It’s Time to Say Goodbye

Hello everyone,

Just want to tell you guys that this will be my last post for this blog. Unfortunately, I will not be able to post anymore after today as I’ve graduated from MMU and my life has to move on elsewhere. Nevertheless, it’s been a great year (and 2 months). Thank you all for reading this blog and I hope you enjoy reading what I have, although sometimes I’ll admit it wasn’t that interesting :p

Last Thursday was my last day working in MMU International office. Everything seems pretty ordinary but towards the end of the day, I was surprised by the team with a gift and a thank you card! It was lovely for you all to do that. Thank you Shayne for introducing the job to me. Thank you Tomoko and Chris for hiring me to work with the Exchange team and for your patience to teach me from A-Z! And Constance: I’m not usually that quiet you know! I am very talkative actually but I guess I’m shy and less confident when speaking in English with you guys in the office!

FYI, I’ve cancelled my flight back home, which is supposed to be tonight. I’ll miss spending my Chinese New Year with my family this year and yes, Chinese New Year is this coming Thursday. I’ll spend them with my flatmates and neighbours; we’re doing pot luck and I’ll be cooking Mapo Tofu Let’s just hope my passport/visa will come back to me asap

Goodbye for now. And if any of you would still like to see me blogging, you’re most welcome to visit my blog at www.devonnlee.com. THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING!

Devonn 5:40 pm, Monday, 31st Jan ’11 link

Finally! A holiday for me!

Hello there,
As I’m writing this post, I’m finally having a proper long break since two months ago. I’m free, much more relax and less stressful now. There’s still no update on the UKBA side on the waiting time so I’ll definitely have to postpone my flight back home this coming Tuesday. Boohoo :(

Nevertheless, I’ll not spend my Chinese New Year alone since there’s a bunch of friends around here in Manchester to welcome the year of rabbit with me. And YEAHHHHHH, it’s my YEAR (I’m born in the year of rabbit). We’re already in the mid of planning what to cook to celebrate the new year. If it’s back home, there’ll definitely be a reunion dinner with family, so without our family by our side, we’re ‘family’ to each other in Manchester

Since I’m free from Sunday, my time has been filled with much activities/events and yes, I think I’ve overspent (ouch!). I even went to Liverpool to get my biometrics done; as request by the UKBA as part of the PSW application. Then, there’s dinner with friends, birthday celebaration, and ‘happy hours’ in karaoke too. AND I HAVE DONE GONE OUT TO SHOP YET. At least, I did enjoy myself and I deserve the break

Well, got to go now. Take care everyone!

Devonn 4:32 am, Wednesday, 26th Jan ’11 link

Still waiting

This coming Saturday happens to be my last day working at the Japanese restaurant. It’s been a tiring and exhausted two months as waitress but nevertheless, I did enjoy my time there and meet lots of great people there.

I’m resigned from working there as I’m supposed to go home on January 31st (Yes, I’ve got the flight ticket) but sadly, I’m foreseeing that I’ve to delay my flight for another 2-3 weeks. My passport is still being held by the UK Border Agency, together with my post-study visa. I’ve had problem with my bank which didn’t issue my bank statement on time and causes at least 3 weeks of delay to my visa application. I submitted my application on Dec 20th but UKBA didn’t receive it till January 4th. Waiting time is at least 6 weeks now…. so yeah, can’t be home for Chinese New Year.

I want to be home now :(
When will I get back my passport? :(

Devonn 1:18 am, Wednesday, 19th Jan ’11 link

Photos from Xmas Dinner

On X’mas Day, my neighbours/friends and us had a pot-luck dinner at their place.

WARNING.
Here comes the very vain people… doing 5 continuous shots!

We played some game before people starts leaving the party.
That leads to the next programme: Secret Santa!

It was a great Christmas celebration. Thank you everyone who had made it happened!

Devonn 3:31 am, Wednesday, 12th Jan ’11 link

Yikes! MIA for 3 weeks!

Hello there,
It’s been three weeks since I’ve not been working at the International Office. I felt so guilty now as I’m supposed to be there yesterday BUT I’ve set the wrong alarm. Instead of waking up 7.30a.m, my alarm rang at 10a.m. It was the normal time I’d have work at another place. Sorry and I’ll definitely be there next week!

And yes, this is my first post for 2011! Hmm…. I wonder what’s going to be my new year resolution. Do you have one to share? I’m never committed to fulfilling my resolutions so I bet it’ll be the same this year…. here is some that I hope I’ll successfully fulfilled:

1. Be less grumpy and be happier
2. Love myself more than I’d love others
3. Spend more time to do things that I love to do
4. Eat healthier
5. Get a job that matches my qualification
6. Spend less time on Facebook and blog more often

Sometimes, things are easier to said than done so let’s see how things will go. Before I go to bed, just want to wish a HAPPY NEW YEAR to all of you Ta.

Devonn 4:20 am, Wednesday, 5th Jan ’11 link

Application submitted!

Hurray! I’ve finally got all my documents ready and submitted my visa application to the UK Border Agency. I hoped that my application reached them safe and soundly. The waiting times are at least 6 weeks, so wish me luck as I really hope to be back home in time for Chinese New Year… PS. I’ve book my flight home on January 31st. Let’s pray I can make it.

Meanwhile, how’s your Christmas celebration? I’ve had a good one and sorry, but I’ve been pretty busy after Christmas and I don’t have time yet to run through all the photos. I hope I can post them on my next post here.

Till then..

Devonn 4:14 am, Wednesday, 29th Dec ’10 link

Merry Christmas Everyone!

Hello everyone.
Just a short one to wish all of you a Merry Christmas (and Happy New Year too). Many people is leaving Manchester to be with their family or for holiday. Sadly for me, I only get a day off for the week so I’ve got nowhere to go but home. Home sounds nice and fun to me though On Christmas day, there’ll be a small party held with my friends cum neighbours. We’re going to have turkey and it’s my first I’m very excited about it. We’ll see how it goes and when it happens, I’ll be here to share photos with all of you.

Till then

Devonn 11:43 pm, Tuesday, 21st Dec ’10 link

Going Home Soon

Hello there,

I’m here to share a good news: I’M GOING HOME SOON! Yeahhhhhhhh!

I’ve been delaying on this decision and few days ago, I took the courage to go through airlines website and yes, I’ve booked my flight ticket home on January 31, 2010. There’s so many things that I would be able to do when back home for two months (yes, two months and let’s pray that time pass as slowly as possible). I’d be able to celebrate my sister, bro and dad’s 50th birthday. There’s also the Chinese New Year early January and I hope I wont missed it.

What’s worrying me now is the fact that I’ve to apply for post-study visa as soon as possible. And if I don’t get it back in time, I’d miss my flight and Chinese New Year (including reunion dinner + lots of great food). I’m still waiting for my bank letter and I need time to fill in my application form too. Let’s hope everything will be done this weekend and I’ll send out Monday/Tuesday next week

Till then,

Devonn 3:28 am, Wednesday, 8th Dec ’10 link

Updated: Manchester Christmas Market

It’s been a while since I have a post that’s up-to-date and it happened just few hours ago *pat myself on the head*

It’e December and Christmas feels so near in Manchester (with lightings, christmas trees everywhere, jingles and let’s not forget SALES).

I was working in the MMU International Office yesterday and got off at 4.30pm, which then happens to be my only free time for the week. Jon’s work schedule has been changed to from working on Tuesday night to Wednesday so yes, we had finally been able to spend time together So we decided to have a goodnight together with friends and we were off to:

Our next destination is in my desperate list of place to go:

Yes, I’ve been to the market last year but I was just passing through it and did not get any food/drink. I went the second time on its last day but it was closed; too late. And that’s how unlucky my previous year was :( ...

And thank god my luck changed this year and yes, I was there yesterday and enticed by great food/drink.

We thought we were going to miss it because we arrived after half past eight and it appears that many stalls are still operating. I didn’ get to see everything but at least I did not miss everything I think I’ll go again next week (minus the pre-dinner as there’s lots of food/drinks at the market itself).

Off to bed now and Happy December everyone!

Devonn 3:03 am, Wednesday, 1st Dec ’10 link

I’m a ‘Billionaire’

Last two days, despite the fact that I have work in the morning the next day, my flatmates (that’s Jon, Angela and Li-Lynn and ps. they are cousins to each other) and neighbour (Karin) had a round of monopoly 3D at our place at 12a.m.

It’s been a good game and after 4 hours into it, I’m the ultimate winner and Karin (sorry!) was the first to bankrupt. This monopoly is more complicated than the other versions but definitely the most challenging. PS. Don’t attempt to play if you have a weak hear :p

Devonn 2:04 am, Wednesday, 24th Nov ’10 link

Knock knock! Who’s there?

So the other day, I bumped into a friend who was with a group of her friends. We only got to know each other late September and she’d just got here to study her final year in MMU. Well, she’s not the highlight here. One of her friend is. We didn’t get to introduce each other but she came to me and surprisingly, she told me she read my MMU blog here. Wow, I was in a way amazed.

I’ve been blogging here for close to a year now but I’ve never had anyone coming to me to say that they are my blog reader. That girl was the first Well, I don’t include close friends who knew I am blogging here and although I have a personal blog, I’ve never linked anyone to come here or vice versa.

So, I’m just wondering how many people out there is actually reading this blog? I’m not even sure if people like what they read here (and I’m not very good with blogging) and I don’t get to know statistically how many people is clicking into this page. Also, it seems that there’s only one-way communication here that you can’t leave a comment/feedback to me if you want to. In a way, I do appreciate comments about my posts here and to know what people like about my blog (and dislike) so that I’ll be able to improve my ‘blogging skills’. If you have questions that you feel like asking about studying in MMU and staying in Manchester, I’d be more than happy to help :D

PS. Ok, now this sounds silly but if a reader read this and wants to response, there’s no way that he/she can get to me. So, if you’d like to reach me, you can email me at purplish.amethyst[at]gmail[dot]com. I’m not sure now if there’ll be any response :p

I know this post sounds random but this is exactly what I’ve been thinking and *yawn* oh my, it’s 2.35 am now :(
I have to work tomorrow and so, goodnight

Devonn 2:15 am, Wednesday, 17th Nov ’10 link

Halloween Pictures!

Oh well, you guys would have known how my Halloween was on my last post. I did wear a costume and because the party was a disaster and I didn’t get to enjoy myself nor did I manage to snap lots of photos, I’ve decided to make full use of the costume that I’ve bought by posting the very few pictures that I’ve managed to got hold into. So here are the photos; as French Maid

See, that’s all the tolerable photos of my Halloween. Nevertheless, I do hope that you have a great one
And so what’s next? Christmas!!! Wheee!

PS. The weather is really unpredictable now and it’s so coooold. Make sure you wear enough clothes to keep yourself warm and to avoid catching a cold

Till then

Devonn 1:50 am, Wednesday, 10th Nov ’10 link

Bad Hair Week!

Instead of a bad hair day, I had a bad hair week.

1. I broke my glasses. I’ve never been rough to it and I took good care of it BUT it broke! I was cleaning it after shower and just when I want to wipe it dry, it broke into two on my hands. The worst part? It’s the only pair of glasses that I brought with me. I ended up sticking tapes to join the broken parts but it will never be the perfect one and oh, the sticking tapes occur many times T_T

2. So now I don’t have a choice but to get a new pair here in UK. But I was really shock at how expensive glasses will be, and eye test too. I was told that to get a free eye test, one must be entitled to NHS Benefits such as a diabetes. I’m not sure if the person is being honest or not but having an eye test (it’s necessary to make a new pair of I wouldnt have had one) costs £22.50. I was in shocked and when the optician asked how much my last eye test cost, I told her it’s free! I find it silly she asked me why it’s free but I answered that it’s always free in my country! Bah! I don’t want to go on with the rest of it, but yes, I managed to get not a pair, but TWO pair of glasses tomorrow! I can only pick it up after work though and as I’m typing this post, I’m wearing my sick and broken glasses T_T

3. Papercut adores me! This is serious and it’s so annoying. I am not sure how I did it but I managed to get at least one papercut per week! Now I am so pissed of the person who invents paper! Zzzzzz

4. How was your Halloween? My halloween did not go well and yes, it’s another looong winded story and I’m pretty sure no one is interested to you. I’ll just said I spent my money, time and effort to dress us *cough cough* as a french maid but apart of that, everything else went bad. Party was called off because the organiser had oversell the tickets and the place was too crowded. We were squeeze like sardines and….not everyone with tickets are allowed in. The door was closed due to huge crowd so Jon and his friends couldn’t come in while me and my girls were stuck inside the party. So we left early and erm, yeah, that’s pretty much of my Halloween. I don’t even have a photo of myself in costume okay :(
With all these, what can be worst? :p

Devonn 2:13 am, Wednesday, 3rd Nov ’10 link

Manchester Day Parade

Date: 20 June 2010 (yes, four months back, sorry for the delay)
Time: 2p.m.
Location: Around Manchester City Centre
My Location: In front of Albert Square

Hello readers,
Here is one outdated post of the Manchester Day Parade that happened long ago. I remembered the weather was perfect and people from all walk of life participated. It was really cool and I really had good time watching the parade and spending time with my friends.

We were about half an hour early before the parade starts and we were kept entertained by the Manchester Youth Steel Orchestra:

Then, the parade begun!

Juan and Parco left a few days after the parade. So we decided to hang out a bit and we had a pot luck at Laura’s place that evening!

That’s all for now. Have to for the rest of the week and oh, Halloween is coming! I’ve got my costume ready. What about you?

Wishing you guys a great *and spooky* Halloween!

Devonn 1:41 am, Wednesday, 27th Oct ’10 link

I want to be home!

I’ve been away for more than a year and many things have happened back home that I couldn’t be ‘a part-of’. Few days ago, it was my mom’s birthday. Today’s my sis-in-law’s! Happy Birthday =) I missed too many family gathering and also a good friend’s wedding last weekend :( I want to be home :(

I’ve not mentioned this but now that he got better, my dad had had a stroke towards the end of my dissertation deadline. He’s recovering now so it’s a good sign. I was worried before then and I felt so useless for not being able to be there for him. I want to be home x2

I missed my nephews too. I’m tired of video-calling them online and not there to hug, kiss and play with them. They’ve grown so quickly and I missed everything. At least, both of them still remember me as ‘Devonn kor-kor’ (Aunt Devonn). I want to be home x3 !!!

So this few days. I’ve been checking different airlines back home this coming end of January. I’m planning to be home for two months, till end of March where I’ll be able to celebrate my lil-bro, sister and dad’s birthday (my dad turn 50 next year!). Then, there’s other plan to like go to Bangkok for shopping, catch up with my friends who are everywhere now that they have all been working (a trip to S’pore to meet my good friend, maybe)... and not forgetting MAMAK! Mamak is a Malay word for Indian restaurant that usually opens till very late at night (or early morning) and it’s THE PLACE TO BE for youngsters. Words are hard to described it so maybe, if there’s a chance, I’ll snap some photos to post here. Unfortunately, I’m afraid I might have to leave this blog very soon. Oh well, I’ll talk about it next time as I don’t want to break my excitement!

Off to bed and hopefully, I’ll dream of home =)

Devonn 1:32 am, Wednesday, 20th Oct ’10 link