Back to the comfort zone.

I'm finally back in Eastbourne after two weeks spent working in busy London for the NHS. Having said that, I was only able to stay at Brunei Hall for a period of one week as I couldn't stand the idea of seclusion and isolation from friends and people to talk to. Although I had my own room, good food served for dinner, but it's just not right. I didn't get my proper night sleep and my tummy didn't feel right albeit everything was adequate. Alright, put that aside, but commuting wasn't really that bad either. You get to see the same people almost everyday on the train and bus.

On Monday, the train service was horrendous! The weather suddenly had gone bad enroute to Eastbourne as the driver could not see the train track. It was Shahin's 21st birthday, had to meet everyone at home and go out for dinner by 8.30pm. Made it just on time, and made a move to Zizzi for a night meal before we head out for the night. I said to myself and made it out loud that I would not stay up late as I got work the next day. Did it happen? Of course not!! The music was great, and didn't wanna miss it. Still end up going home at 3am! hmmph!! Got my 2 hours of sleep, got up at 5 to catch my 6.24am train to London that morning. And true enough, as it was my bed and I had a good time etc, I woke up fresh, and I didn't even have the fatigue feeling and yawning at work! So that just proved something innit? That's when I decided to commute daily... although it had cost me a fortune. 30quid a day!! So Shahin's b'day was a blast. Had good time at Zizzi, and we headed off the dance floor at FunktionRooms.




Work wise, it was all good last week. Spent quite a lot of time with fellow students from other universities as well. We shared quite a lot of things, looking at different ideas on what they have learnt etc. On overall, working in South London was excellent. Looking at the multi-cultural and socio-economic differences. I reckon it's a good place for research purposes too. Having to listen to good feedback also made my work placement there worthwhile.

Then on Friday, as it's a pre-valentine's night, I went out again. arrgh.. ahhaha I didn't plan it and I was just about to head to bed when Shahin pop in and said... "you sure you're not coming!?... In the end, I jumped into the bandwagon, and off again to Funktionrooms! ahhaha. I almost got denied to enter this time to FunktionRooms as they couldn't take my NUS care... damn it, had to show my Brunei High-Com card, and entry granted. Met everyone there including Emma and the rest and everyone was just happy to see that I could make it. It was fun... ehhe *Pics will come later* Oh oh, I think it's the cheapest night ever! 90p for drinks! 99p for entry!!!! hahha You can't be wrong.

Same thing happened again last night. Nothing to do with Valentine's at all, but it was some friend's farewell at The Loft. Again, I was just about to head to bed, and Shahin persuaded me to come. He even persuaded me by saying.. "your fav gal will be there u know...." hahahah LOL! Oh well, the Loft, how could I say no to the Loft, great drinks and ambience. I just like that place, hang around in the plush sofa, and chat through the night over a great stream of music. Anyway, now it's time to get back to my busy final year student's life. I can't believe it's only months left!! YITES!!!!!

Day 2 - The beginning.

Having doubts and worried about being delayed with the slow resumption of London Transport, I set off to work early today. I decided to leave 20mins earlier than the usual time as normally it would take an hour or so. Surprisingly, it was the opposite. Arrived an hour earlier than the supposed time! Arrgh... it was extremely cold, and I had to endure it with patience outside the building. And this notice put me into further doubts, so to other staffs and patients.



So I called Megan to say whether I should stay or leave. 45mins through the endurance, I could feel my toes had gone numb, and I knew that my shoes were not meant for this kind of weather. Afraid of getting frostbite, I decided to drop into one of the convenient stores nearby to get some heat. But anyhow, I managed to snap few pictures around whilst waiting for Megan and Susan to arrive.

Here are the pictures, brought personally to you by me... ehhehe These were taken around 8am. These are pictures surrounding the clinic, and the park behind the clinic.




Icy Plant?



At work, I must say I've done quite a lot for a first day. Met another fellow student from UEL, and we had a great chat and exchange of ideas on similarities and differences in curriculum between universities. Saw few juicy stuffs and I got to treat as well.

And this is me after work! Yites!!! Dreadful and tired looking me...


Oh yeah, and not surprisingly, most of the cases seen were frostbite, chilblains and all the weather related conditions. So.... keep warm people!

London Placement - Part Two.

Arrived on Sunday afternoon, and London greeted me with extremely cold weather. It was snowing enroute to London Victoria as the train passed through Gatwick airport. Made it safe to Brunei Hall, and glad enough I got my own room. I also got my 3G internet with me, hence this entry from the comfort of my room at Brunei Hall. Bless mobile internet!

Anyway, I was wandering about at Paddington Station after a long walk to Edgware Road. I was walking aimlessly, but at the same time trying to get in tune with the hustle and bustle of busy London. I was at Boots, and guess who I met!? It was Fayyadh (hope I spelled his name right), Hazim's cousin I've met in New York. He was in London since Friday visiting his sister and he went back to Notts that night. It was a pleasant surprise indeed. So we chatted a bit, and off we went for a cuppa. Not long whilst in the queue, the sis (Baz) called and we made that Starbucks trip a quick one. We met Baz at Brunei Hall, before we made our way to Westfield ( a new huge mall opened at Shepherd's Bush).

We made it to dinner at BHall, before sending Fayyadh off the train station. It then started snowing... heavily...then even more throughout the night until this morning.



Woke up before 6am, got ready for placement etc. The moment I stepped off BHall entrance, the reception said "all transport shut! you can't go anywhere..." I was like... NO! This is not happening... not on my first day... *sigh*. Nothing could be done..... I end up having breakfast of spicy fried rice (endurance here...) and now blogging. I didn't have my camera with me, so I had to use my old crappy phone to snaps the pix below. All the way from London, just for you... enjoy you loads!

I'm gonna give my supervisor a call to say we're not in. The whole London Transport is shut, Gatwick and London City airports are closed, and most of the train service in the Southeast are all being affected. Even poor ol Shahin was stranded at Bexhill on his way back from work, and a friend pick him up where he spent the night.

That's the UK weather for you. Apparently, it's the worst ever recorded in 15 years!