Korea Calling

I didn’t hear about this till quite last minute. I figured as I am in London early that day, I would make the most of it.

After some earlier arrangements, I didn’t get there until about 1700. I was worried that I wouldn’t get enough time as the Thames Festival had a lot to see.

I crossed the river via the Golden Jubilee Bridge and it was immediate that I had arrived. I had never seen the south bank so busy! I tried to shuffle to stalls to see what was going on, but that often took too long with disappointing results. I gave up and headed towards the OXO tower…Korea Calling was what I came to see.

It seems that by the time I had arrived, the party was pretty much over. There were a few stands, mainly tourist information, petitions and food stalls. The KCCUK were at hand to tell those interested about events held at the centre. The girl at the stand tried to convince me to come to the movie night to be held the following day, but I was not brave enough to go. If you are interested in going to a movie night, you should have a look at what they have showing and make a booking. Here

They had a open air stage, which unfortunately was at the mercy of the weather. It was fine when I arrived, I hoped to catch the last performance and head off home early. But the rain delayed everything and I got absolutely soaked waiting! After a mop up of the stage, the show when on. – A Taekwondo demonstration. We had lots of punches and kicks, which must have been rather difficult to perform on the wet stage… Then some planks of wood started to appear on stage, it was obvious where this was going.

I had a good time there, interesting and a nice insight. The festival has only fuelled my interest of the country and culture even more. I would like to learn more, maybe go there myself in future.

Sorry, I have been very lazy with the photos this time. I have included some parade photos too… Enjoy

 

 

Just by the OXO Tower, main stage to the left.

Not sure about this character, but awfully cute.

 

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Therapy

Well, whaddaya know. Retail therapy actually works! I stumbled across some ads online letting me know that Zara are having a sale and after about an hour of rummaging through items of clothing, I suddenly feel happy… Need to do it more often… I think I will be happier with a session at apple store.

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Trainee Veteran

I have not been posting as often as I should have, but I have been busy job hunting. I have been trawling through papers and various job sites to find a job.

It seems that Degree level education are only applicable to only a small handful of jobs on offer. It looks like that it doesn’t make use of what you actually studied either; employers just want a degree in…Whatever. The real kick in the teeth is experience. Most jobs, even retail, want to see minimum 1 years experience. Makes you wonder if people have their priorities right.

What I find most nerve wracking is how intimidating the job descriptions are. They expect XYZ from you, then some ABC and you also need to have RST. Makes me wonder if there are people who can actually provide all that, because it seems that I certainly can’t.

I don’t like to disappoint. I try my best, but I don’t know what is baseline.

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Gagarin in Britain

I first read about this back in April/May and I wanted to see it. I wanted to see it because I wanted more information. From what I know is that Yuri Gagarin is a Russian astronaut cosmonaut , who made the first manned flight in space. But why is this man so significant? What ties does he have with the British? - I hope to gain a better understanding into the relationship.

To be honest, I nearly forgot about this if it wasn’t for a Facebook post announcing the unveiling of a replica Yuri Gagarin statue in Trafalgar Square. I was made aware of this by a old friend, a budding interior architect working with Nick Coombes on the exhibition design.

It was a small exhibit, but was rich. Our exhibit guide, Nathan, guided us through life with the photo timeline, which beautifully told the story of Yuri Gagarin. The exhibit also showcased some artifacts from the spaceflight and some history surrounding the mission and a little about Laika.

It turns out, there was no real relationship between Yuri and Britain. He was celebrated and hailed a hero for the simple fact of outstanding achievement of mankind. He was invited to the UK by some foundry workers in Manchester, but received a hero’s welcome. His life story is a beautiful one, that sadly, ended tragically. It shows that people from anywhere and any background can achieve something amazing in life. From a humble background, he ended up meeting the queen, and meeting the US president, despite being in the middle of the Cold War.

If you have time, I recommend registering your interest and attending the exhibit. The times are a little odd, but it is means you can end your day early

Gagarin in Britain

Tuesday & Friday 1600 to 1700

Admission – Free

Yuri Gagarin replica statue: On top of the world with infinite possibilities...

...No matter which angel you look from...

Yuri Gagarin was a small chap. He was about 5'2, and still, that space looks snug...

Everything else was controlled at command centre. Except this... Had he fallen unconscious, he would not have been able to deploy his parachute.

The photo timeline. You can see his turning point in life.

Doggie space suit. For some reason I was expecting the dog to be huge. Regardless, I was assured that there was space for the pooch to move in there.

Contemporary Russian space food. What Yuri had was almost all from toothpaste tubes (including meat). Quite fitting to put items in a dome cover like a space helmet.

I felt so important with this...

Personal space

I have had time. Time to observe other people, and one thing I notice is that everyone swing their arms when walking – its natural. But when walking up stairs, I am always nearly knocked out by the person in front of me bacause they swing their arms like they’re playing tennis. I’m not talking little movements. These are big. Is it really necessary?

I have noticed that its not only on stairs that this happens. Some people have an uncontrollable need to swing their arms when walking. I was hit on the thigh by someone that swung their arms while walking. Had I passed them a few cm closer, it would have been a rather different story.

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Results of my Scientific Research…

Well, this is a hard one to write about. I won’t be able to go into detail, because I don’t know it. All I know is that I must not drink anymore wine. Back to Gin & Tonic…

The results are conclusive. I did not go red, no headache, no nausea. But I did have recurrent emesis throughout the night.

I didn’t have time to isolate which of the 2 solutions stopped my reaction. My guess would be the lemon juice as it is a natural antacid. This makes sense as there are claimed cures for Asian flush flying about the internet stating that an antacid about an hour before drinking eliminates the effects.

Because I don’t go bright red to warn myself to stop drinking, I need to relearn my limit. I might not have good friends to take care of me next time. Thank you guys!

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Scientific Research

Well, its Friday evening and I am going out to see some friends. No doubt, there will be alcohol involved and I am plagued by the notorious Asian Flush. Seems I, like 50% of the Asian community have a gene defect, which inhibits our ability to break down alcohol.

As a result, we turn bright red, accompanied with a disco I’m your chest that can be felt the whole body over, throbbing headache and nausea.

Couple of weeks ago, I went out, and had quite a bit to drink, however, my face didn’t look like it was sun burnt, I didn’t have a disco in my chest, a headache or nausea. What did I do? Initially, I though I was fixed, but further tests showed inconclusive.

There is something in my diet that helped me. I am on that search.

I will spare you the details, I have kept detailed records in my journal. But so far, I have a couple of possibilities.

1. Omega 3
2. Lemon juice

I have had both this evening, so will update with results in the morning.

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Canary Wharf Jog 2011

My 3rd jog of the series, and a good one – the best so far! A lot of friends participated in this event, so I am happy such a party has gathered. The latest addition was Sponge, Sue and Martin. Hopefully next time, we will see an even bigger crowd!

Having someone run beside me was a whole new experience. Aside from great company and the odd chit chat & banter, I was able to share this experience with someone. Doing something for charity is one thing, having fun and exceeding that is something else.

We did well. Sponge and I managed 11.25 km as so did the rest. I am also sure we raised quite a bit for the charity.

A friend’s initial challenge was to do the 10km in under an hour. He managed to smash this by doing it in 44 minutes. Seeing as my time is just over an hour, I think I will aim to do the 10 in under one hour. I have 3 more runs to achieve this.

The next run will be on the 29th June. A Wednesday run at Hyde Park. If you can, you should come along and join us. I can guarantee that you will feel great after the run.

The warm up

Sponge and me before the run... I had the energy to smile then...

Some new faces I didn't expect to see. Well done guys. I photoshopped my smile - had no energy left

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been busy with life…

Sorry, I have been ever so busy this week, I have not had time to post anything (not that anyone cares or reads it)

Will calm down and get round to it next week or sooner. Good thing I am not one of those youtube people. Lots of disappointed fans otherwise.

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Wonderful feeling, every day…

Just had such an exciting day.

Sunday night: couldn’t sleep, my phone auto switched off as it passed 0300. Still no sign of dozing off. I lay there, relaxed, seeing with my ears. Constantly awoken by twitches just as I finally fall asleep.

No idea when I finally fell asleep, but judging by how groggy I felt in the morning, probably quite late.

Monday: I wake up with a bad feeling, one of those where you don’t know what’s wrong. I get ready and quickly check my junk mail incase something important got filtered. Did my rounds on Facebook and regretted it.

Amongst other things, my mind was busy trying to find answers, answers to problems that only time can answer. Trying to focus at work was so difficult. Dead weight in my chest was slowing me down.

The rain has stopped for lunch, and so have I. Off to McDonald’s, hoping it would make my day, but no happy meal can fight back the demons within me.

The day ends. I get distracted as I leave the office. Like I have just been pick pocketed, I leave with two items less – my jacket and umbrella.

Approaching my final destination on the tube. I plan a few moment ahead. It struck me that I won’t be able to do them. My keys were in the jacket pocket that hang neatly behind the office door.

Only two weeks ago, I planned for a situation like this. It seemed the only wise thing to do was to get a set of keys cut that stay at home. I had not been paid then, or I would have been prepared – I would have beaten sods law, but that’s just a paradox.

it is 2330. I am on the underground. I travel to my landlady to pick up a set of spares. I write this with a smile, trying to make what’s left of this day a positive one. It smells negativity. It thrives on pessimism. I will not let it consume me. I will fight it and dance on the hardship it lays before me. I will win.

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