Abercrombie and Fitch

I must have the worst self control of any human being alive.

Ever since my mum got me my grey off-shoulder Abercrombie and Fitch sweater a few years ago, I've been actively wondering where there was another A&F store for me to raid (erm I mean visit and window shop).

I'd never actually been accustomed to Abercrombie and Fitch's style before this, and I had never known that there was a retail outlet in London (yes I know. Blasphemy!) until I saw people carrying shopping bags walking down Regent Street two years ago. After that, it always occurred to me to go home and google map its location, but somehow I never got around to doing it!

So today, with Noemi - who also vehemently expressed an interest to visit the A&F store - we google mapped its location right on the spot while strolling down Regent Street. Initial plan was to go to Picadilly Circus to watch a movie, mind you, but our legs saw us turning into the famed Savile Row and entering the A&F store, where my jaw proceeded to drop in awe thereafter.

The shop had the most amazing concept ever, with loud music booming through fabulous speakers all around and the best looking lot of salespeople I'd ever seen! We sifted through the massive outlet, and both floors, despite how difficult it was to navigate our way through the dim lights and the throngs of shoppers, and eventually found ourselves face-to-face with the signature A&F look this season: Checks.

I'd been lusting after a checkered button-down-shirt since the start of this season - possibly influenced by how good Zac Efron looks in them - and I'd even tried on a couple on the High Street while shopping with Daisy Hoo, but the instant my eyes fell on these plaid shirts in A&F, I knew I would end up walking out with one (if it fit, of course). I was lucky to locate an XS in the colour I wanted as soooo many of them were out of that size, and we left the store after many bouts of queuing, i.e. first, for me to try on my shirts, and then the longest one of all - to pay!!

It helped of course, that there was soooooo much eye-candy in that store! I had more fun ogling some of the guys most of the time than properly contemplating whether I should spend that much on a plaid shirt. I pretty much decided in 2 minutes that I would buy it and spent the rest of the time trying not to swoon at the sight of the male models around.

As far as rip-off American brands in the UK are concerned, I'm pretty much sold. Noemi and I are making it a pact to visit the store again every time she comes to the city.

Yes, I know. I am that weak. Shoot me. Haha.

Hungry Eyes

A few headlines did well to shock me today.

The first being the news that Patrick Swayze had finally succumbed to the battle with pancreatic cancer. It seemed just a while ago that I had read about him being diagnosed with this terminal condition but the fact that he had managed to fight it for....almost a year (?) made me take off my imaginary hat to this guy.

Sometimes it amazes me that the amount of determination one individual has can be so different compared to another's. Or even how one person's outlook on life and it's many bends can be so positive compared to another person's glass half empty.

Last week, during GP, Wei and I had a fabulous time chatting to this lady who had been battling MS for a good 7 years, and at the end, even I was pondering if even she had more energy and a more optimistic take on life than I did.

I'm checking myself right now, making sure that I appreciate all that I have in life right now, the most obvious being my given opportunity to study medicine, and not get carried away with dossing around because heck, RCT lectures and comm skills can sometimes be oh-so-dreary.

Am listening to 'Hungry Eyes' off the Dirty Dancing OST because watching Youtube videos of Patrick Swayze in that movie made me feel sad, thinking of what a brilliant dancer he was.

And the second shitteous piece of news was that Fed-Ex lost the US Open title to Del Potro with what my friend described as 'horrendous playing'.

Sometimes time seems to fly past when you're not keeping track.

Manchester

I had been seriously considering hitting Selfridges or Harrods over the last Bank Holiday weekend to do some horrifying damage to my bank account, when Pei Hua brought up the idea of visiting Manchester. I pondered over the idea for a great many days until Yuan Lih got fed up and decided to make the choice for me of not going, but a sudden huge pang of missing Pei Hua and some rash decisions saw me chugging on the train to Manchester in the end.

Probably the best rash decision I have made EVER!

Manchester was heaps of fun....rain, wind and freezing weather aside. Kee Fong provided plenty of hysterical laughter opportunities throughout the entire trip (Thank You for your hospitality, my brother sent from heaven! Lol) and I had the most amazing time catching up with Pei Hua, with Kee Fong professing his amazement every now and then at how the two of us just couldn't stop talking. I had a good time talking to Daniel for one night as well, before he fled off to Preston the next day, and even managed to do some shopping (albeit very mild compared to the damage I might have done in London).

At San Carlo, which turned out to be a swanky Italian restaurant frequented by celebs, i.e mainly Man Utd footballers.

Rio Ferdinand, Ryan Giggs, Michael Owen, Paul Scholes.....on the wall. Too bad I didn't see Rio in real life.

I miss Pei Hua already!!!

Found a new drinking buddy in Kee Fong. Too bad we didn't have much time to drink more.

It wasn't half as pricey as a place like this would cost in London, although Voon kept insisting that I have become some atas queen =P

And even saw Scooby Doo on the street! Hahahah

Overall, I had the best weekend getaway in AGES! The money forked out for the train tickets couldn't have been more well spent, and I had the most cushy accomodation at Hotel KF (aka Kee Fong's posh apartment).

Will definitely visit the windy, rainy city again one day...this time to Old Trafford (to throw eggs at it...hahaha I kid, I kid).

I left Manchester with the heaviest heart. It's times like these when you realise there will always be those friends you've found along the way who are irreplaceable in your heart.

Thanks for one of the best times of my life, Pei Hua and Kee Fong! xxx