Saturday, February 13, 2010
The rest of the trip Sorry guys, very busy lately. After the trip, the internet connection was terrible. Before that, I fell stayed at Banana Bungalow in West Hollywood and I just fell in love with LA. Los Angeles, City of Angels where dreams come true, where the rich and famous live, where dreamers like me longed for. Ahh, Hollywood, I love everything about you, from the movie productions to the huge mansions. Everything is perfect. That is if I am a celebrity and have money to spend. Rodeo drive, the one place I can only do window shopping, one must have at least 1k USD to shop in a shop.
My passion for acting flamed up once more. The visit to Universal Studio, looking at the stages, Wisteria Lane from Desperate Housewives, I started to dream. I want to be an actor, why am I taking Communication studies? Should I drop out, go to LA, and try and make it big and famous. I was blinded by the rich atmosphere. So, I ended up very depressed and had to talked to my brother who made sure I know what I want. Mum wasn't very fond of the idea of me becoming an actor, can I even make a living out of it, she says. Surprisingly, I talked to dad and he say get my degree first, if I still want to go LA and become an actor, we will sort things out later. Whatever will be, will bel.
Then I moved to downtown LA, which was so ugly, voted worst place during the trip. The street is so dirty, with many homeless people wondering around. When I was in KFC, one hobo just came by and took my chicken, the manager had to ask him to leave and offered me another chicken. I stayed at STAY Hotel, which was the worst place as well in the trip to live in. Firstly, I got ripped off by hostelbookers.com because I got charged roughly $300 but in fact the room I live in was stated $200 in the Stayhotel.com and even though hours of argument, I didn't get my refund. Well, nothing much to say now because the weather was horrible, reminds me of Malaysia, heavy rain since a storm was coming.
Well, the flight back to Missoula was like a reunion. I met Maki Yoriyama on the plane, Sofia too and then we switched seats to chit chat. Finally, I meet.... Naito-sensei, what a coincidence. I guess she went back to Vancouver to meet her fiance, sorry guys, she is engaged haha. Ohya that wasn't my only excuse, you see the Communication Studies department here is so small and like 1 million people major in Comm Studies. So, all the classes were full, I wanted to minor in acting too which means taking another year here. After the professor told me it is hard to minor in Acting when I have 2 years left and lots of Communication credits to take, I died. My friends, Kanau and Dizhi and my family resurrected me.
Well, it make sense, Communication Studies is good for Acting too so less sad now, still can change direction. The second thing that pops-up is my minor. I want to have a minor but what? Mum said I am trying too hard, double-focus Interpersonal and Organization Communication and now want to minor in Anthropology. Yup so that is the story, to do everything, I have to take 20 credits this semester and 18 credits all other semester. Oh, I am working too, 7 hours a week and additional work when there is an event (5-6 hours per event.) I have very little time to blog now so please forgive me.
PS: Coming back in summer so let's meet up. Don't forget to come visit me too in Montana.
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Friday, January 1, 2010
DAY 7 Worst day ever in San Francisco. So many things I planned got ruined as they were not open. Got up in the morning to go to the Modern Art Museum but it was closed so I thought I'll go buy my broadway tickets but that was when the nightmare started. I got lost for nearly 3 hours looking for that place. Ironically, it wasn't that far from downtown but I the problem lies within the street. Hickory street wasn't just one street. It is a chain of street broken up into a few pieces. Lost, I walked up and down the hills, searching for the theater and I couldn't find it. Even the locals couldn't pinpoint the direction of the theater to me. On the bright side, I had a good workout and definitely lost a lot of calories. When I finally found it, it was closed, sadly I walked back to my hostel and it started to rain. What a gloomy day it was, year 2010 didn't seem so great now.
So, decided to call my parents with SKYPE but as I am buying Skype credit with my debit card, the same problem appeared, Verification by VISA failed 5 times and I stopped. Each time I am charged $1 again and I bet now my debit card has been cut off. This is the second time it happened to me. Tomorrow, I have to wake up early and call them to get this done again because I will be in big trouble if my debit card doesn't work throughout my trip and the bank is only in few states such as Montana and Wyoming. Sadly, this has spoiled my mood to go out and watch NINE at the Castro Theater today.
PS: Signing off, going to sleep early. Rowan and some people are coming down tomorrow and I hope it would be a better day than today.
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DAY 6
Remember the people I told you I hang out with, the strangers, they are cool people. We spent New Years Eve together. Where else to have a great time but in the Castro right, WRONG. New Years Eve is overrated in the US when you are below 21. Everything requires age 21 to enter a party or buy ticket for a new years event. Castro, was a real disappointment because I had more expectations from it. Firstly I would assume it to be bigger but it is just a street. However, there is this black gay dude who kept on talking to us and he got on my nerves at times. So, we dump him and head to the Mission and people there are crazy. Hobos and Hippies everywhere. The funniest event was that my friends got molested by a hobo and he kept on coming at us. That was hilarious because the guys were safe and laughed at the girls.
Back to the topic, I was a little disappointed with them because they took some kind of drugs. It is already bad I had to pay $5 to get Rum+Coke which tasted awful but now they do drugs. Not sure what it was but it was sure legal. First they inflate a balloon, then they breathe in and out from the balloon and finally they go high. Laughing, rolling and tickling. It was a sight but that is not my cup of tea. I would want to avoid even going such thing in case if the cops came or something because security during New Years Eve is tight.
PS: I was disappointed that I did not get to see fireworks due to peer pressure. The lesson I learn from this is to be more outspoken and to go where I want to and not submit to people I think is cool but totally screwed.
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Thursday, December 31, 2009
DAY 5 Great day to start of with as my aim was to get both my jacket and shoes. By the way I bought my Sketches shoes not Snickers which I think is the brand for the rainbow color candy. So I spent like 1 hour in Ross shopping for my mother but I cant find any pink watches but I saw this very elegant silver and gold Anne Klein watch and also found a Liz Claiborne bag to go with it so I got that for her instead. Don't know what to get for my father, don't know his size and I can't beat his Rolex watch so no point shopping from Ross to beat that. I also felt good when I rushed to get that bag for mum because it was in good condition and many people were eyeing on me hoping that I put it down only to give them an opportunity to grab it. Also, I saw this very nice watch from Fossil but I'm not sure if dad would like it, however it looks so cool, the color blended perfectly and it definitely something different.
After a wonderful shopping at Ross, I walked to Armani Exchange and found a very nice black jacket but it is more of the rugged look so I decided to shop elsewhere and take the risk because that was the last S size and you know what happened the previous day. Then I walked into ZARA and found the perfect coat for me. Black simple and elegant, a little rough but not to heavy. This was a sign from GOD, and after trying it on, I felt a connection with that coat and just bought it. Well after that I went to Chinatown which was quite impressive, ate delicious and mouth watering egg tarts, bbq pork biscuit and moon cake and it was so reminiscing. However, BBQ pork rice for dinner wasn't up to standard and I feel that Malaysia really have the best food so far. Also, I feel home in Chinatown because everyone here speaks Cantonese instead of Mandarin so for those back home who looked down on me because I barely spoke Mandarin, your out of luck.
Then, I meet the friend from Portland hostel here and we hung out together at Starbucks for 2 hours. After that, I met 3 more people and we had a great time chatting. We planned to go to Golden Gate Park tomorrow and I am so excited. So tomorrow off to explore the world, see the gay city and spend New Years Eve in San Francisco, what a marvelous day to look forward to.
PS: Mum and dad, sorry for spending so much money, I bought you guys some stuff so don't so upset. This is the last time I promise, but also I want to go to New York, Minnesota, Chicago, Vegas and Florida, I'm just joking but if can afford, it would be good, also don't forget UK. I need to go for counseling on my shopaholic attitude and spend money like water is hurting me and my family.
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Tuesday, December 29, 2009
DAY 4 Well, everything didn't seem right today. Firstly, I missed my flight to San Francisco... Due to several reason, my friend overslept and I had to wait for her but I was at fault as well. The second thing I didn't take into consideration is the fact that the train is every 15 minutes to the airport and it takes roughly 25 minutes and so a total 40 minutes and it was too late to check in. THANK GOD that my drama skills was helpful and due to the fact I look young, I managed to persuade HORIZON AIRLINES via my puppy eyes and got a flight at 7.25am. FYI this flight was way cooler than my original flight. First of all, my original flights is back to Seattle then wait 2 hours and only then to San Francisco which I am not sure why. However, this direct flight saved me 4 hours which is used to explore downtown in San Francisco. Well then the 2nd obstacle was that I lost my hostel membership card. However, I got a replica card to use for now and I feel so bad because everytime I used that card, the people have to contact Portland hostel to verify that I bought the membership haha. Well at least it still work.
Ok, then the shopping spree started and my shopaholic illness came back. I bought a lot of stuff which I don't dare to tell my parents. I had to return some clothing I bought in PORTLAND because I bought something similar here in San Francisco but way cooler and a better brand like CK and ZARA. Well, I plan to buy 1)Shoes 2) Jacket here. As for the shoes, nike design fail to attract me so I'm changing to As for Jacket...I need to be more decisive...if only my brother is here, he has some good taste if I may say. I like 3 jackets, first from CK which didn't have my size. Then I walked in to ARMANI GIORGIO and I fell in love with a $650 jacket...which my parents will kill me if I get it so sorry to the person who serve me. Treated me so well but then to get that $650 is just a killer because it is roughly RM 2,400 for me. So, I just acted and say oh its reasonable price and I have to ask my mum and then run for my life haha. He should know I can't afford and you know why, I was holding a ROSS bag which says "Dress for less." That is such a stupid situation come to think about it. Then, I saw a similar jacket from Kenneth Cole and my size but then I went to get my friend to see it...30 minutes later... it is gone, someone else bought it... good bye jacket. I guess I have to hunt at ZARA or H&M or ARMANI EXCHANGE for one tomorrow.
PS: Plan to wear all new clothes on my birthday and go clubbing, change my image to cool and sophisticated instead of young and updated. Roommates are friendly so far but haven't get to see their real personality yet.
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DAY 3
The Zoolights was amazing, however I would like to voice out for the animals especially the elephant. Poor guy, out there in the cold and people are shouting at it, flashing cameras at it. The poor little elephant walk up and down the exit trying to go inside and sleep but the door just wouldn't open. Well, all I can say, this is ZOOLIGHTS so no necessary animals is needed to be stressed out because the wonderful lights creates magic itself and portrays an illusion of the animal kingdom.
PS: This was written the next day due to the fact that I needed to wake up 4.30am the next morning.
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Monday, December 28, 2009
DAY 2
What a wonderful day to start since we overslept and had to race time. We went downtown for more shopping today, to Pioneer Shopping mall and boy do they have expensive brands there. From Coach to Louis Vuiton to Saks Fifth Avenue shopping mall (which house brands at a minimum of $100 per piece). However, it is already a headache trying to find something I like and now I am brought upon the horror of finding my size "S" because everything is either L or XL if it is on sale.
So, the shoe hunt didn't go well either, obviously there are nice shoes but at the cost of $160 which if converted to RM, I'll shoot myself if I bought it. However, there is this black and red shoe just what I wanted and needed at the price of $50 but unfortunately, they are out of my size which is 8 1/2. Is this my punishment for asking my parents to sponsor my trip? Yet ironically, I've received any money yet and is trying to live and limit my expenses without touching the credit card....debit card is going to die soon.
So, the excitement starts after shopping, we went to Pittock Mansion but the bus driver (maybe a new guy) did not drive us all the way up so we had to walk up the hill to the mansion. Take note, people drove like race car drivers here and it was a crazy adventure. Also, not one car stopped to give us a lift up the hill, well they are afraid that this small Asian guy might rob their BMW or Mercedes I guess. Nevertheless, the view up the hill was breathtaking and we even went for a little jungle trekking and that was the best part. The mansion wasn't really that amazing come to think about it.
PS: Schedule got screwed a little, missed out on "the Nutcracker" because today was the last day. If you asked me, would I want to live or study in Portland now I would answer "Not really but definitely compared to Missoula."
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