For a girl that dislikes going to a market, here is the start of a journey of various markets in the city

Me: "Today, I went to the market."

Mum: "Since when you go to market?"

Me: "The markets here are clean and dry and it doesn't smell disgusting, even the wet markets."

Mum: "..."

This is my mother's reaction when I told her I went to the Borough Market at Southwark, London, near London Bridge.

Market in UK offers fresh seafood from the North Sea or North Atlantic ocean, point is, the sea water is always cold, so their seafood are way superior than the ones back home, where the seafood are not as "strong" as the ones here. Well, I can't cook seafood, my aim is to buy the ready cooked seafood and eat on the spot. Also, to get cheap and huge berries. 

It gets really cold during the winter month, I always have respect to those that work outdoors. I would trade working under the huge sun in Malaysia then in the cold during winter, it gets really cold till a point that work gets really tough, not to mention those bulky fingers wearing glove, I could hardly function with those on.

 Those "pot-looking" items are actually pie. Imagine how many days it will take me to finish. But too bad, I am not a fan of pastry. Perhaps when the Boy come over, we could share one.

 Asparagus cart

 Then there is a huge section selling vegetables, all kinds of vegetables, even those I never seen before. I never been much of a vegetable fan but I felt better eating mainly of vegetable now (its easier to cook too.) so I am really impressed by how many different kinds of vegetable they had to offer.

 Figs, I tried it once, can't really grasp the concept of eating it and I will be going on a trip soon so I couldn't get most fresh food.

 All kinds of carrots and turnips, I might try buying the black carrot and tried it next time. 

 I think those are rhubarb and the black balls are beetroot.

 I am trying to capture how huge the onions are but it didn't really show up well in this picture. Trust me they are huge, there is no comparison with what we had there. Of course, ours are mainly red onions.

 Tomatoes that looks like mini pumpkin.

 I caught a glimpse of this dude's uniform, apparently he is a chef from Hilton Hotel, I am not sure which Hilton in the city.

 Then opposite the road is the cooked food section. There are food that you could find from all around the world, German sausage, Turkish Delights (Hehe), French pastries. You name it.

 I think the sellers are genuine French, I heard them speaking French. So, even in London, you get authentic French pastry, no need to travel to Paris, just go to Borough Market.

 Cooked food are generally more expensive.

 You see the orange with red inner? Its call Blood Orange. I am not a fan of oranges and citruses but I will give it a try next time.

Fresh Foie Gras. Its like crab to me, its a cruel-full food but it taste so good.

 Wild mushrooms.

 What I got, shame that I will be away, I would buy lots more if I am not.

Mutant strawberries 

I wonder is raw milk like the fresh milk we can get from Indian Vendors, the one where you had to cook before drinking?

I shall leave you all with the imagination of how divine the seafood is and in the mean time, I will be enjoying Fresh seafood from the North Sea for my trip. Wish me sikker rejse!!

Gaming Etiquette

Life so far had been not really happening, I am trying to visit a place everyday this holiday. I had daily jogs, Covent Garden, Chinatown (again!), Borough Market and Portobello Road Market lined up for this week. I still had to plan for my coming trip. So here is a little filler post in the mean time.

I am embarrassed to admit this. I was hooked on this game that even the Boy doesn't even play and the Boy is quite the gamer, I have nothing a game but I think the ability to run a few miles without gasping for air or playing a game of mediocre tennis beats being the king in some ville or some warrior from few thousands years ago or a few thousands years in the future. I was on this game for a few months now and after today, I think I am quitting for good.

This is all because some people just doesn't have the common courtesy. I live in this world, this dog eat dog world and understood about doing anything to get on top (quite literally) and from my previous experience, it nearly always work for being a "not so decent" person. This is why I always am careful when dealing with people like this even though I hate losing, I understood that in a game, especially in this (sorry if I offend anyone) "nerd" game.

I know I am being stereotypical here but I am sure anyone that does not play computer games will almost always imagine a gamer to look like this:

At least I do (sorry!), don't get me wrong, I did tried to learn the beauty of it in the past, I tried GTA, War of World or World of War (sorry, I can't be bothered to find it out) and basically strike it off my list. The only game that I enjoyed is The Sims but thats because I can't lose in the game and I am a control freak. That being said, I am quite good in car racing, so not so good in driving in real life, excellent driver in the world of game.

Anyway, my point being, I was attacked by this class act so naturally, I fight back, again and again. Exchanging fights between that class act and me. Well, today, I was defeated and it served as a wake up call. Even though this game is a time filler when I am waiting, I was sometimes too into it. Class act sent me a message, he / she (I just want to be politically correct) sent me a message saying "Hey if you want you can attk me again? Oh wait you have 0 troops maybe now you can be a good little farm." Naturally, I wasn't too happy about it but at the same time I find it funny. Who still trash talk like that? Hahaha. So I sent back a message saying "All is fair in war and love." and later found out his / her nickname is SPITEFUL TURD. Lol. Then I proceed to sent him / her another email saying "Pardon me, I missed out on your nickname, no wonder you have no class." The reply I got "??". I delete the game after thanking my comrades (my alliance) for helping and didn't bother to reply. Well, I shouldn't even text back the second time considering he / she doesn't even understand. But I had a good laugh and this proved one thing, I gave you people the benefit of the doubt and now I am sticking to the stereotype. Don't get me wrong, he / she could be the most active person outside his / her "iphone game life", but this whole thing proved that he / she has no etiquette and anyone that hasn't heard the term "All is fair in war and love" doesn't deserve my time, not even a millisecond. So I sunk low for a minute there and promise not to let this happen again.

Here goes my experience in playing a game called The Hobbit. I enjoyed it, just a bit surprised that there are people that trash talk like this, now. Also, I was watching Sex and the City (hmm...) and missed Paris (the episode where Carrie was in Paris). I love the city so much, I am glad that I decided to go last winter, it changed my perspective of Paris. It used to be bittersweet but now its more sweet than bitter. I too learnt of something, I am never going to Paris until I find someone that would love me longer than forever, no matter what.

Cousin left, all alone....

I never been much of a family person but its nice to have a family around, someone that you could take to when you are feeling lonely. Someone that you know if you are in trouble, he/she could be reach in less than an hour. Someone that lives in the same city as you. Today is the day my cousin is going back Malaysia for good after spending almost 5 years in UK.

My cousin and I were born less than a year apart and grew up together (we shared the same babysitter). We used to sleep together, took naps together, shower together, play together and basically grew up together. We had our times, we fight, we sway far when we were teenagers, despite living in the same country, we were hours train ride apart. I fell apart and called her sobbing at the start of the year, she immediately offered to accompany me the very weekend without me asking. So when she announced that she is leaving the same city I am in for good, I made sure that I treat her for a dinner (early birthday too! her birthday coming up in 2 weeks time) And since we are food buddies (we frequently go for new restaurants that either of us discovered), we embarked on quite a food journey (plus a cake and a few cookies) since last friday (Vietnamese - Cafe Eat, Surrey Quays), Saturday (Eat Tokyo, Trafalgar) and finally Tuesday (Burger & Lobster, Dean Street).

Friday (Cafe Eat)

DIY Hello Kitty cupcake found at Tesco

 She donated some of her belongings to me, a duvet, 2 pillows, a towel and many many useful stuff that I wanted to buy but could live without for a year or two.

Saturday (Eat Tokyo) 

 I invited Molly along, I am so glad that my friends liked my cousin, she looks really cute here. Well, both of them are.

Finally, Tuesday (Burger & Lobster)

 Look how huge the lobster's claw is! I am a happy person there and then.

 We all had to right?

 Penang girls had to have their seafood!

The end result. One full stomach, a devoured lobster and a huge smile on the girls faces. =)

Then we decided to do a bit of walking/shopping after that and despite of the near zero temperature, I ordered a cold drink from Starbucks. She shopped, I walked. Ok, I didn't see anything I want plus I just got myself a dress at 40% off, gotta love spring sale. =)

She told me she might be working in KL/Singapore. I hope that the next time I see her, it wouldn't be Chinese New Year or when either of us are getting married. Here goes my food adventure with cousin, from now on, I would have to get a replacement or I will have to wander alone..... Here is to you, Elysia, all the best in your future. Thanks for being there for me most of the time.