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!

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.