| | oh dear, is it bad if i actually like kelly clarkson songs? shhh...keep it down. don't tell anyone. :) c'mon, they're so catchy! | comments: 9 comments or Leave a comment   |
| | Well, I did it! I finally watched Harold and Kumar Go to White Castle. It was awesome! :) hahaha, I enjoyed the speech about the American Dream. You can really tailor the American Dream to just about anything, huh? | | comments: 6 comments or Leave a comment |
| | too much anxiety about the start of medical school...I wonder if everyone gets so anxious at the start of a new chapter in life. Will it be radically different from the last one? I feel lonely of late, like I have no one to really express my feelings to. (ugh, I hate ending in a preposition, but too lazy to change it.) Might be because I'm nervous about school. Might be because everyone is off doing their own thing. | | comments: 5 comments or Leave a comment |
| My brother works in the financial district in London. He used to work in the financial district in New York, thus having the bad luck to experience not one, but two terrorist attacks.
I think this has really gotten to my mom. She, like any other mom would, is constantly worrying about the threat of another attack. (There are more London bomb threats everyday.) She even tried convincing my brother to move back to the States.
For what? Are we to change our lives for these terrorists? Is that not doing exactly what they want of us? To fear them, to alter our everyday existence, to go into hiding? My brother loves it in London; why should he have to move back to the States because of bomb threats? He should move back when he is ready...because he wants to come back, not because he's scared that there will be more bombings in the subway. My mom wants him to stop riding the subway. Take a cab, buy a car, whatever, she says!
Rational fear, rational fear, rational fear.
There's probably more of a chance that you'll get killed in a car accident than in a terrorist bombing.
But there are those moms who lost sons on July 7th. And what if more bombings are on the way? At what point do you decide to balance the risks? Surely if something happened to a loved on in a bombing, you would never forgive yourself. You would say, "Oh, if only I had forced him to move home! If only..." Those "if only's" are deadly; they will haunt you forever. So what is the right answer then? Do you balance your dreaded premonitions with your logical side? Does your logical side win out?
Oh, this world is such a mess nowadays. I hardly know how to express myself. | | comments: Leave a comment |
| Yesterday I went to a coworker's house in East Palo Alto for dinner...and it was just so nice to see what he has accomplished. All my life I have been in a well-educated segment of the world, and for the first time this summer, I have really gotten to see life from a different perspective. These people work so hard for every cent they have. My friend's dream was to own a house here in the Bay Area, which is no easy feat, let me tell you. He worked like heck for it...taking on side jobs on the weekends and working his ass off here. Last year he and his wife bought a little house, and it was just lovely. A small garden, a living room, kitchen, 2 bedrooms, all outfitted in Peruvian decorations. He was -so- proud of it!!
It's remarkable to see the American Dream at work. Immigrants from Peru, scrimping and saving for that house...oh, it's so heartwarming. :)
I suppose that's what my parents had to go through, but I can better appreciate that now. Hopefully I'll be able to afford a house after medical school debts someday. ;) | | comments: 3 comments or Leave a comment |
| | Sometimes, I like to visit weather.com and type in the zip codes for Palo Alto (94301) and New Haven (06525). Then I sit there for a while and gloat. Of course, the Palo Alto weather of sun, sun, sun everyday does get a tad monotonous...but then you think about the humidity and thunderstorms in CT and realize that it's not so bad here after all. :) Yes, I take pleasure in little things. And why yes, it is gloating at other's misfortunes...but oh how fun. :) | | comments: 3 comments or Leave a comment |
| Well, I've finished work (thank god), and it's been a wonderful week without it. :) I still can't sleep in, but hey, it's nice having the chance to eat a leisurely breakfast. I've been spending my time filling out my financial aid applications, and it's rather depressing to do so. We are supposed to sign promissory notes in August--I have to sign about $40K in them, not counting the $10K I'm supposed to contribute myself. Geez.
I'm also debating what medical school to go to...there are so many conflicting thoughts: should I do Boston, should I do New York? If New York, where? I'm trying to see five years into the future, and then ten years. Where does that bring me? I hope to be happily married with two young children. Oh, a steady job. And enough income to afford a nice house and good food. ;)
Suddenly, I am having doubts about many things. I am thinking of getting an MD/MPH. Why? Epidemiology, biostatistics, public health--it seems like the future to me. Prevention will be more important than treatment in the future. What an impact I could make in epidemiology & infectious diseases! Maybe I can travel to third world countries and make a difference there.
Those are all wild fantasies. Then I come back to the present...and think, "man, why do I want to torture myself even MORE through medical school? Isn't four years of pain enough, to add on an MPH in those four years as well? Crazy, Cathy." And if I do just want to live a nice happy life, why do I need all that? Do you see the conflict? Part of me yearns to do something great for the world; part of me is selfish and wants a comfortable, happy life for myself. It's hard because I don't know what is right.
Full of decisions...:) | | comments: 6 comments or Leave a comment |
| i think i'm depressed.
i don't like my job, i hate my apartment (more specifically, my psychotic roommate). it's like i have no where to go. i don't want to leave work, i don't want to stay at work. thank god for my coworkers. man, i feel like i'm in such a rut...and no one cares.
*sigh*
and then i did this quiz today:
what random object are you?
great, i'm toilet paper.
<td>You are Toilet Paper.
You are used and taken advantage of by a lot of people, including your friends. They make you be the one to clean up their messes in their life. But the only reason that this happens is because of your kindness and commitment. These are the qualities most members of the opposite sex look for, which makes you hot. Yes, toilet paper is hot. But be careful that your lover doesn't use you to their advantage, and be sure that they are not seeking too much control. Remember: Toilet paper is used by many, but is most often considered valuable when it is not there in time of need.
Most compatible with: sock.
Click here -- What Random Object Represents Your Inner Self?
</td> | | comments: 6 comments or Leave a comment |
| I just finished readi1ng Rape of Nanking. The book is so horrific to read...partially because of the detailed descriptions, but perhaps even more so because of the fact that I (and many others) knew next to nothing about this event. Why is it that we know so much about the Jewish Holocaust but not about the concentrated and systemic murder of civilians in a week's time in Nanking? I would guess that it's because the Chinese are much less vocal of a group than the Jews. While the Jews fight for preservation, we are more silent, preferring to focus our energies on the future. Iris Chang says that it's a second rape that the Japanese government still covers up their history...I was shuddering with anger by the end, and it's little wonder that there is such animosity between the Japanese and Chinese.
In the epilogue, she talks about how human nature allows us to sit idly and watch as terrors go on around us, as long as we are far enough away. "But for the Rape of Nanking, or for the murders in the former Yugoslavia, there can be no such excuse. The Nanking atrocities were splashed prominently across the pages of newspapers like the New York Times, while the Bosnia outrages were played out daily on television in virtually ever living room. Apparently some quirk in human nature allows even the most unspeakable acts of evil to become banal within minutes, provided only that they occur far enough away to pose no personal threat." (221) True. That really got me thinking...I think George Bush has completely warped America's perception of helping others. After this war on Iraq, will we be isolationists in the future? Will we be tired of meddling in others' affairs? Will this dampen our resolve to help others? When the time comes when our help is needed again, will we be reluctant to dole it out? Where does one draw the line between helping and not helping? Surely it is clear-cut with Bosnia and Nanking that our help is needed, no? And again I remind myself that this is why we have the UN...it is not solely the United States's job, but it is the job of all of us to do something about these kinds of atrocities.
Hm, I don't know if anything I'm saying is making sense. It's a jumble of thoughts, cynicism blending with realism and idealism. I just know that it's wrong that we know so little about the Rape of Nanking. I hope it can be changed. | | comments: 2 comments or Leave a comment |
| Well, it looks like I'm the only one left here in Princeton. All my friends are gone...and I still have to be here until Christmas Eve! Thus, I'm going to take Shirley's quiz thing.
THREE NAMES YOU GO BY:
1. Cathy
2. Shufus
3. Cashew
THREE THINGS YOU LIKE ABOUT YOURSELF:
1. dedication & perseverance
2. ability to make others feel at ease
3. skill at writing letters and keeping in touch
THREE THINGS YOU HATE ABOUT YOURSELF:
1. insecurity about certain issues
2. my dry skin
3. my lactose intolerance!
THREE PARTS OF YOUR HERITAGE:
1. Chinese
2. Chinese
3. Chinese
THREE THINGS THAT SCARE YOU:
1. regret
2. George Bush
3. insects
THREE OF YOUR EVERYDAY ESSENTIALS:
1. fruit
2. my Kipling backpack
3. my watch
THREE THINGS YOU ARE WEARING RIGHT NOW:
1. Dearfoam slippers
2. gray Express sweatpants
3. 2005 Princeton sweatshirt
THREE OF YOUR FAVOURITE BANDS:
1. Coldplay
2. Maroon 5
3. Blessid Union of Souls
THREE OF YOUR FAVOURITE SONGS AT PRESENT:
1. Chopin's "Fantasie Impromptu"
2. Elton John's "Your Song"
3. Shenandoah
THREE NEW THINGS YOU WANT TO TRY IN THE NEXT 12 MONTHS:
1. Snowshoeing
2. Hiking in Peru
3. Dissection!
THREE THINGS YOU WANT IN A RELATIONSHIP (besides love):
1. deep discussions
2. the feeling of "wow, nothing can be better than this..."
3. stability
TWO TRUTHS AND A LIE:
1. I'm ready to move on in life.
2. I'm scared of the what the future holds.
3. I'm tired of Christmas already.
THREE PHYSICAL THINGS ABOUT THE OPPOSITE SEX THAT APPEAL TO YOU:
1. arms
2. shoulders
3. eyes
THREE THINGS YOU JUST CAN'T DO:
1. wink
2. blow a bubble
3. tune my own instrument
THREE OF YOUR FAVOURITE HOBBIES:
1. writing letters
2. reading
3. cooking
THREE THINGS YOU WANT TO DO REALLY BADLY RIGHT NOW:
1. go home
2. take a vacation
3. finish my book
THREE CAREERS YOU ARE CONSIDERING:
1. Doctor
2. Mother
3. Wife
THREE PLACES YOU WANT TO GO ON VACATION:
1. Japan
2. Peru
3. Europe
THREE KID'S NAMES:
1. Emma
2. Dylan
3. Evan
THREE THINGS YOU WANT TO DO BEFORE YOU DIE:
1. travel the world
2. get married and have children
3. believe in God
THREE PEOPLE WHO HAVE TO TAKE THIS QUIZ NOW OR ELSE! :
1. I don't think that many people even read my LiveJournal! :)
2.
3. | | comments: 4 comments or Leave a comment |
| A List -- Lactose Intolerance not included :)(what's yours?):
A. Apples (I used to eat about 3 a day...then I went into apple shock.)
B. Biscotti (I try them everywhere I go!)
C. Chilean Sea Bass (okok, they're endangered now)
D. Dried fruits (especially mango and papaya)
E. Eggs (I love omelets!)
F. Fruit tarts
G. Graham crackers (simple, but so good with some bananas and peanut butter, or just plain)
H. Hummus (with some warmed pita, yum!)
I. Ice cream (cookies and cream, mint chocolate chip, gingerbread, cinnamon, etc.)
J. Jello (well, not really but I can't think of anything else with a J?)
K. Korean pancakes (always my #1 appetizer at a Korean place)
L. Lasagna
M. Muffins! (especially cinnamon chip!)
N. Nuts (mainly almonds, pistachios, cashews)
O. Okra (but not the deep-fried variety)
P. Papaya
Q. Quinoa
R. Rold Gold Honey Wheat Pretzels (we go through bags and bags of these at work)
S. Sweet Potatoes (oh yes, nothing better than one of these baked in the oven)
T. Tofu (in all varieties)
U. Unagi Don (Eel over rice)
V. Vietnamese food (my favorite cuisine -- so light and delectable!)
W. Water Spinach :)
X. Xiao Long Bao (the Shanghaiese specialty)
Y. Yogurt (with granola and fresh fruit -- thus a parfait)
Z. Zucchini Bread | | comments: 3 comments or Leave a comment |
| i hate my job. if i work one more day past 11, i'm going to kill someone.
it's not even like i'm doing -cool- stuff. | | comments: 2 comments or Leave a comment |
| Well, I can't say we didn't try. I'm still boggled by how our country could have reelected this man. How does one overlook the fact that he lied to an entire nation about something as HUGE AS GOING TO WAR?! I am NOT a Kerry fan, but let's face it...Bush really f**** up the first time, and regardless of how crappy Kerry would have been, it's only fair to have given him a chance. Bush had his chance; he screwed it up. He's already a known loser; Kerry is only a potential one.
I had this idea that we should have voting weights. They should be based on level of education. Then we wouldn't have a Presidential election decided by a matter like gay marriage which affects like 0.5% of the population...while there are so many more important issues to thinka bout. But...then all those inner-city people wouldn't have votes, etc., etc., so I guess it really wouldn't work out. But something is wrong with the current system, that's for sure. Everyone I know who voted for Bush did so on "moral grounds." Talk about walking contradictions.
*sigh* Productivity at work yesterday decreased by about 400% as we were all yapping away about how much we detest Bush. I blame that loss in productivity on George W.
Four years will be over soon though...and hopefully the world won't be worse off at the end of all this. Do your own part for the world, and that's the best you can do. :) | | comments: 1 comment or Leave a comment |
| | well, here goes guys! wish me good luck this week! :) i'll let you know how it all pans out. | | comments: 2 comments or Leave a comment |
| I've been so bad in updating lately!
And today, I received an awesome letter in the mail pointing it out to me...:) And I decided that I can't very well disappoint my legions of fans, right? The reason for my silence of late is that work has been keeping me so busy. *sigh* This whole weekend is dedicated to work, work, work. (Actually, I went into the city to attend the Giant Central Park Tag Sale, but the estimated queue time was 3 hrs!!) My life has been pretty mundane of late.
I did hold a murder mystery party at my house last week...and it was a smashing success! It was so much fun. I bought food and snacks and drinks and everything...it was my first real party! The game worked out well too; it was like an elevated version of Mafia. :)
Next week is a big week for me...so wish me luck. ;)
I will try and update more! | | comments: 4 comments or Leave a comment |
| | Agh, what to do, what to do. My roommate is absolutely filthy. I came home yesterday from a business trip to a microwave that is covered in red gunk...there is egg yolk all over the counter, dishes all piled up in the sink, and she hasn't even emptied out the dishes that I washed a few days back! It's awful--I always wash the dishes and empty the dishwasher...I feel like it's like game theory, but I can never hold out long enough. I can't stand having a dirty kitchen, and apparently she can. So I always end up doing all the chores. Help! I need advice! :) | | comments: 7 comments or Leave a comment |
| | I went to the Jersey shore this past weekend. It was my first time out there, and hearing all the hype got me really excited. Well, it wasn't -quite- what I was expecting, but expecting Jersey shores to be on par with California ones really isn't fair either. :) The boardwalk was fun for a short while...but I felt like the beaches should've been free! You can't charge admission for people to enjoy nature! Maybe like suggested donations or something. ;) | | comments: 2 comments or Leave a comment |
| | I'm now living in a temporary place...my mom's friend's house. :) It's pretty nice, but I can't wait to get my own place. I move in August 15th, so I'm really excited. In the meantime, work has been really busy...and I don't have Internet access here, so it's a bit tough getting online at times. I'm still alive, though, worry not! :) | | comments: 2 comments or Leave a comment |
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