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.