exhibit #2

I knew this would happen. I got another 100% on the "Methods of Execution" Sporcle quiz. If anything ever happens to me, CNN will be broadcasting this blog. Well it was short, so I hope that doesn't make me too suspicious. We'll see.........

SUCCESS!!

I FINALLY got my dog into his kennel today. The Dog Whisperer is so inspirational. I love Cesar. I need to watch an episode everyday to get into my dog training mojo.

no blunch?

As most of you know, I love sleeping and sleeping in. I'm a complete night owl and rarely go to bed before midnight. Yesterday night was no different. Mr. P gave me a phone call this morning at 7:30AM, and who knows what happened to my REM at that moment, but I was awake. Very conscious. Couldn't go back to bed. Ended up staring at the swimmers in my eyes for a couple minutes. I was told to get up, shower, and eat breakfast.

I can't believe I'm actually doing this. My breakfast is usually brunch time. Actually, blunch time would be more correct, since brunch starts at 10ish. I don't usually eat until 11-2. Well, the upside is that I'll be able to go to bed early, provided I don't crash halfway through the day (VERY likely). Then again, even when I'm sleep deprived, I often get this weird surge of energy around 10PM. I also get very hungry too.

Well, time to eat breakfast. No idea what to eat, since there isn't much breakfast food in the house.

new location

Starting in June, I'll be living somewhere else on the island. I like where I live now, but it is way too far from base to continue living here. It's nice to be able to live away from base because people can't find you as easily. On the other hand, living on base means driving to work is <10minutes. We're at the 25-55 mark, depending on traffic. Yeah...far. Excessively far.

Things I like about where I live now...
1. Ocean View - right outside my window
2. Close to the beach - less than 10 minute drive to a gorgeous location
3. Vending machine around the corner (which is true for basically anyone living on Okinawa)
4. Roof top - Our patio extends to the top floor of the apartment

Here are all these nice things about our place, but I don't really take advantage of any of it.
1. Ocean View? Well, I forget to open my curtains to watch the sunset.
2. Close to the beach? Haven't been since February
3. Vending machine? ....good thing I don't have a Coke addiction
4. Rooftop? ....My dog likes it more than I do. Perfect place for watching a sunset.

So, my hope is that before June rolls around, I want to soak up all the nice things about this place.
1. Take a daily picture of the sunset, maybe watch it from the rooftop.
2. Go to the beach every other week & see the tourist sites close by.
3. Ignore the vending machine as usual.
4. Visit that baguette store at least once before I leave. Just once.

this one's for you, kim

Pretty much cried laughing. I can't believe I didn't find this before.

scaredy dog

My bulldog Gunny is scared of his kennel. Well, technically, he's scared of walking into it. He'll stay inside it fine. He'll exit out fine. For some reason, he's afraid of entering it. I think it's that little ledge in the opening of his kennel that he doesn't know how to outmaneuver. Anyway, I'm trying to get him to overcome it, but luring him in doesn't work. Well, I'll have to work on it for the next couple of days. My hope is that he'll be able to finally walk in by himself. Good luck to me...

compelled to share

This one is long, so it's better in HQ.

easiest=simplest?

I was trying to find something that would satisfy my demands for organizing/tying long cords.

a. sturdy like a ziptie, but adjustable.
b. adjustable like a twistie tie, but wouldn't look malformed after readjusting
c. unlimited length & capacity like tape, but doesn't leave sticky residue all over cords
d. cheap

conclusion.
string.

yes.

My usual attitude is "retardedly happy" according to Mr. P. Wow. For someone who likes to hole herself in the apartment 5 out of 7 days and who likes to leave mean facebook comments, I must be the happiest hermit in the world. Maybe I'm "retardedly happy" because I'm always laughing uncontrollably at my zinger comments. Or not.

One thing that doesn't make me retardedly happy is cleaning. Today, I'm proceeding to clean this place up, probably because Mr. P is coming home soon. There is a radius of seriously yucky clutter in the area I sit in. I'm a pretty messy person, but I suppose the dynamics of Mr. P and I work out. He makes less daily mess (thank you boot camp). I make more daily messes (no, I will never go to boot camp). On the other hand, he doesn't really do the get down and dirty cleaning, but I do. So, I guess it works out in the end, output=input.

Currently on replay: The French Kicks

aw...

lay's has the cutest commercials!!!



more...

tv tv tv

I decided to compile a list of TV shows that I currently watch on a weekly basis. When I had a TV with cable, I was never intent on being an avid storyline follower. This is probably because I would just turn on the TV and let it run whatever was on. Well, watching my shows online comes in such a nice organized format, it makes me wonder if I am spending more or less time watching TV. I'm watching more shows now, but I'm watching less random programs. Anyhoo.....

Weekly Shows:
24
30 Rock
Chuck
Fringe
Heroes
House
Kings
Lie to Me
Life
Lost
Mad Men
Psych
Supernatural
The Mentalist
The Office
Top Chef

When there is nothing else to watch....
Bones
CSI: Las Vegas
Family Guy
Futurama
How I Met Your Mother
Late Night w/ Jimmy Fallon
Law & Order: SVU
The Colbert Report (good show for washing dishes)


Shows I wish I could keep watching...
Arrested Development
Chappelle's Show
Late Night w/ Conan O'Brien

I just realized all of my preferred shows have really short titles.

too much crime tv

I scored a 100% on Sporcle's "Common Murder Weapon and Methods" quiz. I think I officially watch too many crime shows. Or, I've been secretly thinking about it a lot. Definitely the former. The only way I have ever physically hurt someone is usually an accident or an "accident", depending on whether you are Mr. P or not.

I have a feeling if something ever happens, authorities will look at this blog and say I'm guilty.....Publish Post?

reading rainbow

I've been trying to read more lately. My last completed book was some Dean Koontz. Not my usual fare, but I gave it a go. It was only a confirmation that I was not really into thriller novels.

Since I don't know when, I've been sucked into the concept of "classics". What makes something a classic? Profundity? New concepts? Timelessness? Who knows... All I know is that when something is considered a classic, I want to know about it. In turn, that makes me a sucker for those "Top #__ (insert medium)" lists, i.e. Time's Top 100 Novels, Rolling Stones' 500 Greatest Songs of All Time, etc. Obviously, these lists are biased and don't contain books that are regarded as classics by many. Example, no Ayn Rand in the Time list ... flabbergast!

So, I've tiptoed into the 100 Novels list, and I haven't gotten very far. So far, I've completed G. Orwell's 1984 and Animal Farm. Both were very good, though slightly saddening at the end. If you're interested in Socialism, Communism, Capitalism, and the like, I definitely suggest reading these two. Orwell is certainly genius when it comes to integrating literature with social systems.

The two I've begun but not finish are V. Nabokov's Lolita & S. Bellow's The Adventures of Augie March. Unfortunately, the prose for Augie March is kind of fleeting for me. It's hard for me to concentrate because there is not a lot of dialogue. Lots of description which I don't care for (hence, me no likey Wuthering Heights). It's a big book too, so I don't know if I'm ever going to finish it. Maybe if it was audiobook, I could complete it.

As for Lolita, I had a odd time explaining the plot to my cousin. "So it's about this guy who's old but likes 12 year old girls, because he fell in love at that age and hasn't moved on." I don't even think that's completely correct or even a fair description, but it's the best I could do with my shoddy Chinese. I've read Nabokov's Pale Fire before a long time ago, and I really can't remember much about it (the inevitable outcome of assigned reading). But, I didn't hate it, so that's why I went for Nabokov again. So far though, I've really enjoyed the book. This guy is really interesting, though legally a pedophile and (insert villainous term here). Still, it's interesting, and it makes me want to watch the Kubrick film. Definitely planning on finishing this one, if I ever get around to picking it up again.

I'm not a very disciplined reader. I have to get very interested in order to keep reading. Or, I have to be waiting for Mr. P in the car for 10+ minutes. I wish I was more into books like these 2 sisters I know, or even my own sister. Well, I guess my infantile mind needs pictures to keep me interested (yay for graphic novels!!).

photos

I finally finished posting my photos online. I had about 1000+ photos from Taiwan, and I pared the best ones down to 200. Either I take too many, or most of them are just bad. When the moment strikes, I really enjoy taking photos. Mr. P even bought me a digital SLR because it was so obvious I liked cameras and pictures. So now, I am in possession of a Canon XTi, with the standard lens. Unfortunately, I haven't really dedicated much time to learning how to use my new camera. My cousin who dutifully studies everything he encounters (i.e. cameras, soy sauce, herbal medicine, etc.) bests me in using my own camera. Oh well. I'm not an expert with Photoshop either, but I know how to play around with the basics. I generally just automate the image sizes of my humongous photos. I have a lot to learn before I feel worthy of being an avid photographer who owns a digital SLR. Aja Aja.

too much tv

Here is evidence that I've been watching too much of one thing. I recently had a dream (quite vivid) that I was in an episode of Lost. At the same time, I was also trying to figure out (in my dream) how this dream episode would figure into the latest plot developments and loopy surprises. Wow. Lucky for me, I can't watch the rest of Season 4 without Mr. P.

Oh, by the by, did you know that there are actual publicized theories on Lost? And that people have bought it? And reviewed it? This makes my dream episode seem less fanatical. See here.

PS
After I finished Meteor Garden, I had similar dreams of alternate endings and the like.

+1 for having vivid dreams. -1 for having stupid dreams.

recipe: tomato & tofu soup

I saw the recipe on a Taiwanese cooking show, where it was a side soup dish to Green Onion Pancakes. Well, on its own, this soup is simple and light and is something you can throw together fairly quickly. This is my version of the recipe, and it turned out pretty good. Apologies for the vague directions & amounts. I generally just eyeball everything and taste as I go. My general rule is just add as much as you want to eat.

Ingredients.
1/2 shallot
2 cloves of garlic
sesame oil
3 Roma tomatoes, chopped into slices or cubes (use whatever tomato you like)
1 container of tofu, chopped into cubes (cloth strained, firm)
1 handful of chopped cilantro (including stems)
water
salt & pepper to taste

Directions.
1. Mince shallots and garlic. Drizzle about 1/2 tsp of sesame oil into a medium stockpot, and stir fry the shallots and garlic until lightly browned.
2. Add chopped tomatoes to the pot, and stir fry for 2-3 minutes. This will give your soup a redder color.
3. Add chopped tofu and desired amount of water into pot. Generally 2-3 inches higher than the combined ingredients.
4. Let the soup heat into a rolling boil, and keep it simmering for 5 minutes. At this point, add salt to taste (start with 1/2 tsp, then keep adding to taste).
5. By 5 minutes, the soup should be finished. Some tomatoes will separate from its skin. Turn off the heat, and pepper to taste. (I used black pepper, but white will work too).
6. Top the soup with some extra sesame oil to taste. (Substitute with chili oil, if you want a spicier soup.)
7. Garnish with cilantro for extra flavor. If you have concerns with unclean cilantro (like my Mom), add it in your soup before you turn off the heat. Or, add it in your bowl, and pour the hot soup over it.

Optional: Add a starch into the soup--cooked rice or noodles will make this side soup into a meal, or just drink a lot of the broth and call it a day.

i heart design

Little known fact. When I was in middle/high school, I wanted to be an architect, then an interior decorator. Well, I never seriously pursued those careers because...
1. my Mom told me I wouldn't be a good designer if I couldn't even keep my room clean
2. I got a headache when choosing curtains for my Mom
3. I wanted to teach instead.

Even though I haven't really focused much dedicated interest towards home design/decor, I really do like casually looking at the magazines and blogs. Here are the sites I subscribe to when I imagine my dream home.

houzz

trendir

momoy

Stores:

design public (courtesy of ohsogeeky!)

hivemodern

MoMA

ponoko

back in town

I guess whenever I feel like writing 18 different status updates on Facebook, I turn to this blog instead. Facebook is not Twitter, yet I don't use Twitter as often or as extensively as Facebook.

1. I'm back in Okinawa, from a short trip in Taiwan. I saw my Dad, and my cousin's wedding. I met him and his girlfriend (at the time) in St. Louis. They're so cute together, and aesthetically well matched. I don't know if that a real thing to compare couples by, but all I'm trying to say is that they're both good looking people. Yay for good genes.

2. I talked to my other cousin, and I'm kind of happy for him and his life, and also for the fact that he wants to talk to me. I know that sounds weird, but I have a really large disconnect with most of my family members outside of nuclear family. I don't see why I can't talk to the ones I know and even speak English for crying out loud. Clearly, I am not with the family program.

3. I had an awesome time in Taiwan. It was short, but I like to look at it as condensed fun. I ate a lot (A LOT). My suitcase is full of things to eat that will mostly be sent back to my Mom. Everything I ate was freaking delicious. And then....I got this crazy outbreak of hives on my face. In the beginning, I looked like a leper. Now I look like I have lots of acne on my cheeks and around my eyes. At one point it was on my eyelids. Everyone likes to comment on how every time I travel, the food always does some shady business with my body. I am a weak, sickly child who eats whatever I can get my hands on. Cambodia = No. 3, as I like to call it. What is No. 3? Well, it's No. 1 + No. 2. If you don't get it yet, then stop reading. Oysters at the night market...never again.

4. If you've ever waited in line at the airport, and there's a person that holds up the line, that's probably me. For some reason, I can never travel between countries without some type of hold up. I blame Kadena AMC for letting ill-trained people stamp passports willy-nilly.
IF YOU EVER FLY AMC FLIGHTS, MAKE SURE THEY STAMP YOUR PASSPORT RIGHT! I live in freaking Okinawa, but I am on a temporary visa now. I need to get that fixed ASAP before I have another deportation fiasco (yes, "another" as in happened before).

5. I have tons of pictures probably in the 500's range, of which 5 contain my face. I love it that way. I need to figure out how to post all of these up. I'll probably rejuvenate my flickr account, and burn hard copies of the wedding for my cousin. Big camera = big pictures. Snail mail it is.

6. I jumped on the bandwagon of bobs. I cut my hair to chin length, and I like it. Wish I had bangs, but that's about it. My session lasted 2.5 hours. <30 minutes actually on hair cutting. The rest was washing my hair...twice; massaging my scalp and shoulders...yay; talking to the assistant about alligators in Florida.

7. It's not fun coming back from a trip full of fun family and then entering an empty house. I wish I could have stayed longer, but Gunny is probably driving the kennel staff mad. He's not exactly potty trained, so I have a feeling I'll be banned.

8. Teedha's coming to Okinawa! I will probably still be jobless, so I'll be running around the island having fun. I'm hoping on going back to TW so she can find Mike He, Wu Chun, and other assorted TW Drama actors with feminine hair and wonderful skin.

9. 5 days without Google Reader = 260+ unread articles. Mark all as read, PLEASE.