#IsyrafZayd survived first long haul flight!

When we decided to attend my graduation, one thing we are very worried about was the long haul flight. When I received the confirmation that I will be graduating, Isyraf was only 1.5 months old. And he will only be 4 months plus when we board the plane. I was not sure if he is up to it. Like most mothers, I felt he is too small and too soon to experience this. However, my better half convinced me this is my big day and I worked really hard for this so we will all go, Isyraf included.

Few weeks before the journey starts, I talk with Isyraf everyday about it. Told him where are we going, why are we going and what he can expect. Yes, I know, some may feel, mana dia faham. Dia kecik lagi. I believe otherwise actually. I know he understands and I know he will listen to what I am saying to him.Told him he needs to behave, no crying on plane cause it will disturb other passengers. Told him it will be a long journey and he can take that opportunity to rest and sleep.

Few days before the journey starts, my main focus was to pack Isyraf's stuff. His diapers, milk formula, toiletries, clothes and other related items. I have 2 separate bag for him ; one for on flight and another one for the rest of the journey. I find being prepared will cause me less stress and try to anticipate what is coming my way. I know my better half sensed how stress I am and he tried his level best to calm me down. I know he knows my main concern is whether Isyraf will be comfortable and will not throw a tantrum during the journey.

When the day has finally arrived, I can only pray for things to go well. I was reciting few prayers I know to pray for safe journey. We boarded the flight and my better half and I were given seats right at the front so Isyraf can be comfortable in the bassinet. However, bassinet can only be used after take off and before landing. While on air, should the seat belt signs are on, we need to remove him from the bassinet and to sit with us, with his seat belt fasten. His seat belt is connected to ours.

I read a lot as well to prepare me for this. One tip I received was to make sure he is sucking something during take off and landing so he don't feel the pain in his ears. So, I gave him the pacifier for both occasion. It worked well Alhamdulilah, He was calm, even calmer than me. I fed him right after that and he went to sleep. I can see there are other parents with toddlers who were trying their best to handle their young ones. One couldn't stop crying. I feel for the mother and I can only hope other passengers empathise with her condition, traveling alone with a 1 and half year old boy who just cried and refused to sit still. I am lucky Isyraf is making it easy for me.

The moment we touched down at Heathrow airport, I can only recite Alhamdulilah many many times that this part of journey is over. Isyraf did very well and hardly cries unless he wants milk and needs a diaper change. Other than that, he either sleeps or just lie down in his bassinet. I really believe the conversation I had with him before the trip helps. Yes, I know he understood.

So, now to enjoy the rest of our 16 days vacation in UK. At the point of me typing this, we are already in day 5 and about to leave Manchester for London in couple of hours. Will blog about my graduation ceremony later ya.

For now, need to pack before the drive comes. Till then!

Liza on the map ~ the overdue UK trip

2011 has been a year full of travelling thus far. One of the working trips I was privileged to be part of was the one to UK. Why this trip was special cause it's not only in London, but I got to visits other part of UK. The trip was quite sudden as I was really new in that role. Anyhow, was really honoured.....This entry is very much overdue cause the trip was in March :)

I get to visit Oxford, Cambridge, London, Manchester, Liverpool and Warwick. I enjoyed Oxford the best, until today I can say...I can totally imagine living there, raising my kids. I know that is just a dream, cause I don't think I am smart enough to even apply for the prestigious university. Yup, I visited many many top universities namely Oxford, Cambridge, University of Central London, Imperial College, London School of Economics, Manchester University and Warwick University.

Let me just share with you the photos from the trips........Let the pictures speaks a thousand words.......

Signing off,

liza365.blogspot.com

An eye opening trip - Interesting pictures from Oxford

For those who are not my FB friends, I am sharing the nice shots I took (or try to take) in Oxford. Here goes!

I love Oxford! If only I am smart enough to study here....Sigh....

Signing off,

liza365.blogspot.com

An eye opening trip - Interesting things happened in Oxford and Cambridge

Before we made our move to the next city aka London, there are few things that happened in Oxford and Cambridge that I would like to share with you :

1. Oxford

• I did not share this with anyone until the day I safely arrived home. While sleeping in a hotel at Oxford, around 2am suddenly the lamp shade next to the TV just vibrated. I was too tired to even feel scared and the only reaction I gave was sshhhhh......... The vibration did not stop, so I got up said ssshhhhhhh and just hold the lamp shade. It stopped vibrating and I just went to sleep. When I woke up the next morning, to be honest I was not sure whether I was dreaming or what happened was for real.
• I love Oxford. Oxford is a place I can imagine living in, raising my kids and grow old there. I love the buildings, the serenity of the areas and the fact that I can walk or cycle everywhere
• If I see my schedule, I don't think I have the time to visit the Harry Potter's dining hall. But knowing Ilham would be disappointed if I didn't take photos of this place, I went there for about 30 minutes in between meetings. Snapped few photos and then left for the next meeting
• While the scholars took us for a tour, a Hindi movie was doing their filming. The main actor is Akshay Kumar and I get to see him in action. We were not allowed to take any photos though, the security sangat garang! And guess what, Akshay and the crew were also staying in the same hotel as we do ;)
• Another interesting thing in the hotel we stayed, we are not allowed to use mobile phone at the dining place. You need to use the phone, you leave the hall

2. Cambridge

• The structure of town are better organised, unlike Oxford
• Cambridge has a shopping mall right in the middle of the town. Since I am not really a shopping mall person, this did not excite me at all
• The hotel we stayed in gave is this spray and roll on which are supposed to help us sleep. I took that with me so that it can help me to sleep in other cities. I have this problem not able to sleep other than my own bed. Alhamdulilah, it worked in other hotels.
• The ipad2 was launching the same day we were there. The launch was supposed to start at 5pm but the queue started at 7am!
• We went to this morning market and was greeted by a sales girl. Knowing we are malay, she quickly asked us whether weather we are Malaysian. Apparently she has been in Oxford for the last 18 years

All and all, the 2 meeting locations are very beautiful. Next stop, London City\

Signing off,

liza365.blogspot.com

An eye opening trip - Oxford and Cambridge

I am indeed a fortunate person. Yes, I hate to be away from my family, but to be honest, I was quite excited to be chosen as part of the team representing my company in the assignment. What made me more excited the fact that I get to visit many high ranking universities as well as meeting Malaysians who are abroad.

I spent 12 days in UK. Started working the moment the plane landed at Heathrow Airport, what was told to be one of the most busiest airport in the world. Went straight to Oxford which was about 2 hours drive. Arrived late in the evening and took the opportunity to walk around the hotel area. This place is so lovely, with beautiful buildings and such elaborated architecture.

I woke up early, just to enjoy morning walk in Oxford. The weather was cold and the air was very fresh. To me, when you are in this neighbhourhood, sleep and eat are no longer a priority. It will be a great loss not to be able to enjoy the nature. And to top it all, it's spring. Flowers were blooming or about to blook which make the surroundings more beautiful. Snapped some photos and I was told I am lucky to be in UK in this kind of weather, where I can see the sun shining and no rain........

Many meetings were arranged that day, many people to meet, many engagement sessions to attend. However, in between, managed to slot 30 minutes to visit where they filmed Harry Potter i.e. the dining hall as well as the famous Alice in The Wonderland door. If only they remember to remove the fire extinguisher in front of the door.....Turn off!

After the meetings, our scholars took us around campus visiting many famous colleges and then proceed for dinner. Getting halal food is a challenge as Oxford is quite a small town, as opposed to London. We are lucky to have people to take us to eat.......

The next day, to check out and head to our next destination ; Cambridge. I just have to say I find it amusing for both universities to have this "fight" about who is being the oldest or the best. Just put one person each from Cambridge and Oxford in one room and you know what I mean. They will definitely try to outdo each other. Me? I am just lucky if I have either one to be in my CVs though I know I am not smart enough to even be shortlisted!

Cambridge, unlike Oxford, has a shopping mall. The day we were there, was the day Ipad 2 was launch. As always, I woke up early to do my morning walk and knowing I have to check out and leave for our next location, I was more motivated to wake up early. While I was walking to the morning market to get some fresh fruits, I saw the Ipad 2 queue has started and the time was only 7.30am! Perhaps I am not a gadget person hence I don't really understand the craze.

Between those 2, and not taking into considerations the academic achievements, based on my personal observation, I prefer Oxford better. Believe or not, I am not a shopping mall person and am ok to live in a neighbourhood that has no malls. I love to see people either walking or cycling. That to me, is so serene and such a wonderful place to be in.

I missed my family so much!!! I skyped with the kids while they are having breakfast, trying to give them a situation as if like I'm there. And of course, bbm MBH whenever I get the chance too........

We headed for London after our meetings, which I will blog about it later. Some points I wish to highlight :

1. While some people think, eee....bestnyer pegi UK. Well, memang best minus not having to do much sight seeing, checking in and out of different hotels almost everyday, by the time meetings ended the shops were closed and not to mention still need to attend to office work before going to bed

2. Food is an issue. Trying to get halal food in UK except for London can be a great challenge. Unless you are ok to eat Arab food everyday, be prepared to bring some maggie mee ;)

3. Jet lag is not an option. There's no time to regularise the sleeping patterns. It's a working trip so as always, hit the ground running!

For those who are still interested, Insyallah, tomorrow I will share the London's stories. Pictures? Susah nak upload ler. Steamyx is too slow.....

Signing off,

liza365.blogspot.com

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