I have not had the luxury of time to blog on a consistent basis since I’m now a man with a mission. Yeah… my 2 months stay in Newcastle, United Kingdom is to accomplish several academic and research objectives. Hence, most of my time is focused on my research. Most of the time my mind is thinking on how to solve my thermodynamic modelling reaction problem.

At the same time, my kids are not schooling for this 2 months period. They are quite bored staying at home. My wife cary out some home tuition for them, however the mood and seriousness within the kids are not there. It’s different when the teacher is their own mother or father. The kids need a real teacher to teach them and to get them have the level of discipline.

So, to occupy their time, I asked them to make a blog post every day. Ikhwan and Marsya has already owned a blog since 2010. It’s just a matter of encouraging them to write and maintain a blog. This indirectly teaches them to be more computer and internet literate. At the same time the stories that they shared can be read by our other family members, themselves, and others. It’s also like a record or diary on their stay in the UK for tho months.

OK, let’s check out their blog.

Ikhwan Firdaus’s blog – http://ruangikhwanfirdaus.blogspot.co.uk/

Marsya Syazweena’s blog – http://lovemarsya.blogspot.co.uk/

Bear in mind that Ikhwan is 10 and Marsya is 8. They are still kids and they are not familiar yet with blogs and writing in the laptop. However, I’m trying my best to nurture and train them to do so. It’s for their own good and future.

What do you think about it?

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Last Friday, finally my registration as an occasional student was finalized and completed. I received my student card and that means I’m officially a Newcastle University student. Earlier, on Wednesday, I could not register because the post graduate admission officer was not around. I did not realized that the post graduate admission officer was only scheduled to be available before lunch hour. Hence, I have to come on the next day. On Thursday I came to the Newcastle University, paid the fee and registered. However, I was unfortunate because the officer in charged said that my IELTS has expired. The certificate can only be used for 2 years. My latest IELTS certificate was received in 2009. Just because of that I cannot complete my registration on that Thursday. I have to wait for somebody to approve my request as an occasional student despite of my “in-valid” IELTS certificate.

However, later in the same day, I received an email saying I can register. The IELTS rule was excluded for me due to my status as an occasional student. So, I proceeded with my online registration and the student center and took my photo at the same place. Everything was smooth, fast, efficient. No need to go to other buildings, rooms, sections etc. All in one place.

My student card. Simple.

Later in the afternoon, I met my supervisor and co-supervisor. We get to know each other and discussed about my project. Then my supervisor brought me for a brief tour at the Chemical Engineering School (The real name is “School of Chemical Engineering and Advance Material”) which is not that big. Although it’s not big, but the output is huge. That’s why I’m here.  To learn, explore, get expose, do some networking etc.

My school... not faculty...

My family after buying the duvet + its cover from Argos. We were heading home. We used the Metro to get home.

This was taken on our way home to our host's house after registration, after meeting my supervisor and after purchasing the duvet + cover. The houses in UK are so typical especially in the city.

This is the room temperature in our host house. It's quite cold but after the gas heater was switched on, the temperature gets warmer.

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There are many important things to do upon arriving in Newcastle. The earliest was to make sure we received our luggage in the airport. Then, to have somebody to help us in the early days in Newcastle. That was pretty much done by Mr. Azizul and family who has been such a wonderful and charming host. Other post graduates also helped us a lot. Then the most important thing after that is for us to search for our own house.

So, the next day which is day #2, we got out of the house and start searching for potential houses via real estate agent. It was really tough to get a house to be rent for just 2 months. However, Mr. Azizul helped us around to visit more and more real estate agent in various locations and areas in Newcastle. I already know that this will be a tough assignment. Coming to Newcastle without a confirm place to stay in a weather that has temperature between 1-7 Celcius.

Ikhwan wondering... This was our first Metro ride to the city center from Mr. Azizul's house

Me and Mr. Azizul in the Metro train. He brought along his 2 year old daughter, Fatimah Arisa. Mr. Azizul's wife is the one doing Ph.D in Newcastle University and her supervisor and mine is the same. The only thing is I have not met my supervisor yet.

We arrived at this place which was supposed to be a potential place to stay according to the Newcastle University accomodation officer. Yes, the flat is available and can be rented for 2 months. It's very close to the university. But then the landlord do not accept children because according to her, the unit is small and not suitable. There we go... we need to search and hunt for house again.

After a long walk hunting for house, we stopped and check out this Restoran Nusantara, a Malaysian restaurant in the city center of Newcastle city. The owner is a Malay Malaysian and has operating this restaurant for several years already.

This is the Nasi Lemak (coconut rice) that we enjoyed. It cost about 5 pounds. The chicken portion is huge. It's equivalent to the chicken leg.

Then we continue walk again, hunting for another real estate agent to get another house.

Greggs is a popular bread shop in Newcastle. It is literally everywhere.

A view of some section of Newcastle city center while waiting for the bus.

On our way to visit another real estate agent.

Police horse unit in Newcastle city. We were on our way back home. Ikhwan pushing the stroller of baby Arisa.

Home sweet home. This is Mr. Azizul's house. This view is from the rear part and entrance is via the kitchen. His house is huge inside. That's why he and his family can host us.

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Finally, after waiting for 10 hours in Amsterdam airport, we managed to be in the flight to Newcastle with a Boeing 737 KLM. There are various types of delay that made the flight delayed again. However this time, the delay was about 10 minutes and it was acceptable.

We landed at Newcastle airport at 5 pm local time (UK time). In Malaysia that is 12 am midnight. We hoped that our luggage flew with us. Luckily our luggage appeared at the collection belt and we were very grateful to God for everything. Despite of the flight confusion, flight cancellation, hours of waiting, finally we arrived safely in Newcastle and our luggage also correctly flew with our new flight.

We were fetched by the Malaysian community of Newcastle. One MPV and one car came to fetch us. Mr. Azizul (Newcastle Malaysian Chief (penghulu)), Mr. Khairi and Mr. Khairuddin took all the trouble to fetched us. We appreciate their kindness very much.

Ikhwan, Marsya & Alya posing outside of Newcastle Airport. They tried to get the feel of a very cold spring.

After getting out from the custom check point, we found Walker dispenser. This was one of our favourite chips while we were studying in UK 13 years ago.

Then, we we brought to Mr. Azizul’s house. He will be hosting us before we get our own temporary house for our 2 months stay in Newcastle. It’s good to have good, nice, kind and helpful friends like the Mr. Azizul + family and the other Malaysian community here. That’s the Malaysian spirit that we should cherish.

At about 7pm, we went to Mr. Khairi’s house which is within walking distance from Mr. Azizul’s. It took us about 5-6 minutes walk in the breezing cold temperature. I forgot to use my G-Shock Riseman to check the temperature. Later, I’ll definitely check.

Mr. Khairi and his family was hosting a his daughter’s birthday party. They served laksa penang and some nice caramel dessert. There were about 5 other families in the house and me and my wife got the chance to get to know them. It’s really cool event. My kids were all flat exhausted and slept at the couch.

At about 9pm, we walked back to Mr. Azizul’s house and prepared to sleep. Off course, before sleeping, I requested for Mr. Azizul’s password for his wi-fi. That’s how I managed to get hook of the internet now and blog about our first day, first night experience in Newcastle. Although it is brief, at least I managed to squeeze some time to record some of our initial adventure here in UK.

The birthday party that we were invited upon arrival at Newcastle. Mr. Khairi's home is at the Newcastle University accommodation flat.

Our sleeping beauties. So tired.

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We were supposed to transit in Amsterdam and wait for 5 hours before getting on the flight to Newcastle. However we faced a problem. Suddenly all flights from Amsterdam to Newcastle, Humberside and Manchester were canceled. They claimed it was due to bad weather. I’m not sure if some rain is called bad weather. Yes, there was rain but the type of rain I don’t think can be called bad weather. Malaysia’s heavy rain accompanied with thunder storm is far more severe than the rain in Amsterdam just now.

If they said that the flight is delayed, we have no problem. Yes, we can understand. Then we will wait. The problem here is they said the flight is cancelled and we have to rebook our flight to our wanted destination. Many passengers were seriously pissed off. There was such a long que at ticket counter T4, the location where all victims have to rebook their flight ticket.

Me sitting at one of the couches, writing this entry while monitoring our stuffs. Sleeping and tired but still can show some smiling face.

We queued together. However, the line movement is so slow. It’s 3 meters per hour. How can we cope with such a slow progress. I waited for our hand luggage in the que while my other half tried to make some phone calls and arrangement. After a few long roaming calls, she managed to get the ticket at 4.20pm. Remember, the original flight we were supposed to fly is at 10.05 am. We arrived in Amsterdam at 6 am. The airport is now our temporary home before we can get into the next plane to Newcastle.

We have to kill a lot of time now. Ikhwan, Marsya and Alya is playing with the tiny trolley. My wife is sleeping. She needs it more than me because she cannot sleep in the plane taking care of Alya and Marsya. I’m monitoring the hand luggage and the kids. I’m sleepy and tired at the same time. Since I cannot sleep and must stay awake, I took another opportunity to blog about this adventure. Luckily there was a line that give us 30 minutes of free wifi here.

The kids are playing with this small trolley. I let them to keep them occupied. Otherwise, Ikhwan (especially him) wanted to buy toys in the airport which comes with the Euro currency!!! Very expensive.

p/s: I would like to take the opportunity to thanks few important people who send us to the airport yesterday. They are my bro in law family, my parents + adi and my business partner – Azwan.my. Cheers mate. You guys rock!!!

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