Michelle's space

December

Update: License Plates

License Plates

Reminders

Video ATMs

Seattle Shoes

Photo Album: May 05 Test

Photo Album: Europe Baby!

Photo Album: Travelling the Oregon Trail

Photo Album: Are you going to San Francisco?

Photo Album: Seattle

Photo Album: San Diego

Photo Album: Penn Senior Year

Custom List: Where in the world is Michelle Aleong?

Movie List: Movie list

Music List: My current favourites

Book List: Book List

Sat, 08 Dec 2007 00:55:11 GMT

I always remember my mom telling me how December was such a busy month for her. As a kid, as far as I was concerned there was nothing busy about a month of eager anticipation. Now, as an adult-like person, the tables have turned. Between, Christmas shopping, 4 visiting friends this month, travelling to visit family for the holidays and day-to-day work things, house chores, etc. there is no time! I still think it's the greatest season of the year though! :)

Thu, 25 Oct 2007 00:07:03 GMT

Thanks to a successful trip to the theater last night I have now reached 64% in my license plate goal. I saw a lot of Alasakan ones on the screen in 30 days of night but I don't think they quite count.

Mon, 22 Oct 2007 22:04:52 GMT

Alright, so I realize Seattle is a city where the majority of people are outsiders. A whooping 60% in fact, according to the Seattle Times. But has anyone ever noticed the high number of out-of-state license plates in Washington? Aren't we supposed to register our vehicles 30 days after moving here? (This is a fact: I am currently reading the driver's manual of Washington as Canadians apparently don't know how to drive) For a state in the upper left corner of America with neighbours such as Idaho and Oregon, why am I seeing multiple license plates from Florida? Maine? HAWAII?

In response Dan and I started a game where we made a list of all the states and are crossing them off as we see license plates from that area. This makes sitting on the 545 bus much more intersting. Today, after about 2 weeks of this game, we hit 50%. Bonus points for international ones. Alright, I laughed at this at first too - I mean - international? The most we'd get here are Canadian ones right? WRONG. As we were sitting at a traffic light joking about this very fact, an English car and license plate passed us by. Apparently anything is possible in Seattle!

Tue, 02 Oct 2007 18:22:20 GMT

Why is it that after a certain period of time, I always feel the need to remind myself of why it is that I avoid certain things. In college it was frat parties. I can't stand frat parties - too many people, guys trying to push up against you, watered down beer and loud music so you can't even talk to the person beside you. Yet, without fail, every month I'd foret why I didn't like them and would feel the need to go again. In fitness, it's running outdoors. I'm an asthmatic who's allergic to grass for goodness sake. That just spells trouble. But in nice weather when the sun is shining, I always feel like it's a good idea to try. Maybe this time things will change. And today - oh, today it's the Krispy Kreme donut with all it's glazed and deep-fried glory. Surprise, surprise - they STILL make me feel bloated. Ugh. :(

Wed, 12 Sep 2007 23:43:16 GMT

Banks are getting high tech these days. So high tech that I almost couldn't figure out how to deposit my money this morning.

My first car payment is due in a few days, so I figured it was about time that I made sure I had money in my account to pay the bill. It was a good morning, granted no sun was shining, but I got a parking spot close to the entrance and that always makes me happy. I walked into the bank, filled out the deposit slip as normal - I even KNEW my checking account number, which as any teller at the PNC bank at 40th and Walnut in Philadelphia can tell you was a miracle by itself. I turned around all eager to zone out as I waited in line for a teller only to realize there were none. What kind of bank was this that had no tellers?! A video service one.

That's right - there were video tellers. After looking around at the atm much like how an ape would regard a human at first sight (and much to the amusement of the person beside me) I finally found instructions. I had to put my cheque, deposit slip AND photo ID in the magical tube that was then sucked up like a vacuum to oblivion. Trust me, as someone who still has to pass a driving test for her proper license, letting my current one go to the magical place at the end of the mysterious tube was no easy feat. I felt like I was in the world of Harry Potter or maybe Willy Wonka's Chocolate Factory - either way, two places wouldnt' think to associate with a bank. Just as I had resigned myself that the loss of my license would be okay since the monitor let me read about Lindsay Lohan's latest escapade, this woman appears on the screen in front of me in the middle of to let me know she'll be taking care of my transaction in a moment. Within moments, the tube comes back down, easy as pie, containing my transaction receipt and (thankfully) my photo ID. Content, if a little dazed at what just happened I left the bank.

I can't really tell if I like these video atms more or less than real tellers. Pro side: it obviously is a safer alternative in case of robberies and who can resist pressing a bright green button to send things up a magical tube? Negative: I actually miss the human aspect of interacting with a real person. Oh well, I suppose I will just turn to the cashiers in supermarkets now to get my fill of idle banter.

Fri, 31 Aug 2007 20:51:49 GMT

After recently moving to Seattle I've come to the conclusion that a lot of people here must drive with their feet hanging out the windows. First of all, for those who automatically laugh at this idea, I've seen it happen. Twice. Granted one was a hippie in a truck, but it still counts. Further evidence, I must have passed at least 5 single shoes on the freeway, streets or in a parking lot. I mean, only one side of a pair of shoes? Where do they come from? I'd say I should try it once before I judge but it still seems crazy to me!

Mon, 05 May 2008 20:46:35 GMT

May 05 Test

alist2

dan and i

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IMG_0377

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Thu, 14 Feb 2008 06:18:37 GMT

Europe Baby!

My favourite Uncle

Check out that family resemblance

Birmingham, UK - Apparently this bull was worth walking in 20 minutes of pure rain to see...

Stratford Upon Avon, UK - Shakespeare's Birthplace

So on my birthday, what better thing to take a computer scientist to than a statue and the office of Alan Turing - super nerd? I think so.

This is for Duc, who says Japanese tourists don't ever pose like this.

London, UK - The view from the London Eye

Family Photo!

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More Photos...

Tue, 06 Nov 2007 07:30:09 GMT

Travelling the Oregon Trail

Let's go on a road trip! I obviously am highly amused with the wind in my hair

Dan at the beginning of the road trip - less amused (maybe because we're going shopping)

Welcome to Oregon! My sad attempt to photograph the sign

Portland - home of crazy highway bridges

The outlet mall - Yeah for 0% sales tax!

The view from our room

Dan and I all happy (and stuffed with waffles, hence the bulge in my sweater)

The monster stairs to the beach, complete with seats ever 5 steps for us senior folk

Writing in the sand

Sea foam!

More Photos...

Tue, 07 Aug 2007 18:01:54 GMT

Are you going to San Francisco?

Matty J and Me!

Because obviously EVERYONE can see letters on those cards

Coloured marbles + PVC pipes + 60 degree wesather = bad times

San Bruno mountain, what a view!

I love this photo, not just because Matt looks like a superhero, but also because we're playing laser battle in a bar.

10 minutes to the end of the game - insanity had set in

Lombard St. - the touristy part

People actually live there!

My pro-America photo of the day.

San Francisco city view

More Photos...

Wed, 22 Nov 2006 15:34:00 GMT

Seattle


Mount Rainer	Pike's Place Market		The Space Needle and a statue that oddly resembles one at Penn
The Space Needle	View from the top	The Pudget Sound	Downtown Seattle
From the waterfront	Seattle Skyline at dusk

More Photos...

Wed, 22 Nov 2006 15:14:57 GMT

San Diego

More Photos...

Wed, 22 Nov 2006 15:10:39 GMT

Penn Senior Year

More Photos...

Fri, 03 Aug 2007 23:50:35 GMT

Where in the world is Michelle Aleong?

Philadelphia, PA, USA - Graduation, May 15!
Madrid, Spain - May 17
Barcelona, Spain - May 21
Rome, Italy - May 24
Florence, Italy - May 28
Venice, Italy - May 29
Milan, Italy - May 30
Prague, Czech. Republic - May 31
Vienna, Austria - June 2
Budapest, Hungary - June 3
Athens, Greece - June 7
Santorini, Greece - June 9
Mykonos, Greece - June 10
London, England - June 13
Birmingham, England - June 20
Toronto, ON, Canada - June 26
SEATTLE, WA, USA - July 25
San Francisco, CA, USA - Aug 3-5

Wed, 22 Nov 2006 15:36:56 GMT

Movie list

Casino Royale
How can you not love Daniel Craig? I want to be able to move like the guy in the first chase scene, and be Bond...but that's another story
Six-String Samurai
Possibly the most bizarre movie I've seen - but I'm down with a samuri who's travelling in a post-apocalyptic world to become the next Elvis
Borat
It's dirty humour but I love it.

Wed, 22 Nov 2006 15:30:26 GMT

My current favourites

Snow Patrol: Chasing Cars
Grey's Anatomy 2
Great tv show with a great soundtrack
Snow Patrol: Chocolate
Final Straw
Since hearing this from Adam I've fallen in love with the whole album
Fatboy Slim: Weapon of Choice
Halfway between the gutter and the stars
Yes, getting back to my 90's roots

Spending the day at PB

WICS Exec 2006

Dancing on the beach

Becoming even shorter than I normally am

Palm tree!!

Old Town San Diego

Wed, 22 Nov 2006 15:25:04 GMT

Ayn Rand: The Fountainhead
Recommended by Matty J but it's taking me forever to read.