Tenacious Chi's Journal

12:43PM

Once again, it's been a long time.

I don't even remember most of the people on my friends list...

I'm almost settled in to my house here in Obieland.

I lost my pictures from this summer. But I still have the ones from Brazil.There are too many online communication blogs for me to try to keep up with these days.

Special is laid out on the bed right now. Idon't even know what classes I'm supposed to go to tomorrow. Does that make me a bad senior?? Wtf, I'm not ready, but oh well.

I should go to sleep.

2:28PM

wow! this entire page is in chinese over here!

all right, this is me trying to keep you all posted about what is currently occuring. Beijing is fucking incredible! i've only been here two weeks and i already have over 400 picutures, so don't worry...lots to see. the language pledge and my classes are rough, but eh. and dang, go figure i come all the way to china and only after traveling half way around the world does someone decide to ask me out when i'm already taken. funny that.

in other news, five classes a day is craaaaaazy!

also, i just found out after arriving that I'm only going to be home for a few days before i take off again. my family wants me to visit them and such, so after coming home, i'll have two days to decompress, then it's off to delaware for a weekend to visit uncle schmobi and co., on monday, i'll be back, but then i'm going with my mum to take jas to school in iowa, then i'll be back for around a day before i head off to cleveland to spend some time with my aunt and cousins, and hopefully see dadian. then later on that same weekend, i will be taking off for england to visit my granparents... in england for a week. the weekend i get back is the weekend school starts.

i know you all hate me for this, but i'm sorry! it really wasn't my fault this time! ok, maybe a little.

i think i'm really going to have to take it easy next semester and maybe get more sleep if i hope to survive...

ok, if anyone is trying to reach me, the best way is via cnwabara@oberlin.edu

i'll catch you all later.

3:57PM

This has been a great Thanksgiving. I definitely learned a lot from my cousins. Same old problems for me, but at least my hair looks good. hmm..it's been an obscenely long time since I last post, my friend.

I'm really looking forward to this winter break with my grandparents and sis. hmm...it's amazing how much I take for granted. My family means more to me than I ever took the time to acknowledge.

In other news, turning 19 isn't really that big of a deal, but I had a very fun birthday. I especially like the pre-birthday introduction to a vaporizor.


I've come to terms with the fact that I need to exercise in order to help keep myself balanced, a.k.a. I need to be more dedicated to making time for running.

Your Eyes Should Be Brown

Your eyes reflect: Depth and wisdom What's hidden behind your eyes: A tender heart

4:46PM

I'm back from camp.

It's odd. I feel different.

I've been spending a lot of time in the den reconning clothing.

There is also a Japanese student staying at my house. She is very nice and smiles a lot.

I found a cross colours bag at unique today and purchased it for 80 cents.

so tired. I don't think i'm going to be catching up on what occured for the past two months.

maybe I'll be able to rise early enough to go to the library...

3:13AM - Whaaaat? Okaaaay! Yeeeeah!

ha ha! Well I'm back from Purdue, where I visited my cousin Ola and spent my afternoons watching season three of Smallville. A good time was had. I also had an awesome smoothie at smoothie king and got to check out amused clothing and all the von's joints. Oh, I had my first yogalates class. that's right, still feeling it. Body, don't hate me for being lazy and out of shape.

I have also spent a good amount of my money at the theaters watching Batman Begins, Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants, and Mr&Mrs Smith. Good stuff!

It seems that my summer has gone from a disordered pile of chaotic plans (which I was beginning to enjoy) to a single concrete decision (job job). Yes, I will be spending the next two months in New York at a summer camp doing summer camp stuff. I've never been to summer camp so this should be interesting. I start Thursday...I know right? This means I miss the reggae bash at my Uncle's this weekend a.k.a. less quality time kickin' it with the kinfolk and eating qualitay cookin'. *sigh* but hey, this is something new and I'm all for trying it out.

We leave for Delaware on Tuesday, so I probably won't see anyone until...maybe August, but by the time I get back, the majority will be gone...hmm..I don't know how I feel about this.

I'm thinking that maybe I just want to stay home for winter break, but really, no. so I'm thinking maybe I want to stay home next summer, but no job and again no

hmm, I need to take this blue out. It's quite possible that twists are in order.

OK, breakfast with Jas at 9:30...I'm a freak

Who let the little mutts goooooo!

9:01PM - Oh! question...Should I cut my hair? or grow dreads for a bit? or both?

So I got back from CA on Sunday, and spent some time at my cousin's...A fun time was had. And I had a chance to read "The Eight" sooo good!

Unfortunately for me, my trip to Brazil has been cancelled, so no foreign travel this summer...unless I randomly decided to visit my grandparents or something...bummer. I could do that though. Tickets to England are only $250 right now from NYC...hmmm.

Anyway, I'm back in town for like a week, then I'm off to Purdue to visit my cousin...family is good people, eh?

Still looking for a job, don't know what's going on. I've been cleaning my room for a long time now. It's coming along.

Finally met up with Jen, my trainer, and have been riding...It's nice and the barn's a comfy place to be.

Oh well, time to cook some meat.

If any of you get bored, call me. I'll make you pancakes or try some new massage techniques on you. Either way, we'll work it out =)

3:01AM - Brazillian waxes really hurt!

What a week. I'm going to be back soon...like in two days. Ummm...I don't know what to say. I don't even know if I'm really ready to leave...someone is calling me...my friend Bocaj from Albuquerque...he's leaving me. I want to cry.

People keep leaving. This makes me sad.

Summer? I'm worried. But at least I've got good music.

So, overall, I don't know what's going on. I feel good, but yeah, no idea as to what's going on. it's b/c I'm leaving the bubble, isn't it? No choice but to enter back into the real world. No Oberlin for three months...this place is freaky.

Ok, I can deal.

4:11PM

Blockhead - Insomniac Olympics

4:41AM - ok, so i'm a tard...

Yes, my SB has most definitely ruined whatever fucked up sleeping pattern I had to begin with. So instead I ate Special K with red berries along with low sodium ritz with my smooth peter pan and nutella over the final 4 episodes of Project Runway as taped by me mum... Just beautiful. I am very pleased with the end result and am looking forward to the next season (like I said, I know I'm a tard...so sue me!)

I don't know why, but I'm really looking forward to this week. I also feel very clean, because I took a shower. And it's ok that I've run out of laundry detergent, b/c I can buy some more! But yes, people sometimes just make me feel very Especial. Ok, time for some quality time with Boot.

Speaking of the devil, I really just want to say sorry Boot, I didn't mean to be absent-minded and throw you into the dryer. And even though your hair got fried and now has an attitude more like mine, I still think that you look great and I love you, pal! hugs all around!

4:13AM

So ho-bitch hasn't updated in a hell of a while it seems, meh.

Spring Break occurred this week. A fun time was most definitely had, even though I was oddly suffering from some form of sickness that made me extremely tired and gave me frequent head rushes.

I spent some time at home, and then some in NYC. It's a great city...I don't know whether I should be proud or ashamed of the fact that I have visited this city so much in the recent years that I now have favorite locations and no longer need help to navigate the the public transportation systems...hmm

It's really good to be back here at Oberlin. I like this place and my room is just peachy.

I now have close to no money left in my accounts and still have one more book to buy for this term. yes, bummer.

I should run tomorrow. I didn't work out at all over break, I shirked my entire workout plan. I feel like a lazy person. This is why I do not consider myself an athlete...discipline schmiscipline

I can't believe it took so long to get back from New York. The group I rode back with for some reason kept running into issues. I have a hard time dealing. I like organization a lot sometimes.

Regrets for not having caught up with Rojo and Tai Yee. You both know I love you though, and hopefully I'll be able to swing by both locations at some point this summer.

Oh summer, bloody hell what's going on? I should get help, I mean I will!

I did not see sin city on friday, so I'm thinking maybe I need to convince someone to take me to the theater tomorrow before I become to busy to realize that I'm a fool.

1:44AM - Oh la la!

Your Brain is 53.33% Female, 46.67% Male

Your brain is a healthy mix of male and female You are both sensitive and savvy Rational and reasonable, you tend to keep level headed But you also tend to wear your heart on your sleeve

On another note, I'm finally starting to feel better.

it's gonna be a freaking family reunion here next weekend!!! nice

something's wrong with my neck

i love west african dance! i was born to do it, baby!

i have decided to drop my econ class...fuck econ! fuck it! i hate it! it's too motherfucking boring! i just can't take it anymore! Plus i'm a lazy ho-bitch who doesn't write papers. but that's not really the point.

i'm excited about seeing mum and jas...jas, we're going to chicago and we're watching movies, that's all i have to say. oh, but let's make steak and potatoes and bake something...like cookies and cake...or maybe pie, and some bread; and let's go eat fondue

ok, sleep, then break the news to my econ prof today...

10:38PM

Well, I feel a lot better since my unfortunate accident on Friday, but unfortunately, have not yet started my research for the paper due Friday.

News though...I'm going to be in a West African Dance concert. Interesting, eh?

That and fencing is going well.

I finished Abhorsen...I'm so sad it's over. I might have mentioned that in a previous entry, but it's true. Oh well, still lots of Anita Blake to get through.

I have music again!! Yeah Lindsay...definitely enjoying Future Bible Heroes and the Arcade Fire.

Does anyone know where I can find good dvd player installation software? I have no idea as to the whereabouts of my disc, and my dvd player is going to waste over here.

10 days!!!!! that's not normal

1:29AM

You ever had one of those days in your life that you discover something and it brings you joy to be a woman/man? This is one of the days.

1:00AM - About school

So I'm feeling better today...I feel as though I'm turning back to my old overloading habits, but I think it'll be ok in the end...

I'm almost sure that I'm going to add another academic class to my schedule, which will bring me up to five, but two are only a module each. Then I'm going to take a few excos (assuming I get in to them).

I read the first chapter of Abhorsen before I went to bed a couple nights ago...Did they really die? I was so upset. They didn't really die, did they? Maybe I'll read another chapter before I hit the sack, but I was promised a minimum two weeks of pain for 9AM Dance today...hmmm...decisions decisions. I think I'll make it through this tough schedule I've got planned, but I'm still not sure what to do about my summer. I really don't want to burn out, but I'm going to need money.

Pumped, not tired yet, but who knows.

I'm still uppity about majors, too. I'm kind of thinking maybe a double major double minor or triple major and minor might be the way to go, but who knows. I'm just crazy.

Jas...El Simbolo - 1,2,3
it's excellent and up beat. also, you need to kick it with some reggaeton. look up Don Omar, then tell me what you think.

I should join the circus. One day.

Chinese is intense. plain and simple. I'm working on it, but daaaaamn!

flash! bedtime

2:09PM - I'm back!

Overall, that trip was awesome.

I learned so much about living the communal life, capoeira, and averall awareness of others, both immediate and on a global level.

The roda yesterday was off the chain! I played three times and I could feel the difference in my game! I love the way that I could understand everything better. From the Portuguese people were speaking to the nonverbal communications I saw while playing and while watching others. I feel so incredibly enlightened and prepared for this upcoming semester.

On Saturday, the group was taken for a small tour of Philly by Chicago. He's so awesome...We visited the zoo...I think I liked the elephants the best, but the snakes and apes were pretty swank, too. It was great to be able to apply them to what we were studying and go in-depth with the links. Just deep
We also ate lunch at an Ethiopian restauraunt, and watched a beautiful documentary about hip-hop Cubano. It has inspired me to create a shirt...

It's amazing how much more aware about my strengths and weaknesses after all that...I've got a lot of shit to work on, but at least now I know I can handle myself and that I won't suffer from bad cooking if I'm on my own.

I wish money wasn't an issue...Oh well, i'm motivated right now, so it will work out...I'm going to be a full-fledged angolera one day.

So today, it's dinner with the wonderful Anita, who has made peanut soup and beef stew, and then probably off to ride or vice versa...I haven't seen a horse in almost two months...and I'm ok...that's very odd to me

Oberlin looks so different with snow...I've never seen it with serious snow...I almost did not recognize it in some parts...

8:14AM

Today was the first day that class was held in the school. It used to be a carraige house with old school windows and dark wood...now it has bright eggshell walls, with light parquet on the floor and pictures all around...nice.

aranha
string bean
mantis
scare crow
mommy long legs

Kareem, today...what am I going to be tomorrow, Chicago? =P

So Whole Foods is one of my favorite grocery stores, even though the prices are a bit rich...we finally made it there! Cheese, bread, more bread...what more could you ask for? oh yes, juice, too

4:23PM

I just spent the last hour or so catching up with dsl...As some may know, I'm in Philadelphia studying capoeira. It's been amazing, but very cold since this colonial house is heated with water and something has been wrong with the plumbing...it's never a good thing when you can see your hot breath inside the house. Luckily, our teacher Chicago, who is the owver of this boss location switched on the heating today. Screw the plumbers!

We missed the roda today b/c of the weather. Sharing food is odd. I enjoy sharing, but I don't know. Something is up with that balance somehow. talk about some healthy eating...Most of the week has meant sustaining life with fruits, veggies, grains, milk and juice. mmmmm!

I wish we could go to the store...I'm in the mood for some baked bread and I need flouw, dammit.

I can't believe how much I've learned in one week though. It's no longer an issue to wake up for 6AM classes to play in the batteria and practice movements for 3 hours a day. I really love this. Even though it's been bittersweet with a twist of fucking cold.

So this summer? If I can get the money, I'm going to Brazil. This culture is something I definitely am eager to learn a lot more about. It's all about the flow, but in a way that a lot of martial arts are unable to show me since the structure is diffrent. And what better way to get involved with something that feels like it's a part of me?

Portuguese is also pretty fresh. I think I'm going to take the exco if it's offered this semester.

Sorry all, including Mum...I haven't really contacted anyone. I really needed this trip to get away.

Everything about this has revolved around one thng, which is furthuring our knowledge of capoeira all other aspects have been secondary. It makes living so simple when there's only one thing that you have to worry about, even though there so much attached, like getting along with the 9 other people in the house.

I'm ready to move around. I don't know why this trip is so different, but it is.

Childhood sucks...I feel sorry for my parents.
I have nothing but love for my friend Kevin.
I like cooking food sometimes.
I can hold conversations in Mandarin...amazing what one semester can do to a person, eh?

6:13AM

what a week...

I'm very tired...not only did I wake up an hour earlier b/c the e-mail got sent late, but it's 6:30 in the motherfucking morning! this isn't highschool! I don't know about you, but class at 6AM? really should suck my imaginary dick.

the 20 gig blue bitch has no sound...I miss my 160 gig blue bitch...soooo much better. Where the hell are my installation discs? bloody hell

At least I have a lot of space, but this room kind of freaks me out...yes, it freaks me out.

Still in search of a decent alarm clock. The recently purchased Emerson has this very polite beep that would never wake me up on a really bad day...why do I never pick out the jarry ones? bummer

So all in all? tired sick hungry lonely cold

11:44AM

*sigh*
Well, today's my last day in NY...I must say, that I feel this city is many times better when you have a friend to show you around.

I would also like to say that my sis is the best shopping buddy ever! Aside from May, who is the only other person that I know who can keep up with us on a hardcore marathon shopping session.
I spent money on clothes...But oh what a deal! I know I should be saving it for food in Philly, but I just can't resist a good deal!

What went on...time with fam fam, finally almost done putting together a soundtrack for this trip.

Good food! Jamaican (I tried Sorrel for the first time ever!! mmmmmtasty!) Indian, Chinese, Japanese, African, American, French cuisines. yay for diversity in the house!

I learned how to play Mahjong and I also learned that my middle name got fucked up, but it's still a pretty sweet story.

Hmm...I feel that I am pretty set on the dance club scene for quite a while. Men really can be dogs.

Overall, a great trip.

I've started the second Anita Blake. Still not too cold, but I now have plenty of warm clothing to hold me over until the summer, save long underwear...I need to buy some long underwear.

It occured to me yesterday that I have not exercised at all in over two weeks, people!!!! And I've been eating like the end of the world is soon approaching!! But the food was so good! Oh well, it's the gym and stables for me when I return. Maybe not, after all, I'm lazy...Ok of to Blockbuster for one last veg out session with the kinfolk on this NY visit.

6:41PM - This is a boring entry that I'm really writing to myself, so don't spit if you actually read this.

So, aside from watching Once Upon A Time In Mexico and setting up dsl and the wireless internet router on my aunt and uncle's laptops, I really haven't done anything today. Kind of nice, actually. I guess tomorrow Jas and I, along with a family friend named Mohammed are going to baby sit my cousins while "the sisters" make a bonding trip to the hair salon. hmm...this will be the first time that Mum has ever dyed her hair.

I like the way my suitcase looks from this bed, and all the stripey garments I decided to bring. I wonder what we'll do tomorrow...for now, I'd say movies are a top priority. I actually did some of my Chinese homework at Midway. I was sitting next to a Chinese man and he smiled at me as it to say "Righteous! Learn my language and allow my culture to filter and dominate!" ok, not really, but that's how I feel whenever I start to learn a new language...I'm helping to spread the knowledge bug by learning.


Hmm...aside from this heavy wave and deep cough, I'm feeling pretty swell. Like a wuss, but swell.

Kung Kung and Pow pow's flight was delayed, so Mum is still waiting at the airport for them...the poor lady...it just hasn't been her week so far.

Johnny Depp is so funny! I can't wait to see Finding Neverland when I get back.

I can't decide what to do with the hair. It's been living large as of late...courtesy of sheabutta. Thanks, lady!

I wonder if I really have to go swimming while I'm here. It's actually been quite a while since I've done so.

I forgot to bring my knitting/crochet needles, so I guess I can't use my time here to make the various scarves I currently owe several people...hmm what a shame.

I feel lucky