4 hours to go!!
Most of the day was spent settling admin stuff.
Closed my bank account, where they returned me more money than they should have.
Well, their loss buahahaha!!
Sold textbook, so glad to get some money back!
Took in the last sights of the mountains along the freeway.
Mountains, have taken them for granted all this while.
Dunno when I'll get to see them again.
Ok, just anticipating a rough 13hour flight later.
Taiwannnn, here I come!!
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
20 hours to departure
Last night in LA!!
Putting up at friend's place, highly uncomfortable, not planning to sleep.
Listening to their snores now...
Hmmmmmmmm so the time to leave has come..
In less than 24 hours, I will be on a plane, headed towards Taiwan.
No more carefree life, where I only have to account to myself.
No more cooking sessions, where I dont have to worry about dirtying the kitchen.
No more last min studying, where I start studying only a couple hours before the test.
No more car, which made every place accessible.
No more road trips, no more insane gas prices, no more on-the-spur drinking sessions, no more getting teased for using the words 'queue', 'rubbish', 'lift' etc..
(Fyi, the correct American way is to say 'line', 'trash' and 'elevator' respectively.)
I could come up with a list of 100 'No more ...'
But, whats the point.
Just a reminder of what I'm leaving behind.
Putting up at friend's place, highly uncomfortable, not planning to sleep.
Listening to their snores now...
Hmmmmmmmm so the time to leave has come..
In less than 24 hours, I will be on a plane, headed towards Taiwan.
No more carefree life, where I only have to account to myself.
No more cooking sessions, where I dont have to worry about dirtying the kitchen.
No more last min studying, where I start studying only a couple hours before the test.
No more car, which made every place accessible.
No more road trips, no more insane gas prices, no more on-the-spur drinking sessions, no more getting teased for using the words 'queue', 'rubbish', 'lift' etc..
(Fyi, the correct American way is to say 'line', 'trash' and 'elevator' respectively.)
I could come up with a list of 100 'No more ...'
But, whats the point.
Just a reminder of what I'm leaving behind.
Monday, May 16, 2011
15 May- Las Vegas
And for the third time, we found ourselves in Vegas again.
I swear I dont have to come back to this place ever again.
So familiar with everything already.
Anw, had a super super filling seafood buffet.
I really hate buffets, always overeat. Had to make myself puke to feel better.
Defining moment of this Vegas trip:
The winning machine
Super apt name. Funny story really.
I was really bored, so I just stuck a dollar into the machine.
Randomly pressed some buttons, and the thing just started spinning and spinning and spinning. I didn't even press anything else, and just stared at my credits going up up up.
Didnt know what was going on at all, and almost left halfway cos I thought it was game over, seeing how the thing kept spinning automatically.
Luckily, hr stopped me. And when I cashed out, I thought it would be $4 something.
Instead, it was $48!!
Thats a 4863% return on my 'investment'!!
Turns out, it was because I luckily earned bonus spins on my first spin, and I had bet quite high, and kept getting the winning combinations, thats why the $$ kept increasing.
Pure dumb luck!!!!
Won another $4 after that and decided to quit while I was winning.
Downed more shots and margaritas. Last time drinking in the US. Really hate their drinking age requirement. Verrrrry restrictive!!
Still, most rewarding Vegas trip everrrrrr.
Ka-ching!!!
I swear I dont have to come back to this place ever again.
So familiar with everything already.
Anw, had a super super filling seafood buffet.
I really hate buffets, always overeat. Had to make myself puke to feel better.
Defining moment of this Vegas trip:
The winning machine
Super apt name. Funny story really.
I was really bored, so I just stuck a dollar into the machine.
Randomly pressed some buttons, and the thing just started spinning and spinning and spinning. I didn't even press anything else, and just stared at my credits going up up up.
Didnt know what was going on at all, and almost left halfway cos I thought it was game over, seeing how the thing kept spinning automatically.
Luckily, hr stopped me. And when I cashed out, I thought it would be $4 something.
Instead, it was $48!!
Thats a 4863% return on my 'investment'!!
Turns out, it was because I luckily earned bonus spins on my first spin, and I had bet quite high, and kept getting the winning combinations, thats why the $$ kept increasing.
Pure dumb luck!!!!
Won another $4 after that and decided to quit while I was winning.
Downed more shots and margaritas. Last time drinking in the US. Really hate their drinking age requirement. Verrrrry restrictive!!
Still, most rewarding Vegas trip everrrrrr.
Ka-ching!!!
Saturday, May 14, 2011
13 May- Yellowstone
Last road trip in the US, and last National Park.
I've seen enough rocks, mountains, snow and lakes to last me a lifetime.
No more no more!
Yellowstone is rated the best NP in the US.
Full of geysers and wildlife.
Most famous, Old Faithful geyser. Strong smell of sulphur.
Spring water, looks so clear blue and inviting.
BUT, the water is frigging hot, around 70degrees if Im not wrong.
So pls do not jump in.
Lots of wildlife along the way. Most common animal, the bison.
They are just so indifferent, happily strolling along the roads or munching on grass by the roadside.
Everytime traffic got bad, you could be sure that it was due to animal obstruction.
Still, they're pretty cute.
Spotted deer and a wolf too.
Unfortunately, no bears :( Must still be hibernating.
More cool geysers. These give off a really mysterious feel.
Almost like a scene of destruction.
Yellowstone is actually a pretty dangerous place, cos you never know when the geysers or volcanoes will blow up.
The orange is caused by bacteria!
Have really gotten in touch with nature these past few months.
Overdosed, in fact.
Or maybe, taking all these for granted.
Wait till I get back to Singapore, where its all buildings and buildings, then I'll start missing those scenery.
But for now, had enough of NPs tyvm!
I've seen enough rocks, mountains, snow and lakes to last me a lifetime.
No more no more!
Yellowstone is rated the best NP in the US.
Full of geysers and wildlife.
Most famous, Old Faithful geyser. Strong smell of sulphur.
Spring water, looks so clear blue and inviting.
BUT, the water is frigging hot, around 70degrees if Im not wrong.
So pls do not jump in.
Lots of wildlife along the way. Most common animal, the bison.
They are just so indifferent, happily strolling along the roads or munching on grass by the roadside.
Everytime traffic got bad, you could be sure that it was due to animal obstruction.
Still, they're pretty cute.
Spotted deer and a wolf too.
Unfortunately, no bears :( Must still be hibernating.
More cool geysers. These give off a really mysterious feel.
Almost like a scene of destruction.
Yellowstone is actually a pretty dangerous place, cos you never know when the geysers or volcanoes will blow up.
The orange is caused by bacteria!
Have really gotten in touch with nature these past few months.
Overdosed, in fact.
Or maybe, taking all these for granted.
Wait till I get back to Singapore, where its all buildings and buildings, then I'll start missing those scenery.
But for now, had enough of NPs tyvm!
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
Monday, May 9, 2011
9 May- X Factor
Attended my first live show in the US, X Factor!
We arrived late, so had to wait outside for pretty long, waiting for the people inside to open up more seats.
Almost didnt make it in.
By the time we got in, show had started.
And lets just say, being a live audience and watching it on TV are really different.
The show progresses much slower, and your seating is very important.
Half hour in, I was already bored.
The judges were making too much small talk with the contestants.
Plus, its a singing competition.
Songs alone dont really keep me interested for very long unless its accompanied by mad dance moves.
Simon Cowell, Chery Cole, Paula Abdul and LA Reid. Thats a really gay guy on the stage. Loud colours, bad voice and awful dance moves. Boooooooooooo!!
Simon was being his usual self, but it gets old after awhile.
The rest of the judges were not memorable.
Left the show early.
This is the second time I've been disappointed by live tapings.
First time was in Taiwan.
My advice, just watch it on TV.
You can see everything thats going on, and you get to skip the boring parts!
We arrived late, so had to wait outside for pretty long, waiting for the people inside to open up more seats.
Almost didnt make it in.
By the time we got in, show had started.
And lets just say, being a live audience and watching it on TV are really different.
The show progresses much slower, and your seating is very important.
Half hour in, I was already bored.
The judges were making too much small talk with the contestants.
Plus, its a singing competition.
Songs alone dont really keep me interested for very long unless its accompanied by mad dance moves.
Simon Cowell, Chery Cole, Paula Abdul and LA Reid. Thats a really gay guy on the stage. Loud colours, bad voice and awful dance moves. Boooooooooooo!!
Simon was being his usual self, but it gets old after awhile.
The rest of the judges were not memorable.
Left the show early.
This is the second time I've been disappointed by live tapings.
First time was in Taiwan.
My advice, just watch it on TV.
You can see everything thats going on, and you get to skip the boring parts!
Friday, May 6, 2011
Jiggly fats
The reason for my weight gain.
As exchange draws to an end, I spam more and more junk food.
Chips, cookies, donuts, ice cream.
Just hoping to eat as much as I can.
The B&Js up there, were wiped out within 24hours.
Of cos, I had help from friends.
Restocked with more already. My roomies always laugh at me for the amount of ice cream I hoard.
I aim to try all the flavours here, since its so cheap.
What I spent on the above, I could have bought only like 1pint in Singapore.
Dunno why they charge sooo much premium for B&Js.
Not gonna touch B&Js at all back in Sg.
I'll miss the junk food here.
As exchange draws to an end, I spam more and more junk food.
Chips, cookies, donuts, ice cream.
Just hoping to eat as much as I can.
The B&Js up there, were wiped out within 24hours.
Of cos, I had help from friends.
Restocked with more already. My roomies always laugh at me for the amount of ice cream I hoard.
I aim to try all the flavours here, since its so cheap.
What I spent on the above, I could have bought only like 1pint in Singapore.
Dunno why they charge sooo much premium for B&Js.
Not gonna touch B&Js at all back in Sg.
I'll miss the junk food here.
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
2 May- Bacaro LA
The last official event for exchange students, held at Bacaro LA, a wine bar.
All you can eat, all you can drink, for ONLY $5!!!
Super good deal. On the face of it.
Food, mediocre. Potato slices (nice), bread (bread is bread lor), and bloody beef (I don't like to see blood on my meat! There's a reason I don't eat steak.)
But the name wine bar...what a joke, the wine sucked so bad!!
Surprisingly, the beer, wow, so smooth.
The owner underestimated us though.
He thought 2 kegs would be more than enough.
But barely 2hours in, we ran out of beer zzz.
Singaporeans YAM SENGing.
Got wasted again.
My SMU girl buddies, kept me safe from harm (and by harm I mean the guy prowlers who were obviously preying on drunk girls. Saw many girls hugging and kissing random guys)
These 2 were constantly sitting by my side, and walked me back to my apt, listened to my rambling nonsense for hours and put me to bed. Best of all, they left a plastic bag by my side, which CAME IN SO HANDY. Y'know, so that I'll puke into the bag instead of on the carpet. Imagine how gross it is, cleaning puke off the carpet. Ew. Still, some puke got on the carpet oops.
But whatever, I am sooo sooo sooo grateful to them.
Also, very grateful to my liver. It has improved, I dont puke so readily anymore. There was this guy, locked up and puking away in the bar's toilet for 30mins.
He will forever be remembered as a loser. Humiliating.
Anyway, looking pretty much damn gross and contorted in most photos sighh.
I don't even know who this guy is...
Great night at a really great price. No better way to end it.
However, the hangovers are never great :(
If mom ever knew about this, her conservative heart sure cannot take it.
All you can eat, all you can drink, for ONLY $5!!!
Super good deal. On the face of it.
Food, mediocre. Potato slices (nice), bread (bread is bread lor), and bloody beef (I don't like to see blood on my meat! There's a reason I don't eat steak.)
But the name wine bar...what a joke, the wine sucked so bad!!
Surprisingly, the beer, wow, so smooth.
The owner underestimated us though.
He thought 2 kegs would be more than enough.
But barely 2hours in, we ran out of beer zzz.
Singaporeans YAM SENGing.
Got wasted again.
My SMU girl buddies, kept me safe from harm (and by harm I mean the guy prowlers who were obviously preying on drunk girls. Saw many girls hugging and kissing random guys)
These 2 were constantly sitting by my side, and walked me back to my apt, listened to my rambling nonsense for hours and put me to bed. Best of all, they left a plastic bag by my side, which CAME IN SO HANDY. Y'know, so that I'll puke into the bag instead of on the carpet. Imagine how gross it is, cleaning puke off the carpet. Ew. Still, some puke got on the carpet oops.
But whatever, I am sooo sooo sooo grateful to them.
Also, very grateful to my liver. It has improved, I dont puke so readily anymore. There was this guy, locked up and puking away in the bar's toilet for 30mins.
He will forever be remembered as a loser. Humiliating.
Anyway, looking pretty much damn gross and contorted in most photos sighh.
I don't even know who this guy is...
Great night at a really great price. No better way to end it.
However, the hangovers are never great :(
If mom ever knew about this, her conservative heart sure cannot take it.
Sunday, May 1, 2011
29-30 Apr- Yosemite
Boredom took us to Yosemite again.
Lets see, I'll just skip to interesting bits.
Lotsa big big trees.
Here's a really ginormous uprooted tree.
Those are the roots of the tree. See how small I am, compared to the base of the tree..
Several waterfalls
Greedy squirrel eating a fry
Random deer along the way. It is possible to kill them if they dash out onto the road suddenly.
Next day, Mammoth Mountain!
A ski resort, snow-covered.
Took a cable car ride all the way to the peak. They call it a gondola. Yeah I know, gondola is supposed to be that lil romantic boat ride on the rivers of Venice. But nah, cable car is far from romantic. Its shaky, but offers breathtaking view.
Also, you get to see the pro skiers skiing down STEEP AS HELL slopes with ease.
They make it look like its nothing.
Even little kids were happily ski ski skiing down.
To us Singaporeans, we were like, even if we roll down the slopes, the snow will snowball us and we'll still crash and die.
At the peak of the mountain,
Took a photo with random strangers cos they looked so cool.
On the way down
Aaaaaaaaaaand, ending off with food.
Shrimp scampi. The shrimps were REALLY HUGE.
For a better comparison..
Lets see, I'll just skip to interesting bits.
Lotsa big big trees.
Here's a really ginormous uprooted tree.
Those are the roots of the tree. See how small I am, compared to the base of the tree..
Several waterfalls
Greedy squirrel eating a fry
Random deer along the way. It is possible to kill them if they dash out onto the road suddenly.
Next day, Mammoth Mountain!
A ski resort, snow-covered.
Took a cable car ride all the way to the peak. They call it a gondola. Yeah I know, gondola is supposed to be that lil romantic boat ride on the rivers of Venice. But nah, cable car is far from romantic. Its shaky, but offers breathtaking view.
Also, you get to see the pro skiers skiing down STEEP AS HELL slopes with ease.
They make it look like its nothing.
Even little kids were happily ski ski skiing down.
To us Singaporeans, we were like, even if we roll down the slopes, the snow will snowball us and we'll still crash and die.
At the peak of the mountain,
Took a photo with random strangers cos they looked so cool.
On the way down
Aaaaaaaaaaand, ending off with food.
Shrimp scampi. The shrimps were REALLY HUGE.
For a better comparison..
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