London Calling
“There is little faith involved in setting out on a journey where the destination is certain and every step in between has been mapped in detail. Bravery, trust, is about leaving camp in the dark, when we do not know the route ahead and cannot be certain we will ever return.”
This probably best describes my one month stay in London right now.
Came all to way to UK not knowing what to expect but I've learnt so much about life and cultures, and in fact, I must admit that I love living in London.
Singapore will always be home to me, but I do not deny how much I love the experience of living abroad and being away as well as seeing new things and meeting new people. I guess it's just in me. Since young, I was never the child that cried when my parents left me at childcare. Instead, I loved going to school because I get to play with my friends there. I consider myself to be rather independent, well at least I'm the kind that would be excited to explore new grounds all by myself. I would go ahead to explore even if my friends do not want to come along. I don't really feel the need to be around people, I don't feel lonely, I am very contented and comfortable being by myself. I guess that's what happens when you are the only child. You learn to be independent. You learn how to survive on your own and how to be contented with yourself, only because you have to. Also because, I know wherever I am or whatever I do, my God will always be with me.
I always believe to fully understand a city and its culture, you've got to really stay in it for a period of time. One month isn't very long to be honest, but I'm so glad I had the opportunity to do so. I remember a year ago, when it was my first time stepping foot in Europe, I didn't visit London as it was not convenient on the itinerary. I was sad back then, but I told myself it's okay because I will eventually come here. Someday. Little did I know God had already made plans for me, even better plans in fact, as I got a chance to stay here for a month. Not to solely travel, but to stay. Best of all? My BFF was coming along with me for the first two weeks! So we made plans to head over to UK a week earlier solely for travelling together, glad we didn't get too lost nor kill each other halfway. heh!
always in awe of the underground tube stations
If it wasn't for summer school, I probably wouldn't come here but thank God for opening doors. Like I shared previously, enrolling in university for me is just a platform for me to travel and enjoy studying abroad opportunities... well, because there's no other chance for me to do such things if I had chosen to start work straight away after poly education. University life is when you travel and discover yourself with the precious value of time you have. Last year's summer, I spent a month in Canada and it was a wonderful place to be as well. Blogged about my experience, read here if you haven't. Anyways, tbh if you are at my stage of life, there's don't intend to "chiong" as much as before in studies, just cause you don't have to. Ultimately, what's your goal in life? Well that's besides the point, but all I can say is London's a really awesome choice I made for myself.
King's College London was simply amazing!
I even got to be the face for next year's summer school poster and marketing collaterals alongside some international schoolmates
Located at the heart of London city and within close proximity from where I resided, walks to school every morning were such a pleasure. I hate morning lessons, I will never bid for a morning lesson in SMU. But just imagine this. Being greeted by the beautiful view of London Eye and the Big Ben while getting to school with a big breakfast spread waiting for you. Doesn't that already perk up the morning and the day ahead? Also, lessons were quite interesting because unlike the UBC summer school where class was made up of all SMU students on the same summer programme, my classmates in KCL came from all parts of the world! People from different countries work differently but I'm glad to say that we managed to get our projects and assignments handed up in time and nicely done to our standards at least. I was so glad that my lessons were pre-assigned the morning session which means I will be done from school at 1pm. Thus, I arranged for after-school activities daily with short day trips to other parts of UK over the weekends. I even had time to enrol myself in some classes over the last weekends because I got a little tired of travelling out of city London.
Home for 1 week with the BFF was a small hotel which I wouldn't really recommend. The other weeks were spent in one of the prettiest and most comfortable hostel apartment I've lived in! I was truly impressed by the facilities as well as the room itself. Shared kitchen was my other suite mates, and I missed making food together. I remember those huge super sweet strawberries and blueberries that we would buy from the markets and store in our fridges. Missed those days!
I also miss the morning and evening walks/strolls I could randomly take, admiring the beautiful sceneries and smelling the fresh scent of flowers. To enjoy life and to live in the moment, by appreciating the little things around you. You'll find this world a better place to live in.
Having said that, I'm so appreciative and grateful for the people that have helped me in London, the new friends I've made, the Hope London lifegroup I attended which made me feel alot like home, the random strangers who helped me with my huge luggages up the stairs, whom helped me navigate the tube and bus stops then getting onto the right bus and getting to where I needed to be. Thank you to everyone who gave me suggestions on where to visit, how to get there, places to go for must-eat food, must-watch musicals. A big thank you to my parents for being supportive in my choice and for funding my trips. Thank you all so very much! So anyone who's reading this post, drop me a message/email to ask me about my experience in detailed should you be interested in doing what I did for a month or so. I'll be happy to share my plans with you, because why not? (:
That aside, I love London, I really do
I told myself I could stay here for at least a few more months.
After a few days there, I'm more or less done with doing all the touristy things, so I' tried to live there like a citizen. Headed down to less mainstream places, discovering new things to do and am so excited to share these places with you!
always in awe of the underground tube stations
If it wasn't for summer school, I probably wouldn't come here but thank God for opening doors. Like I shared previously, enrolling in university for me is just a platform for me to travel and enjoy studying abroad opportunities... well, because there's no other chance for me to do such things if I had chosen to start work straight away after poly education. University life is when you travel and discover yourself with the precious value of time you have. Last year's summer, I spent a month in Canada and it was a wonderful place to be as well. Blogged about my experience, read here if you haven't. Anyways, tbh if you are at my stage of life, there's don't intend to "chiong" as much as before in studies, just cause you don't have to. Ultimately, what's your goal in life? Well that's besides the point, but all I can say is London's a really awesome choice I made for myself.
King's College London was simply amazing!
I even got to be the face for next year's summer school poster and marketing collaterals alongside some international schoolmates
Located at the heart of London city and within close proximity from where I resided, walks to school every morning were such a pleasure. I hate morning lessons, I will never bid for a morning lesson in SMU. But just imagine this. Being greeted by the beautiful view of London Eye and the Big Ben while getting to school with a big breakfast spread waiting for you. Doesn't that already perk up the morning and the day ahead? Also, lessons were quite interesting because unlike the UBC summer school where class was made up of all SMU students on the same summer programme, my classmates in KCL came from all parts of the world! People from different countries work differently but I'm glad to say that we managed to get our projects and assignments handed up in time and nicely done to our standards at least. I was so glad that my lessons were pre-assigned the morning session which means I will be done from school at 1pm. Thus, I arranged for after-school activities daily with short day trips to other parts of UK over the weekends. I even had time to enrol myself in some classes over the last weekends because I got a little tired of travelling out of city London.
Home for 1 week with the BFF was a small hotel which I wouldn't really recommend. The other weeks were spent in one of the prettiest and most comfortable hostel apartment I've lived in! I was truly impressed by the facilities as well as the room itself. Shared kitchen was my other suite mates, and I missed making food together. I remember those huge super sweet strawberries and blueberries that we would buy from the markets and store in our fridges. Missed those days!
I also miss the morning and evening walks/strolls I could randomly take, admiring the beautiful sceneries and smelling the fresh scent of flowers. To enjoy life and to live in the moment, by appreciating the little things around you. You'll find this world a better place to live in.
Having said that, I'm so appreciative and grateful for the people that have helped me in London, the new friends I've made, the Hope London lifegroup I attended which made me feel alot like home, the random strangers who helped me with my huge luggages up the stairs, whom helped me navigate the tube and bus stops then getting onto the right bus and getting to where I needed to be. Thank you to everyone who gave me suggestions on where to visit, how to get there, places to go for must-eat food, must-watch musicals. A big thank you to my parents for being supportive in my choice and for funding my trips. Thank you all so very much! So anyone who's reading this post, drop me a message/email to ask me about my experience in detailed should you be interested in doing what I did for a month or so. I'll be happy to share my plans with you, because why not? (:
That aside, I love London, I really do
I told myself I could stay here for at least a few more months.
After a few days there, I'm more or less done with doing all the touristy things, so I' tried to live there like a citizen. Headed down to less mainstream places, discovering new things to do and am so excited to share these places with you!
Will be blogging about the Top 10 places to visit in London as well as the must-try foods, so stay tuned! :D
"You will never be completely at home again, because part of your heart will always be elsewhere. That is the price you pay for the richness of loving and knowing people in more than one place."
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