Day 1 (in Newyork):
Well it wasn't that cold when we reached JFK airport just comfortable like how UK was. Was a total mess after the long plane ride. First impressions of new york was loud, steam (from pot holes etc), just not the type of place I'ld want to live in. Graffati every where in addition to weird signs (No standing, No idling... ...). And in Newyork the streets are all numbered (horrors elaborate later). So anyway we took the coach to 103rd street to our hostel, "hostelling international". Slacked in one of the rooms cause it wasn't check in time yet but then I should still introduce 4/6 of my roomies to you.
me, chun, audrey, eileen
Alrights so to my horror my camera actually died! the screen was totally black so I only have my phone camera to depend on. So anyway we went on to Manhattan School of Music but then since we were too early, we went to the miniature park beside it.
Anyway we had some masterclass there where half of us fell asleep terrible jet lag. Wells at night went to Rockefella to supposedly see some lighting up of the christmas tree but the whole of newyork seem to be there its like 100 times worst than Orchard Road wonder why we even bothered to squeeze (thanks to some immature kids). Just cause of 3 kids who want to squeeze in alrights lets not bother to continue.
That marks the end of day 1 in newyork.
Day 2:
Took a coach early in the morning to take a ferry to liberty Island of course to see the famous Statue of Liberty. What would a trip to newyork be without visiting the Statue. It was terribly cold and the wind was so strong on the ferry.
Did some kind of a city tour with a guide that can't speak perfect english. He was like saying thats the broken bridge and in my mind i was like huh what broken bridge is there in NY. And it turns out to be Brooklyn Bridge! gosh. So lets revisit the places that we went to. Ground zero, Wall street, Newyork Stock exchange.
Newyork stock exchange
After that tour we went to Avery fisher hall to watch the Newyork Philharmonic. And I slept through the first piece and throughout the interval till the end. I stayed awake during the 2nd piece to watch Gil Shaham oh my have been hearing his records and knew him as a legend in the violinist world. And plus he played Dvorak, one of my favourite composers.
Day 3:
Went to the Julliard School of Music which is the school many musicians are vying for. And their book store is this big blue container. Was tempted to buy the Julliard shirt but oh wells not that worth the money just for the word Julliard.
Went to Barnes and Nobles the bookstore that can be found all over Newyork and made our way to Guggenhein Museum and we took the bus for the first time and we the Music students walked 20 streets all the way to the museum. I swear I was almost dying when we reached the museum that i was in no mood to walk at all though some of the art pieces (modern) were really quite humourous and interesting. So Eileen huiyan and I took a lift to the highest floor and made our way down.
Went to Empire's state building next (where Kingkong was standing) and alright you take an elevator to somewhere in between and they snap a picture of your group of friends or something then take another elevator to the 86th floor. And poof you find yourself in some gift shop. what a money making scam. Went outside for a while to admire the night view of newyork but it was super windy so retreated to the gift shop.
tj mep@ julliard on empire state
Day 4:
Went for another guided tour. But its one without a coach. Had a better guide this time round! and he was actually born in Singapore! We went to some memorial for the 911 incident and he also brought us to the most famous coffee place in Newyork! It was truly delicious.
So we just continue our walk, passed by chess shops where people can go in and find a mate to play chess with. Then went to the college of arts and sciences and after walking one round being non artistic just went to find someplace to rest. And guess where we went next ----- The Apple store!!!! My my the ipod touch is so !!! and its cheaper than in Singapore sighs but poor blokes like me obviously can't afford it.
And we toured round Union square with a local guide and Oh my freaking god. It was so cold that we were all silently praying for the tour to end but it took like HOURS! And how we kept ourselves warm--- huddled together, jumped up and down. And by the time it ended and we went to Virgin I was almost frozen into a popsicle.
After warming up we went shopping! At DSW, Forever 21. Tell you guys the clothes in Forever 21 there are rather affordable not sure about the Singapore store though I am rather sure the forever 21 there has much more choices and offer clothes at a cheaper price. Had dinner at this absolutely pricey burger store and those that wanted to shop carried on while the others head back to the hostel.
Day 5:
Woke up and heard some of my roomies go ITS SNOWING! and wow though my hostel window does not offer any nice scenary it's my first time experiencing heavy snow falling continuously from the sky!!!
We waited like eternity for the bus to arrive and waited out there in the cold. Snowflakes were falling all around and it felt like a fairy tale. A fully formed snowflake fell on Huiyan's head and she was kinda being used as an exhibit.
Finally reached the metropolitan museum of art and yes you see their shops at raffles place and suntec. Anyway we were kinda forced to join the guided tour but i was sick of seeing art works that I just can't comprehend. And anyway halfway through the tour chun was telling marc fairy tales and his laces came off. So during the moment where he was tying his laces we lost the group! So we went to the lobby and found some other lost souls and went to eat!
After the museum trip we went to watch Spamalot and it was really Spam alot. After the 1st few scenes i went to lala land again.
Day 6:
Ah my birthday (hmm was waiting for some smses to come but they didnt, oh wells), went to central park but some how i still like UK's parks better!
So after the walk through the park we went to Rockefella and i saw the tree and wonder why would so many people Sqeezzzzeeeeeeeeee just to see that tree. just because there are swarovski crystals? Hmm people in the world are weird.
Then we went to Grand Central Terminal.. Love that place, it’s so spacious and elegant!
Visited the Chrysler Building too. There was this BEAUTIFUL Xmas tree in there, way nicer than that big Rockefeller one. Richard then brought us to the New York Public Library, where they filmed that awesome movie, The Day After Tomorrow. :D
He then brought us to Toys R Us! The place was big enough to fit a Ferris wheel!
After that, we went to the Carnegie Hall for a concert by Rene Fleming with the Boston Philharmonic! I thought the concert was uber boring. No offence. and yes I fell asleep again. But it was very funny suddenly dinah woke me up and said i was snoring so i darent fall asleep again and then suddenly i heard snoring!!! and it was actually the person beside me shall not name her and phew I was embarrassed for nothing!!! Thank goodness it wasn't me!
Day 7:
We visited the Columbia University! Rannald was in love with the place. And it snowed again! It was so cold, I could not remember anything that tour guide told us. The place is beautiful, definitely. Singapore Universities really disgust me after visiting the ones in UK and US. But I guess I should just accept my fate of staying here and studying in those fugly buildings.
Haha anyway we went to this Cuban restaurant. So four of us (wynne, xinjun, chun and I) shared two plate of fried rice (one chicken one beef stew). The portions were huge, so we ended up very full and glad that we shared the meal. EXPENSIVE MEAL! $10 a plate. :( AND THAT IS NOT INCLUDING THE TAX!
Went to Macy's and bought this Guess jacket for school next year bet its cheaper than singapore though its quite pricey (40USD/$60 sing). Stupid place to shop, really.
Macy’s escalators are made of wood. And they made a freaky sound Chun and I were terrified of it initially. Its like those in haunted houses or something.
Day 8:
We went to the Natural History Museum! It’s where they took the set for the movie Night at the Museum! But it was a very very bad day for me, elaborate later.
Watched some IMAX movie on Cosmic Collision.. It was very exciting!! sat with marc and at one point where there was a collision marc got frightened and grabbed my hand!! haha kids.
Went for the guided tour and halfway i really couldnt take it, was really really ill. So left the group halfway and went to find a quiet spot to sleep I think it was at the evolution's video. Then i decided I should go hunt for the lobby but the museum was so huge and I got lost but I was really sick and probably having a fever feeling so cold even with my coat on and found this bench and slept there for a while. Then suddenly Mrs Neo found me and I think she probably got a shock and made me go to the cafetaria for a hot drink. Ms chew managed to force 2 panadols on me ( i can't swollow) and after a while's rest felt slightly better.
The worst part is after the museum we had to walk in the cold while it was snowing. Went to Filene's basement and managed to buy a wallet for my mum.
After that, the art people went back to the Met museum for some special exhibition while the rest of us went shopping again. This time, we went back to Union Square, that Virgin, DSW, Filene’s place. That night was supposed to be our Nutcracker ballet, but we got the time wrong! The email told us that it was 8pm, but it was to start at 6pm.
So, at 6pm, we were all happily eating crepes and pasta at the hostel kitchen while the art folks were watching Nutcracker. Oh and I'm really in love with the kitchen in the hostel where we cooked many many meals.
I wasn't that disappointed since I wasn't really feeling that well. Miss Chew was frantic haha, but finally the people got back to us the next day and told us that we could all watch it on the day after the next. :D
Okay 5th December was a short day. A lot of shopping. (: Miss Chew even returned a really pretty white jacket which she bought “on impulse”. US rocks, they allow us to return stuff we just bought and gives us cashback with no questions asked. We should do this in Singapore you know. :D I bet Dinah loves Filene’s because she bought 3 bags there!
Day 9:
I got up and did the usual wash up but was feeling really terrible so stayed in after all they were going to visit yet another museum and all.
Slept most of the day away and read my new book "the pact". Thanks eileen for the liquid panadol I would have died without it.
Day 10:
And Joy to the world we were finally going to Woodsbury what all the girls (and perhaps the guys) were waiting for!!!!! SHOPPING!
The whole village was made up of factory outlets and all branded I tell you, Guess, Calvin Clein, Quiksilver, ETC. Mrs neo was smart enough to put marc and mayce in our care. Honestly we were somewhat irritated cause we had to do our quick shopping given the shortage of time and had to take care of the kids. Bought quite a few things there. A puma shirt for only 7.99 USD. Wanted to buy a pair of sneakers but then its so hard to find sizes =(. Bought a polo brand T shirt for my dad. Ear rings, oh and quick silver was the best. Bought a pair of roxy slippers for 9.99 USD and a pair of roxy 3 quarters for only a frigging 5 USD!!! a pity there was TOO LITTLE TIME.
There was a jam all the way back to Manhattan and the music students had to rush to catch the ballet that we missed the other day. I didn't sleep!! nice to see the little girls in tutsi's. Oh somethng embarrassing happened during the concert. Marc insisted on going for the concert again and since there happened to be additional tickets. So anyway halfway through Ms chew wanted to take a picture which is forbidden but just for keepsake, and marc caught her and reached all the way to the front row and said very loudly "CANNOT TAKE PICTURE" and I who was sitting beside him was utterly embarrassed. gosh ms chew gave him a scolding after the concert. Lol.
Day 10:
The year 2 music people and mrs neo, marc and mayce stayed one additional day while the rest left kinda missed my roomies when i woke up. saw their sweet note. So anyway we just went around shopping at union square and i bought a pair of levi's jeans at only 35 USD. Walked around myself since eileen and huiyan were not really shoppers and 2 others were shopping queen and rannald liked walking around himself as well.
Did some grocery shopping and cooked pasta for everyone =). Did packing and sqeezing all my shopping (mainly chocolates) into the luggages. And though Singapore has 6 limited edition of colours of m&m's I realise I have about 10 colours or more!!!!! Now i can't bear to eat my m&m's!!! such pretty colours, white, baby blue, purple!!!
Day 11:
Went to JFK and our flight was delayed by 2 hours!!! Wells they gave us 300 baht (12 sing) as compensation for meals at the airport. The trip back from bangkok was totally not peaceful. I was dying to sleep but mayce who was sitting next to me was drawing a plan of her house and later while she was lying on my lap kept squirming about!
and thats when i tell myself. NO KIDS!
