Happy Holidays!

Have a safe and happy holiday everyone!

Happy

I just wanted to share one of my favorite songs (of the moment) that basically talks about what it means to be happy.  Happiness isn't easy and sometimes we have to take risks to figure out what it means to be happy and to find what it is that makes us happy.

Enjoy!

Mac N Cheese

Holiday season is here and it means it's time for my Mac N Cheese.  It's not really mine, it's actually Martha Stewart's.  But ever since I made it for my family a few years ago they've begged me to make it every year for our Holiday Get Together.

This year, I'm tweaking the recipe a little bit.  Those who know me know of my mild obsession with bacon.  As health-conscious as I am, bacon is one of the few indulgence I allow myself.  Bacon makes everything better.  This year, I am adding bacon to Martha's recipe.  I am also substituting half of the butter with rendered bacon fat.  I hope it turns out well and doesn't disappoint.

For now, I have finals to worry about.  I just came back from a study session for Tuesday's final.  I hope I get a good grade in the final.  Although it's technically not my hardest class, it's the only class this semester that I didn't take seriously and now I'm in danger of finishing with a B.  I know that's still a god grade but it's not good enough for me. It's a blemish in this semester's record.  =)  I've always hated Physics but that's no excuse to slack.  Back to the books I go... til next time!

Updates!

It's been a while since I've updated this blog.  It seems like the days seem to go by at lightning speed when I barely have time to catch my breath!  I won't bore anyone with details so I'll just go ahead with updates:

1. Penn interview went well.  I was exhausted from my trip but I'm glad I went.  It was nice to see the campus and meet the people.  Hopefully, I made a good impression.  I don't hear back from them until about February although they do send out their first round of rejection letters this month! 

2. I've scheduled my interview with Johns Hopkins for Dec. 22nd.  I'm doing a phone interview this time since it's so close to Christmas and airline ticket prices are sky-rocketing!  If I do get accepted, I'll visit the campus then to help me decide.

3. I wanted to go on vacation before I start grad school. In fact, JJ and I planned a trip to Italy and Greece.  With all the preparations to move cross-country, I don't think that trip's feasible.  We'll probably go when we both graduate.  Insane European shopping trip, woo-hoo! I still want to go on a short trip though.  Not sure where at the moment.

4.  I have finals coming up in the next 3 weeks.  I'm hoping I did well enough in my Physics class that I don't have to take the final.  I find out tomorrow.  I'm crossing my fingers and toes that I got a 185/200 in my last test.  That's the absolute minimum for me to pass out of the final.

5.  Christmas time is here and that means shopping galore!  Not just for gifts but for me too.  I have a nasty habit of buying myself a thing or two for every present I buy.  =)  So far, I've bought myself more than enough presents and I've only bought 3-4 presents.  That's not too good, is it?

6.  What else is there?  So far I've really just stressed out about school and getting into school.  In January, I have to add financial aid into the mix.  I hope I get my W2s early so I can get my taxes done early.  I should probably send an email to my former employer's accounting department.  I'll do that January 1st.  =)

That's all I have so far.  I hope to blog more soon when school is done.  I also hope to have good news soon! 

Struggling

This week, my application to Johns Hopkins University is due. Much like all my other apps, this one is getting delayed because of the essay. For the program I am applying for, Hopkins requires 3 essays. I've finished one so far but the other two have left me struggling. Struggling for words when I feel like I've ran out. Struggling in my thoughts for the right "story" to tell. I'm in essay-writing hell, so to speak.

As if that wasn't hard enough, I've got Stat homework due tomorrow and a Biochem exam on Tuesday. Such is the life of a student applying to grad school. My mom asks me why I work so hard. I'm not sure if she's serious or not. This is one of those times that I can actually "see" the fruits of my labor...the A's at the end of the proverbial tunnel.

While I am looking forward to being a grad school student (assuming I get in somewhere), I am also petrified. I've been reading blogs of students currently enrolled in the programs I am applying for. It's really amped up my stress level. What if I am in over my head? I know now is not the time to stress myself out but I really am a little more panicky. I know I set impossibly high standards for myself but what if this is one time that I actually disappoint myself? I don't think I can live with that.

I'm getting way ahead of myself. I need to get into school first before I have these thoughts. And I can't get in if my apps aren't done...so 'til next time and hopefully I won't be so panicked then. Cheers!

Pole Dancing

When one thinks of dancing, words like grace and musicality come to mind. In dance competitions, we always hear people talk about strength and athleticism. When someone says pole-dancing, we think of words like 'sleazy' or 'stripper'.

Watch this video and see what words come to mind. My personal reaction: awe. I watched with my jaw dropped....especially around 3:19. A-MAZING! The amount of control she has. The strength of her legs. It's unbelievable. Like I said, A-MAZING! She should be in a Cirque du Soleil show. (PS. I like the song choice)



Edit: After some research, it turns out that our girl in the video actually dances for Cirque du Soleil.

Tapped out...

I am tapped out...spent...

I am on my 7th application essay and my brain has decided to quit on me. My body already quit on my this past weekend. I didn't think my brain would follow suit so soon.

I have 9 more to write after the 7th is done. Do I have it in me? Do I have enough creative juices left? God, I hope so.

*Sigh*

Piano

When I was younger, I never understood why my mom never let me take piano lessons. I REALLY wanted to learn but apparently she was traumatized by her experience and she didn't want us to go through the same. I wish she let us take lessons anyway and decide whether we didn't like it or not.

I could've been this little girl: (well, maybe not)

Books, books, books...

This summer I actually put a dent on my pile of unread books. Since June, I've read about 7 books, 4 of which were previously unread. Yes, you read that right. I read 4 new books which means I read 3 books I've previously read before.

I wonder if that's why my pile of unread books just keeps getting taller. Apart from constantly buying new books (I just received a package of 4 new ones), I seem to keep reading the same books. Come to think of it, I'm the same way with my dvds...I watch the same ones over and over.

Now how do I break from this habit?

Back in LA

I'm back in LA after a 12-day vacation in Tokyo. Tokyo was fun and a breath of fresh air. It was a nice break from my busy albeit humdrum existence in LA.

This particular vacation left me a little more appreciative of the Japanese people and their culture. It also left me a little embarrassed for how impatient, rude and disrespectful some Americans (okay, most) act (me included). I met a few tourists on this trip and by far, the rudest ones were the Americans. It's not at all surprising that the rest of the world hate Americans. Why is it that Americans feel and act as if they are entitled to everything? Again, I am included in this mix of rude and impatient Americans. However, I do not have an answer as to why we act this way. One can speculate but I think the best thing is that I am cognizant of the way I am and there is still time to change.

Hopefully, being back in LA doesn't mean I go back to my old ways. I guess we'll see. :)

A couple more things to think about...
-apart from Sumo wrestlers, I did not see fat people in Tokyo
-I'm not sure what is in the water in Tokyo but it seems that everyone had flawless skin BUT they still had ProActiv ads on TV, lol
-Sushi Zo has better sushi ;)

ABDC Top 10 Performances

10. SuperCr3w - Get Up Off of That Thing

9. Fanny Pak - Get Your Freak On (great performance!!!)

8. Breaks8 - Cupid Shuffle (Not a big fan. I felt they got by because of their "looks", charm and a gimmick. As far as dancing is concerned, they were more performers than actual dancers.)

7. Dynamic Edition - My Humps (Not a big fan either. I mean the clogging part is impressive but that's about it.)

6. Beat Freaks - Freeze (I liked this one a lot but I think they got lucky because they had the best prop to work with...but these girls CAN freakin' dance!)

5. Kabba Modern - Technologic (Talk about CLEAN!)

4. Strikers All Stars - Gimme More

3. Season 1 Top 4 - Hard Knock Life

2. Quest Crew - Piano Performance (I liked this performance but they actually had another routine that I preferred - don't remember which at the moment.)

1. Jabbawokeez - PYT (Not my favorite Jabba performance but all their routines were pretty awesome.)


Do I completely agree with this list? Not really. Can't wait for Season 4 though....starting this Sunday at 9pm. Tune in people!

Underestimate or Overestimate...Which is Worse?

I guess it really depends on the subject so let me elaborate...

Which is worse, overestimating or underestimating your own abilities/intellect?

Each have their merits but I (personally) think that underestimating your own abilities is a much worse offense than overestimating them. With the former, you are doing yourself a disservice by not living up to your full potential or at least not fully realizing your potential. There are probably several reasons why people tend to underestimate their abilities:

1.) because they've been repeatedly told that they're NOT good enough,

2.) because they've never been given credit for their accomplishments, and

3.) because they were never given a chance to shine (among others).

I'm one of the guilty ones (who tend to underestimate) although I'm not really sure why I do it. I guess partly because we were often told not to boast when we were younger. Arrogance is not very ladylike (not that I was ever arrogant, at least I don't think) or so they say. Which I guess is partly cultural as well. Growing up in the Philippines, in a strict and conservative Catholic environment, we were always taught to be humble and modest and polite. Fast-forward a few years later to living in the U.S. where individuality and being outspoken is highly valued, one gets into a state of identity confusion (especially since I moved to the US during my adolescent years).

Another reason why I slightly undermine my abilities is, partly, because I tend to be quite timid. I'd rather be on the sidelines than in the limelight (which is paradoxical in and of itself but such is life). The limelight doesn't scare me. It's the responsibilities that come with it that I'd rather not bear.

I recently realized that by underestimating myself I am only holding myself back from experiencing everything that life has to offer. I owe it to myself to be the best I can be and reach for the stars. As Eleanor Roosevelt once said, "The purpose of life is to live it, to taste experience to the utmost, to reach out eagerly and without fear for newer and richer experience."

In a State of Neglect...

What a sorry state this blog (and the other) has been in... my apologies.

Summer school has taken all of my time and now that it's finally over, I have all the time in the world to blog. Haha, not quite. I've got a couple writing "projects" that I need to get going and I'm also leaving for a 2-week trip in about 11 days (so excited).

In the meantime, some updates:

1.) Applications and admission essays are due soon. Personal deadline: Labor day.

2.) I'm moving to another apartment in the same complex. Less closet space, BOO!

3.) Johns Hopkins open house is on Sept. 12th. Still contemplating on whether I should go or not.

4.) I have a few blog posts that I've been contemplating on writing but I'm waiting for the arrival of my new computer before I start on them. Typing on this little one can be quite a b*tch!

5.) I'm still trying to find the motivation to work out. I need to condition myself for the possibility of climbing Mt. Fuji. I have 11 days to get ready (on top of everything else).

6.) I bought a few books today (which means my pile of unread books just got larger). A couple of them are for research purposes. One is going back because I already have it (ooops) and one looks quite promising...it's called: Pride and Prejudice and Zombies. I think I have to reread the original before I start that one. :)


Note: Is it just me or do I seem to pile on too much on my plate? No wonder I never get anything done, lol. I hardly know where to begin!

On writing...and other stuff

Do you sometimes feel like you have something to say but don't know how to quite say it? You know that knawing feeling deep in your system that you just don't know how to put it into words? It's frustrating. Which is why I envy writers.

I've always loved to write but I feel that I always fall short - short on creativity, short on imagination, short on words. Well, maybe not so short on creativity and imagination. It's the actual writing that throws me off. I have books and books of my ideas and once in a while, I'll actually start writing. But I never get past a few chapters. I always get lost and whatever I'm writing goes in a completely different direction from what I started with.

I wonder if it's because I've never really taken it seriously. I've never taken a writing course (except for the required writing class to graduate from college). I mean a creative writing class. I've never taken one of those. Also, I think it's because I take it a little too seriously. Apart from my blogs, I haven't written anything just for the heck of it. I probably should just practice. Practice, practice, practice. That's key, I think. I mean, you gotta start somewhere right? And I might as well put all the GRE words I've learned to good use. Lol.

Writing is also therapeutic for me. I always feel at peace when I'm trying to write something. It's probably because all my energy is focused on what I'm doing...so yeah, it's therapeutic. Which is ironic because it's also frustrating. It's frustrating when I know what I want but don't know how to begin. There are so many ideas that constantly run through my brain but to pick a starting point is hard. I also hate that I can't make decisions, which is probably why I can never get anything done and my stories always end up not finished - I can't decide which way I should take my story.

Ugh. Okay, rant over. Well, it was hardly a rant...

In Bruges

I just finished watching "In Bruges". If you haven't seen it yet, you should. It's f*n hilarious - very smart and very dark but definitely hilarious.

The dialogue is awesome. It borders on ridiculous but it's quick-paced and witty. A few wtf moments for sure, which is not entirely surprising given the absurdity of the plot, yet it's somewhat refreshing to have intelligent wtf moments. You have to see it to understand what I'm saying.

The movie is not for everyone. Not everyone who watches it will enjoy it as much as I did...and I enjoyed it a lot.


My favorite lines:

Ray: Ken, I grew up in Dublin. I love Dublin. If I grew up on a farm, and was retarded, Bruges might impress me but I didn't, so it doesn't.

Ray: My arse let's go. They're filming midgets.

Ray: Maybe that's what hell is, the entire rest of eternity spent in fucking Bruges.

Ray: This is exactly my point! People going around calling you a midget when you want to be called a dwarf. Of course you're going to blow your head off.

Ray: You can't sell horse tranquilizers to a midget!

And my favorite line in the whole movie (in context both in and out of the movie, of course):

Harry: [to wife] You're an inanimate fuckin' object!

Back from Cancun...

...and already dreading the "work" I left behind. My work email wasn't working for most of the trip so now that I'm back, I know that I have an inbox full of emails that I need to address. I also have a box full of mail that I still need to sort out and FedEx to Atlanta.

Why did I have to leave Cancun? *Sigh* Back to life, back to reality. I wish vacations lasted longer.

For a peek at our Cancun vacation, click here. I'll email pics soon. JG has the rest. =)

GREs are Over!!!

I actually took the test last June 7th but I've had a pretty hectic June that I haven't posted about it. But yeah, GREs out of the way and I am happy to say I did better than I expected. I'm actually happy with my scores. No, I didn't get perfect scores but the scores I got were WAY higher than the average so I am pleased.

Thanks to everyone who wished me luck!!! I can now put this behind me and concentrate on my admission essays and admission packets. Fun!

Issue Task Sample 3

I went about 5 minutes over for this one. I still feel a little unprepared. It took me a while to gather my thoughts, probably took longer than I should have.

Prompt: If a society is to thrive, it must put its own overall success before the well-being of its individual citizens.

A thriving society is measured by the well-being of its citizens. A society cannot be considered successful if its citizens are unhappy, unhealthy and unsatisfied with their conditions.

In the business world, the goal is to make a profit. In order to make a profit, we have to ensure that every aspect of the business is maximized. The maximization of efforts is linked with job satisfaction. In this example, the company is the “society” and the employees are the “citizens” When an employee is unhappy or unsatisfied with job conditions, they don't do their jobs to the best of their ability. At the very least, they just do what they can to get by. If the job conditions worsen or management chooses to ignore the problems, productivity might plummet and altogether stop especially if the employees threaten to strike. A strike will not only hurt the company's efforts to turn a profit, it might also tarnish their reputation. In this case, the well-being of the employees are critical to the company's overall success.

One might argue that society's overall success will trickle down to the lives of its citizens. In this case, it really depends on what that society considers successful. We can look at the effects of the Vietnam War on the citizens of both the United States and of Vietnam. The United States wanted to help contain the spread of communism to South Vietnam. In the end, Vietnam was ravaged and millions of lives were lost. Yes, the United States did attain their goal of containing the spread of communism but at what price? Is a ceasefire considered a success? What about the millions of lives that were lost? Were they just collateral damage?

When you look at the bigger picture, sometimes you fail to see the individual contributions that adds to society's overall success. By ignoring the well-being of its citizens, a society might not only fail to reaching success, it might also alienate and divide its citizens.

Issue Task Sample 2

I'd like to think I'm getting a little bit better. I still need to work on writing within the time constraints though. It took me a little less than an hour to write this and I'll only have 45 minutes for the GREs. Practice, practice, practice!!!

Prompt: It is primarily through our identification with social groups that we define ourselves.

Identity formation is a continuous process that happens throughout our lives. We all try to be our own person but we are also social beings. Cliques and peer membership do not define the totality of a person. Instead, it offers a quick glimpse into the person's life, their interests and their passions.

Our membership in peer groups gives us a boost of confidence – yes, I do belong. But how does one gain membership into these peer groups? We find something in common with the other members whether it be a shared interest, a common goal, or a shared experience. Whatever that common bond is, it is something that is strong enough that sometimes it helps to define who we are. As the saying goes, “Tell me who your friends are and I'll tell you who you are”. For example, I love Christian Louboutin shoes and I am a member of a forum that discusses Christian Louboutin shoes. The forum members and I share our love for Christian Louboutin and his shoes. To them, I will always be crazy shoe-addict girl. But that is just one aspect of my life. The only people who define me by that standard are the other members of the forum. They might define me by my love for shoes and yet other people may define me by some other means – my love fore food, my love for books, my personality.

Peer membership does have its significance in helping shape our identities. The most prominent phase of life when peer membership suddenly becomes of utmost importance (and is most observable) is during our adolescent years. When you think back to your high school days, you can probably distinguish each student by the crowd he/she hangs our with. In the movie Clueless, when Cher gives Tai the tour of the campus, she points out different cliques – the Persian mob, the stoners, the jocks, etc. Each of these groups have criteria for membership, which although not publicly articulated, is certainly implied. For example, one can't be a member of the “jock” group if they didn't play a sport. The members of each group have something in common and they are more or less known throughout the school by their respective cliques. Yet, it is possible to have friends outside of these cliques. In school, we will always be known by the cliques we hang with. Outside of school, we can be identified in some other way. If a jock volunteers at the homeless shelter on weekends, he will be known to those people not as a “jock” but as a benevolent volunteer.

Our identification in social groups does not completely define us. In the grand scheme of things, membership in a peer group is only a small aspect of who we are. The only people who can truly define us outside of our peer group is ourselves.

Issue Task Sample 1

I suck at writing, HAHAHA. Again, sorry to subject you to my crappy writing but I really need the practice.

Prompt: The best preparation for life or a career is not learning to be competitive, but learning to be cooperative.

Cooperation and a competitive nature are both necessary traits to be successful in life or a career. As with everything in life, both traits have positive and negative aspects. A healthy balance of the positive aspects of both traits is needed in order to have a successful and fulfilling life/career.

When we were young, we were taught to be the best we can be in every endeavor we face whether it be school, sports and any other extracurricular activities. From a young age, we are taught to be competitive – to strive for the best. As we get older, this competitive nature is applicable in all aspects of life. We compete when we apply for college, we compete when we apply for jobs, we compete to get promoted. Competition is an inherent part of life, one that we have been preparing for at an early age.

It is also important to remember that we can never do everything alone. Hence, cooperation is also an integral part of being successful. Athletes are the best example of a healthy balance of competition and cooperation. In team sports, a team strives to win but if they don't help each other to achieve that common goal, they ultimately lose. Each team member knows that they can't ONLY look out for themselves. They are one team with one common goal. Their competitive spirit shows because they are out to win and cooperation is shown in their actions to achieve their goal.

Another example is politics. All these candidates from different parties compete against each other in an election. Although they are from different parties, they understand that they have to work with each other in the end. Ultimately they are coming together for the good of the people and they have to work together to achieve that goal. They may not reach an outright agreement. Each of them are still competing to push their own agendas. However, most of them reach a compromise and a compromise can only be reached in the spirit of goodwill and cooperation.

Life is a series of struggles. Without a healthy sense of competition, we might get lost in the shuffle. Too much competition and we alienate people. We all want to win and be the best but we have to realize that we can't do it all alone.

Argument Task Sample 1

Sorry if I have to subject you guys to my shitty writing. It's been a while and the gears in my brain are a little rusty...and I really need to practice. The goal is to analyze and deconstruct the given argument in 30 minutes. This is my first try and it took about an hour. :) I'll do a couple more this weekend to brush up my skills. HAHAHA, Lawd knows I need to... COMMENTS ARE HIGHLY ENCOURAGED! Thanks.


A recent study show that people living on the continent of North America suffer 9 times more chronic fatigue and 31 times more chronic depression than do people living on the continent of Asia. Interestingly, Asians, on average, eat 20 grams of soy per day, whereas North Americans eat virtually non. It turns out that soy contains phytochemicals called isoflavones, which have been found to possess disease-preventing properties. Thus, North Americans should consider eating soy on a regular basis as a way of preventing fatigue and depression.


My analysis of the argument:

The conclusion that North Americans* should eat soy on a regular basis to prevent fatigue and depression, based on the fact that Asians* consume an average of 20 grams of soy per day and are found to be less likely to suffer from chronic fatigue and depression, is a little premature. Although it may be a nice and easy solution to the problem, a variety of other factors can cause the high instances of fatigue and depression that North Americans experience. Additionally, one study alone is not sufficient enough to correctly correlate soy consumption with prevention of fatigue and depression.

The argument states that soy contains isoflavones which possess disease-preventing properties. Although isoflavones might have these properties, the author doesn't state exactly what type of diseases it prevents. Isoflavones might indeed prevent diseases but we don't know if those diseases are in any way related to fatigue and depression. Certainly, more facts regarding the benefits of soy and isoflavones are necessary to make this claim valid. Also, we do not know the underlying factors that contributes to the high incidence of fatigue and depression in North Americans. Fatigue and depression can be caused by a chemical imbalance, emotional/psychological/financial stress or even genetic predisposition.

The best way to correctly validate (or invalidate) the conclusion that soy consumption on a regular basis to prevent fatigue and depression is to do more research in the area. Four control groups are necessary: North Americans that consume 20+ grams of soy per day, Asians that consume 20+ grams of soy per day, North Americans that do not consume soy and Asians that do not consume soy. The conclusion drawn by comparing the incidence of fatigue and depression among these four groups will be a better measure of the correlation of soy consumption to the incidence of fatigue and depression.

*Note: North Americans in this essay mean people living on the continent of North America and Asians mean people living on the continent of Asia.

Quote of the Day

"I resent having to prove that I'm not a retard."
-Megan Fox

It's Crunch Time!

I just scheduled my GRE test date. D-Day is June7, 2009 at 7:00am. I'm scurred.

I haven't really studied as much as I need to. I've been sidetracked by work, school and other familial obligations. This month, I have to study like I've never done before....literally. I hope I have enough time and space in my brain for all the stuff I still need to learn. Oversaturation is a b*tch.

The Road Not Taken

I'm not sure if I have posted this before but in case I haven't, I wanted to share with everyone my favorite poem. I like how it talks about the decisions we make and the impact it can have in our lives.



Note: It's still my favorite poem even after I found out that this was written after Robert Frost contemplated suicide.

THE ROAD NOT TAKEN

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth;
Then took the other, as just as fair,
And having perhaps the better claim,
Because it was grassy and wanted wear;
Though as for that the passing there
Had worn them really about the same,
And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black.
Oh, I kept the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way,
I doubted if I should ever come back.
I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I-
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.

Ambition

Ambition - an earnest desire for some type of achievement or distinction, as power, honor, fame, or wealth, and the willingness to strive for its attainment.

When I was little, I was always told that I need to have ambition and to always strive for the best. I think it's why I am never happy with being second best. Having the thought of success instilled in my mind at such a young age, I became competitive. I knew that although there are so many things in life that is completely out of our hands, we can still steer our life in the direction we choose. Our drive and our motivation to succeed can sometimes be our only light in life's dark tunnel.

I have actually quit my job recently to focus on school. Some people balk at the thought of this especially in this current economic environment. I, on the other hand, think it's the perfect time to be back in school. Others also have doubts since I'm going into a completely different field. I have a Bachelor's degree in Economics and my mom just announced to the entire family (much to my chagrin) that I am applying for a Master's in Nursing. Why am I applying for a master's when I can just get an associate's degree, some asked. To this I reply, Why would I get an associate's degree when I can get a Master's?

I like challenging myself. I don't like settling for something easy because for me, it defeats the purpose of living. Every day is a challenge - a challenge to be a better person, a challenge to better myself spiritually and intellectually. Yes my job pays well but do I feel fulfilled as an individual? Not really. I know I have a lot more to offer and if I don't push myself, I'll never find out how capable I really am.

After my car accident, I felt my life was crumbling before my very eyes. It took me a while to realize that it took a car accident for me to actually have a better perspective on my life. It took a car accident for me to remember that becoming a nurse was something I wanted since I was 5. It took a car accident to realize that I can take charge of my life and it's never too late to start over. The car accident might have shattered my ulna and radius but it strengthened my drive and my motivation. It wasn't an instant epiphany. The people I surrounded myself with at that time was a big part of finding my way back into reality. The reality that my life isn't ruined because of a stumble (or in this case a car accident). I was given a chance to reevaluate my life and start over to which I am eternally grateful.

You see, ambition and success are not really bad things (although some people see it that way). I think people just need to see where I'm coming from with my decision and not judge right away. To some it might seem like I made a whimsical decision but they should see how much work it is to get where I want to go. It's not an easy task. But then again, no one ever said success comes easy (or cheap).

Excuse my lack of posts...

I'm still getting used to my new schedule - which means packing in GRE review classes on top of work and Psych class. I think on top of packing in extra stuff into my schedule, the studying part is throwing me for a loop. So until I figure this out, this blog will probably be on the back burner. Sorry. :(

Wish me luck though!!!

SociArts Presents: Feminine

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Sat, Apr 11 & Sun, Apr 12 ~ 11 to 3 p.m.
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LIFE

Life is opportunity, benefit from it.
Life is beauty, admire it.
Life is bliss, taste it.
Life is a dream, realize it.
Life is a challenge, meet it.
Life is a duty, complete it.
Life is a game, play it.
Life is costly, care for it.
Life is wealth, keep it.
Life is love, enjoy it.
Life is a mystery, know it.
Life is a promise, fulfill it.
Life is sorrow, overcome it.
Life is a song, sing it.
Life is a struggle, accept it.
Life is a tragedy, confront it.
Life is an adventure, dare it.
Life is luck, make it.
Life is too precious, do not destroy it.
Life is life, fight for it.

Life is a series of struggles that can only be defined by how we overcome it.

This might be a little sentimental but sometimes we have to pause and take a breather and realize that life is not all about work. Sometimes this brief pause will help us realize how blessed we have truly been. Whining about how sucky life is will not make it better and it will only make you feel worse. We have to be cognizant and appreciative of what we have in order to fully enjoy life's blessings.

Today's Horoscope... 03/30/09

All I gotta is...HUH. Well, not really. Today's horoscope is certainly interesting but I don't think it necessarily pertains to me.

Memories of someone you used to be in a relationship with are keeping you from moving forward in your life. Are you getting stuck in the past? While it's important to understand how old relationships can affect your new relationships, you could run the risk of getting bogged down in nostalgia right now. Not much can get done when all you do is compare your current life to the life you used to have. Put away the photo albums and focus on moving on. Your future awaits!

The best part of this horoscope is the last sentence..."your future awaits". I had a conversation with SY today and I told her something that JJ always tells me (which I'll paraphrase slightly): Life is great because you can always reinvent yourself. You have the power to choose, to redirect your life to a better path and hopefully a brighter future. Change is good if you open yourself up to the possibilities and the possibilities are always endless.

True Blood Season 1

Last year, I was bummed when CBS canceled Moonlight. It was a fairly entertaining show about vampires in contemporary society. For someone who is enamored with vampire mythology, I enjoyed it. News of its cancellation was a little bit disappointing because I couldn't get my vampire fix.

Then I got wind of HBO's True Blood. I was intrigued since HBO has a great track record for shows it has produced in the past. Still, I had the stigma of the recent cancellation of Moonlight. In addition, the marketing campaigns of True Blood seemed to be riding on the Twilight wave. I have been very vocal about how much I disliked the Twilight series so I was a little apprehensive about True Blood. Regardless, I called my cable company and added HBO just for True Blood. I set my DVR to record the season and I finally watched it this past weekend (a little late, I know).

All I can say is, "Why did I wait so long to finally watch this show?" I've never read the series it was based on and now I'm itching to go out and buy everything remotely related to True Blood. I LOVE this show. Not only does it provide eye candy for its viewers but it also captures the complexities of small town politics and prejudice pertaining to sexuality, religion and race/specie. I love the fact that it is the arrival of the vampire that is the catalyst for exposing the townsfolk's true nature. I also liked the fact that the writers stayed true to the dark and mystical side of the vampire (not with glittering diamond skin as in Twilight - YUCK).

Definitely looking forward to Season 2!

Alexander Skarsgard

Only one word to describe Alexander Skarsgard: HOT!!!

Personal Statement

I remember when I first applied for college and I had to write a personal statement. Of course, I overanalyzed the situation and ended up writing about 10 different ones. The personal statement is your one chance to separate yourself from the herd of applicants and I REALLY wanted mine to stand out. I mean, you only have 2 pages to basically tell the school what you're all about and I wanted to do it in the most creative/imaginative way. I don't really remember if I succeeded (lol) since I can't find copies of said personal statements.

Now, almost a decade later, I'm in the same place...trying to write a kick-ass personal statement. This time, there's a different objective. Not only do I have to introduce myself to the school, I also have to convince them that I'm the right fit to the program I'm appying for. And I have to do that in 2 pages!!! As usual, I'm putting extraordinary stress on myself for something that really isn't that hard. Once said and done, it's not really that hard for me to write and get my thoughts down. The trick is to show wit and personality without seeming crazy. It's really hard for me to start since I have a billion ideas running through my head. I guess it's best to just write all my thoughts down and hopefully they'll be coherent enough to be strung together to write a kick-ass personal statement.

So far, here's what I got:

1. Write in the perspective of Freud's theory - id, ego, superego
2. Write a one act play - I've done this before and if I can only find it for reference
3. Not write something cliche - I think the best personal statements are those that have heart but are not cheesy. I'm sure people reading personal statements can sort through all the BS.
4. Try VERY HARD not to go all James Joyce on my personal statement - I have a tendency to go on tangents. Someone told me I write in a similar fashion to James Joyce. Great compliment but it really won't help me with my personal statement especially when it needs to be succinct.

I'd really appreciate some input. Thanks!

Forgetting Sarah Marshall

I have a pretty free schedule tonight so I decided to watch "Forgetting Sarah Marshall" On Demand. Worst decision EVER. I've seen a few bad movies over the years and this has got to be somewhere in the Top 25. UGH, utter waste of time.

Boiling Crab...03/15/09

I wanted my family to try Boiling Crab. I went with Karen and her family about 2 weeks ago and I remember thinking that my family would enjoy it too so I took them (minus my Dad). I was also contemplating on having my big 3-0 there so I thought it would be nice to have them try it out first.

We ordered a lb of crab legs, 2 lbs of shrimp, a lb of crawfish, half dozen raw oysters, 10 pcs chicken wings, sweet potato fries and 2 cups of rice. All gone! I was surprised. LOL. I mean, I expected them to like it but I didn't expect them to inhale everything...HAHAHA.






Boiling Crab
742 W Valley Blvd.
Alhambra, CA 91803

Fair Oaks Pharmacy...03/14/09

Because I needed an ice cream fix which Karen was happy to indulge. BUT, just because I was craving for ice cream does not mean we're ONLY getting ice cream. Hehe, I went with Karen, Carlo and Elvin.

I had an ice cream soda which was just ok. Karen had a malt which was better than my ice cream soda. Tita Candy's ice cream sundae looked AMAZING but I didn't get to try it. Service was a little lacking.







Fair Oaks Pharmacy
1526 Mission St.
South Pasadena, CA 91030

Quest Crew - ABDC Champs Season 3

YAY!!! So far, I'm 3 for 3! In the first episode, I usually pick a favorite or two and they always end up winning. This season, my two faves were the final two! It would have been great if Beat Freaks won since they will be the first all-girl crew to win but I gotta give it to Quest. The killed the last challenge. Killed it!!! Yay for Quest!

WTF...New Top Chef

Are you freakin' kidding me? Like, seriously?!?!?! Come f*n on! Really?!?!?

I'm still astounded, dumbfounded and what have you that Hosea won Top Chef. I don't think I'm alone in thinking that he shouldn't have been part of the final three and winning? Come f*n on!!!!!

Ugh, I was so disgusted that I actually deleted my recording before it was even over. Hosea? Seriously? Whatever...

And Carla, WTH were you thinking listening to Casey? She blanked out on her own final episode and you're gonna listen to her? OMG. Worst finale ever.

I'm so handy...

LOL. Not to toot my own horn but I do love that fact that I'm pretty good at putting things together. I think it's coz I love puzzles so much that putting together furniture almost feels like a giant 3D puzzle to me. Anyway, most of you know that I recently bought a new TV and TV stand. Since I live by myself, it was extremely hard for me to figure out what to do with my existing TV and entertainment center. I didn't want to throw them out so I contacted a person from my past. He gladly took the TV off my hands but he couldn't take the entertainment center.

So for about a week, I was stuck with my empty entertainment center which stood right next to my new tv stand. Why didn't I just sell it? Well, it's extremely old and scratched. It was still sturdy but I guess I was just too lazy to go through the motions of actually having to sell it. Too many emails and phone calls to answer. Not for me.

The entertainment center is extremely heavy and I had no one to help me take it to the dumpster so Arash suggested that I take it apart. So, one night (I think it was Wednesday night), I took out my tools and went at it. It must've taken me a little over an hour to take the whole thing apart. Like I said, it's extremely old so taking some of the screws out was almost impossible. I actually had to break some of the pieces off because the screws were too stubborn. So for my effort, this is what I have to show for. Pretty cool... LOL.

Scorpio

I love reading my horoscope or reading about my sign. Here's another one:

How accurate is it?



Source: Chuvaness

Le Bernardin + Top Chef = HEAVEN!

As I watched Top Chef last night, I almost fell out my seat when I heard that they were going to Le Bernardin.

I don't recall if I've ever mentioned it on this blog but Le Bernardin is on my list of "Restaurants to Try Before I Die". I'm a fan of Eric Ripert and would LOVE to try his restaurant the next time I'm in New York. I have actually contemplated flying out to NYC for a culinary tour but no one wants to come with (plus it's extremely expensive). Reservations have to be made a couple months in advance (like most top restaurants) but I think I can definitely swing that since I have to plan the trip anyhow. Anyone interested?

Anyway, on Top Chef last night, the chefs were invited for a lunch at Le Bernardin. As soon as those words were uttered, I immediately knew they had to recreate the dishes that they just ate. The chefs were enjoying a seemingly "day off" from competing that when they were told the challenge, most of them were not too happy (they weren't paying that much attention to the dishes). Jamie commented that she wasn't too excited about the dishes and even called the "boring" (THE NERVE!!!). I think she got her comeuppance when she picked her least favorite dish to recreate and eventually got the boot.

On another note, I LOVE Eric Ripert. He just seems so nice and humble and I just want to hug him and pinch his cheeks.

Random Thoughts...01/30/09

I was tagged on FB the other day and I realized that I have hundreds of random thoughts that go through my head every single day that it would be fun to write them out so I could later look back at it and laugh at how silly/mundane/annoying my thoughts can be. Sorry if you have to be part of it.

Random Thought 1: I wish I had more friends.

No, I'm not sad and I'm not trying to be melodramatic either. That said, a few minutes ago a thought crossed my mind - I wish I had more friends. Do I really want more friends? Not really. It's hard for me to trust people hence why I only have a few friends. The few friends I have are dearly cherished - every single one of them, through thick and thin. Why did this thought cross my mind then? I honestly don't know. I was looking through some pics on FB and I saw pics of big groups of people hanging out and looking like they were having tons of fun. I'm actually not sure if they are all friends or if the camera just caught a moment of fun between acquaintances but it sure looks like they're having a blast. Maybe the thought crossed my mind because we always want what we don't have (and more than likely I won't want it once I have it, haha). Now that I think about it, I probably wouldn't be able to stand a group of people. I get annoyed too easily.

Random Thought 2: I'm so freakin' indecisive.

Well, this one's not such a random thought...it's a fact. Before I buy something, I ask everyone I know which one I should pick. I just had another thought - what if it's not because I'm indecisive but because I'm seeking approval? Yikes! I think I'd rather be indecisive. Haha.

Resolutions - One Month Update

Okay, after 1 month, this is where I stand with my NY resolutions:

1. Exercise - sporadically but the point is I've been exercising

2. Soda - still not a drop. Yay me!

3. Shopping - haven't shopped

4. Work on my apartment - YES, but still in progress

5. Spend less - it's funny because I haven't shopped but my money keeps going to food. Must rethink this last one.

So far it's been good but then again it's only been a month. Let's see how I do next month.

WTH is wrong with me?

It's dineLA week and I kicked it off by taking my mom to Ruth's Chris for dinner last Monday. I was only too excited to go. Everyone knows that a good steak is my weakness and Ruth's Chris is in the upper echelon of steakhouses. Needless to say, I had high expectations.

I ordered a medium rare petit filet (not that petit at 8 oz.) and was expecting it to be mind-blowing. As I usually do with my steaks, I cut it open in the middle for a temp test. It was cooked perfectly so I was happy. Now came the weird part. I cut a piece and it tasted ok. Another piece and there was a weird taste to it. Halfway through my steak I was about to throw up. I gave the rest to my mom to take home while I sucked on lemons to get the taste from my mouth.

As we were waiting for dessert, I sat there and pondered why that happened? I had my mom taste my steak and she wasn't bothered by it. After a few minutes it occured to me that I hadn't had red meat in a while, maybe since the beginning of the year. A lot of people I know who have given up meat for a while have always complained about after taste when they start eating meat again. Mind you, I would never intentionally give up red meat. I've been eating a lot of fish lately and even chicken (I know, I'm shocked too). I can't explain why I haven't eaten meat since the beginning of the year and I can't explain what happened that night at Ruth's Chris. Although the next time I'm going for a steak dinner, I think I'll have a big, juicy hamburger the day before.

Happy Chinese New Year!!!

This year is not a great one for me, according to my Chinese horoscope. I guess my horoscope should serve as a warning with regards to my spending habits (although I haven't really shopped since the Saks sale). I guess my last big splurge for the year should really be my new bed and mattress. Anyway, to those who are Goats like me, here's our horoscope for 2009:

With their fluctuating luck this year, Goats should be flexible to cope with sudden change. Basically, this will be a rough year for Goats. They will be surrounded by rumours and envy, so they have to be patient and keep a low profile. They should take this challenge as part of their life, i.e. be patient while in darkness waiting for the sun to come out. It is important that they should not put a finger in every pie; they need to concentrate and work with their whole mind and whole heart and strive continuously to make new progress at work. Goats may lose money because of spending, but it is important that they should not act as a guarantor for friends or relatives. In love affairs, Single Goats should be patient with their lovers. If not, they will end in separation. Married Goats should reach mutual understanding with their partner. Goats have to keep away from sharp objects and be cautious on the road. They have to control their diet as well and regulate their blood pressure and prevent stroke. Apart from this, they should not go to funerals and wakes.

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

I finally got a chance to see "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" and I finally finished reading the book. I'm not sure which I prefer.

The movie was beautifully made and beautifully acted. I understand that they made the story a bit more dramatic than was originally written to pull in the big names as Brad Pitt and Cate Blanchett. Of course, both completely delivered. The movie moved me to tears and I walked out of that theater with red and swollen eyes. Benjamin's tale was beautifully told through a diary he left behind. His tale is tied to a story about a grieving father who built a clock that went backwards to remember his dead son. It seems that the underlying theme of unconditional love kept the movie flowing right - Queenie's unconditional love for the strange infant left in her care, Daisy's unconditional love for Benjamin despite his differences, and a father's unconditional love for his son. Apparently, love is timeless.

The book had a completely different intention. Fitzgerald's tale was influenced by a statement Mark Twain made about the unfortunate state of man at old age. His short story is a sardonic and satirical take on Twain's statement which has Benjamin succeeding at 'fitting in' despite his differences. From the beginning, Benjamin's parents attempt to gloss over his differences and force him to act his age despite of his appearance. It seemed to work in the beginning but in the end youth caught up with him. He ended up in a miserable marriage, living with his ungrateful son, and in the care of a nanny. All because people around him failed to notice that there was something strange about him. A tale of the consequences of fitting in despite obvious differences. A cautionary tale of the dangers of squashing individuality - a highly American concept.

My Brother's Blog

My brother, James, is a film-lover and an aspiring screenwriter. Read his blog here.

I love you James!!!

Currently craving... French Macaroons

I haven't had these in a while and right now I'm craving for some. I did myself the favor of eating a light lunch (fruits and cottage cheese) to leave room for a hefty dinner tonight and for some reason "French Macaroons" popped into my head.

2008 Movies I Missed

I used to be a huge movie buff. I guess I still kinda am but I used to watch movies at least twice a week. Now, I'm lucky if I get to see a movie twice a year. Sad, I know. That said, the following movies of 2008 are ones that I really want to see (in alphabetical order):

-because everyone says it's good and because I really want to see it

-because the trailer looks good and people have been raving about it

-because I love Jason Statham and car chases (I'll probably just get this on DVD since I have the other 2)

-because I've heard good things about it

I guess I still have the chance to see Benjamin Button and Slumdog Millionaire. Here's hoping I get to these movies before the theaters pull them out.