2012-09-08: Combined Birthdays

Happy Birthday to my sister, Maria and cousin, Rachelle!

Brothers, Uncles and half brothers!!

22-05-2010: NOTTING HILL TO COVENT GARDEN

A day out with Yudi at Notting Hill. We walked along Portabello Markets and I found the stall that sold a domino necklace! Mine!! We then made our way to buy some food. Yudi recommended Vegetarian, which was good coz I was craving it!


We sat in a park, eating and chatting. We soaked the sun as it was around 25 degrees! Amazing!!! I scored a tan within a few hours in the sun! More Vitamin D please!!!


Yudi took me to a coffee shop on Portabello Road, she was buying coffee beans... The staff were friendly and were on a buzz with their music.

After saying goodbye to Mel, I decided to walk to Covent Garden from Notting Hill! It can be done!! London is flat and you can pretty much walk everywhere, especially on a beautiful day like this!!!


All the parked were packed with people, soaking up the sun and having picnics!


Headed through Oxford Street... and stopped by PRIMARK to buy a dress! Cheap as! 5 Pound dress to replace the one I was wearing! Walked to Covent Garden to meet up with Honey, Ryan and my Sister for dinner.


The Honey and Ryan booked seating at Cafe Mode... We were directed to a cozy place downstairs away from people and the heat. We had a waiter by the name of BELLO. He was so entertaining and he took well care of us! Especially Ryan! haha.


Ryan's meal looked delicious!!!...


Entrees to share...



pasta dishes for the ladies!!!... Seafood Marinara...





Bello kept checking up on us, offering us free wine and liqueur shots!! haha. He loved Ryan!!


Honey and Ryan couldn't make it to my farewell so they had arranged dinner for me. Thanks guys for an great evening dinner out!

PS. Honey, I bought 'The Time Traveler's Wife' after all the conversations we had that night!

25-04-2010: ESSEN GERMANY

My first tip flying solo! I was heading to Germany's small city of Essen!


A surprise appearance by Phillip and Julia at the Airport with Jana waiting to pick me up! I felt special and was reunited with my German World Youth Day Mates!!!


They planned an itinerary for me! First stop was Tetraeder - a metal pyramid style monument on to of a hill... hehe. That's the way they describes it!



It was a hike-and-half getting there! For some reason I'd thought that it was going to be cold in Essen, so I had packed very warm clothes, thermals and all! I was lucky to be blessed with a very sunny day!



After that detour, we had separated with Phil & Julia. Jana had welcomed me to her home and introduced me to he family: her Dad, Brother (Tobby), Sister (Sabrina), Sabrina's Boyfriend (Lutvig), later on her adorable Mother. Jana's Dad had prepared a BBQ for my arrival. I was staying in Sabrina's room while she stayed at Lutvig's apartment. After having lunch: German Sausages, Beef, Salads, Bread - Jana had taken me to her work, an ice cream parlor! Free ice cream is always a treat! Thanks Jana!!!



We then met up with Julia and Phil again. This time we were going to bike ride it!! I had Jana's bike.. It was a while since I rode a bike, so I expected to ache later on. We rode our bikes to a park called Grugapark. A very nice day to chill on a picnic blanket and chat (learn a few German words). Hehe




Finding the right spot was tricking but we finally got there.








We just laughed all afternoon, got to know PJJ and learnt a few German words...



Plans for dinner in the city after we all had freshen up from the hot sweaty day.


Spanish food on the menu....




I had to try the local beer in Essen!!





Followed by cheap cocktails and a few games of "Ping Pang Pong"...






Thanks Guys for a really good night!!! Poor Jana had to study for her exams that late evening and early morning! Hope you aced it!!!

09-08-2009: ABBEY ROAD TO REGENTS PARK

Beatles fans mobbed London's Abbey Road to mark the 40th anniversary of a famous photo that turned the street into a musical pilgrimage site.


Another one of Carlo's MUST DOES!!... Abbey Road!.... a group of us went to check it out!!


Saw Abbey Road Studios!!!... Where numerous Muscians/Groups had recorded music at....


The Graff where people marked their territory stating there were there and then!...


The girls...


Orientals having a go at what The Beatle had done so many years ago!!!


Maybe a few more times to get it right?!..


Umm... Getting there!?....


Good enough!!!!.....


Nothing beats this though!!!!....


It was the Gorillas turn soon after!!!....LOL


Respect!!!!


Jr wet his pants when he saw this car!!!...


All but Carlo checked out Regents Park... late lunch and a few beers under the sun!!!...


Rod, Jr & I thought it would be a Nike day... we treated out NIKES out in the sun!... Watch out you don't get them dirty!!!



It was a nice day just chilling out and hanging...talking random stuff!...


Joce & Mel showed us a section of the park as it it was Peter Pan's Neverland!!!... tree houses, activities... and what nots!!! It was amazin!!!...


One of the tree-houses had books upstairs as if it was a mini library cool to hang out in and read!!!...



Kuya Rod!!! What did you do?!!!....Rod ended up swinging on the rope with a little pom girl saying something like... "that's not the proper way to do it... be careful it's broken".... in a posh accent!!! Rod had a kid-crush!! LOL.





Little kids at play!!!


A great day!!... We should do a proper picnic next time!!!... Wine, Cheese, crackers?....


It was a long day after that...got home for some dinner and the boys had a powernap... Old Street invited us for drinks coz Ninja was back... Rod, D, Jr & I headed over to chill.. Carlo came by after his Football game. We didn't want to have a late night as a few of us had work the next day.

We decided to walk it home (nice night for it) and we "found" an outdoor seating set...table and two chairs... The boys used their muscle while D & I walked ahead! LOL...



Looks good on our balcony hey?!....