Life at Bellerbys College

Last Term at Bellerbys College

Posted by Jamie @ Bellerbys Brighton

There's not much left to go. Exactly one month until the end of Bellerbys. I've been thinking a lot about home lately and what the future has in store for me. I'm about to take a massive leap forward in my life and I'm not so sure I'm ready. I'm moving to the West Coast (represent!) to study in CalArts - a dream of mine I've kept since I was 11. You'd think that I'd feel a little prepared for living on my own after staying in Brighton, but truth be told, I'm really nervous. Culture-wise, we're talking about an entirely different entity. Somehow, I feel like maybe I'd be more exposed to nitty gritty aspects of life in the US of A; England was somewhat of a small stepping stone for me.

Nevertheless, it feels extremely satisfying (yet strangely poignant) to finally strike a bold, black line through the first part of my step towards Pixar, and essentially, towards being somebody to the world.

After UCAS applications were done, people keep asking each other where they're going to end up after this. Everyone always replies with a resounding, 'Warwick', or 'UCL', or 'Manchester', or 'Hertfordshire' (okay, maybe not so much the latter). I'm really happy that everyone got what they wanted, but I can't help but feel like a nomad when I say I'm heading to 'California'. Everyone will get to hold onto each other for a little bit longer while I'm the only one crossing the pond. Albeit, I am really grateful for the opportunity, I just... maybe wish I had a little more time?

I'm really going to miss the Art Department the most. The studios have somewhat become my sanctuary and the teachers my family. Honestly, this school puts you in such an enclosed environment, where you're living with your friends, that you can't help but create intimate relationships with your teachers and peers.

Personally, I fair better with people who are older than me, so maybe that explains why I feel like my teachers are my closest friends. It could also explain why I'm always chatting away to Mr.Nix as if I think he wants to listen (yes, I know you can barely stand me sometimes, if not most times). He's been such a father figure to me in so many ways, and sometimes, more so than my real dad has been. You don't get to meet that kind of person very often.

The relationship between Mrs. Dreiling and I is a completely different creature. She's like my non-existent older sister - old enough to give me reaaaaally good advice, but young enough to share the same interests. I can't imagine a day when she's ever without a smile! Also, she and Mr. Nix are like my secret antidote when I'm feeling exam jitters.

I'll probably never forget Dr. Lively and her amazing Psychology classes, nor will I EVER forget the best Math teacher I've ever had, Dr. Cheng. Very different characters, but equally as awe-inspiring. Dr. Lively has really encouraged me to change my eating habits and I love the fact that we can trade our food secrets and tips every class (sort of like your personal nutritionist). Dr. Cheng pushes me like no other teacher has before because she knows I can do it. And to have that kind of support really touches me.

Alas, I can't go without giving credits to my friends. I'll probably find some other time to really expand on this part, but for now, let's just say they've been great.

Who knows? Maybe I'll start an even better chapter this September in California.

Jamie is studying A Levels at Bellerbys College Brighton 

Easter Break to Dublin, Ireland - Previous Term Recap (Part 2)

Posted by Belinda @ Bellerbys Brighton

So after the mid-term break last term, the long awaited end of term break, aka Easter break, soon arrived too.

To celebrate the end of term and the start of our 2-week holiday, my housemate and I decided to throw another end-of-term house party and invited everyone over. Similar to last time, all of us decided to cook the food ourselves.

I actually prefer doing this although it might seem very troublesome. However, I think that cooking with your friends is a very good opportunity to learn and appreciate each other’s cultures. Besides, other than being able to try food of different races and cultures, I came to this conclusion that cooking is a great time for bonding as we showcased our co-operation and tolerance for each other while preparing the food.

 

 

Okay, enough said about the food. So other than having the house party, this Easter I also decided to go on a trip with Lee, my Taiwanese friend who was an ex-Bellerbys student and who is now studying in the University of Edinburgh. It has been months since we last met up at the end of last year when I went to Scotland to find her during my other mid term break. 

The main reason why I have been wanting to go to Ireland is actually due to the film P.S I LOVE YOU. I remember watching it a while back and being mesmerised by the sceneries and landscapes in their various scenes. 

In Ireland, we went to Dublin which is the capital city and also the largest city. 

 

This is the main shopping centre, St. Stephens Green Shopping Centre.

Before the trip, we found out that the Guinness beer originated from Ireland.  So we decided to make a trip down to the Guinness Storehouse since it is also the top attraction in Dublin.

 

 

 

At the Guinness Storehouse, we had the opportunity to pour own own pint of Guinness beer and we even received a certificate for that too. Apparently, pouring a pint is not as simple as it may seemed to be, because for the fact that you have tilt the glass 45 degrees and slowly straighten it as it fills. Next, you even have to wait for the beer to settle before finally topping the glass up one last time. Before this, I thought it was just merely a one-step process. 

We also went to Temple Bar which is a popular area filled with lots of bars and restaurants.
It is also known as "Dublin's cultural quarter".

 
St. Stephens Green 

Also, I personally feel that the Wicklow Mountains is a must visit place as many of the scenes of P.S I LOVE YOU were shot at there. 

 

The photo on the far left is a shot of the Guinness Lake. It is called the Guinness Lake as the colour water looks blue-black and hence people think that it is just like the Guinness beer.  

At the Wicklow Mountains, we also visited Glendalough and the Avoca Village. 

 

  

And finally, we concluded our journey with our last destination - the Avoca Handweavers Mill.

 

Belinda is studying A Levels at Bellerbys Brighton

Riding into the Waves of Exam Month

Posted by Jamie @ Bellerbys Brighton

Well, it's safe to say that I'm definitely not going to be an Ivy League girl. I got my rejection letter at pumpkin o'clock and felt quite upset at first, but decided that it's probably for the best. I'm not so sure I can keep up with the fast pace of Harvard life, anyway.

Nevertheless, I'm really happy to say that I'm heading to sunny-side California! Funnily enough, I didn't get chosen for character animation - the course I had applied for initially. This September, I'm going to study Experimental Animation, which actually sounds way cooler, come to think of it! Many have asked what experimental animation is. To sum it up, it's Pixar meets Tim Burton meets Damien Hirst.

Something like that.

Anyhow, the point of this post was to update you guys on my current status - busy.

I finished my Photography Unit 4 exam last weekend and I'm just about to hit the most hectic two weeks of my life. I've got my Art Unit 2 eight hour exam next weekend and a 12 hour Unit 4 exam the weekend after.

People tend to think that Art is easy, but it really isn't. Studying written subjects is basically reading other people's words over and over again, but Art is more than that. It's like a continuous seething wound of creations you have to squeeze out all by yourself.

 

Here's a peek at one of my final photos:-------->

On top of that, we're in the midst of preparing for the biggest social event of the year, the May Ball. (Or June ball, if you must). It seems like it's going to be a "capital time" as they used to say in the '50s.

I'll keep you posted.

-J

Jamie is studying A Levels at Bellerbys College Brighton 

Paris, The City of Lights and Love - Previous Term Recap (Part 1)

Posted by Belinda @ Bellerbys Brighton      

                            

It’s already my last term in Bellerbys and in around 6 more weeks' time, everything will come to an end.

It seems like it was just yesterday when I first entered Bellerbys in September 2009.

Well, I guess time really flies. 

The previous term was yet as hectic as this term.

But still, I managed to catch my breath by making it a point to go on an escapade, relieving myself from all academic related stress.

I feel that having a work-life balance is essential, as obviously, we do not want to over-work ourselves.

And hence, I believe that as much as there is always time to work hard, there is equally as much time to play hard too. 

So during the end of February mid-term break, I went to France to visit Paris and Versailles. It was rather a romantic experience, especially for the fact that Paris is well known for being The City of Lights and Love.  Of course, I did not go with my lover. Instead, I went with a friend from Bellerbys, Jocelyn, who is coincidentally my secondary schoolmate too. I remember ourselves being so ecstatic when we reached Paris. We have heard so much about it and had high expectations…

We visited a few of the top attractions in Paris, namely the Notre Dam Cathedral, River Seine, the Louvre Museum, Ladurée and of course, not to forget, the most popular attraction of all, the Eiffel Tower!

   
Notre Dam Cathedral and River Seine

 

    

The Louvre Museum where the world famous Mona Lisa painting by Leonardo da Vinci is hung. 

 

 

   

Ladurée which is known as the inventor of macarons and one of the top macaron makers in the world.

 

 

 

And of course, the Eiffel Tower!

 

Apart from Paris, we also visited Versailles which was nearby Paris.

 

Versailles Sunday Market

 

   

 

We also went to the Versailles Garden where the scenery was so breathtaking.

 

   

The place was really huge and thankfully, the Sun was out and the weather was simply perfect.

As we strolled down the garden and admired the scenery, we made a promise to come back to France and visit Paris together again in the future.

And this time, with our spouses... =))

      

Jocelyn!

 

Belinda is studying A Levels at Bellerbys Brighton

Spring Equinox in Brighton on the Twenty First of March

Posted by Jamie @ Bellerbys Brighton

Many people knew about the Spring equinox - the day of equal parts of daylight and nighttime. However, what most don't know is that this day is also a day of natural phenomenon. The moon, at its' fullest, causes the tides to rise to their highest and recede to their lowest points.

Last year, I read about the low tide in Brighton and found that the water can stretch back as far as the West Pier, so people can literally walk on the sea. I could barely contain my excitement, Googling every tide table and equinox dates possible.

Unfortunately, I missed the Winter Equinox by a couple of days, so when Dr. Cheng reminded us about the 21st of March, I knew that I wasn't going to miss it this time.

Check these out!

It was awesome! The water was so cold, my feet felt like numb stumps of nothing. Nevertheless, it was totally worth it. I wonder if it'll happen in California?

Jamie is studying A Levels at Bellerbys College Brighton

Bellerbys College Brighton Carnival

Posted by Belinda @ Bellerbys Brighton

For this post, I will give an insight of our recent college carnival...

In February 2011, a carnival was held in Bellerbys College Brighton to help raise funds for Building Futures - the college charity which builds schools in developing countries.

This carnival was organised by us, the Student Council members and open to the students, staff and the public.

Since the start of the spring term, we have been meeting actively to get the carnival all in place.

Although the going was quite tedious as we had to make time out from our January exams too, it was overall a very commendable and worthwhile effort by each and everyone of us, all in the name of charity.

Besides, this is our first major project which we have embarked on!

 

On the actual day itself:

From the left: Kana dressed up as a fairy, Zuzana & Kana posing together!

 

Jamie, Sharlene and Abdul at the food booth!

Other than selling entry tickets for the carnival to help raise funds, we also sold coupons for food and games and not to forget, the raffles aka lucky draw tickets too.

The prizes for the raffles were sponsored by various organisations including our very own college.

For starters, let me first introduce to you some of the games which had in the carnival.

 

HIT-THE-CANS:

Amy at the Hit-The-Cans booth! 

To make the game more interesting, we even stuck photos of the various staff members (including the principal, vice-principal and the teachers) on the cans!

 

 

Can you recgonise your teachers on the cans? :)

 

Our principal, Mr. Addison, even brought his son to the carnival and both of them tried playing the games too!

 

HIT-THE-BANANA: 

The aim of this game is to try getting the banana to knock down the bottle on the floor!

It's really hilarious looking at people shaking their butts and swinging the banana all over. :P

 

OTHER GAMES:

  

 

 

Ping Pong, Pool and Guitar Hero!

 

SUMO WRESTLING:

Long as a sumo wrestler!

The college even specially purchased 2 sumo wrestling suits for the carnival! 

To be a sumo wrestler, you have to stuff pillows inside the suits and pump in air to make you look all puffed up and fluffly! 

I remember that 3 people had to even help me put on the suits!

 

WET SPONGES:

 

A few teachers had kindly volunteered themselves to be thrown wet sponges at by the students!

I really admire their courage because at the end of the day, they seemed to be all so drenched and battered.

But once again, it's all in the name of charity! :)

 

And some of the other hits of the day include...

Hair Dyeing by Mrs Webber and Mrs Robinson!

  

 

Hair shaving and even beard shaving!

 

And some of the perfomances by both the staff and the student bodies...

 

Tap dancing by Mrs Riach and a lovely song sang by Veronica!

 

Not to forget, the Brighton Mayor who had graced the carnival with his presence and taking part in so many of the games and events!

From left: The Mayor even tried putting on the sumo wrestling suits! + Kana with the Mayor!

The Mayor was present during the beard shaving event and even tried playing the Wet Sponges too!

 

And of course, last but not least...

The Grand Raffle Draw which everyone had been waiting for!

 

Prizes to be won were gym passes, and there were even ipod shuffles and kindles for the grand prizes!

One of my friend was so lucky that she won both the ipod shuffle and the kindle and this got everyone all so jealous! :P

 

To sum up, the college carnival was a great display of unity between the student and staff bodies where everyone participated actively and gave in their best to raise funds!

A great success! 

Belinda is studying A Levels at Bellerbys Brighton

Fab, Fab, Fabulous February!

Posted by Belinda @ Bellerbys Brighton

For most of us Asians, February is one of the busiest month of the year.

This is due to the fact that one of the biggest festival of the year lies in the month of February.

And it's no other than... the CHINESE LUNAR NEW YEAR!

Having been in Brighton since 2009, I have not been able to celebrate the Chinese lunar new year with my family and relatives ever since.

There are a few traditions that we carry out during the lunar new year, which includes spring cleaning, reunion dinners and for most children and teenagers, the part which we have pretty much been anticipating for throughout the year is none other than... receiving red packets!

In Singapore, it is a custom/tradition in which families would go around visiting the senior members/elders of their respective extended families.

There, family members who are married would then give red packets (containing cash) to their juniors who will mostly be children and teenagers. 

So of course, although we might not be back home to celebrate the festival with our families, a chinese lunar new year celebration here is definitely not to be missed!

As such, my housemate and I decided to throw a party at our house!

14 people celebrating Chinese New Year with a blast!

We gathered friends over and some of us decided to cook some of our countries' delicacies!

Fried rice
Sugar and vinegar pork ribs
Kimchi Pancake
Minced pork
Dark sauce pork and mushroom
Sushi
Bulgogi 

Steamboat

Pizzas

Honey joys

It was definitely a memorable new year party!

 

Visit from a friend

Also, in the month of February, an old friend of mine (from Singapore) paid me a visit. 

She came over to the UK for some of her university interviews and decided to stop by Brighton!

This is Valerie and I have known her for practically most of my life, all the way back to since Kindergarten!

I brought her to one of the Chinese restaurants in Brighton to satisfy her hunger for some Singapore's/Malaysia's local food!

 

Visit to the Brighton Marina

And not to forget, having been here for close to a year and a half already, I finally went to check out the Brighton Marina!

I really love the peace and tranquility there.

I have to make a small confession here...

Actually, the main purpose of going to the Marina with my friend is to...

Indulge in cakes!

As such, we had a major pig out with so many beautiful cakes!

I was overwhelmed by the display of mouthwatering cakes present! :)

And of course, not to forget... Valentine's Day in February!

2 of my classmates even came over to bake cookies for their friends!

So this year, I celebrated Valentine's Day with a good friend if mine whom I have known ever since the first day of school!

    

This is Regina from Macau, an ex-Bellerbys student who was in Art Foundation year.

She's currently in university studying Architecture! 

I guess that pretty much concludes my entire February!

Seems like February is such a heart-warming month huh? ☺

Belinda is studying A Levels at Bellerbys Brighton

Post Spring Exams & Birthday Fun!

Posted by Belinda @ Bellerbys Brighton

"Don’t look back at the past defeats that will get you down.

Don’t look back at the old victories and think you have arrived."

This was my two upmost principles which I held as I strived through the entire examination period until my very last paper.

So I’ve finally ended my spring exams!  It has been quite a while since I last felt so relaxed. 

Come to think of it, I’m actually quite fortunate because it also just so happens that my last paper fell on my birthday itself.

So of course, after ending my spring exams, rewarding myself for all my hard work (from the mugging through the winter holidays till my last paper towards the end of January) is definitely a must. With that, I took a break off from work and enjoyed myself pretty.

My theory on having a well-balanced work-life: One must work hard but at the same time play hard as well. So after my last paper, I threw a birthday dinner at an Italian restaurant and invited 10 friends over to celebrate with me. It was a blast!

I haven’t met up with a few in ages and so the dinner was a good time for us to do some catching up which was really great. Adding to the fact that it was also some sort of a post exam celebration for some of us.

 

                                

Here is the 11 of us!

 

 

From left: Asty from Indonesia, Ira from Malaysia, Regina from Macau and Livia from Taiwan, Linh and Weenie from Vietnam!

 

  

From left: Jocelyn from Singapore, Yan Chi from Malaysia, Kana from Japan and Juyeon from Korea!

 

                                  

And not to forget, my surprise birthday cake! :P

 

Also, I went to London with my housemate, Juyeon, who is from Korea, during the weekend.

And the main highlight of this particular trip is: to watch Phantom of The Opera!

 

                           

Having heard so much about it before, I was simply just so ecstatic to watch this musical.

And true enough, it was really as good as what everyone has been singing praises of.

It was also my first time being in a real theatre and I thought that it was really a very good experience.

Juyeon and I also went to Oxford Circus to shop.

There, we even went to a Korean restaurant to eat Korean BBQ. I used to eat Korean BBQ a lot when I was in Singapore and I really miss it a lot here. We also got to eat my favourite Korean dish: Kimchi pancake!

  

Back in Brighton, I also went to a Thai restaurant with my Singaporean friend, Jocelyn!

Similar for Thai food, I also used to eat Thai food in Singapore.

My favourite dish is Beef Noodles Soup but sadly, they don’t sell it in this particular restaurant that we went. 

 

 

 

So we ate Pineapple fried rice, Pad Thai, fried sweetcorn cake, duck spring rolls and Tom Yam soup.

 

I guess all good things do come to an end, the matter being sooner or later. 

With another hurdle crossed, there's still more awaiting for me at the other end. There's still more to go.

But at least I can proudly say that I've had one of my best birthdays ever this year.

The fun, the joy and the laughter shall accompany me as I move on to the next stage...

Happy 19th to myself! :)) 

 

PS. I think this is slowly morphing into a food blog. HA

 

Belinda is studying A Levels at Bellerbys Brighton

Winter Holidays in SINGAPORE!

 Posted by Belinda @ Bellerbys Brighton

My 2010 ended just perfectly.

                                  

I went back to Singapore.
As compared to the cool weather in the UK, Singapore is so much hotter.

And with the ever so humid weather, temperatures can sore up to as high as 30 degrees Celsius. The tropical temperature remains about the same for the whole year round. So much for being so close to the equator huh?

After touching down at Singapore's Changi Aiport, the unbearable heat was instantly felt.  I thought to myself, once again, I'm back home, the weather, a far cry from the cold and wet one which we experience in the UK. Throughout the winter, we rarely get to see the sunshine in Brighton and I really missed that. So in the end, I was glad and relieved that I'm back in this little sunny island!

Apart from the sun which welcomed me back to my home country, I was also greeted by my family and a friend!

This is Aida, one of my best friends in life.

What holds us together is 8 years of friendship, and still counting... :)

And of course, after landing in Singapore, I was so desperate for local delicacies which I have been deprived of for months that I immediately begged them to satisfy my hunger pangs. 

 

Kaya&butter toast and Hainanese chicken rice.

During my winter holidays in Singapore, I also went to Malaysia with my family.

Given the fact that Singapore is located just beside Malaysia and there’s a bridge linking both of our countries together, it is very convenient for us to travel to Malaysia as and when we like (by taking a bus, taxi or just simply driving through).

There in Malaysia, I also did not forget to indulge in the food which I've missed so much!

From left: Century egg porridge, ice milo and rice noodle roll! 

 

Hawkers in Malaysia.

 

Okay since I've already posted so many local delicacies in this post, there's no harm to post more right?

Butter prawns, fried kailan with oyster sauce, sting ray and chili crab!

 

Nasi lemak and bubble tea!

 

 

Dim-sum!

 

Other events that happened during my stay in Singapore:

Celebrating Christmas with Denise!

 

 Korean food with Bernice!

 And from reviving our childhood by taking neoprints (which we have not done in zillion years) to just simply chatting under the blocks with Aida!

Oh and one unique thing about Singapore is that it is literally filled with high rise flats!

                           

 

                            

 

 And of course, going to the popular shopping district in Singapore – Orchard Road!  

 

And simple stuff like just eating steamboat and having late night supper at coffee shops with primary school friends who live around the estate!

Steamboat with Denise and June!

 

Late night supper at coffee shops with friends!

 

Also, I had a gathering at Sentosa!

Being an island resort, Sentosa is one of the main attractions in Singapore. The beach there is also frequently visited by many youngsters and families, bringing their children there during holidays and weekend breaks. 

Guys playing ball in the sea and girls on the bridge.

 

The few of us left who stayed till the very end... 

 

And of course, last but not least, going back the UK when winter holidays finally came to an end.

 

 

                          

Singapore's Changi Airport Terminal 3 Departure Hall.

 

Whenever I depart from Singapore’s Changi Airport, there seems to be this indescribable feeling of not being able to bear to let everything go.

But when it’s time to go, somehow you feel thankful that at least you have spent your holidays well enough.

And at that moment, there seems to be this sudden urge of courage and determination of wanting to just get back to Brighton asap and get the ball rolling all over again!

Belinda is studying A Levels at Bellerbys Brighton

My Saturday

Posted by Jamie @ Bellerbys Brighton

Only 4 hours of sleep last night and I'm already up at 8am, eyes closed, arms moving. I drag myself to the playgroup centre and find myself feeling really worn out. I shouldn't have gone out last night.

We set things up fast and I was looking forward to having a nice cup of tea for breakfast. The kids came in early today and there were more than usual. Everyone was a little bit mischievous as time stretched on. G was sweet as usual but not as playful as before. He kind of used me as a lackie as opposed to other times where I was his Sun and his friend. Played a lot with P and she was such a sweetheart.

Today's theme was Under the Sea, so there was quite a bit of water involved. These three new kids came to join and K was a handful. He threw temper tantrums and was kicking for the most petty of reasons. I think it set all the others off because they started kicking when they got the chance too. I managed to distract them by a water fight. But of course, they found a more effective way to impose maximum damage by throwing wet sponges at me. I ended up smelling like a really wet dog.

Well, it was worth it to just have them happy.

Even L was fussy today and wasn't in his usual sharing mood. I was so thankful at closing time when all of the kids left.

Today was a day of heartbreak. With the kids, with everything else. So I thought about heading out for a good run and started training for the Superheroes fun run in May. I think I'm seriously going to do it. Anybody up for joining?

www.heroesrun.org.uk

I'm at 3.7km now and am aiming for 5K by May. But maybe, if I work hard, I might be able to push for 10K. I'd really make myself proud if I do. What else did I do... OH. Made something small in the wee hours of the morning too. Check it out! :)

And that about wraps up my Saturday.

 

Jamie is studying A Levels at Bellerbys College Brighton