I think my depression will kick in soon enough, now that I'm no longer in San Diego. I'm typing this from the departure lounge at HK's airport. I'm not too sure when my jetlag will kick in but I feel a little disoriented now because my fingers look like bony twigs swishing across the keyboard as I type.
I'll go walk around in a few moments since my flight's at 8.55am and it's only 6.45am now. Be prepared to face a moody and sullen person for the next few months, and especially in the next few days because I miss the friends I've made in the United States, and I have to adapt back into the Singapore city lifestyle.
School will start in August, and from then till now, I have about 1 1/2 months or so to research on my final year project. What a way to be welcomed back to Singapore. :(
Thursday, June 19, 2008
Thursday, June 12, 2008
Seaworld and dinner with Ryan's grandparents
Ryan and I dropped by Seaworld yesterday, and met up with the sharks, sea otters, penguins, dolphins, beluga whales, starfishes, a partridge (???), seagulls, pooping crow, Elmo, tortoises, pirahnas, poison arrow frogs, venus flytraps, irritating barking sea lions and last but not least, our big friend - SHAMU! Then we headed down to Top of the Restaurant (ritzy place) for a birthday dinner for Ryan/ farewell dinner for me by the Seaport Village in downtown San Diego.
Shin, Min Jeon and I to the Beach!
We drove to Pacific Beach just the other day in Shin's convertible.. and that wasn't my first time sitting in one, but it was my first time sitting in one with the top down. Hair was just flying all around. And trust me unless you're sitting in the front with the windscreen shielding you, it hurts and stings like sh*t.
Saturday, June 7, 2008
Friday, June 6, 2008
Interview with Shin
My Korean housemate, Shin, is currently doing an intership with a media company in San Diego. For his current assignment, he has to interview the people he has met during his stay in America. So he interviews me and Maki (my new Japanese roommate), asking questions about what we think of him and such.
But apart from that, we hung on in his room, drinking Japanese plum wine (smoky and sweet, but I still dislike the taste of alcohol), ate sweet, dried fishes (a Korean beer snack), my packet of Honey Mustard potato chips (my favorite), and some really sweet strawberries provided by Maki.
But apart from that, we hung on in his room, drinking Japanese plum wine (smoky and sweet, but I still dislike the taste of alcohol), ate sweet, dried fishes (a Korean beer snack), my packet of Honey Mustard potato chips (my favorite), and some really sweet strawberries provided by Maki.
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
Been a month!
Wow it's been a month since I last updated this blog. It's the 4th of June now, and my last blog was written on the 4th of May.
Since then, I've gotten back my grades... not too shabby I say.
Design for the Internet - A
Typography III - A
Art of the Book I - A
History of Japanese Painting - B+
Surfing - A-
Woot! But it ain't all smiles now, my roommates have flown back to Singapore, most of the people have moved out of the house. So the only person whom I know there who'd probably stayed as long as me would be Shin (the Korean guy). And he's moved up to the room beside mine. I got two new roommates, Maki, a Japanese girl, and Hayeon, a Korean. So far, I've only stayed with them for one night, as I was away for the past 3 days, visiting an American friend's home. Pretty cool I say, because my friend's family lives in the high desert, in a town called Hesperia. It's fun how I get to live with an American family each time I'm here.
Soon I'll be going down to Seaworld, The Wild Animal Park, the San Diego Zoo and Disneyland in the following 2 weeks that I'll be here. I'm getting a little moodier as I type because I have fallen for San Diego and I wish that I could stay here for a longer time. My current housemates and roommates are really funny. We often cook together, and Shin cooks great Korean food almost every other day. Now Maki and I get to pick one Korean dish each, and Shin promises that he'll try to make that for us! Yippie!!!!!
Since then, I've gotten back my grades... not too shabby I say.
Design for the Internet - A
Typography III - A
Art of the Book I - A
History of Japanese Painting - B+
Surfing - A-
Woot! But it ain't all smiles now, my roommates have flown back to Singapore, most of the people have moved out of the house. So the only person whom I know there who'd probably stayed as long as me would be Shin (the Korean guy). And he's moved up to the room beside mine. I got two new roommates, Maki, a Japanese girl, and Hayeon, a Korean. So far, I've only stayed with them for one night, as I was away for the past 3 days, visiting an American friend's home. Pretty cool I say, because my friend's family lives in the high desert, in a town called Hesperia. It's fun how I get to live with an American family each time I'm here.
Soon I'll be going down to Seaworld, The Wild Animal Park, the San Diego Zoo and Disneyland in the following 2 weeks that I'll be here. I'm getting a little moodier as I type because I have fallen for San Diego and I wish that I could stay here for a longer time. My current housemates and roommates are really funny. We often cook together, and Shin cooks great Korean food almost every other day. Now Maki and I get to pick one Korean dish each, and Shin promises that he'll try to make that for us! Yippie!!!!!
Sunday, May 4, 2008
Long awaited concert!
Finally!!!!! I got to watch Michael Bublé live at Cox Arena (just a 15 min walk from home).... woooottt
I didn't get to catch him the last time he came to Singapore, but heck yeah!!!! I got to see him perform.. And he's quiet the entertainer. I went with a friend who's a much bigger fan than me, considering that I know just know a few songs (not remembering the lyrics too), but I am astounded by his vocals, that's why I went to watch his performance.
Monday, April 21, 2008
Friday, April 18, 2008
Hey DOOD!
Seriously... we were surfing........................... NOT!
Just posing for the camera, and I've yet to master the art of standing on the banana board.
Thursday, April 17, 2008
My e-zine project & portfolio
Here are the links:
E-zine
http://design.sdsu.edu/webclasses/spring2008/344/prentice/ho
/E-zine/ezine.html
Portfolio
http://design.sdsu.edu/webclasses/spring2008/344/prentice/ho
/Final%20Port%20Rough/homepage.html
E-zine
http://design.sdsu.edu/webclasses/spring2008/344/prentice/ho
/E-zine/ezine.html
Portfolio
http://design.sdsu.edu/webclasses/spring2008/344/prentice/ho
/Final%20Port%20Rough/homepage.html
ARgh. The worst happened.
Hi hi... I've been busy busy busy!
That's why I haven't been updating at all. And the dark circles under my eyes are way too prominent for me to go out into the light! I'll burn like a vampire in the sun....
Oh yeah, the worst thing happened to me. I mean, if it DID happen to me in Singapore, it wouldn't be that bad... but this is the most disastrous situation for a graphic designer who's unfamiliar with the geography here. My printer malfunctioned!!!!
I was trying to print onto tracing paper but it was too thin and it jammed up my printer. I tried pulling the paper out, and in the process of doing so, I think I shifted my printing mechanism and so everything that gets printed out later becomes really crappy and misaligned. But thank goodness, I called my friend and asked him to send me down to a computer repair shop, 15 minutes away by driving from home.
You might think that I'm making a fuss, BUT school's almost coming to an end, and that's when I crank up the printer the most, and working without a printer is like living on earth with insufficient oxygen. My printer is my oxygen. For now, that is.
And the cost would be about USD$50 I hope... considering that's what the person told me, and besides it shouldn't cost more because the printer costs about $80 or so.
I'll try to upload pictures of my mock-up book soon. It's crazy I tell ya.... It's modelled after the structure of a tunnel book but with a bit of tweaking using my concept. I'll take pictures of the Art Show that the school will hold on the 9th of May... this is going to be so exciting!!!! Sigh, I hope that I'll have enough money left by the time I leave, because I just bought two books from Amazon.com for myself since it's cheaper (USD$23) here, and I'm sure it sells for at least SGD$80 in Singapore. And I still need to get presents for my friends! and of course, my family... hahaa
Okay, see you soon in June!
That's why I haven't been updating at all. And the dark circles under my eyes are way too prominent for me to go out into the light! I'll burn like a vampire in the sun....
Oh yeah, the worst thing happened to me. I mean, if it DID happen to me in Singapore, it wouldn't be that bad... but this is the most disastrous situation for a graphic designer who's unfamiliar with the geography here. My printer malfunctioned!!!!
I was trying to print onto tracing paper but it was too thin and it jammed up my printer. I tried pulling the paper out, and in the process of doing so, I think I shifted my printing mechanism and so everything that gets printed out later becomes really crappy and misaligned. But thank goodness, I called my friend and asked him to send me down to a computer repair shop, 15 minutes away by driving from home.
You might think that I'm making a fuss, BUT school's almost coming to an end, and that's when I crank up the printer the most, and working without a printer is like living on earth with insufficient oxygen. My printer is my oxygen. For now, that is.
And the cost would be about USD$50 I hope... considering that's what the person told me, and besides it shouldn't cost more because the printer costs about $80 or so.
I'll try to upload pictures of my mock-up book soon. It's crazy I tell ya.... It's modelled after the structure of a tunnel book but with a bit of tweaking using my concept. I'll take pictures of the Art Show that the school will hold on the 9th of May... this is going to be so exciting!!!! Sigh, I hope that I'll have enough money left by the time I leave, because I just bought two books from Amazon.com for myself since it's cheaper (USD$23) here, and I'm sure it sells for at least SGD$80 in Singapore. And I still need to get presents for my friends! and of course, my family... hahaa
Okay, see you soon in June!
Sunday, April 6, 2008
I feel BLERGH
Shucks... first it was the recurring cough... next was the food poisoning (I think).
I had food at a Mexican restaurant the other day with my friend, and I had tacos, nachos and guacamole. Maybe the delicious guacamole made me sick.
Just today I had diarrhoea twice (I will not spare the details, because if I feel sick, my readers must feel sick from the description too!). Once early in the morning, when I had to literally hop out of the bed to rush to the bathroom, and the second time happened at night. And after pooing everything and showering in the hot toilet, I felt like vomitting.
Those are signs of food poisoning - diarrhoea, nausea, cramping (it felt as though my intestines were being eaten away by acid). But I hope I'll be better tomorrow.
Oh yeah and I will be posting pictures of my Spring Break soon!
Tata for now,
I need to poo soon.
I had food at a Mexican restaurant the other day with my friend, and I had tacos, nachos and guacamole. Maybe the delicious guacamole made me sick.
Just today I had diarrhoea twice (I will not spare the details, because if I feel sick, my readers must feel sick from the description too!). Once early in the morning, when I had to literally hop out of the bed to rush to the bathroom, and the second time happened at night. And after pooing everything and showering in the hot toilet, I felt like vomitting.
Those are signs of food poisoning - diarrhoea, nausea, cramping (it felt as though my intestines were being eaten away by acid). But I hope I'll be better tomorrow.
Oh yeah and I will be posting pictures of my Spring Break soon!
Tata for now,
I need to poo soon.
Friday, March 28, 2008
San Francisco.... again!
Hi hi....
I'm back in San Francisco again!... Apparently everything still looks the same. And, the rude lady who served me 6 months back, served us again this time and her face looks as foul as ever. Even my German housemate thought that her service was tres terrible.
So far we've visited Chinatown, and H&M in downtown (where I got a blouse and a pair of jeans). I think I'll go crazy with shopping once more. Right now we're staying in a hostel in the middle of downtown and its a pretty normal hostel only meant for international students. Tomorrow we'd be going to Fisherman's Wharf at Pier 39, hopefully for my fresh seafood again.
So toodles for now!
I'm back in San Francisco again!... Apparently everything still looks the same. And, the rude lady who served me 6 months back, served us again this time and her face looks as foul as ever. Even my German housemate thought that her service was tres terrible.
So far we've visited Chinatown, and H&M in downtown (where I got a blouse and a pair of jeans). I think I'll go crazy with shopping once more. Right now we're staying in a hostel in the middle of downtown and its a pretty normal hostel only meant for international students. Tomorrow we'd be going to Fisherman's Wharf at Pier 39, hopefully for my fresh seafood again.
So toodles for now!
Thursday, March 20, 2008
On my way home
Walked under the clear blue sky,
met a French friend,
took pictures of pretty yellow flowers,
looked up at the telephone cables.
met a French friend,
took pictures of pretty yellow flowers,
looked up at the telephone cables.
Wednesday, March 5, 2008
My Portfolio
Here's what I did for my 'Design for the Internet' class. We were supposed to create a portfolio site using Dreamweaver and here's what I came out with it.
http://design.sdsu.edu/webclasses/spring2008/344/prentice/ho/Final%20Port%20Rough/homepage.html
http://design.sdsu.edu/webclasses/spring2008/344/prentice/ho/Final%20Port%20Rough/homepage.html
A poem of the weather
Hey there... I know this sounds awfully sappy, but I was sitting in the garden when the beautiful sun just streamed through and shone on me... Here's a poem about it.
Sun kissing on my neck
Whispers tender sweet things
Gently caresses with its rays
Marking my skin with light
I am yours and you are mine
We intertwine in orange divine
The reason why I'm writing about the sun's because of the lousy weather in San Diego. It rains, it shines, it gets cloudy... bla bla bla, the sun comes once in a while and it just lasts for a few days before the skies get gray again. But when there's the sun, the weather just becomes perfect unlike the scorching heat that you get in Singapore. And I know its going to be sunny when I'm surfing this Friday!!!
Sun kissing on my neck
Whispers tender sweet things
Gently caresses with its rays
Marking my skin with light
I am yours and you are mine
We intertwine in orange divine
The reason why I'm writing about the sun's because of the lousy weather in San Diego. It rains, it shines, it gets cloudy... bla bla bla, the sun comes once in a while and it just lasts for a few days before the skies get gray again. But when there's the sun, the weather just becomes perfect unlike the scorching heat that you get in Singapore. And I know its going to be sunny when I'm surfing this Friday!!!
Monday, March 3, 2008
Dilly Dallying
Hi there...
I know its a bad habit of mine not to update my blog regularly, or even weekly. I think it's been starting to get a little too much of a hassel to log into blogspot (it takes a freaking long time for it to load), and then to start typing... But I will attempt to, become a regular blogger. Okay??
So far, I've been to my 2nd official surfing lesson (just last Friday), and I skipped the one before that week as I wasn't feeling too well.. I had a chronic cough that lasted for about 3 weeks before it got better with really expensive medication. I think the issue with healthcare in the United States really sucks, especially if you're a foreigner, or one who can't afford medical insurance in the United States. Because I had to get an inhaler for USD$136.99 (which I'd be claiming back from my insurance at home), whereas if I had a valid US medical insurance it'd been around $20 - $40.
But health's more important than money, and I've been getting many good night rests, because for many days I've been coughing myself to sleep. And waking to the same cough too. Anyways, I'd be spending more money again, but this time on getting the Adobe CS3 Web Design suite software for USD$599. It'll be taking to much to explain why I need to get it, but basically I just need to in order to get good grades here.
So far at home, I've made tiramisu and lasagna from scratch with one of my Mexican-American housemates. She'll be making a cactus dish sometime soon!!! Btw, its amazing how much alike South-East Asian cuisine and Mexican dishes are. For instance we use a lot of tamarind and dried chillis in our food, and just the other day I saw dried prawns/shrimp being sold in the Mexican food section.... aaaahhhhhhh smells like home.
Times running out now, I've gotta go for class soon!! See ya next time.
I know its a bad habit of mine not to update my blog regularly, or even weekly. I think it's been starting to get a little too much of a hassel to log into blogspot (it takes a freaking long time for it to load), and then to start typing... But I will attempt to, become a regular blogger. Okay??
So far, I've been to my 2nd official surfing lesson (just last Friday), and I skipped the one before that week as I wasn't feeling too well.. I had a chronic cough that lasted for about 3 weeks before it got better with really expensive medication. I think the issue with healthcare in the United States really sucks, especially if you're a foreigner, or one who can't afford medical insurance in the United States. Because I had to get an inhaler for USD$136.99 (which I'd be claiming back from my insurance at home), whereas if I had a valid US medical insurance it'd been around $20 - $40.
But health's more important than money, and I've been getting many good night rests, because for many days I've been coughing myself to sleep. And waking to the same cough too. Anyways, I'd be spending more money again, but this time on getting the Adobe CS3 Web Design suite software for USD$599. It'll be taking to much to explain why I need to get it, but basically I just need to in order to get good grades here.
So far at home, I've made tiramisu and lasagna from scratch with one of my Mexican-American housemates. She'll be making a cactus dish sometime soon!!! Btw, its amazing how much alike South-East Asian cuisine and Mexican dishes are. For instance we use a lot of tamarind and dried chillis in our food, and just the other day I saw dried prawns/shrimp being sold in the Mexican food section.... aaaahhhhhhh smells like home.
Times running out now, I've gotta go for class soon!! See ya next time.
Monday, February 18, 2008
Saturday, February 16, 2008
The Flu Season
Hi hi... Updates again!
Apparently the flu bug is spreading around in school and I happen to be one of the unfortunate victims. I have been coughing non-stop for 4 days straight now, and if it gets worse, I think I'll have to see the doctor. Two of my other housemates caught the cold too, and I think I spread it to one of my other Singaporean friend as well... sigh
Cirque du Soleil was fantastic (watched it last Friday) and sitting at the third row from the front was awesome!!! We paid about USD$84 each and every cent was worth it. The music was just too good and I got the CD as well!
Just to let everybody know, I SURFED IN THE OCEAN!!!! Although surfing wasn't technically the term... since I couldn't even stand on the surfboard (I made many attempts), but only managed to kneel for 5 seconds before the wave overturned me. Now my arms are hurting because I haven't used those muscles in months! The water from the ocean was surprisingly warmer than last week's bay water. And I have to say that learning to surf isn't easy at all, and it can be scary considering how big the waves are in San Diego. There were several instances when the waves knocked me into water and I thought that I was going to drown (it happens to everyone). But thank God that I always manage to resurface immediately after getting hit. I wish that by the next lesson, I'd be able to stand and ride the waves!!!! That'll be so cool...
So yesterday I surfed, and today I played tennis with two of my German housemates. My entire body is aching (in addition to the aches you get from having flu) but I'm okay with it.. I think my arm muscles are getting harder (YAY!)...
Apparently the flu bug is spreading around in school and I happen to be one of the unfortunate victims. I have been coughing non-stop for 4 days straight now, and if it gets worse, I think I'll have to see the doctor. Two of my other housemates caught the cold too, and I think I spread it to one of my other Singaporean friend as well... sigh
Cirque du Soleil was fantastic (watched it last Friday) and sitting at the third row from the front was awesome!!! We paid about USD$84 each and every cent was worth it. The music was just too good and I got the CD as well!
Just to let everybody know, I SURFED IN THE OCEAN!!!! Although surfing wasn't technically the term... since I couldn't even stand on the surfboard (I made many attempts), but only managed to kneel for 5 seconds before the wave overturned me. Now my arms are hurting because I haven't used those muscles in months! The water from the ocean was surprisingly warmer than last week's bay water. And I have to say that learning to surf isn't easy at all, and it can be scary considering how big the waves are in San Diego. There were several instances when the waves knocked me into water and I thought that I was going to drown (it happens to everyone). But thank God that I always manage to resurface immediately after getting hit. I wish that by the next lesson, I'd be able to stand and ride the waves!!!! That'll be so cool...
So yesterday I surfed, and today I played tennis with two of my German housemates. My entire body is aching (in addition to the aches you get from having flu) but I'm okay with it.. I think my arm muscles are getting harder (YAY!)...
Wednesday, February 6, 2008
Chinese New Year!!!
Happy Chinese New Year to all back in Singapore!!!
As I'm typing this, its the 6th of Feb (Wed) in San Diegan time, but my friends and I will be celebrating our 'reunion' dinner on Thursday night instead - unlike Singapore where there'll be holidays, we still have to go to school!
This time, reunion dinner will be a very different affair, as we'll be celebrating it with not just our Singaporean mates, but with people from Hong Kong and Korea! I was surprised that the Koreans celebrate it too, so we'll have our Korean housemate and his friends cooking Korean cuisine for us all alongside our Singaporean dishes - Hainanese chicken rice and wonton soup.
School has been pretty frustrating for me, considering the fact that I'm the only art student in the house and there'll always be tonnes of hw for me to complete (making art is time consuming)... Apart from that, my classes usually end later than my friends' and so I hardly get to go out with them... :( And I thought that studying at SDSU would be slacker than studying in NTU.
I can't wait for this Friday though!!! I'll be having my swimming test (a prerequisite for surfing class) and then we'll be going to catch Cirque du Soleil in action!!!! ARGGGGGHHHH!!!! We got the expensive tickets, but its good cuz we'll be sitting down at the 3rd row from the front!!!!
Right now, as part of my Typography III lesson, I'll be designing a poster to get young Americans between the ages of 18 - 29 to participate in the voting elections. I think it's an awkward time for me as I'm not into politics, and neither am I an American. But this project's rather fun to me as I get to explore with different mediums to make type.
Btw, thank you papa, mama and Kong Seng for sending me the e-mail about Chinese New Year. And too bad I missed out on kor kor Chee Yee's singing... :P
As I'm typing this, its the 6th of Feb (Wed) in San Diegan time, but my friends and I will be celebrating our 'reunion' dinner on Thursday night instead - unlike Singapore where there'll be holidays, we still have to go to school!
This time, reunion dinner will be a very different affair, as we'll be celebrating it with not just our Singaporean mates, but with people from Hong Kong and Korea! I was surprised that the Koreans celebrate it too, so we'll have our Korean housemate and his friends cooking Korean cuisine for us all alongside our Singaporean dishes - Hainanese chicken rice and wonton soup.
School has been pretty frustrating for me, considering the fact that I'm the only art student in the house and there'll always be tonnes of hw for me to complete (making art is time consuming)... Apart from that, my classes usually end later than my friends' and so I hardly get to go out with them... :( And I thought that studying at SDSU would be slacker than studying in NTU.
I can't wait for this Friday though!!! I'll be having my swimming test (a prerequisite for surfing class) and then we'll be going to catch Cirque du Soleil in action!!!! ARGGGGGHHHH!!!! We got the expensive tickets, but its good cuz we'll be sitting down at the 3rd row from the front!!!!
Right now, as part of my Typography III lesson, I'll be designing a poster to get young Americans between the ages of 18 - 29 to participate in the voting elections. I think it's an awkward time for me as I'm not into politics, and neither am I an American. But this project's rather fun to me as I get to explore with different mediums to make type.
Btw, thank you papa, mama and Kong Seng for sending me the e-mail about Chinese New Year. And too bad I missed out on kor kor Chee Yee's singing... :P
Saturday, February 2, 2008
Just a few updates
Yeah yeah yeah... I know... I haven't been updating a lot.
But I WILL! now...
Let me recall the past few days.
1. I touched books that were 500 years old!!! I think I did write that in my previous blog entry... the pages were crumbling as my instructor held it in the air - I saw dust/book particles and old paper swooshing around in the air as she moved it
2. Tonnes of assignments to be done. Unfortunately going to school in California isn't as slack as you think... especially when you're in art school.
- 200 sketches of typography
- 2 page written report on 3 posters
- 1 page summary on an AIGA-SDSU exhibition (can be handed in later)
- Reading up on History of Japanese Painting (exam in 2 weeks time)
3. Hilary Clinton visited SDSU yesterday, and Cox Arena (our school's very own gigantic sports stadium) was packed... Unfortunately/fortunately I didn't go. Instead I was attending my very first surfing class at the Aquatic Center. And guess what?! I got to pick up and touch a harmless jellyfish!!! And I had jellyfish for dinner that very night. Hahaha.
- Surfing will officially start next week. That means I have to get my bathing suit soon.. The swim test requires us to swim for 100 yards (whichever distance that is) and tread in water for 5 minutes... Easy peasy? Not too sure since the water's freezing cold and I'm afraid my muscles will cramp up. Haha
- We were told that there are no sharks (except for sucker tiger sharks) around Southern Cali. Mainly we'll be seeing dolphins and annoying seals.. And we've to beware of stingrays, so everytime we step into the shore, we've to do a 'stingray shuffle' that sends vibrations aka. warning signs into the water so that the stingrays would scram.
4. Chinese New Year is coming soon! And I think we'll be celebrating it at home, with homecooked chinese food.
5. Korean dinner on Sunday night, as we've our Korean housemate making some delicious Korean food for us. We'll be including Mee Siam as a Singaporean dish for him to try. My friend's father sent her a package with all the local foods...
That's all for now, I'll try to update a little more again...
But I WILL! now...
Let me recall the past few days.
1. I touched books that were 500 years old!!! I think I did write that in my previous blog entry... the pages were crumbling as my instructor held it in the air - I saw dust/book particles and old paper swooshing around in the air as she moved it
2. Tonnes of assignments to be done. Unfortunately going to school in California isn't as slack as you think... especially when you're in art school.
- 200 sketches of typography
- 2 page written report on 3 posters
- 1 page summary on an AIGA-SDSU exhibition (can be handed in later)
- Reading up on History of Japanese Painting (exam in 2 weeks time)
3. Hilary Clinton visited SDSU yesterday, and Cox Arena (our school's very own gigantic sports stadium) was packed... Unfortunately/fortunately I didn't go. Instead I was attending my very first surfing class at the Aquatic Center. And guess what?! I got to pick up and touch a harmless jellyfish!!! And I had jellyfish for dinner that very night. Hahaha.
- Surfing will officially start next week. That means I have to get my bathing suit soon.. The swim test requires us to swim for 100 yards (whichever distance that is) and tread in water for 5 minutes... Easy peasy? Not too sure since the water's freezing cold and I'm afraid my muscles will cramp up. Haha
- We were told that there are no sharks (except for sucker tiger sharks) around Southern Cali. Mainly we'll be seeing dolphins and annoying seals.. And we've to beware of stingrays, so everytime we step into the shore, we've to do a 'stingray shuffle' that sends vibrations aka. warning signs into the water so that the stingrays would scram.
4. Chinese New Year is coming soon! And I think we'll be celebrating it at home, with homecooked chinese food.
5. Korean dinner on Sunday night, as we've our Korean housemate making some delicious Korean food for us. We'll be including Mee Siam as a Singaporean dish for him to try. My friend's father sent her a package with all the local foods...
That's all for now, I'll try to update a little more again...
Monday, January 28, 2008
I touched a 16th century book!
One of the highlights of being an SDSU art student - getting up close and personal with all kinds of rare books!!! We had a mini presentation at the library today regarding various types of books from the really old ones (those written in Latin from the 16th century), to the fairly recent ones (button books from the Nazi era) to the modern day books made by contemporary artists...
I must have been drooling at the entire display because we get none of such privileges back home in ADM. The fact that I touched an illustrated manuscript written in Latin made me so happy I almost cried... Even when the lady from the archives gave a presentation on how to handle the books, mentioning things like "you have to listen to the book, and open them the way they want to be opened" made everything seem so poetic.
Ahhhh books... I just love books too much. Looking and analyzing the structure and content of any well-made book just makes me smile from ear to ear.
I must have been drooling at the entire display because we get none of such privileges back home in ADM. The fact that I touched an illustrated manuscript written in Latin made me so happy I almost cried... Even when the lady from the archives gave a presentation on how to handle the books, mentioning things like "you have to listen to the book, and open them the way they want to be opened" made everything seem so poetic.
Ahhhh books... I just love books too much. Looking and analyzing the structure and content of any well-made book just makes me smile from ear to ear.
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
Poo Poo Water
It's really funny how each time I come to America, I have to deal with an overflowing toilet with poo poo leaking all around you.
This time poo poo water wasn't our fault.. I think some other girl must have flooded the toilet bowl with too much tissue paper. Or..... there could be another reason for it.
In any case, nobody wants to deal with poo poo water, but there wasn't any choice this time, and my friend and I had to soak up the poo poo water that leaked onto the carpet outside the bathroom, before our landlord's son came over to help us suck up the water with a highly powerful vaccum cleaner.
But it's good that our landlord is so ready to provide service, and I'm glad that poo poo water is over.. for now.
This time poo poo water wasn't our fault.. I think some other girl must have flooded the toilet bowl with too much tissue paper. Or..... there could be another reason for it.
In any case, nobody wants to deal with poo poo water, but there wasn't any choice this time, and my friend and I had to soak up the poo poo water that leaked onto the carpet outside the bathroom, before our landlord's son came over to help us suck up the water with a highly powerful vaccum cleaner.
But it's good that our landlord is so ready to provide service, and I'm glad that poo poo water is over.. for now.
Thursday, January 17, 2008
More Pictures of San Diego
Met up with the 2nd last exchange student within our group, and his friend was able to drive us to Old Town for Mexican cuisine (with the address that I found in Frommer's Guidebook). Every single tourist must have read that guidebook since the restaurant was extremely crowded, compared to their neighbouring eateries.
Despite the hype and crowd, I'm still not a fan of Mexican cuisine, apart from their guacamole (avocado mush)...
We have been going out almost every single day with our housemate, a German girl by the name of Anne (pronounced as 'Ah-Nuh'). She's quite the funny housemate, but I think she finds us rather amusing as well. We're pretty short compared to her, she's about 172cm I think. There are 2 other Germans in our house other than her, a couple by the names of Tom and Katerin. When we (the Singaporean girls) stand between them, it'll be like comparing midgets to giants.
Our other housemates are the Americans - Liz, Cassandra, Nicole, Jeanette, Tyler; a Korean guy named Shin and some I've yet to remember... Not all of our housemates are here yet, but they'll be arriving soon, by Sunday at least since school begins on the 22nd.
So far, we've been to La Jolla beach.. very very cold, but really awesome. I think I might be learning surfing, if there's enough money for me to do so, since its offered as a 1-unit course at SDSU. I just can't wait for orientation soon... Gonna be meeting so many foreign students!!!
And for the past few dinners we had home cooked fare, such as spaghetti, stir-fried noodles, Japanese chicken curry, and yesterday we had the honor of eating a German dish done by Anne - baked cauliflower topped with cheese with potatoes as a side dish. Really really really really delicious I must say.
Despite the hype and crowd, I'm still not a fan of Mexican cuisine, apart from their guacamole (avocado mush)...
We have been going out almost every single day with our housemate, a German girl by the name of Anne (pronounced as 'Ah-Nuh'). She's quite the funny housemate, but I think she finds us rather amusing as well. We're pretty short compared to her, she's about 172cm I think. There are 2 other Germans in our house other than her, a couple by the names of Tom and Katerin. When we (the Singaporean girls) stand between them, it'll be like comparing midgets to giants.
Our other housemates are the Americans - Liz, Cassandra, Nicole, Jeanette, Tyler; a Korean guy named Shin and some I've yet to remember... Not all of our housemates are here yet, but they'll be arriving soon, by Sunday at least since school begins on the 22nd.
So far, we've been to La Jolla beach.. very very cold, but really awesome. I think I might be learning surfing, if there's enough money for me to do so, since its offered as a 1-unit course at SDSU. I just can't wait for orientation soon... Gonna be meeting so many foreign students!!!
And for the past few dinners we had home cooked fare, such as spaghetti, stir-fried noodles, Japanese chicken curry, and yesterday we had the honor of eating a German dish done by Anne - baked cauliflower topped with cheese with potatoes as a side dish. Really really really really delicious I must say.
Our Room
We've finished furnishing our room with bedding and all.. Now it's beginning to look like home. Thank God for the cheap comforters!!!! Usually a comforter set would cost about US $40 or so... But Yun Hua's radar eyes managed to see 3 sets of comforters on sale.. for only US $9.98!!!! That's even cheaper than what Singapore would've offered.
Gonna put pictures up soon!
Gonna put pictures up soon!
AMTRAK
I'm really sorry for the lack of updated posts... Apparently we have been shopping too much for groceries and other necessities, and by the time we return, it's already 9pm and dark!
Anyways, these pictures are taken onboard the Amtrak from LA to San Diego. The train was pretty spacious, rather comfy I must say. Cleaner than I thought it would be. The total time for the ride was 2hrs 45mins. And the train route took us past scenic views of the ocean. I think about one-third of the train track was along the Californian coast...
What's amazing about the view was the infinite horizon of sea. Unlike in Singapore, you can't even see anything beyond the horizon, except for fog... No islands, no rocks jutting out in random spots.. just the flat ocean beyond.
Anyways, these pictures are taken onboard the Amtrak from LA to San Diego. The train was pretty spacious, rather comfy I must say. Cleaner than I thought it would be. The total time for the ride was 2hrs 45mins. And the train route took us past scenic views of the ocean. I think about one-third of the train track was along the Californian coast...
What's amazing about the view was the infinite horizon of sea. Unlike in Singapore, you can't even see anything beyond the horizon, except for fog... No islands, no rocks jutting out in random spots.. just the flat ocean beyond.
Saturday, January 12, 2008
So cold so cold so cold
Gosh.... The weather in San Diego is surprisingly COLD!!! Especially when it comes to the night. We just arrived at our house yesterday, and sleeping was torturous. We had no bed sheets, blankets and pillows... So we're buying all of them today. All we had to cover ourselves with were our extra clothes, jackets and towels. Never in my life would I have imagined that I'd one day sleep in 5 layers of fabric:
Shirt
Adidas Jacket
Thick fleeced hoodie
Thin Spongebob towel
Black shawl
It's pretty amazing considering the fact that I love the cold, and that I've lived on a freezing mountain at 7000ft high. The heating system in the house is rather crappy. It doesn't seem to be working in our room, because the temperature feels like its 10 to 12 degrees celsius. Consolation comes from the bathroom with the hot water and working heating system.
I'll be posting new pictures soon, so keep watching this blog!
Shirt
Adidas Jacket
Thick fleeced hoodie
Thin Spongebob towel
Black shawl
It's pretty amazing considering the fact that I love the cold, and that I've lived on a freezing mountain at 7000ft high. The heating system in the house is rather crappy. It doesn't seem to be working in our room, because the temperature feels like its 10 to 12 degrees celsius. Consolation comes from the bathroom with the hot water and working heating system.
I'll be posting new pictures soon, so keep watching this blog!
Wednesday, January 9, 2008
Arrived!
Woo Hooo!!!! We just arrived in LA from our 13hr flight via Hong Kong. We're currently resting our tired bodies at the Best Western Hotel... Room's pretty small, but cosy. The price is pretty resonable, considering that we're just students with little money on us.
But again, America's a country where tips decide your likeability because if you do not tip the people who are working in the service industry, they'll most probably swear and cuss right in front of you.
Being a Singaporean, tipping is uncustomary for most situations. Right now, we've yet to buy anything and we're poorer by USD$3 per person.
But I really thank God for presenting me with the opportunity to come to America again, and I pray that I'll continue to witness His miracles and kindness from time to time!
Cathay Pacific Airlines was surely better than China Airlines (we had Hagen Daz for dessert), the plane ride went smoothly, with little turbulence.
But again, America's a country where tips decide your likeability because if you do not tip the people who are working in the service industry, they'll most probably swear and cuss right in front of you.
Being a Singaporean, tipping is uncustomary for most situations. Right now, we've yet to buy anything and we're poorer by USD$3 per person.
But I really thank God for presenting me with the opportunity to come to America again, and I pray that I'll continue to witness His miracles and kindness from time to time!
Cathay Pacific Airlines was surely better than China Airlines (we had Hagen Daz for dessert), the plane ride went smoothly, with little turbulence.
Monday, January 7, 2008
The Very First Entry
Hi there...
This is my 2nd blog about being away in America. As of now, I'm still in Singapore making preparations for my long awaited journey to San Diego. So far, the only states I've been to are in Washington and California, although my train did pass by Oregon (but that's cheating since I didn't get off the 26hr train ride).
I'll definitely love to visit Seattle and San Francisco again but for now, my group will be heading towards Los Angeles once more (dreadful place). LA would definitely NOT be one of my favorited places to visit, although the factory outlet that I went to aided in my finances (cheap branded goods!). I'm looking forward to the city of San Diego in Cali, but it's too bad that I'd most probably not make it for the ComicCon Fest '08 as my school ends in May.
It's gonna be stressful making independent decisions with my limited monetary funds (I do accept charity *hint hint*), and I hope that I won't overspend the money that my parents forked out, and I'd definitely want them to be proud of me. So I pray that I'd even have some money left when I get back in June! I even bought a 2008 diary so I can keep track of the money I'll be spending!!!!! That'll be a new forced habit of mine, a good habit hopefully.
Anyways, for more details about my flight number, refer to my main blog:
la-jolie-sirene.blogspot.com
Yours truly,
May Yue
This is my 2nd blog about being away in America. As of now, I'm still in Singapore making preparations for my long awaited journey to San Diego. So far, the only states I've been to are in Washington and California, although my train did pass by Oregon (but that's cheating since I didn't get off the 26hr train ride).
I'll definitely love to visit Seattle and San Francisco again but for now, my group will be heading towards Los Angeles once more (dreadful place). LA would definitely NOT be one of my favorited places to visit, although the factory outlet that I went to aided in my finances (cheap branded goods!). I'm looking forward to the city of San Diego in Cali, but it's too bad that I'd most probably not make it for the ComicCon Fest '08 as my school ends in May.
It's gonna be stressful making independent decisions with my limited monetary funds (I do accept charity *hint hint*), and I hope that I won't overspend the money that my parents forked out, and I'd definitely want them to be proud of me. So I pray that I'd even have some money left when I get back in June! I even bought a 2008 diary so I can keep track of the money I'll be spending!!!!! That'll be a new forced habit of mine, a good habit hopefully.
Anyways, for more details about my flight number, refer to my main blog:
la-jolie-sirene.blogspot.com
Yours truly,
May Yue
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