Sigh… suddenly feel quite sentimental when realizing that I will leave this beloved place in less than two months. :(
And ruckus plays Viva Forever from Spicegirls.
Biopsyc… Biopsyc…
Childhood memories Sunday, Apr 9 2006
Uncategorized 4:04 am
While reading Dev Psyc textbook about Piagetian theory, suddenly some childhood memories burst into my mind and I feel compelled to write them down. I’m interested to find out when my earliest memory was from.
Kindergarten (4-6 yo):
Going to Jakarta Fair – there was an airplane that we could go in. I remembered getting ice creams with my cousins too.
I was quite a champion in soccer. A semifinal match in Kemayoran. Raining and full of mud. We lost.
Throwing balls into basket.
Fell on a bridge.
Pre Kindergarten (??? – 4 yo):
Climbing on grandparents’ radio
Balada Kera – it was quite scary
Istana Boneka – scary too
Most of those memories are visual. I can recall very little feelings involved.
Thank you Mr. and Mrs. Freeman Thursday, Apr 6 2006
Uncategorized 3:59 am
I just finished my Freeman Scholar survey. This is my thank you note for Mr. and Mrs. Freeman who have generously sponsored my education at Wesleyan.
Dear Mr. and Mrs. Freeman,
Thank you very much for the wonderful opportunity that you have given me to study at Wesleyan.
You have not only helped me realizing my dreams, but you have also given me new dreams to be realized. When I started my first semester in Wesleyan, I still thought of myself as a pure science student and planned to study Computer Science or Physics. But being in a top liberal arts institution in the US, I felt that I would miss something if I only take math and science classes and so I began to take courses in Languages (German, Arabic, Japanese), Economics, History and many more. After exploring courses in many departments, I became very interested to apply my quantitative reasoning and analytical thinking to understand and analyze social issues and therefore finally declared a double-major in Mathematics-Economics and Psychology. I really enjoyed my academic experience and look forward to apply what I have learned in the classroom into the real world.
In addition to the great academic experience, I also enjoyed the social life in Wesleyan. Having been a rather shy person, I tried to challenge and develop myself by being involved in various activities and run for leadership positions. I really liked how Wesleyan students are so enthusiastic in supporting worthy causes. Tsunami fundraising was one of the many unforgettable experiences where I can feel everyone's care and support.
I will feel sad as I leave Wesleyan campus on May 29th. But I will look forward to it with confidence that what I have learned in Wesleyan will prepare me to make significant contribution to the society and attain my new dreams that I gained here. Once again, thank you Mr. and Mrs. Freeman for your neverending support.
Kind regards,
Rafael Aussie Haryono Putro (Aussie)
ps/ I am looking forward to meet you during Commencement 2006 and afterwards :)
Moving Companies Monday, Apr 3 2006
Uncategorized 10:55 pm
I received tons of phone calls from moving companies today after I submitted a query online a few days ago. Pretty troublesome, but I learned valuable lessons about getting good deals. When I told them "no thank you" and that I have already made my booking, almost all of them are asking how much my quote is. And even though the numbers I gave them are lower than it actually is, they got more enthusiastic in winning the deal and give me a lower price. They even told me that their low price is "all inclusive" and that other companies will be charging a variety of extra prices. One company said that a lot of them are brokers and not real ones. But yeah, since my moving expenses will all be reimbursed by my company I would care less about the cost and aim for the best service. I don't really have much time to spend in negotiating the deals. But one thing for sure, the next time I have to get somekind of a service, I'll really negotiate it and get real good value.
New York Trip Saturday, Apr 1 2006
Uncategorized 11:00 am
Left home at 8am. Brought green tea cake, ate on the bus. Corinne sat with Sarah, I sat next to Emily from memory class. Slept a little and surprised to see an angel right when I woke up :). Arrived at Rockefeller. Anand, Mandy, Kin Yan, Corinne, and me. Took pictures at Rockefeller ski rink. Took picture under Indonesian flag. Took subway down to Chinatown. The lady only had one map. Took green and stopped at Spring St. Go directly to the dimsum place (different with the one I visited in summer '05). Ate good dimsums. It was near St. Elizabeth.Got the shrimp, a long one, one wrapped in leaf, beancurd+syrup, yam pastry. Too bad no soup dimsum. Walked up to SoHo. Anand went to Starbucks, we went to MoMa furniture shop. Artsy and expensive items – high class but waste of money. Then walked around the corner to some SoHo avenue. Went into some shops. Kin Yan was looking for a sweatshirt with hood and zipper. Went to H&M. Corinne found a very nice hat that fits so well with her chocolate jacket, but she didn't bought it. Tried out some pimp-ish costume just for fun, but bought it in the end. The shirt is actually very nice and the only medium-size left. Good investment. The chain is so bling-bling and the hat adds in the Justin Timberlake factor (according to Corinne). The sky got darker and it rained for a bit before it stops. Went to a nice clothing shop – I forgot the name. Went downstairs to the guys section. We were impressed by how cool the guys in the pictures were – good fashion inspiration. Went to another store to get a sweatshirt for KinYan, but the men's choices are too metrosexual. Waited for Mandy to try out a dress. Corinne: "If this skirt is below $30 then I would buy it." It was $29 :). Went into a couple more shops. Continued walking up until a Adidas store. Cool soccer costumes. Cool DKNY grafitti. Went down to Subway station. Decided to go to Wall Street, then Malaysian dinner, then Metz (if we have time). Took green until Brooklyn Bridge. Impressed by the area of the city – I've never been there before. Took some pictures – not much coz Brooklyn Bridge is a bit far. I might want to go across the bridge from the other direction. Walked down into a park. Sakura saku! Cherry blossom is blossoming. Very very beautiful. Spring is the perfect time to visit Manhattan – the weather is just nice. Took plenty of pictures under a cherry blossom. Took jumping pictures too! Walked toward Wall Street again. Corinne made a cool pose as she tried to keep her hat on and Kin Yan took model photographs of her. She looked like a Korean drama actress/tourist. Walked into WTC groundzero. When we sat at Starbuck later, we found out that some 911 call records are being released. Walked until Trinity Church and then turn left. Went inside Trinity Church. Walked on Wall Street, the center of world capitalism, the place where capitals are being moved from one hand to another. Finally find Starbucks. Bought coffee frap + malt and rice krispies. Finally resting our legs. Corinne's feet must feel very painful with the high heels :(. Her eyes also got irritation, but fortunately she brought eyedrops. Continue walking up to the subway toward Chinatown. Went to Penang. I got char kwetiauw, Anand got chicken rice, and the rest got nasi lemak each. Excellent dinner! I'm glad I'll be in NY starting next June. Great value for price too. Anand made one of his Indian joke – and then realized that the table behind him have many Indians – oops. Went out, Anand were looking for dried teri fish. Searched for miso paste but failed. Bought eggtart at a bakery – waitress didn't speak English. Took subway up to Rockefeller center. Went to Nintendo, looked at ski rink, saw a white limo, some people lining up for Dreamtheater concert. Many shops are closed already. Hop on the bus. Go home.
