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1 2 . 3 1 . 0 0 Patches the cat had a shitty last day of the year--she stepped in a sticky rat trap with her hind foot, got chased around the house with a curet of olive oil (for her foot), and then got scared shitless with all the fireworks. Then after huddling by my feet, shivering, I tripped over her and kicked her in the side. poor thing. As for me, it was pretty much the same ol, mellow, Got to cruise with Iso and Joss before they shipped off for school, got to see the CCC gang again for a final Xmas break during the college years. Went to Ocean's and the Maitai, ran into a whole mess of people from way back when, longboarder ale and bud light to pound the night away. Still haven't gotten to the beach yet. Haoli Makahiki Ho, Shougatsu Ommedetou, I went Mochi pounding at the Buddhist temple by Central Union Church. Never had the experience before, have to admit that it was pretty fun. a lot harder than it looks though. Had it with the an, and the azuki beans out of a can, and peanut butter. I wonder if thats just a local thing or what? For some reason this break has been dragging. Haven't really been very productive at all this past week, although it seems like its been a month. I'm in a mid-year slump I suppose, anticipating another semester, or maybe I'm just waiting for something. I guess its a little like Deja vu, makes me a little antsy. We'll see after the first day of the new Millenium. 1 2 . 2 6 . 0 0 Merry Xmas, Mele Kalikimaka, etc, etc. Home is fun as always, especially with the warmer weather of all things. havent been to the beach yet, but will make a trip pretty soon no doubt. Something about this place makes one sleepy and relaxed. Which is a good thing. it was -4 when I left Madison, -30 with the wind, a little surprised I made it back on time, all three flights were delayed. Had a conversation with a couple from denver on the plane, the lady used to live in Kailua way back, and they were visiting relatives for the holidays. Went to the Hilton Hawaiian a couple nights ago to watch one of Mahe's friends dance, it was a chill atmosphere, in the lobby lounge, drinks were kind of takai, but i think it was worth it with the music. Wonder sometimes why more local people don't go to the hotels more often? Probably because they get kicked out too often. spent some time talking to Kaya, amazing how the college years have flown. Jase is in towne until tonight, kind of weird having all 5 of us in the house at one time. Aaron is graduating this year too, pretty soon we'll all be more or less out of the nest. Been playing some perfect dark, some game by the makers of goldeneye. Also found some more sources of procastination. Love the internet huh? 1 2 . 2 1 . 0 0 Okay. I officially have a Sociology BS and a Criminal Justice minor. Funny how I don't really feel that much more educated now. Nothing to expect I assume. Its the journey that counts, not the end product right? Death and scourge of the romanticism of the end product--Kano got a degree, the right job, met the right girl and then lived happily ever after? need the 2.5 kids, live back in warm Hawaii nei, go to alumni luaus right? make a lot of money and hang out in Starbucks and Oceans, Kahaka next to one of them mansions by the real world house. Wax the BMW and the SUV. hmm. something tells me I won't settle for something that boring. It just dawned on me how I'll be shipping out in 24, back to humidity raw fish and prety soon, a warm smile and soft eyes. Let's just say that an everchanging perspective is something I've come to value--something that I'm a little worried I won't be having too much of in a pretty short time. I guess now its the question of whether or not I come back to this snow country. For that overtime period, the 5th quarter, the 16th round. Maybe one last trial by fire while I'm at it. I still have about 8 lives left in me. Besides, y'all should see how much fucking SNOW there is outside right now! I nearly froze my kahones off in this sub-zero temps walking back from my last final. Good to be alive. I think I will. I love this Mad City. 1 2 . 1 8 . 0 0 It's cold and its kinda icy and the lake is frozen and I haven't had any sleep for about 48 hours now unless you count an hour on the floor of sis's room I'm in the computer lab typing this final paper pretty stoked about the material just wish I didn't have to write a damn paper on the stuff I just chugged my 2nd pepsi in an hour hehe i love finals. Okay, I think I should add a little bit more to that. Quote pop here I've been "burning the mofo candle on both ends" come 4 days now, averaging about 2 hours of sleep, and 5 cups of coffee per day. A couple more days of this and I'll be home free. make for a good nap incentive on the flight home I suppose. I can actually say that I'm, producing probably my first honest to god decent piece of writing--academic that is. Seems like I've been in a rut of either writing block, or pure apathy to academia-strewn material and topics. I'll probably put it up on this lil page when I'm pau. whoopie its 5:30AM again. time to watch the sunset on frozen lake mendota in -4 degree weather. did I mention it's Snowing again?/??hehe. Ciao 1 2 . 1 3 . 0 0 Dang. Gotta love this weather. -4 this morning pre-windchill. lucky me I have a pair of Khombu boots and a ST. John's down parka. my hair froze walking down state street, and my hands felt like they were gonna freeze off. Goretex is your friend. Dang. thats all I can say. I have to admit that it is a pretty interesting change, the weather I mean. something about seeing feet and feet of snow piled up in drifts along the road sides, and cars skidding left and right on the icy roads. You can't even see the roads anymore, its snow and ice everywhere. It's literally painful to walk outside with exposed skin, walking from Bascom to Van Hise i had to put my gloves on, the windchill was so bitter. Oh, and did I mention the lake is starting to freeze already and it's only December?!!! between studying for finals I got to see 4 pretty badass movies. the most noteworthy was Kurosawa's "Rhapsody", one of his older films about an old Bachan in Nagasaki and her grandkids. Something along the lines of Kurosawa as being one of, if not the best film director of all times. have to rent "Dreams" again for Hanko, she hasn't seen it yet. Oh, and I've been bonding big time with my little sis (1/4), I think we're going on the marathon week, we'll see who gets sick of each other first. I'd like to say I have the advantage, but one never knows. Got 6/18 credits done for good now, with 2 more to be pau this coming friday, and then its 3 finals next week. This semester has gone by pretty fast. And quite honestly it's been rather uneventful in the larger construct, meaning in drama. Kind of dull really, although I do think that life without major fires is probably more desired. Although the little pyro in me probably will never quit. 1 2 . 9 . 0 0 Look, up in the sky, and on the ground, and flying in my face, it's getting a little fun At least for tonight anyway. It's coming down pretty consistant all day today, not too hard, but fluffy. Had to have a snowball fight on my way from the coffee shop to the library. And the laek is just starting to freeze over too. Winter is here alright, looks like a white Xmas for Madisonians for sure. I'm hearing from people that I've lucked out the past 3 years with mild winters. Went to Aunty's house today for her Xmas luncheon, its good having someone like her to take care of all the Hawaii kids, hopefully the club will go on without Amber and I next year. On that note, got an early morning call from Reid about a bunch of Hawaii recruits for the Badger football team coming in Madison, got a chance to sit visit the practice at the McClain facility and (kinda) talk story a bit. outreach for future Hawaii-Wisconsin connections I'm envisioning? Plus the fact that I've been volunteered for a pretty big responsibility next fall. I also went to Milwaukee on a whim this past Thursday with K, Juanita, and Aki. Got to see the Ikeno household finally, have to say that there is something to be said about similarity in Japanese-American culture across the boards; I could've sworn that I could've been at an uncle's house in Nu'uanu. Never a dull moment. I'm also having some contemplations about my schedule for next semester--maybe I'll be taking my original route afterall. All depends on course listing this upcoming summer. and time of course. 13 to Kaeru, 21 to the new year. 1 2 . 5 . 0 0 Not even the first week of December and its a little samui.... Wouldn't quite say that it's unbearable I guess, just as long as the wind doesn't blow. It says -12 windchill, but I'll vouch for -25. you know its cold when you can't even walk 50 yards before your hands start losing feeling, and when you step back indoors you can feel the capilaries throbing from shock due to tempurature change. thats living for ya. The sick thing is that I kind of like the experience. Semester is coming to a close, a couple of weeks of class left, and then its finals. Lucky me I only have 2 scheduled, although they're not very pretty. nose to the grindstone i suppose. I found out that the JET Program has placement in Okinawa afterall. maybe I'll end up doing that instead if the CCCC doesn't come through. might as well get paid and go through a more reputable agency aye? Get to see all of the village people too, Nahoko, Chie, Seiko, Shion, Ayako, Kenji, Rei, Miho, and Aki too. something to keep in mind. Had a long talk with the little one all last night, in between scenes from "American History X", kept me up all night discussing. The movie was a good conversation starter, aided by a faulty overheating VCR, we got into a whole bunch of deep things, about love and faith, trancendence and virtue, simplicity and compassion. Chickens and whales. Good luck in Korea Aki. I'll be around. |