Tuesday, June 30, 2009

Back in Singapore!

Actually I was back more than a week ago, on 21 Jun. The past week has been more of rest and catching up on remaining school admin, and compounded with worries over school matters and H1N1 flu. But am I glad to be at home.

I've been missing the good things in Pittsburgh - the carefree lifestyle though we were saddled with schoolwork; the fun my housemates and I had luffing our heads off some of the other guys; having two fine gentlemen helping us ladies carry laptops every morning; the fine weather where I could run without much sweat and efforts; the me-time at Panera Bread studying away while blasting music in my ears; the cashier, drivers, waitresses greeting you with "How's your day?" and "Have a good day!", and so much more. I can't help but to compare that to the rudeness of the common folks in Singapore, where the drivers honk you for little things and speed up when you're turning into their lane. What have Singaporeans become of? I hope the graciousness cultivated from the US lifestyle stays in me and not let the impatience of Singaporeans get into me.

That aside, I'm happy to be welcomed back home with a lovely 1st year marriage anniversary present and a very sweet (more in terms of contents) card from hubby dear. Sometimes I think I'm the less romantic one, but I'll work at being a better romancer to hubby heh. I always feel I'm a very fortunate wife. WW is talented (yes, you're talented in many ways which you may not see in yourself), understanding, loving and makes me happy with his animated descriptions of events and people. For a (sometimes) serious person like me, that definitely helps lighten the mood and makes me happy even when I'm feeling down. What more could I ask for? :)

Next week would see me going back to work, after a year's of work absence. Am I looking forward to work again? I'm pretty sure the colleagues are nice and the working environment amicable, but gotta get used to the lifestyle of being cooped up in the cold office and not being able to wander around under the beautiful afternoon sun. Give and take la.. at least I can afford that lovely bag minted with a cool price tag, and more importantly, contribute to my families' financial well-being and thus life's comforts.

Monday, June 08, 2009

Beautiful Sunday

I'm doing my schoolwork in Panera Bread, a cafe near my residence. Went for a swim earlier in school with two of my housemates, did a good 50-mini-laps (25m) with alternating free-style in every 5 breaststroke laps. Swimming in a small-lap pool is a good way to train my lousy free-style. Today's weather is exceptionally good, with the sun in full force yet the air is not as humid as back in Singapore. I am bumming around in shorts and a small tee and slippers. How good can life get? :) (Except I still have that heavy project burden on my shoulders.)

Missing WW and badly want a good holiday with him. Before we get the chance to go on a long and far one, we will probably check out cosy ones at home (Singapore).

Less than two weeks and I'll be back in Singapore. Hopefully the weather would have cooled down a bit, heard the sun was scorching in the day and nights stuffy and hot. Then I can chill out with my dear at a cafe, sipping coffee, reading books that non-MFE related and truly enjoy myself. :)


Me studying @ Panera Bread :)

My MFE frenz - Jamie, Yii Hui (and her boy) and me. At MFE farewell hi-tea, Apr 09

Shopping - Abercrombie fleece sweater with a hood. It's most useful!
All my t-shirts from Abercrombie. Wahaha

Monday, June 01, 2009

Pittsburgh update

Got a nice sweet email from dad asking me how I was doing here. Tian just taught him how to send an email. Such a warm gesture from Daddy!

CMU term here is heavier than that in Singapore; we have homework everyday and I end up sleeping at 1plus am. We try to go out during the weekends, exploring parts of Pittsburgh and fishing out the more interesting places in this quiet city. Last Saturday we the Graham folks and GA went out to Southside for dinner @ Cheesecake Factory, which turned out to be one of the nicest restaurant I've been to in a while. The ambience and deco were good (the lights dimmed towards late night), the service excellent and the music soothing at a comfortable volume. I had chicken penne in wine sauce, which I savoured up till the last penne (not the chicken though; it was really quite a big serving). I don't remember patronising such a restaurant in Singapore, which is quite a waste. Was wishing WW were there too, then we could have a romantic meal together at a not-so-exorbitant price.

Lunch at pub along Walnut Street
Southside - a more happening district in Pittsburgh that's half-an-hour's bus ride away from our cozy home along Baum Blvd
With the guys in the same residential apartment Graham and GA in yellow (from Forbes apartment). All my classmates


The Cheesecake Factory, where we had dinner.

I like the ambience of Cheesecake Factory. Splendid! Tall ceilings with flowery paintings; ivory-maroon pillars and big big windows.
The guys (from left) - Gim Aik, Chris, Chee Wei, Rick and Yao Yang.

My order - sauteed chicken with mushrooms and onions on penne in wine sauce. YUMMY~!
Signature cheesecake - White chocolate raspberry cheesecake. Rich and sinfully delicious.
I want to go back to Cheesecake Factory! Why don't we have it back in Singapore?