... or is it often easier to look on the dark side of ths?

TTz aside, when Marpig was travelling in North Wales (famous for having sheeps all over!!) Marpig notices smth funny: Why is it tt black sheeps have white wool? Why dont we have natural black wool? :D

Columinst Response to Mr Calendarz Comment

Itz a gd th tt Mr Calendar manages to see more of the outside world!! However, there are certain clarifications to be made:

1) For pple who has been reading Marpigz bloggie from Day 1, one would realised & have followed Marpigz route to understanding many ths in life. Marpig identified problems/inequalities in life, talked bout them, vent her frustration & often come to the same conclusion tt the world is as it is (sad but yeah)

2) It seems like Marpig am bias bcos she always seems to be very critical bout the ugly side of Singapore. So much so tt it appears tt Marpig favours other countries but not Singapore.

TTz not the case!! Imagine, just like a mother who so loves her child, she will be very critical bout everyth her child does & nags all the time. She sings praises to others bout her child but reprimands the child & teach the child bhind closed doors (Gahmen should do tt instead of finding xcuses to "protect" Singaporeans)

Similarly, Marpig so loves her country tt she is very critical bout all the problems she sees which she doesnt initially. Marpig praises Singapore to outsiders; but analyses & critically dwells into the heart of the problems Singapore am facing to fellow Singaporeans. This is to set pple thinking (which are lacking in so many pple) & improving. Not every1 has the chance to go out to see the world & so Marpig hopes via sharing, brings bout knowledge, sets pple thinking, pple take actions for change. Hopefully readers understand where Marpig am coming from. Ya noe, no point in engaging in self-deniance or self-praise. Identify rm for improvement, be humble & take action, not lip service or xcuses

3) In Marpigz previous bloggie entry, the main idea is DARE TO BE DIFFERENT. Alot of Singaporeans, in fact, all Singaporeans noe watz the problems. However, 99% of them dare not to be different. Instead, they choose to follow the herd

Ask yrself, will u stand to 1 side of the escalators? Will u clear the table after u eat? Will u staunchly keep tt litter in yr pockets until u see the next bin? Will u smile & greet strangers out of a frenly gesture to brighten up tt personz dae? To wat xtent are u brave enough to be gracious? Are u brave enough to disregard how others see or laugh at u for taking the imitative to promote changes?

Singaporeans CAN BE gracious. We learnt all the right morals as early as we go to kindergarten. However, pple are just not BRAVE ENOUGH to practise them. Peer pressure? Herd instinct? Too sheltered a life? U name it

Marpig really does not think it takes generations to practice those little gestures (itz ludicrous!!) It just takes sm1 to be brave enough to be different from the rest of the sheep & INFLUENCE pple ard u to do the same. TTz the point Marpig am trying to share

On a lighter note, Singapore ranked no. 75 on the Olympics Medal Table with a silver (in womenz team table tennis)!! :D Same as Malaysia who won a silver for menz badminton single!!

To Learn is Not to See but to Experience

Pple always say, "To learn, u must see" No, Marpig does not agree. It should have been "To learn, u must experience & dare to be different"

Itz ez to understand. Without experiencing hunger, we would not learn to treasure food, without experiencing losing loved ones, we would not learn to treasure pple ard us, so on & so forth

But, to experience may not be enough, one must have the courage to be different to exercise the lessons learnt from their experiences

Why did Marpig say tt?

Recent articles talk bout the age old topic of graciousness in Singapore & specially for the upcoming 2010 Youth Olympics in Singapore

Even Class 95 have been encouraging pple to upload chips of Singaporeanz bad habits

The chief of the Singapore Kindness Movement said, "I don’t think we should expect a transformational change in the next few years. As I said, it may take a generation, or two generations or three generations. But I believe as long as we can improve, in our behaviours and our courtesy, bit by bit each day, I think that’s good enough."

Marpig said ttz utter crap

Standing on one side of the escalators is introduced in Singapore in 2002 but most pple don give it a damn

Then pple finished their food & leave the plates & trays bhind

Smiling to strangers when eyes meet & pple think u r mad

Gosh, Marpig learnt all the above, if not more, after just a yr away from Singapore during the time she was doing her masters in London. Everyth mentioned above was so natural for every1

If Marpig could picked them up & learnt them, brought them back to Singapore & practises them, disregarding wat other fellow Singaporeans might think, Marpig don see why Singaporeans cannot

Guess it all boils down to Singaporeans not xperiencing the BEEG world out there & no courage to be different & to be take the initiative to set an xample. Also, Singaporeans need to stop feeling so comfy in the gahmen safety bubbles bcos bubbles will still pop

Enough of columnist Marpig todae...

Fight for Opportunities!!

Marpig am sm1 who had grown up (strange tt her boobs & butt are bigger recently... why?!), but doesnt want to grow up, is precocious beyond her yrs, still get overly xxxcited over little thingy. Therez still much to learn bout the working world & despite the roller coaster rides she encounters, she sees everyth tt comes (be it gd or bad) a learning xperience. But it wasnt so last time

Marpig used to be so pessimistic bcos shez thinks too much; so much so tt she was like 70% 看破 紅尘 (just like Dingko Nut) who realises tt many ths in life are afterall, at the end of the dae, dust to dust... much like the Buddha's thinking bout human suffering... oh well

So, Marpig am safe (at the moment) from falling stones since she is handling projects and will be involved in building one of the many residential buildings in the BEEG Olympic Village in Stratford in London!! Going for meeting on Tuesdae!! Albeit not the lead engr, being part of a team tt work towrds a common goal is great

Hopefully everyth goes on well (even though the UK economy is crap & Marpig am considered by the pple who throw the stones as cheap labour (pay low low, work hard hard (actually, work smart is the key :P))

Smtimes, itz human nature to see bad ths coming as crappy shit which causes us so much anxiety & headaches. However, Marpig, over the yrs, had learnt how to deal with such bad comings

1st, itz perfectly fine to feel shitty

2nd, feeling shitty needs to come to an end & person need to get to grip with situation & psycho oneself to be calm & compose & level/cold headed - to prepare mind to analyze situation

3rd, understand situation. If possible, look ard & ask ard for news & bits of info. Can be daunting & needs constant build up of relationships with colleagues or pple ard

4th, never fall into the trap of thinking, "y is it me", "y must it happen to me", "y is my life so miserable" bcos, more often than not, WE R NOT ALONE. Others may have been through the same shit as us, itz just tt we dont noe cos pple don broadcast their xperience. In short, dont take it personal

5th, use the old saying, "when the going gets tough, the tough gets going". If it doesnt work, use, "when ths reached itz worst, ths will get better". In short, look on the bright side

6th, enough psychoing. Itz time to plan!! As Marpig always says, "failure to plan, plan to fail" To keep avoiding probs & letting it lingers is like letting a cancer cell grows out of proportion later. Always have plans & CONTINGENCY is good. Make allowance for it.

7th, if all else fails, tough shit. Go out, gorge oneself with food & be happy. If u r not like Marpig who gets happy just by eating, do smth tt takes yr mind off & chill.

8th, go back to 1st step again

Marriage & Babies

Have been reading bout Singaporez situation & ths are starting to wolsdown as well... with high inflation too

Therez employment (as statistics says) but most jobs tt are created arent really suitable for many aspiring grads (?)

Singapore, as with many other countries, are worried bout too little babies and Singaporeans (specially the chinese majority) arent getting married young enough & making enough babies

Therez also just a report from Tsao Consultancy where a survey they had done showed tt alot of Singaporeans (increasing numbers) are thinking of retiring elsewhere

Gahmen also put in policies to encourage pple to get married and produce babies (majiam women are baby-producing factories!!)

1) Marriage cannot be encouraged by lollies. If it can, it just means more divorce rates & profits for solicitors

2) Getting married does not = producing babies (although normally it will)

3) Men in Singapore CMI ttz why gahmen tell them to "change their mindsets" However, gahmen identified the wrong mindset of men in Singapore to change (or maybe they themselves doesnt want to admit) Itz not bcos men in Singapore doesnt want to do household chores (but itz true) nor bcos they don want to take care of babies but itz their MCP thinking which offended women

4) Bcos of no. 3 above, women need to work xtra hard in their career to have any chance of climbing the corporate ladder, to be recognised beyond just a baby-producing factory & be respected of their brains rather than boobs (though not all women have the best of both worlds)

Although Marpig still have tt teeny weeny thought of going back home, she already had in mind, place(s) she might consider retiring in... Afterall, Marpig is a curious balloon who cannot stay in a place too long & enjoy her wandering ways...

At This Age...

Just like those old Gameboy/PC games, therez lotsa crabbies moving about, trying to dodge falling stones from the sky. Sm arent lucky and got hit.

So, watz Marpig talking bout? Can u believe it? Itz redundancy!!

Marpigz company is currently trying to make pple redundant bcos the UK economy is really in a VERY BAD SHAPE.

Redundancy or retrenchment, pple hated it (who loves it anyw?!) Singapore did had her fair share of retrenchment a yr or few yrs back? ttz why there policies in place now for learning new skills & increasing retirement age etc (come to tt in later bloggie entry)

Cant believe at Marpigz age, she is actually seeing redundancy!! But of cos, itz just part & parcel of life, which, when the time comes when Marpig looked back, itz just like a BEEG history milestone.

There has been such cases in human history; say like the Great Depression in the 1930s, oil crisis in 1970s, wolsdown in 1997, now itz global inflation & ~~ CREDIT MUNCH (prefer to use munch instead of crunch, bite it)

Still rem when Marpig 1st grad in 2004, Singaporez economy was not doing very gd (why huh?) & grads need to really look hard to get jobs. Then, 4 yrs later, Marpig am facing another shitty period, may be much worse

Initially, Marpig was afraid of being made redundant, since this would mean her work permit will lapse, her route to becoming a CEng will be tougher, she needs to sort out lotsa ths like place to stay, etc

However, fear came to a halt & Marpig is confident tt she will (or most probably) not be the crab to get hit by falling stones *xed her pincers* Reason being, redundancy normally goes from top to bottom, Marpig am value-for-lollies in tt she is hardworking yet cheap to employ than other more xperienced engrs. Plus, Marpig am involved in quite a few projects such as healthcare (in these dire times, healthcare are the projects tt ensure consultants' fees come in) as well as the Athletes' Village for the London 2012 Olympics. Big boss noe Marpig am efficient & can handle more ths & Marpig am the only mech engr left to do healthcare projects

Watever, Marpig am not afraid. In fact, she is now indifference. She noes shez not getting hit. However, *touch wood* if a falling stone does hit Marpig (unlikely...) then therez nth to fear as well bcos Marpig can either look for other jobs or she can apply for UK's Highly Skilled Migrant Permit (Marpig has enough points) & continue to stay (but itz gonna costs Marpig a whooping 800 quid!!) But, wow, no wonder lotsa veteran engrs told Marpig itz gd to xperience this sorta ths. Lessons learnt:

1) Employees are always paying for the mistakes management make

2) Bosses only care bout their dividends & profits. If they find tt their pockets are squeezed the next time they buy a cocktail in the Bahamas, they will try to maintain their pie by cutting costs (and u will noe when they do cut costs...)

3) Therez no such th as loyalty to yr boss. Up to a certain point, itz bout yrself & himself

4) It pays to be hardworking (work smart not hard umk) & capable

5) Socialising and relationships are impt but don have to suck up & sell yr soul

6) Having multiple skills is impt

7) "Failure to plan, plan to fail"

So, therez much to learn from this tough times & life still goes on & lucky Marpig still hold onto the job... *whew* but need continue to focus on her plan to achieve CEng in another 2.5 yrs!! Then, itz ciao to Middle East/HK!!

Meanwhile, in these climate, just need to bite on & enjoy every moment still!! Quoting JM,

"Worry is like a rocking chair, it gives u smth to do, but gets u nowhere" :D

Sm Projects tt Marpig am Working On

This may just interest Sexy Lady and may be XT albeit it will give Marpigz frens an idea of wat shez been up to. Marpig am currently working on 2 healthcare buildings (Marpig am the mechanical engr in-charge :))

Any1 interested can see the buildings (not built YET) here!!

Summer Olympics 2008 in Beijing, China!!

A really short one:

不知不觉, Marpig has kept this bloggie going for 3 yrs!! Therez been sm milestones; big and/or small in Marpigz life. However, therez nth BEEG happening xcept tt Sansao had given birth to a baby gal!! :D

To add to smth BEEG throughout this 3 yrs in Marpigz bloggie, itz the once-every-4-yrs Olympics!! Ah~~ having missed a few Commonwealth Games, SEA Games, now itz the Olympics in Beijing!! Gosh, itz so nice just to watch the sportspple!! Whether itz tears, happiness, etc just so reminds Marpig of her hockey daes :D

Bball, field hockey, badminton, swimming, diving :D Come to think of it, therez no sports Marpig does not noe!! Marpig had even conquered golf!! (although Marpig am better in certain sports)

As the story goes, the Singapore team is made up of 80% (or is it even 90%) of non-local "talents"... hmmm... Marpig was watching Olympics with colleagues & although Marpig was proud tt Singapore went into the swimming 100m finals (Tao Li) but at the same time, she was (secretly) ashamed since itz not a "Singaporean" swimming for Singapore... oh well

Marpig does understand the officialsz & non-local sportspplez pt of views, etc, but guess itz just smth tt Marpig feels 呐闷

In addition, Marpig had missed 3 national daes!! Marpig thinks the 1st yr she still wishes Singapore Happy Bdae, 2nd... got meh? this yr... indifference...

Smhow... Marpig doesnt see herself going back to Singapore in the near future... circumstances, ideas, ways of life and work, pplez & the gahmenz attitudes, etc etc prevented/scared Marpig from going back... recently, Marpig just wanna move to other countries & xperience life & travel, specially China!! Been really into Chinese traditions, history, stories, poems, etc etc!! Used to already read 唐诗三百首 (though wont be able to rem all!!) & stories!! Just so like them man!!

Gosh... pple nowsadae really have no more 文化的情懆... Anyw!!

Dingko Nut!! Marpig already 打通天地线 in China!! Has got a fren (a couple actually) whom can accommodate us & even go travelling with!! Marpig reckons she will xplore the entire China in separate trips!! Marpig want to see 西湖十景!!

Ah~~~ Dingko Nut!! This yr will be white Xmas in SKorea, next yr October (fren said Oct is best time to go), can it be China?! Blimey, wherez the SEA gone?!

As it is, "上有天堂，下有苏杭" So we must go 苏州 & 杭州!!

杭州 is famous bcos of itz "一湖、二峰、三泉、四寺、五山、六园、七洞、八墓、九溪、十景" Ooooooo~~

The famous 苏小小 also has her 墓 in 西湖!! (Her story is really sad) A poem she wrote goes like,

"交际似浮云，欢情如流水"

So true!!

Pple also say, "生在苏州, 活在杭州, 吃在广州, 死在柳州" (self xplanatory) Essentially, 苏州 is famous for beautiful, talented & educated pple, 杭州 for itz absolutely mesmerising scenery, 广州 for itz cuisine & 柳州 for the best wood coffins made using 楠木

Finally, the famous poem from the Legend of White Snake (every1 will noe this)

"山外青山楼外楼
西湖歌舞几时休
暖风熏得游人醉
直把杭州作汴洲"

:D

Chapter 1 - Part 6: Streets & Famous Sites of Venice (Tons of Photos 下!!)

This shall be the last entry for Venice!! Afterwhich, Marpig will start blogging bout day trips to Verona & Padua as well as Florence & Pisa!! *quick quick*

Posing just outside the doors of Chiesa di Santa Maria del Giglio (refer to previous bloggie entry)Marpig am trying to act cool... :P All right all right!! Marpig MUST think of way(s) to make notes of her travels!! She goes into so many churches & places but just cant rem the names!! This makes chronicling her travel xperiences tough!! Hmmm... any suggestions?

Anyw, the churches in Venice (and may be Italy) are soooooooooo pretty inside!! Why?! Is it bcos they are more flamboyant and daring in their designs? Guess so... Inside Chiesa di Santa Maria del Giglio, the nave leading to the high altar!!As Marpig had mentioned, shez so busy snapping away & immersing herself in the tranquility of the church tt she 4gets the details/descriptions of everyth!!
The above is definitely 1 of the best 背影 photos tt Marpig had taken!! If itz not the best (yet?) itz still Marpigz fav!! So cool with tt shadow & everyth!! Ah~~~ 真是太棒了:D

And oh, the church is the Basilica di San Giovanni e Paolo aka San Zanipolo (in Venetian dialect) It is a Gothic styled church & had the miraculous Byzantine statue of Madonna della Pace as well as housing a foot (relic) of St. Catherine of Siena. Heu!! Marpig noe naught until she is typing this bloggie entry this very min!! Kao. Hence, it just means tt if any frens wanna go Venice, Marpig wouldnt mind :PInside, therez a statue of St. Anthony which Marpig mentioned bout in one of Marpigz bloggie entries bout his life in the bloggie entry titled, "2nd Day in Paris (Part 2)" on 26th April 2008 (if any1 wants to read bout St. Anthony again)Therez also a statue of St. Theresa (?) since therez roses around...

Travelling with Marpig is in itself, an adventure, since itz xciting to travel with sm1 crazy & with funny ideas, funny angles of taking photos. She cooks & one never gets hungry when Marpigz ard. It can also be tiring (as PS would noe whilst in HK) but hey!! With all the xcitement, tiredness goes as quickly as it comes!! :P

Plus, although Marpig does trot on touristy places, she does go all out in search of other niche places/monuments. For instance, she went in search of Jeannekin Pis (sis of Mannekin Pis) in Brussels in one of those abandoned alleyways among Brusselsz "seafd street" So wat did she go in search for in 1 of those less-travelled side streets in Venice? Itz~~ Scala Contarini del Bovolo!! (spiral stairs resembling snail)
The stairs can be found in Palazzo Contarini del Bovolo & itz supposed to be a small palace. Too bad when Marpig was there, the place was under restoration. However, the main th is the view OF the stairs, not so much the view FROM it

After much blabbing bout non-main-thingy in Venice, here comes THE place to visit in World Heritage Venice!! Piazza San Marco (Italian) aka St. Mark's Square (English)!!A paranoma is not enough!! Needs 360 deg!! Anyh, just a little bit bout St. Mark's Square.

Aka "The drawing room of Europe" & itz one of those urban places in Europe where human voices > sounds of vehicles (cos therez no cars!!)

The pavements of the square was laid with bricks in a herringbone pattern with bands of stones lying // to the long axis of the square. But it was changed to a more complex design tt consisted squares of diagonally-laid blocks alternated with rectangular and oval designs along broad // bands blah blah blah & the design was by Venetian architect Andrea Tirali (no idea who he was) *yanws*

Anyh, the entire square has many sights which includes:

1) St. Mark's ClocktowerThe interesting ths bout the clock face are tt 1stly, itz a 24 hr clock (is there a watch with 24 hrs face? Marpig wanna get it!! Think Swatch does have them...?) & the month is being told by the 12 horoscope signs. Hence, from the above photo, one could see tt the "dot" is on Taurus = May!! The month when Marpig was in Italy!! :D

2) The Basilicaz Campanile (Bell Tower)Itz 98.6m tall and gosh, it costs 8 euros to go up!! Anyw, itz a must go bcos from the top, one could see the entire Venice!! (Pics taken from the top of the Bell Tower will be at the end to round up this Chapter) The Bell Tower also has 5 bells, each having itz own purpose

The Renghiera (or the Maleficio) announced executions; the Mezza Terza proclaimed a session of the Senate; the Nona sounded midday; the Trottiera called the members of the Maggior Consiglio to council meetings and the Maragona rang to mark the beginning and ending of working day

3) The Doge's Palace

Right, Doge, aka Doxe, is similar to a duke/military leader. Doges in Venice are much like magistrate and are elected for life by Venicez aristocracy. As with all leaders (herez comes a sweeping statement which might proved to be true anyw) the person who normally gets elected are the shrewdest elderThe Dogez Palace is a Gothic palace & itz also known in Italian as the Palazzao Ducale di Venezia. The curvings on the palace shows chapters from the Bible!! Notice the curvings on the bottom corner of the Palace...It depicts Adam & Eve with the serpent. A closer look and one would see tt Adam is pointing at Eve while Eve is pointing at the serpent. You noe wat tt signifies, dont u?
Really, smh, the facades of the Dogez Palace reminds Marpig of her fav Danish Butter Cookies!! Hmmm...
Walkway along the Dogez Palace

And finally, 4) St. Mark's Basilica!!
Main entrance as well as the mosaics on the arcs:Side view of the Basilica

B4 Marpig put up the photos taken atop the Campanile to round up this Chapter, just 2 last thingies:Therez no vehicles in Venice (not the mainland) & believe it or not, pple get by with boats!! Marpig spotted a man arriving in his boat to meet his gf!! Gosh, itz so cool to pak tor like tt!! Imagine telling others, "my bf comes to pick me up in his boat" wah~~
Italian women & men are really trendy & well-groomed!! Even the boatman is so suave!! Gosh, just like the advert bhind him!! hahahahahahaFinally, Venice atop the Campanile!!
(Actually, whilst Marpig was atop the Campanile, her legs were slightly bent and shaking cos itz so high!! *gulps* Itz really scary (just look at the size of pple) when Marpig got to put her hands & mobile out of the Campanilez window grilles to take these pics!! Gosh!! Wait till Marpig goes to the Leaning Tower of Pisa where therez no raised walls on top but just thin-looking metal bars!!)

蒲公英

Right, whilst Marpig am painfully trying to keep up with her blog, herez sm distraction/thoughts ttMarpig am always susceptible to.

B4 she goes on bout this blogz topic, shez so tired bcos she went to a meeting with a utility company for a new project in London. The ardous journey started at 530am & blimey... itz travelling on the train for hours (to & fro) & she went back to the office @ 2pm. Rushed lunch with sandwiches (eeek but boh bian) & work till 6pm... itz almost 11pm & her eyes are really yawning & her mouth are drooping... *thinking* either way, u noe wat Marpig means

So, wat is 蒲公英?

Pple kept saying blah blah blah "像蒲公英" Seriously, Marpig have no idea wat is a 蒲公英 & often, this word appear in shows revolving bout sch & dreams etc...

Hence, Marpig, up until a couple of daes ago when she look up the meaning of 蒲公英, thought & assumed 蒲公英 is a bird; an eagle or sm sort tt soar the sky

For pple who noes wat is 蒲公英, yeah, laugh at Marpig all u want. For pple who also have no idea (until u read this bloggie entry of Marpigz), don feel lousy!!

蒲公英 is, in fact, one of Marpigz fav flowers, DANDELION!!OMG!!

Dandelion, named bcos their leaves resemble the teeth of a lion. Pple who read Enid Blyton will most probably come ax dandelions where pple blow at them to tell the time (not really) especially for pple who had read Enid Blytonz "Thirteen o'Clock"

OR

Every1 must have watched A Bugz Life? Rem tt the protagonist left the antz hill in search of "big bugs" on a dandelion seed?Although it is considered as a weed, it really cute!! And useful!! XT, this may be of interest to u cos dandelions have uses in TCM!!

"蒲公英。一般人将它当作杂草，为了花园或草坪的美观去除蒲公英。但是蒲公英是因为有很多用处才引进别处。

它可以作食物或草药。早春的嫩蒲公英也是一种野菜。嫩蒲公英可以凉拌，烧汤或炒熟。老了的也能吃，但是比较苦。不苦的蒲公英也可以拌肉作饺子馅，味道和西洋菜做的馅差不多。欧洲人在中世纪时就已经用蒲公英花来酿酒。蒲公英叶子含有很多Vitamin A和Vitamin C。 蜜蜂也常到蒲公英采花粉和蜜糖。

蒲公英是一种中草药。《本草纲目》记载：“蒲公英主治妇人乳痈肿，水煮汁饮及封之立消。解食毒，散滞气，清热毒，化食毒，消恶肿、结核、疔肿。”

蒲公英可利尿、解水肿。烤乾磨成粉之后可以泡茶，据说在饭前喝过可以解胃助消化，在保健食品商店可以买到，但是没有科学证明这种作用。"

Chapter 1 - Part 5: Streets & Famous Sites of Venice (Tons of Photos 上!!)

After "reading" a bk of memories on the shelves of Marpigz vast pte library, itz time to catch up on her Italy trip!! Cant stand Marpig!! Shez really not hardworking now & so lazy!! Itz already Aug & shez still only talking bout Venice!! (Therez Verona, Padua, Florence & Pisa!!) Tsk tsk.

Marpig MAY go Praha & Wien & Amsterdam in the month of Oct - Nov... subjected to leave (lollies arent a question though it will still be budget backpacking)

Essentially, the sights of Venice are really interesting/refreshing :D 1st, itz the main railway station in Venice, "Stazione Ferroviaría Santa Lucia"
Then itz an arty farty pic...
One of the photo themes tt Marpig likes to take is "mirroring" bcos they remind pple bout "reflection". Other sight tt Marpig likes in Venice is:Clothes hanging in the air on the washing lines!! So COOL!! Can even see briefs, bras and panties!! hahahahahaha duh. :P (Sounds like a pervert!!)

Then cos itz the hols, many students are out travelling with their teachers too...Marpig was walking along one of the peripheral canals when she spotted a very "dao" seagull!!*poke poke poke!!* Anyw, ttz OOP The above is another OOP pic. As usual, don understand y Marpig simply loves taking shadows...

Being in Venice, one HAVE TO walk through one of those narrow alleys in Venice (pple use them freq). It just so happen tt on Saturday, the streets are quiet and all shops are closed...Apparently, Venice has a large proportion of Jews and it was mentioned smwhere tt shops do closed on Sat (if Marpig didnt rem wrongly)

BTW, in Venice, one would want to see the Jewish Ghetto (the word "Ghetto" came from a Venetian word for the iron foundry that was on the site previously. Although b4 this Jewish ghetto in Venice, therez already other settlements with only a single ethnic or racial groups, itz the Jewish Venetian Ghetto tt eventually came to mean any neighborhood that was made up of a single ethnic/racial group. Strolling along the canals (if u r with Marpig), one would see...Oh~~ the picturesque gondolas along the canals of Venice with cheerful blue skies (postcard perfect!!) Gosh, no wonder the Brits are 2nd or 3rd bottom down the league of tables of happy ppleThis is taken on the Rialto Bridge (refer to previous entries on Venice) where souvenior shops littered along the streets on both sides of the bridge. Prices of souveniors are very much the same with the occasion bargain shop(s) Itz really worth walking the entire Venice b4 settling on which shops to buy from!! Really!! TTz wat Marpig & fren did!!

Right, to more serious must-see sights of Venice, including the World Heritage St. Mark's Bascilica at Piazza San Marco!! Kicking off, Marpigz fren was saying she wanted to take night shots of San Marco. Marpig thought it was a gd idea since both assumed the place was gonna be lighted up and it will be nice

Rem Marpig mentioned bout getting lost in Venice due to her loads of alleyways and wat-have-u & tt one would always discover new routes to the same destination everydae? Yup. To get to San Marco, Marpig & fren spent 40mins (walking speed was almost like BRISK) everytime!! Gosh. The signs are pointing (literally) left, right, up, down, zigzag & not only Marpig & fren, but all other tourists were turning this way & tt!! So farny!! hahahahahaha Along the frantic walk to San Marco, look wat Marpig chance upon:BATA, in Italy!! ?? Marpig thought it was a Msian brand? Cool!!

Photos tt follows are the night shots & dae shots of buildings around Piazza San Marco (the entire square is a World Heritage site)Above is The Procuracies. They are actually 3 connected buildings in St. Mark's square as shown below:On the left is Procuratie Nuove, Napoleonic Wing in the centre and Procuratie Vecchie on the right. Then, itz the world famous St. Mark's Bascilica!!See!! Therez no lights at night!! Darn!! But itz all right since itz saves electricity = less carbon emissions. Plus, itz gives a dash of mysterious mood... :P
The above is Chiesa degli Scalzi aka Church of the Barefoot Ones which was named after the Barefoot Carmelites monks who have made this church their home for >300 yrs!! Built between 1660 and the early 18th Century, the church is 1 of Venicez most beautifully and ornately designed churches with a grand façade designed by Giuseppe Sardi (as if Marpig noes who is who)Rem long ago in 1 of Marpigz bloggie entries (when Marpig went Oxford) she mentioned therez Bridge of Sighs in Oxford, Cambridge, Venice, Frankfurt & Lima in Peru & tt she aims to visit them all? Well, itz diff!! Marpig only manages to visit 2 out of the many. The above is the Bridge of Sighs in Venice which is made of white limestone with stone bars for windows. The bridge connects prisons with the interrogation rooms in the Dogaz Palace (more bout Dogaz Palace later)

So u see, night in Venice is gd for pubs etc, but the monuments arent lit. But really, the night walk ard Venice was really amazing & nice; just like walking in Clarke Quay but not quite :P bcos less rowdy party-goers. And yes, it is romantic at night :D