I am writing this blog post just after posting, "Didn't know life could be so much fun; feels like never before..." on Facebook. That still is an understatement to what life's been here at the university of Warwick. I thought I needed to pen this feeling down as I feel it, to savour it as well as I can. I am sure, all of you'll reading this would have had their share of such colourful days in life. As they say, 'God is equally kind and unkind to all human beings'. So when I write my Warwick days here, read as your pleasant days and relate to it as your diary. If you feel as I feel now, I would feel great.
So, here I go...
One day my dad came up to me and said, "Thambi, you should have an experience of studying abroad. I believe you would learn a lot and be a better person". It all started then..,
There my imagination went wild. No, (trust me) I wasn't fantasizing about all the fun elements that were on offer abroad. I just thought it would be a wonderful experience. Living a life in a foreign country doing every small thing by myself was something I was looking forward to.
So, all set for my masters in the UK, landed in London on the 21st of Sept, 2013. Oh, that's still a fresh memory. Flat 100.5 it was in the university accommodation. I remember dragging big suitcases totaling to 55 kgs into my room with all the strength I had. And boy, I needed every bit of it. Moving in here was such a hard time. Everything around me smelled foreign that day. Have you had the experience of going to a foreign place and/or meeting a foreigner whom you could barely relate to? That would somewhat explain how I felt that day. For a while, until I figured out the wi-fi settings and got a local sim-card, I virtually couldn't connect to anyone. The world seemed non-existent around me. I should confess, I thought I had no one for me for a small second. When I opened my suitcase, I opened to something emotional. My mother had packed pictures of God to carry with. I picked them up in my hands. Tears rolled down unconsciously. Thankfully as I look back now, they told me that I was not alone. I felt attached to almighty like never before. As dramatic as it may sound now, it actually was a moment of truth.
Then that evening got tricky, I had to cook to save me from starving. That is when I thought the one who invented Maggi noodles (or should I say the company) deserves a nobel prize. Slowly I learnt to cook, buy groceries and feed myself well enough. Did I then have a choice anyways? Now, honestly, I enjoy cooking. It is so much fun. especially to invite friends over, cook in their company and dine together. It is one of the experiences I totally cherish in Warwick.
As classes began, I started getting used to this country. Made friends; some wonderful ones too. As days went by, I found my space in here. My lifestyle changed for the better from what I had in Chennai. I could now feel confident to live in any corner of the world. I was set mentally for the long haul. And boy, didn't the UK treat me well from then on!!!
My idea of fun here was different from what you normally would think. I liked calling people over for coffee. A lot can happen over a coffee, you see; and that too in a freezing room temperature, imagine how a sip of hot coffee would feel like; heaven wouldn't feel as good. I enjoyed the cold weather in the night; something (or should I say the only thing) I didn't have in Chennai. Listening to melodic song numbers on your earphones during an evening stroll being hit by the chilly winds is an experience beyond what words can describe. That's when music and lyrics helped me understand what out-of-the-world actually was. During how many such times have I missed the girl of my life. Only because I have chosen to wait, as she would come by and show me that it was worth all the wait I did.
Pleasure is not about where you live, it is about how you live. Joy is not about the place you live in, it is about who you live with. When you have a family of friends, what can I say to justify what they mean to me? What is fun when without the people to enjoy it with. Some memories with them will never fade away. The trip to Leicester to celebrate Diwali'13, the trip to Liverpool, the new year night in London, the two days in Manchester, the weekend when a few of them from Manchester came down to Warwick and stayed over, the so many dinner outings we have had, the long dining table conversations we have had, all remain etched in the pages of my diary like a painting.
Then there was these odd night-outs to the clubs where I would enjoy socializing in the background of loud music. Gosh, you should see how people dress for these parties, sometimes it would make me think that was the epitome of beauty that I would get to see in a lifetime; some other times it would make me think they were simply better off in a simple shirt and a jean. I would feel easy to go in with the T-shirt I wore in the morning for class. That wouldn't surprise you if you know me well enough. I don't drink, perhaps that is why I find clubbing amusingly interesting. All said and done, clubbing is something you should never miss doing when with a big bunch of friends.
The way we celebrated birthdays here deserve a special mention; we would plan big surprises (atleast we thought they were so), cut the cake, feed each other and sit up the whole night chatting away. I remember going shopping for one's b'day all day; for another's b'day we made carrot halwa; things that I didn't see myself doing even remotely. I enjoyed celebrating a friend's b'day on a lawn with a picnic feel to it playing Frisbee. The birthday person in each case would then be warm in treating all of us in a nice restaurant.
I wasn't somebody who looked forward to a b'day; planning and celebrating it in a grand way wasn't my kind of a thing. I saw it to be just another day made special by wishes from dear ones. But these guys have shown me the way to how each b'day should be treasured.
Having said what I have, I would lie if I say I haven't had bitter experiences with some of the friends. In fact, some months during term 2 was very gloomy personally for reasons only known to me. But hey, that's what had made me the well-rounded person I guess I am now. Life has now come a full circle.
Another thing I had fun doing was play cricket in England. I would go for the net sessions in the university cricket club; with cricket crazy friends around, we would book an indoor hall and play tennis ball cricket. When would I get to do that again after here. I would also go play table tennis as well, my new found love; playing TT with very skillful Chinese and winning (although rarely) would make my day. Oh, and I should tell you about the badminton games within our friends group; they were fun and competitive too. Nowadays, we have decided to go jogging together. Let's see how that goes. The scenic beauty around should help us keep at it if not the idea for a workout.
If you are wondering did I study here at all, I totally give it to you. I should have done a bit more of studying here, after all that's the reason I am here for. I enjoyed my classroom lectures and group works that I had; to interact and work with people of different cultures and befriend them was great. I could understand how different yet interconnected people in this world are. To appreciate differences and honour each of their uniqueness is the way forward. I remember exchanging wishes for each other's festivals. After all the Halloween, the spring festival and Diwali are just different names for the same happiness. We shared each others' happiness here. One thing I couldn't fully achieve, after trying, was to learn Mandarin here. If my Chinese friends are reading this, you have a serious job on your hands guys.
The most favourite time at Warwick so far has to be when my parents came here for a two week vacation.. It felt nice to plan and take them around the UK; made them meet my friends over snacks and coffee. I am sure they enjoyed their time here as much as I did.
Finally a word on the Britishers - they have been so welcoming; you wouldn't see anyone more courteous and gentle to me than them. My two British flatmates are there for a warm chat anytime. I should learn to be polite from some of the native people here. Apart from them, a big shout goes out to my other flatmates as well.
I should say it felt nice explaining what turmeric, mustard, and the like was, when you guys peeped in while I was cooking, as much as I felt interested in knowing your kind of food and lifestyle.
I have absolutely no doubt in my mind that all you people must have had such a time in a different context in your lives. I hope this read helped you pick on those times to put a smile on your face once again as it did on mine by recollecting all that I have been through over the last 8 months. With prayers and wishes for many more such times for all of us, I sign off.
With wonderful memories,
Viggy.
So, here I go...
One day my dad came up to me and said, "Thambi, you should have an experience of studying abroad. I believe you would learn a lot and be a better person". It all started then..,
There my imagination went wild. No, (trust me) I wasn't fantasizing about all the fun elements that were on offer abroad. I just thought it would be a wonderful experience. Living a life in a foreign country doing every small thing by myself was something I was looking forward to.
So, all set for my masters in the UK, landed in London on the 21st of Sept, 2013. Oh, that's still a fresh memory. Flat 100.5 it was in the university accommodation. I remember dragging big suitcases totaling to 55 kgs into my room with all the strength I had. And boy, I needed every bit of it. Moving in here was such a hard time. Everything around me smelled foreign that day. Have you had the experience of going to a foreign place and/or meeting a foreigner whom you could barely relate to? That would somewhat explain how I felt that day. For a while, until I figured out the wi-fi settings and got a local sim-card, I virtually couldn't connect to anyone. The world seemed non-existent around me. I should confess, I thought I had no one for me for a small second. When I opened my suitcase, I opened to something emotional. My mother had packed pictures of God to carry with. I picked them up in my hands. Tears rolled down unconsciously. Thankfully as I look back now, they told me that I was not alone. I felt attached to almighty like never before. As dramatic as it may sound now, it actually was a moment of truth.
Then that evening got tricky, I had to cook to save me from starving. That is when I thought the one who invented Maggi noodles (or should I say the company) deserves a nobel prize. Slowly I learnt to cook, buy groceries and feed myself well enough. Did I then have a choice anyways? Now, honestly, I enjoy cooking. It is so much fun. especially to invite friends over, cook in their company and dine together. It is one of the experiences I totally cherish in Warwick.
As classes began, I started getting used to this country. Made friends; some wonderful ones too. As days went by, I found my space in here. My lifestyle changed for the better from what I had in Chennai. I could now feel confident to live in any corner of the world. I was set mentally for the long haul. And boy, didn't the UK treat me well from then on!!!
My idea of fun here was different from what you normally would think. I liked calling people over for coffee. A lot can happen over a coffee, you see; and that too in a freezing room temperature, imagine how a sip of hot coffee would feel like; heaven wouldn't feel as good. I enjoyed the cold weather in the night; something (or should I say the only thing) I didn't have in Chennai. Listening to melodic song numbers on your earphones during an evening stroll being hit by the chilly winds is an experience beyond what words can describe. That's when music and lyrics helped me understand what out-of-the-world actually was. During how many such times have I missed the girl of my life. Only because I have chosen to wait, as she would come by and show me that it was worth all the wait I did.
Pleasure is not about where you live, it is about how you live. Joy is not about the place you live in, it is about who you live with. When you have a family of friends, what can I say to justify what they mean to me? What is fun when without the people to enjoy it with. Some memories with them will never fade away. The trip to Leicester to celebrate Diwali'13, the trip to Liverpool, the new year night in London, the two days in Manchester, the weekend when a few of them from Manchester came down to Warwick and stayed over, the so many dinner outings we have had, the long dining table conversations we have had, all remain etched in the pages of my diary like a painting.
Then there was these odd night-outs to the clubs where I would enjoy socializing in the background of loud music. Gosh, you should see how people dress for these parties, sometimes it would make me think that was the epitome of beauty that I would get to see in a lifetime; some other times it would make me think they were simply better off in a simple shirt and a jean. I would feel easy to go in with the T-shirt I wore in the morning for class. That wouldn't surprise you if you know me well enough. I don't drink, perhaps that is why I find clubbing amusingly interesting. All said and done, clubbing is something you should never miss doing when with a big bunch of friends.
The way we celebrated birthdays here deserve a special mention; we would plan big surprises (atleast we thought they were so), cut the cake, feed each other and sit up the whole night chatting away. I remember going shopping for one's b'day all day; for another's b'day we made carrot halwa; things that I didn't see myself doing even remotely. I enjoyed celebrating a friend's b'day on a lawn with a picnic feel to it playing Frisbee. The birthday person in each case would then be warm in treating all of us in a nice restaurant.
I wasn't somebody who looked forward to a b'day; planning and celebrating it in a grand way wasn't my kind of a thing. I saw it to be just another day made special by wishes from dear ones. But these guys have shown me the way to how each b'day should be treasured.
Having said what I have, I would lie if I say I haven't had bitter experiences with some of the friends. In fact, some months during term 2 was very gloomy personally for reasons only known to me. But hey, that's what had made me the well-rounded person I guess I am now. Life has now come a full circle.
Another thing I had fun doing was play cricket in England. I would go for the net sessions in the university cricket club; with cricket crazy friends around, we would book an indoor hall and play tennis ball cricket. When would I get to do that again after here. I would also go play table tennis as well, my new found love; playing TT with very skillful Chinese and winning (although rarely) would make my day. Oh, and I should tell you about the badminton games within our friends group; they were fun and competitive too. Nowadays, we have decided to go jogging together. Let's see how that goes. The scenic beauty around should help us keep at it if not the idea for a workout.
If you are wondering did I study here at all, I totally give it to you. I should have done a bit more of studying here, after all that's the reason I am here for. I enjoyed my classroom lectures and group works that I had; to interact and work with people of different cultures and befriend them was great. I could understand how different yet interconnected people in this world are. To appreciate differences and honour each of their uniqueness is the way forward. I remember exchanging wishes for each other's festivals. After all the Halloween, the spring festival and Diwali are just different names for the same happiness. We shared each others' happiness here. One thing I couldn't fully achieve, after trying, was to learn Mandarin here. If my Chinese friends are reading this, you have a serious job on your hands guys.
The most favourite time at Warwick so far has to be when my parents came here for a two week vacation.. It felt nice to plan and take them around the UK; made them meet my friends over snacks and coffee. I am sure they enjoyed their time here as much as I did.
Finally a word on the Britishers - they have been so welcoming; you wouldn't see anyone more courteous and gentle to me than them. My two British flatmates are there for a warm chat anytime. I should learn to be polite from some of the native people here. Apart from them, a big shout goes out to my other flatmates as well.
I should say it felt nice explaining what turmeric, mustard, and the like was, when you guys peeped in while I was cooking, as much as I felt interested in knowing your kind of food and lifestyle.
I have absolutely no doubt in my mind that all you people must have had such a time in a different context in your lives. I hope this read helped you pick on those times to put a smile on your face once again as it did on mine by recollecting all that I have been through over the last 8 months. With prayers and wishes for many more such times for all of us, I sign off.
With wonderful memories,
Viggy.
