Pop Tart

For those back at home..
yes.. just 2 weeks here and I did a 'vanessa' already

we bought a pop tart..
a pop tart that set off the fire alarm

this pop tart needed to be mircowaved..
we misread 3 secs for 3mins

then u get an entire building of angry and sleepy Americans rushing out..
not forgeting it's 2am in winter.. so most of them were in PJs and it was very cold..

note: the fire alarm here is super mega loud.. the kind meant to wake even the dead up..

andrew thinks I should lock my door and put chairs behind it..
just in case an angry neighbour decides to take action..

*feeling miserable*

we'll all have to learn it someday

I ironed my clothes for the first time..
I think I'm getting the hang of it..
Something I should have learnt a long time ago..

*feeling proud of myself*

going to school

whining..

I really miss getting up at 8.30am.. picking up clothes and rushing for class late..

it is soo difficult to get to school in the winter..
in order of what I have to put on before going to school.. (assuming i have undergarments on already)

stocklings, jeans, socks, the whole process of tucking in your jeans into boots
t-shirt, long shelve tee, sweater, coat/jacket
then u need to grab the gloves, scarf, hat
also the moisturer for the face.. the hand(body) and lip gloss

plus because I'm vain.. I still have to put on make-up..
our asian sized eyes look like they are closed as compared to the americans and europeans..
I really like the lovely eyes of the exchange students from Austria and Spain..
The lashes are like naturally long and blue eyes.. awww
*jealous*

About Shabu Shabu and being Strong

warning.. it's going to be a slighty emo post..

today I found out that it cost about $44,000 a year for a student to study at Bentley..
and probably about 50% of the school population pays for that on their own..
either by scholarships (only for the privelage elites who are smart), working, loans, internships..
And I used to wonder why there are so many students working on campus..
and how come some of them can hold up to 3 jobs while studying..

huge change in perceptions..
tsk tsk.. the media really potrays bad sterotypes..

I really dun know.. on one hand, u have the usual
wah heng ar.. My university fees are all covered by my parents..
I should be thankful and not take things in life for granted..

on the other hand..
it kinda of emphasizes wat a country bumpkin I am..
Singapore is really really small..
there is like so much more out there in the world..
different people, different cultures, different stories..
but at the end of the day.. there are similarities too..
same problems.. same human-ness
(haha.. it sounds like I'm an alien from another planet on exchange..)

This is today's weather..
cold.. I'm starting to see it in a different light thou..
More snow.. more snow balls..
And if it snows heavily tonight.. Chris is going to teach us how to make a snowman tml..
btw.. I still suck at making snowballs..
on the other hand, I am really good at getting aimed at by flying snowballs..

pretty tree..
Chris is like 1.84m lah..
But I guess he was just making me happy by lowering himself in the picture..
haha.. he doesn't like being tall..
*jealous*

We went out to a Japanese Shabu Shabu resturant for dinner..
Shabu Shabu (Steamboat) is sooooo good for winter..
Chris is really good with the chopsticks..
here he's just showing off.. with a squid head..
about a year ago he doesn't eat seafood.. not even fish hor..
but he's more adventurous now..

(note: I wanted to order Cow Tongue.. but I was overruled.. Cow Tongue is nice lor)

The 3 of us at the resturant..

After dinner we took a long stroll from Chinatown to North End (Italian neighbourhood)
long = almost 3-4 train stations away

Went in to an italian cake house, "Mike's Place"

This is the *drum rolls* *clash* *bang*

Presenting the Boston Cream Pie..

It rocks.. yum

And of course the lovely Cappacino to go with it..

caramel, chocolate syrup, cinnamon and mocha powder..

and the wooden stirrer with crytalise sugar..

enough said..

safari themed party

Yes.. we had a safari party..
Jessica, Birgit's buddy was having a party for a friend who was going to South Africa for and exchange..
so this was the farewell party..
haha.. for being there for almost 4hrs.. i have no idea who's actually guy we are celebrating the farewell party for..

haha
anyhows.. Jessica tot it will be cool for us to join them at the party..
there wil guys in boxes and singlets and having plastic leaves all over them.. and there were those in bermudas and timberland shoes and trying to look like hunters.. (notice* bermudas in winter.. so not practical..) i think there was a guy in face paint even..

the americans really know how to party..
and they take themed parties to a different level..
(note:* how many of my dear friends actually wore orange or retro at my 21st.. haix.. tsk tsk)

the Vienna, Austria girls Birgit and Dianela..

L-R.. Willa (HKU), me and Else (HKU).... Willa is probably the only other person here on exchange who is in her final semester..

what's even more cool is she also signed a ctt with EY.. just that it's the EY in HK thou.. haha

Me and Ivy.. out of all the 11 darlings for HKU.. only 4 of them are actually Hongkongers..

haha.. and Ivy's one of them..
well.. at least i have 4 choices as to where i can bulk in when i go over to HK.. *hee*

This is Megan in the middle.. she's cool.. really nice girl..

drove a few of us to Boston before..

Her grandmother is Taiwanese..

so we have an argeement to teach her Chinese while she teach us Spanish..

we'll see.... haha

Me and Yeng Yong..

Safari-themed..

enough said.. haha

Juilen.. another cool guy...

Also and exchange student.. from France..

all my French Level 1 didn't help me one bit to act cool in front of him..

group photo..

tonight was cool..

i'm determined to study tml..

i shall do my howmework..

feeling motivated..

Outlet shopping

I went to the Wretham Premium Outlets today...
was there for 6 hrs.. but i couldn't even finish walking thru everything..
I would say.. i probably only covered 30%..

On the bus trip.. it was $38 per trip for a 2 way coach trip to Wretham..

ex hor.. but it is only when u arrive there that u realise.. $38 is worth it..

It is a very deserted place.. at the border of Boston and Provence... "ULU"

on the pic.. (clockwise: me, yeng yong (roommate), Merideth (HKU), Daniela (Vienna) and Cherie (HKU))

And yes.. the damage done..

(p.s. dad, I Love You...)

Clockwise:

Black top, Banana republic $5

Long shelves (grey w star print and maroon), GAP $6 each

Stripe Polo Tee, GAP $10

Yellow Polo Tee, Rahlp Lauren $18

Lindt Chocolate mix, Lindt $20 for 2 bags

Patent Booties, Nine West $19

Fossil Watch with 3 exchangable straps, Fossil $15

My dear dot.. this is your lovely COACHIE...

only US$126....

side view...

Practical view.. since you bought me the eeyore.. this is probably a good gauge of the bag's size.. i placed the water bottle in the picture too..

ooops.. this belong the other day... my Victoria Secrets.. hoho

today.. i spoked twice in my strategic mgt class..
it was no where near comfortable..
this sucks..
but a happy thing is, Eva (also on exchange from Vienna)'s in my class..
i hope she doesn't drop out of the class *crossed fingers*

it is a very wrong assumption that Americans schools dun study..
I'm buried in readings.. pretty much similiar to when i was in NTU..
I was reading Auditing last night..
ended up asleep on the bed even before finishing the 1st chapter..
In class today.. the 2 kukus sitted next to me..
they finished the 2 Chapters and even did the revision questions at the back..
I'm remorseful.. a little at least..

I'm going to work hard
haha.. okies at least try to do my readings..

I was told..
Bentley's the 2nd best accounting college in the US
that probably explains why the students here actually study
(not american sterotype)

1st day of school

Scary lor.. the profs here are super enthu..
Like they are all very passionate about teaching.. about their research and what they are doing for the future generation..
I had 4 classes on my first day.. tiring.. (i think the cold weather makes u tired more quickly)

The strategic mgt tutor was a little overwhelming..
Did feel abit like crying after that class..
all the students in the class are final yr.. so they have their clinques..
and everyone is just rushing to talk in class..
to ask the prof's question, to give an opinion.. to give a comment abt the previous opinion..
even to tell the prof abt how they spent the winter holidays..
*cultural shock*
the class participation is 30% for this class..
and... I didn't even queek a word for the whole lesson..

My auditing tutor was inspiring.. he said that when we go out to work, we can never be better than our bosses in terms of experience.. but because we are fresh out of the University, our advantage is the knowledge we garnered..
and by having this firm grounding of technical knowledge u can gain the respect of the people at the work place and be able to contribute positively..

cool..

I have 2 electives.. one on gender issues and the other on comparative government..
haha.. the gender issues one is cool.. abit like CS..
It should be pretty fun to discuss such topics here in the US..
they are so open abt gay issues, porn, how they like or don't like bush and the other candidates..

i only have classes on tuesday and thursday.. hee.. but they are packed.. from like 8.30am-6pm
will see how..
alot of readings and research to do.. (welcome to reality)

I had this for dinner on the 1st day... cool right.. sushi in Boston..
They are like 1.5 times bigger than our sushi..
only $5..

After class I went to watch a basketball game.. Bentley vs. PACE..
Bentley trashed them.. haha..
everyone's so into the game..
even thou it was a home game.. there were supporters from PACE too..
and at each each interval.. there were cheerleaders..

Cheerleading is american..
it is a all girl thing..
except for the Falcon (Bentley's mascot) and one guy with the loud hailer thing..
and yes.. they are very proud to be cheerleaders..
haha.. i think u get wad i mean..

sidetrack..
I think I like our version of cheerleading better..
more fun.. less bitchy..more creative..

BJ "everything but the..." flavour.. it has Reeses and everything inside..
it speaks for itself..

Reeses and Tootsie Rolls

AWwwww...

My new shoes.. from right..

the 1st boots i got here from nine west.. pretty in black suede

on sale boots from urban outfitters.. pink leather with heels

lastly, gold pointies from nine west

There's going to be a Bentley Ball in Feb..

I got this dress from Ann Taylor.. $24

..And another dress from MACY'S

only $9.50

This one's from GAP.. $14..

but i'm still thinking.. didn't buy it in the end..

now that I look at it again..

haha

yes.. if i can't get into Harvard.. at least I've tried

20 Jan - Harvard Square (Andrew, Yeng Yong and Me)

This book is actually on sale in Harvard.. "How they got into Harvard, 50 success stories to enter harvard"
Taking orders today.. let me know if u wanna get for your kids, cousins, niece, nephews..

"harvard cutie" If my school tee was like that.. I'll wear it anytime.. probably everytime too

Oh.. this is John Harvard... the wise guy behind the instituition.. if u look carefully, his left foot is made of gold. Apparently you should touch it for good luck..

Andrew touched it on semester and he got his 4.0 GPA (4.0 is the max here in the US)

Dear friends at home.. For USD$5... I'll be offering a one time only service.. u can email me a picture of your hand.. I'll walk to the library get it printed.. brave the cold and take the shuttle to Harvard.. and place your hand there..

Me and all the Harvard Bears..

They are soooo not cheap lah.. That probably explains why they are a buisness school..

They are about $20 for the small one and $25 for the big one..

and for minority representation.. they come in all colours..

and if you bother to find... they have it as a pig, frog, monkey if you really want..

The Harvard Book Store.. I'll probably read any of those books in my next lifetime..

This is my Dormority.. *nah* it's one of the Harvard Doms... I'm pretending I stay there.. I was hovering our their campus area for a long time but...

*chey* I haven't seen any Harvard boys yet.. (sads)

it's easier to see the big and small bear here...

I didn't take pictures for these.. but there is Harvard apparrel for Kids too..

So dear Kiasu Sporean parents... start your kids earlytoday..

If the use a Harvard cot, wear Harvard baby clothes, use Harvard soft toys, hang Harvard posters in their rooms, use Harvard cups...

maybe..

they may just get into Harvard Uni some day..

(I'm sure everythings availiable in the MIT version.)

Tour de l'home

corridor leading to my apartment..

last room/1st room on the 3rd flr..(well depends on which exit u r counting from)

when u enter... it's the mini kitchen looking thing..

then the common area shared by 5 ppl..

there are 4 rooms in the apartment.. 1 toilet, 2 double rooms, 1 single room...

here's the tv and the entrance to my room.. (just next to the toilet..yay..)

This is our toilet.. shared by 5 ppl.. not classy... but ok lah.. haha

btw the shower area's really small.. but i couldn't capture it..

now.. into my room.. this is my side of the bed.. messy hor..

give me time.. i still need to pack everything into the drawers... hee

Party.. at Courtney's Room

Christina (Spain), Yeng Yong, Iolanda (Spain) & me

Andrew (Bentley), Samson (HK), me and Eric (HK)

Yeng Yong, Me & Andrew

and.. my buddy Chris..

happy after all that shopping at Quincy Street.. (Feliciia, Yeng Yong and me)

standing in front of the spot where the Boston Massacre took place.. (Cassey, me and Chad)

My bedroom... prettier now actually i added the bed linen and ee orh and scrumpie.. *winks*

I thought i needed to give u an idea of how snowy it is here..

this was just outside my hall..

cold as it is.. the snow falls and collects very nicely on the trees and they look very pretty too...