First post in 2015

Happy New Year folks!! I know its late but still.. Its been a while but please allow me to explain a little.

First, almost the entire month of December 2014 i was busy with assessments and since its such a festive month, i'm busy for work as well.

Second, since i've been stuck in the library or my place doing assessments for such a long time, i truly really sincerly desperately want a short get away as a little reward to myself.  Once i back, work started, class started.

Long story shorts.

This trip was definitely a huge step out of my comfort zone to explore and experience. As mentioned earlier, i wanted a trip but most of my friends have been to other places during December so they are either out of budget or already started their class.

Fortunately, i have a friend who she is still willing to travel around within UK so we spent the entire day on planning the trip to figured out the cheapest train tickets, place to stay and so on. After we head out for dinner, she texted me she spent too much money on foods and social activities so she decided not to go anymore. Its disappointed i'm not gonna lie, but i genuinely don't blame her.

So, whats in my mind is, regardless how bad the situation, i have to go out of Newcastle in this one week time i have. Lucky enough, i have a high school friend that currently studying in Oxford and generous enough to said YES to let me stay over at his place and show me around the city.

And this is the very first time, i travel to another city in UK all by myself. Train from Newcastle to Oxford is crazily expensive, it cost more than going to London, so I took bus instead, which cost £28.5 (return ticket) but 8 hours ride. I know everything sounds really crazy at this point but whats in my mind was, i have all the time now but not much money so yea..

On the positive side was i kind a like taking all sort of transportation and i'm totally fine with the long hours ride so it wasn't a huge problem to me.  Also, i get to see a little sneak peek in some cities so its really not as bad as it sounds.

I'm not gonna talk much about the trip cause its slighly personal this time and its gonna be too lengthy anyway. BUT!!!

I'm posting the video below and its definitely out of my comfort zone again cause... thou i thought of doing this for quite some time but often lacks with courage and now i finally learn  how to edit video and all.

Its my first time editing and 60% of the clips i never thought of posting it so it wasn't taken in a very serious way. All i did was putting the random clips i have all together. I want my first post of 2015 to be special and different so... there you go.

Whoever is reading this, i hope i can inspired you a little.

"Don't let anyone or any excuses to stop chasing what you want in life. I can't promise its easy, but take that first step, everything will turn out right."  

The UK study life

Its been a while. This post is genuinely dedicated to a number of you that i've made a promise.

I'm gonna go straight to the point.

Study here in UK is generally harder compare to Malaysia as well as other country ranging from Germany, Spain, France and etc.

1. Preparation

Student here has been given a "Teaching & Learning Plan" before the semester start and we were expected to prepare some of the material ahead. The plan will show you what you have to read for each lecture, what you need to prepare for next week, and what you need to do for this lecture's seminar aka tutorial.

Of course, preparation is not compulsory but it definitely help better understanding during lecture. Anyhow, no one can avoid preparation for seminar because if you don't prepare anything, you won't be able to join into any of the activities nor discussion in class. Preparation for seminar sometimes includes reading case study and analyse the situation then answer the question, presentation etc. Often time, the website where we get our study material will state that you're not expected to join the class without preparation. So, on the other words they're telling you don't come if you're not prepare.

My cousin studying in Malaysia but doing University of London program do receive a teaching & learning plan as well, but i have no such things at all back in my previous university. I personally do appreciate it because it enable you to be more structure and organised as well as visualise where you're heading to.

2. Assessment aka Assignment

In all the subject i've taken in this semester, assessment question is based on real cases and some of it even still happening currently. Lecture expect you to really analyse the situation and APPLY the theory, not DEFINING it. So there's no introduction, company background or all those kind of thing. You gonna go straight to the point, analyse and discuss according to some theoretical framework.

It is even harder when you're researching latest cases because no one will have done anything about it, so there's no way you can google for a sample answer or any reference sort of thing. Being analytical and critical thinking is essential.

3. Independent learning

We've been given sufficient support for studies - 24/7 library, "blackboard" site which contains all the materials you need for each class not just including the slide but some of the essential reading, online lecture or video related to the subject matter.

However, we are expect to be really independent in the way you need to figure out where are those resources. Or if there's a mistake in your timetable, you should go to the counter and made enquiries. If you want to know more on how to use this and that you should go to the specific place and all. So, no more spoon feeding and extra guidance. You're all on your own.

""These are the three main points i can think of right now. I don't face much problems with the lectures' accent nor the speed they spoke. But sometimes its hard to capture what they're saying and this is why preparation ahead is again crucial. Also, the locals here i met are literally quite smart, they do their work and the way they answer is totally different. I don't really know how to describe, but i guess they're being more analytical in a way and my answer are way too formal, theoretical? If that make sense.

Overall it's a very legit university study life over here compare to Malaysia. No offence to any of you but the expectation and requirement are indeed much higher. And this is why i'm not very active in any social media lately.

I knew a lot of you think that most of the abroad student here play, party, tour around more than what we study, but honestly, thats not the case AT ALL. Truth is, we only post travel, party, fun looking pictures in Instagram instead of the study picture. Even the most lazy person here i met spend more time and effort in study compare to where he or she came from. I even get a number of messages saying "you go UK study or travel ohh?" I'm not mad nor angry but felt defenceless or speechless because not all of us do post like this to declare. But no worries, at least now you know. =)

Hopefully next post will be the "Halloween" because i had so much fun that night and its an amazing experience. One of the best night i've ever had here! So, stay tuned and until next time..""

Look. What do you think if we always post this kind of picture? Would you even believe? But thats the truth!

Take Care!!

PS: My cousin are helping me out with new layout and all, so please excuse for the incomplete look right now. 

A City of Love

The longer i been abroad, the more real cases and story i heard or happened surrounding "LOVE".

Yea, one of the most common topic globally and even the locals here were facing the same problems. 

I've known people that been abroad here and met the someone for just a week and they've become couple. Or.. been here for just less than two months facing problems with their current relationship. Some of them are in two different countries while some just two different city in UK. 

Some just dreaming they will meet the right one in the new city they live. 

I do understand some of the people here generally desperate for love because of the new environment and you just wish to have someone by your side all the time. Cause as i mentioned before, study abroad is pretty much about independent in every single aspect. 

But the fundamental issue here I found is people don't have a clear minded about what they really want and facing all sorts of unnecessary dilemma. If you clearly know what you're looking for on the other individual, what direction of life you're heading to, things can't get this complicated nor simple. 

Don't take anyone for granted nor thinking that you don't deserve something better. Rather being single than simply finding someone as a substitution and aspecting everything is gonna comes to an end after the whole semester. I would rather just have one right one than having a multiple. 

Not judging anyone here stepping too fast into a relationship, i do believe some of them will work out perfectly fine. 

Just focus on whatever you should focusing and don't forget what was the very first point you came here, thousand miles away from home.

Grey Street, Newcastle Upon Tyne

Tynemouth, Newcastle

The day after Edinburgh, I went to Tynemouth with my flatmates for the Weekend Market. Spontaneous plan, but we had a lot of fun.

Its the first time for some of us to take the manor. We bought the one day pass ticket, ABC coach line, it costs us £4.50. In order to reach Tynemouth, i guess its not necessary to bought the ABC lines. But all of us still need time to learn this, so check it out if you happened to be here. Don't repeat the same mistake. =)

I've been to a number of market in a few different places, but this the biggest I've been so far with a variety of unique craft and stuff which i absolutely love. 

The first flatmate i met - Amelia ❤︎

 Once you get down from the Manor, market will be right in front of you. No excuse to get lost at all!  

Definitely getting more things if i'm happened to have my own flat here. 

Was FaceTiming with my mum and sis! Thats why i show the phone like they're here! 

 This is probably one of my favourite market so far because surprise is everywhere. 

 There are a few stall selling these books for only £1 each. So for of you who love to read, please don't bother to bring any books with you if you're coming here to study. Generally books like novel and all are cheaper here even in other places like book stores.

 A number of my friends here who played guitar but didn't brought their own guitar here cause of the limited baggage allowance. Here it is! Cheap, affordable! But please don't have high expectation on the quality. My flatmate got one for £18 with a leather bag. Its working but it'll keep out of tune especially after you put into the bag. 

These selfies are here for a purpose! If you're considering buying a camera, here's the differences of the picture quality. Until now i still have no idea if i made the right choice, nevertheless, i do appreciate the one i owned. 

Sony a-5000

Samsung NX3000

The girls i living with! 

Once again the highlight of our trip will be those doggies. They're literally everywhere here in UK. 

The guy who selling ginger bread asked us to tried some samples and kind enough offered to take a group pictures of us! So my friends did bought some bread in return. I got other dessert on the store just next to it.

Taste so good for me! But maybe normal for some of my friends. But... just felt like getting it. Haha.. So yea, i cherished the moment we bought some food and let each other to taste as well! 

  The store that we stuck for very long. My friend end up getting 3 of all the old school cameras for £10 if i'm not mistaken. They're all still working but i doubt if he can find the film. Its a gifts anyway, he is so happy to able to found these. 

 Things like this are goodly. Its all depends on luck and fate. Which again explain why i'm in love with this particular market. 

Done with the market! We then head to the famous Fish & Chips in Tynemouth 

 Marshall's! 

It was full house that day, some people even reserved the table ahead. But it was worth for the waiting, we love it! BUT, please don't order their orange juice, it taste weird. Coffee was just normal. 

We had Cod and Headdock. I would love to suggest you one but different people different taste. My tips, go with more people so you can order both and try it out on your own! Haha! Anyway, its good!!

Taken while otw to Marshall's.

House that we both wanted to live in. 

 Most of the people come all they way here is for the beach. But we head to the market first cause we save the beach for sunset. 

No surprise. Dogs again. Too fluffy too cute! 

Please be prepare for a lot of selfies. I've already tried to lessen it. But still... =D

The lovely couple. 

 

I know its a lot of pictures but still thanks for reading till the end. 

Take care everyone! Have a great week ahead!