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!!

50 things about me

My dear friend tagged me in FB for 30 things -- and I just added a few more.


1. I love espresso over ice with cinnamon dulce syrup- drink it basically everyday at Starbucks, or with half a scoop of hazelnut powder from Coffee Bean

2. I can quote most things from SATC, Seinfeld, RENO911 and Friends. I also own every episode of Family Guy and American Dad.

3. If nothing else, a guy must have a sense of humor and ambition - that's all you need in life!

4. I like studying astrology -- it's endless and informative, and pretty impressive what it can teach you



5. My love for cats can be defined as borderline fanatic, disturbing, abnormal.

6. Self-righteous people - FAIL

7. I love writing - recently I have contributed some work to different blogs and have gotten very positive reactions (EDIT: currently aside from my own blog, I guest blog on Upgrd.com)

8. For the first time in my life -- I feel most comfortable in my own skin.

9. I love Bikram Yoga. LOVE. IT. I also am a huge fan of Vinyasa flow yoga.

10. People call me 'princess' all the time but I am uncomfortable with high end things! Where do they get the idea???

11. Even if I had a million $ I will probably drive my beloved 2008 Honda Civic!

12. My favorite colors are fuchsia/rose, purple and taupe

13. I am definitely a girly girl yet love sports/ESPN and watch Baseball Tonight during baseball season




14. My favorite flower is Iris (that gorgeous color!!)

15. I am a false eyelash FANATIC - I own at least 50 pairs at any given time and my fave brand of make up is NARS

16. "Tommy Boy" "Dumb and Dumber" and all of the JackAss movies are my favorite

17. I am a homebody, can stay home and be just content

18. I am planning to move to L.A.(EDIT June 2011 - and I did!!)





19. I love vintage Barbie - but am too cheap to collect the actual dolls, so I settle for calendars and artworks and such

20. I love acoustic guitar music

21. I am empathetic. I can literally 'feel' how others are feeling. Sometimes it's draining.

22. If I had one word to describe myself- it would be 'loyal.' I will fight for you no matter what. Also, I don't get jealous, or lonely. I get bored, sometimes.

23. It's hard to live in a country that has such low standard in customer service. I think it is like a rare art form when you encounter that person or a business that has it down.

24. I used to play piano as a kid. Couldn't read the music though, so I REMEMBERED everything when we had to play in concerts. My memory, to this day, is creepy awesome. I try not to scare people.

25. I hate getting my pictures taken (hence lack of 'fashion/what I wore' type of picture/post)

26. I don't get into the Holidays much, it seems like an endless process that you have to do all over again

27. I can eat avocado, sweet potato and watermelon everyday of the year

28. Red wine is like an oxygen in my life -- NECESSARY




29. Man should not be a coward -- and by that I don't need him to go skydiving or swim with the sharks. I want him to own up to his mistakes, does and mean what he says.

30. I think athletes should drink coconut water (mango flavor is the best) instead of Gatorade

31. I pride myself in looking *decent* without make up - still! (just my opinion, hehe)

32. I am nearly blind without my glasses or contact lenses. BLIND. I'm also near deaf as I watch TV with captions on. It's those airplane engines!

33. My dream job - General Manager at Peninsula Hotel in Beverly Hills (related to #23)





34. I am a recovering shopping addict (seriously!!)


35. I have volunteered with a human society for 5 years, and continue to do what I can for my beloved feline friends

36. I pay attention to how a guy deals with bad situation and how he has dealt with his past relationships -- it's like a resume of life that says A LOT

37. I believe in signs :)





38. I still love and purchase items with Disney Princess/Fairy designs


39. Comedy is VERY important to me, and I respect comedians. I honestly think key to happy life is a sense of humor.




40. I am always open to learning, and am thankful anyone wants to teach me anything

41. I want to be certified as a Life Coach - I like the approach they take rather than therapists and psychiatrists

42. I love Trance Music -- fave DJ: Armin van Buuren, ABT, Dale Corderoy, Max Graham

43. I don't eat a whole lot in one sitting but once I polished off a Porterhouse (with sides), two bottles of wine, plus salad, appetizer and dessert in one sitting. No joke.

44. I would like to consider myself a Buffalo Wing, and chocolate shake connoisseur

45. I started taking Ambien this year after flying red eyes continuously for about 2+ years. I never knew how funny the whole thing can be. VERY trippy.

46. I don't like people who 'announces" their plans ("I'm going to totally do this and that") - unless they are already in the works, do it, don't say it

47. I respect women who chooses to live the road less traveled, takes a more difficult path, does the right thing, even if it is the uncomfortable/scary choice -- My hero is Elizabeth Edwards

48. Although I may not say it a lot, I think my family (immediate and extended) is pretty terrific

49. I believe that outside beauty can be taken away in an instant. I strive everyday to create the beauty within. Cliche, yes, but so true.



50. Manhattan Beach, California (where I used to live) is my home for my heart <3
(I took the picture of the Pier with my phone!)