Rigmarole

2003-08-10T21:42:00.000-07:00

Sweet, sweet freedom!!! I can't believe that I'm finally done and over with school -- at least for the time being!

Freedom!!! *runs around frantically* I don't know what to do with myself!

2003-06-11T20:54:00.000-07:00

You had a paper due too, Jae? Scary how you and I both had papers due after finals and during bar review. At any rate, I definitely feel your joy and your sense of release. I finally finished my paper on Sunday (albeit an awful paper) and I felt so light after I turned it in! It was like a millstone 'round my neck the entire time I was stuyding for the bar. And it just struck me that we have another thing in common: We're both studying for the most difficult bars in the entire feckin' United States.

Sa-chan, will write you a lengthy e-mail soon. Haven't forgotten you, m'dear. Until then, lots of love to you.

Will get that darn layout up soon, hopefully. (By the way, Eve, I hope you have fun in Greece!)

2003-05-29T15:26:00.000-07:00

Scary to what lengths I will go in order to avoid studying. Watched "2 Weeks Notice", not two, but three times -- but in three different ways. First, I watched the movie without embellishments. Then I watched the movie again with the extra "blooper" scenes. Finally, I watched the movie with commentary given by the director, Sandra Bullock and Hugh Grant. And I've come to a conclusion after watching the movie three times: I adore Hugh Grant. He is now permanently fixed on my list of favorite devilishly charming British men. Yes, he ranks there with Jeremy Northam and Colin Firth. (Ewan McGregor is also on the list, even though he's not really British.)

Okay, got to start studying for the bar. Just had my first day of classes today. And sadly, I still haven't finished a paper for one of my classes.

2003-05-23T14:06:00.000-07:00

About the latest CLAMP-are-you-all-on-bad-quality-crack-again?!" debacle (or, in other words, "CLAMP -- WTF?!"), I'm actually thinking this is a rather "good" thing. No, I'm not smoking the same poor-quality crack as the CLAMP ladies have been, but really, I'm thinking that perhaps we shouldn't take this series too serious as it seems that CLAMP isn't taking itself too seriously in creating this new work. I'm rather inclined to believe that CLAMP is actually "slyly" poking fun at itself and at perhaps the different spin-offs, fanfiction and doujinshi, that sprung from Cardcaptor Sakura. It's a satirization of the Cardcaptor Sakura fandom. And if you view the new series in this way, it could prove to be a funny and biting commentary -- sharper and more sarcastic than Cardcaptor Sakura was of the magical girl shoujo genre (though of course, Cardcaptor Sakura wasn't sharp or biting at all -- just a somewhat subtle parody of the genre, which wasn't the main focus of the work at all).

So maybe we should just take this new series with a pinch of salt. I'm prepared to be amused, at any rate. And trusting CLAMP, even if the plot is insane, the artwork will be pretty.

2003-05-11T15:31:00.000-07:00

I keep thinking that someday I will have enough time to blog about meaningful things and enough time to write e-mails and to chat online.

Maybe I'll be able to once school is done and the bar taken.

Or is it only wishful thinking?

2003-05-03T14:23:00.000-07:00

You know it's finals time when you see people walking around tight-lipped. Law school is not a happy place when finals come 'round.

Perhaps this is why the school calls the week before finals, "Dead Week".

Anyway, took down the Touya layout until the grand unveiling. Will revise the Sakura website sometime soon . . . maybe after finals? (And Eve, I'm so glad to hear you got to England safely. I hope you have lots of fun!)

2003-04-23T09:30:00.000-07:00

Sa-chan, I just read your comment in the guestbook. Is the image still not working? If it's not, that's kind of strange, as I downloaded the new image on Tuesday and when I visit the page, the image does pop up. If you could check again, that would be lovely.

Anyway, if any of you HTML goddesses have any criticisms on the Touya layout or the Sakura web page, do tell. Your criticisms would be most appreciated. I'm such a novice when it comes to web layout/design, so any criticism would help enormously; I definitely want the sites to be as good as they can be. Criticisms on content, layout, colors (though Sa-chan seems to like 'em on the Sakura web page XD), etc. would be cherished, loved, hugged and cared for. And definitely heeded.

I plan on taking down the Touya layout soon, though, and, if I get criticisms on the layout, fix it and then post it up. I'm actually happy and rather pleased that I managed to finish my layouts early. (But then, I did finish my layouts at the expense of actually doing reading for my classes, preparing for finals, etc., so I suppose I really should be worried. XD)

Okay, that's enough begging for criticism.

2003-04-21T02:13:00.000-07:00

Oh, nearly forgot: HTML for Eve's CCS blog marathon. Still needs lots of tweaking.

2003-04-21T01:18:00.000-07:00

Sometimes, LEXIS really scares me. Sometimes, when I print out a document, it says that the document is 74 pages long. And then, when it finally prints, it only ends up being 20 pages.

LEXIS just likes to play with our minds.

On an aside, I finally have my site up and running . . . sort of. I forgot to download the image for the top frame of the site. Will fix it tomorrow. Anyway, here it is: Sakura Season Be forewarned -- it looks as if someone dipped the site in Pepto Bismol. Yes, it's that pink.

2003-03-30T21:51:00.000-08:00

Is it natural to be so darn hungry at 10:00 p.m.? I have no idea why I've been eating so much lately; maybe I have a tapeworm lurking somewhere in my stomach.

Well, spring break is over. And sad to say, I've done absolutely no work. I'm here at the library, ostensibly to grab a few books and papers that I was going to read, but really, you knew that I was going to go and blog and surf the 'Net first, right? I can't believe that I wasted my entire spring break in doing nothing. I didn't finish one outline, one paper, one project . . . I am so screwed. But I have to look at the positive, right? I just have to study like mad for the next month. Right! *rolls up sleeves* Just work really hard for the next month and I'll be fine.

You needn't laugh, you know.

Seriously, Eve, I think you and I need some help. I can't seem to stop procrastinating! Even after having bad dreams of failing, getting expelled, etc., I still have no fear! I'm feckin' [insert age over twenty here] and I still have no discipline! After 4 years of college (five if you count my one year in Korea) and 3 years of law school, you'd think I'd have picked up a few good study habits by now! But no, I continue to procrastinate and screw myself over.

Anyway, I'd love to meet you! When is a good time for you? I'm thinking sometime mid-April. Just let me know!

And I looked at the page you linked and I thought the character designs were great. I actually like Hermione pretty, for some reason. Actually, I think that Hermione really is pretty; she just doesn't care to do anything about it. At least, that's the impression I got from Rowling's description of Hermione. Rowling never expressly said that Hermione was downright ugly, she simply said that Hermione had bushy hair and large teeth. Recall how good Hermione looked after she reduced the size of her teeth and straightened her hair for the Yule Ball! Harry and Ron didn't even recognize her! At any rate, manga artists are always going to make the main characters pretty. I think it's an unwritten law. I don't think I've ever seen any really ugly main manga/anime character.

Okay, must run. Need to get the hell out of this library and do some work!

2003-03-28T12:34:00.000-08:00

Everyone, thank you for your well-wishes and congratulations! I seriously feel loved! *_____________* Now that I'm moving down to Riverside, I really must see you and you before I go. (Unless you don't want to meet, which is completely fine by me. But I thought it would be nice to meet and shoot the breeze. ^_^)

Must go and study. Haven't done a speck of work all week. Should've gone somewhere and truly enjoyed my break. ><

2003-03-26T10:33:00.000-08:00

Hurrah! Everyone, I got the feckin' clerkship! Woohoo!!! *dances madly*

2003-03-20T21:37:00.000-08:00

Oh, I do have some thoughts on the San Francisco anti-war protests (I went into SF today to schmooze with a couple of judges), but I'll write them down later. Must take a nap. (Oh, and Sa-chan, expect a big, fat e-mail from me soon. Lots to tell.)

2003-03-20T21:17:00.000-08:00

I haven't posted here for so long . . . I've really neglected this poor blog. I've been writing a lot in my LJ, but not here. I think I'm going to make more of an effort to write here.

I just need to think of something to write about . . . or at least write something when I'm not tired.

2003-03-07T10:56:00.000-08:00

Uh, don't hate me, Eve, but I think I'll stick with Akito -- unless there's a really pretty picture of Hatori that someone can recommend . . .

So does anyone have a pretty picture of Hatori around?

2003-03-06T18:53:00.000-08:00

Uh, I know I just said that I want Kyou for my blog layout to Eve, but as Wen seems to have claimed him first, I relinquish my claim on Kyou. So, Wen, dear, he's all yours! Besides, I'm sure Wen will do much more justice to our beloved Kyou-kun than I can!

I will stake a claim in Hatori or Akito, though. If Jae wants Hatori, I guess I'll claim Akito. After all, he is one of the central characters of Furuba, so someone has to host the bastard on their blog, right?

2003-03-05T20:05:00.000-08:00

If we're claiming rights now in Furuba characters, I claim KYOU!

Yes, he's mine, mine, mine (especially now that Sa-chan has claimed Yuki)!

2003-02-25T15:09:00.000-08:00

Um, I have an LJ account, courtesy of Sophie *glomp*. More personal musings (I think) will go there. I did the "friends-only" function, though.

2003-02-19T18:46:00.000-08:00

It's been an amazingly bad two days lately. Yesterday was quite bad, but today was even worse. The only highlight of the day has been Sa-chan telling me that she got my package. (Coincidentally, my transcript from UW also came in today.) Much happiness in that. (Now I'm no longer railing against the post office -- for a moment. I'll begin again soon when I think of Tin's missing package. I wanted to read that letter. *pouts*) Seriously, Sa-chan, you don't know how much knowing that your package arrived safely cheered me. (Did that make sense?) As I said, I've been having a rather bad two days of it.

I just told my teaching partner that I'm dropping Street Law. I've been thinking of it for a long time, actually. Because of . . . certain events last year, I had to take 19 units. I need 19 units (at least, according to my calculations) to graduate this year. 19 units of law school is tough. Really tough. Plus I'm juggling work part-time for a professor. I'm also struggling to find a job (thank my mother for that). I really didn't want to drop Street Law, though. It was a fun class. I really enjoyed teaching it. I enjoyed the teaching chemistry I had with my partner and I enjoyed interacting with the students. I also learned a lot, not only in reviewing material, but also from observing the interaction of students with each other, my teaching partner and myself. It was a rewarding experience. But I couldn't continue it. My schedule didn't allow me enough time to teach the class and focus on my other classes and my prison law clinic. For example, for all three days that I taught at the high school, I had a class immediately following. I had to literally drive like a bat out of hell to get to my class in time for me to find a seat and set up (the class is in the Moot Court room and, as I take horrendously bad notes by hand, I had to find a seat near an outlet). The high school class, including commute time and actual class time, took three hours out of my day -- right in the middle of the morning. These are prime hours in the time of bureucracies; from 8:00 or 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 or 5:00 p.m. -- these are the crucial hours of government offices. But most of that time I wasn't available because of my Street Law class or some other class. So I fell behind on my clinic work, my job hunt, my actual work for my professor . . . everything.

These probably sound like weak excuses. (Aw, heck, they -are- weak excuses.) But either way I looked at it, I couldn't find any other way of working my day out where I had enough time to work, do my clinic work, look for a job, and read for classes. Perhaps if I was better at time management, it could've worked out. But I'm terrible at time management.

Needless to say, I felt terrible when I told her. She was quite understanding, I think. (Or at least she tried to consider my viewpoint as best she could.) Of course, she told me that she was disappointed and frustrated (initially, she said "pissed" but then retracted that) -- which is completely understandable, of course.

More later. Must run.

2003-02-19T12:10:00.000-08:00

One of these days, I will have the energy and the courage to write that damn thesis on the "Hermione/Harry" pairing. Someday in the near future, I hope.

I don't know why, but I am tired beyond belief most of the time. I think it may be because of that awful 8:00 a.m. Trust Wills class. I don't even know why I'm taking the class -- I'm not even planning on taking the CA bar exam -- but perhaps it's the masochist in me that wants to wake up at 7:00 a.m. three days out of the week. I dunno. P'raps I need more coffee (a drug that I actually didn't drink until this year -- see what stress makes you do?) or more Coke (though I swore, as one of my New Year's resolutions that I would wean myself away from it -- unsuccessul thus far, of course -- maybe this is why I need to actually write New Year's resolutions down and tack it on some part of my body as a painful reminder of my resolutions, instead of mentally making note, which is so much easier to ignore). Or I could try to get more sleep . . .

[Cue laughter]

*looking back on post* I'm so tired, I'm writing run-on sentences that seem to make absolutely no sense. I think I'm going to get a Coke. -_-

Some social bloggage:

Wen, you've been in Davis? Well, if you ever feel the desire (not like I expect you to, of course) to see me, let me know! I don't quite understand why Davis is such a fun place to be -- I can only conjecture it's because of your really good friends who live here. My good friends and I migrate to San Fransico if we want to have fun.

Sa-chan, tell me, tell me, tell me: Is that package from me? Is it?! I'm dying to find out! I've been waiting weeks and weeks for you to get that package . . . If it is, I will petition blessings for all postal service workers in my nightly prayers. Anyway, do tell me soon! And thank your friend L (whom I, in my ingratitude, forgot to mention -- thanks for setting the example, Chelle). (And Chelle, you're so sweet for wanting my package to come. I hope your package to Sa-chan gets there soon too!)

Speaking of packages, Tin, I never received yours . . . ;_; I can only curse the US Postal Service (which is abominably inefficient nowadays -- I think it lost my feckin' UW transcript!) until I get it. By the way, thanks for the fic recs! Will be reading them soon.

Eve, I'd do your "Inuyasha"-themed blog layouts, but I'm a hopeless dunce at HTML. I'll give it a shot, though. Maybe I'll do Kohaku?

I have more social bloggage, but I'm already late to class. I'll blog (hopefully) more later.

2003-02-18T17:30:00.000-08:00

Argh, weary to the bone. Rather strange day, today. Spent over two hours at the court facilitator's office in Sacramento for a Prison Law client (an experience which intensifies my hatred of all things bureaucratic -- absolutely no efficiency), which caused me to miss my Street Law class. Missing Street Law class aroused indignation (or a relative of it) and a short reprimand (of sorts) from my teaching partner. Also helped friend move her dog to my backyard for a brief (month-long) stay. Dog escaped from backyard through gaps in the fence, so had to find dog and patch up fence. Also worked on applications for clerkships (a waste of paper and time, but here's to hoping). Much depressed by looking at my awful grades.

Again, I repeat: Weary to the bone. Want to go home, rent movie, loll around. But must read Trust Wills and Sec. Reg., write a brief explanation on why I love bankruptcy law, and rack brains for my "farewell" speech to my Street Law students (will explain later when have energy) first.

2003-02-02T22:27:00.000-08:00

This has been the weekend of movie watching. Rented "Sense and Sensibility" (for the tenth time) and "Escaflowne" (for the first time) on DVD. Can never tire of watching "Sense and Sensibility"--one of the best movies ever. I also watched "Chicago"; I have to tell you, Richard Gere and Queen Latifah really stole the show--especially Richard Gere. My favorite scene had to be "Razzle Dazzle" (not quite sure that's the right name); Richard Gere's performance was spectacular and the scene was a biting, tongue-in-cheek commentary on the judicial process (or so I think). "Chicago" was lots and lots of fun--had my friend and I quite longing to take up tap-dancing lessons. I also watched "The Recruit" this afternoon; definitely worth the matinee price, but not the evening. Wasn't great but a good way of killing time and avoid studying.

Once I finish my work, I do believe I'm going to watch "Sense and Senbility" again. (Yes, I'm obsessed.)

2003-01-29T22:49:00.000-08:00

I just had my first ever Street Law class. Street Law is a seminar that meets once a week to talk about our experiences--teaching high school students. Street Law allows law school students to teach high school students about the law. (Yes, painfully obvious, isn't it?) We have to go to a high school (usually high schools in low-income neighborhoods) three times a week and teach them. You can either fly solo or have a partner. Thankfully, I have a partner; we teach the class together each day the class meets. I'm really thankful for her--I don't think I could've managed this class on my own. (Heck, I know I couldn't have managed it on my own.) It's much easier to face a roomful of high school students with someone beside you, not to mention that it's much easier to have someone to brainstorm lesson plans with.

Anyway, it was a pretty surreal experience. Although I visited the high school earlier this week, today was my first time teaching it. Inwardly, I was shaking with nervousness, but due to some strange facility of mine (for which I'm definitely not thankful), I betrayed no nervousness at all. (The reason why this trait is so awful is because when I tell someone that I'm nervous, no one ever believes me as I appear so calm and collected.) But even though I appeared cool and focused, my mind was actually wandering; I was in a fog all hour long. I couldn't clearly perceive anything, if you know what I mean. Everything happened rather dreamily; my mind could grasp hold of nothing. Because of this, I am afraid I might have callously hurt a student's feelings, though this was definitely not intentional. The phrase just popped out before I was even aware. (I'd explain in more detail, but I'm really ashamed of myself.) At any rate, I must somehow make amends to this student.

I don't know how much the students learned today; we taught rather dry stuff. Differences between civil and criminal, federal and state court systems--subjects that barely captures the interest of a law student. Hopefully, tomorrow will go better as we'll be getting into criminal law. Nothing too heady yet--we need more time to plan out the lessons for the unit--but a little "dip" into criminal law all the same.

Jae Young, we asked the students if they knew how many justices were on the Supreme Court and whether they could name one. None of the students knew the answer to either question. Strange, isn't it? To us, the Supreme Court seems like this august, awe-inspiring, monumental institution, process--a terribly powerful and important cog in the mechanics of the legal system. The Supreme Court preside over questions involving the knottiest puzzles of law and society; the Supreme Court decisions resonate throughout society, affect future policies, laws, and even social behavior. But to the students, the Supreme Court meant nothing. It was simply some vague, distant, abstract concept; a court and nothing more. Puts the legal system into perspective, don't you think?

The students did seem to realize, however, the inherent bias in the appointment of Supreme Court justices; we asked them whether they thought the appointment was fair and unbiased. The students said that they didn't think it was; there was, they said, too much bias in the selection. They pointed out political or personal connections, bribery (which was surprising, but interesting that they mentioned it),etc., etc.

At any rate, I think this will be a tough, but rewarding experience. I'm dreading and looking forward to it simultaneously.

2003-01-15T13:45:00.000-08:00

Addendum:

The things Harry Potter fans (may) do . . .

More guarded than the Crown Jewels . . .

2003-01-15T13:35:00.000-08:00

I'm sure you've all read/heard the news, but I'd thought I'd share anyway.

Rejoice, fangirls!

2003-01-12T13:38:00.000-08:00

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!

I hate, hate, hate, hate this paper!

I'm so frustrated, I can't even type my complaints about it, let alone explain what the paper is about.

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!

2003-01-12T11:44:00.000-08:00

Well, back in Davis once again. I keep telling myself that I only have one semester left -- five measly months -- before I head back home. But those months seem awfully long.

As usual, in typical Belle procrastination fashion, I'm working on a paper that's due tomorrow -- for which I've done none of the needed extra research over the break. I'm very anxious about it, actually, but you know what anxiety does to a procrastinator.

Before I left, I managed to watch: Chobits, eps. 1-9 ("Pantsu"? O_o;;;); Hikaru no Go, eps. 1-19 (Had a problem with how the animators portrayed Korean Go player, but otherwise loved it); Kare Kano, vol. 2 (Love, love, love Arima and want to squash Yukino with the hug of death); Fruits Basket, vol. 1 (Love, love, love, love everyone in the feckin' anime -- I am a dedicated Kyou follower, want Shigure as my own, and, if the members weren't so annoying, would join the Prince Yuki Fan Club). Still have yet to see "Strawberry Egg" and a few others that my brother kindly obtained for me.

Okay, this was all meaningless drivel, but I wanted a few more minutes to ward off the inevitable.

2003-01-07T16:47:00.000-08:00

Y'know, it seems rather amazing to me how "widespread" Korean pop culture is -- at least in Asia. I can't, for some reason, imagine people from China, Japan, Hong Kong, Singapore, etc., watching, listening, reading up on and/or enjoying Korean pop culture. It really boggles my mind to read blogs fawning over the members of Shinhwa or discussing the merits (or faults) of the Korean mini-series, "Autumn Fairytale". I had no idea that other Asians were interested in Korean pop culture; hell, I barely know about Korean pop culture. For some reason, I vaguely thought that the only consumers of Korean pop culture, other than native Koreans, were Koreans living in nations outside Korea. I mean, I knew that some non-Koreans liked Korean music -- I hear that S.E.S. was quite popular in Japan (though goodness knows why) and I think H.O.T. had quite a following in China. But to know that other aspects of Korean pop culture were consumed? Yeh could've knocked me over with a feather.

On a different note, regarding my "dissertation" on the Harry/Hermione pairing . . . I've been meaning to write it for a while, but either motivation or nerve failed me. Truth to tell, I'm rather daunted -- no, frightened by the prospect. I have a feeling that some people are waiting for a dazzling, award-worthy, water-tight argument on the pairing. And although I do have some thoughts on the pairing, I must confess that I don't think I can back up my claims with any substantial proof from the books themselves. In all likelihood, my "dissertation" will be one incoherent, raging rant, devoid of any logic or "canonical" support. In short, it's going to be the insane musings of an insane person. Really, it's mainly a fangirl's sulk. So, a pre-apology to you, my dear friends. At any rate, when I do marshall my thoughts and my courage, I'll write my view on the Harry/Hermione pairing -- of which I seem to be one of small group of supporters. (Ekai, you're still not against it, right?)

2003-01-05T16:05:00.000-08:00

Only a week of vacation left. *sighs* And for some reason, I did nothing productive. I haven't worked on my Law and Mental Health paper (I was granted an extension), I haven't done a speck of work on the job hunt. I haven't finished my webpage. I haven't done anything I swore I would accomplish during my short stay. What I have been able to do is eat, sleep, and shop like a maniac. In the sleep department especially, I've been very productive; I think I've averaged about eight hours of sleep a day, which is a record for me. I've even slept more than eight hours on some occasions. (I suspect that my body has been trying to catch up on lost hours of sleep during the fall semester.)

Anyway, I'm sure you gather, I haven't done much. And I only have a short time to work on my paper, work on the job hunt, meet my friends, etc., etc. All within in a week! I want another week of vacation.

Will write more later. Must skeedadle.

2002-12-24T00:41:00.000-08:00

Well, only a day and a half left before Christmas. So, before I forget: Merry Christmas, dears! I hope the holidays are filled with much joy and many blessings for all of you!

2002-12-17T17:13:00.000-08:00

Just finished my Evidence exam . . . My brain is still bleeding. I have yet to figure out why some professors test you on common law, federal law and California law. A fellow classmate just mentioned that it's probably very helpful in the long run to learn about California law--preparation for the California bar--but then it's all useless drivel to me, who plans on taking the Washington bar. Damn state-centric professors.

I have yet another exam tomorrow--Law and Mental Health--but as it's only worth 20%, I'm going to play a little and give my brain some time to staunch the blood. (That made no sense at all . . .)

I can't wait to go home. I'll be leaving for Seattle on Thursday and then I'll probably be busy doing some Christmas shopping (after coming to law school, I've never been able to do my Christmas shopping early) and helping in my friend's wedding (yes, another one bites the marital dust). I guess I'm at that age when girls get married. Yes, friends left and right are tying the knot--and invariably calling on me to help them. I think they ask me because they know how much I love to decorate; recall, I'm aspiring to be an Asian Martha Stewarts. You may say that all this preparation is teaching me how to prepare for my own wedding. Au contraire, my friends, I don't plan on getting married. I will never get married. I've been saying this since I was in high school and I don't think I'm going to stop now. Friends and family of course laugh at me and doubt me, saying that I'll be the first to go, but I've been holding out so far.

Anyway, enough rambling, gotta run. Must eat and rest.

2002-12-08T21:14:00.000-08:00

Once again, another pointless test.

what's your cowboy bebop theme song?

You know, I feel that we get a lot of the same results for these little quizzes, dear.

And I will eventually write out my thoughts on H/H--as soon as finals are over.

2002-12-03T10:35:00.000-08:00

Dead tired. Flew in yesterday from Seattle; had to take a 7:20 a.m. flight, so got up at the unholy hour of 5:00 a.m. to drive to the airport. Had to ride two charter planes with people who didn't seem to understand the concept of personal space (e.g., one man spread his legs out, guy-fashion, into my tiny foot space, thereby forcing me to press my legs against the wall of the plane).

Roommate's birthday was also yesterday; had dinner, opened gifts, did the unthinkable on a Monday night one week before finals--we bought alcohol and drank. Roommate's birthday wish, I think, was to get drunk. And lightly drunk (i.e., very buzzed) she became. It's amazing how much that woman can chug down--and we're not talking about beer or wine, either. We're talking about Green Apple Smirnoff, Jack Daniels, gin, coconut rum . . . The girl is a mere 5'2" and she managed to pack away 11 drinks. At any rate, the "party" ended at around 12:30 a.m. with us tucking away the birthday girl, who was still terribly coherent.

And then as I lay in bed, drifting to sleep, I had a "Harry Potter" fanfic idea that not only employs my usual melancholy, ah-me-the-world-is-a-dark-and-lonely-place tactic, but also manages to carry out my evil plan of putting Harry and Hermione together. (Please, my friends, suppress your gasps of surprise.) You may think that this idea was the effect of either my inebriated state (but I only had one drink last night) or the kind of drugs I was smoking (though I don't do that either), but you would be wrong. This idea stems from my manical, obsessive analysis of "The Chamber of Secrets" movie--specifically, two scenes which made me blink, then grip my friend's arm in a frenzied transport (though these hopes were cruelly dashed by the ending scene). At any rate, I expect that I'll face a lot of ostracism if I decide to do this fanfiction. I tremble before Ron/Herminone 'shippers and Harry/Ginny 'shippers. (By the bye, Eva, dear, are you still on to plot a "Harry-and-Cho-get-it-on" fanclub with me? And on another somewhat related note, I too sure as hell hope they don't mess up the casting for Cho in the next movie--she better be pretty and likeable or I'll eat my own head.)

More thoughts on "Chamber of Secrets" and "Sorcerer's Stone," but they will keep. Must leave and work now.

P.S. I hope you're feeling okay, Erin!

P.S.2 Tin, dear, it's no problem. ^_^ I just feel like an idiot for taking so long. Trust a technologically inept person like me to bungle such a simple task.

2002-11-26T12:47:00.000-08:00

Another time-wasting tactic:

Which CowBoy BeBop Session Are You?

2002-11-24T16:49:00.000-08:00

Your integrity and sense of morals are as strong as a steel wall. Your honesty and pride give you honour, and your haste to defend the honour of good people make you worthy of being called a friend. But you harbour deep feelings of unworthiness, and hide them beneath layers of outward strength and discipline. Because of this, you have a hard time allowing others to call you a friend, and find much of your discontentment turn into frustration. Try to understand that by letting others in, you eliminate much of your frustration and improve your true self-image.
Which Love Hina Girl Are You?

2002-11-12T22:49:00.000-08:00

Is it possible to become tired of the Internet? Yes, even I, the Internet junkie, am becoming a wee bit bored with the Internet. Sounds crazy? Admittedly, yes. But there's only so much of the 'Net that a mortal can take. And I think that I've reached my limit. After years and years of gorging myself on the Internet, after hours and hours of wasted time bathing my face before the glowing screen of my computer monitor, I'm becoming a little queasy--the 'Net has become somewhat distasteful.

I wonder if I'll ever see the sign that says, "You've reached the end of the Internet" like that one man in that one commercial . . . (Forgive me, but I can't recall what the blasted commercial was about.)

Nah.

2002-11-10T14:05:00.000-08:00

I did it again!

Which Harry Potter Marauder Are You?

I don't know if I'm really like this or I just subconsciously select characteristics that will ensure this result. At any rate, this is the second (or is it third?) time that I've been identified as (or identify with) Sirius.

And yes, if you couldn't tell, I'm a huge fan of Sirius.

2002-11-08T10:24:00.000-08:00

Yes, it was raining--storming in fact. On my way to the school parking lot, I was thoroughly deluged. My friend and I shared an umbrella between us and ran, squealing like little children, all the way there. (Yes, you indeed read it right: "Squealing like little children.") Scarily, though, I actually relish this weather; it reminds me of home. I especially love lying in bed, listening to the rain beat against the windows. I'm always a lot more chipper when the weather turns stormy or wet, like this. (Yes, I'm strange.)

I, shamefully, did not vote. Okay, I'm actually unrepentant. XD I'm as apolitical as they come. Even though I'm registered to vote, I never, ever vote. I think this is due to a very enlightening lecture I received 'way back at UW from my political economics professor; a lecture regarding the rational actor theory. (I can't claim rationality all the time, but when it comes to voting, I claim it to the high heavens.) I really don't know what the heck is going on in the political arena; I don't even know what election we're dealing with right now. And law school only makes an even more convenient excuse for my ignorance. XD

Well, like her, I'm feeling a bit under the weather. (By the way, I hope you feel better soon! *hugs*) I feel strangely woozy. Damn, right before finals, on a feckin' four day weekend--ideal for catching up on outlining--I fall ill. Well, dammit, I'm not succumbing! *shakes fist* Hell, no, I won't fall sick, not now!

*cough*

Okay, I best be moseying along now. Need to find some hot tea or something to ward off this oh-so-inconvenient sickness.

2002-10-31T16:08:00.000-08:00

Yes, I got rid of the last post. Don't ask why, though, as I don't really understand it myself.

2002-10-24T00:09:00.000-07:00

I hate my school building--the library especially. Not only is it the scene of many wasted nights slaving away at boring reading assignments and cramming for agonizing exams, it's also always bloody cold! Whenever I come to school, no matter how warm the day is, I always come armed with a sweatshirt or a coat to protect myself from the bitter cold of the library. Scarily, no one in this building can control the temperature; the librarians say that the library is at the tender mercies of some unseen, outside force--namely, some people at the administrative building have sole access to the bloody thermometer. Who is the bloody genius that decided to give temperature control over a building to people who aren't even in the building?!

I swear these people are enjoying our pain; those sadistic monsters probably have a camera to watch us shiver. ><

2002-10-20T23:02:00.000-07:00

One thing I must learn to do: Buy plane tickets home for the holidays early on. This is one circumstance in which I must beat procrastination down. I've been trying to find a reasonably-priced ticket home to Seattle for the Thanksgiving holidays but nearly every single airline has put exorbitant prices on their tickets. Luckily, I found a "good" flight; it's not ideal, as I'll be skipping, yet again, more classes (and I've skipped a lot of classes this semester) and will have to leave Monday morning, instead of Sunday night, but it's the best I can do. 'Sides, I really shouldn't complain as I'm the stupid git who reserved her tickets at the last minute.

2002-10-10T10:25:00.000-07:00

At long, long last I've finally finished the memo. After two days of missing class--that's two class periods for each class--and only 13 hours of sleep, I completed the memo, two days late, technically speaking (actually, I was only two minutes past midnight when I turned it in). In my tiredness, I actually had the audacity to say that the memo was only "a little bit late."

><

Anyway, kidlets, I finally have a little time to relax! But of course, I'm extremely behind on my reading.

Some social bloggage:

Eve, I can't leave any comments on your fic blog! >< But I did read the snippet and I must say that your "Digimon" snippets are delectable. Really, I'm extremely impressed. And don't worry about procrastinating--take advice from me, the self-pronounced duchess of procrastination (I'm sure there are girls higher in rank in procrastination, but I think I at least qualify as a duchess), though you're just lolling around now, your procrastination will eventually kick in and move you into working. But when procrastination actually activates it, I can't say. That's one of the problems of procrastination.

Tin, again I must fall down and worship at your feet. The conversation between Clow and Eriol was amazing. *grovels*

Imouto-chan, even though the New Year has yet to arrive, I've already formulated one of my resolutions: I will go to the post office. (The same goes for you too, Jae Young.)

Erin, is it me or did your birthday just pass? (And does that apply for Sophie as well?) Anyway, a happy belated birthday to you, love!

Wen, good luck with everything. Seems like Berzerkley is becoming crazier, huh? Well, hang in, there!

Hmm, I really should put some of these comments in my fic blog, but I'm too lazy.

2002-10-07T21:33:00.000-07:00

Ah, I'm so very dead. 20 page memo due to my professor tomorrow . . . and I haven't even finished reading for it. I procrastinated all weekend; I simply lolled around all day while I was at home. Even today, I continued to slack off. And now I'm paying in spades. Dead on my feet, brain malfunctioning . . . I will definitely die tomorrow.

When I was young, I was able to whip out a 20 page paper with relative ease. What happened? Curse you, old age!

2002-10-01T10:01:00.000-07:00

Business Associations is not fun. It's even less fun when it's slated for 8:30 a.m. It's even less fun than that when it's for an hour and half. And not even a nattily-dressed, cute, and brillant young professor can make it more amusing.

Anyway, nothing much has been going on. Tired to death, presently. And rather nervous--I'm heading back home for a couple of interviews. Yes, dear friends, I managed to snag some interviews. So, wish me luck, dears, for I need all the good luck I can get.

More later. Too tired to write right now.

P.S. I hope you feel better soon, Wen!

P.S.2 Jae Young, honey, I know you sent your address to me, but I must confess that I can't find it. Send it again for me, please?

2002-09-22T18:59:00.000-07:00

I've been watching "Angelic Layer" yet again and I've been wondering: Does Kotarou end up with Misaki or Tamayo? I can't find any information on it--and the information that I am finding doesn't make me too happy. >< I only have up to episode 20 and I'm waiting around to find the remaining 5. But I can't help but spoil myself rotten.

Anyway, I adore Tamayo, but I've been rooting for the Kotarou/Misaki pairing all throughout the anime series. And yet (if my research proves correct), by some strange, twisted, awful turn of events--TAMAYO and KOTAROU get together!!!! What in hell?! How can that be?! All throughout the friggin' series, you have Kotarou blushing like a friggin' peony every time he's around Misaki! What gives?!

Another strange rant by someone who really needs to get back to working on the job application process.

2002-09-16T17:00:00.000-07:00

I love and hate the way I avoid the inevitable.

I have a quiz on hearsay in Evidence tomorrow, yet I'm surfing the 'Net.

I am Procrastination's most devoted follower and devout worshipper.

2002-09-13T11:32:00.000-07:00

Jae Young, can we wallow in our inadequacies together? Though I can't really say that you're inadequate; (extremely) far from it, really. In this one thing, love, I think you're very, very wrong.

So I suppose this leaves me to wallow in my inadequacies alone. I don't know who said that the first year of law school was your most hellish year--probably some fool who decided not to stick with law school for the remaining two. (Damn bastard.) All three years are hellish; each year, you have to contend with another difficulty. First year, you battle with the new environment (i.e., the sharks, the stuffed shirts, the zealots) and the unfamiliar language (e.g., res ipsa loquitor). Second year, you duke it out with all your classmates over summer associate positions (provided that you want to work as a cog in the corporate machinery--I didn't, so I can't really complain that my second year was bad). Third year, you struggle to find a job, if you didn't already receive an offer from the firm you worked for in the summer (again, I didn't work for a firm this summer, I did a judicial externship instead, so now I'm scrambling around for a job).

I haven't learned much in law school, but this much I know: Law school beats down your ego like nobody's business.

I've also learned to hate the phrase, "We'll keep in touch." Dammit, just tell me you're not going to call me! Don't leave me hanging onto those awful, ambiguous words!

Every time I submit a resume to a firm, I feel as if I've stripped myself bare and am standing naked before them. I tell you, it's not a pretty sight.

I don't know how long I can deal with this. Each week, I've had at least one nightmare involving a very literal dreamscape (e.g. Mom washing my shirt and shrinking it into the size of a toddler's tee shirt); this week, I dreamt that my ATM card, my wallet, my checkbook, and the face of my car stereo had been stolen. I was so worried, I woke myself up, turned on the light and checked to see whether I still had these items (which I did).

See, Eva, dear, I told you I couldn't last! XD

2002-09-12T10:01:00.000-07:00

Ah, yeah, baby.

I'm just watching a bad dream I'd never wake up from.

Find out what anime bad boy you are.

Yes, I'm pretty silly, but still I'm thrilled.

2002-09-09T20:28:00.000-07:00

I am too damn cool!

I just changed the light of my car headlight! All by my self!

Of course, ordinarily, it would've taken a skilled person a minute to replace the light and any competent person only five minutes. It took me twenty minutes. The only "mechanical" skill I have--and you can't even call it mechanical--is changing the light bulb. Oh, and I can also program the VCR. But that's pretty much about it. All other things, technical, mechanical or computer, I'm all thumbs. Suffice to say, it was really difficult. I had to hold my cell phone to my ear as I received instructions from my cousin while trying not to touch the light bulb with my fingers (the light bulb is that delicate, they say, it can't get any dirt or oil on it). I also had to fend off mosquitoes--that may have had the West Nile virus. I was also sweating profusely from all the pressure.

But I did it! So I'm still giving myself props, because I didn't have to go to the mechanic this time and change it!

I also have a long, long scratch, starting from the middle of my upper arm to my elbow, but I consider it a wound of battle! A wound of triumph! (Though I probably won't be thinking that when I see the scar.)

Applause, anyone?

2002-09-05T00:24:00.000-07:00

For some strange reason, my body and brain have--though not for the first time--rebelled against my conscience. My conscience says I should go home, finish reading my Evidence assignment and go to bed. My body and brain, on the other hand, cry out, "Let's blog!" Let's surf the web! Let's re-watch "X"! Let's not go to sleep at aaaaaaallll!"

Dammit, you two, this is the reason why I'm getting such awful grades.

So, because my body and mind are stronger than my conscience, I'm sitting here in the basement computer lab, squinting through parched and blurry eyes at the screen. Not very good for my already deteriorating vision, no.

I had a very strange dream last night. I dreamt that my mom washed an expensive and beloved dry-clean only shirt, which shrank to the size of a toddler's top. (Or at least to the size of a five-year-old child's shirt.) Anyway, being the obsessive, picky freak that I am, I ranted and raged. In the middle of an especially acrimonious tirade, I woke up. I felt my body desperately wanting to rush over to my closet to see whether my dream had come to pass. But I stopped myself, realizing that to do so would be pretty silly, especially at 4 o'clock in the morning.

My scariest dreams always happen to be the most literal ones.

If I were a psychologist, I'd analzye the shirt as the embodiment of my fear of not getting a job. Or I'd just say that I was plain crazy.

And if this were possible, I'm beginning to become even more worried about my job prospects. I had an impromptu interview with a firm two weeks ago. At the end of the interview, the partner said we should schedule a more formal interview when I come back for the Thanksgiving holiday. The partner also asked me to submit a resume via e-mail as soon as I "got one" together. I sent the resume two weeks ago and then called to confirm its receipt. (By-the-bye, I sounded really stupid on the phone. "Hi, this is B.Na and I'm calling you about the job. I sent a resume . . ." Damn, I am an idiot.) The partner wrote back an e-mail which said, "I got your resume. Let's keep in touch."

I have this awful sinking feeling that the partner wasn't terribly impressed with my resume and my interview.

Anyway, I don't know how long my heroic resolution will last, Eva, dear. I don't think it will last more than a day. Hell, I'll even wager that I break my resolution within five minutes of writing this very sentence.

And I absolutely adore your pink dress, Jae Young. I know you're going to look gooooooorgeous, darling!

Gotta go. Seems like my conscience actually managed to browbeat my body and mind into submission. Or at least my body, because I'm really tired.

2002-09-04T10:27:00.000-07:00

I've just had a mind-blowing epiphany: I complain. A lot. In my blog.

Unfortunately, given my current situation (i.e. law student), this is pretty much all I have to talk about. I lead a pretty boring life.

But I have come to the conclusion that I will now not only try to write about events other than law-school related ones, but also do other things that will lead to more interesting and less whiny blog entries!

Wow.

2002-08-30T10:52:00.000-07:00

Well, m'dears, at last, I'm able to post something a little longer than a simple, "Hey! I'm still alive!" Although I haven't been able to post much, I have been keeping up with you all through your blogs. If nothing else, at least I should know what's going on.

We just started school not too long ago; Monday, in fact. And I moved in with two new roommates, fellow law students, just on Sunday--the day before classes started. (How's that for masochism, Jae Young? Two, count 'em, two law students!) On top of this, I've been trying to figure out my schedule. At last, I decided to drop Trust Wills and took on Trial Practice, a class I had dropped in order to take Bankruptcy. (Yes, I'm pretty silly.)

I've also started working as an RA for my professor. Already have my assignment and will work on it later this afternoon before the library closes. On a related tangent, I also plan on working on my own papers for publication; want to polish 'em up and send in 'em before Thanksgiving, if possible.

On a different, but related, note, I'm still slogging through job applications. Still need to find more firms, still need to write more cover letters. Law school advisors suggest that a student write an individualized letter for each firm, but how, pray tell, does one do that? Supposedly, you write a specific characteristic about that particular firm in your letter to display your extensive research efforts in examining that firm, but why do that? They already bloody know what they wrote on their Martindale-Hubble descriptions, they practice in those bloody fields, they know which major clients they serve. Then why tell them that again in your cover letter? Further, they're probably going to ask a question regarding said information during your interview? Isn't the whole point of writing a cover letter is to prostitute your skills? Show 'em what you got? Why regurgitate what they already know and already have said?

I don't understand the job application process.

On a happier and less whiny note:

Eves, deary, I definitely do need the ice here--literally and figuratively. It's been boiling in Davis and my Washington skin can't take this California heat. Further, I'm already quite stressed out--and it's only the first week of school. So, yes, love, send that ice right on over!

Yes, Sa-chan, I do indeed owe you a mail--many, many mails in fact, both e-mail and post. They will come soon.

And happy birthday, Jae Young, dear!!!! *hugs*

And Wen, love, I hope your second year at--what was it?--"Bezerkeley" goes better than last year. (By the way, when do you want to meet?)

2002-08-29T16:01:00.000-07:00

Jae Young, I definitely agree on getting you gifts. XD

So, how can we get those gifts to you, hmm?

More later. Gotta go to class.

2002-08-27T18:03:00.000-07:00

Ach, it's been a long time loveys, since I wrote last. But it's been a craaaaazy few weeks; lots of last minute things I had to work on, exams to take, etc., etc. The boring life of a law student preparing to return to her little hell.

More to report, but I gotta dash. Social blogging later too.

2002-08-12T21:21:00.000-07:00

A little study avoidance: I took the test that Sophie had on her livejournal blog.

What Was Your PastLife?

Hmm, am I really a philosopher? Seems a little strange . . .

2002-08-07T13:16:00.000-07:00

I absolutely loathe job hunting. Really, really loathe it.

When you're not a very tasty first-year-associate-wanna-be, it's really difficult to find jobs. Damn near impossible, really. And the fact that the economy is awful right now doesn't help. And the fact that I chose a profession where there is an over-saturation (is that a word?) of workers in your profession doesn't help either.

I'm spending the remnants of my vacation looking for jobs--poring over that bible of legal firms, Martindate-Hubble, refining my (pathetic) resume, writing out cover letters (specifically tailored for the firm, naturally)--as well as trying to write out and memorize flashcards on Professional Responsibility. Did I mention that I also dislike Professional Responsibility? (Curse those Watergate bastards!)

Of course, I also have a wedding to attend and help with (I get to arrange the flowers for the tables--at last, a long-desired wish has come true: to be an Asian Martha Stewart . . . though I suppose considering her tarnished reputation, I'm not sure that this is good anymore), which is scheduled a few days after my final, and a younger sister to see off to Iowa (she's going to graduate school there--and I'm not sure why she picked Iowa, either) the day before my final and a bridal shower later that same day (which I will more than likely skip because a final in Professional Responsibility is a wee bit more pressing). All of this is going on within the week of said final.

Everything seems to come at once.

On a different (and less whiny and selfish) note:

Dear Imouto-chan, I really hope you're doing all right. Contact me if you need anything, okay? Hell, I know I'm in the States, but I don't care. I'll do whatever I can to help.

Eva, dear, you've really piqued my curiosity. Who are all these authors that you're reading? And how did you go about finding them? Do tell.

And Wen, hon, if you can and want, I'd like to meet you out in Berkeley or San Francisco one day. I only have a year to go in California and I've resolved that school can go to hell (it's already reached Purgatory and it's on its way down through other Catholic levels of damnation, if there are more); I'm going to play in the city s'more. I haven't really taken a fancy to California in general, but I'm in love with San Francisco. Anyway, do let me know. (But no pressure!)

Now, it's back to trolling for jobs!

2002-07-31T17:36:00.000-07:00

Dang, I can't believe the summer is nearly gone. The older one becomes, the faster the summers slip by. Actually, time in general speeds up as you grow older. It's rather sad, really. I wonder why? Perhaps it's not really sadness, but nostalgia. But those two feelings aren't exclusive--so perhaps we feel nostalgic sorrow. Or perhaps nostalgia is always tinged with sadness. I really don't know.

Yes, summer is drawing to a close. I'll be in my final year of law school and then I'll have to make my way into the adult world. Despite the fact that I'm 2--- (no, I refuse to reveal my age--I'm ridiculously old and I've been out of college for a few years), I still feel as if I'm a college student. I think this is because I've always shied away from jobs, traveling, etc., always preferring the safe, relatively small and familiar life of academia. In school, you are able--for the most part--to select the people you want to be friends with and ignore the people you dislike. You don't really deal with the vagaries and eccentricities of others--and, what's more, you don't see the effects of your own vagaries and eccentricities on other people. Now that I'm in law school, now that I'm working, I'm meeting a lot of people that I would've avoided in my younger days. Now I have to confront them, now I have to deal with they way I act around others. Now I have to deal with the relationships and politics of the workplace, as well as the larger world itself. And by politics, I don't mean the (practically) binary system of our government, but the professional and personal relations of the workforce and of society.

Human contact is a painful, confusing process. I wish I could go away somewhere and be by myself.

2002-07-17T16:51:00.000-07:00

Jae Young, welcome home! Glad to see you back, blogging! Seems like you had a good time in Vegas and LA!

Haven't really been doing much. Just hanging out, going to work at the court, going to classes. I absolutely adore Seattle in the summer. I love Seattle in all weathers, really, but there is something about the summer. It's been rather hot here in Washington, generally speaking, but a cool breeze is usually blowing through the corridors of the city--the new buildings that are being put up block the sun, a little, and maintain the cool flows of air.

Tacoma, surprisingly, is also turning out really well. The courthouse that I work at is simply stunning--huge displays of Chihuly artworks decorate the foyer and hang in the windows; the city did a wonderful job in revamping Union Station. The courtroom and the chambers are equally impressive, too.

This is a rather clumsy entry--very incoherent, no?--but I gotta dash.

2002-07-02T12:48:00.000-07:00

I can't believe I've already reached [insert double-digit number beyond 20 years old here]. And I still receive comments from Koreans about how young I look. Jae has said that strangers say she looks 17 years old. I've been told that too. The oldest age anyone has pegged me for was college freshman (and that was my Law of E-Commerce professor). The youngest age that I've been accused of being was somewhere in the junior high school age bracket--and that was last week.

O_o

But Caucasians always call me "Ma'am." You don't know how much that bugs me. It's silly, I know, but dammit, I'm not -that- old yet! I know these people (who are usually customer service representatives or cashiers) only say "ma'am" to be polite, but dang, a nice "Miss" wouldn't be bad. I can't possibly look that old when all these Koreans and other Asians peg me as a kid!

>_<

Don't mind me. It's just one of the rantings of old age.

2002-05-21T11:38:00.000-07:00

I AM DONE!!!!

I just finished my last final.

I AM DONE!!!!

Just one more paper to go and then I'm free.

2002-05-08T22:40:00.000-07:00

I've just had a shower. In the library bathroom.

You see, I was in the bathroom with a friend, both of us leisurely washing our hands, letting the warm water splash over our hands. We chatted idly for a bit and flicked drops of water at each other. Suddenly seeing a devilish glint in my eye, she says, "Don't even think about splashing me. I have bigger hands than you." A moment's pause. Then the water flies. Elyse was definitely right: her "big" hands held so much water, I nearly drowned. Before I could deliver the final blow, she scuttled out of the bathroom. She was so fast, the door was still swinging when I made it to the hall and she was nowhere in sight.

It was the most fun I've ever had in this building.

There's something about finals that brings the kid out in me.

2002-04-29T19:51:00.000-07:00

I am so crazy. I just offered to design a web page for one of my law professors.

I don't even have mad web page designing skillz. ><

Luckily, my professor says that I'm not bound to do it. I told him that I wanted to do it as I have Dreamweaver (which has been sitting dormant on my laptop for months) and I wanted to hone my extremely puny web designing skillz.

Yes, I am crazy. Fortunately, my professor recognized this fact. Hoorah.

And I should be outlining Con Law. I've just wasted four--no, five hours doing nothing. ><

2002-04-27T15:58:00.000-07:00

I have found the wretched disc!

In typical Belle-fashion, I had stuck it in the pocket of my jacket and promptly forgot about it.

Now I just have to work on finishing the damned outlines. ><

Thank you, lovey, for the luck--I really think you helped me find the disc. Your good karma wafted from NY to CA.

Anyway, as you and I are in the same boat, much luck to you on your exam! *hugs* (And though this is late, heart-felt congratulations to you on the job!)

Now back to the salt mines of outlining I go!

2002-04-26T10:51:00.000-07:00

Panic . . . panic . . . panic . . .

It's the end of the world, my friends.

I've lost my friggin' disc--the most important, the most valuable disc in my pathetic possession.

It was the disc with all my outlines on it.

And like the unbelievably stupid git that I am, I failed to make copies of it.

I will die if I don't find it.

And I managed to splatter coffee on my left pant leg. Now I have pleasing large wet spots in several places (re: attempt to rid coffee stains by water and industrial strength flay-the-skin-off-your-hands school soap).

Actually, I don't want to wait to die. Someone just kill me now. ><

2002-04-21T16:01:00.000-07:00

By the way, read this. And this. And this.

Discussion on this later.

2002-04-21T15:49:00.000-07:00

As I was telling a friend yesterday, I feel that I've become dumber and dumber as the years have progressed. I think I've forgotten a lot of things that I used to know (such as whether a duck-billed platypus is a mammal and what characteristics qualify the duck-billed platypus as such). Or perhaps I do know these things but I feel insecure around this friend. I always become more foolish and less confident around him. (And no, despite what he thinks, I'm not attracted to him. ><) We were once talking about Wittigenstein and he asked me if I knew where he was from. I've heard of this philosopher before but I couldn't quite remember his citizenship. I guessed that he was German. My friend said he was actually an English philosopher, but my friend also conceded that he immigrated from Germany. Needless to say, I felt silly.

I've read a bit of philosophy in my time--Heidegger, Foucault, Derrida, Rousseau, Barthes, etc.--but that was a long time ago (and it was required reading for a seminar). And though I enjoy it, I don't actively pursue it. (Actually, truth to tell, my reading habits have regressed; I've been reading more and more children's books. For instance, I just re-read "Farmer Boy" by Laura Ingalls Wilder last night. And I must say, there's quite a bit of racism and ethnocentrism--or at least racist/ethnic stereotypes--contained in the "Little House" books.) And my memory is like a sieve. I can't really remember anything but my name, phone number (and my memory is, sadly, quite spotty on this--I've forgotten my number on several occasions), age (I've forgotten this sometimes too) and address. I can't possibly conceive how this guy manages to retain all this information. Anyway, whenever we discuss philosophy, I always feel silly. I still talk about it with him, nonetheless.

Yeah, I'm a bit silly. (Or should I say masochistic?)

All right, some social blogging is in order . . .

Wen, if you're looking for some other Korean music to listen to, I really recommend Baek Ji-Young. She has very catchy and spicy (there's no other way to express it) music. Her recent album, "Tres" is awesome. And I love your new layout. I swear, you have such beautiful blogs!

Sakura, once again, I must say congratulations! *hugs* You've finally made it through college! (Gosh, when I went through it, I thought I'd be in college forever. Yes, I'm old.) And don't worry about work and all that. I know you'll find something you like--and that, to me, is most important. (By the way, have you heard from Toei yet?) And as soon as I find some extra time, I will be scanning two "Harry Potter" pictures that I've drawn especially for you. ^_^ And as I've finally figured out the "layering" function in Photoshop 5.5, I think I'll be able to color them properly. (But dang it if don't take a long time to do!)

Sophie, once you're finished with your "Tomoyo" picture, do show it! I'd love to see it!

Silverlight, I know this is late, but congratulations on your acceptance into a university! *hugs* It's wonderful news!

And Kit, thanks for the comments on "Psyche." *hugs* You're too sweet. And I join Silverlight in begging for more of "Bed of Nails." It's deliciously wicked and funny and has converted me into a "Digimon" fan.

All right, I must go trudge off to work.

2002-04-13T16:16:00.000-07:00

I am in loooooooove!

You are gorgeous!

Damn, you boys are fine!

Lupin, darling!

Isn't he a dear?

They are adorable!

And yes, I am crazy. XD

2002-04-06T18:07:00.000-08:00

Addendum: Listening to the "Cowboy Bebop" soundtracks are extremely, wonderfully therapeutic. Ah, catharis through music is awesome.

That's all.

2002-04-06T17:57:00.000-08:00

Let us rejoice! I'm finally finished with my first draft. Of course, there are as many gaps in the paper as there are holes in swiss cheese, but I decided to let that slide. I'm extremely behind on outlining and I only have a few weeks left before the dreaded "dead week." Wish me luck, everyone! And if you catch me blogging, I give you leave to yell, rage and throw large sharp and blunt objects at me. I really need to focus on my school work. (And a big grateful hug to Eva for the luck! Thanks, dear, I need it!)

Am now putting myself on a strict fast from blogging and all Internet-related activities. (And watch me break my heroic resolution in a day! XD)

2002-04-05T18:04:00.000-08:00

Jae! I'm glad you liked 2%! Ain't it yummy? Once the local Korean grocery store proprietor, seeing how much I loved the water, convinced me to buy a whole box of 2% in the bottle. I drank all twenty bottles in a couple of weeks.

You know, whenever I go grocery shopping, I always buy a lot of drinks: water, Coke, juice, sparkling fruit water, etc. I buy more liquids than food. Hmm . . .

Anyway, I have yet to try the Aloe water you recommended. Will have to buy it this weekend.

And Eva! Glad to see you up and about, m'dear! I looked at the link you provided and fortunately I heeded your advice before I visited the site. I'm not an overly religious person, but there are limits, you know. That was awful.

Gotta go. Must work on dratted paper.

2002-04-02T21:24:00.000-08:00

I'm slowly sliding into insanity.

I used to love my paper topic. I used to be excited about my paper topic.

Now I'm beginning to hate my paper.

It's starting to sound like an incoherent, inelegant jumble of bullshit.

Burn in hell, paper, burn in hell.

2002-04-02T10:59:00.000-08:00

Ah, I admit that I was one of the many visitors who came to your site repeatedly, Jae Young. ^_^; At first I thought it was a blip--perhaps Pitas failed to post your entry. Then I realized you purposely left off your post.

I never did claim that I was the sharpest knife in the drawer.

2002-04-01T16:40:00.000-08:00

More on the "comfort women" issue--specifically regarding relations between the Philippines and Japan at the time when the "comfort women" controversy was a "hot" political issue in the early 1990s. An excerpt from Ianfu--The Comfort Women of the Japanese Imperial Army of the Pacific War: Broken Silence by David Andrew Schmidt (2000):

On March 11, 1993, Japanese Prime Minister Miyazawa offered Philippine President Fidel Ramos a "sincere apology and remorse" for the enslavement of Philippine women during the Pacific War. To date at least forty Filipino women had publicly stepped forward to demand an apology and compensation from the Japanese government for having been forced to serve as ianfu. . . ..

Manila was careful not to offend Tokyo's feelings on the ianfu issue. To the Philippines, Japan was the largest investor, its biggest aid donor and a major source of tourism. The sad irony is that a large portion of the tourism entails "sex tours." . . ..

Don't get me started on all the shit about Korean women. >_< After reading this, in addition to all the other research I'm doing, I'm liable to explode.

Power, politics and men make a mighty fucked up combination.

2002-03-30T19:08:00.000-08:00

If I may be allowed to join the debate about bad pop stars, although I agree with Jae that J.Lo has a very limited singing range, I still like her better than Britney. I think what makes her songs more enjoyable to me is her lyrics and the beat. My friends and I think that the reason J.Lo is so popular, in spite of her singing, is because she has a damned good songwriter. (Plus, she's sexy. More than half of her audience consists of men, I think.)

And as for Uhm Jung Hwa, I've liked her music ever since I heard, "Festival" and "Muh-la" ("Don't Know") back in '99. I haven't heard all of the songs on her new CD, but for some reason, I can't imagine her singing ballads. She's always represented catchy, dance-inducing pop to me.

If you dislike ballads, then I suppose you don't like Jo Sung Mo. I love ballads, especially Korean ballads. And Jo Sung Mo's ballads, if I'm understanding the lyrics correctly, are always so sorrowful! (But you know me, I simply relish angst.) And it certainly helps that he's easy on the eyes (though the pictures here aren't that nice).

2002-03-28T11:04:00.000-08:00

Once again, I'm blogging--or, in other words, avoiding the writing of my paper. But I can somewhat rejoice as I've finished the bulk of my research. Now it's just time to write, which is the part I love.

Kit, there's nothing wrong with you, m'dear! You're lovely! Don't worry, you'll find a good roommate soon!

Silverlight, I do hope you're feeling okay. I hope you're not coming down with the flu. If you have, do take care of yourself! Drink lots of fluids and, most importantly, get lots of rest!

Again, I'm listening to Korean music. I just adore Dear Music! I get to select my favorite songs and put it into a "music box." It's a temporary cache (all the songs they have available are only the most recent songs and they're only available for a short time) where you can store your songs and listen to whenever you're on the web. And you can choose to listen to all the songs or a select few from the ones that you have. I love it! (I've gotta somehow scrape enough money to buy these CDs.) Presently, I'm listening to "Chu Rak" (which, I don't know, because I don't have my dictionary handy ;_;) by Baek Ji Young, "Good Life" by Drunken Tiger, "Dah Ga Ra" ("All Go") and "Gil" ("Way" or "Road") by GOD.

Did I mention how much I love Korean music?

2002-03-27T14:05:00.000-08:00

Listening to Uhm Jung Hwa's "All Go" (I think that's the title, but I could be interpreting the title, "Dah Gah-Ra" incorrectly). Dang, I'm addicted to this song. I've got to get this CD and her "Special Best" CD. She has such catchy music.

Anyway, I'd blog s'more but I really need to study. I haven't done much this morning and I'm freakin' out because I still have a lot of research I need to do. More later . . .

2002-03-24T19:05:00.000-08:00

Ah, I really shouldn't be blogging but I need stress relief. Sad is the law student who must stay behind during her spring break and research and write and catch up on all the outlining that she's been ignoring for the past two months. But I suppose I deserve this fate. Yes, the procrastinator is repentant.

Anyway, Imouto-chan, did you get my e-mails on "Akogare"? (Once again, I'm really sorry for sending the "corrections" to the ML at large. My stupidity . . .) Oh, and I really want to e-mail you--lots o' stuff to talk about--but sadly, I promised myself no fat e-mails to Imouto until I finish my research. (I have literally hundreds of pages to go through for my "comfort women" paper--which also explains the rabid entry earlier.)

Dang, I really need to get Brandy's new CD. I'm listening to "What About Us"--very, very catchy. And I definitely need to get Baek Ji Young's new CD, "Tres". Funny how my music tastes have changed over the years. When I was younger, I wouldn't listen to pop or rap; I preferred Nirvana, Tori Amos, The Cranberries, etc. Now I can't get enough of pop and R&B. (Though I still do listen to my old favorites.)

Ah, talk about random chaotic blogs entries! ^_^;

2002-03-24T12:35:00.000-08:00

At this time, I'm so angry, I know I really ought not to attempt to write about this. Although true objectivity is impossible, I still believe that one, in writing on any subject, should try to remain as neutral as possible. But I can't do that now--I must give vent to my feelings before I explode.

I am disgusted with Yoshinori Kobayashi, a "renowned" manga artist. I am disgusted with various Tokyo University professors and other scholars. I am disgusted with various Japanese officials. To continue to deny the violence done against thousands of Korean, Filipina, Chinese, and Indonesian women during the cruel, arrogant and invasive--I repeat invasive--expansionism of the Japanese empire is not only false but repulsive. To dismiss the atrocities committed against these women, to portray the women as willing prostitutes, to claim that such acts and testimonies are fictitious is revolting. By continuing to deny historical fact--and these incidents are truly factual--you are not only distorting truth and bolstering false and misinformed pride, but dehumanizing and degrading the women who are making these claims. You are not only making light of these women's experiences, but you are calling them liars. And although the Korean government is not completely blameless (the government turns a blind political eye to their plight), I still cannot and will not overlook the perversity of those who continue to deny and distort the truth.

But I am glad and heartened to know that there are those, such as Professor Yoshiaki Yoshimi, Yayori Matsui and various Japanese feminist groups who fight to rectify these mistakes, who struggle alongside the victims and their helpers to bring these crimes against women to light and to effectuate justice and truth.

Stop the fucking lies before it's too late.

2002-03-21T10:58:00.000-08:00

I've been wondering whether I'm truly ill or whether I've become a hypocrondriac. >_< This year has been awful for me by way of illness. I'm not prone to sickness, but for some reason, I've acquired the constitution of a nervous, paranoid invalid. (Have I become a Freudian female?) Anyway, I've resolved to take some Chinese herbal medicine (hanyaak), which, I humbly think, is a very progressive step for me. I once took hanyaak in my youth and nearly died of gagging. Thereafter I resolved never to drink it again; hanyaak is nearly as poisonous as hemlock, but with supposedly "restorative" effects. But considering my current state of health, I don't think visiting a Western doctor and hearing the obvious, "You have too much stress and need to sleep more" will help much (after all, I am in law school--such things as relaxing and sleep are friggin' luxuries). Hanyaak is terribly strong stuff (not surprising when you think about what is actually in the durned concoction) but it supposedly strengthens a weak pulse and restores blood circulation, two symptoms which I've been exhibiting lately.

Actually, Wen, I'm actually only a hop, skip and a jump away from you. I absolutely love the Bay Area and wish I could visit more, but time constraints and a group of friends who dislike venturing out of their homes/library make frequent visits difficult. I've actually been wondering if we should meet one fine day. ^_^ Anyway, I think I know what snack you're talking about--the crunchy noodle snacks that come out in various flavors, including chocolate and strawberry? Whazzit, "Bu-shah, bu-shah" or something like that. I do remember the snack coming out when I was in Korea back in '99-'00; Clon was advertising it on TV. I actually had some while I was there. It's a good snack--like real instant noodles, but not quite as unhealthy. ^_^

As for the recent Berkeley catastrophe, I feel for you, I really do. Big schools are like that--endless bureaucracy, red tape, incompetent employees . . . Honey, I've been through it all at my own school at home. You'll weather through, though, once you've gotten it into their thick skulls as to what needs to be done.

I have another Korean drink recommendation for you, too. 2% Plum Water. (They have it in lemon flavor, too.) It's sweet, but refreshing! I highly recommend it! (I lived off this water during the summer in Seoul.) And like you, I've been having weird dreams lately too; again, I think it's a result from my seemingly poor health.

My sister also visited Boston and, like you, she too was horrified by the prices there. But what horrified her more was the quality of the coffee. Being from the capital of the evil but tasty coffee monopoly, Starbucks, my sister was appalled. She can't possibly function without her daily dosage of dark, caffinated lovage, so the poor dear suffered acutely. And it was definitely fun reading about your adventures in Boston. But it's awful how squalor and luxury can be thrown together in a space--it seems obscene and surreal, doesn't it?

And Sophie, as I'm not a member of Deviant, I couldn't leave a comment (I'd sign up but I'm lazy ^_^). But I must say that the drawing had a very good, vivid and interesting use of color and lines. I liked it! (And Nakuru looked very dashing--rather reminiscent of "Utena".)

Hmm, I just realized that this entry is liberally peppered with links . . .

2002-03-19T17:35:00.000-08:00

New liquid love: Mae Shil Cha (Plum tea). I discovered it last weekend while I was at Pusan Korean Market in Oakland. The box looked pretty; the tea pictured on the box prettier still. And though the tea isn't the lovely apple green color depicted on the carton, it tastes wonderful. March is definitely not hot tea weather in California, but the season has been really strange so far. It's been quite cold and windy here. Today was an exception, however; an exemplary Northern California spring day, warm and in the mid to upper 60s.

A little social blogging . . .

Imouto, I'll copy "Akogare" from ff.net and look over it this weekend. ^_^ Sorry I haven't been e-mailing; I've been in a funk, lately (I'll explain in the e-mail). Anyway, I'm glad you made it out of predelibs alive--I think all of us were a little worried. ^_^

Silverlight, do e-mail me Hecate on crack. I've been dying to hear it. XD

Sohpie, I'm unable to see the picture you posted on the ML. ;_; Is there another place where it's posted?

Wen, I too love "Blade of the Immortal", even though it has been, at times, a leetle too graphic for me. I can't remember which chapter it was, but I actually felt faint and clammy and had to put the comic down for a while. (Yes, I'm faint of heart. >_<)

Kit, I'm glad you had fun in Boston. ^_^ Any adventures while you were there?

Well, loveys, I must be off now. Hopefully, I'll be able to blog s'more. (Again, it depends on whether I've been good or not.)

2002-03-14T10:37:00.000-08:00

More social blogging (that seems to be all I do). Wen, because of you, I've fallen in love with "Magna Carta". (By-the-bye, I love the new layouts. You always have the best webpage layouts!) I visited the web page last night and I was completely floored by the art work of Kim Hyung-Tae. Anyway, if you're having trouble, I could try to get information on how to order the artbook for you. My Korean isn't that great, but I could figure it out or ask a friend to read it and translate it for me. Just let me know.

I also looked at some photos of Kim Hyung-Tae; he looked a lot like the guys I saw hanging around Shin'chon in Seoul--the college boy who smoked incessantly while playing "Starcraft" in a PC room. Ah, good ol' Korea. How I miss that place. Seoul was always so lively. And the food! Don't get me started on it. Even though I walked constantly to the subway stop, to the bus stop, to Yonsei, to my students' homes (and they were all very far, believe me), I don't think I lost any weight. Or if I did, it was minimal. Blame it on the all the restaurants and cafes and bakeries. There was always some eatery every other store on a street. I always stopped somewhere for a bite or a snack. (Koreans, seemingly, love to eat. Guess that explains my atrocious eating habits.)

And Korea had fun music. I know a number of people who think Korean music is fluff and to a certain extent, I suppose it is. But it's fun fluff! If you want something that's a little more edgier, I suggest T, Crying Nut or Drunken Tiger.

2002-03-13T10:08:00.000-08:00

Dearest Wen, I'm glad to read that you're feeling better. I think I understand what you're going through.

Interactions with the world, with people, hurt. In the arena of relations, in the contact of your mind with another, there is often misinterpretation and misunderstanding. It is not only the big, explosive productions of cruelty that shock and disturb me, however; it is often the little things, the small, subtle acts that are most cruel, which reveal the littleness of man. So daily, we are subjected to to cruelty, to coldness, but on a minute scale. And because it is constant, we barely notice or feel such cruelty. And what makes it worse is the fact that we have experienced it so often, we no longer recognize it. And it is this ignorance that helps perpetuate this cruelty and the bigger, more noticeable acts of cruelty as well, like the senseless killing of innocents whose only transgression is that they are on the opposing side of politics and religion.

And because it's painful, because you feel these small and petty acts so acutely, you just don't want to deal with the world, with people, anymore. You want to ignore it, hide away from it. And so you withdraw into yourself, because it is nearly impossible to physically hide yourself from it. For the pain you suffer is not necessarily physical, but spiritual.

I don't really know how to deal with it either.

2002-03-10T18:45:00.000-08:00

Ah, Sakura-chan, I totally forgot that your argument was scheduled for the 9th! Gomen, gomen! (Again, your old, decrepit oneesama has forgotten something important. >_<) Anyway, I hope it went well! I do remember that you have an argument scheduled for the 16th as well (I consider that D-day--the day that Sakura is done and can turn to more important things--such as "Kanaete" and "Fujitaka" XD). Good luck on that!

And Silverlight, I wasn't able to listen to you as Hecate on crack. ;_; Is there any other way I can listen to it? (And by the way, good luck on your play! I wish I could see it, but as I can't, the next best thing to do is to cheer you on! Ganbatte!)

2002-03-08T22:26:00.000-08:00

Am I a freak to go back and correct spelling errors and grammatical mistakes in past entries?

Don't answer that. >_<

2002-03-08T10:48:00.000-08:00

Thank you to Sakura, Tin, and Kit for all your concern! *hugs* You girls are the best! I'm much better, thank you.

Anyway, I just watched "X" the movie. Dang it, I wish I knew the series better. But goodness, what animation! The artwork was splendid! Can't say anything about the plot, however, as I'm not too familiar with this particular series. I'm now motivated to look up information on "X" (damn, another reason to waste time and not work!).

And I, like Silverlight, have screwed myself over. I procrastinated so much, I only left myself two months to work on a fifty-page paper. Again, lack of the fear factor (i.e. getting kicked out of lawschool and emigrating to Canada) seems to be the problem.

Need fear, need fear now . . .

2002-03-02T22:34:00.000-08:00

And so the melancholy mood continues . . . Sheesh, you'd think I'd be over this blue spell by now, but I suppose moping all day in my room, listening to "Blue" and re-watching the end of "Cowboy Bebop" doesn't cheer one up. I can't seem to focus on my reading (but what else is new?); I'm reading Criminal Procedure at a snail's pace.

Anyway, I've got to get back to work.

2002-03-01T12:14:00.000-08:00

Kit! Yea, we're white dragons! ^__^ It's nice to know that I'm not the only white dragon around here. By the way, how did you like "Legally Blonde"? It's pretty hilarious, isn't it? My favorite line had to be when Elle's dad tells Elle at the pool, "But only boring, serious and ugly people go to law school. And darling, you're none of these."

How true he was. XD

And Sophie, I'm so glad you like to make people sparkle with your drawings. But you haven't told me what you want me to do to make you sparkle in return. ^_^

Wen, I'm glad you understand . . .

And yes, Imouto-chan and I do have something up our sleeves for the ML. So tremble, fear and beware!

Silverlight, I assume, like Kit, that you're back in school. Wish I could get quarantined. At any rate, I hope everything is going well with you.

More blogging later if I'm good. (It won't be bloody likely, but I still hope.)

2002-02-28T21:13:00.000-08:00

Listening to "Blue" from the "Cowboy Bebop" OST. Lovely, lovely music. The beginning is especially beautiful. I dunno, but I have a fondness for ethereal music and Latin lyrics. (Which was why I bought a CD of Gregorian chants. Dang, I shouldn't have left it back at home.)

Anyway, I think I need to revert to hermit mode again. It seems strange but I'm getting rather tired of dealing with people. I don't want to know any more people, I don't want to make any more friends, I just want to be left alone. Developing relationships with strangers is too draining. I really don't need any more drama in my life. And that's what relationships add to your life--drama. Highly confusing, highly painful drama. The closer you become to a person, the more you risk becoming hurt. I suppose you're testing boundaries, exploring the limits, finding out what you can and cannot do. But I'm tired of it. I'm tired of having to excuse, explain, maintain, empathize, respect . . . the circumference of a person is too vast for me to comprehend and too tiring to even bother trying to understand. People are too capricious. And I'm not the most perceptive or the most sensitive person in the world. Or perhaps I'm too sensitive and paranoid. At any rate, it's all too confusing. It's too painful to deal with the vagaries and idiosyncracies of a person. I don't want to deal with it any more.

Of course, I always say this. I always say that relationships hurt, people hurt, and I don't want to be hurt. But then, stupid me, jumps into another relationship, rashly decides to take another risk. Why? I don't know. Perhaps I'm a masochist. Or perhaps I believe that this relationship will turn out better. But each time I've tried, I've ended up becoming confused and frustrated and angry and hurt.

I just want my little circle of friends. The friends I've always been able to depend on and trust. Friends who understand me as well as I understand them; an amity so close, there is seldom misinterpretation.

But then, one of my friends says that that is the way people grow. Is that a truth or a cliche? I don't know.

Ah, I sound gloomy. I wonder if the carrot cake I just ate has something to do with it . . .

2002-02-28T20:54:00.000-08:00

A WHITE Dragon Lies Beneath!

I took the Inner Dragon online quiz and found out I am a White Dragon on the inside. If there ever was an apparition of balance, power and reclusive intelligence, my Inner Dragon is it. Whites are a fairly common dragon and are considered one of two harmonious dragons. My anti-thesis is the evil Black Dragon.

My Inner Dragon likes to think things out, plot against enemies, and look down upon the world from the highest mountain peaks. My favorable attributes are the Day, the Sun, truth, a positive attitude, and helpful magic. Humans only need fear me when they stray into my domain without proper tribute. Of course, that tribute would probably be a cake the size of a Volkswagen, but hey, if they wanted to move through my turf they should have brought it, right? If someone ever really wanted a fight I'd be an impressive opponent, considering I pack a breath weapon combination of Fire and Lightning. Even the nicest dragons can do some serious damage.

2002-02-26T11:01:00.000-08:00

I just read your comments, Sophie and I'm very sparkly over them. *hugs* Thank you so much! I admit that Tin does have a very strong influence on my writing (as does Faulkner and Woolf), but I hope that my writing is still my own--at least enough not to be accused of plagarizing. (My high school teachers have put the fear of God into me when it comes to plagarizing. >_<)

Anyway, I don't know if I ever thanked you properly for that lovely Nakuru drawing. Every time I look at it I get all sparkly. I need to devise you something. What would you like done, m'dear? I'll try my best, with my meager skill, to write or draw or do something. Heck, I'd even dance for you if that'll repay for that gorgeous drawing. As I was telling Imouto-chan one day, I was really very touched and flattered that a person would draw a picture based on one of my fics. You and Imouto are the only ones to have done it. I was really very happy when I saw your drawing.

Anyway, Kit, did I ever tell you that you crack me up? You, Imouto-chan, and Silverlight are constantly making me laugh--and in law school, one rarely laughs. It's a much-needed stress-reducer. I definitely need more humor in my life. Law school is oftentimes much too serious.

2002-02-25T17:29:00.000-08:00

Yeah, Killiko, love is like a chocolate pudding. Delicious and creamy and rich and . . . Hey, wait a minute! I'm obviously getting my stomach and my heart confused. >_< (I should never blog before dinner.)

I've actually never really been in love before. Serious crushes, perhaps, but never in love. (And I've had only one really serious crush; the rest I consider mild flirtations.) But when I do fall in love, ya'll be the first to know and have the first opportunity to poke fun and laugh at me. I expect to be ridiculously silly when I fall in love; I'm a normally quiet, serious and reserved person, unless I'm around friends. So I'll probably fall hard.

I often claim that after I graduate from law school and fritter away youth and middle-age in wanton dissipation and debauchery, I'll retire to a remote Spanish nunnery where I will devote the rest of my years teaching orphan children and knitting lace. I always claim that I'll never marry--goodness, why add to the earth's already burgeoning population?--and I'll be a happily swinging singleton. I've already offered to watch over the offspring of my friends' children when they go on vacation. Of course, my friends tell me that I'll be first one to go. >_<

Oh, ye of little faith.

2002-02-23T14:40:00.000-08:00

I think I'm addicted to the Internet. >_< I'm supposed to print out some things and then head home, but here I am, typing away. The fact that I have a ton of work to do doesn't deter me; neither does the fact that I have a large brown milk tea stain on my white shirt pocket spur me to go home and wash it. Nope, as long as I'm on the Internet, I don't need a thing. Damn, I need to learn some self-control. Are there any hotlines that I can dial?

2002-02-18T21:32:00.000-08:00

Glad to hear that you received my letter, Michelle. And don't be sorry. Things happen. (And I do hope that everything is going well with you.) Anyway, I'm really, really looking forward to the re-write of "The Wasteland". *rubs hands gleefully* (And yes, I've been relentless in trying to wrest the re-written draft from you. Apologies. ^_^)

And Sakura-chan! How's your thesis going? The end is nigh, my dear! You've (almost) made it through the wilderness! (Yeah, I know it's a line from Madonna's "Like a Virgin".) Good luck! Oh, I read your list of "romantic" fics and, excepting my own little work, all were excellent. I must admit that I haven't read all the fics up there, though I have read most, and am in the process of trolling for those I've overlooked.

Silverlight, my dear, I do hope you're feeling better. *hugs* I recommend lots of sleep, vats of tea and honey milk, and long hours of reading "Harry Potter." I've also sent to you, by express mail, Ron Weasley, trussed up in the characteristic pink bow. He's on his way now. And I thank you and Imouto-chan for the lovely comments on "Elegy for a Cowboy". Really cheered me up, that. And what's even better is the fact that the comments are from writers I admire! ^_^

Kit! Happy belated birthday! I hope your twenty-second year is full of blessings, love, and joy!

Oy, I'd write more, but I'm exhausted from a ski trip that I took over the weekend. Yes, law school be damned!

2002-02-12T10:55:00.000-08:00

Once again, dawdling as usual. I really should be working on outlining Con Law or researching or something . . . Despite my annoyance against myself (Conscience: "Work, dammit, Belle, work!" Me: "Aw, just a few more minutes . . ."), I'm feeling rather happy. (I've been in a rather stressed and foul mood lately--I may divulge later.) Once again, I had a humongous span of time (again, my conscience was yelling at me to study) and I wasted it by reading "Emma" and "Escaflowne" fanfiction. I topped my day of sinful time-wasting off with a quick trip to the video rental shop and brought home "Emma". Watched it before going to bed and consequently had visions of Jeremy Northam and Ewan McGregor dancin' in me head. (And quite literally, too. I kept dreaming of the ball scene.) My heavens, Jeremy Northam is handsome! And he's so . . . so good! (At least as the character, "Mr. Knightley".) I'm swooning!

2002-02-08T16:59:00.000-08:00

Back in the research saddle again. Yep, I'm trolling the library for books and articles for my "Comfort Women" paper . . . on a Friday night. I'm burning to do research and improve the paper. I received a nice grade for the paper, but after re-reading it I realized that I really didn't deserve the grade. The paper was awful.

Lessee, reading "Violence and the Word" by Robert Cover right now. Very interesting. (By the way, Jae Young, he mentions Dworkin a few times. Still need to read him. Heck, I may have to read him for my paper.) Anyway, the article explores violence in judicial acts--specifically sentencing--but I think I can twist his theory around for my purposes. That is the beauty of academic writing. You can take a theory or an idea out of context and hammer it into your own. Rather like fitting a square peg into a round hole. (Or is it the other way around?) Just as long as the appropriated idea is somewhat relevant, the use of that idea is okay.

All right, back to work.

2002-02-05T15:22:00.000-08:00

You know, I think I need to keep a journal of my embarrassing or otherwise foolish interactions with professors at the law school. The number of "incidents-in-which-I-acted-like-an-idiot" would fill volumes.

Incident #1:

Just last week, I was called on in Criminal Procedure by my dear and kindly arch-nemesis, Professor Feeney. Professor Feeney isn't at all mean--he's really very kind and a good professor to boot. But last year, when I had Criminal Law, he called on me at every single class, every single damn week. To a girl who had ardently desired anonymity, this was too cruel. Some days he would ask me a question; on others, he would simply call my name--"Mr. So-and-so, you need to speak louder so Judge B.Na can hear you in the back." (My friends and I had many theories as to why liked to call on me; maybe it was my location in the room, my name--which has a Southern ring to it and Prof. Feeney is from the South, etc.) Many of my classmates still recall this. In fact, this was the triggering incident to my embarassing encounter with Prof. Feeney. Anyway, he called on me in class and I told him I read the wrong assignment. He still required me and my classmate to come up to the front of the room to participate in an exercise of humiliation (i.e. we had to pretend we were petitioners in a Supreme Court case and define the 4th Amendment in our argument). Later that day, I bumped into a classmate and she said, recalling last year's Crim. Law, "Man, Prof. Feeney really has it in for you." To which I shouted, "Yeah, he does!"

And as our voices echoed across the courtyard, Prof. Feeney walked by.

God seems to have a rather cruel sense of humor.

Incident #2:

I'm walking along an otherwise empty hallway, attempting to open a bottle of sparkling juice. (Callistoga Mountain Berry--very good.) The ride in my bag shook the bottle up a little, but of course, I didn't realize this. I open the bottle and the juice fizzes out. Frantically, in a sorry attempt at damage control, I plant my mouth over the top (actually, it was more like a strange dance consisting of me jumping around and craning my neck to the bottle--of course, I don't think of raising the bottle to my lips). Just as I perform this, there walking toward me is Professor Joo, my Contracts professor.

Incident #3:

My most recent and idiotic exploit. I'm walking to the law school bookstore. On my way, I see Professor Chander, Sunder, and Wolf. Professor Chander is holding up his hand in greeting. I smile and chirp, "Hi, Professor Chander! Hi, Professor Sunder! Hi, Professor Wolf!"

I don't personally know Professor Wolf.

I could have simply said, "Hi!" and been done with it. I guess I just had to prove to them that I knew all their names and I wouldn't get them mixed up.

Yeah, I don't know how I got into law school either.

2002-02-04T11:41:00.000-08:00

Wen, I was wondering if you'll be posting your doujinshi soon. I've been wanting to see it! I know that it'll be wonderful as you possess both artistic and literary talent. Wanna see soooooon! (By the way, I love your new layout. Very elegant, simple, and pretty.)

And Imouto-chan, loved, loved, loved "Scene from an Afternoon".

Gotta run--Constitutional Law reading calls!

2002-02-03T15:12:00.000-08:00

To make you feel better, here's something to snuggle up with while you're in bed:

Lupin: *struggling* What in bloody hell is going on, here? Is this woman mad?

Harry: *sighing resignedly* Professor, it's no use trying to free yourself.

Lupin: I take it then, Harry, that you've gone through this before.

Harry: *nearly in tears* You have no idea, Professor. Once she has a hold of you, she'll truss you up and toss you to this "Imouto-chan" of hers. And the horrors and humilations this "Imouto-chan" will subject you to--posing for fanart, writing fanfiction coupling you with Ginny--

Lupin: *still raging* But what really irks me is this ridiculous bow! This woman has terrible taste! Pink is not a good color on me! I'm an autumn, dammit, an autumn!

Harry: Er . . .

Feel better soon, Imouto-chan! *hugs* Lots of Lupin and Harry love and gallons of honey-milk!

2002-02-01T12:59:00.000-08:00

YEEEESSSS!!! *dancing around*

You are a SIRIUS to Harry! You are a nice person, often prejudged, but overall a very loyal person. You're very close to the people you know, you have a liking for dogs (and other canines) and a great companion. Loyal and truehearted.

Which adult in Harrys life are YOU?

Anyway, Silverlight and Imouto-chan, I hope you both are surviving. I know it's rough (goodness knows how burdensome and stressful school can be), but you'll pull through with flying colors!

2002-01-28T23:44:00.000-08:00

Okay, call me extremely pathetic, I took another test. (Y'know, Imouto-chan, I can see why these quizzes are so much fun! Not very educational, but damned entertaining.) I've never watched "Gundam" (suppress your gasps of surprise, my dear friends), so I don't quite know what to think.

You are Heero Yuy. You are
considered the Perfect Soldier and pretty much go through with missions as you
are told or instinctly act on. You appear to be stone, but deep down there are
emotions that help drive your actions.

Again, in descending order, I was Duo Maxwell, Trowa, Quatre Rabera Winner, and Wufei.

Again, I ponder . . .