My Journey

Back again

2006-04-19T00:59:00.000-07:00

Hmmm...time has past so fast. Its been 5 months now since my traineeship as ended. I have not been updating this Blog for a long long time ( i can hear A.Banana complaining at the back!!)...
Anyway, started working already since March 1st. Life have really change a lot for me personally .....I use to have really interesting life where most of my friends/colleagues are cool cool ppl from Colombia, Tunisia, Portugal, China, Taiwan, Morrocco, Romania.. and of course one crazy Mong Wong from Muar. But now, it has change to all of them are from Malaysia. Even the language I use daily change from only English to English+Malay-bish+Chinese-bish+Indian-bish+Spanish+Arabich+Rubbish and all the bish bish that i need to use to survive in the working world....... Hmmm...how i miss the "simple" but fantastic life in St Louie Louie. Gone were the days of Oz and Morgan St. Good bye to the days of Busch Stadium and Savvis center. Gone were the tim sum sundays and late nite shakes at Steak n Shake......hmmmm.... All this replace with 9-6pm sitting down at the office looking and searching for the next nicest person to buy my machine. Go to bed at 10pm and wishing evert moment to fly and hope that the weekend would come faster.... Life......the next stage begins. ...

Moving to Andrea/Elma's

2005-09-20T01:36:00.000-07:00

Awaken by Lena at 12 pm to open a new checking with First National. But end up not doing it because of difficulty with the address. Then we went to Best Buy (to claim Walid's laptop accessories) then to Sam's club then to St Louis Bread company for lunch. I really have to thank Lena n Walid for keeping me busy all this time. Keep me away from boredom. If not for them i would be Zzzzzing in bed. A.Banana called said that she will be finishing early from work today. Went to GSC to hang out a lil before heading home to pack my stuff. Yahooooo....finally i am moving out of boredom. We went to Cheesecake factory. It was awesome. Hungarian Beef and JAMAICAN BLACK PEPPER SHRIMP was fantastic....and then of course GODIVA CHOCOLATE CHEESECAKE to put the icing to the cake...to complete it. It was a wonderful dinner. Later we had to their house to unload stuff and to plan for upcoming weekend......oohhhhhh....i cant wait....

Perfect dinner, life in the afternoon......end to boredom.

Back to Boring Daily Life

2005-09-19T22:24:00.000-07:00

Hmmm....life went back to my normal boring schedule laaa today. Was having a blast during the weekend. Never knew i could have so much fun....or prob its because that I am toooooo boring here since everyone left St Louis and last weekend i have the golden opportunity to have a crazy time. there is life after all!!!! thank you god/buddha!!!!
Made a resolution to at least move out of the apartment latest this coming wednesday....lets see how thing turn out... I woke up early today when Lena called me at noon to go shopping la.Finally settle the shopping promise made to Karen LLF......so happy manage to get it out of the system....hmmmmmmmm......then got over-bored and decide to go to library to return some books la....but to make life worst...bored enough...the library ppl made me pay $8.8O la for late fees......god....give me a break la.....bored enough adi now got a speeding ticket from the library somemore....arghhhh......i want my weekend!!!!!!!!
Now in office listen to DJ Sammy and Yanou mixing the Heaven song.......so good la..no calls and total clubbing music.....Lifeeeeeeee....

Back to reality.....i want my weekend.

WeEkEnd CLuBbinG

2005-09-17T03:16:00.000-07:00

Finally i have chance after sooooo long to go out party la.
Started day going "chopping" with Lena and Walid to Best Buy @ Chesterfield. The "B" Walid finally got the laptop after spending nearly 2 month of his life searching & trying to decide which laptop to buy and which not to buy. I am sure that he would have qualified for be Mr Dell at the end of his journey to search for the Ultimate Bra...i mean Ultimate Laptop. Anyway just glad that he finally did it. I guess.....buying something is actually about crossing the line. Everything that we see has its good and bad side and sometime we might get lucky that to buy a good deal....like getting a LV bag along NYC Fifth Ave....only for like 10 bucks each....hehehehehehe....but again its only a matter of crossing the line.. then when we are over the other side the most important is to learn to appreciate what we have and this would be fine. I think other people's stuff always looks better cause they know how to appreciate their stuff and makes it looks good to others eye....hmmmm...i am starting to confuse myself....so simple la. So back to my daily story....the we head to St Louis "Roti Tiam" for some, as usual, awesome panini and soup and salad. After the short stop to fillup our stomach and Walid tested with his new toy via the free wireless, we amazing decided to head to Marshalls for shopping. But along the way our crave for ice cream got the better of us, so we made another quick pit stop @DQ for some ice-y cream. After all the sinful shopping at Marshalls....got home and prepared for the night. We made another stop at Walid&Lena's place before we head to A.Banana's place. Oh forget to mention that met Francine and Lucas....@ their place. She look so happy while he look so much better ...healthier...after coming out from her room....hmmm...wonder why.
We met A.Banana and Elma @ home and we some how manage to convince Elma to leave her bed and come with us downtown. We went to our new hang out place. I would recommend this place to anyone living downtown St Louis...AbsoluteGoosed.....serve excellent martini and bloody mary la. Oh not the mention the 3 Musketeer that i tried too was excellent. It was our lucky night cause tonite we manage to get Mr Play Hard to Get Uy David to come meet us. After a long chat( Not going share but its got to do with work and interns in general.....yeah keep guessing) After the bloody mart and 3musketeer we decided to go home. Hahahahahhaa....but it wasn't so easy la. Its saturday nite man.....Elma wanted to go home but she would stay with the option to go to Taco bell to get some burrito...hehehehehe....we drove to Del Taco...hehehehehe. Taco after taco and burrito after burrito, we cross the Mississp to Illini to Oz. As usual the excellent music and dancing charm us all night long until 2 simple lady name (combanation of their name) AlBanana decided they want to go home. One stated her boots is killing her while one stated tiredness...but once we are out of the club ...they started to feel regret and blame each other la....for coming out so early...so simple la. Later we head over to their place for some Kevin Spacey movie, shisha, coke and vodka + vomit....then was ZZzzzzzzzzzz.....

Sat night well spend with excellent clubbing with AlBanana, Walena and Uy Tan.....thank you guys...love ya all (so girlish laaaaa....)

NYC Day 2 + USOpen Women Final

2005-09-10T22:33:00.000-07:00

We work up early today. Andrea had bought her ticket to Liberty Island to meet Ms Statue Lib at 9am. We went straight to Battery Park. While she board the ferry, I went for some breakfast. Then walk around the downtown area of Manhattan. Wall St, Ground Zero (which there was protest against building a new building on Groud Z) then was to NY Mercantile Exchange, The World Financial Building. Later we went to United Nation and Grand Central Station. Then from UN we walked all the way to Metropolitan Art Museum. Along the way we stumble upon the Peruvian embassy on 49th. Unc called and suppose to meet him in Chinatown for lunch. Met Maricel at the steps to the Museum. We decide to head to Chinos-town to meet Unc for lunch. Lunch was a nostalgic one. Remind me of the "chak fan" back home. My first time in US to have this kinda Chinese restaurant but apparently according Unc its all over Chinos-town in NYC....After lunch we went on seperate direction. Me and Unc went to Chinese Electornic store and JRD to cheack out PsP for my cousin while Andrea and Mari went to Lil Italy. Learn that buying stuff in Chinos-town you can have to luxury of not paying tax.
Later we took the 7 train to Flushing. Andrea got confuse as she stop at the last stop of 7 train but the tennis stadium is at Shea Stadium. Tons and tons tennis fans came flooding into the stadium as each 7 train arrive. We found out that the men's final would be Andrea Agassi who beat a newcomer while Federer bear Hewitt. We took load of picture in the ground, went to the globe and did a little people watching before went intot the stadium. We each given a JP Morgan Chase hat at he door. The opening ceremony for the Women Final was pretty fancy with fire works and singing of Americ the Beautiful by a choir and a unknown artist. Kim Clijsters vs. Mary Pierce. For the first time watching a Grand Slam tournement...i would rate this match at 70%. The beginning was pretty interesting where Kim and Mary gave a brilliant performance. But as the game run to the 2nd set Mary could not perform as good as she did in the 1st set. She had to rap her thigh and also prob is her age has cought up with her compare to Kim who is only 22. Final score 6-3, 6-1.

Clijsters climb up the stand to her family after the final point. Beside she also won additional 1.1 mil add to her winning check of 1.1mil. thanks to her triumphs in three of four US hardcourt tournaments linked together by the US Tennis Association as the US Open Series. After the match we decide not to follow the crowd head downtown instead we head towards Flushing for some supper. It was a nostalgic moment again for me. Its a amazing to find chinese restaurant open until 2am. remind me of "siang malam" in bukit china and all the "char koew teow" for midnite supper back home. After supper it was a long long ride back to Brooklyn.

Ground Z, UN, long walk to Art Museum, 1st Chinese "chak fan" in US, USOpen women final and 1st Chinese food supper in US......

Em Left + NYC + USOpen =Sadness/Happiness

2005-09-09T00:28:00.000-07:00

Em didnt really sleep this morning cause she had to pack her whole life into 2 luggages and 1 carry on. She spend the whole nite packing and sorting things out in the living room while Unc M sleep in the living room cause the day before he had given his bed away to A.Banana. Somewhere between 2 am and 4, I manage to catch some ZZZs. After we sort everything out and put everything into the bad, we realise that maybe we dont have that many stuff after all. Or prob some of the stuff we already send home or worst still....it going to appear when it my turn to pack come Sept30th. We'll see....
We load Em's lug into the car and drove the Lambert-St. Louis International Airport. To our suprise Mr Noodle already waiting there when we arrive la..I thought that he would be at his usual MIA(from his previous promise with Norton) Then A.Banana came with Elma(she left before we even met her) Em's flight is at 6.20am while A .Banana was catching a flight also this morning to NYC at 6am while mine is at 8.20am also to NYC la. After checking in the lug and said goodbye to A.Banana we head to our fav airport hang out place...Starbucks. Emir appear while we were stoppping by to w.draw $ @ the atm. At this point Ms.Fickle minded Tan could not decide on the amount of cash. It took 4 financial counsultant from Peru, US, Tunisia and Malaysia to finally convince her the correct amount.Chat about the ppl in MC, we chat about the life in STL.......etc. Then came the sad moment about 6am when we walk her to the gate A. But wait!!! Emily is flying AA. AA in Lambert is in Gate C. hahahahahaha....we got the wrong gate being to emotional. SO EMOTIONAL laaaa.. Then we turn back head back to Gate C. Bid our final farewell, shed a few tears, hug...etc. She took a last look and that was it. "Emily has left the building!!!!" She was all but gone from STL. 1.5 year just fly by like that. So sad la.....sobs.....sobs.......sobs......
Emir left while Justin and Mauricio walk me to the train station to East Terminal for my flight on SouthWest to Chicago. I knew it would come but I tried to control it. I told myself a million times not to do it but when the moment came.......all hell broke loose!!. I cried. My life here in US has given me a chance to meet great and wonderful people and Mauricio is one of them. I just couldnt imagine my daily life without "bitching" and "arguing" with him. I cannot bear the idea that I will not be hearing anymore of his whining. So sad la....arghhh..... After a hug and handshake we went our seperate ways. Thats the last time i will see Mauri in STL..... While waiting at the terminal i just couldnt stop thinking about the happy times in STL...until when Em call me from Chicago.....i accidentaly hung up the phone....argghh. Flight from STL - Midway (chicago) then to LaGuardiaNYC. Arrive in NYC call A.Banana and we met at Madison Square park. Then we took the sub to Brooklyn Bridge station to meet me amor Flavia O. We walk to the middle of B.Bridge took pics and called Mauricio. While the gals chat away with Mauricio , I enjoy the magnificant view of NYC. We later took a walk to ground Zero, Wall St, NYSE and Trinity Church. Then we got tired of the bag that we were carrying the whole day, we decide to drop it at 86th St + 2Ave, where Mari's foster family house is. Its a pretty cool place with lots of restaurant. We experience the Friday Jews Bread cutting ceremony. Its was a pretty cool experience. I got chance to wear a kippah...a yellow one!! We went to a pizza place for dinner. It pretty weird to only order pizza in slices (but they are BIG) as usually we would order like the whole pizza...weird. After dinner me and adrea head to Brooklyn to my Uc's place. When we arrive at his place he was waiting outside his house trying to call my cell. He was waiting for me since 11.30pm...and it was nearly 1am. Apparently he left the house key with his friend who also has been waiting for us since 4.30pm. Got a piece of advice from my Unc about keeping ppl waiting......lesson learned......Unc cooked some noodle for us for supper and after that straight to Zzzzz.....

The Day Emily left St Louis, cried @airport, Unc M left, arrive in NYC, lesson from my Unc....

Uncle M' Bday

2005-08-30T03:47:00.000-07:00

Today is Mauricio birthday. Finally he keep his promise after 1.5 year promise to cook the turkey for us...haahahahaha...we finally manage to force him to cook for us. It was nice of him to put in so much effort to cook the turkey. He even woke up early today just to prepare the turkey....on his birthday....
It was a long process. I felt bad so around 12 I woke up and lend him a hand with the cooking. The kitchen was in the mess. After i help him to clean up a little went back to bed.
Woke up about 645pm and everyone was waiting in the living room. Serenella T, Stefano, Stephanie, Sara was already waiting. Then Maria and her bf came while Jamile went and bought a cake. A. Banana came last. There wasnt enough space for everyone so we have to serve the turkey in buffet style...ahahaha.

After dinner we took out the cake and sang H.Birthday in Eng, Cantonese, Germany, Finnish, Spanish and Italian...hhahahaha....we found out also that although its in Spanish but there are many version to it while the Brazillian Portuguese birthday song involve interaction among the crowd....what a entertaining birthday song....We made Unc.M gave a speech....Later Serenella , Stephanie and Sara left while the rest of us continue to do our sharing ...

Turkey for a Peruvian birthday party....

Emily to Detroit

2005-08-25T22:56:00.000-07:00

Could not sleep today. Preapared the pics to be uploaded. The weather was rainy. Me Em Mauricio and Maricel met A.Banana at our fav Mexican restaurant. We had our discussion about life in GSC. About the changes that has happen in GSC all this time. How its was so diffucult to come late or monitoring was tougher compare to nowadays. After the Mexican food send Em to the airport at 4.30 for her flight at 5.10pm to Detroit to visit Alison. Hmmm...will be bored now in St Louis. Went straight back to work @ 530pm till 6am.

Emily to Detroit and OT (12 hours)....

Late for work

2005-08-24T22:48:00.000-07:00

slept like a pig today. Em & Maurucio met up with Justin and Celso at Maryland Heights Dennis today for lunch.
Woke up at 1015pm!!!!! and was late for work. Begin to feel more quiet at work. Now that Em and Mari has left GSC, there will be less and less people in the department working at night. Conrado has left for Brazil to attend his sis wedding ceremony for 10days. No one to share lunch time together. But I guess is a good time for me to do some self reflection for the whole traineeship and also begin to plan the backpacking trip.

Loneliness @ work..

Emily's Actual Last Day

2005-08-23T23:10:00.000-07:00

Emily was talking to Stephanie yesterday and Steph was saying that she would miss Em's curry chicken for sure. So that gives Miss Curry Chicken Emily a brilliant idea today. She jumps out of bed at 4pm to cook her favorite dish for everyone. I couldn’t be bothered to help as I was so tired due to her hyper activeness yesterday. Somehow she manages to prepare all that by herself. Emily held like a little party today on her last day preparing the curry chicken and inviting everyone to try it for the last time. Steph was so touch by Emily’s kindness she shed some tears. Well, credit to Emily for making the curry chicken. Really I am impressed by her kindness. Ohhhh…how I love her for that. From then on it was just picture taking after picture taking. Emily also spend the day finishing up all the goodbye notes to everyone. Today is really her last day. At 6am, Fran was the first one to come and say good bye to Emily and Maricel. Then Emily and Maricel make their rounds around GSC to say good bye to everyone. Sanja, Min Yi, Etsuko, Nancy, Shary, Ana, Maria Seitz, Alan Pickett and everyone else bid their goodbyes to Emily and Maricel.

Sad last day @ GSC for Emily and Maricel…

Emily's "last" Day..False alarm

2005-08-22T22:28:00.000-07:00

Emily came home today all hyper and jumping around. She was so excited because today is her last day at work. She could not sleep in whole morning and she was just rolling around the bed the whole time. Finally I couldn’t stand it anymore I offer her to go to her favourite place …ALDI…she practically jump up from the bed. So….we went shopping from grocery…but she had other ideas. Along the way she request to go to TJ Max but I quickly shoot it down with no other offers. After ALDI we went home for some congee. That’s where we found out that it’s not her last day tonight. Mauricio has spoken to Karen.A and they have wanted the 5 trainees to stay and their last day would be tomorrow instead of today. She had overtime today at 2pm so, she only sleep like 2 hours from today and we had to leave the house at 1.30pm. I followed her to work today to become her official “Emily Tan Last Day at Work” photographer. We took lot of pics today with the entire MC employee, Nancy, Karen, Scott, Ana, Melissa….and also not forgetting all the trainees. I was supposed to leave after my “contract” as the official photographer ends at 4.30pm but then somehow it continues on till 6.30pm when she finishes her OT. Mauricio also finish his OT today the same time. We decide to enjoy a little and head to KFC. We took 8 chicken barrel (3pieces we kept for Melissa Tseu) while Mr Kiasu Mauricio took 10 pieces barrel of chicken to himself…..hahahhahahahaha.

We finish about 8pm the Mauricio head home while we head to Domino Pizza to buy some pizza for the farewell party at MC today. Jarol and Phyllis prepared the food for the party. Jarol cooked a noodle pasta today…wow!!!! Hehehehehe. Pizza, chicken wings, some buns, Danish puffs. The party was to celebrate Emily and Maricel ‘s “last day” in MC. Lot of pics. Emily as places in HSBC today so she could go round talking ..etc away. But most of the time I am the one have to use my AUX time to take care of her phone while she go mingle around. We finish work at 6.00am.

Hyper active Emily, KFC, “Last day” party….

E-Mong Left

2005-08-15T23:33:00.000-07:00

We came home at 6am and we slept a little. We woke up about 7.30am. Called A.Banana and they were still at home. We decided to head to the airport first not waiting for them. We had breakfast at Burger King while waiting for them to arrive. E-Mong and A.Banana went ahead with the checking in for the flight. E-Mong somehow manage to make A.Banana sew her pants for her at the airport!!!...I cannot believe it. Then it was a quick hugs and she was on her way. This time there was no crying and tears…just sadness. Probably we have all grown to realize that goodbye is only for now and we would sure meet up one day again. We watched as she made her way through the security check. We went on to Starbucks in Maryland Heights. We shared with A.Banana about our plans for the future. At about 1030am, we all went on our separate ways to work.

The end of visit of the E-Mong……

The return of China Mong Wong 2..Day2

2005-08-14T03:42:00.000-07:00

After 4 hours of sleep, woke up at 5am and went to work on OT till 6am. Feeling really tired but because of the E-Mong Wong China we are all charge up and ready to go. Finish OT this morning at 10 am, went home and only to find the 3 drunken pigs still pigging away. Justin who self kick himself out of the room in the morning due to the orchestra of the Mongs still zzzzz ..ing away on the couch while A.Banana and E-mong still zzzz..ing in the room. While they 3 wash up and got ready,we catch some zzz while waiting. We went in 2 cars, 1 A-Banana and E-Mong went to Eng's place to pick them up while 2 I drove to Justin's place to switch car with him. His dad said that he could hear us coming from the junction on the main road...ahhahahahahaha...advice me to change the car's muffler while his mom personally pass me his car keys made me promise not to allow Mr Justin DWI to drive....hahaha...we took his car and head towards Olive Blvd for our all time fav Tim Sum place at Wai Heong Theather Tim Sum place. After brunch, we decide to head to the winery. Eng and Lulu in the beginning decided not to go but then later change their mind. Prob they cannot resist the wine ...hehehee...
We drove about 1 hour on H-64/40 then on H-94 towards the Mount Pleasent winery. It was really a long and hilly and rainy drive. Really nice winery with rich history..since 18something. USD5 to taste 5 different wine. That was enough to make me lil tipsy. (its kinda weird cause normally dont have to pay to taste the wine...prob this place it to poor to run for free tasting...hehehe) Then we decide to head to the restaurant sit down and really taste the wine. We bought some cheese and some choco and find ourself a little hut by the hill side....sip our wine anyway. DRUNK.
At about 530pm, after everyone is drunk we went back to the wine tasting building bought ourself some wine and head back home. Andrea send eng and lulu back with evon in the car while they 3 zzzzzzzzzzz... away in the car while myself had the longest chat with Justin (since i came to US) and Emily zzzzzzzzz...away. When i arrive home...I vomit all away ,,,,hahahahha....waste the $$$ and flush down the toilet. Zzzzzzzzz...until about 10.30pm send Em to work. Met Alessandro Berni aka MrItalia/Slovenia asking me to join him to Oz. Called Andrea, went home and change and met up with Justin, Andrea and E-mong @ Oz. The 3 of them left at about 2.30am while we stayed on. Left the place about 4.30am when they turn on the light....went over to Ale's slept a lil then went to pickup Em at 6am. She left with Mari luckly saw them along the way...if not i would have strangle her.......went home n zzzz...

Lots of zzz, awesome wine,tim sum, drunk driving, OZ.......................complete weekend!

The return of China Mong Wong 2..Day1

2005-08-13T23:39:00.000-07:00

Hmm....after all the last visit more last visit, the Ms "Mong" Wong came back to town. She was in Boston for a week for company "training" she came over on last nite but we had OT so Andrea and Justin (the Original B family) picked her up from the airport. We finish OT this morning at 10 am and went straight home the meet the Mong. She was over at Andrea's place so we decide to rest before the storm....hahaha...They came over about 1 pm and we took foever to decide where we would go for lunch. From Chinese Buffet to Mexican restaurant to this to that...in the end we settled for Korean Instant Ramen. Total home cook...I cooked!! Later as usual we went to Emily's daily and weekly hangout place...Marshalls then to Famous Barr. After shopping...we came back home ...all tired ...and decided to head to TGI Fridays for dinner on H-94. After 2 sips of the Long Island Tea...the mong got drunk and start to be all horny and hornless at the same time. She begin to run her mouth and laying all over the place.A fter we took picture, shared the appetizer, each with its own margaritas and Justin's "high speed" in finishing his dinner, we decided to head home to rest for the day. First to go down...as usual the drunken Mong aka B aka Wong...snoring away. We tried to do something but the MOng was snoring away while Andrea look a bit upset for not doing anything on a Sat nite. Me and Justin decided something had to be done. So we took ice and started to harass E-Mong in her sleep. Miracle happen and E-Mong woke up. She suggested that we try the new bottle of cocktail that she brought from the WOT!! land...PIMMS. Apparently she said that its a summer drink and we have to mix it with fruits. Orang, strawberry and of course Laichee...ahahhahahahahaha....i can just hear Justin bitching about the taste. While are a sipping way the new cocktail, Justin continue to run his mouth. The Malaysian Mongs and B's continue the nite with Chor Tai Tee with red wine while the Banana's watch tv and the Mr Mouth runner went to Mari's bed. We close up at 2am.Went to bed but without missing more action. The moment we hit the bed...2 mins later the Mong orchestra begins....ahahahahah.....then it was zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz...............

A day of boring shopping, drunken mongs with L.I.Tea and margaritas,m chor tai tee and new PIMMS in the house....

July 4th Weekend - July 2nd

2005-07-02T04:47:00.000-07:00

Read about this celebration through the AOL page about 3 weeks ago. We plan to go there with a bunch of people but then in the end a lot of people "pang pea ke" and just the for of us went. Me, Em, Sara and Maricel. Got a call from Sara about 3.30pm to asking about what time are we leaving. Woke up about 5 pm when we were suppose to be at Sara's place at 5.15pm. As usual....we are late again. Mari came along with us while the "b" Mr. NO life Mauricio decided to rest at home after his marathon of 40 hours of OT this week. Talk about Mr OT. Anyway we went over to Sara's about 5.45pm and went straight towards downtown. Dont feel like talking much today probably due to the fact that Emily snore the whole day I was having difficulty sleeping. When we arrive the air show about to end at about 6.40pm. Paid $5 for the parking and we walk about 10mins to the fair. After lining up in a long long line for the security check...we finally got into the fair. Its Fair St Louis and they were celebrating 25th year anniversary. Apparently Fair St Louis is the biggest 4th July celebration in the States. Maybe other states have other better things to do ...Maybe. We finally got into the fair ground....confuse after lining up so long under the hot sun....first stop....Coupon booth. No cash during the fair.In exchange for cash we had to purchase coupons to buy food and drinks. 9 coupons for 5 bucks. Soda = 4 coupons, beer= 7-8 coupons, gyros = 14 coupons, small lemonade = 6 coupons, chinese food= 14 coupons and of course turkey legs = 10 coupons. There we loads and loads of people sitting all over the place under the Arch. After the food...we walk up the towards the Arch and to our suprise ....there were even more, my guess would be about 10k people gathered in front of the main stage. It was Black Eye Pea concert. Its free. The band just came in the morning form Philledalphia for the Live 8 concert. The gave a breath taking performance. Emily was feeling well. While she went and relief herself in the portable toilet me sara and maricel party on. During the break we decide to sit with Emily at the Arch stairs as she want there to rest after she relief herself. We sat there watch the big screen showing live on what is on the main stages. After the concert, the organiser took down the 2 big screen in a flash to prepare for the fire works show. The whole fire works show is sponsor by the US bank....hmmm.....i wonder what the do with the money people put in the back...ehehhehehe....burn them life fire works?...maybe. But the fireworks was awesome. It lasted about 15- 20 mins. I think its really among the best and the longest i have ever seen. It was launch from from a drag boat. It ended about 5 mins to 10 pm. After that we head towards our car with the thousand of people that was at the fair. I think it was a perfect goodbye gift to Sara for the 8 months that she was here. All of us enjoy ourself...while we send Sara home...the 3 of us head towards MasterCard to start work at 11.30pm.

Breathtaking concert with thousands of people with a colourful and awesome fireworks for the 4th july weekend.....

Float Trip 06/25/05

2005-06-26T01:07:00.000-07:00

Hector came over our house yesterday and prepared some awesome pasta with great taste chicken. After dinner they hang around and chat while me em and mauricio went and took the rental car. We all went to bed around 2 am. Woke up about 5:30am this morning. Emir, Ahmed, Sara and Aymen came over about 5:45 and we only manage to leave the house about 6:15am. Went over Mallards to pickup Maria Rhumer, Anis and Boryana and we head 64/40 - 270 - 44. After 3 wrong turns (led by non other than Mr Speeding Ticket Emir S) we finally arrive at the campsite at about 9:55am. Apparently they took the same camping spot as the year before. Chad, Bulent, Simone, Lula, Riadh, Shady and Holly. We made a convoy of 3 cars to the boat office. After paying the boat rental and putting on loads of sunblock, our bus came and we were on our way up stream. Its pretty amazing cause its our first time riding on a school bus in US. They towed the boat to the back of the bus. Exit highway EE we head North on Highway 19 and took exit KK. Reach the drop off point....tooks loads of picture and we were on our wayyyy..... Me, Em and Mauricio shared a boat while the rest had 2 on each. After we all got on board i realise that the boat was not easy to handle. Easyly tip over and we were trying our best not to tip over. Maneuvering as not easy and we kept hitting the river banks. At certain point the river was to shallow and we had to push it. We had our first stop over after 30 mins. We stop at a sandy bank of the river and some of them went for a swim, sun bathing, little snack and ball game. As we were resting there were other people that we also boating. Some brought along their dog, stereo, their own tube or monkey floatee. Some even brought along their own, rubber boat with a mini engine.The sun was really shinning today and we are getting sun burn all over. Its was rather tiring rowing the boat and we manage to tip over the first time when we decided to pickup a sandal that we saw laying by the banks. Everything fell into the water and the whole boat was filled with water.We had to unload everything, leave the stuff on dry land, bring the whole aluminium boat up to clear all the water away,and load them back. All for a half broken sandal. At one point we tied 4 boats together. Bulent's boat was the safest because he had the stereo and all the beer. We came to one point where they tied a rope to a tree that has it branch grown out into the water. The have made "tarzan" swing out of it. Did it once but the had hurt real bad. We continue on after me and mauricio each had 1 attempt at the "tarzan" rope. Down the river...more crazy things people do...as 75 feet wall and people are diving from the top into the river....Then came the highlight of the day. One part of the river ,the left side of the river is shallow and the only way was to go on the right. But the river way was small so all the water. On the right side there is a huge log sticking out from the banks. We went straight towards the log and somehow the whole boat tip over. The water was rushing and soon everything was floating away. Apprently there were lots of people before us that had the same mishap. They were all ready by the banks waiting to catch our floating things. As we try to turn over the boat.....more boats came over and more people get tip over from the logs. More things to save. I had to save a drunk lady from drowning. She was heavyyyyy.....and drunk.She could not even stand and i had to step on the rocks with bare feet and face the rushing current while trying to hold her up. After saving the lady there were more boat and things heading our way from the "trap". I think we help like 7-8 boats and then we decided to save ourself and head on our way. After that it was another 1 hours of rowing and....i was so happy to see all the school bus parked at the river banks. We are finally there!!!....after nearly 5 hours or boating....we finally reached the campsite. It drizzle a little and Me, Em, Jus, Hector, Maria and Sara we left first on Justin van as we work tonite.

Sunny and wet day on float trip.....

Friday BBQ outing and Norton Farewell

2005-06-17T21:25:00.000-07:00

After we promise Andrea Banana since last week and also we have long wanted to organise a BBq at the park...finally come the day we get to delivery our promise. I came home about 10 am after traded the nite for Sabina's wedding previous week. Went to bed at about 11am. The phone rang at 1pm. Its A.Banana!!!.....its time to bbq. While I continue my journey down dreamland Em prepare the stuff for BbQ. At about 1.3opm the bed started shaking. A. Banana was jumping on it and picture taking begins. We went to the St Peters City Hall park. In the beginning it was just the 4 of us...Me Em Mari and Andrea. Its really nice. Kinda lil family outing. Then Elma came and the family was bigger. More life now. We eat and joke and look at the pics in the p.c and listen to song. Me and Mari kick around. Then Vanessa, Alessandro and Walid came. Coincidently David Uy arrive at the same time. Introduction time.!!!! Then the BBQ party was alive!!! totally!!!......then Alessandro went to pickup his friend Mike who is from L.A who did a traineeship in Czech. Interesting guy. One of the few American that actually went for traineeship. We finish about 8.10pm (when it was still Bright!!) went home took and shower and we were on our way to Jamile/Noron place for the farewell party for Norton who is leaving to San Francisco and later back to Brazil. We went to the party at about 9.30pm and Shady, Min, Jamile, Norton...and the rest were all there.
The guys left for downtown about 10.30pm while we stayed on to chit chat, samba a little. Went home about 2am ...drunk.

Another great day for BBQ while a sad farewell for Mr Norton....

Sabina Wedding - day 2

2005-06-11T02:54:00.000-07:00

We woke up about 830 am today. I was the first one to wake up today and woke up everyone for the "nice" breakfast today from the hotel. Went down only to be disappointed but the "deluxe breakfast" serve by the hotel. Orange juice, coffee, bread, muffin and waffle. After breakfast the guys played some pool while the girls chi chat a little then we hang out in the room while the rest went out to do last minutes shopping at Wal Mart. We all only started preparing about 12.30pm and by 1pm we panic and some how we were all out of the hotel at 1.15pm and we were on our way. North Sioux City which is located in South Dakota but if we drive 3 mins south we are in Iowa again but this morning we are going Neraska which is only about 30 mins drive. Kinda amaze with this hotel. Right infront of our hotel were already corn field. Although we sort of have the idea how small the town going to be but somehow we were not prepared for what we were about to experience. We pass by the town of Vermillion South Dakota which we were suppose to stay. Its really a small town but it has McD Burger King, Pizza Hut and thats it. Then we drove further about 15 mins towards the town of Newcastle in Nebraska. First impression was kinda scary in the begginning cause there wasn't anything but corn field all around the lil'town. There was a white color sign board greeting us "Welsome to the town of Newcastle" as we drive pass. The name Newcastle remind me of the city of Newcastle in England where the famous team Newcastle United is and this lil town is really far from that. As we drove into the town on th Anniee search for the St Peters church and somehow we miss it and we went straight to the Main st. Just 2 rows of shops and not all of them are open. i think there were like 3 bars and a sundry store. There were also a USPS post office at the end of the shops and a old bank building standing with the name "Bank" proudly at the front of the building. There was also a war veteran memorial situated next to a play ground. As we turn around back to Annie St and the St Peters church was located at the end of the st. Parked our car outside the church and the happiest couple of the day Sabin and Matt were standing there waiting for the arrival of their guest. Hugs and kisses and hangshakes everywhere. After a million pictures we head into the church to wait for other people to come. Sign the guest book and got ourself a copy of the program book and we were sitting on the left side of the church. When we arrive there were not many people in the church. After more pictures and video in the church and waited for about nearly and hour later the church were finally filled. I think that we over dressed for the occasion as I notice the the other people on the hall were either in t-shirt and jeans or short sleeve checkered shirt with tie while the women wore dresses. Then was the ceremony. The father that handle the ceremony was kinda funny and at one point the answered from the guest of how long was the ceremony by saying that he as using the short version and its would last about 1 hour but usually it would take about 3 -4 hours. We could see during the whole ceremony that Sabina and Matt the deeply in love and they were so happy. Sabina was smiling all the time. Matt shed tears when he took his vow. The whole ceremony was smoothly done. After the ceremony the newly wed couple move the front of the church while the guest line up and head out of the church to congratulate them and we were given each a stock of carnation flower. We form two rows outside the church forming a archway with the flowers as the couple walk out from the church. They head towars their "limo" made of a tow truck with benches and a tin cans hanging at the back with the sign "Just Married" at the back. After that everyone head to the common hall located next to the church. The food was not prepared yet so everyone took a drink at the bar while waiting for the food. As the newly wed made way into the hall everyone gave a standing ovation. They head to the cake cut the cake and head to the main table. After that was the sharing session where everyone of Matts brother gave a speeches. Sabina's mom to gave a speech in Romanian while Sabina translated for her. Lavinia spoke on behalf off all the trainee from MC. Then was the "makan" time.!!!...the food was good but its was kinda weird for a wedding occasion. Fried chicken, bun, coleslaw, french fries, corn and bake pork. After the dinner it was about 6pm and they made annoucement that the dinner and dance will be at 8pm while meanwhile we could hang around the area while people could go for mass at 7pm. We head outside and trying to decide where to go in a lil town of 3 street. Hmm...after a hard fought decision we decided to head towards a hill outside the town to the top of that hill for a overview of the area. After a few lost turn and we lost Alfredo while the rest of us ended up on the top of the hill. Cows and corn field were covered the whole area till the horizon and we couldnt see any town or building. We took some pictures and hang out a little to enjoy the breeze at the top of the hill. Then later we head back to town looking for someplace to wait for time to pass. Some of us decide to try to check out the few bars on the Main St but in the end we decided to save $ and head to the play ground. We played some basketball there while the girls hang out in the car. After that we did a few rounds around the town and ended up at the church. I slept in the car while some of them including Em went and mingle around a little with the people at the wedding. At about 8:15pm when its was still bright...Emir came and woke us up and we went into the hall again. At first we didnt really want to dance because the songs we kinda outdated. At some point we decided to take over the dance hall and Emir brought the Romanian dance song and brought Sabina's parents to the dance floor. After that were just dancing and taking pictures till about 11pm. At about 11.30pm we all decided to leave. Hugs, kisses, hang shaking and picture taking with Sabina and Matt were on our way back to the hotel slept about 2.30am.

Sabina's Wedding - Day One

2005-06-10T02:01:00.000-07:00

Traded the working hours today to 1am so that can leave for Sabina wedding today. Came to work with Mauricio as he also trade his hours so that we can leave in the afternoon. After work went home and slept till about 1pm and left home with Mauricio to Thrifty to pickup the car. Mauricio register his name because he had CC and also he above 25. He took the minivan while i head to Eng's place because I left the cellphone at his place the nite before after collecting the video cam from his place. Met up with him and the rest at home. It was Me, Em, Mauricio, Maricel, Emir and Sara. We took I-70 and head West. We stop by at Wentsville and wait for Alfredo and Daniel with Ana and Lavinia. We went for Burger King while Emir went for Taco Bell. After the meal we decided to stop by Steak n Shake for some dessert while waiting for the 2nd car. After we bought the dessert we decided to go ahead. We met the guys along the highway. Emir was driving... so along the way we drove like 100 miles/hour and amazingly we manage to arrive at the Econo Lodge hotel without any ticket. It took us about 7 hours and 20min to arrive. Amine and Zuzana were already waiting at the hotel compound when we arrive as the reservation was under Maricel's name they could not check into the hotel. Me and Maricel went and took our keys and get into the room. Me, Em, Emir and Mauricio shared one room while Zuzana Amine Maricel and Sara Rmich and Daniel Ana, Alfredo and Lavinia.

Long and speedy drive in a minivan...........

East Coast Trip Day 3 Washington DC - NY

2005-06-05T22:17:00.000-07:00

We woke up at 2.30am today took shower and return the key and were on our way to New York City. This trip would take us approx about 4 hours 20 min to reach New York. I drove this morning. We reach New Jersey about 6 am this morning and from the industrial area we could see the skyline of New York from here. We drove through the Holland Tunnel under the Hudson River and came out at the Bronx area. We drove straight to Washington St where we try to look for the parking. We park our car and walk across the st the Battery Park where we are suppose to board the ferry ride to Statue of Liberty. There was a long line at the entry point because of security check. Statue of Liberty was actually made of copper instead of solid of concrete and its green in color because copper turn green from the sea breeze just like the other building in NY skyline. We walk one round the statue, took pictures, read about the history of the statue, bought some souviner and Dana and Ana bought some food and we were one our way back to the jetty to board the ferry back to NY. On the way back we stop by at Ellis Island. When we board at the jetty at Battery Park, we walk straight to the bronze bull statue located along broadway and wall st. Then it was the NYSE and Federal Hall where the Bill of Rights were written and George Washington was install as the first president of america. After that we walk to the Trinity Church and the 9-11 site. Then we walk to the Brooklyn Bridge. As usual the bridge has awesome view of the whole NYC. Rest a little in the middle of the bridge and then we head the the subway. We came out at Grand Central Station. Next was the United Nation building and then we walk all the way to Rockafaller Center amd 5th Avenue. Then we head towards the Central Park and met up with Karin. After a brief chat with Karin, she had to leave 10 min b4 5 as she had to work at 5pm meanwhile we went on our way to the Natural History Museum. We arrive at the museum at about 5.10 pm and we had only like 20 mins to see all the exhibit. We rush into the museum without paying ...hehehe....and rush to the 4th floor for the dino exhibit. Took loads or picture until the annoucement saying that the museum will be closing at 5.35pm. We took the subway to Columbus Circle..where Ana decided that she wanted to rest at the Starbuck Cafe. So Emily followed Ana into Starbuck to rest while me and Daniel continue on our little journey in NYC. Next was the Broadway, where we pass by the David Letterman Studio and continue on to the middle of Times Square. It was about 6pm when we arrive in the middle and there in the middle they were shooting the Ashley Jude sister's commmercial. We waited about 45 mins to see someone that we dont really know and we continue on down Broadway towards the Empire State building. We arrive at the Empire State building at about 7pm and tooks some pictures. We were about to walk to Madison Square Garden the ladies called us on the phone and we took the subway to meet them. We met up at the Starbuck Cafe we left them earlier, bought come coffee and we were on our way to hunt for dinner. After a really long search we somehow settled into a Japanese/Chinese restaurant near Times Square. After dinner we walk to Times Square to enjoy the lights there. The 3 of them got some coffee from Starbuck while I head to McD for nature call. After that we hang out a little at Times Square and took pictures and we took the subway later to our car park. Took our car, change a little and paid $36 for the parking fee and we were on our way back to Detroit. Its a 11 hours drive and this time I drove first. Took the Holland Tunnel again and this time we got lost. After long drive somehow we found our way back to the higway and we were on our way again. After 2 hours driving, we sitch driver and Daniel drove till about 4 am. We switch dirver again and I drove into Detroit and after a short stop at the gas station we return the car to Avis and we were on our back to the Metro Aiport to catch our plane back to St Louis.

Short drive to NY, Long day and long walk in NY to catch back all the photos and a long long drive back to Detroit...........awesome trip.

East Coast Trip - Day 2 Washington D.C

2005-06-03T00:01:00.000-07:00

At about 4 am while we were all dead asleep in the car and somewhere in the middle of Penslyvannia, Daniel hit a tree that was lying in the middle of the highway. We stop at the side of the road and check the car. The mud guard of the car was broken but somehow after a few punch from Daniel and myself the car is working again. Daniel shared his experience that before he hit the tree he notice that there were lots of dead animal before hitting the tree..probably it was a warning for the tree or maybe there was a thunder storm. Then...Daniel continue to drive until about 2.30am then when we reach a gas station with a McD. Bought some breakfast and we were on our way again. This time I was driving. At about 5am nearly 6 am we enter the Washington DC area. Its amazing that people in DC really gets up early to get to work. There were already small small traffic jams along the way. We arrive at the about 6 am at the hotel. Motel 6 is located right next to the Andrew Airbase and there was a security check in order to get into the hotel area. We found out that our reservation was not in the hotel system and we had to make the hotel reservation again. But this time we only had to booked the hotel for one night. We check into the hotel...got our room....fall dead to sleep. ZZZZZ...
We woke up about 9 am . Wash up got ready for the day. We went a Greece maybe Itaian looking diner named Jiffy Place. Its really a family run diner with awesome food. Inside the diner it show off approval from all the air force service man...with poster of Blue Angles...pictures of planes. After breakfast, we drove to the capital. First insight was the Capitol building. Its was kinda rainning. Then its was the Congress library and the Supreme Court. Then its was FIB HQ, White house and Lincoln Memorial....we cross the river and head to Arlington Cemetry. Its a nice place and looks just like in the movie. We went to Kennedy cemetry and there was loads of students. Next we drove our car to Iwo Jima memorial and they had preparation for up coming event and there were soilder having their practice. Then we had down the highway and somehow come to the Pentagon. We were not allowed to stop or even take pictures here...but we took a drive at the car park went cross the river back to city center. Parked our car next to river and walkt to the Lincoln Memorial. Located next to it was the Korean War memorial, then we see the reflecting pool with the Washington Memorial at the other end. Then we went to the Lincoln Memorial...its was kinda raining. Then we had to Vietnam war Memorial and then we walk along the reflecting pool to the other end where the World War 2 memorial is located. Tooks loads of picture and right next to it is the Washington Memorail but it was closed. Then we walk to the White House. Its really an awesome building with no back or front door...at least that was what we got from the guy who was working at the White House visitor center. The white house visitor center was really interesting showing off everything from the history of the construction of the building to the people living in it...that presidents....and the people working in it. Then we walk down the st to the FBI HQ. At this point we can see poor Ana who is dead tired and Daniel was dragging him along. Then we cross the st and had to line up. The FIRST line in Was DC!!!!...but it was worth it. It was for the National Archive Museum. This is where the Declaration of Independence is kept. Also here was the Bill of Rights and the Constitution. Its was long line in a dark room. After that we walk to the Capitol took pictures at the reflecting pool and walk to the Supreme Court and the Congress Library. Then we took cab and head back to our car. Took our car and drove to the T.Jefferson memorial. Along the way we stop by at George Mason memorial and then drove north to Georgetown. Apprently this is where it all started and Washington DC as actually a piece of farmland belongs to George Washington and he donated to the US gov to build the admin place for US. Kinda cool history. Then we drove back to our hotel. But some how along the way we got really lost in until about 930 and we just drop by at a Chinese Buffet place and eat like doggsss....hahahaha...but before we could finish we got "chased away" as the buffet place was closed. Then somehow find our way back to the hotel and clean up and went straight to bed.......zzzzzz..

Really cool building, tired legs with a rainy day...awesome experience at the capital of the world.

East Coast Trip - Day One N.Fall - Was D.C

2005-06-02T02:42:00.000-07:00

We finish working this morning and we rush home in Maricel's car and pickup Mauricio. Left home at 7 am then rush to pickup Daniel and Ana K ar Mallard Landing and heads to the airport. When we arrive at about 7.45 am the airport the agent told us the the gate was suppose to be close but somehow they are not. He manage to check us in but the Daniel has a single big luggage that could not be consider a hand luggage. So we had to he had to check in and again the agent told us that it is not a guarantee that the luggage will arrive in Detroit in time. After checking in we had to rush through the security check and somehow arrive at the gate A3 10mins b4 plane takeoff. But Daniel were nowhere to be seen. He was stop detained at the security check becuase he accidentally brought his swiss army knife along and he had to surrender to the airport authority. We were the last one to board the plane. 1hour and 40 mins later we touch down at the Metro Airport in Detroit. Went straight to the rental car bus pickup area. Its rather impressive airport with internal train ride in the terminal itself!!!...NWA is a rich company..Actually the terminal that we came through was only for NWA alone. They even have a nice indicator board for the train that has only 3 station. So....we went on a Avis bus arrive at the Avis rental car office while on the way there I was searching for the Alamo rental car company. It was a backup plan just in case Avis dont accept Debit cards. Somehow lady at Avis bought the idea and took my debit card and everything went well and we were on our way to Niagara Falls on our new 5k mile Hyundai Accent. We head south on I 275 join I-75 join I-80/90 till we reach Buffalo / Niagara Falls. As we reach the city of Buffalo, notice that there is lots bridges around this city and lots of tol to pay too. We can see the mist from the falls from far and we can tell we were near when we saw the tower restaurant on the Canadian side of N.Falls. We arrive around 5.30pm and we found out the last boat for Maiden of the Mist just left. We were late!!...arghhh. Parked our car and walk on the N. Falls park towards the river. Its was a awesome view. The current of the river was strong and lots of rapids. At this point we start the crazy picture taking session. We walk along the river banks till the edge where the American and Bridal Veil is located. We were able to stand right next to American falls and could see "our" last Maiden of the Mist boat leaving the port 175 feet below. Then we walk across the river to Goat Island we see Bridal Veil falls. Then we bought our ticket, put on our little yellow poncho and free N.Falls sandals and heads towards Cave of the Winds and took a elevator and went down 175 feet. At the bottom,we had our short safety briefing surrouded by millions of sea gulls and after the briefing we walk towards the walkway right underneath the Bridal Veil falls. Amazing experience. Hurricane deck was the nearest we could get to the falls....actually if right where the whole water falls. Ana got her wish of a shower after a long drive from Detroit. After that we walkt towards the Horseshoe Falls which is the biggest among the 3 falls in N.Falls. Its really huge and we could really get a clear picture due to the mist that raise up from the amount of waters that fall from the H.Falls. We are amaze but the amount of water fall per/sec for falls. After a brief stop at the souviner store and "currymuncher" restaurant...we continue our 8 hour journey to Washington D.C.

US vs Eng Soccer...Chicago

2005-05-28T22:06:00.000-07:00

We took the car the night before with Emily's name with Alamo. After all the trouble of driving around the whole nite searching for a car to rent we finally agree to take the care from Alamo and we had to use Emily's name because she was the only one with the CC and Alamo dont accept debit card. We took the Chevy Impala and we were on our. Way. Send Mauricio to work his OT from 2 amd till 6 am. We picked Mauricio up at about 6:30am and we were on our way to Chicago. I drove this morning event though I was kinda tired from the lack of sleep yesterday. We took about 3 and 1/2 hours this morning to arrive. We called Eng and Lulu and head straight to Chinatown to meet up with them. We (mauricio, mari, em and me) we went straight to Penang for some Malaysian food. But on the way there we met Eng and Lulu's mom. Gave Eng a scared by snatching his bag and he scream!!!...hahahaha....then came Raymond, Lulu, Tian Fong and her husband. Eng came with us to the restaurant while the rest went on their tour of Chicago. We had Hokkien Mee, Nasi Lemak, Waa Tan Hor while Mari had Japanese Sushi. After lunch we went down Michigan Ave but some how we found our way to Tian Fong apartment which is located right across Soilder Field separated by just the highway. Mauricio, Mari and Em left us at by the highway and they went to Michigan Ave. Me and Eng walk with the rest of the fans following the underpath and towards the Shed Museum and then towards the Soilder Field. We try to search for promotion booth but there were non. Probably there were more English fans from compare to US fans. We went straight into the stadium. The US team was having their warming up. Loads and tons of Englands flags were hung all over the stadium. Then came the Eng team and there was a loud roar among the English fans who filled nearly like 70% of the stadium seat. We check out some souviner but therne werent any to be found and went straight to our seats. Then both team line up for a team photo for the press.....GAME ON!!!... Kieren Richardson scored 1 goal in the first half and another in the second while US scored one consolation goal in the 2nd half. In the end the game was really exciting. Its funny so see the American fans shouting and doent really know the rules of soccer. Its would always take a while everytime the ball went to the fans....cause most of the US fans would hang on to the ball....probably thinking the rules are like baseball...hahahahaa....After the game we walk to Tian Fong apartment to meet up with the rest and we went straight home with Eng and Lulu stayed in Chiacago.

Awesome fans and a beautiful game.......

My Birthday

2005-04-30T22:38:00.000-07:00

This year we spend my birthday simple and nice.
We had dinner at Longhorn restaurant

Thanks giving sale and AIESEC Thanks giving dinner

2005-03-23T02:51:00.000-08:00

After being warn about the Day After Thanksgiving Sale weeks ago, now is the time to face it. Everyone at GSC was talking about how crazy and how the prices are so low during the Sale this morning during work. We finish work at 6.30am today because we had to work 10 hours this morning because of Thanksgiving yesterday. Had a little snow fight with Mauricio (his first time seeing snow too) and Mari at the parking lot we went straight to the nearest Best Buy in Chesterfield. The parking lot was filled even tough its like 6am in the morning. We were warn that shoppers come as early as 3am to line up. (reminds me of PC Fair back home). There was no line out side the building but there was a loooong looooong snake shape like line in the building that twist and turn aroung the shelves electronics and rows of fridge. What I wanted to buy (SD memory cards) was obviously sold out by the time we arrive but we continue to check out other good deals for the other electronic. Intro Mauricio and Maricel to the SD200 and SD300 family while Em check out the CD players. Settled for a 256 SD while Em took 3 CD players. As the line we so "short" decided to procede to Circuit City (the other crazy day after Thanksgiving electrical store sale) down the road. While Em line up, Mari Mauricio and me went to Circuit City. A great difference here as there was just short line at the counter. Got lucky this time as there was a one last 512 SD card. While lining up to pay, got the golden opportunity to try on the Oakley Thump. http://oakley.com/catalog/eyewear/thump/?cm_re=V44*FeaturedImage*ThumpBubbaStewart sunglass with built-in MP3 player...how awesome is that.... Went back to Best Buy only to find Em is still in line after nearly 2 hours. We waited for another further 30 mins and finally we can pay and go. After Best Buy, Em broke the bad news that they want to go to Galeria to do shopping. After a very tiring 3 hours sitting and waiting and sitting and waiting finally we can head home. On the way back, we dicover something amazing that only will happen in St Louis. All the snow and ice that was there this morning has disappear. Its really amazing. Non left, it now looks like its summer again...all green grass. Arrive home and slept like a log. We only slept like 4 houts and we woke up about 7pm and rush by Em to prepare to attend the AIESEC Thanksgiving dinner. Again the the 4 superheros, Mari,Mauricio, Em and me set out on our journey to on of the AIESEC Mizzou member's house near O'fallon for the AIESEC Thanksgiving dinner. Its was really difficult to get there and we got lost like 3 times and finally made it. Its was Paul's house, a AIESECer from Mizzou that we will be having our first Thanksgiving dinner. His house is really a typical American home. We had the dinner in the basement where there were 2 tables set up. We had like buffet style Thanksgiving Dinner. Awesome. There were AIESECers from all around Missouri even from Wisconsin and also Arizona. Jessica and Nicky (@ Wisconsin) explain to us what is the meaning of Thanksgiving Day and we had like a sharing session where we tell everyone what are we thankful about for the year. Took some pictures and we left early cause we had to work at 9.30pm.
A day filled with GREAT SALE, GREAT PRICE and a WONDERFUL Thanksgiving Dinner.....

Rainy and sleepy day..

2005-03-23T02:34:00.000-08:00

Nice weather today and i slept for 16 hours. I was suppose to be awake the whole nite but instead slept like a log from 1am till 10 am. Then woke up about 1030am and watch 2 movie, Basic and Jersey girl. First movie was kinda kiddy with Ben Afleck and Liv Tyler. Kinda about father love a daughter and realise the important between family and career. While Basic is really a cool army movie with action packed with lots of twist in it starring John Travolta and Samuel L Jackson and . We (mari,jorge, em and me) were suppose to go for a shopping trip down south to Jefferson City today to a outlet mall but instead all of us were dead asleep. The weather is so nice today with little rain and kinda cool.
zzzzzzzzzz and rainyy day .......

Famous people calling GSC

2005-03-21T22:41:00.000-08:00

Receive a German call today from a lady. Transfer the call to Gisela and she spoke a secretary of a famous tennis player...my B. Becker. Rosie took the first call and everyone was betting that she dont even know who is him from the first call...ehhehehehehe. Remember the time in training that Mr.L D Caprio called before to GSC to request for Emergency services.

Famous ppl calling to MasterCard....

2nd Day in New York

2005-03-04T23:05:00.000-08:00

The next day morning we went to I went to the United Nation building and went into the Security Council and General Assembly hall. Its was great. We had to pay like a fee and walk around the building and there was a tour guide that shows us around. There was gifts from countrys that we members thats really nice and there was one "tepak sirih" a golden one that Mahathir gave to UN when he retire 2 years ago. Beside that we went to Central Park. Its amazing like we were walking in New York and its was so busy and noisy and as we walk into Central Park its all quite and peaceful. Then you can see the New York skyline line up behind all the trees but without the noise. In the evening we met up with our Romanian friend again this time she brought us for a Romanian food dinner and also after that we went to a club downtown New York called "Tao". Its a night club theme on the Tao teaching ,,,in the club they have like a 2 storey high buddha statue and the whole club is lighted with candle and painted red.

1st day in New York

2005-03-03T22:57:00.000-08:00

Flight from STL to Pittsburg was about 1 hour 10 min on US AIRways. Its was a nice flight. Then we had to transit about 1 hours at the Pittsburg airport and we had breakfast at the airport and bought some souviner for Karin and 4th Uncle. OUr next plane was at 11.10am and we arrive at New York about 12.30pm. As we approach the LaGuardia airport we heard a lady shouted.. I can see it....its green in colour....Statue of Liberty..... When we arrive we were kinda lost but after a few adjustment we got our baring went around the airport looking for the MTA ticket that we can use for a week for only USD24 unlimited. Then we took the Q48 bus and head towards Flushing Meadows. New York is awesome city la. First day we went to Flushing Meadow where the New York Metz (baseball) stadium and USTA National Tenis Center is located. I went to the Arthur Ashes stadium where they have the yearly US open there. Me and Emily we had to walk around the Flashing Meadow park with our heavy backpack and we saw the huge globe at the Flushing Meadow park. We plan to go to US Open in Sept but still depends if i will still be around. Anyway the main stadium was impressive but the rest were just like the Jalan Duta court...hehehehe. Then after that i went all the way to Bronx area to the New York Yankees stadium. The stadium has a really nice exterior and we went to the fan store to buy some souviner and we bought one piece of post card for USD1 ...arggh... After that we met up with my Karin and she bought a Japanese dinner and we went straight to bed after walking the whole day with our backpack.
Backpacking and our FIRST TIME IN NEW YORK.....

Justin Fired

2005-03-02T22:53:00.000-08:00

Came to work today and foung out that Justin N was fired today for coming to work late again. I heard that he came at 8:33am and was send to Karen Anderson and then later the security lady came and took his badge then walk him out of MasterCard....poor guys. Ever since he came back from Brazil, he has really change a lot.

Detroit Day 1

2005-01-21T03:00:00.000-08:00

We woke up at 7 am today as we had to pack for our trip to Detoirt today. We were supppose to meet today at 9.30am. As we prepare our breakfast Daniel GB our 3 crew member to Detroit arrive complaining that we are meeting too early and he miss 1/2 hours of sleep because of us. At this point while me celso, mari and daniel is having our moring breakfast chat, Em are "bithching" form the kitchen bugging me and daniel to remind our 4th crew member Mr Emir Sassi to be ready. Celso had offer to send us to the airport this morning so we had to call Cezara who had offer us a ride to the airport. We arrive at the airport and check in and got our ticket. As usual we have to go through the crazy security check required at the airport by TSA (transportation security agency) and then we waited for nearly an hour at gate A4. Delta flight number DL1063 will take us an hour to city of Cincinnati and from there we will wait about an hour again and this time we will take Delta flight DL4103 from Cincinnati to Detroit for another one hour flight. We arrive at the Detroit airport for domestic flight. We went straight to to the rental car bus stop and board the Hertz bus to the office to pickup our car. After getting our direction and paid extra USD111.49 for stupid under age rulez and also the insurance we had towards our hotel. Fairfield Inn by the Marriott group. Left our bags in the room we head towards downtown to check out the city. We got lost on the way to the city while the drive to the city, its looks like the city really polluted from a far. It filled with all the chimney and smoke are coming out all over the place. We drove around the city and somehow we found our way to the Motown Winter Blast. Awesome celebration. They had snow slide, dog sled, laser show,marshmallow toasting, indoor concert, ice carving, snow carving and they even built a ice rink and the middle for free ice skating and skating performance. But the bad thing we the temp was sooooooo cold. At one point we had to hide in one of the building nearby to get warm. The organiser was smart enough to set up like a warming tent to warm down and also free hot choco. When we got hungry we went aroung looking for food. Sadly in downtown Detroit there were not even a McD or Subway nearby but i see it as a blessing in disguise and we decide to try a Greek restaurant in the Greektown area.
I was really a nice restaurant really small and family like kinda restaurant and they had a culture of shouting OPA!!!! when the fire is lighted on the cheese with some liquor. We walk around the Greektown casino before we decided to head to our hotel.

Near accident and ice skating with AIESEC trainee

2005-01-16T03:00:00.000-08:00

Its been snowing for the past few days. Really great and fun experience so far. Everything is white from the moment we leave our front door. Everything is covered with snow. Our car is always covered with snow and we have problems with your car doors and engine. Roads slippery. This morning after work, me em mauricio and maricel nearly had a fatal accident. As we were at the junction outside MC there was a car beside ours. We were both turning at the lights and because the car was on the left side we had to take the outer lane of the road. As we approach the next road, we found that our side of the road was covered with snow while the left lane was not. Well being a "pemandu berhemat" i decided to take the right lane that was filled with snow. Well, that decision prove to be a wrong one. Just as we enter the junction and we were in the snowy road, i found out that we could not turn the direction of the car and it was heading straight out of the road. The bad thing was the side of the road was like valley and was really deep and its not covered. Emily who was sitting in front was screaming franticly while Mauricio and Maricel was either thinking that i was joking or they were so shock that there were no words coming out of their mouth. But somehow we manage stop the car right before the car drop into the deep "hole". As we back up we could see how close we were and it would be horrible if we actually drop in there..... After that we decided to be safe and took highway 40 and Olive Blvd home as the usual way home on Page extention was filled with snow. When we arrive home we receive the news that our good American friend Mr Justin Noodle was coming home after only four months in Brazil for his traineeship. Apperently his mom has talk to him into coming back since he didn't really enjoy himself in Brazil. Well its would be fun to see him again. In the evening we woke up about 5.30pm after Mr Daniel GB called and woke us up for ice skating. Maricel pull out in the very last minute stating the reason the tempreture was too cold for ice skating. Anyway we went ahead after meeting Daniel at Em's place and went to Stainberg Ice Skating Rink at Forrest Park. Daniel, Ana Karr, Sofiene, Elma Sara Rmich a, Zuzana, Amine, Emir, Chaker, David Uy and Jessica were all there. Its was really cold when we got there. The price was USD6 per entry and USD2 for rental. Its was a open air skating rink located in forest park right next to Barn Jewish hospital. I think the tempreture was like -15C when we got there. The surface of the ice was really bad cause there was lots of people skating at that time. Out of so many trainee only Zuzana Daniel and Sofiene was really skating. The rest of us was just either try to balance, walking or falling down all over the place. http://stlouis.missouri.org/citygov/parks/forestpark/ice.html After some nachos and a hot cup of hot chocolate, we left about 8.45pm as we had to work tonite....Scary driving with some really cold ice skating......

How time flies....

2005-01-07T02:59:00.000-08:00

Had a small chat today with Amine. Its amazing that we discover how time flies and its been 9 months now that we are here. Its half way through our traineeship...hmmm...amazing. Remind me of the day we first arrive here. I was the 4th to arrive in my group. On the day that i arrive also i was sent to pickup my team mate Mr Emir Sassi from the airport. Imagine, Hi my name is Jack i just arrive today, Welcome to St Louis.......?...hehehehehe,,,anyway then Jorge arrive and Emine arrive afew days later and Franqui too.....So for the Class of April 4th 2004 would be Me, Amine Ben, Emir Sassi, Jorge Bento, Ye Cheng or Orange, Alfian and Catalin Roman and also the one and only Man Power employee, Lisianne Buhler. Well so far, Alfian was the first one to leave when he was sack and send home after only one month then it was Jorge Bento and until now he is still looking for a job in London/Lisbon while Catalin Roman who had a offer to go to Germany and left with his wife Andrea Raluca. So only left me, amine, frannqui, emir and orange and i think orange will be the first one to leave and by OCT 04 2005 and we will all be history.....
9 months and time flies..............

Korean Restaurant OUting....

2005-01-04T02:59:00.000-08:00

We had a agreement from last week outing to meet up this week for out weekly "makan" outing.... So this week plan is to go for Korean food. We all plan to gather around 6.30 pm at Em's place to meet up and go together to Hang Gok Kwan, the Korean restaurant nect to Pink Gallion. After all the invitation and all the emails, finally the day has come. We slept the whole morning and woke up like 6.30pm. Had our shower and went over to Em's place and it was rain outside. When we went over to Em's place everyone was there waiting. Mauricio, Sara Rmich, Daniel G, Ana Kar, Jessica (Ana's daughter) and Lena was waiting. We went in 2 cars and the rain was really heavy when we arrive at the restaurant. We were kinda unlucky because the dish we wanted to oder Goup Cheng Jeun Geol (spicy pig intestine) was not available. We were introduce to this awesome dish just 2 weeks ago when we had a small gathering for our beloved friend Chu Allen who left Mastercard. Anyway we went ahead and order Bul Go Gi, BBQ pork and octupus. Amazingly Mr Mauricio love Bul Go Gi. While Jessica is really a handful i think she is just a evergetic young kid like me...
Korean meal with wonderful friends..............

Korean Farewell Dinner

2004-12-16T02:57:00.000-08:00

We got up about 6pm today and we had a plan a outing with our dear Korean friends from work Miss Sunny Lee to attend a small gathering for Miss Chu Allen who is leaving GSC. Chu's last day was the 15 Dec. Most of us envy her as we see all see it as a form a freedom from the zoombie work world...hehhehehehhe... We arrive kinda let cause when we went into the restaurant i was hoping that no one arrive yet as we wanted to check out the Asian Market aka Korean Marker next door. To our suprise, we were actually the last one to arrive. Min Yi, Mindy, Chu, Sunny and her 2 daughters Rachel and Faith were all there already waiting. In the end the dinner was really awesome. Lots of Kim Chi, Soju...
Awesome dinner....

MASTERCARD Holiday Party....

2004-12-04T02:55:00.000-08:00

We went home after work and had some breakfast. After a nice breakfast and chit chat with Mari we went to bed about 8am. Woke up again about 4 pm prepare for the party of the year!!!!!!...the MasterCard Holiday Party. After we have been trying to trade our working hours few weeks before, finally we got the trade we want and start work at 12:30 midnite. We gathered at Em's place at 530pm and arrive at the Millineum Hotel in downtown St Louis about 630pm. We had to register and get our drink coupons reason being that there was a mess 2 years ago in the same party because then the alcohol was free flow. They also gave us each a coupon to post for a potrait picture. All this happen in the reception and arrival hall. Then about 7 pm the waiters rang the bell and xylophone like this ice cream man back home walking around the reception hall signalling to everyone to go in for the dinner. While the rest of the guest move into the hall we continue to the bar and grab our drinks and also took pictures. Here also met up with my old old buddy from Romania, Gelu. Oh my i was suprise when he called me and my god, the guy really look good. Compare the last time i met him, this time he look so much better. Its a amazing what so much traveling can do a person. Aafter we realise that the hall is nearly full we move into the hall and sat at table 38. Orange and Hover and A Berdugo and Francine and Daniel B arrive later. On our table we have David Uy, Em, Maricel, Mauricio, Andreas, Zuzana, Amine, Sara and Alfredo. Later Amine, Zuzana and Sara left and was replace with Orange and Hover and Daniel B. Salad, main course (potato, beef, fish, asparagus) and dessert. After that it was photo session!!!.. At one point all the AIESEC intern were the only bunch of people standing up and hugging and taking pictures not to mention shouting........After the dinner the picture taking continues and this time we all moved outside again at the arrival hall where the bars are also located. Lots of bozz and pictures later we all move back in again to the hall towards the dance floor. At one point the MC annouce the Chad and Valeria just got engage........arghghghghghhghghghhh.....all of us ran out and search for the couple only to find Val blushing......apparently it just happen yesterday....CONGRATULATION CHAD AND VAL!!!!....After that it just in and out of the hall and on and off the dance floor. Then the MC annouce that there is a young man who wanted to share his talent with the rest of the floor and there we go....Mr Alex Cuzic took centre stage and sang 2 songs, Stand By Me and La Bamba.....he sang well but i think he would need to practice how to control the amout of voice he put in cause in the middle of the second song he sound like he is running outa voice.......need more practice ALEX....but good effort and good performance. We left about 1145pm and took i-70 West and travel to MC as we had to work at 1230 midnite

Malaysian Nite and Shopping...

2004-12-01T02:53:00.000-08:00

We went for breakfast after this morning at IHOP (internation House of Pancake) with Mari. This is really a nice place to have breakfast and the have very good food too. After the breakfast we went to the Famous Barr in the Manchester road mall. Spend something like USD90 on 2 shirt and one tie while bought Emily a few dresses for her birthday. We left the mall about 3 pm as Mari had to baby sit at 3.45pm but Mauricio had to be save first as he left his key in the car while the engine running with the car door locked at the library. Afterpicking up Mauricio send Mari back and send Mauricio to save his car, we went to Dieberg's to shop for mort meat for the nite. After that we went home and Em cooked while i clean the house. We prepared Nasi Lemak, Rendang Daging, Curry Chicken, Sambal Ikan Bilis, Rojak, Keropok Udang and also ChinChau. First to arrive was Mauricio which i made him carry the dinner table and also help with the frying of the Keropok Udang while me and em got our shower. Then Mari and later came Emir and Sophiene. Then Chad and Valarie came and Celso came for a while as he had to work his 2nd job and finally Sabina, Cezara C and Sara and Zuzana. Did some explanation about the food and everyone tried all the food. Moments later we hear people complaining about how spicy is the food and stuff. Some like the chinchau while some love the nasi lemak. But over all i think everyone tried everything. Mauricio, Mari and Cezara C had to leave early as they have to work while Emir and Sophiene left to smoke "shi-sha". We had a chit-chat with the rest about how peoples name can be and did sharing about our customs. They all left about 11.30pm and we practically fainted.....A day of heavy shopping and very delicious Malaysian food....

Andrea Raluca Roman and Catalin Roman's Departure

2004-11-28T02:52:00.000-08:00

Sad sad day.....every good thing must come to an end. Today marks the last day for one of the AIESEC trainee here at MasterCard International. Andres Raluca Roman from Romania. Even tough i dont really know here because she was most of the time working just staying at home I think i am going to miss her. She was a really helpful person, more quiet, even when she speaks she uses very low tone and polite, always smiling and happy. She has always known to me as a girl always wearing those thick fur clothing with a white powderish face and skin. Typical eastern european. She has a sort of interesting sister by the name Luchiani. Luchiani came over for a few weeks and didnt get to know her that well but so far as much as i know her i think it would be enough. While Raluca's husband Catalin Roman which came to GSC the sametime as me and was in the same training as me. I always thought that Catalin is really a very nice guy. Just that i think he look at life more differently. He is more like the Einstein kinda guy where they kinda think a lot most of the time and he has got a face like he is calculating something all the time. Still remember those time where he argue most of the time in training room with Jorge and also Ivonne Jacobi and Kelly Hartman (the trainers) and almost everyone else. He is also know as the baby because he never like to eat out and always demand poor Raluca to cook for him and he control her a lot too...most of the time he didnt want to go out and poor Raluca had to stay at home and he is kinda moody. Catalin work part time at a gas station at night and was always recommeding people to the "famous" mechanic Mustafa. Catalin always tells me how good was his car, the red Geo Prizm (same model as mine). Remember this one time me and amine was "cheated" to go to electrical store with Catalin and Raluca. Catalin gave us the impression that it was going to be a short trip to Best Buy (electrical store). So me and Amine sort of zoom in and around Best Buy and waited outside Best Buy in the cold. After waiting for 20 minutes (+-) we decided to go wait at the car. After a further 20 minutes, we decided to split up and check inside Best Buy while the other try to look at the shops around. After trying we thought that maybe Catalin had left us because he was frustrated waiting for us because we were not around because we were trying to search for him!!!! anyway, the lucky thing was his car was still there, so amine and me decided to eat something cause we were starving. We had to taco bell and bought something to eat and sat beside the window to look out jsut incase Catalin actually leave us behind. Even after we finish eating the tacos, catalin's car was still there and we finally decided that we are going to wait INSIDE Best Buy and this time as we walk into the building, he was there with Raluca waiting for the Best Buy employee to wrap up the 6 pieces speakers that he bought and also a 5 mega Sony camera....my GOD!!!! arghhhh....wanted to kill him...hehehe.Anyway we send amine home and i was invited to thier apartment. All the time i was thinking where is he going to put the 6 pieces speakers in that small room of theirs. While we are setting up the speakers, Raluca cooked pasta and also some Romanian tomato soup. Delicious!!!!.... I think this was the only time that i was really spending time with the two of them and that close to them.Back to the departure, last night was Raluca's last day. So this morning at 6am when the shift was over, i offered Raluca to take picture with everyone on the floor. She was so happy. We took pictures with everyone and even around the MasterCard building. She said to me that even Catalin will not allowed her to take pics like that. Feel so happy to see her like that. Anyway, that afternoon we woke about about 4 pm after Mr Jorge Bento try to wake us up because he and Daniel G B and Emir was going to the Arch http://www.slfp.com/View-of-Arch.html but at the sametime we had promise Raluca earlier that we would send her to the airport. So we both rush to her house but she left we went straight to the St Louis Lambert Airport http://www.lambert-stlouis.com/. Met Sabina and Bogdan (Bono)and Kim. It was amazing the amout of luggage they brought. I think was like 7 luggages. They had trouble checking in the luggages as they were over the weight limit. Catalin had to throw away like 7-9 books out of the luggage while the other luggage Catalin took out a fur coat belong to Raluca and gave it to the check in counter lady. Amazing....then Raluca took a few sweater and scraf and gave it to Emily... just to lighten their luggages. After that we took a quick snap and they left....hmmmmm....thats the end of it.

TGiF, 2 weird movie and SNOW!!!!!!!!!!

2004-11-24T02:45:00.000-08:00

We slept the whole day because today is our off day. We have 2 off days in the week while we are in third shift and ours is Tuesday and Wednesday. Cant really remember what happen yesterday but yesterday night we watch Harry Porter the Prizoner of Azkaban and the Terminal. We slept from like 430 am till 630pm. We miss the sun light today...hehehehehe...It was really warn that today cause the heater was on the whole day. I did realise what was happning out until Emily dash into the house with her winter clothing. Its SNOWING!!!!!!!!!!........my whole balcony was filled with snow!! Look out the neightbourhood and the whole place was filled with snow. The roof, the trees, the grass, the window....everywhere...SNOW!!!!!! hahahahaha.... We went out and to the parking lot only to see every single car was filled with snow from front to back. Our beloved Geo Prizim has turn from green to white overnight. Mari's car was also filled with snow, so was Celso's and Mauricio's. I think the snow was about 2 cm thick. I had to use the scraper to clear the thick but soft snow of the front and back windscreen. Being the first time seeing snow, i forget to clean the side window and had to clean the snow all over again. We went to the library to return some books and head towards TGiF to celebrate Em's b'day.On the way there along the road it was filled with snow left and right. Some cars even had like a crown made of snow on the top of their car including ours. White fog was coming out of most car exhaust pipe. I think the temp was like -2 or -4 C. We had a wonderful and warm and cosy dinner in TGiF. We were invited to join Jorge, Dan, Daniel G B at St Charles but after dinner we went straight home to watch the 2 weird movie. The 2 really weird movie, Envy (Jack Black and Ben Stiller) and House at the End of the World (Colin Ferrell). For once i dont really like a movie from Ben Stiller. I notice after this movie that Ben Stiller always in every movie of his acts S-T-U-P-I-D. Its becoming more and more while the Colin Ferrell movie is more like duhhhhhh.......never watch it again.
A day of wondeful dinner , 2 weird movie and pure white and cold SNOW!!!!..............

2004-11-19T02:33:00.000-08:00

After work yesterday went home and watch Vanilla Sky. A very interesting movie. Very meaningful and some scary thought about the reality of life. Had a nice breakfast and went to bed. Woke up at 7.30pm after Jorge came into my room and woke me up. When arrive at Vetta Sport only Jorge and Chris was there. Later before the game started Andrew (gk), Lamar, Dan and Eric came. Team we are playing today would be the PMS team again..arghh...we got to stop playing in this league. Very exciting game that was quite even and although we lost in the end 5-3 but i think we gave that team something to think about. I think we actually found a way that we can be competitive and also enjoy the game at the same time. I guess winning and losing is part of the game but in the end what matters is how much we enjoy playing with each other and the working out. Finish at 9.20pm and i had to rush to MC as I have to work at 9.30pm. Rush to work and manage to reach in time without getting pull over by cops....at 9.31pm....
A day of interesting video with a tiring but enjoyable game. ...

St Louis Mills and accident

2004-10-31T02:32:00.000-08:00

It was only my second day in 3rd shift. After i nice sleep in the morning woke up like 4p.m went shopping at St Louis Mills. Its was Halloween. Saw lots of kids dresses up to go tricker treat around. Its really nice to see that the shops in St Louis Mills were also ready with their employee dress up with give away the treats to all the kids. We went to Marshalls first. Emily bought some presents for his brother and as usual her shopping. Amazingly Mr Jorge Bento was shopping to for his winter clothes. We were join with Alfredo who was in the other shop earlier. We went to Samsonite shop who had sale and bought a red back pack for USD19.99. We left at about 7pm as the malls here in US closes early on Sunday. I was raining and as we turn from 270 to Page highway and about to exit Page to reach Bennington, i felt something wrong with the car. I step on the breaks but somehow the car is still going the same speed. As we approach the corner near 7-11, i step on the brakes but the car is still going. I try to turn the steering to the right to turn but the car is still going straight. As we slide i could hear Emily, Alfredo and Jorge shouting. I only manage to reply before the car hit the curb with loud BANG. The whole car landed on top of the curb. My front we lucky there were no cars infront of us if not it would have been worst. My front wheels looks bad. The left wheels which hit the curb first were totally out of shape. I manage to get the car down from the curb and put it to the side. After a short discussion we decide to try to park the car somewhere safe. I try to drive the car and but could not turn to the left but manage to go straight with lots of noise. Parked the car at Pavillion and we had to walk back to Colony.
Its really bad weather and slippery night with a scary accident....

Trip to California Day 2 (L.V- San Francisco)

2004-10-08T02:30:00.000-07:00

we woke up late today about 1030am and we try to call the reception for a late check out only to rejected by the hotel. Well there goes our plan to take a dip in the Luxur hotel www.luxor.com pool.While me and emily rush downstairs to make sure the hotel dont charge us for another nite the rest of the guys continue packing up. After settling all that, we went on our tour around Luxor. We went to the awesome Tomb and Museum of King Tutankhamun www.luxor.com/superset.php3/entertainment/kingtut.php3. After that we went to Mandalay Bay hoping to get a peak at the all famous man made beach in a desert only to be turn away by the security because we would need to show out room key in order to take a peak at the beach. Arghhhh.....anyway, we also realise at this point that it would not be a good idea to have tinted glass in the middle of the desert because Mandalay Bay hotel has its whole building with tinted gold color and the whole pool area was so hot and glaring (probably the gold tinted glass was meant to be there for the American to have their sun bathing.....)continue walking down the Strip right in front of Luxor and took tons of picture at the amazing hotel we were staying in from the outside. We went staright to New York New York hotel the crazy roller coaster ride that goes out of the building. Mahattan Express would be the name of the roller coaster. Its amaxing how they can build roller coaster that is as high as the hotel. After the roller coaster we went to MGM Grand to see the Lion Show in the Casino. It was very interesting in the sense that who would think to build a lion glass cage in the middle of the casino. We were lucky as there were having a lion show as we walk into the casino. They showed to male lion that day and their trainer in the glass cage with lady giving explanation outside the cage. Apart of the cage, visitor can walk into a tunnel in the cage and the lion would sit on top of the glass tunnel. Up close with the lion. After the

Trip to California Day 1 (Stl - L.A - L.V)

2004-10-07T02:29:00.000-07:00

Wonderful wonderful trip to California. We have been planning for this trip for the past 3 weeks now. Bought our ticket through Orbitz.com like 3 weeks ago for only USD150++(which is really really cheap). Woke up 5.30am and Jorge already at home after work. I think my luggage was the biggest among all the guys. (maklumler my bag has a sleeping bag in it) Emir(our driver for the day)came my house at 5.35pm. Load all the luggage in car and drove to the airport. When we arrive we check in at the American Airline checkin counter at the front door for St Louis Airport. The porter check in our luggage and showed the way to the gate and he "ethically" ask for tips...american culture!!! Security check was really till every single detail, we even had to take out our shoe (remind me of the security check at Changi). Flight was fun as we flew by Grand Canyon when the captain annouce we all (i mean everyone in the plane) flocked to the window. For the first time in my life i saw snow at the peak of the mountain...beautiful view from the plane. LA is really big and clean from air until we landed. Minutes before we land, the whole city and airport look so polluted and hazy. LAX is really a busy. Planes had to line up to use the lanes and runways. Tons and tons of people at the airport and princess Jorge have to fill his stomach. He spend the most expansive breakfast USD15 (1 coffee and 2 pastry) at Starbuck. LAX had a special pick up lanes along the airport pickup pouit for rental car company to pick up their client or even for those who plans to rent a car to hop on to which ever company they want to rent a car from....aint that good for KLIA....hmmm... Enterprise was our choice. We wanted to rents a mini van but in the end we ended up renting a SUV (BIG Chevy Tahoe) Met Celso and his director-to-be friend, Diego (didnt know that we have to get papers to be a director) After a few wrong turns, finally we came to Venice in L.A. This nice city that they built canals through housing estates and the canal has really clean and shallow waters. The resident along the canal have little boat that they dock to their home made jetty. Next stop, Venice beach. It would say it is amazing experience given the fact that i have not seen beach for like nearly 7 months now and Venice beach is also the place where Baywatch first shot their TV series. Looks rather dirty and lots of mural from the outside but its really nice beach. Clean beach, crazy wave, lots of surfer and a few chicks. Took few picture with the life guard we continue on. Next up, Santa Monica beach. Went to the 3rd st bazaar, had McD, lots of crazy ppl, american love their animals so much they would eat McD with a flock of pigeon flying in McD. The Santa Monica peer we was fun. Strong wind, lots people, lot sea birds many avid anglers. Jorge, Mauricio and Celso each got a necklace while we bought a safey floatee for souvenir. Next came Hollywood Boulevard...Star Walk? What star walk? Star walk was just merely a walkway with lots of alive, semi dead or dead Holloywood star's name on the gound. Then came Kodak Theater where the hoo hah of Acedemy Award held here every year. Miss the tour but from the ourside the theater looks just like small ordinary hall in Gold color located next to it is a shopping mall. From here we merely see the HOLLYWOOD sign (bad weather). Next we went to Chinese Theather. Till now i still dont understand what is the Theather for but as far as i understand,its a over rated cinema where all the premier is shown there for the first time. Outside the theather there is lots of foot hand print of famous ppl. We basically just walk around that place took pictures and buy souvenir until bout 5.30pm when Celso struck a deal for a limo ride to go to Beverly Hills and Rodeo Drive. First time in my life we will be riding a limo like that. In the car there was a Japanese girl who also got the same limo ride deal. We went to Beverly Hill and saw Marilyn Monroe's house, Queen Latifah's house (lots of nice cars out side) Charlie Chaplin's, Ozzy Osborne house (they were having a party), pass by famous clubs that were own by famous celebrity like Danzel Washington, Johnny Depp, Cindy Crawford, Timberlake...etc. We also went down Rodeo Drive where the richa and famous shop for their "grocery". Limo driver told us about how they close down the shop for the celeb to do shopping. We also went to this huge public mansion and being show around the mansion on how rich ppl spend their money. After the tour, the driver drop us at Kodak Theater and we went for dinner at Johnny Rocket. We left L.A about 11pm and drove towards Sin City, Las Vegas. I drove in the beginning but in the end Celso drove us it the Sin City Las Vegas. When we arrive all of us was in shock the beauty of Las Vegas at nite. We went straight to Luxor.The lady at the reception told us that we were lucky that we check in late because we got a double queen size bed room with a jacuzzi. hehehehehehhe....yeah.....me and celso jump straight into the jacuzzi...after that me, celso, jorge and emily went out to take pictures while mauricio fainted in the room. Came back 5am.

Customer Service Week..

2004-10-04T02:23:00.000-07:00

This week would be crazy week.....started yesterday when we lose 6-0 in the indoor soccer match at Vetta Sport. Its really really a horrible game. Play with Pre Menstrual Sickness( PSM Attack) at least thats what they call themself. Good team but bad attitude....really rough game. Anyway, got really injured in the game. I cant move my ankle and there is cut on my toes. Slept well last night. Really cold weather this moring, i think it was like 10 celsius or so....and its only Autumn!!!!!.....arghhhh.....anyway came to work today and found out that it is Customer Service week. They hang lots of balloon all around the floor to make it like party place then working office with lots of free donut. Its really a cool way to make the employee enjoy their work. They even bring in the karaoke set to let the emplyee here release "tention" in the conference room. Everyone rush into the conference room to sing their heart out... they even make it a competition and have check list and we are divided into singers groups. In the mean time GSC is organising a "Decorate Your Supervisor's Cubicle".......the loser have to make their sup to wear a Donkey suit......hehehehhe

2004-09-30T02:31:00.000-07:00

Today is my first day in 3rd shift. After receiving the order letter from Heather like one week ago, finally its our time. to go third Shift. Although is out first day at third shift, we manage to convince Mladen to allow us to start late at 11pm cause tonite is HALLOWEEN ST PARTY at CWE (Central West End)!!!!!. I bought my Halloween costume which is the SCREAM mask from Wall Mart for only USD5 while Em bought hers for USD7 for the pumpkin head and Daniel Gasparini Baraldi bought his Frankenstein mask. We all met up at Em's place with Sabina, Sara, Jorge and Cezara. Met up also with Bogdan, Sofiene and Kim (she was suppose to be in Paris but somehow she appear here in STL) We went in two cars as we have to drive straight to work after the party. We drove around searching for parking and after a long long search finally parked our car and walk towards CWE. I didn't realise this but the CWE is just the same place as Bar Italia and MPO. Places that we have been many times. When we arrive there were not many ppl. We decide to meet up with Bogdan and the rest at the coffee shop at the end of the road. After that we went straight back to the CWE for the street party. By this time the place was semi filled and we took load of picture

http://www.xpphotoalbum.com/showgallery.php?cat=19580&ppuser=19226&password=&page=1
In the middle of the junctuon in CWE they built a stage for the costume competition. Its USD20 per entry and winner get prize money USD5000. I am amaze but the level of participation. Everyone was pratically dress up although there are some which dont. Hmmm....AIESEC trainees which dress up are me, em, simone, sofiene, lena, daniel g b, valeria and chad. Some one even dress up as cotton candy... http://www.riverfronttimes.com/streetteam/results/photo30562.html
The costume competition begin at about 930pm and when it started the whole junction was filled with funny and scary costumes. We left the party about 1015pm and head straight to Winghaven to start our first day of 3rd shift.
A day of loads of fun on the street and crazy costume with a tough tough 3rd shift.....

Saint Louis County Fair & Air Show

2004-09-04T02:21:00.000-07:00

Wonderful wonderful day today..... since I came here 5 months ago I have never thought that this day would come. Melissa Hseu traded her off day on sunday with me today because she had to go LA. Wake up about 10 am cause promise miss Orange aka Annie aka Ye Cheng (my beloved roomate) that i would help her sendher car for a oil change. We went to Wall Mart only to find that its the cheapest oil change in town....NEW DISCOVERY!!!...however I didnt do the oil change cause i have to wait at least 1.5. hours if i hand my car in, but Orange did, went home only to find that Emily is tired and dont want to go to the airshow and fair. Some how we made agreement in the end to go at 4.30pm and i took off with Orange to Wall Mart to pick up her car at 12.30pm. I was so anxious. It was my first time going to a airshow. As i approach Chesterfield Airpport Road heading towards Spirit of St Louis Airport, I could see lots of people with their SUV and Mini van stop at the road side with their lawn chair and foldable chair sitting at the road side looking at the air show on display high up in the sky. It was the Mustang, old but realiable plane. Then as i park my car at the corn field and walk towards the fair, the F-15 took of to the sky and at one point the Mustang took to the sky and 50 years of aviation history flying together in formation. Beautiful beautiful plane. Loud roar when it took off and did a few low pass.Awesome plane. I think it was from that Missouri National Guard squadron. The ticket to that fair was USD8, definately worth it. the name of the fair was, Saint Louis County Fair & Air Show. Static display was on the right side of the fair and those planes was really beautiful. F-14 Tomcat, F-15, F-18 and Chinook HC2 were all in display and lots of other planes and chopper were on display too.The B-1B did a really loud fly by. The show of the day was the Blue U.S. Navy Blue Angels Flight Demonstration Squadron http://www.blueangels.navy.mil/flash/themegallery.html. Started with "Fat Albert", a C-130 fitted with custom made 8 jet engine for a short take off. Then was the 6, F-18 Hornet from the Blus Angels took to the sky they gave a commanding performance with each pass brought rounds of applause from the crowd. The narrator speaks like a real army boy. In the fair, went to the Boeing tent only to meet Tian Jing( only to realise that her husband actually work for Boeing) and saw the new unman plan Boeing plan that looks like a UFO and her husband was one of those working on the project. Shark show, Purina dog show ( flying freezbee dog and dog race), Wild Life show (American cougar and PEREGRINE FALCON) was among the show i manage to catch. Left the fair around 5 pm and went home to pick up Emily and Mari to the fair. We stop at Taco Bell (we think outside the bun) and A&W before we head towards the fair. When we arrive back to the fair, i did a little tour guiding to the ladies introducing to those beautiful birds.Then we went for the Night Air Show. Starting with "Fat Albert" (more beautiful at nite with 8 jet engine) then its 4 WWII planes took to the sky with some wonderful smoke display. Shark show and a walk at the fair groud, we were all tired and went home really satisfied.
A very satisfying and dream come true day....
http://www.simviation.com/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.cgi?board=photos;action=display;num=1094343481

Departure.....

2004-09-01T02:20:00.000-07:00

Yesterday nite i was stuck in some stupid Paypal file, went home late in Karin's car with Cezara Beldean in the car. Cezara shared about the trip to Hawaii, L.A, San Francisco and Las Vegas and really made me wanna plan a trip myself. Justin, Emily, Celso, Mauricio, Flavia and Amine was at home when i arrive. I had to go again because it was about 11.30pm and i had a dateline at 12.00 midnite to return the "stock". We went the Fastasy and reloaded with new stock with One Nite in Paris some Asian stuff ler. Went back home only to realise that Mauricio and Amine has left and replaced with Emir Chaker and Karin. Started cooking Korean noodle and hotdog and in the mean time Cezara Baldean came with her husband Adrian arrive. We had to eat in the room as there were no space in the living room. Near 1am everyone decide to go and it was time to say good bye to Justin. Chaker, Emir, Cezara and her husband all took pictures and said good bye and wish Justin well. After they left we continue with our showtime in "One Nite in Paris" While Justin and Karin puff away at the patio, when the movie start, all our eyes practically locked on the DVD that was showing that the time. It was really a BIG shock most of us to see that such a rich girl who has everything she wants in life would act in a movie like that. Somewhere in between the movie there we discussion that she was paid to act in that movie, she was traped and how beautiful she was physically. Justin had to leave halfway through the movie as he has not packed his bag so he and Celso took off with my promise that i would join them later. So the rest of us continue our journey to discovery with the movie "One Nite in Paris". We went to bed around 230am when the movie ended. We woke up around 550am and i could feel the sad feeling among the people in the house. We all got into the car and i drove towards the airport to send mr noodle of. On the way there, some of us slept while some, i could see that they are disturb by Justin's departure. When we arrive we met both his parents waiting in front of the screen. His mom looks really sad while his dad being "the man" was trying to hold on. Some how Justin as not there. After trying to search for the Noodle man himself, he appear from the floor above with Francine wearing the Bayern Munich jersey that we got for him from Chicago. Sad sad sad... i can't imagine the guy who did not check his email when i was about to come to US, the guy that nearly left me at the airport, the first guy that i spoke to in St Louis becaue i called his cellphone when he forget to pick me up on my arrival and the guy who was our BIG brother taking care of us when we first came is leaving us to go live his own dream of a traineeship in Brazil. So hard to accept la. Going to miss those time when he try to use -LAH..- , try to be malaysian, try to eat our beloved redang chicken, how his hand would shiver when we force him to eat pig stomach in bak kut teh, when he said chau cibai, when he try to look like he like that chicken feet during tim sum, me and him gathered to go against the general at 6 flags, steak and shake, denny's, his "brazillian samba" , sweet and sour chicken (fish) la...so coincident la....hehehehehehhee..., when his mouth run when he get drunk, how he cut the grass and kill the pig, how retarded he can be, how he must smile and pose then there is a presence of a camera, how we both always take retarded pictures and he like to act retarded, how he play his tennis, his school bus aka van and how dirty it was, how he imitate Lulu's voice and how much he is scared of Lulu and how he always complain and fight with general that in the beginning it looks so real that end it looks so waste of time and stupid. Justin took pictue with each one of us and group pictures then with his mom and dad thats where that hardest part begins. Its time to say good bye. I was the first and he said to invite him to our wedding..hmmm...its really cool in such time he can think of it or prob he just want control not to cry. Then was Emily, Celso, Mari, Karin then Francine. Then his dad( a quick one with his dad trying to maintain) and his mom and it burst...some how it feels like apart of my wonderful experience here during my traineeship is now gone. I guess it would not be the same again....hmmmm.......
Happiness is time spent with a friend and looking foward to sharing time with them again

Tennis, Soccer and Alex's B'day

2004-08-15T02:19:00.000-07:00

Woke up LATE today as we had blast last nite at Morgan St. Met up with Anca, Andreas and his cousin Leonardo (wow.. what a name and imagine the expectation people got on you if you have the name) and went there with Karin, Mari and Em. Really crowded club. Lots of Mat Salleh feel really alien. Man....now i know how it feels to be a Mat Salleh stuck in a crowded place like Chow Kit or Petaling Street. hahahahahahhaha....Today.....hmmmm....due to the fact that i slept really "early" yesterday (came back 2 am, watch Athens Olympic till like 3.30 am and went to bed 4 am) I woke up late. Was suppse to call Karin at 5 am to wake her up cause some how her alarm clock is dead, anyway i called her only at 5.55 am and we were suppoer to be at work at 6.00am. So Karin came with here (over due licence plate) and we both went to work feeling really horrible, first LATE and second hung over from drinking yesterday and only 1+ hour of sleep and thirdly Karins car was giving her some exciting driving as she have to pratically turn the steering side ways to drive straight and she dare not speed because of that. Luckly work was not that busy and time really fly by when you dont even know that the heck you are doing. Finish about 2 pm went home, catch up with some Olympic games and met up with mr noodle and general celso. Its really weird cause those two was watching Monster and they book look like Charlize Therone cause the both just woke up. Muka bengkak... Went of over to Jorge and Karin's and went to Wisper Hollow. We were (jsut as Justin put it: Hitting the ball around) and picking up balls looking like 4 retarded person on the tennis court. Later Valeria, Chad, Alex and his gf, Amine, Emir and Chad and Elma came. Elma can really hit the ball while the rest were just what i call it......retard-ing around. At one point Justin Noodle suggest we should be in the Olympic......for the Circus event. Anyway we went off early and went for out soccer match at Vetta along Mid River Mall Road. I had a funny filling today that we might lose the game today. Match started with me stupidly letting in the first goal EASYLY!!!! I still cannot believe that i was so stupid arghhh....... anyway, yes we went on to lose 4-2> What is more frustrating is we were playing so unorganise and certain people were playing as a "team" some "pussy head" was in the team, but what the heck just a game man...there must be a winner and a loser. But really hate it when we lose. Anyway, today is Alex Cuzic's party and we went straight to W.Hollow for the pool party. When we arrive we were greeted with some unpleasent greeting by come quarters who came from a country that is so proud of their football tradition and he dont play football himself? Anyway met up with Jessica (LCP Mizzou), Jeremy her bf, Bullan, Sabina, Cizaratira, Andreas, Anca, Chaker, Alfredo, Emir, Amine, Valeria, Justin, David Uy and a few Turkish ppl sitting in the dark ler. Throw Chaker in the pool and somehow Emir and Chad cought me and i send flying in the pool with Chaker coming along to try to drown me. For the first time in my life i really felt i was drowning, water was going into my mouth and nose and i was struggling and drowning. I think i gulp like 3 huge gulp in 3 seconds. With the "help" from Chaker the push me down, i sink further deeper at one point i felt like giving up and just drown and DIE. F**K the guy is really crazy man....arghhh...i think i heard Chad shouting at him to STOP and finally knock some sense into his brian......HELLOOOOOOOO....are you trying to kill me? What did i do? Wet your diapers? I think i was at the side of the pool for like 15 minutes trying to breath and get over the 3 huge gulp of water. When i got up, to my shock, no one notice it even ms Emily Tan, so into talking that her beloved BF is drowning while she is busy eating hot dogs and drinking and partying....hmmmmm......disappointed. I think was suppose to DIE in the pool earlier because some how, my mom called from Malaysia like 15 mins after I got out from the pool. Maybe the phone call was for EMILY TAN to inform my mom about me DEATH!!!!!...sad but true. Miracle or Coincident? Then talk to Jessica about setting up SN I.D for ourself. Really she nice person to talk to and really a very detail person as she explain the whole process until we understand and we plan to meet up soon to set up our SN i.d. Left early as i was in soaking wet clothes and it was cold that night...can you imagine its SUMMER!!!! and its so cold!!!!hmmmmmmmm.....
A day of near death, bad football, lousy tennis and a crazy weather. .
Spanish work of the day: Que pasa : Whats going on?

Summer Concert at UMB Pavillion

2004-08-05T02:17:00.000-07:00

Alanis Morrissett and Bare Naked Ladies....what else can i say? Awesome and Unbelieveable ......it rain when i finish work about 530 then i got heavier when i was at home. Concert starts around 7pm and when we left home for the concert it was pouring big time. Alan Pickett, Lavinia, Francine,Amine, Celso, Emily and me drove in 2 cars and we got ourself into a little detour to Harrah's along the way but somehow we found our way to UMB Pavillion. Along the way we listen to Alan's story on how to survive in France and how far and wide he has travel in France and how he would not travel to countried where he cant speak their language. Limited but logical.... Put on the rain jacket and it started to rain even heavier. Got the ticket at the counter and walk to the concert groud soaking wet. When the concert start the rain stop and Alanis was a really really good singer. Makes me wonder what have i been missing in the music world. Such wonderful voice mix with the such good music. She blew the harmonica with great energy and fluently. Thank you, Oughta know, You learn, Uninvited and many more. Its really amazing someone so thin and tall can really sing and have such wonderful voice. She sang thank you and had Bare Naked Ladies come in to sing along and she left the stage but some how came back again and sang one last one before she disappear.After a short break then came Bare Naked Ladies. Funny group, entertaining but we dont really know a lot of their song. At one point they were singing 3 bottle of pee that was somehow ended on the stage. Luckyly they sang all their famous songs, One Week and Pinch Me in the beginning then halfway through the "general" wanted to go so we all decided to go as the song they were singing we have never heard b4. C2 were free at the exit gate. Back home, met up with mr noodle and continue on to our nightly supper habits to Denny's. Its really amazing and scary to realise that we have bad influence on Mari and Noodle to follow our "healthy" Malaysian culture of .....SUPPER!!! But what the heck.. we here for Cultural Exhange so whats wrong.hahahahahah....
A DAY OF WONDERFUL MUSIC MIX WITH HEAVY RAIN AND CULTURAL EXCHANGE

First Team Meeting - Tanya Smothers Team

2004-07-27T01:59:00.000-07:00

Hmmm....today is a really interesting day. Really grateful now that i was born and raise in Malaysia. In the meeting today found out that ppl around here wish for things which we Malaysian have been enjoying all our life. Sajma cried during the her sharing because she was there during the Bosnian war as a Red Cross volunteer. arghhhh...arent i lucky?. Then Adrianna said that she went on a one month trip to Germany and within that month, the war happen and she has not gone home since.Its been 10 years now. Amazing... Karin said that the float trip was her first time camping in a jungle and she love the experience that she is surrounded by thick jungle and lots of unknown animal..hahahahaa.....reminded me of the time back in g.Tahan....arghhh...miss Malaysian jungle ler. then came Nina, man, that woman is really crazy about her cats. At one point she said that her cats are her life and her HUSBAND is like a friend?.....hmmmm..... Majority of the ppl in the meeting says that they want to go to some warm country, nice beach and nice ppl for holiday......we have that all year round in Malaysia dont we? hmmm.....i wonder if all the malaysian feel as lucky as me now? hmmm...had lunch today with mr david uy and he is really upset because his traineeship will be ending in about 5 days. Poor guy got kick out of his new apartment because "the bitch" from China (as he calls it) she was suppose to stay with decided not to stay with him.....