The Challenge : To not spend more than 200 pounds in total per month in London. This includes

• Transportation


• Food


• Activities i.e. movies, starbucks, theatre, concert tickets


• Magazines


• Clothes


• Toiletteries / anything from Boots


• Knick knacks from Paperchase or cute little stores

Basically every other expenses would be lumped into this 200 pounds limit. When a purchase is deemed necessary and lasts more than 1 month, for example a facial wash, this will be apportioned appropriately.

Can I rise to this challenge and still live a normal happy life? The point of this experiment is not to be at home in the weekends and pretend that retail theraphy does not exist, but to what extent can I alter my behaviour to find purchases which are not within my comfort zone - hence looking for alternatives which I may not have tried and cheaper.

All purchases are documented. I am already dreaming of what I will treat myself if this is successful.

February 1: 30 pounds at Boots. 1.75 pounds for lunch. =31.75

Needed to buy toothpast and shower gel from Boots. 3 for 2 promotion is either genius or evil.

good-bye to salon hair

First attempt at buying an alternative product - my normal mosturiser is low is supply, so rather than spending the 30 odd pounds for a jar, I bought a Boots brand for 19pounds instead! Will write if there are any difference between the two.

xx

It's been two weeks. I waited, waited for the moment when it will all drop into their own place, how everything will make sense once I have my holidays. It hasn't. But I am doing the things I never get to do anymore, no matter how mundane it may sound to those who may have more time, more 24 hours in a day than me. These are the people who are either students, still not working full-time, or better at time management than me.

I finally got the sleep I needed, these past three days. I got to sleep about 10 hours yesterday, and I even managed to sleep at lunchtime on a Sunday, today. On a Sunday! I never got to do that anymore. I often spend my Sundays stressing out about Monday, or trying to cram in as much fun things I don't usually get to do.

I just finished reading a chick-lit book. It's written by Sophie Kinsella called 'Twenties Girl'. I know many don't think that you can get much out of a chick-lit genre, but this one did make quite an impact on me - about almost everything I am trying to process my thoughts about these days - job, relationships and family.

Reading it for the past 3 hours or so ( a paperback, okay!), made me realise why I am spending less at the bookstore these past few years. It's quite a waste, buying books for me. I am quite the read-o-holic, I can't successfully use a book to pass my time. Once I pick up an interesting book, I just. have. to. finish. reading it. After a few hours, when a book is done it is of no greater use to me anymore.

I am actually in the process of clearing out my room. But it is difficult. I get distracted every few hours by the sight of this man:



This dude should never have been allowed out of his country. Now it is almost impossible to find someone who is just as good-looking as him at this side of the world.

xx.

Labels: books, Holiday

Still alive! Snowing in Paris and still discovering new things.....I don't think I would ever get tired of this city. Contrary to that sentence, the cold is making me feel like an old lady who needs her rest every 30 minute walk in the city.

Labels: Europe, Holiday, Paris

Came back to London. London is cold. Had to go to office this morning. Office was almost empty, had to see 2 partners to discuss about next year and salary review. The verdict? Market rate increase for 2009 --> 2010 is disappointing. But, must be thankful, thankful! * FROZEN GRIN*

I am packing up for Paris tomorrow. All my plans to pack nice clothes for Paris are thwarted by even colder temperatures in Paris than Norway. Why, why??????????? Hence, waiting for jeans and winter clothes to dry off so that I can once again pack them again in my good ol' bag. I am packing this very heavy laptop with.

So, I was proved wrong. Norway is as every bit cold as people say it is. Yesterday, we took the public transport ( very efficient, might I add) , to most of the tourist sights, but yet my toes were freezing despite wrapped in thick woolen socks and leather boots. We retired to bed pretty early in the evening and woke up to a blanket of snow covering the streets in Oslo city.

On the third day of my mega holiday, we went to:

1. Viking Ship museum
2. Norway Folk/ Cultural museum
3. Vigiland Park
4. Aakerhaus Fortress
5. City Centre
6. Whilst on the bus we past by the Royal Palace, National Library and the Royal Farm.


We stayed at Thon Astoria in Oslo, Norway throughout our trip. Thon Hotel came up as one of the top search finds on Google for hotel in Norway, and it is easy to see why when you are there. When you arrive in Oslo city centre, it is easy to get confused with which Thon hotel you have booked, as they are a few littered across the city.



Thon Astoria, located on Donningens Gate in the City Centre is the Budget hotel range compared to other Thon Hotels in Oslo. Sure, there is no great view from your hotel window, such as Thon Opera ( which, if you are lucky, might get the view of the famous Opera Hall and the sea), but I highly recommend Thon Astoria.



Having previously travelled to other Scandanivian country, I have no qualms to book a budget hotel in Norway. And my expectations were met, the rooms were very clean, adequately spacious and the mattress were very comfortable. Room also included tv and individual reading lights.



The toilet has heated floor - extremely helpful to dry up the puddles of water after shower and also a great comfort to step on early in the morning! Hairdryer provided. If it helps, all rooms in these hotels were said to be newly renovated.

Hotel facilities include ice machine on every floor, breakfast ( if included in bill), one computer with internet connection at the lobby, free wi-fi and also a hot drink machine with f.o.c tea & coffee. For extreme budget traveller, you can also bring instant noodle along as hot water is provided from the machine ( although I wouldn't recommend you eating instant noodle to fill you up in the cold weather!)


The hotel receptionists were very helpful with information for directions to tourist sight attractions. It was really easy to get to those sights as well, as the hotel is right in the iddle of the city and less than 5 minutes walk to the main train station & about 7-8 minutes walk to the main bus station. It is walkable to the Opera hall, City hall and Akerhaus Fortress.


We paid Nok 1,758.00 ( ~ 195.33 pounds) for two nights, for a 3 bed-room. Web price: you will find that booking a room with 3 beds is the same as booking a room with 2 beds.

A highly recommended hotel in Norway.

Will write about top 5 things to do in Norway.

Labels: Europe, Hotel, Norway, Travel

It's true what they say: wake up early in the weekend & get a lot of things done. Well, if you wake up really really early - you can get to another country by 9 am. (In this case, Norway).

The hotel has a great location, but standing up to do write this just goes to show they are deterring people to use internet for too long! Went to visit a few things today:

1. City Hall ( where Barack Obama received his Nobel prize recently)
2. Nobel Peace Centre
3. Theatre Hall
4. Opera House. This is an architecture marvel, will remember to post photos for this one!
5. Christmas market in the city centre
6. Oslo city centre & seen the many, many H&M and homeware shops.

Time to drink some Lady Grey. Funnily enough, I had to wait to be in Norway to drink this English tea.

xx

Labels: Europe, Norway, Travel

Nothing is more liberating than being able to leave everything that really doesn't matter in the grand scheme of life and just do, do whatever it is that the heart desires.

2 1/2 hours left to start the official countdown of the 28 days of freedom. This sweet-prized opportunity is something I really want to hold on to, despite knowing it will come to an end. I am spurred to do as much as I can yet relax more. How is that for an Achievable objective?



5 Hours to go for flight to Norway - Hence the new boots above which I picked up this evening to help me through this very, very cold holiday! All packed up and raring to go!

xx.

Labels: Europe, Holiday