y o u d o n t k n o w m e

@ Julie's Place

2008-05-16T07:41:00.000-07:00

time really flies..~
I have been living in Julie's place for a week le..
it was very sweet of her to welcome me into her home..
it was such a cosy homely apartment near Boston..

Now that Julie's back from campus she cooks dinner at home..
haha..
and of course I was helping her lah~
okies.. I was playing in the kitchen and probably making it more comfusing to cook with me nose-ing around..
haha~ but we had fun cooking hor..

Absolutely LOVED the fish can..
I haven't had a whole steam fish in donkeys..
I don't even remember having steam fish at home in a long time le..
the americans here eat filet-ed fish only.. haha

i had this fish almost everyday the past week..
yet.. it doesn't feel bored..
I just love steam fish.. hoho

Me and Julie..
going out shopping..

There was some mini Carnival in Boston Common..
whipped out the camera for pretty pictures..
It was a nice sunny day lo~

Me and the T station Signboard..
i'm soo going to miss this lao-pok train lo..
u hardly can find lao-pok trains anymore..

This is me outside Coolidge Corner..
a very less urban shopping district with your local village shops and family restaurants..

That evening..
we went to "Finale~"
a nice italian dessert place..
has the baker's inn feel..
oh man.. suddenly I miss the marcoons..
(europe wait for me...)

Then we went to Natick Mall..
looking for clothes for Julie's Graduation..
uber big shopping mall lo..
i dun think we even covered 1/5 of it.. haha

me and Natick
it's a very easy, relaxing environment for shopping..

we went to get a mini tramisu cake for Ng mama..
it was Mother's Day..

I miss the mega mother's day celebration at Uncle Ray's place..
I sent this super mega card that pops up with glither and everything..
but apparently mummy didn't get it..
-_-"

Yesh.. it's spring le..
Some random flowers along the way back to Julie's apartment..
pretty tulips..

today's my last day at her place le..
I'm going to miss this place~

Dad and Mum should be on the plane le..
anticpation~

A detailed account of my Last Week @ Bentley..

2008-05-09T15:19:00.001-07:00

It's a long entry.. but I'm still pretty overwhelmed by all the events happening..
just let me rattle away~

It has been a messy week... straight after my 2nd last paper on Saturday... the whole issue of “last week in Bentley” became all the more inevitable...

3rd May, Saturday night..
the Asian Internationals brought all the HKU and NTU exchangers out for dinner at Emperor’s Restaurant at Chinatown...
It is one of those really restaurant, restaurant....
the mar chaim can hold wedding there kind...
but no choice lo.. so many of us leh..
needed to find a place to fit..

and we must owe it to William’s effort to gather so many Chinese students together...
the food was so so, but the great company made up for it..
it’s just always so hard to get big groups of ppl out..
after dinner half went sing K and halfwatch movie..
K too ex lah... so i watched Iron Man instead..
Good movie... haha.. (i shall not do spoilers..)

Later that evening we had out last alcoholic gathering at at Ivy's room..
something with that Boylston Attic..
apparently it always ends up as the gathering place..
the drinking.. laughing.. blowing and stupid games..
I'll miss those times...

4th May, Sunday night...
Me and YY brought Ivy out for lobster...
She missed out the last time we went to “No Name”
We decided to try McCormick and Shimicks at Quincy market..
Jimmy’s 2 friends came along too..
Wah.. the lobster is better and cheaper lo..
But different feel lo.. “No Name” got the pier, fishy, “Ah Huat Seafood” feel
McCormick is the classy, cosy, “Huat Des Chauteax Seafood” feel

When I got back from lobster.. it was sooo late...
Then began my mad rush to settle Monday’s ID211 paper..
It was a No. 3 – Take Home Final
Oh let me tell you the many different ways the Americans here can have an examination..

1) Half Price Offer - Let say a textbook has 12 chapters... 6 chapters tested for Mid Term.. Therefore ONLY 6 Chapters for the final exam... (Back in SG our final is all 12 chapters lo..)

2) Choice of weightage - just before your final you can decide what your final grade should be made up of.. the prof will let u choose, let’s say option A: mid term 40%, class participation 20% and final 40% or Option B: Mid term 20%, class participation 40% and final 40%, etc...

3) Take Home Final- they give u an essay topic.. write it at home and hand in the deadline..

4) Choice of exam dates and time– the professor will have a few exam dates for you to choose from... so if you need more time to study u can take the one on a later date.. if you prefer afternoon paper u can choose the afternoon timing one..

5) Common Exam – only very few selected final year modules have common exams.. and they have those on Saturday Afternoons... (the Americans actually use sat afternoons..)

6) Guess correctly.. NO exam – the professor will ask u to guess your overall grade.. if it is equal or less than his estimation, you will get that grade you guessed and would NOT need to take the final exam... if your guess is higher than his estimation then u need to go for the Final Exam... (exciting sia)

5th May, Monday
After (RUNNING up to campus) handing in the paper.. it was time to send YY off..
She, Ivy and Doris were leaving onTuesday morning to LA..
Spent the evening packing with her..

Today’s the official day I started packing too...
(notice it took me almost 4 days to EVER finish packing)

Me and YY had to sit and jump on her bag in order to close it..
Too many things.. too much rubbish.. but too little space..
Jimmy was good help..

6th May, Tuesday morning
the group of us woke up super early for breakfast at Seasons..
(I called for the gathering.. but due to oversleeping issues... hee.. I was last to arrive)
It was the last seasons episode for Ivy, YY and Doris..

They we walked out to the "Bentley College" sign board to take funny pictures..
It was facing the main road...
imagine the look of the drivers..
seeing us pose and do funny actions with the Bentley College logo.. haha

Then i spent the afternoon, printing travel documents and planning my "life after Bentley" trips... in the LIBRARY.... haha
It was nice to have a slow and careful look at the campus that I have been in for the last 5 mths..
To think that at some point , i thought about whether i would survive an exchange for an entire semester...
I even deliberated about whether i should even go to Bentley..
In a blink of an eye... i’m here for 5 mths le..

That evening.. i had dinner with Thomas at YanJing a Beijing place at Harvard Square..
Probably my last time at that Restaurant too..
Love the staff there.. always soo friendly de.. haha
And the complimentary pork rib peanut soup.. feels like home.. haha

Then i ran over to Waverley Square to Willa and Elyse’s place...
(They were leaving on Wednesday Morning to LA too...)
Their roommates cooked a spread of food to bid them farewell..
They can really cook lo.. *feeling embarrassed*

7th May, Wednesday...
This when I started to feel sick le.. *sobs*
Woke up.. had a mad run all around school..
settling all the school stuff.. returning books..
Collecting money.. paying money..

Collected my pretty iPhone from the Mail Room..
*Hee*
It was out of stock.. so they had to send it to me.. Waited 10 days can..

Then I when out for a late lunch with Daniela, Birgit, Jessica and Jeff..
Jessica and Jeff are a pair of super nice American couple .. (Birgit’s Buddy)

Then in the Evening.. Andrew Innocent gathered all the exchange students from the Spring 2008 to Cheesecake Factory for a Farewell dinner..
I was the only Asian person who went for the dinner lo..

Just my personal evaluation: sometimes i think NTU made a good choice to send only 2 students to Bentley.. because there are only 2 of us.. we cannot just hang around with each other..
And we are kinda forced to make other friends..
All the “Guan Xi” skills.. fully applied in these instances..
That evening there was 4 French, 5 Austrians, 2 Moroccans, 2 Spaniards, 1 Australian and 2 Americans.. and 1 very proud SINGAPOREAN.. *haha*
I was sooo thankful for Daniela, Birgit and Delphine for sitting with me and speaking to me in a Non-Latin Lauguage ---- English

Language is a very funny thing...
Truth is.. We are all university students.. nobody has real problems speaking or writing in proper English... yet each of us like to fall back to a common (sometimes more personal) language..
There were soooooo many times throughout this exchange i had the.. “if only i could speak fluent German and Cantonese.. that would be great..” thought

I’m not an angel either... i know there was once... i made Daniela feel terrible when a group of us just started sprouting in Chinese in front of her..

haha.. but in any case the dinner was fun.. alot of photo taking..
but unfortunately i couldn't eat anything..
my sore throat was very bad that evening le..
had problems swallowing lo..
haix..
so I had 3 glasses of white wine..

which...
I found out much later was probably a bad choice too..
that evening i was down with fever..
Meredith even had to pass me her "zhong yao"..

It was a long night..
I didn't join the other exchange students to clubbing..
The mind really wanted to but the phyiscal body was giving way le..

when i got back..
i went over to Daniela's room to say farewell to Shantanu..
The indian guy from our gender class..
He got each of us dried food from India..
And we kind of had a mini gift exchange..

8th May, Thursday
Me, sophie, daniela and birgit got up at 8am to have our last breakfast together..
by that time i was almost a dead duck le..
Me, Eric, Daniela and Sophie were supposed to go to the Boston Outlet today...
but i gave it a miss..
cannot lah.. really sick le lo..

I didn't go.. Daniela decided to give it a miss..
Then Sophie missed the Shuttle bus..
Soooo.. Eric ended up alone..
He's probably going to hate me for that..
I hate being sick~

Today's kinda my last day at Bentley le..
Had to move my things out..
because dad & mum will only arrive next week, both Julie and Thomas offered to take me in..
And my vote went to Julie.. *claps*

That afternoon... Kelvin So helped me and Julie move out of campus..
Julie graduates this semester too..
so her moving out of campus was a humogous effort.. haha
totally reminds me of how i struggled to move out of hall..
the number of plastic bags.. books.. files.. tibits.. soft toys.. etc..
I think I had almost double of what she had when I move out of Hall 7..
*haha*

That evening.. 7 of us met for dinner at Union Oyster House..
Kelvin, Julie, Eric, Sophie, Meredith, Cherie and Me..
Finally got to try my oysters lo..
The 4 of them are leaving on Friday morning le..
sobs sniffs..
finally the last batch of HKU people also leaving le..

overwhelming hor..
I'm abt to start my wanderer life..
for the first time last night I felt like I don't have a home le..
the next 2 months is going to be exciting..
my graduation trip starts today...
wooosh..

packing up my dreams

2008-05-06T13:26:00.000-07:00

the heart's heavy..

the lugguage's heavy too..

finished my last exam ytd

This it for my 3 yrs in the Uni

3 yrs le wor.. long also not say long

i'm actually graduating

what happens next

..the heart is heavy (..and excited too)

Exams starting, Exchange ending

2008-04-30T21:15:00.001-07:00

random pics of me around school..
it seems like only ytd that i was frantically pack my things to leave for Boston...
frantically eating all i can eat in SG before coming..

Lobster Feast - 27th April Sun

2008-04-30T21:14:00.001-07:00

Lobster is one thing that defines Boston..
like you must have black pepper crab in SG..
(shit.. I do miss those crabs.. I need to go to Geylang for my proper dose of seafood when I get back!!)

anyway..
I decided to troop down to Fish Pier (No Name Restaurant) for cheap lobster..
(for some weird reason it seems that to call your seafood restaurant "No Name" is a common phenomenon.. the "No Name" in SG also no bad de wor..)
However, I heard the nicer ones at Legal Seafood but it is like US$50++

13 of us went to eat..
for the first time in the whole semester..
soo many of the exchange students managed to come together..
(well, I was the one who organised... *blow horn*)
but... yups.. it was nice having sooooo many people..

This is my table of 5...
Elyse, YY, Thomas, Eric and MEEeeeeee
The waiter puts on this plastic bib around us..
all ready for the Lobster Feast.. hoho

This is the "Lead Actor"..
it was good...
hoho.. the table mat below even had instructions on how to settle the lobster..
we were like fighting a mini war with the lobster..
so unglam..

haha..
"I came I saw I conquered.."

The exchange's coming to an end le..
probably less than 10 days left and all of us will each go our way..
and eventually each of us will move back into routine life back in our home country..
*sobs* *sniffs*

Clubbing at Mantra - 24th April Thurs

2008-04-30T21:13:00.000-07:00

brought the girls out clubbing...
was introduced to the guy who organised the v day bash..
gave him a call and he managed to get all 9 of us in through the VIP line
and at $5 off the usual cover..
sweet~

plus he offered to pay for my cover.. haha
*winks*

it's a new top I got in Chicago.. haha..
$17 nia.. from forever 21..
(yes don't remind me that i'm 22 this yr le..)

me, daniela, willa & yy
Eva and me

Birgit, me and yy

Bentley Spring Day (25-27Apr)

2008-04-28T15:56:00.000-07:00

Spring Day is one big event in Bentley..
yes.. it's a celebration of the coming of spring..
haha.. then again the school's rich and they can afford mega celebrations like these..

the actual thing's on Sat.. but ppl were having mini BBQ parties before that..
and the drinking and partying starting on Fri night..
so when u attend Spring Day on Sat (which starts at 12n btw) you would be sufficiently drunk by then..
that is the underlying message of Spring Day.. "get drunk"

The school sets up an American Style Pasar Malam..
with the big tentage and food and games..
oh.. there was a huge buffet spread too..

so I went to eat... then pop-ed by at Daniela's apartment to have wine..
and even went to an unknown person's room for a party..

That's the set up for the games..
our lovely inflatables..
my first comment was.. "wah soo childish leh"
but when everyone get abit tipsy..
it's actually rather fun to play..

the rest of the day went by..
just lying on the field..
and getting more and more tipsy..

and in the evening there was a concert thingy..
they invited "Common" and "Pepper" to perform..
I have not idea who they are...
then again went your are tipsy...
who cares what they actually sings..

we ended the day with a mega drinking games session..
the Asian way at Bolyston's attic.. (Hui Yi!! your old room..)

what is love?

2008-04-25T20:00:00.000-07:00

my cousin sent me this email the other day...

what does love mean to a 4 yr old kid...

1) Love is when my mommy makes coffee for my daddy and she takes a sip before giving it to him, to make sure the taste is OK

2) I know my older sister loves me because she gives me all her old clothes and has to go out and buy new ones

3) Love is what makes you smile when you're tired

Tips from a former Bentley student who went to NTU for exchange

2008-04-23T18:39:00.000-07:00

I went to an NTU Bentley talk today..
met up with the 2 guys who have choosen NTU for exchange next semester..
The guy who went last sem left this for them..

1) Locals are somewhat reserved, it can be difficult to meet them. They are very polite though.

2) Schedules are kind of confusing, try to get it sorted out early. Go to the Student Services Center and talk to them in person. Then go again 4 days later because they may have forgotten about your request.

3) Bring clothes for really warm, really humid weather

4) Although everyone speaks English, they speak "Singlish" which is different and there still exist a slight language barrier

5) Arrival is easy, get someone to meet you at the airport or take a taxi and hopefully find the International Student Center.

Weekend Trip 5: Chicago

2008-04-22T20:15:00.000-07:00

chicago..
this is my longest weekend trip ever.. 5 days
my last one too..
exams are around the corner le..

chicago is known as the windy city
yes.. the weather is indeed very windy..
but the city got it's nickname when the mayor
and his representatives went down to washington to bid for the opportunity to host the world fair 1893 in chicago..
they were soooo long winded in their proposal that they managed to secure the bid eventually..
and thus earning the nickname "windy" city

another interesting thing about the city is the great fire in 1871..
yesh.. it burnt the entire city down..

but on one hand the debris from the fire got pushed into Lake Michigan, which eventually served as land reclamation for the city..

and on the other hand, a whole swam of architects from ard the world came into the city..
each architect with his own school of thought knew that the fire meant tht chicago was an empty canvas and they could try whatever they wanted on it..

modern architecture designs such as steel beams, steal facades, elevators were tried out for the first time in the world at chicago..

pretty rights..
another unique thing about their buildings is that there is regulation for it to be set back from the city street, thus creating pockets of space for natural sunlight to come in..

also, their first mayor strongly encouraged making art available to the public..
so every corner u will see some public art erected..
on whether they are all relevantly placed..
i'm not to comment.. haha

When I travel..
food hunting is not unusual..
haha..
here are my good yummy finds
1) Chicago Deep Pan Pizza

the crust is different from the normal kind..
the fillings mar chiam free de..

2) Chicago's draft beer -Miller

Min ah's studying in UIUC so she came down to see me while I was in Chicago..
Haha.. *poor bin*
I was drinking Chicago's Miller and She was drinking Boston's Sam Adam...
a good exchange experience sia.. haha

3) A group of pretty girls and the PIZZA

yups.. this is the 7 of us who were in Chicago..
*winks

4) Dim Sum

thanks to Min Ah's reccommendations
we actually found dim sum in chicago..
it was good stuff..
although i still think i need to get my dose of crystal jade when i get back... haha

5) Abercombie & Fitch guy

wouldn't u agree that this was yummy too..
one more reason why I like shopping at AF..
he was just standing at the store front for customers to take photo with him..

whee wheet~

6) Chicago Hot Dog

Vienna Beef with everything on it except Ketchup..
it is considered rude to ask for Ketchup with this dog..

7) Ghihradeli Chocolate's ice cream

Chicago or rather the state of Illinois is such a goood place for chocolate..
If you go further north to Winsconsin.. where the moo-s are..
the chocolate is even better..

8) Jambalaya

we went to a sounthern style restuarant called "Heaven on Seven" where they served Cajun food..
Jambalaya is probably one of the more famous southern dishes available..
It's abit char-pa-lan.. like how our SG fried rice came about..
just that the texture abit like "mui fan"

interesting.. but i miss my mum's overnight fried rice with her sambal more... *winks*

next up.. navy pier..
one of the prettier places in chicago
and it's famous ferris wheel..

me and elyse were trying to do the "huan huan ai" scene..
corny la~
but had to try to romanticise things abit mah.. haha

on the ferris wheel..
with the chicago skyline framing me from behind..
awwww....

Then I went Museum hopping..

This is the skull of a graffic..
i never knew those feelers thingy was actually bone part of the skull..
(yesh.. bimbo moment..)

Yuck..

Pretty..

Prettier..

This was the view outside the museums..
blue skies, green grass, beautiful skyline..
I complete the picture.. *wahaha*

How do i bring it across that the view was breaktaking...
It was simply awww..

btw the tallest building there is the Sears Tower..
also the Tallest skyscraper in the US...

I mentioned about public art in Chicago..
this was probably my favourite..

it's called the "cloud gate" by Anish Kapoor
it kinda looks like a metallic bean with a highly reflective surface capturing and transforming the skyline and the downtown cityscape..

That evening..
I went up the John Hancock Observatory..
4th tallest in the US..
i was on the 94th floor..

it's doesn't look that bright while walking on the streets..
but from that view..
it's amazing how every little bit of street light fits nicely to light up the skyline...

That's all folks..

* I N E R T I A *

2008-04-17T01:27:00.000-07:00

in·er·tia [in-ur-shuh, i-nur-]

noun
inertness, esp. with regard to effort, motion, action, and the like; inactivity; sluggishness.

i did my laundry..
i packed my things..
i boiled my water..

opened facebook
browsed blogs
cleared emails

laying all the research materials in front of me..
fiddling with the font on my mircosoft word..
changing my bed spread and covers..

eaten a bagel with chives and onion cream cheese
eaten straight from the tub, Ben and Jerry's coffee with heath bar chunks
eaten a bag of self-mircowaved popcorn

my first class' at 8:30
my quiz's at 9:55
my flight's at 17:16

14:00 - the paper is due
19:04 - the plane lands in chicago
4:39 - the time now

that's inertia, redefined my me..

I wanted to carry on defining "Procastination"
nah.. I'll start on my paper..

Clubbing At UnderBar, Sat 12 Apr

2008-04-15T23:20:00.000-07:00

It was a nice Saturday..
good weather lo.. (boston's standards thou)
Daniela and Birgit invited me and Eric over for lunch...
Daniela cooked ~ (i'm in the process of getting the Austrian name for it..)

That's Daniela cooking..
In Austria, they all have to go through cooking classes in high school...
And judging from the way Daniela can cook,
it is definitely not like our home-ed classes back in sec sch.. haha

Eric and I then brought the both of them and Shantanu to Shanghai Lou for Chinese dinner..
Cultural experience sia..

Then later that night Shantanu offered to bring the 4 of us out to Underbar..
and we partied..

I had fun..
interesting mix of people...
2 austrians, 1 indian, 1 hk-er and 1 sg-rean..

The rest of the weekend..
I was a good girl in the library working on my assignments..

I could just bury myself under all the articles I need to read..

20 degrees celsius

2008-04-10T17:27:00.000-07:00

today was one exceptional day of nice weather..
i went to class in short, tee, cardigan and slipper..
wooohooo...
spring is here lo..
finally some decent sun..

"sun sun, mr. golden sun
please shine down on me...."

Weekend Trip 4: Montreal, Canada

2008-04-07T18:14:00.000-07:00

I finally crossed the border..
Boston is nearer to Canada then to the American Capital..
It was going to be a road trip..
rented car..
6 hours drive..
3 days 2 nights

this is me in the car..
notice on my hand..
that is American Food~

This is Willa and Michael..
Michael is our wonderful driver..
none of us had a driver's license..
so other then laughing and cracking silly jokes..
we were basically useless on the road..
haha

That's me and Eric
we didn't take any group photo..
but yes it was the 4 of us on the road trip...
and this being one of the few photos Eric actually smiles..

This is Canadian food..
Not the best.. but..
better than the food here le..
(no.. I did not finish everything.. I shared that with willa.. although I think I ate most of it.. hah)

This is how they sell milk in Montreal...
very european lo
literally packet form..
reminds me of the soy bean milk we get from the market back in SG..
argh.. I miss all the tou huey and bau chou porridge from temasek market la..

This is food..
The all famous Montreal Smoked Meat Sandwich..
we travelled and walk quite abit to hunt down this super ulu shop lo..
Schwartz's Delicatessan
it is good stuff..

There is actually xiao fei yang in Montreal..
the chinatown there is alot bigger and better than in Boston..
it was just very nice to find proper decent chinese food here...Rue St. Dominique...
I had to take a picture of it lah..

Basilica Notre Dame..
Neo Gothic Church from 1829
also known for being the Blue Church of Montreal
dedicated to Our Lady

very pretty rights..
it looks like I extracted it from a postcard or somesort of painting..

Sacred Heart Chapel
mainly for weddings...
It cost $2000 to get married in the basilica and $700 to get married in this chapel..
It's a 2 yr long waitlist..
(maybe i shoould book now find later.. haha)

Cathedrale marie Reine du Monde
mapped after the St. Peter's Basilica in Rome

It just give you a very peaceful and save feeling being inside a church..

I climbed.. a million steps..
slung-ed in the snow and frozed in the cold..
to get up Chalet Mont Royal..
wasn't prepared for the climb lah..
I wasn't in boots.. I wore my converse shoes.... haha

And there you have it..
the view..
and my accomplishment..

Not to forget..
my workout for the week..

Burger..
from LA Paryse..
another good find..
the mushroom, carmelised onions and homemade beef pattie..
well compensated the SUPER long wait for a table and food..

Not to forget..
The pretty waitress did make the food taste better..
somehow la..

Montreal hosted the Olyimpics in 1976
this is the olympic tower..
interesting to see such modern architecture in such a old city..

That's all for montreal..

There are 300 calories and 170g of Fat in 1/2 a tub of BJ

2008-04-03T21:00:00.000-07:00

today my auditing professor said we were AWESOME..
this morning I had Jalepeno Bagel with Jalepeno Cheese Spread and coffee
this evening...
me and my friend sinfully finished an entire tub of New York Super Fudge BJ
tomorrow I will be going on a road trip to Montreal

shopping at Clinque

2008-04-02T14:29:00.000-07:00

After being in Boston for soooo many months..
I finally went to the Orchard Road version of Boston..
Where all the big brands and flashy designers reside..
*evil Grins*
Calling out to all the filithy rich men out there.. I'm available *wheet wheet*

This is Newbury Street..
Pretty rights?
Boston has a very Europe Old Town feel to it..
very different from many other parts in the US..
Feels comfortable just taking a stroll down the street..
(even if i'm not carrying a gucci or LV paper bag.. *steams*)

But.. I did go to Clinque..
Something I would have never been able to afford in SG..
let me explain my good buy..
I finally got my deep cleansing mask.. (the tube in the middle)
and lip gloss and pimple cream
But this is what I bought..

And this is what I got as free gift..
as some promotion when i spend $35 they throw in this bag free..
comes with a little clutch too..

What's more..
there were things inside the bag..
that were part of the free gift too.
from left to right
day cream, eye shadow, mascara, make-up remover, lipstick, lip gloss and night cream

Clinque has realised the joy of giving rather than receiving..
and I just happen to be that lucky bitch at the receiving end.

I still like my SG style instant noodle

2008-03-31T16:19:00.000-07:00

prawn noodle flavour.. shiok
enuff said..

gin jing wa xio wa ah mah..
ka ler gong... wa nang jing ki gwai eh..
wu gai bo xio, bo lo tak jic xio..
wa gai teo chew weh jin pai tia..
tor bo nang ka wa ta teo chew weh lo...

Last March-ie Weekend

2008-03-31T13:46:00.000-07:00

this weekend..

I made a painful choice to not go Washington DC with Michael, Eric and Willa.
I had just too many projects, papers and quizzes the following week..
yes.. life isn't always so pretty and rosey..
I'm on exchange not vacation lo..

but anyhow the weekend was fruitful..
Me and Ivy and later Thomas as while went off studying together..
decided that the library was to saddening a place to study..
we hopped off to Harvard Square to study..
(liddat hor.. higher chance of meeting harvard cute guy leh.. tsk tsk)

anyway.. i didn't see any true loves..
but it was actually very condusive to study there..
maybe.. their overwhelming braincells dispersed into the surrounding air..
breathe liao also easier to study.. haha
(ignore my bimbo moment)

Friday night the school had a mega celebration called the carinvale..
it was the inaugration of our new college president...

note: SHE's the first female president ever in Bentley.. (going back to the fact Bentley started out as a University for Boys only..haha)

But yesh.. it was a mega party in school anyhow.. clubbing.. food... games.. heena.. face paint.. alcohol..
they really know how to party here lah..
there was a free photo printing machine..
(closest you can get to a neoprint machine here..)
That's our picture..
Me and Ivy being goofballs..

I grabbed a picture from my suite mate's facebook to show you what a "carnivale" party in school was like..
my suite mate and her friends decided to dress to the theme..
The 4th and 5th one from the left are my suite mates.. (both in light blue)
Marshall and Stacy

Cool rights..
they looked really nice that evening..

In case u haven't notice.. I forgot to bring my camera that day.. so yar.. hee

Saturday evening..
I brought Daniela and Birgit to a chinese restuarant in Boston..
Birgit went to Taiwan for Spring Break and she wanted to demostrate how she can use the chopsticks now..

They enjoyed it.. haha apparently chinese food in Austria taste terrible and they had the false impression that all chinese food taste terrible.. haix.. tsk tsk

Oh.. and the both of them offered to bring me around Austria this coming June..
Haha.. hoho.. heehee
Europe.. wait for me...

hotpot-ing 21st March

2008-03-30T20:42:00.000-07:00

we had our first decent chinese hotpot..
When temperatures are never above 5 degrees..
only then will you appreciate the beauty of HotPot..
(and the fact that vegetables are cooked..)

we hoppped over to North Campus (where i intially was first allocated to stay..) for hotpot at Thomas' room..
went out in the morning to chinatown with Eric, Ivy and Thomas..
had our lunch at a HK resturant..
I had Shui Jiao Mian lo..
wahaha..
then we went grocery shopping at a chinese supermarket..

Here's Willa, Sophie (view blocked), Doris and Cindy
attempting to make our soup look like soup before we start.. haha
we had 2 flavours.. herbal chicken and ma-la..
btw yeng yong was busy that day.. so i was the only SG fella there..

*Ta Dan* Our HotPot..
got seh rights..
wahaha

Oh.. ar.. dun you think North campus look super pretty...
hais.. but its too far from main campus..
if not my room would be this nice too..
and i can have hotpot everyday lah..

interesting fact 1: their sinks here have auto chopping up functions..
so you can throw in aboout anything from soup residue to chicken wing bones..
and the sink.. *drum rolls*
magically churns it all up for you..
(such a Claire Bennet moment lo)

That's the photo with the most number of people in it le..
evryone too busy eating le..
nobody want to take photo liao

notice this photo has only me in focus.. haha
thought i'll just post this for fun lo..

interesting fact 2: I was the only kuku who was excited about the soup at the end of the HotPot..
the rest of them from HK and PRC never drank the soup..
I looked super weird can..
they concluded that it's a SG thing..
confused.. after cooking so many things in the soup.. isn't supposed to be the best part of it all~

boston mornings

2008-03-26T08:00:00.001-07:00

decided that I am not as lucky to get my roommate's kind of boston mornings..
(the.. oooh did i wake you up.. I got you breakfast, hone')

so I decided to wake up early today and start the day right..
I went to the gym..
but I must tell you how much of a struggle it was to actually get to the gym...

I set my alarm at 8.30am..
snoozed it till 9am..
struggled with my inner demons till 9.30am..
jumped out of the bed at 9.40
convinced myself I should just heck and sleep so I jumped back into bed..
thought about the amazing no. of unhealthy shit I ate during spring break..
then eventually (out of fear) got out of the bed at 9.50

haha..
I had my gym workout...
my US today newspaper..
If only I had a pet dog to walk..
and my fresh boston morning air..

I'm happy

random thoughts

2008-03-21T15:36:00.000-07:00

I have been here for 3 months le..
the end of spring break kinda of signifies the half way mark of this journey..
it's still that mixed bag of feelings, like before I arrived here..

sometimes you just feel the sudden gush of home sick..
it's a very funny feeling.. just gently tinkering towards the heart from various parts of your body..
to go back to a place where the maid will do my laundry..
where I don't have 'clean the toliet bowl' duty..
where I don't need to worry about when the shampoo's abt to finish..
where I don't need to tie my accounts monthly to keep track of expenses..

Then there are other times...
I wished I decided to study overseas from day one..
or when I decide that life here may be something I actually want..
like maybe I should find a job here or do an internship
maybe the manhanttan wall street life..
haha.. or maybe dressing up as Eeyore, working in Disneyland..

Spring Break 2008

2008-03-19T21:10:00.000-07:00

I'm back from Spring Break.. (I know that was news 5 days ago..)
I took time and pain to put this blog together plus I had 2 mid terms straight after the break..
N*TU just doesn't allow u to fully enjoy the one week break we have every year..
For us.. Spring break was the ultimate time to get out of Boston COLD and see the sun..

6 of us, all female, 2 SG 4 HK decided to take the risk and conquer the East Coast.. (or most of it at least)

6th March
At the T station.. all ready to leave Boston...
I packed amazingly little for 11 days.. (my trusty deuter bag)
But I did some laundry at Orlando (in case u tot I was a dirty berger)

Boston Airport
We had problems here already..
even though it was just a domestic flight.. they were sooo picky about LIQUIDS..

interesting thou.. the plane was full..
so they offered 1 volunteer to give up their seat in exchange for $300 voucher + iPod + Hotel Stay + next flight available.. (good deal sia)

We arrived in Miami at 11pm.. so we spent the night at the airport..
Interesting for the experience, but my advice..
Avoid this kind of experience as much as possible >.< (our SG airport is one of it's kind.. it is very wrong to assume all airports look like ours..)

Left the airport at 4am..

Just to catch Sunrise in Miami I like sunrises..

reminds u to be thankful of each brand new day

this was taken just outside our hostel

We decided to take a nice long stroll down South Beach..
There's a beach clubbing stretch, family-oriented stretch, LGBT stretch & the Nude stretch
Snapped this picture of a old couple strolling down the beach together..
I want to do that too, when I'm that age..
so serene and peaceful

How can I not go visit Miami Ink..
I used to catch the show in SG..
unfortunately, none of the girls i travelled with knew the show..
So I was looking for the shop like crazy alone..

walked into the shop.. myself!
nobody looked very approachable leh..
no yoji, no ami..
*sobs*

btw u need like 1 yr advance appointment to have the any of them tatoo u..
But we got ourselves a little tatoo each too..
haha... How can you be in Miami w/o getting one..

Miami's such a tropical looking place..
little shophouses.. bright colours, cafes along the street
here youhave 5 of us.. (me, Cherie, Meredith, Yeng Yong & Willa)

At the beach..
Yeng Yong, Willa and me..
i got myself a bikini there.. haha..
*blushes*

Presenting our bikini Babes 2008..
U will never catch me in a bikini in SG..
In miami.. wear le also nobody see.. nobody remember.. haha

Clubbing.. There's an ENTIRE street of clubbing..
The concept's pretty cool
At about 9pm you just walk along the street..
people from the different clubs will approach you telling you why you should go to their club..
if you agree.. they will give a little wristlet to mark that you are a VIP that night..

According to your hostel owner.. Mansion is the club to go..
and Mansion we went..
as VIPs lo.. no need to queue de..

Here I was dared by my friends to ask a passerby to take photo with me..
and he decided to scoop me up..
on the middle of the street corner..
I get lucky sometimes.. haha

We decided to go for a land and sea tour around Little Havana, Coconut Grove, Downtown Miami

This was taken in a Cubian shop..
"I lup Papi and Mami" haha
hey.. I do miss home hor..

Me and YengYong..

trying to do a titantic...
Oh.. the kukus living on the coast of Miami are super filithy rich lah..
$43m per house leh..
then got some kukus can afford to buy the whole island de..

My dream home..

10 March
Arrived at Orlando at 4am..
Could not check into the hostel..
so we had a very very very long breakfast at iHOP..

This was the very friendly manager..

We had very nice hostel owners at this stop..
friendly and helpful...
stayed in Kissismie a city just outside orlando..
couldn't afford to stay inside Disney lah.. =(

Day 1: Universal Studios
This is my favourite ride.. The Hulk
speechlessly cool...
enough said

Day 2-4: DisneyWorld
Magical Kingdom, Epcot & Hollywood Studios

It looks like i was just photoshop-ed into the picture hor..
felt like you were in dreamland for 4 days..
The parks were very family oriented and super crowded..
But you can really sense the effort these ppl put in to give you not only a amusement park but a packaged experience...

Me and my darling Eeyore..
hee.. I bought an Eeyore home..

This picture nicely sums up Orlando for you..
A place where dreams come true..

14 March
Guess what?
We stayed at the Hilton Washington Hotel..
Siong bo.. nice to be treated like a Princess once in a while..
we only paid like $60 per person for 3 nights.. hoho

Library of Congress

Capitol Building

All of us outside Capitol Buidling in front of the Washington Monument

Just outside the White House...

cool right... ppl can just protest outside the White House..
truely freedom of speech here sia..
I'm not political critic..
but this was an interesting sight for me..

We met a very nice man in DC..
Richard, he was a park ranger..

He saw that we looked absolutely lost..
So he took time off to slowly expalin to us each memoriums and walked us through abit of history and shared with us abit about life...

I did tear up abit as he was explaining the korean war to us..

"you see alot in DC, but how many actually think about what they saw.."

"a reflecting pool, isn't meant to reflect the pretty buidling produce pretty picture... you actually reflect.."

"unfortunately, Freedom is NOT free"

I probably liked Washington DC most..
loved the museums, the memoriums, parks..
very different from how i expected it to be..
I'll be back.. someday

Haha.. I dun want to paint too pretty a picture of a free and easy trip..
All the planning.. accomodating everyone's needs.. getting lost
does get tiring, even frustrating at times..
But.. at the end of the day...
I think i thoroughly enjoyed myself..
won't regret doing something as daring as this while I'm still young..
why not?

(I have posted the other pictures on my facebook)

Weekend Trip 3: New Hemisphere, Cannon

2008-03-05T23:13:00.000-08:00

3 March 2008
I went snowboarding..
many will remember my extremely funny experiences trying to wakeboard in SG..
well I can glady say that the concept is pretty similiar..
and I think, I equally embarrssed myself..

Me and my snowboard..
It was soooo cold..
and i only had jeans on..
but once u snowboard it isn't cold anymore..
there are sooooo many stripes just to wear the board..

unglam rights..
this is my sweater's shelve..
look at the ice accumulated..
probaby cause I fell down too many times le..

another unglam photo..
it is tiring to snowboard k..
all the falling down and picking urself up again..
but the AMAZING feeling of snowboarding downslope..

It's all worth it..
You just have this.. "I'm the KING of the world" feeling

That's me on the cable car thingy..
You snowboard down..
fortunately they reward you by cable carring u up..

But once you get up..
there is no other way down but to snowboard down..
haha..

That's me...
acting zai with the snowboard..
btw the board's never this clean..
I had to clean off alot of snow..
just to take this zai looking photo..

This was after I did the most COOL ride downslope..
I managed to practice and get the hang of it..
such that I only fell once.. the entire slope..
but as you can see I'm sooo covered in snow..

The red hat was such an issue
Once.. I fell.. and the hat came off.. I had to get up..
Straddle up slope get my hat..
luckily the hat's red colour..

then snowboard down again...
chao unglam can..

It was fun..
I may do it again...
Note: To save $$ we didn't go for any lessons..
we just allowed the incline of the slope teach us..
quite a toopit way thou...
But I had fun.. haha

Decisions..

2008-03-05T19:51:00.000-08:00

Pretty??
it's USD195

Should I?

having my mid terms tml..
then I'll be off..
watch this space for pictures..
coming 18th March..

Bentley Ball

2008-02-29T23:18:00.000-08:00

29th Feb, Westin Hotel... Bentley Ball
although there was only 4 of us who were exchange students..
and everyone kinda needed to have a date.. (we didn't care)
4 of us went..
daniela(Vienna), birgit(Vienna), yeng yong and me
$35 nia.. got decent hotel food..
then can bio all the za bor in their gowns..
good deal.. haha

This is me in my cheap buy dress..
USD$ 24 nia... from Ann Taylor leh..
ooh.. plus the shaw.. USD$9
and the pearl earrings USD$7 from the outlet..

I think this is the interesting bit abt going to a ball during winter..
no matter how much u dress up..
to get to the Hotel.. u need to put on a coat and keep warm..
Then when you reach the Hotel..
wah seh.. then you see everyone reveal their each unique gowns..
similarily.. if you clash (meaning same gown as other kuku).. you will only know at the Hotel.. waha

That's us..
at the Cocktail reception..
Me, YengYong and Daniela
Notice.. although we hate the idea of wearing stockings in SG..
Stockings are a life saviour here..
It is amazing how such a thin piece of meshy stuff can actually keep u warm..

Me, Daniela and Birgit...
The Austrian girls.. brought gowns in their luggage lah..
when I was packing..
gowns were the last thing in my mind..
then again.. never bring gown.. then got opportunity to buy new one leh...

Haha.. the dining etiquette class ytd was useful leh..
this was the table setting..
confusing lo..
the glass and coffee cup on the right is mine..
but the butter plate and knife on my left is mine..
The boy boy sitting next to me used the wrong butter knife..

see here..
when chefs get lazy they just put unchopped lettuce and a piece of bread like biscuit artistically on a plate...
and they call it ART..
drip some sauce over..
and they call this Caesar's Salad.. "Chef's Special"
Then this girl across the table..
in a very elegant gown..
picked up the lettuce with her hand and chewed on it..
mar chiam Bugs Buddy sia..
And i tot only Ah Dot eats rabbit food.. tsk tsk

This was the main course..
Artistic hor..
definitely a better attempt of being "French" by the Chef
But I must give him credit..
it was good..
I personally dun like potatoes..
but because the gravy was good.. I ate my vege and potatoes.. *winks*

Dessert..
who doesn't love dessert..
Warm chocolate cake with chocolate flowing out from inside..
Ooo LA LA..
Oh btw.. Val, whipped cream in the US is alot creamier..
personally.. i think it's nicer too.. haha

I thought I needed to be vain..
I mean since I got myself all dressed-up..
Why not rights?
Ooooh.. btw..
little secret: I wasn't wearing a bra...
1stly.. I didn't have a suitable bra
2ndly: The dress had some support...

Us at the table..
The tables were Oval shaped btw..
weird hor...

me and YengYong..
acting cute..
That's all folks..

table manners

2008-02-28T21:55:00.000-08:00

i went for a dining etiquette seminar
"Bread, Butter and Business"
So cool can..
Plus it's free..

but it was an interesting concept to sit down and get taught how to eat properly step by step..
how to use each of the almost 18 things on the table...
The food served was not too bad either.. haha

Few lessons I took home..
1) everything on the table gets passed from left to right
2) if someone asks for the salt, give both the salt and pepper
3) if a lady gets up from her chair, all the gentlemen on the table need to stand until she leaves the table or until she gesters for the men to sit down.

And I had a good time constantly pretending that I was going to stand up...

black

2008-02-26T12:46:00.000-08:00

i'm feeling moody today..

maybe its the monday blues spilling over to tuesday
maybe i'm just very tired
maybe i'm just thinking too much

some problems come back to haunt you

some issues revisit you

some mistakes get repeated

perhaps it's innate

perhaps i never learn

perhaps someone up there screwed up

Weekend trip 2: NYC

2008-02-25T00:13:00.000-08:00

Probably did the most paranoid/exciting/dangerous trip in my life...
(mum.. this is where you stop reading this blog)

3 of us.. wanted the cheapest available accomodation for a night...
the more u save on hostel.. the more u can watch broadway and buy coach..

we book mxx hostel online for $20 per head..
when we got there the hostel was not there..
it had converted into a hotel..
OMG can..

but the hotel staff was very nice..
they help us find another hostel under them at the same cost...

8 bed room.. mixed..

We had to keep our money and valuables inside our shirt...
zip up our jackets..
hug our bags..
share one toliet btw like 40 ppl..
etc etc..
oh.. I even had a snoring orchestra from the 2 men in the room..

exciting hor..

plus for Broadway.. we caught Chicago..
all the feeling of sleazy red and lace black only made us more paranoid when we got back to the room...

now to my woodbury outlet trip..
almost all the things I bought weren't for myself..
haha.. coachy agains...

but my good buys.. Armani Exchange was having this mega sale..
bought a $19 jeans, $9 shirt and a $5 necklace.. from A/X
Woodbury is soooo huge.. i think i only covered less than 15% of the shops..
oooh... I saw a pretty pretty GUCCI wallet... $169... how..how..

conquer-ing

2008-02-22T21:16:00.000-08:00

I'm going to NY again...
Broadway and Woodsbury Premium Outlet Stores here I come..

valentine's party photos... and Harvard cuties

2008-02-20T00:05:00.000-08:00

Yeng Yong, me & Willa

Me, Adeline & Maggie

Note:
last friday.. I finally met guys from Harvard on the T... *drools*
I have such a weakness for intelligent men... *aWWww*
When they started speaking among themselves.. u can already tell the difference..
and because it was sooo crowded in the train..
me and Yeng Yong were just squash in the middle of their group.. *melts*

I must be stupid

2008-02-18T15:56:00.000-08:00

i m u s t b e s t u p i d . . .

KTV at Boston.. (16th Feb)

2008-02-17T19:37:00.000-08:00

KTV-ing at boston is expensive..
no drinks.. no food..
just for the room.. 4hrs+ abt USD25 lor..
but we had fun lah..
for the experience lor..
then can sing all the chinese songs.. omg
we had like a whole full dose of maybe say 15 Jay songs in a row.. haha

Our KTV king of the night..
William Ho!!!

William, me and Yeng Yong

Cherie, Meredith, Me, William

Me and Willa

All of us.. mixed of SG, HKU and Bentley Chinese students..

Kelvin, me and willa
they only had beer..

Meredith, Willa and me

valentine's party...+ Adeline, Maggie and Vanessa's Visit

2008-02-17T18:56:00.000-08:00

Adeline just msn me the night before and said the 3 of them were coming down from Canada the night before V day..
the 3 of them are NTU friends doing an exchange at Queens, Canada..

(I don't have all the photo with me now.. so keep a look for another update..)

Harry, a Bentley student brought all of us plus Yeng Yong and Willa to a Mantra Club near Park Street..
it was soo cool lah.. they were having this mega V day party..
and Harry knew the organisers..
we had feather blowers.. great music.. great drinks..

Then the next day I brought them out..
Harvard, Quincy Market, North End..Boston Harbour..

Vanessa, Adeline, me, Maggie..
@the Habour..

Yeng Yong, me and Maggie
@ Mike's pastry at North End

Happy Lupercalia Day

2008-02-14T12:50:00.000-08:00

Do you know that Valentine's day orginated from a festive in ancient Rome called Lupercalia..

where men sacrificed goats..
tear its skin into strips, run around the village naked and whipping women with these blood dripping, skin-made lashes...

and women loved it because getting whipped ensure fertility and ease of birth...

Feb 14th must have been so much fun in the 5th century...

pretty similar to the $400 flower slurges, couples openly making out, girls carrying huge V day gift hampers (yesh... something u don't see in SG), guys looking slighty embarrssed yet smiling through their teeth while holding a bouquet of flowers..

My first class today, the Prof gave out Valentine's tootsie rolls bearing the words,'Kiss Me' on it..

then he gave us recommendations of which sites can help with last min online V day shopping..

one of which was a 100 roses bouquet on a champage bucket... $400

My 2nd class.. the Prof was wearing a red stripe shirt, that he called his party shirt..

then he asked the class if the flowers selling at Season's (the school caferia) was ok..

then he went on about his wife..

That's my V day for you..

Oh.. I recieved the POSTCARD le..
wahaha..
very prompt timing sia..
I lup you big big

Weekend Trip 1: NYC

2008-02-11T13:59:00.000-08:00

*ta dan*
My first "over-the-weekend" trip
9 of us!! (8 HKU and yesh.. 1 N'TU)
NY is huge.. and I thought Boston was big.. *tsk tsk*
it'a about a 4 hour ride to NY and I was there for abt 2.5days..
I only got to see the tip of the iceberg..
definitely going back..

me and Willa in the Hostel..
note that she's already wearing the "I LOVE NY" tee..

There's a mega big M&Ms and a mega Hershey's at Times Square..
This is for u lah.. Ms. Sandy Ang..
The yellow one reminded me alot of u..
*winks*

Me and all the M&Ms...
They are sooo colourful.. but actually all taste the same de..

Haha.. this is the closest I have for u for V day..
If I could, I'll send you the entire tube.. haha

*claps*

*cheers*

We watched Mamma Mia..

Broadway ROCKS!!!

I regret indulging in movies all my life in SG..

for every 5 movies I don't watch, I can watch 1 broadway musical..

I can't explain the experience in words for you..

but by the end of the musical EVERYONE in the theatre just stood up..

Metropoliotian Museum of Art..

It is huge.. we spent the entire day there..

I like this particular piece very much..

in the hostel room..

goofing around..

Sophia, Willa and me

still goofing... (only me thou)

Meredith, Elyse, Willa and me

Janet, Sophia, Me, Elyse, Willa

Ivy and her amazing KFC chicken..

People here don't like thigh and drumstick parts...

It's sold at a cheaper price than breast and wing parts..

*weirds*

the chicken here is bigger in size too..

oh.. the coleslaw here is actually very nice..

Me and Willa

Shoe socks..

cute hor..

Lily, Ivy, me & Doris

Chinatown was having a mega CNY celebration...

there was a parade and floats.. and poppers...

the entire street was covered in streamers..

Decent egg tarts..

These HK mirgants made a good choice to bring their good egg tarts to NY..

better than the ones in SG..

comparable to the ones in HK..
*grins*

On the bus back home..

super tired..

but I had fun..

Where to next..

Toronto? Niagara Falls? Broadway? Skiing?

New York City Sights

2008-02-10T21:58:00.000-08:00

CNY reunion dinner at Willa and Elyse's apartment

2008-02-07T13:10:00.000-08:00

It's miserably sad and cold to spend cny away from home..
just u cannot just sit there and dwell on it..
u'll end up a sobbing mess..
so the group of chinese exchange students decided to have a reunion dinner at Willa and Elyse's apartment... (HKU)
(this is despite the fact alot of us have assignments due or quizzes on thursday morning..)

This is us.. busy at work..
we are making jiao zi..
for some of us.. it was "learning" how to make jiao zi..

We were efficient lor..

tsk tsk *proud of ourselves*

*ta-dan*

Our homemade jiao zi..

You have the Singaporean version, HK version, Hebei version, Beijing version... etc

it's an art I tell you..

Me and my singaporean jiao zi..

At the end of it.. we concluded that the SG jiao zi is the most lazy version..

here are are.. all chipping in to cook

note: yeng yong is just pretending to hold the pan

Frying cabbage..

The end product..

spare ribs, egg with prawn, veg, potato and pork, chicken meatballs and our jiao zi..

Charge!!!

It was good fun..

plus we survived to take this photo..

means the cooking went alright..

haha

note: I had to burnt midnight oil till 2.30pm just to finish the toopit assignment due on thursday..

*&^%$^#@%^%@

little notes of the day...ignore me

2008-02-06T01:19:00.000-08:00

I explained to an exchange student from Europe that Singapore is NOT part of China. And that if you speak Chinese, you don't only come from China. =)
I found of that Morocco is actually part of Africa, NOT part of Europe. (Well, I learn too..)
Although it rains in Singapore, but the rain here seems gloomy and grey. Doesn't help that it is freaking cold and winding too..
The standard staples here are huge.. couldn't fit into my good old stapler.. so I had to buy a new stapler...
In sum, it sucks.. that it's CNY... and I have project proposal due on CNY, cause NObody celebrates it here.. and I have 2 essays due on V day, cause EVERYbody else here celebrates it..

ignore me.. I'm whining

Sheer Madness Comedy Night

2008-02-03T21:58:00.000-08:00

My housemate Stacy decided to bring us out to watch a true blue American comedy..
it was hilarous..
Bin.. u liked "whose line is it?"
sheer madness brings it to a different level..
esp when u r there as live audience..

me, sophia (HKU), Yeng Yong, Eric (HKU)

It was superbowl night btw..
the americans really love their sports..
as in you really see the loyalty and sense of ownership to your state..
doesn't matter ur colour, ur job, ur family, or whether u even like bush or not..
because you are in Boston, u band together for the Patriots and detest the ny Giants..
I mean it's admirable..
I dun see the people staying in Geylang band together to support Geylang United..
or even Singaporeans band together to support the Lions..
tsk tsk...

Saturday Chinese Fever

2008-02-03T09:59:00.000-08:00

It a Saturday night..
me and yengyong decided that just eating at seasons (the school meal plan) would be sad..
so randomly we decided to go to chinatown.. haha..
just to 2 of us.. walked into a few eateries and deciding on one that looks crowded..
popularity vote mah..

so it was peach farm garden..

This is the 4 treasures basket.. cool rights..
not the best in the world but decent chinese food..
u do not know how happy i was to see COOKED vege..
but there are scallops, prawns, char siew, pork and mushrooms too.. haha

This is a homemade tofu thingy..
aWwww it rocks..

Later that night the guys decided that Sat night shouldn't be spent alone in school..
so we came out for a movie..
it's US$9.50 for a movie here lah..
and it is free seating.. *weird looks*

me and yengyong..
at the end of the day..
i think the army kinda did something good for our sg guys..
or prehaps.. i'm just aging prematurely...

clubbing in Boston 1st Feb

2008-02-02T00:39:00.000-08:00

after sooo many days here...
someone finally brought me to a club..
haha..
Here in the US.. they are super strict about age limit..
so alot of them cannot legally drink at a pub or club..
(that's probably why parties in the halls are soooo popular)

Kelvin decided to be nice and drove us out to a club in Auston.. near Boston University...
Kelvin is as HuiYi termed "Mr. Nice Guy"
Yeh Yang... u have soo many unglam photos in Kelvin's phone..

Yups.. this is Kelvin and Us..
Club entry is free but they charge $3 for keeping ur coat and bag..

Kelvin's friend Dave..
generally, when u are a nice guy.. u have nice friends.. haha

note: Boston is such a university town.. it is a rule that all clubs must close at 2am..
Yes.. 2am!!! like huh???

Like all clubbing sessions.. u end off with supper..
went to this 24hrs diner called "ihop"
Kelvin even showed me the bench at which Yeh Yang sat to puke.. *tsk tsk*
the food servings here.. haix.. that was a ommelate.. huge rights..

I miss having Bak Ku Teh or Orh Lua after clubbing..

Pop Tart

2008-01-30T22:48:00.000-08:00

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

2008-01-30T10:24:00.000-08:00

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

2008-01-29T08:46:00.000-08:00

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

2008-01-27T20:21:00.000-08:00

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

2008-01-26T23:14:00.000-08:00

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

2008-01-26T18:51:00.000-08:00

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

2008-01-24T08:48:00.000-08:00

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

2008-01-23T09:51:00.000-08:00

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

2008-01-21T17:53:00.000-08:00

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

2008-01-19T23:41:00.000-08:00

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

2008-01-19T22:40:00.000-08:00

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

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

Yeng Yong, Me & Andrew

2008-01-18T18:18:00.000-08:00

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...

Shopping at Quincy Street

2008-01-18T15:28:00.000-08:00

this is my address:

Bentley College
Mail box no.: 2575
Krege Hall Suites, 311A
175 Forest Street
Waltham, MA 02452

yesh.. the room is not as pretty as Fenway (where i was just sleeping on the couch)
but it can do.. =)
it's cosy and alot nearer to school..

we went shopping today..
Megan drove us up to Boston city centre..
then Jess was doing an impromptu history tour of the city for us..
Chad was trying to introduce all the buildings ard..
in general the local students were really enthu abt showing us the city...

and we shopped at Quincy Street
or rather I shop...
and.. I sinned
Nine West rocks here..
I got a pair of high boots, a pair of heels and a bag.. for.. *drum rolls*
US$130

then a cuffling shirt from Banana Republic for US$27
and lovely undies from Victoria Secrets for US$3 each..

I'm happy

2008-01-16T23:28:00.000-08:00

The very sad WDC toliets... very welcoming

Me and YY on the Bus to Watertown...

Don't you think it looks like the magic school bus..

At my first party.. "the pub's open"

I'm here

2008-01-16T22:47:00.000-08:00

26 hours in the airport was not a very good start to the entire exchange...

maybe I just need to be thankful..

Our changi airport really rocks..

I never did kind of appreciated the beauty of our airport..

yes.. I so taken it for granted..

spent about 6 hrs stuck at washington DC airport (because of United's delayed flight)

the airport's sad.. and I tot WDC would be like a very crowded and lively place in the US..

well.. I tot wrong..haha

my buddy Chris was really nice..

picked me and YengYong (YY) from the airport, picked our combinations.

My hostel is really really far from the main campus area.. and because we arrived in Boston so late.. I bulked over at YY's room..

I also robbed my buddy of his comforters and blankets so that I can sleep decently on the couch..

I'll just have to follow thru the orientation program now..

the halls here are really alot nicer..

I'm still trying to get to know the people.. haha.. alot of them are actually younger then me.. but they look alot older and bigger.. esp the european exchange students..

oh.. the serving for food here is huge..

I had half of half a wrap and I was full..

and hot coffee has become my best friend..

I need to get boots.. they are so much friendlier with the snow..

probably planning a shopping trip to town this weekend..

oh.. i went for my first party today.. haha..

at Tanya's room (a girl at Bentley)..

She was a nice host..

Me, YY and Felicia(Austrian exchange girl) had to go get the alcohol for them...

weird rights.. they are really strict about alcohol comsumption for above 21..

and more of our buddy are under 21..
yes... they were happy to have exchange students like us.. haha (i think)

btw alcohol is cheap here..

Volka is about US$13 for 1.5L

Corona is US$14 for a dozen bottles

Wine is about US$7

I'm a happy girl..

oh.. we played card games at the party...

and me and YY taught them '5-10'

they liked it.. haha..

it's an exchange

a mixed bag of feelings

2008-01-14T09:32:00.000-08:00

haha.. the next time I'm blog, it will be from many many miles away...
6 more hours..
haha.. kinda finished packing..
dun wanna admit it.. but yesh.. i'm nervous
like butterflies building up inside..
haha

oh but i just had good news
my buddy is coming to pick me from the airport..
that settles one knot inside..
was pretty worried i will have to clusmily get my way to the university..
I am happy

goodbye

2008-01-10T09:37:00.000-08:00

we had a mock reunion dinner tonight...
the whole steamboat and abanlone affair
dad's idea
it was nice..
i'm so going to miss cny

my tutorial clinque bought me lunch on wednesday
toi rocks la.. always organising gatherings for us..
i also met hui yi for a crash course
BC101: How to survive the Bentley Exchange

i need to start packing

started feeling awfully moody randomly
it's the time of the month
shucks

Fran's brother bought an entire peking duck off to France for exchange
maybe i should pack the entire suckling pig..
nah.. maybe just bak kua..

oh and all the farewell lunches and dinners is making me balloon..
tsk tsk.. then maybe perhaps i won't need so many winter clothing now

honey milk tea with pearl * orh luak * fried kuay teow extra cockles * niog hiang * fried carrot cake (black) * ba chou mee extra chilli * ayam bakualak * asasm fish head * satay * durian puffs

I am soooo last minute... busy busy

2007-12-31T11:12:00.000-08:00

I need to check out:
1) Laptop
2) Hard disk
3) Camera

Need to buy:
1) Crumpler or some sort of bag
2) Stationery
3) Shoes
4) Socks
5) Scarfs
6) Hats

Need to:
1) Cut hair
2) Pack bag
3) Set up Skpe and the webcam
4) Do all the above soon

Heng Ah

2007-12-27T09:53:00.000-08:00

the higher power up there still believes I'm worth the trouble..
heng ah..

I got a B for the blo*dy 306
after getting 2 big F's for my quizzes (40% coursework)
(not intending to boast here)

yar.. but sometimes
you just need to count your blessings..
today I'm thankful
it's a pleasant christmas gift this year...

I'm counting down 17 days

I should start packing... *ermx*

28 days

2007-12-16T11:05:00.000-08:00

needles and more needles

2007-12-12T10:33:00.000-08:00

went for my medical check up today..
such confusing procedures..
i ended up with 4 injections
haha.. okies I won't say I terribly afraid to needles..
I'm cool.. just that it both arms kinda feel numb now..
and the worst thing, I am not supposed to touch alcohol for a week
what brillant timing...
(was supposed to go z0uk with the girls tonight)
next week ba.
we'll see

will probably be late in handing up the form to Bentley
technically it is supposed to reach them on the 15th of Dec.. hee
we'll see

busy busy week..
I'm about to decide the firm I'm going to lay down my life for
when I grad next yr
haha.. interesting choices..
we'll see

tml Sands, Fran, Jo and Dot are coming over to the East to go on a Food Hunt
the initial idea was to allow me to eat everything Si*ngaporean before I leave
but it feels like Sands secret agenda to eat.. haha

we'll see

packing up the dreams He planted

2007-11-29T10:56:00.000-08:00

i don't like open-end questions, give me options, i'll choose

the 306 paper instills fear..
..choices i make, burdens i carry

what happens if this reckless choice to see the world
re-shapes my future..

i hate to regret
but if given a 2nd chance
would i walk it differently

today, i return my hall room key
that journey ends
taking with me good memories
harsh lessons, fun times..
that's life we win some, we lose some...

tml, things are going to be different
the behavioural theory explains why we resist change

someone up there
give me directions, not crossroads
or at the very least...
the courage

2007-11-01T07:46:00.000-07:00

do they have these in Boston?

Courses - 29 October 2007

2007-10-30T23:12:00.000-07:00

Just decided on the courses i want to take over at boston.. *cross my fingers*

Financial Statement Auditing

Strategic Management

Human Resource Management

Advertising

Introduction to Gender Issues

the acceptance letter

2007-10-30T23:00:00.000-07:00

today i went to collect my acceptance letter from Bentley..
All the irritating form filling has reaped its results..
haha..

as blur and confused as i can get..
I paid a some fee.. US$130 hor..
But I don't really know what it is for..
haha.. guess there is going to be alot of this type of cash outflow from here on..

now I need to apply for VISA..
I'll do it next week..
seems like a tedious and boring process..
shall procastinate it till my quiz week is over..

OOOOOH.. next up..
I'm air ticket shopping..
'I'm leaving on a jetplane...lalala~'
it's exciting cause it involves which day I'm leaving and when I am coming back..
which includes whether I'll be holidaying in US before term at Bentley starts and how long I have to tour Europe after term ends..
*blinks*

the ticket prices rise like crazy and are selling like hot cakes..
I should decide on one soon..
before like my sis suggested.. i should go in a DHL..

satay bak

2007-10-30T22:50:00.000-07:00

u have never fully enjoyed peranankan cooking until...

u are stuck in your hall room,
struggling to mug for a quiz that is defined by torment,
then u take out from the fridge a gong of 'satay bak' my mum cooked over the weekend and of course her shiok blacan.
throw everything into the toaster,
the whole room smells of that 'satay bak'..

ahhhhh.....

the rest need not be elaborated
thou i must add that you have u use the white rice to clean off every bit of the gravy, lick if u have too..

oh dear~ who's going to get me satay bak and sambal blacan when i'm in Boston??

i am happy

2007-10-03T18:14:00.000-07:00

when i look back at this blog entry.. i must remember to enjoy myself to the fullest

2007-10-02T12:19:00.000-07:00

give and take
sacrifices have to made
there is always an opportunity cost
everyone has to pay their dues

i cannot give up!!!
at this point, i really don't know which thread i'm hanging on..
i just know that, (maybe its my ego) but giving up isn't an option..

argh...
*frustrated*
i made the choice to go for exchange
therefore i indirectly made the choice of having to re-arrange my modules
so i made the choice to do both 206 and 306 this sem

argh...
it's 3.25am now
I have a 206 quiz in 5 hours and a 306 quiz 24 hours after
one is an open-book quiz the other closed book
I have been studying both for almost 2 weeks now..

both quizzes just don't complement each other..
sigh~

argh...
and my not so bright little brain doesn't make things any better
i'm just getting more and more confused

what am i doing??

lifted this off someone's msn nick:
'this path i choose to take.. along with the burdens i meant to carry'

*reflects*

change is a good thing rights??

2007-10-02T12:15:00.000-07:00

I cut my hair short..

despite the whole issue about long hair being better for winter
despite the fact that the hairdressor was not very skilled
despite that it was probably the cheapest haircut ever
despite the fact that i was probably her guinea pig
despite the fact i think i looked alot better in long hair

conclusion: I'm stressed

nah.. it's not the exchange but the consequences of the exchange
all the complains abt the form filling and packing.. is whining..

nail clipper..

2007-09-28T20:38:00.000-07:00

there was this morning, that i woke up and my first thought..

i must remember to bring my nail clipper and my shampoo..

oh no.. this sounds bimbo right..
but i'm serious.. there are just so many things that jump in and out my little head..
confused again..

i'm using the asicene shampoo.. and it occured to me that they probably won't have that brand in Boston..
but then it doesn't seem right to bring a whole half year supply of shampoo with me..

haha.. so bin said i should bring one bottle.. then reward myself my washing with my fav shampoo once a month..

i can't imagine the panic when i actually do my packing..

dot reminded me i still have to pack out of my current room, then pack for boston..

aiyo

i hate form filling!!!

2007-09-28T20:34:00.000-07:00

argh.... why are there soooo many forms to fill
it's getting me soooo confused

country, city, state, country of birth, country of residence, country of passport....
there were about 20 fills asked differently but generally the answer would have just been 'spore'

these forms are out to irritate me..

looking back at Tuesday 25 Sept 2007

2007-09-28T10:00:00.000-07:00

today i got my confirmation of offer from the int'l relations office..

yes..that's when i started informing the folks and my close friends..

i need to decide whether to accept the offer before 5pm today..

i can't drive... can't cycle.. can't cook.. can't wake up in morning..

oh no...

looking back at Monday 24 Sept 2007

2007-09-27T05:38:00.000-07:00

10 days after dressing my self esstem with salt
he decided to give me a 2nd chance

this intern at the international relations office called
someone pulled out from the bentley exchange
they are offering me the place instead

*screams* *claps* *whistles* *cheers*

haha.. right after the momentary splish of joy..
the sudden slience left me wondering..

so what happens now?

months ago, when i decided that i want to go for exchange...
never did i think about what happens from 'i want to go' --> ' i can go' --> 'i'm going'

looking back at Friday 14 Sept 2007

2007-09-27T05:31:00.000-07:00

not good enough..
reality sucks!!!

i think we all make active choices abt how we want to lead life
i think i made the right ones
nobody likes to regret

well, you gain some you lose some
(holds true unless you are talking abt my weight)

An li's leaving for UK tml..
sometimes God has his way, rubbing salt into the wound

but yar.. i'm happy for her