shopping is therapy

I spent 250 USD today ... that is approx 340 NZD ...

Gap formal coat - US 53.49
Champion shorts - US 5.28
Nike shoes - US 42.79
Levis Jeans - US 28.88
Party Dress - US 17.66
White long sleeves & black mini skirt - US 16.57
Levis Jeans - US 13.90
Suitcase - US 42.79
Adidas track pants - US 23.50

And I'm not done yet ...

Loving Atlanta so much. It's like shopping heaven!! And pretty cheap too... Levis jeans are so so cheap. Good to have cousins here too. They've been driving me around to the factory outlets for shopping.

And food... mmm.. loving the southern food... because southern food are DEEP FRIED or SWEET.. PERFECT for my taste! Went for a southern style buffet before shopping today.My cousin told me not to stuff myself up. Just eat moderate coz it's only 8 bucks per person. I didn't want to stuff myself up as well coz i will have trouble fitting into clothes after that.

But....

Because I'm Sher Mayne, it is impossible just to eat MODERATE when there's so many kinds of deep fried food around. So hard to control myself. Deep fried chicken, deep fried pork, deep fried fish fillet, roast pork, fries with cheese sauce, deep fried chicken liver (pretty good i must say), pizza, clam chowder, mac n cheese, cucumber, carrots, coleslaw, devilled eggs, chicken salad, egg salad ... these were the food I ate and they had many more but I was too full to try them.

For dessert .... pecan pie, chocolate pie, cheesecake, chocolate cake, orange sorbet ... these were the desserts i had and again, they had others but .. damn tummy!!! couldn't really walk after that. I took an hour plus buying my nike shoes because I was waiting for the food to digest before going to clothing stores to try on the clothes! HAha!

Thank goodness I actually lost some weight in Montreal.. now I don't feel guilty at all! now you all can expect what you all expected ... to see a chubby shermie back in Auckkie.. Whoop whoop!

Thank goodness I controlled myself from shopping much in Montreal, New York and Boston ... now I can shop till I drop!! (coz my remaining money are for shopping now)

This is what I call ... Living life to the fullest!! Yeaa man!!!!

boston game

What? NBA Game
Who? Boston Celtics VS Chicago Bulls
Where and when? TD Banknorth Garden @ 21st December

This I must say was the highlight for me coming to Boston. I was just so excited for this very day and it did not let me down. Was surprised I could actually see the court and the ball despite being seated so high up. The whole day I was just waiting for 7pm to arrive which was when the game started. Got to the stadium half an hour earlier and the place was already so crowded. They told us no recording devices or cameras allowed during the game but hehehehe.. obviously I did not listen. How can I just pay 64 bucks to just watch a game and not take any pictures or videos? Plus I'm sure a lot of people will be taking videos and photos. Haha!

The view of the basketball court! Don't even ask how much that jersey is.... i am thinking of selling it on trademe when I get back.. lolx! get part of my money back!! Any buyers? Adidas you know!! No.5!

I was overwhelmed with how big the place is and just couldn't actually believe I am watching an NBA game LIVE, in PERSON! Took quite awhile for everything to sink in.All these basketball stars are like just right there and I am watching them strutting their skills, blocking balls, catching rebounds and making shots not through a TV/computer screen but in real life. Wahahahahaha!! To make it even better, I am watching the Celtics, the top team in the league!! Mind-blowing... simply mind-blowing with many jaw-dropping occasions...

The Celtics and the Bulls doing their warm-up

Plus, I was being told who I should watch out for in the celtics before coming to boston hence I knew exactly who I should place my eyes on. Lolx! It was pretty obvious though. Garnett is the one that was being mentioned by ivan and jeremy. Allen was the one that appeared on my boston tix. And Pierce .... they were selling his shirts everywhere and he's the captain. No doubt they make up the Big 3. Hahahaha!!

The start of the game ... Spot the Big 3 if you can!

A 40 min game was turned into 2 hours of entertainment. You don't only see basketball players strutting their stuff but you get other sorts of entertaintment during time-outs, half-times and at the end of every quarter. Amongst them are the entertainment from ....

sizzling hot cheerleaders/dancers.....(i think they came out after every single quarter!)

kiss cam (the cam aims at random couples and projects them onto the big screen.. whichever couple appears on the big screen, they have to kiss...)

tiny competitions for the audience in knock-out rounds ... the selected audiences line up on the basketball court and take turns to do free throws... if the person in front did not get the ball in and the person behind gets it in before the front person, the front person is out of the game.... winner is the last one standing... hehehe...


stunt show by the mascot of boston celtics ... just look at the video below ... damn cool!!

From the start of the game, the celtics were already leading throughout the game. It was no doubt that celtics will win it. Well, before the game even started, I knew celtics will win just because. ......... just because i'm there! Hahaha! Ok ok, fine.... it was because the bulls were in the bottom of their league and celtics are the top, so yea.... no doubt la....

Final score: 107 - 82...

This is where the regret came in. I should have gotten tickets for the game against orlando instead which will be on the 23rd. The fight would have been much more closer and will be more intense since orlando has been doing pretty good as well. The game against the bulls got kinda boring towards the end since it was so obvious celtics will win. Bulls basically got thrashed la... If I were to watch a game with a closer fight, then it will be more syok. Hehehehe.... Ohh wellzzz.. my fault again for not doing my research properly on the teams. *sigh*. Nevermind, next time, next time. And yes, there will be a next time I hope! I wanna go for another NBA game!

And the next time, I am gonna be smart. Not only will I check out the team stats before purchasing tickets but I will NOT purchase tickets online. It is so much cheaper to purchase it over here since you do not need to pay handling fees and postage. My ticket is actually 25 bucks only but I paid 64 instead. Basketttt... 40 bucks of postage and handling. Next time, I will go to the place a few days earlier before the game and purchase the ticket. Wahahahaha!! Man, I have no idea why I am planning this now. Not like i will watch another nba game in the near future. Lolx! Perhaps the next time will be ermm...... when I start working and earning big bucks!!! That will be.... long long time more la!! HAhaha!! But yea.. definitely would like to watch it again.

Can tell that i really enjoyed myself eh? I did. I really did. I only started learning to play bball this semester and probably won't get to play much when I return auckland. But man!! After watching the basketball game, I really felt like playing bball!! Just wanna shoot some hoops!!!! It's just like when you watch the olympics and you see those people swimming and then you yourself just feel like swimming all of a sudden ... it is that kind of feeling if you know what I mean.

All in all, it was great despite that ridiculous amount of money I paid for the tix. It was still worth it in the end :)

in atlanta

In Atlanta now ...

- double bed
- auckland-like weather
- clean clothes and towel
- a massive room all to myself
- peaceful neighbourhood
- staying in a suburb far away from the city
- curry chicken, butter prawns, fried mee hoon, "tang yuen"

Feels so much like HOME :)

Sher Mayne wishes you all a very merry and blessed CHRISTMAS!!!!

my last few days

Blogging from Boston ... but not on Boston yet... Hahaha!!

Obviously exams are over!! So happy!!!! Finally!!! A big huge relief! Ehehehehe... I have evacuated my apartment. Sayonara to it already. Now just blogging a few things that happened before I left for Montreal...

1. Survivor Montreal
My last few days in my apartment...cooking was a problem after returning all the pots and pans, kettle and toaster to family friend on Friday. I did a massive cooking on Friday though. Boiled egg and seaweed soup, baked oatmeal cookies, cooked pasta, noodles and rice.

I didn't have a spoon to eat by the way. Only have fork and a massive knife. I don't have a proper mug to drink from. I used a huge ass cup that was used to make smoothies. I boiled water using the OVEN to make my milo.

I steamed some lotus seed pao in the OVEN the other day.

I heat up my soup using the OVEN. I did everything with the oven coz there wasn't anymore pots and pans. It was pretty pathetic and depressing at the same time but I survived! Can still remember my last two dinners ... I cooked my maggi mee using the oven... somemore can have it with egg! Wahahaha!!!

2. Snowboarding on Mt.Bromont
So as I said in my previous post, I was going to snowboard the day before my last exam. No regrets at all. The weather that day was superb!! It wasn't cold at all!! So so luckyyy!! Mt.Bromont isn't a really famous mountain for snowboarding but nevertheless, it was still awesome! Man! Imagine going to the famous ones, that would be even more superb!!!

Just doing one run already took me half an hour. Haha! Would have been less ifI actually know how to snowboard properly. I only know how to use my heels to brake and not my toes, resulting into really sore thighs hence I had to stop and rest. Haha! And not forgetting the numerous times I fell and tumbled. Lolx! And also stopping to take photos of the view.

Did 7 runs in total. Started at 12 and finish around 5.30. As it got dark around 4 something, my last two runs were considered as "night snowboarding" which was pretty cool. The moutain was well lit-up for night skiing and it was just a totally different feeling. Kinda scary at the same time because if you happen to go off trail, die la! Hahaha!

Anyway, just 3 photos.. hehehe.... Look out for more in facebook...haha!

Mt.Bromont during the day

At night where it was all lit up

Yours truly with a breathtaking view in the back!!!

so yea.. that's it. I will try to blog about Boston soon. Hehehehe.. Don't want to keep it till the end of the whole holiday coz it will be heaps to blog. Still have NY that I haven't blog also. But now, gta sleep.

Merry Christmas to all of you and a Happy New Year!

All by myself... don't wanna be ... All by myself ...

All by myself... don't wanna be ... All by myself ...

Evangeline moved out. Smoker don't know go where. I have the whole place to myself.
Good that smoker is gone. I can leave my door open and not smell ciggies. I can walk around the apartment naked (I said CAN, never say DID). Bad that Ev's gone coz it's so quiet, so lonely, so empty ... Feels ... different.

Because I have only one more paper to sit

Because I only need to get 12 out of 60 questions right

Because I have been home the whole day

Because I'm all by myself

Because I don't wanna be all by myself

Because it's just oh-so tempting to go outside and play snow ...

I, Sher Mayne, am going for a one-day snowboarding trip TOMORROW with kim and sham!!

Hehehehe.. it's the day before my last exam which is worth 50%. How smart right? This is never to be done in auckland. It's only what an exchange student can do. I think if I were to tell kim that my exam is worth 50% the next day, her eyes will be wide open and be thinking i'm nuts. Haha! But hey! It's all about doing stuff a normal student won't do, right? Hehehehe...

Will basically be out from 8 to 8 tomorrow. Lolx!

Study today, play tomorrow, suffer the next morning la... I still have two cans of energy drink *winks* I'll make sure I put them into good use =D

Current time: 10.51pm
Date: 18/12/07

snowstorm- exams delayed

Here I am, sitting in front of my laptop, chatting with swannie swan swan, waiting for time to go by so that I can sit for my exam at 9am. I gave up on studying for my last two papers. No more mood to do so. I just want to sit for it and get it over.

Then.... I saw this on McGill's website....

Storm Update - Exams delayed
December 17, 2007

in less than 30 seconds... all these thoughts rushed through my mind .... "it can't be happening. my exams can't be delayed. if delayed, when can i sit it? i'm leaving on the 20th right after my last exam. would they put it on the 21st? how la? i already bought my boston bus ticket. wahlauu!!! or do I sit it after I come back from my holidays? How can they do this to me? It stopped snowing already. Why la they delay it? Must be joking!!!"

Then I clicked the link to see what day it will be postponed to ...

Monday, December 17th - Exams will proceed at McGill University on this revised schedule. Exams scheduled for 9:00 A.M will take place at 10:00 A.M.; exams scheduled for 2:00 P.M will take place at 2:30 P.M.; and exams scheduled for 6:00 P.M. will take place at 6:30 P.M."

PHEW!!! just one hour delay. Maybe it's a sign that I should actually do some studying :p

Current time: 7.50 am
Current Date: 17/12/07

my place

4 more days... 4 more days till I finish my exams, till I leave my apartment, till I go to Boston ...

So, here it is ...

A virtual tour of my apartment before I leave ...

examss

13/12 (Thursday) - Nutrition and Wellness (50%)

14/12 (Friday) - Physics (45%)

17/12 (Monday) - Sport Psychology (40%)

20/12 (Thursday) - Physical Activity and Health (50%)

It's crunch time!!!!!

This means I will have to delay my NYC trip post. Let's just say it was great but could have been better if I have more $$$$

And this is who I met when I was at New York - Vivica Fox :D

NYC here i come

I'm off to New York!! Be back on the 11th of December 7.45 am (canadian time) or 11th December 8.45 pm (msian time) or 12th December 1.45 am (nz time) ... Ahahahahaha!!!

New York City... *thinks Hiro Nakamura* .. "Don't worry New York, I will save you! " Bwahahahahaha!!

Gna try enjoy myself despite the thought of exams is still lingering in my mind.. ARghh!!! I'll try my best!! Bye bye!! Teeeheee :p

banana pancakes

Last Friday, I had two bananas left and I was sick of eating just bananas. I have heaps of self raising flour left and I have no idea what to do with them as well. Hence, this is what I made ...

Banana pancakes!!!! The pancakes itself actually have the banana taste. Not just your ordinary plain pancakes ok!! It's pancakes to die for!!!

I'm heading to New York on Thursday. When I come back, I have two days of study before my first TWO exams. As I want to try enjoy myself in New York, this week is going to be full on study unfortunately. Even wrote up a timetable and honestly, if I don't follow it, I won't be able to finish my studying in time.

Feeling quite stressed out now. Besides writing up my study timetable, I even wrote up my meal plan from tomorrow till the 14th of December (day where MID EXAM break starts .... and ends. Need to start studying for exam on the 17th the next day.). Had to write up my meal plan to prevent me from buying extra food and not being able to finish them when I leave my apartment. So yea, really trying to minimize any food wastage. Had to think of what food I have left and what meal I can come out with. Not easy ok!

I am going to try blogging less, and stay away from Mindjolt Games! Temperature these few days will never go warmer than -10. So yeaa... that's how the weather is over here.

So nothing much you need to know about me this week besides stressing, studying, eating, freezing my arse off and thinking about all of you and being really really jealous :p

I'll leave you with one last thing.. CLICK HERE to read if you are really bored. Reckon Auck uni is pretty ignorant and slack ...

1. They spelt my name wrong - Sher Main (i hv a feeling some of u gna mock me? yes? no?)

2. They obviously did not know how I looked like hence blurring the wrong faces in one of the photos, leaving only my housemate's face visible. Pretty hilarious! Or maybe I'm just too ugly eh?

3. And that was my September update, not October!! (I've finished writing up my October update but not yet email it to them and I'm yet to write up my November update. Guess I'm pretty slack too eh?)

That's it from me now!! nite nite!!!!!

happy birthday jellymi

Today today ... what's today?

Today is the birthday of a good friend of mine. One whom I met last year and definitely got to know better throughout last year and this year. One whom seemed quiet and shy at first sight but looks can indeed be deceiving! To think that he "paiseh" all the time? No. He talks and asks just about anything and everything! He is ... a Jellymi.

What is a Jellymi?
A Jellymi is one who isn't afraid of asking you what you do when you're in the toilet waiting for poo poo to come out.

A Jellymi is one who only calls me "Jagung" because of some lame reason only a Jellymi can come out with. One who loves calling people "monkey" when he himself is a monkey!

A Jellymi is one who is very prone to injury in sports, all kinds of sports.

A Jellymi is one who loves going on Trademe, receiving emails from Dressmart and would always tell me whenever there's a sale going on.

A Jellymi is one who owns many many kinds of balls and also many pairs of shoes.

A Jellymi is one who developed a new interest recently in models ... model kits, not human models.

A Jellymi is one whose "lubang" is getting bigger and bigger as the days go by.

Actually, it's not A Jellymi. It's more like THE Jellymi. Because you can only find one in this whole wide world and I am thankful to have as my friend. Despite all the bullying, the name calling, the chauffeur duties, being his personal rice delivery man ... this fella is more than just that.

A great leader ... just look at how UMSA went this year ... need I say more? A great success because of him, because of his guidance, because of his amazing leadership skills along with a touch of lameness, pronounciation mistakes which just makes the environment a whole lot friendlier and funnier ;) It was definitely great to be under you, Mr. President (more like ex-president now eh?). Thank you for all the guidance and support because without you, I won't be able to handle 35 monkeys down at Christchurch this year. Haha!

A great friend. One who would actually "layan" my lameness all the time and talk to me about everything and really, anything!! The funny, the lame, the serious, the pointless .... all these talks, you can do it with Jellymi. Definitely an easy person to talk to. He who always keeps me entertained on MSN, making me laugh all the time. I really have to thank you for that because it distracts me from feeling homesick. Thank you!

One who loves sports a lot but also one who gets injured a lot. Like me and many others of the same kind, he is definitely one person who cannot live without sports and can barely sit still and not do sports. It comes to a point where you can call sports an addiction for this fella - injured knee with a torn meniscus and still go and play. Rest well now, ok?

Also, he's an awesome road trip travelling buddy. Sure there's the unsteady driving, the one who usually is the last to wake up but nevertheless, still a great companion. One who will keep you awake whilst you are driving (I would have slept if I were him, maybe he was too scared to even sleep :p) and one who had to tolerate my singing as well as adiba and fizah's singing in the car. Nyehehehehehe... good times, good times!

Somehow, he do have a big brother-like figure to me. Perhaps the other aspects where my brother don't do with me like playing sports together, having lame convo with me all the time, having a lot of patience with me when helping me out for physics and discussing topics that is really out of the world that you will not actually do with your own brother (because it would be a waste of his time).

So ... on this special day of yours... I would like to say Thank You. Thank you for coming into this world and being my friend. A very good friend indeed. Thank you for everything you've done for me. It is truly a blessing to have met you.

Happy 22nd Birthday Jeremy Liu Ted Hsiung!!
(i hope the spelling of the full name is right.. ahahaha!)

May you pursue all your dreams, have a splendid year ahead and all the best in everything!!! And also, may that knee of yours have a speedy recovery so that you can play sports soon!!!

boston tix have arrived

I haven't bought any concert tix before ...

I haven't been to any music concerts ... but I am hoping to go to one ... one day ... one day...

I haven't had the chance to take photos of any tix and parade it on my blog and make all of you jealous :p (so many bands went to NZ this year and I just have to be in Canada!!!)

But I sure am looking forward to this!!!!!

No, the tix do not cost me USD 25 only. It was USD 45. And I had to pay handling fees, shipping fees and all that. Cost me quite a lot. 65 USD... that's 85 NZD.

Ok, so it's not a music concert but the cost is about the price of a concert. Took me quite awhile to decide whether I should be spending that much to watch this game since I'm going to Boston. And I thought to myself ... you can fly a music band to NZ, but how often would you get two NBA teams flying to NZ to play a game of basketball? When will be the next time I will get the chance to attend a game like this in the future? Probably never.

Have I made the right choice? Hope I did. I am looking forward to it since I have learnt quite a bit about the game itself this year, played a bit, watched basketball documentaries during sport psychology, watched McGill bball team play against other universities ... now all I have to do is actually watch some games on the internet, know more about the celtics and the bulls, decide which team I should support, and then I'll make my 85 bucks worth it on that night!!! Tickets are in my hands already. Hehehehe.... :p Too late to turn back! In a month's time ... Boston here I come!

i lost weight?

Before I left NZ, a lot of people told me ... Everyone who goes overseas will put on weight ...

I said to myself... it's ok. It's alright to put on some weight as I will be able to lose it when I return Auckland. Plus, it's gonna be cold so it's normal to eat more and put on weight. I need the fat to insulate me anyway :p

I came here, I told Evangeline and she didn't believe me as we were walking around so much!! Sure, we did lose weight for the first week during our house hunting. But after settling down ... you can find Ev cooking in the middle of the night, walking to the kitchen for midnight snacks. She put on ...

I have been baking, eating most of what I baked. I eat ice cream, yoghurt, waffles, cheese, chocolate. I eat my meat, my rice, my fruits.


And just today ... I received an email from mum. And little did I know.... the parents, aunties, the cousin in NZ all said I am thinner. That was shocking. I was thinking to myself... Nahh.. can't be, maybe they just think I'm not eating enough since I don't have mummy to cook for me. Besides, they haven't seen me for so long.

Told Ev about what mum said to me. And she told me.... I definitely lost weight. She only realized it after looking at the photos from the semi formal. Lolx! She sees me everyday but only realize it from the photos. Then I told Swan what my mum said, Swan also said the same thing ...



*sigh*



Should I feel happy to have lost weight? I should right? But no, I'm not. Why?Coz it just seems like I can't take care of myself and I'm not eating well. I looked back and realized.... one thing I am doing wrong here is skipping lunch. I'm too lazy to prepare lunch and bring it to uni to eat. In Akl, I have ppl to teman me for indian food *thinks chicken korma, butter chicken, naan bread* Here, I don't have anyone to teman me during lunch time. Besides, I don't really have a lunch time. After my class at 2.55, I need take a 15 min walk to the bus stop to catch my bus to go for another class. I eat my lunch on Tues and Thurs because I finish class at 1. I hardly eat out because of $$$$$$. And we all know the fat comes from eating out because they put a lot of oil in their cooking and outside food is way tastier so you tend to eat more.

Thank goodness it's getting colder now. Sports are over for me. Time to give the ankle a proper rest anyway. So I'll be eating more and putting on weight! One more month of uni and then I'll be on holiday and I'll be eating even more then! Woot woot!! But I hope to go back a wee bit thinner so I can stuff myself up on mum's cooking!!! Bwaahahahahhahaha!!! But right now.. mission is to EAT WELL!

happy birthday roger

Pantene boy ... Dodgy roger ... Bobon ...
Not even one year knowing this fella and he's already got so many nicknames...


My texting buddy. Seriously, first time he texted me, I replied and then after that he replied again and it went on and on. For a moment I was afraid who this fella is. Never met before and then text so much. Freaky you know!
It was not even one month after knowing him and he made it possible to finish up my txt2000 ...


The very first bidayuh friend I met and up till now, the only one I have...
One who taught me a lot about all the natives on MSN which got really confusing at one point. Thanks for the very educational chats. Lolx!!!


My entertainment provider (in terms of movies and tv series k! don't even try thinking dodgy).


One who teases me all the time and gave me the nickname ahmad(because i drive ppl around hence i'm the Driver) and the nickname Maria (just because I do housework).


One who eats a lot but still so skinny (truly bottomless pit ... )

He's a very enthusiastic first year. Attended most of the UMSA events, I think maybe even all. Helped out so much for the ball. And now... he's 2008 UMSA's social officer. Bro! That phone of yours will be beeping heaps next year. No need me to keep it alive anymore.


It is indeed a blessing to have met you. Really, thanks for everything.

Happy 20th Birthday Roger Bobson Anak Joe!!

May you have a wonderful year ahead and may all your wishes come true! Have an awesome birthday Mr.Roger!! I'll see you next year!!! And please... cut your hair la!!!!

And just when I'm blogging this.... it's started to snow!!!!!! Omg!!!

Yesterday, the grass was green. This morning when I looked out the window.... that's what I saw!! Snow right outside my window!! Pretty!! But but.. urghh..... got to go to class now!!!

new found addiction

i'm in deep trouble ... i've got a new found addiction ... first person to guess it will get ermm.... a McD sundae cone when i see you .. lolx! Guessing game ends 24/11 @ 12 a.m.
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crap... :S

spending money

~Thursday, November 15~
What: CASCO 360 - A fashion show. A fundraising event by the management and business students of McGill.
Clothings by: Foxy, Monahmour, Voyou, S'Sense, 3 Monkeys, Olivia, American Apparel, Preloved, Waxman, Esprit, StyleExchange
My companion: Kim
Cost: $20

Say what? Sher Mayne paid $20 to just watch a fashion show? Watching students cat-walking and modelling clothes? Yes, I thought I was a wee bit crazy to just pay $20 bucks. So $20 bucks isn't that much but still!!! A fashion show? The whole time after agreeing to watch it I was constantly reminding myself.... "for a good cause.. shermayne, it's for a good cause. "

But minutes into the show, I was blown away! It's not the typical fashion show. This is way way awesome! It was more like a dance show. It was superb!! Dances from all around the world. No wonder it's CASCO 360!! For every dance, they wear a specific brand of clothing, modelling the clothes and dancing at the same time. Now that's what I call killing two birds with one stone!

Type of dances: Disco New York, Broadway London, Hip Hop/Stomp Africa, Bollywood India, Cheerleading Dallas, Ballet Miami, Lyrical Las Vegas, Hula Hawaii, Aerobics LA, Jazz Rusia, Salsa Cuba, Hip Hop Japan, Line Dancing Calgary

My 20 bucks was definitely worth it. I came out smiling. It was so so so so good! I would pay 30 to watch it! Hahaha!!! Finally something in Montreal I thoroughly enjoy!!! (apart from basketball la!!)

~Friday, November 16~
Today saw me spending...
2-way bus ticket for New York: $119 CAD
Winter boots: $50 CAD - I really needed a pair of warm boots. Mind you, it's really a good bargain. I went to a shoe shop similar to No.1 shoe warehouse to get my boots because elsewhere, boots are like 150-300 bucks! So yea.. I got a wind proof, water resistant boots!! Bwahahaha.. ok, so it's not a pair of fashionable boots but who cares about fashion? Keeping warm is more important!
Formal pants, skinny jeans, top from Urban Behaviour: $50 CAD - this is another bargain. Everything 50% off!! And since I haven't been doing much shopping, I decided to go for it. Indeed a good bargain. Instead of paying $100, I paid $50! Ahhhh!! I just love good bargains...

~Saturday, November 17~
Last game of basketball. Sad. *sigh*
Spend money again!!!
Booked my accommodation for New York: $90 USD for 3 nights.
Boston Celtics VS Chicago Bulls ticket payment confirmed: $65 USD <-- I'm super uber excited for this though I doubt I can see anything coz bad seats. Cheap seats mar... kept on reminding myself.... for the atmosphere, for the atmosphere!!!
Bought my flight ticket Boston-Atlanta-Toronto: $269 USD

All these is just getting my excited for the after exams travelling!! But at the same time, HEARTBREAKING. So much $$$$$ out of my parent's pocket.

Here is lil chic's travelling itinerary ... main highlights are the things I wish to do but not confirmed...
6-11: New York City (accommodation not provided... main highlights: Times Square, Central Park, Empire State Building, Rockefellar Center)
13-20: Exams in Montreal.. Duhh!?! (yes, i'm using the study break to travel :p... main highlight: Study la!!!)
20-24: Boston (accommodation not provided... main highlights: NBA game, Fenway Park)
24-29: Atlanta (accommodation provided by cousins :D main highlights: christmas, spend time with cousins and get them to take me shopping!!!)
29-7th jan: Toronto (accommodation provided by julianne :D main highlights: Niagara Falls, snowboarding, spend time with julianne, my long lost swimming buddy)
7th-9th jan: Montreal (accommodation not provided)
9th jan: Fly back to Auckland
11th jan: Home Sweet Home!

my camera has arrived

Thursday 14th November 2007 ....

The day my long awaited camera arrived in my hands!! Whoop whoop!! One thing is... on top of the postage fees that I have to pay, I still had to pay taxes and handling fees when I went to the post shop to collect it. Argh! So in total, the camera costed me CAD 242.35. *sigh*. NZD315. So in the end, it probably came about the same price I would pay if I were to bought it in NZ, yes? No? But, no complains la... Loving the camera. It so happened to be Alicia's semi formal dinner hence I managed to use it right away!!

This is my new camera!! Canon Powershot SD1000, which is the same thing as IXUS 70.

First thing I did was to play with one of the features... damn cool wei! Make everything else black n white.. ehehehe.... am yet to master the skill!!

And then after my shower, getting all dressed up for the dinner.... I tried the portrait function (more like cam-whore because i haven't done it for ages!) ...

Again, not much make-up on because .... I don't know how to :S ... need my mummy la....But at least I did a good job hiding my warrior scar ... bwahahaha!!

After that, it was off to the semi formal dinner. It was actually a semi formal organized by the physiology students and Alicia, who's doing physiology invited us. Alicia is my family friend just in case I haven't mention it. It was $40. I thought it was going to be like a semi formal ball or something but it was just dinner. Food, it was alright. Nothing great. I think I could have had better dinner with that $40. Nevertheless, no regrets :) I get to say I've been to a semi formal, I get to dress up, take photos (since I didn't get to go to the ball this year!) and just chill out.

Just a few photos (taken with my NEW camera :p) ... more will be on facebook. Facebook much easier to upload pics :p

Now now, how often do you get to see me with a plate of veges? Ok, fine... i did not finish eating it. I did eat 3/4 of it tho!

Now this plate.. this plate I finished. Apart from the capsicums... NZ steak still better.

And that.. that's us 4 girls. 2 physiology students (Vivien, Alicia) + 2 intruders (1 sports science student i.e. Me, 1 engineering n management student i.e. evangeline)

happy birthday david and mel

Sorry I'm late.. I have my reasons....

12th November babies!!!!!

One of the oldies... one of the first few people I met in UMSA... very very LAME... but then also very very SMART... always "giggady giggady"... ties up his hair in a lil ponytail occasionally... side-part his hair :S ... despite his very weird hairstyle, he's still a very awesome friend to have!!!!! (but what were u doing having a very "interesting" convo with my swan swan! and two other girls.... corrupt ppl's mind only.... ish ishh... and left me out!!!! jk jk!! hahahahaha!!!!)

I'm sure you all know who I'm talking about...

David Liu Sai Kong!!

Happy 23rd Birthday! I'm sure you had an awesome one!!! but i'm sure it would be awesome-ER with me ... nyehehehehe.....

Next up....

Melissa!!

Another of the few sports science cats whom I miss dearly over here. One who worries a lot before and after every single exam. But in the end, still coming out with good grades. One whom I miss studying with down at level zero, cramming together. One who is always the one buying lollies to share with everyone during lectures. One who replies my emails which makes me laugh all the time ....

Happy 20th Birthday girl!! It's really a blessing to know you!!!!!!

Can't wait... can't wait for next year.. where we will all be like last semester, studying together... last minute.... I miss that.. I actually do!!! the friends i made in sports science are just great study companions!! Sure, we fool around a lot, disturb other people on the same table... but we do get things done!!!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Ok, my explanation for this belated birthday post?

I was doing my nutrition project. I actually called it assignment but ... everyone here calls it project. I guess it's because..... it's impossible to finish it in one day. Whereas assignments, you can finish it in a day. Well, I can. But no, not projects. And projects are EXPENSIVE. Spent nearly 10 bucks just to print everything out and buying a proper folder to put it in. They don't let us hand it in stapled. Must be in a folder. Ishhh.... I started doing it on Tuesday and still, it was very last minute. I practically finished it just before class started, putting the whole project together. Man, seriously can get heart attack. Have a feeling I'll get mark down for presentation. Lolx!

Nevertheless, this project was pretty useful I must say. Except it made me feel so guilty with what I am eating. The amount of saturated fat I consume is like.................. *speechless*.... and the same thing goes for sodium intake.... And I need to eat more FISH.. my omega 3 level is low.. very very very low.. not good.. not good at all.... Overall, it made me wanna start eating healthier. Sure it's hard to avoid the saturated fat intake *thinks of cheesy, creamy pasta.. chocolate....ice cream.....yummmmm* but I shall start by eating more fish and vegetables, cut down on salt intake. If I do all of these, and still eat my fair share of meat and cheesy, creamy stuff.... I think I can still consider myself to be a wee bit healthier and reduce the risk of many many many diseases!! One step at a time right? But no, i'll never turn a vegetarian (because i need my meat, i need my protein and i won't be able to live with just eating BEANS n NUTS) nor will I go on a diet (because diet is just BAD for the body).

Ok, time to enjoy a good night sleep now!!

another bad sprain

They were all so tall. I jumped up, caught the rebound, landed.................. the wrong way....

*cluck*

no subs so I had to play on....

Rest
Ice
Compression
Elevation

That's all I can do now.
*sigh*

Why la my luck so sui wan? i reali think that ankle of mine is really close to useless...

8 things

8th november.. 8 points....

1. I wish I'm in NZ right now, in particular, 15A, Gillard Place! 1st aunt from singapore, 4th aunt from msia, cousin sis, Aivy, from aust are in NZ!! And the aunties are apparently cooking up a storm. Yes, they are damn freaking good cooks. Omg!! My lucky brother right now, is eating up my share. And he was so "nice" to take a photo of the wok of curry chicken my aunt was cooking. Gah!!

2. I wish I'm also on holiday now. I am missing home a wee bit after chatting with mum, aunt, bro and aivy che che.

3. I miss . . . . I miss a lot of things, a lot of people these few days . . . but i'm strong :) hanging in here, looking forward to next week where I am so sure this feeling will be gone. coz it's just temporary :p

4. I am still waiting for my camera! 3 weeks already. Please please don't get lost in the mail.

5. It snowed for a lil while today. Pretty snow flakes! Current temperature: 1 degree.

6. Realized baking for me does the trick to get my mind off everything right now. Heard of neiman marcus cookies? Go google them. I baked them. With some improvising, (especially with the freaking oven temperature!!!) ... they turn out to be what they were meant to be... simply orgasmic!!! I ate like 15 out of 96 cookies today. Gave away 30 to family friend. 24 was sorta burnt coz it was the first batch, temperature in the recipe wrong la... this means.. I don't have much left. No, I'm not gonna give the rest away. Keeping them for me, and only me! Ok, maybe share some with Evangeline but that's it. Not gna share with others. I know sharing is caring but...... once in awhile, u gta love urself more! :p

7. I'm off to do my nutrition assignment now.

*~*8. Happy Deepavali!!!!! *~*

Happy 21st Vanessa

~~Many people will walk in and out of your life, but only true friends will leave footprints in your heart. - Eleanor Roosevelt~~

Man, it must have been some hard stomping you have done to leave such great, permanent footprints in my heart in such short period of time. Stomp the Yard? No, you've Stomped my Heart :p

Because YOU have left such wonderful, sweet, cherishable memories in my life in which I will never forget. Memories I am so glad to have. Memories made in such short period of time but yet are great memories.

You whom I met this year. You who turned up during our very first netball training at domain. You who made me feel gutted when you said you couldn't play netball. But then it was you who made me feel happy again just to know that you will still be involved in UMSA. Coz it just means I can get to know you better!

You who taught me to dance during foodnight in just two days. You who believed everyone can dance and have faith in all of us. You who finds joy in helping others and putting in so much effort. Because it's you who Dreams to Create More Smiles. Babe, you have definitely created more smiles over here in NZ :) Hundreds and hundreds of smiles.

You whom I only started to get closer to after the first semester exams. June 19. I can still remember that day. Shopping at Sylvia Park and Dressmart with you and Ying Swan. The day where I only discovered this girl is crazy for Pink. The day where we saw a pink car and she screamed with delightfulness. The girl who couldn't buy anything pink on that day and resorted to buying strawberry milkshake. Just because it was pink :p It was only from that day where I started talking to her more and got to know her better. Convos on MSN are always hyper and crazy.

It's also you who got me hitting my head on why did I only start to know you better in June? Why did I only get to discover such gem, such beauty only in June? And just the thought that I won't be seeing you next year just made me feel even more gutted. But nevertheless, the next two months were the two months filled with awesome, happy times ;)

The pre-bersatu trip. Where it doesn't matter if we couldn't see anything from the gondola ride. Because it's the company that just makes everything great. And you were one of them. One who is also crazy enough to take photos in the toilet with crazy poses. It doesn't matter if we didn't get to see any dolphins in the dolphin cruise. Because it's the fact that we were all in it together, freezing our arses off under the rain, getting all wet during the cruise and still, having a wonderful time -- cam-whoring :p

....and i'll never forget this song she taught me during the pre-bersatu trip..ekekekekeke:p

Then there's the Bersatu games. A very loyal supporter. Standing in the cold, supporting us. Rain or shine. You who were always present, in all the matches. Carrying our big, thick jackets and water bottles. Babe, thanks for being there!!!! It was also you who took my headache away. Helping and willing to teach another bunch of sticks to dance for the Bersatu dinner performances. And once again, it was a great success on that night. Where all contingents loved it. It's all because of you :)

Because of you, we get to eat yummy cheesecake and brownies in Zaf's farewell. We get to eat yummy brownies during ASIA games. Because of you, the tribal players were able to hang in there during the basketball matches in ASIA games because of your great hands :p Massaging them la!! Nothing else ok!! Because of you, even eating at McD's can be memorable. "You can tell what's a person's sexual desire is just by looking at how they eat their ice cream". Van-o-van!! Also a girl who likes extra salt in her fries, Hi-5!!

A very educational lesson at McD thanks to van van!

And to think that it was just the beginning. So many more memorable memories after that. The countless yogoberry moments... unforgettable.

Dance pracs leading up to UMSA ball... thanks girl for letting me watch it and teaching me too! Super sports weekends... i turn up for dance pracs, and you start turning up for sports too..muakzzz!!!

Dessert night... hyperrrrrr!!!

Beauty and the beast musical production... *sings* Be our guest! Be our guest.. lalalalalalalala* Glad you liked it! Sleepover at my place... private one-on-one dancing lesson in one night...a very productive night eh? Happy times! Jandal shopping... where you were just meant to tag along and help me decide which colour to get ad you ended up getting one to! Dv8 ... where we get to see hottie Vanessa strut her stuff.. Woot!!

Choc boutique... sitting outside in a cold winter night...getting high on choc ... thank you, so glad you were there!!

My sending-off party... thanks for dressing up...club hopping... and be one of the last few people who stayed till the very end of it :)

All of these great memories, plus many many more... all of these wonderful moments... all in less than a year. Thank you. Thank you for all of these. Thank you for coming into my life and filling it with all these happy memories. Memories that when I think of them again, I just SMILE. I'm smiling now :D This is how awesome this chic is! This chic who's a big 21 today!!

~~Vanessa Lim Su-Ping~~

A girl with a heart of gold. A girl who have definitely touched my heart and many other hearts in this world. A girl who is a beautiful RainboW, who have brightened many peoples lives with seven beautiful colours. A girl who just makes this world a much more beautiful, peaceful, cheerful place.

Happy 21st Birthday!! Wish I could be there to celebrate it with you. But not to worry, I may not be there in person, but I will in heart. I'll see you in March and in that 3 weeks, may more happy memories be created again!! In the meantime, good luck with your remaining papers, have a great 21st party, have a safe trip back to Malaysia. Good luck and all the best in everything you do and continue touching the many hearts in this world :)

*muakzzzz* Kisses from me to you!!!

And to prove to you how hyper this girl can get when she's on a sugar high.... I'll leave you with this :)

Van, you rock!!! (bet you just feel like stranggling me when u see that video eh? hehehe... come come come! ekekekekee :p)