Weekends for me are usually more interesting than the weekdays. We went for a movie in the Student Union theater on Friday night, they were showing The Virgin Suicides, sad story through…and after that, we went to queue for a free teddy bear!  The name is Patrick, he will be staying with me throughout the rest of the semester and accompany me to sleep every night. Zoe actually perform baptism on him It’s really funny, the content of it was roughly like this..

(Looking at Patrick)

“I am Zoe and I am given the power to baptize you, your name shall be Patrick and you will give your owner as much as what she will give you.”

It’s so funny and when I told MR about it, he gave another crappy answer-“ He (Patrick) will be converted to a Buddhist when he come back to Singapore.” Tsk tsk..poor Patrick.

Saturday night was much more busier. Maika and I went off campus to get some clothing and groceries. The shopping departmental store, TJ.Max just rocks. I have never seen international brands that are THAT cheap in my entire life till then. I guess it’s kindda like a factory outlet type of place, maybe these brands had overproduction, that’s why.. I bought Ralph Lauren shirts at less than 40 USD roughly…Oh mine, I don’t think I can even get a Ralph Lauren shirt for 40 USD in Singapore.

Maikai and I on the bus to TJ.MAx

This is 19.90!

During the night, we had a mini mooncake festival on the 7th floor, thanks to Jien and Julia! Have been spending my mid autumn festival in Singapore for the rest of my life so far, kindda miss home, especially when I called home and my mum was telling me they were all eating mooncakes then. Arr…I want my snowskin!

Later than night, Richard from Lebanon was so kind to offer us a Shisha Tobacco smoking. The shisha looked quite cool, haha cultural night for all of us.

Sunday afternoon was a trip to the greenhouse in UCONN, the varieties of plants they housed in UCONN surprised me…I saw the chili plant! If not for the fact that the chilis are still unripe, I may seriously rip off some!

I think one of the most meaningful ways of spending my days in USA is experiencing a September 11 here. So far, it has been a rather uneventful day for most of the UCONN population. But there is one link in the UCONN homepage which mentioned-”UCONN remembers 911.” So I clicked on it and to my sadness, I saw eight names on the webpage, they are names that belong to these who were members of the UCONN family and had perished due to the attacks in September 11, 2001.Guessed it was a world event that no body could actually forgot, even in a small city like Connecticut, there are members of family and friends who lose their love ones after 911.

I have not yet visited ground zero the last time I went to New York, but I will next time.

I went to a Block Party on Friday. The venue is in the Cartridge House where there are block houses where the “party” was held. Had a LONG LONG walk from Mcmahon and we actually went through the woods on this trail, where the locals named it “the rape trail”. Julia (Knotz) told me that many girls were rape after the party. I was paranoid! And so, I had it mentally ran through the survival procedures if any bastards attempt to do something funny on me. It was only later that I found out from Debra that rape trail was just craps, no one was ever rape there~phews!

Just think this pic is rather cool..haha..same guy in the previous pix..the one who has a whacky face.

I was expecting something more out of the block party, but it turns out to be just a mass socializing session where people congregate and you got to be tipsy (or drunk) before going there. I am actually glad to be sober coz there was this guy whom became rather forceful to me during my stay in the party. Like pushing and pulling me to a place despite my repeated rejection. I was rather frightened by him. Oh man, Mingren was fumed by the fact that I was kindda being pushed around by that guy. Urghs. Drunk people are frightening, like these few I have seen yesterday night.
While the party was boring, something interesting happened for that party through… I think the entire school was being notified by this mail.
“UConn Police are investigating an incident of sexual assault that occurred on Saturday morning, September 6, 2008 at about 1:50 a.m. The male perpetrator approached a female from behind as she was walking along the sidewalk to the east of Hilltop Apartments connecting with Alumni Drive. The perpetrator threatened the victim with a weapon and the assault took place in a wooded area adjacent to the walkway. The suspect fled in a southerly direction.
UConn Police are continuing to follow investigative leads…..”
SO, the suspect is still scott-free, in the campus. Darns, the weather is bad enough, now we have to be worry about this still-roaming-freely guy!
Today, our group went for a sushi outing because we generally feel lousy and want to get out of the campus. Raining…and each of us brought an umbrella along. Feels like a little children’s outing. But the walk in the rain was worth it! The sushi was good! I missed using chopsticks! Ordered maki named “wet kiss” and share the spicy and sour soup with Juile..Wow..good service and we all received fortunate cookies after the meal. Mine said-“Things are difficult before they become easy.” It is so true. So true.

The way home was pouring and all of us are drenched, with many having wet shoes and jeans.
The National Weather Service indicates that storm Hanna is likely to produce gusty winds and heavy rainfall sometime Saturday and into Sunday, September 6th and 7th. Winds may gust to 50 mph or more and rainfall totals may approach 6 inches or more in some localized areas of the state during the time period.
We were so drenched that Julie Ness actually said “ I am going to throw myself into the dryer.” Haha…the heavy rain is similar to what we have in Singapore but the volume of rainfall is scary. Despite so, I think I am the least drenched, coz I wore slippers and shorts! Hahah! But along the way back, it was cold. I missed a warm hug. There used to be a pair of arms over me during a bad pour, but now, I am the only one under the umbrella. Never ever imagined living aboard alone, having no family, friends and Ming Ren, but I am glad with what I have gained so far…except the weights. =’(
Anyways, today is THE day! Where I stop being so stubborn in making my life so inconvenience just for the sake of saving money. I have reached my limits after 3 good old weeks. Today, I spent what I should have spent since Day 1.
3 cheers for today!!!
I went into UCOON Co-op and shopped many essential items!
1) A second pillow.
2) A table lamp +bulb
3) A nice scenic poster
4) A tray to house my stationeries
5) Duct tape
6) Post It Notes.
7) Foods!

So..I am really happy that it feels more and more like a home to me now.

What a long entry~

I went for the INVOLVEMENT FAIR in UCONN yesterday and they offered so many clubs and activities to join! I was really spoilt for choice! Hmm, intitally I wanna join the knitting club though, like learning a good skill and maybe knit a scarf for myself during the winter…haha…wanted Yoga club too! But oh well, I signed up for only a few…like the Golf Club with Jien! Ahaha…we figured out that next time it is useful for business socializing…(that’s a stupid reason!). Cost $16 for a course and we just sign up as and when we feel like going.

OR

I am thinking about Skydiving…If I do it, it will be so OH-MY-GOD! $190 dollars for one try and of course there will be an instructor jumping with me..behind me back actually! I didn’t sign up yet, Jien and Wayne and I think they are really going…Wayne was like telling me that “how many people you see on the street has skydive before, one out of a thousand?” Jien on the other hands told me “ This is something you will never gonna do it in Singapore~.” Urghs!!!!!!!!!! I am so scared, but yet I wanna try..and the cost is !!!!.

I don’t know, shall think about it. =O

First road trip to New York during the long weekend (Labour day on 1^st September)! I think I am indeed more suitable for urban life then countryside. I was so thrilled to see New York! It’s a city buzzing with life and actions, seems like watching a movie (many movies are filmed there anyway, so it’s kindda familiar when I spot them).

For a short one and a half day trip, I have to say we have covered a lot of attractions. I went to The Empire State (didn’t pay to go in through), Soho shopping district, Little Italy, Chinatown for dinner, Central park and THE TIME SQUARE! Anyone who has not gone to the Time Square is missing out! It’s a place full of lightning, LCD screens and commercial activities; it’s full of events and so happening! We went so high when we reached there, everyone just started to scream and cheers~ we are not alone; there are lotsa tourists too.

Visited Time square during the nighttime, shall do it again during the daytime.

Lotsa pictures to share!

Waiting for Taxi to fetch us to Hartford.

All of us in the tiny mini bus with a small but strong chinese lady who drives fast!

Did you see words in the sky?! It's some kind of advertisement when we were reaching NY. Like magic!

We are thrilled to be in NY!

Eat first...Hotdog bread are selling at $2 USD.

KRISPY KREME! Melts in your mouth! HOw I wish I can bring it back to Singapore!

The Empire State from my point of view...WOW

Dining at Chinatown, Cheers, to New YOrk!

TIme Square is buzzling with life!

A BIGGGGGGGGG M&M!

Morning the next day, after spending a night at Hanter's house. Bagels for breakfast! This is from famous Bagels store named H & H Bagels around Central Park.

There was one incident, which I think was quite funny. The professor in Intro to Anthropology said during lecture that we are allowed to bring 2 pieces of cheat sheets into the exam hall. So after the lecture, I asked him what is the size of the paper.

WL:  Prof, so what size is the paper for the cheat sheet?

Prof: Oh, the normal size paper.

WL: Oh, so it’s A4 size?

Prof: That will be the normal size paper.

WL: Okay, I got it..A4 size. Thanks!

Later the week, I found out that American’s paper is NOT in A4 size…it is quite long in height and shorted in wide and I thought paper size is universal?!

Then, I went swimming with Maika today, UCONN has this indoor swimming pool…but the pool is so deep! At one end, it’s 12 feets 6 inches (about 4 meters) , and normal standard depth for the other end, so we ended up have to swim 2 laps each time coz we can’t stand on the other deep end. Maika didn’t bring a goggle, so she probably wont feels it. BUT I HAVE A GOOGLE, AND THOUGHOUT MY SWIMMING, I AM SO HORRIBLY SCARED! Haha…deep deep pool, something I dun like since childhood. I really wanna swim, so I think I will go again some time.

Nothing much today really, just finished writing a one page paper for Economics History of Europe.  BUT I AM GOING TO NYC TMR MORNING!

PS: Will be back on Monday USA time!

Some random photos I put on facebook..

The name is mirror lake, my class building faces this lake...this is also the place I sat on the grass and read my book.

Squirrel! They just run freely..I see them everyday, everytime!!!

Our group going for dinner at the south dinning hall

When one big group meets another---Mass gathering.

Trees are slowly turning red in UCONN. I think this tree is too early in fact. Autumm also meant Fall...coz leaves are falling everywhere. (I am serious!)

I am oh-so-excited!

Over this long weekend, I am heading to New York on Sunday and be back on Monday with 10 other friends!! The round trips just cost $30 USD and guess what!? We are going to hang around the night! Meaning…no accomodation for us~

Everyone is so exciting that we are screaming along the hallways! I am going to take lotsa and lotsa of photos. I heard there are sales all over for labour day holiday!

Three cheers to New York, Hip Hip Hooray!

First day of school and I am feeling the rush already.

Firstly, American students are really vocal~ something I actually like because they make me more comfortable in participating. Over here, it’s a must to have an opinion of your own…this is because in Junior Year classes, students in each class are very little. In my Public Finance, I think only 30 students max…it is so small that the professor already know the names of the class members. But something I am really proud about is that, perhaps, as a Singaporean student, we ARE really, in some sense, academically well equipped. J The courses that I have taken in NUS are useful! I relied on these knowledge to form my own opinions, so, it’s kindda an asset to all of us…haha..why am I crapping on this?

I lost that feeling of being in a foreign land since I came over…until today. First day of school, there are a lot more students in the campus then ever. I kindda feel out of place during lesson time. In NUS, my friends are all around me, but over here, I really stood out as an Asian. UCONN is a place where there is really a low rate of Asians around.  I suddenly feel small amidst of Americans, who are usually bigger and taller in size.

Today, the Public Finance Professor asked me: You are from the National University of Singapore? It’s a long way here!

Yeah, it’s a long way here.

I have to say that Freshmen Orientation in UCONN is so happening! There are so many parties and activities being organized by the Student Union to welcome the freshman. Glad to be there this semester~ haha…I learnt a few new terminology today…Like the Freshman 15—where freshmen usually gain 15 pounds simply because the school offers them so much food to welcome them! Over this week in my Hall, there are reception-style table that laid out a big plate of cookies, serving cold water and lemonade, and such stations are EVERYWHERE in the school campus!

Another terminology is that in NUS, we say we are a Year 1 (2, 3 or 4) student right? In UConn, Year 1 is called a freshman, Year2 called a Sophomore, Year 3 a Junior and Year 4 a Senior. So yeah…when people asked me who am I…I will gotta reply that I am a Junior. Haha…It’s really exciting and happening in the Week of Welcome.

We went for a soccer match today! Uconn Versu Horsfa, with Uconn winning 2-0. Heehee…had lotsa fun cheering, even though I dun really like soccer. We all dress up in the UCONN shirts and after we won, Wayne actually initiated the school cheer! so we, the international students just go high with ourselves.

There it goes,

Wayne: UCONN !

Us: Huskies !

(repeat 3 times)

Wayne: Huskies !

Us: UCONN !

All: Woof! (Clenching fists in the air)

Hahah…sound stupid, but if all of us do it together, it look really magnificent and in the campus, people like to do it for the slightest reasons.

Can you see it? Our hands say U.C.O.N.N and two Huskies behind us!

After the match, we went for this Block Party organized by student union. It is basically a funfair, with free ice-cream, candy floss, sweets and lotsa freebies for new student. It’s so cool (cold), and it’s happening. I cant say how much fun I have been though! School’s starting tomorrow and I am all ready to learn.

Cheers!

PS: They served MINT Ice cream in the dining hall! Oh shit. I just took 2 scoops of it.

“You stand in your own light. Make it shine.”

That was the sentence I got from my fortune cookies today! Finally had lunch in the dining hall as it’s UCONN open house and I can use my husky credit to have my meals. Lunch is superb. I am so gonna get fat! Its buffet eat-all-you can style and there are soooooo many different cuisines, all free flow! I took soup and head straight to the international section where they serve rice. Rice! Haven been eating rice until today. Food for the past days were wraps and sandwiches. Got so tired of it now, Chinese food is definitely a welcome. Anyway, there are freeflow of ice-cream in the hall too! I had softee ice cream where I just pulled down the hand bar and contain as much ice cream as I want to! But I wasn’t too greedy on the ice cream though, still remember the need for self-control…..but I think I am losing the perseverance really soon. D:

Later the day, we went to the Convocation in Harry A. Gampel Pavilion and I am so IMPRESSED. The NUS Augmentation that I have attended when I was in Year 1 seems to be such a small scale as compared to UCONN’s. When the file of Deans walked out to the center of the hall, there are marching band to play the music LIVE! There was also a female vocal performer who sings the America National Anthem and she sang it with so much grace, it’s almost like a performance. This Convocation delivers sprites, school pride and sincerity for its’ audience, I kindda video taped some portion of the process. But shall post it up another time.

The BBQ after Convocation is simply just huge. It’s a mage size event which cater food for the few thousands people, we had to queue for one hour plus! Was so hungry by the time, we are just happy to eat more. To think that each of us can have got 2 big patties of meat and a large sausage with free flow of cheese and lettuce and 2 breads, you can guess UCONN is pretty rich over there, I bet in NUS, you have gotta pay for anything.

I talked to Don, this guy who is a freshman local this year and we kindda share talks about our own university. Like how in Singapore, how student in the education system went through much filtration before making to the Uni. I learn from him that Uconn is actually a rather prestigious school, being the top 5 Public University in the State and it is not easy to get it and the basketball team is really good! Apparently, if you talk about Uconn basketball team, people know ”Oh , the Uconn huskies!” It’s pretty cool~ the school spirit

The day ended with a night of Ice Cream Social. It’s really a cool event where there are free ice creams and people (Like the entire school?) nearly gather for the free ice cream and had socializing at the same time. Just grab and go, no need to check ID or whatever verification. We were eating in the cold, the weather is really cold at night, but imagine hundreds of people ALL eating ice cream in the square. If there is anything to round up the excellence, it’s the quality of Ice cream. Make from UCONN dairy bar, it’s so fresh, good and smooth! I tried strawberry, chocolate chips and MINT !!!! ahhahaha so happy to eat mint in the end! 3 big cups! But well, I will work out more tmr~

It’s a happy, fun and filling day.