Redirection

Hello to all of you. I am guessing this blog already has the title of "Abandone" hung around its neck. Maintaining a blog is time consuming, however this time after my long absence, I have decided with renewed desire that I would once again establish a new blog in place of this old one. So visit anytime for a slice of island life mingled with a tingle of geekiness.

My life in 2006 - on the American continent. Part 2

January 01, 2007 -

New Year's Day!!! 2007 has finally arrive. I pondered and thought about alot of things today. Oh yes! I forgot to mention, because we stayed up to play Phase 10 last night, the three of us did not wake up till 2pm. It was something else, and I did have fun! We went out for steam boat and we also went to temple square.

January 02, 2007 -

Audge came and picked me up in Provo. Poor Audge was sicked. She has been such a great friend to me, and I really do not know how to thank her. I love her!!! I was glad to finally be able to see Daniel and Peter again. I love them too. They are simply the best. We went to Cafe Rio for dinner. After dinner Daniel and I had a battle of sweets and pens in the car. It was fun!
I went to bed early, so Audge and I can prepared to leave early for Rexburg tomorrow.

January 03, 2007 -

We left Farmington at 1pm. We went over to pay Grandma and Grandpa a last visit and to pick up some toliet roll before hitting the road. We also picked up Jessica along the way. It was a scenic drive and we had fun along the way up here. We talked about countless things, most of which I cannot even rememeber now, but I remember it to be fun. We arrive in Rexburg 3 hours later.

January 04, 2007 -

Rexburg indeed is different from where I have been. It is alot colder and there is snow and ice everywhere I go. I am surprised that they do not plow their roads and side walks. I do not understand the logic behind it, because in a place such as Rexburg, you would think it is wise to invest in some snow plouging machines but apparent the city beg to differ. More often than not, it is a challenge to have to walk to school or to anywhere else. People have to walk on ice and do balancing acts of all sorts. It is not surprising to see people fall on their bums. If I might say so, I have almost fell once or twice.

January 05, 2007 -

I finally got to set foot on the Idaho campus. We went to a welcome back school dance. It was eye opening. There were alot of people present, and if I might say so, it is indeed a weird feeling to be part of a minority. It almost became an instanteous reaction, everytime I walked into a room, I would always notice, I am the only asian. The feeling is very different, and sometimes I feel like an outsider looking into the world of the Americans.

January 06, 2007 -

We were going to go sludding, but decided not to, because it was dreadfully cold outside. It was snowing and everywhere was covered with snow. The cars are all covered with snow and they look like giant mashmellow. The roads sparkle under the moonlight and the roads looks like they are being covered with stardust. Life is good.

January 07, 2007 -

I went to church with Audge. We went to the Taylor buliding for church, and I must say, I am not quite used to being a minority. The sunday school lesson was not too bad, but the teacher was going too fast for my liking. Her name is C. C is a confident young lady, with a lot of potential in her. She possess good public speaking skills. We came back home and the rest of the day watching church movies. Later that evening, some boys from another apartment complex came over and played games with us. It was a great evening, and this is only the begining of my idaho experience.

My life in 2006 - on the American continent. Part 1

December 20, 2006 -

I arrived in Salt Lake City, Utah for the first time in the twenty three years of my existence, I finally get to see the great state of Utah. Utah is different, drastically different from any place I have visited or seen. Utah has massive mountains covered with snow. They are brown and thought some might think they lack of beauty in comparison to the ever green mountains of Hawaii I beg to differ. The mountains in Utah are very different from the ones in Hawaii and thought it is so, they do exhibit a different kind of beauty. I love the mountains in Utah. I have never been to anywhere else that has a change of seasons, I was born and raised in Singapore and have lived here since, the furthest place I have moved to was Hawaii and even so, Hawaii hardly experience any seasonal change, except for the occasional showers and monsoon.

Audrey and her mother Becky greeted me at the airport and upon arrival I was given a brief tour of Utah. Audrey and I drove to Cafe Rio for lunch and we met up with Lindsay and Ruth. Audrey, Lindsay, Ruth and I met this past summer in Hawaii. Lunch was great and I must say it is one of the best Mexican food I have ever tasted, except for the fact that Lindsay hid the dressing for my salad. Very smart move!!! We played Phase 10 for about an hour or so before bidding farewell again. We went to the sister missionary mall in Orem. We browsed around for a while and decided to leave. I fell asleep on the way home. I took a shower before heading out to subway for dinner with Pedro and Daniel. Shortly after we took off for Sippy town where we would eventually need to spend the night.


Strange as it might be to you who is not a Mormon. This mall caters to latter day saint women are who going on a mission. You might think a sister missionary ought to dress conservatively... you are severely wrong. This mall is a very dangerous place. It has some of the prettiest skirts I have seen. It is a dangerous place to be in if you are planning to not spend money. I went in yesterday and within the space of 30 minutes, I had already ring up a bill of over 200 bucks.

December 21, 2006 -

I vaguely remember what we did on this day, however if my memory serve me right. We continued our drive to Mesquite for the Football game in Vegas. The drive to Vegas was a long and utterly miserable one. Well at least to me it was because my nose of stuff and everyone was basically drifting in and our their sleep mode. Anyways we finally made it to Mesquite and we stopped by Wendy's for dinner before heading to the game.

The game was simply spectacular. The BYU Cougars played against the Oregon Mighty Ducks. The Cougars won the game by 31 points. This was my first football game standing out on the benches freezing. The Cougars wore their blue pants paired with white shirts, while the Oregon Ducks wore their black shirts and pants pair off with a neon green helmet. In all honesty they look like little aliens running amok on the field ... I could only think of a reason why they lost the game, it is probably because they were mesmerise by their utterly attractive helmets.

December 22nd, 2006 -

We packed our bags and head back to Fruit Heights for the Hayward's Christmas dinner at Woody and Beebe's residence. We arrived at approximately 7.30pm and was greeted warmly by the family. They live in a house, with a basement. It was a typical American home. It was furnished in with a american christmas theme and I rather fancy it. We were all given sitting assignments and Pedro decided to change Daniel's sitting assignment. Daniel ended up sitting by the children and toddlers. It was hilarious and although Daniel is aware of the prank Pedro is pulling on him, he does not mind at all simply because he is seated near the food. Best seat in the house, or so Daniel claims.

December 23, 2006 -

We drove up to Park City and took Daniel snowboarding. The view of Park City is simply spectacular. It reminds me of a winter wonderland. The streets were covered with snow. We drove through a street in Park City which is claimed to be comparable to the Waikiki on Oahu. I cannot say it resembles Waikiki to any degree, however it does remind me of a little town European town. I remembered driving pass a shop with a huge moose display. It was unlike anything I have ever since but it certainly was a proper decoration for the time and season of the year.
Time was running out. There is so much christmas shopping to do and yet so little time. We visited the outlet stores located near Park City. There were great discounts available and I cannot say more about it. We visited several stores. I picked out my own Christmas present. I bought some boots, sneakers, sweaters, scarves, gloves and hats for the season. The shops and streets were filled with people trying to get their Christmas shopping all sorted out; a very stressful scene. We also manage to drop by Target and I got to meet Todd. He is a very pleasant young man with much to offer and I hope the things in his life would work out in his interest.

Decemeber 24, 2006 -

I work up early and prepare myself for church. I attended Audrey's family home ward. It was a unique experience. It has been a long while since I attended a family ward. It brings to home very heart warming feelings. I love it.

After church, I had a chat with Becky while trying to prepare the ingredients for my Chinese stir fry dish for Christmas dinner at the Fisher's home. It was Christmas eve and I had the priviledge of being part of a Hayward tradition. I got a new set of PJ bottoms. It was yellow in color with patterns of snowman all over it. An eventful day indeed.

December 25, 2006 -

Audrey came into the room and woke me up so we can open our Christmas presents. Everyone was up at 7am and we gathered in the family room. Each of us had our own stocking even though I was not really part of the family, they still prepared one for me. I am so grateful for that. The Haywards are simply wonderful, and I am grateful for the kindness and love they have exhibited towards me.
Later that evening we went over to Papa Fisher's home for a Christmas dinner. We went for a tour to Aunt Robbin's house. We drove by a cemetery where Sister Hinckley was buried. We arrived earlier so I could cook my Sesame oil chicken. They too prepared a stocking for me. It was packed with nuts, candy, and I got a Christmas card from Papa Fisher, enclosed with the card was a $50 cheque for my mission. Papa Fisher lives in Salt Lake Valley. and this is also a place where many general authorities live. We also manage to drive by President Hinckley's house. He does not live there anymore. Now he lives in a penthouse suite located by temple square. Papa Fisher is a very interesting man... He gave me a grand tour of his home and I know he still loves Grandma Fisher dearly... It is endearing.

December 26, 2006 -

We did not do anything much today. Audrey and I went shopping for more clothes. I bought a few sweaters and some crisp white shirts for my mission. We also had a lunch with Todd, which by the way is a very nice man. He had recently put in his mission papers, and I hope everything goes well for him. We also watched the Holiday!!! I had wanted to watch it so badly... and it indeed is a good movie. It plot revolves around two different women. One of whom lives in LA while the other lives in London. Kate Winslet plays Iris, while Cameron Diaz plays Amanda, whose boyfriend cheated on her. It was a good wholesome movie. It is definitely a movie I would recommend to my friends.

December 27, 2006 -

I was going to go down to Provo and spend sometime with Keshia, but it turns out that the weather will not be a good enough for driving down to Provo and so my plans were cancelled. We had dinner with Becky and when to TJ Maxx to exchange a pair of boots I had bought last week. I did not end up with anything else, but instead got some money back instead. It was a good day... I cannot wait to see Keshia again.

December 28, 2006,

I finally get to make the trip down to Provo. Before arriving at Keshia's apartment, we decided to drop by the Sister Missionary Mall so I could get somethings for my mission. There was an assortment of clothes. Their line of clothes was modest and beautiful. However the prices are a little too steep for my liking, but what can I say? I had to get them for my mission. I got a pair of A-line skirt and a straight line skirt. I also got a black blazer, a pink shirt and a black of shoes.
After shopping we went to Brick Oven for lunch and each ordered a pizza for lunch. I cannot say anything more, but my heart is full. I am very impressed by the generosity and hospitality the Haywards have shown towards me during my stay with them. My heart is full and I do not know what to say but to express gratitude for everything.

December 29, 2006 -

Keshia took me around the Provo campus. The campus is huge, but it is a very beautiful campus. It is equipped with great facilities which I can only imagine. BYU-Hawaii has a beautiful campus too, but nonetheless it is a very different campus, with a very different spirit as well. I could feel the immense spirit present on the Provo campus and can only hope that I could attend school here someday.

December 31, 2006 -

I woke up early and got ready to pick Clarrisa up from the airport. We talked about alot of things on the way back from the Salt Lake Airport. It was nice to be able to see Clarrisa again after such a long time. Keshia made us dinner. She made rendang, macaroni salad, and Almond jelly with lychee for dessert. It was a great dinner. Melissa made curry as well. After dinner, Daniel, Rendy, Clarrissa, Keshia, Melissa and I played Phase 10 till the wee hours of the morning. I getting ready to turn in for bed and Keshia and Clarrisa decided to put on a DVD. We watched Mean girls and if that was not the end, we talked for about an hour or so more before we decided to call it a night! It was a great game and I had a great time with them all. Somehow I felt something missing. Somehow I felt as if I was not part of the group. Clarrisa and Keshia seem to have grown closer and I seem to have been left out. People change. It is a good thing, however I cannot help but feel like Keshia and I were not such close friends anymore. I feel distanced. Maybe it is just me, but I feel that everyone has changed for the better. That is good. I suppose I cannot be blamed for the feelings that I have, because I have not made an effor whatsoever to stay in constant contact with Keshia and Clarrisa. I did not update my blog and basically just stay out of the loop of things. Further more I was in Hawaii... Hawaii is so far away from everything else that is familar to me. I do not want to go back there for school. If I could hope for a miracle to happen, I hope I could go to a school that truely has a major that I want.

Earthquake in Paradise

I woke up to a shudder. At first thought, I wonder if I am in the middle of a nightmare. I had watched a The Grudge 2 the night before and was still in an unstable sort of state as far as the mind is concerned. The shudder did not stop and I woke up to see my room mate awake and the whole entire unit was awake as well. The electricity went out for all of Hawaiian Islands. It was only then that I had realise I am experiencing my first earthquake. I was a little surprise that it was so mild. I have never been caught in any sort of natural disasters and to tell you the truth I was a little excited really to finally be able to experience it and yet at the same time, I was hoping it would not being anything serious.

Shortly after, most of the girls in the Hale(Hale is the word for house here in Hawaii) were all awoke and there was a Tsunami warning being issued. Everyone living on the ground level needs to evacuate to the second level. It was amazing to see the different things the girls would bring with them when they were told to evacuate. Some brought their laptops, food, and clothes. Others who are a little more sane pack their 72 hour kit and came upstairs with them. I did not have anything at all. I had not prepard my 72 hour kit. However I manage to put together some essentials for a makeshift 72 hour kit.

I spend the rest of the day in my friend's apartment learning how to play majong and got quite good at it. Now I am addicted to it. When night falls we were still playing with the aid of our pathetic flashlights. We even went star gazing and since it was dark everywhere, everything else on the nightsky was so much darker. I could even see the constellation of the milky way. The power did not come back on till four in the morning. It was an unusual experience, but not something I would rather go through again.

This past weekend the Singapore Malaysia Club here in BYU-Hawaii had our opening social. In view of the mid-autume festival, we have decided plan our activities around this festival. We had mooncake and lantern making. It was a huge success, and all of a sudden, everyone seem to be interested in our club. (Hmm) I wonder if it is because of the mooncakes or was it lantern? Please do not get me wrong but I have never really seen so many people turn up for an activity before. It was always the few Singaporeans and Malaysians that would turn up, but this time, there were Mongolians, Americans, Taiwanese and some others. It was a memorable evening.

I planned out some games as well. We played Mingle. If you have never played it before you should, because it is a fuss free game and there is no limit to the number people that can play the game, but for some reasons, please make sure you are between the age of 19 and 91 for safety reasons. (Just kidding)

Everyone will get into a huge space and move around. I will shout out a number and they will need to get into groups , the person that fail to get into a group will be disqualified from the group. This goes on until the last person remains. So we got to a point in the game where there is only 4 boys and a girl left. Paul was in the game and they refuse to get away from each other, I had to shout for them to space out, and so I shouted, "Paul space out!!!" and he heard it as FOUR!!" He reached out to grab those boys and pushed the girl away... Of course the righteous person (Just kidding) that I am had to interfer, and so I did and he claim he could not hear me and laugh even louder... weird boy!!!

Overall it was a success, and I really enjoy my time with the other Singaporeans and Malaysians. It brought me closer to them, and it was a comforting feeling.

Good times...

I need to say, this past summer has been extremely thought liberating for me. I have had misconception about people, religion, and many other things, but amongst it all, I had a severe misconception about 18 year old Utah blondes. Notice the word, "had". Well I had, now I have mild misconceptions.

When I found out that A was going to be my roommate and that she was only 18 years old, I was a little wary of her. I wonder how we would turn out as friends and more importantly I am worry sick that she might be one of those "I-need-to-be-marry-by-21" Utah girls. I do not want such a roommate and I got more than what I had expected. More than anything, she has been a great example to me in everyway. I am constantly amazed by her optimism and her ability to love. She wrote me a note before she left earlier today and said she has been greatly blessed by our friendship. I shed a tear when I read the note. As much as I would like to agree with it, I need to say however that she has been a blessing for me this summer. I love her!!! Best Roommate I have ever had!!!!

I called my best friend last night and chatted for 2 hours. She was shocked to recieve a call from me. This is because I have never called her in Singapore before. I have known Ling for 8 years now and she has been a great friend. I would not trade our friendship for shopping bags although I am a shopping addict. We talked about good times in high school and more interestingly, it has been wonderfully refreshing to reminiscence those high school days which are gone and past. I was the nerd/geek in class, more interestingly was the fact that I am the only one who got a scholarship to Hawaii for school. Well I guess, pays to be a nerd/geek. Nerds are attractive, at least to me they are. There is just something about those glasses that I cannot get enough of.

Anyways, on to more serious things. I have decide upon somethings and they are...

1. I need to get out of Hawaii for Christmas
Where is Christina heading?
Maybe... Florida, Phillidephia, Utah or Singapore

2. I am going to save up as much money as possible.
3. Save up $800 for my flight out of Hawaii.
4. Study hard and work on being a more attractive nerd (Just kidding)
5. Talk and get to know more people
6. Need to stop hanging around the computer trying to doing my shopping online...
7. Achieve all of the above.

Wish me luck!!!

Interesting happenings with Utah and world

I have got the most interesting compliment today from Ed. I have never hear of any of such compliment, however he said I have got a good aura about me, and pardon me, but what does this mean? He promptly assured me that it meant something good, in fact so good that not even beauty pale in comparison to it. He said it is something about poise, and elegance. I almost burst out laughing. Anyway, I do not really care, because I have hear this compliment from many others, umpteen times in fact, and I have yet to figure out exactly what is this aura they are describing at all.

Moving on to something more puzzling was how I could not understand why do Utah girls insist on getting married once they turn 18. I jhad a conversation with A the other night, during our conversation I mentioned I am not ready for marriage and would rather stay singlefor a little longer however if the prospect of dating someone interesting presents itself, I shall not decline it. Her reply was quick and sharp. In her words, I quote, "Don't be silly, of course you are ready for marriage."

For a majority of women from Utah, they cannot seem to picture living life out as a young adult. For them it seem only logical to get hitch and run to the temple with a man once they turn 18 years of age. For me it seem bizzare and mind blowing however what I cannot understand is why are they so interested in the prospect of marriage. Why do not they want to live their life out as a single adult, and enjoy those few precious years before marriage?

My friend A, is dealing with such a problem right now. In my words, she is experiencing "young adulthood crisis". She seem a little too desperate for marriage. She confess that she has never expected to live her life out as a single young adult, and with little or no imminent marriage prospect and now being forced by the circumstance of her life, she is left with little or no option, but to do what is required for "survival".

In some ways, I could see how one can be left clueless and wondering about life when what you expect did not happen as planned, however in the words of Bridget Jones, "I believe happiness is possible, even if you have bottoms the size of two bowling balls."