Curtains down

31st Dec 2006. Last day of the year. 5 days since I last logged in (doubt anyone missed me anyways).

Oh well, must admit that this has been quite a real holiday - been the one where least work's being done. Really got my dose of travel, sleep, dvds, and meet-ups with frens & relatives, so I'm not complaining. Online connection's been super erratic, with those 6 undersea cables being multilated by earthquake tremors.. It'd be perhaps another couple of weeks before we can access websites without having to deal with that pressure-raising "Internet Explorer cannot display the webpage" sign.

Yesterday, I went to Shashlik @ Far East Centre. A cosy little russian restaurant with yummy skewered beef/pork/chicken fillets on sizzling hot plates (but you must learn to forgive the moderate ventilation, grumpy waiters and upper-middle price range). Heard much abt their "flaming" ice-cream dessert but didn't get to try it... At Hard Rock later (wonderful powerhouse band was on air), I was waylaid by one of my newly-graduated kiddos. And true to every bit of that nurturer's blood that's in me, I told him to "go home early". You should see that pained look on his face. Muahahahahahaha.

Today, perhaps I'd visit the newly-reopened ACM (Asian Civilization Museum). Read that it's free entry to all galleries till 2am. I am curious to find out how far behind we really are from NY's Met. Or perhaps I'd trot behind uncle to photograph fireworks. A quiet countdown to a hopefully bright new year.

Been raining non-stop for the past 24hrs...

Initially thought I'd be staying up real late these 2 nights coz cant really bear to let these 'legitimate, national rest days' slip by just like that. Ironically (as things always turn out in real life), bedtime was real early, before the hr/min hand reached 10.30pm. Heck, the rain's the perfect accomplice and the bed & blankets... ooohhh... (i'd be heading for shut-eye right after this).

Met up with JL at Great World's Cedele yesterday. Hmmm, it's the end of fantasy story for me. Too serious, too work-oriented and too rational/logical a couple if we'd ever make. And that can only mean one thing - boring. Or stressful. Or individualistic. Or cold. So that's it for this particular thread. I'd be content with just being friends from now... =P

Back for only a week and I already so miss all that yummy NY desserts (cakes, pastries, scones, coookies, smoothies, teas)!!! Argh.

The oven beckons

On a drizzling xmas eve afternoon, the mind goes a-wandering:

1) http://www.lcbaustralia.com/coursesCulinary.htm

2) http://www.ciachef.edu/admissions/academics/baking/aos.asp

Most of the modules look enticing. But I dread the thought of having to sit/bake through classes with young, noisy, childish kiddos... I was more looking forward to learning from, and with, matured adults.

In any case, the courses don't come cheap and I'm not even thinking about the overseas expenses yet e.g. accomodation, transport, basic living costs. And it's going to take about 2 yrs. But heck, what price for happiness? And for dream fulfilment?

Both (1) and (2) are well-known/established institutions. If you were me (which you are not, of course), which basket would you put ur prized eggs in?

bugs around

Was hit by a nasty cold bug for the past 2 days just as jet lag monster was slipping away. But Panadol Cold (and some old medicine) showed its power... It's clearing up now. Thank goodness... I'd hate to have to spend xmas wheezing mucus.

Forced myself to think and talk through 4 meetings yesterday. Then rewarded myself by attending buddy xmas dinner at Raffles Hotel, then (non-alcoholic) drinks at Clarke Quay. Went to bed at almost 2.30am. Not too guai(2) for a sick old lady, I know. But heck, it's once a year affair isn't it?

Today, stayed home to nurse away the last bits of cold bug. Watched dvd and zzz-ed. Later going for sec 4 pallies xmas gathering. Hopefully, it'd be a blast too.

All the unpacking's done and deliverables sent to the relevant parties. Now, I just want to rest and hide at home enough, so that I'm ready to face another year.

Hope you are enjoying ur festive season, whatever you are doing or plan to do.

Bio-rhythmn

Jet lag big time.. Can't sleep more than five winks yesterday night. Though the heavens cried and created a chilly cool best for snoring under the blankets, my eyes + brains continued to be on high alert. What torture!

And now, while the midnoon sun is trying desperately to shine, I'm halfway into zzz monster land, but I must resist! For tonight, I do not want to be a lonely wanderer again.

Perhaps I would go get my haircut later. Then have some japanese sashimi.

I've cleared out some clothes for salvation army earlier, so this good deed should warrant a nice treat eh. Blah. Nonsense Monster is taking over my thoughts. Shall bid u adieus for now.

On home ground

Home. Back to rainy dot. Heard it's been weeping like crazy for past few days eh. Poured till the flower garden owners lost millions as their flowers (and computers with customers' contacts) drowned...

Well, initially thought I was hit by no jet lag, until I was told that jet lag is simply having that unshakable feeling of tiredness and sleepiness.. then, alrights, yeah, I've got it.

Connecting flight got delayed yesterday, so touched down at Changi abt 1.30am admist heavy rain. Collapsed on bed only abt 3.30am after shower. And started unpacking only today. After lunch, it was a pure one-way trip to konk-off land. Totally out of radar for 4+hrs. And am still feeling nuah(1) nuah(1) now.. Bedtime soon again, no doubt (not that I mind).

Tomorrow's another day for recuperation. Before I inch back into work grounds and start meeting up with buddies for catch-up and gift exchanges. I'd be talking to papa abt plans soon. And setting into motion some of them.

In the new year ahead, I wish for strength and smooth happenings.

Sat II, Sun II, then Home

Alrighties, in another 8hrs time, i'd be braving the long 24+hrs plane ride(s) again. From Big Apple back to Small Red Dot. Borrowing a 'primary sch comprehension start sentence' - In the blink of an eye, (18) days had passed by... It's time to return home. Well, if you were to ask if I had felt truly rested, I guess a frank answer would have been 'no' coz had been busy trying out/doing all the touristy things, no time to really REST as in the do-nothing-but-stone-kinda-rest. But I did manage to do all/most of what I'd liked to, including getting some inspiration/thinking about what I want to do in the future... so that's good. We'd see how it'd all work out.

Sat II
Perhaps it's the potent, incompatible combination of super-creamy New England Clam Chowder with super-strong House Brewed Coffee on an empty stomach.. It was hell once the mixture flowed down the oesophagus and rumbled along the small-large intestines. Felt like vomitting and burping at the same time. Torture from noon onwards, all the way to midnight when it finally cleared.

1) Went to check out the famous Brooklyn Bridge. Wonderful views indeed. Very nice to walk the 1.8km long bridge and soak in the scenery.





2) Visited the 2nd X'mas Holiday Market, this time at Union Square. This one's at least 3X bigger than the one at Columbus Circle, and 10X more colourful and exciting. Nice. I like markets.



3) After an asian dinner (quite delicious and better than expected I must say), had a good, long, initially-tedious-but-eventually-fruitful chat with M to clear up some stuff. Well worth the time and energy, things/expectations are surely clearer now. Am glad. Communication really needs active listening plus participation from both sides, at the right time, with a clear and willing mind.

Sun II
Last day in NY. All went to meet D's playwright fren (and her frens) for dim sum in Chinatown. Not bad! Was a huge, noisy, traditional Cantonese, push cart-style restaurant. And we ate lots - some of the dishes, even I haven't seen before. I thought the char siew sou, egg tart and the chive-meat dumplings were excellent.





Then walked around Soho once more before settling for Italian dinner near dorm, and polishing it all off with a final visit to the wonderfully cosy dessert place (The Hungarian Pastry Shop) where I first went to on my 2nd night upon arrival.





Spent over USD 1K I believe. But have seen/heard/thought/done/ate/drank/slept/visited/bought lots. So it's ok I guess. Esp since govt has been so kind to give us poor servants a 2.2mth this year. Thank U, men in white.

Here's wishing myself a smooth, painless journey home. Adieus... till back in s'pore.

Lost..

Just in case anyone missed me, I'm sorry. Lost connection.

So here's another multi-day-in-one update again, but it prob won't be as long as previous, coz am slowing down the visiting-eating-touristy engine. Am ready to go home.

Tue II
The bus ride from NJ back to NY was shorter and I was back at Big Apple in time for a full day of programme. Just wanna say a big, sincere 'Thanks' to uncle James for so generously hosting me and frens. Such delectable spread of italian, american, thai and home-cooked food. And the understanding of girly shopping needs. Thanks a gazillion. I'd return the favor when u return to S'pore.

Anyways, on tue, managed:

1) World Trade Centre Site (Ground Zero)




The pics hung on fence were intensely poignant, and the timeline of events unfolding on 9-11 was goosebumps-inducing. The actual site itself was a buzz of normal construction activities - cranes, wires, workmen and all.. of little significance to the otherwise ignorant. Freedom Tower - Remember, Rebuild, Renew. The world has, however, changed.

2) American Museum of Natural History




This was not on my original 'to-do' list but following several pallies' strong recommendation, a visit was made. Not too bad, esp the Ocean, Biodiversity and Dinosaurs galleries. Did not have time to finish viewing everything in the 2+ hrs spent there. Anyways, Met is still tops. =). It (together with Broadway) will perhaps be the only reason, if I ever ever (actually never) consider, becoming a New Yorker.

3) "Phantom of the Opera"


2nd musical caught on this trip. Liked it much more than the 1st one, with its powerful Phantom lead, elaborate costumes and amazing set changes. Very colorful, very dramatic. Nice! (Not to say that 'The Producers' is lousy, just that it's of a different genre and presentation style - more comedy, more everyday-like, more subdued)

4) Iridium Jazz Bar


D wanted to check out this place, so we went. Not too cheap. Plus all the cover charge and drinks, cost ~USD40+++ easily. Thought the performers were a little too casual tho - a few of them actually looked bored on stage. =P But the Bass (who kept nodding and smiling to his band mates), Flute and Saxophone players, I like.

Wed II
Wet wet day. First time it rained since I touched down in Big Apple. Took the subway all the way to Bronx. Can sense the change in 'atmosphere' as buildings become increasingly slapped on with graffiti and blacks increasingly outnumbered the whites on pavements. Wasn't a super safe feeling.

1) Bronx Zoo
Important advice - Do NOT visit the zoo during winter time. Many animals will be kept away in their winter enclosures, not for public viewing and photo-taking. So it was quite a deserted place. Only a few lonely visitors and a few equally lonely but still exotic animals. What I like are the wide pavements and intuitive orienteering. Should have gone in summer time, would have been a lively playground.





2) Nap Time (zzzz to fight off the headache, but not too successful)

3) Supper Time (went beck to Tom's restaurant for a late night fix. Thick slabs of pork chop with creamy mash potatoes. Actually, thinking abt it now makes me real guilt-ridden and wanna puke.. =P. The diet shall begin now)

Thurs II
Slow and easy day.

1) Central Park
Went for a stroll in (a small part of) Central Park - beautiful, vast space with many other life-forms around. Very peaceful. Only wished I have more hours to spend in there, just sit and do nothing but read more chapters of my storybook while facing the lake. Perhaps I'd visit it again before I return.





2) Last day with Fish in Big Apple
Then went to meet Fish for vietnamese lunch and chat before she flies home. Indeed, we may not be the most compatible travel mates, but we are still the best of pals. Take care back in fishy land.



3) Les Miz


A deep musical with thick, passion-stirring storyline that would surely need more than one/two sit-throughs to grasp it all. I like the story much. It's perhaps one of the most meaningful and realistic musicals I've ever watched. But I thought the set changes, props and costumes could have been more awe-inspiring and dramatic, then it'd be perfect. Pity it wouldn't be my favorite as the before- and after- happenings of that night have become associated with it. If it ever comes back to S'pore again, i'd catch it once more.

That night, slept at 4am.

Thurs II
Shopping day! Big-time money spending.

1) Woodbury Common Premium Outlets


With over 200+ brand name outlets hawking their wares at factory outlet prices, who can resist? Surely not us. M, D and myself trawled the (dunno how many acres) fashion land from 10am till 5pm and came back lugging bulging bags of wonder buys. That's it, no trip to NY will be complete with Met, Broadway AND Woodbury (forget abt Fifth Avenue shopping).

2) New York Philharmonic Orchestra
Y passed me 2 complimentary tickets to this performance featuring David Robertson (Conductor) and Patricia Bardon (Mezzo-Soprano). Was really quite tired by then, and not as atuned to the prim-and-properness of such performances, so wasn't able to appreciate it as much as M. Liked the portions when I wasn't dozing off though. =P



Here's the pieces (in case anyone is interested to know):

I)CLAUDE DEBUSSY (1862-1918)
'Le martyre de Saint Sebastien Suite' (1911)

II)Kaija SAARIAHO (born 1952)
'Adriana Songs' (2006)

III) JEAN SIBELIUS (1865-1957)
'Night Ride and Sunrise' (1907)

IV) CLAUDE DEBUSSY (1862-1918)
'La Mer' (1905)

Just 2 more days now before going home. I'm in need of some warmth.

Some visuals

Spent the day strolling through some furniture galleries with uncle's fren, then had a delicious thai dinner and retreated back early to pack and rest. Managed to catch up with uncle a little more after dinner - am glad.

Here's some pics (from past 2 days) loaded using my 25-in-one multicard reader (newly bought for USD9.99 at cheap sale @ NJ's Radio Shack):


The wonderful wonderful MET musuem


Some of the fabulous exhibits


The yummilicious steamboat dinner


With uncle in his NJ home kitchen


Shopping with M and D in NJ suburban mall

Sunday II

Am typing this in Uncle's kitchen in NJ now. Temp here is higher, at a nice tolerance cool (prob mid/high 10s?). Wish NY can be like that when i return in 2 days time. Anyways, today me, M and D went to do a spot of shopping at the suburban malls. Things actually are relatively cheaper over here compared to S'pore - the electronics, clothes and acessories are all pretty good buys, esp if you know where to look. =) One super example - Levis jeans go for USD 30 if they are on sale! That's like S$ 45 my frens, and tell me where in S'pore are you going to find that?!

Okies, M and D finished their whirlwind (24hr) NJ tour and are already on their way back to NY. So for the next day and half, I'd be here spending some quiet time in the big grand house. Just want to say thanks to generous uncle for hosting me and frens. The lifestyle's luxurious but uncle's earned and deserved every cent of it well. Too bad, there is this sense of detachment somehow.. perhaps there's just been too many yrs apart.

I'd be going back to some senseless tv and John Grisham reading in a while, before zzz monster takes over.

Saturday

Today, me, M and D (who just arrived from S'pore) went for a movie "Deja Vu" downtown. I just want to check out how a NY theatre is like. USD 10 bucks. And there were less than 15 souls in the 164 pax capacity, well-furnished theatre for the noon show starring sauve, intelligent and hunky Denzel Washington.

After that, we caught a 2.5hr Greyhound cross-state bus to New Jersey to visit uncle. Managed to catch beautiful, unobstructed sunset along the way. And for the first time since I set off on this trip to US, thoughts of mama begin to really fill my mind. Her smiling, peaceful face somehow seem to emerge (very clearly) from beyond the clouds that followed the bus, as I made the journey to NJ. It's not anything frightening, just something very maternal, and very beautifully sad. It aroused in me, an intense sense of guilt. Since mama's passing, I have always and will always remember how much she had wanted to make this journey to US to visit Uncle. Her lifetime dream was to travel on a first-class air tic in all comfort and make this trip. And I (and I believe papa too) will always carry around this guilt that we did not manage to fulfil this 'to-do' item of hers (though I could probably have afforded to, if I scrimped a bit towards the end). So frankly, there was actually quite a bit of pain involved, this NJ journey. It's weird, I see this partly as helping mama fulfil something that she wanted (less the first class tic), yet at the same time, I deem it my failure to enable mama to make this journey herself. It was a solemn, guilt-laden, teary 2.5hr ride that had me drifted off to lala land towards the end.

I'm here now. In the same, beautiful, newly-renovated double-storey 'castle' in Voorhees. 6 yrs ago, I was here, en route to Canada for my undergrad exchange prog. 6 yrs later, I'm back. There's this chinese saying: wu(4) shi(4) ren(2) fei(1).

I hope mama is with me now from her first-class comfort from high up there. This is the second-best option I guess. I am so sorry.

To all of you out there, help fulfil ur loved ones' wishes now, while u still can. Money can be earned. Time will not wait.

Friday

Freaking COLD!!!

I tell you, these 2 days, it's been so cold (both day and night) that if an old man comes over, his crikety joints will break, his false teeth will drop and his poor heart may stop in shock. It had been so so cold... this morning, thermometer read minus 6 deg!! And yesterday night, it was minus 3 deg. As me and M headed out for a late supper at a restaurant where they filmed parts of Seinfeld (coz there was a sudden insatiable urge for fried chicken wings), we were nearly chilled stiff and blown away as the cold winds relentlessly howled.. Many others pulled thick woollen hats way over their ears as they ran along the pavements, hurrying to their nearest sheltered destination. It was almost comical.

Today, I visited the BEST museum in my 20++++ yrs of life - The Metropolitan Museum of Art. My god. It was so good that even I (as a not-too-arty-commoner) would jump at the next chance to visit it again! Me and M spent 5 solid hrs exploring the multiple galleries of this awesome building and, even though we did not scrutinize every single exhibit, we still did not manage to finish exploring the place. Hey, if you ever come by NY and do not visit the Met, you haven't come to NY!!! Really. My favorite galleries? - Medieval Arts, European Paintings, European sculptures in that order. Enjoy.

And then we went over to Fish's uncle's house in Queens for a CNY-like steamboat dinner. Yummy, fresh seafood in boiling hot bittergourd soup and red wine, nice and warm indoors while outside temp hovered near 0deg. Only one word - shiok. Thanks a lot. =)

a 3-in-1 update

My god, and I thought today's pretty nice and relaxed, until.... I got stuck (alone) in an ancient lift at Columbia Uni's Teachers College, alternating between the 2nd, 3rd and 4th floors like some invisible hands are pulling the cords. Throw in the non-stop wobbly clickety sounds enamating from within, it all seemed like I'm playing the main lead in some horror movie.. lucky thing, there were some nice souls who talked to me from outside the lift and assured me that help is on the way. Was in there for abt 15min. Lucky there was no cut-off of electricity (so there's still light and ventilation). Anyways, for a second, I did plan for the worst - that is if the whole lift somehow plunged all the way to the bottom, at least I've already bought my travel insurance and papa will be taken care of financially. =)

So it's fortunate that I can still sit here in Russell's Library and type this entry to you. No worries, all good. In fact, believe me, I was amazingly calm throughout. Talk about having been through big things.

Alrighties, before the pics for the past 2 days come in, let me talk a little abt today. It was (like I said earlier) a nice, relaxing day. Had a long, slow, yummy brunch with M in some nearby, cosy cafe (the cherry scone there is delicious!), then went over to the Columbus Circle X'mas Holiday Market where we got some framed prints of NY. After that, met up with a dear old JC pal - YS who moved over earlier in Aug for his Permanant Head Damage studies. It was really nice to see him again. Spent an hr+ catching up. I can't believe it had already been 10 donkey years since our paths crossed, and to think he's now a daddy! After that, I went for a leisurely browse in a mall's bookstore before heading back to Columbia U and getting right into THE lift incident.


X'mas Market


Me and YS


The Library

I'd hang out in the library for a while, look at so many other ppl frantically studying for their end-year's exams and try not to snigger while I read my storybook. =P Later on, I'd go with M and her fren for a movie + check out a cosy pub. Alrights, lift or not, it's still a nice wind-down day following the hurricane of the past 3 days.

Okies, here's some pics from the past 2 days:

Tue
1st stop: Inside CNN tour, where we got to hear about the news-gathering process and look at newsrooms and studios.

2nd stop: Carnegie Hall - beautiful grand old dame built in 1932. Felt a sense of majestic awe as I stepped into the semi-circular concert Hall. Our Durian may be efficient and modern, but it surely doesn't feel as warm and welcoming.


Carnegie Hall


Monstrous tuna salad sandwich for lunch


And a equally monstrous-sized true-blue cheesecake

3rd stop: Rockefeller Centre - the stories behind each piece of artwork, building and space are inspiring. You should join the tour offered and you'd feel like you'd have somehow stood by the sides and watched it all as the drama unfolded in the 1930s.




The HUGE and real (of coz) x'mas tree in front of main plaza

After sushi dinner with M and frens, I walked back to Times Square to burn off the calories and "feel the NY night mood" and then back to Columbus Circle before heading to a dessert place where "You've got mail" was filmed - so hello there, Tom Hanks, I've done it too.


Times Square at night


The dizzying array of pastries and cakes



Wed
1st stop: Madison Square Garden - wanted to join the tour and learn more about this famous sports and entertainment arena where basketball legends, artists and politicians make their presence felt. Too bad, timing's off so no chance.

2nd stop: St Patrick's Cathedral - beautiful, beautiful cathedral... a sense of calm and tranquility will soothe the nerves of all who enter. Wished I had the time/chance to sit in for one of their choral sessions.



3rd stop: Radio City Music Hall Stage Door Tour - went backstage to learn more about the musical world of the world-famous Rockettes. One thing here about attractions, they are all richly steeped in history. Listen to the stories and you cannot help but feel for them a little more.

4th stop: Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum - I'm frankly not a super classy arty person who slabs on art like 2nd skin, but this is one cool place with a novice-friendly collection of 20th century modern art. Beautiful architecture (too bad the exterior is undergoing renovation) with a treasured collection of masterpieces from Picasso, van Gogh etc. I like Francisco de Goya.



5th stop: Yeps, it's been a long day. And what better way to round it all off with a musical! My first one back at NY after 6 long yrs (my virgin one's Miss Saigon). This time, me and Fish watched "The Producers" - a comedy. It's not too bad. I like the catchy songs and the way simple sets were made use of so effectively. Not bad for a half-price ticket at USD 55 bucks (orchestra seats). Will very likely be catching "The Phantom of the Opera" and "Les Miz" too. =)




A terribly long limo that we see along Times Square...

Okies, have to get up to stretch the muscles now. U take care pallies. Till the next update (will surely be a much shorter one compared to this 3-in-1).

Tuesday and Wednesday

The final 2 days of using the 3-day NY pass. And I had been battling an irritating headache that refused to go away (despite panadols from s'pore). For the past 3 days, we had been up on our feet from 9am till 11pm. And bedtime's usually around 1am (and once at 2.45am) for me.. =P

Perhaps it's the typical s'porean kiasuism trait at work, some unspoken desire to milk the most of what had been paid for, to make sure every single dime and penny is worth the investment. Oh god, 40+ attractions scattered over 5 boroughs of New York City (at least 5 times as big as s'pore?)... an impossible, herculean mission. Demolished abt 10. Am happy.

Perhaps it's the headache-inducing, mad NY rush in the underground subway tunnels, ppl walking doubly/'triply' fast, ppl of all size, shape and colours squished elbow to kneecaps while seated within the carriages... (I've began to appreciate our national version where we can just run across to the opposite platform to catch trains moving in alternate directions should we realise we've missed stops/took wrong direction. Here if you try to do that, you'd drop straight onto the tracks and prob get electrocuted. To get over to the other side, you'd have to go out, up and down flights of stairs, and sometimes pull ur feet over more than a couple tens of metres of flat land - talk about the 'disadvantage' of having scarcity of land)

Perhaps it's the trying to come to a comfortable compromise with traveling mate. Yeah I know, people are not clones and surely everyone has individual preferences and priorities about all things under the sun, including what to visit, when to visit, how long to visit, how to get to where to visit, precision of navigation issues etc etc etc etc. Minor decisions (sometimes not too minor to the other party) can cause tension to be built up, especially when other factors such as prolonged exposure to cold (it's actually pretty cold now, 10 deg and below whole day) and noise/crowd come into play.. tempers can become shorter and patience thinner. Enough said, but I still love Fish. Hope she still likes/loves moi too.

Alrighty, I will stop (it's 1.40am now) before my temporary housemate M throws me out of the room. Haiz... stupid headache (pls dun tell me I bring it upon myself). Hopefully, tomorrow (no more mad rush, just going really take it easy and chill out with cuppa coffee in quiet library maybe) I'd be in 'bouncier' mood and will upload some nice pics again.

Hugs.

Monday

Start of NY pass exploration. Today's a chilly day, think it's prob under 10deg thru'out. =P

First stop - Circle Line Cruise (Semi-circle cruise): a 2hr cruise past some of NY's most memorable landmarks, bringing us to a nose away from Statue of Liberty and presenting a bird's eye view of the breathtaking Manhatten skyline. Freaking freezy tho' when the winds blew, as we sat bravely, stuck chilled to the benches on upper deck. Others remained warm within the inner sheltered decks.


The infamous, elegant Liberty Lady


The postcard skyline


The Brooklyn Bridge

Next stop - United Nations Headquarters: a suprisingly enjoyable, educational 45min tour that brought us into the General Assembly Hall and the Council Chambers (Security, Trustee and Economic & Social), and clarified some of the common misconceptions abt peacekeeping, environment and humanity issues. Worth a visit for those who want to inject a little more meaning into touristy itinerary.


The UN Headquarters Building


Some of the 192 national flags beautifully a-fluttering

Third stop - Empire State Building Observation Deck: Breathtaking 360 deg view of the entire NY state. We were up there abt 7pm and the thermometer prob read 3 deg. Standing on the 86th floor with only iron grills breaking any falls, the wind was howling and the moon was a bright round pale yellow. The mouth cannot help but fall open at the sight of zillions of lights twinkling simultaneously below.


Skyline I


Skyline II

Final stop - Madame Tussauds NY: We looked, touched, stroked, caressed the wax figures of some of the VVIPs e.g. the Pope, Dalai Lama, Bush, Clintons, Britney Spears, Jennifer Lopez & Anniston, Woody Allen, Lance Armstrong, Hugh Grant etc etc. Cool. But thought the party could have been even bigger, the list of wax celebrities more exhaustive.. for there was still some faint yearning for more at the end of the 4 galleries.


Racing with Lance Armstrong


And who else but Ms Monroe

That's all for the day. Been a pretty long one. Nose nearly froze and clunk off. Dunno how it's gg to be tomorrow.

Btw, all pics uploaded are true, original copies. Gd ole trusty camera, working even at below 10deg. =)