General Thoughts About Life in America

US is such a good place to live in if you have a stable income and don't fall sick. All the basic necessities are so affordable (imagine $0.30 cup noodles and $2 shampoos, body wash, towels, hangers and dental items). Clothes and shoes from F21 can be cheap during sales. I got a top from F21 for $3.50 once, that's even cheaper than Deseret Industries (second hand clothes store). Cars are cheap. A new Toyota cost $21-45,000. My room mate got her 15-year-old but still in good condition Chevrolet for $2,000.

In Malaysia, you have to pay RM20 for a shampoo, clothes' prices start at RM30, imported cars are taxed 100%, making them expensive as hell. But I think in US you have to pay a higher insurance to insure yourself against unforeseeable loss.

People here earn just about the same amount as you would in Malaysia but in USD. The minimum wage in Utah is $7.25/hour, but depending on your job you might get more. Babysitting as a side job can get you up to $15/hour. 

If you make a comparison of income:expenses on basic necessities ratio, US prices are definitely very consumer-friendly. However, if you fall sick, it will cost you $2000 to call an ambulance. With a health card, it is $25 to see a doctor and $75 for hospital stay. Dental services may cost up to $3,000. If you have insurance, it will cover you up to a certain amount.

America is a place of opportunities, and if you are an ambitious person, this is the place for you. But be careful, you might also end up homeless in the streets if tragedy strikes.

The Choc Wars

I love how US has all these delicious imported and local chocolates for less than $5 a pop. Generally, Walmart has a cheaper price in terms of Lindt truffles, while Smith's carry cheaper Lindt chocolate bars. As I had a $15 Walmart gift card, I wanted to exchange it for stuff I will use (eat) before I leave US. So off I went to Walmart. 

Walmart chocolate selections

Smith's chocolate selections

Smith's #2

 

I got the Lindt assorted truffles + sea salt caramel in dark chocolate and Godiva truffles. Godiva is considered a high-end brand. I bought 3 chocolate bars for $33 in the retail store in Chicago for my room mate's mom. When I saw the price of chocolate bars in Walmart today I almost fainted. They only cost $4 a pop. I tried to console myself saying the ones in the store are freshly made and have a better quality. 

This is sea salt caramel in dark chocolate. Yummy! Lindt never fail to impress me.

I got the assorted truffles because I wanted to try all of them. At first I considered buying 2 of these, but I changed my mind (thank god!).

Crème brûlée: Meh

Strawberry shortcake: Meh

Chocolate Lava Cake: This is a good one.

My complaint about Godiva is that they are unexceptional chocolates wrapped in beautiful high-end wrapping and labeled with sky-high prices. They did try to emulate the real taste of the flavours but it just didn't gain my favour. I would rather eat a real crème brûlée and strawberry shortcake than eating these chocolates. I'm just so disappointed.

Lindt, on the other hand, tastes like heaven, and is cheaper, without all that fancy shit. Just down-to-earth delicious chocolates made with the tastiest ingredients. It is also creamier and has a smoother texture.

So Lindt vs Godiva? I'd pick Lindt, hands down. I probably won't try any Godiva chocolates anymore, cos I gave it two chances (four if you count all the flavours I tested) but I don't like it. Still, both of these chocolates are way better than Whitman, which suck big time and taste like plastic.

First-time Skiing

 My friend Junfu won two tickets to Snowbird Center, and he generously offered me one of them. So the week after I came back from New York, we made plans to go skiing together. 

Entrance.

These pictures show the lounge area before you start skiing, and after you get tired and want to rest.

Coincidentally it was Easter's week, so they had someone dressed up in bunny mascot. Of course I won't miss the chance to take a photo with bunny.

The Chickadee Slope for beginners.

We went on the cable chairs to the top.

This is the only picture I have of Junfu. He doesn't really like taking photos. He has a few pictures of himself in his iPad though.

Finally found our place at the Mountain Kids. Basically the slope is a 10° angle which is perfect for absolute beginners. I fell around 3 times here, then it got easy and I could maneuver myself with a little effort.

After that my confidence level went up, and I decided to to challenge the Chickadee. Even though a Mexican guy was kind enough to teach me, I still fell at the bottom of the mountain where there is a steep slope on every attempt. I was scared to bump into people cos I didn't know how to control the speed, so I ended up falling on the snow to prevent collision.

Dani later told me that the Chickadee Slope is most certainly NOT for first-time skiers! No wonder I fell so many times there, cos it's not my level!

The skis will fall off if you have ice sheets at the bottom of your shoes.

Finally, before we went back, I got Junfu to help me take a photo with the sign. The clothes are loose for me because they belong to Dani. 

Cost breakdown:

Entrance tickets: $85 (free cos I got the lucky draw ticket from Junfu)

Ski rental: $35 (I paid only $23 cos Dani loaned me her clothes, helmet and gloves)

Bus round trip: $9 (remember to prepare exact amount, no change provided)

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Subtotal: $129

(-) Discount: $97

(+) Add Extra: $1 (failure to give exact bus fare)

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Total paid: $33

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