Room 302

Yay! I have survived my first week in the project. It was a long week though. So, I am back to the analyst world, this time my role is a test analyst. So, most of my time was spent on scripting...dealing with various spreadsheets every day.

This is the client office, one of the largest pub group in UK. People there are very friendly and helpful. It took three days to set me up into the office internet and SharePoint though which wasn't that bad ;)

The company I contract with put me in Holiday Inn Express hotel in Burton-Upon-Trent for this project. I like my room, Room 302, because it is a corner room. lol!

Just that I have to pay a fortune just for an hour internet. So most of the evenings, after dinner, I will go back to my rooms, being tired, resting, putting on telly, and on my mobile checking some tweets. It was quite tough on the first two days in the hotel, I just felt very uneasy without internet as I couldn't do stuff over the internet. But this will be sorted out soon, coz I am going to get an internet dongle for my personal use..lol.

Some of the evenings with my colleague, Sandeep...

@Corner House

@riverside, having my dessert Belgian Waffle

See below are some of the pictures when I am bored...

Another 30 hours to start my second week ;)

An Unusual CNY 2011 (cont)

4th day of Chinese New Year (年初四)

As usual, for this year CNY, I went to London for the CNY event with Bee. It was Bee's first time seeing the Chinese New Year celebration in London. My 2nd indeed :)

The main stage was in Trafalgar Square. The event started with loads of speeches, then opened with burning the Chinese fire crackers.

Then as usual, dragon dance...

And the lion dance....on the Mui Fa Jong (梅花桩)

Honestly, the performance is a small trick (雕虫小技), nothing as best compare those I used to see back home. Any how, it is better than nothing. It is Chinese New Year, man! Of course, I have to go somewhere that I can feel the Chinese New Year ambiance as I am away from home. It was quite funny to see those 'ang mohs' (Caucasian) were so into the performance and kept snapping pictures...haha

Right, after Trafalgar Square, we went to China Town for late lunch. It was very crowded until I hardly moved.

Golden Ang Moh Rabbit :p

Squeezing....:S

Buying Bee lunch as an appreciation for helping me a lot all this while...we ordered Spring rolls and spicy & sour soup for starter, half roasted duck, Malaysian Belacan stir fry spinach and Singapore Noodles for main course.

people were queuing to get into the restaurant

nothing too pretty, but it was a nice meal though

the restaurant was visited twice by the 'lion'. So I guess I must huat gao gao this year :)

something funny on our way home..

my last shot in front of the 'Wishing Tree'. Hope all my wishes will come true!

Lastly, I want to thank Bee, who was with bad wrists and light face injuries that time, for celebrating the CNY with me. Truly appreciated :)

Click here for more pictures.

5th day of Chinese New Year (年初五)

First day started working (开工大吉)... Although it is a contractual job, still a good experience though..


Related post: An Unusual CNY 2011

An Unusual CNY 2011

This is my 3rd away Chinese New Year, and the most 'unusual' CNY for me. It wasn't easy for me as I felt extremely lonely and homesick. Also, there were some other personal stuff that bothered me, and I had to deal with it. The whole week was darn 'chi-kek', like a roller coaster. Things just came in and suddenly I had so many to deal with alone. My brain power was utilised up to 200% and I slept less than 25 hours in 5 days!

3 days before Chinese New Year (年二十八)
I felt extremely fatigue. And shoot, it was one week earlier.. grrr...I was feeling grumpy..maybe it was caused by the unbalance hormone or whatever, and still I was working together with my peer in uni, to complete some work for my prof.

2 days before Chinese New Year (年二十九)
I received a call from a company that they would offer some sort of full time role but temporary contract for me. They requested me to start next week. I was excited, at the same time, I had to think about the arrangement of my other work commitment and potential opportunities. Oh dear, it was really giving me a headache. I didn't sleep well that night.

Chinese New Year eve (年三十晚)
I couldn't hold my tears anymore. I broke down quietly in the middle of doing work in uni...luckily no one saw me. Negative feelings aroused! Work arrangement, personal stuff, home sick...all come at once! I took a small break and rang up a few friends, although not telling them much what had happened, I just need something to distract me from the negative feelings. I went to see my lecturer to communicate about my new job and I may not be able to help him and the team anymore. I was happy as my lecturer was being encouraging.

1st day of Chinese New Year (年初一)
I resigned myself from the current part time job. I had butterflies when calling my boss who is currently based in Hong Kong. I do love the working environment there, just that I may have to move on as there is no full time vacancy that can fit me in. Then one by one I communicated the decision across the management.

Everything is new from "inside to outside" ;)

2nd day of Chinese New Year (年初二)
I planned to just quietly leave the company as I am just a part timers. I was surprised when my line manager rushed out from the office and told me they had a farewell card with everyone signed for me. I was moved!If I can, I will say it out a zillion thanks...

Some said I am a very independent and strong person, some even said they wouldn't able to handle situations that happened to me if they were me. I take it as a compliment but trust me, I just have no choice, and destined to deal with situations. I am just same with other girls, I just need a bit of love and care...and a bit of talking...

I wish at least tonight, I can sleep better..

Gung Hei Fatt Choy lar!

3rd day of Chinese New Year (年初三)
I went shopping again. But this time was to get some working clothes and working shoes, as I will be back to work on Monday. Luckily I still managed to catch up the sales, I guessed the sales ends soon.

Boots (Clark): £22.49 (original price: £ 75.90)
Blouse (Zara): £3.99
Skirt (Zara): £9.90
Pants (Zara): £12.90
Thicker tights (Gap): £2.99
Leggings (HnM): £5.99

Also, I went to shape my eye brows in Superdrug, again using my NUS card, I spent £4.5 for it... one word...PAIN! This is the first time I let someone I don't know to do my eye brows...

Just that, I feel quite ill today. I guess that is because the lack of sleep for the past few days.. Yeah, having medicine now and going to take a nap...