(Okay, I know that was a completely weak attempt at a suitable title, but finally I’m beginning to blog abt something more than just reporting where I’m going.)

You actually only need 24 hours’ worth of Vegas on The Strip. Catch all the free performances in many of the themed hotels (all the hotels have a unique theme of its own), and even have time to catch a Broadway show, like Mamma Mia!. Then spend whatever time you have left on the tables, winning and then losing. Note to self: walk away.

Vegas is completely safe for the the solo traveller as everyone else there is a visitor too, all just wanting to be entertained, and entertained they will be from this massively constructed strip built solely for pure entertainment for the soul. Just be amused and wowed and don’t think about all the money involved in creating the whole fantasy land. Anyway, I was saying, it’s totally safe, so don’t even bother hiding your money in your shoes because removing them out of desperation at the tables is awfully “unglam”. Resist the free drinks too. They are out to get you to lose your inhibitions and by extension lose your money. Forget about tipping the dealers even if they did a good job because it just goes into a common fund for all dealers. Make loads of friends at the tables though, since it’s us against the dealers.

I took the Megabus there, which have far lower fares than those of Greyhound, though I needed to transit at Los Angeles first. People might have mistaken me for one of the homeless when they saw me, dishevelled from not having showered nor slept since I was engrossed at the tables desperately trying to win back the winnings lost, picking at my leftover food after waking up from sleeping while hugging my bag and keeping all other belongings between my legs at Union Station.

Vegas is a very conducive place for the beginner. Lessons are available at certain hotels for certain games, and dealers are very friendly and willing to help when you play. Macau is more for the advanced gambler, as everyone is serious and intent in the casinos in Macau. In Vegas, we all just wanna have fun, and I certainly did.

(Click on the image for slideshow of pictures I took in Vegas)

The money-sucking tables

A free Piano lessons & piano chords website publishes a free piano lessons email newsletter on piano chords and chord progressions. It is sent out free every 5 days or so and lasts for 101 issues. There is no cost for the email newsletter.  F-blown piano courses on DVD for adults which are mentioned in the newsletters are also for sale, but there is never any obligation to purchase them.

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Current location: Vanessa (Shao Feng)’s dormitory at UCSD.

Next destination: Uncertain.

Possible destinations: San Francisco; Los Angeles.

Possible departure dates: Today; Tomorrow

Decision will be made based on: Playing by ear

Hopefully I’ll know by this morning, or latest early afternoon, so that I can pack and leave by late afternoon.

One thing’s for sure: I’ll be starting my journey across the Pacific Ocean on 12 January, reaching Singapore 14 January afternoon.

That’s all I’m certain for now.

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May you always be embraced by happiness!

Just got back to San Diego from the land of long lines (Big Apple, come holiday season tourist trap), for a day, before I head to San Francisco.

I have lots to say, I really do, but I have to give the usual excuse of not having time again.

I’m experiencing heart pain now. Not the dramatically sentimental kind, but the physical pressure kind. I googled and it shouldn’t be a symptom of heart attack. Or maybe I’m just constantly alleviating my fear that it is. I refuse to believe that I will have any disorder at the age of 22. Friends experience intermittent heart pain and shortness of breath too, unexplained. Maybe it’s just this travelling from the east to west coast, time differences, or something else. My heart has been uncomfortable since waiting for my flight from Chicago to Orange County, in case anyone asks if anything happens.

IF anything happens. Nothing will happen. But IF anything happens, here’s to let you all know that I love all of you and I’m sorry I didn’t go to the hospital sooner.

But nothing will happen. If I wake up tomorrow still in pain, I promise I’ll go check it out at the hospital.

Not a good way to start the new year, but I like to believe that things will work out.

Have a great year ahead, everyone! Missing you all back home, but I’ll be home real soon!

…a heater of course!

Heaters have been my source of comfort during the penetrating cold winter in Shanghai, and probably will be so here in Canada with the higher probability of snow and extremely wet winter.

The heaters I’ve encountered in China works like the family air-conditioner in Asia, with adjustable temperatures. The dormitory-apartment I’m living in now doesn’t offer such luxury though, and I’m left with a central heating panel against the wall which I hope will provide me with enough heat for comfort during the impending cold nights. I really hope so.

Speaking of heaters, apparently there exists gas propane heaters, vent-free wall heaters, and home heating systems that uses either gas or propane, which can save you quite a bit of money on your heating bill, especially considering the sharply rising prices of heating oil.

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