Tues 22Jan08: Refreshers’ Fayre

BRR!! Freezing again! Couldn't have proper sleep again! Woke up extremely early again! T_T
Nonetheless, I showered and felt so warm inside the shower box that I wish I could just stay still there.
Hm, the agenda for today is.. let’s see.. replacement registration session at 9am at University Park. Nothing much of importance said in the session, and it was very empty compared to yesterday, probably because the session clashed with some classes. Afterwards, me, MY, Su-En and Carol went to Portland Building (UK’s “SA Building”) to check out the Refreshers’ Fayre.

I have already heard that there were loads more of societies in UK, but didn’t expect that it is REALLY A LOT (total of 170 societies). They have societies of ANYTHING of ANY SORT – you name it! – ranging from hobbies & interests (such as Chess, Creative Writing, Fashion, Film Making, Jazz, Travel), world affairs (Stop Aids, UNICEF, People and Planet), course (Archaeology, Business, History), cultural (Hindu, Korean, Malaysian, Indonesian, Brazilian, Lebanese) and others like International Students Bureau (ISB), Women’s Campaign, and…. last but not least: Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Trans Association (LGBT). No comment on this ^_^ (hint: look at the last pic carefully)

Another very significant difference is also about the publication, where all the societies do provide us with pamflets, brochures, booklets, or posters. Most of them own their club/societies websites as well, and not to mention facebook. Their societies are really wealthy, huh?

I joined IndoSoc with £3 (it hurts hiks hiks) or the reason that I am craving to be introduced with the other Indonesian students; and Latin, Ballroom & Salsa Society (LBSS) with £13 (even more deeply hurt) to fulfill my hidden interest in ballroom dancing (heheh xD). The rests couldn’t join the Malaysian Society since they didn’t open the booth. In fact, indeed not even half of the societies turned out for the fayre.

With last-minute decision, we finally went to Sainsbury’s to have another groceries shopping spree, guided by See Toh, Carol’s friend from Malaysia Campus who had been here since last September.

- Still manage to camwhore in the middle of the journey -

Sainsbury's wasn’t really far –from UK people perspective, I should say–, exiting from other Park campus' entrance, passing through houses and shops. It is located in area called Beeston, a small ‘town’. There is an 'Asian' shop where it sells most of all Asian-made products in various ranges (a bit pricy though). Beeston has everything, from cafes, restaurants, bakeries, post office, stationary shops, clothes shops, pharmacies, banks, butchers, etc, basically almost everything that we need. Other than groceries (so heavy!) we also bought other kitchen utensils, and most importantly, I BOUGHT MY BLANKET! xD

Taking away our lunch of Subway’s Sub-of-the-Day (Meetball Carbonara), we went back home in rush, stuffed the things inside the fridge and our own cupboard, and walked to Jubilee for our FR (Financial Reporting class. Not a good timing of a class, I should say, as theit only starts from 4-6pm. Furthermore, during this winter night will come faster.

Not long after, we took a Hopper Bus (a university-provided bus to transport us from Jubilee to University Park & around) to attend some sort of welcoming session for exchange students for all universities organized by International Office; finally something that sounds good and beneficial. The other main point why we bother to attend is this line: ‘light refreshment is provided’ written in the invitation card. Asians are just Asians, huh? Hahaha.. Anyway the refreshment was okay: chips, mineral water, red wine. Basically what the international office does is to gather us in a large hall, and let ourselves interact to each other freely. Most of them are Asians (dominated by Ningbo people), and minority is from Europe and USA. After spending few hours and getting bored, we decided to go back home and order cheap pizza as our ‘real’ dinner together with Faiq.

Another day has passed, but workload arrived yet. I slept very early again, but this time with my warm, pricy blanket! Good night, URs!! *hugs*