the WU reborn

Christmas Time

New photos in the Holiday Album.

Christmas Eve is the night our family has our Christmas dinner, so the day before, all of us were busy preparing popiah (basically a Chinese burrito-type dish but way way better).  Friday after dinner, we opened presents.  Everyone seemed to like the presents that I gave, and I got a few nice things as well.

Christmas day, we went to the Bussler's house, like we do every year.  It's always great to catch up with the Tosa crowd.  They're all good peeps that we've known since my folks moved to the U.S. when I was a kid.

Sunday was a St. Steven's day party at Brendan's parents' house in Shorewood.  Us "kids" sang the "Wren Song" and "Jingle Bells" much to the delight of the rest of the partygoers.  Brendan's mom sure knows how to lay out a party spread.  I don't think anyone left hungry! 

Apparently there was Irish dancing, but I didn't witness it since I had a poker tournament online that I had won a seat into.  Unfortunately, I didn't win, but you can't win them all.  I still have the big Party Poker Million qualifier early next month too.

Today, us kids went over to the Gagrat's house for an amazing Indian lunch.  We don't get to see them very often, so it's nice to catch up on old times.  Afterwards, Chyi and I ran some errands and then headed home.  She is leaving tomorrow for home in Paris.

I am gearing up for the New Year's snowboarding trip up north.  It looks like we have a pretty good crowd, so it will be fun.  After I get back, I plan to do a bit of cleaning, and play a lot of poker.  Oh, and catch up with any pals I haven't had a chance to do so with.  Then, January 13, we leave for Vegas.

In other news, my car is fucked.  I brought it in because of a recall notice, and also because it was making a horrible grinding sound when I was almost stopped.  It turns out that I need four tires, a tune up, and rear brake pads and rotors to the tune of $1900.  They gave me a BMW 3 series as a loaner, which was nice, but man they sure know how and where to kick a guy.  Merry Christmas, eh?  I get my car back tomorrow.

Last Day of Exams

New photos in the December holiday album.

At 3 p.m. yesterday, I headed to Roast to meet with a few of the slackers from my Chaucer class.  Our exam was to be at 4:30, and the way it was presented to us made it seem quite daunting.  Prof lists a passage of Middle English.  For example:

Whan that aprill with his shoures soote
The droghte of march hath perced to the roote,
And bathed every veyne in swich licour
Of which vertu engendred is the flour

Then, we identify what piece it's from, who the speaker is, what the context is.  Yeah six of those.  Then two essays.  where's the multiple guess love?

We crammed the best we could, then headed through the cold to class.  For some reason, once I got it, I just turned into a wrecking ball.  I knew everything!  What the hell?  And I got two papers back which turned out a lot better than I thought they would.  Amazing...

I headed home happy, and got ready for dinner with Chyi.  For my graduation present, she treated me to dinner at Lake Park Bistro.  Mmmm so good.....

Afterwards, we went to the Hi-Hat for cocktails.  We had a pretty good crowd for most of the evening, and I had a lot of fun.  Overall, it was a great night out!

Thanks to everyone who showed up, and especially to chyi-chyi for dinner, and to Jim for picking up the tab for most of everybody's drinks!

Well, time to do some last minute Christmas shopping.  Later kids!

Love,

wk

About Time

More photos in the holiday album.

I graduated today from UWM.  Thanks to everyone who showed up.  Afterwards, Karl, AP, and the family Soo went to Fortune for amazing.dinner. 

More exams and papers due this week.  I'm a free man come Wednesday at 18:30. 

Welcome home Chyi!

Happy birthday to Kaz!

A nap now, then more studying. 

Trudging Towards the End

Well, I got all that graduation garbage sorted out, and even went to pick up my cap and gown.  Much to my surprise, I don't have to return it.  The attendant told me "sir that's why you paid for it."  Hell, I thought I was just renting it, but for $27 I'm not going to complain too much.  They could have charged that much just to rent it!

Chyi got in from Paris tonight and will be here until the 29th.  Tomorrow the fam is going to go see Cabaret, then Saturday will be insanely busy.  Sunday is graduation, and then Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday are more exams.  Somewhere in there i need to study.  I can't wait for Wednesday to come....

Obviously I haven't started Christmas shopping yet.  I don't even know what I am going to get for most people.

Who's got something clever to say?

Gotta be Kidding Me

I awoke this morning to the pulsating vibration of my cell phone on my wooden desk.  Naturally, it was buried under a pile of books written about or by overrated authors.  Upon checking my voicemail, and calling the unknown person from UWM back, I was informed that they did not have my graduation application, and that I would need to do it online and go into the office to pay.

So, I pose a question to all of you astute readers?  How the hell do they know to call me to tell me this if I haven't applied?  Do they have some E.S.P. that just sends an alarm off: "oh shit, this kid hasn't applied?"  What kid?  The one who hasn't applied and we have no idea is graduating?  Maybe it's just me, but that makes no fucking sense to me.  At least she guaranteed me that the problem would be resolved.

On a lighter note, the weekend was half cramming, half trying to have fun.  I'll briefly report about the latter, as I'm sure you have no interest on rewriting Chaucer papers or discussing Russian Formalism.

Friday night Graham and I went to Gilly's for a poker tournament.  On the 6th hand of the tournament, Mark's AA and my KK were taken out by Jake's horrible all-in with TT.  Obviously, he hit his 2-outer on the river to make three of a kind.  I don't mind losing to aces, but Jesus Christ to tens?  How retarded.  I am sure Mark has more to say about this

Saturday night, Tiff and I headed to Alice and Steve's for their annual holiday party.  As always, Alice puts out a phat spread, so nobody left hungry.  She even sent us home with a plate of goodies.  Thanks for everything guys!  Their six-month-old daughter Anika was looking very cute and ready for the holidays.  Afterwards, T & I hit Ocean's Twelve.  It was entertaining but a bit confusing.  I liked the first one better.

Sunday, Mike H. was in town so we met for brunch.  In the afternoon, I went to see National Treasure, Disney's answer to The Da Vinci Code.  I like treasure hunting and conspiracy stuff, so I was highly entertained.  The fam came over for dinner, and then I settled in for nine hours of writing papers.

I'll post photos later this week.  Right now I have to finish another paper before heading down to campus to sort out this stupid graduation mess.

What the Hell?

I present the long-awaited photos in the December album.

Somehow, I graduate in less than two weeks.  I'm not sure where the time went, but there it is.  Strangely enough I have two final exams after graduation.  Gotta love that.

Chyi comes home next week for a Christmas.  With the season comes parties and running around.  I haven't started shopping yet (obviously)

Last weekend, I went to Chicago on Friday for Brendan's birthday party.  We met a bunch of people at an interesting bar (that we opened and closed), called Hogs and Honeys.  I have two words:

1. Mechanical

2. Bull

Lots of photos from that evening, and everyone seemed to have a good time.  Nice of Johnny and Shanna to plan it. 

There were a few sketch moments of interest:

1. I bought a cocktail for the birthday boy.  He was busy at that moment, so I held the drink for 30 seconds or so.  A bar employee walked into me causing me to drop the drink.  I looked at him, he looked back at me, walked away and grabbed a mop.  I expected him to say something, but he didn't.  I confronted him about it, and he said:

"I don't give a shit."

Baffled, I spoke with the supposed manager, and he said "I can't just replace that for you."  I told him about the barguy, and he said "hang on."  Then he walked off never to be seen again.

Eventually, I got a replacement drink from the only cool bartender there, and tipped her accordingly.

Later, we went to a hot dog stand for eats.  I got some food, and here's how the short conversation went with the cashier.

Cashier: Six dollars.

Me: How much?

Cashier: Four-fifty.

Haha... I wonder how many people were too drunk and just paid whatever they asked for.

We stayed the night at a hotel, and after some breakfast, headed home. 

Sunday night, I ran a poker tournament at the house.  Thirteen people showed up, and congratulations to Cory for winning first prize.  I'll have more games, but not until after finals, which means probably not til after the new year.  We'll see though.

My iPod is fucked up.  I have to take it in and see wtf is going on.

One month until the Party Poker Million Semi-Finals.  I just wanna win the cruise!  If you aren't signed up to play online yet, sign up here for a 20% deposit bonus.

I'm really looking forward to seeing Zhang Ziyi (meow) in House of Flying Daggers.  It's by the director of Hero.