abducens, it's abducens!

Combing through pages and pages of Internet sites is indeed my idea of fun research. Even so, considering it's technically my summer vacation, progress has been slow at best. Admittedly it's kind of nice sitting at my desk again and feeling productive -- well, at least more productive then lazing around doing absolutely nothing -- but my good friend Mr Procrastination has once again reared his ugly face.

University of Michigan Medical School, Medical Gross Anatomy Learning Resources: tenth on my list of thirty sites to analyse. It's an okay site in general, but Mr Procrastination absolutely loves it. I've got two words for you: LEARNING GAMES. Yup, crosswords, Who Wants To Be A Millionaire Doctor, and Anatomy Jeopardy. It's a good thing I didn't know about this during the year or else I wouldn't have gotten any study done.

I gave the Cranial Nerves Crossword a go just now -- scary how much you forget in a couple months. Although, I think I did pretty good considering. I only had to google one: CNVI, just couldn't remember the name!!!

speaking of Colonel Willie...

Speaking of Colonal Willie Sharp, also known in the real world as William Fichtner, it's so strange seeing him in Prisonbreak now -- he's so much older than when I first saw him in Armageddon.

Then:

Now:

Although, he will never be as hot as he was on that West Wing episode, The Supremes, as Justice Christopher Mulready. I refuse to believe that he is my dad's age. I just refuse, point-blank:

Without a doubt, my favourite episode in all seven seasons of the show... I want to watch West Wing. LoL.

"Colonal Willie Sharp, United States Air Force, requesting to shake the hand of the daughter of the bravest man I've known..."

Armageddon was on TV tonight and though I didn't watch it this time around, it got me thinking of just how great that movie is and how it holds so much sentimental value. It takes me straight back to when I was in sixth grade: my family and I had just moved the SUBURBS of America and I had been finishing up my last year of elementary (primary) school. I remember my first day and how... I felt so much like the odd one out. My black jeans and purple cardy (yes, I remember what I was wearing; think what you will) and my teacher with her big hair, big eyes, big mouth and, of course, that quintessential burly American accent. She took me around the other classrooms to "introduce" the new girl from "New Zeeeeahland." 'Say something!' they'd ask. 'Ummm... hello?' '[Laughs] Oh my goodness! So you're from Australia!' 'No, actually, New Zealand.' 'Oh, is that that little island at the bottom of Australia?' 'No, actually that's Tasmania.' 'Oh.... well, welcome!' And so forth. [Unfortunately, this was pre-Lord of the Rings when people around the world hadn't heard of New Zealand before.] What must have been even more strange is the fact that I don't look very kiwi at all. I mean, that's not the kind of accent you'd expect from someone who looks asian -- is asian.

I'm getting side-tracked, but that's actually my point. Armageddon; sentimental value; etc. It was during that year I watched Armageddon. No wait, I lie. I watched it back in Auckland right before I left for the States, but my fervent passion to become an astronaut started in that overlapping time period. Inspired by the world-saving heroic deeds of Bruce Willis and Co., I knew right there and then the day an asteroid was really headed for earth, I wanted to be one of those twelve heading straight for it to save the world.

It sounds silly now, of course, but... it was real. There are certain things in life which as time goes by you have to remind yourself of how real it was (or still is) and this is one of those things. It certainly got serious enough. My year-long 8th grade project was on NASA and the 60s; for my year-long 9th grade project I built a wee robot, scientific method and everything [Sidebar: yes this all sounds very nerdy... but I guess it was]; and one of my judges for 8th grade project who was a member of the Rotary Club had contacts with a congressman and the three of us HAD LUNCH. Is that crazy, or what? Not to mention, I was fourteen at the time. I didn't really tell anyone about that lunch expect for my parents who, let's face it, had very little interest in hearing about my aeronautical fantasies. Nonetheless, I had a plan and most importantly I was more ambitious than ANYTHING.

Oh how times have changed. It's fun thinking about though. And watching Armageddon always gets me revisiting these times.

I know it's a new year and all, but to be honest, I've never really been one to celebrate New Years. It's not an active decision, but I've just never felt it was a big deal. The rolling of another number at the end of yet another number. 2007, 2008... it doesn't mean much. What is significant, however -- how I measure the passing of time, in a way -- is how situations change, people change. How I change.

Anna the Astronaut... it was amazing while it lasted. But more than that, it was real. I was really gonna do it... But God had other things in mind.

hemingway wannabe

I got hands-down the coolest Christmas gift from a good friend of mine from the States. It arrived a couple days ago and at first I had no idea what it was. I had never heard of Moleskine notebooks, let alone the city/travel versions, and I was a little confused when I saw little maps of Madrid inside. But upon closer examination, I realised just how awesome those Moleskine notebooks actually are! And Madrid? Of course! Four years ago, in 2003, the person who sent me this gift as well as another friend of ours and myself made a pact to meet up in Madrid in ten years time -- 2013. What a cool present!

I think I'm hooked now. I've been on Amazon (which I really shouldn't be doing!) and browsing through all the different kinds of notebooks available... and I'm making a list, to say the least!

the wheel of death

If I were a more disciplined person I would carry a little notebook with me at all times to jot down random thoughts I have at the most unexpected moments throughout my day. The reason why I bring it up is because for the past couple weeks there have been countless random thoughts I wanted to write about but now... I've forgotten most of them. Oh well, none of it was particularly interesting or life-changing anyways so it's not much of a loss. Like I said, if I were a more disciplined person...

Moving on.

I hate driving. I know I've said this before and I've put it off for five years but the more I learn, the more I can't stand the idea of driving and cars and... anything else associated with me having to sit behind the wheel. Granted, I do experience a sort of power and independence when I get out of the car with keys jingling in hand, but I would give that up in a nanosecond to be free from all the hassle that comes with it. And it's not just a question of my preference -- I'm thinking of the safety of the rest of society when I say I should never be allowed to drive. Evidence, you say? Okay then:

Instance 1: One busy afternoon about a week ago, there were lots of cars on the road -- at least two right in front of me -- and as I was approaching a round-about I turned and entered it without even looking right. What's worse, I DIDN'T EVEN THINK TO LOOK RIGHT. It's not that I couldn't see the car coming at me, it's not that there was something obstructing my view, my mind simply forgot to look.

Instance 2: After parking at a supermarket and turning the engine off, I tried taking the keys out but they just wouldn't budge. No matter how much I yanked, jiggled, pulled, turned, they just wouldn't come out. So I got out of the car and switched seats with my mum who tried for about a minute before I noticed... that the gear was still in drive mode and I hadn't put on the emergency breaks. I JUST TRYING TO TAKE THE KEYS OUT WHILE THE CAR COULD STILL MOVE.

Instance 3: Turning right into the video store. Me: "Hey, that guy who works at the video store must be walking there right now." Kirsty: "Did you even look to see if there were any cars coming??!!??" ... No. I was thinking about the video store guy.

I'm telling you, I'm a hazard. If by some miracle I actually pass my test in January, it will probably be a total fluke and you should not come near me should you see me behind the wheel... I guess I am my own worst critic and all this complaining might just be because I hate doing things I'm not good at (hence I never really understood the idea of "social sports," but that's for another day).

I should just move to London. That would solve EVERYTHING.

a promise I can't keep

It's really starting to feel like vacation -- Friday morning I was so incredibly, indescribably, painfully bored. TV doesn't interest me as much as of late, sadly enough, our DVD collection is getting too stagnant (it's in dire need of an update!), and though I tried reading one of the books that has been taking up space on my bookshelf for a couple years, it just wouldn't do. Not that day. Not that morning. I can't remember the last time I was bored. This is why I need things to do over summer. Boredom and I do NOT get along, at all.

Although, having said that, I really should start working on my summer research project again, things I should finish before my supervisor gets back in a few weeks...

Despite all my complaints, being bored in theory does make me feel good. I know my life is on a path which, the more I progress, the more there is no looking back and that being bored is something I'll miss in a few years. So it's a love-hate relationship.

Exciting news! Every year I go though a period where I vacillate between should I or should I not go back to the States to see all my old friends from Junior High. While planning my trip to the UK I spent some time seriously considering just that, but in the end, opted not to - not this year. And you know what? I'm glad I did! Because less than a couple weeks ago one of my closest friends from Seattle got ENGAGED. It's wild because we're only twenty years old, but then again if you've met that person, then why not, huh? It's so sweet. And incredibly exciting. I'm so happy for her. And I've decided to go! Her timing couldn't be more perfect because it coincides with the first day of my mid-semester break this coming April.

It's funny because on our trip home from the UK, we found out while checking in at Dublin Airport that Kirsty's valid but non-machine readable passport meant she couldn't enter the US, not even in transit. It was a horrible end to our trip, me having to leave her behind in Heathrow not knowing what would happen to her: Would she have to find a place to stay? Call the US/NZ Embassy? Buy completely new one-way tickets home avoiding the US? On the flight from Dublin to Heathrow, I was literally balling my eyes out cos I hated the idea of leaving her behind like that, SWEARING never to enter the States EVER AGAIN. Oh, how one should never swear because here I am, not two weeks later and planning a trip to the good old United States of America. Why, oh why, are they so strict?? But I guess their sovereignty is theirs to do with it what they wish.

I digress. So there it is. I'm going to Seattle. FINALLY. I've waited almost six years for this! It's been a long six years since I've seen most my friends there, with the exception for a few who came to visit me at Harvard. But even that was three years ago! Man, time goes by fast... retrospectively, it really does feel like a blink of the eye.

Stars

Looking back at my last entry, I can't believe it's been a month since all that. The trip was fantastic and there are no regrets here. This was definitely just the beginning of my future UK experiences -- not so much as holidays but more to work and live. And I look forward to that time. :)) But untill then, the memories I now have from this trip will have to suffice!

Speaking of memories, a highlight of Edinburgh has to have been the pub next to our hostel where the loveliest, cutest ginger-haired Scotsman works and has, hands down, the best taste in music. We went back three times, each time leaving with album recommendations, one of which is now in my personal top five.





"Take Me To The Riot," Stars. From their latest album, In The Bedroom After The War. Man, is it great. I can't seem to get enough of it.