Wednesday, June 30, 2004

What's going on in the world today
This may seem a little out of place with my other two posts, but I just read this article on the Washington Post, and it really struck a nerve. As women, we take for granted our relative security and freedom here. There's stuff happening out there that we need to know about, but because they're happening in places like Sudan, it becomes invisible. Forget anything else on this blog. This is the important stuff.
Genocide, rape and ethnic cleansing in Sudan

If we're helping to "liberate" the people of Iraq from opressors, shoudn't we be doing something here too?

From the "Late Show With David Letterman" via the Associated Press:

"Top Ten George W. Bush Complaints About 'Fahrenheit 9/11'

"10. That actor who played the president was totally unconvincing.

"9. It oversimplified the way I stole the election.

"8. Too many of them fancy college-boy words

"7. If Michael Moore had waited a few months, he could have included the part where I get him deported.

"6. Didn't have one of them hilarious monkeys who smoke cigarettes and gives people the finger.

"5. Of all Michael Moore's accusations, only 97% are true.

"4. Not sure -- I passed out after a piece of popcorn lodged in my windpipe.

"3. Where the hell was Spiderman?

"2. Couldn't hear most of the movie over Cheney's foul mouth.

"1. I thought this was supposed to be about dodgeball!"

I'm such a lazy rat. I've been too lazy to go grocery shopping, so I have no American food in the fridge or anywhere else. Which means I don't have anything to make lunch with. With means I'm buying my lunch. Which means I'm spending more money. Laziness=spending money=BAD. For the month of July, I will be very very good about not spending extra money. Either bring lunch or skip it. From now on.

Been trying to convince Susanna Kim to come visit next month. So this is my public plea: Susanna Kim, come visit next month!!!

Going home August 14-22. It's on.

Can't wait to see Spiderman2 and Fahrenheit911.

Giants and Dodgers Game 2 tonight on ESPN2!!! God bless cable television. Too bad it's not on until 10PM. But being tired and bleary eyed tomorrow is well worth it.

Monday, June 28, 2004

Monday Monday Monday. Oh how I hate Mondays.

Weekend recap: Watched The Terminal on Friday night with Mich. Good stuff. Kind of too long, but it was a sweet, nice movie to watch. Tom Hanks: thumbs up! Saturday had class from all morning, vegged out during the afternoon, and then met up with Nisha for dinner. It was awesome hanging out with her-- we haven't seen each other since high school. We got along well, it was fun hearing about junior high people and what they're up to. Since I didn't go to the same high school as all my junior high peeps, I have these three different groups of people I have memories of- jr. high, high school and college. Half the time I can't figure out who goes where. So it was cool talking to someone who remembers the same people I do, and shared certain defining moments that only people who were in my 8th grade class experienced. Spent the rest of Saturday night studying. Sunday went to church, had lunch with church peeps and then studied all afternoon. Lame-o. I did give myself a dinner break at 8 and watched "Hometown Legend" on ABCFamily (my favorite place for cheesy movies). This one was about football in Alabama. Best part: Claudia from "Party of Five" was in it. I don't even remember what her character's name was-- she'll always be Claudia Salinger to me. I kept expecting Bailey, Charlie, Julie and Owen to show up.

Things on my mind:
- I'm getting chubby
- I need to figure out moving stuff
- If Bush is re-elected, I'm going to think about putting off school for a couple years and going abroad. Seriously.
- Too much studying to do, not enough time.
- I'm SO POOR. If I could just cut out books and food from my life. Hmmm.
- Should I change my voter registration to Virginia?
- Maybe I SHOULD go to Korea to find a husband (per mom's suggestion)

Happy thoughts:
- Three day weekend!!
- Potential Bethel kids Labor Day reunion
- Going home in August!
- My family cracks me up

Friday, June 25, 2004

It is Friday, 4:32 PM and I am ready to go hoooooooooome. I think I will stop by the Gap, head home and change, head to Courthouse to study, and then watch "the Terminal" with Michelle. Good times.

Today is Friday, June 25, which also means it is SARAH YU'S BIRTHDAY!!!!! HAPPY BIRTHDAY SARAH!!! My baby sister is 21. CRAZY. So if you're lucky enough to see her, give her a hug for me and buy her a drink. :)

Hooray for weekends. I hope yours is awesome.

It is Friday, 4:32 PM and I am ready to go hoooooooooome. I think I will stop by the Gap, head home and change, head to Courthouse to study, and then watch "the Terminal" with Michelle. Good times.

Today is Friday, June 25, which also means it is SARAH YU'S BIRTHDAY!!!!! HAPPY BIRTHDAY SARAH!!! My baby sister is 21. CRAZY. So if you're lucky enough to see her, give her a hug for me and buy her a drink. :)

Hooray for weekends. I hope yours is awesome.

Wednesday, June 23, 2004

BOOOOO List:

-Annoying people in LSAT class who call out the answer to every question anyone asks, and never shut up.
-Gingivitis
-Northwestern University Office of Financial Aid can kiss my ass.
-Humidity
-Tourists (still. always. forever on the booooo list.)
-President Bush, Justice Department memos, government sponsored torture.

YAAAAAYYYYYYY! List:
-Still laughing about karoake
-free toothbrush
-Emails from friends
-Giants winning. BEAT LA.
-talkin bout engagements, wedding plans and family with the sibs
-my parents rock
-Drinks tonight, work picnic tomorrow. Sweet.

Just came back from the dentist. One cavity, which is better than I expected considering I haven't been for a checkup in a year, and my high susceptibility to cavities. Man, I need to floss more. Gingivitis is a bitch, and from now on I'm going to kick its ass.

Not much else going on. My life is pretty much work, class, study, sleep. Pretty awesome.

I'm trying to figure out when I'm going to come home. Looks like August 13-22 right now.

GOOOOO GIANTS! See, I knew their bad start was just a fluke, and they'd bounce back? Why? Because they're the Giants, that's why. They're an experienced team, it just took them a while to hit their stride. I mean, the season they went to the series they didn't start really winning and pulling ahead until August/September. So don't doubt my team, cause they are the best ever. And JT is coming off the DL soon. hee hee.

Monday, June 21, 2004

I just gave blood and it feels WEIRD. I'm okay, but a little drowsy and weak. I also can't bend my arm, so mobility is an issue. So be nice today, cause I helped save some lives!!

What a freakin' fun weekend I had. Jess and Janet drove down on Saturday, and we hung out in Georgetown, and then headed to see Julie and baby Amanda. When Julie opened the door, she had Amanda in her arms sleeping, and there was a collective gasp. Julie+mother=surreal. Baby Amanda is so cute- she looks like her daddy! I can't wait to see what kind of child she turns into. Anyways, Joy Jess Janet me Sylvia Julie hung out, cooed over the baby, ate, and had long interesting discussions. I love my college friends, I love girl friends. Good times.

Sunday after church ate at Jaleo (tapas. sangria. YUM), sat outside at a coffee shop with Jess Chung, Sylvia, Joy Jess and me and then hung out at Sylvia's for a while. Man. Jess Chung and Jess Ko are freakin' hysterical. Jess Chung and Laura Cheng are freakin' hysterical. I was in freakin' hysterics. Oh, and we had the bright idea of going to a noraebang at 10 pm last night, which was crazy fun. Fun at the time, but I'm soooo sleepy now. By the way, you haven't really been to karoake until you've gone with Jess Chung and heard her do Guns n' Roses. Axl would be proud.

So that was my weekend. It was awesome. But with the combination of not a lot of sleep and donating blood, I'm feeling extremely sleepy and woozy. Ugh.

Moving to Alexandria next year!

Thursday, June 17, 2004

I've been trying to figure out where I'm going to live next year. I can either live way further out of DC with someone I don't know that well, and save A LOT of money, or live in DC with cool friends but spend A LOT more money. I'm leaning towards the saving money, because I've been hearing from a lot of people it's best to save as much money as you can before you start school again. Argh. What to do??

This housing uncertainty is stressing me out, but I'm starting to feel a lot better about things. I started classes, work is going well... and Phil is engaged! Don't get me wrong, I am sooooo happy about this. But for a while I was completely weirded out, because sometimes I still look at the three of us and see us as dorky, lame, funny, crazy kids. We're not adults, and we're definitely not mature enough to get married! So as much as I LOVE the fact I'm getting a sister in law, it's weird to think my Johnny B. Good-air guitar strumming-mattress surfing-pillow farting big brother is getting married. But it's good, because it makes so happy to see them so happy. Ya know?

I also feel better because now it's done. I've known about the proposal plan for WEEKS and it just about KILLED ME. Now, if you know me you know that I am TERRIBLE at keeping exciting news to myself, and TERRIBLE at lying. So not blurting out this awesome news was a huge challenge. But I didn't, cause I knew my brother would KICK MY ASS if he found out I had spilled the beans. But it was so fun being a co-conspirator, talking to minsoo everyday about the plan. And the plan was wonderful. I really wish I could have been there to see it all. Anways, I'm really excited. I've been blessed with wonderful parents, a freakin' awesome sister, an amazingly cool brother, and now a sister-in-law who I know will become a wonderful member of my family and bless all our lives. Also, I get to go to a wedding. And I'll probably get a new dress out of it too. AWESOME.

If you want to read more about the proposals, email me and I'll send you the link to Jo's blog and Phil's blog. Just so you know, the proposal was romantic, beautiful, sentimental, special and will probably make you put your hand over your heart and sigh.

Wednesday, June 16, 2004

Um, so talk about ripping off someone else's blog. But I was just so amused reading this, I can't help myself.

Are You Down?
The Code for Being a Young AA/APA/APIA/AAPI Activist
By MinnieYuen ’04, MargotSeeto ’04, and LisaWongMacabasco UC Berkeley ’03 (guest writer of UC Berkeley’s Hardboiled).

One point for each question answered in the affirmative.

1. You own a BlackLava t-shirt. (+1 if you have the V. Chin shirt, +2 if you wear it to Asian American events.)

2. You own a spoken word CD.

3. You are or once were a spoken word artist. (+1 If you performed in a skinny scarf and spaghetti strap tank top.)

4. You hate Abercrombie & Fitch and dog on Asian Americans who wear it, even if they bought it pre-boycott.

5. You think Yuri Kochiyama is totally rad!

6. You own an autographed copy of “Better Luck Tomorrow.” (+1 If you were on the street team for BLT.)

7. You have a poster of one or both of the following: 1. Che 2. Malcolm.

8. You HELLA think that San Francisco is the center of the universe and the APA Movement.

9. You dyed your hair bright red at one point.

10. You protest the Euro-centric, hegemonic, patriarchal, heterocentric, capitalist petty bourgeoisie of THE MAN.

11. You are a “brother” or “sister” of the “The People’s Movement.”

12. Instead of saying “goodbye,” you say “peace”. -Don't forget the now, cool "bumping fists" thing.

13. You have a Xanga, are on Friendster, and were a part of Asian Avenue.

14. You write your Friendster testimonials in Spoken Word verse.

15. You AIM name includes the words “Angry” or “Asian” or “Yellow Brown Power.”

16. If you wear glasses, they must be the thick, plastic, black rimmed glasses to show the world how intellectual you really are.

17. You are an APA conference whore.

18. You cried the first time you heard “I Was Born with Two Tongues”. (+1 If you actually cried and not just claimed you cried.)

19. You majored in, minored in, or helped start Asian American Studies at your school.

20. You only listen to hip hop and only really enjoy Talib Kweli or Dead Prez.

21. You have read one, part or all of the following: The Autobiography of Malcolm X, Fast Food Nation, Stupid White Men, or anything by bell hooks.

22. You’re so underground, you’re f****** magma. -

23. As you chain smoke, you intellectualize how nicotine is the tool of THE MAN.

24. Every time you watch TV or movies, your Asian-dar kicks in. (“Look! Asian woman’s arm in the back! WHAT WHAT!”)

25. You mad dog Asian women with White boyfriends (minus 1 if you've ever had a White boyfriend; minus another 1 if you actually admit you had a White boyfriend, but you swear it was when you were really young and before you became down).

26. You hate on AZN Asians as much as White people, if not more.

27. You hate on Asian fraternities or sororities, but used to go those parties before you were down (minus one if you ever pledged an Asian sorority, minus two if you were a Little Sis).

If you scored 21 or more:
Congratulations, Poster Child de La Revolución. You’re so down, you’re abajo. After finishing your manifesto and reaping vegetables in your biosphere, we’ll see you at ECAASU 2005, fool. Paz.

11- 20:
Poseur. What’s up, poser? Put down that copy of Audrey and read Asian Americans: The Movement and the Moment already. Practice raising your fist and looking hard in the mirror when no one's looking.

0 – 10:
You’re a tool of THE MAN. Proceed immediately to San Francisco and get a picket sign already.

This reminded me a lot of my college days. And made me think of ChristineByun, who a lot of my AA "activism" in college was entwined with. Anyways, according to this I'm a poser. I can live with that for now, as I valiantly try to become a Poster Child de la Revolucion.

Monday, June 14, 2004

So, I'm still a little bummed I didn't get to go to the Giants game this weekend!! After spending the entire day at the conference Friday, I was hoping to end it on a high note by seeing my Giants play. But alas, it was rained out. In fact, it poured all evening, especially as I drove myself home on an unfamilar highway at night. Fortunately I got home in one piece. Barely.

But Baltimore was cool. Drove up on Thursday night, and after dropping crap off, I walked from my hotel to the Inner Harbor.(*edit* this makes it sound like i took a dump. I just mean I dropped materials off at the conference site. Just so you know.) It was cool... but it was such a freakin hot day I couldn't be outside too long. So, I headed to this awesome Barnes & Noble that overlooked the harbor, and read by the windows. Awesome.

Saturday was gorgeous and beautiful and sunny. Of course. Spend a lot of the afternoon with Jess C. and Sylvia, people watching in Dupont Circle. It was very amusing. Then, I went to the mall with JiYoung and SHOPPED. I bought a whole lot of crap this weekend. Ooops. But the Nordstrom Half Yearly Sale sucked me in and then kicked my ass.

So that was my weekend? Anything else....? Hm. Oh yeah! I'M GETTING A SISTER IN LAW!!!!!!!!

Tuesday, June 08, 2004

Hey hey. It's Tuesday! wooo.

Watched HarryP0tter Friday night. It was GREAT. The kids were all great, the adults were all amazing (emmathompson was freakin' hilarious) and the movie just and felt different, in a good way. I LOVED the Ron and Hermione interaction. That Rupert Gr1nt is great. The only qualms I had were I felt they could have explained the Marauders Map and the signifigance of Harry's Patronus better. Yay for HP3.

However, I do think I need to watch this movie again, with other real HarryPotter fans. I watched it with Joy, Jess Chung, and Angela. Joy enjoyed and that made me happy. But Angela FELL ASLEEP. And Jess Chung... well, here's what Jess Chung thought of it:
Harry P0tter #3--Synopsis (written by someone who's never read the books or seen the other movies): A prisoner escapes from Afghanistan, so the ghosts from Scream come looking for him. Harry & Co. are scared, but really, it was just a gimpish rat that was after them. Um, then a luminous buck from the woods saves them. And, uh, then, a hypocrite attacks Aaron Carter (brother of Nick). And then, they go back in time and do this again. The End.
Inspiring eh? This is a movie that ideally I would watch with my sister, AnkurBahl, JessKo and JulieGraham, my HP buddies. But alas, it was not to be. Any big Harry P0tter fans from the DC area up for watching it again with me??

So Friday is a National Day of Mourning, in honor of Rona1d Reagan. His body is coming to DC on Wednesday, and I might try to go to the Capitol on Wednesday night to see him lying in state. Not that I was a huge fan of Rona1d Reagan, but when else am I going to be able to see a president lying in state in the capitol rotunda? Anways, Friday is a day of mourning, so the federal government is closing. Since the ABA follows the federal government, we're closing too. Hooray for a day off, right? Unfortunately, Hannah will be in Baltimore for a conference, and she'll still have to work the entire day. BOOO. No three day weekend for me. I'm really bummed. The only good thing is that going to Baltimore is giving me the chance to go see the Giants game on Friday night at CamdenYards. Go Giants!

Tony Awardswere Sunday night. Wicked, my favorite show, was robbed! It should have won best musical. But alas, those little puppets won. However, Idina Menze1, who is awesome in Wicked and who, through the Rent soundtrack helped me get through college, won best actress in a musical! Bitchin' man. I have a crush on Idina Menze1 and her hot husband TayeDiggs. She is soooo good in Wicked-- her voice kicks my ass. And when she won, and thanked her husband, man, the look on his face was so sweet. Sigh. Anyways, Broadway rocks. Go see a show.

Friday, June 04, 2004

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban! TONIGHT! WOOOOOO!! I'm very very very excited. Can you tell?

No big plans for the weekend. No plans at all.

I made a sign today for the Breast Cancer 5K for the ABAers walking to carry. I got to write in pretty font, and color it and have fun. And I was like, man, if only I could do this every day. Make pretty signs and color and draw. That would be AWESOME.

Congratulations to Minsoo and Jo-- 4 years of coupledom. Special props to Jo, for dealing with the oddness that is PMYu.

I'm tired. Didn't sleep well last night.

Question of the day: What's the best way to respond to unwanted advances, comments, etc.? Ignore? (what I usually do) Swift kick in the nuts? (what I want to do)

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban! TONIGHT! WOOOOOO!! I'm very very very excited. Can you tell?

No big plans for the weekend. No plans at all.

I made a sign today for the Breast Cancer 5K for the ABAers walking to carry. I got to write in pretty font, and color it and have fun. And I was like, man, if only I could do this every day. Make pretty signs and color and draw. That would be AWESOME.

Congratulations to Minsoo and Jo-- 4 years of coupledom. Special props to Jo, for dealing with the oddness that is PMYu.

I'm tired. Didn't sleep well last night.

Question of the day: What's the best way to respond to unwanted advances, comments, etc.? Ignore? (what I usually do) Swift kick in the nuts? (what I want to do)

Wednesday, June 02, 2004

It's Wednesday! Yay! The week is half over! Man, having the day off is AWESOME.

I had a great weekend. On Saturday, I got up early and went to go check out some apartments. Saturday was also the opening of the World War II Memorial, so there were a lot of people on the Metro, and not just the usual tourists. There were a lot of veterans, of all ages, but the ones who touched my heart were the older veterans, who were wearing their uniforms and their medals and their hats so proudly. I stood near a veteran in a wheelchair who was wearing his uniform, who looked so old and frail. As he was sitting, a couple of middle-aged gentlemen sat near him, also wearing U.S.S. Whatever hats. They struck up a conversation immediately, thanking this old man for coming out and telling him they were glad he could make it. These men started talking like they were old friends, bound by the fact that they all once served, and the amount of respect the two men had for the World War II vet was so evident. It got me a little choked up, and it made just want to give the old sailor a hug and a thank you. And if you were on the Metro this weekend, you saw that a lot. Veterans who were so proud of their service, young people staring at them in awe and striking up conversations. It was a really touching sight. World War II veterans are awesome.

Saturday was also awesome because Joy, Sylvia, Laura and I went to go visit Dihan and Julie, and baby Amanda!! Baby Amanda is tiny, and so beautiful. Even seeing her, and seeing Julie hold her, was such a trip though. It was hard to process that this child belonged to Julie and Dihan. But it was wonderful seeing Julie doing so well, Dihan so happy, and this beautiful child.

Sunday after church I went to a BBQ, where I stuffed myself silly. Seriously, I don't know what it is about going to BBQ's, and grilled food, but I just eat like a pig whenever I'm at one. It felt good though. Daaaaamn good.

After a sweet Sunday nap, I headed to the movie theater and caught "The Day After Tomorrow." It was exactly what I expected it to be-- really REALLY dumb, but really really fun and entertaining. Some of the lines and scenes were so cheesy I laughed out loud, but I still thoroughly enjoyed myself. The special effects were pretty good, and it was just fun going to see a brainless, visually stimulating, exciting movie on a long weekend. Also, I now have a thing for Jake Gy11enha11. Woooow. Love him.

Have I mentioned Ro11ing Thunder? Ah yes. Every Memorial Day weekend, these Vietnam Vets and friends roll into town on their motorcycles to raise awareness about Vietnam Vet issues, in rememberance of friends etc. Also, they want to raise a huge ruckus with their LOUD ASS motorcycles. Did I mention that they all seem to camp out in Crystal City? There is something about a motorcycle rumble that drives me nuts, and to hear it all weekend... man. Personally, I think motorcycles are useless. But that's not something I would say to these men (and women) who fit every known stereotype of a motorcycle gang member/hippie/vet. Hair in ponytails, bandanas, mullets, black leather vests. If you couldn't tell, I'm not a big fan of these guys. Mainly because of their LOUD ASS ANNOYING motorcycles. Also because they endorsed a certain ex-Texas Nationa1 AWOL Guardsman for president. How does that make sense? But that's a whole other issue.

Anways, what else what else? Ah yes. Monday was woooonderful. I spent the entire day by myself, reading and writing. I heart bookstores.

So it's June, and summer is here. I'm kind of dreading this summer, because I know it's going to be busy, and I have a lot of crap to do. Also because it's my first summer working for reals. No summer vacation, no three months off. Oh well. I'll deal.

This is a very very long post. Mainly because, well, I don't have much else to do. Email is down... again. Lots of stuff to get done, but a lot of it is on or over email. I can't even open up Outlook. Lame-o.

Harry Potter 3, Friday June 4 10:10 PM Ballston Regal Cinema. I'll be there!!!! YAY!

Tuesday, June 01, 2004

BUSY DAY! Much to write about, including visits to new babies, the joys of bbq and grilling, fun dumb disaster films and some me time. Hopefully I'll get it in tomorrow!