Happy 4th Year in London!!

Four years ago this exact day 22 Apr 2008, I ventured into the unknown halfway across the globe. Looking back, I cannot but say how much Bel has grown (Can I use the words "quantum leap" here? It's the unforgettable phrase our FYP tutor said of our final year project in uni after many fruitless meetings with him. haha). I mean, cooking paella - I had no clue was it was four years ago!

I am ever so thankful for the many friends I've met here, people from all across the globe. People whom I've never thought of forging such close friendships with. And of course friends back in Singapore who still faithfully keep in touch with me. I woke up feeling real blessed today with a smile on my face.

After the soap making class on the same day, I arranged for a special lunch with my closest group of friends here, at St Katharine's Docks right at the foot of Tower Bridge (my favourite bridge ever). I told them it's to celebrate my fourth year in London, but more so for all of us to celebrate our years in London. And with this theme in mind, I asked everyone to dress up in the colours of blue, red and white a la the Union Jack. Guess what happened? Four out of six of us turned up in blue-white striped tops! It was hilarious. What can I say, we are that co-ordinated. ;)

I think it's time we add some red colour to the wardrobe

I suggested for all of us to share our London stories over lunch: how we decided to come to London and how we all met. It resulted in so many funny stories and loud (really loud) laughter all round. I think the other patrons in the restaurant must have hated us that afternoon.

Marketa, Evelyn and Sarah came over to London in 2005, and Gabby, Kine and me came in 2008. Funnily enough, JPM brought Marketa, Evelyn and me to London! They were hired as interns in 2005 and left subsequently, both doing really well now actually. Sarah, Gabby and Kine came over as students and stayed on to work. Now Gabby is married to an Englishman and so going home is kinda out of the question for now. Marketa being the very eager person to share her stories started her story with "When I was born,..." and everyone attempted to stop here because we were talking about London, not when she was born! And it was hilarious. She insisted to continue with her statement "When I was born, I was born into Communism. I couldn't travel anywhere except to Communist countries. I knew of this place called America and I dreamt of going there someday..." To which we stopped her saying it's London, not America, Marketa!! Of course she insisted on continuing her story, and eventually on her move to London. hahaha by that time we were all in stitches.

Despite us urging her to shorten her story, it is interesting isn't it? I have never thought of how life would be like under Communism and here I have two close friends who were sharing about their childhood and how they dreamt when kids to eventually leave their country to study and work "preferably America." Of course they couldn't control their fate and so America became London ;)
Who knows where they would go next?!

London is an interesting place. It's never a place for "stayers". In these 4 years, I have seen many people come and go and seldom people make London their permanent home. We are very much aware we all wouldn't be here eventually, and though it's a sad thought, I always tell myself it is a good problem to have. You wouldn't want it the other way. And we promise that after leaving London for our next stage in life, we all have to make a commitment to continue meeting up either yearly or bi-annually.. whatever the frequency, wherever in the world... but until then, we will all continue enjoying what we have now.