Shopping at Tanger Outlet today. The place was huge ok. And when I say huge, it is really HUGE. There's like soo many stores, like Gap, Coach, Claire's, Bath and Body works, Fossil, Old Navy, Aeropostale and much much more! I wished that we were given more time there, like maybe the whole day to shop.

Anyways, I just feel so unsatisfied and unaccomplished. I don't wanna go back home :(
Saturday is a free day for all of us. Took the van all the way to the Mississippi Museum. The journey from Cedar Rapids to Dubuque was like around one half hour.

Had lunch there and I had this really yummy Cold Stone ice cream! Caramel Turtle temptation! so yummy can!

And the museum was soooo cool! It's kinda like a zoo cum underwater world cum historical museum. They had like the background history of the Mississippi flood and they had like aquariums with the different fishes which I have never seen before. And there was this room which was pretty scary for me. They had like real fur of animals like fox, badger, raccoon and more. And it is real ok. I am so freaked out and I don't dare to touch it knowing that it is a real one. I can just imagine the hunters catched them and killed them and cut out their skin and gorge their eyes out. My god.

And then we explored the place and on the second level had the many different types of lizards and some snakes. I don't like. And there was also like the history about the river and the steamboat and stuff like that. And they also have like the different types of frogs and those gross things which I don't like.

After the museum, we headed for the river cruise which is just beside the museum. I loved it. I've never taken a cruise before. But I've took a ferry but it's not like cruise. And the weather was sunny but it wans't like Singapore sunny. Singapore is hot and humid. Here is like sunny yet cooling. Very cooling. The wind was lovely. The cruise was about one half hour as well and the scenery is beautiful.

Headed back to the hotel and ordered Aladdin for dinner. It is one of the Halal restaurants that I had googled on and it claims that it is Halal. Had Spicy chicken combo for USD 6.99. It comes with rice and spicy chicken kebab. Kinda salty for my liking but it was so nice since it's been ten days without chicken already.

Finally the day that I had been waiting for had come. We'll be going to Williamsburg for the factory outlet shopping tomorrow! So excited but sadly, my money is depleting :(
Today is Day 9 but I'm going to write about Day 8. Went to our last tour of child care center yesterday and after that we headed to the Teacher Supply store nearby.
Idk if we have this in Singapore but it's a really really really great shop for the childcare centers. Loads of resource books, children's book, toys, and decorations and everything.

I planned not to buy anything there to save money for the actual shopping but ended up buying 2 children's book. Actually 3, but I decided to drop one. Headed back to the hotel after that and we went to Kirkwood to take another bus to Kalona. There is a Fall festival there and I was so excited to see how it'll be like.

There was horse ride, which I took which is only USD 1 and then we explored the whole area. It was really nice and lovely. Like the people there would buy the food there and sat at the benches there to eat and it was just so nice because of the cooling weather. I think if this was in SIngapore, we'll already be complaining about the heat and sweating. But this was nice. Some photos are uploaded in my FB.

SO today we're going for the river cruise. Idk how we'll go about that. Gonna blog about it tonight!
It's already been a week already. Went to 2 centers today. First was Parkridge and then to Grant Early Childhood Center. And in between that we went to Walmart for like 2 hours! I love Walmart! I can go there everyday, I don't mind.

Tried finding for a Prepaid SIM Card but the people there don't seem to understand what I was asking for. I think maybe it's different from Singapore. So end up I didn't buy it, afraid that it will only be for land line and not on cell phone. But I bought loadssss of Iowa t-shirts and a top by Miley Cyrus. I know right! And it's only USD12! I saw a verrrrrry niceee ballet flats by Miley Cyrus! I like the one with the animal print with studs in front, so nice can! Plus it's like only USD10! Sadly, they don't have my size :( And there are lots more nice shirts with Union Jack prints and others by Miley Cyrus too and it's like only USD7!

And they also have clothes from Taylor Swift! And I saw in Teen Vogue that there is a limited edition collection of Gossip Girls clothings designed by Anna Sui, but it's only available at Target. But I didn't see any when I was at Target last Saturday :(

Dinner was at Metro Buffet and it was brilliant. Ten days without rice was so dreadful and when we saw that they had fried rice there, I had two helpings of it! The food there was nice, it's like a combo of Chinese/Western/Mexican and there was really nice desserts and salads and seafood and things like that. Gee, I miss mum's cooking terribly.

And I'm so sad that my money is depleting day by day :(
How I wish that I had a never ending supply of money and that can just buy anythingggggggg and everything that I want!




Went to Linn County Child Care Development Center this morning. Toured around and peeped into the classrooms. I read from the brochure that we're given that it is a center an by the government and it mostly caters to the lower income families and stuff like that.

I spent my last half an hour there playing with the 4 year olds there. They were having outdoor play and I went up to join them. There was this girl by the name of Trisha, if I'm not wrong and she was asking me questions like, "do I have a daughter?", "do I have a son?" and I was like, "no, I'm not married." And she was like "why are you not married?" So sad, do I look that old and motherly? *giggles* But it was nice. And she said she loved my hair. The kids there were very affectionate, lovely and friendly. I love them.

There was one point of time whereby Trisha wanted me to carry her so I had to carry her. And she wants to sit with me and hold my hands. And there was also another girl by the name of Aubrey and she was also very sweet. Sadly, we had to leave and they were like hesitant to let us go. It was kinda sad.

So anyway went back to Kirkwood and had lunch at the restaurant which was run by the culinary students there. Had salmon sandwich and it had bacon so I requested to not have the bacon and had coconut creme brulee. Yummeh.

After lunch, we attended the Early Childhood class in Kirkwood itself for like half an hour and we were released. So we got back to the hotel and we're going off like at 6pm later for another class. Maybe I'll update more stuff soon. In the meanwhile, I'm going upload some pics on my FB, not that much though.


Ok so I kinda just got back from the night class. Didn't join the rest for dinner at McDonalds because we were'nt that hungry. Besides, I spent quite a bit on lunch today so I rather save the money!

The night class was alright. The group that I chatted with were kinda friendly and we shared quite a bit as well. And we watched a video on Discoveries during infancy and it was rather interesting. After class, we waited for the hotel van and took some pictures. And it was rather cold outside and I can feel myself kinda shivering. But it was nice, love it.
Didn't do that much today. Woke up pretty early and headed to Kirkwood Kids!
Met with the Director of Kirkwood Kids and toured around the school and take a look at the facilities, like sand pits, playgrounds and things like that they have. It is awesome. So cannot find this anywhere in Singapore.

The kids there are just sooooo cute I tell you. I feel like biting their cheeks! There was one funny incident in the Kindergarten class I think. We all went in to their class to take a look and there was this boy who was so shy that he covered his face with both his hands and hide under the table and doesn't want to come out. Cute. And there was a number of kids who were so bashful as well.

I guess maybe they have never seen us, as in Asians before ad they feel weird having us around. Idk. And then we got to go into the classes for an hour.

I got into the young toddlers class which is like for the 2 year olds. Damn adorable I tell you this kids. There was like only 7 of them. And you know what 2 years old are like, so clumsy and can't speak properly. Plus they were shy too.

But my fave was this cute girl with blonde bob. I like her beacuse she went up to me and start touching my ears and earrings because I was wearing the new earrins which I bought at Claire's which were ribbons. And she was like "I like your earrings" and I was like "you like it? Well thank you." *giggles* And she start touching my hair and she went "I like your pony" as in my pony tail. "You have long hair"

Damn I love her. And she also touched my shirt that I was wearing because the 'Gap Girl' had different textures on it and I became like a feely book for the time being. I love it.

And they had lunch and they had spaghetti, sweet corn, fruits, bread and milk. And they served themselves as in they put their own food and pour their own drinks. Independent, considering that they were only 2. And yeah, the cutest thing, they were messy eaters. Very messy. And the teaches didn't scold or stop them. It was nice, just letting them be. And they put back the plates and cups after their meal. And it was cute when one started making funny noises with their cups and the rest started following. It was funny.

The toddlers were soooo cute. I love it. So we're going there again tomorrow. Gonna have a very long day till about 9 pm.

I wanna go Walmart again!
Was busy uploading pictures on Facebook yesterday that I didn't have time to blog. Basically yesterday, we went shopping again. Coral Ridge Mall was very very very huge I tell you. Nothing compared to Singapore. At all.

The shopping was really great I tell you. There was Victoria's Secret and it is HUGE. And Aeropstale, American Eagle, Gap, Old Navy, Barnes and Noble, JCPenney, Target and more! More I tell you MORE! And their malls are not anything like in Singapore. Theirs is like just one level. BUT it is wide and huge and it is just HUGE. Super huge. And their carparks are just so HUGE and SPACIOUS. Far from Singapore. Seriously.

Spent quiet a lot of money yesterday too. And oh, I rode the Carousel with Chinn Yee. I know right, so deprived. But it was a lot of fun.

So that was it for Day 3 on the Sunday. Just shopping. Sepnding money. Damn.

So today, Day 4. Woke up earlier than usual. Had breakfast and headed to Kirkwood College! The place is just one word, AMAZING. They have like 120 courses and the campus is ENORMOUS and NICE and SPACIOUS and WIDE and PEACEFUL. Nothing compared to Singapore, nothing I swear.

They have like an Equestrian Courses, Truck Driving Course, Hotel and Culinary Courses and some other courses too. 120 of them! And they have like 17000 students!

And it just HUGE, the place. We had to travel by bus to go from one place to the other. We walked around campus too and it was lovely. The weather, the scenery and all. Lovely. I can't describe how amazed I am. Took lots of pictures and you can check it out on my Facebook.

Went sight seeing througout the campus, the horses, the birds and all. And had lunch, like what you usually see. The cafeteria and all. And got a Kirkwood College ID card!

After college, we all headed to have a tour around Cedar Rapids. Lovely I tell you. We went to this park and it was just so beautiful. Check out the pictures on my Facebook as well. After the tour, headed back to he hotel and went back to Kirkwood for a dinner.

The dinner was nice actually, but kinda awkward. I was so clumsy and had my embarrassing moment there. It was really a brand new experience for me.

The people there are just so outgoing and loud. The Aussies too. So it was really a change from Singaporeans and it is quite new. Plus the fact that maybe I'm quiet and shy, so it was kinda difficult for me to open up. So yeah, but it was cool.
It's 4.02am, Sunday. I know, what the hell am I doing here blogging right. I fell asleep early yesterday like around 9ish I guess and I suddenly woke up and decided that I should blog about Day 2.

We had breakfast at the hotel and the spread was sooo nice. There's like pancakes, muffins, toaster whereby you toast the bread provided on your own, cream cheese with strawberry, Philadelphia cream cheese, hot chocolate, tea, cranberry juice, apple juice, coffee, skim milk, 20%, which is also milk I think, bacon, many many different types of cereals, mango yoggurt, strawberry yogurt and much much more I can't recall.

So after breakfast, our plan was to go shopping at this mall called Westdale Mall which is like 5miles from here. I love the air outside. It is so cooling. And even if there is sunshine, it wasn't as hot because the wind itself is so cooling and maybe because it's far from the equator unlike Singapore.

First we went to JCpenny. It was kinda like John Little/Metro/BHG/Robinson in Singapore. But of course, way much better. *giggles*

And I bought some secret things there which I cannot reveal here! But I love it. I just cannot resist. I want to buy more of it!

So after JCpenny, we went to this fast food restaurant called Wendy's. I inly ate their fries and this desert thingy called Coffee Toffee. It was so yummeh the desert I love it. The setting was kinda homely. But idk why there was quite alot of flies around. Irritating.

We went back to Westdale to continue shopping. The mall is quite huge and it's so peaceful there as in there was not a lot of people and it's just so peaceful compared to SIngapore. And even the roads were peaceful and everything. SO peaceful.

Oh I forgot to add this. We didn't have transport in between so we had to WALK. It was so Singaporean of us! And yeah, we J-walked through the highway to get to another side of the road. We walked from Westdale to Wendy's and walked back to Westdale and walked to Walmart after that. It wasn't that far, so it's ok.

And we went to get groceries at Walmart. It was kinda like Giant, but even more Giant than giant, it is huge. And it's so difficult to find like bottled plain water. I suppose they don't drink plain water. But there was sooo many types of Coke and all the soft drink OMG I have never seen it in Singapore before. And the prices are kinda cheap, like around USD1 only. It's cheaper than Sheng Siong but then again, if you were to convert the price back, it will be more or less the same. But I calculated, and some of the stuff there is much cheaper than Sheng Siong.

And they sells Crayola like so damn cheap. I bought a pack of 24 crayons for just 25CENTS! I don't think we can get anything in Singapore with only 225cents!

Found these really nice shoes, which cost USD9 only, but sadly they don't have my size :( And oh, I found these pair of oh so very nice Roxy shoes which cost only USD34! And its way cheaper than my Vans which I bought in Singapore. Damn. I had to control my budget.

We went back to the hotel with the hotel transport finally. And I was so tired. Didn't eat any dinner and went to sleep.

Me: Atiqah, go Hotmail for a while.
Atiqah: What?
Me: Hotmail.
Atiqah: Hug you?!
Me: HOT MAIL lah, hug you for what!
Atiqah & Me: *laughter*

BAHAHHAHAHA!

Ps Pictures uploaded in FB! :)
So I have arrived in Cedar Rapids, Iowa safe and sound. And fyi right now, it's 12:09am, Saturday.

I survived the 3 hour flight from Singapore to Hong Kong and another 13 hours from Hong Kong to Chicago. And 30minutes from Chicago to Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

I swear I can still feel as if I'm on the plane and feeling the turbulence and all. My head is like spinning. The 13 hour flight from Hong Kong to Chicago was really dreadful, killer, nauseating and traumatising x63283470910. I swear.

From the crying babies/kids, the squeezy-ness, the "Special order" food, the TV programmes and everything. I slept so much till I can't sleep, I ate too much till I feel like vomiting. Had like 4 meals in total throughout the 13 hour flight. Yeah, lunch, dinner, lunch and dinner.

It was still the same time as Singapore when we were in Hong Kong, but it was like -1GMT in the states. Therefore, it was still Friday when we touched down. Sooo jet lagged.

It was sooo cold in the plane and my skin and lips were so dry and I left my lipbalm and lotion in my luggage. And oh, my camera too. Luckily it was still there in my luggage, despite what my aunt told me about.

So anyway, I was sooo excited when we reached Chicago. I need to STAND. Had Starbuck's Caramel Frappe in Grande which cost USD5.24. But it defnitely taste much better here rather than Singapore's. And oh! They still have Cinnamon Melts here and they have in 2 sizes, if I'm not wrong. Yummeh.

Have yet to explore Cedar Rapids. Checked into the hotel and went for dinner at the Chinese Restaurant next to it. The waiter is soooooo cute and his name was Eric. And guess what? "Somebody" asked for his FB account! *giggles*

Didn't ate much there due to certain reasons. I mean, I have had enough meals already and I had no more appette to eat. Bought 2 bars of chocolates at the restaurant and we all got free Fortune Cookie! "Have some Fortune Cookie too, it's on the house!"

I loveee my fortune. I knowwww! *flips hair*

So it will be Saturday tomorrow. We got the whole day for rest tomorrow until further discussion. Ah ma gash!

Only managed to take a few pictures today :(
Hong Kong's airport is sooooo nice I tell you!

And these are the only 2 pics I took with my handphone camera.
On the sky train in Chicago's Terminal 5

The view outside. Taken by Atiqah



Nisa and Roufang surprised me by coming over to my place at 10pm without telling me! You girls are sooooo cheeky! *giggles* But just wanna wish the both of you, Lali, Chu Hui and Farhanah a BIG thank you for the wishes! *sobs*

I am starting to get sentimental right now. Listening to the Hari Raya songs on the teevee and reading people's blog about their preparation for Raya and all. While they are getting excited about Raya and spending time with ther family and loved ones, I will be over at the States, away from my family, away from my friends. *sigh*
I so want to bring my Baju Kurung there as well, though it's not a new one. But sadly, Atiqah and Hidayah? I don't think they will be keen on the idea :(

Cik Yan will be coming over to fetch me at 4am later. Not sure whether I will be able to sleep. Idk if I should feel happy/excited or sad/nervous. I just feel like crying right now. Hope that I won't burst out when I am at the airport OMG but I have a feeling that I will :'(
Ah ma gad, around 28 hours or so and I will be flying off already. Got the flight details and all today. My heart is pounding very fast whenever I think about it. I have never taken an airplane before and this is going to be my very first time and it is to somewhere faaaaaaaaar from home! :'(

So anyways, we were at Cineleisure to catch G-Force 3D. Poor Mully, his 3D glasses were not as effective as mine. Bumped into Nini, who was working at the Coffee Bar and then Chinn Yee, Don and their friends after the movie. *giggles*

Didn't had a proper meal for break fast like the other time. I only had soya bean and a few bite of the bloody expensive sandwich from 7-11. And popcorn. We had our meal after the movie at McD. And not forgetting the Caramel Frappe!

And lookie! I have a new friend today! Love the shoes on her feet, so adorable ^-^

Got her while Mully was playing at the arcade! So happy and she was the first try and she only cost $1! He tried to catch another one for Bulat sooooooooo many times but it failed. Waste money only this machine. Cheater bug. But it comes with a looooooot of sweets! 76 sweets to be exact, I counted. *giggles*

Hanged out till 11ish and it was my first time that I cabbed back home from Town. Thanks much for the cab fare! I wish we live near each other. *sticks out tongue*

Had a giggly chat over the phone with Didi after dinner just for a quick catch up about life and things. Just a short phone call, less than 24 minutes. I miss my girls. *giggles*

Something rather odd happened this morning. Something which I least expect. Maybe it was my mistake. But whatever it is, it is bothering me the whole day and I feel so uneasy about it. I cannot procrastinate this so I am going to settle it tomorrow.

And it has been more than a week. I swear I am more than excited to see you. Plus the fact that I'm leaving in 4 days time, I am madly excited.

So my plans for tomorrow is that:
1. to wake up early to clean my room
2. to clean my room till it's spotless clean
3. to go back and submit something after a few months
4. meet up with my fave boy! *giggles*
5. get the denim jacket from Humairah

And oh, my cousins Afif and Asyraf are the cutest thing I tell you. Saw them for a while yesterday when Cik Yan sent mum and the luggage.

Asyraf: Kakak Nur nak pergi Amerika eh? Kakak Nur tak sedih ke? Nanti Hari Raya tak ada Kakak Nur.
Afif: Akah. Kakak Nur tak sedih ke? Nanti orang carik Kakak Nur tak ada.

I am so touched but I just giggled and said, Kakak masukkan korang pat dalam luggage ni bawak pergi America baru tau! LOL.

And Asyraf pronounced 'America' as 'Amerika', as in the Malay pronunciation. Adorable much? Aww, I will definitely miss them man. And Aqil, the cutest of the cutest. And my whole family. And my favourite Satay that I will look for every Raya morning.

Damn, i hate this 50/50 feeling.
Perhaps I have been self-fish all this while. I have never thought of the hardship and the pain that we have to go through. It is definitely not easy.
I am blinded by my own desires, I guess. I hate this feeling. It's making me so weak. I am speechless. What have I got myself into?
Idk if it's the case of pre-menstrual syndrome but I am feeling so down and terrible recently. It's like I can cry at even the smallest issue. And of course, I have been crying my eyes out over the more important issues of the heart too. And yeah, my pessimistic-ism is now at the peak of all peaks. But basically everything is for no valid reason. I deserve to die now. Bye.

And oh, mum just got back from aunt's place just to take her luggage. Which in my opinion is more or less about the same size as the large luggage that we have.

Anybody want to switch life with me? I seriously hate myself and my life now.
Ok so I just got back from Jurong Point with my mum and I feel kinda disappointed/sad/uneasy/unhappy/fed up because she had exchanged Sing Dollars to US Dollars and I am kinda unhappy with the whole thing.
And the best thing is that she insist that I buy this medication thingy from Guardian which cost bloody $69.90. Which means I spent a bloody total amount of $117.50 at Guardian on just 3 things. The luggage- which I seriously don't think is necessary because we already have like 2 luggages at home. And the TSA Lock. Whatever it is for I don't bloody care. Which cost a bloody $19.20. Just for a small lock for the bloody luggage for the bloody security check.

OMG I should stop here.
Fasting~

Good thing I'm having ban mian later=comfort food.

ADDITION: Mum said that I should bring the Large luggage that we already have instead of the one we just bought. Great.
Had spaghetti and chill crab and a box of caramel chocoballs just now. It feels so nice to eat my mum's cooking again. Had been so damn busy this week that I am always out and had to break fast outside as well.

And yeah, I am broke. I am cashless.

Sooooo many things had happened yesterday and the previous days. And I was really, really, really drained out. Plus, my sleeping habit is getting even worse and it sucks. Balls.

I plan to just stay in for tomorrow and the upcoming week. Especially Thursday. *wink wink* But I need my dose of caramel frappe and tom yam ban mian as soon as possible.
My left arm is still feeling so weakkkk. It is so lifeless and limpy. And it still hurts. Well, just a lil bit not as bad as during the day. The nurse who gave me the jab was like, "relax ah relax..." I was just about to relax and take in a deep breath when she just poke it in! Ah ma gad. And she was like "how was it?" Still got the cheek to ask! My reaction was "Mmmh mmmh.." -___-"
And the best part was the nurse in the other office. Chinn Yee asked "will it hurt?" and her answer was "it's PAINLESS" Yeah right thanks, so much for "it's all in the mind"
And Fara forgot that I just got my injection and she happily smacked my left arm. A few times. *giggles* But it's oh-gay.

The feast at Ms Mariana's was so happening I tell you. And thanks Mr Faiz, for the ice-cream. Chocoluv!

Have to wake up early again tomorrow. Damn. Have to be at Tanah Merah by 8.30 in the morning. That is exactly like going to school like I am an ITE Simei student. I predict that tomorrow will definitely be a long day of "music and movement" *giggles*

I have to add this in as well. Was walking around IMM and went to the Esprit store and I automatically fell in love with this "IS THAT PINKKKKK!!!" wallet. It was like on a discounted price and it was such a steal I tell you.

Overall I think this has been a very packed week for me. And I think this entry for today has got to be the most "dramatic" one I must say, because of all the expressions and all. Ok scratch what I had just typed if you don't get it. *flips hair*

Plus it is not next Friday, it is just next Thursday!!!
And one more thing, i miss you so terribly :(
When will you ever realise?
Hello holidays! I missed you so very much!
And oh, Hello Iowa! *giggles*

My mum has been pestering me since last week to write down a list of what I will be wearing there, from Day 1 to Day 14. And thanks to her, I cannot sleep well yesterday thinking of what should I wear. I was imagining the whole time yesterday night that I cannot really focus when I was revising HR. This is going to be so exciting.

The shopping trip with Atiqah the other week wasn't satisfying enough. Shall go for another pre-Iowa shopping with Didi soon! I mean, it is just next Friday! Ah ma gad. And I am going to TTSH to take the flu jab with the 5 other girls plus Ms Dorcas tomorrow.

I can start dreaming full-force now. Gonna start writing a list of things to buy, to bring, to wear later on!
Toodles :B
The 6 in the morning phone call with you was so random <3
So cutenesssss!


Yesterday, everything was on me for the very first time. So proud of my accomplishment. *giggles*

And of course, I didn't cry wolf.
Have some faith in me :)
A supposedly long day became short. And it became long again.
But school wasn't that pointless today. We did some revision on some topics for like 2 hours and thats it. However, had to stay back after that for a while for the "recording" thingy. Thanks Didi for waiting for me!

And so, we hanged out in school till late because we are so hardworking like that. Enjoyed our fondue sessions together. Loved every minute of it :b And I have been wanting to eat at Burger King to break fast and so we did.

Idk what got into me today. I mean I was just sooo super hungry! I cannot believe that I can chomp down the Double Rendang Burger Meal and was still pretty hungry! So bought another burger, the Crispy Chicken Burger. *gasp* Then I was satisfied.
No desert nor onion rings for me, sadly.
I am rather surprised by myself too considering that I can get really full when eating McSpicy and cannot even finish the fries and drink.

OA CA tomorrow, yes I know.
Okbye.