Birmingham Museums and Art Gallery

Birmingham Museums and Art Gallery (BMAG) is the largest local authority museum service in England.

If you ever read the news, you should be aware that pieces of Anglo Saxon gold hoard were found in the field of Staffordshire and soon been kept and displayed in Birmingham Museum.

Initially, the treasures are to move to the London Museum, but after the councils received enough donations from the public, the UK's largest haul of Anglo-Saxon treasures are able to be remain in West Midlands region.

There are plenty of arts ranges from the 10th century up to 20th century. Picture above is an example of the 14th century art gallery.

This is a grand piano. My first time seeing such an old piano. At first I thought it was a table or something.

There are local histories of Birmingham city as well. It tells about how Bullring was earlier and how it leads to reformation.


p/s: Yes, there are mummies in the museum. A real mummy!

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A day before I left Birmingham to Nottingham, we had dinner in Frankie & Benny's.

I ordered a pork chop dish as I have never really try one before. Although I have seen many back then. :P It was pretty good and worth your penny.

A trip to Birmingham is never complete, unless a picture with my brother here.

Lastly, this is Henry. He is well-known vacuum cleaner here in England. Almost every household has a 'Henry'. =)

University of Birmingham

I went to look for Ernest last week in Birmingham as he had constantly asked me “when are you coming over to get your things?” Haha, I am sorry for the trouble.

I had Moon to bring over some food and few pieces of clothing from Malaysia when she came to UK in the early February. As I have been busy doing my project during the first half of the year, I did not make it to meet them.

Not really an ideal trip, but I had Ernest show me around his university, museum, play mah-jong, and watching movie while drinking some beer at home. We are not able to go any other places due to “particular” reason.

Birmingham University located in Birmingham, West Midlands of England. 35 minutes away from Staffordshire. It is indeed elegant and comfortable.

They have all these green grass land in the university itself, where we usually find in student’s hall of residence.

This is the well known Joseph Chamberlain Memorial Clock Tower, the tallest free-standing clock tower in the world.

Lastly, the Birmingham University’s land god. All the students pray to him before going for exam as he shall grant you the intelligence during the examination. I also paid some respect to him. *pray pray, money money*

p/s: Yeah, no more ponytail. ;)

Yarlet House

I have been away for the past week and not much intent to blog lately. As for those who are not aware, I have finished my courses for about a month now and pretty much reluctant to look for a job. There are many things running in my mind now as for what to do for the upcoming days and months after finishing my life as a student. Anyhow, I am trying to settle down bit by bit now.

By the way, today I just moved out from my living accommodation and moved in to the other side of the hostel for summer. I can extend my stay for another three more months for good. After that I would required to move out.

I am currently living in the Yarlet House, slightly further away from Norbury House where I used to be. The room is bigger here but older. I guess it is the matter of time where I will get use to this place.

I will briefly show how my room was back then and also the current new room that I am occupying. Not much differences but I would definitely prefer the previous one.

Norbury House:

Yarlet House:

This is the view outside my window in Norbury House.

And this is the Yarlet House. I know, it is not appealing at all, but I do get to see people now. It is facing the car park.

Some of the pictures I took during my packing time.

And this is after I moved. I doubt I will unpack it since I may be moving again any time soon.

Lizards Face Extinction

According to the Star online news,

MEXICO CITY (Reuters) - Lizards are in danger of dying out on a large scale as rising global temperatures force them to spend more time staying cool in the shade and less time tending to basic needs like eating and mating.

Scientists warn in a research paper published on Thursday that if the planet continues to heat up at current rates, 20 percent of all lizard species could go extinct by 2080.

Source: Lizards face extinction from global warming - study

Hahaha, I also die already. Unless I can survive until 93 years old. Very unlikely. =P

Victoria Park @ Stafford

Every single town in UK has at least a park, and I believe the government made it compulsory for each county council to make sure they do maintain the park from time to time.

Malaysians would think of a “park” as a kid’s playground or even a rubbish dump place for some uncivilised people. Well those are the parks in Malaysia but it is completely different here. I shall not write any critics, as I am sure you can spot the differences yourself.

It is wonderful to hang out in the park during spring. The sunlight shines upon you after the months of cold-moody-season. It feels so refreshing and beautiful, resembling the scene after “the Great Flood”.

There is a bird cage somewhere in the park as well. Well, only for birds, swans and ducks are free to swim in the river. BTW, there are times where the ducks flew to my accommodation area. Haha, so unusual!

This looks like a chicken to me.


Some random statue

The flowers are bloom beautifully, and my mom would be really happy seeing it. =D


p/s: After a second thought, there might be a nice park somewhere in Malaysia too. I think.

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Update: My flatmate (Francis) just literally tried spraying some random stuff towards the smoke detector and triggered the alarm when I was writing this half way. Made all of us have to walk all the way out to the field. Haha. Wicked!

Mind Escape

Brain is a highly complex organ. It is so powerful that it allows human to control every single part of the body with nerves. Correct me if I am wrong, I am not some medical student yea?

Whoops! wrong picture!

I am facing some problem here. I cannot stop myself from thinking, especially when I am resting in bed. Imagine the brain is like some machine in a factory that keeps on running from morning until night and from night to morning. Of course, our brain is much more complicated sophisticated, but it extremely tiring.

I'm thinking... I'm thinking... I'm thinking...

I am just wondering if there is any ways or things that can aid simulate the brain and bring it down to calm and rest state? I think I need it badly. Except drugs, I know drugs definitely can keep you calm and obviously if you take more of it, it leaves you no where but some fantasy world.

I heard there is sort of burning oil where it produces some scent that helps simulating the brain. I am not really sure about it, or are there any techniques which can helps? Exercise? Diet? Haha, please let me know. Thank you.

Eligible to Vote

I know people get to vote when they reached 21 years old. I have not yet to register in Malaysia, but what's surprising is I was requested to vote in UK. Not that I am a PR holder here or even the holding the citizenship here, am I really eligible to vote?

I saw this piece of notification early morning in my room. It is an official poll card. It written...

Parliamentary Election

When you go to the polling station, tell the clerk your name and address, as shown on the front of the card.

The clerk will confirm your details on the register.

When you are given your ballot paper, go to one of the polling booths. Mark a cross (X) in the box on the right hand side of the ballot paper opposite the name of the candidate you are voting for.

The polling day is on the 6 May 2010, in St. John's Primary School. Haha, as if I am really going to cast my vote. Conservatives calls seems ideal, but it will be stricter on immigration rules, not beneficial to me. Labour party is not any better though. I would support Liberal Democrats! Haha, but it is quite impossible for them to win. Let's just have a hung parliament, that would be the best choice.

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Updates:

Conservative : 292 seats
Labour : 251 seats
Liberal Democrat : 52 seats

It's a hung parliament, since none of the party holds the majority seats.