Season of Festivals

The publicity shots

Yesterday was the Malaysian Film Festival at the Warwick Arts Centre. I'd sent an invitation to the Melayu-UK members if they interested. It's an absolute bargain : 2 films for only £10. I won't be there but I hoped they had a good time .

CC and I had another outing yesterday. We'd lunch at Noodle Bar again. We planned to go through the menu. We both had the same as before but fried. The Bullyard wasn't buzzing cos the weather was a bit unpredictable.

Later, we went to see an exhibition on the Bicentenary of the Abolition of the Slave Trade at the Central Library which was a let-down. . They squeezed 200 years of history on 2 notice boards with 6 photographs. That's it!!! I'm sorely tempted to write to the Head of Library Services and rant.

To let off steam, we tried shoes at New Look. So many shoes, so little time. But the pair of gladiatorlike embroidered sandals I bought was from another shop.

At Coventry Cathederal

The open air multicultural festival of music and dance at the Coventry Cathedral ruins was next on the agenda. We saw belly-dancing, flamenco, sitar-playing and Gujerati before the heavens opened. There was a mad dash for cover and somehow the sound system got disconnected.

While the repair was on-going, we took advantage of having henna tattooed on our hands and popped into the new Cathederal. It was a very modern piece of architecture with fantastic stained glasses. The missing ingredient was the feel that you always get when you visit old cathedrals. The serenity of years of prayers being said. Hopefully, in the next millenium, the new Cathederal will emit that feeling.

The sound system was still off so we decided to end the day. As we walked, the haunting sound of bag pipes reached us. We watched a wedding procession take place . Congratulations to the bride and groom.

On June 21st was the summer solstice. It was the longest day of the year and the time when the sun is at its maximum elevation. A time to celebrate growth and life.

“As the sun spirals its longest dance, Cleanse us
As nature shows bounty and fertility, Bless us
Let all things live with loving intent
And to fulfil their truest destiny”

~Taken from a Wiccan blessing for summer~

It was also the University's Annual Ball. The end of exams was truly a cause of heavy celebration amongst the students and the Ball being the highlight. Three thousand students togged in their best party attire letting their hair down at the Coombe Abbey Hotel. My colleagues and I had a free catwalk show as they sauntered pass our office windows. They definitely scrubbed up well.

And finally, I managed to get my hands on the miracle serum from Boots. Around the world, people queue for food and aid. But, here in the UK, it's for concert/football/Wimbledon tickets; Kate Moss clothing range and the above. Very, very strange indeed. We were passing through when I saw the sign that they have it in stock. Let the miracle commence...

#Wishing Abah a fantastic Father's Day. Abah has shaped me into who I am today. I can't thank you more than words can ever express. You and Emak are always in my prayers and thoughts. Abah, you are the wind beneath my wings.