Waitlisted at USC // Hiatus

My letter came in the mail yesterday telling me that I’m waitlisted at USC Law.

I could find out whether or not I’m accepted anytime from May 2 to the first day of classes (what asses, ha).  I am bummed that I still don’t have any sense of security about what I’m doing next year, but at least I’m not outright rejected…yet.

I’m also going to take a break from blogging–even though I don’t update much and I think maybe five people read this (thanks everyone!).  Cheers!

just read: “Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close”

Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close by Jonathan Safran Foer
Published 2005
My Rating:  9/10

The majority of EL&IC –a bitch of a title, but don’t let that deter you–is told from the point of view of Oskar Schell, a nine-year-old boy living in Manhattan whose father was killed two years earlier during the 9/11 World Trade Center attacks.  After finding a mysterious key supposedly belonging to his father, Oskar embarks on a journey to all boroughs of NYC in search of what the key opens.  Punctuating this main narrative are separate stories told by Oskar’s grandmother and grandfather, who both survived the bombing of Dresden during World War II and their subsequent move to America.

Props to Foer for his originality in writing a printed book containing mixed media aspects and non-linear narration, which all connect and relate to each other in unexpected ways.   Oskar’s preciousness provides a good source of humor and levity that balances out some of the heavy themes in this novel.  But what struck me most about this novel, and granted, I think I am a sentimental type, was how incredibly sad it was.  I’m crying just thinking about the last few pages, omg.  I think the last time I cried this much while reading a book was during The Kite Runner (Did anyone NOT cry during that book?!? Honestly).   It is so well written and interesting; I wish I could say more but ahhh, I’m beginning to tear again…

Working for the man

Yesterday I went to my first day of training to work as an Enumerator for the 2010 US Census!

The training was from 9am – 3:30pm and was RIDICULOUSLY BORING and we basically filled out paperwork for the entire time.  Thank goodness I brought a book to read during downtime.  I almost felt like gouging my eyes out when it took them 45 minutes to fingerprint me using ink!   I probably reprinted my ring and pinkie fingers 5-10 times each. Also, our immediate supervisors just got hired and trained a couple weeks ago, so I got the feeling that most people don’t really know what they’re doing.  Oh well, welcome to working for the government.

But honestly, I don’t mind all the bureaucratic BS because I’m getting well-paid for my trouble.  And I am very thankful for the opportunity to actually work after months of desperate searching.  I even get paid for my driving time and mileage!

However I can’t end my job hunt yet.  Even though I’m going through a four day training this week, there is a chance that I won’t actually be given an assignment.  Our crew leader told us that they want to train more people than they need, just in case, but it sucks that I STILL don’t know if I actually am hired.  I still hope to find a more stable job and intend to apply this week to a few legitimate jobs (the real world!) in LA and the Bay just in case law school doesn’t pan out…

I just wish I wasn’t so tired.

just read: “You’re a Horrible Person, But I Like You”

You’re a Horrible Person, But I Like You
“The Believer” Book of Advice
Published April 2010
My Rating: 10/10

This “book of advice” comes from “The Believer” magazine, which is published by the ever cool, San Francisco based, McSweeney’s.  It is worth reading for its star power alone since it features answers written by over 40 well established and famous comedians, such as Ed Helms, Judd Apatow, Michael Ian Black, Thomas Lennon, and numerous “Daily Show” correspondents.  The list of contributing comedians is massive and impressive, featuring both well known actors’ names (Michael Cera, Zach Galifianakis) and lesser-known-but-no-less-important writers, directors, and producers (Harold Ramis and Adam McKay). Most of the questions are so ridiculous you think they must not be real (I doubt they are, but I haven’t been able to verify this) and the answers are equally as amusing.

One of my favorites:

Dear Aziz:
How does one go about becoming a ward of the state?  It sounds like a sweet deal.

Unfortunately, I’m too lazy to go to Wikipedia or Google and find out exactly what a ward of the state is.  The person sitting next to me didn’t know either.  I suggest you drop this dream.
Aziz

I greatly appreciated the numerous references to Wiki, Google, and things being “ironic”, because I think those references really capture the spirit of a contemporary audience.  Take a break from school reading and read this!

just read: “The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay”

The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay by Michael Chabon
Published 2000
My Rating: 9/10

Paperback cover design

In a word: EPIC.  This novel is epic and comes with the good and bad of being an epic story.  It is long: over 600 pages (in the paperback version) with not-very-large font…sometimes it was a struggle.

Anyway, the title characters are two Jewish youths: Sammy Klayman (“Clay” to sound more “American”) is a twenty-something avid comic book reader who lives with his single mother and grandmother in Brooklyn.  Josef Kavalier, Sammy’s cousin, arrives in Sammy’s life suddenly as a Jewish refugee from Czechoslovakia after its takeover by the Germans before World War II.  Sammy’s flair for the dramatic is a perfect match for Joe’s artistic abilities, and the two form a partnership to create a new comic book following the exploits of  “The Escapist,” which will propel them through the rise and tragic fall of the comic book industry from the 1940s to 1950s.

Along the way, Chabon incorporates SO MUCH STUFF, it’s crazy: familial loss and familial bonds, views on homosexuality in the 50s, WWII combat, references to the art world (cameos by Salvador Dali and Max Ernst), and of course, insight into the world of comic books at their inception in New York City. The book feels well-researched, and many of the characters are inspired by actual persons and events (i.e. the “United States Subcommittee on Juvenile Deliquency” (Kefauver hearings) of 1954) . Chabon himself is a comic book enthusiast (he wrote an early draft of “Spider-man 2″ that was only partially used), and his enthusiam shows through his careful construction of the characters in this novel and their parallel worlds.

I didn’t find it as funny or gripping as The Yiddish Policemen’s Union, but it fascinating in the way Chabon weaves the true story of the birth of comic books with the personal histories of the characters.  It’s such an ambitious project, but Chabon makes it look so easy!  I highly recommend this novel if you have spare time and are even mildly interested in comics.

Outlook bleak

Ugh.  What does it take to get a job these days!?

Jobs I have applied to in the past seven days:
1. Edwards Cinemas
2. Barnes & Noble
3. Panera
4. Islands
5. Starbucks (five locations!)
6. Chili’s
7. Jamba Juice
8. (1) Personal Assistant Craigslist job
9. (2) Temp Admin jobs for UCSD
10. “Specimen Accessioner” for LabCorp (my dad’s suggestion…)

Interviews:
1. Barnes & Noble
2. Panera (group interview)
3. PA job

I’ve gotten pretty good at filling out applications–I have my previous supervisors’ phone numbers memorized and have halved my writing time for paper apps.  The one thing I am tired of though, is these dumb “personality” tests that ask you to “strongly disagree”, “disagree”, “agree”, or “strongly disagree” to statements.  It wouldn’t be SO bad if the questions weren’t so inane.  My[least] favorite statement is, “It is maddening when the court lets guilty criminals go free”.  SERIOUSLY WHO CARES IS THIS REALLY CRUCIAL TO KNOW FOR WORKING AT STARBUCKS!?? No, it isn’t.

More updates on the job hunt as I continue.  Please, please world, help me find a job.

Biggest News of My Life Right Now

I upgraded my Netflix subscription from 2 to 3-at-a-time unlimited!

just read: “The Yiddish Policemen’s Union”

The Yiddish Policemen’s Union by Michael Chabon
Published 2007
My Rating: 9/10

Another awesome cover

Chabon lives in Berkeley and for that reason only, I feel like I should be more familiar with his work.  I didn’t know what to expect before picking this up, but I really enjoyed it and finished in two days!

The novel takes place in an alternate reality where Jews are exiled to Sitka, a “safe haven” for Jews after the collapse of the state of Israel.  In a few weeks, the land will be turned back into United States territory (“Reversion”) forcing the current residents to apply for Visas or move elsewhere.  Against this backdrop, detective partners Meyer Landsman and Berko Shemets begin an investigation of a mysterious assassination of a young chess player in Landsman’s apartment building.  As the two detectives delve deeper into their case, they uncover a secret plot to hurry the arrival of the Messiah by using carefully placed bombs.

It sounds craaaazy, but like I said before, the novel is an easy and entertaining read and the scope is never overwhelming.   Chabon’s ability to work with big, overarching themes like race, exile and faith, without ignoring the details of the lives and personal histories of the main characters impressed me very much.  I liked all of the characters and laughed at Chabon’s subtle humor.  For example, the characters throughout the novel speak “Yiddish” but revert to “American” when then curse or are angry.  So cute.   Oh yea, and there’s also a nice love story between Landsman and his ex-wife, Bina, who also happens to be his commanding officer.

I’m excited to read more by Chabon–next on my list is his Pulitzer Prize winning The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay. Also, an adaptation of The Yiddish Policemen’s Union is expected to be the Coen Brothers’ next film, and I can’t imagine any other director(s) who would be more perfect for this story.

Costa Rica 3: Monteverde, San José

The view from our hostel overlooking Santa Elena

Our last stop before returning to San José was Monteverde, an area high up in the mountains accessibly only by poorly maintained dirt roads.  From La Fortuna, we did the popular “jeep-boat-jeep” connection, where you ride in a van (not really a jeep) to Lake Arenal, then boat for about 20 minutes across the lake, and then drive the rest of the way on rocky roads.  The Monteverde area is most well known for the two cloud forest preserves located nearby: Monteverde Cloud Forest and Santa Elena Cloud Forest.

Notes on food: I had read in Lonely Planet that Costa Rican food was fairly plain.  Typical meals (comida tipica) usually consist of a meat, rice, and beans (“casados”), empanadas, arroz con pollo, etc. with bottled green sauce called Lizano on the side–sortof like the green tabasco but not as spicy and more salty.  I was happy to order an appetizer of fried plantains at a restaurant (see below)!  Costa Ricans are also big fans of pizza/Italian food (multiple restaurants in each town we went to) and Chinese restaurants.  Go figure.

Fried plantains

Our first destination was the Ranario (“Frog Pond”), which looks like a terrible tourist trap from the outside, but is pretty cool on the inside.  I was expecting there to be a huge pond in the center of the building with frogs hanging out where you could observe and touch them.  It was actually more like a zoo exhibit, with the frogs in enclosed habitats.  Our guide was very smart and cool (he had dreads) and we were fortunate to come right as the sun was setting and the nocturnal frogs were waking up.

Awesome

"Glass" frogs -- You can see through them! Their green color comes from the leaves.

Red eye tree frog -- The "national frog" of Costa Rica

Since our time in Monteverde was short and we didn’t want to miss out on nature, we hiked in the early morning through the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve instead of doing zip line canopy tour.  At this point, we were more reluctant to spend money and wanted a more relaxed schedule.  I don’t regret not doing zip lines, even though the first question that most people ask me about my trip is “Did you do zip lines!?!”

Hanging bridge -- 100 people is not that many...

Una cascada

On the continental divide

Guide books and hostels will tell you to beware of Costa Ricans in the street who try to “help” you book tours and get information, since they work on commission and rip you off.  We were fortunate to already have booked most of our major tours so we didn’t have to deal with conniving companies during our trip.  However, when we went to the bus station in Santa Elena to purchase bus tickets for the next day, some dude flat out lied to us, saying that the ticket office wouldn’t be open “until Monday” and that we should book a private shuttle.  Too bad we can both read Spanish, where a sign clearly stated the office’s open hours.

After our brief stay in Monteverde, we got on our bus and drove over rocky terrain all the way to San José.  Our hostel (Galileo Hostel) was amazing and had a great vibe!  It reminded me of the co-ops in Berkeley, with a communal kitchen, lots of open hang out space, and even a bar.  I didn’t get to see much of San José, but most people say it’s just a dirty city.  A fair was just letting out when we arrived, so the streets seemed extra lively to me.  I’ll have to go back to go back again to get a better feel of it.

Pollo Campero, the Costa Rican equivalent of KFC. Fine dining on our last night in Costa Rica

I’m happy that I got to do almost everything I wanted to in Costa Rica.  It was fun while it lasted.
Now I am broke.

Costa Rica 2: La Fortuna, Arenal

We then took a 4.5 hour shuttle ride from Quepos to La Fortuna, in the mountains north of San José, near the active volcano Arenal.

The area is famous for natural hot springs with water heated by the volcano.  My sunburn hurt when I got into the water (it didn’t help that the water was scalding hot).  Eco-termales, the spa we went to, was really nice and filled with all tourists haha.  Costa Rica in general is very touristy–not very surprising but I was still surprised at how widely spoken English was.

Eco-termales Hot Springs

The next day, we set out early on the public bus to walk to Arenal National Park.  From the bus stop we walked about a mile until the park entrance, where we stopped at the ranger station in order to pay our entry fee.  At first the guy working there quoted us US$10 to enter.  I pulled out my money as he asked us where we came from.  We said San Diego and Los Angeles.  After a few minutes of conversation about California and Costa Rican culture, he said that he could give us a “special price” for the park entrance: US$1.  Printed on the official ticket was the price of $1. I guess it was “nice” of him to not rip us off like he initially was going to, but man, why people gotta be like that?

Costa Rican supermarkets have cute names: Megasuper, Super Mas, Supercompro

Arenal volcano--lava flowed on the other side of the volcano but we couldn't see it

Police station and public phone that we couldn't figure out.

Since we had to make it hack to our hostel by noon in order to make a scheduled canyoning tour (rappelling down waterfalls), we left the park early, hoping to hitchhike back.  It only took about five minutes before we were picked up by a group of Germans, who took us to the main road.  From there, we attempted to call a taxi from a public phone…but couldn’t figure out how it worked (this is still a mystery to me).  While waiting on the side of the road in hopes to catch a taxi, a small SUV pulled up next to us, and a Spanish-Italian couple asked if we needed a ride.  They were so nice and helpful, and the experience basically reaffirmed the fact that Europeans are way awesome.  I hope to be like them when I am older/richer and am able to afford a rental car in a foreign country.

Lastly–CANYONING!  My cousin told me that this was her favorite activity in Costa Rica, and it was so worth it.  We went with a company called Pure Trek for $90, who guides you down four waterfall rappels and one dry wall rappel.  The first waterfall was the scariest and tallest but once I got over the initial nervousness, it was smooth sailing the whole rest of the tour.