Would I become friends with other people from Hong Kong? Would I be able to communicate with my housemates? Would people understand my English?!
The first few days of uni were not the easiest. I found myself feeling slightly lost. Many people talked so fast that I could rarely hear what they said. At the time I genuinely thought I would never make friends with people that did not speak Cantonese. Luckily enough, I met Umay! It was funny because she lives in the room next to me, yet we hadn't really spoken other than introductions. One day she wandered in to my room out of boredom and after a long conversation we had bonded over our love for chicken, Coca Cola and leather jackets. After this day I knew I would be able to survive at uni. Between classes, eating traditional HK food at my friend Panda's house everyday and hanging out with Umay I have managed to keep myself occupied. Making friend's isn't as easy as it seems. We should be able to walk up to people and introduce ourselves, but obviously life is never that easy. I wish I could just say "Hi there, I'm Alisa" and people would respond and that would be all... One friend made! But no. The concept is way more difficult, and it proved to be even harder when I had to interact with people, slightly drunk and in my broken English. The first few nights at the OTM (student bar) all ended up with people laughing at me because of how the conversations ended. I remember someone asked "How did you find today?" and I was so confused. What did he mean?.. Where did I physically find.. the day? So obviously I responded in my typical fashion.. "Under my bed?" (Why wasn't I taught that certain questions should not be taken so literally?!) Obviously the boy laughed, thought I was vey strange and walked off! I made it my task to improve and work on my English.
My very first McDonald's meal! <3
I have learnt so many things which I never knew existed or was even aware! Things such as the different religions in England, and how they differ; language and the different way of speaking with friends and with teachers or people you are not friendly with! I now have a list of books and movies that I need to watch, I've learnt words (some which aren't exactly good words but according to Umay but "I should know them, just in case". I am so grateful for all the things she has taught me, and it is also fun to explain my own culture and lifestyle to her. She insists I have to take her to HK with me one day, which would be great!
Something happened one night which apparently is very bad and I shouldn't even talk about it according to Umay.. But I will! We were eating dinner in Umay's room (which is slowly becoming a tradition) and a song was playing. I didn't know who the singer was, as I have grown up listening to K-Pop and Cantonese songs so obviously I asked who the singer was. But Umay's face! It was as if someone had said something so terrible. "Oh my god, it's Kanye! You don't know Kanye?!" I remember her saying in such surprise. Since this day, Umay has made it her mission to teach me about the different music genres, especially every single Drake song known to the world. She insists its important for me to know the words to 'Lifestyle' by Young Thug (???) I'm sure i'll learn. As I am writing this blog post I am currently listening to Nicki Minaj.. She seems fun.Umay studies English and for that reason I feel like we were destined to meet each other. She is catching me up on all the teenage experiences I should've had in the UK and whilst doing that, we are eating traditional HK food. A perfect match? Maybe. I know we are going to be very good 'mates'. (A word used for friend, buddy, pal, someone you hang out with.)
