Not out of the woods yet

Well, the fury of graduation has come and gone. It was a great event to bring closure to the classes and classmates that I've been with for the past two years. But the studying still goes on. Due to some delay in my research, I've received an extension on my research project. And I have a curriculum to design. And a portfolio to revise. All this before May 28th, when I'm supposed to leave for Japan. Can it be done? Honestly, I don't know. I suppose that I could finish all the work at the expense of my social life, sanity, and health. But I'm not sure it's worth all of that. I'm motivated to finish all of it, but the summertime snooze is creeping up on me.

My family was in town and we had a great time together. It's too bad that we couldn't have been together for longer. The last time we were together was for my brother's wedding in May 2003. And then we didn't have much together time because of one festivity or another. But I think the plan is to get together for Christmas 2005, when we should have more down time.

I'm choto-choto nervous to go to Japan on my own and be illiterate. Going to Mexico in 2001 for a week was one thing, because I'd spoken Spanish 16 years before. This will be totally different. But, I wanted to see a new place and a new challenge. So in that sense, I'm ready for Japan.

Paying it forward

Went out to El Torito this evening to celebrate Karen's birthday. A good time with good friends. Made some new ones, too. Tried Larry's trick of tipping the taco maker man a dollar to get a free taco. Didn't work. In fact, Larry gave me the dollar to tip him with. I know he saw it. Oh well. Maybe that's the down payment and he only starts giving free tacos on the second time I tip a dollar before he make 'em. So later I've eaten my two tacos and am trying to break the $20 I came in with. Dave won't let me pay at all.

Wow. I go to celebrate another's birthday and I end up being treated. I'm not worthy. Karen did relish her presents. And she enjoyed the company that gathered to support her. She'll be going to Ukraine with Larry soon. Be sure to check out their website if you haven't already.