...and was resurrected.
So what was the reason behind my boycotting of jason mraz, maroon5, the postal service, franz ferdinand, death cab for cutie, the shins, tahiti 80, and both the oc and garden state soundtracks? LENT. yes, i gave up listening to these awesome artists/albums for 40 days. i even refused to log on to my launchcast radio station because every two songs played is from one of these people. i had to listen to "big hits of the '80s", which isn't that bad. it was either that or no music at all. i would much rather listen to "the promise" by when in rome than eavesdrop on other people's conversations. btw, bus chatter is either too rushed or stupid or both. i have never heard anyone say anything thought-provoking in a bus. (feel free to disagree with me on that one.) well, i did have some of my other cd's to listen to but you know that feeling that if there is something particular you wanted to listen to, everything else pretty much sucked. and since i'm a sucker for punishment, i also bought the franz ferdinand cd three weeks before i can actually listen to it. it nearly killed me.
so when easter sunday came and i got all my music back, i stayed up later just to listen to my "new" cd and a few postal service songs. if i could listen to all my cd's at one time i will definitely do it. although i'm pretty sure that wouldn't sound as good but -you know what- i've been deprived. i'd listen to jason ferdinand's maroon death cab for the postal service if i wanted.
3.30.2005
3.26.2005
Finally
I just finished by spring break story. I will try to definitely write about random stuff more often. so watch out for
- why i gave up the postal service, death cab for cutie, the shins, franz ferdinand, tahiti 80 and other good stuff
- my bartending class
- graduation and the job hunting experience
- my take on Finding Neverland and other movies
- our upcoming ben and jerry's vermonster challenge
3.24.2005
Viva Las Vegas!
March 10/11: 1 more day + 1 birthday
So after a night of bar/club hopping, we decided to take it easy on thursday morning. As usual, the day started at 12 noon and we headed for the part of the strip we've been neglecting for the past few days. The blocks on the other side of the MGM. But first we had to eat some lunch so off we go to New York New York. Once everyone was full, we left the "city" for the tropics, king arthur's court, and the desert. And this time we are taking the express tram to Mandalay Bay, Excalibur and Luxor. I don't care if I had to wait five minutes because the tram was delayed. I'm not walking another 3 miles. Not after walking to the dodgy end of the strip on day 1. First stop was Mandalay Bay since we had to get Ulka's phone from the lost and found desk. We played penny slots for a while. Believe me...a dollar worth of pennies goes pretty fast. and i didn't really understand how the video slots worked but it was still fun. i knew if i bet more i'd win more but the odds of me winning get slimmer. and hence, gambling. then off to Luxor: it's the one with the huge sphinx in front. of course we just had to do the egyptian walking pose when we took pictures. of course people were staring at us because we were such tourists. AND of course we didn't care! we said our oooh's and aaah's, discussed our own casino theme (if we were to build and casino....it'd be Chinese-themed with the great wall and everything. if some other Chinese-themed casino/hotel ever pops up in Vegas, we are going to fight you!), then headed for Excalibur. It's the one that looks like the Walt Disney castle. We played video poker. Bets are a quarter each but it's easy to win. you keep getting your quarter back everytime you get a pair of jacks or better. it's cool. i think i won about four dollars and lost it all. then the cocktail waitress came and asked if we wanted to drink. oh yeah, i forgot...drinks are free when you're gambling. as long as you're at a table or machine for at least five minutes or however long it takes for the waitress to get to you, you get any drink you want. yes, that includes beer and other types of alcohol. however, i ordered a coke because i am so COOL. by the time we finished casino hopping, we went back to the hotel. Jing, Justin and I bought some fudge at the MGM candy store. mmmmmm...fudge. saved our energies for the next hour or so because we were soooo gonna party at Rain that night. dinner was take out from the beloved food court because we had to watch the OC, b*tch! yeah, we are THAT obsessed. deal with it.
Primping time! then rode the monorail to Harrah's - the stop closest to Treasure Island -for free. thanks to Lorenzo for giving us his 10-ride ticket. we just missed the pirate show at TI even after speed walking/almost running with heels on. a couple more pictures taken in front of the mirage fountain. then to Caesars to catch a taxi to The Palms. So we get there at around 10:30pm....the line was already looping around one of the lounges, past two restaurants. People were trying to sell us VIP passes, but we refused because we still had to wait in line - a shorter one but a line nonetheless. Apparently there was a Maxim private party that night so they didn't open the doors to the public until midnight. So guess who celebrated turning 23 standing in line? ME!!! It's ok though i was expecting a loooong line. I mean it was Rain - the dance club where the Real World Las Vegas cast worked. (I don't really know if that actually contributed to its reputation...and frankly i don't care so much if it did. although i bet the fire shooting out from above the elevated dance floor had something to do with it.) The dance floor was packed but we squeezed our way in. Thanks to Jing and her gung-ho attitude. My friends bought me drinks and I was definitely gone by the end of the night. I still remember what happened. I wasn't that far gone. Definitely a happy birthday for me. Thanks, ladies and gentleman.
Mirage volcano: 2
Treasure Island pirates: almost 1
March 11 - leaving on a jet plane
Our flight left at 8:45 AM so we decided to meet at the lobby at 7 so we get through security and all that stuff before boarding. I actually felt ok the next day. (tip: drink lots of water before going to bed) We had one stop before DC -- it was LA. yeah, does not make sense but the flight/hotel package was cheap and plus we had a nonstop flight going to Vegas so no complains here. We had an hour and a half to kill at LAX so shraddha and i decided to get lunch. I was really craving burritos so when we found the mexican place at the airport, I got nachos. Well...their nachos looked really really good so i ditched the burritos. (there's always qdoba back home.) the flight was long but then again i'm used to extremely long flights. after you've travelled a total of 26 hours before, you kinda get the hang of it. I did get to see Finding Neverland on the flight so all was good. Ulka and I tried so hard not to cry but i don't think we succeeded.
And the plane touched down at dulles at 7:15 PM eastern time. It was cold. Spring break was over just like that, but i have memories (not to mention lots of pictures) to share with everyone. thanks to everyone.
Kim: thanks for not letting me take that aleve and for telling me to move up the bed. If i slept where i initially plopped onto the bed, i would have been in all sorts of the pain the next day.
Ulka: thanks for being such a good sport especially the day after Ghostbar.
Shraddha: thanks for not taking over the bed and for not hogging the sheets. haha
Jing: thanks for having an itinerary. if it weren't for you we'd spend the whole trip staring at the Bellagio fountains.
Justin: thanks for being a source of entertainment especially during lunch and dinner time. oh yeah!
Lorenzo: thanks for the monorail pass. i still don't know why we didn't ride the monorail the first day.
Anh: thanks for playing the very unconvincing fun police
Jerry: thanks for paying for the cab ride to the Palms. i'm sure all four of us are grateful.
Vegas is great. Definitely will come back. Road trip anyone?
So after a night of bar/club hopping, we decided to take it easy on thursday morning. As usual, the day started at 12 noon and we headed for the part of the strip we've been neglecting for the past few days. The blocks on the other side of the MGM. But first we had to eat some lunch so off we go to New York New York. Once everyone was full, we left the "city" for the tropics, king arthur's court, and the desert. And this time we are taking the express tram to Mandalay Bay, Excalibur and Luxor. I don't care if I had to wait five minutes because the tram was delayed. I'm not walking another 3 miles. Not after walking to the dodgy end of the strip on day 1. First stop was Mandalay Bay since we had to get Ulka's phone from the lost and found desk. We played penny slots for a while. Believe me...a dollar worth of pennies goes pretty fast. and i didn't really understand how the video slots worked but it was still fun. i knew if i bet more i'd win more but the odds of me winning get slimmer. and hence, gambling. then off to Luxor: it's the one with the huge sphinx in front. of course we just had to do the egyptian walking pose when we took pictures. of course people were staring at us because we were such tourists. AND of course we didn't care! we said our oooh's and aaah's, discussed our own casino theme (if we were to build and casino....it'd be Chinese-themed with the great wall and everything. if some other Chinese-themed casino/hotel ever pops up in Vegas, we are going to fight you!), then headed for Excalibur. It's the one that looks like the Walt Disney castle. We played video poker. Bets are a quarter each but it's easy to win. you keep getting your quarter back everytime you get a pair of jacks or better. it's cool. i think i won about four dollars and lost it all. then the cocktail waitress came and asked if we wanted to drink. oh yeah, i forgot...drinks are free when you're gambling. as long as you're at a table or machine for at least five minutes or however long it takes for the waitress to get to you, you get any drink you want. yes, that includes beer and other types of alcohol. however, i ordered a coke because i am so COOL. by the time we finished casino hopping, we went back to the hotel. Jing, Justin and I bought some fudge at the MGM candy store. mmmmmm...fudge. saved our energies for the next hour or so because we were soooo gonna party at Rain that night. dinner was take out from the beloved food court because we had to watch the OC, b*tch! yeah, we are THAT obsessed. deal with it.
Primping time! then rode the monorail to Harrah's - the stop closest to Treasure Island -for free. thanks to Lorenzo for giving us his 10-ride ticket. we just missed the pirate show at TI even after speed walking/almost running with heels on. a couple more pictures taken in front of the mirage fountain. then to Caesars to catch a taxi to The Palms. So we get there at around 10:30pm....the line was already looping around one of the lounges, past two restaurants. People were trying to sell us VIP passes, but we refused because we still had to wait in line - a shorter one but a line nonetheless. Apparently there was a Maxim private party that night so they didn't open the doors to the public until midnight. So guess who celebrated turning 23 standing in line? ME!!! It's ok though i was expecting a loooong line. I mean it was Rain - the dance club where the Real World Las Vegas cast worked. (I don't really know if that actually contributed to its reputation...and frankly i don't care so much if it did. although i bet the fire shooting out from above the elevated dance floor had something to do with it.) The dance floor was packed but we squeezed our way in. Thanks to Jing and her gung-ho attitude. My friends bought me drinks and I was definitely gone by the end of the night. I still remember what happened. I wasn't that far gone. Definitely a happy birthday for me. Thanks, ladies and gentleman.
Mirage volcano: 2
Treasure Island pirates: almost 1
March 11 - leaving on a jet plane
Our flight left at 8:45 AM so we decided to meet at the lobby at 7 so we get through security and all that stuff before boarding. I actually felt ok the next day. (tip: drink lots of water before going to bed) We had one stop before DC -- it was LA. yeah, does not make sense but the flight/hotel package was cheap and plus we had a nonstop flight going to Vegas so no complains here. We had an hour and a half to kill at LAX so shraddha and i decided to get lunch. I was really craving burritos so when we found the mexican place at the airport, I got nachos. Well...their nachos looked really really good so i ditched the burritos. (there's always qdoba back home.) the flight was long but then again i'm used to extremely long flights. after you've travelled a total of 26 hours before, you kinda get the hang of it. I did get to see Finding Neverland on the flight so all was good. Ulka and I tried so hard not to cry but i don't think we succeeded.
And the plane touched down at dulles at 7:15 PM eastern time. It was cold. Spring break was over just like that, but i have memories (not to mention lots of pictures) to share with everyone. thanks to everyone.
Kim: thanks for not letting me take that aleve and for telling me to move up the bed. If i slept where i initially plopped onto the bed, i would have been in all sorts of the pain the next day.
Ulka: thanks for being such a good sport especially the day after Ghostbar.
Shraddha: thanks for not taking over the bed and for not hogging the sheets. haha
Jing: thanks for having an itinerary. if it weren't for you we'd spend the whole trip staring at the Bellagio fountains.
Justin: thanks for being a source of entertainment especially during lunch and dinner time. oh yeah!
Lorenzo: thanks for the monorail pass. i still don't know why we didn't ride the monorail the first day.
Anh: thanks for playing the very unconvincing fun police
Jerry: thanks for paying for the cab ride to the Palms. i'm sure all four of us are grateful.
Vegas is great. Definitely will come back. Road trip anyone?
3.17.2005
What happens in Vegas...
March 8 - Air up there
So after a quick dinner and a few hours of relaxing, we are off to GhostBar at The Palms. Located at the 55th floor, it apparently has the biggest open air dance floor in Vegas. And you know what? I think they do. Tuesday night is the only night they allow dancing. Any other night, you'd have to abide by the sign in the bathroom that said, "Dancing at GhostBar is strictly prohibited." What are they gonna do? Call the fun police?! GhostBar's really cool. They have this plexi-glass floor that shows the side of the building all the way to the street. It was awesome. I finally got over my fear of walking over glass. It also helps if it's the only spot you can stand on since the place was packed! Also the view is breathtaking. The lights. The gaudy monstrosity of Harrah's...not so terrible from far away. But the view did remind me of how far we walked that morning. And for a hotdog. I am never going to do that ever again. Maybe for cake...
City Lights: 1
Blackmail pictures: 100s
Quote of the Night - from the bathrooms
March 9 - Best food. Ever.
So what do you do when you know that you're going to a huge and expensive buffet that night? Walk the day away and eat very little. After a dose of Aleve, a glass of water and Starbucks coffee and danish, we are off for another day of casino hopping. We didn't really gamble as much but we did get to see the interiors of these buildings. Still the answer escapes me. Why do they have to make casinos so over-the-top? Everything is very Post Modern. It's scary. I guess I have to read Venturi's Learning from Las Vegas. (Yes, I just made an architecture-based comment. And yes, I will admit I am a dork.) Even after that. I will have to say that I do love the Bellagio. Very classy. I especially like the conservatory. Flower power. And of course who can forget the food. The food is to die for. Thank goodness we got there at the right time. 5 o'clock for dinner is such a good time especially if you don't want to wait in line to get inside. After (an average of) five plates of appetizers, entrees , and desserts, everyone left happy and content. I am moved to make a speech a la Justin. Bellagio, I would like to thank you for making my dessert dream come true. Then after another look at the fountains, we said goodbye to Lorenzo (who went back to VA for some job fair) and headed back to the hotel to rest a while. The night is still young.
So what do you do when you're up and ready to go but you find out that the club at your hotel isn't up to par? You go somewhere else, duh! Studio 54 plays disco (read: bad disco) music at 11pm. Even though you have your drink with you and you do have a good laugh at the expense of the funny/crazy people dancing, your brain is telling you to leave before the rhythm gets you. Aaaaah, run away from the insane big-haired dj lady! Leave your screwdriver and go. NOW! Where did we go? One of the few places that's open on Wednesday nights: Rumjungle at Mandalay Bay. So we headed for the Bay with heels on. Feet already numb from the previous day, I didn't really feel the pain. We danced for a while then when they switched dj's, we sat down and waited for good music. Lalala. Nothing for a while. Just admired the cool water wall. Danced for a bit. I quit after we made the second trip to the dance floor. I zombied out on the seats. (I know zombie isn't a verb...but I'm making it one starting today.)
Bellagio Fountains: 4
Quote of the Day - Jing at the Bellagio buffet
So after a quick dinner and a few hours of relaxing, we are off to GhostBar at The Palms. Located at the 55th floor, it apparently has the biggest open air dance floor in Vegas. And you know what? I think they do. Tuesday night is the only night they allow dancing. Any other night, you'd have to abide by the sign in the bathroom that said, "Dancing at GhostBar is strictly prohibited." What are they gonna do? Call the fun police?! GhostBar's really cool. They have this plexi-glass floor that shows the side of the building all the way to the street. It was awesome. I finally got over my fear of walking over glass. It also helps if it's the only spot you can stand on since the place was packed! Also the view is breathtaking. The lights. The gaudy monstrosity of Harrah's...not so terrible from far away. But the view did remind me of how far we walked that morning. And for a hotdog. I am never going to do that ever again. Maybe for cake...
City Lights: 1
Blackmail pictures: 100s
Quote of the Night - from the bathrooms
Only one person per stall at a time.I wonder what they were referring to...hmm...
March 9 - Best food. Ever.
So what do you do when you know that you're going to a huge and expensive buffet that night? Walk the day away and eat very little. After a dose of Aleve, a glass of water and Starbucks coffee and danish, we are off for another day of casino hopping. We didn't really gamble as much but we did get to see the interiors of these buildings. Still the answer escapes me. Why do they have to make casinos so over-the-top? Everything is very Post Modern. It's scary. I guess I have to read Venturi's Learning from Las Vegas. (Yes, I just made an architecture-based comment. And yes, I will admit I am a dork.) Even after that. I will have to say that I do love the Bellagio. Very classy. I especially like the conservatory. Flower power. And of course who can forget the food. The food is to die for. Thank goodness we got there at the right time. 5 o'clock for dinner is such a good time especially if you don't want to wait in line to get inside. After (an average of) five plates of appetizers, entrees , and desserts, everyone left happy and content. I am moved to make a speech a la Justin. Bellagio, I would like to thank you for making my dessert dream come true. Then after another look at the fountains, we said goodbye to Lorenzo (who went back to VA for some job fair) and headed back to the hotel to rest a while. The night is still young.
So what do you do when you're up and ready to go but you find out that the club at your hotel isn't up to par? You go somewhere else, duh! Studio 54 plays disco (read: bad disco) music at 11pm. Even though you have your drink with you and you do have a good laugh at the expense of the funny/crazy people dancing, your brain is telling you to leave before the rhythm gets you. Aaaaah, run away from the insane big-haired dj lady! Leave your screwdriver and go. NOW! Where did we go? One of the few places that's open on Wednesday nights: Rumjungle at Mandalay Bay. So we headed for the Bay with heels on. Feet already numb from the previous day, I didn't really feel the pain. We danced for a while then when they switched dj's, we sat down and waited for good music. Lalala. Nothing for a while. Just admired the cool water wall. Danced for a bit. I quit after we made the second trip to the dance floor. I zombied out on the seats. (I know zombie isn't a verb...but I'm making it one starting today.)
Bellagio Fountains: 4
Quote of the Day - Jing at the Bellagio buffet
I wish I was pregnant.Quite possibly the quote of the trip.
Vegas, Baby!
Yes, it is now Thursday and I'm still in Spring Break mode frankly because I didn't do squat this week. Unless you count that midterm I took today which I can safely say is not one of my proudest moments. Also I almost got run over by a bicycle today. Lesson learned: never cross the street when a bike is careening down your path. The dude on the bike said sorry though before I snapped out of my shocked state and jumped out of the way. AND it's snowing! Shouldn't it be warm and sunny so that the drunken celebration for St. Patrick's Day can start earlier in the day? Although I highly doubt that a little snow is going to stop the hardcore drinkers of the world.
So back to the main reason why I'm writing this blog. SPRING BREAK 2005: Vegas, Baby! Sounds like the subtitle for Girls Gone Wild but whatever. This springbreak is totally wholesome. No shirts were taken off. So kids, follow along.
March 7 - two cars, a plane and the strip
Drove up to Fairfax from C-ville early in the morning to get ready for the afternoon flight. Had to re-pack most of my stuff since I decided to change luggage. Jing and Shraddha came at around 12:30pm. Then it was off to the airport at 2pm after picking up my brother from school. Five-hour non-stop plane ride to McCarran airport is not so bad as long as you're in the economy plus side of the plane with exit seats to boot. Got to our lovely hotel - MGM Grand - at around 7:30pm Vegas time. Famished, we all decided to go to a cheap buffet. The rest went back to the hotel after dinner, but troopers like me, Shraddha, Ulka and Lorenzo decided to explore parts of the Strip. Then we headed back to the hotel for a nightcap. We stayed at the hotel cafe/restaurant and talked about the Star Trek thingy at the Vegas Hilton and what a Bellini is made of.
Bellagio Fountain: 1
Mirage Volcano: 1
Quote of the Day - from Justin at the buffet
March 8 - 5K for a hotdog
After dissing the monorail to go to Slots-A-Fun (which by the way, we heavily regretted in the evening), everyone was ready to try the foot-long hotdog Justin was talking about during this whole trip. I don't know if it was the heat or the fact that my feet are killing me, but that $1.49 hotdog sounded like the most appetizing food in the world. Also they were selling 27 oz. frozen margaritas for $1.99. Sweet! And did you know that Vegas does not have an open container policy? So sipping alcohol in the streets at 2:30 in the afternoon. Bring it on! I do have to say that the strawberry margarita I ordered is very weak. Seriously, after three sips it's like drinking a 7-11 slushie. We went inside the Venetian to check out the decor. Jing and Justin went on a gondola ride. I saw a gallery exhibit with Dr. Seuss' and Charles Schulz' original sketches. Also there was an artwork there that said, "Golddigger...like a hooker...just smarter." hmm...you gotta love post-pop art.
Bellagio Fountain: 2
Quote of the Day - Justin's heartfelt thank you speech at Slots-A-Fun
So back to the main reason why I'm writing this blog. SPRING BREAK 2005: Vegas, Baby! Sounds like the subtitle for Girls Gone Wild but whatever. This springbreak is totally wholesome. No shirts were taken off. So kids, follow along.
March 7 - two cars, a plane and the strip
Drove up to Fairfax from C-ville early in the morning to get ready for the afternoon flight. Had to re-pack most of my stuff since I decided to change luggage. Jing and Shraddha came at around 12:30pm. Then it was off to the airport at 2pm after picking up my brother from school. Five-hour non-stop plane ride to McCarran airport is not so bad as long as you're in the economy plus side of the plane with exit seats to boot. Got to our lovely hotel - MGM Grand - at around 7:30pm Vegas time. Famished, we all decided to go to a cheap buffet. The rest went back to the hotel after dinner, but troopers like me, Shraddha, Ulka and Lorenzo decided to explore parts of the Strip. Then we headed back to the hotel for a nightcap. We stayed at the hotel cafe/restaurant and talked about the Star Trek thingy at the Vegas Hilton and what a Bellini is made of.
Bellagio Fountain: 1
Mirage Volcano: 1
Quote of the Day - from Justin at the buffet
It's like a full-body workout.
March 8 - 5K for a hotdog
After dissing the monorail to go to Slots-A-Fun (which by the way, we heavily regretted in the evening), everyone was ready to try the foot-long hotdog Justin was talking about during this whole trip. I don't know if it was the heat or the fact that my feet are killing me, but that $1.49 hotdog sounded like the most appetizing food in the world. Also they were selling 27 oz. frozen margaritas for $1.99. Sweet! And did you know that Vegas does not have an open container policy? So sipping alcohol in the streets at 2:30 in the afternoon. Bring it on! I do have to say that the strawberry margarita I ordered is very weak. Seriously, after three sips it's like drinking a 7-11 slushie. We went inside the Venetian to check out the decor. Jing and Justin went on a gondola ride. I saw a gallery exhibit with Dr. Seuss' and Charles Schulz' original sketches. Also there was an artwork there that said, "Golddigger...like a hooker...just smarter." hmm...you gotta love post-pop art.
Bellagio Fountain: 2
Quote of the Day - Justin's heartfelt thank you speech at Slots-A-Fun
Guys, I just want to thank you for making my Las Vegas dream come true.Our response to that: confused looks and hesitant "You're Welcome's"
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