I'm too lazy to finish all my posts in UK... Have moved back to my old blog! ^_^
Loves! <3
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
Monday, June 28, 2010
Solo trip Day 3
I'm back in OXFORD!
The weather was horrible (wet,windy,cold!) the previous time I came and I couldn't cover the entire area nor take good photos, so I've decided to come visit again to take more photos of this beautiful place. :)
I shouldn't have prayed too much that it won't be too windy because today was extremely hot! I got so tanned after being outside the whole day.
Arrived in Gloucester green bus station and the Oxford Backpackers Hostel was just less than 5mins' walk away. Left my luggage at the hostel, got a city map and started exploring.
I haven't eaten anything so I went to the covered market, bought a chicken cheese panini and hot chocolate for brunch. It was really delicious! There were a few stalls selling these same kinda Italian pastries and I randomly chose one. Turned out that this one was quite well-known and was featured on newspaper.
I didn't get to explore Christ Church, the largest college in Oxford the other time, so I headed straight there. There's the famous original Alice's shop in front of the entrance to Christ Church. They were selling all kinds of things related to Alice in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass in the shop.
I bought a very cute book "How to be a British" which is kind of a comic book humorously(sometimes sacarstically) describing the behaviour and traits of a real British. Haha.
Spent half an hour or so walking through the trails around the Christ Church meadows, boy! It was HUGE! There were people punting along the river, feeding ducks, pat toh-ing and also cute cows grazing on the meadows. The students are so lucky to be studying in that college.
Paid 4.50pounds to visit the interior of Christ Church and finally saw the FAMOUS HOGWARTS DINING HALL where HARRY POTTER WAS FILMED! It's smaller than what's shown in the movie(computer effect la) but nevertheless, grand!
I talked to one of the guides and found out that the students indeed sit down in that dining hall to have their dinner together every night. It's like buffet style and they're free to come and go anytime within the 2 hours dinner time frame. He even showed me their menu. Damn cool! These students so 好命, just need to focus on their studies since they'll be well fed by the college.
The sun was so hot my forehead became one shade darker. =.= But excellent light conditions for taking photos. I went around the town to snap more pictures of the different colleges. Went into Jesus college. So beautiful and very English as expected.
Then I went to Blackwell's music store to look for flute scores. One thing I really love about UK is one can find famous music scores so easily and at affordable prices. Was looking for Bizet's Habanera from Carmen but to no avail but bought the scores for Nutcracker instead!
Later the evening, I dined in some nice peaceful pub, had some British sausages for dinner. My iPhone went dead for no reason which was disastrous to me cuz I'm so so SO dependent on it. All my travel info, hostel/ coach booking references are stored in the phone and I'm so used to using the Internet on the go! So I had to go to a nearby Internet cafe to check some mails and record the info.
The hostel was so warm and stuffy after being heated up the whole night and it kinda smells cuz I was staying in a 14 mixed dorm. 都是臭男人的错！But I was so tired and manage to fall asleep effortlessly somehow......
The weather was horrible (wet,windy,cold!) the previous time I came and I couldn't cover the entire area nor take good photos, so I've decided to come visit again to take more photos of this beautiful place. :)
I shouldn't have prayed too much that it won't be too windy because today was extremely hot! I got so tanned after being outside the whole day.
Arrived in Gloucester green bus station and the Oxford Backpackers Hostel was just less than 5mins' walk away. Left my luggage at the hostel, got a city map and started exploring.
I haven't eaten anything so I went to the covered market, bought a chicken cheese panini and hot chocolate for brunch. It was really delicious! There were a few stalls selling these same kinda Italian pastries and I randomly chose one. Turned out that this one was quite well-known and was featured on newspaper.
I didn't get to explore Christ Church, the largest college in Oxford the other time, so I headed straight there. There's the famous original Alice's shop in front of the entrance to Christ Church. They were selling all kinds of things related to Alice in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass in the shop.
I bought a very cute book "How to be a British" which is kind of a comic book humorously(sometimes sacarstically) describing the behaviour and traits of a real British. Haha.
Spent half an hour or so walking through the trails around the Christ Church meadows, boy! It was HUGE! There were people punting along the river, feeding ducks, pat toh-ing and also cute cows grazing on the meadows. The students are so lucky to be studying in that college.
Paid 4.50pounds to visit the interior of Christ Church and finally saw the FAMOUS HOGWARTS DINING HALL where HARRY POTTER WAS FILMED! It's smaller than what's shown in the movie(computer effect la) but nevertheless, grand!
I talked to one of the guides and found out that the students indeed sit down in that dining hall to have their dinner together every night. It's like buffet style and they're free to come and go anytime within the 2 hours dinner time frame. He even showed me their menu. Damn cool! These students so 好命, just need to focus on their studies since they'll be well fed by the college.
The sun was so hot my forehead became one shade darker. =.= But excellent light conditions for taking photos. I went around the town to snap more pictures of the different colleges. Went into Jesus college. So beautiful and very English as expected.
Then I went to Blackwell's music store to look for flute scores. One thing I really love about UK is one can find famous music scores so easily and at affordable prices. Was looking for Bizet's Habanera from Carmen but to no avail but bought the scores for Nutcracker instead!
Later the evening, I dined in some nice peaceful pub, had some British sausages for dinner. My iPhone went dead for no reason which was disastrous to me cuz I'm so so SO dependent on it. All my travel info, hostel/ coach booking references are stored in the phone and I'm so used to using the Internet on the go! So I had to go to a nearby Internet cafe to check some mails and record the info.
The hostel was so warm and stuffy after being heated up the whole night and it kinda smells cuz I was staying in a 14 mixed dorm. 都是臭男人的错！But I was so tired and manage to fall asleep effortlessly somehow......
Sunday, June 27, 2010
Solo trip Day 2
A new friend found in Cambridge!
I had such a fulfilling time today and randomly made a new friend!
I arrived in Cambridge early morning and walked a MILLION mile to find the YHA hostel. Dumped my luggage there cuz obviously it was still early to check in. It Is commonplace for tourist to travel around Cambridge by bicycle... I should have researched on where to rent one. =.=
Went on to explore the historical city centre and grabbed myself a cuppa java chip ice blended on the way, from this shop called cambridge coffee club. It was good, better than starbucks!
Cambridge seem to be bigger than oxford cuz the different colleges are spreaded out much further apart from each other. I personally feel that oxford is prettier.
I went to the banks of river cam near Queen's college and there it is... the popular punting site, where many were rented punts/ rowing boats.
I found my way to King's college, probably the most beautiful and grand-looking college of Cambridge. Even though Trinity College is more popular and richer, its attractiveness wasn't reflected on the outside. I didn't pay the 10+pounds to enter Trinity as I did not wish to contribute further to its wealth. Haha.
As I was travelling alone, i yook very few photos with myself in it but King's College was so magnificient I just had to snap one with it! So I approached some Korean gals and asked them to help me take a picture.
As I continued walking, a gal suddenly approached me and asked if I was travelling alone. She was alone and had just arrived for the 2nd day so was quite lost and asked if we could walk around together.
This was how we acquainted and became friends! She's a Brazilian, really nice and friendly! We went on the punting tour on cambridge and gosh... I sure have become chao tahed!
It was really nice having a company for the day while we went sighttseeing and also accompanied her to buy some stuffs she needed to use in England.
I've walked the route between YHA hostel and city centre so many times my legs were breakig at the end of the day and I think I've become so familiar with the streets! (well part of it)Hahaha!
In the evening, we went back to our respective hostel to shower and rest before meeting up again for dinner at the Eagles' pub! The pub is famous because it used to be frequented by Watson and Crick and it was also the very place where they announced their discovery of the DNA structure! Well, very good ambience in the pub but food is just average.
It's so hard to bid goodbye, but I really hope to keep in contact with this new found friend. Afterall, it was such a super random encounter so I'm sure it's fate which brought us together to become more than just strangers. =)
It's a cooling night and this hostel's bed is clean and comfy so, good night Cambridge!
I had such a fulfilling time today and randomly made a new friend!
I arrived in Cambridge early morning and walked a MILLION mile to find the YHA hostel. Dumped my luggage there cuz obviously it was still early to check in. It Is commonplace for tourist to travel around Cambridge by bicycle... I should have researched on where to rent one. =.=
Went on to explore the historical city centre and grabbed myself a cuppa java chip ice blended on the way, from this shop called cambridge coffee club. It was good, better than starbucks!
Cambridge seem to be bigger than oxford cuz the different colleges are spreaded out much further apart from each other. I personally feel that oxford is prettier.
I went to the banks of river cam near Queen's college and there it is... the popular punting site, where many were rented punts/ rowing boats.
I found my way to King's college, probably the most beautiful and grand-looking college of Cambridge. Even though Trinity College is more popular and richer, its attractiveness wasn't reflected on the outside. I didn't pay the 10+pounds to enter Trinity as I did not wish to contribute further to its wealth. Haha.
As I was travelling alone, i yook very few photos with myself in it but King's College was so magnificient I just had to snap one with it! So I approached some Korean gals and asked them to help me take a picture.
As I continued walking, a gal suddenly approached me and asked if I was travelling alone. She was alone and had just arrived for the 2nd day so was quite lost and asked if we could walk around together.
This was how we acquainted and became friends! She's a Brazilian, really nice and friendly! We went on the punting tour on cambridge and gosh... I sure have become chao tahed!
It was really nice having a company for the day while we went sighttseeing and also accompanied her to buy some stuffs she needed to use in England.
I've walked the route between YHA hostel and city centre so many times my legs were breakig at the end of the day and I think I've become so familiar with the streets! (well part of it)Hahaha!
In the evening, we went back to our respective hostel to shower and rest before meeting up again for dinner at the Eagles' pub! The pub is famous because it used to be frequented by Watson and Crick and it was also the very place where they announced their discovery of the DNA structure! Well, very good ambience in the pub but food is just average.
It's so hard to bid goodbye, but I really hope to keep in contact with this new found friend. Afterall, it was such a super random encounter so I'm sure it's fate which brought us together to become more than just strangers. =)
It's a cooling night and this hostel's bed is clean and comfy so, good night Cambridge!
Saturday, June 26, 2010
Solo trip day 1
I was so tired after I reached London that I could hardly open my eyes! Went to Hyde park intending to take a stroll but fell asleep on a bench instead.
Walked over to Buckingham Palace at around 11.10am and there was already a huge crowd waiting to see the changing of guards which will start at 11.30am.
I've been to London several times and yet I haven't seen the whole changing of guards ceremony so I decided to witness it before leaving. However, it was just too pack and I couldn't see a shit after the guards marched from the street into the palace. Moreover I reckoned it would be quite similar to the changing of guard which I saw in Taipei's Sun yat sen memorial hall. So I left.
Went to Camden market cuz I read about this palm-reading master who had good testimonials for being accurate. Although it's my 2nd time visitng Camden market, I still got lost so much! Can't be blame right! Camden is so ultra huge and crowded.
Finally found the palmistry master, after making a few detours and circles, and had a 8minutes palm reading session for 10pounds. Surprisngly alot of things he said actually corresponded to what the Chinese palm reader told me when I had the reading in NTU.
Hmmm...
Travelled east to the canary wharf in the evening and sat by the canal. The place looked so similar to the esplanade bay where you can see bridges and several tall office buildings for banks etc.
Returned to the hostel which was a 4 female dorm and the other 2 gals were already asleep. Went to shower on the first floor but someone switched off my bathroom lights halfway when I was bathing!
I was surprised that I didn't scream.. Probably too tired to care so I just continued bathing in the dark. Not exaclty pitch black cuz the matted window allowed a little moonlight to shine in.
Walked over to Buckingham Palace at around 11.10am and there was already a huge crowd waiting to see the changing of guards which will start at 11.30am.
I've been to London several times and yet I haven't seen the whole changing of guards ceremony so I decided to witness it before leaving. However, it was just too pack and I couldn't see a shit after the guards marched from the street into the palace. Moreover I reckoned it would be quite similar to the changing of guard which I saw in Taipei's Sun yat sen memorial hall. So I left.
Went to Camden market cuz I read about this palm-reading master who had good testimonials for being accurate. Although it's my 2nd time visitng Camden market, I still got lost so much! Can't be blame right! Camden is so ultra huge and crowded.
Finally found the palmistry master, after making a few detours and circles, and had a 8minutes palm reading session for 10pounds. Surprisngly alot of things he said actually corresponded to what the Chinese palm reader told me when I had the reading in NTU.
Hmmm...
Travelled east to the canary wharf in the evening and sat by the canal. The place looked so similar to the esplanade bay where you can see bridges and several tall office buildings for banks etc.
Returned to the hostel which was a 4 female dorm and the other 2 gals were already asleep. Went to shower on the first floor but someone switched off my bathroom lights halfway when I was bathing!
I was surprised that I didn't scream.. Probably too tired to care so I just continued bathing in the dark. Not exaclty pitch black cuz the matted window allowed a little moonlight to shine in.
Solo trip day 1
I didn't sleep a wink last night, partly cuz lots of things have been going through my mind. Like I keep thinking back on the past half a year, how I've changed my thinking and grown to be more independent, how I'm starting to miss home etc. I couldn't sleep partly also because those crazy football fans are making so much noise downstairs after getting high on alcohol.
So here I am on the megabus on my way to London for the 4th time! =D
It's a super early ride supposed to depart Coventry canon park at 5.15am but it was 35mins late! Atrocious man!
Now as I look around, almost everyone is sleeping, some even had fluffy small pillows with them lol! Guess Im the only energetic one still blogging?!??! and munching hungrily on the sandwich I bought from Tesco before departing.
Lots of thoughts running through my mind yet again, as the bus drove through Coventry. I wonder if I'll ever get the chance to come back here to Coventry again. Afterall, it is not one city which tourists would specially visit.
Every now and then, I would remind myself how lucky I am to get the opportunity to come for an exchange in Warwick, and how fortunate I am to have parents and bf who were so supportive of me.
Travelling alone makes me more conscious of the surrounding happenings. It's a very special nice feeling. I just wanna treasure more of the last few days' time in England...
So here I am on the megabus on my way to London for the 4th time! =D
It's a super early ride supposed to depart Coventry canon park at 5.15am but it was 35mins late! Atrocious man!
Now as I look around, almost everyone is sleeping, some even had fluffy small pillows with them lol! Guess Im the only energetic one still blogging?!??! and munching hungrily on the sandwich I bought from Tesco before departing.
Lots of thoughts running through my mind yet again, as the bus drove through Coventry. I wonder if I'll ever get the chance to come back here to Coventry again. Afterall, it is not one city which tourists would specially visit.
Every now and then, I would remind myself how lucky I am to get the opportunity to come for an exchange in Warwick, and how fortunate I am to have parents and bf who were so supportive of me.
Travelling alone makes me more conscious of the surrounding happenings. It's a very special nice feeling. I just wanna treasure more of the last few days' time in England...
Been so busy the past whole week with research and packing up my room (cuz I'd to ship some of my things back to SG) that I didnt have the time to update blog.
Oh my, so much things that I wanna blog about so it'll be stored as part of my memories cuz I grow very forgetful easily. I need to preserve my memories. =(
Tomorrow, I mean later ...at 5.15am (crazy I know! but tt's the cheapest bus fare), I'll be taking megabus to London for a final travel before leaving England.
By now, most of my exchange friends have already gone home. The ones left either have their own plans or do not want to travel anymore. So I'll be making the trip to London, Cambridge, Oxford (again...cuz the other time it was raining and I didn't get to see everything!), back to London then Coventry.
Summer sales are everywhere so hopefully I'll have a fruitful shopping trip in London! Damn excited!
I also wanna catch Love Never Dies!!! It's a sequel to the Phantom of The Opera musical which is new and just opened this year in March 2010. I'm a die-hard fan of Phantom and wanna watch its sequel ASAP. Cuz if I were to wait till the musical make its tour to Singapore, it might be a number of years later. Even though I've heard alot of mixed reviews with respect to this musical, I still wanna see it for myself to judge its good and bad.
Alrighty, shall update after I'm back on campus. Well hopefully I have the time and don't feel lazy. Need to preserve my memories. Need to.
Oh my, so much things that I wanna blog about so it'll be stored as part of my memories cuz I grow very forgetful easily. I need to preserve my memories. =(
Tomorrow, I mean later ...at 5.15am (crazy I know! but tt's the cheapest bus fare), I'll be taking megabus to London for a final travel before leaving England.
By now, most of my exchange friends have already gone home. The ones left either have their own plans or do not want to travel anymore. So I'll be making the trip to London, Cambridge, Oxford (again...cuz the other time it was raining and I didn't get to see everything!), back to London then Coventry.
Summer sales are everywhere so hopefully I'll have a fruitful shopping trip in London! Damn excited!
I also wanna catch Love Never Dies!!! It's a sequel to the Phantom of The Opera musical which is new and just opened this year in March 2010. I'm a die-hard fan of Phantom and wanna watch its sequel ASAP. Cuz if I were to wait till the musical make its tour to Singapore, it might be a number of years later. Even though I've heard alot of mixed reviews with respect to this musical, I still wanna see it for myself to judge its good and bad.
Alrighty, shall update after I'm back on campus. Well hopefully I have the time and don't feel lazy. Need to preserve my memories. Need to.
Thursday, June 17, 2010
FRIGHT OF THE DAY!
I bought a packet of eggs from Costcutter on my way back to hall after lab cuz I was too lazy and tired to walk to Tesco.
For dinner, I made Herbal Chicken soup and was going to fry a mushroom omelette when all of a sudden...ARGGHHH! This is more horrifying than a horror film to me.
CAN U SEE THE FEATHERS STICKING OUT OF THE EGG!??!
This picture was taken AFTER I dumped the whole carton into the trash. I was happily frying the mushrooms with one hand, while the other reached for the carton and opened the cover. When I glanced around and saw these dubious thingy sticking out of the box/egg, I shrieked so loud I scared myself. -.-
Damn disgusting. A closer look at the eggs made me realised 2 had cracks on them and the others look dark and.....and...plain weird. I just had to throw them away! Just in case I crack one of the normal looking egg and there hatch a chick foetus or wadsoever, I would faint and never dare to eat eggs again.
Moral of the story: Open the cover and check your carton of eggs before buying.
(Like duh... research 烧坏我的脑...)
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
Apparently...
I was so surprised when she told me the campus actually had a nature reserve site where many people would take strolls and relax. So we transformed into explorers and discoverers (sounds so Dunmanites again =) to check out the place.
The duckies would miss the exchange students after we leave.
Scary scene! LOL!
Cute Pi-pi.
Wandered off into the nature reserve.
Love the reflection!!!
Sway with the wind!
Jennifer & I! ^^
After the nature walk, we went to TESCO (my fav) and bought groceries to cook dinner.
That's Bah Kut Teh soup, Tomato scrambled eggs, Broccoli & Salmon! ^^
Hungry girls. (^o^)
I wish I had more time to spend with the exchange friends...
Good times always come to an end.
Singapore is my home afterall.
EXAMS ARE OVER!
Even though I took only one paper this term, well I HAD my tough times ok. Struggling to cope with the adapting to life here and shortly after I settle down, attend lessons, I had to take 4 exams. Those days were stressful man. And I still dunno the results yet. Super efficient.
Just like any other Last-day-of-exams, I felt kinda lost and suddenly "goal-less" after I come out from the examination hall. No need to discipline myself to bind to the table to do last minute revision, lots of time to slack around, cook slowly, bathe slowly,walk slowly etc.
This reminded me of my last day of O levels, after P.Chem paper, me and the other girlfriends (think is Lauren & Xian... can't remember), we sat on the sofa outside Mrs Neo's general office, not knowing what to do or where to go even though we should be feeling excited that the major exam is finally over! I guess it's a mixed feelings that we had ba... Os over = secondary school life is history. Aww, the bitter-sweet memories.
And how did I even digress so much back into the good-O-times!
But well, after my last paper Polymer Chemistry (makes disgusted face).. I went straight to the library to discard, I mean return the books. Yeah, library books saved my ass cuz the lecture notes are haiz....
Then I met Jenn to explore the wildlife reserve in Warwick!
I was so surprised when she told me the campus actually had a nature reserve site where many people would take strolls and relax. So we transformed into explorers and discoverers (sounds so Dunmanites again =) to check out the place.
The duckies would miss the exchange students after we leave.
I doubt the locals feed them as much. LOL!
Scary scene! LOL!
My friend Christine is scared of birds and ducks' and those relatives species. I think she will faint if she had seen these giantic er...goose?
Cute Pi-pi.
Wandered off into the nature reserve.
At this point, I already don't know which part of the campus I'm at. Hahaha!
A group of Malay students, seen in a distance, picnic-ing on this big field. How nice!
Love the reflection!!!
Sway with the wind!
Jennifer & I! ^^
After the nature walk, we went to TESCO (my fav) and bought groceries to cook dinner.
That's Bah Kut Teh soup, Tomato scrambled eggs, Broccoli & Salmon! ^^
Hungry girls. (^o^)
I wish I had more time to spend with the exchange friends...
Good times always come to an end.
Singapore is my home afterall.
Friday, June 11, 2010
ICE CREAM IS MY GREATEST SIN!
Many of my friends and relatives have been commenting that I've become fat. LOL!
YES I HAVE.
BUT, I still dunno how much weight I have gained cuz I haven got the chance to weigh myself yet. Hopefully I wont give myself the shock of my life by hitting the number 5...(50kg) just within 6 months!
I find it so hard to curb my diet especially when ice cream is so cheap here. Just as I'm typing this entry, I'm having this whole tub of B&J's to myself! A 500ml tub only for 2.50pounds (~.5.20SGD) on promo!
The other day I also bought Magnum Almond ice-cream which was even more ridiculously cheap! 3 in a pack for just 99p! (~2.10SGD) WTH!
Actually come to think of it... TESCO is my life saviour... or rather every student's.
You can get all kinds of food there at low prices. Definitely made this 6 months of living in UK much easier and comfortable. Eating well. Over-nutrition.
If you were to compare the cost of living between Singapore and the UK, or at least England. Here's is much more affordable.
Say if an Englishman earns an average of over 2000+ pounds per month (according to my british friend, they do), which is comparatively the same as the amount Singaporeans could earn on avg per month in SGD, one could actually spend lesser on food, nice clothings and entertainment here as compared to in Singapore.
For example, some of the most ridiculously cheap buys one could find in TESCO:
15 eggs for 1.49pounds
7 chicken drumsticks for 1.53pounds
One big bag of mushrooms for 89pence
etc etc...
Nice clothings from NewLook/Topshop for maybe around 25pounds+ is considered reasonable (according to British friend)... whereas in Singapore you have to pay so much more for similar brands in SGD. I'm not considering the conversion rate if you get what I mean.
Ok, the whole idea is to bring out the high cost of living in Singapore and how I envy the ppl living here. It's quite a pointless post...getting nowhere... but it's my thoughts on my blog afterall.
HAHA. hmm....ice-cream overdose... Ciao~
Friday, June 4, 2010
I just had the most fucking-est bad day that I almost broke down and cry.
Sorry for the ultra crudeness...but I really need a platform to express my deepest unhappiness today.
...................................................................................................................................
I was gonna start blogging about what happen today but I'm really too tired. Reckoned that it might have been better if I use this "grumbling on blog time" to do something else that could cheer myself up.
Furthermore, as my blog is not private, it might be dangerous cuz wadever I'm gonna complain and criticize is related to 华威 大学。I'm not so stupid to be caught by some 教授 who happen to chance upon my blog and then sees it.
NOW, I'm gonna go grab a big piece of the chocolate gateau which I bought from tesco, cheer myself up a little before I start cooking a nice dinner.
Life's just full of ups and downs. I don't FML.
Sorry for the ultra crudeness...but I really need a platform to express my deepest unhappiness today.
...................................................................................................................................
I was gonna start blogging about what happen today but I'm really too tired. Reckoned that it might have been better if I use this "grumbling on blog time" to do something else that could cheer myself up.
Furthermore, as my blog is not private, it might be dangerous cuz wadever I'm gonna complain and criticize is related to 华威 大学。I'm not so stupid to be caught by some 教授 who happen to chance upon my blog and then sees it.
NOW, I'm gonna go grab a big piece of the chocolate gateau which I bought from tesco, cheer myself up a little before I start cooking a nice dinner.
Life's just full of ups and downs. I don't FML.
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
Research is getting so mundane...
I felt quite 气馁 today cuz my experimental results didn't seem to be too optimistic.
I'm sick and tired of running flash column chromatography cuz there isnt a single motor/ electric pump in the lab! We're only using manual squeeze pumps. Sounds like no big deal, but try doing that for 3 column in a row!
Squeezing the pump exerts my arm/shoulder muscles so much that it hurts my spine. SUCKS man.
或许以我的性格真的不适合做 research work.
Well... pray for the NMR results to be good and let me get my product soon!!!
I felt quite 气馁 today cuz my experimental results didn't seem to be too optimistic.
I'm sick and tired of running flash column chromatography cuz there isnt a single motor/ electric pump in the lab! We're only using manual squeeze pumps. Sounds like no big deal, but try doing that for 3 column in a row!
Squeezing the pump exerts my arm/shoulder muscles so much that it hurts my spine. SUCKS man.
或许以我的性格真的不适合做 research work.
Well... pray for the NMR results to be good and let me get my product soon!!!
Monday, May 31, 2010
Picnic by the Lake!
The term is coming to an end soon and one by one, many of the exchange friends are leaving Warwick to go home. ='(
Emily was leaving the next day so we had a last gathering with her to picnic by the lake.
Everyone brought along some snacks. Tadah!
Emily,Christine & I.
Somehow our food attracted a swamp of ducks and ducklings and we started feeding them with bread. It was cute at first but long after it started to smell bad cuz the duckies were poo poo-ing all over the place. Urgh. =/
I was so afraid that the duckies would bite the half-eaten apple which I was holding in my hands.
Ugly ducklings. Where's piyo-piyo!?!
Later, some of us walked around campus and explored some of the areas we haven't been to before. Unfortunately, the skies weren't that bright so no nice sunlight for perfect photos as it was drizzling earlier on.
There used to be a whole land full of yellow flower (think is rapeseed flowers) but apparently they have started wilting. No longer that yellow anymore. =(
Time flies...
DANDELIONS!
We played with dandelions, they're so pretty! Happy Me! ^^
and the girls started collecting flowers while we were walking along Lakeside.
Later on, I caught Alice in the Wonderland (I know I'm slow, better late than never! Haha!) with Charmaine at Warwick Arts Centre. We wanted to experience how the Warwick cinema feels like before we leave UK.
Turned out better than I expected! The cinema IS really cinema; with comfy seats, air-con, large screen and nice sound system. The best thing is...we paid only 3.50pounds for the movie! It was really enjoyable.
The cinema will even be screening Sex and The City in 2 weeks' time. Not bad eh.. but I've already watched it in oxford. Hehe =D
Saturday, May 29, 2010
Day trip to OXFORD!
Took the megabus from Canon Park Station which is just outside the campus, directly to Oxford Water Eaton station. Megabus is usually very on time and it departs/arrives at the stated timing. However, it was almost 25mins late behind schedule due to a major traffic held up on the highway.
Why? BECAUSE IT RAINED!
RAIN!!! Such spoiler to a day excursion! Don't be deceived by the 2 lovely pictures above, they're taken only after the sun came out in the late afternoon.
When I reached Oxford (which is an university town), it was already drizzling quite a bit and the skies were dark. HATE IT! Because it meant not enough sunlight---> ugly photos!
I felt lost for a moment after alighting from the bus but eventually followed the road signs and arrived at the tourist information centre to book a Official Oxford Walking tour for 2pm & bought a map. It kinda sucked cuz I arrived there at about 1.02pm and the 1pm tour had already started. Thanks to the traffic jam; thanks to the rain.
There were still some time before the tour so I walked around nearby and spotted BLACKWELL! It's well-known for its large collection of books, music and art pieces. It occupied the area of 9 shops! They sell very special things like medieval music, musical/opera audtion etc.
I browsed through some of the DVDs and there's so many which I wanted to buy! Mozart's Die Zauberflote (The Magic Flute), Tchaikovsky's Nutcracker, Shakespeare's Romeo&Julie. These are all classic performances!!..but pricey too. In the end I only bought Tchaikovsky's Swan Lake ballet DVD performed by Kirov Opera at St Petersburg!!! I really want to watch a russian live ballet performance someday. =]
Oh! The british royal ballet is performing Swan Lake in London from 9 -19 June, but I guess I probably have to give it a miss. =(
I walked further down the streets and randomly discovered... The bridge of Sighs!
Actual name is Hertford Bridge. No idea why it is called bridge of sighs but it's said to bear close resemblance of the bridge in Venice.
Sheldonian Theatre - sort of like the main hall for the collective colleges of Oxford university. Matriculation/ convocation ceremonies are held here.
This is just one of the many college courtyard.. forgot which college this was.. Haha. Way too many..
The buildings are actually residences of the students and also comprises of several college facilities. Such nice campus right... Lucky smart cookies..
Yup, this is not the famous dining hall scene in Harry Potter but Oxford are generally well known for their grand dining hall. This is for real. On scheduled nights, students will sit down together in this dining hall and enjoy a good meal. (They are fed by the college.. how nice.. dun need to go Tesco shop for groceries and slog over the stoves)
Duh...Oxford leh... Creme de la creme..
Perhaps Cambridge students could have their laundry done for them as well so they'd have more time to study. LOL. That's a total exaggeration. =X
The Divinity School - which is the filming scene for Hogwarts' hospital ward in Harry Potter.
The Divinity school is also the very first examination hall, whereby students are examined 1:1 by a professor or head of the college...whatever you call it in the past. The guide told us that each student was examined orally, whereby the examiner ask a question/ post a topic and the student have to talk and talk....and talk until the examiner thinks that the student has displayed deep knowledge of the topic. This could go on for THREE DAYS! Can u believe it!!! It's true... IN THE PAST!
This is probably the only place I took a photo with myself in at Oxford. Got some Asian uncle to help me take and this was the result.... -.-"
It's nice to have my full body in the pic.. but.. the focus should be on the Radcliffe Camera (the cool building at the background)!!!
I wasn't pleased with the photo but thanked him anyway cuz he and his family were nice people. =)
I walked around to take other photos and then randomly asked for a caucasian auntie to help me snap a photo with the Radcliffe Camera again since it's kinda like the landmark so I really wanna take a photo with it. Turns out much better after she kindly took 3 shots. Very friendly auntie too. Hehe. ^^
After going for the Bodleian Library Tour (covers Duke Humphrey Library and the Divinity School), it started to rain quite alot and totally dampens my mood. It was so hard to get around cuz the map was drenched. I couldnt make it in time to the Alice's shop and was too cold to head to the Thames river (where punting activities were), so I went to the Odeon cinema and bought a ticket to watch Sex and The City 2!
Luckily I'd checked out the timings before coming as a wet weather plan. Reached the cinema at 5pm, bought tickets from the patient lady who had a total miscomm with me, grabbed some southern fried chicken with chips at the Kebab shop opposite and went for the movie at 6pm. Perfect timing!
It would have been a totally enjoyable day out if not for the rain! I think I haven't seen all of Oxford yet. Hopefully can go back again.
I quite like travelling alone cuz it's always OTOT, no one to rush me and I can do whatever I like, EXCEPT for the fact that it's hard to take nice pictures with myself in it. LOL!
Friday, May 28, 2010
For the past week I've been in research lab cuz there's actually no more lessons for me to attend this term. Research has been well so far, FINALLY!...after so much confusion in trying to get me started with my project. =)
When I first started going to lab, I felt so lost. I wasn't given clear instructions as to what was expected of my work etc. If you're not a Chemistry student, you perhaps might not know the difference between an undergraduate teaching lab and a research lab.
So anyway, the research lab is so much more messy and dangerous-looking as compared to the teaching lab. It looks as if there'd been mad scientistSss working on some experiemnt using complicated setups & equipment. I've seen the research lab in NTU before so it's not that shocking to me when I started to work here. The point is! I was so unfamiliar with things I had to spend long time searching for apparatus and chemicals. NTU is definitely more organised...and NEW!
It's been one week though and I'm doing fine, I guess. =D The thought of doing Final Year Project instead of Industrial Attachment did cross my mind while I was working in the resarch lab. Hmm.. still too early to tell if I'm really suitable for that or not.
It is now exam period in school and every single soul seemed to be immensely busy with exam preparations except me (cuz' I had majority of my papers last term, when I was stress like shit. Still waiting for results which will only be released on 29/6. WTS. Pls lemme pass man...)
The more slack I am now, the more I feel out-of-place. My daily routine for the past 1-2 weeks after the Easter hols have been: sleeping till late, go lab do research, come back cook dinner, chase drama serials (direct translation from Mandarin)till late. I ought to be shot!
By right,I am not exactly THAT free cuz' I still have an exam to take on June 15! Polymer Chemistry and I haven't started reading a single bit! I skipped alot of the lecture due to exams last term cuz this is Year 2 module while I'm taking Year 3 modules last term. Aiyah. it's complicated.
Anyway, I'm going to Oxford tomorrow! I'm not gonna wait anymore. Everyone has different schedule or has been to different places. Just my luck. I'll go there alone then, cuz I really wanna see the place/ university. =)
Hope the weather will be good~
Last week when I went to London for Carmen, I thought I've teleported back to Singapore. Felt so warm even though it was only around 26degrees celcius & I was sweating in my room! Seriously can't imagine stepping out of the Changi airport basement carpark (to fetch my father's car probably) which would totally have me baked alive as if in an oven!
The news had reported, though, that last weekend was sort of like the hottest days for the whole year in UK and it was gonna get colder subsequently. True enough, these few days had been cool and windy again. ME LIKE IT~
Ok. Gonna sleep already. Nitez. ^^
When I first started going to lab, I felt so lost. I wasn't given clear instructions as to what was expected of my work etc. If you're not a Chemistry student, you perhaps might not know the difference between an undergraduate teaching lab and a research lab.
So anyway, the research lab is so much more messy and dangerous-looking as compared to the teaching lab. It looks as if there'd been mad scientistSss working on some experiemnt using complicated setups & equipment. I've seen the research lab in NTU before so it's not that shocking to me when I started to work here. The point is! I was so unfamiliar with things I had to spend long time searching for apparatus and chemicals. NTU is definitely more organised...and NEW!
It's been one week though and I'm doing fine, I guess. =D The thought of doing Final Year Project instead of Industrial Attachment did cross my mind while I was working in the resarch lab. Hmm.. still too early to tell if I'm really suitable for that or not.
It is now exam period in school and every single soul seemed to be immensely busy with exam preparations except me (cuz' I had majority of my papers last term, when I was stress like shit. Still waiting for results which will only be released on 29/6. WTS. Pls lemme pass man...)
The more slack I am now, the more I feel out-of-place. My daily routine for the past 1-2 weeks after the Easter hols have been: sleeping till late, go lab do research, come back cook dinner, chase drama serials (direct translation from Mandarin)till late. I ought to be shot!
By right,I am not exactly THAT free cuz' I still have an exam to take on June 15! Polymer Chemistry and I haven't started reading a single bit! I skipped alot of the lecture due to exams last term cuz this is Year 2 module while I'm taking Year 3 modules last term. Aiyah. it's complicated.
Anyway, I'm going to Oxford tomorrow! I'm not gonna wait anymore. Everyone has different schedule or has been to different places. Just my luck. I'll go there alone then, cuz I really wanna see the place/ university. =)
Hope the weather will be good~
Last week when I went to London for Carmen, I thought I've teleported back to Singapore. Felt so warm even though it was only around 26degrees celcius & I was sweating in my room! Seriously can't imagine stepping out of the Changi airport basement carpark (to fetch my father's car probably) which would totally have me baked alive as if in an oven!
The news had reported, though, that last weekend was sort of like the hottest days for the whole year in UK and it was gonna get colder subsequently. True enough, these few days had been cool and windy again. ME LIKE IT~
Ok. Gonna sleep already. Nitez. ^^
Monday, May 24, 2010
Carmen - 1st Opera held @ London O2 Arena!
I went to London alone over the weekend...
As crazy as it may seem, spending the time, money and effort to travel to London for the opera, I really wanted to watch the show cuz since a long time ago, I've been fascinated with CARMEN.
The music was FANTASTIC! Probably couldn't get any better cux it was conducted live by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra! Totally gave me the goosebumps when they played the songs and for that very instance, I felt it was all worth the trip!
(even though money-wise wasn't really worth it..hmm...)
CARMEN is the 1st opera to be held in the O2 arena, which usually holds concert performance by bands and popstars such as Lady Gaga, Black Eyed Peas etc.
The O2 Arena is at North Greenwich Station, all the way at the east of the city, while my hostel was at Kensal Green (North-west area).
There's so much disruption to the travel route because many of the tube lines are closed during weekends. That's one thing I loathe most about London. Damn it. Waste time, waste effort...
FINALLY! I was elated on seeing the signboard. ^-^
The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra!
The view from where I was sitting... not super fantastic/near but it was already a 60pounds-valued ticket. I got it for 33 pounds online though. Good thing.
The overall settings of the stage. It was intentionally shaped like a serpent. The arena was HUMONGOUS! I wonder what joy could the people sitting in the cheapest fare section get from watching at such a FAR distance.
Overall, the music was really really praiseworthy, but the fact that such live acting performance was held in a huge theatre like this actually ended up with poorer visual effects as compared to those regular theatre with a front stage. Cuz at the circular setup of the O2 arena, there'd be some point whereby the actor's back faces you and you wouldn't be able to admire the expressions essential to make you feel connected.
I enjoyed CARMEN very much, but still felt that Phantom of the Opera musical is the best so far! <3
SPECIALLY TO WATCH CARMEN THE OPERA!
As crazy as it may seem, spending the time, money and effort to travel to London for the opera, I really wanted to watch the show cuz since a long time ago, I've been fascinated with CARMEN.
The music was FANTASTIC! Probably couldn't get any better cux it was conducted live by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra! Totally gave me the goosebumps when they played the songs and for that very instance, I felt it was all worth the trip!
(even though money-wise wasn't really worth it..hmm...)
CARMEN is the 1st opera to be held in the O2 arena, which usually holds concert performance by bands and popstars such as Lady Gaga, Black Eyed Peas etc.
The O2 Arena is at North Greenwich Station, all the way at the east of the city, while my hostel was at Kensal Green (North-west area).
There's so much disruption to the travel route because many of the tube lines are closed during weekends. That's one thing I loathe most about London. Damn it. Waste time, waste effort...
FINALLY! I was elated on seeing the signboard. ^-^
The massive O2 Arena.
The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra!
The view from where I was sitting... not super fantastic/near but it was already a 60pounds-valued ticket. I got it for 33 pounds online though. Good thing.
The overall settings of the stage. It was intentionally shaped like a serpent. The arena was HUMONGOUS! I wonder what joy could the people sitting in the cheapest fare section get from watching at such a FAR distance.
Overall, the music was really really praiseworthy, but the fact that such live acting performance was held in a huge theatre like this actually ended up with poorer visual effects as compared to those regular theatre with a front stage. Cuz at the circular setup of the O2 arena, there'd be some point whereby the actor's back faces you and you wouldn't be able to admire the expressions essential to make you feel connected.
I enjoyed CARMEN very much, but still felt that Phantom of the Opera musical is the best so far! <3
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
HELP ME!
I think I'm ill...
I think I'm ill...
I can't STOP shopping!
I went to Coventry this afternoon, after lunch with the exchange friends, to run some errands and unknowingly came out from Primark with a huge bag of shopping loots. Everything seem so nice and must-buy, now that the summer clothings are out in store. Lovely!
My shopping loots of the day:
Cardigan - £11
Dress - £7.50
Romper - £9
Tee - £4
Tank top - £4
Shorts - £9
Handbag - £3 (UP: £7)
Shoes - £2!!! (UP: £4)
Jacket - £5 (UP: £11)
Talk about dirt-cheap when there's sales. OMG.
BUT... the trouble rises when it comes to packing my luggage back to Singapore. Shipping costs too if it's too heavy yeah.
I never knew I could be addicted to shopping in UK.
Somebody STOP ME!!!
Monday, May 17, 2010
Gosh, I realised I've been MIA from my blog for so long. LOL.
Well I guess partly because after I met up with BF, we're busy experiencing the joy of travelling, and also the travel plan disruption due to the volcanic ashes really kills my joy a little. I was rather affected by the sudden change in plan that got us stuck and spoilt our itinerary, that we've taken careful planning for.
Hostel reservation had to be cancelled, deposit forfeited, train tix rebooked, money wasted. BUT, at the end of the day when things finally goes well... WE ALL HEAVED A SIGH OF RELIF & afterall enjoyed the trip very much! ^^
I'm sure that when we looked back at how we overcame the problems that occurred during this trip in future, we'll all be laughing silly at our learning experience. =)
This 6-weeks' long Europe tour at one go would probably be a once-in-a-lifetime experience and I'm fotunate to be able to experience it. Some exchange students might have more time to travel far more places, but due to the nature of my course of study and its exam timetable, I couldn't do the same. BUT, I am already thankful for the chance to come on this exchange programme; for the chance to 大开眼界 & built many beautiful memories. =D
One and a half more months to stay in England before I finally head home. Time flies. How I wish I could stay till Decemeber to watch the first snow of this year. As much as I dislike going back to scorching hot sunny island, "tiny red dot" with strict rules, home is still where I belong, where my love ones are. Many of my exchange friends will be leaving Warwick much earlier, in June, but I still have one exam to take and gotta work for my research project which has been postponed for many weeks!
Basically this term 3, summer term, is a super slack one for me and I feel as if I'm still on holidays. Good or bad? I think I'm getting a little far too "nua" now. Gotta brace myself up and treasure the little time I have left in Warwick.
I went to the lab today to order chemicals needed for my research. Hopefully I will be able to start the experiment on Wednesday. =)
Well I guess partly because after I met up with BF, we're busy experiencing the joy of travelling, and also the travel plan disruption due to the volcanic ashes really kills my joy a little. I was rather affected by the sudden change in plan that got us stuck and spoilt our itinerary, that we've taken careful planning for.
Hostel reservation had to be cancelled, deposit forfeited, train tix rebooked, money wasted. BUT, at the end of the day when things finally goes well... WE ALL HEAVED A SIGH OF RELIF & afterall enjoyed the trip very much! ^^
I'm sure that when we looked back at how we overcame the problems that occurred during this trip in future, we'll all be laughing silly at our learning experience. =)
This 6-weeks' long Europe tour at one go would probably be a once-in-a-lifetime experience and I'm fotunate to be able to experience it. Some exchange students might have more time to travel far more places, but due to the nature of my course of study and its exam timetable, I couldn't do the same. BUT, I am already thankful for the chance to come on this exchange programme; for the chance to 大开眼界 & built many beautiful memories. =D
One and a half more months to stay in England before I finally head home. Time flies. How I wish I could stay till Decemeber to watch the first snow of this year. As much as I dislike going back to scorching hot sunny island, "tiny red dot" with strict rules, home is still where I belong, where my love ones are. Many of my exchange friends will be leaving Warwick much earlier, in June, but I still have one exam to take and gotta work for my research project which has been postponed for many weeks!
Basically this term 3, summer term, is a super slack one for me and I feel as if I'm still on holidays. Good or bad? I think I'm getting a little far too "nua" now. Gotta brace myself up and treasure the little time I have left in Warwick.
I went to the lab today to order chemicals needed for my research. Hopefully I will be able to start the experiment on Wednesday. =)
Thursday, April 22, 2010
Easter trip Day 34 - Nice to Barcelona
We've just checked in to a super budget €10pppn hostel(with the most atrocious shower ever) in Barcelona, gonna stay here for the night and continue out journey tml morning, 5hrs train ride from Barcelona to Seville. Will reach Seville only at 2pm. =(
I'm so sick of taking trains now, after today's freaking 14 hours journey from Nice to Barcelona. Haiz, so much time wasted. Really feel like teleporting to Seville right at this moment. But more practically, I'm going to sleep now lest I oversleep again tml morning!
I'm so sick of taking trains now, after today's freaking 14 hours journey from Nice to Barcelona. Haiz, so much time wasted. Really feel like teleporting to Seville right at this moment. But more practically, I'm going to sleep now lest I oversleep again tml morning!
Easter trip Day 34 - Nice to Barcelona
I can't believe this man. We actually overslept and woke up at 6.30am, exactly at the timing which our train departs! We missed the most important train that could restore the flow of the second part of our trip! FML.
We're now on the next earliest train but wouldn't be able to reach Seville on time by tonight. Will have to spend the night in Madrid before another 2 hrs train ride to Seville tml morning.
The most troubling matter is that our train reservation tix have become invalid. And we couldn't complete the journey in a day on our eurail pass = much more cost incurred. Damn pissed with ourselves.
法国人are super fucked up. Wake up your idea and stop thinking that your language is superior or international cuz it's not!
Haiz. Everything was going so well in the first part oft he trip with Denz they all, BEFORE THE STUPID VOLCANO ERUPTS! Totally screwed up our plans and left us running around making alternative plans for the trip.
On the 1st train now and only 3 hours have passed. 15more to go... How exciting......................
We're now on the next earliest train but wouldn't be able to reach Seville on time by tonight. Will have to spend the night in Madrid before another 2 hrs train ride to Seville tml morning.
The most troubling matter is that our train reservation tix have become invalid. And we couldn't complete the journey in a day on our eurail pass = much more cost incurred. Damn pissed with ourselves.
法国人are super fucked up. Wake up your idea and stop thinking that your language is superior or international cuz it's not!
Haiz. Everything was going so well in the first part oft he trip with Denz they all, BEFORE THE STUPID VOLCANO ERUPTS! Totally screwed up our plans and left us running around making alternative plans for the trip.
On the 1st train now and only 3 hours have passed. 15more to go... How exciting......................
Easter trip Day 33 - Nice, France.
Today is a super slack day. We cooked pasta for lunch and I went out to do a little shopping from H&M, before having dinner at out favourite chinese restaurant with the guys.
I'm lying on bed now.. Going to fall asleep soon. In 4 hrs' time, I'll be waking up to catch the train at 6.30am.
CS and I will be taking the train all the way from Nice to Seville, an 18hrs journey with 7 train changes! Sounds like a friggin troublesome process. Hopefully the seats are as comfortable as the ones on eurostar Tren Italia so we can all have a good sleep on it lol!
Will be meeting BF in exactly 24hours' time! Feeling so excited and pray hard that everything goes well. =D
Denz, Jus & Sean will be taking train back to Edinburgh too cuz their flight got cancelled. Ultimate suayness. If I'm not wrong their train journey is even longer, approximately 24 hours!
Hope everyone has a safe trip home and no more disruption to plans again!
I'm lying on bed now.. Going to fall asleep soon. In 4 hrs' time, I'll be waking up to catch the train at 6.30am.
CS and I will be taking the train all the way from Nice to Seville, an 18hrs journey with 7 train changes! Sounds like a friggin troublesome process. Hopefully the seats are as comfortable as the ones on eurostar Tren Italia so we can all have a good sleep on it lol!
Will be meeting BF in exactly 24hours' time! Feeling so excited and pray hard that everything goes well. =D
Denz, Jus & Sean will be taking train back to Edinburgh too cuz their flight got cancelled. Ultimate suayness. If I'm not wrong their train journey is even longer, approximately 24 hours!
Hope everyone has a safe trip home and no more disruption to plans again!
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