Leeds!

Hi, it's Hammer the Spammer again.

After talking about prevalence of obesity and the importance of health in adolescents, I would like to focus on varsity life in this post. Most of the readers here I believe are pre-university or some are even already studying in colleges and universities now. Let's not dwell on studies proper.

I want to bring across the topic of accommodation. I believe that a good accommodation is one of the factors that contribute to a student's well being. Stay in a dirty place and you end up agitated or easily depressed. It is therefore very important to do a well search and probe into the market to get a good private accommodation deal. There are various landlords and agents you can look into before deciding which house or flat to take on. Of course, house mates play a huge role. Get the wrong ones and you become the free labour for housework. Get dishonest house mates and soon you would go bankrupt because one may be finishing your sausages supply in the fridge, another may just keep the change he finds on the living room table in his pocket and that sort of horrid tales.

Well, I know quite a few friends who are studying in University of Leeds. I deem the place pretty good. If you are in Leeds and are looking for student flats in leeds, perhaps you can find Pickard Properties, the one being voted as No. 1 in Leeds.

UK Craze - Part 5

Day 16 - 15 Dec
Reached Edinburgh at around 8.30am. Wow.. What a long, long journey. We met up with Osbert, Uei Ying's friend there. We kept our luggages at the locker there then, went to walk around the city. We just did some sight-seeing. I saw a lot of kilts! Was wondering whether I should get on for Ah Wei or not but, they were very expensive! It was around €20 to €30. Luckily didn't get him one coz' he said "NO!" to me when I asked him. Haha.. We went to see Edinburgh Castle but didn't go in. Just took a few pictures there and had a small lunch there. We also walked past the Optical Museum. We had lots of fun playing with the mirrors outside the place! Then, went to a Chinese restaurant and had lunch there. We ordered the lunch sets. I was quite confused as it wasn't really a pure Chinese restaurant. It was kind of like a westernised Chinese restaurant. The food was OK. After lunch, the five of us: Sherp, Ivy, Lynna, Me, Uei Ying and Osbert went to The Edinburgh Dungeon! We actually wanted to go for the London's one but, couldn't make it. So, didn't want to miss the chance. We were so excited that we were singing all the way there. Pity Osbert that he had to walk with a bunch of crazy girls! Haha.. The Edinburgh Dungeon wasn't very scary. It was more like an exhibition with live actors. Interesting.. I was hoping for people to scare us but, they didn't do so. We spent about 1 hour there. After that, we walked back to the bus station to meet with the adults. Since we heard it was just 15 minutes walk to our apartment, we decided to walk there. But, 15 minutes turned to 50 minutes! We had to walk from the city centre to another side of the city! So tiring but, did enjoy the walk. After dinner, we watched UK X-Factor. I predicted that Leon will win. The rest were hesitating. And... He WON!!! I knew it! Rhydian was really good but, Leon can sing more type of songs compared to Rhydian and of course he can sell more too! Hip hip horray!

In front of the Royal Bank of Scotland

In excitement!

In front of Edinbrugh Castle ^^

A family shoot with Osby ^_^

Sherp and I!

Us at Edinburgh Dungeon!

Day 17 - 16 Dec
Took some pictures at the backyard then, walked to the bus station again. We took off from Edinburgh at around 11.30am. The journey on bus was really uncomfortable. Don't really like bumpy rides. Did sleep for a while. We reached Victoria Station at around 8.00pm. Used the tube back to Ealing Broadway. Was quite exhausted but were relieved that we had finally reached home.

Having breakfast!

At the backyard! ^_^

Waiting for the tube to go to Ealing

Day 18 - 17 Dec

Shopping Day!!! As it was our last day there, I decided to shop as much as I could. Woke up quite late but was in time to go out to shop. We went to Ealing Broadway. Went to Claire, JJB Sports and some more. JJB Sports was having a sale. I didn't plan to go there but, Lynna insisted to. When I went into the shop, I saw lots of branded sports clothes like Nike, Adidas.. The price was quite reasonable so, bought some. I also checked on the original price for the clothes I bought and it wasn't cheap. So, quite satisfied. Then, went back to have lunch and went out again. In the evening, we went out to watch 'Enchanted' with Sherp's friend at Ealing Broadway Empire. The quality was definitely good. Love the movie. It was really funny and I enjoyed the plot. We had dinner after that at home. Drank some wine and apple soda too.

At Ealing Broadway :)

Dinner!

Day 19 - 18 Dec

Woke up very early today. We went to Heathrow accompanied by Yiyi, Uei Ying, Ivy and Osbert. Sherp couldn't make because she had to go to school. Teo Teo had to go to work too. So, after bidding good bye, we proceeded to the departure lounge. We had to transit at Dubai again. This time, had some time to walk around. We wanted to buy a model of a camel but didn't because they only accept USD. We boarded the plane again at around... Not really sure about the time but it was at around 10pm (Dubai time).

Lynna and I at Heathrow Airport before departing.

At Dubai Airport!

Day 20 - 19 Dec

Reached Brunei earlier than expected at 10.15am. Big uncle took us to Escapade to have a Jap lunch. Nice, nice place. A big Thank You to koko for treating us. Reached Miri at around 3pm or 4pm. Miss Scooby and Hei Gou a lot! :)

Eating lunch at Excapade.. Yum Yum!

Well, that's all for my UK Craze. Miss UK now... It's really a very nice and good place to travel to. Love the sceneries, shopping places and top attractions. Love traveling using the tube too! It is so easy to use the tube. A big. big, big Thank You to my parents for giving me this wonderful opportunity to go there. Love you guys! Thank the Lord for everything!
Lastly, my advice to those who plans to go there, TRY NOT TO CONVERT THE PRICES THERE! Just enjoy yourself and shop if you want to. ^_^

UK Craze - Part 4

Day 11 - 10 Dec
Went to Paris today! Oh.. It was so great. In fact, Paris reminded me of the Disney's cartoon, Magdeline. We used Euro Star to go to Paris. It went under the sea (?) to reach Paris. My goodness.. Under the sea? So scary but it wasn't obvious. Reached Paris at about 2 hours after we departed. We walked around first then, made our way to Marne Le Vallee - Chessy, the station situated at the Disneyland Park area. We used a taxi to Davy Crockett Ranch, the place we were going to stay. It was really cute! Love the cabin. It was kind of small but the it was really cozy. Love the place! Too bad it wasn't summer. Otherwise, we could barbeque outside. Then, at night, we walked to the supermarket there because Mummy and Yiyi heard that there were going to be Disney characters there. We walked around the shop then, Donald Duck appeared! He was in a hunting costume. So cute! We took pictures with him. It was getting a bit late so, we walked back to our cabin.

At St. Pancras Station

Going into the waiting lounge!

Walking around the city!

Donald Duck! ^_^

Day 12 - 11 Dec Went to Disneyland Park and Disney Walt Studio! At last! Got to go to Disneyland. I really, really wanted to go to one but never had the chance. But, thank God for this wonderful opportunity! The friendly taxi driver was quite early. So, we reached there earlier. The first land we went to was Discoveryland! Really disappointed that Space Mountain was closed. We only went to a few games there like the Buzz LightYear, Autopia and some more. Then, we went to Adventure Land via Fantasyland. Went to Indiana Jones ride. It was thrilling but, short. So, didn't really enjoy much of it as my eyes were shut all the time! Haha.. We also went to the Pirates of the Caribbean ride. After Adventure Land, we went to Frontier Land. Went on Big Thunder Mountain. Love that a lot! Haha.. The ride was really, really fun! We also went to the Haunted Mansion. Not very scary though. We also went to Fantasyland's Peter Pan ride. It rained too. Haik.. Then, we proceeded to Walt Disney Studio. There, we went to Rock 'n Roller Coaster. It was really cool and fun! I tried to open my eyes and I did! Then, went to a few rides. Also went on a really surprising ride, Crush Coaster - Finding Nemo. Why? It was suppose to be a mild ride but ended up a scary one. I sat backwards so, everything was really different! I was really shocked. Haha.. We also went to watch Animaque. The characters were cute. We went back to Disneyland and went on Big Thunder Mountain again. Love it a lot! Haha.. I even got to scream! I was having fun screaming until I heard Lynna screaming "Zhang Dong Liang!!!!!". I was like.. what?? Then, I also joined in and scream. I even screamed CW, wo hen ni! Haha.. After that, we met up with Yiyi and went back to our cabin.

Us at Disneyland's USA Street

Lynna and I

On the Aladdin's carpet ride!

Daddy and Mummy on the extreme ride! Haha...

Us with Robin Hood's evil king!

Day 13 - 12 Dec

Went sight-seeing today. Paris, Paris.. We used Metro (just like London's tube) to see Notre Dame at St-Michel. It was magnificent. Just like what I had always see in the cartoon, Hunchback of the Notre Dame. Then, went to see Eiffel Tower! Wow.. I can't believe that I was there. It was surreal. Took lots of pictures. We even saw a really cute dog and took pictures with it. I miss Scooby a lot! We also went to Muse de Lourve, a pyramid-like building to have lunch. It was located near the museum where Mona Lisa is placed in. Apologies, forgot the name. Hehe.. We also went to La Defense to shop. Haik.. Saw a really, really nice Bata boots which I love a lot but didn't buy. Why? It was 49 euros and was not made of real leather, so didn't think it was worth it. Haik.. I had been boots-hunting ever since I reached London. We went back to Marne La Vallee and visited Disney Village before heading home.

At Notre Dame!

I love Eiffel Tower!

Lourve, Lourve!

At the arch! Love it!

Day 14 - 13 Dec
Going back to London today. We took some pictures around the ranch then, went to La Defense for shopping. There were a shopping area where lots of branded goods were sold there. Haik.. Love the bags! I want a LV bag! Haha.. Wait till I get my "I'm not a Plastic Bag" first. Haha.. I also bought a pair of sport shoes at Go Sport. It is a very sports centre. Love the tennis racquets there. Wish I could get one but, don't think I will be competing again. I saw a really nice pair of boots again! This time, no size for me. Haik.. We spent our time there till around 5pm. Then, went to the train station to take Euro Star.

Our cabin sweet cabin!

Playing with the swings! We ended up having our pants wet because of the ice!

The grass was frozen to ice!

At La Defense's La Vallee Village ^_^

Day 15 - 14 Dec
Went to Sherp's school today! Was quite nervous and I can't believe I was doing it. I was quite reluctant the week before because I am not quite sure how it would be in an ang mo's school. But, I really wanted to give it a try so, I gathered all my guts and followed her there. The people there were really friendly and good to me. The school is just like what I always see on television. I joined Sherp's Biology, Chemistry, Maths and Physics classes. I even went to their "Healthy Living" Talk. I can understand what the teachers were teaching in Biology and Maths classes. That's because I had already learned them. So, I had quite a fun there. Sherp's friends are really funny and fun. I couldn't stop laughing when I joined their Physics class. I really hope I could have this kind of class in Malaysia. Plus, the teachers here were really kind. At night, we went to Victoria Station. We went on Mega Bus at 11pm to go to Edinburgh, Scotland. It was a night bus so, had to spend long hours in the bus. 9 hours of journey....

UK Craze - Part 3

Day 7 - 6 Dec
Went to the lots of places today. Firstly, we used the tube to go to Tottenham Court Road. Then walked to China Town to see the place. It was raining again! So, didn't really stay there long. After that, we went to Trafalgar Square to snap some pictures. The place was really nice! Love the water fountain and the statues. We also walked to the National Gallery Museum to stay away from the rain but didn't visit the museum. We are not artistic enough to enjoy the galleries. Haha.. We went to Leicester Square where most of the theaters and cinemas are located at. We also walked to London Trocerado to see the shops. Bought some things today again. ^_^ We even visited one of the cinemas there, The Empire Cinema, where most of the movie premiers are held at. We actually found out that the Bee Wild movie was premiering that very night! No wonder there were some people sitting down at there to wait for the premiere. Then, went to KFC for a bite before proceeding to the Comedy Theater to watch 'Boeing Boeing'. It was actually my very first time watching a movie at a real theater. In fact, it was a real stage show! It was quite similar to the drama competitions we have back in Miri. But, these people were much better because their actings were very accurate and real. It was a comedy movie so, we did enjoy it. It was funny too! After that, Uei Ying and I actually wanted to go back to Empire Cinema to watch the premier because we wanted to see the celebrities like Renee Zellweger. But, decided not to because there might be a lot of people. Mmm.. Maybe next time. We are planning to watch Enchanted and hopefully there will be celebrities coming on the premier day. :)

Me at the Gallery Museum

At Trafalgar Square :)

Us three at Empire Cinema! We missed the premier for Bee Movie! Owh..

See, see.. It's true! UK Premier Bee Movie!

Day 8 - 7 Dec
Went to Brent Cross Shopping Mall by bus. The mall was big but I think Mid Valley is bigger. There were sales in some shops. Mostly shoes shops. We went to Clarks, Barretts and more. Daddy bought a very nice pair of shoes. We also bought one for ErJie. Had lunch at Burger King. Wow.. Burger King's burgers are quite costly. Then, walked for a while before using the bus back to Ealing. We walked again around Ealing Broadway before proceeding home.

At Brent Cross Shopping Mall

Day 9 - 8 Dec
Went to Leeds Castle at Kent, England today. All of us went there by train and bus. We used the tube to Victoria Station first before using the Euro Line to Kent. It took us about 1 hour and half to reach the place. It was raining again! The weather was very cold, the coldest I had experienced since I had reached London. Since it was raining, we didn't visit most of the places there. We only walked around the main castle then, went to one of the places there for lunch. Our bus was scheduled to come at 2.55pm so, we spent our time 'loitering' around the shop and the main entrance. We wanted to visit the Maze but couldn't due to the rain. :( We reached home quite late at about 5 smth. It was dark already when we reached home.

In the bus to Kent

Posing with a tree at Leeds Castle

Jumping up high!

Inside the castle, at the wine barrows

Having lunch outside the cold rain! Wo zai lin yu zhong...

Day 10 - 9 Dec
We went to London Eye today. It was SPECTACULAR! Love the view and the wheel. It was raining again but, the rain stopped after a while. So, we decided to go on the flight. It cost us 15 pounds each to go on the flight. So expensive! But, what to do right? We came all the way to London so, we at least have try out the rides and other attractions. Otherwise, what is the meaning to be in London? We took lots and lots of pictures while in the capsule. Honestly, it wasn't very scary but really really nice! Then, we used the tube to Baker Street to go to Madame Tussauds aka The Wax Museum. I was really excited to go to the Wax Museum because I had heard a lot about it. The queue to the to the ticket counters was really long. I guessed we spent about 30 minutes waiting. Madame Tussauds was INCREDIBLE! Love the place. The wax celebrities are quite real but some are not. The place was quite crowded so, we actually had to wait for our turns. I missed Orlando Bloom! I can't recognised him. But, did took pictures with Keira K., Britney S., Christina A., Brangelina, Davictoria, J Lo, Kate Moss, Julia R., Jamie Oliver, Tom Cruise, Nicole K., Will Smith and more! We even went to the Life Chamber. It was really thrilling and scary. But, didn't really see those ghosts because I covered my eyes with my jacket. But, it was really fun screaming. Spent quite a long time there before going back home.

In the capsule with the House of Parliment behind :)

With my family in the capsule

The girls at London Eye

With Leonardo Dicaprio :)

Tom Cruise and I!

Yes, we even met Jack Sparrow!

Me, giving a short, sweet talk with Blaire and Bush beside me.. ^_^

With the Queen... Why is Lynna so close with the red guy with a fury hat?

Me and... Forgot her name! Haha...

Us with Brad Pitt and Jamie Oliver! Don't really know who is the other guy.. Hehe..

P/s: Going to Paris tomorrow!