Last week was an eventful week for me. I went to my friend's apartment, which was really really nice and she was kind enough to cook curry chicken for me. But before I continue, let me introduce you my new friend in Denmark. Her name is Royana. She is also from Singapore and her husband works at Maersk! Royana is a very affable person who came to CPH a month earlier than me. She has this nice and sweet personality that I warmed to her immediately after our first coffee session. Our second meeting took place the next day when we went to Ikea together. Thereafter, we hang out quite often (once a week on average and twice this week). In the past one month, it's thanks to her that I was like on a fast track program as she gave me many advices and also introduced me to a lot of places and things here. Without her, I probably won't settle in and enjoy CPH so easily and quickly.

Then, a friend from Hong Kong (but currently studying for his Masters in Rotterdam) came to CPH last weekend for a holiday. It's always nice to meet up with old friends when you are in a foreign country. With my limited knowledge about this city, I tried my best to be a good host by taking him (his name is Jacky) to a very traditional danish restaurant located outside the city centre. It was supposed to be a small attempt from me to show him other parts of CPH, which I think it's a bit silly after that because we had wasted time on travelling to and fro. Thankfully, the restaurant did not disappoint me as it was indeed very local with good ambience (NB: We were the only asians in the restaurant) Jacky had "Fried pork with parsley sauce" while I had "Fish and Chips, Danish style" (ok, it´s not that special). After dinner, we went back to the city centre (now you know why my idea wasn't that brilliant after all) to meet his friends. We ended up in a pub on Strøget, which is a hip shopping street. Although there wasn't any dancing, the pub had a great liveband. After some beer and gin tonic, we parted not knowing when we would meet again......

Well the Earth is round. So I know we shall definitely bump into each other again, somewhere sometime.

An Unlucky Sunday

Have you ever been caught in a situation where you are completely stumped by a language handicap? If you have, you will understand the frustration I have had. If you have not, lucky you!
Let me tell you what had happened.

Today, I booked the laundry room from 11am to 2pm to wash my clothes but I was 35 mins late. Reason is because I was watching a british documentary on healthy living. (it's one of the few programmes I could find that morning in English!). After I managed to pull myself away from the tv and headed down to the laundry room, guess what? A woman was loading her clothes into the machines. Although I gave her a "what the hell you think you are doing" look, I kept my cool and asked innocently whether she had booked this time slot (which I know is not possible). Then she smiled (also innocently) and explained that as I was late for more than 15 mins, she was entitled to use the machines and she pointed to a note on the noticeboard. Unfortunately, that was the "Rules Of Using The Laundry Room" and as always the case, the note was written in dansk and I could only understand three words out of the list; Ikke, 15 and mins. "Ikke" means "Not or no" while "15 mins" are self-explanatory. Hence, you can imagine I had lost my case.
So I put my clothes aside and said "Oh no worries, have fun washing, I'll go and get some groceries and come back later." but actually I was fuming mad. Anyhow, she told me she would be done in an hour's time so I could use the room after her.

Exactly one hour later, I went back to the laundry room and found her clothes still in the machines. I wondered if I was allowed to take out the clothes. (In case there is another rule which I am not aware). Anyway 5 mins later when she still didn't appear, I took the liberty to take out her clothes and put mine in. (If she blamed me, it's my turn to say she was late... ha!). I left the laundry room with a small satisfaction.

About half and hour later, I went to collect my laundry but today was really not my day for one of the machines did not spin my clothes properly. When I took them out, they were dripping wet! I thought I chose a program appropriate for washing my fleece jacket and yoga pants but apparently, it was for fine and delicate clothings. To make matter worse, my laundry card was at home so I could not put my clothes into the machine again. And, my neighbour who booked the next time slot would be coming in any minute to use the machines. In the end, I had to wring my clothes one by one to make it as dry as possible.

Back in my apartment, just when I hoped enough was enough as I lined the clothes on the rack to dry, water from my clothes started dripping onto my wooden floor! I went into frenzy again trying to clean up or rather mop up the puddles. The least I need is to have termites as my roommates for the next 21 months.

Now please tell me, who says being a housewife is easy!!!

In loving memory of my dear aunt, who departed from this world on March 8, 2007

I received an extremely sad news from my mum this afternoon, that one of my aunts has passed away last night. I feel as if I have just had the wind knocked out of me and my heart aches.

In February 2006, my aunt discovered she had cancer and it was probably the second or third stage. For more than a year, she had not stopped battling against this terrible illness.

Looking back, she did not have any children, and maybe because of this reason, she doted on her nephews and nieces. When I was young, she showed me and my sister her love by giving us toys, cakes and extra pocket money that were within her means. However as we grew older, we had her unadulterated love in the form of advices and many of them are still in my heart. Her leaving means I have lost not just a relative, but a good mentor as I really learned a lot from her. Even in the past few months, when the cancer caused her to be frail and bedridden, her courage to fight the illness was evident. Hence through her, I realise how lucky I am to be able to breathe, feel, and also be with my loved ones.

Auntie, I hope a new life will soon begin for you, however YOU will always be remembered in my heart.

My Neighbourhood

Hej,
Have you ever woken up feeling wonderful?? I did this morning, and according to a theory of Edmund, I had got up on the right side of the bed. (because he remarked that I got up on the wrong side when I had a grumpy face)
Anyhow, I decided to snap some pictures of my neighbourhood. This is the view from my living room and it is the front (right and left) side of the building. You notice that the buildings are old and rather low rise. Buildings like these are probably 50 to 60 years old but some are still very well maintained. Last week, the entire street was covered with snow and it looked absolutely beautiful.

Then, this is the view of our backyard, actually our neighbour's backyard, which looks pretty much the same as ours. This is where we throw our trash and we can also go to the block's common laundry area.

Below are pictures of a street called "Nordre Frihavnsgade". There is a school which looks more like a library than a school to me. Then there is a very important and busy crossroad junction called "Trianglen". Cafes, boutiques, bakeries and supermarkets line the street. Cyclists are ubiquitous in Copenhagen; cycling is almost as popular as driving a car as it is more economical (and environmental friendly).

So, that was it. I promise to show you my apartment in my coming post, provided I consider it to be tidy enough. ;-)
Well weekend is here again. Have fun and we shall talk soon.