»»» Mochi » 4:56 AM » ! 1

Yes yes, I'm not crazy... Tokki's birthday was on the 20th (I never forget cuz it's one month before mine and she *always* has a wishlist in advance ^_^) but you know how birthdays have a *season* not just a *day* ^_^ and now she's back and home all nice and cuddly with her fams ^_^ SO AWESOME that your birthday leads right into spring break! OMG how I sorely miss spring break! Practically the whole office is out this past week or next week cuz they're taking spring break off with their kids. ANyways, wishing you the bestest birthday ever and you'll get your birthday goodies spectacular when you come visit me!!!!!! YAAAAAAY!

As for my craziness, I blame my waking up at 5am every day this week for my 6am training classes at work -- so painful! I thought I could do it for the sake of look-how-dedicated-I-am-to-this-job, but omg I can't concentrate and I have headaches all day long!

Things I've been obsessed with lately -- Craftster like no other drug. I don't know why I can't keep myself from surfing it like all day all night long! I love that it's a community of craftsters and they're all so inspirational! I've tried so many new projects and crafts that I wouldn't have otherwise ^_^ I started embroidery because of this one Craftster challenge and haven't stopped since! I even joined the Emboirdery Tea Towel Tour Swap where my tea towel will get embroidered by talented stitchers all across the country and Canada too! How cool is that!? And of course my friends get to soak in my crafting craze like patchwork and stitched scarves for Fan and Tokki and a pillowcase for Tokki too! I really got to start posting more pictures of the stuff I make ^_^

So why am I up at 4am? I had a super early and super long day at work, came home, took a super long nap till an hour ago when my smoke detector started beeping at me (stupid low batteries, die!) and now I'm blogging, surfing Craftster, and eating ramen mmmm

Free-falling revamp is in the works! I know it's long over due and I've probably said "revamp" a thousand times since two years ago, but believe it, I'm working on it and it's going to be fa-bu-lous!

Happy Easter everyone!!!

»»» Mochi » 10:46 AM » ! 2

happy birthday fan! and fawn!
may you have a happy one and many fun and rewarding years to come!

i hate hate how time flies by so fast when you work, or maybe it's the nature of my fast paced job? hmmm

strangely way out of the online world... i don't even remember how to customize greymatter O_o hope i remember how to make webpages and such since free-falling in dear need of revampage >_< maybe something gorillaz themed? neh tokki? ^_^

fun weekend last weekend with tokki in davis~ yummy foods and nice walks and lots of catching up ^_^ good to see that we're still kooky around each other ^_^

monday was the 2nd anniversary for lam and i ^____^ i remember last year i was like, wow, one year, longest i've been with anyone, and this year, it's different... like it's only been two years? i can't imagine my life without you...

♥♥
your heart in mine

i got him some things from discovery channel online but it's been sitting at the post office for a week! just can't ever make it to there while they're open cuz of work, boo... at least i had some extra gifts so i wasn't empty handed...

two weekends ago, lam and i went back to our lighthouse at point reyes, the one where we first kissed two years and a few days ago... they still don't lock the windows of the lighthouse keeper house so we broke in through the window again like last time ^_^ and snuggled together in the cold blustery winds while watching the sun set over the waters... it was nice ^_^

ok, enuf cheez~ fan potluck dinner party yesterday was fun! now that's how you throw a party! happy birthday fan!!!!! and fawn too!! 6 of us girls went bowling and it was much fun and we laughed a lot ^_^ potluck at fan's gorgeous place~ always love how you decorate and rearrange your place so nicely ^_^ ate till stuffed with yummy fried chicken with yum yum sauce and bruschetta pasta and many other yummies ^_^ played blokus till we got sick of it... you asked for no prezents but you deserve em so you can't get out of it! ^_^ hope you liked em

hey fan, is this your gobblet game? doesn't have the goblet shapes but it sounds like the same game you mentioned? try searching like "gobblet game -harry -potter" to exclude search hits with harry potter ^_^ i'll check games of berkeley to see if they have something like that ^_^ sounds fun!

hate living in this tiny room but for now, i need to stick it out since the rent is cheaper than anywhere else and it's super convenient location wise and i'm spoiled by the w/d that's right here, bleh... still an option to move to oakland but i'm scardy... i should just learn to throw stuff away and not buy stuff... thank goodness yarn season is over ^_^;;

so many things i want to do before this year is over before it flies by like the first half of this year >_< want to go camping and hiking (such a summer thing), want to get unfat, want to dance again, want to find a job after the program that really fits me, want to catch up with all my friends i haven't hung out with in months >_< want to travel (thailand? australia? vietnam? bahamas? greece? alone or with someone?), want to start selling things i make, want zen back in my life, so forgetting how to be relaxed these days....

and why am i up at 10am on a sunday????

»»» Mochi » 6:16 PM » ! 3

tee-hee~!!

(translation: "with love from shroom to lam * vday 07")

i had the idea for this for a while but never finished it until this one rainy day today ^_^ and guess what? just in time for vday! haha! nice cuz i haven't had time to plan to get anything else for vday... (had planned to play him a song on guitar, but i haven't practiced enough yet! >_<)

i'm sicky >_< for the second time this year (last time i got sick in minneapolis, not cool to work while sick and outside your element) and i cut work yesterday (was super sicky and lost my voice and didn't finish my project that i had to present >_<) so it's been a rough week

been really restless lately, not knowing what i really want and what really matters... i like parts of my job and the other parts put me to sleep (and others can tell >_< literally >_<;;;) i like most of the people i work with, i feel out of touch with my body and am in real need of a good workout routine (any is better than none), i haven't had the time or energy to do *me* things lately until today when i stayed home, cleaned up and made things ^_^ yay for cute squishy things!

conclusions
- sign up for a dance class and go to it! (don't be lazy!)
- volunteer for something weekly
- always have a craft project with a purpose on hand
- pick up music again (translation: learn to play guitar)
- stick to my priorities

sucks that
- i'm sicky >_<
- i don't get president's day off
- my room is so small, there's no where to hid my yarn
- my fingers hurt just from playing a few chords

things to look forward to
- lunar new year! year of the pig! that's me!
- aaron's bday party at hot pot city tonight
- valentine's week <3
- eleen's bday next friday
- friday - end of the hell that is my 2-week finance rotation

man, i have a lot of pics i need to share ^_^;;; (i need to re-install photoshop on my computer >_<; how i miss it so! but note, it's cuz i finally reformatted navi recently! yay!) and i haven't posted anything on the defining moments of 2006!! for one, i got to ring in the new year with my dearest lovlies katherine, daisy and poeta! <3333 but seriously, 2006 was such a huge transitioning period of my life, going from anxious and scared new grad to working professional, moving 4 times, loving every one of my friends and family more and more... may our fortunes and blessings burn brighter each passing day~~~

love&peace!

»»» Mochi » 12:40 PM » ! 5

this entry is loooong overdue... i can't believe i haven't blogged in the last 6 months! what happened you may ask? hmm i wonder... i've been working alot and spending less time on my navi since i'm on the computer all day and i cherish the down time i have when i'm home to knit and sip tea ^_^ working full time has realy made down time and weekend time oh so much more precious... both lam and my mom have realized this and fight for me every weekend, haha, so i've been going home like every other weekend and the other times i'm in berkeley... why berkeley if i live in emeryville? the trend continues where i don't spend much time in the place where i'm paying rent, i don't know why, it just ends up that way ^_^;;

(i remember trying to blog before but never posting entires since they seem somber just because that's reality even though life is good ^_^;;)

so much has happened in the last 6 months that i owe pictures of and full details, hehe~~~ living with fan, my 23nd birthday, last blood donating experience ever, moving to emeryville, fanime with tokki, 1 year anniversary with lam, cousin's new baby son, katherine moving home (so sad T_T), yosemite trip, oyster farm and bbq trips, me getting fat from inactivity, work going super downhill with layoffs in my group, my little brother starting college at berkeley (go bears!), LDP excitement and orientation, LDP starts (that's where i am now)

work has been a huge paradox for me lately... why is it always the case that the money we earn isn't enough to live off of and to save? i work hard long hours, save all the money i can, pay rent, pay bills, and there's not enough money left over *sigh* but at the same time, i know i'm taking the hit now and investing in my professional development so that i can be super fantastic in a super high level fun job when i graduate from the wf program at the end of the year

what gets me most excited is spending time with lam and new knitting/yarny projects ^_^ today is a day off (yesss!! ^_^) and i hope to get to visit article pract (nice yarn store in berkeley/oakland) to get small douple pointed needles for knitting socks (hehe, yup, i'm gonna try it!) and i just finished two felted bags ^_^

first gotta clean my small messy room O_o

things to look forward to~~ visit to tokki in davis, minneanapolis for a week for work, lam's 25th birthday (quarter life crisis he calls it, hehe), cal football games, halloween, more knit/crochet/sewing projects (eee! ^___^), christmas shopping, PTO days, saving up for a house ^_^

gotta remember, we work to live, not live to work... i will not make work my life

i greatly miss hanging out with friends, it's much harder now that we're more spread out with our own lives to carry about, and i wish i wasn't so tired after work to do anything besides nap and rest O_o... learning to find balance is a rough journey indeed... i miss you all!

okok, posting one pic before i go... ^_^

GO BEARS! ^__^
Cal* v. Oregon, 45-24

have a great week everyone!!!! ^______________^

»»» Mochi » 1:13 AM » ! 1

my my my, so tired after first day on the job... my shoes hurt my feet and i came home with my bag exploding with papers i need to read... yay! more later

some things i forgot to bring -- lotion! hangers! day planner! (ok, i don't know where that is) but lotion! i so need to get some after work tomorrow -- comfortable shoe shopping has been so futile! it's a chore and it's been forever fruitless... why can't i wear flipflops forever and ever?

spinning: Move { How To See You Again

Hanaretaku nai yo
I’ll miss you every single night
Teokure no yamai
It’s hard to say good-bye

you think me working in the city would make it easier to see lam... oh nonono, sadly no~~ there's no parking outside fan's apartment here, so it's hard for him to hang out here unless he barts/buses here so there's no need to park, and lam and i get out of work at different times (he goes home earlier) but we'll make something work out ^_~ he can wait for me to get out of work and we'll hang out ^_^

Love alla National Geographic

my lil bro is on spring break (lucky dog)... sad i couldn't be at home to hang with him... he's gonna be visiting colleges most of the time anyways... congrats to my bro! can't wait to see where he decides to go ^_^ (sending psychic waves ::berkeley::berkeley::berkeley:: hehe, j/k)

hehe! am amused ^_^

spinning: Nickel Creek { When You Come Back Down

You got to leave me now, you got to go alone
You got to chase a dream, one that's all your own
Before it slips away
When you're flyin' high, take my heart along
I'll be the harmony to every lonely song
That you learn to play

When you're soarin' through the air
I'll be your solid ground
Take every chance you dare
I'll still be there
When you come back down
When you come back down

ok... i sleep, then wake up to read work stuff (should have done it earlier, but i napped instead cuz my tummy was grumbly >_<)

»»» Mochi » 1:41 AM » ! 33

start new job tomorrow, and i'm so restless! gah!

thanks, fan, for helping me getting settled into her cool apt! and getting used to city transit and getting around... luv luv luv....

»»» Mochi » 3:42 AM » ! 1

it's late, i've been sleeping late, it's so silent in the house... why am i so full of anxiety? all night i've been discussing colleges for my lil bro with my parents... and it's been an unbelievable stress bomb... the acceptances, rejections, and wait-lists, the majors, the double majors, the location, the size, and especially, the cost and financial aid package... all this talk is driving me crazy! i want to help my brother out in making his ultimate decision, but now, i just feel like i'm in the way, being another stone under his foot like the parents who keep pushing their opinions on him... arg! i guess i just really want him to make informed decisions... it pains me to remember how i was, at the end of my senior year, getting into all those colleges, facing the decision, the first real big decision i really was allowed to make concerning myself and my future... i was so panicked, and so longing for compassion and understanding that never came... now, years later as a graduate, my parents have long mourned my choices of college and in college, seeing that now i am not the computer science major that they intended me to be, now it's my brother's chance to take a step to his own future, and make decisions based on his own ambitions... but he's not doing that! he doesn't care and it's driving me crazy! i guess i want to be protective, but there's only so much i can do... but now, i think it's best that i step aside and only volunteer my advice when he asks (as hard as that is, i think it'll be for the best...)

i can tell that my mom is back in her natural behavior and that her mood is not slowed down anymore for the surgery... she's the best at making me feel nervous and unprepared with things that are career-related (flashback to pre-wells fargo round two interview, mother driving me crazy with her persisten they'll never hire someone who's not smart enough or pretty enough or blah blah blah... gah!) so now that i'm gonna be starting work come monday, she hasn't stopped going off about how none of my clothes are appropriate for work and how i need to brush up on my programming and how i'm not prepared to move blah blah blah... i can't take it, i'm relieved that i'm moving out

yaaaaay! i love you fan! i'm moving in with her! yaaaaay!! i'm excited! even if it's only for a month, i'm really happy that we'll be roommates again! ^_^ thanks for letting me share your cute apartment! it'll be nice to not have to live at home while i start work, and to not have to commute two hours to get to sf for work, hehe, yay!

i love my baby too <3
it's always an unbelievable joy whenever i'm with him...
i hope this never ends

lam: i think after you work after a while, you'll see what its like to have no free time at all
lam: thats why i always want to be with you when i get the chance

i am excited about starting to work... even while everyone tells me to stop and enjoy the time off, this advice coming mostly from those who are working already... but people don't realize many things about my life... for one, i can't stand living at home, yes i have a car to drive, yet i like the full kitchen, but it doesn't feel like home, my mom and i can't understand each other, and sometimes i just feel alone other than when i'm asked to cook or drive my brother (ok, so recently, things have been different, and i care for my mother deeply and do everything i can to make her more comfortable)... another thing, for me to not live at home, i need an income that's bigger than my old part time job... living at home made it very difficult for lam and i to see each other every day, so we end up only hanging out on weekends or sometimes i'll visit berkeley for a day or he'll drive down to see me, still, it's so hard, and the parents are always watching, it gets to me that lil things like parents' rules keep us apart, so especially cuz of this, it's been extremely painful to live at home, away from my baby... and also... i'm bored! i end up spending more money on things like food and yarn to occupy my time! i've knit more things this past month than i have all year! it's great i guess, but even that can get overdone (although i did want to finish this one sweater i started, my first ever, but i'm still working on the sleeves)... yes, i need challenge, i need excitement, i need diversity, i need to be around people other than my family, i need to be out in the real world, cuz i'm useless like this, sitting around at home knitting and cooking... yes, i can't wait to start working!!

oh, and lent has been good to me ^_^ the no-meat no-dessert thing has help me lose pounds and look less chubby, although i really wish i could dance again... dancing gives me so much energy! ^_^ i miss that...

peace, my loves~

»»» Tokki » 8:00 PM » ! 1

So, I feel like I should put this out there in case you're curious. After much internal debating and scheduling conflicting meetings with counselors of various capacities, I've decided to accept the offer from that firm. Yes. That one. As you can see, we're already off to a fabulous start in our working relationship.

It's not work I'm totally thrilled about doing. In fact, part of the reason I waffled so long on it was that I really loathe personal injury. I expect to be working 12 hour days, and they don't pay much at all in terms of first year salary. But I expect I'll get a lot of really good litigation experience. The firm is small--2 or 3 lawyers are going to be at the new branch where I'll be part of the start up team. And to be perfectly honest with myself, I'm too insecure to graduate without a job, even if it's one I think I'll loathe doing.

I figure I'll take this year to get experience, pass the bar, earn some cash to help my parents pay off my loans, and then go ahead and go for an LLM in Tokyo. Hopefully I'll do the 2 year program and get an MBA out of it, too. With those under my belt, I should be more marketable to do what I really want, which is Copyright and Entertainment. Light at the end of the tunnel, Tokki. Just one year and you'll get there soon. *pats self*

So, to everyone who wants to get ahold of me, starting in August, I'll be in Irvine. To you OC-ers, show me around the place some, please?

»»» Tokki » 10:39 PM » ! 2

So I'm drunk, but with good reason. The job I got rejected from? I just started feeling all better about it today when I went out to dinner with my friend. Turns out she got it.

Gonna drink s'more k nite.

»»» Tokki » 10:58 PM » ! 0

Went out to happy hour today with a group of Esther-2L's (her new name!) friends. In general it was fun and food and booze were cheap if not very good. But the alcohol apparently did its trick and made me stupid 'cause I made two very dumb mistakes at the outing. One obvious. The other not-so much.

The first was I repeated a rumor I heard about our LSA President. The rumor isn't flattering and is probably embarrassing for her if she ever got wind of it, and I regretted opening my mouth the instant I said it. I may not be her friend, but I certainly wasn't out to vilify her. Those people had no right to know it, even if we were gossiping. Why can't I keep my big mouth shut? Gah, that'll larn' me. -_-;

The second was something of a culture clash. To begin, it's not exactly a secret that there's a Korean dish made out of dog meat. There was a lot of controversy surrounding it during the '88 Olympics when a lot of Americans were just protesting it right and left. To be honest, I was really disgusted when I first heard about it, too. I'm a dog-lover and I've never eaten dog before in my life. I can't fathom eating dog in any shape or form nor do I ever plan on promoting this practice. But I know people of my parents' generation who have. So this girl at the table find out about the dog dish and gets this really disgusted look on her face. But what got my goat was that she said she wouldn't even be able to talk to someone who had eaten dog before (and yes, she asked me if I had to make sure).

So I tried to put it in perspective for her. I've since learned about how it developed and everything. And I explained that Korea has been an extremely impoverished country until very, very recently (as late as the '60s when their economy just exploded). As late as my parents' generation there was a widespread famine and poverty. Now food is very important culturally in general, but meat especially. Her response? "Did they eat people as well?"

WTF, dude.

Like, are you saying that just because people eat dog means that they have no sense of morality at all? I'm sorry, but ugh, what an incredibly racist statement. I mean, honestly, yes, I actually get where you're coming from in terms of disgust. But you pass judgment on people starving? Her rebuttal to that was that "I don't care if it's a cultural thing, they made a conscious choice." But that was exactly my point! Dog meat didn't have the same stigma, so why did they have to choose anything at all? Perhaps a Brahmin in India would choose starvation over eating a cow, but this obviously isn't the same context. Dogs aren't exactly considered deities in Korea. Nor are they considered so here, for that matter.

Anyway, she was just adamant that intelligent animals shouldn't be consumed, and dogs and cows are incredibly intelligent creatures. Fair enough, but she seems to talk to cow-eaters just fine. Are dogs more intelligent than cows? And where is the cut-off? She's fine with rabbits being eaten, because they're not smart.

Incidentally, her proof of animal intelligence is that they know they're going to die. Now that's just silly, because rabbits know they're about to be eaten by any creature on 2 or 4 legs. It's why they RUN. She's fine with snakes and sharks being eaten, too, incidentally.

Me: "But snakes are smart."
Her: "Snakes are smart?"

Gah, I think I was just bothered by the entire evening. I didn't handle it very well, and didn't breach her well-fed, privileged American outlook on life, and probably just made her sink further into it. Next time I'm doing what CZ suggested and pulling a Kino just observing anthropological subjects for study.

»»» Tokki » 7:54 PM » ! 3

CZ looked really appalled and she just couldn't fathom why suicide would even flit across my mind. It's true--I do have a very loving family and friends who care about me very much, and I'm well cognizant of both the advantages that I have and the utter lack of suffering comparatively with those who have truly suffered. But I don't think a lot of people realize that suicidal tendencies don't always come from some outside triggering event (like something so horrendous as to literally drive you to death). In those cases it usually seems like "trauma" is the stimulus of suicide. For me personally, it seems to be more motivated internally. Whoever said that suicide is the most selfish event someone can do is absolutely right--it has to do with a really ego-centric view: how you feel is so all consuming that even knowing you have all these family and friends around you to love you, it's almost irrelevant because you feel so shitty that you're not really of the frame of mind to really consider anything outside of your field of view. So, for me, it's about looking into the mirror and really wishing that I just didn't exist.

But enough of that! My intention is not to depress. I turn 26 soon! :O It's a little freaky. I have no idea what I'm supposed to do with myself. My parents want to take me out to dinner, but I sort of just roll my eyes and go, "yeah, with what money?"

Anyway, I decided to do this again, just in case Jess some of you might find it useful ;p

Bday Wishlist 2008:
1. Some new earphones. These $3 ones from the student store are crap. >(
2. A steam iron. I liked the one Fan has. It's easy to use.
3. A printer that won't abandon me in my time of need >( >( >(
4. Shroom to make me a bunny bucket hat like that one ♥
5. An annual subscription of Giant Robot
6. Princess Tutu boxset (It's 50% off right now!!!)
7. Satoumizu's Prince of Tennis artbook!!!! ♥ ♥ ♥
8. 4 seasons of bunny posters! by Kozyndan (first four on this page)
9. Ajikan's new album.
10. Mushi-shi artbook (ISBN is at the bottom of the page)

LOL what a list.

»»» Tokki » 1:13 PM » ! 12

So last weekend I sorta just uprooted myself and flew to Seattle to visit Cai! For no good reason at all except to get away! Hey, that rhymes XD

The great irony of the day was that Seattle--which rains for 9 months out of the year--was beautiful and I missed the great California storm of the year. That's right! I take the California sunshine with me whereever I go!

Anyway, just needed to get away from Davis and law school and jobs and hang out with people who valued who I am (or was?) without all the law school politics. On the whole it was a great trip. Except for the Friday, where my plane got delayed by 3 hours, meaning my take-off got delayed past the original time I was supposed to land. Ugh ugh ugh. So much cranky. And there were too many people in the Southwest terminal when the Delta terminal was practically empty! So I squatted there for about an hour reading some Critical Race Theory, which was about racism and how some of the motivations are unconsciously done. But I was feeling so cranky then I was kind of going, "NO! They're all racist bigots and jerks NYARGH!" Even more cranky. There was a flight originally scheduled to leave 2 hours after mine--and that one left first!!! Needless to say, was supposed to land at 8. Landed around 11. Cai said we should still make the most of it though, so we went to Happy Hour at Pies and Pints for some cheap alkie and fried mozerella! :D Their spinach-feta pie was also yummy. Hahaha, yeah, no priest for us :p Then back to her place to make some brownies and Pride & Prejudice.

Saturday, which was a lovely day, was spent mostly in the downtown district of Seattle. I got some art-coffee (which didn't taste good so much as it looked pretty--disappointing for Seattle coffee, nu? T^T) and saw the famous Pike Place Market. I saw them throw the fish! They also sang a song while they did it, which I didn't know. So, for those who don't know, Pike Place Market is kind of like a glorified Farmer's Market. You can get fresh produce, meats, lots 'n lots of seafood, really exotic cheeses. Even fresh cut flowers and pasta. Cai ended up buying a big bouquet of really pretty, colorful tulips (she needed it though, her apartment is really drab). There was this one store called Market Spice that literally sold spices out of these huge jars. They also had a really big selection of tea, their signature being Cinnammon Orange. It was yummy, so I picked myself up a box. In fact, I pretty much noshed all day. We saw the Beecher's cheese flagship store, so I tried some of their self-proclaimed World's Best Mac n' Cheese (it was, indeed, delicious). We got some piroshkys from the Russian bakery down the street. And I paid homage to the mecca of all coffee-lovers--the very first Starbuck's! The only distinguishing feature I could tell that the original logo was different and had 200% more nipplage, but there you have it.

I just have to say, Seattle is a really beautiful city. You know, when it's not raining and gross. But it reminds me a lot of SF. It's similarly situated in that it sits on the waterfront, only it also has all these estuaries and rivers running right through the main city, so it's really lovely and catches a lot of sea breezes. And what's also pretty amazing is that Seattle is surrounded by all these mountains, so when the day is clear and beautiful (like it was) you can see these snow-capped mountains in the distance, including Mt. Rainier. It was a lovely day to spend outdoors, so we went shopping. One of our stops included Lush, which is one of my favoritest stores EVAR! And also some of the best hot chocolate I've ever hand. Bar none.

For dinner, I decided to treat Cai since she was such a nice tour guide. We hit up this shopping center close to Cai's place, which was super pretty and be-decked in all these patio lights. Almost like Christmas, only all year round. There was an Anthropolgie there, where Cai scored a dress on sale--for $10!!! That must've been the cheapest thing I've ever seen come from that store. It was really pretty, too. A vintange style, short-sleeve in a really nice faded blue color. Prettiest dress in the history of $10 dresses. Dinner was Atlas and I got to have some famous Seattle salmon. Don't know why it's so famous, but hey, it's good so I don't complain. Then we rented Once and returned home for more brownies and Shiraz :) I'm happy to say that Once is well worth the watch, and I'm super glad they won the Oscar for music. The narrative is told almost entirely from music, and while it doesn't end Hollywood-esque in any respect, it ends satisfyingly. Well deserved win.

Sunday I toured University of Washington. Their campus is really beautiful. Cai's lucky. Then a very uneventful flight home.

It was a really nice trip, and while I feel like I probably could've been more productive, I think that I probably did a good decision in going. Law school politics have a way of making me feel shit about myself, and I'm embarrassed to admit, I seriously thought about cutting myself last week. It was nice being with someone for an entire weekend--away from law school, someone who knew who I was back when I was somebody I didn't mind being, and still valued me as me.

Back to the grind now, I suppose. I do have to rant about my recent manga developments, and post pics, but I guess jobs are more important. Le sigh.

»»» Tokki » 2:36 PM » ! 0

Friday
Persepolis with Maren! Fantastic film--beautifully animated, wonderfully acted, poignant story. Recommend this over Reading Lolita in Tehran. Then sacher torte (you'll get why if you've seen the movie) and princess cake after! Ended up taking all day, so no work done D:

Today
Done:
Farmer's Market with Meera.
Brunch at Bistro, crab omlette :D :D :D (no bellinis D:)

In progress:
Laundry
Cleaning the disgusting disgustingness that is my bathroom
Clean coffee maker

To do:
Reading for Telecom
Job application
Dinner and ballet with Esther! :D :D :D

Tomorrow
Brunch with CZ! :D

Monday?
Lunch with Cathy and Jina?

I am someone's valentine! Well, my parents, at any rate. They sent me chocolate (which got smooshed, no thanks, USPS D<) and a Starbuck's card! :D And Shroomie's valentine ♥ We've known each other for 10 years now--how wild is that?

»»» Tokki » 10:54 PM » ! 0

Happy Single Awareness Day! I have to say, though, I must've pissed off Cupid or something because every S.A.D. thing I was planning today was foiled. I was going to wear all black in Singles Solidarity, but it was frikkin' windy so I had to wear my sweatshirt, which was pink. So I ended up looking Valentine's festive, which was the exact opposite of the intent. So as a compromise, I decided to wear my scary Dragonheart pendant, that has two gothic pewter dragons that interlock to form a heart. But the horn one of the dragons was broken! D: So they won't interlock anymore. Then I was going to do the singles-gorging-myself-on-something-fattening...but they ran out of brownies DDD: And then I was going to go to yoga class, in direct defiance of all those couples because it takes place at the exact same time the Heartbreaker's Ball held downtown--but the entire campus suffered a blackout!! O.O It was like standing on the edge of a gaping maw--I couldn't see a thing because it was so damn dark. So...it was a sad S.A.D. for me.

D: D: D:

»»» Tokki » 1:49 PM » ! 1

So! Who wants to hear my traumatic story? Yes? Yes.

On Monday afternoon, I received an e-mail from law firm in Pasadena--about 15 minutes away from home. It's pretty small--I mean, they don't even have a website, but I had a vague idea of what they do. 'Sides. I was applying for general litigation anyway. Anyway, on Monday, they tell me they want to interview me. I accepted via e-mail--just a quick note that I shot off between classes, and I told them I'd call to confirm on Tuesday.

By Tuesday, it occurs to me that I assumed we were doing this over the phone. After all, I'm still in school and nothing in the e-mail indicated that she expected me to show up. No, "parking goes here" or anything. But just in case, while I'm on the phone w/ the secretary, I say, "this is a phone interview, right?" The secretary literally goes, "Uuuuuh, no. Unless explicitly stated in the e-mail, all interviews are in person."

!!!!!!!!

Needless to say, I freaked out. A lot. While I'm still on the phone. Frantically I ask if we can postpone--for like, even a day!--just enough time to pull my crap together and find a flight and let my parents know that I"m going to be coming home suddenly, especially given that my aunt was apparently staying over and appropriated my room. (As an aside--why is my aunt in my room? Why doesn't she stay with her SON and her GRANDCHILD? Isn't that normal? If I did come home, how on earth would I study? Anyway, moot point). She says she's not sure--they schedule the interviews depending on when the attorneys are free so it'll depend.

Okay. Fine. Makes sense.

So she says she'll call me back after she double checks when they're free. In the meantime, I'm frantically looking for tix online, and I find seats open on the very last flight out at 9 pm. I call my parents to let them know I'm coming (Mom was ecstatic), e-mail profs and let them know I'll be gone, e-mail friend and get notes, pull out shit out of my cloests to pack, etc. etc.

When she called back, she said that the partner already left, so she couldn't ask. I tell her, that's okay, I found an open flight so if it's more convenient for them I can make the original time discussed, and what was their policy on reimbursing travel expenses. She starts sounding doubtful and tells me to wait, they didn't expect me to be traveling.

Oh. Really.

I mean, my resume only had my local address on it. And my cover letter only said "I'm currently a 3L." Most lawyers will know what 3L means. I'm assuming. I hope. Anyway, after I hung up, I had to cancel the plane tix. Re-e-mail everyone and say false alarm, re-pack all the crap I had thrown out. And after all that was done, I just felt so...ill. I didn't want to eat, so I didn't. I had a headache and I went to sleep early instead after reading.

This job hunt is really taxing me.

But wait! This charming story has an epilogue!

The next morning, I receive a call at 9:30 a.m. I stumble out of bed (my first class is at 11), and answer the phone. And lo. 'Tis the self-same charming secretary asking me if I'm free right now. My semi-unconscious brain said something that made my mouth go "okay." And I got to speak to one of the lawyers for all of 10 minutes, where I received helpful answers like "it varies" and "it depends"! Essentially, this guy wanted to know if I could start now. No? When could I start? September? All righty, talk to you in September.

Ha.

»»» Tokki » 11:46 PM » ! 0

So! The promised review of Tim Burton's adaptation of Sweeney Todd. First, let me start off saying that I really enjoyed the movie. Granted, part of that was the fun of watching my dad's reactions (I had my own Jersey Girl moment going there), but I also want to say this was one of Tim Burton's better adaptations. He's definitely made some crap before (read: Planet of the Apes), and I'm happy to say that this was not one of them. But he's also skimped on some important parts of the musical. I'm going to focus my impressions into what I saw as the two main moving forces of the movie.

The Visuals
This is a pretty movie. No, it's a ridiculously pretty movie--even when it's not supposed to be. The hellish vision that Burton conceives as the cesspool London is stylishly executed through use of exaggerated shadows and color, decadent costumes, and fetching scenary. The entire environment is really well conceived, and he takes advantage of his own exaggerations to emphasize some sequences very effectively, like the whole "By the Sea" dream sequence, which was cartoony by deliberation. Yes, it's bloody, but that's to be expected. Especially the final execution, that was pretty damn near artistic. And the oven scene? Pretty damn near frightening. Great, great visuals.
Visuals Overall: A

The Music
The strength of Sweeney Todd as a musical is mainly that it's Sondheim's homage to the opera--the score itself is really complex and there's like a million different parts that mesh severally. Solos are modeled after arias, and even the tinniest actions are really melodramatic because they signal plot cues. Probably because of that, you can't really rely on pretty lyrics to carry the musical, which tend to be too literal to be artistic--they're there to literally tell you what's happening or what they're thinking, not to recite you flowery poetry or metaphors. And you definitely can't rely on the plot. Most operas tend to focus on a really simple theme and relies on the music to carry the rest of the story. Same here, the plot is focused on this really simplistic idea of revenge. Don't need much character development, don't need a whole lot of ambiguity.

This is probably where the movie fails the most. Burton relies too heavily on the plot to construct this movie, and not enough on the music. Depp has a surprisingly pleasant singing voice, and I could listen to it for a long time. That being said, it's not exactly operatic material. And don't even get me started on Helena Bonham Carter. Her voice is weak, flat, and altogether uninteresting. She barely sings on key. Still, she definitely is a prettier Mrs. Lovett that Angela Lansbury was, and she makes her character a lot more sympathetic. She just isn't much for a musical.

Which is why the arrangements of the songs absolutely baffled me. A lot of the complexity is simply removed: they took out so many parts to "God That's Good" that I had no idea it was supposed to be that sequence until the thing was over. And the parts that they left in was all Carter's parts! I mean, WTH? They should focus on the characters who can actually sing! Like the kid who was Toby. Man, that kid was golden. He had a really strong voice--real musical material, and cute as a button, to boot. Also, they cut some songs altogether, like the opening number to the musical, which happens to be my favorite. I could see why, but man, I was bummed.
Music Overall: C

My ultimate verdict is that you should definitely watch it once. In the theaters too, because damn, that movie is dark so you won't be able to watch it on a home TV. Watch it for the pretty. Then come home and watch the musical featuring Lansbury and George Hearn for the music.

»»» Tokki » 3:06 AM » ! 16

Back in Davis. Man, I love being home. It was literally the most stress-free I've been all year. And I got fat. But not as fat as I used to be. Now I can't eat again and no one will pamper me and I've actually got to get a job. Man, reality bites.

But I trust that the holidays treated everyone nicely :) I know it did for me! Here's some highlights:

- Annual trip to Disneyland. The guy who sold me the ticket thought I was a total loser for showing up alone, so I told him that I was actually there for my college reunion. He freaked out because he thought it was like a real reunion - like Cal rented out the park or something. I didn't have the heart to correct him XD Disneyland is always fun this time of year. There were some new decorations, too! Cinderella's castle was outfitted to look like it was frosted over in lights simulating icicles! *_* Soooo pretty. We also ended up having dinner at the famous Blue Bayou! Finally! And even Pam didn't complain about the price! Amazing! There was jambalaya, Tinkerbell lit cups, and avocados in salads, all across from the Pirates of Carribean. Pics forthcoming~

- Murakami exhibit with Erica! I was so surprised to find out she was such a huge Murakami fan, which was great for me b/c then I had a buddy to go with :) It was really interesting to learn that, for being such a commercial artist, he's got a background in traditional Japanese art, and it was fascinating to see how that background came through. Even on the...ahem, "Milk" pieces, which were supposed to emulate the branches of a plum tree. Also, he seems to like to recycle his pieces--his characters and certain elements are always recurring. I liked how he just builds on all his stuff. Kouhai-chan bought me a really cute LV flower hair-tie, too :D I really loved the limited edition prints they had, but I didn't exactly have a grand to drop on them :p

- Golden Compass with Janet! Heck, any time I get to meet up with Janet is a highlight for me, and we had a great few hours just chatting it up in a Starbucks. But the movie itself was a feast for the eyes, and despite all the negative press it got, I really enjoyed it. It made me really interested in the books. I want my own daemon! Or ice bear to ride on ;_;

- Pizza from Buca di Beppo. Pizza, in my book, is a reason to celebrate unto itself. But Buca pizza is also very yummy.

- Scoring a 99 at karaoke. Yes, this makes me happy shut up :p

- New cellie with a place for phonestraps!!!! :O My life is complete again.

- Scoring those lamb slippers from Bath and Body for Mommy that, try as I might, I could not find before Xmas. But lo! They had them after Xmas for half off. SO WHO GOT NEXX'D.

- Watching Hairspray with Mommy ♥ Such a cute movie, and it could've been really inane but the racial subplot helps give it depth.

- Sweeney Todd with Dad. Okay, I have mixed feelings about the movie itself, which I'd like to explicate in more detail later, but I was way too amused watching my dad be horrified by the entire thing. He had this WTF expression on his face throughout the entire thing XD

So, Xmas was pretty awesome this year. I love it every year, but OMG it was just so much more awesome after the hell that was finals this semester. I never want that experience again. And now comes the part where I brag about the swag I got. They dun call me Greed for nuttin :p

This year is all about dressing me up and feeding my mind. I seem to have a lot of clothes and books!
- Mom and Dad got me pretty heavy duty jacket from those racists at Abercrombie so I don't freeze to death. Yay!
- Cai got me a hoody with wings *_*
- Pam got me the most awesomest bunny shirt. It has large headphones. BUNNY WITH LARGE HEADPHONES! ♥
- CZ got me a bunny bag and a Gorillaz shirt feat. Noodle. I have the most awesomest wardrobe ever. *thumbs up*
- Shroom, in addition to Phantom Hourglass for the DS, knitted me this really waaaaarm gloves that I can wear while I type on the computer! And I just noticed they have a bunny and heart pattern on the back! *doink* I r slow.
- Jess got me D-sides, which was super nice of her. She also gave me a story I can tell for years to come :p
- Huy had originally gotten me an Angel Sanc artbook, but I already had it. So he let me exchange it for Neil Gaiman's Stardust. Can't wait to read it *_*
- My cousin and his new wife (hereafter referred to as RTW) got me the His Dark Materials (y'know, the Golden Compass trilogy) boxset. *_* Also excited about this.
- Erica gave me a copy of Haruki Murakami's Sputnik Sweetheart, and I have to say, I already love it. I just started it on the plane ride over, and I'm already about 100 pages into it. I'm just devouring it! I love Haruki Murakami--his subtlety, his wit, his humor. One of my favorite authors to date, bar none. Also, congrats on getting into Harvard Law School, kouhai-chan. Man, all my friends are so smart :O
- Fan gave me some pretty exotic chocos. My family and I had a blast trying to figure out what they tasted like. My only regret was that I didn't take a picture of them before they got devoured. They were so pretty.
- Gdawggie sent me a box full of random awesomeness. Part of the fun was the unexpectedness of what came out.
- But the biggie for me this year was from Aniki. Not only did he get me the Death Note nendroid action figures (L is the cutest thing to be seen), but he also got me an iRiver!!! :O :O Okay, he also gave me his cough, BUT ALL IS FORGIVEN FOR THE PRETTY SHININESS THAT IS A NEW MP3 PLAYER!!

*g* *feels luved* Thanks, you guys. You're so awesome, each and every one.

New Year's was pretty low key. RTW came over 3 times in a row that week 9.9 I missed La Canada's float in the Rose Parade, too. Oh, but speaking of which, Ace has a birthday!!! Oda-sen saw it fit to give Ace a bday! :D :D And it's Jan. 1st! Must draw something~

Here's a prayer that the New Year will bring good tidings, and all our wishes come true. ♥

»»» Tokki » 3:47 PM » ! 0

I HAVE NO IDEA IF YOU GUYS ARE READING THIS BUT

SHROOM, FAN, PLZ BE LETTING YOUR RESPECTIVE PARENTAL UNITS TO CHECK THEIR MAIL CUZ I HAD SOME SHADY EXPERIENCES W/ OUR PO LAST TIME

NO I AM NOT STRESSED AT ALL WHY DO YOU ASK

»»» Tokki » 10:48 PM » ! 0

I recommend "Hong Kong," "We Are Happy Landfill," and "Rock It"

»»» Tokki » 10:00 PM » ! 3

My flute teacher of 7 years passed away today.

She had cancer, which was a shock in itself. It started in her stomach and spread to her liver. She went in for chemo last Friday and passed away today.

Like my grandmother, she was always a very sprightly person. Very confident, in tune with musical sensibility, and deeply religious. She didn't drink and didn't smoke.

I remember being probably one of her worst students: she found in me a natural talent in a provisional audition, and she took me despite her two year waitlist. I was lucky, but I was a brat back then. Still am, I guess. I never practiced. I had the volume and control, no doubt, but never developed it, despite the years and years of lectures and advice she tried patiently to instill in me. She never yelled at me, unlike other students, despite me being the most trying, and she often fed me, which I suppose is the Asian way of telling me she was fond of me.

I haven't spoken to her once since I moved, and now I'm left with all this lingering regret. I should've gone to see her some Xmas after we moved back. I should've told her that this summer, yes, when I picked up the flute for the first time in 9 years, I finally got what she was trying to tell me. I should've told her how I realized how lucky I was, how grateful. God, I'm such a fool.

»»» Tokki » 11:45 PM » ! 0

One of the best things about the TeniPuri fandom is that the fans are as cracked as the actual show.

...I could watch this all day. ♥

»»» Tokki » 12:48 AM » ! 0

OMG!! IT'S OUT! And it's not HP. Huy? Cai? Buy it for me? *bats eyes*

Overdue pic spam post from AX!

Don't you love how I start off with the non-anime series? Avatar: the Last Airbender. All 3 of them are the awesome.

CZ and her moojuice. I mean, Moofia. :D Sorry for the blurry pic D:

Wanted an L before we left the con. Man, I can't believe I missed the Death Note people 3 times. THREE TIMES!!!

D. Grayman! Fawn's friend gokumew2, I b'leve.

Midna! Super-sized! Brave girl to cosplay this version of Midna.

I wanted the Dark Link, but Pepsi Man is there, too.

Org. XIII! Or, 8 of them, at least. Sorry for the blurry pic. Lookit those wigs and weapons. As Aniki said, "it is a thing to behold."

Prologue Utena! You must see her dress in all its splendor!

Finally! A pic that turned out well. Loli-Goth Alice in Wonderland group. Tres awesome.

OBJECTION!

As a lawyer, he's my new hero.

No swag of my own to post this year. That's what I get for being poor. But we had lotsa fun with Maria's toys :D

I went back the next weekend at my dad's request. Incidentally, the 7th of July is my parents' anniversary.

My mom is so pretty. ♥ Sometimes I wonder how on earth she got a daughter that looks like me.

And finally...

Daddy and me at the opera, Tannhauser which is considered to be Wagner's masterpiece, but I found a bit boring. Ho hum. Mostly this pic goes up because I promised you all a pic of The Black Dress. It looks better up close, I promise.

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