KIYU-SHII.NET » UEA

Polaroids at a BBQ

Kiyu — Fri, 04 Jun 2010 18:19:18 +0000

Tina’s polaroids of us from a BBQ on Wednesday. Left polaroid: Corinne, me, Doris and Heather | Right polaroid: Corinne, Tina, me and Heather

Looking at these polaroids, it struck me how incredibly much I’ve actually changed appearance-wise during the past year. I’ve become much more feminine, and I’m not sure my classmates from high school would ever recognize me if they saw me now!

I’ve had such a great time after my exams ended (WOW intense period, power napping only, more on that later), being up to something every day and keeping myself occupied. Granted, there were a few episodes I could have lived without (like how I got drunk for the very first time last night out), but overall it’s been a really good time! I’ve also FINALLY dusted the dust off my Canon 450D and let it do some work again, so there will be loads of photos coming up within the next week I think!

Hipp hipp hurra for 17. Mai!

Kiyu — Tue, 18 May 2010 05:58:53 +0000

Had such a great day, thanks for sharing it with me, Hui! Unfortunately I have no photos from the day (this is the only one I could find, all credits to lovely Hui!), was too busy skipping around with my flag, distributing fresh-out-of-the-oven boller (Norwegian sweet buns) to remember bringing my camera along! I feel like such a good girl, I got up really early on my own accord to bake the buns! And goodness knows my sleeping pattern is little more than a wreck these days with my crazy exams! Actually, I have another exam in about 2.5 hours. Ehe.

I only met one other Norwegian yesterday, and I heard there were other ones with flags and Norwegian hoodies as well! Such a shame I didn’t get to meet them!

UEA Archery

Kiyu — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 19:10:09 +0000

Thanks Hui, for taking these photos!

UEA Archery

Kiyu — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 02:03:41 +0000

Proud member. I love the colour, the fit and my white embroidered name on right breast. Notice my matching green nails! (You remember my favourite colour is grrrrreeeeeeeen, right?)

Brits are crazy, yeh?

Kiyu — Sun, 04 Oct 2009 04:03:22 +0000

We’re waiting. Time is ticking, heads pop up for as far as I can see, and no-one seems bothered by the fact that you actually can’t see the end to the queue.

Brits know how to queue. And I really MEAN it. The first week there were two ridiculous queues for the Icebreaker Party and tickets for the Freshers week. RIDICULOUS I TELL YOU! The queues went for at least 300m! I repeat; 300 DAMNED METRES! And they were all neatly lined up! No chaotic mass whatsoever, no-one jumping into the queue midway, no shit whatsoever. I wish I had gotten a picture of one of the queues at least, the visual image of it would have blown your mind.

You know, I miss being rude. I miss being sarcastic, and I miss being brutally honest. Brits are so easily offended because they are all so naturally polite (I guess they would feel offended because I think they are easily offended), so I have had a hard time trying to suppress my natural instincts of being rude. I slipped up just a couple of hours ago though, for I slapped Joe’s legs to make him remove them. That was rude. He even said so (and Brits usually don’t say so aloud when they are offended). Oh well, at least I’ve got Derek to be as sarcastically rude to as much as I’d like to, he doesn’t mind. Because he is just as rude and sarcastic back.

Derek had me join him to a HK (Hong Kong) society (UEA has got different societies and sports clubs) thing, and it was fun, if only I could understand what they were actually saying in there. Funny how I had a bunch of Chinese people accompanying me back to my flat, and before I knew it, the whole HK soc (soc = society) committee was there as well! Never seen my flat that full and noisy before! I’ve actually joined Creative Writing soc and the Archery club as well. I LOVE ARCHERY. Now I just have to make some time for it all :D

Did I tell you about the dress code I have for my pharmacy course? No? Basically, I have to dress all business smart for my dispensary classes and placements. That sucks. I have to be in dull and depressing colours. I’m going to be depressed. I have to go into the city centre tomorrow to get some clothes. Goodness knows I didn’t bring any. Actually, I don’t own any. I’ve only got colourful stuff in my wardrobe. Which means expensive laundry.

And I guess PGGANG would like to know that I’ve made a Korean friend.

Tough stuff, my lovelies!

Kiyu — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 22:55:03 +0000

So I’ve properly started my course, and let me just tell you; it’s tough. I’m not just saying it, it is tough. Not just because I don’t recognize the scientific terms in English and therefore tend to stare at the lecturer with a blank face (I actually do), and it’s not just because we are deducted marks for every silly thing (though I guess it’s fair, this is England), and it’s not just because I need to finish my course in only four years, which academic school years are way shorter than Norwegian ones. No, it’s because I have 6 modules (emner) this term while my friends and flat mates have 3. Now THAT is freaky. Having 6 modules also means my workload piles up, and I have to do several assignments in one night. Which again means I don’t really have much time for anything else, especially when my days are 9-17.

I’m slightly freaked out, one; because I obviously lack the vocabulary to understand and participate verbally
Two; because of the above, I (will) fall behind
Three; I won’t have the time to breathe

Oh, Facebook and Twitter are quite useful if you want to know all the random and silly things during my life here.

Not as clear, but much more soothing

Kiyu — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 21:55:47 +0000

Distant laughter, barely registering at the back of my head. I tilt my head up and try to catch a glimpse of the almost non-existing stars. I proceed home in silence, but it’s a good silence.

It’s 23:00, I just left the union bar early and headed back home walking very slowly. I wanted to watch the stars, because I used to do that when I walked home from the Spennings’ back in Porsgrunn. I also used to be on the phone with Tri and singing while walking as well, not quite as lonely. But it’s alright, I don’t mind walking in the dark by myself looking at the stars here. They have some really gorgeous trees, and it’s lit up everywhere. The area just outside Constable Terrace is especially beautiful. I love walking there. Wish I could just wander around there forever and ever and not look silly. I normally hate being alone, but it’s not too bad when I’m walking during the night. There’s a beauty in my walks at night here, it’s quiet, it’s soothing, no noisy cars whatsoever to ruin my stargazing, and it’s my only opportunity to hum a song or two without feeling embarrassed. All I need now is someone to show this world to. I actually haven’t told anyone yet that I sometimes go out for a walk in the dark to watch the stars. Must sound really mad to them. Jeremi found me on the walkway though, I hope he wasn’t too freaked out.

My day in short:

I told a Brit for the very first time my preference to gentlemen with a posh, British accent. Lydia, the girl I was talking to, couldn’t agree more. That must sound really weird as well, if I were to blurt out; “Hey, guys! I could easily fall for anyone decent-looking with a nice, posh accent!”

My lectures started today, and I have a crazy timetable. I’ve also got a dress code for my course (WHAT?!), and everything is basically more strict here than back in Norway. I’ll update you more on that later.

I love people’s expressions when they realize I’m from Norway. “REALLY?” *pops eyes* And then all the questions come. I don’t mind, I love talking :)

And Lloyd is crazy about Norway. I don’t get him, but then he doesn’t get why I’m crazy with Britain either.

Need coffeeine?

Kiyu — Sun, 20 Sep 2009 09:01:59 +0000

It’s Sunday morning, not much later than 7:30, and I woke up on my own accord. Amazing. Especially since I was out dancing last night. I should have slept in, right?

I actually had a good time last night. I had no idea I could (or would) dance, I’m not used to having four drinks in one night (usually, I just get one, two or none at all. I reckon I will get drunk very fast with my tiny body), and I’m definitely not used to random guys touching and kissing me and then wanting me to come home with them. Eww. Well, Chris, my brit house mate who lives across the door of my room, has promised to look after me (and remind me of embarrassing things, that bastard) for the rest of the events here. So don’t worry your sweet heads my dears, I’ll be perfectly fine.

Two fast facts I’ve taken notice to lately;

Brits love saying “that’s fair enough” as a conclusion to an argument, and constantly asking “are you alright?” even if you are alright. I think. Perhaps I didn’t look quite alright. I dunno.

Brits don’t know how to make coffee. I asked for a latte with vanilla, and I got something akin to hot milk (not properly steamed) with coffee poured on top.

We love our neighbour houses, we’re 8-9 people in each house here at Constable Terrace. I’m going to have a horrible time trying to recognize and remember all the names of the three-four houses. That devilishly handsome guy I twittered about, he’s from Australia (so many Australian people here!), and wasn’t as gentleman as I thought he’d be. Never judge a book by its cover, eh. Well, no matter, there’s another cute guy in the neighbour house!

I’m so happy I actually get up this early in the mornings on my own accord (I’ve seriously gotten up at around 8 every day since I arrived), it means I’ll have the time to blog and update you guys. Goodness knows I don’t have the time during the day!

I have a coffee date with Josh from the US, another house mate on the floor below me, in about one hour (it’s already 9:52!), so I have to go downstairs to the kitchen and fetch some breakfast. I’m starving. And no, it’s not a date as in I’m dating. Just a coffee morning meeting thing we’re attending. Lala. See you some other morning!

Fast update

Kiyu — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 16:27:55 +0000

I’ve finally got Internet access on my macbook, but I can’t stay long, gotta get ready for the welcome reception commencing in… 40 minutes! I’ve got a video coming up, though. Will post it as soon as I’ve got some free time (which will be never these days). I’m having a great time so far, much to Jørgen’s credit, my first friend here at UEA. We spend a lot of time together, but that also means we’re not talking much English… Well, the British students won’t arrive until this weekend, so that’s my excuse. You can still contact me through my Norwegian mobile number, but I’ll be changing to an English sim sometime soon. Will notify you when I do.

Behold one proud UEA student!

Trinh and Phuc: do you see the price?

I’m still looking around for a camera, so in the meanwhile I’ve stolen Jørgen’s Nikon D60 (which isn’t around right now) and still using my crappy cell phone. I’m thinking of buying another cell phone over here, so that I’ll be able to keep my Norwegian sim up and running along with an English sim.

Crap, gotta go!

“Vini. Vidi. Vici.” — Julius Ceasar

Kiyu — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 12:03:38 +0000

“Vini. Vidi. Vici.”
“I came. I saw. I conquered.”
A splendid motto which I will hereby adopt.

My wonderful friends have gone over this with me so thoroughly now that I am more than half convinced that this is going to sort out. I won’t go into details what it involves – confidential stuff (don’t fret, I’m not going to sell my body; not until I’ve grown a proper chest at least) – but I am blessed to have such supportive and honest friends by my side. I can’t stand it when people rub my back and lie openly to my face, even if it’s just meant as a soothing white lie to make me feel better. No, I’d rather have the harsh reality than some reassuring, empty half-lies designed to crush me in the end.

Thank you, all of you who left me kind words of honest encouragement in my last post — I was so down at the moment and didn’t know what to do. Thanks!

With a newly lit and flickering flame of hope, I am back to the spirited mood you probably are more familiar with! My initial plan was to study biomedicine, and then specialize further in genetics. I have gotten offers at all five universities, so there’s only the choosing and accepting of offer left. York and UEA (University of East Anglia) were the only two unis where I didn’t apply for biomedicine. If you would like to read in detail why I chose what university; go on. If you’d rather spare your eyes for a long post; jump to the conclusion!

University of York: biochemistry

I love the fact that the biochemistry course at York includes tutoring groups of only four students, pluss two personal advisors from the faculty of chemistry and biology to monitor your academic progress, in addtion to the usual lectures and labworks. I’ve always been fond of intimate and close teaching methods, it reminds me of the ancient times when the student was directly tutored by a master of the field. A fat lot better than massive lectures where the professor doesn’t even recognize the faces of his students. York is also ranked in the top together with Oxbridge (Oxford and Cambridge) for biosciences, so there’s nothing to complain about when it comes to academic achievements! I really like their method of teaching, but I don’t care enough for the course to waste three years I could have spent more wisely. Although, it could be likely that I would grow to love the course with time. I had no idea that I was going to adore genetics when I first entered upper secondary/high school! Another downfall is that York the town feels unsettling and alien to me. Not a good sign.

University of East Anglia: pharmacy

The course I applied for at UEA is MPharm (Masters of Pharmacy), which means I’ll be studying pharmacy for four years and then spend the fifth year working as a pre-reg pharmacist in Britain. UEA is more like the common university with lectures and labworks, although they do give us a supervisor – only that he or she will be more limited than York’s. But UEA on the other hand, felt like home. Wonderfully friendly, green and cosy, with a strong sense of community. Stationed in a former medieval town (Norwich) on its best terms with technology. A pleasant mix of the best of both worlds. It’s extremely important to me that I will feel well and comfortable, wherever I go. That feeling alone can surpass almost anything. After all, I am going to spend the next four years of my life there. And you know what, I haven’t forgotten about the academic part either — UEA is ranked 4th in The UK Times and 6th in The Guardian for pharmacy. Important and prestigious papers; they don’t write bullshit. I trust them, you probably can trust them too. Career opportunities once I return to Norway are excellent as well. Tution fees are higher than the other unis, probably due to the recent refurbishments in laboratories and accommodation.

Essex, Queen Mary and Lancaster: biomedicine

The three other universities, where I applied for biomedicine, are Essex, Queen Mary of London and Lancaster. Essex was a downright dissappointment, I’ll spare you the details of my visit there. Queen Mary has a strong reputation internationally, and graduates their students with the fifth highest salary in UK. But being stationed in bustling London, it will be too expensive to attend. Lancaster was just a uni I dotted down to fill the empty space in the form. No intention of going there.

CONCLUSION: UEA

I have thought thoroughly through this, and have decided to go to UEA despite their teaching methods and expensive tution fees. It’s a lovely and friendly campus with great facilities, and I can’t help but feel that UEA is a rising star with potential to do great things – I intend to be with them when that happens! But I do wish they had York’s goodwill to do smaller tuition groups.

What are your plans for college/university? Or perhaps you’re already in the midst of it?

Listening: Secret Garden – The Reel
Reading: City of Ashes (The Mortal Instruments: Book Two) by Cassandra Clare (Am. fantasy)
Watching:

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