Halfway through an eventful month.

Well, first of all, I have changed my layout so hope you guys like it. Took me some time of editing but it's definitely awesome to bring some freshness to the blog.

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Happy Chinese New Year everyone! It's my 2nd year away celebrating Chinese New Year away from home, and thus far (Chinese New Year lasts for 15 days), all is going great. I received my exam results on the first day of Chinese New Year and I have to say, I am quite satisfied with it. Now, it gives me an idea of the criteria which essay-examinations are looking for. However, that being said, it seems that none of my examinations this semester are in essay format. It feels like the module conveyors are psychologically messing with their students' mind. Ha ha ha. But well, it is what it is, uni life is not easy.

Anyways, on that day itself, my flatmates and I also attempted to make a hotpot dinner (steamboat in Malaysian terms) and I guess it went okay. I am really happy that we managed to go on with that idea as I used to have it back home every Chinese New Year and also during my first year in Exeter (w/ Malaysian friends). As you can see, we didn't have the proper equipment and just have to make do with what we have.

Just 4 Asians 

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Last Friday to Sunday, I went on a journey to Southampton for 2 reasons, to watch their university's Malaysian Night performance and also to visit my friends. To go back and return from Southampton, I spent about 10 hours on the bus and to most people who I've told about this, it was kind of grueling to them. To me however, spending time in transportation is part of the travel package and in the end, I just hope that I will be able to say "This journey is worth it".

And it definitely is. Southampton Malaysian Society put up a great performance. It was my first Malaysian Night and I must say, it was an amazing eye-opener and I can hardly wait to attend my next Malaysian Night from another university. Southampton Malaysian Society's brilliant choice of theme - 'Back to School' has no doubt the ability to touch and connect the memories of spectators who have previously studied in government schools back in Malaysia. Gotta say, at one point of the show, I really hoped I could go back to my high school life. There might be more subjects to study during that high school life, but we were always surrounded by friends and classmates, studying felt less stressful and more enjoyable as a growing process, whereby everybody was learning together and competing with each other.

Booklet from the show

Well, as Vicky and friends have to prepare for the Southampton Mnight, I didn't have any companions to travel the city of Southampton with. Therefore, the following photos were from the solo journey and I had embarked on during the second day of my trip.

Southampton Solent University

St. Mary Stadium from far

St. Mary Stadium - Southampton's home turf

Bay view from Mayflower park

As you can see, puddles everywhere

West Quay Shopping Mall

Southampton has a really big city and bus rides automatically become a paramount transportation there. Moreover, the availability of a shopping mall have left me in awe (There isn't any shopping mall in Exeter). Ironically, compared to this, the size and amount of shopping malls Malaysia has is just ridiculous. LMAO. However, the fact that there is this presence of a huge distance between the university and town means that students would not opt to go to the town center often anyways, I reckon.

The weather in Southampton wasn't kind to me at all. As I was exploring the city of Southampton, the drizzle followed my footsteps and had shown no sign of stopping at all. It was alike my trip to Cardiff last year, the rain did little to provide me with a positive impression about both cities.

I am totally in favour of Exeter which honestly speaking, probably has one of the best weather in the United Kingdom (Cognitive bias). Well, sunshine and warmth never fail to keep cheerful all day baby.

Anyways here's my thanks to you two, Vicky and Yee Ling for letting me stay over. 

Thanks for having me!!

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Anyways, that's about it this time. I promise there will be more stuffs to talk about in the following weeks. Stay tune if you're interested! :)

Bye,

Jayden