Friday, July 28, 2006

   Missing Japan already
Listening to: "Lithium Flower" - Scott Matthews

In response to SunFallE's comment on my last entry, UT stands for University of Texas. I've discovered that I use weird abbreviations that people outside of Texas or even Rice University wouldn't know about.

I'm back, and like the heading says, I already miss Japan. It was such a fun trip, despite the fact that a lot of the kids misbehaved and we only spent a little while in Tokyo (Tome City is 3 hours away). I hope to go back.

I'll be doing a day-by-day recap of my trip on my travelogue so check out the link from the last entry. It'll include pictures as well. In the meantime, here's a top 10 of my favorite moments (no particular order):

1. The Tome City summer festival that took place over the weekend (it included performances and a parade).
2. Kendo and koto lessons.
3. Meeting and chatting with various high school students (they were excited to learn that I liked J-pop and J-rock).
4. Living in a traditional house and eating authentic Japanese meals with my host family.
5. Going to a "music shop," which I discovered is a bar and not a CD store.
6. Shopping at Jusco, which is more like a mini mall than Costco.
7. Taking pictures in the "purikura" (those Japanese photo booths).
8. Hiking up to the Golden Temple in Hiraizumi.
9. Meeting a rock band at the summer festival.
10. Attending a traditional tea ceremony.

Quote of the day:
"One kind word can warm three winter months." - Japanese proverb
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Tuesday, July 18, 2006

   Ja ne!
My computer isn't broken, but the Internet is being slow today. Even though my finger's almost healed now, the eczema hasn't improved. It makes typing hard since it's on my hands and any contact makes it itchy. That's why I haven't been posting lately.

What have I been up to? Not much really. My mom seems to like showing off my infected finger (proof that her daughter is careless and shouldn't live on her own). I got to visit my best friend Daphne, who will be going to UT next year, and Dennis, who's going to Japan for a teaching job after I return. My brother's been making me play Karaoke Revolution w/ him. It's fun, but he always likes to do the same songs over and over again. I've also been reading Sherrilyn Kenyon's Were-Hunter books. She's only got 2 full length novels for that series, Unleash the Night and Night Play, but the Weres sometimes make cameos in the Dark-Hunter books. Becky liked Unleash the Night and its hero Wren, whose a tigard (half tiger, half snow leopard). While I'm partial to tigers, I like Vane, the wolf hero from Night Play more. The things he does is so sweet, and I can identify w/ his concern for family. His brother Fury is hilarious. Vane is probably my 2nd favorite hero from the Hunter series (Zarek the Greek slave-turned-Dark-Hunter-turned-god is my most favorite). I hope Becky gets Dark Side of the Moon b/c that's the only Hunter novel we have left to get our hands on (there are 2 short stories). One day I'm going to have to give a lengthy explanation on the Hunter world b/c Kenyon has written her own mythological explanations for vampires, werewolves, and other creatures of the night.

Tomorrow, I'll be headed off to Tome City, Japan. I had to do a last minute switch on host families b/c I forgot to mention that I'm allergic to dogs and cats. As a result, I don't have information on my host family except that they're farmers and that there are 9 people w/ cows. I'm excited and nervous b/c I haven't spent the night at another person's house in several years (and I'll be there a week). Since I'm tired of repeating the same story on my blogs and in emails, I've created a travel blog. Here you can read about any updates I make in Japan (if I have access to a computer): Jen's Travelogue

Hunter quote of the day:
"I think infatuation is like a garden. If tended and cared for, it grows into love. If neglected or abused it dies. The only way to have eternal love is to never let your heart forget what it's like to live without it." - Vane Kattalakis, Night Play
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Saturday, July 8, 2006

   It's raining, it's pouring
Listening to: "eX Dream" - Myuji

Once upon a time, I said that I could brave the Houston weather. This was during the school year when the heat and humdity wasn't that bad and it didn't flood so often. Now I know why people say it's like Taiwan weather. Actually we've had tolerable weather up until this week. I know, I'm being whiney, but the weather may have triggered my outbreak of hives and eczema. On top of those 2 dermatological conditions, I've got a couple of mosquito bites. It basically equals to three times the ichiness. :( I should probably keep this post short b/c the eczema has gotten to the side of my hands. I swear, itchness is the worst feeling in the world b/c you want to scratch but that'll only make things worse, and I've never been able to distract myself enough.

However, I've been trying to cheer myself up watching stuff on youtube. I've finished Mr. Fighting, and I caught all the episodes of Heat Guy J that I missed during anime club. Now I'm watching The Files of Young Kindaichi 3, a J-Dorama based off the manga. The actor who plays Kindaichi Hajimi is really cute; he's also Donmyouji in the Hana Yori Dango dorama and is in Arashi. I've also seen the latest fansubs of Nana and random Taiwanese talk show stuff, mainly featuring K-One b/c they're funny (you gotta love a boyband who's invented a little rap to promote their album release).

Quote of the day:
"I fell asleep talking to Rob." - Amanda (this would probably be funnier if you knew Amanda and Rob, one of the oddest couples I know)
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Friday, July 7, 2006

   where I've been
Listening to: "Atlantis Princess" - BoA

I had a okay break going home. I got to attend the Independence Day celebration (although it was held on the 3rd) at Town Sq and meet the Tome City delegation. On the downside, I had to go to a dermatologist b/c my finger got infected. You see, I had eczema, which is like a rash that develops on dry skin. It caused my skin to be itchy and cracky, and bacteria got into the open wound. :( The infection doesn't hurt, but the eczema around it itches like crazy! Not to metion I also got a bad case of hives. Stupid allergies! >:(

Anyway, when I returned to Rice on the 4th, my flight almost got canceled due to flooding. However, it cleared up and I got back in time to eat barbecue w/ Dennis, Russell, and some of their friends. It was nice, but I kinda regret it b/c it seemed to have made my eczema/hives worse. I'd rather be in pain than itch to death.

Lab has been slow b/c the virgins don't eclose as fast in some mutant lines. I was so bored that I wound up finishing 2 out of the 3 stories in Born to be BAD (one I read at home). They were hilarious! The 1st, "One BAD Night," was your typical action packed story about 2 agents who pretend to hate each other but really just wanna get into each other's pants. The 2nd story, "Born to Be BAD," featured an agent on vacation (and blowing up sand castles) who ends up kidnapping a sweepstakes winner who fantasizes about being w/ men like him. Finally the 3rd one, "'Captivated' by You," was about an agent who has to go undercover (against her wishes) as a dominatrix and gets help from a fellow agent, one whom she has had a crush on (and vice versa). Sherrilyn Kenyon, aka Kinley Macgregor, does an amazing job maintaining different tones for her various series.

After work, Becky and I went to eat at Miyakos and picked up some groceries at Kroger. Then Amanda stopped by to see if we wanted to play tennis. Becky already went home by then, and since I'm in no condition to play, we wound up talking for an hour.

Quote of the day:
"Makes you want to know what’s in them romance novels women read. I’ve been reading Tom Clancy for years and all I get is submarines and war stories...I ain’t never had the itch to run into the woods with a bunch of sailors and try to throw them down on the ground. You know what I mean?" - Sam, "BAD to the Bone" by Sherrilyn Kenyon.
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Monday, July 3, 2006

   Born to be BAD
Listening to: "Sweet Home Alabama" - Lynard Skynard

I typically don't do this, but I figured that I'd explain a few things after reading y'all's comments. First off, when I said I was moving out, I meant out of my dorm, not my house. I thought it was silly going home when I'll be back in less than 2 weeks, but pretty much everyone else was gone for Independence Day. Secondly, I'm going to Tome City, Japan through the Southlake Sister City exchange program. Usually it's only for high schoolers, but my dad pulled a few things to get me in.

Speaking of which, Southlake had their 4th of July celebration today b/c the Tome City delegation were here. They brought dancers/drummers for a performance, and some of the women wore yukatas. Right now fireworks are going off. We didn't stay b/c it's been a really long day. Plus my parents are hosting a barbecue tomorrow.

The title refers the title of one of the books Becky lent me. It's part of Sherrilyn Kenyon's BAD series, BAD standing for Bureau of American Defense. It's a lot like her Dark Hunter series except no paranormal stuff. Instead, the characters are all secret agents. ^_~ I was trying to figure out why I like Kenyon's works so much, and I think it's mainly her way of coming action, romance, drama, and sarcasm together into a great story w/ dynamic characters. Her action scenes are just as good as her romance ones, and I bet non-romance fans would read her books if they didn't have the sex. Plus, she's just really creative w/ reinventing myths and cliche situations, and a woman is always in charge (as it should be, LOL).

Quote of the day:
"I'm in the middle of a car chase here. Can you leave the sarcasm for later?" - Jason, "One BAD Night" by Sherrilyn Kenyon
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Wednesday, June 28, 2006

   If you were anime club president...
Listening to: "Lum no Love Song" - Nana Kitade

I've lost track of time and disappeared again. I've been busy playing soccer and tennis w/ my friends and working in lab. Plus I'm trying to finish up Mr. Fighting. Actually the main reason I haven't been posting is b/c I've had issues the last few times. It's frustrating to have to re-type everything.

Anyway, in the next month, I'll have to decide what the anime club is showing. I have to think carefully b/c we need to get more members. The best way is to show a variety, mixing up shoujo w/ action, comedy and drama, new stuff versus familiar series. I have yet to hear from some of the officers, but I'll probably wind up being the one who has the break the tie. We're definitely showing Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex 2nd Gig, Super Gals, and Samurai 7. The tricky part comes from finding a 4th series, and this is where I need your help. There's one that I would obviously love to show, but I'm trying to keep things in mind, like who's already seen what and which one differs from the 3 I just listed.

If you were in my shoes, which one would you pick out of the following?
1. Madlax (consider that this has one vote against it)
2. Planetes
3.Ah! My Goddess
4. Gunslinger Girl paired w/ Those Who Hunt Elves
5. Fullmetal Alchemist

Hunter quote of the day:
"I wouldn't throw piss on that man even if he were on fire." - Nick Gaultier, Seize the Night
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Thursday, June 22, 2006

   long post with a very important message
Listening to: "Early Morning Phone Call" - Zack Malloy

Strange things that happen throughout our lives. Call it fate, destiny, God, Goddess, The Powers that Be, or mere coincidence. The events can wind up having a huge impact. This is one example.

4 years ago on this day, a freestyle motocross rider named Adam "The Highlighter" Pierce died in a car accident. The driver was drunk, and he didn't wear a seatbelt. As a member of the FMX community, I was saddened by the news. It hurt me even more to hear that in addition to the friends, family, and fans from all over the world, he left behind his unborn son. I felt the need to post the news on a Yahoo! group that didn't know. A month later, I got an email from someone who knew him. This was a time when I was struggling w/ my own inner demons, and to learn that a seemingly insignificant action of mine can bring me to someone miles away from where I lived was inspiring. The same year I wrote 2 poems in his memory to send to a contest w/ the theme "Signs of Courage."

On the anniversary of Adam's death, things came full circle. We members of the message boards were doing various things to commemorate his legacy. I posted a reworking of the 2 poems called "Hero." Adam's stepmother saw it, and she emailed me asking if she could read it during the driver's trial. The family was fighting to put the man behind bars. I cried b/c I never thought my writing would have an impact on someone.

The moral of this story is don't drive drunk; always wear your seatbelt; live life to the fullest; and don't ever think that you have no worth. One person can make a difference, and people will miss and remember you. I lost "Hero," but I still have the 2 original poems. This is one of them.

Lessons of the Highlighter

With a personality brighter than your yellow-green hair,
You rode your dirt bike everywhere.
“The Highlighter” I wish I had the chance to know
Before it was time for you to go.

You showed me…
It’s okay to be caught between teenage angst and adult responsibility.
Dreams do come true.
That we all get lost, but eventually we’ll find ourselves.
The impact one person can have on many.
How a little mistake, like not wearing a seatbelt, can claim the life on someone who defied death daily.
It’s not cowardly to cry for your strong girlfriend and unborn child.
Life is only what you let it be.
You showed me what it feels like to miss someone.

You gave me…
Strength to continue despite the pain.
Confidence in myself, even after defeat.
Love for the world, even when I’m mad.
Appreciation for family and friends because they’ve got my back.
Eyes that look past the rough exterior and see the heart.
Inspiration to step up to challenges.
Fortitude to inspire others.
Determination to be somebody.
Courage to stand up for my beliefs and stop petty conflicts.
A way to find meaning amidst the chaos.
You gave me life.

In a cloud of dust, you rode away.
My freestyle motocross angel, you will stay
In my heart. You shielded me when I fell.
I know you’re in Heaven because we’ve made it through Hell.
In those dark, gloomy times of strife,
“The Highlighter” shone, giving me the courage to make something of this life.

In memory of Adam Pierce: December 3, 1978 - June 22, 2002
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Wednesday, June 21, 2006

   Summer Solistice
Listening to: "The Celts" - Enya (The music video is so cool! It's like a mini fantasy movie.)

The Internet sucks. This is the 3rd time I’ve tried to posting, and it took forever for the site to load. :(

Today is Summer Solstice, aka Litha or Midsummer's Eve. Like All Hallow's Eve, it's a time when the barrier between our world and the Otherworld is the thinnest. I haven't seen any of the faery folk, but there's always tonight. ^_^ The timing is great for me to get back into Wicca b/c reaffirmation rituals are held on this day.

Becky and I went to Miyako's today. There was a really hot waiter serving us (Becky thought so too). He was nice and attentive so we gave him a good tip. We've been going to Miyako's so much that pretty soon they're going to recognize us...or we're going to have the happy hour sushi menu memorized. Anyway, I have to actually present something tomorrow in lab. Hopefully I have enough data.

Quote of the day: “Come away, O human child!
To to waters and the wild
With a faery, hand in hand,
For to world's more full of weeping than you can understand.” – “Stolen Child” by WB Yeats
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Tuesday, June 20, 2006

   so addictive
Listening to: "Hunter" - Dido

Dang, Taiwanese dramas are so addictive! And I don't know why! The acting and plot aren't that great (most of the time), but I still love the characters. Right now I'm watching Westside Story and Mr. Fighting, both of which feature the members of 5566 and Sweety.

I've been getting sidetracked on my reading lately. Becky's given me 2 books (Date Me, Baby, One More Time and another Dark Hunter). Plus my shipment of Amazon goodies have come in. I got Unleash the Night (a Were Hunter novel), the Serenity graphic novel, Beautiful People by Mitsukazu Mihara, Geeks by Jon Katz, and Sword of Darkness from Kinley MacGregor's Lords of Avalon series. Also, Kassidy from lab lent me the Ghost in the Shell manga.

Speaking of lab, Sonia, the grad student I'm working under, is gone this week to prepare for her candidacy exam. That means I won't have much to do besides collect flies and do bang tests (where I knock down the flies and see how fast they climb up). Today I practiced brain dissections, and I think I did some of my best work. Too bad Vanaja wasn't there to confirm it. Maybe I haven't been tired b/c it was an easy day at lab.

Quote of the day:
"And when I'm Fuhrer, there'll be changes... That day, all female officers will be required to wear TINY MINISKIRTS!!!" - Roy Mustang (I forgot how funny he was until I watched "Fullmetal Versus Flame" again. Travis Willingham does a great job w/ those random outbursts.)
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Tuesday, June 13, 2006

   stupid Internet
Listening to: "Estoy Aqui" (I'm Here) - Shakira

The Internet has been weird the past few days so sorry about not commenting. It's an annoyance to me, but it's a bigger problem to the grad students in lab who have to send important emails.

I'm still very sore from playing soccer w/ Amanda, Rob, Jason, David, Tim, and Rey on Sunday. I hadn't played for 2 years, but I managed to score 2 goals. ^_^ Consider it luck. My fear of getting hit in the face came true. My nose still hurts from it, but no permanent damage from what I can see. Afterwards we went to Sichuan, an authentic Chinese restaurant. Amanda and I were craving the sizzling rice. I realized how much I need to learn how to read Chinese b/c the waiter didn't know English very well (I only knew how to order "Xiao Long Bao").

Also on Sunday, we watched Saving Face. It's an awesome movie w/ one of the most accurate portrayals of Asian American life. The humor was witty, and the main characters unconventional. I mean, they break 2, no 3, of the biggest taboos in Chinese culture: pregnancy out of wedlock and lesbianism (I won't say the 3rd one b/c that'll spoil the movie).

Today I worked 7 hours so I'm pooped. On the bright side, I finished Top On the Forbidden City. Maybe I skipped a session, but there wasn't an ultimate dance-off. The ending was cute though. I also watched this weird movie called Immortel. It's an English-language French-made film based off of a sci-fi comic series about the Egyptian god Horus. Very artsy and weird.

Quote of the day:
"One billion Chinese people, two degrees of separation." - Wil, Saving Face (oh how true)
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