Swansea
I admit, I've been neglecting my LJ. My serious, thoughtful & angst-less writings have been on my Tumblr. But this is something I'd like to post over here as well:
Yesterday
Had dinner with a bunch of international students, it was a steamboat dinner. Mm-mm. I've never felt so at ease with a bunch of complete strangers before. & it is so unlike me to not clam up, but they really are so hospitable. People from all walks of life, different countries- China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, BBC (British-Born Chinese), English, Malaysian, ... They're all Masters/PhD students here, & some have graduated already & are working here in Swansea. All so insanely smart & talented yet so humble. & very warm & friendly. Some of them vaguely remind me of my own friends- be it in terms of looks, behaviour, ...
I wish I had a bunch of international friends when I was studying in Loughborough. A bunch that is as tight as these people. But, well, no regrets. Am glad to have met this fun bunch even if it was for one night. Normally I don't do social events... But this one was different. This was enjoyable.
Feel-good vibes. :) My hair is dry now & it is time to sleep. Got to wake up early tomorrow to pick strawberries & see the scenery of Gower Peninsula.. I hope the weather is good!!
----------
Today
Today was great, very fruitful- pun not intended. Went to Rhossili Bay where the scenery is fantastic & the weather was great. (Less than a month ago it was voted best beach in Britain!) Picked strawberries at Beynon farm where we had tea & scones for lunch. Uncle Charles had to conduct communion in the afternoon & Auntie Molly had to prepare dinner so I offered to be dropped in town to wander about by myself. I walked along the streets & saw random things like the castle ruins, St Mary's church, Castle Square, etc. I walked along the boat quay & the beach, & finally ended off at their National Maritime Museum (free entry! I love free stuff) where I was very impressed by their displays & the organisation of the museum. I think more people should visit it; there were very few people inside there.
Came back home, rested an hour, then set off for English Corner. It was such an inspiring, enriching experience.. These 4 days in Swansea feel like a homestay, even better than a holiday. I met so many international students, people from all over the world. & the volunteers, some of them are really old guys- jolly fellas who are native English speakers & are there to facilitate the English discussions for these international students to improve their English.
It was so inspiring because the facilitators- they're so old yet so active & friendly, & amazingly funny! They tease each other & joke & bicker like little kids, all in the name of good fun. & with their good command of English they help others improve their English by sitting in little discussion groups & talking to each other about the topic of the day. (Today's topic was "cultural differences".) Oh, & before all the serious teaching stuff we had a singing/music session.. A light-hearted & great way to start the evening!
It's also inspiring because these students are so willing & eager to improve their English- makes me feel ashamed because I should do something about my Mandarin too. They're not afraid to make mistakes, not ashamed of their accents. I was doing the dishes with a girl from China & she pointed to a sign in the kitchen that said "plate". She asked me what that means. I told her it's a dish that you eat from when you have your meals. Oh, she replied. Then what is a pan? Is it the same thing?.
I exchanged contacts with these two girls from Beijing and Shenzhen. One of them is into photography & seemed rather disappointed when I told her I am leaving Swansea in two days' time.
Usually, I'm the anti-social one that hides in a corner & will find any excuse to get out of a conversation. But the past two days have been different. & it has been nothing short of amazing....
Thank God for all this.