UAH Memories - Part 2

Since the day I arrived, my dorm had been the place where I spent most of my time. I was really surprised when I first saw my room & suite...it was way better than what I expected. Coz in Malaysia, dorms are not that nice. Here in North Campus Residence Hall, 4 person share a suite and each of us have a single room. Our suite is like an apartment, we have a living room, a small kitchen, 2 bathrooms, 2 toilets, & 4 basins in every suites. I was really lucky coz most dorms in other universities are twin-sharing & share a common bathroom. Besides, I had a good roommie so it was even better...I loveeee my rooom!!! 

My lovely room...I'm gonna miss it!! Had to clean everything and move all my things out before leaving.

My comfortable bed...teddy bear bedsheets & comforter...hehe!! I had to use 3 blankets coz it was too cold...I bet I'll pass out if I did the same thing here in Malaysia...haha!! 

My contantly occupied & messy table. I'm so used to having 24/7 internet connection...the very first thing I do when I wake up & the last thing I do before going to bed is turning on & off the computer...hahaha!! :p

My cupboard is considered quite neat...especially after laundry.

Side table...phone, clock radio & coffee machine...all my daily essentials.

Look at the mess that I created in my room when I was packing my things...it was not an easy task putting everything into my limited luggage space. I didn't know that I've accumulated so many things within 9 months!! I don't even remember how many times I repeated the process of 'packing-unpacking-repacking'!!!

NCRH dorm...niceee!!

Haha...our sink was never empty!! I don't know if itz the culture here...wash the plates only when you wanna use it!!

I only have 5 things on my basin...contact lens, solution, retainer, toothbrush & toothpaste.

So gonna miss this place!!

UAH Memories - Part 1

Finally sorted out the pics that I took towards the end of last semester. I brought my camera almost all the time coz I wanted to keep more memories of my life here. I think every exchange student share this same experience, we tend to appreciate what we have now more coz we know that we're losing them soon. 

The cafeteria...this is the place where most of us sponsored students had our meals...lunch & dinner...for the past 9 months. Even though the food here is not super yummy, we still come here coz we don't have to pay for food here...muahaha...itz all covered under the meal plan sponsored by our program! All we need to do was to swipe our Charger Card each time we come here....ain't that cool!! 

I still remember that when we first came here, most of us sponsored students will occupy a big table and have our meals together. This was the place to socialize since most of us don't stay in the same suite or attend the same classes. But we spent less time eating together during the 2nd semester coz we were all busy with studies...and sometimes we prefer 'take-out' & eat in our rooms with laptops in front of us...haha!! :p

One thing good is that itz all buffet style...that means....'all you can eat'...every meals!!! I guess that's why most people gain weight within these 9 months...luckily I still managed to maintain my weight...hehe!! We had the chance to eat 'American' food everyday...pizza, hamburger, fries, salad, entrees, desserts...hmm...sounds 'fattening' huh!! Plus...we had 'bottomless' soft drinks, sweet tea, juice, milk & choc milk!! Haha...living up to the title...Alabama...the 2nd fattest state in the US...woohoo~!!!

Most of us 'Asians' don't really like the food here coz we wanted....RICE!! One of my friend, Htet from Myanmar actually lost weight coming here coz she preferred instant noodles than the cafeteria food. As for me, I'm not particular about food...I have no complains as long as I don't starve.

From these pics, they don't look that yummy but itz pretty good...juz that I mixed everything together in a plate. I didn't eat hamburger, pizza & fries coz I don't wanna come back becoming 'fei po'...haha!!

I'm gonna miss the free meals from the cafeteria...hehe!! :p

Spring 2009 Classes

Looking back at all the pictures that I've posted since I came here to US...I realized that most of them are either about traveling or outings. That's why my friends asked me if I came here to study or have fun...coz it seemed like I was enjoying all the time...haha!! Well...that's quite true...but I did study too!! So this time, I brought my camera to classes and 'curi-curi' took pictures during class...hehe!!

MUA140: Beginning Guitar Class

I've always wanted to learn guitar but I was too lazy to learn it by myself. I knew how to play piano, violin, & horn...but not guitar...too bad! Bro has a guitar at home that nobody ever plays. Coming here under this exchange program was a great opportunity for me to learn guitar...finally!! We were allowed to choose our own classes as long as 50% of the classes are within our major. The other 50% can be anything...music, art, sports, engineering...whatever I like...cool huh!! Last semester I took Japanese & this semester I decided to take up guitar. Thanks to Daniel for borrowing me his awesome Martin & Co. guitar that cost $1200 for this class...yeah!! :) Even though I always complained carrying the heavy & huge guitar case to class twice per week, I really enjoyed this guitar class...coz it was the only 'stress-free' class...haha!! Mr Weaver was also easy on us and taught us according to our own pace. I got A+ for this class but there's still a lot more to improve...at least I know the basics now...woohoo~!!

I likey likey my awesome guitar & guitar class!!

MU306: Music Technology

Music Technology...sounds deep huh!! Yea I know...I'm an accounting major...and what am I doing in a 'music technology' class?? I've never had any basics on music tech and I'm taking this level 3 class??? My brain must have gone wrong when I selected my classes....haha!! Well...I thought I'll get to learn recording & mixing music coz I'm interested in these, that's why I took this class. But I totally forgotten about the theory part...I saw 'stars & moons' when Dr Bowyer was teaching...Digital Audio & MIDI = 'stars & moons'....hahaha!! But luckily I still managed to do well on the exams...yeah!! We were supposed to do 2 projects throughout the semester but due to time constraints, we had to put aside the recording project & spent most of our time working on the Flash project. Wait a minute...Flash???? I'm not a computer major like some others...and I've never done any 'programming' before!! So no choice...had to learn and luckily Dr Bowyer helped us along the way. I remember spending hours in the library working on this project...and when my friends whom I was chatting with asked me what I was doin...I'll say...'FLASHING'...hehe!! ;) Of course, I finished my project & also got an 'A' for this class...pretty good huh!! ;) Check out my Flash project: Virtual Chords-Learning Guide for Beginners
http://www.uah.edu/music/media/technology/projects/2009_1_spring/flash/tang_khai_shing_virtual_chords.html

ACC433: Forensic Accounting

In fact, I can take any business classes regardless of the level...easy or difficult...it's all up to me...but I still took two level 4 classes this semester. I chose this class instead of advanced auditing mainly because it is not common in Malaysia...and the word Forensic sounds cool! Sounds cool but the class was not really that cool...hehe!! There were several times when I nearly fell asleep in class coz it was mainly theory...equals...boring! Most of my classmate brought their laptops to class...looked very pro huh...but I'm sure they were all multi-tasking...haha!! I wanted to do the same thing also but I sat at the front row...too bad!! I got an A for this class also...yeah!! ;)

MGT499: Competitive Strategy

I took this class because it is similar to the 'Business Analysis' class that I'll be taking when I go back to TARC. I have been relaxing a lot this whole year so gotta get back some momentum, so that it will not be too difficult when I go back home. I really enjoyed Dr. Chadwick's class coz he didn't need to use any Powerpoint...all he did was talking...for 3 hours...and managed to keep me awake all the time!! That's some skills there! We also had a group project for this class. My group selected Sony and we had to analyse the company's internal & external environment, find the problems and come up with recommendations. We also had to do a presentation at the end of the semester. I can say that this was my first time working with Americans for a group project and I wasn't impressed at all. I've always had the perception that since English is their main language, it should be much easier for them to write papers and do presentations...as compared to us foreign students whose first language is not English. But I was so so wrong...in fact...I think even my friends in TARC can do better! I had to do the entire Powerpoint presentation slides for my group coz the others were busy or lazy I dunno...I don't wanna comment much...the process was pretty frustrating. And during the presentation, quite a lot of them just READ from the paper...omg!!! Of course, there were still SOME good ones. I got a 'B+' for a freakin' 89.23%!!!! Damn it...I'd rather just get 80!! Our group project paper was the one that pulled my marks down...stupid stupid stupid!!! :(

MIS146: Computer Application for Business

This was another easy class that I took. I was so glad that it was a web-based class...I didn't have to go for class at all...juz did online tutorials and assignment...love it!! The class taught everything about Microsoft Office 2007...it's pretty easy coz I knew most of the things already but it's still cool to learn some new functions. Yeap...'A+' for this class as well...hehe!! ')

My classrooms...all my classes are small so we didn't need big lecture halls like TARC.

Goodbye...My Friends!!

It's sad to say but our UGRAD journey had finally ENDED. Yeap...9 months had passed by...so quickly!! Seems like it was just not long ago when I first arrived Huntsville...met Anita & all other sponsored students. I can still remember exactly everything that happened on 9 Aug 2008: Sabina arrived a day before me; Melissa arrived on the same day after me & Anita brought us to Jason's Deli for dinner; the others arrived next day and I helped Uyanga & Cristina to check-in their room. I don't know why...but all these are still clear in my mind.

I'm gonna miss all the good times that we've had together!!

Of course, I can't leave out our 'babysitters' who have been taking good care of us & brought us all together for the past 9 months...the Office of International Programs (OIPS)!! Dr. Pottenger, Anita, Kathleen, Sarah, & Sabrina...thank ya'll so much for helping us soooo much here. Without all of you, I'm sure we wouldn't be enjoying our stay here. :p I'm gonna miss riding my bike all the way to the office to 'trouble' Anita...asking her to help settle my documentations & get my stipend check. :(

The souvenirs I received from OIPS: Alabama-US-Malaysia flags, UAH t-shirt, UAH flag & flash drive.

Our final gathering organized by OIPS for all of us...farewell dinner & debriefing at New China Buffet. It was sort of like our 'graduation ceremony' for completing of our exchange program here in UAH. They also brought us to Panoply after that. No words can express my gratitude towards everyone in OIPS...I'm gonna remember all the moments that we've shared. Hope that we'll have the chance to meet again in the future! Keep up the great work...ya'll are really awesome!!

Our last meal together at the cafeteria...I'm gonna miss the bottomless soft drinks, sweet tea & chocolate milk here!

From the day we arrived, all of us sponsored students had spent a lot of time together...eating at the cafeteria, going on trips, community service, Friday night parties, etc... Every single one of them are amazing individuals and I'm really glad that we've built a strong friendship despite all our differences. I guess itz because we all share one thing in common...which is being an international sponsored student in UAH!

Last party with all our friends

All these are gonna be sweet memories that will put a smile on my face when I look back someday.

Sending all my dear friends to the airport. It's hard to see everyone leaving.

I've gotten so used to saying 'CYA'...but it's finally time to say 'GOODBYE'. After this 'goodbye', we'll all proceed to different routes in life...we don't know if the routes we chose are gonna bring us back together in the future. But I hope that no matter how far the distance, we'll still stay in touch and keep each other updated on our lives...I'm looking forward to hearing all your success stories!! :)

Itz never easy to say goodbye...especially knowing that we might never meet each other again.

~2008-2009 UAH Sponsored Students~
1. Sabina - Turkmenistan
2. Aina - Kazakhstan
3. Emil - Krygystan
4. Cristina - Moldova
5. Jose - Guatemala
6. Melisa - Costa Rica
7. Htet - Myanmar
8. Uyanga - Mongolia
9. Khai Shing - Malaysia
10. Don Michael - Filipines
11. VietAnh - Vietnam
12. Angel - Panama
13. Aleksandar - Serbia
14. Dragan - Serbia
15. Ivana - Serbia
16. YiHeng - China
17. Mariel - Dominican Republic

Water Ski Weekend Getaway with Ole Miss Dudes

18-19 April 2009: Ole Miss Guys...Khai Sheng, Evan & Tony

Bro & his Taiwanese friend, Tony followed Evan back to Huntsvlle over the weekend. Bro was lucky to know Evan, that was how he managed to come over to Huntsville to meet up last winter & this time...hehe!! They knew each other coz he's a Chinese major in Ole Miss & bro was helping to tutor some of the Americans who are learning Chinese. He was a good host for inviting 3 of us 'foreigner' to spend the weekend at his family's house. We all had a great time hanging out together and also tried water-skiing for the first time ever with Evan's family...it was soooo much fun!! Wished the weekend was longer!! 

I was really surprised to know that so many 'ang mohs' are also learning Chinese...we're definitely very fortunate to have the opportunity to learn 3 languages in school. Being Chinese ourselves...we'd better know our mother tougue...no offense to 'bananas' though. Before coming here to US, I've never realized that we are very 'multi-lingual' and it was such an advantage. When people asked me what languages I know...I just listed out without even thinking...English, Chinese, Malay, Cantonese, & Hokkien...5 languages. Then they'll give me a surprised look...and said...wow, so many languages?! 

First stop...Bridge Street. I finally had chance to take day picture here...good timing coz I'm leaving Huntsville soon.

Their house is nice! We are sooo 'Asian'...not enough kaki so taught Madison to play mahjong. Surprisingly they had mahjong at home...hahaha!!

This was what we did when we were 'eat full too free'...posing on the trampoline...hahaha!! :)) Look at bro's interesting poses!!

Row row row your boat.....

We were like having a vacation...soccer, trampoline, hot tub, kayak...with such a beautiful view!!!

Went to 'I Love Sushi' for dinner...oh gosh...sooo goooood!! :)

My first water ski attempt...the water was cold but it was so much fun!!

This 'process' repeated several times....hahaha!!!

Me in action...pretty good for a beginner! :)

Bro learning to ski

Now look at the professionals...Madison & Evan!

Evan's family was our water ski teacher for the day....yeah!! Their boat is cool~!! 

Awesome view at the surrounding....wish I can own a house like this in the future!! 

Helped bro to take some 'sarong' photos...haha!! He asked me not to upload these pics...but I don't care...itz my camera...muahaha!! :p

Thank ya'll so much for the hospitality & a great weekend!!! :)

World Learning 2008-2009 UGRAD Re-Entry Workshop

National 4-H Conference Center, Maryland: 20-22 March 2009

I was supposed to post this update a month earlier but I was thinking of waiting till the end of this UGRAD program as a wrap up. But I've been taking so many pictures lately and I'll have plenty of farewell pics to upload so decided to just update about this workshop first.

We attended this workshop during Spring break...right after our trip to New York City. This Re-Entry workshop was organized by World Learning to gather all UGRADers from Asia Pacific & Western Hemisphere scatterred in different universities all over the States together. A total of 66 UGRAD academic-year scholars from 18 countries flew in to DC and the main reason for this workshop was to prepare us for "Re-Entry"...simplified...going home. I've uploaded a lot of pics here (p.s. click on it for larger pics).

We took a bus back from NYC to DC the night before this workshop and stayed at HI DC before heading to Chevy Chase, Maryland the next morning. Finding our way to the conference center was indeed a 'challenge'. Bro and I got off the nearest metro station and with all our super heavy luggages, we walked 2 miles for about an hour to get to the conference center...pheww!! We could have taken a bus or cab but we thought it was just a mile away and we didn't see the bus so decided to walk...bro's 'brilliant' idea...hahaha!! I was sooo happy when I finally saw the 4-H building...what a 'good' workout for us!! Most of the others were already there earlier and mingling with each other before we arrived. It was my first time meeting Ms Jessica, Ms Lee & all other World Learning people in person...they've been working hard behind the scenes all these while and we've only 'met' them through emails. We dropped our luggages, got our folders then headed to the cafeteria for lunch. The last 2 people who arrived late was Htet & Uyanga...hahaha....pride of UAH!!

After lunch, we got into groups to work on our community service posters. I was trying to find my name on the grouping list and surprisingly...I was the 'lucky' one who were left out on the list...hehe!! :p My groupmate was Jose (Dominican Republic), Khuslen (Mongolia), Nirle (Venezuela) & Magdelena (Uruguay)...we used our 'creativity' to design our posters within an hour...hehe!!

It was then time for welcoming address by Ms Dorothea. We were then asked to introduce ourselves country by country. It was funny when bro mentioned that we are twins...everyone was so surprised...haha!! Within half an hour...we got to know friends from China, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Filipines, Guatemala, Honduras, Laos, Indonesia,, Mongolia, Myanmar, Malaysia, Nicaragua, Panama, Thailand, Uruguay, Venezuela & Vietnam...cool huh!! We are the pioneers from our countries to get the opportunity to be part of this program.

We had a dinner reception and met representatives from the US Department of States, Mr Thomas Ingalis & Mr Tim Marshall, and also all the World Learning staff...they were the ones that looked through all our application forms and gave us the chance to be part of this amazing program. Thank ya'll soooo muchie!! :)

Clockwise: Ms Jessica Mead, Ms Lee Nguyen, Mr Colin Davies, Ms Irina Cheptanari, Ms Deanna, Mr Thomas Ingalis, Mr Tim Marshall, & Ms Dorothea.

The 2 dancers from UAH...busy posing for pics all night...haha!!

Beautiful girls representing UAH from 3'M's...Htet (Myanmar), Uyanga (Mongolia) & Me (Malaysia)

We just can't get enough pics with our traditional costumes...

Fashion show...my kebaya & bro's batik...Malaysia Boleh!! Bro looked like 'politician'...hahaha!! :p

Our cultural performance...Rasa Sayang (Feeling Love) & "用马来西亚的天气说爱你" (Saying 'I Love You' with Malaysia's weather)...yea...always soooo HOTTTT!!!

Other performances during the cultural night...ended with a group salsa dance...what a blend of cultures....Love it!!

During the cultural night, we had fashion show and cultural performances from several countries. Bro & I was involved in both...proud to represent Malaysia! Earlier on, we were thinking what to perform for the cultural performance...it wasn't compulsory though...juz for fun. I came up with the idea of singing Rasa Sayang (coz that is the most 'well-knowned' song in Malaysia)...so I looked on Youtube for some ideas...then saw Ah Niu's version of Rasa Sayang. I edited the song a lil' then sent it to bro and asked him to practice singing while I came up with the dance. We didn't had time to practice this performance at all until the night before the cultural night. I still remember practicing at HI DC's cafeteria at midnight...and they had CCTV there...the security might be laughing his ass off watching both of us acting stupid...haha!! But overall, our performance was pretty good...thumbs up...hehe!! :)

Our sumptuous breakfast at the cafeteria...I think I ate too much...oops!!

We were in the conference room from morning till afternoon. There were talks on Re-Entry, reverse culture shock (I didn't know about this earlier), joining the State Alumni, & leadership. We had the chance to interact with other scholars and listen to some of their experiences during this program. I was really impressed by everyone there...no doubt the potential future leaders of our countries!! This program had been a very valuable learning experience for every single one of us...being here in a foreign land as international students had change our lives, perspectives, and made us all a better person in life.

Each groups then took turns to present about our community service experiences.

We also wrote answers for different topics...there were some pretty interesting ones.

Everyone was busy taking pictures while waiting to board the bus for our DC tour. We just knew each other for less than 2 days but everyone bonded so well like we've known each other for a long time. It's amazing to see that even though we all come from different parts of the world with different cultures, speaking different languages...there seemed to be no barriers between us. Despite all our differences, this UGRAD exchange program has brought us all together to share one thing in common...which is the amazing UGRAD experience that we will remember for the rest of our lives!

We were split into 3 groups for the DC tour. We visited Albert Einstein's Memorial, Vietnam War Memorial, Lincoln Memorial, Jefferson Memorial, Capitol, & The White House. It was my 2nd time visiting all these places coz I've been here last December. But it's still nice coz I got to see the night view of this attractions this time around. As usual, we were busy 'playing' with the 'toothpick' (Washington Monument)...hahaha!! I really love the awesome camera from my baby...that's the best gift for me!! :)

After the tour ended, we all went back to the hotel and grabbed the opportunity to chat and share our stories before we flew back to our universities the next morning. Jessica, Deanna & Lee joined us and we all sat at the corridor of our rooms to chat. It was really nice that we finally had some time to sit down and chat. We all wish the workshop was longer so that we can know each other better.

It was time to say goodbye. We've enjoyed ourselves during this workshop and met lotsa amazing new friends here. This workshop was short but fulfilling. We've accomplished a lot from this UGRAD journey and it had been a life changing experience. Our journey here in the US is coming to an end but I'm sure we'll carry everything that we've learned here with us for the rest of our lives. We are all going back with sweet memories that we will look back someday and smile. This is not the end...it is just the beginning of our journey to a better future!

I am so blessed to know everyone here & proud to be a UGRADer!! To all my friends from all over the world: All the best in your future undertakings!! Keep in touch...I look forward to hear about your success stories!!

If ya'll wants to visit Malaysia someday, feel free to let me know...I'll be more than happy to host ya'll!! :)

Quote to share: "Dare to Dream...even the sky's not the limit!!"