Chicago--

The pictures of fishes were taken at Shedd Aquarium. Beautiful place!
Chicago was a nice little trip however the weather was not that great. The rainy and gloomy weather just made me want to sleep all the time as did the plane ride. Only on Friday, did I feel a little sunshine on my face…and that only lasted for a few minutes.
I was amazed how wonderful and helpful people of Chicago were to us. I was surprised most of all with a person tapping my shoulder on the train to let me know this is my stop! So nice and helpful! The hotel, Seneca, was a nice hotel but felt really isolated. It was so quiet and you barley saw anyone in the reception area. Most people would like this on vacation but for some reason I wanted more activity! I will have to visit Chicago in the summer and stay a little longer.

My roommate is gone and now I sit in my room all alone...
The last night she was in Minnesota we all went to hooters for dinner and had ice cream at ColdStone. It was really good!
Okay, I better get back to studying…then to the gym…and back again.

I just learned how to do some small animation with my pictures. Yea!

So Scary! OMG!

Emportés par la vague déferlante
Uploaded by Iphilgood

Tout est calme quand tout à coup...
Uploaded by Iphilgood

Haven't said goodbye to anyone in years....

My roommate (Youn) will be moving out this FRIDAY! Time has gone by so fast. It took us at least a month to get used to each other, had our ups and downs, then slowing became friends, and now its time to say goodbye. I will probably remember how complete awkwardness turned into a friendship. We are very similar in many ways: worrying about our future, not settling just because we have that option (might be our downfall), and a love for travel. It’s an amazing feeling to know that two people from completely different backgrounds can live together, laugh a lot, and compromise…and become friends along the way.
We had a small dinner in our room yesterday. She made steaks and a lot of other yummies. I brought the drinks and the dessert. It was fun. We have some other plans for the rest of the week and then she’ll catch her flight to NYC Friday morning—stay there for two weeks or so, and off to South Korea.

I must visit her in SK---SOON!

*picture: Us getting ready to walk to the nearby grocery store. We were freezing by the time we came back! I thought it would be nice to walk in the snow—but TOO cold!

Cozy and WARM!

My roommate and I went and got these---Identical! It would keep her warm in NYC and me in Chicago! And they were buy one and get another half off so it was a great deal.

Hearing Kal Penn speak was quite boring actually. I sat in the second row of this huge auditorium with my digital camera in hand. I was excited for about 60 seconds then I was eyeing for the exits. He said some shit…really it was shit. He kept saying “pussy, shit, fuck, and asshole” way too many times. WTF?!? I don’t even remember what sentence he used to thread these words together because after about five minutes...I had my cell out and texting. I have no idea how a university sponsored event can allow someone to come on campus and say bunch of crap and vulgarity.

Most of the time was him answering questions from the audience. People had way too many questions for this guy…I didn’t really have any---honestly I don’t know why I went. I guess it’s nice to see someone you only have seen in films and see them standing in front of you. But when they lack any substance…it’s a huge disappointment!

Questions ranged from “what’s your favorite color?” to “are you interested in threesomes?” Blue and no (even though he stated in Playboy he did). I don’t know why I sat there because I did sit in the auditorium for some time…I am ashamed to write how long I sat. Anyways, finally I just got up and left—feeling nothing and empty!

I just listened to:


"Like the elephant, we are unconscious of our own strength. When it comes to understanding the power we have to make a difference in our own lives, we might as well be asleep. If you want to make your dreams come true, wake up. Wake up to the role you play in your own destiny. Wake up to the power you have to choose what you think, do, and say.
-Keith Ellis, Bootstraps

Yea!

I should really spent some time on YouTube! They seem to have great things! Anyways, I got these videos off of other blogs. :-)



Shabir Abbas
Hot-------The song!



Too Funny!

The Worst Wakeup Call!

The entire hall was woken up at 2:30 A.M.
FIRE!!!!
I woke up with the fire drill --- right in my ears. I almost fell off the bed trying to figure out what the hell this noise meant! The worst wakeup EVER! Then it occurred to me “FIRE!” So I screamed for my roommate to wake up, got my glasses, slipped on tennis shoes, my coat, all in 20 seconds, and ran out the room. The hallway was packed with similar people as me – grouchy, confused, thinking “What the hell?!”

Outside the weather was freezing!!! We all had to stay ten minutes in the cold then were allowed to come back in. One of the girls had soup on the stove and forgot about it! She was so apologetic about the whole thing.

Did I mention it was freezing?

ThanksGiving......

Me TRYING to be helpful........as always...!!

Turkey day was fantastic and delicious! Need I say more?

Observers!

Random

I can’t wait for TURKEY! Yummy! I going to eat SO MUCH! I only had one lab today at 8 A.M. As I was walking to my class, a man, was handing out coupons for free subs at a near by restaurant. So, my roommate and I went to have it --- and of course there is no such thingsas a FREE MEAL. We had to fill out a credit card application, which I did, because I will cancel the card when it arrives. Then I went to the hospital with my roommate because her right eye has been giving her problems since she got hit on the eye with a racquetball. It took FOREVER at the hospital but now I know where the hospital is!
I decided to stay in the dorms next semester as well. I just couldn’t find the right place or the people to live with so I am going to stay in the dorms.
I have a lot to do and a lot of questions that need answers SOON---but I never been that lucky.

I think now I am going to repeat to myself that I am indeed lucky because those who believe they are the lucky ones seems to be lucky.

Damn. Is life full of doubt/questions or are we expecting everything to come to us easy.

I want to blog so much and add tons of pictures but these days my creative brain is working so slowly.

More soon.

Kal Penn

Kal Penn


Yea! I just got tickets to see him. I am so excited!

Had Indian tacos again and it was good--very filling.

I was at the gym for three hours today...I don't know why...I was really relaxed so I didn't want to leave...but now I AM SO TIRED.

I watched the tamil movie "Something Something Unakkum Enakkum (you and me)" and thought it was cute, funny, and good!

Damn I am so tired.

Hello...from INDIAN ASHLEY?!?!

One my friends NOW, when we first started talking, had a name for me which was not Tharsica (well duh). It was Indian Ashley! What the hell…right? Because I didn’t have a strong Indian accent that was the name she had given me. I thought it was all funny.

College is busy. I am getting so comfortable with everyone in my building so much now! Too bad it took two months and just when I am looking for an apartment close by campus to move to. :-(

I need my own space but I am definitely going to miss the community feeling and tons of people to talk to.

I wish I lived on campus the beginning of college. I regret this a lot now. If I wasn’t taking so many upper level classes…I could have had a lot of fun.

Went to a club on Friday. So much fun. It was fun to dance. I requested (begged) for three songs from the DJ:

Sexy back
Promiscuous girl
And Shake your money maker.

Men who have a little too much to drink want to hold your hands a lot….hahaha…

Your looks do give the first impression----your never know how people are receiving you.

Early Morning Quote From a Classmate:

“I like it.”
“like what?”
“what you are wearing”
“OMG really”
“I don’t know what it is…but it’s nice”
“Ohhh..thanks!”
"I feel homeless today”

Blazin' Challenge!!!

A group of us went to Buffalo Wild Wings and few of us took the “Blazin’ challenge—me included. Blazin’ Challennge: A competition which includes eating 12 of the spiciest wings in six minutes. So spicy! My lips were burning, people were crying, few ran around the restaurant, and one person vomited. It was so much fun!!

I didn’t eat all 12 wings in six minutes---I just don’t eat that fast. I was watching others, trying to be all cute, and to win ---you got to be fierce. Just swallow!

Anyways, I will go back again and be the champion of the blazin’ challenge! I get a really ugly shirt if I win. Oh well. It will be worth it.

I went to see “The Prestige” which was a good film. It was really hard to follow…but I figured “it” out almost immediately.

Conversations Over Pie.

I went to look around the city all night. Driving down endless streets I noticed a Baker’s Square and desperately wanted to have a piece of pie. But then I remembered that I wanted to give a small “thank you” treat to a few people…and have been wondering how. Why? For helping me move my bed all the way up so I can have more room. It was really hard because the bed was so damn heavy.

When I came back to my room it was already 9 p.m. and then had to wait to get everyone in the same room to have the pie together. It was wonderful. Lots of conversations, laughing, questions, and of course wonderful French silk pie! I am glad everyone enjoyed it…I wasn’t sure if they would like all the sugar. We just sat and talked and talked…and it was almost midnight by the time everyone went back to their rooms.

I have been relaxing a lot this week. Yea! I feel good!

Last Life in the Universe.

I have wanted for weeks to go to one of the international films that was being played in the theater across my hall. Finally, I have watched a film from Thailand – Last Life in the Universe. I was trying to write about it but could not really explain it at all. Then I came across a site that explained it all:

“As the film’s cinematographer, the brilliant Christopher Doyle, explains, “[The important thing] is to never ask what it means. It is what it is. You don’t ask a painting to explain itself. You don’t understand world music. You just enjoy the rhythm.”

“And so LAST LIFE must be experienced. Not necessarily understood – just experienced.”

I should have stayed for the discussion that followed the film by the professor who teaches international film studies. I don’t want to necessarily understand it but I would love to hear how other people perceived it.

All the movies for this semester:

---Beauty & The Beast – France 1946
---Howl’s Moving Castle – Japan 2005
---All About My Mother – Spain 1999
---Ten –Iran 2002
---Saraband – Sweden 2003
---Tale of 2 Sisters – Korea 2004
---Good Morning, Night – Italy 2005
---The World – China 2005

Manish Arora

Browsing through “Week in Pictures” I came across a picture of a model. As I read further the picture was described as a fashion show that happened in London. The picture of the model was from the fashion show of an indian designer. Curious I searched his name. And I came across this site featuring more pictures of his show. I was intrigued. It was interesting to see fabrics that usually just come in 6 yards as a saree…turned into these. Especially the pink fabric which looks just like my mom’s engagement saree that she wore back in the late 1970s.

Nelly Furtado Promiscuous Lyrics


N:Am I throwing you off?
T:Nope!
N:Didn't think so...
T:How ya doin' young lady
The feeling that you gave me really drives me crazy
You dont have a player on your trunk
I was at a loss of words
First time that we spoke

N:If ya lookin' for a girl that’ll treat you right
If you lookin’ for her in the day time in the light
T:You might be the type if I play my cards right
I'll find out by the end of the night

N: You expect me to just let you hit it
But will you still respect me if you get it?

T:All I can do is try, gimme one chance
What’s the problem? I don’t see no ring on your hand

I be the first to admit it, I’m curious about you, you seem so innocent

N: You wanna get in my world, get lost in it
Boy I’m tired of running, lets walk for a minute

Chorus-
T:Promiscuous girl
Wherever you are
I’m all alone
And it's you that I want

N: Promiscuous boy
You already know
That I’m all yours
What you waiting for?

T:Promiscuous girl
You're teasing me
You know what I want
And I got what you need

N: Promiscuous boy
Let's get to the point
Cause we're on a roll
You ready?

Verse-
N: Roses are red
Some diamonds are blue
Chivalry is dead
But you're still kinda cute

T:Hey! I can't keep my mind off you
Where you at, do you mind if I come through

N: I’m out of this world come with me to my planet
Get you on my level do you think that you can handle it?

T:They call me Thomas
last name Crown
Recognize game
I'm a lay mine's down

N: I'm a big girl I can handle myself
But if I get lonely I’ma need your help
Pay attention to me I don't talk for my health
T:I want you on my team
N: So does everybody else.

T:Baby we can keep it on the low [low]
Let your guard down ain’t nobody gotta know [know]
If you with it girl I know a place we can go

N: What kind of girl do you take me for?

Chorus-
T:Promiscuous girl
Wherever you are
I’m all alone
And it's you that I want

N: Promiscuous boy
You already know
That I’m all yours
What you waiting for?

T:Promiscuous girl
You're teasing me
You know what I want
And I got what you need

N: Promiscuous boy
Let's get to the point
Cause we're on a roll
You ready?

Verse-
T: Nigga Don't be mad, don't get mean
N: Nigga Don't get mad, don't get mean

T: Hey! Don't be mad, don't get mean
N: Nigga Don't get mad, don't be mean

T:Wait! I don't mean no harm
I can see you with my t-shirt on

N:I can see you with nothing on
feelin' on me before you bring that on

T: Bring that on
N: You know what I mean

T:Girl, I’m a freak you shouldn't say those things

N:I’m just trying to get inside of your brain
To see if you can work me the way you say

T:It's okay, it's alright
I got something that you gon' like

N:Hey is that the truth or are you talking trash
Is your game M.V.P. like Steve Nash

Chorus-
T: Promiscuous Girl
Wherever you are
I’m all alone
And its you that I want

N: Promiscuous Boy
I'm calling your name
But you're driving me crazy
The way you're making me wait

T: Promiscuous Girl
You're teasing me
You know what I want
And I got what you need

N: Promiscuous Boy
We're one in the same
So we don't gotta play games no more

So living away from my parents...I get a lot of "are you okay" "do you miss home" "how is classes." The usual. So everytime I get these questions or I have doubts or just feel down...I always think this...

I'm a big girl I can handle myself.

It's so funny. Maybe I have listened to this song too many times. Whatever it is...this is what runs in my mind when doubt or lonliness creeps in.

Ugly Yet Good!

Watched Ugly Betty for the first time and I really enjoyed it. It is just one hour of relaxation. Simple litle show. No major sophistication involved...just the way I like it and need.

For me Thursday are my fridays...I get a lot more relaxation on my Thursdays than Fridays. Thursday are when my labs are all over for the week and on Fridays I just have lectures!

I feel like having cookies..chocolate chip that is. I don't know why. But I have had this craving for few days now.

Cold Cold day.

Quickly..
busy to write...but few things.

I did find time today to check out the city all by myself...and “their” downtown is only five minutes from my place…and on my drive I saw about 10 Perkins, all the American restaurants I could imagine, and few Chinese restaurants. Hmmm not bad I say. Target, K-mart, Wal-mart...

What's up with green today?

What a week! So busy with exams! The first thing I did when I came to my room after my last exam was jump around...all excited. I felt so happy so I had to take some silly pictures in front of the window.

My roommate and I decided a week ago that once our exams were over for the week…we would go and relax. So what is the best way for us to relax……go SHOPPING duh! We both drove about forty minutes to the nearest outlet mall and for the next 4 hours we were in and out of stores. I loved Banana Republic and spend so much time in there. I tried on this skirt but it wasn’t a good fit.

We wanted to spend more time at the mall but we were running late on dinner plans.
When we got back to our area we went to the closet Green Mill…which to my surprise was only about 5 minutes drive. That was very nice. We were so hungry and tired from all the walking and shopping. I had the beef and lamb gyro….yummy...really good... with fries!
When we got back to our place…everyone recommended to us to go and see at least some of the drag show that was going on today. So we were able to just catch the last few minutes. When we finally were settled in our room we tried on all the things we bought...did a little fashio show... and got excited all over again. Yippii.
Then we both decided to post some silly pictures of ourselves on the front door of our room...you should see my roommate picture........hmmmm...she really doesn't like pictures of herself.....hmmmmmm...very unlike me!
A lots of green today in the pictures.

Wonderful day.

Podbazaar!

I have recently been introduced to this site Podbazaar: podcasts aimed at South Asians worldwide! It's wonderful. You get to hear people express themselves instead of reading about it as we all do with blogs.

We all have days where we need to browse other blogs. So Priya has commented on some of the Famous Blogs in Singapore. Check it out.

I have to run to the library. damn. This week is crazy. Tomorow my roommate and I have decided to go OUT! We don't even want to think about school....atleast for a few days!

What a tiring weekend! I was so tired when I got to my room last night. However, when I woke up this morning…I felt so rested! I thought I woke up at 8 but I actually woke up at 7:45 which made me a really happy. Trust me I need the extra fifteen minutes to get going.
I was so excited to finally rent a DVD at McDonald I could watch it Saturday night. I decided to rent United 93 but when I got home….NO DVD was in the case. I think I may have dropped it in the parking lot or something. Anyways I called them up and they gave me a free rental! Hmmmmm lucky me…I guess…they are not charging me for the lost movie. I even went to the McDonald's parking lot at midnight to see if I dropped it but nope. I was disappointment that I didn’t have a new movie to watch.

Anyways…I love the picture on top. After having my camera for 2 years I have finally figured out how to put all the pictures on a CD. I was able to transfer all 400 pictures to a CD and delete them all in ten minutes. How easier can it get!


Two shows I want to tune into this season are "Heroes" and "Ugly Betty." Now all I have to do is find the time.

Ha!

People are mad…..at ME! I missed the soccer game last weekend because I didn’t get to the front door on time. So they all went to the field without me while I was running around trying to find them. I didn’t want to walk at 10 p.m. by myself to the field so I had no choice but to stay back. Anyways, they lost the game all because I WAS NOT THERE! Ha!

Who knew the screaming girl would be missed. Besides the first game I did do really well. I hustled, ran, screamed, yelled, shouted “behind you dude!!”. What else can you expect in a soccer player?

Nothing at all. Nothing.

Five Healthiest Foods...

Items from:
Korea, India, Spain, Japan, and Greece.

Check out the article here.

Chicken Curry and Kimchi!

My “Sri Lankan” dinner plans with few of the people in my building went on really well. I was surprised how they were willing to try everything…just like me. I was a little nervous in the beginning to introduce them to foods they probably never have seen or tasted before but also excited to see their reactions. They loved the chicken curry the most…no wonder…it’s my favorite too! We spent a good hour talking about food, past experiences, and just about whatever came to our minds. Wonderful!

I tried a Korean dish Kimchi!! It was delicious! I want to have a huge bowl of it soon!
Read about this tasty dish here. “Kimchi has been cited by Health Magazine as one of the world's five "healthiest foods", with the claim that it is rich in vitamins, aids digestion, and may even prevent cancer.”

Just wonderful! Now I am wondering what's the other 4 healthist dishes in the world are?

Joe E. Lewis

You only live once-- but if you work it right, once is enough.
--Joe E. Lewis (Comedian)

Can this be true? hmmmm.
so now I am wondering what are all the things I want to do that the above sentence will be true for me?
So many things! Too many! I am really excited now! Ha!

MSN-The Week in Pictures

I love browsing through The Week in Pictures.
They are so beautiful and taken all around the world.

Let's talk about food baby.....let's talk about you and me....ha!

What the hell..with the title. I know!

My roommate and I get hungry very late at night these days. Usually after cereal for breakfast I don’t eat lunch until 4 p.m. So with nights being so busy dinner is almost forgotten until my stomach cries in hunger.

So today we were debating between sharing a soup or something else. Earlier in the week she offered me little sheet of seaweed and I tried it out. At first the taste was…a little weird…but after that I have been wanting to try more. It kind of tastes like fish to me. So tonight we had a little microwavable container of rice and these adorable boxes of seaweed. It was yummy! We had some hot sauce, wrapped the rice in sushi style, and indulged in our late night dinner.


Here is some information I found on seaweed:


Key benefits of seaweed
Seaweed is a good source of selenium and iodine. It has anti-cancer effects and provides soluble fibre and omega 3 fats. It promotes thyroid health.
________________________________________
How much seaweed should you eat?
Seaweed is high in calories and is a very concentrated form of nutrition. Nori is dried and pressed into sheets and is often eaten with sushi. As little as 25g per week will top up iodine levels sufficiently.
________________________________________
________________________________________
Maximising the benefits of seaweed
Sometimes vegetarians develop a shortage of iodine and selenium. Seaweed can solve both these problems by adding important nutrients to the diet.
________________________________________
Nutritional values of seaweed
Calories 136
Fiber 44,4g
Iron 19,6mg
Iodine 1470mcg
Per 100g


I am not shopping at Cub Foods this weekend for my weekly food instead I am going straight to the Asian store. I will bring back some goodies for my roommate. Oh yea, this Sunday I have dinner plans with few people to try some of my Sri Lankan food! Yea! It’s the perfect week for this because my parents have given me message that they have cooked a ton and will continue to cook more this weekend.

can't wait.

I went to see “Shakespere in Love” tonight. It was free so that was nice.

One at a Time...

A few days ago I read a quote on this site (ha!). It goes something like this…. “if you want to get all things done, do them one at a time.” I think I need to follow this advice. I have so many things to do and I just have not been focused on one task before I jump to another.

So anyways…I went to hear this Thai woman speak on trafficking of women and children. I thought I would get more out of this but I heard things I already knew about. Maybe the lack of English or nervousness played a role in not sharing WHAT SHE WITNESSED as opposed to what every other text has already written about.

Ohh well. I was a little disappointed.

Above banner is all things I am craving for.

My Head to My....

I fell down the steps. The worst steps to fall from. Cold, completely concrete, dirty, and dark. My head to my ass hurts.

I want home!

Coffee, Krispy Kreme, and SOCCER!

So.
I supposedly signed up to be in a soccer team and it was our first game tonight (9 P.M.). I didn’t know anything about this soccer team till’ one of the organizers caught up with me as I was retrieving my mail and said “ohh my gosh, I am so glad I found you….we need you to play today…we need three girls and I only have two….please be ready in 5 minutes”

I just gotten to my place around 8:30 P.M….it took me longer than expected since there was a crash on the way. I reached my dorm room, placed all my bags in my room, greeted my roommate, and went to park my car. When I came back my roommate offered this delicious Korean coffee to go with our Krispy Kreme. I bought Krispy Kreme in Minneapolis since my roommate said she loves them and couldn’t find any around our area.

I had a few sips of coffee and off I went. It was a pretty aggressive game and we won!! 4 to 1. I helped score one of the goals! Helped. Every time some big guy approached me when I had the ball I would cover my face and scream.

The referee was pretty tough. He wanted me to take off my nose ring…because someone could pull it off. WTH. Geez.

Can’t wait for the next game.

My Little World...

I love my own pot (on top of my desk) that I cook breakfast, lunch, and dinner. I hate that I have such limited dishes that I need to wash them every time I have something to eat AND bring them back to my room before I could leave.

Beautiful view from the window (can't wait for snow).

I made my bed a little high up so I have so many things under the bed. Thank god for that space otherwise I would have no idea where to storage my stuff.

more later..

I Thought I Was Better....

I can’t believe how quickly I am getting used to being on my own. The first few days were horrible but after going home to visit my parents last weekend---I felt a lot better.

-----Oh no! I thought I was better. I should stop thinking about home…if I don’t I am going to realize how much I miss them again.-----

Anyways…all is well. I make my own breakfast, lunch, and dinner. I don’t know how I manage to do this but somehow I never go hungry.

More and More to tell…but not just yet.

So Beautiful...

My roommate got these for me!!!
I just did a tiny favor for her and later that evening she brought flowers. I was so surprised. They look so beautiful and lively in my otherwise dull room.

Freaked Out.

I watched a hypnotist perform. The whole thing totally freaked me out. Yikes! In the beginning as he was ready to put on his show he told us a few instructions. He instructed that if you don’t want to be hypnotized please don’t listen to me and do not focus on the blue light on stage.

I made sure to cover my ears and turn my face away from the light. I was not going to make an ass of myself in front 800+ people. But few people did not share my feelings.

It was a crazy show. Like a mad house! I laughed through the whole thing but now that I think about it “it was so strange.” Is it really possible? A lot of the international students were asking us if it was an act?

I am questioning the whole thing myself. Can it be possible?

Freaked out.

The Blues.

What a week.
I am so tired and moody. Being new to living in a new environment really affects all part of you—body, mind, and soul. I am tired, I feel lost, and I am constantly searching for something that will make me a little happy or at least keep my mind off of home. Thus, I am glad classes have begun. I could put all my energy into concentrating on my textbook.

To not fully come to the realization that I won’t be sleeping in my own bed day after day, I didn’t pack till’ the very last minute—this was a very bad idea. I forgot whole bunch of things…and ALL were very important. I won’t mention all of them because I will surly look like the biggest idiot around. So just a two things: my cell---I miss my cell phone like I would miss a baby. I want to hold it in my hands, have it right by my bed, and never leave it alone. I left the cell on the bay window and my mom didn’t call my sister until it was too late. We were already 45 minutes away from home and I almost cried.

Second, my little eye contact holders. So I have been using caps from water bottles.

A Tiny Poem of Frustration.

I Pack
Pack
And pack some more.
Then I look.
And scream “too much stuff!!!!”

I unpack.
And pack once more.

What If 9/11 Never Happened...

-New York Magazine-

Interesting! Need it for a future read...

Vettaiyaadu Vilaiyaadu - ?Hunt Play?

I went to watch a Tamil movie at the theaters after such a long time. I forgot how going to an Indian film is so different from going to an English movie.

I absolutely been looking forward to going to see Vettaiyaadu Vilaiyaadu, since my favorite movie kakka kakka, was also directed by the same guy. Since Kakka Kakka I been keeping an eye on what the director will direct next. The show was to start at 7 P.M. so I arrived at 6P.M. knowing that this
movie would get a huge crowd. And it did!

But guess what? Even though the show was to begin at 7 P.M. we didn't actually enter the theater until 7:40 P.M.! There was a huge line of impatient people standing for about 1 hour and sort of by accident I was the first one in line! There were people who came in when the line was a mile long and they would try to cut in line. So people in the back would start making fun of the people who joined in the line and eventually they'll move back or be forced to move to the back of the line. Eventually security came in. ha!

The funny rowdiness didn’t just stop outside of the theater. People would scream, clap, and whistle, when something amusing happened on screen. When the two main actresses, actor, and director came on the screen the crowd went crazy.

These little antics were pretty fun but what I thought was more annoying was a guy that was sitting in the middle of the theater commenting on the movie. I would hear him every five minutes or so making comments about what was going on in the movie. If I had the opportunity to sit by this guy I would hit him!

I forgot how it all feels like. I guess everyone was excited for this movie and it definitely showed. But amidst all this I still enjoyed the whole experience. It was fun to be around Tamil people and share in a movie experience.

The movie was really good! Half of the movie was filmed in New York City and it was so beautiful. The cameraman for this movie was absolutely wonderful! It was so different from a typical Tamil movie that I still can’t believe it was a Tamil movie. I can’t wait for the next movie that will be directed by Gautham!! Yea! What will he come up with next?

Pepsi Anyone?

I was browsing few other blogs when I came across this woman's picture. I just love the look of the 1960's indian women so I was drawn to this picture and curious to know who this cutie is and why is she all over the blog world? August 14th, 2006 was an important day for her. So who is she?

some questions and answers!

What time did you get up this morning? 9:45

Diamonds or pearls? Diamonds

What was the last film you saw at the cinema? The Devil Wears Prada?

What is your favorite TV show? The office, Veronica Mars

What do you usually have for breakfast? Banana and coffee

Favorite foods? my dad's cooking, Sri Lankan cooking, sandwiches, salmon

What is your favorite chip flavor? Onion or the baked plain chips

What is your favorite CD at the moment? tamil songs...

Favorite sandwich? Chicken sandwich at Cheesecake Factory, Subway: tuna

What characteristic do you hate? controlling, talking but no action.

Favorite clothing item or outfit? Skirts, and a comfortable top

If you could go anywhere in the world on vacation, where would it be?
everywhere!
There is so many places to see...Anywhere..if I had to choose one place now maybe India...there is just too many different people, climate, languages in this one country alone.

Which do you prefer lake, ocean or river? Ocean

What color is your bathroom? White and blue

Favorite brand of clothing? I do not pay attention to brand.
Where would you retire to? where family is

Favorite sport to watch on TV? Soccer

Furthest place you are sending this? Canada

Goals you have for yourself? Find my passion and be the best at it, create something that is meaningful to others, work hard

Who do you least expect to send this back to you? I think everyone will send it back to me....haha.

Person you expect to send it back first? Hard to say...

When is your birthday? June 15th

Favorite flowers? roses - pink and orange roses

Are you a morning person or a night person? Night night night!!!

What did you want to be when you were little? teacher and a cashier

How are you today? tired

What time do you usually go to bed at night? 2

What brings you the most happiness? Travel, working hard, completion

What is a date on your calendar you are looking forward to? September 4th

Your worst fear? Not having fun or adventure in my life, not learning something new everyday, loosing curiosity

Do you have a favorite Halloween candy? butterfinger

Favorite drink? mango

Any pets? nope

outta gas!

WOW! I am so exhausted! I don't know why I am feeling this way...I mean I haven't even been that busy with anything...but I am so beat!!


I hope this feeling doesn't continue to the next week...that would be just too tiring for me!

I gotta start packing....hmmmmmm....

Practice makes perfect...

yea! I have gotten so good in tennis. I remember how horrible I was just beginning of this summer but after playing today....yea! Earlier, I wouldn't even be able to hit consecutively but now I just couldn't stop hitting the ball! I am only beginning but still I was just impressed with how much I have improved just after practicing this summer!
Maybe I should join a tennis team! We'll see what my school has to offer. Its such a great workout and I like tennis!

Listening to Dr. Joy Brown on the radio at work, she mentioned how children learn very early on about their parents personalities and know who to turn to when they need a favorable answer.

This got me thinking about my family.


When we kids were younger, my sister, brother, and I, we knew what my dad said was the law. Even if my mom agreed on something we wouldn't get excited till' we confirmed that my dad was okay with our mom's decision. Only then would we actually go crazy with our plans.


But as we got into our teenage years, it seems our mom became more the decision maker...firm one at that. We won't breathe a sigh of relieve until we have made sure our mom is happy with the decision.


Before I realized this change I would first talk to my dad. Then would go to my mom and all I would say is "I could do this, this, and this because dad agreed to it." And I was shocked when I realized this wasn't enough anymore.


Now, we don't need to hold our breath for either of our parents. Yes, we do talk to our parents about situation that is in our lives but it is for advice rather than permission.


Its just amazing how many different changes we go through with our parents and relationships in general. The greatest accomplishment is when you can sustain a authentic, open relationship, with all the ups and downs, and make it last a lifetime.

Olive Garden....and Movies.

Went to Olive garden for lunch. I hate it when the dishes I order at restaurants are too simple that I feel I could wipe it up on my own at home. That was the case with the dish I ordered.


Did you know that movies are now $9 a show! My friend and I were at the theaters getting our tickets for Miami Vice. Heard not too many good things about it...but my friend wanted to see it. We were using the little ticket kiosk because that would the faster choice to get our tickets. Anyways when I saw that the 5:25 p.m. showing was 9 bucks on the computer screen...I said "what the heck......$9....WOW...are you kidding me???.......nick its $9...are you sure about this". When I heard "NINE DOLLARS!!!??!!!" from the next kiosk" I said "ditch?" and she pressed "cancel".


That's just too much. I rather rent.

The movie Kung Fu Hustle. Stephen Chow director and star.

let me just say: AMAZING!

I absolutely enjoyed this movie! It was wonderful. Fabulous. imagaintive. creative. crazy. love it.

The entire DVD has wonderful features. It took me about 5 hours to get through the movie and all of its extras. Its summer...Especially on weekends....I have the time.....what can I say.

I kept wanting to know how! How does this director do this. How is he so imaginative. How does he take such unsophisticated characteristics and transform them into phenomenal status. Amazing.what this guy comes up with. I only watched this movie of his...and I can't wait to watch his other ones!

"Discovery consists of seeing what everybody has seen and thinking what nobody has thought."

— Albert Szent-Gyorgyi

yawn....

Three things to yawn about:

--My block party attendance at my neighbor's house. I never knew how boring a conversation could be. I really don't know why I went...my mom didn't even force me...but I just wanted to go..so my mom and I did. What a bad idea that was! It was a big gossip section about the neighbors a block away from us. Who got drunk last month, received citations because their lack of care for their property, and how the neighborhood was thirty years ago. Now, these topics aren't at all uninteresting but when it is repeatedly discussed over and over then it became..so frustrating.

One of the neighbors kept going on and on about his corvette...for about 45 minutes...I thought I heard myself snoring...

--The movie: The New World with Colin Farrell

--The Heat

I called in sick to work yesterday. I was so proud that I had never called in sick for the past 2 1/2 years since I started this job. However, yesterday I was a little tired and needed to just relax at home. I had some plans in the morning and I wasn't too sure if I'll be too tired to go to work after getting those things done. So I just thought why not be safe and call in sick.
The relaxation turned into boredom only awhile later. I walked around the park and moved room to room trying to find something to do. I could get bored so easily.
I just couldn't relax at all.

hello?!? Tamil please....

The past week I been on the phone talking to various people about my dad's 401k distributions.

Its all very new to me. I had no idea what 401K was about...honestly I thought the government was rewarding us for working...keeping the economy going...free money! I know I am really clueless..these type of teachings should be a requirement in all universities!

A class on "various paper work for every step of your life." Something...anything!

Okay so I obviously wouldn't even know where to begin to ask the questions that would make my dad happy. So when I called his last employer I requested a Tamil translator...and we got someone on the phone with us in less than five minutes! This was so new to me!

My dad talked to a lady in Colombo. Every question my dad asked she would translate it in English to my dad's employer and then translate the answer in Tamil to my dad.

The thought that we are all so becoming globally connected within a few minutes boggles my mind! So cool!

Yeap!

"If you are a woman between the ages of 20 and 40 living anywhere on the globe, you are part of the most educated, professionally empowered, internationally empowered, international generation of women ever. It's an inspiring story in a world full of violence and insecurity---a generation of women poised to take the reins of global leadership like no other generation in history."

-paula Goldman, In Imagining Ourselves: Global Voices from a New Generation of Women.


This deserves a post of itself!

delicious!

Isn't this fabulous. My own pear tree in the backyard! Is just amazing what things will grow where! The more time I spent outdoors it makes me think if I want to live in a state that only has few months of summer. Nine pears so far on a small tree...only about 5 feet tall!

Who Me?!?! A Speeder!??! well yes...

I couldn't find a picture of an Asian police officer...


I was pulled over by an Asian police officer...I don't know why I just expected it would be a white guy...so I was surprised to see an Asian cop. I should of known that today there would be a lot of cops out there just waiting to catch some drunk drivers! Well, I was not a drunk rather a speeder. As I looked back and saw the lights flashing...my thought was "Wow, finally it is happening to me...after all these years of not getting pulled over...the day has finally arrived." So police officer approached my vehicle.


Asian cop with sunglasses:
He asked if I knew why he pulled me over....


me (confused):
hmmmmm....I don't know.......Officer....why did you?


Asian cop with sunglasses:


He stated that on a 40 mph road I was going 53 and my speed was climbing..


Me (surprised):
really.....wow........missed my exit to work because of construction.......then I took a left when I should have taken a right.....I am late for work.......I don't know.....I am late for work....its so hot....only worked at this location just for a month...I am still getting used to this area.....hmmmmmm...


He left to check my information out.
Since I never been pulled over before he just gave me a warning...and told me to watch my speed.


As I was driving away I wondered if I should have asked him if he was Korean and watched any Korean dramas. But I think that would have been a little inappropriate...its not like we were talking about coolest places to hang out, movies we liked to watch, summer plans....I mean this dude was pretty serious and had a gun plus lots of other dangerous and hurtful things to spray/hit me with.

The Devil Wears Prada!

The Devil Wears Prada


So I am the first one to admit that this script has been done a million times...A recent college graduate woman, played by Anne Hathaway, moves to New York city to save the world as a journalist. Things don't go as she planned when she has to settle for a job at none other than a fashion magazine...ahhhhhhhh (horror screams...I wouldn't mind that job). Meryl Streep plays her devil of a boss and she does a fantastic performance! I loved all the little jokes that are just naturally set in the movie and scenes of New York City were really nice!

I feel like sharing...

.


Depending on the situation I can develop patience like nobody’s business! If I have something that needs to be done…I could convince myself that I could work through whatever obstacles that comes my way…and almost always get whatever I need done. I could stop the frustration that begins to build and become completely clam and focused. This unfortunately only happens once in a while…but when it does it is such a great feeling!


I have the ability to be calm when others are not. When an environment becomes hectic I could actually stop reacting to that and react in a way that is opposite of that environment.


I love paper items! I am obsessed actually! I love journals, scrapbooks, stationeries, letters, notebooks…everything and anything that oozes creativity. I mean sure someone could have a notebook and not do anything about it. But a blank notebook---is a template to make it into whatever you want. I have so many stationeries in boxes that I think I could start a store myself. I am trying to use all of my old papers so I could start buying new ones.


Lately, I like to be around people and not talk so much. I just don’t want to make small talks if I don’t have to. I rather be more observant and take in the surrounding. Before however I was so involved in making everyone comfortable and I thought small talks eases the surrounding but now “no, thanks.” I don’t want to try so hard at having conversations. It should come naturally. This is not being stuck-up.


If I ever had a full weekend off without any plans…this hasn’t happened in the past 2+ years. If I come to a position where I have consecutive weekends off…consecutive…I am going to watch movies all weekend. Stay in bed all weekend and watch movies!


(Isn't the flower beautiful?! From my front yard!)