Summer Days

This morning, I woke up late, but I didn't care. I checked the weather and it said, "Partly Sunny, 90 degrees." I put on my new blue tunic (so comfortable, absolute favorite), capris, and my Havaianas to get ready for this beautiful day. I even brought my camera to work. Gotta love summer and all the green outside!
We wanted to get some coffee since the stuff that comes out of the machine is so sub-par, and we ended up at Firefly, apparently a hang-out for Moms and their newborn babies. There were probably more babies there than grown-ups. It was odd, but we just hung out in the back corner and enjoyed ourselves. We somehow started talking about international economics and we believe it was due to the delicious drinks we were having: cappuccinos, vanilla chais, etc...

Oh, Einey

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Originally uploaded by Han N..

Typical day at our house.

The beginning of an ending

This morning, I woke up to a tiny dog who appeared to have to go outside, yet previously left me two little presents on the floor. Upon my return from letting both the dogs out the back door, I discovered a large branch of my two-year old miniature palm tree from Joe on the floor.

I had the pot on top of the refrigerator because it's not supposed to be exposed to the sun (strange for a palm, non?). I haven't re-potted it with new soil for two years and it'd gotten pretty dry. Plus, the cat probably knocked it down. It was sad.

Oh, the story behind this? Joe got it for me on his trip to Florida, and he kept saying I could never keep it alive. I like to prove everyone wrong. Where can you go to buy half a cup of potting soil? Sigh.

So jealous

Truc, Paul, and I had dinner at the Liberty Diner tonight. During our meal, we heard some loud, feminine voices, so we turned to search for the source. The first thing we hear? "Take a picture, it lasts longer. Why are all these guys staring at us when they're with their wives? Omigosh!" as two girls, heavily perfumed and made up, walked by our table to meet and older man at his booth. He replied that, "they're just jealous." We weren't. No one even stared. We basically reacted naturally as if a dish had broken or if a cell phone rang. The diner is so nice and homey that it was just weird to have a presence like that invade our environment.

We spent the rest of our night playing on the Wii.

The job hunt is on--I'm going into it with full force and absolutely no fear at all. New approach. Maybe it'll work. It's worth a try.

In other news, I have finally discovered the wonderful world of Havaianas rubber flip flops ("the best in the world") with much thanks to dear Emily and I can't seem part from them. In all honesty, I expected them to melt and conform to my feet when I first put them on. They didn't. They do feel incredibly comfortable now and I do feel a big difference between them and my old flip flops: cushy-ness and a feeling as if I'm walking on air. Good stuff, right? I got mine from Endless, where you can get $5 off any pair of shoes in addition to free overnight shipping. Every online store should operate this way. They do run a little long, so you might want to order a size smaller than what you usually wear if you're interested in getting a pair.

Dolsot Bibimbap

Dolsot Bibimbap, originally uploaded by Han N..

Rice topped with beef, fried egg, and lots of vegetables cooked in chili oil. Served with spicy sauce.

This is what I had when we went to Tokyo Seoul last night. It was pretty good. I also tried Cameron's "Bulgogi," Greg's "Fried Pork and Squid," and Paul's "Spicy Fried Chicken." I do appreciate a pretty dish!

On the other hand...

C.S.I.? So very interesting! Jerry Bruckheimer, how do you do it?

Core, periphery, semi-periphery

I started my Intro to International Relations class this week and I already have a test on Tuesday. What am I doing to prepare? Why, I am watching Thursday's episode of C.S.I., of course. I can't believe I actually made it through all of the classes this week. It was really awkward to be the one coughing with audible phlegm in a very quiet room. Oh, and the sniffling just drew in more attention than I ever wanted. Often, my eyes would water and cross, so I couldn't even see straight when taking notes. I can't wait to feel completely normal again.

Goodbye, Gilmore Girls

I was quite disappointed by the series finale of Gilmore Girls. It was filled to the brim with tear-jerkers, but it was so anti-climatic. I've seen much better, such as the series finale of Six Feet Under. That one took my breath away. It was good and it made me yearn for an unrealistic surprise return of the series. When Gilmore Girls ended, I was happy. The development of Rory's character turned for the worse and she wasn't anything more than annoying. At least they brought Luke and Lorelai back together. I hate being so disappointed. What's next, now that the shows I like are officially over?

It's Finally Friday

Long week. It's over in 3 minutes. Good reason to celebrate.

Tonight, we're going to Tokyo Seoul, which, as its name indicates, is a fairly new restaurant that serves both Japanese and Korean cuisine. We went there for Joe's birthday and had a great experience, so when I heard that my friend Cameron would be teaching English in South Korea this summer, I suggested that we introduce him to the cuisine early on. (I wish you were here, - h -, I would take you!)

Coming back from the dead

A lot has happened since my last post. I "graduated," with quotes because I'm actually not finished until August 3. Yes, I am counting the days. What's next? Life as a "grown up."

I also bought a domain one sleepless night and I've been thinking about the layout since. I hope I won't drop the ball and just have a little "coming soon" graphic on my index page until it expires.

I haven't used my camera in over a week!

I've been sick lately, pretty sick to the point that I can't smell anything and my eyes well up every time I step outside, and then once again when I step back inside. It's getting better, but not fast enough. I've been off work for a good portion of this week and I haven't really accomplished much.

We finally have a Nintendo Wii and I have become very addicted to bowling and Cooking Mama.

Movies I've seen lately: Spiderman 3, 28 Weeks Later, The Invisible (not the best, but surprisingly good)

Oh, liberation

Day 2 of my stress-free spree and these are my goals:

• Put a dent in the laundry
• Wash all of the dishes (they are so many, I have to do them in cycles)
• Edit and upload photos from the zoo (it's been a week and I don't want them to go up unless they look good)
• Make dinner
  

Fin

Today, I wrote my analysis and I took my last final of a real semester. I've never felt better walking out of a final. I was giddy and full of energy. I felt like screaming out to the stranger students who walked by that I had finally made it, but I didn't.

The sad thing is that I can't keep myself up now. I am growing old. Good thing I decided not to go to the midnight showing of Spiderman 3.

Good luck with your finals, if you have any left.

Almost There

• Photojournalism final project
  
• Psychology final
• Linguistics final
• French analysis, 6 pages
• French final

I have the whole of next week to relax (once I get off work) without school, then it's back to the grind until August 3. It'll be here before we know it.

Beyond August 3: catch up with life!