I hate studying for my Jazz class. I don't understand music lingo or what different instruments sound like. I sometime think I am tone deaf. Also getting a day to study for my midterm is pure evil. SIGH. It's the devil out to get me.
So guess what I get to do today. Something exciting? I think not. Can you hear all the grumbling? It's me trying to understand what the heck syncopation sounds like. GRUMBLE.
No wonder music isn't my thing...
UPDATED ON 4/1/09: EPIC FAIL. SIGH.
Ok, I realize I should go out more because there are things more exciting than finding a Batman notebook and folder. I know this, but the thing is... I LOVE BATMAN. I wish he was real so I could meet him, and pine over him. I sometime wish there was a superhero to save this city from all the crimes going on. Am I a dreamer? Yes, I am, but how awesome would it be if Batman kept us out of trouble?
I'm tired of the cartoons that are on television these days. They make no sense, and yet they are wildly popular. Please tell me kids are not sitting in front of the television and watching all these silly shows. And what happened to Saturday morning cartoons? Did everything good go to cable? Are cartoons these days actually really clever, but I can't watch it because I'm not blessed with cable? What's going on here? What am I not getting?
All I've seen lately are these weird Hello Kitty notebooks or High School Musical notebooks. Umm, no thanks. I wanted something cool when I write notes in my bankruptcy class, so I was extremely happy when I found the Batman notebook. It's perfect!
Everyone is going to be so jealous in my bankruptcy class. Even if they are older, and have children. I know they will be envious even if they don't say anything... because I know deep down, everyone loves Batman. :)
P.S. I love Target even more now for having these.
Oh, I've actually been doing really well with my not eating mammals deal. Sometimes it makes me sad to think that I won't be eating a cheeseburger anytime soon or even meatloaf. I used to think that I could never give up red meat because it's so delicious.
But with delicious things like shrimps... it makes it very easy to forget about red meat. :) Yum, I'm drooling just thinking about shrimps.
I went to a restaurant with Frances and her family yesterday. My tummy was extremely happy when I left there. I had forgotten that I love Chinese food. How can I resist tofu, veggies, chicken, lobster, shrimp, and soup? Oh man, I was in heaven.
I bet you can tell I had a dandy weekend. Food makes me happy. Food = Bliss
So you think you know me? Well, think again...
I went to the AI's capstone showing, and boy was I impressed. There were designers, animators, and so many talented artists. It really made me wish I was more artistic. Their designs are so interesting. Their resumes are really impressive too. It gave me lots of ideas on how I should layout mine. I want to try out graphic designs. Maybe I should try taking a class. Oh, I am feeling inspired...
P.S. Congrats Suzanna! I know how hard you worked. :)
Note: This picture belongs to the Pioneer Woman. I want to be just like her. I want her life.
Oh, it definitely hasn't been too hard to give up eating four legged animals. I've always been fond of chicken, so I just eat more of it now. Of course, I haven't started eating like this for that long.
I love animals, and I've always felt guilty that I couldn't become a vegetarian. I love meat. It's delicious, and I dream about it. You would have to be very dedicated to become a vegetarian, and I don't think I am at that level yet. I will just give up four legged animals for now, and maybe someday... I could go without other meats. I would like to become a vegetarian.
I'm also doing this because I never feel well when I eat a lot of red meat. I always get an upset stomach or really bloated (not that you needed to know that, but I'm just telling you how it is). That was another good reason to give it up (I got the idea from Gwyneth Paltrow. I love her eating/traveling through Spain show.), and eat only a selected amount of meat that includes chicken and seafood.
I really LOVE animals. They are so cute and innocent. It hurts me to eat all of those cows and pigs.
I don't plan on doing this forever. I don't plan on never eating four legged animals again. I would never go to some one's house and demand they make me something without red meat, so there may be times when I eat it. It's just something I feel I should do now, and it may end next month or even next year. Who knows, but I'm doing it for now.
I wanted nice wavy hair! What did I get instead? Poofy, not so wavy hair. Oh wells, can't say I didn't try. My hair just doesn't want to change. Which is exactly like my personality. Change is hard for me, and apparently it is hard for my hair too.
It's ok, hair... I still love you.
Every since I was young, I've kept a journal. It's my way of ranting and letting my emotions out. Sometimes I get so emotional that I have a need write something down. It helps me get through things when I can't talk about my problems or when my friends aren't available.
It's a lot of fun to go back and reread my old diary entries. But sometimes it's embarrassing to reread the things I thought about or the things I found important in my teenage years. My adolescence years were quiet awkward.
I really enjoy blogging, but there's something so wonderful about seeing your own thoughts in your handwriting. It's my daily ritual. My entries are usually uneventful, but the nice thing about journals are that they can't get bored with you. :D
I love going journal shopping too. I love the feel of new journals and seeing their blank pages. Actually, I think I just like shopping.
Stay tuned. I'm going to be sharing with you some of my silly old journal entries in the future.
P.S. I am obsessed with stickers too as you can see on my current journal.
I really like wavy and curly hair. I've always admired Taylor Swift's hair. Julia Roberts also has nice hair. Oh, and I really like Kate Hudson's hair.
I've always wanted hair with volume. It's because I have flat hair, and I don't really care for flat hair. Don't get me wrong, I love straight hair. I love pony and pig tails. Straight hair is definitely easy to maintain.
It's just that I am looking for a new look. A change. Something different from the same straight hair I had since I was born. I wanted wavy hair.
Today I went to the hair salon to get a perm. I didn't want frizzy hair or hair that would be unmanageable, so my hair stylist decided to wave my hair.
When I saw my perm, I didn't really care for it. My hair was all frizzy and BIG. I tried to make the big hair go away by washing my hair 100 times (ok, it was more like 3). When I got out of the shower and let it dry naturally, it looked so much better. It's just a little wavy now. Just the right amount of volume.
And now I have beautiful hair. I just hope it last.
P.S. Getting a perm makes your hair smell really bad. The smell is getting to me.
UPDATE ON 3/21/09: My hair is no longer wavy. It's straight again. I guess all good things must come to an end. SIGH.
Bank of America has the keep the change program. It's a way to save a little extra money. What a great idea. Save money by saving your change? I do that too. Actually, I've been doing that for a long time. My method is a little more basic than theirs though. It's how everyone did it back in the day. The days where we played marbles or swung on monkey bars or those many occasions when you would fall and skin your knees. Yup, the good old days.
I keep a piggy bank (it's more like a giant jug rather than a piggy bank), and store all of my change in it. I don't use my chump change. I save it. It's too heavy to carry around anyway.
When I'm ready to use it (which is about every 3-4 months), I just go to my bank where they deposit it into my account without a charge. Yay, I love my bank. I know some banks require you to roll the change before you can deposit it.
What do I do with my change? I do something really exciting (ok fine, it's not always exciting) with the money.
I either:
A. Get my eyes checked (which is what I am doing next week).
B. Buy my textbooks (which is what I did last time).
C. Use it as extra cash on a vacation (which is what I did the last, last time).
D. Buy pretty cameras or lenses (which is what I shall be doing the next time I cash my coins).
Every time I cash my coins, I usually end up with $150. That's extra money I didn't really know I had before. And how can that ever be a bad thing?
I watched a movie last night that moved me. The movie made me think about my faith.
"Henry Poole abandons his fiancée and family business to spend what he believes are his remaining days alone. The discovery of a 'miracle' by a nosy neighbor ruptures his solitude and restores his faith in life." (imbd.com)
It's a movie about faith, and how your beliefs can sometime be the thing that saves you. I forget that a lot of the time. I sometime spend a lot of time questioning why things happen to me. Sometimes I feel really crappy, and that everything is hopeless. I forget that there is a purpose for everything, and that God has plans for me. I just need to believe, and not question it. That can be hard for me sometimes, but God has never steered me wrong. I guess life isn't always what it seems.
And sometimes it just takes a prayer to find the answer...
P.S. I may also like the movie because it has Luke Wilson in it. I have a weakness for the Wilson brothers.
It's St. Patrick's Day already? Seriously, this year has gone by so fast! Where does the time go? It really does seem like the older you get, the faster time goes. Why did no one inform me of this when I was a child? (Someone probably did tell me... I just didn't listen.) I thought time moved so slowly back then. Oh, to be young again...
Anyways, I love all holidays.
Because I love antenna balls. Yes, I do. (Please don't judge me. Just accept and love me, please.)
Happy St. Patrick's Day everyone. Have a great day, and have a drink for me. Just make sure to be careful and safe today. :D
Note: This is my favorite mug. I also drink from a christmas and a flower mug.
I'm out of milk. That makes me depressed. I have been out of milk for the last two days. It's been hard... Why don't I just go buy some you ask? Because tomorrow is my shopping day. Which means I can't go today. (Call me crazy if you must, but I have a tight schedule of when I do things.) That means I'm going to have to wait until tomorrow to drink some delicious milk. SIGH.
Did you know that I drink a gallon of milk a week? Did you also know that I always drink from a mug at home? I can't drink hot things, so I pretend I do by drinking from a mug. 99.9% of the time, my mug is filled with water or milk. I ready like drinking from a cup with handles. That's just how I roll.
I realize that this post is rather random, but I thought you might enjoy a glimpse of my DRAMATIC life. Welcome to my world...
Do you like shabu shabu? Ever feel like the meat would taste yummier if it was actually cooked in some sort of sauce (rather than water)? Well if you answered yes, you need to try sukiyaki! It's so delicious, and pleasing to the eyes. Meat, veggies, and rice? That has my name written all over it!
The only thing that really creeps me out is the fact that you dip the meat into raw egg (the raw egg is the dipping sauce). I don't like the texture or taste of raw eggs. I can't even eat regular eggs with runny yoke (I like my eggs scrambled). Runny yokes are GROSS. Bleeh, I gagged a little just thinking about it...
Note: Nina has the fattest wallet, I had the medium wallet, and Suzanna had the thinnest wallet.
As we all reached into our bags for our wallet to pay, we realized that we all had the same wallet! (I am very fond of my wallet, and apparently they are too.) We all then tried to fight for the bill, but Nina ended up treating us. (Thanks Nina, but I seriously get the next one!)
My meal was delicious and nutritious! Yummy. I'm going to go to bed now and dream about it...
P.S. Frances, we totally have to go together because I know you'll love it!
Have you seen the movie, He's Just Not That Into You? Well, one of the characters is so adorable, and I wish I was as cute as she is. I love Gigi, and all of her clothing during the movie. But, what I loved the most about her was her purple nail polish.
Her nail polish was bright, pretty, and purple. I wanted it. I would spend a lot of time (Ok, so it was more like 15 minutes) online, trying to figure out what product she used, but my search was always in vain. I'd fail to find out, and soon enough, I forgot about it.
I was reading Entertainment Weekly last week while waiting in line to watch Watchmen (which is an enjoyable movie, but I am confused on how the group started. I think I need to read the comic. Whao, I went way off tangent.), and there was an article on Gigi's (Jennifer Goodwin) nail polish. Apparently, I was not the only one who was curious.
I went home, and ordered it online. I now have bright purple nails. It's really flashy. I think I like it, but it's not something I would wear on my fingers everyday. I think I'll just paint my toes for now.
P.S. I can't paint my nails for the life of me. It's a problem really.
Note: This photo was taken at the Big Thunder Railroad ride at Disneyland. (Thanks Nina!)
OH BOY! I am obsessed! (I do have a lot of obsessions... I think I have an addictive personality.) Motion pictures are so much fun to shoot. I think I like the blurriness. It makes the picture more interesting.
I learned how to dodge and burn a photo today. My goodness, who knew how complicated it was to create a pretty photo? It's so complicated, and I think I really need to learn patience. (That's why Photoshop is the greatest thing ever invented besides the camera itself. It can do everything you want it to in a few clicks. BRILLIANCE!)
I only wish my class was taught using digital cameras. This film thing drives me nuts. I don't like taking an hour just to develop my negatives. It's even worse when you decide you don't like anything you took on that roll. SIGH. That's a lot of effort for a bad roll. WHERE'S THE DELETE BUTTON? I guess I am a big fan of instant gratification. That's why I love digital cameras (even though the film ones get better pictures). I like to see the picture right after I take it, and be able to delete it if I hate it.
P.S. Am I talking too much about photography? Sorry, I give you permission to ignore all future post about photography if you decide it's boring. It just makes me gleeful every time I talk about it, so I do. A bit too often, so it seems.
P.P.S. I'm also sorry this blog seems like it's more about me than Frances. I'm addicted to blogging. I do realize I am hogging this blog...
I love mail. I love cards. I love letters. I even love love letters. (But no one writes me any of those.)
I love all of the handwritten cards that you guys have given me for my birthday. It makes me happy, and they're always my favorite gifts. I reread them so often that I probably know most of your handwritings. I love reading things in people's handwriting. (Unless it's so messy that I can't read it.) I think it's an obsession.
I am seriously giddy when I get mail or cards. It's a wonderful feeling when you know someone took the time to write you a note. It's so personal and thoughtful, and I love it.
So thank you for all of your birthday cards. They always make my day, and I'll keep them forever.
Did I just hear someone ask, what are photograms? I can answer that! It's when you shine light through objects to create a picture on your photo paper. There are no cameras involved. It's a lot of fun, but it can be a pain in the neck too.
Most people threw on random objects onto their photo paper, but I decided I wanted to make something interesting. My teacher had told us that he would judge our personality based on this project. (That made me nervous. I didn't want him to think I lack creativity.)
With yogurt lids, chopsticks, buttons, beads, a wood hat chip, and a scarf (I knitted a mini scarf.), I created a snowman. His name is Mr. WobbleGobble. He likes pies. (Especially pumpkin.) Don't tease him about his appearance because he's very sensitive.
Who knew photography was so challenging and frustrating? Who knew how hard it was to capture the perfect photo? Who knew it took so much thought to create a good photograph? Who knew developing negatives and photographs would make your hands smell like rotten eggs for days? Did you know? I sure didn't.
But nonetheless, I ADORE photography. I put a lot of effort into this project, so when I got that A... it was bliss.
(Actually, it was a good day. I had gotten an A on my science test too. It was a rock test, and I am very much in love with rocks. Is that weird? I should of been an archaeologist, but I'll talk about that in another post.)
I think everyone should try photography. It will definitely change how you see things.
WHERE ON EARTH DO YOU GET THESE COOKIES? I always wait by my door for any girl scouts that may come knocking on my door, but it never happens. I always have a craving for their Tagalongs or Do-si-dos. (Yes, I am very fond of peanut butter.) They are so good, and they make me feel whole. No sadness is ever felt when I eat those cookies. Trust me, it's true...
But those girl scouts never come...(At least to my neighborhood) They never knock on my door, and I never know where to get them. I am always in a constant search for those delicious cookies, and I always fail to find them. It really does distress me. How my heart breaks...
My brother did bring home a box of Somoas (a.k.a. Caramel deLights) for me. I was pleasantly surprised, but those are not the same as the Do-si-dos, and the Do-si-dos are what makes my heart sing. They give me purpose in life. A reason to live...
My brother had gotten the cookies as a present, so there was no way for me to get any more. Woe is me... I am sad... But someday, I will get a bunch of these cookies...SOMEDAY. (What? You think I am dramatic? I may have to agree with you.)
It was too pretty of a day to stay indoors, and I needed to take some pictures for my photography class, so I decided to hit the beach. It was the perfect weather, and there was just enough sunlight to take nice photos for my project.
I was really suprised when I got there because there was barely anyone there. (There were some available parking spots at Newport Beach. I KNOW! When does that ever happen?!) I realized that I wasn't really going to get any pictures because of the lack of people (I was suppose to take action photos of people), so I decided that I would just take it as a sign to relax and enjoy the beach.
It was so wonderful to just enjoy the view, and let my thoughts roll through my head. I saw a little girl trying to fly a kite (she failed, but she was so cute doing it), a Bird Man (That's what he called himself) who let everyone pet his parrots, and a dad trying to teach his daughter how to surf. I was happy. I always feel at ease when I am at the beach (Actually, I always feel at ease when I am in nature). I always forget my problems when I watch the waves crash. It has a way of making my problems feel so small. That's a nice feeling.
I've always lived near the beach. My earlies memories involves me going to the beaches in Japan, and trying to learn how to swim (I remember being able to swim as a child, but I can't really swim now). I love the beach, and I'm glad I can enjoy it even during the winter. I adore California's beaches and weather, and there's nowhere else I'd rather live.
Note: I had to add this comic when Mariana showed it to me. This is exactly how I would like to play the game.
Do you become super competitive when you play this game? Are you determined to own all the properties, and build hotels on them? Do you get physically angry when you have to go to jail? Do you feel happy inside when you are winning?
I can answer YES to all of those questions. Whenever I play this game, I am convinced that I have to beat everyone. I play fair, but I do not play nice. I don't care who I have to take down in order to get what I want. I don't care if I am playing with kids; I want to win. I will also laugh, when I make you bankrupt. Is that evil?
If I win the game, I'll become depressed when I realize that it's not reality, and that it was only a game. I do not own any hotels or property in the real world, and that can make me feel a little sad. If only, if only I owned a bunch of hotels like the Hiltons.
Maybe I shouldn't play this game anymore... It makes me mean, and mean Hang isn't a pretty sight.
Note: I promise I do not make this face when you call me. I love all your calls... unless you are a telemarketer.
Thanks for all the calls, messages, texts, birthday wishes, and hugs. You guys are too sweet to me.
P.S. I found a white hair on my head today in my photography class. Once again, I was reminded of my new age. I hope old age agrees with me...
Where did that cute little girl go? I have a million pictures (Apparently I was a camera whore even then.) of this little person, and I can't help but wonder what ever happened to the girl? She loved the color pink. She loved playing with bugs. She loved to play in the rain. And she drank apple juice all day long.
Did I really change that much? I still love the zoo. I still play games with my brother. I am still afraid of lightning. I still can't sing. I still have an overactive imagination. I still love the whole wide world. And I definitely still laugh at children's jokes.
Growing up is such a strange thing to me. No one ever told me what it was going to be like. What? I have to get a career? What? I have to pay lots of bills? What? I have to behave in a dignified manner? What? Life isn't always fair? What is all that?
But as much as I miss being that little carefree girl, I'm very excited for my future. Who knows what is in store for me. The possibilities are limitless... I could win the lottery! Did you just say a trip around the world? I'll take it! When should I pack my bags?
Note: Can you see the bee in the picture? The bee almost gave me a heart attack when it nearly flew onto me.
I cannot describe to you how much I adore photography. I dream about cameras in the middle of the night when I am sleeping. When I look at something, I wonder if it will photograph well. I ponder over what angle should I shoot at. I drift off and think about aperture, shutter speeds, and composition. I just love the art of photography. It makes my heart sing. It makes my life complete. It's my true love...
The photo above is the FIRST photo that I developed from the first negative I ever made. (My scanner sucks and the image looks kind of off. It kind of looks like an old picture...) Magic happens in the dark room. There is something so magical about that dark, small, quiet space. It's the place where photo paper becomes a photograph. It's my heaven on earth.
And it's my secret (maybe it's not so much a secret.) wish to become a photographer.
P.S. My camera is a film camera, and that's why I had to scan my picture. We're kicking it old school (Didn't I sound cool just now? No? How dare you. I am so cool.) in my class, so we only take black and white photographs on film.
P.P.S. I love photography. Did you know that already? Oh, sorry. I tend to repeat myself...
Note: Please ignore my crazy and colorful room. I realize I have issues.
I HATE dress shopping. (Don't get me wrong. I love it when I find a cute dress that fits in all the right places, but that usually NEVER happens.) But my cousin's wedding is approaching quickly, and I needed to get the ball rolling on finding the proper dress.
I found this adorable dress from Macy's (Which is my favorite department store. I just LOVE them.), and decided to try it on. YIPPIE, it fit! What more could I ask for? It's a cute dress that fits, is fairly priced, and I love it. I saw no reason not to take it home.
When I took it home, and thought about it; I realized that wearing white may not be appropriate at a wedding when I am not the bride. The shoulder straps are also very annoying. They kept slipping off my shoulders, and making me feel like a stripper. I feel like I have to staple them onto my shoulders to keep them in place.
Now I can't decide if I should keep the dress, and go to the wedding in it or if I should return it, and try again? Please advise me because I am definitely indecisive.
Update on 3/7/09: I returned the dress. I am looking for another dress. Dress shopping is EVIL.
Do nicknames ever make sense? Okay. What I meant was, do our nicknames ever make sense?
Buck and Butt is no exception to that rule. I don't remember why or when or even how we came up with those nicknames, but then again, I never remember why or when or even how any of our nicknames started.
And trust me, Buck and Butt aren't the weirdest nicknames that we came up with. So embrace the nicknames. We sure did.
I wish I could say it was love at first sight. It wasn't even close.
When I was in first grade, my mother decided that I needed a tutor because it was hard for me to grasp English. I had just moved to the United States from Japan, and everything was foreign to me. My mother had met Frances' mother at church, and that was when my fate was sealed. I was to be tutored by Frances' family.
When I came over, I was pushed to the floor, and forced to smell this old, smelly, dirty, GROSS, purple sock. I remember hearing Frances chant, "PURPLE SOCK, PURPLE SOCK!" to her brother as I was being tortured on the floor. And that was how I first met Frances.
I didn't come back for years. Many years later, my mother forced me to return to Frances' house. I was in fifth grade to be exact, and that was when our friendship blossomed. She later became my best friend, and though we had some rough patches, she is the very best friend I could ever ask for. All thanks to my mother, who made me go to her house.
