F#@k it's Cold!

Greetings from the East Coast!

Here is the top 5 of the moment:

5) Training in Maryland has been smooth so far. Initially it was freezing! My hands started to rash up from the extremely cold temperature. I've always wanted to know how it would be like to have a real winter with a bit of snow. Now I know how it's like, and I don't really like it as much as I thought I would. I like the sunny and rainy days in California. Snow days should stay as me going to the mountains for the weekend and me coming back home on a Sunday.

Otherwise I'm doing pretty fine in training. For the next few weeks, we are identifying various arthropods like insects, arachnids, etc. I don't mind IDing these crawlers, but my phobia for these things still bother the heck out of me. Today, one of my classmates unleashed a Madagascar hissing cockroach out of its terrerium. Just looking in the glass compartment, they are simply massive cockroaches without wings that hiss when you disturb them. However, when unleashed, my mind gets exhausted from being paranoid about these bugs. On the other hand, I'm training myself to relax a bit. They're just bugs. Sure, they may either represent filth or may be poisonous, but otherwise they're not a problem, right?

I'm still hoping to complete training with the remaining eight weeks. I have full confidence that I will pass. Failure is not an option, literally. My ex-roommate failed the first exam and the retake. When he got his results of the retake, he was removed from the training and the hotel that same day. Pretty scary. I also feel bad for the guy because he spent a buttload of money just to take the job in San Francisco from his hometown of Miami. It's definitely not a position I want to be in. Prayers are definitely appreciated.

4) On the brighter side, I enjoy being in the East Coast. It definitely has a lot more history than the West. No more cookie-cutter communities! It was pretty cool seeing Washington D.C. I haven't been there since 1998. I've noticed a lot has changed since then. One of the things I've notice is that there's more security and barriers. Well, that's a price of living in a Post 9/11 world. Also, I'm still trying to get used to the in-your-face attitude of the East Coast. I'm just a tad hestitant to even ask for directions. Hopefully I don't acclimate to the attitude here in the East. Otherwise, pardon my rudeness if we ever cross paths again. I am definitely planning more trips as well. It's pretty nice that I can do all my work and studying in training and don't have to bring a lot of work at home.

3) Speaking of bugs. I found out there's another thing to be pretty damn scared of other than the typical spider. Featuring:



Order Uropygi. The common name is a whip scorpion. I think of it is a hybrid scorpion and spider with a tail whip at the end to hit its prey. Great. Another thing to look out for.

2) Mass in Frederick is pretty interesting. I'm surprised that there's a strong Catholic influence in the area. Apparently, about 30 mi. north is Emmitsburg, MD, where St. Elizabeth Ann Seton is laid to rest. If I find a way, I will definitely try to drop a visit.

The church that I go still has been around since the 1700s. The look really emphasizes that. It looks like a small Western European church. I really like the old-school look. A Vatican II auditorium church definitely lacks that kind of history, mostly because these are newly built churches. The feel is very traditional. Not Latin-Mass traditional, but traditional like organ music and more solemn Mass parts. It's definitely not Interfaith. It's not even the same feel from the parishes in Vallejo and American Canyon, which are trying to modernize things like the music. However, I do know that there are Catholics out there that don't really like the contemporary style, some of them even despise it. Perhaps the traditionial way really gives the sole churchgoer an hour of calm and solace to really reflect on his or her lives. Also consider that the more contemporary way also entices the emotions of the average churchgoer to feel God in their worship. Which way is arguably better? Does it even matter? I personally don't think so, but I know that there are those who just want to make an argument for either way, though perhaps we both reach the same goal in meeting God everytime we go to Mass.

1) I've been thinking about getting a tattoo in the future. Maybe a cross with the sacred heart to symbolize my faith. However, the big issue is that many gangs use religious tattoos in their markings as well. This is a big hinderance to any of my career choices. I can perhaps wear long sleeve shirts the rest of my working life, but I don't know if I can commit to that.

Also, I learned another "body alteration". It's called tounge forking:



First of all, I don't know why would anyone want to do that. A tongue ring is pretty extreme enough. However, this? I think the people that do this have some serious issues to deal with. I'm not saying that rebellion in general is unecessary. If used in the best context, a revolution here and there is healthy from time to time. This is how the US was formed. How we find ourselves leaving the parents household in the future. How we develop ourselves and become more independent and self sufficient. However, this is not the best way to show it. Neither are the reasons why an individual would split their tongue. I wonder if this is a reversible procedure?

That is all.

P.S. I posted an entry from the month of December. I was lagging with that enty until now. I guess Christmas has past. Oh well. I think I will try to continue updating my blogger. While I think tumblr is great, I like expressing though words than through images.

9pm Bedtimes

Here's the top 5 for the moment:

5) Referring to the title of this blog entry, that is now my new bedtime. Sleeping at around 9pm/10pm and waking up a around 4am is an interesting experience. I have co-workers that do the exact same thing, so I don't feel like a total idiot waking up that early and commuting to SFO. However, I've been thinking about moving out of the nest and getting an apartment near work. It would be nice to have my own place and actually gain real independence (college was only a simulation of independence, but I was still financially connected to the bank of mom and dad). Also, I don't know how long can I last sleeping and waking up early. On the other hand, living at home gives me access to virtually free rent. It's definitely cheaper living at home (and yes, I have taken the commuting expenses in consideration). Also, you can't beat the access to home-cooked food. I'd probably be 30 lbs. bigger if I was living alone (which I will resist doing regardless).

The other difficult question to ask is what do I want to do with my life. For now, I found myself in a secure position. Working for the federal government is practically a guarantee for a job for life. However, do I want to go to med school still? If I stay under the federal government, do I see myself staying in my agency, or do I consider moving to other agencies? I also find myself asking if I am willing to move away from California to pursue certain positions in different agencies. For now, I am in a good place. However, I still have a lot of thinking to do before it becomes too late. I am perceived to be old, but I am young enough to still dream and grab what I want before my commitments lock me down.

4) Speaking of work, I am tad anxious but excited for training in Maryland. For those who don't know, I will be in the East Coast for two and a half months starting January 4. Yes, that will be in the middle of winter. Considering all of the recent news about the blizzards, I am not looking forward to the weather. To a born and bred Californian, snow is going to the mountains for a day or a weekend and then coming back home in sunny conditions (not even in rainy conditions, which is definitely a cause of concern). Despite the talks of snow storms, it will be an experience to actually live in an area that snows. I've even started buying clothes that adapt to the weather, but that is difficult to do considering the obvious point that the stores don't sell clothes that can withstand the snowy conditions, especially caps, jackets, and shoes. I will probably buy a few of those items in Maryland since they will definitely sell those things.

Training should be fun too. It is definitely something to take serious because if I fail training (and I heard it does happen), my job is in serious jeopardy. However, it should be like college again, but taking high school classes instead. There's definitely no need to do all-nighters! Also, I heard I will get my weekends off, which is a prime opportunity to do touristy things like visiting Washington D.C. or New York City. While I do have to pay for my weekend ventures, everything else like the flight, the hotel, and my food is paid for by my agency. For those readers who pay taxes, thank you.

3) I had a discussion about weddings. Yes, weddings. Apparently, there's perhaps a good number of women who already have an idea of how would they like their weddings to be. If that can be feasible, that's another question, but it was an interesting topic to talk about. You now may be wondering if I have plans for my own wedding. The answer is no I don't. It's whatever my fiancee wants. The only thing I know is who do I want to be my photographer and I prefer a church that actually has a aisle rather than an auditorium feel, but otherwise nothing else. No color scheme, how the invitations should be like, what kind of flowers, etc. As long as the fiancee doesn't pick some absurd shit like a pink and brown color scheme, I will go along with it. However, this talk about weddings is thinking WAY ahead. I need to work on step 1, actually finding that potential Mrs. Hopefully her favorite colors will not be pink and brown.

2) Imeem has been shut down! Apparently MySpace has bought Imeem and it is now converted to MySpace Music. I am blogging this as a point because...it really blows! Imeem has been a major part of this blog in terms of my playlists. Now, this blog has lost a bit of its character. I never liked MySpace to begin with, now I wish it would just shut down. Facebook and Twitter better ramp up the competition! That or MySpace Music better improve their website to mimic Imeem.

1) Christmas Day is coming in less than a week! I'm excited because I'm going to take advantage of the holidays before I may be called to do overtime in the future Christmases. I've also been in the Christmas Spirit since after Thanksgiving. Part of it is because I love utilizing my Christmas Songs Playlist on my computer (still very bitter about Imeem though). Also, this particular Christmas has been somewhat humble. I guess it's because of the overall sentiment that we were not as wealthy as we were a couple of years back. However, I like the feeling. The mass consumerism is simply overwhelming. How I tend to shop for gifts is to simply think about what I would like to give, and if it is something that can't be made, I just go to the specific store and buy it. Simple. No need to window shop, no need to stay in the malls and shopping centers surrounded by all these people who are probably so exhausted and pissed off about the holidays to begin with. It's just nice to unwind for the day, eat some awesome food, and enjoy Christmas as a holiday.

Hope you will enjoy the Holidays as well.

That is all.

Because a Friend Said I Don't Blog Anymore...

Let me just say that as I enter my second year as an alumnus, I really don't have a lot to blog about. However, if you were to separate my five points as five individual blog entries, I update more often that what is perceived.

Besides that, here is the top 5:

5) I love Thanksgiving Day. It's the time I get to flex my cooking skills at its max. The only other time I get to do that is Christmas Day. Let me just say that it definitely does take some practice to improve efficiency and gain awesome results. I have a very long list of massive cooking fails from the turkey was still rare (NOT a good thing for poultry) to this sauce lacks taste. However, I've definitely gotten better. I don't consider it stressful at all. Just get a couple of beers and start cooking! I consider Thanksgiving Day as a practice round to Christmas in terms of being in the holiday spirit and cooking some awesome food.

I will definitely post some pictures.

4) Thanksgiving Day is also a personal reflection of what I am thankful for. While I am thankful for many things, I am especially thankful for my parents and for finding a decent job this year. I am thankful for my parents because they have continued to support me despite graduating from college. It has been a rough year trying to find employment. It would've been even more rough if I didn't have the love of my parents to still give me some support. This recession has definitely changed my mindset on how should I live as a person. I do want so many different things. However, I am happy with what I had during the year and I am still happy with my simple lifestyle. Nothing flashy, indeed. I hope I keep that mindset for the future years.

I'm also thankful for finding a job. The numbers do show that less people are being laid off. However, that still doesn't change the fact that the US still faces 10.2% unemployment and about 7% underemployment. I know that there are many people that struggle so hard since being unemployed. People have also lost their homes. I have seen some foreclosed homes in my neighborhood. Perhaps a good chunk of the blame does go to the individual families that have made poor financial choices in the last many years. On the other hand, it still does not change the fact that they don't deserve to suffer this hard. The capitalist society does have winners and losers, but the losers shouldn't lose everything that they have. Perhaps just a "big slap to the face" whatever that means.

3) Being in SoCal for almost a week has been great. It was a good way to spend the time before being a part of the workforce. Also, I have not eaten that good for a very long time. It brings me back to my college years when I didn't really care what I ate, which probably has cut a few years out of my lifespan. However, I still enjoyed the food. The only thing I did not get was the fries. However, there is a reason why I did not get it. It was because I had a massive breakfast burrito in Pasadena. It had the weight and the shape of a brick! It was six to seven links of breakfast sausage, eggs, a hash browns wrapped in a tortilla. It was effin' amazing! However, it definitely does exceed to recommended amount of calories for a day and then some. Getting the fries as well during the week would've been overkill. I love food, but I just rather not die because of it.

If you want a list of where I went, both the old places and the new ones, look at my Yelp account in a couple of days.

2) I always enjoy coming to SoCal for Liwanag events. To be honest, I have now hit the point where I personally am over it. Benefit Concert, Spirit Rally, the meetings themselves...you name it, I'm over it. Perhaps it's because the general overall message has not been as engaging as it was when during my first time as a Logger. However, that doesn't mean that I don't like going to Liwanag events. I will go just to support the community. Though the specific messages don't stick to me anymore, I love, really love, to simply praise God through song and "dance" around, something that I no longer do as a young adult. I also like spending the time with my friends, practically my second family away from home when I was living in Irvine. Perhaps my grades would've been better if I didn't join Liwanag. However, if I had an opportunity to do become an 18 year old freshman at UCI, I would not change anything. Actually, the only thing I would've change was to join in Fall 2004 instead of late Spring 2005. Though I have given up a slightly higher GPA, I have formed close, lifelong friends. It is definitely something that I could not have received by just hitting the books alone. I have gained so much being a college graduate.

1) The second entry has led me to a second question, "Where will I ultimately live in the future? NorCal or SoCal?" I have gotten two interesting response to this question from Melissa and Marites (Something you have to ask them about if you are ever curious). While I can see myself living in either part of the state, I lean more towards NorCal than SoCal. Quite honestly, if it weren't for friends, I would avoid SoCal altogether. The people there are not that great to begin with. They're extremely superficial in general. Also, I feel like it's extremely crowded, which is a fact considering that Los Angeles is the second largest metropolitan area in the country aside from New York City. Even going to SoCal last week for a vacation, I still felt a little tense and stressed. It just feels like everyone is rushing to go somewhere and do something. Also...no green! Everything is covered in buildings and asphalt. Everything else is just one barren desert, with a few exceptions. I do enjoy the weather and the beaches, but is that enough to convince me to convert to living in SoCal in the future? I just feel that in my opinion, the people in NorCal are a lot more chill. Everything is not as crowded. Also, there are still trees and greenery around. It may be cold here at times, but cold is good sometimes. Why can't winter be winter? Simply, I am a lot more comfortable and relaxed in NorCal. Perhaps I have a bias considering I have lived in NorCal my whole life except during college. On the other hand, remember that I really wanted to live in SoCal for a bit longer after college, until it became a massive fail (and I'm still glad it did considering this was before the massive economic collapse).

Despite what I ultimately choose, I still have the power to travel across the state, whether by plane or by car (I love driving across the state by the way. The anticipation for either friends or home home is a lot better when driving than by plane in my opinion). Who knows, perhaps I will move out of the state overall.

That's for my future to determine where I will go.

Since Thanksgiving has ended, here's an homage to the next major holiday, Christmas!



It's the way that it was presented that made it a fail. Otherwise, Jesus is most definitely the Reason for the Season.

Fo shizzle.

That is all.

Food for Thought

Here is the usual top 5.

5) I recently went to a job fair in San Francisco. I'm not going to talk about the job fair in itself. I thought it was successful and informative. However, it was the process of getting to the job fair and really thinking about the future. I took the BART to San Francisco because traffic tends to be hell by the time I was planning to return home and the price of crossing two bridges and parking is ridiculous. While riding, I began to contemplate about my life in general like, "Where the hell am I going?"

I think I've hit a first in a series of bottoms in my life at this moment. I felt like I could either live a decent life whatever that means, or I could end up some bum overly dependent on the government cheese, which a good number of those living in the Bay Area are doing at the moment. I can definitely portray myself as confident in the job search. However, deep within, I feel like my life is on a massive standstill and I don't like the feeling at all. I'm working hard towards my current goals at the moment, but I feel impatient. I want everything now. Part of it is pride for sure. However, part of it is independence. I love my parents very much and I am blessed that they are still continuing to support me, but I don't want to be dependent on my parents forever; it's not even a possible scenario. I want to live on my own and do my own things. Hell, I'm even considering leaving California in general in search of something exciting.

The thing I need is some patience and a lot of hard work and determination to get out of this ditch. Also, I'm willing to do anything possible to reach my goals. I'm young, and I'm single. That definitely equates to flexibility. I just need to make it happen.

On a side note, I came across one of the lab techs at school that interviewed me for a job that I applied a while back. She noticed me and said that I did a great job on the interview. I smiled and said thanks of course. However, in my mind I was saying, "Well then, why didn't I get the job!"

4) The health care debate has been going on for a long time, and I have been surprised with myself that I have not said a word. The reason of this is that it's extremely complicated. Complex enough that I rather not write about it in a blog. My information has been from MSNBC because I need some optimism, NPR because I need a dose of reality, and the non-partisan fact checkers that actually check if the talking points are fact or total bullshit. I love the fact checkers because they talk about everything from is the H1N1 vaccine safe (which it is) to is the White House going to rename their Christmas trees as holiday trees (which they're not). It is definitely a useful website for any of the current major political arguments.

If you want your frequent dose of facts or lies, here are the links:
PolitiFact
FactCheck.org

3) This video blew my mind. I wonder if it's a psychology thing or is there some sort of mathematical algorithm and probability stuff that makes you pick a certain square.



2) For quite a while now, I've been trying to improve myself as a person. One of those things is learning how to cook. I've been writing down my mom's recipes. They're not really recipes because everything I have seen is in relative amounts. However, I know the process and how it should taste. I've also bought Julia Child's first cookbook "Mastering the Art of French Cooking vol. 1". All the ingredients needed are usually found in a supermarket. The recipe itself is not very short and simple; it's rather time consuming. However, the instructions and methods are very clear-cut, and the results are delicious. Here's a few pictures of what I've done so far:

Mussels in Wine and Flavorings


I love mussels! I don't have access to fresh mussels so I bought the frozen variety on a half shell. The white wine broth that accompanied this dish was also excellent. Ate these with just French bread and called it a night. The only note is to use a good quality wine. The wine I bought was sour so it gave the broth a tangy taste. Also, the book suggested using a dry vermouth instead which is way cheaper than white wine also eliminates that sour taste.

Pear Clafouti


This recipe was extremely simple yet tasted amazing! The pears were soaked in cognac and sugar for a hour. Then layered over the batter. The result was something that tasted like a flan with pears and a strong hint of cognac. The only problem was that I used too much pears so there was less batter to consume. I would just cut down on the pears and it would be perfect next time.

French Rolled Omelette with Swiss Cheese and Parsley


This was another simple thing I could do but give it a rather fancy flair to it. According to the book, if you have all the ingredients prepared, a good omelette should be done in 30 s. I had all the ingredients prepared, but since this was my first time, it took about 2 min to cook. Just added the cheese at the end to let it melt from within, jerked the pan to fold itself on the pan (I used a spatula since I don't have those kinds of skills yet) and added the parsley on top. Probably if I make a few more omelettes I can probably hit the 30 s mark someday and not use the spatula.

1) The times are changing. There were two things that indicate these changes. First was when at Mass, one of the intentions was for the intersession of St. Francis of Assisi for more responsible environmental practices. St. Francis has been the saint for ecology for quite a while, but this has been the first time I have heard of such an intention at Mass. The other thing was a commercial:



I have definitely grew up saying "That's so gay." ever since I was a kid. However, it's going to the point were using that phrase or anything derogatory to homosexuals is falling out of style. Growing up in the Bay Area has definitely made me very tolerable for the gay community in general. However, I don't know if I'll ever stop saying these kinds of phrases. There will always be this kind of negative stigma in the back of my mind toward the LGBT community simply because that is how I and everyone else in my generation has grown up to be. I believe that gays will be fully accepted by the next generation, in other words our kids. Even though our current climate is intense over this one issue of the culture wars, it is no longer a question of if there will be gay rights in the US, but a question of when.

That is all.