Chicago--

The pictures of fishes were taken at Shedd Aquarium. Beautiful place!
Chicago was a nice little trip however the weather was not that great. The rainy and gloomy weather just made me want to sleep all the time as did the plane ride. Only on Friday, did I feel a little sunshine on my face…and that only lasted for a few minutes.
I was amazed how wonderful and helpful people of Chicago were to us. I was surprised most of all with a person tapping my shoulder on the train to let me know this is my stop! So nice and helpful! The hotel, Seneca, was a nice hotel but felt really isolated. It was so quiet and you barley saw anyone in the reception area. Most people would like this on vacation but for some reason I wanted more activity! I will have to visit Chicago in the summer and stay a little longer.

My roommate is gone and now I sit in my room all alone...
The last night she was in Minnesota we all went to hooters for dinner and had ice cream at ColdStone. It was really good!
Okay, I better get back to studying…then to the gym…and back again.

I just learned how to do some small animation with my pictures. Yea!

So Scary! OMG!

Emportés par la vague déferlante
Uploaded by Iphilgood

Tout est calme quand tout à coup...
Uploaded by Iphilgood

Haven't said goodbye to anyone in years....

My roommate (Youn) will be moving out this FRIDAY! Time has gone by so fast. It took us at least a month to get used to each other, had our ups and downs, then slowing became friends, and now its time to say goodbye. I will probably remember how complete awkwardness turned into a friendship. We are very similar in many ways: worrying about our future, not settling just because we have that option (might be our downfall), and a love for travel. It’s an amazing feeling to know that two people from completely different backgrounds can live together, laugh a lot, and compromise…and become friends along the way.
We had a small dinner in our room yesterday. She made steaks and a lot of other yummies. I brought the drinks and the dessert. It was fun. We have some other plans for the rest of the week and then she’ll catch her flight to NYC Friday morning—stay there for two weeks or so, and off to South Korea.

I must visit her in SK---SOON!

*picture: Us getting ready to walk to the nearby grocery store. We were freezing by the time we came back! I thought it would be nice to walk in the snow—but TOO cold!

Cozy and WARM!

My roommate and I went and got these---Identical! It would keep her warm in NYC and me in Chicago! And they were buy one and get another half off so it was a great deal.

Hearing Kal Penn speak was quite boring actually. I sat in the second row of this huge auditorium with my digital camera in hand. I was excited for about 60 seconds then I was eyeing for the exits. He said some shit…really it was shit. He kept saying “pussy, shit, fuck, and asshole” way too many times. WTF?!? I don’t even remember what sentence he used to thread these words together because after about five minutes...I had my cell out and texting. I have no idea how a university sponsored event can allow someone to come on campus and say bunch of crap and vulgarity.

Most of the time was him answering questions from the audience. People had way too many questions for this guy…I didn’t really have any---honestly I don’t know why I went. I guess it’s nice to see someone you only have seen in films and see them standing in front of you. But when they lack any substance…it’s a huge disappointment!

Questions ranged from “what’s your favorite color?” to “are you interested in threesomes?” Blue and no (even though he stated in Playboy he did). I don’t know why I sat there because I did sit in the auditorium for some time…I am ashamed to write how long I sat. Anyways, finally I just got up and left—feeling nothing and empty!

I just listened to:


"Like the elephant, we are unconscious of our own strength. When it comes to understanding the power we have to make a difference in our own lives, we might as well be asleep. If you want to make your dreams come true, wake up. Wake up to the role you play in your own destiny. Wake up to the power you have to choose what you think, do, and say.
-Keith Ellis, Bootstraps

Yea!

I should really spent some time on YouTube! They seem to have great things! Anyways, I got these videos off of other blogs. :-)



Shabir Abbas
Hot-------The song!



Too Funny!

The Worst Wakeup Call!

The entire hall was woken up at 2:30 A.M.
FIRE!!!!
I woke up with the fire drill --- right in my ears. I almost fell off the bed trying to figure out what the hell this noise meant! The worst wakeup EVER! Then it occurred to me “FIRE!” So I screamed for my roommate to wake up, got my glasses, slipped on tennis shoes, my coat, all in 20 seconds, and ran out the room. The hallway was packed with similar people as me – grouchy, confused, thinking “What the hell?!”

Outside the weather was freezing!!! We all had to stay ten minutes in the cold then were allowed to come back in. One of the girls had soup on the stove and forgot about it! She was so apologetic about the whole thing.

Did I mention it was freezing?

ThanksGiving......

Me TRYING to be helpful........as always...!!

Turkey day was fantastic and delicious! Need I say more?

Observers!

Random

I can’t wait for TURKEY! Yummy! I going to eat SO MUCH! I only had one lab today at 8 A.M. As I was walking to my class, a man, was handing out coupons for free subs at a near by restaurant. So, my roommate and I went to have it --- and of course there is no such thingsas a FREE MEAL. We had to fill out a credit card application, which I did, because I will cancel the card when it arrives. Then I went to the hospital with my roommate because her right eye has been giving her problems since she got hit on the eye with a racquetball. It took FOREVER at the hospital but now I know where the hospital is!
I decided to stay in the dorms next semester as well. I just couldn’t find the right place or the people to live with so I am going to stay in the dorms.
I have a lot to do and a lot of questions that need answers SOON---but I never been that lucky.

I think now I am going to repeat to myself that I am indeed lucky because those who believe they are the lucky ones seems to be lucky.

Damn. Is life full of doubt/questions or are we expecting everything to come to us easy.

I want to blog so much and add tons of pictures but these days my creative brain is working so slowly.

More soon.

Kal Penn

Kal Penn


Yea! I just got tickets to see him. I am so excited!

Had Indian tacos again and it was good--very filling.

I was at the gym for three hours today...I don't know why...I was really relaxed so I didn't want to leave...but now I AM SO TIRED.

I watched the tamil movie "Something Something Unakkum Enakkum (you and me)" and thought it was cute, funny, and good!

Damn I am so tired.

Hello...from INDIAN ASHLEY?!?!

One my friends NOW, when we first started talking, had a name for me which was not Tharsica (well duh). It was Indian Ashley! What the hell…right? Because I didn’t have a strong Indian accent that was the name she had given me. I thought it was all funny.

College is busy. I am getting so comfortable with everyone in my building so much now! Too bad it took two months and just when I am looking for an apartment close by campus to move to. :-(

I need my own space but I am definitely going to miss the community feeling and tons of people to talk to.

I wish I lived on campus the beginning of college. I regret this a lot now. If I wasn’t taking so many upper level classes…I could have had a lot of fun.

Went to a club on Friday. So much fun. It was fun to dance. I requested (begged) for three songs from the DJ:

Sexy back
Promiscuous girl
And Shake your money maker.

Men who have a little too much to drink want to hold your hands a lot….hahaha…

Your looks do give the first impression----your never know how people are receiving you.

Early Morning Quote From a Classmate:

“I like it.”
“like what?”
“what you are wearing”
“OMG really”
“I don’t know what it is…but it’s nice”
“Ohhh..thanks!”
"I feel homeless today”

Blazin' Challenge!!!

A group of us went to Buffalo Wild Wings and few of us took the “Blazin’ challenge—me included. Blazin’ Challennge: A competition which includes eating 12 of the spiciest wings in six minutes. So spicy! My lips were burning, people were crying, few ran around the restaurant, and one person vomited. It was so much fun!!

I didn’t eat all 12 wings in six minutes---I just don’t eat that fast. I was watching others, trying to be all cute, and to win ---you got to be fierce. Just swallow!

Anyways, I will go back again and be the champion of the blazin’ challenge! I get a really ugly shirt if I win. Oh well. It will be worth it.

I went to see “The Prestige” which was a good film. It was really hard to follow…but I figured “it” out almost immediately.

Conversations Over Pie.

I went to look around the city all night. Driving down endless streets I noticed a Baker’s Square and desperately wanted to have a piece of pie. But then I remembered that I wanted to give a small “thank you” treat to a few people…and have been wondering how. Why? For helping me move my bed all the way up so I can have more room. It was really hard because the bed was so damn heavy.

When I came back to my room it was already 9 p.m. and then had to wait to get everyone in the same room to have the pie together. It was wonderful. Lots of conversations, laughing, questions, and of course wonderful French silk pie! I am glad everyone enjoyed it…I wasn’t sure if they would like all the sugar. We just sat and talked and talked…and it was almost midnight by the time everyone went back to their rooms.

I have been relaxing a lot this week. Yea! I feel good!

Last Life in the Universe.

I have wanted for weeks to go to one of the international films that was being played in the theater across my hall. Finally, I have watched a film from Thailand – Last Life in the Universe. I was trying to write about it but could not really explain it at all. Then I came across a site that explained it all:

“As the film’s cinematographer, the brilliant Christopher Doyle, explains, “[The important thing] is to never ask what it means. It is what it is. You don’t ask a painting to explain itself. You don’t understand world music. You just enjoy the rhythm.”

“And so LAST LIFE must be experienced. Not necessarily understood – just experienced.”

I should have stayed for the discussion that followed the film by the professor who teaches international film studies. I don’t want to necessarily understand it but I would love to hear how other people perceived it.

All the movies for this semester:

---Beauty & The Beast – France 1946
---Howl’s Moving Castle – Japan 2005
---All About My Mother – Spain 1999
---Ten –Iran 2002
---Saraband – Sweden 2003
---Tale of 2 Sisters – Korea 2004
---Good Morning, Night – Italy 2005
---The World – China 2005

Manish Arora

Browsing through “Week in Pictures” I came across a picture of a model. As I read further the picture was described as a fashion show that happened in London. The picture of the model was from the fashion show of an indian designer. Curious I searched his name. And I came across this site featuring more pictures of his show. I was intrigued. It was interesting to see fabrics that usually just come in 6 yards as a saree…turned into these. Especially the pink fabric which looks just like my mom’s engagement saree that she wore back in the late 1970s.

Nelly Furtado Promiscuous Lyrics


N:Am I throwing you off?
T:Nope!
N:Didn't think so...
T:How ya doin' young lady
The feeling that you gave me really drives me crazy
You dont have a player on your trunk
I was at a loss of words
First time that we spoke

N:If ya lookin' for a girl that’ll treat you right
If you lookin’ for her in the day time in the light
T:You might be the type if I play my cards right
I'll find out by the end of the night

N: You expect me to just let you hit it
But will you still respect me if you get it?

T:All I can do is try, gimme one chance
What’s the problem? I don’t see no ring on your hand

I be the first to admit it, I’m curious about you, you seem so innocent

N: You wanna get in my world, get lost in it
Boy I’m tired of running, lets walk for a minute

Chorus-
T:Promiscuous girl
Wherever you are
I’m all alone
And it's you that I want

N: Promiscuous boy
You already know
That I’m all yours
What you waiting for?

T:Promiscuous girl
You're teasing me
You know what I want
And I got what you need

N: Promiscuous boy
Let's get to the point
Cause we're on a roll
You ready?

Verse-
N: Roses are red
Some diamonds are blue
Chivalry is dead
But you're still kinda cute

T:Hey! I can't keep my mind off you
Where you at, do you mind if I come through

N: I’m out of this world come with me to my planet
Get you on my level do you think that you can handle it?

T:They call me Thomas
last name Crown
Recognize game
I'm a lay mine's down

N: I'm a big girl I can handle myself
But if I get lonely I’ma need your help
Pay attention to me I don't talk for my health
T:I want you on my team
N: So does everybody else.

T:Baby we can keep it on the low [low]
Let your guard down ain’t nobody gotta know [know]
If you with it girl I know a place we can go

N: What kind of girl do you take me for?

Chorus-
T:Promiscuous girl
Wherever you are
I’m all alone
And it's you that I want

N: Promiscuous boy
You already know
That I’m all yours
What you waiting for?

T:Promiscuous girl
You're teasing me
You know what I want
And I got what you need

N: Promiscuous boy
Let's get to the point
Cause we're on a roll
You ready?

Verse-
T: Nigga Don't be mad, don't get mean
N: Nigga Don't get mad, don't get mean

T: Hey! Don't be mad, don't get mean
N: Nigga Don't get mad, don't be mean

T:Wait! I don't mean no harm
I can see you with my t-shirt on

N:I can see you with nothing on
feelin' on me before you bring that on

T: Bring that on
N: You know what I mean

T:Girl, I’m a freak you shouldn't say those things

N:I’m just trying to get inside of your brain
To see if you can work me the way you say

T:It's okay, it's alright
I got something that you gon' like

N:Hey is that the truth or are you talking trash
Is your game M.V.P. like Steve Nash

Chorus-
T: Promiscuous Girl
Wherever you are
I’m all alone
And its you that I want

N: Promiscuous Boy
I'm calling your name
But you're driving me crazy
The way you're making me wait

T: Promiscuous Girl
You're teasing me
You know what I want
And I got what you need

N: Promiscuous Boy
We're one in the same
So we don't gotta play games no more

So living away from my parents...I get a lot of "are you okay" "do you miss home" "how is classes." The usual. So everytime I get these questions or I have doubts or just feel down...I always think this...

I'm a big girl I can handle myself.

It's so funny. Maybe I have listened to this song too many times. Whatever it is...this is what runs in my mind when doubt or lonliness creeps in.

Ugly Yet Good!

Watched Ugly Betty for the first time and I really enjoyed it. It is just one hour of relaxation. Simple litle show. No major sophistication involved...just the way I like it and need.

For me Thursday are my fridays...I get a lot more relaxation on my Thursdays than Fridays. Thursday are when my labs are all over for the week and on Fridays I just have lectures!

I feel like having cookies..chocolate chip that is. I don't know why. But I have had this craving for few days now.

Cold Cold day.

Quickly..
busy to write...but few things.

I did find time today to check out the city all by myself...and “their” downtown is only five minutes from my place…and on my drive I saw about 10 Perkins, all the American restaurants I could imagine, and few Chinese restaurants. Hmmm not bad I say. Target, K-mart, Wal-mart...

What's up with green today?

What a week! So busy with exams! The first thing I did when I came to my room after my last exam was jump around...all excited. I felt so happy so I had to take some silly pictures in front of the window.

My roommate and I decided a week ago that once our exams were over for the week…we would go and relax. So what is the best way for us to relax……go SHOPPING duh! We both drove about forty minutes to the nearest outlet mall and for the next 4 hours we were in and out of stores. I loved Banana Republic and spend so much time in there. I tried on this skirt but it wasn’t a good fit.

We wanted to spend more time at the mall but we were running late on dinner plans.
When we got back to our area we went to the closet Green Mill…which to my surprise was only about 5 minutes drive. That was very nice. We were so hungry and tired from all the walking and shopping. I had the beef and lamb gyro….yummy...really good... with fries!
When we got back to our place…everyone recommended to us to go and see at least some of the drag show that was going on today. So we were able to just catch the last few minutes. When we finally were settled in our room we tried on all the things we bought...did a little fashio show... and got excited all over again. Yippii.
Then we both decided to post some silly pictures of ourselves on the front door of our room...you should see my roommate picture........hmmmm...she really doesn't like pictures of herself.....hmmmmmm...very unlike me!
A lots of green today in the pictures.

Wonderful day.

Podbazaar!

I have recently been introduced to this site Podbazaar: podcasts aimed at South Asians worldwide! It's wonderful. You get to hear people express themselves instead of reading about it as we all do with blogs.

We all have days where we need to browse other blogs. So Priya has commented on some of the Famous Blogs in Singapore. Check it out.

I have to run to the library. damn. This week is crazy. Tomorow my roommate and I have decided to go OUT! We don't even want to think about school....atleast for a few days!

What a tiring weekend! I was so tired when I got to my room last night. However, when I woke up this morning…I felt so rested! I thought I woke up at 8 but I actually woke up at 7:45 which made me a really happy. Trust me I need the extra fifteen minutes to get going.
I was so excited to finally rent a DVD at McDonald I could watch it Saturday night. I decided to rent United 93 but when I got home….NO DVD was in the case. I think I may have dropped it in the parking lot or something. Anyways I called them up and they gave me a free rental! Hmmmmm lucky me…I guess…they are not charging me for the lost movie. I even went to the McDonald's parking lot at midnight to see if I dropped it but nope. I was disappointment that I didn’t have a new movie to watch.

Anyways…I love the picture on top. After having my camera for 2 years I have finally figured out how to put all the pictures on a CD. I was able to transfer all 400 pictures to a CD and delete them all in ten minutes. How easier can it get!


Two shows I want to tune into this season are "Heroes" and "Ugly Betty." Now all I have to do is find the time.

Ha!

People are mad…..at ME! I missed the soccer game last weekend because I didn’t get to the front door on time. So they all went to the field without me while I was running around trying to find them. I didn’t want to walk at 10 p.m. by myself to the field so I had no choice but to stay back. Anyways, they lost the game all because I WAS NOT THERE! Ha!

Who knew the screaming girl would be missed. Besides the first game I did do really well. I hustled, ran, screamed, yelled, shouted “behind you dude!!”. What else can you expect in a soccer player?

Nothing at all. Nothing.

Five Healthiest Foods...

Items from:
Korea, India, Spain, Japan, and Greece.

Check out the article here.

Chicken Curry and Kimchi!

My “Sri Lankan” dinner plans with few of the people in my building went on really well. I was surprised how they were willing to try everything…just like me. I was a little nervous in the beginning to introduce them to foods they probably never have seen or tasted before but also excited to see their reactions. They loved the chicken curry the most…no wonder…it’s my favorite too! We spent a good hour talking about food, past experiences, and just about whatever came to our minds. Wonderful!

I tried a Korean dish Kimchi!! It was delicious! I want to have a huge bowl of it soon!
Read about this tasty dish here. “Kimchi has been cited by Health Magazine as one of the world's five "healthiest foods", with the claim that it is rich in vitamins, aids digestion, and may even prevent cancer.”

Just wonderful! Now I am wondering what's the other 4 healthist dishes in the world are?

Joe E. Lewis

You only live once-- but if you work it right, once is enough.
--Joe E. Lewis (Comedian)

Can this be true? hmmmm.
so now I am wondering what are all the things I want to do that the above sentence will be true for me?
So many things! Too many! I am really excited now! Ha!

MSN-The Week in Pictures

I love browsing through The Week in Pictures.
They are so beautiful and taken all around the world.