Weekend at the Big Apple

The entire UA Representatives!

You know how some people say "I went to XXX for the weekend!" or " I went to Paris to shop!" Well, now I get to say, I went to New York for the weekend! haha! No, it's not for pleasure or because I'm rich..but it's for the Danone TRUST Challenge 2011. Expenses were covered and lodging provided, making the trip almost free. UA sent 4 teams, total of 20 students, for the competition. The challenge was to run a business simulation, making business plans for the company for the next 3 years, making choices as executives and forecasting P&L. It was similar to what executives face on a daily basis. The challenge lasted a total of 5 hours straight of brainstorming and decision making. What makes it more challenging is working with 4 different strangers as a team. But quickly, we got to know each other and the group dynamics remained positive. The challenge was fun, especially when you see how others work under stress and pressure. For me, the more pressure or stress, the better I work. I actually felt more comfortable in the stressful period than the beginning. Weird, huh? Anyways, I think our team did well and I pray that our team will make it to the finals.

After the challenge, the entire group from UA decided to head down to NYC for the night. So, we went back to the hotel and freshen up before heading out. It was a fun night out, getting to know others and joking around. Being in the city/ Times Square made me feel just right back home. The crowd, the traffic, bad driving, sirens, running across the traffic...I felt belonged and safe there than in a small town. (Ok, some of you may be thinking I am a little strange to feel safe with the constant siren blaring off but it definitely made me feel back in KL)..Anyway, I had great Japanese food, great conversations and of course, fun!

A weekend away, great company and challenging competition is just what I needed. This trip further confirms my passion and dream of one day being a corporate executive/ board member. I guess now I can say, I am on the right track! =D

Winter Getaway 2010

Like every other year, I take a trip, a getaway if you will.. This time, it was nearer to home..Houston, TX! Our 10 hours drive started at 6am. It was pleasant drive there at first, since I only drove 2 1/2 hours of it..haha..however, our drive was longer than 12 hours! haha..guess what happens? Like every time, something interesting has to happen..this time, another flat tire! hehe..I was sound asleep when he pulled the car by the busy highway and woke me up, and the first thing he said "I think we got another flat tire *grins*".. For some mysterious reason, every trip I take, something like that is bound to happen. The day before we left, he had gotten a flat tire and changed it out. 2 weeks before that, we changed another flat tire during our Thanksgiving day trip. Anyways, we pulled over by the highway, tried to get change the flat tire out with our new gadgets! hehe..he must be thankful that I made him bought the new gadgets, since the last time we did it with the pathetic small gadgets that came with the car, we couldn't even get the car above ground level..anyways, a man pulled up by the highway and started reversing towards us. He was friendly enough to offer us help and directions to the nearest body shop.

Ok, after changing out the tire in the midst of heavy traffic, we started heading towards the body shop the man had told us to. First body shop -NO such tires in stock. Second body shop: NO tires in that size either..Well, they gave us another body shop to go to, and this time, it was starting to get dark and traffic was picking up..we stopped by a gas station to refill gas and reconfirm our directions. Guess what? The guy gave us a body shop which was 2 hours away.. ^_^"" How were we gonna get there with the small spare tire? So, the guy at the gas station gave us a couple of nearby body shops addresses. At the gas station, we meet some Chinese guys who kept staring at our car and us..then, after 20min, 3 of them came and ask if we were from UA and apparently, they know who he is and have seen us on campus... ^_^""" (i guess that's what being president is like huh? many know who u are, but u may not..haha)

Ok, Houston..we spent the first 2 days getting his passport renew and the car fixed. So, I was either sitting around in Starbucks with my book or walking around the area by myself while he's busy somewhere else..We also got to go to Galleria Houston, the 4th largest mall in the US..it was lovely..we went there almost every other day.. =p

Anyway, this trip, we got to eat a lot of good chinese food..we stumble upon this first place in downtown Galleria and they were pretty good..i was a happy camper..we came here for the first 2 nights in a row.. the dim sum and food service were excellent! We also went to Cheesecake Factory for my favorite meal and cheesecake..on Christmas Eve, we went ahead and got me my tiramisu cheeesecake for Christmas breakfast..hehe..ok, so, we had lots of good chinese food to eat! Even "ta pao" home duck rice for my next day's lunch on our way home from Houston...

Oh, we also went to visit NASA center. The place was really cool, you can actually see what they do and get a tram tour around the facility..you can't imagine how big and yet cramp a rocket really is..the way they eat, cook, shower and even go to the restroom is interesting..hehe..there were several games to play with, several performances and of course, LEGO showcase at the same time! =D

Overall, my trip was shopping, sightseeing, eat, eat and more eating..it was a blast! =D

*Pics time!*

yummy char siew and dim sum!
he was excited for pickled appetizers..
Part of a rocket @ NASA

LEGO!!!!

Beautiful sunset at Galveston Island

this last pics was just for fun..he was irritated by me snapping pics.. =p