I went to watch Exotica the other day. Ooo... And, the dancers were HOT!!! (See above - managed to get photos with some of the dancers. YX... The dancers came out for photos and all before their next show, so managed to catch them after I got back from TCC) Got to watch it for free cos my cousin had some connections and managed to get us in for free. Just have to pay for drinks and all. Haha... And, since I didn't drink, the whole night was almost free (exclude my little supper at TCC) except for parking and gas which wasn't a whole lot.

Gas... Hmmm... Gas... Er.. Petrol? Yes, somehow, I've picked up terms like, " Can I get the check?" or "I need to get gas. Is there a gas station around?" or "Could I get a box?" and either the waiters look at me as if I were from some planet out of this solar system. No, I am not trying to fake being an American or trying to tell the whole world that I have just come back from the States. It's just that I have had to use these statements a lot more than I have back home in Singapore.
Take a look at the first 2 statements. Usually, if I do go out to eat, either my dad calls for the check, or it's probably self service and we'll settle our checks individually. Yup, true, once in a while we'll have to call for the check, but you know how the infamous "signature in the air" does the trick and the check comes right to you. So, it was only in the States (well, at least for me) that I began calling for the check more often.
Statement 2: I don't have to get gas for my car (or more technically, my dad's car) back in Singapore. Neither did I have to bother about gas prices and all. But, when you're in a state like Texas where not having a car is almost a handicap (you'll probably take 5 hours to do grocery shopping when it'll normally take you 1hour to do it. Why? The public transport system here sucks), you become more weary about everything related to a car. From the ever increasing gas prices, learning how to pump gas (well, I pumped gas for the 1st time in my life in Austin), car maintenance and all. And of course, the ever helpful guys would gladly buffet out information about cars. Thanks guys!!! So, of course the term gas grew on me during my stay there.
Finally, statement 3. Firstly, American portions are Huge. Texan portions are EVEN LARGER. Well, they don't say that "Everything is bigger in Texas" for nothing. So, HUGE portions = can't finish food. And instead of wasting it, why not keep it for the next meal. After all, the microwave has been such a wonderful invention, so use it to the max! Singapore portions on the otherhand are small (hmmm... well, at least in comparison to the US ones) and there's not much to ta-bao after you finish your meal. Short of the random times when I order according to my cravings. Of which many different ones can happen at the same moment = many dishes (if my wallet allows). So, definitely there'll be left overs. Or when I'm feeling fat, and eat only 1/2 the portion of the serving size. Of which, the above 2 don't happen so frequently. Naturally "boxing" of food was used more widely in the States than I did in Singapore.

Still, that being said, I still retain part of my "proper" British training from the grounding the Pri & Sec school teachers gave in grammar. And, the Singaporean slang has always been at the tip of my tongue. Will I retain those American terms? Well, that's for y'all to hear in the coming months!

Look at these M&Ms!!! So sweet right? colour co-ordinated and some more got butterfly shape. Sadly you can't find this is Singapore. It was flown in specially from the US. Special thanks to Laura and Jane. Thank you girls!! I really love it a lot. I can't bear to eat it. It's too pretty to be eaten. hehe... =)

Ahh... And, my friend just gave me a super big birthday present that came in so many parts. 2 boxes of chocolate, 1 cross necklace, a card, 1 box of caramel pralines, a photo album and a pretty little pendant. So sweet right? Must show off show off a bit.. Hehe... Love you to bits, hun!!! *muacks* Thank you so much!

I was at Haagen Dazs the other day with a friend eating Chocolate Fondue. Indeed, it is an Ultimate Indulgence. Look at it, it just looks so pretty!!! It was really good. I especially enjoyed it with the green apple, the macadamia nut ice cream and the waffer. Hehe... Super duper good!! The fondue tasted a bit weird with the double chocolate chip ice cream (far too chocolatey) and the new flavour - some summer berry ice cream flavour. But, it's still good. Hehe... It's chocolate after all. =) Pity that I didn't bring my camera, otherwise we would have gotten better photos instead of pictures from a camera phone. But, come to think of it, the photos aren't that bad after all especially since its coming from a camera phone.
First shot...
A view from the top. The fruits, the biscuits and nibblers and the ice cream.
Ahhh... My favourite shot. It's such a nice combination of colours!!!

And, after we finished the fondue, what was left was just some residual chocolate in the fondue pot and lots of nuts. I was playing with my food yet AGAIN, by trying to make a bar of nutty chocolate. Sigh... it's all gone... =( Yes, 2 people eating all of that up. Yummy!!! Haha...

I have had my BBQ sambal stingray fix from one of my favourite haunts - BLK 85, Fengshan Market. Hehe... Was telling YX that I really like Blk 85 alot cos they have tonnes of good food. From BBQ sambal stingray (and the BBQ rang of stuff), to the yummy Chai Chee porridge and who can ever forget the delicious bak chor mee, oh luak, carrot cake, ah bohling, BBQ chicken wings and I never fail to order my sugarcane with lemon. Haha...

Jan and Laura came back from Austin last night. Haha... And was bugging them for my presents. LOL... Hehe.. I miss Austin. Ok, I should just stop there, if not it'll be a long essay about... you know what...

Ahhh... I should start blogging about my life back in Singapore. After all, my Austin experience has passed. It will always remain in a very special part of my heart. So, anyway, my first few days back in Singapore started with me bringing back 2 dozen Krispy kreme donuts for my wonderful church friends, and of course, who could ever forget Miles of Chocolate. That chocolate brownie which is to kill for. You have to try it before you know why it is so super duper good. And, nowhere else have I ever eaten a brownie that is this good. At least to me it is that good. But, of course its great taste also means its killer calorie count. hehe...

And.. Ooo.. I managed to catch up with some of my ex TKGS class mates. It's been a long time, but its really good to catch up with them and all. And of course, how could I ever miss meeting up with my good 'ol bizad pals. Gosh.. Mel and Shirley are graduating!!! Wow!!! Haha... And, of course, how can our meet up not ever have a movie included - X-men 3: The last stand. Not too bad a show. But, since I didn't watch the 1st 2, I had no idea about anything. Mel helped me fill in the details, so it wasn't that bad after all. Thanks babe! hehe..

Yups.. and church camp. God just moved. Pastor Benny was a great speaker... And, God moved. During worship, (especially the last one), I was so happy... Just praising God that I dun think I even remembered what I was playing. It was such a sense of joy when I was playing and worshipping God, and it can only be His joy. And, every other worship session was amazing as God moved in the place. Thank you God!! As in all church camps it is also a time to strengthen bonds. For me, it really worked, having been away for 5 months, this camp helped me to just hang out and chill with some of my closest buds from church and also to help integrate me back into the worship team.

Finally, Pet's party. Her 20th birthday party at her place. Yups.. another cool time of just hanging out with my closest buds from church. Sigh... Pet, I'm going to miss you so much when u go to Australia. I just came back, and now you're going. Sigh... We must hang out a lot before you leave, k? *hugs*

I should stop procrastinating and write my closing entry about my time in Austin. It has been a fantastic time. It's a city I have grown to love. Sure, it may not be the most happening city of all, and some of you guys may say that Texas is boring. But, Austin has its beauty and uniquity, and you need to come here to experience it and then only will you learn to love this place. I will miss the hill country, the beautiful lakes and parks which are in such close reach, the slow pace of life which gives you quality of life more than quantity of activities, the nice time to chill out with friends and all. Talking about friends... I have so many wonderful people to thank for making my stay here such a wonderful stay. Really, without them, it would have been more difficult for us to fit into the Austin community. And, they have been such a wonderful bunch of people, sending us around, chilling out with us, cooking for us. I miss you guys so much!!! Can't wait for you all to come to SIngapore. Must come and find me when you all come to Singapore, ok?

Andre: Thank you for helping us settle in especially during the 1st few weeks of our stay in Austin, and also for giving me rides to church. And, yes, I thoroughly enjoyed the Chris Tomlin concert. Haha... And, of course, I can't say enough of Thank You - s for helping me so much to load all my luggage, bring it to the airport and check it all in for me. Thank you so much. I really wouldn't know what to do without your help. And... Oooo... of course, how can I ever forget to thank you for introducing us to the irresistable Krispy Kreme!!!


Cheekin: Thank you for being you!! listening ear, guinea pig, chauffeur... Ooo.. And so many other things. hee.. =) *wink* I miss you so much!!! I really do. I hope you can come back to SIngapore really soon. Ah well.. we'll see what happens. =)

Jan: Super duper bestest friend!!! Haha... I still haven't forgotten the title that I gave you. Haha... Thanks for being mr chauffeur and, yes... all your sneaky football moves to make use of girls as a human shield really works!!! Thanks for always being such a great help! Hee... Miss hanging out with you so much!!! Quick!! Hurry come to Singapore, then we can hang out, and celebrate your 21st birthday in advance!!! Whee.. And, yes.. BBQ and chill out parties at your place, k?

Kim: Thank you for helping us girls settle in so well, and also for taking such good care of us. Yups.. and especially for inviting me to your church and the church camp. Thank you for sending me to the airport, helping me pack and of course for all the wonderful cooking tips. The chicken alfredo and chocolate covered strawberries was just superb. You've been a great sister in Christ! Continue to press on and let God do His wonderful work in your life. Yups.. And, I'm always here as a listening ear if you need one! =) *hugs*

My beloved house mates: Jane and Laura.. I am already missing you girls. Laura, must enjoy your last few moments in Austin, k? And, yes, we must meet up when you girls get back to Singapore. *hugs*

Love all of you guys a lot. And, I really wish that I were still in Austin hanging out with you guys and all. But, sadly, good things always have to come to an end. But, our friendship will continue for many years to come. =)

i am so lazy to update my blog. There's so much to write, but I am lazy. Yes.. Super duper lazy.. Ah well... Anyway, I'll be off to church camp tmr. So, there'll be yet another long silence. Let's hope I get out of my bumming mood after I come back.