Time has flown by so quickly. I have been here for 11 years; January 20 was my anniversary date, the day I landed in Minnesota to start a new life with my hubby.
I have to say I’m still smoke-free and I hope I can stay that way. The real motivation for me to keep it that way is DB. He is very focused on staying dry for the rest of his living years, and I told myself I will do the same to stay smoke-free.
I have sorta turned this blog into a blog where I can make some extra play money for myself. The extra cash definitely helped pay off some bills, too, and to pay my air tickets for my trip to Malaysia in November, 2007, which I am still paying.
Yes, the trip back to visit my hometown, Ipoh was a wonderful one despite the hellish experiences. That is the highlight of the year. DB came along with me for 2 weeks in Ipoh. We both stayed at my parents’ home, ate all Malaysian food, no western I told them. I met up with my buddies, not all but some.
After 2 weeks in Ipoh, it was time for DB to leave for home and we both left Ipoh enroute to KLIA, sent him off at KLIA and I continued my stay in KL with my buddies in KL, Deb, Mandy, and Rachel. My parents and my sister and her family joined me in KL and we all stayed at Swiss Garden Hotel along Jalan Pudu till I departed on Dec 8. Another wonderful trip and a great trip memory lane in KL. So much has changed – very much crowded and expanded every where I turn to.
In 2007 I have added 7 credits towards my 2-year Associates degree. I still need 23 credits out of 40. Sounds so much and I’m telling myself I can do it. I took two courses last year, English Writing and Principles of Management. I was about to sign up for an accelerated course, but the dates clashes with my balik kampung trip. I told myself I will take three courses in a year, I almost did it. It is not easy doing all these school thingy part time. I am still waiting for the day where I can attend school full time and work part time.
I also met Simmie and Nicole, another two fellow bloggers living in Minnesota. I have spent a few afternoons with Simmie eating, venturing out to the farmers’ market, concerts and shopping. Both Simmie and I have met Nicole once and I hope we will meet again in the near future – for CNY maybe? I hope this CNY we all three will meet again and another blogger, LP’s Korner who lives in Bemidji, and I have followed her blog for awhile.
Living here for eleven years in the US has kinda made me sorta Americanized. I’m know I’m picking up a lot of slangish, thanks very much to my hubby. I still remember my first year – my conversations with DB and the folks I worked with at my first job was quite an experience. My pronounciations were different, sorta with the Queen’s pronounciation and our Malay mixed. The very one I will remember is “van”. How I used to say it was “wan”. But I still think my spoken and written English sucks big time. Can’t speak proper English for crap. My written English is definitely better compares to my me trying to speak good English. Another thing I have gotten in to improve my English is listening to podcast. It all started with listening to MPR – Minnesota Public Radio on our local FM station. I listen to it in the car on my way home from work every day, but it also depends on if there are any good story or news to listen to. In the evening, I subscribed NPR – National Public Radio via iTunes, and I have subscribed to few others, too. Whether it will help improve my English, I have yet to find out. Oh yeah, I’m very much into iTunes; downloading music, videos and podcasts. As of now, I’m downloading music from iTunes and writing this at the same time. My dad would say I’m 100% wasting money for nothing.
Eleven years in the US I have to say I am most happy now than the first few years. I’m happier with DB,and why it is will be in a different post. The dogs are the only companions I have when I’m alone in the house and they can make my blood boil especially Ranger, but less than 5 minutes I’m not mad at him, and he will take advantage that I’m lax with him. That dog, I give him one inch, he wants one feet. Nevertheless, he still a sweetheart to me and to his beloved master of the house. No matter how much I scream and yell at him that day, he will still come to me and lay next to me at the end of the day.
I have to admit, I’m just happy being here where I am now. I like the 4 seasons especially the cold but not the gale forced winds. I can sorta tolerate the heat and humidity for whatever summer months we have in Minnesota and that will be the only times I would be complaining about the weather, but all Minnesotans told me to just wait five minutes and the weather will change. It changed and as long as it drops the temperature, I’m cool.
