tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-55993182024-03-08T10:48:12.084-06:00Neny Goes to Amrik!life is a series of choices and the consequences that follow them...
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<a href="http://nenydiamrik.blogspot.com">home</a>nenyishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15409472759952942894noreply@blogger.comBlogger244125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5599318.post-1127810505012742662005-09-27T03:39:00.000-05:002012-04-28T05:17:12.283-05:00I'm home...I'm no longer in the United States, so I move to this new blog:<br />
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<a href="http://nenyish.wordpress.com/">http://nenyish.wordpress.com</a><a href="http://neny-isharyanti.blogspot.com/"></a></blockquote>
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See you around and thanks for hanging around with me here...nenyishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15409472759952942894noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5599318.post-1120680946228340062005-07-06T15:07:00.000-05:002005-07-06T15:17:07.046-05:00Nebraska tripOn July 1 - 3, I had the opportunity to travel to Nebraska to visit Omaha and Lincoln. Fun trip. Tons of pics. Tired feet. Enuff saying...<br /><br />As Abi puts it, it's time to visit the corn fields :P<br /><blockquote></blockquote>nenyishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15409472759952942894noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5599318.post-1120022395706493912005-06-29T00:17:00.000-05:002005-06-29T00:19:55.720-05:00JariItu jari mau dikemanakan?<br />Ke arah matahari<br />merasakan mata angin<br />mendamba langit.<br /><br />Hidup ini adalah jari.nenyishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15409472759952942894noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5599318.post-1119836637805096272005-06-26T20:42:00.000-05:002005-06-26T20:43:57.810-05:00Ritual Tertundasejak kapan menit<br />jadi terlupa<br />dan merahnya senja<br />terlalu tanpa bahasa?<br /><br />Galibnya ritual<br />yang tak sekejap<br />tertunda karena<br />tak ada hati<br />di sana.nenyishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15409472759952942894noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5599318.post-1119653992653317522005-06-24T17:58:00.000-05:002005-06-24T17:59:52.660-05:00I hate this class...<br />I hate this summer class...<br />I hate this Foundations in Instructional Technology class...<br /><br />Aaaarrrrrrrggggggggggggghhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!nenyishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15409472759952942894noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5599318.post-1119417615128020692005-06-22T00:17:00.000-05:002005-06-22T00:20:15.133-05:00Perjuangan belum selesai, Jendral!Yup, perjalanan masih panjang.<br /><br />Daftar "cucian" yg hrs gw selesaikan:<br /><ul> <li>Revisi thesis</li> <li>Tugas2 kelas Foundations in Instructional Technology</li> <li>Ngurus pindahan ke tempat the Hertz</li> <li>Get rid of unwanted stuffs</li> <li>Ngepak barang2</li> <li>Disconnect telpon</li> <li>Matiin bank</li> <li>Bayar utang2</li> <li>dll...</li> </ul><br />Whew, alamat gak bisa ngapa2in nih..nenyishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15409472759952942894noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5599318.post-1119327428918995522005-06-20T23:10:00.000-05:002005-06-20T23:53:38.230-05:00Thesis: Accomplished<span style="font-style: italic;">Quick post *because I'm too happy*</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Title: </span><br />Variations in Interactional Modifications in Synchronous Computer-Mediated Communication (CMC) Between Different Tasks Among Indonesian Non-Native Speakers (NNSs) of English<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Writer:</span><br />Neny Isharyanti<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Program:</span><br />Master<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Major:</span><br />Teaching English as a Second Language/Applied Linguistics<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Specializations:</span><br />Computer-Assisted Language Learning (CALL)<br />English for Specific Purposes (ESP)<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Final Oral Exam:<br /></span>Monday, June 20, 2005, 3-4.15 PM, 412 Ross Hall<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Exam Grade:</span><br />PASS<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">*whew!*</span><br /><b style=""><o:p></o:p></b>nenyishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15409472759952942894noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5599318.post-1119230988979273112005-06-19T20:25:00.000-05:002005-06-19T20:29:48.996-05:00DefenseIf you happen to read this on Monday 3-5 PM Central Time (GMT -6) , I'm having my final oral exam on my thesis.<br /><br />Please pray for me so that I can pass it safely.<br /><br />Enough saying and thanks *I'm too nervous now*nenyishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15409472759952942894noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5599318.post-1119213200455054702005-06-19T15:31:00.000-05:002005-06-19T15:33:20.463-05:00Komentar maya+ <a href="http://gobloq.orca.or.id/">gobloq</a> utk <a href="http://gobloq.orca.or.id/?p=3">ini</a><br /><br />Segala kata mungkin tak punya nada<br />Segala nada mungkin tak punya gaung<br />-- itu pikirmu, rasamu<br /><br />Di dunia maya ini<br />inspirasi mungkin datang<br />di kelokan berikutnya<br /><br />Saya menemukan<br />kata<br />nada<br />gaung<br />di sini.<br /><br />Salam,<br />Neny<br />* don't give up writing!nenyishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15409472759952942894noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5599318.post-1118035219156072772005-06-06T00:18:00.000-05:002005-06-06T00:20:19.173-05:00Cerita malam iniMalam sunyi ini<br />lagunya adalah merindui<br />jaraknya adalah benci.<br /><br />-- baru aku sadari<br />begitu jauhnya aku telah pergi<br />dan begitu inginnya aku akan kembali.nenyishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15409472759952942894noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5599318.post-1117490894905428362005-05-30T16:59:00.000-05:002005-05-30T17:13:12.750-05:00Rumah tak mau pergiMatahari pagi ini<br />seperti rumah<br />tapi tak serupa.<br /><br />Di sini ada<br />warna warni<br />alami<br />musim yang<br />dinanti<br />sejak salju<br />menjadi<br />benci.<br /><br />Aku rindu rumah<br />seperti di sini.<br />Menghitung jam<br />jadi seperti nyeri.<br />Tempat ini adalah<br />mimpi yg menuju akhir.<br />Jarum berhenti:<br />aku tak mau pergi.<br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(255, 153, 102);font-size:85%;" ><br />+ Buat para "penggemar" puisiku: Inggita Notosusanto & <a href="http://porlakeden.blogspot.com/">Charly Silaban</a> *yg katanya pengin baca puisiku lebih banyak*...makasih!</span>nenyishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15409472759952942894noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5599318.post-1117151975807037412005-05-26T18:53:00.000-05:002005-05-26T18:59:35.833-05:00WTF!Jadi filosofis<br />apa arti semua<br />tulisanku ini.<br /><br />Sekiranya<br />penghidupanku<br />jadi lebih nyaman<br />kiranya tulisan<br />ini jadi kuncinya.<br /><br />Entah mengapa<br />aku merasa tersia<br />ketika berjuta karakter<br />kuketik dan kupikir<br />tergencet waktu<br />jadi muaranya:<br /><br />Jadi filosofis<br />apa arti semua<br />tulisanku ini.nenyishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15409472759952942894noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5599318.post-1116912183821876742005-05-24T00:11:00.000-05:002005-05-24T00:23:03.826-05:00Serangga-Bikini-Kulit-LelakiDatangnya serangga<br />adalah pertanda<br />musim panas<br />tiba<br />tanpa tertunda.<br /><br />maka jiwa-jiwa<br />tersiksa<br />dalam<br />sweater dan syal<br />terbebaskan<br />menjelma<br />bikini dan celana komprang.<br /><br />Kulit coklat<br />jadi rebutan<br />matahari<br />jadi jagoan.<br /><br />Panas dingin<br />lirik lelaki<br />saya<br />memaki.nenyishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15409472759952942894noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5599318.post-1115315333088206082005-05-05T12:41:00.000-05:002005-05-05T12:48:53.106-05:00Maafkan saya...Saya baik-baik saja. Sungguh. Dan saya tidak pindah blog atau pindah lokasi. Serius.<br /><br />Tapi kalau blog saya miskin posting akhir-akhir ini, mohon dimaafkan. Saya sedang mengalami apa yang namanya sibuk tapi males. Sibuk, karena tugas-tugas kuliah yang walaupun cuma satu mata kuliah tapi tugasnya bikin puyeng. Sibuk karena saya tengah mengambil data untuk thesis saya. Tapi males, karena tampaknya saya sudah kehabisan energi dan spirit untuk menggeluti dunia akademik sebagai mahasiswa. Males, karena sebentar lagi *alias 4 bulan lagi* saya akan pulang ke Indonesia dan bertemu dengan orang-orang tercinta. Di otak yang terpikir cuma segala rencana yang akan saya lakukan jika bertemu dengan mereka.<br /><br />Manifestasinya? Saya bisa tuh ngejogrok lima enam jam di perpustakaan kampus, tapi hasil kerja nggak sampai 15%. Dan saya bisa sekali menunda pekerjaan jika senja sudah menjemput matahari. Satu lagi, saya sedang hobi main game di <a href="http://www.neopets.com">Neopets</a> dan sudah sampai tahap ke kecanduan berat, sampai-sampai setiap ketemu komputer di mana pun pinginnya akses ke Neopets! (Hiks, jadi kebayang, kalau di Indonesia nggak mungkin bisa dapat koneksi Internet yg wus, wus, wus...) .<br /><br />Makanya, maafkan saya kalau blog ini seperti hidup segan mati tak hendak, alias jarang ada postingan. Saya sedang berusaha memotivasi diri saya supaya tidak males dan segera bisa menyelesaikan kewajiban saya pada negara *caila....* untuk menuntaskan studi saya di negara Paman Samnenyishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15409472759952942894noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5599318.post-1113634803490899262005-04-16T01:53:00.000-05:002005-05-10T16:29:35.883-05:00I'm blessed in the midst of trial...In the middle of my trial with my thesis, God still grants me the blessing. I'm honored to be given the title of the third winner of 2005 Cyclone Idol [Iowa State Daily article <a href="http://www.iowastatedaily.com/vnews/display.v/ART/2005/04/18/42632b3d98f3c">here</a>]<br /><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/img/136/2059/640/cycloneIdol2005.jpg"><img class="phostImg" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/img/136/2059/200/cycloneIdol2005.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Full concentration! <a href="http://www.hello.com/" target="ext"><img src="http://photos1.blogger.com/pbh.gif" alt="Posted by Hello" style="border: 0px none ; padding: 0px; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 50%; -moz-background-clip: initial; -moz-background-origin: initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: initial;" align="middle" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Thank you, Christine Goeltom, for your beautiful play with the piano. You made my song for the final complete. Thank you all friends who showed up and supported me during the whole process of Cyclone Idol. Thank you some friends who gave me hugs, cheers, applauses, flowers and chocolate to celebrate my performance tonight. I'm "Saving All My Love for You" (this is the song that I sang for the final).<br /><br />I'm thankful. Pray that God will help me during this ordeal of my thesis.nenyishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15409472759952942894noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5599318.post-1113493943973065062005-04-14T10:41:00.000-05:002005-04-14T10:52:23.973-05:00AcknowledgementsA list of thank-yous....<br /><br /><ul> <li>God -- for all the opportunities, blessings, trials, temptations which make me able to experience many facets of life and to grow better as a person.</li> <li>my family -- for trusting me, supporting me and criticizing me in all the decisions and actions that I make, for loving me no matter what, for being there and listening to my rants.</li> <li>my friends -- for giving me assistance when I need it the most, for sharing my joy and pain, for assurance that I can do it, no matter how hard the obstacles are.</li> </ul> With that, I rest the endeavors of my life in Your Great Divine Hands...nenyishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15409472759952942894noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5599318.post-1113244120981550382005-04-11T13:28:00.000-05:002005-04-11T13:30:13.660-05:00Pumping my ego...If you google my name today, here are some things that I have done in the past months:<br /><br />Translation Project for Tsunami in Aceh <a href="http://indonesiahelp.org/node/33">here (IndonesiaHelp.org)</a><br />IFF in Beaver Creek during Spring Break <a href="http://desmoinesregister.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050324/NEWS02/503240339/1001/archive">here (the Des Moines Register)</a><br />Indonesian Night 2005 MC and performances <a href="http://www.iowastatedaily.com/vnews/display.v/ART/2005/03/25/42439cd298520">here</a> and <a href="http://www.iowastatedaily.com/vnews/display.v/ART/2005/03/29/4248e01e7cb93">here</a> (Iowa State Daily).<br />TESOL conference in San Antonio, TX <a href="http://www.stuorg.iastate.edu/call/previous_events.htm">here (CALL Club)</a> and <a href="http://photos.yahoo.com/neny_isharyanti">pics</a>.<br />Blogshares: The fantasy stock market for weblogs <a href="http://www.blogshares.com/user.php?id=17065">here</a>.<br /><br />Not really important, huh? But big enough to pump my ego *wink*nenyishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15409472759952942894noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5599318.post-1112951785675764402005-04-08T04:12:00.000-05:002005-04-08T04:16:25.676-05:00Pray for me...In the midst of this chaos of my thesis process, I ask you to pray for me....<br /><br />Pray so that I can find subjects...<br />Pray so that I can collect my data soon...<br />Pray so that I can have a clear mind in writing...<br />Pray so that I can meet all the deadlines...<br />Pray so that I can finish my study on time...<br /><br />But more importantly, please pray so that I will be healthy and sane in doing all of this...nenyishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15409472759952942894noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5599318.post-1112757892138223322005-04-05T22:12:00.000-05:002005-04-16T02:13:46.046-05:00Lesson LearnedI went to San Antonio, Texas, for a week, attending <a href="http://www.tesol.org/">TESOL</a> conference.<br /><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/img/136/2059/640/IMG_3178.jpg"><img class="phostImg" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/img/136/2059/200/IMG_3178.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Anne, Monica, Dr. Chapelle, Mehmet, Reiko and me<br />after our presentation in TESOL <a href="http://www.hello.com/" target="ext"><img src="http://photos1.blogger.com/pbh.gif" alt="Posted by Hello" style="border: 0px none ; padding: 0px; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 50%; -moz-background-clip: initial; -moz-background-origin: initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: initial;" align="middle" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Going back from San Antonio, I started to perceive my friends differently. It turned out that I took for granted the ability of human beings to act both positively and negatively. Probably because I was never put to a situation which required me to be constantly with other people for 24 hours, I had never seen the dark side of my personalities. When I was put in a condition which hampered me to be nice all the time, I eventually learned that at some points, I had to show the real me, which means that I did not only show my positive characteristics (nice, smiling all the time, generous, understanding, etc.), but also my negative traits (egoististical, lazy, careless, etc.).<br /><br />When people are tired, after a long day of conference sessions, they might be more sensitive and easily angry. When people are crappy, looking for a privacy time, there may be a tendency of treating other people badly. I, of course, being tired of walking from session to session for a whole day and being in a need of quality time with myself, became sensitive, bad-tempered, and crappy. I don't like being treated badly, but I have to realize that as human beings, it is impossible to be "angels" all the time, particularly after a long tiring day without a time to be alone, just with yourself.<br /><br />My experience in San Antonio, traveling with my three closest friends, has taught me to understand more the nature of human beings of being an "angel" at one time, and an "evil" at the other time. Quite a number of times when I was with them, I wanted to yell at them to shut up and to leave me alone. I had the urge to debate any decisions that they made for going to certain places or doing certain activities, either because I did not want to go to those places or to do those activities. I also learned that my friends who were angelic most of the times in the past or in San Antonio (understanding, attentive, willing to help and listen), sometimes they too showed the teeth of their evilish smile (being difficult to deal with, giving others a hard time, yelling).<br /><br />What can I do? Patience, patience, patience. Do to others as you do unto yourself.<br /><br />A hard task to do, but I'm learning and trying and applying....<br /><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/img/136/2059/640/IMG_3139.jpg"><img class="phostImg" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/img/136/2059/200/IMG_3139.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />At the background is the "trolley" of San Antonio <a href="http://www.hello.com/" target="ext"><img src="http://photos1.blogger.com/pbh.gif" alt="Posted by Hello" style="border: 0px none ; padding: 0px; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 50%; -moz-background-clip: initial; -moz-background-origin: initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: initial;" align="middle" border="0" /></a><br />more pics are <a href="http://photos.yahoo.com/neny_isharyanti">here</a>. Enjoy!nenyishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15409472759952942894noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5599318.post-1113637871714116102005-03-24T22:15:00.000-06:002005-04-18T19:31:56.206-05:00Skiing: learning to fall (and be OK with it!)<p class="MsoNormal"><table style="width: 500px; height: 150px;"><tbody><tr valign="top"><br /><td><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/img/136/2059/640/P10100242.jpg"><img class="phostImg" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/img/136/2059/200/P10100242.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.hello.com/" target="ext"><img src="http://photos1.blogger.com/pbh.gif" alt="Posted by Hello" style="border: 0px none ; padding: 0px; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 50%; -moz-background-clip: initial; -moz-background-origin: initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: initial;" align="middle" border="0" /></a></td><br /><td>So, finally, two days before the ski resort is closed for the Spring to come, I went skiing.<br /><br />It's not that I'm that enthusiastic about sports. Or that I'm crazy about snow. It's just that I face the grim fact that I might not be able to touch or smell or experience snow again after August.<br /><br />Since my motto is "experience everything at least once", skiing is definitely one of the activities that I want to experience while I'm in the US (those include, in the past: going to American football game; thanksgiving; watching ballets, theaters, and classical music recitals; going to farm).<br /></td><br /></tr><br /></tbody></table>I was lucky because the place where I visited to go skiing, the <a href="http://www.mountkato.com/">Mount Kato Ski Resort</a>, in <a href="http://www.ci.mankato.mn.us/welcome.php3">Mankato, Minnesota</a>, was still open until Saturday. My initial plan was to go to the <a href="http://www.sevenoaksrec.com/">Seven Oaks Ski Resort</a>, in <a href="http://www.booneiowa.com/">Boone, Iowa</a>, which is located only about 10 miles from Ames. Alas, when I decided to go, I found out that they were already closed for the season. Gina Hertz, who had been very kind to be willing to drive me and accompany me skiing, suggested to go to Mankato instead, which is located near the border of Iowa and Minnesota. Off we go, almost three hours drive, to Mankato, Minnesota.<br /><br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/img/136/2059/640/ames-mankato1.jpg"><img class="phostImg" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/img/136/2059/200/ames-mankato1.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://mq-mapgend.websys.aol.com/mqmapgend?MQMapGenRequest=FDR2dmwjDE%3byt2l%26FDJnci4Jkqj%2cMMCJ%3aHOEvq%3bwb2hf7%3a%29fbgufb%3a%26%40%24%3a%26%40b%3aqyb%3al4b%3aTD%15JFE%3aHOHQJ%3bwa2lw8%3a%29fb09fz%3a%26%40%24%3a%26%40%24w9f2%3a%2aE%14QXO%2a5quzxg%40%5fwlf1wu%40%24%3a%26%40%24%3a%26f2w1%40%3aHO%1593bdWik1mf%3bNSC%12JDBJ%40rluar5%26%3d1xgu10%26u%24nlr%24%2e9%40a5l%402w9%402lu%40t2l%4020g%40r0l%40%5fn0y%24adf%24x%26u80q%40%5fn%26y8a%26ut%3a5f1%3aqa%24gg0%24ghw%24nuua%3a0zy%3a06z%3aqyb%3a9abg%26w%24wuw%24gl%4085d%40%5fng%408wd%40%5fn9z%245q4%240l%402n5r%240%26ua0h%40%5fg%26yts%26%3drw%26ayn%26%3dr0%26y25%26uzs%26wbx%2602g%2607x%26%3dal%2648l%26ut%3ag68%3a9aa%3alu7%3a9fa%3a962w%26u2a%26yrs%260an%26z2x%26wz%3al47%3ag0%24w%26%3danu%40%5fx%26%3dbsg%40%5faq%40%5fwqr%24%2e94%24%2eq62%3a%294y%3a%29a1s%26%3dbw%26%3d2x9%4022%26%3d2lu%402%3a%29u8w%2608%3a%29ur2%26a7a%26%3d2nqw%24sd%40%5fsd0%24%2e9%40%5fn00%24l1w%24%2ed02%3a94b%3a%294tn%26fb%3a%29w2a%26zy%3a%2908w%26w1%3a%29y2g%26u75%26%3d2a0%40%5flu%40%5fnla%24%2egz%24%2eg4%24%2eh6%24%2eh6%24%2edu%24xu">The map: Ames, IA-Mankato, MN</a> <a href="http://www.hello.com/" target="ext"><img src="http://photos1.blogger.com/pbh.gif" alt="Posted by Hello" style="border: 0px none ; padding: 0px; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 50%; -moz-background-clip: initial; -moz-background-origin: initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: initial;" align="middle" border="0" /></a><br /><table style="width: 500px; height: 200px;"><tbody><tr valign="top"> <td><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/img/136/2059/640/3435855523232fp58%3Dot%292337%3D38%20%3D34%3B%3DXROQDF%2923237%3B74%20352ot1lsi.jpg"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><!--[if !vml]--><!--[endif]--></span></a><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/img/136/2059/640/3435855523232fp58%3Dot%292337%3D38%20%3D34%3B%3DXROQDF%2923237%3B74%20352ot1lsi2.jpg"><img src="http://photos1.blogger.com/img/136/2059/200/3435855523232fp58%3Dot%292337%3D38%20%3D34%3B%3DXROQDF%2923237%3B74%20352ot1lsi2.jpg" class="phostImg" border="0" /></a><br />Gina Hertz, my patient skiing<br />teacher and a talented skier! <a target="ext" href="http://www.hello.com/"><img style="border: 0px none ; padding: 0px; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 50%; -moz-background-clip: initial; -moz-background-origin: initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: initial;" alt="Posted by Hello" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/pbh.gif" align="middle" border="0" /></a><a href="http://www.hello.com/" target="ext"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape id="_x0000_i1031" type="#_x0000_t75" alt="Posted by Hello" href="http://www.hello.com/" target=""ext"" style="'width:12.75pt;" button="t"> <v:imagedata src="file:///C:\DOCUME~1\NenyNew\LOCALS~1\Temp\msohtml1\01\clip_image003.gif" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/pbh.gif"> </v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><!--[endif]--></span></a><br /></td><br /><td><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/img/136/2059/640/P10100321.jpg"><img class="phostImg" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/img/136/2059/200/P10100321.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />me and Gina in the car,<br />ready to go skiing! <a href="http://www.hello.com/" target="ext"><img src="http://photos1.blogger.com/pbh.gif" alt="Posted by Hello" style="border: 0px none ; padding: 0px; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 50%; -moz-background-clip: initial; -moz-background-origin: initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: initial;" align="middle" border="0" /></a><br /><br /></td><br /></tr></tbody></table>After we paid the fee for entrance, lift pass (the lift to get us to the top of the hill), and ski equipment rental at the gate, we went to the rental shop to get a pair of skis and boots. No poles? Yup, no poles for beginners. Poles are used for speeding your skis, and since beginners are not supposed to speed until they master the flow of the skis, then no poles for me!<br /><br /><table style="width: 500px; height: 175px;"><tbody><tr valign="top"><br /><td><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/img/136/2059/640/P10100221.jpg"><img class="phostImg" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/img/136/2059/200/P10100221.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />The entrance tag to the ski resort.<br />We had to hang this tag on<br />our jacket so that the workers<br />could see it when we're skiing<br />and they knew that we didn't<br />sneak into the resort without<br />paying ;) <a href="http://www.hello.com/" target="ext"><img src="http://photos1.blogger.com/pbh.gif" alt="Posted by Hello" style="border: 0px none ; padding: 0px; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 50%; -moz-background-clip: initial; -moz-background-origin: initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: initial;" align="middle" border="0" /></a><br /></td><br /><td><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/img/136/2059/640/P10100231.jpg"><img class="phostImg" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/img/136/2059/200/P10100231.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />They assigned the right skis<br />for me based on my weight<br />(don't ask!) & my level of skill<br />(probably idiot level ;) <a href="http://www.hello.com/" target="ext"><img src="http://photos1.blogger.com/pbh.gif" alt="Posted by Hello" style="border: 0px none ; padding: 0px; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 50%; -moz-background-clip: initial; -moz-background-origin: initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: initial;" align="middle" border="0" /></a><br /><br /></td><br /></tr></tbody></table><br /><table style="width: 500px; height: 500px;"><tbody><tr valign="top"><br /><td>If you think skiing is fun, think twice!<br /><br />First, the boots were very rigid and hard. My feet were like being put in a plaster cast (no kidding!). The boots were especially made with hooks at the bottom to make sure that the skis are securely fastened to the boots. And it's not easy to get on the skis in the slippery ice and to put them on tight. Otherwise, you may fall easily!<br /><br />Of course, due to the rigidness and the shape of the skis, it was very hard for me to walk to the lift station with those equipments. If you could see me, I was walking like an ugly duckling :P My thighs were so much in pain after the we're done skiing. It took me three days to recover from the soreness of my thighs.<br /><br />Secondly, the snow was very slippery! I needed to know how and where I should put my skis in order to avoid being slipped and falling on snow.<br /><br />And, the law of gravitation does exist, fellas! Everything, and that includes me and my skis, will fall to the lower part of the slopes (not to the top part of the hill, got it? *wink*) And of course, the skis were designed to make the skier able to ski on the ice (duh!) so once they hit the slope on the right angle (which is facing toward the foot or the top of the hill), they will carry you fast and furious down the slope! (I hope I made myself clear)<br /><br />Gina taught me that the secret of not slipping the ice and not going downhill unprepared was to position the skis *and of course the body on top of them* across the hill, not facing the top/foot of the hill. If you place your skis along the hill, you will surely fall.</td><br /><td><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/img/136/2059/640/P10100211.jpg"><img class="phostImg" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/img/136/2059/200/P10100211.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />The painful boots <a href="http://www.hello.com/" target="ext"><img src="http://photos1.blogger.com/pbh.gif" alt="Posted by Hello" style="border: 0px none ; padding: 0px; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 50%; -moz-background-clip: initial; -moz-background-origin: initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: initial;" align="middle" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.hello.com/" target="ext"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape id="_x0000_i1037" type="#_x0000_t75" alt="Posted by Hello" href="http://www.hello.com/" target=""ext"" style="'width:12.75pt;" button="t"> <v:imagedata src="file:///C:\DOCUME~1\NenyNew\LOCALS~1\Temp\msohtml1\01\clip_image003.gif" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/pbh.gif"> </v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><!--[endif]--></span></a><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/img/136/2059/640/3435855523232fp58%3Dot%292337%3D38%20%3D34%3B%3DXROQDF%2923237%3B74%20946ot1lsi1.jpg"><img class="phostImg" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/img/136/2059/200/3435855523232fp58%3Dot%292337%3D38%20%3D34%3B%3DXROQDF%2923237%3B74%20946ot1lsi1.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Getting on the skis is<br />tricky! You need to<br />know the tricks and<br />Sir Isaac Newton :) <a href="http://www.hello.com/" target="ext"><img src="http://photos1.blogger.com/pbh.gif" alt="Posted by Hello" style="border: 0px none ; padding: 0px; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 50%; -moz-background-clip: initial; -moz-background-origin: initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: initial;" align="middle" border="0" /></a></td></tr></tbody></table>The other lesson was how to control and stop the skis. It was damn hard! To control the skis to turn left, the secret is to move the body weight to the right foot. To stop the skis, the skis need to be in triangular-like position, so the tip of the skis almost meet. Also, it is very important to stand with the back straight, and bend both legs. The standard position of skiing is like squatting but only half way.<br /><table style="width: 500px; height: 275px;"><br /><tbody><tr valign="top"><br /><td>Enough? Nooooo....I have to be ready to fall, not for once nor twice, but for at least a dozen times! And of course, falling sucks! In my first attempt, I fell seven times: once when I got off the lift, and six other times along the hill (which means once every two meters). Second time was better, three times only! Still, the lift was my enemy. I fell off everytime I got off. But I learned how to shift my balance from left to right to make a zigzag along the hill. Third time is a charm. No fall at all!<br /><br />The results of the fall? Quite obvious: the back of my ski pants was completely wet and my butt was killing me! Is that all? No! The most important aspect of falling is that I lose my dignity as an adult who was a complete idiot in learning to ski! The kids around me (yes, kids, under 16) were considered a pro and I could see what's in their mind seeing this goofy adult falling heaps of times on ice!<br /><br />Of course, I would fall and stumble. That was my first time. I think the reason of why I fell so many times on my first attempt is because I underestimated the skill required to ski. Once I changed my set of mind and be serious about it, I didn't fall as many as the first time.</td><br /><td><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/img/136/2059/640/3435855523232fp45%3Dot%292337%3D38%20%3D34%3B%3DXROQDF%2923237%3B74%2073%3B3ot1lsi1.jpg"><img class="phostImg" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/img/136/2059/200/3435855523232fp45%3Dot%292337%3D38%20%3D34%3B%3DXROQDF%2923237%3B74%2073%3B3ot1lsi1.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />This is the ski pants<br />that I borrowed from<br />Gina. Do you notice<br />that my butt is wet from falling too often? <a href="http://www.hello.com/" target="ext"><img src="http://photos1.blogger.com/pbh.gif" alt="Posted by Hello" style="border: 0px none ; padding: 0px; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 50%; -moz-background-clip: initial; -moz-background-origin: initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: initial;" align="middle" border="0" /></a><br /></td><br /></tr><br /></tbody></table>And, once I overcame all the obstacles, I was feeling estatic! Skiing is fun! It's like flying! Spread your wings and feel the wind on your face while you're skiing downhill...<br /><br />Uh oh, wait a minute...just when I got comfortable zigzagging along the hill, changing from easy terrain to more difficult one, it got scarier... First attempt to the blue terrain (more difficult terrain) was flawless. I did it flying color. Second attempt: bad! I fell hard and stuck in the middle of the terrain. The foot of the hill was half way down, and I felt soooooo scared! Gina assured me to go down in the skis, but I preferred on foot. No question asked, but I knew Gina was thinking that I was a chicken! And I return to the bunny slopes....<br /><br /><table style="width: 500px; height: 150px;"><tbody><tr valign="top"><br /><td><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/img/136/2059/640/3435855523232fp46%3Dot%292337%3D38%20%3D34%3B%3DXROQDF%2923237%3B74%206%206ot1lsi1.jpg"><img class="phostImg" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/img/136/2059/200/3435855523232fp46%3Dot%292337%3D38%20%3D34%3B%3DXROQDF%2923237%3B74%206%206ot1lsi1.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Ready to hit the more<br />difficult slope *looking<br />optimistic, but watch<br />your steps man! See<br />the next picture!*<a href="http://www.hello.com/" target="ext"><img src="http://photos1.blogger.com/pbh.gif" alt="Posted by Hello" style="border: 0px none ; padding: 0px; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 50%; -moz-background-clip: initial; -moz-background-origin: initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: initial;" align="middle" border="0" /></a><br /></td><br /><td><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/img/136/2059/640/3435855523232fp47%3Dot%292337%3D38%20%3D34%3B%3DXROQDF%2923237%3B74%209%3B56ot1lsi1.jpg"><img class="phostImg" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/img/136/2059/200/3435855523232fp47%3Dot%292337%3D38%20%3D34%3B%3DXROQDF%2923237%3B74%209%3B56ot1lsi1.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />The fall! And the foot<br />of the hill seemed so<br />faarrrrrr faaarrrrrr<br />awaaaayyyyy<br />I want my mommy! :P<a href="http://www.hello.com/" target="ext"><img src="http://photos1.blogger.com/pbh.gif" alt="Posted by Hello" style="border: 0px none ; padding: 0px; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 50%; -moz-background-clip: initial; -moz-background-origin: initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: initial;" align="middle" border="0" /></a><br /></td><br /></tr></tbody></table><br />Three hours had passed. The weather was terribly wonderful. Not too hot so that the snow would not melt. Not too cold so that I didn't have to put my heavy jacket. After a dozen more skiing downhill, I was ready to go home.<br /><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/img/136/2059/640/3435855523232fp64%3Dot%292337%3D38%20%3D34%3B%3DXROQDF%2923237%3B74%207%3B%3B2ot1lsi1.jpg"><img class="phostImg" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/img/136/2059/200/3435855523232fp64%3Dot%292337%3D38%20%3D34%3B%3DXROQDF%2923237%3B74%207%3B%3B2ot1lsi1.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />In front of the ski slopes:<br />the two left ones are the green/bunny slopes (easy ones),<br />the right one is the blue one (more difficult one) <a href="http://www.hello.com/" target="ext"><img src="http://photos1.blogger.com/pbh.gif" alt="Posted by Hello" style="border: 0px none ; padding: 0px; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 50%; -moz-background-clip: initial; -moz-background-origin: initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: initial;" align="middle" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.hello.com/" target="ext"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape id="_x0000_i1045" type="#_x0000_t75" alt="Posted by Hello" href="http://www.hello.com/" target=""ext"" style="'width:12.75pt;height:15pt'" button="t"> <v:imagedata src="file:///C:\DOCUME~1\NenyNew\LOCALS~1\Temp\msohtml1\01\clip_image003.gif" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/pbh.gif"> </v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><!--[endif]--></span></a><br />Wonderful, unforgettable experience. Thanks God for letting me experience this. Thanks Gina for driving me up to Minnesota and teaching me how to ski.<br /><br />Enough said.</p>nenyishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15409472759952942894noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5599318.post-1111755869323673882005-03-23T07:04:00.000-06:002005-03-25T07:06:54.300-06:00A day in Gregory's Coffee HouseThis is how a typical day of Neny in Gregory's Coffee House of Ames...<br /><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/img/136/2059/640/P10100052.jpg"><img class="phostImg" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/img/136/2059/320/P10100052.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Going to Gregory's during the day... <a href="http://www.hello.com/" target="ext"><img src="http://photos1.blogger.com/pbh.gif" alt="Posted by Hello" style="border: 0px none ; padding: 0px; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 50%; -moz-background-clip: initial; -moz-background-origin: initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: initial;" align="middle" border="0" /></a>nenyishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15409472759952942894noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5599318.post-1111755795454391602005-03-23T07:03:00.000-06:002005-03-25T07:08:19.580-06:00<a href='http://photos1.blogger.com/img/136/2059/640/P10100062.jpg'><img border='0' class='phostImg' src='http://photos1.blogger.com/img/136/2059/320/P10100062.jpg'></a><br />Then arrive in Gregory's... <a href='http://www.hello.com/' target='ext'><img src='http://photos1.blogger.com/pbh.gif' alt='Posted by Hello' border='0' style='border:0px;padding:0px;background:transparent;' align='absmiddle'></a>nenyishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15409472759952942894noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5599318.post-1111755764941519342005-03-23T07:02:00.001-06:002005-03-25T07:10:26.790-06:00<a href='http://photos1.blogger.com/img/136/2059/640/P10100081.jpg'><img border='0' class='phostImg' src='http://photos1.blogger.com/img/136/2059/320/P10100081.jpg'></a><br />Ready to work! <a href='http://www.hello.com/' target='ext'><img src='http://photos1.blogger.com/pbh.gif' alt='Posted by Hello' border='0' style='border:0px;padding:0px;background:transparent;' align='absmiddle'></a>nenyishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15409472759952942894noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5599318.post-1111755743223195342005-03-23T07:02:00.000-06:002005-03-25T07:11:26.616-06:00<a href='http://photos1.blogger.com/img/136/2059/640/P10100091.jpg'><img border='0' class='phostImg' src='http://photos1.blogger.com/img/136/2059/320/P10100091.jpg'></a><br />with my laptop, my cellphone, and a mug of hot coffee <a href='http://www.hello.com/' target='ext'><img src='http://photos1.blogger.com/pbh.gif' alt='Posted by Hello' border='0' style='border:0px;padding:0px;background:transparent;' align='absmiddle'></a>nenyishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15409472759952942894noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5599318.post-1111755714057758082005-03-23T07:01:00.000-06:002005-03-25T07:12:01.543-06:00<a href='http://photos1.blogger.com/img/136/2059/640/P10100121.jpg'><img border='0' class='phostImg' src='http://photos1.blogger.com/img/136/2059/320/P10100121.jpg'></a><br />Now, I'm set to work.. <a href='http://www.hello.com/' target='ext'><img src='http://photos1.blogger.com/pbh.gif' alt='Posted by Hello' border='0' style='border:0px;padding:0px;background:transparent;' align='absmiddle'></a>nenyishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15409472759952942894noreply@blogger.com