Today is my first day in Houston, Texas. Firstly, let me introduce the cast. My Mum's friend, Aunt, who is also the youngest of her 6 other siblings. Aunt works only from Friday to Sunday, so her eldest sister and third sister took me out today. They're really nice, ensuring that I'm well taken care of. We went to a Korean restaurant for lunch, which is super authentic. The rice came in a big stone bowl with wooden cover, which prevents heat from escaping. After I reopened the cover to take my second serving, steam gushed out vehemently! That's how powerful the big and thick stone bowl is! A big bowl of kimchi soup with tofu and beef, a big fish and a big plate of beef served with teppanyaki style. On top of that, there were 5 side dishes with unlimited refill. Appetizer was salad and desert was yakult imported from Korea. All these at a price of about USD$14.

The price in US is similar to that of Singapore. For example, a Big Mac meal costs about $7 in US, similar to that in Singapore. However, the GDP per capital is much higher than that of Singapore. For example, the minimum wage in Singapore is about SGD$3.50, while it is about $6.50 (USD $5) or more in US. This means that $7 for a Mac meal is dirt cheap in US, given the higher minimum wage, higher GDP per capital and stronger currency, get what I mean? Fuel here is about $3.80 per gallon, which is about SGD$1.20 per liter. That is dirt cheap. Of course, things are cheaper in Texas, since it's a countryside, and it's just beside Mexico and surrounded by desert.

Visited the museum today, and had a helicopter ride over The Grand Crayon. Canyon I mean. Malls here are interesting. Coz land is so big over here, shopping areas are concentrated in strips, and there are many such strips around. Each strip is probably about the size of 4-6 football fields. I visited the departmental stalls as well, with a mission of course. I got a Coach bag for Mum @USD$160. It's the latest design on earth, yet to be released elsewhere. I also got a pair of Prada sunglasses for @USD$90 after much discount. Original price was about $270. That was the top shopping priority. I've got nothing much for myself, except a cup of diet coke from Mac.

Really thank God that I'm extremely well taken care of by Aunt, her sisters and parents. I'm staying with Aunt and parents, and they're really nice. The house is a one storey high, with about 5 bedrooms, a garage, a frontyard and a backyard. I'm still suffering from jet lag, coz Houston is 13hrs behind Singapore time. The malls are infested with outlets like Fendi, Gucci, Coach True Religion, Gap and Banana Republic etcetera. I couldn't really find G2000 or Levi's. The girls here are pretty hot, pretty and hot, well endowed, but their diet of ice-cream and coke are really bad for their waistline. I AM SERIOUSLY PUTTING ON WEIGHT!