Day 16: Dim sum

Went for dim sum today! Surprisingly it tasted pretty good! Not bad actually! We ate until we were so full. The food came really quickly so we ate really quickly too. So thankful for the awesome lunch treat! Hehehe. A piece of home. 

Went to grab Starbucks and they got my name wrong again! Lol. I'm going to bring my reusable cup the next time! 

And I got a new bag ^^ For 9.95. Hehe. It's so pretty! Can't wait to carry it out! 

Going to Wrentham premier outlets tomorrow! Hoping to get some shopping done! 

Day 15: Take me out to the ball game!

It's already Day 15! We've been here for 2 weeks and a day! Feels like we've been here for a long time and I'm ready to go home already.

There's really no place like home~

I'm writing this post as I churn out my final assignment for the communications module. It's currently 1.13 am here so if this post comes out later, you'll know what caused the delay.

Nothing much happened yesterday. Went for class the we went for dinner at Chipotle! It wasn't bad! Tasted pretty good actually. My first attempt at Mexican food. 

And I'm really happy with this buy then we got yesterday! Hehe. It's a reusable Starbucks cup! And it cost a dollar! It looks like a actual Starbucks takeaway cup and it can be washed and kept. So cute. 

And we went for the Red Sox game just now! We were excited since the morning, actually the day before when we got out caps. Peiqi tied our hair for us for the game ^^ It goes well with our caps! 

We went for lunch nearby the campus at Beacon street and we had pretty decent Chinese food! Like finally! I have the feeling we would be eating there very often now. They even gave us a fortune cookie like for dessert. 

On the way back to school, we went into Dunkin Donuts to get a drink. Check out the donuts they have! 

In the evening, we headed out for our Red Sox game! 

It's my first time ever watching baseball, so I had totally no idea what to expect! But after an hour of watching the game, it was quite exciting! 

Here are some pictures from the game! Hehe. We won the game. 

On the whole it was a great experience ^^ Don't regret spending 50 bucks on this game. I can see why people like watching baseball games. 

Day 13: The King has arrived.

Had a really interesting day today! 

The King of Benin visited our classroom. It was seriously an awesome experience! I've no idea how to explain it but it's very interesting! I learned a lot about Benin and gain a lot of new insights. It's impossible to summarize everything I've learned or heard into this post so I shall just stop here before this post gets too long to read! Hee. 

After class, went out to Shaws and finally got my Starbucks! Hehe. White chocolate mocha! Yums~ And guess what! They finally got my name right! Well, I had to spell it out. If I didn't I don't think they'd get it right no matter how I say my name.

Went to Shaws and got a pint of Ben & Jerry's! Strawberry Cheesecake! And it only costed 2.99USD which is about 3.70SGD!! Bet all you folks in Singapore are jealous! Hehehe. It tasted so awesome! I never get to eat this flavour at home since I'm the only one that likes this at home. 

On a random note, a few friends recommended me this application called Photo Wonder. It's honestly the best photo editing application I've ever used. It removes blemishes and can make your eyes bigger and face slimmer! It's seriously awesome.

Played with it a little. And see! No zits! Clear! 

It's Thursday tomorrow! Almost the end of another week! It'll be an exciting weekend. Hopefully I'll be able to finish work by then. 

Day 12: Garden Party Reception

Had a busy day today!

We had center visits this morning and our whole class spilt up to go out for center visits. I'm not sure where the other groups went but our center visit was in Chinatown and it was a pretty eye opening experience.

The center we visited was a totally Chinese speaking center and they taught everything in Chinese. It was really cool as it was our first time seeing such a center and it was a Chinese center in a English dominated country. It surprised me even more that the children in the center, 3/4 of them were actually Caucasians or African Americans, making Chinese or Chinese mixed children a minority. We were told that the parents of these children wanted them to learn Chinese hence they chose this center for their children.

It was a very fun experience! Getting to meet teachers and children from a different country but in the same field of work is just really interesting and mind blowing! Hee.

After the visit, we finally stopped by Macs! My first Macs meal here! Hehe. And just as expected, it tastes similar. The fries isn't even filled. Only the drink is of a different size.



Then in the evening after class, we headed off to President Jackie's house for a reception. It was pretty cool having a garden party kind of thing. For a moment it really felt like we were really special socialites or rich people having a fancy meal in the backyard. It's exactly like how you see it in American TV shows! Hee.

Here are some photos I took tonight! But of course there are more but I don't know whose camera or phone they're in. I usually just wait for people to upload them. Hehehe.

With the previous director's of the Singapore program in Singapore, Mr and Mrs Fedo.

With President Jackie.

With Melissa. 

With Heather.

With Lisa.

And lastly, it's the magic school bus! ^^

Shall post up more pictures when they're uploaded ^^

Managed to finish 2 journals tonight! Yipee! Of course, I put episode 10 of Dating Agency Cyrano (shall blog about that drama soon) on hold as motivation. I don't have anything to motivate me for the next few days, so I better work hard or think of something to motivate myself. Maybe shopping this weekend is a good motivation? Heeee. 

I want to get a new pair of heels and maybe some bags.

A pretty slack day tomorrow. It's a shorts, tee and no makeup day for me. Let's go.

반말 (Banmal) | Mini Korean Lesson

반말, read as ban-mal, is basically informal speech or half speech in the Korean language. It is usually used when speaking to close friends and people younger than you are. If you were to speak to someone older, you have to speak 존댓말 which is speaking politely or honorifics. 

Days 10 and 11 in Boston

Slowly counting down to come home already. Initially thinking that time will past quickly when we are here but when we are actually here, it doesn't pass as quickly as expected. I want to go home already. I realize how much I love everything about being in Singapore, the food especially. It's difficult to find food to eat when you aren't feeling so well. Everything is like cream and cheese and milk here.

I.

Want.

To.

Go.

Home.

So updates on what I've been up to here. It's Monday today, making yesterday Sunday and we went to church. We were brought to this church by Dawn's friend Grace, and it was a really good experience. It was good to experience something different and it also made me realize that I've been in Calvary BP Church since birth. I'm so comfortable there now. It also made me realize that I need to keep studying the Word of God in order not to be confused.

"Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee."
Psalm 119:11

A group photo with the girls, Grace and some people from the church.

After church, Grace brought us to this food place near Chinatown on the silverline. It was pretty cool! It was like a large space with just food trucks parked neatly and people just come here, buy food and eat! It's something that happens only on Sundays during summer. 

Check this out! It's pretty cool isn't it! The food wasn't bad either! But of course, I was craving for Asian food. It's so difficult to find proper and good Chinese food here. So sad. 

A random snapshot of my facetime session with the family. 

----------------

It's Monday today. 

Had a music workshop in the morning. It was very interesting and I enjoyed myself during the session. It definitely sparked some thoughts about how we can include and use music in our classroom in the future. 

We had our communication class in the afternoon. It was fine but as usual I got sleepy during lesson. The constant munching and more munching keeps me awake. I really should try to stay awake during the lessons otherwise I'm not learning as much as I should be learning. 

Things to look forward this week~

It's a busy week ahead~

We'll be going for center visits tomorrow morning and then we have a reception at President Jackie's house in the evening. Friday, we have our baseball game ^^ go Red Sox! Then on Saturday we have a dim sum lunch~ I'm not expecting much but I need Chinese food. Sunday we'll be going to Wrentham! Yahoo! Going shopping :D 

Back to assignments now! 

9 days in Boston!

Went to Cambridgeside Galleria Mall today after the closing ceremony of the International Conference held at the Wheelock Family Theatre.

Didn't really shop for anything today. Kind of bored of shopping since the shops are the mostly the same and they have similar things. I guess I'll shop when I see a new shop. Or maybe just go crazy at Wrentham.

I guess I did spend some money today though, on food and drinks! Finally got the Boston Starbucks card ^^ It's pretty~ it can't be used back in Singapore though, sadly.

And of course, we can't forget to include a picture of how they misspell my name! I guess it's this time they got it almost right and it's probably my fault for not pronouncing the 'F' well. I'll try it again next time. Starbucks here are really noisy as compared to those back home. Maybe because the Starbucks are a little cramped here and smaller. 

Other than getting my regular Starbucks fix, I didn't buy anything. 

After walking around a little while more, we met up and decided to go down to the food court for food! We got Chinese food! Mixed vegetable rice! Yums! 

Of course, I can't forget to include the Apple Shop! It's so cool! Apple products seem even cooler seen in an Apple Shop here. It's totally worth the hype here but back home, some of the awesomeness got lost on the way. 

It's Sunday tomorrow and we are going to church! Thank God for seeing us through this first week here in Boston! Especially thankful for seeing us through and preserving us through the sick spell we had a few days back. For providing friends and lecturers who took care of us and nursed us back to health. 

Continue to keep us in your prayers ^^

8 days in Boston!

Went out to Quicy Market today after class and the conference. And a little shopping stop at Park Street. I didn't get anything much today though except a Harvard tee for the poser sister. Heee.

This is our second time at Quincy Market. We didn't find the food area the first time we went, we walked on the outside instead of going into the building and finding the whole stretch of good food.



We decided to buy a bit of this and that to share. 

So we got a lobster roll. It had BLT inside too. Now every time I hear or see BLT, I'll think of Vanessa ordering BLT without the LT. Hahaha! So typical. 

This was scallops wrapped in bacon! It tasted really good! 

And of course, clam chowder! It tastes awesome! Really super tasty and it really tastes so much better than all the clam chowders I've had before although this is a little to the salty side. 

On the way to the T we stopped to watch this street busker. It was really interesting to see how people gathered to watch him. It was quite scary at first but pretty funny as well as the guy's trick was to jump over like a bunch of people. Of course he was successful in the end! Otherwise it would have been quite scary. 

Starting to feel sleepy already, actually have been sleepy since after dinner. I guess because my body isn't fully well yet. I don't even remember much about the two days that I was sick except just sleeping and sleeping and puking occasionally ><

I'm still considering if I should go out tomorrow, I don't feel like shopping already. I'm just worried I'll fall sick again. 

Five and Six: Sick

Didn't manage to write a blog post yesterday as I was sick around the evening yesterday. Apparently there was a virus going around or there is a virus going around and people are still falling sick. I really hope I get better soon and nobody else falls sick. 

We had our first class yesterday, it was pretty interesting although I was feeling sleepy so I kept nodding throughout our class. At first I thought it was jet lag but it turns out it could be because I was falling sick. 

Came back to the dorms and then after that was a blur :/ Just remembered sleeping a lot and taking medicine and resting some more after vomiting four times. 

Currently I'm feeling much better but I haven't started eating much food, just crackers, cereal and water.   Hopefully I'll feel better by the end of the week so I can go out and do stuff again ^^

Day 4 in Boston

Let's start off with breakfast today! I just had to post breakfast today~ don't you think this looks awesome! I love the bacon and the tater tots! I could eat those everyday ^^ The hot chocolate was pretty awesome too, just a little sweet. Everything is always either a little too salty or a little too sweet :/ 

Had a tour of the library and the resource centre this morning! Quite impressed with how helpful the staff are! They are really willing to help us in whatever way possible and that's something not really seen in Singapore. Even with assignments they are willing to help us. It is really quite a difference. 

Before the next item on our schedule, we went out to Staples, a stationery store, something similar to Art friend back home. And then went to Shaws again, our favourite supermarket. Got stuff like coffee, microwaveable food and this...

It tastes so good! It really tastes like the actual Hersey Cookies and Cream but maybe not as thick. 

After our short break, we met up and walked over to the Brookline Campus. Which is a good 20 to 30 minutes walk away? It's worse than going to school at NP. It means that we've lesser time for breakfast tomorrow since lessons star at 9am and it takes us about 30 minutes at most and breakfast only starts at 8am. Sigh. So upset just thinking about having lesser time to enjoy breakfast. I hope they have tater tots again tomorrow.

On the bright side, the walk to and from the Brookline Campus keeps me pretty busy since there are many things to look at. I really like the buildings and houses here especially those made of like bricks! I'm actually surprised to see a lot of brick buildings around here. It isn't a common sight back in Singapore so it's quite refreshing to see brick houses everywhere here. Heee. 

After that we went nearby for a short shopping session at Marshalls! Got a skirt and a top and a shirt for appa! Hehehe. Proud of my buys! Unfortunately it started raining towards the end of our shopping trip and we got a little wet on the way back. Thankful for hot water and Kylie for letting me shower first hehehe. 

It's dinner time here now! My Wonderwomen and I are preparing our stomachs for a stay in meal of improvised steamboat! Hehe. It's still cold and raining outside so it's the perfect meal for the weather! I'm still feeling a little cold though so I'm hiding out in my room before going to the kitchen in a bit. 

Classes officially start tomorrow! :( 

I don't really want to go for class now especially since the Brookline Campus is so far away! 

Better have an early night tonight but then again, there are assignments to complete already.

Mehhh.

Boston: Day 3

I'll try my best to keep updating my blog for those who actually read it. Haha. 

It's Sunday today. Didn't go to church but managed to have a time of prayer and fellowship with other Christian friends here. It was a pretty good time of sharing and it's good that we have each other to count on during this trip. 

I guess I can never stop saying or repeating the verse 1 John 4:4 especially during this period of time when there are times when we may feel alone and not know who to lean on or count on but this verse reminds us that we always have God to lean upon and count on for strength and guidance.

Didn't spend much time outside today. Did some work before heading out to Newbury Street. Newbury Street wasn't too far from our dorm either, about 2 stops on the T. When we arrived at the street, I went to grab Starbucks. Heee. I've had it 2 days in a row already. But today, I got an iced caramel macchiato with soy milk ^^ It does taste different and I wouldn't say it tastes better than the normal because I kind of like both. Oh dear. 

Following that, we headed of to Forever 21! Heee. But in the end didn't leave with anything though I saw stuff I liked as I thought that there'll be sales soon or I'll see something else cheaper and that I'll like more.

Can't remember what we did between that but after walking for some time, we ended up at Victoria Secret, which had a sale! Hehehe. So ended up getting like 5 items for 30 bucks! 

Even the packaging looks so pretty! Got them for Michelle, Geraldine and Franna! 

After that I went to Georgetown Cupcakes to get a cupcake to try. After watching the show with omma, I decided to get a cupcake to try and report the taste back to omma! Hehehe.

Although it's a franchise, I think the store front still looks pretty ^^

There's a funny story behind this...

I ordered 1 cupcake but when I opened the box, I ended up with...

... 2 cupcakes!

I must have taken the wrong order or the order was packed wrongly or the wrong order was given to me! 

It tasted better than I expected it to taste though! I thought it'd taste like 12 cupcakes but it really tasted so much better. And just so you know, Georgetown Cupcakes was around before 12 cupcakes and this was already the design of their red velvet cupcakes. Very original 12 cupcakes~

End of Day 3! 

Boston: Day 2

I guess these few weeks the titles of my posts will be seemingly boring and well, obvious. Going to use this as a countdown method to countdown to the time we go home. 

As of now, I don't know if I'm looking forward to going home or not yet. Still having mixed feelings about being here. It's still a little hard to believe that we are already here and we'll be staying here for 5 weeks. It's like almost the longest holiday I've ever had. 

The flight yesterday was kind of crazy. It didn't feel that bad when I flew to Vienna a few years ago. This time round it felt quite bad especially on the second flight which latest around 12 hours. Maybe it was due to the delay at the Narita airport. Initially we thought it'd be a short delay but it ended up to be around 3 hours. I was quite tired by the time we boarded the flight. I'm not sure if it was the medicine but I managed to sleep through the take off and I slept through the landing of the first flight as well. The plane must have been really stable I guess for me to do that. Or I must have really been tired.

We arrived in Boston around 5pm yesterday afternoon and I guess things were pretty smooth going after that. Went to check out the nearby supermarket after moving into our dorms. It was pretty alright but I guess jet lag or whatever it is started settling in. I practically can fall asleep everywhere and anywhere.

Went out today, went to Harvard and Quincy market. Managed to do a little shopping on the way to Quincy market. Shopped at Wet Seal and H&M, quite satisfied with my buys already. Shall find a good day to put on my new pretty clothes. Hehehe.

Had a good dinner at a restaurant, our first dine in experience. The food was pretty good but yes, it isn't cheap to eat here. There's tax and also we have to leave a tip.

Shall update this with photos when I've the time. Currently going to fall asleep soon~ But I've yet to complete my assignment. 

Countdown: 1 Day

Since I'm posting this after midnight, it's only a day left before we are flying! 

I'm not fully packed yet! I've still some stuff left to put into the luggage. I hope I don't forget anything important. I'm started to forget things already so I better not forget anything >< 

I hate packing! 

Decided to change my luggage today. Decided to bring a large and medium one instead of a large and small one. I've no idea how much shopping I'll end up doing so it's better to leave enough space for whatever that might happen. Heee. 

I'm hoping that it won't be so stressful there. I think we would be going out almost every day! I hope I'll be able to focus on my school work as well. Need to pull up my GPA! Meh. Totally hate it when the results come out. 

Will be blogging more when I'm there, hopefully complete with pictures! Hehehe. 

Anyway!

On a lighter note, I like this new Korean model/actor. His name is such a mouthful, Kim Young Kwang.

He acted in the drama I recently watched, "우리 결혼 할 수 있을까" and seriously at first I didn't like his character but towards the end he got really sweet and I melted ^^

He's so tall! Although he doesn't have a really nice smile, I think everything kind of makes up for it. Hahaha. 

But of course there's Sung Joon in the drama as well, who's equally tall, and yes, has abs too. I'm pretty sure Kim Young Kwang has abs too :X I'd prefer Sung Joon's smile to Kim Young Kwang's. These two had really good like bromance scenes in the drama. Initially when I started watching the drama, I thought they were the same person. Don't they look a little similar? Hahaha. Maybe it's just me. 

Hehehe suddenly feeling very happy looking at these handsome guys ㅋㅋㅋ 미친것같은데~ 

I shall talk more about the drama when I've settled the feels and maybe rewatch some episodes of the drama. It was a pretty intense drama. Hehehe. 

Spending the day in JB with the family tomorrow. Shall go get all the random stuff I'll need. 

See you in Boston!  

Korean Makeup: New things from Etude House

So I managed to get some new makeup items from Korea! Thanks Janel언니 for helping me get the stuff! ♥

I mentioned some of these products in a previous post: 

Korean makeup product: Etude House SHINee MiniME Be My Princess Perfume

If you'd like to find out more, keep reading ^^