Thankful

Some things I am thankful for:

- My parents, for driving out to see me and taking me out to dim sum, for sending me funny emails, for paying my tuition, for letting me make my own decisions, for supporting me and my major, for everything.

- My brother, for growing up into such a smart and fun guy who still tolerates my nagging and answers frequent requests for computer help, and for the fact that his body is still intact and functional despite doing crazy tricks and many dislocated shoulders.

- My apartment mates Minnie, Jessica and Sam, for enduring my piles of books and papers and other junk around the apartment, for eating my cooking experiments, for listening.

- My health, because I get to walk, run, bike, and push myself through Core Blast.

- Libraries and Cafes, for being there when I needed a change of study scenery, a warm place to read, or some caffeine and pastries.

- Being in Berkeley, because I love all the excitement, quirks, outdoor opportunities, and people that come with this lively city.

- Working with Green Campus and ReUSE, because I have learned so much about project management and communication; for connecting me to such strong yet different sustainability programs on campus; for the opportunity to earn enough to cover rent and living expenses each month.

- Friends, because even though I haven't been very good at staying in touch with high school friends, and even though I'm not really sure who I would consider my closest friends in college, I know that I have friends I can look to for support, good talks, encouragement and hanging out.

And a quick list:

- Warm mochas

- Picking my own tomatoes and learning to can them

- Harvesting grapes at a vineyard

- Watching my brother play volleyball

- Brisk morning air for running

- Figuring out how to sew my backpack

- Online instructions for fixing a blown fuse

- Electric room heater

- Biking

- Getting paid to baby-sit aka watching tv while the baby sleeps

- Berkeley Bowl and their Clearance Produce section

- The Gilson family, for inviting me to their Thanksgiving

- Online weather forecasts

- Time to study over Thanksgiving break

- Joanna Y, Jessica C, and Courtney P for offering a home for me for Thanksgiving

- Clean and great tasting tap water

- Pie: Pumpkin, Chard, Chocolate Cranberry

10.10.10.10.10.

Guys, it's 10:10 PM on 10/10/10.

Best Thing Ever

Models falling on the runway.

BIO BIO BIO BIO BIO

In my attempt to actually keep up with the class, do readings on time, and understand what's going on AS the class is progressing through the semester (instead of not doing much until the first midterms roll around and I panic), I went to FIVE bio sections / classes today! Biology lecture, professor's office hours, biology discussion, biology discussion office hours, and biology lab lecture. That's right, I'm actually really trying! Let's see how long this lasts...

It's only the second week

So far this semester has been a whirlwind. No wait, more like an angry offspring of a tornado and hurricane. WHY AM I SO BUSY ALREADY?

I've been reading and writing emails for the past 2+ hours, all work related, and I haven't even gotten a chance to do actual school work or reading.

On the bright side, my roommates surprised me with a belated birthday cake today! Lemon cake with frosting, from scratch.

I hate you, Bike Thief.

Yesterday I was just thinking about how thankful I was for finding and buying such a great bike last week. It was perfect: Silver, Specialized brand, super comfortable and easy to ride, and it fit me as if it was custom made for me.

And it just so happens that between last night when I locked my bike in my apartment building and this morning, SOMEONE STOLE MY BIKE!

Here is a little bit of what I'm feeling like right now:

From now on I'm going to use a U-lock, cord lock, chain lock, and maybe hire a buff body guard and some aggressive guard dogs to protect my bike. That's right, bike thief - you won't get away with this ever again (on my bike, at least).

I'll have the Cabernet Sauvignon

The agroecology lab I'm working at this summer is proving to be quite the social activity! Today I went to a lab BBQ at an intern's backyard. Besides good food, we had wine-tasting. Two things I learned today:

1. All wine tastes the same to me. Acidity? Rich fruity overtones? Oakey flavor? Nope, can't tell the difference.

2. I don't think I am sophisticated enough to appreciate the taste of wine - it all tastes pretty gross to me. I don't know how people can like this stuff! I had to follow every sip with food.

Eat A Damn Good Breakfast Everyday.

I'm learning how to play the guitar - I have no excuses this summer: free lessons, free guitar lent to me by a friend, and no homework to compete with practicing!

Andrew's Graduation

Aw my little brother is all grown up!


I'm so proud of my brother, not necessarily for graduating high school, but for the awesome person that he has become... from an awkward dorky little kid to a smart, social guy who fixes peoples' computers and plays varsity volleyball and is tan enough to look like he could be Filipino, Mexican, Indonesian, etc... Congrats!

The Cookies that look like Vomit

A few days ago, in a desperate attempt to use up half a can of pumpkin before it molded, I made these babies:



These are extremely modified chocolate chip cookies. Instead of butter, I used pumpkin, and instead of chocolate chips, I used crumbled up brownies because I didn't have chocolate chips but I did have already-baked brownies.

Verdict? Surprisingly edible, despite the unappetizing appearance.

The Last Supper(s)

My roommate moved out a few days ago - I'm going to miss her and her cooking! She was the one in our apartment of four who could actually make things that looked and tasted really good (as opposed to okay-tasting stir-fry and rice that we resort to when she's not cooking). During her last few days here, I tried to cook with her in hopes of learning... here's some of what we made:

Homemade pizza crust, topped with mushrooms, garlic, tomatoes, fresh goat cheese and mozzarella, and asparagus from the garden.

Salad with dressing (not pictured) that we made from olive oil, balsamic vinegar, mustard, garlic, salt and pepper.

Some sort of braised chicken with olives and a green leafy herb (parsley? oregano?).

Gettin' Dirty

Just discovered the Student Organic Garden on the north-west side of campus:




I am now adding "volunteer at the garden" to my summer to-do list. PLUS, free and fresh vegetables to take home with me!

I am so FORTunate...

Bring it ON

3 finals in the next day and a half... then freedom!

Conversation of the Day

"Hi Dad, I was just calling to see how Andrew's volleyball game was going..."

"Actually we're in an ambulance right now, so I'm not sure how the game is going. But mom is following in her car behind us and she probably gets to drive through the red lights with us!"

Turns out my brother dislocated his shoulder during his tournament and had to be taken to the hospital in an ambulance. This same thing happened about a month ago, except last time I found out from Facebook. My family is great at keeping me in the loop! My brother had to be sedated while they fixed his shoulder, but at least he's doing okay now. I can't imagine what it feels like for him to possibly be out for the rest of the season - his last season ever of volleyball before graduating!

Hello!

New year, new blog.