Day 30: Unpleasant

I was struggling to name today's title, and then I realize that the current one best describes how I feel right now. Bless Spamalot though. The songs keep cycling in my head that my woes are diverted.

So I didn't pass the RA interview, no matter. I was merely trying my luck after all. Besides, why would anyone hire me, who's never been to a single SQC meeting. So apparently ladies and gentlemen, a silver tongue isn't enough to succeed in today's society. I have been shamed.

Forgive me, but the last post of November shall be cut short, for I'm in a very unpleasant mood at the moment, and that it shall carry on all the way till tomorrow morning.

Ah, the finishing blow. I didn't get my two dollars worth of coffee. Why, it's only barely half full.

Day 29: I still haven't thought of anything for December

I think I might've found another alternative to Starbucks. Scooters. It's actually better. I've never felt so high after drinking coffee, maybe it's because this one's more closer a resemblance to the black coffee I get back in Malaysia.

And so, November's coming to an end. What am I saying? Tomorrow's the thirtieth already. And I'm clueless to my next six items for December. Apparently, I've picked the wrong month to insert business casual attire, for most of my interviews would be held during December. Well, technically, this week. So it does suck that I have to make sure I have at least a pair of slacks and a decent shirt as part of the six items, just for the sake of the first three days of the month. But, a challenge's a challenge.

I really don't have much work going on for me this week, but I seem to be getting myself into lots of activities. Two interviews by Friday, two scholarships to apply, two assignments to hand in, Great Expectations to complete... Oh, I almost forgot about Spamalot tomorrow. And an optional meeting on Wednesday. Whoever said being an English major's the easy way through college life? I'd gladly swap places with thee.

On a final note, it took me a while to notice that my outfit for today, mighty thanks to the tie, looks like a uniform for Gryffindor.

Day 28: Washing dishes

Work is like washing dishes. The longer you ignore it, the harder it is to complete it. Meet, the cheat:

This can is gonna pump some adrenaline into my blood. It's all out work tonight. Technically, I have nothing due for tomorrow, but if I don't do it now, my last two weeks will be the most miserable of the semester. Probably even worse than mid-terms, considering my courses aren't my only concerns now. I have scholarships to apply, grad schools to check, honors thesis to complete. Hah! And I thought coffee could solve everything...

Day 27: Smells like burnt bananas

I'm hoping Jessica or Alexis would upload the pictures soon so I can post them here. But anyway, there was a Gobble Gobble Gathering earlier this afternoon. Cliched name for a social, but a delightful meal nonetheless. It was a competition - in which I don't think there was a winner, or maybe I've plainly forgotten - where residents would form teams and cook an entree and a dessert, enough for at least fifteen. There were five teams so naturally, we cooked for plenty more.

Alexis decided on roasted pork (comes with real rice, unlike tasteless ones from dining halls) and banana fritters. Or, as we prefer to call it, pisang goreng, which literally translates to be fried bananas. And it was such a gratifying dessert at that, though I wouldn't exactly call it a dessert. Nonetheless, I was put charge of the frying while Alexis nurtured her pork, and at the end of the day, everyone gets away with a free meal.

I, of course, couldn't escape the inevitable smell of vegetable oil glued to my body, along with the aftermath of spilled flour. The windows wouldn't open and no one could figure out how to start the fan, which caused a minor haze in the kitchen. But all's well after the eating and cleaning. Not many stayed to help for the latter, shame, but I managed to salvage coconut puddings prepared by a couple of Vietnamese residents. They'll do for a mild supper.

Pooh bear comes to mind when I think of my tendency to fall on my bed after a scrumptious meal. He had his hunny pot, I had my pork chop.

To wonder... I almost missed out on this delightful opportunity for great company and food. Were I to be left to my own devices, in an empty room, who knows what I would've done instead?

...

That sounded suicidal, but of course that's not what I meant. I would perhaps have spent all afternoon watching movies, neglecting the pile of work on my desk. Holidays don't bode too well for me, they tire me even more. I'm not pushed for my work, so I delay them. But when it comes for the time to hand them in, I panic. I need a better system. I need a workable routine. But before that, let me wash away that delicious scent still clinging onto my shirt. It's distracting, it's tempting, it's unseen but oh!-so hypnotic. I don't need that. I need to work! And work I shall~

Day 26: My word...

... I really have to get my work done. I've been catching up with so many movies lately that I've lost track of time. The last one's been Tron. I just had to make sure I watched it before the sequel, which looks really promising, premieres on December 17. But now that reality has sunk in once more, it's time for work. The soundtrack from The Brothers Bloom is really helping, all the heisty and feisty music are inducing more work tempo into me.

That said, I've been recruited by Alexis to help cook for a competition tomorrow, fancy that. Me, with a frying pan. I guess watching Tangled helped in that respect. We'll see how I wield one tomorrow.

Day 25: The quieter side of Thanksgiving

No pumping bass to rupture the eardrums. No profane agonies echoing the hallways. No half naked boys skedaddling between rooms. No footsteps thumping the carpeted floors.

I opened the doors, and a desolate night exposed itself to me. If time stopped, no one would be able to notice the abrupt surrealistic change. No one would be there to notice it. The air was surprisingly still, and absent mittens of ice wrapped around my ears. I should've worn ear muffs. Or maybe a coat with a hood.

The town was quiet, but the traffic lights were still hard at work. Controlling empty streets with their perpetual routine. I was tempted to stop, but I walked across anyway. No car was cruising around fast enough to run me down. They're more likely to be parked in front of a house, on the driveway, or maybe along the road, where shadows play mirthfully on the luminescent windows. Smoke wafting up the chimney, smelling like turkey.

Thai Garden isn't open? No matter, I'll trade Tom Yum Gung for Indian food anytime. That's not available either? How unfortunate. Perhaps Starbucks would be kinder. And it was, for 30 minutes, I think. After 20 sips of latte and a brownie, I was out with a bag full of cakes and other reduced-fat morsels. I was hungry, I didn't care.

Two hundred steps or so, I started to breathe in harder. I needed a tissue, fast. I guess music would've helped, but I thought I wouldn't take so much time. I've been out for more than an hour. Finally, I reached the door. I kept forgetting to place my cardkey in my left pocket. The two seconds of shifting Starbucks from my right hand to my left was more excruciating than the walk. Beep There was no one there to greet me.

I made myself hot chocolate, and ate my fare. Adrian Brody was holding hands with Rachel Weisz. The scene was in Greece, I think. He was wearing a three-piece suit. She, a leopard-print coat. The music was chirpy, but had a solemn undertone, where it suggested separation, and a somber reconciliation. I think... someone forgot about me, today.

Day 24: What a hairy day

I've been keeping off my accessories for a while now... The entire month of November actually, unless you consider ties to be one of them. I guess they do fit into the category, though I see bracelets and necklaces fit the title better. Another annoying thing about the pictures lately is that my face looks longer than ordinary. I shall try a different take tomorrow, no matter what I'm wearing. I have a feeling I won't be exiting my dorm tomorrow, for I'll be cooped up in my room, doing my homework. So pajamas, it shall be.

A pretty relaxing day. Somewhat... until evening that is. But I watched Tangled today and I am very impressed with the graphics. Oddly enough, the movie might actually look better on DVD, because I've watched snippets on youtube in HD, and the colors just look so pretty. And Rapunzel's hair... Not only it's stupendously long, it looks gorgeous. Yes, it has magical qualities to it, but I really prefer it when it isn't glowing. Then it looks gimmicky. But the texture looks and feels believable.

Now, in the evening, I had to get myself some milk for my cereal, so I took a bus and went to Target to get it. The walk there, was a little unpleasant, knowing that my hair was whipping around my face because of the wind, I couldn't keep my hands off it. I stopped by Barnes & Noble before Target though, hoping to snatch George Eliot's Daniel Deronda. I desperately need it for Capuano's class, but unfortunately, they don't have it. So I exited the store with two magazines, just so I don't feel that shopping void.

Qdoba's grilled quesadillas are awesome. Just thought of saying that. And best of all, with my coupons, I can get two entrees for the price of one. There goes my lunch and dinner for the entire Thanksgiving break~

I wonder if I should get anything during Black Friday though. Aside from a handheld vacuum cleaner, there really isn't anything I would like to get. A PS3 is always on the list, but my life would be literally wasted away on fancy graphics dancing across the screen, eyes unblinking. But the hype is infectious. Everyone buying everything they never use. Tempting... But I have a bank account to consider, and it is famished. There goes my motivation.

Day 23: A brief holiday

If you can zoom in closer, you can actually see how tired I am. I attribute it to my confounded ability to postpone my work till the very last minute, ensuring I've drawn a picture of Pooh before I began my final paper on missionary education for Native Americans. I'm not too keen with the way it concluded, though it started off strong. I'll just have to wait for the grade when break is over.

And so, I'm waiting for my hair to dry, and I'm catching up on some magazines I've neglected for the past month. And then, it's off to bed. Sweet, sweet bed.

Day 22: Yum~

I wanted to title today's post as "Doubts," but I had my doubts... Now I have cookie dough snacks and a Hershey's brownie. Oh, one mustn't forget Starbucks too~

No pictures today just because I'm lazy. I did wear something, but I completely forgot to take a picture before I changed into my pajamas and crashed on my bed. It felt too troublesome to wear all three layers again... But anyway, what I wore today were the white shirt, brown vest and gray blazer. And then it got chilly, so I put on the striped flat cap and wrapped a scarf around my neck.

Now that I have everything on my table, or plate I should say, it's time for me to finish that friggin' paper. As one student said it, "no matter when the paper's due, I'll still complete it the night before." So true, so true.

Day 21: Writers... are not necessarily poets

Here's proof:

A little red umbrella, crosses the street

Splish splash splish she goes “one, two, three”

A fragile piece of crimson on a cold gray sheet

This little girl of twenty-three, is finally free

A little red umbrella, spinning in the rain

Drip drip drip she forgets a childish instruction

The grays on either bank didn’t refrain

This little girl of twenty-three, singing to her destruction

A little red umbrella, it happens so quickly

Scream screech shriek she shatters a screen

Crimson spills over ebony, ever so slowly

This little girl of twenty-three, harbors no spleen

A little red umbrella, collects the tearing cloud

Splish splash splish they come and surround her now

Their voices echo with a terrible glow, so proud

Of this little girl of twenty-three, as she takes a final bow.

Jessica needed a poem for one of her assignments, so I composed one for her after listening to "Jenny's Theme" from Big Fish. Really, the only stanza that sounds nice would be the last one. The first three just... doesn't... ring nicely in my head.

Now that I've wasted one hour composing this silly little poem, I should really get back to my own final paper on Gertrude Bonnin. What a night.

Day 20: Short, but sweet

"I know a book is probably the last thing you want to see right now, but maybe when you have time this will be a nice, relaxing, light read for you."

Thank you.

Day 19: Birthdays last twice as long here

Goodness, what a gaunt expression I have here. Maybe I should've worn something better, but my birthday isn't until tomorrow, technically, and I only had one class today that lasted for 50 minutes, so I didn't bother. Although my birthday doesn't arrive for at least another hour, I've already received many gracious wishes from friends back home, and some from Lincoln. Thank you all for those wonderful wishes, remembrance of such bonds are better than any presents I could ever ask for.

So class didn't begin with Dickens right off the bat. Of course, since the night before was the world premiere of Harry Potter & the Deathly Hallows, that was the topic of conversation. For at least 5 minutes, until Dr. Capuano decided against it, though he welcomes students who wishes to learn more about his convictions against the franchise. And who would've thought I'd be watching it that very evening as well~

Alright, I'll try to do this without spoiling too much of the movie, but since almost every other teenager's childhood has been tinted by Rowling's fantasy in some way, I guess there shouldn't be much damage to anyone's expectations.

If you have not read the books or, at the very least, watched the previous movies, drag an expert with you into the cinema, no matter the costs. Literally. There are elements, characters, symbols and a plethora of references to previous materials introduced in this final installation. So if you're not well equipped with your vocabulary of spells, you might not find this movie very entertaining at all.

In addition, though there are action sequences, the characters don't seem to do much yet. Well, that's how the book was written, as the first half of HP&TDH explored the characters' confusion over their "destiny." They knew they had to destroy Voldemort, but how? It really is like watching the first LoTR movie, just with more contemporary humor and cheesy lines that never fail to lure a squeal or two in the dark hall.

The movie was good, definitely better than previous sequels. The transitions were smoother, not as choppy as the Order of the Phoenix. And of course, seeing familiar faces once again are thrilling. My personal favorite is Bellatrix Lestrange. How can anyone not like that insane witch?

With that said, there were parts of the movie that didn't sync too well with the book for me. But do not subject your opinions to the influence of mine, for I think I can be far too critical on movies themselves. I attribute my judgments to my classes. All the literature that I've been exposed to, in addition to the filming techniques and theories I've been swallowing lately, affects my ability to just sit back, relax, and be captivated. I notice myself waiting for a mistake to happen, then pounce on it whenever it reveals itself. Maybe that's why I keep stressing myself out over the tiniest things.

Oh well, but one sure sign of a good movie is that I still feel detached from reality after coming out from the cinema, just as Finding Nemo had me tasting salt on my tongue. HP&TDH felt... magical. And from the deep crevices of my cynical soul, it does feel sad to learn that this would spell the end of a fantastical read, lost in the wide sea of childhood memories.

Day 18: Busy, busy break

My eyes look astoundingly fatigued. Honest! It doesn't look like that in the bathroom, when I brush my teeth, or when I routinely wash my face, though that routine's slacking a little recently, just as my attendance for film theory class is. I've completely used up my two free absences, so if I do miss a next class, my grades would be penalized. So please, please Han Sen, wake up by 9.00am. I woke up at half past noon today.

I'm getting really lazy with my clothes this chilly November, how rather unfortunate. Though, really, I can't do much with them besides the occasional rainbow-pixelated tie that attracts the eyes. And my magazines are spewing out from my mailbox, yet I've not read the last two issues for the three publications I've subscribed to. Well, Thanksgiving break is lurching ever closer at breakneck speed, thanks to my heavy workload this week, so I should have plenty of time then.

But, I also realize that these are the things I'd need to get done over the holidays:

1. A 3-4 page paper on "The Yellow Wallpaper" by Charlotte Perkins Gilman.

2. A reference letter for one of my beloved professors, Dr. Joy Castro.

3. Complete Charles Dickens's Great Expectations, and George Eliot's Daniel Deronda, if I have the time...

4. Discuss the script with Brandon for next year's Malaysian Night (How did I get into this? I've not a clue).

5. Reread every single thing I've learnt, or not learned, from my film theory course.

6. Complete, what I think would be, 50 pages of my novel.

7. Prepare a presentation, which I know nothing of, for the NSE interview.

8. Create a colorful board for Sigma Tau Delta, since our current one's just morbid.

I... don't think there's anything else...? And a random thought just hit me, Prof. Danforth is currently the umpteenth lecturer to term my writing "archaic." Another term that has been attributed to my style was "elegant." Yes, I am bragging at the moment. Where are the pumpkin pies?

Of course, my blog posts really do mock my writing skills, since I m far 2 lazee 2 b botherred wid mie sp3ll-ing.

But anyway, I have a letter to write and a book to read, so it's farewell for now~

Day 17: Vahnderfool

It just popped in my head and it sounded nice, I don't even know what dialect that's supposed to be. But I did have a vahnderfool day. I had expected to miss my Brit. Lit. class at 11am, due to my final paper for English Studies, but it turned out smashingly well. I was satisfied with my approach (though it took me an excruciatingly long time to figure out a topic), managed to include an annotated bibliography, and even had the extra time to revise and polish my draft.

The best thing was that the English Studies class was cancelled. Prof. Ramsay had thought no one would've read the poems for the day, and since everyone was brain dead, he thought "what the heck."

But now, I'm sleepy... And I have an interview tomorrow. Were it not for the postponement of the deadline for my American lit. paper, I would've bought another can of Starbucks tonight. I might as well have some shut eye, my face is exploding from stress. But there's this part of me that wants to finish the paper for tomorrow, since my professor accepts drafts, and I most likely am able to tweak it over the weekend. Hmm... to write, or to sleep?

Day 16: The chicken and the egg

Rather simple today. 'Course, that's the reason why this is part of the six items, just so I could put it on without freezin' me bum off. It's deceptively warm, despite it's appearance.

I'm rather glad with last night's productivity, for I managed to complete two papers for my film theory course, when I really didn't need to do. One wasn't due until Thursday, while another was an extra credit opportunity. But I kept reminding meself if I can't get it done by Tuesday morning, I'll be damned with work on Wednesday night. And then, another miracle happened. The deadline for my American lit. final paper has been postponed till next Tuesday, right before Thanksgiving break.

YES...

But I still plan to complete it by Thursday, just so I can concentrate on the next film theory paper and my novel.

And so, while I was having my 4-minute, express dinner, I happened upon an interesting hypothesis to the nonsensical adage (from QI, where else?):

What came first? The chicken, or the egg?

Half of the world's population might disagree with me, but the answer's the egg. How so? Well, this statement is only as true as evolution is valid. Technically, chickens evolved from reptiles and there had been eggs then, before chickens. So instead of looking at the question as if chickens are the only living creatures we know besides living, a more holistic approach just solves it quite easily.

Day 14 & 15: Whoa

Imagine my surprise when I found out I never posted on Sunday. I somehow managed to convince myself otherwise for the next 24 hours, until I logged in again. But nothing alarming and aghast for Sunday, so all's well in this crammed little room of mine. I need more space for my books though. Some of the sharper edged ones are stacked on the left side of my desk, as revealed in some of my pictures, and they frequently graze my left forearm. People might think I'm suicidal if I don't stop slicing thin strips of blood on my skin.

So I really can't wait for Thanksgiving break, mostly because it provides me the illusion of timelessness. That happens during the first couple of days, then the realization of final papers and final exams would start to sink in about halfway through, and I'd only take action on the very last night, as I always do. Oh the humanity.

I'm actually drinking this new drink called Izze. Fizzy, a wee bit bitter, but it promises to provide one daily serving of fruit, swirling inside this slim 8.4 oz can. This is the last time I'm drinking one of these. The Starbucks standing next to it still dictates my nightly endeavors.

Day 13: I've witnessed more productive days

It is ironic that I'm unable to come up with analyses for books I've finished, though I can easily think of topics for those I haven't. My entire afternoon was wasted, for reasons I can't conjure, and my evening was spent hanging out with Jane and Manu. This is bad. Though I had a wonderful dinner, my current situation with my assignments is horrible. And it's 11pm. That's it. I need to complete my paper on Wuthering Heights and another on Zitkala-Sa's missionary childhood, and then I'll sleep.

Day 12: Ice Barrage

The weather forecast definitely did not prepare me for the snow tonight. I wouldn't have gone with wool if I had prior knowledge of this, because I had to walk all five minutes back from the Lied Center under the weight of a million icy flakes per second.

The only reason why I even had to go out was because of a performance I never thought I'd witness - Barrage. C'est fantastique! Manu pulled out at the very last minute so Justine had me for company instead, and boy, did we get fabulous seats. Seventh row from the front, right in the middle. Thank you, Manu.

The group of eight (5 violinists, 1 drummer, 1 base guitarist and 1 on acoustics) performed a variety of genres, though most of them had a pint of Celtic infused in their music. Of course, I had to get their albums. Two albums to be precise, with their autographs. Awesome. Jane was blabbering with joy again, mostly because she got to take a photograph with the cutest member, Taylor Morris.

The only thing that would've made the entire performance better, was that if we were allowed to jump during the show. With that much energy pumped up from the stage, it's almost wrong to just stay clamped at our seats. Our butts were itching to get off. And we did, at the final song. Now, if only I didn't wear my coat...

Day 11: I still don't know his name...

It's utterly frustrating, and silly. How is it possible, that we've passed each other with salad bowls in our hands so many times, have our two-second "hellos," and yet, not know each other's names? There's this kid, who I believe lives in the 5300 building, whose name eludes me, though I keep telling myself it begins with an "S" ...

Spenser comes to mind, though no one with that name lives on that floor. I checked. Which is scary.

He's currently at the gameroom in the basement, should I ask? But here's the hilarious thing. I just spoke to him, inquired about his major, learnt he plays the viola, questioned his preference over the violin, and walked away without learning his name. Gee, I never thought I would be this bad at second introductions.

Yet, I fear I might die without the knowledge of his name, and it haunts me still. I'm a writer. That's my excuse. If there's something I don't know about, I look it up, or ask around.

...

I'll take a shower, and give the basement another go. If he's there, I'll ask. If not, I guess I'll have to wait for another salad bowl moment then.

Day 10: About business majors...

I've had a fairly interesting conversation with Eddie, my classmate for fiction writing and American literature, this morning. I was interested in the post of the Writing Center consultant at Andrews Hall so I thought of inquiring him, who is one, what it takes to be one. The enquiry then developed into a pleasant chat, where we suddenly spoke about what it means to be a scholar. I find pleasure in his disagreement with the business major - Why study business?

Personally, I see the art of conducting a business more of an experience, rather than an education. Is it inaccurate to claim that it is also centralized around the ability to make profits? Why do we go through an education? Are we scholars for dabbling in the sciences or the humanities, or are we scholars for learning how to earn our keep? I want my education to introduce me foreign facts, to teach me to become a better human being. So, I wonder, what do business majors want their degree for? Proof of being able to earn more cash than the rest of the population?

As Eddie places it, "I see the pragmatism in a business degree, but is there all there is to it?"

Granted, I'd have drawn innumerable enemies by this statement, but just lay back and ponder, let the thought sink in... Why, indeed, am I going through my education?

Day 9: A striving, and a striving, and an ending in nothing

I love that quote by Olive Schreiner. It certainly does remark on a lot of things that happen on a daily basis. How we constantly work our asses off for a much coveted thing, or a deadline, only to be bummed off later. Like my fiction writing assignment. I rushed to complete it, even missed a class for it, only to realize that the assignment wasn't due until Thursday. Brilliant.

Hypnos must be weaving his spell on me, for I find often find myself dazed and bereft of sleep, even though I've had my sufficient share of slumber. Speaking of which, I find this painting of Hypnos and Thanatos particularly beautiful.

It just seems so peaceful. Not to mention, sleepy... too...

Day 8: My head keeps telling me to sleep

Yet, my mind demands that I complete the work that's piling on my desk. Perhaps that's why I decided to lighten the mood by dressing a little more whimsical:

Oh, do I really want to shut those eyelids now. But I can't, for the sake of my fiction writing class, I shan't. My mind's spiraling my soul into a nest made and cluttered with words. 'Twas such a weird image, though very comforting indeed, for I was cradled in that black mesh of words and phrases, the vocabulary of my life.

Alright, enough with the silly metaphors, and time for me to write about a gorilla. Literally. Updates on that, tomorrow.

Day 7: Thank you for the dinner

Nothing outstanding today, since yesterday pretty much contained enough excitement for the weekends. Except, of course, for a very thoughtful dinner devised by my friends Justine, Manu and Jane. Goodness, who knows what I'll do without these three individuals.

I had the most scrumptious Malaysian meal. ever. Separation does make love grow stronger. In this case, my gluttony for anything Malaysian. My only regret would be the absence of pictures to supplement mere text, as pictures enough are able to disturb a hungry tummy.

But I had a wonderful time, with exquisite food and cheerful company. I even managed to finish Wuthering Heights between fits of laughter and gratifying moans, so all's well with the universe.

Update:

Thanks, Manu.

Day 6, Part III: Omaha's Old Market

I make the Old Market look like a flower shop:

But there wasn't any other thing worth my camera's dying battery, so voila. My obsession with flowers... Though I really believe the first's some sort of vegetable. Beautiful, nonetheless.

Really, nothing much at the Old Market, mainly because I realized I visited it before. The joke was on me because I kept thinking I've never visited the place. However, I did discover two gems. The first being Ted & Wally's ice cream. It was sensational. The two flavors I picked were Cantaloupe and French Almond Custard, mix 'em together and an eruption of flavor dances in the mouth. It. was. divine.

The other place of interest gave me these:

Jackson St. Booksellers. It is officially my favorite place on the face of the Earth, after NYC's Topman store. I sincerely cannot express my wonder at the countless books crammed, stacked and piled in this narrow bookstore. And the smell, GAWD I cannot forget the smell, is so wonderfully edifying. Granted, none of the books here were new, but who gives a damn when I can find out-of-print editions and signed first editions here?

I even spotted a signed, leather bound Joy Luck Club by Amy Tan. To all who know me, I'm stating it explicitly here: If you're thinking of a birthday present for me that's coming up in two weeks, get. me. that. book. The bookstore was literally a pirate's treasure cove, and I lavished myself in all its loot. I spent the entire time allotted by the trip at this place. I don't regret it.

And here's the one book that I absolutely had to get:

A 1968 Heritage Press edition of Oscar Wilde's short stories. I was in a state of euphoria. Most alluringly, it was only priced at $10. I bought it without a moment's waste. It was also in mint condition, with a small pamphlet slipped in the first page, stating its origins, and amplifying its authenticity. I was in love.

Oh, the agony when I heard the store was about to close in ten minutes, but I was content, not entirely satisfied, but content, with the selection of books I walked out with. I need to get back to this bookstore before my winter break, grab a couple more collectibles, and read my holidays away in a Californian sunset.

Sigh... If only they offer shipping. Then again, that would be hurtful to my bank account.

Day 6, Part II: Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo

And so, I arrived at the renowned zoo, and guess who welcomed me:

An Indian Blue Peacock, a must-have addition for any established zoo, surely. I think the ones back in Zoo Negara are green, if I'm not mistaken. They're everywhere in the zoo, it's a miracle if anyone missed one. Not that I'm complaining, they are extremely beautiful.

So the first part of the zoo that I visited would be the Butterfly & Insect Pavilion, where a couple of these beauties gladly modeled for me:

This is why I like traveling to zoos alone, because I'm patient enough to wait for that prefect shot, and snap away, instead of being pressured to move along by others who couldn't care less.

The following two images could easily be my favorites from the zoo, as my next venue would be the aquarium:

The red lionfish. Practically every single spine's venomous. I love these pictures because it's as if I caught them while swimming, especially the second one, with its pectoral fin fully fanned out.

This next marine fauna caught my eye:

I sincerely doubt camouflage is its forte, though how can I not take a picture of the most fashionable creature under the sea? No one could pull off polka dots as well as this Xingu river ray.

A stroll was in order after the aquarium, and I was in the mood for more pictures thanks to the splendid weather:

I make the zoo look as if there's no one around, but really, there were scores of people.

And here's a familiar face:

So typical of King Julian, always making sure he's posing for the camera.

And here's a rare bird, endemic to Madagascar:

The Madagascar Button Quail. This mother has a chick beneath that tuft of feathers.

And of course, how can I not take a picture of Gerry?

There were two, Gerry and Ktembe, but the former's the dominant male. You can identify that with its silver back. Well, that and the fact that Ktembe always made sure he's out of Gerry's way.

Next would be completely random:

They're so. fucking. cute. These goats are so small and go "baaaa" so pathetically that I just wanna hug 'em.

Moving on, we have the big cats:

Siberian male...

... an anxious Bengal...

... omGOSH it's a friggin' snow leopard. Those eyes just scream "Fuck off"...

... the handsomest male lion I've ever seen...

... and the most beautiful female Siberian tigress I've ever laid eyes on.

That stare just melts my heart... Let me just say if I could hug her, I would.

The rest would be animals I spotted in the huge Desert Dome:

This bugger's more Chinese than I'll ever be. It's a swift fox, though I hardly understand why it deserves that title, just look at 'im. So tranquil~

And right before I exited the zoo, I figured I should take a picture of the dome, just to show its immensity.

And that's the zoo, basically. Next stop would be the Old Market!