If I Were a Duck...

I'd definitely want to be an Emma duck. Here at Emmanuel College we love our ducks - they're the happiest, fattest ducks around.

They even feature in our college crest:

Credits to Charlie Zou for the amazing pumpkin carving

Life would be so much simpler being a duck. For example, I wouldn't have to be doing all this revision for Tripos exams (which by the way is coming along really slow). There's just such a tonne of things to learn and it gets worse in second year I hear, but you know, everyday I just have to sit down and psyche myself to read. I do enjoy the material - it's very interesting. It's just difficult when you've got to know all this material and write complete and coherent essays. It takes more than just bullshitting skills. To add to that, it's also really hard not to procrastinate!

Anyway, here are more duck pictures that I've taken:

Very fat, no?

Quack

I find it interesting how many of them waddle around exploring college grounds in pairs. And then there would be a group of bachelor drakes chilling by the side somewhere. The males, of course have their handsome silver-green and brown coat.

The ducks seemed completely unfazed by the snow and below zero degrees temperatures. They simply waddled around in the snow and pecked away ice on their side of the pond.

Anyhow, I'm very much looking forward to Grace coming back tomorrow evening! Hehe.

Excited!

That's my neighbour's baby and my mother's new god-grandaughter. Adorable... and guess what, her name's Emma. :)

Warm Welcome

The 12 hour flight home felt surprisingly short. Most of the way was spent trying to study in a semi-sleep state on the plane in an attempt to readjust to Malaysian local time. Otherwise, it was quite a pleasant flight. I was sat next to a chiropractor from Australia who tried to teach me the brachial plexus on a sick bag.

Damned nerves

Having landed in LCCT the first thing that hits you as you step out of the plane is the overwhelming heat and humidity which reminds you that you're in Malaysia. It really clings to you like a sticky fog and for a while it felt funny breathing it. Got into Dad's car and blasted the air-conditioner for relief.

A stark reminder of the weather I can expect here in Malaysia. I think I miss the cooler Cambridge weather already.

Coming home was great though, Mum ran to the door and gave me a bear hug. Home cooked dinner was waiting too. The house smelt and looked exactly as I had left it just 6 months ago. It's as if I hadn't left for a day. 

Breakfast anyone?

I've got to settle in now and get revision work moving as efficiently as possible. It's looking daunting so far, but I'm going to try my best to stay focused. Also going out for a jog in a bit.

And here's lunch that Mum cooked:

I've missed Malaysian breed chickens - much tastier

For now, it's work time!

End of Lent Term!

I'm in there somewhere. Those four fingers peering out are in fact mine.

Long awaited celebrations are in order! Well, with some sub-concious restraint for the medics, really. Lent term has been a ridiculously tough term for me. Regardless of what other medics might say, I probably haven't quite been this pushed (academically at least) in my life. Physically, rowing circuits were pretty harsh too. 

Despite this, Lent term has felt surprisingly short. I suppose all Cambridge terms do since they're only 8 weeks - but it only ever felt like "the start of term" all the way until, "end of term's coming!"

Snowwwww flakes!

It's been a term of learning to be more organised in work; learning to absorb and retain things faster; learning to be ahead and to write essays faster. I feel quite strongly that the Malaysian education prepares us nothing for the kind of work ethic and critical thinking necessary for tertiary education in the UK. All the things I've done even up to 'A' Levels feel like quite a joke in comparison to what we're doing now - and I would admit that there are many points at which I feel overwhelmed by this course. Well, it's Cambridge, right?

Also, I saw snowfall for the first time ever in my life! Definitely as amazing as I would have anticipated it to be. 

Icy paddock

Now, the monolithic task of sorting all my sprawled out possessions and packing them to get ready to go HOME!!! A lovely kind dear has come up from London to offer support and perhaps, help me pack.

And then it's continuous rigorous revision for the rest of Easter holidays. I'm going to do this right.