We wouldn't be human if we did not harbor some sort of obsession each day of our lives. Thanks to
Ms. Pen, I'll use this opportunity to list my most recent/current obsessions -- pitiful and meaningless as they are at this point.
1.
House. As in Dr. Greg House. He is vulgar, crass, opinionated, self-centered, arrogant, sexist, intolerant, but absolutely brilliant. He could diagnose any medical illness known to man, and does it with the quickest wit and sharpest tongue on Fox television. I haven't been this intrigued by a man before, and he's a lame one at that. At the beginning of each episode, I can't wait to figure out who he will offend next and why they tolerate such behavior.
2.
Bitter melons. This is not a new thing, but I've recently developed a stronger craving for this bitter, green vegetable -- and nothing seems to appease my appetite. Regardless of how you prepare the bitter melon, it still tastes the same -- delicious.
3.
Office cleanliness. I've been obsessed with keeping my office clean. All of my desks need to be perfectly spotless and shiny with as few items cluttering the tabletop as possible. Last week, a student unwrapped some candy while standing above my desk, and during our entire conversation, I had to sit on my hands to quell the urge to pick up each tiny drop of sugar that spattered the tablecorner. My computer screens, bookshelves, and tables have to be dusted almost daily, and each piece of paper has to be filed perfectly centered inside each appropriately labeled, color-coded file folder. I know this borders on OCD, but I don't know how else to deal with the mountainous load of work that piles up. The more work that needs to be accomplished in the office, the stronger the urge to re-organize and re-arrange. It's the age-old need to control my busy-ness through cleanliness.
4.
Unknown. I'd like to think there is a friendly face out there somewhere from some unknown country, unknown organization, and unknown continent who visits the website periodically. If it weren't because of sitemeter I would never know that this person (or persons) has flickered through nothing but HAT's. Who are you? Where do you come from? Are you the visitor from Lima? From Indonesia? Queensland? Oceania? New South Wales? Why is it that the unknown compels us so?
5.
Origami cranes. I have about 600 before I make my first 1000. The work is slow but steady.
For the parade held in SF, even the Three Little Pigs came out to play.
Little piggy ladies dressed to impress in New Year's color of lucky red.
Giant life-size lantern to bring light and good fortune to welcome in the new year.
At the head of the 100-feet long golden dragon.
One lonely dragon separated from the pack.
Day la canh hoang hon tai Cau Tran Tien o Hue. Di qua di lai, toan la xe moto. Lau lau thay mot xe xich lo cho nhung nguoi khach Tay Ba Lo. After sunset on Trang Tien bridge in Hue. Every which way there are motorcycles and vespas, and once in a while, a cyclo goes by carrying expats and backpacking tourists. One of which took this very photo.
