Long absence

Yes, I have been on extremely long absence for weeks, okay months. I have so many pending stories to tell. Too many I don't think it will fit in just one post.

First good news is my master's journey has officially ended on 6th August 2014. Yes, it has been 3 weeks! And I can't believe I have not find time to write until now. Tsk.

Above all, alhamdulillah the journey is finally over. I can't believe I have survived the 11-month classes-exams-research process. The process was not easy, totally not. I'm taking MSc Marine Engineering for goodness sake it is not easy at all! Especially cos I have very very little knowledge on that area. It was indeed a good experience for me, yeah people might think it's all happy and fun being able to study abroad, what they don't know is that everyday is a struggle being away from family. That is the truth. As much fun it is to be able to explore new things, nothing beats the joy of being with your family. Nothing!

I really can't wait to get back home, spending all the time I have in the world with my family, especially with my mother and grandmother whom I owe the most. She is truly an angel to me (my mother) I just don't know how I could ever repay her. And to my grandmother who is not very well back home, I'm sorry for being away for too long, I'm sorry I couldn't be there to help you go through the pain, I'm just sorry. If I could take away the pain from you, I would. All I could do for now is pray for your health, may you be 10 times healthier each day every single day. *wipes tears*

So yes, trying to cope with studies while being away with family and constant worry over them is excruciatingly painful.

Good news is Maktok is getting better by day, alhamdulillah; and I will be back in my family's arms in 3 weeks' time InsyaAllah.

I'm thankful I have such strong support system in my life, and I want nothing more than never-ending happiness and good health for all of them. Because of them, I am who I am now. :')

6 months to go

Alnwick Castle

5 months down now in Newcastle. Can't believe how time flies. Definitely has been wonderful so far. And the amount of visitors I had coming in to Newcastle which is weird though as it is the 'kampung' part of England. But yeah that kept me busy (in a good way). At one point there were 5 of us in this 2 bedroom flat. :O I bet the neighbors upstairs were curious as well. XD

Let's count how many visitors I've had so far:

1) Mama

2) Syidi - never ending visitor

3) Jaja

4) Yoyo

5) Mick

6) Fanna

7) Farah

8) Meg

9) Azri

10) Eida

11) Sarah

:O :O :O 

That definitely kept me busy for the past 5 months! 

And what have I done so far in Newcastle, you'll be surprised.

Bring me the horizon concert

Dinner at Akbar's

Shopping!

Bruno Mars concert

Makan-makan with course mates

Sundays at Quayside

At Quayside market

Malaysian-Indonesian-Singaporean dinner

Heaton Perk

KFC at metrocentre

More food at Quayside market

Night out!

Cosmic ballroom

Castle Keep

Xmas market

Malaysian Society Raya & Deepavali celebration

Halloween night!

Pretty good for a 'kampung' place huh. Till the next one :)

Safely arrived in Newcastle, England.

Time flies, I remember it was only a few weeks ago that I'm still enjoying food at open houses during Raya. And look at where I am now. In Newcastle, UK for a whole year. 

Alhamdulillah, things have been great so far. It was a shock to arrive & adapt at first, but thankfully I have my mom to support me here for a few weeks. I've settled in, the flat looks great, spacious, & comfortable. More than I could ask for. 

I haven't gotten my broadband set up yet coz of the overwhelming students coming in to Newcastle so please excuse the picture quality. 

I miss everyone back home, called them up few days ago & alhamdulillah all of them are doing well. Had a facetime chat with my lil sisters & brother. They were so adorable commenting on where i stay such as 

"Wow, kenapa kat sana pagi lagi?"

"Wah kemas nya rumah kakak!"

"Wah bersihnya jalan kat sini"

"Kakak tak tgk channel 103 ke? 611 ada tak kat situ?"

"Kakak pasang la tv cepat nanti boleh tgk channel 103"

"Oh, chicha tau tu tempat santa claus naik turun kan! Ada santa claus ke kat sana?"

Haha i know right. 

Had a few days of walk around town, was busy setting up a bank account, broadband, tv, buying things for the flat, other neccesities...

Anyway, if you're planning on studying in Newcastle University, here are the top 5 tips that needs to be done before anything else;

1) Get an appointment with the local bank (UK account) as soon as possible. It's not like Malaysia, you can't open an account there & then. After the appointment is set, you'll have to come back & get the account opened. Takes 2-3 weeks to get the account set up (this is for HSBC) so you are better off going to other local UK banks (Barclays, Lloyds, Natwest). Some banks need your bank statement & tenancy agreement (proof that you are staying there) so just get ready with that as well.

2) Get a local UK number. I am using Lyca mobile (pay as you go) simcard. Similar with prepaid. I get 500 UK minutes, 1p per minute for calls and each text to Malaysian number. With unlimited data. It's called the national deal with only £10 top up that can be used up to 30 days.

3) Register with the university (registration usually opens a week earlier). Make sure you get the bank letter from the university. This is needed during your appointment with the bank.

4) Get your broadband set up. If you need a TV, you can do so as well. I opted for Sky broadband + tv. Approx £40 a month for both.

5) Walk around the city & university to get yourself familiar. Get all the neccesities for your flat, for your studies as well. Use the bus as it is cheaper. Opt for a 7 day unlimited ride which will cost around £12.90 (megarider). That will save you more than paying a one day ride every day. You could also try unirider which you'll need to pay a lump sum amount for a year or by term. These buses are run by Stagecoach. 

Newcastle don't seem bad at all. The people here are quite relaxed, no big fuss so far. The locals are friendly. Let's see how it goes from here.