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Wednesday, 16 July 2008

wanted: a kid

I know it's not gonna happen, but I secretly wish one of my friends would get pregnant so they can have a kid. I swear, I'm gonna be the greatest non-blood related uncle ever.

I know that neither my friends or I are capable of supporting a child right now, but when I go to Target and see little toddlers walking with their mommies, it makes me smile inside.

I wanna have two kids: twins or just a year apart. I haven't figured out a girl name yet, but if it's a boy, then its gonna be Ethan. Nathan if both them are guys.

Friday, 04 July 2008

my plan to slay that silent yet persistent time devourer

My most challenging proofreading problem is eliminating excess information. Because I am very picky and conscious with my diction, I sometimes spend a whole half hour finishing a sentence because I sit stunned looking for that one missing word that will perfectly capture my thought into paper. Once found, however, I feel that sense of accomplishment, and maybe a little triumph.

When I finally read through my paper during revisions, I sometimes come across that same sentence or two (or even a whole paragraph), and it suddenly seems out of place, confusing, or unrelated to my main topic. The sample may be a very intriguing but unnecessary fact or an important point that does not fully connect to the thesis. Most of the time, however, I just like sentence (as weird as it sounds). I have become attached to it–on how beautifully it rolls off the tongue and how precise and accurate it conveys my thoughts into words. I fight the absolute necessity to delete it by moving it elsewhere in the paper or spending another thirty minutes trying to conjure a new idea by changing the words and hopefully crafting a whole new meaning. I am stubborn. I simply just cannot let go. Though I am aware of this time consuming habit, I still continue to do it.

The OWL article¹ suggested that I should "save only the good pieces." Not only will deleting unnecessary information off the start save me time from forcing it to fit in my paper, it will also make my writing more fluid and tighter. Maybe I should listen to the all mighty OWL; I heard they are geniuses.

1. http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/561/05/

Tuesday, 01 July 2008

lol, an online class that meets on campus.

blah; i specifically enrolled in an online summer class thinking i wouldn't have to step foot on school grounds, ever. well... foothill just had to taunt me. apparently, the course requires two on-site in-person writing, one of which i won't be here because of unicamp. %$#%^#@^%^@$^@!%%$#@%@##@!$@#

i emailed the professor asking for any alternate assignments; he was sympathetic but still couldn't do anything because the requirement was mandated by foothill. eeeeeeeeeeeeek! the essay is probably only worth 5% of my total grade; i mean i could still get an A assuming i kill everything, but its just frustrating.

i dont even have the textbook yet (which requires intensive reading) and theres already an assignment due in two days. linh was supposed to get it for me from berkeley's library but she aint picking up her phone.

we'll see.

UPDATE 07/04/2007 12:31 AM -- apparently, i was over exaggerating because I am now on top of things. for realzzy, im like two weeks ahead and im so killing it.

Friday, 27 June 2008

drill the word "productivity" through my soul

This summer (I keep telling myself) I WILL BE P R O D U C T I V E. Well, I think I'm on a roll; I've become less of a bum.

Registration was pretty complicated, but I managed to enroll in an English online class at Foothill College which I think I'm not supposed to cuz I already passed out of it in UCLA, but I confused the counselor so much -- showing her somewhat related documents and alternating use of words (Writing I, English 3, Begginner English, etc) -- that she's letting me take it. Confusion, in an argument, works.

I got hired at Hollister. All the paperwork's gonna be this Sunday, and after that , Imma be making major dollah. ... Seriously, I need money cuz 1) I'm buyng the new iPhone and 2) we planned so much stuff this summer that $$$ is necessary -- river rafting/camping/hiking/outdoors stuff, one week so cal trip, and hot air ballooning at Napa Valley.

Oh yeah, this summer, like for realz this time, IMMA GET MY LICENSE. I have yet to touch the california drivers handbook (cuz, ummmm... I still needa get a permit too), but I will.
I'm thinking of reorgnizing my room -- make it look uber cool like one of those ikea samples. maybe.

Wednesday, 16 April 2008

cruising through

Spring Quarter is gonna be da bomb diggity cuz I've already started accomplishing some of the goals I've set myself before college ends. This is just a tentative, rough list, but I'm really proud of myself that I'm making good progress.

[x] Rush
[x] Learn how to longboard/skateboard
[ ] Take yoga/pilates
[ ] Hit the gym at least two times a week
[ ] Run at least two times a week
[ ] Attend arts/cultural shows and exhibits
[ ] Not eat past 10:30
[ ] Make more effort to keep in touch with people back home

RUSH

I "semi-rushed" Pi Kapp during week one and it has, so far, been the most rewarding college experience I've ever done. In all seriousness, walking to the house made me feel very very very uncomfortable -- insecurities surfaced, and I was completely out of my league. but when I got in, it completely shattered my expectations; rush provided me a different insight on fraternity and Greek life as a whole. The people I've met were well-rounded and did not exhibit the stereotypical "frat dude" character. They had substance... for example, some were RA's, some were presidents of various campus organizations, and one was involved in student body, etc etc. I really felt that I've connected with the people, and the ideals of the fraternity itself.