The City of Entertainment! Of magic, dreams and imagination. Of movies and shopping and music. Of stars and fame and everything glittering.

In my opinion, don't hype it up so much, and it can be true.

So on the most misty of all mornings during this long 4-day Thanksgiving weekend, I made a trip down to the city that supposedly has it all.

ALMOST all, but someone forgot to mention the dirty downtown, the many homeless straying on the streets, the weird people walking around and the not-so-nice districts.

~~~~~

I took a 1-hr train and arrived at the LA Union Station.
It's a pretty sight!

After walking through the famous Mexican Olvera Street (but it was too early and not many visitors yet, so I visited the street with all its stores and gay colours again before going back to school), I walked around Downtown LA, checking out the Music Center and what not...

Then I arrived at the Walt Disney Concert Hall!
It's a pretty neat structure glimmering in the sun!

On I walked,
checking out the City Hall (which supposedly appeared in more movies than any movie star),
and Chinatown, the cool Westin Bonaventure Hotel,
the shortest rail called "Angel's Flight"
and looking at the city sights...
and came to Little Toyko

A little piece of a Toyko Garden in the heart of LA

I feel that the interesting thing about Downtown LA is how it is divided up into districts. Like there's this "Fashion District" and "Jewellery District" and "Toy District" and whatnot.. and yah, no need me to tell you what they sell huh. But it is not high-class stuff though, and the real people walking around these areas make the city

And on I went, to the Staples Center, home of the LA Lakers.
And then I visited the 2 famous universities in LA...

USC and UCL!
Where both their mascots are asleep *sulk* (under renovations)
Football and basketball matches between these 2 make fans drool!

I really think it's so interesting to have campus define a city or town. And that universities are actually a place to visit when you visit the area. Plus the fact that they really are so pretty. I took lots of fall photos in these 2 universities!

Onwards I go
to the rich estate of Beverly Hills (*sings* "thats where I wanna be!")

Nothing really great,
lots of high class shopping, fine dinings and expensive stuff
Did I mention mansions??
MANSIONS!!!! big, georgeous mansions.
where the stars live, all near here, in Beverly Hills and Bel-air.
But it's highly unlikely to spot any of them taking out the trash, so I didn't wait and see.
but the mansions are really really so luxurious looking
damn, the life of the rich and famous!

Onwards Hollywood!

The sign looks nicer from far and close up
Trust me
Plus it takes FOREVER to get anywhere close if you don't have a car
Trust me too.

And suddenly there I was, in the busy happening street of Hollywook Blvd
Where I walked up and down the street twice!
to look at the star-studded street
but I still cannot find John Lennon's star!!!

The street was alive with random performances, street artists, people dressing up as Spidery and Elmo and what not. Plus I visited the Kodak Theatre, home of the Academy Awards, and also the Grauman's Chinese Theatre, which I personally think look very cheesy, especially the font. Walking up and down the street is pretty interesting, cos I see all sort of weird people, from the punks to the families, and then all the sex shops and what not. Oh well, Hollywood.

The night is still young!
And Universal Studios, I must visit!

Interestingly, the place is still how I rememebered it from 7 years ago.
there's new rides
including a real-life Fear Factor show!!!

And then I went on to walk down the Universal Citywalk, which is really happening at night!
I think it was especially so because of the upcoming premier of King Kong!

I spent the night in this dodgy hostel, but it's cheap, so I can't complain. It has this 1 door and a staircase that leads up to the dorms. Oh well.

The next morning, bright and early,
After a "Continental" breakfast of bad coffee with equally bad toast
I continued on my exploration.

and found Paramount Pictures Studios!!!!
Since there was no crowd nor fans screaming, I guess there's no star coming in today
The fans know better, I'm sure.

And then I walked and walked,
enjoying the cool breeze
and the famous sight of the LA freeways, those that stretches forever into the sun it seems
and the neat palm trees that lay the sides
and I arrived at The Farmer's Market

Selling Singapore crusine!!!
but it jas terrible business
plus no way I'm spending 6USD for a plate of Mee Goreng.

I'm pretty sure I came here before, and definitely going to search the USA photos when I get home! This place is SO familiar!

Had lunch at Chinatown (because I miss rice) and then took the train back to Irvine. My legs are pretty tired, plus I wanna get back early (exams coming) because it gets dark at like 4.30pm.

I originally titled this entry "the US-Singapore paradigm" but I thought that sounded too serious and more like a Political Science Essay title than a blog entry. So I guess a modified Russell Peters' quote will sit in more comfortably with the general audience.

I always think it is interesting to find out what people in general think about Singapore (assuming they have heard of us) and what stereotypes they have of Singaporeans. We've seen ourselves so much, that now I wish to see us from a foreigner's eyes.

The good news is that about 8 out of 10 people would have heard of Singapore, because we are "one of the most developed nations in Asia". But yet beyond that, they do not remember our first-class airport or ports, nor our cleanliness or humid weather. And so far, 4 out of 5 first comments are usually "oh, is that where they put you to jail if you chew gum?". It started with an old lady I was chatting with at Balboa Beach, and I soon find myself laughing at the comments whenever people mentioned it and remarking that it's a funny thing to be remembered by.

"Because people tend to remember the funny stuff better." The old lady replied. So simple, so true.

So what happened with the other 2 out of 10 people?

1 will wink and me and go "ah, it's a 'fine' city isn't it?".

The last 1 will have no clue, probably assuming it's part of China. He even asked me which city I come from in Singapore, hoping that a famous city-sounding name might rack his memory on the country Singapore. I hated to tell him that whenever I fill up any forms, the blanks for "Country", "State", "City" are always filled up by "Singapore".

But interestingly, hearing about Singapore has no corelations with knowing where we are geographically. I even used Goggle Earth once, to show my roommates. Most will probably nod and say "in Asia right?" and one even said "Malaya" (which really impressed me, despite it telling me how old he is). It was fortunate that no one thus far embarrassed themselves by saying if it's in China.

~~~~~

Speaking of China, I overheard this conversation once while having lunch. And decided to right some wrongs (which I can easily wrong some rights as well).

We have so frequently called these people ABCs - American Born Chinese. And come to think of it, it got stuck to them even by themselves because it has become so widespread. But frankly, now that the world has become more diverse, and that so many generations have gone by, people are identifying themselves by their origin nation. Where nationality and race/ ethnicity clashes.

They are now American Born Koreans, or Vietnamese, or Hongkongers (I still have no idea what they call themselves), or Japanese, even Thais. They do not identify themselves as Chinese anymore, because "Chinese" now probably means people from China. It worked in the past, when it's less globalised. Because in order to save the hassle of explaining where Korea is for example, Asians just said "Chinese".

And so, a new generation of ABA (American Born Asians) have emerged.

Or hey. how about ABBA? Asians Born and Bred in America? For the sake of cool sounding phrases so loved by Singaporeans (with our PIE, BKE, SLEs and what not)

(NB: I bear no disclaimer because this phrase is created by me for the sake of this blog)

~~~~~

My mind is working faster as I blogged, remembering stuff I really shouldn't be.

On the issue of not knowing us by our Changi Airport, I decided to check out the World's Best Airport Rankings. And well, to those who don't know yet, Hong Kong International Airport has overtaken us for a few years, leaving us with a silver award.

In pure amusement, I remarked that there are no American airports anywhere on the top 10 list, nor any airlines. The best US airport was ranked at 20.

"Well, we can't be the best at everything, which we already are with the rest" he called out indignantly. Not jokingly, nor casually, but indignantly, almost in self-righteous denial as he turns back to his work and ignoring the other 2 of us.

Now that kinda puts me off. Hello?!?!

Veteran's Day is on a Friday this year, and to most college students, it is probably just another holiday. I know I would think so too, if I've been here all my life.

But since I haven't, I've been planning the trip to Richard Nixon's Library and Birthplace on this day for some time. Not only is admission free (that's besides the point), there will be a General from Camp Pendleton speaking to commerate the day and also a mini orchestra performance in the museum on that day.

And I did something no college student in the right mind will do: wake up really early to catch a 2-hr bus ride to Yorba Linda (where the Library and Birthplace is) in time for the speech by the General at 10am.

Initially, I too thought that it would be a not-so-exciting visit, but just something to do and a place to visit for the day. But I guess I turned out to be wrong, because I really enjoyed the exhibits in the museums, the rose garden and the lovely house, which is the birthplace of Nixon.

And Richard Nixon said proudly,
"I lived in the house my father built."

I even felt both the patrotic and heart wrenching moments, as I witness the exhibits on the Vietnam war and the tense political situation at that time. And at the same time, felt the pride as I witness the astronauts landing on the moon, and committing to memory the THREE astronauts involved in the mission. Even wamed my heart, as I read about the life of Patricia Ryan Nixon, wife of President Nixon, and the quote I place above.

I love the Rose Garden and the Pond of Reflection, set in the tranquil surroundings, so free from anxiety. And even the orchestra performance at 2pm in the Pat Nixon Amphitheater.

Even I couldn't believe that I spent like 4 hours there.

It drizzled today. In the early morning on the walk to school.

Not the heavy, fat type of drizzle.

But the delightful one. Like soft, slow spray coming from the heavens. Almost like morning mist falling. The type that doesn't leave your clothes wet or glasses smudged. But the type that you can brush off the tiny beads of water from your jacket with your fingers, and would love to take off your glasses and feel the fine spray on your naked sleepy face.

It seems like the little droplets of mist-like spray are so small and light, that they float slowly downwards instead of drop. So magical! To have these droplets floating down towards you!

~~~~~

On the topic of water, I shall say how impressed and amazed by the sprinkler system in US.

Before the school was built, a sprinkler system was set beneath the grounds, and every once a week or so at night, these little black tubes shoot up from the earth and spray jets of water to wet the turfs (turfs, not grass! Planted piece by piece! No wonder they are so nice to sit on!) around school.

It's even fun, having to time your movement so as to avoid their rotating sprays. Or to feel the mist of the spray that escaped from the main jet on you.

So much so that being the occasional childish me, I even stayed in the library late on Thursday nights because I know it is the day when the jets in Aldrich Park (the park I cross to go back from the library back to my apartment) will be functioning. And I just loved walking amongst the sprays of water, seeing how the droplets of water on the blades of grass makes them glimmering white under the lamps in the park.

Come on, I know some of you will even want to be playing in the sprays! =p Don't make me name =)

Every once in a while, people from home ask me how I am, and what's it really like here in Irvine, California. Or even more generally, in USA.

And I'll keep blabbering on the fantastic weather, the food, the people, the cities, the experiences, the fun. All the good stuff and all the bad ones too. Some of my thoughts are just indescrible, me having not found the words to actually write them down, so sometimes my responses can sound so superficial.

But once, someone asked me, and stunned me,

"what's it like?"

So I go on with the usual replies that I say so often, I can come up with a Ten Year Series on it.

"No. I mean, what's it REALLY like? You know, school?"

And I guess I was caught speechless for the moment. Oh yes. Gosh. I forgot to really talk about school. And so I decide that I should. Briefly.

I really enjoy my education here, and the interactions with the profs and my classmates. Even though at times you have some smart alec comments or some that doesn't make any sense, but overall, the participation is good. I'm learning to speak up too, and it's good because you really learn more.

The best part of it all, is recognizing that fact that when I do my bibliography, the authors are no longer just names. They become real people to me all of a sudden. I know, because I have 2 big names professors teaching me, all big names in their field of economics, and both excellent lecturers teachers. (I decided against using "lecturers" because of this boring connotation associated with that word, whereas "teachers" sound personal.) All in all, I've never enjoyed going for lessons so much, because of the excellent teaching.

Even though its 3 1-hr lectures per week for each module. It's better though, because you think of it more often and your concentration level stays high.

It's tiring, because I have tests every week.. well, 6 out of 10 weeks, and sometimes 2 or 3 in one of those weeks. But it makes the quarter pass so fast, and suddenly, I'm already thinking of the exams, and preparing to go home.

Plus you start to appreciate the vigorous Singapore education, for preparing us so well, maybe too well. Come here and you'll not find it hard to adapt, and it boosts your confidence getting good results, plus you find out more about what total education comprises. And I also got the feeling that profs here do like to give you good grades if you earned it, and this motivates you to actually learn.

I love the weather. Or has I gone through that already? It revitalises you, the very moment you stepped out of the classroom.

I've also fallen in love with staying on campus. The ability to wear jeans and jacket in the morning and yet change into shorts in the afternoon. The possibility to just change into running attire for a jog around school in the evening sun or go to the gym. And I can even change into contact lenses after my morning lessons (still not easy to put them on during the sleepy mornings when the eyes are not wide enough), and put on the sunglasses.

And perhaps the biggest thing I always missed out in an attempt to make SEP sound so much fun - is the time when one feels homesick and in need of firm friends back home.

THAT is, more truthfully, part of what it's really like.

Halloween is a distinctively American affair.

Someone once told me that the Chinese has our Qing Ming Festival, so the Americans have their Halloween, and always in the spirit of making things fun, Halloween turns out to be a pretty cool event.

Candies candies everywhere! (for the record, they also give out free candies at supermarkets!)

I regretted not carrying my camera to school, because I never expected people to be dressing up already! Xiaotian once told me that Halloween is just an excuse for girls to dress up in as little as possible, and I must say that there are elements of truth in that *laughs*. Guys in purple suits, girls in Catwoman attires.. It's not like everyone's dressed up, but enough to make the walk around school interesting.

And the parties. How can we forget how all the minors (you need to be 21 here to drink) get drunk or try to get someone drunk in her devilish attire. No need to go too far, just take a look at the apartments around me.

It's just unfortunate that it's on a Monday night though, or else I'm sure it'll be even more happening.

And you know, me being me, I took a bus ride in the deep of the cold to this particular famous neighborhood (damn I'm already spelling without the "u") that always decorate up for Halloween to check out the "Treats or Trick"s! It's kinda fun to watch, but I wish I grew up here too, and have that kind of memories to take into old age with me =)

My costume?

Erm, don't I look scary enough?

*gives scary face*