Friday, December 16, 2005
Back(b)log from Chicago
My trip to Illinois was mainly to see Gizmo cos there is actually nothing other than corn fields in the Midwest lah. Hee. Though I must say that the scenery there is really rather pretty. So since i have lots of time now (after struggling to open the disk drive!), this might be a long long blog of blabber. So read it ONLY when you are sian and have nothing else better to entertain yourself with!
5th Dec - 6th Dec
That is the beginning of a looonnnggg time away from the company. But I like that photo.
That is Incheon airport, where I kinda slept and rested fro the 6 hours. Luckily the next time round (7 hours transit, I shall have company!)
I was quite lucky... I had 3 full seats to myself on the Korean flight to Chicago... so I was happily stretched out and enjoying myself with food in bed for all the hours to Chicago. Worth my monies! Hee. The food was GOOD! Bibimbap is probably one of my favourite! Korean Airlines food is yummy!!
So this is a picture on the way from Chicago back to East Moline, where Giz resides. I love the tree branches and the sky!
Oh, and to torture me in return (when I put her on a flight just hours after she arrived in Singapore the last time), we went trekking on the way home. At Starved Rock. This is me in a cavity.
The French Canyon. What is a french canyon doing in Illinois I have no idea.
And this is the frozen river. A view from the top. It is actually flowing towards a dam where lots of poor fishies get killed. And hence there are lots of birds... and baldhead eagles and hawks which fly around looking for prey. I can tell the difference between hawks and eagles now!! Yayy!!
And this is a picture specially for all those who laughed at me when I say I reflect at the river! Heh.
And there is more! Of ducks and pretty Mississippi river...
Yep, so that's the first day.
Now for the 7th of Dec.... Still awake??
We went to John Dere building... He's like THE reason East Moline exists... almost all the older generation worked for him. Him and his agricultural machins. Specially for corn??
Giz took this artistic shot. I like it.
And this is the tractor which is most suitable for me. I like it best. Heh.
And this is the tyre which seems comfortable enough for me to read a book in. =)
And she FINALLY fed me after starving me! Hahaha! And she MORE than made up for it. She claimed that this is the BEST grilled cheese and ham in the world. I kinda agree, cos it's really yummilicious! And the tomato soup! Had my second bowl. Filled to the brim! Hee. No need spoon... just sip from it like a little doggie. Hee. I remember once in Geog class when tomato soup was mentioned... and Papa Ken and myself got really tempted by it... such that we were yearning to drink it throughout and after class!
The BEST grilled cheese in the world... Gizmo claims. And it IS pretty yummy. Haha! And the tomato soup too... She made me finish everything. And that was my 2nd bowl! What a piggy rite? Hee.
Talking about being piggy... look at the hot chocolate she made me!! =) This is also the BEST hot chocolate ever! Yes, it's as YUMMY as it looks! All credit to Giz... and it's yummilicious! *grin*
It is chilly and cold here. I kinda like it actually... but not too long, cos I freeze. Haha. But then again, that's cos I only go 2 layers... lazy mah... and dun feel like feeling warm. K, I'm crazy. Giz wears 4 layers! She's kiasu. Hmmm... no wonder they are cold even in Singapore... they really like to keep warm! But the snow here makes everything so picturesque! I am trigger-happy... but only cos it's so pretty! We even went sun chasing yesterday, in order to get pretty sunset pictures befoe it got dark. It was fun. Hee. Winter sunsets are at like 5pm?
Oh, and Giz drives recklessly, though she is quite a good driver. Haha. Why reckless? Cos she's forgetful... hahaha! And she does all kinds of things while driving! Eat ice-cream, drink soda, SMS, call, write to-do stuff, FM channel surfing, etc. Quite ludicrous. Haha! I still feel safe in her car lah...
Her apartment is really pretty too. It's very cosy and comfy. I woke up this morning and thought to myself... I really wouldn't mind living in her apartment! A complete kitchen as well! I could easily live in such an apartment myself and invite friends over from time to time! Too bad Singapore is so ex! And too bad I dun have to study anymore!
One thing that I enjoyed today... the laundry shop! I put in dollar bills to change for quarters. And on the coin, there are different states on them. So I was happily collecting them. And it's like a jackpot or game kinda thing, where the coin you get depends on your luck. So although Giz only needed 2 bucks for laundry, I ended up changing all $5 just for the quarters. And I truly enjoyed the cheap thrill. Hee. Giz thinks it's hard to think of places to go that will interest me cos I'm so easily amused. Hahaha! And I enjoyed mixing up the trail mix (toasted corn, pretzels, choc chips, animal biscuits and raisins) in a BIG BIG bowl... and when the lid was put on, I had a great time dancing around with it mixing it! Hee.
8th Dec...
This was a super crazy day. Was supposed to go up to Minnesota to visit a friend, but the weater was so bad that the car was sliding all over the place on the interstate and it was just too dangerous to drive. So at the snail speed that we were going, we crawled to Iowas City (which is usally just 2 hrs away) and then after spending time there at the mall, we headed backwards towards home. What a day...
So that is us in the car...
That is me in a ridiculous pyjama suit... It was so ludicrous I just had to try it! And it's amazingly warm and comfy! Hahaha! I wish I could have stayed in it the whole day!!
And that is the snow we had for that day. And from home to Iowa city, we counted 63 cars in the ditch! They had skidded off the road and were just waiting for the police car to come get them and a tow truck to tow them out. It's just unbelievable! Never knew that snow could be such a hazard!
9th Dec - 10th Dec
Still going strong?? Heh. Can take a break and ret your eyes for awhile before you return. Cos I am here to break the record for the longest blog ever here. Hee.
That is me in the snow. See how thick it is? I wish I had engaged Giz in a snowball fight or a snow wrestling match. But I didn't... see how guai I am?? But I won't be so nice to Shutchie... cos the temptation has just been building up! Hee.
This is the rare sun that I saw. Mr Sun decided to rise that day... and I caught him! Heh.
So we took off to Minnesota that day. And the weather was so much better. We headed first to Mall of America. It's just a huge mall with a snoopy funworld in it. Nothing much exciting over it. At least not to me! Heh.
But this is the Lego world. Quite huge...
These are the kids whom I absolutely loved at the camp I did in the US. Kids of my camp director. Cute yar? =) They give the best hugs in the world! And are super strong and run and swim really fast! Awesome kids they are...
And this is the pizza which Giz ordered... in the hotel after we had dinner with my camp director and her kids at this custard ice-cream place called Culuver's. Don't ever go there. It isn't yummy. Heh.
And this is the palm chair. Cool huh?
11th Dec
Today we drove to Giz's ex-youth pastor's house. He owns a farm... And there are chickens, ducks, geee, horses, cows, cat, dog, bird, etc. Aiyoh... so fun. And then they have fresh eggs too! And their kids are all super good horse-riders! The little gal impressed me the most. She is only 5 and can ride the pony super well! She leads the pony out, jumps on it and just rides it like a professional! All by herself!!
This is the first fireplace I've seen thus far since I got here. It's warm and nice! Heh.
Roast duck anyone??
12th Dec
Hang in there... we are getting there... Soon...
Nothing much here. We just went to church... really awesome sermon on Revelations. Then we headed to Giz's house for a thanksgiving dinner. Turkey and its aftermath... cranberry sauce from a can (EW! It was still in its can form!)... stuffing, some cron pudding which was really yummy... pumpkin pie and bread rolls. And this is the rabbit... STEW, who was unfortunately NOT part of dinner. Sigh.
13th Dec
This was another relaxing day where we went to visit another friend from camp... and her so-adorable daughter.
These are all the kids at Ace's house. Made me happy just playing with them. Heh.
This is Alicia. She's 4. Super cute. Always feel like pinching her cheeks. haha! And she is so smart I cun outtalk her!
14th Dec
Chicago time. I wish I had spent more time in Chicago... but then again, with the weather so chilly and COLD and FREEZING... I thank God that we only stayed there like 3/4 of the day. Although I still wish I had seen more than just the main Michigan Ave.
On the way to Chicago... where we both needed to pee real bad. So here's a pic from the Ladies...
Chicago deep dish pizza. Looks yummy... it is yummy... but it is so zhi lak after you eat it! And you wonder why Americans are so HUGE! The entire thing is filled with CHEESE!! How to digest??!! I almost died after eating TWO!
The Apple Store was yummilicious! Hahaha!
And some fun in the cold at Navy Pier....
K last day liao....
15th Dec
Well, today was the last day with Giz. So she was nice enough to cook me breakfast. (Actually it was very sweet cos I told her that I wanted to eat pancakes and surprise surprise! I had pancakes!! And an egg from Dan's farm! Fresh one.)
Okie, so the photos for this day are ALL aout pancakes. Aren't they just yummy?!!
Yep, and then though she was gonna drive me to Chicago at midnite (cos my flight to NYC was at 645am e next day), the weather was just too dangerous for her to be driving... so we did some backup planning and before I knew it, I had to bid her goodbye and board the Greyhound bus for Chicago by myself. And it was all so rushed I din even have time to settle stuff. Cos we had slept in and then rushed to do the laundry which were sitting at he back of ther car for 3 entire days! Yes, that's like ALL of my clothes!
Was quite sad to leave... cos I think I really screwed up everything... which you all will probably not have noticed from the photos posted here. But yeah, things would have been a lot better if I had sorted things out like fast, and not procastinate. Why did I have to when I already knew that time was precious and that I would probably not see her for a very very very long time to come?!! Dumbo duck. Should have taken the advice of Mama Pengy and Shutchie Hot Mama! Argh. Anyway, it was a rather teary farewell.
Oh well, it's an issue which I need to sort out with myself first I guess. But the good thing is I think I have. At least I know what is wrong. Not that I know how to solve it! Heh.
K, so that is the end of my very long and lor-sor and bao gao liao trip in Illinois.
5th Dec - 6th Dec
That is the beginning of a looonnnggg time away from the company. But I like that photo.
That is Incheon airport, where I kinda slept and rested fro the 6 hours. Luckily the next time round (7 hours transit, I shall have company!)
I was quite lucky... I had 3 full seats to myself on the Korean flight to Chicago... so I was happily stretched out and enjoying myself with food in bed for all the hours to Chicago. Worth my monies! Hee. The food was GOOD! Bibimbap is probably one of my favourite! Korean Airlines food is yummy!!
So this is a picture on the way from Chicago back to East Moline, where Giz resides. I love the tree branches and the sky!
Oh, and to torture me in return (when I put her on a flight just hours after she arrived in Singapore the last time), we went trekking on the way home. At Starved Rock. This is me in a cavity.
The French Canyon. What is a french canyon doing in Illinois I have no idea.
And this is the frozen river. A view from the top. It is actually flowing towards a dam where lots of poor fishies get killed. And hence there are lots of birds... and baldhead eagles and hawks which fly around looking for prey. I can tell the difference between hawks and eagles now!! Yayy!!
And this is a picture specially for all those who laughed at me when I say I reflect at the river! Heh.
And there is more! Of ducks and pretty Mississippi river...
Yep, so that's the first day.
Now for the 7th of Dec.... Still awake??
We went to John Dere building... He's like THE reason East Moline exists... almost all the older generation worked for him. Him and his agricultural machins. Specially for corn??
Giz took this artistic shot. I like it.
And this is the tractor which is most suitable for me. I like it best. Heh.
And this is the tyre which seems comfortable enough for me to read a book in. =)
And she FINALLY fed me after starving me! Hahaha! And she MORE than made up for it. She claimed that this is the BEST grilled cheese and ham in the world. I kinda agree, cos it's really yummilicious! And the tomato soup! Had my second bowl. Filled to the brim! Hee. No need spoon... just sip from it like a little doggie. Hee. I remember once in Geog class when tomato soup was mentioned... and Papa Ken and myself got really tempted by it... such that we were yearning to drink it throughout and after class!
The BEST grilled cheese in the world... Gizmo claims. And it IS pretty yummy. Haha! And the tomato soup too... She made me finish everything. And that was my 2nd bowl! What a piggy rite? Hee.
Talking about being piggy... look at the hot chocolate she made me!! =) This is also the BEST hot chocolate ever! Yes, it's as YUMMY as it looks! All credit to Giz... and it's yummilicious! *grin*
It is chilly and cold here. I kinda like it actually... but not too long, cos I freeze. Haha. But then again, that's cos I only go 2 layers... lazy mah... and dun feel like feeling warm. K, I'm crazy. Giz wears 4 layers! She's kiasu. Hmmm... no wonder they are cold even in Singapore... they really like to keep warm! But the snow here makes everything so picturesque! I am trigger-happy... but only cos it's so pretty! We even went sun chasing yesterday, in order to get pretty sunset pictures befoe it got dark. It was fun. Hee. Winter sunsets are at like 5pm?
Oh, and Giz drives recklessly, though she is quite a good driver. Haha. Why reckless? Cos she's forgetful... hahaha! And she does all kinds of things while driving! Eat ice-cream, drink soda, SMS, call, write to-do stuff, FM channel surfing, etc. Quite ludicrous. Haha! I still feel safe in her car lah...
Her apartment is really pretty too. It's very cosy and comfy. I woke up this morning and thought to myself... I really wouldn't mind living in her apartment! A complete kitchen as well! I could easily live in such an apartment myself and invite friends over from time to time! Too bad Singapore is so ex! And too bad I dun have to study anymore!
One thing that I enjoyed today... the laundry shop! I put in dollar bills to change for quarters. And on the coin, there are different states on them. So I was happily collecting them. And it's like a jackpot or game kinda thing, where the coin you get depends on your luck. So although Giz only needed 2 bucks for laundry, I ended up changing all $5 just for the quarters. And I truly enjoyed the cheap thrill. Hee. Giz thinks it's hard to think of places to go that will interest me cos I'm so easily amused. Hahaha! And I enjoyed mixing up the trail mix (toasted corn, pretzels, choc chips, animal biscuits and raisins) in a BIG BIG bowl... and when the lid was put on, I had a great time dancing around with it mixing it! Hee.
8th Dec...
This was a super crazy day. Was supposed to go up to Minnesota to visit a friend, but the weater was so bad that the car was sliding all over the place on the interstate and it was just too dangerous to drive. So at the snail speed that we were going, we crawled to Iowas City (which is usally just 2 hrs away) and then after spending time there at the mall, we headed backwards towards home. What a day...
So that is us in the car...
That is me in a ridiculous pyjama suit... It was so ludicrous I just had to try it! And it's amazingly warm and comfy! Hahaha! I wish I could have stayed in it the whole day!!
And that is the snow we had for that day. And from home to Iowa city, we counted 63 cars in the ditch! They had skidded off the road and were just waiting for the police car to come get them and a tow truck to tow them out. It's just unbelievable! Never knew that snow could be such a hazard!
9th Dec - 10th Dec
Still going strong?? Heh. Can take a break and ret your eyes for awhile before you return. Cos I am here to break the record for the longest blog ever here. Hee.
That is me in the snow. See how thick it is? I wish I had engaged Giz in a snowball fight or a snow wrestling match. But I didn't... see how guai I am?? But I won't be so nice to Shutchie... cos the temptation has just been building up! Hee.
This is the rare sun that I saw. Mr Sun decided to rise that day... and I caught him! Heh.
So we took off to Minnesota that day. And the weather was so much better. We headed first to Mall of America. It's just a huge mall with a snoopy funworld in it. Nothing much exciting over it. At least not to me! Heh.
But this is the Lego world. Quite huge...
These are the kids whom I absolutely loved at the camp I did in the US. Kids of my camp director. Cute yar? =) They give the best hugs in the world! And are super strong and run and swim really fast! Awesome kids they are...
And this is the pizza which Giz ordered... in the hotel after we had dinner with my camp director and her kids at this custard ice-cream place called Culuver's. Don't ever go there. It isn't yummy. Heh.
And this is the palm chair. Cool huh?
11th Dec
Today we drove to Giz's ex-youth pastor's house. He owns a farm... And there are chickens, ducks, geee, horses, cows, cat, dog, bird, etc. Aiyoh... so fun. And then they have fresh eggs too! And their kids are all super good horse-riders! The little gal impressed me the most. She is only 5 and can ride the pony super well! She leads the pony out, jumps on it and just rides it like a professional! All by herself!!
This is the first fireplace I've seen thus far since I got here. It's warm and nice! Heh.
Roast duck anyone??
12th Dec
Hang in there... we are getting there... Soon...
Nothing much here. We just went to church... really awesome sermon on Revelations. Then we headed to Giz's house for a thanksgiving dinner. Turkey and its aftermath... cranberry sauce from a can (EW! It was still in its can form!)... stuffing, some cron pudding which was really yummy... pumpkin pie and bread rolls. And this is the rabbit... STEW, who was unfortunately NOT part of dinner. Sigh.
13th Dec
This was another relaxing day where we went to visit another friend from camp... and her so-adorable daughter.
These are all the kids at Ace's house. Made me happy just playing with them. Heh.
This is Alicia. She's 4. Super cute. Always feel like pinching her cheeks. haha! And she is so smart I cun outtalk her!
14th Dec
Chicago time. I wish I had spent more time in Chicago... but then again, with the weather so chilly and COLD and FREEZING... I thank God that we only stayed there like 3/4 of the day. Although I still wish I had seen more than just the main Michigan Ave.
On the way to Chicago... where we both needed to pee real bad. So here's a pic from the Ladies...
Chicago deep dish pizza. Looks yummy... it is yummy... but it is so zhi lak after you eat it! And you wonder why Americans are so HUGE! The entire thing is filled with CHEESE!! How to digest??!! I almost died after eating TWO!
The Apple Store was yummilicious! Hahaha!
And some fun in the cold at Navy Pier....
K last day liao....
15th Dec
Well, today was the last day with Giz. So she was nice enough to cook me breakfast. (Actually it was very sweet cos I told her that I wanted to eat pancakes and surprise surprise! I had pancakes!! And an egg from Dan's farm! Fresh one.)
Okie, so the photos for this day are ALL aout pancakes. Aren't they just yummy?!!
Yep, and then though she was gonna drive me to Chicago at midnite (cos my flight to NYC was at 645am e next day), the weather was just too dangerous for her to be driving... so we did some backup planning and before I knew it, I had to bid her goodbye and board the Greyhound bus for Chicago by myself. And it was all so rushed I din even have time to settle stuff. Cos we had slept in and then rushed to do the laundry which were sitting at he back of ther car for 3 entire days! Yes, that's like ALL of my clothes!
Was quite sad to leave... cos I think I really screwed up everything... which you all will probably not have noticed from the photos posted here. But yeah, things would have been a lot better if I had sorted things out like fast, and not procastinate. Why did I have to when I already knew that time was precious and that I would probably not see her for a very very very long time to come?!! Dumbo duck. Should have taken the advice of Mama Pengy and Shutchie Hot Mama! Argh. Anyway, it was a rather teary farewell.
Oh well, it's an issue which I need to sort out with myself first I guess. But the good thing is I think I have. At least I know what is wrong. Not that I know how to solve it! Heh.
K, so that is the end of my very long and lor-sor and bao gao liao trip in Illinois.
# posted by Banana Saviour @ 6:40 PM 
