6.28.2007
6.18.2007
New Courses.
There were days in high school where I didn't eat food, because I felt physically full from reading a really good case study for history class, or from a lively discussion in TOK. I wondered if I would always be that hungry for information.
College was that drowsy feeling you get after Thanksgiving dinner- I really shouldn't have taken that second language course, maybe that double major was a bad idea. I could only regurgitate so much for tests before I grew sick of it. I graduated with a B.A. in Psychology and scholastic indigestion.
It took me about a year to recover from sixteen rigorous years of academics, but I finally have that feeling again- the starving need to sit down in a lecture and just consume everything presented to me. Knowledge is, again, something to be seasoned, savored, devoured.
College was that drowsy feeling you get after Thanksgiving dinner- I really shouldn't have taken that second language course, maybe that double major was a bad idea. I could only regurgitate so much for tests before I grew sick of it. I graduated with a B.A. in Psychology and scholastic indigestion.
It took me about a year to recover from sixteen rigorous years of academics, but I finally have that feeling again- the starving need to sit down in a lecture and just consume everything presented to me. Knowledge is, again, something to be seasoned, savored, devoured.
6.11.2007
It's easier to feel infinite at sixteen.
"And in that moment, I swear we were infinite." --Perks of Being a Wallflower.
High school was where I lived. When I think about my time at Franklin, I remember those years of my life as feelings, sensations:
-Josh Holland driving the girls home after a midnight prank gone awry. Carol and Jen rode in the truck bed, blankets tucked up to their chin. The wind whipped my hair out of the little window in the back of the truck, and my neck got cold.
-My name announced at the Academic Decathalon junior year. I was numb and didn't realize that my team mates had pushed me on stage until I felt the gold medal around my neck.
-Feeling people whoosh by me as Aidan and I swing a circle on the dance floor. My prom skirt kept catching on my heels, ripping the hem- I didn't care.
-Listening to the ocean outside of my tent, huddled against my ten classmates to keep out the chill. I can hear them breathing, feel them shivering.
College was where I grew. I came to UCLA and almost cried. I will never again drive down 8 mile road looking for the bonfires. I will never again cut class to get lost in San Franciscto. I will never again stand on a stage out of breath, my friends applauding me for the hours of rehearsal I put into my senior dance show. Life was now stories and scenes, memories like movie clips, flat and spotty. Over four years, my mind grew numb from memorizing facts and figures and statistics. My fingers learned to fly over keyboards, and forgot how to draw meandering designs over the palm of my hand. I learned how to down sidecars and mocha lattes, and forgot how comforting a cup of cocoa was. I grew resigned that I would never feel moments of amazing anymore.
After nearly five years, I finally had a moment in Los Angeles. Driving down Wilshire with my window rolled down, serenading at the top of my lungs barely remembered lyrics to the other car. The other driver, my emotional twin, is singing along, laughing and keeping pace with my erratic steering. I sang until my throat hurt. I wanted to reach out and grab her hand, and say thank you.
College is over, and I can live again.
High school was where I lived. When I think about my time at Franklin, I remember those years of my life as feelings, sensations:
-Josh Holland driving the girls home after a midnight prank gone awry. Carol and Jen rode in the truck bed, blankets tucked up to their chin. The wind whipped my hair out of the little window in the back of the truck, and my neck got cold.
-My name announced at the Academic Decathalon junior year. I was numb and didn't realize that my team mates had pushed me on stage until I felt the gold medal around my neck.
-Feeling people whoosh by me as Aidan and I swing a circle on the dance floor. My prom skirt kept catching on my heels, ripping the hem- I didn't care.
-Listening to the ocean outside of my tent, huddled against my ten classmates to keep out the chill. I can hear them breathing, feel them shivering.
College was where I grew. I came to UCLA and almost cried. I will never again drive down 8 mile road looking for the bonfires. I will never again cut class to get lost in San Franciscto. I will never again stand on a stage out of breath, my friends applauding me for the hours of rehearsal I put into my senior dance show. Life was now stories and scenes, memories like movie clips, flat and spotty. Over four years, my mind grew numb from memorizing facts and figures and statistics. My fingers learned to fly over keyboards, and forgot how to draw meandering designs over the palm of my hand. I learned how to down sidecars and mocha lattes, and forgot how comforting a cup of cocoa was. I grew resigned that I would never feel moments of amazing anymore.
After nearly five years, I finally had a moment in Los Angeles. Driving down Wilshire with my window rolled down, serenading at the top of my lungs barely remembered lyrics to the other car. The other driver, my emotional twin, is singing along, laughing and keeping pace with my erratic steering. I sang until my throat hurt. I wanted to reach out and grab her hand, and say thank you.
College is over, and I can live again.
3.21.2007
3.20.2007
Yahoo Music is Racist.
I mean it! I use Yahoo to stream music while I'm at work, and I can rate music to determine what songs my "personalized radio station" will play for me. I've been enjoying my Nina Simone, my Eric Clapton, my Jamiroquai. I'm filing away with Hendrix killing it in the background. All of a sudden, what? Who the hell is this fool?
Anyone ever heard of Notorious MSG? Apparently he has mastered such hits as "Dim Sum Girl" and "Egg Rollin." How do I know? Because Yahoo felt it necessary to play for me not one track but TWO songs from this guy within an hour. An hour! What logarithm deduced that because i enjoy Fleetwood Mac I must also find this desperate culture exploiter a good listen? Is it because my last name is some sort of Asian? Do people who normally listen to feel good tunes from the sixties and seventies also enjoy enlightening lyrics such as "hong kong fever the son of sam/try to catch me if you can/i killed ten people with a frying pan."
This is some sort of crock, a crock I say!
Anyone ever heard of Notorious MSG? Apparently he has mastered such hits as "Dim Sum Girl" and "Egg Rollin." How do I know? Because Yahoo felt it necessary to play for me not one track but TWO songs from this guy within an hour. An hour! What logarithm deduced that because i enjoy Fleetwood Mac I must also find this desperate culture exploiter a good listen? Is it because my last name is some sort of Asian? Do people who normally listen to feel good tunes from the sixties and seventies also enjoy enlightening lyrics such as "hong kong fever the son of sam/try to catch me if you can/i killed ten people with a frying pan."
This is some sort of crock, a crock I say!
3.12.2007
Sassy Car Review: Honda Fit
My very first car was a 1994 Acura Integra. My second car was a 1996 Honda Accord. I had a trifecta in mind when I was looking at the Honda Fit. It was at the very top of my short list pre-test driving. It was fuel efficient, roomy, the price was pretty good, and the reviews were great. My test drive confirmed what everyone was saying: this car does not drive like a subcompact. It accelerated smoothly, it changed gears without any fuss, it had very responsive handling. It even had a tiptronic-style transmission that lets you change gears (similar to a manual transmission) for sorty driving. So what was wrong? A list:
1. I am easily offended.
I only had two less-than-stellar experiences while looking for a car, and they both happened at Honda car lots: one in Santa Monica and one in Carson. In Santa Monica, there was only 1 Fit left and it was in the showroom: I was told that I would pretty much have to guarantee I was buying the car to even test drive it. Neveryoumind how that defeats the purpose of a test drive. The sales person was also very condescending and rude.
I was finally able to test drive the car in Carson, and the person helping me was very gracious and informative. However, as I was waiting for his business card, someone else started giving me the hard sell! Um, ew! I was immediately defensive and probably more than a little rude to Hard-Sell guy, but I really really really didn't like him. And he made me really really really unwilling to purchase a Honda Fit.
2. I am cheap.
The Honda Fit performs exceptionally well in its class. Its MSRP made the Honda Fit a bargain. If I could have gotten the car at MSRP, it would have been a serious contender. If I could get it at invoice, I probably would have driven home in a Fit. Why on earth would a car lot put a $2000 premium on a car for which one of its selling points is incredible value for the dollar?!
People who buy subcompacts buy them because they are cheap cars. The premium made the Honda Fit financially comparable to cars in a higher class. Honda dealerships managed to alienate the frugally minded people that would consider the car by hiking the price, while failing to add enough extra oomph to lure in those more inclined to spend a little more on their ride. Boo on you Honda. Boo on you.
3. I am shallow.
The Honda Fit was at the top of my short list. However, my short list was still pretty considerable. Why did I keep looking for other cars to test drive, if I thought the Honda Fit was going to be the car for me? Honestly? It's a little ug. It's like a mini-minivan, but without the Rockwellian charm. It's got high bits to compensate for short bits and it's got a beaky front and a bulky backend. Sure I would have fun driving it, but would I want to show it off to people I know? Would I want to keep my car a secret from everyone? I don't want a "just friends" car. It wouldn't be fair to the car, and it wouldn't be fair to me. Give me something I'd want to be seen in. A trophy car, if you will.
The Fit was an OK car. On a different day, on a different lot, things may have been different. If we lived life like stories, then rule of three would dictate that I buy this car. I'm glad I didn't. The trifecta will have to wait.
1. I am easily offended.
I only had two less-than-stellar experiences while looking for a car, and they both happened at Honda car lots: one in Santa Monica and one in Carson. In Santa Monica, there was only 1 Fit left and it was in the showroom: I was told that I would pretty much have to guarantee I was buying the car to even test drive it. Neveryoumind how that defeats the purpose of a test drive. The sales person was also very condescending and rude.
I was finally able to test drive the car in Carson, and the person helping me was very gracious and informative. However, as I was waiting for his business card, someone else started giving me the hard sell! Um, ew! I was immediately defensive and probably more than a little rude to Hard-Sell guy, but I really really really didn't like him. And he made me really really really unwilling to purchase a Honda Fit.
2. I am cheap.
The Honda Fit performs exceptionally well in its class. Its MSRP made the Honda Fit a bargain. If I could have gotten the car at MSRP, it would have been a serious contender. If I could get it at invoice, I probably would have driven home in a Fit. Why on earth would a car lot put a $2000 premium on a car for which one of its selling points is incredible value for the dollar?!
People who buy subcompacts buy them because they are cheap cars. The premium made the Honda Fit financially comparable to cars in a higher class. Honda dealerships managed to alienate the frugally minded people that would consider the car by hiking the price, while failing to add enough extra oomph to lure in those more inclined to spend a little more on their ride. Boo on you Honda. Boo on you.
3. I am shallow.
The Honda Fit was at the top of my short list. However, my short list was still pretty considerable. Why did I keep looking for other cars to test drive, if I thought the Honda Fit was going to be the car for me? Honestly? It's a little ug. It's like a mini-minivan, but without the Rockwellian charm. It's got high bits to compensate for short bits and it's got a beaky front and a bulky backend. Sure I would have fun driving it, but would I want to show it off to people I know? Would I want to keep my car a secret from everyone? I don't want a "just friends" car. It wouldn't be fair to the car, and it wouldn't be fair to me. Give me something I'd want to be seen in. A trophy car, if you will.
The Fit was an OK car. On a different day, on a different lot, things may have been different. If we lived life like stories, then rule of three would dictate that I buy this car. I'm glad I didn't. The trifecta will have to wait.
2.26.2007
Sassy Car Review: Yaris/Scion xA
I'm reviewing these two cars together because 1) They're both made by Toyota and 2) they have the same drive train, the same guts.
The Toyota Yaris was made for little people. I don't mean that in the, "clinically diagnosed with some form of dwarfism" little people. Just, you know, little. Like me. Usually when I sit in a car, I have to kind of perch on the edge so that my knee can bend over the edge of seat and I can reach the pedals. I didn't have to do that for this sedan.
This is bad if you happen to be taller than 5 feet, 2 inches.
The younger feeling Scion xA was a little roomier, but drove a little worse than the Yaris. This is probably because the xA is a bit bigger, a bit more spacious than its cousin. It made chocking noises as I accelerated into a turn. Also, despite the image that Toyota was going for this car, I don't think it looks or feels young and hip. It kinda looks like Quasi-turtle. I think this car was the least favorite of all the cars I test drove.
Except for the Aveo. Man, fuck that car.
The Toyota Yaris was made for little people. I don't mean that in the, "clinically diagnosed with some form of dwarfism" little people. Just, you know, little. Like me. Usually when I sit in a car, I have to kind of perch on the edge so that my knee can bend over the edge of seat and I can reach the pedals. I didn't have to do that for this sedan.
This is bad if you happen to be taller than 5 feet, 2 inches.
The younger feeling Scion xA was a little roomier, but drove a little worse than the Yaris. This is probably because the xA is a bit bigger, a bit more spacious than its cousin. It made chocking noises as I accelerated into a turn. Also, despite the image that Toyota was going for this car, I don't think it looks or feels young and hip. It kinda looks like Quasi-turtle. I think this car was the least favorite of all the cars I test drove.
Except for the Aveo. Man, fuck that car.
2.19.2007
Sassy Car Review: Aveo
Background: I rented a car for my fun-filled Holiday Weekend With the Bro. The agenda included Disneyland, The Grove, Ventura, Santa Barbara, and other assorted points of interest. I am in the market for a subcompact, so I thought that this was a good opportunity to test drive a small car.
I regret this decision now.
Anything that shakes at 60 mph and shudders when a Honda Civic zooms by is not a safe car. Especially if it is displaying all these symptoms with only 40 000 miles to its name. Also, the car would sound a loud CLUNK at the most inopportune times: for example, when I am changing lanes on 110-S in front of a semi. It would like driving the Little Car that Could, except it couldn't.
Don't buy a Chevy Aveo. Also, disown all and any family and friends who own a Chevy Aveo.
...Yeah, I'm not getting a Chevy Aveo. Piece of crap car.
I regret this decision now.
Anything that shakes at 60 mph and shudders when a Honda Civic zooms by is not a safe car. Especially if it is displaying all these symptoms with only 40 000 miles to its name. Also, the car would sound a loud CLUNK at the most inopportune times: for example, when I am changing lanes on 110-S in front of a semi. It would like driving the Little Car that Could, except it couldn't.
Don't buy a Chevy Aveo. Also, disown all and any family and friends who own a Chevy Aveo.
...Yeah, I'm not getting a Chevy Aveo. Piece of crap car.
2.13.2007
Car shopping.
I have officially obtained a car loan. I am now seriously looking for a car.
This is a pretty adult thing. Why does it make me want to jump up and down like a wee girl?
Anyways, expect Two-Knives to be cruising around in her own wheels by end of March.
This is a pretty adult thing. Why does it make me want to jump up and down like a wee girl?
Anyways, expect Two-Knives to be cruising around in her own wheels by end of March.
2.12.2007
Mon frere.
My brother is coming in for President's Day weekend. I'm trying to think of wholesome family-type stuff to do with him for three days, and I'm kinda drawing a blank. He really likes music-does anyone know any fun, music things that a seventeen year old would like?
2.05.2007
Fragments.
I have a lot of posts that are listed as drafts. They were never posted, for one reason or another. Going back and reading them gave me all sorts of weird feelings. I wonder what was going through my head at the times that the posts were started. I wonder why I stopped. I wonder if any of this is still important, relevant. A la the fragments of Sapphos, I am going to post them all here, in no particular order.
*************************************************
I really like "Paperback Writer," by The Beatles. It's got everything I need: a catchy tune I can dance to, a chorus that I can sing, and lyrics that appeal to the
My sister and I used to wake up at the buttcrack of dawn (i.e. five thirty in the morning) to watch this awesome cartoon "Sailor Moon." I think that was the only reason I made it to school every day on time- once KTLA stopped broadcasting the anime my attendance went to the pits.
Someone actually took the time to upload all 200 episodes of the Sailor Moon series (including the elusive fifth season, which was never dubbed for the American public, probably due to the three gender-bending special guest characters). I think I may have gotten up once to pee this entire weekend. Otherwise I
Someone asked me recently, "Kim, aren't you about due another relationship?" To which I replied, "There's a time schedule for this type of stuff?"
1. I will not wash your car. If you have given me rides in the past, I will be more than happy to help pay for gas. I will take it in for an oil change for you. I will even pay for the car wash, if it needs it. But I will not wash your car.
2. I will not babysit your children. I will throw the baby shower. I will buy cute little outfits that say cute little things like "Someday I'll get trashed at prom" or "Mother sucker." And if (god forbid) you can't have kids, I will bear the child for you. But I will not babysit your children.
Things I learned while in line for the Nintendo Wii at 3 o'clock in the morning:
I think best friends were the most awesome thing ever invented. In high school, I had a really tight group of girls whom I absolutely loved.
Post about guy friends
One of my fondest memories of dear old mom is garage karaoke night. My parents had a karaoke system set up in our garage and, let me tell you, it was no passing fancy. Karaoke in our house was a passionate love affair complete with seranades and mood lighting. We have an impressive collection of Cambodian dvds and laser discs (yes, that's how long they've been doing the karaoke thing) and speakers are carefully arranged to give the karaoke-ist the full rock-out-loud-Khmer-style
I think I enjoy directing so much more than acting for the same reasons that I think I will enjoy parenting. I am a firm believer in the "do as I say, not as I do" school of thought.
People are not born dissatisfied.
*************************************************
I really like "Paperback Writer," by The Beatles. It's got everything I need: a catchy tune I can dance to, a chorus that I can sing, and lyrics that appeal to the
My sister and I used to wake up at the buttcrack of dawn (i.e. five thirty in the morning) to watch this awesome cartoon "Sailor Moon." I think that was the only reason I made it to school every day on time- once KTLA stopped broadcasting the anime my attendance went to the pits.
Someone actually took the time to upload all 200 episodes of the Sailor Moon series (including the elusive fifth season, which was never dubbed for the American public, probably due to the three gender-bending special guest characters). I think I may have gotten up once to pee this entire weekend. Otherwise I
Someone asked me recently, "Kim, aren't you about due another relationship?" To which I replied, "There's a time schedule for this type of stuff?"
1. I will not wash your car. If you have given me rides in the past, I will be more than happy to help pay for gas. I will take it in for an oil change for you. I will even pay for the car wash, if it needs it. But I will not wash your car.
2. I will not babysit your children. I will throw the baby shower. I will buy cute little outfits that say cute little things like "Someday I'll get trashed at prom" or "Mother sucker." And if (god forbid) you can't have kids, I will bear the child for you. But I will not babysit your children.
Things I learned while in line for the Nintendo Wii at 3 o'clock in the morning:
- Even concrete is comfortable enough to sleep on after a busy day.
This Saturday I had the first Mentorship event of the year (yay!) the second LCC show of the fall quarter, and the LCC afterparty. I was on my feet for about 14 hours straight.
I think best friends were the most awesome thing ever invented. In high school, I had a really tight group of girls whom I absolutely loved.
Post about guy friends
One of my fondest memories of dear old mom is garage karaoke night. My parents had a karaoke system set up in our garage and, let me tell you, it was no passing fancy. Karaoke in our house was a passionate love affair complete with seranades and mood lighting. We have an impressive collection of Cambodian dvds and laser discs (yes, that's how long they've been doing the karaoke thing) and speakers are carefully arranged to give the karaoke-ist the full rock-out-loud-Khmer-style
I think I enjoy directing so much more than acting for the same reasons that I think I will enjoy parenting. I am a firm believer in the "do as I say, not as I do" school of thought.
People are not born dissatisfied.
2.04.2007
RIP Punchy
Before I left to start my day today, i noticed Punchy trying to escape her tub. I then noticed that she was getting awfully big, and made a note to escape proof her tub accordingly. In between getting dim sum and attending a lindy swing class, she managed to escape her tub and kill herself. I found her in my roommate's trashcan. I'm trying to figure out what happened. Did she fall in and die on impact? Did she eat something poisonous in the trashcan? Did she eat something poisonous, and then, in her reduced state, fall in the trashcan and die on impact?
I'm a little sad that Punchy is gone, but it's not Chess-sized sad. For one, I didn't own Punchy for as long-mere months. For another, Punchy was a biter. Of everything. Wood, fingers, plastic tubes. She drew blood on a regular basis. However, I am sad. I feel like the Era of the Hamster has come to a close. Gone are the plastic tubs, the colored tubes, the cut wood homes. I tossed all the aspen bedding, and the hamster balls. The apartment is a little bit more empty, a little bit more sterile.
I'm a little sad that Punchy is gone, but it's not Chess-sized sad. For one, I didn't own Punchy for as long-mere months. For another, Punchy was a biter. Of everything. Wood, fingers, plastic tubes. She drew blood on a regular basis. However, I am sad. I feel like the Era of the Hamster has come to a close. Gone are the plastic tubs, the colored tubes, the cut wood homes. I tossed all the aspen bedding, and the hamster balls. The apartment is a little bit more empty, a little bit more sterile.
Lindy hop.
If anyone is interested in free lindy swing dance lessons (2:00-3:00 every Sunday in February) please let me know. They're originally forty dollars for a series of four classes- the last one just happened this Superbowl Sunday, so if you think you can make it to the other three, it could be a lot of fun to learn to lindy together. :)
1.29.2007
Making myself better.
I've been trying really hard to be more honest with people. I don't know if people are appreciating it, but it's making me feel a lot better for myself. I want to make honesty a habit.
1.25.2007
Big Changes
I'm completing the N-400 US Naturalization Form for US Citizenship. Question D: Name Change.
Any suggestions?
Any suggestions?
1.10.2007
1.05.2007
Funny
I like anything that makes science look cool. Because science IS cool! You there, you jerk jock, you shut up!
Contact.
I've lost my phone. Again.
Sigh.
Don't call it if you need to contact me. Contact me via one of the other ways I can be contacted.
Speaking of contacting me, I put that on these contact cards that I had made for myself, and my cards ended up really dirty sounding! Like I was a call girl and it was my business card. It probably didn't help that the cool red wave design I chose for the background looks like a satin bedsheet.
New Resolution: I must stop getting myself into these awkward situations.
Sigh.
Don't call it if you need to contact me. Contact me via one of the other ways I can be contacted.
Speaking of contacting me, I put that on these contact cards that I had made for myself, and my cards ended up really dirty sounding! Like I was a call girl and it was my business card. It probably didn't help that the cool red wave design I chose for the background looks like a satin bedsheet.
New Resolution: I must stop getting myself into these awkward situations.
12.27.2006
Stockton Holidays, Part Deux
The rest of the Stockton vacation was a lot of TV watching with the kids. I dunno, all this Christmas cheer really weighs a person down- by December 24, everyone in the family voted for The Mummy Returns over every other vaguely Christmas themed movie available. I took a break from family one evening to hang with some old IB friends-
The lovely Christopher and his friend Bobby. No more Iraq for you buddy! You pump that fist!
Christy made special cookies for us.
Look! This one is mine!
I'm delicious!
Courtney made a very special cookie: If you've been hiding in a box for the last week or so,here's the inspiration.
The best part: Christy made some awesome Christmas gifts from the Veteran's Day Weekend (W00t!) Extravaganza.
The lovely Christopher and his friend Bobby. No more Iraq for you buddy! You pump that fist!
Christy made special cookies for us.
Look! This one is mine!
I'm delicious!
Courtney made a very special cookie: If you've been hiding in a box for the last week or so,here's the inspiration.
The best part: Christy made some awesome Christmas gifts from the Veteran's Day Weekend (W00t!) Extravaganza.
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