Week 11 - A tribute to London

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When Hubby picked me up on Thurs evening, I was shocked at the news that the London Underground was bombed, the day after the announcement that they had won the Olympics hosting for 2012.

Our hearts immediately went out to the commuters as the bombings took place during the rush hour. We were saddened by this news as London holds a very special place in our hearts. For me, it was the first city abroad I visited completely on my own and felt very much at home.

London first won me over when several chivalrous gentlemen stopped to haul my heavy luggage when I struggled with it up and down the stairs of various Underground stations. I was really thankful for this or I would have to huff and puff with it up several flights of short stairs — and these nice blokes just came and asked,

“Can I help you with that?”.

They even patiently waited for me at the top of the stairs while I trudged up on my short legs. Secondly, when I couldn’t find the street or the hotel I was to stay in, people were kind enough to follow me right up or down a street just to make sure that I got on the right road there.

On my second trip there, Hubby fell in love with London when he spent a glorious week discovering the city on his own while I worked. After that, we explored it further for a few more days and fell even more in love with this multi-cultural, vibrant city.

My colleagues had often ribbed one British team-mate that they could not possibly find any decent food in the UK but I beg to differ because we found delicious lamb masala, Thai tom yam, meat pie and of course, fish & chips during our time there.

We didn’t want to part with precious Pounds on Chinese food except for once at the infamous Mr Woo’s all-you-can-eat for 4.5 pounds Chinese buffet (at Covent Garden). Unless you’re really tied up with cash or insane, DO NOT try this if you can!

It has to be the most horrendous Chinese food we have ever eaten - I had been away from home for about 2 months then so the plain rice tasted like ambrosia but not even homesickness could mask the greasy and tasteless bits of rubber they labeled as ’sweet and sour chicken’.

Other items on masquerade were: fish ball soup, stir-fry vegetables, spring rolls, soy sauce chicken, fried chicken and scrambled eggs (Chinese?).

One couple from Manchester who were in London for the weekend must have also suspected something amiss because they saw us madly laughing or looking horrified after a few bites. I pitied them when they queried,

“Excuse me, are you Chinese? Do you mind if we asked you if this is how Chinese food tastes?”

We told them unfortunately no but the closest was the chicken in soy sauce and they immediately looked relieved and confessed that they found the food equally ghastly too. We then had a laughing time describing how real Chinese food would taste and also taught them how to use chopsticks.

This is just a snippet of our fun and memorable experiences in London. We are extremely saddened by what happened on July 7 since we had travelled through the stations that had been bombed.

But we truly admire the amazing grace and courage the Londoners have shown under fire and are now trying to show the world that they are back to business. Our thoughts and prayers are with you!

As a tribute, I would like to post one of our favorite hymns (which was also played during our wedding mass):

BE THOU MY VISION (Bí thusa Mo Shúile)
Be Thou my vision, O Lord of my heart;
Naught be all else to me, save that Thou art
Thou my best Thought, by day or by night,
Waking or sleeping, Thy presence my light.

Be Thou my Wisdom, and Thou my true Word;
I ever with Thee and Thou with me, Lord;
Thou my great Father, I Thy true son;
Thou in me dwelling, and I with Thee one.

Riches I heed not, nor man’s empty praise,
Thou mine Inheritance, now and always:
Thou and Thou only, first in my heart,
High King of heaven, my Treasure Thou art.

High King of heaven, my victory won,
May I reach heaven’s joys, O bright heaven’s Sun!
Heart of my own heart, whatever befall,
Still be my Vision, O Ruler of all.

- History Resources Demo MP3 (from iGraceMusic.com)
- Source for Angel pic

MUMMY NOTES: You may have gained weight or maybe lost a little. Both are normal, as each pregnancy is different. Weight gain usually ranges from 1 - 2 lbs. in each month of the first trimester for a total of 3 - 6 lbs. It is not unheard of for a woman to gain no weight, or gain as much as 10 lbs. during this time. The important thing is that you maintain a balanced and healthy diet. Everything you eat should be nutritious since “you are eating for two” you need about 300 - 500 additional calories a day. Try to avoid fast food and junk foods, and make sure you are getting enough fruits, vegetables and protein. You will probably gain from 25 to 35 pounds over the course of your pregnancy. This is no time to diet, just try your best to eat healthy.