So there's this place.. Ipswich

I spent a couple of days in this town called Ipswich, I've heard about the place but more when I went to university and met my best friend, Kylie because she's from Ipswich. The past three years I never actually visited when I had the time to explore, so we agreed to explore the town whilst Kylie goes home for a few hours to visit family and I.. well I stayed in bed. 

I got a little curious and did some research on this town, I discovered the name of this down had been adapted by the medieval times under the name of Gippeswic. In September 1993, Ipswich became twin towns with Arras in Nord Pas-de-Calais of France and had been awarded the cleanest town in 2007.

I like a little background before I visit places, maybe because my curiosity kicks in and I start reading things up. It certain has more history than my home town of Milton Keynes, I just think about the roundabouts and concrete cows although there are quite a number of interesting things about my home town. The second photo of the waterfront was a cheeky second trip back to Ipswich for a special reason. I happened to take a photo of the same place on a different weather and possibly a couple of steps away from the first photo, but okay, just look at the sky haha.

But nonetheless, I've heard about the docks in Ipswich and I must admit, although I have visited quite a number of towns and cities around the United Kingdom, I can't seem to recall about visiting a town with docks and boats. Oh, it's called "Waterfront". 

I went to the stoney beach of Felixstowe. The weather was good so it wasn't a let down. I liked the feeling of the wind blowing towards me, the feeling of the nature. But no, we did not go swimming. 

I also had my first "rock", it was rather strange how I never tried it in my life and Kylie made me try it and it was rather sugary and "rock hard". 

We went to this club in Ipswich called Liquid, I know there are other branches in other towns and London too but to be fair, I actually never been to any of their branches. I guess because of where the clubs I've visited in Milton Keynes and in Kingston Upon Thames really made an impact. I go clubbing and dancing and enjoy myself, but there are often times where random people approach me and dance with me, talk to me and doing many dodgy gestures. This experience in Ipswich had been rather new to me because I got approached by someone who didn't ask whether I was dating anyone, but started talking to me about the economy. For the first time I am out someone had an "intellectual" conversation with me. It was strange but still new. It is definitely better than some pervert approaching because I will be slightly annoyed.  

As I went around town, I noticed that the buildings reminded me of London. Some towns in London, I had an impression of history due to some of the construction of a few buildings. After some quick research, this town is actually one of England's oldest towns. (it is particularly interesting to someone who lived in a town which was designed as a town in the 60's.)

I also visited this Christchurch Mansion which is a Grade I listed building which is a brick mansion house within the Christchurch Park. I went inside and felt the history and how the tutor's lived in a house. It appears that in the Tudor times, they have a room purposely build for each occasion. I didn't get a photo of the mansion however I did take a photo of the park area. It's really beautiful on a sunny day. I do wonder, what it looks like during the Autumn months when the trees all change colors. There is only 1 way to find out :)



 But it had been a relaxing couple of days and I thank my best friend Kylie for taking me around this town and being my guide for the few days. Thank you my lovely. I'll be back in this town soon and I hope I get to see the beautiful leaves on the trees change color for the Autumn.

 

Way back

"..If two people are meant to be together, eventually they will find their way back.."

Sometimes this is sweet but at the same time it can be daunting to be seperated for an unknown anount of time. It could make two people stronger but at the same time may not. I really hope I get to be with my special someone together without needing to be seperated. It will hurt, it already hurts not being next to him every day.

Answers

Sometimes over thinking causes pain, but at the same time without the thinking how does one have the chance to explore and understand?

We explore to find surprises, to find answers and of course to understand. But at the same time, what if we find things and it ends up hurting? will the pain be so powerful that it will not be easy to handle and to accept?

But most of all, will there ever be a solution? Should I ever stumble and fall, will the cause of the pain help me back on the ground? what if I am confused and afraid, so afraid of the dark, will there be a hand to hold onto me and show me the light - perhaps show me all of the love I can experience?

All-In

I used to be naive, or maybe I am still today. I did have thoughts and fantasy of what love could be. Before the heartbreaks or I thought they were heartbreaks.

What makes one person, "the person they are today"? I will answer it with "one's expectations, one's hopes, one's sacrifice and one's fall" oh, not forgetting the people that have entered, left or stayed in one's life.

I used to think, if you are dating or at least seeing each other, it's good to tell the world or at least your world that you are dating someone who you love and that they love you - for the person you are.
I used to believe that every year, my birthday, their birthday, Christmas, Valentine's Day, wedding's of friend's and all the other "important" occasions should be spent together, holding hands.

I grew up of course. These thought's may be every person's thoughts of relationship and love. Now perhaps the number of relationship breakdowns seen via the media and personal experiences gives me the fear of what could happen to myself. Can one person who used to get pushed away, told that they were "not good enough" be able to trust, love and put their life on another extra person? Would the stake be too high? too high for one to cope?

I believe it is time to learn, life is unfair but at the end of the day, how we choose to live our lives is down on the unpredictable events but if we are able to control what we can control ourselves, life can't be bad. At the end of the day, having a roof over our heads, having family and friends and actually being alive is something extremely fortunate. I have a number of special occasions coming up, my birthday, my graduation, my best friend's birthday, Christmas, New Year's Eve, New Year's Eve count down.. I want to hold hands, I want to be able to hold onto someone who will hold my hands tight then whispers "you will do fine because I am here beside you, mentally and physically".

One thing that is really sweet, being in the arms of someone who loves you, on the 23:59pm of 31st December kissing through to the New Year at 00:00am.

What is love to you?

"Pont des Arts" or Pont de l'Archevêché

I really want to go to Paris. As a child I have had this attraction towards France, in particular Paris. I remember stepping foot to France going to Paris.

I remember I took a train from Milton Keynes Central train station holding my Gran's hand with my mother I took the train and headed straight to London Euston Station then took the London Underground going to London Waterloo, sorry it used to be called Waterloo International Station where we got onto the Eurostar and headed for Gare du Nord in Paris.

I remember I was really tired, but after going to the Louvre Museum, Notre Dame Cathedral, Chateau de Versailles, Arc de Triomphe and of course going up the Eiffel Tower. I remembered my boat ride across the river at night. I never understood it - probably because I was only 8 years of age.

Many years later, having been in France a couple of times I just had to visit Paris again. This year for my 23rd, I wish to be there again. People must have heard about the "Lover's Bridge", this idea spread-ed across the world, Berlin and even China. I did some research, in Paris there are two bridges with the locks, according to the tradition the two bridges have two different meaning. The first is the "Pont des Arts" which is for your "committed love" whereas the Pont de l'Archevêché " is for your lover. Which is probably why on the internet, people are discussing about how little space there is at the Pont de l'Archevêché whereas there are plenty of space at the "Pont des Arts"

The tradition says the lover's bridge symbolizes the love of two, the couple takes a padlock with the key, write their message, names and date and lock it onto the bridge. Once locked, both lovers throw the key away and their love will be "forever" and sealed. Some say the only way for this "love" to "break" is to break this seal of love (the padlock), of course by doing so will mean you need the original key. But if the key is thrown into the way under the bridge, how will one find the original one where there are plenty? it is less to impossible. This meant many broken heart individual return with chainsaws or whatever to attempt to find "their" lock to break the seal.

I want to be back in Paris just once more, holding the person I love, someone who shares the same thoughts, ideas as me. Someone who loves me for who I am. Someone who accept my flaws and see through my flaws. So I can put a lock on the Pont de l'Archevêché bridge.

20 days ago I have received the results I've been waiting all my life for. The result that will change my future. All dreams and hope will either come easy or making it more difficult.

I received my university results. I graduated right on time as what I had previously expected to. I have completed my own "compulsory" education. Which I am not happy with. I did not receive the results I wanted. But this does not mean I will give up, my road will be a little more difficult however, I've never believed in failure and that word doesn't come to me. 

I still haven't accepted the fact that I no longer need to study as I have gone through something that I am able to say that I am proud of. Three years at university isn't easy. The endless parties, the alcohol, the endless friendships made and end, the endless nights in the library, endless lectures, the endless pressure, the stress, the confusion, the tears and the people that believed in me and the ones I believed in oh and the number of rejections. 

I am ready to start the next chapter where I will face the exact same but in practical terms. 

Language Skills

I want to practice my Mandarin a little bit more. There is a song that I wish to sing to the person I love. I guess I can sing a little but with a dodgy accent might lose the meaning.

Some French will be good. It is time I relearn my French. Not that I had many skills but it reminded me, I remember at primary school days I went to school from Monday to Friday and I always looked forward to Saturdays because that's when I went to school for French lessons. I dreaded Sundays because I had to go to a Sunday school for Chinese.

I can't believe I chose to study over socializing and wanting to be the best at a young age. I was 10 when I first learnt my first french word. Then I just fell in love. I would like to tell how much I love someone in French one day, that is if he doesn't mind my awful accent.

Thoughts

This isn't meant to make any sense. Just thoughts.

Even when I am with you, you will never know. Staring at the past forever, I always had others that laughed for my persistence. I prefer to stay and stick with my thoughts even if I was separated by a block of paper. I guess the blinds will also agree as the same for the ground.

Don't look at me. Not once, please. The wallpaper stuck on the wall, perhaps once appreciated by you, once received your attention.  Maybe sometimes being your wallpaper, I would receive the attention but definitely not as much as to being your bed. Remember my dearest, one day I will fade away - like wallpaper. The day you decide to cherish my existence, please don't forget my efforts, my attempts. Replace me once I fade because nobody enjoys staring at empty walls.