My First Birthday in London

french-style

Today it’s my 27 years birthday but also is my first birthday in the UK. I am very grateful that I have met a lot of good friends as well as having such a good time together during the school term. Last night, we went to celebrate our tri – birthdays for Elieen from Korean, John and me who were all born in March with Miwa and Vicky. John found a French restaurant called Savoir Faire in Holborn, and it has been recommended as the top-table in 2008 with 5 stars reviews.

The restaurant was very cosy, French style with oil-panting on the wall. Only flaw was the music! The price was affordable and the food was absolutely tasty, just like their name – Savoir Faire in French means someone knows the trick.

We ordered some wine, starters, main courses and desserts. I ordered a slowed-braised lamp and it was a super huge lamb leg with mush-potato, which it could feed two people and I ate them all! Others ordered the popular dish – Duck, and John ordered a fish dish. After the meal, we all stuffed and left with a big satisfaction. Friends and I had a fantastic time with delicious food. London is the city you can think of any food from different nationalities, and never could try them all.

I have received many birthday cards and wishes from friends and families. John bought me the ticket to see Keane with Ladyhawke Concert on 30th of May. I have bought myself many clothes to spoil myself. Moreover, John cooked a delicious fish with roasting huge mushroom with cheese tonight, along with beer and chocolate pudding!

I had a really happy birthday and wish to share my happiness with you. Here some pictures to share with you.

今天是我27岁的生日,同时也是我在英国的第一个生日。幸运的我在短短的半年中认识很多好朋友,也和他们度过了很多校园美好的时光!昨晚我们为了庆祝韩国美女Elieen,约翰和我三人都是3月份生日,一起和日本好友美和和香港老友Vicky一起五人读过。约翰选了个法国餐厅,听说这个餐厅10年历史,评价很高,很多杂志和评论都说食物超级棒,厨师有5星级的水平,这一定要尝试下。

餐厅十分法国味道,2层楼,墙壁是手工的大幅油画,唯一不足的是音乐 – 配合不了餐厅的味道。价钱中高,但食物超级美味! 就像餐厅的名字在法文的意思是 – 它知道秘诀 (他们能做出拿手好菜!)我们叫了红酒,开胃菜,主菜和甜点 – 我选了漫炖了5个小时的羊腿和土豆泥,羊腿够2-3个人的分量,我自己一人独吃掉!其他朋友选了最出名的鸭胸,程度刚刚好,约翰点了鲈鱼,他说超级好吃!然后再甜点!天啊,我们把碟子都吃得一干二净,5个人吃到超级饱,决定去伦敦眼周边走半个小时消化下,大家对餐厅的评价特别高,食物超级物有所值!

太爱伦敦的理由就是你可以吃到全球各地特别好吃的食物,因伦敦多元化很多国际人都在这里生活,餐厅的选择更是超级多,你要你想到的,都可以找到,品种太多了!

约翰送给我Keane的5月底VIP伦敦演唱会门票和一双西班牙出的运动鞋,我看了很久,就是太贵不拾得买,他买了给我。我当天在自己买了几条裙子,哈哈!我们今晚喝些啤酒,烤大蘑菇加芝士在上面,烤鱼和甜点是巧克力布丁,浓浓的巧克力从布丁里面流出来,超级棒!

很多朋友都在facebook和留言给我,谢谢你们的祝福,我度过一个十分开心幸福的27岁生日!照片很快再传上来给大家分享!这是一些最新照片

River Trip and Parties

day-trip-on-thames

The school has organised a boat trip to Greenwich on Wednesday. We were on the top boat and saw all the tourists’ attractions such as London Eye and Big Ben. Additionally, I also met some new friends from other classes and had some crazy laugh with thousands pictures taken. It was a windy cold spring day, but it didn’t reduce our fun at all.

After we arrived in Greenwich, we walked around a little because I have been there with John’s family last summer. Friends decided to go to the pub and have some beer! Then all of us – 16 people went to the restaurant I had booked, ate some delicious food and went to another bar.

So we decided to try the popular Buddha Bar near London Eye. I heard that it is a franchise which is based in Paris and all over the world. It is a very posh and fancy bar / restaurant. We had some talks, laugh and dance till 12 am, then we went home, the rest of friends went on continually till 5am! It was properly the last time all the friends gathering – I will miss you of my friends. Here some pictures to share with you

因学期快结束了,所以学校组织周三大家坐船一游泰晤士河到格林尼治 – (英国伦敦东南一市镇,为本初子午线所经过的地方〕虽然当天风很大,大家兴致还是不减,坐在船顶,照相聊天和在船上看伦敦出名旅游景点。大家到了格林尼治之后决定去当地的酒吧喝上几杯,接着16个朋友去我订的餐厅(就在伦敦眼50米的地方,餐厅面对着泰晤士河,风景绝佳)。之后当然再接下场,自从离开广州之后,好久没有这么疯狂过了 – 去了很出名的(佛吧)听说它的基地在巴黎,然后世界各地都有。佛吧里面超级高级,看得出是很多政客去谈生意或疯狂的地方。我们喝了很多鸡尾酒,快到12点,我和约翰先回去了,他明天要上班,其他的同学疯狂再换去跳舞的地方疯狂到零晨5点。太疯狂了!可能大家分别后也没有很多机会大家一起吃饭疯狂,我会想念你们! 这是一些最新照片

Epping Forest

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We spent one weekend to travel to Epping Forest, which is famous for Henry VIII’s hunting house during 16 century. It is a natural, big forest and it is actually my first time to see the real wild forest. Some people rode their bicycles, and some were playing with their dogs. It was a peaceful sunny afternoon, and we enjoy our relaxing weekend exploring the area.

The house which you saw in the pictures was used to Henry VIII’s hunting house. It is free entrance. I do enjoy some weekend walking and exploring some area in London!

周末和约翰一起去epping森林,它是一个野生自然的森林,据说照片上的这个房子就是6世纪亨利八世纪在伦敦的猎物小房子。那是我第一次走入荒野的自然森林。看着大家溜着狗,起着单车,享受阳光和新鲜空气,这是我最喜欢的休闲周末!喜欢伦敦的理由很多,1个小时你就可以享受伦敦郊外的田野风光就是其中的一个理由!

Spring in London

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It was John’s birthday yesterday, and it was sweet to spend with him relaxing at home and eating some great food. Today, it was a nice crispy sunny day of Spring in London, so we decided to have a walk along the Regent Canal with Miwa. Luckily we had finished all the school projects and essays, so we can enjoy our free time.

We talked two miles to reach Angel in Islington. On the half way, John discovered a local market called Broadway Market next to Victoria Park. Surprisingly, it is a very trendy area – all you can see there were full of fashionable young people, who were shopping some local food, picking their sandwiches, drinking some fruit smoothes, as well as purchasing some second hand clothes.

Miwa and I first picked some German sausage hot-dog to share, and then we bought some French fusion food – coconut tiger prawn with some rice for £7. 50 each. John picked some healthy vegetable burger. The normal lunch price is from £3 – £8, and dessert from £2 – £5. It is not bad with so much fresh and home-made food or desserts – a perfect for a Spring panic in the Park. I do like this market – funky, trendy and fusion style. Then we walked another mile to reach Islington and had some chill Mango Passion fruit Frappuccino – so nice and cool to call a day.

春天的伦敦

昨天是约翰的生日,我们买了很多东西在家下厨,本想买礼物给他,出去逛街,结果买了很多自己的东西,却没有买给他,哈哈,他不介意的。我们把所有学校的功课都完成了,决定好好休息和享受春天的到来。所以今天,一个清爽蓝色的周末,我们决定和日本朋友 – 美和一起沿着学校的小河散步到另一个城镇。

我们漫步走了2公里,半路约翰发掘靠近维多利亚公园的一个当地的百老汇市场。很多时尚的年轻人溜着狗,骑着单车,带着旧式的太阳眼镜,搭配着十分时尚的衣服买着三文治,新鲜蔬菜,自家做的蔬菜派和独特午餐,还有很多甜点,蛋糕,朱古力布朗尼,看到都流口水。

首先我和美和先尝试下德国的出名的香肠热狗,超级好吃!然后去了家法国买了虾椰子饭,一份£.7.50磅,约翰用5磅买了一个素食汉堡包。普通午餐在3到5磅不等,甜点从2到5磅。价格还可以接受,虽然分量小点,但是自家做的,新鲜程度和用料方面都很下功夫,所以还是值得的。一群朋友一起买着三文治,在公园野餐,是最好不过的春天周末约会。我十分喜欢这个市场,时尚,新鲜,大把食物。我们再走了1公里路,然后喝上杯芒果热情果冰爽,结束今天的散步,真是超级爽!

Hampton Court

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Hampton Court called The Great Hall, which is England’s greatest medieval hall and one of Britain’s oldest theatres. William Shakespeare’s company performed there in 1603-4. It is famous also because it was one of Henry VIII’s palaces in 16 century. It is unmissable to not visit it if you love the historical of England’s buildings and architectures.

We went to visit Hampton Court after watching one of my favourite TV series The Tudors.It took 1 hour by train to get there and we had a picnic at lunch, and then walked around the court for at least 3-4 hours. It is an enormous palace with many pretty gardens – even have a grape garden to make wine for Henry VIII. It still remains the same looking kitchens, beds, entertaining rooms as well as gardens in the period of Henry VIII. It was a great trip and it makes me feel that was it like in the old days. There are some pictures here.

汉普顿宫廷

汉普顿宫廷誉为贵族宫殿,是英国最大也是最老的宫殿和戏剧院。莎士比亚剧院曾在16世纪在这里演出。汉普顿宫廷的出名是因16世纪亨利八世在这里执政,这是他最爱的宫廷之一。假如你喜欢英国历史文化和建筑,汉普顿宫廷你是绝对不可以错过的。

因亨利八世BBC连续剧,我决定来汉普顿宫殿参观下。大概一个半小时的地铁到车程,我们先在花园野餐,然后再进入宫殿。里面超级大,就花园就有4-5个不同形状和主题的花园,还有葡萄园 – 据说亨利八世自己种的葡萄,然后运酿成葡萄酒。当时英国也有很好的葡萄酒。

宫殿里面有亨利八世的日常生活的细节。最好玩的是你首先进入厨房。你闻到阵阵木材味道,原来为了旅客们亲身体验亨利八世的厨房,厨房一直烧着木材。里面还有很多新鲜蔬菜,肉类,让你知道当时厨房要准备600多人的饮食多么不容易。

接着参观亨利八世睡过的床,执政的地方,宴会的客厅,皇后们的房子,花园,亨利八世和皇后的房间正对着花园和喷泉,真是好风景!然后一个很多的迷宫供给他们娱乐,还后旧时候他们发明的室内皇式网球场。宫殿至少需要3-4小时才能游览完毕,这让我幻想,旧时候的皇室生活表面是多么的奢侈及繁华富贵,但又为了权利和财富而勾心斗角,我想每个社会都是这样发展起来的。汉普顿宫廷是一个不能错过,十分有趣和富有历史意义的旅程。这里有很多里面的照片哦!

A Day Trip to Kent

kents_day_trip

Regardless how stressful of school works, I am glad that Melanie came to visit us in London on Friday, so we decided to drive to visit Maidstone in Kent City, which known as the Garden of England. There are some areas dating back to beyond the Stone Age.

Maidstone is 32 miles away in south-east of London. It is a pretty historical town with many 14th century churches and museums. We walked around the town centre and drove to see the Leeds Castle.

Leeds Castle

First, we went to Lehman village for some lunches, and then drove another 3-5 miles, we arrived Leeds castle. £15 for entrance fee. It is famous for next to a lake, and it is huge, peaceful, as well as astonishing beauty of the castle and the garden. It might take you at least 2-3 hours wondering around.

The castle was a royal palace for many generations of Kings and Queens. Unusually, there are several black swans and peacocks walking around, and apparently they like tourists’ attention. We might return there on summer holiday. Here are some pictures.

肯德镇和利兹古堡

快期末了,不说学习压力如何大,约翰的妹妹(梅乐琳)周五来伦敦公干,顺便看我们。我们带她去吃点心,然后周六就开车去东南部肯德镇(自己的翻译),它离伦敦32公里,开车1个小时左右,天气很好,觉得好像小时候的春游。到了市中心,很多14世纪遗留下来的教堂,博物馆和很多古色古香的木房子。它是一个小镇,但满热闹和漂亮的,大家都很和蔼。当我在照相时候,一个青年帅哥说:要照我吗?然后就摆个姿势。超级搞笑!

先去另一个小镇吃三文治先,然后开车到利兹古堡,入门15磅。据说古堡名字起的好怪,古堡不在利兹城市,但却叫利兹古堡。古堡因它的美丽而出名,坐落在湖边,在一个超级大的花园,有一个足球场大,至少可以逛2-3个小时才走完。建于1119年,之后是很多代皇室家族的宫殿或花园。真是奢华!湖边有黑色天鹅,花园有几只孔雀。它们都自由自在的生活着,享受着人们的关注,过着明星般的生活。你可以想象得到多么诗情画意的画面。由于时间关系,我们只游走了一半,可能我们夏天再去拉。这里有最新的照片

Recent entertainment

tv-music-recent-entertainment

After the Christmas break, school has started, and now it has become very busy with essays and exams again. The weather feels like approaching Spring. I can’t wait to see the spring and summer coming.

Despite the heavy-loaded school works, I still manage to squeeze some time to watch some TV programmes and music for relaxation.

Dexter Season 3

Dexter season three was 5 stars, and actually I love it since the season one came out. It is a cohesive drama with complex characters and stories. Each season has its theme about Dexter. First season is to find out who was Dexter, second season is that Dexter found out who is he and season 3 is what he wants to be. There is an exciting news to know that they are producing the season four. I wonder what is the theme in season four about Dexter?

Battlestar Glactica

Then following the remarkable dramma is Battlestar Galactica – the final season. It will be sad to see the end of the 5 years accompany. It has many perspectives to see different layers of people’s personalities, with political bureaucracies, power, moral choices, conflict, emotion, and the hope to survive. It was a fantastic TV series. The stories sometime are complicated, dark, even depress in season three, however it shows people never give up their hopes. And It does portray many aspects of multifaceted human being. This is one of the reason I like this TV drama. “We” are complicated.

Skins 2009

I Watched 2008 Skins last year. At the beginning, I thought it was one of those stereotypes teenage stories. However, it did surprise me that the story uses about 6 characters who is around 15 to 20 years old, describe the complex emotional problems of the modern young generation. It is a period for them to find out who they are and what they want to be. I guess everyone has the same experience when they grow up. They are passionate, energetic, and even troublesome. They sometime make mistakes, but they are still learning and the most important thing is to discover themselves. This is the story of skins. Of course, stories are basic on teenage in the UK, it might be a different culture as we grow up

Music – Lily Allen

New album “It’s not me, it’s you” 4 stars out of 5. There are only few songs I think they are ok, the rest is very nice. Recommended!

The killers – Day & Age

It’s not new anymore, few months old now. The song “human” is controversy about the lyrics, but it is a very nice song and album! Good value!

Iphone 3G

3g-iphone

John decided to buy the Iphone 3G from O2. He chose 16G instead of the 8G, because it is faster and have more memory. According to the rumors, the Iphone will be released a new version without 3G in China very soon. It will be interesting to see, of course, no one can ignore the big Chinese market nowadays. Some people are also saying that Iphone will have a super version this summer. John can upgrade to the new version, and then the 3G will be mine. Haha…can not wait! After using it, everything is so simple and easy to use. You can use it for google maps, ipod, Internet, messages, camera and everything can be connected with an Apple computer.

I have to say after using an Apple computer, you will become addicted and become an Apple person!

约翰终于在O2买了iphone 3G,内存16G的,他之前问我怎么样?我大力支持他买iphone,除了外形漂亮,实在十分使用,又可以讲电话,听音乐,(看来我们的黑色nano又要卖掉了),又可以上网,3G 定位系统,开车最方便。他还下载了很多使用的软件,比如走到哪里就可以查到最好吃的餐馆,就想带着小型的电脑一样。实在太方便了。对他这种超级喜欢科技的人,iphone最实用不过。听说iphone要在中国推出新的iphone,但没有3G的定位系统,当然不能忽视中国这个大市场拉,人们消费能力这么强!绝对支持!

自从用了苹果机的电脑和ipod之后,太爱苹果的东西了,从设计,功能,和使用性来说,微软远远没有能比苹果的。我们是苹果的超级fans! 听内部消息说,iphone这个夏天6-7月要升级,约翰说一升级,他再买新的,3G的就属于我的。哈哈,快点升级阿。iphone超级好用啊!我开心的又照了几张照片

Let it snow, let it snow…

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It is unusal to have heavy snow in London. Accoring to BBC that it has been 18 years to have heavy snow and it is up to 6in (15cm) of snow. I finally waited for the the real snow.

It is so fun and exciting! What’s important, this is my first time to see the snow. Everything covers by snow. I made some snow man in our garden and the snow has not stopped so far. Because the heavy snow, all the transportation has shut down and classes were off for 2 days, so I organised my classmates to have some snow flight and went to the hill to have some sledging. However, I do feel like I was having a holiday in Norway. What is a wonderful snowing day. Some pictures are here to share to you.

昨天晚上就开始下雪,超级大的雪,因为伦敦在南部,很少有很大的雪,但因为这股俄罗斯和北欧洲的风吹来英国南部,使伦敦下起超级大的雪。据说18年来最大的雪发生在伦敦。开始我还觉得雪应该不是很厚,雪下了一天都没有停过。早上8点醒来,路面和说有的房顶都布满了厚厚的雪。雪大到我觉得像在挪威!刚走出去门外,天啊,5-10寸深。把脚一踏,覆盖了你整个鞋子!我在花园堆砌雪人。应所以的交通工具都停了,地铁,巴士都不能动,学校也关闭了。 我和约翰下午组织同学们一起去打雪球,滑雪。在学校后面有个小山,同学们拿着朔料袋就玩起滑雪。超级搞笑和好玩!这是一部分照片

Chinese New Year Parade

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I organised our classmates to eat in Cha Cha Moon Chinese restaurant for a quick lunch. Then we walked to Chinatown and Trafalgar Square to see the dragon parade. It was so crowded and eventually we only saw some tiny little dragon. It was a little bit disoppointed but we had a good laugh with friends. Here is some pictures to share.

我组织同学们去吃中国菜和看舞狮表演,连我们的老师也加入我们团队。大家二三群吃完饭之后走去中国城。超级多人,拥挤的不得了!我比较失望舞狮表演,太多人,狮子又超级小!在trafalgar 广场,还有中国表演节目呢。由于天气太冷了,冷到下起雪花, 但大家欢欢喜喜,有说有笑的过了一天。最新照片在这里。