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I raved about this perfect caffeine stop and food market in my previous London trip in Borough Market 2008.
I should know.
We travelled outwith London where we tasted coffee that should not be served.
A pregnant woman should not waste her quota of one previous cup on bad coffee. And with Monmouth, I didn't get the bloated acidic upset in my tummy that I got with other coffee. That's how I know it is good.
   
It was a Saturday morning and a queue was snaking around the shop with people waiting for their shot. Bernard knew the perfect way to beat the system: buy take-away beans and order coffee to go at the same time. The queue was WAY shorter. Bless him!
 David Lim, the actor in Growing Up, can be seen behind the counter.
The Borough Market sure is crowded on a Saturday. If you don't mind braving the crowds (& cold) for great cheap food, the market is a feast for the eye as well.
I got an Ultimate burger at the burger stand with bacon, onions, sauce and leaves in it. I think it was the best 5 pounds that I spent.
 Yes it was THAT good.  
Some random shots at the market:
   
Here's a funny one with the 3 of them looking in different directions
Discerning coffee drinkers will also tell you about this other gem, Älgerian Coffee Stores Ltd. If you're a black, drip coffee or expresso drinker, you'll love the coffee served here. I happen to like my coffee with milk which sadly doesn't deliver the punch at this joint. Tea drinkers, fret not - they have a fair selection as well.
 
When you step in, it feels like a curio-retail-medical hall rolled in one. People queue up, get their fix and out they go: reminds me of an Italian bar.
 The sign says it all
Älgerian Coffee Stores Ltd.
Opening Hours:
Monday - Wednesday: 9 a.m to 7 p.m
Thursday and Friday: 9 a.m to 9 p.m
Saturday: 9 a.m to 8 p.m
52 Old Compton Street
London, W1D 4PB, United Kingdom
Website: http://www.algcoffee.co.uk
Borough Market
Opening Times:
Thursdays: 11am - 5pm
Fridays: 12pm - 6pm
Saturdays: 8am - 5pm
Website: http://www.boroughmarket.org.uk
Monmouth Coffee
1. Covent Garden, 27 Monmouth Street, London WC2H 9EU
Monday-Saturday 8am–6.30pm (closed Bank Holidays)
2. The Borough, 2 Park Street, London SE1 9AB,
Monday-Saturday, 7.30am–6pm (closed Bank Holidays)
Website: http://www.monmouthcoffee.co.uk
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Bud's movements are going fast and furious now. I am startled sometimes at the strength of his kicks. Just the other night, he was actively treating this mummy as a punching bag and I took Wei's hand to my belly.
Could have sworn Wei's palm bounced off my bump, partly in shock.
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We laid A Chin to rest last Saturday.
Leading to the final days, I still imagined a gentle lady sitting slouched in her seat with a smile on her face - like the many times I found her.
If you’ve attended a cremation before, you'll know the following to be true: that the last (solitary) journey of the coffin to the furnace is the loneliest and most heart-wrenching, at least for me. It always gets to me.
A Chin always had someone help her with things; I remember hearing that she didn't have to work most of her adult life. I wonder if she’ll be lost in the in-between worlds. Or would Uncle Leong be waiting?
As we bade her good-bye, I hugged my swollen belly tighter.
The circle of life. Isn't that grand?
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"A long time past since last
A poem small but with big love
A little present we shall have
A lotta love he will need
Be There Always
Now and forever more"
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All it took was Wei to ask me, "What time are you going to finish?" for the floodgates to open.
I was pulled in so many directions today in a minefield and there seemed no end.
Sorry Bud, Mummy just had to get it off her chest. Hope I didn't cause you undue stress in there.
When I got through our front door at 1030pm, I didn't remember about the melt down or the pile of work-- - but that I was safe at home...at last.
And a new day begins tomorrow.
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"Here's what you may experience this month"
From What To Expect When You Are Expecting
More energy (ditto)
Fetal Movement (stronger now than at 10w)
Increasing vaginal discharge (hell yes)
Achiness in the lower abdomen & along the sides (thank goodness no - not yet)
Constipation (hell yeah)
Heartburn, indigestion, flatulence, bloating (not really)
Occasional headaches, faintness and dizziness (yes just last week)
Backache (thank goodness no - not yet)
Nasal congestion and occasional nosebleeds, ear stuffiness (thank goodness no)
Sensitive gums that may bleed when you brush (thank goodness no)
Heart appetite (never changed!)
Leg cramps (yes 3 weeks ago)
Mild swelling of ankles and feet and occasionally hands and face (yikes)
Varicose veins of legs &/ or hemorrhoids (yikes)
Skin color changes on abdomen &/ or face (yikes)
A protruding navel (mega yikes)
Faster pulse (nope)
Easier or more difficult orgasm (yikes)
So looking forward to 6 months and beyond .
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He doesn't see them.
I spent an hour dolling up and he didn't notice anything.
The silver bells were draped across and above the blooming tv, the red ribbons were cinched on lace across the main door together with the big holly and 2 angels and he wonders why there is a pair of incredulous eyes looking back at him when he is asked if he noticed anything different.
I am amazed.
Let's see how long he takes.
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It was an outfit that worked (for me). Surprising since the brain was just preferring to be stuck in the Monday blues and refusing to work.
The teal dress material was deemed too thick and stiff but it was perfect for today's weather and the 'rough' work that laid ahead in the office.
Dress: Courtesy of MamaPumpkin
Camisole: Uniqlo heat tech
Leggings: Topshop Maternity
I am beginning to enjoy my 'new' wardrobe.
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Have you guys ever looked outside of your window and observed your surroundings?
Just today I saw a beautiful coloured blue bird taking flight from a tree.
Another sighting was slightly more interesting or disturbing.
I saw what was hanging outside my neighbour's window.
A sheer grey netted boxers with raw edges. Rrrrrrrr.....
Fancy some wind beneath your things, guys?
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I thought this will be way too small for me...but I was kindda running out of outfits to wear for work. Luckily, it was not indecently short and I liked the fact that this didn't require ironing and didn't cling on to my expanding frame.
I reckon I could wear it a couple more weeks before I look like a "bak-zang".
Mod-Smock: On loan from MamaPumpkin
Cream lycra LS: Mango
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I was lamenting to Wei that I have outgrown most of my boy shorts.
I asked him he's got some shorts to spare for home.
"Well you can't wear most of them.....oh wait, I have one that's really big. Yeah, that one is b i g."
It comes as no surprise that when you are pregnant, bodily processes tend to go slower. Digestion, adrenaline, bowel movements. Yes, very sexy indeed.
I sent a loving sms to Wei from the private confines of the cubicle.
"Getting ready for a long session in the toilet," I reported.
"Will ask PUB to get ready," came back his equally loving response.
Such kind comforting words from the near & dear.
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All of a sudden from 20 weeks, out popped the bump from oblivion to conspicuity.
The skin feels stretched, like I've had one buffet spreads too many.
The reactions frm around ranged: "Thank goodness the bump is showing" from a concerned nosey relative to a kind gentleman who gave his seat up for me on the train today.
How, in the world, am I going to grow for the next 20 weeks is beyond me.
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I was watching Enchanted on the telly last night when Bud was moving quite a bit.
Then it stopped and started again.
I lifted my tee, massaged the bump and cajoled it to start again and then started at the very same spot.
By golly, I saw my tummy twitch.
It looked like a rat moving under a rug (sorry Bud) but it was bloody amazing.
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I know it sounds silly - I just don't have the habit of talking to someone who's not exactly 'around' but I read Bud a bedtime story last night: The Tale of Peter Rabbit from Beatrix Potter. No better children's book to buy from London than one from their very own, isn't it?
I felt a little strange initialy but I used to like to read infront of an audience and luckily my one audience didn't have anywhere to run to...heheheh.
Soon after, Wei checked if I was asleep yet and promptly took out his Top Gear magazine and starting reading an article ALOUD.
Bud, your daddy cracks me up sometimes.
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Hey peeps, the 3 of us have returned from London and will be showing you some shots pretty soon. Stay tuned.
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Dear Bud
Mummy hasn't been in a good place lately. Lots have been happening at work and she's been facing a couple of challenges. She's moody most of the time and she's frustrated with so many things.
She fears she might have passed on the angst over to you and you'll come out angry with the world, dark and intense.
Through no credit to her, one door closes and another opens; things at work will soon work itself out.
She was looking so forward to her big trip out with you & Daddy to London. When the jumbo flight took off on the runway, she was smiling with tears in her eyes - like her burden has taken flight as well. For some strange reason, she seemed to have been relieved of something. I think most definitely, she is grateful to be able to rejuvenate and recharge herself in a beautiful cold country far away.
This is also one important time that Mummy and Daddy will bond with another before you come along - no offense to you - and she'll treasure every moment.
It's not a habit of Mummy to talk to you audibly, but she will try in London so you know you've been there (to places in London) even before you have.
Love,
Mummy.
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Wei has been gone less than 2 hours and already my heart's missing him.
"Can't you tell them that you have a needy pregnant wife and she needs you?" came my meek counter-offer.
Ok, at least I tried.
So I sneaked Ratty to keep him company and keep a set of beady eyes on him.
Luckily, Ratty's position wasn't compromised last night.
By the time I put the car keys on the table, I had 2 sms waiting for me to read.
"Found him. Got him a window seat - will let him enjoy the view, introduce him to new friends over there too. Miss you."
"Oh no, have to declare Ratty to immigration. Wonder if they will quarantine him. Hope not. (He) Prefers to sleep on beds and not in cages. Will hide him."
"All is safe. He made it through. No quarantine needed...."
Well thank goodness we can give corny jokes a rest this weekend.
And no crazy channel surfing too.
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Taken from babycentre.com
"Your Pregnancy: 15 weeks
How your life's changing: You've probably gained about 5 pounds by now (a little more or less is fine, too) and are well into the swing of your pregnancy, but you may still be surprised by an unexpected symptom now and then. If your nose is stuffed up, for instance, you can probably chalk it up to the combined effect of hormonal changes and increased blood flow to your mucous membranes. This condition is so common, there's even a name for it: "rhinitis of pregnancy." Some pregnant women also suffer nosebleeds as a result of increased blood volume and blood vessel expansion in the nose. "
And there I thought the smog was causing irritation to my nose....all that sneezing, nose-blowing...gah!
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The bump still does an occasional guest appearance especially after certain meals but still not big enough for seats to be given up on the train. Hmmmph!
I wonder when my innie will become an outie. Oh boy. 3rd Trimester?
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![[info]](http://l-stat.livejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif){kind=small}
grateful
melancholy
calm
drained
uncomfortable
surprised
enthralled
mischievous
creative
cranky
bouncy
chipper
bored
groggy
sleepy