Memoir du Jour

I'm back!!!

2010-11-05T12:48:00.003+08:00

I can't believe it is nearly half a year since I last updated my blog. This just shows how much a master degree study can occupy a person's time, especially during the last stage of the study... DISSERTATION!!! Arghhh!!! The difficulty. The hard work. The stress. I came to the point that I woke up very early in the morning and slept very late at night. There are times I feel 24 hours a day and

-On Hiatus-

2010-07-08T08:04:00.002+08:00

Dear Readers,Thank you for your constant support on my blog.I am in the final stage of my Master degree course, in which I need to write a 15,000-word research-based dissertation by mid-September.For this reason, I won't be updating my blog for awhile.I really appreciate your understanding. Do wish me all the best.Cheers.~Ain~

A Tearful Farewell

2010-05-18T05:51:00.002+08:00

“Ann, I have to go back to Vietnam soon.” This was what Hanh told me through MSN as soon as I returned to Newcastle under Lyme from Spain during the Easter Break. My first instinct, then, was to ask whether she had to return for good. And she said yes... The date was not confirmed, then. However, it would be someday in early May. Her departure was due to some complications – which I should not be

Introducing Nike

2010-05-18T05:40:00.004+08:00

My friend, NikeThis may be the first time I mention someone by the name of Nike. She is my Nigerian friend. We take the same course. In lectures, she often stood out for her active participation – answering questions, making comments, putting up her views and so on. However, my friendship with Nike really started when we constantly bumped into each other in the library. We recognised one another

Clarification: I don't usually eat out.

2010-05-18T01:43:00.006+08:00

I got the feeling that my parents thought I had been eating out a lot ever since I was studying in Keele University. They based their assumptions on the various pictures of me eating out posted in this blog and facebook. Furthermore, when they arrived at my crib, there were still several uneaten instant noodles and unused pastes from Brunei in my kitchen cabinets. The fact that I told them I did

Volcanic Ash Prolonged Their Stay

2010-05-18T00:40:00.003+08:00

19 April, 2010. Early morning. My parents were busy stuffing in their things into their suitcases. They were supposed to catch a coach to Heathrow Airport that evening. Their flight to Brunei would be the next day. The TV was switched on. I flipped through the channel to watch the news. Volcanic Ash. I turned to Mama and said, “Are you sure you guys can travel? The airports are shut down.”

Their So-Called Last Day

2010-05-18T00:33:00.003+08:00

18 April,2010. I tried to persuade my parents to visit Birmingham, a ‘big’ city next to Staffordshire apart from Manchester... but with no success! My parents preferred to hang around Staffordshire, which I found weird considering there was not much more to see at my place. I wondered why my parents were reluctant to visit Birmingham. Was it because it was a stranger’s place? I had never truly

Trentham Garden... Again!

2010-05-18T00:28:00.002+08:00

17 April, 2010. I always thought my first time to Trentham Garden would also be my last time. Not because I did not like the place. Trentham Garden is no doubt a beautiful place. The shops are laid out in a modern-like village. There are also a centre with Roman-like arches, water fountains and garden displays. They just make you wish you have your own garden to decorate. Overall, the place is

Mama Shopped in Chester

2010-05-18T00:16:00.004+08:00

16 April, 2010. My parents and I went to Chester – my definition of a shopping heaven.I like Chester city. It has a free shuttle bus, which runs from its train station to its city centre. Its city centre looks small, which makes it cosy. In addition, it offers more things than does Hanley (the city centre in Staffordshire). Its people are generally friendly and welcoming. Overall, I always have a

Redemption

2010-05-17T16:00:00.002+08:00

Pictures were taken during their first visit to Trentham Garden.