I just had an amazing day, and the joy that I feel within me still flows through my heart. Felice and I had intended to take a trip to Seattle today as it was our day off. Furthermore, today's Memorial Day, a day where America commemorates their fallen soldiers throughout war. Unfortunately, the Grayline Bus (the only bus that travels to Seattle) doesn't take any trips from Monday to Wednesday.
Before we knew that no bus was coming, we landed in a rather funny situation with a ranger. The information/ ranger desk was supposed to have details about the bus schedules and trips to Seattle, so eventually that was our last hope of confirming that we'd sorta make it to Seattle. Oh too bad though, there wasn't any bus, but the ranger that tried helping us was too keen on talking about other things and it was pretty awkward switching the topic back to asking him about the schedule.
But Thank God for bumping into Ryan McKeever (one of our dormmates) who happened to have a car, and happened to be driving to Puyallup (a nearby town which didn't seem to be that interesting). But God makes things better everyday, because Felice and I ended up walking in many different shops, looking at different sights (from Borders to Starbucks to Petco - snakes, guinea pigs, hamsters, rats, pufferfish, hermit crabs, tarantulas, ferrets, rabbits... and a camera shop).
We managed to get some food along the trip and for once, was I happy to see shelves of cup and instant noodles! Man... we bought enough food to feed an army (oh well, I'm exaggerating)!!! But the best part about food was buying packets of berries (strawberries, blackberries...), sweet succulent peaches, grapes and my favorite, CHERRIES!!!!
But the best part came when I shared them with the friends I worked with. The joy of looking at their smiling faces with thankfulness and eagerness was so cool, because for once I felt how's it like to even feel like a giver. Giving is definitely better than receiving. And I think that's how a Christian should live. A life of giving, and of sharing the gospel with others, but at the same time bringing a sense of happiness and community too.
And here's my story for today...
Love, Erica.
Monday, May 28, 2007
Friday, May 25, 2007
A Seattle Experience
Woo hoo!!! I finally made it to the city after nearly a month of living in the mountains! :)
Thank God for the new employee who arrived in time to replace me for a day so I could travel about Seattle with my friends/roommates. The excitement of leaving a place filled with snow-capped pine trees to the hustle and bustle of the city was too good to be true. We spent 8 hours walking about, with a mangly map as our guide... and the experience was awesome!
Ralph (our supervisor and the person who drove us) stopped outside the famous Seattlite monument - the Space Needle. But none of us wanted to go up the tower because it didn't seem special enough; just another touristy money-sucking place.
But anyway, we were brave enough to take a bus down to the other end of the city, just so we could experience their Chinatown. We did good, because we had a great lunch!!! Almost like what they'd serve in Crystal Jade back in Singapore... I ordered a bowl of soup noodles with cod fish - US$4.95, and the soup tasted heavenly... full of savoury soup stock with fat pieces of tender fish meat! Oh yeah.. and the chilli was great!!! I haven't had such chilli in a long time, ever since I left Singapore, and this definitely brought back some memories of eating in Singapore.
So after that we walked around the area, went to a small Asian supermarket (something like the NTUC in HDB areas), and found out that several food stuff from Singapore were sold there as well... how interesting eh? I got a can of calamansi juice from there, oooh like what I used to do after eating spicy food.
My legs ached because of all the trotting/walking, but I was never tired from the sight-seeing. We got a couple of basic necessities, shoes for hiking (Kaman and Jia Hui got shoes from Helen Hansen, and mine from Timberland, saved quite a lot compared to the prices in Singapore). And I spent like US$150 in a day!!! Within 8 hours!! Imagine that..
I really thank God for allowing me to smell the city air, but at the same time, thanking Him for letting me stay in such a wonderful surrounding.
The trip home was pretty tiring, although all we did was to sit in the car and wait till we get home. Ralph, the driver should be even more exhausted from fetching us to and fro! Throughout the drive back, all I kept thinking was of the scenery that God created. You can never picture the beauty of the changing lights going from dusk to night, with stars twinkling in the great distance, and the half moon shining down on everything as wisps of light appear in the darkest places. Just as the van rode, I looked out of the window and saw two horses fawning over each other under the romantic moonlight. The entire countryside was perfectly meant for just their loving actions, and as I gazed at them, I just felt filled with hope that God's love is more than abundant.
And in the distance, I could see Mt. Rainier. 'Tho it make look tiny from afar, the immense anticipation of getting home filled me with eagerness and longing for the place that I am living in now. The word to describe everything is breath-taking.
I wish that all of you could see it through my eyes, because pictures or videos can never capture the emotion that I felt.
With great exhaustion,
Erica
Thank God for the new employee who arrived in time to replace me for a day so I could travel about Seattle with my friends/roommates. The excitement of leaving a place filled with snow-capped pine trees to the hustle and bustle of the city was too good to be true. We spent 8 hours walking about, with a mangly map as our guide... and the experience was awesome!
Ralph (our supervisor and the person who drove us) stopped outside the famous Seattlite monument - the Space Needle. But none of us wanted to go up the tower because it didn't seem special enough; just another touristy money-sucking place.
But anyway, we were brave enough to take a bus down to the other end of the city, just so we could experience their Chinatown. We did good, because we had a great lunch!!! Almost like what they'd serve in Crystal Jade back in Singapore... I ordered a bowl of soup noodles with cod fish - US$4.95, and the soup tasted heavenly... full of savoury soup stock with fat pieces of tender fish meat! Oh yeah.. and the chilli was great!!! I haven't had such chilli in a long time, ever since I left Singapore, and this definitely brought back some memories of eating in Singapore.
So after that we walked around the area, went to a small Asian supermarket (something like the NTUC in HDB areas), and found out that several food stuff from Singapore were sold there as well... how interesting eh? I got a can of calamansi juice from there, oooh like what I used to do after eating spicy food.
My legs ached because of all the trotting/walking, but I was never tired from the sight-seeing. We got a couple of basic necessities, shoes for hiking (Kaman and Jia Hui got shoes from Helen Hansen, and mine from Timberland, saved quite a lot compared to the prices in Singapore). And I spent like US$150 in a day!!! Within 8 hours!! Imagine that..
I really thank God for allowing me to smell the city air, but at the same time, thanking Him for letting me stay in such a wonderful surrounding.
The trip home was pretty tiring, although all we did was to sit in the car and wait till we get home. Ralph, the driver should be even more exhausted from fetching us to and fro! Throughout the drive back, all I kept thinking was of the scenery that God created. You can never picture the beauty of the changing lights going from dusk to night, with stars twinkling in the great distance, and the half moon shining down on everything as wisps of light appear in the darkest places. Just as the van rode, I looked out of the window and saw two horses fawning over each other under the romantic moonlight. The entire countryside was perfectly meant for just their loving actions, and as I gazed at them, I just felt filled with hope that God's love is more than abundant.
And in the distance, I could see Mt. Rainier. 'Tho it make look tiny from afar, the immense anticipation of getting home filled me with eagerness and longing for the place that I am living in now. The word to describe everything is breath-taking.
I wish that all of you could see it through my eyes, because pictures or videos can never capture the emotion that I felt.
With great exhaustion,
Erica
Wednesday, May 23, 2007
200 Big Bucks!
Hoooooo.... Yay...
Thank you CAILING!!!! For telling me that Singapore was giving back $200 for the next 4 years due to our GST hike.. HEHZ...
And thank you PAPA for helping me to get my $200 while I'm far away from home.. Woo hoo I just became $200 richer!!!
Oh well, but my pay here isn't that great either.. I think it's adequate, but I wanna return everything to my parents! I'll feel bad if I don't. And since I just received my first paycheck 2 days ago, I'll make sure that I won't spend a penny, and get the cash home safe and sound! Maybe I'll just use the coins (since I bet we can't change those in Singapore)...
But really, money to me isn't much of an issue. My biggest priority would be to enjoy all of God's creations, help Him to spread the gospel, and do goodwill! And also, my next priority would be to hike at least 5 different trails (ranging from moderate to difficult).
This is my test... I need to see how far I can go, where my limits are, and if possible, hike to the summit of the 14000 ft tall mountain (I think that's how high it is). Now I call that impossible, but who knows eh?!?
And also... need to lose more weight.. I'm feeling really fat right now cuz I just ate a whole lot of mexican minced meat (meant for the burrito wrap, but I ate it with salad)... Hahaha.. going to the gym in 1/2 hr!
Wanna hear from you guys soon,
Erica
P.S. Dear Cailing, if you're reading this.. congrats on your chicken pox. You shouldn't be scratching, just put on more calamine lotion (I think it helps, but it didn't for me)... Don't scratch ar.... later kenah scar on the nose and cheek (like me... bad example).
Thank you CAILING!!!! For telling me that Singapore was giving back $200 for the next 4 years due to our GST hike.. HEHZ...
And thank you PAPA for helping me to get my $200 while I'm far away from home.. Woo hoo I just became $200 richer!!!
Oh well, but my pay here isn't that great either.. I think it's adequate, but I wanna return everything to my parents! I'll feel bad if I don't. And since I just received my first paycheck 2 days ago, I'll make sure that I won't spend a penny, and get the cash home safe and sound! Maybe I'll just use the coins (since I bet we can't change those in Singapore)...
But really, money to me isn't much of an issue. My biggest priority would be to enjoy all of God's creations, help Him to spread the gospel, and do goodwill! And also, my next priority would be to hike at least 5 different trails (ranging from moderate to difficult).
This is my test... I need to see how far I can go, where my limits are, and if possible, hike to the summit of the 14000 ft tall mountain (I think that's how high it is). Now I call that impossible, but who knows eh?!?
And also... need to lose more weight.. I'm feeling really fat right now cuz I just ate a whole lot of mexican minced meat (meant for the burrito wrap, but I ate it with salad)... Hahaha.. going to the gym in 1/2 hr!
Wanna hear from you guys soon,
Erica
P.S. Dear Cailing, if you're reading this.. congrats on your chicken pox. You shouldn't be scratching, just put on more calamine lotion (I think it helps, but it didn't for me)... Don't scratch ar.... later kenah scar on the nose and cheek (like me... bad example).
Monday, May 21, 2007
Off Today
Heyyyy.....
So sad... I'm off today, I've nothing to do... except to go to the gym... Oh well.. At least there are better looking rangers there! hehz...
It's pretty boring here since we hardly get to go downtown. I haven't stepped foot into Seattle ever since I reached Seattle three weeks ago. But at least my friends will be going to town on Thursday (my working day)...
Btw, you guys have to keep me updated about what's going on in Singapore lei!!! I heard that because of the GST hike, we get to get $200 for the next four years???? Where's my $200??!!?? I'm 21 already.. so I think I do get to keep it right?
Haha, after years of paying too much tax eh.
It just started snowing crazily again - when it's supposed to go into Summer. The weather up here is crazy. Damn it was freezing yesterday, even down at the less cold place. And you know what, I shouldn't drink too much water before I set foot into any vehicle.. I struggled for 20 long minutes by keeping my bladder shut before I ran straight into my room's toilet... The worst night of my life officially.
Anyways, there isn't anything else to update about, except to tell you that I hope to see ya soon in August.. Although I love this place I can't wait to go back to Singapore and lie in my comfy bed!!!
So sad... I'm off today, I've nothing to do... except to go to the gym... Oh well.. At least there are better looking rangers there! hehz...
It's pretty boring here since we hardly get to go downtown. I haven't stepped foot into Seattle ever since I reached Seattle three weeks ago. But at least my friends will be going to town on Thursday (my working day)...
Btw, you guys have to keep me updated about what's going on in Singapore lei!!! I heard that because of the GST hike, we get to get $200 for the next four years???? Where's my $200??!!?? I'm 21 already.. so I think I do get to keep it right?
Haha, after years of paying too much tax eh.
It just started snowing crazily again - when it's supposed to go into Summer. The weather up here is crazy. Damn it was freezing yesterday, even down at the less cold place. And you know what, I shouldn't drink too much water before I set foot into any vehicle.. I struggled for 20 long minutes by keeping my bladder shut before I ran straight into my room's toilet... The worst night of my life officially.
Anyways, there isn't anything else to update about, except to tell you that I hope to see ya soon in August.. Although I love this place I can't wait to go back to Singapore and lie in my comfy bed!!!
Saturday, May 19, 2007
I Like Hiking!!
I think hiking's the best exercise ever. It beats running on the treadmill in the gym. It beats doing sit ups. It beats jogging on a dull old track.
I think working here would be one of the best choices that I've made in my entire life. Although the place where I live may be far from the city (a 3 hr drive just to Seattle), hiking through the forest allows you to gain another perspective of life. I've hiked 3 different trails so far (mostly easy to moderate), and the best by far would be the trail at Nisqually Vista. The Nisqually Vista trail is meant to be hiked in summer, when flowers and plants are in abundance. However, since snow has yet to melt away, the trail that I took with 3 other people had us walking through really deep snow. I've yet to get proper boots, and my Vans were definitely not the best shoes for tracking in snow.
The most exciting part was searching for the route (we mainly followed previous tracks left by people). We walked through places that I thought were unsafe (damn exciting), but we ended up having a splendid time doing something that we have never done before. It did get terrifying for me, because at one point my entire left leg (thigh down) slipped into a hole that was covered with snow, and for a minute I thought that I'd be trapped and left to die of hypothermia. I tried pulling my left leg out but it wouldn't budge for the first few seconds. I got my leg out eventually, but my shoe was stuck in a hole. I had to get it out and suffer the rest of the journey back with extremely freezing toes because ice had gotten in - I almost felt that I was going to suffer from frostbite because I couldn't even feel my toes!!!
The next major trail that I hiked was called Rampart Ridge. Let's just say that trail will definitely make a flabby butt firm! The route up was rather steep (almost a 30 - 45 degree angle). That hike took 3+ hrs to and fro. And at the peak (the destination, sort of anyway) provided a wondrous view from the top down. Going back was harder because of the slippery snow. Again, wearing Vans didn't help much because I kept slipping like a baby deer learning how to walk.
Unfortunately, I sprained my ankle before I did these trails, and now my ankle hurts really bad. Just pray for my ankle to heal!!! I've made a promise that I must do another 5 different hikes before I return to Singapore...
From,
Erica Ho May Yue.
I think working here would be one of the best choices that I've made in my entire life. Although the place where I live may be far from the city (a 3 hr drive just to Seattle), hiking through the forest allows you to gain another perspective of life. I've hiked 3 different trails so far (mostly easy to moderate), and the best by far would be the trail at Nisqually Vista. The Nisqually Vista trail is meant to be hiked in summer, when flowers and plants are in abundance. However, since snow has yet to melt away, the trail that I took with 3 other people had us walking through really deep snow. I've yet to get proper boots, and my Vans were definitely not the best shoes for tracking in snow.
The most exciting part was searching for the route (we mainly followed previous tracks left by people). We walked through places that I thought were unsafe (damn exciting), but we ended up having a splendid time doing something that we have never done before. It did get terrifying for me, because at one point my entire left leg (thigh down) slipped into a hole that was covered with snow, and for a minute I thought that I'd be trapped and left to die of hypothermia. I tried pulling my left leg out but it wouldn't budge for the first few seconds. I got my leg out eventually, but my shoe was stuck in a hole. I had to get it out and suffer the rest of the journey back with extremely freezing toes because ice had gotten in - I almost felt that I was going to suffer from frostbite because I couldn't even feel my toes!!!
The next major trail that I hiked was called Rampart Ridge. Let's just say that trail will definitely make a flabby butt firm! The route up was rather steep (almost a 30 - 45 degree angle). That hike took 3+ hrs to and fro. And at the peak (the destination, sort of anyway) provided a wondrous view from the top down. Going back was harder because of the slippery snow. Again, wearing Vans didn't help much because I kept slipping like a baby deer learning how to walk.
Unfortunately, I sprained my ankle before I did these trails, and now my ankle hurts really bad. Just pray for my ankle to heal!!! I've made a promise that I must do another 5 different hikes before I return to Singapore...
From,
Erica Ho May Yue.
Friday, May 4, 2007
Cold Mountain
Hey peeps...
I know it's been really long since I last made an entry. And sorry to disappoint you guys, I can't upload any photos of the gorgeous scenery because of where I'm at. Apparently the only computer with the internet uses a dial-up connection instead of broadband, and it's stated in the rules that we can't use the computer for any other things apart from e-mailing.. So actually I think me blogging right now could be considered as going against that rule :(
I'll try my best to visually describe the things that I have seen, and I assure you that being here in actual person is better than hearing someone else write or talk about it. You'll be amazed by the wildlife you see here! Just this afternoon/evening I caught sight 6 deers (separately of course, but my friend saw a group of 4), one crafty fox (we think that he was the one that stole our food that was kept in the snow-dug fridge - 2 yoghurts, 2 packets of lettuce and 1 packet of bread missing), some chirpy little red-breasted birds... yeah.. I know this sounds nuts, but I really want to catch sight of a bear, skunk or mountain lion (they feed on deer).
The weather up here's really crazy. Our caretaker, Ralph, told us something really apt - the mountain makes its own weather. Apparently it'll be much worse this week, and yesterday's temperature dropped to a low of 1.6 degree celsius!!! Snow was terrible up near the peaks where we were living, but the moment the car leaves for the center part of the mountain, you gradually see winter change to spring in just a matter of 20 minutes.. But yesterday was different at the central part, because that was the first in my entire life where I felt hail!!! It wasn't big hail (the big frozen ice you see falling from the sky in The Day After Tomorrow), but what we saw was rather much like 5 mm round pellets of ice (similar to that ice-cream in the shape of tiny balls)...
It's so beautiful, but unfortunately I've no pictures to show you guys for now... But when I do enter the city, I'll try to enter a cyber cafe to upload the pics..
From, Erica
I know it's been really long since I last made an entry. And sorry to disappoint you guys, I can't upload any photos of the gorgeous scenery because of where I'm at. Apparently the only computer with the internet uses a dial-up connection instead of broadband, and it's stated in the rules that we can't use the computer for any other things apart from e-mailing.. So actually I think me blogging right now could be considered as going against that rule :(
I'll try my best to visually describe the things that I have seen, and I assure you that being here in actual person is better than hearing someone else write or talk about it. You'll be amazed by the wildlife you see here! Just this afternoon/evening I caught sight 6 deers (separately of course, but my friend saw a group of 4), one crafty fox (we think that he was the one that stole our food that was kept in the snow-dug fridge - 2 yoghurts, 2 packets of lettuce and 1 packet of bread missing), some chirpy little red-breasted birds... yeah.. I know this sounds nuts, but I really want to catch sight of a bear, skunk or mountain lion (they feed on deer).
The weather up here's really crazy. Our caretaker, Ralph, told us something really apt - the mountain makes its own weather. Apparently it'll be much worse this week, and yesterday's temperature dropped to a low of 1.6 degree celsius!!! Snow was terrible up near the peaks where we were living, but the moment the car leaves for the center part of the mountain, you gradually see winter change to spring in just a matter of 20 minutes.. But yesterday was different at the central part, because that was the first in my entire life where I felt hail!!! It wasn't big hail (the big frozen ice you see falling from the sky in The Day After Tomorrow), but what we saw was rather much like 5 mm round pellets of ice (similar to that ice-cream in the shape of tiny balls)...
It's so beautiful, but unfortunately I've no pictures to show you guys for now... But when I do enter the city, I'll try to enter a cyber cafe to upload the pics..
From, Erica
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