End of Winter

Salam and Hi...

Sunny January but cold continues.

Here is another my Bowland Forest story -- sunny, blue sky, but cold. I left my jacket in the car -- but hey, who wants to miss this sunshine is it? 

End of winter... I think no snow will strike Lancaster again. This whole week been sunny but the temperature is still freezing. After the long gloomy and cloudy weeks, we took this chance to have a great walk in the sun at Bowland Forest.

On our way to Bowland Forest from Lancaster University.

I couldn't stand with the weather, so I grabbed my jacket back. LOL! 

MasyaAllah..so beautiful out here - beautiful landscape from the warm surroundings of Bowland Forest. Family portrait? Why not.... let's posing! 

Bowland Forest's wall. Frozen icy grass comes with blue sky and sunshine.

Freeeezinggg...ouch! It was 2'c. 

Till we meet again! I am counting for Spring in Lancaster.

Finally, Lancaster snowed!

Salam and hi...

Alhamdullilah finally I got myself on the right track again after a week been sleeping, resting, enjoying my week off, wandering around, exploring and many more. My supervisor is on sabbatical leave for 3 months, and I took this opportunity off from my desk for a week -- putting off all negative vibes away. For those who wants to pursue studies for PhD, just think that PhD is only your 'intelligent practical work' for 3 years. Don't stress too much about it. Just enjoy it! You'll be missed all the adventurous PhD journey if you stress about it though. Enjoy while you can!

Finally, Lancaster snowed!

Because the weather man keeps threatening it...and finally it actually snowed! Alhamdullilah.

I got first taste of snow this winter last week. I woke up so early just want to see the snow! Macam jakun...It has been a while tak pernah tgk snow. Last snow back in year 2005. 10 years tak pernah jumpa. It began falling at 2 in the morning and continued until the next morning. But slowly melted by mid afternoon as temperature rose. Even though its not that 'thick' as snow in Edinburgh but it's ok..at least ada snow juga kan. LOL!

First snow selfie. This picture was taken at Bowland Forest - 15mins from Lancaster University.

I woke up early for this...thought I was the earliest one.. Footsteps are everywhere. LOL!

Breathtaking view at Lancaster University.

Ariff is measuring the distance from our house to ....errrr..... Counting?? Really??? 

Oh my way to LICA (Lancaster Institute Contemporary Art) building - my faculty department. Still early -- 7am. --'

Breathtaking view of Bowland Forest. MasyaAllah. My husband managed to built a snowman at our house balcony --  even though not that 'really big'. 

I always dreaming of Narnia's garden. InsyaAllah next winter, I'll go to Edinburgh again for snow hunting. Me at Bowland Tower. The rain splattered my face and the low cloud limited my views over the Bowland landscape. 

Dream starts at Edinburgh

Alhamdullilah...after few days of resting, laying down on my bed, day dreaming for the whole day, I finally can sit in front of computer and start my thesis writing. Well, who can write in such stress mood right? I can't...

After 4 hours got my head digesting all journals and references that I've read, and.... I need few minutes break -- blogging~ My New Year's stories at Edinburgh.

Scotland is famous with New Year celebrations and it's called Hogmanay. Well, basically Hogmanay is four-day-celebrations with concerts, fireworks, street party, amusement rides while enjoying live music, foods, souvenirs and of course, magnificent night views in Edinburgh! 

Hogmanay night..New Year's Eve (30th December 2014)... We just arrived in Edinburgh -- so tired. We walked from the tram station to Edinburgh city about 15 minutes -- all roads in town are closed. It was freezing cold! That night was -2 degrees if I'm not mistaken.

 Special thanks to Hazman for the awesome photos! 

The next day, we went to Arthur's Seat. I psyched myself out before the climb because of the weather and strong wind..but it is not bad after once you reach the top. The views of Edinburgh are simply breathtaking! It was nice to see the majestic stone architecture and the beauty of Scotland from here.

Lake filled with beautiful swans!

So, I climbed......the closer I approached the hill the colder the weather became. I am sure I looked like a total dork with my body fully wrapped but at least my body wasn't stinging so painfully. LOL!

The views became stunning the higher we climbed. 

Lawa kan??? Luckily this time the sky was gloomy. I wonder how the view looks like with the blue sky? Arghhhhh!!! 

Our path to the top! Don't ask about the weather -- strong cold wind. Huhuhuhuhu that's why I don't like traveling during winter. Alahai! 

Baby Kayyis, our teletubbies also climbed and conquer Arthur's Seat together with us! Poor baby -- red nose. It was so damn freezing cold! brrrrrrrrrr.....

Finally, the climb back down was much faster than expected and we needed to give our body some nourishment -- hot chocolate and fish and chips at Edinburgh town! Poor baby Kayyis, and my friends went back to cottage due to Kayyis' conditions. He caught fever after we climbed Arthur's Seat! And we celebrate our New Year without Kayyis, my grilfriend, Hasifah and Shah. 

Happy New Year 2015 everyone!!!!!

Edinburgh, I'll see u this Summer!

Happy New Year 2015 and Salam Maal Hijrah 1436H

Salam and Hi.... I hope it is not too late to wish all friends 'Happy New Year' and 'Salam Maal Hijrah'. After reading few old posts I just realized I missed few weeks to write about me exploring here in UK. I was under pressure with my writing literature review and reading journals and books. I can't write under such conditions and Alhamdullilah after having 3 weeks of winter break, I think I've survived from dramatic conditions though!

Winter break....

Before we are having winter break, I met my other PhD colleagues, spending one night with them at the Borough Bar - enjoying myself with Secret Santa gifts. Our first party in 2014! Well, along with new starts, they went crazy and it was fun actually! From Germany, England, China, Dubai and Malaysia gathered together before our winter break starts. 

Boxing Day...??

Hahahahahaha I thought I was well-behaved that day but...naaaaaaaaaaa! The more I walk exploring all available shops in Cheshire Oak, the more I bought unnecessary things! Clothes, shoes, handbags, sports attire? and make ups, clothes again...Ugh, no more shopping complexes, no more shopping outlets or anything!

Hey husband, are you tired? Sorrryyyyyyy... LOL!

And few of my ladies been asking about my shoes -- I got mine from TK MAXX in Lancaster, ZARA sling bag, scarf from Jalan Tun Abdul Rahman hehehe and winter jacket from River Island...and gloves from Primark! Yeahhhh, I gained weight since last month -- hate you winter! Hahahaha

Next entry...how I spent my New Year's Eve vacation in Scotland - Edinburgh!