Just a random picture I picked from Google. But it definitely is a true view.
Hello everyone, it's me, I'm back.
After fading away from my blog for over two years, I'm back here to announce that I'm still alive.
Despite the relevantly hurtful issue I faced two years ago, I've been through some even worse ones (and still undergoing it currently) throughout these two years since I faded out of the blogging life.
But oh well, look who's still alive?
Me!
yay? nah.
As many of you who already know I'm now pursuing my degree final year in the UK. Well, technically I jumped straight to degree final year from my two years diploma actually.
How?
There was a programme within INTI and the University of Hertfordshire (UH) - where DMCN (Diploma in Mass Communication) students can skip right away to final year degree subjects if you study in the UH. The negative aspect is that you basically don't get to choose your degree's major, but to only accept your degree to be read as "BA (HONS) Media & Publishing". Which... oh well... some of the subjects are useful and some of them are just advertising & PR-ish things that I've already learned back in DMCN.
Enough of technical explanations, I want to start talking about my life.
I arrived in the UK back in September 2016, thus, I'm here for almost four months now.
There were ups and downs, there were fun of course, but for a homie person like me, it was definitely hard for me.
I thought I was used to living away from home because I've been working in the event industry for almost two years and I've been travelling around everywhere during that period of time. I seriously did not expect it would turn out this bad. There were times I spend hours and even nights crying my pillow wet - because I miss home, I miss everyone back home.
To be honest, this place is not a bad place but its definitely not the best place either.
When you're bored af at "home" (or in this case, your room)
You can do absolutely nothing if you have no money. The cost of living in the UK is definitely quite a burden to me as I come from a middle income family and the exchange rate is bloody damn high these days.
Yes, they say UH is only 20 minutes away from London.
But let me tell you, 20 minutes is only the train ride from Hatfield (the god damn small city UH is located). To get to the train station from your accommodation (if you live in halls like me) it takes a minimum of £1.00 for a single way bus ride. Hence, minimum £2.00 for a to & forth journey. Provided if you arrive Hatfield station before 10:30pm because the last bus usually arrives around that time.
The alternative most cost effective & time saving way to get to the station is taking AAA Taxi service which cost £3.50 for rides within Hatfield.
Tip: It might be more worthy to get a taxi instead of taking the bus if you have 3 - 4 person travelling together.
Now, rant time.
Let me clarify, for the £3.50 taxi ride, it is only a 5 - 7 minutes journey from the halls to the train station. Try converting it with the minimum rate of 5.60. You'll choke on your saliva. Imagine a taxi ride cost roughly RM 20. And a SINGLE trip bus ride cost approximately RM 5.60. And this is not the worst yet, trust me.
After the expensive public transport options, you'll then face the expensive transport cost to get you to the world famous beautiful, inspiring, vibrant city - London.
If you do not have a railcard (basically a discount card which cost £30.00 per year and saves you 1/3 of all your train ticket) just like me, on weekdays it will cost £18.60 and £13.80 on weekends for a day pass in London - that means you can travel to & forth with access of all London Underground services.
Yes, try converting it. ;)
It cost a hella fortune to get to London alright. Its at least RM 80 for your bloody ride.
But oh well if you have a railcard, or if you're travelling in a group of minimum three person, you can get a 1/3 discount. Which would still cost you around £13.00 on weekdays and £9.00 on weekends.
Yeah, thats right, you save shit load of money by having a railcard or travelling in a group of three. Unfortunately, I do not have that many friends that are sporty enough to go out with me each time I wish to. (Its quite a sad story because most of my friends stay home...... every...single...freaking....day and night...)
Yes it still cost you a fortune for a day transport in London.
So, if you ever plan to study in the UH because it is near to London, let me tell you, you wont have the money to do that. Oh well, if you're damn bloody rich that's a different story. But for a person that comes from an average income family - the life I'm living right now is definitely not as fun as you think.
I struggle on financial issues. It is tough.
An average meal in Hatfield cost minimum £4.50 and can range up to £8.50 for a decent meal (local, Chinese, Japanese, all type of cuisine). Of course, its even more expensive in London. Although the portions are mat salleh portion, it is still too damn expensive for ONE meal. Do the conversion yourself, I'm done looking at the money I spent on food.
They say its cheaper if you buy food and cook on your own. Certainly it is definitely much cheaper, but not to the extend that is "CHEAP" for me. Well, maybe its just me.
I bet non of you in Malaysia will choose Giant, Econsave or Tesco branded food to consume. Because it just doesn't seem right or safe to consume. But living in an expensive foreign country, I had no choice but to opt for the cheapest brand on every item. Thus, its mostly the in-house brand of the supermarket. Which honestly, some of them does not taste poisonous but some of them are definitely nightmares.
Well, at least I'm not dead yet so I guess the food are edible. At leat for now it is edible.
It just feel like I'm living a really pathetic life here but really I've got no choice.
Lets end this post with all these financial issues and not speak about any emotional factors for now. (Just because I'm tired of typing suddenly...)
I'll update soon. I promise. (I guess.....)
Bye.
Love,
Shern Lynn