(Nearly) 10 years of an amazing friendship.

Feels good to be back and to be able to talk to these girls without worrying what they'll think about me.
They're one of those anchors I've had being away.. and they've helped me through so much without even knowing it.

And now, because of a little surprise... we'll never be separated again.

xx

Day 4: 9th June: Sesimbra

Gonçalo's parents own a bungalow near a seaside village called Sesimbra, near Lisbon, tucked away between several hills. The house is quite large, and the nearest neighbours are quite far off. This house is their holiday home, and apparently they get away there quite frequently. 

It's about a 45 minute drive from their house in Lisbon, and so the night before, Gonçalo drove his mum's car down with Isabelle and I, with Papa and Mama Costa in another car, leading the way. I very intelligently decided to tell ghostly stories along the way - which was a HUGE MISTAKE - because the roads leading to the house are really dark and mostly unlit - and we ended up sleeping in a room which had a window in it.. and Isabelle made me sleep next to the window! Fortunately I was dead tired by 3.30am or whatever time it was we arrived, and I fell asleep quite quickly! I had told Duarte and the rest about pontianaks earlier that night, and so, everyone's imagination was more active that night... mine especially.

Anyway, we went to sleep, and the next morning, Papa Carlos drove all 5 of us to the Sesimbra village to buy fresh fish! I have never been more excited to have fresh fish - I had been deprived for much too long. We were going to buy fish to be grilled on fire (the house has a little fire-grill-place-and-chimney) for lunch. The people at the fish market were so intrigued by us and asked so many questions - I don't think Sesimbra sees many Asian tourists - Sesimbra isn't a very popular international vacation spot - and so we just walked around and smiled in the market. One of the fishmonger ladies has a nephew who lives in Malaysia because he married a Malaysian girl that he met in Scotland. (: So sweet!

We also took some photos along the beach, tested the seawater (WHICH WAS FREEZING BALLS), and saw a bit more of the town on foot while Mama Guida bought fruit and vegetables and octopus. :D

After getting home we helped Papa Carlos to set up the fire and clear up the garden a little bit, before actually cooking the dorada (golden) fish on the fire, served with salad and boiled potatoes and some wine. It was AMAZING. The fish was so fresh and so simply seasoned.. I was so happy to nom it all!!

After lunch we hiked up the little hill to reach the Castle on the hill. The view from there was mind-blowing. It was so beautiful and peaceful and removed from the bustle, and so we sat there on an old castle defence wall just talking for a bit and for some photos. We walked along the walls and buildings - which were all so quaint - and what I loved about it all was that the sound of the wind was insanely quietly loud. There's this feeling you get... sigh.

After that we went back and changed into our swimwear - we were going to the beach!! I was sooooo excited! We drove to the beach and then I went into the very, very cold water - 13*C at the time. It was actually PAINFUL to jump in, but after you get out of it the first time, everything else seemed much warmer. Gonçalo took AGES to join Isabelle and I because well, he has 'obstacles'.. xD we did have a good time in the end, although rather hypothermic hahahaha! We walked along the beach for a bit to reach a floating plastic dock of some sort - which Gonçalo dared me to jump off - and I did...then when I was in the water I realised I was too heavy to pull myself out of the water! -___-" I had to climb up again with some help - and I managed to cut myself in 3 places doing that. I was bleeding quite a bit on my right shin, and Gonçalo dabbed some blood off that cut and asked me what he should do with it. He is a bit crazy..

After that I wasn't feeling too good so we decided to head home - rushed like crazy to get ready for evening mass at 7pm. We were early, in fact.. Isabelle and I are speedyyyyyy! :D Mass was sponsored by the Scouts or something - too cute! I wore my colourful kimono dress to mass which I looooveeeeee. So pretty :D 

After that we had CRAB AND OCTOPUS FOR DINNER. I NEARLY DIED OF HAPPINESS. Mama Guida is an EXCELLENT cook!! She had a colleague over for dinner as well so we had some wine and chitchat after, while Gonçalo, Isabelle and I just hung around resting. We had an early night that night... we were expecting more guests the next day and well, a drive off to the Algarve!

xx

Day 3: 8th June: More of Lisbon

We took our time waking up in the morning, and then Papa dropped us off in the city. We walked down the Avenida de Liberdade, wandered around a little, and I impulsively bought a white Hard Rock Cafe Lisbon t-shirt, which I absolutely love! The sun was out, and we pranced around in our little sundresses.. Gonçalo took us to see his University, which is a quaint, beautiful old convent-turned-university building.

Then, we went off to meet Duarte Costa, Gonçalo's handsome, charming, polyglot of a cousin, who is a tour-guide, too. While crossing the road, I had THE MOST embarrassing moment of my life - a Marilyn Monroe moment - which I will NEVER let myself forget! Duarte met us at Chiado, and took us all around Lisbon! We saw many churches - again, all adorned in gold and glory - and one, which was burnt down, but retained an awe-striking beauty.

The church that was burnt during the earthquake is the second photo - its beauty is different. More rustic, and raw. Absolutely lovely.

We saw the river Tagus - the loyal, strong husband of Lisbon - the view of the bridges and the Christ the King statue during the day is quite different. We stopped for lunch at a small restaurant on a hill overlooking Lisbon - we had sardines and codfish, which is fantastic, considering I have not had REAL, fresh fish in AGES. Godddd, I love Portuguese foooood!

We also saw some small distinct neighbourhoods (Al Fama, and a Moorish village) as well as the Church of Grace on the top of a hill. We saw most of Lisbon from there. We bumped into Felipe, a friend of Duarte and Gonçalo who was on holiday, and so all 5 of us continued to wander around Lisbon. We then met Monica for a Superbock (Portuguese beer) and SNAILS!

After that we ventured into Belém, saw some beautiful architecture and buildings  where we had pasteis de Belém, supposedly the original version of pastel de nata. SO much goodness!

[Continued]


Monica met us at Belém, and so we had a car after that. The 6 of us cramped into her car and we headed off to some sort of International Sailing Competition Carnival nearby - having to hide Isabelle bwteen us to avoid getting summoned or fined trololololol! There were 2 DJs and a ferris wheel... so Filipe, Duarte, Isabelle and I got into one compartment on the ferris wheel and had a GREATTTT time scaring Isabelle by tilting the thing! :D 


After some dancing on the field we headed home.. but decided we were hungry so we went to look for one of those not-so-secret bakeries that open past midnight! We had paín du chocolat in the car and it was still warm and fluffy and OMGGGGG LOVELYYYYYY! Definitely the sweetest way to end a night like that!


After getting back to the condo, I had to stuff everything I brought with me into my suitcase because at 2am, we were going to drive off to Sesimbra...

Day 2: 7th June: The coastline and Sintra

7th June was a public holiday of some sort, so we stayed up late the night before.. I went to walk Scott with Papa Carlos after our drive around Lisbon... I was so energetic and pumped up that I refused to sleep! The next morning I woke up at about 8, had my breakfast, and waited for Papa to get up.

We got into the car and began our 2-hour drive towards Sintra. Sintra has a micro-climate, something like what we get in Cameron Highlands or Genting Highlands in Malaysia. Before that, we drove along the coastline near Lisbon, which has some of the most expensive and luxurious housing in Portugal - and there is no surprise - because the view is magnificent. On a sunny day, 'beautiful' wouldn't be enough to cut it.. but perhaps I am biased because I FREAKING LOVE THE BEACH AND THE SEA! The sun was out and ready to play! 

First destination: Boca do Inferno. Translation: Hell's Mouth. To put it quite simply, this place was the most beautiful spot to view sea and stone together. It actually took my breath away for a good few seconds. My HTC doesn't have the best camera, but this photo is UNEDITED and that's it. Awe-striking.

We stopped for lunch at Bar do Guincho, Abano beach, where I had some salad. Salad leaves with shrimp, avocado, tomatoes, onions, walnuts and apple, tossed in olive oil. Amazeflippingballs, for a SALAD! Abano beach was SPOTLESS, and the water was bluer than blue could ever be. So, so lovely! 

We also saw Cabo de Roca, which is the most westerly tip of Europe. It was an amazing feeling being there, seeing how I am from SE Asia, and my family hardly travels.. and there I was, at the edge of Europe. It felt like a dream, and I never wanted to leave, but I know that only God could have blessed me with such an opportunity!

Back into the car, and finally, off to Sintra. The area surrounding Sintra was sunny and bright - but the mystery of Sintra is that it was cloudy and overcast...in that one spot at the top of the hill. Apparently it's always like that. We drove up most of the way, but near the top, parked the car and began hiking through forest grounds to get to the abandoned Monastery on the top. Papa took a photo of me and said that he took a photo of a troll in the forest..! That was such a good joke, but he later looked back at the photo and said that it turned out to be a fairy instead! (I TOLD YOU HE WAS CHARMING <3 Teehee!)

We walked up to the Monastery and Gonçalo explained things about Sintra. We actually saw some candlewax on a large rock somewhere along the way - and he said that that could have been used for Satanic rituals or witchcraft practices, which is common, because of the denseness of the forest. Tad bit spooky, but I forgot all that when I got to the top - the view of everything around me struck me dumb! The wind was deafening in all the silence.

After that we went back downhill towards the village of Sintra, where we had pastries from a café called Piriquito, loosely translated into 'pillows'. They were so sweet and fluffy, and left my fingers sticky and lovely and yummy. I tried ginjinha, too, in a chocolate cup - Ginjinha, or Ginja, is a sweet cherry liqueur which I could not resist trying. 1 EUR per shot. WHO could resist that??

After buying more pastries we headed back home to Odivelas to attend Corpus Christi evening mass. The church was tiny, but adorned with so much gold and glory. We then got to meet an aunt and grandma on Papa's side, and we had some home-baked cookies which I would not stop munchinggggggg! Grandmas are ALWAYS so so cute!

Dinner at Chámarros in a shopping mall - and then I bought a skirt from Lefties, whoohoooo! :D Had some ice-cream as well after dinner, then headed home. 

Day 2 left me overwhelmed by the beauty of Portugal.

Day 1: 6th June: Lisbon

I have been raving about getting to Portugal for a long, long time.. and I finally got to go.

Flight from Luton at 12.15pm, Wednesday 6th June. Scheduled arrival - 3pm in Lisbon.
The line at the border was CRAZYYYYY! We were packed with other people from Brazil, staring us down as if we wore underwear on our heads, or something. I don't think they get that many Asian tourists in Lisbon..

Waited an hour before being called to the counters.

4pm - Gonçalo's mum, Guida, was waiting for us at Arrivals with a sign with our names on it! To our pleasant surprise, SHE SPOKE ENGLISH. And fairly enough, too! She drove us back home (which is a lovely 2-storey condominium in Odivelas, slightly outside the city), where we were introduced to the DARLING dog Scott, a cross between Husky and German Shepherd, and to Catarina, Gonçalo's sister, a 19-year-old sweetheart who looked like a doll and smelled like dewberries. <3

Isabelle and I then headed to the city of Lisbon by Metro, and I bought a top from Bershka! Isabelle bought some bracelets like the ones she found in Rome, and we mostly wandered around after that looking for pastel de nata from A Brasileira in Chiado. Pastel de nata is THE most famous pastry from Portugal - a creamy custard tart which is pure love and delight! We bought 10 from A Brasileira (Gonçalo's favourite place, and also where the waiter was cuuuuute)... and till today it is a mystery why everyone was so shocked that we bought 10. Maybe it was because it was the last 10 (teehee, tough luck, guys!) We had to ask a cute policeman where the cafe was and walked past it once.. found a cherry vendor instead and bought a whole kilo, which ONLY COST ME 3 EUR. (The equivalent would have cost between 12-15 EUR back in KL!)

After that we headed back home by Metro and walked back to the condo without getting lost. :D Mama Guida was preparing dinner, so while waiting we got to meet Alex (Gonçalo's best friend and Catarina's boyfriend) and Arcanjo, who is everyone's friend. Alex talked and talked and asked us so many questions about South East Asia, and I was quite impressed with what he knew. Arcanjo was more shy, but sweet...apparently he had long hair and had just cut it off... I know what that feels like!

Gonçalo's dad came home soon after - Carlos - and he seemed a little bit indifferent towards us at first, but he warmed up really quickly. HE IS AMAZING. Handsome and charming and funny..!

Dinner was delicious. It was a mixture of pork and clams in a red pepper sauce, with salad, fried potatoes and Portuguese bread to go with. Mama Guida is AMAZING at cooking! After dinner, Papa Carlos offered me 2 glasses of wine to taste - Porto wine and Vinho Verde (green wine). I much prefer Porto wine because it's sweet, and it went really well with the pastel de nata. Nomnomnom.

After dinner we went to pick Gonçalo up from the airport. It did feel a bit weird that I had to welcome him back to his own country. We met Monica for the first time at the airport - she is Gonçalo's other best friend or something of that sort. Sweetheart!

After that, Papa Carlos took us on a longgggg drive around Lisbon. Lisbon is amazing at night. We saw the train station, the Pavilion, the bridges across the Tagus river, and just the city, lit up.. The moon was glowing, and we could see its reflection on the river. Stunning. The smell of grilled sardines was in the air, prepared for the coming celebration of the Saints..

..and with that, Lisbon stole my heart.

Good gracious.

It HAS been such a long time since I've written here, hasn't it? The past few months have whizzed by like British winds.. it's a surprise that I've even found the time to blog today...

...well no, it isn't. Exams are approaching. Procrastination peaks in the few weeks preceding exams for nearly everyone. Amelia included. The real surprise is the fact that I managed my time intelligently enough to finish up my 3 assessed essays a day before they were to be handed in.. with a fever, cough and flu by my side. I managed to squeeze in a 4-day trip to Rome with Isabelle and Carolyn during the Easter break, praise God, and just like that.. a whole third of our year has gone by. I hardly remember blinking. 

Rome was beautiful. You get an amazing feeling standing on ground that has been a site of civilisation for thousands of years. Imagining the people that have been there - children, lovers, rulers - strolling the streets where they now sell paninis and cold beers for tourists, making profit margins even the Chinese would be ashamed of. Such an amazing feeling. Best part about it was that we got to spend Easter weekend there, which meant Good Friday Way of the Cross with the Pope and thousands of other Christian pilgrims, Easter Sunday morning mass also with the Pope in the Vatican City, and lovely, sunny weather most of the time. Knowing you're in the capital of Catholicism is quite difficult to get your head around at first...and when you finally get it you're just so overwhelmed and excited that everything else pales in comparison. Obviously, I feel this way because I'm Catholic, but Rome is such a romantic city as well, especially at night, with magnificent buildings nicely lit up, creating shadows dark enough for lovers to well, romance each other.

I had the lovely chance of returning to Aberystwyth for a few days. I love that little town. The view from Constitution Hill is breathtaking every time, without fail. This time, Andrew came down for a day trip, and we spent a whole day running around Aberystwyth, to the castle for photos, to the hill for Welsh Cakes, to the train station for a nice lunch with Rebecca, and well, just walking along the beach soaking up some sunshine. I stepped into the water.. which wasn't the smartest move I've made - the water was freezing - but I was only reminded how much I missed being on a beach and in seawater. I cannot -CANNOT- wait till summer!

I also spent a lovely 3 weeks with my Champ! Oh darling, when You left it was like a large hole had been left in your place. After spending all my waking and sleeping hours with You.. being alone was devastating for a while. Though as I've said before, You and I have gotten better with our goodbyes. It's time to start spending time with our books and articles and journals for the last time (hopefully!) Know that I miss you being with me every single day. You win the Welsh cup, you! :)

I shall take my leave now. I hope this post suffices to make up for my absence! I should be blogging more often in the next few weeks, as a preferred method of procrastination, after baking and cooking.

Ciao!

Lent 2012

2012 seems to be a good year for me, and I can feel it getting better by the day. No doubt, I'm expecting some low days, or bad ones, but I think the general feel of it is: Happy.

Ash Wednesday just passed - a day of fasting, abstinence and alms-giving for Catholics all around the world. My own Ash Wednesday was a very normal day. I spent several hours working on my seminars, studying, reading about humanitarian intervention, spent some time with Malini at the LAC trying to figure out our case, lectures as usual, and then Solemn Mass at the Holy Name at 5.15pm. The only real difference was the fasting bit: the will to keep going despite the lack of nourishment. The BEST part is when you're at the end of the day and you know, you've done it. It was difficult, but you did it. And that's what Lent is about - to realise your strengths and weaknesses, and learn that they do not define you or control you. If Jesus, the Lord and Saviour, could have done 40 days in the desert being tempted by Satan himself, he will give us the strength to do our own sacrifices, rest assured.

Of course, Lent is about repentance too, very much so. The indulgences we allow ourselves sometimes - we take a step back and avoid them and try to stay away. Indulgences are manifestations of greed and selfishness, dangerous states to be in. So in our 40 days, we try and try to deny ourselves, and in that process, we find our true inner selves.

This year I am giving up poultry and red meat on weekdays during Lent. Sundays do not count in this Lent period anyway because they are days of rejoicing, so I may try to avoid meat on Saturdays as well and see how I do with that. I'm also giving up shopping! This is proving slightly more difficult than I thought. I spent several minutes earlier thinking - I want new tops! I'm also heading off to Aberystwyth this weekend.. where I ALWAYS GO SHOPPING. I need to pray harder!

I've also started a letter project, wherein I write one meaningful letter to someone every day. This takes up about 45 minutes on average, and a whole lot of tears. So far I've written to Mum and Dad, perhaps two of the most difficult ones to write, but the most meaningful and heartfelt as well. Letter-writing is something people don't do enough these days! Writing a letter is so much more soul-searching than a Facebook wallpost or a Twitter mention or a blogpost, even. It leaves you feeling a bit raw for a while, but satisfyingly so. I would recommend this to anyone. :)

I'm just going to end this post on a Thank You God for the Wonderful Life You've Given Me note. Life in the past few weeks have been amazing - thank you God for the highly satisfactory exam results! Thank you for the lovely people and support You've given me. Thank you for loving me and giving me this life which I want to live in your name!

Have a Blessed, Holy and Purifying Lent, everyone!

PicsArt for Android.

PicsArt is SUCH a lovely app on my Sensation XE! It has never crashed on me nor lost any data nor corrupted any of my files. It's stable, it's functional, it's fun, and it's really versatile. Definitely one of the best photo-editing apps for Android machines out there!

And it makes really gorgeous collages. One of my FAVOURITE features.

Of course, this Collage goes out to my darling CT. Thank you for giving me these photos in the first place. Made me cry. :')

One-Week-Post-Valentine's-Day-Reflection.

I think Valentine's Day 2012 might have been the best one I've ever had.
It might also be the only 'real' one I've celebrated..

..but it's still probably the best one I'll have for years.

This year I got flowers, and chocolates,
and a last minute visit from my Valentine!

I received a scrapbook with photos of us from the past 4-5 years of our lives.
We spent them together..
and that's what makes love true, and last.
Memories.
Genuine.
Sweet.

The best part about the whole thing is that we've actually grown up together.
We've shared the same experiences and made the best of them.
Together.

Some other couples grow apart.
Sometimes one of them grows up,
and the other one doesn't.
Sometimes a bad experience leaves a scar.

The Lord has blessed the two of us with this special and irreplaceable gift.
I know, our love isn't what society would view as conventional..
..but maybe that's what makes it so much more precious.
In a society like today's,
people are messed up,
quick to judge others,
but never willing to look at their own mistakes and problems.

Yes, I do care what my parents think,
and I don't know if they'll approve,
but while I have this wonderful gift God has given us,
I'm going to make the best out of it,
because it really might be one of the best things that's
EVER
happened to me.

To my sweetest Love:
I love you,
and I probably always will,
come what may.

BBJ

Valentine's 2012

"Your eyes are wonderful
Your smile is too
Your laugh's contagious
And your heart is true
There's beauty in your touch
And your kiss is love
You're everything that every guy dreams of
You're everything
That makes me fall in love."
-Chester See's Everything

Happy Valentine's Day 2012, everybody.
Love is out there, waiting for you to reach for it.

Hahaha, CAROLYN you can stop whining now!
I've blogged.


:D

Well, technically I have anyway.

xx

..and to sum up my 2011.

I've grown, here in Manchester. I used to hate it, but I'm getting used to it. Living on my own, being in a foreign country, and having to do things differently.

My lover has become my best friend, too. We're learning to live with each other, give each other space, but the love hasn't lessened, only grown. ♥

I now have a god-daughter whom I adore, and I want to see her soar, because I know she can. She was a bit of a surprise, but don't we all love surprises? ♥

I've travelled a great deal. I've learnt a little bit of several different languages, embraced different cultures, and met wonderful, crazy people from random corners of the world.

I've fallen in love with my faith and beliefs, and strengthened them.

I've upped my levels of professionalism and work ethic and networking. I've learnt to handle stress and manage people.

I've lost some members of the family - learnt compassion, and how to appreciate time, and love, and how to move on, too.

I got to spend an amazing 2 weeks in Europe with my mother and I know, I will someday be exactly like her in so many ways. I am my Mother's Daughter, always.

I have been humbled. I did well, but I am not as intelligent as I thought I was, and I have to get used to that, and increase the diligence. I will.

I've made some amazing friends, and inevitably lost some, too, with the passing of time but diminishing efforts to keep in touch. I do know, however, that the important, worthy friends will still love me throughout the years, and I am comforted knowing this.


I want to say that I am truly sorry for my mistakes and shortcomings of all the years past, and I will try to be a better woman each day. Thank you for loving me, supporting me, challenging me, comforting me, and I hope 2012 brings for everyone nothing but smiles, joy, and more love.

♥

A very Happy New Year to one and all!

Whether you're lonely or sad,
or surrounded by the people you love and care for and happy,
enjoy your New Year.
Everyone could use a fresh start.

Make it start with love, and smiles, and laughter.
Never let those end!

My love, and best wishes,
Amelia.

♥