Harburg Rathaus

First report from Hamburg! First impression ... COLD. After the wonderfully warm sun in London, Hamburg Germany just seems to take the heat right off you! It ranges from 4 to 8 degrees over here but its around 3-4 degrees during the day and only at night does it get really cold.
Lemme tell you abt my journey to get here. Set off at 2 am from Passfield with Sherwayn's gigantic pack strapped to my shoudlers and my crumpler bag strapped to it AND a big Primark bag stuffed with the trench coat I brought for Liangzhu. I only reached Victoria Coach Station after a very very excruciating 55 min trek ... arms were numb after that and my shoulders felt like lead! All to safe 70p?!! But no I like walking anyway and I dun regret it except for the slightly aching shoulders. The bus set off and the exhaustion kept me asleep right through the 1hr 30 min ride. Checked in my luggage and slept AGAIN at the airport till my flight and then SLEPT AGAIN in the plane straight through. Stepped out into a solid blast of cold air!
Was kinda exhausted when I finally reached LZ's place but he whipped up this wonderful cabonara pasta (that he says is standard fare for him). Heh it seems living by yourself (and w/o catered food) really does wonders for your cooking skills! After 40 winks he brought me out to Hamburg proper where I had an introduction to some German, learning for example Haben Zie Heinen Stadt Plan (or smth like that) - do u have a city map? and nischt ist unmoglich (from a u-bahn advert) - nothing is impossible! Well the peeps here if not as friendly and accomodating as the Danes are pretty nice in their own way as well (although not as well versed in English) and definetely more welcoming than the Parisiens! Saw a few things which struck my eye - Der Konig Der Lowen (i.e. Lion King) and Mamma Mia both play in Hamburg, the Raffles hotel has a branch here. Oh yah the pastries here are lovely! And I love pastries! First night we had dinner at this Portugese restaurant and it was so big both of us had trouble finishing the combined mixed grill fish dish (that's saying a lot when both of us have one of the biggest appetities I have ever seen! got pics of em!). Learnt later that night that someone pua tohed again! Sheesh.
Next day (Sunday) we went to this place - St. Pauli Fischmarkt (which as you can tell is supposed to be a fishmarket) - and wow! Its a riot of color, sounds and commotion I have seldom seen in Europe. Wads queer in this fish market is that (1) fish mongers are in the minority (2) sellers (especially those of market produce) seem to have the market power here not the buyers - they dictate a basket of goods (seemingly constantly changing) and customers bid for them (3) there is this large hall where tired shoppers (or marketers?) go to chill out; there was this rock band (at 0900???) jamming to the sounds of German rock and Queen's Radio Gaga; and Germans of all shape and sizes slurping away at coffee (vodka and beer as well! those nutters!) and munching into breakfast! We had breakfast - chips and sausages! Now I know why the German sausages are famed! Have decided to bring some home to London! *yum*
Well after that we made a couple more stops, the most interesting of which is this Church - St. Michaelis - where there is a tower stretching up ten stories! The view from above is panoramic spanning almost the entire Hamburg (ian?/ er?) skyline. The city although with a population similar to Singapore's is really low-rise (haven't seen anything above 7 stories) so the view basically captured everything the city had to offer! Heh luckily we were early cos we found out later there was a long queue for the lift. On our way down we saw families climbing up the stairs and there was this little girl (very cute!!!) mumbling to her mum in German (via LZ's translation), "Mama I'm dizzy!" Oh yah LZ's German really astounds me! His really good at it - which you'd probably expect, since he's lived here for some time already. Haiz reminds me of my dream to live someday in France (kinda tainted after I met some of the ruder Parisiens and read about Japanese migrants having trouble assmiliating).
Back home later that night we watched this black and white, 1930's show Top Hat. It was suprisingly good and very funny! Gonna recommend it to everyone when I get back! Hehe. Well ... one problem though ... LZ left for work this morning with the message that I meet him at one at the Hauptbahnof (Central Station) BUT guess wad the door was locked FROM THE OUTSIDE by his flatmate Felix! So I can't get out! Hence my blogging now ... SIGHZ. Justin's Luck hehe! Ah well its given me the chance to compose my thoughts so I guess its a good thing. He should be back in ten ... so my next entry will prob be back in London! Hope to regale you all with tales from Berlin and Munich!

1. Is It Spring??!! 2. Land Of Hamburgers ... Here I Come!!!!

Xian diao! This is the second time I am bloggin this out ... cos the page crashed! Arghhh! So irritating! But other than dat ... yesh these 2 days have been divine, wonderful, zai, fantastic ... pls add if you know any other superlatives! Arghh! I hate typing my tots out again! Geesh! Remember frens ... save continously to prevent cock-ups!Well first of all ... the weather. Now that the weather is THE big thing in London. English love toking abt the weather so when it gets real sunny, warm and generally about 15 degrees ... they all go nuts! And so do we Singaporeans too! Having been in the dreaded and dreary winter sleet, snow and ice for the last 3 mths ... this is heaven! Walked around in berms and t-shirt yest and today (I was the only one though ... English seem to have something against exposing their legs?) and generally tried to soak up the beatiful weather ... hopefully this is a sign of divine things to come (sorry if I keep using the word but some things are so magnificent that you know God had a hand in them). Well weather aside ... Indian buffet and Thorntons (my favouritestttttt ice cream in London cos its relatively cheap + good!) ice cream with vet (",) then later adjourning to Adrian's place for the old and new committee's (part of it anyway) get together dinner. Once again when Singaporeans get togther ... FOOD HEAVEN! Adrian's curry, Sher's and my Laksa (even-idiots-can-use-Prima-pack hehe), FQ's banofee pie, Kelvin and Nicola's watermelon, Jaq's and Xianna's shui-jiao! *Satisfied sigh*One side track - I hate laundry!!!! Folding, ironing ... packing away nicely! Sheesh!

Later ... made a visit to Walkabout ... heard it was a little seedy this place where AU members congregate after their jolly games on Wednesdays (with the exception of the rather sad running team hehe). But I didn't find the place too bad ... there was this gondala thingy reminscent of the now-defunct Embassay in Singapore ... then there was the Gothic architecture (almost like a Church ... just a little creepy). But we didn't stay long ... music was ok ... but ahem (hehe) was tired and we weren't really in the mood. (That is not to detract from the perfection of the day!) Wellz headed home and konked out at 0230.

8hrs later a lame lecture but I got through it w/o sleeping. Had a game of squash where this time ... I gave ALMOST as good as i got! Dinner after CU (farewell to the 3rd years ... wonder wad it'll be like during our turn?) was 4 dishes ... all simply scrumptous (including salmon!). But here I am now at 0300 trying to get my laundry folded, bag packed for my trip to Germany - first stop the land of Hamburgers - Hamburg hehe. Btw anyone wants to call moi from the 19th to 31st March pls call my singapore number! Right ... totally exhausted now ... gonna catch a little sleep b4 class at NINE (just sick isn't it!) tmr!

Room In Your Heart

Squashed! Three consecutive days of squash spanning saturday to monday has left my body bruised, battered and more than a little worse for wear. Spent a good 30 min in the gym today before my aching limbs could not longer take the damage. But still the thrill of athletic competition (which I have had a serious lack of), full blown all out physical exertion and perspiration is simply SHIOK! Getting thrashed is a-ok since I had lotsa fun, did pull a few nice punches of my own (think I am improving a little at last!) and generally had a good work-out! Only thing is I cracked my racket (DRATS!).
Slogging for MANY MANY hours I have finally completed the essay. Like Rousseu actually, idealistic ... like me! And I think this is the longest amount of time I have ever taken to write an essay! (Ain't brood well for the exams!) Trying to get all my affairs (oops hope it doesn't sound like I am dying or smth) and study preparations ready b4 Friday night when I leave for Germany. Certain events that have transpired today has sent me on an inward journey of recollection.The difference between who I was and who I am now. If it seems I am more mellow and easy going now it is because I have no wish to repeat the mistakes of the past. In fact it is a necessity I think. Simply because beneath the calm there is ... something else. I have learnt to always take things lightly and to tackle any situation with a smile yet ... I can some times still feel fragments of the old implusive, bad tempered person wanting to break out. Okay okay I am not about to explode any time soon ... Its just a reflection plus London weather is great for the nerves! . Still ...
Yet by virtue of patience, friends lost, friends still with me and God's grace, the mistakes made will never have to be relearned again.
*breathe in, breathe out* ah feel much better. God has made life good and so it is.
Anyhow wadever problems there've been they'll be sorted out. Once again bible study seems to have brought things back into perspective and we know that God will provide if only we try.

On a different note ...

Living In A Box - Room In Your Heart

It's dark and cold tonight
I'm walking all alone
And one step at a time
I'm getting closer
I know she's hard to find
Instinctively I try,
To take the path of love into the night
There would be no reason if you really didn't care
There would be no reason for love

The door is open wide is anybody there?
I know this must be the room in your heart
I really don't know why but it's so easy to breathe
I know this must be the room in your heart

No answers question me
No one's been here before
I'm the first to see the light at your door
If I could hold you now I would not disagree
With these four walls you're protecting me
There would be no reason if you really didn't care
There would be no reason for love

The door is open wide is anybody there?
I know this must be the room in your heart
I really don't know why but it's so easy to breathe
I know this must be the room in your heart
I can feel it, I can feel it
I can feel the love that's surrounding me coming out of you
Just show me the way

The door is open wide, is anybody there?
I know this must be the room in your heart
I really don't know why but it's so easy to breathe
I know this must be the room in your heart
I know this must be, I know this must be
Is anybody there

The door is open wide, is anybody there?
I know this must be the room in your heart
I really don't know why but it's so easy to breathe
I know this must be the room in your heart
The door is open wide, is anybody there (fade).

Because I wait, smile and hope ...

Clearer

For the first time in a long while I see clearly now. Thank You Lord.

Heal The World

Hmm though the memory has slightly faded now, the scences I experienced were pretty incredible and evoking. Hotel Rwanda was our first stop. (After yesterday's ill-fated, some say "justin-luck" imposed cinema scare. We were all ready for our orange 241 discount when after twenty min of screen time ... smoke! The fire alarm went off and we had to evacuate. We were pretty much dissapointed and deflated after that ... but hey its all settled now!) Don Cheadle stars as Paul, the Hotel Manager of the Hotel Des Milles Collines in Rwanda (its a real life story by the way). He manages to safeguard the lives of over 800 tutsies from the slaughter of the hutu militia. What really struck the emotional cord was the cavalier attitude of the French, Italians, Americans and British (pretty much everyone) in the face of the slaughter; the only one who cared was a Belgian journalist and the Colonel of the UN force who was pretty much impotent. Their main priority was the evacuation of their own civilians and whilst the slaughter was going on there was this debate aired on the radio concerning the statistical definition of a genoicide. It really made you want to bloody those politicians in their noses! But I am not very much different I must admit. The journalist in the story made the comment that people will watch the atrocities on TV, gasp a little and finally continue as if nothing had happened ... and its true we have been desensitized to such horrors to a certain extent. But now I have decided to make some contribution no matter how small. I remember when I was in school and sometimes you'd get these letters asking you to adopt a kid in Africa. Well before the letters always went into the bin ... well I'l like to make a difference now to the kids in Africa so if any of you guys would like to pool our resources to adopt a kid or smth ... just tell me! Being a Christian is not only about walking in right path and spreading the word (though that is important too) but also about helping our fellow human beings even when we do not expect anything in return. Most of the time it is better to give than to receive.
At CU's meeting today, the talk coincidentally centered around the beleagured Christians (and non-Christians too of course) in North Korea. Stories and descriptions from escapees are truly horrifying. In Africa the UN can (now) intervene to a certain extent, over the continent stopping the worst attrocities BUT in North Korea which is a sovereign nation ... nothing can be done but pray for the people and the brave missionaries and liberals seeking to help people escape and topple the regime. It really questions the depth of your faith as well ... I wonder if I would have the strength to keep from renouncing Christ (in public at least) if I was threatened with a pot of molten iron right above my head. Very disturbing in the least.
On a lighter note, the Korean pastor's (Pastor Paul I think) wife made these wonderful sushi like things apparently called Kim Bab - hee we da paoed a packet each since there were a LOT of packets! Better yet, we dished out tom yam (still one of my favourite foods/ soups) and paratha at vet's place. The paratha although frozen was really pretty remarkeable!
The guys are planning a trip to Mt Kinabalu this June ... hope I can make it cos I haven't been with them on a trip for a long time. Plus it'll be nice to take a little trip just around (our now neighbourly) Malaysia after all my European toruing these last six months.

Michael Jackson - Heal the World (excerpt)

Heal the world
Make it a better place
For you and for me
And the entire human race
There are people dying
If you care enough
For the living
Make a better place
For you and for me

Dun really like the fellow but hey this is an approprate song!

Things do not always go right. Yet one should just always apologize, try to make the situation better and move on. Sometimes it doesn't help and sometimes it doesn't make things better but it comes from the heart. Smiling in the face of problems does not mean one isn't true. It is simply a different way of coping. Huh where did that come from? Must have just popped into my head!

Vacillating

Just received part one of my package today via Chang Yong, my hitherto unknown cousin from Imperial College. Its chocked full of (belated) CNY goodies like shrimp rolls, sugee cookies, my aunt's homemade pineapple tarts and kueh lapis! Life is good! Hah just wait till my REAL BEEG package arrives in 6 weeks! (I noe its an absurdly long time more ... but still one can hope eh?)
Visited Big Zhijia's place yesterday and it just exceeded all my expectations! Can't wait to move in with all our flat buddies! It'll be fun! There's 4 rooms and a living room but we thinking of converting the biggest room into a double so that we can fit 5! Poor students and all that! haha! Apart from that the location is a cool 17 min from sch and it has a washing machine/ dryer to boot! Good thing I approached Zhijia before anyone else did! Ah the benefits of being kiasu!
Had a very filling lunch at Misato today but still the itch is on for Korean food! Dunno why ... I just want it! Sorry I sound like a craving pregnant lady hehe.
School work? Still a pain in the neck. Have done half an essay and just finished the presentation. That leaves one and half essays! Have finally gotten my accelerator up and running but there's still a long way to go!
Hmm wad else? Been vacillating on a certain something ... will have to fix that up eventually ... loose ends are BAD! Ah well things will fall into place ... just trust in Him. The self-deterministic theories of J.S. Mill all hold a certain attraction but all the same its good to know you can fall back in comfort when you're lost and adrift. Anyone understood that? I didn't really haha ...

Easter Anticipation!!!

Pretty much settled back into the rhythm of things again ... but the mood now is more one of anticipation ... waiting for Easter to come! Germany ... a nice break from school work ... its all calling to me! But I kinda fear the approach of Easter as well ... cos it signals that the EXAMS are coming! Haiz for the last 15 yrs that single 5 character word has been a source of anxiety and stress for me ... and its happening again! Well look on the bright side ... a chance to unwind b4 the final blow! Only 2 more essays and a presentation to go before 19th March ... the first day of our Easter break!
Hmm nothing much else to report really ... other than our little singsoc disco. Well it wasn't great but still it wasn't too bad! Our (admittedely) slack committee managed to pull off another last minute stunt especially thanx to Andrew who was so sick he had to go home even before the party started! The music was good (at least when Sherwayn was the DJ!) and all our friends were there! Heh but one thing ... I certainly drank too much ... liver felt like lead on the way home! Not gonna try that kinda crap again!
Looking forward to a relatively slack weekend ... got to start on one essay and finish up a presentation but these shouldn't present too much of a problem ... and oh one more thing gonna check out Big Zhijia's apartment on saturday. Hopefully the place is up to everyone's expectations so we can have one nice happy household next year. This problem of accomodation has been a small but slightly irritating thorn in the side and I'll be pretty happy to get it over with ASAP!
Btw congrats Den on your 'O' level results! Well done and keep it up!

Aarhus, Denmark; RM T9 Passfield Hall

Woah! A flurry of events have just passed and I have had barely the time or energy to make a record of my life. But I shall get some of it down. Last I left u I was heading towards Victoria Station with Ong and Sherwayn. Aarhus proved to be pretty fantastic, not only because the people were great, nice, friendly but also because company was good. We toked, we laughed, we joked, we made innane comments ... this is wad travelling is all about ... it is not so much the place or sights but rather wad u make of it ... even the most boring of places can turn out to be a great trip (not that Aarhus was in anyway boring). Lemme just say smth about the wonderful Danes. They are above all amiable and sincerely welcoming and curisouly very trusting. There were bicycles all over the city, unclocked and unshackled. The degree of trust and social spirit required for such a simple act astounds me but this great Nordic society possesses it in abundance! I think that one can tell when a society has reached a kind of maturity when people no longer have to be kiasu (i'm not excused!) and weary of each other but instead identify themselves with the greater whole. The welfare system in this case (unlike UK) has turned out for the better since it has engendered a great social equality which in my view is neccessary for level of societal maturity. Yet I wonder if this is a trait merely characteristic of the Nordics in general? Are Chinese capable of such actions, social spirit. Sherwayn did not believe so ... he thought we were too selfish and too kiasu as a race to be able to appreciate this. But I am more optimistic!
Well back to the trip ... we arrived to a chilly (-3 degrees), white (completely snow covered) and oddly sunny Aarhus airport. Heh we arrived with nothing more than out packs and some cash actually for (I think I mentioned this b4) did not book any hotel or transport wad so ever! Heh but improvisation is the order of the day eh? Makes things more free and easy and gives everything a more relaxed touch! Okay halt! I shall continue another day with my account!
Haiz anyway I just wanna say I arrived back, had a McDonald's supper and slumped into bed at 0400. Woke up this morning zombie liked and managed to pass the day. Tmr is our disco and things do NOT look good. But no use worrying just gonna have as much fun as possible ... it is after all Mambo music! Yay!