New Year's Eve of 2013

Can you believe it is the last day of 2012? Where has the year gone? 

It's been one week since I came back from my 2 weeks Europe tour immediately after my examinations  and I sometimes find myself at a loss back home. Don't get me wrong, I do miss Singapore over there. But, if there's one aspect I really did miss, it's London. 

Going to London is like the "pet project" for me, an experiment as some would call it. I don't remember a time where our family went on a free and easy trip by ourselves. London will be the first and I need this chance to experience what is it like be independent during a vacation. 

We would take the Eurostar train from Paris Nord station to London St Pancras International, walked to  our nearby hotel and most of the activities were booked beforehand online. 

I must say, I have a whopping good time! It was not so difficult after all. Unfortunately, where I am confident in this aspect, my brother wasn't. In the days leading up to the trip, he was grousing about how we should have join a tour and all. Oh well, if he's comfortable in his shell or well... 

We joined a London sightseeing hop-on hop-off tour which gave us an additional 24 hours, free river cruise pass and a free walking tour. We went to Harrods, saw the changing of guards at Buckingham Palace, marched alongside them, sailed down River Thames, visited Leavesden Studios for the The Making of Harry Potter, Tower of London, Windsor Castle, Stonehenge during the winter solstice and the world's end, Bath and North Gower Street - the filming site for Sherlock! We also stopped by Oxford Street and Regent Street. 

Instead of coaches that bring us from one destination to another, we took the Underground (tube) and the Overground (train). What's missing are the bus and black cab. It was an experience that's hard to put into words. I felt liberated and more confident. The tube map may be complicated and scary-looking, but it's actually quite easy to manage. Plus, it is so convenient, if not expensive. 

Due to our good fortune, the hotel that was shortlisted and eventually chosen has a tube station so near to it, with a outdoor shopping centre which we went for dinner every night, was near to North Gower Street, St Pancras International and Euston Station, most importantly, it was a great place with friendly and proactive staff. Now, this I have no regrets. Holiday Inn Bloomsbury is getting the thumbs-up from me and I would highly recommend it to whoever travelling to London. It's near to the central area with Russell Square tube station directly connected to Picadilly Circus tube station. 

Of course, this is merely the taster. Now that I know I can move around the city in relative ease, I know I can undertake another trip on my own. And that's what I will want to do, visit London to take in the sights once more. There's still so much to see, to experience. This time though, I am going to spend more time doing the things I want, like shopping at Harrods and Oxford Street, visiting museums and much more. I want to travel out of London, to Oxford, Cambridge and Bath again since we only went to the Roman Bath museum. I want to visit Scotland with its highlands and beautiful scenery. 

Who knows, maybe this will all come true when I graduate. 

To an End

In just a few hours, the London Olympics will be coming to an end. After 7 years of constructing and planning and 4 years of waiting, the whole event is about to draw to a close.

After this fantastic period, it's another 4 years wait ahead and the road seems so long and distant. Whatever will I do with this time? Next hosting city will be Rio de Janeiro in Brazil.

Thanks to Singtel's Mio TV/ESPN and IOC/Youtube deals, I've watched a fair share of my favourite sporting events throughout this 2 weeks. This is the first time ever I've caught so much action, live or otherwise, in the Olympics. I can only hope that future Olympics will enjoy the same coverage.

London is the first city to host the Olympics 3 times, who knows when it will be back again. Will I have another chance to catch it? One of my goals is to attend an Olympics and be there in the midst of the sporting action.

Another Bronze

Singapore has won another bronze medal, this time in the women's Table Tennis team event!

This was the goal and the team has achieved it! Congratulations!

This is the first time I heard Singapore supporters at the venue being so vocal. This is also the first time that such a large group is present. The resulting feeling is quite heartwarming and of course, there's pride.

I love the way the crowds react and cheer, quite loudly, for their home teams. I love the way some of them go the extra mile to wear crazy hats, paint their faces and drape the nation flags around their shoulders. It is this sense of national pride that binds the people together. The cheers and groans are part of the charm in sporting events.

Perhaps, with time, more Singaporeans will be willing to go out there and support Singapore's athletes in that loud and boisterous way. Asians are so reserved, aren't they?

The Olympic Spirit

Only 1 week to go before the new semester starts. Like I said before, basically, I'm just waiting for the other shoe to drop.

In other news, Singapore has won a bronze medal in the Olympics! It may not seemed that significant as compared to the feats achieved by other nations' athletes but it's still an occasion to cheer because this is only the second time a Singapore athlete won a medal in a singles event. Furthermore, it's after a 52 years drought.

Thank you, Feng Tianwei, for achieving this for Singapore! 

I'm not even going to comment on how some petty Singaporeans are questioning her "nationality" and other rot. I reckon this is what people call armchair cynicism. The question is not what the country has done for you but what have YOU done for the country.

When was the last time you did something to make the country proud of you? When was the last time you bring hundreds/thousands of people to their feet and inspire them? It's pathetic how this "jealousy" is so prevalent in today's society.

I'm not sporty. But, I can appreciate an athlete's hard work and dedication. I admire them in the way they achieve their goals and more.

If there's to be something relevant to take away from the Olympics, it is that it is a good time for self-reflection.

Many of these athletes are in their teens to the late 20s. Where was you when you were 18 years old, when some have walked the Olympic Stadium and won their first gold? Where do you think you will be when you reach 25 years, when some are already retiring from their long yet successful career?

For some of these athletes, they are considered legends by their countries, mere humans like us can only hope to get a taste of it.

Olympics on Holidays

I love the Olympics. I love holidays.
Therefore, to be able to catch so much action of the Games for the first time ever is like a dream come true. I'm free to do what I like whenever I want. It's really fortunate that I get to stop working during this period too.

Alas, dark clouds are looming on the horizon, for the day the Olympic Games end in London is the last day of my summer holidays. It's so apt, isn't it?

But for now, I intent to cherish whatever little time I've left to make merry and be happy.

London Olympics Opening Ceremony

Breath-taking. Magnificent. Gorgeous. Beautiful. Spectacular.

All those adjectives above describes what the London Olympics Opening Ceremony is like. It's truly a wonderful tribute to all things British - from the sprawling countrysides to the Industrial Revolution to the swinging sixties to beloved British fictional characters. It is a gigantic party!

This is a ceremony that showcases and celebrates the beauties of London, its rich history and culture, at the same time, incorporating the British sense of humour. The country has contributed so much to the various industries.

Film director Danny Boyle deserves a salute for orchestrating the whole event -Isle of Wonder. This ceremony is really incomparable because it was just a league of its own. Who else has a parachuting "Queen"?

I especially love the segment that features Queen Elizabeth 2 with James Bond actor, Daniel Craig. "Good evening, Mr Bond". She is truly a great sport! I enjoyed Rowan Atkinson's cameo as Mr Bean as well.

The formation of the Olympic Rings with "red, hot iron" is exceptionally memorable as with the lighting of the cauldron. It was a break from tradition with 7 young athletes lighting the flame at the same time.

I'm not a British subject but I did get that warm and fuzzy feeling seeing the success of the opening.

I love reading the tweets from Britons themselves because they are true testimonies of how proud they are.Yes, there may be complaints, grouses and unhappiness, but I think, when the Games are truly underway, it is the time to stand together as a nation and celebrate this glorious moment. Be proud of how far the nation has come and what it has achieve.

Happy Olympics Day

Happy Olympics Day!

Only 4 more hours to go before the London Olympics Opening Ceremony 2012 opens with a bang!

One Day to London 2012

Only 1 day left to the London Olympics 2012! I've waited 4 years for this and I've been anticipating it since April.
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It may be weird for someone who live such a sedentary lifestyle to have such enthusiam for the greatest sporting event, but hey, that's that. I've always been interested in high-profile events since I was young; entertainment events, sporting events, you name it. Perhaps, I know that it is nigh to impossible for me to go to these events that makes me longed them even more. One day, I tell myself, I will go to Comic-Con and the Olympics, amongst other things.
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I'm always excited for the Games but this time more so than ever, because it's held in London, UK. I can be considered an Anglophile. I love the British culture and (some) traditions. I love its long line of talented authors and actors. I like its long history and monarchy. I especially love the accent! Besides, London is one of my favourite cities in the world, and I look forward to the day I get to take a vacation there.
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The opening ceremony takes place at 4.00am (Singapore Time) on Saturday. As much as I'd like to watch this direct telecast, I love my sleep more than anything and I've to go work. I can only contend myself with watching the encore at 6.00pm.
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I can't wait to see what surprises Danny Boyle has in store for viewers. Despite leaks from the ceremony, nothing beats watching it in entirety to fully experience the grandeur and magnificence.

It's Rather Fine

The year 2012 is shaping out to be a rather nice year, isn't it? Studies aside, 2012 is a year filled with promises and exciting events.

Of course, Sherlock series 2 premiered in the UK in January, and I managed to watch them all. The London Olympics is just around the corner and while I'm always interested in the Games, this time round it is a larger dosage of anticipation. This is probably due to it being held in London, one of my favourite cities, with the additional love for it from British TV influence.

Near to the end of the year, there'll be two hugely anticipated movies - Breaking Dawn Part 2 and The Hobbit: The Unexpected Journey.

I'm more drummed up over The Hobbit, naturally. The leading character (Bilbo Baggins) is played by Martin Freeman, an exceptional actor and the John Watson to BBC's Sherlock. My love for The Hobbit has increased and became more "personal", because the actors from Sherlock co-starred in the production as well. How can I be expected to just look on with detached interest?

A note to myself, I've to go to the annual Comic-con one of these years. The temptation is just too great and I feel that I'm losing out so much of the awesome stuff that is happening in the entertainment industry. This year's convention is obviously marvellous since I've so much interest in the movie offerings. Gods, I've missed out...

Pinch

One will only feel the pinch when one is spending one's own money. It's the holidays which means that the pocket money has ceased and I'm "living" on my savings. Thank goodness I have a part-time job or else the situation will be worse.

After spending a sum on painting stuff and books, I have to earn back what I spent. As much as I hate working for longer hours, 4 days a week, I've not much choice. If I want to have the autonomy to buy what I want, then I've got to work for it, isn't it?

It's the third week of the summer holidays and I'm slacking at home, which is good as it is what I want and have been dreaming of. When else is there a chance for your brain to shut off completely? This is what I call a holiday; less worries with less burdens and full relaxation. I have more control of how I want to spend my time and my activities, which more or less means sitting in front of the laptop.

Unfortunately, there's no plans of going overseas this holiday. Else, it would have completed my goals. I'm 21, and I've yet to fulfil my goal (going to Florida).

I guess I have shifted my perspective a little. It's still on my agenda but now I'm more interested in Europe, in particular, England. This interest is of course, brought on by my love for Sherlock (BBC) and the upcoming Summer Olympics. The places which were shot in the series look inviting and beautiful. It is inevitable that people are going to gain awareness about London from these 2 events.

Deahtly Hallows Part 2 London Premiere

5th July Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2 premiere at Trafalgar Square, London was a grand and emotional affair.

Hardcore fans camped out in the rain for more than 3 days to catch a glimpse of their idols and witness the spectacular end of an era. How I wish I could be there amongst them!

There is the longest red carpet for the actors/actresses to walk on and this premiere got to be the biggest that London has ever seen. Indeed, the aerial shots of the place are magnificent.

Like what the stars had say, it was truly breath-taking and humbling to see the droves of fans who grow up with the movies and books and make this franchise so successful.

Watching part of the live coverage and later, the replay online, across the world is marvellous. I never will thank the invention of Internet until then. I can literally feel the excitement and elation of fans and I did get teary-eyed when Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, Rupert Grint and J.K. Rowling made their thank-you speeches.

It's so bittersweet. Something like this phenomenal will never happen again, not in this lifetime and age. I don't want to make it sound so "end-of-the-world-ish" but the feelings evoked can almost never be felt again.

I reckon in the later part of life, you will grow desensitized and jaded that anything will just be a passing fad.

This premiere, which I have the good fortune to witness, will go down in history and etch itself in the minds of fans and maybe stars for many years to come. When we grow nostalgic, perhaps, we can look back and relive the moments.

It was certainly a fitting send-off to the greatest movie franchise of all time, the highest grossing series ever, and of course, to the actors/actresses who bought imagination to the big-screen and J.K. Rowling, where none of these will happen if not for her brillance and putting pen to paper.

Thank you.