Of course, Halloween weekend wouldn't be particularly right if I didn't entertain another costume. So on Saturday night, I put on my bought firefighter costume. I usually never buy full costumes. I piece them together and make pieces separately, so this was different. D started off as spongebob again and we had an unexpected guest drive out from Detroit. Jake headed our way thinking that my party was Saturday night... DENIED. Well he came dressed as a keg and we left to Walker to predrink with Todd and the boys. When we got to Todd's, all of the sudden D disappeared. Apparently Todd had an extra suit so he took D upstairs to get into it. The pictures looked GREAT...


This is me glowing in the dark with my reflective costume


I must say, the costume worked out


Jake, drinking from his own tap


Us and the Angry Pirate


Costume Exchange


Matthew and D
I must say, it was a great time. Since it was daylight savings, we had an extra hour at the bar. I didn't need it though because Monte's hooked us up with strong drinks all night. I was feeling good. When we got home, I managed to heat up pizzas and hot dogs for the post drinking food binge.

The next morning, Breakfast Club was back in effect. Clayton, though he missed out partying with us the last two nights, called to come out to GR. After some more neighborhood drama, we went to IHOP where I enjoyed a western skillet. Weekends like those fly by so fast.

Categorized: Events

So last year, my partner in crime and I won a trip to Vegas with our homemade "Dirty Girl Scout" costumes. My favorite bar sent us on a 3 day, 4 night stay at the City of Sin last December. Yeah, it was pretty amazing. Winning trips like that doesn't happen everyday. Well maybe it does since we planned that girl scout costume out 7 months in advance. This year, we had a harder time coming up with costume ideas. Well, after deliberation, me and 3 of my girls are going to represent Halloween as the Ghostbusters.

We didn't want to buy the fabric and make it entirely by ourselves, so we bought the adult costume to modify. I should have taken a picture with this thing on me before I cut it up because it was HUGE. I love modifying clothes, so this was a fun project. The best part was that I actually had some time to do it. Well I cut off the pants, shortened it, attached a skirt to the one-piece design, bought black fishnet stockings and boots, and adding some finishing details to make the costume a little more "feminine". The result is what you see to the right.

The rest of the girls worked on theirs separately from me. This is what we all looked like on the Friday night of my house party:
We were barely together though. I was regulating, i.e. bitchin' at people who wouldn't get off our front lawn. Front porch/lawn dwellers get loud and draw attention to the house. If no one is in front, you wouldn't know that there was a party. More fun pictures:



Me with some of the batman crew


Me and Shannon


All the roomies before the party started!


Group photo in the basement



The place was incredibly packed. I couldn't keep my pack on because it took up too much space!


Marc "Stewie" and myself


Han "Elvis" got handcuffed


A Menage A Trois, some Ghostbusters, and some Super Troopers.

Yea, the party was fun until it got out of hand. People were fighting left and right and our 3rd keg got stolen. Well, fortunately D and I don't trust people so we figured out who took it and took it back. To make matters worse, the assholes tried to break into my room when I locked it up. So I kicked them out of my house, but they wouldn't leave until I called 911. I didn't make any empty threats. I told them that if they didn't complete an action in 5 seconds, I would be speaking with the authorities. Don't mess with an Angry Asian Woman. There were more things that happened, pissing me off basically for the remainder of the weekend, but I still stand by the fact that I throw one hell of a party. I ended making money though. Not much, but it's paying for some groceries.

Things people need to remember:

• Don't mess with Angry Asian Women.
  
• Don't get two-faced and steal my fukkin keg after I thanked you for helping me. I will hunt you down.
  
• I don't trust you. I will NOT give you a benefit of a doubt.
  
• If you say you want to throw a party, you better fukkin regulate it. If you don't, don't be surprised when I chew you out.
  
• If you break into a car with witnesses and come back to the party, your ass will be beat, but you better get out of my backyard.
  
• Couples fighting in the street = cops coming.
  
• If someone steals my keg, expect me to be pissed off and expect me to get even more pissed if you live there and don't do anything about it except for "keeping the peace".
  
• Spineless people keep the peace instead for fighting for what is right.
  
• Watch the stairs, they're slippery and you may biff it.
  
• You can't reason with me or D when we are pissed so fuk off.
  
• If you want to talk about me, do it to my face. I'm not afraid to hear it and I'm not afraid to confront you. Keeping the peace isn't on my list of priorities.
  
• If I tell you that you're no longer welcomed in my home and you don't leave the premises in 5 seconds, I will be talking to cops about a trespasser.
  
• Don't yell outside my window in the middle of the night on a weekday and expect me to roll over and offer you a drink.
  
• Nothing is more agitating then passive weak women.

I swear. I get into these good lulls where I feel like giving people the benefit of a doubt is the right thing to do. Then when I fall into that complacent feeling, ish like that happens to reinforce that giving people the whole "good until proven shitty" thing gets old and opens you up for BIG DISAPPOINTMENT. Another story from the evening?

We were about to tap the first keg when the tap was broken. Four of us went out to the liquor store to exchange the tap. I walked in and held it up and said that it broken. Mind you, I was in ghostbuster form, but still sober. Well, the guy looked at me like I'm dumb girl and said, "Uhhh it's not broken. How can it be broken?" Did I stutter? Well D noticed the passive sexism and stepped forward telling them that it wouldn't seal. They gave us a hard time about it but he was adamant and got our taps exchanged. Lo and behold, the new tap worked, fukkers. Jeezes. I have a dual degree and a day job. Don't assume that because my breasts are hanging out of my costume that I am some dumb girl who is lying about a broken tap. Just give me a new tap and allow me to get properly wasted.

After this weekend, I realized that the force of me and my boyfriend together is incredibly INTENSE. We don't take shit from anyone and we definitely don't care if we're unreasonable in reaction to your stupidity. No wonder when we fight, they get really intense! I also realized that he will always stand up for me and that he and I are in this alone. I don't believe what people say anymore. If you say something, you better follow through with the appropriate actions. Simple. Don't waste my time.

Saturday night was MUCH better... this will have to be continued...

Categorized: Events, Holiday, Grr

I was at an "outing" on Friday and something caused me to go ape-shit... in my little mind. I was sitting at a table at the local bar with some coworkers. At this point, 15 out of the 20 people who were there had gone home to their wives/hubbies/mommies. Conversation went from discussing gerbils to the inquiry of where each of us were born. It got to me and I said, "Connecticut".

Guy 1: "Oh, Connecticut? I told everyone you were born in Vietnam"
Me: "Umm, no, I was born in Connecticut. Who did you tell that I was born in Vietnam?"
Guy 1: "That doesn't matter."
Guy 2: "So you're Vietnamese?"
Me: "Yes and Chinese."
Guy 2: "Do you speak Mandarin?"
Me: "I speak Vietnamese but not Chinese. I want to learn one day."
Guy 2: "Ohh so I know more Chinese than YOU?!!?" Guy 2 nods his head in satisfaction.
What I said: "I was raised in a Viet family so I know more Viet than Chinese."
What I thought: "Oh so just because I'm of Asian decent, I must be able to speak Chinese. What are you, German? Did I assume that all people of German decent can speak more words than bier and Oktoberfest? Should I assume that because you are white, you MUST be able to speak French, Italian, German, and/or Dutch? Oh but you didn't think about that did you, fukker?! Maybe I should have been able to speak Japanese, Korean, and Taiwanese as well since all Asian languages are THE SAME?! Oh and just because I am Vietnamese, it is impossible that I was born in Connecticut? Did you fukkin' tell them that I came here to A-mer-i-kA by a little feces-ridden straw boat as well? Maybe you told them that my dog didn't really die and that I ate it. Since you are white, does that mean that your intelligence is genetically lack luster, sub-par, and relatively slower than mine? I'm Asian and Asian = smart, remember? I could help you with your ignorance you know. I could invent an ignorance detection device that can track your brain waves and shock you when you're about to say something ignorant, stupid, or sexist. I'm Asian... I can do that with my supernatural Asian intelligence, sukka. Don't hate, congratulate."

I BIT MY TONGUE
Mainly because it's just not worth it. Sure, he would have felt like an ass, but it was probably pure cluelessness that led him to say that and maybe it was my angry Asian woman mentality that inspired the rant. Regardless, Cluelessness = ignorance = waste of my time. Had I exposed my mental rant to these people, I would have probably been labeled "sensitive" or some BS like that. Instead, I finished my bier, stuck around for a bit, and then headed north to visit the boy.

I used to say that I would never date an Asian guy, but hell it helps with the investigation of my thoughts. He thought that I was justified to be upset as well. That's why people date people who are like them. That sense of familiarity and cultural understanding is just so comforting. I never feel like I have to explain myself or defend my position... on matters like this anyway. Blowing my paycheck on shoes and tops... well, that's another story.

Anyway, it's a good thing I had a relaxed end-of-the-week-bier in me so that I could just look past it. Maybe that wasn't what I should have done anyway. Maybe I should have picked up that rant so that he could feel small. Maybe's and what-if's are pointless. They just take up valuable brain space for creating wonderful gadgets like how to invent the ignorance detection device or deciphering if my shoes are acceptable with that belt. I didn't learn much from this experience. I already know that I won't live to see the day that people aren't ignorant. That's impossible. People will teach their children their exact same views. I only hope that when I have spawn of my own, that they will be less inclined to make statements like that.

Categorized: Grr, PC Issues

Hehe, Karen showed this to me. I love the MC Esher reference. Totally takes me back to school. If I was a dude. If I was white. Well, I'm a nerd, so 2 outta 3 is close enough . Anyways...

We get taught all the rules and then in industry, all the rules become obsolete. Protocol rarely, and I use that loosely, goes by the book. Sorry for the cliche. Seriously, in my short time during co-op and my even shorter time as a full-timer, I have found that the percentage of information I use from school... is VERY VERY SMALL ! No matter how much I ask about why we don't do things the way that I had learned, I get the, "That's just how we always do it" or "It just doesn't work that way". Well WHY DIDN'T THEY TELL ME THAT IN SCHOOL?! It's like the all nighters about theory and application were just to piss you off and train you to do slave work.

The crap we learned doesn't always get used. We just had to learn it at one point to get the degree, to get the interview, to land that job. Yea, the one we're going to have for years and years. The one we'll be working at to save money for the day we don't have that job anymore.

For some odd reason, I decided to add to that schooling that I don't seem to need and get another degree. So why then... am I going back to school for my MBA or my Masters in Engineering? Good question. I already have a dual undergrad degree and I did it in 4 years. Maybe I'm a masochist? Yes, but I don't think that's it. Maybe furthuring my education will come with a new pretty title under my name and a 1% raise? It's got to be more than that. I want to learn. Even if I use 5% of what I learn, I will have worked on learning it. Who knows, it may be put to use. Even with a technical degree, I still have this strong desire to learn MORE. I think I'm crazy. *Checks mirror and looks around room* Nope, no fizz coming out of the side of my mouth yet and my room walls aren't padded.

Think about this... why is it that nothing seems gets done in Corporate America? Because there is a LOT of red tape and because seniority rules and new ideas are too risky and "inexperienced". Often, anyway. Well, how would I know, I've only been working a short time and this could be my slow step towards being defeated by the system. Anyway, when the young are new to the working world, we feel like we can do sooooo much. I still believe that we can, but it doesn't come without some struggle and ass-kissing. After some of us young ones get beaten down and keep hearing "no", we can lose all bright-eyed innocence, curiousity, and the whole goodie goodie "I can change the world" attitude. We work damn hard through school... staying up all night cramming equations onto green paper (engineering paper), taking study breaks (and by study breaks, I mean quick 5 minute naps and/or poking people on facebook), and stretched our memories to capacity. All that to be downtrodden by "The Man".

I still have plenty of time to use what I learned in school. I use a lot, trust me. My engineering school did not fail me. There is just a lot of stuff they never teach you, like red tape: all the paperwork and people that you have to talk to in order to get certain tasks done. I just want to know more about other stuff. I am competitive and I refuse to be one of those people. I just want the degree. Simple.

I have so many questions running through my head...

• Does the school matter?
  
• How am I going to afford to go to grad school and pay for my $930 min rent?
  
• Will I have the time to finish my work with diligence?
  
• Will I have enough time to enjoy LIFE?
  
• Will this freakin' MBA do anything for me?
  
• Can I handle this?
  
• What happens with my relationship? Geez, don't even get me started on that.
  
• Can I even score well on the GMAT?
  
• Will this put my life on hold?
  
• Does this mean that I will be in GR for 5 more years?
  
• If I wait to get to an area with a better school, will I be in a worse off position as far as timing?

You know what? I reread what I wrote here and I think I confirmed my insanity.

Categorized: School, Work, Grr

Seriously, this camera was made for me... and about 2 million other girls. It's the new Sony Cybershot T10 and it comes in black, pink, silver, and white. Have you seen the commercials for the new blue Motorola Razr? How smart ARE these people. Create a product that people love... sell it for awhile. Come out with the same product with slightly enhanced features for the next product-line generation, but add different colors for "personalization". Well if 2 million other girls want this gadget, it's not going to be too personalized anymore is it? I.E. Everyone and their momma's got a Razr. Not me, I made my Samsung 8300 pink with a snap cover! So original, I know...

I just bought my black Nikon Coolpix digital camera exactly a year ago, but when they come out with things like this, I just think, "Damn!" It's a $520 camera... geez. Watch, now everyone else is going to make their same slim camera available in baby pink and hot pink. I love how I am bitching about this, but inside my girly little head, I am craving to own one... before I even do any product research! *GASP*

Maybe, someone should market pink food so girls like this will EAT SOMETHING! She makes me hungry. She looks TORN UP! Think about it: Pink potatoes, pink sausages, pink pizzas, pink steaks... well, that would be medium, duh. BUT, we could make it fashionable to EAT! I mean they already have a pink energy drink called Tab. I digress... I like seeing fit people and all, but bones poking through like that is just unecessary. They could market pink treadmills. I'm sure they probably already do somewhere. I just did a search... found nothing. Maybe this is a business venture just waiting to happen?

Things don't even have to function well, but "build them pink and ye shall come" or something like that. I got made fun of the other day for having a pink coffee thermos... until he realized that it was a thermos I bought in support of Breast Cancer Awareness Month at Meijer. HA! How ya like me now? Not so funny anymore is it?

In the past few years, pink has been the "new color". Right before then (do not question my historical accuracy in this matter) women were fighting to become powerful and successful in society and the economy. All of the sudden the uber-feminine housewife became the uber-powerful business woman who could bring home more money than her man. Well, with all this pink, it's like we're fighting to be feminine again. I don't think that it degrades or "weakens" the woman. Instead, I think it cultivates the idea that women can be serious, successful, AND remain feminine. That's pretty cool, but I imagine a woman sitting in a large conference meeting wearing a pink suit still won't be taken too seriously. My purple Hello Kitty phone charm hanging off my pink cellular probably isn't helping me either... hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

Categorized: Product

I heard that it is supposed to snow sometime this week due to lake effects. Stupid lake! What you see to the left is what I saw all last week, so I am going to vent about weather and traffic! How am I supposed to get excited to be anywhere let alone work when it looks like that through my windshield? I wonder what it's like to drive to work everyday with clear skies and sunlight? Maybe you Arizonians or Californians can help.

On Friday, my 40 minute drive to Grand Haven from Holland turned into a two hour wait in traffic. I could have been in Detroit by then! All I could see in my side mirrors were other impatient drivers losing their minds.








It was ridiculous. Besides that, the week was nice. My birthday gift to D finally came via Fedex after 3 delivery attempts. When we went to Chicago's Neocon in June, we spotted this awesome desk lamp from Pablo Designs. So I got him one! Actually, last week he mentioned that he wanted it again to me before realizing that I had confirmed the PO about a month ago. Seriously, there is nothing like seeing the look on someone's face when you gave them something they wanted but did not ever expect to receive! He didn't realize what it was way after he opened it...

You're thinking, "$400 LAMP??!!?!" Trust me, it was worth the big bucks. Well, from the engineering/business perspective, it was incredibly marked up. It's ridiculous that they can charge that much, of course, I'm the only weirdo who would pay $400 for a lamp. The design is sweet though! Honestly, is this what working people get excited about now? I don't know but I do know that I will be purchasing one of these suckers for myself as well... maybe after I pay off my pending Lasik surgury .

Categorized: Weather, Birthday, Product

Personal Update: Life is good. I've been busy, naturally. Well this past weekend was D's 25th birthday! On Friday, we partied at State with his close friends at MSU. It was me, D, Ed, Jake, Tommy, Andrea and the rest of the crazy singers and groupies.

Then on Saturday, I threw him a "Supplies" VIP Party @ our favorite club, Monte's. It was a success! The night:

• Dinner at the Blue Gill Restaurant
  
• Hilarious comedy show at Dr. Grins: Mike Green was the headliner... holy crap. I don't remember laughing that hard non-stop in a long time.
  
• Monte's where his friends from all over the state came to surprise him in the VIP lounge... Everyone dressed up for the occasion. The colors were black and red.

It was so much fun. I mostly ordered bottles of Vodka since it was going FAST! They set it up where my guests could make their own drinks. The club was packed! People kept trying to get into the VIP area all night, which I thought was kinda funny. I didn't think people would actually do that. At one point in the evening, two girls I didn't know came into the room. I turned around and thought, "funny, I don't know them!" So I turned to ask D if they knew who they were and he said, "no." Then, I tapped the girls and said,

Me: "Who are you? I don't know you. You don't know my name. This is my party, you need to leave."
Girl: "We're not going to drink your drinks, we have our own."
Me: "Ok I was just making sure."

Then I realized that they were wearing the VIP wristbands. I looked at my girl Karen and asked her if she knew them. She said no. I looked at the two guys (my guests) that they were talking to and they apparently knew them, but denied inviting them in. So I decided I wasn't going to let them stay.

Me: "You need to leave."
Girl: "I'm not drinking your drinks."
Me: "I don't care! Get out. Take off the wrist bands and get out!"
Girl: "No! I'm not drinking your drinks!"
Me: "I DON'T CARE! Do you understand? I'm speaking English... take it off and get out!"

The girls huffed and left. I grabbed the wristband and she said, "Don't touch me!" I told her to not come back and told the VIP bouncer at that entrance to not let them back in. Apparently, the bouncer in the back was letting uninvited people in. D yelled at the bouncer and let the manager know. While I was yelling at the girls, D laughed and said, "That's MY GIRLFRIEND!" For the rest of the night, people were trying to wave to us to let them in the room. It was a lot of fun. We danced and mixed our own concoctions all night! At the end of the evening, the girls I kicked out walked up to me with the ripped up wrist bands as if they won. I kept them for my scrapbook.

Also, during the night, a guy I knew stood outside the room to say Hi to me. All I can say is "Yup, I win." Anyway, D was surprised when he walked into the room and saw his friends there. I was so happy that it worked out perfectly.

P.S. I love the post secret website. Bastards, I wish I thought of it. Anyway... I loved this one from this week:



Categorized: Events, Birthday, Partying