哇靠! It's hot and stuffy in my room now!! I just finished cooking and realized that even I open up all the windows and the door, the room is still damn hot and air is not moving!
And I was so happy that summer has finally (suddenly) come! But I forgot to get myself a fan and refuse to switch on the air-con because I was trying to be green (the fact is really trying to lower the bills). With the pathetic windows far away from the kitchen, there was a danger of having stroke by the stove. -_-~
Today's update is from office laptop, while having my personal laptop switched for background music, at the same time having TV on for the Mets versus Marlins game. Somehow I feel this comforting, all electronic devices surrounding me at home. Guess I am really a geek, like what my friend calls me 宅女 (お宅).
Nothing much ongoing recently in life. Wanted to go write about the gyoza dinner on Sunday but no inspiration at the moment... probably because it's too hot and I am suffering from brain juice dehydration. ha...
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Saturday, April 18, 2009
Bored... At Home...
Nothing better to do now, most of the Fridays I am at home. Including this one. Actually, there are a lot of other things to do, like cleaning the house or cooking dinner for myself (meat is still thawing). So while wasting away doing nothing, I have decided to do a little blog.
This week has been crazy, somehow stressed and it seems I am out every other day. Which is good, thus I don't understand how is it that I still feel bored when I have only a few precious days alone at my home.
Monday was out helping a friend move to New York. She's got an apartment in Brooklyn and stays at another friend's house in Jersey City temporary. Initially I thought my job was simple, drive to Jersey City to pick her up and go to Brooklyn. Did not know that her assets were in Staten Island. So after sending my colleague back home, I drove to Jersey City to pick her up, which by then was already around 7 plus. I then realized that her assets were in Staten Island, New York. The plans changed. I had to drive to Staten Island to pick up her stuff, then drive over to Brooklyn. The problem was that all this has to be done via Manhattan.
The journey began. It took almost an hour from Jersey City to Staten Island because of peak commuting time in the evening. Thanks to GPS and a little sense of direction I reached Staten Island without losing my way. The traffic was crazy at Holland Tunnel and within Manhattan itself. I also realized that toll charges going into Manhattan is just another form of extortion. The worst happened when I did not realize and went turned in front of a howling fire engine, in Manhattan. Guessed my friend probably stopped breathing when she saw me do that. She probably have never done it in her 10 over years of driving.
Yet, I had the chance to see the other side of Manhattan from Brooklyn. Simply breath-taking. It was near, yet out of Manhattan as you drive along the high and bridge. It was there when I realized why New York is so charming. It really is very beautiful and such a sight too see.
Finally reaching Staten Island, I managed to catch my breath from the exciting drive at her aunt's house. And we are off again after her stuff went into my car. This time, the drive was much shorter but the toll charges were still expensive. We finally reached her new home in Brooklyn, a loft made out of and old warehouse, with many similar ones around the neighbourhood. It looks like a place for artists and musicians and different from the rest of the so many houses I have seen in New Jersey and Manhattan itself. The place was torn down, but the inside is absolutely cool. Super big living room (probably a dance studio hall size) with tall ceiling, open style kitchen, a spiral staircase leading down to the rooms (though I must admit I don't like it for the fear of breaking my neck or leg). Decorations are definitely artistic, scribbles on the wall and a big flat screen television mounted on the wall. Regret not taking photos of it. It's well worth the effort and I hope she can leave comfortably, in a city where she dreamt of living in for so many years.
So, to give a little visual of my adventure on Monday. Origin A is my workplace New Jersey, Destination F is my home New Jersey, Destination C is somwhere in Jersey City New Jersey, then Destination D is Staten Island New York, Destination E is Brooklyn New York, then back to my home, F. A total of 59.8miles according to Google's calculation. That's 95.68km of drive. Not bad for novice driver. I figured that I must have driven more miles than any of an average 3-week Singaporean novice driver.
This week has been crazy, somehow stressed and it seems I am out every other day. Which is good, thus I don't understand how is it that I still feel bored when I have only a few precious days alone at my home.
Monday was out helping a friend move to New York. She's got an apartment in Brooklyn and stays at another friend's house in Jersey City temporary. Initially I thought my job was simple, drive to Jersey City to pick her up and go to Brooklyn. Did not know that her assets were in Staten Island. So after sending my colleague back home, I drove to Jersey City to pick her up, which by then was already around 7 plus. I then realized that her assets were in Staten Island, New York. The plans changed. I had to drive to Staten Island to pick up her stuff, then drive over to Brooklyn. The problem was that all this has to be done via Manhattan.
The journey began. It took almost an hour from Jersey City to Staten Island because of peak commuting time in the evening. Thanks to GPS and a little sense of direction I reached Staten Island without losing my way. The traffic was crazy at Holland Tunnel and within Manhattan itself. I also realized that toll charges going into Manhattan is just another form of extortion. The worst happened when I did not realize and went turned in front of a howling fire engine, in Manhattan. Guessed my friend probably stopped breathing when she saw me do that. She probably have never done it in her 10 over years of driving.
Yet, I had the chance to see the other side of Manhattan from Brooklyn. Simply breath-taking. It was near, yet out of Manhattan as you drive along the high and bridge. It was there when I realized why New York is so charming. It really is very beautiful and such a sight too see.
Finally reaching Staten Island, I managed to catch my breath from the exciting drive at her aunt's house. And we are off again after her stuff went into my car. This time, the drive was much shorter but the toll charges were still expensive. We finally reached her new home in Brooklyn, a loft made out of and old warehouse, with many similar ones around the neighbourhood. It looks like a place for artists and musicians and different from the rest of the so many houses I have seen in New Jersey and Manhattan itself. The place was torn down, but the inside is absolutely cool. Super big living room (probably a dance studio hall size) with tall ceiling, open style kitchen, a spiral staircase leading down to the rooms (though I must admit I don't like it for the fear of breaking my neck or leg). Decorations are definitely artistic, scribbles on the wall and a big flat screen television mounted on the wall. Regret not taking photos of it. It's well worth the effort and I hope she can leave comfortably, in a city where she dreamt of living in for so many years.
So, to give a little visual of my adventure on Monday. Origin A is my workplace New Jersey, Destination F is my home New Jersey, Destination C is somwhere in Jersey City New Jersey, then Destination D is Staten Island New York, Destination E is Brooklyn New York, then back to my home, F. A total of 59.8miles according to Google's calculation. That's 95.68km of drive. Not bad for novice driver. I figured that I must have driven more miles than any of an average 3-week Singaporean novice driver.
Monday, April 13, 2009
Some Words
Some words bring enlightenment. It makes you wonder for a minute about what you have been living. Sometimes, I regretted not reading enough.
Quote: The Tibetan Booking of Living and Dying by Sogyal Rinpoche.
14th Dalai Lama on his foreword in this book: Naturally, most of us would like to die a peaceful death, but it is also clear that we cannot hope to die peacefully if our lives have been full of violence, or if our minds have mostly been agitated by emotions like anger, attachment, or fear. So if we wish to die well, we must learn how to live well. Hoping for a peaceful death, we must cultivate peace in our mind, and in our way of life.
Unquote.
Quote: The Tibetan Booking of Living and Dying by Sogyal Rinpoche.
14th Dalai Lama on his foreword in this book: Naturally, most of us would like to die a peaceful death, but it is also clear that we cannot hope to die peacefully if our lives have been full of violence, or if our minds have mostly been agitated by emotions like anger, attachment, or fear. So if we wish to die well, we must learn how to live well. Hoping for a peaceful death, we must cultivate peace in our mind, and in our way of life.
Unquote.
Sunday, April 12, 2009
More than 25 random things about me...
Facebook.com
Rules: Once you've been tagged, you are supposed to write a note with 25 random things, facts, habits, or goals about you. At the end, choose ur frenz to be tagged. You have to tag the person who tagged you. If I tagged you, it's because I want to know more about you.
1. Loves to talk
2. Loves to eat popcorn before the movie starts, but not eat during the movie.
3. Enjoy the moment of sneezing, but hates it when the nose and eyes are all itchy and watery
4. Wants to drive out of New Jersey by 2009
5. Hates people who are not sincere and does not know how to deal with them
6. Is just plain lazy most of the times to be bothered with anything, thus the easy-going'ness
7. Loves Tokyo
8. Loves the smell of air with grass, trees, flowers or slightly burnt smell
9. Too much alochol gives a wierd reaction of talking in Japanese but all grammatically wrong
10. Does not know how to flirt
11. Totally internet download addict
12. Loves looking at photos of friends and where they have been
13. Strives to fill up my megasize mp3 player and make it into a radio station
14. Cannot resist buying new candies and gums with interesting packaging
15. Cries when watching anything sad
16. Likes it when girls who are really cute acts cute
17. Likes watching through condominium or houses's windows from the outside
18. Often wonders about life and what it gives to me
19. Likes to write during times of inspiration, but 3 minutes later finds it stupid (this 25 random things is an edited version)
20. Feels inferior sometimes for unknown reason
21. Likes walking
22. Loves romance stories book, for the reason that my life is never romantic
23. Likes to hear about other people's life, for all the drama that's lacking in my own
24. Sucker for dark chocolate, in fact, anything nice chocolate
25. Still don't like people who are chinese and can only speak English
26. Hates people who are racist
27. Does not like being angry
28. Dreamer, loves to imagine 'what if I am...' as a way to destress.
29. Does actually have a sense of fashion, but does not wear it
30. Is a snob sometimes
31. Likes to be complimented, sincerely
32. Cannot remember the song title and artist, although the song may have been heard umpteen times
33. Feels quality of life is important, and does not mind spending within means (aka materialistic)
34. Feels everything is nice about branded bags, except for the outrageous price
35. Is afraid of girls who cries in front of her
36. Does not know how to handle her own emotions most of the times
That's me... among others.
Rules: Once you've been tagged, you are supposed to write a note with 25 random things, facts, habits, or goals about you. At the end, choose ur frenz to be tagged. You have to tag the person who tagged you. If I tagged you, it's because I want to know more about you.
1. Loves to talk
2. Loves to eat popcorn before the movie starts, but not eat during the movie.
3. Enjoy the moment of sneezing, but hates it when the nose and eyes are all itchy and watery
4. Wants to drive out of New Jersey by 2009
5. Hates people who are not sincere and does not know how to deal with them
6. Is just plain lazy most of the times to be bothered with anything, thus the easy-going'ness
7. Loves Tokyo
8. Loves the smell of air with grass, trees, flowers or slightly burnt smell
9. Too much alochol gives a wierd reaction of talking in Japanese but all grammatically wrong
10. Does not know how to flirt
11. Totally internet download addict
12. Loves looking at photos of friends and where they have been
13. Strives to fill up my megasize mp3 player and make it into a radio station
14. Cannot resist buying new candies and gums with interesting packaging
15. Cries when watching anything sad
16. Likes it when girls who are really cute acts cute
17. Likes watching through condominium or houses's windows from the outside
18. Often wonders about life and what it gives to me
19. Likes to write during times of inspiration, but 3 minutes later finds it stupid (this 25 random things is an edited version)
20. Feels inferior sometimes for unknown reason
21. Likes walking
22. Loves romance stories book, for the reason that my life is never romantic
23. Likes to hear about other people's life, for all the drama that's lacking in my own
24. Sucker for dark chocolate, in fact, anything nice chocolate
25. Still don't like people who are chinese and can only speak English
26. Hates people who are racist
27. Does not like being angry
28. Dreamer, loves to imagine 'what if I am...' as a way to destress.
29. Does actually have a sense of fashion, but does not wear it
30. Is a snob sometimes
31. Likes to be complimented, sincerely
32. Cannot remember the song title and artist, although the song may have been heard umpteen times
33. Feels quality of life is important, and does not mind spending within means (aka materialistic)
34. Feels everything is nice about branded bags, except for the outrageous price
35. Is afraid of girls who cries in front of her
36. Does not know how to handle her own emotions most of the times
That's me... among others.
Driving... How is it that I always cannot get it right?
So for friends who knew, I just got my provisional license finally after 9 months in NJ and got a car 3 weeks ago. I am officially able to drive! and officially the road hazard on NJ. Beware, drivers! I will turn your everyday commuting into your worst nightmare!~ ** corny horror music at background **
Anyway, I am being super duper adventurous with my car, going to all the places I have never been to despite being a newbie who doesn't even know the traffic rules well enough to drive. I think I should be put into a defensive driving programme or something.
So, I think I will try to update a little of my driving experience so far, and also make it a point to note down all the scars on that car despite being less than 6 months old and very well taken care of by the previous owner.
Today being very bored at home and that the rain finally stopped in the late afternoon. I decided to take a ride to Ikea at Elizabeth, a 45-minute drive from home, via the highway. Fixed my GPS and set to go. On the way on the normal road on Boulevard East, it was all fine and I got my confident that I will reach there without any problem.
So I took a turn into NJ Turnpike, at a junction where probably 10 different roads meet together from Hoboken, Weehawken. It was a great traffic mess because this is also the same point where it leads to New York. At 5 plus, it was probably the peak. Thanks to GPS, I had to switch to the most left lane and I was at the most right lane. The left turn signal was blinking furiously for more than 3 minutes and no cars wanted to give way to me, cars behind was honking at me to move forward. In the process of looking over my left shoulder and moving the car forward, I have successfully scratched the right side of the car against the wall because my hand on the wheels moved to the right. Scared myself to death with the scratching sound and I stopped immediately.
So leaving no choice as I approached nearer and nearer to the turn, I had to turn to the left at the slightest chance and of course, the driver from behind was forced to stop and was cursing and swearing at me. I think if he was any slower to braking, then I would have my first car accident in just 3 weeks and the company would be chasing me with higher insurance premium to pay. This shows that if you don't know the way, check out the route first and not just rely 100% on GPS. And I have been warned previously by my boss and other users of GPS.
So I continued my way through a very crowded highway and almost died of heart attack because of people switching and cutting into my lane every 2 seconds. Probably I also caused heart attacks to people while I was trying to switch lane and avoiding myself going from the wrong exit.
Finally reaching Ikea, my heart was already at the mouth, I then missed a turn and went into the road that leads to the Elizabeth seaport. I made an illegal U-turn to get back, and the next thing I saw is a sign that says 'Area under camera survillance'. Great, I am going to get a ticket because they found me making an illegal turn at a seaport road.
I only bought a few things at Ikea, just to make my road trip worth it, also giving myself some time to calm down. But I had to rush out of the place before it gets too dark. Didn't even get to eat my favourite Ikea meatball because I was afraid of driving on the highway in the night.
Surprsingly, the trip back so much more easier, probably with the lesser car on the road and already too dark to notice any other dangers... hahaha... The highway now seems less intimidating. So, finally reaching home safely but already dark, the only scar for the road trip I have yet to inspect it. I have to recover from the aftermaths of the drive in general. Then, I will be off tomorrow again for an even farther destination... Woodbury Common here I come!
Anyway, I am being super duper adventurous with my car, going to all the places I have never been to despite being a newbie who doesn't even know the traffic rules well enough to drive. I think I should be put into a defensive driving programme or something.
So, I think I will try to update a little of my driving experience so far, and also make it a point to note down all the scars on that car despite being less than 6 months old and very well taken care of by the previous owner.
Today being very bored at home and that the rain finally stopped in the late afternoon. I decided to take a ride to Ikea at Elizabeth, a 45-minute drive from home, via the highway. Fixed my GPS and set to go. On the way on the normal road on Boulevard East, it was all fine and I got my confident that I will reach there without any problem.
So I took a turn into NJ Turnpike, at a junction where probably 10 different roads meet together from Hoboken, Weehawken. It was a great traffic mess because this is also the same point where it leads to New York. At 5 plus, it was probably the peak. Thanks to GPS, I had to switch to the most left lane and I was at the most right lane. The left turn signal was blinking furiously for more than 3 minutes and no cars wanted to give way to me, cars behind was honking at me to move forward. In the process of looking over my left shoulder and moving the car forward, I have successfully scratched the right side of the car against the wall because my hand on the wheels moved to the right. Scared myself to death with the scratching sound and I stopped immediately.
So leaving no choice as I approached nearer and nearer to the turn, I had to turn to the left at the slightest chance and of course, the driver from behind was forced to stop and was cursing and swearing at me. I think if he was any slower to braking, then I would have my first car accident in just 3 weeks and the company would be chasing me with higher insurance premium to pay. This shows that if you don't know the way, check out the route first and not just rely 100% on GPS. And I have been warned previously by my boss and other users of GPS.
So I continued my way through a very crowded highway and almost died of heart attack because of people switching and cutting into my lane every 2 seconds. Probably I also caused heart attacks to people while I was trying to switch lane and avoiding myself going from the wrong exit.
Finally reaching Ikea, my heart was already at the mouth, I then missed a turn and went into the road that leads to the Elizabeth seaport. I made an illegal U-turn to get back, and the next thing I saw is a sign that says 'Area under camera survillance'. Great, I am going to get a ticket because they found me making an illegal turn at a seaport road.
I only bought a few things at Ikea, just to make my road trip worth it, also giving myself some time to calm down. But I had to rush out of the place before it gets too dark. Didn't even get to eat my favourite Ikea meatball because I was afraid of driving on the highway in the night.
Surprsingly, the trip back so much more easier, probably with the lesser car on the road and already too dark to notice any other dangers... hahaha... The highway now seems less intimidating. So, finally reaching home safely but already dark, the only scar for the road trip I have yet to inspect it. I have to recover from the aftermaths of the drive in general. Then, I will be off tomorrow again for an even farther destination... Woodbury Common here I come!
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