Walking in Little Tokyo "Mall"

Knowing I would be in L.A, I knew that going to Little Tokyo was a must. So before we left, I looked up the address to Little Tokyo. And voilà, here we are.

Unfortunately, Little Tokyo was a disappointment. Although it had a very Japanese feel as it was a 'village plaza' giving off the whole "village" look, it didn't have much. It was mainly restaurants. But...it was only the day after that I found out that that wasn't the whole Little Tokyo. So today's post will be the "village" portion, while the Shopping Center portion will be another time (possibly tomorrow).

I still really really super love this whole "village-y" look, but I also really really wish they had more boutique shops rather than restaurants.

Another unfortunate, I wasn't in L.A during the time of this "70th Annual Nisei Week Festival".

Very beautiful, but not enough shops. On this particular day, I felt as if the Japantown back home was a definite way better than this L.A Little Tokyo.

Walking in Los Angeles

I know that if I start with something interesting, I'll quit. So I'll do these L.A posts in kind of a "most boring to least boring"...well, not that they really are any bit boring, but yeah... (I realized that editing the photos takes up more of the time than actually writing it out does...)

The reason behind going to L.A. was because my sister had an orientation for college. So we packed up a week's worth of clothes and necessities in a couple suitcases and drove to L.A.

There really isn't much to say as it's only the start of the trip. For now, I guess I'll just post some pictures of buildings and things that caught my attention while we cruised around the L.A/Hollywood area.

I really wish that street sign weren't blocking the shop sign. In case you can't conclude, it says "The Wedding House".

This was very cool, it was a picture that was kind of like 3D, because the building made it pop.

Update!

So as you all probably might have noticed, I haven't been updating since...well almost a month. I left off with telling you how lazy I was to update while I was "vacationing" in L.A. And then, school started. And now I'm super duper lazy. I was even thinking, perhaps two blogs isn't a capability for me right now. But thinking that, now more than ever, I want to try my hardest. I've had my other blog for a little more than half a year, and for four months or so, I've been updating frequently and actually having a set schedule. With this in mind, I feel more confident about holding two blogs. Though I say that now, I can't know for sure what will happen in the future, so I can only hoping that this lasts.

Anyways, this was inspired as I uploaded a couple (50/475). I was inspired to write again for this blog, but I got a little lethargic (big word! LOL) last night, so I didn't right away. But now, I'm too lazy to do my homework, so hopefully I can churn out a lot to schedule before I really need to start on my homework.

Well, actually, I was also inspired to start tumbling on my tumblr again...so maybe I'll do that as well...Hmmm...3 blogs? Can I handle it?!!?!??!

Anyways, here's a thought for today:

"I often ride the city bus. Though some people kind it uncleanly and disgusting, I don't mind it so much. Despite the graffiti, the trash and the occasional spills and splotches, it's okay. But despite oftenly riding the bus, there's something I don't do normally, that others who don't oftenly ride the bus, do. And that is, checking the seat before I sit. This happened to me today. I sat down in the back of the bus on a disgusting seat. But I didn't even know until I got up, and my friend pointed it out. I was disgusted, and my butt still feels somewhat disgusting (though nothing got wiped on as it was dry). Still, I wonder how it is that I often take the bus, but I never check the seat first. What about you? Do you check your seat before you sit down?"

Walking with Celebration Night

This is a super late post, but yeah.

So the kids went home, and we had our daily staff meeting in the OL. During that day's staff meeting we did this Tshirt Game. It's where you put your name on a piece of paper that has a T-shirt drawn on it, and pass it around the circle. Then people write good things about you and whatever they want to say, but they don't sign their name. There's supposed to be some magic that lets you figure out who each thing is, but honestly, I don't got it. I mean, I figured out who wrote some of them, but some of them, I really can't figure out for the life of me. This is my favorite one on the T-shirt activity, "You're smile is contagious!", even though they used the wrong "your".

And since we're on this topic, my favorite note from my yearbook is from A, my secret friend. He said, "Nice to have you in our V-Team! Always helpful and gr8, Thanks for the Vans gift card! =)" Awwwwwwwwwwww. I'm going to miss him, even though he gave me a truck load of crap to deal with this summer.

So after the meeting, I just hung out around the school, not doing much. The one thing that has left an impression on me, is that in one room, there was a "party" and the song that left an impression is "Like a G6" by Far East Movement, which I happen to be listening to at the moment.

I also did some work, helping clean out the place (Like putting up a sign with A (and K), and cleaning the lunchroom the families would come in to, with A, K and J.)

5:30ish came, and I began my "duty" which was to welcome the families. So I had to stand out in the freezing cold for 40 minutes, to hold open the door. At least, I was only along the first 10 minutes, after that, my friend (from before), J, came. And I hung out with her, and made her stay out in the cold..haha, well not really, she chose to stay and wouldn't go in.

I ate, technically 3 slices of pizza. One really fat slice of pepperoni (which is why I call it two) and one thiner slice of Cheese pizza, and I had two cups of apple juice.

After everyone finished eating, we went to the gym, where we had presentations from Glee Club, Theatre and Dance, and we also had a short slideshow.

Then the kids left and the staff headed back into the OL for a final checkout. Everyone went around and said a final appreciation, that each took a couple of minutes, raning from 3-5 minutes, so in the end it took an hour to get through everyone. I teared up and nearly cried during these appreciations. As well as when everyone got up and got their paychecks/went around hugging everyone. It was super sad, it broke my heart.

And then all the TAs and Volunteers got a specially decorated envelope by one of our bosses. Inside contained cards from the Interns and Lead teacher of our teaching teams, and a $50 Visa giftcard. As I was reading the cards in the car, I really started crying. I'm going to miss AHU so much. It's like a second home and family to me. But, hopefully, until next year.

(Also, awesome because we Volunteers, even though we're not supposed to get paid, we did, technically. $2 a day, $10 a week. Haha.)

Lazy Bum

Sorry, I haven't blogged for a while. Well, I kind of have a legit reason. I'm on vacation in L.A. for a week, and so I've been "busy". And when I get home, I just don't feel like editing all the pictures and typing out a whole lot of stuff. Maybe later on tonight I will. Sorry!

Monday - Arrived&Hollywood

Tuesday - Little Tokyo&Koreatown

Wednesday - ........Nothing...?

Thursday - THE HAPPIEST PLACE ON EARTH : DISNEYLAND!~

Friday - Going home

Walking the Last Day

So 7/31/10 was the last day of the summer program I volunteered at. The day went pretty normally. We played Jeopardy with all the kids in our class. And then had lunch after all the classes were over.

This is the sauce the kids made, with powdered sugar, water and food coloring, to decorate the cakes they baked the day before. It was pretty good, I preferred the purple one over the red one. It just tasted better for some reason.

Then after lunch, we played some campus games together in the gym, and then when we finished, we came back and signed yearbooks and stuff. Then the 9th graders came back and they showed us their slideshow, because they had been gone for a week at the MH for a camping trip. On Monday they just had games and training at our campus still. On Tuesday they went on a hike in the MH. Wednesday, they did some invasive species gardening like stuff, taking care of the place, and they went to the beach. On Thursday was their overnight trip, I believe they did more planting and stuff, as well as basket making. So they spent overnight there, and came back Friday at around 2. I didn't get to go with them, but I had went on this trip when I was a student at this summer program.

So then all the kids went home. And we got prepared for Celebration Night.

Another short post, tomorrow's post will be about Celebration Night and afterwards.

Walking the Sephora Store, Again

Today I went to the Sephora Store with my mom at S mall. I purposely rubbed off my black nail polish so I could come in here and get a "free" set of nails.

Here's what took us maybe 20 minutes at the store. The picture is kind of weird...but you can see all the colors right?

And we actually ended up buying 3 of those expensive ($9 per bottle) nail polishes. The picture quality is bad, so you can't really tell the color. But from left to right, it's Just a Little Dangerous (Purple), Leaf Him at the Altar (Green) and a bottle of Top Coat. You can tell the colors on my finger, haha, they are both the middle ones.

So this is a short post, but I'll update tomorrow about Celebration Night and the Last Day.

Walking the Lab and Anger

*WARNING*

Make sure you aren't eating while you read this post. Or if you are eating, finish it and wait a couple minutes to read this post.

7/28/10, during Advising, I got anko Taiyaki, for the first time! To be honest, it wasn't that delicious. Probably for one thing, because it was cold and another because the batter was way thicked than the filling. But still, it was good. And pretty awesome for a first time trying it. I know where he got it from, so I'll get another one when I go there, but probably like...chocolate flavored.

So, in the 7th graders were working on their 5 senses for this summer. This week was the Brain. And yesterday, they dissected a sheep's brain. First period, it went okay for me. Mainly because I was manning the computer, for the power point. But then second period, I left my station and actually went around and "helped" out the kids. So second period, I got a little...nauseated. Because I got close to it, and also because it had been two periods and there were 10 brains in the room. So, yeah. I also get nauseated now, when I look at the picture...

Here's the very not awesome part of 7/28 and 7/29.

*WARNING*

If you are sensitive to uncensored cussing, stop reading now.

I hate this girl I work with, B. I didn't before, only my friend (who left for camp), M, did. But now that she's gone, I realize, I really hate B. So on the day of the dinner, I was unfortunately stuck with sitting at the same table with her. During the entire time, she kept fucking acting like she was my mom, and my mom doesn't even act like that. She was yelling at me, telling me to behave and saying how I was taking up all the room. And I'm like fuck you, bitch. (well, in my head at least).

Then something that pissed me off to extreme. So the table ordered a dish of mussels, which I don't like. I mean, I haven't tried it, but ew. Generally, I don't like seafood anyways. And so, J offered me one, and I'm like "Uh...no." And that fucking bitch ass picked out a piece with her fork and fucking tried to spoon feed me, like I was some kind fucking baby. And I'm keeping my mouth shut and turning away and she kept fucking following me with the fork and I'm thinking "Bitch ass get that fuckin' spoon away from my face or you'll soon find it up your fucking ass." Okay, so I didn't really think that at the time, just the first part, but reliving it, I'm getting angry.

And then 7/29, she pissed me off so bad afterschool. So my friend, J came to visit our school for the day, her sister also goes to the program (and J graduated with me). And so afterschool, I was hugging J because I missed her. And then all of a sudden, stupid fucking B just threw her fucking arms around us in a "group hug" and I was thinking, "Get your fucking hands off of me bitch." Like seriously, what the fuck. And she stayed like that for a couple minutes and the whole thing I'm cursing in my head like, "Get off me you fucking bitch. I want to hug J not your ass."

Then after she finally let go, J's phone rang and it was Je, another friend who graduated with us. So J answered and I went around to the other side and tried to "listen" to their conversation, though all I heard was static. And that fucking bitch copied me and stood in front of J and tried to listen. And I'm thinking what the fuck bitch. Why are you fucking copying me? I mean, for me, it's "alright" because I know the two pretty well. Like J is one of my closest friends and I go to school with Je. And B like, barely knows them, and she's fucking copying me?

And then J and I were sitting on the same chair, right next to each other and I was hugging her, because I seriously miss her. And then B comes fucking along and sits right on J. And I'm thinking what the fucking hell bitch, why the hell are you sitting on her? (I did that earlier that day in class, but that's different, cause me and J are tight, and I've talked to J about B, and J barely likes B too). And then she was like, "Oh, I thought you were sitting on (me) the whole time", while standing up and then she fucking sits back down on her. I'm like, fuck you bitch ass. And I whisper to J, "This is why we (me and M) hate her." And J nods.

I'm upset also because today was the last day of Board Games Plus (because the program ends tomorrow), and I didn't get to play Apples to Apples with my favorite 7th graders. I had to run around and work in the office during that time, which I don't mind doing, but just not during my Apples to Apples time. Sad.

Well, I want to end this on a happy note. First, A talked to me today, alot! And I'm super happy! (Maybe one day, I'll make a post explaining more about it, but for now, that's it.) But I don't have a picture of that, haha, so I'll end with this. I played Jenga with the kids during Advising, and I totally suck at it.

Walking with A and C^3

Today and yesterday will be split into two posts, in order from most awesome to least awesome.

So yesterday was totally awesome, because I was in the office during work and A, as well as K (an afterthought) were there. Well, first I tallyed up the Popularity Poll for the Yearbook, to help out J. And when I finished he told me to print it out on the office computer, so that's why. And A and K were in there because they were grading the tests.

I sat down at the computer while A got off (he wasn't working on it because J told him not to touch it), and K was on the computer next to me. But soon, K got lazy and made A do it. (Not that I completely mind). And he started asking about the secret friends that we were doing at work, because our staff dinner was tonight and the secret friends would be revealed. So K explained it, blah. Then, A asked me who my secret friend was (it was him!) and I'm like "I don't know". And he said, "I know who it is." I still wonder if he really did or not. Then we were doing our work (except for lazy K!) and A started singing, first to some song I don't know, and then to Wedding Dress! I thought that was super adorable!

Then the staff dinner was at C^3 and secret friends were revealed! We didn't have a whole table all to ourselves so we had to split up into small groups around the restaurant. So, for the secret friends, we just started off and walked around to the person we had, and when we gave the gift, they got up and went to their person, and so on. I got my present pretty quickly, it was D. It was kind of a lame present, Jelly Beans and Giftcard to Starbucks. I mean, not the best, but not terrible. And because it was D, a veteran, I was a bit disappointed (also because I didn't get anything all summer!) But I still appreciate it, since I do drink coffee and the jelly beans look tasty.

Then after I got my present, I went over to A's table and gave him the giftcard to Vans. I was pretty worried, because I thought the gift would be lame. But he was totally psyched about it, and that totally made my day (as well as his singing). I was thinking "Ugh, this is lame!" the whole time. And I handed it to him, and it was like "Omg! This is (insert adjective that I forgot). Thanks!" And I was, so happy. Because I was so dreading it the whole summer, and to see him sound and look so happy and excited about it, it seriously, made my day, or well, the whole summer totally worth it.

The food at C^3 was okay, only because I'm not really into that type of food. The desserts were AMAZING though! Well, 2/3. We wanted to order one for every person at our table, but we didn't want to bankrupt our bosses. So we just got 3. (I'm going to go least to best awesome for this).

First up is Flan. I thought it would be pretty cool/good. And it looked it too. But it turned out to not be so good. It was just...not good at all. The first bite, I didn't like the top layer of it only, because it was a weird texture and had no flavor. But the second bite, I disliked the whole thing. It just has a super weird texture and doesn't taste good.

Then was El Mango Tango, which I "ordered" (only because B ordered the Chocolate cake). The raspberry sauce was pretty good, but I didn't think it added much to the flavor, only to the appearance. This cake was more like, mango pudding covering vanilla cake, which was kind of a weird combo. It was still pretty good though. The mango pudding part was amazing, it tasted like fresh mangos, so good. But the cake part was the only part I disliked.

Finally, we have the Chocolate Mousse Triple Threat. I didn't think this would be that good, because I wasn't really in the mood for chocolate and because B ordered it (HATE her!). But B and J went back to the school to get some stuff, so we ate the dessert without them (Haha!). Anyways, back on to the topic, I didn't think this cake would be that good, but you see it's the most awesome. And it literally, and seriously was. It was like a piece of heaven. It was soooo good. It was sweet, but not too sweet. And the combination of milk chocolate and white chocolate. I died eating that cake. It was SO good. And it was really funny, because 5 of us were splitting these 3 cakes, and this was the first one "finished". But when we got to the last forkful, nobody wanted to take it. Haha. For me, it was because I didn't want to look fat, or rude.

Before we went to the dinner. I went around the blocks with L and O, in search of their secret friend presents. O got his secret friend two chocolate bars (dark!) and he "tattooed" his arms (in marker) with her name, and something we call the morning mantra. And when he presented the gift at the dinner, first he took off his shirt, showed the "tattoos" and then did the morning mantra right in the middle of the restaurant. It was funny. And all good ideas from me and L. So L got her secret friend (one of the bosses) a purple boa feather scarf and a princess tiara, because he has a 2 year old daughter. It had to be one of the bests gifts. (Followed up by the Army Snuggie [and my giftcard, in my opinion]).

And lastly, at the end of dinner Al drove me home with Ke. It was funny though, and weird. Funny because they're great guys and make awesome jokes that make me laugh. But weird because Al swears. I mean, I know it's normal, but he had been my teacher for two years, so it's weird to hear him swearing, on purpose too, not accidentally. Well, not only Al but a lot of the teachers that used to be my teachers. Oh, I forgot, it was also scary because Al drives like a mad man. Well, I don't know. I mean, my dad always drives way too fast. And I guess I've gotten used to it...sometimes. But when I was riding with Al, it wasn't like he was driving faster...but it was scarier. I guess because he's still a teacher figure so I thought he drove more responsibily but he doesn't.

Walking with Pat Burrell

Oh. My. Double. Delicious. Ness. Gosh.

You'll NEVER believe who came to our Summer Program yesterday.

Well, actually...you probably can.

Yes, the one and only, Pat Burrell of the SF Giants!

Actually....I don't watch baseball, so I didn't really know who he was. But yeah :D!

How exciting right? A major league baseball star IN OUR SUMMER CAMPUS?!

And he signed autographs for everyone [who wanted one] too! Super awesome! He's a pretty cool dude.

And the BEST game for the BEST board games PLUSSSSS activity - Apples to Apples!

Today was an AWESOME day, but the post for it won't be ready until tomorrow, sorry! But anticipate it, it's amazing! :D

Walking the Sephora Store

Just like the new desire to dress better, I've become more girly in other areas as well. Wearing "make up". Well, not really, just nail polish and the simple, easy stuff like that. Nothing like mascara and blush and those kinds of stuff.

So, Sephora is a make up store, that's pretty awesome, actually. Because you get to try most of the stuff they're selling, right there in the store (some parts of it is kind of gross though, if you think about it). I went with V and B after the movie and eating in the mall (7/24/10).

This is like...eyeshadow? Haha, I forget, but I'm going to say it's eyeshadow. Pretty nice, I didn't really feel like completely dolling up, though. Especially not right in the store for no reason at all.

I love the name of the nail polish they have, super funny/cute and creative. I thought this was really cute, especially since they were right next to each other. "Ms. Can't Be Wrong" and "Mr. Right Now", they just go together, like seriously.

Then we have some philosophy stuff. This one is 'field of flowers' and the meaning is, "stop and smell the flowers". That's pretty nice. I think this was like...lip gloss. I'm not sure, I forget.

Another philosophy, 'everything's coming up rainbows', meaning "where there is a rainbow, there is a smile". That's sweet. Now, I'm definitely sure that this was lip gloss.

The last one is the longest, and sweetest, as well as the most true, for me. 'falling in love', "when it comes to love you need not fall but rather surrender. surrender to the idea that you must love yourself before you can love another. you must absolutely trust yourself before you can absolutely trust another and most importantly you must accept your flaws before you can accept the flaws of another."

Since we're on this whole quotes thingy, I'll just throw this one in, that was in the station. "Where closer friends get closerer".

Walking through the Fashion Closet

I have to be honest, and you must believe me, I used to be a "just put on a tee shirt and jeans and you're all good to go" type of girl. But now, something strange is happening, and I'm actually spending time picking out "pretty" outfits. (Haha, I don't know if you'll believe me, now or even after you see the pictures.)

I'm not saying I hated dresses, and never wore them. I did, ocassionaly, on events and sometimes weekends. But when I was at school, it was just a tee shirt and jeans for me.

This was my outfit on the 11th of July, a Sunday. Nothing special, just spent the half the day sleeping and the other half at my grandparent's house. So we have a grey striped long shirt (See! I'm still not that addicted, because I don't know all the terms, haha.), with an attached scarf, that's kind of sparkly (I don't know if you can tell from the picture). A two layered skirt, that's dark pink underneath and a see through white polka dotted black top layer. And there's a pair of leggings underneath, that you can't really tell. And a pair of St. John's Bay high heeled wedges.

Then the outfit on the 19th (a Monday), was pretty nice. The main focus was on the hair, because it was Crazy Hair/Head Gear day at school for Spirit Week (staff is "required" 100% participation). So in the car, on the way to work, I just tied some random ponytails all around my head. So that was my "crazy hair" so the day.

The outfit is pretty nice, if I do say so myself. A white top, with a black tee underneath it and "ripped" jeans. (In the previous picture, I had on a black jacket 'cause I was kind of cold). Shoes were the checkered Converses. And what you see is my headphones, along with my hand holding my Mp3 player, and my keys. And you may notice the necklace, I always wear it. It's a tube container that's full of rocks. Nothing really special (meaning wise), but I just really like it a lot.

I'm pretty sad, because I should've taken a picture of the 20th (Nerd Day). It was pretty cool. But, unfortunately, I didn't. And Thursday the 22nd, was PJ day, so nothing too cool about that.

The 21st (Purple Day) turned out less purple, but way prettier than the original purple outfit. We have a sort of old-fashioned long dressy shirt, striped green with fake buttons. (You'll see that I have an affinity for things striped and checkered as you know more about me). I wore a black tank top under the dress because it's kind of low. And then "triangled" black and purple leggings, with purple and grey striped Converses. And then I wore a short sleeved red and white striped jacket, along with a white and purple checkered scarf. Finally, I included a white, sort of, berret-like hat.

I thought that last outfit was pretty cute, but I got mixed feedback from it. My friend, M, said that it was cute. And my co-worker, T, said it looked nice. But then my students, K, C and S, started calling me "Safari West Girl", which I still have no clue why. I think they were just joking around, and mainly saying it doesn't match, because it was purple day and I was wearing a lot of non-purple colors. But I don't know.

And finally, we have the outfit for Friday, 23rd (Twin Day). So I was twins with my friend, M. Though it wasn't that much of a match. I wore two-pieced shirt (I don't really know what it's called), along with a black tank top underneath, because the white part is pretty much see through. And I wore the same two layered skirt from before. I actually had on the same purple scarf as before, but I took it off because it got hot, so it's not pictured. As for the shoes, I wore a pair of silver (extremely flat on the floor) sandals, but it's not pictured as well. The reason being, I took the picture way too late, so I had already taken it off.