After Crazying

Every city have their history, museum is one of the place to discover the history of a city.
Most museums are free entrance for every Saturday in Poznan, Poland.
Some museums are interesting, some are boring (just my opinion~~);

1.Museum of the History of Poznan.
Situated in the center of Stary Rynek (Old Market Square),
In history, this building is a city hall, somehow like a government office.

The symbol of Poznan - billy goats.

Unique design of ceiling in City Hall.

2.Archaeological museum
Honestly, I felt this museum boring.
Mainly because all information and detail in exhibition are in Polish,
There are many exhibition, divided into several part.
Besides that, there are some interactive games for children in this museum.

Chess set always drawn my attention. Something interesting in this musuem. ( but I don't know the background and history of this chess set, since I don't understand Polish.....Hmm =.=)

3.Museum of Musical Instrument
I have a high expectation on this museum, since I'm classical music lover;
There are many collection of musical instruments, especially string instruments.
again lack of description and information in English,
Besides western musical instrument, there have some traditional instruments collection from Asia and America.

The main highlight of the museum will be this grand piano, which was used by famous composer from Poland, Chopin during concert in Antonin.

Look at the keyboard on the piano, the black white keys is totally reversed from the piano we known nowadays.

4.Military Museum of Wielkopolska.
Not a big musuem, display some military items.

Poland national coat of arms ...white eagle with a golden beak and talons, and wearing a golden crown, in a red shield.

5.Gallery of Painting and Sculpture
Located in 2 buildings
Historic wing shown the gallery of Polish Art from 16th-18th century, Gallery of Medieval Art and Ancient Art.
Modern wing shown Polish art ranging from Renaissance, Romanticism, Impressionism and symbolism.

Some contemporary art.

The only painting by Claude Monet in Poland - Beach in Pourville. ( Many Monet collection can be found in musuem in France. haha~~)

6.New Zoo
In Poznan, there are 2 zoo.
Visiting zoo is a daylong excursion, and suitable in Spring and Summer season.
but sadly, most animals still not actively "show" to us ( the weather on the day I went is still quite nice~~)
Suddenly I felt I'm like a children when I still excited to see the animals in zoo....LOL~~

The deers

Feel young and energetic in the Zoo. hahaha~~ cute Polish children~~

Animals just walking around us....It's not kept in the cage~~ aha!!

It's not my 1st time to see elephant , but this is my 1st time to see the elephants to have this kind of pose...

Special species of monkey....I can't remember this species name.
It's look sad to be kept in the cage....T.T

The Kangaroo....It's so thin and small~~~ and I can't see their pocket.....

I can feel the lively, energetic Poznan when Spring and Summer are coming~~
The flower, the fountain , the sun !!!!

That all~~
Next Post : Student Parade in Poznan.

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Many people know that I went to France to study my Master degree,

But, many people don't know why I stay in Poland now.

The Master Degree I studied now is an Erasmus Mundus Programme,

The uniqueness of this programme is the mobility to at least 2 universities from 2 different European countries ( It's a collaboration of 4 countries Universities)

It's mean every semester, I will go to a new country, to know a new place...

So, my 1st semester, in France , you can read back my post before http://mush4crazy.blogspot.com/2012/11/study-paris-france.html

and now, 2nd semester, I chose Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznan, Poland.

Poznan, well known as students' city ( every 5 people in Poznan, one will be student )

Poznan is not a very famous tourist city in Europe, but it's the best city in term of learning atmosphere and public transport. ( from students.pl) and also the various privileges and discounts that a student can have.

The university name- Adam Mickiewicz is from the name of a famous polish poet.

To know more about Adam Mickiewicz University, you can go to this website: http://amu.edu.pl/en/

Poland is one of the European countries, but this country not using Euro,

There have their money currency- Zloty. ( 1.00 Zloty = around RM1.00)

I'm confusing when I just reached Poland.

It's interesting that this country have 9 different value of coins.

Poland has low cost of living if compare to other European countries.
Many thing here are generally cheaper, especially beer~~
It's so normal to see that in most restaurant and bars, beer, coffee,juice, plain water have almost the same price. ( That why polish people like to drink beer, and they are hardly drunk...)

To proof that you are still a student, identity card is always need
Lalala~~~ I'm still a student and forever young!!! Hahaha~~~
It's a bit sad that student card is a bit simple and non-electronic...

Come to a new country, learn a new language...
One European country, one language.
Adam Mickiewicz University have it's campus spread in many areas in Poznan.
Faculty Chemistry and the place to learn language is totally different building in different area; You need to take tram to go from Faculty Chemistry to Language class.
Honestly,for me, polish language is hard to learn, especially the pronunciation.... :(

The building of Faculty Chemistry is very new, just started using this few years
I like the modern design of the faculty. Another special about this building is their huge transparent window.

Practical session- It's seem like easy, but somehow it's difficult....

Laboratory

Really BIG organic laboratory. It's also annoying that I need to walk a lot when I want to get some apparatus & materials...etc....

University Restaurant food- Food was nicely present (it's really give you a good 1st impression)
Taste- average; Price- average

Tea session with my lecturer,tutor and classmates.

Most polish people are friendly, even though their English proficiency might not so good,

but they tried their best to make you understand what they mean.

After a tired day in University, It's time to go back home~~

Sunset~~ On the way back to home.....

It's seem like most Poland city will have a old market square ( Stary Rynek). Many nice design, colorful,historic building and shop will usually surround the square. It's always the main tourist attraction for each cities in Poland.

Last but not least, haha!! Again, it's me in the entrance of Faculty Chemistry, Adam Mickiewicz University

Next post: Museums in Poznan and the Zoo

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London, one of my dream Europe destination to travel...

In fact, Malaysia is much influence by UK in many aspects, as there are many similarities( such as electrical plug type, driving direction.....etc)

Among all Europe countries, UK had the most Malaysian residing...

Yes, I feel everything so familiar when I came to London.

No language barrier( a little bit accent barrier...haha~~)

People here are friendly ( If compare to Paris....:p )

I wish that I could visit UK again; there are many cities in UK that I wanna visit..such as Edinburgh, Liverpool, Manchester, Birmingham....etc

This post gonna talk about the food I ate in London,

These food are well known in the world, but originate from England.

So, we should not miss all these nice food,

For me, one of the most interesting part during travel would be trying the local food, knowing the local people and their culture

1. English Breakfast

I would say this is the world famous breakfast....

When I'm in Malaysia, I always have english breakfast if I stay in hotel. (LOL~~)

A full breakfast usually consisting of bread, bacon, sausages and eggs, baked bean, hash-brown.....etc and a beverage.

The meal portion in London is quite big...I would recommend to share if you have small stomach..haha~~

I have my English breakfast on the 1st day arrived to London, ate at a restaurant in Victoria station.

I like it!!!! Even this restaurant is not the best restaurant serving English breakfast!!!

Very satisfied with this breakfast!!!!

2. Sunday Roast

Actually I have no idea what is it when my friend told me about this British traditional meal.

There are (at least) 2 opinions on the origins of the Sunday Roast.

-- One holds that, during the industrial revolution, Yorkshire families left a cut of meat in the oven before going to church on a Sunday morning, which was then ready to eat by the time they arrived home at lunchtime.

--The second opinion holds that the Sunday Roast dates back to medieval times, when the village serfs served the squire for six days a week. Then on the Sunday, after the morning church service, serfs would assemble in a field and practice their battle techniques and were rewarded with a feast of oxen roasted on a spit.

So, I ate this Sunday roast near to Covent Garden. Price is a bit high, but it's worth

Sunday roast usually will have meat (most common is Beef), Yorkshire Pudding, broccoli, carrot, potato....

The sauce served in this restaurant taste good,

It's my 1st time try the yorkshire pudding, It's soft, taste very attractive....I don't know how to describe it well, but overall, Sunday roast is awesome~~

Portion is very big~~ :O

3. Fish n Chip

Many people might not know that this meal is from UK, even myself only realized after looking the tourist information.

The "Fish" in Fish n Chip is larger than I always had in Malaysia, with some fries, mushy peas and tartar sauce.

I like the soft texture of fish, which is totally different from many fish n chip I ate before in Malaysia.

Fries is normal; while tartar sauce really play important role in this dish.

Besides the 3 dishes I mentioned above, I tried some "uncommon" food in UK

Extra 1: Siew Pau in Chinatown, UK
Asian food and pastry is always expensive in Europe, but it really relief my homesick.
This siew pau is quite crispy with rich ingredients. It's cost about 1 pound.

Extra 2: Chatime in London.

Chatime is famous in Malaysia; Bubble Milktea is famous in Taiwan.

I miss bubble milktea so much after coming back from Taiwan last summer.

It's surprise to know that Chatime is in London.

It's served hot milktea too, which is more suitable during cold winter.

Taste-- no much different. But the hot bubble milktea I had is a bit sweet..

Extra 3: McDonald's in London.

I not really a fans of McDonald's, but I don't know why...It's seemed like I will eat Mcdonald's when I go to a new countries. ( it's a very budget meal during travel)

London McDonald's is my 5th country (before that, I tried Malaysia, Thailand, Taiwan, France Mcdonald's)

Every countries have some similarities, some special menu and of course their sauce given with the meal.

It's surprise to see sweet chilli given with my Mcdonald's meal.( 0%spicy, 100% sweet)

That all about the food I tried in my London trip....

Nice and memorable~~~

Last but not least, I with my Sunday roast~~~

Stay tune for more posts about my London trip~~

Another blog : http://mush4room.blogspot.com/

A very very short and quick update in this blog....

This year had a very long period of cold winter...

Finally~~~~ Bye, winter!!!

I can smell the spring, and flower blossom

Many posts will update here soon,

Include my Budapest, London trip, food series and Poland study life...

Stay tune...

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I decide to share this real story, which happen to me.
Very unlucky, which made me very sad for a long time~~
Now, everything solved, I'm in Poznan, Poland for my 2nd semester already.
Let's see what happen to me last month~~

==================================
26 January 2013 (SAT)
It's supposed to be my last weekend in France. Very happy, very excited
I and my friends decided to Paris city, to have a nice dinner and wanna say bye to this city
My unlucky day started. I don't know why, I brought my real passport outing..
and I still don't know how I can get lost of my passport.
When I realized, my bag is opened and passport gone~~
Nothing else lost, just my passport....
try so hard to walk back the road, looking all the dustbin,
but no, my passport really GONE~~
very very very very SAD

27 January 2013 (SUN)
Very sad, but still hope that I can move to Poland as usual.
My 1st ever enter Police Station in my life, report lost of my passport
The police in France is still nice and kind, not as bad as I thought...

28 January 2013 (MON)
It's Monday and immediately I went to Embassy to apply for passport.
Sad news that I confirm can't go anywhere until I get my new passport.
Force to postpone my moving to Poznan.
and embassy officer tried to make me "happy", saying it can be done in "1 week" ( WTF, you will know the reason when you continue reading my post.)
I strongly emphasized that I need it urgent, please help me to make the procedure faster
The officer looked kind and helpful...
I really believe it...and still think my country efficiency not that bad.

29 January 2013 (TUE)
The university told me that I need to reapply France residency permit, in order to move to Poland.
Some of my senior told me that I can apply Poland visa, which expect to be faster than getting back France residency permit..
From all the forum and website discussing about the France residency permit, It's usually took more than 1month.
I went to Prefecture ( It's like a government department, applying foreigner residency permit).
It really a nightmare, Prefecture is a hell~~ They are trying to bully you if you don't speak French.
I waited for a whole day, and at last only know that I went to a wrong prefecture. ( Each prefecture settle certain living area, and OFII(another department settle foreigner thing) told me a wrong place, SHIT~~)

30 January 2013 (WED)
It's the day I should get back my deposit of residence and prepare to move.
Prefecture is not opened today ( French government servant is even worse than Malaysia government servant)
My friends is going to Poland tomorrow, I supposed to follow, but sadly, France love me so much and want me to stay longer here. WTF~~

31 January 2013 (THURS)
It's the saddest day....I should on my way to airport.
but, I went to "correct" Prefecture today.
8am, but the queue number I got is no.75...( Prefecture open on 9am )
So all the foreigners, standing outside freezingly in the winter, waiting the open of Prefecture.( it's very cruel and I hope you understand why I hate France)

From the experience I gained on last Tuesday I know it's useless to say " Parlez vous anglais? "( Do you know English? ) in Prefecture.
But what I hate the most, there is a lady sitting in counter ( look 100% Chinese), I used my very broken French tried to tell her my situation.
I hate her because she know I can't speak French well, but she didn't even try to say other language to make me more understand. Especially she look 100% Chinese. Really hate her~~ so shame as a Chinese. I really look down on her if she only know French.
So the result I get from Prefecture today, without my new passport, I can't do any application.
So now, all depend on my new passport...( still believe I can get it by next week)

1 February 2013 (FRI)
It's Friday, It's 1st day of February, I should at Poznan right now, but sadly, I still in France.
I tried to call Embassy to know the progress ( as they give me hope that I can get my passport in 1 week).
The result I got: no news from London( FYI, all Malaysia passport application in Europe will send to London)

2-3 February 2013 (SAT-SUN)
It's weekend!! I know I should have some fun, instead for feel sad all the time all because of the PASSPORT.
I went out and visited some exhibition and museum. I went for a Chinese Orchestra Music show.
I tried to forget all sadness. I can't do anything beside WAIT~~~

4-5 February 2013 (MON-TUE)
I called to embassy again to see whether my passport is ready to collect.
Their answer is always " No news from London"
They asked me to contact directly to passport department in London.
and their answer which make me so frustrated " receive my document on 4th Feb, Officer still checking ,Currently our system is down"
WTF, it's mean my document using 1 whole week to send from Paris to London.
What a nice promise embassy gave me last time.

8 February 2013 (FRI)
Chinese New Year is coming soon. I want to be happy.
I looked happy, tried to be happy
but still when I wake up in the morning, I kept asking myself, why I still in France?
I tried to call to embassy again to know the progress. Their answer is still the same
"No news and instruction given from London"
I tried to contact officer in London. The answer they gave which made me quite happy
" It's done and can be collected in London on 12Feb"
I email to France embassy officer about it immediately and I expected to have my passport by next week

9-11 February 2013 (SAT-MON)
Until today, I only know that embassy is followed holiday in both France and Malaysia. ( so nice for people working in embassy~~)
This mean Embassy is not opened on Monday because of Chinese New Year.
Ok, try to forgot everything about my passport.
Try to be happy and enjoy the festival.
Paris is snowing and raining this few day.
I don't have white Christmas, but white Chinese New Year.
went for lunch with Malaysian in Paris. It's my 1st time to know so many Malaysian living in Paris.
I got my Angpau from Malaysia Ambassador to France.
I have my steamboat with some Buddhism in Paris. Nice to meet all new friends.

12-13 February 2013 (TUE-WED)
My 3rd week waiting my new passport
The passport which should be ready in 1 week, seem like a very ridiculous joke.
Fully hope that I can get my passport by this week.
I called to embassy, telling them my passport is ready in London.
Their answer " They tried to contact London officer and send DHL courier to send my passport back to Paris."
I don't know their problem, they tried to explain the DHL situation and problem.
It really annoying to listen their explanation about DHL- blah blah blah.
The only thing I want to know is- When I can get my new passport?

14 February 2013 (THURS)
It's Valentine day. For me, it's just a normal day.
Receive call from embassy, telling me that DHL can't send my passport.
They force to use normal post to send my passport from London to Paris.
So, all my hope to get my passport by this week vanished immediately.
really angry~~ Is the embassy 1st time handling urgent case? How they can think that using DHL is faster and later telling me passport can't send by DHL? WTFFFFF~~~
My class is going to start on next week, I have no place to stay in Paris after February
I still need to apply for new visa or permit before move.
Did embassy really understand my situation and problem?
I forced to skip class next week. I have to skip the integration programme again...
Full of dissapointment today, in the day with full of love~~

18 February 2013 (MON)
New semester start today~~ I should attend my first class in Poznan today.
Sadly, I still in FRANCE~~~
After waiting for 22 days, finally, I got my PASSPORT~~~
I quickly took my bag with all documents material and ran to embassy.
but, I know it very well, this is just 1st step,
I still need to apply a visa or get back residency permit in order to move...
after getting my passport , I just ran to embassy of Poland in Paris.
what surprise me is, the officer is only working on morning.
WTF, just MORNING?? super nice to work in embassy.
I can't do anything beside waiting for tomorrow...
It's a sunny day in Paris, but my mood is not sunny,
even I had a nice hot chocolate, even I climbed to Eiffel tower, even I listened a good music show
But, I"M LONELY~~~ :(

19 February 2013 (TUES)
I cried, truthly~~ in front of somebody~~
I can't sleep well this few day, I'm tired but I can't sleep
Early morning, going to Embassy of Poland, fail
going to Prefecture, fail again
AGAIN, NO PROGRESS TODAY
I'm worry, very very sad,
February is just left another 9 days, this month is going to end
I don't want to pay the residence in France anymore,
I want to move....
I don't mind to stay in Poland illegally for 4+ months, I can go as a normal tourist, since Malaysia Passport can enter Poland without visa up to 3 months....I don't understand the need of visa and permit in Poland.
I don't mind to reenter Poland after 3 months.
Now, I hope University can help me, and they will tell me what to do tomorrow..
so, again, I need to WAIT~~~

22 February 2013 (FRI)
Today, I learn the different between Schengen visa and National visa.
To apply a Poland visa, I needed to fill the form online, and later pass the document to embassy.
Today, I filled wrong application form of visa. I filled for Schengen and what I needed is National visa.
Ok, I'm stupid and blur.....and I needed to go embassy again on Monday.
Because the Poland embassy always tell me that the visa need 10 days to be ready,
and my residence in Paris is going to end on 28 Feb,
so, I decided to have a trip to London, my another dream destination.
I booked the bus ticket, hostel and every preparation for London trip.
Yes, this is the only thing that make me happy and excited now.

25 February 2013 (MON)
Finally, I submitted visa application form successfully to Poland embassy.
Oh!!! I'm so happy, count down the day to leave Paris.
The officer told me to call to embassy on Wednesday to check my visa status.
WHAT?? WEDNESDAY?? Did you mean that my visa can be ready in 3days??
What a surprise!!!! Let's see whether my visa can be ready in 3 days~~

27 February 2013 (WED)
Ok, I'm followed their instruction, call to embassy to check my visa status.
But, at last, I can't contact to the right person, unreachable...
It's normal, I should get use of it....

28 February 2013 (THURS)
WTF!!!
" You can come and collect your visa today...."
I received the call from embassy...( In conclusion, my visa is ready in 4 days only, such a surprise efficient work they did )
I felt so lost, as my London trip is decided, all things is booked and paid...
but actually I can move to Poland by this week....
Ok, I made a decision, I don't want to cancel my London trip.
So, I delay my move to Poland.

2-5 March 2013
My wonderful London Trip~~~
( I kept some secrets~~~ forever secrets~~~)

6 March 2013
Finally, after 1+ month of delay, It's my day to POZNAN!!!
Don't ask me why I choose a long-hours bus....I don't know why~~
Something which make me touch in my last day in Paris was, I met a lot of helpful guys, which help me to carry my 30+ kg luggage on my way to the bus station.
Yes, that's gentleman~~ which is hardly to find in Asia.....

7 March 2013
11am, I REACH POZNAN, POLAND!!!!!

==================================================
The story end, and I hope the my bad luck end too.....
Unlucky things keep on happened to me during my Master course in Europe.
Actually, I didn't got back my French residency permit at last, which make me a bit worry for the procedure later as I want to go back France for last semester.
However, I really learned a lot, met a lot of helpful people, friend too...
Yes, I always tell myself to think positively~~
Life should be happy and fun.....

I'm happy, are you?? :)

Another blog : http://mush4room.blogspot.com/

Snow,
It may don't have so much special if you live in seasonal country,
But it's special for me.
In my entire 20+ year of life, I finally saw the real snow~~

I dream to see real snow. We dream to have a white Christmas.
In Malaysia, to create fake snow, we always use bubble and soap.
I still remember, even it is the fake snow, I feel excited already,
I really can't imagine my crazy excitement if I really see the real snow.

My 1st snow, in France, I still remember it is in morning, I witnessed it from my room,
The scene in front of me is in white !!! Although snow are not so much, and snowing is stop at that time...
I feel so excited!!! I took so many picture...
Snow melt fast this time, as temperature is still not low enough...

After the 1st snow, It about 1+ month wait for the next snowing.

There is no snow during last year Christmas. no white christmas~~

So, for my 2nd time witness the snowing, I was in Brussels...

This time, I had snow ball fight with my friends, making little snow man,

looked the snow fall down from the sky to my palm~~

walking on the white snow ground, it's soft~~

but the temperature is too low for me...I can't stand to stay outside too long when the temperature is below zero; especially when the cold wind blew toward you.

The photo below, I look fat, all because I wear 4 layer of thick clothes.

Freezing~~

I tried to use snow effect in my camera to snap this photo....I don't satisfied it's effect~~

We discover the unique shape snow~~ It is star shape snow, fall on my face~~

Snow actually is soft, but when it's going to melt, it's will just look like ice...

More and more snow scenes~~~

People prefer to stay indoor during winter.

I started to hate snow, ermmm, all because there is less bus service in my area when it is snowing.

Easily get sick if you stay outside longer time with snowing and low temperature. ( I got flu for 1 week, suffering~~)

The only outdoor activity which suitable in winter would be skiing. ( sadly I haven't try yet this winter~~)
See, the lake is freezing~~

Overall, I still like the snow, but I don't like low temperature.
But snow will only exist when it is in low temperature. (=.=!!)
My 1st winter in my life is going to end. It's awesome~~~