I’m almost all done with the stocking up of ingredients in the hostel kitchen. Just today, we managed to snatch up an even more estimable commodity: a bottle of Chinese marinade sauce! We didn’t even know such a sauce existed before. Not sure whether it’s cheap though – it was GBP2.99. But anything to make us happy during meal times is worth the amount spent. And when I say happy, it refers to anything that’s ‘home’. 🙂
It’s always necessary to reward myself with some treats for finishing my homework on time. I think I’m here to play more than to study… I’m dead meat. But my professor told the class that the Beamish museum is a must-go, plus he had to mention his love for the confectionery sweet shop located there… it seemed as if he’d found my Achilles Heel with just one glance at me.
This morning, we went to the Sainsbury and Asda at the Arnison Centre again for our groceries, but this time with Anna, a nice Ukrainian girl who stays next block. It was great chatting with her during lunch time at the McDonald’s too; found out that she’s the only one doing PhD in Russian Language in her department!
It’s been a week of getting to know people, meeting acquaintances (what the Germans would term ‘Bekannten’) and making small talks. I’ve been putting myself up to the challenge, getting myself up to the job, and telling myself that I’m no lesser being than the rest of the course mates who’re here to attain the same degree as I am. I’m told that it’s really about mind over matters – but it’s easier said than done.
An acquaintance of mine who’s studying at UCL right now sent me this link recently:
Elite Universities: A Clash of Cultures and Cutlery
A most apt heading for a blog entry. It seems to me the identity of any one elite-wannabe can be exposed immediately through his table manners, and I’m obliged to say that I’m currently trying my best to avoid all table affairs at the university, out of fear that one day, my identity will come clear. One set of cutlery is all that I can manage at the table.
