Chicago -- the Windy City

It's spring break, and off I went to the windy city, Chicago. It's a 6 hours drive there from Des Moines, and it was a great relief when we reached Chicago. Stomachs were grumbling because of hunger, joints are sore due to lack of strecthing, and everyone are tired due to the long journey.

Finally, our first meal in Chicago. Comments about that restaurant was pretty convincing, but I must say that it did not live up to expectations. Even those who gave good review was disappointed. Anyway, we made our way to the hotel and recharged our batteries.

Rise early my fellows, our destination will be dim sum at Chinatown! Reluctantly we dragged ourselves up and made our way to the restaurant. The dim sum was quite okay, but if compared to those we get in New York City, it is a mile off from that standard. Anyhow, we head to our next destination -- downtown Chicago for St. Patrick's Parade.

People were everywhere when we reached the area. Every vantage point for a clear sight of the parade were taken. We compensated for it, and can only blame ourselves for not arriving earlier. Anyway, it wasn't all that important. I took pictures of the parade, but then started to get bored, and so we left.

We walked about nearby, visiting the reknown Chicago Bean (it is call some other name, but it is nicknamed Chicago Bean) and also downtown Chicago. We also managed to take some pictures of the river which was dyed green for St. Patrick's Celebration. Authorities claim that they use environmentally friendly dye, but I still can't help thinking what the fishes in the water think! Maybe something like, "Wow! Plenty of algae floating in the water today? Every fish, open your mouths and start eating!" =p

We went back to Chinatown after spending time downtown. Dinner time, which means we are hungry and food will be served soon! We filled up our grumbling stomachs at a seafood restaurant, again claimed to be very nice. It didn't live up to expectation again, and I didn't eat much. Maybe my expectation was to high, but I doubt it.

Karaoke was the next event, and the place for karaoke looks similar to red light area! They even use red lights to illuminate the area! It wasn't too bad, and the bartender aka technician aka 'one man show' was friendly and we did had some fun time there. Suprisingly, one of us was hungry after singing! So supper was up next. We had some food again and head back to the hotel, a journey where everyone except the driver started to doze off.

We slept till the sun was high up in the sky, then headed out in search for korean barbeque. We spent some time getting the address right and the name of the restaurant, but finally our GPS and friend in Des Moines got us to the place. Everyone was very hungry at that time, but there was only one waitress serving three tables! Patience is a virtue, and finally we were rewarded with food to treat our hunger. It was quite nice, but again, I like New York City's korean barbeque better.

We spend some time walking around the korean village, then head back to Chinatown for snooker and pool session. We cancelled the original plan of buffet steak for dinner due to the price and also the mood, and succumb to walking around Chinatown. We end up spliting into a few groups, and I walked with my dear brother. We had char siew and siew yok fan (barbeque pork and roast pork rice) for dinner. The serving was huge, and we had a satisfying meal. We headed back to the hotel, had just a little booze as we planned to play some games that night, but everyone was more interested with those hilarious commercial which the television was airing, and we called it a day after those commercials.

Korean food for brunch the next day, which was the best meal of the trip in my opinion. I spent quite a lot at the korean mart as well, but it was well worth it I must say. A last stop at Chinatown to get more char siew and siew yok and roast duck and also some pastry like egg tarts and buns, we head back to Des Moines. Rainy weather and long journey isn't pleasant, and napping during the journey was the main event.

Back in Des Moines finally, and dinner was great. Kimchi and korean snacks with siew yok and stuffs is a great match. After sleeping on the floor for a few days, my bed couldn't have felt better! =p All in all, I must say Chicago is a nice city. Definitely I will visit Chicago again one day. But to compare it with New York City, I prefer New York City. And for now, back to catching up with studies for the rest of my spring break! Adioz.

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!

Cold with boredom, heated with excitement!

It's kind of boring the past two weeks I must say. There's nothing but assignments and tests. Yes, I am sick of it, but to choose between those two, I must say I enjoy assignments more than tests, way more! You want a comparison? Well, I have done my IS 44 finals project which is due on Thursday, but I have yet to start studying for my ACTS 140 finals on Thursday. Better yet, my IS 44 assignment is due at 9pm, while ACTS 140 test is at 4pm. Yes, that is how I disregard tests.

But, assignments also have its limits. Too many assignments at one time is very bad and stressful. Very stressful. I actually have one assignment due this morning, one more this evening, another one tomorrow, and two more on Thursday! That is CRAZY!! And to make matter worse, I am a PROcrastinator! Gosh!

Whether lady luck is on my side or the weather decided to help me, a snow storm happened today in the wee hours. It was predicted that the snow storm will start at 6pm yesterday and end at 6pm today, a 24 hour storm! Imagine that! But then the storm only happened after 2am. And guess what? Drake University actually close and cancel all classes due to the severe weather! All assignments due today are pushed back one day, and few other assignments' due date are pushed back a day as well! Lucky procrastinator I must say!

How bad is the weather you asked? Well, the pine trees in front of my window has ice on its branches and leaves, snow scattered everywhere, skies gloomy and threatening to dump more snow and sleet and freezing rain, and the temperature is freezing! Walkway everywhere is very slippery, the same applies to the roads. I heard Chicago, which is also suffering from the same snow storm, had 15 deaths due to the snow storm! Imagine icicles causing damage and loss of lives!

Anyway, now that I have a whole day to finish up assignments and study for my test, I really should put it to good use. But being me, I went back to sleep after waking up to class cancellations, continued sleeping after being awaken by my 'brother', slept some more after calling my friend to announce the good news, and finally woke up for lunch due to my grumbling stomach. Played some pool after lunch, came back and tried to study, but the mood just wasn't right, and I end up playing games, listening to songs, and ranting here. Guess what? That's not the end yet. I have an appointment with Mr. Basketball at 5pm, add dinner to the equation, with shower and a little time wasting formula, I think I will only start to study or complete my assignments at 9pm! And if my mum calls, I don't think studying will ever happen today! Lolz.

Yes, if you want to slap me up down left right center for not using time wisely, you can. Oh wait, not everyone. Yes, there's the catch! You must be a close friend of mine, a very close friend. Only a few qualified for that! So I won't have bruises on my face till my mum can't recognize me! Duhhh... And don't you dare come slap me without permission! You may end up with bruises from my counter attack! Bwahahahaha...

I can't wait for finals to be over. Just another week, another week!! One more week and we will be off to holiday, riding on plane or bus or car or whatever transportation, off go the stressful education for a month! Yet, everything comes with a sacrifice. I don't get to meet my close friends for a month, no more those jokes and talks and craziness for a month! But then again, what gain is there without sacrifice? Finals, here I come! After that, NEW YORK CITY, my destination, my freedom for a month, my joy for a month, my carefree attitude for a month! Here I come!

Just ranting...

I am bored, and laden with assignments. How unfortunate. Finals is another 3 weeks or less away, and my studies isn't going as well as I thought it would be, especially my Stats 2!! Even though I am laden with all these assignments, I still prefer it over examinations, and I do take time to do it nicely and take time off to relax my mind.

Friends gathering is a great way to relax from all these hectic and crazy work. I just had one yesterday night, and I would like to shout aloud a great big THANK YOU to Randy and Rachel. They cooked some wonderful dinner, and we had some games together, which where most of the fun came from.

I once heard that to know someone truly, give him/her alcohol or cards. Well, I think it still stand true and will stand true forever. No no, don't get me wrong, no one in the gathering yesterday gave me a bad impression. It's quite the opposite actually. I got to know someone who is very smart, intelligent, and wonderful. Well, I did know before hand that she's very smart, and very alert to everything that's happening around, but it is still amazing how she can do it in such a pretty way. Schweet!

Anyway, we did tiramisu after some booze. The effect of the alcohol cleared off, and we had fun doing tiramisu, learning from someone who have actually done it before and done it perfectly. Hey hey, this boy here actually know how to make tiramisu already! I am eating it now, and it taste very good. Well, I didn't actually do much of it, but I was there to witness the process, and helped out a little. So I guess it's all of the pretty chef's work! Brilliant!

After being here for two months or more, I get to know people more in depth, or that's how I feel. Some times there are just people whom I can't tolerate; and some times there are people who are just so wonderful. I guess different upbringing does have effect on everyone.

I also get to know myself a little better. Guess what? I am a big spender. No no, don't say you are too. I spend 60 usd on a pair of wonderful headphones, 80 usd on an external hard drive, and tonnes of dollars on vacations and clothes and snacks and food. I even chose to buy something that is not on discount instead of the discounted item! That's how crazy I am. And I have this thought behind my head which tells me, if I have the money, I would have a walk in wardrobe just for shoes, and another one on jeans. Well, maybe I can join the two wardrobes, but I really hope I can have shoes that match my outfit whenever I want. =p And I am still looking for a pair of WHITE jeans. Yes, pure white. =p

Alright, enough of crap on this cold and wet day. Maybe I should continue enjoying the tiramisu she made, and get some sleep as a reward of finishing two assignment in one afternoon! Adioz... ;-)

Thai food anyone?

I have the opportunity to taste good food yet again. Where? Right here in Des Moines. At a restaurant named Cool Basil.

Tom yam soup!

It serves Thai food, and you can choose your level of spicy-ness. There's one star to five star, with five stars as the hottest. Well, compared to the real Thai food's spice, it has been mellow down. But don't be fooled, it's quite hot as well!

The food was good actually. Well, maybe you can say that I am a little bias and not so picky in food as before, due to the food quality here in Drake's Hubbell, but then again, it's good. =p Try it for yourself and you will know where am I in the food critique level. =D

To me, good food and good company over a meal is a must; the food won't taste good without a good company!

Well, you've guessed it, I have got some good friends to bring me for good food, a great meal indeed! Thank you everyone! =)

They even have some cute, small sized pepper and salt shaker!

How cute, right? That's a quarter, so you should be able to know what's the size! =p

M & M: Part 1

There are so much to write about, so I guess breaking it up to a few post is the best.

M & M here stands for, well, not the chocolate, it's for Minneapolis, Minnesota. This sotong here actually got a chance to go to Minneapolis! And he's not even here for 2 months! How incredibly lucky he is. Therefore, this post is specially dedicated to those people who made this trip for him.

Randy and Chee Zhong

Oh, yes, this is a thank you post. So nothing much about the trip yet, except about all the people. Well, almost all.

Eva, Kay Ying, and Rachel

First, Eva. Thanks to her car that I get to go to Minneapolis. She drove us all the way from Des Moines, Iowa to Minneapolis, Minnesota. That's about 4 to 5 hours of driving. She also drove us around in Minneapolis, trying her best to keep up with a Mercedes leading the way in town. It was dangerous at some point, but a big 'thank you' must still be said to her.

Kay Ying and Randy

Next, Randy. Without him, I wouldn't be invited to the trip. It was a little last minute for me to prepare for the trip, but I truly enjoy it. I also enjoy his company and advice, and we seem to have quite a lot of similarities! He drove us back from Minneapolis to Des Moines after experiencing a little freak incident, and I must say I enjoy the eventful journey. Heck, it was raining heavily and it was at night, with poor light conditions, and sudden blinding lightning flash, ain't it eventful?

Another person to thank is Rachel, Randy's girl. She is the other camera... erm... woman, capturing the wonderful experience into ever lasting memory. This pretty girl also provided laughter throughout the trip, and some times her and Randy's antics are pretty cute.

The lovebirds. They make a good model, don't you think?

Next on the list, Kay Ying. I am not sure if I spelled her name correctly, because it is the first time I am meeting her. This girl is very funny, and she always get teased with her height and eyes. I must say it is a great pleasure having to know her, and I sure look forward to meet her again. Oh, don't get me wrong. She's taken, and I want to meet her is because meeting her may mean another trip? =p Well, even not trip, an outing for a meal is also great.

One more important person to thank is Chee Zhong. Again, this is our first meeting, and I am not sure if that is the way to spell his name. The main purpose of this trip is a farewell for him. He is leaving to India to advance his career, and I wish him all the best. I must say that he is a very extremely wonderful person. If not, why would so many people purposely come to his farewell, some even took a flight to send him off! Now that's success in life, don't you think?

Other people to thank will be Mario and Cadence, who booked the hotel for us; Kumar who drove the Mercedes leading the way around town; and a few other host which name I am not sure of.




In the end, I must say this is a very rewarding trip for me, getting to see another town, and also getting to meet so many people. A great big THANK YOU to all the people who made this trip possible for me.

The number 10 ... ... ... .

10 people you love. (excluding family members)
My biatch Tristin Shanley Hsu Wen Yuan. Lolz.
Adrian 'Shorty' Kuah.
Aaron 'Joker' Morris.
Foo Suan Phat.
Puvan.
Grace Chin.
Muhe.
Ching Ching.
Clara Moy.
That someone special.

10 things you want to do before you die.
Travel around the world.
Buy a fleet of luxury cars.
Have a gathering of all my friends. A. L. L.
Buy a house for my parents.
Own a few private jets.
Build a business empire.
Be with all the people I love.
Own an island, of course, with my own yatch.
Play computer games or video games on a 42'' tv with surround sound system.
Marry her.

10 things you cannot live without.
Mobile phone.
Laptop.
Internet connection.
Money.
Love.
Songs.
Friends.
Water. Just. Plain. Water.
Food. Food. Food.
Air. Hahahaa...

10 things you Love about your country.
Mamak!
Teh cina ais. Lolz
People.
Manglish.
Pirated DVD, VCD, softwares... etc
Sweet old memories.
Food.
Products of mixed culture.
Yumcha.
Rasuah? =p

10 bad habits.
Sometimes I am a little too straight forward.
Procrastinate.
Tend not to do what I dislike, even when ordered to.
Lazy.
Many in-between meals.
Curse.
Don't read.
Sleep too much.
If provoked, I will get extremely angry.
Always disturb people. Lol

10 attitudes that turns you off.
Back stab.
Dig nose in public.
Talk loudly on the phone.
Think that he/she is more superior than everyone else.
Crave for attention.
Guys who act cool, or wannabe.
Go back on a promise.
Lie without a valid reason.
Smoking, to a certain extent.
Arrogant.

10 words to describe yourself. (5 good and 5 bad)
Dumb in certain things.
Smart in certain things.
Average Joe.
Friendly.
Annoying.
Ambitious.
Over ambitious at times.
Go to great lengths to help someone.
But only selected people. Lol
Not your average Joe at times, bad Joe I meant.

10 favourite bands.
Good Charlotte.
Maroon 5.
Muse.
Simple Plan.
Linkin Park.
Fallout Boys.
Avril Lavigne.
Justin Timberlake.
Timbaland.
Nelly Furtado.

10 most prized possessions.
My laptop.
My mobile phone.
My Nike bag.
My glasses and shades.
My shoes.
My memories.
My friends.
My family, of course.
Some souvenier.
My smelly pillow and bed and bolster and blanket.

10 people to tag.
Grace Chin.
Tristin Hsu.
U-xinn no point lah, since kena tagged ady. Lolz.
Malaz to think.
You.
You.
You.
You.
You.
You.

Updates

I watched Transformers today. Outdated you say? This is my second time watching. Oops!

I have to admit, this show is so so good. No matter what the critics say, good or bad, I still say this is a great movie to watch. You would have thought that knowing what's going to happen next in the movie takes away the fun and excitement, but you would be so wrong with this movie. This is my second time watching this movie, and I still find myself deeply sucked into all the actions in the movie. The excitement never drops each time I hear those automobiles transform into those high tech wonderful beings. Anyone care to get the DVD for me so that I can watch it over and over again? =p

I met my dear Miss Khor today, together with Chang and Jon. The 4 of us had a great time chatting over a cuppa tea (well, not exactly tea, just for the saying). She's still as cute as ever, and of course, still running high with all her limitless energy! It's really a lost that she's not teaching in INTI anymore. All the new students won't get to know such a wonderful lecturer, more so a great friend. I really hope I won't lose her contacts. Really.

Should I get a flexible keyboard? You know, the kind where you connect to the computer with a USB and can bend and roll the keyboard? Those soft keyboards, like those in the show Die Hard 4.0. My guess is that it can be quite handy later on, instead of always typing on a laptop's keyboard. Should I spend that money? Will it be wise? So far I heard the price today is RM 29. Maybe I should try Low Yat, if it's lower than RM 25, I'll probably get it. Wait and save money.

Nothing much today I guess. Fatigue creeping into my limbs now, and my head is starting to get a little dizzy. It shouldn't be lack of sleep, so my guess will be -- too much of sleep! LoL.