Its Never Dull in Hull ..:: Host Uk ::..

It was the second week of April 06', I was invited for the weekend to Beverly-Hull, Yorkshire under the HostUk Programme that i signed for back in March 2006. I was looking forward to go for several weeks already even as i was busy with coursework and project meetings.

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As i flip open a book by Tony Parson, ready for a dreadfully long train ride, i was thinking if i would be able to interact well with my host, little that i know but i know that my host ages 60+ and lives alone, besides the fact that her son lives several streets away from her. We chatted earlier and she told me of so many places of interest in Hull which i knew i had to visit. I had never been good communicating with elders, my grandmother and i had language barrier and all i remember of her is how she used to scream-scold me, and make me this wonderful fried rice when i was younger. Never had the opportunity to meet my grandfathers, as they passed away rather early (in quite a humourous way, so i was told).

The train announced the arrival at Beverly, and i know thats my stop. I begin to look for someone i had never seen, i was easier to spot because you don't see much asians hanging around in beverly.Not long later, she found me and gave the warmest greeting as we walk to her nearby residence. There, i was shown around and i unpacked in an awaiting guest room.

Maureen Rispin, my charming host. She shown me around and tell me as much as i need to know about her life, her friends, her experience and her thoughts on certain matters. She brought me to a second-hand christian charity shop that aims to serve missionaries in Afrika. There was loads of stuff everywhere, it has all sort of stuffs, and an endless collection of fine books. Lucky me!, i purchased another Tony Parson's book there at 50 pence.

During the 3 days visit, i was spammed with tonnes and tonnes of british culture and history. We attended many museums and cathedrals. But the place that was most fun was the The Deep, in Hull. Its certainly not Dull in Hull. The Deep is the world's only submarium and it was quite spectacular. Then, i was brought to the british coast, where i was able to see an abandoned harbour and an operating shipyard which is parked by a massive fleet of yachts probably owned by the rich and powerful.

She showed me many insights on the british history, especially the antiques. The Victorian age items, the different designs and influence. Many names of wonderful artist, carpenter, potters, and any other artsy thingiz.

There was an evening, we spent entirely just on eating biscuit, butter, cheese and wine while solving crossword puzzles, sudoku and some other weird games. She was amazingly good and fast at it!. Later, we browse an atlas which sharing stories- well i was listening most of the time because she had visited half the world and every place has such fascinating stories to tell.

I honestly think that this trip was something i needed, its as if maureen was filling the empty role of a grandmother. She gave me an experience i never had and it shall never leave me.

The Criminal

Yes, the criminal i am. The crime of leaving the quill to dust, the empty scrolls unscribbled and unmarked with many that had happened since my last trip to london.

I was wasting my time around my clubhouse and came across a friend reading blogs and F*kkty Fish! The quill of inspirations! I don't know if anyone cares about this scroll anyway, but i worry that the fact that its idling, might it signify i have finally deplete in inspirations, left with nothing worth writing. This consequentially might mean i have lost all colour and meaning in life? No! i don't want that to happen.

I have so much to tell. So much to write, but i shall limit to the focus of the title.

Housemates

Housemates are truly important when you're abroad don't you agree? They are your family, your friend, and the extra hand you'll always need because no one can survive on their own. Yes, no matter how so-called independant you claim to be. Even when you say, you only have total dependance on GoD. I am sure GoD wants you to learn to depend on others and be a leaning rock at times.

I have learnt a most valuable lesson in my stay here in Dunkirk, Nottingham. Choose your housemates wisely. Since i came here, life was different. Clearly! huh. My magic dirty laundry no longer dissapears and return to the wardrobe clean, ironed and folded. Thrash just keeps growing on the bin, i use to remember thrash are suppose to thrash themselves somewhere else after u dump it into the bin. How odd?

I live with another two mates, one is a coursemate while another studies civil engineering. Lets call them Mate Chem, Mate Civil. Coincidentally, both mates are rich- in the earlier semester, we use to do food shopping together and have meals like a family. Choices of food was excellent, and surely it came with a price. With 2 vs 1 on a decision making, its better to give in before even discussing it.

My birthday came and i got a wonderful gift, World of Warcraft!. I should say it kind of changed my life. I have always been a fan of Warcraft since i was even a kid; Warcraft I: Orcs and Humans. The whole household was involved with the game since then, like we basically LIVE in the game.

World of Warcraft should have came with a warning like this -
Caution: Content is extremely addictive and might lead to disorders.

Competition exist in the game but in reality, another competition existed. The 'stomach survival smackdown'. (S cube). There are two winners and 1 loser in this game, the one who can no longer take the pain of hunger. In brief, i begun cooking every night alone for everybody for several months. Often i'll eat first and keep the rice warm while having the dishes kept covered. I could no longer take it in April, and decided to join my friend's 'family' which i am still part of today, since my two housemates decided to have takeaway until the end of exams. Trust me; takeaways cost a bomb!.

My housemates are the real criminals. Civil mate grosses me out and his laziness if untoleratable. Imagine someone who craps his ass out in the bathroom and never flushes, even when caught redhanded! He could still smile shyly and withdraw into his room ignoring his f**king crap in the toilet bowl. They don't throw the eggs they cracked instead they leave it by the stove to make a mountain of broken egg shells. Dishes can stack up for about 2 feet before someone desperately need to cook had to clean it. I could have an endless list of what these people do that could annoy me into suicide. Somehow, just somehow, i just coped with all this kinda shiet. I cleaned the thrash, wash them f**king dishes, plumb the bathroom tub outlet which is stucked with REAL long hairs which i don't have. I can feel and i know my patience has grown as thin as it can be.

Just the other day, Oy ling said she admired my patience. Then i thought to myself.. Damn, Ryan! how you do it? why did u take up with all this shiet? Is it worth admiring? Its like admiring the people in war-struck countries in their misery. Admiring the fact that they are still alive. A triumph is it?

Survival at its peak.

Lesson: crime always get away with it in the right circumstances.

I'll be back.

Fin.