Monday, March 29, 2010
Apparently, 2 and a half years after I've had this laptop, I realised that the problem was not with the operating system. It was just that the Games was not enabled! And guess how I found out... Through RPI's (my exchange school) website....
Look (Click to view larger photos):
Yeah, I feel so dumb.... If I never came for exchange, I wouldn't even know that the games are already inside waiting for my activation!!!!
But I'm happy. One more thing to do when I'm bored!!!! =)
- My beloved computer
by snoopy_lim @ 3:56 AM
Saturday, March 27, 2010
But I really truly appreciate the presence of Skype, Internet, MSN and email for they somehow make me feel at home in a stranger's land.
Just about two days ago, I decided to Skype from school as I had a test in the morning which I figured would end at around 9+am (Singapore time 9+pm), just in time for me to catch them online. Haven't skyped them since Saturday as well as I had morning lessons everyday.
But that Skype session was indeed hilarious! A few minutes after we connected (dad, mum and bro were all there), my mum covered her nose and screamed that it was very smelly!!!! Guess what, my beloved dad just did his signature move: Fart!
Back in Singapore, I would really hate it Dad farts in the living room while I was watching TV. It was like he just released a massive stink bomb! Gosh.... But guess what, I am kind of missing his random releases. The true feeling of home is made up of such small little actions.
The next thing which they said was, "Eh, ah girl, you know that now hor, the utilities bill only $60 when you not at home leh!" Usually, it would be around $80-$90. Talk about being a spendthrift.... I'm always labeled as the one who spends the most at home.. haha, but that sentence cracked me up as well. I have no idea why.... To tell you the truth, deep inside them, I believe they would rather I be at home RIGHT NOW, then saving the $20-30 from the utilities bill. ;)
And yes indeed, it's not just skyping with my family that's a joy. Of course, skyping with my beloved friends is great as well! Whether it's with Hilda or Liting or anyone else, I truly appreciate those moments. Catch me online whenever you can! ;)
- My family....
by snoopy_lim @ 7:58 AM
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Well, the jellyfish is kinda back to haunt me.
No, I didn't get another sting yet again. But, since yesterday, the sting spots (yes, spotS, with a capital S) have been itching very much. At first, I thought it was bed bugs, but I just suddenly realised they were exactly the spots which had hurt very much that day and had swelled.
When I first got stung, I didn't really know how many sting spots there were. But, I just counted the itchy spots, and realised there are 6(at least)!!!! Yes, that means I was probably stung 6 times (at least).
Argh! The itch is killing me now.... Don't know which is worse, the pain and numb on that day, or the itch now....
- The Jellyfish Sting
by snoopy_lim @ 10:52 AM
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Well, this year for Lent, I decided to attend the Stations of the Cross at the church on campus, here in USA. I was just beginning to feel quite at home in the cosy little church since last week. Managed to make some friends at the talk I went to last Wednesday about Spirituality and Food.
Little did I know that Stations of the Cross here was such an awesome awesome experience. I kind of expected a little walk around in the church for Stations, since there were pictures of the way of the cross hung on the back of the church wall. It was a little surprising that I saw the music ministry standing in a line at the front of the church when I arrived. We were all seated, and Stations started. The priest, Father Ed, or affectionately known as "Fred" (Fr Ed), was seated among the congregation at the side and started with an opening prayer and the introduction of the first station.
Then, a member of the choir started singing the song "Knowing You" by Graham Kendrick. Such a beautiful beautiful deep voice he had. It felt like a CD was playing instead of someone singing it live. I was so so moved, so so touched by that song that I started tearing. I tried to hold back my tears, but it flowed. Indeed, at that moment, I felt so mortal, felt like such a sinner, felt so unworthy that Jesus should even die for me, for us.
The second station was equally moving. I teared once again, to the song "You are my All in All", sung by a group of youth. I sung along, with my choked, crying voice. But it felt all so moving, so reflective. It was amazing. I haven't had such a reflective moment plus a touched moment for such a long time.
There were participative moments at every station as well. Although it did feel weird that we were sitting throughout the whole stations (something I am not used to, usually we're kneeling or standing), I felt reflective throughout it all and truly felt God's presence. The participative moments at every station went something like, "If we had been there, Jesus, we would have begged Pilate to set you free. We would have yelled, "Let him go; he's a good man." But we weren't there. We are only here now, remembering." It was different for every station. Somehow, while I was reciting it along with the rest of the church, I did wonder if I would really have done what the passage said if I lived in the time of Jesus. Would I really stand true to my faith at that moment? Or would I be like the disciples, like Peter, who denied Jesus at his moment of suffering? Something for me to think about.
I didn't want the Stations to end that fast, because I was really enjoying the moment. It was great. The beautiful and perfect moment where I was touched....
- Stations of the Cross
by snoopy_lim @ 11:05 AM
Saturday, March 20, 2010
Yesterday, I told myself I had to bring a camera today. Yet, once again, I forgot! I left the house and a minute later, I saw something that was so picture worthy that I had to run back to grab my cam. Here's what I caught:
It might seem like something insignificant and that some trouble makers are just trying to be funny. However, there's a deeper meaning to these shoes. When I was in Australia for World Youth Day 08, we were living in Mt. Druitt, a place for the not-so-rich and it's full of people who are aborigines. Apparently, such shoes on cables are placed there by drug addicts or baddies to indicate that there's a meeting tonight to do "bad" things. I'm not sure whether it's the same thing here in Troy, but it's pretty scary. Below are two pictures which I took in Mt. Druitt, Australia. Frighteningly similar.
Enough about the 'interesting' things. Back to the weather. IT'S ABSOLUTELY FANTASTIC I tell you. The temperatures are slowly creeping upwards and it reached about 17-18 deg celcius since a few days ago. Goodbye to my big down jacket. Goodbye to my layers. Goodbye to my fleece and woolies! Woohoo. I was sweating while walking around school. Totally love this weather! =) And you also start to see everyone sitting on the grass in school or just sitting on a bench outside eating. It's great. =) Here's someone I caught playing with her dog on campus. So cute! =)
And the trees are budding! A sure sign of Spring! =) Lovely!
The weather sure makes everyone happy, especially here in Troy. After facing winter for a few months, everyone seems to become more cheerful! Yesterday, my Theoretical Chem professor let us off 5 minutes early "so that Lisa can go play outside" as he said. (Lisa is one of my classmates and she mentioned about playing in the nice weather just before class started) He always lets us off on the dot but guess the good weather rubbed off on him.And then, today, my Analytical Chem professor just decided to have class outside! Totally cool! He's the cutest professor I have here in RPI and I just can't stop smiling at him when he talks.... Awwwwwww. He's kinda witty as well! He came into class today and just said, let's get outta here! And out we went.
Once we were seated, I immediately whipped out my camera to capture that special scene which probably would not happen in Singapore and he started laughing, saying that over here, they spend so much time in winter. It's rare to have such a nice day so we have to be out here. :D
He's also the professor who commented about bubble gum being banned in Singapore (if you did read my earlier post). After class, he just laid down on the grass and soak up the sun! How cool is that. Imagine your Singapore professor doing that man....I checked the weather and temperatures might drop next week. Hope it's not too bad. =( Will be playing ultimate frisbee with the Singaporeans tomorrow! Exciting!
I just can't wait for sem to end and HILDA CHANG will be here with me!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! OMG! SO FREAKING EXCITING!
And yes Hilda, it's our amazing race! Because, I don't think I might want to take part in The (real) Amazing Race with anyone else but you. (Some exceptions might be my dad or a few others) ;)
Anyone else interested can join us too of course!!!!! The more the merrier!
And julie pok, I dunno whether I can stay on further till 28th June. Will definitely update you again! =) Stay tuned!! =)
- Spring has finally arrived!!!!!!!! =)=)
by snoopy_lim @ 9:13 AM
Monday, March 15, 2010
Of course, exchange is not all about fun and games. I have my fair share of woes (which you actually seldom hear from exchange students). But I guess these are the experiences that make you remember and learn.
Today I just had a very interesting experience. My light bulb blew. (Don't worry, no explosions). It just went off last night before I went to sleep. Being the independent me, I hate to ask for help from others, so I decided to act hero and get it settled by myself. So I woke up at 8.15am this morning (had to go to church) and I had to get the light bulb out so that I can go and purchase it. Little did I know that this was one of the disadvantages of being short. With my room chair or bed, I could not reach the bulb. I didn't want to stand on the table too because it was made of glass and it was too heavy to move. I went to one of my friend's room (she is still at Alaska) to get another chair. I couldn't reach it too! Darn. I really didn't want to wake my housemates (some of them only get up at 1pm...). So what I did was to put my luggage on top of the two stacked chairs and voila, it worked, after much shakiness and instability. Look at the photo and you'll see why.
After being able to reach the lamp, I had to unscrew the lamp cover off. Little did I know that I was supposed to use a screwdriver instead of using my bear hands to turn the cover off.... This was the result: 
Oops... I went to the supermarket after Mass. Since it was Sunday, the buses were rather infrequent and I figured I had 15 minutes to run into the shop, buy the light bulb, run out of the shop and into another, buy my frozen fish fillet for lunch, and then run to the bus stop. It was definitely heart pumping! And yeah, there was a new shop called the Family Dollar which sells cheap things! I managed to get 4 light bulbs for only USD$1! The exact same light bulb which I took out. I had only 5 minutes to get my fish fillet. Thank goodness I made it and the bus was a little late, allowing me to get home by 11+. =)
I fixed the light bulb using the same method and this is how it looks like now:
Phew, now I can spend the night with lights. =)
Oh and I just learnt how to cook Aglio Olio. It is a little too oily, but I think it still tasted pretty good.
A few weeks ago, I cooked Mee Suah for the whole house too.
Looks good right? Thank goodness for recipes online! =)
Oh yah, by the way, there's this Daylight Saving thing in the USA, where we are shifted forward one hour from March till November. Interesting. So now, I'm 12 hours behind Singapore instead of 13 hours. Easier to remember. I guess it has to do with the longer days and shorter nights now that we are approaching summer. Hurray for that!
I'm having the experience of my lifetime despite these woes. 3 more months and I'll be back sharing these experiences with you. =)
- The woes of coming for exchange
by snoopy_lim @ 6:48 AM