The moment of truth has come and gone. After many delays (twice, to be exact), I got up at 4 AM, and started driving from too-early-for-anyone 5 AM for two hours before I waited for the testing site to open up. There were too many regulations. I had to take my fingerprint, which was wholly expected, and palm print, which I did not expect at all. All the personal belongings were removed, then stored into one of the assigned locker before examinees were brought to their stations one at a time.
Then it was over. I did not know what hit me, and before I knew it, the screen was telling me that the test was complete, and I was free to leave. This happened within two hours of the beginning of the test. TWO HOURS!!! My round trip to and from the testing site took almost three and half hours. I felt cheated. I felt lost. I felt as if computer has already decided that it was not worth their time to bother grading my test and promptly sent to electronic paper shredder, all done in encrypted form.
I am fighting the urge to chuck my review book, then stomp on it few times for good measure, if it was not for the uncertainty of passing the test. I guess I will savor the moment where I get to destroy this book without reservation.
I must apologize to my friends. Stephanie is thinking that I have gone AWOL. I just was not in mood to talk to anyone, and felt somewhere in between jittery and nervous wreck with touch of twitchiness that comes with pre-test period. Most people seem to think that I seem relaxed before the test, almost too relax to the point of uncaring. That is not quite true. I just try my best to keep it bottled up instead of having a public display of nervous breakdown.
School:
Could not get license before Fall Semester. My application is now being pushed to Spring 2010 Semester.
Well-being:
Needs coffee, and sleep.
Job:
Feels like my coworker is getting away with murder by throwing a crying/sobbing fit. Amazing... simply amazing experience this is.
Reading:
Book: Random issues of Time Magazine.
Manga: Zero (by Toume Kei), and Happy Negative Marriage (by Amazume Ryuta).
Watching:
TV: New York Jets and New York Football Giants games.
Anime: Taisho Yakyuu Musume, Nogizaka Haruka no Himitsu, and Kanamemo.
Movie: Transformers 2, and Wallace & Gromit Collection.
Playing:
Bioshock.
Soon: Batman: Akhram Asylum, Demon's Soul, and Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2.
Two-Cents (AWP of 81 mg Aspirin):
I stopped watching FOX News after one of moron accused Tesla Auto as a foreign company illegally receiving government loan. Really? Tesla is a foreign company? Since when do we classify a company that has corporate headquarter in US as a foreign company? Last time I checked, that is regarded as a domestic company even if most of goods were produced elsewhere. If having its product to be assembled (but not its parts) in other countries, maybe we should label 1/2 of all so-called-domestic brand automobiles as "foreign" product. And while at it, FOX News should stop calling Honda and Toyota sold in US to be foreign. Afterall, majority of their products sold in US is assembled in US. But no... Honda and Toyota just don't roll in their native American tongue. I have seen recent bouts of stupidity being overloaded and spilling out of mouth in all cable news channels (with CNN's Healthcare-or-Bust, FNC's TEA party organization drive, birther-conspiracy, and MSNBC... too many to say), but this one tops the cake in my point of view. Most viewers would not question this completely fictional statement since this has no direct impact on their lives. Worse yet, they will accept this as a fact and in turn tell more people about this foreign company called "Tesla", and how they swindled our tax money.
Wake Up! News channels need to stop putting their own opinions and package them as a truth, and people needs to start questioning their validity... all three of them! As for me, I have turned to Associated Press for news... a real news, wholesome, dry, without drama and more facts with valid statistics and not smeared with opinions.
Thank you internet for sparing me from having to rely on TV for news... real news.
Thursday, October 08, 2009
Monday, June 01, 2009
夏よ、来い! (roughly 'Summer, come to me!')
Well, well, well. I have managed to graduate in flying color (but with crawling attitude). Scrapped enough in final exam and presentation to pass the most important class without begging and pleading. Almost everyone have managed to pass, but not without a casualty in the shape and form of the treasurer of the club.
Pinning Ceremony was unfortunately timed right before the graduation. I believe most people, including myself ended up skipping the graduation due to shear length of it (as well as cold and rainy day dampening the mood). Presentation during the ceremony was rudely interrupted (and never recovered) by an incompetent projector technician, which prompted fellow classmates to chant my name to fix it (I became a go-to guy for anything computer before I knew it).
We exchanged few words and took some commemoration pictures before we part our ways for what could be whole eternity in search for our own path, some would even seek their destiny. Not surprisingly, my father managed to neglect on bringing the camera, thereby keeping his streak of ruining any ceremonies alive.
Harsh economy favors no one. My new job prospective, which I expressed my doubt on the last blog has come true. Three resumes sent, with zero positive return. All I can do at this moment is to pass the board exam, and lots of prayers.
School:
Graduated, new school application is pending until the outcome of the board exam.
Well-being:
On diet (day 1).
Job:
One boss were let go due to two straight days of no-call/no-show. Store manager has moved on to different store, and I might get enough hours over the summer to replenish my bank account.
Reading:
Book: History's Worst Decisions, illustrated edition.
Manga: K-On! (by Kakifly), Acony (by Toume Kei of Hitsuji no Uta, Kurogane and Sing 'Yesterday' to me) and Jasper Temptation (by Himuro Serika of Gekkoh)
Watching:
TV: Mets, and French Open.
Anime: K-On! and Fate/Stay Night.
Movie: Terminator Salvation, Up and Star Trek.
Playing:
Valkyria Chronicles and Flower.
Soon: X-Blades and Cross Edge.
Two-cents (makes better sense than one cent):
California state budget has imploded, prompting the governator to start cutting back on everything, including the state welfare. For those who cries foul, riddle me this:
Where would money come from if no one pays the tax? Our founding fathers once cried, "No tax without representation". Too many people are relying on the government for too many things. While protecting individual rights granted by the constitution and amendment are one thing, but demanding the government to feed is not. Greed and sloth have firmly took there place, and too many hard working people are being ridiculed, and brushed aside when their voices should be heard. Perhaps people might think I am a hateful person for being bashful towards welfare recipients, but I have a right to be resentful. Afterall, I am one of those hard working people who contribute towards the state and federal budget, and yet we are being marginalized when the policy makers are set to make up their mind.
Maybe this event will serve as a wake-up call to those who eats away the budget. What happens in California will soon happen everywhere.
Pinning Ceremony was unfortunately timed right before the graduation. I believe most people, including myself ended up skipping the graduation due to shear length of it (as well as cold and rainy day dampening the mood). Presentation during the ceremony was rudely interrupted (and never recovered) by an incompetent projector technician, which prompted fellow classmates to chant my name to fix it (I became a go-to guy for anything computer before I knew it).
We exchanged few words and took some commemoration pictures before we part our ways for what could be whole eternity in search for our own path, some would even seek their destiny. Not surprisingly, my father managed to neglect on bringing the camera, thereby keeping his streak of ruining any ceremonies alive.
Harsh economy favors no one. My new job prospective, which I expressed my doubt on the last blog has come true. Three resumes sent, with zero positive return. All I can do at this moment is to pass the board exam, and lots of prayers.
School:
Graduated, new school application is pending until the outcome of the board exam.
Well-being:
On diet (day 1).
Job:
One boss were let go due to two straight days of no-call/no-show. Store manager has moved on to different store, and I might get enough hours over the summer to replenish my bank account.
Reading:
Book: History's Worst Decisions, illustrated edition.
Manga: K-On! (by Kakifly), Acony (by Toume Kei of Hitsuji no Uta, Kurogane and Sing 'Yesterday' to me) and Jasper Temptation (by Himuro Serika of Gekkoh)
Watching:
TV: Mets, and French Open.
Anime: K-On! and Fate/Stay Night.
Movie: Terminator Salvation, Up and Star Trek.
Playing:
Valkyria Chronicles and Flower.
Soon: X-Blades and Cross Edge.
Two-cents (makes better sense than one cent):
California state budget has imploded, prompting the governator to start cutting back on everything, including the state welfare. For those who cries foul, riddle me this:
Where would money come from if no one pays the tax? Our founding fathers once cried, "No tax without representation". Too many people are relying on the government for too many things. While protecting individual rights granted by the constitution and amendment are one thing, but demanding the government to feed is not. Greed and sloth have firmly took there place, and too many hard working people are being ridiculed, and brushed aside when their voices should be heard. Perhaps people might think I am a hateful person for being bashful towards welfare recipients, but I have a right to be resentful. Afterall, I am one of those hard working people who contribute towards the state and federal budget, and yet we are being marginalized when the policy makers are set to make up their mind.
Maybe this event will serve as a wake-up call to those who eats away the budget. What happens in California will soon happen everywhere.
Sunday, February 08, 2009
Dancing on the ice on four rubbery boots
New semester has begun, already into the fourth week, and my fellow classmates are already counting down on Days until the Graduation (95 Days to Go). Looking outside, it is endless sea of dull gray and dirty brown surrounding tired white. Road is atrocious to drive, and too messy to walk around. Nearby Stop sign has gone to the way of Dodo after side-swiped by a small pickup truck few weeks ago during a snow storm. Graduation anxiety has yet to set in, but I am already wondering about the future that is unknown to me. Anxious to find a permanent job, equally anxious to think that I may not be able to find one. It is tough time for us to live in. Summer will surely come to this town like a clockwork, but will our heart thaw in time?
School:
Taking 16 credits, and already tired of it.
Well-being:
Blood Pressure is fine, slower season does relieve bit of stress from overworking.
Job:
One boss has quit, and not the one I dearly wanted to be departed from us.
Reading:
Book: 50 Essays
Manga: Amanchu! (Amano Kozue's latest work)
Watching:
I'm not sure if I'm really watching anything on TV anymore.
Watched Coraline; It was highly artistic movie, refreshing change from a depressing movie like The Wrestler.
Playing:
Prince of Persia (Visually pleasing to look at, not so much with playing due to some control issue; thank you princess for saving my bacon).
Waiting for F.E.A.R.2 to arrive.
Two Cents (One Four Hundred Trillionth of the latest stimulus package):
Pfizer bought Wyeth, leaving just few smaller players left in this ever-looking-like-a-gladiator-field industry. Everyone is feeling the effect of higher copay, first from $0.05 increase on Medicare Part D program, and even the Empire Plan is taking hike, leaving many state workers unhappy. My sociology professor once said that one of the best gauge to determine one's social class is to measure their volume level. Louder they are, lower class they are in, and vice-versa. Most customers in my work packs the maximum volume.
School:
Taking 16 credits, and already tired of it.
Well-being:
Blood Pressure is fine, slower season does relieve bit of stress from overworking.
Job:
One boss has quit, and not the one I dearly wanted to be departed from us.
Reading:
Book: 50 Essays
Manga: Amanchu! (Amano Kozue's latest work)
Watching:
I'm not sure if I'm really watching anything on TV anymore.
Watched Coraline; It was highly artistic movie, refreshing change from a depressing movie like The Wrestler.
Playing:
Prince of Persia (Visually pleasing to look at, not so much with playing due to some control issue; thank you princess for saving my bacon).
Waiting for F.E.A.R.2 to arrive.
Two Cents (One Four Hundred Trillionth of the latest stimulus package):
Pfizer bought Wyeth, leaving just few smaller players left in this ever-looking-like-a-gladiator-field industry. Everyone is feeling the effect of higher copay, first from $0.05 increase on Medicare Part D program, and even the Empire Plan is taking hike, leaving many state workers unhappy. My sociology professor once said that one of the best gauge to determine one's social class is to measure their volume level. Louder they are, lower class they are in, and vice-versa. Most customers in my work packs the maximum volume.
Thursday, January 01, 2009
What to do with all the lemons when you don't want to make lemonade?
I am bitterly grumbling about the phrase, "Be careful of what you wish for" taking its full course and learning hard lessons of its power. Just when I thought my work could not be any worse, it reared its ugly head and threw me a lemon size of giant boulder. The name who I will not mention in here (and thereby soiling my blog), has been by far the least capable, the most ignorant, and the most obnoxious human being I have ever met... and he is my boss whenever he is around.
He will do the least amount of work. He will avoid the customers to the point that he will pretend that they do not exist. He will push aside any works he does not want to do (and most likely, he has no idea how to do) with his pseudo-trademark phrase, "I am busy, call back tomorrow". He acts and appears as if he is senile, and talks like a person suffering from Tourette Syndrome. He will complain about back pain and sits on the stool or spend time on the waiting area while talking on the phone or fiddling with his iPhone, all the while pushing works to other people. He will rudely talk about customer's last name in loud voice enough to let people from far side aisle to hear him talking, and he will constantly repeat himself and demand others to repeat over and over after him like a broken record stuck in loop. He will take no responsibility over his action when he is ultimately the one to be responsible for any mishap, and crucify those who works beside him in front of customers if it means he does not have to make a small apology to defuse the situation. He alienates many customers, makes them question his competency, sanity, and angers, frustrates those who work with him which they will feel bitter about his $50+/hr. salary all the more.
And that is why I can officially say that I hate my job. I guess being torched by those who were supposed to be on your side stings a lot more and brews resentment towards them.
On the other note, my mother just completed her second course of chemotherapy, the long overdue kitchen remodelling is still... overdue (originally to be completed by mid-November, now, late-January). In other words, life is pretty much the same outside of the work. Perhaps even the work is pretty much the same as well.
School:
On winter vacation, one more semester to go.
Well-being:
Thinking about the leftover birthday cake of mine (about 17 minutes past my birthday).
Job:
Store merger pending (or perhaps never); read above for my ranting.
Reading:
Book: 1421
Manga: Otaku no Musume-san (funny, or tragic, it depends on how you see it)
Watching:
Mostly regular television. My PC suffered human equivalent of simultaneous heart attack and spinal cord injury back in 12/10. As result, I had to scramble to get PSU returned for repair/replacement, and bid for MB. It all ended up taking 20 days to replace the parts and bring my PC back on line. Catching up on all those series that I have missed out, and not doing very well at all.
Playing:
Gran Turismo 5 Prologue (really needs to stop cramming Suzuki Cappucino down on player's throat... it's stupid looking car that is slow as hell)
Valkyria Chronicles (Lovely game that made all the other grid-based RPGs obsolete)
Two Cents (out of five cents sitting on my desk):
Thanksgiving dinner was memorable for what my sister-in-law said (and not in a good way), Christmas dinner did not exist this year, and New Year's dinner was a simple and a humble meal together with my family. I gave a lot, and I received more than I expected. I am forever grateful for those who stood by me and supported me through and through. I wished for good health on my family, wished that I will pass my board in first try, and bit of happiness to those around me and myself. Maybe, just maybe this year would bring a glimpse of light on my personal life.
He will do the least amount of work. He will avoid the customers to the point that he will pretend that they do not exist. He will push aside any works he does not want to do (and most likely, he has no idea how to do) with his pseudo-trademark phrase, "I am busy, call back tomorrow". He acts and appears as if he is senile, and talks like a person suffering from Tourette Syndrome. He will complain about back pain and sits on the stool or spend time on the waiting area while talking on the phone or fiddling with his iPhone, all the while pushing works to other people. He will rudely talk about customer's last name in loud voice enough to let people from far side aisle to hear him talking, and he will constantly repeat himself and demand others to repeat over and over after him like a broken record stuck in loop. He will take no responsibility over his action when he is ultimately the one to be responsible for any mishap, and crucify those who works beside him in front of customers if it means he does not have to make a small apology to defuse the situation. He alienates many customers, makes them question his competency, sanity, and angers, frustrates those who work with him which they will feel bitter about his $50+/hr. salary all the more.
And that is why I can officially say that I hate my job. I guess being torched by those who were supposed to be on your side stings a lot more and brews resentment towards them.
On the other note, my mother just completed her second course of chemotherapy, the long overdue kitchen remodelling is still... overdue (originally to be completed by mid-November, now, late-January). In other words, life is pretty much the same outside of the work. Perhaps even the work is pretty much the same as well.
School:
On winter vacation, one more semester to go.
Well-being:
Thinking about the leftover birthday cake of mine (about 17 minutes past my birthday).
Job:
Store merger pending (or perhaps never); read above for my ranting.
Reading:
Book: 1421
Manga: Otaku no Musume-san (funny, or tragic, it depends on how you see it)
Watching:
Mostly regular television. My PC suffered human equivalent of simultaneous heart attack and spinal cord injury back in 12/10. As result, I had to scramble to get PSU returned for repair/replacement, and bid for MB. It all ended up taking 20 days to replace the parts and bring my PC back on line. Catching up on all those series that I have missed out, and not doing very well at all.
Playing:
Gran Turismo 5 Prologue (really needs to stop cramming Suzuki Cappucino down on player's throat... it's stupid looking car that is slow as hell)
Valkyria Chronicles (Lovely game that made all the other grid-based RPGs obsolete)
Two Cents (out of five cents sitting on my desk):
Thanksgiving dinner was memorable for what my sister-in-law said (and not in a good way), Christmas dinner did not exist this year, and New Year's dinner was a simple and a humble meal together with my family. I gave a lot, and I received more than I expected. I am forever grateful for those who stood by me and supported me through and through. I wished for good health on my family, wished that I will pass my board in first try, and bit of happiness to those around me and myself. Maybe, just maybe this year would bring a glimpse of light on my personal life.
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