I was happy.

Content.

Satisfied.

Blissfully unaware.

Till yesterday.

A couple of months ago, after much research and back and forth goings, I dropped a few bills for my lovely Dell XPS M1210. Ahh ... the smallness of it, the whiff of brand new electonics. It was a very stirring moment. Very little compares to getting a new (expensive) toy to play with and Aeric was pleased.

Barely two months later, Dell released a new model. The infernal M1330.

Slightly bigger but a lot thinner, spanking new LED backlit screen, better specs, looks waaaaaay sexier, and here's the kicker ... it's actually a little bit CHEAPER than what I got my (now old) M1210 for. Boo!

Ets took me out to Imahan in Asakusa for what could very well be the most amazing meal I've had in recent memory. Famed for their top quality wagyu beef, Imahan serves up truly exquisite sukiyaki and shabu-shabu.

The staff, clad in kimono, prepared our first serving of sukiyaki by pouring the shoyu, sugar, and dashi base into the shallow cast-iron pan and cooking the beckoning slices of beef. Beef like this, whilst still ridiculously overpriced, is still several cuts above the competition; the marbling of the meat, the very real and not in the least bit exaggerated melt-in-your-mouth experience ... it's almost too much to bear.

In other news, Sean's imminent barbecue marks the start of summer. And summer, as far as I'm concerned, is all about holidaying someplace hot, local or not, and enjoying several icy brews. My high school duties finish next week and aside from my night classes, I'll be free! That just means that my schedule is that much more amenable to beer garden trips with ets and/or the guys. Just think about it ... a veritable garden! Of Beer!

I just heard one of the most ridiculous things ever.
There was a school announcement warning students about "photochemical smog" and to take care when going home.
What I want to know is how exactly one is supposed to 'take care' of oneself from photochemical smog?

“We know that martians abduct hundreds of cows each year. We also know that Elvis lives on Mars. Put these two facts together, and you’ll realize that the Martians are busy collecting Earth cows to keep Elvis with a steady supply of hamburgers… It is well known that Martians abduct humans. We also know that Martians have useless hands. Combine these facts with the previous conclusion, and it becomes clear that humans are abducted to serve as burger flippers to keep the King happy on Mars!” - Lasse Klein

I must have this lamp!
Sadly, it's only a concept and as yet unavailable (T_T)
But what an awesome idea, eh? The bulb lights up inside the UFO and you can even set the light to pulse.

Well, that's that.
I woke up at 9 on Sunday morning so that I could meet Yumi, Yukiko, and Doug at Meguro station in order for us to make it to the Sheraton Miyako Hotel by 11 for our pre-graduation prep.

We collected our gowns, caps, collars and tassels and then looked confused as we didn't know how to put the confounded things on. Fortunately for me, Yoshimi was around to get me robed up. Not every day I get a cute Japanese girl to help me get dressed (^_^)v

Then came the individual photo-taking. Lined up, filled out information form, held piece of paper with name and mock degree case and was blinded by a very nuclear-like flash. The moving around and the slightly warm ambient temperature didn't help things. Neither did the fact that the jedi attire was made of the most unbreathable material known to man.

With all of that out of the way, we took advantage of the hour we had to have a bite to eat in the hotel cafe upstairs.

Much rushing after lunch and being shuffled around for the rehearsal led to more profuse sweating and taking potshots at the law grads (hey, they were late and in the wrong place. There were jokes to be had).

Anyway, long story short, the rehearsal proceeded smoothly, Ets arrived at about 13.45 and met some of my professors and classmates and she even enjoyed the actual ceremony even though the speeches were, for the most part, completely irrelevant and deeply mind-numbing. A couple of the professors up on the stage even fell asleep. Actually, it's pretty hard to tell whether they were merely asleep or were on their way towards the light since they were so old. The M.Ed. group was the penultimate group to be called up and as we were waiting in line to collect our degree cases (actual degree to be sent later), it was quite a sight to see everyone in line fixing the collar of the person in front. As a parting gift, we got to keep our collars and tassels although I have absolutely no idea what to do with them. I suppose I could use the tassel as a cellphone strap and the collar would come in useful as a makeshift sash when I pretend to be Miss Tokyo.

All in all, the whole experience was tolerable and was actually made enjoyable by the inclusion of two things:
A buffet table
and
An open bar

It was nice seeing some old faces again and meeting their families and friends and I can't help but wonder if our paths will ever cross again.

Labels: graduation, temple university

I have come across a truly wondrous site with things I didn't know I desperately need. Oh, interweb! How you tempt me with thine shiny toys from across the pond.

Please refer here for my birthday/Christmas/miscellaneous occasion list.