Date: December 3rd, 2008
Cate: Complaints & Confessions, Random
4 msgs

Does it Really Have to be Mutual?

It never fails to amaze me how long Asian couples manage to last. Their relationships are always so committed and full of devotion, i.e. it seems like they can never get enough of each other. Even in college freshmen dorms, couples are springing up everywhere - people don’t even need to get acquainted with campus first! Maybe someone should ask them the secret to staying together, not Dr. Phil.

But I’m not writing to comment on the relationship turnover velocity of those boys and girls. Thinking about life and its trivialities (as I frequently do!), I came across a familiar question of mine:

How is it possible that two people really like each other?

I mean, simultaneously. Does it really take two to tango? Does the feeling really have to be mutual? What are the chances that someone actually feels the same way, right then and there?

more))

Date: November 25th, 2008
Cate: Complaints & Confessions, Miscellaneous, Reminiscence, Television
1 msg

I Want to Build an Empire Like Walt’s

My favorite Christmas gift that I received when I was little was this “Polly Pocket” style Cinderella castle. It was my first exposure to the ingenuity of the vast Disney brand. There was a secret chamber where Cinderella “transformed” from rags to riches; a stair that flipped over to reveal a lone glass slipper when you wished to replay the scene where she runs from the Prince at midnight; a spinning dance floor where Cinderelly and the Prince can twirl together to “So This is Love” to the disdain of her stepmother; a hidden pull-out compartment in the back to store the three Cinderellas (Maid, Ball, Wedding), her fairy godmother and all the others. Of course, I still have the thing - it sits on a shelf next to my prized Japanese food miniatures, special edition Peter Pan action figures and golden Mickey ears.

I highly doubt anybody doesn’t have a fond children memory involving Disney. After all, the fairy tales we learned were the work of Walt and his minions, not the originals of the Brothers Grimm - maybe the “Cinderella” we knew first was easier to fall alseep to than the German version where the stepsisters actually mutilate their feet to fit the slipper. Who didn’t yearn for a Disneyland vacation as a youngster, only to encounter crowds and long lines; memories of fussy crying while waiting to fly in Dumbo or meet Sleeping Beauty are still memories. We all had Mickey Mouse clothing (I’m not referring to the retro t-shirts people have now), bedding or backpacks.

The genius of the Disney brand lies in its lasting impression and ability to progress with the times. Of course, its portfolio diversification doesn’t hurt either. Because Disney is a well-known and distinguishable theme of fairy tales, “happily ever after” and memorable characters, it fares well when branching out from cartoons. It can keep the unique but recognizable characteristics without being tacky or obvious. Disney’s subtlety and adaptability ensures that it will be “Part of Your World” for decades to come (sorry, I couldn’t resist the pun).

more))

Date: November 19th, 2008
Cate: Complaints & Confessions, Random

Nothing’s Better Than a Good Hair Day

I really don’t mean to brag, but if I had a nickel for every time someone complimented my hair, I’d have a lot of nickels!

Well, let me give something back: my favorite hairsprays are Dove Extra Hold (scented or unscented) and Garnier Fructis Style Sleek & Shine Anti-Humidity Hairspray. The only way to go is aerosol (sorry, Environment) and these have fine mists that don’t leave hair stiff - always remember to spray with your arm extended.

I should compliment people more.

Date: November 15th, 2008
Cate: Complaints & Confessions, Family, Gluttony
3 msgs

Move Over Internet: It’s Cooking

Nowadays, on-campus college living means my own [big] room, clean bathrooms, functional living room and private kitchen. Now, instead of studying, I spend just as much time cooking (and thinking about what to cook) as I do surfing the web. More procrastination!

Ever since my sister kindly let me know that Mother made green curry for dinner one night (she always makes the good stuff when I’m away), I’ve been eager to try it myself. Since the Ranch Market here around school sucks, I was expecting the curry paste I bought to suck. But it was okay! The batch I made lasted, unfortunately, for three meals.

My college cooking resume consists of:

  1. Thai Green Curry
  2. HK Style Spaghetti Bolognese
  3. Faux Chicken Cacciatore
  4. Spicy Garlic Eggplant (via Lee Kum Kee packaged sauce)
  5. Self Magazine’s Market Sandwich

along with the standard ramen, fried rice, frozen dumplings, smoothies and tea. My favorite things to cook and eat are the friend rice and the spaghetti because they taste good eaten fast and stuffed into your mouth. Of course I still have a load of green curry paste and chicken in the freezer, plus a package of tofu I’ve yet to use. It’s really hard cooking for one.

How do you think Mothers do it? How is it that they can think of something cook every night for dinner? It’s like they always know exactly the correct groceries to buy and have an endless database of recipes in their brains. I have a really hard time figuring out what I can do with the things I have in my refrigerator.

I wish my Mother would just freeze pack food and send it to me.

Date: October 28th, 2008
Cate: Complaints & Confessions, Gluttony
1 msg

How can you govern a country which has 246 varieties of cheese?

One of the greatest dilemmas in my life is trying to reconcile the simple joy of eating with the aesthetic of being thin. I find it more and more difficult to curb cravings and resist temptation. When the only exercise I get comes from walking to class, it is dangerous to give into late-night ramen, after lunch ice cream or Mexican food.

For some of us, food fascination is trying the new snack wrap at McDonald’s. For others, it could be watching Andrew Zimmern put down a beating cobra heart on the Travel Channel. It could be trying all the flavors at Baskin-Robbins (notice that the re-branding left out the 31?); finally getting reservations for El Bulli; getting something besides orange chicken at Panda Express; enjoying kaiseki that tastes just as good as it looks at Ursawa; having hummus instead of mayonnaise on your sandwich. The foodie culture and rise of foodie blogs has left me wondering: is what I eat a worthwhile utilization of my daily calorie intake?

more))

Date: October 21st, 2008
Cate: Complaints & Confessions, Miscellaneous
2 msgs

What if Your Name Determined Personality?

This is Tila. She is a kindergartener. I stumbled into her at my local garage salon when I went to get my first hair perm, which is another story.

When I heard the hairdresser call her name, I reacted how anyone would: Tila? Like Tila Tequila?.

After I got over the surprise, and the pain from the flinch it caused (since my head was over the sink for a rinse), I felt some pity. Her generation might never make the association, but we will always know her as the Tila Tequila kid. What if someone from my generation becomes a teacher for her generation? There’s a moderately-lived workplace joke.

more))

Date: September 23rd, 2008
Cate: Uncategorized

Money to Burn

Dear Miss Tai,
Thank you for joining the Waiting List for our Limited Edition Metal Spiked Clutch.
Due to the exceptional response we have received we wanted to contact you to confirm your continued interest in this sought-after piece.
At £1,495 this soft leather Metal Spiked Clutch will only be available in very limited numbers.
To confirm your interest, please reply to this email and our Customer Services Associates will contact you shortly.
Kind regards,
Burberry Customer Services
Let me know if you are interested (have 3000USD to burn).
Date: September 14th, 2008
Cate: Complaints & Confessions, School
2 msgs

Life’s Interruptions

As summer vacation draws to a close, I can’t help but try to imagine what sophomore year of college will be like. Having gone through one year away from home, I now know what I really need to survive away at school.

I hope having my own room this year will help. I don’t have to accommodate roommates’ weird sleeping habits or worry about being considerate. Now I have room to decorate and personalize - to really make school seem more personal, not like some sleep-away camp.

I don’t have to worry about unwanted interruptions and distractions because I can fully control who goes in and out of my room. But I can’t help but think that I will be my own biggest distraction/interruption. Knowing me, I always opt out of schoolwork for fun. I’ll do anything to avoid doing work: laundry, accompanying friends to do something, eating, cleaning even!

One thing will be for sure: it is going to be difficult adjusting. This was one loong summer. Getting back on track and a regular academic schedule will be tough. The other day my interruption was so trivial: suffering from a headache, I tried to take a nap because closing my eyes was the only way to stop the pounding, but then I suddenly got the hiccups and I couldn’t fall asleep! You don’t know how infuriated I was. First of all, I never get headaches. Second of all, I don’t nap. Third of all, I hate getting hiccups and out of all the rare times I get hiccups in a year, this had to be one of them. I was fuming the rest of the day, head still pounding away.

Some interruptions were good. When I was supposed to be packing today, I instead decided to make something to drink. First I had a soy banana and strawberry smoothie for breakfast. And then I realized I could make strawberry lemonade with the Simply Lemonade and fresh strawberries in the fridge. Best and easiest refreshment ever.

What did you do this summer?

Date: September 12th, 2008
Cate: Family, Home & Pets
6 msgs

“Can You Tell Him I’m Letting the Pregnant Bug Go?”

Kids are really weird these days.

My brother’s friend called, twice, and the second time asked to leave a message: “Can you tell him I’m letting the pregnant bug go?”

My brother has been bringing home an insect the past several days. First it was a blue dragonfly and then a butterfly. Of course, he let them go in the backyard after. I think it’s something he and his friends do during lunch time.

Actually, this is what kids should be doing - playing outside, running around on the grass, making mud pies and whatnot. I can’t wait until he starts bringing home wild rabbits and gophers. Just kidding!

I relayed the message to my brother when he came home. He was out with my mother, who brought him to buy some water guns. On a school night. In the middle of the week.

Look! My basil is finally beginning to sprout!

Date: September 10th, 2008
Cate: Home & Pets, Television
2 msgs

Nothing Like a Gleaming Toilet Bowl

My bathroom has to be cleaner than my bedroom. I can sleep in a messy room, wading through piles of clothes to get to my bed, but I cannot even look in the mirror in a dirty bathroom. So this week was the every other week, and since my lazy sister didn’t have time to do her share, I cleaned the entire bathroom.

Lemme tell you, nothing made me prouder than staring at that gleaming porcelain of my Kohler toilet. Well, maybe, showering in the newly-cleaned shower topped that - all that gleaming tile and shiny, clear glass doors.

Since it took me around two hours to finish the job, more))

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