Renewed.

Greeting Earthlings :)

It has been the longest time since I had posted anything in my blog and I truly apologize to whoever has been checking out ma blog page for new posts but it was only because I decided to go loco and take five classes, each of which consist of 2 midterms. I ended up dropping one but still, with 8 midterms, I basically have one every week until finals week so I  will be super busy this quarter.

Yesterday, I attended an event called "Feed the Homeless" put up by a Christian Group which basically goes downtown and distribute food and drinks to the less fortunate. I had always wanted to go before but something always seem to come up, either I will be going home that Friday or I have a test to study for. Fortunately, fifth week comes and I finally got a chance. My friend Jessica and I arrived late so we bought some apples and bananas from a nearby market by ourselves and began walking down the roads of downtown. I have to say, though, that two girls alone in the dimly-lit streets at night is not the brightest idea but eventually we did meet up with the rest of the group.

Looking down the road from where we stood, one can see the homeless each claiming their spot along the sides of the sidewalk and some are already cuddled in whatever blankets they have to keep warm and trying to sleep. It was 7 oclock at night.  For us college kids, we would never be heading off to bed at seven--even midnight is too early; however, for them, it is a way to forget about everything and enter into a world where things might be better. Also, the earlier they sleep, the quicker they can not be reminded of how cold it is outside. To those who are already asleep, we placed a banana and an apple by their side hoping that they would find the surprise delightful the next morning and to others who are still awake, we asked them if they'd like anything and hold some small talk.

It is not true that all of these homeless people who are out here have nothing as some of them are college graduates or even a top chef. It is just that, due to various reasons, either it is their "luck" or the bad economy, they fall into a state of need. For some, it may be temporary, while for others, this may be life-long. Although, evil does strike out in the streets, there is also a somewhat heart-warming side. In contrast to the man who got into six fights in a week and had his shopping cart stolen, one of the lady I met that night said this is the third time she is in the streets and she will be staying out here until her husband is out of prison since "We got separated in the streets, we will get back together in the streets". There was also a man who had a generator and all his electronics (Xbox, TV, etc) with him so he has constant entertainment.

What really got to me was when we talked to the second guy we met. His name was John. I introduced myself as Yoyo and I explained how it is not my real name but it is what everybody calls me. Normally people would respond in surprise or say something like "That is such a cool name!"...not this time--this time, he shocked me.  Instead, he told me that I should be proud of my real name since it is something that my parents gave me and not have to be known as Yoyo because that is a toy, not a name. He said that although he does not like his name because it is such a common name, it is still his name. This brought tears to my eyes.

Those tears did not gather up because he spoke my exact thoughts and feelings, it was more than that. I can say with 100% assertiveness right now that I AM PROUD OF MY NAME and I feel absolutely no shame in my real name what-so-ever because I understand and know that it represents who I am and who I always will be. It is the fact that even John, a man on the streets whom I just met, knows the importance of taking the time to learn someone's name. Although he keep mispronouncing it, he did repeat it out loud two or three times when he did get it right and I thank him for that. It make me feel way better than when people say "Yeah, I will stick to Yoyo" even though Yoyo is technically my name too. I truly believe that to know someone's name is a kind of respect and shows that you are treating them as an equal. This is usually why I try my best to remember people's name whenever I meet someone new and sometimes even ask how to spell it.

I understand that a lot of people have nicknames because their real name is too hard to pronounce for others or just so it makes both their time and those of others easier so they do not have to repeat themselves over and over to get their name pronounced correctly. For me, that might be part of the my reason but also, I had been called Yoyo ever since I went to Malaysia so it is what I am use to being called. It is important to know that this does not mean I lose responsiveness to my real name just because I am constantly known as Yoyo. To say the truth, I think more people know me as Yoyo than my real name and this is sad because sometimes it makes me feel like I am cheating them from my true identity. It makes me wonder how important names really are in friendship--Can you call yourself someone's friend if you do not even know their real name? Do some of them even know my real name? What if my future boyfriend/husband only know me as Yoyo? 


Some people have to understand that having their name mispronounced is one thing but having people giving up on even trying is another; it can really hurt someone's feeling. I mean, of course,  this feeling varies between individuals but I just really think that names are an essential part of someone's identity and everyone should deserve to have their names respected: try your best to learn it and do not put it down by giving up--especially not infront of the person.

Lastly, I think I will definitely go back again to "Feed the Homeless" when I get a chance. Not only does it feel great to help others but I also think I have been exposed to a deeper insight of life. I am sure I can learn something new everytime I go down there.

Ps. On a brighter note, if you ever want to help the homeless out (preferably not by yourself), they enjoy fruits and string cheese and rather have food that isn't too messy to eat. Drinks are also good to keep them hydrated during both day and night. Or maybe clothing such as socks or blankets that will help them keep warm.

my stalker :)

THIS POST IS FOR MY FRIEND DAPHNE WANG BECAUSE SHE IS STALKING ME ON MY BLOG <3

Decisions and Answers

人生很多事情沒有答案

Uncertainties everywhere.
There are so many things in life that do not have answers and my indecisive nature is not helping
Life should be spontaneous and fun yet it is restricted and asking for a definite answer all the time.
Why is it so hard for me to pick a major?
Not only do I have to pick something that I like but I also have to take into account its outlook for the future and  whether I will actually be able to it.
Maybe I just have to be brave and pick something.
I mean, I won't know till I try right?

Maybe you're reason why all the doors are closed
So you can open one that leads you to the perfect road 

                                                                                             ---Katy Perry 

Why am I forced to make a decision while the doors are closed? 

Can they not be open so I can see the future and decide base on what I see on the other side? Hopefully, I will soon be able to find the door made for me--just the right width and height--and will be able to walk down my perfect road. 

*reaches for the door knob*

Ohhh LIFE....

Coffee in Little Italy

Tonight was a good night hanging out/studying with Lauren and Daphne. We headed down to a cute cafe in Little Italy, Downtown San Diego (here's the site----> Cafe Italia ). I ordered a Muddy River which was made from dark chocolate gelato blended with soda water and whip cream. At first, I thought it would taste really weird with combining gelato and soda water but then it actually turned out really good! It was really creamy though so I can just imagine how much calories I am consuming but it is totally worth it :) Studying went decently well and we left just as the Cafe is closing.

the drink menu

This was then followed by an hour of driving around everywhere and anywhere. We did not do a very good job of getting lost as we planned but we did see some new places. As usual, lots of photo-taking and loud blasting of music was complimentary. When we got back to campus, Lauren and Daphne decided they are feeling funky. Fortunately all is well in the end.

Lastly, I want to end this post by sharing this email sent me about a conversation between the pencil and the eraser. I thought it was pretty touching:

Pencil:   I'm sorry....   

Eraser:  For what? You didn't do anything wrong.  

Pencil:   I'm sorry because you get hurt because of me. Whenever I made a mistake, you're always there to erase it. But as you make my mistakes vanish, you lose a part of yourself. You get smaller and smaller each time   

Eraser:  That's true. But I don't really mind. You see, I was made to do this. I was made to help you whenever you do something wrong. Even though one day, I know I'll be gone and you'll replace me with a new one, I'm actually happy with my job. So please, stop worrying. I hate seeing you sad.

I am not sure where this email originated from, but as the person pointed out, this conservation IS inspirational! With the eraser as the parent and the pencil as the child, it just goes on to show how much sacrifices our parents made for us-- always being there and cleaning up after our mess.They never want us to get hurt even though they get older (or "smaller" like the erasers) on the way. It just makes me feel so grateful towards my parents and all that they had done for me. I just want to say I LOVE YOU, MOM AND DAD! <3 Someday, whenever I am able to, I want to be your eraser and be the one looking after you and erasing away all your worries.

Life as I know it.

My life, though not one at which everyone drools over, ain't a normal one either; but rather a strange one that is structured by an odd pattern and I LOVE IT!

Us being Us

Last night, Lauren and I went to catch the movie "Life as We Know It" which was great... very well crafted, putting audiences in their shoes. I cannot believe I cried, more than once, in a romantic comedy both out of joy and grief.  Overall, it was a cute movie, especially the baby- just adorable! :) 

This was followed by mindless window shopping (due to no other reason than the fact that the stores are closed) through fashion valley. It is interesting to wander around at night around the mall looking at all the people cleaning up, preparing for the next day and creating conversation for the manicans, some of which are seriously positioned every weirdly. I think I saw my first kneeling manican today.

And, of course, what is a better way to end the night with endless photo-experiments!

Catching Up with Life

Just a quick update on what happened lately:

Last Thursday, Lauren and I went out to see the Broadway show, "Beauty and the Beast". It was an amazing event set up by Revelle ResLife and was only 10 bucks! We placed ourselves on the waitlist, not expecting to be notified, but eventually, through numerous back and forths due to complications (mostly because I did not call back the lady when I was suppose to), we were made a deal and finally got TWO tickets :)

B&B poster <3

Grace, Lauren and I

The show was absolutely great, I just wish I knew words to the songs so I could sing along. At any rate, it definitely brought back childhood memories and all the other Disney Movies that I love dearly. It was weird though, because the song "A Whole New World" from Aladdin was all I could sing after the musical so Lauren was stuck with listening to me sing all the way back on the bus.

Weird Weather Monster.

This week is going to be a cold and wet :( 

SO! Everyone be prepared, have your umbrellas/rain boots/rain coats ready and keep yourself warm and dry~

Well, the rain caught me off-guard today so I here is a little complaint/suggestion letter I wrote: 
Dear Rain,

I like you but pls leave me a msg next tym before you come so I cn be prepared and enjoy the puddles you provide rather than the worry of my leather shoes getting wet. Thanks!