Working Life

To describe my working life, I have a lot to telllllllll.... When the time I accepted the job, I have calculated the expected expenses and the amount of the money I could save. The amount I could save is not that disappointing at least. At the very first beginning, I wished to save up to 1K every month. But now I should call it off.

To save money, I have to cook my lunch and dinner, TOGETHER. Cooking by myself can eliminate the hassle to go out to take away. Cooking by myself is not a problem as I was trained to become a professional 'chief' in the UK. My mom was so worried that I could be over exhausted and unbalanced in nutrition. But I do not really care anymore. It was only the way out of saving more money (Many of you may think it is too silly to do so).

Staying in my new room is of my satisfaction. Cheap rental, big room and staying single. Most importantly, I have nice housemates. The first day I met one of the housemates, he told me a lot about Christianity. It was a good thing to share our thoughts and views. I gained some knowledge how many Christians think about other religions. It was upset to me. I am also glad that another housemate shared his unhappiness about his work with me. I think it is a good thing that people share things with you. It makes you trustworthy.

Talking about my work, it was embarrassing in the first day. I sat in the office, flipping through the documents so that I have some rough ideas what the company does while waiting to be called. I almost fell asleep as I waited for 2 hours. By the way, sitting in the office with strangers was so awkward and uneasy. It was so hard to go through. I was assigned what to do later. To tell a truly embarrassing matter, I was caught playing Facebook. My boss suddenly appeared at my back and caught me. I thought 12 o clock is lunch time but actually 1 o clock is. Same situation happened on the next day. I was caught chatting with my brother in MSN Messenger.

In the office, I do not talk so much with others. I do not even know the half of the colleagues' names. I am just good with the Malay girl sitting next to me. I always make silly jokes with her until she is so 'beh tahan' me. As I am always be together with her, another colleague begins to make joke "Datang kerja sama-sama, balik rumah sama sama". It is quite sensitive to joke as the Malay colleague is a married woman.

I am kinda surprised that I still have the mood to do jogging even after I am back to Malaysia. Studying in the UK has really changed the way I live my life. I live in a healthier way of life now.

PS: Missing my UK Life

Job Searching

This week is my second week of working. Thinking back, it has been 2 weeks I was busy for job searching, online application and job interview. The first job I interviewed was PROPERTY AGENT. I have a basic idea what property agent is. Although it was not the type of job i was really looking for and I did not know so well the area of Kota Damansara, I told myself to go for the interview as I could gain precious interview experience. Luckily I had friend to go with me together. At least I was not nervous when I was lost in direction for times. I did not accept the job eventually by turning down the offer through email.

Soon, I had another job to interview. hahhaha. This time it was the job I had been desperately looking for - PROPERTY RESEARCHER or PROPERTY VALUER. Looking the profile of the company only I got to know it was a Malay company. Again, I invited the friend to go with me again since he was so free. I was quite satisfied with my interview performance, although it was not so impressive. It was just that I revealed so much things to the interviewers like my degree certificate recognition. Eventually, I was offered with the salary of 1.5K. Wow, it was surprising for me with the offer as I stated my expected salary to be 2.4k. The salary offered was no way I could accept. Asking them to increase to 1.7k was in vain. However, I do understand the reasons why they offer me such a price. I am not property graduate and I have no experience at all. It was already a bless that there was company accepting me.

It took me 2 days struggling whether I should work for the job. My first option was to work for the job so that I can gain the necessary experience which would be helpful for my Masters degree study. Option two would be working for quantity surveyor so that I could earn better income and save it for Masters degree study. Eventually, I chose the first option. The reason I did not continue my Masters degree is to gain necessary working experience to ensure I am capable and interested in this field. It would be helpful for me in my study later on. I really hope I did not make a wrong choice. Eventually I accepted the job.

Back to Malaysia

Back to Malaysia. First day is nothing but boring. It was terrible that I woke up 2 in the afternoon. It was so not me. Sitting in front of the computer is nothing but watching drama, chatting with friends and looking for new songs. In the UK, I planned for trips for almost every weekend. It is funny that my friend mentioned that I would probably have gone out whenever I am free in the stay in the UK. It sounded so sarcastic but true.

As I promised my brother to help him out in his dessert stall, it helped me out to pass the boring time. True but sad, now only I feel that doing business is not that simple and easy. Looking at how bad his business is today, I feel so bad for him. It is the first time I feel that way. I felt nothing when he talked about his business before I went to the UK. But this time is totally different. I really wish him luck. Now only I realise the story behind why he complains that my elder brother hardly helps him out in the stall. My elder would never understand the depression and worry when the business is doing bad.

Back to Malaysia, every of my coursemate is busy looking for jobs. I have no exception. Although today was the first day, I have started looking for job so that I would not be left behind. Before that, I never bother to look for jobs in Singapore. However, as I plan to do my Master Degree, I gonna find a work that can speed up my saving. Working in Malaysia with salary only RM2000 would not help me much for the saving. But of course I won’t be so obsessed in looking for jobs in Singapore. It all depends on my destiny and my luck.

Last Day in the UK

Finally, last day staying in the UK has arrived. Staying in the coach station with nothing to do but waiting for the coach to come is so meaningless. Every minute ticking is killing me slowly and softly. Recalling back, I have stayed in the UK for almost 4-month time. I believe I had fully utilised this 4-month stay, judging from numbers of trips I had been to and the MONEY I HAD SPENT.

After cooking my lunch, I went out to take a long walk in the area where I stayed. It was the time for me to reminisce those sweet and bitter memories. I went to the nearest park and I fell asleep. Sleeping in the park with no worries and under such windy and cold weather is no doubt relaxing. It would be my last to sit in a park. It would be very foolish to do so in Malaysia. You would never know when you would get sunburnt.

4-day stay in London was no doubt fun. It was so crazy that my friend and I went to the street where lots of sex shops, strip bars, gay and lesbian bars are situated. Wondering whether it was our luck, there was free entrance to a club. To our surprise, there were male strippers. From that moment, only I know it was a gay bar. We searched for other clubs which were free to enter. Some were free but nothing was so exciting inside and some places which may be interesting required entrance fees. It ended up we stayed in the gay bar watching the male strippers with their tiny underwear on. However, it was the night which I found totally different. It was a good experience to me before I go back to my religious country.

Portsmouth, a waterfront city. I enjoyed the trip although I went alone. However, to compare with the seaside cities I went before, I prefer Whitby. The only thing that makes Portsmouth so different is the historical dockyard with their astonishing cruises. I believe Portsmouth is where many rich people stay, judging for the numbers of yachts parking at bays. Of course it was killing me for the photo section as I had to keep asking the help for local people and tourists.

Soon, I will be leaving the UK, a lovely country with lovely people. My heart is full with reluctance. It is worse than the day I left my family. I could see that I fall so hard for the UK. I am so reluctant to leave those handsome guys and beautiful ladies here!!!! The clock is still ticking and I feel I am weakened in every second…. Oh gosh!!

Last Day in Sheffield

Today is the last day in Sheffield. Of course I am reluctant to leave. Although the period staying in Sheffield is short, there is a strong bond grown within my heart with this place - Nice and peaceful environment, friendly and helpful local people and lovely weather. I repeat myself my praising of Sheffield over and over again. To recall back, Sheffield is more peaceful than any other cities like Cardiff, Glasgow and Liverpool. Somehow, I feel secured walking in the city centre although it is late in night. Unfortunately, two friends of mine were robbed. I believe there are more than 2 cases of robbery among the summer course students. Guess they were so unlucky.

Last 2 night, I went to take photos with a group of friends near to Wheel of Sheffield. A group of drunken boys and girls passed us by. They scolded us bastard and said that we cannot be trusted. I guess what they mean is Chinese is untrustworthy. At that moment, I am sad but not angry at all. My other friends were so angry and complained. However, I agree with what they think about Chinese's trustworthiness. I really want to know how white people think about Chinese?

Yesterday, I did not attend the farewell party. Supposed I should be there to go for the announcement of winner of blogging competition. Anyway, I lost. When Andrew listed top 3 nominees, my friend called me to come to the party immediately. While i was preparing, he called again and gave me the bad news. I am disappointed. But later while I was facebook-ing, my friends told me the whole process. I do not know who told me the truth. One said there were only 3 participants. So I was in top 3. Shit! Another said I wasin top 3. Of course it would be happier to be in top 3 list. Anyway, I felt delighted with their supports during the announcement. I was the representative of Building Construction Management course. ^^

Counting Down the Days

Today is 8th September. There are still 3 days to go to leave Sheffield. After these 3 days, I will be going to Europe. Just now I read my friend's blog about his feeling. It is funny to find the sensible side of this friend. I am surprised, honestly. He wrote about the life staying in Sheffield, trips and missing of his home country especially the food - nasi lemak, fried rice, bak kut teh etc.

Today morning, we went to the University to take photos. We never really took any photos of the University. Even my mother is bothered for not showing her photos of the University. haha. We met our humorous and always-ask-why lecturer, Norman Watts. He was so gorgeous with his motorbike outfit on. He showed us his beautiful motorbike. We were so impressed with this extraordinary lecturer.

Some are busy preparing for their Europe trip procedure. Some are preparing to go back to home country. Some are preparing for their trips in the UK. There are some busy preparing for their examination. As for me, I am sitting in front of the computer doing nothing except listening and singing along. Today has been my second day doing the same thing. The only matter I should concern is to ship my luggage back to Malaysia. I guess it is the trouble of buying too excessive souvenirs - enjoy in the moment of buying them, headache in the moment of taking it back to home country.

Exam exam exam

Tomorrow is the day i sit for my examination. The last examination I would sit probably in my life. It took me one week to do the preparation and I think it is enough. Sitting only one paper is far less headache as I just have to concentrate at one module. However, as days go by, I find myself so tired. I take 2-hr nap at that study week. Before that, I hardly took any nap and felt energetic all the time. In another speaking, I find it more tedious to stay at the room all day long than to go for trips. I am getting weaker and weaker staying at my room. I miss my trips!!

While doing revision, I thought back the time my group members and I preparing for presentations. I start to miss the day even though it was suffering. The day was not really suffering but I felt more to dissatisfaction with group members. Then, I started to think the day we are about to go home separately in Kuala Lumpur International Airport. How would it be in the sense of reluctance? How would everbody react that moment? I know what I thought are craps. But I just can't help myself.

UK, I am Going to Leave You!!

Exam is on next Monday. As exam is near, it indicates that my time to stay in the UK is not left much anymore. I had gone through a 'hard' time in deciding which date to go back to Malaysia. It took me for almost a week. After a long consideration, I decided to go back earlier. It is on 30th September. Before that, I planned to stay for 2 weeks more after Europe trip. With the money left, I doubt that I can make it in 2-week time. It would be better to save the money left for my Master Degree in next year or 2 years later (It's not confirmed that I would take Master Degree). In fact, my friend who has just moved to London does not like my stay in his house for too long time.

These days except busying for revision, I am busy settling the matters of flight and coach ticket. I just have my bank account closed and the Europe money exchanged for Europe trip. I am thinking whether i would cry in the airport on the day of my flight. Guess I have grown a strong love for the UK. If I do not take Master Degree in the UK, it would take me long time to come back to the UK again. Going to the UK for holidays is not easy as i would need to accumulate 20k Ringgit Malaysia.

Why Chinese is so Bad in Service?

London trip is incredibly awesome. However, what I found it annoying is the service provided in Chinese Restaurant. We took our meals in Chinese restaurants in Chinatown for 2 days as my friends miss chinese food so much. In my first day experience, I saw a customer was scolded by the waitress for seating in a big table where there was another smaller table next by the table. I was surprised to see such scene and the customer did not look upset and bothered at all. At night, we had our dinner in another chinese restaurant. I felt not welcome by the waiters. All of them look bad as 'shit' like their parent just died yesterday. U know what I mean? The way the waiters served us were so annoying and rude like we were animal.

Maybe it was my first time to take meal in restaurant since in the United Kingdom. I should not be surprised with that. I am so impressed with English restaurant as the way they serve their customers are so welcoming and warm-hearted. I love the culture of English that they greet people with 'thank you' and 'hello' all the time. I bet they can say both word for hundred time in a day. Staying under such courteous environemnt for 3 months result to a change over in my attitude. I have learnt to thank people and express my appreciation. A simple word of appreciation can lighten up people's lives.

I always complain about how bad chinese people are with my friend. He teased me for looking down at chinese people as I am chinese too. But honestly, i am really ashamed with what chinese people do. There are many reasons for my saying.

Exam... No big deal

Exam is coming soon. 7th September. But i can't concentrate at all. My mind is full with thought of trip. Maybe I do not study and do revision for 7 month time and it could be a little uneasy to get back to it. Anyway, I got to strike for examination. My mom has paid so much money for my overseas study. Nobody would like to disappoint their parents!

Leeds

Leeds is so new to Sheffield and I only tookk a walk in the city at the end of the semester. Royal Armouries Museum, the iconic museum in Leeds. It was so fun to visit the Museum although visiting museum tends to be boring. But my friends were so bored and desperate to leave. ^^

London... What a Terrific City

As thing was pretty messed up, I decided to go to London earlier. My friend kept telling me to join others as it would be more fun rather than exploring the city alone. I felt sorry for disturbing my friends to book hostel and transportation at last minute. Appreciate that.

London... the most beautiful city I had ever been, followed by Edinburgh. In first day, I joined another gang from Penang to Madame Tussuad. That is the place I so wanted to go. This place is always so crowded with tourists I bet, even weekdays!

London, although it is a very hectic and crowded city, I feel so unbelievably amazing with the city. Love the historical and symbolic buildings - Buckingham Palace, Big Ben, and Westminster Abbey. We went to O2 and Arsenal Stadium as well. I remember when I was stunned to see the view in London Eye. It was so unbelievably amazing. I told myself that moment... I MUST GO TO LONDON again.

In the trip, we walked from destination to another destination in fast speed. We visited many places in one day shot. I was admired yet complained that my walking speed was too fast to catch. To my disappointment, riding London Eye did not give me a surprising feeling, as compared to the moment I viewed the scenery of London Eye from Westminster Bridge. I am amazed with the working of tube. Fast transporting, come on time and needless to wait for another if you have missed as another will come after 3 minutes. This is the symbolic icon of London. Paying GBP 5.60 was worthwhile.

Day 4 - Liverpool

Again, I brought the girls to places I had been to before - St Georges Hall, Liverpool Cathedral and Museum of Liverpool. I went to Metropolitan Cathedral where I did not go for the last trip in Liverpool. I brought them to shopping in Liverpool One. It was quite boring for me actually to shop at that moment. I set myself a limit not to spend over GBP 100 for the whole trip.

The 4-day trip was successful. Everyone was happy about the days. My friends said these 4 days were fully utilised. My friend said it would be worthy to rent a car for trip like this. He claimed that it would be cheaper. However, after the Scotland trip, I am scared to go trip by driving. There are a lot of hassle and bassle to rent a car. It is not easy to go trip by driving. In this trip, it cost us GBP 45 pounds for transportation ONLY!! Going Cardiff to and back does not cost that little actually. If you think back again where I stop before going to Cardiff and Liverpool, you would probably understand how I made the transportation fee to be 45 pounds. hehe. I felt a success for the trip as everything went as I planned.

Day 3 - Chester

Chester is a really beautiful town with rich history. There are a lot Chinese tourists in there. We went to Deva Roman Experience, Cathedral, Grosvenor Musuem and Roman Amphitheatre and Garden. Later, we went for Chestes Boat. It cost us GBP 10 for hiring a rowing boat. It was so fantastic!! We were given 45 minutes for the rowing. We went to Cheshire Oaks Outlet to shop. The girls had been desperate for this for weeks. However, they were surprised that not muc items attracted them. They said to me "Why English people do not have good sense in wearing?" However to me, I find them okay actually and I would buy many clothes if my mood for shopping was there. I actually like the style on how English wear. I stood so strongly in my position not to shop. ^^. My friend were so disappointed that she could not buy BURBERRY items. They were actually cheap but she found them not beautiful.

Back to Liverpool, I brought the girls to Albert Dock, Liverpool One and St. John Hall for photos and night view. Love the night view of Liverpool... It is always so splendid.

Day 2 - Cardiff

I did not bring them to places I planned such as Cardiff Bay Wetlands, Techniquest and Wales Millennium Centre. We took Cardiff Water Bus to the Cardiff Castle and it cost GBP 3 for single way.

We paid GBP 7.50 to enter Cardiff Castle. Again, this castle was fantastic like Warwick Castle, although there are more events in Warwick Castle. Not much to describe the castle, we took crazy photos. A duck went to us for food. My friend attracted it with food and grabbed it so hard with its neck. We took photos with hands holding it. At that moment, I did not feel right at all!! I always know English is protective with animals. English do whatever to protect and preserve them which I find it admiring. hahhaha. Not to my surprise, a staff came to us and warned us to be careful with the duck. I knew he warned us not to harm the animal, but in indirect and polite way :). We stopped in Birmingham and reached Liverpool at 11.55 pm.