cruising below london bridge (that isn't falling down) : )

Four and a half weeks since I arrived... wow, that was quick. Have been at work in the hospital from 9am - 5pm every weekday... I really feel as if I am already working, but I have to keep reminding myself that I am still a student, and one year later I will be going back to being a student. :) Though the hours have been long and though there are times when I almost fall asleep at my desk while reading journal publications... I've really enjoyed it! :)

My fellow workmates are friendly and cheerful~ they make work more interesting. I enjoy lab work a lot... and eventhough I don't get patient contact, I get to fiddle around lots with cells... stem cells... and one of the highlights of last week was when they matured into heart cells and were beating on the dish! I'll never forget the happy and excited expression on my supervisor's face when he called me to go and check out the cells! haha... "they're beating!" :) It's interesting how such minute and simple things can be so exciting and fulfilling.

I guess sometimes it's the small simple things in life that satisfy. We often strive for huge magnificent achievements, and neglect the things in life that are far better achievements... such as a happy loving family, dear friends, good living conditions, friendly workmates... even cells that grow and live well! :) *grins* I expected work to be more mundane and boring... I mean, how interesting can cells get? But through these few weeks, I've come to quite like this research year... especially since things are not fixed to rigid rules. Even the dresscode is totally casual. You can rock into work in slippers and a tee... and that's perfectly fine. :) You can leave early and come in late... :)

But work has also taught me about responsibility and commitment because when it comes to dealing with these cells, you can't just say "i'm lazy today and i don't want to bother with em cells" because at certain points in the cell's early life they require feeding everyday... and if you miss oneday, they change and may die. Some things you can't leave for tomorrow... :)

Work is only from monday - friday... so what's up during the weekends? Travelling, sightseeing ~ exploring London! :) Here's some pics... so you can explore london together with us... wish you all were here too... miss ya~! :)

lovely cruise on a beautiful summer day along river thames ~ from westminster to greenwich :)

i dunno where we are... but i thought the pillars here were beautiful. :) reminds me of roman architecture... greenwich is so pretty! :)

london eye~ with the sun streaming through... like a shining star! :)

jessie & i in monochrome. :)

spectacular background of the tower of london and river thames... this was one of the best cruises ever! :)

to not only hear about greenwich meridian time... but to actually be here and step on the line... and put one foot on the East and the other on the West... wow! :)

tower of london... magnificent! :)

"lets go out to watch balls drop!" ~ alison innocently said. :) hahaa... well, it's not balls, but it's the greenwich meridian ball that rises at 11.55am and drops at 12pm... it's what sailors sight so they can synchronise their clocks. :) we watched it... and my conclusion was "is that it??". I was half expecting something more spectacular... :)

this is the royal naval college! :)

pey eing and i... with big ben magnificently looming overhead in the background. :)

my supervisor (nick) and i at work in chelsea and westminster hospital. he was teaching me some complicated chemical equations and i was looking a lil lost... then reza said "pam and nick, look here... smile!" *click*

us gals at Ed's. :) it really has the 'grease' feel... really retro! they have HUGE milkshakes (i could only drink half mine!) and authentic hamburgers and hotdogs! Did someone just say belgium waffles? yes they have those too... drizzle on warm choc or maple syrup... but i reckon it's a bit too sweet... :P

krispy kremes! the best doughnuts ever! i used to think they originated from sydney... but now that i'm here... i realise they originated from.. the States! Yea! mmm... original is my fav. didn't over indulge... cos i'll never forget stacey's pic of regret and a box of dozen krispy kremes. :) one will do for now. if you wanna go, they are located in the food hall of Harrods! :)

london is breathtakingly spectacular. :)

trafalgar square on a somewhat gloomy day... yups, that's london weather. it's not always summery and sunny...

ally and i at the fountain outside buckingham palace, after watching the changing of the guards. wow, that was one tiring day!

houses of parliament... along river thames. :)

changing of the guards at buckingham palace at 11.30am everyday of summer and every alternate day during other seasons. i felt like going up to them and feeling their nice fuzzy black hats... reminds me of marge simpson!!! :) anyone knows the purpose of those hilarious hats? is it to scare the enemy off? :) does it make them look more manly??? :)

picnics in the peaceful luscious gardens... i like! :)

buckingham palace! :) look at the massive crowds!!!

distorted image. in the natural history museum.

at piccadily circus on a drizzly evening... topshop here we come! summer sales. :)

big ben. really BIG and TALL! :)

i spy with my eye... :) (london eye) :)

westminster bridge on a breezy afternoon. :)