這 是 我 第 一 次 用 中 文 來 寫 我 的 日 記

還 蠻 費 力 的

為 了 準 備 考 雙 語 教 師 資 格 我 現 再 就 得 開 始 練 習 我 的 中文

我 的 讀 和 聽 都 還 好 就 只 有 我 的 寫 還 是 不 行

我 有 五 個 月 來 準 備

我 想 先 用 打 字 的 方 法 來 練 習

然 後 再 開 始 用 手 寫

希 望 這 會 幫 我 的 國 字 寫 法

我 還 不 會 打 句 點 或 是 豆 點

所 以 我 還 要 多 多 練 習

Best US High Schools

Came across this article ( http://finance.yahoo.com/college-education/article/108337/americas-best-high-schools-2010?mod=edu-k12_education ) regarding the best high schools in the US. This just proves my point about Bay Area people trying to puff themselves up to be "better than Southern California". Of all the best high schools in the US, six schools in California made the list. Five of the six are in Southern California. They are not even in the "rich, Beverly Hills" type of areas! Only one school in Santa Cruz made the list from the ENTIRE Northern California.

Here's the run down. Cerritos, not a rich neighborhood by all means, has a high school that is ranked #3 on the list. Cypress also has the #4 school. Then there are the high schools in Carson, Inglewood, and Lennox. All these schools have a high percentage of students who are from socio-economically disadvantage background and minority enrollments as well. Yet, they made the list.

Bay Area people like to claim that they are more "cultured, intelligent, classy, ..." than Southern California. Yet, they produce no high school that is even considered to be the best. They want the rest of the country to think that they are better. Southern Californians never make those claims yet, they show it by action. It just goes to show that in So Cal, they service the minority and the socio-economically disadvantage students much much more. For an area that want us to believe that it is more "diverse", more "sensitive to cultural differences", and more "progressive", Bay Area really isn't doing much to prove that. Words are just words.

After having been back here, I am starting to feel that many Bay Area people are hypocrites when it comes to being "culturally sensitive". Yes, I do see a better "mix" of different cultures in and around different neighborhoods, but I have come to the conclusion that it is only so because of the small area. People are just forced to be "mixed" together. If given the space as in Los Angeles or So Cal in general, I have no doubt that it'll be just as "checker-board" as it is down south if not more so. I've actually encounter more racial bitterness here in just the one year I've been here than I have the 10+ years that I was down in So Cal. The other day, my Honey heard someone talking about "those ORIENTALS". Granted that "ORIENTAL" isn't as bad of a derogatory word as some others... it is still offensive. We've (well, him mostly) also heard comments like "I'm not being prejudice or anything but some of these establishments are run by people who just don't care because they don't understand the way we do things in America..." I hear quite a bit of "I don't know how you people can eat things like that..." Now, to be fair, I've heard the last comment while in So Cal, but So Cal people never "CLAIMED" to be more "progressive" or more "cultured". So, being a hypocrite racist is worst than being a plain o' racist if you ask me.

Yes, there are some great things about the Bay Area, I won't deny that. I just want people here to see that they are no better than the people in So Cal. So, stop claiming that and stop puffing yourselves up. If it really is that great, you don't need to say it, it'll show through actions.

Final thoughts, for the "oh-so-progressive" people of the Bay Area who feel entitled to everything, STOP PURPOSELY WALKING BEHIND MY CAR WHEN I'M BACKING OUT OF A SPACE. I'm backing out because I've checked and NO ONE WAS BEHIND ME A SECOND AGO!!!!! Yes, yes, it'd be the vehicle's fault and you'll get a pay out from the insurance, but do you really thing that "proving you are IN THE RIGHT" will be better than getting hurt???THINK! USE THOSE OH SO AWESOME BRAIN CELLS YOU CLAIM TO HAVE! Seriously!

Turning 1

Couple days ago was my baby Phoebe's birthday. She just turned one. I can't believe that we have her for almost a year now. I still remember last year around this time we got the pictures from the breeder. All the little puppies looked like a pile of.... (brown, log shape.. you get the idea). They all looked so helpless with their eyes shut and crawling around... Now they are all big now. Phoebe is just over 100 lbs! We're hoping she'll grow maybe 20 more pounds or so but it seems like she might be slowing down on the growing since she's eating quite a bit less now. `

Her behavior has also changed quite a bit. She's no longer biting us for no apparent reason - Thank goodness! She's acting more and more like a lap dog now. Her nightly ritual is to climb on to the couch and put her head on my lap and sleep. She's sleeping right next to me as we speak - dreaming of something.

She's still having issues with her paws. Don't quite know what is the fundamental cause of her licking behavior. It could be allergies or just some obsessive compulsive behavior (which she could have gotten from me! Hahahah). Hopefully, it'd be something she'll out grow as she matures.

As she turns one, the holiday season is also well on its way. We went and got our tree today and decorated it. Not bad, if I do say so myself. I got ornaments from various places - Cost Plus, Crate and Barrel, Target, florists, and some were gifts from others. Of course, we have our Mickey and Minnie Christopher Radko ornaments from Disneyland up - just some of the things that reminds us of the good times down south.

It's been a while since my last post. Much had happened but been a little on the lazy side to write anything. With the added stress of work and deadlines, it's kind of hard to come home and do more writing. Well, the newest thing at work is that the possibility of a lay-off is becoming more and more of a reality. This has been hanging over our heads for a couple of years now but always the last minute we'll get $. The state budget cut is nuts. I can't believe they can send the governor over to Iraq but they can't give the education system some money. So, to give myself a bit of an edge on their decision making, I may just have to bite the bullet and take a few more certification tests. I hate that. What if I do all this work and still be laid off. I guess if I did pass all the test and have the extra certification I'd more marketable. However, that would be all well and fine if there are jobs out there. I don't know many districts would have money NOT to lay off their employees. I hope the union has some plans to help save some jobs.

Well, enough sad stuff. We went to see Lewis Black the other day. It was very good. This was our first big comedy show. We've always gone to the smaller venues. This was at a theater. We really enjoyed it.

OK, I'm having a brain fart right now - nothing intellectual to say. Hopefully once the craziness dies down at work, I'll be more active in my blogging. Til then...

Pedestrian Death

Just watched the news reporting that there's an increase in the number of pedestrian death in the city. The city is looking into what is causing the increase - physical structure, traffic lights, etc. From what I've observed about the traffic in the city, I can tell you that it's none of what they mentioned. It is the "ATTITUDE" of both the pedestrian and the drivers that is causing it. Since I've moved here, one thing has been glaringly obvious - people in the city has a sense of entitlement that is more extreme than anywhere else I've seen.

Both the pedestrian and the driver feel that they are in the right and are entitled to the road. Therefore, the pedestrian is more likely to jump in front of the moving vehicle and "EXPECT" it to stop than to just step back and wait a few seconds. The driver is more likely to just continue to move and "EXPECT" the pedestrian to wait because after all, the car is more dangerous than the pedestrian and can cause more damage.

Therefore, since both feel they have the "RIGHT OF WAY" and aren't willing to give up that "RIGHT", they both suffer the consequences.

Why people don't think their SAFETY outweighs their RIGHTS is beyond my comprehension.

Halloween 2009

Halloween came and went. A bit of disappointment on part of the Trick-o-treaters. Thought that since we moved into a family dominant neighborhood that we'll get a good number of ghouls and goblins amongst the princesses and Jedi nights knocking on our door.

We carved the pumpkins last minute

and changed our front porch lights to red light bulbs to make the house look spooky. Well, it looked a bit spooky but it also looked like one of the houses in the "red light district". As we changed into our costumes and transform the adorable Phoebe into PhoeBEE,

we waited and waited.

Finally around 7 or so we got our first group of trick-o-treaters. 20 minutes later we got the second group. After that, it was a couple of knocks here and there and that was it! We are now stuck with bags and bags of Halloween candy.

Although disappointed, we didn't dwell on the issue and got ready for the partying. I had just finished putting together both his and mine costume. Can't believe I actually pull it all together in the short amount of time I had.

We went as characters from his video game "The World Ends with You". I wanted to be Ciao Ciao from the Tokidoki line but when he suggested to me a Japanese Anime version of the reaper, I was thrill to put the costume together. It wasn't the "sexy" costume that I would normally wear for Halloween but with the change in my body weight in the last year or so, I could do without the flesh exposure for one year, until I get rid of all these excess fat (well, at least a few pound). I can wait.

We put on our costumes and I was surprising please with the outcome. I think I did good, considering the amount of time I spent on it. Of course, we took some pictures and was on our way out to the club. Didn't know what to expect since the club isn't exactly in the "happening" part of this region but it was close and the drive wouldn't be bad. Got there, met up with friends and began a night of boozing and dancing (well, dancing for me and boozing for him).

Surprising, there was already a good crowd there and everyone seemed to be having fun. The decor of the club was nice - good ambiance. I think they had a costume contest but didn't hear the winner. The most amazing thing I saw that night was a

LINE by the MEN'S RESTROOM!!!! Now that was a sight to see.

All in all, it was a good night. It would have been better if there were more trick-o-treaters. We'd love to continue the tradition we had in the previous residence. Maybe we'll start something... Maybe if we started to go all out on the decor, more people would come and trick-o-treat in the neighborhood... Maybe...

First Fire

First fire in the fireplace tonight for this winter. Winter isn't technically here yet but the chilly air and strong wind warrant a roaring fire. Well, maybe not roaring but at least cozy. Since we've finally furnished the living room, this will be the first time that I can enjoy the bliss of sitting in front of a fire in the peace of the night. This house is feeling more and more like home.

Although much smaller than the previous, this house is more suited for us - reflects our personality and lifestyle so much better. Since the beginning of the summer, we've enjoyed much of the perks the house came with - soaking in the sun by the pool, enjoying the company of friends while devouring mouth-watering food, cleaning the house in half the time it use to take, and now, snuggle up next to my furry Phoebe by a cozy fire. Ah... This is nice.

All the reservations I had about moving just about a year ago are quickly dissipating. Although I still miss many of the wonderful things that the former city has to offer, I'm starting to enjoy what I have now. This house definitely made it easier. Who cares if the housing prices is dropping around my area or the fact that this house could quite possibly be worth less than what we purchased it for.

In the end, this is my sanctuary. This is where I can go and unwind from all hustle and bustle of the chaos that I call WORK. Home, it's where the "SANITY" is :).

Siblings

Siblings... Sometimes I just can't stand them but in the end... I love them to death.
I created this little word art on wordle.org.

I Miss You <3

First time blogging. Hopefully, I don't just add random thoughts like I do on my Facebook. Yesterday, I finally saw the movie Marley and Me on HBO. I have refused to watch it just because I'm not too into Jennifer Aniston and that surpassed my urge to watch any film about dogs.

Half way through the film, I realized what I was getting myself into - the END where the dog undoubtedly will pass away. I really didn't want to watch it because I just didn't want to relive the pain. However, I couldn't resist so I did. Watching the last 15 minutes of the film was like watching my life with my dearest Sasha just about 2 years ago. It brought back so much memories and I couldn't stop sobbing. I miss Sasha so much.

Although I have Phoebe with me now, no on can ever replace my dearest Sasha in my heart. Sasha, mommy misses you so much and you will forever be a part of me.