Decided to go to Rhode Island for the weekend...
Sat 18th Nov 06
got up early... drove to Rhode Island... stopped over at a visitor centre where there was a conference going on... wow.. first time saw so many asian looking pple at a place.... haha.. our first stop was at a shopping mall... Providence Place... stopped over for some minimal shopping and lunch... ate at this place called Fire + Ice... it has an interesting concept... u get all the food u want... then u choose the sauce u want... then u Q up at this central cooking area... it is a big round hot plate... like those for Teppanyaki... the chefs will take ur stuff and cook around the hot plate... so u just Q in a circle and wait for ur food to be done... interesting idea though... entertaining for the guests too to watch their food being cook...
After lunch... we explored the surrounding area... took photos at the State House... went into a local library... very small.. but very old looking... like some place out of the Harry Porter movie... then we drop by Brown University... pretty much of a walk around day before we check into our hotel... Pineapple Inn... exactly the kind tat u see in "Me Myself and Irene"... rows of rms with parking lots in front.... and to save money... we bought microwavable food back... just to realise our microwave isn't working properly... requested a change... then halfway microwaving... something short circuit and we had a partial blackout... wahahha... but at least the inn pple were frenly and helpful enough... so it wasn't too bad... oh... there was supposed to be a meteor shower today... and supposedly we are positioned at just the right location to observe... and we have located a good spot to view... along the coast and dark enough with benches... but well... just not our night... the sky was overcasted.... too much clouds to see anything... so after 15min of wait... we decided to call it a day.... too freaking cold!!
Sun 19th Nov 06
today we were supposed to go visit this stretch of street tat has lots of mansions of diff themes... but well... i guess we were too early and we din wanna pay to get into the mansions... so we just drove along tat stretch... and some had really nice gardens and high gates... very movie-like... after tat we went for a supposed scenic drive... hmm... very "scenic" indeed.... went to this Fort Adams... nothing more than a fort by the sea... pretty much like our very own Fort McClary... then we went to this place which supposedly has a lighthouse... and when we get there... we had a bit of prob locating it... and later we found out why... the lighthouse is super "big"... we were on this slope behind it... and we literally look down on it... so well.. i guess tat wasn't much of a sight for us... guess our york beach one is much better... or maybe our Fort Constitution one.. where we could go in...
Walked around the Newport area... before we went to Newport Vineyards... my first time at a vineyard though... paid $5 for a vineyard tour... tat brought us around the place... though it's not the right time of the year to be there since all the leaves have fallen and grapes harvested... so we pretty much was just looking at rows and rows of branches... and listening to the history of the vineayard... as well as the wine making process... the tour was pretty worth it... cos it included a wine tasting session where u can choose any 5 wines to taste... and we could each bring back the wine glass we used for the tasting... oh and i really like the small round biscuits they provided with the wine tasting... very milky taste.. wonder if i could get it anywhere...
pple ask me if Rhode Island is worth the visit... well... i don know... i would think it's someplace slow.. just like NH... with pretty much the same things... scenic drives... lighthouses... churches... but just a nice experience to get away for the weekend....
-jiahua
Monday, December 11, 2006
Rhode Island
Back dating # 6
Sat 11 Nov 06
The validation director for the sg plant is in town... organised a get together at our place... potluck again... sweet and sour pork and chocolate cake from our house.. and of cos... as usual.. we supplied the alcohol...
normal get together... eat.. drink... talk... some serious.. some.. well... crap... but anyway.. too much alcohol made pple go weird.. nonetheless... an 'interesting' experience.... don wanna comment much on the day....
The bridge group...
5 on an armchair... yes we are slim... wahahha...
-jiahua
Back dating # 5
Halloween! After work we went to downtown for the Halloween parade... the wait was super long... and the parade was just less than an hour... but nonetheless it was pretty interesting to experience something new... probably won't get to see it in sg.. unless maybe some arty farty council decides to promote it... we might get there.. but maybe not yet... Halloween's still not tat popular in sg...
the parade was just a 'march past' or pple or groups that signed up to parade... there were loads of pple waiting to watch the parade.. they were all dressed up too... and after all the wait.. the parade finally started in the accompany of the police... it was pretty fun.. with everyone just swaying and dancing to the music one of the parade band was playing...
Even the pets were all dressed up...
The paraders...
The parade band...
Sat 4th Nov 06
Went to the Museum of Science in Boston.. yet again.. but this time we did get to go in finally.. and tat was the only thing on our agenda.. so no side tracking... the place is pretty much like our Science Centre... with all the science stuff teaching kids the different theories... physics laws.. blah blah... not too bad.. there was a mini demonstration of Benjamin Franklin's kite... lightning.. electricity.. blah blah... hmm.. interesting..
then we went to watch a show at the Omni theatre... Alaska... pretty cool visuals.. seat was super comfy though...
ok trip la... got to finally go to the museum after many attempts at Boston... and can get to eat at Chinese restaurant... though no roast duck...
-jiahua
Friday, November 17, 2006
Back dating # 4
Wed 25th Oct 06
we had a QC party.. at portsmouth brewery... supposedly we thought we couldn't meet a dateline and then we managed to... and everything worked out fine... so i guess it's something worth celebrating... we booked the whole basement and had it all to ourselves.. could drink watever u wanna drink... provided they have it la... but i think the bar counter was pretty well equipped with all kinds of liquer.. there was a pool table.. and something called a shuffleboard... something like the game of pushing beer glasses on a smooth surface.. but it's a small metal pug on sand... push too soft and u can't reach the line... too hard and u fall into the sand pit beyond... had an ok time there... taking photos with colleagues (supposedly QC has quite a number of shuai guys) and had a chance to talk to our QC Director (he's shuai too =D)
The QC TAP girls at Portsmouth Brewery...
Fri 27th Oct 06
We had a mini Halloween celebration for the Lonza staff kids... so by 4pm.. u see lots of kids dressed up in their fav costume appearing... they are all so cute... we walked around the whole plant.. following the trick or treat path to the various stations to look at their decorations... something new... something u don get in sg... the kids go round the office cubicles with their little buckets... collecting sweet treats... it's cute to see how diff kids react differently... some are very sure of wat they want... they'll go to the sweets pot and take wat they want... some are shy and their parents had to help them get the candies... and others... well.. they are probably still too young to know wat's going on.. and why are they being dressed up like tat.. hahaha... jas was saying the kids are so cute... she would want kids too... then can dress them up... hmm... i'm not sure about tat... shouldn't u want kids because of some other reasons and not because they are cute? hahaah... Halloween seems like a really big thing here.. u see all kinds of decorations when u pass by other pple's yard... and there is really the trick or treat going on unlike in sg.. where Halloween is too commercialised... and it's more like an adult thing in pubs and places like tat...
Beverly and her little clown...
The cute kids in their outfits...
Our very own clown... she's the receptionist... but heard she is a professional clown and entertainer... not forgetting balloon artist... she makes very nice balloons... heard she is rank top 10 or something in NH...
Sun 29th Oct 06
WY's frens came to visit from Boston... so we brought them to Mt Major for a trek... the trek was a pretty managable one... with your fair share of gentle paths and rocky bit... the initial part was ok.. just some gentle path... then when u reach nearer to the top... it get a little steep and rocky... and it was so freaking cold... and the wind was super strong... esp at the rock face on the summit.. with no trees to block the wind... we thought we were all gonna be blown away... when we reach the summit... our face was like totally no feeling... numb with cold... and any sudden movement we were afraid our face would crack... hahaha... but the view at the summit was nice... and we can see a lake... there was a rock shelter at the summit... and we hide there from the wind... but we figured we gotta take a shot no matter how strong the wind is since we are here at the summit already... so we ran out... took the pic and ran back to hide... after tat we made our way down the mt in small groups... holding on to each other in case we get blown off by the wind and cos it was pretty steep on the rock face.. not much grip... when we reach more managable path.. i trudged on and on... had my fair share of slips and falls... damp leaves, branches and loose stones doesn't go well together... make it really slippery... slipped a couple of times but managed to maintain my balance... but i did fell on my butt though... went on for a while until a certain part where i suddenly realise... i am all alone in the forest... for a moment i did think... if i got lost how... but i thought... nvm... we'll figure out when i am really lost... so i followed the blue markers on the trees... and yes.. i made it... i am 3rd to reach the foot ok! everytime we go for such trekking trips.... everytime i see a lone trekker... i would always wonder why would pple wanna come trek alone... not sian meh... but i guess i know why now... it gives u quiet moments by urself... to think about things... i guess tat's wat they call 'Solitude'
Gentler walking path for starters...
Almost there! Great View!
Rocky part at summit.. with silhouette of 2 'action' pple...
At the summit! Where we risk being blown away to take this shot.. all huddled together...
The part of the forest when i realised i was all alone...
The top 3 places goes to.....
The lake tat we saw from the top of the mountain...
-jiahua
Monday, November 06, 2006
Back dating # 3
oh and i am now a very qualified barber for short hair... wahahha... had my 2nd customer... my 1st customer YM was pretty satisfied with his hair... but this 2nd one very ma fan... and i don care.. he better be happy with his hair... haha.. to quote his own words 'i will only get better' so next time i'll do it nicer for u k... *wink* wahahahahah.....
Me and my 'proud' 2nd product... wahahaha... come find me if u need ur hair cut.... haha...
Sat 21 Oct 06
Went to Tilton for some retail therapy... this is the only factory outlet place tat i think we actually went into most of the stores and really scutinise everything.. and there are lots of shops selling shoes... and with all those choices... of cos i managed to get something cheap and nice.... though our KIV-ing kept SOMEONE rolling eyes all the time... wahahha.... but wat to do? of cos u must compare all shops and all prices before u decide on which one right? but the funny thing was... we KIV-ed 2 pairs from 2 shops but bought a pair in the 3rd shop... wahahah... well... =D
Proud buy of the day... cost me only $36....
Sun 22 Oct 06
going to Walmart to buy the winter stuff for the car... on our way out to the main road... we saw Shihui coming back from her jog... so we stopped and asked her if she wanna go shop with us.. so we drove her back to get her stuff.. then we set off to downtown portsmouth Rite-Aid to check out some fleece blanket... but it is thinner than we expected.. so din get tat... then went to Hannaford... then back to Walmart... got the scrappers for the windscreen... antifreeze for the gas... shovel for the snow... de-icer for the keyhole... and fleece blanket for me... for the car la.. but i think i'll be the only one using it.. hahaha... saw those super big and cute bedroom slippers... i like the ones shapes like sneakers... looks just like u r wearing shoes.. haha.. but of cos ur feet look swollen la... tempted to get those... but i gathered i wouldn't be walking around much at home.. so don even care if the floor is cold or not... so just got long socks instead... yup.. quite fun shopping with Shihui... haven been going out with her for some time.. i like her.. always so funny... brightens up my days... should hang out more often!
-jiahua
Friday, November 03, 2006
Back dating # 2
Sat 14 Oct 06
we went to Boston again! this time with the plan of visiting the museum of science since we have free tickets... so the big group of us took 3 cars and drove down... after reaching... took really long to get to chinatown... then take super long to go to the cheap carpark... then took quite some time to get a seat at the place to have lunch... so by the time we sat down.. i think it was already 1+.... we had roast duck! nice! don know how many thousand years never eat duck already... after lunch.. i think it was already 2.30pm... then we decided to take a walk from chinatown to museum of science... and the walk was nice... walking thru the city... but it was quite a long walk... by the time we reach the museum.. it was already 4.30pm... and the museum closes at 5pm.. -.- but the omni theatre closes at 10pm.. so we decided to buy tixs for the 8pm show... then we took the T back to the shopping area to shop... went to Filene's Basement... wow the stuff there so lok kok... reminds me of Mustafa centre can... can't stand it.... met up at 7pm to get together for dinner... had a late lunch.. so thought we could just grab a bite at some bakery... left at about 7.30pm.... but little did we know tat... we would lose our way again... ahhaah... missed the turn or something... then took a super long way to turn back... by the time we reach the museum.. it was already 8.15pm... show started... cannot go in already... so we went to ask if we could change the tix for a later show... and the person suggested a 'very nice' laser show... so we went... it was shown in the planetarium... it has a dome for ceiling and seats that lie all the way back down... the laser was emitted from an equipment at the centre... the show was unbelievably boring can!! i was telling them... it just feels like we are sitting in a big windows media player... watching the laser shapes change with the music... and not to mention.. the music sux too.... ahhaahah... we were thinking since there's already laser lights... standing up and dance.. treat it as a pub or disco would be more happening... ahhaaha... it was very dark.. so i was wondering.. after the show.. how many would have fallen asleep.. hahaha... after 45 min... we were all seh already... haha.. so started on our drive home... so much for a day in Boston and never achieve wat we set out to see... hahaha...
Group photo of the day... taken on a bridge... but weird la.. pple so small... some more still can see the ledge... haha..
Museum of Science! Don't understand wat's the r/s btw science museums and T-rex... when i was in Brisbane... the Science Centre across the river also has a T-rex outside... hmm...
House shot.... everywhere we go... haha.. always short of 1....
The legendary planetarium!! hahahaah.... curer of insomnia... hahaha...
Sun 15 Oct 06
went to White Mt for a scenic drive trip along the Kancamagus Highway for the foliage... but i guess we are a week late.. cos some trees have already drop their leaves... but nonetheless.. the view was still good... but it was super cold up there.... and we literally drop at scenic spots... ran out to take a couple of photos... then rush back into the car and drive to the next spot.... i think we did see a few snowflakes... looked like dust floating in the air before we realise those are actually snowflakes... caught a glimpse of it when it fell on kor kor's jacket... but it just melts away after a while... the whole trip was none other than... trees... rocks.... river.... and more trees! orange leaves!
At the start of the scenic drive...
Group photo of the day... at the visitor centre...
Some scenic photos we took...
How come this pic give me a feeling we are in China? haha...
This is where the skiing will take place...
-jiahua
Wednesday, October 25, 2006
Back dating #1
Fri 6 Oct 06
Mooncake Festival in foreign land... went to buy mooncakes for colleagues and told them wat the festival was about... they liked the mooncake paste.. but not so much the egg yolk... haha... i guess it's the same idea as when they cannot get used to the smell of durian... tat night YM was working night shift... so we brought mooncake and chicken wings to workplace to spend mooncake festival with him... but it was too cold outside... so din go outside to admire the moon... haha..
late in the night... we decided to drive out to some place nice.. like the beach or some lake.. where we could capture some nice shots of the moon and its reflection off the water... but gave up after driving for a while.. cos can't seem to find anywhere and i think the moon is too far off... so we will just be taking nothing more than just 1 bright circle...
10pm at Lonza...
View from my window... full moon! not too bad shot eh? haha...
Sat 7 Oct 06
we went apply picking at Applecrest in Exeter... it has a big apple orchard... a corn field... a pumpkin field.... a market place tat sells the produce.. and a mini enclosure with farm animals...
Pumpkins of all shapes and sizes...
Cute shot taken in the pumpkin field... 10 sec countdown started when everyone was in position... then JUMP!!
Then we took the cart or watever u call it... to the apple orchard and that's where the action begins...
After the briefing on how to pick apples and to keep away from poison ivy... we set of on our hunt of the tastiest apples... diff trees were marked with ribbons of diff colours.... we tried apples from each kinda tree to gather info on which is the sweetest... crunchiest... then we went back to the same tree and pluck it bald... haha...
Apples!! on trees!!
Apples sampling in progress...
Under the apple tree...
Family of pumpkins... hahaha...
We managed to squeeze quite a lot of apples into the given bag... plus filling our own bags too... hahah.... $20 very worth it.. hahaha... and we managed to 'kop' a small pumpkin from the field beside the apple orchard... at the end of the day... after giving lots to other pple... we still have... after a final count.... a battalion of 77 apples and 1 pumpkin... haha.. so effectively we picked more than 100 apples altogether...
the following week... pple started bringing apple pies and stuff to work... i made 2 apple cakes... 1 was burnt! wasn't at home in time to save it... haha... my bad... the other was ok... though still slanted... haha.. my conclusion was... either too much baking soda such tat there's too much gas evolved tat caused it to over-bubble... or fill the mould too full such tat it overflow... as of now... still quite a bit of apples left in our house... at least 20 i would say...
here's our little pumpkin all drawn up for Halloween by YM... hahaha... silly looking...
Wednesday, October 04, 2006
About last week...
on fri.. our house went to downtown Portsmouth for dinner.. cos YM and Lau not working.. so the whole family could have dinner together... we went to Muddy River Smokehouse... and we ordered 2 Squealers.... and by tat we mean 2 big (and i really mean BIG... it's like 2 trays filled with food) plates topped with mashed potatoes... loads of baked beans... big slab of ribs... big pile shredded pork.... and half a chicken... and as u know ribs are pretty hard to eat glamly... i agree with wat was written on the waitress's t-shirts.. 'eat like a pig'... supposedly if u can finish this whole plate of food urself within 1 hour... u get some prize... but i don know wat la... seems like no one has come close to that yet... a walk in the cold after tat to get our car was pretty refreshing but nonetheless bbrrrr...
on sat... we went to Boston again... they have frens there in MIT so we went to MIT and they showed us around... campus was pretty nice.. with those oldish looking building... looks exactly like those college scenes we see on tv... with a mixture of modern too..
after that we went to have lunch at some dim sum place... food's not too bad.. don know is it cos very long never had such food... or is it cos we were super hungry for eating at 2+... haha.. after lunch went to do the usual grocery shopping... and loaded our car with lots of stuff...
On our way to Boston... poor me... squashed by giants...
Home of the Boston Red Sox...
Artistic shot of WY... hahaha...
Super 'action' shot...
pretty boring week... spent half of sunday nuahing at home and waiting for things to happen... din go to the supposed Deerfield fair... weather was bad... ended up left house for Best Buy and Barnes and Nobles to walk walk... but was good to go out for a while.. too bored at home... can't stand it... to think some ah cek actually wanna stay home for Thanksgiving's 4 days of holiday lor... cannot stand it...
-jiahua