Yo!

I just got back from a weekend trip to Philadelphia. Went with some friends. Lots of em live in Philly. Pretty neat city. Lots and lots of trees..

All the suburbs there are kinda like the upper northern suburbs of Sydney..plus a lot more trees.

There are deers running wild on suburban streets, and lots of freeways to get to places. Unfortunately, had no time to try out Philly Cheesesteak-- best in the world.
Like, the thing you have to do while at Philly is to eat a Philly
Cheesesteak. D'oh-- i missed out.

The city is tiny! Well, to me it felt tiny. On a day where the weather isn't that crash hot, no one goes out. And it's all quiet. Which is different to Sydney. I guess that's what it's like in any US city-- except like NY, San Fran and LA. No one goes to the city just for shopping. I guess no reason too. THere weren't that many shops there at all. More shops in local mega malls. SPeaking of malls, I went to the second largest mall in USA - called... "King of Prussia". Now what kind of silly name is that? and where on earth did they get it from? Don't look at me. I have no idea.
ALso went to the Art musuem of Philly, and stood on the steps Sylvester Stallone stood on in the Movie- Rocky.

I was staying with a friend.. she took care of me quite well. Got my own room. Woo hoo. They own a bagel shop called "Manhattan Bagel"- a franchise. So I ate a lot of yummyyyy bagels throughout the whole weekend. Bagel with Vegetable spread, Lox (smoked salmon), vanilla cream cheese flavouring, garlic and onion, etc etc.
Sun dried tomato bagel, blueberry bagel, egg bagel, raisins and walnut
bagel, everything bagel, multigrain bagel, clocolate bagel, sesame.. lot and lots.
Checked out Chinatown in Philly- like one-two smallish block. Walked into one Chinese restaurant, and they had the usual fish and crab aquariums. Then, right by the door was one full of frogs!! like at least 30+ frogs in one tank, all on top of each other, jumping around. I was like.. "EWW!!"...
that is so gross! Luckily it didn't stink or anything.. otherwise-- no one would eat there.
Kareoke is a huge thing here among asians. Like in the restaraunt we had dinner in, they had a wall tv showing some kareoke style video clip-with the singer. And another place we popped into, they had people singing kareoke.
On Sunday, my friend had to work at the bagel shop, in the city, so I went along with her. Had to leave the house at 6:30am on a Sunday morning. Oh so painful. Still dark, and chilly.. and still had fairy dust in my eyes. Then got there, slept a bit in her dad's office downstairs (they put the back seat of a van in the office- as a couch), then got up and went out walkies.
Stumbled along a baptist church, just a block away from the store, and saw that the service was about to start. 11am and the time on my watch was 11am. Went in, and inside, it was amazing. Domed ceiling, lights hanging down form ceiling, seats with cushions, yes-- cushions. It was a beautiful church, and the service was really good too. Great message- Matt 22:1-14. Just one speaker up there. Singing time included an organ and four choir singers, with no microphones. Simple and good.

Anyway-- regarding american accents. I was able to tell the diff between a californian and an eastern american accent today. So proud of myself.
Yeah- it's getting a little hard to not speak like an American. Sometimes I pronounce things like them. Eww!!!! Oh-- they like to try mimic my accent. So weird.. they can't do it very well.
They like to say Yo! a lot.

During thanksgiving, we're planning a trip to Canada- Montreal, Quebec. And another trip to NYC to catch a broadway show. And maybe a camping trip to Lake Erie. Nice!

Weather is getting cooler! Nice colours slowly creeping up. Need to buy some thick jackets!
re: Shopping-- some great deals. you just need to know where to look, ie
sale racks. haha.
Haven't bought that much at all! just don't like the thought of carrying it all back!!!! sooo heavy.

Am still enjoying buffet style meals. Sooo good. Hot breakfast, great
lunches, yummy dinners too. A lot of variety.

Am missing yall heaps...!!!!

p.s Do not watch Sweethome Alabama. It's not a good movie. Ouch-- paid Aus$ 17 to watch it.
p.p.s in the mood to go home and paint bedroom. blue and tan brown. Inspired by Ling's sister's bedroom.