Yours Truly

It was the most random incident, I'm sure it's a sign from somewhere or a test from someone, but this old old Vietnamese lady came up to the side of my car today as I was parked at a red light waiting to turn red and she asked me in Vietnamese "Could you take me to the temple down the street? It's just down the street." At first I didn't understand her, and then she kept asking and the light turned green and I said "i don't understand" in Vietnamese and just drove off. She walked away as I said "I don't understand" but right when I said that, I realized that I did understand. She was asking me to take her to the temple on Newhope and 5th st.

I felt so terrible that I drove back to where she had asked me to take her and she was gone. I looked around at the busy gas station and she wasn't anywhere so I drove home, terrified that I had failed some sort of test given to me to test my compassion for others, my respect for elders, and my trust in people. I failed miserably if it was a test for these three things. I didn't trust her at all. She was so old- probably in her late 70's or early 80's. What could she have done to me? She was just trying to get to the temple and she c ouldn't walk there because she was tired or something. I turned her down. I drove off fully understanding where it was that she wanted to go.

One day when I'm old, the same thing will happen to me. Or worse, my children won't care for me in my old age and I'll be forced to do everything alone.

How hypocritical am I to talk about how others don't care for people and they do things to harm when I'm faced with the situation- giving charity to the homeless, volunteering my time to a good cause, driving a strange old lady to the temple...I back away and say I don't have the time, the money, or I don't understand.

Hopefully she found someone to take her there. She must have because it took me all of 2 minutes to drive back to where she was and she was gone. I didn't see her walking toward the temple at all and I think I saw a black honda pulling away from the temple so maybe that was her.

IONO...i still feel bad.

Not happy.

Patrick's coming home tomorrow...I'm so excited! It's been an eventful week, but felt like the longest week ever without him.

Hmong Culture Show...I love seeing these guys every time....



Vegas. I won $50!!

I might be coordinating a small event next week. How exciting!
Plus, I made myself work out today and I feel good...

Saddest movie ever, painful to watch, and yet...still an excellent movie. I plan on watching other Barbara Streissand movies--next one might be Yentl.

I got another call from OC Social Services Agency...should I do an interview? Or should I stay where I'm at--with an easy boss, end of the year week shut down, excellent 401k.....something mentally challenging (possibly mentally draining) or something easy for now until I go back to school? I have until tomorrow to call....

This past weekend I went to Vegas and gambled at the black jack tables for the first time....it was pretty fun, and very addicting. Now I understand how some people can get completely engrossed in it. Luckily, Patrick & I worked out a system where we would put a certain amount of money down to play, and when we start winning, set aside what we originally put in and play with our earnings. We stuck to it most of the time and I ended with $50 extra and Patrick won $300, which he used to pay for our trip. We stayed at the Tropicana with a few of his friends, and I do not ever want to go to the Tropicana again. It's so...cheap and run down. But the black jack tables tehre are fun and everyone dealing was nice and helpful. We went to club Jet at the Mirage...which was a cool place but next time I'm going to try to get into Tryst or Tao, which I heard were much better. Over all, it was a relaxing weekend. I'm looking forward to a more low key weekend this weekend...maybe buy some light fixtures for my room. the halogen light is kind of annoying.

I've become one of those typical work people who say "Yey! It's Wednesday..the weekend's almost here" because..that's exactly what I'm thinking right now. Can't wait to sleep in late and bum around

I haven't posted in a while so since I have time at work now, I thought I'd give an update on my life. Nothing special is going on. I'm getting used to my new job...it's demanding a new way of life for me. I sleep at 10:30 at the latest (and even that makes me tired when I wake up), wake up around 5:40AM and drive to the train station around 6:25 (cutting it close). I ran for the train this morning...It sucks missing the train. Get home anywhere between 6:30-7:00PM, eat dinner, do stuff and go to bed.

Work is pretty fun...I like the people I work with, everyone's real cool and a lot of times I don't have anything to do so I walk around or whatever. Things are good so far.

I was there for a week and I think these were the highlights, although I do have more photos. France has many different facets so it's impossible to see it all in such a short amount of time.



In the metro station going to the Notre Dame



Outside the Louvre, I went inside but didn't get to see anything because I got lost and ended up in their mall


The real Eiffel Tower


The Seine River



Palais du LongChamp in Marseilles


Me on the Poquerellos (I think that's how it's spelled) Island off the coast of Hyeres..part of what the French call "Cote d' Azure"---it'd be very pretty and crowded during the summer season

Taking the metro and bus around was fun...wish they had that in the States

I got a job! So let's recap: I'm going to France tomorrow and coming back Saturday evening, taking a week off and then starting fresh at my new job in LA (via train) on February 20, a day before my birthday. Things are looking good.

My birthday is on February 21st. I know it's a little over a month away but it's good to plan ahead. Plus, I had time to look through ticketmaster to check out for upcoming events. Luckily, I found an event I'd like to go that I guess can count as a birthday thing. Actually I don't know if anyone would want to go for my birthday, but I'm definitely going:

Event: Autocrave ---Import car show--- Doesn't sound like me, but it's not the cars that attracted me. They're bringing out Binary Star, Visionaries, and some alternative groups too. Good music, cars for the bf to enjoy, and it's only $20 (presale) and $25 (at the door).

Date: February 17-- Saturday

Time: 2PM-12AM

www.myspace.com/autocrave

Camera Obscura is also playing at the El Ray that night at 9PM, but I haven't really listened to their music. Maybe I should listen to them to see if I want to see them in concert. $17.00

On my actual birthday, I'll probably just go out for dinner with my family

Relationship wise---I am "The Priss"

The Priss Deliberate Brutal Love Dreamer (DBLDf) Mature. Responsible. Aristocratic. Excuse me. The Priss. Prisses are the smartest of all female types. You're highly perceptive, and confident in your judgements. You'd take brutal honesty over superficiality any time--your friends always know where they stand with you. You're completely unfake. Don't tell me that's not a word. You're also excellent at redirecting internal negative energy. These facts indicate people are often intimidated by you. They also fall for you, hard. You have a distant, composed allure that many find irresistible. If only more of them lived up to your standards. Your exact opposite: The Playstation Random Gentle Sex Master You were probably the last among your friends to have sex. And the first to pretend that you're pregnant. LOL. Though you're inclined to use sex as weapon, at least it's not as one of mass destruction. You're choosier than most about your partners. A supportive relationship is what you're really after. Whether you know it or not, you need something steady & long-term. And soothing. ALWAYS AVOID: The Playboy, The Loverboy CONSIDER: The Manchild Link: The 32-Type Dating Test by OkCupid - Free Online Dating. My profile name: iepetitcrab

I had a great time...I've mastered the "falling leaf" technique...now I just gotta learn how to snowboard on my toes. Can't wait to go again----should save up money for my own board and gear. Eventually I want to be able to go on black diamond courses and do ramp jumps.

I had a wonderful new year's eve....been having a great December in general...and looking forward to this year.


Got to go snowboarding with Kristine, Tina, Patrick and his friends-----got really beat up by the falls, but I can't wait to go again this weekend to Mammoth!



and ended the year with family and the bf...


Wish me luck in finding a good job

Going to Mountain High on Friday...yey!

One interview down, another one to go. Should I continue looking for other job opportunities? I probably should....I should also be studying for my GRE's and looking at schools to apply to.

I'm working the day after thanksgiving......I have lunch at 1PM. If anyone wants to grab some lunch with me, let me know!

I want to see the meteor shower tonight... (Leonids meteor shower)

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/15717478/?GT1=8717


Other links of interest

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2004/02/07/MNG3N4RAV41.DTL <--Gay Penguins

http://www.netscape.com/viewstory/2006/10/24/hospital-dumping-homeless-patients-on-skid-row/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.latimes.com%2Fnews%2Flocal%2Fla-me-dumping24oct24%2C0%2C372528.story%3Fcoll%3Dla-home-headlines&frame=true <--- Kaiser Permanente hospital dumps discharged homeless patients on Skid Row.

http://www.latimes.com/news/printedition/asection/la-oe-dolovich11nov11,1,29119.story?coll=la-news-a_section <--- Gov. Schweklgengeterr is sending prisoners to private (for profit) prisons in other states to "relieve" the overcrowded prisons in California. First of all...if prisons are for-profit, how are they making their money? You can also invest in private prison stocks. Second of all, if the aim is to make money, how is this helping prisoners?