Monday, November 01, 2004

Love conquers all

Omnia vincit amor
A book, the rule of four, borrowed from a friend, included a reference and a discussion of the painting. In the book, Love (Cupid as the cute naked baby) is beating upa grown satyre (the hairy sexy man with a horse body...hmmm). Now why would that be? And why are there two women present there? One explanation is on the MET art page.

I like the interpretation in the book. What happens when you have two loves? Kicks the one love for a lifetime theme out of the window isnt it? Some would argue one of the loves would be unhealthy obsession, butif you look deeply, there might be something stronger. Someone told me I knowI love someone or something when I won't care what my parents think....I sure witnessed that last weekend (Bless you two).

And then they say Love is blind..now mybe that cupid is beating up thewrong character there! Go figure...

Tuesday, October 19, 2004

No "nouki" ?

Well, one of my best friend is getting married and it amazes me how fast it goes.

So I'm in the middle of packing, preparing for my interviews, and refreshing on everything I'm supposed to have acquired for 6 years..grrr

News? Well, how about that chip to be implanted for medical records? And once again, for the simple minds like me, it's annoying to see that things are never black or white. Chips are good (with a hamburger and fish, just kidding) if you want to save on paper, but bad because it can be used to infringe your liberties/freedom...well, I think there must be something acting as a chip implant for that, maybe more secret (think Interpol?)...and maybe I just read too many of those Robert Ludlum pages.

As for nouki, still one at the horizon...

Wednesday, October 06, 2004

Food and emotions

On this chilly wednesday morning, I started my daily routine: oatmeal, shower, bus, email checking. But today a slight variation. I was itching from going to the mall...a girl has got to do what she feels like right? So to wait for the bus I hop into Cofee Haven, the nearest coffee shop, because my stomach was asking for food. Hum, that diet is definetely not working. Asked for a small chai and a cookie....
Got back to the bus stop and started sipping on the Chai...maybe because it was chilly and I was not full awake yet, and the prospect of spending money...but oh boy, that Chai hit a spot! The best sweet chai eve in my life...

So on the bus, while savouring the delicious brew(I could get addicted to this), I wondered...Those food tasters, do they taste your food with an empty stomach or after a Mac Donald splurge? heheheh I guess if you own a reputable restaurant, you better hope the critics are not coming with a full stomach...actually u better hope they're coming after a break up or a major setback, or going to shop...

And so today I'm poorer than 4 hours ago, but I had a great Chai and 3 new Cds...

Monday, October 04, 2004

October weekend

On Saturday I planned to do dance tango and taste some Argentianian food. Instead, I went to NCSU homecoming football game and tasted Bojangles fried chicken (like KFC) and attempted to dance to the Wolfpack song (failed).

For all those who object that I am a traitor to VaTech, pray, no worries. VT games are way much more fun because we shake our keys on 3rd down, and we dance when the Marching Virginians are playing. The only cool thing at this game was that 99% of the stadium was red (school color)...Tech's games are kinda weird bi-colored...anyway, at Wolfpack game, expect to sit at time outs!

I digress...I did down a big bottle of smirnoff ice (before 11am) and managed to walk to the stadium without any help. And of course, I attracted this tall young black male who turned out to be an undercover cop suspicious of my age. I showed him off with my ID...

Apart from that, a pretty uneventfull weekend, with mild temperature and headache.

Thursday, September 30, 2004

Friends

Yes, I am in my Post-Friends period...The serie ended and I'm also far away from my friends. So here's a little something to let you know I remember. All of you hopefully will recognize which one you are.

Boarding school wouldn't be the same without you
And I still totally trust and support you in what you do
I miss those perfect chemistry lab we had

Your weird attraction to the occult
You, silly russian baker!
I hope to come across you in the flesh again soon
and save you from exhaustion while you try to save the world

You taught me windsurfing and sailing
Between Maths and Physics books
And how to live life at its fullest despite all the crazy nuns around!

It was love at first sight
Green eyes, shy, we didn't spend enough time together
But we'll still be crazy when we meet

You're easily high on sugar
and drives me mad with laughter
And when you enter a room, I know there's fun ahead!

A roomate from heaven
Who introduced me to opor ayam and es teler
And who will get the "mado desu" expression!

East coast, foxtrot, salsa
You get it all, and a piece of my wretched heart
I hope to get a dance with you again someday

Close beds, drunken parties, and late night talking
You're a role model for your motivation and application
May New York give you what you came for

I'll never be as dedicated to to foeld as you are
Engineer to the bone, you make me laugh at my worst

You make me feel like a better person
And say all the right things I thought I'll never hear
It's a real blessing to know you

She says she hastwo left feet
But she forgot to say she's gorgeous and knows how to move everything else!

Ah you people, thank you!


And now, I need to find a leotard for my ballet class.....no kidding!

Mr Wrong

Before you think I'm bitter and just overzealous, let me tell you that despite what it seems, not all guys are Mr Wrong. But It's sure annoying that most of them seem to run into me. So here are some characteristics of Mr Wrong...

1) Loves to talk, about themselves and things I do not care about
2) Seems to think women belong in the kitchen and to be babymakers 24/7
3) Thinks I'm stupid and cannot take care of myself
4) Has a B.O. problem
5) Doesn't like my friends because they're not smart enough for him
6) Cannot perform under pressure, or 3sec is the norm...(waste of my time)
7) Does not like Classical Music at all
8) Offers no support in anything I do (so what if I want to be a brain surgeon?)
9) overly protective
10) Does not stand PDA....weird, I know

Wednesday, September 29, 2004

Aging..courtesy of IEEE Spectrum

So I stumbled on this article about aging in IEEE Spectrum...i'm a geek, I admit. In summary, this is what I got from the article.

We, humans are machines (not mammals from discovery channels). Unlike good man-made machines however, which are made of the best working parts found or created, we are a collection of redundant defective parts. Aging then is when cells fail and requires other cells to take up their jobs...After a while, there are no more cells to replace the dead cells, hence we die...glorious prospect. For those familia with reliability theory, there's a lot of jargon involved, but all in all, all I can remeber is the rate of brain cell death is constant, i.e. it's not because we are older that we loose more brain cells.
Right. Of course it's the rate that is constant...anyway...
And the final paragraph of the article says it all really:"Our life span is a time bomb with many fuses burning at different speeds. Cutting off only one fuse may be inadequate-we need to take care of them all"

Now, that's a deep perspective on anti-aging creams and plastic surgery!

(Full article here): IEEE Spectrum, September 2004, Why We Fall Apart .

Mr Right

The winter is looming ahead and I again face my cold king sized bed alone. I'm not looking for Mr Right, because as they say, he'll never show up when I'm ready..okay, for the heck of it here is some qualities and peks of my Mr Right.
-Eye catching gorgeous
-Treats me right and doesn't underestimate my capacity for evilor good doing
-Into watersports...come to think of it, any sports except fishing and hunting
-At least tolerates classical music and doesn't mind going to Ballet recitals or Philharmonic orchestras
-Does not smoke
-Can hold his drinks (coz I can't, I'll need someone to safely get me home!)
-Loves to cook (imagine a man cooking in his boxers and an apron on...sexy..ok, too much Food Network viewing but hey, a girl has got to dream)
-Likes to try new things (food, wine, dances, positions), things not including new women
-Likes to dances (from jumping up and town style to salsa, swing, waltz....)
-reliable, terribly on time all the time
-Comfortable in the jungle (survivor style) and in tight social protocol situation (aka family dinners)


The list is fairly long already but as Xmas is getting here soon, it's ok to get in the mood...And a gift certificate won't do in this case! Although you can argue maybe it's appropriate...urgh, we'll see.

5 Top reasons to be an actress

just for fun and because I was bored lately, despite 6days/week CSi on TV, here is what floated in my idled brain. These cannot be used to convince women under the age of 18...

1) To increase the chance of snogging bodiliscious men (Brad pitt, Hayden Christensen, Josh Hartnett, Gregory Smith, and Jason Lewis to namea few...)
2) To fulfill the drama queen tendencies to over-react (different from acting obviously)
3) To get discount to see Movie Premieres and even at designer boutiques.
4) To loose weight because you are surrounded by skinny, smooth-skinned women (and wannabes). It's the ultimate incentive to get on that favorite diet: The no delicious food diet.
5) To be able to visit those major studios and play with green/blue screens...for FREE! You might even get paid for it if you have a decent agent.

Of course, there are more resons you can think of, but these are the ones at hand so far.

Wednesday, August 25, 2004

encounters

A weekend full of memories, and nice encounters. Missing some acquaintances and eating huge sandwiches with friends and strangers ("what's your name again?"). Strange feeling. Seems like what happen after you die maybe? Watching the world go on...
But it was comforting, as I live through their memories....

And I am painfully building a new life...

Monday, August 09, 2004

What's in a name?

A rose...well, until my name is known, I am nothing in this town. To be honest and build a reputation, that is my quest. How many frowns, how many 'no' until I finally get through? The door is locked and I'm looking for a way out. I am not sure banging the door would help either, so I keep digging my mind for some bright ideas.

How far am I willing to change to get the message across? How much am I willing to give up? I put myself on trial for the next week and see if some good happens. Until then, I'll hang on to my name, the only thing that keeps my confidence intact.

Monday, July 19, 2004

my inexistent love life

I thought I had a sad love life before.
Well, stuck in the Carolinas, no pun intended, I barely have any life at all! I left a small college town where I knew a couple of reliable guys to come to a city where I know nobody apart from my sister. Well, After 3 weeks, I am barely in speaking terms with a 2pm bus driver called Tony. And surprise, surprise, he thought I was 17....

Oh how I miss my sweet reveries of MK, and the close encounters we have near McBryde! Why the initials? Because I surely dont' have his approval to realease his name out there. I sound like a bitter adult fiction character, but unfortunately, I don't shag anyone in my stories, and I am way far from being a successful PR or editor. I do fancy MK, and he probably don't give a damn. Yet, I haven't been able to replace him yet.

NCSU is pretty and even has some cute romantic spots. It is still lacking the full power of its 70% male students students though as the summer only retains the nerdy, geekly-clad boys. For a new start, a new life, i set myself a goal not to fall for a younger, poorer, less responsible man.

So between my rare job interviews, I debate whether to write to MK or not...The life of a spinster is looming ahead of me..arghhhh

Thursday, June 24, 2004

That Viagra commercial

Have you noticed that Viagra commercial yet? The one which features the song by Queens: "We are the Champions"....very appropriate.
I realized men are so lucky to have their problems solved by a litle pill. A man's ego is summarized in that litle magic. In contrast I have trouble deciding what to eat, or when to eat, what to wear, be friedly while PMS-ing, why is he not calling, what card to send to my friends today,my tighs are too big, are my eybrows symmetric, ...and the list never ends.
Of course, you can always argue I watch too much TV, and I agree totally.

So for all the women out there who haven't found the perfect commercial to solve their problems, I say:
CHEERS, for without us there won't be trade. No GAP, or Victoria Secrets, no sunless tanning lotions, no huge diamond on a ring, and no bikini's....

Oh, and by the way, the razor commercial (Venus) is not comparable to the viagra...

Wednesday, June 16, 2004

Note to self

This is to remind myself of who was where...and when

2004
Spring
Cornelia, Ati, Zohal, Ghada, Jen, Mischa, Pankaj, Ragy, Paul

2003
Fall
Fernando, Carolina, Cornelia, Ati, Zohal, Ghada, Jen, Mischa, Pankaj, Ragy

Spring
Fernando, Carolina, Cornelia, Ati,Zohal,Ghada, Jen,Mischa, Pankaj, Ragy, Nancy, Usha, Jeff

2002
Fall
Fernando, Carolina, Cornelia, Ati, Jen, Johan, Mischa, Pankaj, Ragy, John, Kezang, Enrique, Hussein

Spring
Enrique, Alan, Simon, Paul, Peter, Fernando, Mischa, Ragy, Cornelia, Carolina, Anne-Lise,Jackie, Nancy, Ati, Jen, Ali, Pankaj, Cynthia,Valerie, Belen, Jens, Andreas, Hussein, Johan

2001
Fall
Ramy, Ragy, Andreas, Adanna, Joanne, Robert, Adrian, Katie, Emma, Mischa, Hussein, Dave, Ali, Jen, Cornelia

Spring
Ramy, Jacob, Alex,Hussein, Dave, Fernando

2000
Fall
Stephane, Hanita, Guillaume, Kurt, Johan

Spring
Caroline, Fred, Mischa, Hussein

1999
Fall
Caroline, Fred, Mischa, Hussein

After Sun shout Out

You think this is insignificant, but there is a market for After Sun lotion. When you go to the grocery store, all you see is sun block and sunless tanning lotions. Then hidden in the middle of somewhere (pads and toothpaste, you might find one botle of after sun lotion.
Agreed, you just need something with Aloe Vera and mint or anything soothing after sun. But you know, creating a label that says After Sun might actually prompt people to use some soothing lotions, hence increase sales..but then again, whatever ...I'm no marketing guru here! Just looking for a choice of After Sun Lotion!
Peace!

Monday, June 14, 2004

England-France UEFA cup showdown

So I didn't want to go out and watch a soccer game on a flat screen TV. Instead I listened to the game commentaries online with BBC 5 live and RFI..yes, it's possible and I was suprised to find them so easily. As for visual cues, the UEFA website actually has a play by play text description...amazing. Switching back and forth between the English and French commentaries was pretty funny. English bloke was real excited and screaming on top of his lungs when Lampart scored...I missed it but I caught the 'instant replay' from his voice....well, at least the English fans are way loud and bring out that warm atmosphere of...well, beer, sweat and whatever..
Anyway, had a live reaction from my dear friend in Montreal (AP) when Zizou scored in the last minutes....I kinda was wishing for a tied game but hey, things happen! I didnt have any of the fan shirt so it was pretty cozy in my PJs...uh huh..

The next big game for me is Denmark and Italy...I dont like to watch soccer, i like to listen to the comments and hear the fans...If I watch on TV, I root for the team with the most cute guys...after all, they're more than athletes, they are fashion models!..well, they became as such after aligning their teeth, shaved some extra hair (hmm some forgot about that), and learned to talk in front of a camera....but hey, thats' another story (peer pressure).

So, that was Sunday the 13th, and I'm looking forward for some beautiful european gents to make the US news tonite...Until then, cheers and bonne chance les bleus!

Saturday, June 12, 2004

Africa

Africa
Le college, le lycée avec les copines....
Bujumbura
Petite capitale au bord du Tanganyika
Ou l'on a appris le tennis et la piscine
Ou le ciel est bleu et le goudron est bien chaud
Et les nuits sont reposantes ou dansantes chez Calo


Adolescence, nouveau né
Bujumbura
Lieu de mes premiers soucis à l'âge ingrat
Calme et petit havre de paix près de Gatoke
Premiere maison de notre cher frère Andry
Enveloppe d'amour et de chaleur dès son plus jeune age

Poussière, aube, safari
L'Afrique centrale est bien riche en paysage
Dar-Es-Salam avec ses palais orientaux et ses plages
Les herbes hautes du cratère du Ngorongoro
Vu au prix de réveil le matin tres tot
Les giraffes, lions, hippopotames et hyènes nous sourient


Vacances, desertique, moderne
Gaborone
Lieu insoupçonable ou la pluie est 'money'
Ou le bush est dense et les batiments modernes
D'ou l'on visite Nata, Francistown, Victoria Falls et Harare
Au prix de longues conduites en ligne droite vers le Zimbabwe

Shopping, Sud, meshoui
Gaborone
D'ou l'on s'échappe pour les courses à Mabatho ou Sandton
A deux jours de voiture de Capetown, Simonstown et les pingouins
Balayé de vents froid prouvant que l'Antarctique n'est pas bien loin
Ou certains se gavent de billtongs et d'agneau rotis!!!

Evènements, sports, talents
Gaborone
ou j'ai raté les Davis cup et football pres du Notwane
Bien rapportés par cette pétulante Mialy
Ou les oeuvres de Tojo font la joie de la famille
Et ou le Bull and Bush est presque toujours plein de gens.


A tous ceux qui se reconnaisent, je vous aime et vous salue.

Music of the night

Forget Outkast and Usher or Beyonce. When it comes to great karaoke night in the room, the best is the Cranberries or Abba...always keeps the atmosphere going... Try Def Leopard (Pour some sugar on me) for rock & roll. What else to help you dry up and put up that make up? Well, your spirit has to be UP !

When you're ready to get to more sophisticated lyrics, get to serious business with these charts and start warming up for that wild night out:
-Black Eyed Peas (Hey Mama)
-Outkast (Hey Ya)
-Beyonce (Baby boy)
-Sean paul (Get busy)

Anything happy will do and shake that tail feather!

What is this?

This would be my first posting in the diary section. A small explanation maybe for the person who happens to stumble on this. This is where I post my sarcastic and critical comments on everything, from movies, music of the day, my current downloads, or favorite bookmarks.

Making a diary is such a pain sometimes because there are days where nothing exciting happens...But i'll express that frustration here too. You can always respond to my comments by email...somewhere in this site.....