Stand up for Animals! They have rights too!

-Picture from Google- 

        Back home in Kuching, I have a neighbour who has a dog, Bobby. When they first moved in to the house two houses away from mine, their dog was really cute and actually healthy looking. He was fed properly and bathed every 2 days. They would play with him and bring him for walks. They really took care of him. But one sad and awful day, it was raining heavily, and as I was at home, just taking a nap, I heard somewhat of a whining, a really desperate cry.
        So I got up and went to look at what it might be, and when I followed the sound, I saw from my window, my neighbour's dog, Bobby, was the one whining. He had his two front legs on the gates and he was begging my neighbours to let him in. When I saw that, I was so angry at my neighbour's for not letting him in and I was devastated for the dog. I could feel what he felt. Anybody who saw him would do something. So I thought that my neighbour's weren't in and that was why they couldn't let him in but when I called them, they answered the phone. I quickly told them about Bobby and to let him in the house, but they were like, "It's raining so heavily outside, we'll bring him in after the rain." Then, they hung up. I waited, looking at the poor dog begging. The rain outside didn't look like it would stop anytime soon. I prayed and prayed that it would stop.
        After a while, it got less heavy but it was still raining and I thought that my neighbour would come out and bring Bobby in. I waited but no one came out. I called again, and they gave me the same answer but in a more rude tone and hung up. I was so angry with my neighbour then. I couldn't see Bobby begging anymore, so I went out with my umbrella and brought Bobby in. I didn't know how to lure him into my house at first and I tried pulling him by his collar but he was a fierce dog - despite the heavy rain-, and I never had a pet so I really didn't know what to do. I went back to my house to find some food that he might like and I brought it out to try to lure him to shelter. Luckily, he was hungry then so he followed the food and finally, we were in my house's car porch. I put down the food and quickly ran in to get a towel to wipe Bobby. I think that he thought that I wasn't trying to hurt him and he let me wipe him. After he ate, I wrapped him in a towel and brought him into my house for warmth. I just sat with him there and fed him whenever he looked hungry. Around an hour passed by and finally the rain stopped. I carried him back to my neighbour's house and I gave them Bobby back. I told them if they left Bobby outside again, I would report to SPCA, which stands for Society for the 

Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. I told them that if they were so 

inhumane to Bobby, who has feelings, they shouldn't keep him at 

all and give him to someone else who is willing to love and care for 

Bobby. 

        

        After that incident, Bobby would sometimes just sit in front of 

my house and sometimes I would play with him and all. :D A week 

later, they called me up and asked me whether I wanted to take Bobby in. I was overjoyed but when I asked my parents, they said that I couldn't as no one would take care of him when I went away for travelling and studies. I was so sad, but I had to find someone else who would take Bobby in. After calling a few of my neighbours, there was one who was willing to take Bobby in. She was an old lady, Auntie Anastasia, who lived alone and she was really nice. I told her about the incident and she said that she was more than happy enough to take Bobby in. I was thrilled and thanked her so much. So, I told my neighbour that Auntie Anastasia would take care of Bobby. We took Bobby to his new home and Auntie Anastasia was waiting with open arms and food to welcome Bobby to his new home. :D I was really happy that I could help Bobby in finding a better home. I would always go to Auntie Anastasia's house to play with Bobby and I miss him ever so much. :D

        I'm so glad that I helped Bobby with his problem and to help him speak out as he can't. Do you have a situation like this or have you ever come across one? Don't just ignore it, animals have feelings too. They feel pain. Do something about it and trust me, you'll feel so great after. :D

-Picture from SodaHead-

Best Places To Go! :D Paris, je t'aime (I love you) :D

           After my sister's graduation last year in Birmingham, as a graduation present to my sister, we all went to Paris, the city of love. :D I know, awesome right? I was so overjoyed that we could all go as a family to Paris!!! :D We took a train from Birmingham to London and a plane from London to Paris. The plane from Paris was a little small but it was okay. When we reached Paris, everyone was speaking French. We couldn't understand them but luckily we found an information counter and asked them how to get to the hotel. We took a cab there and walked half of the way as the taxi driver kind of got confused with which hotel we were going to. So we had to walk, pulling our ever so heavy luggage to the hotel and to our dismay, the hotel was uphill so when we reached the hotel we were exhausted. After resting a while, we checked into our rooms. The hotel was not that big but it was antique, as in it looks old but the owner of the hotel was very nice and he helped us in everything that we needed. He helped us with calling cabs and telling us where the nearest subway was.

The Eiffel Tower

The Eiffel Tower at night

        When we were settled in to the hotel, it was about 7p.m. and most of the shops were closed. Shops closed earlier in Europe and the UK, around 5-6p.m. which was the only disadvantage I found when I was in Europe and the UK. So my family and I went for dinner then we took a bus to one of the seven wonders of the world - the Eiffel Tower! :D When we reached the Eiffel Tower, it was about 8p.m. and the whole of the Eiffel Tower was lighted. It was so marvelous that my jaw dropped, literally. There were a lot of people there from locals to tourists. Some were just admiring the Eiffel Tower on the grass and some were, like us, taking pictures with it. We were there 'til around 11p.m. as there was a kind of a show where the Eiffel Tower was lighted in different colours and it was really pretty. It has definitely proved itself to be one of the seven wonders of the world. :D The 'show' lasted for about 10-15 minutes. After that, we went back to the hotel with our hearts overjoyed and waiting for our next day in Paris. :D 

During the parade 
in Walt Disney's Studios Park

One of the themed food courts

        The next day, we went to Disneyland! Which was also beautiful. :D Disneyland in Paris has two parks, Disneyland Park and Walt Disney Studios Park. Disneyland Park is more for younger children and anyone who loves Disney movies like The Princess and The Frog, The Little Mermaid, 
Cinderella and Sleeping Beauty, whereas Walt Disney Studios Park is more for those with an adventurous heart and those who love Pixar movies like Monsters' Inc., Toy Story and Finding Nemo. The rides in both parks are equally wonderful and interesting. Disneyland was so big that my family and I couldn't go for all the rides and watched all the shows that we wanted to go and watch. We actually were thinking to go back another day but we didn't have enough days left in Paris as we already made other plans.

Mini-Eiffel Tower Keychains 
that I bought for my friends.

 As another fantastic day in Paris passed, we awoke to a sunny new day and this time we were going up the Eiffel Tower and seeing it in the daytime. My sister bought our tickets to go up the Eiffel Tower online so we skipped the really, really long queue at the ticketing booth and made our way up by lift with the other tourists. It was very windy up there and we could see all of Paris from the tower. It was breathtaking. Paris was so beautiful and magnificent. I really was overjoyed. It felt like I was the king of the world! Well, in my case the queen. :D I felt really carefree and it seemed like all my problems and worries that were in my head were gone for that moment. It was really one of the best feelings ever. :D         

A family picture in front of the Eiffel Tower

                                   

The Lourve

Notre Dame

After the Eiffel Tower, we took a bus to Musée du Louvre or better known as the Lourve Museum or simply as the Lourve. According to wikipedia, the Lourve is one of the world's largest museums, the most visited art museum in the world and a historical monument. It has over 35,000 works of art displaying and especially one of the most famous paintings in the world, the Mona Lisa. There was also a scene in the movie 'The Da Vinci Code' that was taken at the Lourve. It was really unfortunate that my family and I couldn't see these works of art as there were too many people at every ticket counter. So instead we went around to take pictures and went to see all the shops that were there, souvenir shops, bakeries and many more. 


        Next, we went to Notre Dame, yet another magnificent place and also a must-go place in Paris. :D Notre Dame was so beautiful inside and out. The structure and also the sculptures and stained glass were so beautiful. They had loads of sculptures of holy people and art works on a story of Jesus, if I'm not mistaken. There was also a big, golden cross in the middle,at the altar. There were small candles on steel holders in mostly every corner for prayer needs. If anyone wanted to pray, they would just buy a candle for 2 Euros, light it up and after they have prayed, they would put their candle together with all the other candles on the steel candle holder. It was a wonderful sight as some people would cry or laugh when they were praying. :D

My siblings and I at the
 Arc de Triomphe 

        On our last day in Paris, we went to the Arc de Triomphe or also called the Triumphal Arch. It is one of the most famous monuments in Paris. According to wikipedia, the Arc de Triomphe is a memorial to those who fought and died for France in the French Revolutionary and the Napoleonic Wars, with the names of all French victories and generals inscribed on its inner and outer surfaces. I saw many people paying their respects to these soldiers and tourists just taking pictures for remembrance.

        Paris is indeed an extraordinary place and I definitely recommend everyone to go there and visit all these places and more. :D 






P.S. Shopping there was also awesome! ;D

 Some additional pictures of Paris..

One of the floats during a parade 

  in Disneyland at night

                              The stunt show at Disneyland,
                            which was awesome as they did it 
                             even though it was raining :D

At the entrance of Disneyland

Sleeping Beauty's castle

Sleeping Beauty's castle where the fireworks was too :D

View from the Eiffel Tower

Inside Notre Dame

The Arc de Triomphe

Best Places To Go! :D "It's London, my dear Watson." xD

          Last year, on the 4th of July, I was on the plane for 13 hours (yes, it was so long..it was quite uncomfortable too) on my way to London with my older brother and my younger sister. We were all so excited to go to the UK as it was our first time. I still remembered that I couldn't sleep the night before with all the excitement..haha..anyways, when we reached Stansted Airport in London, I was so excited to get our luggage and meet my sister whom I haven't seen in about a year. We had about a week just the four of us as our parents weren't there yet, they had to work. So we took a tour around London. We went to see Big Ben (actually called Saint Stephen's Tower, more on that later) , Buckingham Palace, the London Eye, the Tower Bridge, a lot of cathedrals and, many historical and old-looking places.. :D I loved it there. We also went to China Town and ate Chinese food. Typical Chinese to eat Chinese food the first thing you do when you go to a new country..haha.. :D Anyways, we went around shopping and visiting historical places and I was so thrilled that I was finally here in London! I have always loved the UK and I had always prayed to go there, and finally I did! :D It was really a dream come true.. :D :D :D
        London was awesome and I recommend that everyone should go there at least once. It is a must-see place. With its historical landmarks and wonderful people, it would be a lost if you can't get to see how it is. There's Harrods, the world's most famous luxury department store, Buckingham Palace, where the Queen of England and her husband, the Duke of Edinburgh lives, Madame Tussauds, a major tourist attraction in London displaying waxworks of historical and royal figures, film stars, sports stars and famous murderers, Piccadilly Circus, which is kind of like New Yorks' Time Square in London and Greenwich. :D Not only is London known for its historical places but it is also known for its shopping destinations. With shops like New Look, H&M, Zara and Topshop. When I was there, believe me, they had clothes from size 0 to 32, which is like heaven to me because as I am a big-sized girl and it's hard to find clothes with my size here in Malaysia. So I shopped like non-stop there because the clothes were so pretty and the shoes were so awesome, and it was summer, so I could wear the clothes back home :D Ah! I miss London so much. :( haha..
       When I went on the tour around London (it was a free walking tour by SANDEMANs NEW Europe, one of the largest walking tour companies in Europe), the tour guide would bring us around London, telling us its history and it was great. I learned so many things about the royals and how some buildings came to be and all. It was really an educational and interesting experience. I recommend that everyone who visits London, go for the tour as, number 1, it's free and number 2, they do not leave out any details on the history of London. They would make it sound animated and tell jokes so that it wouldn't be boring and you'll actually listen to its history. :D The tour guide told us that Big Ben isn't actually the clock tower, it's the great bell in the clock tower and people would always mistaken the name to be the whole tower. The tower is called Saint Stephen's tower. He told us that the clock is the largest four-sided chiming clock in the world.
        When my parents came the week after, we all went to Buckingham Palace to see the changing of the guards. It is when there is a major kind-of-like parade for the changing of the guards..haha.. There were a lot of people there as it was during summer and tourists from all over the world came to see it. It is a major tourist attraction. The guards would come from Hyde Park, a park near Buckingham Palace, and make their way through the streets to Buckingham Palace. There were guards on horses and guards who just marched. There were also guards who played musical instruments. To me, they were the most interesting as they played songs from Michael Jackson to the James Bond theme song. It was really an unforgettable experience. :D Especially because I had the worst case of sunburnt there, so never wear sleeveless when you go to watch the changing of the guards during summer. :D
        We also went to China Town, the Tower of London, the Tower Bridge, Harrods, Piccadilly Circus, Greenwich and its museum, and many other places. I hope and pray that I would be able to go back there one day to visit these wonderful places again. :D

            
                              A museum we passed while on tour

   
                                          British Parliament 
     

                            St. Stephen's Tower aka Big Ben
                                  

   
                                          The London Eye

  

                                              
                                        The Tower Bridge

   

                                           A British Guard

                                     At the Science Museum

                                               Hyde Park

                                       Buckingham Palace

                                               Harrods :D

       
                                              Greenwich

The University Of Greenwich

                                      

        

New Friends, new food :D

After 3 weeks in college, I have met new friends, from classes to church. Some were awesome and some were not so awesome. I guess I'll meet people with different personalities and all so I would have to be careful not to mix with the wrong crowd. Some of my classmates are really nice and I had hoped and prayed to find people like them when I came here to study. :D The people I met from church were a few of the awesome ones. They made me and my friend, Jacqueline, who came with me, feel like we belonged and wouldn't let us feel left out. I liked it there. Some of the first few people we met from church are from Taylor's so we connected right away, them telling us how college life is like here and what to look out for. Most of my classmates are younger than me by a year so we don't really connect as much and most of them already have their cliques. I guess that maybe we're just our 3rd week into classes and we wouldn't know each other well yet but I'm sure that when we have more classes in the future that we would all be comfortable with each other, hopefully. :D
        After coming here, I was brought out by some of my friends from church for 'mamak'. Where I come from, we don't have 'mamak'. How sad, I know. I come here every year with my family but we never go out for 'mamak' but I've tried a few times and I loved the food. So anyways, we went to this famous place (according to my new friends) called Murni, near SS15 I think, and I tried the 'Roti Hawaii' and a unique drink called ' I Miss You'..haha..how weird is that. :D Anyways, when I ate my first bite of the 'Roti Hawaii', I couldn't talk for 5 minutes straight. (okay, maybe I'm exaggerating :P) But it was awesome. There were beef,pineapple and something else that I couldn't remember in it but it was so delicious and wonderful, I promised myself that I would definitely go back there. Sadly, I didn't bring my camera then, if not I would have taken a picture of it. :( The drink was nice too but it was a little too sweet for me. :D This weekend, well yesterday, we went to another place, Old Town, and I tried like this curry egg glass noodles and it was okay. I couldn't even taste the curry but the noodles were nice. :D
       The other night, Friday, the 14th of April, I went for Glam Tour, an event in Taylor's, to support one of my new friends who was one of the finalists in this contest. It was located at 'Temptations', a restaurant in Taylor's and it was organized by the students from Mass Communications who are in their degree now into semester 6. It was a beautiful event. All the guys and girls were very glamourous and dressing their best. There was also food provided. There were parts where the audience could win some prizes and also some bands who performed that night. In the end, everyone had to vote for who we thought was the most glamourous candidate and I was so happy for my friend that she won 3rd. :D It was really great to attend this event in my university and to add it in my college life memories. :D




                                             At Old Town

My New Friends

Faith and I

                         Faith, Jacqueline, Ching Huei and Karmen

Ching Huei and I

                                              
                                                 Food! :D

                               Egg Glass Noodles With Curry

                                                              
                                            Glam Tour 2011

                                   The winner of Glam Tour :D

                                           love his shoes!
        
                             Some of the performances that night