Chinese New Year

Alright, for all you culturally challenged people out there, Chinese New Year falls on Sunday, January 29th this year and the celebration lasts for 15 days thereafter. It's the longest and most important Chinese celebration in the world. And the number of people who celebrate Chinese New Year actually rivals the number of people who celebrate Christmas. That's right. Chinese New Year is just that important.

Chinese New Year's is important to me because I am Chinese and it's a part of who I am. My family and I have been celebrating Chinese New Year and its traditions for as long as I can remember. Tradition is a big part of knowing where you come from and appreciating your heritage and culture. Mind you, I never really appreciated the celebration until after I realized that it was really a part of me, something that I couldn't change and something that I don't have to be ashamed of. For those of you who believe that everyone in America is just another American, then that's fine. But there is nothing wrong with remembering who you are and where you come from. And for me, and many others, Chinese New Year is very important.

I can't tell you how many times I have had to hear the ignorant rant from people who don't understand the significance of the celebration and therefore don't seem to care. Which, again, is fine. But people, come one, if you are talking to someone who obviously is Chinese and may or may not celebrate the New Year, don't make some ignorant comment about the holiday or its celebrations. Yeah, it's rude and ignorant. You don't have to celebrate it and if you don't want to hear about it then turn the other way. Chinese New Year is a part of many people, so if you don't have anything nice to say, then don't say anything at all.

Now, for those of you who are interested, Chinese New Year kicks off a big day of tradition. There is the no washing hair rule on Chinese New Year Day to preserve your good luck, an endless feast of food with family and friends, and of course, the prized red envelopes filled with good luck money for the new year. There are many other traditions that I can't even begin to name right now, so I won't bore you with those details. But this year is the Year of the Dog. So for those of you born in the year of 1922, 1934, 1946, 1958, 1970, 1982, 1994, 2006, pay attention, "People born in the Year of the Dog possess the best traits of human nature. They have a deep sense of loyalty, are honest, and inspire other people's confidence because they know how to keep secrets. But Dog People are somewhat selfish, terribly stubborn, and eccentric. They care little for wealth, yet somehow always seem to have money. They can be cold emotionally and sometimes distant at parties. They can find fault with many things and are noted for their sharp tongues. Dog people make good leaders. They are compatible with those born in the Years of the Horse, Tiger, and Rabbit."

Gung Hay Fat Choy!

My Top 5 Pet Peeves

5. The use of the phrase “Hey There” as a greeting when addressing people in conversation or in email. For all you intellectually challenged people who are reading this, “there” refers to a place NOT a person. So heaven forbid you address people by their given names and not some arbitrary phrase that’s not even personalized …give me a break.

4. People who smoke. Smokers…I hate the smell of cigarette smoke. Smoking is bad for your health, smells bad, and is disgusting. I can’t stand being outdoors and sitting yards away from someone who is smoking, much less sitting right next to them. I hate having the smell of smoke in my clothes and in my hair. It’s gross. So if you want to smoke, fine…just don’t do it around me.

3. I hate people who can’t ignore a call on their cell phone. Those of you, who know me, know that I enjoy ignoring my cell phone all the time. The most annoying thing in the world is to be enjoying someone’s company, and having them take a call on their cell phone. Not only is it rude and disrespectful, it shows a lack of tact and makes the other person feel uncomfortable. So let’s put it this way, if you can’t be away from your phone and oh-my-goodness, let your cell phone’s built in answering machine pick up a call and check the message at a later time, don’t make plans with anyone and just shower your attention on your cell phone. Loser.

2. I hate procrastinators. I especially hate it when it involves me. Word to the wise, being a procrastinator is not a good thing and not something to be proud of. Now I understand that most people are procrastinators, but don’t think for one second, that that’s a good reason or an excuse for anything. Just because almost everyone has a certain bad habit does not mean that it justifies having it and doing nothing about it. I mean really, come on.

1. The number one thing that drives me completely up the wall and into the next room is people who are late! I hate, hate, HATE people who are never on time. Now don’t get me wrong, there are rare incidents that we can’t control and therefore excuses the lateness, like a flat tire, extremely bad traffic, or your grandmother dying…whatever. Being late is rude and disrespectful. And if you are a chronically late person, please do the world a favor, and never agree to meet anyone at any given time. I mean, seriously, if you can’t be on time, don’t make plans.

High School Memories

I was looking through some old high school photos last night and I found some really good ones. Now, I don’t know what you remember of your high school years, but I loved my high school memories. There were some pictures that I found that just cracked me up. I am going to try to upload them on my photo website…but only give certain people access to the hidden photos…they are so funny! Speaking of the hidden photos, Carissa, the pictures of your trip are there, so let me know and I will give you access to them. Anyway, I digress. I am reminiscing now…

I remember during my junior year, I had a soccer game after school one day and it was raining. My teammates and I didn’t want to get our brand new uniforms wet…and it was a big hike up the hill from our locker rooms to the soccer field. Well, normally it wouldn’t be a big deal since we were going to be playing in the rain and mud anyway…which is the whole point of playing soccer…to get wet and slide around in the mud while you beat the crap out of the other team. (Now I really have to paint you a picture of how important it was for us to keep our uniforms perfect before this particular game. Usually if you were on a high school sports team, you had to wear the recycled jerseys that the team wore last year. Well during my junior year, we raised money so that we could buy our own uniforms and equipment bags and keep them at the end of the year. And for me, that was great since I would be able to use the bag for soccer and tennis for the following year…yahoo). Anyway, the uniforms were great, I can’t stress that enough. And to top it all off, the boys soccer team would be spending their practice time watching our game. (The boys team…yummy). And this game was the division championship game, the most important game of the season. Anyway, you get the picture.

Well, 5 of my teammates and I decided to drive from the locker rooms up to the playing field. Granted, we were the upperclassmen of the team and the only ones with cars…we left our other teammates to find their own means of transportation up the bastardly hill (mainly walking on their underclassmen legs…muhahaha). Anyway, for some reason Lisa didn’t want to drive her van up the hill (Lisa, if you remember why, let me know…I think it was because you didn’t want to get it all muddy…anyway) and Rosana’s car was the only one parked outside the locker rooms. Now Rosana’s car was a Toyota MR2 (for those of you who don’t know what an MR2 looks like…it is a 2-seater with a flat back trunk) that for some reason, was in a lot of my pictures…

So for some strange reason, we threw all of our equipment bags into the car so that those would stay fairly dry (go figure)…and the rest of us climbed on the trunk of the car! Now to this day, I can’t imagine what god-forsaken thing was going through my mind that I thought this was a good idea, and I would never agree to do it again…but anyway. So imagine this for a second, a small fairly beaten up Toyota MR2 filled with soccer balls, cones, nets, and equipments bags and backpacks, and 4 girls on the trunk of the car (in shorts and t-shirts without any safety precautions whatsoever) riding up the hill in the rain. Yeah…that’s the picture.

Well fortunately, we made it up the hill alive and in one piece. Our uniforms stayed perfect until we started playing the game, the game didn’t go so well since we lost (but it was a lot of fun playing in the mud), and the boys team hated us because we jumped all over them after the game when we were covered in mud and dirt (I know most of them were definitely not happy after that!).

Ah…good times.

Tell Me About Yourself Survey

I don't know what it is about these damn surveys, but I love them! I know it's really corny and stupid, but I love reading these when people fill them out and send them to me...then I feel like I should do my part and fill one out about myself. And I refuse to be like some of you, who read about other people but don't fill one out about yourself...which could mean that no one really wants to read about you...isn't that depressing? Anyway, I digress.

As I was filling this out I realized that this is the same survey that is used on myspace.com. And I know that some of you have seen my profile on myspace...hahaha...well let's just say that it's good that not a lot of people can find it...thank goodness. :) Anyway, more about me...

Name: Kristina
Birthday: March 12
Birthplace: San Francisco
Current Location: varies depending on where I am... :)

Eye Color: Brown
Hair Color: Dark Brown
Height: 5'3
Right Handed or Left Handed: Right...most of the time
Your Heritage: Chinese
The Shoes You Wore Today: My New Balance 470s...man I love those shoes
Your Weakness: My friends in need
Your Fears: Dying alone...and failure
Your Perfect Pizza: Supreme...extra onions, bell peppers, and mushrooms...yum
Goal You Would Like To Achieve This Year: Be able to run 5 miles and to stop swearing...hahaha...we'll see
Your Most Overused Phrase On an instant messenger: I hate AIM...email me or call me if you want to talk
Thoughts First Waking Up: Time to get up
Your Best Physical Feature: hm...I don't know...I guess my legs
Your Bedtime: 11 pm
Your Most Missed Memory: Playing soccer
Pepsi or Coke: Coke
MacDonalds or Burger King: Burger King
Single or Group Dates: Single...can't wait for this weekend ;)
Lipton Ice Tea or Nestea: Tapioca Milk Tea
Chocolate or Vanilla: Both
Cappuccino or Coffee: Mocha cappuccino
Do you Smoke: Disgusting...no
Do you Swear: Way too much
Do you Sing: hahaha...of course
Do you Shower Daily: Most of the time :)
Have you Been in Love: Yeah...*sigh*
Do you want to go to College: Been there...done that...want to do it again
Do you want to get Married: eh...maybe...someday
Do you belive in yourself: Sometimes
Do you get Motion Sickness: Yes
Do you think you are Attractive: Sure
Are you a Health Freak: I definitely can be
Do you get along with your Parents: Yeah...love em'
Do you like Thunderstorms: Only when I am indoors
Do you play an Instrument: Yes...the piano for 7 years and the flute for 3 years

In the past month have you Drank Alcohol: Nope
In the past month have you Smoked: Hell no
In the past month have you been on Drugs: Is sugar a drug?
In the past month have you gone on a Date: um...I think so... :)
In the past month have you gone to a Mall: Unfortunately
In the past month have you eaten a box of Oreos: ew...that's disgusting
In the past month have you eaten Sushi: yes! I love sushi!
In the past month have you been on Stage: What kind of question is this?
In the past month have you been Dumped: No
In the past month have you gone Skinny Dipping: hahaha...no...but that would be fun one day
In the past month have you Stolen Anything: No
Ever been Drunk: Briefly
Ever been called a Tease: Yes ;)
Ever been Beaten up: No
Ever Shoplifted: Yes...years ago
How do you want to Die: In my sleep
What do you want to be when you Grow Up: Rich
What country would you most like to Visit: Italy
What do you like in a Boy/Girl...It all depends on the person...duh
Favorite Eye Color: um...blue or green...I guess
Favorite Hair Color: Brown...and not curly (I hate curly hair...)
Short or Long Hair: Definitely short...not any longer than ear length
Height: Over 6 feet would be nice...
Weight: um...not fat...I hate fat...it's gross!
Best Clothing Style: power suit...yummy :)
Number of CDs I own: too many to count
Number of Piercings: none
Number of Tattoos: none
Number of things in my Past I Regret: probably anything I did between 1992-1994...middle school years suck

Blog

I have been thinking a lot about this blog and this website for the past few weeks. I always used to think that this blog would be mine to write what I wish about any topic that comes to mind (sort of like my own personal journal). But then I remembered that there is no anonymity on the web, and anything I write can be viewed by anyone and everyone. Well if that doesn’t keep me from writing, I don’t know what will. But the only thing that makes me feel better about this website is knowing that whatever I choose to write about will be something that I am willing to share with perfect strangers. So for those of you who are reading this and think that you know me or are using this as a way to find my “inner-most” thoughts…think again. And news flash for you, if you are seeing information about me in this blog that you didn’t already know or didn’t hear about from me personally…well that just means that it wasn’t for you to know…and now that you do know about anything after reading it on this website…you are no more important than the next person on the street.

How’s that for making you feel good about reading this?

You know what, I don’t care. If you don’t like it, why are you reading my blogs?