We HEART Dubai

YES, I am now back but NO I wish I was still in Dubai!!! We had a magnificent time there and I definitely didn’t expect to be back to the miserable unseasonably wet and cold weather! From a forty-degree-glorious-sizzling-hot Dubai to a fourteen-degree-damp-rainy London!

We absolutely loooooved Dubai! Having said that, we only stayed there for three nights so it was probably all very wonderfully marvellous but hey that would do! We can’ wait to go back there again! In fact, we are planning to go back for Christmas, to enjoy the white sand beach and the superb Jumeirah Mina A Salam!

I will try to update all the fun we had as soon as I get the laundry, tidying-up, and work done!!!

''The Desert's Most Exciting City''

I know I've been absolutely hopeless lately when it comes to updating my blog. To be frank, I really would love to share more of my daily life, thoughts and news at the café; not that I have a particularly exhilarating life but anyway…
I am struggling to find time to do so. I used to be able to squeeze 3-5 minutes every now and then at work and by the end of the day I’d composed a post but now I don’t even have 30 seconds to take papers to the recycling bin! Okay, it’s a bit exaggerated but that’s how mad, or should I say eventful it can be at work these days.

I am off to Dubai tomorrow evening for a long weekend! I promise I will update my café upon my return!

Have a great weekend, amigos!

The Week of Frenzy

I have been living my life in the fast lane in the last few days and I have to admit that with my age I just can’t do it anymore.

I was out with the boys on Tuesday and it was fun. We started off with ‘a few’ drinks and soon after a few drinks turned to a long night drinking session. We hopped around few bars before the boys decided that we should go clubbing? Pardon me? Clubbing? But it was only Tuesday!!! To be honest, I didn’t mind going although clubbing isn’t really my kind of scene I knew it would be a laugh. However, I was quite adamant about going home as I knew what it would be like the next day and with my ‘strong work ethic’ - going out and get hammered on a Tuesday just didn’t seem right to me. Trust me, it takes a lot of wills to say no as that’s what WE do – utilising our negotiating skills on daily basis! And when it comes to the 'King of Negotiation' - persuasive isn’t even the word!
As a result, I ended up going to bed at around 1am, which isn’t that bad as it could be a lot worse! The phenomenal thing is that I wasn’t even drunk despite the fact that I had five DOUBLE G&Ts and a Triple thanks to cheeky J! I had no idea it was a triple until I finished the last drop, I just thought it tasted slightly ‘different’.

I was exhausted on Wednesday and didn’t think I could face another night out but my dear friend, Joyce was here and it’s not as we get to see each other so often so off I went. I was glad that I went because it was really good to see the old friend and we could just chat about everything! That’s the kind of bond that we Wesley girls would always have!

By Thursday, I don’t think I could even feel the fatigue. I was at work physically, but my mind and soul were else where – well, in bed actually. Though my body came back alive after the lunch time yoga class and I think it was then I felt I was functioning properly again.

That’s the story of my week so far and now I am just looking for a peaceful/restful weekend although somehow I sense that’s not what I am going to get......

Why Did You Do That For?

Today’s yoga class was somewhat weird. To start with, we expected the girl we had last Thursday, who said she was taking over the class in Iiling’s absence, but instead we had another man as the three months replacement. To be fair, the 'Thursday-girl's' style was different from Iiling but at least she didn’t skip postures in case they might be too difficult? huh? We are only doing the primary series, and to be honest, majority of the class have been going to I’s class for almost a year now, some are even longer and even if some postures are more challenging than others, we still practice them so that we progress in time, which I believe it’s the whole purpose of practicing. This is a way to learn and listen to your body and gradually you will be able to get into each posture.

I agree every teacher has different approaches and teaching techniques, but surely you still teach the full, precise sequence rather than doing bits of it! Well, at least that’s what I think and that’s the way I have been taught and practicing.

I am going to try this man’s class once more and see how it goes. Though most of the people felt the pace was far too slow and certainly didn’t understand the reason of skipping postures!!

नमस्ते

A Stroll on the South Bank

I meant to share this terrific little place last weekend when we visited there but we were slightly inebriated as you would after a few glasses of wine and cocktails. We’d walked pass by this restaurant every time we visited Borough Market but there was either a long queue or we already had our lunch.

The restaurant is on a corner site just around the Borough Market, although it might lack in space but there is something about it that makes you feel like you are in Spain, having a few tapas and a jar of Sangria with friends. The food is simple yet extravagantly tasty, especially the sea bass with orange blossom honey and beetroot. One of the specialties is deep fried goats’ cheese served with honey, but none of us liked goat’s cheese so we didn’t get to taste the famous dish.

After lunch, we wandered to the South Bank and found a Greek restaurant/bar. We then had few more drinks before heading home.

ooooo, we bought these divine caramelised egg custard at Borough Market. They are not too sweet, just the right consistency. I have always been a huge fan on caramelised egg custard but had not found any in London until Jocelyn pointed out that they were highly recommended by a food blogger!

Tapas Brindisa
18-20 Southwark Street
Borough Market
London SE1 1TJ
Tel: 020 7357 8880

Love is All Around......or not?

It's been a week since I last posted, I have been snowed under at work and I am always shattered by the time I get home. God, I really can feel I am getting old.

Anyway, for those Cartier fans out there, today is THE day to show your loooove! Today 8 June, Cartier will celebrate ‘Loveday’ with a unique charity Love bracelet. An 18-carat white gold design embossed with the word, love, it’s set into a knotted cotton cord (which I think is a bit ..X^£*$&£, they can at least use silk?!) and available from Cartier boutiques. The cord comes in a few colours – pink, black, turquoise. Cartier will donate to charitiable organisations 10% of all sales from the Love Collection and each charity Love bracelet sold on 8 June.

Otherwise, there are plenty of other selections on Catier Loverday .

Loveday is a celebration of giving with love.

But just how far would you really go for looooove?

Happy shopping, everyone!

You Never Know

I know I should never take things personal in this industry but sometimes I just can’t help getting upset with those stupid ruthless rude individuals. This guy I spoke with yesterday was just unbelievable – he actually hung up before I could even finish my sentences! Hence I was in a foul mood the whole afternoon. On the way back home, I got a voice mail from this boorish guy apologising being so cold earlier as I caught him at a bad moment. Yes, mister but aren’t we all have one of those moments but you don’t take it out on others, especially at workplace and I was being extremely polite and reasonable and he should know better as he is in the same business!

Anyway, he wanted to talk and was in fact very keen to talk!

Long story short, you never know what you can expect and the best way to put it is that life is full of surprises!

ooo, Mr all-of-a-sudden-ardent just called AGAIN as I was composing this 'thought' for my café. He would like to meet ASAP! Talk about eager and some are just super fervent, eh?