It’s Chinese New Year and it’s my first time not being home celebrating with my family. It sucks being in England for CNY because, besides being away from my family, you can’t find any CNY atmosphere here unless you travel all the way to London Chinatown.

Well, when life gives me lemon (hard and dry ones) I try to make lemonade even if the lemon offers few drops of lemon juice. So, for CNY, I’ve decided to visit my cousin and his wife in Edinburgh, Scotland. I was delighted that they would take me in when I asked! Thank you so much!!!

So on the bus I hopped and conquered the 9-hours journey to Edinburgh to spend CNY with some family.

Why did I use the word conquered? Let me tell you…

Things did not went well for me… I planned to catch the first bus to London from Hatfield which will take me to Buckingham Palace Road but I missed it by a few seconds. The bus came when I was about 10 steps away from the bus stop and it didn’t stop because there’s no one to flag it at the bus stop. And the driver just ignored me when I flagged it to stop when I was just 10 steps away, hulling a luggage and running towards it.

Luckily I’ve got Plan B. I called a cab to take me to Hatfield station and took a train to London.

What a bad start! What does a girl need to do to enjoy a decent CNY?!

Maybe it’s because I did not have my breakfast… But to get it I first had to travel from London Kings Cross to Victoria Station via Underground. From Victoria Station I had to walk a short distance to get to Victoria Coach Station. Somewhere in between I stopped by Pret A Manger for a proper breakfast to make my day better.

The yummy-licious, super smooth, ultra-rich, cursed beverage – Mango Juice.

There absolutely nothing wrong with the juice. Every wrong is on me! *slap self* I was recovering from a cough and once I had this I almost coughed my lungs out, again.

Anyway, then it was the 9-hour journey to Edinburgh. Eh, 9 hours very tiring one ok! Although I almost slept through the whole journey.

When I’m not sleeping I do the next best thing to do to let time pass by – cam-whore!

Cam-whore means that there’s more than one picture so…

Ok, that’s it… I know I look like s**t.

After 9 hours I finally arrive at Edinburgh Bus Station. It was about 6.30 in the evening and it was drizzling.

I think my cousin was waiting for me at Waverly Bridge because I thought I could hop off there and I told him I would. It turned out that the bus doesn’t not make stops at Waverly Bridge and so I walked out of the bus station to meet him half way.

Once out I saw a Louise Vuitton Shop right next to the entrance and I later found out that I was on the High Street of Edinburgh.

We headed straight for his friend’s house for dinner. I had a splendid Chinese New Year’s Eve where there seemed to be endless supply of food, especially the dumplings, and it ended with games and chicken soup back at my cousin’s place. Oh, and cough syrup. haha~

Hmm… the title of this post should be renamed as My Journey to Edinburgh. But I’ll just put a photo of Edinburgh to make it up instead.

The tall tower-like building on the left is the Scott Monument, a famous landmark of Edinburgh. The slope on its right is the Princes Garden. In the garden there’s a sign which introduces the Scott Monument. It says –

Edinburgh in 287 steps

The Scott Monument is built to commemorate Sir Walter Scott, one of Scotland’s greatest novelist. Scott’s novels includes Ivanhoe, Rob Roy, The Heart of Midlothian and Waverly.

The Monument is 200 feet and 6 inches (61.1 meters) high and there are 287 steps to the top.

The climb through the internal stairways is in four stages, with 360 degree viewing galleries on each levels.

The galleries provide unrivalled panoramic views on Edinburgh historic Old and New Towns.

One level is home to the Museum room where you can sit and discover more about Sir Walter Scott and the architecture of the monument.

9th February 2011

I assume that it is common knowledge that Chinese New Year is a big occasion for Chinese. The big fuss begins with a top-to-toe house cleaning before the occasion and stocking up packet/canned drinks and mandarin oranges.

Then the reunion dinner where the whole family sit down and feast together. This, to me, is the essence of Chinese New Year.

Beyond the decorations and merry songs that welcomes a new year, the essence of it is the simple act of being together. As work clogs up your life and bogs down communication with loved ones while life itself take people onto different paths, this special time of the year brings people back together, reminding us of what is important so that we don’t loose ourselves in the hussle and bussle of hectic city life.

And therefore CNY is a golden opportunity, absolutely-not-to-be-missed occasion, a time so precious that without the need to pen in down on the annual calendar, nearing that time of the year your heart automatically tells you that it’s time… to go home.

The saddest thing that happened to me this year is not being able to return home for CNY and I’m stuck in UK instead when my heart has flown across the dessert and the seas away from the cold and cheerless room of mine.

The only place that you can have a little taste of the coming of CNY is in Chinatown, London.

Chinese lanterns are up and the shops are selling festive sweet and cookies. But that’s about it…

Feels kind of hollow if you know what I mean…

I know this post is like hanging somewhere in the middle but it is getting depressing so I guess I’ll just end here.

8th December 2011

It’s not my first experience with snow.

My first experience is during my very first overseas trip back in my primary school days. My family and I went to Seattle, USA, then to Canada. It was early spring and sometimes it still snow a little. But very very little…

A trip up the Whistler Mountain, Canada, was the very first time that I get to play with real snow. I remember me and my brothers begging my parents to let us learn how to ski but Dad said we didn’t have enough time. Or was it too expensive??

Anyhow, my brothers and I were so fascinated with the snow that we tried to smuggle some down the mountain. We rolled them onto snow balls, carried it all the way down in the cable car. It was until we reached our rented car that we gave up and deserted our snow balls because they started to melt. haha… silly us!

Although this is not my first time experiencing snow it is nonetheless a new experience because I didn’t have to deal with snow that much in the past. Now that I’m staying in England, when it snowed, I’ll have to make sure I have the right shoes on, the right clothes on etc etc…

Snow snow snow! There’s snow everywhere! When it first snowed, it was so bad that lots of roads were closed causing serious  delay or cancellation of the public transportation system. Be it by car, bus or train.

Besides that, another major problem is clothing. Lots of layering and other essentials like ear muff –

Boy, I couldn’t imagine how am I going to survive the winter without these furry comfy babes. Trust me, having this make a whole lot of difference!

The next thing that comes in handy is a pair of wellington boots!

See my black and white wellies??

It waterproof so you won’t have to worry about snow melting on your shoes and it gives you a nice grip so that you don’t slip and fall on the icy snow.

I like my Wellies a lot but too bad, I’ve only worn them for less than 5 times and there’s no way I’m bringing them back to Malaysia so I’m still thinking of a way to deal with them.

Another nice item to have during winter is this –

I have no idea what to call this. Furry indoor boots/socks???

Anyway, no matter what it’s called, this kept my feet warm and cozy during the coldest days in winter. As a bonus, I think it is really cute! Love the furry balls hanging on the side!

Ok, back to the snow. It may be pretty, fun and all when the snow is still fresh and the scenery can be very breathtaking.

The downside of all this is the nightmare that comes along when the snow starts to melt and turn into yucky mud-like ice. The streets become dirty, slippery and wet and the sight of dirty snow is not pleasant at all!

I guess it a love-hate relationship with snow. You like when it’s new, fresh and fun to play with. But when it stays for too long, you start to feel fed up with it and things turn ugly. After all that, if it start to snow again you’ll still feel the thrill and wonder of it as if it’s something new and magical!

Anyway, that’s just how I feel about snow. ^^

23rd May 2011

Anyway, this is the last post about the trip! (gosh, my memory is starting to fail me!)

That morning, we missed breakfast and hence we had to find some ourselves and had a real heavy one – Sunday Roast, erm… DInner?!

Not wasting any precious time, we made our way to the Galleries of Justice. The number one attraction in Nottingham according to the trip advisor.

Here is where we learnt about all the grim and shocking history of crime and punishment that happened in Old England. The displays and the artefacts in this place is amazing!

By the way, people were actually executed and stoned during olden times on the very steps that led through the doors of today’s oh-so-popular tourist attraction! The thought that I might be standing on the very same spot where some man or woman was executed centuries ago aroused a strange feeling in me. It so hard to imagine that these steps which so many people walked on today, happily entering a tourist attraction, was once bloody, gruesome and maybe very much feared.

If I recall properly and if I’ve done my research correctly, this is called a Gibbet. It is NOT a display but was once was to hang and display the corpse of a person called James Cook. If I’m mistaken then it should be William Jobling. It should be one of them because I remember the guide telling us that it is used on one of the last person to be executed and gibbeted in England. But it should be James Cook.

This device can clearly be seen hanging above our heads in the main hall increasing the creepy medieval atmosphere that surrounds the Galleries of Justice.

The tour is an interactive one and the Lady Justice in the blue robe is our guide. She is the typical bad guy that you see in Robin Hood cartoons or movies. Loves money, thinks that the peasants should pay more tax, loves to see people suffer while she enjoys her meals etc. Of course that is just an act. It is fascinating to see them playing their role and the best part is they involve the audience – US!

Oh, forgot to mention! In the Galleries of Justice you can visit the old courthouse and county gaol of Nottinghamshire.

We are at the old Courthouse in this picture. It was once a functioning court!

Doesn’t this look like a scene in the movies!

After the courtroom we were led into the gaol underneath the building. We had to walk down a narrow flight of stone steps to meet our next guide who is the prison guard (basically someone who is suppose to keep the prisoners in order).

The other interesting part is that we, the tourists, are the prisoner or convicts!

We were each assigned a convict number at the back of our tickets. I am Mary Brammir, convicted of theft.

We get to explore the gaol and hear stories of how it was run and how life in it was like. Can you believe that you have to pay for your prison/cell and food even when you’re thrown in prison , most probably unjustly!

Anyway, there is much more and it is a place definitely worth visiting!

Next we headed back to Nottingham Castle to visit Mortimer’s Hole like I’ve written in my previous post on Nottingham. And as we still had some time after the visit we popped into the Museum of Nottingham Life at Brewhouse Yard which is just beside Ye Olde Trip to Jerusalem. The ticket into Nottingham Castle is joint with the Museum so why not?!

This place is filled with memories of old Nottingham life. How the furniture used to be like, how shops used to be like, old posters and adverts, old packaging of chocolates, biscuits etc…

Trying to play shopper and cashier with the old cash register machine but our act failed terribly! hahaha…

That was the last place we visited in Nottingham and it was time to head home so back to the train station!

Fortunately for us, a bunch of people took our seats on the train and refused to give it back to us even when we approached them with our tickets! Why is it fortunate?

We get to sit First Class babey!!!

Complete with drinks! Many thanks to the kind train conductor!

With a surprise treat at the end our Nottingham trip had a wonderful finale!

23rd May 2011

Went down to the first floor (our room was on the highest level) for breakfast which was included in the room rates.

The funny thing was, all we saw that was available was 2 or 3 types of cereal and a jar of milk and the only waiter asked each of us whether we preferred coffee or tea. We thought those were the only food they were serving and secretly thought to ourselves: “What?! Are you serious?!’” Since the rate was a bit high for the room and we wanted to save the money that we would have spent for breakfast we filled our bowls to the brim with cereal and milk like greedy little pigs.

After filling our tummies with cereal and milk I asked a friendly waitress for directions. She was so nice that we chatted a bit. When I was prepared to thank her and say goodbye, she suddenly popped the question: “Are you ready for your full English breakfast?”

All of us were stunned! It turned out that we had a super heavy breakfast. We were so full that we couldn’t eat anymore in the Malaysian Food Fair. I’ll come to that later.

First stop of the day was the Visitors’ Centre of Nottingham which is situated near/at the Old Market Square, if I’m not mistaken.

Asked for direction to University of Nottingham where the Malaysian Games was held and also collect brochures. Then we’re on our way to the Malaysian Games.

Was looking at the map while waiting for the bus.

Having only heard of the Malaysian Games we, or rather I, had no idea what to expect. The only thing that was expected was the crowd. It’s like being back in Malaysian where everywhere you turn there’s the familiar Malaysian slang, the Malaysian tone and Manglish!

I admit, being in a place so full of Malaysian, I was frantically searching for familiar faces. I failed terrible but it found me instead!! There, by the basketball court, someone came up to me, I looked and it’s my primary tutor’s son!! I haven’t seen him since when I was Form 2! I was delighted that we live in such a small small world!

Lots of games were going on when we arrived. The main one that we saw was basketball and netball. We didn’t linger for long as we didn’t have much time. About an hour or so we’re off to the Malaysian Food Fair which is held in another campus.

See how much Malaysians miss Malaysian food?! Lots of stall have sold out their main product when we arrive.

The crowd there that day was triple or more than the crowd in the photo. The place was so packed that the organizers had to block the stairway and let people in by batches.

I bet every Malaysian will go crazy in this place. How is it possible to keep a clear mind when there’s –

and

more!!

Too bad all the walking did not burn off the heavy breakfast we had earlier.What a shame… But it didn’t stop us from fighting over a cup of cendol!

Just kidding… We bought some food to share to satisfy our taste buds. It’s not bad but nothing bets the authentic ones in Malaysia – the taste of home.

Oh, did I mention that Nottingham is beautiful?

I’m not sure if this is still part of University of Nottingham or not but it is very near it. Just imagine laying on the grass on a sunny, breezy afternoon with packed light lunch, fruit juice and a book (preferably not a textbook). Ahh~ heavenly!

Pretty isn’t it? The bus took awhile but there’s no complain. Time wouldn’t be waste in such a beautiful place.

Next stop is Nottingham Castle.

Statue of Robin Hood near the castle. This place is filled with tales of Robin Hood. If I just had the time…

Nottingham castle – the view from the entrance.

View of Nottingham from the castle. It’s not spectacular but the fact that there’s no tall buildings disrupting the skyline produces a clam and peaceful atmosphere.

In my opinion the castle itself has lost its magic. Maybe it is due to that face that it has been rebuilt for a few times. Inside the castle is a museum and a café. There an art exhibition on the top floor when I was there.

The main attraction, to me, lies beneath the castle – Mortimer’s Hole. Mortimer being Roger Mortimer, the lover of Isabella of France.

We actually came back to the castle the next day for this tour. When we got there we found out that the afternoon tour was cancelled! The staff there were so so kind that they kept scratching their heads to help us so that we don’t have to leave with disappointment.

The gentleman in black at the gate was our kind tour guide who offer to take us down the passageway. It was like a personal tour! We were so blessed!

It’s a funny story of how the passageway got its name. Edward the 3rd fought back and took hold of the castle and threw Mortimer down the passageway and sent him rolling all the way down! Mind you, it’s quite a long way down.

Besides that story, this passage holds many interesting stories of the past. How I wish I could learn history this way…

For instance, this place (the picture above) was a station to stand guard and defend the castle. The holes that were craved on the walls were once thought to be for storing cannonballs. However another theory suggests that they were actually craved in hopes to attract birds to nest there. That is because at one time they had difficulty getting food supplying so this was done so that they can have birds or eggs when there’s no food left but the plan failed.

Inside Mortimer’s hole. Of course, the railings were added later in time.

The castle is built on sandstone which easily to craft. I am told that in olden times people craft their homes out of these stones. Man-made caves are made out of these stones to brew wine and ale too.

The foot of Nottingham Castle and the end of Mortimer’s Hole.

Not far away is Ye Olde Trip to Jerusalem – the oldest inn in England. Or according to Wikipedia, one of the oldest among 20 drinking establishments in England.

This place is also craved out of sand stone. It is like a like maze with small stairways leading you from one stone chamber into another. A very unique place indeed. I have never dreamt of such a cute place although cute is not really appropriate for a drinking place.

We are exhausted and in need of a break from all the walking so we decided to have our dinner there.

Pictures pictures while deciding what to eat/waiting for food!

and yes, apparently, this old inn is on Facebook. Not so old after all huh? haha…

Food still not here yet… and yes, I don’t get grumpy when I’m hungry. ^^

I’m not done with the camera yet! and yes, there’s no such thing as too many pictures of me.

This almost wrap up the whole day.

At night we strolled along the streets of Nottingham, watched Paranormal Activity 2 which was a no-no, attempted to search for a place to chill but ended up being back in our room playing cards. By the time we hit the sack we could sleep as long as Rip Van Winkle! haha~

12th February 2011

It was a last minute decision so all the bookings and planning were done over night. Lucky for us it’s not a very long trip (3 days 2 nights) but it did meant that we had to pay more for accommodation and train tickets.

So on the 5th of November we embarked on our trip in the evening.

My first visit to Hatfield Station which is a very small station with, I think, only 3 platforms.

My travelling companions –

From left: Ric, Siang and SC.

It is roughly a 2 hours ++ journey from Hatfield to Nottingham and yet we thought we were going on a-month-long journey. Or at least we looked like we thought we were…

We brought lots and lots of food and snacks which we could not finish.

I was lucky that the B&B I booked is just next to the train station. It saved us lots of trouble as we could quickly check in, dump our luggage and head straight out again.

I forgot the name of the place we booked. All I remember is that it’s a corner lot, it’s a bar on the ground floor and the rooms are located on the few floors above.

Us checking in… and our very ‘nice’ room number –

The room was quite big and had four individual beds. We had a private bathroom but there’s also a common one just a few steps away from our room. There’s also a small TV and tea/coffee making facilities.

We were fascinated by the pole-like handle that we couldn’t stop taking pictures with it.

Oh yes, we were rushing out. Why?

Because it’s Bonfire Night in Nottingham! Held on the Forrest Recreational Grounds of Nottingham, there was a big bonfire (which we’re not allowed to go anywhere near it), fireworks display at 9pm and a funfair!

That was how far away we were from the bonfire. High fences surrounded the bonfire which kept people like, at least, a few hundred meters away. Yes it was for safety precaution but it also kills the fun.

We quickly lost interest in the bonfire and turned our heads to the food and rides of the funfair.

Yummy yummy jacket potato with cheese~

Chocolate coated marshmallows, apples and strawberries anyone?

Burgers, Chips and Hotdogs. Staple food for events such as this.

More food! Toffee apples, popcorn, corn on the cob and, oo~, candy floss! Hmm… come to think of it, I haven’t had candy floss in ages…

After our tummies are filled, it’s time to turn our attention to the funfair!

Photos don’t do justice to the beautiful lights in the funfair.

The only ride I went on because I KO-ed after that. The victory sign I posed did not help me withstand all the spinning I went through and the nauseous feeling was terrible.

We could not afford too many rides anyway because of the high exchange rates. Even if I did have the money I would have spent it on milder games which did not involve spinning and jerking you up and down. Some people would say it’s a waste of money BUT!

Look at the prizes!!! The teddies are so so cute and they are of much better quality. I swear you could never find such good prizes in Malaysia’s funfair.

Do you see what I mean??

Too bad I didn’t get to bring any home…

Anyway, turning to the highlight of the day –

The fireworks display!

I wouldn’t say it’s fantastic but fireworks possesses a kind of magical power that penetrates a sudden happiness into me. The word for it – Magical.

p/s: This was mean to be a post to re-cap my trip to Nottingham but as usual I get carried away when I submerge myself in memory. It’s just to precious to be shortened or to not be spoken about at all. Hence there’ll be another post or two about my Nottingham trip.

10th February 2011

I came all the way here and this is how you greet me??? Dark, gloomy and cloudy…

I kept wondering if the weather will be better if I immediately board a flight back home after all the unwelcoming events and signs. But I guess it’s something that I’ll never know.

Anyway, I still woke up bright and shine because I left all the lights on that night. hehe… As I was still suffering from jet lag I woke up very earlier in the morning despite lacking precious beauty sleep. Got dressed and I was all set to go for a walk around the area.

I would like to think that I was in a I-Don’t-Care attitude. *Points to the sky* I don’t care if you like it or not! Sulk all you want but I’m still gonna walk all over you! Sulk more, I’ll just have to make my footprints deeper!! Take that! *stomp stomp stomp*

Anyway, the first thing I did was to go to the University Learning Resource Centre (LRC), in other words the library, to see if I could get online. I was suppose to sent an email to my parents to let them know that I arrived safe and sound. However I was deprived of the privilege of surfing the net because I was in the Emergency Room.

The road to LRC, the white building in front.

There’s more bad news because I found out that I need my student ID and password to use the computer in the LRC. As I have not enrolled into my course yet I don’t have one. I would have been given a temporarily one if I have gotten the room that I’m supposedly assigned to but because ‘my name is no where to be found on the list’ I guess my identity then was a blur.

It was very quiet in the LRC and I can barely see a soul there. It was kind of creepy actually. Lucky me I found a very kind fella to lend me his account. We chatted a bit and then he showed me around the campus. So lucky that he was a kind soul…

After exploring the campus area, I went exploring outside campus. He showed me the way to The Galleria which is, if I’m not mistaken, then only shopping mall in Hatfield.

As shops here open late and closes early on Sundays, the Galleria wasn’t open yet when I got there. So I went for a walk nearby and took some pictures of, I wouldn’t say landmark, buildings…

University of Hertfordshire, De Havilland Campus.

I should explain… There’s two main campuses. I am at College Lane Campus which is, if I’m not mistaken, the older campus. The student centre, the forum (where the school cafeteria, bar, union shop etc is) and buildings which schools students of art or science are on this campus.

De Havilland campus is the business school of the University. My friends studying marketing or management goes there. On this campus you also find the most expensive student accommodation of the University – the only en-suite room amongst all kinds of accommodation provided. En-suite meaning you get your own bathroom.

The gym and indoor swimming pool is located in De Havilland Campus where College Lane Campus has out door tennis, basketball and football fields. Take your pick!

Law students such as myself have to take a bus to St Albans which is a nearby town about 30 minutes bus ride away. Future law students are luckier because they’ll will be studying in a newly built building (now building) near De Havilland Campus.

Huhu~ I came one year too early…

*Note – If anyone is reading this — All the info above is according to my limited knowledge and understanding of the University. It is in no way official and holds no guarantee as to its accuracy.

Hatfield is a very bland place. There’s nothing much here to see. Other places that I walked by are:

A very nice residential area. Very neat and clean. Perfect feel for a quite life…

It like walking through a little park to get home. So relaxing…

A nearby hotel/motel called The Comet. Cute airplane in front. I heard that Hatfield and the name ‘De Havilland’ has relevance to airplane… some thing about war times… I have no idea and I didn’t bother to check it out. Maybe I will someday when I get curious enough.

Erm… what’s more??! Just pictures of buildings buildings and buildings which I’m not doing to post. The most interesting thing is–

A Wind Mill!!!

=.=’

Anyway, the Galleria opened at last and I went in to hunt for food.

My very first meal and the very first thing that I bought in UK!

Both the cheapest in the menu – Americano and plain croissant. Super kiam because I was converting thing that comes to sight! Suddenly expert I’m a expert in Maths when I suck at calculating discounts during sales.

So the super kiam me just walked around and only bought necessities like shampoo, dinner and breakfast (for the next day)… like I said, only necessities…

Headed back early because jet lag syndrome was kicking in. During the first week I went to bed like 7 or 8pm and woke up around 5-6am! Crazy~

Anyway, I was back in that lonely, messy Emergency Room. But things happened for a reason. Later that night, I met a girl, who also happened to have her accommodation screwed up by the University, and we’ve stuck together since.

Lucky me, I got my proper accommodation the next day and now I’m staying in –

I kindda miss the telly in the Emergency Room which I had the privilege of watching a 1 or 2 movies during my stay. But… that’s about it. My current place is way better! (except for the telly)

I had to leave…

It was on 2nd of Oct, flight D7 2008 took me away at 1230.

I don’t remember what time I arrived at LCCT but I remember that I arrived with a heavy heart. A feeling that I can still recall clearly as though it was yesterday.

I was in my Dear’s car and my family was in another. I told myself not to cry and tried to push back my tears. But every effort failed miserably at the sight of my dear sisters, Feli and Alexis, who came to sent me off.

No pictures of me departing because I was in an awful state. Red eye and red nose, all swollen.

It felt even worst when I was going into the departure hall. I was on the escalator slowly going up and away… I looked back… My whole family, brothers and all, my dear and my sisters waved at me…

The pain is not so much about me going to a foreign country alone. It is because of leaving my loved ones, everyone who I care about… I guess it’s like death… There maybe fear of what would happen after you die but most of it, I guess, is leaving your loved ones behind…

Oh I cried so badly… Cried while I was on the escalator, cried while sliding my passport into the machine, cried while I was sitting in the departure hall waiting for my flight, cried when I boarded my flight, cried when I saw the couple beside me snuggling and smiling at each other… I’m such a cry baby…

It was a long long flight… I moved to the seat in front of me as there’s 2 seats vacant  in that row to ‘give the couples some space’.

Thank God I did. There I met a girl who helped me survive the journey or I’ll be bored to death! This girl is the most unique and courageous girl I’ve known. If I remember correctly she just finished high school and she’s going to Manchester to study fashion design! I don’t know her very well but she gave me a deep impression of her. At such a young age, she knew exactly what she wanted, she went for it and she is the boss of herself. I can’t recall anyone I know who is so in charge of her life at her age! I believe there’s great success waiting for her.

Near 1730 (UK time) the plane landed in Stansted Airport. Luggage collection and immigration went smoothly and almost immediately after stepping into the arrival hall I saw my dear’s cousin who so kindly agreed to pick me up at the airport and sent me to Hatfield.

I was so deeply touched when they purposely rented a car just so that they could drive me there! I hardly know them and have never seen them and they’d do that for me!! I am so blessed and so thankful that God sent such kind people to my aid when I felt so alone and, frankly speaking, scared. I don’t know what I’ll do without them. Rebecca and Ronald, thank you so much!

I don’t know how long it took because I was too tired to take any notice of time but I think it was quite late when I arrived at University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield and it was raining… UK don’t like me…

I thought I could finally rest after such a long journey but nooooooooooooo~ I was greeted with ‘great’ news! My name is no where to be found in the accommodation list! GREAT!

I had to sleep in the EMERGENCY ROOM which is a messy confiscated TV room with 7 beds in it. It was messy and it was empty. Empty as in there’s no one there. Just me and my imaginary room mates. Boy, I was at the verge of breaking down! I left all my loved ones for THIS!!!

Butler Hall, the place where the Emergency Room was… The place where I spent my first 2 nights in UK.

Ok, I admit it. I broke down once I was all alone in the lifeless, cold and messy emergency room. I was tired and I was upset and I literally cried myself to sleep with a heart filled with self-pity. But it wasn’t over yet. UK was not done with letting me know how unwelcomed I was.

Sometime in the middle of the night, the alarm sounded. At first I didn’t know it was the fire alarm. Puzzled and frustrated I didn’t know what to do. I peeked out of the window and saw people running out in robes and pajamas and some were half naked. Having no idea what’s going on I blindly joined the group. It was freezing cold outside. Everyone was shivering while the school guards ran into to building to find the cause that led to the sounding of the alarm.

The alarm was turned off after some 10-15 minutes that felt like forever in the icy nighttime and the guards let us in through another entrance. I overheard somebody asking the guards about the alarm then it became obvious that it was the job of a prankster or pranksters! How unlucky could I be! Unfortunately they were not caught! I felt like I was down a shithole at that time…

Oh, did I mention that I got lost for awhile because they couldn’t let us in through the same door where we came out. The place is like a maze with countless doors and narrow hallways which only leads to more doors and more hallways…

Super tired as I was then I fell asleep once my head hit the pillow. I didn’t even have to strength to curse the stupid, heartless and thoughtless pranksters.

The conclusion of the day was UK really doesn’t like me and I don’t like her very much either!

18th January 2011

Normally the self-judging side of me will scream – EXCUSES! But not this time… In a harmonious resounding unison voice, every single part/mini character of me say that this time, it is a valid reason.

And so let me story begins –

August – started to  check out tuition fees for UOL external programme in various institutions. Was being advised to continue overseas via credit transfer. As it was very late, I had to submit my application to University of Hertfordshire before I could make a decision. But the decision was already made for me one way or another.

It was a sudden turning point which shook my life to the core. The ground was swept away from under my feet and my world began to shift and change. Everything was a mess in everyway imaginable.

Got the offer letter and the ball began to roll…

September – Had to wait for the University’s letter which contains my CAS number after paying fees deposit. Without it I would not be able to apply for my visa.

Got it on the 7th but the info on was wrong! It says my results in Year 2 LLB (Hons) is from Brickfields Asia College!!! Stupid mistake. Had to ask them to correct it and I waited another 3 days to get it.

Went to submit my visa application. Boy, it took forever just to submit it! Lots of people were there and I bet most of them are without an appointment. I had to be there for like half a day to get things done and I had an appointment. The wait was terrible!

After the wait in the building, there’s a longer wait ahead. And that’s for the visa to actually be done and ready for collection. The initial plan was to fly to UK on the 18th so that I’ll be in time for the orientation but thanks to the visa the plan was delayed till further notice. Which means I’ll have to leave once and get my visa and I don’t know when exactly it’s going to be. The situation sucked big time!

Meanwhile I have to pack my things in my room in Subang for it to be moved back to Ipoh for I will not be there to do it when tenancy terminates. Try to meet up with as many friends as possible which is a terrible failure because there’s too much to do and too little time.

To make things worst is all the mixed feeling jumbled up inside me. The efficient side of me want things done. When will my letter come? Why are they so inefficient? I must get my visa done. Why is it taking so long? etc etc… The reluctant side of me wishes things to be delays or for it to go wrong. The later the better. Please reject my visa application. Delay my flight please~

All in all the word that best describe September is – excruciating! The wait is excruciating! The feeling of being torn apart is excruciating! The turning point of my life is too sharp. So sharp that it pokes into my heart and the pain is excruciating!

Everything was such a mess and I felt too broken to fix things… This post may not make any sense. It only will to those close enough to know what I was going through then.

In such a time updating my blog is the last on my list… There too much for me to care about that I had none to spare for a lifeless and emotionless thing like my blog.

8th January 2011

In order not to break sequence of my achieve which is publicly displayed in the little side bar on the left to camouflage the little pause in my blog’s lifeline I’ll set the date back to 2010 while recording the actual date in the post itself. Hopefully I’ll be able to adjust it back to real time very soon.

I’ll try to write about the things that happened during the months that I have missed to keep the content and date relevant but this is not a promise as it will depend on how well my memory serves me.

With that, I declare that my blog will be up and going soon!

5th January 2011