Unbalanced Vision

A feast of Shakespeare:

Troilus and Cressida, 24 Aug. onwards. Read this and that.

Bardworld.

Mu Cha

Parental units are moving to a new flat somewhere near Wan Fang Hospital. It's not what I would call a hinterland residential area, but certainly different from the East District (think crowds, shops and high-rise buildings) we now live in Taipei. Instead of facing a newly formed nuclear family, where we can see the baby grow up day-by-day reminding ourselves that time flies, our new flat window view invites us to lush green hills and an eternally happy, golden buddha. The swimming pool is literally tucked away in the trees and mountains. However, my friend M has reminded me that the location is famous for its constant showers--would you be able to stand the dampness? During my freshman year I have lived in the rainy Mu Cha area and it seems to be fine. Anyways, do come and visit.

Window view from St John's College 6F

St John's College

You must have seen this on postcards

Seafood galore

I had to immediately change to summer clothes when I arrived, because a short walk under the intolerable sun would make you sweat like a pig. After settling down at St John's College, with my paper and transparencies I was prepared for the conference. My talk went fairly well; I felt privileged to have Mary Baine Campbell and Mary Fuller amongst the audience. The listeners seemed intrigued by my Norwich military company at the spa, The Penitent Pilgrim frontispiece and of course, a new reading of King Lear. One person gave me a valuable suggestion on settlement (immigration laws) and its relation to home and another mentioned about the pamphlets published in 1641. However the majority of the panels were about Victorian travel accounts, and so I wanted questions regarding the literary aspect of my paper on an early modern play. I could do with a little forcefulness. All in all, it was a good experience. So am I good at this academic thing or what?

This seat gives me the convenience to ask for drinks and snacks whenever I want, and don't have to say, 'Excuse me', when I need to use the washroom. However, fate assigned me next to two interesting passengers. The Finnish lady who sat in the same row was quite anxious, as this is her first time to travel outside Europe, and out of all the places she is going to Shen Zheng, China. She doesn't know how to use chopsticks, and therefore I asked a fork for her. And boy, this woman drinks like a cow and talks non-stop. In the beginning I thought it was a small chat, but the conversation developed into a mini lecture--I soon knew about her family history. Another Chinese lady who sat next to me was not the stereotypical shy and obedient oriental woman. When the person at the front seat complained that she wasn't sitting still, instead of apologising, she forcefully argued that this is not her fault but the chair's structure. Oh how I wish to sit next to a nice-looking and intelligent young man during long flights.

Flying to HK tomorrow; see you soon.

Very unsettling at the moment in central London. My normal Thursday schedule begins like this: wake up at 7.30, check e-mails, have breakfast, tidy up and get ready to leave for work at 9.40. It was an usual gloomy day in London, and I suspected no difference as I passed by dozens of black-suit office workers as they walk briskly to work. However, on Long Acre I did overhear a gentleman talking to a taxi driver saying that the tube network is completely shut down--it meant nothing to me. When I arrived at the bookshop, my boss told me that HY had rang. It should be something urgent. Anyways, now the news is everywhere. One of the bus explosions (at Tavistock Sq. + Russell Sq.) is only 3 minutes walk away from where I live. Poeple, take care.

HY's godson (R and Ws' adorable over one-and-a-half-year-old boy), r, was running absolutely everywhere in St James's Park. He ran happily to greet pigeons, to say 'hi' to an older toddler, to look at couples snuggling up together under the warm sun, to observe the reader who's enjoying a solitude moment, but this was in no sense a disturbance, for the youngster was immediately distracted by another newly discovered object. His dad constantly kept an close eye, because within seconds the potential sprinter would be out of your sight. If you grab him back closer towards our spot, he'd soon be heading towards the blooming flowers in the distance. He runs faster than HY. Though it's tiring, parents love the chasing bit, because... it passes time like you wouldn't believe.

Because of CJ, I get to be a bridesmaid for the first time and also go to my first hen party (telegram stripper wanted) taking place in Switzerland, awesome! It started to sound very surreal when she handed me a business card and suggested that I try on a bridesmaid dress when I return home. The wedding will be held at a church in Ashford, if I recall correctly, and the reception is at Royal Holloway (out of all the places). Better still is that my cousin, M, is also getting married at the end of this year.

A week ago we literally carried the weight of the world on our shoulders. Together with my chest of drawers, wardrobe, bookshelves, desk, dining table and various daily necessities, we travelled from Regent's Park to Bloomsbury. It took eight solid hours to deliver me and my flatmate's stuff. I do not wish to move again through the course of my study, that is I aim to be in this very room when I officially call myself a doctor. By the way, my window view overlooks the British Museum rooftop, Senate House, Centre Point, BT tower and a miniature St Pauls lookalike--maybe it was this that prompted me to say 'I'll take it'!

Van hire at Bayswater Car Rentals: £58.75 + £450.00 deposit.
A helpful and reliable driver like HY: priceless.