I just checked the USA JET website and am sad to report that I wasn't selected for an interview. *frown* Ah well, at least I tried. At this point, I'm not too bummed about it because I wasn't one of those people who were betting everything on it. I was hoping I'd at least get an interview, but I suppose it wasn't in the cards for me. At least I still have a job right?
A special thanks goes out to everyone who helped with the application and for writing reference letters. I'm sure they were wonderful. I guess this was probably a bad year to apply since there were a record number of applicants (more than 5,300). However, that's what happens when you do this kind of stuff on a whim. If I had given living abroad more serious thought, I would have applied years ago. Then again, I probably didn't have this wanderlust going on back then so traveling didn't even come to mind.
Now that I know I didn't make it, I can concentrate on other things. I am still seriously contemplating spending a couple months backpacking through Australia and New Zealand with Elle. She and I will probably have a good time just getting lost.
I have also read an entire blog written by a local guy who did a cycling tour through NZ and is backpacking it through Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam. It's a guy named Dug, who seems to be from Maui, and his blog is called Rompingground. He's already been gone for over a year. Amazing! While I definitely cannot live up to his long-distance biking, the WWOOFing sounds pretty interesting and a good way to learn about a foreign country and really get to know its people.
Now, I know what you guys are thinking. And yes, I am definitely a city girl (which is why I love San Francisco so much). But I think I can kick it in the backwoods as long as I'm doing something interesting like milking cows or herding sheep. I'm not sure about clearing the land as Dug did, but I'm game to at least give it a try.
So I guess the main point is that my future is wide open. (I was getting a little stressed out as Elle and I would talk about Australia and NZ but couldn't really do much because everything hinged on a reply from JET.) I plan to reevaluate the next year or so of my life and see what direction life will take me. Moving up to San Francisco is still a possibility, but I don't think I can do it without a job. That'd take some cojones that I do not have right now.
Showing posts with label Elle. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Elle. Show all posts
January 26, 2010
January 24, 2010
Kung Hee Fat Choy
Kung Hee Fat Choy! Or, Happy New Year! Chinese New Year 2010 is just around the corner, and Elle and I went to Chinatown for the kick off weekend. We headed to the Chinese Cultural Plaza for the food mostly, but we also took in some cultural presentations.
Here's the view from the second floor overlooking the stage and the people. When we first arrived, I thought it looked pretty dead. However, by around 8 p.m. the place was pretty packed.
There were a handful of crafts booths throughout the Plaza. They were selling toys for the kids, jewelry, Year of the Tiger t-shirts and other trinkets.
One booth was selling these little lion replicas.
Another had these lion heads on display. Pretty neat stuff.
Here's the main event . . . the FOOD! It all looked really good. This was the vegetarian food vendor. I think it was run by a Buddhist temple, but I'm not completely sure.
The ladies making jin dui (a fried pastry with different types of filling) really looked like they knew what they were doing. I love the one with coconut inside, even though I normally don't like coconut. There's something about the crunchy, chewy shell that makes it so ono!
On stage, there were many types of performers. There were Chinese opera groups, children's choirs, tai chi performers, kung fu demonstrators and lion dance troupes. The lion dance guys were pretty cool. They came with their own little drum section.
Here's the view from the second floor overlooking the stage and the people. When we first arrived, I thought it looked pretty dead. However, by around 8 p.m. the place was pretty packed.
There were a handful of crafts booths throughout the Plaza. They were selling toys for the kids, jewelry, Year of the Tiger t-shirts and other trinkets.
One booth was selling these little lion replicas.
Another had these lion heads on display. Pretty neat stuff.
Here's the main event . . . the FOOD! It all looked really good. This was the vegetarian food vendor. I think it was run by a Buddhist temple, but I'm not completely sure.
The ladies making jin dui (a fried pastry with different types of filling) really looked like they knew what they were doing. I love the one with coconut inside, even though I normally don't like coconut. There's something about the crunchy, chewy shell that makes it so ono!
On stage, there were many types of performers. There were Chinese opera groups, children's choirs, tai chi performers, kung fu demonstrators and lion dance troupes. The lion dance guys were pretty cool. They came with their own little drum section.
January 8, 2010
Community Classes
I decided that I needed to get out more in 2010 and what better way to do that than to take some classes in the community. I looked through the adult ed classes offered through some of the nearby schools as well as activities offered through the City and County of Honolulu Parks and Recreations and decided on ukulele lessons.
I'm borrowing my sister-in-law's ukulele for the classes. I cannot believe she gave me her Kamaka! I don't think it'll help improve my playing though LOL I have also shanghaied my friend Elle into coming along with me so this should be pretty fun. There may be up to 20 students in the class, but I hope it's smaller. We need to register tomorrow for the class.
I am also considering a self-defense class for women. I figure it might come in handy one day, right? You never know what kind of creep is lurking in the shadows. I'm not sure what they'll teach in this class though so I plan to ask about it when we register for the ukulele class.
Since I may be doing these two classes I decided to cut back on my hours at JCCH. I'll need the time to practice the ukulele, watch movies and update my movie blog and try to update this blog.
I'm borrowing my sister-in-law's ukulele for the classes. I cannot believe she gave me her Kamaka! I don't think it'll help improve my playing though LOL I have also shanghaied my friend Elle into coming along with me so this should be pretty fun. There may be up to 20 students in the class, but I hope it's smaller. We need to register tomorrow for the class.
I am also considering a self-defense class for women. I figure it might come in handy one day, right? You never know what kind of creep is lurking in the shadows. I'm not sure what they'll teach in this class though so I plan to ask about it when we register for the ukulele class.
Since I may be doing these two classes I decided to cut back on my hours at JCCH. I'll need the time to practice the ukulele, watch movies and update my movie blog and try to update this blog.
September 10, 2009
Post-Op Day 1-2: Seeing 20/20
Yesterday I went in for a follow up visit to the eye doctor. It took longer to get into the exam room and to wait for him than to actually get checked. Isn't that usually the case?
When I finally saw him, he checked my left eye and told me that the pressure was a little high. He said this could be due to some of the gunk they put in pre-op and during the surgery not being flushed out. He gave me yet another bottle of drops to use - one drop twice a day. I added it to my collection of bottles. I also had to schedule another visit for Monday so he could check on it prior to working on my right eye.
When the tech checked my vision, it turns out I can see 20/20! Amazing if you ask me. The letters are still blurry and not completely crisp, but the fact that I could see them is just crazy. They told me that prior to surgery I couldn't even see the big E on the chart. That's how bad my vision was.
Overall, the only weird thing is that I feel a little disoriented because my eyes don't seem to be on the same page. What I mean is that I have a floating sensation like I don't have good depth perception. It's not too bad though. When I described it to my friend Elle, she said that she recently got a new monitor at work that had been cranked up so that everything was super crisp and clear. It made her feel dizzy. That's the best description for what I'm feeling now. Hopefully when my right eye gets fixed everything will balance out. It's like one eye is HDTV and one eye is analog.
Last night I wore my racquet ball goggle to sleep and didn't have a problem with it. It's not uncomfortable so it's ok. Also, I suppose subconsciously I know that I just had surgery and don't roll around too much in my sleep.
Today I have one last day at work before the weekend. Yesterday wasn't bad though. I just need to bring my bag of eye drops and keep on schedule.
When I finally saw him, he checked my left eye and told me that the pressure was a little high. He said this could be due to some of the gunk they put in pre-op and during the surgery not being flushed out. He gave me yet another bottle of drops to use - one drop twice a day. I added it to my collection of bottles. I also had to schedule another visit for Monday so he could check on it prior to working on my right eye.
When the tech checked my vision, it turns out I can see 20/20! Amazing if you ask me. The letters are still blurry and not completely crisp, but the fact that I could see them is just crazy. They told me that prior to surgery I couldn't even see the big E on the chart. That's how bad my vision was.
Overall, the only weird thing is that I feel a little disoriented because my eyes don't seem to be on the same page. What I mean is that I have a floating sensation like I don't have good depth perception. It's not too bad though. When I described it to my friend Elle, she said that she recently got a new monitor at work that had been cranked up so that everything was super crisp and clear. It made her feel dizzy. That's the best description for what I'm feeling now. Hopefully when my right eye gets fixed everything will balance out. It's like one eye is HDTV and one eye is analog.
Last night I wore my racquet ball goggle to sleep and didn't have a problem with it. It's not uncomfortable so it's ok. Also, I suppose subconsciously I know that I just had surgery and don't roll around too much in my sleep.
Today I have one last day at work before the weekend. Yesterday wasn't bad though. I just need to bring my bag of eye drops and keep on schedule.
August 29, 2009
Opa!
Tonight I went to the Greek Festival with my friend Elle. It was held at McCoy Pavilion and was completely packed. It was $3.00 at the door to get in, and there were many booths - food, drinks, crafts and religious icons. There was also live music on a stage and dispersed around the pavilion in the form of single singers with guitars (or whatever the Greek equivalent is called).
The lines were ridiculously long when we got there at 7:00 p.m. I advise that you come earlier . . . either that, or don't go on an empty stomach. It was really hard to stand in line for 20 minutes when I was starving. Also, if you go too late they'll be no food. There's an area called Ethnic Foods where you can get a plate of diffent things for about $10.00-12.00. By the time we got around to it, they were saying there might not be any food left. The two girls in front of us were the official cut off. We might wait a half hour and walk away with nothing. Luckily, we were able to get a plate and have dinner, even though some of the entres were sold out already.
We stopped by the pastry section and picked some up to go. We tried the kataifi, which is like shredded wheat over a really sweet honey sauce. Too sweet for me. We also tried the kourambiedes (aka wedding cookies) because I had heard about them a lot. They were okay - not as sweet as the kataifi but nothing special either. They tasted like shortbread cookies covered in powdered sugar.
Overall, it was an okay night out. Nothing much happened and we didn't stick around too long. It was just too crowded and there really wasn't a lot of stuff to look at. It was also pretty dark in areas, even though there were lights strung up. This was my first and probably last time there. I'll wait for the real thing.
The lines were ridiculously long when we got there at 7:00 p.m. I advise that you come earlier . . . either that, or don't go on an empty stomach. It was really hard to stand in line for 20 minutes when I was starving. Also, if you go too late they'll be no food. There's an area called Ethnic Foods where you can get a plate of diffent things for about $10.00-12.00. By the time we got around to it, they were saying there might not be any food left. The two girls in front of us were the official cut off. We might wait a half hour and walk away with nothing. Luckily, we were able to get a plate and have dinner, even though some of the entres were sold out already.
We stopped by the pastry section and picked some up to go. We tried the kataifi, which is like shredded wheat over a really sweet honey sauce. Too sweet for me. We also tried the kourambiedes (aka wedding cookies) because I had heard about them a lot. They were okay - not as sweet as the kataifi but nothing special either. They tasted like shortbread cookies covered in powdered sugar.
Overall, it was an okay night out. Nothing much happened and we didn't stick around too long. It was just too crowded and there really wasn't a lot of stuff to look at. It was also pretty dark in areas, even though there were lights strung up. This was my first and probably last time there. I'll wait for the real thing.
July 29, 2009
Bucket List - Week 16 Update
I've got a several updates to my Bucket List.
Bucket List #1
Yesterday I sent out my manuscript to three local publishers. I got a reply from one of them saying they received it and it'll take 4-6 weeks for a "yay" or "nay" reply. Guess that's a start.
Bucket List #16
Checked out Volunteer Hawaii as one reader suggested and thought it was really helpful. I didn't really see anything that fit me, but I'll have to take another look this weekend.
Bucket List #32
Found a penny in the parking lot at work so this brings my total down to $999.85. Boy, this one's gonna be here a while.
Bucket List #41
Just watched Bill Maher's Religulous and don't think this will happen any time soon . . . well, at least if anything religious is invovled.
Bucket List #55
Still reading I Will Teach You To Be Rich. There's a bunch of interesting info in this book and it's easy to understand. I suppose all of it is written to help you get rich, but it's basically filled with great personal finance tips (some more common sense than anything else) that twenty-somethings should know. More on it next week.
Bucket List #67
As a recap, my KCC golf class got canceled. Apparently the building doesn't have electricity. What does electricity have to do with golfing? Good question. I'm not sure if I'll be registering for the fall classes. I was thinking I might just go to the driving range with my dad once a week. It might be faster that way.
Bucket List #70
Another recap, I picked up a electric sewing machine from Costco. I just have to figure it. My co-worker keeps saying it's really easy, but she's been sewing since before she was 5 years old. I'll try to figure everything out this weekend.
Bucket List #80
Again, I'm very skeptical now that I've watched Religulous. I wasn't a religious person to begin with so the movie seems to have only confirmed my suspicions.
Bucket List #87
Found some line dancing classes that start in the fall. I know they're not ballroom classes, but it's definitely a start. I convinced my friend Elle to come with me. I'm kinda excited. Don't count on me wearing cowboy boots and a hat though.
Bucket List #96
Elle mentioned taking a holiday to a cowboy ranch one day. Might be able to fit this item into that trip. What'dya think?
Bucket List #1
Yesterday I sent out my manuscript to three local publishers. I got a reply from one of them saying they received it and it'll take 4-6 weeks for a "yay" or "nay" reply. Guess that's a start.
Bucket List #16
Checked out Volunteer Hawaii as one reader suggested and thought it was really helpful. I didn't really see anything that fit me, but I'll have to take another look this weekend.
Bucket List #32
Found a penny in the parking lot at work so this brings my total down to $999.85. Boy, this one's gonna be here a while.
Bucket List #41
Just watched Bill Maher's Religulous and don't think this will happen any time soon . . . well, at least if anything religious is invovled.
Bucket List #55
Still reading I Will Teach You To Be Rich. There's a bunch of interesting info in this book and it's easy to understand. I suppose all of it is written to help you get rich, but it's basically filled with great personal finance tips (some more common sense than anything else) that twenty-somethings should know. More on it next week.
Bucket List #67
As a recap, my KCC golf class got canceled. Apparently the building doesn't have electricity. What does electricity have to do with golfing? Good question. I'm not sure if I'll be registering for the fall classes. I was thinking I might just go to the driving range with my dad once a week. It might be faster that way.
Bucket List #70
Another recap, I picked up a electric sewing machine from Costco. I just have to figure it. My co-worker keeps saying it's really easy, but she's been sewing since before she was 5 years old. I'll try to figure everything out this weekend.
Bucket List #80
Again, I'm very skeptical now that I've watched Religulous. I wasn't a religious person to begin with so the movie seems to have only confirmed my suspicions.
Bucket List #87
Found some line dancing classes that start in the fall. I know they're not ballroom classes, but it's definitely a start. I convinced my friend Elle to come with me. I'm kinda excited. Don't count on me wearing cowboy boots and a hat though.
Bucket List #96
Elle mentioned taking a holiday to a cowboy ranch one day. Might be able to fit this item into that trip. What'dya think?
June 13, 2009
Test-Driving a New Dentist
Today I tried out a new dentist (Dr. Joanne Le on Piikoi) that my friend Elle suggested. It went well considering I hadn't been to a tooth doc for probably three or four years.
My last dentist (the late Dr. Daniel Lui in Waipahu) was actually our neighbor's son when my family used to live in Newtown. Unfortunately, it's been several years since he's passed away and I have not been able to find a good dentist since.
I had continued going to Dr. Lui's partners for my dental care for about a year but have since moved into town. It's too inconvenient to drive out there just for a 30 minute check up and my laziness overwhelmed me so I just gave in to it. I didn't even try looking for another dentist in town till now.
It's literally been years since I've sat with one of those paper bibs 'round my neck and had to say "Ahhhhh." I'm glad to say that since I've been gone for so long technology seems to have improved. Either that or Dr. Le is just on it when it comes to new technology.
The office had x-ray machines, computers and large monitors. They were able to show me my x-rays in minutes and told me about each image. They were even able to demonstrate what tooth decay looks like using computer imagery. Pretty nifty to convince people they really need to floss every day.
Overall, the experience wasn't too bad. Because I hadn't been to the dentist in a while and I'm not a habitual flosser, I had a decent amount of plaque build up. No cavities though (I've never had any before so I guess my record is still holding up). Because they had to scape all the gunk off my teeth, the process too a while. At my old dentist, I could be in and out in 15 minutes. This time I stayed for over an hour (with probably 10 minutes waiting throughout) and have to go back next week for another cleaning. They want to make sure they got all the plaque.
I will try to be more diligent and floss every day but can't make any promises. My mouth and gums ache a little from being picked at. But other than that I'm good. Hopefully it won't be as sore.
My last dentist (the late Dr. Daniel Lui in Waipahu) was actually our neighbor's son when my family used to live in Newtown. Unfortunately, it's been several years since he's passed away and I have not been able to find a good dentist since.
I had continued going to Dr. Lui's partners for my dental care for about a year but have since moved into town. It's too inconvenient to drive out there just for a 30 minute check up and my laziness overwhelmed me so I just gave in to it. I didn't even try looking for another dentist in town till now.
It's literally been years since I've sat with one of those paper bibs 'round my neck and had to say "Ahhhhh." I'm glad to say that since I've been gone for so long technology seems to have improved. Either that or Dr. Le is just on it when it comes to new technology.
The office had x-ray machines, computers and large monitors. They were able to show me my x-rays in minutes and told me about each image. They were even able to demonstrate what tooth decay looks like using computer imagery. Pretty nifty to convince people they really need to floss every day.
Overall, the experience wasn't too bad. Because I hadn't been to the dentist in a while and I'm not a habitual flosser, I had a decent amount of plaque build up. No cavities though (I've never had any before so I guess my record is still holding up). Because they had to scape all the gunk off my teeth, the process too a while. At my old dentist, I could be in and out in 15 minutes. This time I stayed for over an hour (with probably 10 minutes waiting throughout) and have to go back next week for another cleaning. They want to make sure they got all the plaque.
I will try to be more diligent and floss every day but can't make any promises. My mouth and gums ache a little from being picked at. But other than that I'm good. Hopefully it won't be as sore.
June 4, 2009
Career Path Counseling
I had this ridiculous conversation with my manager (T-Rex, as my friend Elle calls him) today. It was supposed to be one of those career path/future goals-type meetings where I expressed what direction I wanted to grow in and how he could help get me there.
Well, how are you supposed to tell a guy that you're just here for the paycheck? That you don't really care for his managing style or his personality? That if you could, you'd switch departments in an instant but there's no where else to go? That you're concerned about the direction of this company because its leadership is so F'd up?
How do you tell a guy his overly exaggerated attempts to get to know his staff are seriously a no go. We (my co-worker and I) don't want to be all buddy-buddy with him. Is it so hard to understand that? I'm not going to go all verbal diarrhea on him and share my deepest, darkest secrets. It just ain't happening dude so back off.
It's so annoying that he pretends not to get the hints that my co-worker and I throw at him. No, we would rather not get all personal and touchy-feely thank you very much. I know he's not dumb or naive so I know he gets it. He just ignores it and continues to do his best to become our newest BFF.
T-Rex proceeds to ask if I'd be interested in pursuing new areas such as database management, market analysis, media relations and whatnot. He speaks as if all of this is currently being done and that it'd be a new adventure to me. Um, yeah . . . last time I checked no one, not even him, in our three-person department was doing any of this. So who exactly is going to be leading the class on database management or market analysis? Certainly not him as he's not even organized enough to have an inbox on his desk. And honestly, I don't have confidence in him as a manager to teach me anything.
Another rather irritating thing about this dinasaur behemoth is that he always uses either unnecessarily large words or industry terms in order for him to sound smart. He can never speak plainly and be straight to the point. It takes several attempts before he can even go head with what he's going to say. Sometimes I feel like slapping him on the back to help him spit it out.
Usually, you're supposed to be inspired and look up to your manager. If you can't even respect your manager, where does that leave you?
Well, how are you supposed to tell a guy that you're just here for the paycheck? That you don't really care for his managing style or his personality? That if you could, you'd switch departments in an instant but there's no where else to go? That you're concerned about the direction of this company because its leadership is so F'd up?
How do you tell a guy his overly exaggerated attempts to get to know his staff are seriously a no go. We (my co-worker and I) don't want to be all buddy-buddy with him. Is it so hard to understand that? I'm not going to go all verbal diarrhea on him and share my deepest, darkest secrets. It just ain't happening dude so back off.
It's so annoying that he pretends not to get the hints that my co-worker and I throw at him. No, we would rather not get all personal and touchy-feely thank you very much. I know he's not dumb or naive so I know he gets it. He just ignores it and continues to do his best to become our newest BFF.
T-Rex proceeds to ask if I'd be interested in pursuing new areas such as database management, market analysis, media relations and whatnot. He speaks as if all of this is currently being done and that it'd be a new adventure to me. Um, yeah . . . last time I checked no one, not even him, in our three-person department was doing any of this. So who exactly is going to be leading the class on database management or market analysis? Certainly not him as he's not even organized enough to have an inbox on his desk. And honestly, I don't have confidence in him as a manager to teach me anything.
Another rather irritating thing about this dinasaur behemoth is that he always uses either unnecessarily large words or industry terms in order for him to sound smart. He can never speak plainly and be straight to the point. It takes several attempts before he can even go head with what he's going to say. Sometimes I feel like slapping him on the back to help him spit it out.
Usually, you're supposed to be inspired and look up to your manager. If you can't even respect your manager, where does that leave you?
May 29, 2009
Bucket List - Week 7 Update
Yes, I realize I'm a few days late but I just lost track of time this week. Somehow it was Memorial Day and then next thing I know it's Friday. What the?!? It doesn't help that I'm sooo disenchanted with work right now. But that's for another blog. As usual, here's my Bucket List update.
Bucket List #1
I haven't followed up on the manuscript I submitted two years ago (but at least I have a signed contract so that means it'll get published someday). I guess I should shoot over an email and see what's the haps.
Bucket List #2
Astonishingly, this is actually a possibility now that my friends and I have settled on Italy for our great, big Euro adventure in 2010. Now I'm reading up on travel tips, budget saving secrets and all that good stuff like a madwoman. Anyone ever try couchsurfing before?
Bucket List #6
My friend Elle actually did this at May's First Friday and it was actually a bit freaky. Maybe I should try it?
Bucket List #16
Remember how I was waiting to see what happened with my work's community service project? Well, that's what's got me so freakin' frustrated today. It's like we were on a river headed toward a mighty waterfall but ran into Hoover Dam. WTF?!?! Bureaucracy sucks. I really hate corporate life. I dream of one day walking out on in completely and hitting the dirt trails of Europe's backroads.
Bucket List #32
I found a nickel last weekend in the parking lot of the Ewa Zippy's. Now I'm only $999.93 away from my donation.
Bucket List #87
My friend Elle told me that the Hawaii Ballroom Dance Association offers dance classes at a really decent rate. I'll have to look into it a bit more, but maybe soon you'll meet the new Ginger Rogers (only brunette and Asian)?
Bucket List #1
I haven't followed up on the manuscript I submitted two years ago (but at least I have a signed contract so that means it'll get published someday). I guess I should shoot over an email and see what's the haps.
Bucket List #2
Astonishingly, this is actually a possibility now that my friends and I have settled on Italy for our great, big Euro adventure in 2010. Now I'm reading up on travel tips, budget saving secrets and all that good stuff like a madwoman. Anyone ever try couchsurfing before?
Bucket List #6
My friend Elle actually did this at May's First Friday and it was actually a bit freaky. Maybe I should try it?
Bucket List #16
Remember how I was waiting to see what happened with my work's community service project? Well, that's what's got me so freakin' frustrated today. It's like we were on a river headed toward a mighty waterfall but ran into Hoover Dam. WTF?!?! Bureaucracy sucks. I really hate corporate life. I dream of one day walking out on in completely and hitting the dirt trails of Europe's backroads.
Bucket List #32
I found a nickel last weekend in the parking lot of the Ewa Zippy's. Now I'm only $999.93 away from my donation.
Bucket List #87
My friend Elle told me that the Hawaii Ballroom Dance Association offers dance classes at a really decent rate. I'll have to look into it a bit more, but maybe soon you'll meet the new Ginger Rogers (only brunette and Asian)?
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