Update of my Life at Uni

Hi guys, hope you are all doing well and that SPM went good. I am sure that exam times are not my favourite and there could be certain papers that you felt more confident than others but that's okay. Over time, I realise that yes exams are important but try to look at the bigger picture and your long term life goals. It will make you feel less daunted. 

In this post I just sort of wanted to write a little informal update on what I have been up to lately at university. Honestly there has been nothing too interesting for the past two months. I have literally been spending more than 12 hours a day at the lab or library focused on my research project. It has drained me mentally and emotionally and physically. I go home, eat pray and sleep and start the day again the next day. I am very disciplined in a way I do not get easily distracted until I get my work finished or accomplish everything I set my mind to alhamdulillah. In the weekends then I would see my friends, go for social events or visit my cousins. A close friend of mine would visit me when I am too busy and one night she even brought dinner for me because I was too occupied with work that I did not feel like eating sometimes at night...not healthy...no I do not recommend it.. I went to the gym less but still managed to squeeze time once or twice for yoga and gym. I accept it that I got very busy and hectic when term started because I got a nice long rest over the summer.

I really enjoyed my research project. I got to work in one of the cool labs in the basement where nobody gains access apart from the people in the research group and there are less than 10 people in the group so yes, not many people get to go in the lab. I used geochemical equipments like the Kiel, Clumped isotope, ICP-MS and CL-EDX and even a dental drill. Some of these I have never seen before or even seen anything like it. There was a special weighing balance that would open and close just with the wave of my hand. It had a motion sensor or something like that. Research life can get a bit quiet at times but thankfully there was a friendly lab technician and some phD students that I met on a daily basis when I collected data. All very much more experienced than me and I learned a lot from them. I made friends with a Russian girl who I got along well :) I have met and made friends with people from many countries but this was the first time making friends with someone from Russia. I really enjoy this experience abroad in London where I meet people from all sorts of countries and I am surprised how I can find common ground and get along well with people from very different backgrounds. And the best part is not only meeting them but being good friends and you learn so much about their culture and lifestyle and perspective. Its easier to make friends with Europeans than British people in my opinion as the former are more open to different cultures. The British are mostly conservative and only easy to make friends if you have the same lifestyle (especially drinking ;) but not all of course, this is just my general observation. I have some really nice British friends in my class. Its 90% locals and 10% internationals in my class.

Now I am on Christmas break and tomorrow I have got a visitor from Cardiff and another friend from Bristol next week. Both my friends from Malaysia during high school and A-Levels. I am staying over at my cousin's house for Christmas and can't wait for Boxing Day shopping! I have got a list and shopping is one of my favourite things about London. I try to spend wisely and moderately but I often use my savings to shop as it makes me happy. I am now eyeing lipstick, to be honest I never used lipstick before. I always use Nivea Lip balm with a lip liner sometimes but this time I am thinking of getting lipstick. I like shiny things and I got a Body Shop eye stick and recently got their membership card. Amazing!

I had an ISoc social with free pizza last Thursday and hostel social gathering last Friday. It was so nice I enjoy meeting new people and just socialising with nice people. Last Wednesday, a Bukit Indah primary school friend came to my flat with her sister. I cooked tomyam and garlic-herb baked chicken for them and they enjoyed it. It was so nice meeting them and we had a fun chat till midnight in my room. Then last week I managed to arrange two phone calls, one to my Bangladesh bestie and on Friday my high school bestie. 

I am replacing the days I missed for Ramadan fasting now. I have one day left now since I fasted yesterday and today. Its so nice since fasting is from 620am to 355pm. Last night I ate buka 4pm so by 8pm I felt like eating again, oh gosh so hungry when its cold. I decided to go meet my Spanish friend downstairs and had fruits and tea at her flat. 

I feel more relaxed now that I submitted my draft for the MSCi thesis. Final submission is right after New Year but even getting the draft done makes me feel sooo relieved alhamdulillah. The night that I submitted the draft, I got a text from my Pakistan friend and asked if I wanted to go out for Japanese dessert. I was like oooh yes sure. We went to Wagamama for Mochi icecream. Feel like showing you pictures but its so much effort to transfer them from my phone. If someone comments that they would like me to include photos, then I will make the effort ;)

Last weekend I was giving myself a break since the previous weekends I was busy at the library. So last Saturday, I decided to cook curry, tomato rice and chicken flavoured brocolli and carrots for me and my Malaysian friend. Then that night I went for dessert with my Cypriot friend  for her birthday. I surprised her with a gift and balloon. Before meeting her I was so tired after cooking that I fell asleep and took a one hour nap. If you know me well, I am not the kind of person to take day naps so when I do it means I am super tired. Then last Sunday, I went swimming at the gym pool. Its free for Imperial students. I did 12 laps then went home and had a movie skype session and watched BFG:)

After that I decided to continue working after a good rest that weekend. My Pakistan friend texted to meet so I went to see her and also did laundry that night. I bought this mask thingy from Herbaline and took it to her flat so we could put it on together. We looked absolutely funny but it worked nice on my skin after I washed it away. She told me it was best not too talk when we had our masks on so I tried my best not too move my mouth when talking and would burst out laughing because the words did not come out clear. We decided to meet today to exercise or do yoga so I might go after this. 

I ordered a Russian classic book and it arrived yesterday I was so excited! I enjoy reading and haven't had the chance to read a proper storybook in a long time. I am not sure how fast it would take me to finish it but I'll get there :) 

So now during this break and at this point in term, I am just working on my thesis and making the best of my Christmas break. Its the first time I have a break with no exams. So relieved but yes still need to work on the report. InsyaAllah it will go well. 

I had a £5 M&S food voucher so I went there yesterday after break fast and used it. Oh dear I am in love with their Columbian Coffee and Walnut cake I ate two slices earlier and need to control myself from having more. It is so nice ! This is coming from a person who usually likes salad over dessert and goes to buffets and manages to skip the dessert option, yup that's me. So when I like a particular dessert it means its exceptionally nice!

So much going on in my life and its good alhamdulillah. My grandma called today because she missed my call as she was watching a drama.  Its so nice to talk to her, she says that she likes it when her grandchildren call because it makes her feel important. I would just like to say to all children and grandchildren out there, please guys, one day you are going to be old and grey and vulnerable at some point in life. Please remember that when you do good, good comes to you and vice versa. Please remember to appreciate your elder ones. Yes I agree, sometimes you do not have same opinions or do not agree with your elders on particular things but in the end they are family. They are much older and experienced than you. Imagine, if you were old, wouldn't you think the same? That young people know less than you because you have gone through much more in life so younger people should show respect to the elders. Regardless how your elders are, just simply try to at least be accepting and be kind and show that you care. One day you may be in their position and you would not have a grandparent because now you are the grandparent. Please treat others how you would like to be treated. Young people nowadays often forget this and I am speaking for myself as well as I always need to improve. Friends nowadays tend to care less about each other and too overwhelmed by their own problems. Try this when you are in a good mood and try sending a message or calling someone you were once close and have not spoken in ages. It would make them very happy trust me. Build new and healthy friendships and try to rebuild good friendships and see if they work out.

I'll end this post with a positive note and a little motivation for you to take away. Throughout these past two and a half months, its been a rocky journey. Research includes tears, frustration, joy, new findings, long hours or repetitive work, uncertainty, lone working, team working, hard work, perseverance, flexibility, positive perspective and more to the list. But if there is something I want you to take away today is to believe in yourself and think possible. At times, it seems so impossible given a restricted time period. However, please have some faith in yourself. Do and discover things that would give you the motivation to continue doing your best. 

I like sunny days and that is one of the cons of being in London for me. It always cloudy and gloomy which does not help with moodlifting but lately there has been  a number of sunny days and even though they lasted only for the afternoon, I make the best of it and make it like a little motivation booster to remind me that I can do this. I put up personalised motivation cards in my room so that I will always be reading and reminded of what I am capable of doing and as constant daily reminders. Motivation is something you constantly need so its good to find ways that help you motivate yourself regularly. 

Have a nice motivated and happy and healthy week ahead. Holiday periods are always nice. Take care guys :)

PS: My cute little brother has been going to so many badminton tournaments. Recently he went to the Badminton Finals!!!! He came in 2nd for his age group and that was the first time ever. I am so proud of him :)