1st day in Uni

First day in Uni today!! Woke up around 1+am and slept back again then got woken up again...and finally got up at 6+am...prob worried that I'll oversleep!

So prepared my lunch - ham with cheese and (fresh) mushroom sandwich!

My packed lunch :)

My brekkie! Yumss

Packed snack too for tea time..haha! Don't they look healthy?

Arrived in Uni half hr ahead of time, that's cos I left house early - today's bus journey took about 30min. So went around Uni to have a bit of a walkaround since I didn't do so the other time..

Chancellor's Court

As you can see, 小白菜 is sold there too! Seems cheaper than the asian grocer I went to in town. But can't compare with back home!

Met all coursemates..total of 18 of us for now with 3 others who may join. Had intro time too and most are Occupational Medicine Drs from UK, Nigeria, Indonesia and Thailand (Chiang Mai)..some nurses and 2 Biomedical science fresh grads from M'sia. Yes, the thai Dr (shall call him A. for short) is my 1st friend from the course..and he has been v helpful and nice. He's actually lecturing in Chiang Mai Uni..so english pretty good.

Our lectures will be happening in the small classroom which should be fixed...so we're usually in the cosy building near the rail station (and my bus stop). So technically I can just go to and fro Uni without having to walk v far. First lecture was a bit overwhelming with the chemical substance names and implications..eg. dermatitis may be caused by certain chemicals..prob cos I'm not trained in any of tt..neither am I exposed to that. Reason why I'm studying this is to understand the different factors on helping someone to return to work and what better way to learn than understanding the substances themselves? Gosh..we were recommended some books too..shall see if I really need them. A. was saying he can email me the ebook he has..so shall wait and see. But did a quick google search..quite pricey on Amazon and ebay..almost S$100! The classroom was warm..actually maybe cos I was sitting next to the heater..

Since I brought lunch, ate while walking and exploring more of the Uni. Wanted to find where St Francis Hall is cos that's where the Lutheran chaplaincy will hold church services twice a month.

The Uni Clock Tower

The old Queen Elizabeth Hospital which is now the medical school

There's a market stall too that operates on weekdays during term time...which is convenient! 

Ate leftover pasta from yesterday. Made the right choice cos I didn't feel like cooking after a long day in Uni. Tomorrow another long day but ending the day tomorrow with some group discussion. Probably will pack sandwich again. Then wed, we'll be going for a worksite visit which the assignment (due next Fri) will be based on. Pretty exciting!

Uni has wifi and I haven't used data cos I haven't bought the so-called SmartPack. In the midst of changing telco and I hope to keep my number else have to change. New telco provides cheaper intl calls and data and more mins to UK no. and free calls to same telco users.

Oh yes, since it's 1st Oct back home, HAPPY BIRTHDAY, DAD!!!!

Sunday

Made myself some mushroom swiss sandwich for breakfast this morning. Nicer if it's toasted instead of microwaved but I haven't bought those toaster pockets so can't melt the cheese in the toaster (they use press in kind, not the tray types we use). Hmph..the lighting in the kitchen is not very camera-friendly.

Homemade mushroom swiss sandwich

Went to church down the road this morning. I happily just left house with my long sleeved top on and scarf. After leaving my house then realised I forgot my jacket! Luckily the church is just round the corner so I thought it won't be that bad. And it wasn't cos there's heaters in there, thankfully!

It's called Court Oak Methodist Church. It's a pretty small cosy church building, probably the size of a house. Today only 12 people attended including 1 lady who's visually impaired and another who is half blind and has learning disability. 12 people in a church...how small you would think right? But cos of its small congregation, people were of course very welcoming! Heard from them that there's a PT in their congregation who also stays on the same road as me but unfortunately, she informed them that she won't be here for 3 weeks cos she's on duty. Heard she's working at a children's hospice. 

Today's sermon was based on the parable of the sower..apparently is Harvest Sunday today. Sermon was easy to understand cos the preacher spoke of her experiences here and there. One take home message is that kind words should be said to the person when he/she is alive. Little things we might have said or done might have impacted on someone else but we may not know unless they tell us...and hopefully not at the funeral, like what the preacher experienced many times. At church, saw how functional  and independent people here are despite their disability. For instance, the preacher whom I guess is in her 80s or 90s had deformed finger joints and was even in a leg brace (I'm guessing RA) but she was still soooo independent. Then there's another lady in a wheelchair who did the playing of the recorded organ music with a player. I mean, what better way to encourage our folks back home to be as independent as possible than seeing for myself? It wasn't nice to take pics la..haha! Anyway, I got invited to a wedding this Sat of church members who are probably in their 40s? I mean I just know them and they were sooo excited to invite me to their wedding! Still can't decide if to go...it'll be interesting but honestly, I don't know them except that the bride to be is from Bulgaria! And I also later realise that the preacher herself was also getting married this Sat! I'm like WOW..hahah..

Oh yes, maybe I should share a conversation I overhead at church...

Groom-to-be to church in-charge: "May I have the key please?"

Church in-charge to groom-to-be: "The key to my heart or the key to the church?"

Groom-to-be to church in-charge: "The church of course though I'll very much like to also have the key to your heart" or something like that..

So after church, headed home to get my jacket. Last night did some researching for buses and realised I better not go out too far cos buses are much less frequent on Sundays (some do not operate on Suns) than weekdays. Settled for just High Street. Managed to get chicken breast fillets..460g for £3 (which works out to be about S$13.04/kg!!) But anyhow, just use these first for tonight and tomorrow so I can also pack chicken sandwiches for lunch next week. I'm just preparing that I won't have much time to cook next week cos have full day classes (usually 9am-5pm) every day. 

At least I found that Iceland (also along high street) sells frozen quick meals for only £1! So if I'm really lazy, I'll just grab one on my way home from Uni. Also bought M&S white tea and raspberry tea (same one I bought for my bosses in SG before I left) which was at  £0.99! I saw my favourite triple chocolate muesli too..it was selling for  £2.49 (SG sells S$7+ on offer)..but I shall be good and finish my healthy fruit and nut muesli first before buying others!

I guess I'll still not used to having Poppy jumping on my bed!!! I get pissed and pull her out of the room (as what L says, if I don't want her there, just throw her out). She still pounces on me when I get home, seemingly to see if I got anything for her..or maybe that's her way of welcoming me home? I know nuts about dog language..found out from L that Poppy likes rice and eats human food (except chocolate and nuts).

Packed my bag for uni tomorrow. And shall set alarm in case I don't get up at my usual time these days (which is like 6+am) and giving myself 1h to catch the bus..just in case. Our deputy programme lead did warn us that bus and train services delays are a norm here..can be due to any reason..

Cooked instant pasta with cheese and added chicken, celery, carrots and mushrooms

Added own pasta so that I can keep for another meal.

Still haven't decided if I should pack pasta for lunch tomorrow or just pack sandwich. Cos I don't think there's any microwave oven around at my uni block..so I'll be having cold pasta (hmm..don't sound v tempting). End up left quite a lot..filled my newly-bought 700ml capacity box!

Watched the Great British Bake off on tv..this week's theme was Sweet Buns..L and T joined too...and we shared about SG food and food we eat. Apparently L loves pork but haven't had pork for v long cos no one to share with..haha! I'll be her pork friend..and she prefers chicken thigh meat to breast meat..while T is other way round..how interesting..haha! She again said I've been wonderful and gave me a hug..was telling her my aussie landlady was asking if I had cooked for L yet..haah!

to the market, well, Farmers Market

I was surprised there was mail today! And my hp casing has arrived! So proud of myself that I put on the screen protector without bubbles..hehe!

So did washing today..learnt how to use the washing machine and realised that she hangs her laundry everywhere, only use dryer to fluff the towels up. Waited for my turn to do washing then hung clothes on window lock handle and curtain bar...haha..cos she said sun comes in.

Doesn't it look strange? But I thought might as well cos the sun is shining in. Notice where my socks are? That's the heater in the room.

Headed to Moseley..silly me again..waited at wrong bus stop and I was left wondering why the bus so slow! Hahaha! Anyhow, I managed to find the Farmers' Market

 Then popped over opposite where there's a arts market.

Well, I didn't buy anything. Seems smaller scale than I expected. Earlier on L was telling me that I can try ostrich meat burger at the market. Saw the stall..selling at £3.50 but I had a pie before I left so not that hungry.

Then headed to Kings Heath which I found online that there's an ASDA supermarket and poundland there. Bought aluminium foil and 2 lock-and-lock kind of boxes for storing food. The chicken legs there seemed more expensive than what I got at Perry Barr.

After that waited vvv long for bus again back to Harborne. Almost thought I got on at the wrong stop again or took wrong direction but I made it back. Passed by Bournville (where Cadbury world is) and Selly Oak (which most student accomm are at) and saw the Uni's clock tower.

Decided to head to Tesco a few stops from my place, wanting to get some chicken and pies. Managed to get some celery, carrots, potatoes and mushrooms (Found that they seem cheaper than the middle eastern store I bought at) and pies. Also got a loaf of bread and a block of cheese, planning to prepare sandwiches for lunch in Uni next week. The chicken section looked like a warzone though..didn't have much left. Prob will buy some tomorrow or something. 

Went to the local minimart at the corner of the road to withdraw $ for rent..then realised I might have set my cash withdrawal limit too low tt day when I opened my account..silly me again..but I can still get around it by withdrawing a few times before rent is due. So tomorrow got to withdraw $ again.

Realised I haven't taken a pic of the exterior of the place I'm staying at! up, the window is my room window. Notice no more clothes hanging there??? Haha..came back to my room and realised she hung it at the attic and toilet windows. Oh, I probably didn't mention. The toilet has a fixed day window that you can look out but doubt can open. Now I know what she meant..haha..thanked her for helping me reposition..hehe..hope she didn't do tt cos it was too unsightly as she looked up when she left the house =X

Shall have leftovers today and probably some mushroom with cheese. Tomorrow shall attend the Methodist Church down the road (just at the main road).

*added: and yes, presenting my dinner!

the part that's peeled away was sampled by L yesterday..

a week in Birmingham

Today marks my first week in Birmingham!

Yes, finally I went back into Uni. Today's the course induction day. I panicked when I waited very long for the bus into Uni (later I found out that I could've taken another bus at the same bus stop too)..but anyhow, I still managed to get into Uni on time. While waiting for the bus, took some pics of the pretty flowers and autumn foliage and the blue sky!

And as we sat to wait for induction to start, all seemed quiet. So the programme lead briefed us about the course and stuff to take note. He seems v friendly. Classes start on Mon, 9.30am till 4.30pm and next week we'll be going for worksite visit already!! Anyway seems that class is limited to 18 people only and today about 12 of us turned up. We were given a treat to buffet lunch..well, ang moh style!

Ang moh buffet lunch

 Today met 5 coursemates from SEA countries namely 1 from Indonesia (Jakarta), 2 from Malaysia (Selangor) and 1 from Thailand (Chiang Mai). Only chatted more with the thai guy and seems that he's a lecturer and Doctor specialising in Family Practice. Everyone seems nice...well, at least for the Asian students..haha..somehow people will just find their kind..hahaa! As I was chatting with him, heard that his thai friends brought him to an asian (chinese) supermarket in town. Luckily he remembered the name of the shop. Thanks to uni wifi, I could google and see where exactly it was. Both the programme lead and deputy programme leads made the effort to chat with each of us. The deputy programme lead (also in charge of thesis and who originated from HK) was telling us it might get depressing in Winter cos days are short and weather cold. And yes, after chatting with the deputy programme lead, I headed to the city to find tt asian supermart.

One of the many casinos I have seen around

And I found Chinatown aka Chinese quarters!

And yes, I found the supermart!!! Pretty good variety but of course, price is so different from back home. Eg. tanghoon costs £1.95...a pack of mee sua costs £1.15 and oh..I can't believe my eyes..a packed of Eng Chye costs £2+ (which would've cost us $1+ back home)...xiao bai chye also. But people still buy. I managed to get kecap manis (what we call dao you at home) and oyster sauce (with marinating chicken legs in mind), a packet of panang curry paste (Lobo brand) for £0.45 and a packet of those instant pork ribs noodles (£2.60).

Oyster sauce (£1.50) and kecap manis (£1.95)

Cos I didn't know how to get to the nearest bus stop to take home, I just walked back to Bull Ring Shopping Centre and New Street. Wanted to use their toilet too..and oh my..their toilets seem so hard to locate!! Along the way took some snapshots of places and I even found the indoor market that resembled Central Market!!!

I found the indoor market too!!!

Also found the street market which was pretty happening!

They have people selling such household items along the street too!

St Martin's Cathedral, which I took of the other day from Bull Ring. If only I had walked to explore it

 On my way home snapped a pic of the pretty flowers at one of the houses along the way back to my place.

pretty flowers at one of the houses near my place

 And since L wasn't around, thought I'll just marinate the chicken legs. But she came back later and we chatted a little. She printed off the invoice for deposit and rent. Have to pay her in cash tmr. Then she went out to city. Anyway, I cooked only 2 of the legs and kept other 2 in the freezer. A look at the "pretty and bare" chicken legs. Haha! It was £3 only so I guess it's a pretty good value!

Thanks to mum for showing me how to do simple marinate last time, here's the yummy roast chicken legs!!

Finally meat!!!! I gobbled this plate in minutes..haaha! Ooops!

While roasting the chicken, I also portioned out the cooked ham I bought (£1.50 for 400g) to store in the freezer. I regretted not buying aluminium foil...shall buy it next time I'm out. Spent some time washing the tray..haha..but I left the kitchen neat..even opened the garden door to let the smell out. Oh, I prob didn't mention..L is on a diet now so she mentioned that the smell will tempt her cos she saw me marinating the chicken.

Kept the other chicken leg in my container and put it in the fridge. After tt L came back, of course, offered to her and she cut a bit off it and said it was good. Anyway, she also offered her carrot, onion, squash (which is pumpkin), apple soup (part of her diet which was actually v yummy) earlier on too. Told her I'll cook more for her next time..after she's off her diet..haha!

Oh yes, this morning, I realised I was sooo silly with my mobile. I had to actually text to the operator to indicate that I want to be on the Smartpack that lasts for 30 days..but I thought it was all set and used 3G a few days. Today then realised my balance was only half now! Anyway I'm v keen to change operator and have ordered for a free SIM by giffgaff (operated by O2) which offers more minutes to UK no., free to other giffgaff users and unlimited texts per month. Best of all, international calls are only 2p per minute. Now I've to just see if I can retain my no. there's this PAC that I need to find out about but shall wait for my SIM to call 0800 no. for free. If can't then prob will just change my no.

Tomorrow probably head to Moseley cos I heard they have Farmers' Market every last Saturday of the month...so checking it out. Uni is on for the whole of next week usually 9am-5pm so I better cook so that I can pack lunch else just eat a sandwich like the locals =)

exploring

Finally my banking stuff has been settled! Feels good knowing I'm not cash strapped :)

Headed out to Perry Barr cos I read that there's a M&S outlet store, Poundstretcher and Poundland at the shopping centre there. Bus journey took slightly less than an hour from my place. Realised an area called Bearwood (20min bus ride from my place) also has quite a no. of shops. On the bus journey went past a few middle eastern community areas cos shops and people there were either Indians, Sikhs, maybe lebanese?! I also don't know what their nationality is but there's turkish restaurents there too. Finally arrived at my destination called 1 Stop Shopping Centre. The shopping centre is huge! Reminds me of Adelaide's suburb single storey mall..I can't recall the name..rem it was vv far from Magill.

And so headed to M&S outlet first. Lots of big sizes..think mum will spend hours there when she comes over. I was surprised that there's a clearance section even in an outlet store! Prices are much cheaper than in SG. The clearance section had tops and bottoms at £9 each. They even have size 28!! Too bad they didn't sell the gloves that I saw at the main store that is touch screen friendly. Only got a pair of casual pants for mum, some cards and a 250ml bottle of hand and body lotion (only £2!). 

After tt went to Poundstretchers and Poundland..both sell cheap japalang stuff. Got 10pcs of clothes hangers for 99p (that's less than half the price of what I paid at Tesco!) and some instant pasta to replenish my stock. Bought sandwich bags which we call ziplock but here is called press n seal. Ziplock is the one you slide to close. Went to Clarks Factory Shop to have a look too. Nothing much for now..tried on a light blue velvet pair but nt v comfy cos not wide fit. Will prob come back again if I've time!

Then decided to see what this ASDA shop is and viola!! It reminded me sooo much of coles in aussie! The font they use on their price tag looked so familiar!! There's even an oriental section..guess cos one of Birmingham City Uni campus is near there so cater to students. Anyway I bought whole chicken legs (yes finally MEAT!!) and some ham. By now you must be thinking why I buy cold stuff at a place an hr away from home right? Well, I was thinking since I was there and the weather is cooling..so why not! And so bought some mixed herbs and pepper too (to season the chicken legs of course!). Grabbed a doner burger (I just thought I'll try it) while waiting for the bus back. So turns out the doner burger is actually kebab meat in burger. 

Came home around 7.40pm (First time after dark)...but still quite ok cos had people stopping at same stop and a convenience shop round the corner of the road where I live.  L said she was worried about me..haha..oops..but I did tell her I was going out in the afternoon. So told her if I'm not home by 9.30pm next time, can call me. If I'm late, I'll inform her too. Then she said she feels like a mother again..hahaha! She again was impressed I made my way to Perry Barr on the bus myself. Anyway earlier this morning, she confirmed again with me that I decided to stay on here. My ans is of course!!! I love this place and she's been really nice. Then she said that I was easy to get along with too. So this is called win-win? Hahhaa!

Heading to Uni tomorrow for course induction. Prob won't end too late then I can get to cook the chicken legs. I can't wait!! Sat will likely head to Moseley cos apparently there's a Farmers Market on the last Sat of every month. And also do my washing.

1st shopping buy!!!

After yesterday's stay-home day, I thought I'll head out today. It started very foggy this morning..

Foggy view this morning

then turned so sunny that I changed my mind about going to the Botanic Gardens. Checked out musicals and performances that I might go for..waiting for my debit card so that I can book tickets! Can't wait! Anyway, found out that there's a farmers market on Sat at another suburb so shall head there then. Today just went into city again cos I didn't really explore it on Sun (just settled my hp and a bit of grocery shopping).

St Peter's Cathedral

Part of the Bullring Shopping Centre

Victoria Square again and the Townhall

New Street and Bull Ring (City Centre)

In the Bull Ring Shopping Centre where shops are huge!

Thought of yi! So cute right? But won't get to wear in SG

What a strange suit!

My 1st shopping buy!!!! Couldn't resist the cute design..and besides, I need PJs for winter right?? PJs set (top and long pants) is 7 pounds and footlets 1.50pounds

Meals have been simple for me. Can't really store too much cos of the limited shelf, fridge and nil freezer space for me for now. Only managing with instant pastas or pies or frozen lasagne. Even their quick meals are ex..about 4-6 pounds a meal. The meats they sell in the supermarkets are quite ex but cheaper if sold in bulk..like a 12chicken drumstick pack is sold for 3 packs for 10pounds. Their whole chicken is 5+pounds! Will need to find my source of protein elsewhere apart from eggs and chicken..haha!

I also bought a bottle of Nivea lotion..feel my skin getting dry...wanted to buy aqueous cream but it's sold in big tubs like 800ml!

Watching tv (I think there's cable cos many channels and movie channel too) in the attic while I'm typing.