For the early bird's breakfast, I stir-fried some vegetables (baby carrots, beans, broccoli and baby corn), mixed in the marrow from the marrow shafts (two-and-a-half leftover from the four halves) and put a bit of effort in the presentation. ;)
I was debating whether I should attend or ditch the financial planning seminar (a free one), but eventually decided to attend anyway. I firmly told myself that I have to have an excuse every weekend to leave my comfortable nest (a.k.a. BED).
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I made it just in time for the 10:30 seminar which lasted for two hours. Earlier, I received text messages from Verna and Liza (my Filipina friends; Verna is my flatmate) inviting me for an impromptu lunch get-together. Sure, why not? Missed them both and I'm SO glad that they're finally back from their respective holidays so we can take food trips / weekend unwind-sessions together.
I was so famished after the seminar (it overran) that I decided to have a quick bite. I was already halfway through before I received Verna and Liza's text message updates on their whereabouts and lunch plans. I had a vegetarian falafel (Vegan Sultan) and a flat white at the nearby Wraps 'N More (Great Russell Street). Service was commendable and this particular wrap was tasty and flavourful in a 'clean' way (if you know what I mean). After 3-4 weeks of carnivorous holiday eats, I'm seriously contemplating going vegetarian or pescatarian (indefinitely).
On my way to Leicester Square where Verna and Liza were having their lunch, I spotted Primark and went in to get several packs of thermal tights and leggings. Winter chill is starting to get to me and I have to stock up on warm essentials.
Verna, Liza and I met up at M&M's. Then, Liza and I headed to the National Gallery while Verna headed back to our flat (still recovering from her cough and jet-lag and had to call it a day).
Liza and I checked out Australia's Impressionist exhibition at the National Gallery. My personal takes:
- I think John Russell's works are mostly (if not all) influenced by French impressionism while the other three artists: Arthur Streeton, Tom Roberts and Charles Conder managed to give theirs the Australian touch.
- I like Roberts' work the most (A Break Away! is my favourite). However, his style seemed to lean towards realism rather than impressionism.
- Among Russell's work, 'In the Morning' is the most striking for me --- the optimistic / hopeful mood depicted in an almost three-dimensional way.
- I can understand the charm of Streeton's 'Golden Summer'. It becomes more magical the longer you look at it --- how the shadows fall in the right places and the swirl of the clouds on the leftmost part of the painting.
- Conder's 'A Holiday at Mentone' is also interesting --- calm, carefree and relaxed as a holiday should really be.
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| L-R, top to bottom: Russell's 'In the Morning', Conder's 'A Holiday in Mentone', Streeton's 'Golden Summer', and Roberts' 'A Break Away!' |
Afterwards, Liza and I bought souvenir reproductions of some of these impressionist paintings. I got the postcards and a couple of magnetic bookmarks while Liza got the framed mini-versions of her own favourites (Rusell's 'In the Morning' and Conder's 'A Holiday in Mentone'). We went around the National Gallery and checked out the section on 13th - 14th century artists such as Raphael and Mantegna, mostly with religious themes.
As we left the National Gallery, I couldn't help but point out the strangeness of this thumbs-up plinth in the centre of Trafalgar Square (aptly called 'Really Good' by David Shrigley). What's with this unusually long thumb? Does it mean that it was really that good? What is? :) :) :)
Liza, on the other hand, told me that she has not been inside St. Martin-in-the-Fields. She was not sure if it was a church or another landmark so we decided to go inside. It is a church, we confirmed, an Anglican one. There was a group of violinists rehearsing inside and we listened in. Oh no, I'm reminded of my long overdue dream of learning to play the violin. Someday soon, definitely.
Liza and I walked around Covent Garden for a bit before finally parting ways. I missed my bus 15 so I took 11 instead. I think it was about right, since I was planning to drop by St. Paul's / Cheapside anyway to pick up my Pandora bracelet which I left for cleaning and was ready for collection yesterday. I did just that and was so happy to see my Pandora bracelet again --- missed it much even only for three days.
Then, I dropped by Ted Baker from across the street (still at Cheapside). This brand is becoming a favourite as well. At least, it's got the size 0 that is close to my size. There were several dresses on sale and I tried all those size 0s and 1s which I liked. Unfortunately, none of them fit me well for various reasons --- cap sleeves too wide, the fabric's stretch showing curves in the wrong places, et cetera. In the end, I got only the pleated skirt (which I previously tried on in another Ted Baker branch but where they did not have the size 1 I felt was the better fit). I realised I'm a size 1 in some styles and usually for bottoms. I'm saving this skirt for a special occasion. This was one of the rare times when I bought something that is NOT black. After paying for my Ted Baker skirt, I bought my groceries at M&S and headed back to my flat.
What a productive Saturday it was!! Liza and I were talking about how we should be making the most of weekends and we agree on one thing --- one should really make the effort, i.e., plan ahead or find excuses to get out more. Otherwise, Saturdays will just be another eat-sleep-eat cycle. Nothing moves unless you move! :)
Have a worthwhile Saturday!
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