Glad to see friends again

Autumn in London

Since I had been away from London, I was busy meeting my old friends, plus facebook has blocked in China. So that I couldn’t update news with my friends. Back to London, first thing is to meet up with Eileen and Vicky at the weekend. We went to eat in a korean restaurant, and had a walk near London eye, where we normal walk after dinner.

Eileen has her hair cut short and told me some changes of her life. Vicky has a new boyfriend and they seem doing well. I am glad for them whether it’s good or bad to have some change in life, and we all do. I am so happy to catch up with them and hear different stories.

John and I have been thinking that I might have some driving lessons here and get a drive license soon. It cost 20 pound per hour, and need 30 lessons at least to learn how to drive. John said it won’t be easy and I know my ex-manager was failed to get his license, and it is so scared to think how difficult it will be. I guess it’s all about practicing and experience. Wish me luck and hope I don’t waste the money. There are always so much pressure in life. Urg…

My Autumn New Collection shoes

My shoes

Nice back to London and have my own space and life back. I do feel sad to leave my family and niece, as well as good friends in GZ. I had a fabulous time in GZ and Shantou. Thanks all the friends’ dinners and treats in China.

As a shoes lover, I also bought some of the new shoes back to London. I especially like the new blue boots it costs me hundreds of ‘Chairman Mao’ but I just love it so much and it’s very comfortable to walk. While I organised my clothes and shoes, I took some pictures to remind me how many pair of shoes I have. I don’t think it’s many pairs because I am a greedy girl. John always thinks I spend too much on shoes and shopping. Haha…

London is 9 to 15 degrees, and it’s Autumn towards Winter. We properly will see bonfire next week and go to see Mew’s concert soon. We will go to have dinner with my London friends this weekend to catch up. Look forward to seeing them.

Shantou – relax, food & family

shantou

Back to Shantou

The most important thing in Shantou is to see my niece – Sissy. I remember she was born for a week then I left Shantou, and now she is 14 months and learning how to walk and talk. She is incredible smart and adorable.

Mum and Dad are very happy to see me being home, especially Mum, she always cooks so many food, and I don’t even need to get out of the house. I love our new house in central of Shantou with enormous rooms and space for niece to play. Actually I do very little at home, basically just relax, eat food, help Mum do some house work, and then spend time with niece ( I enjoy being a babysitter. )

However, I haven’t seen much of my Shantou friends. Some of them are in Guangzhou or Shenzhen, or most of them are married and expecting a child.

Though sometimes I got bored in Shantou, maybe because I am so used to the busy life in metropolitan cites or maybe I don’t realise I am in holiday.

I can’t believe that it will be ended soon with few days. The irony thing is that I quite look forward back to London, to have my own life back, moreover I do miss John a lot. Anyway, John and I will be back to China together soon in next few months.

I always love my home town no matter where I am.

回到汕头最重要的事情就是看我侄女-希希。记得我走之前她才刚出生1周,现在也有14个月,高高的个子,还在学走路和说话。她真的太聪明和可爱的,每次看到她会放电的大眼睛,任何人都忍不住爱上她,想亲她一口。

爸妈蛮高兴我回来的,特别是老妈子,整天买这墩那的给我吃,让我其实不用出门天天有好东西吃,也让我少吃了很多汕头的小吃。我蛮喜欢爸妈的新房子的,空间很大,给希希整天跑来跑去玩个够。其实在汕头主要还是休息,吃东西和帮老妈子打扫下房子,但最多是做希希的玩伴和保姆,我真开心能陪她这么常时间,以后不晓得她还认得我不?

但这次我却少走亲戚和朋友了,有些在外头,有些也结婚生孩子,大家有了家庭,出来的机会就少很多。虽然有时候会觉得在汕头蛮无聊的,也许我习惯了大都市的生活,或许我忘记了我在度假中,当你忙碌总想有休息的时间,休息的时候想忙碌点什么,这就是人生啊。

觉得无法相信很快就要结束我的假期。实际上我蛮期待回去过自己的生活,重要的是我蛮想念约翰的!但我们过年时候2人一起再回来吧。无论身在何处,我都是爱我家和汕头。

Exciting going back to China

back to China

Since 08/08/2008 last year till today 09/09/2009, I have been away from China and my friends for over 1 year. It seems very long, but it also feels like just yesterday. I guess I could not adjust the weather when I am back to Guangzhou. The weather here in London is perfect temperature about 19-25 degrees, however, Guangzhou is about 35 degrees and very humid. Then I properly will spend one week to adjust the jet-leg.

All these things do not matter when I think of meeting friends, eating delicious food and spending time with my niece and family. The joy will be overcome the bad sides. Yuki and other friends plan to drive to Yangjiang and eat seafood there at the weekend I arrive. On one hand, I can’t wait flying on Tuesday. On the other hand, I do feel sad that John could not join me back to China this time, maybe we will be back during the Chinese New year Next year!

One sad thing is that sister told me Mum has rented out our old house. It means that the house where I had spent 20 years is gone – my white cat, my usual place, and everything. Although the house is old and small, it contains all the memories of my childhood, friends who came to visit, and normal life. I know that sooner or later it will need to be re-decorate it, or sell it, but I will miss it so much!

Anyway, see you soon, my friends! Thanks Trini of her bubble tea and Shantou pictures!

兴奋的快回中国!

从8月8号2008年离开中国,到今天9月9号2009年,差不多一年没有回国,想起来好像很久,但实际又好像是昨天,1年中发生了很多事,大家都为生活努力奋斗着!伦敦的天气十分清爽-19-15度之间,回到广州我可能不太适应广州的闷热35度的温度,再说,要1个星期才能调节好我的时差。

但这些都不要紧,一想到见到老朋友和吃很多中餐,海鲜及最重要是见我姐的女儿,从她出生到现在1年了,我很想念希希!Yuki 已经安排好到达的周末去阳江吃海鲜!我太兴奋了。下周二就飞,但我又舍不得约翰一个人在伦敦,可惜他不能请假太久回去,过年我们再一起回去吧。

一个很伤心的消息,老姐告诉我我家的老房子租给别人了,老房子储存了我20年生活的点滴 - 从小学到中专,朋友来来回回去我家作客,老家虽旧,但很多朋友都感觉是他们的另一个窝。我可怜的白猫,很多角落的点滴,回忆就这样很快消失了。其实我知道老家需要重新专修或租出去的,只是时间问题,我会想念它的!

总而言之,我太兴奋的飞回去啦,等我哦,朋友们!封面珍珠奶茶的照片是旖旎同学汕头的照片哦!

Farewell dinner with colleagues

Farewell dinner

Colleagues decided to eat in a really nice Italian restaurant near Oxford street. It properly was not the last dinner with my them, but I am glad that I got alone very well with most of the colleagues after 2 months and a half working in the company. Even though most of my colleagues are younger, crazier than me, they are smart and awesome.

It’s hard always to say goodbye to people, even though you know some of them you might not see them anymore in your life. It is nice to meet new people and share experience with them. This is life, people come and people go.

Thanks my friends and colleagues. Life is dull without their existence.

同事们说一起去吃意大利菜,虽然我知道这不是我们的大家的最后一餐,以后大家还会经常联系。还是感到十分开心在公司工作了2个多月,认识了这么多位不同国际的好朋友 - 他们虽都年轻和疯狂过我,但大家相处下来还是十分愉快的。人和人的缘分是很难说的,有些和你超好,很喜欢你,但有些只是路过而已。

有时候很难和好同事说再见,虽有些可能一辈子都不会和他们再见面,但相会就是有缘分。很多人在你生命中匆匆的走过,只留下短暂的记忆,但还是要感谢朋友们和同事们,生活没有他们的存在是无味枯燥的。

Mango Catwalk Show in Oxford Street

Mango Catwalk Show

Mango Shop had a fashion show on Sunday night to train the employees about this new autumns’ collection. The company had provided drinks and snack food. It was a fantastic ideas and people had great fun to perform and to watch. Because the models were all the volunteers of the employees, and not by hired model, so that the atmosphere was extraordinate lively. I am glad that I was part of it and had some laugh with people. You can see more pictures from here.

我们被邀请参加西班牙店Mango在繁华商业街Oxford Street举行的一场不正式的catwalk 表演。主办方还专门提供了酒水和食物。据说是对今年秋装时尚的一场培训 - 搞场catwalk 表演好过无聊的时尚培训。模特都是mango的自愿表演的工作人员,所以什么体型的模特都有。就因为这个原因,让气氛更加轻松自如。我也和很多朋友和公司员工一起享受这场秋装服装秀。这里有更多照片可以看。

Hot Sunshine in London

hot summer July

It has been so hot in these days, but with some breeze, not like China, it was incredible humid. Sometimes I enjoy my scoop of the ice-cream from the ice cream man or some drinks in a cafe to have a rest.

It was shock to hear that Michael Jackson was passed away and he was a legend to a lot of people. Although I am not a fan of MJ, I remember one of my cousin used to play MJ’s songs when I was young, that’s all the memories I have for MJ.

Recently we run out movies and TV series, however, we don’t have much time in the evening. We have been thinking where to live in next year or what we will do in next year. We might move out city of London and live in the country side even though we both love living in the city of London so much. However, it’s another step to achieve something in our life. We will see…Wish us luck!

伦敦7月的热天

这几天进入夏天最热的时候,伦敦地铁没有空调的,因整个地铁系统已经有几百年历史,虽然热,但凉风阵阵。有时候天太热,街上有‘冰淇淋车’ 可以买冰淇淋吃,或是坐在cafe外面喝杯东西,享受着阳光,这就是我工作之余的休息方式。

前几天听到迈克迅过世的消息蛮让我惊奇和觉得可惜的,至少他象麦当那一样是80-90年代的传奇。虽然我不是他的歌迷,给我他印象最深的时侯是我表哥在我90年代老放他的一张成名碟,那时侯还是放大碟的时期,现在都mp4的时代了!

不知道怎么的,我们找不到很多电影我们想看,也看完了很多一直追的电视剧,不过因为我工作的原因,我们也比较少时间能看电影和电视。最近我们在商量下年的打算,想搬出伦敦市中心,或许住在伦敦郊外,或是住在别的城市,体验下其他城市的生活,存多点钱买房子!虽然我们两都超爱住在伦敦市中心,但伦敦实在地贵物价也贵!我们在没有最终决定中,为我们祝福吧!

A new Job and a different life

a-new-life-and-expensive

After all the exams finished, I had been trying to find a part-time job during this summer holiday. It was quite hard and I guess there are many competitions in London. Over few days out for hunting jobs, and submitted over 100 copies of resumes, luckily, I had several  interviews, however, employers were keen to have full-time employees rather then part-time.

However, today it was my happiest day. After 3 interviews, one was offering me on the spot, and another one called me back today and said I was hired out of 3 competitors. Moreover, I went to school to pick up my final transcript, and I was nominated by the tutor that I was the best student in the class, and received 25 pounds for buying book. I was so thrilled in a day, and I felt that my hard working finally rewarded it.

I will work hard and meet more new people. At the first time, I felt like I am part of this country rather than being a student or a visitor. Everyone was so happy for me and me too. Life is not easy, but I will find a way to fight for it and enjoy it.

一份新工作,一份不同经历

自从5月底所有考试结束后,2个星期都在不断努力为这个夏天找兼职。一切都不容易啊,虽然伦敦遍地是机会,但因为大家都知道,所以更多的竞争着来自世界各地,加上欧洲国家的人都纷纷来伦敦工作。简历都投递了超过100份,也有了几份面试的机会,但他们大多要求一年4季长期工作,而不止是兼职。

但今天是我的最幸运的一天,昨天有3份面试哦,时间都安排的蛮紧的,第1份说很喜欢我,但他们希望我能全职,第2份工作在面试就说马上请我,周一上班,第3份工作今天打电话说请我,(面试时候见过3个和我竞争的对手,显然我打败她们)我十分开心,当然我选择个最合适我的。惊奇的另一件事是,今天去学校拿最后的成绩单,不但我考得蛮不错的成绩,一打开信封,教授提名我最佳的学生,奖励我25英镑买书卷呢。哦,天啊,又找到兼职,又有奖励,我的心甜过蜜糖呢!整天都超级开心,真的很想大喊几声,谢谢自己一年来这么努力,很辛苦很辛苦的付出才拿到好成绩的!来之不易啊!大家别看我吃吃玩玩的多,辛苦的时候超级辛苦,压力十分大,只是没有和大家说而已。不过我十分满意我这1年来的付出和努力!常言道,生命短暂,辛苦时候还是要努力享受生活的。

我会好好努力工作,同时也认识多点新朋友。第一次感觉到自己不只是这个城市的游客或过客,而是真正的生活在伦敦!谢谢大家的支持和鼓励哦,让我们为生活继续努力吧!

Keane’s Concert in Shepherd Bush

keane-in-shepherd-bush

John bought Keane‘s tickets for my birthday gift in March, and finally this is the night. We went there at 6 pm, and there were already many people queueing, and luckily we got the great seats to see them very clear. Surprisingly, there were many middle-age fans to see Keane as well.

The show was to celebrate 50th birthday of the Island Record Company. The island members took all the fans pictures and said it will post it their website, can’t wait to see myself in there. The show was started at 7 pm, and the warming brand was Ladyhawke, she sang about 8 songs, and she performed well, however, the microphone could be louder because audiences could not hear her voice clearly.

When Keane came out, the whole stadium was crazy with a lot of applause. Keane sang about many songs from first album Hopes and Fears including ‘everybody is changing’, ‘ We might as well be stranger’ , and ‘somewhere we only know’; then ‘crystal ball and ‘nothing in my way’; then many songs from third album as well including ‘again and again’,’perfect symmetry’ and ‘spiralling’…

Tom’s voice was absolute amazing and with his professional performance. He talked to audiences, even shook hands with audiences, and asked audiences to sing with him as loud as they could, (to be honest, every audiences could easy burst out everyone song from Keane). The background lights, the band performance and the atmosphere was stunning. It felt likes that Keane music was melting with audiences voices, and everyone was so indulging into their music and lost themselves.

Their music was so perfect and ‘ I lost my heart, I buried it too deep into the under the iron sea’. It was a remarkable concert and I wish they will continuously create great music.

I recorded one song on the spot only for one of Keane’s best fans from GZ – Syrinx Ye.

约翰在我3月份生日时候送给我Keane演唱会的门票,终于等到今晚的到来。早早6点就去排队,已经一条长龙,蛮多中年岁数的歌迷呢,幸好我们早去,找到2个正中不错的位子。

这个演唱会是为了庆祝 island 唱片公司50岁的生日而搞的,工作人员给歌迷各个都照了相做纪念,我也照了张,不知道去哪里看呢?7点就正式开场,第一嘉宾是ladyhawke,约翰蛮喜欢的新西兰女歌手,她长了8首主打歌,歌曲还不错,可惜麦克风不够大声,听不是很清楚她的声音。

当Keane出场时候,掌声雷雷,歌迷超级疯狂的叫喊。Keane唱了很多第一张成名著 Hope and Fear,每一首歌迷都跟着一起唱,然后唱了2首第2张专集under iron sea,唱得最多的是第3张专集,场面十分感人,歌迷的声音做为背景,和 Keane的声音融合在一起。

主唱的Tom的声音真的很棒,歌喉和歌底很好,加上他十分卖力和专业表演,和让大家感受到他对音乐的那种激情,从他的歌词和歌曲中流露出来。看得出他对歌迷很好,在场常和歌迷交流,惊奇的是,居然还跳下场和歌迷握手。现场的表演,灯光,气氛真的太完美了。当然我也和其他歌迷一样一起和Keane 合唱,虽然不算是他们的疯狂歌迷,但十分喜欢他们的所有的专集。

当场的气氛就象忘掉自我,沉溺在Keane的音乐中,就象歌词中 ’ 我的心遗失了,把它深深的埋在铁海中,埋在音乐的铁海中’…这场演唱会是我见过Muse之后最棒的一场show。希望他们继续创造好音乐给大家。

我录下下了一段片断献给最爱 Keane 的广州歌迷 - 叶嘉雯!

Summer time

summer-day

I do enjoy the sunny day and hot temperature in London, and it is hot, but as humid as China. I asked friends to come to my house and made some cakes together before they fly back to HK and Japan. We bought so many ingredients and made the pumpkin pie and chocolate trifle cake.

Vicky and Miwa enjoyed making cakes and we had so much fun, even though Vicky had some flower everywhere, and Miwa dropped an egg on the floor, it’s part of the fun and experience with friends. After 2 hours hard work, we ordered Papajohn’s pizza and watched some girl’s movie – He is not in too you. Then drinking and chatting until 1 am.

I enjoy the quality time with friends here in Summer day, cool breeze, hot sun, summer clothes, cool beer, good food and good accompany, then what a happy weekend. Here are some of our latest pictures.

I have been working hard to find a part-time job, had 2 interviews yesterday, but we will see the  results and I have work harder hunting on Monday. Tonight we will see Keane and Ladyhawke’s concert in Shepherd  Bush, I am so looking forward to seeing them.

一个休闲的夏天

喜欢伦敦夏天的阳光,大大的太阳,感觉很热但风是凉爽的。虽然热,但不至于流汗,不过市中心因人多,汽车多,所以就超热,但没有广州那么潮湿,干爽天气。下周大家都快回各自的国家了,所以我叫泳棋和美和,来我家齐齐动手做蛋糕和派,我们买和超级多材料,做我们之前做过的南瓜派和巧克力莫丝。

泳棋和美和一起搓面粉啊,切南瓜,虽然他们都是第一次亲自烤蛋糕,泳棋把厨房搞得到处是面粉,美和把蛋掉到地上,这些都是开心的片刻,和他们一起享受生活美食的经历。经过2个小时的辛苦准备,终于完成了我们的派和巧克力蛋糕,然后我们叫了papajohn的pizza,一起看电影,甜点就是我们的派和蛋糕拉。

我十分享受夏天的凉风,热太阳,夏天的短裤,好朋友一起吃喝一起笑,轻松的夏天周末就这样过!这里是我们的最新照片

我在努力找兼职呢,昨天有2份面试,不知道成不成功,英国兼职很难找啊,很多欧洲人来竞争,加上金融风暴,好在伦敦到处都是机会,周一再接再厉。今晚去听Keane 和 Ladyhawke的演唱会,约翰喜欢ladyhawke,等待疯狂的激情的夜晚终于来了。