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1 . 1 7 . 0 8 About a week back into classes and work is picking up as well. Looking like a busy spring is in store for me on many fronts. On a side note, I got a chance to make wonton, some for saimin and another batch to freeze for later. It had the flavor and feeling of home. Still following the primaries for the upcoming 2008 presidential election, have to say that I'm still a little torn on the prospects that I'll most likely be considering come November. I'm always amazed at how US politics has become a warped version of reality TV and a strange never ending talk show in which candidates field questions and are continuously giving speeches and smiling so hard that it hurts. Meanwhile, AFC championship is coming up, New England v. San Diego in a rematch from last year's divisional, this time the stakes are higher as the winner goes to the Superbowl in Glendale, AZ in a few weeks. Read an article online about how both Jr. Seau and Rodney Harrison were both former Chargers before coming to New England, but Harrison was able to get there in time to get a superbowl ring or two while Jr. is still gunning for his first in 18 years. Reading about the pursuit of perfection at a professional sports star level puts things into perspective, it shows the drive and dedication of some athletes to stick with goals for years and years. We'll have to see how this season plays out, I have a feeling that this season will be memorable thats for sure. 1 . 1 3 . 0 8 So semester 6/8 starts with a busy week, lots of reading to do, new profs, some familiar faces in the crowd of inspiring students, some new ones. So far I'm taking Administrative Law, Criminal Procedure II, and Legislation. I noted that it'll be the first semester in which all of my classes are actually ones that I'm personally interested in, not just classes to take as they are recommended for the bar. While it's always hard to gauge a class by the first couple of meetings, I have to say that I'm genuinely looking forward to the semester and the material that I'll be covering. so far so good, lets see where this all goes. It was a tough and physical game, but the Patriots advanced to the AFC championship for a second year in a row. In other news the Chargers upset the Colts in a close match-up and will be in the AFC championship as well. I'm cautiously optimistic that New England will be headed to Superbowl 42 based on the fact that the Chargers are pretty banged up right now, if both Rivers and LT were healthy, I would expect a battle like it was in last year's divisional, but this time around I think it won't be nearly as close. Meanwhile Green Bay toasts Seattle in a classic Packer game in the falling snow. After rough start Green Bay's running game comes to life and Favre is looking like it is 1999 (1998) again, who knows, maybe it'll be a rematch of the 1998 superbowl? That would be my first choice of matchups this year for Superbowl Sunday. 1 . 6 . 0 8 I still feel like I was just studying for my Immigration law final, but as crazy as it sounds, I'm starting up classes again tomorrow. Ran up to the school to get my books in gear, ended up spending an arm and a leg (again). I'm pretty much used to it. It seems like the more letters you try and tack to the end of your name the more hundreds of dollars get tacked on for books for the semester. Also marking the new year is once again my return to work/school schedule something that I'm not looking forward to at all, but have accepted it as just a fact of life for the next couple of years at least. Been feeling completely drained both mentally and physically lately, not really looking forward to the late nights in class and even later nights reading and studying up for the next class. The positive spin this semester is that I've been able to stack all of my classes on two days a week, meaning that I'll have some more evening time to get a work out in here and there, and if need be, work later hours. I think just getting mental break from school for one extra day makes a big difference. Will see. Wild card weekend, it looks like New England will be facing Jacksonville for the divisional round game. Been reading up on a lot of the news reports and it seems like a lot of people are picking the Jaguars to knock off the Pats. I'm not so convinced, although I do think that the Jaguars are a hot team right now and are looking pretty tough for a wild card after beating Pittsburgh almost as convincing as the regular season meet up in the snow. 1 . 2 . 0 8 Another new year rings in, surprised how time flies. Made my annual version of ozoni, decided to mix things up a bit and got some steamer clams (instead of little necks) from whole foods. They were actually cheaper by the pound, and ended up tasting really good. Kind of felt back for the little guys when I took them out of the fridge, their nozzles were sticking out of the shells looking for salt water. Still recovering from my finals, still don't know how I did, but this time around I'm surprising very much at peace with all of it. maybe I'm just a little numb to going through this 6,7 times already, but I can honestly say the stress level is a lot easier to stomach as time goes by. Meanwhile in football distractions on the New Year, UH pretty much got destroyed by UGA in the Sugar Bowl, 41-10, really it felt more like more like 41-3 since the last touchdown was scored against UGA's scout team. I couldn't help but feel sorry for all the UH fans that made most likely some of the most expensive travel plans in a long time to fly from Honolulu to New Orleans. All week long there were a lot of new stories in the local media talking about the clash of cultures, happy times, and overall anticipation of the upcoming game. When it came down to it, it was painfully obvious how mediocre an otherwise prolific quarterback can seem when his offensive line is outmatched by an athletic defensive front, and with virtually no running game to balance the offense out. After a few series I noticed the Georgia players dropping 7-8 players back, their front 3-4 were able to get to Brennen with no problem, either sacking him, or rushing his throws. with 7-8 linebackers or corners, Georgia could double team all of Hawaii's star receivers pretty much all night. Hawaii's defense did pretty good at first, but after about a quarter it was obvious who the better team was. Not to be too cynical, but the whole ordeal was a reminder of reality in the differences in facilities, recruiting budgets and overall caliber that Hawaii has against many mainland colleges. After a certain point, believing in yourself, dedication and hard work cannot make up for lack of talent, or more importantly, the missed opportunity to harvest and develop that talent into it's full potential. Hawaii is a very good team no doubt they prove it by winning their conference and going undefeated during the regular season and beating everyone and anyone who was willing to play them and didn't chicken out like Michigan. The game just showed how much better a #2 or #3 team in a BSC conference can play, especially in a prime time bowl game on national TV. Case in point, earlier today Wisconsin lost a close battle to Tennessee in the Outback bowl which didn't get nearly as much spotlight as the Sugar Bowl. Even though the Badgers lost, they were in it until the very last drive, and last pass. At least they were able to compete and keep winning the game a possibility. UH clearly had no chance whatsoever. The whole affair actually did remind me of another team that I've been following that has been pretty much dedicated to the pass attack. One that has so far kept an undefeated season alive and well. At least New England has an offensive line, and a few solid running backs in the backfield when it needs to change things up. Looking forward to the playoffs. |