HEYYY guys!! My internet connection is up!!! Alrighttt.
I'm doing alright. Didn't feel anything at all during the first two days. Everything felt surreal... didn't actually believe that I was in a foreign land living a totally different life. Well that's perhaps I'm still depending on others for directions (thank God for people with a good sense of direction. they're meant for people like me) and well, school hasn't started. I got a little more sense of reality when I had to rush around registering in the school and booking a bank appointment, etc. Went to shop for groceries today. Well, a little... bought fruits, yoghurt, pre-cooked dinner and lots of miscellaneous things. Oh, soap powder. I never shopped for these stuff before, and the brands are unfamiliar, so Jason and I took quite some time at Costcutters (a school mart) choosing stuff.
I'm so smart to have left my digicam cable at home! not that I've taken any pictures, but even if I do the pictures can't be loaded into the comp. I'm really really sorry guys... guess you'll be able to see the pictures only after I go back in like March. Quite unlikely that I'll be going back in Dec because tickets are running out quick and the prices are exorbitant -- 720 pounds for an SQ tic. For the rest of the cheaper airlines there aren't anymore tickets... so I'm really sorry but I guess I won't be able to go back after all.
Everything's good down here. I don't know why I don't feel anything in particular - not afraid, not stressed, not very excited... I'm just smoothing into everything here, thank God. Not much of a culture shock because the road system, signs and whatever are similar to that of Singapore's so it's pretty easy to follow, although I still get lost in school and in town. Haven't ventured into the village but I'll do that someday. Been touring around for 2 days now, and although they have different brands, shop names and all it feels the same, generally. Oh, and the weather.. it's really really cold here. I put on 4 layers and it's still really cold. Don't want to wear my thermal because you'll start sweating the minute you step indoors. I love my room - it's big enough to mess :) but anyway, the other Brits have decorated their rooms really really nicely. This girl has chinese lanterns hung all around her room, and this other girl has African-designed sheets draped over her wall and figures around the room... but mine's just simple and functional. Guess I don't really bother that much. As long as it's comfortable to work and sleep in I guess it's fine. Oh, the pillow is terrible, it's so soft your entire head sinks into it.
The Brits are generally quite nice and friendly. I mean, skin colour is an issue and this'll never change I guess, but they're much nicer than I thought. Of course, I still have apprehensions going up to them and talking to them but it's a barrier to be overcome. I discovered that if you try to fake a little Brit accent they're more willing to talk to you. Well because understanding what I'm trying to say is much easier I suppose... haha. But anyway, I've got nice housemates. All Brits and a Chinese from Beijing. Yeah I venture into their rooms and talk to them and all... but never held a conversation with them for more than 10-15 minutes. Everywhere I go I always remind myself, "must be thick-skinned. must be super enthu." because it does impress upon people that you're friendly and open. So I guess it's not that bad... the only thing I really dislike is the whole drinking thing. It's weird when you're the only asians stepping into a pub (on campus - different colleges have different bars) dominated by brits. was quite odd when 4 of us - me, Jason and 2 other HKers - sat by ourselves in one of the college bars. Oh well :)
Gotta go now.. do check this site for updates because I won't really have the time to email very often!! and tag yeah. ;)
