Trip to St. Louis

Exam Seminar: $1,450
Staying at Ritz- Carlton: ~$200 per night
Hours of studying each day: 8

I was so lucky to get to know Tycoon at Stratton's on my first day in town. And he was such a great host who drove me around and gave me a city tour. So getting to know a new friend who opens up my world, that's priceless. :)

Special Thanks to my company which paid for my entire trip to the Exam Seminar. Thank you!

Some Pics from DC

Back from DC

Back from DC. Overall, it was great to tour around DC. Probably I have to go back to DC again for the National Gallery of Art. I can spend hours walking around inside with the audio tour.

Will post some pictures here later. :)

International Assignments

I always fancy about traveling through my work. I want to experience the life of living and working in another city. Yesterday, something came up that shed a light on my dream. I found out the company is in need of a number of analysts to Latin America for an assignment and the minimum of stay is 3 years.

So you may think, “what about the language, Y, you don’t speak Spanish, do you?” Based on what I knew, having the desire to learn the language is good enough for consideration. So I think I can pull if off regardless of the “language barrier”.

Because of the 3 years time period, I don’t think I’ll really apply for this assignment though. (A lot of things can happen in 3 years.) Now I started to imagine about what other international assignments that may come up next. Who knows, maybe Rome for 6 months, Paris for a year and Beijing for 3 months?

Now when I think of that, I am more motivated to learn my stuff well at work and make faster progress in my actuarial exams.

I saw this quote of the day from No Limits Ladies yesterday, “You should set goals beyond your reach so you always have something to live for.”- Ted Turner

NYC Trip Pictures

On my way to the Museum


Looking out from the top floor of the museum. All the trees you saw are the Central Park area.


A Lexus SUV taxi cab. I don't see such a fancy cab that often in my area. :)


On our way walking to Time Square. It was really crowded becuase of the street fair. I suspect most of the people I saw here were tourists.


A new apartment building in Chinatown. According to Loli, a 3 bedrooms apartment unit costs about $2.5 million. I'd rather buy 10 houses in the Mid-west if I can afford a $2.5 million apartment.

NYC Trip Recap

We had so much fun in NYC over the weekend. It's hard to describe everything in written words.

But here's a recap of places and activities:

1. Watched Spamalot, a musical on Broadway. (I'm glad I watched the Monty Python and the Holy Grail DVD the week before. Or else, I don't think I can understand most of the show.)

2. Visited the Metropolitan Museum of Art to feel more cultured and sophisticated

3. Walked around the Central Park

4. A walking tour to Time Square, Grand Central, Union Square, Little Italy, Canal Street and Chinatown. (I've never walked for so many hours in the last 2 years)

5. Had a delicious, Hong Kong style dinner at Big Wong King in Chinatown.

6. We stayed in R's brother's place in West Village. (Now, I started to appreciate more of my spacious apartment in a mid-west suburb)

7. Took the subway and buses. (Though using public transportation has always been part of my life, I still prefer driving.)

8. Saw the gay pride parade- and someone gave me a "Hot Asian" sticker. I'm flattered!

9. Had a relaxing lunch in a cozy, non-expensive but fancy French restaurant on Monday in West Village.

And here are the people we met:

1. R's brother- Thank you so much for letting us stay in your place!

2. Loli- Thank you so much for being our 'tour guide' on Saturday. Without you, I would be lost in the city. And I'll always remember that "snowing in the mid-June" incident. :)

3. Peggy- I couldn't believe I'll see you again. When did I see you last time? 1999, 2000? Wow, that was so last century!

4. JS- At last, I kept my words to come to NYC to see you. What a great mini-reunion. Though we only got a chance to meet up for dinner, I still feel our friendship is timeless.

5. Lori- Again, awesome people write awesome blogs is true (and vice versa). Thanks for meeting with us though you had a very busy schedule.

6. Sarah- Your Hollywood movie stars stories were fascinating and hilarious. It was such a pleasure to meet you.
   
   

   And coming up more pictures...

New York, New York

I'm going to NYC this weekend to see my friends (you know who you are ;)). While planning my trip, this song kept popping up in my head. I first heard this song a few years ago from a TV drama while the characters in the show were driving from Pittsburg to New York for a road trip. (Christen, do you remember this TV drama?)

Anyway, I'll post some pictures of my trip when I come back.