Monday, March 14, 2016

Review: NYNY Las Vegas

I stayed at New York New York for 4 nights for the PAC-12 games in Vegas. I arrived at night, and from the outside the sign looks particularly shiny and attractive. The ground floor is a casino, and reeks of tobacco smoke. After checking in, I proceeded to my assigned room. 

Room 2342 is located at the Century Towers, and it was really annoying that the lift practically stopped at almost each level. Even though there were 4 lift cubicles, there was just too many people that it was a long ride to go up or down.

The room looks rather clean and huge. Our room is just opposite of the roller coaster, so you can hear noises coming from outside from morning till night. I'm a deep sleeper so it wasn't that much of a problem for me.

Pros: Big room, convenient location (just opposite of MGM)
Cons: No drinking water in the hallways, no teapot/kettle in the room. No mini fridge and microwave.

Traveler tips: If you need drinking water at night, I would suggest you to get them at the souvenir shops one block before MGM on the Vegas Strip, they sell Dasani mineral water 2 for $1 only, whereas the vending machine in NYNY sells 1 for $3. During daytime, just bring your own bottle to refill at Caesar's Palace or anywhere else that has a water dispenser.

Overall rating: 3 stars

Note: This was a sponsored stay, but I am not affiliated to NYNY in any way. I do not receive any kind of compensation for writing this review. All thoughts and opinion are my own.

Saturday, February 20, 2016

Natural History Museum

The view from outside. 

It's located after the Red Butte Garden (which is not open at this time). 
You have to hike up a small trail to reach there if you're walking.

Main entrance.

Buy your tickets here.

Price chart.

It's free for all current U of U students! Hooray!

 Amazing tribal display at the entrance.

Collection of precious gems.

More gems!

Amethyst are usually naturally hexagon-shaped. Never knew that.

A stone that intrigued me because it looks so furry!

The pink gem is so pretty! 

More gems!

Shining stones! 会发光的石头!

Shining stones again!

One day archaeologist.

Our ancestors!

Beautiful aztec-like pattern on ancient stuff.

Ancient pottery art.

This is actually rather intricate.

 
This is surprisingly so cute! Like a modern day cartoon character.

A general view of artifacts.

Rock gets recycled! 原来所谓的海枯石烂是真的!

Stone cycle.

 The evolution of rocks.

Walking through the passage of time.

Say hi to tyranno!

Faker. 
  
Selfie with the dino.

Woolly mammoth!
  
Dinos!

All sorts of dead animals.

Mooooooo

我的好朋友。

大白狼让我想起桐华的大漠谣。

This might creep out some people.

Artsy wall display.

 
The sunset today is beautiful.

My loot of the day.

Even though from the pictures it seems like a lot, but I only managed to cover Level 2 exhibits because I went in late. To better plan your trip to the NHM, please refer to the following:

Address:  301 Wakara Way, Salt Lake City, UT 84108
Hours:           Every day 10am-5pm except Wednesday 10am-9pm

I recommend at least 2 hours to go through all the levels.

Friday, February 19, 2016

Edible Campus Garden

17/02/2016

Edible Campus Garden is located at the back of Pioneer Hall, which is behind the law building. The snow has melted and I see green! The weather is very nice and cool, but not too chilling.

 
Me doing composting. Composting is actually a mix of rotten organic products (fruits and vegetables) and brown matter (rye/wheat). You just leave them there, and the temperature will rise. This attracts worms, bugs and decomposers which will break down the compost and convert the material into fertilizer for new plants. We have to turn the pile every week to make sure the temperature isn't too high. Last week, the snow was very heavy and there is no smell, but today the pile just stinks!

The compost bundles. There are 6 of them altogether. 

Emma and Nigel doing sifting. This is a process of sifting the compost to make them into smaller, finer grains so that they can become better fertilizer.

 Me and Nigel doing the sifting as a change of duty.

Even though I wore gloves, somehow my fingers still got real dirty. 

Emma said next week there will be other new activities! Looking forward to it!