Finally, The End

The whole year in UK has been great. I've made some good friends, both here in Lincoln and everywhere else. Every step I took, be it a positive or a negative one, I'm glad there are few individuals, whose names I shall retain from public eyes, who walked with me and still are walking with me. Travels were more interesting with your presence, food tasted better with you by my side, soap opera tales from dramatic me became some comedies with your laughters at my expenses, breakfasts after Sunday masses were fun time of catching up with you, the adventure of getting lost in some foreign city when it was dark, cold and raining was bearable and memorable. It took me a while to sort out my thoughts and right now, besides trying to pack up for the major move to my temporary abode out of kindness and hospitality of fellow Malaysians, I'm trying to sort of my heart and mind.

My Ethiopian coursemate, Sammy, and I had a short sharing over Thai lunch before he left. We both spoke about a real break after the two years of hardwork completing this Masters program. Indeed, sweat and tears, adding blood to the equation for the severity of it. He wishes for at least 4 months of real break, away from anything and everything. Me, the travel bunny (as per the youngling of cohort 2 today), had been sneaking off to various countries in these two years whenever money and desires crossed path. A 16-day journey to Ireland is my latest plan. Yeah, I could have done a 16-day eastern Europe trip, if the flights were cheaper. But I did feel called to go there for mini retreats and spend some time seeking God the Artist of Life through nature.

I'm in my final three nights in this lovely studio flat of mine beside returning the keys and bid goodbye to a warm, cosy dog nest of mine. During cold winter nights, my room was fuming hot. My fear of cold house subsided and conquered because of the never ending warmth. I know it'll be hard to say goodbye, just like how it was when I bade goodbye to the house I stayed for six years in Kota Kinabalu. Everything is everywhere right now. Procrastinating packing is the phrase. I don't want to leave!!!! T.T

Tidying up my project already, tying some loose ends. Meeting the junior from Cohort 2 was a realisation that I've completed the degree. Thank God for His wondrous and amazing love and blessings. Without Him, I wouldn't have made it this far.

Praise Him! ALLELUIA!

Life in Lincoln So Far...

It's been a while since I posted any entry on this public domain of free expression, and suddenly, a hyper me after a super sweet cuppa Costa coffee feel like penning something.

Yes, I'm in the UK right now, in the 4th week of the third semester of my masters program. So far, it has been interesting the semester in Lincoln, despite the exhaustion and cold I felt last week when we were out there in the field in Riseholme campus. Beautiful place, but definitely COLD is in the dictionary! Hahaha!

Simulated mass grave which we digged out last week in Riseholme College

 

 

I was in Cambridge two weekends ago and it is a perfect tiny little university town which holds one of the prestigious universities in the world. I had the opportunity to walk around the campus/town and find it intriguing if I were to study there. Lovely river Cam which runs in the city, and definitely beautiful gardens surrounding the campus and residential colleges. Queen's College was my favourite. The serenity within the college itself is undescribeable. And yes, the pristine state of life there brings peace to my heart :)

 

Last Saturday, which was just two days ago, I took the courage to drive from East Midlands to West Midlands to pick up my luggages in Vanessa's and Eva's homes (separate districts). First time is always adventurous and yes, I did it!!! I picked up my clothes and all other things which I don't really need to survive yet I have them out of vanity of life previously. Beautiful drive and God has been merciful to bless me with almost perfect, non-rainy weather throughout the drive to and fro Lincoln. Then I realize that Lincoln is home right now. The relief of going home when I finally arrived in Lincoln yesterday morning was something I never expected yet I am at peace with right now :)

 

I have class in 30 minutes, so it's time to gobble some home-made Mexicana cheese sandwiches. More coffee? Haha. Maybe not, if not I wouldn't be able to stop talking all together ;)

 

Oh yeah, another exciting moment is going to happen end of this week. I'm going to London for Les Miserables in the Queen's Theater!!! It's going to be an awesome outing, I pray, with a nice cheerful lad. May God be with us as we travel from north and south to meet in Central London on Saturday morning. Amen!