Tharsica

2008-11-06T16:10:00.000-06:00

Did I say how important it is to think this:

I am just a human…who cares?

I think we are all so afraid to embarrass ourselves or feel stupid for not knowing what others know that we shut ourselves off from growing. Next time, like I have been doing, just say I am okay…I am just human.

Is okay to not know everything, to make mistakes, ask questions.

But as you do this remember this.

YOU ARE HUMAN!

You are amazing, beautiful, curious, loving, courageous, smart, and creative.

Be positive! Think amazing thoughts. Do even better.

Oh, yea get out and DO something. Act your dream! Why not, start small but make it an action rather than just talking. Small and tiny steps all it takes to get the ball rolling.

2008-10-17T20:20:00.005-06:00

I think it’s so important to start each day with something uplifting, fun, creative –whatever, anything that is positive to you. For me these past few months have been daily e-mails from the Universe aka Mike Dooley. It is amazing what his messages have done for me! I feel so peaceful, happy, and present when I read them. The fun thing is each e-mail is personalized with your name and sometimes they are related to your goals that you list when you sign up.

E-mail #1:

Do you think I'll meet you half way?
Not quite, Tharisica.

I'll take you all the way. That's my job.

Your job is to set me in motion with the thoughts you think, the words you choose, the things you do, and the homage you pay...

Sorry, just kidding about the homage part.
To the stars,
The Universe

Have a great weekend, Tharisica, and think, say, and do all you can about that voice!

E-mail #2:

Super-incredibly FAST is the general order of the Universe, Tharisica, often with a splash of lemon, a dash of salt, and a shot of tomato juice.And just knowing this about the "general order" makes stuff happen super-incredibly FAST. And puckers one's lips. One voice is on its way, The Universe

I want you to have what you want to have, Tharisica, as fast as you want to have it... Let's roll.

Most of universe messages are always reinforcing how important your thoughts are and how they play an important role in how your life unfolds.

Give it a try. You'll love it. If you don't...you can always unsubscribe.

2008-10-15T20:41:00.001-06:00

This movie just made me think “how lucky am I?” Heartbreaking! Wonderfully acted. So natural.

2008-09-19T19:30:00.007-06:00

Life has been super FABULOUS these past few months. I just feel so happy, content, and wonderful in my own skin. Sure, I have those days (very very few) but overall I feel SO blessed and SO happy. I don’t know how to explain how peaceful I am. I am in the moment and loving it. I graduated, found a great job with people who are so welcoming, and finally have the time to do what I love. I read somewhere that if you find a job you love you don’t have to work a day in your life. Well, this is what I have accomplished at the moment. I am back in downtown, meeting so many people, getting involved, and most importantly improving myself. I love the buzz of downtown. I love the farmer’s market every Thursdays and the crowd that it brings. I love being able to get errands done during my lunch hour. Most importantly I have noticed how grateful and happy I am when I am doing the simplest of task. I love jumping up and down after work when something on TV is unexpected or just really funny, sitting on the train and reading or just watching people.

Simple things!

This book is amazing and disturbing! Towelhead by Alicia Erian.

2008-09-16T20:29:00.003-06:00

I was standing for the train and waiting like every other day-listening to my music, thinking about my night, and my day. All of a sudden I hear a people gasping and group of people in a circle. All of a sudden the circle dissolves and men are jumping onto the track---as the train blares its horn. All I could think “oh my gosh…what’s going on?” This is when I see a woman who has fallen onto the tracks. This old woman covered in a scarf, maybe she was somalian, has fallen on to the tracks and she is not moving. Her shoes have been thrown-- one on the platform and another on the tracks. About five guys dressed in business suits, their lap top bag across their shoulders, jump in. They scoop her up and bystanders get her back to consciousness. One man after putting the woman back on the platform picks up her things, that also fell with the woman. After gathering the woman’s items he jumps back up to safety.

This made me realize how wonderful we human beings are. We’ll jump after danger for someone we never met before, someone that doesn’t even look like us or even speak our language. We react to danger of another person and we don’t turn our face to ignore it. The men and the bystanders who assisted this woman are heroes in my eyes. The human spirit is powerful, lifting, and loving. We just have to remember it.

2008-07-03T14:27:00.000-06:00

2007-10-22T12:43:00.000-06:00

Be open to all the possibilities.

2007-09-24T22:16:00.000-06:00

I got a water bottle with the quote
"pain is weakness leaving the body."
It was from the U.S. Marines.

2007-09-24T21:52:00.000-06:00

I am very ready for winter to come.
I love the cold weather.

2007-09-20T23:36:00.000-06:00

One of my goals for the next few years is to read fifty books that I think “WOW!” “Amazing words and thoughts.” Do you have any books that gave you a "wow" experience...if so, let me know!?

Wrigley's Extra Gum Commercial: Airport Security

2007-09-16T21:40:00.000-06:00

Every time I turn on the TV this commercial is on. At first I didn’t make too much of it but now I think the guy is kind of hot. Anyone else agree?

2007-09-11T21:13:00.000-06:00

I went out to a Thai restaurant and the food was SO GREAT! I had the chicken peanut coconut dish…and I told the waiter “really spicy.” I didn’t think it would be at all spicy maybe American spicy.. but they listened and it was super spicy. Loved it!

The music that was playing in the restaurant sounded so familiar. So I closely listened to it and realized it was Korean music from the drama Kim Sam Soon.

This morning when I was walking back to my apartment someone was playing the soundtrack from the movie “A Walk to Remember.” This used to be my favorite movie until I memorized all the lines. So pathetic.

Good times!

2007-09-10T00:02:00.000-06:00

I am having WAY too much fun and my classes are awesome!!

2007-09-08T19:46:00.000-06:00

2007-09-02T20:16:00.001-06:00

New Discoveries. On the Bookshelf:

I was given a ton of books this summer by my manager:

StrengthsFinder 2.0 was one of my favorites.

The author, Tom Rath, writes "Society’s relentless focus on people’s shortcoming had turned into a global obsession. What’s more, we had discovered that people have several times more potential for growth when they invest energy in developing their strengths instead of correcting their deficiencies.” With a purchase of a book you will get a pass code to take a 30 minute online StrengthsFinder assessment. Answering questions for 30 minutes is not a lot of fun but reading the results is!

Here are my areas where I have the greatest potential to develop strengths:

ADAPTABILITY
People who are especially talented in the Adaptability theme prefer to “go with the flow.” They tend to be “now” people who take things as they come and discover the future one day at a time.

It’s very likely that you traditionally prefer to work independently. When you have only your work, studies, resources, and time to manage, you are able to contend with the day's events as they unfold. You usually like to make decisions and act on them without being required to seek and receive the approval of one or more people. By nature, you can be flexible about how a game is played. Having a good experience is much more important to you than winning. Many people marvel at your ability to calmly move on to something else after you have met with defeat. Chances are good that you occasionally can let today take care of itself. Why? Maybe you understand that tomorrow will bring its own demands, worries, concerns, and opportunities. Because of your strengths, you traditionally decide all is well in your life when you allow each day to unfold on its own terms. You are apt to feel restricted or boxed in by people who force you to adhere to their plans, processes, rules, or procedures. You often argue that human beings must be flexible as they plan for the future. Why? Life is filled with constant surprises and change. You are determined to avoid creating undue stress for yourself and others by acknowledging this simple fact.

CONNECTEDNESS
People who are especially talented in the Connectedness theme have faith in the links between all things. They believe there are few coincidences and that almost every event has a reason.

Chances are good that you know you are a strand in the intricate web of life. You search for ways to link with individuals who also ponder concepts, theories, or philosophies. In their company, you are apt to discover or rediscover your special place and purpose in life. Instinctively, you continually seek wisdom from people with whom you have intelligent conversations. You not only listen but also share your thoughts. In the process, you are likely to move beyond concrete facts. Your curiosity draws you to speculate -- that is, reflect or wonder -- about theories, ideas, or concepts. To keep your mind fresh, you frequently quiz individuals who are equally fascinated with the intangible and abstract aspects of life. Because of your strengths, you have no doubts about being linked in some way with everything in the universe. This includes all creation and all humankind. Driven by your talents, you spontaneously open your mind to people's diverse philosophies of life. You habitually search for ideas that link one person's fundamental truths with another person's core values. You probably realize human beings are tied to one another regardless of their age, language, education, socio-economic status, nationality, race, religion, or culture.

INDIVIDUALIZATION
People who are especially talented in the Individualization theme are intrigued with the unique qualities of each person. They have a gift for figuring out how people who are different can work together productively.

Instinctively, you occasionally spend time alone thinking about which individuals work well together. Perhaps your thoughtful examination of each human being allows you to mix and match the strengths of several individuals. Sometimes the strengths of one person compensate for the limitations of another person, and vice versa. You might conclude that a group's true strength lies in the diversity of its members' knowledge, skills, motivations, work styles, or thinking styles. Driven by your talents, you might search for the factors that produced a certain outcome or started a particular chain of events. Sometimes you are frustrated until you figure out why things happened the way they did. Chances are good that you sometimes rely on reason to determine how an event, decision, or condition led to a specific event. Perhaps you desire to understand how things converge to produce the final result. It’s very likely that you have quick and ready insights into how each human being is unique and distinct from everyone else. Diversity intrigues you. You are apt to be open to individuals who possess talents, skills, and knowledge that vastly differ from your own.

RELATOR
People who are especially talented in the Relator theme enjoy close relationships with others. They find deep satisfaction in working hard with friends to achieve a goal.

Because of your strengths, you are quite content with your results as long as you can honestly say you are producing as much as you can. You maintain an optimistic outlook on life regardless of the value some people place on your results. Chances are good that you are regarded as a hard worker and a doer. You derive a lot of satisfaction from tackling projects without anyone interfering with your
plans or second-guessing how you do things. Driven by your talents, you feel upbeat and cheerful when you keep busy. Without question, you derive much satisfaction from producing tangible outcomes. It’s very likely that you consistently measure up to your high expectations when working, studying, or playing.

LEARNER
People who are especially talented in the Learner theme have a great desire to learn and want to continuously improve. In particular, the process of learning, rather than the outcome, excites them.

Driven by your talents, you probably are a solo performer. You are determined to broaden your knowledge and acquire new skills. You are repeatedly drawn into the process of education. Instinctively, you are attracted to difficult and challenging endeavors. You are not inclined to look for the easy way out. You are bold. You take risks. You dare to stretch your mind. You test the limits of your abilities in ways that timid individuals would not attempt. Chances are good that you enjoy pondering what you can revise, correct, renovate, upgrade, or relocate. When you are curious about a person, event, topic, project, activity, or idea, you devote much energy and time to studying it. By nature, you yearn to be inspired by your work. You want experience to be your teacher. You need to feel enthused by your work or studies. You constantly acquire knowledge and skills. Whenever you study facts, ponder concepts, test theories, or sharpen your skills, you feel most alive.

Another Book:
I read a ton on my travel to and from work. The book that made me miss my stop on the train : Middlesex.

The August issue of O- The Oprah Magazine had a very interesting article. It was titled “Inside the Writer’s Mind.” The asked Jeffrey Eugenides, author of Middlesex,

What’s the best thing about being a writer?

The response:
The best thing is also the worst thing. It’s that, no matter how long you’ve been at it, you always start from scratch. Henry James said, “We work in the dark – we do what we can – we give what we have. Our doubt is our passion and our passion is our task. The rest is the madness of art.” Unless you ‘re the kind of writer who works with a template, where the narrative strategies remain more or less constant and the job consists of filling in the boxes with new material, then what you have to do, with each new book, is discover all these things anew. Your material determines your narrative strategy and your tone of voiced rather than the other way around. You change from book to book. You begin always knowing nothing. You remain forever an amateur, a first-timer. Sure, you might cobble together something akin to a methodology after a while, a working method, a sense of packing yourself through the seasons. But that’s about it in terms of the pleasures and wisdom of the veteran. What makes this worst thing also the best thing has to do with the agelessness of aspiration. When you’re always starting out, always trying to learn to do what you don’t know how to do, you remain close to the place (college dorm room, Prague Café) where you first set pen to paper. You remain in touch with that crazy, dreamy kid who spent so much time in the library. You persist in being impractical, idealistic, naïve, and brave. Your body ages, but your imagination remains young, and on your deathbed, if you’re lucky, you might be prideful enough to say to yourself, “I am finally getting the hang of this.”

My Best Friend (Mon Meilleur Ami)

2007-08-18T22:11:00.000-06:00

Two thumbs WAY up for this awesome French film!

François is a middle-aged antique dealer. He has a stylish apartment and a fabulous life, but at a dinner with a group he considers his dearest acquaintances, he is blindsided by the revelation that none of them actually likes him. He's arrogant, self-centered and harsh, and they don't believe he knows the meaning of friendship. His business partner Catherine makes him a bet: if he can produce his best friend, she will let him keep the massive Greek vase he acquired that afternoon on the company tab. If not, it's hers.

Having accepted the wager, François naively tears through his address book, trying to shoehorn an increasingly unlikely series of contacts into the all-important role. Moving through Paris, he keeps encountering a trivia-spouting, big-hearted cabbie named Bruno. Bruno's chatty, lowbrow ways grate against François's designer temperament, but he covets the other man's easy way with people. He convinces Bruno to teach him how to make friends and sets about learning the “three S's” – being sociable, smiling and sincere – though they don’t come easy. Ultimately, François victory will depend on Bruno's naiveté in playing along, but what's the cost of cheating at friendship?

My Best Friend

2007-07-30T21:08:00.000-06:00

I love my work! It’s been a blast to meet so many people and learn so much. Since I am trying so many new things out, I definitely know what I am good at and what I am passionate about. The surprising thing is, I been thinking about my childhood lately and see how much it has impacted the person I am today. I feel like a little child-just smiling all the time, open about life, and waiting to take things one day at a time. With all this excitement however, I need to slow down and just look around to see how beautiful everything is.

There are still so many questions. I love it!

2007-07-22T20:49:00.000-06:00

2007-07-18T21:22:00.001-06:00

transmute, transform; vary, mutate; amend, modify. Change, alter both mean to make a difference in the state or condition of a thing or to substitute another state or condition. To change is to make a material difference so that the thing is distinctly different from what it was: to change one's opinion. To alter is to make some partial change, as in appearance, but usually to preserve the identity: to alter a dress (to change a dress would mean to put on a different one). 3. replace, trade. 4. trade. 7. convert. 10. vary, mutate, amend. 18. transmutation, mutation, conversion, vicissitude.

2007-07-16T17:21:00.000-06:00

Annoyed: I am usually not like this…

Does your MP3 have to be so loud that I could actually hear your music on the train?

I am so tired of people coming by me and asking me for change to get on the train. Do I look like I am offering free money? If you don’t have the money…then WALK! I don’t care if you are a penny short...everyone got so many excuses!

I am so mean...but today I am just not having any of it.

2007-07-05T22:08:00.000-06:00

I haven't been bored in a long time...there is something always on my mind.
Just passing days with a routine schedule
But there is something beautiful in that – predictability-whatever that means.
Maybe I should post something small everyday.
Watching the fireworks yesterday was GREAT!
I feel like I haven’t been creative in a long time…and that gets me down.
I read an awesome book “Middlesex” by Jeffrey Eugenides
Its already July…time is flying by!
Everything happens for a reason...that I know for sure.

*Pictures above taken by my sister

2007-06-06T21:34:00.000-06:00

I was invited to attend lunch with some of the big executives in my company. I was thrilled to go because not everyone gets that chance. It was a beautiful event at one of the hotels in downtown.

At lunch.
I was so nervous to even pick up a fork. I was afraid that I might spill something, drop something, and spit something out. Anyways, my worst fears at this event did happen-my knife dropped to the floor just as I was eating the main course. I was so sad the rest of the event because I was not able to eat some delicious chicken. To make up for it, and at this time I was only 75% nervous, I wiped the dessert dish completely clean-who needed a knife for that.

2007-06-04T21:05:00.000-06:00

2007-06-02T21:10:00.000-06:00

I went to my apartment to hangout with my roomies for the weekend! It was fantastic. They have already moved in but I won’t officially move in until September. I drove over right after work, had a tour of the apartment and each of their rooms, and relaxed. One of my roommates had an empty wall that really needed a picture on it. So guess what! She decided to paint it herself. How wonderfully beautiful and amazing.

2007-05-28T20:35:00.000-06:00

Aren’t these gorgeous! My supervisor gave them to me.

2007-05-28T19:27:00.000-06:00

I took my parents to the Hindu temple. We drove, drove, and drove. It was frustrating but met some very helpful people! It was an awesome experience! The temple too but the journey was wonderful.

Gas station workers came out to the streets to point the way.
Few jumped into their cars to get a map.
One woman grabbed my pen to write a page full of directions.
A man who was deaf gave me a thumbs-up.
Another man said “Good luck sweetheart.”

Finally the lawn mower said “I saw the sign for the Hindu temple just last night.” And the temple was only a few blocks from his house. So, he gave me the best directions.

Temple was wonderful. Busy. Peaceful.

*Picture above from my sister's Duluth trip.

2007-05-26T21:58:00.000-06:00

This morning I got together with my friend for her birthday. We had an early lunch since I had to be at work in the afternoon. It was a lot of fun! The environment was very cozy and quiet for the most part of our lunch. So we got in a lot of talking.

I think these days I am boy crazy or something because my friend and I thought our waiter was extremely cute! So, we were asking him questions just because and he was so sweet about it!

The reason I have been going to this particular restaurant twice in the past week is because of their bread! The baskets of bread they give before our meal is so wonderful. Yummy. I barely touch the main dish because I am stuffed from all the bread that I eat.
After lunch, we stopped by Barnes & Noble.

Oh yea, I must be really tried from work-the whole 5 A.M to 6 p.m. routine. Yesterday, I slept from 7:00 P.M. to 8 A.M. The last time I did that was the day we arrived from our vacation to Sri Lanka.

2007-05-24T20:04:00.000-06:00

What do I like about my job?
Independence – I am on my own. Managing my time and going on the pace I want is great.
I get to create presentations for my managers and print them out.
I was so scared to print 75 copies of a 10 page PowerPoint presentation!
That’s a lot of pressure. I was concerned about any mistakes that the presentation might have.
I think the office prints a forest a day :-( haha.

2007-05-22T20:57:00.000-06:00

I walk so fast into my building in the mornings.
I walk even faster to the train in the afternoons.

This morning, it occurred to me, what a gorgeous view my walk is?
How could I have wasted these past four days?
Not even looking at what was in front me, above me, beside?

I saw the big picture
But just when I am starting to look at the smaller details
Do I realize how much the big picture didn’t even matter?

2007-05-18T20:23:00.000-06:00

I went to a speech given by the president of the company I work for. Let me tell you, he is a celebrity to those who work at the company. All the cameras miraculously appeared when he entered the auditorium. It was as if Brad Pitt made an appearance. People were hyped to hear him speak. Understandably he is the top of food chain in a multi-million dollar company but this is not all of it.

People admire him because he is a people person! Of the things I heard in my two short days at my job, people at the very top give speeches but rarely do they stick afterwards to meet anyone at all. They want the title and the money-that’s it. They hate to mingle and hear about concerns. This man however, wants to know about the people in the company-the very individuals that make the company what it is from the very bottom to the top.

So, I have to say proudly that I got to shake his hands. I told him my name and he asked me to spell it-so I did! Usually people will just have a confused look and simile. But he actually wanted me to spell my name. That was great!

I have so much to learn. Even introducing myself in a confident and clear manner is something I need to work on. When there is a mob of people trying to have a few words with a celebrity, which was the scene at this time, you need to standout of the group and get him to remember you.

2007-05-17T21:43:00.001-06:00

First day of work was stressful and my feet hurt so much! I love the whole downtown scene-busy people, full of activities, cute little stores, and well-dressed people. I have so much to learn this summer. I hope I am spiritually and emotionally ready to take on all the big and small tasks and grow from them.

Train ride was nice. When I was coming back home I saw a guy who looked just like the guy who acts on the show “The Office.” Shocking.

When I come back from work my mom asked me “How was the plane ride?” It happened today and yesterday. Is a little funny!

2007-05-13T21:50:00.000-06:00

On Mother’s day we all got together at my brother’s place. He bought a house a month ago and it is gorgeous. A very cozy and a clean house. A clean house. That is very important to my brother.

I wrote this on the day he first moved in:

My brother bought a house- a clean house! Everyone else saw the house before an offer was made but I didn’t. So it was all a surprise to me

It is such a beautiful house and in a wonderful, cozy neighborhood. We all gathered there one Saturday and boiled some milk-per Hindu religion. We drank the sweet milk and ate all the goodies my parents have been making the past few days. It was such a great celebration. A house-warming event pretty much took all day because after eating we all just sat there talking.

2007-05-12T22:43:00.000-06:00

2007-05-11T22:43:00.000-06:00

I know there are complaints about packing and moving…and if not done in a timely manner then it could be a lot of work.
But I secretly love the whole packing up things and moving… because, if looked at it the right way, usually moving means another adventure…another chapter…and new things waiting to happen. New environment, new people, new experiences!

2007-05-10T22:30:00.000-06:00

hahahahahahaha!

2007-05-10T08:55:00.000-06:00

New addition to summer list:

Watch all movies of Brad Pitt and Leonardo DiCaprio

2007-05-08T14:04:00.000-06:00

Commencement Speeches:

Some outstanding speeches

2007-05-07T20:49:00.000-06:00

I am SO excited to start my new job. Probably have to take the train…hmmm…public transportation…wonder how that will go? I hope I do extremely well and really develop my resume with this job.

2007-05-07T10:00:00.000-06:00

A few of us were sitting around talking one late night. One of my friends mentioned how she doesn’t know if she’ll ever see her roommate again. The roommate will return to Japan in a few weeks. At that time, I said “yea, who knows.” But the more I think about it that is such a strong statement. If you really want to meet someone again in their own country you can always go visit them. The world is big but not impossible to meet someone again. I guess I am not the type of person who believes in the “never” of life. Nothing is impossible. You can be so sure of one thing, but in an instance, that sureness can be erased. If you really care about someone, maybe not now, but at one time you will have to make a time to meet them again.

Having a relationship with anyone is work. In fact maybe the most important work of one’s life.

2007-05-03T22:53:00.000-06:00

Blood Diamond!

I really don’t have that much time to be watching movies…but everyone needs a little break. Between classes and library, a few of us get together to sit in our lounge and talk…occasionally watch a movie.. Well, on this particular day they had Blood Diamond on cable. What a fantastic movie! How fabulous was Leonardo DiCaprio,in this movie? Well, simply… Amazing! I absolutely loved the movie. Wow, cinematography at its best!

2007-05-01T22:34:00.000-06:00

Hot. Hot!

Watched the movie Troy for the first time and it was… hot! I don’t know if it’s just my mood but Brad Pitt is HOT! Yes, I am a little late to declare this considering it has been established over and over that he is pretty good looking to most people… but OMG that body, that face, that body! Wow!

2007-04-30T22:14:00.001-06:00

United States is a gorgeous place! Why because of the diversity of its people. Just today I have talked to way too many people from way too many countries. Wonderful!

2007-04-26T22:13:00.000-06:00

Day started out fantastic. I woke up at 6:30 A.M. to go running with my friend on a beautiful trail. We live right behind a lake so it was just convenient to take that path. It was gorgeous. We walked behind huge houses that were on the lake and the entire trail was filled with beautiful greenery. The weather was perfect and occasionally there was a wonderful breeze that would wake me up a little. There is nothing like waking up early and enjoying nature. Must do this more often.

Commencement Speech to the Havard Class of 2000

2007-04-24T23:27:00.000-06:00

by Conan O'Brien

I'd like to thank the Class Marshals for inviting me here today. The last time I was invited to Harvard it cost me $110,000, so you'll forgive me if I'm a bit suspicious. I'd like to announce up front that I have one goal this afternoon: to be half as funny as tomorrow's Commencement Speaker, Moral Philosopher and Economist, Amartya Sen. Must get more laughs than seminal wage/price theoretician.

Students of the Harvard Class of 2000, fifteen years ago I sat where you sit now and I thought exactly what you are now thinking: What's going to happen to me? Will I find my place in the world? Am I really graduating a virgin? I still have 24 hours and my roommate's Mom is hot. I swear she was checking me out. Being here today is very special for me. I miss this place. I especially miss Harvard Square - it's so unique. No where else in the world will you find a man with a turban wearing a Red Sox jacket and working in a lesbian bookstore. Hey, I'm just glad my dad's working.

It's particularly sweet for me to be here today because when I graduated, I wanted very badly to be a Class Day Speaker. Unfortunately, my speech was rejected. So, if you'll indulge me, I'd like to read a portion of that speech from fifteen years ago: "Fellow students, as we sit here today listening to that classic Ah-ha tune which will definitely stand the test of time, I would like to make several predictions about what the future will hold: "I believe that one day a simple Governor from a small Southern state will rise to the highest office in the land. He will lack political skill, but will lead on the sheer strength of his moral authority." "I believe that Justice will prevail and, one day, the Berlin Wall will crumble, uniting East and West Berlin forever under Communist rule." "I believe that one day, a high speed network of interconnected computers will spring up world-wide, so enriching people that they will lose their interest in idle chit chat and pornography." "And finally, I believe that one day I will have a television show on a major network, seen by millions of people a night, which I will use to re-enact crimes and help catch at-large criminals." And then there's some stuff about the death of Wall Street which I don't think we need to get into....

The point is that, although you see me as a celebrity, a member of the cultural elite, a kind of demigod, I was actually a student here once much like you. I came here in the fall of 1981 and lived in Holworthy. I was, without exaggeration, the ugliest picture in the Freshman Face book. When Harvard asked me for a picture the previous summer, I thought it was just for their records, so I literally jogged in the August heat to a passport photo office and sat for a morgue photo. To make matters worse, when the Face Book came out they put my picture next to Catherine Oxenberg, a stunning blonde actress who was accepted to the class of '85 but decided to defer admission so she could join the cast of "Dynasty." My photo would have looked bad on any page, but next to Catherine Oxenberg, I looked like a mackerel that had been in a car accident. You see, in those days I was six feet four inches tall and I weighed 150 pounds. Recently, I had some structural engineers run those numbers into a computer model and, according to the computer, I collapsed in 1987, killing hundreds in Taiwan.

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After freshman year I moved to Mather House. Mather House, incidentally, was designed by the same firm that built Hitler's bunker. In fact, if Hitler had conducted the war from Mather House, he'd have shot himself a year earlier. 1985 seems like a long time ago now. When I had my Class Day, you students would have been seven years old. Seven years old. Do you know what that means? Back then I could have beaten any of you in a fight. And I mean bad. It would be no contest. If any one here has a time machine, seriously, let's get it on, I will whip your seven year old butt. When I was here, they sold diapers at the Coop that said "Harvard Class of 2000." At the time, it was kind of a joke, but now I realize you wore those diapers. How embarrassing for you. A lot has happened in fifteen years. When you think about it, we come from completely different worlds. When I graduated, we watched movies starring Tom Cruise and listened to music by Madonna. I come from a time when we huddled around our TV sets and watched "The Cosby Show" on NBC, never imagining that there would one day be a show called "Cosby" on CBS. In 1985 we drove cars with driver's side airbags, but if you told us that one day there'd be passenger side airbags, we'd have burned you for witchcraft.

But of course, I think there is some common ground between us. I remember well the great uncertainty of this day. Many of you are justifiably nervous about leaving the safe, comfortable world of Harvard Yard and hurling yourself headlong into the cold, harsh world of Harvard Grad School, a plum job at your father's firm, or a year abroad with a gold Amex card and then a plum job in your father's firm. But let me assure you that the knowledge you've gained here at Harvard is a precious gift that will never leave you. Take it from me, your education is yours to keep forever. Why, many of you have read the Merchant of Florence, and that will inspire you when you travel to the island of Spain. Your knowledge of that problem they had with those people in Russia, or that guy in South America-you know, that guy-will enrich you for the rest of your life.

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There is also sadness today, a feeling of loss that you're leaving Harvard forever. Well, let me assure you that you never really leave Harvard. The Harvard Fundraising Committee will be on your ass until the day you die. Right now, a member of the Alumni Association is at the Mt. Auburn Cemetery shaking down the corpse of Henry Adams. They heard he had a brass toe ring and they aims to get it. Imagine: These people just raised 2.5 billion dollars and they only got through the B's in the alumni directory. Here's how it works. Your phone rings, usually after a big meal when you're tired and most vulnerable. A voice asks you for money. Knowing they just raised 2.5 billion dollars you ask, "What do you need it for?" Then there's a long pause and the voice on the other end of the line says, "We don't need it, we just want it." It's chilling.

What else can you expect? Let me see, by your applause, who here wrote a thesis. (APPLAUSE) A lot of hard work, a lot of your blood went into that thesis... and no one is ever going to care. I wrote a thesis: Literary Progeria in the works of Flannery O'Connor and William Faulkner. Let's just say that, during my discussions with Pauly Shore, it doesn't come up much. For three years after graduation I kept my thesis in the glove compartment of my car so I could show it to a policeman in case I was pulled over. (ACT OUT) License, registration, cultural exploration of the Man Child in the Sound and the Fury...

So what can you expect out there in the real world? Let me tell you. As you leave these gates and re-enter society, one thing is certain: Everyone out there is going to hate you. Never tell anyone in a roadside diner that you went to Harvard. In most situations the correct response to where did you to school is, "School? Why, I never had much in the way of book larnin' and such." Then, get in your BMW and get the hell out of there.

You see, you're in for a lifetime of "And you went to Harvard?" Accidentally give the wrong amount of change in a transaction and it's, "And you went to Harvard?" Ask the guy at the hardware store how these jumper cables work and hear, "And you went to Harvard?" Forget just once that your underwear goes inside your pants and it's "and you went to Harvard." Get your head stuck in your niece's dollhouse because you wanted to see what it was like to be a giant and it's "Uncle Conan, you went to Harvard!?"

But to really know what's in store for you after Harvard, I have to tell you what happened to me after graduation. I'm going to tell you my story because, first of all, my perspective may give many of you hope, and, secondly, it's an amazing rush to stand in front of six thousand people and talk about yourself.

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After graduating in May, I moved to Los Angeles and got a three week contract at a small cable show. I got a $380 a month apartment and bought a 1977 Isuzu Opel, a car Isuzu only manufactured for a year because they found out that, technically, it's not a car. Here's a quick tip, graduates: no four cylinder vehicle should have a racing stripe. I worked at that show for over a year, feeling pretty good about myself, when one day they told me they were letting me go. I was fired and, I hadn't saved a lot of money. I tried to get another job in television but I couldn't find one.

So, with nowhere else to turn, I went to a temp agency and filled out a questionnaire. I made damn sure they knew I had been to Harvard and that I expected the very best treatment. And so, the next day, I was sent to the Santa Monica branch of Wilson's House of Suede and Leather. When you have a Harvard degree and you're working at Wilson's House of Suede and Leather, you are haunted by the ghostly images of your classmates who chose Graduate School. You see their faces everywhere: in coffee cups, in fish tanks, and they're always laughing at you as you stack suede shirts no man, in good conscience, would ever wear. I tried a lot of things during this period: acting in corporate infomercials, serving drinks in a non-equity theatre, I even took a job entertaining at a seven year olds' birthday party. In desperate need of work, I put together some sketches and scored a job at the fledgling Fox Network as a writer and performer for a new show called "The Wilton North Report." I was finally on a network and really excited. The producer told me the show was going to revolutionize television. And, in a way, it did. The show was so hated and did so badly that when, four weeks later, news of its cancellation was announced to the Fox affiliates, they burst into applause.

Eventually, though, I got a huge break. I had submitted, along with my writing partner, a batch of sketches to Saturday Night Live and, after a year and a half, they read it and gave us a two week tryout. The two weeks turned into two seasons and I felt successful. Successful enough to write a TV pilot for an original sitcom and, when the network decided to make it, I left Saturday Night Live. This TV show was going to be groundbreaking. It was going to resurrect the career of TV's Batman, Adam West. It was going to be a comedy without a laugh track or a studio audience. It was going to change all the rules. And here's what happened: When the pilot aired it was the second lowest-rated television show of all time. It's tied with a test pattern they show in Nova Scotia.

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So, I was 28 and, once again, I had no job. I had good writing credits in New York, but I was filled with disappointment and didn't know what to do next. I started smelling suede on my fingertips. And that's when The Simpsons saved me. I got a job there and started writing episodes about Springfield getting a Monorail and Homer going to College. I was finally putting my Harvard education to good use, writing dialogue for a man who's so stupid that in one episode he forgot to make his own heart beat. Life was good.

And then, an insane, inexplicable opportunity came my way . A chance to audition for host of the new Late Night Show. I took the opportunity seriously but, at the same time, I had the relaxed confidence of someone who knew he had no real shot. I couldn't fear losing a great job I had never had. And, I think that attitude made the difference. I'll never forget being in the Simpson's recording basement that morning when the phone rang. It was for me. My car was blocking a fire lane. But a week later I got another call: I got the job.

So, this was undeniably the it: the truly life-altering break I had always dreamed of. And, I went to work. I gathered all my funny friends and poured all my years of comedy experience into building that show over the summer, gathering the talent and figuring out the sensibility. We debuted on September 13, 1993 and I was happy with our effort. I felt like I had seized the moment and put my very best foot forward. And this is what the most respected and widely read television critic, Tom Shales, wrote in the Washington Post: "O'Brien is a living collage of annoying nervous habits. He giggles and titters, jiggles about and fiddles with his cuffs. He had dark, beady little eyes like a rabbit. He's one of the whitest white men ever. O'Brien is a switch on the guest who won't leave: he's the host who should never have come. Let the Late show with Conan O'Brien become the late, Late Show and may the host return to Conan O'Blivion whence he came." There's more but it gets kind of mean.

Needless to say, I took a lot of criticism, some of it deserved, some of it excessive. And it hurt like you wouldn't believe. But I'm telling you all this for a reason. I've had a lot of success and I've had a lot of failure. I've looked good and I've looked bad. I've been praised and I've been criticized. But my mistakes have been necessary. Except for Wilson's House of Suede and Leather. That was just stupid.

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I've dwelled on my failures today because, as graduates of Harvard, your biggest liability is your need to succeed. Your need to always find yourself on the sweet side of the bell curve. Because success is a lot like a bright, white tuxedo. You feel terrific when you get it, but then you're desperately afraid of getting it dirty, of spoiling it in any way.

I left the cocoon of Harvard, I left the cocoon of Saturday Night Live, I left the cocoon of The Simpsons. And each time it was bruising and tumultuous. And yet, every failure was freeing, and today I'm as nostalgic for the bad as I am for the good.

So, that's what I wish for all of you: the bad as well as the good. Fall down, make a mess, break something occasionally. And remember that the story is never over. If it's all right, I'd like to read a little something from just this year: "Somehow, Conan O'Brien has transformed himself into the brightest star in the Late Night firmament. His comedy is the gold standard and Conan himself is not only the quickest and most inventive wit of his generation, but quite possible the greatest host ever."

Ladies and Gentlemen, Class of 2000, I wrote that this morning, as proof that, when all else fails, there's always delusion.

I'll go now, to make bigger mistakes and to embarrass this fine institution even more. But let me leave you with one last thought: If you can laugh at yourself loud and hard every time you fall, people will think you're drunk.

Thank you.

Taken from: Site

2007-04-23T19:39:00.000-06:00

I have been watching way too much CNN and therefore I have been exposed to the Virginia Tech shootings as much. That’s all I seem to be thinking about lately. I wake up and it hits me…I could be in a classroom and the same thing could happen.
I sit in my classes and wonder: what’s the quickest exit from this room, where is the best place to hide, would I fight back or play dead. Then I sit in my room and wonder the same things. It’s all too scary.

2007-04-23T17:42:00.000-06:00

I am looking forward to summer. With the new job (I received the offer today) and I start in May, I am going to be crazy busy! But I want to enjoy any free time I will have. I am going to take this summer to learn how to cook some Sri Lankan dishes, go for lots of walks, play tennis, soccer, have as many barbeques as possible, spent tons of times with my family, get to know my city, and read books. Hopefully not too many textbooks but the books that are on the New York best seller.

One thing I will surly not do is: start a damn garden. Two summers ago I started one and it was disastrous! The location my mom picked for me was an absolute dump! It was the capital city for all the mosquitoes and I was its main attraction. And don’t get me started on all the rabbits that ate anything that resembled green. I’ll leave this gardening business to my other 4 family members. They seem to have luck with it. My mom was a cutie who really wanted to inspire me to get a garden but the location that she suggested was...so wrong for a beginner. So that kind of ruined the whole garden thing for me. When I get a house I might hire someone to get one going (maybe my sister or brother...just kidding)- because I do like flowers but I am not the one going to be planting anything.

2007-04-16T07:38:00.000-06:00

Went to the science museum for the Race Exhibit but these dinosaurs were so cool!

2007-04-06T09:11:00.001-06:00

Hi!
So busy. I am learning so much and having way too much fun. I’ll update this weekend when I have my digital on hand.

2007-03-27T10:05:00.000-06:00

My presentation went on fabulously! In this particular class presentation are redeemed good when it invokes a ton of discussion. Well, mine did. I shared a personal story of how my family came to the U.S. and have thrived in this country. So that got people talking about immigrant’s attitudes and black Americans attitudes.
It really pays off to practice. I practiced my PowerPoint so many times. Last night I was at the library until 1 A.M., stuck in a small room, and just kept doing the presentation over and over. When I got up there I was confident to begin with so that really helped.

Okay, life is definitely good for me. Haha.

More on my weekend a little later.

2007-03-21T18:08:00.000-06:00

Do you ever read something in history books and immediately convince yourself that if you lived in that particular time, you would have helped in your own way, to prevent a small fraction of that event from happening? Well, the history is being written down as you read this—WHERE ARE YOU?

I use to read a lot of books on the Holocaust. And wonder “How could the rest of the world let this happen?” But now, I am the one, who is sitting and watching everything happen-without lifting a finger.

What can I do?

2007-03-19T10:32:00.000-06:00

My weekend was so tiring especially Saturday night. I did some shopping but when I came home I really wanted to get my dad’s laptop hooked back to the internet. So to do this, I needed a CD. And Of course I could not find the damn thing. I was running around the house trying to find it, looked every corner of my room, every crap was lifted to see if the CD was there. When I can’t find something (which often happens because I am so unorganized and have a lot of crap) I get obsessive with finding it. I go crazy! Eventually I was exhausted trying to find the CD that all I could do was fall asleep.

The next day I called the company and they were able to get me connected in about ten minutes-no CD needed. The woman who helped me was “Annie” who had a strong Indian accent. She was SO helpful.

I am looking forward to next weekend!

2007-03-15T17:39:00.000-06:00

My roommate and her boyfriend broke up. Who knew that was going to happen…ME!
Now he calls at 2 A.M. asking her to take him back.

I so need a vacation. But my parents keep telling me to wait until I graduate and get a career. But Hello, that’s when I’ll have a stricter schedule…more so than the current. This doesn’t make too much sense to me.

My classmate gave the best presentation I have heard in a long time. He had the audience captured for his thirty minute presentation and when he was done everyone had so many questions for him. His topic was the Somalian community in Minnesota and overall misconceptions Americans and Somalis have about each other.

It was awesome yet I am jealous of him!

2007-03-12T19:01:00.000-06:00

What a gorgeous day! I like how all the snow is melting and the streets are drenched with water. I was secretly standing by the drains on various streets just to hear the water rushing down. It’s so peaceful. You should give it a try.

Yes, I had a very hard day today.

2007-03-09T20:03:00.000-06:00

Grrr..I am feeling something I can’t even describe. Its annoyance, anger, and frustration all wrapped into one…frugeroynce. So the question I get a lot is “Why don’t you have a boyfriend?” And this question is said with a facial expression of sad/confusion.

Ohh my gosh! I really have to tell everyone, especially people who don’t even know me , who the hell cares? Is it really that important? When did women start to think that their lives are not completely fulfilled without a man or just any jerk to call a boyfriend?

My roommate asks me this question almost every week...especially when I come back from the library late at night. She probably thinks I am so pathetic to be spending few hours at the library. I usually say “I don’t know” and just try to actually get some meaningful work done.

Sometimes I just can’t even have conversations with people about topics that I have no concern with or because their lack of English will take me one hour to explain something that can be normally understood in 2 seconds. I don’t have that much patience when people can’t even have a conversation yet they take 3 hours to put on makeup everyday and make it their fulltime job to find a boyfriend. okay...a little off the topic.

One of the things that really annoyed me and I still remember this event very well:

To be a nice roommate I actually sat facing her and we talked about this “boyfriend” topic. Somehow I thought I could explain why having a boyfriend is the last thing on my mind...and I don't wake up to find a boyfriend. I mean I do pay attention to the opposite sex but I don’t look at them and think “I wish he could be my boyfriend…I need a boyfriend..…Please, please, please!”

Just to be amusing I asked her this question. What would change about me if I had a boyfriend?And you know what she did! She said “I would walk around all day with a huge smile on my face—all the time.” And she gave me the biggest smile that I have ever seen and held that simile for about a minute.

Puke…not at her smile (I am not that mean) but at her answer!

She also has a boyfriend back home and who knows where else. Oh yea, the first thing she asked me when we first met was “how are the guys here?” How could I even answer this question. Does one particular place have one particular breed? Isn’t the world filled with men who are nice, romantic, jerks, man-whores, etc…you get the picture. And is not like I got a report on all the men here to come up with a paragraph to describe them.

So I said “they are nice”
…good night.”

2007-03-08T23:43:00.000-06:00

Color
Creativity
Busy streets with full of activity
Passport
Clean places
Clutter free
A good Song
A thoughtful movie
A wonderful piece of mail
Jewelry
A good book that keeps me up at night and then I reach for it the first thing in the morning
A cozy bed
Handbags – any bags -- luggage
Breeze
Children playing
Night

So, What makes you happy?

2007-03-07T23:51:00.000-06:00

My favorite Sri Lankan dessert has to be kollukkaddai. It is so yummy. It’s filled with roasted and grinded sesame seeds, cardamom, coconut, and sugar. Outer layer is just all purpose flour mixed with rice flour steamed.

My mom and dad made it a few days ago and I had way too many. All of them were gone in just a few days. Damn.

2007-03-06T23:10:00.000-06:00

A philosophy professor stood before his class and had some items in front of him. When class began, wordlessly he picked up a large empty mayonnaise jar and proceeded to fill it with rocks, rocks about 2” in diameter. He then asked the students if the jar was full? They agreed that it was. So the professor then picked up a box of pebbles and poured them into the jar. He shook the jar lightly. The pebbles, of course, rolled into the open areas between the rocks.

He then asked the student again if the jar was full. They agreed it was. The students laughed. The professor picked up a box of sand and poured it into the jar. Of course, the sand filled up everything else. “Now,” said the professor, “I want you to recognize that this is your life.”

“The rocks are the important things – anything that is so important to you that if it were lost, you would be nearly destroyed. The pebbles are the other things that matter like your job, your house, your car. The sand is everything else. The small stuff.”

“If you put the sand into the jar first, there is no room for the pebbles or the rocks. The same goes for your life. If you spend all your energy and time on the small stuff, you will never have room for the things that are important to you. Pay attention to the things that are critical to your happiness. Play with your children. Take time to get medical checkups. Take your partner out dancing.

There will always be time to go to work, clean the house, give a dinner party and fix the disposal. “Take care of the rocks first—the things that really matter. Set your priorities. The rest is just sand.”

2007-03-01T11:13:00.000-06:00

Happy March!

I am so excited for this month! My first day of March is starting out fantastic even though is snowing hard. I just hope I don’t have too much of a bad time on the roads when I start driving.

Anyways, what I am so happy about is that I got a perfect score on my black community class paper. I wrote about the staggering unemployment rates in the black communities and how it is the biggest factor in the continuing fragmentation of black community. I am really surprised with my grade because I didn’t feel completely accomplishment with the task when I gave it to my professor. But, I guess I should just be happy with it and I am!

After spring break I have to give a presentation about the topic I wrote about. Yea, that is really going to be interesting. I must practice at least ten times before I am comfortable. Well, maybe a 100 times!

2007-02-27T00:27:00.000-06:00

Guess what! I signed the lease to my apartment starting in June. I am so excited! The three other girls I am moving in with are fantastic! I think we are going to have so much fun! It happened very quickly. We went apartment hunting yesterday and walked to a few places. But all of us pretty much fell in love with the first apartment we looked at. Four cozy bedrooms, two bathrooms, a beautiful living room with a huge window, and finally our own kitchen!

We did look at one apartment that had three small rooms and one room that was huge! We all just mutually agreed that we would fight over the bigger bedroom so we didn’t even take that apartment into consideration.

Did I mention how fast everything happened? I didn’t think I would find three others so quickly and already signed the lease.
Yikes!

Next semester is going to be so much fun. I heard that four other guys that we all know might move in to the same complex. Okay, that would be like living on campus all over again- but with our own bedrooms! I know two of the girls love to cook-this might be dangerous. But I am definitely going to cook healthy. Two of the girls were/are dating Indian guys so they love curries and rice. So this summer I have to learn to cook with my dad so I can cook them some dishes. Something simple and healthy.

Everyone must visit me!

2007-02-25T22:16:00.000-06:00

I asked my dad a question this weekend.
Why can’t LTTE go the Mahatma Gandhi route-Non-violence?
My dad answered that it was tried for a few years but there was too many killings that happened that it was better to start fighting than wait to be killed.

2007-02-25T20:19:00.000-06:00

I been watching the second season of The Office and it is fabulous! So funny! OMG, laughter never felt so good! A story of a boss, wants everyone to like him, yet in attempting to do so, becomes a big goofball and a little bit of a jerk. Love it!

2007-02-24T01:29:00.000-06:00

I think people with British accents are so attractive especially the men. So, it’s no surprise to me that I started up a conversation with an older man just because he had the accent and he seemed like a nice man. Not like Simon from American Idol-whom I will never find attractive. If this man didn’t have the accent then I probably would have pretended like I was reading when he came down to wait for the taxi that I previously called for him.

He was so cute. I told him about the one day trip I had in London (yes, one day) and how I wanted to go back one of these days for a longer time. I asked him what he thought of his trip to the States so far.

“It’s nice…but I miss home” he said.

In his opinion he said American restaurants give way too much food! He couldn’t believe the size of the lasagna he ordered was the size his family eats for dinner! He pointed to my computer speakers to represent the slice of the lasagna. With the lasagna came salad and ice cream. The waitress kept asking if there was something wrong with the food because the UK group still had a lot of the food left. They were in amazement and frankly he seemed disgusted by our American way. And he said if anyone really finishes all of it….I said *ahem* “yes, yes, people do”

One night he forgot his passport in his hotel. Few friends and he went to a bar for a few drinks. This man clearly looks about early to late 40’s yet they would not give him an entrance to the bar because he had no way to identify he was 21+. He said that it was ridiculous! Finally, his friend had to give a bribe to have him inside the bar.

Now, I don’t know why these stories stand out for me. They are the usual stories-- nothing particularly interesting. Yet, because of his accent and for being a patient man (taxi was late...little bit my fault for this) I like his stories. He was straight forward- when I feel that I would have told more of pleasant stories. Okay, maybe I am thinking too much into this---maybe I just simply again liked his accent. There was something genuine about his tone – critical yet…

2007-02-22T22:36:00.000-06:00

Is that time in my life.
Time to make resumes; get the experiences of a lifetime, and grow up!
Yea, I am actually excited to get out in the world.
I love embellishing the details of my past jobs and experiences.
Embellishing every mundane details to some extraordinarily heights.
When I twine words together that are just right to make it all sound super important....it felt a little weird.
But the more I read my resume...
It actually feels really good.
I feel important.
And
I am excited to see how my resume will be in five years.
I can’t wait!

2007-02-20T13:33:00.000-06:00

I had so much fun today! I attended an event that had different halls competing at different sports for the title of All-Stars. There was a color theme for each of the halls (pink for me), prizes, and huge banners. It was SO much fun! Few of us, including myself, got extremely bored waiting for all the different sports to be set up. So we had to make some fun. We got whole bunch of pink bandanas, tied them together, and made ourselves capes. We were pink superheroes for the night. When I was playing kickball and needed to run one base to another, my cape would fly in the air! I felt powerful. I laughed so much that my stomach hurt by the end of the night. I stole a bag full of goodies that was free (whistles, ice scrapers, Frisbees, band aids with cool cases, gum etc.)

By the time, all the events ended it was about 10 p.m. and few of us were starving. Since it was beautiful weather outside we decided to walk about 6 blocks to Perkins. OMG, I haven’t been to Perkins for years and their menu has changed so much. They give you a ton of food for only about seven bucks. The dish I ordered came with three pancakes which I had for breakfast the next day.

I was exhausted by the time I got back.

I have been laughing A lot. Laughing where your stomach is in pain. Ahhhh….it feels so good!

2007-02-17T21:56:00.000-06:00

I was watching a show on BET (Black Entertainment Television). While flipping the remote I heard something that disturbed me. This particular show had some rather, I guess well-known people in the black community (comedians or those who are willing to speak about black people). So this black guy said something to this affect… “The fear that once was seen when a black man enters a room/bus has been taken over. Now we got our Muslim brothers fighting that fight for us.

I don’t know what to think of it. I am just thinking if I am playing into this.

2007-02-16T01:32:00.000-06:00

So I bought these flowers for my mom……and ME! I just love all the pink. Ohh and I love the red on the kitchen wall in these pictures!!

2007-02-14T02:01:00.000-06:00

My day was so busy. I didn’t realize I had planned so many things. I forgot actually. So, my day started with receiving a beautiful, handmade, valentine card from my friend in the mail. It was HANDMADE and pretty! I hopped to class instead of the usual slouch.

As soon as my classes were finished, I attended the Vagina Monologues series. It was definitely an unique event!!!

I didn’t stay for the closing speech of the vagina monologues because I was running way too late for a get together. I met up with a few girls and had ourselves a small party (single and happy…). We ordered too many pizzas, bread sticks, and ATE way too much! For our movie selection we watched The Notebook.

Wangari Maathai

2007-02-12T16:30:00.000-06:00

I went to hear 2004 Nobel Peace winner Wangari maathai speak. Maathai founded The Green Belt Movement that helped women plant more than 30 million trees across Kenya. This helped these women improve the quality of life and conserve the environment. She was the first women to earn a doctorate in East and Central Africa and the first environmentlist to be awarded the Nobel Peace.
It was a packed auditorium; people were given permission to sit behind her on stage and when that wasn’t enough, a live feed of her speech was transmitted to a second auditorium!
She mentioned one thing that stood out for me: As she travels across the globe many often complain that the United States did not sign the Kyoto protocol treaty. She told the crowd that she is impressed with the United States on the efforts they take to reduce global warming. She has not visited one country, even the countries that signed the treaty, where individuals are aggressively involved in recycling and being aware of global warming. United States is number one in that.

We don’t have to wait until we can do big things. We can do little things like planting a tree. Anybody can do that. But if so many of us in the world did it ---and especially in areas where trees are needed---we can make a difference,” Maathai said.

Avocados ANYONE?

2007-02-11T13:15:00.000-06:00

Currently we have about forty avocados at the house. It all started with my parents seeing a cooking show on SunTv and in that particular episode, they discussed nutritional benefits of avocados. So they told my brother and I to buy it for 29 cents each. My brother was not sure if he can buy it before the coupon expires so I went and bought it. When I came home my brother had twenty and I had twenty!

They are high in calories but they can lower cholesterol.

Today I blended one in milk and sugar. Too good. Must stop!

Yet to be Beat by Little Girls!

2007-02-08T23:43:00.000-06:00

If time permits, I could get really obsessed with soccer. Our team is called: Little Girls. The reason behind this name: If we beat a team then they have to say “we got beat by little girls.”
Okay. Someone thought it would be funny.
I have yet to miss a game. We are not doing that well so far but it is just fun to be aggressive and competitive (two of my favorite things…most of the time). It’s definitely a stress reliever. I SO enjoy team sports.
Let’s hope for a win next time.

I run from one end to the other end getting the ball away from the other team as much as possible. That is my job. And I do my job to the best of my ability.

The entire team. can't all be on the field so we take turns. Two girls have to be in the field at all times.

Limited Visibility!

2007-02-06T08:54:00.000-06:00

My drive this morning was the worst! I am just glad I got to my room safely. Most of the drive I felt like I was on a plane. All the snow that continuously fell did not settle on the ground but was flying around which gave the impression of --clouds. All I could do was stay behind other cars that SOMEHOW managed to see where they were going. With all this difficulty I still made it back here by the usual time-which surprised me.

I didn’t see a “Limited Visibility” sign until right before my exit! That really helped!

Great Call!

2007-02-02T23:32:00.000-06:00

Youn called me from South Korea! It was so great to talk to her...I miss her so much. Damn! I wish we had more time!

Cindy Sheehan

2007-01-31T14:01:00.000-06:00

I went to hear Cindy Sheehan speak. She is well known, as an activist, after her son died in the Iraq war. She became a household name when she protested near George Bush’s Texas ranch in 2005. The environment in the auditorium was pretty intense with security guards walking around and guarding the doors. There was an incident where two men started to scream at Sheehan: “You are supporting and giving power to terrorist.” They were quickly stopped.

Some of Sheehan’s comments:

Barbara didn’t teach George on solving conflicts without violence.

One person can make a difference

9/11 could have been an excellent podium to show other countries what the United States was made of. We could have taken this tragedy and had the whole world listening to us about nonviolence, forgiveness, and truly capturing those who committed the crime. Instead we invade lands that doesn’t belong to us, kill thousands of innocents lives, and have the world hating us. (something to this affect)

My country can do better

Some things I just didn't agree with Sheehan. Like "No one has to die for freedom...we are born with it." Is she living with humans or what? She gave me a different perspective to see situations through but I didn't agree with all of it...atleast not as much as those who gave a standing ovation when she was finished.

I sat in the back this time. I didn’t want another “Kal Penn situation” – however Sheehan was nothing like Kal Penn. She was actually prepared to speak, motivated, and strong about her beliefs.

I was interviewed by two newspapers. I don’t know why they choose me but THEY DID! I was interviewed for the school and the city paper. I woke up early to get the paper the next morning- and loved seeing my name. The city paper covered more of what I said than the school paper:

“Student Tharsica (last name) said she supports Sheehan’s efforts to find the truth behind why the war in Iraq started.”
“She’s just a mother,” she said. “She has a right to ask why her son died.”

It was an eventful night. I also heard a Nobel Prize Winner speak this week. More on this later...

Broken Pieces..

2007-01-29T19:55:00.000-06:00

If anyone, for any reason, have wondered what would happen to eye glasses if it goes through the washer and dryer, well, let me be the first to tell you: Nothing….well almost.

It will just be in pieces – three pieces to be exact. You might cry at the shock of seeing it in the dryer and will immediately Google for the nearest shop to fix your pair. You will carry the damaged pieces-like a sick child in a cloth, and drive it immediately to the shop.

There you will explain what happened. And everyone in the store will tell you “we never had one of those” and give you variety of options and quote the prices for each.

You will choose an option and that will be the end of that day. Glasses will be back to where they were… as if nothing happened.

Saying “Excuse Me” is Not an Excuse for Rudeness!

2007-01-27T18:35:00.000-06:00

What’s going on with people? Why do some think it is okay to be rude just because two words are mumbled before the “rude incident” takes place? EXCUSE ME!

I was at the store yesterday just browsing at tops. This girl, I really don’t want to use the word girl rather I would prefer to use the B word, but I’ll refrain from it. She was working and I was browsing. She consistently, maybe about 7 times during the few minutes I was in the aisle, coming into and out the aisle. First few times she slightly bumped into me and she didn’t say anything. So, I made effort to move few of the times but after the 3rd time I had enough. My aggressive side unfolded. I barely moved the next time so she said “excuse me.” in a sarcastic tone. This continued for a few times then finally She had to come right where I was browsing and started to adjust the hangers.

I said “isn’t there a better time for you to do that? I am looking at this section right now.” The girl said “I said excuse me didn’t I? If you didn’t want me to do this you should have not moved.” I said “Oh yea! Maybe you should have some manners.” The girl said something and walked away. I was pissed! Then she started to tell her friends about the incident!

Then I look up and from across the room there were group of guys just staring and smiling at me. Not cool.

So today I just had to call and complain to the manager. I told her what occurred last night and what the girl looked liked. Unfortunately I didn’t get the name of the girl---so manager said she will try to find who it was.

What a big B! The girl...right!.

World Around.

2007-01-24T22:29:00.000-06:00

I had a conversation with a girl on the same floor. We always chat when we see each other (if I am not my cell). She always comments about her weight. First, she said that she needed to gain weight (weighs probably less than a hundred pounds) but today we were talking about christmas and how we ate more than usual. She said that she gained two pounds and then quickly added that she had to lose it. I am like… WTF?

After this I have been thinking a lot. I been meeting a lot of girls from a lot of countries and we all seem to have one thing in common. BODY ISSUES.

This issue has spread worldwide. My butts too big or too small, I hate this and that, I wish I could change this. Big and small. Taller and shorter. Dark and light.

I hope everyone eats a delicious meal today...!!

2007-01-24T21:26:00.000-06:00

Went shopping with my friend, to the best place on earth for us college kids, – Cub Foods! Both of us were drooling over platter of sushi, salmon pieces, and shrimp. At first I thought I was the only one without the $900 meal plan but the more time I spent in the kitchen I realize this is not the case. We were at the cub for more than a hour and just drooled over all the stuff that we can’t really afford. I love sea food. Squid, shrimp, crabs…whatever! I love meat.
Then we stopped by Panera Bread-*drooling again started*. I was so impressed with the place I immediately picked up an application to work there. I wanted to sit and have a meal at a later time so I only bought a croissant this time.

I had a lot of yummies at home during the break. Nothing like parents cooking..I tell ya! This egg dosa was YUMMY. It is kinda difficult when you flip the dosa to prevent the egg from spilling on the stove...but my mom did just fine except for once. When this happened my sister and I ran to the stove and stared at the egg -- we were both really sad about the whole incident for about 2 minutes. But quickly realized life would get better SOMEHOW. It had to. haha

I am hungry!

So Sad :-(

2007-01-22T20:31:00.000-06:00

I see so many people who want to chat but all I say is “hi” and walk really fast. I really don’t know why I do this! I think I ALWAYS have something on my mind that needs to be done so I don’t wait and talk to people. Completely sucks. After I walk away is when I realize “I did it again.” I need to work on this. I am so sad.

Yes? Yes! and Yes.

2007-01-15T00:28:00.000-06:00

"Like the elephant, we are unconscious of our own strength. When it comes to understanding the power we have to make a difference in our own lives, we might as well be asleep. If you want to make your dreams come true, wake up. Wake up to your own strength. Wake up to the role you play in your own destiny. Wake up to the power you have to choose what you think, do, and say."

- Keith Ellis, Bootstraps

Cut & Annoyed!

2007-01-14T16:23:00.000-06:00

I hate it. All the blabbering. Especially at the Salon. Why do the stylists feel the need to bombard me with questions? Let’s say I go for my eyebrows done: First, they start by bringing you into this small rather cozy room with ocean music and wonderful scented candle. I love this part. But when I lay down is when the blabbering start. Ten random questions gets asked then miraculously one about eyebrows…this continues till’ I am gasping for air.

Where do you go to school? How long does it take you to drive to school? What are you studying? How long do have left? Did you start looking for jobs?
Do you have brothers or sister? Older or younger?
Did you grow up around here? Where do you live? Is that close by?

I could imagine that they were taught that engaging their customers and being interested in them is a good customer service but I can’t stand it anymore. My doctor doesn’t even talk that much. The questions the doctor asks pertains to my health—which is great-- but the questions stylists ask have nothing to do with her providing me the best service. How annoying would it be if doctors do the same : ask unrelated question in the name of customer service.

When I go for massages, they will ask whether you prefer to talk or just relax…and I say “Let me relax.” Damnit!

Happy New Year!

2007-01-01T20:19:00.000-06:00

I didn’t make any New Year resolutions for 2007 and I am not going to. I refuse to because I know it just won’t workout. Two months into the year, I will just get TOO distracted with mundane daily events that I will naturally forget about it until maybe June (because someone or maybe ME will mention how 2007 is almost half over and I will think “damn.. So true…should I even try doing something on the list?..). I am not writing it down, posting it on the bedroom door so I can see it every time I leave, and checking it off. It’s so sad because even on the list of resolutions: one would be “read this list every month, document the progress, and continue with the list.” I laugh! It’s just too funny…us humans or just me.

But honestly: secretly I do have few things I want to do this year…but its all in my head. I just refuse to write it down because that will make me feel too guilty for not accomplishing all I said I would and not to mention wasting a piece of paper. haha!

Look at my drawing...how creative am I?!?!!

Chicago--

2006-12-26T23:02:00.000-06:00

The pictures of fishes were taken at Shedd Aquarium. Beautiful place!
Chicago was a nice little trip however the weather was not that great. The rainy and gloomy weather just made me want to sleep all the time as did the plane ride. Only on Friday, did I feel a little sunshine on my face…and that only lasted for a few minutes.
I was amazed how wonderful and helpful people of Chicago were to us. I was surprised most of all with a person tapping my shoulder on the train to let me know this is my stop! So nice and helpful! The hotel, Seneca, was a nice hotel but felt really isolated. It was so quiet and you barley saw anyone in the reception area. Most people would like this on vacation but for some reason I wanted more activity! I will have to visit Chicago in the summer and stay a little longer.

2006-12-18T14:22:00.000-06:00

My roommate is gone and now I sit in my room all alone...
The last night she was in Minnesota we all went to hooters for dinner and had ice cream at ColdStone. It was really good!
Okay, I better get back to studying…then to the gym…and back again.

I just learned how to do some small animation with my pictures. Yea!

So Scary! OMG!

2006-12-13T21:25:00.000-06:00

Emportés par la vague déferlante
Uploaded by Iphilgood

Tout est calme quand tout à coup...
Uploaded by Iphilgood

Haven't said goodbye to anyone in years....

2006-12-12T22:26:00.000-06:00

My roommate (Youn) will be moving out this FRIDAY! Time has gone by so fast. It took us at least a month to get used to each other, had our ups and downs, then slowing became friends, and now its time to say goodbye. I will probably remember how complete awkwardness turned into a friendship. We are very similar in many ways: worrying about our future, not settling just because we have that option (might be our downfall), and a love for travel. It’s an amazing feeling to know that two people from completely different backgrounds can live together, laugh a lot, and compromise…and become friends along the way.
We had a small dinner in our room yesterday. She made steaks and a lot of other yummies. I brought the drinks and the dessert. It was fun. We have some other plans for the rest of the week and then she’ll catch her flight to NYC Friday morning—stay there for two weeks or so, and off to South Korea.

I must visit her in SK---SOON!

*picture: Us getting ready to walk to the nearby grocery store. We were freezing by the time we came back! I thought it would be nice to walk in the snow—but TOO cold!

Cozy and WARM!

2006-12-06T00:11:00.000-06:00

My roommate and I went and got these---Identical! It would keep her warm in NYC and me in Chicago! And they were buy one and get another half off so it was a great deal.

2006-12-05T23:42:00.000-06:00

Hearing Kal Penn speak was quite boring actually. I sat in the second row of this huge auditorium with my digital camera in hand. I was excited for about 60 seconds then I was eyeing for the exits. He said some shit…really it was shit. He kept saying “pussy, shit, fuck, and asshole” way too many times. WTF?!? I don’t even remember what sentence he used to thread these words together because after about five minutes...I had my cell out and texting. I have no idea how a university sponsored event can allow someone to come on campus and say bunch of crap and vulgarity.

Most of the time was him answering questions from the audience. People had way too many questions for this guy…I didn’t really have any---honestly I don’t know why I went. I guess it’s nice to see someone you only have seen in films and see them standing in front of you. But when they lack any substance…it’s a huge disappointment!

Questions ranged from “what’s your favorite color?” to “are you interested in threesomes?” Blue and no (even though he stated in Playboy he did). I don’t know why I sat there because I did sit in the auditorium for some time…I am ashamed to write how long I sat. Anyways, finally I just got up and left—feeling nothing and empty!

I just listened to:

"Like the elephant, we are unconscious of our own strength. When it comes to understanding the power we have to make a difference in our own lives, we might as well be asleep. If you want to make your dreams come true, wake up. Wake up to the role you play in your own destiny. Wake up to the power you have to choose what you think, do, and say.
-Keith Ellis, Bootstraps

Yea!

2006-11-30T22:49:00.000-06:00

I should really spent some time on YouTube! They seem to have great things! Anyways, I got these videos off of other blogs. :-)

Shabir Abbas
Hot-------The song!

Too Funny!

The Worst Wakeup Call!

2006-11-29T11:28:00.000-06:00

The entire hall was woken up at 2:30 A.M.
FIRE!!!!
I woke up with the fire drill --- right in my ears. I almost fell off the bed trying to figure out what the hell this noise meant! The worst wakeup EVER! Then it occurred to me “FIRE!” So I screamed for my roommate to wake up, got my glasses, slipped on tennis shoes, my coat, all in 20 seconds, and ran out the room. The hallway was packed with similar people as me – grouchy, confused, thinking “What the hell?!”

Outside the weather was freezing!!! We all had to stay ten minutes in the cold then were allowed to come back in. One of the girls had soup on the stove and forgot about it! She was so apologetic about the whole thing.

Did I mention it was freezing?

ThanksGiving......

2006-11-23T23:15:00.000-06:00

Me TRYING to be helpful........as always...!!

Turkey day was fantastic and delicious! Need I say more?

Observers!

Random

2006-11-21T21:36:00.000-06:00

I can’t wait for TURKEY! Yummy! I going to eat SO MUCH! I only had one lab today at 8 A.M. As I was walking to my class, a man, was handing out coupons for free subs at a near by restaurant. So, my roommate and I went to have it --- and of course there is no such thingsas a FREE MEAL. We had to fill out a credit card application, which I did, because I will cancel the card when it arrives. Then I went to the hospital with my roommate because her right eye has been giving her problems since she got hit on the eye with a racquetball. It took FOREVER at the hospital but now I know where the hospital is!
I decided to stay in the dorms next semester as well. I just couldn’t find the right place or the people to live with so I am going to stay in the dorms.
I have a lot to do and a lot of questions that need answers SOON---but I never been that lucky.

I think now I am going to repeat to myself that I am indeed lucky because those who believe they are the lucky ones seems to be lucky.

Damn. Is life full of doubt/questions or are we expecting everything to come to us easy.

I want to blog so much and add tons of pictures but these days my creative brain is working so slowly.

More soon.

Kal Penn

2006-11-17T11:43:00.000-06:00

Kal Penn

Yea! I just got tickets to see him. I am so excited!

2006-11-14T21:54:00.000-06:00

Had Indian tacos again and it was good--very filling.

I was at the gym for three hours today...I don't know why...I was really relaxed so I didn't want to leave...but now I AM SO TIRED.

I watched the tamil movie "Something Something Unakkum Enakkum (you and me)" and thought it was cute, funny, and good!

Damn I am so tired.

Hello...from INDIAN ASHLEY?!?!

2006-11-08T00:07:00.000-06:00

One my friends NOW, when we first started talking, had a name for me which was not Tharsica (well duh). It was Indian Ashley! What the hell…right? Because I didn’t have a strong Indian accent that was the name she had given me. I thought it was all funny.

College is busy. I am getting so comfortable with everyone in my building so much now! Too bad it took two months and just when I am looking for an apartment close by campus to move to. :-(

I need my own space but I am definitely going to miss the community feeling and tons of people to talk to.

I wish I lived on campus the beginning of college. I regret this a lot now. If I wasn’t taking so many upper level classes…I could have had a lot of fun.

Went to a club on Friday. So much fun. It was fun to dance. I requested (begged) for three songs from the DJ:

Sexy back
Promiscuous girl
And Shake your money maker.

Men who have a little too much to drink want to hold your hands a lot….hahaha…

Your looks do give the first impression----your never know how people are receiving you.

Early Morning Quote From a Classmate:

2006-11-03T14:27:00.000-06:00

“I like it.”
“like what?”
“what you are wearing”
“OMG really”
“I don’t know what it is…but it’s nice”
“Ohhh..thanks!”
"I feel homeless today”

Blazin' Challenge!!!

2006-10-31T20:58:00.000-06:00

A group of us went to Buffalo Wild Wings and few of us took the “Blazin’ challenge—me included. Blazin’ Challennge: A competition which includes eating 12 of the spiciest wings in six minutes. So spicy! My lips were burning, people were crying, few ran around the restaurant, and one person vomited. It was so much fun!!

I didn’t eat all 12 wings in six minutes---I just don’t eat that fast. I was watching others, trying to be all cute, and to win ---you got to be fierce. Just swallow!

Anyways, I will go back again and be the champion of the blazin’ challenge! I get a really ugly shirt if I win. Oh well. It will be worth it.

2006-10-25T23:03:00.000-06:00

I went to see “The Prestige” which was a good film. It was really hard to follow…but I figured “it” out almost immediately.

Conversations Over Pie.

2006-10-24T00:04:00.000-06:00

I went to look around the city all night. Driving down endless streets I noticed a Baker’s Square and desperately wanted to have a piece of pie. But then I remembered that I wanted to give a small “thank you” treat to a few people…and have been wondering how. Why? For helping me move my bed all the way up so I can have more room. It was really hard because the bed was so damn heavy.

When I came back to my room it was already 9 p.m. and then had to wait to get everyone in the same room to have the pie together. It was wonderful. Lots of conversations, laughing, questions, and of course wonderful French silk pie! I am glad everyone enjoyed it…I wasn’t sure if they would like all the sugar. We just sat and talked and talked…and it was almost midnight by the time everyone went back to their rooms.

I have been relaxing a lot this week. Yea! I feel good!

Last Life in the Universe.

2006-10-23T00:26:00.000-06:00

I have wanted for weeks to go to one of the international films that was being played in the theater across my hall. Finally, I have watched a film from Thailand – Last Life in the Universe. I was trying to write about it but could not really explain it at all. Then I came across a site that explained it all:

“As the film’s cinematographer, the brilliant Christopher Doyle, explains, “[The important thing] is to never ask what it means. It is what it is. You don’t ask a painting to explain itself. You don’t understand world music. You just enjoy the rhythm.”

“And so LAST LIFE must be experienced. Not necessarily understood – just experienced.”

I should have stayed for the discussion that followed the film by the professor who teaches international film studies. I don’t want to necessarily understand it but I would love to hear how other people perceived it.

All the movies for this semester:

---Beauty & The Beast – France 1946
---Howl’s Moving Castle – Japan 2005
---All About My Mother – Spain 1999
---Ten –Iran 2002
---Saraband – Sweden 2003
---Tale of 2 Sisters – Korea 2004
---Good Morning, Night – Italy 2005
---The World – China 2005

Manish Arora

2006-10-16T17:47:00.000-06:00

Browsing through “Week in Pictures” I came across a picture of a model. As I read further the picture was described as a fashion show that happened in London. The picture of the model was from the fashion show of an indian designer. Curious I searched his name. And I came across this site featuring more pictures of his show. I was intrigued. It was interesting to see fabrics that usually just come in 6 yards as a saree…turned into these. Especially the pink fabric which looks just like my mom’s engagement saree that she wore back in the late 1970s.