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.

Kicking As*

Recently, I have come to a realization that I can not keep eating a pint of coconut ice cream five nights a week, and need to incorporate a little bit more vegetables in my diet, as a cup of tomato soup really doesn't count.

I researched for something I can do frequently that is close by and fun.
I am lazy so I knew that I needed an instructor, and I can't be driving for an hour in traffic because that alone would discourage me to keep going. Also, many places I have tried (Pilates, barre method type of gym, etc.) offer a beginner's rate for the first month, but then it is expensive to continue on further.
I like to take private session for Pilates and they can be anywhere between $85 and $125 a session.

My answer = all women's kickboxing gym that is 10 minutes away, that has a 10 class/$100 package at all times, and the owner always has a sale -- all with an excellent review on Yelp.

The first class is free, so that was perfect for me to try it out.

The past couple of weeks, I can honestly say I have had the most fun working out. 

I actually look forward to going there, I put my workout clothes out the night before like a kid. 

smoothie

Kickboxing is.....stress relieving, fun, whole body workout and I love that I am not trying to compete with anyone for attention of the instructor, as the class consists of about 15 ladies, and we often work in smaller groups.
We jumprope, do a lot of cardio, which I wanted, and then we box for about half the time we're there.
I have continued my Bikram Yoga, but I wanted to do something different, and now this is a perfect addition to my physical activity.

As a result of the workout I have been doing, I am drinking about 3 to 4 liters of water everyday (about 100 to 135 oz.), and after my workout I stop at an organic juice place that shares the parking lot with the gym, and have been drinking their "green juice." Talk about detox!

handwrap

Another great thing -- I have been a night owl all my life, staying up till the wee hours, and this changed my daily routine as well. 

The class starts at 9:30 in the morning, so I get up an hour before at 8:30, make my protein smoothie, clean my place then I head out. 

I am sore everyday, but I am so happy that I have finally found my gym!!

Faith in my heart

2011 was such a whirlwind for me, but with faith and determination, I have made several lemonades out of all the lemons I was handed.

These days my job is going wonderfully, I have a new roomie and a new place and I will be a mommy again, soon.

I am hoping I have the blessing of my little angel in the sky I lost in November so I can welcome his new two brothers into my life with open heart and open arms.


"Angel"

by: Giuseppe Ottavani feat. Faith

I can’t find my love
I can’t find another way
My soul is cryin’
Love is all my life
I remember a melody
and I ask you a word

I can hear your voice all over
I can hear your voice in the night
We’ll be together and we’ll fly over

And I can feel you in my prayer
And I will go with you away
I’m not a dreamer
And I can feel you in my prayer,
And I will go with you away
I’m not a dreamer

But now I know love is on
Whatever you say I remember another time
The pleasure of you I can discover another way
I can feel you over tonight I will find my angel
And we'll fly high


pic courtesy of this website

Angel in Heaven

More than 15 years ago you came into my life to give me more joy and laughter than I could have ever imagined.

You were the best thing that's ever happened to me.

I can not imagine my life without you.

I miss you already and I will always miss you.

The kitty paw shaped hole in my heart will never ever be filled.

I love you.













My cat Coors (Aug. 1995 - Nov. 21 2011)


And God asked the feline spirit
Are you ready to come home?
Oh, yes, quite so, replied the precious soul
And, as a cat, you know I am most able
To decide anything for myself.

Are you coming then? asked God.
Soon, replied the whiskered angel
But I must come slowly
For my human friends are troubled
For you see, they need me, quite certainly.

But don't they understand? asked God
That you'll never leave them?
That your souls are intertwined. For all eternity?
That nothing is created or destroyed?
It just is....forever and ever and ever.

Eventually they will understand,
Replied the glorious cat
For I will whisper into their hearts
That I am always with them
I just am....forever and ever and ever.