The JLPT is over...

So on Sunday I got up and went to SF State to take the JLPT. One of my 2009 New Year's Resolutions was to take the JLPT, note I didn't say "pass" the JLPT. lol.

You're not getting any specifics from me on this year's test. I don't need the Japan Foundation after me. I will say that I think I did okay but I don't think I passed. The grammar part was very hard for me. The vocabulary section went very well. The listening portion went okay, I did get kinda confused on one part.

I've decided to enroll in my first ever Japanese class in January at Soko Gakuen over in San Francisco. I figure I've taken English classes almost every year until college to learn grammar and sentence structure. Why not take a Japanese class?

Of course the next question is, "So did Smart.fm, not help you?"

It helped tremendously with vocabulary and kanji. I couldn't have breezed through the fist section without the kanji lists on smart.fm. But grammar is tricky to learn from a screen and even people who speak a language can't always explain why certain grammar is a certain way. Remember that the next time you get frustrated at somebody who's first language is not English. It's easy to learn words and kind of string them together, takes patience to learn to read. But modifiers, verb tenses and things. Not so much.

I'm taking a break from regular study of Japanese until January. I still have to use it and I read it almost every day so it's not going anywhere. Next year the JLPT is being reformatted so depending on how I did this year I'll either take the N3 or N4.

The old format

Test content summary

Numbers in brackets indicate the exact number in the Test Content Specification, 2004 edition.

Level	Kanji	Vocabulary	Listening	Hours of Study	Pass Mark
4	~100 (103)	~800 (728)	Beginner	150 (estimated)	60%
3	~300 (284)	~1,500 (1409)	Basic	300 (estimated)
2	~1000 (1023)	~6,000 (5035)	Intermediate	600 (estimated)
1	~2000 (1926)	~10,000 (8009)	Advanced	900 (estimated)	70%

The revisions for the new format.

• N1: the same passing level as the original level 1, but able to gauge slightly more advanced skills, possibly through equating of test scores
• N2: the same as the original level 2
• N3: in between the original level 2 and level 3
• N4: the same as the original level 3
• N5: the same as the original level 4

There will be a Reading Test (yomu shiken) and a Listening Test (kiku shiken). The former will incorporate the Writing-Vocabulary and Reading-Grammar sections of the existing tests, while the latter will take the place of the Listening section of the existing test


A lot of people complain since next year you have to pass every section, this year you could just average out to a passing rate. But for me it maybe an advantage to have the reading and vocabulary section together. My vocabulary is definitely in the currently 2-3 range. And my kanji level rite now is around 250 of recognition about 180 truly learned. My grammar is below level 4, for sure but I am confident with a proper class I can pick it up, it's in my blood. But chances are I'll be taking the N4 next year unless I miraculously ace the test.

In the end I can say I've learned a lot of Japanese this year and I'm proud of myself. I've grown up with it and took it for granted but in the past year or so I made a conscious effort to improve myself and I made great progress.

We'll see in March what happened.

Mama's visit

My mother came to visit me from South Carolina last weekend. It was so good to see her and the time went by too fast. Mama's been to San Francisco before but she's never been over to the East Bay and so I was super psyched to show her around. I wanted her and the folks back home to know that just because I'm living in Oakland it doesn't mean I'm living in distressed circumstances. Also that there is waaay more to the Bay Area than San Francisco.

We stayed over in a hotel in Emeryville, which can be a shock. This area is so weird because things can change so much from one block to the next. It can also make finding living arrangements very difficult. We went to Lake Merritt, which is really lovely. We went to JapanTown over in San Francisco. Of course we went to my job, the great Oakland Technology Exchange she met some of my co-workers. Bruce, the exective director was back in my neck of the woods (Savannah, GA) and Naomi had the flu.

I think now that my mother is reassured that I'm fine out here. I imagine it's hard to have your only born child almost 3000 miles away for so long. This is the longest I've ever gone without seeing my mother, 3 months. When I come home for Christmas it will be the absolute longest I've gone without seeing 46, almost 6 months. I've done a lot of travelling but it's usually with my family or I'm back in a month or so. I've never been so far, so long. I miss everybody so much and I can't wait to get back to the South for the holidays.

The Alameda County Social Dance...

Finally after tons of miscommunication and crazy-ness, and line waiting( I mean lots of line waiting). I finally have regular food stamp benefits.

I know some people look down on people who have food stamps. They have a certain stigma about them. I think this recession has shown that poverty has many faces. Honestly, I've made much less in my life before and didn't qualify for food stamps. I do feel like that since I've been a good hardworking tax paying citizen and National Services said that as a VISTA I qualified for food stamps.

The process is a long and confabulated one. Back in August when I finally had a room to call my own I went and applied for the first time. I started at 8:30am and by 4:00pm it was over. It was very simple, I showed up with my Americorps letter and lease and I received pro-rated Expedited Food Stamps. After that is when the fun started, partially induced by who I rent from, for failing to give my rent receipt in a timely fashion which caused me to be denied for regular food stamps. I admit that was my bad, but talk about punishment for making one mistake. That was the first week of September and I spent the rest of the month calling, and going up there about once a week to no avail.

Waiting really is the hardest part. It's at least a 2 hour ordeal. If you get there at 8:30 when they open there's already a line. Don't even think you can get this done during your lunch hour. They're closed Noon to 13:00 for lunch and the line for the afternoon start around 12:30, by the time 13:00 rolls around there are easily 50 people in the line. Did I mention this is the line just a get a number? Not be served? With number in tow you wait for it to be called, fill out some forms, sometimes wait again.

Can I really complain? Should I? It wasn't really until they "lost" my information that my patience started to wear. I went up there to reapply, they told me I couldn't because I hadn't been off of food stamps long enough. I filled out another form and gave the lady a copy of my rent reciept, bank slip, pay stubs, and Americorps letter. When I got in touch with my case worker she never got it. I had to reapply again. Very firmly and as polite as I could muster I explained my fatigure. My case worker is very helpful and nice, when I went up there she came out so I wouldn't have to wait so long and gave me the right forms and I even got my September benefits. Honestly the majority of the problem just lies within the system itself. They're overwhelmed, it's a fact. The expedited food stamps and the regular food stamps process are different and the people in each department don't understand the other's requirements, which causes major problems when you transfer from expedited to regular.

I pray that I'm never in a situation where I'll need to apply for food stamps again, because honestly I think I'll just stick to potatoes and franks.

I still stand by the theory that the system is designed so that a decent percentage will give up before or during the application process, or will be frustrated and have a row with one of the workers causing them to escorted from the building. I'm not saying it's a person, it's just the flawed government system.

...and these are the same folk some of you want to run the health-care system?

My first youtube video

A few weeks ago I took the plunge and posted my first video on YouTube. It's taken me a long time to "get" YouTube and in many ways I still don't. Especially the viral video thing. Here at OTX, we show people how to use Movie Maker to make slideshows and for digital story telling. I have yet to do my digital story because I honestly hate talking about myself but I'm working on something as we speak.

This slideshow is suppose to be about the beginning of this journey I've taken. Leaving my home in the South where all my family and friends are, to come to California. The music is from Season 1 of Mary Tyler Moore show. I recorded it with Audacity while the dvd was playing on my computer. Enjoy!

Irish Creme Brownies

I've been craving brownies for about a week now so last nite I finally decided to whip up a batch. At first I was wanting something dark that would go well with raspberries. Which lead me on a search for something with Chambord (a french liquer made from raspberries, vanilla and other wonderful things) I found Tiger and Strawberries' recipe for Chambord Souffle Brownies and the irish creme version. A recipe good enough to induce marriage proposals? ^-^ had to give it a go.

As usual even with a first time recipe I already change a few things. Also I don't have an electric mixer yet, so even with my tired arms it didn't get as fluffy as it could've. They still taste so good! My room-mate, my co-workers, and my crush and I love em. I personally enjoy these with coffee milk, I know that isn't very Dixie of me but coffee milk is good stuff.



Irish Creme Souffle Brownies from Tigers & Strawberries

Filling Ingredients:
8 ounces cream cheese, softened
1 egg, lightly beaten
1/2 cup sugar
4 tablespoons Bailey's

Brownie Ingredients:
12 ounces good semi sweet chocolate, chopped finely
4 tablespoons butter
4 large eggs
3 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups sugar
2 tablespoons Bailey's
1 1/4 cups flour
1/2 tablespoon baking powder
1 tablespoon instant espresso powder

Method:

Set rack to the middle of the oven. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Prepare a 9 x 9 inch glass baking pan by lining completely with foil, allowing about three inches overhang on all sides. (Use one sheet of foil going in one direction, and then another sheet going the other way.) Carefully press the foil so it follows the shape of the pan as well as possible. Leave the overhangs standing upright. Spray the pan well with Baker’s Joy.

Beat together filling ingredients until smooth. Set aside.

Melt chocolate together with butter over a hot water bath, or in microwave. (If you use the microwave, start on thirty seconds, and take out the chocolate and stir. If it still needs more time, go in five second increments–do not burn the chocolate!) Cool to just about body temperature.

Beat together eggs, vanilla, Chambord and sugar, until pale yellow and quite frothy. Add chocolate and beat on medium speed until fully incorporated. Put onto high speed and beat for one minute, or until stiffened slightly, and lightened in color.

Stir flour, baking powder and espresso powder together to combine well. Sprinkle over chocolate mixture and stir in slowly, scraping down side of bowl as needed. Beat on medium speed to incorporate air–beat until mixture lightens considerably and is quite stiff and fluffy–about one and a half to two minutes.

Spread half the brownie batter into the bottom of the pan in as even a layer as possible. It will be difficult to spread so pat it down as much as possible without compressing it overmuch. Spread the cream cheese mixture over it. Dot the raspberry preserves over the cream cheese, then draw a spatula or knife through, marbling it as shown in photograph above.

Take the remaining brownie batter, and divide into fourths. Dollup each forth into a quadrant of the pan on top of the cream cheese batter, then dabbing and pressing, coax the chocolate layer to cover the cream cheese layer as much as possible.This is tricky–the chocolate is stiff and hard to work with, but it eventually will work out if you keep at it.

Bake at 350 degrees for forty-five to fifty minutes. As described above, the brownie will puff up and seem quite liquid in the middle when it is done. That is fine–that is the way it is supposed to be. Take it out, set it on a wire rack on top of the stove,. turn off the oven and let it cool completely before lifting the brownies out of the pan by using the foil as handles.

Cut into tiny pieces, keeping or discarding the thin crisp layer at the top as desired.

31

I don’t really have a southern accent.
I use southern phraseology “Fixing to do such and such”
“Reckon I will leave now”. For fun I say things like ‘Look at that crick ret there’ but

I will admit that I’ve played it up since I’ve been in California especially when talking about the south. But now that I’m settling into myself it’s fading again. In fact my regular voice sounds incredibly yankee. But that’s okay.

See more progress on: list 100 random things about myself

On the backburner

This will have to go to the back burner for awhile until I take the JLPT in December and my favourite list on smart.fm needs to get fixed.

See more progress on: improve my German

30.

I like golf. Maybe it’s because I’m from Augusta, GA. But I love going to the driving range with friends, learning to playing golf and Pangya the golf MMORPG

See more progress on: list 100 random things about myself

me and the health care system ...

I've been a bit busy and honestly not a whole lot of news going on.

I had to go in hospital Thursday morning and didn't get out until Friday evening. And they still didn't know what the world was wrong with me. I promise you had I not had any type of insurance they probably would've turned me out Thursday nite. I don't even have actual insurance, just my Americorps health benefits. That was Highland hospital in Oakland, by the by. I never thought that I would miss the Medical College of Georgia (MCG) but I do. They say if you're in a gun fight Highland is the place to go, which means they've got a great trauma team but for things that need monitoring and tests... not so much.

I really don't have a whole opinion on what the government should do about the health care system. My 'cousine' in the UK tells me that her opinion of public health care is that it's like public school, it all depends on where you are. Now I don't really know if that's the case, because anywhere I've been where they had public health care I haven't had to use it (knock on wood). But if it's really like public school system, Heaven help us. To be fair, I'm not a fan of regular public school but I never went to regular public school just a magnet school and later a state university so it's a bit different but that's another post.

I know the President says he doesn't want public health care but it seems that the folk in my bracket and below want it, well the non-conservative ones. I don't understand why health care is so expensive. Even with my health benefits I personally am going to be too upset when I get that bill, because the didn't do anything! They kept me overnite and I spent 24 hours in hospital and I spent 20 hours of it waiting. Poor communication and ridiculous questions. One of the doctors said 'You have highly unusual symptoms' to which I answered

'Yea I know it's unusual that's I said 'I need to go to hospital'" some of the nurses laughed but it's no laughing matter. And if health insurance becomes more accesible to more people than more folk in Oakland are going to know exactly what I'm talking about. I won't claim to know the solution, something needs to be done. I know a lot of people have to use the Emergency room as their doctor because they have no health benefits but as for me... I think I shall try to get a good job with some kicking benefits since I'm in a position with education to do that.

The great work begins

So now I am starting to lay down the foundation for the Get Connected Oakland website. With the help of one of my co-workers we've got a pretty nifty logo in the works. The website colours I haven't quite become 100% satisfied with a palette yet but COLOURlovers.com is helping out an awful lot.

The purpose of the Get Connected Oakland (GCO) website is to be a sort of online database of resources for Oakland residents. It's going to have a map page for physical POI's as well as a resource page for online resources. The online resource page will be fairly easy once I get all of the resources up there, the map thing is a whole horse of another colour.

The thing is I'm using Google Maps to do several types of maps (Access, Tech support, etc.) and I love that when you're logged into a Google account you can layer several maps over each other with the API. I just wish there was a way to embed this into a website so that even you are not logged into a Google account you could layer the maps to see what different types of resources are near your location.

Since OTX has collaborated with GoogleServes before I'm working on an e-mail to Google to see if they can help me out. A thought that hasn't quite added up in my head. I'm e-mailing Google to ask them to do something specific for my organisation? Because what Google has right now isn't doing it for me? Of course I won't word it like that, but it's still kind of daunting to me to e-mail Google.

I'll let y'all know how it goes.

More about OTX West

I've been talking for awhile now, even before I got here about the amazing place I'm working at now. It's called Oakland Technology Exchange West, OTX, or OTX West for short. I'm now part of a great force helping to eliminate the digital divide and reduce technological waste.

Since 1999 OTX-West has provided over:

• 10,000 computers to Oakland Public School families free of charge
• 10,000 computers to Oakland Public School classrooms and community access labs across Oakland
• Diverted over 700 tons of electronic waste from landfills for productive use or responsible recycling

Isn't that awesome!? There are two ways that it works. For Oakland students 6th -12th they can enroll in a 3 hour class to learn about the computer they will recieve and then on Distribution Day they recieve a refurbished and fantastic computer with Windows XP and a bevy of open source software (OpenOffice, Gimp, Audacity, Kompozer, etc.).

The other way is by volunteering, there are certain days a week or in a month where you can volunteer. For every hour you volunteer you get a service buck, once you've collected enough service bucks you can get all sorts of neat things. Here's an example, a family of four can volunteer for 5 hours and they will have 20 service bucks, enough to get a free basic computer. A person can volunteer 2-10 hours and get a printer. They have lots of neat things.

If you read this and your in the Oakland or surrounding areas and you have computer equipment, tv's, printers, etc. I highly encourage you to donate them to OTX, it's tax deductible and no cost to you. A lot of computer recycling places charge you to recyle your computer! And then it just goes to a landfield.

Oakland Technology Exchange West is located at:
1680 14th Street
Oakland, CA 94607
For more information please visit the website: http://otxwest.org

Like a whole 'nother country

That's kind of how I feel.

It's been a week in California, almost 2 weeks away from home and it still in some ways feels like a dream. Sometimes I feel like I'm in another country. Part of me feels like that my travels in life have made me prepared for some things and growing up in diverse town gives me a better edge than being from some parts of the South. But a week in and I still have this need to compare everything to 'back home' but it has only been a week. And I'm in a place I've never even seen until that Thursday nite when I walked out of the Oakland Airport into cool and foggy scene.

It's also very interesting how back home I felt a touch liberal than the average person and here in some ways I feel like a prude. A lot of people talk to Mary Jane it seems. Not that I care, but it's still illegal.

I had a lot of ideas about what I thought this part of the country would be like. Just like how some people out here have their misconceptions about the South. So far the two biggest misconceptions falling down on my end are: people aren't nice and friendly (not that everyone back South is either) and that there were no fat people <-- that one I was so serious about.

I'm not saying it's a good thing that there are a decent amount of overweight people, it only proves that the obesity epidemic is a nation-wide problem. But as rather large person myself and still in my youth, I seriously had a fear I'd be some fat freak of nature. And even some of my friends and family were concerned that there would be nowhere for me to shop out here.

It's going to be interesting what other new things I find out as this year unfolds.

Room Search Continues

The room search in East Bay has been insane. Between the deposits and the eclectic lifestyles of some people seeking room-mates it's been a lot more tedious than I imagined. All I want is a space of my own, with walls and a door. Not horribly small, that's empty and simple with a decent kitchen to cook in, and cable and internet. Without an extraordinary amount of domestic animals.

Easier said than done, especially on my Americorps stipend. Maybe it's just me but I refuse to pay 400 USD to share a room with a stranger, or really anybody for that matter outside of an significant other. Here are just some of the phrases I've read while room search

- 420 friendly
- 420 all day every day
- $500 roomshare
- Zen Catholic Gentlemen will have...
- Apartment for free in exchange for cooking cleaning as well as some behind close doors services
- the lovely ladies who give us unlimited joy, and also eggs.
- vegan household : no animal products allowed in kitchen
- television free community: so we can create rather than imitate.

I thought I was picky. Then there's the whole 'what's safe, what's not'. People outside of Oakland swear I should head to surburbia. People in Oakland say stay away from East Oakland, but some say it's west Oakland. I've seen parts of San Leandro that I rather had not. I've met some interesting and colourful people. I've seen some ridiculous prices. I'm starting to get a feel on things and I think that this housing search may take a tad longer than I originally anticipated.

Wish me luck!

DK

California here I am

So I'm here, even though it still hasn't completely sunk in. I am in fact in California.

The PSO (Pre-service Orientation) in Boston was fantastic. I really had a great time and met a bunch really cool people. It was friendly group, wasn't even untill that night I even noticed I was the only 'outwardly appearing' black girl. So that's a good sign ne? We went to Bangkok Blue our last night out and I got to try Thai iced tea for the first time, it sort of tastes like royal milk tea but sweeter... Which reminds I really could go for some royal milk tea about now.


The flight to Oakland was not fun, especially the first one. The second was better though I've seen '17 again' twice now and can tell you just about everything about it. Not a horrible movie but definitely not good enough to watch twice in a row, in my opinion.

When I got to Oakland, I met Bruce the director of OTX-West and then later Domingo(sp?), they're very nice people and I'm looking forward to this next year. The next day I met Naomi, Joceylin(sp) and Josh also very awesome people. OTX is really huge, a lot bigger than I expected and Oakland is way nicer than I hoped for. There are lot of trees so far I've seen in East Bay, very green. That's good. I don't mind urban space but the lack of greenery sort of gets to me.

For instance when I was visiting San Francisco yesterday, I was near Union Square. Honestly I felt like I was Manhattan. Which is great the first couple of times but it was like 'meh, been there done that'. I know that not all of San Fran is like that and I'm looking forward to exploring the area.

First things first however, I'm looking for a room somewhere in East Bay. The search has just begun. Right now Bruce and his wife have graciously open their home to me and I really appreciate it. I was semi-concerned that I'd be living under a bridge somewhere. But now that I've seen the listings I feel it is possible to a place to stay within a decent range.
l
Well I'm off for a bit to do some things in the room. Found a neat sounding place on Craigslist that I hope we can go see later today. Wish me luck.

Last day in Augusta

Today

It's hitting me harder every hour that I'm leaving my home town. And yes, I love my hometown. It's not Atlanta, but for me that's why I love it. I grew up on the south side of town, near the country with the chickens and horses. There are a lot more asian influences on my side of town than one would expect. A few Asian grocers, lots of Chinese restaraunts, Korean noodle shops and pool halls. There's a diversity I love, with the singular being the southern-ness. I am truly going to miss the south in ways I didn't believe I would. There are things I won't miss: not being to go into Beaver House Inn in Statesboro,Ga or Maurice's BBQ in Columbia, SC because of my race. Being cautious around Whites who wear stars and bars, if I don't know them. The swelter heat and humidity that will knock you down when you open the door some days. But though I haven't really been adapted to the heat it is apart of my life story, my normalcy even the flawed parts.

I spent the last nite of Augusta visiting my god-daughter who just turned 1 and my friend her mother. We played UNO and had a great time.

That weekend I went to my mother's house in South Carolina for a fish fry and low country boil. Next morning I had fish and grits... I'm going to miss grits.


But I look forward to the journy ahead.

29.

Poison Ivy…quite possibly the only thing that doesn’t break me out.

go figure.

See more progress on: list 100 random things about myself

13 days left

Can you believe so few days until I head out into the great unknown? In 2 weeks I will be going 3000+ miles away from home and staying there for a year. I am totally wigging out, when I start to think about my pulse starts to race. I haven't been feeling very well the past few days. I think my nervous-ness about this trip is actually causing me to break out.

I had been organising things to pack for my year in California but now I have started the packing.

First the suitcases and then the things that will be shipped...including my jewellry making supplies full of metal wire, blades, and whatnot, I'm sure the United Postal services is going love that package. Decided what to take and not to take has become a fun adventure. I only know people who have been in NCCC which is more mobile and involves camping at times and disaster relief. I don't know anybody who has moved to another state for Vista. In vista you have to find a place and live and be semi-normal... on poverty wages. Everytime I tell my family I'm trying to find a room for rent in the Bay Area for und 500 dollars they look at me like I'm crazy but honestly it's true. Just keep praying about it.

Americorps and I are still trying to get this whole flight situation figured out. I requested to be flown out of Columbia or Charlotte to Boston and then I'm suppose to go to Oakland, Cali. Somehow that turned into Atlanta to Boston and then to Dallas and then to Phoenix. I wonder if there's another 'Jasmine' in this CTC class? Probably, it is a 'common uncommon' name. But I think it's finally been worked all out. That was so odd.

If anybody has any tips on packing for a long journey I'd greatly appreciate it.

RIP Michael Jackson

I know, I know I'm late. Been travelling throughout the south. But seriously, Ed McMahon, Farrah Fawcett, Billy Mays, and Michael Jackson. Bad things come in 3's but that was four. Though some say that Mays and McMahon collectively make one. aww that's not rite.

My sister loved (loves) MJ. When we were in Arkansas, she was just talking about making the laugh in Thriller her ringback before 'it' happened. I mean she had the thriller jackets (black and red ) went to the concert. it was ridiculous. And that was my introduction to Michael Jackson.

I remember being in grade school when 'Remember the Time' came out. When people would bust out with 'It doesn't matter if you're black or white'. My personal favourite memory is of my big crush of highschool. When we used to go on long field trips I would listen to 'Butterflies' on my portable CD player and gaze at them. (so look for that on 'Lyrically Speaking') LOL. terribly silly but you know how young love is. It's one of his less popular song but you have a crush, that is *the* song to listen to.

MJ went through a lot of changes with his looks, if he would've stayed the way he looked in 'Don't Stop till you get enough' (I'm not going to front, he was a cutie in that video). He caused a lot of controversy and somethings we will never know. One of his last appearances was a few years ago in my hometown of Augusta,GA at James Brown's funeral. I have a definite feeling his persona is going the way of Elvis. (and poor Lisa Marie, to have to go through this twice).

The nite he died I watched BET for the first time in years. his music bridged so much. His dance moves were so smooth.

Nerdy Pick up lines

A few days ago, on twitter #geekpickuplines was a trending topic. I still don't know why but it was. I was ace-ing them. As a self proclaimed nerd, I think that nerdy pick up lines are hilarious. The question is, do they work? does anybody actually use them? In my experience I've actually had two pitched at me, in jest of course. But it must of worked, we dated. I used to say them to my last boyfriend, he thought they were funny. Why do people (not just nerds but most people who've taken some upper maths and science) think their so funny? I don't know but here are some of my favourites:

• I wish I was a derivative so I could lie tangent to your curves.
• Baby, Lets take the integral of e to the x to infinity
• Baby, I'll treat you like my homework, slam you on the table and do you all night long.
• Baby, you overclock my processor
• Be my queen and mate me with your knight moves
• I wish I were your second derivative so i could fill your concavities
• Lets get together and test the spring potential of my matress
• I less than three you….. (i <>
• I wish I was your secant line so I could touch you in at least two places!
• I’d be the photon to your electron and take you to an excited state.
• Baby, if they made you in Java, you’d be the object of my desire.
• Hey, up for some high-energy quantum tunnelling tonight?
• I’m overheating because you’re stuck in my head like an infinite loop.
• You’re as sweet at 3.14.
• Our love is like Pi: irrational and never ending
• You fascinate me more than the fundamental theorem of calculus.
• Roses are #FF0000, violets are #0000FF. All my base are belong to you.
• Are you the square root of 2? because I feel irrational when I’m around you

And last but not least, why you should date an electrical engineer:

• The world does revolve around us... we choose the coordinate system.
• No "couple" enjoy a better "moment".
• We know how to handle stress and strain in a relationship.
• We have significant figures.
• We know it's not the length of the vector that counts, but how you apply the force.
  
• Electrical engineers do it on an impulse
• Electrical engineers do it with more power and at higher frequency.
• Electrical engineers do it with super position
• Electrical engineers do it until it Hertz.
• Electrical engineers do it with spark.
• Electrical engineers do it with precision.
• Electrical engineers do it any way they can.

I haven't quite figured the particulars of this one.

When I started my 43 things account years ago, I wanted to open a bakery. Since then I’ve had the opportunity to work as an assistant to a pasty chef. I’m still not sure if I want to open a bakery or a restaurant one of these days. I’ve even thought about a deli/bakery. I’ve got this one really crazy idea, but it’s still to random to even mention on the blog. I do know that this is one of those long term goals. My family and friends tell me I have great cooking skills but I know that I still need a lot of work and practise until I’m ready to open up my own eatery.

People have jokingly suggested that I go to culinary school. But as I always say to them, I believe it's more logical to begin my career as an engineer. Perhaps this bakery thing will be a retirement thing (God willing). I need to do this engineering thing while my brain is still sharp. I always can be an amateur baker/cook, but a hobbyist engineer...? Not so practical.

182 days left!

I was on twitter, were I follow ‘jlist’ and he tweeted the fact that there are 182 days left until the JLPT. I’m going to be taking the level 4 I have decided. I don’t think I will be ready for level 3 this year. But hopefully if things go well I will pass the JLPT 4 this year and next year the new N3 Level. Of course the ultimate goal is to pass the N1 one day but that’s just the 2 year plan.
I’ve been trying to study at least 30 minutes everyday. Preferably studying 1 hour a day. Probably going to have to step up my game on the kanji. I know 1-25 pretty well but there’s still so many more to learn. I’m also worried about the listening portion. I get to talk on the fone some in Japanese. The one good thing about being in Macon is that I did speak Japanese when I went to Shoki. I maintain to keep my eyes on the prize.
I use a lot of online resources to help me study japanese. You can find my bookmarks on my Delicious account (http://delicious.com/jdks/japanese) but I also try to write Japanese every single day and read some Japanese everyday. I try to watch Japanese dramas,news, baseball games without subtitles and it’s getting much better. I’m looking forward to the day that I receive my certification in the mail. I know that being certified in Japanese will open me up to more opportunities and I love the language it’s very beautiful.
Back to studying!

See more progress on: improve my Japanese

I baked some cookies!

The recipe I use is originally Paula Dean's but as much as I love Paula's no-nonsense southern cooking I have to cut the sugar a bit and even with that I still don't understand how anybody could eat those cookes with icing on top. Even 46 couldn't imagine it but we don't eat nearly as much sugar as we used to.

These cookies are sooo soft. Everybody I know likes them from the sweet lovers to my sister, who's a bit of a health nut.

This recipe is adapted from Paula's Loaded Oatmeal Cookies.

Prep time 15 minutes
Cook time 12-15 minutes
Yields 5 dozen (so she says. I think 3 dozen medium sized cookies)

Ingredients

1/2 cup (1 stick) magarine, softened
1/2 cup vegetable shortening
1 cup packed light brown sugar
2 large eggs
1/2 cup buttermilk
1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 1/2 teaspoons ground ginger
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
2 1/2 cups quick-cooking oatmeal
1 1/2 cups raisins
1 1/2 cups chopped walnuts
1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract

Directions

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
• Grease 1 or more cookie sheets.
• Using an electric mixer, cream together butter, shortening, and sugar in a bowl until fluffy.
• Add eggs and beat until mixture is light in color.
• Add buttermilk. Sift together flour, baking soda, salt, baking powder, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, and allspice; stir into creamed mixture.
• Fold in oatmeal, raisins, walnuts, and vanilla, blending well. Drop by rounded tsablepoons onto cookie sheet.

FYI: This dough is softer than other cookie doughs I make, a bit less tacky but the common problem on the Food Network Review site is that they come out flat. Make sure your Baking powder and soda are fresh and you may need to add up to an extra cup of flour. This time around I had to use 2 cups of flour instead 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour.

Lightening it up: I've made this recipe alot. A few times people wanted less fat or sugar. I've used 1 cup of margarine instead of 1/2 cup margarine and 1/2 cup shortening.

For a sugar free or non refined sugar version I've also used 1/2 cup honey or 1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce or 1 cup splenda though prefer the brown sugar blend splenda with this recipe.

I've also used whole wheat flour. I actually like it best with whole wheat flour and molasses as the sweetener. with pecans , raisins and craisins... so tastey.

Getting on the etsy boat

I'm better I promise. No more 'hateration' on the chaps. My ex is just giving me issues.

So I'm on etsy now: http://www.engineeredcupcake.etsy.com/. I've only got 2 items up there now, and 3 more items to photograph and add to the inventory. I took one picture but they didn't quite turn out show ready:

It's a pair of enameled rose earring with acrylic pearls. The second pair is mine. Another enameled piece, this time navy triangles with a silver acrylic bead. I'm trying to get at least 5 items this week, maybe 10 by the end of next week. Things are looking good in the fundraising direction. I'll be starting another temp position as a 'at disposable computer nerd' doing graphic design and other technical things. The cooking position starts 9 June. I e-mailed CTC Vista to ask if it was okay to sell my jewellry during my tour and they said it was fine as long as it doesn't take away from my service. Which reminds me my training in Boston is 20-23 July and my service in California start 24 of July. Can you believe that? In about 7 weeks or so I'll be on my way to California. It still hasn't really hit me

Tomorrow is Friday and I'm very excited. Going to hang out with my best friend when she gets off. I saw her today but tomorrow we're planning on really catching up.

See you space cowboy,

Back from the boro

So I went down to statesboro for a few days. It was an very fun and yet eye opening weekend. I got to hang out with some of my friends, including one of my best pals. We went down to Savannah, I wanted to get my ear cartilage piercing but that didn't pan out, maybe next time.

I've been starting to wonder why girls my age (me included) worry so much about guys and marriage. I guess I personally feel like, y'know it's not like I tried to get married out of high school or in college. But this southern life I lead makes me believe that if I don't get married before I'm 30 than there is something seriously wrong with me. I mean I know I wanted to graduate college (done), see the world , get a professional job before I get married but I don't want to be pushing 40. I guess the dissolvement of my 4 year relationship is still seriously bothering me. Also I think when I'm doing all this guy talk with my friends that as 20-something women who are college graduates (or soon to be) with real career goals that we ought to have better things to do with our time.

But see that's just the thing. With hard work and studying, etc you can achieve career goals but when it comes to true love and what not a lot of that is just luck, let's be honest. There are things you can to do maintain a good relationship but you never know when it's going to hit you. And in the mean time, looking fornlorn and emo isn't going to help ne? so I suppose I should stop thinking about guys and start thinking more about Americorps, jewellry design, physics and Industrial Electronics. I just don't want to end up a little old lady with her computers and gadgets, though I'm sure by the time 2050 hits I won't be the only little old lady whose a computer lady rather than a cat lady.


Anyways, I know this blog post was really silly. Wednesday will roll around I 'll try to type more positive.

Happy Memorial Day!

A fairly random weekend

A lot of boring, a few good, and one bad thing happened.

I started twisting my hair Friday nite and I'm still not done. I get so easily distracted. I don't think I've mentioned this on the blog. But I'm a natural (if you can't tell by the avatar) which means I'm in that minority of black people that don't chemically change the texture of their hair with perms. Last perm was back in 1999. Anyways I'm doing a 2-strand twist and I have to be finished today, I've got an interview tomorrow.

That's rite, I've got an interview with a breakfast/brunch delivery place. Please keep me in your prayers/thoughts for this one I need a job badly. it also reminds me that I need to wash my khakis and make sure my sweater (it's a liteweight) is wrinkle free.

My mom wore the necklace I made for her Mother's day gift the other day. She got tooons of compliments and it has made me fully decide to get a touch from my savings and order some more supplies. By the by this is the necklace I made:

I've posted this on twitter already. But I do like it a lot and I'm looking forward to getting back in the swing of things.

The bad thing that happened was with Alltel. See, my mobile broke at the hinge and i had a fone that I previously lost. I made the mistake of trying to get it reactivated and they took it with the full battery and left me with a dead broken mobile... that I will still be paying the fees on until I get a new one. It was the Alltel service office in the Target centre, the attendant was quite surly with me. I personally have been a customer for 6 years, never delinquent and my family as a whole has been customers for most of the past 20 years. I'm talking Alltel car fones. Up until last year I never had any complaints but since Verizon bought them, they've been horrible. I thank God I've got Mobile insurance. I will pay the silly 35 dollars insurance deductible to have this fone until July or August... and then I'm going pre-paid. I think I'm going to go with boost Mobile. I just have to see if they have good service in the Bay area.

Well I've got to finish twisting this hair.

Pics from the dinner party

Roasted Turkey and Honey Baked Ham.
Sauteed Asparagus with Hollandaise Sauce
Eggplant Paramasan Saucers
Red Pepper Pasta Salad

My thoughts on the KFC rain cheque

KFC clearly didn't think this one through.

Let me get my sarcastic remark out of the way:'Seriously free chicken dinner? the black folk and obese people alone after that one'. And yes I was one of those black obese people in line. Not to mention the fact that Americans in general love chicken and free stuff. People that don't eat beef and/or pork will eat chicken (like me). So is this a personal thing because I like baked/grilled chicken that much. You bet. But logically speaking I can think of several reason that KFC didn't need this to be such a catastrophe.

- Newspaper coupon over internet coupon Internet coupons are ripe for copying. My family and friends alone downloaded 20-ish, even though the limit was to be 4 downloads. If they would've used a colour newspaper coupon I think it would've been easier to limit the amount as well they would've had a better estimate of the crowds to expect.

The sale ran too long Although the coupon was only available for a day or so. It was valid for what? 2 weeks. That is entirely too long for a free coupon. 2 or 3 days would have been plenty. Recently Popeye's offered their 8 piece for 5 dollars for one day and it was insane (i was in that queue too). And I noticed that since then their business has increased.

Oprah I really don't have to add to that one do I?

Yes they are offering rain cheques but ultimately it is going to hurt KFC for awhile. Everyone with common sense knew that this was going to be pandemonium and the fact that the MBA's, BBa's, PH.D's at KFC couldn't see the hysteria shows they're not very brite. Depending on how the public feels, they could get over it quickly or it could mean the end of KGC.

Already Wednesday?

How did that happen? I could've sworn it was Tuesday but it's not. The week has been pretty dull so far. I've started back making some jewellry, hopefully soon it will be up on etsy. I had to get a new Paypal account because I haven't used Paypal in so long, my account has been suspended for some reason. It was easier just to do it this way. I made a pair of string art earrings that are really popular now. They're not fantastic but I'm getting there.

Tomorrow I'm going to Columbia to visit my Mom , her job (Mental Health America) is having their annual meeting on Friday and my sister Dante' Anderson (a VP at Wal-Mart) is the guest speaker so it's going to be a great family affair. That evening Mom is having a get together and I'm making the food. It's a light buffet sort of thing. Here's the tentative menu:

Pasta Salad
White bean salad
Veggie/fruit/cheese

Sliced Turkey
Spiral sliced honey glazed ham
with wheat and white rolls and condiments

Asparagus with Hollandaise sauce
Eggplant Parmesan Saucers

Banana Pudding
Chocolate French Silk Pie

Luckily the turkey and ham is already prepared. I plan on making the the pasta and bean salad the nite before as well, so that the flavours can marinate a bit. The french silk pie as well. Haven't decided about the Banana pudding yet. Oh that reminds me I need to get a piping tip and cocoa powder. I'll be sure to post pics.

Trying to come up with a fundraising plan.

So, the job search is going... okay. I think I have some promise with a laundry store that's looking for some help while one of their main workers is on maternity leave. I'm thinking about other ways to raise some funds. I was thinking about making jewelry again, selling it on etsy this instead of LiveJournal. I'm pretty good see below for a few examples of my work.

Not bad eh? At least worth 2- 5 USD plus shipping. That's what I found just off of this hard drive. I do have a bit of saving so I think it would be good to buy some more beads and things and see what happens. Michael's is ridiculously expensive so I think I will have to order from Fire Mountain Gems.

I've also started working on the design for my website. I need to get that joker back up, rebuy my domain and all of that. At first I was thinking of a whiter liter website but I think I'm going back to a my classic pale pink and navy blue. I'm trying to go for a more vintage feel. I've got a few ideas in my head but not much on photoshop/ website manager yet.

That's all for now.

Americorps update

So I got offered a position. In California. Oakland California to be exact. It's a great position though, they do a lot of great things out there. They provide refurbished computers to students, offer free tech support, create free wireless spots around the area, and do a lot technology education. Eliminating the Digital Divide as it were.

what's next? Well since I applied via CTVista I have to apply via the regular Americorps website which I did Friday. They have to go over my references and things. Somebody might call to ask so more questions and then I'll be listed as 'accepted' and I accept the offer and then I can finally learn some more about how I'm going to get over there and the things I need to do to prepare.

I already know that I need to raise some money, since Americorps has you living on pauper's wages. Trying to find a temp job.

I'm totally psyched!

It's beginning

It's just now starting to sink in.

I've applied for a few Americorps positions, all in Alaska or North Dakota. I had an interview last nite and it went pretty well. North Dakota is loving me rite now and there is a position up there now that is def. my second choice. The Recycling Development program is definitely my top choice though. It's in Fairbanks.

I can't believe that I'm trying to go away for a year. just think about it, in a few months I"m going to be far away from the south. the place where I was born and raised. I mean sure I've spent some time in other regions and countries but usually with familia and never for a year. *sigh* just be sure to send me grits and long john's.

To be more economical and whatnot

I eat uncrustables from smuckers way too much. Why don’t I just eat regular sandwiches… do I hate crust that much? yep plus they’re so cute.

I love me some pbnj and grilled chz. When I was living with just one person or alone I used to make pbnj baked gyoza all the time…and trust me that is majorly good.

This is a goal I want to finish in a week. I plan on joining Americorps soon and I need to start being more economical for that crazy low stipend they give you.

See more progress on: make my own uncrustables

www.smartt.fm

is the neu name of iKnow. It’s a really good site for learning japanese, English as a second language. it’s work in progress but I like it so far. if you decide you like it add me. I”m princesscupcake

See more progress on: improve my Japanese

Untitled

Well my eating is getting better. Great Lent’s coming up on Monday and I plan to participate in the Lenten fast. Of course one thinks that means automatic healthy eating but. When one is fasting from animal products it tends to lead me to eating lots of bread… which is not good. I hope to take this Lenten season to be a better person.

Aside from the religious side of things I’ve been walking fairly regularly(though I need to get better at this) and doing sit ups and push ups. haven’t lost much weight but I can feel my close fitting better. Like they used too. yay for progress

See more progress on: lose weight / get in shape

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Happiness resides not in possessions, and not in gold, happiness dwells in the soul.

Democritus

See more progress on: Stay In Tune With My Star player (Namely Me), The Person I have to Deal With Everyday.

update

well i’ve taken both of my finals…and I”m finally done .with alll my college work. woot HOWEVER I’m not checking this goal until ga southern mails me my degree confirmation.

See more progress on: graduate college

12

I don’t know if it’s because it’s feb or what but here’s another random one related to race: I want to write a book or play or story some work about ‘Oreos’ (black on the outside white on the inside) and the life of the not so typical black folk. b/c I’m sick of the ‘actng black’ sydrome

See more progress on: list 100 random things about myself

Going grocery shopping

So I’m on that really broke part of life. I’ve got about $30 a week/ 120 a month for groceries, I do live in the south where things arent crazy high but it’s still a stretch. I’m planning to get:
Cabbage
frozen broccoli and carrots
deli turkey
quinoa
some $1.10 michelina lite dinners for the lazy/busy days

I know I need some more protein, and fruit which is crazy high. But my main goal is to stay away from the sugar and the french fries. The cold’s getting better, I just got back from a trip but tonite I’m doing my strength exercises, tomorrow I start back walking in over a week (b/c of the cold I had)

See more progress on: lose weight / get in shape

10.

If I find myself using internet explorer by accident (like being at a school or library where it is the default browser) I will immediately close it and open up Mozilla or Opera. It bothers me when there’s only IE on a computer.

See more progress on: list 100 random things about myself

so then I got this crazy asthma induced cold.

I hate asthma… dang thing only bothers me if I get a cold in the winter… which hasn’t happened since 2006. I ususally get colds in the spring.

So being taken to the ER, my exercise schedule got off by quite a bit this week. I just started being able to comfortably do push ups and situps. Probably won’t be able to start back walking until Monday. I get a little out of breath still.

I’m taking this antibiotic and it’s making me so thirsty… but I’m also taking a steroid that’s making my apetite go up and I’ve been eating a lot of salty foods… But I think my brain after getting a salt induced headache (I don’t have high blood pressure per say, it’s around 110/70 but it rises really quickly when I eat a lot of salt) I think I’m going to go and drink a gallon of water when i get home… or at least half a gallon. I’m about to go to an orientation for my new tutoring position and I’m going have to stop some where and I get me a liter of water before my mouth turns into a desert.

See more progress on: lose weight / get in shape

it's gonna take time

I know that patience is the key… my ultimate goal is to have at elbows length (about 2 inches above my waist) one of these days. Well in the back at least, the front has a different texture than the back. It used to be that long when I was in h.s but I had the inevitable bad perm. Rite now it’s around 3-4 inches past my shoulders. I’m trying to stop putting ghetto products in it and putting junk food in my body

See more progress on: Grow my hair out

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“For those with wings, fly to your dreams”
- Candidate for Goddess (an anime, but a great quote, it was my h.s senior quote)

See more progress on: Stay In Tune With My Star player (Namely Me), The Person I have to Deal With Everyday.

Portion control and moderation

Eat less! It’s seems pretty easy rite? Of course not. I had gastric bypass surgery nearly 7 years ago and my stomach was starting to stretch back when I first moved to Macon. I’ve got back to my typical 75% of what the average person eats and that’s rational. However recently I read a book “Portion Teller” and I realise the average person eats a whole lot. And since it’s been some time since I’ve been in a nutrition class I had forgotten what exactly a serving size is. I’ve been adjusting my eating accordingly. I haven’t seen much yet on my waistline but I do have more energy and my legs are getting smaller and my back is feeling more toned. I’ve been trying to walk 3x a week at least 30 minutes (usually about 45 min) and that’s been going well. After I finish up this course work in the next two weeks I want to be physically ready to walk 5x a week. I need to start drinking more water as well, to keep my self hydrated when I’m not at work. I drink a lot of water at work but when I’m off, not so much.

See more progress on: lose weight / get in shape

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“Listen, it’s too big a world to be in competition with everybody. The only person I’m out to beat is who I am right now. And in your case, that’s tough enough.” Harry Morgan as Sherman Potter in M.a.s.h (tv)

See more progress on: Stay In Tune With My Star player (Namely Me), The Person I have to Deal With Everyday.

7.

Even though I’m a daily procrastinator. When it comes to trips and interviews I have a tendency to over plan things to the most minute detail.

See more progress on: list 100 random things about myself

6.

I was born without eyelashes and to this day can’t grow them in well. The curl in towards my eyes and I have to get rid of them.

See more progress on: list 100 random things about myself

here there, everywhere

I’m about to be finished with a degree in engineering technology. I’ve wanted to be an engineer since I was 7… I think. My brain’s all over the place these days. I love my current job as a fine dining cook at a country club. I always said if I did ever drop out of school I’d become a cook and essentially I did. but i decide to get off of my lazy tail and finish. I like art and making things like jewelry and whatnot. One of my major new years resolutions is to take the japanese language proficiency test…. I think I need to figure out how the heck to use all these random pieces of interests to find a life long career.

See more progress on: decide what the hell I would like to do with the rest of my life

2. I've always wanted

to wear blonde or light pink hair on a regular basis. But I’ve always been afraid it would come off as ghetto. Looking forward to the day I’m so “up there” that I can afford not to care.

See more progress on: list 100 random things about myself

2009 New Years Resolutions

1. Finish college by my birthday
2. Take the Japanese Language Profiency Test Level 3 or 4
3. Volunteer in Americorps or similar organisation for a year
4. Take better care of my body and soul