OakMonster’s Den

Call me crazy.

I have been reading 2 books at the same time, and now I’m about to read three.

First, I started Vampire Lestat while I was in Thailand, right after I finished Interview with the Vampire. Somehow I have found it incredibly slow, and I soon lost interest. Lestat has been my bathroom book since I got back from the trip. A few pages at a time for that one, and now I’m about half way through.

Second, my friend Olaina gave me the Namesake for Christmas. It has been by my bedside, book which I read to wind down before I go to bed, and I also take it with me when I think I’d have time to read i.e. waiting at the INS office, or reading at lunchtime. I am down to the final few pages. Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell, the big phonebook size novel I have started at one point before the Thailand trip is next in line.

Third, I borrow Odd Thomas from the LA Main Library, which by the way has become my favorite lunch spot. This will be my lunch read since I will not be dragging around town the size and the weight of that Mr. Norrell novel.

In addition, I also borrow a Mandarin learning tapes and workbook. The tape will accompany me in my morning commutes after the news, somewhere along the 110 heading into town. We’ll have to see how much of the workbook I can do. Right now, the tape will have to do.

Yep. I am keeping myself super busy on top of adopting my new routine. I just want to get out of the house.

Next week, we are trying out the 9-6 work hour to see if it works for my office and for me as a commuter. My parking permit is paid through next month, but on the first day of March I will try to take the Metro. The receptionist takes the Metro also from Long Beach, so she will show me the ropes to see if I like it.

My one problem with riding the Metro is the motion sickness issue. I don’t think I would be sick just riding it. I didn’t have any reaction when riding the Skytrain in Bangkok. But I can’t be reading the papers or a book while on the train though. That is one thing I can’t do in moving vehicle of any kind unless I take Bonine.

Tuesdays I have jazz dance lesson, and Thursdays yoga. Both through Long Beach Parks and Recreation. I’m thinking about dumping jazz and going for hip hop on Wednesday night at Westminster Performing Arts Center, but I’ll have to go check them out first. Jazz, although fun and has wonderful Ms. Pat as the teacher, is getting old for me. Hip hop will be a challenge.

The winds of change are blowing all sorts of directions for me right now. I hope they won’t turn into a tornado.

Got more to write about but too sleepy to elaborate so I’ll just steal these “getting to know you” bit from from Lauren…er…Sydney’s blog thingy.

Three names you go by

1. Oakley and other variations (Oaks, OakMonster, Oaktown)
2. Oh+
3. Varavarai

Three things you like about yourself

1. Musically inclined
2. Slightly artistic (I said ARTistic, not AUtistic)
3. My ass. Hahaha!

Three things you don’t like about yourself

1. My calves. They should belong to Popeye
2. Constantly feeling self conscious with my English
3. Being my own worst critic

Three things that scares you

1. Little white gecko/salamander thing (”Jingjok” in Thai), and the big colorful ugly gecko (”Tuk-kae”)
2. Height only when there is no barrier between me and the vast space below i.e. on a ledge with no railing.
3. Feeling of falling or drops. May it be on a plane or in a car or down a rough elevator.

Three everyday essentials

1. Brandon’s kisses
2. Food
3. Music

Three things you’re wearing right now

1. Thick bracelet made out of coconut shell beads.
2. White Nike hoody workout t-shirt.
3. Dickies jeans.

Three of your favorite bands or musical artists

1. Carole King
2. Sting
3. Dave Mathews Band

Three of your favorite songs

1. Desperado - Eagles
2. The way you look tonight - anyone but Rod Stewart
3. Walk on - U2

Three new things you want to try in the next twelve months

1. Learning to speak Mandarin
2. Riding Metro to work
3. Cook dinner on a weeknight. (Rachael Ray, you shall be my guiding light!)

Two truths and a lie (in no particular order)

1. All of my best friends live more than 20 miles from me.
2. I can tap dance.
3. My Snoopy doll is old enough to drink.

Three things physically about the opposite sex that don’t appeal to you

1. Excessive body hair.
2. Skinny. Not lean-muscular, but going for the cocaine chic or anorexic look.
3. Receding hairline that they try to cover. I don’t mind bald or super short hair. But something like the Donald irks me.

Three of your favorite hobbies

1. Blogging
2. Making music
3. Writing in general

Three things you want to do really badly right now

1. Blow my nose
2. Cuddle with Brandon
3. Go to sleep

Three careers you’re considering. Well, I just started a new job that is an absolute dream right now. So I’ll make this “Three careers other than yours that you’d like to attempt”.

1. Musical theater actor
2. Hotel Concierge
3. Aid worker

Three kids names

1. Aeryn (Farscape)
2. Jonas (Stargate)
3. Aiden (Sex in the City)

Three things you want to do before you die

1. Visit Paris
2. Snorkel the Similan islands
3. Ride a horse on a trail on my own

Three ways in which I am stereotypically a girl

1. I love chocolate
2. I love chick flicks (not all of them but when I’m in the mood for them, watch out!)
3. I love men, especially hot ones

I left work at 6:00 p.m. today. Actually, I did the same thing yesterday, but I was in such a rush to get home so I could get to my jazz dance class, I didn’t take time to notice.

Downtown Los Angeles at night looks amazing.

On the corner of Figueroa and 5th street, I looked up at the buildings, and I was in awe. The lights. The towering structures. People walking everywhere. Cars zooming underneath the overpass. Silouettes of palm trees against the buildings.

Perhaps it’s just because it’s a new sight to me. Like people in suits and ties swarming the streets a lunch time. Like the expression on people’s faces when I randomly smile at them, started a conversation in the elevator, or look at them to say thank you when they hold the door open.

I feel like I’m a hillbilly seeing the big city for the first time! I hope I can feel this kind of “magic” years down the road. This is only my 2nd day in town.

I had lunch alone sitting in the back corner of Carl’s Junior in my building, and then I ventured off across the street to the Main Library. I visited there many years ago when my ex-boyfriend used to work in the building next to where I am now. It was a whole new experience for me today.

I got a library card and borrowed Mandarin language tapes to listen to on my drive home. I have made up my mind that I would come spend 30 minutes of my lunch at the library.

It’s like being back at Mater Dei again. I spent numerous hours in the library during lunch and after school. Once I got to the “grown up library” for 5th grader and older, I managed to become a volunteer to help the librarian put away books and close up in the evening and occasionally at lunch time.

I am a slow reader in English. I guess in my brain somewhere I still have to translate it. Haha. And yeah I do get lazy. But if I have the chance and given the right environment, I do love to read. The Main library has a garden, and many cozy corners for me to bring my book in and get lost in time for a while.

This is going to be an interesting period of my life.