september ceria

Oh well ... Been a while since the last time I wrote something here. It's been 3 months since I left London. Never expected I would one day miss the city this much. Meh. So, I just got back from a very short trip to Bandung with a good friend of mine - it's 8 or 9 hours by train from where I live. I always wanted to go there since high school. My cousin used to go to ITB. And after high school, I wanted to study at UNPAD. I don't know why I was attracted that much. Perhaps it is because Hilman's novel series: Vanya. Finally, I got the chance to go there. Hahaha. So, my impression on this city? It reminds me a bit of London because of the small street around the city. They have amazing angkot which stopped everywhere it wanted. We used this as our mode of transportation all the time when we were there. The best thing in this trip was going to Saung Mang Ujo. His kid is very talented. I don't regret spending money there. I also love the food (of course I do), alth...

in love with this country - from the moment I stepped foot on the first day. a very rare feeling. hahahaha... i wish i could just live here for some period of my life! :) too bad, it's too soon ending...

went out today, after some time not using my camera to take lovely pictures of food, I finally managed to do so. and London was so busy today because of PrideLondon march which remind me of New Year's eve. well, not entirely similar, only the way we walked towards Marble Arch and met a swarm of people coming from the opposite direction - I suppose from Trafalgar Square [and, we couldn't move unless turning the other way around - haha]. anyway, this East Street is a restaurant around Soho area, London. In its website, it says it serves "exciting and varied cuisines of East Asia" which include (to my surprise) Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia and Singapore, Indonesia, Philippines, Japan and Korea. I wonder what "East Asia" exactly means though, since to my comprehension, if looking at the menu, only those menus from Japan and Korea can be considered as East Asia of origin; while the others are Southeast Asian. but, well, it's all Asian anyway. :D and I did...

so, before and between getting too nervous and stressed out due to essays, assignments, and exam, I took the time to visit some historical buildings in England. *sigh - again? first one is Windsor Castle . A medieval building - built some time in 11th century to defend England from Norman attack. It is still used for royal family until today. Even some say, the Queen prefers to stay here, than in Buckingham Palace. It's located in the south east of England, in Berkshire county. We took a train from Paddington Station to Windsor *took about 20 minute or so though the train timetable said an hour (there was a funny story behind this train journey, but I might save some space for more pictures here). the wall of windsor castle. this does look like a cover album of a new band, right? :D [photo: Angga] and this is the castle that's a princess just coming out of the castle.. haha [photo: Angga] in front of the cathedral? [photo: Angga]  yep, faces...

some clothing brands have already started to display their spring collections - since two weeks ago. however, London hadn't become warmer since then as it suddenly got colder again these past two weeks - just after (almost) everyone I know said spring had knocked our door. but today, I went out to a flower market in Columbia Road - near Shoreditch Town Hall (20 minutes from where I live - by bus) , and voila ! the sun shines so brightly and it's only 15degree Celsius.  I love today's weather!  I've already started to feel hot with my current coat. Yea! ah well, whether it's spring already or not, I don't mind. as long as my assignments get done before due date. :) so, here's some of the picture's of today's walk in a nice weather. my favourite corner near Columbia road (brick wall not like other side of the road), filled with nice little cafe offering breakfast menu and there were two street musicians performing ...

after not eating well this past two week, today I visited a Mediterranean restaurant with my two Indonesian friends... hm, of course, there was a discount offer, 7.90 GBP for three courses lunch. so I went there, ordered chicken skewers for starter, fillet sea bream with smoked salmon served with mash potatoes and saffron sauce, and stuffed apricot for dessert. not forgetting my temptation, I ordered a cup of Turkish coffee - came in a tiny cup. haha. and then, we went to China town to buy some Indonesian and Asian spices. passing a steamed-bun (aliyas bakpao) stall, I couldn't help to buy one -- a red bean one, which unfortunately I didn't take a picture of. a friend's calamari and me with my starter a strawberry cheesecake (my friend's), turkish coffee, and stuffed apricot do you think that was all? getting home, I suddenly remembered that I need to buy my sanitary napkin. tet tot, passing a lemon cheesecake in the minimarket, I took it and thoug...