Pressure points

I had two very unexpected little moments today. 1) My rabbit Audrey stepped on my belly button today and surprised me. I didn't know that the belly button was a lethal presure point. Apparently, he's a kung-fu master or something. 2) One of my old students sent me an email. She was worried about the H1N1 flu virus (formerly known as the swine flu), and wanted to check I was okay! I was so happy! I worry so much about those kids, and I can't even describe the feeling to know that some of them still think about me. ♪~♪ d(⌒o⌒)b♪~♪ﾗﾝﾗﾝ

The swine flu cometh

We had our first swine flu phone call at the clinic today!! Happily, it was determined to be a false alarm...which is probably why I'm so happy. I'm hoping that all the calls end up like that. A little bit concerned about travellers who still insist on travelling to Mexico despite the dangers. It feels a little selfish. They're more concerned about their money and vacation, than they are about their health and the health of those around them. *sigh*

I've been a little tired lately. I actually didn't hear my alarm clock this morning, woke up 15 minutes before I had to leave for work...I think I just want to get this final exam over with. Not being able to contact the teacher ("correspondence" course) has been scaring me, because I need to submit my marks to the university soon. Plus, constantly having the threat of an exam over you is not fun. I look forward to not having to carry study notes with me everywhere!

裸になって、何が悪い？(What's wrong with being naked?)

Poor boney SMAP (AKA Kusanagi-kun)....I have to admit, my first reaction was "WHAT? Naked!??!" But, the more I think about it, I can't help but feel sorry for him. Being the "good boy" in the group, everyone expects him to be perfect. And yes, getting naked in a park, was not the best idea, but does he deserve all this? How many people, inclduing celebrities, do much worse and they don't get nearly the amount of attention he's getting. He got drunk and made a fool of himself. That's it. He didn't hurt anyone, there was no malicious intent. Leave the poor guy alone. He's more than learned his lesson.

Allergy gone?

I love eating these small little freshwater crabs. But, a few years ago, I started having allergic reactions to them. Of course, this didn't stop me from eating them. I would just take Benedryl before I ate them...and tried to finish my dinner before the medicine made me too sleepy. There was also the problem that these crabs were even better with a little beer...but the of course beer and Benedryl don't mix... But I had some crabs last night, without the medication, and NO REACTION!!! YEA!!!! Small victories...
Today conquering seafood allergies, tomorrow...world peace! (What can I say, I'm an idealist)

Girl power!

I just got my National Geographic email, and found the ultimate girl power article. There is an leaf-cutter ant species in South America that is entirely female (or at least no one has found a male). Perhaps they got lost and refused to ask for directions back to the nest!
http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2009/04/090417-female-ants-picture.html?source=email_inside_20090424&email=inside

Wednesday brunch

Why didn't I think of this sooner? On Wednesdays, I start work at 12pm, which creates a problem of - When do I eat lunch? I usually have breakfast, and then lunch around 1230-1pm. So, I used to bring a lunch to work. But, there have been days where it has been very busy, and I don't have time to eat lunch at work.
So, today, I started Wednesday brunches. It seems to work. But, it was hard to tell, because one of my friends at work bought everyone pizza today!

桜 season

I was a bit sad that my hanami would be only in Ikea lamp format...but then I opened my email today. I got 3 emails from Japan today, all with pictures of cherry blossoms! I'm not sure if that makes me happy or sad!
I'm a little worried right now. I wanted to join a dragon boat team, but they practice in Toronto at 630pm. With work and traffic, I don't know if I get to practice on time...sigh...

Go Fiat!

I know that the auto industry is very important to the economy, especially in this area, but I couldn't help but get more and more frustrated as the situation with the failing companies continues. Then, the numbers came out on what the salaries and benefits were. Then I got angry and disappointed. Isn't it a bit selfish, and unrealistic to expect $70-50 from a failing company. Even more so, when taxpayer dollars are keeping that company afloat? Why should, a student who works part time, have to support some one's $70/hr salary through my taxes...oh, and there's the $40/hr for the worker who has no shifts but can't be fired. They expect everyone to make sacrifices for them without willing to give anything up themselves? They make more in one month than my entire family combined. I would understand those wages if the company was doing well. Then it would be more than fair for the auto companies to share the wealth. But now, it just feels like greed. So when Fiat announced that they would pull out of the deal unless labour costs were reduced, part of me couldn't help but feel a bit apathetic. Welcome to the real world, where you can't get blood from a stone.

You're kidding me right?

The other day, we went to my great-grandmother's memorial at the cemetery for "ching ming". It's an annual event where people of Chinese background go to their ancestor's grave site to clean the area and give offerings. But, I was shocked when I overheard the conversation of another Chinese family. The son, who was probably around 18, asked his father if it was a special day because there were so many Chinese families there that day. The father replied, "it's Chinese Easter". I have to be honest, as a "banana", I don't know too much about ching ming. But to say Chinese Easter?!?! If I had been drinking something at the time, I would have sprayed it out. I didn't know that the Chinese had a messiah that died and rose from the dead too! Did someone forget to mention that Jesus was yellow? Honestly, if you don't know, say you don't know. Don't go and make up your own holiday, confuse your child, and cause further degradation to your child's cultural understanding!

Kimatta...

Well, I've decided (after one more sleepless night), and sent in my forms to Brock. From everything I've heard, all the schools are very good. I think it came down to logistics (i.e. paying rent), which narrowed it down to 2. Afterwards, the unstable campus environment (they just finished a long, nasty strike, and their education students last year are in a bit of a pinch apparently) at York sealed the deal. With the non-refundable cheque in the mail, I hope I've made the right choice.

Hanami, decisions and menus

My friend recently sent me a picture of when she went to hanami in Japan. So jealous. The only hanami I have is courtesy of Ikea! Not exactly the same, but, it's the best I can do for now.

Well, I'm working on the last bit of that independent study course. Thankfully, this final unit is a bit less crazy with the questions. No 50 marks for one answer! But, now I find myself in a bit of a dilemma. I need to decide which school to go to. I'm down to 4 choices, but no time to research and conflicting opinions from different people. I've gone from not knowing if anyone would accept me, to not knowing which school to accept...My life would have been a lot easier if they had narrowed down my choices for me :P I know, I need to stop complaining about a good situation.

And as dad is making lunch, I come across a news story on how they're passing a bill to make calorie counts mandatory on menus. I guess I hadn't even thought about it. One of my favourite places in Japan, Gusto (and other chain places), always had nutritional info in the menus. And, I've used that info more than once when stuck between 2 choices. It'll be nice when that happens here too. Oh, I miss my drink bar! *cough* can't wait till I feel 100% again...can't believe I'm still coughing :(

Back on track, sorta

Well, things are getting back on track, as the title would imply. I've cleared myself a little niche to study in. So, it's easier to get into a groove.
Finally getting a chance to answer the letters and emails that my old students have sent me.
And I'm hoping to get the chance to figure out which school to go to. When I applied, I wasn't too sure if I would be accepted, and now I have to consider which school I want to go to. Part of me would like to go away, have my own space again. It's odd, but I think I actually have more time when I don't have people looking after me. For example, meals are quick, easy and healthy. Food prep to washing dishes in about 30 minutes. Tonight, we didn't get to dinner till after 930pm...
But, I don't think I should decide schools based on that...
Grandpa is doing better. The cuts are still bleeding, but the swelling has gone down a lot, so that's a sigh of relief.
I think I would be much more excited if instead of the snow, I was looking at sakura blossoms instead!

Hello, my name is...and I'm a shopaholic

Well, when I went shopping the other day for a new purse and jacket, there was this dress that I loved. However, the store didn't have it in my size. I went to another mall today, and oy...I got the dress, and a few...other...things....It took me a while the find the store I was looking for, and I ran into a few other stores (and pieces) before I finally got to my final destination. In my defense. Pretty much everything was on sale (including a jacket). I'm blessed with a natural sense of frugality. At R.W. &Co., there was a bonanza at the sales rack. We're talking pieces that are normally arouund $60 reduced to under $10!!
Bad news, still no purse...and I'm thinking about another jacket now...
Good news, still made it back home to spend a good chunk of time on homework
REALLY GOOD NEWS, I got quite a few acceptance letters from universities when I got home

Retail therapy

Well, the other day I finished unit 3 of the course I'm taking. I'm a little worried about how well I did though, because near the end, I was just wanted to finish. So, now I'm on the last and final unit. The homestretch!

Went on a bit of a shopping spree afterwards, as a bit of a motivational trip. I was looking for a new jacket and purse, because my old ones had definately seen better days. I got everything else, except for the jacket and purse. But, I it was actually pretty good. Everything I bought at Old Navy was on clearance. And the Smart Set stuff was on sale AND I got $20 gift certificates for every $40 I spent. Plus, I needed some stuff for work.

Oh, and Jack has graduated from just peaking around the corner to following me around upstairs. He's actually gotten the hang of the stairs, well, except for that one little stumble! Too cute.