life before me

The other day I was having dinner at a cafe in westwood village near campus. While I was sitting at my table waiting for my food, the old lady sitting a couple of tables away from me started humming. I didn't recognize what song it was, it mightn't have been anything at all, just a tune that came up to her mind. I couldn't help but wonder. I came up with different scenarios in my head.

She could have been a really famous performer (after all it is hollywood), the song was her masterpiece. She was reliving the good old days when she was singing under the spotlight. The crowd was cheering and applauding this beautiful talented woman. She was filled with pride as though she was walking on air.

It could have been the song of her first dance with her late husband. The song reminded her of the wedding day or maybe her first date...

It could have been her favourite song in the old days which she would sing with her girlfriends in the car.

Many stories unfold in my head. None of them might have been the case at all, but what I kept thinking was that this old lady has another life that I don't know about or none of the people in that cafe knew about. we all encounter each other with stories of our lives that only ourselves know the beginning, the middle and the end.

That's what fascinating about people. At least for me anyway.

What did I say about the firsts??? Oh yeah, there are more to come.

My firsts continue to surprise, sent me to the verge of a meltdown and scare the crap out of me.

My latest firsts were ;

1) an attempt at full-blown home-cooked meal.

Luckily, old tenants who used to live in my apartment were asian, so we inherited a tiny rice cooker, which worked out perfectly. ( a sigh of relief... whew) My meal ended up being rice, cabbage with pork stirred with soy bean seasoning sauce and steamed egg. I know it sounds really easy, but for a handicapped first-timer cook like myself... everything is a challenge. THe food turned out to be too salty since I was afraid it was going to be too bland. haha. .. anyway, i'll know better next time.

2) wait tables at a thai restaurant.

This seemed to be tricky even before I got the job. After turning down an offer on the job in another thai restaurant 40-minute away, I was ready to job hunt on my own. Evidently, there are many, many thai restaurants in LA, and there are also many, many thai people out there looking for the exact same position. After got turned down at another thai rest., I followed the sweet waitress' advice there by going on yelp.com (a website which recommends stores, shops, restaurants in the area you request), pick up the phone and ask if they're hiring.

I came across this particular restaurant called "Culver Cafe" down at number 8 on the list I complied that day ( there were lists after lists before that), and dialed the number. The guy at the end of the line told me to come in right away. He said " come over now, it would take you only ten minutes from where you live". I said "sure" and there I went.

We agreed on the training day which was the following sunday. However, I was doing laundry on friday afternoon, and planning out my whole evening when I got a call from the restaurant owner asking I could cover the shift starting in an hour and a half. I said yes.

I walked in a small restaurant back and forth for five hours and a half. The business was good, so I guessed that was good for all of us. The owner, the manager and the other waitress said I did well, considering it was my first night ever waiting tables and it was the busiest night they had so far. (another sigh of relief... whew...)

By the time I came home, I realized I had not gotten my half of the tip .... GREAT!!! THe little 17-year-old punk managed to sneak that by me. That was also another first!

I don't behold grudges. I will be working with her all the time, and she was patient with me the whole time I kept asking silly questions. So I guess it was ok.


Yesterday I got really home-sick, I have no idea why it got so bad. Today is better, or maybe now that I have things that keeps my mind occupied, I don't think too much.

Anyway, folks, spare me some thoughts when you encounter your firsts. I'm rooting for your success!

To friends and family out there, I miss you so so much. Hugs and kisses.

ประเทศไทยรวมเลือดเนื้อชาติเชื้อไทย

วันนี้มีโอกาสได้ร้องเพลงนี้แบบเสียงดัง (ไปดูชิงแชมป์โลกมวยไทยกับรูมเมทมา เป็นการจัดงานที่ให้เกียรติวัฒนธรรมไทยมาก แปลกใจที่ฝรั่งคิดอย่างงี้ด้วย) ทำให้รู้สึกคิดถึงเมืองไทยมาก แต่ร้องไปแล้วก็เศร้ามาก เพราะรู้สึกว่าชาติเรามันไม่ได้เป็นแบบนี้อีกแล้ว ขอให้ทุกคนลองฟังหรือร้องออกมาอย่างตั้งใจ แล้วทบทวนกันดู จากความภูมิใจที่ร้องเพลงนี้ท่ามกลางฝรั่งที่มันก็ฟังไม่รู้เรื่อง กลายเป็นน้ำตารื้นด้วยความเสียดาย

"ประเทศไทยรวมเลือดเนื้อชาติเชื้อไทย
เป็นประชารัฐ ไผทของไทยทุกส่วน
อยู่ดำรงคงไว้ได้ทั้งมวล
ด้วยไทยล้วนหมาย รักสามัคคี (ถึงตรงนี้ขนลุก)
ไทยนี้รักสงบ แต่ถึงรบไม่ขลาด
เอกราชจะไม่ให้ใครข่มขี่
สละเลือดทุกหยาดเป็นชาติพลี
เถลิงประเทศชาติไทยทวีมีชัย ชโย"

สรุปผลนักมวยไทยสองคน แพ้คน ชนะคน ...
สรุปผลชาติไทย... แพ้กันถ้วนหน้า

There's always a first of everything.

As the saying goes, there's always a first time for every situation.
Since I've arrived in LA, I've become a first-time car buyer ( a dark green '98 Honda Accord), a first-time roommate living with strangers (2 bedrooms, 2 baths and a loft), a first-time shopper for home furnishings. I have now acquired reward cards from various grocery and book stores, a bank account and a debit card (which makes it so easy to go on shopping spree without realizing how much i have spent)

I'm amazed that little things I do in different countries give me so much joy and sense of accomplishment. When I was in Paris, I felt so superior to other tourists when i swipe my monthly Metro card, instead of putting a paper ticket in a slot. Here in the US, I felt so happy washing my own car at the washing lot. Also, tonight when I handed a reward card to the cashier and told her that I wouldn't need the plastic bag because i had brought my own shopping bag, I felt like a decent local person who knows the rope and care about the environment :)

Yesterday was my first day in class. I was a little nervous. Turns out it was not bad at all. I've learn that this class will provide all I need to know about the process of film making, especially the responsibility of a producer. I made a mental note when I first entered the lecture hall and was uncertain where I was supposed to sit. I went with what I thought to be a good location (middle section, four or five rows from the front : interested, but not a total geek)

However, later on, I realized that location played its part, what was more important was chemistry, vibes we get from other people sharing the space. I felt comfortable sitting where I did, and even responding to the girl's mumbling. Of course, I got her as a friend by the end of the class. What did I tell you? Chemistry!

Yesterday was also a bed shopping day for me. Gift, my best friend and I went to IKEA to get a sofabed I spotted a few weeks ago. To make a long story short, with my sudden symptom of stinginess, I decided the sofabed would need to go home with me in my own car. It took us about fifteen to twenty minutes to fit the damn thing into my sweet Accord (i still need a name for it) After much fear that I would get a ticket for driving with vision-obscuring object in my car, I arrived at my apartment. Lucky enough, one of my roommates was home and able to help my put the whole thing together. IKEA lady said "you should be able to do it by yourself. it's not complicated at all" Not complicated, yes. I should be able to do it by myself, NO!

All in all, my firsts have gone well. And I'm sure there are many more to come. Do not be afraid of the firsts. If it turns out to be a mistake, there's always a sweet second chance. For everything.