The Innovator's Song

I am the seasoned traveller

of the Labyrinth.

The genius of alacrity.

Wizard of the impossible.

My brilliance yet unmatched

in its profound originality.

My heart's full of potent magic

that could cast a thousand spells.

Seeking answers to my endless queries,

I overturn barriers and boundaries,

opening new paths and portals

for my own curiosity.

I am Shen, the Innovator

-Theodora Lau

Trucker

Did I ever mention that I went to truck driving school a couple ofmonths back? (Probably not, since I've been very inconsistent withmy posts. In my defense: not having internet access at home significantly affects one's blogging endeavers and abilities. So, I apologize for not having mentioned many things...) Yep, I went to truck driving school, and can now competently manuever a huge-ass truck (containing live sea stars, fish, baby sharks and other nea tmarine animals) on side streets and freeways. I'm sure it's funny trying to imagine little old me sitting behind the wheel, but I think it's kind of cool. I was definitely a big chicken at first, and didn't want to practice driving at all. But with a little push and some encouragement, I no longer have a white-knuckled grip on the steering wheel and can drive at posted speeds (instead of below, haha). All I need is a trucker hat now! =D Going out on ourAquarium on Wheels outreach program has been a lot of fun. There's a fair share of hard work, and can be very tiring with 4:45am starttimes and 13-hr work days, but I'm enjoying what I'm doing. That's what really counts.

Late Twenties Dread

My 26th birthday is coming up in less than two weeks. I know in previous years I've joked about not looking forward to getting older, but it's a little different this time around. I'm not joking anymore. Although 26 isn't very old in the grand scheme of life, I'm still dreading it for some reason. At this point, I don't even have the heart to plan a birthday party, dinner or even a gathering. And that's quite unusual for my normal event planning-frenzied self! Take deep breaths, deep breaths. It's not going to be that bad, right? Right??....I do feel a little silly for freaking out so much, but just can't help it...

People Should Go On Vacation More Often

Because:
1. Vacations are awesome! Who wouldn't want to go on one? I really NEED to go on a trip soon.
2. It clears up LA traffic! It took me less than an hour to get home from work the past two days. This really is a miracle, because it usually takes me 1.5 to 2 hrs to get home. This week between Xmas and New Years is great.

...And a Happy New Years to you all!...

Quote-o-the-day

"You mean you're comparing our lives to a sonnet? A strict form, but freedom within it?"

"Yes," Mrs. Whatsit said. "You're given the form, but you have to write the sonnet yourself. What you say is completely up to you."

-A Wrinkle in Time, Madeleine L'engle

Happy 30th!

Chandler's birthday was yesterday, and we're heading to Vegas tomorrow for a weekend celebration. We're seeing Cirque du Soleil's "O", which I'm super excited about. Should be a fun weekend! Happy Birthday Chan!

Thoughts on Time II

I was looking back on some posts, and came across this one

Thoughts on Time

from July 2005. Almost a year and a half later, and I still relate, still feel the same way.

"It's a bit scary, I feel like time is slipping through my fingers too quickly, and that I have nothing to show for all these months that have passed by. I'm starting to feel the pressure to "figure out my life" again, and although I know I'm young and that time isn't flying by as fast as I think, the anxiety is still present. There are so many things I want to do, and see, to give and learn, discover and feel, I fear that if I don't do it all RIGHT NOW, I may miss my chance--that time, and my life, will slip through my fingers before I realize it, slip too quickly for me to catch it.
I want to help save the environment, inspire others to care, try new things, travel the world, give my love and fall in love, meet interesting people, overcome my fears, open my heart, raise a family, not worry about money, go on adventures, drink sunsets and breathe in the salty sea air...and so much more. Hope I have the time and opportunity to do it all..."

I have done many things and made changes in my life since writing that, but in many ways, I feel like I'm in the same place. The pressure to "figure out my life" is coming on especially strong at this point. What will my next move be? What is the next step? It seems like a neverending process of discovery...

Sitting in a Cafe on a cloudy day...

Temps are in the 60s today and it's cloudy and breezy outside. In Southern California, that means Fall is here. It's a nice change. Every once in a while, I like not seeing the sun.

I'm sure you'll all be happy to know that I have electricity. (hooray!) Who knew that it was such a glorious thing. Not that I mind sitting around by candlelight every once in a while, but having light when you want it is great too. Since I've barely gotten the electricity thing done, I haven't gotten around to hooking up to the internet yet. Which I should do very soon, because it's starting to get annoying not having instant access to the rest of the world. Today is not so bad though. I'm sitting here at a nice cafe in Long Beach, called Portfolio, which has free wireless access. Sipping my vanilla latte, enjoying the cold afternoon. And TRYING to work on this application that is due very soon. I'm a procrastinator. Always have been and always will be. I spent most of yesterday shopping instead of working on it. But I need to get this thing done. ASAP. Yet, I'm sitting here writing this entry...

The apartment is great. Tiny, but all mine. I'm so close to the bike/walking path and am trying to force myself to take advantage of it. Last week, I woke up early and went for a run before work. That's a start, right? Speaking of running--I need to pick up on an exercise routine again. I was doing so well from March to June, working out at least 5 days a week. But then things got busy, and I've been slacking since. Today was my first attempt at starting up again, and I actually made it to the gym. Let's hope things continue...

So my great accomplishment this past weekend: staying awake for an entire movie! My record has been less than stellar the past few months, but I'm turning things around. Chan and I went to see Flags of our Fathers on Saturday evening, and even though I was hungover earlier in the morning and had a long and busy day at work, I made it through the entire movie without even a head nod. Yay.

Well, a happy halloween to you all. Until next time. (as in the next time i have internet access.)

Scatterbrain

When I came home to my apartment the other night, none of the lights would turn on. And my alarm clock was off. And the fridge was warm. Then I realized that I had forgotten to call Edison to switch the electricity into my name. *slaps palm on forhead* Oops! Good thing I'm all unpacked and know where most of my stuff is. So I bust out my flashlight--which didn't work. Then I dug into my camping bin and found my lantern, lit some candles and had an evening in the dark...

Staticky Country is better than No Country

A few months back, my country radio station was pulled off the air, which was a pretty upsetting event. It happened right around the time I started driving a lot, which made things even worse. My sitting-in-traffic-listening-to-music experience has gone downhill ever since. Recently, I've discovered another country station though, but it doesn't come through very clearly and sometimes it doesn't come through at all. But staticky country is better than no country! During my hour drive to work this morning, I switched from the morning talk radio stations to the country station, and had a bit of reception. I could still hear my music through all of that static, and it made me happy. I don't care what anyone says, I heart country music.