Dublin Trip (University)

The last day of our Dublin Trip, and we still have one morning to walk around. After a relaxing breakfast in hostel, we checked out, carry our backpack and walk around the town. It's not difficult since it's just 3 days of shirt in the bag, reminds me of the weekends in Cheras and Nilai.

Heading to the spire and river:

The last place of visit is the University College of Dublin, located in the city itself. It's like Monash University in Subang, the students have everything they need within footsteps. The Uni isn't very big, probably around the size of UNMC. We walked in to random buildings, one of them is the Civil and Materials research building, found some really familiar stuffs.

Anyone remember Macaulay's Theorem for beam deflection?

In the afternoon, we use the same bus back to airport. I love the feeling when the airport is so near from me, just like KK. We actually played Monopoly Deal again while having lunch at the airport, and because of that, we were almost late for departure (not totally our fault, the check in counter didn't chopped two of our boarding pass). It's pretty exciting I would say, running in the airport is like filming a game show.

Thank God they are just queuing up while we race there:

Just an hour in the plane, and we're back in East Midland Airport (even faster than Peninsular to Sabah =.=). Got back home just in time for dinner, and found out that my housemates are not back from their trip yet, so I ended up hanging out at Sean's house for dinner~ consider the closing ceremony of our Dublin trip.

Instant noodle, really really big pot~ Thanks Sean!

"The words of the reckless pierce like swords, but the tongue of the wise brings healing."
-Proverbs 12:18-

There goes another holiday at another country, and it's really a relaxing and nice one despite the weather. The more I travel, the more I see the world, and this is when you realize how big it is, and there is a bigger God who is taking care of everything. Also the most little thorns in our heart You see them, so I pray that in You we find comfort and cure, Amen.

Dublin Trip (Howth)

Another morning where we woke up a little late than planned, but it's alright. Still have the time to visit castles and churches in the morning, these are probably the places a free tour would bring us and tell histories about kings and wars. Too bad, it was drizzling at first and slowly pour down, thank God Sean brought an umbrella with him.

Old castles and churches:

The main trip today is visitng a nearby fishing village, Howth. I thought it would be a super long journey to the outskirt but it's only 25 minutes by train. The weather isn't any better, and the wind is getting stronger and stronger. Found a little cafe and decided to take cover while having lunch there.

A local cafe in this small little town:

The rain gave a little mercy, and we decided to walk around, and yeah... it's raining + windy + cold. The mentioned combination plus a big wave of sea actually feels amazing, and we're not the only one walking around the port. Running and shouting in this environment sorta brings me some achievements and satisfaction.

Port of Howth:

As expected, we're soaked wet even after the train ride back to Dublin city. Went back hostel and hang our clothing on the heater itself, have a short rest and there we go to Mc Donalds again, but this time with Monopoly Deal. Haha, we played til the place is closed down and continued back in our hostel, a super chilling day.

Big Mac + Monopoly deal:

"When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom.
-Proverbs 11:2-

Although the rush of weather kinda change what we expect from the trip, but the experience is still something awesome like never before. Just pray that we will stay healthy and don't fall sick after this overwhelming trip, Amen.

Dublin Trip (Guinness + Phoenix Park)

Wake up moderate early and had our free breakfast provide by the hostel, it's actually quite nice. The weather is quite cold although it's morning, I bet a little colder than Nottingham. As any other Europe countries, the tram is fast and good to travel around the city. Our first place to visit is the famous Guinness storehouse.

Starting our journey after breakfast:

This is basically the place where they produce Guinness beer, showing us the ingredients, processes and some histories of course. We also get to pour our own pint of Guinness, earning ourselves a cert. Oh yeah, the pint that we poured is ours to drink, and it took me a whole hour to finish it (I'm bad at alcohol).

Inside Guinness storehouse:

Next, we're at Phoenix Park (established since 1662), a super huge park to finish by walking. Spent some time here taking pictures playing with the reindeers. It has very wide empty fields and high landmarks, the pillars and a cross. Probably more but too big for us to discover, plus others are a little tired after walking for the whole day.

Chilling around Phoenix Park:

Finally back to somewhere near our hostel at night, but it's too early to call it a day. After some simple shopping, we found a pretty descent pub and decided to eat good food tonight. €11.50 for Irish Stew with Lamb, but seriously it's really good, a taste of heaven. We ended up chatting in that pub for the rest of the night til almost 1 am, I really liked it.

Relaxing in the pub:

"Hatred stirs up conflict, but love covers over all wrongs."
-Proverbs 10:12-

New place and new experience in life always reminds me of the blessings and promises of God. May this wonderful experience and time of fellowship strengthen each one of us in faith. Pray for journey mercy and joy for the rest of the trip, Amen.

Arriving Dublin

This is my second Europe travelling experience, going to Dublin, Ireland with Shi Wei and Sean just for the weekend. I never knew there's an East Midland airport that is accessible by just Indigo bus, although it's almost an hour ride. We arrive at Dublin at night and check in to Abraham's Hostel.

Living in a 10 beds room:

It's late beyond dinner time, we walked around Dublin town for some night view, and found ourselves the most economic and safest dinner - Mc Donalds. Overall, the architecture around is pretty much similar to UK, and the main language spoken here is still English (make things a lot easier). Only drawback is that the weather here at night is kinda cold.

Night view + late dinner:

Since it's so late at night, we don't really have any place to go except Temple Bar. It's kinda crowded partly because of Friday night (clubbing night). There're a lot of street music going on, one of the coolest one is a team of percussion performance advertising a new bar. Another thing is, most of the pubs have live music, live Irish music!

Walking around Temple Bar:

"Do not rebuke mockers or they will hate you; rebuke the wise and they will love you."
-Proverbs 9:8-

Thank You Lord for the safe journey and a great time of fellowship with friends. May the rest of the travelling days be fruitful and fun, Also pray for other friends that are travelling at some other countries to be safe as well, Amen.

Heng & Sen Loong's 24th Birthday

On 23rd Jan, also the first day of Chinese New Year, we didn't do anything special since the next day is the last paper for the pharmacy students except for celebrating Heng's birthday. Ghee Vui homemade a blueberry cheesecake for him. Just another simple surprise at 12 midnight, and a short one coz everyone can't wait to be with their notes again.

Blueberry cheesecake:

The next day, they're finally done with exam. Me and Sen Loong were walking back after bible study, planned to chill a while at his house just to find ourselves another birthday surprise for him. I guess it's also their post-exam party, since they are so well-equipped with games, snacks and "drinks".

A little party after exam:

In this cold weather and short daylight hours, it could be quite depressing sometimes. Hanging out at other student's house is like the best choice if you're not a fan of clubbing.

Sen Loong's birthday surprise:

"Free yourself, like a gazelle from the hand of the hunter, like a bird from the snare of the fowler."
-Proverbs 6:5-

It's the beginning of Chinese New Year, may those who make their way back home have a great time of family reunion. While for those who are abroad, may friends enlighten you for being far away and be blessed by each other. Thank you Lord for blessing them through the exam period, Amen.

Cornerstone Chinese New Year Lunch

Happy Chinese New Year, it's my first CNY in UK and of course, there's no special celebration by the English people and don't even mention about holiday~ (the undergrads are still having exams). Today is CNY eve, those in Malaysia should be having reunion dinner. Cornerstone church organized a rice lunch, a very international CNY gathering.

Morning service with Chinese blessings hanged on stage:

Members of the Discipleship group are asked to host a table during the lunch, basically just set the table and take care of the church members in your table (talk with them and tell them some Chinese culture). There are 2 British families in my table, they are actually more social than I am, so no worries. The food is actually very Chinese, rice with mix vege, drumstick, and kueh tiao!

Setting my table and having lunch with local families:

We played some bible verse memorizing game (my table got John 3:16, quite an advantage :P), watch some video and sharing session. Everyone receive an ang pao, with bible verse and chocolate coin in it (yupz, I appreciate chocolate!). I get to bring back some leftover cakes too, awesome!

Red packet as a souvenir and my reward of the day:

"Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it."
-Proverbs 4:23-

Because of the love of Christ, everyone is bonded together by love, and anywhere we go, we have families that love and care for each other. It's the last week of exam, hang on it everyone! For those in Malaysia campus who completed theirs and are back home cherishing reunion dinner, Happy Chinese New Year and may you all have a blessed walk with Christ in the Dragon year, Amen.

I Cook Dinner

Tomorrow will be the first paper for the pharmacy students in UK. Since most of the people around me are either Pharmacy Year 4 or Year 3 students, I can really see how tensed up they are. My housemates of course are very busy with revision, so I'm in charge for dinner this time.

Crispy chicken (by accident) and random vegie:

I never know de-boning chicken can take so much time and work =.= Partially success anyway. Was suppose to follow the instruction on the powder packaging, I lost track half way and ended up improvising. Seems like follow the book is never my stuff. It's a big mess in the kitchen, I kinda dirtied everywhere :P

Some cleaning need to be done:

Yeah, dinner time~ In the freezing weather, this is one of the most anticipated moment of the day, especially when my chocolate supply is running low. Haha, even during dinner they can't stop thinking about exam, I remember having those moments with my housemates as well during my undergrads.

Flipping notes while having dinner:

"He established His commands for ever and ever— He issued a decree that will never pass away."
-Psalms 148:6-

For all the prayers that have been made, God hears all of them. Will continue to pray for you all who are struggling for exam madness, both Nottingham and Malaysia students. For whatever the outcome is, praise Him and be glad, Amen.

Frosty Lake Side

The temperature for the pass few days was 5-10°C, feels like the weather is turning warmer after December. I thought it'll be a good day for a jog at lake side (getting fatter =.=). Get up at 8 am, dash out with T-shirt and shorts (normal sports wear). Normally the body should heat up after running for a while, but something was wrong until I notice what happens around.

Frosty ice covering cars and the field:

I'm pretty sure it didn't snow last night. After 1 round of quick jog, quickly run back home and get my camera for a second round to lake side. According to weather report, it's actually -3°C few hours ago, no wonder it's freezing out there. Anyway, whole field clothed in sparkling white flakes, such a beautiful scene.

Normally it should be water droplets, but now it's icy frost:

The lake looks OK with ducks, swan and whatever birds still swimming inside. But at the other side of the same lake, some ducks are actually walking on water =.= No, look carefully, the water surface is frozen~ not bad. If this continues, we'll probably have a white Chinese New Year in Nottingham.

The big lake with one side frozen:

"The LORD lifts up those who are bowed down, the LORD loves the righteous."
-Psalms 146:8-

Living in the UK really have so much more to experience. Anyway, I pray that this cold weather won't trouble us too much in my research and the students' studies. Everyone is having a hard time revising, may you all find peace and calmness, Amen.