beloved bel

Since I arrived 2 years ago, Kathryn has been trying to invite me over to a day out at Kew Gardens but our schedules always clashed for some reason. And so finally 2 summers on, we fixed a date months in advance for our Bel-Kat Kew Day (just to make sure we both are free and have something to look forward to). Also, after 2 years of hearing about her boyfriend, I finally met the legendary J. It's really funny coz I would ask about him and he would ask about me even though we haven't met before. Kat attributes this to her moaning too much about J to me but I don't think so. They are really a sweet couple! His grandma just turned 90 - yes 90 years old!- and I got to sample a piece of her home made lemon drizzle cake. However being the dear old lady, she is forgetful (which is understandable), so sometimes she forgets certain ingredients in her cakes. heehee so cute! I love sweet old ladies (no grumpy ones please). House of Choc in Richmond High Street Richmond is this ...

Now that I am moving out and with the East London line running (super yay to that!), I invited Sabrina over for a Sunday brunch. Nothing fanciful, just simple homemade breakfast and catch up. It was the hottest day since last Sept - 30deg! Really hot day. After brunch, we took a walk down along the docks and I brought her to see my favourite "resort-like" houses 5min from my place. It's gorgeous, everytime I walk or jog by, I'll stand there for a few minutes trying to spot families of swans and ducks. My favourite favourite houses! Doesn't it look like a resort? Ducks sunbathing How super cute! Another shot of the family Count the number of ducklings! Today we were not disappointed at all. We saw a whole family of swans with a few baby swans (is there a name for baby swans??) and another family of ducks with 5 tiny ducklings (black furry things with red beaks)! It was such a lovely sight to behold.. I am truly gonna miss Canada Water a lot wh...

Pics taken on actual day of run at Regent's Park... All happy and excited before the run It was a warm and beautiful day, look at the cloudless blue sky . Me after the run Chilling out after the run, would be perfect to have a picnic here straight after! The atmosphere was amazing, girls were all in pink ; some dressed up - pink tutus, pink wigs, pink fairies, pink wings - you name it. The most meaningful thing about this run is that every person has a message pinned on their backs saying "I am running for xxx" and somehow reading these messages of people running for their family and loved ones battling with cancer just kept me running thru'out the race. I guess it takes your mind off the fact you are running. It's good and meaningful distraction to have! Definitely will do it again if I have the chance to. ~~~~~~~ I know I've been rather quiet in updates recently, but before it's too late, just wanna say that I am taking part in tomorrow's Race fo...

Last May, I moved into my current one bedroom apartment unsure and with a heavy heart. I wondered if I would be okay living on my own. I wondered if I could manage moving house for the first time here in London. I wondered if staying on a ground floor apartment was safe. I wondered if I would get to know friends around my neighbourhood. Now it's exactly one year on and wow, how things have changed! I LOVE living on my own, it's one of the most liberating things ever. Freedom takes on a new meaning (still remember Sabrina telling me it's great to come back to your house at night the way you left it in the morning - it's so true!) Ground floor flat was okay too, altho I have not utilised my garden much. And friends. Oh man, God has sent incredible friends into my life. I am still amazed at how I met Sarah and how we hit it off the first time we met on the second weekend after moving in, to find out she's actually staying the next block from me. (20 second...

Liandi organised a surprise birthday dinner for Joel on Friday night at The Vintry near my workplace. She had invited about 12 people and everyone turned up before the couple walked in and Joel was pleasantly surprised. Definitely a good "romantic" dinner as what Joel labelled, to end a crazy work week. Am surely gonna miss these guys when the Richards move back to Australia :( After dinner, we were walking to take the tube back home.. as Faith and I huddled in our jackets in the cold trying to catch up with the guys in front, I realised we were walking on London Bridge and looked around, and suddenly I was hit by another wave of Wow-I-am-actually-living-in-London thought. It still hits me at times you know, like I never really believe I am living in London. Living out my wildest dream! :) I turned to Faith and told her what I felt, and she looked over the majestic Tower Bridge and smiled saying "That's the most beautiful thing ever hey. I could just look at i...

Colour 2011 from Hillsong Church on Vimeo . I just attended a 2 day Hillsong Colour Conference held at the charming and legendary Royal Albert Hall. It is so special for me coz it's my first time in the RAH (always looking at it from the outside) and now I get to spend 2 whole days in it! And it was mind blowing and life changing to say the least. I've never been so excited about church for such a long time. So cool to have the Colour banner hanging outside the Royal Albert Hall View from top floor gallery , the hall waiting to be filled . Our programme booklet Wow look how beautiful the inside is. Apparently there is a box meant just for the Queen. Somewhere behind on second level. We were waiting eagerly for it to start . The opening number, "Together Forever" Everything was done by Bobbie Houston and team with a spirit of excellence. We were treated so well for the 2 days. As it was a women's conference, the volunteers for the event we...