B4 2010 Ends

Itz not a BIG deal really. Just another dae, another yr, another new calender to be used. The world is celebrating tt another tough yr has gone and is hoping tt the million dolla fireworks wil burn the yrz troubles away with itz flares and fumes

If only bad memories can truly be erased by just writing them down and burning them like wat the Yanks do on Good Riddance Day... ho hum

Nonetheless, all of us stil feel the hope of a better yr ahead!! :)

Anyw, was thinking if Marpig should write anyth on 31st Dec bcos anyth would seem cliche but heck!! Itz just another entry lah!! :P

Had a few NY resolutions over the yrs. Cannot rem if she accomplish 100% all the time but definitely sm. No particular NY resolution this yr, since itz the same as the last (Ding would noe best as shez with Marpig last yr, this time!!) However, Marpig dares herself to do 1 more th; to run a marathon!! Wil update next yr, this time, if Marpig did run 1!! hahaha

Looking at the past again *yawns* really miss playing hockey wor...
(Can u spot Marpig?! :P)

Then, thinking back 1 mth to Nov when Marpig went home for 3D, met up with really long-time-no-see sec sch classmates (sm after 13 yrs!!)
Little did ML noe, her gesture is actually a swear in the UK (France and Europe too); an opp peace sign. Marpig did xplain why, si?
And of cos, the main reason for tt 3D whirlwind trip home was for Marpigz dadz 60th bdae!!

Other than going back home 2 times this yr (Sept and Nov), Marpig didnt do much backpack (wot?!) xcept to Statford-upon-Avon (SUA) in July, where William Shakespeare was born and also tt Arctic trip. Hmm... quite ok ba... :P

Had always wanted to blog bout tt SUA trip way back in July but since shez like so overdue, she shal do it in this entry quickly (more pics, less write-up)Above is the Shakespearez Xpress. Itz running, but Marpig didnt take it. Yeah, kinda touristy just like the Hogwarts Xpress!! :P
Instead, Marpig took the normal train to the SUA stationThe B&B which Marpig stayed together with Marpigz sis and BIL. Stil rem back in July it was so hot, all of them were perspiring in their beds!! NOTE: no air-conditioning in the room!! *汗*
Streets in the little town where William Shakespeare was born all looked like the above. Very Shakespearean!!Ooh~~ and this is where he was born!! Itz a museum now. Nth much inside but a fireplace, bowls, plates, notes, title deeds (cos it changed hands a gd few times)Itz obvious!!
A very old book ttz locked in a temperature and humidity controlled glass cabinet...Although Marpig hated literature back in sch (bcos doing xams and enjoying a skit are totally different!!), she actually loves watching plays and musicals!! Not sure bout opera though. In fact, Marpig am planning to catch 1 in Vienna smtime!! :DItz not the end, only the beginning!! Er... ttz Shakespearez grave. Her wifez grave is bside his although not shown hereThe interesting bit bout SUA is tt therez lotsa old English cottages and buildings like the one above. Old they may be, they are occupied!!
Therez also many places of interest (5 to be xact, all need entrance fees) ttz linked to Shakespeare; his birthplace, the house his son-in-law and daughter stayed and 3 otherz which he never lived in. The above is where his wife lived, the Anne Hathaway (NOT the actress!!) Cottage
Essentially, the place is also a museum with beautiful garden and food crops. Therez also many ths bout how the English in those daes work, sleep, cook and go about on their everydae lives. Above are oldern "scarecrows"; made of potatoes with feathers

Marpig learnt how sm interesting English sayings originated and 1 of them is the (in)famous, "left on the shelf"

话说, long time ago, the cottages were small but families were big. So most of the time, the children and women had to sleep together on the kitchen floor. But in those daes, men would sneak in and grab ladies for a rendezvous time (ttz how Shakespeare met his wife apparently, his was a case of 奉子成婚. He was only 17 when he bcame a father!!)

Hence, the young girls started sleeping on the kitchenz 梁. After the girls climbed onto the 梁, they would pull up and keep the ladder so tt no1 can climb up. Hence, the saying, girls are left on the shelf. Itz really for their protection but modern pple started using it to mean girls BEING left on the shelf bcos they didnt get married!! Itz wrong!! Ho hum
It just so happen tt when Marpig was there, it coincided with the River Festival in SUA
With the very English funfare!! Wow... pic seems to be straight out from an Enid Blyton book, just tt itz in colour!! :D

And of cos, the man himself!!
And wala!! TTz SUA trip back in July done in a jiffy!!

B4 Marpig ends this last entry of the yr, shez got a lovely lamp from her secret Santa when she went out in early Dec with her team for their annual Xmas dinner at an Indian rest!! (Ang mohs are tired of Xmas turkeys too!!)
Really love tt lamp!! Wonder why secret Santa had chosen to give Marpig tt... hmmm... cos she is bright?! She lights up pplesz lives with her TM smile?! *super 吐* :P

If any1 of u wonders why Marpig looked so red above, ttz bcos shez downed 2 mulled cider (her fav!!) and a glass of red wine (and she didnt even finish the wine)...

Happy 2011 to all!!

*fireworks fireworks fireworks*

Wat a trip!!

Had been back from the Dec trip for a week now!! Cant believe time flies when u thought itz wols...

All tt sub-0 temp and travelling has finally taken a toil on Marpigz weary bones and itz likely shez going to usher in the new yr with the blues. *pondering* Should she be crabby (and hide in her shell) or grab some frens for a meal? Ding!! Any ideas howz the horo for Cancerians looking like?

Anyw, wat an un4gettable trip it has been. Cant really put a word to it so mayb a few wil be more appropriate like, wonderful, sad, amazing, tiring, xxxciting, boring, heartwarming, disappointed, interesting, hurt, funny, realisation. Sounds roller coastering? It was!!

No matter wat, Marpig am glad she did it. Am looking 4wrd to doing Scandinavia again, definitely!!

Meanwhile, shez in the process of touching up all the photos and planning how to write her entries on the 10-dae long trip. Gosh, too many ths to share so lookout!!

Day B4 Embarking on the Fat Man Trip

Packed for Dec trip which Marpig started planning 1+ yr ago. But realised backpack is small due to the amt of clothes she has to bring (diff from SEA backpacking since don need thick/warm clothes)

Feeling abit restless and worried now... ya noe, tt kinda worry bout nth but just general worry on going to places unknown? Guess itz really bcos:

1) No contingency plans

2) Snowstorm which might delay travelling plans

3) Arctic with PS whoz totally the opp of Marpig xcept both are almost =ly crazy. Scary...

4) Have not received mobile ticket (only mobile ticket avail!! f**k) for 1 of the train legs which Marpig booked from Haparanda to Lulea (both places in Sweden)

5) Super cold like -10 to -20 degC. How to survive staying out in the cold, with her tripod waiting for aurora and stars? Wil def blog bout this xperience

6) Pre-trip syndrome

Anyw, looking back at the list of to-dos she made for this Dec trip sm time ago (refer to this entry):

1) Visit northernmost MacD

2) X the Arctic Circle line and obtain tt certificate tt proves Marpig did so!!

3) Visit the Fat Man (& hopefully sit on his lap for a photo :P)

4) Ask Fat Man for Xmas present and why he didnt come Singapore

5) Visit Reindeer Farm

6) Get on reindeer ride

7) Obtain international reindeer driving licence

8) Visit husky park

9) Get on husky ride

10) Visit Santa Claus Village/Park and see how toys are made by the elves (骗人的啦~~ but Marpig dont mind!!)

11) Drink "Whisky in the Rocks" in Ice Bar

12) Visit northernmost Ikea and have bf there

13) Eat reindeer meat (inevitable)

14) Eat Swedish burger

15) Visit UNESCO Gammelstad Church Town

16) See Aurora Borealis (hopefully)

17) Ice fishing and cooking catch over campfire

18) Ride a snowmobile

19) Learn to ice skate

20) Bring SG flag and plant it on "snow mountain"

21) Climb & conquer the highest "snow mountain"

22) Make a proper snow family (not just a snowman!!)

23) Build snow castle (instead of sandcastle!!)

24) Sleep in an igloo/ice hotel

25) Produce a 写真集 titled, "Marpork and Piggie in Winter Wonderland"!! :P

26) Play GMz "Last Xmas" and maybe attempt to remake the MV!!

Hmmm... all in the pipeline... *fingers xed* hopefully everyth go smoothly with LITTLE or NO hiccups!! But no. 25 wil only have Piggie now cos did not bring Marpork back. No. 17 may also be unachievable since did not book the xcursion

Summary of trip is as follows:

Flight to Helsinki --> overnight in airport --> flight to Rovaniemi --> coach to Kittila --> taxi to Snow Village --> taxi back to Kittila --> coach back to Rovaniemi --> train to Kemi --> overnight in Kemi --> coach to Haparanda (xing border btw Finland and Sweden) --> train to Lulea --> train to Kiruna --> flight to Stockholm (just had terrorist bombings todae!!) --> flight back to LHR

OMG *汗* 真的又紧张, 又兴奋, 又担心!!!!!!!

Pigs in Blanket

After the stomachache, itz a cold and giddy head on a cold, snowy (slight) dae. Temp is a warm -2 degC. Not too bad, considering in another 10 daes, Marpig would be bracing temp of ard -8 to -12 degC!!

Better to be sick now then later. Got everyth booked and planned (no contingency plans though) and smhow, her worrying self keeps worrying tt smth might go wrong... *fingers xed* hmmm

In fact, recently, when itz freezing cold in the UK (with the winter wind blowing directly in her face!!) , Marpig has been asking herself this question repeatedly, "wat have I got myself into?! Going to the Arctic!!"

Itz all bcos of tt idea of seeing the Fat Man going ho.ho.ho. But oh well, Marpig am smiling :P Itz going to be an un4gettable Xmas!!

Am planning a list of necc ths to bring for the Arctic weather and lollies to change while sneezing away. But 1st, a catch up

As it is, UK is having an early snowfall in end of Nov. Temp is like plummeting down to -6 degC at night. So everywhere 1 goes, 1 sees pple all wrapped up. So u asked, watz tt got to do with "pigs in blanket"?

Actually, "pigs in blanket" is a UK dish. Can be eaten anytime of the yr but has since bcame part of a Xmas lunch. Very nice though can be ABIT fattening since itz small sausages (e.g, chipolatas) wrapped with bacon!!

If therez 1 of the many ths Marpig misses next time bout the UK, it would be having pub lunch/dinner. Cheap and cheerful, warm and cosy. Truly 经济, 价廉又物美!!

Anyw, enough of the digress; 1 fine dae when Marpig was on the stuffy bus with every1 wrapped up, a leetle gal and her mom boarded the bus

Leetle gal: *xxxcitedly looking for a seat*

Mother: Bcareful!! *saw 2 seats bhind Marpig, asked leetle gal to sit down*

Leetle gal: *in cute and xxxcited voice* I'm on a bus!!!!!! *humming a joyful tune* Ding dong!! *smiling*

Marpig cant help but smile too. Ah~~ Itz been a long time since many of us xperienced tt simple happiness just like tt leetle gal on her favourite bus

Marpig totally understands the notion bout growing up, being matured, etc but she stil misses being tt simple child of yester yrs, when everyth are not complex, colourful and multi-dimensional

Marpig also loves travelling on the bus. Used to sit on the 1st row of double deckers and pretend shez a driver with Mummy bside her. She stil loves taking bus rides, though smtimes the stuff (and smelly) buses in Bristol makes her unwell!!

Itz must have been tt simple and childlish Marpig who 1st planted the idea of seeing the Fat Man into the mind of the random (quoting JM) Marpig who just went ahead to put tt idea into action!!

Tsk tsk tsk, must be the weather again!! *ah~~choooooo!!*

Home 2010 - Bubbles Part 4 (Final)

Am down (again...) with the chronic stomachache tt hurts all the way to the back... anyw... must carry on with the last bubble...

Thanks to Corn for taking 99% of the pics in this entry; since all of them are pics of Marpigz underwater "美丽"的姿态!!

Being a much more regular diver than Marpig despite starting later than her, Corn has her own wetsuitReally, a wetsuit does make a diver looks pro!! Marpig am stil pondering if itz worth buying it now since shez an "annual diver"!! But she does have her beloved Scubapro jetfins and mask which is more than enough for snorkling/diving trips!!
Marpig doing tt "Asian gesture" (wat ang moh colleagues felt :P) with a rented shortie. Itz not really cold since water is tropical + always on the move + mesmerised by fishies. But 1 can feel the diff in water temp at 20m and below
Rem the close-up shot of the Bluespotted Ribbontail Stingray (NOTE: corrected the name of this species in her entries tt mention it) in Bubbles 3? TT was how close Marpig was. U might think itz not really close but consider itz got a venomous sting + itz an aquatic animal whose reflex is super fast (rem wat happen to the Crocodile Hunter?) Even dive guide was saying one of these daes, Marpig wil get stung!!
Right, being an "annual diver", Marpig need to practice her bounyancy techniques more often!! Itz not as ez to be an underwater photographer as being a land 1 bcos of:

1) Constant risks (mayb therez a shark lurking bhind?!) hence need to be alert at all times (which the accident prone Marpig am lacking smtimes :P)

2) Losing yr buddy. And it wil be shite cos being alone in the eerie greenish and silent underwater with no ends in sight feels very much like those horror movies!!

3) Water current which makes still shots difficult (even with gd buoyancy)

3) Damages to the underwater life / kicking up the sandbed. Hence, fins off!! :P
Ok, Corn had this photo in her FB with caption tt goes like, "... never see a diver being able to stand underwater..." well, tt would be Marpig!! :D
Although the pics tt all of u see are not thru the fishiesz eyes, itz pretty close... 1 of the reasons why Marpig wanna take photos is to let pple see the ths she gets to see...
Diving is much like in space, where 1 floats about and smtimes waver with the current. As Marpig am following a grp of other divers + limited air in tank, she doesnt have all the time to wait for the fishies (specially the clown fishies) to pose for the camera!! Argh!!
Whenever Marpig describes her 1st time being able to breathe underwater, she wil liken it to breathing like a fish. When queried by others watz it like underwater, she wil tel them underwater is another world, another realm. Itz has got itz own complex mountains, flora and fauna, minus the "complexities" of the land above...
Marpig bside an underwater cliff, battling the current, trying to take sm pics of clown fishies hiding in the anemoneMarpigz buddy with the yellow tank. See tt Cushion Star? Marpig wanted to hold and take a pic with it. But bcos they cant communicate like the fishies, Marpig had to 指手画脚 to buddy in order to convey the msg. 在一旁的 Corn saw us and was wondering wat the 2 of them were doing, hence, she captured pics of the entire silent episode
Not only did Marpigz buddy not get the msg; Marpig 1st pointed at the Cushion Star then pointed at the camera ("pls help me to take a pic of Cushion Star and me") he dropped the Cushion Star on Marpigz head after Marpig passed him the Cushion Star!! hahahahaha Think Corn must have a gd giggle then!!
And finally, a grp photo with the Green Turtle!!

Actually, therez another pic (paparazzi std), courtesy of Cornz buddy (1st from left on pic above) which Marpig would like to share. She took it from afar while they emerged from their snorkling trip!! hahahaha Very paparazzi indeed!!
Previously, Marpig showed off her bikini back and Sansao requested Marpig to share her bikini front. Sansao, here goes!! :P

Green Turtle Feeding

Thanks to JM, Marpig saw the video icon just bside the photo icon on Blogger!! hahahaha How silly of her!! Video of Marpig stalking the Green Turtle while itz feeding :P Enjoy!!

书信, 情书, 和 Marpig 不为人知的秘密!!

Reminiscence of the past is not a sign of weakness; itz a process of self reflection on how one has matured/progressed/changed, etc over the yrs as well as how past xperiences had mould onez present

During her very recent trip home, Marpig re-discovered many of her interesting past. Sm she has 4gotten (but remembered), sm which surprises even herself but all of them bring back fond memories. B4 going into them, herez a showing-off!!
Was down for a site meeting and Marpig took the hospital (stil in construction) which she has been working on ever since she started working in the UK. 4 yrs of design work and finally, itz on the grd!! Completion of the hospital wil be in 2011. There has been sm "fire-fighting issues" on and off (as with all projects) but should be a-ok in the end *optimistic*

Right, back to the past

1) Met up with Lian and Gin for prata and Lian reminded Marpig smth hilarious!!

Marpig: So who else have u invited to yr wedding?

Lian: Not alot. Therez x, x, x, etc. Oh I spoke to D****. Told her u just came back and asked her if she wants to join us todae. Asked her if she stil remember who is Gin. Guess wat she said?

Gin & Marpig: Wat did she say?

Lian: She said, "Of cos I noe who Gin is lah. How can I not rem my 情敌?!"

Gin & Marpig: Huh?! Why?!

Lian: U dont rem meh? Last time after Ginz Home E. class, she always brought wat she cooked for u. Then Gin always say she is Fann Wong. Then D**** wil complain and she said she is Zoe Tay and u r Thomas Ong!!

Marpig: *shocked* Huh?! Oh ya!! *Vaguely remembered* hahahahaha

Gin: But how come itz Thomas Ong, Fann Wong and Zoe Tay?

Lian: Think cos it was from a show?

Trio: hahahahahahahaha

2) Ransacking her little drawer full of letters from frens, she chanced upon a love letter (do u think so from the contents?) she received during her college daes. Vaguely remembered she did reply the guy but dont noe wat happen later :P Think XT, MZ and MW should noe who he is. Any recollection XT?! :P

He did send Marpig a few letters. Below is just 1 of the few
So meticulous of him; stil wrote down the page nos.!!
Page 2 where he was saying Marpig looked beautiful and tt she should have worn a pair of heels cos hez so much taller than Marpig... Ah!! TT photo he mentioned was the one with him and Marpig on college prom night!! :D
and final page 4. Marpig skipped page 3 bcos he wrote his personal bio on it!! His name, mobile, address, age, etc etc!! hahahahaha

3) And this is wat Balachan has been waiting for!! *grins* A postcard from Balachan!!
Really need to xplode the pic above to see wat comments Marpig added!! :P Ah~~ Balachan used to be so caring but now?! *grins*

4) Another card from Balachan!! Specially love her frankness (just like Marpig) when she wrote, "cos no money to send u new yr card then this one also hand delivery"!! hahahahahahaha

5) Very aptly chosen bdae card from PS although...
itz like one of the vey rare bdae cards from PS. Belated smore!! Kao!! hahahahahaha :P

6) Just like Marpig loves giving frens nicknames, frens also give Marpig creative nicks!!
Eg., like the one above from 动力(火车)!! :D Not a bad nickname wor!!

7) Letter from Santa Claus!!
Really, itz from the Santa Claus Post Office in Finland!! It was a long long time ago. Then, one could request Santa Claus to send a letter to a fren. The letter comes with a card too. And so, cos Marpig wannted to collect it, she requested a letter to be sent to herself!! :P Yup, Marpig am tt boh liao/执着/crazy/etc. Itz not a sad th umk!! Just tt every1 else seems to have lost their 童真. Tsk tsk tsk!! And~~ finally!! Marpig wil actually go to see THAT FAT MAN in another 30 daes!!

Lalalalala~~ *skipping and hopping*

8) Marpig really loves doodling and she wasnt lying when she said she used to dream of being a 漫画家, she was really serious!!
So serious tt she kept all her 杰作 in a file!! Marpig noes her 杰作 arent really tt gd so~~ 大家!! 现丑了!!
Think tt was drawn when Marpig was in K1. With colours smore umk!!
Then there was a period when Marpig was crazy over Dragon Ballz (specially Trunks). She was often distracted in class when she would doodled all these drawings. Huh? Who was tt whom Marpig drew? Marpig cant rem too!!
Why 小龙女? Long story. Think during the 90s, local comic scene was up and coming. Stil rem Marpig is a 漫画发烧友 (stil am, just more 收敛 now) where she would meet up with 2 pri sch frens (and later, JM) to play bball, chinese chess, read and xchange comics, drink bubble tea & read more comics all the time!!

Even participated in a comic competition launched by 创意 where she created a romantic ghost story (sama sama 倩女幽魂+魔画情!!) and spent a lot of time drawing the 漫画原稿 (which she never got it back) think it was in sec 2

Anyw!! Marpig am impressed and inspired by 黄展鸣, a local 漫画家 who was also Singaporez 1st full time 漫画家 to work on a comic series - the popular (then) 神雕侠侣 (18 books) and the later 卫斯理传奇 comic series. Hence, was drawing 小龙女 (1 of his characters) during 1 of the lessons :P Marpigz fav Dragon Ballz character, Trunks aka 特难克斯!! Marpig even bought a Smash! watch with him on it!! *尖叫* Why?! Marpig repeats again; cos hez dressed in purple and he looks like Aaron Kwok!! :D hahahaha 超少女的好不好!! Gosh, 受不了她自己!! :PMore Dragon Ballz characters. Actually, Marpigz love of comics started at a very early age. Probably ard 4 or 5 yrs old. TT time, she was reading her 阿嫲z collection of 连环画s. Ever since, she didnt stop reading comics, be it English or Chinese. The only books she read or borrowed from the libraries back in her sec sch daes were comics :PMore doodling during class!! :P
Must try to catch the 神态!!
Trunks again?! *yawns* Marpig 真的那么喜欢他哦!! :P
Another 1 of the Dragon Ballz characters...
Then, bcoming more serious into wat she was drawing (she also started signing off and using her TM pig head), she 告别 Dragon Ballz to welcome...
Ghostly female characters!! Cos she was practising for her 1st and last comic competition mah!!
Really, when she saw wat she used to (be able to) draw, Marpig was surprised and a-hem... impressed ahahahahaha 超不要脸!!

And finally, Marpig 最喜欢的画 and perhaps, the last drawing she drew b4 she puts down the pencil until now this...
It may not be super duper but stil, it is 1 of Marpigz 精心杰作 *smiles*

During the time when Marpig was taking pics of all her yellow-with-age drawings, Marpigz sis came in and saw them!!

Marpigz sis: *wide-eyed* 哇!! 这些是你画的还是你拿别人的?!

Marpig: 当然是我画的啦!! 你太不了解你妹妹啦!! *went on to show each drawing to Marpigz sis*

At this time, Marpigz sis was going to sit on the bed but accidentally sat (lightly) on the drawing above!!

Marpig: 喂!!!!!!!

Marpigz sis: *immediately jumped up* Sorry sorry!! *laughing* (tsk, stil got the cheek to laugh!!)

Marpig: *心痛 and trying to flatten the drawing* 小心一点 hor!! 这些画可以卖几百万的 ok!!

Marpigz sis: *stil laughing* 你知不知道通常作者死了, 这些东西才值钱? (Dont noe why, elder sisters just love to do tt to younger sisters!!)

Marpig: 知道啊. Posthumously mah. 所以我才要收起来

Marpigz sis: Then 这样你改次留给我啦!!

Marpig: *flabbergasted*

And both of them burst out laughing!!

There was also a literature project which Marpig did back in sec sch (did not take pic). It was to deliver the main idea of each chapter in Little Women via the use of illustrations. Think Marpig got the highest score for tt (cos itz drawing, otherwise, Marpigz literature has always been C5 or C6!!)

Marpig rem she drew everyth but where writings (using a fountain pen) were required, she asked Marpigz sis to 代劳 cos btw the 2 sisters, Marpigz sis has very gd handwriting but drawing-wise...
Itz not Marpigz drawings on the stamps!! *faints* hahahaha But yar, one sees the stark difference in the sistersz handwriting!! hahahahahaha