FuN

Sometimes I just forgot how fun learning English is. Just like I learned French, i did it because I enjoy it. I put too much pressure on myself to speak good english rather than enjoy the learning process.

tIMEtABle

the first month, I was preparing for all the document i'd need for living and working in the UK whilst i was getting familiar with the environment and going sightseeing as a tourist. I'd got my NI number and bank account as expected at the end of March. 

the second month, I focused on looking for a part-time job which can support my expense here. I was lucky enough that i'd got a job in a restaurant soon. When almost everything went as my plan, one of my best friend decided to visit me in London unexpectedly. Thus I kept exploring the city and doing some sightseeing in the second month. 

The third month, I started to focus on looking for an IT job. It lasted for about 3 month, May, Jun and July. During these 3 months, I had lots of fun with my great italian flatmates. It made my life much more fun when I felt stressed by interviews. I moved out in June. However, I can't really think of what happened during these two months. I started work 40-hour per week in July which means i finally had my expense and income balanced. When I was about to give up looking for a job and plan my next step. I was delighted by the good news that I've got a job offer. see? things change everyday. 

Now, standing at another turning point, I look forward to writing down new stories of mine.

cHunKs OF THouGhTs

Today is 29th July. I've been living here for about 5 months, from the coldest and longest winter to the hottest summer. I just finished a job in a restaurant where i had worked for about 4 months. Now I am anxiously waiting for my new job in Windsor. It's gonna be a new adventure and challenge for me.

During this 5 months, loads of things happened. Some of them brought me laughter, and some of them brought me tears. But one thing for sure is they all became my unforgettable memories.

Although in this trip i made many decisions and tried many things i hand't tried before, I still feel that I am more like a thinker rather than a doer. (So maybe being a hacker is never part of my nature. :P )

To give up everything I had in Taiwan and head off, there were actually several questions I had to ask myself. Of course one of the must-ask is why I want to go. It's actually also the hardest one to me. I spent about 5 months thinking, reflecting and clarifying my mind to help myself not making an regrettable decision.

There are three goals. first is to experience the life in the UK. I know it sounds vague, but actually this one was all i could tell other people. It's vague just because of it's unknown. I didn't know what I should expect or what experience I would get. But it just gave the undeniable reason to start. the second is I want to learning English. living in the environment surrounded the language you want to learn is the best way to learn it. I didn't have chance to live abroad or study oversea. Now I've got the opportunity, haven't I? The third goal of mine is working oversea. to be honest, when I was in the primary school, i always imagined working around the world and speaking various language. When I 'm getting older, I realise how hard it can be. Now the working holiday VISA opens a door to it. I should try, although everyone around me told me not to expect too much in case I feel too bad to enjoy my adventure.

After living here for a while, I start to think that maybe I am the kind of person needing regular travels. I've found that I fall to settle down easily and get bored easily. Yes, I've got to admit it that I think it also reflects on my work life and relationships I had. If that is me, i've got to find the suitable life style to fit it. Now what I can think of is travelling, exploring the unknown regularly and inspiring me new thought and refreshing my feelings.

As to language, I still feel a bit depressed. I don't feel I make a great improvement on my English, especially the speaking. I've found that it may because I live a life too independent. I feel great to be independent. I enjoy going to the cinema alone, walking alone, exploring new places alone. I didn't think too much about having friends is a must. I just consider it as a plus. However, now I reckon it is a must if i wanna improve my english. I also realise that what is important is actually enjoying communication, knowing people and being interested in the world, not the language itself. only when I bear it in mind, I can really start to make progress.

The most different thing here is i can plan my life for only one month. If you ask me the things beyond one month, I really can't give any answer firmly.  Life is full of uncertainty. Although i can't have specific plan of my time, i have certain mindset that can lead me through my whole adventure. It's just like building your long trip by small pieces of short term goals.

Balance. the longer i live in London by myself, the more important of balance i realise. I think the balance varies by people. Maybe someone needs more work but less travelling, and someone needs more sleep but less social life. It doesn't matter the percentages, as long as you feel your life well-balanced. I think that is what I've been seeking for.

REflECTion

Something in my mind that i just cant let it go

have to dig in to know the root

have to think through

have to fix it once and for all............



tomorrow......let's have a cleaning day!

iBOOk

Before I start my new job, i reckon i can do something, like write something about my working holidays down. two days ago, i met one of my professor. he really encouraged me to share my adventure and experience via words. Actually i've wanted to do this since i decided to come to London. but it's easier said than done. Just like writing an essay, I'm not really sure how to start and make it right!

But I think if i dont do it right away, i may not make it in the end. so, let's do it!

buYing SHoeS

Yesterday I went to Westfileds in the Straford City to buy a pair of shoes and some shorts for this summer. I cant wear my water-proof boots in the summer. it's way too hot.

But, when i was trying to communicate with the staff, I'd found that i'd got too few words to express myself. It's good that it wasn't too busy in the shop and the staff were quite nice and patient.

So, now I've done some homework and here are some vocabulary you might need in a shoes stores.

• bottom
• lace
• sockliner
• perforate / perforation
• turned tongue
• plaid
• breathability / breathable
• slippery
• water-proof
• light / lightweight

BrAvE

回頭想想

也覺得自己滿佩服自己的

i've been to London for about 4 months. Actually many people i met were surprised that i came to London alone without any friends here and told me that i was really brave. Frankly speaking, i didn't think I was that brave, because I believe there are loads of people out there are just like me.

However, now when i look back these days, i suddenly reckon, yeah, actually I was quite brave! It's not because I came to London alone and live alone, instead, because I chose to gave up many things I'd already got and pushed myself into an unknown adventure. I'd got a nicely paid job that was interesting and new to me, I'd earned some money, although it's definitely not much. I'd lived with my family and a cute new born baby (of course not mine). I'd got my own comfy room with a double bed. I'd got my friends to hang out with when I was bored, sad, or happy. I'd got my own life in Taiwan. Ya. but I chose leave it and head off for working holidays that I was even not sure what could I gain or learn from it. What I only knew was I would need to get a job to support my living in London. It might be highly physical demanding, very tiring, with minimum wages, or so.

How brave I was! I'm certain that not everyone would like to do that, because I was the one who hesitated for a long time! Now I'm glad the decision I finally made, because I somewhat feel proud of myself. (I hope the feeling can stay with me even I go back to Taiwan in the future.)