April 2nd, 2008 is probably one of the most funny/awkaward/great day in my study abroad/travel experience.

 

First of all, I though my Eurotrip departs on April 2nd (Wed) while in reality it leaves on April 3rd (Thurs).. I guess I got messed up with 3rd and Wed... With that say, I was all packed an prepared to go the the meeting location about an hour away on tube ride.. I got up at 4:30 am to prepare and catch the first tube on 5:23 am.. and indeed I did.. (i am very excited).. I got to the tube stop around 6:15 or so.. the meeting time is 6:30.. While heading to the meeting location about a block away.. I met another traveler, American, named Chris? (I forgot the name).. he's also a study abroad student and traveling in this reading month break...

 

Perhaps I should've gotten the hint when I asked "are you on the European Getaway Tour (name of my tour)?" and he looked puzzled.. At that point, I was like.. haha.. typical guy.. don't remember his iternary.. so I mentioned Top Deck (name of the tour company) and few locations such as Paris, Rome.. which his 14 day tour also go to..

 

We went to the meeting location together and talked for 30 mintues before the actual check in time at 7am... I had a big suitcase.. so I decided to wait till the crowd disperse before checking in.. so.. once most ppl are done.. i went up and attempt to check myself in..

 

Tour Leader: "What's your name?"

Me: "Ling, Ling Lin" (she looks puzzeld.. which is qutie a common response when i tell them my name.. apparently npon-Chinese are not use to first and last names that are similar in sound), so I re-emphasized..

After looking through her list couple time (I also did the same, glancing over her paper).. neither could not find my name...

Me: " Haha.. I am pretty sure I am on the trip.. I am very prepared.. I have my iternary".. So I pulled out my paperworks and showed it to her..

Tour leader studied the papers for a bit and looked up to me in a funny/sorry way and said," Your tour is leaving tomorrow"..

 

Right away, I think I felt red cheeked and slightly awkward.. and I am pretty sure the whole room got quiet and focused on me.. The Tour Leader tried to comfort me saying "At least you didnt' come late.." blah blah..

 

I guess I was very embarassed.. so I quickly gathered my stuff and leave.. didn't really say goodbye to that random guy.. and it actually took me a while to find the exist to their hostel (not my fault.. there were no signs)..

 

The good side of the story is that, I could now make it to the presentation of my BUS 300 - Innovation and Entreprenuership Presentation.  I was late to the group meeting cuz I was very tired and didn't sleep the previous night (tooked an nap)...

 

Everyone in the group dressed up in business formal.. we were quite prepared.. although we were very confident.. we were still scared because some of the other groups' ideas were qutie good... Shidan and Simon from the group took the lead in presenting while everyone jump in in the Q/A section..

 

The industry day consist of 10 teams, 5 finalists from each of the two classes.  So we were already quite proud of ourselve for making in this far..

 

There are two rounds in the judging.. first round, we were interviewed by two judges (one male one female).. (there were five judges broken into two groups.. each in charge of five presentations).. the pitch went for about 20 minutes.. we knew we did a great job but don't really know what the judges thought.. It took about 2 hours for the judge to go through all groups.. then it took them another 30 minutes to pick groups for the final round..

 

Apparently, there were only two groups picked for second round.. we were one of them.. so we knew we were in for money (100 pound for second prize, 200 pound for first prize)... This time we were judge by three other judges.. all male.. the pitch again went really well.. the judges did seem interested and impressed...  Not to be cocky or anything.. we thought we had a huge chance of winning..

 

It took the judges about 15 minutes time to do the final deliberation.. at the award ceremony.. every participant got a certificate.. then the course instructor Kim Dellow announced the second place - another team who worked on security system... and yay.. we knew we won since we were the other team in the final.. and yes.. the official annoucement came and we did win..  Hooray.. it was a proud moment and a highlight of my study abroad.. each of the member got 33 pound (6 members in total) which is not bad.. but the bottom line is I came and I conquer..

 

Our team - Team Mousse.. is amazing.. everyone did an fantastic job.. and I really had so much working on the project..

 

Oh.. btw.. our idea is opening kids only salons around the world.. Mousse, Kid's Hair Salon. Motto: More than Just a Hair Cut..

 

Below are some pictures from the day

 

  

  

 

 

 

 

Ever since the Freeze Grand Central event, Improve/Flash mob has been something many want to do for fun.. I have always wanted to do it.. and there are also a lot of others who want to too.. but no one would actually create the event.. So .. I did.. and of course through facebook...

 

I was able to meet Richard, Matt, and Sharne, who all helped me out in planning the event.. on the date of.. about 40 people turned up.. and our location was "Harrods"...  It was a lot of fun.. some ppl noticed us.. some did not.. but all or most of the agents had a blast.. anyway.. below is a video.. enjoy!

 

p.s. Next time I update this blog would either be another country or when I return the 22nd..