Life after Eve of Nation

I have been incredibly busy for a month plus, and now the craziness has ended. There are no more dances, no more fashion shows, no events (that I want to attend), and no busing tables.

I am quite satisfied with my life. I have plans and it is coming along nicely - cooking, walking, reading, napping, surfing the net, etc.

I made Korean dumplings on sunday night, bak choy on monday, vegetable curry on tuesday, and damn, were they delicious, especially the curry. I have to say that because I started reading recipes online, I have never cooked any successful dishes. But today, I cooked curry from scratch and at first I wondered why it was not spicy, but now, it's just nice. The spice makes my nose run, my tongue burn, and my eyes watery. Perfect.

I have other cooking plans. Banana bread pudding, sweet potato tong sui, baked honey chicken, baked salmon fillet, etc.

Ah, life is wonderful now.

Spring break and Cultural Nights

The best part about saturday and sunday was walking to school, and back. I never realized what a beautiful neighborhood I have and how serene it is. I think from now on, whenever there's a practice going on, I will walk instead of drive because it is good exercise and it saves me from finding a parking place, hoping that OUPD does not give me a ticket.

These days, I have been very busy with cultural nights. It started with Malaysian Night. I was involved in choreographing the fashion show and participated in Dikit Barat. Then, I had to help out with Vietnamese Night's fashion show, and now, Indian dance and fashion show. If there is one big concern of mine, it is I hope the audience are all different all they will be sick of seeing the same people. And soon, it will be the Eve of Nation. I have never participated in so many different cultural nights during my student days, but now that I have graduated, it is easier for me to say yes, I can help because I am always free after five. And I am glad, because it is sort of my dream to participate in other cultural nights, especially India Night.

Whenever I was practicing the India dance, I really wish my partner was Kalyan, instead of Gathum because he is ever so humble and fun to be with, in a geekish way. But I think the feeling will pass soon because it always does, until someone "cooler" comes along.

I spend my spring break camping in Wichita Mountains. A 3 day 2 nights stay. It was a wonderful experience, except for the part where I gained three pounds. We had to cook over a campfire, set up tents (2), gather firewood, hiked, walked to the restroom, and be dirty. We took a semi-primitive campsite, P4, and we loved it so much that we decided to stay for a second night. I mean, who would want to spent half the day setting up the tent for only one day! We had korean beef, roasted vegetables, pancakes, turkey bacon, hotdogs, chili, grapes, strawberries, cookies, crackers, trail mix. No wonder I gained weight.

The night was very cold. The first night, I huddled in my sleeping bag and could feel every stone cutting my hips whenever I turned. The second night, I slept on top of my sleeping bag and did not feel any stone, but I felt the cold eating me alive with just a blanket on top. I was just happy the sun came up.

I dont know why but I'm feeling snackish again. I really need to lose weight or run more. I think the latter sounds nicer. But, I have no time, and that is not an excuse. I am going to walk to school every time we have practice from now on.

V-day Weekend

Happy Belated Valentine's Day. Who knew I would be happy single, but I am! So far, at least. I spent V-day in Dallas, doing some last minute shopping with the cousin and agi. I bought a pair of Croc's shoe that fit and look nice, even with shorts! It's the best find ever, as it was kinda like the dream shoe that I wanted when I was young. Plus, I dont look good with ballet shoes because I am short and my legs are chuncky.

We left the house at about 9:30a.m. and had lunch at xiao mei xiao chi. Oh my gosh, the only reason why I love that place is because the price is so reasonable (cheap) and they have free tea, soymilk and soup. The soymilk is my favorite! I also went to Yogurtland, Mozart Bakery and H-Mart (where I noticed they had soynuts!) as usual. This time, I took some pictures, so I can show everyone how awesome Yogurtland is, but sadly, I am too lazy to upload them here.

For post V-day, my indian friend invited the cousin, pippin, agi, VJ, and me for a homemade indian meal. They made me cry. The curry in the chickpeas were too spicy. It hits you after half a minute, when you are wondering when all the food on your plate turned hot. It was rather delicious though. I also attended MSA night practice, and ate kuay towy at Orient Express. It is so delicious, I swear it is the best.

Post V-day is also the day my handbag button was almost torn away. It happened so suddenly, I was surprised. It was given to me when a senior threw it away in the thrashcan. I felt so sorry for it because it was such a waste. I asked her if I could have it and she gave it to me. The handbag lasted me for three and a half years, ever since the first day I stepped foot on U.S. It has been with me ever since. I never use another bag because I dont like changing accessories, am lazy and trendless. But it looks like the handbag's outlive its time. Even the color on the bag is fading or rubbed away from constant use.

Luckily, I have another black bag, aka the interview professional handbag. Well, looks like your turn is finally here for good.

Happy Snowed-In

It has been a enjoyable long weekend for me. The freezing rain hit OK on monday morning and left the roads in such bad conditions that OUP was closed by noon.

Later, an announcement was made. OK is in a state of emergency. Campus closed Tuesday. Great, I thought. Another day of holiday. Judging from all the accidents and sidewalk falls, it was expected.

Come tuesday and another announcement was made. Campus closed on Wednesday. Well, this is swell indeed, I thought, being stuck at home for three days in a row. I went out Tuesday for dinner and the roads were empty and piled with inches of snow. A few cars got stuck in the snow. Nothing serious in the student town of Norman. Five of us piled up in the car and my friend gave us a free drifting experience. Some resturants were closed. Others closed early.

Being stuck at home all day had made me realized what I was missing out. The shiver and excitment of being out in the refreshing cold. I forgot how nice it is to feel the cold on your cheeks, even though my hands were freezing as I scraped ice off the car. It was wonderful, especially when your belly is bursting, and you tip toe and reach across the back window to dust away the snow. The cool air brushes the belly and gives a nice relieve.

Ah, snow days. It is beautiful indeed. Especially when campus is closed.

Taking up japanese again

Dear Mama and Papa, I have been a very good girl. I am studying japanese on my own. I cannot remember how it all began. There has always been times when I think of studying, but never gotten around to it. One day, I decided to review my japanese. I surfed the net, played some games, found out useful sites, and the whole process gamerolled. I got onto iknow.co.jp and I found it so interesting that I decided to make it my focus of learning japanese for now. When I first read about it through tofugu.com, I decided to make iknow my world. Today is the second day using it. We'll see how well my japanese improves and one day, you wont be able to read this at all because it will all be in japanese.

Hahahaha.

Next:
I thought of something I wanted to create: Tiny Tales for A Curious Mind

Let's see where it all goes. For now, my world is japanese.

The Grandma Lifestyle

I just finished watching The Last Samurai. A little depressing to watch seeing fellow country man fighting against one another. Makes me thinks of the Water, especially when I saw the Emperor's eyes. Somehow, I gathered that what makes them stand out most is their eyes. So different and beautiful.

I need to learn more about the Samurai. Apparently, my friend said it is a good movie, but all the historical facts are wrong. So yup, my goal is ... more reading.

I have been rather happy with myself this few days because I managed to read four books in three days. Yup. Extremely pleased. Havent managed that feat since pri/sec school. The internet is too distracting.

I want to learn how to make granola bars since I am running low on cereal bar. I always bring them to work, but I want to learn how to make it now... and sweet sesame soup too!

I have been having the munchies, but it wasnt that bad as in summer, so I'm glad.

I also did my laundry yesterday! Had to do three loads yesterday and one load today. Damn but I am good! Now my room looks clean and organized. Had to wash all the bedsheets, pillowcases and comforters for two beds since my friend is no longer staying with me. She's gone the entire holiday, and this weekend, I finally decided that I have enough dirty clothes for my laundry. So it is as always, the entire haul of washables goes into the laundry. I am so happy. Managed to put on a new bedsheet for the second bed and got rid of two blankets and pillow so that my room is less messy!

Yar, I am really boring. The only interesting thing in life is laundry, washing dishing, buying food and thinking about cooking food. Very grandma. That's me.

Leaving

I would like to leave. There is no road ahead of me here. If there is, then it is being hidden really well.

Just a push from my parents, and I would pack my bags joyfully. In the mean time, I will continue on till my work is done. I'm in the finishing stages, but already, the time is ticking slowly but surely.

Resolution 2009.

I came up with my resolution for 2009. Or rather, another list of things I would like to do and accomplish.

Japanese, Korean, Constellations, World and U.S. map, history, writing, photoshop, web site, reading, running, ice skating, ballroom dancing, God, yes.

~~~

I dont know where I will go six months from now. But I do know it is easier for me to leave. There are less strings holding me back.

~~~

I realized how limited my mind thinks. I forgot my goals of the sixteen year old. To get a job. Any job regardless of my degree. I realized that this is extremely easy when I return! Until now, I never realized how U.S. has been holding me back, job-wise.

~~~

My friends, I miss them. Most of all, I miss the water from the land of the rising sun. I realized how important foundations are - true foundations that can withstand all kinds of pain and broken trust. How can I return to the starting point when it is build on air? Perhaps I am still in denial. When you accept the fact, life is much more peaceful.

~~~

Road Trip to Miami

Happy New Year 2009! It has been festive, somewhat for my part. My friends and I spent the new year at Bayside Marketplace in Miami, Florida! Yup, it was a sudden decision and quick plan to the land of sunshine.

Unfortunately, two friends got into a "silly" row and thus, someone had to spend his new year only, while the three girls were together. It was a huge drama starting when we were still driving to Florida. First, it was the car seat, second, it was the photograph, third, it was at a pizza place...where they argued again and finally, they compromised after my cousin stepped in. I was just eating pizza. I cant believe all the drama that issued on the way. Seriously, someone even wanted to fly back home on the second day itself. Argh.

But afterwards, it was all nice and calm. Lucky.

We stopped by New Orleans and Houston on our way back. Eat french doughnuts and drank coffee at a famous resturants and eat M'sian food in Houston, with a bit of shopping at a chinese supermarket for snacks. I got baked soybeans, pineapple and green tea cakes, and sesame mochi!

Well, all I want to say is, I love my trip despite all that has happened. It was a fun trip and I have not made any resolution. I dont think I have that habit or even the will to carry out what I say. The best I can do is hopefully, I pray and hope everything turns out well.

PLS: I saw three falling stars on my trip. One on the way there and two on the way home.
PLS: I drove for my first time in a road trip. I nearly killed everyone when a deer popped its baby head on the road. I got caught by a police for speeding and got off with a warning.