Cosy house~

In fact it's already 26/12/2004 00.47, Depsite no work has been done so far, I feel exceptionally glad that I am at Iris' place. I don't have internet connection at the moment, so I will just have to blog in notepad first, then copy and paste it on Blogspot when I get back to Cambridge.

24/12/2004
My journey from New Hall, Cambridge to Grapevine Cottage, East Grinstead.
Left New Hall at around 11.25am. Before that, I went to check my pigeonhole for one last time. Nothing was there ;) Then, I took the route from the connecting gate between New Hall and St. Edmund's College to St. Andrew's Place, thinking that I could drop a Christmas Card at Eddies for Jeremy (Mr. J). Regrettably, the front door of Eddies was locked...I couldn't deliver the Christmas card to Mr. J in time for Christmas, even though I only had dinner with him the evening before.

I used to go all the way to Emmanuel Street in order to take a bus to the station. How silly I was! After visiting the stagecoach website, this time I got on no. 2 (in fact one can get on either no.1 or no.2) from St. Andrew's Place (i.e. outide Toni & Guy, opposite to St. John's College, next to Round Church.

I got to the station at the perfect time, and got on the train to King's Cross London. Nothing was particularly special about the journey, apart from the fact that Ian (darling) called and we chat for 15 mins. He was on his way to a midnight mass. I had a thought that I should do that too. I consider that my transition from King's Cross to Victoria was smooth despite my heavy luggage and backpack. I enjoyed eating my mashmallow during my train journies (I bought the mashmellow from Lakeland ltd. They was soft and tasted yummy! Way better than Sainsbury's mashmellow) As I reached East Grinstead at 3pm, rain was hammering down. I thought I would wait inside the station and walk to Iris' house once the rain is stopped. I waited and waited for about 25 mins. Unexpectedly, I received a phone call from Iain Jim~ It was absolutely a surprise! He asked if I had got off the train yet, I said yes and was just waiting for the rain to stop so that I could make my way up from the station. He told me to stay where I was, and that he would pick me up!!!! I was flattered!

Arrival
The moment I reached Grapevine Cottage, I just felt as if I have never left! Where did these 2 and a half years go? I unloaded my luggage into the room where I used to stay in, and went down to chat with Iris. She made me a mushroom omlette and we just kept chatting non stop for like 2 and a half hours! I also showed Iris and Iain Jim my pictures about my life in Cambridge on my computer. I asked about going to church later that evening, and it was thought to be a great idea. So Iris said we could head to Church at around 11pm.

As the evening goes by...
I had some spaghetti at around 7.30pm, after that I sat down to watch Top of the Pops, University Challenge (Stage vs Critics) and Who wants to be a millionaire (I cant believe all these game shows could go on for such a long time like any other old British Sitcoms). It's the first time I watched British TV properly for at least 1 year and a half! The last time I watched TV was probably when I was at Manfred's house.

Neil and Sue came by to visit at around 9.30pm. I had a good chat with Sue about the way to revise, she told me," 95percent of the population makes boring, black and white notes." Yes, yes, I have heard the way to make notes many times, but just never get round to put it into practice. Drawing pictures and using colour pens are just too troublesome and costly. Nevertheless, I will try to draw pictures, putting words into meaningful pictures and concepts.

Midnight Mass??
At 11.15pm, I had not heard any suggestions of going to church since Neil and Sue were still here, I thought, well, maybe they didnt check their watches? Or perhaps they had changed their mind... ?? I felt a little dishearted, but was unsure about speaking up nor mentioning about going to church on my own, because I did not want to sound pushy and rude. I trusted that they would keep their promise and they did! We got to church, albeit a little bit late and the congregation was already singing verse 4 of O come, all ye faithful. We got to sit on the very front row (spare seats there). I was unsure about taking those places, worried that Iain and Iris might not like to sit in the front row. At the end, we took the places, and the service went smoothly. We got to get communion just after the choir did! How great! If we sat at the very back as we were late, we would be getting the very last bits! I enjoyed the service, it was the first time I had ever attended a midnight mass on Christmas Eve. Spending this time with Iris and Iain Jim was indeed special and meaningful.

1am...zzzzz
Got back at around one something am, had a crossiant and a hot chocolate (with Squirty Cream, starbucks impression) made by Iris!! Had a chat with Iain Jim, and went to bed very late. zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz~

25/12/2004
Got up very late on Christmas Day. Washed myself, and did a facial mask. Havent done a facial mask for a month already....(to be continued)