On Cardiff

Many thanks to the wonderful people who came to send me off, or who had me in their hearts as I flew off yesterday. It was organized but touching at the airport. I am glad so many turned up and called, your support will go a long way in giving me strength to do well in Cardiff!

The decision to go by Coach from Heathrow was a good one. Met many Asian/Chinese, made friends quite immediately with a few Malaysians, Hong Kongers (plenty), Taiwanese & Chinese. Everyone seemed in a hurry to know each other and make new friends anyway. I guess as people grow up, the more they feel lonely and out of place being solitary. The coach ride to Cardiff was pretty much normal, by my standards, I saw Sheep! and a Windmill(for the first time), but apart from that, the scenery was not particularly breathtaking.

The arrival procedures in Cardiff was planned very well, it went smooth, till I had to carry my 4 bags of luggage myself, some 200 m, up 2 flights of stairs, from the Key Reception to my Room. My address is Second Floor Flat 2 Room 5, House 6 Talybont South, Trotman Dickinson Pl, CF 14 3UU. I was very happy with my little secluded corner, I felt happy just to make phone calls back to Singapore, unpack my luggage, and see what I needed to buy. It was nice to be alone. My room is painted a dark shade of Sky Blue!!! And I've bought classic White Bed Sheets to match! It's carpeted and the toilet is very clean! I've bought airfreshners in both the toilet and the room. I'm convinced to making this little room a real retreat haven. The only sore was the internet connection, which seemed to run into many problems, but as I am using it now, I have obviously resolved it. (The MSN does not seem to be able to Video Conference/Voice Call though, very worrying. Will see what I can do)

Soon though, I needed to go to Tesco Supermarket to buy all the stuff, and now, I was thankful that one Malaysian boy, Kaiyi, was happy to accompany me. The park next to my accomadation is real classic, and we jogged along it on the way. I see myself exercising quite a bit now, anyway, someone cant stand fat people. Soon night fell, and we both went to the City Centre, on foot! It was quite a torture to me, I hate to walk and wander in unknown territory! In the end, we had BK in a rather quiet City Centre (perhaps, we did not delve far enough), and walked back.

I got back to my little room, with everything in good order, and tried to connect to the internet again. It took another 4-5 hours before it was finally up. And then, there were lots of noises outside my room, I presume that the other people staying at my floor have returned. And somehow, I just fear when I hear noise, I think it's me not wanting to have to meet people again, especially not at 3am in the middle of the night! Esp. when I'm like the only Singaporean in a long distance!

However, sooner enough, I'll have to kick out of this "comfort-zone retreat" and go into forced positiveness & activity. It's not easy, I guess. But I am so happy and glad that all in Singapore are a phone call away when I need to talk! Thanks, my family, Yun Ching, Zhiqing! With that alone, I'll definitely make it through this initial phases. After all, the people here are nice, and Cardiff is really just a little University town with buildings not more than 4 storeys high! And, there is lots more to explore! I need to go into Explorer mode, and not treat this like some short hoiliday and be content to rest in the hotel! And then, I'll start thinking of how to bring all of you around when you come over! Yes, such plans really do make me naturally positive and pro-active.

I hope the internet stabilises from now on, and yups, I'll post photographs from my wonderful room, the park, and the University soon!

By the way, for all interested, my room is currently decorated with the following :
1) Family Photographs!
2) Unleash Your Potential Motivational Card (from Mrs Tay & Mrs Ong)
3) Hao Jie's Painstaking & beautifully touching Drawing Board!
4) My Personal File of Writings & Letters
5) The Blue Day Book (from Meina, Liena, Micheal)
6) The Cooking Recipes (from Wenyuan & Ruixiang)
7) Jade Laughing Buddha (from Patrick)
8) Thank You Teacher Card from 6/4 (2006) RSS!
8) Zhiqing's Box!
9) A Monkey Called Bonkees (from Valerie)
10) A Little Bear Called Baby (from the silly girl =p)

And yes, I have lots and lots of tidbits! =)