my quaint world

I am very very busy. Other than work. (Work is endless!)

My mommy and daddy will be visiting next week. They are arriving on Wednesday. For a whole 3 weeks.

I've been a good girl, cleaning up the house, puffing the pillows and putting on nice clean sheets for them :)

Though till now, we have yet to see Summer. Its always shying away hiding behind those grey big heavy clouds.

I just hope the weather will be kind.

As I sat in the speeding taxi, on my way to the airport, I reflected on the past 3 days. Moments like this makes me feel great doing what I am doing today. Well, I can't complain more for now, its a job but yet it gives me lotsa pleasure to see many things in this big world. Going places where I can't ever imagine I will be.

Of course, the sheer satisfaction is gained from the rigorous meetings crammed over the 3 full days. I am tired but I am happy. We got 2 deals signed and 2 more on the way. Yippee!!!

Oooh, Kiev is a beautiful place. Slow, green, vibrant and breathtaking. And very warm people!

Well, I only had 2 hours spared for a short walk around but with my FX9 in hand!

Once of the many parks in the city. Trees and flowers everywhere.


Typical row of coloured, beautifully architectured buildings. Rows after rows.


St Sophia's Cathedral. The golden dome is glorious looking, on the backdrop of light blue sky.


I had to post this picture. It depicts a typical scene in the city. Cathedrals after cathedrals with golden domes capture one's eyes from faraway. Its just breathtaking. In the beginning, I went, "ah, look there" "ah, look here" "ah there also" and then just "ah" "wow" "ah"...

St Michael's Golden Domed Monastery.


Close up.


Side view.

Another cathedral in the same compound. Ehm, I didn't had time to check out the name.


A very classical and colourful building which I went "woww... *pause* uhm, look the the junk in the balcony!!!" What a contrast. (But FX9 couldn't capture the gist of what I saw then)



Maidan Nezalezhnosti. A very vibrant square. I think everyone is meeting up with everyone after work. Below this square, lies a huge underground shopping centre.


Borcsht. Red beet soup. Very very yummy. I couldn't stop ordering this at every meal. Hehe.


Random people who became friends at the end of a night in a bar. All over a cigar and many beers. What else.


Someone told me that Kiev is almost the 'mecca' of the Orthodox Church (not sure if she was referring to one particular cathedral but I couldn't find any reference in the internet).

Last Saturday, the Belgians celebrated their National Day. This means that all shops were closed for the day. Really all closed :( We couldn't even do our groceries for the week.

Anyway, for it was such a boring day, we decided to take a drive to check out the little French city by the border with Belgium - Lille. It is such a pretty place.

We didnt do much there though. Just walked around. I guess people mainly go there to shop. Yep, that Saturday, I would say many Belgians had the same idea as us. So it was pretty crowded indeed. But vibrant!

Lille is quite picturesque. There are plenty of shops. All kinds. General stores, standards shops, alternatives, boutiques etc... Streets are mostly one laner, cobbler stoned (I hate them cuz they ruined all my heels!).


I saw a classical bakery. Wanted to try out the ice cream, tarts, buns, cakes (typical me!) but I was lured by another shop at another corner.


One corner of the town square. Its a very big square with many restaurants and cafes providing sittings outdoor.

I was lured by this 'PINK' ice cream shop. There was a very very long queue. It took me 20mins to get me a single scoop strawberry icecream (with chunks of fresh strawberries in it) but it was all worth it. Really yummy!


It was just a short visit. We'll definately be back again to explore Lille to its depths.

I didn't get anything for myself but Mr D was home with all smiles as he got himself a full set of Texas Holden Poker game, with plastic cards, weighted chips and all in a nice chic briefcase.

Apparently, there is a poker craze going on in Belgium.

Spot the tiny white plane!

I've always thought Walibi is a place ONLY for kids. Nevertheless, when a group of friends' friends was visiting Belgium and wanted very much to go to Walibi, we just hopped along with them.

Well, it was a fairly nice day. The clouds made the sky looked like a huge piece of abstract artwork. Of course, I brought along my weak heart plus my camera to capture the moments.

Not forgeting to mention that the last time I was in a real theme park was probably almost 10 years ago. Never truly a fan. I was once freaked out by the 'free fall' ride in Brunei.


In order to skip the crowd, we started the tour clockwise instead. The first ride was called COBRA. Its a roller coaster that went round and round and then went backwards round and round.

No pictures at this point of time cuz admist the initial enthusiasm to start the great day, I was all wobbly and feeling pukey.

Anyway, they dragged me along to take a 'slow' adventurous water ride...


Lucky me, I was on the right side where I was spared of the splashing water. Everyone was holding tight cuz it was hell of a bumpy ride.


Ducks by the lake. Actually, its very nice to walk around the entire park. Lotsa trees, scrubs and flowers... ducks.


Small rollercoaster... or more like a 'chu chu' train ride.


Ferris Wheel. A must-have in every theme park. Big or small.


American Rollercoaster. This was fun. We took it multiple times ;)


I love this picture! It gives out movements and gayity. For me, this was the most scariest ride I took. Yikes.


Vertigo. A new ride. Very impressive!


Still part of Vertigo.


Uhm, not my cup of tea. Up up up they went.


Down down down they came. Free falling.

Overall, it was quite a nice Sunday except for a brief shower in the late afternoon... We ended the day with another ride on the COBRA. Yea, that ended my day cuz my insides were really turned upside down.

I think we took about 13-15 rides within the 8 hours. Goodness me!

I am back!

See this picture? This is the view out from Marseille train station. And this is the view which caught me mesmerised and made me missed my train home!!! Unbelievable! I myself couldn't believe that had happened. I had to buy another VERY expensive ticket to go home. Sob sob sob.

I was so stupid. It was a hard lesson learnt!


Let's forget about that pinch!

It was a very awakening great 5 days at the buddha-land, Trets. Ha, I call it the buddha-land as during my time there, all on my mind was only to seek to fill the thirst of faith and knowledge. No phone calls, no emails, no talking about work, no worrying about problems. Only lotsa chanting. Studying. And all smiles.

It was a very rejuvenating trip. Brings me back to all the basics of faith. Sometimes, filling up my mind with too much knowledge gained from reading has sort of put me in the "i-know-how-it-all-works" mode which is not so good, because I tend to use a lot of mind reasonings than to let the heart rule. So this is a good "cleansing" trip!

Use the strategy of the lotus sutra!

Wisdom wells from within, as the heart rules, thus faith is pure.

nam is faith/ devotion/ believe.
myho renge kyo is the manifestation of buddhahood/ brings the effects into our lives (buddha wisdom wells from within).

The trip was essential to prepare me for the news that awaits to befall on my ears when I am back. Its a very very worrisome news. I will share it later. Surely, we will fight for victory!

I was in the photography group. This is my best shot. I love the air of joy and warmth expressed.


The group picture - all from SGI-Belgium!


More later. Good night.