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. =)