The IPE professor finally orchestrated the bookstore successfully, bringing in the book we needed for class 2 weeks late. I purchased the book and brought it back to my room to realize the cashier did not have me sign the credit voucher…and actually GAVE me the only copy of the voucher in my book. Does this mean I get to keep it for free?

Seriously contemplating the stability of the American economy, I’m considering international investment.  Be forewarned: Watch out for the American Financial Crisis.

I’ve been sick for nearly 5 weeks now and I’ve had smoker’s cough for the last 2 . Since I think I caught whatever I have from Char, for the past 3 or so days, I’ve been self medicating myself with the stuff her doc prescribed her.  Flonase (that smells like roses…ahhhh….) and some inhaler thing (that tastes like paint thinner). My professor keeps making fun of my hollistic approach to medicine…We had a bet that if I go to the doc and he prescribes me the same thing, my prof will pay for the visit. If they prescribe me something else, then I pay for it. Too risky. I’d rather do it the Chinese-college-student way. Waiving SHIP was a bad move.

If I could call Australia right now, I would wish my cousin Pamela a very Happy 21st Birthday. Not a bad location to pass onto 21….those Aussies will take care of you, Pam!

Living next to frat row is like living next to a canyon of noise.

What do Godivas, Martinelli’s, Sushi, Jam and Scones, A whole lot of Broadway, an earing display case and 4 hours in the freezing cold all have in common?

Valentine’s Day! A bit belated, but last week Matt and I traded our gifts and snacked on sushi as we trecked our way to an empty playground for boarders and skiiers at Mt. High.  It’s been two years since I’ve unpacked my gear, and was afraid of being a bit rusty….no fret…with some much needed encouragement and impatience from Matt, I was permitted a few refresh-sessions off the bunny and then swept back up on the blue squares. Matt took some good falls off of a box he’s been trying to conquer, while I tried to manuver my board toe side. A few more of these valentines day outtings, and I’ll be carving in no time!

So you may be wondering what I decided to gift my sweetheart…as an ode to my foot theme, I got him a pair of coveted Rainbow sandals.  I know, I’m so romantic.

 &   =    & & &  & &  & & …good trade!

It’s 5:30am and I’m still procrastinating on my 7 pg paper due today! Thank you xanga. You’ve been so faithful…every time I needed to be steered off track…you were always there waiting to provide…

Oh before I scurry back to work, want to know something disgusting?!?!

I was taking out my contacts earlier. As a routine, I would pop them out into the case then squirt the solution into the little wells. Guess what else came out of the solution?….A dead ant! It was discolored and stuff too…GROSS! I think it’s been there since I bought it….Being as chinese as I am, I shrugged it off after the split second of being grossed out, I figured…heck if I’m still not blind, it can’t really do any harm just cause I know about it now….I still have the solution in my Rx cabinet. I’ll probably still use it until I’m out.  Yum, ant juices.

Gung Hay Fat Choi! Decided to give my xanga a much needed facelift. The last picture is my favorite. It looks like I have a cataract.

I’ve fallen victim. Valentine’s Day has successfully snuck up on me…what to get… 

Now accepting romantic suggestions for this holiday feat….

Speaking of feet…

Worse than Kenny:

Char can do this and pick things up with her toes…lucky for us her legs aren’t as hairy…

Cough. Sigh.

Because I have been wading in a bit of guilt due to the pungent self-centered theme of past entries, this jabber is duly devoted to those who enjoy political ramblings..Those of you who could care less, skip down to the third paragraph.

My indignations and frustrations on the situation in Iraq–maybe much of it is attributed to my lack of understanding on Islamic fundamentalism–must now be vented.  The tussles that resound within the Middle Eastern borders are convoluted and extremely difficult to analyze–probably impossible to engage in until a few decades after the whole debacle unravels– but nonetheless, we are all entitled to our voices–here and now– amongst the scuttlebutt. As a disclaimer, I must admit that most of my arbitrations are made largely through the influences of media-swayed headlines…but fact is fact, and murder albeit true compassion extended by non-US aid is uncalled for.  Because the recent killing of Margaret Hassan touched base with something I hold closer to my heart (CARE International), reading a recent article in The Economist made me feel even more ambivalent towards the situation…Is there any possible solution that could stop the outrageous killings? Hassan, having resided 30 years in Iraq and married to an Iraqi, was kidnapped and killed regardless. Iraqi citizens and even transparent aid workers draped in the baby blue UN flag or branded by the Red Cross are no longer safe.  How do you achieve stability in such a region that has no regard for human life? How can the US possibly disengage itself from such a mess now?? And if we didn’t initially step into the scene, would someone else have taken the role?…How long would have the humanitarian unrest continue without any true recognition from the international community? The problem will most likely be defaulted to Annan’s “Things to Do” list, and will probably require close to $100million to package security measures–which aren’t even guaranteed to deliver successfully. CARE has pulled out of Iraq…along with agencies like Medecins Sans Frontieres (aka doctors without borders) and Oxfam. What is this state going to do in restructuring without access to such valuable resources like medical aid and basic needs (food, water, etc)?  I used to think that transparency was the answer…If they see you as non-offensive, you’re in the clear. Now, it seems like it doesn’t matter–no matter what your intentions are.  Don’t misconceive me as an ideologue for capitalism or democracy…although it serves the American society well, it’s not a one-size-fits-all system that all populations can don. Sovereignty is one thing, but when primitive human rights are breached, something must be done. It’s just too bad that Americans have been filtered to the world as a horrible entity..it gridlocks those of us who really do want to reach out with emollience.

Now that I’ve convinced you all that my mind is entrapped in a small ideological fairy tale box, I must strategically juxtapose my discourse about abductions and maimings by succeeding it with a cinematographic review on my latest blockbuster viewings: Shrek 2 and Cinderella Story.  Shrek 2 is a must see. I can confidently say that the appeal value and laughter meter of Shrek 2 surpasses its foundational (is that a word?) flick Shrek….mainly because my three-pronged attempt at viewing Shrek 1 all failed because somewhere between the time my eyelids surrendered to gravity and the time the movie ended, I had lost all consciousness. –Strange because I hear that it was a pretty good movie.  Both Cinderella Story (starring Hillary Duff) and Shrek 2 are parodies of major Disney films and fairy tale epics.  Cinderella story was probably more germane to my all time favorite (no biases here) Cinderella Disney movie…and was probably more suited for young female gushers like myself.  Regardless, all females would probably appreciate a helping of delectable eye candy provided by the co-star that plays Austin Aimes…my teenie-bopper-MK&A-lover sister would probably enjoy this DVD for Christmas…for those of you who are out of touch with the world of teenie bopper lingo, MK&A is the acronym for the twin monopoly Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen sisters…if it wasn’t before, it will be coined and minted right here on this xanga page tonight…

Speaking of Christmas, people have been asking for my weathervane on gifts…I am a firm believer on thoughtful surprises (home-made ones are the best), but for those of you who are just looking for gift ideas for friends who display characteristics similar to mine, here are a few suggestions:

A yearly subscription for their favorite magazines like: The Economist or The New Yorker

A comprehensive Atlas with shiny colored pictures of the world–not only showing geographical terrains, but also of man-made-borders

Broadway musical or Disney CDS

Napoleon Dynamite DVD

An empty MAC eyeshadow pallet and gift certificate so they can fill the circles with colors of their choice

“Third World to First” by Lee Kwan Yew

“The Rise of the Creative Class” by Richard Florida

If all else fails, and you want a safe, default gift, opt for Nordstrom’s gift cards. They’re the tried & safe way to any girly-girl’s heart.

NOTE: beware of giftcards that expire after 1 year…no names mentioned, ANF!!!!

sushi on a stick (4:40:53 AM): “Don’t be so humble, you are not that great.”

The class I’m TAing next quarter is completely full!!!!  That means 99×3 pages of essays to read when the prof assigns papers and enormous study sessions to conduct.  At least approximately $990 extra cash will flutter towards my wallet at the end of the quarter… and an additional line item will make its way to my resume.  

24-29 is a decent score for an expected 23-point blowout. Regardless, I’ll stick by my bruins…even if I had to sit in the sixth row with complete strangers because I didn’t turn in my ticket at the same time with my friends. Regardless, it’s always fun to absorb an atmosphere of school spirit with associated fans. Next year, the trojans are going down. They can’t keep going at the rate they’re at now.

Innerchange 2 was fun. Catching up with old R friends is always refreshing…it makes me feel a bit homesick, which probably warrants a 2 hour trip out to the R-side as soon as gas prices start declining.

Wish I knew how to maneuver visual aids more efficiently on Xanga….for now, literary aids will have to suffice.  Does anyone know how to add music? Maybe I’ll fart around with the computer at work tomorrow.

Well, since it’s been a while, let’s start off with brushing the dust off of this page.  Since I have two more hours to kill at work, I guess I’ll submit a belated update on my life:

My job….working at the opthemologist office has been quite a blessing. Low stress, great co-workers, decent pay, and a Christmas party at Lawry’s! But on top of that, I get to wear scrubs to work and bum it in stylish colors–oh, and when the phones aren’t ringing, and I’m bored stiff, I can check my mail a million times and catch up with my loyal xanga subscribers.

School…I’ve gotten an internship with a pretty quirky prof. He’s entertaining for the most part, and completely blunt. He says that he thinks I’ll be a star one day. He has way more confidence in my abilities than I do…as for now, one step at a time…towards Georgetown hopefully.

Summer…My uncle is getting married! I really like his fiancee–she’s a sweetheart…and her mom hems my jeans with the original hem still on it …If all things go accordingly, I’ll be in DC for the first half of summer, and in Hong Kong for the second half.  They’re both loaded with an internships, so now it’s just a matter of pulling the trigger in the right direction.

Christmas shopping…Matt and I have been hitting the malls diligently. So far, I’ve gotten half the people off my list. It’s really cool to shop early because you get to really put some thought in the gifts when you’re not swept up in the hustle and bustle. It feels easier on the wallet too. But sometimes I get stuck on these jean fixes, and as a result, I’ve collected another pair of 7s…but whoever said you can’t treat yourself to an early christmas gift? (Matt’s no help in this department because he encourages jean expenditures….)

Church…Since it’s been a while since my last update, I’ve been teaching sunday school at church with Charlyne. Working with kids really moves your heart in a certain way– it’s pure entertainment watching what kids can come up with, and how they convey their thoughts. We’re off this month, but in December we’ll be starting up again.

Hum dee dum…so bored…no doctors are in today….I think I’ll call my roommate to bug her. Muahahhaha!

Well, I woke up a tad too early for class…the class I thought I had at 9 is actually at 11. So, I thought I’d try to keep my loyal commentariats up to date, since I’ve been in between the stages of xangorreha and bogstipation…

Let’s see…here’s another crazy moment that would validify one of Murphy’s Great Laws and serve as entertainment for your reviewing pleasure… Yesterday I went to the eye doctor’s with Charlyne for another routine appointment. After half an hour of having Dr. Kurata examine our good ole blinkers for a contact study, we left to head back to campus…but we decided to make a quick ramen pit stop right next door. Since this luncheon wasn’t scheduled, I didn’t bring my wallet, so Char had to go back to the car first for her credit card. (The UCLA credit card we both registered for in order to obtain a cool towel, which is now hanging in our doorway to serve as room decor…UCLA is highly commercialized…but elaborations will be reserved for another entry.)  So after we walk past the restaurant to get to her car, grab the credit card, and walk back to the restaurant, we settled in to have our cheerful waitress take our orders. After praising God for providing us with Char’s credit card so that we could dine decadently in the middle of Little Tokyo, we both looked around the walls that make up the cavity of the aged ramen house. Right when our waitress speedily served our selections, we looked to the right of our assigned seats in a beautifully synchronized manner…only to find a rather large sign posted above the cash register, half hiding because of its elevation and half flashing us with the bold red letters that spelled out “CASH ONLY…”

Staring at our steaming meal, we gawked blankly for about two seconds, and then took slow sips of our soup in denial. “Are you sure we don’t have any cash?…even in the car?” I asked Charlyne…. knowing that her response would be negative, and knowing that I would be reciprocated the question for an identical negative confirmation. Then almost naturally, we started giggling…giggling at the situation and giggling in hopes that it would make a twenty appear to assuage the embarrassment that was brewing in our soups. Unable to control our laughter, we tried to figure out alternative methods of payment…calling parents, friends, digging for change under the car mats, doing dishes…this was probably the most humbling experience of the week. Luckily Pearl Sano was on shift with Dr. Kurata, so I agreed to call her for financial aid, while Charlyne’s part of the bargain was to go redeem it from next door.

I guess two of Murphy’s wonderful Laws could be illustrated here…”If anything could go wrong, it will”….and….”All great discoveries/lessons are made by mistake.”

Good Times, Good Laughs…so this is college…

Oops..didn’t think my entry would turn into a blogopotamus… time to go to class now! bye!

It’s hard to find good friends…but when you do, it’s important to rejoice in their existence. Michael Gore, thanks for being such a great friend to me. Happy 20th Birthday! Miss you a bunch, I hope you have a wonderfully celebratory occasion today!

When you look past the ramifications of rain, like slipping on the concrete then paralyzing yourselves from the neck down, or getting your hair wet and possibly catching pneumonia then dying, there are several benefits to rain. Like…SNOWBOARDING season!!! And after coming back to your dorm room from the dangerous encounter with the mildly angry Los Angeles weather, you can change into cozier clothes and snuggle in your comforters and curl up with wonderful literature like…Financial Accounting.

 I praise God every morning when I wake up to be so blessed. I have my health, an eclectic hall, an amazing boyfriend, caring family, genuine friends, and the best roommate/best friend I could ever ask for….then my feelings dissipate in about 10 seconds because I look over to Char who is fast asleep across the room because she doesn’t have any Monday classes, while I have to bust my butt to rush out the door 10 minutes late.  unfair.

I lost my Black Sweater.