Letter to Home

Dear Aunty ***,

I meant to write you earlier but keep forgetting!! I am well. Preparing for exams in a month's time while finishing up term essays and dissertation proposals due in 10 days. I'm in the midst of a 3,000 word essay. I've written 1,000 words so far. :) Gail was here a few days ago but she's now in Portugal visiting a friend (female:) whom she met while on camp in America last summer. Since portugal is a catholic country, good friday and easter are celebrated with much fanfare and so she left with plans of going up this mountain with her friends before dawn on Easter sunday for a sunrise service. hehee.. Me, on the other hand, will be stuck here in good old London, which isn't too bad a proposition i guess. Will be going to church at westminster chapel and then having an easter meal with some friends. Was so tempted to jump with her on the plane to portugal, if only the balance in my bank account was more agreeable. :)

oh i got accepted into the phd program in anthropology here starting this september. However, i'm still rather undecided about it and am keeping my options open for other schools. Although lse is pretty intellectually stimulating, yet the english system basically leaves you to your own devices most of the time and i think i prefer some sort of close mentoring, especially when it comes to undertaking such a long term project. So i'm setting my sights on Australia and the States as well..:D There's also the question of funding. i did apply for the usm fellowship program, but i have mixed feelings about the idea of being bonded for seven years teaching in usm. While it would be good to settle down and be near the old folks, i still haven't quite achieved my quest for world domination. heheh. no i'm kidding. i could live in penang and i would be quite happy at home.. but it all seems too clear cut and somehow i can't shrug off the feeling that there could be more out there. so we'll see.. :)

The days are longer with summer coming up and it isn't so cold now. It has been a rather long winter apparently. i can't wait for the time when i can walk out of the building in flip flops and shorts. London is so pretty and colourful in the spring sunlight.. i enjoy walking in the parks especially on the way to church.. ducks, daffodils and cherry blossoms erasing the dreariness of winter. :D so lovely.

As of now, I'm planning to go home in mid-July for summer.. i miss Asia. England and europe is too sterile for me, despite all its comforts and conveniences. i think i've had enough of post-enlightenment culture. My manglish, malay and tagalog are getting rusty.

But, as you are probably aware, everything is quite subject to change when it comes to me. To be honest, i'm not too bothered.. am trusting God to open up opportunities for where he wants me to be. Perhaps i should be more concerned, but i'm not. hehhh. At any rate, don't worry and I'll keep you guys informed!


Love to all,

grace.