Remembered.

I haven't actually mentioned about my trip to the UK - how is that possible?

Well, I didn't expect anyone to be at the airport apart from my immediate family and a cousin. I'd already made the calls and said the goodbyes. On some occasions I became teary-eyed because I'm leaving so much behind. It's the first time I've ever been to a different country alone.

As we walked into the airport, there were aunts, uncles and cousins who came to send me off. Thank you for surprising me! It was a good sort of shock. We went to have a bite before they saw me off at the immigration. I wish I could upload the photos now but they are not with me now.

Today I've cleaned my room. And some things are over it again. I haven't decided where they should go. I feel this sudden need to decorate the room and make it seem less bare. That's before I remembered that all my craft materials are at home!!

Norwich Glimpses

Now that some things are done, I can now write a blogpost! My hands itched to type all through the time I've been here without proper internet connection. I haven't been taking a lot of photos lately because of the paperwork I'm obligated to do, but here are some shots of Norwich city centre.

It's very beautiful here. We were told that Norwich used to be second to London in terms of size and importance of trade (in wool) during medieval times. During the 19th century, it lost out and so not a lot of olden day architecture were demolished. It feels like an old English town caught in a time warp.


Norwich market place

I haven't walked by the market place yet, or done any walking for that matter. I had three awfully heavy grocery bags slicing my palms with their nasty plastic handles. I'll pay a proper visit next time. At least, even if I need some shopping done, I'll bring a lighter bag. It's the fifth best place to shop in the UK after all.

Norwich cathedral

The cathedral is a major landmark aside from the castle and churches. I think it should look lovely on the inside as well but that would be for another day.

Random Street

There are a lot of quaint little streets too. I bought a Sim card from that phone shop up there. I have to figure out how the Pay-As-You-Go works before I've an official phone number abroad.

The university has an open campus and it is huge. I'm getting used to the layout now, but there are still certain times when I find myself going around in circles. Going to the university by foot is not bad, very refreshing; walking back to the accommodation isn't. Especially since it's been raining since I've arrived. The wind blows towards me as I walk back..

Other than that, my room is still a little messy and my flatmates are nice people to be with. Culture shock is inevitable but everyone has been very considerate. I like all seven of them and I love it here. The verdict: I can survive here for three years for sure.

I'm going to need to find Malaysian food though. I'm craving Char Kuey Teow. And Chicken Rice. And Nasi Kandar.

My Wish...

I'm leaving soon... wish me luck. And I'll see you there. It'll be fast. Time will pass fast and soon I'll be back. And this is my wish.

I hope that days come easy and moments pass slow,

And each road leads you where you want to go,

And if you're faced with a choice, and you have to choose,

I hope you choose the one that means the most to you.

And if one door opens to another door closed,

I hope you keep on walkin' till you find the window,
If it's cold outside, show the world the warmth of your smile,

More than anything, more than anything,

My wish, for you, is that this life becomes all that you want it to,

Your dreams stay big, and your worries stay small,

You never need to carry more then you can hold,

And while you're out there getting where you're getting to,

I hope you know somebody loves you, and wants the same things too,

Yeah, this, is my wish.

~My Wish, by Rascal Flatts~

It's Official

I'm flying off on Thursday.

Everything is happening a little too fast now that my visa is finally ready.

And I'm scared - both in excited and sad ways. I hope I don't get emotional on that day.

And well, I'll update you guys through this blog, as much as I can.

I have shivers down my spine now. Why does it seem like there's so many things I have to do here?

Someone wake me up when September ends. Please.

I remember, I remember...

I'm looking back at all the photos I've taken so far. Normally, during events, I would be the one snapping away, as well as uploading them on network sites. Who's going to be the next unofficial family photographer?Hah! I hope there'll be photos for me to look at next year. 

The other Lum family

These were from several weeks back. There are many more photographs in the other camera which were taken recently. I'll miss being part of our mini photo shoot at the stairs. I think we should progress to the garden though. 


The usual cousins photo on the stairs

Then there's the Low family. Two of them are in Australia now, but we still had lunch together. Delicious Japanese meal! Thank you! I'll see you on Skype! Famous Five unite!

The Low family

The Brito family and MaMa (one of my grandmothers) also came by. It'll be a while before I get to see my three little nieces. Aren't they all pretty? Thank you for coming for a visit. *smiles*

The Brito family



MaMa

And here's the food from the Ramadhan bazaar some time back. It's making me salivate again. In case you do not know, the bazaar is popular during the Raya month. 

Food from the Pasar Ramadhan.

There will be more remembered moments soon. For now, I've some packing to do. How odd, packing everything into boxes and bags, as if erasing part of yourself from a sketch of your portrait. 







I'll miss you all

It is the end of the week. It is almost the end of the month. Soon I'll be flying off to UK. The idea of it hasn't exactly sunk into my system yet. Basically I am worried about my visa, which is "still being processed" as you read this.

I suppose the next thing I'll worry about would be my possessions. What to bring and what not to bring. I'm pretty sure within the first week of my departure, my sister will have used her imaginary leaf blower to, with a huff and a puff, blow my bed, furniture, books and anything I have to leave behind away. How comforting.

As for the flight itself, I'm not afraid of flying but it's going to be one long, dizzy ride. That aside, I'm fine.

Goodbyes are hard to go around when there are lots of family members. I know that I won't be able to meet all my friends either. I'll miss you guys very much.

I'll miss you all.

'Important Information'

"I want to tell you something important about going overseas." His face turned sombre. "To warn you."

That was the start of a conversation we had several months back. A prolonged silence ensued, leaving my thoughts taking wild guesses as to what it could be. No overspending? No shopping too much? Time management?

"OK... warn me." I said.

"Most girls, when they go overseas..." he paused. "...gain weight."

I quickly tapped the wooden table.

That's what my father said. He even stressed that cold weather makes people eat more and hide themselves in the warmth of their room without going anywhere.

But that view is subjective!! I'm vowing to be on my best dietary behaviour when I leave for university.

For now, however, I'm indulging in Malaysian food (or the more suitable term would be Asian food). I know I'll miss them sooner or later. If there's one thing Malaysians would agree on, it would be that we all love food. I realised that when meeting up means going to a restaurant for lunch or dinner or even desserts and when "Have you eaten?" in various languages is a common greeting.

Yesterday it was Korean; on several occasions it was Japanese; eating out would mean hawker stall favourites. And of course, home cooked meals are ranked the highest.

Suddenly everything tastes extra delicious.