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January 28, 2004
Ohayo, Sensei!
Finished my first day... here's what I learned, in a nutshell:
Hajime mashite! (How are you?)
Steve desu (I am Steve)
...
Ahh, Asano sensei? *bow*
Doozo yoroshiku! (no direct translation... something like "Please take care of me")
Database class: lonnnnnnnnnnnnnnnng and borrrrrrrrring... the professor just kept on talking... and talking... and talking... and....zzzzz
Artificial Intellgence class: the professor is a spaz... but at least he keeps me awake. =P
Something else I re-realized the other day: happiness is contaigous. So I resolved to (and did) walk around campus... just smiling and being upbeat... talking to people around me in classes, etc. =)
Just tried to impress my brother with my new Japanese words: he gives me a near-horrified expression, before saying: "Great... so now you suck at both Chinese AND Japanese!!!"
*sigh* Haha. =P
=====
Finally watched the latest episode of Real World: San Diego... man, what an episode! Haha... Ja is hilarious, and fast becoming my favorite character on the show. =P Other thoughts:
- Jamie just strikes me as fake so far... the way she reacted to Brad's arrest, etc... just seemed... fake.
- Frankie sure was getting all hot and touchy towards Randy, eh? ;)
- I completely agree with 6togo: based on the footage we say, the guy who mocked, threatened to sue, and reported Robin looked like a complete ass and little b*tch! =(
FREE BRAD!!!
Posted by stevelee at 04:09 PM | Comments (3)
Brothers...
While my family and I were out visiting my dad's parents for Chinese New Year's, my brother and I were singing along to some Chinese songs in the car. It was at that point that I realized how similar we were. Except that it seems that everything I do, he can do better!
We both seem to have some talent, musically: we both play the cello, we both sing... but even when we were younger, I recognized that he had greater talent than I did... he just had the misfortune of going to a high school with a crappy music program (Lincoln... sorry, Mustangs! =x), which didn't motivate him to continue playing. I took that vocal class last semester... but even without "formal training," I've long recognized that my brother has a better voice than I do. =) He has more of a true tenor voice, while mine is a baritone-tenor...
Probably about the only thing I excel my brother in, performing arts-wise, is dancing... and I wonder if that's only because he chooses not to dance? He sure kicks all sorts of ass in DDR!! Hehe.
What else? Languages... well, he's fairly fluent (much more so than I!) in speaking both Chinese and Japanese... whereas, I can read better... haha. =)
Also realized that we have kinda similar personalities when interacting with people... we both can be charmers... in our own different ways...
About the only real difference that comes to mind between us is, well... I think I'm the more motivated and efficient one... whereas, he's much better at remembering things and dealing with people. =)
Hahaha... completely random, stream-of-consciousness writing. =)
The new semester starts tomorrow, but I'm not excited at all. I feel more like it's another obstacle to get out of the way... I should be graduating this semester, unless I decide to postpone so I can remain working as an intern at Sun. I get paid fairly well... and sure beats having no job at all! =/ *sigh*
Ahh well, I should sleep now. 2 more days before I cheer on my friend Bev in her Miss Chinatown pageant, and then drive up to Tahoe right after!
Hmm... I think this will be the first Chinese New Year festival where I'll actually be watching, instead of volunteering at! Hehe.
Posted by stevelee at 04:07 AM | Comments (4)
January 23, 2004
Hawaiian Dreamin
Trip highlights/summary points:
- "Did I see lots of hot women in Hawaii?" Well duh, this IS Hawaii... they don't call this place PARADISE for nothing, yeah? =) Obviously, no pictures... it'd be a little too perverted obvious to snap a picture of hot girls in their bikinis, don't you think?
...Now if you guys had chipped in to buy me that nice dSLR with TELEPHOTO lens, that might be a different story! Haha.
- Besides eating, learning a little Hawaiian and Taihitian dancing, and surfing, learning how to pronounce Hawaiian words was almost worth the trip itself!
- More about learning these dances: I seemed to pick up really fast and shake my hips like no one's business! Obviously, I do my best work below the waist.. ;)
- I totally overpacked... all you need for Hawaii are swimming trunks, flip flops, suntan lotion, and cash! Hehe.
- It's really easy to spot the female Japanese tourists: they're all wearing really nice, expensive shoes.
- Took lots of pictures, but unless you enjoy lots of scenic pictures, you might find them boring. =( In that case, just stick to clicking on the pictures I highlight in my journal below.
- More on pictures: now that I'm messing with aperture, shutter speed and trying to compose my shots better, it's a whole different world from "point and click." It takes me a lot longer to get all the settings set, during which the moment I wanted to capture has already passed... =(
- I just wanted to take a moment to thank 6togo for all her time and help in suggesting things to do and see in Hawaii! What else can I say, other than you rock!!! Much love and mahalo to you! =)
Edit:Per 6togo's recommendations, I really wanted to see either the Royal Hawaiian Luau or Paradise Cove luau, but when those plans fell through just decided to go to Polynesian Cultural Center with the rest of the group... you can read my journal below for my thoughts on the experience. =)
Journal begins... here:
Day 1:
I arrived in Honolulu, met up with Clarissa, Will, Sam and family before heading off to da hotel. We caught the tail end of a storm, so it was really wet and rainy! The weather forecast called for a couple more days of rain, but luckily, the storm passed after that day...
After having 2 different pairs of pants soaked through, and observing the locals, I realized that it's a lot better to just walk around in shorts and flip flops!
We decided to go swimming outside in the rain... something I probably normally would not have done... so that already told me that things were going to be different on this trip for me -- I was determined to try lots of new things out and just enjoy life. =)
We ate at some Ramen House on Kapahulu Ave. -- good food and HUGE portions! *burp*
Day 2:
Will and his dad went snorkeling, while I took the rest of the guys to continue exploring Kapahulu Ave. -- I was determined to find all the yummy places 6togo told me about: Rainbow Drive In, Ono Hawaiian Grill, and Leonard's! After a nice little walk, we finally found the place and promptly ordered a dozen malasadas puffs -- haupia, guava custard, chocolate, and custard! The haupia and guava filled ones were the best! =D
After we got back and the girls woke up, I took them to have lunch at Rainbow Drive In. It was good, but what 6togo told me was true: it tastes different from the mainland... I can't explain how!
We spent the afternoon shopping at International Marketplace before some of us caught the last hour of sunrays. (Note: if you want to get tanned, not too smart to use SPF 50 stuff... sigh)
Everyone met up afterwards to head off for dinner at Chuck's (?), some American restaurant near the Royal Hawaiian Shopping Center, off the main street. Menu sounded good and all, but I just wasn't feeling it -- seemed like something I could easily get anywhere back home... Didn't want to spoil everyone's enjoyment, so just went along and ordered appetizer. I think this is my first meal in Hawaii where I didn't overeat, haha...
But, turned out that I ditched them! =( Will messaged me: "fricking a... everyone was looking for you!" My first thought was defensive: "I thought YOU guys ditched ME! I was looking for you all!" But in the long second that it took to respond to his message, I realized that they were just concerned about me... so I apologized to everyone for making them worried and look for me. This made me think of my relationship with my parents: they say things in a way which I just react to in the worst possible way... before realizing, too late, that they simply were concerned about me. After all, if they weren't worried or didn't care, they wouldn't have said anything, right? I'm glad I wasn't too late this time. =) Gotta apply Pastor Wayne's message of being "slow to speak" more often in my life... Decided to give in to peer pressure and get a cheesy temporary tattoo... why my legs instead of my arms? Well, why bring attention to my lack of guns?? Haha... at least my legs look decent. =P Woke up before dawn to run along Kalakaua Ave. (Waikiki Beach) -- it's amazing how many other people were running at that time, tourists and locals alike! The pavement was a little harsh on my old, gimpy knees but still a nice run -- awesome morning weather, and it was cool to chill on a bench afterwards and watch the sun start breaking over the horizon. By the way... flip flops are great for beaches and all, but suck for walking all around town in them! Ahh well, it was nice to be off the main tourist paths(?) and see the more residential areas. Despite me wearing a loud Hawaiian shirt (damn luau...) that screamed "TOURIST." ;) We woke up to do an island circle tour... it was awesome learning more about Hawaii's history, layout, and language. =) Things that I didn't appreciate the first time I came here in high school... After the Royal Hawaiian luau fell through, I decided to go with the others to the Polynesian Cultural Center. OK, while I had a good time learning about the different islands... something about the place just didn't feel right. It felt very fake how the guides (our "cousins") and other workers would give off an over-emphasized (almost forced) "alooooooooo-ha!"... people seemed friendly, but didn't seem genuine? I dunno... I've been to Still haven't gone ghost hunting yet... it's hard when we don't have a car to get around at night. =( After running again, I went off to surfing school -- dude, it was totally awesome! It really sucked paddling out, but when I caught my first wave, forgot about that completely... Oh man, what a rush!! It's similar to snowboarding, but the rush is almost indescribable when you feel the wave catch up from behind, accelerate and pick you up... at which point you get up onto your board and ride it! Wow!! It's strange... I never considered myself much of a water person before... but here on this trip: swimming in the rain, lots of fish/sashimi, surfing... what can I say? I just continue to grow and enjoy what life has to offer me. =) Final thoughts: Shaved ice with Li Hing Mui (I'm sure I can find this powder somewhere here in Chinatown!) and azuki beans... that was soooo good! (Haha, told you I did LOTS of eating...) I got mine from Waiola Shave Ice on Kapahulu... yum yum yum. That, along with another box lunch from nearby Rainbow Drive In made for a perfect aloha to Hawaii! Hehe.
Posted by stevelee at 11:46 AM
| Comments (7)
Sorry I haven't been updating recently... I've been thoroughly addicted to Final Fantasy XI... *sigh* I haven't felt this sleep-deprived since, well... my Evercrack days. =( Hopefully life will return to normal once school starts up again... hehe. In the meantime, enjoy this movie about tarutaru -- a race you can choose to play as in FF XI, and like the cutest things ever! But because I love you guys sooooo much, I'll work on that Hawaii update tonight! (...OK, so maybe the fact that servers are down has a little something to do with it too...;)) Oh my... check out the new Chrysler ME Four-Twelve -- a mid-engined, quad-turbo V12 that puts out 850hp and lb-ft of torque, and only weighs 2,880 pounds!!! *droooooooooooool*
Posted by stevelee at 11:33 PM
| Comments (0)
As some of you know, I was in Hawaii for the past week; but after hearing from a friend about Gil's farewell party at Steff's, I rushed home... I literally stepped off the plane, dropped off my stuff, and rushed off to the party. (Gil, who loves ya buddy?? ;)) Geeze Gil, I don't know how the hell you can call me a stud when you have like 200+ people at your party, and like over half of them hot ladies?? Beyond his awesome people skills, another thing that amazes me about Gil is his ability to remember names and random facts, despite being drunk off his ass!! Hahaha... it was great seeing all the familiar faces from high school and APhiO and elsewhere... like Dave and MJ! =) I know you're all dying to hear about Hawaii, but this one's dedicated to my sifu Gil. I love you, man!
Posted by stevelee at 06:50 AM
| Comments (3)
Day 3:
We then took a tourbus to Pearl Harbor/Arizona Memorial, and ended the night with dinner at Sam Choy's Diamond Head Restaurant... for fine dining (even though I was dressed in shorts, t-shirt, and flip flops!!), the portions were huge... and ono-licious! =)
Day 4:
I returned to the hotel to meet up and hike up Diamond Head to catch the sunrise -- was a nice way to get more fresh air and chat with the others. =)
After breakfast at L&L (their menu's different from the mainland!! I took a picture as proof, haha...), went back to the beach to chill some more and get some much-needed sun! If you didn't have to worry about burning to a crisp (or watching the FINE babes in bikinis pass by), you can easily fall asleep all day at the beach, haha...
We all got back together and visited the Fort DeRussy Armed Forces Recreation Center, and afterwards I left the group for my luau at the famous "Pink Hotel" (Royal Hawaiian Hotel)... but just as quickly left when I found out that the luau was going to be indoors! I wasn't about to pay no $80 (well $60 with coupon! ^_^) for an indoor luau!!
So, decided to continue exploring the outskirts of Waikiki and finally found Diamond Head Market & Grill on Monsarrat St. I paid $8 for a HUGE lunch box with chicken, teriyaki steak, and char siu (along with brown rice and green salad... no mac salad here)... Oh. My. God. That was like the BEST Hawaiian plate lunch I've had, ever! Sooooo yummy and tasty... and HUGE portions! *drool*
Day 5:
Anyway, we visited the typical places: Halona blowhole (next to From Here to Eternity Cove), Nuuanu Pali Lookout, Byodo In Temple, Sunset beach, and Dole Plantation... what everyone said is so true: you HAVE to try the dole whip! =D
Unfortunately, we didn't visit Waimea Falls -- apparently it got converted to a botanical garden with no other activities, so lots of tourists complained about being bored there. =( If there had been more rain recently, I probably would have gone out on my own -- I would've so loved to take pictures of beautiful Hawaiian waterfalls! =)
Being the supernatural freaks that we are, Will and I decide that we want to go ghost hunting. We inquire at the front desk, and the guy chuckles before responding that pretty much all of Hawaii is supposedly haunted! He recommends that we pick up a copy of Glen Grant's Obake Files... which we do (let me tell you, some of the stuff he writes in here -- I'm not claiming it's true or whatever -- is scarrrry!). Not surprisingly, given Hawaii's history and heritage -- I noticed lots of accounts drawing on ghost legends from China and Japan, and more activity from former slave/plantation areas along the northern and western parts of Oahu!
Day 6:strip clubs entertainment parks where I felt less hustled than at PCC!!
Otherwise, like I said, I had a fun time learning about each island's culture and history... participating in various activities. The best part easily was going up and learning how to do some Hawaiian and Taihitian dancing -- it's scary how good I am at rapid body movements below the waist! Haha ;)
Like Latin dancing, the thing I love about Polynesian dancing is how wonderfully expressive it is... with the addition of hand movements! There are such beautiful dances... it's awesome how men and women of all ages can participate and not look out of place. Like take this one 70+ year old lady who performed for us... she had some of the most graceful and expressive hand movements I've ever seen... it was beautiful! In a way, that made her more attractive(?) than some of these younger ladies who didn't have quite the same smoothness... I dunno, does that make sense? =)Day 7:
I loved every minute of surfing (well, minus all the fricking paddling), and caught on quick despite being a sucky snowboarder, haha. I can definitely see how/why surfers have such awesome upper bodies! I'd love to surf more back home... if I wasn't so concerned about the freezing water, riptides, or sharks... =( ...Plus, I'd probably have to trade my baby for a more practical car... and I'm not ready to do that, yet. Hehe.
After surfing, I tanned on the beach some more before heading off to Chinatown. I walked all 3 square blocks of it, tried a manapua (which turned out to just be a baked BBQ pork bun for us), and wandered over to find the statue of King Kamehameha I.
I came back to say good-bye to the rest of the group, who were headed out for a sunset cruise/dinner while I went to grub on some of the BEST EVER Kalua pork ever at Ono Hawaiian Food!! Wow... so much better than anything I've ever had on the mainland... so juicy, tender, and tasty!! Mmmmm... afterwards, we all spent the rest of the night just chilling... went to karaoke for a few hours, before calling it a night and going back home the next day.January 20, 2004
Gone fishing...
January 02, 2004
Gil Lee, Pimp Extraordinaire
There are probably only a handful of people whose friendship and presence I truly treasure. My buddy Gil is one of them. It's one of those relationships where even though we don't speak or see each other often at all -- despite our proximity to each other -- we still have this ...bond. I didn't realize how much I'd miss him until tonight.