Tonight I invited 2 more friends to enjoy some white wine. :)
12/31/2005
12/30/2005
Sushi Dinner with 2 of my good friends ;D
Since I really wanted to eat sushi, I was walking around Center City in search of take-out food and accidentally found a sushi store in Suburban Station! [Suburban Station is a big station in the heart of Philadelphia where there are many (fast food) stores at the underground level.]
I bought "Alaskan" (Salmon) and "Tekka" (Tuna) rolls.
What a good way to end the day.
12/29/2005
My suitcase was delivered with the intact Brain. :D
this is probably the nerdiest gift ever!
i'm loving it!
this is probably the nerdiest gift ever!
i'm loving it!
OK, I bitched enough yesterday.
Here's the list of my activities during the Christmas time:
Went to Chi-town to buy ornaments and see the "Great Tree" at Marshall Field's.
Eric and I went to see 2 new movies. Memoirs of a Geisha beautifully and truthfully (I think) portrayed the culture and society of Geishas. I read half of the original book in high school, and the movie seemed to follow the book well.
Fun with Dick and Jane was not as funny as I had expected from watching the preview.
I played Dance Dance Revolution with Hillary. She is so good at playing it!
It was my 2nd time to play it and I was nervous, but 1 hr of practice improved me very much! That game is so addictive.
Eric's family gave me wonderful gifts. I love the model of the Brain!
Some good time was spent at Eric's grandparents' house where I ate so many shrimps with cocktail sauce. Looked like nobody else wanted them, so I didn't hesitate. :)
Here's the list of my activities during the Christmas time:
Went to Chi-town to buy ornaments and see the "Great Tree" at Marshall Field's.
Eric and I went to see 2 new movies. Memoirs of a Geisha beautifully and truthfully (I think) portrayed the culture and society of Geishas. I read half of the original book in high school, and the movie seemed to follow the book well.
Fun with Dick and Jane was not as funny as I had expected from watching the preview.
I played Dance Dance Revolution with Hillary. She is so good at playing it!
It was my 2nd time to play it and I was nervous, but 1 hr of practice improved me very much! That game is so addictive.
Eric's family gave me wonderful gifts. I love the model of the Brain!
Some good time was spent at Eric's grandparents' house where I ate so many shrimps with cocktail sauce. Looked like nobody else wanted them, so I didn't hesitate. :)
12/27/2005
American Airlines totally f&%ked up my flight schedule to and from O'Hare, Chicago.
From Philly to O'Hare on the 22nd:
Although I booked my flights and chose my seats in September on the AA website, they bumped me some time between October (I received the revised schedule with my seat assignments) and Dec 22.
When I arrived at the airport, they didn't have a seat for me. Since the
check-in counter lady told me to go to the terminal to get my seat assignment, I thought they would let me on board at the terminal gate and therefore, went through
the security and only found out that the flight was overbooked.
After all, nobody wanted to give up seats, and the plane departed Philly for Chicago at 9:00pm - already a delay of 1.5 hrs, leaving 4 other people and me.
This outraged me sooo much!
What made me so angry is that the airline clerks did not apologize for the inconvenience and refuse to pull my luggage out from the plane or the luggage cargo or wherever it was.
How could they kicked out someone who made a confirmed reserveation in September?
They gave me a free stay at a crappy Ramada airport hotel. Stranded, starved, stripped off my luggage. I was so emotionally drained. The anger became sadness.
Since I was hoping to get to Eric's house and grab a bite there, I did not buy any food at the airport and ended up not eating anything because Ramada's restaurant & room service closed as I was checking in around 9:45pm. [if you know me well, you know that i cannot live without eating 3 meals, and skipping even one meal causes me so much irritation.]
The horrible attitude of the AA clerks totally drove me nuts.
Luckily Eric found and picked up my luggage at O'Hare that night after he flew in from San Francisco. [yes, we planned the flight itineraries very carefully, so that his parents could pick up both of us at once] This raises another security issue TSA and airlines should prioritize and consider because they should match luggage tags and nobody except the owner of the suitcases should be able to take away luggage.
Next morning, I flew to Chicago on First class where I did not receive even single beverage.
With all these troubles, it was so great to see Eric and his mother at last!
From O'Hare to Philly on the 27th:
Due to mechanical problems, AA cancelled my flight at 2:20pm - 1 hour before the scheduled departure time.
And of course, they didn't have any good alternatives.
Again, no apology. The check-in counter biatch even told Eric to shut up when he asked questions to her.
My choices were 1) stand-by for a fully-booked 5pm flight to Philly, 2) fly to Dallas, TX and then to Philly, or 3) take the 8am direct flight next morning.
Guess which option I chose?
I chose the option(2) because 1) I was already at the airport, 2) my official vacation was until today (27th), and 3) I wasn't sure of car availability at Eric's house for the next day. Now I regret not waiting until the next morning to take the direct flight.
They put me on First class (again!) from Dallas to Philly, and this time, the First class treatment was awesome. They offered a pre-departure drink, a cup of warm peanuts, a ham sandwich & salad, and more bevereges. I almost took a picture of the sandwich and salad.
Anyway, this experience calmed me down to some extent.
However, a series of unfortunate events was not over.
My suitcase full of precious items is MISSING.
It's most likely to be left in Dallas...
At 12am I felt so miserable and psychologically exhausted AGAIN.
I have flown many times, but this is the first time where I was treated sooooooooooooooo badly.
I understand that they overbook, have mechanical troubles and forget to carry suitcases to appropriate destinations.
What's not acceptable is the absolutely rude customer service. Those people and their attitude made me furious.
I just don't understand why they don't apologize for the tremendous inconvenience they cause to customers.
Is it because they are afraid of law suits by acknowledging their faults?
The aircraft captains often apologize for trivial unexpected delays on board due to a long queue to runaways and whatnot.
How could the clerks at the boarding gate counters not be nice to customers who are facing worse problems?
Treatments I received were not acceptable and professional at all.
All I wanted was sincere apology. I honestly don't care whether they offer compensations. Attitude means a lot more to me.
While I thank your sympathy, you wouldn't know accumulated stress until you experience similar problems.
I refuse to fly with AA for the rest of my life.
(I am serious enough to waste my $250 travel voucher.)
And yes, I am mailing them a stern letter.
From Philly to O'Hare on the 22nd:
Although I booked my flights and chose my seats in September on the AA website, they bumped me some time between October (I received the revised schedule with my seat assignments) and Dec 22.
When I arrived at the airport, they didn't have a seat for me. Since the
check-in counter lady told me to go to the terminal to get my seat assignment, I thought they would let me on board at the terminal gate and therefore, went through
the security and only found out that the flight was overbooked.
After all, nobody wanted to give up seats, and the plane departed Philly for Chicago at 9:00pm - already a delay of 1.5 hrs, leaving 4 other people and me.
This outraged me sooo much!
What made me so angry is that the airline clerks did not apologize for the inconvenience and refuse to pull my luggage out from the plane or the luggage cargo or wherever it was.
How could they kicked out someone who made a confirmed reserveation in September?
They gave me a free stay at a crappy Ramada airport hotel. Stranded, starved, stripped off my luggage. I was so emotionally drained. The anger became sadness.
Since I was hoping to get to Eric's house and grab a bite there, I did not buy any food at the airport and ended up not eating anything because Ramada's restaurant & room service closed as I was checking in around 9:45pm. [if you know me well, you know that i cannot live without eating 3 meals, and skipping even one meal causes me so much irritation.]
The horrible attitude of the AA clerks totally drove me nuts.
Luckily Eric found and picked up my luggage at O'Hare that night after he flew in from San Francisco. [yes, we planned the flight itineraries very carefully, so that his parents could pick up both of us at once] This raises another security issue TSA and airlines should prioritize and consider because they should match luggage tags and nobody except the owner of the suitcases should be able to take away luggage.
Next morning, I flew to Chicago on First class where I did not receive even single beverage.
With all these troubles, it was so great to see Eric and his mother at last!
From O'Hare to Philly on the 27th:
Due to mechanical problems, AA cancelled my flight at 2:20pm - 1 hour before the scheduled departure time.
And of course, they didn't have any good alternatives.
Again, no apology. The check-in counter biatch even told Eric to shut up when he asked questions to her.
My choices were 1) stand-by for a fully-booked 5pm flight to Philly, 2) fly to Dallas, TX and then to Philly, or 3) take the 8am direct flight next morning.
Guess which option I chose?
I chose the option(2) because 1) I was already at the airport, 2) my official vacation was until today (27th), and 3) I wasn't sure of car availability at Eric's house for the next day. Now I regret not waiting until the next morning to take the direct flight.
They put me on First class (again!) from Dallas to Philly, and this time, the First class treatment was awesome. They offered a pre-departure drink, a cup of warm peanuts, a ham sandwich & salad, and more bevereges. I almost took a picture of the sandwich and salad.
Anyway, this experience calmed me down to some extent.
However, a series of unfortunate events was not over.
My suitcase full of precious items is MISSING.
It's most likely to be left in Dallas...
At 12am I felt so miserable and psychologically exhausted AGAIN.
I have flown many times, but this is the first time where I was treated sooooooooooooooo badly.
I understand that they overbook, have mechanical troubles and forget to carry suitcases to appropriate destinations.
What's not acceptable is the absolutely rude customer service. Those people and their attitude made me furious.
I just don't understand why they don't apologize for the tremendous inconvenience they cause to customers.
Is it because they are afraid of law suits by acknowledging their faults?
The aircraft captains often apologize for trivial unexpected delays on board due to a long queue to runaways and whatnot.
How could the clerks at the boarding gate counters not be nice to customers who are facing worse problems?
Treatments I received were not acceptable and professional at all.
All I wanted was sincere apology. I honestly don't care whether they offer compensations. Attitude means a lot more to me.
While I thank your sympathy, you wouldn't know accumulated stress until you experience similar problems.
I refuse to fly with AA for the rest of my life.
(I am serious enough to waste my $250 travel voucher.)
And yes, I am mailing them a stern letter.
12/21/2005
I have started liking living in an urban environment. It's def. great to have all the stores within an easy reach.
Will be flying in frigid Chicago tomorrow night!
Will be flying in frigid Chicago tomorrow night!
12/20/2005
I haven't been productive for a while.
I hate my letting these slow days happen. The feeling of inactivity has resulted from mishaps and something uncontrollable, not from the way I'm trying to work.
Since the lack of productivity was really getting on my nerves, I impulsively got off the train and walked about 6 blocks in Center City to soothe my feeling and hopped back on the train.
I hate my letting these slow days happen. The feeling of inactivity has resulted from mishaps and something uncontrollable, not from the way I'm trying to work.
Since the lack of productivity was really getting on my nerves, I impulsively got off the train and walked about 6 blocks in Center City to soothe my feeling and hopped back on the train.
12/19/2005
It was the day of holiday party hosted by the research institute.
As my boss had told me over and over, it was a very very unimpressive mediocre meal for the amount of money each employee had to pay. To give you an idea of how much it was, each person paid enough to feed 3-4 adults sufficiently at a dimsum restaurant. So, I would've rather eaten dimsum until my stomach was about to explode and sipped a large cup of vanilla latte afterwards.
The menu included white lasagna, potatoes, roast beef, chicken, vegetables and salad.
The dessert was a thin slice of cheesecake. At a buffet I normally go for the 2nd round, but the food didn't elicit my appetite.
My boss has been trying to change the holiday party restaurants, but looks like RAs have to make a grassroots movement to let the admin people know about our unhappiness.
Anyway, during the gift exchange, I picked "Egg Plant" which is an egg-shaped plant item that grows with love and water. I will grow it in my office.
Besides the party, it was thoughtful of my boss to give me a bottle of white wine.
I will enjoy it while chillaxing alone on the New Year's Eve. :)
I really hope the party location is different next year...
As my boss had told me over and over, it was a very very unimpressive mediocre meal for the amount of money each employee had to pay. To give you an idea of how much it was, each person paid enough to feed 3-4 adults sufficiently at a dimsum restaurant. So, I would've rather eaten dimsum until my stomach was about to explode and sipped a large cup of vanilla latte afterwards.
The menu included white lasagna, potatoes, roast beef, chicken, vegetables and salad.
The dessert was a thin slice of cheesecake. At a buffet I normally go for the 2nd round, but the food didn't elicit my appetite.
My boss has been trying to change the holiday party restaurants, but looks like RAs have to make a grassroots movement to let the admin people know about our unhappiness.
Anyway, during the gift exchange, I picked "Egg Plant" which is an egg-shaped plant item that grows with love and water. I will grow it in my office.
Besides the party, it was thoughtful of my boss to give me a bottle of white wine.
I will enjoy it while chillaxing alone on the New Year's Eve. :)
I really hope the party location is different next year...
12/18/2005
I visited Mütter Museum at the College of Physicians of Philadelphia.
It is a 2-story medical museum where you can see hundreds of bones and preserved organs and other medically & historically important objects.
Adjacent to the Museum, the College Gellery has been running the exhibit "Only One Man Died: Medical Adventures on the Lewis & Clark Trail" through February of 2006.
This exhibit on the expedition to the West is also very educational.
I highly recommend the museum for anyone who is interested in anatomy and medicine. The collection is fascinating!
While looking at those displays which are not always pleasing, half of me was saying "ewwww, stop looking at them so closely, you will dream of them!" and the other half was tellig me "you should study every piece because it's so interesting and worth the admission fee."
Anyway, I'm glad I went there and spent a meaningful Sunday afternoon. :)
It is a 2-story medical museum where you can see hundreds of bones and preserved organs and other medically & historically important objects.
Adjacent to the Museum, the College Gellery has been running the exhibit "Only One Man Died: Medical Adventures on the Lewis & Clark Trail" through February of 2006.
This exhibit on the expedition to the West is also very educational.
I highly recommend the museum for anyone who is interested in anatomy and medicine. The collection is fascinating!
While looking at those displays which are not always pleasing, half of me was saying "ewwww, stop looking at them so closely, you will dream of them!" and the other half was tellig me "you should study every piece because it's so interesting and worth the admission fee."
Anyway, I'm glad I went there and spent a meaningful Sunday afternoon. :)
12/16/2005
Meeting the expectation:
Since my boss had to submit a performance review on me, we discussed things I have done. Having this sort of meeting on Friday afternoon def. put me in suspence because Yuan has told me plenty of laying-off moment stories at her previous work.
Rest assured... I am still employed!
In college I periodically asked for evaluation on my work from my professors, but it
was casual. To be honest, I hate being criticized when doing my best, but everyone has to go through performance evaluations and bosses have higher goals/standards than employees expect. I am aware of what skills to develope and truly value suggestions in order to improve myself.
What's important is whether you try to keep developing skills. That's why I never stop trying.
Although I often feel I'm so screwed up and get distressed more than necessary, that's life. Hard work pays off and things work out eventually. ;)
Since my boss had to submit a performance review on me, we discussed things I have done. Having this sort of meeting on Friday afternoon def. put me in suspence because Yuan has told me plenty of laying-off moment stories at her previous work.
Rest assured... I am still employed!
In college I periodically asked for evaluation on my work from my professors, but it
was casual. To be honest, I hate being criticized when doing my best, but everyone has to go through performance evaluations and bosses have higher goals/standards than employees expect. I am aware of what skills to develope and truly value suggestions in order to improve myself.
What's important is whether you try to keep developing skills. That's why I never stop trying.
Although I often feel I'm so screwed up and get distressed more than necessary, that's life. Hard work pays off and things work out eventually. ;)
12/14/2005
Time flew so fast during the 4-hr writing portion of the final test!
Yeay, I am done with the class!
Since Yuan is as frugal as I am, our apartment is frigid.
Today's average room temperature was 55F. We have been challenging our limit without using the heater.
Yeay, I am done with the class!
Since Yuan is as frugal as I am, our apartment is frigid.
Today's average room temperature was 55F. We have been challenging our limit without using the heater.
12/12/2005
I ate so much spaghetti tonight because Yuan's tomate & meat sauce was supreme as usual.
With the push of excessive amount of carbohydrate intake, I completed the first
part of the final and have become so alert and awake.
While I am not sleepy, I'm going to write...
Things that annoy me when I am very hungry after work:
1) walking 6 blocks from the 15th St station to Trader Joe's on 21st St.
(no intermediate train station)
2) the fact that I crave for and buy a cup of joe to fill the empty stomach
3) long lines at Wal-Mart or Trader Joe's even on weekdays
4) a casher who tries to be nice and asks me about my favorite kinds of coffee
Moments I feel mature and independent are when ...:
1) go shopping with my own money
2) walking in the illuminated city after work
3) thinking about how long it has been since I went home last time
4) managing a tight budget and living in a cozy apartment
With the push of excessive amount of carbohydrate intake, I completed the first
part of the final and have become so alert and awake.
While I am not sleepy, I'm going to write...
Things that annoy me when I am very hungry after work:
1) walking 6 blocks from the 15th St station to Trader Joe's on 21st St.
(no intermediate train station)
2) the fact that I crave for and buy a cup of joe to fill the empty stomach
3) long lines at Wal-Mart or Trader Joe's even on weekdays
4) a casher who tries to be nice and asks me about my favorite kinds of coffee
Moments I feel mature and independent are when ...:
1) go shopping with my own money
2) walking in the illuminated city after work
3) thinking about how long it has been since I went home last time
4) managing a tight budget and living in a cozy apartment
12/11/2005
12/09/2005
12/08/2005
A large latte did activate my brain enough to find a needle-in-the-haystack key to the solution of the programming assignment!
I feel so goood. All I have is the final exam next week. yeay.
Christmas shopping is on my agenda this weekend.
I feel so goood. All I have is the final exam next week. yeay.
Christmas shopping is on my agenda this weekend.
12/07/2005
Before I get bogged down by tiny bugs for the last programming assignment, I am going to write pros and cons of the past 3 days of my life.
Pros:
1) Train commute is less burdensome. -> I don't have to worry about my car dying on me.
2) Easy to stop by Center City after work
3) More young people in the area
4) A FANTASTIC coffeeshop downstairs. I love this coffeeshop. Their coffee drinks are so delicious and the owners are friendly! It might beat the beloved Espresso Royale in Urbana-Champaign. I was somewhat relieved that I wasn't draining any money on coffee outside home after moving to NE Phila, but now it's gonna be over. I will still try to rely on my coffeemaker and espresso machine and limit as much expenses on coffee as possible, though.
Cons:
1) Difficult to go grocery shopping after work
2) More financial burden to live
Pros:
1) Train commute is less burdensome. -> I don't have to worry about my car dying on me.
2) Easy to stop by Center City after work
3) More young people in the area
4) A FANTASTIC coffeeshop downstairs. I love this coffeeshop. Their coffee drinks are so delicious and the owners are friendly! It might beat the beloved Espresso Royale in Urbana-Champaign. I was somewhat relieved that I wasn't draining any money on coffee outside home after moving to NE Phila, but now it's gonna be over. I will still try to rely on my coffeemaker and espresso machine and limit as much expenses on coffee as possible, though.
Cons:
1) Difficult to go grocery shopping after work
2) More financial burden to live
12/05/2005
I started commuting by train today.
I thought my closest station might be a bit shady, but the commuters from my station were consisted of diverse people and it was an ordinary mediocre train station.
I like taking trains to work because I don't have to worry about getting flat tires and my car dying on me.
Looking outside the window, there were tons of graffiti on the wall of underground subway tunnels.
How did people sneak into the train rack and leave all the writings?
Now I think about it, I never saw graffiti on the subway tunnels in Japan. hmmm. Maybe I'm misbelieving cleanness of Japan's subway stations, but Philly's subway tunnels are way too ungoverned.
I thought my closest station might be a bit shady, but the commuters from my station were consisted of diverse people and it was an ordinary mediocre train station.
I like taking trains to work because I don't have to worry about getting flat tires and my car dying on me.
Looking outside the window, there were tons of graffiti on the wall of underground subway tunnels.
How did people sneak into the train rack and leave all the writings?
Now I think about it, I never saw graffiti on the subway tunnels in Japan. hmmm. Maybe I'm misbelieving cleanness of Japan's subway stations, but Philly's subway tunnels are way too ungoverned.
12/04/2005
It snowed over night! This is how much it piled up on my car. I'm sure Illinois people are tired of snow by now, but it normally doesn't snow here before January (thanks, Melissa, for the info!).
Living room
This expandable futon with wooden frames required lots of hammering and
took us all afternoon to assemble!
We didn't think we could do it.
This living room is heavenly.
12/03/2005
Moved to Northern Liberties!
I underwent an intensive cardio exercise day by carrying heavy boxes from the house to the car and then to the 3rd floor of a new apt approx. 10 times.
Looking back, I did an excellent job of packing so much stuff in my car in May. It wasn't so efficient this time because I knew I could divide the load into 2 days. Everything besides my desk, chair and clothes container made it today. Oh I should remind you that using trash bags is the worst form of moving.
The apartment is fantastic! Since it's a brandnew building, it is clean everywhere, but makes me nervous and extra cautious not to scratch anything in order to avoid repair fees at the end of the lease. Our neighbor has a dog in their apt. I don't know how they would prevent the dog from scratching the hardwood floor and the wall.
We have fairly good T1 ethernet service and crystal clear basic TV channels without the help of an antenna (both included in the rent!).
Having people around the same age as neighbors is also good for me.
Last but not least, water pressure is very important. It's great to be able to flush the toilet and wash the hands at the same time!
Some photos to be uploaded soon when the rooms become more organized.
I underwent an intensive cardio exercise day by carrying heavy boxes from the house to the car and then to the 3rd floor of a new apt approx. 10 times.
Looking back, I did an excellent job of packing so much stuff in my car in May. It wasn't so efficient this time because I knew I could divide the load into 2 days. Everything besides my desk, chair and clothes container made it today. Oh I should remind you that using trash bags is the worst form of moving.
The apartment is fantastic! Since it's a brandnew building, it is clean everywhere, but makes me nervous and extra cautious not to scratch anything in order to avoid repair fees at the end of the lease. Our neighbor has a dog in their apt. I don't know how they would prevent the dog from scratching the hardwood floor and the wall.
We have fairly good T1 ethernet service and crystal clear basic TV channels without the help of an antenna (both included in the rent!).
Having people around the same age as neighbors is also good for me.
Last but not least, water pressure is very important. It's great to be able to flush the toilet and wash the hands at the same time!
Some photos to be uploaded soon when the rooms become more organized.
12/01/2005
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
