My winter break 2007-08

There goes my winter break, four more days and it’s the start of the new semester. How am I feeling now? Well, looking forward for the start of my second semester in Drake, but also wish the holidays could be longer and I have more money to spend! =p

How was New York City? Well, let’s just say first impression does not always show the true side of life. Remember I said I didn’t like the way those yellow cabs fight for customers? Well, that’s my first impression of New York City, and my mind quickly summarized that I don’t like NYC because of the competitive lifestyle. Well, I was dead wrong about NYC!

Here, I met some wonderful people, expanded my friendship and also experience. We can practically get almost everything you want in NYC. Malaysian food? Of course. Asian food? Definitely. American food? Yeah, of course! Mexican? European? Everything is here! Tourist destinations? They have a bunch of it. Jobs? Why would they be shortage of jobs? Yes, it’s that good. No wonder there are ‘I love NY’ merchandise.

Going up to the observation deck of the Empire State Building at sunset was an eye opener; looking at the Manhattan skyline at Liberty Island was wonderful; blurry eyes at Times Square’s famous neon lights was amazing; riding the well layout subway was great. Really, NYC is a place worth visiting.

Food you ask? I finally have taste of Malaysian food! There are no shortages of Korean food, Japanese food, and even home cooked food! Well, I am lucky to have Rachel’s uncle and auntie to take care of our accommodation, and that’s where I got my home cooked food.

NYC is also a shopping heaven. If there’s not enough to shop in NYC, take a train to New Jersey, or better still, Woodbury Premium Outlet at New Jersey. I shopped quite a lot this trip I must say. I finally got my white jeans, which cost me a bomb. But I love it, so I guess it’s a reward for me. =p I even got myself a white beanie, but unfortunately I lost it before I even get back to Des Moines. Lesson learnt I guess. Don’t hold beanie in your hand; wear them on your head!

But I guess the most rewarding gift during this trip is being able to meet some wonderful people and call them my friends. A big thanks to Wesley who brought us around New Jersey and let us have a taste of great Malaysian food. Another thank you goes out to Kay Ying who introduced us to her wonderful friends, and also allows us to stay in the apartment next to Rachel’s uncle’s apartment. She also brought us lots of laughter, and it was quite sad when we sent her off at the airport to Hong Kong.

Of course, thank you to Randy, Fred, and Rachel is a must. Without them, I wouldn’t be visiting NYC. Thank you to other people I have met, which are Wai Yipp, Wendy, Ming Kuan, and Collin. The biggest thank you will be to our dear Paris. Lol. It wouldn’t be so enjoyable if we have not met her. She brought us around, let us bully, and provide loads of laughter and memorable moments. Really, thank you to everyone who made this trip so enjoyable.

If there’s a job offer in NYC in the near future, I will most probably be jumping on the opportunity to go back to NYC again. I love NY!

Ahh... Movies!

It's been a while since I write about movies I watched, so I am going to write about two movies I watched in the recent week. Be warned, spoiler ahead.

First up, Alien vs. Predator: Requim (AVPR). To say it is a totally kick*$$ show will be a lie; to say it is an ultimately lousy show will be a bluff. So, it totally depends on who watch the show. =p I didn't really like the show, but a friend of mine love it. If you are into plain fighting for no reason, this is the show for you; if not, I guess just grab the DVD and watch it at home. I mean, it is pointless to me that only one Predator come to Earth to battle a horde of reproducing ugly Alien just because the Alien infiltrated a Predator ship and crashed it to Earth. Yes, that's pretty much the story. I must say it is a 2 1/2 stars out of 5.

The next movie I watched, which was today, was Alvin and the Chipmunks. You think I watch cartoon? Well, not exactly. It's the same story about three chipmunks who can talk and sing. They happen to come into contact with humans, where the humans exploited their talents. They became rockstars under the care of money minded tycoon, but they quickly became exhausted and realized their first "owner" actually is the one who really treat them as part of the family. Well, this show let us see the up and down of life, as well as the ugly and pretty side of life, and it all ends with a happy ending. It was quite an enjoyable movie I must say, and it is definitely a family movie. Ah, ratings. I would give it a 3 1/2 stars out of 5.

Well, so much for me watching movie in New York City. Enjoyable, memorable. Oh, did I tell you watching movie in US is free sitting? First come first serve, no come no serve! =p We walked to the cinema in some freezing wind today, and had a lady who talked to the screen, even at the commercials before the movie! Lol! Nice experience I guess! Adioz...