2nd Haircut in UK

It was 6 months since my last haircut at Simmy's, plan to go there again for another one. If it's isn't for Nottingham Malaysian Games, I probably will keep it for a while more. As usual, I walked 45 minutes to town. Unfortunately, Simmy's was not open =.= too bad~

Wake up in the morning for a long walk to town:

I was hesitating if I should find a nearby barber and get things done or just leave it for next time. Devs is just a few shops beside it, £7.50 for student price, quite a good deal. The hairdresser is a lady from Hungary, she mentioned my hair is very strong (I think she meant thick =.=). Quite a good place for haircut, better than I thought. After that, went to a nearby shop to buy a present for Wei Ern's birthday, I'm shipping this to Indonesia.

New haircut place and Wei Ern's present:

I know it's a bad timing for short hair. The weather is getting colder and wind blowing stronger, not good to expose too much of facial skin and ear. Anyway, just gonna enjoy the fresh look and give SR a surprise later :P Off to worship practice~

New haircut~ by a Hungarian lady:

"I will make the lame my remnant, those driven away a strong nation. The Lord will rule over them in Mount Zion from that day and forever."
-Micah 4:7-

A new look to handle the new challenges in life~ pray that SR will be blessed with new talents and fellowship. Well, things are getting tougher lately, but I choose to believe in a hope that never fails, Amen.

Ghee Vui's Birthday

My ex-housemate, Ghee Vui who is working in Plymouth can't stand the boredom and came to Nottingham for a week to celebrate her birthday/holiday. It's kinda true that working in a foreign place without any friend around can be harsh.

Too bad another housemate, Sera that always do the baking is not in UK anymore, so I resorted to buy a frozen cake from Tesco =.= Coincidentally, my current housemate, Tifani's birthday falls on the same day. I'm gonna double celebrate for both of them that night XD We had quite a good time chatting and catching up.

Happy Birthday to Ghee Vui and Tifani:

For this whole week, she's busy catching up with old friends, going party and shopping. That's really a way to spend your holiday =.= The next day, another bunch of people called me to surprise her at night. We did it, without noticing we put the wrong 'age' on the cake, she's one year younger than indicated~ Oooops.

2nd round birthday surprise, or is this for next year?

"I will restore the fallen shelter — I will repair its broken walls, and restore its ruins — and will rebuild it as it used to be."
-Amos 9:11-

There're too many changes going on recently, new people and new activities. If felt like the good old days are too far to reminisce. Anyway, just pray that everyone will be fine settling down for a new semester, and that the birthday girls will have a blessed year ahead, Amen.

2 Pairs of Gifts

After a weekend trip, I'm back at home to find myself a parcel addressed for me. It might be my ebay purchases, but this is way too special. Other than my full name, the word 'Adam' written, with my yahoo email address and my contact number, this person must have know me well. So I opened it to find myself a pair of glove and sock.

Reebok glove and Nike socks:

It's from Wei Ern, all the way from Indonesia for my birthday (although its few weeks ago). We've been updating each other about life, and he wanted to get me something practical, probably these are things for my home work out and morning jog. Thanks so much, I love it! Attached in the parcel is also a note with encouraging message, I guess he really know how tough my situation is.

One thing that I learn about coming to UK, is to really treasure friendship. Despite the distance and time difference, people who care to make effort to contact me and share their life are the real buddies. Living in foreign place can be very lonely, especially when you meet weird people, but some best buddies will always be prepare to listen.

"I am sending you grain, new wine and olive oil, enough to satisfy you fully; never again will I make you an object of scorn to the nations."
-Joel 2:19-

It's wonderful to see how God plans things to work, if I've never stayed a year in Malaysia before coming to UK, I wouldn't have been close with these friends, and I wouldn't have get through this tough time now (although it's not really over). Thank You Lord for Your grace and mercy, for You won't send us into a battle that we cannot take, Amen.

Fun Fair at LakeSide

It's summer time~ and the county is having something special at the lakeside. I've been seeing these trucks at the lakeside few days ago, until I saw the poster of a funfair being set up at the lakeside. It's quite impressive, that they managed to complete all setup within 2 days.

From trucks to fun fair:

The main targets of this fun fair are the families, probably not many students around during summer. Not bad, they have most of the mini scale rides of a theme park. The price are OK as well, at most £2 or £3 per ride, we didn't really played anything since it's for kids.

Pretty hard to imagine the lakeside being a mini theme park:

I'm quite amazed by the crew, I guess they travel around UK in their trucks. Their trucks are like RV which they can stay in, and they will be here til early of September. Haha, kinda like the modern version of moving circus.

They even have ghost ride:

"I am concerned for you and will look on you with favor."
-Ezekiel 36:9-

The weather doesn't seem to be on their side for these few weeks. Hope that there won't be any accident and the families would be able to enjoy this wet summer at the fun fair, Amen.

Goodbye 10 Beeston Road

Although it's just 10 months staying here, our contract in 10 Beeston Road, Dunkirk is ending by September. Since the other housemates won't be in Nottingham during August, I might as well move to my new place so that we can settle off the bills together.

I'm quite OK since I didn't stay here for too long, packing is kinda easy. Sera and Ghee Vui really put a lot of effort and time to get their rooms done. Haiz... mixed feelings seeing these rooms that we hanged out so much being empty.

Me and Sera's room, in check-out mode:

The owner is pretty particular with the kitchen, it must be VERY clean and empty. The girls has already left the house and I have less than one week to settle everything. Argh... made a few trips back to this house after work for major cleaning (fridge, floor, kitchen). Besides that, my new place is also in a mess, would be a very tough week.

Returning for a few days and cleaning bit by bit:

Honestly, I was quite worried before I move in, was my first time staying with girls only. They turned out to be the nicest housemates I ever had and I really enjoyed this less than 1 year of company and craziness. Probably the absence of guy ego in a house really builds the harmony. I'm so gonna miss this house.

"Son of man, with one blow I am about to take away from you the delight of your eyes. Yet do not lament or weep or shed any tears."
-Ezekiel 24:16-

Thank You Lord for showering happiness and understanding throughout the stay in this house. Although there might be minor conflicts, I personally appreciated the stay, wonderful memories and more, Amen.

Olympics Torch Celebration

The Olympics torch is running through the whole UK, and it passes Nottingham today at the old market square. I walked there alone to avoid traffic diversions and delays, meeting some other friends there. Oh gosh, I have never seen so many people in Nottingham, looks like the while UK... probably the whole world is here.

Stage setup at old market square:

There were performances before the torch arrive, not that I am interested, I just wanna see the torch. The crowd seriously make it a lot difficult to meet up with each other. The torch finally arrived at 7 something, have been standing there long enough and rewarded by witnessing the moment of torch lighting at Nottingham.

I'm in the ocean of human waiting for a fire:

We hanged around for a while, lucky enough~ I got the LAST free coke of the day. The truck has been giving coke for hours and I got the final one~ gonna really keep this bottle. Planned to take the some Tri-campus Game friends for an English meal, too bad it's full everyday, resorting to Thai dinner.

Hang around city after the event with students from Malaysia team:

"Should you then seek great things for yourself? Do not seek them"
-Jeremiah 45:5-

It was pouring like crazy in the morning and early afternoon, but the Lord shows mercy for this great moment. It was shiny good weather and windy, perfect atmosphere for a city party. Also thank God for the fellowship with juniors from Malaysia campus, Amen.

T-Street Combined Service

Cornerstone church moved to a temporary building which is too far to walk =.= Just nice, T-Street church is having this special service which is a combination of 4 different services, and it's at Nott County Football Club (free entrance!). We entered through the players hallway~ awesome!

First time in a UK football club:

They actually allow us to walk around the football pitch, I kinda felt the overwhelming feeling of a player, eventhough the audience seats are all empty, it's just too big! A tent is set in the center of the football pitch, what a great environment.

NCFC is actually the world's oldest football league club:

It's beautifully decorated inside, it sorta looks like a wedding dinner. Keep the luxurious setting aside, there's even a dance floor in front of the stage. I guess there're more than 500 people. The sermon mentioned the importance of meeting together to worship, as a congregation, just like this very moment.

Worship session with prayers and dances:

"With my great power and outstretched arm I made the earth and its people and the animals that are on it, and I give it to anyone I please."
-Jeremiah 27:5-

Another wonderful Sunday with new things. Pray that I'm gonna be alright looking for churches to go while Cornerstone is not in reach anymore (at least not by foot). May God bless for opportunities of joining other churches' service, Amen.

Heat Wave in the Autumn

It's been sunny for almost a week and according to weather forecast, it'll last for a few more days until Autumn is back to gloomy and windy again. I plan to have a walk at the lake side since there's nothing much to do on Saturday (the room is really stuffy and hot), have a look at how British celebrates sunshine.

People sunbathing, picnic and playing around:

Coincidentally, I saw Sen Loong there. He's waiting for some other friends for a walk who are suppose to turn up 20 minutes ago... We were too bored waiting and decided to go for £1.50 whippy~ First time eating cone ice cream in UK *I miss McD Sundea Cone (RM1)*.

Sunglasses + Ice Cream:

Finally, here they are and it's just a random walk around the lake. Never thought that a random walk could turn out to be hanging around with people, nice timing. Well, it's really rare that I can walk around in UK with shorts and singlet, with nice pictures to be taken everywhere.

Chilling with the blessings of sunshine:

Sunsets around 9pm nowadays, it seems bright but we're actually having dinner at Chen Ting's house. They're doing BBQ~ I guess everyone has been longing for this summer-like weather for quite long. Since it's gonna be the Diamond Jubilee holiday, the working people are just so eager to chill whole night.

Chilling from day til night:

"If you have raced with men on foot and they have worn you out, how can you compete with horses?"
-Jeremiah 12:5-

I've heard a few British people says how they should fully utilize the sunshine, go out and enjoy to the max. I guess we Malaysians sometimes take it for granted, weather over here is kinda harsh, that we can't really enjoy outdoor much. Just pray that we are blessed with a cheerful heart that give thanks to whatever is given to us, Amen.

Sean's Birthday Present

There was actually another design that I purchase before May, trying to make it on his birthday, too bad that thing never arrive (good thing ebay refunded). Well, still feeling bad not getting him anything, since it's the only birthday that I celebrate with Sean. Amazingly, the package arrived 2 days after purchase (I'm so gonna visit this seller again).

Ebay items always arrive in good condition:

I knew that his favourite colour is red, and got this customize T-shirt with "Simple Earnest And Nice" (S.E.A.N) printed on it for a pretty good price. The only thing is... M size looks kinda big for him (it'll be OK if he grows fatter). I was actually thinking how to bring this to him, or should I sound like I'm depressed to start off the surprise. Who knows, this fella came on the same day, makes life easier.

Exactly 2 weeks after birthday... Happy belated...

Not too sure about it, but he looks kinda happy with his new shirt. I guess that's why God stopped the first purchase, probably He knew Sean likes this one more. This actually reminds me of Christmas in 2009, that I bought a bible as gift for Chris Hii, since he's started seeking The LORD and never own one. I thought it would be pretty awkward, but he was so glad receiving it, "I never thought of anyone to give me a bible, thank you!" that's what he said.

"Among all the wise leaders of the nations and in all their kingdoms, there is no one like you."
-Jeremiah 10:7-

Sometimes, things that we do seems insignificant and small, but God takes it, and will use it mightily. I once said, "I am blessed coz you are blessed". It's been a while and I almost forgotten that, I really pray that I remember events and people that makes me really feel it that way. It'll be useful to get through tough times with these blessings, Amen.

Hair Coloring with Housemates

I usually dye my hair in the saloon after a haircut, but of course not in UK, it's gonna cost a lot! Well, my housemates suddenly have the craving(?) to dye their hair too~ so we're trying it ourselves. I did it once myself years ago but my hair is too dark, it's not really obvious.

Bought from Tesco:

I thought it's gonna be very tedious and difficult... at least covering the table is. They even labeled the bottles with numbers, the instruction manual has diagrams, as easy as reading comic. It took us about an hour for the whole procedure. Sean and Zi Jian came to help (actually just to hang out).

Mine is not very obvious, could be seen under the sun:

The girls actually look good with the colour. Haha, they used blonde but turn out to be slightly red on Ghee Vui and brownish on Sera. I guess different hair quality makes the same dye looks different.

Too much hair for them, it must have took a lot of effort to dye it all:

"I have swept away your offenses like a cloud, your sins like the morning mist. Return to me, for I have redeemed you."
-Isaiah 44:22-

It rains a lot recently =.= Really pray that everyone won't fall sick with the ill weather while preparing for dissertation and assignments. This is always the season to pray for time management to complete academic work, Amen.