tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-69331535806340200112024-03-05T03:02:58.257-08:00eggs and toastTian Tianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02481731572643883621noreply@blogger.comBlogger38125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6933153580634020011.post-74972270485159287172010-12-15T05:44:00.000-08:002010-12-15T07:05:40.826-08:00Soundtrack for LifeSometimes you might as well just get up.<br /><br />It's 6:45 in the morning and I've been up since 4:00. Well, that is if you consider just lounging in bed wondering if you are going to fall back asleep as "being up." What really finally got me standing up and facing the reality that I wasn't going to fall asleep anytime soon were my bills. SERIOUSLY??? Terrible reason to get out of bed. But I paid them and then applied for two jobs while I was at it, and now I'm blogging. Oh, and I made a great cup of tea. And got three red heads up and dressed and fed and to the bus stop on time. Wow, this has already been a totally awesome day.<br /><br />I actually only logged onto bloggy to listen to Poppiholla because I wanted to feel motivated, and epic. You know, there are just some songs that no matter how many times you listen to them you feel like you can conquer the world. And why not, right? Why not feel empowered to have an absolutely great day?<br /><br />Now if only I could get theme music to play during different moments of my life. Man, characters in movies seriously have it made. Besides only having to live out one major story line, they have constant mood music. <br /><br />Wouldn't that be totally awesome if right after you stuck it to the man, Natasha Bedingfield's "Strip Me" magically chirped above? Or how much easier would it be if the this-guy-is-a-jerk-beneath-those-dimples music played when you met who-seemed-to-totally-understand-me male? Whew, thank you mood music for saving me a whole lot of heartbreak and emotional eating.<br /><br />But the music doesn't play automatically, and so thank you Chicane for empowering me.Tian Tianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02481731572643883621noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6933153580634020011.post-82717555209626969542010-12-10T15:25:00.000-08:002010-12-10T16:25:04.904-08:00The Night Starts Here<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj53ic1-mSJffo_eWk4pb1oMMKZg6iaOBRZbaftiCGHpmQaot8Yv_BnmqNN5BGu5SK2En3IiIQMpU3LY6VdvRN1AHZ1n0WHE2J3zpltN5nZSlGXWqX7mAZYUDPBeFolmHQRq95mF09mahM/s1600/Turkey+Time+001.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj53ic1-mSJffo_eWk4pb1oMMKZg6iaOBRZbaftiCGHpmQaot8Yv_BnmqNN5BGu5SK2En3IiIQMpU3LY6VdvRN1AHZ1n0WHE2J3zpltN5nZSlGXWqX7mAZYUDPBeFolmHQRq95mF09mahM/s320/Turkey+Time+001.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5549208204175045938" /></a><br />Wog is right, I <em>have</em> been pestering her to write. This.<br /><a href="http://www.reverb10.com/">REVERB 10 Reflect on this year and manifest what's next</a><br />Everyday in December the internets provides a prompt to help you review your year and put said reverberation into words. I chose to write about today's prompt because I'm all about the partying. Like it's 1999 (which was a really good year btw). And so Wog can stop sending me texts addressed to: The Pot, from: The Kettle. <br /><br /><blockquote><strong>Reberb 10, Day 9 PARTY<br />December 9 </strong><br />What social gathering rocked your socks off in 2010? Describe the people, music, food, drink, clothes, shenanigans.<br />Author - Shauna Reid, <em>Diet Girl</em></blockquote><br /><br />This year I FINALLY attended a concert at the Granada - an old movie house turned indie rock venue on Greenville Avenue. It's the perfect place for the not so hard core music lover to see a show because it's so unassuming. The Granada won't make you feel as though you must dress in your edgiest outfit and wear extra eyeliner, although both of those behaviors are generally encouraged by myself. The theater is small inside but there is plenty of standing room for the dancers or tables for the too drunk to continue dancing-ers. Also, they sell gourmet pizza which is so delicious that you just can't picture the people around you as heroine groupies and become suitably intimidated because the fare is tasty and the box office so friendly. "Be Yourself" is painted in large script on the ceiling and angels and other unidentified fanciful creatures flit around the walls. One cannot help but feel groovy at the Granada.<br /><br />This is why I was excited when Super snagged tickets for herself, Toad and I to see Stars. This and because Stars gave a gorgeous performance. They threw fresh white roses out into the crowd between sets (?) and told us all at the end that, "putting on your best clothes, going out, having drinks with friends and live music" is the best way to spend your time. Stars, you must be right. <br /><br />We danced! Even Toad danced, in his own way. We sang. We flung our arms straight up, let our heads fall back and swaaaaaaaaaaaayed. Nobody judged us. <br /><br />That night several of the pictures taken of me are reminiscent of Paul Rudd playing Paris on Romeo+Juliet, I was enjoying myself with such childlike abandon that my only concern was whether my companions had fallen in love with this music, this band, this night as well.<br /><br />They had. Nobody wanted to go home when it ended. We wanted to float up into the ceiling on Stars melodies and reside as gatekeepers of good live music karma for ever.Heiderheadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06191863881819937725noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6933153580634020011.post-32400322490971321322010-12-07T11:21:00.000-08:002010-12-07T11:51:30.631-08:00And this makes one more post in 2010 than 2009. YES!As bad as this sounds, it's always good to find someone who is worse at something than you. I'm bad at frequently blogging, but not nearly as bad as <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">HeiderH</span>. She hasn't blogged in over two years--I know because my blog feeder let's me know that every time I log on. It's a nice little reminder saying, "Welcome back slacker <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Tian</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Tian</span>. Surprised you even remembered your password. Aren't you a lazy girl? Enjoying your Slurpee life? Well, at least you logged on. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">HeiderH</span> hasn't done anything for TWO YEARS." And then I feel better at my sister's expense. There are so many devious reasons for having sisters, and I love them all.<br /><br />Nonetheless, (isn't that such a crazy word--it literally is three words squashed together) I'm so pleased to welcome <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">HH</span> as a "contributor" to Eggs and Toast. And it was totally her idea. She said, "Add me as a contributor" because she is just grasping at straws now because I haven't done anything else she has told me to do in the past month and half. So, randomly she shouted out that this would help her blogging curse and then I pathetically replied, "Well, it will probably take me some time to figure out how to add you so don't expect it to happen anytime soon." But that was just a lie to buy me more time to procrastinate and not do anything she tells me to do. I've noticed these little lies are becoming more commonplace in my life right now. <br /><br />A couple weeks ago, I told <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">MasterJ</span> an entire story about buying a scarf from this little Asian woman during which I proceeded to mimic her with a Taiwanese accent as if she had recently immigrated to the states even though in reality the woman spoke English beautifully and was probably born and raised in Baltimore. Shortly after I finished the story, I told <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">MasterJ</span> that that wasn't really how things went down and I made part of the story up; he laughed in my face about how mendacious I am. And then he <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">imitated</span> my Taiwanese accent and it was terrible and so I secretly relished how much better I was at it than him.<br /><br />Speaking of MasterJ, today is his birthday and it's a good thing he doesn't read this blog because I pretty much said, "Happy Birthday, J! I'm better at a fake Asian accent than you. Love!!!" <br /><br /><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">Sidenote</span>: This whole post is giving me a really strange <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">deja</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">vu</span> moment with an early 90s sitcom that I just can't put my finger on.Tian Tianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02481731572643883621noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6933153580634020011.post-63371174387258619322010-11-18T11:37:00.000-08:002010-11-18T12:32:34.584-08:00I Reserve the RightIt's obvious that I have a wild and inconsistent love affair with the FaceB. I'm currently not-active, you know, like not using, because the FaceB is an addiction and my list of addictions is rather lengthy so I've decided that virtual stalking should not be on the list. As such, I have dragged HeiderHead into this crazy relationship with the FaceB where we reactivate and deactivate our accounts like a-line haircuts. (Ahhh, why do I always want that short flippy bob when I can't stand short hair????) Recently, HH got back on the FB because of work, at least that is what she says, and she had a "friend" comment on her account instability to which she replied "I reserve the right to get on and off Facebook as much as I like." Of course, I heard this story from Fuzzy Robot because, need I repeat, I'm not currently active on the FB so how could I know this went down. So, today as I was dressing and reached for yet another black top, the thought crept in to my head "maybe you should wear a color today." To which I replied, "I reserve the right to wear black every day if I like." And that is exactly what I did. And I felt victorious.<br /><br />On a side note, here are all the titles I wanted to name this post, all taken from the 12:00 pm weekday Direct TV lineup:<br /><br />Big Cat Diary<br />Unearthing Ancient Secrets<br />I Didn't Know I Was Pregnant<br />China Power: Art Now After Mao<br />Never Rake Again!<br /><br />I really can't give enough of the lyrical quality of "Art Now After Mao." It really sings, don't you think? Too bad "I Didn't Know I Was Pregnant" couldn't be a little more audibly appealing, I might have watched it then. But great idea for a blog title, right?<br /><br />Anyway, I'm deciding to start reserving more rights, like not putting makeup on or unabashedly crushing on Bobby Flay and Michael Buble, and blogging without pictures. Oh, and I reserve the right to not join the public fascination with In-N-Out. Boo! Alright, I'm already feeling the power of democracy--Copland is ringing in my ears and I feel like watching baseball...well, maybe just eating a hot dog.Tian Tianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02481731572643883621noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6933153580634020011.post-44467777038554540872010-08-27T08:50:00.001-07:002010-08-27T09:37:24.901-07:00Eslade ListToday is Eslade's day of birth. She is a remarkable age at a remarkable time. To celebrate her birthday, I am enjoying a Charleston Chew--isn't that nice of me? Yesterday I sent her an email in part Spanish. I used a translation link on Google. She didn't respond back though. Probably because she was overwhelmed with my linguistic greatness and adaptability. Yes, that was why.<div><br /></div><div>Also, to celebrate her birth I made a list (because I LOVE lists) and I think it is only appropriate that we fully celebrate our loved ones days of birth by doing things that make us happy too. If we are happy, they are happy. This is my list, to be read in a thick Chilean accent, but if you can't do that or even know what that sounds like, don't feel bad because Eslade won't mind.</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Eslade is: (kind of like it were a FaceB status, get it?)</b></div><div><br /></div><div>nocturnal--in fact, the later the hour the greater her comedy.</div><div><br /></div><div>Unwavering in her intergrity.</div><div><br /></div><div>¡Nada que ver!</div><div><br /></div><div>a dedicated daughter.</div><div><br /></div><div>Planned Spontaneity</div><div><br /></div><div>fine using training chop sticks for months to please the Asian Princess and me.</div><div><br /></div><div>always supportive of watching teeny bopper movies.</div><div><br /></div><div>excellent at listening and remembering.</div><div><br /></div><div>unabashed in admitting she almost put a certain guy's name in her Facebook status because she thought it was the search bar.</div><div><br /></div><div>not the kind of person to even have a FaceB status because she can handle solitary independence.</div><div><br /></div><div>up for exploring new hobbies.</div><div><br /></div><div>calling the numbers on the back of trucks to tell them they are driving well.</div><div><br /></div><div>punctual.</div><div><br /></div><div>forgiving that you don't call back promptly.</div><div><br /></div><div>one year older. </div><div><br /></div><div>HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!</div><div><div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div></div>Tian Tianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02481731572643883621noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6933153580634020011.post-24178519633745665722010-08-25T21:43:00.001-07:002010-08-25T21:54:23.999-07:00Playlist<div>Don't judge my playlist just yet. And if you do, judge Heider Head because most of the songs are her suggestions. But, I'm going to add more songs--so I'm looking for recommendations. I just spent $10 on iTunes to soften my revengeful feelings against my landlord. No worries, I will get my deposit back, but in a polite manner. Just kidding, I've already sliced her with my vicious rhetoric. Needless to say, my iTunes visit made me think Bloggy could use some tunes too. We all need tunes. In fact, we need tunes so much we should sing the messages we leave on others phones rather than speak them. Hum. </div><div><br /></div>I feel so proud of myself that I figured out how to add a playlist. I'm so computer savvy. It almost makes me feel like going to work tomorrow. On, second thought...nah. At least I have new music to listen to on the way to work. That helps get out of bed in the morning--that and breakfast.Tian Tianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02481731572643883621noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6933153580634020011.post-63029722303356058612010-08-12T11:23:00.000-07:002010-08-12T11:57:33.885-07:00Sleep GuiltFor the next couple weeks I'm going to try out different blog backgrounds. I didn't realize there were so many new options <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">bloggers</span> could use to decorate their blogs now. It's rather fun, and vain. And I have never been opposed to fun and vain activities and so I will indulge myself.<br /><br />Here's a question: Do you ever feel guilty sleeping in? In Before Tian world, I would feel guilty about all sorts of things like eating sugar before 2:00 pm, watching a movie on a weekday, or outwardly admitting you don't want to go on a hike. Well, today I slept in--very late. So late that I can't even get myself to admit what hour because even though I am an independent adult, free agent, and master of my own schedule, I feel as though my mother would disapprove and how will she ever get a daughter with such bad habits married off. Would Mr. Darcy ever sleep in? Never.<br /><br />Once, Bunnicula and I watched <em>Lost</em> on Hulu for an entire afternoon. (Admit it, you or someone you know has lost their real friends to the fake people on <em>Lost </em>at some point in time. That's why it's called <em>Lost.) </em> After an episode would end, Bunny and I would peek at each other sheepishly hoping the other would first claim wanting to watch the next episode. It's always better not to initiate sluggishness but merely accompany it. Is initiate sluggishness an oxymoron? By the time Devry came home we had evaporated into the couches and convinced ourselves that we were living in a flashback scene of our lives and by the time we came to we would be back in our real, successful, and thin lives doing all sorts of productive things like saving small children in Bosnia.<br /><br />We never came to.<br /><br />However, I think it is important that once in a while we allow ourselves to sleep until we wake up. Yes, I know, everyone sleeps until they wake up; there's nothing else you can do but wake up or die. (I'm not trying to be mobid, just pointing out the facts.) But what I mean is that you sleep with no alarm, no saying to yourself "I have to be up in time for...", no consioucness of sleeping for a certain time period. You just sleep until you can't sleep anymore. I wish this was infused into my psyche earlier in life because every time I try to do this, I still wake up feeling guilty and then how will I ever suit Mr. Darcy? Oh but wait, he's fictional, like my fake friends on <em>Lost</em>.Tian Tianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02481731572643883621noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6933153580634020011.post-21982331826950018142010-08-10T09:58:00.000-07:002010-08-10T10:21:25.170-07:00Two NotesThis is an attempt to get myself to blog. I'm not officially starting to blog again, just warming up. However, after various conversations with Unicorn, Isa, and The Queen, I feel like I should pick up blogging again. I went to Unicorn's the other night; she was worried that she and T would be in the basement putting the babies to sleep and unable to hear the door. So, as a good wife would do (which by the way, I thoroughly enjoyed the first season of The Good Wife) she instructed T to write a note and put it on the door. This was T's note:<br /><br /><em>Isa & Tian Tian</em><br /><em></em><br /><em>If you are reading this, it means we are putting the children to sleep. We may not be able to hear you knock. But not to fear Walter will bark if he sees you which will alert us. He is however in Jeff's office to your right. Maybe knocking on his window will alert us sooner.</em><br /><em></em><br /><em>As for now while you wait, enjoy some of Jo's and Millie's fantastic coloring skills found here. (followed by arrows pointing to various scribbles on the paper)</em><br /><em></em><br />Now, unfortunately, I never got to see this note when I arrived. What I read was the following by Unicorn:<br /><br /><em>Hello there!</em><br /><em></em><br /><em>We are still tucking in babies, be up in a min.</em><br /><em>Walter is locked up, so please just come in and be at home!</em><br /><em></em><br /><em>Unicorn</em><br /><em></em><br />As a good husband would do, T wrote the note and then sought Unicorn's approval which obviously was not given. "She ought to have just done it herself." I only noticed T's first note when leaving because the note was still taped on the glass door and I could see there was writing on the other side. Isa and I had a good laugh at comparing the two notes. I'm not sure why it was so funny to us.<br /><em></em>Tian Tianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02481731572643883621noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6933153580634020011.post-73313551779662312522009-07-06T15:22:00.000-07:002009-07-06T15:34:50.542-07:00Another ListHaven't blogged in an extremely LONG time; good time for a list.<br /><br /><strong>Priorities Over Studying</strong> (it's my last semester, for crying out loud):<br /><br />-laundry and dishes; this is an excellent way to still feel productive<br />-dejunk my closet; I make two piles, one to go to Plato's and one for DI<br />-dejunk my closet again; I remind myself that even though the pants are super cute, I still don't fit into them, just like I didn't fit into them a year ago when I bought them (then I fold them nicely and place them...hopefully not back in the closet)<br />-eat<br />-watch movie trailers on HULU<br />-go to the gym<br />-eat<br />-devise ways of seeking revenge on Sporto<br />-organize my planner<br />-read the police beat (oh I love you police beat; may you always be true)<br />-avoid reflection of the future<br />-visit the girls: Josephine Sarah and Amelia Rose (Shell's twins)<br />-remind myself of all my good qualities<br />-sing songs I first heard on the school bus (Cranberries, Lisa Loeb, Des'ree, etc)<br />-call Chenko and tell her anecdotes; Chenko loves a good anecdote.<br />-put on the eyeshadow that has sat in my makeup bag for three years and never been used<br />-use punctuation in manners entirely new<br />-have late night chats with Eslade<br />-miss the Asian Princess<br />-blog, or think about blogging and then not blog but eatTian Tianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02481731572643883621noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6933153580634020011.post-39577360162406841792009-05-15T14:40:00.000-07:002009-05-15T14:42:31.143-07:00Taiwan Reincarnated IICountry Visit<br /><br />Yesterday, I went to Qiao Zhou<br />To see the country with my own eyes.<br />My future awaited the past—<br />Rice paddies, Taiwanese, and Aborigines.<br />Delivered by the fast-line train,<br />I pressed my face to the window and watched<br />Green banana leaves smear by,<br /> “How beautiful!” I thought.<br />Bananas for ice cream sundaes and hot bread,<br />Curving yellow smiles of silliness<br />Tempting me to enjoy<br />A banana world in Qiao Zhou.<br />A banana country.<br />I stared out the window and<br />Lin Mei stared at me.<br />“Those aren’t banana trees,”<br />She said.Tian Tianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02481731572643883621noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6933153580634020011.post-90870262635295889492009-03-27T10:38:00.000-07:002009-03-27T10:51:58.459-07:00Morning ThoughtsFor the past several months, I've chosen to walk plugged into the sounds around me rather than my shuffle. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE my metallic purple shuffle (compliments of Unicorn and Mary Poppins) but I like to save it for the gym or late-night papers--makes it more like a treat. Here's a list of thoughts (because lists are made of great and it's Friday) that I've had this morning:<br /><br />-I wish Daniel Day-Lewis would be like he was in the 90's. Oh, I heart you crazy man.<br />-I will not buy any granola bars from the vending machine today.<br />-What day is it again?<br />-I should pray.<br />-Oh, she's wearing cute shoes.<br />-Pastry.<br />-I MUST go to bed earlier.<br />-Maybe I'll get to work and there will be beds in place of chairs.<br />-Can't the bell tower mix their tunes up a bit.<br />-Oh, I hope I already missed the National Anthem.<br />-Oh, yay, the National Anthem. I really am grateful to be an American.<br />-I will assume he is Canadian and not judge him for walking during the flag raising.<br />-Maybe John Krasinski look alike in the ward will ask me out.<br />-Maybe John Krasinski will ask me out.<br />-Something good will happen today.Tian Tianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02481731572643883621noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6933153580634020011.post-60707305726167221902009-03-25T09:18:00.000-07:002009-03-25T09:22:04.053-07:00Po-em.Oh, Bloggy. I've neglected you. But it isn't because I haven't become a pseudo awful normal. I'm still writing, just secretly. <br /><br />Here's a poem I'm still working on; this is the second draft. I'm suppose to now focus in on one image or idea rather than a vast array. <br /><br /><strong>Barrel Holidays</strong><br /><br />Dark heads and almond eyes scootered<br />At the Gong of the Miao’s drum, calling home.<br />Cylindrical metal barrels waited<br />The flame of a small match.<br />Inside the barrel caverns, yellow card-stock money burned<br />New Year red,<br />And smoke trails of ash twisted<br />Into the Long’s envious tail.<br />Thin sticks of incense pierced<br />Symmetrical lines of oranges.<br />Buddha sat on a cheap table top.<br />Last night’s ginger lingered in<br />Dancing globe lanterns.<br />Grandmothers barked at sandaled posterity<br />Sneaking strawberry chews and crackers.<br />The almond eyes followed the curious blonde curls, and with<br />Toothy beetle nut grins spoke,<br />“To Bai Bai the gods,” they bowed.<br />To Bai Bai the ancestors.Tian Tianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02481731572643883621noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6933153580634020011.post-36273791109156105102009-01-14T14:48:00.000-08:002009-01-14T14:59:14.694-08:00"This is Tian. How may I help you?"Yesterday at work I answered the phone to an anxious woman. She was still in the middle of submitting every portion of her application to our program and was "just calling" to give me the heads up that one part wouldn't make it before the deadline. She continued to explain she would move forward with the admittance process and continue as if she had turned everything in even though her application was incomplete.<br /><br />Oh, that's so nice of her.<br /><br />Where do people miss out on such social understanding? I mean, I may be accused of beating to my own drum at times, and I often like to violate the social norm but in good measure. But I don't just walk out of the grocery store with my Canada Dry and processed cookies without paying because the line is too long and I don't have time right then to pay.<br /><br />After I explained that she must have that portion of the application submitted before she could proceed with anything associated with our department, she insisted on telling me her story, again, which had to do with the fact that she moved from New York. The credentials and endorsement she needed had to come from a previous associate in the Big Apple. And,..."I'm just telling you that it won't get to you before the deadline." And,..."people are busy in New York."<br /><br />You never know what new things you'll learn at work.Tian Tianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02481731572643883621noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6933153580634020011.post-49835405500806123752008-12-31T09:18:00.000-08:002008-12-31T10:28:22.860-08:00New Look for a New YearIn honor of the New Year, I gave bloggy a new outfit and accessories. This is my way of encouraging myself to blog more. We'll see if that really works. However, I don't think the title "eggs and toast" really suites the sleek black background, or the new pics. Hum. I've been brainstorming new titles, clever ones that make me feel sophisticated and thin, like an Asian. (Stole that from <em>Rachel Getting Married</em>).<br /><br />The problem is "eggs and toast" is a sentimental yet accessible title. Chenko use to sing the little phrase while shuffling to the breakfast table in the morning, bowls of zoom in hand. Its perky tri-syllabic rhythm made it easily interchangeable with other random phrases. Phrases like "bits of dew" and "walk to school" often spontaneously awoke myself and the elder four in the morning.<br /><br />And then there's just the nostalgic and satiated goodness that the combination of sunny-side-up eggs and buttery toast brings to your heart. No, no, EGGS AND TOAST forever! Hips and Breasts for women!Tian Tianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02481731572643883621noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6933153580634020011.post-34799645337315112182008-12-17T18:54:00.000-08:002008-12-17T20:19:30.242-08:00My Bacon List<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPv1KH2KMp9JHbfDOQ_iu9l2Nz0mMUZ_E7sgPt26yMlHBA3YPH0GgvFLdZRIokwlYgNN8siRK3proTti6KHJLumoEQbHKf217AuS5Se2elf522QXcHfGiUIQAmelVwa3f29S5DkCZh2aJK/s1600-h/bacon.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5280979710303135282" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 124px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 147px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPv1KH2KMp9JHbfDOQ_iu9l2Nz0mMUZ_E7sgPt26yMlHBA3YPH0GgvFLdZRIokwlYgNN8siRK3proTti6KHJLumoEQbHKf217AuS5Se2elf522QXcHfGiUIQAmelVwa3f29S5DkCZh2aJK/s400/bacon.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>I'm sitting here doing some algebra, because Wednesday nights full of algebra really do something to my ego, and I think to myself, "Ooo, I'd really like to make a list right now." And then I realized that Fuzzy Robot and I already discussed a list today and how that made me feel all Fuzzy Robot type fuzzy and want to say phrases like "little nap." </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>The reason behind the list-making hanker is because earlier today, Robot told me she gets to see Kevin Bacon tomorrow. This made me jealous, and then really hungry. And then I had to honestly ask myself if I would rather see Kevin Bacon tomorrow or eat an Urban Cowboy from Gandolfo's with the breaded chicken, bacon, and BBQ sauce. At moments like these it's best to distract oneself as much as possible because either answer would have proved myself ridiculous. (I really do LOVE both types of Bacon.)</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Then I got on FB and did some socially-approved stalking for a bit, because that's all FB is good for (massive distraction), and decided I really do want to record my LIST that occurred after Robot and I virtually chatted. So, here's my list.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Hollywoodites as great as Kevin Bacon (and we are talking serious prime-Bacon-time): </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>John Cusack</div><br /><div>Molly Ringwald</div><br /><div>Elisabeth Shue</div><br /><div>Tate Donovan</div><br /><div>Johnny Lee Miller</div><br /><div></div>Tian Tianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02481731572643883621noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6933153580634020011.post-65727476784349263842008-12-16T07:04:00.000-08:002008-12-16T08:20:38.182-08:00Snow, Snow, Snow<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvBnomGSk7YzSRmJ-Y8qY715VWdkDWLq1ivmrb3QVlr5BNObqzayKMK014zDDhWdzxO0sRgKfVSlgnPQAnVfQVMa5hf2zPKHindRlIvRVtDb2xZxNUkf03UQvIS4P-tLfOIAtjoYwBXahE/s1600-h/white.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5280422415423103186" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 150px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 101px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvBnomGSk7YzSRmJ-Y8qY715VWdkDWLq1ivmrb3QVlr5BNObqzayKMK014zDDhWdzxO0sRgKfVSlgnPQAnVfQVMa5hf2zPKHindRlIvRVtDb2xZxNUkf03UQvIS4P-tLfOIAtjoYwBXahE/s400/white.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />I was properly raised on the Michael Curtiz's classic "White Christmas." In fact, it took me a good ten years before I realized I would never be able to tap my foot as fast as Vera Ellen does in the piece "Choreography." That was a sad day. Heider Head has as thin as ankles as Vera Ellen, but she also can't tap her foot that fast. I know. I've seen her try.<br /><br /><br /><br />Every Christmas season we (meaning Chenko and I) watch "White Christmas." And every year I realize how hot Rosemary Clooney is. Seriously, Hollywood just doesn't make them like that anymore. Where have all the curves gone? Anyway, I justed wanted to make that quick little plug for humanity during the Chrismas season because Christmas is made of cheer. HIPS AND BREASTS FOR WOMEN!<br /><br />Maybe I'll make campaign buttons.Tian Tianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02481731572643883621noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6933153580634020011.post-34392281804189856592008-11-26T07:01:00.000-08:002008-11-26T08:44:31.739-08:00What are you grateful for?<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2sZqCH17pQbWk7n4VKAfiwfPfNVq0Cnc5Bppg7Js_rvc0yNQ3jFjg6FxDuH_8USFje1exaaJ-PCgIyN0Kf5nVNvpq6bMKKWvIgUq9jkmfbqMZb9KDwTVTiAalOYBy_ycZAnL3dGd218A-/s1600-h/gratitude.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5273005975795704914" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 85px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 126px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2sZqCH17pQbWk7n4VKAfiwfPfNVq0Cnc5Bppg7Js_rvc0yNQ3jFjg6FxDuH_8USFje1exaaJ-PCgIyN0Kf5nVNvpq6bMKKWvIgUq9jkmfbqMZb9KDwTVTiAalOYBy_ycZAnL3dGd218A-/s400/gratitude.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div align="center"><strong>"Wake at dawn with a winged heart and give thanks for another day of loving."</strong></div><br /><div align="center"><strong>-Kahlil Gibran</strong></div><br /><div></div><br /><div>The past week I have had the same dream about three times. Now, somebody will tell me that you can't have the same dreams and this whole post will be invalid and then I will take another month and a half hiatus from blogging. </div><br /><div></div><div>So, back to the dream. In my dream I am reading other people's blogs. Which, I can't remember who is the blogger or what they are blogging about except one particular blog. And the irony is, this person doesn't even blog! It's Barrister Joe. </div><div> </div><div></div><div></div><div>Hilarious already, right? Plus, to add to the surreal-ness of it all, his blog is completely devoted to discussing and pontificating on pieces of art. Let the laughter ensue. Great, right. The art is so vivid in the dream against his white background and black text that I only remembered today that it was a dream and not real. However, the pieces or are are not works I've ever seen, although they all qualify for particular schools of styles. There is an impressionist piece, one fairly resembling a Carvaggio, and then some modern pieces that I don't like much, and others. </div><br /><div></div><div>Anyway, he does a really great job expounding upon each artists' strengths and weaknesses. He also explores how it makes him feel and act; it is a very heartfelt blog. This all leads to, in some unknown way to me, gratitude. Hence, the inclusion of Gibran quotables.</div><br /><div></div><div>Barrister Joe doesn't share my immense like for Gibran , but I felt that the above quote was suitable for the approaching holiday. (Later, he might pout that I gave him that much censure.) Back to the quote...a list in honor of Thanksgiving.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><div><strong>My Selfish List of Gratitude:</strong></div><br /><div></div><div>Brothers-Barrister Joe and the Head</div><div>they keep me on my toes about my education</div><br /><div></div><div>Sisters-Heider Head and Bunnicula</div><div>they help me not take the brothers, or myself, too seriously</div><br /><div></div><div>A Clean Inbox</div><div>helps me measure my state of mental well-being</div><br /><div></div><div>Elliptical Machine</div><div>it works just as great as the treadmill but much more fun</div><br /><div></div><div>Lip gloss and Black boots</div><div>a sure fire way to secure hotness and confidence in a minute</div><br /><div></div><div>IMDb</div><div>my secret pleasure</div><br /><div></div><div>Opera</div><div>makes allowances for ridiculousness and inconceivable plots with out question</div><br /><div></div><div>Democracy</div><br /><div></div><div>Prayer</div><br /><div></div><div>Four Seasons</div><br /><div></div><div>Spontaneity</div><br /><div></div><div>Pamchenko</div><div>reminds me to keep my "fish in the sea"; she's known for twisting idioms</div><br /><div></div><div>Podly</div><div>will say "I love you" first on the phone</div><div></div>Tian Tianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02481731572643883621noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6933153580634020011.post-74039921509070278112008-10-23T10:22:00.000-07:002008-10-23T10:40:45.112-07:00Shakespeare According to TianI've been thinking about the following lines from Prince Hal's famous monologue in Shakespeare's <em>Henry IV, Part 1</em> quite a bit lately:<br /><br />If all the year were playing holidays,<br />To sport would be as tedious as to work;<br />But when they seldom come, they wished-for come,<br />And nothing pleaseth but rare accidents (events).<br /><br />(1.2.198-201; Bevington. <em>Necessary Shakespeare)</em><br /><br />This isn't the main point of Hal's pontification; it is used to add greater depth and support to his argument that he is purposely being a type of prodigal son: bad now so that when he does change it will have greater impact upon those he associates with.<br /><br />And, now Princess Tian will add her two bits.<br /><br />It's like when you don't wear make-up or really don't do your hair for a couple weeks. You resort to jeans, sweatshirts, and tennis shoes everyday and look somewhat like a vagabond. (Do you always think of Elton John when you hear that word? I do. And not because I think he's a vagabond. Music, people, music.) And then...you get dolled up one day and everyone tells you you're beautiful when really you look normal but they're latest impression of you has been terrible and so they honestly are quite taken aback by your appearance in the best of ways.<br /><br />Well, that's all for today. Stay tuned for the next episode of Shakespeare according to Tian where we discuss how Will S. totally knew Rowling would be a bestseller.Tian Tianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02481731572643883621noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6933153580634020011.post-68677879788431108562008-10-01T06:52:00.000-07:002008-10-01T07:22:52.155-07:00Yi Fu de Wen TiI am currently wearing a very worn and faded navy blue skirt that almost hits my ankles and was worn probably twice a week in Taiwan for a year and a half with a light blue polo work shirt accompanied by a brown camisole underneath and bottomed-off with old black sandal wedges that are fraying at the toe from Payless. Which leads me to ask myself: Am I a fashion victim? Could I be chosen for TLC's <em>What Not to Wear</em>? Do others pass me by and sigh regretfully?<br /><br /><br />NO! (well sometimes I really am a fashion victim, but considering my upbringing, ahem hand-me-downs, you can't really blame me.)<br /><br /><br />I suffer from what I am now calling the "de-auto mobilized starving student syndrome." I, like the majority of mankind, have to work despite being a full-time student. And I don't own a vehicle, nor do I wish to at this point of my Tian existence. Every morning I sweatily ride my bike to work. (I mention sweatily because it's uphill the entire way.) However, I of course have a work dress code which means I can't wear denim, shorts, or anything that normal students wear.<br /><br />Now, one of my special talents is riding a bike in a skirt but when I crossed that great blue mass of the Pacific Ocean I turned in my cute yellow girl bike, named Grandma in Taiwanese, with the low cross bar, front basket, and back rack in for a two-toned mountain bike with NO BASKET, no name, and an incredibly high cross bar. (I mustn't dismiss that it has new wheels though, thanks to Podly who likes to dote on the daughters that don't live with him.) Needless to say, mounting this anonymous jiao ta che (bike) in a skirt would prove fatal.<br /><br /><br />So, everyday I subject myself to ugliness. Beauty knows no pain...and ugliness...does. I use to be such a fashionable person, and then HeiderHead moved to Texas and took all her clothes. Ahhh, now, not only do we know that I am fashionably handicapped (which I heard isn't PC to use that term anymore) but I am a leech. Hum. I should stop writing now before I tell you that I usually wait for someone to invite me to be their friend on Facebook just so they realize how much they need me, and not vice versa.<br /><br /><br />That all finally released from my special place of pent up frustration, it is obvious that everyday I have to wear two outfits. (Now, if I were still in high school this wouldn't be extreme by any means because I used to wear 'like' four outfits a day.)Tian Tianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02481731572643883621noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6933153580634020011.post-39424387801700767712008-09-10T18:51:00.000-07:002008-09-10T19:03:29.288-07:00Secret PleasuresThis list could go on forever, but I just wanted to mention a few things that I delight in secretly whether it be because it is out of my character to do so, or just obviously embarrassing.<br /><br />-sequins<br /><br />-doing math; maybe after reading and analyzing and never coming to any pertinent or redeeming conclusion it's just nice to have one thing for certain<br /><br />-lame teeny-bopper-overcome-all-challenges movies such as <em>Step Up, Step Up 2: the Streets </em>(which has much more kick if you say it quickly like this- step up to the streets), <em>Center Stage</em>, <em>Take the Lead, Raise Your Voice, </em>and the like<br /><br />-dum dums (as in the lollipop)<br /><br />-the shape of my ankles if I'm lying on my bed with my legs above my head and toes pointed<br /><br />Well, now that that's out in the open I feel much better. What are your secret pleasures?Tian Tianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02481731572643883621noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6933153580634020011.post-10990322395111150622008-09-04T08:54:00.000-07:002008-09-04T12:53:40.739-07:00TAG TAG TAGNot that I typically use lower case for the pronoun "I", but Lester tagged me in her blog and I copy and pasted the format. And, Les has cleverly opted for no upper cases at all in her blog, so instead of seeming illiterate it comes off as thematic, and lovable. So smart, Les, so smart. Therefore, I am too lazy to change all the "i"s to "I" even though I took the time to write that disclaimer.<br /><br />i am - a strict Chinese teacher and supportive sister<br /><br />i think - all people should have a terrible part-time job at one point in life<br /><br />i know - how to compliment others<br /><br />i want - to speak Japanese for Kazue<br /><br />i have - five beautiful nieces and nephews<br /><br />i wish - I already had my MBA degree<br /><br />i hate - feeling inadequate<br /><br />i miss - my Taiwanese kindred spirits<br /><br />i fear - being alone<br /><br />i feel - blessed with loving family and friends<br /><br />i hear - my dad saying "this too shall come to pass."<br /><br />i smell - the unfriendly soap from the science center<br /><br /><br />i search - for friendship in a "kindred spirit" kind of way<br /><br />i wonder - about architecture<br /><br />i regret - not taking chances on love<br /><br /><br />i love - seeing the stars, again; delighting other people with kindness and humor<br /><br />i care - about what others' think of me<br /><br />i always - side with the underdog and nice guy<br /><br />i am not - thin (that was really the first thing that came to mind, ha ha)<br /><br />i believe - in God<br /><br />i dance - when the music is right, and it's usually right<br /><br />i sing - when doing the dishes, without fail<br /><br /><br />i don't always - tell the truth<br /><br />i write - to remind myself how powerful words are<br /><br />i win - when I eat a balanced diet<br /><br />i lose - when I take myself too seriously<br /><br /><br />i listen - to my shuffle: an eclectic mix streaming from Smashing Pumpkins to A. Bocelli<br /><br />i'm scared - of the dark (which is why I still do the run and leap after turning off the light and getting into bed)<br /><br />i read - multicultural novels and memoirs.<br /><br />i'm happy about - procrastinating my Shakespeare homework to write this; bring it on Bard!<br /><br />So, now I get to tag someone. Of course, Hider and Devry because they need encouragement to blog.Tian Tianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02481731572643883621noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6933153580634020011.post-6822822230981285342008-08-19T09:01:00.000-07:002008-08-20T07:49:35.201-07:00CHINGLISHYesterday, was driving to and fro running errands and getting registered to be a substitute so that I can help out with the Chinese classes at the local Junior High. I'm a little nervous about the first day of school and have many urges to lay my clothes out the night before, or call up everyone I know to see if we have any of the same classes, except for the boy I have a crush on because then he might know I like him. But that's not my point...<br /><br /><br /><br />...The point being, I was listening to a little NPR (which is what I do when I want to feel smarter than I am) and was briefing myself on the relations and current military uprisings (my fancy and ambiguous way of saying war because I'm not sure if it really should be categorized as war) between Russia and Georgia. Anyway, they played a sound bite (or is it byte?) of President Bush speaking of his friendly relationship between he and Putin; W. calls him Vladimir. But that's all changed, now.<br /><br /><br /><br />However, the next sound clip (different word use there) completely distracted me from the whole topic of the radio program. Bush says, "I trust people on their word until otherwise." Well, that's obvious- you trust someone until you don't. Maybe there should be another clarifying verb in there. I recommend "proved", nothing too fancy or too original.<br /><br /><br /><br />I didn't vote for him, but I still kind of love him. You know. He's such a great sport with all of us making fun of him. I'll be honest, I'm a little sad that he's moving out of the White House for the sole reason of humor.<br /><br /><br /><br />It reminds me of the Tianozoic time period: so much funny English popping around. I couldn't resist sharing some of the great English rhetoric spewing from the little island Formosa. Most of it comes from all my Taiwanese companions; the others are just miscellaneous moments of Chinglish goodness. (The best part is how I have made a smooth transition and sturdy connection between George W. and Chinglish.)<br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="color:#ff6600;">From the mouth of Shi (pronounced "sure"); she learned most of her English from a radio, and then from me (zao gao/messy cake):</span><br /><br /><span style="color:#ff6600;"></span><br /><br /><span style="color:#ff6600;">"I'm totally 100% afraid of snake."<br /></span><br /><br /><span style="color:#ff6600;">"You got to know what's in your deep."<br /></span><br /><br /><span style="color:#ff6600;">"Sister Tips, you will lose your pounds."<br /></span><br /><br /><span style="color:#ff6600;">"Will you be my boyfriend?"<br /></span><br /><br /><span style="color:#ff6600;">"Because I have circle-face!"<br /></span><br /><br /><span style="color:#ff6600;">"Any boy who writes that many pages is boyfriend."<br /></span><br /><br /><span style="color:#000099;"></span><br /><span style="color:#000099;">From the mouth of the Xiao-meister:</span><br /><br /><span style="color:#000099;"></span><br /><br /><span style="color:#000099;">"I love you with my true heart." </span><br /><span style="color:#000099;"></span><br /><span style="color:#000099;">"Sister Tian, I no feel your love."</span><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="color:#cc0000;">From the mouth of Mickey Chen:</span><br /><br /><span style="color:#cc0000;"></span><br /><br /><span style="color:#cc0000;">"You are wisdom and beautiful."</span><br /><span style="color:#cc0000;"></span><br /><span style="color:#cc0000;">"I am Captain Am-azing." (I have no idea where she got that from.)</span><br /><br /><br /><span style="color:#009900;">Printed on the face of the weight scale I bought in Nanzi: Presenting you with nice slim body<br /><br />"Kiss and Ride"- printed on a road sign (this is HH's kind of country)</span><br /><br /><span style="color:#009900;">Printed outside the bathroom of a small restaurant in Renwu, right above the "corresponding" Chinese characters: CRAPPER </span><br /><span style="color:#009900;"></span><br /><span style="color:#009900;">"Are you going new places? I will show you neat things." (printed on a book-magnet)</span><br /><span style="color:#009900;"></span><br /><span style="color:#009900;">"AUSPICIOUS" (printed on a scooter helmet with a big-four leaf clover- who needs lucky?)</span>Tian Tianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02481731572643883621noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6933153580634020011.post-39887106586418253702008-08-12T08:12:00.000-07:002008-08-12T09:30:38.628-07:00BEIJING 2008<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmtm_CAROSCYwknECOzK1np6ioV38XPGcoMCEXbpzEw39ryavaFoTljuO8LvVjAKzBubPJorcZadjOp_3Npvrng7QKEdmFbTaJoKhae2sbATlVmxSdqulru1h_TMD49H69eMZYnaPjMDgF/s1600-h/oly.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5233646194824925586" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmtm_CAROSCYwknECOzK1np6ioV38XPGcoMCEXbpzEw39ryavaFoTljuO8LvVjAKzBubPJorcZadjOp_3Npvrng7QKEdmFbTaJoKhae2sbATlVmxSdqulru1h_TMD49H69eMZYnaPjMDgF/s400/oly.jpg" border="0" /></a> <span style="font-size:78%;">(Cameron Spencer/Getty; Times Online)<br /></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbrj_IVZaoAsAkYlab-VKunXgb-GRJuksmEuNqyjixzulkaUMIl4n8MlDE_gWJ6n7pRY7GU8sFCZbdLBPZEsKtw5z4IieGFuaq4VkWT4r81h7E5nrorVmzVBngBSwV9527Pc3Qptycay3f/s1600-h/150px-Beijing_2008_Olympics_logo.svg"></a><div><br /><br /></div><div><span style="color:#000000;">So, needless to say, I've been consuming as much of the Olympics as I possibly can. I'm an avid supporter of the Olympics. When I was a little girl, women's gymnastics and and <em>The Little Mermaid</em> were basically on the same level of greatness to me. Actually, they both still are on a pretty high level in the "levels of greatness" in my mind. Other things that win medals in the "levels of greatness" include various foods (particularly tropical fruit, dairy, and pastries), expensive new lip gloss, homework due dates postponed- but only before you've done the homework, people who tell me I'm beautiful (I'll take "hot" too), and clean bathrooms. But, ever since the Olympics have been at Beijing, they have surpassed all levels of greatness, even Ariel and her seashell cups. </span></div><div><span style="color:#000000;"></span></div><div><span style="color:#000000;"></span></div><div><span style="color:#000000;"></span></div><div><span style="color:#000000;">In the B.T. world (Before Tian), I really found the Chinese culture quite mysterious, and my greatest link to them yet another Disney animation: <em>Mulan</em>. (By no means do I mean to discredit <em>Mulan</em> and all it's greatness.) However, in the Tian and Post Tian worlds, so much more has been revealed. (I will spare you my mission memoir right now.) SO... let's take a "little" quiz.</span></div><div><span style="color:#000000;"></span></div><div><span style="color:#000000;">The following two characters are the Chinese equivalent of the English "GO!" Not as in "stop and go" but as in you are cheering for David Beckham to either head the ball into the goal or break up with Victoria so that you two can finally get to know each other. </span></div><div><span style="color:#000000;"></span></div><div><span style="color:#000000;"></span></div><div><span style="color:#000000;">The first character is pronounced Jee-yah (Jia1) and the second is pronounced Yo (you2). On the first character kind of sing a straight note in your upper register. No slurs please; these aren't IDOL auditions. On the second character, start a little lower in your register and move your voice up, or follow this line with your voice: / GOOD! (I hope you are reading this at work because it's a great conversation starter.)</span></div><div></div><div><span style="font-size:180%;color:#000000;"></span></div><div><span style="font-size:180%;color:#000000;"></span></div><div><span style="font-size:180%;color:#000000;"></span></div><div><span style="font-size:180%;color:#000000;">加 油 </span></div><div><br /><span style="color:#333333;">Now, for the quiz. You have two options. One means China and one means America. The goal is to complete the phrase: GO [answer here]!!!! So, what's your choice. Don't look it up; take a guess first.</span> </div><div></div><div></div><div><span style="font-size:180%;color:#000000;"><span style="font-size:100%;"></span></span></div><div><span style="font-size:180%;color:#000000;"><span style="font-size:100%;"></span></span></div><div><span style="font-size:180%;color:#000000;"><span style="font-size:100%;">1)</span> 中國</span><br /><br /></div><div><span style="font-size:180%;color:#000000;"><span style="font-size:100%;">2)</span> 美 國</span></div><div><br /><span style="color:#000000;">Okay, the next post will have the answer. Oh, this is great fun!</span></div>Tian Tianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02481731572643883621noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6933153580634020011.post-88287253967510382032008-08-05T13:36:00.000-07:002008-08-06T13:03:01.195-07:00Pam-oglyphs<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJb7j1D6pAVWosqCPDNzGPenXlmQFiaWwPhDUCvYdOF2LHWOZykn8hfKFmS1eNF4-aTp_9kuSWKRVfaRHaQjifluweGnWUS8-YoUpBLuRenIqFKG0EttiAtsL2JNcQocThb7bAnee-tSAa/s1600-h/300px-MtnSheepPetroglyph.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5231443150679419170" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJb7j1D6pAVWosqCPDNzGPenXlmQFiaWwPhDUCvYdOF2LHWOZykn8hfKFmS1eNF4-aTp_9kuSWKRVfaRHaQjifluweGnWUS8-YoUpBLuRenIqFKG0EttiAtsL2JNcQocThb7bAnee-tSAa/s400/300px-MtnSheepPetroglyph.jpg" border="0" /></a>I'm liking this new background; it doesn't make me feel nearly uneasy as the dots. Bloggy likes it too.<br /><div><br class="webkit-block-placeholder"></div><div>So, Podly and Chenko convinced me to go to Denver this weekend to check in on Barrister Joe and the fam. What good fun came of it despite the 100 degree weather. (Post Tian life is great when it comes to the summer: since Taiwan, I have no sensitivity to heat. The other day I met this cute lady at the MTC- we were pretending to be investigators- sisters, to be exact, even though we are forty years apart. Anyway, we got talking about Taiwan and she mentioned, "Well, Ping Dong has two suns, you know." [It sounded really poetic in Mandarin.] Now, I have gone overboard because not only have I written more inside the parentheses than outside, but I am putting brackets within brackets. AHHHH!!!!!}}]]]]))</div><div><br /></div><div>Back to the trip to Denver. We drove. It was long and gas station treats are lose their excitement after three hours. </div><div><br /></div><div></div><div>Fortunately, this wasn't one of those typical Tian-Family trips with the old Isuzu Trooper. Due to the number of children in the clan, I often sat in the back with all the bags, facing opposite the direction of driving, thus, providing easy humor for the car behind us. To this day, I have this weird syndrome about giving up shot-gun to those who are older than me. I used to think it was part of the constitution of the United States.</div><div><br /></div><div></div><div><br /></div><div>Nice Person: Tian, you can have shot-gun.</div><div><br /></div><div></div><div><br /></div><div>Tian: Oh, no, you are older.</div><div><br /></div><div></div><div><br /></div><div>Nice Person: What does that have to do with anything?</div><div><br /></div><div></div><div><br /></div><div>Tian: It's the law.</div><div><br /></div><div></div><div><br /></div><div>Nice Person: (quizzical expression) What law?</div><div><br /></div><div></div><div><br /></div><div>Tian: I'm not sure, but I would feel better sitting in the back with the luggage, please. </div><div><br /></div><div></div><div><br /></div><div>There are other things I associate with driving too, besides the constitution. One of those is the San Rafel Swell. If you don't know what that is, then you were a blessed, blessed child and you probably took normal vacations like going to Disney Land. The Swell is the scenic route home from any Southern Beehive State location to our home. </div><div><br /></div><div></div><div>I don't mean to belittle anthropology, archaeology, early civilizations, or historical monuments of any sort; but, in my book, once you've seen one petroglyph you've seen them all. And they don't evolve, by any means. Petroglyphs don't change over time; I know, because I'm smart like that. </div><div><br /></div><div></div><div>So, whenever Pamlamadingdong gets that must-see-PETROGLPHYS-look in her eye, I like to remind her that Petroglphys are a lot like a Norton Anthology of early British Literature: they don't update through time. It's not like you can get a <strong>better</strong> edition. </div>Tian Tianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02481731572643883621noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6933153580634020011.post-54733566426986305082008-07-30T08:15:00.000-07:002008-07-30T09:00:38.690-07:00Let's wear costumes!!!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNQrGXc_orSj2oqKWFH36G5wuH5jAJESWW-61fugbs8s_4XasCOOE9l8jCQA_XScXGSZdVtTGhzJAR3Jc1twCqyOAkKL2Cex1VRqQeGYeqJXQdqyPXHLYNlPtu5vDfHcpQzRa6bWMPSRS7/s1600-h/Turandot.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5228837531717036194" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNQrGXc_orSj2oqKWFH36G5wuH5jAJESWW-61fugbs8s_4XasCOOE9l8jCQA_XScXGSZdVtTGhzJAR3Jc1twCqyOAkKL2Cex1VRqQeGYeqJXQdqyPXHLYNlPtu5vDfHcpQzRa6bWMPSRS7/s400/Turandot.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>Yes, I know--I am vain about my blog. But I was thinking this morning, "I get dressed every day in (hopefully) something different, why not Bloggy? Bloggy wants to look good. And, too be completely honest, I wasn't very peaceful about the dots. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>So, Bloggy will be dawning new clothes and accessories periodically. Don't let it scare you away; it's still Bloggy. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Speaking of wearing clothes, one of my dear friends is staying in town rather than moving to one of the original thirteen colonies and that makes me really joyous. (That didn't have anything to do with wearing clothes but I wanted a good transition.) I just wanted to make one brief remark about how happy I am that Craigery isn't moving to D.C. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Of course, I don't want to gloat in his misery of having to stay in the second most arid state of the union, but perhaps subtle phrases like bare feet and wading, costume parties, Turandot, hummus, whirling dervish, and existential quantifier will make him feel better. I know that I always run a couple of those through my head when I'm having a long day, or a brief spout of depression, and it makes me feel much much better. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Besides being an oh so charming older brother-but-not-your-brother, Craigery has many good qualities. Since lists are this year's new black, here's a <strong>Column of Craigery Qualities:</strong></div><br /><div><strong></strong></div><br /><div>-Latin crab dancing (this is a highly technical and advanced form of Latin Ballroom and has yet to be featured on <em>So You Think You Can Dance</em>)</div><br /><div><em></em></div><br /><div><em>-</em>Showing up extremely late but yet giving the impression that he's right on time and he couldn't wait to get there</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>-Laughing ridiculously into the phone for minutes at a time at absolutely nothing</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>-Noticing and complimenting great rhetoric, alliterations, and new shirts</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>-Becoming obsessed with inanimate objects but not feeling a bit bashful or insecure about telling people about it</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>-Making small talk without giving the impression that he's making small talk</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>-Supporting any sort of need to release the inner-child</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>-Good kisser (okay, I'm totally kidding about that, but I just wanted to make him gasp and HH has been begging for more DRAMA)</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>-Ability to make and maintain friendships with ANYONE </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>-Willing and gleeful to join in any spontaneous song and dance </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>-Okay with allowing me to describe him as "gleeful"</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>-Being honest enough to tell me that if I want him to read Bloggy then I have to talk about him. (Let's face it, we all like to hear our own name, but only Craigery will admit it.)</div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div>Tian Tianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02481731572643883621noreply@blogger.com5