There were times where I felt totally left out.
There were times I wish I was just alone.
There were times I emo-ed and teared once.
But these didn't make me regret going for the trip.
I have to adapt with the environment I'm in. I have to learn getting along with new people. This is when I start making new friends.
Jet lag was one thing I worried over with. That's because the difference in hour in SG and US is 15 hours! It's such a huge difference. I only adapt to the timing on the 3rd day of the entire trip. And now I haven't adapt back to SG's time.
There wasn't much of out-of-classroom experience. Day 1 was spent on the plane. Day 2 started with morning lecture followed by a tour at SJSU, visit to Intel Museum and went down to Golden Gate Bridge and Pier 39.
It was said that day 1's lecture was suppose to be one of the more interesting lecture. But I guess it's due to jet lag, I was dozing off, trying hard to stay awake. SJSU reminds me of SMU. Quite a nice school but I'll prefer Stanford! Intel Museum was more on the different chips that were made to use in PC or more? One thing I'm curious, do we really have to know about all these?
Best part of the day was at Golden Gate Bridge! You wouldn't know how magnificent the view was unless you were really there.
Went shopping during the night and next 2 days' night too. I really wonder, do people have so much to shop? I really didn't have much things to buy. Mostly what I've bought were not for me. Buying for the sake of doing so. It should be the first and last time I'm doing it. Next time I shall just leave quietly and come back quietly. Save all the trouble.
Day 3 lecture are kind of appropriate for us, DBIT students. But certain things were already taught in school and the presenter was monotone-less. Writing redundant notes so that I won't fall asleep.
A visit to Tech Museum after that. Similar to Science Centre. Watched IMax at Tech Museum after lunch. You know? Something like the 'human body' thingy that Science Centre showed a few years back? It's like 4D? Most people spent their time napping inside. I was also half awake only.
Went to IDEO after that and Stanford University. Innovative? All the different prototype were so cool. Do you know how the first mouse prototype came about? And how the different prototype changes?
Stanford University! Nicer than SJSU! The pictures I've took says everything.
Day 4 lecture was about security. Hmm.. Not bad, better than the previous day's lecture.
Going to Facebook HQ was what I was looking forward to. There were lots of privilege and the company really do care about their employees. No wonder all of them work so hard. Oh oh! Their PC are really big! I don't know how many inches was it. As big as my house TV! There was really a wall for us to write our comments too. Interesting?
Going to EBay was kind of boring. Because what we see were just their buildings. All because of their policy, we can't see more. Should have just bring us to other companies?
Another night of shopping, again! This time round was longer hours. It was also when an incident occur. Everybody actually kind of freaked out after what had happened. Scary!
Day 5 was traveling from SF to LA. Slept most of the time on bus other than being woke up a few times due to some of them playing. Seeing the sea view while traveling was really calming. Just wished that I could just sit at the beach the whole day.
One of the most expensive dinner we had that night. Crab was what we had. Nice food, great ambiance but expensive food.
Day 6 morning went to Walt Disney Company HQ. Went to different sections of their company to see how animation actually developed. We sat limo from hotel to the company and to UCLA. There were presenters telling us about their business model. Another day for us to sleep? Cos the environment was just too good for sleeping.
Every place we went. Every lecture we had. Our lecturer will ask if we have an internship opportunity. Not sure if other students submitted their resumes. But I know DBIT students won't have a chance.
But if we can go there for FYP. Why not? I hope Kim will help us plan so that we may have a chance to go over.
Day 7, whole day at California Adventure Park. Change of plan from Disneyland to California Adventure Park. Actually was a little disappointed. But I had fun at the theme park, which equal things back.
Twilight zone! Roller coaster! Fun!
Overall, the trip was great! Fun, experience and new friends.
We had so much fun that we didn't want to come back.
But everything comes to an end. It's the memory that stays. :)
P/S: Pictures on facebook. Go view it there.
8:58 PM