UCLA writing course assignments

COLLAPSE

During some of my darkest and loneliest moments I have always turned to writing.

It gave me endless space and place to do whatever I needed to do.

Since then I have actually have had some of my work published (under a pen name) in blogs, etc. and I was advised by couple of the editors to take some writing courses to polish my writing to further my talent. 

Since this blog connects to my personal Twitter account and also due to the nature of my occupation, I'd like to keep some of my most private and personal thoughts/accounts just that way -- however, I thought it would be nice to hear some reactions from some of you on few of the pieces that are more PG rated. 

Below is my assignment from my first week of my fall semester at UCLA extension; the topic was to write something that triggered your memory from my childhood, as the course is titled "Writing out of your Life ."

The alleyway next to the market was our playground.

Only big enough for one truck to pass at a time, we learned to ride our bikes there and mastered the climb on concrete wall that divided the area from the large parking lot.

When we poked that beehive in the old truck in the parking lot one too many times (I don't know why we thought it would be a good idea) and my little brother was too young to run away as his legs didn’t move fast enough and fell victim to the awful bee sting, the alley was where we ran to for safety.

The vending machine lined the end of the alley next to the market like a colorful rainbow – drinks appeared on the top of each machine like proud race horses, and in the middle was the electronic rings of the game that was installed. The idea was you may or may not win a free additional can of your choice once you purchased something if the red dot landed on a particular area - like a slot machine the red dot circled and circled and would come to a stop. 

We all lined up in a straight line, the neighbor kids and us, during those humid summer days with one 100 yen coin in each hand, trying to decide whether we should treat ourselves to one of the variety of ice cream instead; the big freezer in front of the market was like Narnia, so many goodies in the shape of a cup, a cone, on a stick, etc. much more attractive than the ice coffee drinks we weren’t allowed to have that were an option.

When you opened the sliding glass, a white cloud of air would puff up out of the contained white box making the whole experience of choosing an ice cream oh so magical.

We were all barely tall enough to look inside, but we took our time and enjoyed the process as we weren’t to have ice cream everyday.

The term market is loosely used as the store only sold sake, beer, and rice in the 10kg bags inside and some bottled tea.

For me, it was just the place to buy my grandma’s tea or when my grandpa or my dad wanted beer with dinner, or my own treat (a.k.a. ice cream) during the day when we were allowed.

I am told that the alleyway has been recently constructed into a condo building.

Mykonos Blue

I have truly hit career jackpot in May, when I was hired on as a full time FA on an account I did some work for previously.

This means I will now have benefits and be on a salary -- a situation I have coveted for 2 years.

The account is a private owner flying with two owners (they are related) and I take care of two airplanes they share.

It is a lot of work, since restocking and taking care of two large cabin planes means I am basically the 'mother hen' for two families -- you have to think about every aspect of the flight.

The summer and the holiday season are when they go on their long vacation, and here I am accompanying them, in a place I probably will never have a chance to be on my own -- Mykonos, Greece.

Small church by the water -
this picture is EXACTLY what I imagine when I hear the word "Mykonos"

Morning cappuccino by the water

Most photographed in Mykonos, making his daily appearance by the water

Nighttime by the water

Symbolic white buildings I have seen only in pictures 

Clear water

Lunch by the water

A week in July

I spent a week with my family in Chicago, and had a great time.

This visit was extra fun as my sister was in town with her kids.
We went to see OVO by Cirque de Soleil, shopping, dinner, etc. but the pictures are from our last day in town.


Shedd Aquarium - my nephew is CRAZY about fish!



Taken in their cafeteria - hard to believe this is a 'lake' don't you think?



I had a conversation with a sea lion :)



Love the do! Rockhopper penguin



He was my favorite - very very big and old snapping turtle. They grow to be about 300 pounds.


What you see from the front steps of the aquarium


I so wanted this guy to take home with me but there just was no way I could fit him in a suitcase. The mannequin beside him is wearing an adult size T shirt. You see how enormous this penguin was?


My brother met us for dinner that night in Lakeview...great restaurant, we were so full....


but we had to get our gelato on!

I am busy right now with my move and also some exciting developments.
Stay tuned!

Small update....

I have arrived in Los Angeles, with my awesome parents who have been nothing but helpful and supportive.
They helped me drive my car cross country (34 hour drive) and slept on the floor for two nights that they were here to help me get settled in.

I can not think of a better way to start my new life - with 100% family support - and now that they are safely back home in Chicago, I am officially starting my new life here in La La Land.

Pictures of my new room will be available once I put everything away!

Stay tuned....