People

September 29, 2010 | Red Square

Today was the first day of class... and that's a lot of people for what I'm used to. I later figured out why: they were giving out free bagels and coffee. And they had posters out. Right there, where the bottleneck is.

Later there were different organizations with their stands. It was a good day... even though I felt nervous about my classes.

Pitcher

September 28, 2010 | UW Botany Greenhouse

After Drama Day, a few of us went to the pizza bake at the UW Farm. When we got there, though, we found the line of students waiting for their turn to make pizza too long and too slow, and decided to skip this particular Freshman-oriented pizza bake. Instead we went on a short self-guided tour through the Botany Greenhouse.

This is a pitcher plant. It has a bit of liquid inside that attracts insects (I didn't smell anything, though I wasn't trying), that fall in and get trapped and digested by enzymes. There were also Venus fly-traps.

Settlers

September 27, 2010 | Downstairs Nathan's House

This happens all the time. Just when I leave they start playing Settlers. So, when I got back from karaoke this early morning, the game was nearing its conclusion. Upstairs was just starting Fight Club (which a lot of people ended up hating, by the way). We were mostly downstairs playing piano.

I am switching from the photo date to post date on top. So, the next post will be today's picture even though it's labeled for tomorrow. I just don't think anything interesting will happen tomorrow. I will be home getting ready for the start of classes on Wednesday.

Br&B

September 26, 2010 | Music Building Classroom

So, I came to Drama Day somewhat late (after 1pm when these skits started, and not at 10am for icebreakers). We had about 15 minutes to prepare these, and then acted them out. This one's called "Bread & Breakfast", hence the title.

I don't know who drew the character on the board. Might not have been us.

After this we went to Nathan's house. (Nathan is an 2010 EEP graduate, but he and his family were happy to let us use their house.) There was dancing (upstairs), piano (a few of us), and other stuff. Then I left for Kevin's karaoke party and had lots of fun - they were signing Chinese stuff when I arrived, and I felt very welcome.

Washing

September 26, 2010 Car Wash

Today was soooo hot! 100 degrees! After you left on Thursday, it has been really hot. The car wash was pretty intense. I got some mad tan lines.

I ended up working most of the car wash because we were so busy at some points, up to 6 cars in the general area. Now, I'm behind in my school work. *sigh * I got my car washed, too, finally. I can actually touch it without cringing now.

In-N-Out

September 25, 2010 Animal-Style Fries and a Cheeseburger

Umm, tasty. I shouldn't have gotten the fries, but they were so tasty. Soooo tasty. Okay, I should go on a diet. Or cut back on unhealthy eating.

Sushi!

September 24, 2010 Volcano roll

Mmmmmmmmmm. Sushi tonight! Mine was okay. I was I had been more satisfied. I want more.

We went to watch "Waiting for 'Superman'". I guess it probably could have been more subtle- it was totally after teachers' unions- but overall, it was an important documentary that needed to be made.

Rabbit

September 23, 2010 Rabbit red bean moon cake

This moon cake was made by my dance friend and captain Annie. It looked beautiful and tasted amazing. There is a bunny in the middle! He is making the elixir of immortality. I had dance on Thursday as well. We were auditioning for dance numbers in the spring showcase. I really enjoyed it, but I think I've forgotten the steps by now. I wish you had still been home so I could have shared my moon cake with you.

Sampling

September 22, 2010 Sampling food from Downtown LA

Wednesday was very exciting. I lost a lot of time, but I got free lunch! :) And some of the samples were pretty good, like the tacos from Senor Fish or whatever it is called. I was also glad to have a break from sandwiches.

Filming

September 21, 2010 Filming of United States of Tara

There was filming in front of my lab on Tuesday. It was very exciting, but it was kind of in my way. I can't really tell what's going on, but a lot of people were standing around.

Board

September 20, 2010 Advertisements around campus

I was coming out of an exam (this was on the 21st actually...), and I saw this and thought of you! Hehe. The event already past though.

Madeleines

September 23, 2010

This is the second time we made madeleines together. We came home after I had lunch at the dim sum truck and you got the necessary baking stuff (and I helped you get the baking spray).

The eight that I brought home all survived the trip back, except one that got slightly broken. I ate that one today, so they're all right now.

Six-way

September 23, 2010 | Hoover & Jefferson

I was going to cross, but I was amazed at the number of bikers on the intersection. So I took this picture and waited for the next light.

These intersections seem dangerous. Not only do you have to watch for cars coming from all sides, but also other bike and pedestrian traffic. There's 6 ways to go here: four side intersections and two diagonal ones.

Doggie

September 22, 2010 | USC Entrance on Exposition (the West one)

This was my last full day in LA, the day when you took me to lab and I spend hours reading the book written by His Holiness. You also took me to Yogurtland one more time, and we watched the movie related to my previous post.

In response to the picture, all I can say is: awwww...

Summer

September 20, 2010 | Park on 4th and Hill

There was lots of interesting stuff downtown. This park, however, has a completely different significance. You know what it is.

Library

September 20, 2010 | Los Angeles Central Library from Flower St.

When my last week in LA came, I realized that I need to explore some. So I went downtown. The first day, the 20th, it was sunny and very interesting. The second day I went to the outskirts which were kind of sketchy... and not sunny.

This is the LA Central Library. I couldn't go inside it because it was closed, but it was interesting enough on the outside. This fountain path starts with a rock and an ancient lizard skeleton behind it. The next level is another rock and a live, more modern lizard. Finally there's a third rock with a bird on top, ready to fly. There's also a peace bell to the right.

Hollywood

September 19, 2010 | Griffith Park, Mulholland Hwy Viewpoint

In Griffith, we took pictures of us with a tripod. This is probably my favorite one. We also took another one by the observatory that I like.

The viewpoint is on Mulholland Hwy, just East (well... North) of the dog park on Canyon Lake Drive. We went to the dog park later to eat the lunch that we packed. There we got swarmed by man's best friends and had to take refuge in the playground. The dogs were funny.

Griffith

September 19, 2010 Griffith Observatory

This place is so cool, and the view would be spectacular if the smog weren't so heavy. Unfortunately, we didn't go on the long hike that we had planned. But we still had lots of fun at the Observatory. Many shiny objects to check out.

Chinatown

September 18, 2010 Chinatown, Los Angeles

Chinatown is so fancy. The only thing it is missing is food. Where was the food?! I guess I should have looked harder. The green building is where a portion of Jackie Chan's "best-seller movie" Rush Hour was filmed.

Lettuce

September 17, 2010 Free Lettuce Seeds!

Friday was Park(ing) Day. I think the idea is that you take a metered parking spot and do something other than park a car there to convey the message that space can be used for things other than cars. So, these people had a table and chairs. One of the spaces was giving away plants. I wanted something edible, so I got lettuce. I'm excited to plant them somewhere.

34th

September 16, 2010 The street where the tram goes

I took this picture hoping it would be of use for you, but you never took the tram while you were here. It is a magical place, the tram stop. I have fond memories of waking up for the 7AM tram to the Health Science Campus and waiting in the fog and cold. I miss hospital work.

Sample

September 15, 2010 Part of the new campus center building

I came out to have dinner with my friends. Sadly, the food choices are lacking, and the options aren't always cheap. Lines get insane during lunch, but dinner was better. There was much more seating during dinner. In this picture is the new administration building, I think, which is attached to the campus center.

Social

September 14, 2010 From Sunday

No interesting pictures were taken today. So this comes from the Sunday party. This year we have 3 or 4 guys on the team which is very exciting because in our brief 4.5-5.5 hours of existence, we've never had guy regulars before.

Westward

September 13, 2010 Taking pictures while biking

So, I've noticed that every morning I bike towards the sun. The light bothers me, and I have to hold my hand up to block the sun. In the evenings when I come home, I have towards the sun yet again! My house is so perfectly west of campus. Argh, Annoying.

Chinatown

September 18, 2010 | Hill & Gin Ling, Chinatown, L.A.

Today was Chinatown... though, the picture speaks for itself. This is the entrance to the Old Chinatown, which is very pretty. We've also seen the market (lots and lots of clothes and random stuff), the gate (not that exciting but a gate nevertheless), the temple (from the outside.. shiny); and had lunch.

But first we dropped Peter off at the airport. He'll be back before I leave next week.

I should say that next Wednesday is Mid-Autumn Festival (中秋節). I want moon cakes. Too bad we won't be in much of a celebrating mood: Jessica is busy, and I'm leaving back home on Thursday.

Burgers

September 17, 2010 | In-n-Out by Target somewhere

Right after I came back we left to Target. I bought a long-promised towel, others bought a bunch more stuff, but before Target we "ate out" ad In-n-Out. For those who don't know: it's a burger chain that doesn't exist in Washington. Eating here is a requirement for anyone coming to LA.

Not that I like burgers - as a general rule, I don't - but this place is somewhat exception by itself, and the occasion warranted eating here.

Oh, yeah... don't feel embarrassed if you're in this picture. I'm often embarrassed taking pictures, actually.

Pomona

September 17, 2010 | Pomona College Central Square

I don't know what the square is called - it's the square with the clock tower, a fountain, and the upper-level dorms. A view from this square is on my collage until the end of the year. I really like this campus - and Claremont in general.

I took this picture shortly before going back to Case to get my stuff and leave (on a long and slow trip to the train station). For a few minutes I just sat and watched the fountain. I had time.

Cactus

September 16, 2010 | Somewhere in Pitzer

Meet Cactus Man. He lives on the Pitzer campus with other cacti. But the other cacti don't have a face like Cactus Man.

Stampede

September 15, 2010 | Harvey Mudd College, East Dorm

One of the HMC frosh was showing off his new NERF gun today. (Before he did, though, others surprised him and sprayed him with darts.) This is the NERF Stampede, released in the states just 6 days ago. Then a few of us stood there and talked about (NERF) guns.

Then someone from Claremont-McKenna joined us. He's a self-proclaimed expert on modifications, seems to have quite a bit of experience with NERF guns and mods, and is the Claremont Colleges Humans vs. Zombies moderator. He also talked about guns and fixed one or two that had problems.

Anyway... I arrived in Claremont via the Union St. 11:20 train, slowly made my way all the way up to Case Hall in HMC (one of the farthest-away buildings in the 5C), got Carl to come out, put my stuff inside, and felt much more free immediately afterward. (I got there in time for Lunch, yay!) I very soon bumped into a few of old friends I wanted to see - it's nice being on a very small campus.

Brownies

September 14, 2010 | Jessica's House

You made these yesterday! And we all liked them.

I left the heart-shaped cookie in the fridge on your shelf. It's for you if you want - I decided not to stuff it in my backpack.

Globe

September 13, 2010 | Von Kleinsmid Center

Here's the VKC Tower. I hope my somewhat original approach is good enough.

USC

September 13, 2010 | Von Kleinsmid Center

I finally got out to shoot at USC today. I like this raised patio. There's a big tower with a globe on it behind me.

Potluck

September 12, 2010 Welcome back social

Today was my dance social where we got to mingle with our new members and take on Littles like a sorority/fraternity. We also got fabulous new shirts. Unfortunately, they are white, my towel is red, and I like mixing loads.

Views

September 11, 2010 Highland & Hollywood

This picture comes from the mall at Highland & Hollywood. You can see the Hollywood sign in this one, too! We were here on Friday. We shuttled from here to the Hollywood Bowl, but not before seeing the historic Grauman's Chinese Theatre and some of the stars (on the ground...not the celebrities...or the blobs in the sky) on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. The Hollywood Walk of Fame is also known for its celebrity impersonators. We saw Darth Vader, but he vanished when we got out of the parking lot. We also saw Jason Voorhees from the Friday the 13th movies, Garfield, and Hello Kitty...(yeah...s/he looked rather interesting).

Bowl

September 10, 2010 Pink Martini and the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra

We went to the Hollywood Bowl on Friday which was super awesome because I have never been to the Bowl before. And the Pink Martini was very good. And the Hollywood sign can be seen from here. Yay.

Nihon-jin

September 9, 2010 Dir En Grey

This comes from the Dir En Grey and Apocalyptica concert. I don't really know this band. I've heard of them before, but I didn't really get into them. I'm more of a melodic metal girl and less of a thrash/extreme metal type. I think I'm in love with the guitarist now though. He has nice long hair. Also, I just wanted to comment on how this was the most Asian metal concert I had ever gone to. Not that there were that many Asians, but there were significantly more Asians compared to other concerts I have seen. I attribute this to the J-rock(/metal?) status of Dir En Grey. Though these terms won't mean much to some people, I saw Gothic Lolita and Cyber Goth styles in concert goers. Fun! Also, after Dir En Grey finished performing, many of their fans left the pit which is when I discovered the ridiculous height difference between Dir En Grey fans (super short) and Apocalyptica Fans (super tall), which was why I couldn't join the pit for when Apocalyptica went on stage.

Apocalyptica

September 8, 2010 Eicca giving commands

Apocalyptica is one of my favorite bands. They were also my first rock/pop/non-school/non-classical concert by my standards. I saw The Bravery once, but they were playing for free at my school; so, that doesn't count. I last saw Apocalyptica in 2008 in a smaller club, The Roxy. Here, at Club Nokia, I had the chance to be in the pit, but remembering that tall people at concerts suck, I choose to be on the second standing platform. I loved it. I hate having to strain to see my loves. Perttu is on the left. I love him because he facebook-friend-requested me. I don't know how that happened, but that was one of the most amazing days of my life (they aren't exactly an unknown band). Mikko is my inspiration to play drums one day. Eicca is beautiful and, with Perttu, headbangs awesomely. Paavo is awesome because he really tries to engage the audience. The show ended with Hall of the Mountain King, a cello metal version on a Grieg classic and one of the first songs I heard by them. I want to see them again!

LADWP

September 7, 2010 Castle in the City

Unfortunately, I have to do another picture from 9/5 because my days have been hectic. Here is the water which surrounds the fortress known as the-building-which-receives-my-bill-payments-for-power. I noticed that they have solar panels on the side in the parking lot. This building, like the Walt Disney Concert Hall, is ridiculously awesome. They are basically next to each other...diagonally...kind of.

Disney

September 6, 2010 Walt Disney Concert Hall

This picture comes from 9/5 while we were wondering downtown. I love Walt Disney Concert Hall. I love the inside of it, not a bad seat (though there are better). And the outside is so interesting, like the EMP in Seattle. It is magical. Too bad the concert season hasn't started yet. LA Phil is amazing.

Sisters

September 5, 2010 City Hall

I like this sign. I passed by it on the bus once and wanted to come back to it. So, it was nice being able to see it again while we wondered around downtown. The sign lists the sister cities of Los Angeles and their distance from here. Taipei is listed. Cool beans.

Conspicuous

September 4, 2010 Chubby Sodas

This is super disgusting and outrageous. Under 9 fluid oz, these drinks pack some 28g of sugar. The colors are bright and unnatural, though this isn't a good example.

Fireworks

September 10, 2010 | Hollywood Bowl

Pink Martini's Fireworks Finale at the Hollywood Bowl - with fireworks. The concert featured 81-year-old Jane Powell, NPR White House correspondent Ari Shapiro, some Rufus Wainwright, and the original cast of Sesame Street. Pretty amazing, both the concert and the place. We went with the lunch-packing group.

Packing

September 9, 2010 | USC Religious Center

We were packing lunches for homeless and underprivileged children in the community... I think. Here's a link to their web site. They gave us free food afterwards.

Door

September 9, 2010 | Jessica's Apt.

My memory of these whiteboards goes back to SIMUW, when we lived in McCarthy (UW North Campus dorm). The upper portion of the board is for administrative use (there were some numbers on there that I erased), and the bottom portion is for general internal communication. If you don't understand the chemistry joke or it's hard to see: polar bears and girls who like Nutella are in equilibrium with liquid nitrogen contributing to more polar bears and more Nutella, the other way.

This is not meant to imply that Nutella contributes to climate change, or that climate change can be solved with liquid nitrogen.

Dinner

September 7, 2010 | Jessica's Apt.

The end result. Left to right: steamed rice, left-over curry, hot sauce (which I didn't try), eggs and tomatoes, fried cabbage.

Cooking

September 7, 2010 | Jessica's Apt.

Jessica is making fried cabbage. I'm watching.

Since I have a lot of pictures to do, I'll abstain from writing long comments.

Peace

September 5, 2010 | Hope across from LADWP

I like this fountain. Partly because it says "Peace on Earth", and partly because of the way it runs on a timer. I caught it when the three sides were already high but the front was still low, so you can see the sign.

Tokyo

September 5, 2010 | Little Tokyo Historic Street

We went to Little Tokyo today (yesterday). There's a mall with a bookstore of the same name as the one in Uwajimaya, and another store that kind of looks like Uwajimaya, and there are sushi restaurants and curry and spicy Korean food. Then there's a street with shops and restaurants that we haven't explored much because it was starting to get dark. This is a historic street.

LA is kind of intimidating. Then, Budapest was also intimidating the first few days.

Alarms

September 5, 2010

This is my alarm clock. It has a light, two front buttons, a 12h-24h switch, a mode switch, and an alarm switch on the right. Pressing either the HR of MIN button causes the alarm time to be displayed. Pressing both displays 88:88 and makes the clock beep if an alarm is on. This picture is to remind us of the first morning in LA involving this clock and my phone.

029 is prime. Except a C nerd would say that 029=05².

Innovations

September 3, 2010 Dim sum truck

This truck is one of the newest trucks to make its appearance in the LA area. It rolled out sometime in the winter/spring. I had food from the truck once, and it was okay. I had one of those Chinese "tamale" things. I guess I should check out their other foods - siu mai, har gow - that are more common for a better standard for assessment. I'm so hungry right now.