WOO!!

WOO (definition from Strengths Finder 2.0 by Tom Rath) - stands for winning others over. You enjoy the challenge of meeting new people and getting them to like you. Strangers are rarely intimidating to you. On the contrary, strangers can be energizing. You are drawn to them. You want to learn their names, ask them questions, and find some area of common interest so that you can strike up a conversation and build rapport. Some people shy away from starting up conversations because they worry about running out of things to say. You don't. Not only are you rarely at a loss for words; you actually enjoy initiating with strangers because you derive satisfaction from breaking the ice and making connection. Once that connection is made, you are quite happy to wrap it up and move on. There are new people to meet, new rooms to work, new crowds to mingle in. In your world, there are no strangers, only friends you haven't met yet - lots of them.

After my professor talked about this last strength before he ended class, I felt like I found a description that described me pretty well. It is mostly on point, but I think that because I worry about running out of things to say, I actually initiate the conversations and start to ask questions. WOO sounds like it is! A spirited acronym that already sounds excited. Funny, how I started out as a really really shy girl who refused to talk to anyone in a Summer Christian camp to a person who loves to meet new people and isn't afraid talk to strangers. I owe this to my experience working at The Door, and many of my crazy, close friends, who happen to have this similar personality.

Although I am willing to start conversations and speak/meet people individually, I do fear to be the center of attention, and speak to a larger group of strangers. Speaking of that, the reason why my professor was bringing up strengths to talk about is because the whole class is supposed to present their own personal pitch which brands myself and proves that I am one of a kind. Tough presentations because it's hard to say great things about yourself without coming off as arrogant. Even though I have yet to find my special characteristics that make me oh-so-unique. I have yet to find my passions...

Sweet Encounter

I rushed through the doors of the Q train during rush hour right before it closed on me. As I was untangling my headphones, out popped a familiar face staring at me from the crowd. It was that familiar bright white smile I saw back in my senior year of high school. It was Mr. Allen, my favorite English teacher ever! I remember I enjoyed going to his class where he spoke with a slight Jamaican accent and made corny jokes. Sometimes when he got excited, his voice would crack. He would always make class really fun and he encouraged me to be more confident when making a speech. He was the only teacher I found after graduation, and was able to take a picture with! I felt so excited seeing him, and the fact that he recognized me so quickly was quite nice. Could it have been because I left such a good impression on him? Haha.

I asked Mr. Allen what he was up to and to my surprise, he's no longer teaching in my high school. He's climbing up the ladder to better his career and future. I remember he was always happy and excited when he mentioned his family, so I asked him whether or not he has had children yet (it's been three years) and I guess, it was quite a personal question that left us laughing awkwardly. But sincere Mr. Allen replied honestly, saying that he was actually talking to his wife about it the other day. Because he knows that having a child is a big responsibility so he wants to be more prepared and stable if he were to have one. He is indeed a good man.

I had to get off the next stop, so I raised my hand for a high five, but he reached out for a handshake, and so it was an awkward twisted high-shake. I wonder why I couldn't stop grinning from this very brief and awkward encounter! Life, please throw more wonderful surprises for me! ^^

Mr. Allen and I, after High School graduation!

Awkward Train Moment

I believe that I am a very nosy person. I like to stick my nose into people's business and lives because I think that I should do what I can before I regret not doing it. (Does that make sense? LOL) But it can be semi-explained from what happened just yesterday.

On lonely train rides home, I like to look around at the type of people there are, what people wear, how tired they look, and the litter on the floor... yes, this is how my story starts. As I rushed into the train right before the doors closed on me, a piece of paper on the floor caught my attention from the corner of my eyes. Maybe the train had shook it, or perhaps, this boy sitting down, with his big butt pocket opened, must've dropped it onto the floor. It was folded into fours, so I didn't know exactly what it was, or if he had actually dropped it. I thought oh well, it's just litter, and if it is his, then too bad. So I continued listening to my music and pondering to myself.

But! This darn piece of paper kept catching my eye. I couldn't stop looking at it and think What IF this paper was this boy's? What IF this paper was an important document or homework? What IF he gets off this train soon and leaves this paper forever behind? Would it be my fault that he had the chance to pick it up since he was unaware of its disappearance? What IF IT'S NOT EVEN HIS?? Why is my gut telling me to ask him if that piece of paper is his? Even if it's not his, then I'd feel comfortable knowing that I tried to save his life. Okay, I shall ask him.

Yes, all this went through my mind because of one folded piece of paper on the floor. And so after three train stops, I have decided to take action.

I poked/tapped the boy (btw, he was not a boy, more like a teenager or a little older?) and said, "Is that paper yours?"

He looked at me and the paper, and tilted his head in confusion. Perhaps he didn't hear me, so I repeated myself, "Is that piece of paper yours?" He looked doubtful, and shook his head slightly. But he picked up the paper to check anyway.

Inside the paper was a WANTED poster with a reward. BOY, WAS I EMBARRASSED. He shook his head and handed me the paper. I said "Oh, I'm so sorry..." He smiled and laughed it off a little.

"...."

"So... uh... I'm not sure what to do with this... shall I drop it back on the floor?"

He shrugged and laughed at me (softly). I laughed at myself (softly). I held on to that piece of paper for the rest of the train ride. I tried to look busy with my itouch as he was probably still laughing at me inside.

Twas a very awkward train moment. I hope nobody else witnessed this. Why must I be like this? I have no idea.

Home Alone... Again

It's that time of the year again... when my parents leave me, home alone, for a month in China. I started getting used to it since my junior year of High School. I was missing them so much, that I even cried. Now that I don't even come home (even when my parents are home) until later than 10pm, I feel like it's not much of a difference. I wouldn't call them everyday, and I wouldn't cry anymore.

They left exactly two weeks ago, and I haven't really felt lonely because the Friday after they left, my brother came home for Spring break. I did feel annoyed sometimes when my brother left crumbs everywhere, left dishes in the sink unwashed, and left the house in a mess. Today, my finally brother left back to college, and this feeling of loneliness is haunting me a little bit. Just a bit. At least when I'm watching Running Man (a hilarious Korean variety show), my brother would sit by me and laugh along with me. At least I had someone to yell at to clean this and that. At least when I eat dinner at home, my parents will be sitting next to me and my mother would force me to drink soup (not that I hate it).

I'm glad that they're only gone for a month, and there's only like 2 weeks left (2 weeks too long). But I'm also glad that I'm currently working and busy with school, so it will take up my time to not think about feeling lonely and all. I'm thankful for my friends that have visited me and plan to visit me. But just... at the end of the day, I come home to a house filled with darkness and silence. I hate that feeling most of all.

BonQuiQui Is Married!

So today, I rewatched BonQuiQui's new song: Imma Cut You and it seems like she's moved on from a cashier at King Burger to a singer. LOL. So at the end of the videooo, I decided to visit her website which I thought was pretty cool. Her real name is Anjelah, if y'all didn't know. She actually blogs too and that is where I found this video of her getting married to this very handsomely cute man, Manwell. After watching this video, which I thought was SUPER SWEEEET, it made me feel like this:

Haha. This whining orange. But yeah. I just thought it was sucha cute video that I wanted to share. :)

Racism Still Exists

Yes, nobody said racism ended... but many people do think that it is getting better. I, myself, felt that way. But ugh. After shopping at Union Square today, it made me a little more cynical.

I was ready to buy my running sneakers at Shoemania (because DSW doesn't carry Nike Frees). I had my eye on a pair of sneakers for a while, and today was the day I wanted to own them. But, nooooo. The jerks in Shoemania are racists bitches that rather help White people than an Asian girl. I stood there for 30 minutes just to find out that they didn't have my size. And this white girl who came after me got her shoes, tried it on, and left after she didn't want it. I stood there for 30 minutes. No one asked me if I needed help. Best customer service ever. So I left, not even considering another pair of shoes I had my eyes on.

So... I walked down to David Z. hoping they'd have the sneakers. It was pretty empty. But as I entered, no one looked at me. No one greeted me. I went up to this man who seemed like he was trying to avoid eye contact or something. I asked for the Nike Frees. He told me they don't carry Nike shoes. I said 'thanks, bye', and walked away. As I was leaving, a white couple came in, and guess what? They were greeted.

.... I deserved as much respect and attention as any customer should have. I HOPE ALL OF THEM WILL STAY WORKING AT THE SHOE STORES FOREVER. Because it is so great running up and down the stairs getting shoes for people that might not even want them.

Hives

I've had hives for the past three days. What a great way to start 2012!

The first night I got it, it was very mild. But I was a bit scared because I've been itchy before, but never that itchy to get these little bumps everywhere on my body. The next day, I went out, it was still mild, but a little itchier. I thought these could go away on their own if I left them alone. But boy was I wrong. I went out to dinner, karaoke, and came home with red spots all over my face. I felt embarrassed even sitting on the train. At 3am, it became a little more severe. My fingers swelled up like sausages, my back, stomach, and legs... basically my whole body was covered in bumpy pink spots. I was afraid I'd wake up with a swollen eye too. Thank God I didn't. Thankfully, I got some advice from a couple of friends and decided to get some Benadryl. This is my second day taking it, and it seems to be working fine. I hope it goes away completely.

I read that people cannot figure out exactly what caused their hives from coming. That's the scary part. Because, even if they go away, they might come back another time. By then, I shall be armed with Benadryl. And have no fear guys, it is not contagious!

Sometimes words are better left unsaid.
Yes, I have a tiny heart that can easily get crushed.
Please don't tell a joke that crosses the line. Thanks.
You are forgiven. Even if you don't apologize. Goodbye.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Tumblr is indeed very different. Supposedly a blog, but more of things that simply defines you or what you like. Not that much recording of a daily life thing I guess. So I feel more comfortable coming back here and talking about stuff.

HAPPY 2012!

2011 has been a long year. Although everything happened within this one year... I feel like I've done those things last year, so it feels really far away, nah mean? Anyway, was 2011 a successful year? Considering that I did pick my grades up a bit and I got three A's (which I rarely see on my transcript), I'm quite happy. But this isn't enough and it isn't over. I feel like College begins now. This is my Junior year where I'm supposed to tackle my major and complete my minor. This is also the time when companies start to hire (Juniors and Seniors), so I must hunt and compete with many others. I tell myself this every year... that I should take my education more seriously and study harder, but what I should be telling myself to do is to manage my time better. Even if it means to disappear from all the social events (and maybe attend a few).

Other than that, I've created a whole New Year Resolution. I hope to cross out at least 4 out of the 5 off of my list that I made with my friends. Actually, this is my first time celebrating New Years Eve with friends. They came over to my house and we had a little fiesta, which wasn't really that crazy, but I felt very lucky and cozy being with them. We had tooters at the edge of our mouths as we counted down the seconds and watched the ball drop. My mama was already asleep, but that didn't stop my papa and us from screaming and tooting. It was a very warm night. The weather, that is. Haha. I wish I took more pictures, but this is all I got. This year might be the last year for us human beings. LOL. jk. I don't like being cynical, but I want to make the best of it. And work harder than ever.