My First UK Blog Post - A View from My Window

This year was crazy - 2014. The workload was okay but the uncertainties were definitely high. So, after years of dreaming to study in overseas and all, I finally had my wish came true as a Ph.D student. Hahahaha, kinda old to keep on studying, but gonna keep going on!

It is of course a great opportunity, since I am running off to United Kingdom (UK) for a year. So far, everything treats me okay, except for the weather - reasons >>>the temperature difference between morning and evening can be > 10 DegC. Yes, for this reason, I have suddenly suffer from minor migraine - which in my entire life, this is not an issue. I can't stay up late in UK, can't boil midnight oil>>> maximum drop-sleep time is 1145pm. @@

Anyhow, the groceries here and food here (I mean from supermarket) are quite affordable in the sense that it won't kill off your wallet at the end of the month. No car for me, good for diet! Hahahaha, people here are quite polite until it is frightening at one point. And, at Nottingham here, I feel quite cosy. It is a city with nice buildings and architectures and great food. 

As for the utility bill, it is still quite a weird arrangement. For water bill, we prepaid an estimated water usage for 6 months @@. As for electricity bill, we need to submit our own tariff reading, else they will calculate based on past record. This is a whole culture shock to me (^^).

This sums up my current life. I have been so busy with research etc. At one point, I was so phobia of writing even a single word. It actually took me a lot of determination to write this post and select the fine pictures above. 

Never thought that this post is actually 9 months apart. Great that my posts productivity declined greatly, because I am living a real life or Am I? By the way, my bloglink also changes over here to xjion89.blogspot.co.uk . Guess because I am in UK. Hahahahaha. Keep in touch and keep supporting my blogs. 

Cheeeeers, 

xjion a.k.a Jay  

A Happy 2014 - Smile like Mickey Mouse (^^)

Oh my, 2014 is here in a blink of an eye! Regardless of how positive I was/ am, I can't stop myself wonder and worry how my this year will be! If you have read my previous post on the ever-increasing conditions in Malaysia, I guess it will never be an easy year. 

Anyhow, I think perhaps because of aging, I feel that I can easily emo/ depressed. Mid-life crisis comes earlier this year?! This year, my resolution is simple - be happy! (^^) Smile like Mickey Mouse (^^)!!!!! I finally dug up some photos years ago! I remembered it was taken in Midvalley, when they had an art gallery on Mickey Mouse (^^)! It was even FOC to view the art pieces ! Yup, it was that simple, be happy!

When I was a little younger, I really wanted a lot. As I grew older, perspective starts to "evolve", I feel that less is more. Spending days with your love ones, be more appreciative of what I have, accomplish self-set goals, etc.... are more like my direction of lives. 

Then, there are some people who I thought I know, just change completely opposite. They used to enjoy life, love life, appreciate life.... But, after working, I can see that some of them became cocky/ arrogant and blindly chasing things that they thought they want  - money, fame, promotion, etc.. Well, I ain't Saint, I do have desire to chase those stuffs, but not neglecting my lives!

Keep your virtue! Smile like Mickey Mouse (^^) 

Awareness by 110 CancerCare

I think many of us know about CANCER. As the world continues to develop, so does cancer! There are getting more and more cases of cancers as approximate 7.6 millions deaths (13% of all deaths)  in 2008 were caused by cancer [1]. I understand the devastation and effects of cancers to both the patients and his/her family. 

I was contacted to write about 110 CancerCare project joint-ventured by National Cancer Society Malaysia and AXA Affin Life Insurance [2]. As an effort to spread earlier awareness on cancer, the webportal provides some of the available paths to safeguard future of yourself and your love ones [3]. 

Personally, I think is a very good initiative to promote health awareness and future protection on cancer. Therefore, maybe you can just spend 10 mins or less to have quick check on the links, it will benefit you in a small way, yet, who knows this small gesture can save your life!

*Note: The post is solely for information-dissemination, author is not a member of the organisations as mentioned above.