Me, myself and Virginia
I have been here, in Virginia, for slightly more than a month. This is the first weekend I have time to redesign my website and start my new blog. Perhaps, the title is sounded little weird (a friend of mine even asked if I have a new girlfriend name Virginia), I think it is pretty straight forward and insightful for this blog. It is simply about me, my life in Virginia. Since I didn't update my website for more than a month, I need to recap what happened in the last one month. Here is the event in chronological order:
Week 1
9/9/2004 - 9/12/2004
I started my road trip from Ames, Iowa to Arlington, Virginia. The distance is about 1000 miles. I didn't bring any map along because my car is equipped with a GPS navigation system. It was rather easy to have a voice command navigation system to bring me to my destination than carrying a map.
Day 1, I drove about 400 miles and made a first stop at South Bend, Indiana. The first place I went to is the University of Notre Dame. This university has a rich history of football program and it is the pride of their students (and, also alumni). The campus is very well maintained and nicely designed. I spent some time walking around the campus and the bookstore. Then, I went to downtown area hoping to get a hotel to stay. Coincidently, there was an art festival in the downtown area. The entire road was full of people. Although I haven’t found a hotel for accommodation, I parked my car in the parking garage and start to follow the crowd on the street. There were many artists selling their works on the road side. There were also some performance by choir group, belly dancers, and guitarist. I wanted to visit the College Football Hall of Fame, but there was an exclusive event for members only. The night was cold. But I felt the warmth from the city and the people. I like a city like this. Maybe it was the cold weather; I was very hungry at 7pm. I hopped into an Irish restaurant (Fiddler’s Heart), which seemed to be crowded (my philosophy is don’t trust an empty restaurant). The waitress kindly offers me a choice; wait for one hour or have dinner at the bar counter. I figured there’s no big deal to have dinner at the bar, although I haven’t done that in the past. So, I went to the bar and placed my order. There was a live performance by an Irish musical group. Many people in the restaurant were dancing with the rhythm. While waiting for my dinner, there was a couple sat next to me start talking to me. I guess they were trying to ease me from being uncomfortable in an Irish bar (it was really weird to have dinner at the bar counter). Then, our conversation went non-stop, even when we got our food and start eating. They even paid for my dinner. I was really glad to meet such a friendly people like them and we exchanged email address before I heading to find hotel.
Day 2, I decided to stop by Cleveland at Ohio. My GPS navigation system directed me to Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. I spent about 3 hours touring around the museum. I was surprised I saw Britney Spear and Justin Timberlake donated artifact. What they had to do with Rock & Roll, I puzzled. Afterward, I went to the downtown area to walk around and find myself a hotel to stay. Maybe it was just me; Cleveland didn’t make a good impression to me.
Day 3, Pittsburgh was my next stop. The turnpike from Cleveland to Pittsburgh was really winding and hilly. I guess it was just coincidence, I was listening to the Beatles’s “The long and winding road” and that gave me a creepy feeling. Before I reach Pittsburgh, all I saw was mountain and woods. But then, after I went through a tunnel and all the sudden, the entire city right in front of me. It was such an amazing view. Pittsburgh seems like an enormous city hidden in a valley. That was plainly my feeling. In Pittsburgh, I visited The Strips (which didn’t interest me at all), downtown area and the Andy Warhol Museum. Pittsburgh is a very interesting place because there are so many things one can do. I think I will visit this city again.
Day 4. I drove about an hour and half to Fallingwater by Frank Lloyd Wright. I really can’t wait to see the building which I had seen thousands time from magazines and books. I have a very special feeling for this house because I once dreamed about having a house just like that. The admission to enter Fallingwater is $15, which includes 2 hours of tour. I think that is totally worth it because the house is so well preserved and everything inside the house is authentic. Furthermore, there are no barriers in the house to prevent one to go near the artifact. Of course, the tours guide advices all the tourists not to touch anything. But the feeling is so real, so authentic for being inside a house designed by Frank Lloyd Wright (at night, I believe I heard the water fall in my dream). And, this is the only house designed by Wright that remained original without any modification. There are also two pieces of Picasso as part of the collection of the owner. I spent the entire morning touring around and had my lunch there. Then, I depart to Virginia. I safely arrived at Virginia and get into the condominium my company arranged for me.
Week 2
9/13/2004 – 9/19/2004
I started working on Monday and learned my responsibilities in the company. Generally, all my colleagues are nice, helpful and well educated. My boss brought me around to look for an apartment. I found one that I really like and decided to get it. I moved into my apartment by the end of the weekend.
Week 3
9/20/2004 – 9/26/2004
I spent most of my time reading technical paper and learning about the system I have to work on. At the weekend, I went to Ikea and get myself some furniture. While installing the bed frame, I followed the no-brainer stupid instruction and getting into a big problem. I have to get another pair of new screws after I ruined the one that were provided (by following the instruction). Then, I bought a new pair of screws and managed to put the bed frame together. But later, I found out I got the wrong parts from Ikea and I can’t install the supporting metal beam for the bed. Damn the Swedish! EC came to visit me on the weekend. We went to Ikea again to get the right supporting metal beam and do more shopping for furniture. When I get home, I found out I returned the extra pieces of metal bar. Again, I can’t have the bed install. No bed frame for the mattress.
Week 1
9/9/2004 - 9/12/2004
I started my road trip from Ames, Iowa to Arlington, Virginia. The distance is about 1000 miles. I didn't bring any map along because my car is equipped with a GPS navigation system. It was rather easy to have a voice command navigation system to bring me to my destination than carrying a map.
Day 1, I drove about 400 miles and made a first stop at South Bend, Indiana. The first place I went to is the University of Notre Dame. This university has a rich history of football program and it is the pride of their students (and, also alumni). The campus is very well maintained and nicely designed. I spent some time walking around the campus and the bookstore. Then, I went to downtown area hoping to get a hotel to stay. Coincidently, there was an art festival in the downtown area. The entire road was full of people. Although I haven’t found a hotel for accommodation, I parked my car in the parking garage and start to follow the crowd on the street. There were many artists selling their works on the road side. There were also some performance by choir group, belly dancers, and guitarist. I wanted to visit the College Football Hall of Fame, but there was an exclusive event for members only. The night was cold. But I felt the warmth from the city and the people. I like a city like this. Maybe it was the cold weather; I was very hungry at 7pm. I hopped into an Irish restaurant (Fiddler’s Heart), which seemed to be crowded (my philosophy is don’t trust an empty restaurant). The waitress kindly offers me a choice; wait for one hour or have dinner at the bar counter. I figured there’s no big deal to have dinner at the bar, although I haven’t done that in the past. So, I went to the bar and placed my order. There was a live performance by an Irish musical group. Many people in the restaurant were dancing with the rhythm. While waiting for my dinner, there was a couple sat next to me start talking to me. I guess they were trying to ease me from being uncomfortable in an Irish bar (it was really weird to have dinner at the bar counter). Then, our conversation went non-stop, even when we got our food and start eating. They even paid for my dinner. I was really glad to meet such a friendly people like them and we exchanged email address before I heading to find hotel.
Day 2, I decided to stop by Cleveland at Ohio. My GPS navigation system directed me to Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. I spent about 3 hours touring around the museum. I was surprised I saw Britney Spear and Justin Timberlake donated artifact. What they had to do with Rock & Roll, I puzzled. Afterward, I went to the downtown area to walk around and find myself a hotel to stay. Maybe it was just me; Cleveland didn’t make a good impression to me.
Day 3, Pittsburgh was my next stop. The turnpike from Cleveland to Pittsburgh was really winding and hilly. I guess it was just coincidence, I was listening to the Beatles’s “The long and winding road” and that gave me a creepy feeling. Before I reach Pittsburgh, all I saw was mountain and woods. But then, after I went through a tunnel and all the sudden, the entire city right in front of me. It was such an amazing view. Pittsburgh seems like an enormous city hidden in a valley. That was plainly my feeling. In Pittsburgh, I visited The Strips (which didn’t interest me at all), downtown area and the Andy Warhol Museum. Pittsburgh is a very interesting place because there are so many things one can do. I think I will visit this city again.
Day 4. I drove about an hour and half to Fallingwater by Frank Lloyd Wright. I really can’t wait to see the building which I had seen thousands time from magazines and books. I have a very special feeling for this house because I once dreamed about having a house just like that. The admission to enter Fallingwater is $15, which includes 2 hours of tour. I think that is totally worth it because the house is so well preserved and everything inside the house is authentic. Furthermore, there are no barriers in the house to prevent one to go near the artifact. Of course, the tours guide advices all the tourists not to touch anything. But the feeling is so real, so authentic for being inside a house designed by Frank Lloyd Wright (at night, I believe I heard the water fall in my dream). And, this is the only house designed by Wright that remained original without any modification. There are also two pieces of Picasso as part of the collection of the owner. I spent the entire morning touring around and had my lunch there. Then, I depart to Virginia. I safely arrived at Virginia and get into the condominium my company arranged for me.
Week 2
9/13/2004 – 9/19/2004
I started working on Monday and learned my responsibilities in the company. Generally, all my colleagues are nice, helpful and well educated. My boss brought me around to look for an apartment. I found one that I really like and decided to get it. I moved into my apartment by the end of the weekend.
Week 3
9/20/2004 – 9/26/2004
I spent most of my time reading technical paper and learning about the system I have to work on. At the weekend, I went to Ikea and get myself some furniture. While installing the bed frame, I followed the no-brainer stupid instruction and getting into a big problem. I have to get another pair of new screws after I ruined the one that were provided (by following the instruction). Then, I bought a new pair of screws and managed to put the bed frame together. But later, I found out I got the wrong parts from Ikea and I can’t install the supporting metal beam for the bed. Damn the Swedish! EC came to visit me on the weekend. We went to Ikea again to get the right supporting metal beam and do more shopping for furniture. When I get home, I found out I returned the extra pieces of metal bar. Again, I can’t have the bed install. No bed frame for the mattress.
Week 4
9/27/2004 – 10/3/2004
Everyday after work, I have to spend time for shopping. I was too anxious to get my apartment ready. At the weekend, I went to Ikea, again, for get back the extra pieces of metal bar. Finally, I managed to put the bed all together. I can't believe assembling a bed is such a long quest. I blame Ikea for being ignorance (they need a better technical writer and better shelving system) and partly, myself, for being careless. Anyway, I can have a good sleep now
Week 5
10/4/2004 -10/11/2004
Busy working most of the time. I went to University of Ann Arbor, Michigan with my boss to collect some data during the long weekend (Columbus Day is a holiday). Ann Arbor is amazingly beautiful place. However, I don’t have time to visit places around the area (we both worked almost 12 hours a day). My boss brought me to a local deli, Zingerman’s, and I learned that there is olive oil that can cost $200 a bottle (and it is only 100ml).
And now, it is too long to continue. I will try my best to update more.
3 Comments:
Yeah!! I am the first one. I am glad that you like your life there..wait for me..coming soon..
How is Andy Warhol Museum? It is worth for a visit ?
When I was there, a lot of new installation work were on progress, and it wasn't whole lot to see. But I guess if you are a fan of Andy Warhol, it is surely worth to visit.
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