Monday, September 17, 2007
Listen!
My mind is constantly repeating this song, Listen by Beyonce after watching Dreamgirls. She sang with so much emotions that I could feel it reverberating through my body.
I also need an outlet to scream out today and this is a good song for doing just that. After two months of experiment, a simple mistake screwed up everything! I am so angry!
LISTEN by Beyonce Knowles
Listen,
To the song here in my heart
A melody I've start
But can't complete
Listen, to the sound from deep within
It's only beginning
To find release
Oh,
the time has come
for my dreams to be heard
They will not be pushed aside and turned
Into your own
all cause you won't
Listen....
[Chorus]
Listen,
I am alone at a crossroad
I'm not at home, in my own home
And I tried and tried
To say whats on my mind
You should have known
Oh,
Now I'm done believing you
You don't know what I'm feeling
I'm more than what, you made of me
I followed the voice
you gave to me
But now I gotta find, my own..
You should have listened
There is someone here inside
Someone I'd thought had died
So long ago
Oh I'm screaming out, for my dreams to be heard
They will not be pushed aside or worse
Into your own
All cause you won't
Listen...
[Chorus]
I don't know where I belong
But I'll be moving on
If you don't....
If you won't....
LISTEN!!!...
To the song here in my heart
A melody I've start
But I will complete
Oh,
Now I'm done believing you
You don't know what I'm feeling
I'm more than what, you made of me
I followed the voice, you think you gave to me
But now I gotta find, my own..
my own
Friday, September 14, 2007
My first solo drive
Today marked my first solo drive in USA. After getting my Flexcar membership, I had tried to come up with a valid destination to drive to.
Vladimir, who was coming back from his honeymoon in Hawaii, decided to give me a call in the morning, checking whether I could pick him up from the airport. I had jokingly told him that I could pick them up last week.
I was mentally unprepared for this drive as I thought he would called me yesterday to arrange but he did not. I had imagined myself practising more before hitting the highway. Negative thoughts swept through my mind as I performed my experiment. However, I told myself not to let fear prevent me from taking action. Instead, I should channel it towards making me more alert and reactive.
I told him that I had to check online to see if there was a car available at that slot. Among four cars, all but one were reserved. I reserved the last from 2pm to 4.30pm. I got into the car at the appointed time by tapping on the card reader on the front screen. There, I proceeded to retrieve the key. Getting the hybrid sedan to start took me some time as I had to browse through the car manual.
After getting the engine to start, I took a longer route to get used to the car. I avoided the highway first since I was not confident. Traffic was smooth and I could find my way onto 295 South leading towards Baltimore-Washington International Airport. Driving on the highway was not as bad as I thought.
Thinking that they would need time to get their luggage, I decided to find the garage and meet them at the arrival hall. I followed the signs leading to the garage but missed a turn and ended up at the cargo complex.
Just as I was retracing my route, I got a call from Vladimir that they were done. I told them to wait for me at the arrival hall.
After they had got in the car, we headed back towards Baltimore. Vladimir who was trying to help by giving me instructions got me nervous instead. I told him to "back off" and that I was the one who had the steering wheel. The idiom "too many cooks spoil the broth" also applies here.
Along the way, there were courteous drivers who let me overtake them and idiot drivers which nearly caused accidents! This marks the beginning of building my confidence on the road and the responsibility to drive safely!
Vladimir, who was coming back from his honeymoon in Hawaii, decided to give me a call in the morning, checking whether I could pick him up from the airport. I had jokingly told him that I could pick them up last week.
I was mentally unprepared for this drive as I thought he would called me yesterday to arrange but he did not. I had imagined myself practising more before hitting the highway. Negative thoughts swept through my mind as I performed my experiment. However, I told myself not to let fear prevent me from taking action. Instead, I should channel it towards making me more alert and reactive.
I told him that I had to check online to see if there was a car available at that slot. Among four cars, all but one were reserved. I reserved the last from 2pm to 4.30pm. I got into the car at the appointed time by tapping on the card reader on the front screen. There, I proceeded to retrieve the key. Getting the hybrid sedan to start took me some time as I had to browse through the car manual.
After getting the engine to start, I took a longer route to get used to the car. I avoided the highway first since I was not confident. Traffic was smooth and I could find my way onto 295 South leading towards Baltimore-Washington International Airport. Driving on the highway was not as bad as I thought.
Thinking that they would need time to get their luggage, I decided to find the garage and meet them at the arrival hall. I followed the signs leading to the garage but missed a turn and ended up at the cargo complex.
Just as I was retracing my route, I got a call from Vladimir that they were done. I told them to wait for me at the arrival hall.
After they had got in the car, we headed back towards Baltimore. Vladimir who was trying to help by giving me instructions got me nervous instead. I told him to "back off" and that I was the one who had the steering wheel. The idiom "too many cooks spoil the broth" also applies here.
Along the way, there were courteous drivers who let me overtake them and idiot drivers which nearly caused accidents! This marks the beginning of building my confidence on the road and the responsibility to drive safely!
Wednesday, September 12, 2007
Car sharing
Last Friday (Sep 7), I received a letter which I was waiting anxiously when I applied for a Flexcar membership on Aug 31.
Flexcar is a car-sharing company where members use cars when they need them. It is far less expensive than owning a car, and much more convenient than renting since there are four cars located at Homewood campus. I am just 2 minutes away from the nearest car. Students and affiliates of Johns Hopkins University are offered a special rate of $6/hour or $60/day. I also save on parking fees, car insurance and fuel which are included. Reserving a car is simply performed via online or phone.
While going to the gym, I happened to pass by a flyer which caught my attention and got me interested in the scheme. It was also featured in Hopkins newsletter.
Now, I can go to H-mart or anywhere as and when I like. Quoting Flexcar's phrase, "After all, why own the car when you can just own the drive?"
Flexcar is a car-sharing company where members use cars when they need them. It is far less expensive than owning a car, and much more convenient than renting since there are four cars located at Homewood campus. I am just 2 minutes away from the nearest car. Students and affiliates of Johns Hopkins University are offered a special rate of $6/hour or $60/day. I also save on parking fees, car insurance and fuel which are included. Reserving a car is simply performed via online or phone.
While going to the gym, I happened to pass by a flyer which caught my attention and got me interested in the scheme. It was also featured in Hopkins newsletter.
Now, I can go to H-mart or anywhere as and when I like. Quoting Flexcar's phrase, "After all, why own the car when you can just own the drive?"
Thursday, September 06, 2007
Pharmacology New Student Crab Feast
Today, we had our annual Pharmacology New Student Crab Feast. This event was to welcome new students as stated in the feast name.
September is also the peak season for eating blue crab where it is at its best. The crabs were seasoned with Old Bay Seasoning and steamed. They tasted salty and spicy.
Expect to be messy since the crabs were served intact. You would have to remove the shell and gills. Mallets were provided.
Since I used only my thumbs and index fingers to grab the crabs, my hands were not as dirty as compared to my colleagues who used all 10 digits.
I ate three crabs slowly, extracting meat from the legs, pincers and body while one of my colleague just gobbled up seven crabs from the body only.
In Chinese folk story of Journey to The West, the Monkey God, Sun WuKong and Pigsy each had a heavenly peach. Being greedy, Pigsy swallowed up the whole peach while WuKong took a small bite at a time.
In the end, while salivating and staring at Wukong's peach, Pigsy asked Wukong how the peach had tasted.
Moral of this story, taste good food slowly and not by quantity.
September is also the peak season for eating blue crab where it is at its best. The crabs were seasoned with Old Bay Seasoning and steamed. They tasted salty and spicy.
Expect to be messy since the crabs were served intact. You would have to remove the shell and gills. Mallets were provided.
Since I used only my thumbs and index fingers to grab the crabs, my hands were not as dirty as compared to my colleagues who used all 10 digits.
I ate three crabs slowly, extracting meat from the legs, pincers and body while one of my colleague just gobbled up seven crabs from the body only.
In Chinese folk story of Journey to The West, the Monkey God, Sun WuKong and Pigsy each had a heavenly peach. Being greedy, Pigsy swallowed up the whole peach while WuKong took a small bite at a time.
In the end, while salivating and staring at Wukong's peach, Pigsy asked Wukong how the peach had tasted.
Moral of this story, taste good food slowly and not by quantity.
Smooth ride
Yesterday night, I took my new bicycle out for a spin. Changing to one of 21 gears was smooth sailing. Light squeezing of the brakes was sufficient to slow or stop the bicycle. Cushioning over bumps and humps was good. I was satisfied with what I had bought!
The cool air was refreshing as I cycled towards the supermarket. I reached the supermarket within 10 minutes instead of 30 minutes if I had walked.
To keep my balance while transporting my grocery, Tom suggested to me to buy a backpack. Back home, I would have hung the bags on the handles and maneuvered up and down hill. I took his advice and bought one from Rite Aid Pharmacy. I had a bargain where the pharmacy had 50% off on all backpacks since this was back-to-school week.
It seems that I do not have to stock up my refrigerator with food now except when the weather gets colder.
The cool air was refreshing as I cycled towards the supermarket. I reached the supermarket within 10 minutes instead of 30 minutes if I had walked.
To keep my balance while transporting my grocery, Tom suggested to me to buy a backpack. Back home, I would have hung the bags on the handles and maneuvered up and down hill. I took his advice and bought one from Rite Aid Pharmacy. I had a bargain where the pharmacy had 50% off on all backpacks since this was back-to-school week.
It seems that I do not have to stock up my refrigerator with food now except when the weather gets colder.
Tuesday, September 04, 2007
Getting more mobile
After getting my driver license on Wed, Aug 29, I added another mode of transportation to getting around.I had wanted to buy a bicycle since the beginning of this summer. The big push was a bicycle trail map that I had picked up at The 126th Maryland State Fair where I intend to spend my weekends cycling on those trails. Seeing Tuanleng (Fish speaks) cycling also reminded me of my cycling trips back home. Since I live further from the supermarket nowadays (25 minutes walk), I will cycle to and fro instead of walking. Carrying heavy grocery had caused me neck strain.
This morning, I engaged a friend's help to transport the 26" Men's Schwinn Skyliner Comfort Bike ($149.63). I am grateful to Tom for sacrificing his rest day.
Monday, September 03, 2007
Labor Day, end of summer, beginning of school term
Labor Day in USA falls on the first Monday of September. This year, the date was Sep 3. It was a long weekend for Americans to experience the numbered days of summer.
I did not travel since I did not planned for it. Beside, my wandering lust was not strong enough to compel me to leave my experiments aside.
Anyway, as I strolled along Homewood campus towards church on Sunday, I witnessed the area bustling with activities. Long lines of cars were formed at hostels where parents were sending off their kids to college. There were farewell kisses and hugs plus some tears.
I also passed by a BBQ which was organized to help them make new friends. Others were at "The Beach", interacting in circles. Believe me that there is no sand nor a single drop of sea water. It is a big roundabout lawn where students often gathered to tan on the grass.
The freshies, travelling in twos or threes were also busy orientating themselves to where they can hang out. The shuttle bus would be packed again on Tuesday.
I did not travel since I did not planned for it. Beside, my wandering lust was not strong enough to compel me to leave my experiments aside.
Anyway, as I strolled along Homewood campus towards church on Sunday, I witnessed the area bustling with activities. Long lines of cars were formed at hostels where parents were sending off their kids to college. There were farewell kisses and hugs plus some tears.
I also passed by a BBQ which was organized to help them make new friends. Others were at "The Beach", interacting in circles. Believe me that there is no sand nor a single drop of sea water. It is a big roundabout lawn where students often gathered to tan on the grass.
The freshies, travelling in twos or threes were also busy orientating themselves to where they can hang out. The shuttle bus would be packed again on Tuesday.
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