A Time in London, A Time in Dublin

A week in London flew by. My three-day Dublin escape a mere speck of a memory. Jetlag has a firm grip on me as I sit at my Dad's computer in Taiwan, feeling like a little kid again being totally dependent on my folks, till I get a job and a place to live. Let me try and regress just a week...

Being back in London was really exciting. Just the sight of the red buses, brick homes and street signs made me giddy with delight at all its Britishness. I recovered from my jetlag at my cousin's, with her beautiful daughter Gina keeping me entertained. She IS the cutest and smartest almost-2-year-old in the world. I'll arm wrestle anyone who challenges that claim.

I also met up with my ex-colleagues, ex-flatmates, uni and other Aussie friends still lucky enough to stay in London. Being out and about reminded me of all the good times I've had. I also managed a tiny bit of sight-seeing, not so much as I haven't seen the sights but more for the fact that these are world class things to see.


L: Gorgeous little Gina; R: My uni friends Louise and Rachel and their partners Jose and Chris, dinner in Chinatown reminiscent of days of yore.


L: Plaster cast of Trajan's Column in Rome, erected in AD 113 with height of 38 metres, housed in the Victoria & Albert Museum; M: See man in red for scale; R: Natural History Museum.

I really had to tear myself away from London to go to Dublin, my pre-booked side trip. The night before departing I had a reunion of sorts with friends at Ascent Media. Gawd it was tempting to stay out all night. Love those guys. But I made a responsible decision and went home to bed. Albeit via black cab as I forgot tubes stopped earlier during the week than weekends. 30 quid later... ouch.


L: Some of the Ascent Media crew; R: Hong's Leaving Do (Hong on left). This was only about 10pm...

Got my Ontario Canada backpack on (thanks everyone at Ontario Tourism) and I was alone in a new city, something I hadn't done in a long time. But I went on a literary pub crawl that night and made some instant friends. Big shoutouts to Virginia Beach!


L: The Spire in Dublin centre; M: A Vemeer painting at the National Gallery. I really love his stuff; R: Argentinian naval cadet ship in town for a visit that I stumbled across in my attempt to finding the "U2 Wall". They will be sailing to Australia next year and I will look out for them.

Next day's highlight was the Guinness Brewery which I am very proud to say I pulled the perfect pint and even have a certificate to show for it. I knew my 14 euros was going to go somewhere worthwhile. That night also met up with Anna, Rachel my uni friend's sister. She'd been there 8 months so it was great to have a semi local take me to local places. Cheers to you Anna.



L: That's me holding my certificate; R: Thought I'd share some Irish with you. It's an Emergency Exit sign.

Final day I took a short DART (Dublin Area Rapid Transit, otherwise more usually known as a train) out to a tiny fishing village called Howth. They had seals in the bay! Spent a lovely few hours days looking at their seafood before heading back to Dublin. Unbeknownst to me at this time, Gay Pride was on! Caught the tail end of it on O'Connell Street. I was glad to see it. My trip felt complete. I had the political history (Kilmainham Gaol), the pub culture (everywhere), the quaintness (Howth) and festivities (Pride).


L: Fishing village of Howth; R: See the seal in the bay?

L: Close up of the seal(s). There were more than one; R: It's R2D2! This guy was on one of the trawlers.

L: Kilmainham Gaol, location set of many films including Michael Collins starring Liam Neeson; R: Outside courtyard where many were executed by shooting.

And now I'm back in Taiwan for RE-EDUCATION.

Tina T's Countdown - Asia Edition begins.

Patience is Apparently A Virtue

A week in London passed too quickly and three days in Dublin is almost a memory. 'Cept how can forget that's where I am being held hostage at the airport right now? My flights been delayed so I am awaiting my boarding call.

It's been quite a jam packed stopover, reuniting with friends and discovering new ones.

Facebook is so the latest thing.

My feelings are a little tepid towards my incumbent return to Taiwan. Have no idea what to expect; possibly the idea of "outcast" does not bode well with me.

I want to get back to London, complain about the food, the tube, the weather... Ah but to think of adventures new in Taiwan...

Tina Week

Oh man. My last blog regarding Monday drinks seem an eternity ago. I'm currently sitting on floor of my cousin's house in London, looking at a slightly overcast sky with her almost-2 year old daughter keeping me entertained. I'm looking at the pictures of my last full week in Toronto. What great times I had!

So here's a rundown of "Tina Week" after Monday (after Monday's unoffical send-off, my work friends have deemed the week "Tina Week". In order to do it justice I had "last drinks" every night of the week with various friends I've made in Toronto):

TUESDAY
After work I met up with Christiane who's last day at work was the Friday before. We both connected on many cool topics, including Taiwan (she spent a year teaching English in Taipei 10 years ago - love her). We started off in Kensington Market for drinks, then a burrito dinner at famous Burrito Boyz, then pool and drinks at Andy Poolhall, then finally more drinks further up College St. Our night started at 6pm and it ended at 12am.

WEDNESDAY
It's Martini Wednesdays at Labryinth so Nicole tells me. What does that entail? Well, $4.25 martinis that's what. Nicole, Kris and Laura are already there when I join them at 11pm. Cheap drinks were had, 2am rolls round and last calls are called. We leave in search of greasy fillers for our stomachs and found Pita Pit, where we toasted Mihoko, a friend who left us many months ago to return to Japan. 3am outside on the footpath chatting with drunken merriment when three guys approach. They are also of drunken merriment ilk and for a while we chatted before the two groups decided to merge into one to continue well into the morning at their place aided by home-made icewine, which had lovely hints of pear in bouquet and palette and a light summery body. I felt very special when one of our new friends presented me with a piece of not-readily-available-in-all-butchers moose steak from his freezer as an impromtu parting gift. What Canadian hospitality! It was almost 5:30am when I made it to bed.

THURSDAY
Caught up with Kelvin and Deeple at Hoops on Yonge where I first met Kelvin. Deeple stayed for one before going to her class, Kelvin and I stayed for a few more, Deeple came back from class and we all got back into the business of drinking proper. Cheap drinks and good stories made the night great. One more day of work left so I wasn't worried about getting in late.

FRIDAY
I was only 10 mins late for work which was impressive I thought. Was taken out to lunch, then had the whole office wishing me off in the boardroom with a cake, coffee and presents. Even got a bottle of red and a bottle of sparkling wine from a few individuals from work. So nice. Had planned to go out for Friday drinks but unfortunately those plans fell through. I was kinda glad cause I heard my body quietly saying thanks. But not for long.

SATURDAY
The usual Saturday night crowd at Dave's for one last time - even Mihoko via webcam. I got there late but got a rounding cheer and applause upon entering - I love those guys! I made my famous, or rather I should say my mum's famous chicken wings which my friends have tasted before and loved. It was just an excellent night where everyone had plenty of fun, plenty to drink and endless shenanigans. I was the first to leave that night. I was pretty drunk and wanted to make it home and not hug a toilet bowl. I also wanted to preserve the memory of the night, a final impression that was just good. Really good.

Hello Drinks!

After work we headed out to Hemingway's, a NZ/Oz pub that I've been meaning to go to for a while. The sun broke through the clouds by the time we got there, so we were comfortably set up on the patio. Toronto and her patios. T'is the season.

After work drinks are such great bonding tools. Seeing these guys out made me wish I knew them more outside of work as they are such fun. Fortunately I get the pleasure of Diane's company everyday as our cubicles are side by side, and we converse conveniently through a gap in the partion wall. Lovely Luanne was there too, and with Ryan, who works offsite and who I really only communicate via email with when John is away and I look after some of his stuff when he's gone. We often forget Ryan has a face, voice and limbs too. They gave me a card and a present for my trip to London - how so very cool are they? (Very.) Kathy also gave up on going for her usual after work run and abandoned her child to stay for a second drink. And to that I raise my glass to her dedication to the cause. Rey and Amalia arrived a little later but their presence made me smile. Again what troopers as the sky was foreboding earlier on.

The duo that caused the greatest sensation must be mentioned, were Harvey and Kattrin. Kattrin actually organised both lunch and drinks with such expertise I dare say she brought the sun out too! Kattrin and Harvey took to the drinking like fish to water and showed me what marketing was all about - AND coming up with some great marketing ideas to get a name out. Work related or not, they were full of initiatives that really excited us all. In fact, their razor sharp senses fully developed the Buzz Club, its secret handshakes, code of conduct and merchandising all inclusive and all spur of the moment. I felt privileged to have seen the inception of the Buzz Club and the honour of Lifetime Member bestowed upon me.

What an awesome night out on the Yorkville establishment patio, and thanks to everyone for making Monday a memorable all-day event.

People from top left: Kathy, me, Diane, Rey; Harvey and Kattrin; me looking very lobsterish.

Goodbye Lunch

This was my work goodbye lunch. The restaurant of my choosing was Bloor Street Diner, a blend of American diner and Provencale cuisine. My rotisserie chicken was tre delish. Thanks everyone for coming out and being there for me. Tear...



Clockwise from top left: everyone; Labrina and Nadia with their burgers; my chicken and Kattrin's spinach salad; everyone.

Weekend 2 - The Beginning or the End

Friday night I find myself meeting a whole bunch of new people. It's sad to meet people, have a great time, and at the end of the night say, Well, it's been nice knowing you. Have a good life.

Saturday night I have a wonderful dinner with Deeple and Zanaida. We hang out at the West End on balmy summer's night, knowing it'll be the last time I'm ever doing this with these girls.

That's the down-side of travelling. The connections you make that you have to leave behind. But I've said it before, it's reaffirmed my faith in humanity. This world really isn't such a bad place, not especially if I find and connect with good people everywhere. It's open minded people, it's people who are interested in not the microcosm of their lives but sees the full picture. I wish I could collect all the fascinating and beautiful people I've met, put them in a jar like incandescent fireflies that they are, then release them into my night sky at home to continually delight me everyday.


L: Me, Toshi and Tomiko - this after one night, imagine after one week hehe!; R: Carlton - thanks for my invite!

L: Chris getting his birthday shots from Bambi our waitress; R: Kuni showing Chris the intricacies of a linen napkin chicken's anatomy.

Killer Queen

I got a FREE ticket to see We Will Rock You The Musical by Ben Elton last night. Friend from work had a spare ticket that they had reserved for some US media, so off I went to see the London hit.

Why are we giving tickets to media from the US? Having lived in Sydney and London, I forget that shows, theatre, concerts, musicals, performances etc do not get staged everywhere. The US media that came, were from a Detroit breakfast show covering this big production because it won't be staged there. Maybe in Chicargo. Depending on its success here.

Toronto is the only North American city besides New York that is guaranteed the best selection of performances.

Well done to Ben Elton I say. The story line is waif-like, but he got money in the bank as soon he put the name "Queen" to paper.

I liked how the show has been tinkered to cater for the Canadian audience. The show refers to the Maple Leaf Gardens, the old home of the Toronto Maple Leafs ice hockey team (the Maple Leaf Gardens is an ice hockey holy grail). The lead, Yvan Pedneault, is a French-Canadian. In one small scene he speaks French to his chick in an attempt to woo her. She, by the way, wears underpants with the Canadian flag on it. There were also many parts of the dialogue that had the Canadians in the audience laughing, cept for one little Asian/Australian girl.