Dirty Jobs

Yesterday, I cleaned out one of the vacuum pumps in our lab and got covered in pump oil and iodine (See Figures 1 and 2 below)  

 Figure 1: The Aftermath - note the clean divide from arms to hands thanks to gloves 

  Figure 2: Close up 

I would like to report after much scrubbing with soap and dish detergent, I still have skin.  And it's almost back to its normal color.

Spielmacher

Let's say life decided to put you in a position where you had the opportunity to make things happen, both for yourself and for others.  Let's say this position came, not by luck, but because you are the sort of person that works diligently at everything you do, you have an ability to think through situations clearly and to interact well with others and anticipate their actions and even the consequences of those actions.  Let's say then that having all the qualifications for being successful, at your first go-round, you are a little unsure on your feet on how to step up to the task.  Let's say that things happen but not as you would necessarily or hope or plan.  The deadline passes and you miss it; you haven't met your goals or helped others meet theirs.  Does this mean that you aren't cut out to be in that position?  Or that you will never be successful in that position?  Or that you should go and beat yourself up because you fell short of the mark?  Definitely not - give yourself time.

Keep your head up, kid - you'll pull through. 

「人間、苦しい時や落ち込んでる時にこそ、普段の生活、行動をする」　　　~長谷部誠
(Something along the lines of: When people become frustrated when met with difficult circumstances, the key is to keep living, keep going.) 

I couldn't say it better myself. 

Source: Wolfsburg Seite

Short and Sweet

I realized that I have a problem with being verbose.  I can talk on and on and on about something that should only take a few words to say.  Perhaps it's because it's because I haven't quite solidified my opinion.  Perhaps it's because I'm afraid to express an opinion.  Perhaps it's because my English struggles enough lately that I am still searching for the words to express my opinion in a way that would hopefully not be offensive to those who disagree.  (I am, after all and in spite of my best efforts, a people pleaser.)

So here's an exercise in brevity.

10 Words Or Less:

On Research:  Nothing significant yet - adviser pushing for graduation in June. 

On Femininity: I am who I am - and in everything still female.

On Wearing Makeup: It's still just me - I was hoping for something better. 

On Kpop: Sometimes it's so fake that it all just annoys me. 

On Super Junior: The sight of you makes me sick right now --- literally.

On Kdramas: Only your pretty cameras make you addicting - You're overly predictable.  

On Chinese (language): Recently, we've been close - let's stay that way.

On Japanese (language): Signing up for podcasts was a bad idea.

On Bundesliga: New season starts tomorrow - where can I watch games?

On Makoto Hasebe:  Google translate struggles, but at least awesomeness needs no translation. 

On Ward Choir: You take what I give and make it beautiful. 

On My Birthday: I am not ready to face it.  Time machine anyone?

On American Politics and the Economy:  I can't bear to watch but can't afford not to.

On Family:  Surprisingly, still surprised to discover how related we really are.

On Reading: Nothing quite feeding my soul lately - what am I missing?

On Marriage: It's a great idea - But how does one get there?

 

Jason Hakka: Short and sweet

 Alexis: The sweetest little shortie

Chinese Inspires Me

 Do not fear.

 Just take one step at a time.  

You'll reach success.  

Put it all together: 别怕一步一步地走到成功

Don't be afraid of each step you take on the road to success.  

It's beautiful either way.

Jelly: A Love Story

I love peanut butter and jelly sandwiches.  Not my favorite meal by any means but there are times when nothing suits better than a peanut butter and jelly sandwich.  And I must say, I am continually amazed that out of all the foods that I ate a lot as a childhood, this is one that I'm not sick of yet.

Yesterday, I was going to choir practice and needed something to eat.  My carpool friend kept insisting on finding a use for his apple so we cut them up and put them in peanut butter and jelly sandwiches.  (He insists this is a great way to eat apples)  At some point during our car ride to choir, an apple piece fell out onto my lap.  When I picked it up, I noticed the apple piece had left a trail of jelly down my shirt and on my pants.  Spilling food on oneself is embarrassing enough as it is.  With some food, however, usually people are understanding.  I mean, with spaghetti sauce everyone is usually pretty understanding - "I do that too.  You're wearing a white shirt.  Isn't there a rule that it's bound to happen?" But with jelly?! I felt like a 3 year old who still was getting the concept of "food should be eaten, not worn" down.

I jumped out of the car to go get another friend for our carpool and met him laughing about the pink jelly on the front of my shirt.  As we walked back to my car, he stopped me, "Um....There's some jelly on your elbow."  I looked and discovered that when he said, "elbow" he actually meant "entire arm".  An entire line of jelly had formed down the length of the back of my arm, almost too straight to be quite by accident.  I walked back to my car and found that I didn't just have jelly on my arm, I had it ALL OVER MY SEAT!  It was smeared on my seat and my seatbelt. 

Now I know I can be a messy eater but I'm not that messy.  I could only come to one (albeit irrational) conclusion: Jelly really loves me.  Which is kind of sad since I personally like peanut better more.  But I guess we all get to be on the other side of unrequited love every so often - I just never expected it to be with my food. 

This story has a happy ending:

I got to choir needing a clothing change and went rifling through my car trunk for any spare clothes.  Aside from my lack of appropriate shoes (tennis shoes and socks) the shirt and skirt that I found amid the clothes my sister had wanted me to donate to Goodwill for her made a nice enough outfit that only those in my carpool ever knew I didn't purposely dress up for choir.  (Okay, yes, the shoes were also an indication)  It was nice to dress up for a change even if it was forced upon me.  

So, I've decided that I love jelly too.  But I love my sister (and her clothes) more.

I finally did it

I got my first full-fledged F in a course.  It wasn't intentional.  I really tried hard to avoid it.  But I have officially failed a class and in graduate school no less.

Failure and I are just becoming more and more acquainted these days.

Awkwardness can be good for the soul

Once upon a time, I had a friend who decided to bring apples to a breakfast that my roommate and I made for him.  He brought red delicious apples.  It was a very, very kind gesture and I was really grateful.  I searched exactly for the right words to express my feelings.
Me: (thoughts) Thank you so much for the apples!  What a nice thought!
Me: (words) (yes, actually what I said): I think red delicious apples are the grossest apples in the whole world!

My roommate stared at me, aghast.  I stared at my friend in shock and then clapped my hand over my mouth.  Did what I had just heard coming from my mouth really just come from my mouth?  It was true.  I don't know how I got out of that horrible situation.  But I'm still alive and the last time I saw that friend, he greeted me warmly.  I guess I managed.   

It is exactly on this subject - awkwardness - that I would like to discuss.  As you can tell from the example above and so very many others, I am what I would classify a verbally awkward (VA) person.  One of my sisters who claims that she lives a very awkward life (her words not mine - I'm not classifying my siblings out of turn), I would classify a situationally awkward (SA) person. 

It has recently come to my attention that some persons in this world - I will not use names because I do not know names (ah, the virtues of anonymity in the cyber world) - think that when certain persons (namely myself) smile or even laugh at the hilarity of the awkwardness at others, that this can be construed as a bad thing. 

Take, for instance, a post I put up about the awkward pictures of Shinji Okazaki while he plays soccer.  (Definitely an SA.   Maya Yoshida on the other hand definitely a VA)  I have yet to see a good picture of Okazaki while playing soccer.  I think the world of soccer must just have some photographers with impeccable timing.  Do I smile when I see awkward pictures of soccer players?  Yes.  Sometimes, I even laugh.  (Let's be honest - most times I laugh)

So, what of it?

I present for your perusal 4 examples:

1. Lee Min Ho (VA): "Thanks for letting me happy birthday.  Today, let's celebrate your birthday too" 

Can't take a bad picture to save his life (Believe me - I've looked) A great actor and a good singer.  He is kind and friendly and he has over 3 million fans on Facebook.  Awkward English tweeter


2. Jung Yunho (SA)

 Singer, dancer and leader of one of the most successful Asian boy bands, TVXQ.  He trained in destitute circumstances so that he wouldn't be a burden to his parents.  No matter what he wears, even if on anyone else it would look hideous, he looks good.  He also acts, plays sports and even ice skates.  Awkward puppy holder

3. Hasebe Makoto (SA)

Soccer player, Unicef supporter, bestselling book author and devoted uncle.  Captain of the Japanese National team, he led his team to a top 16 finish in the World Cup and an Asian Cup championship.  He is known for his discipline and dedication and team loyalty.  He helped organize multiple charity events to bring in support and help for the victims of the Japan tsunami disaster.  Awkward model (in the men's bathroom - ほんとに）

4. Cho Kyuhyun (SA)

Maknae on Top, Kyuhyun's good looks and exceptional voice (I have yet to hear him make a mistake) make his elders in the Asian pop sensation Super Junior jealous.  Kyuhyun is well known for his dedication to his music and for surviving a horrible car accident not long after joining the group.  He loves gaming and is constantly surprised and impressed to discover that he has fans.  What is he not awkward at? 


Presented here is the elite and exclusive IGA club. See?  A little awkwardness never hurt anyone.  It makes for a good story.  And it helps us all realize we're all human.

So embrace your inner awkward.  I'll love you all the more for it. 

Image sources:
Lee Minho: http://www.dkpopnews.net/2010/06/news-lee-min-ho-wants-girlfriend-as-his.html
Jung Yunho: http://www.asianpopcorn.com/default.asp?display=TVXQ_s_Yunho_Changmin_pose_with_a_puppy-93626
Hasebe Makoto:http://www.facebook.com/vflwolfsburgfussball?ref=ts#!/photo.php?fbid=10150133306907160&set=a.422353692159.212778.386992377159&type=1&theater
Cho Kyuhyun: http://irena040506.wordpress.com/category/%E2%99%A5-korean/k-songs/super-junior/page/5/