I signed the lease at Chez Ronnee! I'm rooming with Brittney. Melissa and Bonnie are sharing the other room. I had Bonnie's power of attorney since she's in Arizona, so Bonnie actually "signed" the lease without ever seeing the apartment and she has only met me and not any of the other girls or her roomie. Signing took awhile - the three old girls, plus the three new girls, plus Melissa who is staying on the lease. We all had to be there, oodles of paperwork, etc.

After signing the lease, Brittney and her mother went to lunch with my mom and I and chatted...they seem so nice. Brittney's from Encinitas, near San Diego. Lunch itself was a fiasco actually...took 30 minutes to come to the table, and then they had our orders wrong! In any case, it was nice getting to know them better. We talked about decorating our room, the apartment, how excited we are about USC...good times.

An of course, I stopped by Nails by Wendy for the world's best mani pedi, which incidentially is only $19 :)

So I think I've finally found a place to live this fall. It's a 3 bedroom apartment. All the girls will be 20 except for me. One year older isn't too bad though. The room itself is pretty nice. It's basically like a master suite: I have my own bathroom inside my room as well as two closets. I have three girls who are interested in rooming with me. One is from Arizona, another is from Orange County, and the third is from San Diego. I think I'll probably room with the girl from Orange County, Jennifer. We seem to have a lot in common, and she seems really fun, nice and outgoing.

I'm still learning spanish...

I've started taking dance classes at this really cool studio in LA, Edge. I LOVE it. I'm going to try to drive down to LA to take classes there as often as I can.

So tomorrow's my last day at work! Can you believe it? Then I'm off to Malaysia for the weekend, then Japan for a week, then back to Singapore for a day before flying home to Cali for 1.5 days then off to NYC, then a cruise to Bermuda, Bahama, and Grand Cayman before taking the bus up to Cornell for fall semester. WHEW!

Okay, so I like I said I have 1.5 days at home. I'm going to spend August 9th takin care of business (doctors appointments, necessary errands, laundry and packing for Cornell). But then, what to do on the 10th? One free day in Cali before I leave...then the answer appeared, and seemed so obvious. What do you do when you only have one day in Cali? one day in the summer of a certain 50th anniversay? One day just before your next door neighbor/best friend leaves for college? Clearly the answer is obvious: DISNEYLAND! So yes, amend my summer plans and add Disneyland. w00t.

In other news, I talked to Nick this morning, and considering my jam packed schedule of asian travel, combined with his work schedule, internship schedule, and swim practices, there isn't a time we can both talk on the phone in the next two weeks. So sad. Thank heavens for EMAIL. Don't know what I would do without it. Probably die.

So yesterday after work I didn't quite feel like going straight home, so I took the MRT to Orchard Road to stroll around Takashimaya and Kinikuniya. I walked in Ngee Ann City and there it was in the Chanel window - the elusive and new Chanel quilted trolly. I had to go in (just to price). It actually made me feel GOOD about my Goyard purchase (my mother still reminds me on a daily basis I bought a 3800 dollar trolly bag). The Chanel trolly is exquisite. Exquisite and 7,000 SGD (the exchage rate is 1.5, so it's approximately 4,600 USD before tax). THEN I walked past the sunglasses case to find the pair that I loved and adored was in with the gold colored Chanel C's. I had to have it. After trying on various pairs and also adoring the side-quilted black, I decided upon the gold C's pair. It's my first (and will be my only) big purchase here in Asia. Yes, I realize I spent 470 SGD on Sunglasses. (The quilted black pair was only 400...), but I simply adore them and have had my eye on them all summer in the silver color. Honestly the only thing holding me back was that I could keep saying that silver isn't as good as gold would be. And then there they were in gold! Calling me, bekoning me. What was I to do? Afterwards I visited my 2nd and 3rd favorite stores: Tiffany's and the bookstore. Of course I didn't buy anything at Tiffany's, but I did pick up the August issue of British Cosmo at the bookstore. I love British cosmo. I'm considering subscribing even though the international subscription fees would probably be astronomical. Took a cab home because I was feeling lazy. Reasoned with myself I was really just being cautious as it was evening and I shouldn't walk in twilight. We all know this is BS. It was 7pm and not even fully dark yet. So of course immediately after paying the cabfare I felt guilty for the splurge and scolded myself for not taking the bus. Went to the gym, lip synched as I worked out since no one else was around, played "I'll Be" 4 times on repeat, pampered myself with a face mask and late night reading, and then I set my alarm for 6am to call nick before work and went to bed.

Brady Barr is a Crocodile guy. He’s traveled to over fifty countries to become the first person to capture and study all 23 species of Crocodilians in the wild. He’s coming to the Singapore Zoo, so I wrote a little blurb about him for PR. Amongst them, this little paragraph will be printed in advertisements and brochures and newspapers and such:

From the island of Luzon to the province of Anhui, world-renown reptile expert Brady Barr has ventured around the globe - totaling 50 countries - to become the first person to capture and study all 23 species of crodilians in the wild. A featured expert on National Geographic, Barr’s Crocodile Chronicles can be seen on his television show Dangerous Encounters. On 30 July at 11am and 2pm, the Singapore Zoo will host a Singapore exclusive Crocs and Reptiles event with Barr, open to the public. Hear of his adventures in the wild, and then experience one of your own - a baby caiman crocodile will be Barr’s special guest! Bring the whole family to this fun filled event and let Barr introduce you to the spine tingling reptilian world!

So does this make me a published write yet? Sort of. My name won’t be credited, but I wrote it and it’s being published, so I say technically yes.

Today I went to the Singapore Exchanged and worked/watched an IPO Launch. It was interesting, a good excuse to indulge in (free) expensive champagne before five o’clock, and I met some interesting people. Everyone here finds me so interesting and exotic simply because I’m from the U.S. HA! I get such a kick out of it. They find my rather typical US existence to be a source of fascination. They ask me where I’m from, and it usually goes something like this:

“I’m originally from California...” – their eyes light up, they say something about the surf/sand/movie stars, or often they’ll just slowly repear Cal-I-for-nya back to me with a glazed expression as I watch their minds recall all of the images that the Hollywood glitterati have created in their minds.

“…but I attend university (in Asia “college” means high school, so I have to say university) in New York” – this is where they usually sigh or smile. Say something about Manhattan – a reference to Broadway or SoHO. Many people around here have been to New York for business, so they love to add in a little anecdote from their journey there. I usually need to clarify that I don’t go to school in Manhattan, so I say…

“I go to Cornell University in upstate New York” – Being an Asian culture (therefore very obsessed with education), I almost always get the same wide eyed response, “Ahhh…Ivy League.” Or “ohh, the FAMOUS one.” It’s amazing. The people over here know more about Cornell than most of my friends. Today I met one lady and she commented, “They have an excellent hospitality school there, do they not? Famous as the top, I believe.” I just stand there flabbergasted that they know these details and I nodd. One very interesting fellow I was talking to (A trust lawyer who has an unusual fondness for the lower east side) commented that many Asian students dream of the Ivy League, but find it quite difficult to “bridge the gap” as he put it. I never know what to say as they rattle on about this. I can’t really say anything too positive, as I don’t want to be a braggart, but along the same lines, I don’t want to appear as though I’m ungrateful for what I have. Ivy League is such a big deal over here. I didn’t expect anyone to know what Cornell is, considering Cornell is almost 10,000 miles from here. Astoundingly, everybody does – and they’re not afraid to comment on it.

I'm a bit sleepy at work today since my flight from HKK to SIN arrived after midnight, meaning I didn't get home to Grandma's until 1am. After talking with Nick until 2:30, that only left five hours for sleep.

Hong Kong was a different experience than I originally thought it would be. Five senses recap:
Hong Kong consists of both an island and part of the mainland. Therefore there is an oceanic scent when close to the waters edge, smells of city and traffic, and the sweltering summer heat adds a musky humid scent to the above. Hong Kong doesn't have billboards in the same sense that the US does. Rather, neon signs jut out from the sides of buildings. Most everything is Red, Green, Blue, Black and white. Hong Kong food is very abundant! Most households in Hong Kong are very tiny (the average home for a typical nuclear family is a mere 600 square feet (my hotel room is bigger). Thus, most people do not cook at home, unless simply reheating something. This means there are innumerable food places in Hong Kong. Saturday Night I had a rather touristy dinner - aboard a Chinese boat! Lunch was Dim Sum. Friday night we had International. The Langhan Hotel was quite nice. Our room had an amzazing view! The gym at the hotel especially! It has a panoramic view of the city, state of the art cardio and weight equipment, an Olympic size pool on the roof, and a fully equipped spa. Yes, I spent two hours there in the mornings it was so amazing. Hong Kong's reasonably noisy as well - the sound of people overwhelms most anything else! Hong Kong is extremely dense, people on top of people.

We shopped for the majority of the trip. I must admit I found this very disappointing. Malls are the same wherever you go. Yes, the currencies and languages change, but everything else is the same! It's hardly a cultural experience. We did walk along the waters edge and admire the skyline, mill around some busy streets, see the Jumbo, chinese boats, and OH! I had the Most Amazing Reflexology EVER. I think the place was called Top Comfort. Or something. Really ridiculously good.

For souviners... I bought a really interesting French Reader (yes I realize the irony in buying a French novel in Hong Kong). 250 Hong Kong Dollars on Moon Cakes! Bra and underware set at this really cute lingerie store, I think it was called Une Nand Cool. I found this hilarious: in Hong Kong, I wore the biggest bra size they sell. Ha! In the U.S. it's like, "Hi, do you have this for itty-bitty-not-quite-Pamela-Anderson-titties?" Yes, 34C is THE largest size you can buy in Hong Kong. Okay maybe I'm a little too amused. Hmmm what else did I buy. Postcards! I sent postcards to Will, Kolene, Anna, Molly, Nick, and the family. I also bought a gag gift for Nick at one of the street vendors. tee hee hee.

So yes, a bit sleepy at work today. Oh well. Ironically I actually have a lot to
do at work. I have to write an Event Informational about Brady Barr. He's a National Geographic guy who's coming to speak at Singapore Zoo. After that I'm writing a News Release about primate babies that have been born to the Zoo (three in one year - very unusual), then I have another Event Informational about Behind the Scenes tours at the Zoo. Finally, I have to brainstorm ideas for Children's Day, World Animal Day, and the third assignment just says "Black Panther" and I haven't read the file on that yet. Ah, yes another day at the office. The Singapore Zoo is a rather interesting client, though. Last week I was doing some PR for Singapore Management University, which I also really liked. Then again, my job included touring the campus and their library to gauge angles for a story - they took me to a library of course I love them! LoL. The Assistant Director of SMU was a rather interesting fellow. American. Born in Alaska, educated at Colby in Maine. Married a Singporean and now he's here. I went with Jason for the SMU project. Some people really don't show their age. I would guess he's 25, but he's ten years older!

I have such a deeply rooted Wanderlust. I’m not quite sure if it’s simply my personality or a response to my environment, but I always feel so much happier, so much more alive when I travel about and do not linger in a single place for too long. Last weekend, though only a short reprieve from the workweek truly exhilarated me. First and foremost, being welcomed in so warmly was sincerely touching. I had not seen my Aunties Bok, Sumalee, or Idd since I was a very young girl, and yet they welcomed me in as if I were their daughter who had been away at school for the semester term.

Auntie Sumalee took me to the Queen’s park on Saturday morning very early before 6am. We walked and I learned some Tai Chi. The park was milling with people exercising. Very surprising considering how early it was. Joggers, volleyball, tennis, tai chi, mediators – everything.

The markets were great fun. Auntie Sumalee helped me bargain. She would rapidly speak Thai to the shopkeepers to ensure the best bargain. The floating market on Sunday was truly an experience. I felt as though I was viewing a slice of a much older world.

The Grand Palace was most certainly a highlight as well. So ornate and intricate! Last summer when I visited Versailles, I thought Marie Antoinette had it Grand. Well, the Grand Palace of Thailand makes Marie Antoinette and Versailles look like a pauper! I had two massages while I was in Thailand – labor is very inexpensive there. I cannot wait to return to Thailand! I really want to go back when I have more time, a week or two at least, to venture around the country, discovering some of the lesser-known sites and off the beaten track rarities.

The Thai language is very different from other Asian languages. Unlike Chinese, Japanese, Korean, etc, Thai is not a character language, but rather an alphabet. It has more than 40 letters in the Thai alphabet. Written Thai resembles Sanskrit and Egyptian papyrus writings. Very loopy and curly-q letters. Thai is extremely difficult for westerners such as myself to understand.

I can undoubtedly say that this summer is the best summer of my life (so far anyways). Here’s the basic rundown:

May 23 – June 1 Waikoloa, Hawaii
June 1 – June 4 NACURH at University of California, Berkeley
June 4 – 8 San Francisco adventures with Will and Kolene
June 9 – 14 Anchorage and Kenai, Alaska for fishing with my parents
June 15 – 19 Washington, D.C. and Baltimore, M.D. to visit Nick
June 20 – 25 home in cali
June 26 – July 31 Singapore – Intern at Citigate Dewe Rogerson, i.MAGE Pte Ltd
Weekend trips from Singapore:
7.14 – 7.16 Bangkok, Thailand
7.21 – 7.23 Hong Kong, China with Sarah and Aunt Sau Lai
7.28 - 7.31 Malaysia
August 1 – 8 Tokyo Japan with Will
August 10 - DISNEYLAND with Molly :)
August 11 - 12 NYC
August 12 – 18 Cruise – Bahamas, Grand Cayman, Bermuda for Aunt Thelma’s 86th Birthday and time with Nick
August 18 - 19 NYC


So right now I’m in Singapore doing my internship. I’m enjoying it so far. It’s really the first time I’ve had an office job, complete with my own cubicle :) Today I wrote a feature for the annual report for Stamford Tyres announcing plans to open a new wheel plant. I'm doing financial public relations, which is different than the sort of things I'm accustomed to. It's interesting learning more about the market, and I like working in the central business district. CBD is a very vibrant area. A nearby Hawker cente, the Golden Shoe, has really great food.

This weekend I'm going to Bangkok, Thailand and I'm staying with Aunt Sumalee (whom I've not met before). Should be interesting times! I'm excited :)

I had an amazing nine days on Oahu. Highlights:

- Taking a surf lesson on Waikiki beach

The waves were perfect

- Lying out in the sun all day

I'm extremely tan. I love it, I just hope it lasts. Mom burned, but luckily I didn't. Waikiki beach was very crowded.

- Visiting The Arizona Memorial at Pearl Harbor.

Unexpectedly, I was extremely moved. When Pearl Harbor was bombed, all but three of the fifty vessels were rebuilt or repaired. Each was named after a state. However, three were too devastated to be repaired. Arizona was one of these. All the men on the ship sank with it. So above the sunken vessel a white memorial was build to honor those who gave their lives. It was beautiful, haunting. Beneath the memorial I could see the metal of the ship covered in rust and algae. It was simple, but the message so strong. You watch a movie in a small theatre, then go out to the dock where you take a ferry out to the memorial. There was a ninety minute wait, but mom and I said a little bluff that my dad was already in the theatre so we could get in. There were a dozen extra seats, it's so silly they just don't let people in.

You aren't allowed to bring even a purse into the memorial area (due to security) so when we went over to baggage check, I browsed around a few shopping stands. Mom and I both bought shoulder bags, and I also found two koa wood bracelets, and two pairs of koa wood earrings that I just loved. I bought a koa wood pen for Nick. The craftsmanship on each piece is absolutely beautiful.

- the Jeep

Mom and I decided to rent a car on Friday to explore more of the island. So we rented the most ghetto jeep you can imagine. It wasn't even a Jeep, it was some company I've never heard of. The AC didn't work, the back window didn't roll up, and the engine stalled numerous times. It was HILARIOUS. When it started to rain, water leaked in through the driver's side roof, and the windshield wipers only half-functioned. It was so much fun though. I couldn't stop laughing

- The Dole Pineapple Plantation

Pineapple Float: pineapple juice with pineapple ice cream and pineapple chunks on top. Nuff said.

- shopping (!!!!)

My very first Chanel handbag. It's beautiful, classic, stunning. Mom purchased a Chanel bag for herself as well. And a huge shopping spree at Banana Republic.

- Sunset Beach at North Shore

Only calf deep in water, the force was so strong the water splashed up to my face. Certainly the strongest undertow I've ever felt.

- Flying First Class

Yay for Mimosas and comfy chairs

- Being with Nas and Chrissy on Long Island and then talking the entire bus ride home

- Being awake for 40 hours straight. And then sleep (!)

Yesterday was just another day. At Hall Council I facilitated, as usual. I overheard the advisers say something about me, and then at the end of the meeting Dean Hazan commented that I'm a great facilitator - very efficient. That was nice to hear. Someone who likes that I control situations lol.

Watched Sex and the City DVDs with the suities and we finally cut my birthday cake. Mon Dieu, I still can't believe I'm 18. It sounds cheesy, but I do somehow feel different. Just knowing that I'm officially responsible for myself. I can sign contracts, gamble and buy cigarettes and porn, and check into hotel rooms where I can have sex. Not that I'm planning on doing any of this. It's just weird to think I can.

Spring Break tommorrow. I should really pack...

All I do is sleep. I can't even tell if I'm sick anymore. I just know I can't stay awake for more than three hours at a time.