... didn't run today. Played the Secret of the Cube with my Aunt Kim. Her cube was very interesting... if you are interested in playing this game, email me... :)

Ran.

Rode my bike to a grocery store «~«È¤[¤[ to look around.

Ran. I ate 3 bowls of thin noodles and fish. Going to visit Aunt Annie at 2pm...

Went to Aunt Annie's after eating 3 bowls of congee (rice porridge) and complained to Aunt Annie. She later called and told A-ma I threw up all over the place. Anyway, spent some pleasant time with my cousin Joyce. She's really nice...

...I spend my entire life grabbing. Grabbing for time, praise, youth, people, things... grabbing grabbing grabbing... But none of it matters, none of it exists, so grabbing is futile. I don't own anything or anyone. Even my fear is a way of grabbing for life, for comfort because I am afraid of death...

[written upon waking:] I dreamt about a boy that was originally my enemy but then he beckoned me to follow him and we began walking in the countryside. There were little brooks and little cubbies that ppl had taken as their rooms. I asked him when did ppl move in? and then the ppl woke up and a kid started to whine - Then a Japanese girl showed up and asked, "§A¬O­þùؤH?" ("Where are you from?" in Chinese) and the boy took my arm and led me away before I could answer and we walked through the poor section where ppl were sleeping in cage-like houses [made of bamboo and thatch]. We could see in, but they weren't cages, just the way the houses were built. The boy was wild and only wore a loin cloth. I wore clam diggers and a loose windbreaker and thought that no one could guess who I was by the way I was dressed. The ppl mostly seemed Filipino and we huddled together as we walked in the dark. He reminded me of Pat somehow.

Went to lunch for Joyce's birthday and met her boyfriend. He's so nice! so I'm happy for her :). My cousin Jeff (he's 11 yrs old) ate with us and Ya-Ting (22) arrived late. This place wasn't too bad, but I didn't really like what I ordered (since I had no idea what was on the menu). Next time I'll just have someone order for me.

So bored... no one wants to talk to me... why why WHY?!... :P

Ran... felt much better the rest of the day. We went to a HK style restaurant today- there were so many yummy dishes, especially the lamb! So good... then later Aunt Kim seemed to be in a bad mood... wonder why? For dinner, there were dumplings! My Uncle Jemmy started insisting I have some soup and when I said I was full, A-ma told him to let it go :D so I guess Aunt Annie's ruse worked. I'm so happy. Today was a good eat day. :p Mmmm...

Later on, I was bored though and had problems with chapter 15 (I'm studying out of my 2nd year Chinese language book) :P bleh. I think I'll call Aunt Annie tomorrow and see if she's free to help me. Really starting to get bored at night.

On a happy note, my Italy webpage is looking good [ok, not really]. Maybe I should check out Jess' and see if her W/P will give me any ideas. [which, btw, can be found here. I'm also in a few of her pictures in the Madrid section.] Languagewise, I don't feel like I'm progressing at all in Taiwanese. I wonder if I've hit a dead end in my learning capacity. As for Chinese, every chapter, I am rewarded by the appearance and understanding of a word I just learned. This chapt though is boring...

I'm thinking I'd better buy my ticket to HK pretty soon...

Since tomorrow is biking day, I think I'll try to find the dried goods store and Mimi's (another cousin, 16) workplace... and have a moca coffee slushy with whipped cream Mmm.... :d