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After a day trip to Boston, MA, I returned back to New York City at night. I had few hours sleep so that I need to catch another Amtrak train to Washington, D.C. in the early morning. I choose this way because it is cheaper to take morning trains.
While I finally reached Washington, D.C., the road layout is very different from that of New York City.
This picture is taken when I was on the way to host's home from Amtrak station. After putting my backpack in the host's home, I walked to Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum. It is really huge museum. It may take you one full day to explore the exhibits there! Sadly, after this museum, my B121 tablet's screen is not working after I accidentally dropped.
Next day, I went to National Geographic Museum in hope to enjoy 3D documentary movie. Well, it is below my expectation. Probably, I knew too much before I came in. Nevertheless, 3D effect is powerful one.
After that movie, on the way to Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History, I passed by White House.
I finally reached Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History . It is also big museum. There are so much things to explore. I did get to see hope diamond.
After that, I manage to go to Lincoln Memorial. The words written on the wall as well as the one in the above picture are magnificent.
It was about two full days and few hours stay at Washington, D.C. I took Amtrak train to Chicago, IL because it was my stopover before taking another Amtrak train to St. Louis, MO. In fact, it is overnight train for me. I finally reached Chicago the next morning.
After having breakfast, I promptly went to Adler Planetarium. It was about an hour to reach there by walking. I learnt plenty of information about planets.
I reached St. Louis at about midnight. I had about 5 hours plus sleep before I attend my first USA-based AGM.
After AGM, the listed company gave me a lunch box. It was pleasant surprise compared to what I experience in Singapore-based AGM. I had the lunch in the park near Gateway arch. I really enjoy the park, breeze and environment. Beautiful!
The next day, I took a short-trip flight from St. Louis, MO to San Francisco, CA with unpopular flight timing. After all, the one way air ticket is the lowest. I arrived San Francisco at midnight too.
The first thing I must do at San Francisco in the next morning is to go to Alcatraz Island by ferry. It was eye opener for me who never been to prison.
The next day, the aim was to cross the golden bridge. Although I was on the right track to there but this route does not allow me to venture beyond. Therefore, the other route is the correct one, which I learnt in the hard way. As a result, I didn't get to cross the Golden bridge.
I took a combination of metro and bus to travel from San Francisco, CA to San Jose, CA to Monterey, CA
I arrived Monterey, CA at early afternoon. After putting my bag into host's home, I went straight to Monterey Bay Aquarium.
The next day, I went to Big Sur for a round-trip bus for whole morning. But, there was traffic jam because of marathon held in Big Sur.
Fortunately, the bus from Big Sur to San Jose is late and thus, I was in time to return to San Jose despite of two bus timing slots per day.
The next day, at San Jose, the first destination I went is Apple headquarter. Pretty big place for many blocks of buildings for just Apple employees.
After visiting Apple headquarter, I took a bus and metro to Cisco headquarter. It is also big just like Apple headquarter - as in many blocks of buildings.
After Cisco headquarter, I took metro to Yahoo headquarter. Big but not that many blocks of buildings as that of Cisco and Apple.
I almost went to wrong direction on the way to Google headquarter although I am on the right bus. I was abit amiss and realized the mistake. I exit and did a U-turn by taking the same bus on the opposite direction. Finally, I found Google headquarter. I was impressed by staff welfare whereby google employees use free bicycles to travel around. I also saw so many buses available for google employees to go home. That was when I explored at around 5pm.
After that, I had short sleep interval overnight at San Francisco Airport for the early morning flight to Omaha.
My aim in Omaha is to attend Berkshire Hathaway annual meeting and see Buffett's home and office.
Spending few days in Omaha, I went to Niagara Falls by Greyhound.
This picture was taken at Skylon Tower at Canada side. After two days stay, I cross Rainbow bridge to USA side. I took a bus to Buffalo, NY so that I can take very first Megabus (overnight) trip to Philadelphia.
Finally, I arrived Philadelphia in the early morning. I believe it is in downtown area. I only spend one night in Philadelphia. On the next day, I took second and last megabus trip to Richmond, VA.
I spend few days at Richmond, VA. Finally, I took 3 days Greyhound trip to the final stop, Los Angeles, CA.
This picture above is taken at City Hall in downtown Los Angeles. LA is beautiful in sense that there are people with different nationalities.
Sadly, I am going back to Singapore with a stopover at Japan. I choose the return trip whereby I travelled from Narita Airport to Haneda Airport. With about 5 hrs free time, I had a dinner in Ginza, Tokyo, Japan.
I am glad that this approximately one month trip taught me a lot of intangible learning things which are not taught in school.
I will blog about my trip to Japan and USA which will take place in 2016.
Books
Title: The Warren Buffett Philosophy of Investment: How a Combination of Value Investing and Smart Acquisitions Drives Extraordinary Success
Author: Elena Chirkova
Rating: 9/10
Remark: Fresh view of How Buffett Choose Companies for Acquisition for Berkshire Hathaway
Title: Where Are the Customers' Yachts or A Good Hard Look at Wall Street
Author:
Rating: 7/10
Remark: Warren Buffett listed this book for a recommended read. This aged writing don't click on my reading style well. Nevertheless, it is fine read as to know how Wall Street functions.
Title: The Carpenter A Story About the Greatest Success Strategies of All
Author: Jon Gordon
Rating: 7/10
Remark: I was prompted to read this after seeing an article written by KB Boon. Given my experience, this is very realistic way to love your work and provide quality services to the customers. It is true that it takes time to succeed with business model that keep close contact with the customers. This brings less stress and less taxing to the users of this business model.
Title: Multipliers How the Best Leaders Make Everyone Smarter
Author: Liz Wiseman, Greg Mckeown
Rating: 9/10
Remark: I strongly feel that it should be one of important management books to be read by managers. It is surprisingly overlooked in any academic management literature.
Title: Zero to One
Author: Peter Thiel
Rating: 10/10
Remark: It is one of the best books that give you some insights for your preparation before you create your own start-up business.
Title: Bull! What 21st Century Investors Need to Know About Financial Cycles, A History of the Boom and Bust, 1982-2004 (2004)
Author: Maggie Mahar
Rating: 7/10
Remark: I read this book because Monash Pabari suggested this book. It is decent book.
Title: LEAP : Leaving a Job with No Plan B to Find the Career and Life You Really Want
Author: Tess Vigeland
Rating: 8/10
Remark: It is honest account of how the author quit the job and how she reconcile the reality and the ideal life.
Title: Quality Investing: Owning The Best Companies For the Long Term
Author: Lawrence A. Cunningham and Torkell T. Eide, and Patrick Hargreaves
Rating: 8/10
Remark: It is indeed about quality investing in 4 chapters together with case study of selected companies. Good book for quantitative-skilled fundamental investor
Title: Dear Chairman: Boardroom Battles and the Rise of Shareholder Activism
Author: Jeff Gramm
Rating: 10/10
Remark: It is very entertaining book with 8 letters written to Chairman by hedge fund managers.
Title: Superforecasters: The Art and Science of Prediction
Author: Philip E. Tetlock and Dan Gardner
Rating: 7/10
Remark: Interesting discussion about how accurate the forecasts are.
Movies
Paddington (United Kingdom Movie 2014)
Synopsis:
A bear from South America had to emigrate to United Kingdom because his home was badly wrecked by earthquake. One day, a family saw and tried to ignore on the suggestion of the father of the family. But his wife decided to take him in and gave him the name after the name of the train station. Will Paddington find the benefactor, who taught how to talk in UK?
Rating: 8/10
Remark: The story is meaningful and it seems to be talking about immigrants which is the main point in today modern world.
A Most Violent Year (Hollywood Movie 2014)
Synopsis:
A company in oil industry is facing theft problem for many months. The owner wanted to resolve this problem through peaceful way. He rejected the suggestion of supervisor who is in charge of transportation department - that is to arm them with weapons, which are to prevent robbers. Did the owner find the answer?
Rating: 9/10
Remark: It is one of brilliant business-theme movie I ever seen in Hollywood.
American Sniper (Hollywood Movie 2014)
Synopsis:
This movie is based on real-life story. Someone who has the talent of shooting on the long distance decide to enlist himself voluntarily to US army. After passing the training, he was officially sniper. He is totally committed to protect US, the country itself.
Rating: 9/10
Remark: It is amazing story. The real-life funeral video clip was shown at the end of the movie, giving the pride feeling for Americans.
The Last Knight (Hollywood Movie 2015)
Synopsis:
The retainer has beheaded his master on the order of the emperor, which he doesn't want to do so. His master has left him the legacy to fulfill the spirit of his master's clan. How?
Rating: 7/10
Remark: Standard story with carefully selected actions in each point of the movie.
Chappie (Hollywood Movie 2015)
Synopsis:
In South Africa, the police now depends on the robot to control the crimes. The company is pleased to produce robots for every order made by the police. It is money-making business. However, someone else in the same company is jealous of the creater of that robot. His elaborate robot with much more powerful guns does not interest the police for any possible purchase. One day, the war between that someone and the creater of the robot will happen....
Rating: 8/10
Remark: Very unusual story. First class acting.
Interstellar (Hollywood Movie 2014)
Synopsis:
The leader of NASA, which appeared to be shutted down by the US government, is carrying a secret mission to find a planet to substitute earth for our living. However, he selected someone to carry out that mission. Something went wrong for that someone. Someone need to get back to the Earth to be together with his daughter rather than to be lost in the space....
Rating: 9/10
Remark: Excellent sci-fi story I ever seen in 2014. I had my jaw dropped.
Kidnapping Mr. Heineken (European Movie 2015)
Synopsis:
It is based on true story, which has happened in Netherlands in few decades ago. It is not sure whether the movie completely follow the true story. Four men, who had their business loan being denied by the bank, are finding way to live with their business being closed. They came to the one conclusion, which is to kidnap Mr. Heineken.
Rating: 7/10
Remark: Nothing surprising. This movie is watch-able.
Kingsman The Secret Service (United Kingdom Movie 2014)
Synopsis:
It is a secret police authorised by her majesty. The mission of Kingsmen is to protect the interest of the United Kingdom in terms of security. It was investigating why many important people went missing for unknown reasons as if they disppeared on the Earth. If it has discovered horrible plot for the missing important people, what will it do?
Rating: 8/10
Remark: If you have watched a lot of spy movies, i think you will be fine with this movie.
Mortdecai (Hollywood Movie 2015)
Synopsis:
Someone has framed Mortdecai for the main culprit of stealing the painting. That painting contain a secret, which is the location of missing treasures left by Germany World War 2 general. Mortdecai denies and tries to find the truth.
Rating: 6/10
Remark: Mediocre story.
Selma (Hollywood Movie 2014)
Synopsis:
It is about true story of the event which Martin Luther King tried to get the voting rights for the African-American people living in Selma. As you know the history, the whites, being in the power in Selma, resisted against King's request. How did King manage to achieve that as what the result of history said?
Rating: 9/10
Remark: Very touching story as you hear the speech of late Mr. King.
Survivor (Hollywood Movie 2015)
Synopsis:
The employee of US embassy has a suspicion on people from medical industry as they are applying for the visa so as to enter in USA. Her suspicion is correct but the top management is not convinced. Someone is trying to get them in for some reason. What reason? At the same time, that someone hires best of best assassin to kill that employee.
Rating: 7/10
Remark: Refreshing story. It is insightful to see how US embassy operates like that.
Taken 3 (Hollywood Movie 2015)
Synopsis:
Bryan Mills, being separated from his ex-wife and his daughter, was found himself being framed for the murder of his ex-wife. As usual, he decided to investigate the identity of the real murderer rather than leaving this duty to the cops.
Rating: 7/10
Remark: This movie deliver the same kind of expectation as you would from previous two movie installments.
The Gambler (Hollywood Movie 2014)
Synopsis:
Jim Bennett is trying to gamble himself. On the losing streak, he is in heavy debt. He is about to lose his life...
Rating: 7/10
Remark: I am not sure how good this movie is even though I have watched it.
The Hunger Games Mockingjay Part 1 (Hollywood Movie 2014)
Synopsis:
Now, there are two sides. One side is in the control of the empire while the other side is the rebel against that side. The latter wants freedom.
Rating: 8/10
Remark: The story is on quality side. There is no ending since there is next movie installment. I believe that the rating of whole story of the Hunger Games is largely dependent on the ending of the story.
Zeni No Sensou (Japanese Drama 2015)
Synopsis:
Tomio is currently working for securities firm. One day, the death of his father due to his large size of business loans made by many different companies as well as loansharks put him out of the job. He decides to be loanshark.
Rating: 8/10
Remark: It is remark of original Korean drama. The changes were reflective of the Japanese culture. Nevertheless, it is good drama story.
Furious Seven (Hollywood Movie 2015)
Synopsis:
A guy, former secret military man for British, takes revenge for his brother, who was injured by a gang of few members. The same gang, upon learning this, choose to confront him in order to end the revenge. How?
Rating: 9/10
Remark: Innovative action; it even invited Thail action star, Tony Jaa to act.
True Story (Hollywood Movie 2015)
Synopsis:
A New York Time reporter was sacked for false news article. Thereafter, he discovered that someone was using his name. That someone is in prison, awaiting for the trial. He investigates the reason why his name was being used. With out of the job, the 'bonus' appeared for him - writing a story on a book.
Rating: 7/10
Remark: Slow pace. No twist in the story.
Insurgent (Hollywood Movie 2015)
Synopsis:
A female Insurgent is trying to kill the leader of the majority party because the leader killed her parents. The danger lies ahead for her. How will she kill her especially when the leader is heavily protected by guards and walls?
Rating: 7/10
Remark: I feel it is a copycat of Hunger Games and Maze Runner.
Avenger: The Age of Ultron (Hollywood Movie 2015)
Synopsis:
Tony Stark tried to build a robot with AI with the aim to protect the world. It was done with the secret of the scepter. Unfortunately, he failed. That robot turn out to be the enemy that aim to destroy the world and have humans to evolve.
Rating: 8/10
Remark: Interesting story but not same wow factor as previous movie installment.
San Andreas (Hollywood Movie 2015)
Synopsis:
Ray has the new mission to rescue his wife in Los Angeles and then rescue his daughter at San Francisco. Can he do it?
Rating: 7/10
Remark: Good enough to enjoy the pop corn.
Southpaw (Hollywood Movie 2015)
Synopsis:
Billy Hope is a accomplished boxer with title. But, his wife was accidentally shot by a bodyguard of a boxer, who is jealous of Billy's success. Without his wife's presence, his boxing career went downhill quickly. However, he was given a chance to revive his boxing career. His former employer offer a match between Hope and that aforementioned boxer.
Rating: 8/10
Remark: Emotional show.
Helios (Hong Kong Movie 2015)
Synopsis:
A terrorist stole mass destruction device in South Korea and subsequently brought it to Hong Kong. The cops of South Korea, Hong Kong and China know it. They are going to take that device back from the terrorist.
Rating: 7/10
Remark: It is nothing new apart from other Hong Kong action type movie.s
Terminator Genisys (Hollywood Movie 2015)
Synopsis:
Kyle was tasked to go back to the past by time machine to protect Sarah Connor, the mother of John Connor. Terminators, being programmed to kill people who are connected to resistance team, were sent back to the past too. Can Kyle manage to accomplish the mission?
Rating: 7/10
Remark: Very standard story with expected outcome for given the fact that you have seen Terminator installments.
Ant Man (Hollywood Movie 2015)
Synopsis:
Dr Pym was hiding his best invention from S.H.I.E.L.D but his successor, Darren, manage to re-recreate the solution of turning people into small size version, which is his invention. Dr Pym found someone suitable - the jail convict, who was caught for burglarizing, was selected by unusual observation. Is it good choice?
Rating: 8/10
Remark: it is new thing for me since I never read Ant Man. It can be interesting to watch if you have not read or heard Ant Man before.
Spy (Hollywood Movie 2015)
Synopsis:
Susan Cooper was providing guidance to the real CIA spy, Bradley Fine. One day, Fine was caught by a villain. He was seen by Susan as being murdered via video. Being in love with Fine, Susan volunteer herself to be the spy on that villain.
Rating: 7/10
Remark: Interesting to see how fat lady fight villains like that.
Kinkyuu Torishirabeshitsu ~ Onna Tomodachi (Japanese Drama Special 2015)
Synopsis:
There is a pressure that top investigation team in Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department to do live interrogation camera between the investigator and suspect. One day, a lady, recently released from prison, challenge that team to do this. What will the whole Japanese in public think in the view of live interrogation show?
Rating: 8/10
Remark: Very subtle twist at certain stages of the story.
Big Game (Hollywood Movie 2015)
Synopsis:
A teenager was sent to the forest to prove that he can hunt animal - this is the tradition whereby boys are set to mature as adult. At the same time, US president was escaping from his Air Force One plane, which was under attack. He was parachuted to the same forest. As they met each other, what will they do in order to avoid the terrorists' attack?
Rating: 6/10
Remark: Decent.
Jurassic World (Hollywood Movie 2015)
Synopsis:
There is a entertainment park where tourists can see real-life dinosaurs. However, the owner of that park want new dinosaurs, which are created by alternating and mixing DNAs of two or more different animals and dinosaurs. A intelligent dinosaur, as a result of aforesaid statement, was born and fooled the administrators of the park. Hell went loose as it escape from the cage in the eyes of the guards who are in charge of that cage.
Rating: 7/10
Remark: Nothing new at all.
Mission Impossible Rouge Nation (Hollywood Movie 2015)
Synopsis:
Someone framed Ethan and Ethan is now recognized as corrupted cop by his own organization and US government. Ethan went into hiding to the point where his organization and CIB cannot track him at all. In doing so, he found time to investigate who the culprit is.
Rating: 7/10
Remark: Interesting plot.
Risk No Kamisama (Japanese Drama 2015)
Synopsis:
A outside, a son of ex-high ranking officer of Sunrise Corporation was invited to do risk management. At the same time, he is confronting the truth about why his father was jailed on behalf of Sunrise Corporation. With excellent record of risk management in USA, will he faithfully complete the required job of risk management?
Rating: 9/10
Remark: Very good and very unique story.
Fantastic Four (Hollywood Movie 2015)
Synopsis:
It starts with how fantastic four team was born. How did they get such powers?
Rating: 7/10
Remark: Decent.
The Transporter Refueled (Hollywood Movie 2015)
Synopsis:
As usual for a franchise movie, the transporter has a new job but was forced to complete the job even though the client broke the term and condition of verbal agreement.
Rating: 7/10
Remark: Nothing new.
Senryokugai Sousakan SP (Japanese Drama Special 2015)
Synopsis:
A rookie detective was assigned to a team. That team received an assignment to bring a criminal back to Japan from Macau. At the airport in Japan, the criminal was shot. The rookie detective investigated why he was shot. She uncovered a deeper plot related to that criminal.
Rating: 7/10
Remark: It is typical Japanese criminal-related show.
Specialist 3 (Japanese Drama Special)
Synopsis:
Detective Yoshito is investigating a murder case. The clue is police toy which was given at exhibition show. Can he find the murder in this tough case?
Rating: 7/10
Remark: Interesting layers of secrets before you realised the true story.
Taishi Kakka no Ryourinin (Japanese Drama Special)
Synopsis:
Japanese government is trying to promote its rail infrastructure to Vietnam in the hope that the latter can use Japanese one to build the rail infrastructure. The problem is that Vietnam government are not on friendly term with Japanese government.
Rating: 7/10
Remark: Meaningful story
Unfair the special ~Double Meaning -Rensa~ (Japanese Drama Special)
Synopsis:
This time, the main character of the unfair drama is not shown most of the time.
Akira Mochizuki suddenly recall her bad experience when she was a kid. Child kidnapping cases with oddly similar patterns are appearing. That make her to have memory recall of her bad experience. She sets out to solve this case, to put the end to her bad memory.
Rating: 7/10
Remark: There is subtle twist.
Yousoko Wagaya e (Japanese Drama 2015)
Synopsis:
Kenta is a type who don't confront any injustices and problems out of fear that things may go out of the proportion. However, one day, he subconsciously confront someone who jumped the queue to get into extremely crowded train. After that, problems arose in front of his home - vandalism, prank calls, etc. What will Kenta do?
Rating: 8/10
Remark: Slow paced story but comes with unexpected twist outcome.
Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials (Hollywood Movie 2015)
Synopsis:
Thomas wants to know why he and his fellow teenagers are in this situation. As he has escaped the enclosed area, he, together with his fellow teenagers, moved to another unknown location by an organization. Can he trust this organization?
Rating: 7/10
Remark: The climate of the story is not there.
Ronaldo (Documentary Movie 2015)
Synopsis:
It is about Cristano Ronaldo life, mostly between 2014 and 2015 together with few flashbacks of his past playing career.
Rating: 6/10
Everest (Hollywood Movie 2015)
Synopsis:
It is based on real-life story that had happened in 1996. The leader of the commercial team planned as much as he can with the consideration of the safety. But some customers for that team can never meet the deadline....
Rating: 7.5/10
Remark: Very interesting as you watch how the story fold out.
Extraction (Hollywood Movie 2015)
Synopsis:
A CIA operative, being caught by the leader of the evil organization, was successful not to name the undercovers, who were spying on the same organization. However, something bad happen to his family. His son decided to join CIA. In 10 years later, his son sets out to save his dad from being caught by a terrorist.
Rating: 6/10
Remark: Nothing new. It is no wonder why it get such low rating on imdb website.
The Martian (Hollywood Movie 2015)
Synopsis:
A team has to leave the Mars without a missing colleague via rocket. How will the missing colleague, if alive, survive in Mars? Was he alive?
Rating: 8/10
Remark: Very interesting story.
Bridge of Spies (Hollywood Movie 2015)
Synopsis:
In the cold war period, US government has Russian spy while Russia government has US pilot who was caught during the spy mission. US government is keen to exchange Russia spy with US pilot as soon as possible so that he don't reveal important things about US. In this case, US government appointed an insurance-specialized lawyer to negotiate with Russia for that matter. Did Russia government agree?
Rating: 9/10
Remark: Exciting.
Spectre (Hollywood Movie 2015)
Synopsis:
James Bond wants to find the identity of secret gang as per late leader's instruction. What did he find? While he finds that identity, his employer wants to close the secret organisation that manage secret agents including James bond. Can he complete the mission?
Rating: 7/10
Remark: Decent as usual.
Steve Jobs (Hollywood Movie 2015)
Synopsis:
This movie solely focus on how Steve Jobs handled his personal relationships and his family.
Rating: 7/10
Remark: Meaningful story.
Macbeth (Hollywood Movie 2015)
Synopsis:
This movie is based on Willams Shakespeare's version. Macbeth saw three witches and learnt the prediction from them that he will be the king of Scotland. How?
Rating: 7/10
Remark: Slow paced story with literature-powered dialogues.
The 33 (Hollywood Movie 2015)
Synopsis:
This is based on the true story. 33 miners are trapped in a collapsed mine. The Chile government took over the private property of that collapsed mine with the aim to save them. It appears to be mission impossible to save 33 miners when nobody knows the exact location of these 33 miners.
Rating: 8/10
Remark: Emotional movie.
Burnt (United Kingdom Movie 2015)
Synopsis:
A 2 star michelin chef escaped to unknown place, reforming himself from bad vices. His last employer closed down. He decided to do a turnaround in his life by getting 3 stars in a new restaurant. How?
Rating: 8/10
Remark: It sound like Gordon Ramsey's story.
Legend (United Kingdom Movie 2015)
Synopsis:
It is based on the real-life story about Kray twin brothers. They rule England as powerful gangsters and eventually fall from that power. What happened to them?
Rating: 8/10
Remark: Remarkable story that make you wonder how the hell they rule the underworld in England.
Kounodori (Japanese Drama 2013)
Synopsis:
It is about doctors, being specialised in babies, wanting to save babies and mothers as many as possible.
Rating: 7/10
Remark: Plenty of smiles to warm you.
The Hunger Games Mockingjay Part 2 (Hollywood Movie 2015)
Synopsis:
It is final installment to ending of the story. It is an attempt made by Katniss to kill the leader because she wants to end the hunger games. She viewed hunger game cruel. Did she get the closure?
Rating: 7/10
Remark: The ending fall short of the expectation/desire.
Tony Del Piero wrote and posted at at 10:08 am
