• I have needle phobia. I hate injectious. But, I am a blood donor.

The other day, I was walking to the library via another route when I came across a Blood Donor Centre (UK National Blood Service). I decided to go in and inquire. It turned out you can just turn up and donate, so I decided to fulfill my civil duty to society (lol). As I was waiting in line, I got the all too familiar anxiety rush (ann, my dear friend from melb only knows too well how much I agonize before each donation). I was literally sweating as I laid on thebed, while the nurse was feeling my arm for a vein. After a quick alcohol swab, I felt the needle jab into my arm. Oww. Unlike the previous times I have donated, this was no short pain experience - it endured for the next 30 seconds until the nurse realized she had bruised my arm because the needle was not aligned properly and had to take it out; because of the bruising, it meant I couldnt donate blood. So I went through pain for no gain! Worse, the experience reinforced my already fearful attitude towards donating blood.

Just before I left to London, I went to Australia Red Cross to donate blood. I was rejected because my haemoglobin level was too low but I still had to go through the jabbing experience (although much less painful than my recent experience) because they wanted to take a sample of my blood for further testing. Is this fate or what? please console my sad looking bruise

• Who eats chocolate for breakfast? *raises hand slowly* shameful isnt it.

My cousin came around for dinner on V-day. I forgot it was Valentines because I spent the day holed up in the library. I was surprised when he gave me a box of assorted dark chocolates (mMm Thorntons yea) after dinner. What a charmer. The result has been continuous munching on chocolates throughout the day. Speaking of food, I tried Ben & Jerrys half-baked cookie dough flavour and its nothing really to write home about (so, why am I writing this? so you wont have high expectations, lol)

• Women in Black - still have not watched this!

I was supposed to watch this with my cousin last night and we literally ran to The Fortune theatre to make it on time for the 8pm show. I forgot going to theatre is not like going to cinema, one distinction being you cant be late or they close the doors. Well, lo and behold, we were late. 2 minutes to be precise. How agonizing. We ended up going to Chinatown for pearl (bubble tea) drinks, which partially cheered me up. Its weird, I never particularly craved for pearl drinks when I was in Australia where stores like EasyWay and Bubble Cup are as abundant as Maccas. Okay, Im exaggerating. Unfortunately, ever since arriving in London, Ive developed a sweet tooth for pearl drinks and my wallet is complaining. For the record, an average bubble tea is 3 quid (same as Aus, except its $AUD).

I digress. So this evening, I decided to try and make it for the show at 8pm. I went with two friends and this time we got there nice and early but it was full house. Argh! We tried the next-door theatre, The Producers, which I had already seen, and Lion King - but both had already started at half seven. As though an re-enactment of the previous night, we went to Chinatown for bubble tea. lol.

• I have this Wednesday tradition with my HK homie, Nicki.

Every Wednesday, we would meet up either for lunch or afternoon tea, never dining at the same place twice, even if the food was amazing, somewhere in central London. Its been a great way of discovering the culinary side of London, as well as indulging in retail therapy which we happily do after our meal. This is how I have become quite familar with Covent Garden and Soho - our two most frequented areas. The great thing is we are open with trying new cuisines and cafes, even if it may be a hit or miss, and we both share a sweet tooth. On a side note, she asked me to go with her on a trip to Gothenburg (Sweden) sometime mid-March, but I exercised self-constraint. I think I deserve a pat on the back.

• The first of my so-called collection of Everyday London photos, enjoy the random shots of places I walk/bus pass everyday: