ih@eme.com

Hello there I am here because I don't feel like studying and I don't want to read up for my FYP anymore it is killing my brain cells faster than they can replicate plus just the thought about how screwed I am for my FYP in terms of how much I know and what I am supposed to do and the people that is involved can drive me to the pits where I feel demoralised hopeless and discouraged one more paper next week before the end of my exams but I doubt it will feel like the end because of FYP and so I am so not looking forward to that I can't believe it's almost the end of the year and it's so frightening isn't it time flies so fast yet everything just seems like yesterday I can't describe exactly how I am feeling but if I could rate my it on a scale of one to ten in an increasing positive emotion I think I am minus one trillion to the power of infinty maybe this blog is better off gone don't you think well I think my past posts has just be senseless and so grey and completely just emo that I believe no one would ever like to read or know because it's just too depressing hahahaha but I realised everyone or almost everyone would go through some sort of depression phase in their lives so I just it's pretty normal and no one can do anything about it and it's nothing worth looking into I guess who knows I may just wake up one day and realised what a joke I was and everything will be back it used to be especially with regards to my crazy emotions and attitudes and behaviour even maybe because I know my words cut people oh how evil I am so if I rate myself again on another scale of one to ten with ten being the most evil then I think I am ten to the power of infinity times infinity wow I so hate me but anyhow I am stopping this punctuationless post now because I really need to go to the toilet and pee so this is a good bye and I will finally end off with a fullstop.

I Quit Life.

Can I?

Things to Do

1. Visit Raffles Museum - LSM1301 Assignment (Submit online)
2. PC1327 E-learning week lecture webcast (Print out the notes)
3. FYP Experiment (Source equipment, contact Ahmad/relevant people)
4. Tuition preparation - "study" (By friday)
5. ES2007S Presentation (Consolidate info and slides)
6. ES2007S Proposal
7. PC1327 Concert Review (Attend and write!)
8. IE5211 Project Case Study
9. Reply email to Shiok
10. Cut hair, visit doctor (sucks but for my own good)
11. ME3102 Report - Calculations, Fabrication

Forrest Gump

Watched Forrest Gump?
He ran and ran and ran and ran.

The past few times when I went running, I felt like I wanna do the same.
Run and run and run and run.
I feel like I can just keep going on forever there and then.

But obviously, there's reality waiting for me at the end - when my throat becomes too dry, my legs too sore and my body too tired. Or when I realise I've lessons to attend, work to be done, schedules to keep, and life to have to go on living.

They say:
If only time could just stand still.
I say:
Since time just wouldn't stand still, I will run and move along with it.
Then only, time do stand still. Well at least, relative to me.

This is the way you left me

Stumbling on questions I used to have answers for.

Keep listening to Happy Ending by Mika before I sleep on most nights. But now I'm listening to it while studying and hence not being productive? Hahhh.

This is the way you left me,
I'm not pretending.
No hope, no love, no glory,
No Happy Ending.
This is the way that we love,
Like it's forever.
Then live the rest of our life,
But not together.

Wake up in the morning, stumble on my life
Can't get no love without sacrifice
If anything should happen, I guess I wish you well
A little bit of heaven, but a little bit of hell

This is the hardest story that I've ever told
No hope, no love, no glory
Happy endings gone forever more
I feel as if I'm wasted
And I'm wastin' every day

This is the way you left me,
I'm not pretending.
No hope, no love, no glory,
No Happy Ending.
This is the way that we love,
Like it's forever.
Then live the rest of our life,
But not together.

2 o'clock in the morning, something's on my mind
Can't get no rest; keep walkin' around
If I pretend that nothin' ever went wrong, I can get to my sleep
I can think that we just carried on

A Little bit of love, little bit of love
Little bit of love, little bit of love..

This is the way you left me,
I'm not pretending.
No hope, no love, no glory,
No Happy Ending.

3 months. 6 months.

The light at the end of the tunnel is really a train coming at me.

Mom described it so right about what I'm feeling? Heh.

This isn't a life, it's just an existence.

Now, what?

Almost 3 months since I'm back.
School has long started.
No more SUniG.
Singopens 2011 is now over.

So now, what?

Woke up at 10am today, think it's one of the rare times I wake up so late?
Found out how to sleep long. Even if it means having a headache..
Oh no. Now I know why people drink to drown their sorrows..?
Not so exaggerated like in TV shows, but a heavy head beats having a heavy heart.
Ha. ha. ha.

Supposed to be in school to find out equipment for my FYP testing.
But the rain was such a killer. Swam only half of what I wanted and then lightning detector, wanted to go to school since 1pm but the rain was crazy.

Can I just sleep? hahah.

S is for..

:(
sigh sigh.

sore throat,
swollen left cheek, and
slightly sprained right ankle.

suay max?

:(

eating to make me feel better.
bread bread dragonfruit chickenwings bread bread nuts milk cheerios milo and more bread bread bread bread.
but it doesn't make me feel better.

be ok tomorrow, please.
need confidence for saturday too.

i want things to be normal again. but it can't just happen when i say i want  it to, right?

cars2!

Awesome!! I love disney pixar!!

i love to eat.

if only i could eat everything in the whole wide world, really!

constrained by my stomach. and the fact that there is such thing as binge eating and overeating.

one more hour to dinner.
STOP eating (snacking) now noelle.

My food delights

Pumpkin soup from Soup Spoon.
Daily Scoop's lemon sherbet.
Own concoction of milk tea and coffee mix from Technoedge.
Dragonfruit; white fleshed.

Love Dragonfruit especially.
New favourite fruit!

I wish

I wish...

I wish for... .

I wish that.. .

..

.


Uh, I don't even know what I wish for??!?

my 893421908240982340923840138912038130598250892 emo post.
HAH

Right Choice, Wrong Choice, No Choice, or My Choice?

Lessons clashing with NUS trainings, and NUS trainings clashing with Shiok trainings.
Tugs from everywhere.

What should I do?
What can I do?
Or what do I want to do?

Seriously, I don't know.

EMO max. someone tell me what to do. HAH.

L.B.I.O.

Need to stop waiting.
Keep telling myself I need to get my Life Back In Order.
But how? It can't just happen when I want it to.

Look forward, Noelle.

Ahhh anyway i'm having ABC!!!

Aches, Blisters and Cuts.
Siansation!

Things to do:
1. Study/Understand anatomy and biomechanics of shoulder (FYP)
2. Mimics software - learn to use (FYP)
3. Start studying/getting in mood for school..
4. ??

I can't see.

Where is the way or streams in the desert and wasteland?

Differing Priorities

PS-ed to the max.
could have been practicing throws instead of waiting for ps-ing text messages.

but had another $10 movie outing with mom.
so glad for that :)

no one better.

Sigh.

Downhill eh?

Having a picnic in my head

Wow time flies eh? Its 4 weeks since I've returned from Exchange..

Had a mini picnic under the stars just last sunday at vivo..
- Ham and cheese sandwiches, sushi, and nutritea/orange juice.

I wanna picnic again!
Having a picnic in my head right now.
Picnic "equipment" (picnic basket, mat, etc..), food/drink menu, place.. all conjured up in my mind..

..with imaginary people.

Maybe i should have one with stuffed toys! Like how little kids in storybooks have make-believe teaparties with their dolls and teddy bears.. except that mine will be a picnic, with real food... and eat up everyone's share. Haha.

Been fantasizing a lot. Especially at night.. I think about many many things yet avoid thinking about many many other things..
and I am still waiting for something to happen. But what I can't conclude!

Messy messy. Anyway, think my current part-time job is helping me with my chinese.
HUA WEN SHUI PA SHUI?!?!

Insomnia?

Definition:
"Insomnia is the inability to obtain an adequate amount or quality of sleep. The difficulty can be in falling asleep, remaining asleep, or both."

Causes:
"Another cause is excessive worrying about whether or not a person will be able to go to sleep, which creates so much anxiety that the individual's bedtime rituals and behavior actually trigger insomnia. The more one worries about falling asleep, the harder it becomes. This is called psychophysiological insomnia."

Haiiiiyahlemak. :(

I'm waiting.

I'm waiting for something.. But I have no idea what.

Like expecting something.. Something else, something more?
I don't know.. hah.

Back to training, other then that.. I don't know what I am doing.
Anw, I think I suck terribly at cutting already.
Thighs aching from lunges-like throwing.

Chocolate overdose.
No more after eights and kitkats and other chocolates.. (that's cos most of them are finished!)

Local delights since I'm back:
Fishball noodles
Fish soup
Yong Tau Fu
Prawn Mee
$1 mint choc chip icecream
Chicken in a Biskit
Apple Jacks (it's american, they don't have this in UK)
Delifrance cinammon crossiant (somehow I like their crossiant best!)

Everyone is so busy and I'm not. As in busy with productive things.. meanwhile I'm busy with ____? and valeelee doesnt seem like she wanna adventure anymore haha.

Spending alot alot of money on donno what either. Food, movies, and misc random buys. Need to get a frame for my disney jigsaw puzzle!

Things to do/want to do:
Dental (Mom's arranging)
Fix camera (that I dropped in France)
Renew phone plan, get new phone (Need to research what camera to get)
Buy frame and glue for jigsaw
Album book for Easter Trip (if possible..)
Train train train, improve improve improve..
Explore North side of Singapore
Get a tuition job = earn some money (and not just keep spending!)

Such an all-over-the-place post.

Dear Friends,

Yes I am back,
but please try to refrain from commenting on how I am/look more than once.

I know I know, but there's nothing I can do about it immediately right!
Thanks bye!

"Experience is not what happens to you, it is what you do with what happens to you."

Aldous Huxley

In Singapore

Am I home?

Disney Dream

When you wish upon a star
Makes no difference who you are
Anything your heart desires
Will come to you

If your heart is in your dream
No request is too extreme
When you wish upon a star
As dreamers do

Fate is kind
She brings to those to love
The sweet fulfillment of
Their secret longing

Like a bolt out of the blue
Fate steps in and sees you through
When you wish upon a star
Your dreams come true

Yeah how I wish the wish so.

Incapacitated

Adjective; lacking in or deprived of strength or power.

Sunshine, won't you be my lover

Back from North Wales!

Climbed Snowdon - 2nd highest mountain in the UK -1085m! Haha. It was super windy and cold at the top!
Other than that, it was raining, so didn't get to walk/hike much. But learnt to play italian bridge (exciting stuff!!) and a new form of snap.
I'm SUPER lousy with cold and rain. Completely incapacitated.
Anw, they speak Welsh in Wales. I didn't know that before going! Heh.
Missed our train there (because a train was cancelled). Kept chasing after trains.
Had dinner in London before returning to Notts - at some Korean restaurant. Bad bad BAD experience. I am bad with dinners. :(

Lake district was awesome weather though!
Beatrix Potter Museum (Peter Rabbit!), Windermere river and fells walk/hike, GoApe Treetop forest adventure (ziplines and tarzan swings!!), Coniston Old man hike (old coppermines), Pencil Museum (with world's longest pencil and cool wartime pencil), Boat rowing in Derwentwater, and 3hours plus non-stop driving at 80+ mph with manual car!
Haha but I stalled so many times at roundabouts. Stress when I see so many cars, like I'm going too slowly!

Tomorrow have to settle many many things - print plane online check-in bookings, close bank account, run errands, buy stuff i wanna buy, do laundry..

then it's Dublin the day after! Please please please good weather. Weather forecast says Ireland is cold. Not surprising, since Wales is so near Ireland and it was soooo cold there.
HAIYALAMAK.

After Dublin, it's Disneyland! They say Paris is HOT.
LET IT BE!

wow 12 days to home!

HATE HATE HATE BISCUITS I HATE MYSELF FOR EATING BISCUITS.
but it was 1 BIG BOX for only 50pence!!

Solo in Edinburgh

Back from my 2 days escape to Edinburgh.

And it will be my last paper tomorrow!

Anyway, some random thought - are people generally skeptical, or they just don't trust me?
Not being petty, but twice in these few days it happened.

1. Bus 36 has a 1quid student ticket. Bus Y36 (a different operator) also has this offer. But I wanted to take 36, cos I used concession and so I don't have to pay that 1quid. I told my friends about the that bus 36 had, they weren't convinced.. and bus Y36 came already. So I gave up and told them to go ahead, I will wait for bus 36 myself.

2. Holyrood Palace (an attraction in Edinburgh) is closed. My friends said they were going there (via SMS, I was suppose to meet them). I replied that it is closed. Replies made no comments about what I said. More SMSes, and when the Palace was brought up again, I mentioned it should be closed. Reach, phonecall - I told them directly I THINK (didn't want to sound forceful) it's close. Again, not convinced, so I didn't join them first, asked them to check it out. They went there - it was closed.

Am I being petty? HAH.

I wanna go home!

Noelle Eat World!

Today I had my last Saturday brunch at my hall.
And I found out if you stay past 1pm (the closing time for brunch), you get to go for seconds.
So I went!

Had my last hall-cooked tomato and cheese omelette.
Last fried eggs, mushrooms and baked beans..
(and my cereal, and toasted bread with honey and jam.. but those are dailies not saturday brunch 'special')

Not that I will miss hall food hahahahhahaa, but I figured, might as well!

6.5 days left in Nottingham!
(The rest of the days I will be away, travelling)

CAN'T STUDY FOR MY LAST PAPER BOO HOO NO MOTIVATION

21062011;1755

I’m coming home
I’m coming home
tell the World I’m coming home
Let the rain wash away all the pain of yesterday
...
tell the world I'm coming home

Overkill.

I hate Tesco.
:(

Lag.

Know I said I will update, but it turns out I spend most of my days at Cripps Computer Centre studying/ trying to study.

When I reach back Singapore, I will do ALL the updating, so that I won't forget. Haha.

Great Manchester run last weekend..
10km run in the cold cold cold cold (have i mentioned cold already?) rainy windy wet weather.
Supposedly achieve a personal best? But I don't really trust the distance heh!

Visited Old Trafford - went for the museum and tour (Oh, Jeri/Ailin will be so envious?)
and LEGOLAND! Legoland was fun, and I wish I could buy almost everything in the legoland shop!

2 papers down, 4 more to go.

Edinburgh,
Lake District,
Wales,
Dublin,
Paris DISNEYLAND...

When I get home will Rema cook for me steamed pomfret fish, the mixed vege dish (with babycorn and golden mushrooms), cucumber with tanghoon, and pork-potato-tomato soup, for dinner?

Morning Milos, Midnight Milos

Somehow, I don't feel like sleeping.

Neither do I feel like studying.

I'm doing nothing now.

3 cups of milo in the morning, 3 cups at night.

Mylow when you're low.

The day begins

8:50 am now, hoping hard the day will be productive studying and not be distracted by running thoughts and emotions.

at Cripps Computer Centre - ready to start revision.
Lets go Noelle...!

One more time; Nottingham

Back in Notts after my EMEM - Easter Month in Europe with Mom!

Felt really weird and just _____, not having breakfast with my mom after a morning run, and especially not spending the entire day out with her walking around discovering new things..

Spent my whole day sleeping because I couldn't bring myself to do anything.
930am to 4pm before I finally forced myself out.. decided it's much better since I will be more conscious of myself with people around.. haha. I'm studying now (or rather taking a short break)

Will slowly update this blog about my trip.. as break time from studying perhaps? Please wait patiently and keep checking this page! :)

Must really get into the mood for studying - and then less than 2 months and I will be home.
Even if I know home isn't exactly what I would have expected when I first came here, somehow I still can't wait for it?
Mixed feelings, gahh.

One last time; Nottingham..?

Easter break

I wonder what will the month of April bring?

Past week in Photos

Cooked dinner @ Carmen's

Galleries of Justice

Green's Windmill:

Breakfast and Morning walk at lakeside

Oxford Christchurch

Wollaton Park Run/Tour

Sukho Thai dinner at Beeston

Frisbee @ The Downs

York: Betty's Tea room

York Minster

Getting down to updates

Since the day trip to Oxford, my week's been pretty filled.. either studying/doing my coursework (a big headache), or have been going out/going places.. And it's less than 5 days to Easter and the one entire month of pure travelling!


Summary of highlights the past week:


1. Oxford + Bicester Village

Visited Christchurch in Oxford mainly.. and it's where Lewis Caroll got his inspiration for Alice in Wonderland! Didn't get to visit the Dining Hall though (think madhatter's teaparty) because it was closed then..

Bicester Village is the shopping place for designer brands.. factory outlets. Super price reductions, but given the brands, they're still very expensive.. haha. Bought a small Radley London wallet though :)


2. Home-cooked dinner feast on a sunday night

New friends (+ one long lost childhood friend) from Singapore invited me to their house for dinner, super nice of them! Each made at least one dish, while I only bought them fruits.

9 dishes - Oven-roasted chicken, pork in curry sauce, mixed veg in some sauce, chinese stir-fry veg with mushrooms and chicken, honey-soya sauce grilled chicken wings, shark fins soup, roasted duck, braised pork, chilli beef and broccoli, and ending off with freshly made chocolate cake for dessert.

And this dinner kinda helped me set my clock right for UK time.


3. Bowling

Wednesday nights = 2 quid per bowling game. Played 2 games - "warm-up" round score: 70-sth, and next game: 130-sth! Long time since I've bowled..


4. Frisbee!

Finally got to touch and throw the disc last thursday! The weather was so much better last week (weekdays only).. the sun was out, and there were so many people just hanging out at The Downs! Picnic, BBQ, rugby, soccer, frisbee.. So fun, I really like the atmosphere!

I want a picnic too! When the weather is warmer and the sun is shining.. :)

5. Thai dinner out

Had a first outside dinner with LY, Sharon and Yunleng at Sukothai.. I was actually looking forward to noodle soup, but a pity they didn't have! Not a big fan of other thai food, haha.. but had Chinese veg - xiao bai cai and tougei which was so nice and crunchy!


6. International Students event at Beeston-free church The international students bible study group organised this event and I went with Yunleng.. Lots of food (mostly made by them, impressive!) and the topic was "Do all good people go to heaven?"


7. First visit to Wollaton Nature and Deer Park!

Ok, a lot of firsts.. Wollaton park is just right beside my school.. and Wenbang brought me there as promised! Had a Johnston-tour there, and he wrongly led us into a private golf course haha. But it was a good thing because that was when I got the closest to the deers! :)


8. Why I hate birds flying above me. (or not even flying)

BIRD SHIT DROPPED ON ME WHILE I WAS INNOCENTLY WALKING!

On my hair, on my face.. shirt.. No toilet nearby... Get the picture? Enough said.


9. York

Went to York just this Saturday with the people from the bible study group. Beautiful place! Visited York Minster, and the guided tour was really helpful! Learnt quite abit.. But since I've been to so many cathedrals already. Even though each is special in its own right, I think I might be off them for a while. Wanted to go to Jovik Viking centre, but we supposedly didn't have time.. downside of travelling in a big group.

But anyhow, we went to have tea at the famous Betty's Tea rooms.. I realise I can't really appreciate exquisite cakes and such, but the atmosphere is nice! Oh and our train got cancelled.. supposedly it's typical for UK. Haha.


10. Jaz in Nottingham

Spent sunday with Jaz! So a further exploration of Nottingham.. Went to Green's Windmill and Galleries of Justice.. and in the evening I cooked for the first time in Nottingham! There's no kitchen in my hall, just a pantry, so I never had a chance to cook.

But on sunday, we cooked at Carmen's place.. even though it was super simple (and we cheat).. I enjoyed dinner and the company. Plus there was strawberries, blackberries, and aftereight mints (that Jaz bought!)

Also brought Jaz to Wollaton Park to run.. and I saw male deers this time! With antlers! They were basking under the sunlight, in the morning mist.. Didn't bring a camera for the run though.


Some pictures in the next post yeah.

Windsor Castle, 19 Feb

Windsor Castle

An extremely delayed post of my day trip to Windsor Castle with Travel Society. They organise trips to nearby areas for kinda relatively cheap transport prices. Didn't expect much of it then, in fact I was initially very lazy to go but I paid for it already so I went anyway. And it turn out to be really interesting

Journey There and Back
3 hour plus long bus ride to the castle.. It was raining and super cold, and even on the entire 3 hour bus ride I was still not warmed up :( When we reached, we had to wait at least half an hour to get our tickets into the castle...
Spent the 4 odd hours we had there just in the castle, there wasn't really time to explore other attractions. Anyway, it was the main attraction so I guess it was ok. Haha.
Took another 3 hours journey back.. It's like spending 2/3 of the day out travelling and waiting.

Windsor Castle
It's the largest and oldest inhabited castle in Europe. And yes, it's one billion times better than the pathetic Nottingham Castle (which wasn't really a castle). It's the Queen's favourite place.
There was an audio guide tour about the castle, so it definitely gave a lot of insights about England's history, royalty, and even on some artists! There was so much info, I don't think I remember them all :(
So I regreted not buying the Official Guide to Windsor Castle book! It was £4.95.. I couldn't decide if I wanted to spend that money, and I end up not doing so :(

Entering the castle - Cold and wet!

So there's the State apartments, and semi-state apartments.. St George Chapel (more about it later), and there was Queen Mary's Doll house, and some exhibition currently on Prince Philip. Sadly, changing of the guards was not scheduled that day.

There's the lower ward, middle ward and upper ward.. I can't really remember where's what(no guidebook bought to refer to) But it was built by William the Conquerer as a fortress sort of thing.. And then later when Henry I was in rule, the royalties started using the place, and later, the famous Queen Victoria (I reccomend watching the movie to know more about her) started using it even more for enterntainment. In 1992, there was a fire that broke out in the castle, but they manage to salvage and restore the castle.

Where the soilders shoot arrows out from!
Angled such a way so that they don't get hit, but get to shoot their arrows up and out.

*I didn't take a photo of this at first, and in order to go "backwards" - I lied that I dropped my glove! Just to take a picture of this.. hahaha.

So we entered the Upper Ward to see Queen Mary's Doll house (I was so thankful to be indoors, because it was freezing and raining outside, I was shivering from head to toe - literally.).
Basically, she was fascinated with miniture things - so the huge Doll house, which was never played with.. Every item is made with such great detail, and given as gifts to Queen Mary.. It's super huge for a doll house(It's the largest in the world, supposedly)
Then it was Prince Philip's exhibition - wow, he is super talented - military leader, painter, engineer... everything to sum it all.

Next was the highlight of the castle for me - entering the state apartments, seeing all the rooms, the super pretty designs/detail.. learning the functions of the rooms, restoration work after the fire.. learning about the Coat of Arms and the Order of the Gartner.. I'm still quite confused about the history and all, but it made me want to find out more.

Unfortunately, they don't allow pictures anywhere inside..
There's this room (I forgot the name) - It's like a large dining hall - and during Royal functions or some sort, a super long table will be stretched out - sitting 160 guests! Quite cool huh.
And some rooms have painted ceilings, and wood carvings on the wall.. totally magnificant and palace like.

No pictures allowed inside - what a pity!

Next up, after exiting the state apartments: St George's Chapel. - Home to the Order of the Gartner, and for services, they have boy choristers.

Gothic style - St George's Chapel

During the annual gartner service, they will proceed from the state apartments there (i think) to the chapel for service.
And the banners (Heraldic banners, if I am not wrong) are hanged above.. they are permanently there, not just for the service. Super grand.

By then, we were quite ready to leave. Went shopping in the shops - magnet for mom, cup for dad.. but now.. ?
Anyways,

Hello guard.
PS: I think the guard's hat/helmet was tickling his nose, he kept blowing the fur up, haha.

And that was the end of the Windsor Castle trip. I think it kinda stopped raining by the time we were out in the open, so it was good.

**
On a separate note, i've been dreaming alot of dreams.. hah.

Jetlag?

Monday 14march - Tuesday 15march:
- sleep 430pm
- wake up 630am

Tuesday 15march - Wednesday 16march:
- sleep 7pm
- wake up 230am
- laze 530am - 7am

Wednesday 16march - Thursday 17march:
- sleep 730pm
- wake up 145am
- sleep (again) 330am
- wake up 730am

Thursday 17march - Friday 18march:
- sleep 830pm
- wake up 430am
- laze 430am - 530am

Friday 18march - Saturday 19march:
???

Is this jetlag?
Taking really small steps to sleep later and later..

Oxford trip with Travel society tomorrow, leaving 730am.
I'm 100% confident I'll be awake.

back in the same notts, but it's nott the same.

In Christ alone, my hope is found

In Christ alone, my hope is found
He is my light, my strength, my song
This Cornerstone, this solid ground
Firm through the fiercest drought and storm.
What heights of love, what depths of peace
When fears are stilled, when strivings cease
My Comforter, my All in All
Here in the love of Christ I stand

In Christ alone, who took on flesh
Fullness of God in helpless Babe
This gift of love and righteousness
Scorned by the ones He came to save
Til on that cross as Jesus died
The wrath of God was satisfied
For every sin on Him was laid
Here in the death of Christ I live,

There in the ground His body lay
Light of the world by darkness slain
Then bursting forth in glorious Day
Up from the grave He rose again
And as He stands in victory
Sin's curse has lost its grip on me
For I am His and He is mine
Bought with the precious blood of Christ

No guilt in life, no fear in death
This is the power of Christ in me
From a life's first cry, to final breath
Jesus commands my destiny
No power of hell, no scheme of man
Could ever pluck me from His hand
Till He returns or calls me home
Here in the power of Christ I stand

God's blessings!

Hmm there's something wrong with my laptop/internet connection in my room, I can't access blogger with it... Shall try again next time..

but the key message is:

GOD IS GREAT!

I got awarded NASA! Basically, it's a S$2500 subsidy for my exchange from NUS! Means NUS will just transfer that money into my bank account.. I just have to write some review/do some survey when I get back.

Seriously I don't deserve it and didn't expect it at all. Because firstly, I did not apply for it. I simply emailed the in-charge when the dateline for application was long over (and I was leaving for exchange the following week already) to ask if I could, but they said I couldn't. Secondly, the awardees were all listed a long time ago! And I am already in my exchange, yet they were still giving out the awards!
God is soooo gracious and He really really blessed me that I cannot help but thank Him over and over again!!
How can I ever say enough how amazing God is!

And a second reason for rejoicing (something that seems smaller, but nonetheless I think God has really shown his favour for me, really!) - a module that I thought cannot be mapped, got approved! And I actually gave up hope on that already..

Thank God x 402356476787894665767587866988976464!!

Anyhow I'm in the library now, studying! (ok, taking a break now) Modules are just as chim, and assignments are all coming in.
Tmr I am going to Windsor Castle.. Hope it is interesting. I am actually quite lazy to go haha but it's all paid for already..

Till another time!

Enjoy now, regret later

love dark chocolate digestives x 309489234802348023489023

all gone in 20 mins.

regret x 932823094980358439058435093458230482304829304823048205974903248023.

Windy Days

I had my second outdoor run today! Hopefully it will be regular enough such that I won't make a big fuss out of it everytime I do so.. hahaha.

The simple story goes like this:
Wake up.
Howling wind.
Physical preparation for run outdoors - wore long sleeves and sweat pants.
Mental preparation to run on treadmill.
Left room.
Strong winds.
Head straight to gym.
But locked!?!? Aghhh.
Force to run around campus instead.
Wind blows left of me, right of me, with me, against me.
Still running forward.
And made it!
Tried entering gym again on the way back.
The door could open??!?! What conspiracy!
End of story.

So anyway yes it has been super windy the past few days, even though temperatures went up.

My week of school has been ok, trying hard to catch lectures and not drift my thoughts.
So far been to Nottingham Castle Museum, and the Nottingham Life Museum at Brewhouse Yard..

And yesterday, I made a day trip to Leicester! Less than an hour bus ride down south from Nottingham..
Went to the city centre (which doesn't seem to vary much with Notts in terms of look), but there was this market in the middle WHICH WAS AWESOME!
They sold many things, and the best part was the FRUITS!!
1 lb of cherries for 1pound = about 450grams of cheeries for SGD$2!!!
2 boxes of strawberries for 1 pound!
Pears, apples, plums, kiwis, lychees even.. etc.. all sold there so cheaply!
I wanted to buy EVERYTHING but i stuck to the cherries and strawberries.. and guess what.
I FINISHED THEM ALL ON THE SPOT.
the box of strawberries and the 1 lb of cheeries. YUMMY x3984032948023843349!

And i found a snack that I love, one box of 6packets for 1pound so I bought it immediately! In my school union shop they sell 1packet for 69pence.. so it was really cheap there!
AND I FINISHED THEM ALL BEFORE I COULD BRING THEM BACK.. :( :(
I love "go ahead!" x 89430438830298!

Had lunch at subway (boring I know.. but anyway it's like identical to Singapore's, even prices are similar when converted), then walked out of the city centre to this huge Abbey Park.
If only Singapore was big enough, we could have such parks everywhere! Many ducks and birds and doggies running around!

Then walked even further to the National Space Centre.. 11pounds for entry but it was not bad! It was very interactive, and learnt a bit more of the Space Race, "competition" between the Soviet and America.. and about using rockets for astronomy, watched a Space Theatre show, went for a simulation ride (with 3D paper glasses, haha), and did some "assessment" to see what crew position I will get as an astronaut.
I am an ENGINEERING OFFICER!
ok I cheated. I was a Life Support Officer, but I didn't want it, so I clicked "try again" and got engineering officer instead. hehe :P

Really thankful because I went with Sharon, a new friend I made, and even though it was expensive to enter the Space Centre, she didn't mind. Like what I wanted to do, she was ok with it! And thank God also that he kept us safe and brought us back safely, especially when we had no map of Leicester with us when we went. :)

No pictures yet, because I'm lazy to upload now.. AND I wanna study! Or start going through my notes. Yes, I am still a student.

Fireworks later over at the park, will go and see.. and will have my first dinner celebration for this CNY, with the Msian Sporean Society. Didn't do anything CNY related the past week.

London 19 - 23 Jan (Part 2)

Back trek again to London to complete my trip there..

Day 2: 20 Jan

Open Bus Tour
Went down to Picadilly Circus to buy tickets for the Open Bus Tour, it was a hop-on/hop-off thing, and they gave earphones to be plugged in to listen to the commentries along the way. We braved the cold and the wind to sit on the upper deck (otherwise it would have defeated the purpose of it being an open bus tour).

Frozen Smiles

So we passed the Courts of Justice, St Paul's Cathedral, City Hall, Big Ben, the London Eye..etc, and travelled across the famous Tower Bridge. Learnt that there was this Great Fire in London too. We alighted where Tower of London was, but we didn't enter because admission was quite costly. Instead, we went into the museum shop to defrost ourselves from the freezing bus ride.. haha.

Tower of London

And I didn't charge my camera battery, so by that time my camera battery was dying! :(

Greenwich

From there, we took a river cruise (just a ride on the boat along River Thames) to Greenwich. I enjoyed the ride just looking out, and not doing anything :) And I love Greenwich!!

We went into the Discover Greenwich Vistor Centre, which highlighted architecture. I fixed a floor pattern puzzle and learnt about the different types of columns too!

Then we headed to Greenwich Market to have our lunch.. I had Spanish Paello - rice with vegetable spices, chicken and seafood..

And then to the most awesome place (according to me) - the Royal Observatory! It was on top of a hill in the middle of a park - the park was so tranquil and beautiful! Explored Flamsteed's house (an astronomer) and learnt about Longtitudes, Lattitudes and the Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) that gives us the different time zones. There was the Meridian Line, the Prime Meridian of the World = Longtitude oo'o" for GMT!

Prime Meridian of the World!

We didn't have time to go to the other part of the Royal Observatory where the astronomy section was though..

Headed down to the National Maritime Museum, to see a Toy Boats exhibition and a few other highlights - Maritime London (about Nelson and other marine battles), and the stained glass from the old Baltic Exchange.

By that time it was 4plus, and the sun was setting.. we took the last boat back towards Westminster, where Big Ben is.

Big Ben looked just as spectucular in the night as it was in the day! In the day it was beaming in the sunlight, and at night the lights made the tower glow. But my camera had no battery so I couldn't take a good picture of it. Anyhow, seeing it LIVE is better. haha.

Wicked!
From Westminster we took the bus to Victoria station - and that's where the theatre for the musical Wicked was held! Musicals somewhat have their permanent venues at specific theatres, since they are like performed regularly.

Yes, Wicked was wicked! First musical ever watched overseas, and in London! All the other musicals I have watched were in Esplanade.. But even though it was really nice, I was so somewhat super tired that my eyes just wanted to close even though I badly wanted them opened! hahaha.

But when we returned to the hostel I somehow couldn't fall asleep with "Defying Gravity" playing in my head.. and just thinking about the musical. :P

Day 3: 21 Jan

Not-so-open Bus Tour

Checked out a super large Sainsbury (like Giant!) and then continued with the Open Bus tour - but this time, we weren't brave enough to sit upstairs for long - we went down halfway because it was too cold! Took the bus to Marble Arch, and visited Primark for some shopping. Supposedly Primark sells cheaper stuff of everything! LY bought gloves and I bought a hat - cos it was sooooo cold and my ears were freezing off! But the hat is lousy because it was too big.

4 Pounds Oversized Hat :(

Took the bus again (sat downstairs immediately upon boarding, haha) down to Spitalfields Market for lunch and to look-see.. We were like "high" walking to the market cos it was really so cold (what's new!) that we chionged all the way there. Haha!

Spitafields Market

Science Museum
Went to the Science Museum - again, it was super huge that we didnt have time to see everything! There was a section on Space Travel, and on inventions, and airplanes.. and like a LaunchPad thing that was like Singapore Science Centre.. then wanted to go to this section "Who am I?" about like genes and stuff like that, but the museum was closing by then.. Too much to see already heh!

Airplane wheel taller than me

So we walked back to the hostel.. and we were supposed to meet Jinwen and LY's other friends for dinner.. But while waiting I was so tired (again!) that I fell asleep on the couch at the common area in the hostel. So embarrassing! But I really couldn't get up when it was time to go, so I didn't eat dinner that night.. Spend like the next 15mins still sleeping on the couch before I gathered enough energy to go back up, bathe and I fell slept immediately..

Day 4: 22 Jan


Buckingham Palace
Took the open bus tour hoping to get down in time for the changing of the guards (at 1130am), but the tour ride was taking too long a route that we had to hop off and take the tube.. And the train had to have some service failure that we had to take another train to get there!! Rushed to the palace, but by the time we arrived, it was super crowded that we didn't really get a good view of it. Was supposed to meet Joel to watch it together, but we were late - so we met only after!

Watching the guards through the gates

Couldn't see much because there was so many people.. There was this man who was running on the road - and he got scolded by a policeman on a horse! Haha.. Just spammed photos.. I remember it was so crowded that I was completely not cold at all, cos the people around just generated enough heat and blocked off the wind! But when everyone all left.. Hello winter not wonderland. HAHA. (I know I keep talking about the weather but cos it REALLY is ultra cold!!!)


British Museum
After finding Joel, we went to visit the British Museum together. BIG BIG BIG Museum again.. Saw the Assyria exhibit (hoping to see if I could link Nenevah and Jonah together!!) and the Eygptian exhibit. Then we went of a guided tour on the Predynastic Eygptian Period.. The concept of after-life plays a big part in their lives that they really put alot of emphasis on it..
There was this Bible Tour (but I think it's some special group?) where the guide was going through the history parallel to the bible timeline.. All the people were carrying bibles.
I wished I could be one of them too! It was so difficult to catch all the information in the museum, cos there is no head or tail about all the ancient stuff.. and it would have been nice if there was meaning and relevance to it for me!

Outside British Museum

We had time to kill, so we walked along the streets.. Went into a super huge Marks & Spencer.. Saw all the yummy goodies that were much cheaper than in Singapore.. and then we walked further and went into Lilywhites - a super huge sportswear shop selling items at cheap prices.. and the City was really crowded (it was a Saturday Night)

Chinatown Dinner
Met Melissa Woo (my crescent partner for half a year in sec3!) for dinner at Covent Garden.. Chinatown was nearby, but we went to Covent Garden Square to look around first. It's abit like Holland Village! But of course the atmosphere was wayyy livelier and more relaxed. There were street buskers and people having their meals around.

Convent Garden Square

Ate at Four Seasons in Chinatown.. they are famous for their duck, but I didn't eat that - had beef brisket soup noodles which was super MSG-fied! Then Melissa did some shopping in Chinatown - went into a chinese bakery and a few shops selling all the chinese stuff.
Then it was back to the hostel.. packed up my luggage and stuff, ready to check out of the hostel the next day for the next phase - Nottingham! (which I am in already! hahaha)

Day 5: 23 Jan

To Nottingham
Back to Heathrow Airport for the free coach pickup to London..
Met a girl from South Korea, some Malaysians from the Nottingham Malaysia Campus, and some girls from China on the bus..
and it's:
THE END OF LONDON 101. :P

Brave Red Nosed Noelle

Yesterday, I went for my FIRST outdoor run in Nottingham!!
I finally plucked up courage to run outside instead of the gym, hehe.

Was supposed to go to Hayfield at Peak District for some Hill walking yesterday, but I kinda waited at the wrong place so I ended up not going.
Visited Grace Church instead (I went by myself!), I quite like it there.. I think.
Then I went for a 2pm run, when it felt not as cold as usual! I took the chance to explore University Park (the name of the campus I'm in).. so I brought along my camera too :)

Ran round the campus and around this huge lake in the campus. It was cold, but tolerable surprisingly! The only thing was that my fingers were all frozen! Need to wear gloves I suppose?
After running I could even stop to take pictures of the lake and all the people just walking about, feeding the ducks, playing ball games, or just relaxing with their dogs, family, children or lovers, friends..
Love such places :)

Will attempt another outdoor run on wednesday maybe? Supposedly temperatures will rise to 8 degrees. I hope it does.

It's noon now and the temp is 0 degrees. They say it was supposed to be warmer but noo in the morning it was -1 degrees.

i miss warmth. my nose is perpetually red all the time.

London 19 - 23 Jan (Part 1)

I'm back-trekking to last week when I first arrived in London! (and slightly before that)

Day 0: 18 Jan

Airport
Dad, mom and Leonie cldn't make it to see me off at the airport, but my sisters did! :)
And 2alt said they would be there - and they were really there!! Awww.
Ultimate team really surprised me by coming too - ending training early just to see me off (and ok maybe + popeyes)
And Zhien, Jaslyn, Lance.. and not forgetting abi shawno chris joyce aman sarah..
Felt super bad they came all the way just to see me off - seriously super touched!

A380
Was super happy on the plane! Ultra long since I took a standard plane flight instead of budget! I had my window seat (even though it was night, not much to see) but OH MAN downside was.. I KEEP NEEDING TO PEE!! And I had to squeeze my way through 2 other people, so I felt so bad, cause I went once, then 30mins later I needed to go again, but it wld be so horrid of me so I held until cannot already then maybe 1hour later i chionng out! I went toilet total of 5 times during that 13 hour flight. the pple sitting beside me probably wanted to kill me. HAHA.
Watched 4 movies! Megamind, The Town, Going the Distance, and The Switch.

Day 1: 19 Jan

Arrival
When the plane landed the first thing I saw was the handsome moon! It was a while since I remember seeing the moon..
I was super clumsy with my backpack and super heavy luggage - took the London Tube down from Heathrow Airport - it's like MRT! Except the trains are narrower and had a cosy kind of feeling.
Stayed at YHA Earl's Court. It's a hostel and I slept in a dorm with other people.. Felt like church camp style, so it was ok!
Luoh Yiing and I took a random walk along the streets and checked out the supermarkets.
Chocolate, milk, or dairy products and bread is so much cheaper here!
Saw so many many Golfs/Polos and other audis and mercs everywhere too.

Walking Tour
Took a free walking tour - mainly the Royal area. Buckingham palace, Horse guards, St James' Palace, Trafuglar Square, Big Ben, Parliment House, Westminster Abbey... etc..

Guard at Prince Charles'
Buckingham Palace

I enjoy learning about such things (i.e. History) through such stuff, instead of textbooks!

Big Ben

Big Ben (it's actually the bell, not the tower) - it's MUCH MUCH nicer in real life than in all the pictures we've ever seen! It actually kind of glitters in the sunlight!

National History Museum
I love this museum! Went there after lunch with LY and his friend.. It is so big, I think we only saw like 1/10 of it. Saw the dinosaur exhibit and part of the mammals exhibit. I really enjoyed it but we were so tired and brain was absorbing too much info, so we had to stop!

T-rex "animated"

I am sooo going back there again, I really really REALLY like learning about the mammals and like their different features that help them survive and all tt kind of thing!

Night
After that, took a walk inside Imperial College, then walked to LY's friend's apartment, then walked back to our hostel.

Saw the moon again!

It was just walking and walking the whole day - I was so tired by the end of it then I concussed at like 8pm!