10 March 2007
27 February 2007
"Listen to your heart — that's what I do."

And this is where things get interesting. I kind of have a lack of intuition. That gut feeling that everyone supposedly gets from time to time that tells them today would be a good day to stay home ('cause they have a "gut feeling") — yeah, I don't have that.
Well, that's not entirely true. I have those feelings; they just have an accuracy rating of zero. That's right — in all of my years "trusting my gut," not once has it ever been to my benefit.
Which brings me to my point: recently I told some of you that I had this feeling, this feeling I've never had before. This feeling is something I've tried many times to fabricate, but this time it felt real.
But I'm now getting the thought that maybe I was duped. Again. But who knows? With my track record, it's entirely possible that this new feeling about that feeling is faking me out. So, just don't hold me to that feeling, in case it was a total farce.
01 February 2007
Clippings
My last relationship ended at the beginning of January; soon after, I received a Dear Abby clipping from my mother, written by a girl in a situation similar to mine. Granted, my break-up was much more than this one issue, but whatever.*Mum actually sent me the clipping thinking that I could send it to my ex — I actually thought about it, but didn't want to use my precious stamps and have to write an accompanying note so he didn't think I was being harsh.
The clipping ended up on my desk, where it has stayed for 2-3 weeks. It's time to toss it, so, knowing that the ex occasionally visits my blog, maybe he'll read it here. Otherwise, for your enjoyment:
Dear Abby:
My boyfriend has a hard time in social situations. He dislikes people
in general and needs a lot of alone time.
I am the complete opposite. I need a circle of friends around me in
order to be happy. How do we find a balance between the two? — Clara in
Chicago
Dear Clara:
It may not be easy. I find it unlikely that someone who "dislikes
people in general," "has a hard time in social situations" and is basically a
loner will change. My question to you would be, how much are you willing
to compromise, and would you be comfortable socializing alone?
Thanks, Mum! You know just how to cheer me up!
*I also want to clarify that my ex doesn't "dislike people in general" like the boyfriend in the article.
19 January 2007
Locks of Love
I came home from class two days ago and, once I took my hat off, I realized my hair was all over the place. Loops of hair were sticking up randomly everywhere! It was crazy!
Anyway, here's my before:
Right after she lopped off the pigtails:
And here's my new 'do!
While looking at it last night, I realized that my face is pretty fat, so I'm off to the IMA! What a motivator, eh?
11 January 2007
I was really hoping for a less stressful quarter
In the past two weeks, I've gone to sleep once before 3a — that was last night, I think (I'm having trouble keeping track of days). Waking up and getting out of the house before 8a to pick up Alice and take her to preschool, coming home and circling Greek Row in search of a parking spot is really starting to take it's toll. Today it took me 45 minutes to find a spot. And four hours of sleep a night really isn't cutting it. Last time I had a job like that, it didn't take long for me to put in my notice.
What's more is that when I get crazy stressed out, I apparently clench my jaw, as I wake up in the morning feeling like I face-planted on concrete. I'm thinking of trying acupuncture, though I'm not sure if my insurance will cover it.
I know I'm kvetching, as Jessica says. I also feel bad for not posting since the New Year; this post will have to tide you over until I have more time.
31 December 2006
Resolutions!
I'm not one for thinking myself worthless if I give up my resolutions too far into the new year, but I do like to make them, if only for tradition.
I have a lot to accomplish before my Bike & Build trip in June, so I'm going to need to be specific with my resolutions in order to prepare myself physically, mentally and financially for this trip.
- Be prompt with thank you notes
- Study every day
- Take a photo every single day -- suggested by Photojojo
- Each week, research a different aspect of the affordable housing crisis
- Take my pills every night
January
- Exercise on stationary bike and/or with personal trainer twice a week for 90 minutes or 25 miles
- Research Rhode Island and Connecticut towns en route for can't-miss sights
- Contact regional newspapers about a possible feature on Bike & Build
February
- Exercise on stationary bike (or equivalent exercise) three times a week for 90 minutes or 30 miles
-AND- - Explore a new bike trail in the Seattle area once a week
- Research New York, Pennsylvania and Ohio towns near our stops for interesting things to see and do
Happy New Year!
25 December 2006
Merry Christmas!
In November, I asked for (and received) a down comforter; I've always wanted a comforter that didn't come with matching sheets (a la Bed in a Bag). Since I got the only thing I really asked for, I didn't know what to say to the after-birthday questions.
That was, of course, until I got the Bike & Build manual and it's accompanying list of necessities for the trip. After realizing there were no major holidays between Christmas and our start date in June, I frantically searched the list, looking for the most expensive things I was relatively knowledgeable about to ask for.
And today, after being convinced I would need to be purchasing one on my own, I opened up a digital camera and a cute little camera bag that'll fit in a saddle bag for my bike!

In no way am I trying to brag; I am only attempting to set up one of the papers in the camera box, which is an (not so subtle) attempt at marketing camera accessories. I enlarged the center picture in hopes it'd show more detail.
23 December 2006
Thank God for Pull & Seal Envelopes!
After I finished printing out the letters, I realized that the itinerary that came in the rider manual had us traveling in circles around Iowa and the website had us riding to Missoula, building and riding to Missoula after we'd left Missoula that day. Hmmm. I might need to offer my copy editing skills.
Needing an accurate itinerary to include with my letters, I took an hour and a half detour (hyuck hyuck!) and made a pretty kick-ass one myself.
So there you go. Two shoeboxes full of envelopes, brochures, letters, itineraries and SASEs to Bike & Build. 139 of each, to be exact.
20 December 2006
"While You Were Out" SunnTown edition
After my brother moved home from Japan and our exchange student went back to Switzerland, I decided to move into the room across the hall, as it's at least 1.5 times the size of my sea room. After the creativity and expenses that went into the other room, I kept my mouth shut about the white walls and ugly brown carpeting in my new room.
This year, though, my mum has gotten into a painting kick and, once my brother got married and moved out, promptly painted his room two dark blues -- something unheard of in my family. My dad had erroneously assumed that it was utterly impossible to paint over dark colours and long ago got us kids to believe that if we painted our rooms black, they'd never be able to put the house back on the market, so this was a big deal. Since completing my brother's room and realizing how little effort and money it takes to make a big difference in the appearance, my mum asked me to pick a couple colours she'd paint my room while I was in Seattle.
So tonight, I arrived home to find my previously bland, white walls painted a lovely pink and brown, which complements the two wall sconces and drapes I bought at Ikea last year! My mum is going to take me shopping on Friday to look for a comforter and some wall decorations to add to the decor.
I'm going to see if I can convince my mum to help me take down the peeling wallpaper in the bathroom at some point while I'm home. Before we do that, though, we're going to have to make at least a couple batches of fudge!
Home for the holidays!
I love the holidays! My parents have the house completely decorated, what with the little villages above the piano and entertainment center, the huge pre-lit tree (that I've finally come to terms with after growing up trekking into the mountains every December to find that special pine to bring home) and the coloured lights everywhere. This year, my dad's really gotten into the spirit of the holidays and hung faux garland on the walls in the living room and even on the banisters. I brought my 4 foot christmas tree home and might set it up in my room. I really like low lighting and leaving it on in my room in the evening will give the room a pretty glow.
18 December 2006
I never thought I'd see the day...
Other interesting search queries that have led readers to my site:
- pain where my bra snaps on left side in back
- the real truth turbo jam
- how anne are you?
- you pale to (from a Swiss version of Google)
- kill a guy on A TRAmpoline (I'm ranked number three on this search...)
- occupations that involve creative, humanistic, thoughtful, and quiet types of activities
- "perform their job responsibilities in a manner that is supportive"
- cutting edge, informally paced, future-oriented environment
and two instances of "Upstairs Downstairs apartments U district" quite recently. For you two renters, don't bother. The Upstairs Downstairs apartments are really not worth looking at.
13 December 2006
I now know another advantage of looking young: I can buy youth tickets for the ferries!
Riding on the ferry was like putting a kid in a candy store. The last time I remember riding on a ferry was when I was like 7 or 8 years old and my family went to Vancouver Island, B.C. That being said, I made Jasmine suffer through many pleas of "ooh, will you take a picture of me here?!" and "Holy crap! We're on a FERRY!" Since she's lived on "the island", the ferry wasn't so exciting for her.
04 December 2006
Riding 26 miles makes me feel like I have mono
Oh, on Friday, I got my highly-anticipated packet from Bike & Build! I now have more brochures and envelopes than I know what to do with, but once finals are over next week, I'll be able to put more time into fundraising! Plus, I meet with my new personal trainer on Thursday for our introductory session. I'll probably aim for 15 miles Tuesday night so I don't wear myself out before I meet my PT.
30 November 2006
Keepin' It Real!

I guess they don't know what happens...when Keepin' It Real goes wrong.
26 November 2006
Exciting News!
I'm sorry for being horrible to you, blog (and readers). You've been great in allowing me space to adjust to my surroundings.
Being back at UW has really altered my reality. I haven't been able to shake the guilt of writing a blog when I have studying to do...that is, until tonight. In all honesty, I have a paper due on Tuesday that I'm terrified to write, and after spending more than two hours reading columns on salon.com, I decided to confess everything here at my home.
Have you ever applied been anxiously awaiting something that could be life-altering, possibly afraid to bring it up with friends in fear that the something would be "jinxed"? For about three weeks, I'd been contemplating applying to a summer program so exciting I was a bit overwhelmed writing the application essays (yes, there were more than one). It took making an appointment at the Odegaard Writing and Research Center to gain enough confidence for me to attempt penning the essays. Once I sent in the app, I still wanted to keep my mouth shut, in hopes that not talking about it wouldn't spoil anything. I mean, how embarrassing would it be to talk, talk, talk about this program I was planning on participating in, gabbing to my advisor, my therapist, my new aquaintences and lifelong friends and then have to explain that, no, actually it didn't work out?
I got in. So here it is. This summer, I'll be riding my bike from Providence, Rhode Island to Seattle, Washington. I know, it sounds crazy, but as soon as I found out about the organization (Bike & Build), I knew I wanted to do it. I'll probably have to rearrange a few finals at the end of Spring quarter to fly to Providence, but my CHID advisor has assured me that my professors will more than likely be supportive.
Bike & Build has six trips during the summer, each traveling through a different area of the country. Each group of about 30 people aged 18-25 ride across the country and stop at predetermined places along the route to help build affordable housing homes. I chose the Providence to Seattle (P2S) trip; the five other "tours" are Central U.S., Northern U.S., Providence to San Francisco (P2SF), Southern U.S. and North Carolina to San Diego.
I seriously suggest checking out the site. While you're there, check out my bio on the P2S Current Roster. And if you decide to apply, let me know!
27 October 2006
And to think, the nebula was actually created in a petri dish
I saw a free advanced screening the other night at The Neptune. Amazing. I think I'm actually going to pay to see it again when it is released in theatres (22 November 2006).

Totally worth it, if only for the amazing cinematography. Hugh Jackman blew my socks off.
15 October 2006
Recap I
So here I am. Week 4 of classes is almost here. Shall we do a quick recap of the highlights?
- Trampoline guy is still at it across the street, though thankfully, he's been keeping it limited to maybe an hour or so a day (maybe more if he's being considerate and jumping mostly while I'm at class). Z has already mentioned his idea of going across the street at 3a and cutting a big hole in the trampoline. Mandy (the former OrthoJew II - she's really not bad at all) wants to do something more destructive, like take springs off of it or something...It's not like I want to kill the guy - I just want to kill his trampoline.
- Kevin (from the main floor) and Z went fishing for apples out the empty room's window. I have pictures to prove it.
- And speaking of, a new guy moved into that empty room on my floor. Surprisingly, he's the guy I met who was looking at the house when I came to sign my lease.
- Also, the other empty room in the basement actually belongs to a guy named Ricky. Apparently, he's losing his eyesight or something. He does that blind person thing of not looking directly at someone when he's talking to them, so
I'm not sure where to look when I'm talking to him.
- Tom, one of the three guys in the attic, has been spotted carrying several odd items into the bathroom, namely a big jug of Minute Maid orange juice. I'm not sure I want to know what's going on there.
Crap. I didn't recap any of my classes. More later...I promise.
21 September 2006
"I'm just keeeeeding!"
On Tuesday, Z and I drove down to Ikea and shopped for a new mattress. As the absolute hilarity of the event has subsided, I will just have to make due with pictures.
Here's Z, doing his best impression of Fred Armisen as the Venezuelen nightclub comedien Fericito.
(This is the only way we could fit the foam, queen-sized mattress into my Dodge Neon. )
Housemates II
As I mentioned before, there are four rooms on the second floor: Z, me, an open, empty room and a closed door next to mine. I was starting to worry about the possibility of smelling the horrible stench of death permeate the hallways until, to my amazement, yesterday morning I heard the distinct sound of jangling keys closer the Z's room. My door was open, so (I thought) I had a pretty good view of the open area just beyond my door.
After a bit of confusion and a sudden belief and then disbelief of invisibility among humans, I finally met Vincent, the newest addition (to me, at least) in the house. Vincent has apparently lived here for over a year, but was gone for the past two months to be at home in Hong Kong (?). He's a grad student at UW studying Speech & Hearing Sciences.
It makes me slightly curious as to why no one had a clue as to who lived in that room, since he's only been gone two months, though the housemates that have lived here for awhile did recognise him ("oh yeah, Vincent! I remember him!").
He doesn't seem that unforgettable.
18 September 2006
Neighbors
To the lovely boys across the street, if you don't stop jumping on that damn trampoline, I'm going to come over and snap your legs in half. I can tolerate the bouncing noises for 15 minutes or so, but don't you think five hours straight is pushing it a bit? How about this: you get ahold of Richard Branson and the three of us will have a little chat about sending you on a one-way ticket to space. That way you can experience anti-gravity all you want.
And you people across the street: if I wanted to listen to death metal on repeat all morning, I'd have already downloaded all of Slipknot's music collection. I'm not saying classical music would be any better, but really, come on now. When my relatives come up to visit, I don't want them asking me with gaping mouths "you live here?!" Could you turn it down a notch? Why don't you use this handy little idea: see that pretty street divider between our houses? You know, the one with all the pretty trees in it? If you stand there and still can hear your music, do us a favor and turn that shit down.
And to whomever was playing techno music twenty minutes ago: play some Paul Oakenfold or something. Even Strongbad's techno was better than that crap you were playing!

