Yay to our new bed!

On Maddie's 56th, we gave her a card but she gave us a present - a new double bed, + new bedclothes and duvet cover :-) It's so big and high I can almost touch the ceiling LOL In fact, I think they forgot to deliver the ladder what should have come with it *_* Man, man the bed makes me sleep like a log... but don't I anyways? :D

Photos from Madeleine's Birthday Dinner

Indeed a picture never lies

Madeleine and Chris still happy and in-love after thirty years of marriage. It's amazing to see couples get through thick and thin, or what we call life's challenges.. Life is not easy, and marriage certainly takes a lot of hard work. James is right - you only just hear of divorces, you never hear of couples who stay together for years and years. Because only rubbish sells :p

It's 9:30 in the morning and surprise surprise, I am up and havin mg cup of coffee :-) Madeleine left me a note asking me to bake a cake and some buns which she can take to work with her, so I guess I have got something to do this morning. It's nice to be asked to cook and bake because there is no better way to show appreciation (and that they actually like my cooking)! I just wish she specified what cake she wants... I'll go for a Victorian spongecake since they don't like chocolate cakes much. So, wish me luck that my cake doesn't crumble! ^_^

The Wheels are Turning

On Wednesday, Maddie and I made a trip back to Chesterfield College again to see Sharon, the Head Registrar. She is a lovely woman with a very soft-spoken voice and very polite. She explained that since I have only been here in the UK for three months that I am still classed as an International Student, and therefore I am expected to pay more than the normal rate. She also said that after 2 years, I would be paying as what the locals do, and a year after that I will be able to avail of the free courses offered by the British Government. I took note of how she made it sound like three years is just around the corner.

When asked what course I am interested in, I said IT is on top of my list, and Maddie explained that I already am good with computers but I need a formal certificate to prove it so I can get a well-paid job, and one suited for my skills. I can’t be so sure as to how obvious my shock was and at what level did it show on my face when she quoted us the tuition fee for Level 1 NVQ in IT and NVQ in Business Administration. I’m sure I heard £3,600 and £5,000 (350,000-500,000 pesos), I just couldn’t recall which course is priced more ridiculously than the other. Maddie didn’t sound so shock, perhaps she didn’t want me to know, or Sharon for that matter.

I don’t really know what to think of all this. On one end, I am delighted that I have a chance to go to College and perhaps continue to University, and on the other hand I feel guilty for being a burden to my parents-in-law. I have been the reason James had given up his spot in University of Manchester, he spent the money what was given to him by his parents on our lavish wedding, his parents had paid for a specialised Solicitor to make sure I get a VISA to come here and when I did they gave us a lift from Birmingham Airport to live here at 184. And now she is going to pay for my tuition fees. When she asks me what I want to do for a course, I don’t know what to say, not because I don’t know what I want to take up, but because I know how much the course of my choice will cost them. And no, it’s not a loan, which makes me feel guiltier.

It’s her birthday on Tuesday and I guess I have to wait for her next one so I can get a little something from my own fruit of labour in England. For now, a card, which James and I have bought two weeks ago from the Card Factory will have to do.

The weather has improved a lot these past few days. Today, it was about 27 degrees. James and I walked down to Brim to the Doctor’s to collect my prescription and the chemist just around the corner to it to get my free contraceptives. Apparently, I’d have to see my doctor again before I can get my next lot of meds, but that is three months away. I wonder how my life will be like by then. Hopefully I'd be more at-ease to venture out on my own. But then again, even back home I don't really go out on my own. In fact, I hardly ever go out at all.

The first book I borrowed from the local Library is by Jackie Collins, who, apart from my mother, is my favourite author. It's her new book and it's the only one in the shelves that I haven't read before. It's called Drop Dead Beautiful. It's really no different from the other books she has written, but I like the way she indulges the readers. Personally, I get into a completely different world of my own and I get to just focus on the book and get lost in it, since it's such an easy read. I've enjoyed reading Grisham, Clancy and Dan Brown's books but Jackie Collins is completely different. Sometimes it's just nice to sit down and read a book and get entertained by a unique sarky humour what comes naturally to Jackie Collins. I've returned the book two weeks ago, and I'm starting on one of Madeleine's favourite book called Polo by another British writer. So far, it's very light and racy, kind of like Jackie Collins but I think this one is more on the serious side than a bit humorous. Shame, because I really dig sarcasm ^_^

Anyway, it's past midnight here now and I've got to warm the bed next to my husband. I fear the turning off the lights before we go to bed, because all I see is the house in the Philippines and my cats meowing at me, and all I could think of is what I would be doing if I were there instead. I bless the day Meg came to live with me for a while, and left me three lovely kittens, who have grown into meddling cats, but ah well, they gave me lots and lots of joyful memories. And when the lights are out, in complete darkness, the white fur and the blue/green eyes glow right at me...

Yesterday, James came home from work with two of my favourites! Pasalubong, British-style :-)

England Diaries: 3 months and 11 days in.

The weather here for the past three days had not been bad at all. In fact yesterday I could've sworn it felt like the Philippines, just not quite as humid. It's amazing how no matter how hot and sunny it gets here, you just never sweat. It was the perfect weather for some dandy strawberry-picking! It was the second time Maddie and I went there to pick some fresh strawberries. The fruit is five times bigger than it's Baguio counterpart. I like picking strawberries, even if I get prickly skin afterwards. i enjoy it so much that I get into it so much I don't want to stop even after i have filled my basket up. Maddie and I spoke about me going for an intensive course in college as we've just been to Chesterfield College before driving to the strawberry farm. She reckons it is the best way for me to completely settle here and get British qualifications and certificates to prove my skill. It's heart-warming how she shows her genuine concern to both her son and I. She said it is worth it to invest on James and I and they are going to pay for whatever the college may charge for the course of my choice. She said that James should also think about getting some more qualifications even if he's already finished his ALevels. I know some Filipinos abroad might think I should work anything - be it a cleaner or a carer, but I know I am better than that. It is nothing about being too proud or maarte, it is just me being Vivien and thinking about the future. Unlike other people who keeps telling me I'm still young, I do not agree that I should take time for granted. Surely I can be a cleaner or a carer if I decide to but that will be wasting time, time what I cannot afford to lose and time what I DO NOT WANT to lose. If I work on being what I want to do and looking into the future as to what I'd like to see myself in five, ten years from now, then the time I would have wasted being a cleaner or a caregiver I could just spend lounging in the beach with my family back home. It's a choice I have made and it's the choice I know will work out for my plans in the future. Sometimes I think back and wonder if I ever get to finish my studies, would I have found a better job here quicker? But then I thought, would I be here in the first place if I lived the boring and obvious path? And I conclude that I don't regret it one little bit. I got to help my parents, most especially my mum during the time I was out of school. And it was my choice to stop again when my brother was kind enough to pay for my tuition fees in a very good Highschool in Manila. It was my choice to start work at 15, have a full time work at 17 and have my own internet cafe at just 20. Even at 20, I had another chance to continue my studies, but perhaps it was just not the right time. I wouldn't trade helping my family out for a diploma because there is nothing like knowing you've helped someone you love. It is the most amazing feeling one can ever feel in one's lifetime. I can't begin to imagine how life would have been if I had not chosen what I had. My decisions in life were not all right, but I had the chance to make it right somehow or another and there is just not room for regrets or pointing a finger at anyone at all because every little thing what happened to my life is my choice. And I am comforted by the thought that I realise that the time is right to pursue my studies RIGHT NOW, and inspired by the fact that everything I do now with my life is completely up to me and only got myself to blame as to whatever the outcome will be - be it good or bad. I am grateful that I have been surrounded by wonderful family and supportive friends back home, and even after travelling 8,000 miles, I am still blessed by having a lovely second family. The world has a way of giving back to you, and I have always been very aware and fond of that fact.
Life is never easy, but it's not that hard either. Just when I thought I am at a difficult stage, someone tells me it's dead easy. And I know that when the time has come to give back, I will just be too eager.

My thoughts on Oil Price Hike

I like being able to watch the news and other Filipinos soaps and sitcoms on this website, I get to pretend that I am home even for just an hour or two a day.
I watch TV Patrol every day here, just like I do back home. I find it amusing how this one bloke said that the government should do something to stop further oil price hike. Another person said the eVAT on oil should be completely removed. They are laughable in my opinion. I understand their sentiments but at the same time, I also understand that the Philippine government has absolutely no control on oil prices because it is dependant on the World Market. Even here in the United Kingdom, petrol prices have doubled and of course the British people have the same sentiments but they do not suggest laughable solutions like Gordon Brown should stop the oil price hike. The people here are more educated and even though they are worried of possible impending inflation, they don't do barbaric things like punching a punchbag with the president's face on it or throwing tomatoes on her poster. To be honest, if they are so worried about money, they should just feed those tomatoes to their children instead of wasting it on a stupid poster.
The majority of the people in the Philippines do not understand that this is a worldwide problem that can not be resolved by surpressing the oil prices hike because that is just beyond their control. But I'm sure there are other ways to keep the economy together inspite oil prices going skyhigh. The people in the Philippines should be educated about things like this so they don't just rely on what rubbish the media feed them.

It's not only the Philippines

Zimbabwe to Introduce $100 Billion Bank Note
By VOA News 20 July 2008

Zimbabwean foreign currency dealers conduct transaction using money stashed in cooler box in Harare (Oct 2007 file photo)
Zimbabwe will introduce a $100-billion bank note as the nation continues to struggle with the world's highest inflation rate.The latest addition to the country's currency will begin circulating Monday, less than a week after Zimbabwe's bank chief announced the country's inflation rate had skyrocketed to 2.2 million percent.The Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe released six other high-value notes earlier this year, including a $50-billion note in May.Zimbabwe's economy is in a free-fall with 80 percent unemployment.The country, which is in the middle of a political crisis, is also suffering from chronic shortages of food, fuel, and other basic goods.Critics blame the troubles on the policies of President Robert Mugabe, especially the seizure of white-owned commercial farms.Mr. Mugabe blames interference by outsiders, led by former colonial power Britain.Some information for this report provided by Reuters and AFP.


(source: BBC News Website)
Inflation at 11-year high of 3.8%

How shoppers are spending in one major retail centre
Rising food and fuel costs pushed UK inflation up to an 11-year high of 3.8% in June from 3.3% in May, figures show.
The rise means inflation is now well above the government's 2% target, and may reduce the chance of a UK rate cut.
The Bank of England, which has already said inflation may top 4% this year, has to balance the need to control inflation with worries over growth.
The RPI inflation measure - often used as a benchmark in pay negotiations - rose to 4.6% in June from 4.3% in May.
The annual rate of inflation is at its highest level since 1997, when the Office for National Statistics started using its current methodology to calculate the figures.
However, inflation is still way below levels seen in the early 1990s.
Restraint
Commenting on the figures, Chancellor Alistair Darling called for wage restraint in order to help rein in price growth.
"We saw what happened in the past when inflation got out of control and people found that every penny they got in a wage increase was swallowed up by food and fuel prices going up," said Mr Darling.
"Whether you are in the private sector, or public sector, whether you are sitting in the board room or working on the shop floor, we cannot allow inflationary wage increases because that would mean that everyone, especially people on lower incomes, would suffer," he said.

Retailers are facing tough conditions on the High Street
But the high inflation figures drew criticism from the Conservative and the Liberal Democrats, who questioned Mr Brown's effectiveness in his former role as chancellor.
"Inflation is now more than double the rate that Gordon Brown inherited from the last Conservative government," said shadow chancellor, George Osborne, who also accused Mr Brown of "shrugging his shoulders" over the economic woes.
Liberal Democrat Treasury spokesman Vince Cable said the data proved Gordon Brown had lost his focus while chancellor.
"Gordon Brown is now facing the consequences of years of inaction over spiralling personal debt and the unsustainable bubble in the housing market," said Mr Cable.
"The Prime Minister bases his credibility on his economic record, yet it is now becoming startling clear he was asleep at the wheel."
Cheaper clothes
Food and non-alcoholic drinks were the main factors fuelling the rise in inflation, with prices increasing at a record pace of 9.5% in June from the same month a year earlier.
The fact that the economy's slowing will bring inflation down, but not till next year
John Cridland, CBI
Inflation rise: key points
Seven families living through the credit crunch
When compared with May, food and non-alcoholic drinks were 2.1% higher.
Meanwhile, surging oil prices have driven up the cost of fuel with the average price of petrol increasing by 5.3 pence a litre.
One positive for consumers during the month was a drop in the cost of shoes and clothes as retailers cut prices in an attempt to attract more business.
Rate dilemma
The inflation figures, which came in above forecasts for the third month in a row, mean that the Bank of England is now likely to have less opportunity to cut interest rates.
The Bank is currently trying to balance growing evidence of an economic slowdown against the problem of rising inflation.
"The Bank of England can't cut rates until it is convinced inflation is moving downwards," said James Knightley, economist at ING.
However, the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) warned it would be a "serious mistake" if the Bank's Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) decided to tackle rising inflation by raising rates.
"Further increases in CPI inflation, to levels above 4%, are inevitable in the next few months whatever the MPC decides to do," said BCC economic adviser David Kern.
Economic gloom
The inflation figures add to mounting bad news for the economy.
Earlier on Tuesday, the British Retail Consortium said that like-for-like sales on the UK's High Streets were down 0.4% in June compared with a year earlier.
On Monday, figures showed that factory gate prices - a measure of how much manufacturers charge for their goods - rose 10% in the year to June, the first double-digit annual rise for more than 20 years.
However, the CBI business group said that while UK businesses will be facing a few "tricky" months as consumers tighten their purse strings, there could be a "silver lining" in store for the economy.
"The fact that the economy's slowing will bring inflation down, but not till next year," said CBI deputy director general John Cridland.


South Asians face fuel price rise

Many Pakistanis are angered by power cuts and a recent food price hike
Bangladesh and Pakistan have both sharply raised fuel prices again as the cost of crude oil continues to soar.
Diesel and kerosene are up by 37.5% a litre in Bangladesh, while the price of a cylinder of cooking gas is up by 66%.
In Pakistan, natural gas prices rose by up to 31% on Monday, a day after petrol and diesel prices went up by 10%.
Rising fuel costs are contributing to higher food prices around the world. Millions of the poorest people in South
Asia have been badly hit.
Over the past year Bangladeshis have already seen the price of staple foods like rice double - and the government is appealing for global action to curb surging crude oil prices.
Analysts say the unpopular price rises could curb demand - and in turn help to bring down the oil price.
Hunger in Bangladesh
The BBC's Mark Dummett in Dhaka says the latest rises are a further blow to Bangladeshis, 40% of whom live on less than $1 a day.
He says with diesel going up to 80 US cents a litre, the cost of transporting food and other goods around the country will become much more expensive.
Fuel prices were last put up in April - but the government said it had no choice but to increase them again, given the recent global oil price rises.
Otherwise, funding of health, education and government services would have been cut, the finance minister said.
Even so, he said it would still spend almost $1.5bn on subsidising fuel during the next year.
It is also committed to help feeding millions of poor Bangladeshis who can no longer afford to eat three meals a day, our correspondent says.
The government is describing it as an international crisis.
"We think rich countries, oil-producing countries and the United Nations should deal with the issue urgently," deputy energy minister M Tamim told the AFP news agency.
Inflation
For Pakistanis the rise in the price of petrol was the fifth in four months.
A litre of petrol now costs 75.69 Pakistani rupees ($1.11), compared with 53.70 in February.
Diesel is now 49.05 a litre and a kilogram of compressed natural gas, which many people in South Asia use for cooking, costs 52 rupees.
Soaring oil and food prices have pushed inflation in Pakistan to its highest level in more than 30 years.
Many poor and middle income people there are also struggling as prices soar.
Acting Petroleum Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi said different prices would be charged for gas, depending on how much consumers used.
Mr Qureshi said the formula meant that nearly 91% of the total 5.4 million domestic gas consumers in Pakistan would not be affected by the price rise.



What is keeping oil prices so high?

Fears of disruption to supplies is one factor behind the sky-high price
Despite an emerging global consensus that oil prices are dangerously high, there seems little chance of the cost of oil falling significantly in the near future.
Analysts say measures agreed at Sunday's crisis summit in Jeddah are unlikely to have a dramatic impact on market trends.
But what is keeping prices close to record levels of almost $140 a barrel?

WEAK US DOLLAR
The sharp jump in prices since 2005 has coincided with the plunge in the value of the dollar against other leading currencies
Dollar weakness encourages financial investors to look for other more lucrative investment opportunities, with oil top of their list
As oil is traded in dollars, it also makes it cheaper to buy
Signs the US economy may be on the brink of recession have undermined the dollar, boosting prices. Prices rose $11 on a single day last month when the unemployment rate rose

SUPPLY CONCERNS
Analysts say growth in global supplies is worryingly failing to keep pace with growth in demand
Supplies from countries such as Russia are thought to have peaked and finding new sources of oil is difficult and expensive
Increasing reliance on members of the Middle-East dominated oil producers group Opec, many of which are already pumping as much oil as they can
Saudi Arabia is one of few countries with spare capacity but it has been reluctant to boost output substantially

DEMAND GROWTH
Global thirst for oil is intense. Demand has risen by about 3 million barrels a day since 2005 and is expected to rise by 32 million barrels a day in the next two decades
The US remains the world's largest oil consumer and high individual fuel usage continues to put pressure on crude stockpiles
Fast-growing China and India are forecast to account for 40% of the growth in oil demand by 2030, as industry grows and demand for travel increases

POLITICAL INSTABILITY
Much of the world's oil is concentrated in volatile regions, leading to fears of frequent and unpredictable disruptions to supplies
Despite oil output being at a six-year high, Iraq is still beset by violence while militant groups in Nigeria's main oil-producing region have recently impeded about a quarter of its output
Tensions over Iran's nuclear programme. There are fears that an Israeli attack on Iran's nuclear installations could trigger a wider conflict and threaten traffic through the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz, used to ship 40% of the world's oil.

MARKET SPECULATION
Oil exporters say the price surge cannot be explained by the fundamental ratio of supply to demand and point their fingers at market speculators
It is claimed that some traders are making huge amounts of money betting on the direction of prices, in turn forcing prices higher
Others maintain that traders are simply hedging their investments against future market developments to reduce risk
US regulators are looking for evidence of market manipulation while the IMF is examining the role of traders in the price spike

Apart from being ill for almost a week now, and going to pick strawberries with Maddie, nothing exciting about my life right now. Well, seeing the black birds nest within the hedge is really cool.

My mobile and the house phone started ringing like mad at 9AM. Neither James nor I would answer the phone. We're a little too pissed off at Emy to speak to her at the moment. To us, if she can't afford to pay me, then don't ring and ask me to work for her, simple as that.It's bad enough that she never paid me voluntarily, I always had to ask her for my pay, it even worse that when I actually do, she makes excuses. That's why yesterday, James said no, not tomorrow, today. She still didn't pay me for yesterday, but she did pay me for Thursday. So that's it. I will take short courses, pref IT-related and James reckons I will breeze it. He is thinking of taking one with me so we can both go for better paying jobs. I am mostly after the qualifications. I know I can do it, but I need proof that I can.
The phone is still ringing. I wonder does Emy think I am an idiot. Well she had much better thoughts coming.
I wished for a better weather but I don't think I am getting that wish. Ah, well. Good old radiators I suppose *_*



"Why do they speak to each other in English when they both speak and understand Tagalog better? It's pointless speaking in English when they have to say things two, three times to understand each other"
"I have absolutely not the foggiest"

FoXy = unforgettable *_*

Yes, I remember Chronicle... I just didn't think he'd remember me coz I don't talk in-game at all. Perhaps he remembered me out of the two times I ever spoke on Vent and they found out I am a "she"... Big effin' deal. Haha. Old school WOW is waaay better. Now Blizz has wiped the challenge completely. Too easy = boring. Boring = not for moi :D

More surprisingly in X-realm arena....

Mzone was in the same guild as I was back in Daggerspine in 2005! AAAAAAAaaages ago!

More stories from the Asian Store

It's five to five here in the afternoon and I just had one of the cupcakes I baked from a couple of days ago. I've just got home from work and I'm not really tired because James was with me all day at work. You won't find another husband like him, and I think he can sense when I am feeling the lowest and he comes to my rescue even if it's just doing the little things. He's doing a late shift today so from the Asian Store, we hopped on the same coach and he's gone straight to work, whilst I got off at the top of the road.

James only had to be in the store for ten minutes to witness what he only hears from my stories. There are not price stickers on a lot of the stuff, she has no price list, no stock control, and she doesn't write down how much money is in the till at the start of the day. You never know if she turns around and say she is missing £20 and I won't be able to defend myself. And she rings me on the day she needs me, waking both James and I at 6:30 in the morning! Worst part is, I always have to ask for my day's wage even though she was the one who told me she will hand me the cash at the end of every day I work. James really dislike the fact that I have to almost beg for my money which is mine because I worked hard for it. If she can't afford to pay me, then she will have to find someone or do it herself. The store is not busy at all, she can very well mind it on her own save perhaps on days she has to go somewhere important. She never answers the phone either, she tells me to answer it and tell every single caller that she isn't there. There also had been a couple of instance where this man who I found out later supplies 70% of stuff in the shop had been yelling at her demanding to get paid. Apparently she owes more than £2,000! And the latest is it got broke into Saturday night, so she needed to go to the police station today trying to get the kids who smashed the door to the shop to nick bottles of San Miguel Beer. What a laugh! I wish that my son will never turn into suck a wanker and a loser - if I ever have one. If it's a daughter I hope she is clever enough to know better than be friends or even acquaintance with losers as such. So James and Maddie have both advised that I should not hang around in the shop with Emy much longer. She is one of them people who just gives a bad aura. Maybe it's because she slags off almost every one she has introduced to me, even though I don't really care about the whatabouts of the people who live here. It's simply none of my business, and I got my own life to mind, thankyouverymuch.
This Filipina approached James and I in the shop today. We've both met her in the CFA Independence Day Celebration and she is nice from what I've gathered so far. Her name is Beth, been here in England for 25 of her 60 years. She told me to take some college courses and do volunteer works to keep me busy so I don't miss home too much. She said I am still young and I should study and don't settle with "just OK". So after she left, James went to Conexions and got leaflets of short courses being offered and we will talk about it tomorrow and perhaps ask his mum about the idea and see what she says. James and I need to sit this one down if we are going anywhere - sooner, rather than later.

This Filipina called Erla was in the shop today and she was speaking to me in English because earlier today, she rang and Emy told me to pick it up and tell whoever is calling that she isn't here. And when I spoke in Tagalog to Emy, she jumped and laughed and said "Tagalog pala? Kala ko English ka! Boyfriend mo? (she gestures at James's direction)" I said no, he is my husband. And she laughed away. I have to say, her laugh is contagious. I am like a rare commodity here with my husband being two years younger than I. Every one else's is at least 11 years older than they are, others even twice their senior. She invited James and I to her husband's 52nd birthday party on Saturday, like we were longtime mates. I guess it's what Filipinos abroad are like to make themselves feel less lonely here. James and I can't make it anyway. Chris and Maddie returns home on Sunday from their wee holiday in Northern Ireland and I plan on spending the whole Saturday tidying the whole house and maybe make chocolate cheesecake. The last time I baked one, they seemed to like it. And if they are home early enough on Sunday night, I will offer to make tea.
I need to iron James's work shirts so I have to stop writing for now. Today has been cloudy and windy and chilly so I am hoping for a better weather tomorrow because I got sheets to wash, not to mention a load of our coloured clothes. I never realise how much laundry two people produce in 5 days! Probably because I never had to do any laundry until I got here in England. Ah well, let's not go there again xx

18:19
I just been next door to Nora who altered my size 6 skirt for me. I wasn't gonna go in but they asked me to stay for a little chat. I only popped in to bring them some cupcakes and butter shortcakes I baked the day before because Maddie told me Nora and her husband liked homemade buns and cakes. I also handed them a bunch of lettuce from the veggie plot in the garden. They are a really nice couple, and I like seeing couples in their late 60's still happy together. It makes me look forward to the future with my husband more than I already do. You can have a hundred children, but at the end of the day, they will grow up sooner than you like, and it's only you and your other half.

This is my heaven

Day Two in the Asian Store

Today was a long day – yes, for a change. Emy sent me a text message last night asking me to come in today. She actually tried ringing me before 9AM yesterday asking me to come in that morning but I said I already have arrange stuff to do, i.e. 3 loads of laundry and 2 of ironing. And I told her to tell me at least the night before, and not right that second. I think when I told her I am always available, she took it three steps too far. So when she sent me a text last night asking if I could come in today, I said I will do.

James took me to work again today, and Maddie drove us to town again since she was doing her RNIB’ng in the area anyway, which is really nice of her. We were in the Asian Store at five to 9, but Emy wasn’t there until fifteen minutes later.

Whilst I was bringing the vegetables out of the walk-in freezer, she asked me to buy bin liners from Wilkinsons, I had no idea where the hell the bin liners are so I had to ask one of the staff who happened to be very nice and helpful and since Emy didn’t answer me when I asked her what size (she probably ain’t got the foggiest). On my way back to the store, this bloke who was unloading some stuff from a big van into Yeoman’s smiled at me as if he didn’t have a huge box in his hands and said “you’re beautiful, you know that?” And for some reason, I said “Thank you” and smiled back. Probably because he didn’t look pervo and didn’t sound like it either. He looked like he was family man. I think he was surprised that I said thank you because I’d normally just walk on and ignore the compliment completely. As we were crossing the road, he was like “you all right?” so I said “yes good, how’re you?” and he said “good”. There you go, my thirty second conversation with a complete stranger. It was a good way to start my day, I suppose. A nice and friendly soul. When I got back to the store, there is this young lad who was talking to Emy in Tagalog, and we were introduced to each other. His name was Jun. Apparently, his both his mum and dad work here as nurses in Homes. His mum has been here for five years, his dad for three and himself for two years. He asked me how old I am, I said 23. He said he thought I was only 18-19. Just when I thought my morning couldn’t be better, hahaha. He asked me for my YM and Friendster so I gave it to him. He spoke good English as well, because he said his parents sent him to short course in English which is very clever of them because that way, it will be easier for him to fit in here especially since he is studying. I found out that he is only 17, and has a 12 year old brother who is coming to join them very soon. Jun said he thought I was Chinese. My boss introduced me to this Thai woman’s house who owed her money, and she thought I was Thai.

Indians seem to be very observant with hair because I get so many compliments on my hair from Indian women a lot. Well, three times :-P

At 4:30, Maddie popped in to pick me up to take me to Hebe, this salon where she and James go to. She had booked an appointment for me to get my eyebrows shaped and waxed last week, so I had to ask Emy for a twenty-minute break since I don’t eat at dinner break anyway. The girl who did me eyebrows was called Debbie and she was a lovely woman. Or maybe it’s part of her job to talk to customers so when she strip that wax strip off, you will hardly notice it. She told me a lot about here in the ten minutes we spent in the room! She said I should not have kids yet until I have done what my husband and I want to do because she has a boy of one year old whom here husband and she took to Italy recently for a holiday and she said it’s not the same. It cost £7 for her services but Maddie paid for it. I offered to pay her but she said it’s her treat since that’s my first time in Hebe.

So after that, I went back to the Asian Store, and cleaned up in the filthy back room. The only clean place in the whole office and backroom was the loo, which is actually good. At 6:30, Emy asked if I could go with her to this Japanese restaurant to deliver some eggs and beansprouts. To be honest, I didn’t want to but I said ok since James won’t be home until midnight anyway. But then the 30 minute trip to the Sushi bar turned into a four and a half journey here, there and everywhere. I just got home at 10:15PM and told Maddie and Chris about my day and they were laughing at my stories and I think they are happy to see me out of the house and that they just like it when I tell them funny stories. Fortunately for them, I had to experience all the things they are only laughing about *_*

I will write more about my day today tomorrow, if I remember. I am no use at the moment. All I can say is that Emy is the worst driver in the world! We get a lot of tuuts because she sucks and she doesn’t know how to park… She took me to MakyD’s and I had to wait out in the chilly 9PM breeze and I didn’t have my jumper on, and this is while she try to park her car properly (or an attempt at it). She bought me a Happy Meal with a toy… I feel silly and embarrassed for her, to be honest. She bought me McFlurry as well, she probably fail to see my goose pimples… I took it home with me with the chicken club sandwich and I’ll see if James wants them. He will be home in a about fifteen minutes and he will be delighted when he sees the spaghetti sauce he loves, and also the crispy seaweeds that he liked when we ate in this Italian restaurant two Saturdays ago.

My mum text me sometime this afty, but I was too busy to text back, and I was feeling stingy hehe.

Anyway, bed time for me. I’ve looked forward to this moment *_*

"This is my friend, by the way"
"Your friend? you have a very very young friend"