Beanstalk

It's all about timing......

2010-04-01T22:30:00.000-07:00

When I'm ready to leave US, then I'm getting call for phone interview. What's going on with the timing man? Can't you call me a little bit sooner or something? So what should I do now? Postponing my flight and take a risk of not getting a job? Gheezzzzz...........

Thoughts and updates

2009-07-21T20:46:00.000-07:00

I know, I know. It's been a while since the last post. Finally decided to log in here, move the cursor to "New Post"......

Nothing changed much since the last post. Another excuse for not writing it down. Can't really remember all the details of things that happened. Maybe I wasn't really paying a lot of attention to my surrounding. Been living in my own tiny little bubble. The only thing I realized is, this summer has been mild and hopefully its not the calm before storm.

This summer, picked up golfing and been going to the driving range a lot. Wanted to get better desperately. Yeah I know, even in my blog talked about golf. Well at least I found something that I really want to be good at. Might be one of those things that the passion fades pretty quickly. We'll see. Finally have the feeling that I'm actually living my life. Might be the "Yes Man" effect. But no worries, I'm only saying Yes to things that I want to do. Living my life with more variety instead of starring at my screen and kill people in the virtual world. Outdoor activities are so much more interesting.

Fairness. We all seek for it and usually don't see everything turns out to be fair. We always think retribution will come to those who did harm to people but maybe the bad person (from our perspective), might have done something good else where that surpasses his bad deeds. I might not have harmed anybody but I didn't do anything good enough. Still an average person that deserves nothing.

Maybe....

2008-12-10T21:45:00.000-08:00

Maybe I should not be writing my blog now. Maybe I should be doing my slides for tomorrow's presentation now. Maybe things will get better next year. Maybe I will survive 2009. Maybe things would not be that bad we tell the truth all the time. Maybe things would be that bad if we know the truth. Maybe it is a blessing to be innocent. Maybe we should always stand up for ourselves. Maybe we should be the weakest sometime. Maybe someone, tell me what to do, tell me what to say. Maybe...... Maybe......

no time for a title

2008-10-13T21:33:00.000-07:00

Three weeks from tomorrow, I will be sitting for my 4th Actuarial Exam. To be more precise, it's my 3.5th exam. Have been trying hard to isolate myself from my computer and friends, so that I can piece my mind together and focus on the study material. It's hard but I will try for the sake of passing the exam. Wanted to break my passing pattern so much, this will be what I have to do. My pattern is passing actuarial exam on the second trial. That's nothing to be proud of, but I was lucky enough to only have to take each exam twice. Hopefully, this one will be done with the very first sitting.

My friend has just bought himself a puppy, and he named it Addy. Kind of looking forward to meet her as I have always wanted to get a pet, but the apartment I'm currently staying don't allow any pets. Maybe it's time to move......

2008-09-14T21:00:00.000-07:00

I really hope that things will all get better, soon. Please. At least something happen exactly the way I want it to. Really hope that after all these hard times are over, there will be brightness ahead......

Homesick......

2008-07-29T20:10:00.000-07:00

Last Sunday, after I talked to papa and mama on the phone, I felt the worst homesick ever since I have come to the states. I missed them, the food, mamak's stall, loitering in city square, and my friends in JB. Though there are plenty of Malaysians studying in Drake, I don't feel the same way I felt towards my friends in JB. Most probably because of we all grew up with different background. Having been talked on the phone for more than two hours with one of my friends, I felt better. Thank you so much for not sleeping early.

I know this might be totally irrelevant to the topic.On the same day, I heard the news that Mr. Tan, who was a great man with the most significant contribution in teaching Malaysians how to appreciate music, passed away around 3 am Central Time zone. http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/7/30/nation/21952180&sec=nation

2008-07-08T20:50:00.000-07:00

Haven't been updating my blog for a long long time. Still with the same bad excuse of being lazy and procrastinate. I always wanted to improve my writing skills but seems like it won't work when I always come up with a lot of reasons for not posting anything new. People out there, please motivate me with some scolding............

2008-04-17T22:11:00.000-07:00

"The only thing that is predictable about life, is its unpredictability." quote from the movie Ratatoullie. We can never predict what's going to change, and what's going to stay constant. These few months of job hunting has been wasted. It has been few months of wasting time and energy. Waiting for phone calls from companies are really not that exciting, or fun. Every morning when I woke up, turning on my computer, hoping to receive or not to receive emails from those companies that I applied. Hope to receive emails with "We would like to schedule an interview with you...", hope not to receive emails with "While your background has many impressive aspects, we have selected candidates who more closely fit our current business needs...". This year hasn't really been treating me well. Few months of wondering around, everyday waiting for phone calls.
I have started to doubt my capability, was I really that bad until there is no place for me in the States? Luckily, I was able to somehow figure out it's not my interviewing skills problem. It's because US government had made it so hard for foreign students to get a job here. I have actually gotten a job offer from one company, but after they realized I would need sponsorship for future employment, they took the offer back. That really sucks!
All I can do now, is continue my job searching while at the same time, enroll into grad school and finish my MBA. Please, at least have one options work out for me alright? Dearest Year 2008.

2008-02-25T09:36:00.000-08:00

Well, I can fight only 21 of them but not kill them. I might be able to get higher number by killing. Haha.
21

It's just around the corner now

2008-02-25T08:54:00.000-08:00

Well, it's been two months and 4 days since I have graduated. But I am still JOBLESS. I have started my job searching during my final semester. Can't quite describe the feeling but kind of sad, disappointed, and regret. Is my stay in US coming to an end soon? Is it really just around the corner now? I have done several phone interviews and heard no good news from none of them yet. I think I really suck at doing phone interviews. Don't really know how to stand out from other candidates. Where do I see myself in 5 years? Man, I know it's asking about my short term goal but, how should I distinct myself? Ran out of ideas........

It's been a while

2008-02-01T06:58:00.001-08:00

It has really been a while since my last entry. Laziness might be the only valid reason for abandoning my blog for so long. Brad Lee is planning to eliminate my name from the cousin blog ring and Mia forced me to update my blog, even my dad has long time ago given up on my blog already. haha. But thanks a lot because I would never do it without a push.

December 21st, 2007, my graduation date from Drake University. It wasn't that special after all. Nothing really happened and the day just swept away without any notice. Well maybe something did happen but it's been a while since it happened. Few days after my graduation date, I flew to Austin, TX to have the greatest reunion with my "long lost" cousins and my Da Gu Gu and Uncle Bill. Cousins who involved in the reunion were Kai, Leah, Wei, Min, and myself. My lovely brother was supposed to come but he was too busy...... We really had a lot of fun. Walking around Austin area, taking pictures of our favorite building in Austin (the capitol building), "Bomb"ing each other around, and most important thing, my first Christmas celebration in the States. It was a lot of fun during the gift unwrapping session. It was supposed to occur in the morning, but we end up unwrapping our Christmas gifts at night. The worst part is, I forgot to buy presents for both Kiki (Princess) and Yoshi. Probably that's why they got mad and took each other pictures on my bed. Oh for Christmas gifts, I really need to thank Miss Mia for remembering me while sending bags and wallets over to the states.

I have to mention this 'cause I don't want Kai to be upset. We took some great pictures with the most famous guitarist in the world, STEVE RAY VAUGHN!!!! We were SO excited about it. Wei, Min and I traveled all the way south to Austin just to get a glimpse of his statue. We were so glad that Kai took us there. Haha. Seriously, Kai and Leah had been giving us a lot of attention. They took us around, had fun with us. You guys are great!! My Da Gu Gu cooked a lot of delicious food for us and most importantly, she redeemed her mileage points for my ticket!! I couldn't do much in return but made DouFuHua in return.

That reunion had really meant a lot to me because it was the second, third, and forth time I have met them. Second for Min, third for Wei, and Kai, and the forth time for Leah, if I did not miscount it. Wei and Min have always been lovely but both of them are no longer available. Haha. Wei did not really keep it a secret but for Min, we found out the boy accidentally. Haha. Oops.....

I am sorry.........

2007-08-26T17:01:00.000-07:00

I am sorry.......... This is a sentence when we all used when we did something wrong that affect other people. When we say we are sorry, do we really mean that? Or just for the sake of comforting our own. Since we did something wrong, we apologize to make ourself feel better and yet still don't care about others feeling. So, what's the point of saying those three words? If you don't mean it, don't say it. That only makes you a hypocrite.

Unnamed Song ~ by Yoshiki

2007-08-19T08:26:00.000-07:00

I'm standing on the edge
And coming to my senses from my reverie
Never thought I would
Never thought I'd need to
Say goodbye I bid you farewell
My voiceless words are swaying a flame

I can't live without
I can't live without
I can't live without you
Here in the dark
I whisper your name over again
Give me the strength to seize the light
If I should find a way
I saw a dream you were flying in the sky
Without a fear
Never touched the ground
But never came to my side
I tried so hard to reach out for your hand
The ruthless wind kept your soul away

I can't live without
I can't give without
I can't breathe without you
Here in the world
Do you feel the rain
You said love takes no pain
With or without the sun
The lurid sky is still tearing me apart

Will she let freedome reign over the pain
Give me the strength to believe the words that love will find a way
I can't live without
I can't give without you
Here in the world
Do you feel the rain over the pain
Give me the strength to believe the words that love will find a way
With or without the sun
I'll be and I won't say goodbye cause I...
I know I'll be with you

2007-06-07T17:01:00.001-07:00

Finally, got off my laziness and updating my blog now. I'VE GOTTEN AN ACTUARIAL INTERNSHIP!!!!!! Lucky me and lucky ah ting. Your chance of study abroad have slightly increased. Currently, I am working with EMC National Life Company. Everyday crunching numbers and figures. (wrote on June 7th 2007).

Everytime when I called home, my mum will always have the same question for me. When am I going to update my blog? According to her, my dad has been checking my blog frequently though it always disappointed him. The most current entry's date will always be in March. What a lazy bone here. Well, I tried to write something but whenever I begin writing, I'll have problem to continue what I was going to blog about. I hope this entry can be as long as possible, to fill in the gap between the last entry and this.

Carry on with the thing I wrote one month plus ago, numbers and figures are still my co-workers everyday. Everyday, I'll walk into my tiny little cubicle, turn on my machine and sat there from 8 til 4.30 pm. The most interesting part of this job is, my supervisor, Mark Rowley, he is going to be my professor for ACTS 151, a class I'm going to take this Fall semester. And, he's trying to get budget approval for extending my internship through Fall. Can you imagine that your boss is going to be your professor as well? My performance both in class and at work is evaluated by the same person. Hope there won't be any cross influence.

On the day before 4th of July, I did go to work. During working, I emailed my new colleague a.k.a Keving Kading about his plan for July 4th. He was going to spend his 4th of July in his lake house and invited me to come along with him. Of course I would love to join him as I didn't really have plans for 4th of July, plus it is a lake house. I doubt that I will have many chances to visit my friend's lake house. The place was named Sun Valley Lake. It is located an hour south from Des Moines. We watched fireworks on the lake, drank in his place on that night. Surprisingly, his parents were so cool to join a bunch of teenages while we were playing drinking games. The next day, I experienced my 1st water skiing. I tried a few times and the last time, I stood up a while but still wasn't able to balance and end up in the water again.

2007-03-10T15:34:00.000-08:00

Can't believe, I blog within a month since my last post!!! Just have too much to say, but can't express how I really feel in words. Maybe it's my problem. Still can't get a job, maybe it's my problem. Couldn't really focus on what I am doing, maybe it's my problem. Something wrong between you and I, maybe it's my problem. What should I do to straighten everything? My career, my studies, you and I......

Blizzard...........

2007-03-03T10:21:00.000-08:00

Guess what happened on Thursday? Blizzard!!!! First blizzard both in my life and since I've come to Des Moines, little pathetic capital of Iowa. No matter how strong is your desire to go out, you'll decide to cancel whatever plan you have once you look outside the window. The whole Des Moines had been shut down due to the blizzard.

On the previous Friday, which is 23rd of February, another exam down. I passed it!!!! YEAH!!!!! Finally, I am able to include two exam passed in my resume. But the sad part is, I didn't get any offer for summer internship. Sigh...... I really need to get an internship during this summer. If not, It'll be a hard time for me to get full-time job here. Can anyone get me an intern position in US please?

2007-02-02T21:29:00.000-08:00

I know if I said it's been a long time since my last post will be kind of old school as I always said that whenever there's a big gap between the previous post. Haha. Oh guys, I've passed my paper 2, exam FM, financial Mathematics!!!! Congratulation to myself!!!!!

This spring semester, kind of different from all previous semesters because, THIS IS MY 3RD SEMESTER HERE!!!! Haha, I know it's not funny. Actually, I'm graduating by the end of this year. It's kind of hard to describe how I feel exactly. For more precisely, it's complicated. I'm glad that I will be graduating as I'm getting older now. By the June of this year, I'll be 23 year old and I'm still in school. As I'm graduating, there will be no more immature behaving. My sister's future will be some sort of on my shoulder once I graduated. So, the most important thing for me to do right after I graduate will be, get a full time job, in US. I'm really worried about getting a job after graduate because, til now, I only have one exam passed, zero actuarial field working experience, point zero one level of interview experience. The good thing is, I have a good resume being modified by somebody. Thank you so much SC.

On the this coming week, I'll be having interviews for summer internship. This will be chance to get decent working experience which may proceed to full time after school. Til now, I'm still lost about how to present in order to outstand from whom I'm competing with. Some of them have two paper passed, more working experience, some have even worked for insurance company. I have friends who are really willing to help me. I should really know how to appreciate their assistances. Moreover, after next week, I have two weeks left to prepare for my coming professional exam. 2nd attempt on the first exam. It's all about probability.

I might be too exaggerated, I think this coming week will decide how my opportunity in US going to be. Anyway, I have a history paper due on Tuesday. Gotta get going now. Wish me luck on my interviews.

This February is too short for me....... Here's some of the pictures I have taken in Malaysia.

2006-12-10T22:12:00.000-08:00

Such a looooooooong time since my previous blog. Everytime I logged in to my account, starring at the screen for couple of minutes, my procrastinating virus attacked my brain again. I've tried so hard to create a new post but it seems so hard for me to complete one. Whenever I start, I'll be running out of material to write about and in the end, the new post window will be closed and you'll see nothing new in my blog. hahaha.

My life here have changed a little bit here. Finals coming, the day I'm leaving the states heading home for vacation has been pulled ahead which falls on this 22nd of December, the places I've been to in US has increased from 4 to 5(which are Chicago, Des Moines, Minneapolis, Wisconsin Dells, and the latest will be St Louis) and my status has changed to in a relationship after being single for almost 2 years. Hehe. Alright, I'll just stop writing and post some pictures here. Hope I'll kick ass in every finals of the cla sses I'm taking!!!!!!

2006-11-08T23:43:00.000-08:00

After reading someone's blog, I have the mutual feeling. When we blog, we wrote something about our life. But the trend is, we usually blog about something nice for people to read, something appropriate for people to know. People don't blog something that's really happening. Frankly, the "people" I'm using, included me.

My 2nd attempt of FM, Financial Mathematic become past tense by actual time 11 am but 10.30 am actuarial society time on 8th of November 2006. I knew it's over now, but I kind of anxious about knowing whether I pass or fail. It's not the problem of how many attempts I've tried. It's because, this is our last chance to pass the old format. Starting on next year, they've decided to add more material in it. The material that I don't really understand. Derivative market. Well, I think it's actually the matter of time. I'll master it one day. Haha.

After FM, I actually planned to go crazy but...... since I'm having mgmt120 exam on Friday, I can't really lose control. So, might just have some fun and that's it. Moreover, 2 exams on next week and 1 on the following. It's not the right timing yet.

2006-10-23T14:59:00.000-07:00

GA DARN IT!!!!!! I can't believe I did it again!!!!! Already have a scheduled concert long time ago, still be able to forget about it and thinking of going to winery tour??? O COME ON!!!!!! WHAT THE HELL HAPPENED TO ME??????????

2006-10-13T22:03:00.000-07:00

I'm in Chicago again, for the 4th time already. Should be pretty familiar with the directions here but, once I got out of the Greyhound station, I lost my direction again. Darn it!!! According to the schedule, I should have left Des Moines by 8.30 am and reach Iowa City around 10.30 am. It didn't come out that way because something under the bus broke and the driver had to use duct tape to seal it temporarily. In the end, I was nearly two hours late from the actual schedule. Supposingly to have reach Chicago by 4.20 pm and ended up 7 pm to get my butt off the bus. Called my brother and he said he'll meet me at the Roosevelt station. I was expecting a hug from my lovely brother and I got nothing. Haha.

It's kind of sad for me to end up traveling with Greyhound. Want to know why? I thought I would be coming to Chicago by my newly met friends' car. On the 13th night, I called one of them and they told me that they had cancelled the plan to Chicago due to the freezing weather going to be in Chicago. (Actually it wasn't that bad here, at least it's warmer than Des Moines.) Frankly, I kind of pissed as they should have told me by the time they cancelled. I had to book my ticket at the last minute. Whatever...... at least I'll get the chance to study my FM exam, erm..... for the 2nd time. I failed on the 1st attempt and hopefully, I can pass it for 2nd attempt as they're adding syllabus next year. That suck!!!! Wish me luck, pal!!!

2006-09-19T21:45:00.000-07:00

Sigh......planned to sleep earlier but, I forgot my stupid laundry still in the washing machine. Because of that, I'll have to wait for an hour in order to collect my dried clothes. Just leave it there? NO WAY!!! I need my pants for tomorrow morning!!! Tomorrow, after my normal classes, I'll be having my 2nd private violin class. Bad comments from my teacher on my 1st lesson. I have a feeling that tomorrow, he'll be mad at me again as I haven't gotten my score yet. It's part of my mistake. I should have found the address before I make my order. I believed they are sending the scores from somewhere in Europe...... which means, I won't get it so soon. Argghhhh.......

Lost......

2006-09-15T23:16:00.000-07:00

It's been another big interval since my last blogging. Getting lazier to update my blog. Did I use the wrong comparative adjective? Lazier? Hmm...... Seriously, I can feel that this semester, if I don't manage my time properly, I'm going to screw my results. All my Monday to thursday have been filled with activities, classes and work. 7 in the morning, have to wake up and prepare to go to work. 5 minutes walk from my room. There will be a half an hour or an hour break between my work and class time. Monday and Wednesday will be half an hour when Tuesday and Thursday will be an hour. All my classes end at 3.15 pm. By the time, I'll be dead tired and feel like doing nothing. Haha. BUT!!!!! Tuesday, I'll have to rush over to the Fine Art Center for orchestra. Wednesday, Fine Art Center again but it's for my private violin class. What a busy semester. Haha. Wait a minute, it's not done yet. I work at the library reference counter every Monday and Wednesday from 8pm to 11pm. Friday, orchestra again from 3.30 to 5.30. Kind of enjoying my life though it's busy. We're playing Dvorak's From the New World, a Mozart violin concerto, and erm, I couldn't remember the title and was lazy to find out what is it.

Suddenly, feel like talking about something totally irrelevant with the 1st paragraph. Haha. Before school starts, I went to my first baseball game in the States. Iowa Cubs VS err.... forgot. haha. Here's some pictures of it. We weren't lucky enough to get the homerun ball. Sigh...... it was flying towards our direction and flew over our building. Darn it......

Again, Irrelevant topic just popped up and couldn't help. Sorry for making you guys lost in my blog. Hehe. But, please forgive me. I am bad in organizing stuff. I'm taking STAT 132 this semester. We're using a textbook written by our advisor, Eric's dearest Prof. Klugman, who has a son named David Klugman studying in Drake as well. Haha. Ooops...... The title of the book named Loss Models. After going few classes, my friend changed the name to LosT Models. It's quite true when you can see everybody's expression during the class. Of course, I'm one of them.

Oh, yesterday, I went to the rush for business fraternity, Alpha Kappa Psi. We went to a small town for mini-golfing. Everybody was playing properly for the 1st few holes. After they knew they couldn't really enter the ball with par, creativity took place. Whatever ways you can think of, you would find it there. Bowl it, pool style, basketball style, soccer, etc. Finally, we reached the 18th hole, the hole was set on the top of a small hump. The ritual master, put a ten bucks note on the hump, whoever makes the hole in one, the ten bucks is his or hers. Few minutes later, somebody doubles up to twenty. Another few minutes later, an additional one buck was added. So, the jackpot was 21 bucks in total. There were so many people trying to get the 21 bucks. I tried a couple of times. In the end, someone named Adam if I'm not wrong won the jackpot. It was fun though I didn't win the jackpot. Haha.

Alrighty, give me some comments if you want to. Please feel free to point out grammatical errors. I would love to accept your correction(s, maybe) .

Finally.........

2006-08-17T09:26:00.000-07:00

I'll be sitting for another professional paper tomorrow. After the paper, I'll be allowed to move in to the dorm earlier for working the preseason term which last for two weeks. This summer was about to end and......by "default" I should have passed one paper and waiting for another one. It doesn't come out identical what I've forecasted long before summer started. Seems like I'm not a good predictor at all. Haha. All I can do now is to laugh. Oh wait, it's not the end of the world yet, I still have a paper tomorrow. If I'm able to pass it, it won't differ that much from my plan. It just delay a bit. haha.
It's been three weeks plus since I've started to work in office of Student Records. How funny is it, when I started to work, there were 7 people in the office and 4 of them are left hander including me. On Monday, another new staff start working and I found out, he's another left hander!!!!! Left hander dominates the student records!!! I have never seen right hander being a minority before. haha. Frankly, I met most of the left hander in Drake University. After three weeks of working experience, I believe I'm able to handle all the basic project that is given to me. Actually, the word project seems too professional to my responsibility in Student Records. Basically, what I have to do is, folding transcripts, doing all sorts of verifications, print requested transcript, alphabertized document and most of the time, answering phone calls. My first phone call was a hard one. A professor called and wanted to verified if one of the class is scheduled correctly. I know it shouldn't be an excuse, I was nervous for the first time, so when I heard his question, I panic! I didn't know he is the professor and I'd put him on hold for several times and end up transfer him to Terry, who's one of the professional staff in Student Records. That's suck..... I'd been listening to others conversations to learn how to react. The 1st mistake I've made was, I didn't identify who am I speaking to. That's the main problem. I only learnt it after several calls. How can I call myself a fast learner? I doubt that. haha. Anyway, I've thought about it before, I shouldn't avoid to answer phone calls! Since I'm not a fast learner, I'll have to practise more. Now I'm glad to have the chance to practise on phone calls. hehe.
Due to somebody's request, haha, you know who you are, I don't have to say it. Here's my update.

2006-07-23T12:22:00.000-07:00

Been busy working for the past two weeks. Everyday, waking up around 5 or 6 in the morning, get myself prepared and went out to work. After delivering and picking up, I would have to go to the other place to work. It's been a while and really tiring. 18th of August, date of another professional paper. Unfortunately, I flunk the 1st paper. It's kind of sad as I'll have to pay another USD 150 for the exam fee. If I could make it the 1st time, my Uni will refund half of the fees. So in total, I've lost USD 225 as I'll have to pay for the 2nd time.
Yesterday, I was obsessed with an oldies named while my guitar gently weeps. Go ahead with this link and listen to it. Hope you'll like it. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=puSkP3uym5k&search=ukulele
erm, my lovely cousin, I'm so sad to say that I don't think I could make it to Texas by this Summer. It's so kind of you for offering me a ticket to Texas. hehe. Still, thank you so much though i couldn't make it.

2006-06-29T13:24:00.000-07:00

29th of June. The end of June and July's coming. After July will be August. Another paper on August. Wanted to start my preparation rightaway but, I kept giving myself excuses for not starting my revision. What's wrong with me? Hardly to find other word than lazy. Almost 6 months being a undergrad and my unproductive behavior still very tangible. Ow! Using a new word, procrastinate. Always wasting my time without noticing it. Sometimes, I just have those materials with me but still, tried my very best to delay or distract to something else. What should I do? Anyone?

2006-06-26T12:07:00.000-07:00

Been lazy updating my blog recently because I've been suffering feverS. The real fever and world cup fever. Thanks for concerning, I felt better now. hmm.... since somebody said i write one paragraphs for the sake of updating my blog, I'll write a bit more than the last update. haha. I've been trying to write a qualitied blog but everytime I clicked on the 'create' link, I was stunned. Though I have so much to write about, it will end up a short single paragraph. Yang Jian said writing is a good habit. I knew but hardly kept it as my hobby. This might be caused by my lack of reading. I knew my weakness but I couldn't change it.
Before summer started, I've planned to fully utilize my spare time to study and start preparation for my future. Get a office work might help me with it. Everytime I attended an interview, the only respond I've got is "you're an excellent candidate, but...." Bullshit!! I knew I have to face it and I'll be prepared.
whew..... finally, two point something paragraphs. Improved a bit huh. hahaha

I lost my ipod nano.....

2006-06-15T13:19:00.000-07:00

last month, my friend told me that if you opened an account in TCF bank, they'll give out an ipod nano for free. Too bad, Iowa state is too developed to have TCF bank in it. Thought of opening online saving account but they didn't provide that service. Sigh..... I just lost it. The promotion is going to end at 30th of June.

Anywhere - Evanescence

2006-06-09T12:10:00.000-07:00

Dear my love, haven't you wanted to be with me
Ad dear my love, haven't you longed to be free
I can't keep pretending that I don't even know you
And at sweet night, you are my own
Take my hand

We're leaving here tonight
There's no need to tell anyone
They'd only hold us down
So by the morning's light
We'll be half way to anywhere
Where love is more than just your name

I have dreamt of a place for you and I
No one knows who we are there
All I want is to give my life only to you
I've dreamt so long I cannot dream anymore
Let's run away, I'll take you there

We're leaving here tonight
There's no need to tell anyone
They'd only hold us down
So by the morning's light
We'll be half way to anywhere
Where no one needs a reason

Forget this life
Come with me
Don't look back you're safe now
Unlock your heart
Drop your guard
No one's left to stop you

Forget this life
Come with me
Don't look back you're safe now
Unlock your heart
Drop your guard
No one's left to stop you now

We're leaving here tonight
There's no need to tell anyone
They'd only hold us down
So by the morning's light
We'll be half way to anywhere
Where love is more than just your name

here's some pictures

2006-06-09T11:42:00.000-07:00

hey guys, I went to Chicago again last weekend, to visit my dearest brother. haha. After being lectured, I thought he's right, I don't have to tell story about every picture. Just upload it and let you guys have some frames about my life in US. hehe, here you go. Some of the pictures are taken in wisconsin dells. That with my brother was in Chicago. PS: the cake wasn't for me but two girls.

2006-05-26T11:29:00.000-07:00

Yesterday morning, I sat for my 1st professional paper. For some reason, I wasn't really sure about when did I start my preparation. It doesn't matter now as the exam is over now. I can do nothing but pray hard to pass it. They are going to add syllabus into the exam I've just taken. So everybody out there, please wish me good luck. haha.
After the exam, I went to two shopping mall in Des Moines to relax. Felt a sudden emptiness, just like last time, after my UEC exam. Now finding for purpose of staying in US to get rid of that emptiness. Looking for part-time jobs, earn my living cost during summer. All the BEST!!!!!

2006-05-20T13:11:00.000-07:00

Hi guys!!! I'm back!! I've just done my shifting job from my dorm to our summer apartment. Actually, we're kind of staying illegally in the apartment as it's designed for one person. But guess what, there're totally 5 people in the apartment. We have six initially but one left because of his health issue. After this 28, we'll have 4 people in the apartment. Everyday, we have to beware of the real estate agent as they might chase us out and we would end up homeless if that happens. haha. Quite interesting huh. alright, i'll try my best to keep you guys update as I have no internet connection at the apartment. see ya.

2006-05-05T14:24:00.000-07:00

5 more days later, it will be completely one month since my last post. My final week has approaching silently with an unbelievable speed. When back to my mind, up til today, it's been 117 days since I've reached Des Moines. Lots of things happened. Summer is coming and spring is leaving. Frankly, I don't really feel that it's spring in Des Moines. The weather here is very unpredictable. You will never know until you see snow flakes falling. Well, I'll write more after this. Need to get myself back to study for my first final in US.

2006-04-10T08:34:00.000-07:00

69% scored higher (more nerdy), and
31% scored lower (less nerdy).

What does this mean? Your nerdiness is:

Not nerdy, but definitely not hip.

getting warmer and warmer

2006-04-07T00:14:00.000-07:00

From the weather, I can tell, spring's coming! Few weeks before, I used to wear at least three layers of clothes. Yesterday, one layer was more than enough. I noticed that I was even sweating indoor. Couldn't imagine how would it be during Summer.

Somebody, please.

2006-04-02T09:51:00.000-07:00

Last Friday, a group of twelve from UNL (University of Nebraska Lincoln) came to Drake. It was something like an interaction between two Uni's Act Sci major students. For no reason, I hosted one of the students to stay overnight. The student I was hosting named Greg. As usual, we did some brief introduction about each other. Came across this question, why did you choose actuarial science. Recently, I've been asking a lot of Act Sci Student about this question and what I've got is almost the same. Most of them answered like they loved math, business, statistics. Whenever come to myself, why did I choose actuarial science, it's still a question mark to me. I'm interested in so many fields and I'm doing none of them now. Maybe, whenever I asked somebody about why act sci, I was looking for somebody that might have the same doubts as mine. Looking for somebody who could share their doubts and uncertainty with me. Til now, I haven't found any yet. Maybe I'm the only person who doubts about myself. haha.

What a.....

2006-03-31T09:11:00.001-08:00

Yesterday, as usual, working in hubbell dining hall. It was raining so heavily that everybody came in as they'd just had a shower. haha. Suddenly, I heard something like siren. Everyone was shocked and the manager shouted, " Go, to the tunnel now!!". Most of the students in hubbell quickly return their trays and ran out of the dining hall. As that was my 1st time, I was still a bit retarded about what was happening. When I found out it was a tornado warning, some excitement just pop up and was thinking of able to go back earlier!! haha. But, we were escorted to the tunnel under hubbell and stayed there for about 5 minutes. In the end, I still have to carry on my work after the 5 minutes. What a disappointment......

Chicago Trip

2006-03-29T21:09:00.000-08:00

Last week, I went to Chicago with a group of eight. The morning before we set off, I took and passed my driving test. It was my second time taking the test. The first instructor had me sat in the car, and failed me directly because the car I used was disqualified as it didn't have a front car plate. I was pretty confident about my driving skill but...... Anyway, I've passed it. Here's the proof. haha.

It's been my second time to Chicago. It's interesting though. We arrived around evening. It was kind of late, so I "ditch" my friend and went party with my brother. We went to the china town and had the "original" chinese cuisine there. We had roast duck, cha shao, smoothies(I know it's not chinese food but it's nice though) and others. Why is it "original" because it's run by the chinese. In Des Moines, besides one restaurant is by Hong Kong people, others are either Vietnamese or Korean. Like last time, the wind was strong and freezing. Totally different from Des Moines. This time, besides going to Shedd's Aquarium, walked around Sears tower, the Millenium Park, I went to Michigan Ave for shopping, United Center to take picture with "Michael Jordan". I loved the night view from Shedd's Aquarium.

This trip really cost me a lot! It nearly finished my two months' pay. I was planning to get a new pair of shoes in the Premium outlet but end up with bags of clothing and jeans, and still couldn't get my footwear...... Maybe I'm too picky about it.

I nearly forgot about this

2006-02-19T14:39:00.000-08:00

Hi guys, I'm posting another one now. I've taken this picture long time ago and forgot to share it with you all. Now here it is. It was taken when I was on my way to class. Nice view huh? That's the hall I'm staying, Goodwin-Kirk (we used to call it GK). Oh, I think I'm really talented in taking picture. haha.

it's getting colder and colder......

2006-02-17T20:19:00.000-08:00

Hi everyone!! I've been quite a busy time here. Had three tests within two days. I was totally stressed up and finding chance to relax. Finally, it's over. Surprisingly, two of them were quite easy but for finance, I really need some luck to get good result. So, just wish me good luck everybody.
It's getting colder and colder lately. The lowest temperature since I've got here is 0 Fahrenheit, which is -17 degree celsius. It's unbelievable huh? Haha. Anyway, I'm kind of getting used to it already but sometimes, when the wind blows, you'll really shake, a lot!! So, scarf and snow cap really helps a lot. I felt warm when I was with them. For those who are coming to Des Moines, make sure you have your scarf, cap and earmuff with you or you'll regret. Trust me. haha. By the way, this is one of my roommates. He's Edem Jimbo. Black power!!!!! Jimboism!!!!

stressed.......

2006-01-24T19:29:00.000-08:00

Hello guys. I'm sorry for my tortoiselike publishing speed. hehe. Without noticing, school had started last Tuesday. Before school started, ACTS 140's professor, Paul Judd, had sent us an email telling us to read section 1.1 to 1.5. That was disaster as at that moment, I didn't even know where to get my textbook. Haha. Luckily, able to borrow it from my senior here. This is my second academic week. Have to study material everyday. If don't, I'll lose my way during class. Keep up keep up!!! I don't want to be left behind!! Stressed..........

My life in Des Moines

2006-01-20T13:25:00.000-08:00

I've reached Des Moines since 8th of January. In here, I've got to know a lot of Americans here. They don't smoke, no alcoholic drink, and just like to hang out in friends' house. I really got to thank them because they have been driving us to Walmart, shopping malls here and showed us around. Have you guys heard of IHOP before? I heard it only when I came to Des Moines. It stands for International House Of Pancakes. The pictures here showed that we, a bunch of peoples, crowded the IHOP for our dinner. I had chosen the all-you-can-eat-pancakes for my dinner. Those were the first five pancakes I had since I have reached US. They were so thick and sticky when you put it in your mouth. I could only eat 7 pancakes in the end. There were two Americans, who each ate 22 pancakes and broke the IHOP record of the year. From the manager of IHOP, the greatest record of IHOP in Des Moines is 77 pieces in 3 to 4 hours. Unbelievable huh? Can you believe it?

My 1st new year party in Chicago

2006-01-04T19:49:00.000-08:00

I'm so lucky to have a brother in Chicago. hehe. Just got here and able to attend New Year party in the states. I guess, not much people are that lucky right? Haha. Jealous? I've got to know some new friends during the part, mostly from Taiwan. They're so friendly and full of passion. We had delicious cuisine together and countdown from 5 seconds before first day of 2006 came and cheers with champagne which brought by Oscar. After everything, we decided to eat the two chocolate cakes. One's from my brother and the other one's from Charlie. In the end, each of us were just able to finish mostly one piece of the chocolate cake which's from my brother. The one on the right corner above. That was a cake really made of chocolate. Congratulations bro, your cake ruled!!! haha

get some clothing

2006-01-04T19:25:00.000-08:00

This is it!!! The Premium Outlet. It's something like F.O.S in Malaysia where you can get lots of cheap stuff. In here, we can get Nike, Reebok, Adidas, C.K, Polo,.... etc, with erm... you may say low price if you earn USD and spend it here. For examples, a pair of Nike shoes, it's around USD 30++. If you convert it to RM, you might be saying that it's the same price but if you're earning money here, Nike shoes are considered the same level as Bata shoes in Malaysia. hehe. I've gotten some clothes, socks and a pair of basketball boots! Thanks bro!! Muaks.

suffering for jet lag

2005-12-30T15:13:00.000-08:00

It's 5 something pm here. Just woke up. Now really know I wasn't "Jet Lag Free". Before my nap around 1 pm, I woke up around 5 to 6 am and couldn't get anymore sleep. haha. Anyway, we are going to have hotpot for dinner tonight. So exciting. From my brother and his housemate, Robin, there will be few people joining us tonight. I'm just looking forward to it now. See if I can post any pictures for tonight. 8 Uglies stays forever!!!!!

1st time blogger

2005-12-29T19:44:00.000-08:00

Hi everyone, I'm huan peng. I've just reached chicago for nearly two days. Trying to write something here now. If any grammatical error, please feel free to point it out. haha. I'll try to update my photos here and everything. That's all I can think of to post it here. Enjoy reading yeah! haha.