Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Beautiful California
Reached Cupertino without my luggage.
embarked on my one week tour through the California, Nevada, Arizona.
survived the Death Valley, visited the one of the lowest point on Earth, swam in the salty badwater basin.
travelled to Las Vegas (June! I’ve been to the MnM World!)
spend Christmas at Grand Canyon with greetings from both snow and rainbow.
Sight seeing at Hoover Dam (where one of the scene in Transformers was shot!)
spent boxing day at Los Angeles
Went behind the scenes at Universal Studio.
Been to DisneyLand.
Enjoyed the sun, hills and beaches at Santa Barbara.
explored the neighbourhood of Cupertino and very much missed Larry’s class (gg to email him all that I saw)
Stayed in the home of a Millionaire!
On the way to Vancouver
Counting down at the airport.
~~ Hello Seoul ~~
Monday, December 22, 2008
21 DEC 2008
SNOW STORM
FLIGHT CANCELLED
Stuck at the airport for 15 hours!
See rejected faces as people have their flight delayed for 2 entire days.
See babies sleeping on the floor at the airport.
See people camping on the couch.
What a sight.
Hope tmr will be better!
FLIGHT CANCELLED
Stuck at the airport for 15 hours!
See rejected faces as people have their flight delayed for 2 entire days.
See babies sleeping on the floor at the airport.
See people camping on the couch.
What a sight.
Hope tmr will be better!
BYE Victoria!
20 Dec 2008
1. Yippee, today marks the last day of my exams! And so YES, im done here at UVic!
writing an exam in the cold winter is can really be challenging coz its sooo cold, your fingers just don’t feel like writing even though you know the answer outright! And boy u bet I have things to comment on the exam system here to! Haha..
Writing exams in the gym can be irritating. By right all papers are to start on the dot, but apparently it is not the case. My paper has started and students from another module are just beginning to enter the hall. Unlike in NUS, where there is an exam officer to start the paper off and lay out all the instructions and ground rules, it isn’t the case here. Your own prof declares the start of the paper in a huge hall without mike, I cant even hear her speak! And PLEASE, im trying to start on my paper and few rows down the hall, students are just entering and taking their own sweet time to settle down. So end up, Doris used ears plugs throughout the whole 3hrs! How great!
2. got my black book back and flip it through to recall all the different suburbs in Victoria I have been to and seen.
3. So Thankful to be able to meet up with Annabel, PX, Anna (before she return Up Islands for xmas) and of course Dennis (20mins before he knock off at Safeway!).
4. Spent the whole night packing my stuff and cannot believe that 4 months have passed sooo quickly!
5. Called Moh and Tan to say my goodbyes too.. I miss Victoria and I hope to return some day
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
A. Was suppose to go to the best restaurant to dine at before leaving Victoria but snowed soooo heavily.. yups, SNOW STORM in Victoria is LIKE SOOOO RARE!! So Yang and I order pizza instead coz its just too cold to eat out!
B. Woke up in the morning and the storm isn’t over! Got out of the house and the snow level is above my ankle! Yang said it’s the first time he seen a snow storm in Victoria after being here for 4 years! Roads are slippery, the snow piles up and Doris is off to some where warmer – California.
C. Was recalling my days here in Victoria and I am already missing my life and friends here! And chatted to some of the people on board the coach to the Airport and could truly experience what does it mean to rush home for family reunion on Xmas no matter how much it takes or cost! Its like how millions of Chinese rush home for Chinese New Year in China. It is something, I as a Singaporean will never get to understand or experience. The airport says that the flights wil not be delayed but the people I spoke to, they are all packed and ready to camp in the airport and they have at least 10hours ahead of their departure time. There’s a guy whose flying tmr and is gg to the airport this afternoon coz the snow storm may get even worst and the buses and ferries might have to shut down. There are some much thought and consideration put into planning for a trip home.
D. Haha.. White Christmas! Yups, I am definitely going to have a white Christmas..
but behind all the whiteness, it’s all grey and dark.. the roads are so dirty, the pavements are piled up with greyish snow, folks getting up early to sat and sand their front corridors, drivers risking their life to drive in the snow, cars sliding on the icy road, the homeless out in the cold winter shivering and covered in snow dust, aww.. this winter just opened my eyes to see a lot of things that I never thought I could relate too.. now I want to do climatology! Haha…
E. But ya, winter can be fun too, with all the snow fights, snow angels, skiing, snowboarding.. This lady sitting beside me how cold it can get in the northeast, -40 degrees.. if you aint all dressed and covered up, you’ll definitely get froze bites..
Off to Vancouver Airport now.
Friday, December 12, 2008
blog blog blog
10 Dec 2008
1. yeah! My book from amazon.ca finally arrived! Im soo into reading the book “Teach like you hair is on FIRE!” yups.. everyone says it’s a catchy title, n indeed it is..
2. I must say, I really enjoy my life here!
Sat at the mall today…
reading my little book… while enjoying the live band singing and play jazz music…
occasionally looking up to find couples dancing to the groove…
my little toes started tapping and just felt like dancing along too…
haha.. people watched for a while.. listened to what people conversed about and watched how that saleman tried soo hard to promote his product..
(oh, I must say he really has no creativity!! He only hits on female customers and he uses the
same line on everyone of them! gosh, he should really come up with something better!)
but ya, its soo lovely to take time off to enjoy and appreciate things around you.. I mean when I go back to Singapore, I’ll probably not get the chance to do so coz the hectic pace just drives one crazy..
3. went to Dennis birthday party and met a lot of new friends..
met this Canadian guy who identifies himself more as a Korean than a Canadian. He’s born in Canada, but parents are from Korea, he jus learnt how to speak Korean few years ago, n the last time he went to Korea was 5 years old! Yet, he identifies with Korea more.. hmm, interesting! Really made me think about what constitute one’s national identity? Couldn’t help but tot of migration class n HY1101E – what makes you Asian, and linked it to a recent paper Yang wrote about European identity.. Dennis also asked me about the Merlion and so I explained to him about it..Do Singaporeans identify the merlion as a national symbol? I wonder. So, how do I identify myself? Well, I guess what really makes me Asian is the culture, heritage and FOOD! Yes, after much thought, Ii guess what makes Asian special and unique is the FOOD! Im saying this not jus coz I like to eat but I guess food really glue people together and gives them a sense of belonging!
why do I say so? After coming to Canada, I really miss Asian food and realize why Asia is known as the food paradise! Coz Asia really is a FOOD paradise!! And when I have gatherings with Asians here, one common topic will always be food! Oh mann, I jus miss all the delicious yummy delights back home!!
4. At Dennis bday party..
learnt new things about Korean and Taiwanese culture..
dun abuse the word “cao fan” (fried rice) in Taiwan and think twice before saying “ni chi bao le ma?” (have you eaten) when you are in Korea..
5. Dinner at Red Robin was AWESOME!
the burger is GIGANTIC!!
the fries are freeflow.. plus honey mustard sauce with poppy seed.. heavenly!
don’t ask how many basket of fries I refilled.. aint gg to say.. haha..
9 Dec 2008
1. Just sat for my first official written essay exam – GEOG 385!
2. Some thoughts about GEOG 385 – Enivronmental Aesthetics..
a very interesting module in itself but the lecturer really made it super boring and dull..
so yes, I wrote lots of comments on the evaluation sheet..
She speaks sooo extremely fast makes us copy everything from the transparency!
Mr Leow would say that copying is the most brainless job on earth!
so yes, every week I go to class just to copy notes from the OHP screen, how dumb!
her assignments are sooo unclear.. Val emailed the lecturer 10 times and still had no idea! what the assignment is about! I emailed her once and dint understand her expectation at all! I couldn’t take it and just went to bug her at her office! Wahaa..
Her assignments are meant to be fun and I appreciate her thoughts for that but her instructions are just not clear! Arghh..
on top of that, there is simply TOOO much to cover for a level 300 module. Its insane! I mean 2hrs 40mins per week and yet she was still rushing through the materials during the last lecture. That wasn’t even a proper review! She also agreed with me that there’s TOO much materials to cover. So my question, then why try to cover soo much? I mean really it doesn’t make much sense!! Haiz.. so to make up for that guess what? She gave the class a list of 20 qns, of which 10 will come out for the final exam and each qn comes with specific hints to point out in which section of the textbook the answers can be found!! that means you know the exam qns even before you go into the exam hall to write your paper.. may I emphasize : 10 ESSAYS in 3 HOURS (120marks, 50%)!!
If your jaw dropped, then yes, you are normal!! 10 essays in 3 hours!
oki, but if you break it down and think..
hmm.. if you practice writing out all the 20qns given by the lecturer, memorize your perfect essay answers and make sure you can write like a type-write, then walah, secured A!! not bad. 10 essays in 3 hours is totally manageable!
but then, isn’t all that just mere regurgitation? Is this what tertiary education is all about?
Im sure Sng Bingde will have much to comment on.. haha..
well, I guess there is both gd and bad to this system depending on what view you see things from..
3. I was still very nervous when I sat for the exam.. I kept wondering what qns will come out.. then, I rmbed, hey Doris, you know the qns already so pls relax! Haha..
The exam atmosphere is pretty relax and causal here. Its free seating and students can just
enter the exam hall anytime..
4. hmm.. one hour into the exam, and people have already handed in the paper. Its either they are super fast or they just gave up..
5. Yeah, so one paper down, 2 to go! But first, let’s chill..
a girls’ night out: Ice-skating!
Tuesday will soon be my official skating day and I must say, I think im getting better and
better at it..haha..
Its funny how Annabel puts it “ isn’t it ironic that human like to go in circles on a block of ice?” haha.. ya, I wonder why too.. coz everyone in the skating ring just flow with the cycle.. everyone jus skates in the same direction along the ring.. and who sets the directions? The first bunch of people who enter the ring- the little KIDS! When the gates open, the little KIDS rush into the ring as if it was GSS! REALLY! We were all stunned at the sight.. they are like little ducklings rushing off into the river.. and yes, as expected, each time they change direction, doris had difficulties orienting herself.. haha.. but overall, I had sooo much fun! Yippee..
7 Dec 2008
So nice of Rachelle to invite me and others over to her house for a MALAYSIAN MEAL!! Yippee.. I HAD LAKSA from Malaysia! Haha.. yes, Rachelle packed the laska paste from KL! Haha.. yumyumm.. I cant even rmb how many servings I helped myself too.. LAKSA at LAST!! What a way to start my week!! To top it off, she even baked KUAY! THANK YOU RACHELLE!!
After eating Laska, I’ve been dreaming of Asian cuisine every night.. dream of fried rice last night, and of curry chicken the night before and the list goes on and on… oki, im drooling already.. haha..
5 Dec 2008
I began another chapter of my life on the BEST PLACE ON EARTH!
Thank you everyone for your well wishes..
I feel sooo LOVED!!
2. I must say, I really enjoy my life here!
Sat at the mall today…
reading my little book… while enjoying the live band singing and play jazz music…
occasionally looking up to find couples dancing to the groove…
my little toes started tapping and just felt like dancing along too…
haha.. people watched for a while.. listened to what people conversed about and watched how that saleman tried soo hard to promote his product..
(oh, I must say he really has no creativity!! He only hits on female customers and he uses the
same line on everyone of them! gosh, he should really come up with something better!)
but ya, its soo lovely to take time off to enjoy and appreciate things around you.. I mean when I go back to Singapore, I’ll probably not get the chance to do so coz the hectic pace just drives one crazy..
3. went to Dennis birthday party and met a lot of new friends..
met this Canadian guy who identifies himself more as a Korean than a Canadian. He’s born in Canada, but parents are from Korea, he jus learnt how to speak Korean few years ago, n the last time he went to Korea was 5 years old! Yet, he identifies with Korea more.. hmm, interesting! Really made me think about what constitute one’s national identity? Couldn’t help but tot of migration class n HY1101E – what makes you Asian, and linked it to a recent paper Yang wrote about European identity.. Dennis also asked me about the Merlion and so I explained to him about it..Do Singaporeans identify the merlion as a national symbol? I wonder. So, how do I identify myself? Well, I guess what really makes me Asian is the culture, heritage and FOOD! Yes, after much thought, Ii guess what makes Asian special and unique is the FOOD! Im saying this not jus coz I like to eat but I guess food really glue people together and gives them a sense of belonging!
why do I say so? After coming to Canada, I really miss Asian food and realize why Asia is known as the food paradise! Coz Asia really is a FOOD paradise!! And when I have gatherings with Asians here, one common topic will always be food! Oh mann, I jus miss all the delicious yummy delights back home!!
4. At Dennis bday party..
learnt new things about Korean and Taiwanese culture..
dun abuse the word “cao fan” (fried rice) in Taiwan and think twice before saying “ni chi bao le ma?” (have you eaten) when you are in Korea..
5. Dinner at Red Robin was AWESOME!
the burger is GIGANTIC!!
the fries are freeflow.. plus honey mustard sauce with poppy seed.. heavenly!
don’t ask how many basket of fries I refilled.. aint gg to say.. haha..
9 Dec 2008
1. Just sat for my first official written essay exam – GEOG 385!
2. Some thoughts about GEOG 385 – Enivronmental Aesthetics..
a very interesting module in itself but the lecturer really made it super boring and dull..
so yes, I wrote lots of comments on the evaluation sheet..
She speaks sooo extremely fast makes us copy everything from the transparency!
Mr Leow would say that copying is the most brainless job on earth!
so yes, every week I go to class just to copy notes from the OHP screen, how dumb!
her assignments are sooo unclear.. Val emailed the lecturer 10 times and still had no idea! what the assignment is about! I emailed her once and dint understand her expectation at all! I couldn’t take it and just went to bug her at her office! Wahaa..
Her assignments are meant to be fun and I appreciate her thoughts for that but her instructions are just not clear! Arghh..
on top of that, there is simply TOOO much to cover for a level 300 module. Its insane! I mean 2hrs 40mins per week and yet she was still rushing through the materials during the last lecture. That wasn’t even a proper review! She also agreed with me that there’s TOO much materials to cover. So my question, then why try to cover soo much? I mean really it doesn’t make much sense!! Haiz.. so to make up for that guess what? She gave the class a list of 20 qns, of which 10 will come out for the final exam and each qn comes with specific hints to point out in which section of the textbook the answers can be found!! that means you know the exam qns even before you go into the exam hall to write your paper.. may I emphasize : 10 ESSAYS in 3 HOURS (120marks, 50%)!!
If your jaw dropped, then yes, you are normal!! 10 essays in 3 hours!
oki, but if you break it down and think..
hmm.. if you practice writing out all the 20qns given by the lecturer, memorize your perfect essay answers and make sure you can write like a type-write, then walah, secured A!! not bad. 10 essays in 3 hours is totally manageable!
but then, isn’t all that just mere regurgitation? Is this what tertiary education is all about?
Im sure Sng Bingde will have much to comment on.. haha..
well, I guess there is both gd and bad to this system depending on what view you see things from..
3. I was still very nervous when I sat for the exam.. I kept wondering what qns will come out.. then, I rmbed, hey Doris, you know the qns already so pls relax! Haha..
The exam atmosphere is pretty relax and causal here. Its free seating and students can just
enter the exam hall anytime..
4. hmm.. one hour into the exam, and people have already handed in the paper. Its either they are super fast or they just gave up..
5. Yeah, so one paper down, 2 to go! But first, let’s chill..
a girls’ night out: Ice-skating!
Tuesday will soon be my official skating day and I must say, I think im getting better and
better at it..haha..
Its funny how Annabel puts it “ isn’t it ironic that human like to go in circles on a block of ice?” haha.. ya, I wonder why too.. coz everyone in the skating ring just flow with the cycle.. everyone jus skates in the same direction along the ring.. and who sets the directions? The first bunch of people who enter the ring- the little KIDS! When the gates open, the little KIDS rush into the ring as if it was GSS! REALLY! We were all stunned at the sight.. they are like little ducklings rushing off into the river.. and yes, as expected, each time they change direction, doris had difficulties orienting herself.. haha.. but overall, I had sooo much fun! Yippee..
7 Dec 2008
So nice of Rachelle to invite me and others over to her house for a MALAYSIAN MEAL!! Yippee.. I HAD LAKSA from Malaysia! Haha.. yes, Rachelle packed the laska paste from KL! Haha.. yumyumm.. I cant even rmb how many servings I helped myself too.. LAKSA at LAST!! What a way to start my week!! To top it off, she even baked KUAY! THANK YOU RACHELLE!!
After eating Laska, I’ve been dreaming of Asian cuisine every night.. dream of fried rice last night, and of curry chicken the night before and the list goes on and on… oki, im drooling already.. haha..
5 Dec 2008
I began another chapter of my life on the BEST PLACE ON EARTH!
Thank you everyone for your well wishes..
I feel sooo LOVED!!
delayed BLOGS
29 Nov 2008
2. Trafalgar Park
4. Pemberton Park
Baked Mexican QUICHE! Oei, Doris not only can eat, she can bake too :) Thank you px for helping me too!
Baked quiche for the small group potluck.. its some sort like the last gathering we are having and partly a farewell party for me.. so yups, it’s the last time, im going to see them.. awww..
Not only did I meet new people at the potluck, I also tasted heavenly FOOD!
Everyone tried my quiche and commented that it was SUPERB! Heehe.. its my first attempt :)
anyway, sat down for dinner to listen to all the adults talk about their life story..
Not only did I meet new people at the potluck, I also tasted heavenly FOOD!
Everyone tried my quiche and commented that it was SUPERB! Heehe.. its my first attempt :)
anyway, sat down for dinner to listen to all the adults talk about their life story..
1. Nigel and Kathy
Nigel came to Canada from England and went to the same high school as Kathy. It was the first time he see so many girls and was actually in a mixed school! Haha.. he shared about his experience and how excited to meet girls.. haha.. Kathy already had a boyfriend then but Nigel already liked her.. so, Kathy, her bf and Nigel would always hang out tgt at Kathy’s house after school.. While Kathy and bf were playing, Nigel helped out in the house and pleased Kathy’s mom.. so ya, Nigel is a very smart guy.. pleasing your mother-in-law is the way to go!! And so when Kathy broke up with her ex, she and Nigel got tgt and had been tgt since then! Wow!! At least 30 years of marriage..
Nigel came to Canada from England and went to the same high school as Kathy. It was the first time he see so many girls and was actually in a mixed school! Haha.. he shared about his experience and how excited to meet girls.. haha.. Kathy already had a boyfriend then but Nigel already liked her.. so, Kathy, her bf and Nigel would always hang out tgt at Kathy’s house after school.. While Kathy and bf were playing, Nigel helped out in the house and pleased Kathy’s mom.. so ya, Nigel is a very smart guy.. pleasing your mother-in-law is the way to go!! And so when Kathy broke up with her ex, she and Nigel got tgt and had been tgt since then! Wow!! At least 30 years of marriage..
2. John and Eva
John first met Eva when he was 9 but Eva was too young to register or recall. He was Canadian and she, Danish. They haven seen each other since then. During his early 20s, John was asked to go over to Denmark to run some family errands. The person who was suppose to pick John up failed to do so, and Eva was asked to do so instead. The moment Eva saw John, she somehow knew John was her Mr. Right! She just somehow knew HE was the ONE! Haha.. So yups, they closer and had a close relationship for 10days.. after which, John headed back to Canada. Eva’s parents told her it was jus a summer fling but deep in her heart, she the 10days were real.. Eva and John continued writing to each other (ps: last time, no email!). 10 months later, Eva parents allowed her to go over to Canada and at the age of 21, she left Denmark and came to Canada all alone to look for John. And so they have been happily tgt for at least 50years!
Sometimes, when I read or watch such movies, I was doubt the truthfulness of all that was presented. I mean it’s after all fiction. But when I hear the stories described to me in person, I envy and bless them. I mean.. wow, isn’t love the greatest power on earth? When John and Eva told their story, I cldnt help but think of THE NOTEBOOK! Haha..a similar lovey dovey story..
Isn’t amazing what love can do to one? Love can cross national boundaries and transcend all cultures..
John (Canadian) & Eva (Danish)
Nigel (Briton) & Kathy (Canadian)
Randy (Canadian) & Kai (Taiwanese)
etc etc etc…
May LOVE fill your heart today
27 Nov 2008
Last day of GEOG 440 = last day to hang out with Larry, Anna, Dennis and Lisa!
Prof. Larry was nice to treat the class to cookies and drinks!
wrote a card to Dennis, Anna and Larry
Im missing them already
25 Nov 2008
GEOG 385 assignment
yeah, finally done and handed in my NEMO essay! Yes, I need to write a paper on NEMO! Not just anything on NEMO but about the fictional landscapes, the lightings, the camera angle, the colour used, what the director wants to portray and blah blah blah.. plus link all these to theoretical concepts! Sounds easy? Haha.. ya right, took me one whole week to write! Haha.. Watche NEMO twice, had to pause and print-screen all the background landscape. Watched the “making of Finding Nemo” twice.. haha.. so yippee.. am finally over with it!!
So off to the next GEOG 385 assignment – do an assessment of bus route accessibility to parks.
Took half a day, travelled on bus 7 and stopped here and then to assess the park accessibility..
I must say most parks in Victoria are pretty inaccessible and so Doris spend half a day walking to walking 4 parks..
1. Gonzales Hill Regional Park
its soooo windy up there, that I almost lost my balance! REALLY! Now, I finally understand, how windcan blow people away!!
2. Trafalgar Park
3. Walkbran Park
-I spent 15mins looking for the park entrance!! Haha..
4. Pemberton Park
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