Skating at Somerset House

Thanks very much to Eskandar for the free skating tickets at Somerset House, nearby The Strand. The skating ring was closed to the public after christmas. It was reopened via invitation only. For notation, Somerset House used to house London's matrimonial registrar (as narrated by Alden) and being one of the interesting spots in London. The East wing of Somerset House has been acquired by King's College London, that will house its administration office and the Law School, by summer 2011. King's College has been negotiating on the rights to acquire since 1829 - which is the longest negotiations in the history - one hundred and fifty (150) years! - the London Students' Newspaper reports.

The event was in conjunction with the team Great Britain's do for the coming Winter Olympic in Vancouver. It was my first time, skating, albeit, I fell down once. The Skate Marshall was kind enough to provide a quickie one (1) minute tutorial. Thanks also to Alden and Es for showing me the first basic lessons in skating as well.

We skated almost thirty (30) minutes and it was on Wednesday! (the midday of working days).

Have a good weekend folks!

Chocolate

It is now the second (2nd) week of January of 2010.

The days before the second (2nd) week, I enjoyed the Roti Jala cooked by Fatin and Athirah. Thanks dearly to these ladies. Also, having had the first (1st) experience trying Jamaican food for breakfast at Brixton.

Roti Jala of Vauxhall, London :)

The Jamaican "Healthy Eaters" at Brixton. Recommended.

Time flies and killing me softly. The snow and cold made me pleasant too!

The water at Trafalgar Square turned ice!

There were many things happened, in between, since I shared the last posting. Besides occupying with the two (2) weeks PhD research methodology seminar at the Institute of Advanced of Legal Studies (IALS), I had the pleasant opportunity attending a tete-a'-tete session with the Honourable Deputy Prime Minister of Malaysia. Briefly, I am not narrating the experience here as it is readable at Alden's blog. The snippets in the media are also retrievable here.  Overall, it was an informative one.

One may question why chocolate (as the post suggested) comes to mind.

It's a very interesting metaphor that I have learnt via the research workshop today. The Director of IALS was the teacher who shared with us how a researcher should be able to define, frame and strategise interviews - whether structured or semi-structured. The opening of his workshop was remarkably brilliant by giving different perspectives on how a researcher sees things. He brought a Cadbury Milk Chocolate and requested us to have it some, taste it and write how we describe, feel and express about the chocolate. The responses were mixed and varied. Almost 20 different responses. My conclusion: That is how, one sees and defines a particular research. That was the most useful lesson learnt. Sometimes, we do not see things physically as it is, but, we tend to see things differently as it is.

Putting that aside, my week has been very feeling and rich like a chocolate. The pictures tell and let the readers define why.

Compare the height of this Italian Ice cream and the pen!

Have a good week ahead folks!

Westfield, London

Londoners were still in shopping mood and mode.

I was in Westfield accompanying some friends for their shopping. The sales seem to be on. Some, still, putting their further reductions and clearance advertisements. Westfield reminds me of a typical modern shopping mall like Pavillion, Mid-Valley, Suria KLCC and other big malls in Jakarta like Plaza Indonesia and Kelapa Gading Mall. The good thing about Westfield is that all high streets' brands and outlets are housed in one shopping mall. It's like a collections of shopping outlets of most visitable outlets in Oxford Street, Regent Street and Bond Street, in one roof.

Whilst walking, I saw Jom Makan. A Malaysian owned restaurant, which has opened it's third (3rd) branch in London. I knew this from a friend of mine who visited London last week and experienced dining there as well. I had tried Jom Makan's Chau Kue Tiaw and Sirap Bandung at the Trafalgar Square branch with a friend. Overall, it's okay, considering the London's appetite and standard. In terms of food review, and recommendation, I have to say that Tuk Din Restaurant in Paddington wins my vote.

I enjoyed the crowd and ambience. The reason to being in Westfield was just for a cup of Caramel Machiatto in Starbucks and being online :)

A relaxing way for a Saturday afternoon before the next Monday's research/reading/writing term starts.

The New Decade (2010)

Alhamdulillah.

I am taking this opportunity to thank Allah endlessly, for giving me the wonderful 2009's experiences. It came with a package of humbling experience; positives, negatives and most importantly, a character building year.

The new decade has opened it's chapter, this time, in London.

I am humbly proud to be associated with London's atmosphere. May I say, the most colourful and vibrant city on earth where the world comes to experience. Last night fireworks' display, was considerably splendid and I enjoyed every bits and moments of it. Londoners, Europeans and tourists packed the crowd with joy, hopes and wishes.

As reiterated, 2009 was a year of humbling experience. A complete privilege. Brimful of ideas. Moments of tantalising and thrilling. And a nail bitting ones too. It was a year of pride, blessings and zen. I truly wish 2010 will immaculate the gaps of my previous new years' resolutions.

Whilst online today on Yahoo Messenger, a thoughtful Scottish friend of mine sent this on being courage and finding love:-

"to travel halfway round the world.. to a country where you are not a native speaker... to study in a language that has so many inconsistencies... and crazy grammar... to pursue a qualification that not many 'natives' could obtain... to do this whilst maintaining a job back home.. awith a close family so far away... it take quite a bit of courage... just in case you hadn't realised!

in the end.... it's your choice.. you can only hope to be loved... if you truly love yourself. We all have flaws... but deep down... are you a good man.. do you have the capacity to love yourself... and another human being. I know what i think... but it's your estimation that's important.

the only way to find it is to get out there.... it won't come knocking by mistake..."

Welcome to the new decade (2010)!

Food and Countdown of New Year's Eve

The dinner

Thanks to Billingsgate Market. Fried Black Tiger Prawn 

with garlic and cili api

Fatin's cooking

An attempt for the first time: Salmon Asam Pedas.

Trafalgar Square before the countdown

It's so chilly at the time: negative 2 degrees in central London

Borough Market and Leicester Square

Last weekend, and to this day and date, the wintry weather is between 1 (one) - 3 (three) degrees in daytime and negative 1 (one) to negative 3 (three) in the evening. Snowfalls blanketed London for the past three (3) days. It was not that thick like the other parts of Britain. Yet, it has been a light snowfall and lovably blessed with sunny weather, in between.

The christmas mood in London is in ecstasy.

I had the opportunity to being in Borough Market (with Alden and Riedzal) for a brief tour last Saturday. This market is known for its organic stuff. You could find everything in organic. We also experienced eating the Oysters of Richard Howard's Oysters (the seventh generation oysterman from Mersea Island). The taste of Oyster is totally out of the world. Naturally juicy with a squeeze of lemonade and a drop of Tabasco on top. There are also exotic birds and hares for sale too. Something which is quite a rarity in a typical groceries or hypermarkets in London. After the tour, we had a strong Italian coffee session at NERO Coffee, before bumped into Alden's friends.

The next day, I killed the time capturing some pictures on the fun fair at Leicester Square. It reminded me of my childhood years going to one of the fun fairs in Malaysia. I was seven (7) years old, when my late father brought us to the first fun fair beside the Risda Building (now, the land is a white elephant - being an abandoned construction site). In Leicester Square's fun fair, I tried my luck to win an iPhone in the fun fair with an investment of five (5) Quid. But, I failed.

Maybe, I should hunt the iPhone during the coming boxing day.

And I am counting the days.

Being 33

I have many dreams.

I have many unfulfilled dreams.

And I have the fulfilled dreams.

Thanks to Allah for the fulfilling dreams.

I am turning thirty three (33) years old today.

It's an age of being a mid-career person. It's an age where I am supposed to have been married or having adorable kids. It's an age where one is leading to a progressive career move. It's an age of transition before reaching forty (40), for the next seven (7) years. I remember, my friends, said, age is just number(s). It's like a calendar, it's numbered too. Whatever convictions people advocate about age, I think, the more I grow, the sensible and matured I will, and the more knowledge and experience I learn (in the process), the humble, I think, I should be. I can't thank enough everyone, the places that I have been, the air that I breathe and the diversity of experiences that immaculate my life. It's beautiful if I were to decompose it and extract every little peaces of it. It will, be an endless, sub-stories, of my memoir.

There are many inspiring, aspirational and visionary people that have shaped my thinking process, personality and outlook, as whom, I am today. There are too many to be mentioned here. These people are not only my parents, teachers, professors, bosses, leaders and friends. They are also the people that I do not know, directly or indirectly. I took their failures and achievements as my self-motivation. Throughout the thirty three (33) years of life, I have experienced failures. I have also experienced intense moments, demotivation, and imminently, successes. And I always look back what and how I achieved that, and thus, attempt to improve it towards my character building. Prayers to Allah, of course, plays a very indispensable role in achieving the pursuits of my dreams. Endless thanks to Allah for everything. Amien.

I have undergone bittersweet moments. There are many to utter. I have also undergone many transformational experiences in life. It's something unexplainable. The people that I have met from my childhood years, teenage years, undergraduate years, postgraduate year, working years and now, in London, have made me realise that, without them; I could not be so strong and so adamant to being whom I am today. In 2006, I jotted down the 30 accomplishments and failures, when I was in Glasgow, Scotland. In 2007, I narrated how I felt to cross the thirty (30) years of age border. In 2008, I did not write anything, but sharing how thankful I was by having supporting friends around the globe. On this date, I am so thankful to Allah for giving me the breathe and strength to lead this life dearly.

Being Thirty Three (33), for me, is a pursuit towards maturity. Especially, living in the city where the world comes: London. Especially, when I am learning the nuts and bolts of my PhD research, in great depth and alacrity. Especially, when I am experiencing new discoveries of soft skills that schools or universities did not teach. And especially, when I am reminding myself that I must keep on walking and running steadily until the 'finishing line'. On this day, I have no specific wish as my wishes are embedded in my prayers [secretly]. And hopefully, the wishes and the dreams will come true. Sincerely, I thank you all for the wishes and prayers that poured (in any means - texts, facebooks and emails).

Welcome to the age of thirty three (33) gentleman!

From the whisper: I wish my late father [after his fourteen (14) years of demise] could witness what and how I have progressed in life, thus far. Al-Fatihah.

Love,

Noriswadi Ismail

London

"Chilling Effect"

Thanks Alden for cooking!

At crossharbour Lotus Restaurant,

as background

The Cambridge Alumnus

Dr. Priti & Alden

The crowd enjoying the Karoeke

X Factor talents!

Alden's colleague, Cambridge Alumnus,

now, a PhD research student in UCL

Final snap before heading home

Tony with the X Factor's fans

The dining mates

Smile and cheese

Before the dinner begins

The Lilian Penson Hall's dining

What I did?

Since Friday until Sunday; dining, party and luncheon prevailed.

Good food. Good people. Good ambience and good chatty moments. Most of these events took place in various occasions, mostly in London. These experiences have had shaped my confidence, motivation and inspiration differently as well. Last night, after having a sumptuous Hainan Chicken rice cooked by Alden, I watched the X Factor's final and the Susan Boyle's I Dreamed A Dream: The Susan Boyle Story

Last week and this week will be the final week of winter term for most Britain's universities. Then, next year (2010), everyone will start afresh with new dreams, hopes and wishes. For the coming Christmas break and boxing day, I will be in London. And my dream to plan for a weekend escapism to Paris has been temporarily halted due to "pricing" factor. Anyway, there will be still coming months to suit the best plan and deal.

How's my research going?

I will be hibernating myself in Vauxhall - finalising my articles prior to Christmas. There will be two articles (currently, being written and researched), for a presentation: one, in Glasgow and the another one, is in Vienna. On a related development, my article on RFID, has been accepted for a publication soon (in 2010). You may retrieve the abstract here. Oh. My supervisor has been recently appointed as the Board member of UK's Press Complaints Commission. Congratulations to him! I will be meeting him for a supervision meeting on 10 January 2010, a week after 2010's opening calendar. I am pleased to have been associated with such an authoritative person in my PhD research study. Few weeks before, he launched his book on Media Law & Practice where I attended the event at Queen Mary, Centre for Commercial Law Studies.

What's my plan for the coming week?

Putting these priorities aside for a while, I hope to explore and shop around crazily during boxing day. I hope, it will be a "white, snowy christmas" in London as weather forecast seems to state that it will be snowing for the next couple of days. If it proves foreseeable, I will be amongst the first person to grab my NIKON D60, and to capture the moment.

I am still recovering myself from last weekend chilling effect. Help!

Note: Chilling effect in this post does not bear any legal or business or scientific definition(s). However, it is meant to being metaphorically applied via creative writing :)

Irene, Kenya San and Richard Susskind

Alden san and Kenya san

The dinner

At SOAS' entrance

Irene, Alden and I during Eidul Adha dinner

Irene and her doner

As the title suggests, I purposely wrote the names to narrate my recent meet up with these people:-

Irene

She is Alden's friend, whom I have known, via Alden back in 2006. I did not have such proper and quality time to be able to dine or lunch with her in Malaysia (in between 2007-2009). But, this time, she was in London for a two(2) weeks tour. We dined a few times and talked many issues ranging from career to racism in Malaysia, with Alden. The topic and discussions are very much open and it did not touch any of our sensitivities. I thank you Alden, for introducing me to Irene. Alden and Irene also attended my Eidul Adha dinner in London. Thanks for coming and I duly hope you enjoyed the typical Malaysian cuisine :) See you next year in London and may I wish the best for her mega project in the golden triangle.

Kenya San

He is one of my close colleagues when I was in Strathclyde Law School learning experience in Glasgow. The friendship remains lasting until today. He was in London for couple of days. He was in Oxford as well to solicit information on his proposed MBA enrollment sometime in 2011 or 2012. And I had the opportunity to meet him for lunch at the School of Oriental and African Studies' refectory. I hosted a dinner for him and made an impromptu call to Alden to join the dinner too. Alden finally made it and by coincidence, Kenya san's hometown in Nigata, Japan, is the place where Alden did his first two (2) years of foundation prior to the MBA programme. It is, indeed, a small world. When I told Kenya san that I will be attending the much awaiting talk by Professor Richard Susskind during our lunch meet up, he directly emailed Richard Susskind of my intention to meet him after the talk at the London School of Economics. For notation, Kenya san had met Professor Richard Susskind several times, in several occasions. I am so impressed, with Kenya san's expeditious action. Although I was not able to meet Richard, however, by attending the talk and listening to his thoughts, have had inspired me to being like him for the next five (5) to ten (10) years.

Professor Richard Susskind OBE

His opinions, thoughts and predictions in law and technology are ambitiously balanced and provoking in many ways. His recent book on "The End of Lawyers? - rethinking the nature of legal services" has encompassed on how lawyers should be very much innovative and creative in multi-outsourcing. In his talk at LSE, which I attended on 8 December 2008, LSE. Hong Kong Theatre, he advocated on how the "Bespoke" model of practising law will be gradually transforming towards commoditisation. You may inquisitively listen to this podcast here. One of the notions that I admire is the trend of non-legal firms, which are interested to manage legal services in Britain. This is due to the potential of legal market that could be commoditised like how other typical consultancy firms and investment banks today. In the future, there will be Business Process Outsourcing companies that manage certain aspects of legal services such as legal risk management, legal project management, legal process analyst, legal knowledge experience and other related legal things.

I aim to contact him in due time regarding my thoughts and opinions, especially, how the cloud computing environment will affect the transformation on how lawyers work and how would clients react upon it? Maybe, he will have his pragmatic insights.

NACRA 2009

This picture was snapped by Mr. Sudharmin,

- the Annual Report preparation;

during the odd hours, April 2009.

The Assistant General Counsel &

The Corporate Communications Manager

(during the NACRA 2009 dinner gala)

Sweet smiling senses

Some of the team members, posing with NACRA 2009 plaque.

I am so elated to have learnt that HeiTech Padu Berhad 2008 Annual Report team clinched the National Annual Corporate Report Award 2009 last week. I wanted to write about it, but due to research and preparation for my presentation yesterday (9 December 2009), I had to rethink to blog about it (today).

Sometime in 2008, I passionately shared how the team clinched the first winning under the Industrial Products and Technology category for the first time. It was our inaugural achievement. Prior to that, we started the winning 'journey' in 2005, 2006 and 2007 under the Certificate of Merit category.

Through the winning, we had received many uttered remarks; the good ones, the cynical ones and the ironic ones. At times, we received positive and constructive feedbacks, praises, jealousy and mixed reactions. Some, said, "it is just an award!, What did you get from it? (cynically)". Some said, "so, what?" and some said, "well maybe, we are too disclosure-based in our reporting". I made myself "dumb" and "death" on those mockeries. Putting those remarks aside, and treat them as a norm, I always believe the award makes us (the team) so pleased, satisfied in pushing our motivation higher and to the highest level that we could reach.

On a professional front, winning that award means a pride, an achievement and an anecdotes of corporate experience, plus, learning many leadership lessons. The team familiar face that has been working for the report, since the past five (5) years, amongst others, is no other than Rosman Kamar. Now, heading the Corporate Communications team of the Company. I have seen his tremendous achievements in many areas and capacities, not only as a friend, but also as a professional executive who is down to earth, yet with substance. People may not realise that he is a shining diamond within the broken glasses. But, I foresee that he is, in fact, a testimony of a lump coal that has been transformed being a diamond!

As I write, I am dedicating a heartfelt appreciation and thankfulness to the capable men and women who have made HeiTech Padu Berhad, clinching the award for the second (2nd) time in the row. Congratulations! (millions of it, from my heart, all the long way from London). The details, and list of winners is retrievable here.

Overall, the award would be almost impossible to be clinched without the support from Yg Bhg Datuk Mohd Hilmey Mohd Taib, the Board, the senior management and HeiTech's stakeholders who had given strong support throughout the three (3) months period - from draft mode, to proof reading mode and to publication mode. Also, Messrs Ismail & Associates Sdn. Bhd., the Agency that worked through midnights and early mornings with us. I am personally proud to being the part and parcel of this legacy. Thank you all for the teamworking, the experience and the challenges. We did it!

Pictures are downloaded via Mr. Sudharmin's facebook.

Oxford's omnipresence

I was in Oxford yesterday. My first time.

Andriani, a PhD colleague of Greece who studied in Oxford for her first Masters, greeted me warmly as soon as I arrived at the station. It is, indeed, a peaceful city to study. The colleges within the University are scattered within the city itself, and that, have made Oxford so majestically prestigious. We were in the Boldleain Law Library until 8pm. Worthy a visit for writing and researching.

I told Andriani that there was a strong tradition that touched me during the library admission's registration. After sorting out the papers, a very nice lady librarian requested me to read an oath, to undertake that I shall be responsible with the rules and regulations and do not destroy any books and materials of the library. And guess what, she opened a folder and flipped over the papers in the folder. She showed me the paper that is written in "Bahasa Malaysia" and favoured me to read the oath.

That itself, is, unique. The Bahasa Malaysia version of the oath was translated by a linguistic Professor in Oxford, who has been travelling and researching on the South East Asia history. The translation, was also verified by a Malaysian research student. I did not have the chance to ask who is that translator is, as I was so enticed with the lady's explanation. After uttering the oath, she said, normally, all new applicants are favoured to read the oath, best, using their own mother tongue languages. It's a tradition in Boldleain. I smiled and said "Madam, Boldleain should preserve and maintain this tradition, its memorably unique". Then, I happily took my borrowing card (that expires until September 2013).

I had the privilege to being in Balliol College. Thanks to Ian as well. He works at the College in a management position. I could not stop listening to his historical narration of every single pieces of information that surround Balliol's ambience. We went to the dining hall, the library, the bar, the chapel and the gardens. For the record, Balliol has had produced several British Prime Ministers and the US cabinet ministers. The students in Balliol, are stiffly competitive and notable in their sports. One of them is rowing.

A tour in Balliol is already enough for me. As Ian rightly put, the colleges have similar feature and the difference is merely on its year of foundation. Historically, Balliol was founded in 1200s. One of the earliest, and arguably, the oldest. Coincidentally, the Balliol's Director, is one of the Professors in the Oxford Institute of Internet - the centre which I am applying for my summer doctoral programme in 2010.

Having lunch in Balliol's hall is already a blessing. The ambience, mood and air was totally different. I was surrounded with bright and sexy brains. One of them, was Ian, himself. He is a Chemistry degree and DPhil holder of Balliol, and has been working in the college for 20 years.

Oxford is omnipresent.

After 60 days

Love!

Hope!

Joy!

Peace!

What a portrait. May she is happy with the angels

During intermission of 15 minutes

This snap is quite good (actually)

Les Miserables as a background

Alden's Birthday Dinner - with Eskandar, Irene and Matthew

Alden's hand in zooming mode :)

Nique and friends, enjoying Princi's food

The smiling senses, whilst dinner

It's too dark!

And, finally, the faces! :)

My self-report card seems to be like a Bourse's graph.

Sometimes, the mood is very high, sometimes, it's low, sometimes it's stagnant and sometimes it's steady. That reflects what I have been going through in London. But, I have been appreciating every single moment and time. And I learned many mistakes too, with the hope, I will improve myself to being ambitiously a better person.

On academic (research front), I have read and collated many new things. The more I read, the little knowledge I have. Eventually, this is common for a PhD research student. And I hope my other friends are in the same boat (read: maybe). Or else, I will need to do a very serious reality check. I have met my supervisor thrice. And soon, the fourth time, this coming December prior to the winter break. My abstract has been accepted for a presentation in the Malaysia-Glasgow Doctoral Colloquium. Alhamdulillah. I have had some contacts that are willingly to provide some hints for my Oxford Institute of Internet's Summer Doctorol Programme 2010 attempt and paradoxically, research is steadily on track. Thanks to my family and friends in Malaysia for their prayers and motivation, ideally to London, the people, the internet, the array of library resources, my PhD peers and of course to Allah, for giving me such a pink of health for this pursuit.

It has been almost 66 days I have settled down in London. Too many anecdotes to share with. But most importantly, I have met many new friends, new contacts and that increased my competencies gradually. I learnt through my senses and observations. The language, the attitude, the scenes, the air, the breadth and everything. There are too many to mention.

Last Friday, I modestly celebrated Eidul Adha with friends in Vernon House, Vauxhall. We enjoyed the get together, albeit, the small space. Thanks to the people who popped in. Two (2) weeks before, Nique and friends, Alden and Irene, had 'paused' my research day with the plays. We watched STOMP and Les Miserables. I truly recommend these two masterpieces. It's excellent! captivating! and absolutely fantastic!

December will open its calendar soon.

I will be heading to the prestigious Oxford University's library: Bodleian Law Library tomorrow (Tuesday, 1 December 2009). It will be my first time and hopefully, I will secure complimentary inspirations that can add to my current reading and research. It will be another 30 days, we will be leaving 2009.

I, once, was in the loo of the School of Oriental and African Studies. Usually, when I am in the loo, I will think for ideas or at least reading something. But, I had no books or articles with me. Then, I read this short script on the wall that was written, as read:-

"Calendars should be banned, as they are just invented numbers"

I think, that statement is arguably and partly true :)

Saturday's Snapshots

The christmas lights were switched on!

John Lewis's store in glittery gold

Debenham's in red

Oxford Circus Station knows no business :)

Oxford Circus Station (again)

It was 5pm when I snapped this

Piccadilly Circus from far

Who is that?

This was at 4pm.

At the St Paul's small gardens

The benches

The best curry laksa in London!

I was so glutton?

The pride of London's icon: Double Deckers

At The Royal Exchange Square

Started my morning day with a Turkish breakfast :)

Every Londoners would have agreed that last Saturday was lovely. The sun. The clear skies. And the shopping. Above all, I enjoyed the restaurant hopping with Alden - from a Mediterranean breakfirst, to a Continental lunch (read: TWICE) and we almost caught ourselves for Dim Sum and Japanese in between.

I was too devoted with my snapshots of London from the morning until evening. Amongst all, I particularly like the street shots. Some have been uploaded via my Facebook album. The remaining ones are the "save the best for last" version :) - maybe.

On Sunday, London's weather was gloomy. The sun showed her face just less than fifteen (15) minutes. But, it was already a blessing. This year, I did not experience the Guy Fawkes and Bonfire Night because of light showers. So, Sunday was just being in-house and relaxing. Facebooking ruled most of my time and it ended up on what/which recipe is to be used for the Salmon that I bought at Billingsgate Market. There were mixed responses on that. The recipes range from pasta, localised Malaysian dishes and in fact, leading to "Tempoyak" preparation to be cooked with Salmon as gravy. It sounds yummy. Tempoyak here refers to the fermented durian "flesh" that is preserved for a certain period (ideally, one (1) to two (2) weeks). It's best to cook with fish and anchovies.

And now, I am thinking what to cook for tonight. Emmmm.

Billingsgate Market

The gentlemen and their "catch"

We did not buy this, maybe next month :)

Thompson Fish (also known as ikan cencaru) :)

Mr/Mrs Lobster, you will be cooked next weekend! :)

See the background landscape: rows of corporate offices

Billingsgate Market opens six (6) days a week.

The location, which is situated beside modern buildings of Canary Wharf's financial hub is a stark contrast. Meaning: on one side, you could see the modern and steeled arrogant corporate offices and the other side, you could see the nestled market and the wharf. Modern and traditional blends. Something, which I'm loving it.

Weather was rainy and gloomy. Not a good day to start our Saturday early in the morning. The plan to being in the market, as early as six (6) or seven (7) was misled by our misdirection. We took the wrong bus route that almost bringing us to Zone 3 (Tooting Station). Luckily, Alden guided us the way. So, we took a tube from Tooting Station via Northern Line and stopped at Waterloo Station to meet up with Alden. From Waterloo Station, we hiked the Jubilee Line and stopped at Canary Wharf station. In terms of duration, we spent almost three (3) hours on the road - in which, we could technically hop in a bus to Nottingham! (Note that, the Nottingham Games were also held on that day - it's the biggest yearly games for Malaysian students studying in Britain - but, we opted not to go due to this "market obligations").

We arrived almost a quarter to eight (8). Which means, we could only spend another fifteen (15) minutes to "catch" the fresh seafood. Spent almost 20-30 minutes, seeing, touching, talking and finally buying the seafood. It's cheap! The gentlemen have made the point to being here at least, once per week or every fortnightly. That's ambitious. Maybe we should take turn to tune the alarm clock at 5.00am. It's challenging but rewarding :)

Today, whilst opening the freezer, realised that the seafood consumption can last until two (2) months. Or maybe a month.

The seafood (month) has arrived! :)