|
5 . 2 6 . 0 3 So I'm in DC now, writing from an internet cafe with free wireless about a block from my place. It turns out I lucked out big time as far as location for the summer, got a safeway, hardware store, and a CVS pharmacy all about a block away. The Metro is also a block and a half, and a ton of resturants and shops down the street. Adams Morgan is about 15 minutes walking away, its like an upscale version of state street. Just finished a week of orientation and training with the GAO, amazing the amount of paperwork that required for employment at the federal level. I think the description of the job was pretty much what they told me in the interview - applied policy research like grad school. Overall I'm enjoying my first week in district, new experiences, sights, sounds. Got a chance to visit the first floor of the national museum this weekend, amazed at the amount of art that they have on display. all of the galleries and the monuments will be keeping me busy for some time. haven't even started to look at the Smithsonian. Some observations thus far: DC is pretty fricking expensive. I think its worse than Tokyo, although it depends on the exhange rate of course. The pay at the GAO is decent, as long as you don't live in DC. Culture shock, a bit. moving from Hawaii to Wisconsin was one thing, visiting Japan another, and coming to the district is another. The people talk a lot faster, and they seem to be glaring a lot. The Metro is very convenient and fast. Already getting used to the routes, did some adventuring along the red line yesterday. probably head out futher next weekend. So far I'm thinking that city life is something that I think I could handle, but not sure if I would enjoy for an extended period of time. 5 . 1 6 . 0 3 Tsuki ta.....eta eta......I'm sure I'm messing the lyrics up, but whatever. Had a fun last party night in Madison for the semester. The moon was out, and I had the pleasure of dancing with a kawaii onnanoko tonight. Too bad we missed out on seeing the red eclipse though. Once again I find myself at a crossroads in life, but not really worried at all. no fear in my life maybe, but maybe its because of a bout of deja vue at Madison Masala with Katie and Khamphian earlier tonight. Who knows really. Honestly I've never been one to write off gut feelings. So It's off to the District of Columbia in about 48 hours. should be a trip and a learning experience. I wonder what Judge is doing right now. Coyne too. Its times like this that I think about the people hwo inspired me to get where I am. not like extra pressure, but you know..... very vivid dreams lately. slightly clairvoyant in nature, or maybe just by a hunch. One in particular about jars and spirits comes to mind. More on that later. Jya ne. 5 . 1 4 . 0 3 Delirious ramblings PART I: um. well its 7:10am and I'm still typing away. Keep telling myself it'll all be over in 10 hours. 10 hours. I wonder if I can afford at least a couple hours of sleep? Jya Right! Listening to Tantra Monsters brings back memories from home, Ska, and well, Ho Chi Mihn's Pride. good typing music I must add...... Delirious ramblings PART II: Shit. 24 hours and running. like 100 miles and running. where they hell is that line from? oh yeah. its these mp3s I'm listening to. I've nicknamed my paper "Freeeedom". with a suffix of the time associated with the latest version. So I should be on freeedom1245pm pretty soon. ack ack ack Delirious ramblings PART III: blah blah blah nuf said. owari. owari. tsukarete.... 5 . 1 3 . 0 3 Last late nighter of the semester. kicking myself on the wealth of knowledge that I could've gained if I had a bit more time left. Thinking I might've gotten a bit burned out this semester. too many credits and what not. Goes to show that spring semesters in the midwest aren't too hot for motivation. woke up today at about 1:00pm, so I shouldn't have too much trouble staying up. clock is all off for normal standards, but it should work out to my advantage for a change. thinking about taking this 819 class again regardless of my grade for the semester. This econometrics stuff will really come in handy one day I'm sure, and I actually kinda like it. Especially with a dataset like this one that is so interesting. Lots of things are coming back to me as I review the various tests and rationales. I'll probably add another entry later tonight for a break-time. Ain't going anywhere anytime soon. 5 . 1 1 . 0 3 Pulling a late nighter at the Memorial Lab, this time about 3 days till the due date. Actually was able to give up some breathing room this time around. Printing up some hard copies of state reports, national statistics, some meat for my theoretical framework. Will be spending some time the next couple of days in the SSML lab fo sure. maybe I'll just stay up, grab a burrito from Qdoba or something. Dunno, maybe I'll head home for a bit and make some saimin. saimin is always good. Went to Tristan's house this afternoon for some homestyle Pho, was pretty unreal, by this kanaka's perspective. Guess good food is a necessity in any perspective. It was raining all day too, apparently there have been record number of thunderstorms and tornados this season. a bunch touched down in Dane county last night. So I'm playing with this data set and I'm getting some pretty interesting findings. It'll never leave me how logical the world can seem on paper at times all while knowing that the truth is much more complicated than it seems. I am drawn to people who seem to see things in a light other than merely black and white. Picked up a copy of the first issue of "Hadashi no Gen", completing the little collection I have on my shelf. brought me back to my dreams of a scorched hiroshima, ashes, the burning of flesh. I guess Gen haunts me as well. Having some questions, personal ponderings about the future. Some revelations this weekend, and some confusion. Regardless of my being right or wrong I think I need a change of pace at least in this area of my life. hope she'll understand if she doesn't already. Funny I have a feeling she already does. 5 . 6 . 0 3 Guess I'm doing it Fob stylie tonight at the memorial libary 24 hour section. Not to be judgemental, just observant. I find myself pulling another late nighter studying for another stats exam. Maybe I did bite off a bit more than I could handle this semester afterall. 873 paper came back better than I had expected, but it wasn't much to be proud of either. So now its just 819 to worry about from here on out. one midterm and one big ass mofo research paper. still got some steam left in me. chug chug. Presented at the state capitol for the Leg council this morning, have to say that Lori is an excellent public speaker. maybe one day I'll be as comfortable in front of a captive audience as well. I've been told not to worry too much about this, as that it'll probably be a role that I'll grow into. And yes, 869 is officially pau now. Khamphian's Site on traditional Hmong textiles is finished. I think she might have gotten the html bug and will be updating her own site soon. speaking of culture, Khamphian bought me a koi for boys day. come to think of it I haven't really observed the holiday in a while. Now if I could only get my hands on a sanshin. So this journal is coming close to 4 years now, wondering about how to continue on with this format or not. of course this is probably at the bottom of my priority list right now. I got about a week or so to DC, will have to see how all of this policy training turns out and pays off. Funny how fast all of this is going by. again. 5 . 3 . 0 3 May day is Lei day in Hawaii, May day is study in Madison. But for some reason I'm not studying as much as I probably should. A little bit in a spring slump here, two or three major commitments left before I ship out to DC, but I'm already reeling. since I'm up early I should probably get out of the house now and get some work done. then again the farmers market is on today. right now too. Went to the Majestic last night, it was much better than the last time I went. music, and company probably was the biggest factor, but then again maybe its just a mind set. All and all I'm not much of a clubbing type. maybe that'll change in a couple weeks. came across another interesting article about the world today and the near future. |