More Photos and Updates from Alabama!!!!

1st & 2nd Week in University of Alabama in Huntsville...

Finally...I've managed to sort out all the photos that I've taken for the past 2 weeks...phew!!! Well as I mentioned in the previous post, there have been a lot of activities going on in the university...here are the photos!! Enjoy!! :)

UAH campus surroundings...huge campus with lotsa buildings...but I hadn't had time to take more nice photos yet.

10 Aug 2008: The international office gave all international students a free trip to Nasa Space & Rocket Center!!

It was my first time seeing rockets!! Had lotsa fun trying wall climbing, Space Shot and G-Force!

This Space Center is the main attraction in Huntsville...that's why it is called 'Rocket City'!

A great place to learn more about the journey to the space!!

11 Aug 2008: International Orientation

All 2008-2009 sponsored international students in UAH!!

International Students with Ms Anita at University Center

12 Aug 2008: 1st trip to Wal Mart!!!

Madison Square...the only mall that I've been to so far!

Went for bowling with other international students, Sergey, Mark & Steve.

13 Aug 2008: All Global UGRAD scholars during the phone orientation to Washington DC

Sports car!!!! The owner offered to help us take photo and allowed us to sit in her car!! That's my bike that I got for free...what a contrast to the 2 cars...haha!!

Enjoying our meals in the cafeteria

The game room...equipped with karaoke, video games, fussball and table tennis! Cool!

15 Aug 2008: Casino Night. I didn't play coz I don't really know much about gaming...hehe!!

Won a coffee machine from the lucky draw!!!! We were taking photos with the campus police instead of gambling...haha!!

16 Aug 2008: Chargerstock. Water games, free food and lotsa fun!! I was playing the Twister...interesting!! :)

Picnic style dinner and live music before the Foam Party

Foam Party!!! That was really fun!!!! Love it!!!

Yeeha!!! Nice shot!!

Freebies!!!!!

My 21st birthday presents from Sabina, Cristinna & Uyanga!! Thank you so much!! Appreciate it!

17 Aug 2008: Convocation. Everyone was wearing blue T-shirts...nice!! It was my first time attending this kind of event...it was a good experience!

They even had a drum ceremony where everyone was given a drum and played together with the group from Drum Cafe!!

Convocation Video

President's Picnic. Food, live music, dance and fireworks!!! It was definitely a memorable experience to spend my 21st birthday here with a bunch of new friends...and also a great party!!

Cheerleading Video

Fireworks on my 21st Birthday!!!

Skydiving...like the one in Genting...but this is open air....COOL!!

Went for the free Latin Fushion and Yoga class last week at the University Fitness Center. Basketball court, swimming pool & gym...very nice!!!

We've started class this week...I'm having 2 classes here. I'm taking Advance Financial Accounting, Investments, Business Writing & Japanese Language this semester!! It's time to get serious with studies!!

Late Greetings from Alabama!!!

Hey peeps!!! I’m back yo!!! I know…I should have updated my blog earlier on…but…sorry larr…I was waiting to get internet in my room…argh! It has been more than a week since I departed from M’sia and so far, things have been going on pretty good and I’ve met lotsa new friends!

I got my air tickets from Ms Kalis last Thursday and realized that my itinerary has been changed…I’ll have one more transit…KL-Singapore-Tokyo-LA-Denver-Huntsville…wow!! The entire journey was really…looooonng!!! Altogether was about 50 hours! Too bad I spent my 080808 in either airplane or airports! This was the first time that I travelled alone and well, it has been quite an adventurous journey. I had to ‘tour’ around Changi Airport because of the baggage problem and also missed the flight to Huntsville due to the flight delay in LA. Luckily, the transits in other airports were alright. During the journey, I also stayed in 2 transit hotels…haha!!

Spent the entire 080808 in the airplane!!!

Different flights throughout my journey

'Touring' around Changi airport because of the baggage problem...haha!!

Transit hotel in Changi Airport....nice!!!

Stuck in Denver...but that was one thing good...at least had a good rest!!!

I finally reached Huntsville, Alabama on Saturday afternoon and saw the University of Alabama in Huntsville. From the moment I landed till now, Anita and other international office staffs have been a great help. I liked the residence hall and my suite very much coz it is new, clean and nice!! The environment around the university is also very nice with trees everywhere. I’ve met quite a lot of friends from other countries such as Hong Kong(Fiona), Turkmenistan(Sabina), Kazakhstan(Aina), Kyrgyzstan(Emil), Moldova(Cristina), Serbia(Ivana, Dragan & Aleksandar), Costa Rica(Melissa), Dominican Republic(Mariel), Guatemala(Jose), Myanmar(Htet), China(YiHeng), Mongolia(Uyanga), Georgia(Veronica), India(Ragav), Brazil(Daniel, Daniela & Debora) and Paraguay(Sam). All international students arrived last week and we had been spending the entire week together. We all came from different countries with different culture...different language...but itz amazing how we all bonded so well together within a few days!! Besides, I’ve also met my American suite mate, Anna and Danielle!!

Upon arrival in UAH...in front of my dorm

My room and the TV room (plasma TV)...AWESOME!!

The international office gave all new international students a free trip to Nasa Space & Rocket Center last Sunday. It was quite an interesting experience for me coz it was my first time seeing rockets! We’ve also had our international orientation and I’ve also registered for my classes. I’ll be taking 4 subjects this semester. Apart from that, we went to Wal Mart and also bowling. There have been quite a lot of activities going on throughout the week before classes start next Monday. Will talk about it in the next post...haha!!

Haha…enough of words…photos speak better than words! But...I'm still workin' on them...will post more photos up soon!

9 More Days to Alabama...

Wow~!! Can't believe that I'm flying off to Alabama in 9 days' time!!! Counting down from 2 months...till now...about 1 more week left only!! Juz realised how 'much' time I'm left with to pack my luggage when I saw the count down for 2008 Olympic...gosh!! Headache with what to bring...what not to bring...aargh!! This time...I'll be travelling ALONE...sounds scary but luckily I've got some experience during my last trip to Hawaii...I'm sure everything's gonna be GREAT!! Anyway, I'm really excited and looking forward to experience a completely new life & new environment!! Oh Sweet Home Alabama...I'm comin'!! :)

Meet-ups with friends before leavin'!!

1. Lunch with fella AFA Course Committees @ college cafeteria

2. FAS committees 'retirement' dinner @ Chilis

3. Farewell with high school buddies Phaik San & Geng Qian

4. Sunway Lagoon trip with Yuki, Hooi Yee, Christine & Howard

5. Community Sociology gathering in Penang

Some pictures of University of Alabama, Huntsville (UAH)...not bad huh!

Business Administration Building...will probably attend most of my classes here!

One thing COOL about UAH is...it is situated beside NASA Space & Rocket Center!!

The city of Huntsville, Alabama

ACCA-TARC Student Conference 2008

Casa Rachado Resort Port Dickson, 12-13 July 2008

Hey there FAS committees...SMILE!! Thank ya all for a great year!! :)

I'm back in Penang!! I've been staying back in KL till so late mainly because of my last task as the Chairperson in Financial Accounting Society - the ACCA-TARC Student Conference. We've been planning for this event for more than a month and it hadn't been easy pulling everything together!!

This was the first time that we moved this event out from college and the hardest part was to get the approval from college...coz you know...nobody wants changes...people want 'status quo'...especially the 'bosses'. Ms Geh was the one who fought for us and helped us make this event a success!!

Somehow, we managed to get the approval and the next thing was to get started with our work. I've delegated work to each of the committees and unfortunately...ended up doing most of it myself with Ms Geh!! Reason being...the conference falls between their progress tests...which we didn't know when we booked the resort...damn!!

Since I'm considered the 'free-iest' person in the committee (coz I've deferred my course to go to US)...and I understand that many of them are 'top students'...I had to do almost EVERYTHING!! I had to type out the entire name list & particulars of all participants; arrange their groups, rooms & buses; design the entire booklet; design & type all the name tags; come out with ice-breaking & team-building games; be someone's secretary to email the banner guy....etc!! I don't mind helping out to do all these...but I'm pissed with the fact that some of them didn't even asked how was things going on!! Come on...it wouldn't kill them to juz 'pretend' to ask right???

Our advisor, Ms Geh also ended up helping us to print the booklets and name tags...what the heck!! We should be the one doing all these and they didn't even offered to help!! Gosh...show some commitment as a committee please!!

But in a nutshell, the event was indeed a success and I'm glad to see the participants enjoying themselves and had a great time throughout the event!!! I appreciate the effort of all the committees who have helped a lot in all the activities (apart from one who 'fei gei' the whole team)despite having tests the next 2 days. It wouldn't be a success without anyone of them though!!! Juz wanted to let out my emotions here since we don't have any post-mortem...hehe! :)

This was how the banner looked like in SBS. Costs RM1200...used for less than 1 week...OMG!

4 buses departing from KL to Port Dickson...2 more from Kampar & Penang.

Finally arrived at Casa Rachado Resort!!

20 groups gathered in the field...getting to know each other for the first time.

Jun Loong, Joyce & Me in action...holding that hailer...cool huh!!

Comin' out with team cheers!!

Ice-breaking...everyone chasing the balloons!! Hilarious!! :)

Some of the group photos!!

Lunch time...cheers!!

We need a break too!

Briefing on ACCA Internally Assessed & my welcoming speech.

Team-building games: All Aboard!

Toxic Waste

Committees and Mr Ang fooling around with Yoga pose...

Helium Stick...made everyone frustrated...hahaha!!

Great Egg Throw!! Protect ur EGGS...haha!!

Game by Mr Ang...to get the guys 'stripped'...hehe!! :)

Yay...group photo of all 240 participants!!

Take 2!!

Debriefing session & me giving instructions...nice shot!

The 5 winning teams and 'Best Team Spirit' for FAS Committees & Facilitators!!

Thank you Ms Geh for EVERYTHING!!! Sorry for all the trouble oo!!

Committees going crazy...best actor award goes to...Quah Jun Loong!!!

Thank ya all for the sweet memories!!! It has been a great journey!!

Jungle Trekking

I was the only committee around for jungle trekking...luckily seniors Yong Kit & Wai Lim and faci Elizabeth came along!!

The Lighthouse!

Picturesque view!

Thatz me helping one of the participants who wasn't feeling well...

I've finally completed my job as the Chairperson for Financial Accounting Society!! Itz now time to recruit the new batch of committees but I won't be involved in it anymore since I'm now back in Penang. Counting down 17 more days to departing to US!! I haven't started preparing anything yet...oopss!!!

I'll be leaving from KLIA on August 7...transit at Singapore...stopping over at Tokyo...transit at Washington Dulles and finally will arrive Huntsville, Alabama on August 8!!! What a nice date to remember...08.08.08!!! But i'll miss the opening of Olympic 2008...oouch!!