|
|
Sunday, July 5th, 2009
| |
8:31 am - I have grown up!
|
;;makes rock-on signs;;
And this is my acknowledgment of the growing up! Woo! ...I think.
(this message brought to you by: too much caffeine and lack of sleep)
|
|
(4 comments | comment on this)
|
| Thursday, May 28th, 2009
| |
7:52 pm - Stop my heart
|
I don't know if I've told you all before, but my dad is allergic to cats. The fact that Cricket is living in my house with me means we have to keep him confined to my room while being careful (things like washing our hands and changing clothes after touching him) to keep my dad from having trouble breathing. I also have a large, aggressive dog (Sirius Black) who is known to hate smaller animals. This in mind...
Jake and I went to the food store yesterday while Dad was down at the dentist. When we got back, Dad opened up the back door, letting the dogs out. "Hey, Mel, you forgot to close your door." And he held out his hands, clutching something small and black. "This is all that's left of your cat."
My rational mind was going: "That can't be Cricket. Cricket can totally escape the dogs, they can't climb on top of the wardrobe" and "Cricket is a tough-ass little fscker, he can kick anyone's ass, even a dog that's a million times larger than him!"
My irrational mind was going: "Didn't I close my door?" "OMG he came all this way, went through all that torture only to die at the clutches of my dog?!"
Ugh, I wish my vision with my contacts wasn't so bad-- I would have been able to tell, easily, that my dad was pulling my leg, using one of Sirius' black stuffed toys.
I actually think my family is extremely funny. We're still laughing about it.
(Cricket is FINE. Cocoa (she's either 14 or 15) and him seem to be indifferent about each other. Sirius, I think he and Cricket can be friends, despite my parents' doubts...)
|
|
(11 comments | comment on this)
|
| Wednesday, May 27th, 2009
| |
9:10 am - Safe and sound at home
|
Was too exhausted to futz with slow computer when I got in last night. This keyboard is weird.
Got in safe last night-- Cricket is acclimated, so quickly, to my old room, which my parents (my mom) cleaned for me. I even got him to purr. I wonder if he knows how much it meant to me to hear him in his purr-mode. So much of the travel-worry was about him and his brother.
It was great seeing SJ and Uncle Thomas and Kat-head at the airport! Panera! Blue skies with clouds, and green everywhere. I love NC.
...but I will continue to miss Osaka and my yoga school and my bike and my apartment and... ok not thinking about that so I don't cry.
Anyway, back home and safe. Love! See a lot of you... soon!
|
|
(18 comments | comment on this)
|
| Thursday, May 7th, 2009
| |
12:29 pm - Creativity Meme! Started by me!
|
If you could be a superhero (original), who would you be? What would your powers be?
(you can have superhero powers, but better yet, what kind of superhero could you be right now?)
Please comment! This post can possibly lead to inspiration.
|
|
(3 comments | comment on this)
|
| Tuesday, April 21st, 2009
| |
10:28 am - Crickalie's Hanami
|
A few more pics up on Flickr.
I stood him up on one of the tree-props and angled myself below him whilst hoping he looked up at the right time. He's such a photogenic kitty, ne?
Also, pictures of me with purple hair, an artist shirt and some shakura.
|
|
(6 comments | comment on this)
|
| Thursday, April 9th, 2009
| |
12:30 am - Isabel and her Fluffy Butt
|
As seen earlier this morning (April 8th, 2009) around 10:30am.
Isabel is posing on my bicycle in front of people doing hanami (or cherry-blossom viewing). Not seen in the picture, Isabel is wearing her sky-blue Havainas (sandals). She tells me that this is actually almost exactly what she's wearing in real life.
For those of you who have any doubt in your minds, it is absolutely friggin gorgeous in Osaka this week.
Also uploaded that may be of interest to you: Cricket in a sweater. And a bicycle/arsty picture. MORE TO COME!
|
|
(7 comments | comment on this)
|
| Saturday, March 14th, 2009
| |
7:38 am - Mostly finished...
|
The world works in mysterious ways.
After lamenting to you and then to a soon-to-be former student (Kchan) that I wasn't going to teach elementary the second week, someone fixed the problem and I'll be teaching elementary plus Kchan! Joy! It's actually good closure for this Kchan, because she followed my first assistant (H) to my school, then insisted on staying in my class even after Kchan moved and was closer to the other school. My assistant for both weeks will be H, who is psychic I swear. We work well together.
So, in short-- only one week of snot-nosed kindergarteners. Then, a week of elementary kids and a yoga class practice for me to try teaching. After last night's assistant-teaching, I'm wondering whether or not I can do this...
Last night, I ate too much salt and I feel hung-over. Uggggggh.
Yesterday was my last day of my kindergarten classes, and most notably for the after-school program for six kids that I've worked with all year. I wrote individual messages and gave them rainbow pencils. The message? Essentially-- thank you for all your work, it's been so great working with you, good luck in first grade, and I'll always love you!
...the last part of the message is strange for a teacher to give, but one of the kids (the worst one) is abused at home. I don't know how or why, but my suspicions are it's physical (sometimes when I high-five, he cowers; sometimes when I'm mad at him, he acts like I'm going to hit him) as well as emotional (he calls himself "stupid" and then says mean things to others-- which I always corrected). I want him to know that he'll always have someone who loves him even if he's bad, but he should try to be good.
The thing is, I know there are several roads this kid could go down. One of them is like I-kun, the kid that worked at the Korean restaurant that Saa-chan (and other friends XD) used to go to. He dropped out of school and figured working was better than education-- he got money for being bored all day working instead of being bored all day and called an idiot. He worked construction and then at night for the restaurant, but I think he quit working that job to become a host...
It occurred to me as I was walking from the kindergarten that I wouldn't be able to give him more love, and I started to cry... and then I stopped myself. For the past year, I've done all I could (in this society and in my position as an outsider). I mean, that's all I can do. And I took a deep breath and kept walking, in the rain, to the bus stop.
|
|
(6 comments | comment on this)
|
| Wednesday, March 11th, 2009
| |
6:20 am - Whoa, long time no see.
|
Conversation at work:
Part-time Staffer: It's like, no one hears you. (laughing)
Me: That's why I'm quitting. (also laughing)
Laughing because it's hilarious, really.
Just in the past few weeks, because we're not going to go back in time so far,
1) I've been lectured for using the Internet at work for non-work-related things (that includes looking at the news, wikipedia-ing something that I'm curious about, and using twitter. Have stopped using twitter at work.). This is because my co-worker has been using programs for classes that he downloaded using torrents-- two violations. The staff who talked to us knew full and well that it wasn't me, but *we* got yelled at for online gambling. (wtf?)
2) I really enjoyed teaching elementary school aged kids last week-intensive program, so I asked to teach elementary-school kids for two weeks. Instead, I'm doing two weeks of kindergarten. My last two weeks, which I'd been looking forward to teaching, are now going to be... hell. The first week, two of the kids I teach regularly are going to be there; one was the screamer (if she doesn't want to come to class, she screams and has an attack of hysterics the entire class period or until she gets what she wants) and the other is the bobble-head (falls asleep during class, can't sit still, wobbles and wobbles). And the second week of kindergarten is at the maximum number of students now (12!!!!). Yay, two weeks of snot-nosed kindergarteners! I told them, if you break the class into two, I WANT THE OLDER KIDS. I said this repeatedly, just in case no one heard me the first twenty or so times. (at least I'll have an awesome assistant.)
3) We were asked which day is best to have our final party-- the welcoming of new staff/saying-good-bye to old staff. I said I wanted to have it on the 21st, since there were no classes that day and the 14th (our final day of full-Saturday classes) is incredibly hectic. Last time I went to one of these parties after a full-day of partying with kids/working hard, I got sick. And, I can't say no to this party because I'm leaving and will be expected to give a speech. Aaargh.
So there you have it. Three things I will not miss about my job: being lectured about not-doing-work-things-at-work, teaching snot-nosed kinders, and mandatory parties.
...oh wait, that happens back home, too. Fuuuuuudge.
Also-- on tonight's episode of House, Wilson turns into a large duck and eats House! Foreteen try to make Wilson regurgitate House using all kinds of kitchen appliances, most notably a spatula, but alas, House is in no good shape to survive, so Cuddy tells the team to make the best of the situation, and they have a giant barbecue on to of Princeton-Pierce hospital. It's kind of sad, kind of funny, mostly ironic. I really liked it. ... I guess I spoiled it, huh?
(that last paragraph was for Izzy. FYI, I haven't gotten the ep yet, just read the summary online)
XD
|
|
(22 comments | comment on this)
|
| Sunday, February 1st, 2009
| |
2:55 pm - BSG has eaten my brain
|
|
| Tuesday, January 27th, 2009
| |
7:58 pm - ..I think BSG has eaten my brain.
|
( This pretty much sums up how I feel about Felix Gaeta. (non spoiler) )
So, I found a community on facebook and joined it after reading that description. I know, I am a dork. (especially considering I'm not a fan-of anyone, nor am I in any other groups (except the squids bicycle gang, but who wouldn't want to be a squid biker??))
Also, if you haven't seen BSG lately because you don't know it's back on (wtf, where have you been?? all the cool kids've been talkin' 'bout it!) or because the last few seasons sucked, I recommend watching the latest ep. (4.12) because the scene between Mr. Gaeta and a certain viper pilot rocked my socks. Hard.
(ok, dorky-rant over.)
And another thing-- any of you out there like Twilight? Plot hole: menstrual cycles! How do vampires deal with being around menstruating females? Hah! Take that, Stephanie Meyer! I want to bash Bella's emo brain in!
|
|
(7 comments | comment on this)
|
| Wednesday, January 21st, 2009
| |
11:09 pm - A meme!
|
The first five people to respond to this post will get something made by me! My choice. For you.
This offer does have some restrictions and limitations:
- I make no guarantees that you will like what I make!
- What I create will be just for you.
- It'll be done this year. (might be a little while)
- You have no clue what it's going to be. It may be a story. It may be poetry. I may draw or paint something. I may bake you something and mail it to you. Who knows? Not you, that's for sure!
- I reserve the right to do something extremely strange. I promise that it won't be a pile of boogers on a piece of paper.
The catch? Oh, the catch is that you have to repost. We can all make stuff!!
(i may or may not do more than five. someone extended to six for me, so...)
***
Also, I am extremely late in saying Happy Birthday to my Ashers. I have been a bad friend. But I love you!
|
|
(5 comments | comment on this)
|
| Tuesday, December 16th, 2008
| |
9:40 am - Apartment Crisis
|
My apartment is COLD. As in, there is a teensy layer of brick separating me and the great outdoors. My windows are COVERED in condensation. I have wiped them three times in the past 12 hours. My cat is currently licking them. Any ideas on what I can do to keep from becoming a mould-haven??
Ugh, and it isn't even full-blown winter. How will I survive the cold?!
|
|
(4 comments | comment on this)
|
| Monday, December 15th, 2008
| |
11:01 am - My cat, man
|
I spent about three hours being miserable and cold in band practice yesterday. The difference between sitting in a studio with oversized scarf and jacket draped about (on top of an alpaca hoodie, too) and sitting at home in an apartment which is, essentially, the same temperature as it is outside is...
The cat that drapes himself, wraps his little paws around my neck, cuddling up to me. Being in home clothes, watching "House" and knitting, and not having to argue with people who don't hear me. Nope, all I have to do at home is tell my cat, "Come here and keep me warm" and he jumps on my lap and nudges my chin with his little triangle-shaped face, eager to please and easily pleased himself.
Yes, he wakes me up before and after my first alarm (I set three, just in case) with his wet nose or his little teeth on my fingers, or, more annoyingly munches loudly on plastic; yes, he nudges me with the same wet nose when I want to sleep; yes, he purrs so loudly cuddled up next to me I find it hard to fall asleep; yes, I throw him off my bed at least six times a night (for biting, most of the time); yes, he waits until I sweep to scoop his litter all around the bathroom; yes, he goes through my garbage can on a regular basis;... but I love this little black ball of fur, currently sitting on my lap so that my legs have fallen asleep, so incredibly much.
(Also, he purrs on command.)
|
|
(5 comments | comment on this)
|
| Tuesday, December 9th, 2008
| |
10:30 am - Happy Birthday Beerubutt!
|
|
| Monday, December 1st, 2008
| |
12:01 am - Yatta!
|
http://arthousecoop.com/project/view/10
I signed up for it and a book is coming my way and I will fill it up with pictures and words and everything and send it back and it will be in shows, yes it will.
I have something other than yoga to look forward to on my five days of year-end vacation.
(I know, it's ri-cock-ulous)
|
|
(comment on this)
|
| Sunday, November 30th, 2008
| |
10:21 am - My Very First GIP
|
-My parents are in the process of convincing me to move back to the old homestead and work at a middle/high school teaching Japanese. The most convincing part? Creating a recycling program in said hometown.
-I am eating home-made yogurt. Hooray for bacteria!
-I think it's nearly the same temperature inside as it is outside, and that is really really cold. Might as well let in fresh air.
-I am doing yoga three times a week and attempting to do swing dancing on Wednesdays.
-I haven't eaten out in over a week. Record!
-I think this is the first time I've made icons since... over two years ago?
-I really really really really really am frustrated with work.
-I was originally going to upload pictures to flickr but realized I was homesick for Brazil. And Isabel. And arucaria trees.
|
|
(9 comments | comment on this)
|
| Wednesday, November 5th, 2008
| |
10:41 pm - ROCK OUT WITH YOUR BARACK OUT
|
I woke up with a sore throat and taught three very loud kindergarten classes. Then I went and had lunch. Then I went to the office and looked at the BBC home page to see how North Carolina had fared.
And I burst out crying at the headline: it was something like OBAMA and PRESIDENT. And his beautiful, shining face. And, just. Wow.
I felt like screaming OBAMA every other word. Even though my throat hurt and my nose was stuffy, when my co-worker asked me how I was feeling? "I have never felt better in my life."
And when another lady in the office asked me what I thought of Obama winning, I said, "I'm proud, oh so proud, to be an American."
"...for the first time in a long time, since as far back as I can remember, I'm proud to be an American," said another guy, not to me, in my office.
Of course there will be speculators. Narrow, rigid people who think a black man (see, he's not even a HUMAN being, he's a "black man" as if that were a sub-par concept) can't do as well as a real, experience-ridden, veteran (but we didn't like Kerry, did we?). Here is what I say to you: The fact that off-shore drilling is an "environmental" standpoint shows that you know nothing about the environment. Yes, I believe that Obama is going to create sustainable, green jobs. I hold him to that promise.
Here's to you, Mr. President. And to all of you for making it happen.
|
|
(5 comments | comment on this)
|
| Monday, November 3rd, 2008
| |
10:26 pm - Maturity?
|
Am I the only person who looks back on earlier stuff on the 'net (i.e. old blog entries) and just *cringes*?! I mean, not just content-wise (although I was a complete spaz back then apparently, both on- and off-line), but I didn't use capitalization and I used the bejeezus out of emoticons.
(My spellcheck has "spaz" highlighted, but "bejeezus" surprisingly is not.)
Anyway, for those of you who have stuck through the entire life-of-me-online this far... Wow. And, thanks. Although now I am too self-conscious to go back to my old-blogging-ways (or even my old-acting-in-person-ways for that matter...) I wonder if I should make such an attempt. I think I wasn't nearly as stressed out then as I am now about those things.
Earlier this week, I found the ISMML. Looking through the roster was like, ye gods, I know these people! The purpose of re-joining was to get cooperation/spread the word about Fanlore.org (which beerubutt has been promoting relentlessly). I think that the ISMML had such an impact on my fandom (and my subsequent growing up and becoming a real member of society rather than a troll) that it deserves some recognition. I just don't know where or how to get started. Every time I sit down, I realize I'm too self-conscious to trust my own opinions, memory, and words...
And now for [insert Monty Python reference of your choice]:
Veronica Mars Season 1? Loved it. No, maybe you don't get it. I really, really loved it. I guess if I want to go into more detail I should put it behind a spoiler cut... Maybe another time.
Today's accomplishments: worked an ice cream booth and sold one pair of handwarmers!, saw the art around Utsubo park, made a rockin' pumpkin/sweet potato soup (a healthy one, too!), tomorrow's bentou, and muffins. Muffins will save this world, I tell you. Oh, and I went back on Facebook. And I fell in love with this guy: illdoctrine.com/
|
|
(4 comments | comment on this)
|
| Thursday, October 30th, 2008
| |
8:49 am - Back to reality
|
Must say, I am not lovin' it. I had a nightmare where I was going back to Brazil for another 2 weeks (Beeru's mom was going to drive Beeru and I around Brazil, including the rainforest) and I had no teacher-planning done. Beeruchan, in her infinite wisdom, was telling me, "Take a break-- let the sub worry about it." While her dad (yes, Beeru's dad) and Mike were both giving me the third degree (i.e. "You should be a more responsible worker" speeches).
Since I have been back, needless to say, I have not been sleeping as well, although I have been getting the same amount of sleep. Also, I feel really anti-social. So I have been supplementing doing things like cleaning up after myself and doing laundry with copious amounts of cat-on-lap time (not by my choice, mind you) whilst knitting (not an easy feat with said 6 kg (assumption) attention-craving cat-on-my-lap) and watching Veronica Mars (omg, I love her dad) and Big Bang Theory. It's really pitiful.
But what I will say is-- my apartment smells like Beeruchan's house. I made the yummiest tomato-parsley-celery-eggplant [I forget what you call it] on Monday, and I just made my first batch of beans in the pressure cooker. (I didn't cook them long enough, but they sure do smell good!) And that makes me feel a bit more... at home.
|
|
(5 comments | comment on this)
|
| Friday, October 24th, 2008
| |
6:18 am - What's Goin' On?
|
And I said Hey-yay-yayay Hey-yay-yay, I said Hey, What's Goin' On?!
What have I missed since leaving for the land of Beeru-Butt?
I probably won't be replying to your comments until Sunday or Monday, but I wanna know! I am going to make the comments screened. I think in order to reply I have to do so by e-mail otherwise it shows up, yeah?
I will be posting pictures and as much of an update as I can muster soon. But, I am home safe. I must say, though, that "this house just ain't a home any time [he] goes away," the "he" being my cat. I think Mike is bringing (why do I want to write *sexy*?!) Cricket back tonight. Crickalieeeeee!
Oh, and in case it isn't completely clear, I had a really [insert word that means awesome great spectacular amazing fun wow etc] time. Even though the skies were mostly cloudy/rainy, it was so so so wonderful.
Also-- haven't gotten my absentee ballot yet. Um...
(While I was in Brazil, I used the computer very very little, so I have little to no idea of any new campaign breakthroughs or who's on top. What I DO have? Is a Portuguese newspaper/magazine with Sarah Palin shooped in an American Flag bikini with a huge gun. Which I found on the plane and snatched up for future Portuguese study.)
Isaberu, I love you and your whole family! THANK YOU!!!!
|
|
(comment on this)
|
|
|
|
|
![[info]](http://l-stat.livejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif){kind=small}
spatulagirl's journal
