Its time to get started with the real reason why I am in Sheffield..... Studying!!!!

Today is the first official day of class. Had 9am class on professional accounting skills which was rather short as it was just an introduction. Interestingly the professor just left us to find our own group members which he has already pre-allocated to us. My my... you should have seen the class the minute he left.

Lots of assignments already on the list. I think that I have paid quite a bit for my education here and it would only be fair if I put in the effort to make this a worth while. Will have to leave traveling to the end of the semester. Which I know lots of people will think its a shame but priorities have to be set right before I go back empty handed.

One thing I learned from today's skills workshop although the method of delivery is rather fascinating is the quote the professor use its not knowing the path but walking the path. Oh! how wise the words from the matrix show.

The real surprise was my corporate reporting lecturer who comes from Sri Lanka. Talk about globalisation....Joelle nopes too bad he doesn't look like Venkaad.

Well since yesterday I had no class had a short trip to The Moor which I have already been too but this time we saw Sheffield by riding the Freebee - Free City Center Bus. A nice change as we manage to get an overall picture of Sheffield and see how the roads were connected.

The few entertainment up ahead is the trip to Whitby and also the School parties. (Finance welcome party and Sheffield Summer Beach Party)

Ok enough said. Its time to get serious. Its going to be a daunting semester.

"Work hard now, play later" - Hopefully I will live to this motto and not play all round.

Mabel and Hui Bin occupants of Flat 30 =)

Quite enjoyed the church service I been to last week. Yes its made up of 80% Africans. I will be going to the Sheffield Chinese Church for their CG this Friday.

I have been to Netto which is less than 5 min walk from my flats and nearly 90% of the City Centre of Sheffield all thanks to Tesco. Couldn't find Sainbury's so thought maybe Tesco is nearer as almost everyone walking on the street has a Tesco plastic in hand.

The weather here is nice. All though is cold my clothes dry rather quick here. Good thing about this place is although you walk for hours you don't sweat therefore the clothes don't smell bad. =) A good thing I would say since we can only wash clothes once a week and also they have said that if we wash clothes in the toilets and it gets stucked we have to pay for th cost. I wonder how that happens since we wash clothes everyday back then in TARC.

Its really nice to just stroll down the street and see the buildings and scenery. Too bad I don't have DSLR. Would be lovely to just take pictures the whole day but glad that our course leader Peter McGregor reminded us on our purpose here.

Food here is not as expensive and there are good bargains on heinz soup, cereal, milk, cookies, biscuits and chips. Imagine getting 5 snickers for 1 pound. Even the rice here is not too expensive is 0.73 pounds for 1 Kg of rice. Can afford to even eat rice everyday.

Strangely, although it has been really cold the only part that I feel really cold is my face. Wind blows with vengence. Glad that so far my body has been taking the cold quite well and nope I am not covered with loads of clothes. There are many locals in more clothes than I am in.

I have walked around twice on my own as the police and the admin staff says is safe to walk around during the daylight. (Thank God that is day light from 4am to 11pm) anyhow I am not that crazy to walk late in the night. I follow Malaysia timing on that. Walking on my own I can see the city a little more.

Too bad can't take pictures of myself if not it would be great! =)

Going to make the most out of my stay here. Seeing, learning, and exploring. less than 150 Days in UK & Europe so every second and minute counts....but will have to slow down soon to concentrate on studies.

Have not been in the crazy picture taking mode so hardly got any pictures. Well see below for the few interesting ones...

Last Night's Dinner (tired and hungry we found shelter in Subway which is nearly on every street. 1.99 pounds and it taste good)
Digging in

Was wondering why everywhere I go I see the England flag then it only occur to me that they are supporters of the England football team. So patriotic!!!
Malaysians only put their flags up during Merdeka Day.

Wonder how this little pigeon end up on the road squashed dead

In a nutshell – the journey

After nearly more than 24 hours of traveling, I am finally in Sheffield. The flight from KLIA to Dubai was at 2am 12th June. Took about an hour plus to go to the airport, 7 hours to Dubai (not including the check in time and etc), reached Dubai at 4 something in the morning and left Dubai at 7.55am Dubai time. Took another 7 hours plus and reached Manchester at 12.32noon (UK time). It took quite a while at the immigration since we are non UK and EU passport holders and then we waited for our ride to Sheffield and another hour plus to reach Charlotte Court and another hour to be assigned to our rooms and finally my place to rest my head for the next few months. (Can’t tell you how much I appreciated seeing the bed, Heavenly!)

Our rides

Of course the ride to the airport was the best!!! =) The plane to Dubai was not too bad but was quite uncomfortable as I was woken up every few minutes by passengers walking up and down the aisle. I didn’t have any appetite to take the light snack that was offered as I had a very good dinner so I tried to sleep. My legs had little blood circulation on the plane but were much better on the ride to Manchester. Had two breakfasts I guess coz one followed Malaysian time and the other followed Dubai time. Watched 3 movies and a couple of tv shows on the plane. The service provided by the Emirates staff was good. Did everything to make our ride comfortable the flight to Sheffield however the pillow I brought from home was what makes my back feel much better in the 2nd flight. The 2nd flight faced water shortage according to the air-steward it’s their first time encountering such a thing. Too much eggs served in a day (not their fault I guess since it was breakfast meals) the best was the savoury snack at the last 2 hours of the flight. Tasted really good! (Lyn even ask for Jack Daniels on the flight though she just pointed to the bottle not knowing what she had just asked). We could watch the view from the pilot point and also from beneath the airplane. The plane has a forward and downward camera option. Awesome!! Shuttled bus to the Dubai airport was quite similar to the one in Manchester. The coach ride to Sheffield – Charlotte Court is like the bus rides in KL.

Dubai

According to the pilot the temperature was 34c. We thought we would feel hot but when we step down from the plane it was not hot at all. Smelled Dubai before being whisked away to Terminal 3 where we spent our hours taking pictures and seeing what the duty free area has to offer. It was a pretty crowded Terminal 3.

Manchester

View in Manchester is somewhat similar to those of PJ with the brick walls and etc. Felt probably the same way the Africans feel when they are in Malaysia. Everyone was staring at us at the immigration, standing at the airport, even on our coach ride. I encountered a very nice immigration officer which just stamped my passport and allowed me through not even looking at my banker’s draft. Some of my friend were unfortunate and had to undergo long questionings before being allowed across. Temperature 15c not too cold feels just like Camerons or Gentings.

Sheffield

Sheffield is a whole lot more scenic. Although I was rather tired I forced myself to take all the view from the coach. Sheep, cows, rivers, creeks, woods, hills, reminded me of the story books I have been reading that describe the country side. My mum would really love the view. The greenery never seem to end just acres and acres of land with nothing but greenery.

Charlotte Court

Just like the hostels in the movies. Pretty much like a budget hotel apartment. Had to climb 3 flights of stairs to reach my room! Thank God for friends. After the long journey we hardly had any strength left in us what more to carry our huge baggage that we brought. (Could not fit in the coach and they had to get 2 little vans to put in the excess baggage’s – which delayed our journey as well L) The staff in Charlotte Court obviously had a difficult time trying to sort our accommodation as many wanted to stay with friends but could not because the UK students are still around. The staffs however were pleasant in dealing with us. We were then left on our own.

The flat was ok. My unit in particular was quite filthy. I guess because we still had the UK students. Met them when we reached too tired to even talk to them we must have given them an impression that we are snobbish but we were actually breathless. The individual rooms and toilets are satisfactory. Cleaner than the hostel rooms you find in TARC hostel when you first arrive. However, the kitchen is in a total mess. Booze bottles around, stove covered with grease, fridge with lots of food stains everywhere, living room a mess! We decided that we are not going to do any cooking till its all clean. The aisle outside our rooms also not welcoming! The phone in the flat is spoiled. My toilet door looks as though someone punch it in the middle. The facilities in the flat however is all provided and rather equipped.

Did not get our sim cards as mentioned earlier so was rather disappointing as most of us wanted to call back home to tell our beloved anxious parents that we were safe. No internet connection just yet which was another blow as we were all looking forward to e-mail our loved ones. I resorted to just sending an SMS. Thank God my dad is one that thinks in advance and had already set the international roaming for me. Should have brought my digi prepaid as prepaid are automatically changed to international roaming and I would have used my credit to call home.

After unpacking which is 8pm already we of course were not aware of the time as if you look from outside the window you would have thought it was only 4pm. Sun was still up and shinning. Time to search for food! Most stores are close by now. (No more mamaks and night life)

Ask the grocery store owner whether we could find anywhere we could fill our growling stomachs and he was friendly and gave us some directions. Sorry we could not follow the directions given. The wind and temperature in Sheffield is much colder than Manchester. Steven reminded us that if we wanted to find any food we better hurry as our next bet would be KFC and it closest at 10pm. (Arghhh! All the way to Sheffield and my first UK meal …. KFC!!)

Beggars can’t be choosers right? So well KFC it is. There were no customers at KFC. We had a tough time finding what we wanted to order which certainly amused the KFC employees. Only two of them there at that time saw no one else. Steven decided pretty fast on what he wanted though. Nope no rice on the menu and definitely no jom jimat! I ordered Zinger Meal Set while the others odered two barrel sets and shared. My friends said the chicken taste much better here. My zinger burger was definitely bigger than the ones you find in Malaysia taste pretty much the same to me though. The 7up tasted different. The fries… Nice! NO CHILLY SAUCE only Ketchup! L A torture! People in UK don’t take chilly like we do back home. No Wi-fi connection in KFC. We thought we could get one here. Too bad will have to wait till we are connected by the hostel (hopefully today 13th June)

The walk back after the meal was really warm as the weather was so cold we huddled up together to keep warm. (SUMMER??) Well we will leave shopping and sightseeing for the next day. Everyone was pretty exhausted. I slept at 10.40pm which is 5 in the morning in Malaysia.

Still feels like we are in Malaysia though. Except for the cold weather… Doesn’t feel as though we are hundreds of miles away from home. Though that I would have a different sort of feeling apparently not.

Day 2

Up at 5 something in the morning. Dad called from home not realising the time differences its noon back home. Who cares about being woken up so early in the morning! I would rather have that then my sleep!!! Could hear mum scolding Dad at the back telling him that it was sleeping time here. She wanted Dad to quickly put the phone down but I wanted to talk.

Very much awake now! It was a very comfortable sleep as I brought my Dad’s sleeping bag which certainly made the sleep so comfortable and warm. Its 6 something here and I can hear my other Malaysian flatmates awake. Decided to write down before I forget. Will be going church later. Suppose to be going to Sheffield Chinese Church but since I can’t go online I am not sure how to go there. Belinda and Michelle Oo are in different blocks we can’t contact each other so I guess I will be going on my own to a nearby church which I saw along the way.

That’s enough for now...

The bags that could not enter followed the two vans
We arrived safe and sound in Manchester

Today is the final night at home. Tomorrow I will be flying off to the other side of the world. Didn't know packing could be quite tiring. Pulling and pressing.

Finally I finish packing my bag, left my hand carry for tomorrow. Not bad it took me only one day to pack my stuff for the 4 months that I will be away. (Spend the last few days getting my cards, tickets and other paperwork etc). My sis said I took more than enough clothes. I really hope so. Nevertheless if I didn't, I will get to go shopping with a good excuse ;)

Glad mum cook home cook food. A really good one too! Well I will have the whole day tomorrow to finish off whatever I have left to do and also to spend all the time back home. Have to say that the past two weeks has been quite bad as I have been having lots of good food and I am putting on weight :(

Mum brought back a little cute puppy today and its funny to hear all the names we came out for the pup. (Odie, Kernel, Scamper, Roscoe, Sparks but the best of all was what my little brother name it Cyrus - (Miley Cyrus). Goodness! I don't think we have come up with a conclusion for the little pup's name but well its a good addition to the family especially since I am leaving tomorrow. The pup will surely keep everyone busy.

My lil bro feeding the little pup as though its a baby

Going to enjoy my sleep in my bed now. Post up more picture of how I manage to fit a whole lot of things into the bag and other later.

My elder sister really has a hand in packing. Hehe!

Nights~!

22 years has passed. How insignificant life can be!

For all the hype in the past few years celebrating my birthday in college its a change to celebrate my birthday with my family. Back to the times before college when birthday's are family affairs.

My life for the past 22 years has been of one with ups and downs. Not coming from a very rich family but having lack nothing. Life is really what we want to see it as. Give a person all the riches in the world and that person may not be happy and take away everything from a person and that person can still be happy.

I have understand what it means to give even when I don't have. Its really easy to give when I have a lot but its really difficult to give when you don't really have much. Its through this pain by giving that it really shows how much you care for someone and that you have feelings you never thought you were capable of.

Never would I imagine that I would one day say that I really love home and that I am glad with what I have.

Looking back I can really say I have grown. I can confidently say that God's hand has been there for me all through and that without Him I would have never come thus far.

I have been blessed! The Family I have, the friends I have and also the circumstances in my life are all special and unique to me. Though I have not reached the point in life where I am old enough to say that I have fought the good fight and I have finish the race. I hope that I can now say that I am still not all I should be, but I am focusing all my energies on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead (Phil 3:13)

I am suppose to be excited right? I mean this is my first ever time going abroad there should be that feeling that gives you the adrenalin rush. I have waited so long before I get to this moment. It does feel funny though that I am going without my family. Definitely wasn't expecting this when I first thought of TARC. Was really 'gung ho' then. UK was the goal that kept me going in TARC for the 4 years although I have to say that I really enjoyed the moments in TARC.

My church mates facebook status is in anticipation of their new born's (can't believe so many of them pregnant together). My college mates status are filled with excitement of UK. My facebook inbox is flooded with messages not just from the University but my college mates on what to bring and discussions about UK. My CF friends who has already touch down in UK have already begin the frenzy photo sessions with the wonders of the white land.

Honestly, I don't know what to feel at this moment it will be one big step for me. (hey its my FIRST TIME k?) I will be staying away from home the longest time ever. My record away from home is 2 weeks this time round will be 20weeks and UK is 14 hours away from my lovely home.

Mum and my sis has been bugging me to pack my bag. Yeah I should get started the only thing I have done so far is coming up with the list. Well, I guess if I forget anything there is always the Supermarkets for me to go to.

God willing I will be backpacking Europe for a month with the CF geng. Totally adventurous! On one hand I want to do it but on the other I don't. Weird....

Will be packing Malaysian food over as my Malaysian Made Stomach does not go well with Western Cuisine. A little once in a while is alright but a few months I might have to be wheeled back to Malaysia. Don't worry I won't be like those soap operas where the person is sitting in their room with the home cooked food and sobbing away thinking of home.

BECAUSE... I am in the 21st Century where there is such a thing called Internet and Telecommunication. Will be close to home. =) Going to take this opportunity to discover myself even more. Grabbing every single moment in the UK that God has given to me and maximizing it to the fullest.

Only 4 months plus and I will be back home so I am going to ensure I have a fulfilling time in UK & Europe. Time to start packing and preparing....

I will Step Out!