Two Towers, Work, Misc

I watched Two Towers the weekend before Christmas with my mom, brother and sis. I hope to see it again, just because I loved it so much. We watched it on a Saturday afternoon, and it was a sold-out crowd. Actually, my mom and I went to buy the tickets early in the morning. In fact, it was so early that the theater wasn't even opened! Apparently, though, we were not the only early birds. Yep, there were others.

It worked out just because I received $20 in gift certificates at Loews. It was from a Yankee Swap. I had my choice of gifts since I got the second best number. Knowing that I'll watch Two Towers , the decision was easy.

I love the movie. While I like the first movie better, the second one is still comparable and is better than most movies out there. Now, I can't wait for Return of the King, though I know what will happen in the story. (I read Tolkien's book). If the third movie is as solid as the first and second, I have no doubt that it will break records. I bet the trilogy will become one of the masterpieces ever made. Actually, I thought so already after watching The Fellowship of the Ring.

I know Star Wars films were big hits, though I think the crown has fallen to Lord of the Rings. While I cannot dis-credit the merits of Star Wars films (and I've watched all of them, except for Attack of the Clones, they weren't enough to make me want to watch it over and over again, like Lord of the Rings. In fact, unlike the Two Towers, I didn't care whether I watched Attack of the Clones . Maybe it's because I know the Star Wars story already? Then again, I know the story to Return of the King and I still can't wait to see it next year, so I guess this doesn't apply.

On to other notes:

I had Christmas Eve and Christmas off from work. It was a nice break. It felt a bit weird to have Christmas is in the middle of the week. I relaxed and enjoyed the day, especially since we had a snowstorm on Christmas day (yes, a white Christmas). It almost felt like we were all in one of those fairy tale stories, where people could only dream of a white Christmas. Ahhh, how magical. I went to work after Christmas, and except for occasional stream of busy-ness (new word), it was eerily quiet. That is not to say that it's bad, since it's a nice change. It's just, you know, different. New Year is also smack in the middle of the week - this coming Wednesday, actually.

I guess the bad part about my having off days is that my under-eye circles got ... well, bigger? Typically, on days off, I am inclined to sleep late, just because I could also wake up late. Of course, my internal clock would wake me up early in the morning, and once I get up, I usually can't go back to sleep. I generally don't take naps, unless I am completely exhausted. So I guess when I take my vacation days in February, I should expect even bigger undereye circles? :)

I received the informational packet for the MA Licensure Test. I have not decided when I am going to take the test, if I am going to take it. I have also received an informational packet for GRE. While I need the test for graduate school, I am not thrilled to spend three or however many hours just to take some silly test. It serves as nothing but a mean for admission people to compare (since it's standardized) and weed out applicants. I thought I was all done with those silly PSAT, SAT, the SAT II tests. It was over. After my last silly AP exam (I think it was either Calc or Euro Hist., I can't remember which came first), I thought I'd never have to see another standardized test again. No more ETS. Oh, those tests are so evil.

On the news front, I am following the conflict with Iraq and North Korea, as well as the announcement that a "cloned" baby was born. I have many thoughts on those topics, some of which I might jot down later.

In the meantime, have a Happy New Year!

Posted 1:14 PM by hiu k.

Holiday

So many words. So little time.

Simply this for now: Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

Posted 9:08 AM by hiu k.

Misc. Observations

I noticed two gentlemen as I walked with my sister on our way home this evening. The first thing that struck me was the way he wore his hat.

Both of them stopped a distance away to let us pass. While it's not completely uncommon, I am still surprised by it when people do it. I guess I am a bit disheartened by the push-and-shove attitude that pervades much of this fast-paced society. I said a polite "excuse me", and as we neared home, I said to my sis with a wide grin, "They are Italians. I just know it.

Quite frankly, I didn't take a good look at him since it was dark outside. Maybe there's something about him that reminded of a good friend I knew in college. I am just 99.99% certain that he's Italian. You can call it gut feeling or what you will - haven't you ever meet someone and you know something about him or her without having said a word?

The strangest one happened last summer. I didn't know this person (nor did I talk to her at ths bus stop), and yet, I just knew who she was and where she worked. She was a volunteer at this non-profit organization on this street. And I knew all this without having said a word to her ! I don't know how. Admittedly, I was tempted to ask, but my better judgement decided against it. For all you know, she could think I am stalking her!

And, Two Towers will open in theaters beginning Wednesday, December 18, 2002. Yes, I've said this again and again, but I can hardly wait! ;)

Posted 7:44 PM by hiu k.

Guilty

I feel so guilty. I swear. I didn't do it on purpose.

My sis drove me home from work. She pulled over at a non-parking space to drop me off and got ready to leave for her evening class.

As I waited for her to leave, I saw three people walking toward our way. One was a teenager. One looked like a father figure. The third one was a kid, who was crying over something. I heard the older person said something. I wasn't sure what he said. My hearing was muffled because I had my warm hat pulled over my ears. I figured he was talking to his kid. After all, I don't know him. So I ignored it. As I waved bye to my sister, I heard him say something again. It was not clear. From the bits and pieces that I heard, it didn't make sense. It was compounded by his accent and admittedly, my lazy brain which was in its non-thinking mode after work.

I figured that the guy was having a conversation with the kid. As my sister moved her car out and as I turned to leave for home, his words - and along with what I see visually - began to register in my head. The guy's car was parked behind my sister's and he was trying to say that he's leaving and we could park in that space. By the time it became clear in my head, I wanted to turn back to say "thank you very much, but we are not staying" or an aknowledgement of some sort. I was already at the steps of my home when I turned around to look. Caught by the awkwardness of it all and the fact that they have gotten into their cars, I said nothing.

I so much wanted to say something and now I feel guilty especially since it was such a nice gesture! Not only did I not appreciate it, but I had brushed it aside. At least it appeared that way.

I sincerely hope that the gentleman did not take it personally. I would hate it if he no longer offers nice gestures just because he might think there may be more ungrateful brats like me. My younger (!) brother shook his head at me when I told him the story. Yes, if you can't tell already, I feel really awful about it. Yes, I know it's such a tiny matter, but it still doesn't make me feel any less guilty.

I think it's true. Some things are better to be said than not. This was obviously one of them.

Posted 9:00 PM by hiu k.

Untitled

Once every few years, I'd wake up with a strange, almost surreal-like feeling. I had it again this morning.

I had several dreams that made little sense, though it resembled my life in this day and age. I think my mind was trying to tell me something - maybe things that I had stuffed in the far corners of my mind.

I woke up this morning with this very empty, hollow feeling that this isn't what I am meant to do. This is not where I should be. And this is not where I want to be. It felt awful. I felt like something was gnawing at me inside, and there is nothing I could do.

I didn't want to get up. I just want to think things over. I just want to give myself some time. But, life goes on whether I like it or not. Time keeps moving. I could either move along with it, or I can let life pass me by. What can I do?

This morning, I want nothing more than to hear some comforting words: that everything is OK and that everything will be OK (even if it isn't and it won't). And without people asking me why, I just want to cry...

Posted 7:19 PM by hiu k.