New York's Heart

The trip was made out of awesomeness. With great company in the city that never sleeps, it's nigh impossible not to have the time of my life.

What made spending about $3K worthwhile:

1. The famed New Year's Eve countdown in Times Square where I was freezing, but Lionel Richie waved to us and we saw Jo Bros, Taylor Swift and Ludacris perform

2. Waking up to snow on New Year's Eve morning and going out to catch snowflakes in our pyjamas and coats

3. Having lunch at 3-Michelin-star Le Bernardin (and thoroughly embarrassing my dining companion with my complete lack of etiquette, I'm sure)

4. Upskirting Lady Liberty whose real name is Liberty Enlightening the World

5. Watching Equus on Broadway, with tickets bought at 50% off the actual price

6. The museums that are simply Wow

7. Seeing the skyscrapers being dwarfed by the Empire State Building; it was so tall I can swear we were in the clouds.

8. Sitting in on a live taping of Late Night with Conan O'Brien. Also went on a tour of the NBC Studio, home of Friends and Saturday Night Live!

Things which Singapore should implement:

1. Not honking at pedestrians (really, I didn't hear a single honk unless the pedestrian was really reckless and even then, the drivers try not to)

2. In restaurants, everyone at the table should be served at the same time; we didn't have to wait at all over there for each other as is the norm here

3. Unlimited MRT rides. I paid US$25 for an unlimited one-week Metro card and it's so worth it. Plus it's a flat rate of US$2 per trip! To anywhere!

4. 24-hr MRT service! You want to have a vibrant night-life? Give us a better public transport system that doesn't involve taking a cab.

Things that can stay in NY and never make an appearance here:

1. The freaking make-my-ears-freeze wind.

2. The labyrinthine subway stations

I'm obviously stalling putting up the photos cos I'm really lazy to organise them but I will, eventually.