Moved B in to his new apartment

He bought me flowers :)

We went to see Tyrone Wells

We had a great time at the concert but some random things happened. This old guy (probably late 40's) was hitting on these two women next to us. The women were probably in their late 30's or early 40's but they were both attractive and they were being polite to him when he came over. But then he got really weird and bought them a pitcher of beer (which they didn't drink) and he started sort of harassing them and trying to put his arm around one of them and one of the women was drawing attention to them because she was like "seriously, cut it out" kinda loud. So B and I were looking around us and everyone was kinda worried about it, so he inched us over to stand next to the women so that the guy was blocked and couldn't talk to them anymore. After the guy finally left, some other people were complimenting him because they were kind of worried too. It was kind of distracting but the concert was still good.

My first time ever voting

Today was my first time voting, and I went out of my way to make sure I got to vote!

As any other Tuesday or Thursday morning, I had to take a 45 minute buss to a class in Grand Rapids at 8:30am this morning. I had an exam at 11:30am, which I did a little extra studying for in between classes, and then at 12:45pm, I immediately hopped on a bus back to Allendale, and then another bus to go to the voting location. Waited in line almost an hour to vote, and took one bus back to Allendale again and another bus to Grand Rapids to be a few minutes late to my 4:00pm class.

I was flipping out because I was supposed to meet a group at 3:00pm for our group presentation at 4:00pm, and I not only had I missed that, but I didn't even know if I'd make it back to class on time. It got to a point where I was in line to vote and realized I could either vote and be late for a class our group was supposed to present in, or I could get out of line to make it back to class early enough to review with my group and ease into the actual class presentation.

I knew that if I wanted to get back just on time, I'd have to leave early. But I thought to myself "to hell with it" this is my first time having the opportunity to vote, I'll be late if I need to, even if my group is presenting to the class! I called my group members when I was on the bus, rehearsed while I was on the bus, and ran to class just a minute before we started. I didn't feel too bad that I had dumped a little bit on my group because I'd pulled my weight in the project earlier on, so it balanced out.

I was actually kind of nervous about voting, especially since I know I'm not super educated about all of the issues... I mean I tried to be but there are only so many things that actually apply to me that I understand). I knew my family was voting differently, and I'm told I'm so indecisive (that's the nice version that's been said to me) that I can't seem to make decisions on my own a lot. I know I contemplate a lot and ask for a lot of opinions, but yes, it's because I'm not confident in a lot of the decisions I make. But it's clear when I am confident in the decisions I make, and when I am, I'm extremely confident and demand to have it my way.

Also, something happened that evening that really took an unexpected, strange toll on my thoughts. I was having dinner with a friend who has strongly opposing views compared to mine. I'm usually quite passive when it comes to conversations about politics and religion because I think it is pointless getting into arguments (especially when a lot of people my age don't seem know what they're talking about), and I think it is more important to know what yourself thinks instead of convincing other people. Discussion is good, but I don't need to battle. Anyway the point is, for once, it really didn't sit right with me what this person was saying or how she was saying it. More so because we'd had a clean, healthy discussion about it before about how we completely disagreed, and here she was making a disrespectful, immature joke about it to my face and completely disregarding me. It'd happened before but I'd just shrugged it off, but maybe I was in my "election issues mode" so it bothered me. What am I trying to say here? I guess I was surprised at this because I don't usually feel too bothered by friends disagreeing on important issues, and I'm starting to see myself feel that way more often. Or maybe it's because we're newer friends and I didn't think she'd say something like that? I don't know, I'm just ranting now.

It makes me proud, for once, to be an American! I feel like I'm always struggling with this feeling that I'm not Asian enough to be Asian, not white (American) enough to be white, not girly enough to be a girly girl, not tomboy-ish enough to be a tomboy. I am somewhere in between everything and I have a hard time trying to figure out what to identify with. But this is one step towards something, and I'm still growing up in baby steps!

Tyrone Wells and Jason Reeves!

My birthday weekend/annual trip getaway with my sweetie

Thoughts in the corners of my mind

Things that have recently always been on my mind and my motivation to get through this hard week:

Copper Beech Townhouses - where I will officially be moving to next semester! The Homestead 4 bedroom condo - where I will be celebrating my birthday with the man of my dreams for my birthday (at no cost!) Family - the guy who has been like a father figure to me (here he is with his family)! Jess - my new best girlfriend (eating her beloved Snackers at Olga's... not sure why she's squinting so much, hehehe)

I can't even explain what I've been through

Tonight is the first night I've turned my phone off in a long time. Not because it keeps ringing, but because I'm afraid it won't for the rest of the night.

Beautiful places and inspiring spaces

Well, my trip to England has overall been really great, and my last few days at Ricardo have sparked a lot of mixed emotions.

Everything I wanted, basically happened and in the best way possible.

I had two long conversations with Raul in his office before I left, in which he told me to think about what I want to do next summer and when I graduated. "Let me know what you want to do and I'll try to make it happen.

James also emailed me since I didn't get a chance to see him again before I left. He wrote, "I think the guys were really impressed with your professionalism & work ethic – we’d be happy to have you back over for another stint next year. Best of luck with the studies & do stay in touch – remember, get your piece of paper & then you’re in the driving seat."

After I returned to the US, I got to finally meet the new VP of Bus Dev/Marketing and the new Marketing Manager, both who were hired/started while I was away. If I had decided to stay, the VP would have been my new boss, and the Marketing Manager would be replacing a lot of my responsibilities (this position was open for a very long time and I was filling in for the responsibilities in the interim).

After a few long conversations with them, John (the VP) was quite frank to tell me what kind of work he could see me doing for him if I came back. He asked me point blank if I thought I would return, and I told him bluntly that I him and Bryan (the new Marketing Manager) would have to "get this department's act together" and then I would decide.

Both are incredibly smart and outgoing people, perfect for these two position. They have the experience, drive, and fresh perspective that we desperately need in order to straighten things out around Ricardo and take charge of our strategies. I am so happy for the future of this department and can't wait to see what happens!

Love's Fish Restaurant

Love's Fish Restaurant used to be Ruby Tate's which was a restaurant featured on Gordon Ramsay's Kitchen Nightmares. Ruby Tate's was closed down right after the show and Love's Fish Restaurant evolved. The interior of the restaurant is the makeover that Gordon Ramsay did. The food there is really good! And if you can see in the window, there is a big news article about Ruby Tate's with a big pictures of Gordon Ramsay!

A few pictures from Brighton

Some department store that was broken down into sections by brand - apparently there is a brand called Tammy :)

Here's the Brighton Clock Tower - here's what it says on MyTravelGuide.com: Built in 1888 to commemorate Queen Victoria's Golden Jubilee, the clock carries portraits of the Queen, Prince Albert and their son, the future Edward VII, and his wife. Above the clock is a gilt copper sphere, a time ball that once rose up a mast every hour and fell on the hour. The mechanism is no longer in use as the council had so many complaints from local residents about the noise.


This is an art piece at a small museum inside an old church:


Here's the view from the beach. Not the kind of beach you are thinking of though. This one is rocks (instead of sand) and ice cold, violent water. Not pleasant to hang out in, but still beautiful. My hotel is right after the brick building - it is the the cream colored one with the black balconies (kind of hard to see). All along that brick area you see between the beach and the road are clubs, pubs, and restaurants.

The ugly skeleton of a pier that was burned down a few years ago:

Apparently, Thursday is the new Sunday

So I haven't been out as much as I thought I would this week, I mean around Brighton (grrr). I actually worked late hours two days because I made the mistake of telling the office back at DTC that I'd be checking my email regularly and that I had a phone number at my desk here. What it comes down to is, I haven't been able to do any STC work and I've been stupidly taking on more DTC work while I'm here.

I would have hoped I had more control over my time and that people would leave me alone a little bit more since I am not at DTC, but in fact, it has been the opposite today. Dean asked Janice to contact me and requested a few time consuming things, and with the distance/time difference, I did not get this request in time to finish it before 5:30pm here. I ended up staying quite late. It was quite frustrating but I didn't know how to say "too bad, no I can't do it".

I think a part of the problem is that I feel bad for doing a half-ass job on certain events and projects, but the other part of me argues "I had to do it, I just couldn't get it done before leaving for STC because it is just too much work!" The second part of the problem is that the department does not exist anymore so I don't have anyone else to direct questions and inquiries to. Andy and Simon over here at HM were in awe of what kind of stress I allow them to push on me - especially since the phone keeps ringing and ringing for me and it is always more work for me to do. I'm not answering the phone anymore, forget it.

Anyyyyway, separate from the bitter side of me.... I went out to lunch with the Harrington McDermott team on Tuesday afternoon(!!!!!!) They're such a great group of guys, I am so excited to be here working with them! They are what I imagined and more: super talented, witty people, strategic planners, and kick ass!

I had a long chat with James before lunch and during our walk to the restaurant about my possible future at HM and about how things are going in the US. He was very keen to the idea of having me work for HM from now on, separate from Ricardo (which was my hidden agenda to bring this up) but he said there are a lot of complications regarding visas, work permits, and how that affects taxes. But he did say there is a good possibility. One particular concern he had was that he felt Ricardo may have a really bad reaction to the situation if I take everything Ricardo has invested in me and go to HM, which I have a hard time wrapping my head around because I'll be really working for them no matter who signs my checks at the end of the day. More to come about this. I'm not leaving until we get a little closer to a decision (aka I'm not leaving until I've had a chance to convince them this is a good idea).

I went bowling with the IT group on Tuesday which was a ton of fun. It was so weird to finally put names to faces of people I've worked closely with in the last couple years! Here are some funny pictures:



I haven't had a bad meal so far, although I've been super super cautious. I look at the number of people already in the restaurant (if it's busier, I think the food is probably better) and the menu before I walk in. But part of it is that I've gone to restaurants that Claude and Tina have recommended, have just gone to the grocery store for ready-made sandwiches, or have eaten lunch at the canteen at STC.

Went out on Thursday night with Nicholas, Lauren, and two of Nicholas's friends and got t-r-a-s-h-e-d. We went out on the Brighton Pier to a bar for beer and then I had my first try of Pimms (yum!), back on the Seafront to a Chinese restaurant where we beer and sake with dinner, and then out to the Honey Club (it's on wikipedia... weird) on the seafront. I was so hungover the next morning, I passed out on the couch in the HM conference room for like an hour in the morning (embarassing! oops). More funny pictures to come - I have to get most of them from Lauren anyway.