finally no rain!

at last, a day without rain! In fact, as I'm typing now, the sun is up and should be setting soon!

Made egg sandwich for lunch today. Took quite long to boil the egg but it turned out well. Anyway, wore my new jacket to uni today! It really kept me warm..cos I wore a short sleeved top inside and didn't feel cold though it was 7°C and foggy. I was "smoking"! Took some pics along the way

fresh fungi, anyone?

Hmm..can't tell the fogginess

Managed to take the fog against uni clock tower

pic of me in new jacket (as requested by mum)

Lessons today was quite a lot..I don't know if it's cos I didn't have enough sleep or the topics were quite boring..I was sleepy! Ate sweets and wrote notes to keep myself wake =X

Oh yes, I don't think I mentioned here. British Summer Time ends on 27 October 2013. BST (aka daylight savings) is so that evenings have more daylight and mornings have less. So it means that we will be adjusting our clocks an hour back...which means I'll be 8 hours behind SG time! So for those who set up manual clocks to tell Birmingham (UK) time, pls adjust your clocks on 27th Oct (Sun).

Took out the frozen pork shoulder meat to thaw when I came home (not like it can thaw n time for me to cook!) but probably just marinating it and keeping some to go with either pasta or noodles. I wanna cook more but I don't have much stuff and time to cook also. I don't want to be in their way also..considering that the kitchen is quite narrow. But I saw some pre-marinated steaks put out to thaw too.

*Added: Cooked pork and broccoli and then cooked spaghetti with my packet chopped tomatoes. Kept a portion for tomorrow. Then L said she's gg to supermarket...and she came back, telling me she got bags of carrots for just 18p! And she also got some marked down apples and meatballs..then she wanted to have some meatballs and asked if I want..I said I had mine and I offered her spaghetti too (cos I realised she wasn't going to cook the steaks). Then she said she'll cook all and I can pack some to go with my spaghetti and she'll have half of my leftover portion. So set...but later prob she wasn't hungry after drinking carrot juice so said she's not eating. She said she'll leave it and I can have whatever I want tomorrow. Was telling her tt mum suggested for me to get a thermal food container cos I missed hot lunches. Then she realised she had one and showed me...said I could use it! Wowww! Really God-sent blessing! Haha..anyway so end up she didn't eat my spaghetti (but I told her can help herself to mine if she wants tmr cos I can always cook spaghetti again). I also didn't pack away the meatballs. Guess it'll just be left in the kitchen on stove top?! I'm not sure.

Oh ya! Then L was commenting she noticed I have a small plant in my room..asked if I need a pot to grow it..then asked if I have a tray..hah..told her I just left it in the plastic..actually I kept a tray..keep forgetting to take it upstairs. Then she told me to help her by drawing my room curtains in the day..then she asked if I know why. I guessed was so that it will seem that there's someone at home..then she said there's also another meaning..that someone had died! I didn't realise that. To me, I thought just keep it close since I'm not around and sometimes the sun shines in. Well, I guess it's not the practice here. Then she was saying it's quite an old fashion thinking but she's sensitive cos a neighbour is leaving soon.

Chatted a bit more abt things at home with L too since only 2 of us at home today..C was "sent home by L". She said cos he has to wake up early on wed and she wants to sleep in..then I said hope I won't wake her up tmr.

Uni day

Today is the start of Epidemiology, Statistics and Research Methods (ESRM) module. It was rainy again this morning but I managed to wake up earlier. Made myself breakfast and lunch.

My healthy ham, lettuce and cheese sandwich for lunch and coffee, muesli with yoghurt for breakfast

Poppy n L came back a while later and strange that Poppy came to my room and looked at me..so I snapped a pic of her..haha!

and I decided to walk to Uni from High Street partly cos I didn't want to wait for the bus in the cold and walking can warm myself up a bit. It wasn't pouring but is like those intermittent light rain. I still had to wear glove when holding the umbrella. My ears were quite cold too when the winds blew. Oh yes, I felt kinda silly la..cos today tutor distributed calculators to be used during our time for the programme! If I had known, won't have to buy the one from Argos. But never mind la..just bring back lor. I can't return cos I had opened it to check if there's battery. Heng it wasn't that expensive. Anyway, I also walked back from Uni to High St before catching another bus. At that time, it was like head freeze..haha..maybe cos I walked quite fast..but it wasn't raining when I went back. I kinda regretted not wearing a thicker jacket today but I'm okay..didn't catch a cold. I'm now vvv keen to buy a pair of leather boots to keep my feet warm and dry. Shall look out for a comfy pair next time I go shopping! I would think the weather will only get colder so better get stuff I need for winter now.

When I came back to my room, saw a package on my bed! Just as I was thinking which jacket to wear tomorrow (hesitant to wear the thick one dad bought for me at City Pt cos v thick and will not need when I'm in Uni), that package was my jacket!!! God really works in little ways! Cos the jacket was supposed to arrive on wed or thur. Proudly showed L the jacket and she asked me to try it on and asked how much..she was so surprised and said it's a great buy. I know how to find good bargains..haha! I love the jacket..it's quilted inside so probably will keep me warmer..I'm happy!! Will wear it to Uni tmr!

My jacket from ebay!

Was thinking what to cook for dinner tonight and just felt like having porridge (not what the locals will call it cos porridge to them is oats). Too bad no ikan bilis...but it still looks colourful right???

Tmr doing a dry run of a group presentation we have to do on wed..I offered to do since I was more comfortable presenting on the topic - ya , it's the same group again. But pretty good having a natural leader too.

1st bake!

Yet another rainy day but the sun came out for about 10min today. Anyway, today washed my sheets and quilt cover. No fun changing bedsheets for big beds and esp when it is flatsheet. Oh well, anyway, put it on heaters to dry (this method works better than hanging them around). My clothes dry v fast when I put then on the heater! Today didn't go to church...felt sluggish and it was rainy..I'm pretty sure it was v cold out there today.

Use my giffgaff (telco I'm changing to on Fri) SIM to call ah ma today..oops..she was expecting my call last week but I didn't activate my giffgaff yet so couldn't call unless my relative with viber was around. So glad tt I managed to call with my airtime credit.

This morning tried making soft boil egg...but unsuccessful. Thought it was covered in boiled water long enough cos the shell had cracked (the egg was from the cupboard). Anyway I popped it into microwave oven to cook it more.

Then a while later L woke up and asked if I wanted some chicken cos she's thinking of doing a roast today. I thought she meant at night but actually no lor..she started preparing ard 12+pm and it was ready prob close to 2pm...and she calls it dinner. I still can't quite get my head around. Anyway, I helped to prepare too..and so here are the pics! 

The roast chicken and those at the side are Yorkshire Puddings

Broccoli and cauliflower cheese and at the back is broccolini

My lunch + dinner

Oh ya, while helping to prepare the food, C vacuumed the living rm and L said I wanted mine vacuumed too..but of course, I paiseh la..so ran up and vacuumed my own room and toilet. Anyway, here's my little mint plant...don't think it's growing that well cos no sun lately. But I've been using it to make mint tea.

My mint plant today

Mint plant when bought..with plastic on

Oh yes, I found a spot to be my table and chair in my room! Ta-da!!

And so after watching some dramas online, started to bake my German Apple Cake. It turned out different from when I baked in SG. Well, the crust is harder (but I enjoyed eating the crust..just that it's hard to cut) and cinnamon taste not as strong. But both L and C liked it...even Poppy!!!! Oh myy..she kept wanting more..btw L fed her, not me! L said "dogs shouldn't like cake..she likes yours!" I don't know to be happy or not..dogs like my cake?! Anyway I think cos the eggs not as big as those in SG though I've already bought medium sized ones..either that or cos I used food processor instead of usual cake mixer so turned out diff. But L says maybe oven too hot so turned out crusty on top. Or maybe is the settings..oh well, at least it's edible. Packed some for uni tmr.

As you can see, I overturned it cos crust was hard to cut downwards

2 full day weeks of uni starting tomorrow. Next Fri got to present on research topic outline already =X I've an idea of the research study but no idea how to frame it. Hope the weather clears up a bit for the next 2 weeks else v sian to go in uni in such weather.

Not sure if I mentioned before but people here use "Are you alright?" or "U ok?" as "hello" which I thought was a bit strange cos when I get asked that, it's either cos I'm not looking my usual self. Haha..just like Aussies greet by saying "How are ya doing?"

Weekend!

Seeing that the weather isn't as bad as yesterday, I headed out. Partly also cos I found an outlet shops shopping centre but it's quite silly cos that was where I went on Wed!! If only I had explored more..haha! Oh well, so anyway, I decided to go there since I wanted to also get more leggings from Primark. I wore them yesterday at home and they were very comfy..so decided to get more. And if I was really cold in winter, I can wear them as thermal.

Double decker bus

Scenery on the way

spotted a blue moh lady

 Found that shopping centre with M&S outlet and I managed to get a dark pink-ish knitted top for just £5!! Such a good buy! I'm happy..haha..anyway, then headed to the other few outlet shops but didn't get anything.

Astle Park Retail Park in West Bromwich

Walked over to Primark and they had some marked down items...heng the shoes I bought not further reduced else I'll be twee..hahaa! So then, saw the queue and decided to get the leggings some other time..it was sooooo longgg!! So different from when I was there on wed. I'm tempted to get a pair of boots too...they look quite comfy cos not high heels esp those real leather ones and some tt has fur linings but quite costly, considering that I can't wear it in SG. I brought my pair I bought in Adelaide but it' velvet..so not good for rainy weather.

Hot water bags covers with lovely designs at Primark

Cute gloves at Primark

Boots at Primark for £10

As I'm typing, rain it is still raining. It rained on my way back too..managed to still make my way to Aldi at Bearwood on my way back from West Bromwich (cos I took a diff bus route) but it was coldddd..managed to get eggs (yes, finally!!!), butter, yoghurt and bread. Also bought pitted olives and choc butter biscuits (instead of choc chunk cookies). The vege section was like warzone!! Don't even have a single pack of mushrooms left! Think people here really stock up their groceries on weekends.

Cooked soupy pasta with olives, celery, shredded chicken and egg. L was telling me she is just watching films in bed cos of the weather! Oh yes, for those who wanna see if I gained weight or water retention, feel free to video call me. Tried today..video calls quite cool but images quite jumpy. The internet company person came to give a new router..supposedly better but L says still not v good cos apparently they stream videos from internet to watch on their TV. Aiyoh..and now I'm experiencing it...slow internet lor!!! Can't watch my ch 8 drama liao!

Oh ya, was searching for touchscreen gloves online this morning and i just bought a pair. I don't see them on sale outside..besides the one at M&S for £9.50. I bought a hooded jacket online too yesterday..should arrive next week or week after.

Tmr prob gg to church near my place then bake apple cake and prepare for uni on Mon...

local shows marathon

Didn't do much today...but spotted a milk delivery van

Whole of today was rainy and I saw the trees wavering in the strong winds. Since I didn't really have anything that important to buy, I decided not to head out today. Prob will do so either tomorrow or Sun. I was excited when I saw Recruit Diaries uploaded on youtube and also 回味 - the movie on dementia starring Zoe Tay! So managed to watch them! Tried flipping the stats resources but didn't know what to read up on..haha!

Bought a trench coat online..hope it's warm enough too.

Cooked chicken breast just now to go with my noodles I cooked yesterday. Was a bit paiseh cos I felt like I was in the way cos L started to cook C's dinner..fried chips (what we call french fries) and steak (L cut a bit for me to try..hahaa!) But all was ok. They prob went out cos it's friday night. Here the walls are thin..think next door close and open door or bang on wall, my rm will feel the vibration!

Tmr will have to wash clothes and sheets..if can then vacuum room too. Oh ya, my colleague who's doing PhD in UK emailed me of places to go in London..and Occ Health Dr from TTSH also asked if I'll be free to meet up early Nov weekend..and I checked..it'll be after the ESRM module and before the start of another module so may be possible..and I'm trying to apply for my railcard too so travelling on rail will save me $.

Then if I wanna head out, will prob either head to Bearwood or go city.

minty

This morning edited my assignment and waited for Canvas (online learning platform) to be working before I can submit assignment.

Today's weather was cold..temperature dropped to less than 10°C!! Even though the sun was out, it was that cold and worse when the winds blow. But anyhow, I managed to survive in my tights (the thicker one I bought from BKK) and pumps (yes, I opened ceremony for my pumps already!)

Went to register myself with the nearest clinic (L pointed out to me on my first day when she drove past). The reason why I haven't gotten to do that, the place is kinda out of my bus route..hv to walk from bus stop also. Anyway, today I walked all the way there and continued to Harborne High St! It isn't that bad..warms myself up but the windssss..*dislike* So I found out that I've to also make appt to see Dr..grrr..if I had known I would've done it earlier or not done at all...so mafan. Anyway booked for 3 weeks later cos next 2 weeks all full days in uni.

Went to get free library membership too but only to realise there's a charge for CDs loan. Hmm...then walked around to find suitable novel but was like a headless chicken..as u all know, I'm not a reader..self-help or cooking books then ok but didn't seem to have any self-help books! It's not a big library anyway but I'll be able to borrow from other libraries including the main one in the city (yes, the nice nice metallic building).

After heading to the shops for donated stuff, didn't get anything..went to Home Bargains to look for loaf tin or cake pan (cos L didn't have one) but only had silicon ones (which I personally do not like cos hard to handle to put in and take out of oven). So since it was still early, headed to Bearwood. There bought loaf tin from Poundland and then went to Aldi. Bought mint plant, flour, sugar, baking powder and chicken thighs (managed to get for for £1.99 for 4 in a pack). Almost wanted to buy eggs (15 medium ones for  £1.35) but too heavy..shall go back again on Sun. I'm thinking of buying bread also on Sun so that I can pack sandwich to Uni...and likely gg to bake on Sun also.

Mint plant for 89pence

Hmm..yday L asked if I wanted spare ribs for tonight so said ok..and she took out to thaw and said marinate today..but this morning saw tt it was cooked and put in fridge. I guess I won't wait for her for dinner la..will cook noodles with broccoli.

Mon starting Uni again..not v looking forward cos is my weakest subject - Stats and Research Methods. But I'm sure God will continue to lead me through =) Have some reading to do before the module starts.

*Added: I cooked noodles and broccoli and C & L came home. C then asked if I wanted fish cos they will be cooking fish tonight..I said I can have a little cos I cooked noodles. Then later L said she had cooked the ribs yday..then leave it to me to see what sauce I want it with. So I just made a kecap manis with oyster sauce with paprika and some herbs and let it cook in a saucepan. It turned out yummy..a bit too sweet I find..n tough cos it was already cooked. Had 2..n L just chewed on it..she liked the sauce. I wonder if she's born in the year of the dog..haven't had to ask her year of birth..hah! Then finally ard 8pm then C finished cooking his fish. Reminds me of sardine..tomato with onions and chilli..i think the fish is smoked..but yummy!

no wifi yesterday

For those who have been following my blog closely, apologies for no posts yesterday. Reason being that wifi connection was out from last night till this afternoon. Since I was afraid that my mum n friends can't contact me, I used the 5 days web booster on my mobile. Phew. It felt quite terrible suddenly not having wifi at home. Well, it's more like the feeling of suddenly cut off from family and friends back home..and may leave them worried cos no news. I was prepared to go in Uni tomorrow if still no wifi cos I have to submit my assignment on Fri.

And so yesterday I cooked Panang curry using the paste I bought that other day...L tasted a bit and C had the remaining I left (I didn't realise that he was having it for dinner and I packed away my portion..haha!). Oh..and when I opened the canned coconut milk, I got a shock..haha..see picture..

Panang curry..think the camera mode too orangey

This looks better...

This is called coconut milk...

So anyway yesterday evening was quite "fun" cos I was baking with L. Oh ya, C brought home some magazines for me..and L was complaining how come she only gets gardening and cooking ones..hahaa! I enjoyed the pictures in "Wonders of the World"..

And so I asked L again what C works as..she said in some distribution centre. Anyway, I decided to head out cos I had sent my draft to Dr Steve for comments and awaiting reply. So today was deciding between going to Perry Barr (yes, again) or somewhere new. Then I read about West Bromwich and I have a bus there (same bus as I took to Uni last time..with frequency of 30min). Told L before I left but she said I won't like it there...cos area quite poor..then she suggested Solihull..but I checked..I got to take rail and it's out of my student card zones I bought. But I told her there's apparently a new shopping centre there...so I just went to have a look anyway.

Bus journey took about 1/2hr..and I reached. It's a big bus station there and a very nice Sandwell College near by..walked along their High Street first where there's a New Look shop..but the clothes not really my style..haha

their high street

 Then managed to find the new shopping mall called New Square. Oh myy..the place is quite big..and is open air so it was quite chilly! Headed in to my newly-found fave brand (Primark) shop and I spent like 1.5hrs there. Was having fun whatsapping mum n ad to ask for opinion of shoes to buy..haha..thanks to technology, we're like shopping together! Bought a pair of pumps, leggings and a charm bracelet (for L cos it kinda reminded me of her when I saw it)

In New Square shopping centre..

Charm bracelet for L

Then went Tesco Extra and I was awed with the hugeeee range of stuff that they have! They had a big range of Asian food also! So now I know..what I'm after is an extra store..not superstore..haha! Anyway I bought cinnamon powder and garlic granules (in case I wanna cook vege with garlic). Was tempted to buy sugar and flour but too heavy la..haha! Also bought a pair of pumps again! I'm happy to buy shoes here cos SURE have my size!!! Wheeee..and mind you, my shoe size is not the biggest here ok!! They usually have till size 9/43 and some have till 11/45!

My two pairs of pumps!!! To wear with my thighs..hehe

Then walked back towards bus station..

This artistic building is called The Public..where exhibitions are held

Then bought a bag of Granny Smiths for £1..counted..there were 11 in the bag so it was a good deal..and of course, checked that none were rotten. I was thinking I wanna make the Apple Cake this week. Walked to Kings Centre..also like a shopping arcade..had lots of poundland kind of shops. Bought sweet and sour sauce paste for 29pence. While I was there it rained cats and dogs. Good that it drizzled when I walked to my bus stand at the bus station..so was not drenched (lazy to open umbrella again cos it was a short distance!)

After I reached home, wifi still had authentication error..so I tried to switch on and off the modem and see if wifi works and viola! It worked..so whatsapped L to inform. I checked my email and got my tutor's reply while A. didn't get..so asked A. to email to the admin...strange tt it was the admin person who replied with the tutor's comments..haha..she seems like his PA! Hah! Anyway, comments was to add more info to intro and seems like some parts can put into Appendix. All along I was told whatever is to be graded should be in main text and additional info will be in Appendix..but now seems like can put what I find impt into Appendix too!

Not long later, got a call frm L asking if it was raining and to bring her washing in...told her it rained when I was out..so I went to check..all her washing she left outside in her garden were drenched in rain! Today's weather was COLDDDD especially when the winds blewwww! I felt like jumping while waiting for bus to keep warm and then running home from bus stop! But didn't la..my stuff were quite heavy for me to run with them..hah!

Just gave L the bracelet I bought and she says she loves it!! Haha..phew..then she asks if we should have spare ribs tomorrow! She has some in the freezer and took out to thaw..then she said we can chew on them tomorrow..ha! Well, I found out yesterday or the day before that C is a "m" apparently but not a devout one..he just doesn't eat pork.

Looking at the comments frm my tutor, seems like need minor edits and I shld be able to send it off tomorrow! Praise the Lord! Speaking of which, A. will be sending me/us ebooks again on the coming modules!! Really owe him a meal..such a helpful classmate..and he claims I helped him in class..not sure with what except interpreting cos some tutors speak too fast n with slang that he couldn't catch.