Just came back from London yesterday evening. Had the most fab and fantastic time ever! Reached London from Skegness on Thursday evening and walked around the Notting Hill area. Stayed in Jane and Jerry's place in Notting Hill. Places i visited:
Friday, 29.03.02
St. Paul's Cathedral, Trafalgar Square, Piccadilly Circus, Leicester Square, China Town. Took a tube to Greenwich and had a picnic on the hill. Amazing view of London and highly recommended! We then cruised down the Thames to Westminster. Saw Big Ben, Tower of London. Then took a cab to St. Francis of Asisi Church for the Good Friday service. On our way back, walked passed Robbie William's house and the private park where they filmed Notting Hill.
Saturday, 30.03.02
Harrods! There i played a GBP140,000 special edition, one of a kind, Chrysler Edition Grand Piano! It was so cool, played some songs which i could remember. To my surprised, after i finished playing, almost everyone was staring and saw my host mum in tears. Aw...certainly no one has ever cried listening to me play! Then we head off to Buckingham Palace, Wellington Arch, Hyde Park, Fornum & Masons, Selfridges, and lots other doing window shopping! That night we dressed up and made our way to the London Paladium to watch the musical "Chitty, Chitty, Bang, Bang". No wonder Carol made me sit and watch it a few weeks ago during our usual Friday movie night.
Sunday. 31.03.02
Got up and went to church early in the morning for the Easter Sunday service. We had an Easter Egg hunt at home before that though! It was my first weird easter egg hunt experience! Anyway, then we went to Hyde Park and Kensington Palace. Had Chinese Food for lunch after that(though in my opinion, not very chinese. They probably blend the food for the British taste). We drove back to Penzance after that. Saw Stone Henge by the way. Lo and behold, surprise waiting for us on the dining table when we got back. Loads of chocolate for everyone! Also, a green beanie dog for me. Don't know who actually put it there. Suspect it was probably Joan? Maybe, but it was signed by "The Easter Bunny".
Well, it was a fun holiday. The most amazing Easter i've had. I did enjoy ice skating in Guildford, but it wasn't that all great. I love London! Minus the pollution that is.
Just came back from playing at Marazion beach. I love the beach! :o)
Coming here to England has made me realise how much i love my parents, family and home. Ah..! I am feeling a little homesick. - a feeling that i never thought i'd feel. Sometimes i feel like flying home straight away, but i can't. Apart of me wants to stay here to relax and enjoy my AFS year, apart of me thinks it's a waste of time.
I feel really suffocated here. Yes, i have loads of fun going to the beaches and travelling, but i'm very tired. Tired of loneliness, tired of not being able to be myself, tired of thinking of things to do, tired of trying to get along with people especially children, tired of trying to make others happy when i myself am not. I am not able to express my anger or sadness because i am not expected to do so! I am out of breath. Can't wait to get to Oxford for the AFS orientation. At least i have friends there.
I seem to be getting caught in the middle of everything here. It's tiring. People can be so unappreciative. No one actually thinks of hard times until they have to endure it themselves. People can be really wasteful too. Everything is precious to me, no matter how big or small. Coming here has put my patience to the limit. I'm always about to explode. I can't stand screaming and fighting! My host family is constantly doing that. I've grown out of it. I hate it, but i don't tell them as i am the stranger here. I have no rights, it's their family life. I rather do more adult stuff than playing with children. Then again, i've never really liked playing with children!
Been going through a lot of weird thoughts and feelings. Why? I have no idea. I'm going crazy and it's buggin me a lot. Being here has taught me to be more dependant on Jesus. Only He knows what i'm going through these days.
Wonder how is Vanessa, Shin Yen and Ai Wei??
HAD A FANTASTIC TIME WITH THE OTHER AFSers IN OXFORD! It was worth the 20 hours bus ride. Left Penzance at 9a.m. Friday and reached Oxford just after 6.30p.m. I was the last to reach the Youth Hostel and the first to leave on Sunday morning at 10.20a.m. unfortunately! Those at the camp: Me, Syeekin and Shiang, Katja, Jule and Ella from Germany, Max, Rosemary and Erin from USA, JF from Canada, Ignacio from Chile and Jose from Guatemala.
All were cool. Ali and Emily were the volunteers there. Went around Oxford on Saturday afternoon. Went to the place where the filmed Harry Potter-Christchurch College. That night, we all went to the pub. It was fun! I absolutely loved the whole time in Oxford! Too bad it ended real quick.
When i reached back to Penzance on Sunday evening, turns out that my host family had moved out of the house that weekend. HOW WEIRD! I walked home from the bus station to an empty house. Thankfully Joan(my neighbour) was there. She told me what had happened. My host family went to stay at their friends for the time being, and i'm staying with Eileen which is really nice. Only met Carol, Hols and Jens today evening. To tell you the truth, i've missed them a lot, so that was really good meeting with them. Anyway, ta!