I haven't done one of these in a long time. I took this from Myspace

I leave for China today!!!! Please if you already haven't, add my travel journal since that is where I will be posting from now on!
ryokou_robo

I will miss you all!

Quite possibly one of the cutest videos I have seen recently. Please download and enjoy Ariel Lin - Practical Joke.
http://www.sendspace.com/file/rhkhcv

of course don't forget to add my travel journal ryokou_robo

A lot has happened since I posted last, so I am just going to give a quick rundown. Saturday and Sunday (August 18th and 19th) we said goodbye to Rachel and Evil had late night dinners at Olympic Star and had fun just being our funny selves. They left for Japan that Monday.
Monday (08/20) Nichole and I visited our Grandma, had lunch with her and our Uncle Jeff at TGIF and spent a long time talking about our family history which made me very happy!

Tuesday 08/21 I picked up my passport from the International office and then headed to Nichole's apartment to hang out with Nichole, Patrick, Valeria, and June. The next day (Wednesday) I went back to Nichole's apartment to visit with Verleria and we watched Versus. It's still a great movie, green shirt is hilarious! Afterwards we got a smoothy at Jamba juice and I dropped her off at the train station. Then I returned home and Zachary picked me up for a video game night at Melissa's apartment. It was me, Zach, Miles, Amy, Melissa, and Matt. We played a whole bunch of games including Mario Kart Double Dash, Rampage?, Mortal Kombat, and Ouija.

Thursday 08/23 was the date I got my court switched to. Everything went pretty well except they switched my time and didn't tell me so I had to wait around for a couple of hours. But as long as I don't get another ticket in four months neither will go on my record! And since I shall be abroad that will be cho easy!

My mom came in this weekend so I spent Saturday and Sunday morning with her. We went swimming and had a fun barbecue at the Lauciello's house on Sunday. Sunday night I took the train downtown to see Zach's new place. We spent sometime walking around Greek fest, went grocery shopping and eventually met up with Zach's friend Ian. Back at Zach's apartment (which is GORGEOUS!) we cooked some food, and then danced a bit at one of the events they were holding downstairs. SO many Korean exchange students were there. Overall it was a fun night. I took the 10:40 train home got in around midnight and went to sleep.

Today I made a layout for my travel journal. YOU NEED TO WATCH THIS JOURNAL! This is where I am posting my updates and pictures for my study abroad trip. I leave in 5 days and will continue to remind you to watch that journal! Here it is!:
ryokou_robo
ryokou_robo
ryokou_robo
ryokou_robo!!!

Monday 08/13 Zach and I took the megabus to St. Louis. When we got there we went up the Gateway Arch and went to a wax museum (but it was closed due to heat). By that time is was getting kind of late so we walked to the Huckleberry Finn hostel where we met some really interesting people. A girl from Brisbane, Australia, a guy from Texas, a woman who was going to get screened for a drug study in which she was make $3,000, and a Japanese guy who had lived in Canada for a year. Zach and I were really excited to talk to him, the second night we were there we talked a lot about music and he and his friend from Korean were surprised to learn that we were only 19 (since they thought we were so accomplished for a young age...they thought we were 22-24)

Tuesday 08/14 lots and lots of walking. We went to the Missouri Botanical Garden, The Science Center, a cathedral with the most mosaic tiles in the world, and the St. Louis Zoo.

Wednesday 08/15 we went to the Dred Scott courthouse, another church, and basically just walked around until the megabus came to take us back to Chicago

Friday 08/17 I went and got my court date changed to be on the 23rd, because for some reason I was not able to pay for the ticket right away. Later that night Nichole and I randomly decided to go see Harry Potter in IMAX 3D. So much fun! The whole last fight scene was in 3D it was AMAZING and I had missed a lot of the movie the 1st due to it being a restaurant/movie place.
( some messed up pictures )


On a very random side note, I have decided to share with you some of my favorite names (maybe one day my children's names).
For a girl: Jane, Tamzin, Madeline
For a boy: William, Derrick(<3), Jay
Although ultimately the name would depend on my child's ethnicity, I would want his/her name to come from wherever they most relate to. (And the father's opinion might be considered...)

What are some of your favorite names?

I decided to join in the movie meme going around. Taken from rdckade and trowicia.

1. Pick 20 films you love/thoroughly enjoyed.
2. Find screen captures (stills) for each film, preferably from scenes you like.
3. Post the pictures with the rules; let your readers guess from what movie each still is. (Readers, no cheating. No Google, no looking at LiveJournal interests or looking at the file names.)
4. Once someone guesses correctly, put the name of the movie next to the cap.

I am also going to skip number 4 and screen the comments. I will post the right answers and who got them right once I feel everyone who wants to try has. Have fun!

( *Movie Magic* )

Friday 8/10 I went to Nichole's apartment around 4:00 and then we picked Jessica up from work at Kohl's. We also met up with Pixie there and the four of us headed over to sushi station and had a very delicious dinner. Afterwards we went to Mitsuwa so Nichole could pick up some things for Jun and then we went to Baskin Robin's for icecream. Then we headed back to Lockport (I am so surprised how much it has changed since I lived there!) rented a movie and headed over to Pixie's house. There we watched 誰も知らない。 *Nobody knows* it was a typical Japanese movie and kind of sad but I still enjoyed watching it. After the movie we returned home.

Saturday 8/11 Erik's Birthday! I headed over to Zach's around 11:30 and we made some plans for our upcoming St. Louis trip. Then around 12:15 we set out for Erik's house in Franklin Park. We got there and played a couple of games. Eventually Valeria, Kevin, and Parker all came. We played some awesome N64 games and got an amazing tour of Erik's hometown. For dinner we ate at a really really good pizza place (called Grand Stand?) and I had PEPERONI pizza (first time b/c when I was younger I refused to eat it). Then we got to see Erik drive around nearby towns bragging about how close everything is to his house. After returning back to the house we played some more games, talked for a bit and then on the way home...

... I got pulled over!! OH NO! MY CLEAN RECORD HAS BEEN DEFILED! We had just pulled away from Erik's house and I was talking to Zach about the directions on how to get back to the highway when I saw police lights and then I immeadiately realized that I just rolled through a red light (at a very small intersection at night with no other cars around besides the police officer). But I was a bit distracted, in a unfamiliar place (only going like 10mph) so I thought its not like it was crazy for me to make that accident. The officer was kind of crude (but they usually are) and wrote me a ticket. I am supposed to go to court to pay for the ticket 9/7 but I will already be out of the country by that point. I wonder if I could send my dad in for me to pay the ticket and just tell the judge I couldn't make it for said reasons. Or maybe I can ask someone at the station to change the date. Does anyone know what I can/can't do? Jaj? Your dad is a cop; can I just have my dad pay the ticket?

Well its not the end of the world, but it did dampen my mood a bit.

Monday 8/06 Zachary and I took the train to Naperville around 12:30 we walked around for a while (it was super hot outside) and then when Erik got back from VBS we met up with him and Kevin. After a brief detour to Blockbuster and Graham Crackers (comic book store) we headed over to the LRC to watch Letters from IwoJima. It was a pretty good movie, but I was really surprised to see Nino from Arashi as the main character. Then we headed back over to Kimmel for some dinner. Kevin and I made a quick stop to Jewel to pick up some milk etc. and then when we got back we all ate. Then we watched Perfume which is a MESSED UP MOVIE (and Alan Rickman was great in it). Then we hung around for a while and Zach and I left to catch the train but it was pouring outside so we ended up running through the rain to the station (joking that it seemed like some typical romantic comedy with Meg Ryan and Tom Hanks kind of deal).

Tuesday 8/07 Erik and I took the train dowtown and met up with Valeria. We were there because Erik needed to pick up his multiple entry visa but also we had plans to finally see Valeria's hometown (Berwyn). After walking around downtown for a bit (being surprised to see the Bejing Olympic mascots walking around) we took the train to Berwyn. We ate at Connies (had delicious soup with the Captain's Waffers) saw the famous stacked cars, went to the park and library and eventually made it to Valeria's home. We watched Kiss Kiss Bang Bang played pick up sticks (really) looked at pictures and watched a couple Avatar episodes. Eventually Val's mother came home and took Erik and I to the station and we went home.

Wednesday 8/08 I talked to my bank about my card and then I went to Nichole's apartment and hung out there for a while. It was my cousin Allison's birthday so we stopped by her school and went to lunch with her which was really nice since she is like a second sister to me. Headed back to Nichole's apartment and stayed till about 10:30 and then returned home.

Friday Night I went to see Brigadoon with Pixie, Ashley, and Jackie. Afterwards when the show was over all of us and Mikey went and ate at Fridays. I got to try these fried greenbean things and they tasted SO good.

Saturday I met up with Andrea, Jessica, and Pixie and we saw Becoming Jane in theaters. It was nice, but no Pride and Prejudice. No one can stand up to Mr. Darcy. After the show I went home and packed an overnight bag and headed back to Jessica's house. Jessica, Andrea and I ate at Noodles and Company and then we headed over to Borders to meet Justin... he is still very awkward... and it was all just awkward. We headed back to Jessica's house, watched Pride and Prejudice and then Andrea and I went back to her house and I spent the night.

Sunday we woke up around 8:00ish and played with baby Vincent a bit. I got to play a little more Wii (I really suck at the golfing game) and in the afternoon Andrea's cousins, Nicholas and Ryan, came over. (We played Monopoly and I won!) I left her house around 4:30-5:00 and went to Nicholes apartment. We hung out till about 10:00 and then I went home.

We had another videogame night last Friday (27th). I picked up Val and Erik in Naperville and we headed back to my house in Aurora. After making sime puppy chow, talking about Avatar and playing Catch Phrase Zach eventually showed up and we headed to Matt's apartment. We played a plethora of games (including a sonic version of mario party in which robotnic aka eggman kept saying: "This is what I'll do to you" and it was funny). The most fun was probably the murder game... scary but fun.

Saturday (28th) was Jaj's party, we sat around and talked, played pool, darts, ping pong, and ate pizza. It was a good time.

Sunday (29th) was also great fun! Zach, Sal, and I went up to Mitsuwa a little before schedule to look around. Eventually Nichole, Pixie, and Val showed up. We had dinner (Val watched a man pee!) and went to karaoke. すごく楽しかったよ。When leaving to go to the parking lot when found out that Pixie accidentally locked her keys in the car and somehow I had gotten a flat tire. But no worries we danced around in the parking lot until help arrived.

Got my tire fixed Tuesday... for free

Wednesday (1st) Zach picked me up at my house and we went to Manpower to return his shoes. Then Zach, Aimee and I went to the Geneva Commons. Its a really cool place and I wouldn't mind going back there sometime. We dropped Aimee back off at her house and ate dinner at Zach's house. We watched Brokeback Mountain with Miles and then played some drawing games! Around 12AM we called it a night and Zach drove me back home.

Wow! So I haven't updated since my birthday weekend. Here's a quick recap of what I have been up to:
Monday (16th) was another movie night at North Central. This time is was Me, Zachary, and Erik; we watched Curse of the Golden Flower. Afterwards we hung out for a while... played at this really awesome park and watched some Adult Swim before heading home.

Tuesday (17th) I spent the day with Andrea and Shea. We went to the new Bolingbrook mall and I must say, it is a nice mall! I wouldn't mind going back there sometime. After shopping we went back to Andrea's house, had dinner with the family, played with baby Vincent, played lots of Wii and cards... and eventually called it a night.

Thursday (19th) was fun too. Zach and I headed over to Naperville again, this time for a party/food fusion with Erik, Will Murray and Amy Butcher at Amy's apartment. We watched The Prestige (still a good movie) and some SNL. It really was a good time.

Friday (20th) Rachel came in town for her birthday weekend! We walked around downtown Naperville because Nichole was working at NaperNuts and everything was decorated for the release of the final Harry Potter book! Lots of fun! I even got to see Tro and Chrissy, which was nice. Eventually Rachel and I left, had dinner at Chili's ... and then... hung out?

Saturday (21th) good fun!Rachel's birthday! Rachel, Evil, Nichole, and I went for sushi at SushiStation, went to Mitsuwa and karaoke. We were at the karaoke place for 4 hours! So it was kind of expensive... but worth it. Then we went to Evil's house so she could get an overnight bag and headed over to Olympic Star for a late night/ mid morning meal. We drove back to Nichole's apartment and I headed home while the rest of group had a scare from druken guys threatening them!

Sunday (22st) We went downtown to see Yusuke who had just come back from Senegal. The whole group consisted of Yusuke, Valeria, Mariangela, Katie, Sal, Evil, Rachel, Nichole and me. We ate lunch and walked around a lot (stopped at a nice tea shop). Eventually I picked up a copy of Harry Potter. Yusuke, Val, Sal, Rachel, Nichole and I walked to Lake Michigan and had some fun playing in the water. We got some icecream and sat around. Nichole, Rachel, and I tried to catch the 6:30 train but missed it... so we just hung around till the next train which came at 8:40.

Monday (23rd) Hung out at Nichole's apartment with Rachel... eventually Sal came over and Jun cooked us all a DELICIOUS meal. Nichole came home later that night.Then I spent the night at Nichole's apartment.

Tuesday (24th) Six Flags! Who went? Andrea, Jason, Jessica, Rachel, Nichole and me! Was it fun? Yes. Especially when one of the workers came over and dubbed Jason Sir Chocolate DipNDots!

Friday was my birthday and what a birthday it was. In the morning I spent the day by myself... got a smoothie and a bagel, did some walking, it was nice and relaxing. That night I went to the Hollywood Boulevard to see Harry Potter and the Weasley twins! In my car was me, Zach, and Sal. We met up with Pixie, Evil, Andrea, Jessica, and Jason. With the help of a few clever lies... and the unexpected LIVER FOUNDATION we were all able to sit together. After the movie we got some drinks at Starbucks and just chilled.


Saturday Nichole and I went to work some more on our Gram's house... this time we tackled the basement. I was surprised by my family with a mini birthday celebration with singing, cards, and cupcakes. That night was Zach's Bastille day party. We played (cocaine) and had lots of fun.


Today is Sal's birthday so we went to Sushi Station. I drove Sal and Zach and when we got there we met Nichole and Patrick. Afterwards we made a quick stop to Mitsuwa (since Zach had never been) and then went home.

So all in all it was a good birthday experience this weekend, despite all the recent misfortunes. THANKS EVERYONE!!!

First of all: WATCH IT!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BLCEetjAZNE
This basically sums up some of the highlights of my Freshman year at college.

What have I been up to lately you ask? Well gather round friends and let me tell you.
Hung out with Jaj and later Andrea and Jason. We went to Chili's and Borders... then spent a couple hours just sitting and talking in Baskin Robins. Watched some Red vs Blue. It was a good time.

Then what?
Well! Then last Monday I picked up Erik in Naperville and we went to Zachary's house. Played some monopoly with Miles, ate cake, played videogames, watched Apocalypto, and it was so late that we just CRASHED there.
Next morning I went home, got ready and headed back to Naperville to catch the train to THE TASTE OF CHICAGO!
Was it tastey you ask?
Yes. It was cherry tastey.

Our group consisted of Me, Erik, Zachary, Valeria, Sal, Kevin, and later SaraJane. We ate Thai food, I saw Millenium Park and watched fireworks. Good times, good times.

Today I went to Lockport for the fireworks. Met up with Andrea and Jaj, visited Gerrity for a bit and watched fireworks with Pixie, Andrea, Jason, and Jaj. So yeah, lots of fun. Have you watched the video yet!?!?! Do you need the link again? Okay, here it is:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BLCEetjAZNE

Yesterday I helped my family reconstruct my great grandmother's house. We used to call her Gram; she died when I was 12. Her house had been broken into by neighborhood kids and everything just torn apart and filthy. Also the house is under major reconstruction so nothing is finished and everything just looks messy. My task was to clean Gram's room, and it took me four hours to do... it looked like a hurricane blew through it. But going through the stuff brought back a lot of memories, and it was hard to see the house that I spent so many days at in such a state. All I kept thinking was, "How did it come to this?". Hopefully in will be back in good condition by winter of next year.

I was reading that LJ thing were people explain how they got their usernames and the meaning behind it... and I am curious about my friends usernames. So you should comment... and tell me why that is your name. Some of you I already know, but go ahead and tell me anyways in case I forgot!

Well, I leave for Michigan tomorrow. It might be a couple of days before I can get to a computer with internet... so if I don't respond to your messages, that's why. So long, Farewell, I love you all.

Yesterday was pretty fun; the day was pretty normal... I got up, went to lunch, showered, and went to work. After work though I went to the midnight pancake thing that Kaufman does at the end of every term. I was originally with Pixie and Ashley, then we were joined by Vicky, Erik, Zachary, Nina, and Sal. It was pretty fun (I both lost and found my raffle ticket-- after the raffle was already finished) then we (Nina, Melissa, Sal, Erik, Zachary) went to LAC for our usual Sunday movie.

We watched Royal Tennenbaums, afterward Sal and Nina left, and Zach and Melissa went for some blankets. Then we watched Marie Antoinette (pretty fun to watch). The movie ended around... 4:00ish? Then we just hung out upstairs until Melissa had to work her shift at the radio station... playing games like throw the shoe... and playing the piano.

Stuck around till 7:00 then we all headed back to our dorms. I grabbed John Travolta and went to my 7:30 Microeconomics exam. I think I passed... I am hoping a I got 'B'. GOOD NEWS!!! no more MicroEconmics.

The next exam is at 3:30 (Japanese)... I have to study for International Business too (10:00 tomorrow) AND I have work from 7-11:00 but GOOD NEWS!!! this should be my last day (assuming Jen takes me off the schedule for Saturday which I told her I couldn't do)

So... this is your last chance to visit me and the B&N... stop by if you want, I will make an effort to have a really good attitude for my last day.



Wow... this ended up being much longer than I had expected!

http://www.comingsoon.net/news/movienews.php?id=20731

Harry Potter Land!?!?! Looks awesome!! I want to go!!!!!!!

Appart from my failed exam, everything else is going pretty well. A couple activities from last week were really fun. Thursday was the International Party. Friday I think was sushi (delicious!)... and kung fu hustle (funny!)... and DANCE PARTY (amazing!), Zach played 'Acceptable in the 80's', the Indian Thriller, 'Oh My Juliet' and other great songs. Saturday, I went to work and did some shopping. Sunday, I went with International Club on the canoe trip, 12 miles down the fox river (check out my facebook pics!) Also we watched Rushmore (great movie!)

Coming up events: Today, 1st Annual Asian American Heritage Banquet. Thursday, PIRATES!!!
Friday, hopefully we can pull off a videogame night.
I love this sandwich:

You Are a Grilled Cheese Sandwich

You are a traditional person with very simple tastes. In your opinion, the best things in life are free, easy, and fun. You totally go with the flow. And you enjoy every minute of it! Your best friend: The Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwich Your mortal enemy: The Ham Sandwich