I've decided to write before I leave.. The state of BEaUtiFuL memories..

At Chicago eating Giordanno's Dipdish Pizza..

At Itasca State park - finding the source and doing cross-country skiing

At St Paul - en route to Winter Carnival

At Maisy's house for Photo-sharing and Shisha..

Roadtrip to Duluth - We spent Easter at Maisy's cabin with Mr. Snowman

@ NY - Statue of Liberty at the back.. Liberty Island

On the ship at Boston while trekking along Freedom trail..

In Super 8 Motel at Washington DC with travel buddies..

All the beautiful memories.. Will they be forgotten in the very long future? All the details and small lil' things that we had done and times that we had spent together. Or will we keep in contact for a very long time to come? Uncertainties.. uncertainties.. uncertainties.. I hope for it to be the latter. I do not want regrets like the last exchange at Taiwan where I failed to maintain contact with my host.. and till now I duno how things are like over there for her.. I do miss her sometimes and I hope to regain the contact with her again.. Shall return to Singapore and try harder this time round.. nodnod. IT's time.. I'm supposed to return to Taiwan this year for the promise that we had made 5 years ago...

A group of friends met at Taiwan for a Taiwan-Singapore Immersion Programme. It ended with this group of students having a pact - that they will return to the high school to look for the tree. The tree where underneath, stood that bottle.. the bottle which contains notes that they had written at that time for their friends. Those were the secret messages. They made a pact to reveal those notes 5 years later at the same place, under the same tree. Will this ever come true? It has been 5 years.. And now, instead of being in Taiwan, I'm in USA. Perhaps making other pacts that I will meet up with other friends some years down the road.. will they ever be realised? I wonder.. A natural pessimist I am.. But I am aware friendships as such takes effort.. I'd missed one.. I shall try to avoid it from happening the 2nd time.. But as usual, it's always easier said than done..

I hope that through it all, at the very least, I will be able to remember the wonderful memories I had here.. in Minnesota, with my group of European friends - Thomas, Stephanie, Richard, my Ultra favorite Hong Kong friends who taught me Cantonese and who traveled with us to many beautiful cities - Tracy and Xavier, my China friends - Leiwei, Norman, Sha Wei yuan and Xiao xi, my Superb Mentor who brought us to Duluth and showed us what a wonderful Easter is like - Marasie (Maisy), our 'hosts' who had returned from Singapore SMU's exchange programme- Andrew and Ngoc, and all other Singaporeans whom I'd met on this exchange making this a memorable experience - our 'big brother and sister' - Sandy and Kim Huat, our Singaporean friends here @ Minnesota - Christian, Rachel and Thomas, my SMU exchange buddies - York, Gina and my roomie - Meibin. Lastly to those who made all these possible, Joe Mosher from the international office in UMN and Ying and Sudha back in SMU. I know this seems like a very long list of "Thank You" Speech, but it's more for me to remember.. to remember that I once had such an enlivening experience here in Minnesota, in the USA for a 5 mth period.


Like all others, I will miss the time we spent here.. I'll miss and I'll reminisce. Hopefully years later, history shall not repeat itself and we will still be in contact, visiting each other once in a while.. May all come true.. *fingers crossed*

Time to update.. yet again..

Ok.. well.. I admit.. I guess I took Looooonnnngggg enough this time round. It's almost a month now.. Which is why I am guilty.. so here I am writing now.. for a rather brief update :D *heehee*

Let me begin with the most significant weekend trip Feb 9th - 12th = OUR Chicago trip = went to many places and the weather was a lil' way too cold *brrrr* the winds were so strong. If only it would be warmer, I guess we'd have enjoyed more~

To begin with my Fave, this.... is the Bean structure!! We call it the Bean but it has a better name actually - The CloudGate but oh well... It sure looks like a bean haha and I love this the best besides the shopping in Chicago :D

The front view...
The side now...
5 SMU "Enthusiasts" doing the SMU jump (yes.. in Chicago lolx)Oops and I forgot to mention.. the Bean is in the Millenium Park.. nice place :D This is yet another sculpture behind me..
The Bean from afar.. You can actually see Chicago's cityscape on it :D Very pretty heehee.. it's all reflective and it's quite nice lar.. :D

Next moving on to the John Hancock building (one of the tallest buildings in Chicago).. we had a drink at the Signature Lounge and took these pictures there :D
The 3 "piggies" with Chicago cityscape behind us..

This is the Cityscape taken from the Signature Lounge @ the 96th Storey.. it was dusk then..
YEt another one taken from the other view.. this shows the Lake Michigan alongside..

These are some of the city scenes taken..

The below is a building known as the water tower.. it's supposed to be quite famous though I dun rmb why heehee

Hm.. Does the following Ferris Wheel ring a bell? If you had read the book "Five people you meet in Heaven" you might then roughly know what I am going to reveal next.. the place where the author died (in the story)... *drum rollzzzzzz*


The NAVY PIER !!! And no.. Old Navy and Navy pier have NO link haha.. in case u are wondering lolx..Navy pier is just a theme park where most rides are not opened in the freezing weather when we went.. :S The Field Museum.. the "Night in the Museum" look-alike.. sighz.. but I couldnt find the structure in there.. and the staff told us that the show was screened in NY's Natural History Museum.. oh well.. At least I got to see some dinasaurs fossils.. the one below is Sue.. one of the most complete dinasaur fossils.. I think.. haha oh well.. anw, it's a dinasaur..

The Famous Dip Dish pizza!!! For: Mozarella lovers.. there's like a ton of those in there.. free-flowing and definitely filling!!! :D The crust is slightly different.. Not too bad a dish heehee






And yes, this picture of us eating Dimsum was taken in Chicago!! L to R: Er zhu, San zhu and Da zhu.. lolx..

This is the Chinatown.. in our 3 days there.. we went to Chinatown to eat at least a meal a day.. how we miss Singapore food *droolx* esp. my pratas!!!

--> The Chicago Theatre

Finally.. one last look at the Chicago city scape... Tataz Chicago~ Till we Meet again~~ ^.^

Updates... wEiRdO Day *sighz*

I have decided to write in an entry today, primarily because today is such a weird day...

My original plan for the day was as follows -

• Wake up at 830 am and for a swim at UMN Recrea centre
• Then go for Boynton Health Clinic TB skin test follow-up at 11am.
• Thereafter, order quesadilla from the shop that I had been working at Coffman - Baja Sol (which sells Mexican food like Buritto and Tacos etc) since I can be a customer today and do not have to work..
• Thereafter, I will proceed to look for replacement for my Monday's work shift (will not be back in time for work from Chicago) @ Coffman University Dining Services Office
• Then go for lessons at 1150am.

Sighz.. the tell tale signs of a bad day..
#1. I did not wake up in time. Woke up at 11am. And if u read the above para.. Im supposed to have this TB skin test follow-up at Boynton. GR8!!! So I woke up hurriedly, missing my swim and called the clinic. I was lucky that they allowed me the time to book a later slot today. Sighz.. badbad.. Then went for class late somemore.. What a grand entrance.. Machiam like my skin color did not attract enough attention in an U.S. classroom. GR8!!!
#2. Had Corp Financing class and just as we thought that we are having an earlier day off, the Prof decided to be cheeky and gave us a surprise quiz!! WTH!!! It's not as though I do not have enough stress already.. argh!!! :S & so I did.. the test, without knowing what I am writing.. so sucky lar.. though its a small %, but the shock didnt make me feel comfy.. =sighz=
#3. Went home and guessed what? The room is BuRnInG!!! Erm.. what I mean is that.. it overheated.. Sth was wrong with the heater.. and so I immediately reduced the temperature to about 50F --> about 10 deg C. But the room is still very very warm lar.. Free sauna is not appreciated at this point in time.. TOTALLY NOT INTERESTED can?!?! *punches* And so I opened the window to let the cold air enter.. that worked a lil' but I stil have to go to the Front Desk to report.
#4. Wanted to do my laundry in the meanwhile at around 10+pm since I need to wash some clothes which I intend to wear for my Chicago trip. So I thought.. wah quite late, the laundry machines should be quite empty.. just as I happily walked there.. I was "welcomed" by HardWorking washing machines and dryers that are working at full speed. ALL of THEM ARE OCCUPIED!!! *ARGH!!! It's really !@!&^!&$%@#$* Super cannot stand it manz!! Sighz.. what else can I attribute it to? Daniel Powter speaks it best!!! *faintz*
#5. You think it's rather bad? Well.. nope nope.. life is not so kind at times ya know? I tell u why.. when I went back to the hostel after the #&$*@%@$#* laundry experience, I went back to the room and my roomie told me a bad news.. OMG!!! That really made my blood boil!!
We are gg Chicago tomorrow morning and we will be flying there.. and in this KNS country, we have to observe the liquid restrictions.. DAMNIT!!! All our toiletries has to be 3oz or less. Thanks manz!! And to think I had exhausted all my travel pack supply during my 1st two weeks here.. and so I am supposed to find like 5 small containers for my shampoo, conditioner, shower foam, facial foam, contacts solution, moisturiser and toothpaste within like what? One night?! When all the shops are closed and I am left with what I have in the room, isnt that just a test of ur MAGIC skills or what? GAWD!!! Damn pissed.. I could really feel my blood boil and this has not happened for quite some time.. It really was infuriating.. not at anyone in particular, but at the fact of the inflexible restriction, and that I am left with limited resources - small containers and time to make it possible within one night.. In the end, I had to empty my paper clips and bottles of tablets just to fill the containers with all my stupid fluids.. It's really DUMB*SS!!

Haiz..
Well, as I said it's weird.. coz there are some things that made me happy...
A) Today is OUR 4th mth together.. And I received a very Sweet super DIABETIC-causing email from MY Dear..
B) I found replacement for my job and so I can safely apply for leave on Monday..
C) I received an advance V'day present from HIM. Albeit early, it nvr failed to warm my heart..

Sighz.. Weird lar.. I guess I am still feeling a lil' gloomy now.. It's really stupid lar... And there are so much work to be done before I leave for Chicago tomorrow.. But oh 'vell, its a choice that I had made.. so I guess I shall just suck my thumb and try to cope..

Tomorrow shall be a better day.. Am listening to KS 95 now.. My favorite radio station here in Minneapolis. It's their local station and though they always have the same songs repeating every night.. It's as though I am listening to my MP3 coz the songs are nice lar.. hehe I am not the only who said so.. so well, I guess it's really nice.. :D

I'd kindly attached the link in "Moi Fave Links" on the right.. for the audio pleasure of all, if u all can hear it lar.. Coz.. duno y I cant connect to SG's YES93.3fm here.. so sad.. no more Dragon Tiger Chart.. (long hu bang) which is my fave lorz.. I can imagine how mountain tortoise I will be when I return to SG in June. Oh manz.. must send me songs ok.. If u all find me online and am not in the busy mode hurhur (abit tough rite) OopSS!!!

Anw, may everyone have a good weekend lar.. I think mine should be quite fine.. Pls dun have any more Co*k up le.. I think I have enough for the week now.. :S *fingers crossed*

For those in SG, pls enjoy preparing for CNY, and pls take care not to eat too much heaty food k? (rmb to save some for me wahaha ;-)

Part Two...

These are some pictures that I had taken over some time.. near Middlebrook Hall. I had slowly begun to take more photos of sceneries and the skies.. esp when I think of Mr. Kong Meng Yeow lolx.. coz he likes to take those kinda "artistic" pictures whereby I will see all types of pretty sceneries but will find no signs of him in the picts haha.. :D So here they are...

The snow-covered ground is what I see everyday, though it only snowed for about 3-4 times since the day I came here. But coz the temperature here is so low that the snow just wouldnt melt. The temperature here is typically 0 degrees C and recently it has reached a low of -15 degrees C. But well, my thick layer of blubber is working so I had been well insulated so far heehee :D

20th Jan: Ever wonder how it's like to Sled and skate on frozen lake? Well lemmi share with you how... (Note: Instructions below are meant for use in "class" by Instructor Leng ONLY haha)

Well, for demonstration or proper positions, refer to the one circled in red --> Instructor Leng :D Once again, demonstration of the normal sled position by Instructor Leng...A close up view of us.. (L to R) Sandy, Gina, York, Meibin, Meeee!!!! And our main artiste.. The Sled in the middle!! :D Kim Huat bz helping us to take photos hehe
More whacky pictures.. the snow was indeed soft.. SOooo soft that we decided to do the following:-

The Snowangels Competition!! Who has the Nicest SnowAngel? Let's see....

There's even a couple's SnowAngels in the contest this time round.. haha :D

Well snowangels are really quite cute.. Basically, one just lie on the ground, like what Kim Huat is doing in the above pict (top left corner) and then just wave ur arms frantically up and down to create the "wings" of the angels. So called coz it looks like an Angel in the Snow.. (well that's what it's Supposed to be lar.. hehe)

As promised.. u see Lake Centennial again.. :D

Pictures are taken on the lake, with a christmas tree behind, while we gather around the bench. There's even a bridge in the background.. Really cool stuff eh? :D And I nvr knew that I can love Fireplace this much.. lolx ;D

Why This Knee? If u are quick enough.. you may see that.. It sounds like Disney!! wahaha *duhz* but then.. It's also coz I fell so many times that my left knee has a super BIG bruise manz.. Believe it or not, it's almost the size of my palm.. *faintz* It's the 1st time I see such a colorful bruise.. purple, green, red, yellow OMG!! 2 weeks and it's not recovered.. lolx.. ought to have brought my zambuk here *sighz* anw.. IT will recover I believe!! =hopeful=

Argh!! I am so tired now.. and I am only at 20th Jan.. Part 3 wil have to wait lar k? B patient ppl :D

It's a new month now.. February is here!!! Will my wish come true? *fingers crossed* =)

Some life here... Part One ;-)

Looking back.. It's been a month since I had been here.. And since I had been complained so many times for not updating my blog, it's time I redeem myself ;-)

This entry might be a pretty long one.. with all the recollection of the stuff that I had done in the past one month..

3rd of Jan (Wed) - Meibin, York and I went to the Mall of America, the supposedly biggest Mall in the entire USA. Well, I must say we 3 aren't all that impressed after all, but well it's quite near us and if this Mall is not impressive enough, what about the rest of the smaller malls out there?! Haha.. I guess it's not as big as VIVO City in Singapore or about the same size.. so well.. yep.. The stuff there are pretty ex as well, so it's more of just a see see look look trip :D

5th of Jan (Fri) - The legendary NBA is FINALLY here!!! Right before my eyes!!! haha We went to watch the NBA games featuring Minnesota Timberwolves vs Philadelphia 76-ers @ the Metrodome (stadium in Downtown Minneapolis - the City of Minnesota that I am in now) and sat at one of the last few rows. The stadium was huge!! And though it wasnt entirely filled up, the air was filled with screams of excited fans. It was quite an interesting night with Kim Huat, Sandy, Meibin, York and Gina. The game ended with Timberwolves leading by 2 points, 104 vs 102. Pure lucky lor.. I thought that the 76-ers were better.. lolx.. though I do not really know how to enjoy NBA games haha.. =p

What was rather interesting was that on the screens they had this Howl-O-Meter that captures how loud we Howl (for we are supposedly supporting our Team - the TimberWolves) and that is really quite lame lar.. but well, it's a new experience!! heh

The stadium view from where I was sitting..

Earlier that day, we also moved from Days' Inn into our hostel - The Middlebrook Hall in Uni of Minnesota. And here are some pictures that I'd taken in there.. It's just a twin-sharing room with me and my Roomie - Meibin.


And our friendly CA - Community Advisor, some sort of like House Reps that u get in Singapore hostels, kindly pasted the fishes on our door. My green turtle has been changed to a pretty blue Dory now! haha After much persuasion with my CA that I didn't want a green turtle (Ling) to represent me lolx ;-)
ps: Dear all, in case u are wondering, I had decided to call myself Ling here in order to allow the ppl here to pronounce my name with greater ease.. Well, at least its the closest to Leng!! heehee :)


6th of Jan: We went to Downtown Minneapolis with the GLOBE ppl (SMU's Icon equivalent) and we visited Target - WalMart's competitor to a certain extent (like Carrefour in Singapore I would think) and shopped around. Then we met up with Kim Huat and Sandy and we went to Lake Centennial - the lake near their house and I took some pictures. U all may find these pictures familiar if u continue to read on later ;-) (lolx.. U'll find out why later heehee) and I was quite fascinated by the frozen lake and even took picture of the leave frozen (the bottom right pict in the collage)

9th of Jan : We had dinner at Famous Daves which is at Calhoun Square with the International students (See above picture). It was an event organised by the GLOBE event here (like ICON in SMU) and we had western food. We had ribs which is ok (though I felt that Cafe Cartel's one is indeed better haha)

Took a random picture while on the bus - the bell. It's quite different from the ones we see in Singapore though some buses still have some of those press button type bells that we find in Singapore buses. Here, we just have to pull the string and the button will ring. It's easier I feel as the "string" runs through the length of the bus and so wherever u are on the bus, there is easy access to the bell :D Cool stuff!! lolx haha

Ok then.. Part one is FINALLY done!! lolx.. Shall rest a while before I continue with the rest of Jan :D

Announcements.. announcements..

Hi all,

I would like to officially declare that for more updates about my life.. and for more viewing pleasure, pls refer to Yorky's or Gina's blogs.. haha.. they are more conscientious in uploading photos than me.. so yup.. but then!! I will do so asap ok!! heehee *hugz*

From the Ultra - Super - Duper Lazy Leng~ :p

OopSS!!! It's been quite a while, isnt it? :)

Hi all!!! I'm back!!! But well.. not really.. Just feel like writing a lil today but will do a summary with all wonderful photos by next week... so be patient ok?

Reasons why I havent been updating my blog:-
1. Im so GawdDamn BUSY!!!
2. I did not have Internet for about 9 days after I shifted into my hostel since there was no wireless for some time till I borrowed a LAN cable from my friend recently
3. Im heehee lazy *blush*

Haiz.. this place is so weird manz!!! Ppl use to say.. life on exchange is slack and u do not have to study.. oh come on!!! Says who!!! I couldnt believe myself when I find so many ppl mugging in Week 1 already!!!! It's worse than SMU!!!

My 1st week of lessons and I already discovered that I have 3 assignments and one test due in Week 2 - how WeLcOmIng!!! Super bth lor.. haha.. but then what can I do.. I still went out to play with the rest but we spent our Sunday doing work in hostel super sianz!!

But oh well.. I had already handed in one of my assignments and the test will be in another 40 min time. Oh and I've got a Job!!! Working at University Dining Services at a place not too far away from my Hostel (approx 20 min walk, though there are buses as well =p) and I will be working from tomorrow onwards, 1030 - 130pm together with Tracy, a Hong Kong buddy here. We will be working in the Cafeteria in different stalls, hope it will be fine.. 6 hours a week and if the pay is ard USD$8 per hour.. I might be able to earn up to USD$600 - 700 for this sem, sounds like pretty lil' but hey!! Thats coz Im working only 6 hours a week!! Haha.. Where else can u get pay rate like SGD$12 for working in a place like Starbucks or Macs?!?! haha.. Interesting thought eh.. that amount shall be used to finance my travelling towards the end of term, after my exams!!

There had been some changes to my travelling plan and there is uncertainty if MY dearest might be able to join me in May ultimately, but whatever it is, I shall go travelling!!! heehee.. Will try to buy stuff for u guys if I still have the money left haha.. So pray hard eh?!

Ok then.. better ciaoz now.. else I might get my first F for the term today haha..

Peepz in Singapore.. Im beginning to miss u all le.. U might not believe.. but I really miss alot of u!!! Once u are reading this and u are from Singapore.. be sure that this msg is meant for u!! :D
TC in the meanwhile ok!! I will be back before u all know it.. wahaha *hugz all my buddies*

Photos galore~

Ok, this is gona be a lil' messy.. Just wanted to dump all the photos I had taken so far.. haha.. so pls bear with me if the order is jumping here and there.. :D

This is my Mall of America trip.. The supposedly biggest mall in America... But dun appear quite big lehz.. haha. This is Meibin and I on the Light Rail...


And that's the Light Rail tickets on the right. They do not require u to enter the tix into some slot but once they check, the penalty is hefty!! So better to play safe hehe :D

The following are some of the pix I took in the airport. On the left is my family... 1st row (L to R)Grandma (paternal) aka Popo, Grandma (maternal) aka Ah Ma, Mum, Dad.. 2nd row (L to R) Jie and mi..

The picture on the right is my sisters clique.. Poon Nian, Jiahui and Mi. Ning left earlier as she has to work on the 30th in the morn but she came over with her bf, YuDa on the 29th night heehee

This pict is my Dearest and mi.. Thanks for everything Dear.. for sooo supporting mi even when I am 9061 miles away.. I will be there for u too *hugz* I miss u Dear..


Ellince and I!! Thanks for waking up so early gurls!! And I love the Lanyard!! haha

Deardear and my sisters and Ellince at the airport - the youngsters there hehe



Nice sky.. for my Dearest.. Took this outside the factory outlets on day 3... nice place to shop!! Real low prices!!
Meet MinnoMan the snowman.. that we 3 built.. The hat is mine.. It's quite a small snowman but then.. hey not easy ok!! Lolx.. It's like building snowman with flaky Ice Kacang.. oh manz.. try that!! lolx ;-)

Days' Inn van.. Took this from my hotel lobby.. This is the hotel I am in now.. outside.. snow is melting..
A Zi lian pict of a zi Lian Ah Leng.. Anytime.. anywhere!! haha.. In the hotel lobby and in 4 layers of clothing.. Thermal wear, Pink woolen cardigan, white Everlast jacket, black trench coat, only 0 degrees outside haha
Mall of America - the biggest mall in USA; smaller than any malls u can find u KL but bigger than VivoCity.. I think!! haha
Nice sky and sun rays again.. the Sun is glaring thru the blinds and yep.. snow out there!!
This is the making of MinnoMan!!! :D Nice eh.. from such a small ball aha.. :D

Ok I really apologise for this koyak listing of photos.. the captions are everywhere.. hha I'm still new to blogging lar.. forgive mi k? hehe.. Anw I will tc of myself and shall move to my Middlebrook hostel on Friday. FYIs.. and then.. school will only start on the 16th Jan.. Till then I will keep u all updated.. no Internet for the next few days.. but dun miss mi ok!! heehee.. Till Wed when I have Internet access again.. ciaoz~ :D