Happy Halloween!
May your sleep schedules and productivity not suffer from a messed-up one like mine.
From the lethal pumpkin latte that made me forfeit sleep on Thursday to a late night totally safe party with a few close friends, my sleep schedule is messed beyond repair, and my brain is not working.
I need to produce an essay proposal by tomorrow (I have given up on coming up with one and submitting it today) and I have no freaking clue what to write about.
Meanwhile, I still need to finish my psych paper, and finish a book which I have barely read.
I am only glad there are no exams right now.
In a continuous cycle of super productivity and extreme laziness and slacking off, I have, once more, hit the pits again. Three days have been enough, time to start anew.
...god I have no motiviation. Somebody help me.
Sunday, October 31, 2010
Saturday, October 30, 2010
A nice little dinner AND LIKE WHOAH.
After much trials and tribulations - meaning, 1) Neither of us could quite find nice clothes to wear and fumbled around 2) I crashed after a pumpkin-latte induced no-sleep night from Thursday and 3) Finding the right time and place for this FINALLY, Robert and I had a nice dinner and hung out, and while a bit irked by circumstances, was able to talk it out and generally have a nice time.
Which, of course, is not the reason why this blog entry is here.
After enjoying a bit of free pool at UMix, we decided to stop at Pinball Pete's to play some games, while we walked around looking for games to play, I spotted a certain thin, tall man with dark brown hair reaching just below the ears that seemed so familiar...
The guy also looked at me for about three seconds before a glimmer recognition formed between us.
Then it struck me.
Holy shit.
It's Spencer!!!!
Of all the GSIs I've had so far, Spencer is special. Not only is he the first GSI I've ever had, he's the only one who I had for two semesters, the one who caused a minor yet very memorable incident with the exam question on Great Books 2 final, and, of course, his class was the one that Robert and I was in, which made us become friends, and finally, a couple. So yes, Spencer is special.
And, of all the places, he was at Pinball Pete's, right when Robert and I were together.
I cannot believe my eyes.
"Hi, how have you been?" Spencer asks good-naturedly. He still has that nice but awkward-sounding voice as if he's a shy student doing a class presentation OH MY GOD HE HASN'T CHANGED.
"I'm good! How are you?" I try to keep my voice in control, my face straight, anything to NOT FREAK OUT HOLY SHIT IT'S ACTUALLY SPENCER IN FRONT OF ME. Also, I call Robert back from a distance to come over here.
As soon as Robert turns around, I see a transition of recognition - disbelief - amusement in his facial expression, and his face screaming IS THIS SPENCER, REALLY?!
Surprisingly, Spencer also recognizes Robert, and we have some small talk before he asks us the obvious question of, "So, what are you guys doing here together?"
Robert and I look at each other with higly amused faces.
"You see, it's a funny thing actually - we ended up getting together shortly after your class ended."
"Oh, that's so sweet!" Spencer replies, amused at the turn of events.
This moment.
Everybody has a hypothetical moment which they wish would happen in real life so that they'll be thoroughly amused. For about a year and a half, we have conjectured about this moment in our imagination, doing a "Wouldn't it be funny if Spencer knew we got together?", a running joke between us, something to amuse ourselves with.
To add to the amusement, it was not too long ago that we conjectured that Spencer probably graduated by now, and that our amusing notion will forever remain an amusing notion in our collective imagination.
The amusing notion just hit us square in the face in the form of a night in Pinball Pete's.
We eventually part, and when we were in a safe distance from Spencer, we just burst out into giggles of disbelief.
"Holy crap, did that actually happen?!"
"Did we actually run into Spencer?!"
"I thought he'd have graduated already!"
"Oh my god"
"...WOW."
We couldn't quite concentrate in our games, and we remained giggling and just being BLOWN OUT OF OUR MINDS till we reached my apartment, where we continued being Spencer-shocked from it all.
On a completely unrelated note, a skunk had apparently run loose somewhere in Ann Arbor and was letting its aroma linger near the apartment. I have never smelled skunk odor before, and from a far-off distance, it smells like something vaguely toxic burning in a fire.
Also, we got fortune cookies that was creepily accurate for our situations.
For Robert, who bit into an innocuous dumpling from UMix to find it was full of peas, which he is allergic:
"Forgive the action, forget the intent".
For me, who didn't call my parents like I always do on Fridays:
"Most importantly, keep in touch with your family".
A magical night all around, indeed.
Which, of course, is not the reason why this blog entry is here.
After enjoying a bit of free pool at UMix, we decided to stop at Pinball Pete's to play some games, while we walked around looking for games to play, I spotted a certain thin, tall man with dark brown hair reaching just below the ears that seemed so familiar...
The guy also looked at me for about three seconds before a glimmer recognition formed between us.
Then it struck me.
Holy shit.
It's Spencer!!!!
(The best rendition of him that I can manage on MS Paint)
And, of all the places, he was at Pinball Pete's, right when Robert and I were together.
I cannot believe my eyes.
"Hi, how have you been?" Spencer asks good-naturedly. He still has that nice but awkward-sounding voice as if he's a shy student doing a class presentation OH MY GOD HE HASN'T CHANGED.
"I'm good! How are you?" I try to keep my voice in control, my face straight, anything to NOT FREAK OUT HOLY SHIT IT'S ACTUALLY SPENCER IN FRONT OF ME. Also, I call Robert back from a distance to come over here.
As soon as Robert turns around, I see a transition of recognition - disbelief - amusement in his facial expression, and his face screaming IS THIS SPENCER, REALLY?!
Surprisingly, Spencer also recognizes Robert, and we have some small talk before he asks us the obvious question of, "So, what are you guys doing here together?"
Robert and I look at each other with higly amused faces.
"You see, it's a funny thing actually - we ended up getting together shortly after your class ended."
"Oh, that's so sweet!" Spencer replies, amused at the turn of events.
This moment.
Everybody has a hypothetical moment which they wish would happen in real life so that they'll be thoroughly amused. For about a year and a half, we have conjectured about this moment in our imagination, doing a "Wouldn't it be funny if Spencer knew we got together?", a running joke between us, something to amuse ourselves with.
To add to the amusement, it was not too long ago that we conjectured that Spencer probably graduated by now, and that our amusing notion will forever remain an amusing notion in our collective imagination.
The amusing notion just hit us square in the face in the form of a night in Pinball Pete's.
We eventually part, and when we were in a safe distance from Spencer, we just burst out into giggles of disbelief.
"Holy crap, did that actually happen?!"
"Did we actually run into Spencer?!"
"I thought he'd have graduated already!"
"Oh my god"
"...WOW."
We couldn't quite concentrate in our games, and we remained giggling and just being BLOWN OUT OF OUR MINDS till we reached my apartment, where we continued being Spencer-shocked from it all.
On a completely unrelated note, a skunk had apparently run loose somewhere in Ann Arbor and was letting its aroma linger near the apartment. I have never smelled skunk odor before, and from a far-off distance, it smells like something vaguely toxic burning in a fire.
Also, we got fortune cookies that was creepily accurate for our situations.
For Robert, who bit into an innocuous dumpling from UMix to find it was full of peas, which he is allergic:
"Forgive the action, forget the intent".
For me, who didn't call my parents like I always do on Fridays:
"Most importantly, keep in touch with your family".
A magical night all around, indeed.
Sunday, October 10, 2010
A Weekend of Kendo-ing
...lame title in lack of anything better to name the entry.
Kendo weekend.
This Saturday and Sunday, we had a double-whammy of Kendo tournament and promotion test at MSU. While it was certainly the most hectic weekend ever, the need to study for exams tomorrow is rather interfering with the ability to write a lengthy, thought-out blog, and I don't think I can come up with one due to brain fatigue. I will try to do my best with a journal log-esque entry.
Saturday: Tournament.
1. Met up with people in front of Espresso Royale at 7AM. Early, yes, but not as that of the Detroit tournament, where people had to convene at 5.
2. Ken and Alex came as returning alumni to fight with us! Yay!
We have lots of beginners volunteering, Yay!
Alex: It's weird, I can't recognize about half of these people.
Ken: It's okay, I'm sure they're looking at us and going, "Who are these people?"
I missed you guys. Although it really doesn't show given my nonchalant attitude.
3. EMU: so close by car, you could cry.
4. Matches:
1st match - went against a Korean girl whose rank I could not decipher. But given that I hit some of her blind spots, hoped to at least score points. But she won fair and square, and she eventually went up to third place in women's division, so I guess she was a tough opponent to beat. Earned: bruises on side of chest and waist.
2nd match - MATCH OF PAIN. Went against a guy in EMU, said guy repeatedly slammed the shinai on my right hand and several on my head that hurt. Bad. Also got a nasty hit on my right arm that I couldn't fight for a while. Kiai became very loud and aggressive, because they were SCREAMS OF PAIN. Exited the arena with a loss of feeling in my right hand, swollen right arm, and tears. BRB crying like a baby because it hurt that bad.
(Brian also got a nasty fall on the back on the head after match. Reported extended time of pain and feeling fuzzy. He did not cry like a baby, the brave trooper.)
5. Antai won first place in mudansha divison. Final match consisted of striking two points within a span of about ten seconds. Bad. Ass. Excuse me while mind is blown. Aww yeah, gold medal!
6. Lunch in form of delicious Japanese bento, with large quantities of food to boot!
7. Watched Ken and Matt's matches, attempted exam study, Zzz'ed instead.
8. Team match: against MSU.
Team lost by a point. I tied my match with my opponent, only because she seemed to be at a similar skill level. Feeling a teeny tiny bit proud of not losing points at least.
9. Fast-forward to end of tournament and dinner at Chinese restaurant. Traffic is a bitch, and MSU students were being obnoxious in light of their victory in football match. Oh well.
Sunday: Promotion Test
1. Espresso Royale, 7AM again. Bought breakfast food.
2. Sun was rising as we drove to EMU. Pretty!
3. Panic attack, feeling as if I'll fail. Practice doesn't go too well for me.
4. Dread dread dread. I want to pass, it's only 2-kyu, it'd be pathetic if I failed, dread dread dread.
5. Actual test: did it like I had to. Thought I thought I didn't do too well, fumbled a bit on keeping distance and missed a men strike. Loud kiai to compensate.
6. Watched others test.
7. End of test, went to board tentatively to see results.
8. Huh... wait, did I pass? Whoa, I did! Thank goodness! Yay I have a rank!
9. Antai and Brian passed shodan, Everyone trying for 1-kyu passed 1-kyu. Group cheer and merriment.
10. Lunch at Red Robin, fun times and silliness abound.
11. Returned, showered, napped, blogged. EXAM STUDY COMMENCE.
To rate the overall experience by various divisions:
Improvement of skills: 3.5/5. Definitely improved, but still didn't managed to score point. Will have to do better. Kiai is definitely much nicer.
Promotion test: PASSED!
Fun: 5/5. Was definitely fun, comradery and kendo matches abound.
Overall: 4.5/5
That's all, folks!
Kendo weekend.
This Saturday and Sunday, we had a double-whammy of Kendo tournament and promotion test at MSU. While it was certainly the most hectic weekend ever, the need to study for exams tomorrow is rather interfering with the ability to write a lengthy, thought-out blog, and I don't think I can come up with one due to brain fatigue. I will try to do my best with a journal log-esque entry.
Saturday: Tournament.
1. Met up with people in front of Espresso Royale at 7AM. Early, yes, but not as that of the Detroit tournament, where people had to convene at 5.
2. Ken and Alex came as returning alumni to fight with us! Yay!
We have lots of beginners volunteering, Yay!
Alex: It's weird, I can't recognize about half of these people.
Ken: It's okay, I'm sure they're looking at us and going, "Who are these people?"
I missed you guys. Although it really doesn't show given my nonchalant attitude.
3. EMU: so close by car, you could cry.
4. Matches:
1st match - went against a Korean girl whose rank I could not decipher. But given that I hit some of her blind spots, hoped to at least score points. But she won fair and square, and she eventually went up to third place in women's division, so I guess she was a tough opponent to beat. Earned: bruises on side of chest and waist.
2nd match - MATCH OF PAIN. Went against a guy in EMU, said guy repeatedly slammed the shinai on my right hand and several on my head that hurt. Bad. Also got a nasty hit on my right arm that I couldn't fight for a while. Kiai became very loud and aggressive, because they were SCREAMS OF PAIN. Exited the arena with a loss of feeling in my right hand, swollen right arm, and tears. BRB crying like a baby because it hurt that bad.
(Brian also got a nasty fall on the back on the head after match. Reported extended time of pain and feeling fuzzy. He did not cry like a baby, the brave trooper.)
5. Antai won first place in mudansha divison. Final match consisted of striking two points within a span of about ten seconds. Bad. Ass. Excuse me while mind is blown. Aww yeah, gold medal!
6. Lunch in form of delicious Japanese bento, with large quantities of food to boot!
7. Watched Ken and Matt's matches, attempted exam study, Zzz'ed instead.
8. Team match: against MSU.
Team lost by a point. I tied my match with my opponent, only because she seemed to be at a similar skill level. Feeling a teeny tiny bit proud of not losing points at least.
9. Fast-forward to end of tournament and dinner at Chinese restaurant. Traffic is a bitch, and MSU students were being obnoxious in light of their victory in football match. Oh well.
Sunday: Promotion Test
1. Espresso Royale, 7AM again. Bought breakfast food.
2. Sun was rising as we drove to EMU. Pretty!
3. Panic attack, feeling as if I'll fail. Practice doesn't go too well for me.
4. Dread dread dread. I want to pass, it's only 2-kyu, it'd be pathetic if I failed, dread dread dread.
5. Actual test: did it like I had to. Thought I thought I didn't do too well, fumbled a bit on keeping distance and missed a men strike. Loud kiai to compensate.
6. Watched others test.
7. End of test, went to board tentatively to see results.
8. Huh... wait, did I pass? Whoa, I did! Thank goodness! Yay I have a rank!
9. Antai and Brian passed shodan, Everyone trying for 1-kyu passed 1-kyu. Group cheer and merriment.
10. Lunch at Red Robin, fun times and silliness abound.
11. Returned, showered, napped, blogged. EXAM STUDY COMMENCE.
To rate the overall experience by various divisions:
Improvement of skills: 3.5/5. Definitely improved, but still didn't managed to score point. Will have to do better. Kiai is definitely much nicer.
Promotion test: PASSED!
Fun: 5/5. Was definitely fun, comradery and kendo matches abound.
Overall: 4.5/5
That's all, folks!
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