tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25978386604916195042024-03-05T15:08:22.544-08:00clothes and stuff onlinegotta fellinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05563420801220917035noreply@blogger.comBlogger5168125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2597838660491619504.post-47432672445691448042012-01-07T02:10:00.000-08:002012-01-08T01:12:33.674-08:00Pond or Mirror<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/54973845@N04/6627224427/in/pool-643195@N20/"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK9NFmJA1NYGIKF43k8qW-4PwMfy6LyrcYYK6tFpBONGbqpjk0k7_g37opR0LXywaUoB-idT2EXu1YrGh8uRIElpTT5OFUzUK204GggMVZYN3PXOC78jOO50UgmOkrm5iuK241Mv0jE3Vy/s400/6627224427_536eab2b35_b.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693362886759160578" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Taken in <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jutland">Jutland</a>, <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/country_profiles/1032760.stm">Denmark</a> by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/54973845@N04/with/6627224427/">gos1959</a></span>gotta fellinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05563420801220917035noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2597838660491619504.post-80912495479996591152012-01-06T02:10:00.000-08:002012-01-08T01:12:33.729-08:00Chinaware<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/47651351@N03/6592357005/in/pool-643195@N20/"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpIUxi2aXW-BNNn7SbbPe4lVe93pswkC8y2JDH_9i5zqvJ3lxsdOrbShg1kcI7HhVio1akezuF9kL4CoDoUmumbzXa1LGVa0kCFLK1KU5CwabFVHcf0UQwrQVIEnDu1BqZ8QRVqbiOSpDq/s400/6592357005_bfd41fdb76.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693369056623044098" border="0" /></a><br />Seen and captured in Cat Alley, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hong_Kong">Hong Kong</a> by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/47651351@N03/">W_Kho</a>gotta fellinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05563420801220917035noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2597838660491619504.post-81020169320041901892012-01-05T03:14:00.000-08:002012-01-08T01:03:11.510-08:00Culture ShocksIts been about 3 weeks since I first stepped foot upon the Italian grounds and I have learnt that the culture in Malaysia and Italy are <span style="color: orange; font-size: x-large;"><b>COMPLETELY</b></span> different.<br /><br />So here are some of the culture shocks I have experienced during my stay in Italy so far.<br /><br /><span style="color: #674ea7; font-size: large;"><b>1. Its all about the love in Italy</b></span><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-04UYMTdE3zE/TwWDtd29nDI/AAAAAAAADF8/eexuVv1Azps/s1600/a+friend+kiss+-+photoforu.blogspot.com.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-04UYMTdE3zE/TwWDtd29nDI/AAAAAAAADF8/eexuVv1Azps/s400/a+friend+kiss+-+photoforu.blogspot.com.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />When I first met my host family, I planned to give them a hug (and that's already very affectionate for me). But instead, they gave me a kiss on both cheeks each and I realized that this is common in Italy. More kisses and hugs followed after that when I met other Italians during my first week.<br /><br />I have never received (or given) so many hugs and kisses in just 1 week, I can't even keep track anymore! But you know what? I actually like it.<br /><br /><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: large;"><b>2. Most Italians smoke</b></span><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PKyuGBnjqyM/TwWE93GrG_I/AAAAAAAADGI/t3RovQo9W8U/s1600/electroSmokeBNPS_468x348.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="296" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PKyuGBnjqyM/TwWE93GrG_I/AAAAAAAADGI/t3RovQo9W8U/s400/electroSmokeBNPS_468x348.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />The first thing that greeted me at the entrance of the airport was the smell of cigarettes. Its very common for people to smoke here, including the teenagers. Even my host family smokes, except for my host sister, Lia.<br /><br />Although I've been offered a cigarette once in a while, I refused politely. I want to experience their culture, but I don't intend to start any bad habits. Like smoking.<br /><br />But I've learnt to stand the smell of cigarettes now and it doesn't bother me whenever somebody smokes in front of my face anymore.<br /><br /><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: large;"><b>3. Nobody goes bare footed in the house</b></span><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Br713xHbkh8/TwWLeGWH_II/AAAAAAAADGU/vd9RtVWjnfM/s1600/P1050001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Br713xHbkh8/TwWLeGWH_II/AAAAAAAADGU/vd9RtVWjnfM/s400/P1050001.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />OK, I've been quite aware about this culture before I arrived in Italy, but despite all that, I still asked where do I put my shoes when I first arrived at their home. I was a bit surprised that I could walk around in the house wearing my sneakers because I didn't want to dirty the floors.<br /><br />But everybody seems to be doing it so what the heck. Anyway, if you wanna be comfortable, you can wear house slippers like the one I'm wearing now. Their aunt bought it for me even though I insisted that I'd pay for myself and she said its a gift for me.<br /><br />Isn't that kind of her?<br /><br /><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: large;"><b>4. Italians eat fast</b></span><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bYXOAS58ug4/TwWNMafoJ9I/AAAAAAAADGg/fGgutDig47U/s1600/Eating-disorders.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bYXOAS58ug4/TwWNMafoJ9I/AAAAAAAADGg/fGgutDig47U/s400/Eating-disorders.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />That was definitely a shocker for me.<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-size: large;"><b><i> I thought I ate quickly.</i></b></span> I've always finished eating my food first back in Malaysia, so I was very surprised that everybody else had finished eating their share of pizza while I was only halfway through (and trust me, it was a very large piece of pizza)!<br /><br />The there was lunch and dinner and every time I always finish last! <b><span style="color: #e06666;">Even their grandpa ate faster than me =.=</span></b><br /><br /><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: large;"><b>5. EVERYTHING is in Italian. Even the Simpsons.</b></span><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MKvGTLwELw4/TwWsUO8f54I/AAAAAAAADGs/EJ20HU-KcN0/s1600/1219447125_simpson.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="280" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MKvGTLwELw4/TwWsUO8f54I/AAAAAAAADGs/EJ20HU-KcN0/s400/1219447125_simpson.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>The Simpsons has always been one of my favorite shows. That's why I was feeling so happy when I saw the Simpsons theme song playing from my host family's TV. I was surprised when I saw Homer speak Italian after that.<br /><br />In fact, everything that was originally in English has been dubbed into Italian so that the locals are able to enjoy it.<span style="font-size: large;"> <span style="color: #38761d;"><b><i>We even watched Dragonball in Italian!</i></b></span></span><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-i6yVSaNdfx4/TwWtjX75XwI/AAAAAAAADG4/2qxHdzFfiTw/s1600/DBZ_Earth%2527s_Special_Forces.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="272" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-i6yVSaNdfx4/TwWtjX75XwI/AAAAAAAADG4/2qxHdzFfiTw/s400/DBZ_Earth%2527s_Special_Forces.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Its so weird watching Goku speak Italian...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Its not just the TV. Even the movies played American movies in Italian.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UO76ch2tXk4/TwWusv0abZI/AAAAAAAADHE/lqYiNedt12c/s1600/PC300098.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UO76ch2tXk4/TwWusv0abZI/AAAAAAAADHE/lqYiNedt12c/s400/PC300098.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div>The other day, Lia took me along with her friends to watch Sherlock Holmes. At first, I was like<span style="color: #cc0000;"><b><i> 'Great! Something in English. Finally!'</i></b></span> <span style="color: #45818e;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">Fat hopes</span></b>.</span><br /><br />The movie is dubbed in Italian and there isn't even any English subtitles for me to read like the ones in Malaysia. I had a feeling that it was a good movie. Unfortunately, I couldn't understand a word of it.<br /><br /><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: large;"><b>6. Italian kids gamble a lot</b></span><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Kwmzms5r2-Y/TwWx1gj_a9I/AAAAAAAADHQ/zgbBCHaSclc/s1600/euro-coins-and-banknotes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Kwmzms5r2-Y/TwWx1gj_a9I/AAAAAAAADHQ/zgbBCHaSclc/s400/euro-coins-and-banknotes.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />Now that its the holidays, I've been following Lia to her friend's house nearly every night to play Tombola or Sinco. Its the Napolean version of 'Bingo' and its quite fun. Except for the fact that I always keep losing money T.T<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CCh0oTlCcaM/TwWy8_fMDHI/AAAAAAAADHc/xu5Ok4fBeXs/s1600/tombola2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="263" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CCh0oTlCcaM/TwWy8_fMDHI/AAAAAAAADHc/xu5Ok4fBeXs/s400/tombola2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;"><b>Tombola.</b></span> Its a game where somebody randomly chooses a number and call it out. You're supposed to cover the number that is called on your card just like bingo. The first one who finishes all the numbers is supposed to call out 'Tombola!' and you win money.<br /><br />In the beginning, I didn't win at all because they call out the numbers in Italian so I couldn't really understand. But after numerous times of playing, I began to recognize the numbers and I've won a few times now.<br /><br /><b><span style="color: red;">Here's a fun fact about gambling in Italy;</span></b> it is said that a person who is <span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;"><b><i>very unlucky </i></b></span>in the game is usually <span style="color: #e06666; font-size: large;"><b><i>lucky in love.</i></b></span> Maybe I'm lucky in love because I never won anything at all during the first few nights :P<br /><br /><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: large;"><b>7. Loud conversations are normal</b></span><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-E7SAKQEFx4Q/TwXheiKMC3I/AAAAAAAADHo/nZmjwY4nz2g/s1600/couple.shouting.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="276" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-E7SAKQEFx4Q/TwXheiKMC3I/AAAAAAAADHo/nZmjwY4nz2g/s400/couple.shouting.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />Until now, this is something I'm still not very used to. I don't understand Italian very well, so I get very uncomfortable when people starts talking to each other very loudly. At home, people shout at each other when they're mad at each other so I get a little upset whenever my host family starts talking loudly because I can't tell if they're angry or not.<br /><br />I've been told that its normal for people to shout at each other even when their not mad, but sometimes I'm afraid they shout because I did something wrong. Oh well, hopefully I'll get used to it soon...<br /><br />And that's some of the few culture shocks I have experienced during my stay in Italy. I'm pretty sure there are a few more, but I'm too lazy to list it down. More updates to come soon.<br /><br /><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: x-large;"><b>HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!</b></span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />gotta fellinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05563420801220917035noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2597838660491619504.post-86360433992707688682012-01-05T02:10:00.000-08:002012-01-08T01:12:33.791-08:00The first morning of 2012<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/nayeem_kalam/6624705969/in/pool-643195@N20/"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirta9p9yAA6qOiR0a9s_krdZWsphfz_75IxEg7H4BFd5dOVi4BfuGmXHO88RaBc9p3HD1VyAi_7XIJzFUWlREgnXjaN7GcixXEG81lBShkV5Drwx85fEKGLHnyGEloqjoG7K2QpQbiDrWL/s400/Screen+shot+2012-01-03+at+11.30.43.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693366866545393922" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Thank God there was not much traffic around, I have had one of the most crazy nights in my life just before and Thank God I could go home. Taken on my way back early in the morning as the sun was rising....Taken in Katalganj,<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chittagong"> Chittagong</a>, <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-south-asia-12650940">Bangladesh</a>, by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/nayeem_kalam/with/6624705969/">NAYEEM</a></span>gotta fellinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05563420801220917035noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2597838660491619504.post-68888601328727727152012-01-04T02:10:00.000-08:002012-01-08T01:12:33.822-08:00Grafface<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/maistora/6600936853/in/pool-643195@N20/"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnXs2JXIf9smSb2ei_ZfXsXxecV87NJJF6dhJguAAmztZQoiFRQbouZKifOAhMU7brlzI9nyGgy7JFnSMpk4G2MRCbCE66dQ-ONOSjdtKrP-MF-r2szYMhCpREusKFUAofMjk-UkAcfoJ1/s400/6600936853_66735e16f9_b.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693361259787181666" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">As with most graffiti I've no idea what it means. Any suggestions?</span> <span style="font-family: verdana;">Taken by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/maistora/with/6600936853/">maistora</a><span style="font-family: verdana;"> in </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sofia">Sofia</a>, <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/country_profiles/1059735.stm">Bulgaria</a></span>gotta fellinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05563420801220917035noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2597838660491619504.post-12542224108739685252012-01-03T02:10:00.000-08:002012-01-08T01:12:34.039-08:00Huston, Santa has landed<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/vkrzalic/6603945557/in/pool-643195@N20/"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQsxPgrXKFQfH-fAcWRruuMjJPwEdAvpgMjLOKvdz7uNyk3n8ibgQKdwb5yjXa-Jz28s255l3GJAve2_0zrkqycvZlVZP2LhiTJVbog9YW73xIHoQG5QCVBwuSZGIATA-8u2Iy7EGOA_oV/s400/6603945557_1a4dc21d76_b.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5692737000781310578" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">One long exposure and quite a few flashes around the chopper. Why oh why I didn't make one for the foreground snowflakes? Taken by</span><a style="font-family: verdana;" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/vkrzalic/"> Vladimir Krzalic</a><span style="font-family:verdana;"> in </span><a style="font-family: verdana;" href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/country_profiles/5050584.stm">Serbia</a>gotta fellinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05563420801220917035noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2597838660491619504.post-16559330757566967242012-01-02T02:20:00.000-08:002012-01-08T01:03:11.533-08:00Christmas in Italy<span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;"><b>HAPPY NEW YEAR</b></span> and<span style="color: #674ea7; font-size: x-large;"><b> BUON ANNO</b></span> peeps!<div><br /></div><div>OK, I know its a very, very late post, but what the hell. I'm gonna talk about <span style="color: #3d85c6; font-size: large;"><b>Christmas in Italy</b></span> anyway. </div><div><br /></div><div>Being away from home on Christmas day is a totally new experience for me. Despite the cheerful atmosphere in my host family's household, I couldn't help that feeling about missing home and my family.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eJwJqvuqqs4/TwF0hSjtt3I/AAAAAAAADDU/Q5aPIQZZ1qM/s1600/PC260150.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eJwJqvuqqs4/TwF0hSjtt3I/AAAAAAAADDU/Q5aPIQZZ1qM/s400/PC260150.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>On Christmas eve, we had a <span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;"><b>BIG</b></span> dinner and I mean a <span style="color: #38761d; font-size: x-large;"><b>HUUUGE</b></span> dinner. I've never eaten so much food before. At home, my family used to prepare several types of food and we'd leave it on the table for others to take as much as they want.</div><div><br /></div><div>I'd usually take one meal and I'm done. But here in Italy, things are a little different. Instead of one course like I'd normally have, they have about<span style="color: #e06666; font-size: large;"><b><i> 5 courses!! XP</i></b></span></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kwiW3pJHCqw/TwF3nkG-L5I/AAAAAAAADDg/bexmjfDShs4/s1600/PC250126.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kwiW3pJHCqw/TwF3nkG-L5I/AAAAAAAADDg/bexmjfDShs4/s400/PC250126.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-k6tZBhYF154/TwF4IfAuIcI/AAAAAAAADDs/9Tp8gEOqyPQ/s1600/PC250124.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-k6tZBhYF154/TwF4IfAuIcI/AAAAAAAADDs/9Tp8gEOqyPQ/s400/PC250124.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ilUnK3JxMF8/TwF5wdievjI/AAAAAAAADD4/vTzLw3bltIs/s1600/PC250138.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ilUnK3JxMF8/TwF5wdievjI/AAAAAAAADD4/vTzLw3bltIs/s400/PC250138.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>These are some of the things we had for Christmas. The food is <span style="color: #674ea7; font-size: large;"><b>SOOO good.</b></span> I really enjoyed it, but there's so much food, I felt like I could explode any minute.</div><div><br /></div><div>Later on, Lia took me to their basement where they store all their food.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-a0OJ4D4Hfkc/TwF7Vp1mLMI/AAAAAAAADEE/8wKlkx0nFnw/s1600/PC250136.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-a0OJ4D4Hfkc/TwF7Vp1mLMI/AAAAAAAADEE/8wKlkx0nFnw/s400/PC250136.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>I've never seen so much tomato sauce all my life. They made it themselves last summer. Its used for pasta and other food. Like, seriously? Can they really finish it all in one year??</div><div><br /></div><div>Actually, I think they can because I've been having food with tomato sauce nearly all the time.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ji5drU_RR1U/TwF8NN8jPVI/AAAAAAAADEQ/Ug4uag6Z-l8/s1600/PC250134.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ji5drU_RR1U/TwF8NN8jPVI/AAAAAAAADEQ/Ug4uag6Z-l8/s400/PC250134.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Check it out! Apparently, their uncle and grandpa makes their own wine. How cool is that??</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JbeqOK_ymwQ/TwF8yxA53VI/AAAAAAAADEc/-8BWwSGc2nQ/s1600/PC250135.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JbeqOK_ymwQ/TwF8yxA53VI/AAAAAAAADEc/-8BWwSGc2nQ/s400/PC250135.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>That's where they store their wine. I've tasted it a few times. Its pretty good, actually. Its not as strong as the wine we usually have at home, but its just perfect for me.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZNHSiSK53RI/TwF_Tt3m_KI/AAAAAAAADE0/glozgwJ-2xM/s1600/PC260151.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZNHSiSK53RI/TwF_Tt3m_KI/AAAAAAAADE0/glozgwJ-2xM/s400/PC260151.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>On<span style="font-size: large;"><b> <span style="color: blue;">Christmas day</span></b></span><span style="color: blue;">, </span>we went to church. The mass is celebrated a little differently compared to Malaysia. </div><div><br /></div><div>First of all, its obviously celebrated in <span style="color: #b45f06; font-size: large;"><b><i>Italian,</i></b></span> its alright to enter the church late (as in very late. Like, after the homily late), the choir sounds so good (and the priest is not complaining that they sound too 'professional' like my church), and you can exist before the priest leaves once mass has ended. The priest would stay at the altar and greet the parishioners instead.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Cvo5BGsfAQY/TwF92oPa8yI/AAAAAAAADEo/RQr55Ad-sDE/s1600/PC260157.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Cvo5BGsfAQY/TwF92oPa8yI/AAAAAAAADEo/RQr55Ad-sDE/s400/PC260157.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-P2vLlbNQbIE/TwF_1FW2oLI/AAAAAAAADFA/OFiZPXViXGE/s1600/PC260159.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-P2vLlbNQbIE/TwF_1FW2oLI/AAAAAAAADFA/OFiZPXViXGE/s400/PC260159.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>After mass, my host family took me to a place where there's so many displays of the scene when Jesus was born.<span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><b> Its so beautiful!</b></span></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-edmPFPjQQLY/TwGAgQZQqHI/AAAAAAAADFM/SFgtdpTR75Q/s1600/PC260178.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-edmPFPjQQLY/TwGAgQZQqHI/AAAAAAAADFM/SFgtdpTR75Q/s400/PC260178.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-13FamWXrtBY/TwGBDvahNEI/AAAAAAAADFY/Sg-6slUGeJE/s1600/PC260177.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-13FamWXrtBY/TwGBDvahNEI/AAAAAAAADFY/Sg-6slUGeJE/s400/PC260177.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I just love the 3D scenes. It must've taken a lot of work to do it.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4h_aOVHVKQE/TwGB28kIGXI/AAAAAAAADFk/2lscbnMFSMA/s1600/PC260226.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4h_aOVHVKQE/TwGB28kIGXI/AAAAAAAADFk/2lscbnMFSMA/s400/PC260226.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-size: large;"><b>Isn't it absolutely stunning?</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">According to the Italian tradition, the gifts are exchanged and opened on Christmas day, unlike my tradition where we exchange gifts on the 26th December which is<span style="color: #6aa84f; font-size: large;"><b> Boxing day.</b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I'm was surprised that I actually got a gift at all for Christmas. I mean, I'm just a stranger in the house. I did get each the member of my host family a Malaysian gift though. I hope they liked it.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I was very touched when their aunt gave me something as well as a classmate from school. Even my host mom and dad gave me something too.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Anyway, spending Christmas in Italy made me realize that its not about the gifts, its not about the decorations, and its not about the food. I learnt that Christmas is about being with your loved ones and the miracle birth of Jesus.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I missed my family so much on Christmas, but I had a blast with my host family at the same time.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: x-large;"><b>Merry belated Christmas and a happy new year! <3</b></span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>gotta fellinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05563420801220917035noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2597838660491619504.post-65249526574054618232012-01-02T02:10:00.000-08:002012-01-08T01:12:34.090-08:00New Year<span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bazylek/6601995989/in/pool-643195@N20/"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi0RtT9XazbQEyLa-fqiW3ncNxKo8zhbAvLwLwD_9YX5gouGNHkMgQOq7nIorpyvZhap6hJGYZRbizPUHD3RhsrpMNmSuTk6iG76e3c72KhabiVDaGWzhyphenhyphencllr7A4aTWNC2_MqaXX1kpPO/s400/6601995989_7ee1235976_b.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5692738647815823602" border="0" /></a></span><span style="font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" ><br />Szczęśliwego Nowego Roku! Taken in </span><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Krak%C3%83%C2%B3w">Krakow</a>, <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/country_profiles/1054681.stm">Poland</a> by <a href="http://www.blogger.com/Szcz%C3%84%C2%99%C3%85%C2%9Bliwego%20Nowego%20Roku%21%20:%29%20%20Happy%20New%20Year%20to%20all%20my%20flickr%20friends%21%20:%29">bazylek100</a><br /></span><div face="verdana" style="font-family: verdana;" id="meta"> </div>gotta fellinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05563420801220917035noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2597838660491619504.post-2457499864908689372012-01-01T01:03:00.000-08:002012-01-08T01:12:34.154-08:00Meditation<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/daverton/5075851698/in/photostream/"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 265px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvAFAsNWUAUxcW-C81dme1z3HmZS1gzCRY86ZTglI8kC0gUt1k_E8B6vPconxkeHXvAZ09tPHpvXzwUqU0Gc8eVRSkjjXcKvlPs9hEQ0Vys-jbayJkZ22H3xvmhXSr4oQlGqO4IqYoFxyT/s400/Screen+Shot+2011-12-27+at+13.39.07.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5690802907621891266" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">"A man is praying at the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Varanasi">Ganges</a> in Varanasi". Taken by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/daverton/">Dick Verton</a></span>gotta fellinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05563420801220917035noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2597838660491619504.post-76640565981307314142011-12-31T01:33:00.000-08:002012-01-08T01:12:34.235-08:0099% over 1%<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/studiofour/6226930086/in/photostream/"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirEPC3I5mgaTsHRLh2iM5o9QL6Ig49N9oh_pHnAnguF5J1AsHaMi7GUOPITkn-fdRuIHgCJV5r0hPDO19M1fsTVs9gmJ1wMdwBQoA_A35DkVofWVX9A1zAMD_FwltGtlsmI_DhbI8x4Mu8/s400/6226930086_4d4f416338_z.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5690801022152768818" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">"Occupy Wall St.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">I am here. This week in New york. Next week DC. And possibly to the march on the federal buildings in TX. I will be documenting what i can and Light painting the message along the way with my good friend Doctor Tongs. There are occupy protests near you, Both in the US and the world. If you are over The Government and the Corporations feeding each other fat meals while starving the slaves they have created then get out and be a voice in your community. I am the 99%." [October 2011]. Taken by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/studiofour/">BlaisOne</a></span>gotta fellinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05563420801220917035noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2597838660491619504.post-15570088702360604702011-12-30T01:00:00.000-08:002012-01-08T01:12:34.356-08:00angles|and|curves<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-OoP8AzJPx_L2ZFeIEZ9I4RTTfZ8_PmzT2WEY9KAKrVZnEgDf4j-hgsG4zU943XHnC8egf4cNikWMGWOKzFtfx2UMTvhwoa1IkPVz5IwFTCueyeIiivin-M1EB_pVXxyueO4mVEWiqXLc/s1600/5923338288_81686ecc2c_z.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 399px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-OoP8AzJPx_L2ZFeIEZ9I4RTTfZ8_PmzT2WEY9KAKrVZnEgDf4j-hgsG4zU943XHnC8egf4cNikWMGWOKzFtfx2UMTvhwoa1IkPVz5IwFTCueyeIiivin-M1EB_pVXxyueO4mVEWiqXLc/s400/5923338288_81686ecc2c_z.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5690800264917974562" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">"Gothic goings-on at <a href="http://www.strawberryhillhouse.org.uk/">Strawberry Hill</a>...". Taken by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/rimawa/">Rich</a></span>gotta fellinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05563420801220917035noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2597838660491619504.post-41166569240871703442011-12-29T01:03:00.000-08:002012-01-08T01:12:34.457-08:00The Orange Man<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/nayeem_kalam/6567227401/in/pool-643195@N20/"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwxum9Uz9__tThyv2ODOvEgKtEWb3w5yYrHhzbmEwMUPgTMXNtCf3UMtPGPqLGy5jzMj_i-nH_2z4p5MToboofhjNh083z_pY-eyXsWj2DVqXsqrTrmlbqhY3UGXKXS1y9O8HRgDFR4oXe/s400/Screen+Shot+2011-12-27+at+13.26.55.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5690799266520108098" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">"It was cold last evening, didnt expect a clear view esp. from across the street struck in the traffic jam. Everyday I see him but this was the first time I got him with those amazing kerosene lamps, maybe a longer telephoto lens could have made it easier because I dont think if I get close with a wide angle one I'd get the light that you see here.... GEC, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chittagong">Chittagong</a>". Taken by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/nayeem_kalam/">N A Y E E M</a></span>gotta fellinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05563420801220917035noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2597838660491619504.post-68563170262568542222011-12-28T05:02:00.000-08:002012-01-08T01:03:11.553-08:00The New GirlOK, so I'm currently on school holiday for Christmas and the New Year until the first week of January. That means I've had about <span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;"><b>4 days of school</b></span> in Italy so far.<br /><br />I'm so glad that my host sister, Lia, is about my age so we can go to school together. At least there's somebody I know on my first day of school. <span style="color: #e06666; font-size: large;"><b><i>We go to the same class together.</i></b></span><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NSuDBo9VbJM/TvsBSvSrtcI/AAAAAAAADAg/kmGCrItZREE/s1600/PC200138.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NSuDBo9VbJM/TvsBSvSrtcI/AAAAAAAADAg/kmGCrItZREE/s400/PC200138.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />I thought the place was absolutely <span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;"><b>beautiful! </b></span>We took a bus to school and I've been taking pictures along the way.<span style="color: #990000; font-size: large;"><b> I saw snow on the mountains!!! O.o</b></span><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Fxk2bnllVtY/TvsCPxuj50I/AAAAAAAADAs/XFXP3zzpETc/s1600/PC200141.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Fxk2bnllVtY/TvsCPxuj50I/AAAAAAAADAs/XFXP3zzpETc/s400/PC200141.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Woah! They actually have graveyards for their dogs. Awesome.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RJ-Gl4EcteU/TvsDAKhG-8I/AAAAAAAADA4/eEROfhYP1WU/s1600/PC220153.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RJ-Gl4EcteU/TvsDAKhG-8I/AAAAAAAADA4/eEROfhYP1WU/s400/PC220153.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">The streets were so quiet in the morning. So different compared to Malaysia.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NXcRpHumBOU/TvsEELBtaTI/AAAAAAAADBE/2clgopABg1s/s1600/PC220158.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NXcRpHumBOU/TvsEELBtaTI/AAAAAAAADBE/2clgopABg1s/s400/PC220158.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />Well, this is my classroom. There are about 22 students, but including me, there's 23 students in the class.<br /><br />I was so nervous about going to their school. I was really hoping that they'd like me because I want to fit in so badly. During the AFS orientation camp, I've heard of quite a few students who didn't even make any friends because of the language barrier and sometimes, the students don't really give a damn about Asian kids, so I got kinda worried.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kqmqJVN0W3s/Tvsm2fTh5xI/AAAAAAAADBQ/BSN-eDUeLWc/s1600/PC220159.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kqmqJVN0W3s/Tvsm2fTh5xI/AAAAAAAADBQ/BSN-eDUeLWc/s400/PC220159.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />It turns out that once again, <span style="color: #351c75; font-size: large;"><b>I worry for nothing.</b></span> My classmates seemed <span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><b><i>happy</i></b></span> to meet me! They were all smiles and introduced themselves. They showed me around the school and introduced me to their teachers. They can't really speak good English, but I can basically understand what they're trying to say.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jB4Jh_OdBso/Tvspvrm2FlI/AAAAAAAADBo/jpZ3LuW6qgc/s1600/PC220179.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jB4Jh_OdBso/Tvspvrm2FlI/AAAAAAAADBo/jpZ3LuW6qgc/s400/PC220179.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />The girls are so nice and they're so much fun! They are very close to each other and so friendly. They wanted me to sit at different places of the class with different people so that we can get to know each other better. I like that arrangement.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kDN-hciqBLI/TvsohJaKNVI/AAAAAAAADBc/LWOkkkpQCz4/s1600/PC220160.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kDN-hciqBLI/TvsohJaKNVI/AAAAAAAADBc/LWOkkkpQCz4/s400/PC220160.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />There are very few boys in the class though. I think there's about.... 7? I think. But they're so friendly and they were very curious about where I come from and how things are compared to Italy. They are so freakin gorgeous, but a little... errmm.... crazy.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PjSMSqUtChY/TvsqaULkOeI/AAAAAAAADB0/-mVDAPvzM7I/s1600/PC220168.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PjSMSqUtChY/TvsqaULkOeI/AAAAAAAADB0/-mVDAPvzM7I/s400/PC220168.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />As for the teachers, they were really nice people. They can't really speak English that well either, but I'm glad they try to anyway.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tcFikd0wXuM/TvsrPVGGKSI/AAAAAAAADCA/Q4QGZlB3leo/s1600/PC220185.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tcFikd0wXuM/TvsrPVGGKSI/AAAAAAAADCA/Q4QGZlB3leo/s400/PC220185.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />The English teacher is my favorite though. For obvious reasons. She took me to different classes to talk about our Malaysian culture and stuff while my class is taking a Latin exam. Latin is so friggin hard I'm telling you. Even though we may have a bit of Latin during mass, I still don't get it.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uRNyNBnI4BI/Tvsscu_CXkI/AAAAAAAADCM/z-UbUWJM4m8/s1600/PC220163.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uRNyNBnI4BI/Tvsscu_CXkI/AAAAAAAADCM/z-UbUWJM4m8/s400/PC220163.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #674ea7; font-size: x-large;"><b>My classmates are awesome!</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mQ5vOHwPNP0/TvstDgh1erI/AAAAAAAADCY/ykTVlsEqRUI/s1600/PC220187.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mQ5vOHwPNP0/TvstDgh1erI/AAAAAAAADCY/ykTVlsEqRUI/s400/PC220187.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>It was on the last day before the holidays started when we had a class party! I've never told my host family, but I hate cheese. But you know what? Their food is so good, I've been completely converted! (except the mozzarella cheese. I didn't really like it. Hopefully, I'd eventually get used to the taste).<br /><br />My favorite so far is the <span style="color: #b45f06; font-size: large;"><b><i>Margarita pizza.</i></b></span> Its a classic pizza in Italy and its so simple! Its just the pizza with cheese, tomato sauce and some basil leaves. Its simply <span style="color: #45818e; font-size: large;"><b><i>'molto buono'!</i></b></span><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TwzbVTBrWEA/TvsuZwOlBOI/AAAAAAAADCk/DWcK_Pxf1fg/s1600/PC220211.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TwzbVTBrWEA/TvsuZwOlBOI/AAAAAAAADCk/DWcK_Pxf1fg/s400/PC220211.JPG" width="300" /></a></div> <br />Later on, Lia and I went to visit a friend's house. I enjoyed looking at the streets of Italy. So small and quaint.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZzLICnA2oHA/TvsvUFX3PAI/AAAAAAAADCw/986G7UGlEsQ/s1600/PC230227.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZzLICnA2oHA/TvsvUFX3PAI/AAAAAAAADCw/986G7UGlEsQ/s400/PC230227.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />The streets are so beautiful at night! The lights, the shops, the people, everything! I'm so happy.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1NFs50aw16M/Tvsv-GEOgsI/AAAAAAAADC8/hnC23f2d708/s1600/PC230237.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1NFs50aw16M/Tvsv-GEOgsI/AAAAAAAADC8/hnC23f2d708/s400/PC230237.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NyYvBb_J7lA/Tvswk9ddqjI/AAAAAAAADDI/bz0gVmkZmYI/s1600/PC230247.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NyYvBb_J7lA/Tvswk9ddqjI/AAAAAAAADDI/bz0gVmkZmYI/s400/PC230247.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">HOLY S**T! <span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;"><b><i>Its Sophie Kinsella's new book!</i> </b></span>I wanna read it, but its in Italian :(</div><br />And that was the end of my first week in an Italian school. I have to say that the school is very small, but the good thing about it is that then everybody in the school knows each other unlike a large school like mine. I was quite relieved that I managed to make friends and I feel so lucky that I have a host sister like Lia.<br /><br /><span style="color: #e06666; font-size: large;"><b>She's the best :)</b></span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />gotta fellinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05563420801220917035noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2597838660491619504.post-45768633477286085382011-12-28T01:30:00.000-08:002012-01-08T01:12:34.490-08:00Earth, Wind, Fire Water... It's Captain Planet!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/justin_the_engimatic/4165341823/in/pool-643195@N20/"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp2u3nciK_euOsvIFOq4bpbolPgQ3blfSGNjIwUsqBGdpz_O2RgVvtJ6B4GuO2tYBbO5_jeFwG3h-r-BDERMgoTB3Xa9XN4RSh2fHdcO78WrBDc6MZ6bsUSev0XAWdNi1gZbtGLsoqvpUq/s400/Screen+Shot+2011-12-27+at+13.20.40.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5690797656449429586" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">"Some light art with the light painters of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Melbourne">Melbourne</a>. This shot was creating using many tools and was a group effort. Created with multiple exposures of 15 secs." Taken by </span><a style="font-family: verdana;" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/justin_the_engimatic/">_enigmatic_1</a>gotta fellinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05563420801220917035noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2597838660491619504.post-30512644108540702122011-12-27T05:17:00.000-08:002012-01-08T01:12:34.607-08:00Turkish Gypsy Wedding<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/51716334@N00/6576803613/in/pool-643195@N20/"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMLZMNYxp_iIf0YLmamzMxYJCXHZI0zWcKN_3uUmJL7rAuOCcTZ4p4Y9zygGof2Vz2zu_Dit3DIApEhT4wvIU3RCmOYaM5sFASLQzENv9Jjy0ncpWVtc7ucqxIymGdlcdMecfM8Caa7c7I/s400/6576803613_e254ecdbb3_z.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5690796635854133218" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">"Men guests, wedding, Ankara, <a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/country_profiles/1022222.stm">Turkey</a>". Taken by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/51716334@N00/">Aine</a></span>gotta fellinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05563420801220917035noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2597838660491619504.post-16785351418911763392011-12-26T01:52:00.000-08:002012-01-08T01:12:34.740-08:00People Protest<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/dotfoto/6492515809/in/pool-643195@N20/"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVyhTx70n_-GEyrTEOlYLg-Jjl58uJONycLbq4DA9bYxf6IammrLUCF2ReXgTEwjTqgbelBoHAh9iv1m6wewrzdrpD9EEm03JiKfKeRPbcEp78PGSm9EeKugJUgVobegMyf3ohR5ih9KZr/s400/6492515809_59d74426c3_z.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5690376258808801954" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">"<a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/country_profiles/1102275.stm">Russia</a>. Novosibirsk. Opposition activists protest in the Siberian city of Novosibirsk, in December, 2011. Hundreds of election protesters turned out today in open defiance to strongman Vladimir Putin's 12-year rule". Taken by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/dotfoto/">Valery Titievsky </a></span>gotta fellinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05563420801220917035noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2597838660491619504.post-49627757820886679512011-12-25T08:39:00.000-08:002012-01-08T01:03:11.573-08:00Buongiorno Italy!<br /><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #e06666; font-size: x-large;"><b>Greetings from Italy!</b></span> I still can’t believe I’m in freakinItaly. It still feels so surreal. I never thought I’d go to Europe someday. OK,yes I have and it came true!<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Travelling to Italy was nerve wrecking. I was <span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;"><b><i>SOOO</i></b></span> nervousthe moment I first said goodbye to my family at the airport. But at the sametime, I’ve never been so excited before. There were so many things on my mind; what if my host family don’t likeme? What if I don’t fit in with my classmates? What if I don’t like it here?<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;"><b><i>There were just so many questions on my mind.</i></b></span><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-F526T_TuWKQ/TvdMhXX-WYI/AAAAAAAAC9I/40Vv8Dgj3ws/s1600/PC160001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-F526T_TuWKQ/TvdMhXX-WYI/AAAAAAAAC9I/40Vv8Dgj3ws/s400/PC160001.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /><br /><div class="MsoNormal">I’m not the only one though. Even Syefah, another exchangestudent was also nervous. Heck, she was crying when we left our parents! <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Its true that I absolutely love travelling, but I also <span style="color: #990000; font-size: large;"><b>HATE</b></span>going on long flights. And the flight from Kuala Lumpur to Doha took about <span style="color: #073763; font-size: large;"><b>8effin hours!</b></span> That’s not even Italy yet. We still have to go on transit fromDoha to Italy which is about a 6 hour flight. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MKX26CmD3Go/Tvg6XvM5hPI/AAAAAAAAC9U/mUNHDzWWTr0/s1600/PC160014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MKX26CmD3Go/Tvg6XvM5hPI/AAAAAAAAC9U/mUNHDzWWTr0/s400/PC160014.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><br /><br /><div class="MsoNormal">So altogether, I’ve been travelling for about 14 hours, butthat’s not even counting the 8 hours we had to wait on transit for the flightto Italy. Yeah, it took us about <span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><b>22hours to reach Italy XP</b></span><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">When I first arrived in Rome, the first thing that hit mewhen I stepped out of the airport was the smell of cigarettes. I’ve been toldthat most Italians smoke, so I was prepared to tahan the smell if my hostfamily happened to smoke.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Rc8RUCb6fJY/Tvg8Um6BOwI/AAAAAAAAC9g/qcTQMfLTYOU/s1600/PC170039.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Rc8RUCb6fJY/Tvg8Um6BOwI/AAAAAAAAC9g/qcTQMfLTYOU/s400/PC170039.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">I still can't believe I was in Rome. <span style="color: #351c75; font-size: large;"><b><i>Its like a dream come true :)</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">Before meeting our host family, we had to go for anorientation camp for 2 days. The volunteers are super friendly and we had agreat time!<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ifTIwkxfJRg/Tvg9PzD-lSI/AAAAAAAAC9s/nkq84XKF5gw/s1600/PC170049.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ifTIwkxfJRg/Tvg9PzD-lSI/AAAAAAAAC9s/nkq84XKF5gw/s400/PC170049.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><br />In the hotel, I found some gorgeous postcards of Rome and Iwanted to buy it because I collect postcards. But the counter had no change for10 euros. <span style="color: purple; font-size: large;"><b>Like hello!?</b></span> It’s a counter, its supposed to have change wth =.=<br /><div class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">I brought only notes with me so I was disappointed to findout that I can’t buy a drink from the vending machine. I haven’t had a drop ofwater since I stepped out of the plane so I was pretty frustrated that not onlycan’t I buy a drink, I can’t buy postcards or make a call because<i> <span style="color: #134f5c; font-size: large;"><b>the freakincounter had no change for 10 euros!</b></span></i><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xB1WlxL0Ccw/Tvg-tcbzIMI/AAAAAAAAC94/nU7kzu_arDg/s1600/PC180050.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xB1WlxL0Ccw/Tvg-tcbzIMI/AAAAAAAAC94/nU7kzu_arDg/s400/PC180050.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3F7KbijVJpY/Tvg_gm4OgTI/AAAAAAAAC-E/-tyEh5oivtQ/s1600/PC180057.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3F7KbijVJpY/Tvg_gm4OgTI/AAAAAAAAC-E/-tyEh5oivtQ/s400/PC180057.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">But the place is absolutely beautiful! I fell in love withit <span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;"><b>instantly.</b></span><o:p></o:p></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uR18oxr38GQ/TvhAeQpLSwI/AAAAAAAAC-Q/szJJrx8eRXI/s1600/PC180062.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uR18oxr38GQ/TvhAeQpLSwI/AAAAAAAAC-Q/szJJrx8eRXI/s400/PC180062.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><br /><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">My first Italian breakfast!</span> </b></span>In Italy, there is bread in every meal and I mean every meal. Not that I'm complaining though. Their bread is so yummy!<o:p></o:p></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-V4HhvOW5PmM/TvhCH-reP5I/AAAAAAAAC-c/GTKnYKKVMCs/s1600/PC180066.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-V4HhvOW5PmM/TvhCH-reP5I/AAAAAAAAC-c/GTKnYKKVMCs/s400/PC180066.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><br /><div class="MsoNormal">During our break from the session, Ricardo, our volunteer,took me and my group to the top of the roof to see <span style="color: #b45f06; font-size: x-large;"><b>St. Peter’s church</b></span>. I’vealways wanted to visit that place! Its been my dream to see the Vatican andvisit the most famous church in the world!<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hy8mfUEiv6M/TvhC-ZyYzUI/AAAAAAAAC-o/CrCtj_M-52c/s1600/PC180077.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hy8mfUEiv6M/TvhC-ZyYzUI/AAAAAAAAC-o/CrCtj_M-52c/s400/PC180077.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Xl5SWPKDaTI/TvhGSL0OrpI/AAAAAAAAC-0/Y3j3f_ELBho/s1600/PC180070.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Xl5SWPKDaTI/TvhGSL0OrpI/AAAAAAAAC-0/Y3j3f_ELBho/s400/PC180070.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div style="text-align: center;">I really hope I could visit that place someday *sigh*.<o:p></o:p></div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iphFqfGwxho/TvhG_KyXMPI/AAAAAAAAC_A/mbXQjXgfzYQ/s1600/PC180092.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iphFqfGwxho/TvhG_KyXMPI/AAAAAAAAC_A/mbXQjXgfzYQ/s400/PC180092.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kmCTtoVGTo4/TvhHnI78u7I/AAAAAAAAC_M/O-Uy43mYSfM/s1600/PC180100.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kmCTtoVGTo4/TvhHnI78u7I/AAAAAAAAC_M/O-Uy43mYSfM/s400/PC180100.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"></div><div class="MsoNormal">At the end of the session, we all said our goodbyes to eachother as we went our separate ways to meet our host families. I was really,really nervous at that time because I was afraid I might not recognize my hostfamily or they might not pick me up from the train station.<o:p></o:p></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Come to think of it, I guess that was kinda silly, huh?<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eVXwUMJ4vvw/TvhNrAchenI/AAAAAAAAC_Y/yGYzAlzhDXc/s1600/PC180111.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eVXwUMJ4vvw/TvhNrAchenI/AAAAAAAAC_Y/yGYzAlzhDXc/s400/PC180111.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><br />I took some pictures on the way to the train station fromthe bus. Once again, here’s st. Peter’s church. *sigh* <span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;"><b><i>So near, yet so far…</i></b></span><br /><div class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-07Dn33C46RA/TvhOTWzWQ_I/AAAAAAAAC_k/EcN_4QOqZ1s/s1600/PC180113.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-07Dn33C46RA/TvhOTWzWQ_I/AAAAAAAAC_k/EcN_4QOqZ1s/s400/PC180113.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><br /><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">The roads are so clean and the cars are so adorable!<o:p></o:p></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2nXDzHWtrR0/TvhO92ZmKAI/AAAAAAAAC_w/HEnv_pvmgeA/s1600/PC180118.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2nXDzHWtrR0/TvhO92ZmKAI/AAAAAAAAC_w/HEnv_pvmgeA/s400/PC180118.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><br /><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">I don’t know what’sthis place called, but Lorenzo said it’s a famous court or some sort.<o:p></o:p></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aDijhvG60Fk/TvhPwuUsLPI/AAAAAAAAC_8/of486J-h6Js/s1600/PC180123.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aDijhvG60Fk/TvhPwuUsLPI/AAAAAAAAC_8/of486J-h6Js/s400/PC180123.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-size: large;"><b>Everything is simply beautiful! I love Italy :D</b></span><o:p></o:p></div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Sorryfor the <span style="color: #3d85c6; font-size: large;"><b>VERY</b></span> late update, but I’ve been busy settling down in my new home forthe next 2 months. When I finally tookthe train to Avellino, my heart was beating fast because I really hoped my hostfamily would like me.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Sowhen I stepped off the train into the cold dark night, I got very worried whenI saw no one there. I can’t speak Italian, my phone was dead and I didn’t haveany small change to call if there’s a problem. I don’t know if it was the coldor if I was nervous, but my body shook vigorously and my teeth was chattering…you know what? I think I was cold after all.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Anyway,I found a bench and sat there for about 10 minutes before a lady holding an AFSposter with my name on it approached me. <span style="color: #20124d; font-size: large;"><b><i>That’s when I met my host mom.</i></b></span><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Iwas so relieved! I haven’t introduced you to my host family, have I?<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Myhost family is a family of four, just like mine. There’s my host mom,Genoveffa, host dad, Pasquale, my host sister (I finally have a sister!), Lia,and my host brother, Raffaele.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><b>Iliked my host family instantly.</b></span> They are so kind and generous. When I firstarrived at their home, they gave me a brand new coat, hat and scarf becausethey knew Malaysia is a hot country and they were concerned that I’d get coldhere.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #e06666; font-size: large;"><b><i>Iwas so touched.</i></b></span> I can’t imagine buying things like these for completestrangers. As I was preparing for bedtime, my host mom asked me if I hadpyjamas. I told her that I planned to wear my track pants and the cardigan thatI was wearing. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Shesimply shook her head, took out a box containing a set of new pyjamas and gaveit to me! The pyjamas is so warm and comfortable. I never thought anybody wouldbe this generous and kind to outsiders like me. </div><div class="MsoNormal">A complete stranger whom theybarely know and they've welcomed me into their home and gave me clothes becausethey were concerned about my well being.<br /><br />Apparently, my host family couldn't speak English very well. I discovered that they've been using <span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: #351c75;">Google translate</span> </b></span>when e-mailing me. Luckily, my host sister, Lia, could speak English just fine. Not that great English, but good enough for us to communicate with each other.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #990000;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><i>Ifeel so lucky to be in this family.</i></b></span><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Soanyway, we had dinner of <span style="color: #674ea7; font-size: large;"><b>Margarita pizza.</b></span> It’s a classic pizza in Italy and Ireally liked it! Really.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />Ihad no idea that I’m supposed to have one whole pizza to myself. I also foundout that apparently, <span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;"><b>Italians eat quickly.</b></span> And I mean really quick. Everybodyelse had finished their pizza while I was only halfway through my first slice! </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">And trust me, it was a very big slice of pizza.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Theslice of pizza was actually enough to fill my tummy, so I politely declined therest. I really couldn’t eat anymore because I had an apple, a big sandwich,yoghurt, and more bread on the train. <o:p></o:p><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1imtQ4S73N0/TvhSACXA2OI/AAAAAAAADAU/tBFkAZYS6fw/s1600/PC250111.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1imtQ4S73N0/TvhSACXA2OI/AAAAAAAADAU/tBFkAZYS6fw/s400/PC250111.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Inthe house, I saw a<span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;"><b> fireplace! </b></span>An actual fireplace that works! My host dad orbrother would take firewood from outside the house and put it in there. I knowit sounds silly, but I was really fascinated to see a real fireplace that isfully functionable to heat the house.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Raffaeletold me that the heat from the firsplace goes round the whole house becausethere is a heater in every room. The heat from the fireplace would travelthrough the pipes and out the heater so that it’ll be nice and toasty in thehouse.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Ididn’t have an adaptor for any of my gadgets so I had no choice but to use myhost family’s computer at the moment. The keyboard is slightly different fromthe keyboards in Malaysia. So it took me some time to find the keys and letters I needed to e-mail my family.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">In Italy, some of the symbols such as <span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;"><b>@?()&;*%</b></span>are in different places and there are also other symbols I’ve never seenbefore. Its probably an accent which is read differently.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Thenext day, I had to go to school. I’ll blog about it the next time. <span style="color: #674ea7; font-size: x-large;"><b>Ciao!</b></span><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></div>gotta fellinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05563420801220917035noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2597838660491619504.post-18677247529182591142011-12-25T02:10:00.000-08:002012-01-08T01:12:34.841-08:00Jesstree<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/greenelent/5270694337/"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 270px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ_cWp1TgaLUVemGC8xTCRTODOgDCMPsNXZXr8LW57Y1yKOKi5RpLFc6jqc4aynPinm0Q9uUujP50Sn5g2NM-ScYrVOjFsfwRDvv4pPdIcCMvDm6dFEvm4uOVcRyahiVBZfWHDhFT3Oi5T/s400/5270694337_878bea6216_b.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5689755234983455826" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Taken in </span><a style="font-family: verdana;" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brooklyn">Brooklyn</a><span style="font-family: verdana;">, New York, </span><a style="font-family: verdana;" href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/country_profiles/1217752.stm">USA</a><span style="font-family: verdana;"> by </span><a style="font-family: verdana;" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/greenelent/with/5270694337/">greenelent</a><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">We wish everyone a very happy Christmas and hope that peace will reign this coming year</span>gotta fellinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05563420801220917035noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2597838660491619504.post-82619155936121029302011-12-24T09:47:00.000-08:002012-01-08T01:12:34.943-08:00The Fire Rider<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/54973845@N04/6548170273/in/pool-643195@N20/"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguWeDNBeP_5UavqhZRRiGA2hqST_0hXBdJ_vYo8XDXgVxLC67FJ6-VPsrvFsEwrtU9KE299_z8oo78PWXdVioRjKprNhhakAnzEjJU1hjdrMaZmbZjHJDrgNuHEX4rdm653exZ39mevczq/s400/6548170273_c1066ed41e_b.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5689753721871150482" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Taken by </span><a style="font-family: verdana;" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/54973845@N04/with/6548170273/">gos1959</a><span style="font-family: verdana;"> in </span><a style="font-family: verdana;" href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/country_profiles/1032760.stm">Denmark</a>gotta fellinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05563420801220917035noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2597838660491619504.post-54566081342806530772011-12-23T01:03:00.000-08:002012-01-08T01:12:35.045-08:00D H O T I. Pushkar<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/clodreno/6553486817/in/pool-643195@N20/"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-OpP4AV9pCbwerHYLxi_kfAeJAqYYqzJGzJZ-86NbYw_sp4iXMzxc3N5n_RNNmiI6iVJN7wsBn_mFECGglWWZKLY5bWlQc8JwgZOAKNLg3boEB9O0eDD9EgozAMHtqRSSmZTxpSRZygfM/s400/6553486817_4a407f0253_z.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5689104231714677378" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">"A pilgrims drying his Dhoti on the ghats in Pushkar. <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rajasthan">Rajasthan</a>". Taken by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/clodreno/">Claude Renault</a></span>gotta fellinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05563420801220917035noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2597838660491619504.post-82794891280666508902011-12-22T03:33:00.000-08:002012-01-08T01:12:35.150-08:00Pajączek (Spider)<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bazylek/6525251701/in/pool-643195@N20/"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6_aIVpO7vDx9WWpWTmK717svahRdUooDJ0utZCY3A6rewQu1_m0cOotVrLkd4OnFwz5jXsg2-StnE-7dS0nJjg6HziyAMox23SYgICOzgnTjQf_yM2luW-jCMZ1vueiv5Kuw0ldG0_y5R/s400/6525251701_8d647f6912_b.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5688915338865490530" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">How long do our European <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spider">spiders</a> live for? I've no idea, but I hope this friendly little fellow met in the early September in the <a href="http://www.krakow-info.com/botanic.htm">Kraków's Botanical Garden</a> is safe and sound, waiting for Spring!</span> <span style="font-family: verdana;">This photo was taken in <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/country_profiles/1054681.stm">Poland</a> by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bazylek/">bazylek100</a></span>gotta fellinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05563420801220917035noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2597838660491619504.post-68637053365150169882011-12-21T01:30:00.000-08:002012-01-08T01:12:35.284-08:00Tiny Bright Menorah<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/reneerk/6545437151/in/pool-643195@N20/"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 292px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5688890926276477730" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtiXZOH-h5FORSTHuWXlszv_mjLFU-rc-ICRQwDw1qkZvYzlACSlR6lVZiy2HxQyhqFVIRyPuMl7ygl6UU2upx5LxuUPDPsCpMUFkFUBxV-XZA3-rN1Xth-TTqcyFL1IchoUw2LwLPgwAw/s400/6545437151_7a65cacf65_z.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><div><span style="font-family:verdana;">Taken by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/reneerk/">Renee</a></span></div>gotta fellinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05563420801220917035noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2597838660491619504.post-8817861678775190752011-12-20T01:03:00.000-08:002012-01-08T01:12:35.388-08:00Mens Club<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/rossap/6486564411/in/pool-643195@N20/"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 271px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDySUVagbXzxoQi9rGvjfrY-pM7mKesNvf4ESHvtqACG9TvIk3GcdMECRmjDJlU0csPhOA1uKQcm3FmelYJdxNeatCEvGO85iC1KvgBVPhOOX8VUDWuRcmcV_vLcKFmgJsRLKJ_WE8iiQr/s400/6486564411_aa8808e37b_z.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5687510117315073010" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">"Chinatown Complex, Chinatown, <a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/country_profiles/1143240.stm">Singapore</a>".</span><div id="description_div6486564411" class="photo-desc"><p style="font-family: verdana; font-style: italic;">Is not wisdom found among the aged? Does not long life bring understanding?<br /><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Book_of_Job">Job</a> 12:11-13</p><p style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Taken by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/rossap/">Ross</a></span><br /></p></div>gotta fellinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05563420801220917035noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2597838660491619504.post-16391161389976887622011-12-19T01:03:00.000-08:002012-01-08T01:12:35.513-08:00Untitled<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/mickeybardava/6525931423/in/pool-643195@N20/"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 85px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDpC1GCipwblrmnSQaLqMgzlJK-BSLVvnC0HQQadCMhzCY3FA3Zq4nUZrvmWAQOe_f0PTAFTLsevwfAMAeS-ROR_hs0yula5a4fCphC-U0dDpYrgMqjkU4v8Wc8-ksuv9ZT1anC9Dehw9G/s400/6525931423_38914ea60a_b.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5687509518123907026" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Kota, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rajasthan">Rajasthan</a>. Taken by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/mickeybardava/">Mickey Bardava</a></span>gotta fellinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05563420801220917035noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2597838660491619504.post-56455526611124219402011-12-18T06:15:00.000-08:002012-01-08T01:12:35.635-08:00Ghost Town of Bodie<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/abhishekiam/6523545767/in/pool-643195@N20/"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0DAuCpU9qNP6B9XF06-4XxDYFDHtxi05gofFR5scDDItTNJGID6l4fEHxd1HM41hnfFpZ9wcboZe_1dNqrPcFhqmj3_8A6Y6UhjzXzQsycljkESY0VJYXipA9w3sSy7EjhgBX12N79Ocg/s400/6523545767_70fd8e92f3_z.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5687471761424243714" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">"Bodie, CA is a Ghost town in the Wild West. Like many other deserted towns, it came up as a Gold mining town in the nineteenth century. As the mines closed down, the population declined. US census of 1912 put the population as 120. Today, no one lives there except the park rangers. </span><div id="description_div6523545767" class="photo-desc"><p id="yui_3_4_0_3_1324217696879_1273"><span style="font-family: verdana;">"Winters are off-season for Bodie because the access roads are usually closed because of snow. But we were able to get there this week because snow hasn't been much. And ironically, in a town that no one lives, I managed to get a parking ticket because, apparently, I parked in the wrong empty space...</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">The day we visited Bodie, it was competely deserted. There was no other visitor...except the ghost that left the parking ticket." Taken by </span><a style="font-family: verdana;" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/abhishekiam/">abhishekit</a><br /></p></div>gotta fellinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05563420801220917035noreply@blogger.com0