elgrace's Xanga

Wednesday, August 20, 2008

Wed, 20 Aug 2008 19:54:43 GMT

So I went downtown with Lan and Es a few weeks ago and I NEVER get tired of it. I don't care what anyone else says, Dallas is BY FAR, one of the MOST gorgeous places to me. We checked out the JFK memorial and as predicted, I wasn't impressed with the monument at first - to be honest, i didn't even notice it. I thought it was one of those sectioned off areas for garbage. But after hearing the explanations behind it, i was just awed. Because all the downtown Dallas pictures are on Es' laptop, i don't have any taken pictures of it now, but the one included to the left should suffice. Right, so we ate at this really chic and modern place called "The Porch". It was a like a fuse between southern home cooking by Paula and trendy upscale class. I definitely recommended it. Lan took us here and we had the Mac & Cheese, Roast Beef Sandwich Au Jus, and the Hummus. T'was Absolutely delicious. The sweet tea is to-die-for, as well.

A few weeks later Es, Bethany and i decided to hang out. Out of sheer boredom and because we are crazy, we went to carrollton (yes, plano to frisco to carrollton) just to go take H-mart pictures. it was a lot of fun, surprisingly. we are such newbs. videos are at the bottom to show you. :] Right, so we totally are NOT camera/photobooth savvy, and our pictures prove it. But all in all they were worth it. We got phonecharms made from our pictures (we were all in need of one) and the guy working there was really cute. :P Then we went back to Beth's home and chilled. Watched some GOOD quality tv (Arthur) and played with Gabrielle - followed by downing like 3 donuts. Thank GOD for tennis. I've been rallying and playing games with the family and i think i'm getting better. Hopefully.

Anyway, i was flipping channels the other day (VERY rare) and i was just disgusted with the trash they show on TV. There's a show called Busted and it just SUCKED. Police basically looked for reasons to "bust" people. This one episode had these cops watching these two girls in a club and claimed that they saw them going to the restrooms, staying in for unusually long periods of time, and then leaving - always accompanied with a male. So they pull these girls out of the club, ask for ID and start questioning them. When they asked why they were being interrogated, the police responds with, "you're on MY time." Ugh. I wish people knew they're rights. Viva la revolutioN! Eff the Man. hah.

My Psych professor is so entertaining

Wed, 23 Jul 2008 13:08:50 GMT

So my psychology professor - almost to a tee, reminds me of Woody Allen. He's rude, crude, sarcastic, and just brilliant. He seems to be about 70ish but whatever, he's great.

In other news, I've finished the novel, Twilight - and plan attending the book release prom for the last novel in the series. Yes, i plan on dressing up. Yes, in a cute prom dress of some sort. or maybe as a vampire. Eh...we'll see. Nerdy? I don't think so. I find it no different than the LOTR fanatics who dress up as hobbits to see a movie.

I just bought an "iAMSoReal" tee. take that jabbawockees.

this update is for you, Ryan. :) I hope everything is going well for you. When my phone stops being a piece of - i promise the texting will continue and i can continue to send you random messages about the drinks i'm drinking.

on the same note. the blackberry sucks. it - every other week - or sometimes once month, will delete half my text messages and will delete my phone call list. blegh. stupid phone.

Sin City Synopsis

Tue, 17 Jun 2008 02:01:44 GMT

Went to Las Vegas for the weekend. For a city that's supposed to be full of sin, it's remarkably gorgeous. I've always felt that the city looks beautiful at night, but Las Vegas would be the poster child of that - on crack. On the flip side, I have never been called "lil' mama" so many times before this trip.

Came home today, and saw Thumbelina for the first time in over a decade. I was reminded of how much I like the songs on the movie score and how happy the lyrics to all the songs made me - yes. inclusive of "deary! marry the mole!" But above all else, all my ideals and beliefs about love were reinforced in this film. My sister and I would commentate throughout the film, and there's this scene where Thumbelina is reminiscing of the time she spent with her prince as she was about to mistakingly marry the mole. Es says, "What!? It was ONE DAY!" and I laughed because it was true. But then I thought, "So, it was ONE day." and then I decided that it doesn't matter. Love is love.

Back to Plano on the 23rd. Family time is good, but I've so much to do before the summer ends. I miss PT and Kat. And Sarah...who's towering over Cambodia.

the entry is for "the King" haha :P

Thu, 05 Jun 2008 20:12:23 GMT

So i'm in New Port beach, CA right now, and the weather is just gorgeous. no too hot, not too cold. and i'm having a lot fun spending time with la famille. t'as been excellent. but i thought i would take some time to share an entry about my where abouts for the few readers i have (all 3 of y'all :P). anyway so i thought this was really interesting: i was on the plane over to CA and you know how they have magazines for people to read? well i read about this really fascinating creature. and if any of you know me, y'all know i absolutely loathe bugs or anything remotely close to the sort. but this particular creature has me thinking otherwise. so the deathstalker scorpion, whose sting is normally known to be lethal, has recently been discovered to have chlorotoxin contained in its venom. Why is this important? Well Chlorotoxin attaches to specific brain cancer cells, so studies have led researchers to believe that if radioactive atoms can be carried via this venom, the cancer cells in brain cancer can be destroyed. Additionally, this chlorotoxin has been showing amazing ability to keep cancer cells from shrinking and moving - thus preventing the spread of them, all without harming or touching the healthy brain cells. These studies have been conducted at New York - Presbyterian.

Wednesday, May 07, 2008

Wed, 07 May 2008 04:05:25 GMT

I'm sprung. blegh :(

Soo...it has def. come to my attention, that college is just like preschool. No lie. and just to be fair to the students and people out there who can actually manage conduct themselves in a "mature" manner that choose the "higher road," so to say, i will just go right out and direct this bashing to the person it pertains to the most.

Kevin. You are just awful. I tried to be your girlfriend. I did. I went out of my way every day to see you, call you, spend FIVE effing minutes with you. But you were too busy "pledging." I tried having dinner with you, i even got food for you because you were too tired from the "GB business" the evening before, just to spend a few minutes with you before you knocked out. I would have been completely content - ecstatic really - if you had just wanted to STUDY next to me. When it came down to it, you really just didn't care. Don't tell me that i was too "flirtatious" because i asked you if my time with my guy friends bothered you, and you answered "no." Don't tell me i should have known because i'm not mind reader (i am SO sorry i cant predict what you want). Don't tell me that i was a whore - because all of those rumors were lies and you just didn't want to believe them to be false. And don't tell me that i "led you on" because i was the only one who tried to make that relationship work when you were too busy telling friends of ours that you hoped i "got the point."

I tried being friends. I forgave you for not telling me the entire truth about you. I forgave you for telling people that i "led you on" i even wanted to continue talking as friends. I was the one who said i wouldn't ignore you, i wouldn't pretend like we never dated, i wouldn't live as though you never existed. and it worked for a bit.

so don't get all emotional everytime you drink. don't tell me that you wanted to get back with me after you broke up with me. don't tell me that i'm "different" and try to kiss me --- MULTIPLE times even though i told you "no." Don't try and hold me close to you and don't try and pretend like you truly cared about us --- and then the next day tell everyone a load of crap about me, snicker obviously when i walk past you, and LITERALLY turn around and run in the opposite direction when you see me.

Even with all that side, i am SO hurt, that you feel you are SO RIGHTEOUS that you have to tell other people that I'm the one who's untrustworthy. How dare you tell HIM (and don't pretend like you don't know) that he shouldn't talk to me and that he can't date me. Where do you get the effing audacity to say things like that. as if it will fix everything. Are you bitter? jealous that you didn't "win" in the end? Win what? Don't say me because you had me and it was obvious you didn't care. Clearly you just wanted to win the satisfaction that i wouldn't be happy with him. Well you know what?
You'll never get that. and i'm sorry for you. i'm sorry that you will have to constantly live looking over your shoulder afraid that we may end up in the same room - and inevitably, the same parties.

Sad thing is, despite my anger toward you, i still forgive you. At worse, i just pity you. Because i know you're hurting. And i wanted to help. I wanted to be there for you - as a friend if anything. But you're stubborn soo...yeah. can't do much there. anyway, don't drink. seriously. don't be a dumbass and ignore your health. Know that i have people in your house looking out for you. i don't want to see you mess up your life. blegh. i'm still here if you need anything.

Anyway, on a lighter note...maybe NOT too much lighter, :P finals are almost over...or in my case about to begin :( I have one monday and one tuesday. i could use everyone's prayers? I need an A for bio and i don't know where to get one, i'm searching my butt for one but can't seem to find crap. Then it's onto summer :D huzzah! Here's the 411:

May 14-24: houston!!! So all my houstonees please come out to all the lovely events V and i have planned. Itll be great...and fattening :) full of food and karaoke! yess (alex my love get ready!)
May 24: Dallas!!!! and the VBC Bball tournament. everyone should go and watch these athletes play - and if you're lucky you'll get to see my shoot! hahahah
June 1-21: California! So everyone who has the cash to drop should come out. i'll house you and we can go to the beach and have tons of fun under the sun!

looks like that's the forecast for now. I feel a lot better :) about everything - inclusive of my friends, single life (hopefully temporary) and even spiritually i feel like i'm heading back on track. this looks good...everything is great...except my physical condition. need to get back in shape. :( blegh. well i'll start now. it's 411a and i am going to run to the capital avec mon ami BESTEST.

still need to have lunch with WILL (whom, i believe will at some point read this - i'll call you :) ) and with David (don't you dare leave for Colorado without eating with me)

to my ladies at home:
WE ARE GOING TO GO OUT AND PAINT THE TOWN PEYNG!!!!!!!!!!!! or maybe PEG!!!!!!!!! hah love you!

Childhood Snack

Sat, 12 Apr 2008 06:06:44 GMT

So Sarah bought me one of my favorite Childhood treats - Strawberry Yan Yan! mmmm. You know y'all ate it too. Anyway, apparently the makers of Yan Yan have decided to make their already delightful and tasteful treat a bit more "fun" by adding cute little riddles to their sticks. Half the stick has some sort of clue/riddle as to what kind of animal the clue describes and the other half tells what the animal is. Omg. These are so hilarious. Some of the clues are just ridiculously outrageous, and some...don't make ANY sense. hah.

My Favorite is "Star + Fish." Haha. I Heart Yan Yan.

"Whoah! Now just take it easy, man"

Thu, 03 Apr 2008 02:25:32 GMT

So A LOT has happened since my last entry. I believe I was supposed to include images from Talent Show and such. Well mkay. fine.

Yeah- I think talent show was extremely successful - well it was my first one but I loved it. Thanks to VSA for asking me to be apart of their act. Kudos goes out to all the act and all the "OMG Clew you were AMAZING"s go to clew. Who can act like none other.

The following weekend was Un Soir. It was absolutely amazing and I think each and everyone of the AACM guys for reminding me that there ARE still amazing guys out there willing to show a lady that chivalry is indeed, NOT dead. Thank God. The food was delicious -- except for those under cooked broccoli :P but my favorite - as always, was the dessert. Omg. Delicious. I killed both mine and Sarah's -- thanks to Matt and Clew for the amazing recipes. Despite the embarrassing game at the beginning that Eric claimed would be "fun," I loved all of it. Everything from the snacks to the punch to the performance. The guys sang "Can't take my Eyes off of You" - yeah not the title. But the song that Heath Ledger's character sings to Julia Styles in 10 Things I Hate about You. Good stuff. And of course, we had Austin serenading to us at our table and Jonah singing/playing requests on his keyboard. The night was topped off with Hot Cocoa, Cream Puffs, and an illegal showing of Enchanted. Hah. Thanks again guys. I love you ALL!

Then Spring Break came around...I spent it in Austing. woot.

But then everyone else's spring came and Es came to visit me in Austin. omg. it was wonderful. It was SO therapeutic seeing her again and I still miss her- Es come back to me! I miss you!

Imagine these rotated to the right. stupid xanga.

I'm getting lazy but Easter in Houston = AWESOME! Juice Box, Matt Pa, Babies, Sarah, Crawfish, My boys, Velma...who could want more? Did I mention Juice Box?

Of course my bday came - and i just wanted to thank EVERYONE who sent birthday wishes, gifts, phone calls, flowers :) etc. It was possibly the best birthday I've had in the last 3 years. AMAZING. :) Et a mon ami FAVORITE - merci beaucoup pour les cadeaux. Ils etaitent(?) chouettes et brilliants! oh mon dieu, je suis avec beaucoup de chance avec toi!

Houston Rockets

Sun, 30 Mar 2008 07:58:03 GMT

edit: HOUSTON ROCKETS < MAVERICKS

and ryan is an idiot. that is all

Well, I thought I'd let you all know that I met this guy and he is Badass (yes, certified.)

so yeah,

thought you'd love to know that.

AACM Talent Show 2008 - PreAwareness

Thu, 21 Feb 2008 16:47:40 GMT

This year the talent show spotlighted Human Trafficking - definitely a HUGE issue that I think is underrated. AACM, as a whole, did a lot for preAwareness but my favorite - partly because my lovely roomie managed it, and partly because I was actually involved, was the silent protesting.

The basic idea behind silent protesting - the first day, was to go around school, campus, etc., bascially carrying on with our daily lives, only our faces would be powdered white, we'd wear poster signs that gave an account of a Human Trafficking victim, and we wouldn't speak until the day ended.

I thought it was an excellent and tasteful way of helping people realize that this is an important issue. I won't go into a spiel about "speaking for others" or "representations" - the silence justifies that. All accounts were true and we were there to just wear the story. The powder was just to draw attention to the accounts even more, and hopefully that touched someone.

Unfortunately, not everyone is as open-minded as we would have like - we did have the tragedy of hearing people calling us "liars" asking us why would "make up stuff." It's sad really, but the way I see it, I won't judge the world on one person. It's not fair for the rest of humanity - and thank God for those who encouraged us and genuinely felt moved by this.

all photos taken by Sarah Ven.

Love is my Sine Qua Non

Tue, 19 Feb 2008 08:50:54 GMT

Now you know: Valentine's Day (by name) is only celebrated in the US and Westernized European Countries. In many parts of Asia though, there is a similar holiday celebrated, going by the name of White Day or The Night of Sevens.

So it's been about a week since Valentine's Day and as expected, I have some sort of entry dedicated to the occasion. What with all the hoopla and hype that comes with this national holiday, I find it important to remind myself to bear in mind that love shouldn't be celebrated once year but rather all the time. That's not to say that people don't celebrate it everyday, but I think sometimes I forget how to celebrate love everyday. I'm not talking about the cliche cadeaux des chocolats et les fleurs. The gifts I speak of are thoughts and thus, actions that are produced from patience, sincerity, stewardship, and genuine care for any noun.

I've been blessed with people like Jason and James in my life who have definitely spoiled me to the greatest extent and because of their kindness I've been told that I expect too much out of people now. Have I become so accustomed to being truly loved by some, that I just assume other people have the capacity to do the same? It's tragic really. I DO expect it. But is it wrong to do such? I guess in terms of my desire to seek things from people but in a sense where love should be shared without a second thought, I think I don't ask for too much.

At this point, people will - and have - told me that I toss the word "love" around too lightly and too much. Maybe too the extent that it "loses its meaning." I can't help but feel that the repetition of something - depending on the context of course, doesn't necessarily detract from the overall concept of something. I mean, sure, "Brutus was an honorable man" but don't we learn something by living it? And if we are to even try and attempt to fathom the TIP of the iceberg that may be love, then we must integrate it into our very lives - and that means EVERYDAY repetition of love. I guess I should delineate the difference between repetition, and I guess, in this case, reinforcing love. So what if I love drinking bubble tea? Can I not use that term for something aside from a person?

For those who are too stuck on restricting "love" or rather, the use of "love" to people and God, I say this: Love knows no boundary. Ergo, love cannot be confined to a specific circumstance, feeling, or noun. I say, love love love love love. I can love whoever, whatever, whenever. Shall I go on?

Anyway, updates from V-day. Here goes: I made Les Fraises avec chocolat pour les amis. They were delicious if I do say so myself. Thank you to all who gave me a valentine - I got a few cards, but my favorites were the boxes of Special K :) Ya'll know me all too well. But, the all-time favorite for this year, will have to be the Valentine from ma mere. She had a terrible Valentine's Day, but still remembered to try and send some love - even though she couldn't call us or see us. She sent me an e-card.

I send all my love to those at home who have loved me unconditionally: Es, PT, Kat, Jay - I miss ya'll so much.

Hatred stirreth up strifes: but love covereth all sins. Proverbs 10:12

In other news, AACM Talent Show 2008 went really well. Everything from Pre-Awareness to the Documentary showing, to the actual show. I stoked about how everything went down. Pictures will be up soon.