1st Week of Coming Back to Ireland

Taken by Cik Abe from Galway University Hospital

Bismillahirrahmanirrahim.

Thinking back to continue blogging again because of my first 3 days being here last week. I took an emergency break last April and went back to Malaysia because of a horrible week being warded due to Pernicious anemia, tho I only arrived Athlone in February. Hmm I might want to write another entry regarding that rare disease, especially for Malaysians.

So, I just came back from Malaysia last Friday, and my horrible week started. The first 3 days a.k.a the weekend, I was on a terrible homesick. It was like I never left home before. Tho I already here before. Maybe because I was a bit petrified of old memories being sick here, and also due to the long break. Before taking flights also I cried so much. My husband was reluctant to let me go, yet he gave me his blessings to come here for seeking knowledge, Lillahi Ta'ala.

And the house I am living is wayyy different than what they showed in the website, daft.ie. I don't like that room. It was soooo small that it only fits a single bed and a bit space to go to the door. It doesn't even have wardrobe that I feel my things are way more than the space. Then, the people in the house always bring their male friends, turned on loud music and even cuddling in front of me!

I was feeling terrible of WHY do I come here at the first place, tho I was really enthusiastic to continue my Masters journey again. Then, the landlord was not considerate at all. That time he just came to meet me, then asked for August payment straightly without giving me any note. I mean, that time I only have 170 euro cash and he wants 200 euro. He told me to go to bank to take it out. And that was 8.30 pm! Allahuu.

I asked him to come with me and then I gave him the money.

On Monday, I went to meet everybody in research hub and 1 of my Spanish friend, Sandra dislike what I told her and asked me to get out from there. She even helped to bring me to the office and speak to the officer that I need a room. Before I went there, I met my landlord and told him that I want to move out. He didn't really listen to the problems I am facing in the house and told me to not call him for 3 weeks because he will be on leave. And I was like WHATTTT??!!

In the end, he gave me my 300 deposit but not the August payment. Because I already signed a contract which was merely a form without any rules! Last time I did ask what is the rule that I have to follow, but then he only said, "Oh no, this is just for formality". And now when I ask for money back, he told me about contract. What the...

On Tuesday I was so hectic attending the 2 days compulsary module, and at the same time I need to catch up the experiments with Johnny, an intern that helped me with my project because he is leaving at the end of this week. At the same time I was thinking to just bear the stay for this August before moving out to this new student accomodation. Little did I know, Sandra told my supervisor, Margaret about this when I was in the course. She told me that she will speak to me on Wednesday.

On Wednesday, when I was in the course, I promised to get my things that I left in my previous apartment from the officer. And then I received a call telling me that she couldn't find my things. Again, WHATTT???!! Ya Allah. I feel that the problems came to me non stop!! Not even 1 day here that I didn't cry. Then Margaret called my current landlord, asking for my 200 euro. He didn't like the fact that a lecturer calling him and he finally agrees to give me back my money because he is afraid that university management might know about this and will blacklist him. But I will have to wait for next 3 weeks because he is abroad now. Then I applied to Sandra's accomodation landlord to move in as soon as possible. I went back home and packed up all my things again.

On Thursday morning I called them again because they didn't reply the email yet, and luckily he gave me Sandra's room as she already left for good on Tuesday. But I will still have to move to my real room in September as it is still on renovation. So, I did labwork with Johnny first and then went back to move all my things out. Luckily, Sandra's housemate offered me her friend's car when she saw me taking a huge luggage by foot. Really it was a big help! Alhamdulillah. If not, I might have to go here and there 5 to 6 times or more to finish taking out all my things to this new apartment. But still, my body was falling apart due to taking the heavy things and I just slept early.

Thursday is the 1st day that I didn't shed even a drop of tears. Alhamdulillah things get much much more better now. Even Ashima, my new housemate noticed that I am now more calm than when I came here with Sandra. Yes, I feel so much different. I slept soundly now.

On Friday, it is the last day with Johnny. Alhamdulillah he already tell me everything he has done throughout my leave and hopefully I can now work on my own. I met Margaret and she was happy that I am now okay. She was sorry of what had happened too. 

"You will be stronger going through this, Farah! After this you will go through the research challenges too. Well, later you will know what kind of journey I have gone through to get my position right now😉"
-Margaret-

Yeah, I am more stronger now. And my husband is happy that I am okay now. Last time during the week, he was upset letting me come here and he said he wouldn't allow me to come if he knows this will happen. Well, we didn't know, right? Now I can even draft for my thesis! What a high price to get calm doesn't it?

There goes the first week, and I am still survive and alive, alhamdulillah.