It was our first meeting and introduction and my first impression was that he looks smaller than the usual “kweilo”! The weather was hot and as it turned out, the newspapers described that day as a record at 102 degrees. Imagine a hot day without car air-conditioning and you will know how we felt during the journey to Colchester. Actually, most buildings and cars are not geared for unusual hot weather, so cars without air-conditioning as we know it, are the norm instead of the exception.
Marek has kindly arranged with his Turkish landlord for a room for us during our short stay. Sorry to complain again, the room’s design was again without consideration for hot weather and by this, I mean, not well ventilated. Unlike our Malaysian houses, even without air-conditioning, we usually have ceiling fans, if not stand or table fans. But the location was best, with Tesco literally just across the road (single lane two-way to show how near it is).
Tesco is currently a huge success in UK and other countries and I was impressed with the wide variety of food and other items available. The availability of numerous parking spaces meant for disabled people would make us shameful in comparison. Imagine almost all the parking spaces next to the store are reserved for them. SP even noticed the trolleys with double seats meant for twin babies! And, on top of all that, it is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week!
On July 18, the morning after our arrival, Cheng took us to Colchester town to visit the shops and the museum. She had problem with her new camera, which we brought from home. Fortunately, after trying out the other 1-Gigabyte memory card, which I brought for Nee, the fault lies with the upgraded card provided by the same shop in Ipoh, which I can exchange when I get back. The important thing was that the camera could be used.
With instructions from Cheng, the following day, we managed to take a bus to Clackton, which is a seaside town. Like any seaside town in Britain, fish and chips can be found everywhere. We opted for it, which was our first for the trip. Later we passed a stall near the pier selling other sea-foods. The lobster tail turned out to be fake as it tasted like fish paste. We then walked to the pier and it was nice to have strong breeze blowing against us. Even some seagulls seemed to enjoy it as they stayed as stationary as possible midair!
As an ex-dietitian, SP could not help noticing many fat people there! We went on a motorized train ride along the seaside, which was nice.
On July 20, again with instructions from Cheng, we took a train ride to Norwich. Before that, we had to catch a bus to the train station. Here we were inconvenienced by the bus ticket system. We bought a return ticket but the change of buses somehow turned out that the second bus driver had punched, either by mistake or deliberately, which other drivers would assume that it has been used. Luckily on our return after Norwich trip, both bus drivers gave us the benefit of the doubt. I was prepared to argue it out with them as we had train tickets to show that we just got back by train.
On July 21, the most important day of our trip, we had to get ready to attend the convocation ceremony. By prior agreement, mother and her two daughters wore sarong kebaya while father and son wore suits. The ladies in my family were the only ones wearing something, which can be considered Malaysian national dress. After the ceremony, when we met some Malays, a female graduand felt a bit embarrassed that my wife and daughters wore kebaya instead of her.
At the lecture theatre where the ceremony was held, the building was described by the Chancellor as designed as a bomb shelter or something to that effect, as he apologized for the uncomfortable condition. Everyone was seen fanning using the booklet and all I could see were two stand fans, which we see in our homes, not even those heavy duty ones, which we can see in our factories. The Chancellor, Vice Chancellor, Mayor and other local dignitaries were in their traditional robes, which added to their discomfort. On the other hand, my son said he was in another room, which had proper air-conditioning where he watched the proceedings on a video screen.
As parents, the proudest moment for us was when the lady read out our daughter’s name and that she was awarded two prizes in 2005-2006: Jean Blondel Prize for Best Undergraduate Degree Result (Department of Government) and Oscar Arias Prize for Best Undergraduate Dissertation; and Best Performance in Second Year Undergraduate Degree in 2004-2005 (Department of Government). Similarly, Marek won a prize for Best Joint Degree (Economics and Politics)and his mum and grandma were there to share his proud moment. Between them, they swept all the awards. Incidentally, for MA degrees, a married Danish couple won both awards. Does that mean, love plays an important part in excellence in studies?
Cheng, if you are reading this, I wish you could upload the video clip taken by your sister who could not control her shaking hands (was it because she was thinking “my turn next year, how can I emulate her performance?”)
After the convocation, at the reception of the Department of Government, Cheng introduced me to John Bartle, the Admission Officer who rejected her 3 years ago, and thankfully, decided to change his mind, before he went on a year sabbatical the next day! For me, mission accomplished because I have met him. Cheng, upload his photo please.
Incidentally, we met an Afghan, Mustajab (better known as Jabi) who came seeking political asylum and he graduated as well with good results. He provided his tickets for my son and daughter and his cousin complained that he was not invited! He had been a great help to both Cheng and Marek, not only to provide extra large portions of pizzas where he worked part-time!
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