Happy New Year 2014

Goodbye to 2013 

as we welcome 

the dawn of the new beginning!

Happy New Year 2014.

A Boxing Day of Sale & Sales!

In London, thousand of shoppers braved the cold winter morning to queue in the dark at the pre-opening of the Boxing Day sale. The main area for the Boxing day bargain hunt is Oxford Street, the heart of shopping in London and home to major designer labels.

Like every year, Harrods kicks off its winter sale on the early hours of 26th December. This year, Harrods provided hot chocolate drinks, smoked salmon canapes and blankets to keep their customers in the queue warm in this cold, cold winter morning

The winter sales will intensive till January 2014, for those who missed the Boxing day sale there is hope still for bargain hunting so mark these dates in your shopping calendar!

London Winter Sale - December 2013 - January 2014

Most of London's department stores will start their 2014 winter sales on either 26 or 27 December, some of them having sales include:

Harrods - Starts 26 December

The iconic Knightsbridge store's winter sale are famous for big savings on luxury goods

Harvey Nichols - Starts 26 December

The chic department store offers shoppers impressive reductions

John Lewis - Starts 2 January 2014

The popular department store boasts it's "never knowingly undersold"

Liberty - Starts 26 December

Treat yourself to some Liberty luxury at discount prices

London Designer Outlets - Start 26 December

This brand new shopping destination offers up to 70% off all year round

Peter Jones - Start 27 December

Shop in comfort and style at the much-loved department store

Selfridges - TBC

Six floors of sale-packed shopping.

Westfield London - Start 26 December

Shepheard's Bush to snap up clothes, shoes, electronics at low prices

Westfirled Stratford City - Start 26 December

More than 200 stores under one roof

Fortnum & Mason - Starts 27 December

London's most luxurious food emporium offers up a hearty sale

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year 2014

 I wish you, 

my family and friends 

a very 

Merry Christmas 

and 

a Happy New Year 

2014

Happy Winter Solstice

The winter solstice is a major festival celebrated in the West and East. The solstice marks the beginning of winter and has been celebrated for thousands of years.

  

In the UK, the winter solstice is a major pagan festival, with rituals of rebirth as revelers gather at Stonehenge to watch the sunrise.   In ancient times, the winter solstice celebration is to mark the last day of the Mayan calendar, signaling the end of the world.

However, the world did not end so today is a celebration to mark the rebirth of a new year!

The question of whether the Stonehenge was built to celebrate the winter solstice remains a mystery till today.  That is one expert’s theory, but there are several theories as to why the stone structure was built, include that it was a temple of worship to the Sun; an ancient royal burial ground; or as an astronomical observatory. But none of these theories has been proven true so the Stonehenge remains a mystery.

While in China, the winter solstice is celebrated in the Dongzhi Festival (the arrival of winter). This year the festival falls on Sunday, 22^nd December 2013.

Traditionally, the Chinese family will get together and one of the fun activities is the making and eating of tangyuan or glutinous rice balls, which symbolize reunion.

In Malaysia, the winter solstice festival is better known as the Tang Yuan festival.  Tang Yuan are made of glutinous rice flour and mostly in bright colors of red, pink or yellow.  They are served in an aromatic soup made of brown sugar, water and seasoned with pandan leaves and ginger. 

A Walk on the Jubilee Promenade

Enjoy a walk from the Millenium Bridge to the London Eye that takes you along the South Bank of the Thames River on the stretch of the Jubilee Promenade.

The walkway provides a pleasant walk with its many benches for resting and enjoying the serenity of the river view. Autumn trees lining the walkway with its golden leaves scattered along the walkway. Further downriver, the view of St Paul's Cathedral and the Millenium Bridge. 

The walk will usually end at the Westminster's bridge as you approach the amazing London Eye.

Draw My Life

"Draw My Life"

A special birthday dedication to her sister who's in London with a simple message of love!

Enjoy!

Imperial College London 2013 Commemoration Day

The Royal Albert Hall, South Kensington in London, United Kingdom

Imperial College London’s 

Commemoration Day Ceremonies held on 

Wednesday 23 October 2013 

at the Royal Albert Hall 

at South Kensington London.

Congratulations to all the 2013 Graduates!

The Millennium Bridge, London

Just across from St Paul's Cathedral is London's iconic bridge, The Millennium Bridge or 'Wobbly Bridge - which were later rectified'. 

London's Millennium Bridge is the first pedestrian river crossing over the Thames in central London for more than a century. It links St Paul's Cathedral on the north bank to Tate Modern and Shakespeare's Globe in Southwark.

In 1996, London's Southwark Council sponsored a competition to choose designer of a new Millennium Footbridge. This would be London's first bridge built across the Thames River since the magnificent Tower Bridge in 1894 and it was part of the city's millennium celebration. 

The winning entry, a suspension bridge which was tagged 'The Blade of Light' with it's 320 meter long structure was designed by architect Sir Norman Foster and sculptor Sir Anthony Caro with engineers Arup.

For fans of Harry Potter, this bridge was used to represent the 'Brockdate Bridge' in the 2009 movie, where it collapses following a dramatic attack by the Death Eaters.

Well, the bridge doesn't wobble anymore, and the view across the Thames River to the Tower Bridge is amazing!

St Paul's Cathedral, London

In London on a sunny day, one of the best things to do is to stroll along the Embankment, Since I have not visited St Paul's Cathedral, my journey will begin from there.

St Paul's Cathedral was where late Princess Diana had her wedding to the Prince of Wales on 29 July 1981 and watched by millions of audience all over the world, me included!.

For anyone visiting London for the first time, St Paul's Cathedral is a must to see! The nearest tube is St Paul's station.

St Paul's Cathedral, London, is a Church of England cathedral, the seat of the Bishop of London and mother church of the Diocese of London. It sits at the top of Ludgate Hill, the highest point in the City of London.