Sports talk

The Brazil vs. Germany game was simply astonishing and shocking and unbelievable. I was speechless when I saw the goals. Without Silva and Neymar, the team seemed to lose their flow. The host country suffered a huge loss, 7-1. 

It's also sad to hear Soriano designated for assignment. He's such a star player for the Yankees and always will be. 

Djokovic won the Wimbledon. Wanted Federer to claim the trophy, but what happened happened. 

Bicycle, and all that jazz

Such a wonderful day today with B. It was nearly only the two of us biking as we cycled our way around the path while taking in the unobstructed scenery of Lady Liberty and the financial district adjacent to it. The Staten Island Ferry was sailing across the river, and seagulls were soaring through the air. I felt as if we owned the island. The last time I was on a bike was in Japan, about three years ago. I finally had the chance to ride it and an air of nostalgia hit me when I rung the bike bell.

Chiring Chiring!!

There were many times where it was only us two, cycling peacefully while feeling the breeze, all the while B adorably singing aloud Let it Go and the Beatles' Baby it's You. I taught her how to make a sharp turn on a bicycle. Although I haven't ridden one in years, my body was easily able to adapt to it. In Japan I remember casually cycling around the neighborhood that was surrounded by a field of plants and crops and grasses as far as the eye could see. I'd go downhill through a narrow road, and drift with my cousin. Bike drifting. Yeah, that's what it was called.

It was a whole another experience cycling with B and a tremendously lovely one. I'd look back at her, and see her smiling. "I'm coming for youuu," she said.

We crashed into a Dunkin' Donuts shortly and I sipped down the entire medium iced coffee while B wasn't even halfway done with her small size. Then we ate some healthy dinner nearby.

Such great adventures with B.

I met my friend from my previous college and he was all the same. Wearing the same, black tee from last year. He stands tall, about 6'2, with a booming voice that could be heard miles away. Standing, he would tower over me. We talked about what previous suitemates who haven't seen each other for a year would talk about. Do you still see that guy around campus? How's life over there? and all of that. Under the hot summer sun, we ate Chipotle for lunch and played arcade games nearby. Skeeball, Colorama and all the games that made us feel nostalgic of childhood. 

Last year we ate Chipotle at the same place, and I managed to take a picture today and compare it from last year. I guess the only stark difference are the glasses. 

There was really no highlight for the day as we just chilled on the benches just taking in the summer sun and the bright and tall skyscrapers around us. 

"So any crazy college stories?" he asked, seeming bored. 

I thought about one real hard. And the one that I remembered vividly was the time a friend threw her birthday party in her dorm. There were about five girls, and two guys. All of the girls took shots, except for B, and they threw a little party blasting out kpop songs, then, about thirty minutes in, they started to get dizzy and drunk; some even yelled out nonsense, calling people's names. Another kept stumbling and we had to support her to keep her up. Another was drooling saliva and we had to use a tissue to clean it up. Long story short. They all threw up. So B and I, along with the other guy, all had to clean it up. It wasn't somewhere you wanted to be. 

"Well, I'm going to stop eating," he said.
"Didn't mean to bring it up at this time," I laughed. 
"No it's all good." 


In the end I took him to a 1$ pizza joint and the slices tasted like plastic. Never will I ever set foot there again. I don't know how there are good reviews there, but it's just not at all great. After I went to a Starbuck's and the name that they wrote down spelled,

Shai. 

Way off. 

Happy Fourth.

Staying in for the fireworks tonight. Windy day today, probably because of Arthur, the hurricane. Two storms in a row.

The days are going, with not a thing in my agenda but meeting up with B and a few friends. Haven't met up with a single high school classmate in two years. Finding a job at this point is likely to not happen, unless I pull out a miracle and stumble upon one to my liking.

Last year around this day if I remember exactly I went to the beach with my tkd training partners and friends. This year I still have yet to go.


"All of my friends are getting a car," she said. "And some of them don't even have their license yet."
I was stunned.
"How?"
"Their parents thought they needed it."
"But how do they deal with the payments and maintenance?" I said. "You're thrown with so much responsibility."
"I guess their parents."

I too wish I had one but that's nearly impossible currently. Transportation here is everywhere and cars are unneeded. And there's just too much maintenance and payments involved for now. But I hope very soon I will get to rent a car and drive places.

I imagined myself in a convertible cruising around Oahu, Hawaii, on my way to Haleiwa. Shades on, I feel the breeze hitting against my skin and smell the soothing scent of the sapphire blue ocean while looking out at the pleasing, postcard-like scenery. I'd take a gander at the Chinaman's Hat Island, and take a rest somewhere. I would lean against the convertible and chug down a beer, looking down watching the waves.

Damn, how much I want a car.

We got out of the station and it was pouring rain with lightning on the side. We both got wet immediately. The back of my shirt was soaked and our shoes were drenched with water. Surprisingly a couple of people were still playing soccer at the field. A roar of thunder vibrated the sky. Pedestrians were running and searching for the nearest shelter with a roof or canopy. There was no hint of the sun. It's one of those summer nights.

"I didn't know it was going to rain," she said, grasping the umbrella.
"I heard rumors," I said. "But never knew that it was going to be this severe."

I held on to her arm as we resumed speed-walking to the ramen joint for dinner. Meanwhile we avoided an obstacle including puddles and even a flattened dead bird on the road.

Now let's switch gears here as I will give a Yelp-like review.

The ramen was alright, mediocre. A decent amount of noodles, soup alright. Atmosphere nothing special yet noticeable with its traditional Japanese interior decoration. The clientele were mostly American dudes who seemed to be fond of Japanese anime. Not a spec of Japanese customers or workers. The waitress was Chinese with a nice sense of humor. She placed the check in front of me instead of the center of the table with a little smile and some Chinese that I didn't comprehend but was able to guess somehow: that I had to pay the check. There was nothing especially terrible about this place. I guess it would be a three star out of five.

Then B took me to a dessert place, and I had a mix of lychee, mango, kiwi, and an unknown fruit from Thai that I never had before.

Overall it was a gucci day with BB as always. There is always that time where I don't wanna say bye to her when I'm at her door.

So I waited for her while she was struggling to open the front door with her new keys. It takes a while, she said. Then she finally opened it and before I knew it she closed the door. haha.

Driver's license!!!

July 1,

The day I got my driver's license!!!! Starting the month off with an accomplishment. Extremely happy. At long last, I've attained it!!! With zero points deducted. It's been a year and after going through all conflicts with the driving school, I finally got it. Thanks to Skyler, who drove me to the test site and being so chill blasting out rap music; Mr. Watanabe, who taught me some of the rules of the road from a different perspective; Brandon, for teaching most of the lessons; B for cheering me on and giving me motivation (love you BB muah); and mom for all the help with the school and encouraging me to get my license. One of my goals for the summer has been complete!!

Violin, two years later.

A sudden thought came to me after listening to hours of Beatles songs.

Maybe I actually should start to break out my violin again and start playing.

My mom and I were having a discussion during dinner about what I was going to do this summer. We both kind of already knew that finding a job at this point was nearly impossible. But we both agreed that I needed to learn something this summer, whether it be brushing up on my Japanese by searching up classes or anything really. And that's when I thought I should start to play the violin again. I mean, I played for the entire four years of high school, and it seemed like a waste to just end there.

I think my unconscious is also encouraging me to play. Both of the stories I've written somehow involve violins among other instruments in the strings family.

I was the second violinist for most of my high school's orchestra, and it seemed like quitting was the worst thing I could do. And it's so nice to be able to play an instrument.

So it's about time that I bring out the violin that is hidden in my closet and produce the sound from scratch. It's the best time to do that anyways.