Spring Break Trip Day 8~

We left Colorado Springs in the morning for Denver, and on the way we stopped by the US Airforce Academy. It was kinda like a SAFTI equivalent or if you guys know, the equivalent of West Point just that the academy trains officers for the US Airforce. We got to see briefly the life of a US Airforce cadet, and it was kinda interesting to note how they would go through the course and graduate with a Bachelor's of Science and at the same time commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant.

After that, we ate lunch in a Dim Sum restaurant in Denver which supposedly won many accolades but to our disappointment, it was well below expectation and we figured that Dim Sum standards in the US is generally lower. We checked into the Red Lion Denver Central hotel in the afternoon, and its name being rather deceiving, it is nowhere near the heart of Denver downtown. Nevertheless, we mustered up some energy to get our butts out of the comfy hotel to make our way to downtown Denver by car, 16th Mall street. It was a nice little street loads of shops that makes walking down it rather delightful. Furthermore, the Civic park was just around the corner hence I would say we managed to fruitfully spend 2 odd hours walking around the entire downtown of denver.

For dinner, since it was the last night of Spring Break, we decided to go somewhere nice for dinner. We ended up at a place called Dixon's grill, where they supposedly serve Denver's best magaritas. Dinner was fantastic and the ambience and atmosphere was great to round up an eventful 8 days of travelling.

Tomorrow, we would be nua-ing the entire morning in the hotel and we would be driving to Denver International Airport to return the car after lunch. After which, we would wait to catch our flight back to boring Seattle at 1600 hrs. Officially, this would be the end of Spring break. It would be another start to another quarter, the last.

I thank God for the strength he has given to me, the friends, the guidance, and the good weather through this entire trip. Amen.

The official Spring Break Road Trip Song. Enjoy!

Spring Break Trip Day 7~

The effects of the accumulation of fatigue could be felt today, and some of us were not able to wake up on time. Nevertheless, we still managed to go on a 1 and a half hour, slightly treacherous and slippery hike to see some spectacular views in North Cheyenne Cañon Park.

After which, we went to Manitoe Springs to have a well appreciated lunch in what seems to be a very very cold (to us..we were freezing our asses off) Friday afternoon in Colorado Springs. After that, we headed to Pike's Peak which was so high at 14 thousand plus feet, we found ourselves driving into and above the clouds on our way up. It was such an amazing experience at one point, we thought that we were in Finland or something. Luckily for us, there was no need hike, and all we had to do was to rely on the car to bring us to the 11,000 feet that the park allowed us to go to.

We headed to visit the Cave of the Winds after that, a cave which as some stalagmite and stalagtite formations, which was not very impressive for the price we had to pay, another "tourist trap" I would say. Dinner was probably unfogettable as it was a first. A&W Rootbeer Float with 7 piece KFC chicken and a small coleslaw. An initial craving that proved too much to handle...I swear I wouldn't eat KFC for at least 3 months.

Tomorrow, we'll be heading down to Denver City in the morning, probably making the US Airforce Academy a stopover on the way. It will be our "last day" of the Spring break trip, because on the official last day, we would probably be sleeping in, and chillaxing before heading down to Denver International Airport to return the trusty Hyundai Sonatas, which have proved trustworthy and served us well during the entire trip with both function and form. 2 more days, and it will be Hello again Seattle....

Spring Break Trip Day 6~

It snowed today in Boulder, such that it kinda restricted our activities to driving around the University of Colorado. We were definitely in no mood to walk around outdoors be it the outdoor malls along Pearl Street or Chataqua Park. Hence, we decided to drive south towards Colorado Springs earlier than planned, a decision that proved to be a good one. We probably have taken good weather forgranted during our entire trip, but I have to say that we have really been blessed with fantastic weather so far wherever we have gone to, so much so that the bad weather today in Boulder was probably God's plan to tell us to go to Colorado Springs earlier, which was another fantastic decision cos we realized that there is just so much more to do in Colorado Springs than in Boulder.

Hence, we took a relaxing morning drive down south, escaping from all the rainy/snowy weather to be gladly greeted by bright sunshine and blue sky. We spent the afternoon takin walks and drives in the Garden of Gods, a park with natural rock formations, then going to Manitou Cliff Dwellings, where we got to see the Cliff dwellings of the Native Indians. After that, we took a very short stroll in Old Colorado City before heading to a Vietnamese/Chinese Restaurant located by GPS which turned out to be pretty good despite its emptiness and its queer nature. Tomorrow, we'll be discovering some of the other attractions Colorado Springs have to offer.

Its amazingly the 6th day already, and time seems to pass very fast when one is enjoying oneself....

Spring Break Trip Day 5~

The Mount Rushmore National monument Park was just a 5 minutes drive away from our motel. At the entrance of the park, we were greeted by a few deers grazing. The 4 heads of the presidents were so magnificent they were noticeable on the way to the Park. George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, and Abraham Lincoln are the 4 chosen Presidents to be sculptured out of the granite in the Black Hills National Forest by Gutzon Borglam for their great contributions to the progress of the United states. We spent the morning just admiring the carvings of man in Nature's creation, and learning brief American history and the story behind the monument. At midday, we left for this town called Custer, where there's a Flintstone themeed trailer park. It was closed for the season, thus we just took a few photos before moving on. 6 hours of driving brought us to Estes Park, Colorado. We passed by the most scenic drive in Colorado through the Big Thompson Canyon, AT NIGHT. Hence, we are gonna drive back through it tomorrow again when there is light!

Tomorrow we'll be spending the day up in the Rocky Mountians, going for scenic drives and shiong hikes, before leaving for Boulder city in Colorado.

Spring Break Trip Day 4~

Everyone was up early today to prepare for the longest drive on the road trip, a wooping 10 hours from Salt Lake City in Utah to Keystone in South Dakota. We started off from Salt Lake at 0730 hrs, and it all seemed to be going good in the morning until the other car got stopped by a state trooper that was 'hiding' in the divider between the roads. They were kinda stopped for 'speeding', but fortunately, were let off with just a warning. At our lunch break point, some friendly people recommended us to visit Devil's tower Monument in Black hills National Forest, and we decided to take the advice hence we took a 'little' detour from our original route. It turned out to be quite a sight as you would be able to see from the photos. After that, we finally headed for Keystone which we arrived safely at 2230 hrs at the comfortable Holiday Inn Express hotel, probably the best accomodation so far. Besides the 'pretty' beds as described by Michelle, we were spoiled for choice for the firmness of pillows, either soft or firm. A comfortable hotel is definitely needed after 15 hours of travelling.

Tomorrow, we'll be heading to Mount Rushmore to see the faces of 4 presidents carved out against a rock wall. After that, it will be a 6 hour drive down towards Estes Park, the base of the Rocky Mountains.

Spring Break Road Trip Day 3~

Today was Easter Sunday, and we woke up to the voices and sounds of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and Orchestra in the morning held during the Morning service in the Tabernacle at Temple Square. It was rather interesting to see how strong the mormon presence/influence is here in Salt Lake City. Actually, the Church of the Latter Day Saints was founded in Salt Lake City by the father of Mormonism Joseph W. Smith and his followers. It was also interesting to see how friendly and zealous the mormons are, and how they are so convicted to their faith. Besides having a rather educational tour about Mormonism and its seemingly international widespread presence, we explored around Temple Square, the stronghold and HQ of the Mormons in the morning today.

Because it is Easter Sunday, many shops and eateries were closed, so we ended up eating at a Seafood place which served up some great seafood. After lunch, we took a little drive out of Salt lake City, to see the Winter Olympics Park. To our dismay, the park was closed for a private event. We managed to take some pictures before being chased out by the Park Ranger. After which, we went to the Olympic Oval where there is a SUPER huge ice skating rink, and a speed skating race track. But unfortunately again, the skating rink was closed so we couldn't ice skate on it. A little disappointed, we headed to Hard Rock cafe for dinner where we had another chillax meal. It was evident that many of us are showing signs of tiredness and fatigue on only the 3rd day of the trip. Hence, after dinner, we made our way back to the motel for an early night, because tomorrow, we'll be driving a total of 10 hours towards Keystone, South Dakota, and we'll need all the energy we can get.

Spring Break Road Trip Day 2~

We started out the day at 9 am. Our first stop was at Twin Falls City, where we went to check out a waterfall named Shoshone falls along the Snake River. It was a real pretty sight. We managed to see a full fledge rainbow from the start to the end!

After catching the beautiful shoshone waterfalls, dubbed the niagara falls of the east, we moved on and continued our journey towards Salt Lake City, where we spent the rest of the afternoon just driving around the island, taking photos of the Great Salt Lake and of buffalos and antelopes.

In the evening,, we checked into the Howard Johnson Motel, just 3 blocks away from Temple Square, home of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (Mormon Church), and had a little glimpse of Temple square and the Mormon Tabernacle Choir before scurrying to find dinner at Gateway mall. Tomorrow, we'll be going to Temple Square in the morning to hear the choir sing in the Tabernacle itself. And in the afternoon, we'll be heading down to the Winter Olympics 2002 Park. Here are some photos for your viewing pleasure!

Spring Break Road Trip Day 1



Ok. We started the day picking up the cars, 2 sleek Hyundai Sonatas. Left Seattle at 1330 hrs, for an 8 hour drive Southwest, bypassing Oregon State, into Idaho state, the state of pototoes to arrive in Boise, a rather big city in Idado. It was the first time driving in the US since I've been here since December. And I must say that it is kinda interesting driving on the left hand side of the road and having all the conventional Singapore driving directions inverted. The hardest part of adapting to this new system would probably be trying to keep the car on the centre of the road. In Singapore, since the driver's seat is situated on the right side, I am more confident estimating on the left side of the car, since we are tained to be more confident. The fact that we are close to the right side makes us complacent, because we are able to see the right side hence the non necessity for us to be competent in judging the right side. Therefore, I have the tendency to keep to the ride side of the lane, something which I will have to correct with 9 more days of driving to go. While driving, I went over the speed limit today driving at 100 miles per hour at night..haha..the road was so straight and tempting that I just had to try it. And oh...today's prob the longest time I've driven (8 hours) and probably the fastest time I've exhausted 1 tank of petrol over 510 miles..haha

Now, we are currently comfortably bunked in a motel chain called Super 8 motel. Pretty decent for 18 dollars a night. Tomorrow, we'll be completeing the other half of our journey to Salt Lake City, Utah, where along the way we will be going to the Twin falls in Idaho, and Antelope Island in Salt Lake city where we would be able to see the Great Salt Lake, before checking into our hotel in the evening and exploring the city's dining and nightlife.



8 hours of driving

Exams~

Ok. So tomorrow exams start. So I study until sianz already. So I'm blogging and eating B&J's Dublin Mudslide, listening to All My life by KC and Jojo. So only got 4 exams. 4 only lah hor, NTU got 7 one leh. So 2 of them are like open book. So I just started studying for tomorrow's paper yesterday. So I haven't really started studying for the other 3 papers. So if I'm in NTU liddat mati liao. So after writing this post i'll study for a while more b4 I sleep. So that I have enough rest for tomorrow's paper. So that can faster finish 1 paper, then 2 paper, 3 paper, 4 paper. So that Spring break can finally come. So can go for road trip. So like that can have fun. So to have more fun, now must focus first. So I must stop blogging now, if not So how?? So like tt loh....

Check out KT Tunstall and her 'live recording' with her uber cool loop pedal. Will be catching her in Seattle on May 10th!!



So now its muggin time.....

Mas Selamat causing Massy mess~

Check out this article in the New York Times...It's a super fun read;)

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/14/world/asia/14singapore.html?_r=1&hp&oref=slogin

Stop and Stare~

Daylight Savings~

I woke up to an alarm that's set at 9 am, only to realise its already 10 am. Felt so cheated of 1 hour man. 1 hour can do alot of things leh.. Anyway, Seattle had daylight savings over the weekend, where on Sunday morning at 2am, the time just jumps forward by 1 hour and we lose 1 hour to the black holes. So its Sunday morning now, supposedly 10 am, while I'm eating "breakfast" and sipping on Lipton tea, but actually its 11 am, almost time for lunch, and what could have been a productive morning turned out to be one that has been overslept. Thank god they didn't implement daylight savings over a weekday, if not I'll have to be in class for a 830 lesson at 730. So basically what I'll be doing today is just chilling in the apartment, doing some work and guitaring, before heading to UPC for the eveining service which concludes the Sunday and prepare to head into the last week of school for the Spring quarter.


Sorry for the previous bitching post, it ain't as bad as it sounds..haha!

Long time no blog, tot I dodge??

Anyway the title is supposed to rhyme. I think I failed miserably...

What happens when in live Monday and Tuesday to complete 3 homeworks that you are supposed to hand in on Wednesday and u realised that you have to redo one of them, and when you think its finally over when you disgustedly throw the condemned pieces of paper onto the teacher's table, just to realise you kena wack by another 4 homework on the same day??

What happens when you go to the Seattle Art Museum as the living dead to attempt to appreciate art that when you are living already find it hard to do so?

What happens when every action, every word you say, is being scrutinized, when you live in emotional fear, fear of the secrecy sworn against you? When our action may cause an uproar or outcry that is muted from you?

What happens when final exams are in 2 weeks time, and you haven't started studying for it because of all the homework you still have, and you feel that your peers are not studying but in fact still partying and snowboarding their weekends away?

What happens when you think you've planned spring break all out, but it crumbles upon you because of ur folly to check carefully enough, and it forces you to rethink ur route where the end point is constrained because of the booked flight?

What happens when everyone is going out over the weekend, while you will be staying at in the apartment ?

My MOM will say: " Go to God in prayer"

And that is what I'll do.....

The Carefully threaded Path~

We are learning new things everyday. The already vast amount of knowledge and skills that continues to expand can't be held within our small little minds which although has such promising greatness, falls short of its potential because of our inability to let it reach its greatness. More often than not, one will learn new things only because circumstances forces one to learn it, and not out of choice. For example, in the case of adaptation, we would be forced to learn new things when thrown into unfamiliar environments.

Adaptation is something I am not unfamiliar to, and it would be safe to say that I am rather adept at adapting. Not until now. Not until I've met a new form of adaptation that is required of me. A new form that requires even more focus and concentration due to the environment in which its nature is volatile. So volatile such that one cannot be too comfortable in it. Because when you think you have adapted, its precisely the point where you have failed at adapting by getting too comfortable. Its like walking on the small narrow path up a mountain, where both sides are cliffs. One small wrong step because of your folly from the thinking that you are already confident of scaling the mountain will lead to disastrous outcomes.

People say I am guarded and oversensitive. I lie that I am not. The reason for which is to attempt to adapt, but once I adapt and let my guard down, I fail miserably at it. I need to be on my guard, especially with the things I say, for I have failed miserably in that aspect. Words can kill, words can heal. Sometimes you wish that you can take back what you say, but once the firing pin strikes, there is no turning back. There is a need for constant vigilance, for sensitivism and a level of guard, to ensure that we stay on the path that will lead us to greater things, the path that will lead to greener pastures.