Monday, September 10, 2012 12:43:00 pm
Hello once again… my dear blog. Its been a while….
Some people wonder why I am still keeping my blog alive
after all these years, in spite not having the time to blog consistently. Well,
to me, this blog is a good platform for me to voice my opinions on certain
matters, it is also an excellent ranting ground, and a site which allows me to
record important/impactful/interesting moments or events that has happened in
my life…. and most importantly, a wonderful diary of God’s constant blessings
in my life.
I have been back in Manchester for a good 2 half weeks, and
I still have 1 half more weeks left before school starts. It has a been a rather
lazy holiday since my summer placement at Boots ended, but I’m not complaining…
cause I know that once fourth year starts, it will be a never ending roller
coaster from then on. After which, I’ll be starting a new phase in life –
working. Boring and mundane as it sounds (not actually looking forward to it)…
but I guess that’s the way life is. So I’m really just embracing every bit of my
lazy/boring holidays.
There is hardly anyone in Manchester/London at the moment,
so there is really no one to socialise with apart from my flatmate who is busy
at school. But, thanks to social media and traditional slow mail… I’m rescued
from being a social hermit. :D
I spent half my holidays setting up my new home, and spent the
other half of my holiday worrying about my module electives, cause it’s the final
year - weightage of every mark is ridiculously high, so critical selection is
essential. The dateline for the selection had just passed on Friday… I just
pray that I have made the right decision and I’ll trust God with it.
It’s just so wonderful to be back in Holy Trinity Platt.
Next week, the church hall renovation would be all done up! YAY! So excited!! I’m
going to be so sad to part with Platt once I graduate, because I literally grew
(my walk with God) in this Church. I’m going to miss the expository teachings
and the really hilarious pastor (Rev. Steve James). Anyway… today’s sermon on 1
Kings 11 was short and to the point – the topic was a good support to my quiet
time and a wonderful reminder about how I started my walk with God.
YAY!! I can’t wait for next week, especially Tuesday! :)
Just sharing some of my favourite verses on Love:
“Love is patience and kind; love does not envy or boast; it
is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable
or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth.
Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all
things.” – 1 Corinthians 4-7
So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the
greatest of these is love.” – 1 Corinthians 13
Sharing my current favourite song: 10000 reasons – Matt Redman
memories brings back happy moments
Sunday, August 19, 2012 12:51:00 am
I'm finally back in Manchester... after 8 whole weeks in Bude. It has been a wonderful experience and I'm really thankful that I've given this chance to Work in the UK. The train + bus ride was a lengthy one, but I'm just glad to be back safely in my new home. Did heaps of unpacking and tidying up the past 2 days - seems like I'm making good progress!
God has closed the door which I wished so much would open. Its hard to come to terms with rejection and disappointments. I ask why is it that God opened one door, and closed the other. What was his reason? After I watched a sermon from COOS today, it felt as though God was speaking to me. I can't see the reason because I'm always so caught up with my needs and wants. I don't see that God has a bigger plan for me and a better path for me to take. COOS's sermon was really apt in giving me a spiritual nudge.
I'm glad I'm going back to Holy Trinity Platt tomorrow. I really need to be fed with the word of God, after being deprived of it for weeks - was unfortunately scheduled for work on Sundays.
I wish I was back in Singapore. I miss everyone and everything back home. :(
I was bored last night, so I watched Hachiko (the dog movie). It was just so touching. I'm missing Toby now!
memories brings back happy moments
Monday, August 13, 2012 10:57:00 pm
Praise God! I've been offered a pre-reg place under the world's biggest retail pharmacy, Boots. :D I couldn't be any happier! Its truly a blessing from God, cause I didn't even apply for it! :) Though I know that I most likely will not be taking up the pre-reg cause I have a Bond to serve, but its just relieving to know that all the hard work for the past 3 years of education and this long summer placement has paid off. :)
Now that I've been here in Bude, Cornwall for already close to 8 weeks, I'm really missing Manchester a lot. I am a city girl, and living in a small town like this is really not for me at my age. Don't get me wrong, I love this place!!.... Its as peaceful as you can imagine. Sitting on the beach, reading a book and sipping earl grey tea.- 8 weeks of this is more than enough, cause I'm not ready for retirement yet! haha
I miss the familiarity of Manc and all my friends back there. I really can't wait to be back in my new flat. I have so much things to settle when I'm back, and I really hate the feeling of incomplete errands, yet knowing I can't do anything about it just yet. - On the bright side, I'm head back to Manc at the end of the week... YIPPEE! :D
Anyway, did anyone watch the Olympics closing ceremony last night? I felt the performance was sub-standard. The only impressive part of the show were the props! The singing was utterly rubbish. Maybe Ed shereen, Jessie J and George Michael were the only exceptions. The performance for the Queen Jubilee in June was definitely better than this! How Ironic!! Just when you thought the performance would be extravagant since the whole world would be watching it, it wasn't, and in comparison to the Queen's anniversary it was...to put it crudely, Crap.
memories brings back happy moments
Thursday, August 02, 2012 9:13:00 pm
I've got a day off today, quite odd to have a day off on a Thursday, but its better than nothing!
This morning, I woke up and was greeted with a text from daddy, and an email from mummy. Thank you for being so supportive! Love you both!
Part of me wishes I was back in Singapore, but then again, I'm experiencing something that I would probably never ever experience again in my life. I must say, working at a UK country-side, next to the beach is truly a once in a life-time! How many people would actually have that experience?! Though I might complain that work is mundane and retail pharmacy is not my cup-of-tea... but it is definitely all worth it!! People here are just so nice, especially my hosts! They are almost like God parents to me now. :) - Today they brought me to Port Issac, Port William, Boscastle and a few other places. It was beautiful!
To be honest, I was quite apprehensive about coming to Bude, cause it is so inaccessible and I'm not making much net profit as accommodation here in Bude is ridiculously expensive. To top it off, I didn't have anyone I knew here - I was pretty much all alone.
But true enough, God let everything happen for a reason, though it might be hard to accept at that point of time, but the truth will prevail eventually. Now I'm starting to see God's blessings showered upon me, and the reason for him sending me here to Bude.
My time out with Saf and Ann in their cool convertible :)
The wind 'rapping' my hair as the convertible speeds through the narrow country-side lanes...
The following pictures were taken in Hartland Quay
Some snap shots of Port Issac...
Awwww...
I love narrow roads :)
My favourite, Port Williams.... look at the people at the beach! So many and colourful!
Now you see the beach lovers, and now you don't.... the tides are slowly creeping in and have "eaten" up the beach, all in a span of about 1 hour.
Sunday, July 22, 2012 5:41:00 pm
Yay! God answered my prayers! I've got my tax settled! :D Thank you! That's 1 worry less!
Been doing my report the past 2 hours.. and its just so darn boring. Perseverance! I can do it!
YAY! One
door just opened for me! :) I love you mummy and daddy! I pray that God will slowly open more doors for me. But, then again I really don't want to make the same mistake as I did last time, so I'll just leave it to God to lead me on. Cause the path which God bring me through, will always be the best.
Anyway, some pictures of Boscastle :)
memories brings back happy moments
Friday, July 20, 2012 9:26:00 pm
Today was a very eventful day - unfortunately, there were some bad events amongst the good.
Saf and Ann (my B&B hosts) were so nice to bring me for a ride to Widemouth Bay and Hartland Quay for some breathtaking view. The weather was absolutely wonderful and what was better? Saf was driving his convertible! I'd never imagine myself sitting in a convertible while being driven along the coast of Cornwall. The experience was Phenomenal!... with the exception of the wind "raping my hair". haha! We also went to shop at a M&S and GAP outlet at Atlantic village. I'm truly blessed. In spite of being so far away from home (both homes), God has given me such wonderful carers who treat me just like their daughter.
The other good is that I've finally started my report. Thought its not even halfway through, but I'm just happy I've done something at least! Haiz... why am I required to do such lame stuff - as if writing a 4 page report on "customer care" is not boring enough.
My housing back in Manchester has not been settled, and it is really getting me worried. I hope that the agent would at least get back to me on when I can move in because they are already breaching the contract by not giving me the keys on the specified contract date! Telling me they can't honour the contract is not good enough! If they delay any longer, I'm really going to find a solicitor and get my deposit money back! - Wish my bf had finished his Bar, so I could just save the lawyer fee and sue the hell out of them! LOL! (I'm just kidding).
And the UK tax revenue is so slow in processing my forms for tax exemption.. and I'm paying like 20% default tax off my already negligible placement salary. Why?? Tell me why? Why does everything have to screw up? - Is God telling me something here?
What made me blow today was this - I had the rudest and most dishonest (Indian) waiter serving me at dinner time. To be honest, I've never experienced such appalling service in my life! This is what happened...I asked the waiter about the discount which I should have been given, he told me it had already been deducted from my bill. So I paid for it. Somehow I felt the numbers didn't tally, so I calculated it again, and I found that it was obviously not deducted! So I asked him for the reason, and he gave me a very ridiculous answer - "Because you wanted to pay by card, and after discount it would be below 10 pounds, so you will have to pay the full price." He also added, "Its only a few pence... besides, you have already paid for it, what can I do?". What was most shocking was that he raised his voice at me in-front of the other customers. - Mind you, it was a few pounds.. and what you could have done was to give me a refund! you moron!
People in the UK treat customer service as a very important benchmark. Sometimes, the food might not be fantastic, but if the service is good, it sort of evens the experience out. Which I have to agree... its the whole package of a good dining experience. UK is just becoming too cosmopolitan.... its good that they are tightening their immigration laws... haiz.. I better not get started about UK's social & economic downfall - it is losing its English culture to immigrants. If Spore is not careful, I can foresee her following the footsteps of UK.
I'm just so full of angst that I had to let it out. Its been a very tiring day for me. Half the time was spent worrying about the housing and tax. That's the trials and tribulations of studying overseas. I've matured and have become more independent through these years. Having to handle housing, banking, tax issues.... and having to deal with incompetent fools who don't know how to carry out their jobs properly - which ultimately affects me in the end, cause unfortunately (for me), I'm their customer.
I hate to be left hanging and waiting for the unknown. I don't know when I'm going to get my house keys; my tax back; for MOH to get back to me about my bond. - the only thing I can do now is to get my stupid report done. LOL
Melvin is right, I should go do my quiet time with God now, least my anger gets a hold of me. The only comfort at the moment is knowing that God is with me through everything, and he will not let me suffer beyond what I can bear. I'm grateful that I have wonderful friends and loved ones praying for me.
"Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened" Matthew 7:7-8
memories brings back happy moments
9:35:00 am
YAY! I'm going into my 5th week of placement real soon. Things have been alright so far... but I think work is starting to get mundane. -.- I'm really starting to miss Manchester. Its like a second home to me now. I'm just so familiar with the place and people. I do pray that my placement would end quickly.. I want to go back!
Everyone is graduating this year... and I still have one more year to go.. why oh why?? Why must pharmacy be 4 years, and everyone else 3? Not fair! lol... Anyway, I'm just praying that God will open the doors for me. Though I tell myself that... not everything will happen the way I want it to be, but I really want to find a career that I'll be satisfied - or at least I think I would be.
"God, it is my prayer that you would lead me to the path which you have prepared for me and that it would be glorifying to you."
I've got to stop procrastinating and start doing my report! I hate the feeling of having to start and report.. knowing that its going to be a long process till it ends. Starting the report is just the most difficult. Oh well, I've got no time to procrastinate anymore really.. I just have to get my ass going!
Housing arrangements have just been very awful. My agent isn't very good! She is telling me she can't honour my contract and wants to shift the start date backwards! Ridiculous! Haiz... God... please pull me through.
Anyway... Thought maybe I'll upload some photos of my holidays. :)
At a basilica in Budapest.
Macdonalds lovers. LOL Go all the way to budapest for macdonalds - Well, what ya know? Apparently they said that fries in budapest are 10 times better than UK's fries!
The famous Goulash soup! Finally get to try it... and the verdict? Delicious!!
3 types of pasta all on the same dish! I liked 2/3 of it.. the centre pasta was blue cheese - too strong for my liking unfortunately.
This the communal bath somewhere in Pest
Goose liver on mash potato - I didn't eat it though, don't fancy offals.
The jump shot buddies - Dan and Josh
Howard, Hazell, Daniel and Josh happily chatting away at an I
talian restaurant near town
Some castle in Budapest on the Buda side. haha
Oh! I just realised we don't have a group photo! Its prob not in my camera. LOL
Shall upload more pics of london next time. :)
memories brings back happy moments
Sunday, July 08, 2012 4:47:00 pm
Hello! Its been a while since I last blogged. Its been quite hectic for me the last 2 months. After mugging my head off for the exams, I was busy packing and packing. After that it was a trip to London, followed by Budapest :) Life is just great! I really thank God for everything. Especially for my results.
I'm currently in Bude, Cornwall doing my summer placement at Boots. This town is more of a surfers town. Its filled with really lovely people and cute dogs! hehe.. The first week was extremely difficult to adjust to, cause I really had no one I knew. Internet connection here is a pain. In short, I felt like I had no social interaction, and I must say, it really was the first time I felt so home sick. I was dying to return back to Manchester (or spore). I am probably the only A
sian walking the streets in this town!!!
Undoubtedly, God has really blessed me; the people here are just so friendly and welcoming. I've just ended my 2nd week at work and I'm slowly starting to embrace the peace and learning to be independent. My supervisor and colleagues are so understanding and my accommodation hosts are so sweet! I couldn't ask for better! Its so true. "No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it." - 1 Corinthians 10:13 Thank you! <3
.....and what I love most about Bude is that I can run along the beach and up onto the cliff anytime I wish (its literally at my backyard! how cool is that?!). The view is breathtaking and the experience, PHENOMENAL!!
memories brings back happy moments
