Man, it's only the first week and a half and it feels like exam period. With assessments due here and there, I'm finding it difficult to find time for myself to chill out and relax. Not too much to report about, but I feel a little bit more organised this semester, so hopefully my grades will reflect this increase in organisation! haha. Life is pretty boring, and not that interesting, but who knows, maybe something will spice it up in the future. =D

In terms of figures, I'm looking forward to picking up a Nendoroid Mio when it comes out in November. It's just the best definition of 'moe' for me, and I loved her character in K-On! the most out of all the others. I just can't wait til November, when this semester is over, and when Mio arrives in my mailbox! =D

After my first week of cruising through this semester of uni, I've decided to improve my study to a whole new level, if I am to graduate uni this year. Completing 5 subjects wasn't as easy as I thought it would be, with motivation being an annoying factor. I can't wait until this semester is over, and I hope to do so soon enough. I'll post here as a record of my progress throughout semester. Wish me luck!

The past couple of days, I have learnt random lessons that should be learnt in life. One of these is to be careful of what you buy online. I recently bought a game off ebay the other day, but it didnt end up working as the game was a 2nd hand copy. It's not such a big deal, but the return postage was about 1/3 of the actual product price, and isn't really worth it, I just hope I get some compensation as well from the seller themselves. I just know next time, to make sure I know the refund procedures, so I know that I don't get charged for a faulty item. >_<

Another lesson on something, which I usually do, but failed to do this time around, is research on products before you buy them. The K-On! CD mentioned in the previous post wasn't exactly what I had in mind. I thought that the Original Sound Track would comprise of the background music and songs that were used throughout an anime series. I realised now that it only contains background music, and various "light music" pieces, which can be a bit boring, but really relaxing at the same time. I think I might put it on at night when I want to feel more relaxed! I would've preferred the vocal songs that they used in the anime instead! As promised, here is what the inside of the CD looks like:

I spent last Thursday catching up with an old mate of mine Chau. It was great, just seeing how he was doing and wondering around teh city at various game shops. I swear I basically know all the video game shops from the 3x EB Games shops to JB....etc...

We got to talking about random stuff, and for the first time I thought that maybe I should go and study Psychology if I can't get a job in the business/IT field. It just seems interesting to see the way people think, and why they do so. But it was just a chain of thought, that's about it for the moment!

We had Japanese Curry at Kadoya for lunch. It was pretty good, but level 5 out of their 10 levels probably is my limit of hotness. I can't really eat that hot food, I just get heated up for no reason. :S Here's a pic of it below:

I've had a quick week this week, with nothing too exciting to report on. Things vaguely interesting that happened:

• I started playing Everybody's Golf: World Tour for the PS3 - it's a pretty fun game, but theres just too many online updates for me! I have no idea when I can actually start playing with people online. It's easy to pick up and play, but hard to master - just like what all good games should be~
• I got my exam timetable, its pretty hectic - 15th - 5:45pm then 16 - 8am, 11:15am, and finishing with 24th - 2:30pm. I guess I'll focus on everything but the team project stuff for now. I decided to start studying now, although it is still quite slow in progress. Wish me luck to see if I can apply for a special exam, since its 3 exams within 24 hours.
  
• With regard to my Beijing exchange, I didn't pass the interview with the company. With basically no feedback, and with my fellow friend from Taiwan, we've come to assume that maybe the people working there want non-asian looking English native speakers. It kinda annoyed me cos it goes against the whole AIESEC way, but we'll see how that goes.
• Yesterday on the bus, it kinda made me wonder what kids are like these days. I dropped a $2 coin, before i realised it, a primary school kid picked it up, and went off with it basically. *sigh* I guess for next time I should make sure my coins are put in the right place all the time.
  

Another busy week crammed in again. What have I been up to? Here's a quick list:

• My brother's 20th Birthday where we had Italian food at Gianni's in Hamilton! The first time I've been there, but there is great food to be had there~
  
• Finalising project plans for my IT group project - its not hard, just uses heaps of time. =(
  
• Getting exam results - I'll have to study a lot more now, too much time spent on job applications! >_<
  
• Tidying up my room - I'll try to keep this up for as long as I can, it just makes life a lot more easier by being organised!
• Bought Everybody's Golf: World Tour from Kmart for $30. I've heard that it's great fun but I haven't had the chance to give it a go yet.
• I also managed to grab a copy of Shadow of the Colossus - I've heard it's a pretty rare title, and an "epic" game, so I got a copy for $10 without the manual or cover art.
  

Hey guys! 4 weeks already! Guess I gotta start studying~ I have one mid sem in about a week and a half, so it'd be cool too. Things that happened this week:

• Went and took my Korean friend Sunny to grab some Chinese food (was disappointed that they didn't have soft shelled crabs on the night =( ) I'm glad she enjoyed what we ate there though~
• Went to Kate's 21st BBQ Party. It was great catching up, and meeting some new people there too. First time I cooked at a BBQ haha, but forgot to bring a camera along, I'd learn my lesson for next time.
• Job interviews, going to do one with Deloitte this week, hope all goes well~ I'm currently applying for a Technology Consultant, just something I thought would be suitable, and would incorporate Commerce with IT stuff too!

Ah man, three weeks have already past since uni started again. I'm still taking it easy, but now slowly getting into the swing of things, with mid-sems just around the corner! But lately job applications have been quite annoying in trying to prepare for, especially since they're all cluttered to about this time. Hopefully in time though, this will be all be done soon!

Other than that, I've just been planning on places to take some of my foodie friends around. Hopefully they won't be disappointed, and enjoy the many places that are on offer over here. If there are any fellow readers who are foodies too, give me a yell, and join our foodie group! :)

Well, as I approach the end of week 2, I must say, it has been quite an enjoyable one. I've managed to make a few new friends, from Hong Kong to Korea, to Holland(I think) and to Japan.

Lately, I've just been keeping myself busy with attending different careers workshops supplied by UQ, as well as going to various employer presentations too. It just feels so weird that this is my final year of university! >_<>

I also saw the movie Slumdog Millionaire on Friday. It was something different from your typical Hollywood movie, and probably one of the best movies I've seen this year. It's more like a drama type of film, with a few funny moments here, and serious moments there. I enjoyed it, and it's worth checking out! :)

Well what can I say. Gonna start my 2nd week of university today. Uni has been alright, more or less the same, slowly getting back into the swing of things. Classes don't start until 10, and usually finish at 2 or at 4. It's been great slowly meeting new people. It's just somewhat weird trying to get back into the UQ life. Compared to the USA, the community seems to be less close-knit, but I'm sure I'll adjust soon enough! The WASABI BBQ yesterday was great fun, met some people from Tokyo and Saitama-ken too. Hope this year will be a memorable one, as it's my final one~ (hopefully!) Lately I've just been busy playing more Street Fighter IV, and managing to convince a friend of mine to like it now! =D

What can I say? It's nice to have a change for a while, taking it easy, relaxing, before going back home. We did quite a few things in the past few days, from seeing snow a few minutes from the campus, to going to the beach, and to going to the arcade as well as eating some sushi! I can't really ask for more, spending time with friends everyday. Better make the most of it. :) Here are some pics:

Oishii ne~

What can I say. I found out today that doing something for others is something really rewarding. Like my friends said - I'm pretty weird, most people could survive with tv and internet, but for me, I was just bored of it. I ended up getting some presents, and Xmas cards too, and helping with some housework. Hopefully, everyone here that I know will enjoy their Christmas! =D

What can I say? I didn't expect extending my stay in the ILC to be like this. I am literally bored out of my mind over here. Basically, it feels like I am wasting my time here not being able to spend my last few days in the USA with my friends. Oh well, I ended up getting some nice surprises for a Christmas dinner soon. Hopefully things look better tomorrow.

What can I say. The final week of UCSC has past. Having to spend most of this afternoon by myself helped me reflect on the times that I enjoyed here. Pics later! What did I do on the final week? Here's the list:

• After waiting for a week, I finally got my exam - it was easier than what I had expected, could be a good/bad thing haha.
• Celebrated Kana's Birthday
• Went to a farewell pizza party
• Attended a small gathering late at night.
• Cooked instant Yakisoba

• There are certain types of personalities I like hanging around with, no matter what their background - usually people who are warm, and with a touch of innocence.
• People that I don't like hanging around with: people who are just arrogant, by always thinking of themselves rather than others (self explanatory)
• Although being money conscious is good to survive, you can't enjoy life if you don't spend some.
• No matter how trivial a promise is, it is still a promise, and you should follow it out anyway.
• Miscommunication is always an issue - we just have to minimise it.
• Goodbyes are not forever losing someone, rather, it is more the beginning of something more.
• I'd like to avoid loneliness if possible, I'm just realising the aftermath effects of it, after seeing people just a day ago!

• If it wasn't for UCSC, I wouldn't have participated Modern Dance. It has been really fun participating there, and I have met some cool people, like Sam and Janey! I can confirm how unco I am now.
  
• Working at the soup kitchen was a new experience for me also. Just knowing that being there, can make a difference to someone, and it has slightly changed my view to those people that live on the streets. Doing that subject has allowed me to meet people like Bee, Anita, and Sujin well. It was also my first time doing painting too.
  
• Having people come over and appreciating the breakfast that I make is something that I want to take further. I realise how much I love cooking now, and I'm determined to learn more from mum!
• Actually understanding the American way of life - not so much in Santa Cruz, but when I was in LA, the fast paced way of life was a real eye opener for me.
• The friendships made - nothing can describe this as I never thought I would be close to people since it was only a 3 month period we spent together. I'm just glad that the world is so connected nowadays, that it's easy to meet up with people. It's always cool to find people from different countries that have common interests too. Who would've known? Tatsuya, and his otakuness being one of them =P
  

I think I'll upload the pics after Thursday, when most of my assessment has been done.

My last two days in LA were a lot more quiet and relaxed. It involved going to have some decent Chinese food that I haven't had for ages, as well as visiting the Getty Museum, and just car tours here and there.

We went to the Getty Museum, having no idea what it was. It ended up being an art and architectural exhibition that was interesting. Unfortunately, I'm not really a person that can appreciate art that well, but I have taken a few pics here and there, for all you readers who appreciate art.

Afterwards, we just had a car tour around Santa Monica, especially the beach. Unfortunately, the two ladies at the back were a bit exhausted, so all we did was drive past different areas.

For dinner, we ended up getting Bo Zai Fan, which is claypot rice. It was not the best Chinese food, but a lot better than what I have had here in the Bay Area. We also had some of the Chinese Chinese food with rice that I miss so much. Afterwards we had bubble tea - they call it Boba here which I was confused at before. It wasn't anything special to me, but a good change from soft drinks.

For our last day in LA, we just ended up getting Yum Cha Brunch, they like to call it Dim sum over here. It was good to have Yum Cha after so long, almost 3 months now! Kinda bored of the Dining Hall food they served here already. My favourite Dim Sum would have to be Siu Mai - a pork and shrimp dumpling that is a staple to the Yum Cha Diet.

We ended up departing for Santa Cruz at about 2pm, and managed to get back at about 1am. I really appreciate the work the Kelvin put in to driving us there and getting back safely. He almost fell asleep on the wheel though mind you.

This LA trip made me realize how sacred time is, because before you know it, it is all over. I thought it would have been a nice slow paced, 4 day holiday, but it went past just like a flash. It was good to actually get to know my three friends, but reality shows that all good things must come to an end. I hope that we will at least keep in contact, and go on another trip again some place else around the world. But I might just be a little bit optimistic, but who knows, it could come true.

Week 9, 5 weeks to go! OMG. Time flies! It only just felt like I last blogged yesterday. I've had an alright week, assignments getting the better of me nowadays. I'm still trying to enjoy every moment of here though. I think I'll start to take some more photos from here on, since I basically only have 3 weeks before exams start, and I won't be able to see some of the many cool people I have met in the past 2 months for a long time. Sad, isn't it? But such is life. I really do hope to travel sometime to catch up with these friends that I have made, and wished that the time in the US was longer, though I do miss staying in my own room, with a bit more space. =P Of course, the people too. Okay then, here's a wrap-up of what happened in the past week:

• Going to the Computer History Museum - despite it sounding geeky, it was pretty interesting to see that something so small in computers nowadays, had to have a room to replicate it.
• Going to a Chinese Hot Pot party - involved going to a restaurant place they hired out, and eating some "Da Bin No" which I haven't had for a while. It was good, but there was just too many people to actually enjoy it in my opinion. Good to meet some new people though. =)
• Eating out at Sushi Totoro - despite being based on the character Totoro, I thought it was alright, and more or less similar to I Love Sushi. They had a lot of fusion sushi, as well as soft shell crabs! For those of you that don't know soft shell crabs are crabs that have just changed shell, so the insides of the shell is soft, and when fried. It was good, but I still prefer Oishii at home.
  
• Visiting San Jose! It was the first time I went to a shopping mall, the one in Capitola didn't count. I went to Valley Fair - there were more than 250 stores, but discounts were nowhere near what Gilroy had to offer. =) I also went to get some asian groceries - how I miss mi goreng! I splurged and shared some uni with Kelvin - uni being one of the more expensive of Japanese sashimi. We finished the day off with having some ramen too. I had a Kotteri Miso Ramen. I reckon it was pretty good, but the wait for it was a little bit long. =( Otherwise it was an enjoyable day in San Jose!

The first ever computer.

Fusion sushi at Totoro.

Maya, Me and Patty @ Totoro

Kotteri Miso Ramen

The Japanese supermarket!

The Asian supermarket!

Xmas stuff at Valley Fair!

Hot Pot food!

Uni!

Thursday was my first time attending an expo for anime and gaming stuff in Australia! I must say though Gencon 2008 was pretty interesting and opened up my eyes about the different "gaming" hobbies that people have. From video gaming to card playing to cosplaying to warhammering to ...any other kinda games relating things. Hobbies are a part of everyone's life, and it kinda made me wonder what exactly is my hobby... for me its from old Pokemon cards to video gaming, to anime nowadays. I guess there's nothing wrong with a bit of everything!

So how did the day go? Like most things, if you go to these events that appeal to a lot of different people, you have to be open minded and be able to appreciate that there is always something for someone there. Otherwise you'd find yourself bored, and leaving pretty early! Day started off pretty early, with heaps of people lining up by then. (Forgot to take a pic of the queue, as most people do for these events xD)

After we got in, with our showbag (there was one and only one T_T, was hoping for more...) we toured around the different stalls where hobby shops have them set up. After browsing and SSBBing there for a bit, ended up wandering to the anime karaoke stand, and belted out some tunes, while realising that I'll never be able to keep up with fast Japanese songs no matter how much you have listened to it. You'll have to memorise it like a dictation test.

Lunch was next, grabbed what they called a "Wagyu Beef Burger" - doubt that the organisers really know what they were on about. Should've taken a pic of the burger, but was too hungry to do so. (FYI - Wagyu beef is considered to be the best beef, more info on wiki; burger was average, and not enough meat!) Not long after, was the cosplay competition, and was interesting to see how much effort some people put into their costumes and pics can be found on this blog here. I came to appreciate cosplaying by being in the audience and as a photographer there too.

Being at one of these expos usually equals increased spending. I was tempted to buy the Haruhi boxset, but the price made me think otherwise. In the end I just bought a bleach booster pack, and was lucky enough to get a Unohana shiny foil card, as shown here (along with random and other character cards):


I guess the one thing here that I thought wasn't done as well at GenCon, was the less emphasis on console gaming as such. The only console gaming tournament being a Guitar Hero one, which just happened to be one of the only genres that I don't play. On the whole it was enjoyable, and I'd like to go to another one of these expos another time. It finishes this Sunday, so you still have tomorrow left if you really want to go. I'll leave you guys with two random Star Wars pics I managed to get on the day:

Why you...

Asleep as usual