With Experiences....

it comes with more compassion.. understanding.. empathy...

Is that true? Hmm.. from my own personal experiences, this is very true.. especially, with experiences that turn one upside down and downside up; shaken a little left and right, right and left; every bits of every thing! But of course, that is with one condition that is the willingness and openness to learn from every bit of experiences of life.. whether it is wrong or right, it doesn't really matter.. I love this phrase that I once heard..

"Life is 10% what happens to you and 90% of how you respond to it"

I thought that was so true.. Lets ponder... I am pondering!.. *wink*

Ol' English Weather..

Heheh.. now, I can understand why people in England talk about the weather so much.. coz it is so unpredictable!.. Just a while ago, I went out to the Uni Library and I wore my open sandals, hehee.. wow.. it is getting colder as the days go by.. serious.. I could feel it abit colder than yesterday.. Hmm.. that is English weather for you!..

Well, I used my pink bag with wheels to borrow some books just now.. hehehe.. very handy.. as I don't need to be burdened with the weight of books.. Gosh.. all finance books are so very da heavy!.. hehehe.. So funny though that I was wheeling the pink bag everywhere in the Campus.. hehehe.. with my open sandals.. Uniquely different!.. well, no one is doing it!..

And you know what, I am feeling hungry way too fast!.. oh.. wait a minute, of course I am hungry, I didn't have a proper lunch today.. hehehhe.. so doink!.. but honestly, the weather does make one hungry faster.. Hmmm.. lets see if I would put on weight or not.. Actually, even if I did, I wouldn't know coz I don't have a weighing scale to weigh myself.. unless it is really drastic kind of increase which I am not looking forward to.. hehehe.. So, lets hope it would not be so... Wouldn't want to turn into potato face!.. *smiling cheekily*

Abit dibit bored for bein in the room whole day...

hehe.. so came up with this idea of taking photos of my room's current state of condition.. it is getting messie.. hehehe.. well, mainly focusing on the study table, the washing basin area and the noticeboard (love this! I decorated it at 430am on one of the mornings..) It shows that someone who is full of life is living here!.. hehehe.. well, that is what I am aiming to do.. to lead a full life as much as possible..

Study table.. hehehe..

this is the washing basin area.. and notice the pink bag with wheels? my lifesaver, a little.. coz I don't need to carry heavy groceries but can use this to wheel them back.. yippee.. very vital!..

Yes!.. this is my favorite piece of art.. haha.. an amateur though.. hehehe.. but kinda fun! just pin here and there and voila.. a piece of masterpiece! hehe..

Potato shot!.. hehehe..

Finally, able to remember to snap a shot of a hot baked potato! hehehe.. it was yummy, with cottage cheese and cream... slurpp...

Of course, there are some other photos that I snapped along the way which is in the following..

• Birmingham Chinatown.. mainly..

• St John welcom lunch; Harborne; Fire Engine in house; Bday party!
  (these were taken way earlier.. and in the various occasions.. we had the Fire Engine came over bcoz someone was meddling with the smoke detector.. sigh.. poor firemen.. )

More Freebies that I collected on 24.09.08..

Hehe.. another snap shot of the freebies I collected at the recent freshers week at Uni.. aiyo.. so much to collect and well, the rest of pictures of different angles taken is in my facebook.. Click the following for more photos..

• More Freebies on Student Union Info Fair on 24.09.09

Where to begin?

Hmm.. have been thinking and thinking.. and thought it would be great to link all my facebook pictures to my bloggie of scribblings.. then, everyone, especially those without facebook could get access to all my pictures.. hehehe.. But I wonder where to begin.. Here goes.. Click on the album title to go to the respective album.. hehehe..

1. Freebies on 17.09.08 from different angles..
2. Mixture of photos.. 14.09.08 to 17.09.08
3. 1st Saturday in Birmingham City! Fantastic! Part One
4. 1st Saturday in Birmingham City! Fantastic! Part Two
5. Friday @ Light Night
6. City again!.. this time, Museum... and some clear sky...
7. Pictures of Harborne
8. Accommodation Pictures
9. Birmingham City - First snap shots 9th Sept 2008
10. First Few photos...

These are photos I have taken from the day I left home... anything before that.. well, they are also on my facebook which I did link them up in my previous scribblings.. Hope to start linking all my recent photos as I upload them to facebook... then, everyone get to look at them.. and remember me!.. hahaha.. Enjoy ya.. I know some of you, I have emailed the links..

There are some most recent ones which I haven't done any uploading yet.. hehehe.. will aim to do so soon.. Now, need to get back to reading and figuring my way out on Modern Theory of Finance.. oooh....

Ice-Cream and Me..

the small ice cream and the big ice cream...

Look at how I was enjoying this.. hehehe..

Yes.. I wanna put this up in my little bloggie.. Just love the ice cream here.. It couldn't be compared to what is back home.. I wonder what it would be like to have it during winter. Would definitely wanna try that out in the coming days when I have the chance!.. hehehe..

Oh well.. been having one each time I go down to City Centre lately.. that shows how I love it!.. think if I am sad, it will surely lighten me up in a jiffy!.. hehehe.. and I know where to get a bigger cone at the most reasonable price.. hehehe.. found the place!.. who knows? may even find another bigger cone later as I explore the city further.. hehehe..

This is one of the joys of my life!.. the other joy of my life is my little nephew whom I miss terribly much.. He will be growing up so fast.. Well, I am glad that I spent as much I could with him when I was still at home.. *smile*...

Getting lazy... getting hardworking..

hehe.. what a contradiction eh? well.. getting lazy to do some stuff and yet getting more hardworking to do other stuff.. coz I have many things to do.. hehehe.. partly, have to prepare my meals as it is more cost saving to do so.. and I can't be lazy on this else, will be hungry!.. hehe.. So, this one, I got to be hardworking.. this is one example out of many..

So, what is the thing that I am getting lazy to do.. i.e. to fb-ing.. and also blogging.. especially fb-ing.. I know I can't be lazy in blogging else, I would be out of touch with my fellow friends back home.. or rather, they would be out of touch with me.. Hehe..

Anyway, today, I did so many stuff.. went for an open day of a recruitment agency and to see if I could find a part time job.. then, went shopping.. for some mee-sua.. and some essential stuffs.. Also, went window shopping, on my own.. Thought it would be interesting to just wonder around in the city among so many people.. Yup.. seriously, there were lots of people in the city today and they were really into shopping and shopping..

An experience that I had today was to figure out my size for pants and even blouses.. hehehe.. so, I tried so many.. coz not used to the UK size as well as.. also found out that they have different length of pants too!.. wow.. so not like Malaysia.. Also, also.. the size of shoes is also different here.. hehehe.. I had an interesting time figuring these things out.. hehehe..

I had my ice cream again!.. so yummy.. Oh ya.. I haven't posted up my ice cream photo.. hehehe.. this is good stuff!.. Will do that in my next scribbling.. hehehe.. I have been having ice cream each time I come to the city centre.. hehe.. Just love it!.. so yummy yum!..

Hmmm.. tomorrow, gonna visit another church.. think that would be interesting.. oops.. I am yawning now.. time to take some rest after a long day.. hehehe...... good night.....

Student life.. enjoyment? hardwork?

Hmm.. think everyone has their own preference of this.. and this time round, I hope mine would be one that is balanced with enjoyment and hardwork.. smart work rather.. Would like and hope to learn as much as well as to see as much too.. See what? see the places.. see the different facets of life.. Being away has given me the time off to think and to reflect in such different ways.. Guess that is good for the soul..

Yet, of course, many would say they would love to do so and not able to due to responsibilities and many other reasons.. valid reasons, of course.. That is life.. and all of us just have different route to go and travel on.. Not sure where mine would lead to as yet, I am just walking, stopping to smell the flowers at this juncture of life.. I am off to another route as it were.. already?.. maybe.. I am not too sure.. but it is truly fun to be where I am now.. to learn.. to meet people..

Hope to make and keep some good friends along the way.. It is just 3 weeks and we shall see what develops in the days to come.. I am asking.. I am hoping.. and the thing I could do is to take baby steps,... it is comforting to know that time is not in my hands but in God's.. Hmm.. who knows? maybe pick up my mandarin? especially with at least two friends from China whom I am clicking with.. pick up German? hehe.. really do not know.. shall wait and see..

well.. I am off again.. need to get ready for classes for the week..

Ever feel this??

hehehe.. I have been scribbling many and I just realised that I think I don't remember whether I have scribbled certain things before or not.. Ehhh... how? hehehe.. hope I didn't repeat myself like a broken tape-recorder oh.. But I guess, even if I do repeat, my approach of scribbling could very well be different.. it could come from a different angle, perhaps.. hehehe.. Ah.. just take it as an additional reminder for myself and for everyone who read it..

And that is COOLLest........ *wink*

Comparison...

Eh... it just dawned unto me that it is very tiring when making comparison with others.. but it is so easy to fall into such trap of comparing self with others.. goodness me.. I have to put a "HALT" sign to my face! Thank God that was done in time, else, I would be travelling down the road to disaster.. The warning sign that I had is that I was feeling tired and tired... this simply won't do.. but am glad that I snapped out of it..

But just imagine, going through life, always comparing self with others.. Hmm... Something not right somewhere, I would think.. God has made everyone of us differently, uniquely different.. and that is something truly precious.. So, why compare with others? Hehehe.. is it out of "envy"? "greed"? Hmmm.. or just plainly not contented with who we are... ? wow.. this is serious stuff..

Well, there is this verse in the Bible where Jesus was talking to Peter, "... what is that to you?..." (John 21:22) when Peter asked, "But Lord, what about this man?" (John 21:21).. Isn't it obvious that Peter was comparing and Jesus asked him back, what is that to you?... Oops.. Anyway, it means quite clearly to me that Jesus said not to compare!.. This verse is very dear to me and a constant reminder to me not to compare especially when the temptation comes.. It will come.. coz the tendency is there to compare.. I am just scribbling out of honesty of what is really within me.. I would be lying if I say I am not tempted to compare myself with others.. Alot of times even, I naturally compared with others and only realised that I did that after a second thought or even after third or fourth thoughts.. hehe.. and I would be.. "oops.. I did it again!".. Do you ever feel that? I know I have.. zillion times.. hehehe.. that shows that I am very much human and well.. am and will always be on the learning mode.. realising stuff, discovering.. Ah.. that is part of life!.. hehehe.. or rather that is Life!.. always learning..

Well.. I have entered the third week of the new chapter of my life.. officially.. hahaha.. next week onwards, the study gear has to be moved up as there would be lectures to attend, tutor to meet, etc etc... Here goes Vivien... hehehehe....... zooooooom.............

Freebies... what are those?

I just simply wanna post this up here.. for the fun of it.. I have taken many photos of them yesterday.. hehehe... more angles in facebook photo album!.. hehehehe... I gotten all these from the information fair on 17.09.08... real fun.. I really like the green and orange furry cutey.. hehehhe.. it helps to decor my room now.. hahaha..

Birmingham City University...

This is where I will be for the coming months.. minimum 6 months.. thereafter? we shall see what happens then.. so, what is ahead of me during this minimum 6 months? Hmm.. till now, I still do not really know except that I have lectures to attend, books to read, tutors to meet, assignments to do, a dissertation to write.. all rather academically, I would say.. Other than that, well... I really do not know except to trust in God's guidance and His provision.. I pray and hope that I would be able to walk with the Lord's Word being a lamp to my feet and a light to my path (Psalm 119:105).

Timely spoken, Hebrews 11:1 was shared at last Sunday in church.. that says.. "Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen"... I am going by faith... with much hope in God.. walking the little steps that I know and trusting Him to know the bigger picture ahead.. hehehe.. so exciting!..

Even as I am here in Birmingham, I also heard much things taking place back home, about friends and even about the political arena.. and I thought to myself, well, all of us need to be strengthened in God at all times.. to press on! in spite of circumstances.. The vitality of being strengthened in God.. the importance of seeking God, spending time with Him... to live out this one life that He has given me, given us to the fullnest as it were.. for we never know what is going to take place.. truly, we do not know.. live a day each time!.. live the present, make the best out of what we know with His prompting and leading.. and with much much hope of what is ahead that He has installed for me, for us..

Last Sunday's sermon was about knowing our destiny.. I thought that was really a timely sermon for me.. and it talked about two things.. Identity and Purpose.. Our identity in Christ and His purpose for us to do different things... It is our choice all the way whether we agree with God based on His Word and His promises.. wonder you would have caught what I have caught as I scribble about this.. Hmm.. think each of us really have different journey to walk, run.. but the main THING is still the same.. fixing our eyes on Jesus, seeking Him... trusting in His Words, knowing what He said and keep holding on to it in ALL situations and circumstances..

I just thought I want to leave my scribbling with this note above.. somehow, felt that on and off, we all need reminders.. He is constantly reminding me as well.. especially so when now, I am in a new country, meeting new people.. What is my choice.. Hmm.. I know what my choice is.. wonder do you? I pray you do!.. Lets all be again strengthened in the Lord!.. His hands are extended to all who choose Him!.. that is how Great He is... and how much He loves us, each and everyone of us... *smile comfy-ly and assuredly*

Comfy.. Is it important?

Hehe.. just felt led to scribble about this.. the comfy feeling.. hehehe.. I think it is important to have a comfy place to go back to.. and to me, having plenty of pillows adds to the comfy feeling!.. and that was what I did to my new place of stay.. hehe.. it is getting there now.. actually, it is already there.. I am able to just rest and sleep well.. and I know the Lord's presence is with me..

*yawn*... need to get back to bed soon.. as there is another session of orientation in a couple of hours.. hehee.. meeting my faculty people.. and I think that would be interesting.. also, able to meet my fellow coursemates.. already knew a few.. and there are some malaysians around, I think.. hehe..

well... I am going to dreamland again.. love to be able to just sleep away.. good night...

"Between the Lines.. "

Remember tat I mentioned that I went for a performance last Sunday evening in the city? Well, here is the flyer as well as some other stuff.. I found it to be very good.. I thoroughly enjoyed myself and I would say that it gave me a wonderful memory of the library which is superb.. I didn't take any photos during the performance but they are all in my memory bank.. hehehe..

And God is so good.. remember I mentioned that I was praying for safety and all..? well, when I was coming back to my accommodation place, I didn't require to walk that a distance after all as I hopped into another bus that stopped much nearer to my accommodation place.. hehehe.. Thank You Lord! He knows my every need..

Coming back to the performance.. I found it to be humorous and fun.. the actors and actresses are really good at their piece of work.. excellent piece.. and it just warmed my heart as I walk in the library.. Library is definitely my kind of place to be in.. with books and books.. I love it!.. *wink*...

Having Fun!..

Today is the first day of Orientation at the Uni.. goodness me, the long queue for registration was crazY! but it was kinda fun.. to observe and to see what were taking place.. The feel of becoming student again is pretty cool.. just enjoying the moments.. So, you can call it a Fun moment!.. hehehe.. well, before the lectures starts with plenty of reading and studying..

Though in UK but the feel is more Asian-ised... coz just way lots of students from Africa, China, India and some from Malaysia.. wonder they have any Singaporeans? I know they have some from Thailand.. Hmm.. very interesting to see this phenomenon.. to be part of it as well..

And I have more friends from China and Africa now!.. hehehe.. in fact, they would be my very first few friends from these countries.. and I think my "Pu-Tong-Hua" would improve much.. hehehe.. Never really thought about this.. and yet this is happening.. Anyway, shall just go along and see what happens next.. Oh yes.. got to know a girl from Taiwan too!.. at a place which I never really thought I would be connected to someone and yet it did!.. Hmm..

Having scribble all this.. there is this deep desire still.. for a local church where I could just be part of.. Hmm... praying and waiting upon the Lord...

Orientation starting tomorrow...

Before I know it, orientation is starting tomorrow in the Uni.. A week has passed and things are getting more and more REAL.. hehehe... Why real? Hmm.. don't know.. just felt that is the right word to use..

Even as I scribble now, I am wondering to myself.. Am I ready for orientation? hehe.. how to be ready for it? Is there such a thing? Hmm.. I wonder and wonder.. Kay then, think I have been thinking a little more than usual, as usual.. Should just take one step at a time, each day at a time.. not easy though coz I automatically go into the mode of planning so easily .. tsk.. tsk.. and too quickly some times.. or is it most times?

Tonight, will have a good sleep and then wake up fresh for tomorrow and the week ahead!.. :D That would be the best plan I could think of!.. hehehe..

Which church??

Hmm.. this is a rather tough question to answer, I finally and actually realise today even as I was seated in a church this morning.. Somehow, it just heavily dawned unto me that it isn't easy to settle in a church so quickly and yet it is needful.. Hmm.. In that sense, the urgency is there and yet, I just wanna hear what the Lord is saying to me, even as I ponder and reflect on these thoughts that I have at this hour..

Odd isn't it and yet, this is the very thought that I have today and it does feel abit heavy, ya.. maybe, reality is getting there to set in that I am really very far away from home, church, family and friends.. Wow.. it is definitely true, oh.. well, that is a thought!.. hehe.. I am just being honest about it..

Kay.. this evening, going for a performance in the city, something I just wanted to go for.. supposedly with a new friend but last minute, she backs out.. so, looks like it is going to be me alone.. Perhaps it is time to walk the place on my own since I didn't really have the chance of doing so, the past few days.. I do pray for protection and that each step I would be taking are all well prepared for and angels have been sent before me, to prepare the way.. this evening would be an interesting adventure too, I am sure..

Hmm.. coming back to the church... I really hope and pray that I would know deep down which one to settle into.. Do remember me in prayers ya.. hehhe.. this girl is excited about what is to come in the days to come.. May the Lord's strength be with her as she ventures.. explores.. Do pray, ya.. *wink*

Technically wrong??

Think.. something is technically wrong with blogspot today.. Been getting some discrepancies even as I scribble away.. well, really hope that they will sort it out real soon else, people would get real confused!.. rather, I am already confused!..

Wonder this scribbling would appear on the first page.. coz I realised that my earlier scribbling didn't appear at all.. unless I click on the specific months and etc.. so strange.. Hmm..... think it is a technical error.. possibly.. I am guessing.. hehehe.. Lets hope it would be fixed soon!..

Beautiful Sky..

Strange enough and yet true.. I managed to capture a shot of such beautiful sky in Birmingham on a sunny day yesterday!.. Never really done this before, ever, back home in Malaysia.. Guess, you could say that things just somehow are different when you are in a different country.. I realise that much even as I see things and observe people and sense the environment and all. Somehow, things that I never really notice before, I am beginning to notice more of them as I am in this new land and that puts me into wonder.. hmm.. do we have that back home? hehe.. it could have been there all the while but I never really bother to appreciate them.. It takes me to be out of the country, to come to such realisation.. Such a irony, isn't it? Well, guess.. that is what life is.. I suppose.. sometimes, ironic!..

Anyway, it was pleasant to find beautiful sky.. especially when the weather of the UK is rather well-known to be "gloomy" and well, "depressing".. I actually thought, "hmm.. the past two days have been really great.. I was blessed to see such good weather..".. Truly was blessed to experience that.. It was like having the best of both worlds.. coz it was cooling and yet sunny!.. Really great!.. *grin*..

Otherwise, it would be rather.. how do you say.. Hmm.. lets put it this way.. even the pictures taken in a "gloomy" weather would look dull too that reflects the weather.. It does reflect.. and know what, I actually didn't feel like taking lots of photos especially when it keeps raining and raining.. Having said that, I didn't really take lots of photos on a sunny day either the past two days.. Why? Hmm.. Perhaps, just too many things to see.. and well, I wasn't that well-versed with the directions.. getting better now, especially today.. could see some added improvements of understanding the transportation routes as well as the locations of strategic places in the City..

Well... though it may rain and rain in the days to come.. I would remember the few shots of beautiful sky that my eyes had drunk in.. it would stay in my mind.. and then, rain isn't that bad after all.. coz after the rain, there will be sunshine... it will definitely come!.. *wink*

First Scribbling in Birmingham..

Finally, able to sit down and scribble something.. after much going on the past few days.. So much to do, to arrive... to wait for baggage (ya-lor.. baggage was delayed till the following day and thank God that it arrived on Saturday), to shop for utensils, food... to tag along with my first flatmate to an African Church on Sunday (an interesting discovery I had).. to sort out accommodation matters... to meet more new friends.. so exciting!..

I am wondering what pictures I want to put here first.. hehehe.. but all of them, I have placed them in facebook.. via this link, you could see them...

Picture of part of Birmingham taken from the plane...

The very house I am staying for this coming 6 months...

my room is the toppest floor, the window number two from the left...

My room!.. hehehe.. taken on the first day...

That's me yesterday.. I love the weather yesterday.. no rain.. hehehehe.. do I look good? hehehe..

Snap shot of the University from far... from the shopping mall...

hehehe.. too many things running my mind.. that my little mind is so filled with much to scribble about that has yet been unravelled... Guess this is what you call transitioning moment!.. Aha.. this can be my new addition to my moment collection!.. hehehe.. Well, truly, there are many things to see.. many different mannerism of people of different countries to observe.. many things to learn about..

How should I end this scribbling? well.. I would scribble that it was a good beginning!.. I had a good start!.. even though there was a little hiccup of delayed baggage.. More importantly, everything else has moved smoothly and I am enjoying myself!.. Looking forward to today where I would be adventuring into the City!.. via Bus!.. hehehe.. let see if I may get lost in the midst of bustle of the city.. Shall have the most fun before getting serious into studying.. hehehe.. I am still wondering how I would start on that one. Oh well, I have prayed and left it at the foot of the Cross.. knowing that the Lord would grant me wisdom to know how.. hehehe.. to study and finish in 6 months with a Masters..

Adventure has begun!.. and more to explore!... yippee....

The Day is Here!...

Yup... it is finally here.. and this will be my last scribble from Malaysia homeground... wonder when would I start scribbling over in Birmingham.. My dear readers, do pray for quick and smooth internet connection and then I will be scribbling.. hehehe.. Am truly excited.. I am all packed up and ready to go.. Now, taking time to relax and cool down.. spend some reflective time..

Well.. Au Revoir Malaysia!.. hehehe.. goodbye and shall see you soon... All of my loved ones and friends... I am taking off in 7 hours time... (smile)...

New Month.. and nearer..

Wow.. I think I am like getting more and more excited as the time is nearing.. Just going wacko as Thursday approaching.. Why wacko? thought it sounds cool.. hahaha.. the right word didn't register as yet..

Today, did an interesting thing.. went for Mani and Pedi.. heheheh.. ladies, you would know what this is.. hehehe.. It is so interesting to have people painting your nails.. to draw flowers too.. rather luxury, I would think.. And, yet many are into this! Goodness gracious.. hehehe.. well, for me, it was for the fun of it!.. Anyway, it was pretty interesting to have people asking you, "what color would you like?".. I was like, huh? er... "don't know".. hehehe.. blurr me in things like these.. Anyway, after many rounds of trying, finally, found the color I kinda like..

And then I was ushered into "the" place where all the work is done.. hehehe.. I just continue chatting with my friend who recommended me to come.. time after time, giving a glance at what was happening to my nails.. and before long, voi-la.. I am done!.. all painted! .. hehehe.. I didn't go into details here coz then, I would be scribbling lots of procedures.. Me not working now-lar..

And, guess what.. there is the airing process.. to dry the painted nails.. first time ever my 20 nails got pampered so much and got "dressed-up" in a day!.. hehehe.. wonder how long it would last on my fingers and feet... Hmmm.. we shall see.. Anyway, my patience was slightly tested as I waited for the drying process to complete.. hehehe.. a lesson learnt after all... Cool.... and it was intriguing to find many spend much time doing this, part of beutification.. wonder, could it be a relaxing tool too? Aiyo, knowing me, just wondering about as I scribble about..

Kay then, time to scribble down.. coz am going out for another farewell gathering.. hehehe.. I am all blottedly blessed!! So loved!.. *wink*