Tuesday, October 23, 2007

dine and whine


It was like being in the set for a Harry Potter’s dining scene. When the children eageredly waited for the Sorting Hat to work its magic. Difference is, there’s no Harry Potter, no Sorting Hats and no magic wands.

19th of October marked my first Dining in session. The traditional ritual all Barristers would have to go through (12 times) in order to be “qualified”, among many other things.

How was it?

I’m not going to lie – it was boring. From the way we had to nod in unison to the Benchers that slowly enter the Hall one… by…. One… at the start of dinner, to the way we had to bow at the Benchers who wobbled (after lots of wine, you see) their way out one… by… one… at the end of the night. (aww.. c'mon, Sho.. don't be such a whiner..)

The only thing I shall brag about tho, would most certainly be the food. 4 course of fantastic english dishes. they gave each course a fancy name.. which i sadly forgot. but basically we had steamy Potatoes, delicious, melt-in-the-mouth-fish with leak.. and turkey -which was everyone's favourite tht night. with a quick eeny-meeny miny moe on which fork and knife to use everytime, I shamelessly gobbled them down piece… by… piece (haha… )

Speaking of pieces, i must add, conversations were utterly dull. sorry. I guess I weren’t into small chats that night. Somehow I couldn’t care less for the war in Pakistan, how the weather is or whether the Bar Course is treating us fairly or unfairly. I couldn’t decide what was more painful – pretending to look interested to or trying to stay awake.

I couldn’t see how us pupils are to gain from this dine-ins. What were the odds of the guy opposite me were to remember my name after that night? Cos I sure won’t even recognize him without that coat and gown. So much for “rubbing shoulders” with a judge or a practicing Barrister when the Benchers sit in the long Bench way up in front throughout the night?

I envied Deepak’s table. He was the only guy among 4 girls, obviously being a real gentleman among the laydees. At least someone’s having a good time. Deepa? She stole my “date”. Etmonia’s in love with Deepa, and blames me for not introducing her to Deepa sooner… I’m just glad I got two nice girls know each other.

Lunch on Sunday was a different story altogether. It could be because of the sun shining brightly thru the stained glass windows. (and we had good conversational piece going on this time). Or it could be because I was craving for salmon or lamb and I got both! ;)

Somehow, after Sunday, I saw myself looking fwd to the next 2 sessions next weekend. It’s ok if I might have to make small meaningless chats with “new people”. who cares if we won’t remember each other again. But you’ll never know, right, until you try? And it’s living the moment and making the best of it that really matters. I guess I didn’t make enough effort on Friday, what with classes and all in the morning.
So yes, I’m looking fwd to next week. Wonder what they’re going to serve us this time..

sunlight, stained glass, sunday, luncheon. how fitting

insider's point of view
at the grand hall in the Inn

outsider's question mark.
lincoln's inn from the outside

Deepa, Imdan and i.
ps: the pashmina sheds alot

like being home

HARI RAYA came and went. And weren’t we glad to have been part of the Hari Raya “open house” at the Stoke’s Centre a week ago. Sure, it was the free food. Yes, I admit. But our initial plan to just spend an hour there then leave backfired once we got caught up with all the hype. The Hari Raya mood was so like home. Hari Raya music in the background.. chatty noises. Familiar voices.. Bahasa Melayu sounded so nice after hearing so much british. Lol.. and colors! Oh, I loved the colors..

Deepa was right. We look great when we’re traditional. beautiful colors, both men and women. Flattering outfits – I’ve never seen anyone looking bad in a baju kurung, kebaya, Punjabi outfit or a cheong sam.

Oh, the food by the Malaysian Hall was good! I’ve never felt so happy to see Laksa Johor before. We had to queue. But I really didn’t mind. Queuing for Ketupat, rendang ayam, nasi… served by kakaks and abangs, how often will you get such service in London town?

“selamat Hari Raye, kak..”
“Selama Hari Raye… makan banyak banyak, eh. Here, I’m giving u the biggest piece…”

bless you.

Sitting with our legs tucked, on the floor (can’t duduk bersila, being all dressed up), indulging on Malaysian delicacies, I couln’t help feeling so proud. Look at us. All group together, dressed in baju kurung, kebaya, Punjabi outfits.. sambil bersalaman.. no one were strangers that day. Somehow, it didn’t feel like I was being amidst strangers. It was like being home.

Laksaaaaa....

look who i met, Thya - Jo! ^^


singying, served

True food


oink oink...




Friday, October 12, 2007

lunch and dinner


EAT is good. (And so is my English)

EAT’s a little take away shop along High Holborn (branches everywhere to be honest. You’ll spot another “EAT” sign 10 meters ahead). It’s ideal for grabbing a quick bite – hot or cold. Yesterday, I decided to check it out for the second time since getting here.

The first time was bout a month ago, when we just started uni – gosh, has it been tht long? – anyways, I went to just get a bottle of mineral water. A quick dash in, paid and then sped out, that time. Didn’t really scan thru to see what it had to offer. ‘cos I thought the fact that I had to pay ₤1 for the bottle made me “X” out the place immediately. Little did I know, almost ALL mineral water in London is around ₤1. so, oh well.. (tap water anyone?)

I needed something for lunch, something fast. And thought I should try out somewhere new. So into EAT I went.

They had the usual sandwiches and wrap-o’s. but u won’t help noticing that everything looks so healthy! Salads, yogurt.. yum… is that carrot cake I see? (Prom, you’ll love this place.)

Then I spotted them – muesli in a tub. There were quite a few I could chose from.. different names, flavours, different colors. but muesli for lunch?? Er…

I bought it.. mahal sikit la.. but itu kalau convert la. I stopped converting a long time ago, BTW. Have to la.. I’m sorry. Have to…

Back to my muesli -


Oh, it was good!

That was lunch.

After class that night, tagged along with Deepak and Deepa’s classmates for dinner.. And we decided to have good ol’ Italian Pizza in this nice restaurant, also near uni at High Holborn.


I had Fiorentina... Egg on a pizza? Tht’s another first. It was surprisingly good.

Meher, Maham, me and Deeps..

Cara and her ways with Deepak

tonight? Ib mubarak!


Aidilfitri's today here.. but it's tmrw back home. i'm slightly confused now.


i know what i'm missing out this time of the yr.. Uncle Raja's open house, with the usual ayam rendang, pulut, ketupat.. yum...


might check out Malaysian Hall tmrw, and i'll tell you guys all about it.

ta!

Thursday, October 04, 2007

Doing the Bar can be a pain. Hours of lectures. Workload, tremendous..(hence the late entries..) But all these won’t be as bad it seems when you know you got something to look forward to during the weekend. I love the weekend! Particularly, last weekend.

Friday night, celebrated lil’ Daphne’s birthday with Aunty Sylvia from Aus who came down for a short holiday. Nobu is the best fusion restaurant ever. Would have gotten more shots of the food.. but I didn’t want to attract weird stares from the many horty haw haw guests in the restaurant that night.



10 p.m.
Daphne lost her tooth.. hahaha! isn't she adorable?
Saturday morning,
we decided to check out the changing of guards at Buckingham Palace, and hopefully catch a glimpse of the Queen (yea, right).. a huge crowd was already gathered when we arrived.. (“Great!”.. not as late as I thot we were.)
Then we spotted the sign..
TOMORROW…
Well at least we saw the Queen..
Queen Victoria, that is.
I found my match in a 7 yr old.
Daphne loves snapping photos…
and thanks to that, I got lots of weird poses taken.
Gosh, I love her so…


Stumbled upon
And
Prince Charles’ residential home.
Where’s my camera….
Found it just in time to be told that no picture taking was allowed inside. Aww…
Autumn breeze… autumn colors… and

Autumn leaves!


Spotted a couple of beautiful Shire Horses at the park.

Magnificent beasts..


And of course – shopping!

Loved the weekend!