Home is where the heart is

For all this talk of travel, many often wonder if I have a home. I most certainly do! It's a quiet little condo, which welcomes me with open arms every time I step off a plane.

What I especially love about this place is that it houses my collection of bric-a-brac from all over the world. Everytime I look around the apartment, I'm reminded how blessed I am to have travelled so extensively. There are painted horses from Sweden, an old map from England, porcelain houses from Holland, wooden carvings from Indonesia, posters of art exhibitions from San Francisco, a plaster cocker spaniel named "Petals" from Eumundi and a peacock feather duster named "Lady Penelope Featherbraine" from Canberra!

When I first opened my home to friends, some were suprised by the decor which I've playfully described as "Laura Ashley meets minimalist". It's largely inspired by the shabby chic revolution that swept Australia in the late nineties. And thanks to the large collection of embroidered pictures by my mother (which is undoubtedly a family heirloom), it's pretty, comfortable and homey. Quite unlike the owner, perhaps ;-)

The view from the balcony is quite pleasant although there aren't any rolling hills or gentle streams. Just a vast expanse of expensive residential homes which light up a pretty scene at night. And it's also a great place to view fireworks from all over PJ and KL during the New Year and Merdeka celebrations.

I look forward to welcoming all my friends to my home sometime...soon...I hope.

Everyone's a critic!

Just found a new tool that assesses the readability of blogs. Here are the results for this blog.


Cool huh?

Memories of Champagne

It's only the fourth day of the New Year, and I'm already lying in bed with a fever..sigh. In need of some cheering up, I decided to look through old photos and found this lovely one which was taken on my first trip to France.

(L - R) Joanna, Andrew, Nathalie & Jean Pierre saying SALUT!

After getting my Mercedes (as most Malaysian students do), my housemate Andy & I decided to drive down to France to visit his good friends, Nathalie & Jean Pierre. They lived in Chalons-sur-Marne, which is conveniently located between Paris & Champagne. Not one to miss out on alcoholic beverages in those days, I jumped at the chance to visit one of the famous champagne houses.

It was a nice-enough tour of vineyards, grapes, cellars etc. But the real fun happened when we got to taste the "freshly-made" champers. I love bubbly! I also wanted a souvenir and that's when I got my first dose of the famous French snootiness.

Here's the conversation I had with one of the staff from the champagne house (which will remain unnamed - you'll find out why later)

Aunty Jo Jo (AJJ): Hello! I'm visiting France for the first time and have really enjoyed your tour.

French Guy (FG): Zank yoo

AJJ: I was wondering if it would be possible to have souvenir. May I keep one of these champagne flutes?

FG: Zorree..Yoo may not ave ze floot as a zooveneer. Eet ees not allowed.

AJJ: OK, then is there a shop where I can buy one to keep?

FG: Zorree..Vee zoo not zell it to ze public.

AJJ: Is there a manager I can speak to about this?

FG: Zorree..Ze manajere ees bizee. Au revoir mademoiselle! (and turns round and walks away!)

I was a little upset by this time and my friends noticed. So what did the 2 gallant European gentlemen do? They helped me nick 2 empty champagne flutes and smuggled it out in the sleeves of their jackets!

Now you know why the champagne house remains anonymous :-D

Student days in England

Having read through my 2007 posts, I'm startled at the lack of information on my brief sojourn in England. After being so enamoured by the glories of Great Britain as a child, it was dream come true for me in 1995 when I packed my bags and headed for the home of Shakespeare, Wordsworth and Austen. I woke up instead in Birmingham - the home of the Indian balti!

(L-R) Martin, Deena, Joanna & Tariq outside Priorsfield, the MBA graduate school

Thanks to the generosity of the British Council, I received a scholarship to study for an MBA at the University of Birmingham in 1995-1996. It was the start of all my travel adventures and I relished every moment: new environment, new friends, new culture - it was wonderful! As a Chevening scholar, I was determined to emerge as top student. As a curious student, I was determined to see as much of the UK as I could. And so began a disciplined regime of long study periods on weekdays, and a relentless pursuit of FUN on weekends!

Aunty Jo-Jo enjoying the autumn scenes in Cambridge

One of my first weekends away was spent in Cambridge, where Harvey was studying...oops..I mean "reading" Land Economy at Robinson College. It's a beautiful ancient town filled with intellectuals but strangely enough, I seem to remember more about pub crawls and a lovely sandwich place named Gardenia's (which I was constantly calling Daffodils). I even attended my first May Ball with Harvey & Carl and survived till the next morning, although I remember passing out for a little while after my 2nd tequila shot! :-P

Aunty Jo-Jo standing under the Rose Window at York Cathedral

There were other spiritual (and sober!) weekends spent visiting churches and cathedrals. I've always admired ancient architecture and merry ole England serves up a fine treat! Although the English churches aren't quite as grand as the European cathedrals, the intricate details and surrounding countryside leaves an indelible mark on visitors. Having now seen many of the great cathedrals on the Continent, English history and architecture remain a firm favourite.

Aunty Jo-Jo striking an arty, Bohemian pose on a rooftop in Golders Green

Ahhhh...this is one of my favourite photos of London! It was taken on the balcony of Chris' flat in Golders Green, North London where I spent many happy daytime hours sunning, reading and chatting. That was usually followed by nights of boozing, clubbing and risque theatre productions...heh..heh..

And despite all the (mis)adventures, I didn't turn into an alcoholic and returned home with an MBA & a distinction!

P/S: I really must apologise for my horrid hairstyle in those days *shivers* But what to do? Student mah!

I joined a queue today...

...and since this is Singapore, it usually means there's good food at the end of the line. Err.. "good" by Singaporean standards that is. I was wandering along in Raffles City when I saw a group of teenagers squealing over an orange box.

It turns out that the orange box is the trademark of the Donut Factory - a "gourmet donut" brand which has a cult-following among squealing teenagers in Singapore. You can usually spot a branch by its long snaking queues. I've never really paid attention to this strange phenomenon but today, my curiosity got the better of me and I joined the queue. Fortunately, I caught a lull and there were only four people ahead of me ;-)

Ten minutes later, I stood in front of a delightful array of gourmet donuts and courageously chose the following:

• Original with vanilla glaze
• Dark chocolate with rasberry filling (2x)
• White chocolate with strawberry filling
• Dark chocolate with coffee mousse
• Milk chocolate with roasted almonds

Verdict: They are VERY GOOD donuts! And I would happily join the queue again after the calories burn off in 5 years' time. My housemate & I felt so guilty after the indulgence, we went on a 4-km walk immediately after trashing the box - ha...ha...

What a great way to start the year - HAPPY NEW YEAR everyone!