Bon voyage

As Salam,

After all the hectic of meetings to arrange for Amy eldest daughter's (Amira) studies, finally 29th September 2010, my daughter and her dad left for UK.

Got the visa on 23rd Sept 2010

27th Sept 2010, she got scholarship Letter of Offer.

28th Sept she got her allowances.

29th Sept 2010, her contract signing and claims submitted.

We had lunch at Ice Cafe (shabu2), went to Masjid Jamik for solat zohor.  After that we went straight to the airport for early checkin by 3.30pm.  We were the early arrival.  I was worried the suitcases which were 60kg in total.  Her entitlement is 35kg (20kg plus 15kg extra for 1st year student).  My hubby got 20kg. 

Alhamdulillah, there was no access to be paid as she travel with her dad.  We could have ended up to pay for the access baggage i.e at B$63p/kg.  That is a lot of money.

After that we rested at my brother in law's house, solat asar, both my daughter and hubby showered to refresh themselves due the long journey ahead.

For their temporary accommodation in Cardiff, I booked online but cost more than usual due to during that week there was Ryder Golf event.  Any event will shoot up the hotel rates.
 
We went to the airport by 6pm.  The grandparents were there and the cousins.  She was so excited to go.  She didn't cry at the airport probably because she was used to travel. During form 4 in 2007, she went to Spore for the International Camp of the NUS Business Incubation of Global Organisations. In March 2009 we went for umrah to Saudi Arabia, and the same year she was sponsored for a trip to Okinawa, Japan by Japan Embassy (only 2 representatives from our country) for the Asian Youth Exchange Program.

In 2010 she went on her school trip for the Tinamun (United Nations style) in Singapore, then in July she went to Egypt.

She had all the different visas in her passport.

On their arrival at the London Heathrow airport, representative from Brunei Hall were there to greet them and brought them to Brunei Hall for a briefing.  They also helped arrange for chartered estate car with driver to take them to Cardiff.  Alhamdulillah.  Can't imagine if they went on their own, carry the luggages would be troublesom.

Once checked in at the Tanes Hotel in Cardiff, they went to the Internatiol office at UWIC by 3pm.  They were shown the Plasgwyn hall of residence but not decided to stay there or not.

On Friday 1st Oct, she went for registration etc.

On saturday 2nd Oct or Sunday 3rd Oct, they moved to their new accommodation at monthly rental of GBP270 inclusive utilities.

This coming Friday 8th Oct 2010, they will open the bank account.  So surprising that when I was studying there, all they need was a financial gaurantee and the letter offer (can't remember).  But now they need letter from the Uni which took 3 days.  To open account need to make appointment.  For Lloyds and NatWest it took longer i.e the appointment will be in November. So they go for the next best thing.  Hopefully all goes well this coming Friday.  As she needs it to inform Brunei hall if not she will not receive her monthly allowances.

She sms me to chat last nite ( 5/10/10).  Told her to wait 15mins as I was still driving to pick my second daugher - Aqeel.  We (my youngest daughter and myself) chatted with them.  But the video call was lagging.  She was asking for AA and AK (her siblings) but they were already asleep.  I somehow don't know how to use Skype.  Hopefully this coming sunday when we have our Doa selamt Wida at iring's (sis in law) house, we can chat further.  Have inform her to stand by.  But the internet there is not as good according to her.  Lagging!

She had her 1st lectures monday 4th Oct.  She walked to campus with her housemates. There are 4 of them in a house.  She only see her dad after 4.30pm when she finishes her lectures with 3 hours break in between.

Her dad will leave on Monday 11th Oct, so I don't know how she will cope after that.  She can do it, I know.

Good luck Amira and all the best to you.  Mama and the rest doakan you berjaya.


signing off