Thursday, October 26, 2006

Settling In

I've decided not to go to London for the ceremony - I know it's a shame but it's really a bit silly to fly 28 hours there and back, with the added expenses, to attend something that I don't even know if I'll win ultimately, even though there's the free flow champagne to think about. I guess it's enough that I can add this on my CV...

Am finally settling back home - it felt really weird and strange and I never banked on having the culture shock that I did - there are just so many chinese people around! I always thought we were more cosmopolitan than that - but I guess aside from the trendy/city areas, it's still very much occupied by heartlanders who don't speak good english or speak none at all - I think I preferred it when I was the only oriental in the village.

Our flat's starting to look really nice - before and after pics coming up!

I'm finally starting work this monday - seems like it's been ages but I'm finally gonna start my six-year bond. whoopee. On the plus side, I've just been told that my subbing stint has been postponed so instead of working 5pm-1.30am every day - which translates into no-life, no-seeing-my-friends-family-and-boyfriend, no-joy-and-sunshine - I've been assigned to regular reporting! Which means regular 9am to (most likely) 9pm hours! Yay!

I got my contract yesterday and I'm a bit dismayed at my starting pay. My peers are earning much more in banks... I sometimes wonder if I did the right thing by giving up my place in law school. But hey - you know what?

At least I enjoy my job.

Thursday, October 12, 2006

Scream

I've just received an email.

Telling me that I've been shortlisted for the PTC Most Promising Student Journalist of the Year Award!!!!!!!

My head's screaming inside, partly because I'm really happy - I didn't really expect to be one of the ten shortlisted for the award out of the whole country - and I'm screaming because the awards ceremony is going to be held next month at the Millenium Mayfair in London and....

I'm not going to be there.

As I'm starting work end of this month.

Sigh.

Tuesday, October 10, 2006

bye bye blighty

What a manic month. Which I keep meaning to write about... but have not found the time to. (But I will, in due course)

Finally the time has come to say goodbye to yet another chapter of my life and begin another crucial - and probably the most - important one.

For all its faults, I love blighty. And the people I've met. And the people I've grown to love.

Cried like a baby at the last two farewells, I know I was being silly but I couldn't help it. It felt so weird getting on that flight at Heathrow.

It's goodbye for now; know that I love and miss you guys so so much - but I'm only still a phone call away, albeit the seven hours difference.

Here's to the next phase of my/our magical mystery tour!