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2004年10月4日 下午8點33分00秒[IMAGE] Currently Reading Religio Medici,...
 | Currently Reading Religio Medici, Hydriotaphia, and the Garden of Cyrus: And, the Garden of Cyrus (Oxford Paperback English Texts) By Thomas Browne, Thomas, Sir Browne, Robin Hugh A. Robbins, Thomas Hydriotaphia Browne, Thomas Garden of Cyrus Browne see related |
4 October 2004, Monday
The 3rd week devoid of Internet connection. Damn.
This is not the only shit. I woke up and it was raining
And I had to take that crowded No.25 to Warburg Institute to have my seminar. Anyway I got over that, and the seminar was quite good, except that I was mute again. Dr Brotton seemed to sympathize with my situation and did not press me, but I was feeling really angry with myself And I got to know both courses to my liking: Reading Shakespeare Historically and Discovering Demons, are not available due to some reasons So may be I'll just do Urban Culture and the Book... So where is my Shakespeare??? Dr Brotton looks really sorry too... He always has that earnest look, and that gentle way of speaking, all of which I like so much
I hope I am not harbouring some weird thoughts... 
Had a small talk with Olivia while we were leaving Warburg. Begin to feel that everyone are warmer than I thought
May be it is just usual to be a little bit reserved in the beginning. And it became very sunny suddenly that I even felt hot
Rushed back to hall to have a quick lunch and rushed to HSBC for the appointment to open the bank account. I HATE HSBC If what I have to do is just to fill in a form and wait for a week, why should I wait that two weeks in the first place??? Don't they have any sympathy for overseas students??? Now I don't have a bank account, I can't pay my tuition fee, I can't get my Student ID, I can't borrow books from the Library, I can't apply for the NHS (what if I suddenly fall sick?), I can't apply for the London Travel Pass, I can't pay the Hall fee (due this Thursday), I can't go into the Senate House Library (where I am having a seminar this Thursday morning), I can't pay for a new mobile, I can't nothing and I HAVE NO CASH Father called when I was on the way (in a very bad mood too) to the Computer Service. I forgot it was no use complaining to him because he is the sort of person who never gets angry, to the extent that I think only monks or saints can do. Anyway I am not going to die, I still have some instant noodles with me and this is a good opportunity to go on a diet
Then the technician at the Computer Service tried to scan my PC for virus. I took the opportunity to use the PC at the Help Desk to go online
Students kept coming in to complain about the Internet Connection, and the technician was repeating the explanation over and over again. He told me it affected 3000 students living on campus (including ME). They had better sort that out soon! I went back and had a nap. Then I had Zaleha's chicken and chips and went online using her computer. I don't know what is wrong with Wan Lan - she simply made me feel creepy - last time Jessica complained to me that Wan Lan plagirized her diary contents, and now it is my turn. For two continuous entries in her xanga I found exact wordings from my own diary (I have no idea how she got that old entry from my diaryland, unless she copied it before I locked it). She even wrote that I would be surprised hearing those words. Why should I? I WROTE THOSE MYSELF - WHY SHOULD I BE SURPRISED WITH MY OWN WORDS??? The scary bit is that she said she went to UK alone for 2 years when she was 8 years-old when in fact she was only there for a summer vacation. WHAT'S THE PROBLEM WITH YOU???
3 October 2004, Sunday
I shut myself in my room for the whole day in penitence
I had not expected I would be spending the whole day with Simon yesterday and so I had no choice but stay and finish all the readings today... But I like Stephen Greenblatt's essays - long but easy to follow, and relatively interesting
The first of his writings I did was an essay from his Shakespearean Negotiations titled "Shakespeare and the Exorcist" about King Lear and Exorcism. And yes without doubt I did that in my dear Professor Tambling's course 
Really much thanks to him that I have most of the basic concepts I would need for this MA course I am doing :wink: Read the introduction and the first chapter of Renaissance Self-Fashioning. Feel like I am doing more "More" than Shakespeare
I would like to watch "The Man For All Seasons" now... It's been some time since I last watched a film... I miss the Cinema... 2 October 2004, Saturday
A compact day! Kind of drew me away from the intense intellectual activities (though today was quite intellectual in fact) and relaxed a bit
Met Simon at China Town, but we were early and the restaurant was not opened yet and so we went to a cafe. Simon didn't sleep well because he had an assignment on hand and needed a coffee. Compared to his may be my workload is not heavy at all? Well - to a certain extent we are both artists...
Met a friend of Simon's, a Graphic Designer (to-be) called Terence, who is another friend of Herb's. I found him as outspoken as Herb in fact We had lunch, and then because Simon needed inspiration for his assignment we went to Tate Modern. Terence had his bike so he went by bike and we by tube separately And he actually got there before us 
I really am not into modern art
Though I don't think Simon any better than me (sorry) But Terence had a lot to say about those "Art". There was this object fitted onto the wall with an inscription, and Simon said, "Things are just so strange here - people put a ventillator here and call it an Art." I suggested, "We may well bring some string in next time and encircle us with that it pretending we are an exhibit and nobody is going to doubt that." Of course that deals with the philosophical question as to "What is Art?" But I am not going to indulge into that topic now, as that would take a life time to discuss One exhibit which struck me most there was one titled "Still Life". It was a screen playing a video showing a plate of fruits (the conventional subject matter for still lives), but slowly rotting until what was left was a heap of dark liquid and a bunch of insects. It was really disgusting. Simon was interested in how the artist actually did that while I was concerned about some other thing which struck me more than the exhibit itself. It was the artist's consciousness that what he/she is doing is really disgusting for men's sight and yet fascinating that his/her audience, instead of being repelled by it, would stand for 20 minutes motionless to watch it all from beginning to end
Afterwards we went to Science Museum in South Kensington, again Simon and I by tube and Terence by his bike. And guess what? Terence won again
I loved the Science Museum They got collections of inventions from the first model to the latest one. Simon was fixed to the old motor cars and forgot about his assignment And he found a similar model of his old car among the exhibitions 
I see he is really after old-fashioned stylish stuff (though the car looked a little bit too small for him). Talking about his size, Simon recalled, not without regret, that when he was small the staff of the Science Museum would not let him into the Virtual Space Experience because he was too tall; and I recalled I was not allowed onto the Roller Coaster because I was too short There were a lot more things: there was a glass cabinet of strange items and we had to guess the functions of them. I got 50% I think. Terence was a bit better. Simon got most of them right
I am really a Science block-head Afterwards we went to eat French crepes
I love my Banana and Chocolate Crepes with Chocolate Syrup (though it was a bit too sweet actually) Then they proposed to go to Terence's house at Bethnal Green. This time we three went on different ways: Simon went home first and then to Terence's house, Terence went by bike, and I by bus because I did not have a travel pass. With some difficulty I got to his place - it was really nice! An artist's place
Met Terence's housemate Alex and girlfriend Yan. Yan lent me her PC to go online too I love her chair very much (though at first I spent some time figuring out how to use it) - by far the most comfortable chair I have ever sat on (she seemed to be really proud of her chair too). I have to consider getting one myself! Then Terence and Yan cooked and Simon worked on his assignment and I with the Internet
We ate and watched "The Farm", a reality show. I told them there was something like a reality show for the last Miss Hong Kong Election and Yan said No way there can be no real reality show in Hong Kong, and I guess she is right And I miss the Queer 5 a lot And got to see authentic cannabis finally! I was really curious and Simon thought I wanted to try
No way... not before I learnt how to smoke first Simon had a puff himself too and I think that was not his first time. And Terence was giving a long lecture on drugs and the drug laws to me. I let him speak (because it seemed he just could not help speaking) though I thought I was open-minded enough to need persuasion. Somehow people who are not bound by rigid moral and legal standards are far more fascinating for me than those who never question those standards. I call these people "artists" When finally Terence accompanied me back hall and it was raining cats and dogs
Remembering the English saying: "When it rains, it pours." Sorry Terence and thank you for getting drenched with me And for Simon, good luck with your assignment! Though you said you still had no idea when we were leaving, I am sure everything will turn out great :wink: (Remembering what he said to me when I was at a loss with my essay last semester: "You read it again, and read it again, and read it again... then ideas will naturally come up. Because everything is in your mind already.") Yes... Everything is in my mind... Slipped into the bed straight after shower, sipping hot tea, fearing I should fall ill before I have applied for the NHS
Tried to read but dozed off immediately... If I cannot finish all readings before the seminar it will be all my fault, playing all day long 
P.S. Found that Simon's birthday was 2 days ago - 30 September! Belated happy birthday :wink:
P.S.S. Got to know from Terence that my dear Sai Wai sir's band got an award from 903! Congratulations and sorry I did not know the time when you called me to say farewell
1 October 2004, Friday
Day off. Went to Charing Cross Road to find the Foyles Bookstore father mentioned. With some difficulties found both books I wanted: Cicero's De Officiis and Stephen Greenblatt's Renaissance Self-Fashioning. Then I walked down to China Town, through towards Piccadilly Circus and up Regent Street. Did not want to waste the opportunity (and the trouble of travelling) so went to check out the shops along Regent Street - but only window-shopping
Embarassed when the saleslady at Wedgewood addressed me in Japanese... Eyed a nice scarf at Tierack. Tried on some hats in Accessorize, but looked weird. Bought a little tin of Beatrice Potter tea at Past Times And I liked the Art Nouveau style basin there too. Then I turned a corner to reach Kingly Street and found a paradise - Kingly Court! Just a glance would be enough to know about it - a gathering place for the most fashionable youths in London :laugh: I must come back some other time!
When I went back hall May called and I was to go to Oxford Circus again to join her to dinner. But it was enjoyable - we ate at a new restaurant near China Town and talked a lot. When I was on my way back I received a SMS from Simon and I called him and we chatted a bit, as well making a lunch appointment tomorrow
I think my readings can wait... may be... 30 September 2004, Thursday
The PC is struck by virus... keeps on restarting - as if no Internet Connection is not annoying enough
Went to the Renaissance Research Seminar and made myself a fool again
I still have no idea what I am to do with research anyway... The funny thing was the librarian did not know where the room was and suggested I go to the Queen's Building Then Shalom appeared at my back (I suspect he has actually been there all along during my struggle with the librarian) and rescued this ridiculous inquiry. Not yet started anything in the seminar actually, but will be going to the Senate House Library next week - the Student ID thing troubles me again
Joined the CELL seminar in the afternoon. It was very casual but inspiring
The topic is on Shakespeare's marriage with Ann Harthaway - got to see the authentic writing by the author of the famous "my second best bed goes to my wife" And it occurs that now anyone can download a copy of Shakespeare's will for 3 pounds through that database by Oxford University - what technology! The Research students' seminar was about Virginia Woolf - I was a bit interested actually, but was too lazy to go
In the evening went to see the Aikido demonstration with Zaleha. Really fascinating - though personally I do not think I can achieve that standard within a year. And I like that guy in green belt - he has a really cute face Looking forward to tomorrow - planning to go awalking myself while searching for those two required books at Charing Cross Road. Window shopping
29 September 2004, Wednesday
Attended Dr Colclough's seminar at his office this morning. 10 people (plus 1 MPhil student and 1 other MA student) crammed together in one room
Dr Colclough offered coffee to us students as if we were his guests - teaching staff here are so nice As Julia said after the seminar, it was overwhelming
My brain was turning at too slow a rate, never uttered a single word throughout the 2 hours Hope I will do better next time. After that I went to the library to check out the readings for the next seminar. Photocopying them cost me almost 3 pounds
And the stupid machine did not even have the option to print both sides - I can imagine what will happen to me after one year's passage: I will be drowned in single-side-printed photocopies of classical and early modern and contemporary readings. I guess buying the books straight-away is not going to cost any more, and saves many trouble too 
I tried to read Woolf's The Waves in the afternoon but no sooner than I had finished the first few pages the waves really bored (in the sense of carrying) me to sleep
May be it is not a good idea to read Woolf in your bed after a whole morning's intensive intellectual engagement At night I looked at the piles of reading for next week and decided I should start reading "The Waning of the Middle Ages"
But that was an easy piece and I liked the descriptions of the practical art during the fourteenth and fifthteenth centuries Something good about studying the Arts and Humanities is that the readings are usually delightful in themselves which makes studying them a much more enjoyable occupation 28 September 2004, Tuesday
Reading reading and reading
I thought they would not take long, but I was wrong And when I went back to the library to check out the Oxford English Dictionary, the volume I wanted was gone So I was not even able to finish the assignment... Anyway it was MID-AUTUMN FESTIVAL and I put aside my work (for a while) and went to celebrate with Jessica Leung. As I went to take the No.25 it suddenly strucked me that I did not have to pay actually (of course by cheating). I boarded through the back doors and no one checked if anyone paid
So I found a way (which is illegal) to save money We met at Holborn Station and shopped at Sainsbury. Then we went back to Jessica Leung's hall to cook. Met her flatmates, Carmen from Chile and Sachiko from Japan, who were drinking beer when we entered the pantry
We made rice, Chinese pork chop and fried some spiniard. Created a desire to cook Chinese food sometimes instead of always spaghetti in me. While we ate we had a pleasant talk with Carmen, who was already a lawyer
It strucked me that I had so little knowledge about that part of the world... I have no idea even where exactly Chile is South America has always been a blind spot - for all the magnificence of the great republic above it, of the influential cultures of its colonizers, of the other great culture which is mine own and the surrounding ones together termed "the East", and of the classical world long disappeared from our maps, all combine to outshine and bedim the existence of the "other". Even more shocking is the fact that this kind of Postcolonialist discourse - the awareness of cultural tyranny over the course of human history, did not appear until the recent decade. But how could we be aware, when since small we have all been fed indiscriminately with Snow White, Beauty and the Beast - the Western Captialist discourse? 27 September 2004, Monday
Attended the first seminar at Warburg
I was about 15 minutes early and some others were already there. Poor Geraldi woke up at 6am because she needed to take the train from Southampton. Then Dr Brotton came. His friendliness remained unchanged and his casual wear of glasses and jeans even fostered that feeling. I was really annoyed at the idea of the diplomat character but now I know I need not fear any such personality to exist in this place - may be. The format of the seminar was more or less like those of Professor Tambling's and Dr Sabine's. But I was really nervous when I was called on to talk about my views about the Burckhardt article; I could feel my hand shaking
A bit irritated by Olivia - may be it was her confidence; she hardly jotted any notes, and I could feel something within her composure. The plum girl (sorry still cannot remember your name) was doing a lot of talking, and I could see was a critical type. It was well I received training from Professor Tambling's course; I really feel good with this mode of teaching, though a bit challenging But as he said to me before, "What's the point if it's not challenging?" Dr Brotton got each of us a reference letter for getting the British Library Reader Admissions and in mine it said I was to do a research on Renaissance maps
But Dr Brotton got my surname wrong - I became "Mary Ling". He was genuinely sorry about it (at least he gave me that feeling) and I felt I liked him more After the seminar I asked him about the research seminar and then he gave me a warm goodbye. I was so happy after the seminar that I almost hopped May be I had expected too little at first. Then went to Oxford Circus to meet Jessica Leung and we went to China Town to have lunch. On the way Dad called and he was leaving for the US the following night. I told him the troubles with the enrolment but I did not complain because I did not want to complicate it, things were within control anyway. May be I am really more mature now?
Got 2 Muji kitchen tools. They were already the cheapest I could find
Went back to campus, first rushed to School Office to get the envelop (addressed to "MARY LING"
) with Dr Colclough's reading and Dr Brotton's letter and course enrolment form, then bought Plato's Republic and More's Utopia at the bookstore, then went to library to find the other readings for Dr Colclough's seminar on Wednesday. Could not find anything with the library digital database Then someone tapped my shoulder, it was the plum girls x 2 (sorry, I'll try to remember your names) and they told me where the readings were - basically altogether in the trolley beside the photocopying machine on the top floor - very handy indeed Then I went back to hall and found I forgot to check the Oxford English Dictionary
Made an appointment with Jessica Leung to celebrate Mid-Autumn with her tomorrow - almost forget about it really...
26 September 2004, Sunday
Did some shopping at Sainsbury in the morning. I discovered that ever since I was here I kept sorrying people. It so happened that I was returning the cart and a man holding out a coin was standing behind me. I thought I was keeping him waiting and said my often embarrassed "sorry". The man was a really generous-natured kind and asked smiling, "For what?" I was struggling because I was embarrassed and did not realize he was giving me the coin so as to save the trouble of both. Afterwards I felt so stupid I could not get over it for quite some time. Not just because of my slowness in comprehending the man, but also that self-consciousness about my inferiority which is paradoxically groundless. I must get over this stupid low self-esteem thing or else it would hinder my adaptation process, and worse, my study.
Not much afterwards. Reading the whole day. Finished without comprehending a thing that Burckhardt article and started with the Norbrook article which turned out much better. At least I know what the question we are dealing with is now. I am thankful of Professor Tambling for teaching all those difficult stuff - if not for his course I would have no clue about this second article as well. But if I had not taken his course perhaps I would not end up studying Renaissance Studies neither
In any case, all those names which appeared in Professor Tambling's course appear again: Nietzsche, Foucault, Stephen Greenblatt and new historicism, Walter Benjamin... Hegel, Heidegger, Bataille... My brain is turning again Called Jessica Leung at night. May be meet up with her after the seminar tomorrow. And have to pick up the article left by Dr Colclough at the school office... feeling really sorry I forgot to find him in person last Thursday...
He's just so nice... Looking (nervously) forward to tomorrow's seminar (I MUST NOT be late again...)...
25 September 2004, Saturday
Woke up and did some reading. Had lunch then set off with Zaleha. We wanted to save money and chose to take the bus, first to Oxford Circus then change another bus to Nottinghill Gate. It took us over 1 hour to get there
It was lovely - I mean all those antique porcelain and silverware, accessories and toys, gentleman's palm watches and old telephones
I got myself a fake pearl necklace for 5 pounds from some Japanese girls Eyed an antique doll's house but even a single item like an armchair cost 8 pounds However we arrived too late and the stalls were closing or else I would have got something more And got 2 books from a 2nd-hand bookstore for 4 pounds: Virginia Woolf's The Waves and Dave Pelzer's A Child Called 'It'. I liked the look of the shopkeeper: a tall and slender boy with a funky hairstyle, dreamy eyes and lower-lip pierced, in a tight black knitted top I think I am really into the "Kanon-type" (of Kissxxxx) - like Hakuei of Penicillin, Gackt, Sugizo... We took the bus to Piccadilly Circus because I wanted to show Zaleha China Town. And then in a supermarket in China Towb I bumped into a SHCC schoolmate Eunice!
We have not seen each other for a couple of years really... Thanks Providence I meet 2 SHCC schoolmates in 2 days When we finally returned to hall it was past 8pm... a really tiring day... but nice
After dinner I received a SMS from Simon and I called and chatted a bit with him. He won't be going out much because travelling is too expensive and I totally sympathize with that I am lucky because I have No.25 (though it is a really long a tiresome journey). Have no idea how to read that Burckhardt article on Italian Renaissance... Really stressed
24 September 2004, Friday
Still cannot get connected to the internet. Damn.
Realized I need not attend the 2 talks when I arrived at the Arts Building. Went to get my certificate of acceptance. Cannot apply for the travel pass until fully enroled. Dr Colclough did not leave the readings at the office, my be try his own office... later, got to finish Dr Brotton's first
Made lunch then set off to find out Warburg Institute. The journey by tube was tedious - I needed to walk a long way at King's Cross St Pancrea's to change lines, and even after I came out from Russell Square station I needed to walk at least 5 minutes to get to Warburg Institute. Spent some time searching for the place, which was hidden somewhere behind the trees. I realized it was the main campus of University of London, and Russell Square was just across the road. Suddenly it occured to me he recommended the place because he knew instead of some random thoughts.
Walked passed Russell Square and then the British Museum then to the New Oxford Road and found the bus stop for No.25. I would certainly go by bus. Then I walked down Charring Cross Road (Virginia Woolf in A Room of One's Room) and suddenly I found I had been there before. I was at Leicester Square
I went to buy some stationary at Muji and when I came out I saw Jessica Leung
We exchanged contacts. And then I walked to China Town to get some instant noodles. I was beginning to have a sense of the directions I remembered the Japanese store Simon showed me and tried to locate it. Bought some instant food there and then set off the Oxford Street to take No.25 home May called tonight and we had a little chat
She talked about her part-time job which was a bit tough but I feel that she really likes it or at least is emotionally involved. She suggested I go to have a look at the market at Nottinghill, reminded me of the film. 23 September 2004, Thursday
For some reason I dropped my first tear since I set foot in London. The people are all nice, it is only me. As the staff from the Counselling Office said, it is only normal. I remember all that I have learnt in LHT, and am able to shake off my tears and compose myself again.
Glory
The glory we achieve with sweat and will
And now is the right time to celebrate
We're Lady Ho Tung girls we never fall
We stand on our feet, not on our knees
Remember the days you cheer me down
I've made up my mind to beat you down
Our spirit is high we never fall
We dare to tell you we will win you all
Look you can see here's LHT
Stick together we'll never fear
NO MATTER HOW TOUGH THE LIFE CAN BE
WE STILL CAN BRING OUR DREAMS TO REALITY
No reserve, we deserve
No retreat, we go forward
No regret, until the end
'cos we are Lady Ho Tung girls we are the best of all
...
NO MATTER HOW TOUGH THE LIFE CAN BE
WE STILL CAN BRING OUR DREAMS TO REALITY
Always tough and strong. Of course it cannot be true always, but it is a good way to encouage oneself
A note of today's events:
1. Got TEMPORARILY enroled
2. Attended MA induction programmes.
3. Including me, there is only 7 people in the course
Only 1 boy, and only me is non-local... 4. My advisor is Dr Jerry Brotton who is doing the Foundations of the Northern European Renaissance seminars. He is tall and young (relatively) and fabulous and has one earring on his left ear
He is very nice too, helped me about the course enrolment form thing (though it is his obligation to assist me). 5. Dr David Colcough is doing the optional seminar Public and Private Cultures in Shakespeare's England. He is really nice, when I told him I cannot borrow books from the library yet he offered to photocopy the readings for me
Feeling really grateful. 6. Among my fellows, Olivia is the big blond girl, Geraldi is the special girl living in Southampton, Julia is the girl just graduated from Oxford, a plum blond girl whose name I forgot, another girl who graduated from QMUL whose name I also forgot, and Shalom the only boy. I look exceptionally small among them
7. Met Eirini again in the lunch party
Had her mobile number and sent her an SMS tonight and she replied 8. Met a kawaii Japanese girl Yuki-san who is doing MA in Performance
Hope I may see her again. 9. Had a small chat with a girl called Joanna.
10. Had a drink with the fellows after the lunch.
11. Applied for the acceptance form, computer service and got a form for travel pass.
12. Read through the pile given to me.
13. Accompanied Zaleha to get her new mobile. Then went to Curry and PC World.
14. Planning to buy the 49.99 pound hp printer.
15. Dinner was Zaleha's curry chicken.
16. Begin the readings for the first seminar next Monday.
22 September 2004, Wednesday
Is it that I have to make myself do some stupid thing once a day?
Lost my wits and panicked for nothing. I can tell I am my mother's child now. Do not want to recall it here anymore, I just want to take everything easy and prepare for tomorrow's meeting - the first meeting with MA staff and students! What kind of persons will I be working with? Looking forward to it
I think I need to work out the reason why I am doing the programme. Why MA in Renaissance Studies: Shakespeare and the Northern Renaissance? Because I admire Shakespeare, want to figure out the cultural context in which he worked; the difference between how Shakespeare's contemporaries appreciated him and how modern readers appreciate him; there is one thing in Renaissance culture which fascinates me: the CARNIVAL, which is manifest in many aspects of Renaissance culture. For example in Brugel and El Bosco's paintings, in some of Shakespeare's characters, etc.
I want the spirit of Grazia (my interpretation) - "All that is well ends well" and "What you will". Doing everything with grace. No scruples, no panics... Should not be too difficult to achieve, for everything is on the right track anyway: comfortable with hall and flatmates, got the daily necessities, though delayed there seems no big problem with the enrollment, made an appointment to open a bank account, met some people, joined the Chinese society... More confidence and composure are what I need
21 September 2004, Tuesday
Lost my wits again... I thought I had become more mature already...
It so happened I was not registered in the system because I did not supply the qualifications before which I thought I only need to present when I enrol
So it was a mess and I needed to enrol tomorrow. It was not a really big problem, but I was really pissed off. The girl beside me in the Admissions office had the same problem, but when I met her again in the party tonight, I found her very gay and not disturbed at all. That's the personality I need! She is called Erini and she is gorgeous and she is Greek and she is in the same department as me (we are in the School of English and Drama, she doing MA in Perfomative Arts and I doing MA in Renaissance Studies). Looking forward to seeing her again Met some more people in the party. A Thai girl called Nancy doing PhD, a Chinese boy from Manchester who can speak Cantonese and who was really nice, the others only exchanged names... like a Chinese boy Shin, a South Korean boy Jack. Still not sure what kind of people I am about to hang around with...
Before I went to the party I had a lot to fret about: my enrollment, and the mysterious lock of my desk drawer (the lock was broken, I did nothing, and the drawers got locked themselves); and yet now I feel so much better now I do not see the need to fret in my diary now
All that's well P.S. And had almost an hour's chat with Dad
P.P.S. And I bought something at supermarket and cooked my first dinner too
P.P.P.S. As to the fire drill, it did not apply to our block!
So why did I wake up waiting for it? 20 September 2004, Monday
Attended orientation talks for international students from morning to dusk ranging from health service to immigration. A bit uneasy about the enrollment procedures. I never received any instruction until then, which is unfair because they could not just expect I have those documentations like a Birth Certificate with me without being informed in the first place. Anyways, I will see what I can do tomorrow.
I hardly saw any Hong Kong fellow except that pair who sat behind me at the Health Service talk, and who I had not much intention to identify with
And then not any Japanese nor Korean neither. Instead there were many from Pakistan, India, Malaysia, Thailand, Mainland China... Afterwards took the No.25 to Stratford Shopping Centre but I made a mistake and we walked more distance than we actually travelled in the bus
Finally got 2 sets (shared half with Zaleha) of eating utencils and a set of cooking utencils (3 saucepans and 1 frying pan). I had the cheese and onion pie again and went with Zaleha to the meeting at 8pm. There were so few people I thought I made a mistake. I sat down and received a call from May. Then a Shanghai boy sitting next to me talked to me. Actually he and another boy had been staring since I went in the room
When the organizers arrived and saw the pathetic attendence one of them switched on the fire alarm to force others downstairs Sort of had a little introduction to the hall, and trying to foster community feeling, which I felt was so ineffective as compared to our ORIENTATION When I went back to my room I found I had not my father's bank statement with me. Can I just show them the bank drafts? Hai... I hate bureaucracy
Tomorrow morning at 7:30am there will be a fire drill
Crazy... 19 September 2004, Sunday
Woke up and had my last breakfast at Ramsees, then retired to my room to pack up. The cab arrived at 11am and I was at Stocks Court before noon. Got my keys and struggled up with my luggages to the 1/F flat. That staff said with disbelieve that the luggage even weighed more than me
Anyway I got to my flat, which got 5 rooms, 1 toilet, 1 bathroom with toilet, and 1 pantry. I got Room C, Room A is a Mainland China PhD student Lily who looked and sounded like Ayako
Room B is another Mainland China MBA student Rose, Room D is a Malaysian Muslim Zaleha, Room E has not checked in yet. So it seems I cannot learn colloquial English here Lily was very nice (may be all Ayako-looks are nice
), lent me some tissue paper (it isn't provided here! I miss LHT ) and alluminium foil when I wanted to bake the pie for dinner, taught me how to use the oven, lent me her notebook to check email... etc. Rose initiated to collect all of our names and make copies to everyone. Promised Zaleha to go to campus and shopping tomorrow together. I unpacked my things - not many things in fact, but why did my luggage weigh so much?
Even got the time to assemble my Shakespeare's birthplace 16thC Stratford-Upon-Avon paper model But I did not have my scissors and glue with me so I could not make the Globe Theatre too Simon sent a SMS asking if I went to the London Openhouse; I called back and we chatted a little. He said there would be something at Tate Modern tonight but I thought I would not be going out at night yet since I was not familiar with the surroundings. Did not want the cases in the survival guide given to me today to manifest on me.
And as I got no cooking utensil and no ingredient and no bowl and plate I had to do with something simple - frozen pies got from a nearby supermarket. Got some milk and swiss roll and I think that would sustain me a day or two...
Feeling insecure here - began to understand why Catherine locked her door when going to bath because I am doing it now too
Thought I had better got a lock for my notebook. Otherwise everything went well - All's well ends well.
18 September 2004, Saturday
A second visit to the V&A; checked out some more (not ALL - it is far too large) sections. A new favourite is the Art Nouveau - it has somehow overridden my former Gothic/Victorian Gorthic frenzy
Took No.14 to Piccadilly Circus and walked over to Covent Garden. The man on the bus forgot to ask for my ticket so I got a free ride and saved like 70p
Found some lovely stores. Bought a tin box with an Art Nouvelle print (it used to be a mocha box but it was for some reason empty and cost only 3 pounds - did not matter to me as long as the box remained intact, I wanted the box only anyway) and a paper model of Shakespeare's cottage at Stratford-upon-Avon Then I went back to Piccadilly Circus to have a look at Japan Centre. Spot quite a number of cool-looking Japanese guys
Then I bought some sushi for dinner. The girl took me as a Japanese and my occassional ability to respond confused her I was at V&A again and got myself some postcards and a V&A Vivienne Westwood top. Have to be more sparing from now on...
Watched TV at night. "The Weakest Link" and "Millionaire", and something like the British version of "Americal Idol" (where William Hung became famous
) called "X Factor". There was that charming 20-year-old boy who smiled just like him and of course lots of jerks you could never imagine. 17 September 2004, Friday
Had a whole-day lecture on European (mainly British) history of 1200-1900 AD at Victoria and Albert Museum
I am glad the V&A is within walking distance from Ramsees. But the Vivienne Westwood exhibition was no more Going to galleries and museums is really one of the best ways of learning history - through these two weeks of palace-cathedral-monument-gallery-museum visits I found myself quite familiar with the history of British monarchs and historic persons and historic events and history of aesthetic movements now - like a preliminary course before the MA
Dad called when I was at the Fasion section of V&A. Forgot to tell him I have no printer to print out the scholarship application forms.
At night SKY Channel showed "The Addams Family Values". It was like 10 years ago
Christina Ricci was still a little girl then. 16 September 2004, Thursday
The day to leave the pleasant Gainsborough House. I had a terrible struggle with the luggages
I had already restrained from buying things, still I had to sit on my luggage to close it May helped me haul my things downstairs to the cab. Thank you for these 2 weeks, really nice to meet you :wink: It spent me 20 pounds to get to Earls Court
Won't ever use this cab service again. Got a tiny room on the ground floor and began to plan my day. Having no wish to increase the load of my luggages as there would be at least one more moving, I put aside the Designer Sales invitation May gave me and decided to walk down to Chelsea. My Great British Heritage journey had come to an end and I could do less formal-tourist and yet no less significant things now. My Chelsea Mission was delayed because of the GBH and I had no wish to postpone it infinitely. I took my map and insisted walking there, which was no trivial distance. When I was walking along King's Road suddenly on my left appeared the famous Vivienne Westwood "The World's End" store!
A Japanese salesgirl was inside - I guess many Japanese pay their tribute there. But I walked on because I was in the Mission, hoping I might be able to go back to have a look inside. Finally I found the miserable building - even more forlorn than mine
I sat on the steps outside the entrance, musing over something. Then I stood up and walked off. That marked the end of my Mission. As I was walking back towards "The World's End", admiring the fashionable boutiques of fashionable Chelsea, I caught sight of a No.11 bus heading for Liverpool Street station. So I decided to finish my business in Chelsea and go to the Designer Sales. Hastingly checked out the sculpture of Sit Thomas More, the favourite of artists - Cheyne Walk, and strolled about "The World's End" store (Never thought of buying anything THERE) then I caught a bus.
It was a long way and I dozed off in the bus. After getting off I plunged into the funky side-streets (my favourite image of London
) and found out the studio which housed the Sales. Quite a number of Japanese were there and they were piling their arms with HEAPS of clothes Finally I got myself a HUNTERS AND GATHERERS silk vest for 21 pounds (from original 65 pounds) and a birdie myrtle top for 18 pounds (from original 40 pounds) And then I took No.11 back to King's Road and walked back. Dinner was a 2.97 pounds McDonald meal
The happiest thing of all today must be the sight of many funky London youths