Went to the science museum for the Race Exhibit but these dinosaurs were so cool!

Hi!
So busy. I am learning so much and having way too much fun. I’ll update this weekend when I have my digital on hand.

My presentation went on fabulously! In this particular class presentation are redeemed good when it invokes a ton of discussion. Well, mine did. I shared a personal story of how my family came to the U.S. and have thrived in this country. So that got people talking about immigrant’s attitudes and black Americans attitudes.
It really pays off to practice. I practiced my PowerPoint so many times. Last night I was at the library until 1 A.M., stuck in a small room, and just kept doing the presentation over and over. When I got up there I was confident to begin with so that really helped.

Okay, life is definitely good for me. Haha.

More on my weekend a little later.

Do you ever read something in history books and immediately convince yourself that if you lived in that particular time, you would have helped in your own way, to prevent a small fraction of that event from happening? Well, the history is being written down as you read this—WHERE ARE YOU?

I use to read a lot of books on the Holocaust. And wonder “How could the rest of the world let this happen?” But now, I am the one, who is sitting and watching everything happen-without lifting a finger.

What can I do?

My weekend was so tiring especially Saturday night. I did some shopping but when I came home I really wanted to get my dad’s laptop hooked back to the internet. So to do this, I needed a CD. And Of course I could not find the damn thing. I was running around the house trying to find it, looked every corner of my room, every crap was lifted to see if the CD was there. When I can’t find something (which often happens because I am so unorganized and have a lot of crap) I get obsessive with finding it. I go crazy! Eventually I was exhausted trying to find the CD that all I could do was fall asleep.

The next day I called the company and they were able to get me connected in about ten minutes-no CD needed. The woman who helped me was “Annie” who had a strong Indian accent. She was SO helpful.

I am looking forward to next weekend!

My roommate and her boyfriend broke up. Who knew that was going to happen…ME!
Now he calls at 2 A.M. asking her to take him back.

I so need a vacation. But my parents keep telling me to wait until I graduate and get a career. But Hello, that’s when I’ll have a stricter schedule…more so than the current. This doesn’t make too much sense to me.

My classmate gave the best presentation I have heard in a long time. He had the audience captured for his thirty minute presentation and when he was done everyone had so many questions for him. His topic was the Somalian community in Minnesota and overall misconceptions Americans and Somalis have about each other.

It was awesome yet I am jealous of him!

What a gorgeous day! I like how all the snow is melting and the streets are drenched with water. I was secretly standing by the drains on various streets just to hear the water rushing down. It’s so peaceful. You should give it a try.

Yes, I had a very hard day today.

Grrr..I am feeling something I can’t even describe. Its annoyance, anger, and frustration all wrapped into one…frugeroynce. So the question I get a lot is “Why don’t you have a boyfriend?” And this question is said with a facial expression of sad/confusion.

Ohh my gosh! I really have to tell everyone, especially people who don’t even know me , who the hell cares? Is it really that important? When did women start to think that their lives are not completely fulfilled without a man or just any jerk to call a boyfriend?

My roommate asks me this question almost every week...especially when I come back from the library late at night. She probably thinks I am so pathetic to be spending few hours at the library. I usually say “I don’t know” and just try to actually get some meaningful work done.

Sometimes I just can’t even have conversations with people about topics that I have no concern with or because their lack of English will take me one hour to explain something that can be normally understood in 2 seconds. I don’t have that much patience when people can’t even have a conversation yet they take 3 hours to put on makeup everyday and make it their fulltime job to find a boyfriend. okay...a little off the topic.

One of the things that really annoyed me and I still remember this event very well:

To be a nice roommate I actually sat facing her and we talked about this “boyfriend” topic. Somehow I thought I could explain why having a boyfriend is the last thing on my mind...and I don't wake up to find a boyfriend. I mean I do pay attention to the opposite sex but I don’t look at them and think “I wish he could be my boyfriend…I need a boyfriend..…Please, please, please!”

Just to be amusing I asked her this question. What would change about me if I had a boyfriend?And you know what she did! She said “I would walk around all day with a huge smile on my face—all the time.” And she gave me the biggest smile that I have ever seen and held that simile for about a minute.

Puke…not at her smile (I am not that mean) but at her answer!

She also has a boyfriend back home and who knows where else. Oh yea, the first thing she asked me when we first met was “how are the guys here?” How could I even answer this question. Does one particular place have one particular breed? Isn’t the world filled with men who are nice, romantic, jerks, man-whores, etc…you get the picture. And is not like I got a report on all the men here to come up with a paragraph to describe them.

So I said “they are nice”
…good night.”

Color
Creativity
Busy streets with full of activity
Passport
Clean places
Clutter free
A good Song
A thoughtful movie
A wonderful piece of mail
Jewelry
A good book that keeps me up at night and then I reach for it the first thing in the morning
A cozy bed
Handbags – any bags -- luggage
Breeze
Children playing
Night

So, What makes you happy?

My favorite Sri Lankan dessert has to be kollukkaddai. It is so yummy. It’s filled with roasted and grinded sesame seeds, cardamom, coconut, and sugar. Outer layer is just all purpose flour mixed with rice flour steamed.

My mom and dad made it a few days ago and I had way too many. All of them were gone in just a few days. Damn.

A philosophy professor stood before his class and had some items in front of him. When class began, wordlessly he picked up a large empty mayonnaise jar and proceeded to fill it with rocks, rocks about 2” in diameter. He then asked the students if the jar was full? They agreed that it was. So the professor then picked up a box of pebbles and poured them into the jar. He shook the jar lightly. The pebbles, of course, rolled into the open areas between the rocks.

He then asked the student again if the jar was full. They agreed it was. The students laughed. The professor picked up a box of sand and poured it into the jar. Of course, the sand filled up everything else. “Now,” said the professor, “I want you to recognize that this is your life.”

“The rocks are the important things – anything that is so important to you that if it were lost, you would be nearly destroyed. The pebbles are the other things that matter like your job, your house, your car. The sand is everything else. The small stuff.”

“If you put the sand into the jar first, there is no room for the pebbles or the rocks. The same goes for your life. If you spend all your energy and time on the small stuff, you will never have room for the things that are important to you. Pay attention to the things that are critical to your happiness. Play with your children. Take time to get medical checkups. Take your partner out dancing.

There will always be time to go to work, clean the house, give a dinner party and fix the disposal. “Take care of the rocks first—the things that really matter. Set your priorities. The rest is just sand.”

Happy March!

I am so excited for this month! My first day of March is starting out fantastic even though is snowing hard. I just hope I don’t have too much of a bad time on the roads when I start driving.

Anyways, what I am so happy about is that I got a perfect score on my black community class paper. I wrote about the staggering unemployment rates in the black communities and how it is the biggest factor in the continuing fragmentation of black community. I am really surprised with my grade because I didn’t feel completely accomplishment with the task when I gave it to my professor. But, I guess I should just be happy with it and I am!

After spring break I have to give a presentation about the topic I wrote about. Yea, that is really going to be interesting. I must practice at least ten times before I am comfortable. Well, maybe a 100 times!

Guess what! I signed the lease to my apartment starting in June. I am so excited! The three other girls I am moving in with are fantastic! I think we are going to have so much fun! It happened very quickly. We went apartment hunting yesterday and walked to a few places. But all of us pretty much fell in love with the first apartment we looked at. Four cozy bedrooms, two bathrooms, a beautiful living room with a huge window, and finally our own kitchen!

We did look at one apartment that had three small rooms and one room that was huge! We all just mutually agreed that we would fight over the bigger bedroom so we didn’t even take that apartment into consideration.

Did I mention how fast everything happened? I didn’t think I would find three others so quickly and already signed the lease.
Yikes!

Next semester is going to be so much fun. I heard that four other guys that we all know might move in to the same complex. Okay, that would be like living on campus all over again- but with our own bedrooms! I know two of the girls love to cook-this might be dangerous. But I am definitely going to cook healthy. Two of the girls were/are dating Indian guys so they love curries and rice. So this summer I have to learn to cook with my dad so I can cook them some dishes. Something simple and healthy.

Everyone must visit me!

I asked my dad a question this weekend.
Why can’t LTTE go the Mahatma Gandhi route-Non-violence?
My dad answered that it was tried for a few years but there was too many killings that happened that it was better to start fighting than wait to be killed.

I been watching the second season of The Office and it is fabulous! So funny! OMG, laughter never felt so good! A story of a boss, wants everyone to like him, yet in attempting to do so, becomes a big goofball and a little bit of a jerk. Love it!

I think people with British accents are so attractive especially the men. So, it’s no surprise to me that I started up a conversation with an older man just because he had the accent and he seemed like a nice man. Not like Simon from American Idol-whom I will never find attractive. If this man didn’t have the accent then I probably would have pretended like I was reading when he came down to wait for the taxi that I previously called for him.

He was so cute. I told him about the one day trip I had in London (yes, one day) and how I wanted to go back one of these days for a longer time. I asked him what he thought of his trip to the States so far.

“It’s nice…but I miss home” he said.

In his opinion he said American restaurants give way too much food! He couldn’t believe the size of the lasagna he ordered was the size his family eats for dinner! He pointed to my computer speakers to represent the slice of the lasagna. With the lasagna came salad and ice cream. The waitress kept asking if there was something wrong with the food because the UK group still had a lot of the food left. They were in amazement and frankly he seemed disgusted by our American way. And he said if anyone really finishes all of it….I said *ahem* “yes, yes, people do”

One night he forgot his passport in his hotel. Few friends and he went to a bar for a few drinks. This man clearly looks about early to late 40’s yet they would not give him an entrance to the bar because he had no way to identify he was 21+. He said that it was ridiculous! Finally, his friend had to give a bribe to have him inside the bar.

Now, I don’t know why these stories stand out for me. They are the usual stories-- nothing particularly interesting. Yet, because of his accent and for being a patient man (taxi was late...little bit my fault for this) I like his stories. He was straight forward- when I feel that I would have told more of pleasant stories. Okay, maybe I am thinking too much into this---maybe I just simply again liked his accent. There was something genuine about his tone – critical yet…

Is that time in my life.
Time to make resumes; get the experiences of a lifetime, and grow up!
Yea, I am actually excited to get out in the world.
I love embellishing the details of my past jobs and experiences.
Embellishing every mundane details to some extraordinarily heights.
When I twine words together that are just right to make it all sound super important....it felt a little weird.
But the more I read my resume...
It actually feels really good.
I feel important.
And
I am excited to see how my resume will be in five years.
I can’t wait!

I had so much fun today! I attended an event that had different halls competing at different sports for the title of All-Stars. There was a color theme for each of the halls (pink for me), prizes, and huge banners. It was SO much fun! Few of us, including myself, got extremely bored waiting for all the different sports to be set up. So we had to make some fun. We got whole bunch of pink bandanas, tied them together, and made ourselves capes. We were pink superheroes for the night. When I was playing kickball and needed to run one base to another, my cape would fly in the air! I felt powerful. I laughed so much that my stomach hurt by the end of the night. I stole a bag full of goodies that was free (whistles, ice scrapers, Frisbees, band aids with cool cases, gum etc.)

By the time, all the events ended it was about 10 p.m. and few of us were starving. Since it was beautiful weather outside we decided to walk about 6 blocks to Perkins. OMG, I haven’t been to Perkins for years and their menu has changed so much. They give you a ton of food for only about seven bucks. The dish I ordered came with three pancakes which I had for breakfast the next day.

I was exhausted by the time I got back.

I have been laughing A lot. Laughing where your stomach is in pain. Ahhhh….it feels so good!

I was watching a show on BET (Black Entertainment Television). While flipping the remote I heard something that disturbed me. This particular show had some rather, I guess well-known people in the black community (comedians or those who are willing to speak about black people). So this black guy said something to this affect… “The fear that once was seen when a black man enters a room/bus has been taken over. Now we got our Muslim brothers fighting that fight for us.

I don’t know what to think of it. I am just thinking if I am playing into this.

So I bought these flowers for my mom……and ME! I just love all the pink. Ohh and I love the red on the kitchen wall in these pictures!!

My day was so busy. I didn’t realize I had planned so many things. I forgot actually. So, my day started with receiving a beautiful, handmade, valentine card from my friend in the mail. It was HANDMADE and pretty! I hopped to class instead of the usual slouch.

As soon as my classes were finished, I attended the Vagina Monologues series. It was definitely an unique event!!!

I didn’t stay for the closing speech of the vagina monologues because I was running way too late for a get together. I met up with a few girls and had ourselves a small party (single and happy…). We ordered too many pizzas, bread sticks, and ATE way too much! For our movie selection we watched The Notebook.

Wangari Maathai

I went to hear 2004 Nobel Peace winner Wangari maathai speak. Maathai founded The Green Belt Movement that helped women plant more than 30 million trees across Kenya. This helped these women improve the quality of life and conserve the environment. She was the first women to earn a doctorate in East and Central Africa and the first environmentlist to be awarded the Nobel Peace.
It was a packed auditorium; people were given permission to sit behind her on stage and when that wasn’t enough, a live feed of her speech was transmitted to a second auditorium!
She mentioned one thing that stood out for me: As she travels across the globe many often complain that the United States did not sign the Kyoto protocol treaty. She told the crowd that she is impressed with the United States on the efforts they take to reduce global warming. She has not visited one country, even the countries that signed the treaty, where individuals are aggressively involved in recycling and being aware of global warming. United States is number one in that.

We don’t have to wait until we can do big things. We can do little things like planting a tree. Anybody can do that. But if so many of us in the world did it ---and especially in areas where trees are needed---we can make a difference,” Maathai said.

Avocados ANYONE?

Currently we have about forty avocados at the house. It all started with my parents seeing a cooking show on SunTv and in that particular episode, they discussed nutritional benefits of avocados. So they told my brother and I to buy it for 29 cents each. My brother was not sure if he can buy it before the coupon expires so I went and bought it. When I came home my brother had twenty and I had twenty!

They are high in calories but they can lower cholesterol.

Today I blended one in milk and sugar. Too good. Must stop!

Yet to be Beat by Little Girls!

If time permits, I could get really obsessed with soccer. Our team is called: Little Girls. The reason behind this name: If we beat a team then they have to say “we got beat by little girls.”
Okay. Someone thought it would be funny.
I have yet to miss a game. We are not doing that well so far but it is just fun to be aggressive and competitive (two of my favorite things…most of the time). It’s definitely a stress reliever. I SO enjoy team sports.
Let’s hope for a win next time.

I run from one end to the other end getting the ball away from the other team as much as possible. That is my job. And I do my job to the best of my ability.

The entire team. can't all be on the field so we take turns. Two girls have to be in the field at all times.

Limited Visibility!

My drive this morning was the worst! I am just glad I got to my room safely. Most of the drive I felt like I was on a plane. All the snow that continuously fell did not settle on the ground but was flying around which gave the impression of --clouds. All I could do was stay behind other cars that SOMEHOW managed to see where they were going. With all this difficulty I still made it back here by the usual time-which surprised me.

I didn’t see a “Limited Visibility” sign until right before my exit! That really helped!

Great Call!

Youn called me from South Korea! It was so great to talk to her...I miss her so much. Damn! I wish we had more time!

Cindy Sheehan

I went to hear Cindy Sheehan speak. She is well known, as an activist, after her son died in the Iraq war. She became a household name when she protested near George Bush’s Texas ranch in 2005. The environment in the auditorium was pretty intense with security guards walking around and guarding the doors. There was an incident where two men started to scream at Sheehan: “You are supporting and giving power to terrorist.” They were quickly stopped.

Some of Sheehan’s comments:

Barbara didn’t teach George on solving conflicts without violence.

One person can make a difference

9/11 could have been an excellent podium to show other countries what the United States was made of. We could have taken this tragedy and had the whole world listening to us about nonviolence, forgiveness, and truly capturing those who committed the crime. Instead we invade lands that doesn’t belong to us, kill thousands of innocents lives, and have the world hating us. (something to this affect)

My country can do better

Some things I just didn't agree with Sheehan. Like "No one has to die for freedom...we are born with it." Is she living with humans or what? She gave me a different perspective to see situations through but I didn't agree with all of it...atleast not as much as those who gave a standing ovation when she was finished.

I sat in the back this time. I didn’t want another “Kal Penn situation” – however Sheehan was nothing like Kal Penn. She was actually prepared to speak, motivated, and strong about her beliefs.

I was interviewed by two newspapers. I don’t know why they choose me but THEY DID! I was interviewed for the school and the city paper. I woke up early to get the paper the next morning- and loved seeing my name. The city paper covered more of what I said than the school paper:

“Student Tharsica (last name) said she supports Sheehan’s efforts to find the truth behind why the war in Iraq started.”
“She’s just a mother,” she said. “She has a right to ask why her son died.”

It was an eventful night. I also heard a Nobel Prize Winner speak this week. More on this later...

Broken Pieces..

If anyone, for any reason, have wondered what would happen to eye glasses if it goes through the washer and dryer, well, let me be the first to tell you: Nothing….well almost.

It will just be in pieces – three pieces to be exact. You might cry at the shock of seeing it in the dryer and will immediately Google for the nearest shop to fix your pair. You will carry the damaged pieces-like a sick child in a cloth, and drive it immediately to the shop.

There you will explain what happened. And everyone in the store will tell you “we never had one of those” and give you variety of options and quote the prices for each.

You will choose an option and that will be the end of that day. Glasses will be back to where they were… as if nothing happened.

Saying “Excuse Me” is Not an Excuse for Rudeness!

What’s going on with people? Why do some think it is okay to be rude just because two words are mumbled before the “rude incident” takes place? EXCUSE ME!

I was at the store yesterday just browsing at tops. This girl, I really don’t want to use the word girl rather I would prefer to use the B word, but I’ll refrain from it. She was working and I was browsing. She consistently, maybe about 7 times during the few minutes I was in the aisle, coming into and out the aisle. First few times she slightly bumped into me and she didn’t say anything. So, I made effort to move few of the times but after the 3rd time I had enough. My aggressive side unfolded. I barely moved the next time so she said “excuse me.” in a sarcastic tone. This continued for a few times then finally She had to come right where I was browsing and started to adjust the hangers.

I said “isn’t there a better time for you to do that? I am looking at this section right now.” The girl said “I said excuse me didn’t I? If you didn’t want me to do this you should have not moved.” I said “Oh yea! Maybe you should have some manners.” The girl said something and walked away. I was pissed! Then she started to tell her friends about the incident!

Then I look up and from across the room there were group of guys just staring and smiling at me. Not cool.

So today I just had to call and complain to the manager. I told her what occurred last night and what the girl looked liked. Unfortunately I didn’t get the name of the girl---so manager said she will try to find who it was.

What a big B! The girl...right!.

World Around.

I had a conversation with a girl on the same floor. We always chat when we see each other (if I am not my cell). She always comments about her weight. First, she said that she needed to gain weight (weighs probably less than a hundred pounds) but today we were talking about christmas and how we ate more than usual. She said that she gained two pounds and then quickly added that she had to lose it. I am like… WTF?

After this I have been thinking a lot. I been meeting a lot of girls from a lot of countries and we all seem to have one thing in common. BODY ISSUES.

This issue has spread worldwide. My butts too big or too small, I hate this and that, I wish I could change this. Big and small. Taller and shorter. Dark and light.