THE WORLD OF SHOPPING

by: MisS VictoriA DaviD

 

I am not here to make an appeal nor to beg for your deeper understanding!

One of the many things that is making my life more colourful is the buying of clothes from different types of shops. Items that are categorised as clearance on the web; affordable and decent clothes from high street shops and even second-hand clothes from charity shops here in England.

I was a typical consumer who followed trends on the world of fashion, however that attitude of mine transformed for the better.

For the past years, I have become a prudent buyer who thinks more of the usefulness of an item than the look itself. The finest and softest quality is not totally forgotten, too. Why? Buying cheap clothes that won't last their shapes longer is not providing savings as it will lead to disasters and regrets.

Aside from that, I found-out that exerting a small amount of effort in searching for useful items can make your savings still fatter and fatter. That is why, entering a few shops on the high street in which I may be able to scrutinise the fabric/cloth and also, compare prices of other shops are one my rational strategies when it comes to shopping. Moreover, I also apply this type of thinking when visiting online shops as I always look for stores that offer free delivery and returns before pressing 'pay securely now' button.

Don't just focus on one shop, explore your town and also visit the world wide web!

*Photo courtesy of www.bbc.co.uk

CARSHALTON, HIGH STREET'S TWIN SISTERS

by: MisS VictoriA DaviD

The front windows of the flat are facing the high street and they serve like a mega big screen. It provides scenes that happen naturally in real time. This not a television channel provided by a network but the characters I see are real locals and tourists (as the airport bus stops in our village). 

I have witnessed a few minor accidents and one that was written about in our local newspaper was the intriguing caustic soda incident. It was very controversial as there were big and heavy vehicles from the government that closed the Carshalton, High Street. Aside from that, police officers were deployed who secured the area and advised bystanders not to loiter around. 

The scenes change everyday and there are always interesting people that are worth admiring while they walk together. I am talking about the sisters, who will stop and sit down on a bench to feel the glory of God's sunshine in Spring and Summer.

Birds of the same feathers, walking around together! 

Two elderly women walking on our High Street who go out with their grocery bags and dressed identically as the colours are very much alike. They appear like twin sisters to the villagers who are showing eagerness to go out and mingle with the locals. Oldies but proven to be strong and energetic as they spend a few hours wandering around and visiting their favourite restaurant. 

Their strength and determination in life is an inspiration to people like us, who are still young and crisp in this world. 

The pictures are roughly 5 year old and sadly, I haven't seen the twin sisters for almost 3 years to date.

TOTTING WITH MY SISTERS

by: MisS VictoriA DaviD

I don’t usually go out with people unless they have gained my trust or when I feel safe being with them. So, when I say 'sister' like I do with Tina and Jence, it's a sign that I am welcoming you into my life and valuing you more rather than just an ordinary acquaintance.

Last Sunday (January 08, 2012) when Tina and I were both free from our responsibilities, we went to an ethnically mixed district in South London, Tooting. Prior to Tooting, we strolled round Sutton High Street and warmed ourselves with a cup of luscious cappuccino in a local Italian cafe.

We visited the High Street not just for the foaming coffee; we were there mainly to meet Maria Fe. A jolly and light spirited woman whom I encountered and chatted with last year at Tina's birthday party. Our meeting was filled with silly jokes which we really all enjoyed up to the max. I have to say that it was very pleasant being with her again.

(Tina, Vicky and Jence)

I really thought that we would just meet Maria Fe and leave here somewhere in Sutton. But I'm happy to say, she traveled with us to Totting as our sister Jence was working there, even on Sunday. We walked further down the high street until we reached Sutton Green (A) bus station where we got the Bus 280 that took us to Tooting. And after about 40 minutes on a double decker bus, we arrived at Fountain Road. Our destination was Kusinang Munti which was only 3 blocks away. Before we filled our hungry stomachs at Kusinang Munti, we visited our sister Jence at her workplace which is close by. She supervises a Filipino Sari Sari Store. So, the sisters were reunited again after our last escapade on December 08, 2011. Jence was a bit surprise when she saw us but she still welcomed us with her bright smile. That is what I like about Jence, her smile was genuine! As she hasn't encountered Maria Fe before, naturally we introduced them to one another. And while they were all chatting, I checked the commodities in the shop and was very surprised to see that their goods as well as the prices were similar to those at Wing Yip, a Chinese supermarket in Croydon.

(Maria Fe, Vicky and Tina)

*Click photos to enlarge