Goodbye Oklahoma, Hello Texas!

This is it. I just got out from my last shower in Durant. * werrh*

But seriously, tonight's our last night here, and it's off to Plano tomorrow morning.

A couple of mexican guys will be helping us move, but poor yifan will have to make double trips cos they dun drive, so he'll have to go to Plano once in the morning ( a 1 1/2hr drive), unload the stuff with the guys, then drive them back to Durant (another 1 1/2hr), leave the truck there, and then drive his Scion back to Plano again( yet another 1 1/2hr, so that's 4 1/2hrs of driving for the day). Wooh... I think by the time he gets back to our NEW house, it'll be close to dinnertime. As for me, I should be almost done unpacking by the time he gets back.

Today was kinda hectic. Had to settle a couple of last-minute stuff like closing the bank account here, calling up banks to change addresses etc etc. Packing didn't start until late this afternoon, so I am proud to say we've done about 70% of it all as of now. What's left is to clear out the stuff in the fridge, and that can only be done at the very last minute, and to pack up the computer room. Er, I have to admit though that the computer room is the killer of all. Books, computers, tv, dismantle the desks.. OMG! And to think this time last year on the day we were moving out of Hartford, we only cleared the computer areas that very morning!!

Oh, and I am absolutely positive that when the time comes for us to go back to Singapore for good, we will have loads of stuff with nowhere to go. And I dun mean kitchen appliances and all. As it is right now, we DO NOT have enough suitcases to store all the clothes. The other half that didn't make it into the Samsonites had to go into garbage bags (!!) and then into a huge box for tomorrow. I shudder to think what we would do in a few years. Yifan thinks it may be more cost effective to throw some clothes away rather than ship them all back. Yeah, I think so too, but I dun want to do that. I have t-shirts from years ago that I still can't bear to part with even though they are now old and yellow with age. How can I abandon them in a foreign land??

It's 11.30pm now and I dun think we are going to finish up the packing tonight. Yifan has long gone to meet Old Master Zhou, and I know he needs all the sleep he can get.

I guess we'll just wait till tomorrow then.

It's gonna be a long day for us both. Mexican guys coming at 9am which means we have to get up at 8?? Ugh. I like moving, but I hate the very act of moving. Just like I love cutting my hair, except I dun like to end up with short (shorter) hair. And I love swimming, but I dun like to get wet ( not saying that I like mahjong, cos I dun like gambling). Very contradictory. That's me.

Internet and TV connections at the new place will only be up on Monday, so tomorrow night's going to be real "exciting" just staring at each other, I'll bet. But but but, the clubhouse has a computer room, and the place is also set up for wireless internet, so I can use Yifan's laptop at the poolside. Yay!

Before I sign off, here's a really cute site.
www.himenail.com

I Love Drama!

Currently watching:


My Name Is Kim Sam Soon aka My Lovely Samsoon (2005)


Now here's one funny and light-hearted drama.

I've made the progression from K-movies to drama just recently. It started with Lovers In Prague ( which by the way, I need eps 11, 14 and 15 if anyone can help), and since I read good reviews on My Lovely Samsoon, I thought I'd try k-drama for a change. Also, at the rate I was going, I am just about running out of movies to watch.

Hmm, my observation of the differences between korean movies and drama : the movies are mostly either the boring "arty" kind with little dialogue, or the nonsensical, far-fetched slapstick comedies. That and also those with soppy teary scenes and terminally ill leads.

The dramas, on the other hand, are more realistic to a certain extent, with stronger, and often, better storylines. I would have preferred to watch the dramas any day over the movies if not for the fact that it takes 16 times ( or however number of times depending on the number of episodes in the series) longer to download the entire series than it takes for me to complete the movie.

That said, I am hooked on My Name Is Kim Sam Soon. I watched 2 episodes yesterday, and another just minutes ago. Ugh! Now I just hope my downloads can catch up with me.

Reflections of My Life

Today I went about doing my usual errands - lunch, laundry and Walmart shopping, for the last time.

Lunch was at McDonald's. It's become a habit for me -- Mac lunch, and then continue down to the laundromat.

I thought it was very apt that the girl who served me at McDonald's today was the same girl who served me the very first time I ate at Mac's more than 10 months ago.

Yes, it's actually been this long since we moved into Durant. We arrived here on 21 Jun 2005, or thereabouts.

Anyway, from the initial lunch at Mac's, my order of " small soft drink, cheeseburger, and small fries" remained the same, and it was only recently that I added a " side salad" to the list. It was no surprise then that Jennifer, the girl who served me, immediately said " a small soft drink, cheeseburger and small fries" when I stepped up to the counter to place my order. I think everyone who works there must recognise me by now. The asian girl who always orders the same food, and sits at the same table every single week. Heh. I was a little taken aback and amused when Jennifer knew what I was about to order, and a little embarrassed at the same time. I hope I didn't blush then. My whole point is that I thought it was strange that she chose today ( my last time at Mac's) to remember my order, when she had on other occasions attended to me before, and all those times she acted like she didn't recognise me. My encounter with her today was sort of like a closure, and a "farewell gift" to me.

I was happy, and yet, sad all at the same time.

Then another amazing thing happened at the laundromat. The lady who works there, and again the person whom I remember first seeing when I first patronised the laundromat, actually said " How are you?" to me. Okay, so it's just a regular greeting, but if you take into consideration that all these months that she's seen me doing laundry, and she's said nothing before, surely this counts for something.

I remember clearly the day we arrived in Durant. Gosh, that happened more than 10 months ago. Days of living in Hartford seemed so recent, and yet so far away. Then, there were those short months in Fairfield, and before that, Taunton and Middleboro. Sometimes, they seem so long ago that it felt like a different lifetime to me. And yet, I've only been in the US for slightly more than 2 1/2 years.

Time in the US is like time in Singapore fast-forwarded.

People I've met in Durant in these 10 months have come and gone. I've gotten a couple of new neighbours, and those Mexicans I used to see at the laundromat have all but disapppeared. Okay, so mabbe those mexicans dun stay around for long since they are illegal, but still, 10 months, wooh.. it's a pretty long time, I'd say.

Time to move on.

I dun really know what exactly it is I am feeling right now. Excited about moving to the city that's for sure. But I also feel a little sad at leaving this little town behind. I dun know if I will come back for a visit in future. I might, but then it'll be different.

I hate this feeling. It's like you know once you leave, you will never be back. Ever. Places and people you will never see again in your life.

A totally different feeling from leaving Singapore and coming here, because I know that Singapore will always be my home, and I will go back one day. But here, towns like Durant, Hartford, Fairfield, Middleboro and Taunton, .. they will just become memories, and eventually these memories will fade away and it will be like they never existed at all. And that is what I am most afraid of.

Have you ever thought of something that happened long ago, maybe during your childhood, that seemed like it was all a dream now? Sometimes, when I think of incidents that happened during my childhood in Changi, I'm not even sure if those incidents really took place, or if they were all just a figment of my imagination.

That scares me. A lot.

Yet another..

Just watched:


Lost In Love (2006)

Big YAWN. It was a struggle to watch this till the end.

Moving Woes

After all that talk about swearing off Dish Network, it looks as though we'll most likely be continuing with them in Plano. Not that we have much of a choice.

The only cable company that services our estate seems a little dubious, and I read not-so-good reviews about the broadband service that they provide. And all this while, I was so happy that we'd be able to get back Comcast, only to find out at the very last minute that Comcast doesn't service Bella. Ugh.

Anyway, it's not even for certain if we can stick with Dish Network. Linda, from the management, thinks we should have no problems receiving satellite signals from where our apartment is facing. But we'll only know for sure when the technician goes down on Monday. Then there is the transfer fee of $99.95 that we'll have to bear if we "move" our existing satellite service over. It's just ridiculous. A new customer pays $49.99 for activation, but for someone who wants to stay as a customer, he has to pay double the amount. Needless to say, I tried the only other way I could think of to avoid paying a hundred bucks. I asked if I could cancel my service, and then start a brand-new account. Then I was told that I would have to wait 180 days before I could sign up again. Oh wait, I just got an idea... Since the account is in Yifan's name now, he could cancel the existing one, and I use my name to get a new service. That may work. Hopefully, cos I have already called in so many times to Dish Network, and they have my name, so I dun know if they would allow this.

Thankfully, the phone line and DSL issues have been sorted out, though again, there's a transfer fee to fork out. Utter madness!

America, often touted as Land of Freedom and Choices, doesn't really live up to its name. Yeah, there are lots of companies providing essentially the same service/product that consumers can choose from, but that only applies if you are looking at things from a national perspective. Get down to the localised area and you realise all that is anything but true. You get stuck with whatever providers there are available, often at undesirable terms to consumers. Choice? Yes, either you take it or leave it.

Pics from Around Town

Taken yesterday..



pandan chiffon cake from Lion City Restaurant



durant- empty road on a saturday afternoon



downtown durant


yifan squinting in the afternoon sunshine


street of durant


world's largest peanut is right here in durant, OK


smokey allen's bbq: ~ a trailer-turned-eatery


a lone horse grazing on a warm spring afternoon.. but really, there were other "horses" around


outskirts of durant- on our search for wildflowers


a view of lake texoma, biggest man made lake in U.S,
10 min from where we stay.

Just Watched:

A Millionaire's First Love (2006)

This very new movie ( released in cinemas just slightly over 2 months ago) is yet another love story, with a storyline that is by now, pretty predictable for a K-movie buff like me.

Rich high school boy meets country girl, falls in love, only to realise girl is dying of an illness.

Yawn.

But that's not to say that it wasn't the teeniest bit touching or sad. It was. And the movie was beautifully shot, especially the sunset scene with the 2 leads in a field blowing on dandelions. I think that is what makes this particular genre of K-movies so popular with viewers. They always use the same formula ( ie terminally ill girl meets and falls for cute guy) but include in the movie scenes that simply take one's breath away. And because of such scenes, I am hooked.

Yes I am.

From the Land of the Rising Sun

Just watched:


Train Man (2005)

This Japanese movie is based on the true story about how a socially inept computer geek, with the advice from his online friends, finally gets the girl of his dreams.

It all started with Train Man posting on a Japanese forum about meeting a girl on the subway. Advice about what he should do started pouring in from people whom he didn't even know. One thing led to another, and the couple got together eventually. At the same time, his story also brought hope to the lives of his online friends.

Train Man, the story, began as a series of threads on the largest forum in the world, and it was eventually compiled into a bestselling novel, made into the movie, and also has a TV series in its name.

This movie is unbelievable. It's definitely more than just a love story.

Movie Mania

Recently watched:


Art of Fighting




Marrying the Mafia (2002)

*****
I just checked. One season of Sex and the City needs around 13 GB. Dun think I can download it. :(

Shades and Shapes

How Do You Know What Kind of Sunglasses Will Suit Your Face-shape?

Here's a guide:

Oval Face:
- jawline slightly narrower than your forehead
- noticeable cheekbones and just enough softness so you don't look angular or sharp

Shades: Any kind






Heart-shape Face:
- Broad on top and tapers to a slim chin

Shades: Smaller, rimless styles; avoid wides-topped pairs and oversized lenses, busy detail work and high sides; go for lighter colors, thin nose bridges, and frames with wider bottoms, like the Aviator style



Round Face:
- a face that is as wide as it is long

Shades: No round lenses; try rectangles or octagons; darker colors and classic patterns look good on a round face

Square Face:
- forehead, sides and chin are almost equal in width

Shades: Avoid sharp angular rims like squares; try frames that reach the edge of your face, or wrap a little beyond, like sporty wrap styles

Oblong Face:
- long face

Shades: Oversized sunglasses, loud colors, odd shapes

In general, shades should reflect the opposite of your contours.

Like Summer

Last night was a nightmare.

It was unbelievably hot yesterday with a high of 36 C during the day. Sure, it cooled off towards the end of the day, but all the heat was already trapped in our brick-house.

1 hour before bedtime, we turned the air-con on and set it to 55 F, which is like 12.7C. At that time, the temperature indoors was close to 32C!! That's way higher than in Singapore, and it certainly felt like it. We both felt so uncomfortable even with the window open and the ceiling fan running at top speed.

So off to bed at 11.20pm. Ceiling fan turned on at full blast. Comforter was banished to the ironing board. Air-con was supposedly running, but still no cool air coming out from the vents. But it was on for sure. There was air, just not cold air. Surely it didn't need such a long time to cool the room down?? After all, it'd been more than an hour since I first turned it on.

We tried to sleep. Urgh. Yifan brought the box fan in, so now we had the air-con, the ceiling fan and the box fan running. Half hour passed. We couldn't get to sleep. This time Yifan decided to open the bedroom window ( which by the way is pretty narrow by my standard), turn off the air-con since it wasn't doing any good, and move our bed to right in front of the window. The air outside was very still. No breeze, no nothing. But at least it was better than when the air-con was turned on. It was just slightly cooler.

Now, having the windows open at night wouldn't have been possible at all if we had not bought the screen, to keep out insects, that same afternoon. Fortunately for that. It was what helped us make it through last night.

Without that, I think I would have taken either one of the 2 options available to us:
a) sleep in the car
b) drive to Walmart and sit/sleep till morning

This morning, I called the "management" of our property. The girl said she'd have someone from Maintenance come take a look at the air-con. Well, it'd better be soon, otherwise .....*i shiver just thinking about what might happen tonight*

SJP

Just watched:


The Family Stone (2005)

Antarctica and Beyond

Just watched:


March of the Penguins (2005)

Highly recommended. Check out the official movie site:

http://wip.warnerbros.com/marchofthepenguins/

Also watched:


He Was Cool (2004)

Police Story II

Every now and then, they have Hong Kong TVB programs on tv here. All dubbed in English, of course.

I just watched Police Story II which starred Jackie Chan and Maggie Cheung. I dun know if the english dubs are done word for word, or if they sometimes try to add some humour into the dialogue, but parts of it just sounded funny. I wouldn't know for sure cos I've never watched the movie in mandarin.

Most of the HK movies they show here are really old. I've seen some that were from 1970s. All kungfu movies, and they were hilarious because of the english dubs. Dun know who the dubbing artistes were, but they sounded like chinamen speaking english. Maybe dubbing artistes are very rare here since there is basically no demand for them. So mabbe they really are chinamen.

Anyway, back to Police Story II. It's a production from 1988 ( has it been this long already?). I've heard of the movie, but never actually got the chance to watch it till now. In it, Jackie Chan's role name was called, what else but, Jackie Chan of course. Now, I assume this was because the US side lacked creativity when doing the dubbing and thought they'd just use his real name for the role. Thank goodness Maggie Cheung was MAY, not Maggie. :)

Not a great movie, but nevertheless, it was quite interesting watching a movie made nearly twenty years ago. Maggie Cheung still had her crooked front teeth in Police Story II. heheh.

This is young Jackie:



*****
It's the Easter weekend, and everyone in Singapore is enjoying the Good Friday holiday. And I think Australia is also having a long weekend too. So how come the US does not declare today as a public holiday?

Easter eggs and hampers have been lining shelves after shelves in Walmart since right after V Day. They have easter cards in the card aisle. This must be a widely celebrated time here. For adults and children alike. Why no hols? I don't get it.

Lovely Rivals

Just watched:



*****
It's sometimes amusing how different states operate differently from one another. Every state is like a sole entity, with its own laws, norms, ways of doing things. Chain-stores and restaurants would sell/serve different items in different locations. Banks offer different interest rates on savings accounts depending on which state you are in.

I say it is only "sometimes" amusing because things can get pretty troublesome ( and confusing) because of all these little differences between states.

We had a Citibank account in CT, and maintained it even though we moved thousands of miles down south. Recently we opened a savings account at one of the newly-opened Citibank branches in TX. Got a new userid for internet banking, but to my dismay ( i just found out minutes ago), every transfer from my CT checking account to my TX savings account would cost me $5. Yes, there would be a charge for a transfer from a citi-account to another, so long as the 2 accounts are not linked. Urgh, which means the only way I can avoid having to pay $5 is either I write myself a cheque, or go to the bank in TX to do the transfer. (!!!)

Babi & Bride

Just watched:
My Little Bride (2004)

Er, something is wrong with the "upload file" function in blogger now, so I had to use the " Add image" function instead. Hence the weird layout.

*****
My first attempt at cooking Babi Chin, aka stewed Pork Belly. I've cooked the regular braised pig trotters numerous times, but since I have dried mushrooms and coriander powder at home, I thought I'd cook this Nyonya dish instead for a change.

As you can see, the dish is not exactly ready. I started cooking this 1 hour ago, and intend to stew it for another hour. The longer the better. I took a sip of the gravy earlier though, just to make sure everything is okay. I realised-- it is more than okay. It is DELICIOUS. Even better than the regular kind. Once again, nyonya food triumphs over typical chinese food.

My only regret is that I had already used up the other 4 pork hocks that yifan bought for the regular dish. All that's left are these 2 pathetic pieces. Definitely not enough for dinner, so I've also cooked steam fish and stir-fry vegetables. Can't wait!

I Thank My Lucky Stars

Today, 10 April 2006, could very well have been my last day alive.

Just an hour ago, while I was on my way to Walmart, and driving on the right lane, a huge truck ( at least 1 1/2 times the length of a big lorry) suddenly decided to turn right without checking his blindspot. My SC400 is pretty low in height, lower than most sedan cars. But thank god the car has a loud horn. And that was what saved me. I would have been run OVER by the truck if the driver didn't hear me honking desperately. The back wheels of the truck( which were just slightly lower than my car roof) were a mere 1 inch from my driver's door. I would literally have been crushed under the weight of the truck.

The truck stopped. But the driver didn't get down from the vehicle. I was very shaken, and I didn't know if I would be able to drive off safely without hitting any part of the truck. Worse still, there wasn't a road shoulder next to the lane I was travelling on. It was a downward slope, which meant that a) I either had to crash down the slope or b) Just pray and hope for the best.

At that moment, I thought " that's it for me, I'm dead".

I am just so thankful that I am still alive.

So everyone, please please be very careful when you are out on the road. You may be the most careful driver on earth, but you never know if the person driving next to you is an idiot.

Spot The Differences

Remember this?



My favourite game from the arcade-- Photo Hunt.

Now that I dun visit arcades anymore, I have resorted to playing Photohunt online.
Here are a few sites for anyone who might be interested:-

http://www.liquidfuse.com/
http://www.cdkitchen.com/games/ephotohunt/
http://www.ttgapers.com/module-Games-display-id-89.html

Have fun with them!

My Tutor Friend (2003)

Just watched:


starring Kim Ha-Neul, Kwon Sang-Woo, Gong Yoo

Most, if not all, Korean movies have at least 2 different titles. My Tutor Friend is also known as " Fried Chicken". Heheh. Yep, no joke. The second and less well-known title is usually really stupid.

Praha

Currently watching:

Lovers in Prague

Mucho Problemo no more

YaY!


We can watch tv again. It's been almost 1 week since we lost the satellite signals, and the technician from SBC only came this morning! Our problems with Dish Network started way back when we first signed up. Interruptions to the transmissions every now and then, then few weeks ago, we lost all the cable channels, and then finally no tv since saturday. Urgh.

It was one week of hassle. Had to download episodes of The Apprentice, Prison Break, My Name is Earl, and missed The Amazing Race and American Idol on tuesday. Okay, so the representative from SBC said we'd get rebates for the past 4 days before the techinician came. But of course! Did she actually think we would have to pay for a service that we didn't receive? And what about those missed episodes??? What we need is compensation.

So this morning, I was up real early--8am, cos the technician would be coming in anytime from8am to 12 pm. Eh, he got here at 11.45. (!) Turned out our satellite dish had somehow shifted. Everything's back to normal now, but we'll just see how long this can last. Thankfully all this will be history in another 3 weeks' time.

I never thought I could miss watching tv so much. Just hearing the sounds from the program was like music to my ears.


Yifan, did you know that the cable box we have is an old model? Apparently, DISH has a new (newer) model that they are already using for over a year. So why did the previous technician bring us this antique??

*****
Here's today's lunch:


Curry chicken, steamed egg, and pork. ( oops, ignore my right foot at the bottom of the pic)
Erm, no vegetables becos somehow yifan didn't order that when we were at Taiwan Cafe yesterday. This was supposed to be his dinner yesterday, but we ended up sharing my portion, and since he's out of town today and wouldn't be able to have it, it came to me.

Oh, and I had this too...


It's pork ribs soup with carrots and potato, without the pork ribs. This was part of dinner 2 nights ago, but there was leftover veg, so we saved it. And of course, my staple-- chilli padi.

It's been 3 days!!

Haven't had the chance to blog the past couple of days.

Spent the whole of yesterday and half of Monday searching for a phone online. I realised the Z520a is quite useless. BUT I am going to be stuck with it for quite a while. There is a serious lack of variety in the cellphones that are offered here. By that, I mean cellphones that come with plans. Sure, there are those cool Samsung and Nokia ones too, but mostly you have to get those online, and without plans, ie they cost an arm and a leg. Dun think it is very worthwhile to spend too much on a cellphone in the US, since it's gonna be "hidden and out of sight" most of the time anyway. In the meantime, I will just make do with SE, and KNOW that I will get a much better phone next time when I go back to Singapore.

*****
XZ:

I got some samples of eyegels/eyecreams from various brands-- DHC Concentrated Eye Cream, Shiseido Super Eye Contour Cream, and I think I have the Laneige Eye Designer Cream from Singapore too. Haven't tried any of them yet though. Let you know how it is after. :)

*****
It is snowing in New England now. Or rather, it snowed early this morning, and they are expecting more snow showers. Sigh. I am envious. The heat in OK/TX is hurting me.. little rashes are starting to emerge on my back ( and my face if I dun drink enough water). Funny how a girl from tropical Singapore has a reaction to the weather in south(west) US. And I never ever get heat rash the whole time I lived in Singapore.

Me and OK/TX= incompatible

My New Earrings

Fresh from the oven:


Swarovski Crystal Pearls in Burgundy with Faceted Bicone in Rose.

Computer generated Sha

This is how i would look like if i were a sci fi character.

original Sci Fi


Changing eyes, nose, jawline, lips