Holiday Post #7: A girly gift

So, my roommate and I exchanged Xmas present today. We couldn’t stand the anticipation. Heck, we both don’t celebrate Christmas to begin with. Hence, I would call it simply a barter trade. This primitive gesture of material swaps has always been something I practice any time of the year. But as time drags on, I had done less of it due to its lack of practicality. You know what I am saying no? Ask yourself this, how many of the gifts you received this year go unused? First world problem.

Like this one right here… LOL just kidding. I might just give it a shot. We’ll see how long that last.

How to use this? Haha^^

Creeper plants,
Vonnie S.

Holiday Post #6: Anime anytime!

Got up in the morning feeling like a hikikomori,
Check my phone for no emails but some fun game messages,
Put my change on the floor cos I ain’t doing laundry (for sure),
Doing the whole breakfast in bed, that’s no fantasy.

Hold up and listen, I’ll make you jealous.
People’s gotta work and run run hustle,
I stayed at home avoiding the snow,
And torrent them down to the VLC yo.

Outbreak Company’s an escape from reality;
Golden Time’s a sad case of split soul-body;
Kyoukai no Kanata’s a lost story;
And Freezing’s back kicking baddies.

HXH stayed strong to the plot;
White Album’s nuts with confession faults;
Kuroko has even more baskets to shoot;
And Magi’s back for godsend Round 2!

Things get hopeful in Valrave;
Teekyu is random but quick for taste;
Co-existing Yozora Q has lives to save;
This list concludes my leisure state.

Barb wired,
Vonnie S.

Holiday Post #5: Saying Goodbye

I brought up Sora at the last post and she’ll play central here too. I just attended her convocation and department reception yesterday. Good thing the whole procession didn’t take long; in fact, I accompanied her mom and AmandaL around the campus, acting like a photographer. More like a paparazzi? Gave her a Brave black bear cub plush toy and card bearing everyone’s signature in it. In exchange, she gave me a little cell phone accessory of this Korean pouch. At least we parted in cheery mood; a reminder that goodbyes don’t have to always be of tears.

The night before however was a little different. I slept over at HJ’s place. Had kimchi and pork belly for dinner. The highlight has got to be when her roommate and oppa returned home carrying a little field mice. What happened to the little thing you ask? Death by water.

Chewed out,
Vonnie S.

Holiday Post #4: Bite that Apple!

Perhaps the one great thing that has happened during Thanksgiving this year was a stress-free New York trip. Together with Sora, us two watched the Macy’s Parade, dined on lobsters for lunch, watched the Big Fish musical, and walked a great deal in search of the Hello Kitty store. Sharing new experiences with a good friend can really contribute to some of the best memories. We talked and laughed a lot, not to mention, got into a slight diarrhea trouble (not me though). I’d say the hostel served us well too, though we were shivering out butts off due to the heater failure. No biggie, neither of us threw a fuss.

Our trip had to end on an awkward fashion though. Stupid Greyhound bus broke down and it took us an extra three hours to get home. I tried contacting customer service, and the lady in charge was rude as hell. Pulease, if you cannot do your customers some service, don’t bother hiring people to do it okay? You’re losing yourself some valuable patrons to Megabus and Boltbus. I’d rather pay more for Amtrak, than to deal with people like you.

That’s all fine still. I’m alive, well and ready to hit the sack by nightfall. Anything to get away from the freezing cold.

Mic off,
Vonnie S.

Holiday Post #3: Shopping In

With the birth of online stores, my opinion of actual store visits has lost its vitals. Perhaps not with the Malaysian audiences though, then again slowly but surely assimilation will happen in the near future. I digress. I need a new winter jacket. Been wearing the same thing since 11’ winter, but the thing is still handy. People, if it ain’t broken why throw it? Hah, that line didn’t sit well with my mother of course and she said, “it’s not nice wearing the same thing again and again!  Did you see your winter holiday photos?”

She’s right. Files after files of the same attire; though inside they differ, there is no way to tell. Does it matter tho? I gave up. If it’s time for shopping, I’ll graciously do it. So here, I got myself these things online:

~ Room divider: to split the space in half;
~ Greeting cards: to return the favor;
~ Printer ink: for the Canon;
~ Fuzzy socks: to keep warm;
~ Frying pan: for the roomie’s dishes;
~ Foam bath soap: for the sleepy mood.

Everything but the damn jacket. LOL.

Lots of love,
Vonnie S.

Holiday Post #2: Stomach Stuffers

In celebration of final’s end, Vickson, S and I got together for a trip to Bonchon. It is this quaint little restaurant situated at the county region. Pretty much inaccessible if you lack self-transportation; the journey alone narrowly clocks in five minutes more of an anime episode. And yet for food, we’ll travel far. Well, Vickson has been talking about this one place that serves awesome fried chicken every time we meet. And for some random urge to have Asian food, I rang up the man and laid out an itinerary that befits a good day out.

To start, I offered to pay for dinner. The driver is more inclined to show up for free food. Asians; we sure know how to mess with each other. I played the good fool to throw a celebration party for finals’ end and for taking in a new roommate. Then again, if that’s the one way to get him to come round, I’d do it all over again. My roommate had a blast for sure, she did a great deal of shopping of Indian spices. Of course, I splurged a lot myself too. Snacks that reminded me of home and convenient food are must grabs at H Mart. I sure as hell did my bank account some damage, but hey, at least everyone went home happy.

And crabs for Monday dinner? Hooo yeah!

Peppermint suckers,
Vonnie S. 

Holiday Post #1: Not Alone

Tis the season to lay off the study cap and sleep. Finals turned tails and left after some brutal showdown. I am physically exhausted, the narcoleptic symptoms kicked in particularly strong during car rides. I am mentally tired yet not completely done with the challenge of grad school. I am hungrier than ever because of the cold temperatures outside. I am also happier than before because so much has happened this month! Now I can talk about it post per post. Bear with me okay?

#1 New Roommate

She’s no pet I adopted from the streets. Perhaps it kinda ended up that way. I was notified two weeks prior to her arrival that she needed a roommate, but I wasn’t prepared for her presence at my lobby. A phone call the night before to say that she was flying into Bmore, and the next day saw her moved in (while being accompanied by ChaiS and friends).

I gave her the ‘talk’; a short version of an interview. I rather lay everything down clearly, for several reasons. I told her so in a subtle way, “break these rules and I’m sorry, but you have to leave.” Since she moved in during my finals week, I was left huffing and puffing my way through things. Gotta rush that project, havta write that paper, stay up! Roommate, S passed the initiation test with flying colors. S slept like a log while I jacked the electricity bill with lights on for hours on end.

She’s a year older. And already at the ripe age for marriage, according to Indian culture. I believe that her future husband would be glad to know he’ll be taking more than just a pretty girl home. S is great at cooking, and now primarily handles my dinner. I have to add that she willingly do so, for her current love is to no boyfriend but to cook good food. There, I rest my case.

Perhaps the best thing about having this roommate is filling that loneliness void. I lacked human companions in general since my move into Bmore. Although, her stay is going to be temporary (four months top), I am sure that agreeing to taking her in as a roommate is probably one of the best decision I’ve made for my sanity.

Holiday stress,
Vonnie S.