Finally arriving in rainy Sheffield 10062009

Hmm I was a bit disapppointed that England welcomed me in such a way =P

Wet and lost, I missed my bus to Sheffield as my flight was delayed =(

But not to worry, at the end I managed to arrive in Sheffield safely even though the station was flooded ^_^

I have to admit : It felt a bit strange being in an English-speaking country after so long LOL

Despite all the mishaps, England still gave me a pretty good first impression.

Credits to bro??? =P

Insomnia??? Depression alarm???

For don't know how many nights in a row now, I have found it hard to fall sleep or remain asleep for an adequate period of time even when I am or should be physically exhausted. For a habitual heavy sleeper like me, this is certainly worth investigating further. So with this burning inquisitiveness in mind, now I find myself sitting in front of the computer browsing on Answers.com for symptoms of Insomnia. Hmm who would have thought this word would appear in this very blog >>> The blog of Miss Lie Down A Moment (as I have the reputation of being able to fall asleep almost straight after I lie down on any surface =P exaggerating a bit here)

Ok so what have I found??? >>>

Some of the most common symptoms of insomnia include:

Waking up several times during the night
Finding it hard to get to sleep
Gaining weight
Feeling anxious

etc etc...

Hmm...false alarm or possible danger???

=S

Haha, maybe I'm just happy to be home and I have too much to catch up on that my body is allowing me more time to relax and have fun??? =P Self consolation is doing me good ^_^ One good thing I can think of now >>> This gives me another "excuse" to blog =P

Being back in KL again just feels incredible, given that I was so preoccupied over my exchange 6 months ago at this very place. I don't feel detached from home AT ALL!!! My mum said, "We don't seem to have been parted for that long" haha this often amazes me =P

Time to face reality again haha and I'm once again heading into the unknown =P

A pErfect enDing 08062009~~~

A group photo (before the concert with the University of Kentucky female choir)~~~

08062009 >>> A perfect ending to my short
but unforgettable choir experience in Bologna

The female choir from the University of Kentucky, Lexington was doing a tour in Europe and Bologna was one of the stops. They sang most of the songs that night and they were so pro~~~
Their performance was innovative, well prepared and almost-flawless~~~
The girls in our choir kept saying "Brave, brave!!!" all night long~~~
They certainly were BRAVE!!! It was such a pleasure to sing with them ^_^

We sang 3 songs together, 2 at the beginning and 1 at the end =)
Interesting cultural experience : Americans vs Italians

I felt Italian that night haha for some reason even though it's starkly clear that I was the only Asian in the choir haha, maybe because we were representing The University of Bologna.

Wonderful experience, it was truly an experience of a life
time =)

Big thanks and hugs to Lilian who was there to support me that night~~~I really hope to see her before I leave Bologna!!! Get back here, girl!!!

Heather & Melissa >>> We had a really great time talking about Australia after the concert, and I was so glad to meet them =)

I'll miss you, girl >>> Elisa
I'll miss all the rehearsals, and above all >> singing with you all!!!

Sandra was there to watch me sing as well =) Miss you, girl!!!



(Very very) Short clip >>> Before the concert : The rehearsal (The University of Kentucky female choir)

Siena 0706 >>> another fAce of Tuscany

Arriving in Siena with Sandra on the 7th of June to experience the other face of Tuscany and to complete my equation =P

Siena + Florence + Pisa = Tuscany

First impression >>> Siena is a hilly city and it is almost impossible to avoid walking up the hill~~~

Palazzo Pubblico >> Siena's City Hall

Ahh the sun was too strong @ Piazza del Campo, a shell shaped square in Siena (possibly its most popular attraction), disrupting our appetite =P
Beautiful piazza though, good for lying down due to its rather steep slope =)

The Duomo of Siena >> looks familiar??? It looks a bit like the cathedral I saw in Venice =P Siblings??? LOL

A better view of the square >>> Piazza del Campo

My last trip with Sandra before this lovely Spanish housemate of mine returned to Barcelona at the end of June. I'll miss all the laughter she brought to me!!! And I hope to see her studying or working in Australia soon!!!

Yes, she is a girl who has always adored Australia and koalas. Hope her dreams will come true very very soon =)

Bac baci xoxo

0506 + 0606 Another visitor + Farewell @ Church

Another visitor (0506-0606) >>> Kien Teck with a Bologna shirt =) @ Bologna FC Stadium!!! Tada!!!

Thanks to Kien Teck that I got to revisit a lot of the attractions in Bologna before I leave >> Climbing up to The Sanctuary of 'Madonna di San Luca' for the 4th time this year hehe~~~

Of course eating a giant, authentic Italian pizza has to be on the to-do list =P


Viewing Tower of the Garisenda from the Tower of the Asinelli~~~

Kien Teck astounded by the beauty of Bologna??? =P

Seeing him off from the train station >> Great catching him again after so many years, THANKS for visiting me in Bologna!!!

0606 evening >> Saying goodbye to my dear church buddies =)

Thanks for the farewell, thanks for everything!!!

Blessings xoxo

Unforgettable ^_^

Back in ACTION!!!

Ciao to everyone who has been following my blog since Jan, I sincerely apologize for my long long absence in the blogsphere. I have been travelling around Europe with my family since mid June and I haven't been very active online. Now I'm finally back in Bologna again, preparing to bid goodbye to Italy.

*Emo*

All in a sudden I feel a bit empty, maybe I'm suffering from post-travel syndrome??? =S =S =S My exchange is coming to a complete end??? It's July already???

Time for some reflection, stay in tune!!! =P

THE blogger is back in action!!!

*wink*

03062009 - Liberation

No more "stress"

No more "burden"

No more "studying" in Bologna!!!

No more exams!!!

I have passed everything!!!

To record this liberation moment, I asked my professor to take a photo with me after the exam =P

Hooray!!!

We only part to meet again - 02062009

Farewell shot with Michelle, my neighbour from Malta~~~

Piazza San Francesco - nice folk music =)

Saying goodbye to Eszti again~~~ =(

Thanks for all the presents, girl!!!

Buon Viaggio!!!

I'll see you in Pécs soon ^_^

Falling in love with Chanel~~~31052009

I have never been very brand-conscious when I shop, maybe because I'm not financially independant and competent yet - so I have never really paid attention to the different prestigious leading brands in the ever-getting-more competitive fashion world. But this lady, Gabrielle Bonheur "Coco" Chanel caught my eyes last Sunday.

She is the founder of Chanel ~~~

Why did she catch my attention???

Thanks to the french film "Coco avant Chanel" (2009), a potrayal of her extraordinary life.
Rather than focusing on how Chanel developed her brand and career in her later years, the director Anne Fontaine chose to put the spotlight on her personal life before she rose to pinnacle in the fashion world. I think this is why we could relate to the film more. In the film, the audience witness her personal struggles, losses and sorrows that made her what she was later in life and empathize with her.

Success is never an overnight miracle. It is more than you think.

Along with the plot, the cinematographically impressive "Coco avant Chanel" also helps draw the audience in. It is important to generate a sense of sophistication in films because it makes them seem more credible. Elements of clothing are selected attentively to serve the purpose of the film. It tries not to emphasize too much on the fashion, while still showing the audience enough to explain why Chanel can stand as one of the leading fashion brands in the world. I particularly like the way Chanel developed her passion for menswear-inspired fashions because she couldn't bear the extravagance of the upper-class female attire. She constantly mocks their apparels in the film, whilst exploring new ways of dressing by synthesizing male clothing archetypes and women's wear thus developing her own unique style. Of course it is also because she wasn't born to affluent parents that gave her the inspirations. Anyway I like her idea of expensive simplicity. Thanks to her innovations that today we have a more diverse and interesting world fashion-wise.

Big claps also for Audrey Tautou who played the role of Chanel. Their remarkable resemblance in appearance and character makes the film a worthwhile one to watch =) Loved it to bits!!!

Bologna welcomed Eszti with a breeze 30052009

Bologna was chilly, once again, when I was waiting for Eszti's return to Bologna last Saturday evening.

Whilst sitting at Piazza Maggiore, doing what I like to do best when not having anything to do in the city >> observing the Bolognese (=P) - I couldn't help feeling disrupted by the wind, "ruining" my silent moments in scrutiny. I haven't had the urge to put on a jacket for a while =P

What a feeling!!! LOL

Benvenuto, cara!!!
It was so good to see Eszti back in Bologna again and we were both amazed at how fast 3 months have passed by~~~
It is so true that nothing can buy time and no one can press the "replay" button. But neither of us wants to fast-forward our lives =)


A snap shot of the night view @ Piazza Santo Stefano in Bologna

Welcome kiss from Eszti!!!

Celebrating Eszti's return with the girls

^_^

a Belated appointment >>> Retardation : Too much???

For those who follow my blog frequently, not sure if you still remember about my residence permit application back in January. Anyway here's the link to refresh your memories >> http://sherylnscnel2009.blogspot.com/2009/01/moving-in-14th-january-2009.html

Ok now what happened after???

Well, I received a SMS shortly after I submitted my application in JANUARY, just to state that my appointment at the police station (la questura) for photo identification and fingerprint individualization is on the 29th of MAY~~~

Yea I didn't misread the message and I didn't mistype the dates...

Sometimes I really wonder about the low Italian productivity and the at-times-drive-one-crazy organization.

I really think a little bit more of systematization and social innovation can certainly make life a lot easier.

One thing I have learnt after coming here >> History really determines a country.

Italy's long, triumphal, celebrated history in the world has instilled a strong sense of national pride amongst the Italians, resulting in them being a bit close-minded and self-complacent. It is definitely normal and good to be proud of your nation especially when it's Italy, a country of fascinating art, history and culture; but not to the extent that it trammels national growth in terms of technology, finance etc etc.

Before coming here, I have never thought of Italy being such a backward, traditional and conservative country, according to European standards.

I really hope the new Italian generation can be more exposed to the world and rise up to make change in the government and in the society so the people can live a more modern and better life, of course without damaging its art and culture.

Application finally completed >> after 4 months =P

29052009 >>> another wonderful day of reminiscence
*wink*

Persisting amid the Torridness

This photo was taken in Bologna more than 4 months ago!!!??? Can you believe it???

2 seasons have passed and we are about to greet the next one...

I'll be back in KL or Melb before I know it

*mixed feelings*

Exam status >> 3 down, 1 more to go and I'm done for my exchange, of course provided that I pass =P

Too bad the weather is spoiling my study mood and distracting my body...I'm missing winter here!!! Who can provide me with air conditioner!!!??? I just checked the weather forecast for today >> 24.7 °C only??? It feels like 35+++°C!!! Far out!!! *helpless*

Music Ateneo 2009

24052009 >> We went to watch the annual university classical concert after getting back from Parma in the evening as I have friends who sing in the university mixed choir =)

The orchestra and the choir constituted a vintage, melodic aura =)
performing The Creation by Franz Joseph Hadyn

After the concert, some cam-whoring with my beloved choir
buddies =)

Elisa and Valentina

Eloisa

Joanna

Finally a photo with Alessandra, my tandem partner and her bf, Luca =)

And another girls' shot to finish off the day

Parma >> Another City of Art~~~24052009

The fervor in Bologna is emptying the train stations???

Haha, I just feel like mocking the weather =P

I have started to run out of topics here, so I decided to visit another nearby Italian city last Sunday so I can quench my blogging thirst =P >> Parma
Nah I just feel time is ticking out and I better treasure my time here =) I have to say goodbye to Italy soon~~~

Teatro Farnese, a utterly wooden theatre built in the 17th century

Visiting the National Gallery with Sandra =)

I don't know much about Renaissance art but I still know about Leanardo Da Vinci =P

"La scapigliata" (1508) - A woman uncombed

The days of olden Rome

Venice, represented in paint =)

Parma in a nutshell

Back in the sun~~~

Parma is a small city, but pleasant and well structured. So it didn't take us too long to visit the whole city =)

I finally got to visit the city properly LOL

Tasting Parma ham >> A must-do in Parma =) well known in Italy~~~

Nostalgia...

This has nothing to do with my exchange, hehe =P

Just this photo brings back memories *nostalgia* Thanks to Daniel for uploading it on Facebook!!!

I think it was taken in 1993??? Whose birthday party was it again???

Wow look at us >> Uncle Michael & Auntie Jane with baby Ben, Jon in his blue Aloha shirt, Tim biting his tiny fingers, Audrey in her cute little white dress, Sam and I looking mischievous, Stephen trying to get into the picture and his siblings, Ruth and Big Samuel...

My beloved childhood friends...

Reunion with Audrey - 2007 after so many years~~~

This photo was taken in July 2008 @ !mpact Youth camp

I actually don't remember Audrey from the party but it was great to know we used to play together when we were really young ^_^

The world is small, isn't it??? xxx

Now introducing the Lim brothers >>> Our childhood buddies since birth~~~

Our lives were brought together because our fathers were uni mates/housemates thirty years ago

Lim #1 >>>

Look at Jon now, in his blue pirate shirt!!! =P

@ Christmas Lunch 25122008

Lim #2 >> Tim!!!
Haha, coincidentally also wearing a red shirt in this photo =P

The 2 Ngs and the 3 Lims after 15 years @ Daniel's 21st 2008
I'm glad God brought us back together again, after years of seeming separation and now our bond is much much stronger than before =) Lots of love xxx

A collection of our memories from last year...
Cherry's Black and White party 2008

Through the Lim's, we got to know the Tay's!!!

Go Daniel!!! =) Glad to have you and your awesome family in our lives!!!

Missing the times we used to hang out after church...

In the name of Jesus
no weapon formed against me shall prosper
and every tongue that rises against me in judgment thou shall condemn
Lord give me a sign~~~

Missing the times we danced together for the 1st time, for the glory of
God~~~July 2008

Ultimately we formed the notable YiWei clan in 2008 >> Brigette, Ashtyne, Allan, Mun Yee, Lik Hui... =) Our group is growing!!! Love you all xoxo

Early this year, we reunited with Stephen and wow look at him now >> Future Michael Jordan~~~

Let's keep the bond going, guys!!!

Thanks for everything!!!