Gnarly
[adj.] beyond the limits of 'radical' and 'extreme'; excessively good or bad.
Aloha!
Okay, so I haven't posted anything in about a week. Sorry. I have some really good reasons, though, such as my gnarly (excessively good) trip to the Garden Island (Kaua'i) over the weekend, followed by a gnarly (excessively bad) amount of homework that's been piling up and up to the point of can't-be-botheredness.
9/23/2010
9/15/2010
Walang internet!
Aloha!
I need to practice my Filipino as much as humanly possible because FIL101 is - without a doubt - my hardest subject this semester. I'm so glad I'm only doing 100-level classes because I often hear from my friends in the MIX, who are taking 200, 300 even 400-level classes, about how much work they need to do every night. Screw that, man, I'm in Hawai`i - I'm gonna take it easy as!
Now to address the title of this post. It is generally agreed upon that within the building in which I live, the internet connection sucks. It is about as unreliable as an unsecured wireless network, and almost as slow. Having said that, I was able to submit some homework for my Filipino class that involved uploading a recorded monologue for the teacher to listen to. Here's how it went down:
"Magandang hapon! Kumusta kayo klase? Ako si Jeremy. Malaihollo ang apelyido ko, Jerry ang palayaw ko. Galing ako sa eskuwela. O, sige, diyan ka na. Pupunta ako sa kaarawan partido ng kaibigan. Adyos!"
I had to record it several times because I kept stuffing up certain words and having to start over again. I hope what I submitted makes sense. Click here to see what Google Translate thinks I said. I just got off the phone with my mum. Both she and one of my work friends said that I should remove "partido" from the last sentence. Oh well, it's too late now. Looks like I failed again.
It's pretty late. I'm going to eat the chicken that I took from the party this afternoon. It's okay, I'm an international student.
A hui hou kakou!
It's pretty late. I'm going to eat the chicken that I took from the party this afternoon. It's okay, I'm an international student.
A hui hou kakou!
9/13/2010
Go you good thing!
...Said Jerry to the Aussie Dollar as it climbs into the pants of the US Dollar.
Aloha!
I got an email from UTS this arvo asking if I've taken any photos of T.K. since I've been on my trip. Short answer: yes. Long answer: nothing particularly exciting or creative at this stage. Although I will be spending the weekend in Kaua'i so I'll most definitely be taking T.K. along for a photo shoot. Here are some photos I've taken from my lanai:
Also, I have a new video update. This one's for Vanessa :)
A hui hou kakou!
Aloha!
I got an email from UTS this arvo asking if I've taken any photos of T.K. since I've been on my trip. Short answer: yes. Long answer: nothing particularly exciting or creative at this stage. Although I will be spending the weekend in Kaua'i so I'll most definitely be taking T.K. along for a photo shoot. Here are some photos I've taken from my lanai:
Also, I have a new video update. This one's for Vanessa :)
A hui hou kakou!
9/12/2010
Missing.
There are certain things from home that I'm starting to sorely miss. Here are four of them.
#4 - nutella. God, how I miss nutella. I came across a video on YouTube that made me quite depressed. It seems like only one or two stores on the island sell this chocolatey goodness, and both at ridiculous prices.
#3 - and I mentioned this in one of my earlier posts - Australian honey. The stuff they've got here is so not what I'm used to. I dunno, maybe every teaspoon of Hawaiian honey requires a tablespoon of sugar, but there's something not quite right about it. I particularly miss this right now because I'm feeling a little ill.
#2 - having a regular(ish) income. Not that I can't get a job here, but there's something weird about receiving a weekly allowance from myself. It's just not the same.
Last but not least...
I've been missing my dog a lot lately. I used to get annoyed whenever he barks at airplanes, strangers, and random stuff that only dogs can sense. But now, after only one month of being away, I've forgotten what his bark even sounds like. I got to see him when I Skyped my family a few weeks ago. Dad let him inside the house for a moment but he was reluctant to enter (usually he'd get scolded for it).
Well that's about it for now. I was mainly just here to take a break from my readings. I think I'll go have another pack of ramen before taking a couple more Panadol caplets and then resuming my study. It's been a quiet day so far and I haven't gone out at all, but maybe later I'll go for a walk to the store. And see if they've got nutella.
A hui hou kakou!
#4 - nutella. God, how I miss nutella. I came across a video on YouTube that made me quite depressed. It seems like only one or two stores on the island sell this chocolatey goodness, and both at ridiculous prices.
#3 - and I mentioned this in one of my earlier posts - Australian honey. The stuff they've got here is so not what I'm used to. I dunno, maybe every teaspoon of Hawaiian honey requires a tablespoon of sugar, but there's something not quite right about it. I particularly miss this right now because I'm feeling a little ill.
#2 - having a regular(ish) income. Not that I can't get a job here, but there's something weird about receiving a weekly allowance from myself. It's just not the same.
Last but not least...
I've been missing my dog a lot lately. I used to get annoyed whenever he barks at airplanes, strangers, and random stuff that only dogs can sense. But now, after only one month of being away, I've forgotten what his bark even sounds like. I got to see him when I Skyped my family a few weeks ago. Dad let him inside the house for a moment but he was reluctant to enter (usually he'd get scolded for it).
Well that's about it for now. I was mainly just here to take a break from my readings. I think I'll go have another pack of ramen before taking a couple more Panadol caplets and then resuming my study. It's been a quiet day so far and I haven't gone out at all, but maybe later I'll go for a walk to the store. And see if they've got nutella.
A hui hou kakou!
9/10/2010
All aboard the Humbug Express!
Aloha!
In my two-hour break between classes yesterday I could have had a free lunch at the International Baptist Center as I usually do. Instead I bought yet another $5 footlong at Subway. I could have finished the homework that I was supposed to do for my Filipino class. Instead I did it at the very last minute and didn't even submit one part. So what stopped me from doing all of the above?
--Flashback--
I am on a quiet street, sitting on a tiny bike. No more training wheels. My dad is holding me up while I pedal and then suddenly he lets go. Why would he do that? Luckily a lot of practice and perseverance allowed me to remain upright for the seven or eight seconds of sheer terror. In those moments, it turns out, my dad ran across the street and fetched me a bunch of balloons that happened to just be sitting there - as if the balloon man wanted to congratulate me on my achievements.
--End flashback--
I've been thinking for a while about getting a bike. I haven't owned one since I was a kid, and even then they didn't belong to me. But I'm in Hawai`i, where it takes about 20 minutes to get almost anywhere by bike. Okay not literally, but you get the point. So anyway, Thursday was the big bike sale on campus. My awesome friend Ammi signed my name up after hers because I was in a class and couldn't do it myself. Here's how it went down:
Introducing the Humbug Express! Why the name? Well, the brand is "Huffy" and I have a tendency to name things based on what they're already named (e.g. Lucius the Panasonic Lumix). In this case I was first considering "Huffington". Then "Hufflepuff". Then "Cedric Diggory". Then "Robert Pattinson". I settled on "Humbug Express" but I'm not too thrilled with this name at the moment. Your thoughts?
Anyway, now that I have a bike I need to buy some cool accessories to go with it. I already have some bad-ass paintball gloves to protect my delicate palms from its corroding handlebars. I'll probably get some bad-ass stickers to decorate it. And I'd probably want a helmet, too.
--Flashback--
I am cruising around the cul-de-sac on my brother's Jurassic Park (?) bike. There's nobody around, so I can be an idiot if I want to. I pop a wheelie, hands-free, and before I know it, I'm on the ground wondering what the heck just happened. I go back inside the house immediately, and pretend as though it never happened.
--End flashback--
Having not cycled (or done any form of physical activity) in years, I'm going to have to get used to all this pain on my thighs. Perhaps I'll go for a joy ride every morning, up and down the Ala Wai Canal - the first meeting place of my favourite Korean couple, Jin and Sun. Side note: I'm still hunting for Daniel Dae Kim.
A hui hou kakou!
In my two-hour break between classes yesterday I could have had a free lunch at the International Baptist Center as I usually do. Instead I bought yet another $5 footlong at Subway. I could have finished the homework that I was supposed to do for my Filipino class. Instead I did it at the very last minute and didn't even submit one part. So what stopped me from doing all of the above?
--Flashback--
I am on a quiet street, sitting on a tiny bike. No more training wheels. My dad is holding me up while I pedal and then suddenly he lets go. Why would he do that? Luckily a lot of practice and perseverance allowed me to remain upright for the seven or eight seconds of sheer terror. In those moments, it turns out, my dad ran across the street and fetched me a bunch of balloons that happened to just be sitting there - as if the balloon man wanted to congratulate me on my achievements.
--End flashback--
I've been thinking for a while about getting a bike. I haven't owned one since I was a kid, and even then they didn't belong to me. But I'm in Hawai`i, where it takes about 20 minutes to get almost anywhere by bike. Okay not literally, but you get the point. So anyway, Thursday was the big bike sale on campus. My awesome friend Ammi signed my name up after hers because I was in a class and couldn't do it myself. Here's how it went down:
- Write your name on the list. I was #34 and there were a total of about 45 bikes.
- Browse around for a bike you're interested in. I tended to look only at the blue ones. They ranged in price from $0 to about $50. Some were free for a reason.
- Wait until your name gets called. It was a hot day and we were getting impatient. There were so many before us and we were becoming a little delusional from the heat and hunger, but by the time our names were called (in my case, "Jemmy") we were so excited that it didn't matter.
- Shop for a bike with an experienced helper. Without hesitation I told my helper that I need a blue bike. There weren't many left. He showed me all the blue bikes they had and told me a little about them. There was a free bike whose derailers weren't working properly. We strolled up the aisle and eventually I found one that I really liked (although no kickstand).
- Pay for bike. At this stage the heat and hunger pains were returning. The queue was long and moving slowly. I paid $30 for my bike and received some documents required to register my bike at some place I've already forgotten. Whatevs.
Anyway, now that I have a bike I need to buy some cool accessories to go with it. I already have some bad-ass paintball gloves to protect my delicate palms from its corroding handlebars. I'll probably get some bad-ass stickers to decorate it. And I'd probably want a helmet, too.
--Flashback--
I am cruising around the cul-de-sac on my brother's Jurassic Park (?) bike. There's nobody around, so I can be an idiot if I want to. I pop a wheelie, hands-free, and before I know it, I'm on the ground wondering what the heck just happened. I go back inside the house immediately, and pretend as though it never happened.
--End flashback--
Having not cycled (or done any form of physical activity) in years, I'm going to have to get used to all this pain on my thighs. Perhaps I'll go for a joy ride every morning, up and down the Ala Wai Canal - the first meeting place of my favourite Korean couple, Jin and Sun. Side note: I'm still hunting for Daniel Dae Kim.
A hui hou kakou!
9/08/2010
How am I supposed to do my laundry...
...When a ridiculous percentage of the quarters in my wallet are State Quarters!?
Aloha!
Today at the vending machine, I specifically purchased a cinnamon roll costing $1.25 and paid with two $1 notes, so that I'd receive three 25c coins (quarters) in change. The stupid machine took my money and didn't spit any out.
Almost every machine that's coin operated here runs on quarters. That includes washing and drying machines. At The `Ōhia, washing and drying costs $1.25 and $0.75 respectively (which is why I'm still really peeved about that vending machine incident - the change could have paid for my drying). I ended up trading some notes for quarters at the store. Now technically I can afford to do two loads of washing and drying and still have enough coins for a soda. The problem, though, is that 60% of the quarters I own are State Quarters.
A regular quarter will depict, on the "tails" side, an eagle showing off its majestic wingspan. Between 1999-2009 the United States Mint was pumping out special quarters embossed with a certain design on the "tails" side, unique to each of the 50 States. I currently own 24% of the entire collection, and I choose not to spend them...
...Which means that after I do my washing, 100% of the quarters in my wallet will be State Quarters.
Okay, off to do my laundry!
A hui hou kakou!
Aloha!
Today at the vending machine, I specifically purchased a cinnamon roll costing $1.25 and paid with two $1 notes, so that I'd receive three 25c coins (quarters) in change. The stupid machine took my money and didn't spit any out.
Almost every machine that's coin operated here runs on quarters. That includes washing and drying machines. At The `Ōhia, washing and drying costs $1.25 and $0.75 respectively (which is why I'm still really peeved about that vending machine incident - the change could have paid for my drying). I ended up trading some notes for quarters at the store. Now technically I can afford to do two loads of washing and drying and still have enough coins for a soda. The problem, though, is that 60% of the quarters I own are State Quarters.
A regular quarter will depict, on the "tails" side, an eagle showing off its majestic wingspan. Between 1999-2009 the United States Mint was pumping out special quarters embossed with a certain design on the "tails" side, unique to each of the 50 States. I currently own 24% of the entire collection, and I choose not to spend them...
 |
| The elusive regular quarter-dollar |
...Which means that after I do my washing, 100% of the quarters in my wallet will be State Quarters.
Okay, off to do my laundry!
A hui hou kakou!
9/06/2010
Venting my spleen
Aloha!
A unanimous decision was made tonight. My friends told me I need to vent a bit of frustration that I have been keeping bottled up inside. And what a terribly effervescent piece of frustration to keep in such a loosely-lidded bottle - ask any of the aforementioned friends, I have been going on and on about this for days.
--Flashback--
I am at the Aloha Stadium Swap Meet with Yurika, one of my friends in the MIX. We are browsing through some t-shirts and I come across one that I really, really like. Faded grey camo. Perfect fit. And across the front of it is Hawai`i's state fish, the humuhumunukunukuapua'a.
--Flashback within a flashback--
It is the first class in Geology of the Hawaiian Islands. We receive handouts including the class syllabus, a diagram of the earth's layers, and an unofficial guide to pronunciation of Hawaiian words. The author of the guide promises, in the last few sentences of the paper, that even such a long word as "humuhumunukunukuapua'a" could simply roll off the tongue with practice. I commit this particular word to memory.
--End flashback within a flashback--
I stare at the shirt in awe. Here in front of me is a t-shirt that is perfect in so many ways. There is nothing cooler in the world, right now, than this fine piece of apparel. And at $3 per shirt (4 for $11 or 8 for $20), how could I resist? I'll tell you how - somewhere out here, in this seemingly endless chain of market stalls encircling the gigantic Aloha Stadium, I know for sure that I get a better deal. I decide to hide it underneath a stack of similar (but much less perfect) shirts just in case I need to come back for it. Yurika and I continue along from stall to stall and eventually share a huge and delicious lunch between us. We learn from the lunch lady that the stalls are pretty repetitive so there really isn't any point in going all the way around. As we make our way back to the same t-shirt stall I think to myself: "What other three shirts would I like to get for $11?" "Or eight shirts for $20?" However I return to the same spot to find that the one shirt I had fallen completely in love with had just disappeared. Frantically, I search the entire section for it, but without luck. Epic fail. I could try to find whoever now owned the shirt and then buy it from them. Or I could hunt them down and try to win it off them in a fight to the death. That shirt is mine - if I can't wear it, no one can.
--End flashback--
Yeah, so for the past few days I've beena bit bummed INSANELY TICKED OFF about this seemingly one-of-a-kind shirt. I can't find it anywhere else, and every time I do find something really similar it just isn't the same. What do I have to do to get my hands on it again? I have on at least two occasions walked into a store and asked, outright, "Do you have the humuhumunukunukuapua'a shirt in grey?" And I got really excited when I saw the last few syllables of the word on a kids' shirt, only to be let down by the drawing of a pig (pua'a) on it instead.
Seriously, I won't rest until I find this shirt again. I won't leave this island without it. And once I do get it, I won't even wear it. It's too perfect. I'll have it framed. And kept in a safe.
That's about it for today, I think I've gone on long enough. I had a great Labor Day weekend with friends but have reverted back to holiday mode. It is getting harder and harder to study as I make more friends and visit more places. There's one friend I'm about to visit right now:
Sleep.
Mahalo!
A unanimous decision was made tonight. My friends told me I need to vent a bit of frustration that I have been keeping bottled up inside. And what a terribly effervescent piece of frustration to keep in such a loosely-lidded bottle - ask any of the aforementioned friends, I have been going on and on about this for days.
--Flashback--
I am at the Aloha Stadium Swap Meet with Yurika, one of my friends in the MIX. We are browsing through some t-shirts and I come across one that I really, really like. Faded grey camo. Perfect fit. And across the front of it is Hawai`i's state fish, the humuhumunukunukuapua'a.
It is the first class in Geology of the Hawaiian Islands. We receive handouts including the class syllabus, a diagram of the earth's layers, and an unofficial guide to pronunciation of Hawaiian words. The author of the guide promises, in the last few sentences of the paper, that even such a long word as "humuhumunukunukuapua'a" could simply roll off the tongue with practice. I commit this particular word to memory.
--End flashback within a flashback--
I stare at the shirt in awe. Here in front of me is a t-shirt that is perfect in so many ways. There is nothing cooler in the world, right now, than this fine piece of apparel. And at $3 per shirt (4 for $11 or 8 for $20), how could I resist? I'll tell you how - somewhere out here, in this seemingly endless chain of market stalls encircling the gigantic Aloha Stadium, I know for sure that I get a better deal. I decide to hide it underneath a stack of similar (but much less perfect) shirts just in case I need to come back for it. Yurika and I continue along from stall to stall and eventually share a huge and delicious lunch between us. We learn from the lunch lady that the stalls are pretty repetitive so there really isn't any point in going all the way around. As we make our way back to the same t-shirt stall I think to myself: "What other three shirts would I like to get for $11?" "Or eight shirts for $20?" However I return to the same spot to find that the one shirt I had fallen completely in love with had just disappeared. Frantically, I search the entire section for it, but without luck. Epic fail. I could try to find whoever now owned the shirt and then buy it from them. Or I could hunt them down and try to win it off them in a fight to the death. That shirt is mine - if I can't wear it, no one can.
--End flashback--
Yeah, so for the past few days I've been
Seriously, I won't rest until I find this shirt again. I won't leave this island without it. And once I do get it, I won't even wear it. It's too perfect. I'll have it framed. And kept in a safe.
That's about it for today, I think I've gone on long enough. I had a great Labor Day weekend with friends but have reverted back to holiday mode. It is getting harder and harder to study as I make more friends and visit more places. There's one friend I'm about to visit right now:
Sleep.
Mahalo!
9/05/2010
Definition of 'Lost'
 |
[adj.] having gone astray or missed the way; bewildered as to place, direction, etc. |
Aloha!
Yesterday I travelled to Oahu's North Shore for a day at the beach with friends. Click on the links for photos :)
We went to Waimea Bay. It was beautiful. I took Lucius for a swim and we saw schools of pipefish and sergeant major damselfish. People were jumping off the rocks but I was happy just following the humuhumunukunukuapua‘a (Hawaii’s state fish). The water was so clear. We took heaps of silly photos like this one, this one, and this one. Taking this photo of Angela made my ears hurt. Back on the beach I revisited my obsession with macro and action shots. It wasn’t long before I got back in the water to try and look as 'Lost' as possible. More silly underwater photos here, here, here and here. It was such an enjoyable day at such a picturesque location. We have to go back.
So that was my yesterday! Scroll up to the top of this page. Then look to the right-hand side. You'll notice that I am now counting down to my trip to Kaua'i! Twelve days, baby!
Mahalo!
9/03/2010
It's okay. I'm an international student
a.k.a. "Cheap Week"
Wednesday night: BBQ @ The Ohia. Some of the MIXers and I were about to go for it but then didn't bother because the queue was as epic as the Kumulipo. Instead we had dinner at Chili's. Best idea ever. Upon return to The Ohia, however, the crowd at the poolside barbecue had dissipated, carving a clear and direct path between myself and the sizzling meats. Was I hungry? No. Was it free? Yes. Did I get myself a cheeseburger? No - I got myself a double cheeseburger! Did I eat it? Of course I didn't. I saved it for the next day.
It's okay. I'm an international student.
Thursday morning: breakfast. I learned from the previous day's mistake that I need to eat something before going to class. I didn't really have time, though, so when I peered into the refrigerator and saw a mound wrapped up in serviettes, the word "genius" immediately came to mind. Because I don't yet have a microwave, I ate it cold. But that's okay.
I'm an international student.
Thursday afternoon: lunch @ the International Baptist Church. This is a free weekly lunch for international students. The meals are truly filling, and the staff are incredibly nice. I almost feel like I'm taking advantage of them just by being there, but it's okay.
You get the point.
Yes, I've been living really cheaply this past week. And probably for the next couple of weeks too. I've been trying to save a couple of bucks here and there, sometimes eating $2.50 worth of a $5 Footlong at lunch and having the other $2.50 for dinner, or living off my stockpile of spam (and burning my finger whilst frying it). I think this rather stingy lifestyle will be advantageous in the long-run.
Wednesday night: BBQ @ The Ohia. Some of the MIXers and I were about to go for it but then didn't bother because the queue was as epic as the Kumulipo. Instead we had dinner at Chili's. Best idea ever. Upon return to The Ohia, however, the crowd at the poolside barbecue had dissipated, carving a clear and direct path between myself and the sizzling meats. Was I hungry? No. Was it free? Yes. Did I get myself a cheeseburger? No - I got myself a double cheeseburger! Did I eat it? Of course I didn't. I saved it for the next day.
It's okay. I'm an international student.
Thursday morning: breakfast. I learned from the previous day's mistake that I need to eat something before going to class. I didn't really have time, though, so when I peered into the refrigerator and saw a mound wrapped up in serviettes, the word "genius" immediately came to mind. Because I don't yet have a microwave, I ate it cold. But that's okay.
I'm an international student.
Thursday afternoon: lunch @ the International Baptist Church. This is a free weekly lunch for international students. The meals are truly filling, and the staff are incredibly nice. I almost feel like I'm taking advantage of them just by being there, but it's okay.
You get the point.
Yes, I've been living really cheaply this past week. And probably for the next couple of weeks too. I've been trying to save a couple of bucks here and there, sometimes eating $2.50 worth of a $5 Footlong at lunch and having the other $2.50 for dinner, or living off my stockpile of spam (and burning my finger whilst frying it). I think this rather stingy lifestyle will be advantageous in the long-run.
Oh, would you look at that - I just booked a trip to Kaua'i!
Mahalo!
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