I'm looking forward to the end of school. End of the school year, end of school, anything that will put an end to this madness.
yes THAT'S RIGHT. It's finals time and the monster has been awoken.
There's got to be a way to lessen the stress of finals. There's a balance between studying your hardest and needing time to yourself, and studying so hard that you're mean to everyone, never smiling and that vein popping out bigger than ever.
::sigh:: i wish this school were on semester system. :(
There was one morning this quarter, though that I felt like was a victory. I woke up in a panic needing to study, but halfway through the day, I thought, Jesus is my example. (you'd think i'd learn by now... obviously not.) There are things in the world that will kill you, take away your livelihood and separate you from everything good and pure. Studying is NOT one of them. Jesus never worried about what people thought of him, judgements that people passed about him or his worth. He knew that he was the Messiah, the Son of God, the One who would save us all and give us salvation. There was no worrying about what he came to do and the enormous pain that lay ahead. His prayers in the Garden of Gethsemane were productive in that whatever was to become of him, he would bring them all to the father instead of running away, trying to fix everything do damage control and have some major PR campaign. No, he prayed.
In desparate need of the Father.
Wednesday 31 May 2006
Friday 26 May 2006
Winery Reviews
A couple weeks ago, we went to Napa for my first winetasting experience. It's one of those romantic places where people propose. (according to websites :P). After scouring google and other internet search sites, we made 3 stops (mostly because they were cheap and serendipidously we covered a wide range of different types of wineries...SCORE!
Stop 1: Clos Du Val
This is a much smaller winery compared to the rest but the good thing is it has a picnic area where you can enjoy the sun. Also the swallows were nesting, so it added a nice touch to the country ambiance. We got free tasting with the purchase of wines, so I decided to get a couple small bottles.
The winery seems like it specialized in the Cabernet Sauvignon. Tasted mostly new wines, but I tended to like the lighter wines, with less tannins. If you get can, try to go on a weekday because it gets really crowded on the weekend.
Their website: www.closduval.com
Stop 2: Robert Mondavi
This is a beautiful winery. Best if photographed in the morning, but nevertheless, the winery grounds are very well kept and adds to the winetasting experience. Their wines here are very diverse and my favorite was the dessert wine. I forgot what it was called, but it tasted like alcoholic grape juice.
Tip for this one: each wine tasting is only that, it's a 2oz tasting of a single wine. If you want to taste more, you need to pay for more. Luckily, there are 2for1 coupons on the internet if you'd like to taste more.
Their Website: www.robertmondavi.com
Stop 3: Domaine Chandon
This winery was much more commercialized. It's nestled in hills and the parking lot was almost full of tour buses. This is definitely a date place with quiet secluded areas for that all nervous DTR. (and guys, if you like the girl and the girl likes you, you'll DEFINITELY score points with winetasting as the first date, but enjoy responsibly.)
This place specializes in sparkling wines, but you also have the choice of still wines. This winery, too, has 2for1 online discounts, you just have to look for it. Also, they have different tasting series in which you can choose.
Their website: www.domainechandon.com
More random pictures:
The bar at stop 3, Domaine Chandon
Vineyards at Clos du Val.
Greek influence/ambiance at Robert Mondavi.
Stop 1: Clos Du Val
This is a much smaller winery compared to the rest but the good thing is it has a picnic area where you can enjoy the sun. Also the swallows were nesting, so it added a nice touch to the country ambiance. We got free tasting with the purchase of wines, so I decided to get a couple small bottles.
The winery seems like it specialized in the Cabernet Sauvignon. Tasted mostly new wines, but I tended to like the lighter wines, with less tannins. If you get can, try to go on a weekday because it gets really crowded on the weekend.
Their website: www.closduval.com
Stop 2: Robert Mondavi
This is a beautiful winery. Best if photographed in the morning, but nevertheless, the winery grounds are very well kept and adds to the winetasting experience. Their wines here are very diverse and my favorite was the dessert wine. I forgot what it was called, but it tasted like alcoholic grape juice.
Tip for this one: each wine tasting is only that, it's a 2oz tasting of a single wine. If you want to taste more, you need to pay for more. Luckily, there are 2for1 coupons on the internet if you'd like to taste more.
Their Website: www.robertmondavi.com
Stop 3: Domaine Chandon
This winery was much more commercialized. It's nestled in hills and the parking lot was almost full of tour buses. This is definitely a date place with quiet secluded areas for that all nervous DTR. (and guys, if you like the girl and the girl likes you, you'll DEFINITELY score points with winetasting as the first date, but enjoy responsibly.)
This place specializes in sparkling wines, but you also have the choice of still wines. This winery, too, has 2for1 online discounts, you just have to look for it. Also, they have different tasting series in which you can choose.
Their website: www.domainechandon.com
More random pictures:
The bar at stop 3, Domaine Chandon
Vineyards at Clos du Val.
Greek influence/ambiance at Robert Mondavi.
Wednesday 24 May 2006
At the end of the race.
Monday 22 May 2006
Bison in San Francisco?
7.3mi, >100,000people, 15 butt sightings, 7 blisters...
BAY TO BREAKERS WAS SO FUN!
some high points:
-people were throwing tortillas at the start line. (random? perhaps, but kind of amusing)
-a herd of penguins, LOL
-salmon swimming against the stream of runners on the fork on 9th between hayes and larkin. well done salmon.
-gorging on San Tung noodles and dumplings with David, Lydia, Jeff and Lydia's Uncle.
-being able to run up the Hayes St. Hill, looking back and seeing swarms of people running to the same place.
-seeing the ocean as we approached mile 7, awesome.
Yeah bay to breakers was SO FUN. :)
BAY TO BREAKERS WAS SO FUN!
some high points:
-people were throwing tortillas at the start line. (random? perhaps, but kind of amusing)
-a herd of penguins, LOL
-salmon swimming against the stream of runners on the fork on 9th between hayes and larkin. well done salmon.
-gorging on San Tung noodles and dumplings with David, Lydia, Jeff and Lydia's Uncle.
-being able to run up the Hayes St. Hill, looking back and seeing swarms of people running to the same place.
-seeing the ocean as we approached mile 7, awesome.
Yeah bay to breakers was SO FUN. :)
Sunday 14 May 2006
Tuesday 9 May 2006
Counting Calories
I've heard it said that it's hot for skinny girls to have big appetites.
Well... I WAS skinny, and I still have a big appetite. I've gained weight, can't fit into my abercrombie pants and my qi pao is getting tighter.
Enter: Diet
According to numerous diet websites on the internet, the best way to go is to eat a 500 calorie deficit every day and exercise.
Since I'm training for bay to breakers, exercising won't be a problem. The 500 calorie deficit on the other hand... is a problem. So... I've had to say goodbye to: bacon, pastrami, mayonnaise, a whole bowlfull of granola, handfulls of cheezits, cheese in general, cream sauces, sausage, buffets and eating out a lot. ::tear::
On the good side: each california roll is 27 calories, 2 slices of bread is 150 calories, 3oz. of carrots are 38 calories (SCORE!!), 4oz of ground turkey is 150 calories. Luna bars (so good, i recommend LUNA BARS (made by CLIF BAR) if you're a woman) are 180 calories with a lot of fiber, protein and vitamins A, C and E. I've also learned to appreciate lots and lots and lots of fruit.
Progress: 1500 calories/day for the past 2.5 weeks, lost 2lbs, 4 miles on the treadmill.
And I still get to eat the Tuesday daily special at subway: Meatball marinara sub on wheat bread with provolone, lettuce, tomatoes, cucumber and olives. Count: 550 calories.
Feels good when I don't feel as many jiggles anymore.
Well... I WAS skinny, and I still have a big appetite. I've gained weight, can't fit into my abercrombie pants and my qi pao is getting tighter.
Enter: Diet
According to numerous diet websites on the internet, the best way to go is to eat a 500 calorie deficit every day and exercise.
Since I'm training for bay to breakers, exercising won't be a problem. The 500 calorie deficit on the other hand... is a problem. So... I've had to say goodbye to: bacon, pastrami, mayonnaise, a whole bowlfull of granola, handfulls of cheezits, cheese in general, cream sauces, sausage, buffets and eating out a lot. ::tear::
On the good side: each california roll is 27 calories, 2 slices of bread is 150 calories, 3oz. of carrots are 38 calories (SCORE!!), 4oz of ground turkey is 150 calories. Luna bars (so good, i recommend LUNA BARS (made by CLIF BAR) if you're a woman) are 180 calories with a lot of fiber, protein and vitamins A, C and E. I've also learned to appreciate lots and lots and lots of fruit.
Progress: 1500 calories/day for the past 2.5 weeks, lost 2lbs, 4 miles on the treadmill.
And I still get to eat the Tuesday daily special at subway: Meatball marinara sub on wheat bread with provolone, lettuce, tomatoes, cucumber and olives. Count: 550 calories.
Feels good when I don't feel as many jiggles anymore.
Monday 8 May 2006
Friday 5 May 2006
Pandora's Box
I just found the coolest music website EVAR!!!
Lily, if you read this, I think we talked about it and it's AWESOME!!!
Pandora
It's powered by the Music Genome Project. For science freaks like me, THAT'S a cool name.
Anyway, basically you choose your different favorite artists and they'll incorporate the rhythm, tonality, and everything about the song to try to figure out what you like and they'll play new artists for you. And, you can choose to like or not like a song and they will or won't play it. It's completely streaming radio and form a list of your favorite songs. It's REALLY cool. :) Check it out. I have a feed from my radio of my favorite songs of the moment and of course it's Savage Garden. (see the sidebar at the bottom. Cool, eh?
Lily, if you read this, I think we talked about it and it's AWESOME!!!
Pandora
It's powered by the Music Genome Project. For science freaks like me, THAT'S a cool name.
Anyway, basically you choose your different favorite artists and they'll incorporate the rhythm, tonality, and everything about the song to try to figure out what you like and they'll play new artists for you. And, you can choose to like or not like a song and they will or won't play it. It's completely streaming radio and form a list of your favorite songs. It's REALLY cool. :) Check it out. I have a feed from my radio of my favorite songs of the moment and of course it's Savage Garden. (see the sidebar at the bottom. Cool, eh?
Wednesday 3 May 2006
stream of consciousness...
I said yesterday that my chances of going home are say 75%. Well, they're not anymore. I just got an offer from Walgreens yesterday, so now the decision should be made somehow.
There's gotta be some systematic way of doing this.
I started a list or pros and cons, but it's making the decision very difficult. One thing is I don't know what I want and I'm having trouble leaving home.
Yesterday night I had a pretty bad bout of homesickness that resulted in David consoling me with tissue. There's something about growing up that's so inherently scary, i've put off thinking about it and dealing with it. EVERYONE grows up, I'm not sure why it's hitting me so hard.
But at the same time, wow, I'm so thankful and I feel so blessed that I've had this life/childhood that's been so good. Yeah, that's a major issue of thanksgiving. Too good to have trouble letting go of it. This is the same struggle I have with death. Life right now is too good, I don't want to let it go, so I'm afraid of death because I don't know what it's going to be like. That's one step beyond growing up. I suppose I should think about growing up first and then when I've grown up, death is the next thing to think about.
I was always called the baby of the family. (baby=spoiled). And I've had this mindset until now and it's being challenged. The prospect of not being babied anymore. It's been suggested that I go into pediatrics. Why? Because I'm a child at heart. I talk like a child, I act like a child and I react to situations like a child. We're told to have faith like children. But we're also told to be gentle like doves.
But the thing is growing up shouldn't be this ominous process where you're throwing yourself at the mercy of society without any help or anyone to advocate for you. There is still support. I'm not alone.
The thing is, I shouldn't even be worrying about this if I'm trusting that God has everything under control. Jesus is our advocate.
"For this reason he had to be made like his brothers in every way, in order that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, and that he might make atonement for the sins of the people. Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted." Hebrews 2:17-18
Decision pending.
There's gotta be some systematic way of doing this.
I started a list or pros and cons, but it's making the decision very difficult. One thing is I don't know what I want and I'm having trouble leaving home.
Yesterday night I had a pretty bad bout of homesickness that resulted in David consoling me with tissue. There's something about growing up that's so inherently scary, i've put off thinking about it and dealing with it. EVERYONE grows up, I'm not sure why it's hitting me so hard.
But at the same time, wow, I'm so thankful and I feel so blessed that I've had this life/childhood that's been so good. Yeah, that's a major issue of thanksgiving. Too good to have trouble letting go of it. This is the same struggle I have with death. Life right now is too good, I don't want to let it go, so I'm afraid of death because I don't know what it's going to be like. That's one step beyond growing up. I suppose I should think about growing up first and then when I've grown up, death is the next thing to think about.
I was always called the baby of the family. (baby=spoiled). And I've had this mindset until now and it's being challenged. The prospect of not being babied anymore. It's been suggested that I go into pediatrics. Why? Because I'm a child at heart. I talk like a child, I act like a child and I react to situations like a child. We're told to have faith like children. But we're also told to be gentle like doves.
But the thing is growing up shouldn't be this ominous process where you're throwing yourself at the mercy of society without any help or anyone to advocate for you. There is still support. I'm not alone.
The thing is, I shouldn't even be worrying about this if I'm trusting that God has everything under control. Jesus is our advocate.
"For this reason he had to be made like his brothers in every way, in order that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, and that he might make atonement for the sins of the people. Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted." Hebrews 2:17-18
Decision pending.
Tuesday 2 May 2006
update
wow, guys! thanks for the response!! the judges are still out, but i've decided on what kind of cookie to make. :)
anyway, guess what! superfreak started growing again. this was a miracle considering i haven't been taking good care of it. it IS a superfreak. superfreak, duh, duh, duh...
The Job situation: i'm 75% sure that I'll be going down to SoCal for work this summer. As must as I'd like to stay up here to work, (If you read this and you're a pharmacist in the bay area, MAY I WORK FOR YOU?), I think the doors up here are closing ever so slowly and the door to home has been open since February. We'll see. I may stay up here just yet.
To everyone who's reading from SFC, I hope you guys have a good finals time. I'm praying for you!!! And when you're basking away in your summer, remember to come to San Francisco and have some fun.
I have some very strong opinions about my drug delivery class that i'll spare everyone with.
New Discovery: (jeh or dad, don't tell mom, i'll never hear the end of it.) Reading the word first thing in the morning IS refreshing. my mom has been ON MY BACK about this ever since as long as I can remember and I've always refused because i'm NOT A MORNING PERSON. But lo and behold, I try it out for a week and it's GREAT! (moms HAVE to be right).
On that vein (inferior mesenteric vein draining the hindgut into the hepatic portal vein), say happy mother's day to your mom and tell her you love her. some people don't have moms. and some moms aren't here to enjoy it.
anyway, guess what! superfreak started growing again. this was a miracle considering i haven't been taking good care of it. it IS a superfreak. superfreak, duh, duh, duh...
The Job situation: i'm 75% sure that I'll be going down to SoCal for work this summer. As must as I'd like to stay up here to work, (If you read this and you're a pharmacist in the bay area, MAY I WORK FOR YOU?), I think the doors up here are closing ever so slowly and the door to home has been open since February. We'll see. I may stay up here just yet.
To everyone who's reading from SFC, I hope you guys have a good finals time. I'm praying for you!!! And when you're basking away in your summer, remember to come to San Francisco and have some fun.
I have some very strong opinions about my drug delivery class that i'll spare everyone with.
New Discovery: (jeh or dad, don't tell mom, i'll never hear the end of it.) Reading the word first thing in the morning IS refreshing. my mom has been ON MY BACK about this ever since as long as I can remember and I've always refused because i'm NOT A MORNING PERSON. But lo and behold, I try it out for a week and it's GREAT! (moms HAVE to be right).
On that vein (inferior mesenteric vein draining the hindgut into the hepatic portal vein), say happy mother's day to your mom and tell her you love her. some people don't have moms. and some moms aren't here to enjoy it.
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