Passport renewal in London

I reached London central about 1030 in the morning, took a tube to Hyde Park Corner station, which is the nearest station to Malaysian Embassy London.

While I was approaching Malaysian embassy's building, I could literally feel like walking on a street in Malaysia; the sun is soaring high above the blue sky and I started to sweat. Double think for an instant, to make sure that I am still in England. As a hint of Ikan Billis from the canteen inside the building would again assure that I am in the right place.

Without wasting any time, I rushed into the reception to get my queue number, I was 1st greeted by a Malaysian Chinese lady behind a classy oak high table in a very fluent Manglish; the entire situation is like a déjà vu, very very familiar to me.

Scanning all the people around the waiting hall really brought me all the way back to any waiting halls in Malaysia. I felt happy for a second (to see so many Malaysian in one sight), but realised that there were all in front of me, waiting. -.-!!

People were smiling at each other much more often than usual, probably because it’s a rare occasions where we could see so many Malaysian in a foreign country or maybe the Nasi Lemak outside the waiting hall is triggering our sense of humour.

Not very long after I found myself a comfortable seat in the waiting hall; Aunty next to me started to chat with me, and also introduce her son to me as well. We started to chat all our way through, for about 2 hours, until Portugal vs North Korea started to appear in a very small screen in front of the waiting hall, I was called in. It’s my turn to submit my passport.

Surprisingly, I could get my new passport in 2 hours time after I’ve submitted my application. This quick application saved me a lot of time, and effort. Thumbs up for Malaysian Embassy London.

Hair Salon Experience

Its 23:25 now; I am listening to Eeffie's song list; she fell asleep half an hour ago;I drank half a bottle of white;I think the mood is just right for me to drop some words in my blog.

I need a hair cut today, as I am going for my passport application this coming Monday in London, I would like to look neat in my passport picture.

I was roaming around Chichester Street today, trying to find an average hair salon.

Chichester is a posh town; to be honest I can't find any barbers around, only hair salon.

Walked into a random salon, asked for the price, it's a price that I could never imagine, but I decided to give it a try. After checking their availability, they decided to slip me in.

I was ushered into a studio, and there is a lady took my jacket away from me. From this moment, I felt pampered and also nervous, as I don’t know what to expect next.

Then, a young blonde hair dresser came in, her name is called Kelly, she shook my hand, introduces herself to me, and chatted with me for awhile. She is very good at what she was doing, confident and professional. I was then offered a hair wash, and also a short head massage by another girl; that is when I started to feel comfortable with this kind of services. I closed my eyes, and almost slept through the entire process.

I went back to my seat after my hair wash, I was offered food and drink before Kelly starts cutting my hair. (I didn't eat whatever they offered, as I am still a bit nervous. -.-!!)

Kelly started flying her scissors around my head and I am trying hard to read the magazine in front of me to pretend I am cool. The whole experience is bit awkward to me, probably I am just not used to it, she tried very hard to chat with me to make me feel more comfortable as I am sure that she would have notice I am a first timer.

But she is pleasant and chatty, which I think it's quite a comfortable experience to be able to sit down and wait until my hair cut is done.

Walking out from the hair salon, I felt much more confident and comfortable.

This is my first hair salon experience in England.

Satisfied.

Here you go, xD.

End of my exam period 2010

Today is the last day of my spring semester; there are mix feelings inside me. There are ups & downs, I would say up is because I don't need to remember any past paper anymore; down is because I am approaching the end of my student life. This would be a pleasurable moment to me, spending time on my own, doing stuff I really enjoy myself guilt free (travelling, badminton & dim sum).

I am also writing my dissertation at the moment, which will have to submit by the end of August 2010, so during this period, I will spend quite a number of time reading articles and to be as 'literate' as possible. Besides writing my dissertation, this period will be a transition period for me, from eighteen years of experience in student's life to a newbie worker's life. Like a cocoon period of a caterpillar to a Moth.

Compare to people at my age, I had a very late start, I am 25 years now, and I am just about to be an MSc fresh graduate. Perhaps, people around me, they would have earned a fortune or maybe a PHD title by now.

Without thinking too much, I will firstly concentrate on my dissertation in this coming two months and start job hunting as soon as possible.