A beautiful small town

Lobster!

Chloe: 好好味！

Amy: 别顾着吃，先看镜头。

趁太阳下山之前拍几个代表作。好棒了！ 哈哈哈！

相片中的景色让我想起小时候电影中常看到的水上人家。这样的生活多么悠闲！

Note: Rockport, MA

15 minutes drive from Gloucester. Rd 127 N.

Wao Wao! in the WILD Part 1

Whale Watching

Gloucester

May 6, 2006

We began the whale watching tour run by Yankee Fleet from Gloucester at 2:30pm. Again, I underestimated the weather and it was freezing on the boat. About 45 minutes later, the boat took us all the way to the Northern Atlantic Ocean and it was the begin of my firts whale watching on the Ocean.

The first half an hour on the Ocean was not much fun. We saw a few whales about 50 feets away from our boat, very small from far. Couldn't take picture though, too small. When I almost give up, they started to swim towards our boat. One, two, three, four, five, six, seven,... they came in group! Suddenly, I felt like we were in the marine park watching whales presentation. At the same time, a tans of baby dolphins joined the show! They looked like celebrating the whales gathering together with all of us on the boat.

从Gloucester出发，经过四十五分钟的航行，终于看见第一只鲸鱼。距离太远，以肉眼根本看不清楚，何况是我那照相机的功能并不怎么专业。半个小时后，我开始冻得半死，有点后悔付了41美元，才看那几只‘小鲸鱼’，很不划算。

就在这时，船上的人纷纷嚷了起来。有的向左边跑，有的向右边跑，个个兴奋得大喊。看，鲸鱼们都向我们这边游过来了！ 好大的一群鲸鱼啊！ 我也兴奋得抓紧相机不停地按下快门，尽量捕抓每一个片刻。

就在当时，阳光也从云端里探出头来和我们一起分享着难得的一刻。阳光照射在海面上，令整个画面显得更精彩撼人！ 但也因此，要在强烈的阳光下通过荧幕猎取景物变得特别困难， 我只好关上荧幕，使用原始的反光镜照摄法。 习惯了先进的技术，太久没有用反光镜，的确有点困难。 但效果总算不错，可喜可贺！ 有没有像杂志里专业的相片？ 哈哈！

以我这相机有限的功能，要‘捕抓’ 鲸鱼也还不简单哦！

视力被阳光困扰时，我只好把镜头朝向海欧聚集的海面快而准的‘卡擦卡擦’按个不停。

http://www.gohawaii.com/stories/stories.html?WT.mc_id=bn_home01

Great Meadows National Wildlife, Concord

Great weather + Breathtaking scenery = fabulous day!

It's a perfect day for a relaxing walk outdoor.

The busy work life and humid weather in Malaysia make me exhausted. I'm gratitude for having a chance to 'escape' from the 'concrete jungle', entering to a totally different lifestyle and being thankful for the gift of natural.

Mr. Lonely

Lonely.. Oh Mr. Lonely...

I have nobody.. I have myself...

I found only ONE lion in Franklin Park Zoo in Dorchester, MA.

One of the 山猪 slept like dying. Another one tried to kick him up.

"hey, hurry up if u want to take pic, I'm going off soon."

Spring 花开的季节

春天花会开，鸟儿自由自在...

春风轻轻揉揉得抚摸着湖水，好让它也一快儿来迎接花开的季节。

你看蔚蓝的天空和清澈的湖水把花儿衬托得更为动人。

一场春雨，为大地万物带来生机。青青草地上，鲜艳夺目的小花儿不经让我停下脚步，享受漫漫旅途中意外的惊喜。

童年

是否还记得，小时候我们喜欢玩什么？ 这个吗？
这个吗？
还是这个？

长大以后，天真烂漫的岁月渐渐远去。

你是否还记得，童年时简单的快乐？

do do do... hair do!

我变，我变，我变变变 。。。

This fellow wanted to chat with my Brazilian friend, that's why he spent a long time to do our hair. Though he is only a salesperson for the hair straighthener but he did like hairstylish.

See my new hair style!

The Straighthener is like a magic stick, it can straighthen ur hair and make nice curls as well! Very tempting, but cost $200 for one, too expensive! Anyhow, these big curls do not suite me... I'm more comfortable with my straight hair.

Doggies

Who is this? Fierce huuh?

He is Sammy! They said he has Yellow and Blue eyes, but I think it's White!

This siberian Husky doesn't look friendly but he like people to pat him. Anyway, he never bite me :)

See, both fighthing for a ball because they both want attention! The black one is Trooper, we used to call him Troopy. He loves people to pat him...but when Sammy saw it, he would get jealous. His jealousy is bit scary, most of the times he would bark when he wants us to pat him insteed of Troopy.

Oh ya, something that two thumbs up is Troopy know how to open the door though it's close oh!

Life is vulnerable

I was so shock to know about your dad has passed away last two week. It's unbelievable!

In my memories, he is still strong and healthy. When is the last time I see him? It could be at least 3 or 4 years ago. I remember he bought me tans of durians when I visited him. After that, I don't have chance to visit him... never, anymore...

Life is so short and vulnerable... If you want to do something, do it without delay; if you care about someone, let him/her know immediately; if you think you could wait for the chances, you better aware that 'you need to swim out for the ship'...

To all my friends: I love you... always take care!!

Options 1, 2, 3

I started this blog probably one or two month before my departure to US. What was the reason I created this blog? I can't really remember. Dai lou is the one who recommended me to this blog. Did I told you why do I want my own blog?

I think I tried to record every single moment that happened to me here: My feelings, up and down, my challenges, my new friends,...

But I didn't really do it regularly. It makes me a little hard to trace back what happened within these few months in US.

And now, it's close to the time for me to make decision for the coming directions. Should I extend my program? Should I go back to Malaysia to start again my career? Or should I become holiday maker in UK for another two years?

I'm always thinking, why this and not that and why that and not this? If I already make you confuse at this point, I think you can turn off this screen and proceed to something more rigid. Because I also confuse when I'm writting...

Well, there are always some reasons, of course, that drives me here, and next directions... maybe you can give me some comments.

Below are a few options :

1) Extend another 6, 9, or 12 months as an au pair in US

*Since the begining of my program, I heard about thousand of cases and failure examples of this so called 'cultural exchange'. I feel sorry for some of the girls who have been treated as 'Indon maid' in Malaysia. I was also once felt bad about the unfortunate that happenned to my friends, those I know and I care. Though I'm much fortunate to be with my host family, I'm little afraid about the reality - nothing is eternal!

Therefore, I am reluctant to go to a new family which is full of unexpectation.

2) Apply Holiday makers visa (2 years) work and travel in UK

* The reasons is there's an age limit. One must be below 31 to be eligibled for this visa. I hope to travel to Europes again. I still have not realize my 'Tulip field dream'. The more I see, the more i want to see. But too bad, money not enough! Earning pounds are reasonably easier for me to realize my dreams than earning Ringgit Malaysia. Agree?

3) Go back to Malaysia

*Oh my! My country! Chinese proverb said "又爱又恨 " . I miss the people that I cares over there, I miss my little nephews and nieces (though they are no longer 'little'), I miss the days out looking for delicious foods, pasar malam,... But I knew a reality: Everone has his/ her own life going on, me too, should carry on my own life.

So what about career? uhhh, my career path are almost bending here and there like a snake curling on the tree, look calm but swinging on the air. em..some who denied my decision to come US at that moment might say: "see, told you don't go and u was so stubborn." ;P

This time, when I go back, I'm no longer 25, no longer in the good market value age...damn shit lor! So, start a child care business as discussed with sister before I came? Wao!! look like lots of commitment. Am I ready for that? I have to sacrify most of my times (weekends or even holidays) to fight with the risks!

Or should I go for my interest? I should probably call Ah Sai to find out if press mind to hire a fresh entry of age 27...

Goodbye Winter!!

The weather was so good on April 1. We couldn't wait to take out the coat and headed to the beach!

We are here, Hampton beach!

Doggies also like to walk on the beach!

Today's feeling

I'm listening to 988 online, love the songs broadcast at night (oh, night time in M'sia). Chinese songs always make me 'feel' and wanted to write something.

But so shame to say that my English is still 'tak boleh' after half an a year in US. It doesn't improve much, only learnt some American's terminologies... for example, instead of saying handsome, they would say cute, hot, sweet,... em, what else? uh, some bad words!! hahaa....

I always learn some bad words from my 'international friends'.. bad words seems like easier to memorise than good words... hahahaa...

Wanna learn some from me? I'll teach you later, privately!

Oh yeah, i tried to access light and easy fm/lightradio but unsuccessful. I miss the odies in light n easy...

Rainy day

Today is rainy day, I suppose it will continue shower throughtout the day. As usual, I woke up at 5:30 in the morning, sent the kids to school and came home at 8:30. Before I went to the turoring in Haverhill, I have about 30 minutes to get ready.

Thus, I played the Mp3 of Faye Wong while I'm preparing my breakfast. Again, I 'm struggling whether go or not go to the tutoring. It's so comfortable to just stay at home, listening to music and walking around the room without doing anything. I could read some books, I could write something, I could play with Ozzy,... Isn't it good?

Now, I fully understand why someone had ever told me when she has to leave here and go home, she will miss the comfortable life here... Compare with the working environment back in my country, this program more like a half vacation for me. It is about 85% stress free, might be. See, how comfortable it is curling on the couch in this rainy day.

Anyhow, I need to go to tutoring. Should be a responsible person (though I skip it once in a while).

miss home

Out of a sudden, I miss home so so much!

I miss the Wan tan mee, soup noodle, curry chu ciong fan, buffet steamboat, ..., miss going to Pasar Malam in Mont' Kiara, yam cha in those fancy restaurant, going to Malacca or Penang just to eat,...., and of course miss the people there the most! Sometimes I do think to get a ticket and fly home surprisingly! Yeah!! sounds good huuh?

Well, but I'm sure after a while I arrive at home, I will want to getaway again. That's happen most of the time when i stuck in the shitty works in job.

It has been more than a half year i live in America. It's not long, time really flies through very fast. It's time for me to think about the new direction for a few months later. Options are always there, but it's hard to make sure which I am suppose to go for. Sometimes, I think that i should travel whenever I still have the chances; but how long can I travel and when and where is the end? So confusing...

Instead of saying the times I travel out of country are the breaks for me, I feel more like the other way round. I might be a break for me when I'm home, and after recharge from the break, I started my journey that full of challenges again... a journey that was totally new and full of unexpectations!

But when I'm tired, I will miss home...

A Walk with Ozzy Boy

A walk in the early Spring...
sounds good huuh?

When I came back from Haverhill at 12pm, the weather is so great - sunny, 60F. Ozzy looked at me with his eyes eagerly going out for a 'play'. Okay, Let's go out for a something special today. I put on the leash to him and instead of playing in the front yard, we went for a walk on the street yesterday. He was so excited and pulled me all the way to the street with his full energy! Strong boy! Instead of saying I walked him, it's more like he walked me!

First, we walk east to Lilly Pond Rd along the lake. After a few meters away from home, I decided to walked back home as I'm afraid he loose control. So, we walked home by the other side of the 'very narrow Lilly Pond Rd'. On the way home, he was so friendly 'greeting' drivers and joggers who passed by. I am so glad that I didn't being pulled in to the mud and water on the way home.

Ozzy is having his fun time!

Ozzy jumped in to the lake to wash his body after getting some mud in the dirty water on the other side of the road. He almost pulled me into the water and I had to let go the leash and let him swim.

He hold the leash by himself when he run home... cute huuh!

Finally we reach home. I thought I should let him run in the front yard to let his hair dry a bit. I was wrong decision. I shouldn't do that because he rolled his body on the ground and turn into the very dirty Ozzy that I haver never seen!

I got no choice and had to bath him in the porch. Feeding him and bathing him at the same time, it's fun though!

But it's guarantee no more running in front yard after swimming in the future.

Spring Vs. Tick Tick

This is the second week of Spring. Generally, the weather is warmer, around 30F - 60F during the day. Everytime when I meet up with friends, we talk about our outdoor activities such as playing basket ball, soccer, swimming in the lake,... sounds great! I hope the weather will not turn really hot.

You still can't see flowers blooming but bikers, horses riders, joggers are all around on the roads everywhere. I really don't enjoy sharing the roads with this bunch of people when I'm driving. The roads are narrow hence winding, and they are hogging the roads without concerning their own safety as well as other users...I guess they love the nature too much... too much!

Spring also bring some other problems like allergic,.... and 'Tick Tick'!
Two days ago, Kyle found a tick from the body of my little brother. I remember I was so afraid of those ticks when I had dogs in my house when I'm a kid. After they suck the blood from the doggie, they grow bigger and bigger, fatter and fatter, and multiply the numbers of their 'generation' superb fast!! And, they hide everywhere! yiaky!!

So, I told him : "you have 'dut dut', you can not come to my room anyMORE...". Later when I go back to my room, he followed me till the doorstep of family room and sat down, facing the stairscase to my room. I was wonder why he didn't come, so I went to the top of stairs and saw he was sitting down there. I couldn't stop to laugh because he is so sweet, he understands what I said. Before I give him permission to come upstairs, he still sit there and wait. Oh my little sweetheart!!

This episod is about Movie

Some of you might know I am not a big fans of Movie nor Television program. I rarely spend time in front of the 'box'. And, there's very few movies that attempted me walked in to cinema.

It's shame for me to say that I was once a media student. Of course I enjoyed very much about this subject but I was never a good student in class. I always skip class, always party, always fall asleep at the last row of lecture hall.... why? Because I have a bunch of 'devil friends'... hehee... Well, we did skip class to go to the cinemas. But was it because I really love movie? No, the answer is definately no. First of all, it's because we don't like to participate in Kin Seng's class. What is the subject? Oh no, I can't remember. Second of all, there's cheaper tickets in cinema of KLCC on every Wednesday. We always say we will back to the class after the movie but we rarely did.

But surprisingly, I spent many times in front of the 'Box' these few months in US; either watching TV programs or DVDs. And then I found that, actually I like to do that. It's not bad. It's just that I don't watch any kind of programs. I select only quality stuffs!

Well, in this episod, we'll talk about movies....

Title: What the Bleep Do We Know?

I learnt about this movie from Chyng. So I got it from library. There's some movie that I never finished watching. This is one of them. If you are not a person who patient enough to remain your seat to listen to all the theories and think and analyze, you better don't waste your time. Well, I think it's a good material for you to think about something .....in life. Be frank, I'm not very sure what is it talking about. My attention was distract by foods in the kitchen, when I start feeling bored on the theories. It talks about human's perception based on quantum physic, science, spiritual,...etc. Curious about it, go check it out urself.

*Chyng, hope you get something from it because it cost so much! haha... **Chuan, strongly recommend for you!

Title: A walk to Remember

I love this kind of movie that has a story line, which touching my heart. It's not exagerate; it could be a true story or just the extension of the author's imagination. The affection of the story always stir up my emotion!

It's about a badass high school boy falling in love with a religious girl and how he fufills her miracle before she left....

*Evelaine, it's nothing to hide if you feel like to cry. Julie love the movie too huuh... **Carol, you are only 'feel it' when she said : "you are my angel" huuh?

to be continued...

Innocent little KIDs...

My name is Faith, I'm not faith faith... :)

"em.. I'm 3 years old"

"Do you want a teddy bear from my Teddy Bear Store?"

Tucker, a 5 years old handsome boy is coloring.

Tucker and Faith are the kids that I babysit from another family in Boxford. I talk to their mother on the phone at first and I went to visit them in one of the Saturday morning. The family of four was having their fun time on the hill at their backyard. Faith came to say hi and gave me some small stones as 'souvenir'. Tucker didn't came to say hi but he said "Zhai Jian" when I am leaving. :)

Their Mother, Lisa talked to Mary for my profile reference. Thanks for Mary's understanding and permission. She told Lisa that she shouldn't force me to go to her house when the weather is bad. Both of them know my accident happenned months ago. And I'm glad that Lisa understands my situation and arrange the babysit duty according to my schedule... She is happy, I'm happy, and Mary? I don't interfere my original work, I guess she "wouldn't unhappy". hahaha....

Tucker and Faith are sweet! Sometimes, Tucker run towards me and jump on me with a big hug! Little Faith always tell me when I'm leaving:" Bye Amy, I will miss you". Sweet huuh..?

Unsuccessful posts....

I'm back. Why do I disappeared for quite a while? This time is due to the technical problem too. I tried to create new post by everytime it's failed. How could the windows not responding while I try to upload pics to the blog? And I am 'force' to close the window and re-login the blogger again. Is that related to my computer or it's the blogger problem?

It's another risk that now I'm trying to type so many things here and end up 'hang' with the screen again...

Fresh N' White

Hi hi, I went to my friend's host family house to celebrate Chinese New Year on last Saturday. As usual, I packed my stuffs in my practical and good looking backpack and dump it into my car.

We have had a great time chatting with each other in the living room after the Malaysian + ang mo dinner. Somebody suggested to play card games. I realized that it's late and I need a shower before I could welcoming my 'doggie new year'.

I went to Yvonne's bathroom. It's the biggest among all au pairs's bathroom I have ever seen. The interior design is classic and looks like 60s or 70s. I like to call it classical cottage. Oh oh...that's not the main point.

The main point is, I saw something "gorgeous" in the toothbrush holder. Guess what is it.

******************************************************* Get it??

It's Fresh N' White!!! Uhooooo! I love it!
I forgot to check what is the favor but its package is in blue. I used to use the one in green, mint favor. That's the only toothpaste I like after my parents period of using Darlie.

I tried the other brand before but it tastes strange for me. People using Darlie always can't accept 'red brand' and those used to 'red brand' always say Darlie is too strong. And I found something in the middle. Not too strong, more affordable, and taste good!! hehe...

I didn't bring any extra toothpaste in my luggage to US. At first, my host mum gave me one but it tastes totally 'STRANGE' for me. I felt like putting overdue food into my mouth. eakkk....!

Then I got myself another brand which is also never seen in Malaysia (May be we do have it there but I too used to Darlie and Fresh N' White). And, it tastes even worse!! Finally I got myself a mint favor 'red brand'. Oh gosh! Why so different? Different from 'red brand' in Malaysia too. I don't like American toothpaste at all! Taste bad and very little bubble. eakk....!!
I don't enjoy brushing teeth now. Now I know why some parents have to get their kids many different favors of kodomo lion, etc.

uhooo...hoooo... a lots of bubble with my Fresh N' White!!
Eat well, sleep well, and brush well !!