Ikea/Tai Chi

So I decided, on a spur of the moment, to check out the Ikea in Cardiff. I managed to get some good useful stuff there (basting brush, chef's knife, tupper-ware, and a super comfy office chair).

You can't imagine how comfy it is :)....soooo comfy!

But I didn't just get it for comfort, I am actually very impressed at the lower back support this chair provides, it's really amazing quality for the price (yes I am giving a bit of a consumer review, but I really like this chair).

As some of you may or may not know, I am an ergonomic buff. I have the nice chair, but I'm still on the search for a good keyboard/mouse and matching wrist rests.

Anyway, possibly because I was dilly dallying in Ikea or for other reasons... I ended up being late for my first Tai Chi session at the school sports centre. Nonetheless, it did feel great to get back into Tai Chi; I had really forgotten how good I felt even after just a little bit of practice. The Tai Chi that is being taught at the school however is a different style than I was initially taught. I started learning modified Chen style (long form), and the Tai Chi at the school is traditional Yang style (short form). But there are a lot of similarities and I'm sure to pick it up quickly.

All in all it was an interesting day yesterday and I capped it all off by assembling an Ikea chair before I went to bed.

Cheers

Blog, long overdue

Hello Everyone,

I know that this blog is long overdue, so I guess I will start by trying to catch up. I had a great trip a couple weeks ago to Caerphilly Castle. It was an amazing castle to explore, and the weather was amazing as well. The design is very cool because it's pretty much a castle within a castle and thats what makes it so big. It's also essentially the center of the town and it seems to dwarf the town. When walking around it and in it you tend to forget that there's a Walmart down the road.

However, I could talk about the castle all I want, but it's probably better if I just show you the pictures.

ENJOY!

Settling In

Hello Everyone,

I've started to settle in, but i'm still feeling the effects of Jet Lag. So far i've just been getting aquainted with the town and cleaning my new place.

My House-mates in the other flat are awesome (Dan and Jess), they've shown us the ropes and the area, given us great advice and pointers and been super friendly. I also wanted to put it out there that I'm happy with my own room mates as well. I'm sure that we will have our issues, debates, and arguements, however, I know that we will work through them. I couldn't have asked for better roomies.

I will be putting up pictures once I have settled and making more frequent blog posts once I get the internet(which may be a few more weeks).

On a side note: I find it very interesting that whenever we walk into a room or talk outloud in public, people look at us funny. I think Canadian people are somewhat of a rarity here.

I am also noticing how the culture here seems less fast paced than Canada.
I also thought I'd never say that I miss the 24 hour sobey's; and I feel a little dirty when I say "I wish they had a walmart here..."

I am doing well, Oh and if you send me a message I should get back to you within a day because the school has internet.

Cheers,

Alex

First Blog

Hi Everyone!

This is my first blog post ever!

Kendal's B-day party was last night and It was great to see the family, It felt like it had been a long time since I had seen everyone.

I am all set for my Student Visa biometric appointment this Friday (Fingerprints, official documents etc...).
Once that is done and I have my flight booked, I'll be all set to leave near the start of September.

I'd like to say my goodbyes to as many people as possible before I head out and at least get everyone's email so I can stay in contact and get everyone to my blog.

I'll be using this blog as a diary when I'm in Wales to let everyone know how I'm doing and the crazy stuff I'll be up to.

Iechyd da! ("Cheers")

Alex Hayes