Unexpected Moment

"Tzeh Ming!" "Hey! CL!", two of us were extremely surprised yet excited when we bumped into each other at King's Parade, in front of the Senate House. Tzeh Ming excitedly asked to take photos together then brought me to his parents waited for him at a Cafe near to the market square. "This is CL from Malaysia, We are both from the same college (Downing College)!", he introduced me to his parents who flew from Malaysia to the UK to attend his convocation. Suddenly, my heart was warmed by his earnest words and response. This is the 3rd time we met each other. Tzeh Ming is the only Malaysian I knew from my college. In fact, we are the only two graduate students from Malaysia at Downing College.

Tzeh Ming looked very smart in his gown. Today, July 21th, was his convocation. He informed us two weeks in advance but I just overlooked it when the date got closer and made another appointment which I couldn't cancel. This upset me that afternoon but at last, we still met each other on the street at this unexpected moment!

Again, congratulations to Tzeh Ming, and wish him all the best back in Malaysia.

Tzeh Ming and CL in the paved area where Trinity Street meets King's Parade. Thanks to the framed certificate that Tzeh Ming was holding. We bumped into each other when Tzeh Ming came back to Senate House to claim his certificate that framed with Cambridge logo in the evening.

Princess of A Night

"I felt as a King that night!", Uncle Terry reminisced his memorable night with his wife in a May Ball happened many years ago. Then he continued, "CL, you should attend. Every girl should be a princess at least once in their life time." Oh! The arrow suddenly changed direction and pointed at me. A May Ball, despite the name, is a ball held in June, hosted by colleges in Cambridge at the end of every academic year. May Balls at Cambridge, especially St. John and Trinity May Balls, are well known as one of the greatest party in the world! Well, I know I should not miss it. However, despite the expensive ticket of the May Ball, this grand event which requires very formal dress up is really not my cup of tea. Anyway, a conspiracy is secretly planned, aiming to experience this event without paying a single penny next year or the year after. Haha! It is a secret, which cannot be disclosed at the mean time!

May Ball in Wikipedia:-
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/May_Ball

Long queue, started from Trinity Gate to St. John Great Gate then to the street, waiting to attend Trinity May Ball.

A couple that I like most. Of course, I don't know them, but I just like to watch this couple.

Sexy Blondes!

Men in skirts! Scottish.

Pretty princess in splendid gown.

Cool!

Waseh! Arrived in horse's coach!

Pity all girls in high heel shoes, waiting for hours just to attend the grand May Ball.

Summer Overview

Ha! I tend to write monthly blog instead of weekly or even daily one. My news story is no longer "hot" and the events reported from Cambridge are not very recent either. I am a lazy worm! ;p

Life in cambridge is still filled up with lab and social activities even without the summer Scotland camping trip. Summer is the best time to work in the laboratory while most students are going off for their long vacation. Furthermore, I volunteered for Engineering Dept. Open Day last week, demostrated the concept of electric machine to visitors (potential undergrads and their parents). It is quite fun and lively when interacting with inquisitive visitors. However, to be honest, I am not a qualified demostrator, I would like to express my gratitude to my partner, a PhD student from Malaysia. He backed me up a lot! And this is the first money I earned in the UK. Yeah!

So what are the highlights at Cambridge during this summer? May Balls and Garden Parties lighten up Cambridge after the Tripos exam at mid of June. In the afternoon, girls were in their summer skirt and high heels, flirting with the guys (formal top-long sleeve shirt with bow or tie, but in their short pant) in the street. They were hanging around after attended a garden party in their college. In the evening, you could see ladies and gentlemen in their evening dress, queuing outside the college, waiting excitedly for a grand May Ball for that night. Trinity May Ball has the longest queue according to my observation!

The weather was mostly sunny during that particular one week but it turns very badly after that. With the rain most of the time, the temperature in Cambridge has dropped to averagely 15C during the day. Cambridge, at the South East of the UK, escapes the brunt of the bad weather. But, many other areas in England (Sheffield, Leeds, Yorkshire etc) and Wales experience heavy downpours and severe flooding. However, last weekend was sunny when we, Ina, Azlin, Tee and I, spent a day in Oxford!

Students hanging around Silver Street after attended a garden party.

Malaysian Society (CUMAS) Garden Party. From right: Ina, CL, Azlin, Tee and then German guy, Malaysian chinese guy and Malaysian Indian woman. Cannot remember their names. The German guy is the Indian woman's hubby.