Time in Winnipeg
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Tuesday, September 16
it's all getting better, yay! 3:33 PMI ate a fortune cookie 2 days ago. It read, "Your present plans are going to succeed within the year."
Having eaten so many fortune cookies on the previous US trip, I know most of them are really goofy and not even fortunes at all. Still, Vicki did ask what my plans were and what that fortune entailed, and it brought me back to my goals for exchange.
My closest friends know what's been on my mind the past week - fretting that my 4 months' stay is not sufficient and too cold to travel and explore, hoping that I can be more at ease with my spending and lifestyle, finding the perfect balance between personal time and socializing.. it all ties in together really, which resulted in why I think even something small like people-watching on my own is a happy thing to do. But anyhow, I'm definitely making things better and more comfy for myself to date. I probably can see my present goals gradually manifesting, and I just want to pen it all down for now.
Good Coffee + Good Reads = Happy Wini
The theory of delayed gratification: I finally had my first Starbucks in Winnipeg today! Like I've said, I've been restraining to spend and indulge, but today I just wanted to do what I always do back home and be myself. So I got a nice Starbucks grande java chip frappucino from the library (after also figuring that this could be my last frappe before the weather turns really chilly-cold anyway!).
I also found out that during non-peak hours, the library here is a really good place to chill and just read. I do need to catch up on Film readings every week over here, so basically I've made this place a personal getaway; a place where Christine and I would call, "a favourite spot in the library". Haha. (Anyway, I do miss my favourite spot in the SMU library from time to time too.)
Then I also checked out a couple other nice quiet chillouts on-campus after class. I need to find someone who'll do coffee + chat with me soon (this is the part where I miss Chris and Kay Key very much)! Ok, actually I think I'll have no trouble cos I've been chatting quite a bit with a Dutch friend and she's pretty much looking for a coffee + books partner too, heh. The greens here are also very inviting and I should sit and read there someday soon, before it gets really cold.
For now, I'm a happy person cos of my frappucino and Art of Travel!
Ok, I know these are very fake shots cos I used the timer haha.
I'm also gradually catching up with my readings on consulting and film research, the latter of which is both meaningful and insightful. Speaking of which, I learnt so much during Film class today - how a film is put together, the different roles in the making of a production and many others.
Trivia: I even learnt that Winnipeg snow is different from any snow in any other part of the world cos it is relatively drier, so cinematographers who want to film snow-walking in Winnipeg have to make use of special sound effects (like crushing a box full of baking powder) in order to imitate its snow-crunching sound! Interesting eh. Haha.
UM Swing Dance
Swing dance commonly refers to an energetic genre of social dances that developed concurrently with the swing style of jazz music in the 1920-40s. During that time, the African Americans were being repressed and this was their way of expressing themselves. Hip Hop is said to have come out of swing dancing; while the most popular form of swing dance is the Lindy Hop.
I decided I should try something different on exchange and hence signed up for Jive and Lindy Hop classes! I think I'll never embark on such things back in Singapore anyway, so this will really form a memorable and enriching part of my exchange experience. After all, it's something that falls out of my usual comfort zone, and I'm glad that people over here learn to laugh at themselves even when they feel noob-ish, just like I did! Haha.
Mexican Party
Something else that happened last night - it was Mexico's Independence Day, so the 10-12 Mexican exchange students decided to hold a get-together and cooked some traditional Mexican food for all of us! It was really nice and heartwarming somehow, to know that they're such close-knit and happy people. They also played Mexican music and showcased some traditional dances..
Preparing the tortillas
Rosa and Vida
Rodofo, who gave his "Viva Mexico" speech
Very good Mexican tequila (I tried a sip and I think it can burn if you drink it on an empty-stomach), and their amazing Salsa sauce (again, I tried one tiny dot and it numbed my tongue and lip instantly!) Oh my god. Haha.
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Wini’s pfingo number: 31501405
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Winifred Lim
Arthur V Mauro Residence, Box 436B
120 Dafoe Road, Winnipeg, MB R3T 6B3
Canada
About me
You are an enthusiastic innovator, always seeing new possibilities and new ways of doing things. You have a lot of imagination and initiative for starting projects, and a lot of impulsive energy for carrying them out. You are stimulated by difficulties and are most ingenious in solving them. You can get so interested in your newest project that you have time for little else. Your energy comes from a succession of new enthusiasms and your world is full of possible projects. Your enthusiasm gets other people interested too.
Your feeling preference shows in a concern for people. You are skillful in handling people and often have remarkable insight into the possibilities and development of others. You are extremely perceptive about the attitudes of others, aiming to understand rather than judge people. You are much drawn to counseling and can be inspired and inspiring teacher, particularly where you have freedom to innovate. With talent, you can succeed in almost any field that captures your interest.
A difficulty for you is that you hate uninspired routine and find it remarkably hard to apply yourself to sometimes necessary detail unconnected with any major interest. Worse yet, you may get bored with your own projects as soon as the major problems have been solved or the initial challenge has been met. You may need to learn to follow through and finish what you have begun, but are happiest and most effective in jobs that permit one project after another, with somebody else taking over as soon as the situation is well in hand.
Hearsay? Say here.