vade mecum [vah-dee make-um]
Noun
a handbook carried for immediate use when needed [Latin, literally: go with me]
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Archive for September, 2008
Day in the Life
Since I haven’t written in a while….
Sharon called me while I was at a lecture about Walgreens. She’s doing well in Florida but the workload is overwhelming. I can totally relate. She said she’ll be going home for a month next summer (I wish I could visit her in Malaysia!!!) but she’ll be back around the time I graduate so I think I’ll stop by and visit. She’s staying in a large townhouse with Michelle, another international student from Linfield, so there’ll be plenty of room for a guest. I can’t wait!! Even a month into this dreaded program I’m dreaming about graduation. I want to travel!!! I’m not sure of the quality of visiting must-see sights on my own. I’ve only ever traveled with family or friends like when I stayed in Japan. I know I want to visit China for a few days. I’ve been dreaming about Beijing for years–in under a week you can see the Forbidden City, tombs of emperors, and the Great Wall!! (plus most hotels have amazing spa packages). On the way there or back I’d like to visit Sharon and Lee. We’re all so busy with school I don’t want to bother them during Christmas (I only have a week off anyway).
My grandpa has to have radiation because the cancer in his stomach was later determined to be Stage 2. Poor guy! We all complemented him after his surgery because he looks younger and healthier than he has in years.
Other than that nothing much. I don’t think I’m going to go to Y-Con. Reading manga is good enough XP Maybe next year. I know I’m wasting a 40$ ticket but do I really want to go to a con with raving fangirls?? (And I mean raving). I know I have a beautiful outfit to wear but no one wants to go so I’ll hold off for now. I slept all day yesterday (a 4 hour nap then I crashed at 4pm and woke up at 9. Chatted with my parents, then went back to bed until 6am) It’s probably because of my 1/2 business presentation on Friday. It was so nerve-wracking but I’ve gotten better at presenting.
So next week is a regular school week. In two weeks I have Wed. off so I think I’ll get a massage *sighs happily* I’d rather spend 200$ on a massage than a nice purse any day. My goal when I have a substantial income: get a massage every weekend lol
Island Dreams
As the days get longer, the classwork harder, work challenges more tedious, and my eyelids seem to become impossbily heavy I find myself often imagining a sunny island somewhere surrounded by an impassable atoll. I suprise myself because usually the sand in all manner of places does it for me. It’s fun when you a kid and you can play around in the surf all day. When you’re older, you worry about sunburn, who’s looking at you’re new bikini, if you’re staying hydrated enough to make your skin glow, and if the sand is giving you a rash. Like I said, an impossible dream if it features me on a beach. Or I must be desperate.
Personally I’m just looking forward to that Pearly Gate day called ‘Graduation’. As far off as it seems I feel like I’m floating toward it as if I’ve been given wings. It’s a narrow dot of light, as distant as a star, but I never lose sight of it. I keep thinking of ‘what ifs’ which somehow seem to make the now more bearable. What if I made a 6-figure salary, what if I could save a portion of my school loan to cover a round-trip flight somewhere. So I’ll indulge myself–if only because I was up until 2:30am writing a marketing report, almost slept in too late, ran to work, and was greeted by a *mountain* of paperwork *sigh*.
If I had that much money…I would buy a brand new apartment that allows dogs so I wouldn’t worry about fleas from the pets of previous owners. It would be on the top or nearly the top floor with a wide breezy balcony and impossible views. The horizon would always be clear, the wind sweet. There would be miles of golden hardwood in every room that reflect the amber lamplight like gold. I would have one shag carpet in the living room to add a little warmth, texture, and toe-comfort. The living room would be modern, a deep leather couch and artful coffee table in the shape of driftwood or some bulbous statue. The classic, marble fireplace would be gas, the mantle filled with items from my travels. The dining room would be mostly vintage wood pieces lending it a Victorian/medieval feel. A solid, extremely heavy table that fits seven and was probably carved right out of the tree. There would be a sideboard on clawed lion’s paws and two sturdy brass candlesticks. I’m more flexible on the kitchen–preferably dark marble countertops to knead bread on, a 4 burner stove, and a deep oven with several racks. A microwave, mixer, and neat porcelain jars lined up like little buddhas that contain all number of things. The entrance hall would have a small table with a relaxing image and religious statue, preferably a water feature with wall hangings the color of the surface of a pond when it’s hit by sunlight. There would be no clocks, no obvious signs of the hectic pace of modern life. No 80s answering machine just inside the door or ponderous grandfather clock ticking away the seconds of your life. My bedroom would be the same–an impossibly wide bed as soft as a cloud with thick yet breatheable comforters and half a dozen lumpy and decorative pillows. There would be a nightstand on either side for balance but soothing decorative pieces instead of electronics (I would have to put up with an alarm clock though). Plants would be scattered throughout if they could be guaranteed to stay healthy without direct sunlight–maybe I would just permit one in the bathroom to add life to an unhealthy area.
Beginning of September
Do I miss August? Considering I don’t know where it went…I’m not too sure. Not much has happened–Pepi had his surgery last Tues. and so far he looks amazing and says he feels a lot better. I managed to get through my first week of MBA classes and Mike started school this morning. Last week it was a consistent 95 degrees. Lucky is acting a lot better–she looks healthier and acts more energetic ever since mom started cooking meals for her (plain pasta, sweet potatos, plain meat like boiled chicken, and cooked carrots). She’s a real pampered pooch now.
I Just learned that Christina Kirk is married. That’s the first old-friend I’ve known who’s married besides Nicole. It’s funny–in college a senior I was close to who was a serious athlete (we were also on the chaplain’s team together) got engaged then married to Josh who was a senior in my major department. Why do athletes always get married first?! And Josh wasn’t even a jock though he was the captain of the ultimate frisbee team. Not fair! lol
Work is ok–because I only go 2x a week there’s a lot of work to do so I often stay longer to get everything done. I feel super guilty but there’s nothing I can do about it. Dad keeps saying he wanted me to take a 2 year program instead so I could keep working. But full time + school is never a good mix no matter how many classes you’re taking. I’d rather take more classes than work hours–it’s easier that way and even if you have time to study at work you can’t concentrate very well. It’s working out so far and I like it this way. Plus, even if it was a 2 year program, I still wouldn’t be able to commit 100% to work. I want a job I can completely commit to without distractions. I’d rather sacrifice 1 year rather than 2. But we’ll see how things go. My only regret is that I wish I had more money ><. But who doesn’t?
My plan to visit Lee during Christmas was a little too hasty–I don’t even have time for doctor appointments let alone taking a vacation. I think I get a week off for Christmas–most of which will be spent wrapping presents and sleeping. In reverse order of course. *sigh* I need to start thinking about x-mas gifts but I’m a diagnosed shopoholic which is putting me majorly in debt (thank heavens for parents who pay for 200$ textbooks. There’s a running joke in marketing that *someone* is getting seriously rich off students).
I haven’t visited Cassie in awhile–I’m just trying to slog through 3 hours or more of studying a day. If I keep at it, it becomes more like habit so I don’t dread it as much. I’ve been watching Sherlock Holmes again–I don’t have the attention span for anime right now (I can’t remember plots past one episode with so much other stuff in my head). The apples are falling, my tomatos are still doing well, but dumb aphids keep attacking random things like rhubarb.
So lots of things I’m juggling in my head. I’m really tired today but the three-day weekend definitely helped me catch up on sleep, which is pretty much all I did. We’re walking Lucky around the park again–I got discouraged for awhile because I thought she couldn’t make it anymore but you just have to be super patient with her. Mom went to a female impressionist exhibit in SF yesterday–I’m glad she was able to get out of the house and spend some time by herself. She bought me a T-shirt in China town–got rice. Hilarious! Um, not much else except the grim presidential election coming up. Don’t ask. Just don’t.
