Christmas at Texas

Went to Dallas for Christmas, visiting my uncle, cousins, nieces and nephews.
I lived like a single-cell animal over the entire 5-day visit, all I did was just sleep, eat and poo. Conversations were nothing brain storming.

We didn't visit any places during that time, only stayed at home. Kids were stucked with the Wii and Xbox. You can't say kids don't get enough exercises these days, the games made them jump and wave.

I went to the church on the Christmas eve, nothing exciting, just seeing parents bringing their kids, all dressed up pretty, singing and praying. The traffic was bad, because everyone is driving, and the cars are big in Texas.... in fact, everything is big in Texas, from house to road to airport. My flight taxied on the runway for 30 minutes to reach to the designated gate! Despite the speed of the aircraft while taxing, you have to imagine the space the aircraft took during that time... yes, it is Dallas Fort Worth.

Anyway, back to Kansas now, and started packing my stuff to return to Malaysia for good.

I am collecting the 25cents coin, with all the 50 states... but I am still 31 states short...

I have been buying fridge magnets since the visit to Washington DC, I would like to build a huge map in my house in the future, with steel behind that map, so that I could stick these magnents on the places I have visited.

I haven't got any from Kansas and Missouri though. And I also didn't get any from UK, India etc... those places I have visited in the past. Anyway, I guess it would take me the entire life time to complete the map quest.

San Francisco

Went to San Francisco to witness the seismic test done on one of our products. It passed the requirement successfully.

So spent the rest of the weekend wandering around San Francisco. Went to Sausalito to enjoy the quietness of the town. It is a very calm and quiet town, the rain washed the town well, the colour was vivid in that town.

There were lots of small shops along the harbour. I bought a brooch that was made out of recycled materials.


I didn't know that place well, but I walked around without refering to the GPS, and enjoyed getting lost in those curvy steep stairs, looking at their individualistic house design, walking the rain, and indulged myself in the serenity -- there was hardly any noise in the entire town. Bach's sleeper's awake best described what I felt that day.

I came across this log by the pier. I love its grain.

How much history does the tree has, in order to grow such stunning grain? So does our lives...

I spent the next day walking across the Golden Gate Bridge. It was a pilgrimage for engineers to walk on that bridge, admiring every single details of that bridge.

San Francisco has many bridges, each has its own uniqueness. But Golden Gate Bridge was outstanding because it is simple yet strong. It felt like a midwest American with simple blue jeans and cowboy boots, holding two pretty ladies with princess lacy dresses -- the Sausalito and San Francisco on both his arms.


The bridge was also like the blush for the bay, it compliments the natural beauty without standing out. This is truly a gentleman among the bridges.

Looking at the straight lines formed by the rivets, each with uniform size, it shows you how discipline the project crew was.



The bridge was built about 80 years ago, when there weren't too many heavy and high-tech machineries to help with the constructions. But these people pulled these cables and steels inch by inch, built the entire bridge. It is more than just the technical feasibility to build that bridge, but the determination of the people that moved generations after generations.

I saw the cable shaking in the wind, the cable was about 3 inches diameter, tensioned properly. Bridge as strong as the Golden Gate, yet is still humble and vulnerable when faced the force of nature.

A walk from end to end of the Golden Gate Bridge, though not long, but worth more than visiting many museums and shopping malls. The story I learned from San Francisco's trip is: It is impossible to cover the beauty of life and nature. Just like the colourful log, and the Golden Gate Bridge. It all take time to sink in.

First snow

First snow visited today, it is unlike the snow I have seen before. It is still snowing now, in fact it is getting heavier.



The snow is like sands, except it is white. It snakes across the streets, just like how the sands move in the Australian deserts.

Went for Chronicles of Narnia just now, and a really good dinner with my friends. I enjoyed walking in the winter night, despite the weather. That is because the temperature is so low, the lights on the streets forms a hue around itself, it is distorted because of the temperature. It looks magical.

As I arrived home just now, I stood outside for a while, and took this picture. It didn't show you much of the snow, but I felt as if I am living in the Prince of Persia's chornicle.

I used to see snow as goose feathers, as stone hard rocks, but I like this sandy snow the best. It sparkles in the dark.

The snow flew all over, tiny tiny crystles of snow, really looks like the caster sugar, or soft sands. It sprinkled all over me, even to my apartment door (on a second floor!) The wind blew so hard, as if all the things that happened this year would be blown away. It is really like the sands of time.

It reminded me of the North wind we had every year end in UK, it blew so hard acros the trees, that it makes a sound that resembles the ocean waves.

North wind comes every year end, I think it visited to help people sweeping away the things they clung on for the year. Reminding people it is time to let go, clear your sack, and fill it up with new memories and experiences in the coming year.

Performance Review Tips

It is the end of the year, and many of us are having our year end performance review, and perhaps some would have meetings for 2011 plans. So, I thought these tips would come handy.

Let
A, B, C, D, E, F = 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6
G, H, I, J, K, L = 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12
M, N, O, P, Q, R = 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18
S, T, U, V, W, X, Y, Z = 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26 percentage.

We all know that K N O W L E D G E = 11 + 14 + 15 + 23 + 12 + 5 + 4 + 7 + 5 = 96%
We also know that H A R D W O R K = 8 + 1 + 18 + 4 + 23 + 15 + 18 + 11 = 98
We even know that A T T I T U D E = 1 + 20 + 20 + 9 + 20 + 21 + 4 + 5 = 100

So, it is generally accepted that knowledge and hardwork would bring you close, but it is the attitude that brings you there.

Let's look at some of the other qualities:
B U L L S H I T = 2 + 21 + 12 + 12 + 19 + 8 + 9 + 20 = 103

So, knowing how to bullshit actually brings you over the top! But this trick could be seen through by someone who has
E X P E R I E N C E = 5 + 24 + 16 + 5 + 18 + 9 + 5 + 14 + 3 + 5 = 104

What about those who are good in
A S S K I S S I N G = 1 + 19 + 19 + 11 + 9 + 19 + 19 + 9 + 14 + 7 = 127
!!!

So, next time if you were asked to perform give more than 100%, you know what you need to do.

Happy Birthday

These are the things I have done before last year's birthday: Things I have done this year.

For this year, I won't list the things I have done, because being able to come to USA, even for less than a year, has given me a lot of "firsts".

The most important lesson I learned this year, is to be comfortable in my own skin. I hope I get to keep this feeling for a longer time, even after returning to Malaysia. I am really not looking forward to returning...

Of the goals I set at the beginning of this year, I guess I achieved most of it. I need to continue working on those which needed a little more push. There is still December left, before 2011 comes.

Here are the goals I listed at the beginning of 2010:
1. Improve my inter-personal skills (+)
2. Continue practising my violin (-)
3. Try to draw more. (-)
4. Try harder to be myself, as in trying to voice out my thoughts more. (+)
5. Keep in touch with my old friends. (0)
6. Need to think more creatively. (0)
7. Save some money, or perhaps increase my income? (0)
8. Love myself more. (+)

(+) is improved, (-) is not improved, (0) is hanging in there.

And I would like to be more confident, have more faith on myself and gather enough strength and wisdom to overcome the pasts, while opening a new future, starting from now.

The journey to Washington and New York got me started thinking to venture into studying architectures...

New York Tour

I arrived at Manhattan on 23rd November late noon, got off the bus at the wrong bus stop in Harlem, rushed into the subway that looked like a dungeon, deep underneath the city. I could almost felt the heart beat of Manhattan.

I stood on the platform three levels underground, with 4 rail tracks running in each direction, sandwiched the platform thin. The trains howling through the station like dragons in fire.

After checked into the hotel, I went to the dungeon again, rode the dragon down to the city to get two bottles of good red wine, and headed to the pot of gold in the city-- Wall Street. I saw Trinity Church, visited it, but the hustle and bustle of the city couldn't seem to be calmed by the Church.





I walked down the Wall Street, found Gold Street, Pearl Street, the stock exchange and the world trade centre, which is being re-built now.







As the dusk drawn close, I was at the China town. It was rather spooky, the flickering lights from the shops, darkness, wet roads, I felt as if I was walking down a spirit town. I couldn't remember hearing much noise.



I left China town to find a Starbucks, got myself a cup of Apple Caramel, and two pieces of cakes for my birthday next day, only to consume it on the spot.


I ended that day with Salvador Dali's exhibition at the Columbus Circle shopping mall.



These are my favourites:

The Space Elephant


The Melting Clock


The Vision of The Angels


Some random pictures around that shopping mall, can you tell which one is inside which one is outside?


The trees outside the shopping mall:


Woke up fresh the next morning, started my birthday morning by taking a brisk walk in the Central Park. That was the best part I love about Manhattan so far...




Random skyline viewed from Central Park.


Left the hotel after that, got lost in the New York Penn station, finding a train to Poughkeepsie.



The train journey reminded me of the time I travelled to visit Fiona. I used to visit Fiona every year Christmas when I was in UK.

The train rode along Hudson river, it was absolutely stunning. And Poughkeepsie is magical. I was so glad that I wasn't in Manhattan anymore.

I gave the wines to my colleague who picked me up at Poughkeepsie, and spent the remaining time helping her to prepare Thanksgiving dinner. She bought me a pumpkin pie flavoured ice-cream for birthday. It was very cinamony, very seasonal flavour. Nice.

Woke up on 25th Thanksgiving, decided not to go to Manhattan for Macy's Parade. We put the turkey in the oven and took a long walk on the old rail way track. It was high above the Hudson river, and gave a good view of Poughkeepsie.





I love that town. I also visited Vassar College, which is very traditional and charming. I love thier observatory, and liked the fact that the lady lecturer insisted that the observatory was built for her, before she took up the teaching position.

The Thanksgiving dinner was very warm, my colleague's grandkid requested everyone on the table to mention something that he/she was thankful for. I was thankful for being invited to the Thanksgiving dinner and the good health.





When Black Friday came, I left Poughkeepsie early, headed back to Manhattan. Left my luggage at storage, walked around mid-town with my laptop back pack. I was too affraid to enter the dungeon of dragons again.

I enjoyed the walk mostly, because it was like a treasure hunt. The buildings were too tall, I couldn't see far; and my GPS wasn't working, I only knew roughly the directions of the places I wanted to go.

A turn at a corner, I saw the Grand Central Station. It was thrilling to walk inside, I felt as if I was lost in the 60's.




There was a Christmas market in the station, and there was a Japanese guitarist, who looked like a manga character, playing great but rather sad songs in the station.


I continued the journey, allowing myself to get lost on the surface of Manhattan. I accidentally found the State library, which was featured in "The day after tomorrow". The library is very traditional and magical. The staircases criss-crossed leading to different sections of the library, just like the movie. I sat in the library for a while, fulfilling the dream I had while visiting Washington. I really wish to have a grand reading room like this. I can't tell you how much I was thrilled by the library itself. I really enjoyed getting lost in the library, be it the NY or the Washington ones.











I continued to walk randomly, I found the Empire State building: (inside)

Empire State Building outside.

The skating ring at Bryant Park.

News reporter at the entrance of Macy's.

Random shot outside Macy's.

The Time Square, random shot.

The time square building.

I called it a day early, took the luggage, got lost again in NY Penn Station a few times before I boarded the train to New Jersey for my final night.

Of all the hotels I stayed throughout the trip, Hotel Indigo in NJ was the best. It was comfortable and practical. I felt very comfortable, that I woke up 1 hour late... therefore didn't make it to the liberty state park. I head straight to the airport, missed the station once, got through the long and slow security check, arrived at the gate 15 mins before boarding.

That concludes my entire birthday trip.

Washington DC Trip Summary

Well, my first impression of Washington DC is: it is surprisingly tourist friendly. Will edit this entry again with more photos. My camera broken down, though got a new one, but I have yet tried to salvage those that were taken with that broken camera. So, read on and come back for photos if you want.

May be I am visiting near the holiday season, but nonetheless, it is easy to walk around, without a map.

I got lost the first day, but wasn't lost enough that I didn't know where I was. There was a police lady who pointed me to the nearest Metro station, and from then onwards until today, I have not gotten lost at all. And since I am travelling alone, I don't like to pull out maps in the middle of the street, it kinda puts out a message that I am a vulnerable tourist.




Throughout the entire stay in Washington DC, I only walked around during the day time. Mainly because the hotel is 30 mins walk away from the last Metro station. The complimentary shuttle service ends at 8pm. So I tried to get back to the hotel before 7pm.

Washington DC has a lot of buildings that mimic the Roman architectures, some mimic the Renaissance architectures, Victorian etc. I find that the Washington DC National Mall and its surrounding area ressemble Arcimboldo's composite portraits.

Duplication of Winter by Arcimboldo, on display in Washington DC National Art Gallery East Wing.

Even with all these ancient architectures around, I don't feel the same as in Europe. Things are too organised and well-kept, that it lacks the touch of time.

All and all, I enjoyed spending time in the National Mall, 2.5 days. I wasted the final day in National Mall again, because I want to re-take those photos I took with my mobile phone, when my camera broken down the day before. Yes, I bought a new camera. Though I could have waited for a few more days, for the Black Friday sale, but I went ahead to buy it now. That is because, my trip was about to end by then, I think my memories for the next few days worth me spending $20 more to get that camera now.

My favourite places, without any particular priority:

1. The Smithsonian Air and Space Museum, though it was geared towards the younger visitors, the exhibitions were pretty good. I guess I like it, mainly because I find it easier to associate with technologies and engineering stuff.

Concern about your weight, measure it on moon.

Astrolabe, helps to count the dates and years, in ancient time.

Gyroscope, real ones. I have always amazed by the use of it.

Explorer to Mars.

My favourite aircraft.


2. The National Gallery of Art (East and West Wing). The west wing features mainly those 15-19 centuries arts from European countries. I like it, but I guess the London National Gallery is better. The east wing's were more contemporary, and I thought the design of the building represented American culture better. I saw some Monet's drawing here, the one that caught my eyes was the London Waterloo Bridge at dusk, in 1904. The reason I liked it is because I know how the bridge looks like these days. It thrills me when I thought that I was seeing the same thing as Monet more than a century ago, it made me feel as if I am connecting to him, as if the history were alive when I looked at it.

Looking at the painting is different than looking at photographs. Painting tells stories through the painters' eye, while photograph tells the truth at that exact moment of time.

That reminded me of seeing a few photographs with this guy, when I was at the National Geographic Gallery today. He broke the ice, when we saw a picture from the Presidents' photo gallery. It was about George Bush, panicking over some Iraq war picture. We stood there for a long while, I was counting the alphabets on the carpet which Bush stood on it. He said, "Man, it looks like he is going to fall sick." Trying to sound funny.

I didn't really get what he meant, but I said, "Yeah, he does look like that..." with a coarse voice, as a result of not speaking over the past 3 days. He then walked away.

A lady at the museum, duplicating an art piece.

3. Lincoln Memorial. I like it because it feels like a pilgrimage -- when you walked along the pond of reflection, climbed all the stairs, just to see Lincoln's statue sitting high, looking down to you at the entrance.












I thought a lot when I walk towards the memorial, and walk away from the memorial. It has the solitary disposition, even with the hustle bustle of the tourists. And when you are up there, you share that disposition for a short while, and it helps you to clear your head.

4. Library of Congress. The only bad thing is that, I can't enter to the reading hall to borrow book and read. Bought a few postcards, sent it out in the Cannon building next door.











5. The public toilets in all the museums, the drinking fountains and the parks. These were the main things that tourists need, and the people took good care of it. I don't need to worry about dirty toilets, de-hydration, and felt free to find a clean bench to sit down to have lunch. You won't appreciate the clean bench, unless you have been to London. The benches were often decorated by the pigeon's poo.



The trash bins in Washington DC are always near the benches, so it is easy for people to dispose stuff. I sincerely appreciate the efforts they put in to keep the city clean.