Been wonderful

A couple of weeks ago, I was almost on the verge of giving up staying on in Leeds and thought of heading home for a short vacation if I still could not find any sort of employment. HF could not have been a better blessing -- she informed me about a poster advertising to recruit people to work at a Bagel Nash store that was due to open some time soon. I did what I had to do and two hours later I got an interview and got the job and was to start on Monday, July 31st.

Seemingly unbelievable as I headed home, I kept thanking God and HF for such a wonderful blessing. I would rather be working 12 hours a day than to stay at home doing nothing; and now the most hours I have worked was 10 hours. I have been trained over the past week by extremely warm-hearted and patient people and as a result, I just couldn't help but to benefit from their mentorship.

Besides, the other interesting subject I think is worth mentioning is the best or ideal method for making espresso. James Hoffman, who came fifth place in the World Barista Championship (first place in UK), visited our store to lecture on how to make the best espresso. He has, well, of course, revealed his secrets of coffee brewing and we have all benefited from his lecture. It's not that I will one day become a brewster but it was something I have never thought of knowing or even learned in my lifetime and I do now. "It's so good to know" is all I can say.

I have made a lot of mistakes but that is gradually going down. The start of something is always slow and difficult but with time they will all be overcome. And I'm getting there. It has been an enjoyable experience so far.

Last Wednesday was also my first time to have tried SCUBA diving. Scuba diving and its equipments has long been my curiousity for a very, very long time. It was really fun and a different experience to have put on all diving gears and carrying an air tank on my back in the water; breathing through the air regulator; etc. The frightening part was when we were told that our lungs will 'pop!!' if we had not exhaled (breath out) in the water as we surface because of the difference in air pressure taken in from the air tank. I thought, "This can be fatal?! I don't want to burst like an over-blown balloon IN or OUT of the water!" Soon, after a few practises it all came naturally. Breathing was so natural via the regulator from the tank. The only thing I remembered that I had to manage quite a bit was balancing as I peddle forward in the water.

When all the demonstration was over, I convinced myself to scuba dive again in Malaysia with HF when we go back home. There are simply just so many beautiful things to see underwater -- corals, marine life, etc. -- that I think it would be a shame to miss in life. She is a great person, a person who is not afraid to take up on any challenges... outside of water. IF only I could.