My friend and I saw a notice in the canteen about Platform2; which essentially is scheme for volunteers to travel and make a difference in less developed countries.  On a whim we opted to take part and even got the forms ready.  Months later my friend is going ahead with plans, however I’m thinking otherwise.

Late a night I’d be thinking about the humbling experience and how great it would be to physically help out…until the what-ifs started popping into my head.  Would I appreciate the opportunity if I did get accepted, or would I sit and moan?  What are the people like?  Where do you find the line in reality between adverts and TV programmes such as Comic relief?  The former unveiling a more melancholic situation and the latter displaying high spirits.

It does come down to selflessness and how much you’re willing to sacrifice.

I decided not to enter because:

1. It was an impulse decision and impulse should not be the deciding factor for these kind of experiences.
2. The help requires 10 weeks of your time.  I wouldn’t be able to fully commit myself as I am wanting to do the top-up degree and my summer holiday isn’t that long.
3. I need to use that time to work and earn money to pay for the tuition fees and materials…etc…etc.

So, yes, it’s a little bit selfish but at a different time I will heavily consider.

My question is would you consider taking part is something like Platform2, or have participated in something similar?  If so, please share your experience.

1. See bullet point 8.

Actually I got back yesterday evening. Here’s a day by day brief of what my friend and I did, from the start of our journey. Don’t really know how to write my adventure without it sounding tedious, heh.

Thursday

Went to uni. to do some bits and bobs…eh…hand in dissertation. My friend went home to finalise her packing, then we met at the train station to head to London Euston. Upon arrival we tried to figure out which train to take to our overnight hotel. Turns out the trains in London aren’t that simple so we’d have to walk a station to get to where we wanted. Opted to take a taxi instead, which was quite expensive but the taxi driver was nice enough to not charge us the full amount and only the guesstimate. The hotel was really nice. Since the menu consisted mainly of spicy dishes I asked my friend what she recommended. It was my first time having an Indian meal because I dared not try it but it was actually quite nice. :9

Friday

The day I dreaded because I get travel sick and was feeling sorry for my friend who had to hack the flight with me. After popping a pill – travel sickness tablets, nothing dodgy – it was okay and I slept my way through anyway. Mind, it was only a 2 hour journey… Arrived at Munich Airport. Took the train from the “flughafen” to Pasing, then dragged our luggage bags to the hotel. Noisy walk, is all I can say. The hotel was, well it looked like it had seen better days but for the days we were staying it was adequate and quite cute. The first thing I noticed about Munich was the vast amounts of bakeries they have. Everywhere you walk a bakery is not far away.

Saturday

My friend and I headed to Inhorgenta 2010. It was interesting, seeing all the jewellery, gemstones and beads.

Jewellery from Inhorgenta 2010.

I managed to haggle without trying. The pearl bracelet which I bought for myself would have cost quite a lot but was sold for a nice price. The Buddhas were bought for my brother and sister as I though they were cute and didn’t really know what else I could get them, without having a big hole in my pocket. The elephant (centre of pearl bracelet) is for my best friend. The rings I just bought as they were cheap and fit my finger, usually my fingers are too scrawny for average rings. Don’t ask me what that purple-y black gem is because I have no idea. I got it for my mum, and though it’s not evident in the photo it sparkles. I’m thinking of turning it into a pendant, that or a keyring. As for the beads…they were just off the cuff purchases. My friend managed to get a good deal and she insisted I choose a few for myself. ^^

Sunday

We knew we were going to be stuck for things to do because we had been warned that a lot, if not all, shops were closed on Sundays. Only eatery places would be open. So, instead of staying cooped up in the hotel room we decided to peruse and plans train journeys to places we want to visit. We first went to visit the Chinese Tea house, which we didn’t find but did find the English beer garden. Walking through thick snow is fun.

After that we went to the a museum. I got the steer a ship. Well, I say steer but it was basically a steering wheel bolted to the floor.

The last visit of the day was the zoo. Once you’ve seen one zoo you’ve pretty much seen them all. Except you don’t get to see the elephants so up close, nor the giraffes for that matter. Fortunately, but unfortunately for my friend, there was no theme park. Maybe next time…

Bear magnet.

This is a bear magnet I got, it is presently stuck on my radiator. ^^

Monday

This was the day we had both been looking forward to. Visiting the castle which Disney’s Sleep Beauty was based on. A colleague at my summer work place told me about this castle and so made it a priority for this trip. There turned out to be two castles to visit and the snow was still in Germany so with the mountains it looked like a winter wonderland.

Hohenschwangau Castle.

Neuschwanstein Castle.

Use Google if you want to see better pictures of the castles, without the obstruction of trees. I highly recommend you go to Füssen to see these castles and take a tour, if you decide to go to Germany. The tickets aren’t dear and well worth the travel. I loved it so much so I bought a mouse mat…and to keep the geeky side of me happy.

Gifts.

The keyring is for a friend who adores all-things Disney, the top left is a fridge magnet. Magnets just seem to be one of those things you buy as a memorabilia. Right? You can see my mouse mat of the Neuschwanstein Castle.

Tuesday

Auf Wiedersehen Mnchen.

San nin fai lok.  Gung hei faat choi, lay sei dow loy.

Translation: “Happy New Year.  Congratulations and be prosperous, now give me a red envelope!”

I know I’m late but still…it’s the thought that counts. ^^

Today I went to the NEC in Birmingham and took the train to get there – it’s just easier and more time efficient than driving.  Upon entering the “out” train I realised that I had forgotten my mobile but it wasn’t too bothersome, in fact it was quite blissful¹.   The only problem I would have come across was reaching my friend, whom I was meeting up with at New Street to then head to Birmingham International.

I got to the station and used a payphone to call my mum so she’d know I got to Birmingham fine, without being kidnapped or not making it².  Turns out she left me a text and when I hadn’t replied she grew worried and even went back to the train station to ask if I had boarded the train.  One of the staff members had no recollection; I had purchased my tickets from the machine outside so I wasn’t surprise.  It’s safe to say she was relieved when she picked up the phone to hear my voice.  She thought someone had taken me.  Whoops, sorry Mum.  Don’t mean to do this kind of thing to you.

Didn’t the payphones used to cost 20p/min a call?  I put my money in and dialled but the phone kept saying: “more money needed” or something along those lines.  The call ended up coasting me about 50p! O.o Oh well, I suppose it’s worth it.  Had I not called the police may have been involved.

This kind of mobile incident had happened times before but this is the most recent one.

Have you had any similar experiences or stories you want to share?

1. Yes, I have issues with the technology.
2. O.o

With that said though I did enjoy the film and it was worth the money.  Have to say I was more captivated as I was watching; it grew on me more and more, especially the Troy-like battle scene.  Guess the saying, “Don’t knock it until you’ve tried it” fits here.  Being 3D probably made the watch more enjoyable, and embarrassing in some cases¹ but I suppose that’s why it was originally created, to be seen in IMAX rather than Macs.

I found the storyline mildly similar to Atlantis, by point of view of the main characters (Milo and Jake).

Maybe it’s just me but did anyone’s phobia come to haunt them?  The flying² scenes did not make feel at ease. XD

1. Like the time I almost ducked when something came hurling towards me.  Thankfully I didn’t though.
2. Read: vertigo.

Since I have a tendency to say too much I’m just going to quote a synopsis:

“Corporate downsizer Ryan Bingham (George Clooney) is the consummate modern business traveller, a man totally content with his unencumbered lifestyle of airports, hotels and rental cars. A pampered and privileged elite member of every travel loyalty scheme in existence, he can carry all that he needs in one wheel-away case – and he’s moving ever nearer to attaining his lifetime goal of 10 million frequent flier miles. There’s even romance in the air when Ryan meets the beautiful Alex (Vera Farmiga), who shares his world-view. However Ryan’s boss (Jason Bateman), inspired by Natalie (Anna Kendrick), a young, upstart efficiency expert, is threatening to permanently call Ryan in from the road. Faced with the terrifying yet exhilarating prospect of being grounded, Ryan begins to contemplate what it might actually mean to have a home.” (Cineworld, 2010)

The film got a lot of good ratings and reviews but I can’t comprehend how.  Okay, there were a couple of funny bits and some form of romance to categorise it in the romance/comedy – chick-flick if you will – genre but other than the couple of chuckles the film just seemed to go on…and on…and on.  I was willing for something exciting to happen but it never came.  It was so surprisingly dull that the couple sat in front of my friend and I fell asleep, that and an old lady walked out; just left.  To be honest I almost snoozed away, were it not for my friend who talked to me now and again.  It’s a film that resembles a children’s fiction in that it has a moral but I remember children’s fiction being less bleak.

My highlight was the nachos and cheese I ate. :9

What are your thoughts if you’ve seen it?

Still though, there is only so much you can write about: “How jewellers exploit the movement of the body?” before you start writing fluff, hah.

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Warning: This entry hereafter if filled with¹ rant.  Subdued it is but still a rant nonetheless.

Back from uni. and I’m a little…how should I say this…bemused.  It felt like I was back in secondary school – the comparison between pupils and students in this subject matter may be harsh though.  I know we students need help from time to time but it’s a little excessive to put blame on the lecturer when we can quite easily take initiative ourselves.  As university students are we not responsible for getting our own work done, without pointing fingers at so-and-so for not assisting?  Fair enough if help is required but when it doesn’t happen wouldn’t it be best to try and figure is out rather than wait on someone to spoon feed and whine about it?

I’ve been told that my actions resemble that of a teacher/lecturer but sometimes thinking alike to them isn’t a bad thing.  If we can’t rely on our own knowledge then we become too dependant on others, they will not make your future.

Also, when aid is asked for and reciprocated by someone else.  Either take it or just don’t bother asking again.  It’s a bit pointless asking a fellow student for help when you’re going to wait and ask the lecturer instead.  Plus, it’s a bit of a slap in the face to the student, who feels as if they’ve been treated like a plank.

That is all.

1. When first writing “with” I wrote “though” instead, despite thinking “with”.