Fell in love with Birkenstocks.

What the heck is Birkenstock? I had the same question in my head when I first heard it.

One of my friend, Adam was convincing me that his German made sandal is the best of its kind. He owns a pair for more than three years and they're still looking good now. He told me that I should get myself a pair too. However, I didn't give it a thought at first because I was having my Nike stripe sandal. Plus I wouldn't pay 150 canadian dollars just for a pair of sandal. Although the Nike I was having costs about 50 dollars, I already thought it's experience and it was a birthday present from a friend.

Later that night, believe it or not, my Nike sandal is coincidently broken. Poor thing, "she" just lived not more than a year. Well, me and her had a lot of journey together, but I really wish she could stay longer. Anyway, maybe it's about time for me to get a new one. The next day, we went to do some shopping at Covent Garden, London. While we were there, the girls went crazy about the branded stores there, but Adam and I ditched Topshop whatsoever and we went in to a Birkenstock shop instead. So Adam bought another pair of his favourite while the pair he's wearing is still in good shape. At that time, seriously, my Birkenstock curiosity couldn't go any higher. Guess what. In the end of the day, each of us, including the girls bought ourselves a pair of Birkenstock. Good marketing, Adam.

Here is the trick. According to our Birkenstock expert Adam, when you first wear a Birkenstock, put them on whenever you're out for at least a week, rain or shine, don't take them off. Then your feet will be painful as hell on the first few days. That is mean the Birkenstock effect is working.

There was this day, we stood 3 hours at the Globe Theatre for Shakespeare's play, Macbeth. As the actors being tortured in the play, we truly feel the pain on our feet. Ironic enough eh.

You can see in the picture, Jenny couldn't take the pain and took off her sandal. Yes, it was that painful.

However, after the first week of sore feet experience, I can feel the good is coming. My feet have been molded into the cork sandal. It is now my pair of Birkenstock, it only fits me. I started to cherish the worth of money and pain that I've paid to get here.

After all, this is the most expensive shoe that I ever purchased. No doubt, I know I'm going to love it and put it on every single day.

Roll up and Birkenstock. Yes, we are that cool.

"Friday, I'm in love"

Hangover saturday, feeling exhausted to the max.

Yeah, I went to a local bar last night, with my partner and friends.

Before the party. Terry called and told us the name of the bar, TV21, at northern quarter. When somebody has been living in Manchester for five years, I assumed she must know the place and the bars nearby. Well, I guess, there are just too many clubs and bars in town. To make things easy, we hopped on a taxi and arrived minutes later. Damn it, we could have really spend 10 minutes to walk, instead of paying 4 pounds for the cab. This happens a lot when you are living in the city centre. I wish I have my car with me.

Cut the long story short. We chatted a little and I got to know some new friends. Awkward silence happened as usual, and I figured out that we just need a couple more drinks. So, we downed a few rounds of beer. Strongbow cider is the shit, new to me and I like it. This shit is going to make me think of UK. It just like, Bali=beer Bintang, Laos=beer Laos, Manchester= Strongbow. See what I mean?

The music was awesome. Absolutely not that kind of lady gaga bar you imagined. Instead, they played some old school that everybody could sing along. First came the "sex on fire", warming up the atmosphere. Then, another classic, "Friday, I'm in love", heated up the entire bar. Everybody sang along and hands in the air.

-that's Terry, nice guy-

The bar was packed at first. Then after a while, people started to disappear and I was getting more spaces to move around. Before I have time to ask, Terry was so high and he shouted "Let's go to downstair" . Later, I found out the entire basement, is another heaven. The underground dance floor.

What happened next, I think you know better than me, you party animals. ha ha!

Wicked night.

-Hannah, the one I'm in love with-

Iron Man 2 on IMAX

So, I experienced Iron Man 2 on IMAX last nigh at ODEON Manchester.

"With Crystal clear images eight stories high, and wrap-around digital surround sound. IMAX takes you to the place that you have only ever imagined."

Indeed, it was an ultimate thrill I ever had in theatre experience.

During my visit to the movie theatre in Manchester, I noticed some differences. Odeon operates free seating like the Canada Empire theatres do. In Malaysia, GSC or TGV's seating are numbered. Meaning, in the UK or Canada, filmgoers have to line up in order to get better seating. Another difference I noticed(only on advance screening), there was a british guy talking on microphone, arranging seats and announcing theatre rules. For example, he would say " There are more seats at the middle of third row, if people at the sides could fill up the empty spaces, it will be easy for the late comers." "No cell phones, No smoking etc" "Please use the exit at the back only at both sides." Maybe, the british people found this method is more efficient than showing messages on screen. I have no idea.

But there is one thing I like is, they (apparently, only on new releases) have no advertisement before movie, only two or three movie trailers (about 5 minutes) being shown. Unlike movie theatres in Malaysia, typically would have at least 20 minutes of commercial time before a movie starts, even on a new release.

A quick review on Iron man 2.

In my very own opinion, I prefer the first one. Maybe because the advanced technology, fancy destructive weapons, can no longer impress me anymore in the second episode.

However, I would call the best acting on Mickey Rourke, played the electric-whip villain, Ivan Vanko. I recognized him immediately and know he was the Oscar nominated leading role in film, The Wrestler. His acting in Iron Man 2 is just as outstanding. Somehow, I found his character is so badass yet charismatic to the extent that made me want to imitate him. But the only flaw I found is, he was being defeated easily twice. He is too cool to be beaten up. I mean, it was almost effortless and too quick for Iron man to put him down.

Moreover, the film put Steven Spielberg's "Minority Report interface" to another extreme. (The high speed gestural user interface for computers, where hands are moved in front of screen.) In which, Iron Man added a more dimensional, neon-grow and humorous elements in this technology.

Last but not least, If this neon-like postmodernism film is your cup of tea, you might want to check out another up coming Disney production, TRON Legacy.

The Machine

I always enjoy fried chicken. As listed in my must-do-list, I had KFC for supper at Manchester Piccadilly Train station. I am a big fan of KFC (I personally think KFC in Malaysia is the best, the "spicy" flavour, if you know what I'm saying)When I was in Canada, I found KFC there is too greasy. Again, now british KFC is different, and salty is all I can say. However, KFC in the United Kingdom is rather creative, they have something worth to mention: the boneless hot wings (dip in BBQ sauce), very best.

After KFC, there were these machines (three of them) with screen showing movie trailers that attracted me. As my curiosity pushes me, I approached and found out they are DVD vending machine.

-"For you information, we only do credits" said the Machines-

Right on, it was just the right moment for a movie. Surprisingly, the machines have great range of movie selection. More than 100 choices they have, from the classic Forrest Gump to the latest Avatar, they have it all. Believe me, it could spend you half an hour just to choose a movie.

My partner said she needed some action excitement, and I was craving for some gun-shooting scenes. Thus we came to a mutual decision and paid 3 pounds by master card. Then, we went home with a smirk on our face, and a great movie in my hand.

"question of the day: Chicken and egg, who exist first?

Manchester, first night.

I woke up on the plane right before it's landing on Manchester airport. Recall my first glance on Manchester(from the flight), it looked like a huge, endless graveyard from a distance. Yes, cemetery ground I said. This because the buildings and houses are ridiculously symmetrical. Plus, the colour grey and maroon/brown are found the most, while I look out the window from the airplane. However, this is only my very first impression of the Britain city, Manchester.

Accommodation could cost a bomb in big city like Manchester. Lucky me, I'm invited to stay at my friend's apartment, at downtown Manchester, right beside U of Manchester, 10 minutes walk to chinatown, 5 minutes walk to train station, 2 minutes to bus station. Awesome place it is and thank you, Hannah.

The first night upon my arrival. I went to a Italian restaurant, Don Giaovannis for dinner, with Hannah. It was a friday night, and basically every restaurants in town are packed. First, We ordered a bottle of Rose(wine), and waited at the lounge for table. Finally after 20 minutes, we got our table. Then, I had Calamari Fritti for appetizer, and Filetto di Manzo al Strangaoff (steak). She had Stracciatella con Tortellini for soup, and Tortellini Cremolati (pasta) for main. The Interesting part was, the waiter insisted us to order in Italiano, as the names appeared on the menu.

-Since, I've save a bunch from accommodation, so this dinner

should be my treat. Tasty food, nice wine, good time, £60 for two, just fair enough.-

"question of the day: does chicken sleep?"