Boring...

So, what did you do during Christmas? Sleep, eat and watch TV.

I hate staying in. And that sounds all my frustration. What else can I do? ALL the shops are closed and the streets look as if they are deserted. If anyone thinks Christmas is supposed to joyous, think again. Maybe it is to you... but not to me... not to foreigners living here. Even McDonald's is shut. You know what? I get angry very easily when there's not enough food...

Ok. Now that's enough words from me today. Back to bed. Oh yea, and the TV keeps showing all those Christmas programs. Crap lah.

Manchester

Manchester, the city made famous by cotton in the Victorian times. Mills and factories emerged rapidly, turning the city into an industrial stronghold. Their owners became rich and wealthy in a very short time. People flock into the city from the countryside, hoping for a better life. Together with the cities in northern England, their advances during the Industrial Revolution made England the richest nation in the world. Such was the fame of Manchester that cities like Osaka in Japan are dubbed the “Manchester of the East” due to its textile industry that rivaled the scale of Manchester.

The millionaires in Manchester started to build grand structure as their residence and as shopping complexes. The face of Manchester is transformed completely. However, the city council of Manchester faced a problem. Unlike London, they do not have a landmark that symbolizes the city. Hence, they came to a decision – to build a town hall that even amidst all the grand structure can be regarded as unique and even greater. The result is a castle-like structure whose floor and windows are decorated with patterns of cotton. This shows how important cotton means to the people of Manchester.

The cotton industry faced a decline after the wars, and now, what makes Manchester famous all over the world is no longer its industry, but the two very famous stadiums – Old Trafford and the City of Manchester Stadium. The former is the world champions and the latter is the richest football club in the world.

On public transport, Manchester does not have the convenience of the underground in London. Instead, it has metrolink, a network of trams that links the city and its suburbs. Unless it is absolutely necessary, I won’t consider using it. The speed is incredibly slow.

There is also a Chinatown in Manchester. It’s not quite big. It’s very very small if you compared it to that in London. The arc in front of the Chinatown reads, “曼彻斯特中国城” or “Manchester’s China Town”.

Edinburgh Christmas Shopping...

Or so it's called for the outing on the last Sunday of the term.

Edinburgh,
The colourful and vibrant Scottish capital.

Actually I took all the pictures along the same street - Princes Street. It's where all the shops are located. Didn't manage to get to Edinburgh Castle...

Just look at the weather - dull and gloomy. Typical British weather. No wonder they get skin cancer so easily when exposed to strong sunlight.

SNOW...

It SNOWed at Strathallan recently!!! well... not that recently actually... about a few weeks ago... on a Sunday. Oleh kerana tidak ber-blog for a long time, this post only come up today =p

I woke up to this view in the morning... "WOW" I thought... I haven't seen snow since the end of my Japan trip 2 years ago... It was white, quiet and so peaceful. The only sound that I find annoying in such tranquility is the kadak kadak kadak sound of the salt-sprinkling "bulldozer"...
PS: Salt increases the melting point of ice so ice does not form in the middle of the road which would result in skidding and this is a hazard for drivers, even experienced ones.



The lawn behind my house. We managed a snow-fight but I still miss the one we had in Asahikawa. There just isn't enough snow here to have the real stuff. Snow in Asahikawa is always knee-deep and fights can be tough.

Just look at the amount of snow I managed in one grab. It's a pity! Such snowballs would not have the devastating power of thrashing into the face of others.
PS: One of the reasons why I couldn't make a good snowball is becos' - no gloves and my hands are freezing. But as I got my gloves on, beware!! I became the fearsome predator that throws massive snowballs.

The day just isn't complete with a chill out. The chill just came up from the bottom to my head. Good way to wake you up in the morning.
PS: Avoid it if you can, you will get up with a wet trousers and a freezing buttocks.


OK... now back to my study table. Will update whenever possible....