Rantings...

Ever heard the phrase routine is boredom? Well, if you haven't, then I shall tell you now. Yes, routine is boredom. I am bored.

I have settled down quite nicely in my apartment, I enjoy cooking some nice food for myself, and my intern is treating me well. No, I have not get my pay for this month, very soon, very soon... Watching TVB drama have also been entered into my daily routine now.

Yes, every day is the same: wake up, wash up, eat up, dress up, catch up with the bus; then work, lunch, work, bus, workout on alternative days, drama while dinner, continue drama, sleep. And the cycle continue again.

How bored is that?! I can list out the whole day!! If there is a change, it will be groceries shopping and video games. How sad can it be? I want a change, a little change to my daily routine. I want a vacation! I want to do something I don't usually do!

Sometimes I do wish I am in Malaysia now with all my friends and family, yet sometimes I feel lucky to stay here for the summer. I have learnt a lot doing this intern, and it's not the end yet. Still, I don't want it to be a routine. I once have a lecturer who said people are afraid of change. I agree very much to that statement. Yet, I want a change in my daily routine now. How ironic.

Well, I am done ranting here. If you read through the whole thing and feel that it is rubbish, I am sorry. I don't have anyone to rant to, and I have time to rant, so it came out in words here. Well, the time have come for me to brush up and sleep. Time to restart the routine again. Adioz...

Ironic life?

I went to Walmart yesterday, to get my groceries and stuffs like that. Well, what made this post is because I met two persons yesterday which really made me wonder.

The first person, an Indian cashier. He have hearing difficulties. It didn't bother me much because all I need to do was just put the stuffs I bought on the conveyor belt, put it back into the cart, swipe my card, and off I can go. But then he started to chat with me. He wrote on a piece of paper:

"Do you go to school? Where?"
I looked at him, then wrote back: "Yes, Drake."
His eyes lit up. He then wrote: "What's your major?"
Interesting guy I thought. Well, I answered: "Actuarial Science and Finance."
Clearly he looked impressed. He went on and asked: "Where are you from?"
I swiped my card, then wrote: "Malaysia. You?"
He did what a cashier should do, then wrote: "India. I am going to ISU."

Now I am impressed. Really impressed. I looked at him, shook his hand and wished him luck. He must have a lot of courage and passion for study, must he not? These are the kind of people which is called successful and to be respected.

I walked to the bus stop and waited for the bus. Across the street was a man holding a card board which wrote: "Hungry. Need Food." And he showed that card to every car which stopped at the junction.

I thought to myself, how ironic. Inside in Walmart, I just met a person who strive very hard for a good life even thought he is handicapped; and not outside of Walmart, I met a person totally opposite. To me, he just gaved up on his life, and he is as perfect as a normal person could be. If he was to be wasting his time begging for food, why can't he get a job to support himself? I am sure Walmart can hire him, or maybe Hyvee or some other companies.

But then I saw something which he can be proud of. Someone offered to get him a beer instead of food. He answered: "No beer. I don't drink." Well, at least he held on to that principle of his.

Well, I guess I should treasure what I have and work harder for a better life! Study harder and work harder... =p

April shower; May sunflower

Yes, I know it's near the end of May already, and this post might be a little outdated, but who cares? =p Enjoy the pictures!! =D

And now for some random pictures:

Cooking 101

I am bored. I am in my new apartment now, but still no cable tv to watch till Saturday. The internet connection I am using also isn't mine. How sad. But then again, I spend some time cooking, and realized that it isn't too hard to cook. =p

My first self-made lunch special, chicken spaghetti. =p

Looks appetizing? It taste great, and I can tell you that my opinion is unbiased. =D

Then today I cooked this:

Chicken curry! I thought it was hard, but it turns out to be quite simple. Hehe. I think it is a little dry, maybe because I like more gravy. And also, I think I should make it spicier next time. =p

Hmm... What's cooking for tomorrow? I wonder... And ponder... =p

Updates...

Finally finals are over!! And finally I have moved out of dorm!! Yes, excuse me for the absence, I was busy with my finals and also busy moving my stuffs around. I thought I don't have much stuffs to move, but end up I do have quite a lot of belongings! =p

It is summer holiday already, and it started 4 days ago for me!! Some people have summer holiday earlier or later depending on their finals. Anyway, I have not done much yet for summer holiday, except went out with friends for one night, worked a few hours, and shift my stuffs to my temporary house.

I will be moving into my apartment, the one which I will permanently stay for at least a year, on Tuesday. Yes, more moving around, but I guess it is worth it. Still there are lots of stuffs I have not get. Sigh.

About 90% of my semester's friends have left for home, with 4 already back home as I am typing this. How I envy them!! I want to be home as well!! It has already been 9 months since I am at home!! And then some of them also envy me because I am doing an internship. What comes around goes around?

Well, I guess that's all for the update now. I am planning on getting my driving license soon!! =p And the weather, still lagging behind time. It is still chilly even though summer holiday has begun. Let's hope it turns warmer soon!! Till next time, bye! =)

Texas Road House

Well, no. I don't have the chance to go over to Texas yet. Texas Road House is a steak house right here in Des Moines. =p





Anyway, I finally got to taste the famed Texas Road House. It was said to have by far really great steaks, and someone was telling me that their bread that they served as appetizers are great too! Well, it sure did lived up to it's name!





I had prime rib, and how else should it be cooked other than medium-rare? I have had prime ribs at other outlets here in Des Moines, but this is by far the best! Yes, no kidding! It was so tender, well marinated, and well roasted to perfection! Simply amazing.






They even served buckets of peanuts, classic! Just that this time we are supposed to throw the shells into the empty bucket, instead of on the floor. But on my way out I happened to saw that we can actually throw the shells on the floor at the waiting area! Totally into the mood.

Outside Texas Road House. We couldn't find a better spot for a group picture. This was by the entrance. So please ignore the shiny 'disabled parking' sign! =p

Waiters and waitresses do some cheers if it is your birthday, and they happened to line dance to a music while we were enjoying our food. Really, it does get you into the cowboy mood. The place is well decorated also, with deer heads and stuffs like that. There was even a rattlesnake skin decoration!

If you were to ask me where to go for steak, I will tell you the answer, without hesitation. Yes, TEXAS ROAD HOUSE!!

Relays 2008

Finally, some time where I can let my writings loose! =p

As I have said in an earlier post, I join in the fun for the Drake Relays, one of the two biggest event to be held in Iowa annually. Where is it you say? It is held right here at Drake University! And Drake students can witness everything for free using their student ID! Well, we did pay for tuition fees, so I guess technically it's not entirely free? Lol.

Anyway, it was a big event, just like a scaled-down Olympic. Every track and field event was held, and participants from other states come and compete with each other for the championship. Really, talents and young athletes are abundant and it's a great pleasure having an opportunity to watch them showing their talents, knowing that some of them may be Olympic champion some day! The route to stardom!! =p

Everything was great, except for one incident where I happened to witness. It was the men's 4x100 relays. One of the first runner tripped while passing the baton, his team mate was about to continue running when the baton was recovered, but stopped when he saw the state of the first runner. He was on the floor, in pain. The only people there was his team mate, and an official who still hold up his flag stating that they didn't pass the baton legally.

Excuse me official? Don't you know how to get help? Where are the medics? After the whole race, and with the winners making their victory round, help finally arrived. From what I saw, it sure looks like a dislocated shoulder resulted from the fall. Luckily it's just a dislocated shoulder, and not a fracture which puncture his lungs or something of that magnitude. But still I believe Drake's emergency team should have reacted way better.

Anyway, due to the relays, bars and clubs around the area have parties for the whole weekend, and almost all of the places are packed with people. I joined in the fun as well, danced to some music and had a blast of a weekend, admist working in the mornings. =p

Now that relays are over, finals are coming. Yes, that means time for studying and studying and studying. Though I am lazy, I still have to put in effort, right? Lol. Group study for finals anyone? =p