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| The curtain falls.
This is my last entry on Xanga. I have made the switch to Blogger because I just needed a fresh start. But I didn't realize how much Xanga has changed. My account is old and as I type this in the editor I am shocked at the differences.
Photos, video, audio!? What!?
I am in living and working in Japan now and I think that deserves a new blog. I'll still keep this account because I like reading my subscriptions whenever I get the chance. However, if you want to read mine please send me your e-mail address. I decided to make my blog private so I have to send out invites. Sorry, but most likely if you're subscribed to me now, I'll send you an invite.
It's kind of sad to part from something you spilled your feelings out on, but I think it'll be okay.
Please keep in touch all of you amazing bloggers!
From the land that loves to recycle,
Chryssie
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| (((( Giant Combs and Boulder-Sized Sand))))
[laughter cure my soul]
"Colonel Sandurz:
Sir, do you think we're being too literal?
Dark Helmet: 'No you fool, we're following orders. We
were told
to comb the desert so we're combing it.'
--'Spaceballs'
You're Just As Bad As Cruella De Vil
I am shocked that there are so many cruel people
surrounding us. I can't help to think that the person standing
next to me, sniffing the pit of a cantelope, at the grocery store is
probably full of evil thoughts and plans of nasty actions.
You just never know...
GIRLS are mean to GIRLS.
It's so sad, but I pity those that are cruel. To me you're at the
top of the Lame Ladder, and all I wish is that a bird would shit on
your hair-sprayed infested heads.
Disclaimer: But of course, not everyone is like this...
Proud To Be An EngiNERD
No shame, no
shame. However, this school year is very different when compared
to my last two years. For one, the courseload is exponentially
harder. I can't believe it! It's like we jumped over this
gap the size of the Grand Canyon; and on the other side we landed in
the Engineering Land of Hell! And there's no turning back...
Secondly, I have noticed that many 3rd years in college become less
social. We tend to not participate in the club meetings that we
used - we cut back... partying, hanging out, and just watching TV
are all out of the question.
Well it's not that extreme. But the bottom line is that many 3rd
years would much rather study than to go some social outing.
I shall call this: The 3rd Year Buckle Down Syndrome.
Are you infected?
I also came to realize that my new routine is so predictable and actually not too exciting: Class, Work, Class, Work (Lasts from 8-am to 5pm; sometimes 10pm)
if I'm not in class i'm at work.
Come home, eat quickly and it's straight to the books!
Whoopie! I sleep a lot earlier, too. (-_-)zzz It's a sign that we're getting older.
But I can't complain too much. Seriously, we're in college and this is what we should be doing. Hard work = great rewards in the end, and many realizations in the present.
I hope...
Sadness, Overwhelmingness, Stressed Epidemic - Oh, Lord it's Spreading!
For all of my friends that are going through a 'difficult' situation -
no matter what the magnitude of the problem is... try to look at the
big picture. What will the overall affect of this problem
be? Will it be so small that it won't even matter later on?
If you're lonely... think of
all the elderly people who go through that feeling every waking
moment. Most of their friends have probably passed away due to
old age, their children have grandchildren, and well - they have their
own lives to live. Think of how huge the world seems to them --
everything moves so fast -- there are new discoveries left and right...
and the elderly are simply left in the dark.
Be strong. You're actually capable of handling much more than you may come to realize...
And Without Lamps There Would Be No Light
Really, a degree does not mean shit.
The other day I was contemplating what kind of person would I have a
greater respect for: the smart man or the hardworking man? The
desk job or the hands-on, down and dirty job?
It's funny when you talk to graduate
students who will be so quick to list for you the degrees that they
received. But will hesitate and actually stutter when asked what
was the most important thing they learned while in that discipline.
Ahhh, but good Ol' America - we just love degrees.
I wrote an 11 page essay on why kids shouldn't go to college. Got an A for not advocating higher education. Tee-hee, whaddyaknow. If you'd like to read it let me know.
Welcome Back To Another Episode of Cooking It Up With Chryssie!
This
year I've also noticed that I'm trying to cook more. I think the
main motivation here is that I don't want to have starving children
that go day and night eating mac-n-cheese -- their mom's only specialty.
So, I'm trying - and although I'm not that great... well, hey it just doesn't matter.
I also have a new foundlove: ONIONS!
But...Chryssie doesn't eat vegetables? Curiouser.. I really don't know what the world is coming to. I'm sure that my kids will be vegetarians.
If you have any enticing recipes I would love to give them a shot. =D Send 'em over!
Love with an intesity of 7,
Chrysanta D. Patio
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| (((( Eulogy For My Bestfriend ))))
[laughter cure my soul]
"Ani, you're breaking my heart" - 'Padme, Star Wars, Episode III: Revenge of the Sith'
Rummaging through old files, I found this essay dated July 12, 2004.
Chrysanta D. Patio
In today’s world, time seems to
have exponentially sped up, and we live in a fast-paced society where people
drop in and out of one’s life. Friends
come and go; and even though they say they’ll keep in touch, it hardly, if
ever, deems a successful long-lasting friendship. However, I have a different story. I met my best friend when I first opened my eyes to the world –
the day I was born. She was right by my
side on April 5, 1985, and has been with me ever since. I could not have thanked God for such a
wonderful friend. Her name is Freedom,
and this is what she meant to me.
As kids we would dream of what we
wanted to do when we were older. One
day I would want to be a marine biologist, the next day I’d want to be a
doctor. I changed it so often because I
knew it was only a dream. I believed
that those kinds of careers weren’t for us ordinary people. Freedom thought
differently.
You see, Freedom always seemed to
be wise beyond her years. It was either
that, or I matured very slowly. She
would always tell me that I could be anything that I put my heart to because in
America, no one is stopping you from your dreams. Freedom reminded me that I was free to choose my religion, my
outfits, the friends I wanted to be associated with, and my views in life. It was because of her sound advice that I
was able to walk around school with bright blue hair, choose Roman Catholicism
as my religion, and proceed on my journey of becoming a doctor.
One afternoon, we were sitting in
our English class and I disagreed with our teacher’s opinion of our
government. I didn’t want to say
anything for I was afraid that CIA agents would run through the door and take
me to prison. Freedom did not like my
decision to remain quiet. I remember
she passed me a note that said, “tell the teacher what you really think; you
won’t get in trouble because I am here.”
Leave it to me however, to get caught reading the note; but instead of
giving it to my teacher as he requested, I suddenly felt propelled to speak my
mind. So I did, and not only was my
teacher very pleased with my actions, but no CIA agents came to take me
away.
Freedom was a very popular
girl, not because of her looks or anything of the materialistic sort, but
because, for some odd reason, she had an impact on everyone’s life – and I mean
everyone. We were all very grateful to
have her as our friend – as a part of our life, even though there were a few
people that took her for granted.
A few years passed, and she had
become Miss America. A title she really
did deserve because that is exactly what she is. To me, Freedom was everything – she was my life, my best
friend. She was the reason why the
government did not stop me for my actions guided by the privileges outlined in
the United States constitution.
I paid a visit to her in the
hospital and I asked her what was wrong and why was she becoming weak. Freedom’s fragile hands grasped onto mine
and she told me that there was something eating her alive, slowly and yes, surely. I looked at her body. Her face faint of color, her eyes nearly
shut and her heavy breathing—the only noise that was bouncing off the walls—a
sight that doesn’t grant much hope. As
her hand slipped away from mine, I felt life seeping out of every pore on my
body and I all I could do was weep.
As I walked down the streets of
what we call American soil, I sensed what had killed my dear friend. Everywhere I went conversations were strung
together with everyone’s passion for money, utopia and power. Protests harbored feelings strongly against
government actions, but more sadly—less and less people were supporting the
uniformed American of the Armed Forces.
Had everyone forgotten my dear
friend?
Freedom was a remarkable person
that I would not have had the chance to meet in any other country, except here,
my home – the United States of America.
Without her, I don’t think things will ever be the same again.
Struggles...
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| (((( Whoa horsey, what is this? An enticing, vanilla flavored update? ))))
[laughter cure my soul]
"So, what was all of that one in a million talk?" - 'Dumb and Dumber'
Alright so look, I don't like to update -
don't know why, but I'm really bad at doing it. But, it doesn't
mean that I still don't journalize. So this special is extra
special and extra long. I've taken excerpts from my real journal
and I'm allowing ya'll to read what I do and what I'm thinking
about.
So brace yourselves, and here we go:
9 March 2005 Trapper Keepers. Dolphin Trapper
Keeper. Gyeah,
I was Joe Cool. Chrysanta D. Patio: voted most likely to
lend you school supplies in middle school. I'm not lying and I
have a yearbook to prove it.
12 March 2005
Ong-Bak.
The best fighting movie.
Muay Thai. Lame plot,
horrible subtitles, but formidable fighting. Scoot over Jacky Chan – you have another thing coming.
- “Study
hard… Get a good job”—George (Hum Lae)
- Subtitle:
“Fuck you!”
- Actual
dialog of above: “Faggot!”
How awesome is that translation.
14 June 2005 –
7.4 Earthquake. Cali will forever be
Cali – Tsunami Warning for a tidal pool. Elliot pays a visit and talked to him. Roomies attempt to be efficient, therefore, we practiced our Apt
421 Earthquake drill.
16 June 2005 –
84 lbs. 7 more to go. Eat lard.
Confirmation. 2.5 hours of
sleep. Stress, finals week take a heavy
toll on thy eyelids. 2.0 Earthquake –
Urchna and I failed our earthquake drill.
17 June 2005 – My 2nd year in college has come to an end. I blinked and all of a sudden I was a 3 rd
year in college. Math was
fun. Our apt reeks of stress
stinkiness. Ayla’s e-card, what an
awesome friend. Nurses, please
stop bitching. I can’t pry my
eyelids open! Cancelled on
kickback – opted for fraternity party with the roomies (our first
outing). Outcome: will never go again. It was my choice – my
experience. College kids, I just
don’t understand you all. Alcohol
consumes the goodness. Guys and
girls disrespect themselves. As I
stood in the shower, all of the sex, grime and grody layer of college
filth slipped off my body and down into the drainage of our society. I’m just conservative.
- Guy
on dance floor, holding a drink in his hands: why don’t you drink?
- Chryssie: ‘cause I treasure my liver, it’s been
good to me.
- Guy
on dance floor, holding a drink in his hand: (lowers his drink) but
who cares, you always get a new one.
- Chryssie: wow, you’re so intelligent.
So-long.
Farewell. LAX is
hectic, but that will never change.
People seem to be uncomfortable in airports—it’s like no one wants
to be there. And I think it’s
because everyone is stepping on unfamiliar ground that they tend to be a tad
rude. Everything is so fast—quick,
quick, quick! Oh crap,
because you took the time to blink you missed the shuttle to the
hotel. But, I must give LAX props
– they even took into consideration the fact that everyone misses a turn,
an exit, a parking garage – so they’ve equipped many turnarounds to
compensate for the anxiety that this zoo creates.
- Lesson
of the Day: Pack lightly,
ALWAYS.
- Be
courteous even though the world will most likely be the opposite.
- I
wish the workers at LAX would smile more; but who could blame them. Life there is simply: In.
Out. Repeat. So don’t get mad get Glad®!
I’ll miss my family. Chryssie, this will be the first time
that you are completely on your own.
Let the carpet ride begin!
…Typhoon postpones fam’s departure. Technical difficulties, too. They don’t leave until the 10th.
Trail of tears.
15 July 2005
Chris’ Family Reunion in Las Vegas, Nevada. “Rivera Family Reunion.” Uncomfortable-ness.
Why did I go? Cause I’ve
never been to one. Amazement at
family trees. The connections we
all have with each other are remarkable, but matching names do not equate
family. 125 degree, daytime weather; 100 degree night time weather. It is a bit nipply.
20 July 2005
The Getty
Museum in LA with Stopher.
Wonderful. Saw the
well-defined stream of pollution hovering over L.A. So sad. This is art. You are
art. Art has no definition. The grass was too good to be real…I
think they’re trying to trick me. How
about you?
-
Santa Monica, 4th Street + Promenade: Promenade is slowly dying –its guts are
being ripped out. But 4th
street was awesome as usual. Blackout
on the street and in the parking garage.
For a second, I had a feeling of what it would be like if LA lost
its power. I wouldn’t want to be
in a parking garage. Damn –
it’s a hopeless cause.
”The Smart Peoples Show” – Tim Eric (www.timeric.com) – World Famous
Straight Jacket Escapee Extraordinaire! Dude, he only does ONE show a day – it’s that good,
really. Plus, he doesn’t perform
if the crowd isn’t enthusiastic.
Come on now! Nonetheless,
we waited – and I wasn’t entertained enough to stay, but kudos
anyway!
He’s taking reservations now! Act
fast ‘cause this guy is wanted.
*New* Ice Green Tea at Starbucks (gasp). Starbucks is
really trying to reel in the non-coffee drinkers. No Green Tea Lemonade today.
Funny guy working the bar – I think he put something in my drink because
he said it was “special.” This
must be Santa Monica Lingo – I wish I was down.
In the back of this Starbucks there’s a music store called “Hear Music”
(http://www.starbucks.com/hearmusic) – we need more of these stores! My goodness how innovative – listening
stations everywhere.
People rocking out – heads banging – music taking people away into their own
little worlds. Freedom of expression –
rock out like no one is watching that’s the spirit and I love it. There was this one Caucasian young buck that
did scare me – he was listening to gangster rap I believe. Cheers.
I didn’t want to leave.
It was a beautiful day…
22 July 2005
Cabrillo
(Point Loma), San Diego – Cabrillo founded California and for his so
called “findings” he gets a lighthouse and this awesome view of the
immense ocean.
-
I think at this point we should take a moment and bow our heads to give
thanks to the man that gave America its sub-country: California. Hats off please, thank you.
- As mentioned, the view of the sea was breathless – from a certain point
you could feel like the ocean was all around you and that you aren’t
actually stepping on soil but hovering over the ocean and basking in its
blanket.
- The Lighthouse was neat.
So small and compact: amazing.
I was so amazed at how a family could live in there. I absolutely loved how cramped it
was. But it seemed cozy and it
seemed comfortable – what more could you ask for?
- The L&L’s in Mira Mesa, San Diego doesn’t strike my fancy. But props for a bigger and cleaner
facility.
- Tapioca Heaven. Green Mango
Slushie with brown boba and a protein boost. 2.5 out 5 stars.
There were Asian Gangsters standing outside – so many and we were
outnumbered. But as I pulled out
my water gun the pansies ran to their mommies. Bwahaha!
Some people are just super nice and I believe they’ll always be like that,
regardless of what lemons are handed to them.
23 July 2005
Chryssie’s absolute relax day. It had been so sunny the entire week, but today was
different. Still hot but
overcast. I liked it – the perfect
reading day.
Continued reading The Perks Of Being A Wallflower, and today
my favorite passage and perhaps, the greatest kiss that I’ve ever read was
as follows:
- Sam to Charlie:
"I want to make sure that the first person you kiss loves
you. Okay?"
- Charlie: "And she kissed
me. It was the kind of kiss that I
could never tell my friends
about out loud. It was the kind of kiss
that made one know that I was never
so happy in my whole life."
As I read this I felt his same smile creep upon my face.
Dinner at Chili’s with Roxanna and U-mo.
Cajun Chicken Pasta was delicious.
Everyone left me tonight. I’m
not much of a partyer – and I don’t like to be exposed to so much
drunkenness. But being myself felt
good. I’ve come to find that I like
alone time and I don’t need to be around 6543345357697087 “friends” to feel
wanted or a part of something. I think
this makes me more of an introvert. What’s
wrong with sitting around on a Saturday night, reading? Nothing.
A lot of people say that you should let loose and not be so uptight. Go out and party – you’re young still! Well, I’m quite aware of all of this and I
have gone out partying before, but I discovered that this is not really my
scene. Generally, you hang out –
and at first it’s fun – chillin’ with college buddies – shooting the shit. Laughing at… well, hrm… well at the time something
was funny. Then Mr. Alcohol
walks in and it’s not so great. I, a
nondrinker, will spend the night watching everyone else get shitfaced. It’ll be amusing at first – observing what
kind of drunks everyone is. Then it
reaches a point where I just want to leave, where I’m not finding things funny
anymore—I just can’t produce genuine laughs anymore—and my ass is getting tired of sitting on the
same filthy couch.
So many college kids drink – this is their believed right of passage – what
everyone else is doing. I’m sorry, but
I’m not impressed by the number of shots you can take. Girls tend to show off when it comes to
alcohol. They like to act like badasses
and take Mr. Alcohol really hard and play it off like it isn’t anything. Why do you have to down so much? Your babies will thank you later when
they come out retarded.
But, that’s my two cents. I don’t care if you drink, go on. It’s just my choice not to. I guess everyone’s definition of a ‘good
time’ is different. As long as you have
no regrets, then grab a hold of your decisions and see where they take
you. Drink responsibly, kids.
Me? I like tea and water
and a good book. I like to hang out
with people on a more personal level. I
love to lie on cold floors – or carpeted floors – blast the music that –I—love
and feel the vibrations run through the ground through my body, in an endless
cycle of becoming part of the rhythmic pattern. I love having only a few good friends – that’s all I need. This is what makes me smile.
”Acoustic #3” – The Goo Goo Dolls
Today’s observation is that: you can’t say you don’t want something when deep down you’re
dying to have it. You cannot tell
yourself this lie because it’ll tear you apart. You’ll try to make sense of it, but you’re only fooling
yourself.
Today’s lesson: Please
don’t overly dramatize situations.
Don’t seek for a problem, although it tends to tread that way. These aren’t the kinds of situations that
makes life interesting. Pseudo.
It’s days like this where I wish I could be alone for a long time and I don’t
really want to talk to anyone but myself...
24 July 2005
OC Fair 2005 with Umo. I’ve always loved to go to county fairs, and I’ve been to
many. Each time I find that every
county fair is molded around the type of culture that inhabits that particular
county. Let me give you some examples:
o
Michigan County Fairs: Main focus is on CRAFTS.
o
South Carolina County Fairs: Main focus is on FOOD.
o
Kern County (CA) Fair: Main focus is on ANIMALS.
o
Orange County (CA) Fair: Main focus is on GAMES, MERCHANDISE..
Nonetheless, I had a great time. Found out that Umo and I have confidence
issues when it comes to playing those carn-evil games. It took us forever to settle on ONE. We decided to play this ball/basket toss
game and I ended up winning monkeys for me and Urchna. It felt like we were on a date (just
kidding). But, we were so proud of our
prizes and it was like we were one step closer to becoming part of the carnival
crowd.
All the exhibits were wonderful –
so much talent in the O.C. – although I started to see a reoccurring theme in
all of the art – it was just so ‘emo.’
There was this one painting of stacked bowls that blew me off my feet –
really.
Had a great conversations with a Girl
Scout Leader/Mom – she had a great idea and I want to help her with it.
Ventured over to the line dancing table and saw an elderly woman’s face lit up
when I asked her if she knew of any clogging clubs in the area.
Tried to buy something with the pencil that said “I was recycled from a
dollar bill.”
On top of that: shoes laces made from recycled plastic
bottles, coasters made from money, and a orange mouse pad made of oran…whoops –
I mean rubber.
Saw the Peking Acrobats – nimble, graceful, flexible – mad skills.
And – the story of the night –
what drove me to go to the OC – funnel cake.
Funnel + Cake = OC Fair 2005 with Urchna Morar.
The Notebook didn’t
impress me, and I felt really weird watching it. I don’t think I want to have it in my collection.
Lesson of the day: Don’t eat Carn-Evil food, and the ice has
feces.
25 July 2005
Relax. Just do it. UCLA increased its daily parking permit rate to $8. I paid $8 to be there for 1 hour. Money well spent.
I felt itchy, so I went to
the LAB Antimall and observed Orange County culture – it was
strange… strange I tell you. And I’m
just too poor to shop and live in a place like this.
I was still itchy – really itchy – so I dragged Umo to Condom
Revolution in Newport Beach and I stole her virginity. I’m so amazed because for every sex toy in
there stands behind it a man or woman (the inventor) that sat down and designed
this pleasure device, drew it on napkins, dreamt about their invention, had to
present it to a board to get approved, had to get a patent for it – all in
hopes that it would make some lad or lady happy. Thanks.
And… my itch just wouldn’t go away so I walked down to SecondSpin. Loved it.
Loved the used and abused – tossed, scrapped, and shelved hopefuls. Finally found Office Space,
Used, for $7.99. Grin.
26 July 2005
It’s coming and I’m nervous. But, I’m
excited – fuck it, I’m pumped! I really
am.
Tomorrow, I’ll be departing for South Dakota, home of the largest,
complete fossil of Tyrannosaurus rex ever found (www.wikipedia.com). Here I’ll spend 30 days being blown around
like a feather on a string by 40 mph winds.
It’s field training time folks.
I’ve been waiting for this all summer.
Ellsworth 3 here I come!
If you’d like to send me entertaining letters, mail to:
Cadet Patio, Chrysanta, D
AFROTC FTU 3, FLT Q
1650 Luke Street
Ellsworth AFB, SD 57706-4609
Please, no condoms, sex toys, objects, food. Just paper with writing on it. I’m being serious. I’ll
get torn into pieces. Thanks all.
So, until next year - place in microwave, heat for 15 seconds, and enjoy!
Floss Daily,
Chryssie
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(((( Hi, I'm Chryssie and I want to SCREAM!))))
[laughter cure my soul] "So, there's the mommy tomato, the daddy tomato, and the baby tomato. They're walking down the street and the baby tomato is lagging behind. So the daddy tomato turns around and squashes the baby tomato and says, ketchup!" - 'Pulp Fiction'
Looking For A Place To Stay? Well, you've landed on the right XANGUH!
I'm very frustrated right now - well I have been for a while (kinda), but not this much. Once again, I have lost potential room mates. Seems like everyone is out for the best deal. But hey, who can blame them. However, this leaves me in a bad situation - as usual.
So let me get down to the point: I AM SEEKING ROOMMATE(S).
If you really are interested - let me know. Or refer me to someone who is? I have a place at Stanford Court available. Rent would be about $400 (if there's 2 people in the room available)
Hrm - this is really depressing... three weeks left...
Up The Coast
Went on a little trip with the fam to Port Hueneme (Naval Station), then onto Santa Barbara and finishing in Ventura. Shopped a lot - yay! Smelled the fresh sea air - whoo hoo! I love it. Enjoyed the scenery every step of the way - and bonded with the familia. I love being home!
P.S. No cars flew at us this time. Cursed 101 Freeway.
I Miss Okinawa
Dear Okinawa,
I just wanted to let you know that I miss you. I didn't realize how wonderful it was to live on you. The down to earth Okinawans, the beautiful landscape, the care-free life, the culture. Maybe, someday - I'll see you again.
I've had an entry on this before - but mainly I want to go back 'cause life there was different - and I'm glad that I grew up (for the most part) in a place where I could experience and be influenced by another culture. Plus, it was like growing up in two countries - Japan and America - because I lived on a U.S. base on Okinawa. But Okinawa was special - and unforgettable. It's like one of those secret places in the world - that not many people know about (it's even hard to find on the map). I didn't know what I had until it was gone... but that part of my life is over - and I must move on...
Thank you God for giving me the opportunity to live there.
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