Reading: Today's purchased

Did a bit shopping today, but instead of showing the items which are nothing but ordinary stuff, I decided to post the receipts. So you might get an idea of how much an item really will cost you here.

Here there are:

Both from 99p shop: 10 dishwasher sponges - 99p, 2 medium size bottle dishwasher liquid: 99p. 

This two from ASDA: Thermal top: 8 pound, Long-john: 8 pound, Toilet rolls: 67p, Tahira franks: 1 pound, Salt: 1 big bottle: 29p, Travel mug: 2 pound.

My favorite TK Maxx: Frying wok, 4.99 pound, Primark's Hoodie: 8 pound. 

Reading: A trip to ASDA

ASDA is very much like Giant in Malaysia but with lots of choices. Most hypermarket here even has their own petrol label. In fact they are competing in offering good deal to their customer. It's like everything in one place. At the end of the trip, not only they had their tummy and cupboard full, but their vehicle tank as well.

These are photos taken on my way back. Just to put it here after several posts in blank black and white.

Eldon stop - would normally take the bus from here (No. 9)

Somewhere in town. Taken from the bus.

How busy Heathrow is. Planes just crisscrossing on the clear sky. 

From Chalfont Way (ASDA)

Don't remember where.

On the right handside in the M4 motorway.

Houses.

Houses again.

That was Myvi in the center of the photo. Gosh, that Myvi might just missed how lovely it was in Malaysia before it was shipped here. 

An apple tree with apples on it.

Reading: 2 of 2

I love to travel. I believe same goes to you. But when it comes to budget then the worries start to seep in. I did my homework before I get in here and I was told although the British pound is expensive, foodstuff could be the least of the headache. 

So I try to list everything that I purchased, so I could keep an eye on my spending. This list is my meal for the whole weak but with some conditions. First, the apartment which I stayed has its own kitchen so I cook my own meal every time. If you are talking about eating out, then this won't be very much appropriate. Second, I bring some packed meal from home, apart from to remind me how warm it is back home, I hope this will lasted for a few weeks before I need to really think where to source fresh supply. Third, I haven't tasted chicken, beef or even fish since the day I came here, so if you were really a humongous carnivore trying to have half chicken for every meal, then it would probably cost you more. My formula is just to keep my meal simple, take in heavy breakfast (rice/pasta/penne etc) early in the morning, nibble something while at the university and upon returning home, I normally ate bread, lettuce and bananas. These were simple, yet proved to be much filling until I rest for the night. Fourth, this based on buying groceries at (mostly) Poundland/World, 99p shop, Tesco and Sainsbury's. The fact that I lived near to the town making all this even more easier.

So straight to the list (in Sterling Pound):

Bread - Kingsmill (halal certified) - 1.00 x 2 = 2.00  
Lettuce - 60p
Milk (1 pint) - 49p x 2 pints = 0.98p
Cadbury Brunch Treat - 99p x 2 = 1.98
Eggs - 1.00 (10 eggs only from 99p shop)
Chocolate mix - 1.00
Sainsbury Lemon and Ginger Tea - 80p (for 20 sachets)
Penne (2 packs) - 99p
Tomato Puree (3 medium size cans) - 99p
Sunflower cooking oil (500 ml) - 1.00
Bananas (pack of 5 large) - 50p

Just over 10 quids. This is only possible if you don't mind cooking and not having rice with chicken or any kind of meat. There's halal outlet at the university, and normally it cost like 4 pound for each meal but big portion. But other thing like electrical item may cost you a bomb, firecracker actually. For instance:

Kettle (0.4 Litre, very small travel like one) = 6.59
Filter jug - 6.59
I bought pillows - 2.94 for 2 pillows.
Saucepan - 2.90
Tefal pan - 7.99

I bought few items from ebay. I found it easy to shop with ebay here and for some items like toys, it way much cheaper. Don't know your preference, but if you don't mind eating the same menu everyday, I would say meal is done. Chocolate is very cheap but I restrained from having too much because am planning to loose some weight. 

Cheers!!

Reading: Post 1 of 2

Again no photos because this ain't a holiday.

I really need to write this thing down since I was so worried few months back, on the prospect of getting in in Heathrow. I heard endless stories about people being held back due to their fishy purposes of coming in here and it might be useful if I shared the experience of mine. Well, different people might their own version of it, but at least this is what I have experienced.

I flew from KLIA at almost dusk, in a nearly full flight to Dubai and cannot stop of thinking what will happened as I reached London. I would never imagined that I was there smack in between the narrow seat trying to nip what UK has to offer. At almost 13 hours of flight plus 3 hours stranded in Dubai I really replay the whole plan over and over again. Whatever it is, I always say to myself that if I were ever denied for an entry, there'll be no problem. Just get the next available flight and return to safety.

It seems very odd especially when you try to beat the time. I managed to do that when the plane really travel against the time. Just imagine leaving at dusk and arrive at dawn. It feels like nothing change really. I arrived at London Heathrow really at dawn. It was 630 am local time when the plane landed and I saw endless planes just touching down like every 5 minutes or so interval. Heathrow really is a busy airport and people like just thronging every single minute and second.

Like an hour or so before landing, the flight attendant will start giving away landing card. It's good if you place your detail handy, otherwise you'll need to fill it later in the terminal.

The moment I walked out from the cabin, cold wind start to blow and I was very surprised at how fast people walk. Every disembarking passenger just walk very fast and if I were to continue my jaywalk, I really felt that I will be in so much trouble trying to catch up. Terminal 3 was like a very huge complex and soon after from afar, I start to see the UK BORDER sign. It wasn't hard to be missed and all path are heading towards that direction.

The immigration booth were well laid. Basically two sections, one for British passport/EU passports and the other is for other passports. I guess mine will be at the later section.

I start to practice for the last time and surprisingly most of the counters were manned by Brits of asian origin. I lined up and there'll be an officer calling you whenever a counter is available. I handed over my passport and the officer start to ask. He asked me where am I heading to, for how long, for what purpose and any letters to justify. I was not asked on how am I going to support my life here. I feel blessed. The session lasted for just about 20 seconds. My passport is stamped and I was permitted to enter.

Morally speaking, I think, if your reason of coming is clear, nothing fishy about it then I think there's nothing to be worried. But every preparation to face them is very compulsory and it would be very hard to satisfy them if you came in with empty hands.

Freezing

I remember when my supervisor here asked me (several months back) on my plan here in Reading. At that time, the best as I can remember, I talked to him about my plan of doing this and of course doing that. He responded by looking at me and said, its going to be cold, especially in November, December all the way up to January, and I do not want you to think at that time, what's the hell I am doing here?

Believe it or not, I am now thinking exactly his concern to me on the purpose of I am here.

So ironic, my first week has finally over yesterday and I can't stop myself from counting the days when this will finally be over. If you were on a holiday, the first week will be so much fun. Going out, tasting new thing, trying to soak the local spirit as much as you can etc etc. But in my case, there is nothing fun in it. Yes definitely I am taking this as an opportunity to be away from routine and basking myself in a new environment but things are so different.

Take the weather for example, I know before I get to here, I always wonder how nice living in a cool weather where you are not soaking in sweat whenever you go outside. Well, it serve me right on my face now. There is nothing good about it I swear. It makes life so difficult. Try to imagine compressing four times prayer in a nip of just four hours. I think I just done with my ablution when suddenly I need to get a new one because the next prayer is almost due. There is no such thing as warm water here, its either hot or freezing cold. Pick up the one you desire and I found at least, the freezing water is still tolerable. 

At this point of time, I remember best how I normally start a conversation with my wife after we all finish with our routine and normally I would say to her, it's very hot today and it took the laundry just an hour to dry. Well if I can return now, I would just switch off the air conditioning and perhaps soak myself in the hot and humid weather.

All this boredom has led me to a new hobby. I easily find myself now eager to shop. Everyday, for the past a week or so, I constantly made my way to the town area and peek at every shop along the road. I must say UK is a must when it comes to shopping. The selections are endless and that thick furry winter jacket sometime tickle my buds to purchase. But, I am constantly being sobered with the prospect of that jacket will have when time finally call me for home. That will be useless and unless I can sell it, there is nowhere that jacket will fit with our local temperature. 

As for now, I am comforting myself with a huge cup of hot chocolate trying hard to fit in and try doing my job. Good conversation with people back home will be good but as I am 8 hours behind them, it is always not possible to catch a good conversation. Just imagine rushing home here only at 3pm but unfortunately it's already 10 pm back home. As a matter of fact, I woke up at 5 am here and my wife just had her lunch for the day.

*its only 19.47 now but its already been dark since 16.40 hrs. Hope I can cope up with this and I really miss my work station back home now - cry!!    

Reading: Thank you

No photos.

It sounds rather odds, but just wait a second, try think and remember how many times that you've said 'thank you...' and being apologetic by saying 'sorry..' today? or perhaps more astonishing to hear people say 'thank you...' and ask for your forgiveness simply for unintentional mistakes. 

I bet none.

While immersing myself with the surrounding and enjoying myself listening to the thick British accent around me, it was surprising to hear 'thank you..' being considered as an everyday phrases. I was in a bus queuing behind an old lady on my second day here and I heard every passengers who disembarked were thanking the bus driver for the service. Well that really start my system to crunch on the happening.

Today, I was in a mall, trying hard navigating the alleyway just to locate a loo and after I finished the business I nearly bumped into this white chap who seems desperate to carry on with his business. The bumped was really nothing but to my surprised, he simply said 'Sorry mate!' and look back to see whether I was alright. That was simply superior. 

I tried not to compare the society we have back home, but it keeps my head rolling. Why can't we practiced such a noble behavior back home?

-I'm waking up myself for this- I should say thank you more often.

I try to recall any occurrence where people saying 'thank you..' and 'sorry..' in a bus back home, and as long as my mind had served me, I think none. I remember frequenting a family mall close to home and more often than not greetings are from cashier who seemed to had woke up from the wrong side of the bed. Simply unimaginable. 

Is it a culture? Were they been taught that way? Is it because our hot weather making people grumpier than here?

The time I am writing this, my cramped mind keep playing an image of two ladies who worked at the fresh section in the family mall back home. Lady 1 look grumpy and she is and Lady 2 simply talk in front of my wife when our kids had their fight for superiority in the supermaket's trolley. Not really nice especially when you're working in the frontline.

I hope this nobility will eventually seep to us and why not start tomorrow by saying 'thank you..'? 

Note: Hoping for more sunshine tomorrow. The day is getting shorter now and its colder. Woke up this morning and the weather forecast said it was 4 degree. It was really chilly but somehow people still wear skirts!

Forgot to buy eggs. Making me completely vegetarian for the 4th day. 

I craved for chicken since this afternoon. Consequently, I spent 2 hours browsing through halal restaurants which sells fried chicken. Ironically, I ate wheatgerm bread with cheddar and salad for dinner and I'm thinking the same menu for supper! how absurd

Cheers mate!

Reading: Random shots (I mean photo shots)

I was advised by my supervisor here to 'visit' the town and even was told to visit London this weekend. I know it is hard to adjust and settling in, but research is something that can't wait. The moment I think less about it, time flies. But of course, been in a new place, new environment and weather is somehow invigorating. So for the past 2 days, I've been to the town in and out like I own a shop there but mostly to Poundland and Sam's 99 pence or less. Well, these place got everything except fresh items, but along the Broad St, you'll be spoiled for choice. I've been to the Broadstreet Mall and found the mall is 'penny' friendly. There is Wilko, Poundland and some others all sell items at bargain. I know it sounds like a holiday rather than research but trust me, you wouldn't want to miss this place. Today I walked a little up and found Homebase, Argos -  there's one in Oxford St. and Hobby craft. It's still early I know, but I've started to think the best way to bring all these back.home. I'll show you the reason why:

Love the flower. Those in the small pots go for about 1.79 pound.

This suppose to be laundry box. Go for about 55 pound.

They sell pretty jars everywhere. Mostly ceramic but aluminium are available as well.

I like that teapot. It goes for about 5. Notice yet another jar.

More jars right up!

Again jars. The small one goes for less than 2.

Jars. But the big one, that's for bread. It should be nice to have that one back home.

I feel blessed and hope to post more photos soon.

Cheers!

Reading: Arrived

It was a tiring journey. Never in my life I traveled this long and far. It started on 20th October at Senai Airport and it only ended today, 21st October at around 6.30am local time. Flight from JHB to KUL was delayed for 20 minutes and making matter worse, my checked in luggage was mis-routed. It was about an hour before they recover the luggage.

Well, perhaps not a smooth start but Emirates flew pretty much on time. The plane was practically full to the brim and since I was seated near to the bassinet, I really expect that possibly some kids will be crying along the way. The plane took off 1930 as scheduled and to my suprise, A380 really exhilarating. The engines were super smooth, I heard only the air-conditioning and not the engines. Took off was smooth, the plane gently accelerate on the runway before suddenly flies. It took of course quite a distance before it flies but it was smooth.

The plane was mostly filled with Middle-easterners perhaps holiday makers making KL as their destination. Nothing much happen during flight. I was seated next to a gentleman who made Bahrain as his base and we chatted once in a while before both resorting to the entertainment system until the plane made it to Dubai.  

I made it clear with the check in staff at KLIA that I'm going to London and I hope by telling them, I shouldn't be bothered with whether my luggage will arrive or not. They gave me their assurance and  I was issued with 2 boarding passes, to Dubai and later connecting with Qantas to London.

Dubai airport to me, is pretty much like KLIA. Surprisingly, the shops are manned with mostly asian.

The procedure for transiting was fairly simple. Just follow the sign and passengers were prompted for security check before been allowed to enter the departure hall. Unfortunately, Qantas flight that night was delayed and instead of flying at 0100, ETD has been shifted to 0230.

In comparison with Emirates, Qantas seems much better. Bigger leg-room and super friendly cabin crews. 2 meals were served during the flight. The moment the plane took off, they served chicken wrap with some other dishes. I didn't care much, perhaps since it was dark. But the food served in Qantas, especially for plane flying off from Dubai is halal. Even the wrap of the chicken wrap confirmed this.

Nothing much, it was 7 hours flight bla bla bla, but the entertainment system fared less compared with Emirates. Well, if you asked me how many movies you wanted to watch in 7 hours, then perhaps it was enough. I didn't bothered much, filled most of my time trying hard to catch some sleeps. It's a red-eyed flight so I was told to sleep whenever I could. But who wanted to sleep on flight bound to London. It's not every year we'll come to London didn't you? but I was defeated. I fall asleep, soundly, and woke up when it's very near to breakfast.

Breakfast was good. At least to me, they gave two options, one is very light cereal where they serve with yogurt. Sound healthy. The other option was omelette, serve with yogurt and some snacks. Well, of course, as you can predict, I resorted to omelette thinking this will be my last halal meal on earth.

Well, why not some photos. Photos speak a thousand word didn't they? I'll include captions whenever I could:

Well this is how it's look like. Just to let you know, if you plan to take the bus to anywhere from Heathrow, National Express is calling from the central bus station. From terminal 3, it's easy, just follow the sign after you pass the custom. It's quite a walk from terminal 3, but you can take the trolley with you all the way to the station. Ticket counters are there both human and machine. As I am heading to Reading, I need to board the Rail Air, but all stands are allocated for National Express. I went in again and asked a very friendly staff of the airport and was told that ticket can be purchased at the national express counter. Buses leave in 20 minutes interval, so there'll be plenty tickets available. 

First taste of UK. Shivering and I didn't know how to switch the heater on! pathetic. I've been stalking this building right beside the apartment, and I think it's an office.

Moment before took off

Landed at Heathrow terminal 3. It was raining that time. Love Qantas, super friendly crews. I am not comparing to Emirates, but yup, they are friendly.

Well, that's it for now. I've been doing an extensive walk for the past 2 days. I got some photos with me and hope to post it out soon.

Kind regards and cheers!

First attempt for journal paper

Before I continue further, let me start with this.

-Michael Jordan-

Universities nowadays are becoming so concern about ranking. Normally, rank is assessed by the number of published journals affiliated with the university. My university is no different. They spent huge on grants etc and ask (in return) a numbers of journal etc.

Some time last week, I sent a paper to this one very new indexed journal and hope that the paper will be accepted for publication. The following is the editor's reply:

"Thank you for submitting your paper to xxxxx. I read all papers as they
arrive before they are progressing through the system. I think your paper is
not a research paper and and it is not enough of critical evaluation toqualify as a review paper"

The moment I read this, it feels like there's a bomb just exploded in my head. I had just failed. The paper did not even move in the system and it didn't even pass the editor. No need to say more. [motivation at its lowest...]

It continues like this:

"However, I would be happy to send it for review as a "Viewpoint", papers
that are of general interest without being classified as research. They are
searchable  in the same way as research papers. The peer review is slightlydifferent but accepted papers qualify as peer reviewed"

Some relief though.... at least there's a home for it.

Now comes the recommendations:

"If you want your paper as a viewpoint, could you please remove the
inappropriate references to "theory" in the title and text and edit the
English, which is currently not of a publishable standard."

This really caught my attention. How am I going to edit the English? because that was the only English I ever knew.

I am so poor in grammar but what can I do.

But at least the editor had given me a good option. Perhaps I will just edit and send it over again.

"When you have done that, send it to me as an attachment to an email and I'll
send it to referees."

It left me wonder (really..) on my level of English...

Reading pre-departure note

I've lost count on the number of pre-departure note that I should appropriately assigned, so I would just leave it as it is. Perhaps the archive could trace it's number.

I am called to put a note on the whole process leading to this attachment, and even tough I have two more months or so to leave for Reading, this note should summarize the process that have taken place in the last four/five months or so.

Start-up

I am an avid student of UTM I might say. I earned my Msc. here and when its about time to decide for doctorate place, my gut had always say it's probably UTM again. Don't ask me why but UTM had always earn my respects in so many ways, perhaps because I met my wife there <>

It was all started when my sv mentioned about this attachment thing and I was so naive not knowing how to start the whole process. Fortunately, a professor from Reading visited UTM so I was given detail explanation on what should I expected.

The process of getting the invitation letter from the professor took quite a number of months but I am so fortunate that my sv did all the communication. After all I did not know how to speak properly with a pure Englishman because our style of English with so many 'la' in the end has kept him staring at me trying to understand how that 'la' had got to do in the sentences.

The letter and funding

Little I know that for MOHE scholar who'd received all education locally has this attachment facility with overseas institution. I did an enquiry with the personnel in charge and was encouraged to apply for it. Of course, the invitation letter from the overseas institution is the only prerequisite along with support letter from my sv. The rest of the process was more on soft skill, communication etc with the dean and officers in home university and as long these all fulfilled, in sya allah, nothing would meddle in between.

The process at MOHE was one straight forward process. Submit online application, made a few calls to inform them about the application and within less than a month, I finally got the approval. Just to note here that approval was given through the system and again I was so fortunate because the officer in charge did notify me through email on the approval. The email stated that my application was approved for the duration requested with detail funds that will be given for that particular duration. There will be slight adjustment with the amount of the scholarship and with the commitment I've made with the accommodation personnel at Reading, I guess that should be enough to cover the daily expenses. Accommodation cost would consume more than half of the amount given by MOHE. Although I should be able to get much cheaper accommodation, I would rather stick with this as it comes with en suite bathroom and close to the university.

My flight ticket

Got from Emirates for less than 5k. Quite on the high side but that was all I managed to get. This ticket is reimbursable, meaning MOHE will pay for it later.

I am now waiting for the fund to be credited. Hopefully, as it now less than a month before my departure date. I will try to update more on this and wish I could write more when I am physically in the UK.

Till then.



 

It killing

Good morning,

Back with more stuff than usual make me thinks whether this phd things is furthering me up or dragging me down. While correlation equation has made it clear that there is only +1 and -1 relationship so, I guess, gains are at the expense of losing. Do not know whether this [in real life term..] means that I am losing some aspects of my life.

It's true. I am losing my time with my family and I miss catching up my kid's smattering talks. I have tried best to minimize this, but unfortunately this phd had dragged me down even further. See, everybody is enjoying their holiday today while I am stuck in this four walls trying to figure out how I could solve the world's problem. Well, I am not a superhero more powerful than I thought, but this is really stressing.

I got some of these comics, mind you that I am not plagiarizing just some of my thought about the facts that I am enduring right now:

ok that was it. I've wasted 45 minutes on this. Now get back to work!

Back from a month long hibernation

Salam,

I love Ramadhan but it's over now.

Syawal? Great for kids (including my kids) due to duit raya and good food but not for an adult so pokai like me...


- for illustration purposes only

I do not know why, but somehow this is an issue so pressing that I spent this whole morning logging in to all savings that I have just to wonder how am I going to transfer that 9 bucks to my other account. Because IBG now cost only tenth of a buck, I even went to the extent of taking that cost into my calculation and after deducting that cost that would handsomely left me with 8.90 in saving... enough to keep me straight for about 2 days, well of course on plain rice and eggs.

So where did I spent for Raya?

New Raya outfit - RM 0.00 (I've recycled last year's outfit but donned it with a set of button I found inside a box doom for the trash bin)

New shoes - RM 199.00 (Went to JPO with wife and accidentally bumped with this good looking leather shoes at Timberland. The price tag was 312.00/614.00, I did not know which is which but finally the cashier punch in 199.00. Just keep silence, flash my card and go).

Casual shirt - RM 120.00 (for 3 pieces of casual shirts I mean, not a single shirt. Found those in the nook of a popular shopping complex near home with a few size left. Grabbed it).

Food supplies - about RM 400.00 (went home for few buka puasa sessions with family on the weekends and bought my mom some supplies for raya. Nothing much, a pack of 5kg fragrant rice, 3 whole birds etc etc. I did not have cash to hand out to my mom and all these expenses were parked in the credit card. Pathetic indeed T_T"

Duit raya - standard RM 30 x 8 fella = RM 240.00 - No more but probably less since these were given out in a dollar bill. That was what left when you visit the bank 2 days before raya.

Compassionate duit raya - RM 2 x 10 packets - For those lucky one who I think really  deserve my hard earned cash. Still got around RM 10 with me, indicating only few fortunate fellas.

Kids new outfit - Some RM 500.00 - My daughter came back from school and constantly repeat this "I want baju raya" (repeat 20 x daily for a week). I wonder what her teacher has taught her especially the value of raya instead of new baju raya (cry).

Some RM 20.00 - For keeping the kids entertained while mummy brazing the raya crowd, hand picking some outfit left by other shoppers for raya.


- huge gap in my wallet now GAP (for illustration - credit)

So who is actually in raya mood? those with deep pocket of course.

But whatever it was/is, I am so fortunate for having family who are so understanding. My brothers/sisters/wife were so helpful and I was so glad that they help me with my kids. In sha Allah, hope to repay them with whatever I could in the future and hopefully they will forever receive bounty from Allah swt.

So now, let's get back to this research stuff, write and produce something, impress my supervisor with my writing, prepare the progress report, code all responses from the respondents and experience new things later in October in Berks.

Cheers!

Lets make it simple

Did a little bit of tidy up. I thought the previous template look so old fashioned. I add the newsreel, just to keep myself posted and change the color of those fish. Actually I was exploring all this settings and suddenly I realized that all these were in the settings tab.

And now I am playing around with this font type. Its fun and entertaining.

Regards

Note: I'm so bored. This journal writing doesn't help.

Macam pergi je

Are you?

Finally, got the confirmation from accommodation team at Reading. Relief and syukur

I was requested (in advance) to pay a reservation fee of GBP200 to guarantee an accommodation there. The time I went to CIMB, ringgit was at 4.80 something to a pound, so for GBP 200, it was close to a thousand ringgit. Instantly scan and email a copy to Reading and reply was surprisingly fast. Booked a room there and now the flight ticket.

I spent the whole Sunday, trying to figure out the most economical (no need to be fast though!) way to fly from KUL to LHR. Several airlines provide the service, but most will involve transiting in the middle east for a couple of hours before connecting to LHR. I use Skyscanner just to figure out roughly who and how long does it takes to reach LHR from KUL and the first indication suggest that ticket tend to be at it's high side. Sri Lankan still however, offer the cheapest but my gut feeling tell me to reserve this maybe for later.

Qatar, Etihad and Emirates seems competing but I think Emirates faring the best. Return journey on Emirates cost a whopping RM3756 while Etihad and Qatar cost about the same or slightly lower. Emirates operates some A380s in KUL sector but they partnered with Qantas for DXB LHR route. So I guess, I will have to transfer to Qantas at DXB en route to LHR. By the way, I found Expedia fares are a bit lower rather than booking direct at airline's website. No experience though, I heard some difficulty in case of name change whatsoever. Better not to.

Me? Business class? 10 years payback perhaps (credit to owner)

Let's be real, this is where i'm going to ride (credit to owner)

Plan to reward my wife for being very patience with me for all this while so I decided to sponsor her a trip to the UK. But sorry kids, its mom and dad only affairs and both of you are to be grounded at grandma's. We believe both of you will enjoy that as much we will enjoy ourselves there.

Do I need to tell you more?

But, I haven't purchased her the ticket yet. Hopefully there'll be some promotion later towards the end of the year.

Cheers!

  

Pre-departure Note 2 - digging

I am digging for more information now about the accommodation suggested to me in Reading. Two (or three?) estate agents have responded but few lets on short term basis. The only exception is this one, Walmsley, suggested by the University. The only problem is - it took the agent 'years' to respond. I do not know if that is how they work or my email to them took another 'years' to arrive. I sent them another email this morning, hopefully something positive would land in my inbox this afternoon.

Flight to LHR

Next to this, is flight ticket. Shortlisted 3, Emirates, Etihad and Qatar but found Cathay to be RM200 cheaper than Etihad. Qatar is ok and worth the consideration. Anyway I really do not want to spend 3 hours to HK, waiting in transit for 3 to 4 hours, before flying again 13 hours non stop to LHR. That should well 20 hours total journey time and I should be able to reach the ISS if I were to board NASA's Discovery.

Why not MAS? 

MAS goes for an average 4000 MYR return with good and exceptional service. By far, MAS rank (in term of ticket cost..) first, followed by those from the middle east. SIA? I haven't check on them, but quite unlikely they will offer good bargain. KLM? Heard folks saying having to check in luggage for the second time in AMS. What else? Sri Lankan, could get less than 3000 MYR but of course transiting in Colombo. Perhaps staying loyal to MAS would do, I don't know - God please help me!

[anybody has any experience with Reading please help me]

Pre-departure Note 1

Pre-departure note 1: Reading's stuff etc

It was a very tiring week last week. First, I was caught with flu, fever and all you can name it. Went to meet a doctor and was prescribed with paracetamol, flu pills, vitamin C, cough syrup and antibiotics. The combination of flu pills/medication and cough syrup were so drowsing and I was down in bed for 3 days. Hate it every time I consume the flu and cough medication as it triggered that drowsiness. Can't practically do anything other than to doze off.

Second, I was advised by my Reading's supervisor to look for a decent accommodation there. He advised for accommodation within the university which should save me pounds from travelling etc. I did email an officer from the university and although the reply was warm and receptive, the problem really was, they didn't offer short term stay within the university. The officer advised me to try to contact one letting agent and hope that the agency would able to offer any unit from the list available to them. It was a tiring moment just to get the emails replied. Since their day in UK only started at around 2pm here in Malaysia, I have to spent countless nights waiting for their responds which mostly coming in to my inbox at around 11pm. I understand that they might be busy, and as thousands will come there this coming September, things becoming even more challenging. 

I manage to get this nice lady to respond to my email and even though it sometimes took her 1 to 2 days to reply, I eventually was offered this unit further up in Redlands. I was so joyous to learn this but since no confirmation has been received so far, I decided to wait before I chart my action further. I can't wait to update on this and hopefully things will be much easier with the rest.    

Reading, UK - Am I really going?

Salam,

I think I should write more here rather than writing on trips. Somehow writing on trips were much more relaxed but that were mostly leisure activities. I need a break sometimes but let's be real, this is my current business and I have to admit that by far this suppose to be the 'thing' to be noted at the highest back of my head.

So, am I going to Reading? 

I remember the first time my supervisor (sv) coined out this idea. It was like a year ago and at that point of time I was like 'Is it for real?'..

UK or particularly any parts of it is a dream to me. I believe not only me. I like to think that to many of us, perhaps because of historical reason, in some way or another, dream to be able to go there for whatever reason we could think of. I read and met a lot of people who have been there and they really enjoy for being able to step their foot there. So, what have I done that makes me think that I will someday, step my feet there?

At the time i'm writing this note, there still a lot to be accomplished particularly the research which I am pursuing right now. I only managed until to date to write 2 chapters whereby I should actually completed the 3rd. I'm doing data collection right now, and if there is any reason to put the blame on, I am happy to put it with the process of collecting data itself. This process - collecting data, is the real work in any research. Some said without data, a research simply cannot proceed. I've spent months, completing and then perfecting the instrument and now I have to try to persuade people to answer it for me. It's not an easy task, for instance my pilot survey suggest that if I were to be too optimistic that by randomly selecting respondents I would get the response, then I would really used up all my resources without gaining any responses. So, I resorted to non random sampling, hoping that I would be able to gain as much responses to support the research.

The process is a painstaking one. I travel up to KL almost every month since April, some twice a month just to meet prospective respondents and try to persuade them to answer. Some were very helpful and I indebted to them while others were cold and simply not willing to answer. Well, I believe this is the process and PhD is not just being diligent, but physically fit as well. Intelligence? No. You don't have to be intelligence to do a PhD, prepared to be challenged mentally and physically, then you're good to do one.

So what is this Reading has got to do?

I was told by MOHE (now no more - merge as MOE) that for MOHE scholar holder, there are 2 facilities that could be applied for. 1 - the facility to present paper overseas and 2 - overseas research. I did some research and was astonished to discover that facility no 2 would be appropriate to support my application overseas. So, after discovering that, I report the finding to my sv and she was very happy to assist me to communicate with the overseas counterpart. It happen that her friend in Reading is the visiting professor here, and I was able to meet and discuss with him on my intention to go to Reading under his supervision. I met the  Professor twice over the past one year and eventually I managed to get his consent to go there. It was a very joyful moment when I received the letter and I wait no further to submit my application to MOHE. 

Many said that MOHE would take months (if not years!) to process the aplication. So, since I plan to go to Reading in October, then I made my own time allowance in order to make it sufficient for them to decide and finally giving approval. To my surprise, it took my application less than a month to be approved. I was so excited upon learning the news and to me, they key was to conduct some research on their organisation and nail the right person whether to follow up or tracking the application. I was very fortunate to have met the right person who did the upward processing of my application and even my calls were answered promptly. 

The bulk of the ongoing tasks is now rest with me. Where to find accommodation, visa (required or not) and the probable expenses there. Alhamdullilah, I manage to get in touch with a colleague who just came back from Reading and she has referred me to her colleague who is now pursuing his PhD in Reading. I have been communicating with him ever since and I hope to get more information about the local area in due time.

I really would like to detail up the application process, but it would take me months to finish it. So, I hope Allah will give me strength to write more and I really hope that I would be able to share more about this.

To those who recently did answer a questionnaire, it might be from me or anyone else but whatever it is, I just would like to thank you for your understanding on why data is important to us as a researcher and hopefully your good deed will receive reward from Allah swt.

Till then and hope to update more on this!

Salam

The cost of a pair of jean

The first reason why we went to Singapore yesterday was actually to compare the price of a pair of Levi's jean. I purchased all my jeans from Indonesia, and I still found a good bargain whenever I shop for a pair of jean in Indonesia. Well, of course, the cost of the flight ticket won't help me to justify this, but a pair of Levi's jean sold in Indonesia is way to much cheaper compared to those sell in Singapore or even Malaysia. But to my surprise, they all have different country of origin. Those I bought in Indonesia were simply made in Mexico but I found some which were made in Vietnam and even China. I guess I would prefer those sold in Indonesia because with so much distance to travel, it still cheap compared to those made in China or even Vietnam! (lol - don't know if this fact really hold..)

From my analysis of a very similar pair of jean sold in Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore, Singapore came in the very least of the ranking. A pair of Levi's 505 cost SGD 80 in Indonesia, SGD 112 in Malaysia and SGD 149 in Singapore. I do not know other country, but it seems to me that Indonesia is a good place to shop for a pair of jean. 

Go to bed!

Singapore's Super Tree Grove @ Gardens by the Bay

We were on the JB's causeway yesterday as early as 730am for our bored weekend pass-by, and we decided to give the Singapore's Supertree Grove a visit just to feed on our curiosity on that iconic structure. It wasn't hard to notice the structure from ECP and the fact that it is situated just opposite the Marina Bay Sands (MBS) make it worth as a 2 + 1 object for visiting. Well, details are here:

http://www.gardensbythebay.com.sg/content/gbb/en/home.html 

We hit the road at approximately 630am and arrived at the Woodlands CIQ at around 730am. Getting in was smooth but it was bumper-to-bumper on the opposite. I normally use a simple calculation of getting in and out of Singapore. Come in as early as possible, especially on weekends but avoid going out of the island at mid-day especially if you're driving your own car. Traffic could be horrendous even before the BKE viaduct and without any loo nearby, things could be rather or more disastrous. Pack some food with you for that reason and it best if the children are sleeping all the way through BSI on the other side of the causeway.

The master plan
(I'm taking this from the internet. So the right remain to its rightful owner.)

Look so wonderful @ night time. Damn next time I should come at night.
(I'm taking this from the internet. So the right remain to its rightful owner.)

The traffic

It was smooth. I guess nobody was entering the CBD at this hour and after some rerouting (thanks to this Garmin stuff...) we were there at the entrance of the park. There are three entrance to three different car parks on the park, the Meadow etc entrance, the visitor facility entrance and the other one has one peculiar 'satay' name on it. We park at the visitor center, not many cars were parked yesterday, I guess it still too early.

Its all about the eco-system/sustainable. Those beneath the surface I guess.
(I'm taking this from the internet. So the right remain to its rightful owner.) 

There's an elevator and escalator near entrance A and both will bring visitor straight to the lobby. We  didn't managed to find the elevator and we end up walking through the ramp out of the basement parking lot. It's a park anyway, so we did expect some work out just to make things worth it (lol).

The park is humongous. The main attractions are of course the Supertree, there are domes full of plants, a skyway, Chinese, Malay and Indian themed gardens and so on. The good thing was that, the plants were so fresh amid the scorching Singapore's sun or maybe because it's still early in the morning.

The skyway. Well, 5 dollars should worth the experience.
(I'm taking this from the internet. So the right remain to its rightful owner.)  

We spent more than an hour loitering in the park and move just before the scorching sun unleashed its ray. It was a wonderful visit and I do plan to visit this attraction again. Mind you that most of the attractions here require some amount of fee, so if you wish not to spend any dollars here, loitering around should work just fine. There is MRT line nearby (Bayfront if I am not mistaken). The park is situated just opposite the MBS and Merlion etc (those must see + snap Singapore's icon), so working out itinerary in and around the area should work out very well. 

More information? Google-out and you'll definitely found those with loads of information compared to this one. Peace.

Jakarta - Bandung 2013 (ex-JHB)

This is so terrible and I wish to blame myself for not taking notes (while on the roads..) and put it here as posts.

A lot has happen in the past one year or so and I wish to continue from now on. So, anything to post? I guess I have this one tiny notes (at the back of my head - sigh!) that I so eagerly want to put it down and post it. Something on this study thing? No. I'm too enthusiastic but at the same time tired. So I guess this might be a good therapy of just to put things off for a while and to come back later, afresh of course.

So, what the big deal anyway, it is all about the latest CGK-BDO trip we made last month (May) out of this yearly craving for brownies and other delicacies we consider unique to this place (and my wife's shopping spree of course..).

We flew to CGK ex-JHB by QZ code airline at around 1650 local hours and, learning from numerous experience with this airline, we have prepared everything necessary for the kids. It's our duty to keep them well fed, entertained and most importantly, fuss-free. As parent, we simply don't mind with their high pitch scream every now and then, but our co-passenger seating just across the aisle might definitely not. These kids, they are just too friendly sometimes but just as with the bumpy flight, things might change instantaneously and this need to be controlled.

With all this in mind and just to give them extra space to let them do whatever they want, I part with 180 ringgits on top of the price for the regular flight ticket to Jakarta - just for the kids.

The flight was smooth with a little bumpy felt mid-way past Singapore airspace, but it stopped and we had a smooth journey until we reached Indonesian airspace. QZ stewardesses were unsurprisingly pleasant and I do like them more compared to AK. I do not wish to reiterate more, but our flight to Medan some few years back could well explain this. Perhaps we are flying low-cost so the treatment was so-so. But some choose to fly this flying-bus because of its connection. Previously there was JHB-Bangkok, great route but sadly fail to capture the loads. Just hope this JHB-CGK route will be there for sometimes, and knowing how great Jakarta is, and in return, how great JB now, I think this will become one of the popular route for AA.

We arrived at CGK terminal 3, gleaming new complex compared to terminal 2 which we landed last year and with a short bus ride, we were there in front of the immigration counter. Its a short walk to reach the check-point but they still provide the bus, I reckon, if we were in LCCT now, chances are, walking. If its raining, no problem because they provide red umbrella, sigh.

Passport checked and now chasing the kids whereabouts with luggage in hands.

A short walk through the terminal and we were there. Meet and greet. Looking for the driver we hired and off we go to BDO.

Traffic was surprisingly smooth - with the normal pile ups but nothing serious along the way. It was raining en-route to BDO and it was just dark and breezy.

Arrived at Asmila at around 2300hrs local time. Checked-in and doze-off.

The next day, it was a sunny but cold morning and after the limited spread of buffet, we were out fetched by the driver to some of our favorite places. RuMod as they fondly called it was our first destination for the day and while waiting its door to open, we treat the kids with their collection of fish. Something peculiar, they saw customers started building up and before you realize anything, the door was open some 10 or 15 minutes earlier than the usual business hour. That's good because we would then have an extra 15 minutes later for the day.

I think that should be enough for a start and I look forward to pen in more posts later.

Cheers.