NYC photos

The NYC photos are up. Check out Tim's album on Facebook. Guess I don't even have to give an update on what we did on Sunday. Shall let the photos do the talking instead.

Big Apple Part III - Fri & Sat

I spent the past weekend in NYC. Didn't do too much touristy stuff since it was my third time there already. I expected my flght to be delayed on the Friday afternoon I was supposed to fly to LaGuardia Airport because of Tropical Storm Fay creating havoc in Florida with ripple effect in Houston. Surprisingly, not only was the flight not delayed, I touched down 15mins ahead of the scheduled arrival time.

Tim picked me up with a swanky Sebring convertible. First time in a convertible, I was extremely excited! We let down the top after we had dinner with Cheryl, Yeh Yun, and Eva at a Taiwanese restaurant in Flushing. Just like what we would do whenever we see a convertible drive passed, people were checking us out. I told Tim that those people must be wondering what is this young Asian guy doing with four girls in a convertible. Tim replied that they probably think he is a pimp. hah.

We stayed at the rented apartment Cheryl and Yeh Yun shared in Manhattan. The small but cosy apartment is located within walking distance of the subway. It was so convenient that we didn't even have to drive to Times Square on Saturday.

I had Bubba Gump for the first time. Jaguar Lim gave me a Bubba Gump Maui t-shirt when he was there for a friend's wedding many years ago but I had never eaten at the restaurant before. Since there isn't a branch in Houston, I thought it would be nice if I could at least try it once. I had a spicy grilled shrimp with mango salsa and Tim had a grilled sea bass for lunch. The food was pretty good, very Southern style.

After lunch, we caught a broadway show - Spamalot. Didn't really enjoy the show as much as I would like. Although the show was hilarious, it was too slapstick for me. I was more in a mood for a classic musical with good singing and strong plot rather than a comedy with forgetable songs.

Before we headed for a stand-up comedy in the evening at Carolines on Broadway, we, or rather I, went shopping at H&M. How I wish there is a H&M store in Houston. The clothes are so affordable and more importantly, they come in my size!

Dinner was a quick bite by the street. The last time we were in Big Apple, we had the most amazing lamb gyros on rice that we simply had to have it again this time. We couldn't find the same street stall though so we bought from another vendor instead. It was pretty good too.

Tim thoroughly enjoyed the stand-up comedy performed by Bill Bellamy and other guests comedians. The jokes are usually about racism or sex. I thought it was only okay probably cos I couldn't catch some of the jokes. I found it hard to understand some of the lingo. Oh well...

More about the trip another day. Time to unpack and prepare for another hectic week, This coming Friday is an off day for us and the following Monday is Labor Day. So Tim is gonna make full use of the long weekend by going to NYC to meet up with some girl friends on Thursday evening, Six Flags on Friday (since it is not an official public holiday for most people) and to Cape Cod with the New Yorkers over the rest of the weekend while I slog alone in Houston because of the filing deadline coming up real soon. Hmph, how unfair! Then again, i am really thankful for the great time I had this weekend!

Hmm....I wonder why Tim only has girl friends in New York. Hmmm....

It's official!

I've been promoted to a manager. It will only take effect on Oct 1 though. I wonder how much the increment will be. Don't think it's gonna be fantastic with the current state of the economy. Then again, TP is a growing field with a high percentage of companies voting it as their number one tax concern in an annual survey. My practice has been growing at a tremendous speed despite the economic downturn. It also helps that we are based in the oil and gas capital of the world which has somewhat cushioned us from the full impact of the credit crunch.

In any case, the pay increment is not my main concern. The big question is: "Should I stay or should we both go?" Toughest decision of my life.

Olympics

I heard the Olympics opening ceremony was really impressive. I saw snippets of it online. I couldn't agree more until I saw this article.

Tim saw the videos before I did. When I told him that I read somewhere that Beijing was still grappling with air pollution issues on Friday morning. He told me it didn't seem the case from the video. Now I know why. Then again, at least they admit that the footages were pre-recorded. It's not as if they tried to cover it up.

As for the girl that is not pretty enough to be on stage, it goes to show that looks really matter. A pretty face really gets an easier life. Real talent is not good enough. It is a superficial world after all. No wonder so many people are going for cosmetic surgery. I probably should go for botox in 20 years' time or earlier? Maybe some liposuction too. ha. Nah...I don't think i will wanna subject myself to the pain or side effects, if any. A healthy body is good enough for me, at least for now. ha.

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Just saw this article on Asiaone. Maybe a shoulder liposuction over the weekend?

Police stop

What's the most incredulous excuse you can give for being late for an appointment?

Neo, Zing, Tim and I were on our way to Aaron and Montse's house when we got stopped by the police.

It's Zing's last week in Houston. Aaron (my co-worker) and his girlfriend invited us to a home-made farewell dinner on Saturday evening. Tim drove his Celica. We were cruising along Buffalo Speedway within the speed limit of 30 miles/hr when we saw a police car in front of ours.

Not more than a minute after we saw the police, we suddenly saw it behind our car flashing its headlight and siren, signalling for us to stop. We were bewildered as we had absolutely no idea what the police wanted from us. We were definitely within the speed limit but still we were a little nervous especially since Tim just got a speeding ticket in Dallas not too long ago.

We drove into a garage and stopped. In the US, when one is stopped by the police, it is absolutely necessary that one remains in the car unless summoned by the police to do otherwise. Sounds like watching NYPD?!!

Anyway, we stayed in the car and waited. After a few moments, the policelady got out of her car and approached Tim who had already unwound his window, and took out his driver's license and insurance card (You see, that was the fourth time Tim had been stopped so he was kinda familiar with the procedure already).

Policelady: God bless you. The reason I am stopping you is because you don't have a front license plate.

All of us: HUH?!!!!!

Tim: It was definitely there when I drove the car yesterday. It might have dropped off.

Policelady: Pass me your driver's license and valid financial responsibility.

Tim passed her the paperwork and she went back to the car. Meanwhile, we remained in the car as we knew we werent supposed to get out even though we so wanted to take a look at the front of the car.

After several minutes, the policelady came back.

Policelady: I will let you off with a warning this time but make sure you get a new license plate asap.

Tim: Thank you. I will.

Policelady then strolled back to her car. Once she went into her car, we decided to get out of the car to check out the missing license plate even though I think we weren't supposed to until the police leave.

In any case, we were too curious to wait. I walked out first since I looked the least threatening. :P I walked to the front of the car.Guess what I saw?

YES, THE LICENSE PLATE!

I turned to Tim and questioned, "Isn't this the license plate?"

Tim looked on in disbelief.

He then went over to the policelady to asked if by license plate she meant what we were seeing just to make sure we weren't missing anything she said.

The policelady got out of her= car and went to the front of our car.

Policelady: OH SHIT!


Can you believe it? That's how we arrived late for the farewell dinner.

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Aaron and Montse are such wonderful hosts. Montse prepared the whole meal from appetisers to desserts all by herself. The dinner was an interesting mix of Mexican and French food. Zing took photos of the food. Will post them here once I get the photos from her.

Friendless

Hmm...I　am gonna be friendless in about a week's time. Zing is heading back Spore for good next Saturday. I will then be the only girl left in the Singapore Dynasty here in Houston. We started with 13 people. Now left four. By next week, there is just gonna be the three of us. And it is not going to be long before Neo heads back too. Tim and I will be the final two standing. I am missing Zing already even though she is not even gone yet. hmm.....

Tropical Storm Edouard

UPDATE

Storm Warning! Tropical Storm Edouard is coming! Expected to become a Cat 1 Hurricane as it makes landfall.

Disaster Declaration has been declared for Harris County where Houston is. No evacuation has been issued. Many schools and some local government agencies have been closed. Our company officially closed at 3pm today and will be closed on Tuesday too in preparation of the heavy rain that is expected to hit Houston tomorrow afternoon.

The moment I heard the office will be closed, I immediately contacted Tim to get him to stock up on food since he was free. Yah...he chao genged again but it's been months since he did it. There were long lines at Randalls when he was there to buy a loaf of bread. Yes, asked him to stock up and he could only manage to get a loaf of bread. Totally waste of time! I don't think this tropical storm is going to be too severe. But it is always good to be prepared, right? Good thing we already have some canned food, a few gallons of water and two packets of tibits at home.

Blackouts are expected. Most shops have run low on generators, flash lights and batteries. I don't think we have flash lights at home. But I think we will be fine.

Will update again after we survive the storm.

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It's 3.30pm on Tuesday. The sun is shining extremely brightly after a whole day of rain. It is still drizzling a little though. It seems just like any other day. Nothing much changed except that I got to wake up at 1030am on a supposed working day. We survived a Houstonian "Hurricane" yet again.

P/S: Tim is taking a afternoon nap two days in a row while I am working hard at home. I am under a bit of crunch time here but still managed to squeeze a little out to update the blog. :P

Christian the Lion