I feel like the transition from being a full-time student in college and having a full-time job has been rather difficult. First, I can’t sleep as late as I use to and I can’t stay up as late watching thankless videos on the Internet till all hours of the night. Furthermore, I don’t get any afternoon naps and my day doesn’t end at noon. Although, I do like making a steady income and I feel like working has some great benefits that I didn’t really see when I was thinking about getting a full-time job. The major things I didn’t think about were mainly focused around amount of benefits my company has like dental and medical insurance and the two week paid vacation days. In college, I always got a lot more vacation days but I didn’t get paid while I was taking them. Plus, I’ve finally gotten out from under the watchful eye of my parents and I finally have my own place. My dad recently sent me a link to http://shopElectricityRatesTEXAS.com/ that really helped me understand the importance of having fixed energy costs. Now I feel like this is one less thing I have to worry about and something I wish I would’ve known about in college.
Thanks to Roman May
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
Naruto
One of the shows that first got me hooked on Japanese animation was the show Naruto. So when I realized that I could watch it here in the states on satellite TV, that I got after seeing these directstartv.com, I was thrilled to say the least. Catching the first few episodes that night swept me with a feeling of nostalgia. I'd forgotten how much I loved the characters of Uzumaki, Naruto and Uchiha, Sasuke. The show focuses on these two young ninjas as they form a brotherly rivalry through their shared experiences and one of their team's biggest missions. Naruto is the main character and basically plays the role of the hard-working underdog with a big dream. Sasuke, on the other hand, is considered a prodigy. His character has both an inferiority complex and a desire for revenge against his last remaining family member, his brother Itachi. Itachi has been banished from the village for the murder of his clan members, including his own parents. The beginning parts focus on Naruto's incredible growth as a ninja after he comes under the tutelage of Kakashi, the team's leader and an upper ranked ninja. This fosters both a growing respect and a feeling of inferiority in Sasuke as the two compete in every mission. They begin to look upon each other as brothers, but everything changes when Sasuke's brother returns for a visit.
(Guest post from: Issac Bird)
(Guest post from: Issac Bird)
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
Lockhart
One lazy afternoon, we turned on the TV and saw a show introducing different parts of Texas. It was called the Daytripper, and we found it very interesting. My 6-year-old son who watched the show with us, loved it, and was always begging to go the the places introduced by the host. Ever since I saw the show on Lockhart, I had been craving for some good, greasy barbecue!
This Easter weekend, I had the chance of visiting Lockhart with my family. We drove to all the "famous" barbecue places introduced on the show, and finally chose one to satisfy our hunger. We didn't really know what we were doing, and ordered our food "ignorantly". The food tasted good, but we wished we knew what we were doing while we got in line. We passed by the jail museum, but didn't go in, much to the disappointment of our 6-year-old. He was hoping to meet the ghost who craved barbecue introduced on the show.
Anyway, it was interesting! We may visit Lockhart again, and try one of the other 3 famous barbecue places.
This Easter weekend, I had the chance of visiting Lockhart with my family. We drove to all the "famous" barbecue places introduced on the show, and finally chose one to satisfy our hunger. We didn't really know what we were doing, and ordered our food "ignorantly". The food tasted good, but we wished we knew what we were doing while we got in line. We passed by the jail museum, but didn't go in, much to the disappointment of our 6-year-old. He was hoping to meet the ghost who craved barbecue introduced on the show.
Anyway, it was interesting! We may visit Lockhart again, and try one of the other 3 famous barbecue places.
Monday, October 6, 2008
Hawker Fair
The traffic was bad! It was worse than the evacuation traffic when we were fleeing from Ike! Who would have expected that? With a four-year-old and a 9-month-old baby in the car, it was not very pleasant. It took us two hours to reach Bear Creek Park. We were going to attend a gathering organized by the Malaysia-Singapore Association based in Houston. The theme of the gathering was Hawker Fair.
Needless to say, my mouth was watering, and my tummy growling, by the time we reached the park, and the designated pavilion. The aroma of the familiar food smell of home washed my fatigue away instantly. There was already a big crowd there, busy devouring all kinds of food found in Singapore and Malaysia. We bought our coupons, and I made my way to the Nasi Lemak store, and got myself some lunch. Then my husband got some Fried Noodles (Cha Kway Teow). Since we were late, most of the stalls were already stripped of their yummy food! However, the Nasi Lemak was so tasty I did not even mind that! I was even able to get myself a bowl of Laksa after sharing the Nasi Lemak with my four-year-old.
After settling my tummy, I started to look around. It was our first time at an activity organized by the Malaysia-Singapore Association for Malaysians and Singaporeans. I talked to one of the organizers, who was extremely helpful. He introduced us to some Singaporeans who lived near us. However, like typical Singaporeans, the majority of the fellow Singaporeans and Malaysians gathered there seemed a little unfriendly. Nobody came forward to introduce himself, or herself to us. Most of them already had friends they knew, and stuck to, throughout the gathering. I tried to strike up a conversation with some of the vendors, but got very little response. Guess not all Singaporeans living in the foreign country of U.S. were as desperate as me, to seek out another fellow Singaporean. I did get to know a couple of them at the gathering, and satisfied my craving of speaking "rojak" English!
I did enjoy myself at the Hawker Fair, despite it falling below my expectations, in terms of friendliness. However, I am determined to attend more activities, so that my half-American kids can get in touch with their mother's roots.
Needless to say, my mouth was watering, and my tummy growling, by the time we reached the park, and the designated pavilion. The aroma of the familiar food smell of home washed my fatigue away instantly. There was already a big crowd there, busy devouring all kinds of food found in Singapore and Malaysia. We bought our coupons, and I made my way to the Nasi Lemak store, and got myself some lunch. Then my husband got some Fried Noodles (Cha Kway Teow). Since we were late, most of the stalls were already stripped of their yummy food! However, the Nasi Lemak was so tasty I did not even mind that! I was even able to get myself a bowl of Laksa after sharing the Nasi Lemak with my four-year-old.
After settling my tummy, I started to look around. It was our first time at an activity organized by the Malaysia-Singapore Association for Malaysians and Singaporeans. I talked to one of the organizers, who was extremely helpful. He introduced us to some Singaporeans who lived near us. However, like typical Singaporeans, the majority of the fellow Singaporeans and Malaysians gathered there seemed a little unfriendly. Nobody came forward to introduce himself, or herself to us. Most of them already had friends they knew, and stuck to, throughout the gathering. I tried to strike up a conversation with some of the vendors, but got very little response. Guess not all Singaporeans living in the foreign country of U.S. were as desperate as me, to seek out another fellow Singaporean. I did get to know a couple of them at the gathering, and satisfied my craving of speaking "rojak" English!
I did enjoy myself at the Hawker Fair, despite it falling below my expectations, in terms of friendliness. However, I am determined to attend more activities, so that my half-American kids can get in touch with their mother's roots.
Friday, June 6, 2008
The World at A Glance
Sharon was excited! She just got her first job, after graduating from College. She was on the phone with her best friend from College, Carmen, who also just got a job. The girls were already planning their first vacation together! They talked about travelling around the world, and for their first trip, they would like to travel far!
Sharon was on the phone with Carmen again. Half a year had gone by, and both were still loving their jobs. It was time for them to plan for their vacation together. Sharon's brother-in-law went on business trips a lot, and told her he found one website really useful. Sharon and Carmen had selected a few places at random, just to check what was available and attractive out there. They clicked on Venice Hotels, and see what the site had to offer. They liked what they saw, but they wanted to look at more places, before they decided which part of the world they wanted to see first. Next, they looked under China Hotels, and were amazed when they realised how many places they could see, just in China alone. They spent some time looking at the other countries in Asia too, and came to a conclusion. They had to do it fast, if they wanted to see the world before they settled down. Then they looked at New Zealand Hotels, and fell in love with the beautiful country of New Zealand.
Their eyes were gleaming with enthusiasm as they got off the computer! What a world of discoveries was awaiting them! Life was good! Sharon and Carmen felt there were so many interesting places beckoning them, that it would take them a while to make up their minds which end of the world to start their exploring!
Sharon was on the phone with Carmen again. Half a year had gone by, and both were still loving their jobs. It was time for them to plan for their vacation together. Sharon's brother-in-law went on business trips a lot, and told her he found one website really useful. Sharon and Carmen had selected a few places at random, just to check what was available and attractive out there. They clicked on Venice Hotels, and see what the site had to offer. They liked what they saw, but they wanted to look at more places, before they decided which part of the world they wanted to see first. Next, they looked under China Hotels, and were amazed when they realised how many places they could see, just in China alone. They spent some time looking at the other countries in Asia too, and came to a conclusion. They had to do it fast, if they wanted to see the world before they settled down. Then they looked at New Zealand Hotels, and fell in love with the beautiful country of New Zealand.
Their eyes were gleaming with enthusiasm as they got off the computer! What a world of discoveries was awaiting them! Life was good! Sharon and Carmen felt there were so many interesting places beckoning them, that it would take them a while to make up their minds which end of the world to start their exploring!
Thursday, May 8, 2008
Diving Adventure
Fay had a successful career, great friends and family. She was 32, but still single. She did not feel the urge to settle down right away, but felt she might like to have her own family some day. She loved the sea, and took up scuba diving a couple of years ago. She still hung out with her fellow scuba diving 'classmates', whether out at sea, or on land. They had been talking about making a trip to Australia - a hot spot for scuba divers, and to spend most of the days scuba diving.
Fay volunteered to plan the trip. She had made several trips overseas, and had used the same website to reserve hotels, and check out sightseeing-spots. She browsed under Sheraton hotels, and looked at the different locations to check if there was one close to a beach with an interesting underwater world. She had great fun looking at the pictures of the hotels provided on the site. Then she checked Rydges Hotels, and marvelled at the great facilities offered by these hotels. Even though Fay would not need a conference room this time, she took note of the conference facilities, and made sure to remember to tell her boss about them. Her boss just might arrange a business meeting in Australia! Next, she looked at the hotels listed under Travelodge, and noted that they offered very cheap rates. The price was very appealing, but Fay still went on to check on another group of hotels, under Radisson Hotels. Fay finally decided she could not make the choice among all the fabulous hotels for the group by herself. She printed out the options, and called a meeting with her friends, to finalise plans for the trip.
Fay's friends were impressed with how efficient she was. They did not expect her to come up with such good options in so short a time. Fay smiled to herself as she recalled the effort she had put in - just letting her fingers do the walking - over her keyboard!
Fay volunteered to plan the trip. She had made several trips overseas, and had used the same website to reserve hotels, and check out sightseeing-spots. She browsed under Sheraton hotels, and looked at the different locations to check if there was one close to a beach with an interesting underwater world. She had great fun looking at the pictures of the hotels provided on the site. Then she checked Rydges Hotels, and marvelled at the great facilities offered by these hotels. Even though Fay would not need a conference room this time, she took note of the conference facilities, and made sure to remember to tell her boss about them. Her boss just might arrange a business meeting in Australia! Next, she looked at the hotels listed under Travelodge, and noted that they offered very cheap rates. The price was very appealing, but Fay still went on to check on another group of hotels, under Radisson Hotels. Fay finally decided she could not make the choice among all the fabulous hotels for the group by herself. She printed out the options, and called a meeting with her friends, to finalise plans for the trip.
Fay's friends were impressed with how efficient she was. They did not expect her to come up with such good options in so short a time. Fay smiled to herself as she recalled the effort she had put in - just letting her fingers do the walking - over her keyboard!
Tuesday, May 6, 2008
A French Honeymoon!
Kathy was excited! She and her college sweet-heart, Kazu, were going to be married in a couple of weeks! They were going to France for their honeymoon! Kathy had never been to France, and had dreamt about spending her honeymoon there. Her dream had come true! Kazu travelled to France a number of times on business trips, and so knew the place pretty well. He would have no problems with driving Kathy around to wherever she wished to go.
Kazu told Kathy she could choose whatever spot she wished to visit in France. He told her about a website on the Internet, where she could look up information about hotels and places of interest, and make reservations if she wanted to. Kathy decided they simply had to make a stop at Paris - the most romantic city in the world! She looked at the different hotels under Paris Hôtels [ NB special character on hôtels ô ], on the website Kazu had told her, and picked a hotel to her liking. The next place Kathy thought they should explore was Marseilles, another major city of France. She chose a tradtional hotel from the many listed under Marseilles Hôtels, and then went on to look at other hot spots being recommended on the site. The name Toulouse popped up, and Kathy immediately decided she and Kazu had to make a stop there. She liked the name, and browsed the section on Toulouse Hôtels. After going through a difficult elimination process, she finally reserved a room at one of the many hotels listed there. Bordeaux was the next city at which Kathy decided she and Kazu would spend their honeymoon. There were a lot of choices for accomodations under Bordeaux Hôtels, and Kathy reserved a room in one of them closest to a lot of places of interest.
Kathy sat back in her chair, and stretched herself! Ah! France, here we come - as a married couple! Kathy shut her eyes, and a smile of bliss spread across her face.
Kazu told Kathy she could choose whatever spot she wished to visit in France. He told her about a website on the Internet, where she could look up information about hotels and places of interest, and make reservations if she wanted to. Kathy decided they simply had to make a stop at Paris - the most romantic city in the world! She looked at the different hotels under Paris Hôtels [ NB special character on hôtels ô ], on the website Kazu had told her, and picked a hotel to her liking. The next place Kathy thought they should explore was Marseilles, another major city of France. She chose a tradtional hotel from the many listed under Marseilles Hôtels, and then went on to look at other hot spots being recommended on the site. The name Toulouse popped up, and Kathy immediately decided she and Kazu had to make a stop there. She liked the name, and browsed the section on Toulouse Hôtels. After going through a difficult elimination process, she finally reserved a room at one of the many hotels listed there. Bordeaux was the next city at which Kathy decided she and Kazu would spend their honeymoon. There were a lot of choices for accomodations under Bordeaux Hôtels, and Kathy reserved a room in one of them closest to a lot of places of interest.
Kathy sat back in her chair, and stretched herself! Ah! France, here we come - as a married couple! Kathy shut her eyes, and a smile of bliss spread across her face.
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