Maiden trip to the U.S.!

Hallo ALL!! Greetings from New Haven once again (for those of you who didn't catch the first one on Facebook)!!

And if you haven't noticed already, whether it's on Facebook or my blog title, yup, I am currently at Yale in the US, pursuing my phD at Graduate School of Arts and Sciences (GSAS). And if you are interested, my major is Computational Biology and Bioinformatics (CBB) under the Biological and Biomedical Sciences Department (BBS) and am in a relatively new program Integrated Graduate Program in Physical and Engineering Biology (IGPPEB). Quite a mouthful, isn't it? Pardon me for the excessive use of acronyms and jargons (LOLX!). If you can't catch entirely, and they (do) appear in my entries hereafter, just know that they are just affiliations that I might be associated with for the next 5 years or so... Just a brief introduction, and since I have not started school yet, there isn't much of what I am doing that is pertaining to my graduate studies per se, so those would come later, in due time.

What I was excited about as well, was my maiden trip to the US. Yes, my first EVER setting-foot on American grounds! But well, there's always a first time for anything, isn't it? Took China Eastern Airlines (because that's the cheapest one-way ticket I could find on cheapoair) at Changi Airport T3, transited at Shanghai Pu Dong International Airport after 5 hours from Singapore (same time zone), then the last leg of 13 hours flight from Shanghai to John F. Kennedy International Airport at New York City! Yeah, the ever infamous Big Apple, which I unfortunately could only catch a glimpse of, be sure I will be back to soak it all in LOLX!

I wanna thank CS, J and Owl for insisting to send me off despite you guys needing to work the next day, R, my best buddy, and K, despite R having to go endure post-operation trauma (hope you are feeling much better) for sending me off!! I am really happy to see you guys there before I fly off. Thank god though, I manage to "shake off" those of you who had wanted to come, haha. No hard feelings, just thought that it was really an unearthly timing to make a trip to the eastern tip of Singapore on a midweek night. But I do appreciate the thought nonetheless =) And all those that called and messaged =) To all the weddings and housewarmings I would miss, just know that I would be giving you guys my wellwishes all the way from US!! hehe. To my family, XL and her family (who came in the end despite having dinnered only the day before), I have only gratitude and more gratitude. Gonna miss you all. I will take care of myself and call as often as I can =)

China Eastern Airlines flight experience was pretty much so-so, for me. Without any individual flight entertainment systems (except the sound system), it has got most of the other things above average - meals, services, minimal delays. I got bumped up to Business class from Singapore to Shanghai - no significant difference though from the economy class. So if you are into cheap tickets but do not mind the absence of in-flight entertainment systems, then this is fine. But the 13+5+waiting+5 (transit)+4(shuttle to new haven)=29-hour travelling was horrendous!! I mean, seriously, I should start thinking about teleportation as my new form of transport, or else just KILL me LOLX. On the hindsight, it wasn't that much of a thing after I touched down, but I think I wouldn't want to do that again in the very near future...

Pu Dong Airport was a little disappointing, despite all the Expo 2010 hype. I found it messy, despite knowing the language and all. They had put up counters solely for the purpose of the Expo and ended up confusing most of the travellers, because they were mostly closed already. Very sparse shopping district, with the shops having very minimal international outlook. The flight from Pu Dong saw a very different demographics of passengers - a lot of American-born Chinese kids (ABC) returning to US from vacation in China, with their very Chinese parents and some in-betweens (like myself), and some US citizens. So the whole plane was filled with a hodgepodge of English and Mandarin accents, kids with American accent but zilch Mandarin, parents with Chinese English accents but local Mandarin accents, visiting Chinese zero/minimal English but full of local dialects (Shanghainese, Cantonese etc.), total Americans - just pure acoustic disaster... The entire flight was filled with babies crying, little ABCs screaming to English pop songs, kids jumping around, mums scolding the kids, mums scolding each other, dads laughing and standing up and blocking everybody's view of the TV (I had to get some to sit down)... As if sleeping on a badly-positioned economy class seat wasn't bad enough... And you could see the somewhat belligerence (albeit stifled) of the Chinese at the Airport and on-flight. And note to self, bring a converter on the carry-on luggage... BTW, though, the plane has a power socket for charging!!

Arriving at JFK did not evoke the mirth that I was expecting (of myself), but more of a sigh of relief (haha). It made me miss the comfort, convenience and efficiency of Changi Airport (well it has been consistently the best airport in the world ya know) even more. Surprisingly, I encountered little extraordinary hiccups; the queue was just plain long and slow, with people crowding at a few counters (and blatantly jumping queue, though I think this experience has something to do with the demographics of the flight than anything else) and with many other counters not opened until much later.

I was happy I managed to make two new acquaintances even through this flight: J and A. J's from IMCB haha, if yy is reading this, he's from your lab!! He's going to Columbia University to pursue phD in neuroscience. All the best, I will try to find you on Facebook. And A's a Turkish and a second-year student from Bioengineering from Yale. He was so helpful and taking the extra miles with explanations and trying to give me recommendations for admin matters (since he is also an international student) and even gave me his email and phone number!! Grateful eternally, and will probably catch you for lunch soon =) And I am glad the taxi driver was nice too, knowing this is my first time to US and Yale for that matter; he stayed and made sure I was safe before driving off. And boy, am I overjoyed when I saw C haha!! And so, the story starts now...

mum and dad

I am thankful for my mum's genes... LOLX

I had always an unwavering impression of my parents. My dad, the father that I could never get close enough to, the kind you respect but kept a distance and my mum, the most lovable mother I have ever known, the kind you feel the heavens have sent to love you and care for you wholly and willingly dedicate herself to your whole life right from the very start, and then u grow up and love and care in return.

As you can see, I am close to my mum. I once asked my mum if love still exists between my dad and her, after all these years of ups and downs. And she said, it does but it evolved into a different sort of love. Then, I thought, if a love changed, then what actually is it? I couldn't get past my narrow image of an 'altered' form of love. Then that day, while I held XL's hand and walked behind my parents, I looked and it started to dawn upon me a little. Not much, but minutely.

That, the relationship between my parents, does not fall into the category of old couples "still madly in love" with each other, the kind where two white-haired individuals hand in hand strolled in parks. No, not that. More, it is the cherishing of a decades-old relationship, a form of familiarity forged between each other, that staying together now, is more perceivable than staying apart. That, you have learnt, experienced, endured, held on together for so many years, that it becomes only natural to be together than otherwise.

Do not think, though, I have captured that uncanny fleeting image that I had at that moment appropriately, because I do not think I had truly understood that either.

Frankly, I had once upon a time thought it was a sad thing. That my dad wasn't good enough to keep loving such an angel of a lady as my mum like she deserved; I had thought that my dad was so lucky to have my mum at his side, all this time. But there and then, I saw my parents walking and talking and laughing and relaxing, just the two of them, side by side, like there was nothing else in this world worth to talk about except the things they were talking about, to each other. The way I saw my dad bought my favourite tu-tu kuehs and my mum's favourite mua-chee, the way he walked purposefully to the desired stalls, out of the myriad of stalls that stood there. The way my mum discusses like it's the most natural thing to do in front of the TV with my dad, about any shows. The way they are at ease at each other's presence. At peace...

Courtesy of my dearie's superb idea that got the both of them so mirthful @TungLeSignatures,Vivocity

Then perhaps, there was nothing really to be sad about anything. Perhaps the most important thing is the companionship that they had found in each other in the first place. That the familiarity that had bred over the eons. That, perhaps then, is another kind of love. It may not be the conventional kind that a lot of people will be envious of, but one that would last till the end of days. It is bliss all the same.

On this Mother's Day, I would wish my beloved mum and my equally beloved aunt, my second-mum-equivalent, a very happy Mother's Day, and may health and happiness always be with both of you. Love u both =P And to my dearie's mum as well, of whom I have enormous respect for, 永远笑口常开.

And to all the mums in the world, a great salute from me, for all the love that you have, that could never ever be supplanted. A very happy Mother's Day indeed. I believe it might not be a celebration to many mothers around globe, but it's definitely a day dedicated to mothers, where the world remembers you and your love for your children.

Courtesy of my brother's professional photography @MarinaBarrage

Birthday treats - aunt & compbio

Woke up to a post-birthday treat today - durian rolls from Angie's!!! From my aunt no doubt. One of my favs naturally. Don't you just love the wholesome creamy feeling of pure heavenly durian melting in your mouth... *Qoooo*
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Ok I gotta blog about my so-special birthday dinner with my compbio kakis! Haha so special, dint know Fish&Co., so onz one hahah... They actually did this sing-song thingy. Damn malu but damn coool!! HAha never had that before. Reminds me of the McDonald's party that I wanted to have when I was very young; always envious of the kids who get to do it :P

But they got me a "Hello Kitty" (for God's sake!!!) PINK (of all colours..) cake!! No wonder YT was asking me whether I like "Hello Kitty" during the dinner. I thought it was due to my "Winnie the Pooh" camera pouch which is my brother's Japan-purchase (he said it was kawaii...). I was so surprised when suddenly behind me people started singing birthday song. Come to think of it, no wonder they ask me to sit at that position. *sudden revelation* Though somewhat odd, the cake was a really nice surprise :P

A HUMONGOUS THANKS TO YY, Ph, J, YeCh, ZH, El, WT, LY and YT for being there and celebrating my belated birthday and for making it so special. No doubt a-quarter-of-a-century old, and my cake is still "Hello Kitty". Fish&Co crew must think I am a weirdo. Also for the present, card and the well-wishes. Love the present manz! Practical and durable. My fav type of gift HAHA!

Must thank Fish&Co. Also, they even took a picture and the whole staff actually wrote a card! Ok I know it's a gimmick, but nice all the same.

This is definitely gonna be one birthday celeb I will never forget.

Below pictures galore with a video of me standing on a chair and them singing song to me HAHA so paiseh! But well, THANK YOU TO YOU ALL AGAIN! Really looking forward to the Vietnam and Bangkok trip! Not too far now!!!

For ALL the pictures taken, please click here.

And guess who I saw after I left the gang? TC!! OMG! JC classmate. It's been eons since I last saw him! Nearly couldn't recognise him. Saw him hugging his gf then bade farewell. Then I looked again. Then finally I plucked up the courage to say his name. Finally he turned his head and IS HIM! Well, 感觉上似乎加了份沧桑又有点疲倦. But he dint change one bit. He came back from Johns Hopkins, and doing phD in August at MIT. Super high-flier la. Else how to be my "Allah" in JC right. Seriously, he was my teacher and my friend. One of the few persons I truly truly admire and respect: smart to the max (if you compare my intel to his, it would be a drop of seawater to the Pacific Ocean and I am NOT kidding), approachable and humourous; humility is one word that is epitomised on him.

Take care, my friend.. You seriously need a well-deserved break.



The Compbio Gang in full force :P
My present! Nice right haha!
The card from the Fish&Co. crew
Birthday card
YT and LY
Me, YY and Ph. YY was learning Vietnamese from Ph. Ok, YY you will be our official after the first 2 days. YEAH! Gambatte k? 就靠你了。haha!
THE cake... Ain't it pinkish? Wah doesn't look like my kindda cake at all lehz... But oh well, gotta appreciate the fact that a theme cake is not cheap... Esp when it's "Hello Kitty" which thousands of Singaporeans line up to get the soft toys...
YT proudly presenting the "Hello Kitty" box which she specially got it from the cake shop, say it's part of my birthday present.
The candid aftermath.

My Mums

万一我妈突然间心血来潮来这里，所以就先用华语：

妈，生日快乐！！

爸最近一直上网游览或许老妈有一天也会也说不定，哈哈！！

Called my mum today to wish her a happy birthday. Sung a birthday song halfway and she went "Huh? 鸣，你说什么？听得到我说话吗？" Yah, she happened to be in an MRT, on her way to meet my aunt. Sian ji bua... Singing on a speaker phone mode in a bus is weird enough. Sing halfway somemore LOLX... Uebrigens for those of you who dunno, my phone's voice emitting thingy is spoilt, so I will be broadcasting all of your voices if u all call me. Anyway, we celebrated for her last Saturday already. My brother bought a cake, a TINY pink heart-shaped one... Can you see how MINUSCULE it is!?! But well, my mum said it was cute. Did I tell you people before my mum's an angel? Well, if not, I shall say it again: my mum's an angel! *听天使在唱歌，我们都要快乐*

Anyway then later was taken up by me going to the toilet and having diarrhoea for the rest of the day. Quite weird. Dunno what I ate. Maybe it's the entire regular Hawaiian pizza and the chicken drumsticks. Even Siwei said that was a lot. But I thought it was ok. But then again, my stomach has to have retarded senses: I ate them yesterday and I got diarrhoea like late afternoon today.

Na ja, macht nichts. But my aunt was quite frantic when I had diarrhoea. Gave me some 风油 to put on my stomach, then ask me to put a lot a lot, “哪里够！！ 要这样。。” Then she went on to pour a huge 'puddle' then apply it on my stomach. Then she made hot milo and hot cereals. Then called my mum (heard her call while I was in the toilet) to ask for advice. Then gave me Po Chai pills. By now I am like half-recovered, though stomach still not well. But that was probably the fastest recovery ever. I think I am so blessed to have a second mum, let alone one as wonderful and beautiful as her.

So basically today's my mum's birthday. And I had diarrhoea.

Ok no link.

And I love my both my Mums.

>> Can't you see the link?

Autograph

Ok I am not the one being autographed here. *obviously*

But I received this autograph book from my friend to write. It's been a long time manz since I write in an autograph book. Think the last time was in JC. Never thought I would write in one again. Very surprising when I saw the book on the seat when I went for lecture LOLX. Surprise here is two-fold: 1) the autograph book and 2) the pink book (XL, pls dunt squeal). Although I find it a bit too pinkish and too beyond-words-to-describe (yes ZHI totally agree with you) and I thought only 6-year-old HL would want this kindda thing, I was equally happy, cos it reminds me of old times.

Back then, autograph books held a lot of meanings. It marks the end of a milestone of my life. It holds some dear memories of people that have gone through thick and thin in that year with me. I wondered who started this autograph thingy, but it was in primary 6 that I sort of pick it up. I remembered going around my primary school class, cajoling and even coercing people for autographs and drawings!! HAHA!! I am the only one in class who had the ENTIRE class of 42's autographs *smug*

Then secondary school came. Secondary 4, I went around garnering autographs as well. Then by JC2's time it almost seemed like a ritual already, only this time I included my OAC peeps. Of course, I have all 3 of the books with me, nicely kept. Now, photos are my prized possessions as well.

Photos and books are my life framed in tangibility. I prefer things more tangible.

虚无缥缈，给我海市蜃楼，井中月的感觉; 摸不着，也抓不透。

And when you actually look at your photos and books, you will see how much you have grown. For better or for worse. Nonetheless, they never fail to brighten my day.

向往着那时的笑容

Yup indeed, they have never once failed to liven up my spirits.

想起童年时的懵然，当时对世界的坦然，那天真无邪的自然，发现快乐其实并不难。

Oh, and I remembered I will read everybody's entries whenever I get an autograph book. Interested in what people say, how they write, how they decorate usw. One more thing about autograph books. They always have quotes! HAHA! And I love quotes.

So here's one and one of my all-time favourite:
Nobody really cares if you're miserable, so you might as well be happy.
-- Cynthia Nelms

So to you people, who are feeling frustrated and moody and angry and irritated, take a deep breath and SMILE!

CNY@KBOX

CNY 2008 was a super long weekend. A good long break from the buzz of hectic life. Anyway, this year my family decided to do something out of the norm: we decided to go Kbox! Much to my pleasure, and of course since my aunt and my brother are far more frequent patrons of the Box.

Anyway, CNY eve was the usual steamboat at home, with TV. CNY first day was watching movie, lunch then Kbox. We watched 老师嫁老大 by Fann Wong and Mark Lee. It was hilarious. Mark Lee's portrayal of a Malaysian chao ah gua, is indeed pow-derful. Must watch!! Was really funny whenever Mark Lee talked. Jack Neo is really a not-bad director.KBox was, well, fun as always. After that Kbox session, I think within each and everyone, regardless of age and gender, there lies this inner desire to be a star or to be heard. And Kbox provides this platform for people of all ages to un-suppress that yearning. It is a totally different feeling when you hear your mum, dad and aunt sing. A little creepy but happy all the same. LOLX. We sang Chinese songs, my bro sang Jap songs (listen to his Jap manz, pro lo, not the old Sakura songs k. The likes of Ayumi, Ayaka and L'Arc~en~Ciel!!), we even sang New Year songs and 巫启贤's Kopi-O! SUCK THAT!

Although it's indeed a whole new dimension when you sing with your parents and aunt who happened to live in a different era from you, it was nonetheless, fun. And the power of Kbox to connect people through voices and laughter is amazing! I have never failed to awe at the ability of a Box, the 4 times I have been there. I must say, I really admire the person who came up with this Karaoke idea in the first place.



Food that day was so-so. Lunch ended up eating at the Hong Kong restaurant at Cineleisure. It was quite nice actually. But dinner was at this coffee house in Chinatown, and it sucked like hell. Service was bad, food so-so. Haiz. But oh well, we were all tired out to complain about anything. Morning 10 am out till 10 pm is no joke.

Holidays were never slow-moving. It's over usually very fast. But oh well, glad there was this interim. Back to school. Back to FYP.

Missing the pineapple tarts already.

One week

PHOTOS and VIDEOS of COMPBIO CHALET - Please click here

The past week ensuing the exams is a tightly packed series of activities... Now let's see what I had:

05 Dec 07 (Wed):
Last day of exams - T3 Re-visit with my family!

06 Dec 07 (Thurs):
Comp Bio Chalet at The Chevrons

07 Dec 07 (Fri):
Settlers' Cafe Outing with XL, Kat, Grace, Ian and Wilson

08 Dec 07 (Sat):
Squash

09 Dec 07 (Sun):
Nua at home with my mum and bro... basically playing &... erm playing haha

Ok maybe it doesn't seemed that packed. But just to know that I have activities planned out after my exams really made me look forward to post-exams days very much. And it was really well-spaced out coincidentally; I have ample rest and ample fun throughout.

Changi airport T3 visit with my family was really suay. Collided with their flight testing. Apparently some selected people are already able to board the plane from T3 during this time. So we weren't able to enter the waiting lounge with the 800-dollar seats which I did see and sit the other time. Seriously I didn't feel any difference haha. But I felt it a pity for my mum, dad and aunt. They would have enjoyed the complete tour instead of a half-fuck one. Well the only plus point was that, it was FREE, cos they forgot to tell the public about the flight testing, so they decided to be nice :P

Compbio chalet was quite fun haha... Hadn't had so much laughter (and alcohol) since coming back from SEP haha... We stayed up till 7 am in the morning before we knock out!!! Well, though I wasn't the closest of friends to them, I did enjoy the company and games and all. Mahjong, Bridge, 'Daidi', Truth or Dare and The Ultimate Number (LOLX literally - 终极密码) and what-have-we's. The barbeque was a little haphazard though haha. Apparently my days of OAC have left only remnants of outdoor survival skills. Took us quite a while to set AND re-set the fire HAHA. The number game saw the usual people drinking lotsa Tequila haha cos the effects of alcohol compounded heavily apparently LOLX. Tequila tastes yucks urrgh lolx....

Then we discussed about our graduation trip too, to Vietnam, cos Ph says she can bring us around :P Come to think of it, it is kindda fast. We are the pioneer batch of computational biology people, and I could still remember the angst we had about our modules and the problems we were facing initially. Thankfully, we stuck together as a group a lot of the times and helped each other a lot. Well, I am glad I got to know such a fun-loving group of people.


Settlers' Cafe was COOL! First time there, and I must say I really love it! A bit on the pricey side though. We had sooo much fun and mirth was spreading like wildfire. Ok let's see what we played that day: "I am the Boss", "Pictionary", "Chatterbox"... Only 3... Diaoz.. It was expensive ($9.50 for 2 hours per person) but fun enough. Haha! And Ian made cookies. Quite nice lehz haha... Advert here advert here: Ian makes nice cookies! LOLX. Like it's an 'ing' brand, better promoted in May LOLX... Ok laming again...

Let's go Settlers' Cafe again lehz... We can play the new games from Germany there!!!

Well, the dust is finally settling. New phase, new resolution, new direction. I guess there is a need to pick things up and snap back from play to a more balanced life of work and play.

Gambatte!

140307 - Departure

I didn't feel particularly excited by the departure, though like months before I was really looking forward to this day. Weird siahz, humans... So as Chong Wee got thronged by his battalion of friends, family members and his beloved girlfriend, I bade farewell to my mum, aunt, bro, and cute little Huiling (no, she's not my biological sister, but she is like one to me all the same). And the sweet little girl actually cried so loudly when I went into gallery. Awww.... But oh well, kids. They get over it :P (Maybe I just get her something when I come back...).. More Photos