Don't you think my profile picture looks good? :D Just random. While in the process of waiting for the bug bites to go away (thank you for all the concernS :P), I just realized that 2008 is coming to an end. This year was surprisingly fast, and thus my face in the picture. Haha. Okay, I felt the same way at the end of every year.
Notice that I changed my blog title and the description for it, because I feel that people should get to know me more and the way I think. I found out that my thinking is in disagreement with a lot of people, thus resulting in my frustration, and to some extent, my tears. I might touch on some controversial issues in the future, but look beyond that, I might be trying to convey a message to you readers. Try to understand why I think in this particular way, and why I need the shower cubicle to be scrubbed at least once every two weeks. I know, the paint on the floor is peeling off due to this.
I might be very UNfashionable, sometimes a hygiene freak, but read more about what I write, and you may realize things that you never know about me, though you have known me for years.
Okay, enough of useless information. Wish you all a great 2009 ahead, and hope that everybody grows up to become a better person everyday. :) Life is short, so enjoy!
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Monday, December 29, 2008
Sneak Preview
Whenever somebody sees me in Ann Arbor or on MSN after my New York trip, the first thing they will ask me is “How was your trip?” And my first reaction will be “BAD~!”
So you, reading my blog, will ask “How bad? OR Why bad?”
So I’ll let you see how bad it is.
This only came up a day after I reached Ann Arbor. I panicked. I scratched myself like a dog with fleas. No clinic was open on Saturday afternoon, so I rushed to the pharmacy at Kroger. The pharmacist stepped as far away from my as she could, told me it was scabies, and asked me to shower with lice shampoo, wash all my clothes and linen with hot water, and buy a spray that kills lice eggs for the apartment.
I came back and checked Wikipedia for Scabies. I totally freaked out. It says that it’s a parasite that burrows into your skin, and then lay eggs in there. *vomit* Scabies usually infect homeless people and people with HIV!!!
So I used the lice shampoo and hoping things will improve. Unfortunately, I couldn’t sleep that night, and woke up to a even worse condition. The spots spread to my face!!!!
I couldn’t tolerate the itchiness anymore and who cares about how much they charge, I went straight to the emergency room at the hospital, and thus, I got this.
Thank Guan Yin Ma that it’s not scabies, they are just bedbugs, special bedbugs the doctor told me. *shrugs* She prescribed steroids for me to apply on the skin and some pills to take. Both stop the itchiness, but won’t make the spots go away. At least I can sleep tonight, fingers crossed.
It all happened just because we wanted a cheap hotel room in New York. We ended up staying in Carter Hotel right in the middle of Times Square. It was $80 per night for four of us, and we stayed there for 5 nights. I bet the bedbugs had a helluva good feast. The place was SO dirty, bugs were crawling around, and there were mice, by the way. Never mind, I’ll assume that I donated blood to them. :D
Anyway, this is just a sneak preview of the trip, more updates will ensue, given that I’m not lazy. :P
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
Leaving Again
I will be gone for the week, this time, to Boston - New York - Connecticut - New York - Washington DC!! :D The main purpose of this trip is to meet up with long-time-no-see friends Hui Ean and Sue Yen. And not to forget, my BEST FRIEND, JAY CHOU!!!! Haha. He will be performing in Connecticut this time, so we bought $88 tickets to go catch him.
Will fly at 5pm today and will be back around the same time on the 26th of December. I know, by that time, nobody will be in Ann Arbor anymore. :(
Well, hope everyone have a safe and fun trip. See you guys soon.
Will fly at 5pm today and will be back around the same time on the 26th of December. I know, by that time, nobody will be in Ann Arbor anymore. :(
Well, hope everyone have a safe and fun trip. See you guys soon.
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
十一月的老人院
距离上一次去老人院，已经有四个月了。这次恰好很少同学报名参加，所以我就报上名字了。这次只有五位同学去探访老人院，对我来说是有一点少。一踏进老人院门口时，一股药腥味扑鼻而来，让我有一些不自在。没什么出奇的，因为平时我也会有这种感觉。我们帮忙把桌椅排好，然后把钢琴搬到大厅去，因为有一位师姑要弹奏钢琴。接着，我们就把老菩萨们带到大厅去。这些，跟往常没有什么分别，都是会做的东西。
从他们的活动间，我慢慢地推着一位老奶奶的轮椅，带她到大厅去。从活动间到大厅的那段路，会经过他们老年人的寝室。而那些寝室像医院里面的病房，即狭小有简陋。简陋并不代表不美观，而是卧室里只有两张床，就没有其他东西了。我看了鼻子一酸，这些老菩萨们已经被孩子们遗弃在这个地方，身体又有病痛，卧室里又那么的简陋，真是令人心疼。每个老菩萨的卧室门外一定会挂着一个相片框，里头呢就会有些着老菩萨们的个人资料，而且还会附上他们年轻时候的照片。我一边走着，一边在观察这些照片。我发现，这些老菩萨们，今时今日虽然坐在轮椅上，有些神志不清，有些动弹不得，但是以往他们也是像我一样年轻活泼。照片里头，有些身穿兵装，有些穿着红彤彤的裙子，有些则穿着笔直的西装，潇洒地向镜头微笑。突然间我心里想，我会不会也有这么老的一天呢？此刻，我更加深入地了解上人所说的“无常比明天更先到”。我们今天可能是个健康的年轻人，但是，没有人可以预料到明天会发生什么事。也许，明天我们会发生意外？也许，明天我们会换上绝症？所以，要珍惜每一天，时时刻刻要生活在知足、感恩里。还有，趁我们有能力的时候，尽量去帮助有所需要的人们，希望人人都可以远离病苦。
当我们表演结束时，我们再度的把老菩萨们送到活动间，或是他们的寝室里头。我牵着另外一位老奶奶到她房间里，我转身要离去时，她问我：“我好无聊，你可不可以建议一些活动给我做？”我望了望她的寝室，本来要叫她看电视节目或是什么的，但我发现她寝室里除了床铺，什么都没有。我就随便说：“不然你睡个午觉吧！”她摇了摇头，很悲伤地对我说：“你不觉得很不公平吗？我不知道这个是什么地方，也不认识任何人，不知道是谁把我送到这里来住。”我愣住了。我第一个反应就是把她抱在怀里。虽然我觉得这位老奶奶有一点老人痴呆，但是她这句话深深地打动了我的心坎。我很用力地把眼泪忍住了抱着她，我说：“我真的需要走了，你一定要好好照顾自己，我下个月会再来。”我边走边回头望着她，她的眼睛里头的悲伤，让我的心不停地在流泪。这份感动，让我深深的体验到行孝的必须之处。我发了愿，我不会让我的母亲有这样的一天。
以往到老人院，我们都是嘻嘻哈哈地表演了，就草率的过了一个星期六下午。这份感动，是我从未体验过的。当初刚加入慈青时，也只不过一直在参加活动而已，根本没有真正去了解它的意义何在。近来几个月，我发现当我很用心的去做一件事时，我可以从中领悟到一些东西，从中获得那份感动，来让我有再次付出的力量。所以，我想告诉我的慈青伙伴们，加入慈青，一定会有挫折或是一些让你想退出、想懈怠的理由，但是只要你给自己一点时间，多用心地去做每一件事，无论是慈青活动，或是日常生活里，你会从中得到那一份想要付出的推动力。
从他们的活动间，我慢慢地推着一位老奶奶的轮椅，带她到大厅去。从活动间到大厅的那段路，会经过他们老年人的寝室。而那些寝室像医院里面的病房，即狭小有简陋。简陋并不代表不美观，而是卧室里只有两张床，就没有其他东西了。我看了鼻子一酸，这些老菩萨们已经被孩子们遗弃在这个地方，身体又有病痛，卧室里又那么的简陋，真是令人心疼。每个老菩萨的卧室门外一定会挂着一个相片框，里头呢就会有些着老菩萨们的个人资料，而且还会附上他们年轻时候的照片。我一边走着，一边在观察这些照片。我发现，这些老菩萨们，今时今日虽然坐在轮椅上，有些神志不清，有些动弹不得，但是以往他们也是像我一样年轻活泼。照片里头，有些身穿兵装，有些穿着红彤彤的裙子，有些则穿着笔直的西装，潇洒地向镜头微笑。突然间我心里想，我会不会也有这么老的一天呢？此刻，我更加深入地了解上人所说的“无常比明天更先到”。我们今天可能是个健康的年轻人，但是，没有人可以预料到明天会发生什么事。也许，明天我们会发生意外？也许，明天我们会换上绝症？所以，要珍惜每一天，时时刻刻要生活在知足、感恩里。还有，趁我们有能力的时候，尽量去帮助有所需要的人们，希望人人都可以远离病苦。
当我们表演结束时，我们再度的把老菩萨们送到活动间，或是他们的寝室里头。我牵着另外一位老奶奶到她房间里，我转身要离去时，她问我：“我好无聊，你可不可以建议一些活动给我做？”我望了望她的寝室，本来要叫她看电视节目或是什么的，但我发现她寝室里除了床铺，什么都没有。我就随便说：“不然你睡个午觉吧！”她摇了摇头，很悲伤地对我说：“你不觉得很不公平吗？我不知道这个是什么地方，也不认识任何人，不知道是谁把我送到这里来住。”我愣住了。我第一个反应就是把她抱在怀里。虽然我觉得这位老奶奶有一点老人痴呆，但是她这句话深深地打动了我的心坎。我很用力地把眼泪忍住了抱着她，我说：“我真的需要走了，你一定要好好照顾自己，我下个月会再来。”我边走边回头望着她，她的眼睛里头的悲伤，让我的心不停地在流泪。这份感动，让我深深的体验到行孝的必须之处。我发了愿，我不会让我的母亲有这样的一天。
以往到老人院，我们都是嘻嘻哈哈地表演了，就草率的过了一个星期六下午。这份感动，是我从未体验过的。当初刚加入慈青时，也只不过一直在参加活动而已，根本没有真正去了解它的意义何在。近来几个月，我发现当我很用心的去做一件事时，我可以从中领悟到一些东西，从中获得那份感动，来让我有再次付出的力量。所以，我想告诉我的慈青伙伴们，加入慈青，一定会有挫折或是一些让你想退出、想懈怠的理由，但是只要你给自己一点时间，多用心地去做每一件事，无论是慈青活动，或是日常生活里，你会从中得到那一份想要付出的推动力。
Sunday, December 14, 2008
Toronto + Niagara Falls
Ok, so, the Toronto + Niagara Falls trip. Sorry for the long wait. :) You will be entertained by photos instead of words, a rare phenomenon in my blog.
Wednesday night
Reached Toronto quite late in the evening. Our car nearly ran out of gas, which created much panic in the car when we fumbled with the GPS looking for a petrol station. We checked in at the Super 8 Motel right in the heart of Chinatown, located upstairs of a dingy looking Chinese mall. Went to have dinner at a place named Laksa. It was just right next to our motel, and I bet you would be as excited as we were, just because of the name. It was a mistake actually, the food weren't nice, seriously.
Thursday morning
Dim sum at a restaurant called Bright Pearl. Everything was just so-so, but the 皮蛋粥 was worth trying.
The legendary 皮蛋粥.
Next stop was CN Tower, the tallest landmark in Toronto, or Canada I think. Nothing special, apart from the famous glass floor section.
A section of glass where you can step on it and look down to 1815 feet below you. Ok, I look dumb, I know.
Next, Mei Chen and Wei Chieh went to the Hockey Hall of Fame. Me, Shann and He Wei opted to just take pictures, and adjourned to the nearby Eaton Center Shopping Center. It was big, but One Utama still is a giant comparatively. We went for a late lunch at Gold Stone Restaurant, or should I call it coffee shop. It resembles those 茶餐厅 in Hong Kong, where you'll have a huge roasted pig, and chunks of roasted pork dangling in front of the shop. He Wei had a scare of his life, when his 烧肉饭 turned out to be a really huge portion, with A LOT of 烧肉 on it. You can practically see the fat oozing out from the pork.
Gold Stone Coffee Shop
We all agreed to drive 45 minutes away to another town called Markham, which has North America's largest Asian Mall, THE Pacific Mall. It turned out to be a big building with shops selling fake DVD's, fake clothing and lots and lots of bubble tea. It looks like those in Shenzen, if any of you have ever been there. We were indeed disappointed. PLUS, we were in the car for about two hours because of traffic jam. -_-"
The famous 168 Tea Shop scattered throughout Toronto. Their Mango Slush was fantastic by the way.
The next morning, we went to take photos of Harbourfront, Royal Ontario Museum and also Casa Loma, before heading off to Niagara Falls. He Wei has started to show signs of having a cold by that time.
The museum that I didn't get a chance to visit. :(
After checking into the hotel, which was called Diplomat Motel (cheesy name), we proceeded to hunt for a place to have dinner. We were driving around, then I suddenly yelled "Look, there's the Falls". Everybody was like "Wah...." :) We went into TGI Friday's, sat down, looked at the menu, then stood up to apologize to the waiter coming to take the order, then proceeded to drive to the nearest KFC in town. Everybody thought TGI was too expensive. *shrugs* Well, at least I found out that the vegetarian burger at Canada's KFC was pretty good. :) We then watched fireworks by the Falls, it was pretty. They had colorful lights shining on the falls at night, so they can change color every half a minute or so. We went to pay the casino a visit that night. Wei Chieh was thrilled when he saw the sign that says "No admittance to individuals aged 19 or below".
Group photo. And that's Auntie Anne's pretzel in my hand, cinnamon sugar. :)
Saturday
It was a packed day for us. It started with a HEAVY breakfast at a place with all-you-can-eat. We went to see the Falls in the morning, then to the Skylon tower, then the Skywheel (a Ferris Wheel that goes for four whole cycles -_-"), then the butterfly conservatory, then the Niagara's Fury, then the Journey Behind the Falls. Sorry, too many "then's". It was absolutely fun. The Falls is simply...breathtaking, is the word I would use. I would advise you to go. IT IS A MUST. :)
The Rainbow Falls and the Bridal Veil Falls from Skylon Tower. (Doubt if I got the names right)
Canadian Horseshoe Fall, also from Skylon Tower.
The Horseshoe Falls, up close.
Right at the edge where the river falls from the "cliff".
Favorite photo. Horseshoe Falls right behind me. :)
In raincoats for Niagara's Fury and Journey Behind the Falls. Wei Chieh is so adorable. :P
Sunday
Didn't do much that morning. We went to a place where they make wine nearby, it has some French name that i forgot. Mei Chen and He Wei bought their famous ice wine as souvenirs, or they are going to drink them? Not sure. We said goodbye to Niagara Falls, and stopped halfway for lunch at a randomly found place. It was called Bamboo, and they serve rather delicious lunch buffet. It was snowing when we drove back. And we got stuck for three hours at the border between Canada and US, because of a traffic jam and an hour at the immigration office. -_-
Well, it was a really fun trip I should say. I really enjoyed Niagara Falls, though that was my second time there. :) The creation of Mother nature just amazes me. Photos wouldn't tell everything, because you would have to see it, feel it, and hear it for yourself. Trust me, it's worth a visit. :) Did I mention that our whole trip cost us $280 per person, for four nights including fuel? I personally think that was cheap.
Wednesday night
Reached Toronto quite late in the evening. Our car nearly ran out of gas, which created much panic in the car when we fumbled with the GPS looking for a petrol station. We checked in at the Super 8 Motel right in the heart of Chinatown, located upstairs of a dingy looking Chinese mall. Went to have dinner at a place named Laksa. It was just right next to our motel, and I bet you would be as excited as we were, just because of the name. It was a mistake actually, the food weren't nice, seriously.
Thursday morning
Dim sum at a restaurant called Bright Pearl. Everything was just so-so, but the 皮蛋粥 was worth trying.
The legendary 皮蛋粥.Next stop was CN Tower, the tallest landmark in Toronto, or Canada I think. Nothing special, apart from the famous glass floor section.
A section of glass where you can step on it and look down to 1815 feet below you. Ok, I look dumb, I know.Next, Mei Chen and Wei Chieh went to the Hockey Hall of Fame. Me, Shann and He Wei opted to just take pictures, and adjourned to the nearby Eaton Center Shopping Center. It was big, but One Utama still is a giant comparatively. We went for a late lunch at Gold Stone Restaurant, or should I call it coffee shop. It resembles those 茶餐厅 in Hong Kong, where you'll have a huge roasted pig, and chunks of roasted pork dangling in front of the shop. He Wei had a scare of his life, when his 烧肉饭 turned out to be a really huge portion, with A LOT of 烧肉 on it. You can practically see the fat oozing out from the pork.
Gold Stone Coffee ShopWe all agreed to drive 45 minutes away to another town called Markham, which has North America's largest Asian Mall, THE Pacific Mall. It turned out to be a big building with shops selling fake DVD's, fake clothing and lots and lots of bubble tea. It looks like those in Shenzen, if any of you have ever been there. We were indeed disappointed. PLUS, we were in the car for about two hours because of traffic jam. -_-"
The famous 168 Tea Shop scattered throughout Toronto. Their Mango Slush was fantastic by the way.The next morning, we went to take photos of Harbourfront, Royal Ontario Museum and also Casa Loma, before heading off to Niagara Falls. He Wei has started to show signs of having a cold by that time.
The museum that I didn't get a chance to visit. :(After checking into the hotel, which was called Diplomat Motel (cheesy name), we proceeded to hunt for a place to have dinner. We were driving around, then I suddenly yelled "Look, there's the Falls". Everybody was like "Wah...." :) We went into TGI Friday's, sat down, looked at the menu, then stood up to apologize to the waiter coming to take the order, then proceeded to drive to the nearest KFC in town. Everybody thought TGI was too expensive. *shrugs* Well, at least I found out that the vegetarian burger at Canada's KFC was pretty good. :) We then watched fireworks by the Falls, it was pretty. They had colorful lights shining on the falls at night, so they can change color every half a minute or so. We went to pay the casino a visit that night. Wei Chieh was thrilled when he saw the sign that says "No admittance to individuals aged 19 or below".
Group photo. And that's Auntie Anne's pretzel in my hand, cinnamon sugar. :)Saturday
It was a packed day for us. It started with a HEAVY breakfast at a place with all-you-can-eat. We went to see the Falls in the morning, then to the Skylon tower, then the Skywheel (a Ferris Wheel that goes for four whole cycles -_-"), then the butterfly conservatory, then the Niagara's Fury, then the Journey Behind the Falls. Sorry, too many "then's". It was absolutely fun. The Falls is simply...breathtaking, is the word I would use. I would advise you to go. IT IS A MUST. :)
The Rainbow Falls and the Bridal Veil Falls from Skylon Tower. (Doubt if I got the names right)
Canadian Horseshoe Fall, also from Skylon Tower.
The Horseshoe Falls, up close.
Right at the edge where the river falls from the "cliff".
Favorite photo. Horseshoe Falls right behind me. :)
In raincoats for Niagara's Fury and Journey Behind the Falls. Wei Chieh is so adorable. :PSunday
Didn't do much that morning. We went to a place where they make wine nearby, it has some French name that i forgot. Mei Chen and He Wei bought their famous ice wine as souvenirs, or they are going to drink them? Not sure. We said goodbye to Niagara Falls, and stopped halfway for lunch at a randomly found place. It was called Bamboo, and they serve rather delicious lunch buffet. It was snowing when we drove back. And we got stuck for three hours at the border between Canada and US, because of a traffic jam and an hour at the immigration office. -_-
Well, it was a really fun trip I should say. I really enjoyed Niagara Falls, though that was my second time there. :) The creation of Mother nature just amazes me. Photos wouldn't tell everything, because you would have to see it, feel it, and hear it for yourself. Trust me, it's worth a visit. :) Did I mention that our whole trip cost us $280 per person, for four nights including fuel? I personally think that was cheap.
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
Too Much To Do, Too Little Time
I just came back from a five day trip to Toronto and Niagara Falls. So much school work to catch up on. This will be my last week of classes, cos all my exams will end on the 9th. :D Will blog more about the trip and some updates after my exams. Be patient ok? :)
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