In practice mgmt class this wk, teacher said that in practice, when picking up the phone, we should actually smile and consciously think "I love you" while talking to the person on the other end. Sounds silly, but I think it's true that the person on the other end can actually feel that. I wonder if it works with "I hate you" as well. I think this holds true with instant messaging too. Random thought of the day.

I guess my Camry isn't good enough anymore for the stray cats at our school.

EnVaDoR has done it again. Check out his Intel-sponsored computer case-building project. I say "case-building" instead of "case-modding" because he doesn't just slap a plexiglass in the side of his store-bought case. He goes to Home Depot to get his stuff. =) For more of his creations (Toilet PC has got to be my favorite), check 'em out here.

Just got this as a response from one of my apps:
I regret to tell you that the experience of hiring someone who looks Asian, even though they have excellent English, is one that the Director does not wish to repeat.

This must sound unkind to you, and I regret having to say it.

Maybe discrimination is a fundamental human need that settles people's own insecurities. In a country with many cultures and colors, it is easy to discriminate based on skin color. But in Taiwan, they discriminate between "Chinese" and "Taiwanese", even tho we all have yellow skin and slanty eyes. This is a new one. The students hold the misconception that a Chink like them could not possibly have the same, if not better, English ability as someone with blond hair and blue eyes. Instead of welcoming me with open arms for growing up and assimilating into a culture that they all want so badly to be a part of, I am shunned.

[shrug] I have a better offer right now than they had anyways. So ptbtpbhtphbtphbtphbt on them! nyeh nyeh nyeh nyeh nyeh! hehe.

Found on the China job postings today:
Teach in Yunnan
PLEASE CONTACT Mr. Wee Wee at ...
"So ... is 'Wee' your first name? Or last name? Oh wait [slapping self in forehead] it's both! My mistake. So may I call you Wee?"
Heheh. I'm so stupid.

Not again!!! AHHHH!!! [banging head against wall repeatedly] GRRRRRRRRR ... breathe in ... breathe out ... [COUGH] ... sigh ...

well ... thank goodness Howard is still alive ...

I'm madly sending out resumes, since I am pretty much stuck indoors for fear of aggravating my condition, and am (as usual) in no mood to study. Today I chanced upon this job post:
Teach in Liaoning
Teachers wanted with or without qualifications
Right on ... I don't care how desperate I am ... I ain't going there ... see map (upper right hand corner, by North Korea) ... BRRR ...
EnVaDoR suggested this alternate post headline:
Teach in Liaoning
Wanted: Bums off the Street

At any rate, I'm happy cuz so far I have amassed 3 offers that I'm kinda brewing upon while seeing if I can get anything better. =)

OK! Qing Zao Jiu Fei Tang it is for now! (since I actually have it on hand in capsule form and it approximately fits my condition)

Yesterday I started hocking up a lovely juicy thick yellow bloody phlegm. Took some herbal decoction courtesy of Henry's pharmacy (he's gonna have a webpg soon! yay!), but today I've still got headache and an intermittent cough. Ugh. Luckily I've got access to the landlords' loquat trees, and so:
The 1st pic is steamed loquat with apricot seeds (the southern kind) with some rock sugar (tastes good!). The 2nd pic is of the loquat leaves soaked in boiling water (doesn't taste so good). According to the book, the leaf is good for my type of cough, and needs to be "scrubbed clean of any 'hair' to prevent irritation to the throat". According to my landlords, the steamed loquat is good for cough. I'm taking both.

It's good that I'm sick. It's making me crack open the books and read about this stuff I'm experimenting with. And for all you do-it-yourselfers out there: don't try this @ home without some guidance from your friendly neighborhood herbalist. (disclaimer: i am not responsible for anyone making themselves sicker by trying what i am trying here.)