Time is running out

Just realised that I have less than 3 months left of my postgraduate life. It's a mixbag of feelings, at least for now. On the one hand, it's probably (and I do mean just probably) nice to get back to work, but on the other, this student life is just too precious to give up! I think I have really gotten into the rhythm of attending classes, doing readings and assignments, watching cable TV, going to the gym, travelling, and then repeat. Is this dreamland for me? I still feel so. I recall exactly two years ago when I was informed that I have been awarded a scholarship to study in the US --- my jaw literally dropped. And now, here I am, doing the "looking back" thing, albeit prematurely.

Many predecessors at work, as well as friends have often told me to enjoy all this because I will miss it once I get back to work.

And I think I will..... ow....

I've got to go for another road trip sometime again!

Amarillo Sky

He gets up before the dawn
Packs a lunch and a thermos full of coffee
It's another day in the dusty haze
Those burnin' rays are wearing down his body
And diesel's worth the price of gold
And it's the cheapest grain he's ever sold
But he's still holding on

He just takes the tractor another round
And pulls the plow across the ground
And sends up another prayer
He says Lord I never complain I never ask why
But please don't let my dream run dry
Underneath, underneath this Amarillo sky

That hail storm back in '83
Sure did take a toll on his family
But he stayed strong and carried on
Just like his dad and grandad did before him
On his knees every night he prays
Please let my crops and children grow
Cause that's all he's ever known

He just takes the tractor another round
And pulls the plow across the ground
And sends up another prayer
He says Lord I never complain I never ask why
But please don't let my dream run dry
Underneath, underneath this Amarillo sky

"Amarillo Sky" (Jason Aldean)

Been listening a lot to this song since coming to the USA last year. I find the lyrics to be simple but the message behind deeply moving. How many times have I longed for a simpler life, how many times have I wished my heart could be more at ease. The inference from the song hits me so hard sometimes, it hurts.

Clearly, the powers that be have decided on a much more complicated life for me.

Road Trip Part Two

I have nothing much to say really, maybe a few captions here and there.

Day 5: Quaint Williamsburg and historic Jamestown






Jamestown, the original settlement of the English pioneers



James River (no, seriously)



Pocahontas (the original one), or a statue of her




Day 6: Across the Chesapeake Bay







Day 7: Cape May, New Jersey





Back to New York City





To my road trip travelling mates, thanks for the wonderful time we've spent on the road trip. Your company has cheered me up in ways I have never imagined.

Much appreciated.

Road Trip Part One

Just returned from a 7 day road trip with a group of mates from New York. Words cannot even begin to describe the wonderful time I've had during the trip. We traversed a total of six states: New York, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, Delaware and New Jersey, and took in numerous sights and sounds.

Amongst the six of us, we must have taken more than 1000 pictures, although I think the pictures merely represent a small part of our experiences. We went up the mountains, drove along the coast, saw the beaches, visited cities, towns and villages. This trip was certainly more interesting and fruitful than one of those "packaged tours". This self-planned package afforded us so much to see, to hear and to feel.

In view of recent events especially, this trip was a very much needed healing process for my heartache and distressed mind.

Some photos here to share, this is Part I. More to come soon....

Pictures of my arrival in New York City, where I met up with the rest.

Time Warner Center, CNN Headquarters





Empire State Building, view from the top of Rockefellar Plaza



Central Park, view from the top of Rockefellar Plaza



Day 1: To Philadelphia, the original capital city of the USA. This was
where the declaration of independence was written, approved and read.



Independence Hall



The Liberty Bell



At the University of Pennsylvania, one of the Ivy League universities.






Day 2: In Annapolis, Maryland

Pictures of the US Naval Academy. The sprawling grounds exhibited a sense of magnificence like no other. I think if I were a high school student, I would want to enrol in this academy for my college education. The visit was absolutely inspirational, to say the least.







Scenes from the town of Annapolis.




Day 3 to Day 5: Visit to Shenandoah National Park. The mountain views were spectacular (the actual Blue Ridge Mountains!), and the rolling "hills" that seemed to go on and on reminded me that I am but a tiny element in this big, big world. We witnessed both sunrise and sunset on the mountains --- what a feeling!

We also took a hike inside the National Park itself, which was really enjoyable. The trees had all grown fresh leaves at the start of spring, and the sound of the rivers and waterfalls created a therapeutic feel in the midst of all the flora and (some) fauna.

The winding mountain road was actually very lovely to drive on; credit really has to be given to the people who had painstakingly paved the road so well, in order to allow all of us to drive on it and stop at the different lookout points.





















"Country road, take me home, to the place I belong....." (John Denver, Country Road)

Two videos to share here:



More pictures to come, stay tuned.