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8 . 3 1 . 0 1 So I get a letter today from UH expressing provisional admission for Fall 2001. I wonder if they just want to get me off their case. I actually was considering talking to a lawyer. One of the Poli Sci Professors even suggested it. I'm always willing if there is reason for it. So I'll lay off UH for now. Hopefully I won't have to deal with the office of admissions again. Noticing that I don't really like having a car. Driving through traffic downtown is not exactly my idea of fun, especially with all the heat bouncing off the asphalt. Although I have to say that I like the busy feel of the area. Its like a whole new area that I never really had a chance to see close up before. Ran into Yoshi at Bedroqs last night, he mentioned maybe being able to get me a job at one of the places he works at. Dishwashing or busting tables, whatever. I'm game. Also ran into Hew and Matt Chang, old 97s from HS, tanked down some bud light and coors light. reminded me of CCC days. Gotta go see a movie now. I like the Honolulu Weekly. 8 . 2 8 . 0 1 Still battling the deamons of Hawaii public edumacation, don't know why it is so difficult to register for a course. As of today I've talked to 3 different professors, the department secretary, and grad assistant who don't understand why I can't register. Both professors have said that I could register for the class, and plus one of them has 20 open seats! Admissions is still holding up the process. Honestly it wouldn't be as bad if they would at least be more straightforward and honest with me. If someone can't help me, then first just admit it. And refer me to someone who can. Another part is resident status. I paid 4 years non-resident at Wisconsin, have a Hawaii state driver's liscence, filed my last 6 years tax return in Hawaii, and both parents live and reside in Hawaii. so why am I classified as a non-resident? shit. Enrollment has gone down a couple thousand last I checked. not surprised. all the red tape. redeeming qualities in the system for me in general is that some of the courses I sat in on in Poli Sci sound very promising - If admissions comes through, I plan to take a grad level PS 660 course in Public Law and Judicial Decision, and an American Politics topics course in Environmental Politics. An alternative is a course in Public Policy and Law that meets on Wed. That is if I get accepted. Otherwise, I'll happily give my tuition money elsewhere. Sad how a state university treats it's residents. I mean I'm not expecting no red carpet Tx, just reasonable answers to simple questions. I mean people should work for their wages that I pay for. On the other hand, the staff at KCC (both admin and student help) was very fast and very helpful. No BS, straight answers. The course itself is looking decent, met an economist who is willing to entertain the idea that capitalism isn't necessarily the best system in the world. Wisconsin is playing Oregon this weekend, should be interesting. the roles are switched this year after a thrilling overtime win for the Badgers in Madison last year. Bennett had about 293 yds rushing and Fletch had 3 interceptions. with all the shoebox suspensions and hype I was surprised we pulled it off. Lets see if we Wisconsin can pull an upset at Oregon. 8 . 2 4 . 0 1 So I'm attempting to write more in this journal than my life. so then it won't be too trivial or boring? hehe. maybe not. Driving through downtown Honolulu everyday serves as a constant reminder about the change in environment to be experienced as a sort of repatriating local. Visually and atmospherically the demographic switches are noteworthy by themeselves, but also the cultural changes as well. I let someone change lanes in front of me and got a shaka sign, funny how simple details seem strange. Hows that Yvonne? nah just kidding. UH-Manoa is giving me hassles registering as a unclassified grad student. They made me reapply in the undergraduate pool, and are classifying me as a non-resident. but more about that later. On the other hand, KCC gave me no heat, and were quite polite and efficient. HCC was a little more like UH . . . . at this rate I'll be making a mental shitlist. Things don't have to be this difficult I'm sure. Went to Ocean's last night ended up staying until they closed, 4:00am. Matt kept passing these half-empty coronas, poundage into the wee hours of the morning. different party scene here in Honolulu too, I think we waited about 2 hours in line, although it was fun once we got in. Met some interesting people as well. I always do at places like that. Should be a fun year. Working for the Court of course has been the most inspiring thing so far these past two weeks home, but I think I'm going to wait a bit before I reflect on the experience. Lots to digest. Lets just say that every day I am gaining more and more respect for the Judge, she is really something. 8 . 2 0 . 0 1 First weekend back, pretty mellow. Still readjusting with the jetlag, seems a lot harder now then four years ago. part of it is a lull of being pau. Getting a package a day, its almost like Xmas really, cept I know whats inside the boxes since I'm the one that shipped them. I need shelf space. Too much books I shipped home. Got in touch with Iso and Matt, Mahe had a gathering last night at her place, but I was too inspired with the unpacking to take a break. pop took me to the driving range later that evening, I'm not very accurate with the driver, although I hit an interesting shot - straight ahead for about 30 yards, and then vertical, straight up for about 60 ft. pretty funny. Got to see the Queen B before she left for college, shes doing good, same dude, different job, still sarcastic. good ole Reg. Went to eat at this Japanese grill place, I forget the nihongo word. Kind of missed having this type of food up in Madison, at reasonable prices, and not accompanied by pushy yobos asking for tips. Over here instead you get friendly local girls who smile for tips. A little more subtle. Ordered some stuff from amazon.com, should come in today. 8 . 1 7 . 0 1 And so another chapter of life begins, this time back home in Hawaii nei for a year (or two) before going to grad school. Been back only a couple days, and it has been pretty busy, almost like Madison. Can't help but notice that things are different. Home seems changed, or maybe I'm just not used to the different climate and scenery. I've started working downtown at the state courthouse, have to say that it has been an interesting experience thus far. The Judge I'm working for is very straight forward, to the point, no-nonsense type of person, with years of experience and perspective. Ran into my old Patrol Leader from T-35, Brandon Mitsuda, the Court Clerk assigned. funny how we both ended up running into each other again. should be fun. Final grade popped in, got a 4.0 for the summer, boosted my GPA to at least a minimum for some schools I was applying. hoping that some of my other pluses will help me. Talked to Barry yesterday about my thesis, we'll be working on it to get it into publishable form. pretty excited, will see. Aside from that, I'm thinking of enrolling at UH part time to take some pre-reqs for Lafollette, I need an intro class in Econ, and American Government. I'm thinking while I'm at it, I might take a class with Trask. Have to see how the credits work out, and my status now as a post-undergrad? hehe. I guess the question of dead weight has been answered, kind of was expecting it, can't fool Kano in this case. But honestly that is the least of my concerns right now. 8 . 1 3 . 0 1 Last day in Madison. Kind of strange, thinking about it, after spending 4 years here it seems odd realizing that this is goodbye. In more ways than one. Have to say that it was a great summer session to end it on, some of the best classes and experiences of my times in Madison during these hot humid months. Glad I had a chance to meet Kiyota Sensei, in some ways I feel like that Kendo class was what I have been searching for here at this University, and perhaps even in life. This summer has been much different than my last crossroads summer I must say. then again, it is impossible to make some comparisions, as I was in a different frame of mind then. Still, I can't help but notice a different perspective accompanied by this transistion. Have a feeling that it'll be harder to forget it this time. Had a chance to see Thornton, talked with him a bit about my plans for the year(s) off, along with some of the insights of this past year, and this summer. Lots of areas of future study and learning, if there is one thing that has been reaffirmed in my mind over and over again is that learning and education is by no means confined to the institution. Hopefully I'll see him again in the future. My DARS still shows a discrepancy in my credits, but I hope that things work out. I don't know why they wouldn't, but you never know. At least I have 2 degrees and a minor under my belt anyway. 4 years go by pretty fast it seems, didn't quite know what to expect when I first got here, just went along for the ride, shaking the boat along the way. So I'll leave on a plane tomorrow, back to warm weather and comfortable humidity, and raw fish and rice. All that bratwurst and german beer has changed my palate though. Can appreciate both worlds now. wonder whats in store for me next. 8 . 9 . 0 1 Pau with the thesis, finishing up the folklore paper and still that one-credit psych take home. funny how my collegiate career is coming down to the last credit, of my first major. Literally. I should really get it in today though, pushing it a little too close. Still working on things. Just spent most of the night packing my books and things, Reid gave me a lift to the post office this morning, turns out the book/printed material rate for mailing is pretty reasonable. spent only about $50 to send about 7 medium sized boxes. Just paid some library fines. the only ones I've had in my 4 years. pretty amazing huh, and they both were on my last classes. had a little adventure navigating through the halls, it seems like the lobby of Memorial library is going through some renovations and all the traffic has to be diverted in the side entrance. Almost like a maze with all the little post-it direction signs. Walking through it got me thinking, the definitive smell of old books, humming of an air conditioner, dim lighting. Sad thing is that I'm going to miss Memorial library in a way. Many an hour spent there studying. and sleeping. heh. Sold a bunch of my books I had been collecting for a while for at theunderground bookstore, got about 100 bucks for it, not bad at all. Last day at work, I think, I might be coming in on monday to tie up some loose ends. it really has been a busy summer. and a memorable one. 8 . 6 . 0 1 Procastinating again. Made a sorry realization that I won't be able to use this journal to put off my school work as an undergrad for too much longer. Finishing up my thesis, and then its just a short paper on Okinawan folklore and then I'm all pau. Got a brief boost today, got into an inspired train of thought, writing was coming quite well for some reason. Decided to spend some time at the DoIT lab, being that summer hours for College library end at 11:45pm. I miss the 2:45am closing times during the regular session. Another heatwave is hitting Madison, well the midwest for the matter. I think the high today was in the 90s, humidity pushes the heat index up into the 100s, last week was 105 I think. Lucky I work in air conditioning. Spent another afternoon in Espresso Royale, gonna miss that place. Watched "Violent Cop" by Beat Takeshi last night, sort of on a whim, so far I like most of his stuff, although some of it is a little weird. Artsy definitely. Random thought, I notice that conversations with female acquaintences/strangers almost always progress to a point where the fact that they have a boyfriend/husband comes up - almost suddenly. I understand the importance of setting a standard, or being upfront what not, but when it comes up in conversation I almost step back wondering if I'd been giving some suggestive messages. Kind of kills the conversation in a way, regardless of whether or not I'd ever be interested in that person in that way. I mean the fact that she has to say that kind of implies certain impressions. Someone used to tell me that I look like someone who has a girlfriend. something about an air of confidence. Which could come off as pretentiousness I'm sure. Or maybe its that male demeanor that I supposedly give off inadvertently. Funny how a comment like that sticks with you 5 years later. 8 . 3 . 0 1 Got rained on quite a bit last week, day after Kendo was a torrent of rain. Fun riding the bus. Later that evening it sounded like a war going on outside, the thunder was so loud. Also realized later that I got a big fucking bruise on my ribs. It looks like somebody cut a piece of flesh out of my side, although the skin isn't broken. its just bleeding internally. my partner for the day hit me pretty good, by the angle of it, it seems like he totally missed my bogu. I guess it isn't broken because I can still breathe. Good conversation starter though, "hey, you wanna see something gross?" Finished with the exams in Kendo, also did my LASER presentation. The air conditioning in Bascom shut down, so we had a rushed session. I went first, so there was no questions, no problems. kind of how i like it. Now its just to finish up that final paper, and get that psych 311 project in. I really am late on this one. Almost pau though. need to start packing up the books and shipping them home. things are working out well. So I guess somebody who emailed some time ago got his with the SirCam virus, I keep getting all these infected emails from some guy named Jim drew. The server here seems to be protected from it, so I get a warning on the email whenver a file comes through. Reading a bit about Mifune. Impressed by his raw talent, kind of had a cinderella story too. Kurosawa's films are a little different without him. Maybe I'll expand this little side movie project to include the works of Toshiro Mifune as well. I hope I can find a good movie store in Hawaii. gonna miss 4 star. |