Flyin' High

Did you see that?

2010-10-12T11:38:00.004-05:00

'Did you see that? did you SEE that?!?!?'

wouldnt that freak you out when your bf shouted that in the middle of the night, when everyone is asleep? Hahahaha..

Life had been really relaxing lately that i even find small things (like above) hilarious. In case you are wondering what I'm up to, as in after graduation/after Ireland, I'm now looking hard for a job to help me sustain my status in the States. Long enough until my OPT expired, until I enroll into grad school: That what I'm up to.

Aside from bumming around, not doing much at all. I watched most of the movies on Netflix already, the entire LOTR trilogy in 2 days too. Read a couple of books, clean my room, went for interviews, on site/ on the phone.. and got rid of some unfavorable old memories as well. Now that I've listed all that was done so far, i would consider myself productive but definitely not impressive.

I guess the best part about my long break so far, is reading the book called 'The Energy Bus'. TF brought it home one evening, I read it and loved it :) It was the right book at the right time; I've received important messages from the author and I felt a lot better about my current situation. I'm sure it has changed my perceptions on many things and probably is preparing me to a more positive future.

Books of sorts, needs to be read often. I can assure you, positivity comes and go a lot in life and it needs to be reminded. Mine went away while I was down, feeling upset with rejections from companies, or feeling incapable.. but was soon reminded by 'the energy bus'. Now, I feel great with the things I do for myself and for the others.

The next book, I wish I'll find shall teach me how to forgive. I hold on to some grudges, I really want to let it go. You can read as many quotes and can understand them all, but when it boils down to action: its a lot more effort than you think. Isn't it right?

We'll see.... :)

Good Bye Lads

2010-08-16T05:34:00.002-05:00

Some part of me really wants to be back in Ames with my love ones but theres still a little part of me that wishes to stay in Cork. After all, it has been 9 weeks and I've made a good number of friends. I feel sad having to bid goodbye and wonder when we will meet again.

There will be one person that I miss very much, professor Fox. Although he can be rather intimidating and direct when it comes to research and papers, he played a very encouraging character throughout my internship in Ireland. Like the rest of the weekdays, almost like his daily routine where he will visit me in the lab and be updated on my research progress; but this time was to bid farewell and to wish me the very best. The last thing he said was :'be good' :) I wish for the day to come where he will stop reviewing my paper for the 20th times, but my heart felt heavy when I realized that I might never meet such a dedicated professor anymore.

The cheese lab, 322 lab, vict lodge buddies, Diana, Avril, the technicians, James..

All these people has made my experience in Cork a great one, and i am going to be missing them very much. Regardless if I get the fundings to continue my studies here in UCC, I promise to make it a point to stay in touch.

So here it goes. A tiny chapter of my life in Ireland has come to an end and theres only good memories, good experience.

In love with voices of the high kings

2010-07-26T05:27:00.001-05:00

: Read
Galway To Graceland Lyrics
here.

Reflection after Inception

2010-07-25T06:33:00.004-05:00

I've heard so many feedbacks on the movie and thus I was prepared for the ultimate complexity. For the first time, I was focus for the entire two ++ hours. I realized as I grow that I have rather short attention span. I can focus and listen to you without missing a word for the first 20 to 25 minutes. After that, you will appear to be babbling. Well, I guess I just want to be ready for the discussion on Monday over lunch with my fellow lab colleagues :)

It's a good movie, with awesome graphics, very creative plot and good sound effects. There is certainly a disappointment, or should I say suspense as it has such an open ending. If you ask me, I would say he's still in his dream; and its just the way i would interpret it. It was better than I've expected. It's definitely is a two thumbs up!

By the way, Im proud that Leonardo has changed from a kiddo to a grown matured man. He has transformed from a 'You jump, I jump' to 'No I wont jump'. Believe me, I chuckled loudly during that part of the movie, rather embarrassing :P

Some good latte to help me focus better before the movie :)

of Jameson Whiskey and London Baby

2010-07-19T12:40:00.012-05:00

As much as I tried to work hard, I traveled hard as well. Due to financial constrain, I gave up on visiting Rome and Ancona but I'm sure opportunities will come by again. My thoughtful boyfriend did mentioned about sponsoring my trip but trips are different without him. When the opportunity comes, I'll discover the Vatican city, Colosseum, and the beautiful beach of Ancona with him, my signore :)

I am absolutely bad with alcohol, within 5 minutes and you'll see my face flushing red with the AJ (Alcohol Jacket). It did when I visited the Jameson Whiskey distillery and got my diploma in whiskey tasting. Jameson is much smoother than scotch and american whiskey. The difference will be the American whiskey, ie. JD, only distilled once; the scotch, twice while Jameson, trice.

That was a Sunday. On the following Thursday, I flew off to London and the trip was fabulous! I was flying with Ryannair and so I had to travel very light and I'm proud with the fact that I fit everything in just one backpack. We visited a bunch of boring museums, major sight seeing places like Marble Arch, Big Ben, House of Parliament, Trafalgar Square, Westminster Abbey, Tower of London, London eye, Shakespeare Globe, Tate Museum, London Bridge, Tower Bridge, Buckingham Palace,Camden Market and Oxford st for more shopping. I went to the ICE BAR and watch the "Sister Act" musical as well. The underground seems very confusing at first, after a while its just really straight forward and convenient to get around on it.

National History Museum

Science Museum

Bendera berkibar di angkasa. Lambang negara jaya. Rakyat sepakat sehati sejiwa. Tekad berbakti dengan megah. la la la~

Trafalgar Square with National Gallery Museum at the back

Picture with the beefeeder at Tower of London

Tower Bridge

Big Ben

Discovered Restoran Melayu, went hysterical, had time to calmed down and ordered Tek Tarik and Kway Tiaw Goreng (Style Melayu)

London ICE BAR

Burrrr............

Now, my wallet is officially bleeding, with cash flowing out like blood gushing out. I'm still looking forward towards Dublin and Giant Causeway in Northern Ireland. Queen Elizabeth, you should thank me, i'm that person that keep your country's economy going.

Later :)

That moment of time

2010-07-02T18:45:00.000-05:00

Was indeed very relaxing, the most wonderful time I’ve ever had.

Have you ever felt as if your car was moving when the other cars passed by?

I felt the same way today except: I wasn’t in the car; I was lying down on the floor at gym after a long intensive workout, looking up at the blue cloudy sky through the glass ceiling. I thought for a second that I was flying when the strong wind blew away those clouds; I knew immediately that it was an illusion but I insist of living the illusion for longer. Although that was just a short 5 minutes; it was just me and the clouds with Elton John’s ‘Tiny Dancers’ playing as background. I felt light, relaxed and ZEN.

I love that feeling.

It is different from the exciting, heart throbbing lustful nights. It is also different feelings than falling in love. I can’t describe it. You’ve got to feel it.

It’s perfect.

Ireland baby!

2010-06-29T08:12:00.007-05:00

Greetings from Ireland :)

I’ve been waiting for the entire semester to do my internship in Ireland but I am obviously more hyped about the traveling around than the research internship itself. The journey to the other side of the world was shorter than going back home but still a distance. I’m glad I had great company and now im settled down in Cork with no complains.

Crystal and I posing in front of the UCC gate

It’s beautiful here in Ireland, regardless of where you are, north, south, east or west; the sceneries are beyond description, you really got to see it for yourself. I travelled to Galway last weekend and it was gorgeous! Anyone who has seen the movie ‘Leap year’, you’ll know what I’m talking about. Crystal and I took the bus to Galway, stayed in the B&B and took the ‘Cliffs of Moher’ tour the following day.

Cliffs of Moher

It was my first time staying at the B&B, I was nervous wondering if it turned out to be some crazy lady staying in it (too much horror movie) but was at the same time excited about the promising traditional Irish breakfast. It turned out that John and Marie were really nice couple, they even phoned up the tour bus to come pick us up in front of the house. Needless to say, the breakfast was oh! So wonderful!

I took bui bui on the bus tour, travelling with us as our Ireland travelling mascot. We stopped in nearly 6 different castles, and some historical places. It was all in all a very fruitful trip as well as a tiring one :) I'm excited for more! :D

I don't know what to put as title~

2010-05-29T12:44:00.005-05:00

While waiting to leave for Ireland, I stayed home in Ames chillaxing every day :) Wake up 15 minutes before noon, have some good brunch and look around for things to do. Referring to my previous post saying that life is such a no brainer these few weeks, I can only say that it's not bad at all since I only need to do simple thinking/ make simple decisions. Very relaxing :)

Since I don't have much to do, I try to be back on track with the running. The other intern from UNL happened to be a super 'semangated' runner, so we all registered for a 10k in Ireland in July. Hopefully she keeps me motivated so that I still be able to make it for the September Triathlon. Er.. see first la~ hehe :)

On the side note, 12 of us went on a bike trip around Ames and it was really fun! All the huff and puff was worth it. Although cycling by the road was a little dangerous but it was over all a successful trip. To reward the hard work, we all had dinner in Golden Corral and BS throughout the entire meal. Well, we did have some creative ideas especially with Ashwin's current room. *wink*

The night ended with an awesome chit chat, beer, and a good warm bonfire. A great night with my dearest friend(s). Even though they blew up my graduation balloons, I still really love them.

I now look forward to getting a job and live a good life..

*California girl, in making* :)

2010-05-26T22:13:00.003-05:00

I'm must accept the fact that I'm on my own now, and I must be responsible with the things i do, and words i say.

Its making me stressful!

2010-05-26T12:27:00.002-05:00

say something else than 'dont know', saying 'dont know' is unacceptable.

at least for me.

My observations

2010-05-25T22:09:00.002-05:00

Finally done with school, and done with the family trip..
I am either at home now or running errands. If it is not for Cynthia and Nicole, I had probably be stuck at home the entire time.

ive been watching drama, eating, going out with Cynthia.. Life has been really easy, a no brainer at all.

Because it is such a no brainer, i have so much time observing a lot of flaws in myself. I am lack of motivation, i eat too fast, etc.

Because life is such a no brainer FOR NOW, i need to figure out a way to stop the fast eating and should push myself to running out door, pack, and be prepared for ireland.

Come, Ireland, come quick.. i want to get over and done with the boring days.

the anti-climax

2010-05-23T16:44:00.001-05:00

So, i finally graduated..
now what?

damn the anti-climax.

The New Year Resolution

2010-01-03T12:16:00.004-06:00

2010 is the year I looked forward to since the day I touched down in the states. This year, I will graduate with a degree in Food Science and Industry. A bonus will be the surprise internship in Ireland after graduation and follow up with a job hunt, a full time job.

Flying an almost 10 thousand miles from Malaysia to Des Moines on the August 2007 has marked a giant leap forward in my life. For the past 2 and a half years, I had my painful down fall but no matter what happened, I told myself to fight and I stood up strong again. Of course, I did not do this by myself, I have great friends, sisters and brothers who has decided to travel with me through the thick and thins. From them I learned to love, care and self preserve. The years in the states has thought me to be a good daughter, good sister, good friend, good girl friend, good student, good leader...Like many others, I developed my own definition of being a good person and to be like one, I believe that it will be a life long learning process.

Thus in 2010, I promise to self improve, to have stronger determination in pursuing my dreams.

'I will not quit, I excel or I'll die trying'

you think you dare?

2009-12-16T08:56:00.004-06:00

Are you daring enough?

If i dare you to do something, would you do it?

How about i dare you to be responsible for the things you dare to do..

ah.... this might keep somebody thinking for a bit.

I realized the people around me are able to do pretty much whatever they want and I doubt if they ever think about the consequences of their doings.

please do not get me wrong, I am not judging if they are good or bad doings. Instead, I am just speaking in general on how people react towards responsibilities that follows after their 'dare'.

I would not speak on behalf of everyone, but sometimes people tend to pick up a dare so easily. I'm assuming that it may due to high pride, ultimate 'kiasuness', or the 'youdoIALSOMUSTDO' mentally.. I must also agree that some others are just way too open minded, even if it was yuckiest thing on earth, they will go ahead and do it.

well, if its something like fear factor, where you practically have 50 thousand USD as a motivation, that will be totally worth it. :)

how about something you did as a dare that involves no prizes or rewards. In return, it gives you a tons of troubles..

such as, taking 10 shots as a dare, and next day wake up naked, (guys and girls.. )

jump from the 5th floor and broke a leg

eat something expired and later diagnosed with Clostridium Botulinum infection, which is highly lethal.

you might think that i am taking it waaaay too seriously. (I know I probably am) but you must understand that shit happens at times. The worst part is, you don't know when it can happen? who will it happened to? before you know it, it might be you..

it needs not to be an action, something verbal can be a good example too. I guess words are not as risky as actions but it is the same.

the gist of this post is,

you can listen to T.I, believe that you can do whatever you like,

but you must learn to be responsible with the things you do.

if you dare do, you must dare to admit; dare to take the responsibles instead of running away..

* it makes you an even 'jia lat' person, if you did something, and pretend like you didn't do it *

you not shame one meh~?

*this post is not directed to anyone.. It is just a random thoughts while I was studying for FS HN 472. (clearly, I am not paying attention)Again, no need to feel offended.. don't even waste your time feeling sorry, or hating me. not talking about you also.. hahah!*

p/s: Dear readers, comments are highly welcome. I'll like to hear your thoughts on this :)

i saw mommy kissing santa claus

2009-12-10T19:50:00.000-06:00

when that happen,

you need to quickly run to your dad and tell him,

she might be having affair with santa..

LOL! sorry, this is totally random..

dead week syndrome..

peace~

HELLO :)

2009-12-09T22:17:00.002-06:00

Ireland! teacht I anseo!

2009-12-04T14:40:00.004-06:00

Ireland! here I come~!

I am advise not to let people (especially other people who applied) know about this yet..
and I initially did not want to tell too many people,, but.. but...
this is toooooo exciting!
and I am happy about it every. single. DAY!! >.< I got selected for a HPP summer internship at UCC, Ireland! :)

My flight will be paid for, my accommodation at University College Cork will also be paid for, Aside from that, I get 20 euros every day..
I'll be working under an expert in High Pressure Processing for a sum of 10 weeks..

what will be really fun, will be ..
meeting up with HELP kakis at UCD, traveling..
and maybe meet with a new career pathway.. *wink*

Whatever it is, it will be a blast, an amazing experience and a challenge, but I'm already up for all! Bring it ON! >.<

I will come back, I love Ames too much! hahaha! XD

Perfecto!

2009-12-02T21:01:00.003-06:00

I think I am gifted in many ways. For instance, I can eat breakfast as dinner and lunch. *wink*

try this,

toast one bread and don't toast the other,

spread toasted bread with peanut butter

and butter on the other

one slice of cheese in between

give it a good bite.. take sometime in enjoying the texture..

Oh My Guanyinma! it is PERFECT! perfect texture! perfect flavor!

Post Thanksgiving Syndrome.

2009-11-30T11:18:00.003-06:00

After one week of a good holiday. "Good enough to rest, sleep well, eat well, play well etc etc" First day of classes after thanksgiving seems kinda odd. I cannot describe this feeling inside. It is almost like a blend of panic, restless, and heart just keep pounding faster and faster. As if something is going to happen. Gee...Its just weird..

I will claim that I had an awesome break despite the mountain high of assignments and research papers I have yet to complete. Well, eventually things will all fall into place, its just the matter of time. This is rule #1 from the art of procrastination. *wink*

1o things I did and enjoyed very much over the break:
#1. Roasting that yummy turkey
#2. STAA joy ride with Cynthia and Chloe (and still loving it)
#3. Sushi House (absolutely Yummy)
#4. Whirlpool Amana plant tour (eye opening!)
#5. Watching Feng Sheng with Teng Foong
(Thanks Richard for the recommendation!)
#6. Stemboat with the CR kakis
#7. Played the bean bean game and man, its fun but tiring.. hahah!
#8. Watch the line grow longer and longer in every outlet store
#9. Panera early morning after whole night of watching people shop
#10. Back to hanging out with friends in Ames.

Although the black Friday shopping spree was not that much of a success for me, I had a great time chilling and just watching people do their spendings.
Cha ching! Cha Ching!

Pray hard that the uncomfortable feeling will go away,pray harder that I will be able to concentrate and focus hard enough of this two weeks of crunch time.
Good luck everyone! Lets work hard for the last two weeks before finals! hard work will pay off, trust me! we will work our ass off for the two weeks and own the final paper!

GO FOLKS! WE CAN ALL DO THIS!

my "Thanksgiving" break

2009-11-24T10:23:00.004-06:00

Thanksgiving, in definition to others:

" Thanksgiving was historically a religious observation to give thanks to God, but is now primarily identified as a secular holiday. During Thanksgiving Day families and friends usually gather for a large meal or dinner. Consequently the Thanksgiving holiday weekend is one of the busiest travel periods of the year. Thanksgiving is a four-day or five-day weekend vacation for schools and colleges. "

All is true, except that whatever that is bold is a LIE!

Let me enlighten you with the true meaning of thanksgiving:

" Thanksgiving is a 9 days break of relaxing and resting after crazy semesters of projects, research papers, 15 hours lab a week, and tons of meetings. AND it doesn't end right there. I have 2 research paper,1 lab report,2 homeworks, 1 take home exam,one exam after thanksgiving and a group presentation."

At least, I am happy that I'm going to meet up with Teng Foong on Wednesday, visit Amana colony,have dinner at Sushi Hse, steamboat with keny and gang, then some black friday shopping at Williamsburg. :)
It will be my very first manufacturing plant tour! I am excited to see how it differs from food processing plant.

Imagine little refrigerator lining up in a conveyor belt, waiting to be fried and come out as 'fridge chips'.. they probably come in different flavors, spicy, barbeque, cheese fridge chips.. hahaha!

Hm.. I need to get back to my pile of assignments. Hopefully I'll get most of it, ALL OF IT done today so I can probably enjoy the rest of the week. In which means, there will be no sight of Rachel anywhere else than her room, in front of the computer, finishing up those projects..

J.O.Y.

Random~

2009-11-11T13:39:00.002-06:00

1. International Week in this friday!
2. and it adds up some stress, "eustress"
3. I am going to Rec later
4. work out one day a week is so not sufficient
5. Skipping class now, oh well.. its Dr. Wilson.. so SKIP!
6. Cant wait to hear back from Dr. Zeece
7. if 'yes', IRELAND, here I come!
8. Why 15 people have to ride in 6 cars, cannot car pool meh?!
9. Brazilians dont like to car pool.
10. what should i eat for dinner? nyumz.
11. who should i ask out to dine with?
12. Why Chloe must work on Wednesday.
13. Dr. Lamsal's math is very bad, add my exams scores wrongly!
14. MU doesn't have good sandwich, the company actually 'taste' better
15. Patrick is a messed up person
16. whats with the 'flick' and king changed to queen?!
17. Teng foong is coming home on Friday (as usual)
18. I am always excited upon his arrival ( as usual)
19. Monday wake up, wish it would be Friday
20. Tuesday wake up, wish it would be Friday
21. Wednesday wake up, wish it would be Friday
22. Thursday wake up, wish it would be Friday
23. Friday wake up, wish it would be 6pm soon
24. Saturday wake up, wish it would always be saturday
25. Sunday wake up, wish Monday never existed
26. Sushi Lunch on Saturday again?!
27. Nope! 12 hour famine is on Saturday
28. Will Dr. Boylston hates me for always FFK her on Friday?
29. Wants to do well for 406
30. International week, PARTY after After party! XD

Bangkok Life Insurance trilogy :)

2009-10-20T16:12:00.000-05:00

keep up buddy

2009-10-06T21:47:00.001-05:00

I've decided to like this advertisement, very much. =)

The Hardest Thing is also..

2009-09-30T02:17:00.003-05:00

not to point fingers..

its only easy to put the blame on others when things don't go your ways.

Just when you point a finger at someone, please be aware than the other four fingers are actually pointing back at yourself. It is always easier to be mad at someone else, for something he/she didn't do and even worse: for something he/she didn't do to make you happy.

Happiness grows from within. Please be happy yourself and Never rely on others to make you happy. because you don' live for others, you live for yourself. You can only truly love others when you start loving yourself. :)

Don't live in a world of self-fulfilling prophecy. Be open-minded, accept constructive criticism open heartedly.

When you fail to take criticism, you are one step back from self improvement, further to succession in life.

Don't eat the marshmallow yet!

2009-09-24T19:13:00.004-05:00

you can either eat it now, or you wait.. wait for 15minutes and get 2 marshmallows...which one do you pick?

The new idea here is that,

"if a person can bear to have delayed gratification, he/she are prone to success in future"

For instance,

Skip a short trip to Minneapolis and save up for Paris during winter.

Skip that scrumptious tiramisu and have a body of Megan Fox.

Skip the fun time or party at a friends place to study and do better in an exam.

and it all boils down to self discipline, determination, and of course: your choice.

We all make sacrifices in life,

one day we will have to lose one thing for another,

one day we will need to bid goodbye and pursue own life,

one day (or many days) we will need to skip the happy hours and work OT,

one day we will need to stop man hunting and have eyes for only one,

one day we will need to give up on that prada bag for daughter's tuition fees,

but heres what,

the days you worked OT, gives you a promotion

the days you finally have eyes for one, you found your love and have a happy family

that day you give up on the prada bag, your children is on their way to great success

and perhaps going through the same thing like you did.

Delayed gratification for me, is sacrificing for now and enjoyment later.

in lame man's term, suffering now and goyang kaki later..

I personally like this one very much, it reminds me to keep moving forward.

your gift is in front of you, but you got through those hurdles that spells 'not this time', 'try again', 'good try' until you reach the one that says 'congratulations!' :)

Golden Birthday :) cont'd

2009-09-21T05:52:00.009-05:00

THANK YOU ALL!

for coming to surprise me with the cake! it was awesome to have you all around to celebrate my 21st birthday..*smiles*

just when i thought nothing great was going to happen, I guess you guys were there at my corridor quietly whispering. hehe.

I had a real good time, thanks a bunch! ><

My favorite Tiramisu from Cafe Milo

I usually have one serving and I'll be on cloud nine

but now I have the whole box of tiramisu! *slurp!*

Cynthia also made me an ice cream cake, A HOMEMADE ICE CREAM CAKE! ><

no pictures... because it was 'sau gau-ed' in 5 minutes

nuff' said.

The girls..

Yini Tan, Yi ying, Jaslyn, me, Yunnie and Chloe

6326 and I

Botak head Gengkis Tan Wooi Hau (SH) ski and his signature

"i-cannot-see-ur-eyes-la" smile..

and a picture with the apple of my eye ;)

~thanks again!~

Golden Birthday :)

2009-09-20T23:25:00.002-05:00

In a few minutes time, I'm turning 21 on the 21st of September. I'll be out of my teen into the threshold of adulthood. The transition of life where it is almost like a butterfly coming out of a cocoon.

Its my golden birthday but I'm drowned with a lot of homework and assignments. I would not be able to enjoy it the way the others did. I envied those that had a great party set up for the very day and I wish I could skip all of the homework and celebrate it with my loved ones.

I guess there will be nothing really interesting for me on this day. Just that its time for some self evaluation, and reflections on what I've achieved during the past 20 years.

I've failed many times and I've learned to stand up from my fall. I've learned wonderful things from my peers and had also learned to love one another. I've matured myself and have come to know the real world. I've accepted some facts and are ready to live with it. Ive learned that when people give you praise or critics, its for you to take as reference and for them to keep. I've learned through experiences that had helped me in succeeding the things I'm dealing with today.

Wonderful 20 years of ups and downs.
I look back and there are no regrets.

Now, I'm ready to march on to a new phase of life. =)

How swift have flown
To me thy girlish times,
A woman grown beneath
My heedless eyes!
In vain I rack
My fancy to believe
The almanac,
That speaks thee twenty-one.

The Girl Effect

2009-09-19T22:37:00.001-05:00

My first triathlon

2009-09-19T15:41:00.017-05:00

For those who know me very well, you should know that Rachel can be very random at times. She will bake cookies at 3am in the morning, run at 11pm at night, get her navel pierced on her way home from work and even something like: registering for a triathlon...

On the 13th of September, I have attended a triathlon with a brave heart at Big Creek State Park. I told myself that it is not about the winning, not about losing, but its all about completing the entire course and I did it!

p/s: in a freaking long time though~

Last year, my sister shared with me her experience participating in the Paul Bunyan Triathlon in Cameron Park, MN and she really did inspired me to take part in such a race. This summer back home, I've decided to register for Cyman and eventually got Seth, to join the triathlon with me. We shared valuable information on how to handle transition time, run effectively without using a lot of energy, check on each other work out progress and we even did a mock triathlon a week before the event day. Not to mention that my totally inspiring, high-achieving sister has also given me a lot of advise on workouts throughout the summer.

The swimming was good, the bike trail was a nightmare and the running was the event which I was most proud of myself. Seth, the victim I pestered to join the triathlon with had a very bad cramp after the bike trail. It was not just one leg, it was both of his thighs, it was hurting so bad that he has to force himself to stop and rest. Many times while he was resting, he urge me to go forward and he said he'll catch up later. Many times I wanted to just run and make sure I go fast enough and not be the last. I had such an internal struggle to not want to be the last, to not want to lose so badly.. Instead of running ahead of him, I stayed because we said ahead of the event that we will go at the same speed, motivate each other and we will finish the course together. At last, we ended up walking the last 5k and we completed the course :)

By mentioning all of this, I am not saying how wonderful or how great I am as a person, but I want to say that winning is something, but not everything. The result is sometimes not as important as the process. All of the time, almost 6 days in a week which I will devote myself into a 3miles run or a 50 laps swimming, for at least 3 months, I have enjoyed the process so much that I instantly decided to go for more 5k/10k or even another triathlon in the coming years. Many people commented that running is boring and tiring, or its not interesting because it is not a competitive sport. Heres what I found out: Running might be boring and tiring, but after a while you will know that it is not your body thats keeping you going, its your mind. You are competing with yourself, constantly pushing yourself and this is when a runner starts to develop a strong mind strength. If you find my words skeptical, I invite you to challenge yourself in training, or doing a 5K. Try the running with heart on october 4th @ beyer Hall (hehe~ a lil' advertising here) you will eventually get what i mean. :)

Besides my family members and friends, there is this one person who will and had unconditionally supported me, who had cheered for me at every interval, even offered to be the water boy in this triathlon. Baby baby..Thank you so much! Nothing is more encouraging to have your full support and your trust in making through this triathlon. You trusted in me, and you knew I was able to go further. The pat on the shoulder was indeed a wonderful moment for me:)

Thank you wai loon, zi ting, yu, yini, yiying, chloe, cynthia and all others for the good luck. I shall work harder and will promise to not run last next time.. tee hee =D

here are some pictures to share..

Feeling worried looking at all the aerodynamic helmet and thousand dollars tri-bicycles.

Still... very nervous...

Was able to force out a smile and the peace sign though~

Ready to go!

Rawr!!!!

Done with 500 yard swimming.. now 14.3 miles biking~

I swear everyone remembered me, i'm the only Asian girl and the only participant with a mount bike -.-

Run..

and we completed all three! we are now good to go.. =D

This is for you, my number 1 supporter :)

2009-09-16T00:20:00.003-05:00

MySpace Music Playlist at MixPod.com

Ideas Worth Sharing

2009-09-03T17:35:00.004-05:00

I found out about www.ted.com through my eldest brother, Vincent Gan as he posted one up on facebook about moral and laws. Must we all follow laws? or sometimes things can change accordingly to situations. What is wiser to do, to abide by the rules or go with the situation..

Are rules really meant to be broken?

Then today, in consumer behavior class, Laura post this on her ppt and it enlightened me in many ways. I enjoyed it so much until a point where I debate within myself on the reasons to why I chose Food Science and not Marketing. As I go along, i realized that it doesn't matter which major I chose and how I regret no choosing the other; it boils down to the point where all these things you learned during your uni life will eventually benefits you in the future.

Thinking out of the box, thinking what people doesnt realize/doesnt know about is what they call innovative. Something very complex can be made simple and became simply amazing. I eventually got addicted in working my brain so hard, trying to find a breakthrough like how these people found their's.

Its really worth the thought. I beleive that its only through thinking where you will realize more.

BUT i must say, only think of those thats worth thinking. THEN again, whats worth and whats not is arbituary.

Second week of Fall Semester

2009-09-02T00:11:00.003-05:00

Second week of Fall Semester,

I've already decided which are the classes I will definitely fall asleep and which are the ones where I will stay awake no matter what... I judge a book by its cover. Sensory evaluation text book, is just way too 'siiieennn...'

Second week of Fall Semester,

My phone died (again) but this time there will be no signs of 'reincarnation'. its gone forever :( I'll have a new number.. soon..

Second week of Fall Semester,

My apartment is down with internet. MEDIA COM: media 'kong' (die)?

Second week of Fall Semester,

Why am I still stuck with mass balance?!

Second week of Fall Semester,

is 2 weeks before cyman race day. *cyman = hangman*

Second week of Fall Semester,

I have 15 hours lab, and no time for lunch.

Second week of Fall Semester,

I got myself a present. :) >>>>> Flu Mist. *i think you should get one too*

Second week of Fall Semester,

I promised myself to NOT skip MKT class anymore.. hehehe :P

Second weekend of Fall Semester,

We are heading to Chicago 6 flags, to kick Ass :D

Fall Semester,

I am going to be very busy, busy planning for more Fun. :)

2009-08-19T10:33:00.008-05:00

‘晕吉’ {wan-kat}

-adjective

1. (of a person), a person who (likes to do/ did) something for nothing~

2. (of an event or circumstance), unnecessary or needless to do.

origins-

唉呀! 我晕啦!! 吉仔变成酸莓啦!!

Putting the word into sentence-

I intend to go running, push myself off the bed, wash up and get changed. Just when I was about to leave the house, it started pouring outside! 晕吉!

p/s: When la~~ will those chicken wings from yesterday leave my body alone..

$%^&*$@!#%^%**)$^#$^@#%!@$^*^%..........

Wings Attack!

2009-08-18T21:17:00.006-05:00

Fall 2009

2009-08-18T18:49:00.002-05:00

lets see..

I have 18 credit hours

I need to complete my internship class by working (should i say: unwillingly volunteering) with a professor.

I am stuck with Food Science Club, forever writting meeting minutes, stuck with the stuckup ppl.

I idiotically commit myself to a Triathlon on sep,13. and Yes, you are right abt me not thinkin right.

I have a million things to do for ISC.

Im attending a sponsored conference in Rochester in November, presenting about ISC in ISU.

I am thinking to go to Florida with Chin Wah. Want to make use of my free ticket.

I am thinking going-somewhere (hopefully warm) for winter break.

I wish at that time, I win a lottery.

I pray hard that winter would not be as bad.

New Semester resolution(s):

Never stop running. In fact, run further and longer.

Acumulate a good 3 point something CGPA.

Be more responsible and more capable.

Work hard finding a good job, at least; get a good circle of connections to be recommended for a job.

all this (above) aside:,

I should go now.. watch a good comedy, laugh my ass off tonight.

and oh!

Boating on Saturday~! XD

Six Flag next Saturday~! XD

Exams and quizes all the following weeks.. .. ... ... ... ...

Replaced

2009-08-18T01:53:00.004-05:00

A new template for a change.

PWNED

2009-08-17T11:08:00.005-05:00

Since school hasnt started, I have all this free time to be online.

EG: watch stephen Chow and youtube like theres no tomorrow,

and guess what!? I found nigahiga~ XD

Its just these two young Asian American comedian from Hawaii: Ryan Higa and Sean Fujiyoshi. So talented, so young, so freaking funny! Oh my, I laughed so loud watching all their lame videos.. I pretty much spend the whole morning mesmerizing their videos and literally cracked up!

PWNED is just one of my favourites..

Oh man~ you guys should check it out~ BWAHAHAH! *sniffles.. *

So far...

2009-08-15T15:29:00.002-05:00

So Good.. :)

It has been two weeks since i got back from Malaysia. The first week was not very impressive. I got sick now the second week! I'm finally am prepared.. Both pysically and mentally.

Spend some time this week training for international orientation, leading orientation, met some new malaysian students and I'm really excited about the party this Sunday! It has been a long time since there were any kind of parties at my place. This is defintely a good chance to have everyone to come hang out and just relax.. (*before school reopens.. geez..*)

ooo....

banana, strawberry, chocolate.. whipped cream.. yum nyum nyum nyum~~ XD

Can't Wait!!

hehehehe...

Home is Malaysia, Home is Ames. DIFFERENT BUT SAME SAME~

2009-08-09T23:32:00.012-05:00

Its great to be back in States even though I really miss Malaysia. I use to be so firm about staying here in the States after I graudate; Malaysia solely for holidays. BUT after this trip back home, I'm surprise to see my own perception changed. And I'm loving the change :)

After 7 weeks of holiday in Malaysia, 7 weeks of not doing anything than watching movies in One Utama (* until Matt and I have no more movies to watch) hanging out with good friends 24/7, watching HUA HI DAI on Astro with my mom and dad, bathe Lucky, etc, etc.. I've now became a REAL SLACKER! I find it so hard to even walk to the bank now when the fact is I use to be so gung ho about walking around and not taking busses. I have to literally drag myself to the bank to finish up some business. And being in the bank after a long holiday makes me feel like a new student all of a sudden.

I stood there....

looking around aimlessly.....

and i even thought if I should open a checking account..

Astro HUA HEE DAI

13:30 First Theatre, The 1...

15:30 Love

16:30 Spirits Of Love, The

17:30 Double Happiness Clu...

18:00 Perfect Neighbours

19:00 Just Walking

* i never once miss any shows from above.. I camp in front of the TV.. sama gua punya mama..

* Jeng Jeng!! Introduce you all the leng lui Lucky Gan!! :P

Perhaps..

is the jet lag or I just miss home too much.. I was blur for a couple of days. I wasnt getting enough sleep and then I was down with a cold. Eventually, I lost my voice and I accidentally found out that I'm actually pretty good at whispering.. ;) I wanted to talk to parents so badly, but just when I dial the numbers, I figure that its just pointless..

Now that my voice is coming back.. Returning to ME! i'm having all my vocals back and I can speak now, I dont need flash cards and crazy sign language anymore :)

It was three days of misery and four days of fun later. Visited Cedar Rapids to celebrate TF's birthday,

stay over at the 'dark' neighborhood for two days;

attended Pam's farewell BBQ party,

Then to Jocelyn's crib, watched how Kel and Edwin destroy-play-ed the Wii.. :P

FUN FUN FUN!!

Even though today's weather is $%#^$! ,(tak jadi for a good picnic session) but I had a Gooooood Rest: the chillin' breeze kept me in bed till 2pm! I've never slept so long before in my life.. hahah! I've becoming a lazy *snort*..

Conclusion is, I'm back now from Holiday to Reality and I need to stop this laziness right now! I got to get back on my feet, plan for meetings after meetings and be prepare for the new 18 credit hours semester!

HEEEe--YAahhh!

like, no like..

2009-08-09T15:01:00.003-05:00

Some people like to read, some others like to watch

Some people like to cook, some others like to eat

Some people like to gossip, some others like to just listen

Some people like to laugh out loud, some others laugh in their heart

Some people like to fight, some others run

Some people like to sing, some others like to be hear people sing

Some people like surprises, some others like early notice

Some people like to sleep, some others like 3 hours of sleeps a day..

Some people, some others...

we are all so different, so unpredictable, because we are only human..

whichever way it is.. its all good =D

Friends and Malaysia

2009-07-19T21:38:00.003-05:00

Another two weeks, and i'll have to get back to Ames. Its not really a sad thing at all, its just the beginning of new excitements, new challenges. It has been a month since im back from the states, and it has been a great month despite of some missuderstanding and others.. Not really important to mention them anymore, its over :)

I hung out with a few good friends of mine. We went on and on chatting about the old times.. ' how we burried the buku ponteng behind bilik kebal, how I helped Matt hide his cell during spotcheck, how Bintang was losing that time during sukan when we were in F5.. ' it comes with a lot of laughter and joy, and its simply relaxing.. Jenna, Kuhanesh and black sotong 'sasee' is still the same, Matthew is taller than me now, but still adorable. Chris remains short, wai loon is still my good o'brother and yee zhen never changed at all! My college buddies: Chin Wah, Pui Yan, Cheryl.. oh my!! feeling so lucky to have these people in my life. These are the people who will live with you through your deepest down time, go through your 'thickest' and 'thinnest' with you. if you have a chance to know them, remember to not let them pass you by, they are indeed hard to find.

I have two weeks more in Malaysia, ( Always sounds better than ' i have two weeks left in Malaysia').. its time to schedule last minute dental appointment, make new pair of contact lens, buy a new badminton racquet maybe~ and I want to 'da pao' some friends back to the states too.. :(

I've recently been quite down, I cannot sit by myself because I'll tend to think nonsense. Good thing Matthew kept on bugging me to watch every new movies coming out, and thank God my new good friend, Kin Yew. Who doesn't mind watching horror with me, and hear me laugh at myself like donkey at the end of the movie. My dear Yee Ling, who will try to plan something and hang out with me almost every weekend.. hahahha! and Chin Wah, good thing she's studying in U of M, which means I can visit her more often in the states now.

I'm assuming that life back in the States this Fall will be a challenge for me. Regardless of work, studies or relationship. Sometimes, when you hit rock bottom, there is no other way to go but going up. But whatever it is, I like to start believing for the best, for a friend once told me to live true to my heart.. if there is no hope, there won't be betterment~

p/s: Thanks Linh, thanks for the all the advise.. really appreciate it. Thanks Matt, Chin Wah, Yee Ling and Kin Yew.. you were all there when i fell down, thanks for helping me up.. :)

John Legend

2009-07-16T22:24:00.002-05:00

I've been listening to John Legend a lot lately. His songs somehow speaks my mind.. When no one understands how you feel, and you suddenly heard this songs that put all that in your head into words.. its simply amazing...

It gets harder every day, but I cant seem to shake the pain
Im trying to find the words to say, please stay
Its written all over my face, I cant Function the same when youre not here
Im calling your name and no ones there
And I hope one day youll see nobody has it easy,
I still cant believe you found somebody new
But I wish you the best, I guess..

Cause everybody knows, that nobody really knows
How to make it work, or how to ease the hurt
Weve heard it all before, that
everybody knows How to make it right, I wish we gave it one more try
One more try
Cause everybody knows, but nobody really knows

I dont care what the people say
They brought it all in anyway
Baby dont fill up your head with he-said, she-said
It seems like you just dont know

The radios on, you tuning me out,
Im trying to speak, youre turning me down
And I hope one day youll see nobody has it easy,
I still cant believe you found somebody new
But I wish you the best, I guess.

Cause everybody knows, that nobody really knows
How to make it work, or how to ease the hurt
Weve heard it all before, that everybody knows
How to make it right, I wish we gave it one more try
One more try

Cause everybody knows, but nobody really knows
Oh I wish youd understand
Oh, just an ordinary man
Listen wed have known
Everybody knows, but nobody really knows

And I know one day youll see, nobody has it easy
I still cant believe you found somebody new
I wish you the best, I guess.
Cause everybody knows, that nobody really knows
How to make it work, or how to ease the hurt
Weve heard it all before, that everybody knows
How to make it right, I wish we gave it
One more try

Cause everybody knows, but nobody really knows

Really? i dont think so..

2009-07-14T23:52:00.008-05:00

I read a friend's post and in it she mentioned that sometimes fate just put two person together just to rip them apart. I can't help but to feel my heart aching. Really? is that really true? why would they do that?

I've recently seen a lot of my friends broke up and i've heard stories about how the girl had cheated on her boyfriend when they were already dating for 8 years. Some couples were together for years but things still doesnt work out. Some has only been together for months and they now are married and live happily. I think fate put two person together to test how much they love each other, if they are willing to compromise and be positive about future. it is only when love is gone, then they will be ripped apart.

Theres always ups and downs in life, what more about relationship? not just about two person being together, but family, friends, even pets! My dog, lucky will sometimes gets on my nerves. She will bite my brand new slippers, bite a hole on my socks. I was so mad, I took my slippers and hit her so hard. But the next day, i still love to pet her and even give her my remaining pair of socks to have fun with. If some one messes with my dog, i will mess with them!

We are all created in God's image. He made us emotional and sometimes irrational. But there are nothing in this world, where problems cannot be solved and conflicts cannot be settled. It boils down to the point when you are asked if you really want to solve this or not. Every confilct, every downtime is a learning process. Couples occasionally tripped, all you got to do is sweep off the dirt and stand up again. If you cannot do it yourself, have the person next to you to help. Now that is the point of being together. Love each other, help each other, share joy and laughter, share problems and challenges..

'Distance makes the heart grows fonder' . My aunt and uncle were successful business personnel. One based in Beijing while another travels very frequently around Asia. They never stop making effort to call each other, meet each other. And all is because they just genuinely care and love each other. When love is so genuine, trust is so strong. It is amazing how it is so unconditional.
If you are in a long distance relationship, or you are probably facing one in the future.. Dont be afraid, dont think of the unnecessary 'what-ifs'.. its all a waste of time. Begin trusting, start believing and don't stop hoping for the best. it all grows from within.. look into heart, do what your hearts tell you to do. You are not solving math questions, relationship is not like x or y, alpha or beta.. your brain cannot tell you how to substract or divide..

I was once told by the person i love so so much that long distance works or not depends on how much you treasure and value your relationship. If you do treasure the memories and value each other, I do not believe that love cannot keep two person together.

Whatever reasons will be cover ups, all cover ups are excuses. When that happened... look into your heart, stop. and ask this question:' do you still love this person?' after you ask this important question, dont forget to listen.

and listen again.

p/s: I love you.

foosh! disappeared~

2009-07-14T01:02:00.004-05:00

so i heard a story yesterday about all the world leaders.. this is how it goes::~

one day, all these influencial leaders, they all died. All of them.. sadaam, bill C, Osama and even Anwar. They were all standing at the gate and to be determine if they go to heaven or hell.

They were told not to sin at all and will all have to resist temptations and should never be distracted. OR ELSE, they will disappear and end up in hell.

all of a sudden as the guard was talking, a gun appeared in front of Osama. Without hesistant, Osama picked it up and point it at the guard. *FOOSH*!! he disappeared! because he failed the test, he could not resist the temptation to kill and so he SINed.

All of the other leaders started to panick now. As they were all sweating about it, a very young beautiful woman stood infront of sadaam. Sadaam reach out to the girl and *FOOSH!* he went missing too..

not long after that, a shiny gold bar appeared infront of Bill C. It was shinny, glossy, flashy... its almost perfect! As bill C bents down to pick up the gold bar...

*FOOSH*!!! Anwar DISAPPEARED!!!

i wonder why~ he he..

Random

2009-07-13T03:19:00.006-05:00

1. I am going out to watch transformers again
2. I am going to run 30 minutes later on the threadmill
3. I am thinking why he is not picking up my calls
4. I am afraid of losing him
5. I am sorry
6. I dont want to eat later
7. I am thinking of where to bring Trong
8. I brought books home but i didnt read them at all
9. I am giving up the man U games in bukit jalil for my father
10. I enjoy being around my boyfriend's family
11. Hendrick and kin yew is so hillarious
12. My mom is worried about me and him
13. I want this to last
14. Lucky needs a bath
15. I will be hell busy next semester
16. I am not a superwoman
17. I think I am sick
18. I love hanging out with chin wah
19. I love aku, jenna, and sasee's company
20. How come sasee cannot swim?
21. OH i need to register for Cy-man today
22. How about the tioman trip?
23. I am going to have lunch sunday afternoon with uncle, aunty and yee ling
24. Kin yew is dating my good friend's sister
25. this is such a small world
26. I miss zi ting
27. I want to hang out with 6326
28. I want to plant flowers in the 245 balcony
29. Did esther pay rent for July?
30. I only want to eat roti bakar
31. oh that stupid 5 ringgit joke
32. i like to read linh's blog
33. is seth trainning very hard?
34. Jenna must be crazy in love now
35. I feel like i should go run now
36. Should i ta pao something later?
37. I miss yi li very much
38. I want to visit china
39. Im excited that trong is visiting malaysia
40. I want to fit into that dress
41. I want to settle down
42. sushi zanmai has good desserts
43. missing oliver's over exaggerating expresion
44. I renewed pasport today
45. i chopped off my fringe
46. I look funny
47. I am lamer now than before
48. I am not special
49. I am the rule
50. not the exception

i am tired.

2009-07-10T10:33:00.000-05:00

'Rachel, you didnt change at all, you are still the same Rachel I know. You are still so up for challenges,, and still so hard on yourself.'

-chin wah-

2009-07-07T00:35:00.000-05:00

i wish theres an 'undo' or a 'delete' button. Too bad, theres no such thing in life. Now i got to bare the consequences for the things I've said. Pray hard, so that things will still be the same.

Check this out!

2009-07-06T04:44:00.001-05:00

It never came across my mine that the wii tune can be so much fun! hahha XD
this is good stuff :)

we're just ordinary people...

2009-06-30T21:19:00.000-05:00

Home

2009-06-21T23:05:00.001-05:00

I've decided to go home after all. I was very decisive this time round, no second thoughts. :)

I arrived on Tuesday noon, took a limo myself and appear at the door steps to surprise my parents. Apparently my parents tried to call me the night before, they were so worried cause they couldn't get through me. At last, my mom called Mrs. Cheang, she asked my mom if I'm coming home today or tomorrow.. and my mom was like: 'shes coming home meh?'

.................

anyways, my dad kind of suspected that i was heading home already. Some telepathy superhero abilities I had with my dad. He seems to always know what I am up to. No chance to be mischievous at all.

Since it was Fathers' Day on Sunday, both my brothers from perth and singapore flew back home to surprise dad at the dinner. A lot of plannings, and a lot of 'dun-tell-anyone' was going on among the siblings..It was especially hilarious at the dinner. My dad's expression, his reaction when he saw both my brothers.. whoa.. is just priceless.. :)

its harder nowadays to have dinner with my parents and all my siblings. Just because all them are working at different countries and I'm the only still studying in the states. All of a sudden, I thought the unfortunate story of Rachel and her internship, her accident is a blessing in disguise. If its not for all the crap, I wouldn't have been home. If its not for all of those, we wouldn't have another family reunion.

I wouldn't have realized how much I miss talking to my parents and laughing with my siblings.
Well, I also got a chance to catch up with all the gossips.

One thing I realized after 3 days in Malaysia is that Malaysians are generally quite unfriendly. They don't smile at you, they love to scan you from top till bottom, and people love to stare at others around them like we are going to snatch her stuff or something.

I am told not to wear shorts when I got out, partially its my horrible bruise and also because it is unsafe. Do not leave any belongings on the table, and to make sure all windows and doors are locked and double locked when you go out. Sounds like its a real unsafe place to live. :(

I begin to wonder if this is really the place I want to be... maybe not..

2009-06-09T15:25:00.000-05:00

challenging work, major accident, shit-ass HR/ company....

I had my experience, I had my bruises, I almost die, I had maybe... enough...

I'm going home.

yumyum..

2009-06-04T14:45:00.001-05:00

its a yum yum day today... :) im going to chilax, eat and eat and eat...

yum yum yum yum yum... :P

2009-06-01T14:08:00.000-05:00

I cant wait to go back to Ames this Saturday!! How i wish time could fly by faster, so that I can go home and have some rest after a whole 2 weeks of work, work, WORK!!

I wouldn't mind driving at all, just as long as I get to eat sushi in Taki, and buy some cheesecake in Jordan Creek. That would all be on Saturday. The rest of my weekends, I'll spend it with my dear.. Knowing the crazy work hours of my job, i might not be able to visit ames as often anymore in the coming weeks... :(

I've been spending a lot of quality time with myself this few days.. I went grocery shopping alone and watch a few good dramas too! I dyed my hair dark purple and had also discovered the best quesadilla in the world! The taco lady who set up stalls at the parking lot of BPI sells awesome mexican food, especially quesadillas! yum yum~~ they are so good! so different from those i've tried before.. So authentic, so delicious, so cheap!! oh Taco lady! mucho gracias!!

2009-05-29T14:51:00.000-05:00

我快要崩溃了。。

真的要被逼疯了。。。

一个人过的日子，真的很难受，，

为什么你就是没有办法了解我呢？

2009-05-28T15:18:00.000-05:00

My righteous nap after blogging.. led me into a long 11 hours sleep.. hahaa! I skipped dinner and slept from 3.30pm till the very next morning at 2am. And thats because I got to get up for work, or else I would have slept till 9am or perhaps noon.

Wake up, wash up, cereal, pray for journey mercy, drive to work..

'work... break... work..find more work...avoid big boss...sub for break...trainning.. home.'

Funny as it seems, trainning session is every day at BPI, and its not exactly trainning at all. If i can change it, i'll call it the bitching session. Our QA superintendent use that 10 minutes to bitch at whatever he doesn't sees fit.. Oh well.. so far he hasn't bitch about me yet but I know will not allow him a single chance to do so. * wink*

One good news today... I finally got my driver license!! YAY!! celebrate!! but.... with who?... =(

maybe with the TV, or the Trampoline...

life in McCook Lake

2009-05-27T14:39:00.000-05:00

mundane.....

I tried to make it as interesting as possible by planning on running, cooking, baking, trampolin-ing, grocery shopping.. but unfortunately, none of them work out really well. Something went wrong with the weather here. it feels like late winter, im still experiencing those low 50F during noon. Besides, working in BPI is as if you work in a freezer, i wore two sweat shirt to work today and I froze! i'll try 3 or maybe 4 sweat shirts tomorrow. Hopefully they'll keep me warm.

Burrr.....

Work experience in BPI is getting better by days.. First day was hell for me, i remembered I remembered whinning a lot about it back then but now, I learned to appreciate all the difficulties I 've been through in understanding my job, a QA responsibilities in BPI. Its not easy, its a pretty tough job, long hours, no weekend off sometimes, and wierd working hours. I worked 4am till 1pm. B shift work noon till 9pm, and C shift continues from 8pm till 5am. I will have to rotate with other interns, in which means by the end of the 10 weeks, i'll will experience all 3 shifts.

This is my second week of work. I'm still thinking if i want to work longer than 10 weeks. I might I think. Its real good money.. heheehe =P No rest this week.. I'll have to go work till sunday and then back to the vicious cycle of monday to saturday.. I hope I wont have to work next sunday, so at least I could visit ames and hug somebody.. *wink*

No one will be here this week, i'll be ALL alone.. Jeff will be back in Omaha, and Tom will be out in Rapid city taking his military exam. I will be hm... watching all the DVDs in the house, Trampoline whenever, do laundry, run maybe, etc..etc... I'll see. Maybe i'll just end up sleeping whole day..

hehe..

already, my contacts are itching, i better go get some righteous nap up in HERE!

Zzzzzzzz....................

2009-05-26T21:22:00.000-05:00

Hola, mi nombre es Rachel Gan y soy de Malasia. Soy interno del QA en el BPI para el verano.

Niza Para satisfacerla todo.

我终于办到了！！

2009-05-25T19:55:00.000-05:00

没有东西是不可能的。。

原本一点勇气也没有的我，竟然能够办得到！

没有东西是环境逼不出来的。。

因为环境所逼，我竟然能够一个人开3个小时的车，到工作的地方！

我成功了！我终于摆脱了驾车的恐惧感！

这都要谢谢我非常用心的指导老师，我的男朋友... :)

Thankyou!!

Ames Outings

2009-05-25T09:22:00.000-05:00

I chose to spend the long weekend in Ames and I think its a very smart decision. This weekend is 3 days of no control over food consumption, no limits on movies I want to watch plus a lot of driving.--

I turned into a couch potatoes immediately after I woke up from my long night sleep. I remain seated on the same chair, bingeing on Lays potato chips while catching up with all episodes of The Hills I missed during finals. That was the most relaxing time ever! series marathon then was followed up by watching 'knowing'.

knowing

(skip)

Star Trek

was sooooo Goood! I thought I'll never liked it.. Well, based on my previous encounter with star trek they showed on TV when I was young, I thught the plots were silly and characters simply sucks. I always thought they were the star wars wannabe. However, star trek 2009 was just Great! No long dialogues, just enough actions at all right timing to make you want to long for more! The language, the way they phrase the sentence, the essence of insult (hahahah!) was way superb.

Well, maybe I'm just easily amazed but go watch it. Its worth the cash =)

Two wonderful weekend and today is memorial day. I'm going to Walmart and buy some socks then maybe head to the mall and exchange some free gifts. Jordan Creek shopping was a failure... All I got was just a pair of sun glasses from forever 21. Its not like they dont have nice looking clothes but I realized I dont need them actually. My work doesnt require me to look fancy, I might as well save some cash for air ticket to visit home or Rome :)

5 Hours more in Ames.. and I'll have to go back to South Sioux City.. Sleep at 7pm and wake up at 2.30am ready for work at 4am. I might have to go through some lectures tomorrow for last minute notice of not turning up for work on Saturday. Well, bring it on. I'm sure to impress you all later.

The only thing now is..

Man.. I got to drive back to work All By Myself.. and eat alone, sleep alone, watch series alone..

I got to plan up something, maybe go running in the park, see some deers, learn spanish from BPI workers, and look around if someone in the neighbourhood wants me to teach chinese language.. hhehehehe... Maybe some extra cash up in here... :P

most important thing, I got to start the self- assigned project, and work on the proposal. Hopefully I'll do wonders with it~~

last but not least..

ITS OUR ANNIVERSARY TODAY!

just wanna say thank you very much for always being there for me.. Taking care of me.. Just don't worry about me. I will take care of myself in Sioux City. My heart will always be with you even though mario lopez in standing in front of me =)

I will always love you.. Just like you do...

AMES

2009-05-23T09:08:00.000-05:00

Back in Ames!!

Apparently due to memorial day, all Iowa transportation center are closed..

which means to me:

1) I skipped work for nothing

2) I have got no choice but to take my driver license in Sioux City.

3) I learned my mistake this time, and will remember to check online for operating hours instead of making an 'ass' out of 'u' and 'me'. Now when I head back to work, i'll have to apologize to Scott, and Tomalyn and get 2 merit points for late notification.

Greeaaatt.....

I can't help to feel bitter, but again, what is done IS done. Instead of looking back and feel really dumb about my doings, just look forward to see how to enjoy myself to the fullest in Ames! =) I'm really happy to be back 'home', all the old faces makes me feels warm at heart. Some really good updates too! Such as, Zi ting's belly got bigger as if he is 4 months pregnant. His baby should be a mix match of steak, coke, chips, beef jerky, spagetthi etc etc.. urgh...

10 weeks internship has begun and I've live through the first week. First day was almost hell for me but things are getting better. I got to know more people, the white hats, brown hats and most importantly, I finally knew the dark side of this company. The Big Boss sucks, never smiles and hates QA. So far, I had never been yelled at, but I heard that he is always yelling at everyone and he will fire just anyone if he doesnt sees fit. He came to the plant yesterday intended to test the new disinewers, and everyone went NUTZ on the radio. 'He is here, look busy!!' or 'Get out of the QA lab, he doesn't like to see people there!!' so Tomalyn and I decided to hide ourself at the dock, or behind those beef so theres no way he can see us. =)

At some point, I think its really hillarious when I see how these people are sweating and panicking on his arrival. It almost reminds me on how I always avoid Chan and makes myself seems busy while working in the cafe. well, except that no one really listens to him..

oh well, maybe this IS the industry, finally got a glimpse of what office politics are like, how communication can be really bad, how QA job in SSC is really a challenge.. There is not a difinition for a QA position, I thought I prefered the lab work where you can be in snowy white frock, looking all tidy and clean.. but wouldn't that job sucks after a while? It will be so mundane! I had rather this experience of walking around the entire plant to do hourly, test and swab, interact with people than with test tubes.. It did sound really bad for the first time, and I even thought that this is labor but it really depends on how one perceives it. At least now I know that at the end of this ten weeks, QA experience is not just what I will recieve, but experience with huge machines, multicultural community, and perhaps some jalepeno and tacos.

uh oh.. laptop batt is dying and stomach is growling.. hm... I think I'm going to solo drive to walmart and do a little shopping. Some milk and cereal will make my day =)

Already.

Internship 2nd day: Getting into REAL business!

2009-05-20T23:51:00.000-05:00

Sometimes, it seems things are planned well by God. When I'm fearful, God puts someone near me to advise me, to give me motivation, bring back my courage.. Thank God for putting me in a very caring family, thank God for bringing to me my boyfriend, Teng Foong and Tom (the house owner, who had at least brought me up for a walk, breathe in some fresh air and talk with me how his experience at the military had made him stronger.)

first day of work was hard, difficult, dirty and heavy. At a point when I looked at my own reflection, I don't see myself, i see a lady construction worker. My hard head, heavy radio, flash lights in my pocket makes me look just like a construction worker. So off I go, to do my first round with Tamolyn (my own QA Trainer)at 4am in the morning. CIP was going on at that time, those chemicals and air vapor was all over the the facilities. All these crap was sniffed in, stuck in my nasal system till 7am. I had enough of it till 7am, I'm not a quitter but if I sense that I'm going to pass out anytime soon, I definitely notify someone! So I was sent to the nurse and soon found out that I am s little hypersensitive to those chemicals and we sat and talk about 20 minutes. But i'll make it short for you, her conclusion of that 20 minutes pointless talk is: 'if you want this job, you have to put up with it'

nuff' said.

I got the message,like i said, i am not a quitter and so I walked my way to the plant again and be ready to pick up a whole new challenge. More and More and More challenges.. From getting all beef juice sprinkled on your face, walking through the world-wettest-facilities carefully to avoid falling, carrying 60 lbs boxes for test, climbing up and down to check sanitation, dump beef sample waste and be disgusted by blood residues.. All have to be done at every hour until your shift ends.

This is not just it, tomorrow i'll be doing something different.. and mind you. I am hell READY for it!

It is not till now that I realized so many people actually care very much for me. My parents, my siblings, my boyfriend. My Dad especially had talked only on the phone with me for less than 10 minutes and it was the best 10 minutes talk I had with my dad. The most touching moment I experienced with my dad..

'Take it as a challenge, mei mei. Its hard to get a job now, and you made it and got it. Now that you got it, even if its difficult, its only 3 months. Put up with it, live through it. You know it is only going to make you stronger. 外面没有比家里好. If anything, dont hesititate to call home'.

When he said that, tears came rolling down on my cheek..

For my family members, who had loved me and trust in me, and for myself.. I will take this challenge, be strong and stronger. I will make good use of this opportunity.

Bite my lips, live through it!

' What doesn't breaks me will only makes me stronger '

2009-05-19T17:37:00.000-05:00

Greetings from South Dakota!

After 3++ hours of intense driving (and teng foong next to me always encouraging me), we reached my new apartment in South Dakota. Tomorrow i'll be car pooling with the other intern to BPI in Nebraska and I'll be back in Ames, Iowa during the weekend.

4 Days, 3 States.. XD

I can't wait! My internship at BPI will begin in 8 hours time. Although I don't really know what to expect, i'm sure things will fall into parts and it will turn out just fine. All I know about this internship is that IT IS GOING TO BE TOUGH, I'm scheduled to do all 3 shifts during this 10 weeks internship, in which means sleeping hours and eating habits is screwed up.

My beloved once said:

"Life isn't about how to survive the storm, but how we dance in the rain."

"Its always hard to be kicked off your comfort zone" Ali said, but it is during these times where you learned to be better and stronger.

___________________________________________________________________________________
05-19-2009

my first day of work: orientation + Tour around the QA lab.

After a whole day of orientation, I just want to go home, rest and chat with Teng Foong.

I miss him already.. Really..

Ive got my red hard hat, safety glasses, stop watch, safety locks, flashlights, mask, a notebook, a pen, locker combination number and a pair of boots to walk around the facilities.

I am not very ready for tomorrow but i hope I'll built up some excitement and courage in me to be ready for my first internship tomorrow starting at 4pm. YES, you didn't see it wrong, my shift begins 4am, which means I'll be waking up while 202 is playing poker and leave for work while 202 is STILL playing poker.

God I miss Ames already, though I should be thankful that I'm offered a summer job but part of me wants to be in Ames with my friends and my love. I was told that I might have to work 7 days a week sometimes during my intern session, and working hours might goes up to 45 hours a week.Oh man, will I survive this, will summer just be work and work and work? I guess I could think positively and be happy with the good earnings. Besides, its only three months.. It will be good! =)

My dear wants me to think positively, he wants me to be happy. Therefore i'll make full use of this internship, learn about the industry and enjoy as much as i can.

I will do fine, I will do great!!

05-18-2009

我的小姐

2009-04-30T23:17:00.000-05:00

世界上，什么人都有。。
有好人和坏人，
有些表面看起来像坏人的好人，
也有天使面孔魔鬼心肠的烂人。。
有些明明就以真心对待的人，却被别人说是虚伪的人，
有些明明就不喜欢你的人，还会在你面前假惺惺的人，
有些超级直接了当得人，
还有一些心里充满心机的人。。
这一大堆人，
我一个都没有错过，
有时还会被误会为其中一个。

被我讲中的人，
误会我的人，
因为别人误会而也误会我的人，
最可怕的，
假惺惺的，
称名为笑面虎的人。。

老虎，也会一天被猎人射中的。
心口不如一的你，
趁别人还没发现时，
腊宫小姐，我劝你赶快做回你的小猫咪吧。。

Dead Week..

2009-04-27T16:34:00.000-05:00

2009-04-27T01:35:00.001-05:00

I Dreamed a Dream

2009-04-13T11:43:00.001-05:00

There was a time when men were kind,
And their voices were soft,
And their words inviting.
There was a time when love was blind,
And the world was a song,
And the song was exciting.
There was a time when it all went wrong...

I dreamed a dream in time gone by,
When hope was high and life, worth living.
I dreamed that love would never die,
I dreamed that God would be forgiving.
Then I was young and unafraid,
And dreams were made and used and wasted.
There was no ransom to be paid,
No song unsung, no wine, untasted.

But the tigers come at night,
With their voices soft as thunder,
As they tear your hope apart,
And they turn your dream to shame.

He slept a summer by my side,
He filled my days with endless wonder...
He took my childhood in his stride,
But he was gone when autumn came!

And still I dream he'll come to me,
That we will live the years together,
But there are dreams that cannot be,
And there are storms we cannot weather!

I had a dream my life would be
So different from this hell I'm living,
So different now from what it seemed...
Now life has killed the dream I dreamed...

Spring Break

2009-03-22T17:30:00.000-05:00

10 THINGS I DID DURING SPRING BREAK

1. Make FOOD :)

2. Sleep a lot

3. Party

4. Visited Iowa City

5. Call home

6. Watch 赤壁2

7. Chatting on the phone with Pui Yan

8. Went shopping in Williamsburg

9. Slacklining

10. Interview and had a plant tour with BPI at South Sioux City, NE

TOP 5 OF MY FAVORITE ACTIVITIES DURING SPRING BREAK

1.Making Food.....I made fried ice cream, milo jelly, 面粉糕 and 红豆汤.

2.Watch 赤壁2......Have always wanted to watch it, but I waited for 3 weeks till
spring break to watch it, School is just too busy..

3.Chat with Yanyan on the phone... I miss her so much!! we ended up chatting for 2 hours. OMB! Oh my Bills!

4. Sleep.

5. Shop.

didnt gym everyday like I've planned to, I didnt do my homework until the very last day of spring break, called a few people concerning their responsibilities, visited IC and didnt really enjoy it, have my poor boyfriend to drive me all the way to SSC and all the way back. feel 100%ly bad and wish I could do more than just see him drive/ sleep, he drives..

Spring break was So-so, but at the very least, I has some fun and get tons of bruises from slacklining. A couple of good news, I got free passes to universal studio in Orlando and I'm going to California to win the IFTSA Product Development competition :D

One of my very efficient ISC volunteer coordinators told me this, after I complimented on his plannings for ISC:

" Rachel, you will have a lot more to do after Spring Break "
" But we will help you =D "

See, this is what ISC is all about. Reminding each other and Helping each other to bring out the very best. At least, this is what MY ISC is about.

Overall, Spring Break was a Great Success!!

Happy Valentines Day

2009-02-14T18:01:00.000-06:00

10 things that can happen/ already happened to me when taking an exam

2009-02-10T15:20:00.001-06:00

1. Common careless mistakes: Not bringing ID or any forms of writting materials.
(er... Excuse me.. Can I please borrow a pencil from you?? HE.HE. )

2. Open up my bag, and found only toothbrush, toothpaste and towels
(mistakenly taken my 102 bag as school bag)

3. Flip open the exam paper, and do differential equations without a calculator.

4. or Flip open exam paper, have calculator at my side, and realized its actually Human Development final exam.

5. Some dude I have been eyeing on, sitting right next to me, and I instantaneously forget everything I read about yesterday.

6. Some dude who have eyed on me , sitting right next to me, and I instantaneously freak out and be missing for the rest of the day.

7. Only remember the 'Rachel loves Chris' on the far left corner of my notes and forget all the rest.

8. More often than not, practice my last name, and start tembak-ing.

9. Suddenly be very religious, and start praying for correct answers.

10. or may be like what happened today..
Have the entire class looking at me at every 5 minutes JUST BECAUSE I am hungry.

sofreakingembarassingandillmakesureieatacownexttimebeforegoingintotheexamhall

...........................................

树欲静而风不止子欲养而亲不在

2009-02-08T16:28:00.000-06:00

是人生最大的遗憾吧！ ...

我很想妈妈。。。=(

2009-02-05T23:46:00.000-06:00

不管太阳伸起，不管夕阳它又落西，
为了我们你牺牲了自己，我永远不会忘记。

将来有那么一天，我把太阳高高伸起，
挂在你永远满足的笑意里，妈妈我爱你！！！

HhHh..eEe..LPp...

2009-02-05T16:47:00.000-06:00

If you see me yesterday or today, I might look perfectly fine,
but if you come speak to me, I can hardly even sigh,

my throat is hurting so bad,
its itching, its burning..its making me mad,

the words wont come out, even if I shout,
wonder why is it happening but i have no doubt,

its so dry, like a drought,
and its so painful,what about?!

Argh!! i feel so helpless..

i think what i can do right now..
is just pout..

我要的100種生活 !

2009-02-03T10:41:00.000-06:00

作詞：鍾成虎作曲：盧廣仲
整個世界停止不轉動很寂寞
走在海邊數著螢火蟲好困惑
想要的生活怎麼有一百種
不想掉進這深深漩渦
整個海洋擺動柔軟地舉起我
孤獨給我自由猶豫得好感動
想要的生活怎麼有一百種
該怎麼走誰來告訴我
整個海洋擺動柔軟地舉起我
孤獨給我自由猶豫得好感動
想要的生活怎麼有一百種
該怎麼走誰來告訴我
每當我背對星空
抱著地球
發現自己其實脆弱不敢說
當我背對星空
孤獨摸索
愛情漸漸萎縮我猜不透
無邊的宇宙哪裡有我要的生活
原來一百分之一
要在很久很久以後才會懂

Quiz, Examz, due dates~~!!

2009-02-02T16:18:00.001-06:00

Happily Ever After

2009-02-01T14:04:00.000-06:00

To Erin and Janelle,
Congratulations on your engagement day and soon to come wedding day =)

There must be difficulties finding the right one to share your joy, laughter, tears and dispair. I am so happy that you guys finally found your significant others and have started your very own love story. I hereby send you all my warmest wishes and may you all live Happily Ever After~

From LYRICSMODE.COM lyrics archive

Lyrics | Taylor Swift lyrics - Love Story lyrics

We were both young when I first saw you
I close my eyes
And the flashback starts
I'm standing there
On a balcony of summer air

See the lights,
See the party, the ball gowns
I see you make your way through the crowd
You say hello
Little did I know

That you were Romeo you were throwing pebbles
And my daddy said stay away from Juliet
And I was crying on the staircase
Begging you please don't go, and I said:

Romeo take me somewhere we can be alone
I'll be waiting all there's left to do is run
You'll be the prince and I'll be the princess
It's a love story baby just say yes

So I sneak out to the garden to see you
We keep quiet cause we're dead if they know
So close your eyes
Escape this town for a little while

Cause you were Romeo I was a scarlet letter
And my daddy said stay away from Juliet
But you were everything to me
I was begging you please don't go and I said:

Romeo take me somewhere we can be alone
I'll be waiting all there's left to do is run
You'll be the prince and I'll be the princess
It's a love story baby just say yes

Romeo save me, they try to tell me how to feel
This love is difficult, but it's real,
Don't be afraid
We'll make it out of this mess
It's a love story baby just say yes, oh,

I got tired of waiting
Wondering if you were ever coming around
My faith in you was fading
When I met you on the outskirts of town I said:

Romeo save me I've been feeling so alone
I keep waiting for you but you never come
Is this in my head, I don't know what to think
He knealt to the ground and pulled out a ring

And said:

Marry me Juliet you'll never have to be alone
I love you and that's all I really know
I talked to your dad go pick out a white dress
It's a love story baby just say yes

The World Is Flat?

2009-01-29T16:07:00.000-06:00

I thought I should blog while i wait for my meeting later.

so i woke up really early today but got out of my bed really late. hehe...but i still made it to marketing class on time. I could have just skip it, but since im a SELF- proclaimed model student** erhem**.. i will walk through the winds and snow just to sit in his-slides-reading-non-beneficial-ultimately-'interesting' class.

whats worth all my effort walking from home to Gerdin was this video he showed us at the end of his class. it was one of the National Governors Association Meeting where they invite Thomas L. Friedman to be the speaker.

He. is amazing :)

I bought his best selling book: The World Is Flat.. but had never gotten enough motivation to read it. Its sitting nicely in a bookshelf which is not even in my room or my house. But today! i will snatch it back from my beloved boyfriend. Since he read it already, i can take it :P

now now, back to the short clip,
it was about 20 minutes long, and it was talking about the first 2 chapters of the book. He mentioned that Globalization is not just within companies or countries, its now the globalization that occurring around individuals. Is the fact that one has to compete with another, 'another' from a different part of the world, of different culture and diversity.

And one of the things that he mentioned, was the 10 things that made the world flat.

The 10 Flatteners:-
1. Fall of Berlin Wall, rise of "windows": Microsoft windows :)

2. Netscape:- Fiber optic cable linked the Tom in US and Tom is China together.

3. work flow software:- machine talks to machine

4. open sourcing:- Self organized collaboration, communities

5. Outsourcing:- process component more efficient

6. off shoring:- China as an opportunity

7. Supply chaining:- Walmart :)

8. In sourcing:- 'funny looking brown pants' people -> UPS's broader role in services

9. informing:- Google, yahoo

10. The 'Steroid':- Digital, Mobile, Personal, Virtual.

The best part of the video/ the part I love the most about the video is when he said this,

" when I was young, my parents said to me:' Finish up your dinner Thomas, the kids in China and India are starving and hungry' but now I tell my kids, 'finish up your HOMEWORK, the people in China and India are starving and hungry FOR YOUR JOB~ "

I guess now, its not just the China and the India, everyone is Hungry.

i am very hungry, i hope they serve pizza at the meeting later~

我的盘，满了吗？

2009-01-22T21:27:00.000-06:00

晚上，吃晚餐。。。

桌子上来了特别多菜，

上的样样都是好吃的，梦昧以求的经典小菜。

我不客气了，马上行动，筷子一拿起来，夹夹夹！！

这时的我，高兴得不得了！因为好吃的我都有。

人家说，

千载难逢的好机会，千万不要错过，心里想，有好吃的，我得快点儿吃掉！

于是，我狼吞虎咽，吃着，吃着。。

--------------------------------------------------------------------

不行了！我太饱了，还没吃掉盘里一半的菜，我已经饱得喘不过气来了。。。

肚子咕噜咕噜，消化不良，人变得不舒服。

肚子撑着。。。撑着。。。

好辛苦。

--------------------------------------------------------------------

我明白了，机会来了，并不代表一定能胜任。

盘子虽然不小，可是不代表胃的容量够大，就算吃完了所有的菜，也并不代表一定吃得开心，幸福。

我的盘，其实并还没有满，

可是，我还是适可而止吧！

虽然比较少，可是我知道，我吃得开心，吃的快乐，

那已经很足够了。

朋友们，

请问你的盘，满了吗？

listen

2009-01-20T16:08:00.000-06:00

listen...

listen before you speak

listen attentively

listen, digest and understand

listen and be skeptical

listen until you choose not to listen

listen, but do not eavesdrop

listen even though you know its not right

but do not let it change your mind

listen when all said is against you

do not hassle, but listen...

listen attentively

listen, digest and understand

listen and be skeptical

listen...........................................

2009-01-16T11:21:00.000-06:00

I would like to thank Martin Luther King,
Because he had a dream...
I have holiday on MONDAY~~!!

Joy , JOy, JOY!

2009-01-15T19:20:00.000-06:00

After 3 weeks of holidays in Malaysia, US seems strange to me. I feel like I have to re-adapt to the environment. I was just too comfortable in my own comfort zone but I know I still have to return to reality. Classes seem harder and I can foresee a bunch of work piling up high waiting for accomplish. It was apparently harder to leave my family this time as compare to the first time when I left for the states. Besides, knowing the fact that your only sister, who was in US, has also return home is not helping very much either. Oh well, no one said it was easy to begin with. But I’m sure with good friends around, it will be much fun :)

So,

Today in Human Development class, there was this question where we were suppose to answer and then share with the others, the question said, ‘What is the best thing you experience in Iowa State?’
It caught me there thinking for awhile when all my friends were busy scribbling on their notepad.
(and while Sheau Ting was busy whispering to me Teng Foong’s name) I though the best thing will be the priceless experience of studying abroad, so I told QQLor, who was sitting next to me that the difficulties I had to face to adapt to the new environment were the best! She looked at me, “you crazy ar? That’s should be the worst thing!!”
But really, I think if I know to think of the hardest thing as the best challenge, then I would never feel bad about it. In fact, I would probably be happy that I know I’ve been through it.
So it is true, a lot of times if people are willing to change their perception about things, what’s horrible might not be that bad anyways…

Oh well, it’s always easier said than done. If everyone could think like this, then there will be less conflicts, less fights, and less people feeling depress then..

Anyways, that was just a little thought of mine.

I went to marketing class today and saw the latest product from pepsi, its call pepsi optimisms or maybe something like it. Apparently, the colors used on pepsi logos are the same as the colors on US democratic logo. They even change the pepsi logo a little to make it looks like the US democratic logo. I guess they are trying to say, “Drink Pepsi, be optimist, Experience the Change~~” hm.. i wonder..

赢，硬

2008-08-07T14:27:00.000-05:00

Winning,
is what my life is all about.
is what im thought since young,
is what i have an utmost believe in.
i matter things that lead me to winning,
everything i dwell with has to involve winning,
regardless if they are big or small wins.
things that do not involve winning, i will not bet.

As i grow with age,
i came to realize that sometimes i do trip and fall.
but i too realized that whichever way i fail, im still at the winning side,
because from a winners' point of view,
i win at learning from my mistakes,
i win at learning from life experiences...

everything and everyone who tried and are still trying to make my life difficult,
will only makes me strong, and stronger..

I, hereby declare war to whoever who tries to bring me down,
cause i know i will soon declare victory..

You,
who had once made my life miserable,
can save your effort,
from now on,
I,
will not give in an inch,
and you will never succeed in shaking me..

theres only one thing you should know,
I, WIN.

my multi tasking mind

2008-06-30T22:50:00.000-05:00

i have no idea why these days..
i think so much... infact, i think a lot.
I cannot just focus on one. I find it extremely hard for me to just think one.
certain people think really easily, they take things slowly, easily and everything will fall into places.
I tried that too.. but it just appear to me that it's more of an lackadaisical attitude than 'slow-and-easy', its more of pushing things to the back of your mind and not think about it when you really need to.
I always have so much to think about, and when i want to figure what to think of, i cant. i just cannot focus..
and it really bugs me.. all the time..

Las Vegas

2008-06-25T21:58:00.000-05:00

Las Vegas was crazy fun!! Although it was really really hot and sunny, I enjoyed myself really much. Checked in to Excalibur, changed into my shorts and put on my sun glasses, grab a bottle of water, my purse, camera and some facial wipes and off I go, all ready to explore this SIN city! We went all way from Excalibur, passing by the MGM, to Paris, flamingo, Bellagio, Ceasar Palace and we even walk all the way to Rio! In fact, I think I got most of my burn from Las vegas., but It was all worth it, it was really fun..
From many past experience, people told me that it wont be fun to visit Las Vegas if your not at the legal age. Well… I think its also fun to just walk around the shopping places, hanging around the casino, and visiting souvenir shops. There are 2 different outlets in Las Vegas and I pay a visit to the premium outlet, bought 2 pair of shoes, 2 Guess bags and some other items. Credits to Linh as she has been recommending to me good places to hang out in LV.
I personally, really like Bellagio’s buffet, especially their desserts!! So many kinds, so much varieties and so delicious! It really worth the money, really.. I made my promise to the fake Eifel tower, to the pink -onion -look- alike flamingo, the fountains in front of Bellagio, and all the chips played in the World Poker series that I, Rachel Gan will visit Las Vegas again, to shop, to club ‘not so much to gamble’ and there would be no doubt on that.

Weekends!!

2008-06-08T22:55:00.000-05:00

Weekdays during the summer = class + work in cafe + work in lab + home /gym

Weekends during summer = TF comes home <3

Told ya! I know my maths :p

Weekends compare to weekdays is so much more fun!!

my every monday to friday is just so mundane - Study and work.

"................................."

The only fun part will be studying with different friends and working with hyper collegues.

Last week, i had to work group members and cafe friends as well as moths.. yes.. MOTHS...

apparently, someone left some soybeans in the food grade lab, and the moths multiply, became a horde of mothsSss..

trust me, its not too plesant.

Infact, they are pretty gross..

urghh....

now now.. gross stuff aside,
how can i summarize my weekends.. hm...

hookah + beer + barbeque and more games!!?! :D

See....im just going to let the pictures do all the talking..

yeah.. welcome 2 d laZ Cson~

kai yan, kudut, celia, zi ting...playing BLUFF
( all bull-shitting!!), she said it 3 twos!!

Barbeque the next day~~
OooOO....beef ribs with mint sauce...(droolszz)

Giant ribs~!!

Sunday tea time at "Stomping Ground"

Card Gamesz.... thanks to kai yan and celia..
I'm officially the first level pig..

OH!!! heres a tribute to zi ting~ ~

thanks ZEE!!! for the laughs and for all the dishes u'll have to do!!

MUAHAHAHAHAHAH!!!!!

2008-06-05T17:55:00.001-05:00

heyo~~!!

see, i need to apologize to whoever who read my previous post. Rachel gets emotional at times..good thing that its not ALL THE TIME.. :)

SO! life has been busy and hectic with summer class, work at cafe, work at labs.. I started off the semester juggling with one class and 3 different jobs. Good thing that I am finally settled with just 2 jobs right now: which is my favorite coffee-making duty and more tofu-making lab position. Even though life has been hectic, its actually not that bad..well, I sometimes do complain especially when I returned from work, all tired and exhausted. But that aside, I think my life so far, has been fulfilling :)

While i was sitting down having a quick bite of my bread before I head off to the cafe, I came across this table of senior men. See.. I was alone and these men were talking pretty loudly, I just can't help but to practice an 'unintentional eavesdrop'. And they went on talking about cars, and traveling then AH-HAH! the GPS... so one of this guy start complaining that some of them are useless, some give wrong directions. The other older man then add on using a 'case study', telling the rest that one of the newspaper said accidents actually happen when ppl follow GPS too strictly.. cos' one of them actually hit the glass of the restaurant door when the GPS said 'turn right'. Then here come this man, he asked: SEE!! I dunno whats with the GPS.. they know women cant read the roads and yet all of the GPS directions are given by a female!

....................................................

Well... i dont know if they have a male voice recorded,
but he is kinda right.. so far, i have never came across a male giving directions in the GPS..
i wonder if someone can give me an explaination.. :)

I finally know..

2008-05-14T23:55:00.000-05:00

that i am not as tough as some people think i am
that i am not as jovial as many peple think i am
that my patients are running out
that i always cry
that i am becoming another person
that i lost some of my very own attitudes
that i look at my life differently now
that i dont have many close friends
that i became anti social
that i like to be on my own
that i have changed
that i actually put him as priority
that his friends are more important than me, and i am almost nothing to him..

and all this new discoveries makes me upset, depress and emotional..

its fight or flight..

i cannot take this longer..
i cannot cry over night like last time, and think that everything will be fine
i cannot give in anymore

i need to be strong again
i need not to rely on people
i need not give in so much
i need not put so much effort in to things that do not aprreciate me
i need not...

i take care of people, when i need to be taken care of, almost nobody shows up
i be truely good to people, when i am depress, he rather not turn up
i smile at people sincerely, people smiles at me, i doubt their sincerity..

the world is evolving, changing.. so are the people living in this world

all these are inevitable, unavoidable, uncontrolable..
I FINALLY KNOW that the strongest survives, and if you are not one of them,

u die........

NEW MU market and cafe

2008-05-14T21:44:00.000-05:00

anouncement everybody!!
check out the new mu market and cafe, its no longer located at the crowded area opposite Cstore, now its WITH Cstore, sitted by the corridor from food court to book store.. its now 4 times larger than the old cafe and 50% more efficient and 100% more variety compare to the old cafe and cstore!

Now we have 'freshened' smoothies which used to be the UDCC special.. (HAHA!! no longer you 'you-d-ca-cat' people have the smoothies.. we got it here in the mu too!! Blek**)

AND some signature coffee such as ZEBRA mocha, TURTLE mocha, ( no idea why they make it so Zoo-ish, but....) CHOCOLATE WHITE BERRY mocha, CARAMELOTTA etc etc... See!! its really too much variety.. so so many, i cant even remember :)
it was the grand opening today, but the crowd was apparently lesser than i expected.. more of them came for the smoothies, and some order the signature coffees,,
They are all a dollar off. so the smoothies is originally 3.99, but now 2.99 :) pretty good a deal actually.. besides the cash discounts, you get 2 punches on the beverage card than the usual one!!
NO SHIT people.. its CRAZY good deal :D

the new cafe actually looks like hawthorn.. coffee and deli, candy and ice cream.. :)
much bigger, wider and it just means to the poor dining workers: (Harsh time to clean..)
its only summer,, i cant imagine when fall comes around, when the amount of students double up, how hectic we can get..
stocking can go really scary at times.. especially if there are many orders of smoothies.. we will need to keep stocking those fresh fruits..
in and out the freezer all the time.. is just pure frustrating, sensibly inefficient and ultimately annoying..

nevertheless, for some of us, who has the patient and passion for coffee and our new cafe, would definitely do it with Zero complains. I can imagine the first person to be Brian, then Darrin and more people coming up on the list.. I, myself as an example, discovered that I actually enjoy making coffee (a lot).. its not as easy as you think it is..
Seriously.. if you were to make good coffee, its actually skills that you are talking about... *nod nod*

Im really glad that Brian were kind enough to give us some trainnings before the mu cafe opens.. they were actually useful, the sequence of making a latte, the before and after shots making instructions.. its a knowledge, and shame on those who thinks its easy as ABC, it might, only when u master the skills.

Iron Man and PeRRRrrrkins

2008-05-12T14:31:00.000-05:00

Below is how i choose to describe my day..
"The day started off sour, and then sweet and salty with some barbeque sauce and it ended up all spicy and tasty :)"

I woke up all cranky and noisy, being bitchy with a things or two and didnt really enjoy the morning at all. :(
But good thing it was a barbeque day out for the lion dance members. I initially didnt want to go so that i dont spread the blues around.. but apparently i wasnt so contagious at all.. Instead, it was surrounded with fun people and freesbies, football, basketball.. all in all. it was really really fun :P

Now now.. come to the gist of the day: my movie&perkins night out with 6326, celia and jing yi. we went to catch iron man in the theater at about 10 and hung out in perkins till 3.. HMmm... this is the once in a blue moon thing for me.. not everyday is as relaxing and mostly importantly, not everyday is as "assignment-free".. So...
the entire time out in perrrkins was just awesome!! :)
* p/s: the reason why its perrRrkins and not perkins, theres an interesting story behind it*
so, it goes like this,
few months ago, i went to catch 21 with 6326 (again)-yu yu.. and they discover this interesting trait in me that i can not say the Arrrrrr ^tongue rolling R^..
and that kept them going on laughing and teasing me for almost the whole night when we were at perkins..
i have to admit that, it was not an easy journey for me to travel from the cinema to perkins.. BECAUSE.. they will all emphasize the Rrrr.. when they see peRrrkins, RRRestaurants, ArrrRRRrby, etc etc.. and ARghhh!!!

me: so what i can not say the indian Rrrr...
oliver: oh its okay, we wont blame you, RrrrrRRRrrachel...
all: MUAHAHAHAHAHA!!
me:....................

and since movie and perkins goes so well together, the jokes just seems to resurface when we were at perkins.. *dang!*
anywaysz.. its really fine,, im glad God is still fair to make some words with the alphabet 'R' not so RRrrrrrable.. for instance.. iRon Man!!!

Iron man!! *jeng jeng jeng**
I have to say that its a really good movie!! fantastic, awesome, brilliant, *yeng*, *geng*... AH!! you name it!!
it a real good movie, for those who like action as well as those 'anti-actionist'=me :P
i was amazed by the technology shown in the movie, the scene where Tony Stark got back from Afghanistan to start improve on the iron man shield; the new input and deletion of imperfections with that 3D screen was plainly impressive.. the part where he can fly, talk, fire.. basically multi-task at a time leave me in awe..well, except for the part where he has to do that balerina pose before he fly la... but its still very-the-gaya!! I LIKE!! :D

and oh, that machine thing he had on his chest (similar to the one ultraman has on theirs) was so well designed. many times in the movie, the main character was only wearing plain t-shirts, and that thing looks exactly like a design on his shirt.. Hm.. i wonder if any company actually try to print shirts with that design, exactly at the middle of the chest and sell it off as movie merchandise.. *geng lor...
i think its a good idea, im sure it will look quite good :) the best thing about this movie.. is the Iron Man tag line:
" Heros aren't born, they are built..."

Iron man leh... dun pray pray...

Quiz #1

2008-05-09T10:56:00.001-05:00

Quiz #1:

Who are those people that you will give you ultimate difficulties, extreme stress and are the hardest ones that u encounter when you wake them up from sleep?

Answer:
a. a drunk person
b. a person who hasnt been sleeping for days
c. a super lazy person, or,
d. person who are just pretending to be deeply asleep?

AhHhhhHHHhhhhh....... did it ring the bell??! :P

Come to think of it, it does make a lot of sense right? the hardest thing to do, is to wake up somebody that is trying so hard to pretend to be sleeping.. the more you wanna wake them up, the more they wont wake up..
Best thing to do, is just to let them be.. and make them realized that :" dang.. its not working anymore.. No fun one.. quit la.."

Quiz #2

What is the purpose for a chinese mom to sing praises to their friend's children?

a. genuinely out of sincerity
b. so that her own children will be pressured
c. to make them treat her to lunch, or,
d. so that they will praise her own kids in return?

Ooo0oOOooooo0oo............ Now it all make sense to me~~

Parents usually compliment their friend's children so that they their little ones get praised in return. Like this:
Mrs. Tan: Wah!!! Lian ah!! your son very pan-nai Oo!!
SPM 8As leh~~

Mrs Ong: haha~~ No lah.. your ling ling smarter la!!
her results also 8As right?!!?
your girl is so hardworking, my Beng ar, dont study one!!
also dunno why can get that kinda results.. hahaha!!

so in this case, Mrs Ong, ( i believe the kiasu-ier version), still did a great job praising Mrs. Tan's daughter, and also her son!!

SkillS~~

Open Sesame!!

2008-05-08T16:13:00.000-05:00

Welcome to the first entry of my beautiful and magnificent blog.
(thus the name, beauti-ficent) :)

Seriously.. ive been thinking of blogging for a very long time, and for a rather indecisive person like me, it really did took me a long while to judge the pros and cons, good and bad, waste time or not, got time or not... yada yada yada...

i thought i would never give in to peer pressure..

(*wait..why is it that i hear a 'BUT' coming??!?)

well...

its just hard sometimes to resist the fun of blogging......................

atleast now.. ive finally got a blog and there will be many things that i can do.. *wink wink** :P

_________________________________________________________

FINALS IS FINALLY OVER~~

CHEEEERRRSSZZZZ!!!

Finals is over and so it means:-
1. Life is easy and nice (no assignments and zero tests)
2. Perfect time to keep fit and tone up
3. Great time to catch up with hi-bye friends
4. Work to earn more pocket money
5. Have more rockstarz parties.. *Woo00ho0oo..*
6. Spend more time with the important ones... and 7..and 8.... and .....

Come to think of it, theres actually so many things to do.. besides, its SUMMER..
well said if someone object me by saying that its going to be all hot and sweaty, greasy or so on..
well then... doesnt it just makes you want to play more water games??!? or play some real extreme games?!? get dirty!!all muddy and sweaty!! i dont know if its just me.... but it sounds like there is going to be so much FUN!! :)

time passes really fast, and i yet to realized that ive been here in the states for almost a year already.. its not a long time compare to those who have been here for 7/8 years.. but i somehow felt like ive acomplished something.. (hm... i wonder why..)

LOLZ...
(this might be unnecessary.. well if u dunno bout my desultory..

pls just bear with me..

OO0ooo!! ....... Bear with me :) :) ................>>

Flyin' High

Did you see that?

Good Bye Lads

In love with voices of the high kings

Galway To Graceland Lyrics

Reflection after Inception

of Jameson Whiskey and London Baby

That moment of time

Ireland baby!

I don't know what to put as title~

My observations

the anti-climax

The New Year Resolution

you think you dare?

i saw mommy kissing santa claus

HELLO :)

Ireland! teacht I anseo!

Perfecto!

Post Thanksgiving Syndrome.

my "Thanksgiving" break

Random~

Bangkok Life Insurance trilogy :)

keep up buddy

The Hardest Thing is also..

Don't eat the marshmallow yet!

Golden Birthday :) cont'd

Golden Birthday :)

The Girl Effect

My first triathlon

This is for you, my number 1 supporter :)

Ideas Worth Sharing

Second week of Fall Semester

Wings Attack!

Fall 2009

Replaced

PWNED

So far...

Home is Malaysia, Home is Ames. DIFFERENT BUT SAME SAME~

like, no like..

Friends and Malaysia

John Legend

Really? i dont think so..

*foosh!* disappeared~

Random

Check this out!

we're just ordinary people...

Home

yumyum..

life in McCook Lake

我终于办到了！！

Ames Outings

AMES

Internship 2nd day: Getting into REAL business!

我的小姐

Dead Week..

I Dreamed a Dream

Spring Break

Happy Valentines Day

10 things that can happen/ already happened to me when taking an exam

树欲静而风不止 子欲养而亲不在

我很想妈妈。。。=(

HhHh..eEe..LPp...

我要的100種生活 !

Quiz, Examz, due dates~~!!

Happily Ever After

The World Is Flat?

我的盘，满了吗？

listen

赢，硬

my multi tasking mind

Las Vegas

Weekends!!

I finally know..

NEW MU market and cafe

Iron Man and PeRRRrrrkins

Quiz #1

Open Sesame!!

foosh! disappeared~

树欲静而风不止子欲养而亲不在