Surprising eh? A few blogs ago, I was just complaining about the "stupid" Americans... but now that I've been there, I think it's great! I especially LOVE the big fat juicy burgers they have there!! Yummy!! Look at the photos to see me eating my yummy burger! I think I could really get fat there... hmmm.. should seriously consider doing my post-doc there!! Heheh!! Part of my operation get fat programme. But after going to Madison for the conference, I lost the little weight that I gained in Chicago... maybe I'm meant for a relaxed doing nothing life!! Muahahah!!

Upon landing at the Chicago O'Hare airport, we we had to do all sorts of security procedures like fingerprint scanning and taking our photos... I don't like it really... I prefer iris scanning... I think for every crime commited they scan all the fingerprints of the tourist since they have a database of everyone... it's kinda scary!! And pretty unfair too!! Why don't they take a fingerprint scan of each and every American citizen then?

Anyway, was in Chicago for 3 days, and I've encountered sooo many friendly people! You just take out your map, and they will approach you and ask whether you need help. But one thing I feel really sad is that there are sooo many homeless in America! Every street you cross you meet a homeless asking for spare change. Honestly, Chicago reminds me too much of KL, without the mamak stalls and Hokkien mee! I'm now contented to stay in a smaller peaceful town than a big city! It's way too noisy for my taste and way too polluted! My lung doesnt like the dirty air. Went to Sears Towers to have a good view of the city... and we were pretty lucky with the weather. What's really funny is the clip they showed us before we went up to the sky deck. The boast of being the highest tower in the world.... and then now with KLCC (ahem! ahem! from malaysia of course!) and another tower in Taiwan, Sears Tower is way away from being the highest tower... but they still boast about the fact that they have the highest antenna!!!! Not the highest peak with the antenna... but just that their antenna is the longest!! Gosh... talk about pathetic! But I really wonder how they built the tower... since Chicago is known as The Windy City.... my friend was saying that the building actually sways from side to side... scary!! But apparently it has to sway or it'll snap.

I really like the Bean Thing they have at Millenium Park... really cool!! Can see the reflection of the city and also when you go under the bean, you can see yourself in funny shapes and sizes!! Really cool!! If you should go to Chicago, this is a must see!! Another thing that's quite cool at the park is the face thingy at night... especially if the weather is good. Can play with water that comes out of the mouth of the common Chicago faces that is displayed on this huge block of thing.

But ho ho ho... like any girl... I love the shopping!!! I bought a Levi's for just 19 US dollar!!! That's super cheap compared to Malaysian price, or even European price! And I'm also now a proud owner of a cute pink Nano iPod!! It's like 200 ringgit cheaper than in Malaysia! One should treat oneself I think... heheh!! To motivate oneself to work more! And I also bought a lot of tops and a pair of army pants from Guess!! (Guess is a place I never dare to step into in Malaysia because of the ridiculously expensive price!) It's still expensive in US, but they were having a good sale of 40-60%!! Good deal!!

But fun aside, the conference in Madison was quite nice as well. The university is quite cool being just next to the lake... they have a band playing there every night, a good place to hang out. What's really annoying about the conference is that nobody working in my field of work is presenting what they are doing, every one is being all hush hush.... aaarrggh!! You get this feeling that everyone is going to the meeting just to spy on what others are doing. But it's nice that I met my previous supervisor and people from the lab. They gave me some ideas about what approach to take in exploring the somite phenotype of my mutant. On the last day, we had a vote, and I wanted to have the next conference in Los ANgeles..... but the final vote (due to the many American votes) was that we stay in Madison!! Aarrrgghh!! But I think the next time I go for the conference I'll take a week or two off and go on holiday maybe in New York or somewhere else.

View the photos at http://asia.pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/jinnycruise/album?.dir=/6d61

As a continuation... here are some photos.... didn't really take a lot coz the batt in my camera sorta died....

 http://asia.pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/jinnycruise/album?.dir=/7ed3re2

Went to Paris on Friday night, and for the first time in my life, I took the 1st class seat!! No...it's not that Jinny felt like splurging unnecessarily, but the first class direct ticket was cheaper than a direct 2nd class ticket! And its' Friday nite, after a long day of work... I would really not want to change trains here and there... and overexhaust myself. So felt like a really posh lady.... ahem.....

And then when i reached there, found that the ticket machines don't accept my Dutch ATM card.... which is really strange.... anyway, after walking around for half an hour, found a Travelex and took out some cash from there. Went back to the metro station, and found out that the machine only accept coins!! Aaarrgghh!! So off I went to the ticket desk... and there were like 20 people in the queue. FINALLY, bought my tickets, and I scooted off to Les Halles station, to go for Hillsong Paris service. The service started at 9pm, but I reached there at 10.45pm thanks to the wonderful metro service they have in Paris. But it was cool... got the last bit of the message about how to soar up high!

Then, realized it was really late after service, so I quickly rush back to the metro and took an RER to St. Germain en Laye where my friend stays. Wasn't really sure of the way to walk to his place, but the last time I was in Paris his mum tested me, and I passed with flying colours.... so I know somewhere in my brain, I have the map to his place. So I just hurried along to his place, looking forward to meeting my friends again.... and....

THERE WAS NOBODY THERE!!!! The whole house was dark and quiet!! Then I remembered he has a basement, so I went to the back of his house, and I saw a light!! My heart skipped a beat in joy... and I went and knock on the window! And an unknown girl peered at the window... and I just ran..... wrong window!

After trying the bell and knocking a couple of times, I resorted to just curling up like a round ball at the doorstep. I figured if they went somewhere, they should be back soon, because the last metro is around midnite. After waiting for half an hour or so, began to worry a little..... its chilly and it would still be another 4 hours before the sun rise again. I was contemplating to find a hotel nearby, but i don't remember passing by any. Finally I doze off to sleep..... feeling like a homeless....

It's really ironic, how in one day, I experienced being a posh rich lady and a homeless person..... oh well.....

Well, the good news is, my friends did come back... can't remember what time... probably at 1am or so... and after a hot tea and curling up under a duvet, I felt better....

Next day, went walking around Paris. Had the ice cream I wanted, boost the French economy a little with my shopping, and at night, I saw Moulin Rouge!! Now I can finally make my OWN opinion that the place is crappy! I never wanna go there again, but at least now I know! Hahah! It's like Red Light District in Amsterdam... one has to go at least once to see it (of course, some people would go more than once). But if I have a choice, I would really not want to go there ever again.

 Next day, went for a walk along the quay.... don't remember the name, but it leads to some Science Center. I was totally exhausted really... whole body was aching and my knee was killing me. And the heavy back pack I had to carry because we were going straight to the train station didn't make things easier. But along the way, saw a very interesting exhibition where they just put cuboard and fridge and ovens and shoes and clothings and sofas floating in the water. At first it seems a but crappy, but as we walked along and saw the whole "house" with the different rooms, it was actually quite fascinating! Really cool! They even have patches of grass floating to show that its a garden! And what's funny is that there were garbage just outside the garden (real garbage - not part of the exhibition).... but it could be part of the exhibition really... to show how we keep our own house nice and clean but throw all our garbage out into the neighbour's place! Didn't get a photo... it would have been interesting....

In conclusion, it was a nice but tiring trip.... I didn't really see a lot of Paris, but with 2 days, there's not much to see....but I gained a lot of whole new perspective about things during the whole course of the trip. I finally realized that there are things that I can finally let go off, and my friend made me realized something... she told me that some people bring the best out of you, and some bring the worse out of you... she said with some people she just feel like being mean. Well, at first I didn't see her point, but yesterday while walking along the quay, I realized that what she said is true. And I began to see how some friends just drain the energy out of you, and some just makes you want to smile even when you don't feel like it. Some just make you feel bad all the time, and some just encourages you. Some suspects the worse of you all the time and criticizing every word you say and things you do, while some sees the good inside of you, even at times when you don't see it yourself.

All in all... it was a good fulfilling but tiring trip.

 

Any votes for Jin as the lousiest blogger?? Hahah!! One vote for myself.... I sure win hands down... except maybe for Herb! Hahahah! Sorry ler... been really really busy, and I'm afraid if I don't write something today, I won't write until a long long time, at least until I come back from Madison. So what's been happening in my life... erm... well, one big thing is that my experiment that I've been struggling to optimize and make it work... it finally did!!! Praise God!!! Gosh... my life is sooo sad, that's the most interesting thing that I think is happening in my life. And oh, I'm starting an e-zine thing for our church! How cool is that!! Been bugging people to do interviews etc. coz of course I can't be at every event, and interview everyone... blah blah. Quite sad, now it's almost a one man show... coz nobody is doing it with me YET.... so I have to go look for people to write articles etc. And I can tell you, not many people like writing, or at least spending time to write. They have better things to do like... erm... I dunno.... planting tulips? Oh well.... doesn't mean I like writing, everyone around me does as well. But hahah... the power of Jínny's persuasion! Like it or not, I bug people enough until the agree to do it. Be warned... before you become my next victim. Talking about church, my church band produced their very own first album!! How cool is that?? It's called Nieuwe Dag  which means New Day. Everyday is a new day with God! Woo hoo!! I'm getting a bit crazy now... it's 8pm, and I'm still in the lab. Although I have to admit I can't "beat" Sam's record of staying past midnight. At least not yet in this lab. Coz the alarm goes off at 10pm, and you have to like drop everything and rush downstairs to sign in again by tapping your card at the alarm thingy... and I can tell you, it's not very good for my heart, all this shock and rushing around. And if you stay past that, there will be this security guard who comes walking around, counting how many people are still in the lab. Maybe he should get our names at the same time, and those who exceed a certain number of days working OT should get a pay rise?? Hahah.. dream on Jinny.

Well, weather is really crappy again... the sun is hiding again. How I love the "wonderful" Dutch weather. I'm being grumpy... must be hormones... time of the month... or whateva.

But even then, I still praise God for every single day. If it's crappy, well, then obviously I need God even more! I would really appreciate though, that God wouldn't cry with joy everytime I want to get out of my house. When I'm inside, it looks sunny and bright, and the moment, I step outside, the dark clouds roll by and then I get caught in a downpour. Just great.... so refreshing... the rain....

yea.. blame it on my hormones... I'm being cynical.....

 

Went on a cycling trip with my friends last week... cycled for about 50km!!! Am I Dutch or what?? Well, it was fairly easy, considering how flat the land is... the only slight "challenge" was nearer the beach, where there were hills (in Dutch standard). Nothing much to write about the trip... all I can say is it's beautiful... so here's some photos to share with you! I have to admit though that my back hurts the next day, and my butt was sore!!!!! Enjoy the photos....

Ahhh... life is wonderful and beautiful.... praise God for everything! =) Life is good!!!!!!!!

 

My friend sent me a tickle test..... green is totally not my colour... I like pink!!

http://web.tickle.com/color/

Jin, your true color is Green!

You're green, the color of growth and vigor. Good-hearted and giving, you have a knack for finding and bringing out the best in people. Green is the most down-to-earth color in the spectrum — reliable and trustworthy. People know they can count on you to be around in times of need, since your concern for people is genuine and sincere. You take pride in being a good friend. For you, success is measured in terms of personal achievement and growth, not by status or position. Rare as emeralds, greens are wonderful, natural people. It truly is your color!

Boundaries.... that word has been very relevant to me for the last few weeks.Firstly, found some interesting discoveries in my research concerning boundaries, and if it goes well, I'll be able to publish a paper very soon!! Woo hoo!

Second, I realize that it is time to put some boundaries between me and certain friends, because some friends can be quite hazardous for our health. I learn to prioritize and to put friends that build me up first, and then friends that push me down right at the bottom of the rank. Jinny is selfish...... but at least, with the priorities put right, I can focus more on friends who needs me. And oh boy, do I feel life is soo much brighter and better. I have so much time to do other things now! I can even sincerely wake up in the morning and say "Good morning Father! Good morning Jesus! Good morning Holy Spirit!" Before that, I dread waking up and facing all these crappy friends again....

Third, where do we put a boundary of when someone is "too much" (a Malaysian slang I think... when someone is going overboard). Was annoyed recently with some really silly people in my life.... one silly person who believes in all the superstition like "Oh, this Monday is a good day to paint the house" and even sillier are the people who doesn't believe it, but yet listens to the silly one talking, and follows. Some superstition are funny... but I think there has to be a boundary... a limit to how far it goes. It should not go to the extent of hurting the ones we love.

Every Sunday, I take a train to Amsterdam to go to church... and from the train station I take a bus to church. And I notice that at every bus stop, there is a timer.. saying how many more minutes before the bus comes. And in the bus there is a flashing board saying which is the next stop. The strange thing is, at the bus stop, if the bus hasn't arrived (late) or is still parked there, the timer board at the bus stop will still say for example "Amsterdam Bijlmer 0 minutes" but once the bus leaves, then it will be erased and the list goes up one step. How does it work?? Does the bus drive have a control or something that he presses to cancel the timer thingy? And the other thing is the board in the bus..... is it automated or is it the bus driver who presses a button and then the next destination changes? I really wonder.... or is it that whenever he passes by a bus stop, there must be a signal from the bus stop that changes the destination on the board? Coz I've been on the bus sooo many times, and I haven't seen once that the bus driver forget to change the next destination. If it's me... I would probably day dream while driving and forget... so how does it work????

Obviously, I have too much time travelling on the bus to notice such things......... gosh... my life is soo boring...

Herb... this is not a personal thing against you... even if I'm expressing my indirect opinion about the americans...

Have 2 friends... one got a job in the states. Went there, and the guy told him, we'll take you as a consultant while we apply for your work permit, coz they only give like around 60000 work permits a year. And when my friend asked whether there'll be any problems... they said no... it's fine. And since they want him desperately, and the work permit is not approved yet, they had no other way. So my friend came back, and a few weeks later, after settling all the things here, and saying his goodbyes to us.... off he went. And 2 days later, suddenly he appeared in front of my door. I'm like "What?!" Apparently he got kicked out the states, and was sent back on the next flight. Reason... trying to illegally enter US..... and its put in the records.... so it's going to be really difficult for him to get a work permit now, and will probably have extra interrogation everytime he enters the states. Apparently he was not supposed to work even as an temporary advisor/consultant.... unlike what the company told him. I told him... good thing you got kicked out.... would he really want to work in a company that has no ethics?

Second friend, borrowed my luggage bag. I've used that bag like soooo many times as a cabin luggage... its 20 inch or so.... so it is allowed.... and then she went for a conference in US, and they told her... NO... not allowed... you must check it in. SO she did.... and they broke my bag!!!!!!! And it's my favourite luggage bag!!!!! Aaaaarrggghhh!!!!! Stupid...................

Going to Madison in a few week's time..... can't wait to have my "wonderful" experience with the Americans.......

(Note: Actually I know quite a few American friends... and they are great... so this is not against all Americans.... just some stupid ones.... )

Today I realized, it's big time to get fatter... much fatter!! I was literally blown away by the wind. It was really windy, and I was cycling, and couldnt move an inch, so I thought, well, I'll walk and push my bike. And there was a sudden big gush of wind, and instead of moving forwards, I was pushed backwards!!!! Came home and checked the current wind gust, and it was 80kph!!!!! That's like faster than my average driving speed!! No wonder I was blown away! Time to eat and eat and gain some weight!!! Now I understand why the Dutch evolved to become so big sized!