10/17/01
Where have I been lately?
The answer is really no where. No where in particular. In the last week or so on the weekdays I haven’t gotten out of the house much. The weekdays trickle into each other without very much definition and my activities have been simple and humble. I’ve indulged in sleeping by the fireplace, downloading entire soundtracks from morpheus, ignoring emails, and reading graphic novels. I’ve also been looking for work but that has been… well fruitless and continues to be discouraging. That’s about it really. I’ve been feeling generally reticent…and pensive.
Got this as an email from my friend re: Christina’s memorial service
(Thanks ES. hope you’re ok with me pubbing this)
hey mj,
got back last night. the service for christina was beautiful yet sad. there were a lot of people there-from her high school, U of M, family and friends from as far as japan, the church was almost filled. the service was a catholic mass but in korean, so i knew what was going on but did not understand what they were saying. when i went up for communion, the priest had to pause and decide if he should say “body of christ” in english or korean (english). the father’s words moved everyone to tears, saying how he misses her and that he will be a better father the next time they are together.
the banquet was at a chinese restaurant, where everyone drowned their sorrows in a halo-halo of so ju and bek ju. the program consisted of a video collage which began with the local newscast story on Christina and her parents hoping beyond hope that she will return and ended with various home videos of her on family vacations. then a recording of her singing as a 7 year old. finally a power point slide show, pictures from her early years to adulthood. one picture included you, Christina and others wearing hambuks.
a wide range of emotions were on display, from tables screaming toasts to Christina to others crying in each others’ arms. her childhood friend who put together the program held up remarkably well and was strong for everyone, until the end when she broke down and cried. her parents cried. we all cried. it’s as if the realization/mourning/healing could not become real until that day. afterwards, we went back to the motel and drank and hung out til the morning.
that was the weekend. as for me, i am toggling between this email and the anthrax and mail guidlines emailed to all staff. crazy.
glad to hear that you were able to go dancing. can’t wait until i go. for me, when i get into the groove, the music and movements touch something deep within. lately, deep within has been filled with sadness and i didn’t want to go there. but now hope and faith are starting to fill the void, so maybe i can put the ol’ dancin’ shoes on again soon.
warm regards,
ES
p.s.
every time i am asked if i like kimchi jigeh, i go: “i can get jigeh with it! ~na na na na na na, na na na na na na–gettin’ jigeh with it~ hahahahahhaahhaha…i think it’s funny.
The weekends are slightly more interesting.
In the Navy
So last saturday I drove down to visit my cousin Clare in the navy. I was her *date* for the annual ball and was asked to wear conservative but elegant clothing. It was a black tie event if you weren’t military and wearing “dress mess”. Actually it was the first time I saw my cousin in uniform. She looked slick. So imagine about 400 navy folks dressed to kill in every variety of formal uniform on the planet. And add to that about 300 chicks wearing prom dresses which are far too young, hoochie, and too tight for them. Um yeah. Interesting crowd.
The evening’s program was a reasonably formal event that started off with color guard presentation, benediction, a speech, and rememberance of those still POW or lost at sea. This was immediately followed, at my table, with a chorus of “We represent the lullabye league” after sucking down the helium from a dozen or so baloons. Yes sir, navy men & women with giggly high pitched voices singing from the Wizard of Oz. The sense of our nation’s security has rarely left me more terrrified.
This was immediately followed by mad dancing to 80s hip hop and rap. So try now to imagine about 698 white people trying to dance like black people to MC Hammer’s Can’t Touch This” in prom dresses and navy whites. It. Was. Not. Pretty. I didn’t want to stick out so of course I busted out with the roger rabbit. An impressive feat in a floorlength dress and heels, I assure you.
Blogger Fanatabulosa
Yes, everyone’s already written about it and so I have very little to contribute otherwise but it was a good week for meeting other bloggers & Journalists.
Friday: TAJ Crew:
Kevin, Anita, Aaron, Lan, Ed, Nelson & CK
Lovely dinner, and company.
Nelson is a flowbee head & cross stitches
CK is a lucky woman
Kevin’s got a hot girlfreind
Ed is, as always, up for scandal
Lan throws fun garage sales
Anita makes kick ass jook too
Aaron, is as always, a tremendous sweetie
Friday/Sunday: Survivor Blog Crew
Ernie, Ritchie, Belinda, Dave
Chilling over smirnoff ice while watching buffy and smoking way too much
Krispy Kreme donuts. after Jolibee
Ernie scratching his ass.
Ritchie in ecstacy after SF food tour
Belinda blue head is a hot babe (as always)
Dave humping a pole…too…weird..for…words (and I wasn’t even there…just saw the pix)
Tuesday: Hot Diggity
Josh
Dinner and chilling. Quite nice.
Not nearly as ghetto as I expected.
Note to self: Don’t forget to have some white friends once in a while. Um.. yeah.
Going to try & keep myself busy today.
Lates,
MJ
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