Halloween

Before ...

And after ...

Because the weather was not Halloween friendly tonight, not so many kids showed up to collect candies. One of moms who accompanied their kids said, "Yeah, the weather is bad, so kids are hanging around in the community center." I see.

Well, I will end up taking those leftover candies to school next week.

Gala

We had our biggest annual event, the Gala, tonight. I made a little bouquet from leftover table decoration (flower arrangement) :P I admire MF's talent of decorating tables. Gorgeous.

It is always fun, during the Gala, but it is not fun during the preparation. It is very difficult to have unorganized people organize something, especially this kind of big party. Things are messed up, people get stressed out, and blame each other. Nasty.

But, the interesting thing is, everything is alright at the end. People have fun, thank each other, and hug. American culture.

Done ... Not Quite

Well, I'm done with the oral exam of the qualifying exams. But, one of the professors did not like one of my answers though the other professors supported me by saying, "Yeah, what you are saying makes sense," when I defended myself in the oral exam. Stubborn professor.

Anyhow, as usual, GM and GM were willing to become listening victims of my whining tonight. GM gave me this corn (maize?) decoration (for fruitful life?). It is now hanging on the kitchen wall.

Well, I'm tired. I don't feel like doing anything.

Tomorrow is the Judgment Day

Urgh, tomorrow is coming, the oral exam is coming! I feel like a cat in the middle of the road, astonished by a approaching car and unable to move. What did I do today? I just killed my time. But what can I do for preparation? Aaaaah, I'm just waiting to be torn me down!

Moving Day

Today was the moving day of my friend (and her family). They moved from a house to a house one mile apart, so it would be not so bad, that's what I thought. No-no, I was wrong. The problem is not the distance, but the stuff! They have tons of stuff. I was astonished at the amount of stuff, and thought, "Oh, man, it must be miracle if we finish moving today." Well, that may be a typical American household.

I don't know how many times the truck went back and forth between the two houses. She was lucky to have five, six robust, masculine guys to help her move. One of the guys was cute and funny. Yes, I went there to help, not to hunt a guy.

Anyway, it was a nice escape from reality of mine. And physical labor is good for your mental health. My body is tired, but I feel better than yesterday.

Sties

Damn it, I have a couple of sties in my left eye. Aaaaaah, I know I'm stressed out! Conference papers, journal articles, upcoming oral exam, lawsuit, grievance, etc. etc. Seriously, I'm tires, exhausted (sigh).

Boston Globe off the Market

Times Co. takes Boston Globe off the market - The Boston Globe


Ah-ha! The New York Times Co. apparently changed its mind.

Ah-Ha!

Saturday Night Live is fast to mock Obama's Nobel Peace Prize. I like it.

Duck Race 2009

65,000 ducks competed with each other to win a VW Jetta. It is very American (I mean, U.S. American), hilarious, and cute. I like it.


OK, now it is time for me to get back to my reading.

Nobel Peace Prize Goes to Obama

Yeah, it is a surprise. Why was Obama awarded the Nobel Peace Prize? According to this guy, former speechwriter for Presideng George Bush, "It just shows how the international left is so in love with this guy, and for no apparent reason except that he's not George Bush." I like it.

Restructuring the Newsroom Hard

Wow, news coverage will be more and more narrowed. Where was people's right to know left behind?!

I'm Done!

Yes, I'm done. I'm done with the qualifying exams! I've survived. Now, I will be qualified to soak myself into tequila.

Japanese Box

Yippee! YO sent me another box of Japanese stuff. It arrived at the very good timing. After finishing the six-hour writing exam, I came home, totally exhausted. And I found the box on the kitchen counter (my roommate collected the box while I was out). What a nice surprise! Thanks, YO!