C'est La Vie

Day 2 in France, Paris

2009-10-06T12:31:00.000-07:00

Started out pretty late today, cuz we only got up at 9 this morning.. After showering and waiting for the others to prep, we finally left the hotel at 11am. It was drizzling at the time, so it turned out pretty cold.

A quick walk down to the grocer and bakery, and we got a breakfast of a Parisian loaf, a block of butter (yeahh, 6 guys finished a 250gm block of butter within 15 minutes), some old croissants, and some drinks for breakfast. Total cost for 2 persons, 7 Euros! Sat at the bus stop while waiting for the bus eating and enjoying our meal, everyone who passed by looking at these "jakons" having fun with food at a bus stop.

Got on the bus and by the time we reached central Paris, it was about 1pm. We headed to l'opera first, took some photos before heading to Galerie Lafayette, which is like a super upmarket place selling most luxury goods. Spent waaayyy too much time there, in the supermarche and the shops, the others window shopping like crazyyy except lance n i.

Moved on down over to Champs Elysees, and were heading near the GIGANTIC Louis Vuitton shop, when this lady from China approached us. Guess what we ended up doing? Going into the LV store, and spending 820 Euros of SOME1 ELSES MONEY. She commisioned us to buy some pouch and purse which took up the whole afternoon, thanks to 1. window shopping (again, lance and i just took a quick walk around, and sat around the rest of the time.) and 2. Slow service, those racist Parisians. To all those LV fans out there, are you guys crazy? It's RM1000 for a freakin' key holder!! Is it worth the money to have a purse or a bag, which has 2 letters on it? Gee, i think i should start a brand too and put 2 letters on it, maybe i'd earn billions!

FINALLY, after a gruelling 1 hour and a half, we left to the Arc de Triomphe. Spent roughly about 1 hour there, taking pictures. Saw the tip of the Eiffel tower, and while i was trying to take the picture, i zoomed in, and noticed a couple making out at the bottom of my screen. They seem to be very open about things here. Saw another one when i came out of the toilets at dinner (how romantic, making out in front of a toilet). Anyways, there was a memorial service for the Unknown Soldiers which have passed in previous wars.

From the Arc, we headed down Champs Elysees again, where we had burgers and frites for dinner, cost 5.80 euros a meal. Was pretty nice, compared to the burgers back into Malaisie. Except after you convert the price tag..

After dinner, the others wanted to head back to the top of the Arc, where there's a musee of sorts. Lance and i didn't think it was worth the money, so decided to head back to the hotel. Once again, we were reminded how far exactly we were from central Paris. It's 2150 here now, i'm struggling to upload photos. The loader seems to keep crashing on me. Promise i'll get it done as soon as i can!

Till next time then,

Day 1 in France, Paris

2009-10-05T15:58:00.000-07:00

Okay, today was kinda tiring. we arrived early in the morning at Charles de Gaulle Aeroport, 730 to be precise. After walking round getting our luggage and finding a way out, we reached the train station ( i think it's the RER).

Bought a Paris Visite Pass for 2 days, cuz it's the cheapest and best alternative, allowing us to travel on all public transport systems for 2 consecutive days. It cost a hefty 28.30 Euros, but i think it's worth it, cuz the train ticket to our hotel was already estimated at 11 Euros.

We took the RER into Paris central, and after walking up and down several flights of stairs (in the cold rain i might add, 12 degrees celsius; rain hit even before touchdown at CDG) we finally managed (with loads of help and broken french) to get the right train to the nearest train stop of our hotel. From there, we had to take the bus (more broken french) to the nearest bus stop, which was again, another short walk away.

After a brief freshener, we were out on the streets again. Glad to have been relieved of our baggage, we headed out for some food before going into Paris Central. Had some sandwiches with lots of fries, which tasted like heaven having not eaten for the past 7 hours or so.. Cost 5 Euros.

Headed down into Central Paris with our stomachs no longer growling, first stop Notre Dame. Architecture was superb, and there's just an aura when you enter the place, that makes you feel all calm and relaxed. At the same time, you would marvel at the construction and painstaking detail in everything there. Words and Pictures will never do justice to it. It's one of those things you have to be there to experience first hand.

I felt we didn't spend enough time there, but we headed on to Les Halles after, to walk around the "shopping" area. To me, it was a bit of a waste of time, but the others wanted to, so i just tagged along. We did stop at a little supermarket, where we got some drinks and fruits.

Headed back over to the Louvre Museum, but we didn't go in. By this time, it was about sunset, managed to get a few pictures over the River Seine as well as outside the Louvre. Again, seeing is believing..

Finally stopped for dinner, somewhere outside the Champs Elysees Park. Cost 16 Euros! for a substandard roast beef and a super sweet banana tart with Creme Anglais. Oh well, i guess don't try never know.

We felt wiped after dinner, and decided to head back. Again, after many questions, we finally found our way back to the St Michel Notre Dame Station, where we transfered lines to take back to the hotel.

That was all good and well, till we realised the train we were on branched off to a different sector, and had to jump off at a station, wait 30 minutes, before the next train to our destination reached. I think all of us were just too tired, with drooping eyelids and heavy lashes.

By the time we got to the train station we wanted (Juvisy) It was already midnight, and the gates had closed. We wandered around the inside of the station before we found the way out. Then we had to wait for the bus, which took another 20 minutes. Thank God the bus ride is a short one.

The hotel was definitely a welcome sight! I think if i had to wait any longer anywhere else, i'd have decided to screw it and sleep on the streets!

-Photos on Facebook-

2009-10-03T07:00:00.000-07:00

Same time now tomorrow, i would have disembarked from Malaysia, for La France. The excitement, nervousness and all JUST hit me! Gee, kinda slow, i know, but yeahh. I'm done packing, locked up my suitcase, with the only things left to do is pack my camera, lappie, phone and charger, and i'm all set!

I've sorta kinda planned my itenary for Paris, just hope it works out the way i planned it. Don't wanna waste the opportunity of a lifetime on that.. Hmm. Only problem is the weather forecasts says it may rain there, with temperatures plummeting to a bitter 12 degrees Celsius. Brrr...

There won't be any internet connection at the hotel in Paris, so (hopefully) i'll be able to post photos only when i arrive at Albi.

I guess this is where i'd better say all my farewells too. Cya'll in 3 Months

Goodbye, Good Luck and Take Care:

The Entire Loh Family

David

Alethea Eunice

DH 31 guys n gals, especially those abroad or away (Bali, Langkawi, Penang and Maldives)

Those who have made it special for me throughout and recent times, you know who you are.

Au Revoir, and i'll see ya'll in time for New Year!

2009-09-30T21:02:00.000-07:00

I'm finally done packing! And my total expenses has risen to 11682RM including spending money, flights, stays, clothing and stuff. Gee whiz. My heart almost stopped looking at the figure, cuz it's college fees for a year, that is.

Excited? Not really, maybe it just hasn't hit me. Nervous? Definitely!

Ready to work my ass off and be shouted at often? I certainly hope so. Gotta start growing a thicker skin i guess (thinking maybe elephant/ rhino hide)

2009-09-27T03:28:00.000-07:00

Hmm. The holiday week just seemed to fly by, and i didn't do much except bum around and get my stuff ready for france.. Managed to enjoy naz's and hadi's open house, but that was about it..

Didn't get to go cycling this morning, pretty peeved, cuz dad conveniently "forgot" to wake me up. Oh well.

Let's see. i've spent a total of 5000RM for france already:

Flight tickets - 3900

Clothing and Essentials - 800

Paris Stay - 300 (estimated)

Still got loads of packing to do.. and i'm so lazy to do it..

2009-09-20T05:21:00.000-07:00

A picture seems to speak a thousand words,

I dunno what happened, but i know it hurts.

I can't get it outta my mind,

It's like i'm too lost to find.

Every look cuts deeper,

Every time i grow weaker.

I still love her,

It's just not quite the same.

I can't stand it here,

My heart is too maimed.

2009-09-07T05:49:00.000-07:00

She blogs everything is alright,

but a message sheds different light.

A mesage not recieved,

the blame is put on me.

Then comes the killer,

3 words, 1 broken heart,

A simple message saying "you're screwed up".

I tried to explain,

all in vain.

The reason she wouldn't hear,

my eyes started to tear.

The fault, is it truly mine?

Or was it just a bad time?

Her phone goes off,

she won't pick it up,

looks like i'm all out of luck.

I don't know what to do,

I still hold love for you.

Yet I don't know what to say,

for my heart is scattered away.

"This love is killing me"

-Daughtry

And i don't know what to do..

2009-09-04T02:25:00.000-07:00

*sigh* it's been another long week, haven't slept well for ages.

Okay, I should get things off my chest now. Looking back, it's always never in a good light, I'm always the one getting you mad and irritated. I don't think I've managed any good so far. Coming back all the time exhausted from college and all, I was selfish, never staying up to wait on you, or otherwise caught up with my work.

I know I'll never be able to apologize enough, and words will always just be words. I'm sorry I can't be the perfect person you're looking for. I don't deserve to have you around.

I'm running on a lack of sleep, i was thinking things over the whole nite last nite, didn't sleep a wink. And i've come to the conclusion that, there is just to many "maybes", and maybe those "maybes" will be too much for me to handle.

and along came another..

2009-09-02T03:09:00.000-07:00

Event again tomorrow! "get together dinner" for them juniors (dh34). Let's see, I've got 110 pax, fully plated service. Got 3 hours to prep for the dinner, which will be a real rush.. Hopefully will be able to bring people in earlier to do the mise en place.

I'm the so called manager, but i chose to be in the kitchen, to control the flow and (especially) the presentation and quality of the food, hence the "exec chef". How embarassing it would be to have great performances and settings, but a horrible dinner. Mademoiselle Novia will be the Maitre d', wish her all the best, there are some troubling putains out there..

Hope everything goes as planned, we're a little short of manpower in the kitchen, most of whom may not be too professional, and mind you, plated service ain't no joke!

Doing some last minute preparation and organizing for the dinner tomorrow, so yup, till next time!

2009-08-30T09:16:00.000-07:00

Whee! had a great day out with Miss Alethea. Went to 1 Utama n walked round n round, cuz the movies were penuh giler.. Lol.

Anyways, we had a lovely dinner together and (finally) went to shisha again at rasta with abang noir n abang kejo.

Hmm. Didn't manage to take photos of the food last nite, but my mom's friend did.. so hopefully i'll get it soon (=

tired and worn, but still hanging on

2009-08-29T02:36:00.000-07:00

It's been a busy, pretty stressful term so far. There's just so many things to do, it's been one after the other.

Hmm. In the last 8 weeks, i've had:

1 public speaking competition,

1 cooking competition,

1 trip to organize,

1 forum to manage,

1 dinner to plan for

on top of all the assignments and assesments that everyone else has.

I'm getting worn out now.. plus, i hate dealing with immature people. Gee, guys and gals, act your freakin' age. Buck up and accept your responsibilities!

I've got a dinner to cook now, for my mom and her friends.

Will try and post some pictures of food and settings.