Taroko Gorge!

Yesterday Cres, Max, Jer and I went to Taroko Gorge. It was an absolutely beautiful and amazing experience. We took a train to Hualien an rented scooters. I have never driven a scooter before. It was totally scary at first, but it was SO amazing once I got the hang of it. We drove for about an hour from Hualien to Taroko on this highway. I ran a bunch of red lights because Jer/Max were going so fast. I made the boys let me ride in the middle so that I wouldn't get left in the dust. Once we got to Taroko it was the most beautiful ride ever. We were on the coast, riding around swervy roads, it was SO beautiful. One of those things that you feel so fortunate to be able to do in life. Ugh I can't even describe how amazing it felt. We stopped a bunch along the way to look at he beautiful scenery and take pictures. I had a really hard time turning my bike sometimes, so that was a bit scary. There were a ton of tour busses rushing past us that made it a bit scarier.

After taking in the beautiful sights and sounds we headed back to Hualien. We got a little lost on our way and had to turn around a bunch while riding in the city. One time when I was turning around I almost fell off, it was a bit scary, but I was going slow and I picked my bike up fast enough that I didn't get hurt. I can't believe how many distractions there were driving in the city; dogs running across the street, some lady got hit by a car and was sprawled out in the middle of the road, weird left turn rules, I really got to ride in all sorts of places on my first day of scootering. I think I might have hit 80mph at some points. Very scary but very liberating. Usually I rode at 60, which is the speed limit in most places (not around the cliffs). After we made it back to Hualien, we stopped at 711 and I burned my leg on my bike. So many people I know have a scar from that, but luckily I only grazed the burning metal briefly so that I won't have a scar. Wow. What an amazing and exhilirating day! I really don't want to go home :(.

Swan Boats and Hot Pot.

Yesterday at around 3, Sway and I met up at the end of the green line and took out some paddle boats. There were so many gorgeous views. Sway and I did psychological tests on each other and had a really good time getting to know each other better. After the boats, we walked across the bridge to this cute little area with some artsy shops, farm stands and carnival games. We played this fun little pinballish game and won bubbles and face glittery stickers. We then got some Hot Pot which was amazing. I tried pigs blood! They mix it with rice, into a cube. It actually tasted really gross. As I am sure you can imagine, blood is salty and irony tasting. Afterward, I met sway's parents. They were so cute and saw their apartment. They live on the top two floors of one of the tallest buildings in the area, pretty cool. After hanging out there and playing a little piano, we headed back to Cresensio's where him and Jenna were covering their macbooks with DIY metallic squares. I played some guitar hero 4 with Bernie and we all hung out on the balcony and then I called it a night. I keep having these great days and nights here. This is a truly awesome adventure.

RM5

Friday morning I woke up with the beach on my mind. I went and sat in traffic for about an hour and met up with Nicole and Eddie. The water was perfect and the sun was hot. We took a walk down to Kizmit and I got to see some adorable beach village. After hanging out there for a few hours, I went with Julia and Nicole to 'Alive After 5' in Patchogue. I saw a Briarcliffe tent and introduced myself as the new Soc Adjunct Prof. It was really cool to be all proud of my new job to people I will soon be working with. The three of us girls got some food and drink and called it a night.

This morning, I woke up with the beach itch again and went and met up with Carissa, Jake and Nicole. The whole gang was there when we got there and today was even nicer than Friday. You just can't go wrong with that beach. Today I got a free massage by a massage therapist, played with hula hoops, swam a lot in the ocean, laid out in the sun, walked around with a tiny cup to sample all drinks, and got mardi gras beads. I really don't think I could imagine a better, more laid back day.

The only thing that really sucks is that my mom is pissed at me for spending too much money on the credit card. I am in big trouble. I am getting my credit cards taken away for good and being given a budget for all my spendings. I can see how this is gonna be bad (in emergency situations) but I really do need to learn how to budget myself. This will be a big step into that thing...whats it called...adulthood? I need to learn some restraint and responsibility. It is going to be really hard and I am sure that my personality with be altered and i will lose some friends because I will be crankier. Whatever, my life has been high (in the metaphorical sense) lately, and its about time I come back down to the level that normal people function on.

I leave you with a picture of my beloved Nicole. The two of us are often introduced as Nicole squared.

Boats and Pre/post-July 4th

I have been a bit absent lately. I decided to disconnect my computer from my arm and spent the weekend in a semi-computer-less environment. I hung out on a boat on Friday night at Davis Point. That was beautiful and summery. On the 4th, I went to my mom's BBQ in H-ton. Then Sunday was a full on day at the beach, which was just what I needed. All in all, an enjoyable weekend. Holiday weekends are always filled with loads of sun/fun, so I can't complain.

Vladimir Kush and Central Park

Today I met up with Boppy in UES and we went to see Vladimir Kush's gallery opening. We LOVE his work. It was such an honor to meet him. Afterward we went to lunch, and then central park. It was a beautiful day. Now I am on the train back to LI.

Pikachu and Tanning

I had some pretty strange dreams last night. In one, Pikachu was not my cat anymore and was out in my neighbors yard. I still lived with Edith and she went over to Pikachu and peed on her. It was kind of gross and I felt bad for Pika, but I didn't go near her because I had this perception of her being mean.

In the other dream, I was living in this really nice building in the LES with a bunch of kids, like who I knew from HS and we had a bunch of tanning beds and stuff in our lobby. That was def the inner me saying, fuck this weather. And now on the one day I should be going to work this week, its gorgeous out.

Take Me To Brown Town

After awaking to a slightly disturbing state of a hangover and no concrete plans for the day, I got a message from Jodette asking if I wanted to get a mani pedi. So I went and J and I got some sushi at Sakana after. We had a really great little day together. A pleasant surprise for my birthday. I am mad that it has been raining on and off all day. In all of my years on this earth, I do not recall one birthday where it wasn't sunny and warm. I guess I shouldn't complain. I have been spoiled by all these years with nice weather. At least my birthday isn't in the winter (sorry guys).

What a Day

I just had kind of a bad day. I mean, not bad...just really eventful.

Everytime I came outside from the library, EVERYONE was laying on the lawn, tanning, playing frizbee..etc.. I wanted to go lounge SO bad, They had a band and a DJ and everything! I hate the fact that I had to spend the day in the library when it was SO gorgeous out.


I outlined my paper and have a game plan, so I guess I am halfway there. I still have two more full days to work on it, so I should be OK. I got to talk to Kate and my Dad, which were high points of my day. Katherine swung by to visit me at Butler. Then I got pizza with Lisa ( my old roomate at Dowling) and her twin sis, who I never met. It was nice to see Lisa. I am excited she lives with her sis in Harlem now.

OH, I had a really weird experience on the subway today. I walked on to the one train at Columbia and there was this group of kids being really loud, and I thought, just my luck. Well, I was listening to my headphones and reading and book, and all of them were looking at me. One of the guys was like "you could hit that, what are you afraid of girls?" and i was like "i dunno". And then that kid got made fun of by all the other loud-ass kids. It was a long and crowded ride to and from school. I hate that the red line is under construction. It took, like, an hour each way today.

Oh boy, hopefully I will have an awesome night tonight, then back to work tomorrow...when everyone else will be at the beach. FML

Hello Gorgeous

It is absolutely lovely outside. Of course today HAS TO be the most vital day for my paper writing. I need to find a cozy, outdoors nook to get some work done. I can't let this day pass me by!