For My Brother, Age 15

Hi Vincie! This is for you!

I miss playing PS2 games and watching Naruto with you.

I don't miss the Chinese lessons but that was just a short moment in our lives. 

Now that PMR is over, I think you're in a gleeful mood.

I know that you can achieve what you want if you want it, so reach beyond the stars.

I'll be calling you soon. Have fun turning and being 15.

Says your sister from across the seas.

Happy Birthday! :)

Robin

"Oh look, look!" My friend pulled me to the side and pointed at a bicycle stand. Perched on it was a brown bird with red plumage. "It's a robin." She said, "That means winter is coming."



I don't need a robin to inform me that winter is coming. I can feel it. Everybody can feel it. The evenings are chillier than usual; even my flatmates who are locals agree. Since three days ago the temperature seems to be dropping bit by bit; each time somewhat faster than I can adapt to the weather.



This is not my photo: Found it on Google.

I'm slightly pleased by the fact that it has not been raining so much, with occasional sunshine in the morning.

"Oh my, this year's winter is expected to be as bad as last year's." One of my flatmates told me as he read through the newspaper.

"So did you come here to experience the coldest winter ever, Rachael?" Another asked.

I thanked them for such 'comforting' news although it is scary to imagine myself locked up in my room with ten layers on me as I read a book beside the heater. If this is utterly freezing for me now then December would be hell (I'm using this because the paradox is amusing). The idea of a White Christmas is exciting (I can soon sing my favourite Christmas carol and mean it) but I certainly did not come to get frostbites.

Also, I used to feel a little sad that my flatmates would all probably go home for the Christmas holidays while I remain in Norwich. Now I'm certain that there are students who share my plight - I've met up with a bunch of Malaysians for an Asian dinner, most of which would be lingering around the area come winter.

Anyway, for my sake, it's probably best if I stop talking about the weather now since I'll be walking out the door soon.

PS. I've looked up on the 'robin' on the internet and it turns out that robins are around all year so the fact above might not be true.

And as the Years Go By

I'm starting to feel more comfortable here, thanks to once new faces who have become familiar with time. For one, it is unusual to see an empty kitchen in the evening. In fact, today was the first time and that was shocking. By night, however, there would always be a crowd sitting around the table.

There are also people from various societies and, though still few, course mates. Last night I watched 'Toy Story 3' with someone from the Creative Writing Society. If you don't already know, I love Pixar and think that they make the greatest animated films ever. After growing up with the first two movies, the sequel is a treat. Woody is my favourite character, by the way.

I'm glad that the humour is fresh and comes at moments you'd least expect it to. Then there are the moments which got straight to my soft heart, especially the ending. I found it strangely coincidental that while Andy (the owner of the toys) left for college, I'm in no different position myself.

So you might be thinking...did I just say I went to watch a movie? On a weekday? After two weeks in the UK? Now I shall mention that there is a huge poster in every kitchen listing down every event for the Autumn semester, from parties to movies and certain important events in the university. That's not including any events in the city centre.

I'm alright for now. No Fresher's Flu too!

Walking back on a rainy day.

And as the years go by

Our friendship will never die

You're gonna see

It's our destiny

You've got a friend in me

~You've Got a Friend in Me, Toy Story soundtrack~

Chicken Rice

Chicken Rice Meal

Look! I didn't blow up the kitchen!

After days and days of craving Malaysian food, I've whipped myself some chicken rice. I did need to go on several shopping trips before I could officially start experimenting with culinary art.

I think I did alright, especially with the chicken. The rice was a little wetter than usual; perhaps it's supposed to be that way? Oh well, at least it's edible and it smelt so good that, as it was cooking, my stomach rumbled.

Basically it's rice cooked with garlic, onion and chicken stock, steamed chicken and vegetables with soya sauce. All of which are on matching plates! There's Tropical Fruit Punch in my cup.

Home cooked meals would surely beat microwaved ones. Pre-made food are not exactly healthy. but for students how easy it is to only press some buttons to have hot food. Nonetheless, I'm trying to keep a balance - I can't keep eating packeted meals for the sole purpose of survival.

We live to eat, not the other way around. Don't you agree?

Cooking is not as tiring as washing up. I hope I have the willpower to cook my own meals again. It would help if scrubbing up everything is not necessary.

Fire Alarm!

First thing our lecturer asked us in our introductory lecture yesterday was this: "If someone asks you what the first thing that happened to you this morning is, what would you say?" It had something to do with context but that's not the point.

So WHAT happened first thing this morning?

The fire alarm went off. Not an unusual thing actually, because other accommodation have had their alarms blaring at them several times a week. That was how some people, unfortunately, first got to know their flatmates. In their pajamas and sleeping gowns, with hair frizzled and eyes drooped. Let's not forget that it is pretty cold here.

Thank goodness that was not the case for me.

Anyway, we stumbled out of bed the moment that alarm went off. At least we know that it works, and works well too. My first thought was, "Who didn't close their bathroom door when showering?!!" since we were warned that steam can set it off.

Residents of two houses were forced out of their beds onto the cold village street, all tired and definitely not at our best. Many must have been far away in Nod Land. Many just ran out in whatever they had on. I pity those who weren't in long trousers as even I was shivering. We're lucky it wasn't raining!

I think it's meant to be a fire drill. We were all out quickly, I suppose. And just as quickly, we raced back into the warmth of our flats.

My clock was set to 9am, an hour earlier than when it happened. This works as a wake up call too, since I can't go back to sleep, which is why I have time to sit here and update this blog.

Most Curious, Oddest, Most Interesting.

I like it when I stumble across something new and original that makes me stare and think, "Earth is the most curious, oddest and most interesting place in the universe."

There are always different things that unveil themselves with time. The same goes for this 'musician' who can play the famous 'Canon in D' on an object you'd never think of - a ruler. It's a good video to watch and enjoy this curious, odd, interesting place in the universe.


Speaking of discovering or stumbling over things, I went to the city centre yesterday on my own. Walking around a foreign place is fun, although it would have been better if I wasn't constrained by time.

And I realised that I'd taken out my SD card the night before so there was limited built-in memory in my camera. I suppose I can go back another day when I'm looking for my pots and pans. Or I can go back just for walking about! That would be fun.

As I walked through the market I found a shop selling Asian food products, and managed to get some soya sauce and oyster sauce. I'm going to have to start cooking soon but there's so much to do!

Fish and chips

For lunch, I had some fish and chips, and it tastes good especially with a little bit of vinegar. The portion for the chips is enormous though. I was stuffed with potatoes.

I miss Malaysian food. I'm starting to miss people back home now. Earth is curious, odd and interesting, but it's not like home.

That's the Way it is

Let it be established that I am glad I got these flatmates. They have personalities that stand out and are fun, wacky people to be with.

Unlike some other flats where there are certain individuals who lock themselves up in the room, we enjoy talking, eating and playing cards in our shared kitchen or on the floor in the corridor. That's besides playing outrageous pranks as well. It feels great when all of us are in a group, whether or not attending events.

I think we are pretty close now and it's only week one! That's a good indication, I hope. For some reason, I keep imagining that if 'Friends' had eight people instead of six, it might be interesting to allocate a character each.


A nice day at the Square



Apart from that, I am quite certain Norwich is not, as they claim, the "driest place in UK" because it has been raining almost everyday, if not drizzling, along with frost breaths of the wind. When I say almost, I mean one. That day was fantastic as the Square would accommodate students who are waiting for their next classes or socialising or having lunch.

Everyone relaxing at the steps while a band plays on

Around this area in the university are shops, restaurants, banks, career centres and union bars. I like that the university offers a lot of friendly services.

Single tree in the middle of a field.

On the way to and from the university, I would walk pass a huge field with a nice tree. I don't mind sneaking under the majestic shade and reading a book there some day.