Despite all exams finishing and not really having much to do I've been surprisingly busy lately. I find it difficult to function properly unless I'm under a bit of pressure.

Had 3 days work experience at BBC Humberside which was great. Clare Frisby organised it for me after she came for the trophy presentation at the University.

One day in the news room, one on radio and one on Kit (kingston interactive television) all were great. Really interested in seeing how news gets put together. The BBC has a computer system which lets one journalist see what other BBC programs have on their news bullitins and then swap stories, really powerfull.

Everyone was really friendly, a great place to work. A new BBC Centre is being built in Queens Gardens in the centre of town with new studios (TV and radio) and loads of stuff for KIT. It's set to open in Sept 2003 I think.

Mum and Dad are coming up today to pick up all my stuff, then I'm cycling back home tomorrow, (just for fun!?) Hull -> Lincoln -> Peterborough -> Cambridge -> Watford. 160 miles about. Sorted my bike out at the bike shop just up the road, was in there about an hour, really friendly guys helping me out. Got a speedometer to tell me how fast and far I've gone. And some padded shorts to save my arse.

BBC give video cameras to people and get them to do video diaries, I've got a couple of tapes to tape the journey, which I'll send back to Jen at the BBC to see if it's any good. If it is then there should be a video diary of it on KIT and the web.

I've booked my flight next sunday 23rd. Got a one way ticket to Thailand, two weeks travelling over land through Malaysia, before settling down in Singapore for 6 months. Should arrive there by the 8th. got a couple of orientation days before term starts on the 15th. I've also applied to study at Sains University in Malaysia afterwards, including a module in TV production.

Got my Thai Visa in Friday, there's a Thai Consulat in Hull believe it or not, so cycled down there to pick it up. You don't need a visa usually, but I'm on a one-way ticket so I do, they want to make sure I'm leaving I suppose. Filled in my form to say I'm intercolating a year and handed back my library books.

Went to a refugees world music festival in Queens Gardens yesterday. was good.

Everyone else has left the house, and all my stuff is leaving today. Goodbye to Hull for a year. Hoping to live on Cranbrook avenue when I come back, 2-50 even numbers, facing the route to uni, a good spot for posters in the window...

I'll let you know how I get on....

Bye for now, john