This is goodbye…

Today is my last day at the International Office and my last blog entry. I am very grateful everything has worked out perfectly. All the work’s finished here - trained up more people for future assignments, new job starts on the 28th and tomorrow I’m going to Dubai to see my sister and her family InshaAllah. So excited to see my niece. It was a wonderful experience - both studying and working at MMU. I am glad I had this opportunity - met great people, had a fantastic time throughout, learnt new things - a very memorable time indeed. But like everyone has to move on - it’s time for me to do so now. Time to build up a career. I wish everyone all the best for their future endeavours.

Best wishes.

Mehwish

mehwish 7:36 am, Wednesday, 16th Nov ’11 link

I’ve got my visa! Yay!

I’m so happy my visa came through on Monday - well I wasn’t home so had to arrange a re-delivery to the university yesterday, If you look at it - the turnaround time wasn’t bad at all. It took 5 weeks overall. That’s quite a reasonable time. I then contacted my employer and they want me to join them roughly at the end of this month/ beginning of next so quite excited about that. There is still quite some work at the International Office for me to finish up before I leave so I’ll be quite busy. My tooth is okay now but still need to get a proper dentist for a regular check up. It’s getting quite cold now - glad the clocks went back an hour so don’t have to leave the house in the dark in the morning - that’s quite depressing.Morning is meant to be about the blue sky and sunshine! Time to get ready for work.

mehwish 7:02 am, Wednesday, 9th Nov ’11 link

Happy Halloween

Had a really good time at my friend’s place on Saturday for Halloween. We had a small gathering of friends. It was nice and cosy. Put some old silly tunes on ofor fun and played some games, facepainting and yummy apple crumble. The same night my friend came over to stay over my place from Derby. We had been meaning to catch up for a long time. It was really nice to have her over. Relaxed at home, then went out to town for a bit - to Oklahoma. My other friend was working there so got to see her. It’s a nice cute shop with a cafe. I’ve had this tooth problem since Friday - went to the dental clinic Monday evening. There’s an infection on the gums around the wisdom tooth - taking antibiotics and painkillers now - quite painful and swollen cheek. Apparently it’s a very common problem. Hopefully it should be okay soon. Still waiting for my visa.

mehwish 6:57 am, Wednesday, 2nd Nov ’11 link

Wooo!

I had so much fun at Jens Lekman’s gig. He was absolutely brilliant and he’s so funny too . I had a really good time. The rest of the week has been okay too. Waiting in anticipation for my decision letter from the UKBA regarding my work permit. Only once I receive that can I start my new job. In fact, once I submit my visa with the new employer, it take a few weeks to process the paperwork and therefore I will be working at the International office for the next few weeks. It’s nice though to be here a while longer. Training the new students is going well. One of them is my former classmate and my good friend which is nice. There are some plans in the air for Halloween this Saturday - there was a suggestion of going to watch the Evil Deal at Cornerhouse. Late night Halloween special - 11pm.

mehwish 6:21 am, Wednesday, 26th Oct ’11 link

Jens Lekman

Wooooo!!! So happy to go watch Jens Lekman tomorrow night at Band On The Wall. The trip to Liverpool was quite nice. The collection at TATE focusing on sculptors was quite vast and very interesting. I bought some stuff from the TATE shop. Sat near the port for a while - was quite relaxing. Biometrics done - waiting to hear back from UKBA now. Tomorrow’s quite a busy day besides going to the gig in the evening. At the Student Information Point in the morning - a focus group during lunch, training a new student ambassador in the afternoon and then attending the late welcome event for International Students right after work. Should be a good day InshaAllah. Looking forward to it. 

mehwish 8:35 pm, Tuesday, 18th Oct ’11 link

Happenings

Hurray! I’ve got a job! I am quite excited about the upcoming changes in my life. I’ve applied for my PSW and accepted a job offer. I’m starting next month. Going to Liverpool for my biometrics this Friday - haven’t been to Liverpool before so was thinking of going around a bit as well. To Tate for sure. Maybe try out a nice restaurant, around Albert Dock - I did want to go see The Beatles Story but they’ve suggested you need to take out a good few hours to have a full experience of everything included. I’ll see. As for my current job at MMUI, I’m trying to do as much as possible before I leave and training up two student ambassadors. They have been coming in for a while now - they should do well. I received the Woody Allen collection I had ordered over the weekend. In fact had to go pick it up from the delivery office as the postman drops it there if one’s mailbox isn’t big enough to fit the package. But it’s not that far - in Fallowfield. I’m enjoying my current read very much - A Fine Balance by Rohinton Mistry. It’s quite an easy read and engages the reader very artfully. Set in India.

mehwish 6:01 am, Wednesday, 12th Oct ’11 link

Summer Ends

Had a really good week with the sunshine. My birthday went well - both the days, the actual and the day I held the party. It was a nice little gathering of friends. Everyone came over to my place, sat for a while, had some drinks and nibbles and chats and then went to Gourmet Burger Kitchen for food. After that went into town - it was an enjoyable evening.
Work was quite busy too at the Student Information Point - this time a lot of students arrived late for enrolment and hence the chaos but all went well hopefully for most of the students. A lot of students don’t realise the important Home Office policies that they and the University has to adhere to, such as switching over the University’s sponsor licence number when they want to switch Universities and many such things which they need to read on the UKBA’s website because the policies change very often. Due to this reason, there may have been some disappointments. That’s why please ensure you do your homework beforehand.

Any queries, the International Office and Admissions’ staff is very helpful - just drop an email.

mehwish 6:13 am, Wednesday, 5th Oct ’11 link

Happy Birthday To Me :)

It’s my birthday tomorrow. I’m so happy! I’m having a birthday party and a house warming together this Saturday. Need to have my place super clean and tidy and arrange for drinks and nibbles. Quite excited. .
Yesterday was extremely busy at the Student Information Point. I was covering the afternoon shift for a colleague who called in sick. But time did fly by with all those queries. Fridays I’m in the SIP all day - I do find the jib quite satisfying to be actually in a customer facing role and be able to help the students. The team at MMUI is very helpful - when the ques get bigger, someone always pops down to give the other a hand and deal with queries as quickly as possible.
The weather is so beautiful this week. So glad.

mehwish 5:10 pm, Wednesday, 28th Sep ’11 link

One Day

Went to see One Day yesterday, haven’t been to the cinema in a while and it was nice just relaxing and taking in a movie. It was quite good too, despite the bad accents. It’s a movie about growing up and the choices we have to make as we grow up.
It helped me realise that after university is a time in your life when you have lots of choices to make and they can seem quite daunting and unmanageable at times but I suppose that is the point of growing up. One of the perks I’d be enjoying is that I can drive soon, I received my provisional driving license in the post a few days ago. I didn’t know this but my Pakistani driving license would have entitled me to drive for a year without taking any exams. I’m glad I’ve got it now though, I can take some refresher lessons and then hopefully pick up a car, I’m currently in love with the Nissan Micra and Mini Cooper and hopefully I’ll be able to get one by next year.
Going to fill out the PSW visa form tomorrow, Manchester is like home to me now - I’m gradually completely settling in. It’s a decision I had to make - I’m happy with it. It’s just like those decisions David Nicholls talks about.

mehwish 6:11 am, Wednesday, 21st Sep ’11 link

A new cycle begins

With the welcome week this week, a new cycle has begun with new student coming in with their new hopes and dreams. There are many events lined up for the new students like every year and the airport welcome scheme I think is fantastic. It is a way to make the new arriving students feel at home instantly by our warm welcoming staff. Then we have events like the Irish kaylee dance, walking tours around Manchester and taking the new students to the theme park, Alton Towers. I have mixed feelings - these new students are at one end and I am at another. My priorities are more grown up now - find a job most importantly. Well, that’s the cycle of life.
I have a long day at work today. At the office and then going to Crewe with the staff and new students for Kaylee.

mehwish 5:30 am, Wednesday, 14th Sep ’11 link

I’m late!

Writing this entry as I have one eye on the clock. This is something I need to get used to of course - from my previous place, the university was a 10 minute walk. From my new place, it can be a 45 minute bus ride! But it is worth it . Gales and heavy rain these days. Yesterday, I opened the long awaited prize - had gotten this voucher from Pizza Hut a month or so ago and was asked to return for a meal in September and have it opened by the manager on duty. Well it was nothing too exciting like an xbconnect or 3D TV but 40% off the bill. I’m going to apply for my Tier 1 end of this month - hopefully find a job soon. The university’s related departments are very supportive - there’s always so much help they can offer so be sure to use its Careers Services when you need to.

mehwish 6:56 am, Wednesday, 7th Sep ’11 link

A New Beginning…

I have finally moved to my new place and it is absolutely lovely MashaAllah. I am so happy. I’m glad that things are coming together. InshaAllah everything else will go well too. I bought my first TV yesterday which is amazing. It’s brought more life to my apartment. I had to get a number of other things as well for my place. It was quite a day yesterday. It was Eid here today - nothing special for me though as what can Eid be like without family. It was just another day for me - went to work, came home, carried out some chores, relaxed, spoke to family and friends. That was about it really. I’m still setting up the place - it’s going to take some time. The staff has been quite busy with clearing enquiries at work. Getting the last batch of students now for this academic year. Should be quite busy soon with the new students enrolling. Fun times

mehwish 9:49 pm, Tuesday, 30th Aug ’11 link

Th move

I have finally found a flat Alhamdolilah. InshaAllah I’ll be moving over this Friday/Saturday. I have so much stuff to pack - it’s insane. I know what I am doing over the long weekend. Just to set everything up will take up so much time. I am relieved though - was getting quite worried now. It’s on the 2nd floor in a nice leafy area - it’s quite nice. I can make it my own . Today I need to get all the references and documents in place to submit to the agency. It’s always best to go through an agency I would say. I had a bad experience with a private landlord - don’t think I would ever want to do that again. It’s the trust issue. Although there is a lot of protection for the tenants here in the UK but it’s always best to be safe than sorry.
At work things are going according to plan. A lot of the freight has been sent out. Everything is going well. The weather has been very pleasant - enjoying the last bits of summer.

mehwish 6:32 am, Wednesday, 24th Aug ’11 link

Routine

Life seems like it’s on hold - nothing new and exciting is happening at the moment. It’s Ramadan as well so haven’t been out to the movies or a gig or anything like that. I still haven’t found a place to live yet. Work is going alright - busy. It’s my sister’s birthday today - celebrated the last one with her in 2008 when I went to see her in Dubai and my mother and brother also joined us. It was lovely on a cruise. I was feeling a little homesick and nostalgic yesterday so wanted to feel cosy and warm - snuggled up in bed and watched Stepmom - a movie from my when I was young. Felt nice but wish I could’ve seen it with my sister and brother like we used. I miss all of that.
We have Clearing at the International Office on Thursday and Friday. I will be helping out in the Student Information Point though. I like that customer facing role where I can actually resolve issues. Got only one day today this week then to send out as many freight consignments as possible. Should all be okay - I’ve got the help of two other student ambassadors.
Time to get ready!
 

mehwish 7:00 am, Wednesday, 17th Aug ’11 link

Riots and Manic.

You must have all seen or heard about the riots in major cities in the UK. I suppose it looks worse on television to the people abroad especially close family and friends. You start getting calls from them to keep safe and stay at home. Thank God I am home today but for other reasons. It’s quite insane - one of those things you can’t imagine would happen here when you had seen it so often in a country like Pakistan. Oh God help us.
I wasn’t able to move in to the new place this weekend. Hopefully everything will be sorted out soon. A lot of freight has been send forth - it was crazy this past week up until yesterday. Still a lot to do. Some organizations that I spoke to while job hunting told me that a person needs to have the work permitted sorted out before they can take him/her on board. I am glad I have a job for now and by the time this will come to an end, InshaAllah I will have my PSW in place.
It’s Ramadan as well. Once again, Eid by myself - it’s no fun. On occasions like this, I miss my family more. It used to be so nice. Well, hopefully one day we would be able to do all those things together again

mehwish 7:07 am, Wednesday, 10th Aug ’11 link