"Travel isn't always pretty, it isn't always comfortable. Sometimes it hurts, it even breaks your heart. But thats okay, the journey changes you; it should change you. It leaves marks on your memory, on your consciousness, on your heart, and on your body. You take something with you and hopefully you leave something good behind. " 

 

Anthony Bourdain

I Flung the Fling

This entry was going to come sooner or later.  

At first, I thought it was going to be one on how I can't do flings because I'm the type of girl that falls too hard, too fast and is more cautious when treading relationship waters.  I'm more of an all-talk, less action sort of gal.  Sure, I'll squeal about marrying this boy or gush over how cute that one is but I don't actually do anything about it!  

I had been planning on writing an entry on overseas romance.  But only from a bystander's point of view because it was not something I had actually personally experienced.  Sure, there were a couple of kisses, numbers, and texts exchanged but everything was fleeting.  I was too busy traveling, taking pictures, playing with friends, exploring, meeting new people for anything more!

It's a romantic concept.  While abroad, you're alone in this new world, away from your closest family and friends.  You meet a beautiful stranger and you two only have a limited time together.  How can one not succumb to finding a love while studying abroad?  All those love stories must have some legs behind them.

I've had many a friends fallen into this spell while abroad.  Some came home with new lovers.  Some left their old ones for a foreign fling.  Some married.  Some broke up.  I'm sure everyone has stories.

But not me.  I never did.  I don't do flings.  I'm not a fling sort of girl.  

Until three weeks ago. 

I fell.  I fell hard and fast.  Our beginning came straight out of a Korean drama (except, you know, neither he nor I were Korean.)  For those first couple of weeks, I was living out a fairy tale.  So long I have been kissing frogs, have I finally found my prince?  

Then I realized that I'm not a princess. (Not yet, anyway) and we live in the 21st century Hong Kong, not Neverland.  

He did everything right... and if I were a girl ready to find "The One," I would have been done and over with.  But I wasn't and the "thing" became a "fling" which resulted in me finding out that I can't do flings.  I have much better things to do with my time. (Like HIMYM waiting for me to watch)

The experience was terribly fun, I must say.  I have plenty of stories now! (And you know me, I love stories)  I wouldn't take back anything that happened because after all, everything happens for a reason, right?  And at least I got a guy to play piano and serenade me out of it. (Just practice for my married life with Wang Lee Hom, I guess)

I'm so glad I didn't put him before Him.

Ahh...to be young and in love...what a wonderful feeling! But to be young and aware of the world and living each moment by being most true to yourself and learning and growing from every experience, even better.

P.S. It's amazing that a single song, (Taylor Swift's "Love Story") can symbolize an entire relationship from beginning to end.

*edit: scratch that.  Swift's "Forever and Always" has replaced "Love Story."  Actually, Taylor Swift's entire album is super rockin'.  I wonder, can you be a Chinese Californian country singer? (Time to start considering future career choices...)

It's A New Day

I had never wanted to be back in America as much as I did the eve of November 4, 2008.

By the time I turned 18, I have registered to vote and have been an active voter for every single election since. (Ok, so only 4 years but comparing it to the youth vote, that's pretty good!) This year's election is groundbreaking, monumental and electrifying and I am so distraught that I wasn't able to be back home and witness the American spirit first-hand.

Instead, I settled for reading up on the election nearly every chance I get. And on the eve of November 4th, 2008 (in America), I trickled into the Global Lounge at Hong Kong University, and, joining the huge crowd of other university students and staff members that actually gave a damn, watched Obama come out on top as the first African American president-elect of America. I watched his speech and nearly cried when I wasn't cheering my lungs out. Never have I felt more proud of my country for seeing that it is indeed time for change.

I hope Obama's actions matches his words. I can't believe it was just a little over a year ago when I saw this man live in studio at the Ellen DeGeneres show, using his wit and candor to appeal to the audience. I was thiiiiis close to asking him a question on national TV, even! Now he's the 44th president of the United States of America. Unbelievable.

I, like the rest of America, will be watching and waiting to see what this new administration will bring. But so far, I'm liking what I see. It seems like the election of Obama has rejuvenated the country, the world. People everywhere are believing, having faith, hoping for that change, for that new day.

My Parents Rock

"The reason I say yes to your HK trip. It reminds me 30 years ago a young man went to USA with nothing but a young heart. Find the way to live with it, not just to complain it. I knew it is tough to live in a new city but it makes you more mature to think about how to survive in such big city with little time, little money for high presure, high demand. Tell me after you find the answer."

-Fred Jann

My dad is a cutie.  This is his response to my bratty complaints a couple of weeks ago over Hong Kong's crappy school system (which I still stand by, mind you.)  

I had a very sheltered upbringing.  My parents worried about the tiniest things.  I've only been to two sleep overs in my youth. My sister, zero.  My mom and dad always stayed up until we got home for the evening.  If I wasn't invited to something at least two days prior to the event, forget about it, I wasn't going.  

But my parents have always been supportive of everything I've done and wanted to do.  Yes, they would discourage me from taking certain paths and forced me to do other things but in the end, they always just wanted what was best for me and to see me happy.  

I'm writing this because I know none of my travels would have been possible if my mommy and daddy didn't 1) allow and support me to go on them and 2) financially help me out.  They knew they weren't going to see their elder daughter for a good half a year but they still bought my plane ticket.  They knew I would be spending a lot more money overseas but they still wrote the check.  They knew I was growing up and enjoying a world without them in it 24/7 while they're still back at home tending to things but they still helped me pack my bags.  I am one lucky girl.

I think about this every time I step out to Lan Kwai Fong for a night of debauchery.  I think about it every time I have that last chapter of Econ (oh, darn Econ) to read.  I think about it every time I swipe my credit card.  Am I living this experience to its fullest potential? Am I growing up? Am I taking responsibilities for my actions? Am I becoming more cultured and wise?  Am I being productive?  And I hope the answer will be a resounding "yes" every time.

There's still so much that I want to do but the clock is surely ticking away.  I have to act now!

Sidenote: I realize I'm kind of anti-social sometimes. Sometimes (like today) I just want to hole up at the library, take a nice jog by myself and then curl up into bed with a book in my arms.  I don't call anyone, I don't strike up a conversation with the friendly bloke sitting next to me, I don't even crack a smile to the bus driver.  It's not 'cause I'm unhappy, it's not 'cause I'm emo, it's just cause I'm thinking and I have all these thoughts swirling around in my head they're making it hard for me to carry on social routines.  Go figure.

One of my favorite apartment memories last year was when Dorothy would bust out her baking pans and pounds of butter and create magical concoctions that just also happened to be super good to eat!

Eventually Kelly got into it and would help Dorothy decorate and I always tried my best to take the prettiest pictures ever so we could post them up on Facebook and make everyone else jealous that we had the yummiest (though piggiest) apartment ever.

We bought some scrumptious "Dam Tats" (egg custards) recently and I just snapped a shot before I took a bite (and then another and another and eventually, it was all gone) but this picture reminded me of my former roommates. 

We resembled egg custards in some ways (oh boy, here comes some 9th grade English flashbacks).  We are tough on the outside but very fragile and soft in the inside.  We crumble at times, we wiggle, we flutter, we even jiggle (sorry Dorothy)! We're yellow. We're light brown when we tan (though none of us ever want to) and we even burn sometimes.  We smell great (especially Kelly after she showers) 

Ok, it really is getting late so I shall head off to bed.  I didn't really have anything important to say. I just wanted to show off this picture and say I miss my roommates.  =) Toodles! 

1,2,3,4

It's 5:50AM here and I can't sleep so let's do some counting.

25  the number of times I've been called mixed or half white here.  (And this is only after I started noticing I got mistaken for that a lot that I started to count)

2500  hong kong dollars that I've spent shopping for pure  clothes and accessories and toys for myself

6 pounds I've lost since being here for one month

5 number of times this one girl (we'll call her "D") has introduced herself to me.  She never remembers my name and continually thinks we've never met every time I see her

8 pairs of shoes I've already bought here

2 pairs of shoes I've already broken here

50 HK dollars that I plan to spend everyday on food only so that I can budget and save money for trips and shopping

7AM is usually when my roommate goes to bed every evening- I mean morning

13 mosquito/bed bug bites I've received on my limbs

51674835 my Hong Kong phone number. Now I must remember it, dammit, so I don't keep giving out the wrong numbers to people!

4 times I've had 3 AM dim sum and loving it every time I go

 1 time I've gone clubbing completely sober and found out it is (and I am) not as fun. =( Why does alcohol have to rule my partying life?

3 more months left!

Cut it Out!

When I woke up this morning to find my hair resembling something found in "The Lion King," I knew it was time for a cut.

BEFORE:

AFTER:

Thanks Paul from "Mina Dev Wil" salon!  You've made my split ends disappear, my neck a little colder and my hair a little healthier!

Mina Dev Wil, Causeway Bay, Hong Kong

Holiday!

Dang, Hong Kong sure has a lot of holidays.

I thought school had just begun, but already, we've had two national holidays.  Then, in a couple of days, we're leaving for Reading Week.  This is not school, this is vacation!

I'm so excited for my travel destination the first half of reading week that instead of studying for my first Econ midterm like a girl good, I'm googling up pictures of our vacation paradise.

Please excuse the poor picture quality.  I promise you better ones (taken by yours truly) will pop up in a couple of weeks!

Any guesses on where this sweet looking beach is?

Red, White and Screw You!

I'm very sad that I won't be able to attend to the voting booths this November and fill out my ballot box like every other responsible citizen of the United States. But no worries, my absentee voter ballot will be shipped to me any day now!

This presidential election is certainly shaping up to be one for the books.  On the Democratic front, we have a charismatic young black novice, Barack Obama and his vice presidential candidate Joe Biden and on the Republican side, we have a political veteran John McCain and his vice presidential nominee, Sarah Palin.  No matter which party wins, we're going to have either the first African American president or the first female vice president serving and leading our country for the next four years.  

Barack is already well-known for his appeal with the younger voters and constant media attention.  It's been the target of McCain's gripes for the past few months.  However, I suppose the Republicans are finally getting some of that spotlight they've been craving with Sarah Palin and her whirlwind personal life.  When it was first brought to light that Palin was going to be the vice presidential candidate, people speculated on her beauty pageant past.  Now, with recent news that her 17-year old daughter is pregnant, the tabloids seem to have found their new favorite cover-girl.

Perhaps it's because the media is notorious for being left-winged, or perhaps it's because Palin is a woman, but it seems to be the consensus that most of the press on her is unfavorable and focuses solely on criticizing her capabilities as a mother and citing that her beauty queen past may make her not fit for the job.  

I have a bone to pick for that.  First of all, how does being a beauty queen make you less capable of being a good civil servant to the country?  I'm so sick of pageant girls having this bad rap of being superficial, fake, and can't be taken seriously.  In fact, I would say that Palin's pageant sash shows that she's an extremely competent potential vice president.  She has good looks to ride on but instead of wasting her life away by marrying some rich old man or trying to be a model, she had the drive to actually go out there and run for governor of Alaska. And win!  Pageantry also requires a lot of competitive streak, a type of tenacity and a lot of hard work.  To be successful at it, you have to be a pretty capable young woman.  Adding onto that, the fact that she won Miss Congeniality shows her genial nature.  It shows she wasn't one of those girls who would step on anyone just to win the crown.  She did something that made the other girls like her enough to want to vote her for the title.  (Miss Congeniality in most pageants are voted by the other competing girls).  Besides, pageantry was just a hobby that she did when she was younger.  Obama likes to play basketball alot, how come no one gripes about the lack of seriousness in that? How come he can play basketball but still be a good leader for our nation?

Secondly, the fact that Bristol Palin is pregnant most certainly does not mean that Sarah was a poor mother.  One can only be responsible for another human being for so long.  It's no secret that Palin is pro-life so her and her daughter's decision to keep the baby makes perfect sense.  How about instead of lighting on that fact, bring up the part on how Palin was able to juggle motherhood and a successful and life-consuming career all at the same time?

To get to where she is today, it takes more than just good looks.  I hate how Hillary was chastised for looking too stern and cold and now Palin is chastised for being too pretty.  If you ask me, Obama looks a little bit too skinny and frail to be able to handle the weight of the entire country on his shoulders. Why aren't people worried that he looks like he may collapse at any moment?

With all that being said, I'm still voting Democrats.  I do believe that Obama will do a wonderful job leading our nation and I think it's definitely time for a change in regime.  Besides, I'm way too liberal to support the other side. 

Nonetheless, I must say I am also very much a feminist and I do wish that people would stop hounding Palin. It's already hard enough that she has to deal with her 17 year old daughter being pregnant and running for V.P. under the serious scrutiny of the world.  She doesn't need extra sexism stirred into the pot.

Icky Yicky Paperwork

When comparing food, give me Shui Mai over a burger anyday. 

When looking at transportation, I'd rather wait 10 minutes for the mini bus than drive my car through traffic hell.

When involving shopping, um, hello??!! shopping marts and malls and streets and plazas at every corner is a shopper's paradise versus the nightmare of driving 10 miles to a ghetto shopping complex.

But with higher education, I'd say the U.S. kind of has Hong Kong beat.  

All 2 weeks long, my fellow international students and I have had to suffer through confusion, agitation, poor living conditions, miles and miles of walking up mazes and stairwells and asking for things but only receiving blank stares.  All because Hong Kong University is soooo poorly prepared in accommodating international students.  

We arrive, say, from the airport.  No one tells us that an Octopus card is pretty much the most important thing you'll need here. With one swipe (not really a swipe, more of a pound) of the card, you can buy necessities from your local convenience store, ride the public transit systems, get drinks, etc etc.  

Next, you get to the place where you'll stay for the next FOUR months.  If you're lucky, you get Starr Hall, a swanky little newly renovated residential hall. If you're not as lucky (like me), you get R.C. Lee or Lee Hysan Hall where it's a little dingier, older and smellier.  If you're the most unluckiest of them all, you either have  Pokfield Residence, some nasty hostel, or no place to stay at all.  The process to switch out of your living situation is also difficult and frustrating. My friend has weak joints and is still stuck living in a place with no elevators!  Thanks for treating us like second class citizens, HKU!

And then there's registering for classes.  You register for classes on the first day of the semester. HUH?  And also, there's no central place for you to find the location of the classrooms. If it's not under the departments' timetable, you have to go to each department's website and look it up.  And you sign up for tutorials (discussions) separately and by hand.  

Everytime I ask a questions, I keep getting uncertain people directing me to the wrong place. I spent 3 hours this afternoon alone trying to apply for a student Octopus card.  

So thank you UCLA and thank you URSA. I took you for granted but never again.

Summer Reading

There is nothing I like better to do than to waste away summertime hours engorged in a book.  I'm somewhat of a "bookworm," though recently, this title has been changed to a "book-eater," a "book-engulfer," a "book-monster" for the ferocious speed at which I can digest a book. 

They should really have an Olympic sport for that.  I can just imagine it now.  The timer starts... pages fly..."Need more light! I need more light!"...finished books consistently piling up, to the tipping point of toppling over...Done! The gold medal is all mine!! Librarians everywhere cheer my name!

As glorious as that sounds, nothing beats reading a good book. One that rocks your world and shakes you to your core. One that makes you cry, makes your heart swoon, makes you look through rose tinted glasses.  

As a constant reader, surrounded by the gajillions of books out there, it's a tricky process to pick out the gems.  The bookstore can sometimes be way overwhelming. I mean, have you seen the Santa Monica Borders?  Droolworthy.

And the timing. The timing has to be just right. I've had a couple of instances where I'll read a book at a certain time and it just wouldn't strike me the right way and then I'd pick it up again after a couple of years only to find it utterly beguiling.  Unfortunately, not all books get that second chance.

So I have my method, my system.  I read "Entertainment Weekly" (my other bible) and devour the books review section.  I check out the synopsis of the ones I know I'll be interested in and the next time I head to the bookstore, I make sure to keep an eye out for it.  I also constantly keep an ear out for what my friends are reading.  It's sad that there's not too many of them out there who does it (reading for fun, that is) but for the few, their suggestions I greatly appreciate.

Anyway, this summer I didn't really have as much time to peruse through as many books as I usually do but I did find a few to be particularly good companions to bring along for the plane or the train.  Oh, and I've also recently been all about "girl power" and strong, quirky, feminine heroines.  The following six recent reads all share these qualities.  Blame Hillary.

Sammy's Hill -Kristin Gore

Genre: "chick lit"

Written by the daughter of everyone's favorite would-have-been president, Al Gore, this book is a easy breezy read set in the world of Washington D.C. You could consider it a chick lit because it has a bubbly heroine doing her thang and then meeting dreamy guys along the way but I don't really appreciate the term "chick lit" because it sounds as the book can't really be taken seriously.  I mean, books written by male writers that includes male protagonists aren't called "lad lit" or "dick lit" (Actually, Wikipedia proved me wrong and stated that those two terms do indeed exist. They're just not as marketable, I guess).  Anyway, this book really stuck out to me because the heroine is such a cooky delight!  She gets rashes every time she talks to a hot guy, she likes to celebrate obscure holidays and she's so clumsy she makes Lucille Ball seem graceful.  But despite all that, she's still a smart, witty woman willing to speak her mind and work towards making her beliefs about progressive change a reality.  I also really appreciated the fact that not once did Sammy ever talk about her weight or her looks.  "Chick lits" are usually filled with references to fitting into a hot dress or not being pretty enough for someone.  It's refreshing that Sammy is unaffected by such superficial needs.

Eat Pray Love - Elizabeth Gilbert

Genre: memoir

My friend Anisha turned me onto this book and now she and Elizabeth Gilbert are both my heroes.  This memoir details a year in the author's life where her world turned upside down so she decided to do go for a complete change and travel to different countries in search of things to satiate her need in life.  She went to Italy and sought food, pleasure and comfort.  She went to India to calm her spiritual desires.  She went to Indonesia and found everything she was looking for.  Gilbert writes with wit and candor and because of her journalism background, describes things with such gratuitous vocabulary that you literally feel like you're there with her.  When I was on the plane back from Taiwan this Spring, I saw people everywhere reading this.  I just wanted to grab all of them and form a "We Love Elizabeth Gilbert" club.

I Was Told There'd be Cake - Sloane Crosley

Genre: Essays 

If you're a hip bookie, this was the buzzed about book of the year.  Crosley is this trendy, young, pretty New Yorker who pretty much had the book world a twitter over her collection of essays even before it came out.  The press proclaimed it hilarious, true to heart and genius.  I must say, I was a little disappointed after reading it.  Crosley is a good writer, no doubt, but she wasn't as much as I'd hyped her up in my mind to be.  However, the book is an easy read and great for the A.D.D.'s who have short attention spans.

The Late Bloomer's Revolution - Amy Cohen

Genre: yet another memoir

Yes, yes. I'm really into memoirs these days but there are so many of these young female memoirists telling their stories and as a young female reader, I can't help but to want to hear what they have to say.  Maybe they'd be like a bigger sister telling me things I've yet to experience. Maybe they'd be warning me about what not to do. Maybe they'd just be confirming what I've already done.  Anyway, this memoir is especially personable to me.  I've always felt like a late bloomer.  I had my first kiss late in the game, my first boyfriend, my first cell phone...  I couldn't even drive properly until I was 20!  And for everyone else who feels like they're just a little behind, Cohen is here to tell us that it's okay.  Even if for awhile, you feel like the world has come crashing down, it's okay.  You'll get over it.  And even if you don't end up with what the world deems is a "happily ever after," it's okay. You'll get your own version of it.

A Thousand Splendid Suns - Khaled Hosseini

Genre: fiction

You've probably heard the hype over his other book, ("The Kite Runner," anyone?) and a lot of hype over this one as well but trust me, it's definitely worth every praise it gets.  Hosseini's characters are captivating and his story lines electrifying.  Knowing that some women actually live lives like the heroines in this book chills me to the core.  After reading it, I appreciate the freedom and liberty that I have.  But I've also come to understand that if situations get bad, I can get out of it just as long as I put my wits and my will to use.

The Birth of Venus - Sarah Dunant

Genre: historical fiction

Because of the title of the book, it's very fitting that I actually have a very romantic story to tell about the time when I was reading the book.  I had finished the book while in the middle of a train ride to Munich.  When I finished, I decided that my luggage was no longer big enough to hold the novel anymore so I took out a pen and scribbled, "Hey there! This book was a great read and I thought it'd be fun to share it.  If you read it and want to talk about it, email me at janjann@gmail.com." Then, I just left it on my seat and walked away.  Ok, so maybe that story wasn't all romantic but isn't it an invigorating thought to imagine that some stranger actually does pick up my book to read and strikes up a connection with me?  Pretty message in a bottle, if you ask me.

Oh yes, but back to the book.  Well, I'm a huge fan of historical fiction so I can't complain with this one.  It had everything I love; corsets, descriptions of the court, the lush countryside, the forbidden love affairs.  But it also had a very unconventional heroine whose thoughts weren't all about how to land a husband or find true love but about how to make her deepest secret longing of painting become a reality.  It also tickled my bones that she was smart, sassy and hilarious.  I seem to like that combination in a woman.

My summer's almost done (I leave for Hong Kong in 3 days!) but my reading is far from finished.  I still have a long plane ride ahead.  I'm already on the first few pages of "Twilight," by the new J.K. Rowling, Stephanie Meyers but is there anything else you would recommend I pick up? Ooh! And if you ever feel like reading any of the above, I have them all except for "A Thousand Splendid Suns" and "The Birth of Venus" (you know why).  Feel free to borrow!  

I actually played librarian when I was in elementary school and would loan out copies of my books to friends.  I even made those manila-colored check out cards and holder and taped them to the insides of the books.  Yea, other girls played with their dolls but I played with my books.  It doesn't get any nerdier than that.  And I like it that way.

Lifesavers

I am by no means a high maintenance gal. I like my eyelashes curled every once in awhile and maybe a pair of heels here and there but I can do without a lot of things.  But it was traipsing around Europe that made me realize just how essential and useful some of the smallest of things can be. Below are a couple of items that really pulled me through for my trip.

 

1) running shoes

2) umbrella

3) Coin pouch

4) tissue paper

5) water bottle

6) hand sanitizer

7) hair tie

8) student ID

9) (unphotographed) watch

1) running shoes

My beloved Asics took me everywhere; up the 500,000 steps we take to get down to the city of Montreux, through ice caves in Chamonix and hot streets in Paris, through jogs across the hills of Switzerland, and through hikes up Austrian mountains.  My other shoes had ultra flat soles that pained me every time I walked too long, too hard.  I think I'll be investing in some nice walking shoes for the future but as of the present moment, these babies were it.  I could run in them, walk in them, jump in them...I haven't yet tried wearing an evening gown in them but I don't think the results would look pretty.

2) umbrella

You think, "Europe..summer...not going to rain." You think wrong.  I was amazed at how many times we would step out of a building, belied by the blue skies and think that it was going to be a sunny day only to find the clouds turn on us with a vengeance and drench us in a downpour.  I've been caught in what could only be described as "water being poured over my head by a massive  bucket" raindrops one too many times.

3) coin pouch

Any and all things that would fit into my bright and cheery yellow coin pouch (provided for me by my wise friend Nicole) did.  I went on the trip not bringing a wallet because I knew I would not want the additional bulk. And I was right.  The coin pouch was convenient for storing money, chapsticks, and...well, coins.  It was also easy to carry and fit anywhere.  

4) tissue paper

For a cold, for a dirty toilet, my tissue paper packets carried me throughout Europe.  It was especially good because my friend Sheila got sick towards the end of the trip and I was able to play "mommy" for her and provide her with things to wipe off the snot in her nose. YAY!

5) water bottle

Aw, my ubiquitous bubble gum pink water canteen...

If I had a cent for every compliment my water canteen wrung, it would have paid for the bottle itself.  Switzerland is known to have amazing tap water and everywhere else in Europe charges excruciating prices for h20 so I just brought my "inconspicuous" bottle around, filled up with school or hotel water, and drank merrily away.  Water, it does a body good.

6) hand sanitizer

I'm becoming a little bit obsessed with this contraption. I know I know, you can't use it too much because then your skin will get adapted to it and it will no longer be "antibacterial."  Give me a break, ok?  I just like the fake feeling of clean hands.

7) hair tie

Girls with long hair should always have this around. Especially at dance clubs.  When you're shaking your thang and getting all hot and sweaty, nothing feels better than when all your hair is pulled out of your face.  I've abused the poor dear so much, it snapped before my trip ended.  

8) student ID

Being a student who pays $20,ooo+ a year to go to a public university, it feels nice getting a slight discount here and there just by flashing your ID.  I keep going to places with friends who would forget theirs. HAh! Guess who had an extra euro to buy a baguette later on? Always bring your student ID in a foreign country, folks.  They're more valuable and useful than your driver's license.

9) (unphotographed) watch

Geez, back at home, I hardly ever wear my watch for fear of getting a watch tan but abroad, this is certainly a necessity!  Especially since I didn't own a phone, getting separated from the group requires knowing when the set time is to meet up again.  It also helped me in terms of knowing when to eat, which is highly important as well and crucial to my physical and mental well-being.

I just wanted to write an ode to these small objects, giving them thanks for what most people would consider a meaningless job.  They accomplished what they were made to do and made me very proud.  You guys are my heroes!

Choo CHoo

I tell of a harrowing tale.  One of twisted bed positions and cramped necks. One of injured arms and wet bathrooms.

It is the tale of taking the Eurorail through Europe!  

The convenient thing about the continent is its awesome train system, where you can go from Geneva to Paris in just 4 hours.  Where there are trains at almost all hours of the day so if you should choose to leave at 4 in the morning or 10 at night, you can! (California public transportation, take notes)  Where you can meet crazy people, cool people, drunk people, mean people, smelly people, cute people, where you can actually meet people! (as opposed to being trapped in your car all by your lonesome.)

Sheila, Sepehr and I purchased Eurorail passes which granted us five traveling days to four different neighboring countries.  We utilized those passes to the extreme, going from Switzerland to France to Germany to Austria and then back to Switzerland.  All these days of traveling left us frazzled and drained but we still kept a smile up.

That is, until one of the nights, we decided to head to Austria on a night train.  I've had romantic visions of the night train where young attractive strangers are all huddled together in small quarters, sharing stories of their travels and becoming life long friends.  I envisioned a cozy little sanctuary where I would write in my journal, stare out at the beautiful night hills whizzing by...

well, this wasn't exactly what I had planned.  

Six of us were squeezed into this small itty bitty  cubicle with all our luggage.  We tried storing our luggage everywhere; in the little gap in the ceiling, in the middle of the cubicle, at the foot of our beds.  Needless to say, I didn't get a lot of sleep that night.  And I tell ya, I wasn't kept awake by a mysterious Austrian boy whispering sweet nothings into my ear all night. I was more kept awake by my own brain exploding from thinking, "wow...I am really uncomfortable in here."  I would doze off into little fits of sleep only to awake and find myself in the same cramped situation, only a little more cramped.  I thought my legs were going to fall off and it probably would have but our cubicle wouldn't have anywhere to store it.  Then what would I have done, thrown it overboard? Leg overboard? I don't think so.

.  

Sleeping on the day train was a WHOLE LOT more comfortable.  And Sheila and I did a lot of that. LOL. At least the book I was reading is opened. I think Sheila barely cracked open hers throughout most of our journey. Oh Sheila, learn to love reading!

And so, our journey has now come to an end.  This is our last stop and our final destination. Until next time!

Hi, I'm Broken

I'm home.

My feet hurt, my throat's sore, my legs bruised (7 and counting), my head's throbbing, my shoulder's aching, my skin's cracking, my eyes bloodshot, my tonsils swollen, my ears deaf, my arms bitten (3 and counting).

But I'm home.

My laptop charger's missing, my camera's cracked, my suitcase zippers torn, my jeans unraveled, my phone plan's expired, my pajama stained, my water bottle dented, my watch water-clogged, my agenda's ripped, my chocolates melted.

But I'm home.

I now know to the fullest extent what they mean when they utter, "I need a vacation from my vacation."

When I arrived home Monday night, I was in a really bad shape.  Tuesday did not fare much better as I slept the entire day, up until this morning.  I didn't even want any of my mom's homecooked goodness.  I might even pass up a chance to got o Disneyland tomorrow!  When I was on the plane from Geneva to LAX, I seriously thought I was going to die. My one prayer to God was that he let me see my family before I go, that's how bad I was feeling.  Now, I don't feel as fatal but I still feel pretty darn awful. 

I'm just grateful that I was able to withstand the illness for as long as I had, seeing as all my travel-mates were also sick.  

Once I feel a little more up and running, I shall write some nice, long, overdue posts.  Meanwhile, try to guess which places these magnificent monuments and works of arts call home.

I apologize for any crookedness sensed. My broken camera tilts every time I click.  New camera time! What would you recommend I get?

Oh, and in case you didn't get the message; I'm home.  Use this information however which way you choose.

Travel (Study?)

This is the view outside my classroom here in Glion. 

This is the view outside our bedroom.

Yea. I know. How can anyone study here? 

Which is probably why I don't.

And probably why we look like we want to jump out of our rooms and make a run for the lake.

 

Ah Montreux...why do you have to be so beautiful? 

The past few days have been packing, unpacking, cleaning, more packing, more cleaning and more cleaning.  In my oft-neglected bedroom, I uncovered many little trinkets that I have packed away and forgotten for so long.  Past yearbooks, old souvenirs and most cherished:

My box of old letters! I used to have three boxes of these but I cleaned up some and rationed myself this one little box to keep some beloved notes and doodles from dear friends and family.  

I love letters.  I remember when I was little, I always wanted to beat my mom to the mailbox in the afternoon because I wanted to be the first one to discover if one of my pen pals had written to me.  If I do receive an envelope addressed to me, I'd tear that poor letter open and hungrily devour every word my letter-sender wrote.  

Alas, busy schedules and temporary addresses make for no regularly routined letters but I do still get postcards from friends now and then. And I always smile whenever I receive one because it meant that someone was thinking of me even as they're jetsetting across the globe. 

So I want to write you, my dear friends and readers, postcards.  Because even if Facebook displays pictures of me having the time of my life overseas, I still want you to know that I'm thinking of you. So, if you love receiving letters in the mail as much as I do, please email me your address. (janjann@gmail.com)  You just might be gettin' a little something something in the mail sometime soon.  And I'm not talking about a parking ticket.

Finally!

At long last, after slaving over books and finals and essays and projects, we are free from the burden of school.  By we, I am talking about Apt. 1, aka the Pink Girls, aka my roommates for the past year.  

Since last June, Kelly, Cindy and finally, Dorothy in September, have been with me through the good times and the bad, the tummyaches and the gym workouts, the baked goods and the Korean food cravings, the smack talk and the praises.

But alas, these good and bad times have now come to an end because we are almost done packing up and moving out to separate summers in lands far, far away.  This is starting to sound like something out of "Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants."  Let's see what our heroines are up to, yes?

City gal Cindy will be traversing through the Chilean jungles, trying her hand at all sorts of great outdoor adventures like zip-lining (seen below).

Dorothy will be indulging in her inner fob-ness by scavenging through Taiwan to find all things Hello Kitty. Cheers to finding more Kittys to add to your collection!

and the always cultured Kelly Banh will be flirting away on the streets of Paris (and other European cities) with her dream man. Bring on the chocolate!

And as for me? Well, you'll be seeing my pictures pretty soon... only 5 more days!!

Arrivals and Departures

The end of the year always stirs up some bittersweet feelings in me. On the one hand, "WhOO HOO! SCHOOL'S OUT!" On the other hand, seniors are graduating, and fun moments, events and accomplishments- all gone.  College is like that, each new year is a fresh start, a clean slate, there are new things to try and new circumstances to come across.

This year, the best thing I have done was audition for LCC, my school's Asian American theatre company.  LCC is a complicated group to explain.  We basically perform one show each quarter and in these shows are usually four short scenes written, directed, and performed by group members. We also perform improv a la "Who's Line is It Anyway?"  Then, there are side projects also put together by group members and those tend to be either sketches in the form of "SNL" or video projects.

Last quarter, I had an amazing time acting as Mother Goose in a fairy tale-gone-wrong scene entitled, "Goldie Locks vs. the Three Bears" (I think you know what the story might be about.) 

 

This quarter, I was blessed enough to be involved in, not one but TWO, of LCC's main scenes.  I have written one and am directing another.  It is my first time as writer and director and I am so excited to see my work on-stage!

Our shows also have a different theme/title each quarter and this quarter's was fittingly entitled, "Arrivals and Departures."  I personally feel it will be an incredible two night of performances and one you should not miss out on!  I would never fault you for not attending my shows (especially if you don't go to LA) because we all have school and life and yada yada.  However, I never knew how happy and touched I could get until I looked out on stage last quarter and saw shiny, beaming faces of my friends staring back at me.  It was such a great feeling to know that people are supporting you, enjoying the hard work and labor that you've slaved over all quarter for. 

Evelyn even brought me flowers! Icing on the cake!

So, this quarter, if you're not so busy, stop on by the Northwest Auditorium and check out our show.  You can arrive and depart anytime you'd like but I doubt you would want to miss a single minute of the show.

 I'm down on my knees and beggin' ya to come!

LCC Spring Show: "Arrivals and Departures"

Northwest Auditorium (by Sproul Hall)

Mon. 5/19 & Tues. 5/20 @ 7-9PM

admissions: FREE!

Desert Island

We've all played that game.  "If you were trapped on a desert island with one _______, who/what would it be?"

What a no brainer.  My person would definitely have to be TINA FEY!  

This former SNL head writer turned TV star turned movie star can be my "baby mama" any day.  She's revolutionary; an amazing writer, a funny, quirky gal a combination of girl next door mixed with sexy MILF.  She can make guys fall in love with her but won't get the girls jealous because she is just too darned irresistible.  She also seems to have the midas touch, turning every project she makes into blockbuster and ratings gold.

I started watching Fey's show, "30 Rock" two weeks ago and I'm already caught up on Every. Single. Episode. (That's 34 20-minute episodes in case you were counting).  This show is so well-written, well-cast, and original that it was hard to remember a time long, long ago when it was predicted that it wouldn't be able to hold its own against a similarly-plotted Aaron Sorkin powerhouse called "Studio 60 on Sunset Strip." Now, no one remembers that other show and Tina Fey's winning awards left and right for her nuanced yet brilliant portrayal of Liz Lemon, the head writer of a fictional SNL-type sketch show on NBC. (sound familiar?)

Naysayers would argue that Fey is not really acting the part of Liz Lemon but that she actually is Liz Lemon but who cares if that's the case?  I say she's just wise for knowing what sells and tapping in on that.

So we know that Fey is great at television but what about the big screen?  People often forget that she conceived "Mean Girls," a chick flick that was actually smart as well as hilarious.  It also brought us Rachel McAdams, the term fetch, and the next surburbian cultural icon flick since "Clueless."

And I got to watch "Baby Mama" last night.  I was wary because Fey's good at playing herself but her act could get old and how much fun could a film about two thirty-something women trying to have a baby together be?  But boy, was I wrong.  Yes, Fey's acting was a bit one-toned but the writing, the movie's theme, the twist at the end and AMY POEHLER (a close second on who I would choose to be stranded on a desert island with) made this comedy the best one I've seen in a long time.

Fey is breaking down barriers left and right and people are finally paying attention.  On second thought, maybe I wouldn't want to be stranded on a desert island with her.  I need her to continue dominating Hollywood so that I can get my weekly fix of "30 Rock."  I love Lemon!

By the by, this has nothing to do with travels but if you think about it, you would have to travel to get to a desert island. So all makes sense with the world again!

Budget Travel Tips

After turning my credit cards and debit cards upside down, inside out, and shaking out every last cent in them to pay for my summer travel study fees to Switzerland and EAP fees for Hong Kong, I am extra money-conscious these days.  

I know this year is going to be mighty expensive but I also know it will be unforgettable.  I can always find ways to make money back but time? That's precious.  Memories? That's priceless.  Justin Jones shares my pain and has some great tips on how to budget while browsing the globe.  I have cut and pasted some of his advice found in his article in the "Young Money" magazine (you know, that free one you can pick up around the corners of campus buildings)

1) Freeloading is Free

Hostels are a great way to travel on the cheap and meet some cool people, but it's even better to travel on the free. Talk to locals and try to make friends with them. If you're especially charming, you can sometimes get friendly locals to open their homes and their lives to you.  A better (and probably safer) strategy is to use a website like Couchsurfing.com or Globalfreeloaders.com.

JJ says: I don't know how comfortable I would feel about this one, especially with all the creepy people out there. But if you're traveling with tough male (or female) companions, you may want to check it out.

2) Bootleg a Tour Guide

Every major touristy locale, from the Coliseum in Rome to the Old City in Jerusalem, will have tour guides in almost every language.  Hand around until a guide speaking English comes by and slip into the group for a free guided tour!

JJ says: This one is definitely worth trying. Especially when you're tired and/or lost.  

3) Dinner Roll Reprise

When you go out to dinner, steal the dinner rolls and stash them into your pack for breakfast or for a snack on the go.  Making your own food is probably the best way to save money on the road-just don't forget to sample the local cuisine at least once!

JJ says: When I travel, I think I will definitely attempt to do this for at least half my meals.  My wallet and my stomach wouldn't be able to handle eating out everyday!

4) Night Train to Scrimpville

You should consider sleeping on the night train to save some time and money.  Or get a sleeper for just a couple bucks extra.  In addition to your ticket, you'll get a bed, and often a light breakfast in the morning.  You won't save much money with this tip, but you'll save a day of travel, which can sometimes be more valuable.

JJ says: For someone who can sleep pretty much anywhere, anytime, especially on moving vehicles, I will definitely take this tip to task.  Just be careful with your possessions!

5) Card Carrying Miser

Get an international student discount card before you leave, there are a few options to choose from, including ISE and ISIC.  These are useful for visiting museums and historical sites.  It's also worth saying you're a student, even if you aren't.

JJ says: Yea, I went to a museum in Taiwan, didn't have my card and had to pay 2x as much. Ouch!

6) Water is Free

Obvious but often overlooked. Bring a water bottle-always.  Take advantage of sinks and public fountains with free, potable water. Just remember to check if the water is actually drinkable...

JJ says: In Europe, it may just be better for me to drink their alcohol all the time. I hear it's cheaper and safer.  I mean, I don't really want to but if I must...then I guess I must...

7) Avoid Tourist Traps

This doesn't always work-if you're in Paris, you'll have to see the Louvre and the Eiffel Tower, but in many cases, there are more interesting, more local things to do that will save you some serious cash.  If you see all the tourists heading in one direction, try going the other way-counter-tourism.  You never know what you'll discover, but it will probably be cheaper and interesting.

JJ says:  I'm all for being down with tourist traps!  Try having a general plan of all you want to see/do and once you've accomplished them, go counter-tourist!

Any other budget travel tips?  Share!