praying for time to stop now.

i'm wishing for christmas to come but it would mean that i'll have to go soon. i'm loving new york so much, so attached to everything, i really can't bear to think of leaving. siggghhh.

ambiguity breeds confusion.

I am blogging because

1. I am bored
2. I don't feel like studying
3. I am confused

???

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MUM & I love you!

Dear mum,
Your daughter's missing you so much now. On this special day that's your birthday, I'm sending my wishes from New York to wish you good health and happiness everyday of your life. I'm really thankful to you for being my mum and giving me so much love and support everywhere I go. I'm glad brother gave you such a sweet birthday celebration. See?! You're being loved by all of us and you're be blessed for being the BEST MUM in the world.
Love you always,
Fen

I have created facebook to upload my photos at NYC, can view there. Anyways, these are some recent ones. Some highlights: I went to Pennsylvania 2 weeks ago, Liberty Island last week, NY Yankees vs Toronto Blue Jays game last Friday. Will be going to Chinatown to experience the mid-autumn festival mood tomorrow, going to watch Lion King on Broadway on Wed. More to come! But I'm really very busy with school and with some community work here too. SO may not be updating often. But miss all my friends in SG.

Memorable Birthday 7th Sept 2007

i wanted to visit central park








the most beautiful park i have been to








i love the view of the lake with the skyscrapers in the background








it's amazing how alluring this park is. even just lying down on a mat or reading a book can make one feel so good.








we had a mini-picnic








and this is one of my closer friends here. she is the first person i know from stern orientation - maria from mexico








these two friends from spain - cristina and noelia








another of my closer friends cum housemate - kate from slovakia. Ok, i'm going to remember what kate said to me cos it's the sweetest thing i've ever heard from a girlfriend - that i have the sweetest smile she has ever seen from anyone in her life and "when esther smiles, everything's perfect".. wow ... =)








check out the ducks swimming over to shore








and me feeding them with bread











central park is huge and i can't wait to go back to catch it in fall. If I have more time, i'll set up facebook to upload all the photos.











AND when we went back dorm to wash up, they surprised ME with a birthday cake!










i didn't expect it at all since i thought we would just have an outing at central park








pics abit blur, cos i tink i didn't set my camera properly plus the person who took it not very skillful too, lol








i was really touched by these people whom i've only known for 2 weeks








it was an oreo ice-cream cake...yummy! and credit goes to jeremiah and alex who bought it








i had some other gifts and cards. later we went out for some drinks and to experience the nightlife in nyc. i didn't expect so much fun but it was really a great birthday for me.

September 11, 2001

Today marks the sixth anniversary of the tragic events of September 11, 2001. To commemorate that day, there is a memorial walk from Washington Square Park to Ground Zero - joining the leaders of NYU's Jewish, Muslim, Catholic and Christian communities as well representatives of New York City Police Department, the New York City Fire Department, and NYU Public Safety Department.

I really really want to go! But, I have 2 assignments due tomorrow and i'm still stuck at the futures homework! And yah i feel that it's so tough to balance life here as an exchange student - because I want to explore the city and participate in activities, and yet school is so demanding and I do want to do well. I already had my first quiz in class yesterday. Arh..... But at least i signed up for a core aerobics course just now.

I still don't have the time to post my birthday celebration pics up. Will do soon. Back to my assignments first.

Happy Birthday to me!

I'm entitled to 3 birthday wishes!

1. Get a good summer internship in an investment bank

2. Do well for my honours thesis

3. Meet my special one (oooooo.......) lol

my Birthday... 7th Sept!

I'm so happy when I switched to my singapore sim card and received a couple of sms-es from mum and friends wishing me Happy Birthday. Yea cos it's already 7th sept in sg time. Though birthdays are really no big deal (yah I'm older again..), its very warming for an exchange student - to know that I'm remembered even when I'm far away. So, THANK YOU for your wishes!

It's afternoon now and I'm in my room resting. Just came back from a club fest at nyu and I'm feeling tired. There's quite abit of school work for me to look at and I should be getting down to study after a short nap. In this city that never sleeps, I still need mine.

First Day of School

The profs here are really good, be it their nature - the way they teach, talk to students and carry themselves, and of course knowledge. Thumbs up for the 2 profs I met today. I'm really impressed. It's really far off if I compare to err... NUS profs. Most importantly, profs here are not stuck up (and some NUS profs do - who think the world of themselves as professors in the best uni in.. Singapore?)

Students are definitely stronger too. Esp they carry themselves with pride and confidence. Or at least they display enthusiasm and passion in class, in what they want to study (not a single student engaged in small chit-chats in my 2 classes today - which is so different from NUS).

I feel so small in this huge city and in this great school - challenged - but motivated and I'll work harder towards my greater goal.

Woodbury craze 31st Aug

the day i bombed myself









at this famous factory outlets for branded goods











there were so many people! cos Woodbury was having further sales that weekend







i woke up at 630am and took a coach there to start shopping at 9am











there were so many brands i wanted to see








and had to plan my route on the map








totally forgot to take pictures until it was dark








and was still shopping until the last bus at 930pm








i bought quite alot of things.. like GAP was cheap








Guess was not, but they had very nice designs. i'm really quite brand-spoilt i know







spoilt from my extravagant teenage days i guess










bought a gucci wallet and a coach bag too. can't say how much I spent (err.. cos my mum reads my blog sometimes)









bought mum a nice handbag, i'm a filial daughter, as usual










and i promise to be thrifty from now ons.

West Indian American Day Carnival 1st Sept

the subway station at Brooklyn (it's got quite an interesting name)







the Brooklyn Museum (we haven't go yet)








the parade participants









look at them......!









it was a huge carnival, one we would never see in Singapore








and they were very errrr.... super high








a huge swan float which i tot was quite nice








i was fascinated by the different kinds of people i saw - people from the other side of the world







and i thought the way they cooked and ate were like cavemen?







but it could be quite intimidating. and some blacks were staring at me which made me felt really uncomfortable, and one of them even came up and made funny noises at me.




but overall, it was an unusual and interesting experience.

Everything's well

I'm settling so well in US and don't even feel that I'm so far away from home. The best thing is I talk to mum on skype so often and we can see each other just as much. Or probably bcos I'm used to staying out already since was staying on campus for some time too. But everything is just so well now. Went to school and printed my notes yesterday - school is starting tomorrow. Cooked dinner last night and my place has almost everything I need.

Today's Labor Day - federal holiday in US. Me, Rebec & Jeremiah are meeting my house-mates at the West Indian American Day Carnival at Brooklyn. Heard that's a very exciting annual event. We'll have fun. =)

New York City!

HELLO! Have been too busy to blog or upload my photos. Since people have been asking me to update, I’ll back track abit, pen down my thoughts so far these 6 days I’m here and post some photos.
Cheers (:

[Click on the pics below for enlarged view]

Arrived New York City on 26^th August slightly past 12am. Flight was delayed many hours at JFK because of stormy weather. Northwest airline was fine; given the student price I paid which was so much cheaper than SQ. Justified. Transits though painful, can be interesting too; for people who haven’t been traveling too much like me. Airports can be good places to explore (Minneapolis DFS sells my Shiseido skincare cheaper than Changi Airport!) and experience the food and culture.

The cabby who drove me from JFK to 26^th Street Manhatten sucks big time - left me wondering, are Americans like that? I was told and I read too that it’s a flat rate US$45 from JFK to Manhatten, regardless of destination plus tolls and tips. He collected tolls from us though we saw him displaying the e-pass. And upon my destination, he demanded additional tips in addition to the flat rate. I questioned him and he yelled at me. Fine, I’ll rather not dispute that and since he was so desperate for extra money, we shall empathize! Probably he has too many cats at home to feed.

my dorm - 26th street residence hall

I was tramatised when I entered my apartment, it was beyond living conditions. Most importantly, there were no lights (bedrooms not meant to have lights because we have to get our own lamps; but the living room lights were spoilt) and we had to depend on the bathroom lights to clean up in the middle of the night. The place was dirty and the bathtub looked so disgusting and was choking water. I’m really blessed to have Yougang with me. He helped me made the place up and cleaned the bathroom for me to shower. And unlike some people who will, he never grumbles at anything. And then I had a good sleep, enough rest for me to fight the battle the next day.

I was still the only one who checked in. With daylight, we could better unpack my stuff and settle myself into this place I’m going to stay for the next couple of months. I was pretty depressed the first few days I arrived and everything seemed bad. I was asking myself why did I gave up the comfort of my home to come to this hostile city. Luckily I had Yougang around. Looking back now, I really think I had done a good job in settling myself comfortably. My room is well with all the things I need and the place is clean and tidy. I’ve got a pot and utensils and bought groceries too. I’ve bought washing liquids and pails too. Seriously, I realized that I make a good house-maker, my house-mates and room-mate don't know how to do alot of things. And I always believe that rich or not, girls should have a good sense of house-making cultivated in them. And I really appreciate myself for what I am and everything my mum has taught me. *comforted

this is where Yougang stayed

me at the back yard

a flea market near his hostel

selling all kinds of things

Yougang is not only my walking calculator; he is my road directory. Again, unlike some people, though he may not have the best knowledge, he carries always a pleasant attitude towards things and people. That’s so much better than people who preach and put people down. Anyways, we went to many exciting places (they all are since we are first time new yorkers!)

we took the subway

to canal street - chinatown

Chinatown is GREAT – a feeling of nostalgia I guess.

i've always been proud to be a chinese

and love everything about being one

even seeing old folks and their happy indulgence cheers me up

the market place

i just love chinatown

We went Little Italy too. Also, Madison Square Park - Yougang bought nuts to feed the squirrels and it was so exciting to have them coming around you. Well, I was scared. But he had squirrels jumping onto him haha. BUT, I have no pics to post because I’ve lost all of them (failed to upload to my comp and got deleted; so UPSET over it!). Anyways, it was really a fun experience for us. We went Washington Square Park too. There’s so many parks here. We went to the famous New York Public Library, but since photos are gone, I'll retake again. The place is fantastic, like a museum - must-see place!

Yougang has arrived at his new home in Ontario and his little university. Though it's not as exciting as nyc, his landlords are very nice people, a very cosy town (nyc can be quite a cold city), he'll enjoy his stay and peaceful life. I'm missing him already but will catch him soon when I visit him during my mid-term break (hopefully).

Meanwhile, Times Square is definitely a must-go place.

It’s WOWWWWW! I love Times Squares!

I'm going to catch Broadway shows one of these days

the truest experience

Times Sq is just so interesting with so many theme stores

the new-yorkers from NUS

Fifth Avenue is where all the branded boutiques are. All of them are at least 4 storeys high.

the ever-most famous fifth avenue

and as usual, I'll not miss LV. Seen a wallet I like, cost around S$900, I'll see if I can get it cheaper in sg or woodbury (should be going this weekend).

Fifth avenue is the upper class of life

the Disney store

everything's just too cute, just like me! Haha

NYU is definitely far more exciting than NUS. I observed that the students here are very passionate about what they study and they do things because they really want to do it. If they have no passion, they simply don’t do it. That’s quite against the culture in Singapore, as I feel that many students study because they have to and there seems no passion in life. But that’s only my two cents worth, since classes have not officially started.

NYC is an exciting place – especially for people who are hungry for the financial sector. There are opportunities everywhere for grasp. I would have wanted to be born and raised here since it’s where my passion is.

However, no matter how green the grass is on the other side, I’m still missing home - missing my family. I miss mummy so badly, yah and I was crying at the airport and on the flights. But have been skyping with her quite every few days. No matter what, it’s good afterall to learn how to be on your own, in a place so different to how we were brought up.