31/12/2008

Sight Seeing..

Buckingham Palace

Memorable in Paris 1998



Hope you like it! This was taken in 1998 in Paris! (kebangahan ku)...hahahah
Now 2009, berapa tahun sudah kan tu? Still fresh in my mind..

30/12/2008

NEW YEAR'S EVE

Aku tebangun subuh kul 2am on New Year's eve. Rupanya baru pukul2 pagi... Adakah aku cukup tidor or been thinking while sleeping? Then I texted Nabilah, mi sister to buy some vitamins for me sal I will be checking out from my hotel right after new year. I tot, aku kan bekirim arah any crew kemari. Very urgent matter lah. Skali rupanya nabilah ani ke Temburong... Hmmm Khanshel! I guess terpaksa tah sabar tu... hmmm

I can't believe 2008 left for few hours. I was excited for new year celebration but something has alarmed me. Have I fulfilled my resolutions this year? I guessed I have... most of them and what worries me is how to maintain the momentum. Of course this new year I have my new resolutions, something achievable. I am trying to set my mental to be ready for new year and start kicking. My Christmas leave jua kan habis... Not too bad jau lah staying in London masa cuti. Atleast I ada jua pengalaman time cuti disini...

My 1st leave...

  • time to relax and sleep
  • enjoying malay food
  • great time to visit interesting places in London
  • to realise, my room is so petite
  • to realise my leave allowance comes out after leave
  • to realise travel warrent for train is to be claimed
  • time to social with other Brunei students or anyone
  • shopping, shopping, shopping

Time now is 536h and still inda mau tido walaupun aku atas katil dari tadi.... so while waiting mataku mengantuk.. aku ceta sedikit lah...

Tadi pagi, aku bangun kul 8am... my back sakit wah, inda tau ahh was it from my long journey dari Hull semalam or selahau bantal.... lepas mandi, biasa lah excited kan breakfst... then aku jumpa few orang Brunei lah d bawah. Sorang ni namanya Bahrin, belajar d Manchester bahagian media, editing.... meaning to say ending cetanya d Hollywood lah ni or maybe d RTB hehe. I had toast, croissont, butter, strawberry, cff n orange juise... then makan lagi nasi Lemak... Sorang lagi c Wen namanya belajar Engineering... been here lama udah tapi kan habis in 2 weeks times. siuk ehhh and pas breakfst sibuk ya kan shopping ke Sheaperd Bush membali Selipar Jaguar...

Actually few days ago ada ku mendangani kedia ke sana tapi tutup kadai ah. Singgah pulang kami arah West Field, mall baru arah Sheaperd Bush... WOW wow n wow.... basar n huge......5 kaliganda dari d Mall... suka ku kadainya.. semua ada.... most branded brand pun ada sana... LV wah ada sana tapi alum buka... Shopping tah ku sedikit time atu....

THen, C Firdaus, another Engineer guy rang me.. kan membawa ke Muzeum. Layan tah jua sal nada kan d buat jua... we dropped ke Malaysian Hall skajap menunggu kawan c Firdaus, NABILA... While waiting, makan tah kami dulu sana ah. Aiii nyaman ehh.

Pas makan, jalan tah kami around Hyde Park... siuk lah sana except weather nya sajuk ni wahh... Nabila pun very friendly.. sekali imbas macam Siti Nurhalizah tia jua....hehe. THen we all sampai arah Science Museum... 5 stories and very informative... lama jua kami sana ah....

Pas dari Museum.... naik tube dari South Kensington ke Bayswater... so kami makan arah TUK TUK restaurant....nice n warm ... the food also not bad... sudah keluar dari restaurant... anh sajuk tia bebalik.... I hate it... freezing cold. I think it was 0 degrees tonight...

I think thats all....ngantuk udah ku ni....... and hungry.... see u guys. See u nx year.

HAPPY NEW YEAR 2009

29/12/2008

A Trip To HULL

1530H I am on a train from Hull heading to London King Cross Railway station. I felt glad to have visited Hull finally when Tim Button, one of my colleagues invited me for a Christmas gathering a month ago. I just can’t believe it went so fast after 2 nights stay with Button’s family.

I went to Hull last Saturday, 27th Dec 2008 by train at King Cross London Railway station. I bought a red wine and my favourite flower Lily to bring along to Hull. It was busy when I got to King Cross railway station as this station goes to Paris as well. Ahuh.. now I know that Eurostar starts from here…

It was 3pm when I departed towards Doncaster and changed train to Hull and arrived half past eight. When I got out, Tim was just outside with his friend, Mike. Tim’s mother, Helen fetched us from the station and our acquaintance started from there. We arrived in a lovely house and I presented those Lily and I met Tim’s grandmother, Audrey. Everyone was very friendly and I felt like home. I passed the red wine I bought to Audrey.

We had our 1st dinner together and unfortunately Mr Button was away for gig that night. After dinner, we watched movie, The Chronicles of Narnia and it brought up my memory as I have watched that when I was very little. Helen then passed me my Christmas present. Wow I felt so special. I just couldn’t believe I was in Hull.

Just before midnight, we stopped watching the Chronicle of Narnia and headed to bed. I slept at Dan’s room, Tim eldest brother who is also in a Royal Marine Band serving in Afghanistan now. He would be back home early next year.

Sunday morning, after breakfast, we went to Church. Hmm and I think it was a great experience for me to be there. I met Tim’s dad, Michael at home then we drove to Tim’s sister’s house not far from their house. I met Rachel and her huband, Nick. What a lovely house they’ve got. We all had a great dinner together. I just couldn’t resist those chocolate cakes in front of me. We played games and it was wonderful to be there and certainly I had a good time. We went home at 7pm. We watched Jurassic Park 1 and 2 in the living room while having the sandwiches, celery, carrots, cheese, chocolate cakes and etc….We finished at 1am, it was late and I felt very sleepy.

I woke up at 10 am and took my shower. When I got into the bathroom, I got my self locked up as the door handle fell off on the floor. I was quite panicked as I couldn’t open the door. I got my shower then Tim finally rescued me as I knocked on the door and shouted his name from inside. What a relief…

When I got down for breakfast, Helen, Audrey, Tim and his dad, Michael giggled and he said “we always keep our visitors inside the bathroom”. After breakfast, Tim’s dad sent his grand ma home then we continued watching the Chronicles of Narnia till episode 6. We couldn’t finish the movie as Tim’s mum had to go to work at 1pm. They dropped me off to the train station in Hull and I said goodbye to them for their great hospitality and a wonderfull stay. I walked around Hull town before I took a direct train to King Cross London.

The time now is 1715H and I am still in the train. Another 1 hour I shall be arriving in London.

27/12/2008

Off to Hull

I woke up lazily today when I checked the time was nearly 10 am. I must get up as Nasi Lemak would be waiting for me downstairs for my sweet breakfast. I don't want to miss it. I need to get something as I am going to Hull for X'mas dinner invitation....

Sorry guys... will update later whenever I am free

22/12/2008

Perfect coincident!

I woke up at 4am and I guessed I had enough sleep as I slept early last night. I felt hungy and grabbed that Nutella Chocolate while I started going online. There were BB and Nona online.

Yesterday, I managed to get my breakfast before 10am and I was offered for Roti Chanai or Nasi Lemak. Wow!!! I had some toasts, croissont orange juice as well as Nasi Lemak at the end. I think there is no regret staying at this petite hotel as I am enjoying the food served here.

I continued online after breakfast as I was quite lazy to go out today. Faizal Paizsru was online and he introduced me on Skype. Great stuff. At 2pm, I thought it would be a good idea to go out and take fresh air.

I walked to Bayswater to get a tube and suddenly I saw Kak Jurin walking around next to Whitelys with her baby pram and her group of family. Hahahaha I met them finally. Then I saw Khaliq, Naming.. What a coincident bumping into them. They all just arrived from Manchester this morning and would stay in London here for 2 nights. I followed them to their hotel which was just few blocks from my hotel. They checked in with 3 rooms then we went off to Harrods at Knightsbridge with 2 taxis. I couldn't remember when was the last time I was in Knightsbride, I guessed it must be 10 years ago.

We had dinner down at the hotel restaurant and we planned to take a day tour to see the change of guard at Buckingham Palace which is later after breakfast.

OOhhh I'm just so hungry now.... Hmmm Should I take Roti Canai for breakfast later?

21/12/2008































X'mas Leave

Today started our 3rd day of X'mas leave. I woke up in a not usual room, smaller, big window, good combination of wall colour, maroon carpet and a single bed. Ohhh I just realised that I'm in London now in one of ordinary hotel spending here for nearly 2 weeks before I head to Manchester.

Our X'mas dinner went very well last Wednesday night at Royal Maritime Club not far from HMS Nelson. We started with welcoming dinner, X'mas draw in which I didn't win anything followed by dinner, magic show, live band and photo session by professional according to individual musical instruments.

When I was in my Wardroom in Portsmouth, I didn't know what to pack. I really hate travelling with heavy luggages. I minimised my stuff yet it was still heavy and fortunately there was only 1 big bag I needed to carry. Travelling on train from Portsmouth Harbour to Waterloo station was quite smooth until I used the underground tube in which I needed to change few tubes nad running up and down on stairs with my bulky luggages. I finally arrived in the hotel and I felt so relief.

Then started my London stay with Malay dinner buffet. Ohhh I really miss my food. I initially wanted to order ala carte but I just couldn't resist when I saw Sambal Belacan with some Ulam, Ipoh Mee Curry, Lamb garlic, Ketam etc.. Aiii nyaman ehhh. What a food after 3 months. Sambal Belacan was a kicking start. I just love it though it was very spicy. I finished up with Teh Tarik with Cucur Pisang and Seri Muka... aiii lagi nyaman and I ended with cery full stomach and felt sleepy. I walked out along the street for a while before sleep.

I guessed everyone from school has settled home closed to family celebrating Christmas together and I'm going to explore a little bit of travelling and exposure around England...

16/12/2008

3 days before X'mas leaves

I felt exhausted today.... It was just 2pm I put my head on the Piano where Andy caught me in my cell and I couldn;t be bothered. I was so exhausted, mentally exhausted. He played my latest piece, African Dance. It would be good if someone is doing my back massage. I could felt the lactid acid on my stiff back.

Last night I practised this new piece, African Dance on my Piano for 2 hrs from scratch. I did it last night and I thought it would be happy to show it to Proff Dauglas unfortunately he was not in today. Cpl Thompson skipped my lesson as she was busy sorting out Xmas dinner for tomorrow. I just realised I needed to collect my Tuxedo...Opsss..

Anyhow I just kept on practising my Piano and Cornet alternately. Right after standeasy with a cup off coffee, atleast stimulated my brain abit and I ended up drawing some figures for hours. I guess I felt bored and tired.

I tinted out early to collect my Tux and I bumped into Andy where he just got back from town. He showed me his girlfriends's X'mas gift. Hofing and lovely!. Cost him his arms and his legs. I walked as fast as I could and managed to collect my Tux before it closed. What a relief. I don't want to collect it tomorrow as there will be X'mas draw at lunch time in the Wardroom and I just hope to win the grand price. I will sure get it!

DA left me a message this morning I managed to call him at one point somewhere hidden. He explained to me it would be cheaper to buy me a ticket home to Brunei and it shocked me. I don't want to go home now and it's just to early to go home. I told him that I prefer staying in London. Finally we sorted out with some solution and I am just happy to hear that I could stay. I wrote a my personnel letter and refaxed the school letter to embassy this afternoon.

Last weekend was a bit quiet for me. The 2 chaps from Oman invited me to HMS Sultan for Eid Adha celebration with the rest of Omani. We walked to Gunwhorf at 3pm at took a ferry to Gosport. We were then fetched by a car and we got out self in their accomodation at HMS Sultan. We had Homous, Bread and some beef and I was just surrounded by heaps of Omani. I only realised other Bruneian from the Navy stay here on the same block and I managed to see them. We had a few hours of chat before we went home to Nelson.

When I got home last Saturday, I rememberd about the final contest of X factor. Switched on tv and ALEXANDER BURKE won the X Factor. Wow and she deserve it. Last Sunday, I was online with Syukriez apparently when he just got back from BI 430 from Singapore. He gave me a litter tutor on IMMEM music for Blogspot.

Last week I recieved my T5 Exam result and I scored 89% yuhuhhu.... I wrote my mark on a piece of paper and placed it on TOM's music stand as we put 5 pound bet. After standeasy, he replied saying "Welldone Sir" with 5 pound next to it. Smashing!!!!

Well, I am just counting the days before X'mas leave which is this coming Friday. I can't wait and tomorrow would be our X'mas social dinner and I hope there is nothing beyond my imagination.

04/12/2008

Exam ohhh Exam!!!

I just had my theory exam today at 9pm.... ahhh what a relief. Had long week of some revision on that. I was glad on my history part, J.S Bach and Mozart came out as I was quite prepared on those. Tom had that exam earlier this year and he put a bet on me that I would not get higher mark than him. He got 87 percent and we bet for £5 on who would get higher mark. Right after standeasy, I talked to Prof Evan if she could mark my paper as soon as possible. I just hope to get excellent mark.

After break, I joined other instructors for BFT run. I was not very keen earlier as the frosty wind was just killing me but when I heard they would run for a test, I would love to try coz I never had one before here. We started with 41 push ups n 50 sit ups then we ran for 1.5 mile run and my time was not bad 11 min 01 sec. My joints were just knackered after the run. Andrew bought me Chicken mushroom pie from nearby cafe in which we passed through that cafe after the run.

I started my Marching music practise with Beth at her cell and I thought it was good effort. Tomorrow we would start all the music together in Concert Hall. My Piano is getting along very well. i could do another Scales, more Broken Chords, Hanon Exercise.

01/12/2008

MONDAY BLUES

Temperature dropped again to 5 degress today and I am not happy about it. I wish I could run all the way from the wardroom to the school. Freezing cold!!! Sajuk ehh,,, sajuk ani wahh! Inda ku tahan ehh... napa kan ya sajuk berabis ah? hehe Exaggerating kah? The fact is, sajuk berabis? How I wish I can move the sun closer. I imagine ah in Brunei would be scorching hot and siuk eh,, I rememberd when I used to fo for sun tanning hehe mau jua kan macam celebrity tan ah... Good thing here, I never get sweat and never.

Last weekend, I attended Dan's wedding at the Wardroom. He called me in the morning of Saturday, inviting me to tonight reception. I was studying on my Italian terms when he called me up and I would miss X factor that singing competition.

After lunch of that Saturday, I managed to get to town to get my Tuxedo for X'mas ball. I managed to get my size and I am quite happy with the cutting and material. I stopped by at the Hongkong chinese restaurant to grab one of my favourite meal, Roast Duck in Black Beans... Yummy. Then I bought a wedding gift for Dan and a card.

I managed to get some studies before I got ready for Dan's reception. I was wearing my Mes Kit and I could feel my Mes Kit had shrunk a bit or I could have put on some weight? Went to the Bar and met some familiar faces. I was welcomed by Ed, duty officer whom I just met today at lunch time and he bought me an Orange Juice. I met Ollie and Dudley, another Matloes from Dartmouth during my training in 2001. What a reunion.

Lisa appeared, Dan's wife with lovely white gown looking so stunning. I only met her few nights ago and she looked perfectly like Sarah Jessica Parker to my surprised. Dan came in I congratulated him. We had few drinks and chats then followed my First dance by the Bride and Groom. "Wonderful Tonight" song in the air and wow.. so romantic. Then we came in with fast dance. I met Dan's parents and her sister. Wow, her sister's loverly and attracted my attention. I danced with his mum and his sister all the way. I met this girl called Kate and we chatted and dances throughout.

We finished at 2 am and helped them clearing out the sound system that morning. It was a great wedding party I ever attended here in England. Wow and Superb! I missed my breakfast on Sunday morning as I woke up very late. Had lunch and the dining hall loooked a bit different now as we danced all the way last night jumping aroung here and there....

I've got theory exam this Thursday and I am focusing to get good grade and I guess my practical test will be soon as well by the end of this term. Wow..... It's going to be hactic. Tomorrow I've got Piano instructor lesson in the morning and Piano Professor lesson in the afternoon. I hope my scales would run smoothly tomorrow as I have practised last week. I have got 5 musical pieces now before I ealised it. My last piece is called Triudging, with a chord and some dynamic.

Went to the gym after work and did a little bit of chest and I jsut hope I would get a perfect 6 packs for Christmas. Hehehe Saja.. buang tabiat. Night...