Germany...After a long 13hrs plus 1 hr (connecting flight), we reached Germany, Hamburg Airport. Nothing fancy...what can be better than our Singapore Airport anyway? But I caught something familar... Spot 'Marche' in the photo? The tiny little green sign board.
With ANOTHER 1 hour ride, we reached our new home for the next two weeks, Radisson Hotel at Lubeck, Germany.
I snapped this picture in the lift and look how they build the glass panel as the ground on the top floor. It's a wise ideal to bring in the sunlight, then again, it doesnt appear too convenient with ladies walking around...
That's the view from my hotel room. The room offers a serene riverside atmosphere. It's just SO DIFFERENT from where I come from!
That's the Hotel, along the river.
(Found the photo on the net) The other day, I peep through the window and literally saw mandarin ducks in the river. That's so unreal! Instantly, my world seems to have slow down, at least half the pace that it used to be.
As Josh is on business, I was all on my own to explore the little town, Lubeck. Strolling along the streets, the town offers a dazzling array of Gothic brick churches and buildings; building seems to be a 'too big' word to use, let's say there are just rows and rows of merchant houses.
Lubeck, the second largest city in Schleswig-Holstein, in northern Germany. It was being known as the ocean made of brick stone. That's not overstating at all. Because of its Brick gothic architectural heritage, it's on UNESCO's list of "World Heritage Sites".
I took a walk in the central of the city, around the pedestrian zone of "Breite Straße" and behind the town hall on the market square "Kohlmarkt". It was a gloomy day (plus I am bad with camera), the photo doesnt do it justice...
I read that huge christmas markets are found in this area during Christmas period. Interestingly, they offers children, the famous "Fairytale Wood" where they can see sleeping Hansel & Gretel and many other fairytale heroes (during the Christmas season).
This is what I found on the internet. It's exactly the place I mentioned! Isn't it awesome looking? I wish...I wish...I wish it's Christmas now! I would go crazy running after the fairytale characters...
Just as I have said, its the ocean made of brick stone. I need to walk more, further...to the other side of the river and snap more photos. I seen gorgous pictures, with the hotel by the river in the evening. It's so pretty.
I have yet to visit the churchessss and museumsss. The art and cultural history of this place is too much to bear. St Mary's, the church of the Council of the Hanseatic City of Lübeck is the third-largest church building in Germany. I read that it serves as a model for countless Gothic-style brick churches. Must see Must see...
Oh...and the ships along the coast...!! That can't be missed too!
I took this (above) while I was strolling around the town...and it reminded me so much of my old good days in Melbourne. This feels exactly it used to be. The stretch of road leading to my church (then), how I used to walk along Bridge Road, Richmond...where many of the shopping outlets were found.
Labels: vacation
More food...
Seriously, I love this photo (above). The lighting appears perfect..just goes so well with the cosy mood that evening. What else were we up to but another huge round of feasting? I thought I said earlier and CNY mood has ended?
It's steamboat and lo hei again!!!
I saw something new today. This is cute....a little strange looking actually. I supposed its panada-looking fishcake. humm...the ears are pink....
I am going through steamboat withdrawal syndrome.
enough is enough
Labels: Festive
Sherine and Mia!Our latest collection….and something different.
We just released our very first pair of formal dressy heels. We were trying to explore creativity in this pair. We created this pair in a way that allows flexibility in the ankle wrap. We encourage customers to buy different types of ribbons, diamond straps or pearl straps and linger them around the ankle to bring on different look! There’s a wide range of selection at Spotlight (Plaza Sing).
Mia, our champagne satin heels
I always felt that ankle cuff would says "sexy" in finishes look with a ribbon around the cuff...but different types of ribbons would make a different as well. I search high and low (finally found) a suitable velvet ribbons to give the heels a softer look…just a little experimenting!
Sherine, The slim vamp shimmers in silver
Some customers would even try putting up small crystals brooch or fabric roses at the back of the cuff. Depending on your outfit, you can play details on the shoes!
Labels: lavendaz news
I love this book. It’s a great work of historical friction.
Have you ever wondered about the way of life in Bible times? This is my very first Christian friction book. It’s a series which includes five novellas about Women that changed eternity. The (Friction) stories of Tamar, Rahab, Ruth, Bathsheba and Mary, the mother of Jesus were beautifully described.
I loved how Francine Rivers illustrate the lives of five women who lived during the Biblical times. It’s interesting how Rivers was able to give the readers a good glimpse of how the traditions and beliefs of the olden times were and gave a good account of the lives (of the five women) based on her interpretation of biblical facts, incorporating her knowledge of the customs of that time.
We are not told, in the Bible, many things about these five ladies and their lives. The author was able to give a probable account of their circumstances and how they must have felt and lived.
I love the book. I can’t wait to complete the book and move on to her other collections! Seriously. Not only did the story gave a great insight into the five main character – shown their struggles, sacrifices, devotions and victory; the book moved me to read into the account of the oppression of women at that time in history, how belittle they were and how little say they have on their lives. It’s sad to even know that such practices still lives in some countries today.
As you read through the book, if you are a woman of the 21st century, you would be very disturbed at the description of the laws and pagan customs that governed the people then.
It’s unquestionable. The five, god chosen women. They had courage. They took risks and did the expected.
Buy. Borrow. Steal. Ha! Start reading it!Labels: book review
Fuss-free gathering
The group of us held our usual CNY gathering at Mok’s place this year. It was as stated – fuss free. We forsake the usual cooking activities and just decided to order just pizzas and kfc.
Obviously, we need to do our usual Lo hei!
And yes, this is Andrew Mok…the stylo one.
That comes to the end of CNY....well, at least for us.
Labels: Festive
The 8am JogThey went crazy and woke up at 8am on Saturday….headed towards east coast for jogging session!
Getting ready for the jog!
Josh took the easier path – roller blades.
Mik and I took the easiest path – We headed off to the Mcdonalds with my book and his mac book…and read all the way till they returned for breakfast.
Labels: activities
I’m assuming that everyone is experiencing the after effect of Chinese New Year. It’s the raving of too much prawns, abalones and steamboats.
After two rounds of reunion dinner on the eve of eve and eve…and a huge lunch and dinner on the 1st day of CNY….I was craving for the most simplest of food – Mcdonalds. Ha!
I felt the cosy joy of the reunion dinner at my parent’s place this year, instead of just mum and I cooking, dad and josh were trying to contribute in ways that they can. Mum was just convincing us how she will keep the dinner simple, apparently, the table was just filled with dishes by dinner time. How simple was that?
Reunion dinner on the eve was just as bad, slightly better I guessed. We had steamboat, my all-time favourite…and there were lots of mushrooms! I have a soft spot for them, especially golden mushrooms. These two plates were practically prepared FOR me.
I made myself useful after dinner by tying the red ribbons on the pussy willows. Ha! This is pretty interesting to me. My parents are less traditional as compared to my in laws, I never had such distinctive lunar new year mood in the house… That was fun!
Labels: Festive
Something Borrowed - Emily GiffinI read about raving comments on the author Emily Giffin. More alarming to know that magnificent review from Lauren Weisberger (author of “The Devil Wears Prada”) penned "Here's a heroine you'll root for and a book you won't want to put down". Emily must be something.
As I mentioned in my
earlier blog that I read her second book, “Something Blue”…and was determined to track down her first “Something borrowed.”
“Something borrowed”
The story surrounds mitigating circumstances…introducing Rachel, a successful attorney in New York who always find herself insecure as comparing with her best friend, Darcy. Darcy is one shallow and overconfident girl that has no shame in flaunting her beauty especially around Rachel. Her competitive attitude often puts Rachel down and it isn’t difficult to understand why Rachel appears to belittle herself through the book.
In “Something borrowed”, I found the more complete story between Rachel and Dexter. Rachel saw Detex first, but held back due to her insecure nature. Darcy on the other hand, has a long history of stealing the men that Rachel likes, and that includes Dexter who Darcy is engaged to. Although there were moments that Rachel and Dexter shared (when they were young) which could turn into something significant, however, she breaks off ‘the Moment’ and calls it a night.
At Rachel’s 30th Birthday party, after a long heart-to-heart talk with Dexter, it progressed to flirtation and they spent the night together. Now that the deed is done, Rachel is racked with guilt, or rather guilty for not feeling that guilty. She vows to put this behind as a ‘one-night-stand’ and never to revisit again. But Dexter is seriously obsessed with her and Rachel struggles to keep him away – and failed. Dexter on the other hand, was caught in a difficult predicament. He has the courage to keep Rachel but couldn’t end the engagement he’s not sure he wants anymore.
The situation was complex and a little wishy-washy in my opinion. I like the author and her attention to detail and love for her central female characters. I admired her creativity in writing this book, in Rachel’s perceptive and entering “Something blue” told from Darcy's point of view.
My criticism comes as even when Rachel is faced with inner struggles, her conscious seems to be thin. Rachel was in a dilemma – she wants to be happy, but would be destroying at least one relationship - Dexter and Darcy, Darcy and herself and not to mentioned the complications between her and Darcy’s common friends. Despite how the book proclaims on the unlikable character of Darcy and perhaps she deserves all the betrayal after all she has taken Dexter and Rachel for granted over the years, I find myself pitying her.
I can’t deny that I read how Rachel stumbles through these thorny moral questions to find some difficult answers, but I find myself despising Rachel to a certain extend. I read how she was finding un-justifying reason for her actions. She is unable to decide what she wants to do; she can’t leave Dexter, yet couldn’t put her foot down and face to consequences. Pages after pages, she was whining.
As much as Emily tries to show the kindness and big-hearted Rachel that still talks to an obviously self-centered and spiteful Darcy, I found it hypocritical or even more deceitful as how Rachel is capable of sleeping with Dexter and yet at the same time helping Darcy to prepare the wedding pretending that she is still a friend.
My question despite how Emily tries to bring forth that there is two sides of the story and despite the book includes positive note on character development and a so-call ‘happy ending’. I can’t help to feel that all three characters, Dexter, Darcy and Rachel would end up single.
After all shouldn’t cheating be discouraged?
Labels: book review
Valentine’s…with the sea breezeThis was the night of surprise!
The setup...Josh scored well that evening. He planned a great bbq dinner at east coast on valentine’s night. I am impressed at how he managed to smuggle all the champagne glasses, plates, cutleries, ice box…and even chairs from home without me knowing!
I didn’t exactly know that he was up to something big till I called his office that afternoon and found out that he is on half day leave. Ha!
Pop!
He conspired with Mikhail, who is at the background busy with the food. Ho…
The sparkling champagne...
Cheryl and I were being well-pampered that evening. She was literally just posing by the pit.
I find it unbelievable that how much energy Josh has. He often comes up with unexpected ideas will needs real hard work. He always says that he will make every occasion a different experience. On the contrary, I am a fuss-free and practical person. Opposite attract, I guess.
Indeed, it’s a very different experience.
Labels: Festive
Busy Busy...Recently Eve and I have been just busy with roadshows after roadshows. Actually not just the two of us, we brought along Vera, Eve’s first born.
She has been following us around. It’s actually a pretty good marketing strategy, since she’s the centre of attraction and well, ladies would usually go gu gu ga ga over her. I wouldn’t blame them. We are manipulating her to charm the customers and work on her words
“buy shoes, buy shoes”…but failed terribly. Ha! But it’s so cute how she was say “niceeee” when some of the ladies pick up a design. She’s really entertaining.
We been visiting a couple of schools, hanging around their staff lounges…and times HAVE changed! Look what I found!
The management is seriously thoughtful and spurge on an i-squeeze for the staffs!
Eve, in her
Gina.
We carry this Thong sandals in turquoise blue as well…Presenting
Tina!
If you are interested in our roadshow concept, you could suggest to your HR/Welfare committee to have us over. Just email us a
indulge@lavendaz.com
SteamboatI love steamboat….I just adore the idea that a group of close friend gathering around the hot pot. It’s such a cosy feel.
We had a good celebration of steamboat last Sunday evening. A friend of ours, Ee hui came to Singapore for a couple of days and ALL of us hang over at Wai Hoe & Claire’s place. Seriously the focus was just the steamboat. Well…Colin and I had the most that night manz. I am seriously bought over by the soup based prepared by Claire.
Andrew – tao-kay of Moomedia, our diamond-bachelor. He’s not that awful looking!
That’s him! Proven!
Colin working hard that evening…
Every time as I spoke about this group of friends, I can’t thank God enough for them. Things would be never be the same without them.
Labels: activities
My colleagues!While I always have friends that whine over their awful, horrifying, atrocious, selfish, dreadful colleagues, I was never able to comprehend. I am thankful. I have never really experience bad colleagues before. Either it’s my super high threshold, or I am seriously one blessed girl!
My most recent new colleagues at Polytechnic are another bunch of fun-loving folks, that’s not all. They are charming, sweet, humorous, gorgeous and lovely people.
(This is for their benefit, just in case they are reading. Ha!)
Seriously, they are so fun and easy to get along with that I always feel that I am missing out lots of fun during the School holidays!
Yesterday we had a small birthday blash for Siewheng. She is my closest colleague (ex) from Sony. God is good, brought her back into my working-life once again.
That’s the foosball men!
That’s our staff lounge. Isn’t it impressive? High-ceiling, cosy environment, TV, sofas, bar-counters…It’s just a great place to work!
This is what I found on the internet. It's exactly the place I mentioned! Isn't it awesome looking? I wish...I wish...I wish it's Christmas now! I would go crazy running after the fairytale characters...
