Famously British

There's always a time, when you have a sudden crave of certain food. It could be something you have not eaten for a long time, or something you really love!

Still remember the time when I was still in UK, Malaysian food, typically Nasi Lemak reminds me of home. I often drop by at a Malaysian Restaurant, Rumours, on Bath Street, Glasgow, just to have some authentic food from home. Nasi Lemak is a kind of luxury food in Glasgow. To read my previous review, click here or here. I'm now in Singapore, and of course, I still miss food from Kuching. 

Like I said, crave just comes of all sudden. Towards the end of April, there's this moment when I really want to eat Fish and Chips so, so badly! What's worst is that it was the time when I was about to sleep. During my university life, I can eat nice and fresh fish, chips and peas in my uni's refrectory for just £2.80! They do not use any fish but haddock! Mmmm... yum!!! In UK, you rarely get an awful fish & chips, even those from chippy shops are nice!! 



When I returned to Asia, I feel reluctant to eat Fish & Chips as bad experience told me it's no as fresh and as nice as any store in UK. Often, they would use cheaper fish, with very thin slice of flesh plus thick batter! Fish and chips originates from the Isle of British back during the time of first world war. It's famously known and available worldwide! Famously and proudly British!


I googled 'Singapore best fish and chips' (yes, Google is everyone's best friend), and the search engine suggested me a few fish and chips store and mostly are food chain. Until I read a person's blog plus I saw the website, I know the owner of Smiths Authentic Fish & Chips is half Irish and Scottish, and grew up in Liverpool. I was so excited and decided to give it a try! I do not want to go to the usual food chain. 


During Labour Day, May 1st, I, myself took the MRT to Paya Lebar and take a short bus ride to this place in Tanjong Katong. Luckily it's near me so I do not have to go too far for the long await food! 

This is it! After you get off from the bus stop as suggested by Google Map, it's just a short walk away!! I got so excited when I approach the store!

Entering the store, with the smell of the usual chippy shop, I feel overly enthusiastic! I just feel like a summer day in UK!

There it is! I ordered the legendary Fish (Haddock) & Chips! And also mushy peas! The wrap your food with paper, trying to be as authentic as possible because the Brits wrap fish & chips with newspaper on the outer later for insulation and absorb grease!

The first cut of the fish, makes me nearly tears! It's exactly like what I had back in UK!! And the chips is nice too!! Don't expect the usual fries you get from McDonalds because British chips are meant to be softer and fried with actual potatoes, not the frozen fries! 

The thickness, freshness, and size of fish is just right, and worth every penny (well, in this case, worth every dollar). The battered is just the perfect thickness and done it well! And of course, you have to eat fish & chips with salt and vinegar! That's the authentic way of eating. Not by adding tomato sauce or others! 

The mushy peas, yum, love it!!!!!!

From the picture, what do you think it is? Banana fritters? Fish fingers? Oh, no no.. It's wrong!

The famous chocolate bar that everyone should know, Mars Bars, is hidden in the batter! Yes, it is the well-known-from-Scotland FRIED MARS BARS!! When I first heard of it, I was like, 'What?! Fried Mars Bars? That's just odd!" And I didn't get a chance to try it when I was in Scotland. Scottish eats pretty unhealthy food, including fried pizza! No offence. 

This is it!!! The taste is so good that I can't describe it with words. The fusion of hot batter expect it to be eaten with something salty, instead, it's sweet in the inside for its Mars Bars!! I must admit it is sweet but I can tolerate sweetness as I occasionally eat brownie for breakfast! This fried Mars Bars is good to share as dessert with your friend(s). I highly doubt anyone can finish the whole bar. It's worth a try, especially when served hot!

When I'm typing this blog, I am already thinking when to go back there and have my newly found favourite fish and chips store? I saw many of the owner's regulars went for fish & chips, mostly expats. My first experience with them would definitely bring me back there many times! 

Smiths Authentic Fish & Chips

230 Tanjong Katong Road,

Singapore 437018 

Open all week:

1130am – 11pm daily

http://www.smithsfishandchips.com

From 4-Season to the tropics

Weather adaptation is always a tough thing for me. It's easier for me to adapt to the cold, than to the heat. There's always a concept that when it's too cold, you can layer up; but when it's too hot, what can you do?

This was me just before I depart from a four-season country, UK - Glasgow. What's lovely about being in a seasonal country is that you can update your wardrobe by season, not annually. It's pretty amazing to look through the process, as you layer up during colder months, and you layer down when the weather gets warmer. It's a good thing for ladies as you can do more shopping! :P

And here I am, working in a temperate country, with summer all year round. Well, to be exact, it's not summer after all as it's constantly hot and humid. In four-season country, summer will be moody as there are days when it rains and it gets chilly. Also, you will experience different sunrise and sunset time in summer than in winter months.

Still, I'm not used to the hot and humid weather in Singapore even though I'm born and raised in Malaysia with the same weather. Glasgow has obviously changed my perspective of weather.

Where would you like to travel to?

I would say that I am a very lucky girl to be able to travel to many places in Europe during my studies here in Great Britain. I am from Malaysia, and honestly, the one and only country that I have been to in Asia is Singapore, which is just about 1.25 hours away by flight. Even in Malaysia, I've only been to Kuala Lumpur and its near proximity, and not the lovely island that many people might have already been to, i.e. Redang Island and Langkawi Island.

In short, I really enjoy my stay in UK with all the exposures I get, seeing different cities and of course, to study hard.

With my passion of travel, I love to read Yahoo! Travel Featured Articles section, to find out interesting tips, places to go and fun stuff about travels. One main thing about travel is that you need to save money before you travel and you will (most likely to) return home, skint.

I was reading the articles "Cheapest city breaks this Spring" and "Cheapest Holiday Destinations for 2011" (click on the titles to read in details), and I would agree with some of the facts.

One thing that I am still really proud of is be able to fly directly to Paris from Glasgow Prestwick Airport, for only £10 return. That is the amount of money you would need to spend for a nice main course of a meal. The thing is, your airticket can be so cheap but the local expenses at your destination may cause a bomb in your pocket when you are just trying to have a weekend away.

Here's the adaptation from the article of how much you would need to spend for holiday costs including accommodation, meals, drinks, travel and sightseeing. See below:
For those in Malaysia, in case you wonder about the foreign exchange rate to Pounds (£) from Malaysian Ringgit (RM), £1 = RM5.05. You can do the rest of the math yourself.

City	Country	Total basket price
Riga	Latvia	£114.92
Prague	Czech Republic	£134.79
Budapest	Hungary	£136.06
Tallinn	Estonia	£142.04
Warsaw	Poland	£144.18
Lisbon	Portugal	£149.93
Dublin	Ireland	£160.78
Berlin	Germany	£192.74
Edinburgh	UK	£202.85
Barcelona	Spain	£217.89
Bruges	Belgium	£228.62
London	UK	£237.10
Amsterdam	Netherlands	£242.42
Rome	Italy	£247.50
Paris	France	£253.74
Copenhagen	Denmark	£256.77
Boston	USA	£259.89
New York	USA	£305.97
Stockholm	Sweden	£313.64

(Cities highlighted in RED are places I have been to.)

It is amusingly interesting that Stockholm, Sweden is rated as the most expensive among all. I would nod my head twice as hard to agree with that. I stayed in a shared dorm hostel in Stockholm, and a night of cost was the same amount of money I would need to spend for a night in London or Paris. Imagine that! Many people may have thought London is the most expensive places and I would say "NO!". There are lots of little cafes, supermarket, fast food store within your close proximity in London, and that is how you can save on food. In Stockholm, a meal in their local fast food restaurant allows me to buy TWO meals in McDonalds of London. For all the places I've highlighted in RED, I still think Edinburgh is much cheaper than Dublin as a general observation.

Some random picture of me in London as you might have already seen it before. I'm just trying to make this post least dry.

Now it's to compare among countries around the world for their local expenses that includes coffee, beer, cola, water, sun cream, insect repellent, and a three course evening meal for two, including wine.

Position	Country	Typical price
1	Portugal	£32.84
2	Spain	£36.68
3	Czech Republic	£37.98
4	Bulgaria	£39.39
5	Sri Lanka	£40.62
6	Hungary	£43.52
7	Thailand	£44.26
8	Mexico	£45.36
9	Kenya	£45.99
10	Malaysia	£47.68
11	Indonesia	£47.96
12	Croatia	£57.32
13	Cyprus	£57.76
14	Majorca	£57.81
15	Greece	£58.30
16	Turkey	£59.83
17	Japan	£62.32
18	Malta	£63.04
19	Tenerife	£65.48
20	South Africa	£65.62
21	France	£70.72
22	Dubai	£72.25
23	Italy	£73.44
24	China	£80.24
25	Egypt	£80.46
26	Jamaica	£82.53
27	Brazil	£87.73
28	Antigua	£90.83
29	USA	£92.47
30	Mauritius	£100.42
31	Singapore	£105.83
32	Barbados	£111.27
33	New Zealand	£111.37
34	Canada	£119.32
35	Hong Kong	£138.64
36	Australia	£157.51

This is just an idea suggested by Yahoo!Travel. Australia is now at the bottom of the list, with it's exchange rate higher than US Dollar. I would think it's worth travelling to America than to Australia now. What do you think?? For those who have not been to Malaysia, YOU HAVE TO.

I was in Paris, 2010. This was the trip when my airticket was just £10!

I still love London, and I think it's still the best place in the world if you want a good combination of sight seeing, food, and shopping. Also, it's easy to travel within the area but be warned it's always jam-packed and the locals are a bit too calm towards tourists. Occasionally, you would feel as if you're not in the England when the charming-yet-confusing English accent not heard as often on the streets unless you enter a shop. I've been to London quite a few times and I would still love to go. (p/s: I have London trip coming up again)

If you prefer somewhere more relaxing and friendlier, Scotland it is. This is where I study and a place I can call 'home abroad'. It is also much cheaper here. The Scottish highland is a must visit place that the scenery is picturesque as you see in a postcard, but be aware of the moody Scottish weather.

Here are some pictures of Scotland and they are not any downloaded pictures. I should have more but pictures were kept in my other storing area.

Isle of Skye. I love the picture of sunset especially.

The view of Scottish highland in an August day.

Not just summer, winter can be beautiful especially when it snows in Glasgow.

Hope you enjoy reading and might anticipate your desire to get away from town for a while.

x.o.x.o

Must-have for summer!

Friday, 22nd of April, 2011.

It was the day after I'm officially done for all my written exams, and I went out for a yummy lunch at a local Malaysian Restaurant by myself, ordering food that I love. Following that, I went for some shopping that I've been longing for after crouching myself in the library days after days of reading.

It wasn't any posh shopping just some updates to my wardrobe as the season is changing. It was Good Friday that it's an official holiday here in UK, that the town was hit by swarm of shoppers. It was really really busy.

I have my skirt, T-shirt, and my sunnies out. The weather was so warm as if I'm in Malaysia!

What's the first thing you would think of when the weather is warm and bright?? Yes, you need a UV protected sunglasses, sunscreen lotion, and of course, ICE-CREAM!!!

Glad that I live in Scotland and access to ice-cream is so easy. Oh well, to my definition, there is no season for ice-cream but it's a must-have for summer!!! My all-these-while-love-of-ice-cream is by MacKies of Scotland.

On my way home, I bought a tub of this:

Vanilla-flavoured Ice-cream is always my favourite, and goes with all sorts of toppings. As it said on the label, it's "made with fresh milk, double cream and no artificial ingredients". It's alluring that you can't resist double cream. (As always, I'm a no-no for skimmed milk, too!) When I first tried it many years ago here in Scotland, it catches my tastebud that it's so good, so smooth and very rich in flavour.

I tried it today topped with crushed honey roast cashew nuts & peanuts. Oh wow.. it's so good! Mackies Vanilla Ice Cream is the best in its world. (To be honest, it is much better than Sunny Hill Ice Cream from Kuching, Malaysia). I will miss Mackies Ice Cream!!

Anna xoxo

7th April 2011: A day to remember

This was the day that everyone in class was emotional, either sad or happy. I had my last ever Primary Eye Care clinic on 7th April 2011. I had a nice patient and love talking to her while testing her. She's very co-operative. Also, getting compliments from my clinic supervisor was an additional happiness. There was clinic technician said, "Anna, is this your last clinic?" and I had to reply, "Yes, I'm a bit sad as it's my last eye test in Scotland". All the "Good luck in your future" and "Bye" from clinic supervisors make me somehow, sad. I know I will be great in future but leaving my status as a student is sad, too!

Here's some picture of me and my eye clinic:

This is the entrance that I go through first time when I was in second year, with all the remote feeling that every thing looks scary. And after years of training. I am feeling confident seeing patient each time. Now, all the clinical staff knows me well, and we greet each other whenever we met. It's amazing how this clinic enables each and everyone of us to grow and become another professional.

I can be a 'miner' in the clinic, wander around with this BIO ophthalmoscope, saying "can I have a look into your eyes?". Oh wow, it was like I'm looking into something as interesting as enjoying a picture in an art gallery.

And, this was the test chart I used to ask my patient, "Which is the smallest line can you see?"

And this will be the test room I will miss dearly. I am now being let loose in the public (well, not quite yet), without supervisors coming in and out making sure I am doing the right thing. After years of training, I now have full control over test room and I'll make sure you walk out of the door with problem solved. And, that was just a random picture of me in my white coat, a.k.a. clinic attire, everytime I perform my clinical duties. (I tried to be more colourful rather than wearing the boring, black/grey/white office wear)

This was my view when I have a full day of clinical duties in the Eye Clinic. I just sat by the window, munching my quick lunch. Oh, I miss it already...

Besides, I also have my last ever lecture in my university also on 7th April. The impact was too strong but I can handle it. It's like double sadness in one day.

That was the last ever lecture by Dr. Strang. He's a really nice and down-to-earth-head-of-school-to-be person. He would sit in the cafeteria with students, to talk about anything! "Good luck, everyone. And your year is a really nice group to teach! Hopefully will see you all in future!", was what he said in the very end.

I will also miss the Saltire Centre, also the library, that me and my pals used to hangout between lectures when we were in first and second year. That where we build our friendship and prolongs till now and getting stronger. I already miss this place as we were getting busier in third and now, final year.

This was the computer room that I used to hang around if I would like to do my report/project. I love it here because I can enjoy reading project stuff with my big fat English Breakfast.

Last but not least, this is the bridge to everything. This is the bridge that me and my mates used to walk out to when we want to have a drink somewhere nearby, shopping, or a visit to the anatomy museum! Also this is the bridge to the world, and I walk out of there being a professional.

I admit sometimes I lost concentration in lectures or complaining about the work load, but I will definitely miss university life. Anyone else out there who is still in school/college/university, treasure your time with your mates and enjoy every single moment that you can. That's my little piece of advice!

(p/s: Radio was playing "I'm coming home", making me much more emotional.)

Go Green!

It was long ago when i wanted to blog about this.

There has been lots of things going on to this world, with Brisbane's flood, Christchurch's earthquake, and now the world most concerned Japan's Tsunami and nuclear explosion.

Not just the natural disaster, the climate change has been really worrying, with UK big freeze arrived early (click here to read post about it) and some country is chopping of trees in the forest for some money revenue. There are lots of awareness about why we should recycle, and what can we possible do to save the earth.

It was the fashion week for Spring/Summer 2011, when Jil Sander came out with a new bag that women should own to be fashion-forward. There's always something that fashionista could do to save the earth, similiar to Anya Hindmarch's "I'm not just a shopping bag".

This was what the German designer brought to the runway:

It'a an orange-coloured acetate bag.

I can't deny that many fashion blogger and fashionistas own one of this bag especially in their signature orange. It has brought very much attention into the world of fashion.

Would you as a person who has tight budget, will buy this acetate bag to add a designer's stuff to your collection, and trying to be noticed?

This acetate bag, measuring 32 cm by 58 cm, costs £90 (RM450) from net-a-porter.com.

Oh well, I know it looks sleek and simple, but I would rather use the money for some other good use. Probably, for a pair of good shoes?

If I really want to go green, I would use my own shopping bag, and I do own one shopping bag, also orange in colour just like Jil Sander's:

It's my Sainsbury's shopping bag. I look fashion forward, right??? Another additional advantage for this shopping bag is that it is 50% recycleable. If any of your out there want one of this shopping bag, let me know and I'll get it for you for 5p (RM0.25) + postage. You would look fashion forward, too!!

Till then! x.o.x.o

Recap of 2010: Part Two (July to December)

"You build on failure. You use it as a stepping stone. Close the door on the past. You don't try to forget the mistakes, but you don't dwell on it. You don't let it have any of your energy, or any of your time, or any of your space"

-Johnny Cash

From my last post, mentioned about my first half of my twenty-ten. Was fabulous but the second half was even better! It's just like any football match, second half may change the overall result, from defeat to victory.

(Singapore Changi Airport Sunflower Garden)
1st July 2010. I was on my own, ending my short summer break, coming back to UK by myself which is a first time as my parents normally come with me for a wee summer trip. Leaving Kuching behind and look forward to another experience. I was lucky enough to get a job with Boots Optician in Aberdeen as an USWEP (Undergraduate Summer Work Experience Placement).

And thanks to Sarah who let me stayed at her place for 6 weeks while I work there.

I then welcome Stella's visit by exploring Aberdeen in further depth.

As the company I worked for is a very systematic and organised company. I had to attend an Opening Conference for all placement student in Edinburgh, which is 2.5 hours of train away. So, I went down to Edinburgh, stayed with Stella, and went to have seafood. Yum!! It was my first business trip. (Sounds very much like a working profession)

After Sarah came back to UK from Kuching, we went to Charleton Fruit Farm for Strawberry while her family was still here for her graduation.

Enjoyed some big fat dinner after my work at Little Johns which I passed by each time I go to work.

After six weeks of knowledge and work experience, I kick start my summer holiday with my Inverness cum Isle of Skye trip with Stella. Say 'hello' to Nessie!

Urquhart Castle

Went to Portree, Isle of Skye for a wee tour. This picture is meaningful to me because the centre island is Isle of Raasay that my friendship in Glasgow built up in Raasay 2/1 of Caledonian Court.

Isle of Skye

Kyleakin. We love it there and it's really relaxing. We sat on the pebble beach and enjoy sunshine where you unwind yourself. This is what we define a true holiday, not very jam-packed schedule of sightseeing.

The following week (August 2010), again, Stella and I went to Dublin, Republic of Ireland. It was Trinity College where the picture was taken.

We fell in love with Wicklow and thanks to the Canadian/American tourist, this picture looks fab!! Wicklow was where Leap Year and P.S I Love You were shot.

After some trip with Stella, mum and dad arrived from Malaysia!! Our first stop was a stopover in London!

Then we took Eurostar to Brussels, Belgium. It's a land of waffle, chocolate, and chips!

We then went to Zurich, Switzerland. I love it there even though it's my second visit!! The weather was lovely and it's a place where you can walk on a slow pace and enjoy every scene.

Brought mum and dad to experience their first snow in Switzerland. We went to Mount Titlis of Engelberg. They have snow there all year round!

Apart from these places in Switzerland, we stayed in Bern, went to Lucern, Mount Pilatus with world steepest cogwheel train, and last but not least, we went to Geneva.

Barcelona, Spain. Sagrada Famillia. Famous work of Gaudi.

Somewhere near Plaza Catalunya of Barcelona. The weather was dry and hot, comparable to Malaysia!

October 2010. My last concert of 2010 for Mark Ronson (for further details of how fabulous was this gig, click here!). Stella and i managed to grab the first row and the experience was amazing!

I always wanted to watch a live football match and I did it! It was Spain vs Scotland for 2012 Euro Qualifying match in Hampden Park, Glasgow!! All worth the money!

My last halloween in UK

Bonfire night in Glasgow Green.

Christmas Lights On in George Square Glasgow.

23rd November 2010. Another memorable shopping experience. It was the Lanvin x H&M crossover. I managed to grab a few pieces for my collection!

The first snow arrived in November!

A journey to the west-end for some photos. Click! Click! Click! To check out how miserable it was the snow for us here in UK! It definitely struck UK badly and let it stand still for a while.

Farewell dinner for Stella at our favourite Jamie's Italian.

My last ever Pantomime with my beloved classmates in Glasgow. It was so good and I actually feel touched and sad at the same time during the Snow White show knowing that there will be minimal chance of seeing it again.

Day trip to Edinburgh for Christmas Market and Hotpot dinner.

Kick start of my long winter holiday, 18 days altogether. First stop was my visit to Manchester, saying hello to Sarah!

London for Christmas with Min Shan. It was St Paul's Cathedral in the picture where Princess Diana got married. It's my fourth visit to London for 2010, didnt realised I've been there so many times in a year until now and each time it brings me different surprises yet adding scent of familiarity.

Boxing Day shopping at Harrods. It was my first ever experience of Boxing day shopping in London. The atmosphere is there to make you buy more, more and more. The crowd was crazy in Harrods and I can hardly find a place to sit in for lunch. Discounts were great that many girls can't resist a 50% off!

31st December 2010. Flew to Innsbruck, Austria with Sarah and Chia Pau on New Years' Eve to experience a foreign country. We didn't make it New York's Times Square and I had experienced London's New Years Eve, so an Austrian Silvester (Austria's New Year's Eve is called Silvester), would be merry.

We underestimated the weather in Innsbruck that it was way too chilly in town, so we decided to go back to our hotel in the alps (yes, we stayed in the alps) for New Years Eve.

From our hotel's car park we would be able to see the town of Innsbruck where we set eyes on the fireworks when the clock strikes 12.

(Hotel Sonnhof where we stayed)

Have a great year ahead!! 2010 was astonishing and I believe 2011 will be even better!!! (Maybe a little less on travelling but I'll definitely enjoy it as I step into another section of life!)

HAPPY TWENTY-ELEVEN!