Karma

I was just a victim of a hit and run while driving home today on the 10 East Freeway. I’m still shaking and scared, but I’m physically okay. My car is okay. What is not okay is that the driver fled without stopping to see if I was okay. What is not okay is that I called all of my best friends right after it happened and none of them picked up. This is my second accident in the past year and again, no one was there for me except for my Dad and friends from college/work.

I feel terrible. Violated. Disheartened.

After incidents like this, I just have to trust that karma will take care of things. I also have to learn to be strong especially when those closest to you simply aren’t available to be there for you.

 

Still, I’m glad I have friends like Steve, Neil, Elaine, and Gerick who always seem to be there when accidents happen to me. Thanks!

Politics

Disclaimer: Politically charged entry ahead.

Two short points:

1) Thank God for the Democratic National Convention! Although I love the Olympics (and Beijing even more), we need to turn our focus back to this year’s national election for the sake of our country’s future. Watching the DNC speeches really motivates me – we have such great potential leaders if only we do our part to elect them. It sounds so simple, yet we somehow screwed it up TWICE in the past 8 years. 

I especially loved Hillary and Bill’s speeches. Bill – what charisma, humor, and poise our former President has! He has such a strong presence that just commands your attention. Like it Elaine said, “we had it good in the 90s.” And Hillary – how much I wanted to see her in the White House. She has overcome so much to fight for the everyday American and would push for so much more change. But like she said, we need to back Obama, because “no way, no how, no McCain.”

2) This commercial really moves me.

Lately I feel like I’m that bride, always separated from what I want, from what should be …

When will things work out?

Budget

So many things I want:

Subscription to the Atlantic Monthly: $24.50

Subscription to the Economist: $77.00

New Diary: $27

Total: $128 … FOR PAPER!

Random

Despite how much I make fun of Caroline, she’s talented at what she does best – SCRAPBOOK.

In fact, she made an awesome page of me and Amy.

So check out her blog here and give her props.

Happy Birthday, Allen!

A day of new adventures, surprises, guesses, reunions, drinks, sombreros, birthday cakes …

Happy Birthday, best friend!

Treated Allen to lunch at Cafe Midi (we need to order more food next time) and together watched Wicked at the Pantages. So much funnier the second time around! Then, dinner with the gang at Cafe Bizou. Finally, drinks at Yardhouse with a special visit from Allen’s SF friends.

Allen – I hope it was special, especially with all the surprises and your old & new friends there to celebrate with you! 

Here’s to over 9 years of wonderful friendship, laughs, memories, and more. I need to see you tipsy more often!!

at the Pantages with Wicked Play Bills!

 

Ladies at Cafe Bizou.

My best friends!

Thanks to everyone who came!

Elaine, Judy, Amy, Dan, Caroline, Kyna, Bak, Kevin, Kenneth, Louis, Sam, Lawrence, Kevin, Jan Michael, Chris, Tony, Melissa, Grant, Leslie, Jeff, Seeyin (sp?)

 

See Photographer for more photos.

Good News!

1. I got into the Riordan Fellows Program at UCLA!

2. I had a strong performance eval from my manager!

3. I hung out with Gena, Lucienne, and Kim (old USC bosses) at the Edison!

4. I saw someone that made me smile!

5. I’m taking the day off tomorrow to see the doctor and dentist!

6. There are only two days away from SATURDAY!

 

Finally …

Finally, a happy place

I’m glad that I’ve recovered from my last post and is now enjoying the week! How can I not with all the excitement of the Beijing Olympics (Go USA and China!). Like many, I’ve been glued to the NBC’s Primetime from 8 pm – 1 am. There’s so much talent, pride, and poise displayed during these games … I’m so jealous that Steve & David get to witness this first hand in CHINA. Hopefully, one of these years, I’ll be able to attend the Summer Games and wave my American flag! I still need to put my “Linda Goes to Asia 2009″ plan into action …

Anyway, it’s been a great week so far as I’ve been able to enjoy time with my coworkers and interns. I’m also looking forward to seeing my SC old bosses tomorrow (Gena, Kim, and Lucienne) at Edison (http://www.edisondowntown.com/main.htm). I miss working at ALI so much so it should be a fun reunion! And finally, this weekend … Allen’s bday. There’s been quite a bit of planning involved so I hope everyone can make it! He better appreciate all the effort that I’m putting into this … that punk.

 

To conclude, photos of from the weekend:

w my lovely coworkers.

Guistinna turns 10.

Lament

Been crawling in this darkness for a while and it’s about to swallow me whole.

I need to get out of this rut, immediately.

Woke up from a terrible dream again. Been feeling lonely, angry, and sad lately. Pathetic is probably a more suitable word. This upcoming week is an anniversary of sorts and it’s incredible to think how much I’ve moved forward (and backward) in the past year. 

It didn’t help that I watched Atonement with Caroline last night. What a depressing movie! More depressing than the book, no? But at least it was visually pleasing.

I’ve also been reassessing some of my friendships lately and that in itself is disheartening. I put too much effort into some friends and it leaves me exhausted by the end of the day. I need to recoup and take care of myself. Because obviously, no one else can or will. I wish I could be appreciated as I am.

Off to inventory. I’m glad I got this out. Hopefully, it’ll be a good day and good week.

Cheers,

L.

AYCEF @ Bernice’s

My coworkers and I finally brought back the All-You-Can-Eat-Fridays that we started over two years ago while we were interns. Bernice hosted a fantastic event last Saturday at her house which included lots of kalbi, beverage, swimming, beer-pong, brownie/watermelon tossing, cake, and sleeping.

Thank god for friends at work because they never fail to lift my spirits with their enebriated mayhem. Who could possibly forget Neil’s powdered face and Steve’s classic buffao wings dance/song?

In the contest for best group coworker picture. Neil is classic in this one.

The girls + Walter with Yvo's amazing ice cream cake!

The boys + Julia by the pool.

 

Love you guys. <3

DARK KNIGHT!

AHHHHHHHHHHHHH. I can’t keep screaming – just ask Hamilton.

GOODNESS, the movie was incredible. We are definitely going to watch it again next weekend … at the imax! This definitely turns my week around. YAY.

Okay, time to savor this good mood.