Delineating Des

Saturday 9: I'm so proud Scroll down for Weekend Funnies 1. What are you proud of? moving heavy furniture ten times my tiny size for exercise 2. What is the best thing you’ve ever won as a prize? How did you win it? a plastic ring in a pack of salted corn - it was either for jumping into a garden pit or dancing the best Ring a Ring o' Roses 3. Tell us about something you've done that in retrospect was a waste of time. answering silly memes and shopping 4. How old were you when life changed the most for you? How did it change? 25; things purged me into becoming wicked, optimistic, 50% cynical - 50% objective 5. Tell us about a place [you that] you've been to that you considered to be very tranquil. The fells of North Yorkshire 6. Who is your favorite news anchor/reporter? Why? No one. Some CNN anchors laugh silly... 7. If you were to have the opportunity to name a new town or city, what would you call it? Why? It was the best of times, it was the worst of times... Charle...

"So that's how it looks like," I thought as I stared at a blurred image on Cambridge U's 800th anniversary portrait. The page shows a document stamped S E C R E T . I leafed through and tinkered with the text mode of my camera. But the real fun was just setting eyes on things for the first time. It makes up for not having been to any museum in awhile. Besides, I'm not sure how easy or difficult some of these things are to view from anywhere other than the book. This is what I meant on my T13 last week when I said, "into my lap a treasure fell..." 1. Extract from the annotated first edition of Principia Mathematica, 1686 2. Undergraduate record card of Frank Whittle, inventor of the jet engine 3. A 3D silicon nanostructure fabricated using chemical vapour deposition 4. In the pages of the Blue Boy Magazine, err... the Varsity 5. John Milton's manuscript of Lycidas 6. Ernest Rutherford's notes on the structure of the atom 7. The Chancellor's...

... observes the Duke of Edinburgh. Someone from Cambridge University Press came to speak to us. He gave away Cambridge: 800th Anniversary Portrait to a Thai teacher, who handed the book to me as if she was glad to get rid of it. (It's ok. She doesn't read, nor speak English) Into my lap a treasure fell. Some days must be bright and cheery :-) 1. "As an undergraduate I was persuaded that the Dons were a wholly unnecessary part of the university. I derived no benefits from lectures, and I made a vow to myself that when in due course I became a lecturer I would not suppose that lecturing did any good. I have kept this vow." Bertrand Russell , The Autobiography of Bertrand Russell , 1967 (p.53) 2. "Cambridge, wet, cold, abstract, formal as it is, is an excellent place to write, read and work." Sylvia Plath , writing to her mother, 1956, from Letters Home , 1975 (p. 17) 3. "Dear Sir, I will be obliged to you to order me down 4 Dozen of Wine, Port, Sherry- ...

In York I was inwardly moaning that I could not join a ghost walk because I could not stand the cold. I missed viewing 13th century manuscripts because the tour ran out of time. So these 13 things I love about what I did not miss in that lovely city had better make up: 1. Guy Fawkes hotel . Although having a large portrait of England's catholic restorationist in my room was eerie, the four poster was cozy 2. Historic breakfast . It's served adjacent to the cottage where Guy Fawkes was born 3. Room with a view . The window is like a picture frame into which part of northern Europe's largest cathedral fits 4. York Minster : massive, magnificent, enough said. 5. Staring awed at the Five Sisters , reputed to be among the finest and rarest in the world. 6. Evensong . Beckoned in by the vesper chime, I quietly joined other worshippers for a bit of spiritual exercise 7. Minster choir . As voices rose to the spires, so swarmed gooseflesh from my gloved fingers to my shivering...

Our Weekend Memoirs: Dieting on Eggs Please scroll down for Sunday Stealing The chinese guy selling noodles in front of 7 Eleven also sells eggs. I wanted to buy some but he was busy with his customers and I couldn't wait. Back in front of the pc, a recent report that Margaret Thatcher's pre-election victory diet included 28 eggs a week had me reading more than I normally would big news. She is said to have told an interviewer that she had "no special dieting regime." Her pocket diary, which was released by the Margaret Thatcher Archive Trust seems to have revealed otherwise. But don't we all sometimes like to keep others wondering? The Iron Lady's husband though gives it to us straight and cool. When asked "who wears the pants in this house?" He replied, "I do. And I also iron them." This anecdote is exactly what I thought of while my southeast asian ass err... blood was quivering in the London cold as I stood on this famous street. Then M...

Whilst strolling the grounds of St Mary' s church in Scarborough, I was humming "parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme..." All I saw though was Anne Bronte's grave in the shadow of Scarborough Castle. Of course Scarborough Fair ended in 1788. Showing up in 2006 was rather late. I didn't get the T-shirt but I got the mug from which I sipped coffee yesterday in the faculty lounge. With Sherri Buck Baldwin's lovely painting on it, moccona has never tasted better. Sarah J Home Decor Either you are like me - curious at what's on a painting or fond of herbs for whatever purpose, 'tis sweet of the manufacturer to have contents of the Herb Wagon written in gothic-like font around the mug: (I collect mugs) 1. Lavender, Angelica 2. Lemon Verbena, Ginger Mint 3. Tarragon, Bee Balm 4. Fennel, Lovage 5. Meadowsweet, Chervil 6. Star Anise, Artemisa 7. Marjoram, Chicory 8. Oregano, Sage, Thyme 9. Dill, Saffron, Bay Leaf 10. Sweet Basil, Coriander, Cilantro 11. Parsley...

Lately I have been roaming the net for necessities to get cracking on some change. These are 13 (out of 20) Russell Group Universities, Britain's equivalent of America's Ivy League. The presence on the list of two of our planet's academic elites is not meant to sound ambitious. Funding is what I had to have a look at all of them for. Their mottos in latin, the 11th in welsh, exude old-world charm. 1 University of Sheffield Rerum cognoscere causas To discover the causes of things 2 University of Leeds Et augibitur scientia Knowledge will be increased 3 University of Manchester Cognitio, Sapentia, Humanitas Knowledge, Wisdon, Humanity 4 University of Birmingham Per Adua Ad Alta Through efforts to high things 5 University of Southampton Strenuis Ardua Cedunt The heights yeild to endeavor 6 University of Nottingham Sapentia urbs conditur A city is built on wisdom 7 University of Bristol Vim promovet insitam Learning promotes one's innate power 8 University of Glas...

Temperature was gradually dropping outside Guy Fawkes hotel. My freezing southeast asian blood was a small price for that meander back in time on The Shambles . The british sun was heading west and the vesper chimes beckoned me inside Northern Europe's largest gothic cathedral. Unknown to me then was that I would be going back to Bangkok with an unusual present for Cj; my feature for this week's Mommy Moments theme: precious gift and it looks like this: York Minster needs "9 pounds per minute to maintain, day and night." As I'm a sucker for art and history, I was meaningfully happy to be given the chance to contribute to its "conservation, musical life, education services, it's daily life and work." While waiting for the gift to be sorted, I lighted a candle in memory of my father. ********** It's a piece of simple paper which I fondly call Cj's roll of parchment. It reads: THE CATHEDRAL AND METROPOLITICAL CHURCH OF SAINT PETER ...

Today we ripped this meme off a blogger known as Starrlight from the blog Here Comes the Storm...In the Form of a Girl. She explains that she "Had this sent to me last night and now I have to share. Ah the Vedder." We really have no idea who she stole it from. But, it was probably stolen there as well. So, of course, that will be as far as we go. Tracing back our theft's thieves might take some time. Link back to us at Sunday Stealing! Cheers to all us thieves! 1. What was the last thing you put in your mouth? ~ toothbrush 2. Where was your profile picture taken? ~ Stratford-upon-Avon, at the back of Shakespeare's house 3. Can you play Guitar Hero? ~ no 4. Name someone who made you laugh today. What was it about? ~ I've just woken up. I haven't gone a'neighboring yet 5. How late did you stay up last night and why? ~ past midnite, Hard Rock dancing is good exercise 6. If you could move somewhere else where would you and wh...

It's family time at TCP this week. I could not find a trailer for Impromptu 1990 on youtube, (my internet connection has been jumpy too) but I'm convinced it's one of two films I'd like to feature. Here's the overview: A true historical depiction with comedy, romance, & classical music. Nineteenth century England is the setting for this more than a love story about George Sand, an extremely independent woman writer, who often wore stylish men's clothes and took a male nom de plume in order to be published. She does not allow the mediocrity, pettiness, and hypocrisy of ordinary life to stop her from being a sincere, loving, creative, intelligent, unique, independent and strong spirited woman. A portion of the film deals with her romance with Frederick Chopin. It portrays the vicissitudes of an artist's life. Highly inspirational for women who dare to be different . (text from the same link) It's suitable for growing up or grown-up children. Here...

Header from Samulli . Play T13 here . Mountains and lakes, quiet dirt roads, pretty meadows, rustic barns, beautiful gardens, quaint cottages or elegant houses, lovely fountains, farm animals - if they are anywhere in a film, whether shown for 1 minute or 10, I am certainly watching. Being a city dweller for fifteen years has not swayed my wish to one day live in a charming countryside. I am a country girl at heart! My T13 today are my favorite films that show the English countryside in some or most parts of each of them. Their stories are great and I love them; I also believe the setting adds a lot of impact and appeal: 1. Pride and Prejudice (2005) 2. Ladies in Lavender (2004) 3. Sense and Sensibility (1995) 4. Miss Potter (2006) 5. The Secret Garden (1993) 6. Nanny McPhee (2005) 7. Becoming Jane (2007) 8. Keeping Mum (2005) 9. Harry Potter I - VII of course (2001 - ) 10. Vanity Fair (2004) 11. Elizabeth (1998) 12. The Duchess (2008) 13. Atonement (2007) Bonus: Sleepy Hollow (1999)

Thanks to Pinaymama for the badge This week's Mommy Moments theme had me musing, "it's I who's gotta wear shades." After all it's my moment. So here we go: At first I didn't believe it, but during the wake for HRH Princess Galyani I started to think it must be true that my boss has friends in high places. How else did he secure an hour at the Grand Palace for his company? The thought of joining my colleagues to pay our last respects to a Thai royal thrilled me. While millions of Thais watched from their TVs or glanced hopefully from outside palace walls, we enjoyed observing rites in the throne hall itself where the King's sister lay in state. Kids were actually allowed inside, the child-friendly society that Thailand is. My mother instinct really wanted to take Cj along. But his Dad decided the place was too adult and somber for him. Besides, we couldn't risk the possibility of a young child behaving in a way that might not be considered appropr...

View more FFF participants at Living to Tell the Story My week went really fast. It's probably because of the nature of things happening. 1. Unexpected break . A quick storm on Wednesday cut off the power for an hour. Everything at work was paralyzed. The academic dean had to cancel classes in the afternoon. Students cheered. But they didn't know the biggest cheer rose out from the faculty offices :-) 2. Discoveries thru a bus window . I made use of the unexpected break by taking a bus ride to the heart of Bangkok. I haven't observed things along Sukhumvit road for a few years. There's a garden and an Arts and Culture Center to visit for free. 3. MP3 . When work is not that serious, one of my best friends in the office is a pair of music-filled earphones. Sometimes playing songs, especially when they're your choice, makes work so much smoother and sets the mood well throughout the day. 4. Going solo to the movies . I actually rewatched Harry Potter last Sunday. Th...

Play along here . Early morning in mid-April three years ago I traipsed The Costwolds (west-central England) and entered a shop with this sign over its doorpost : A few minutes in I found out that this sign was for sale. A few steps back this is the narrow entrance to the shop: You must have noticed that the sign is old with rusty edges that invite tetanus. Who in his right mind would buy it? Maybe someone actually would. You see this sign is the antique version of the one sold at Taylor Gifts online. And as long as the world does not run out of sentimentalists, there is always a possibility for this sign to end up in someone's collection.

Header by Samulli . Play T13 here . " Purpose of visit: To fulfill a childhood dream - see an English castle." After examining my visa application and inch-thick supporting documents, the British immigration officer looked me in the eye and said right on the spot, "I'm giving you six months." Spontaneously he encoded his decision into the computer, while I gawked in momentary disbelief. The Thai assistant cast me a glance; a subtle smile crossed her face. I knew then that my childhood dream was going to come true. On a sunny April afternoon I came out of Heathrow in a Mercedes Benz, and my date with beauty and charm began. As England unfolded through the car window, those illustrated storybooks I slept on when I was little came to life. Fairyland is very rich in history and culture. I got so much more than I bargained for. The visit enriched my life in ways I didn't expect, didn't plan, nor imagine. The learning part connected me to my past, inspired my ...