Just some observations I've noted during my short time here. I'm not trying to be discouraging or depressive, but if it comes out that way then I apologise to both UW Law School and NUS. UW is a really nice place and it's a good school. But anyway.
If you don't like being alone, you should do one or more of the following - they're not mutually exclusive and the more, quite literally the merrier.
- Go to Europe. The level at which you're studying is (I believe, correct me if I'm wrong) undergraduate, which means people are more attuned to your level of thinking; people will be more willing to invite you for nonsense and your friends are nearer by and possibly more accessible.
- Live in a dormitory. Sure, you have to deal with drunken parties and noise at night, as well as shared bathrooms and toilets (both of which can be pretty gross) but you have company, a chance to know people, party etc.
- Join student activities catered for international folk. No one knows anyone, so it could go horribly bad, or if you're lucky, amazingly right. Plus the litany of international chicks is enough to tease one's fancy, whichever colour you may adore.
(P.S. It is at this juncture that I am reminded that there are no "races", the only race is the human race. As in, we're not so differentiated as to call it races - that's the hypothesis I read in a book anyway, which suggested that humans are so similar that we're all fundamentally the same subspecies with merely cosmetic differences, unlike dogs and wolves etc. Fascinating.)
Also, Europe is arguably more fascinating in that you get to find out about a new manner of doing law, instead of being stuck in a kind of limbo in the States (where I think is the only place that has this problem) where you kinda know the law, but not the way in which the codes edited it and the manner in which it changed due to the codification and the rights issues in between. You won't be horribly lost and you'll know how to read cases, especially with your LAWR foundation; but it can be a bit displacing.
But do come to the USA, primarily if you:
- Don't mind being alone - and you will be unless you meet or make friends. (For the next UW dude, go for FIUTS. It be your lifesaver, I promise)
- Enjoy Socratic discussion
- Want to learn how to live alone, and potentially how to outrun a bullet (which I haven't yet and don't plan to)
- Like the American Way. Whatever it is.
Don't get me wrong, UW is beautiful and Seattle is a nice city, even if the cold does bite a little harder than expected. But unless you don't mind blogging to your juniors while everyone is talking to their friends around you, and spending your evenings with your textbooks, it may not be the place for you.
P.S. If anyone actually knows whether the exchange talk has opened for the Yr 2's, you can direct them to this blog if they want to find out more. :) Not much la, but it's s atart and they can always get in touch with me thereafter.
Showing posts with label travel tips. Show all posts
Showing posts with label travel tips. Show all posts
Tuesday, October 9, 2007
Saturday, September 29, 2007
Tris' Travel Tips - Surviving in The States
Currently letting "Supersize Me" load on my computer. The first 22 minutes have been nothing but shock, horror and awe. I'm probably most surprised that the dude willingly did it to himself. But anyway, another edition of Tris' travel guide, which he has no doubt will benefit kiddies going for exchange from next year on all the way to perpetuity. Unless this blog needs to be taken down, which I WON'T LET IT. HA.
Anyway, on with the tips Tris has gathered from 22 days here:
1) Find out where your cold spots are.
Very simply, you need to know which parts of your body are most susceptible to the cold, which parts will make you feel the worst and shiver the most. It's crucial because, as I'm learning, my hands react very badly to the cold, and will royally screw up the rest of my body by chafing up. (perhaps it is the lack of fat around the hands that causes this result, hm. Especially worrying now that I'm watching the show that I am.)
If you don't know, it never hurts to pack more. Bring, especially if you're going after July, a pair of gloves, a woolly cap/hat, a scarf and a good coat, preferably with a faux fur lining. (must please the PETA folk) And a raincoat if you're coming to Seattle (I went out to get my mail and then realised it was raining), plus an umbrella if you, like me, don't believe in raincoats. Or one of those windbreaking jacket thingies.
Though with the number of books you're carrying, my personal suggestion is a raincoat / poncho / windbreaker. With a hood, unless you're an idiot like I am.
2) Find out where everything is from each other
America is deceptively small on its maps and "directions" webpages. NOTHING in America, even if it claims "a block away" is as near as it seems. (which is why so many people drive - I've had sore thighs just walking back and forth from the University Village which is 'only' 5 blocks away.)
SO, my tip is: Know where everything is on a map, overestimating everything grossly. If there's a store nearby, how nearby is it? It's only near if it's 1 intersection away, maybe 2 if you're fit. Of course this formulation will surprise you when you realise how near everything is. But only if you begin by thinking everything's super far from each other. The problem is less obvious in New York, but in Seattle, WHOA. Big difference. especially when the freaking map doesn't include significant topographical signs, e.g. the HILLS in SEATTLE will KILL you when you walk.
So remember, distance is everything but means nothing on a map. You'll get used to it, but till you do, overestimate.
3) Know your locale.
In Singapore, location is not crucial. Where you actually live doesn't even apply to your GRC, let alone areas that are unsafe. America though is a rather different kettle of fish.
Read the guidebooks, they tend to give very good advice on the safe and not-so-safe areas, espcially important in determining where you live and what time you should be home. For Seattle anyway, any area beyond University Way NE is NOT safe at night, a lot of freaks who're high tend to roam the area at night. 15th Ave NE (that's the street up from Uni Way) and up is generally safer, and tend to be more crowded - which means safer crowds.
Though you do have to deal with the noise from the fraternities and sororities, most of whom will not actually invite you to their drunken orgies, sadly. :p
So far, that's as much advice as I have to give. Worry not about me, it's just the cold talking. And shivering. Brr.
Anyway, on with the tips Tris has gathered from 22 days here:
1) Find out where your cold spots are.
Very simply, you need to know which parts of your body are most susceptible to the cold, which parts will make you feel the worst and shiver the most. It's crucial because, as I'm learning, my hands react very badly to the cold, and will royally screw up the rest of my body by chafing up. (perhaps it is the lack of fat around the hands that causes this result, hm. Especially worrying now that I'm watching the show that I am.)
If you don't know, it never hurts to pack more. Bring, especially if you're going after July, a pair of gloves, a woolly cap/hat, a scarf and a good coat, preferably with a faux fur lining. (must please the PETA folk) And a raincoat if you're coming to Seattle (I went out to get my mail and then realised it was raining), plus an umbrella if you, like me, don't believe in raincoats. Or one of those windbreaking jacket thingies.
Though with the number of books you're carrying, my personal suggestion is a raincoat / poncho / windbreaker. With a hood, unless you're an idiot like I am.
2) Find out where everything is from each other
America is deceptively small on its maps and "directions" webpages. NOTHING in America, even if it claims "a block away" is as near as it seems. (which is why so many people drive - I've had sore thighs just walking back and forth from the University Village which is 'only' 5 blocks away.)
SO, my tip is: Know where everything is on a map, overestimating everything grossly. If there's a store nearby, how nearby is it? It's only near if it's 1 intersection away, maybe 2 if you're fit. Of course this formulation will surprise you when you realise how near everything is. But only if you begin by thinking everything's super far from each other. The problem is less obvious in New York, but in Seattle, WHOA. Big difference. especially when the freaking map doesn't include significant topographical signs, e.g. the HILLS in SEATTLE will KILL you when you walk.
So remember, distance is everything but means nothing on a map. You'll get used to it, but till you do, overestimate.
3) Know your locale.
In Singapore, location is not crucial. Where you actually live doesn't even apply to your GRC, let alone areas that are unsafe. America though is a rather different kettle of fish.
Read the guidebooks, they tend to give very good advice on the safe and not-so-safe areas, espcially important in determining where you live and what time you should be home. For Seattle anyway, any area beyond University Way NE is NOT safe at night, a lot of freaks who're high tend to roam the area at night. 15th Ave NE (that's the street up from Uni Way) and up is generally safer, and tend to be more crowded - which means safer crowds.
Though you do have to deal with the noise from the fraternities and sororities, most of whom will not actually invite you to their drunken orgies, sadly. :p
So far, that's as much advice as I have to give. Worry not about me, it's just the cold talking. And shivering. Brr.
Friday, September 14, 2007
Tris' Travel Tips! - The House
Apologies for the lack of updates, I've been running around trying to settle stuff and get to school and what-have-you, so this blog will STRIVE to be more updated. No guarantees though.
Anyhow, my next article regarding the housing application. I'm a bit torn as to what to say here, and I shall go into excruciating detail why this is the case. Bear with me a little as I take you through the past 6 days and my various anxieties.
2. THE HOUSE
As a UW student, you will find that you are at the bottom, or near the bottom, of the priority ladder w.r.t. on-campus housing. Do not see this as a problem; instead, use this as an opportunity to find your own housing and experience the highs and lows of finding your own house. It makes the house so much sweeter. I think only the St. Louis people had to find their own house as well - so you are part of an extremely elitely frustrated group.
a. Do your Research
You ought to find out prices of places where you might like to stay. Do note that Seattle, as with other big cities, is not cheap. I'm paying US$795 a month for my current apartment (photos when I finally take 'em) + electricity + cable + internet. So, just a word of caution.
Research is important because it gives you options, and it gives you a fair idea of what to expect when you get there. I like the following websites as they tend to be the most accurate / updated, in descending order:
Craiglist Seattle - The best listing site for all of your needs. Search under apartments OR rooms, and type in your price range, as well as 'UW' or 'District' to search for houses near the school. Updated so freaking regularly, you'd better check every hour. :p
UWHousing - Runs several apartments around the area, for pretty good prices.
NW Apartments - I believe this is attached to a local newspaper, so you're reading online classifieds. Good place to read up, but not as updated as Craigslist.
The idea here is to get a sense of what you want, and where you want to stay. If you prefer walking to school, then you shouldn't stay more than 1 mile eitherway. (i.e. between 11th-21st Ave NE on NE 41st - 55th.) If you don't mind bussing, you can go further out, prices tend to drop a little. Set yourself a price range and happy searching.
b. Reservation
You have 1 of 2 options:
1) You can agree with a landlord for a house first, before you even touch down, so that you have a place to stay OR
2) You can scout about and around after you touch down.
The most obvious benefit of 1) is that you have a freakin' place to stay, rather than the hotels I've been shacking up in. BUT, my recommendation goes against it because you should get a feel of the place once you're in Seattle AND inspect the area. The location is important but I don't think you get a sense of how far it is from the uni till you're actually there.
AND, if you stay at Travelodge, you get free wireless and Cable, while your house is still unequipped. (unless you get a fully furnished house, which is pretty pricey)
I thus recommend 2, for nothing beats the sense of being there. But do make calls if you want to have a place ready, make enquiries (rent, whether rent includes utilities, what connections there are, and facilities like laundry are all good questions. AND, when you can move in) and be ready to pay a deposit to reserve the place.
Do note though that if you want the widest spread of options, go as early as you can, noting that the earlier you go, the more you will end up spending due to miscellaneous costs. Including hotels, which will be your main residence and eat up money like no one's business, as I'm learning.
c. Preparation
Regardless of what house you want, all landlords will perform a credit check application on you, to ensure you're not a convicted felon and that you have good credit. SO, as a non-U.S. citizen, you think this doesn't apply. And you'd be wrong. So, let me tell you what you will need to show your landlord person.
i) Create a bank account.
You need a checking account OR you should purchase money orders at Safeway (it's near the Uni) to issue checks for deposit / credit check - landlords do not accept cash. The banks here open till about 8pm, so going late isn't a problem. Just remember to bring in your cash and set it up, and tell parents that your account is up.
But remember, set up a CHECKING account, not a savings one. This guarantees you access to checks and a check card (like a debit card). You want to be able to GIVE people money, not hoard it yourself you bastard.
ii) Make photocopies. Many of them.
Most landlords will accept proof of your identity as a student. So, make a copy of:
- Your passport photo page
- Your Visa page on the passport (and your I-94 departure card which should be stapled next to it)
- Your I-20 form (just the 1st page)
- Your bank account setup / proof / something. Ask your bank advisor to do this for you.
Bring all these, plus checks, to the house and look interested.
Uh, ok, so that's it for housing from me. Shall update the post if anything changes, as well as photos. :)
Anyhow, my next article regarding the housing application. I'm a bit torn as to what to say here, and I shall go into excruciating detail why this is the case. Bear with me a little as I take you through the past 6 days and my various anxieties.
2. THE HOUSE
As a UW student, you will find that you are at the bottom, or near the bottom, of the priority ladder w.r.t. on-campus housing. Do not see this as a problem; instead, use this as an opportunity to find your own housing and experience the highs and lows of finding your own house. It makes the house so much sweeter. I think only the St. Louis people had to find their own house as well - so you are part of an extremely elitely frustrated group.
a. Do your Research
You ought to find out prices of places where you might like to stay. Do note that Seattle, as with other big cities, is not cheap. I'm paying US$795 a month for my current apartment (photos when I finally take 'em) + electricity + cable + internet. So, just a word of caution.
Research is important because it gives you options, and it gives you a fair idea of what to expect when you get there. I like the following websites as they tend to be the most accurate / updated, in descending order:
Craiglist Seattle - The best listing site for all of your needs. Search under apartments OR rooms, and type in your price range, as well as 'UW' or 'District' to search for houses near the school. Updated so freaking regularly, you'd better check every hour. :p
UWHousing - Runs several apartments around the area, for pretty good prices.
NW Apartments - I believe this is attached to a local newspaper, so you're reading online classifieds. Good place to read up, but not as updated as Craigslist.
The idea here is to get a sense of what you want, and where you want to stay. If you prefer walking to school, then you shouldn't stay more than 1 mile eitherway. (i.e. between 11th-21st Ave NE on NE 41st - 55th.) If you don't mind bussing, you can go further out, prices tend to drop a little. Set yourself a price range and happy searching.
b. Reservation
You have 1 of 2 options:
1) You can agree with a landlord for a house first, before you even touch down, so that you have a place to stay OR
2) You can scout about and around after you touch down.
The most obvious benefit of 1) is that you have a freakin' place to stay, rather than the hotels I've been shacking up in. BUT, my recommendation goes against it because you should get a feel of the place once you're in Seattle AND inspect the area. The location is important but I don't think you get a sense of how far it is from the uni till you're actually there.
AND, if you stay at Travelodge, you get free wireless and Cable, while your house is still unequipped. (unless you get a fully furnished house, which is pretty pricey)
I thus recommend 2, for nothing beats the sense of being there. But do make calls if you want to have a place ready, make enquiries (rent, whether rent includes utilities, what connections there are, and facilities like laundry are all good questions. AND, when you can move in) and be ready to pay a deposit to reserve the place.
Do note though that if you want the widest spread of options, go as early as you can, noting that the earlier you go, the more you will end up spending due to miscellaneous costs. Including hotels, which will be your main residence and eat up money like no one's business, as I'm learning.
c. Preparation
Regardless of what house you want, all landlords will perform a credit check application on you, to ensure you're not a convicted felon and that you have good credit. SO, as a non-U.S. citizen, you think this doesn't apply. And you'd be wrong. So, let me tell you what you will need to show your landlord person.
i) Create a bank account.
You need a checking account OR you should purchase money orders at Safeway (it's near the Uni) to issue checks for deposit / credit check - landlords do not accept cash. The banks here open till about 8pm, so going late isn't a problem. Just remember to bring in your cash and set it up, and tell parents that your account is up.
But remember, set up a CHECKING account, not a savings one. This guarantees you access to checks and a check card (like a debit card). You want to be able to GIVE people money, not hoard it yourself you bastard.
ii) Make photocopies. Many of them.
Most landlords will accept proof of your identity as a student. So, make a copy of:
- Your passport photo page
- Your Visa page on the passport (and your I-94 departure card which should be stapled next to it)
- Your I-20 form (just the 1st page)
- Your bank account setup / proof / something. Ask your bank advisor to do this for you.
Bring all these, plus checks, to the house and look interested.
Uh, ok, so that's it for housing from me. Shall update the post if anything changes, as well as photos. :)
Friday, September 7, 2007
Tris' Travel Tips! - The Flight
Oh right, my 1st advice post. Incidentally, I definitely am suffering from jetlag because it's 10 at night and I don't feel the least sleepy. I just ordered Pizzs Hut, just bathed, and just realised that I haven't eaten since 8 this morning, on the plane. My body's hugely out of whack. :(
1. THE FLIGHT
a. Fly American!
I'm not equipped to advise on European airlines because I haven't flown long haul with them since... Ever. So, I can only discuss the benefits and detriments of Malaysian & China Airlines V/S United Airlines.
The big benefit about flying United for me - NO FUCKIN KIDS. Well, there was this one Indian family who lost control of their children (who seriously looked like brown Shrek babies, no kidding) but the flight was serene otherwise. And a little girl sitting next to me kicking my feet when she adjusted in her seat. BUT unlike Asian kids, Caucasian kids only whimper in bouts, not continuously; and not so loud that the whole airplane hears them. This could also have a lot to do with timing, but it appeared that today, more pockets of individuals were flying United rather than families. Big bonus.
The downside is that American staff are a little... Patronising. Not just in scolding you but also in praising you. I got scolded, rightly, for not stowing my laptop away; but a million smiles and 'thank yous' got nothing but scowls from the same grouchy stewardess. Who then said that the old Japanese couple next to me were very nice, even though she didn't speak their language. It wasn't inconsistent, but it was f-patronising. Seriously irritating.
Food's ok on United. People who expect gourmet food on flights should ride the Orient Express or fly Business, because let's be honest - food's food and you're sitting Economy. United gave me 2 meals per flight leg, and the food wasn't bad. I don't know how SIA does it, but I do vaguely remember Malaysian Airlines serving inedible vegetables. Perhaps it's the Tokyo ground staff who serve good food, I've no idea. But United was alright.
b. Fly Late! (and other timing issues)
As I alluded to earlier, don't bother flying early. Especially if you fly in the June July period - you're going to bump into pockets of kids & families. I flew with a planeload of students today, a whole bunch from Korea in front and visiting / matriculating individuals behind.
Why are kids so important anyway? This is a big deal because it affects your sleep majorly. I was decently rested getting off the plane, because nothing bothered me. I touched down in 2005 sickish, irritated and couldn't get out of bed for 3 days, because of one screaming kid. It's all a matter of luck of course, but reducing probability works in YOUR favour.
Another thing too is to not do what I did, as much as it can be helped:
- DO NOT touch down in the morning. Sure, you gain a whole day, but as it turned out, I spent it sleeping. The only things I've done are: make some prospective apartment calls AND get acclimatised to the weather. And order Pizza and get gypped of 2 Pepsi bottles. B******ds. And anyway, evening flights work better because you can sleep immediately and begin the time switch process.
- DO NOT fly before a weekend, especially if your housing is as done as mine. Most places are open on Saturday, but Sunday is as good as gone; and if you're staying as far from the campus as I am, even worse. But that's an accom problem. Still, no sense to fly in on Friday, make it Thursday or Sunday itself. :)
c. Fly Prepared!
Bring the following:
- Chapstick
- Eyedrops
- Moisturiser
- Empty Bottle
The flight experience is horribly dehydrating, as I learnt to my chagrin. Don't be daft. Be prepared.
Ok, time to eat. Shall keep posting since I'm SO BLOODY BORED. :p
1. THE FLIGHT
a. Fly American!
I'm not equipped to advise on European airlines because I haven't flown long haul with them since... Ever. So, I can only discuss the benefits and detriments of Malaysian & China Airlines V/S United Airlines.
The big benefit about flying United for me - NO FUCKIN KIDS. Well, there was this one Indian family who lost control of their children (who seriously looked like brown Shrek babies, no kidding) but the flight was serene otherwise. And a little girl sitting next to me kicking my feet when she adjusted in her seat. BUT unlike Asian kids, Caucasian kids only whimper in bouts, not continuously; and not so loud that the whole airplane hears them. This could also have a lot to do with timing, but it appeared that today, more pockets of individuals were flying United rather than families. Big bonus.
The downside is that American staff are a little... Patronising. Not just in scolding you but also in praising you. I got scolded, rightly, for not stowing my laptop away; but a million smiles and 'thank yous' got nothing but scowls from the same grouchy stewardess. Who then said that the old Japanese couple next to me were very nice, even though she didn't speak their language. It wasn't inconsistent, but it was f-patronising. Seriously irritating.
Food's ok on United. People who expect gourmet food on flights should ride the Orient Express or fly Business, because let's be honest - food's food and you're sitting Economy. United gave me 2 meals per flight leg, and the food wasn't bad. I don't know how SIA does it, but I do vaguely remember Malaysian Airlines serving inedible vegetables. Perhaps it's the Tokyo ground staff who serve good food, I've no idea. But United was alright.
b. Fly Late! (and other timing issues)
As I alluded to earlier, don't bother flying early. Especially if you fly in the June July period - you're going to bump into pockets of kids & families. I flew with a planeload of students today, a whole bunch from Korea in front and visiting / matriculating individuals behind.
Why are kids so important anyway? This is a big deal because it affects your sleep majorly. I was decently rested getting off the plane, because nothing bothered me. I touched down in 2005 sickish, irritated and couldn't get out of bed for 3 days, because of one screaming kid. It's all a matter of luck of course, but reducing probability works in YOUR favour.
Another thing too is to not do what I did, as much as it can be helped:
- DO NOT touch down in the morning. Sure, you gain a whole day, but as it turned out, I spent it sleeping. The only things I've done are: make some prospective apartment calls AND get acclimatised to the weather. And order Pizza and get gypped of 2 Pepsi bottles. B******ds. And anyway, evening flights work better because you can sleep immediately and begin the time switch process.
- DO NOT fly before a weekend, especially if your housing is as done as mine. Most places are open on Saturday, but Sunday is as good as gone; and if you're staying as far from the campus as I am, even worse. But that's an accom problem. Still, no sense to fly in on Friday, make it Thursday or Sunday itself. :)
c. Fly Prepared!
Bring the following:
- Chapstick
- Eyedrops
- Moisturiser
- Empty Bottle
The flight experience is horribly dehydrating, as I learnt to my chagrin. Don't be daft. Be prepared.
Ok, time to eat. Shall keep posting since I'm SO BLOODY BORED. :p
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