Is it really unusual for a female to move away from her family?

I find it common mostly because of the uniqueness of my program–where people from all over the world come to study. I know people who have crossed oceans for it and intend to stay in the states as a result. CMU is a place like that.

I know decades from now, I will be obligated to return to the Bay Area. As my parents have said, my sister and I will be responsible for taking them to the doctor, helping them out in the house, etc. Filial piety. Expected, but not demanded.

And ultimately, it\’s unusual to see a girl traveling by herself.

Zooming down the freeway with the top down with heat turned all the way up and my hair blowing in my face in the clear night sky. Awesome. Thanks Shinelun!

As long as I can remember, I always liked having all the doors in my rooms closed when I go to sleep. Regardless of whether I am at my parents\’, living with roommates…or alone in a house. All closet doors, all doors must be closed.

To keep people out. In my delirious pre-sleep phase, it\’s to keep the monsters out.

Even when I am just on my computer, I have a need to close the door or at least to partially close it all the way. Perhaps, I am posessive and secretive. But it makes me so uncomfortable if it isn\’t so.

Enlighten me on the difference between a $60 haircut and a $12 haircut.

Oh, if I was only going to Coachella this year! The indie music festival near Palm Springs! But alas. Cannot make it. But such good music!

Bolded the acts that I recognize (and most of which I would like to see…yes, even Madonna!)

Saturday, April 29th
Depeche Mode, Daft Punk, Franz Ferdinand, Sigur Ros, Common, Damian Marley, Atmosphere, Carl Cox, My Morning Jacket, Ladytron, Clap Your Hands Say Yeah, Tosca, Cat Power, Animal Collective, HARD-fi, Derrick Carter, Devendra Banhart, She Wants Revenge, The Walkmen, The Juan Maclean, Audio Bullys, Imogen Heap, Lady Sovereign, Deerhoof, The Duke Spirit, Editors, stellastarr*, Lyrics Born, Matt Costa, The New Amsterdams, The Zutons, Platinum Pied Pipers, White Rose Movement, Chris Liberator, Colette, Joey Beltram, Hybrid [because Naim said they\’re good], Wolfmother, The Like, Living Things, Nine Black Alps, The Section Quartet, Infadels, Youth Group, Shy FX & T Power, Infusion.

Sunday, April 30th
Tool, Massive Attack, Madonna, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Bloc Party, Paul Oakenfold, Scissor Sisters, Matisyahu, James Blunt, Sleater-Kinney, Mogwai, Coheed and Cambria, Gnarls Barkley, Coldcut, Phoenix, Digable Planets, Amadou & Mariam, Little Louie Vega, Mylo (DJ Set), Seu Jorge, Wolf Parade, Ted Leo and the Pharmacists, The Go! Team, Kaskade, Metric, Art Brut, Dungen, The Dears, Jamie Lidell, The Magic Numbers, Los Amigos Invisibles, Jazzanova, Michael Mayer, Murs feat. 9th Wonder Mates of State, Gilles Peterson, Gabriel & Dresden, The Subways, Minus the Bear, OneRepublic, Be Your Own Pet, Giant Drag, Kristina Sky, The Octopus Project.

Added on my list of things to do before I turn 30.

Darjeeling tea. Ice cream. My kind of love!

Why is Southern California so spread out?

Or even California in general?

Somehow I am accustomed to having everything close together, everyone close together. In one city.

Almost every person I meet has a goal of meeting someone. Marrying, settling, 1.5 kids. And it does happen. I walked through the airport today and it seems like everyone beyond the age of 35 have met that goal. Is it happiness? Is it satisfaction? Is it maturity?

Love is a feeling that we are on a constant search as social beings. We write songs of love. We lament outloud of our broken hearts. And to say that some of the strongest emotions we feel are often in the name of love.

We are all doomed to be paired.

Airports are one of the few places in America where it\’s fine to dine by one\’s self. To sit alone in silence.

How to make an usable household

Someone had to finally redesign a house to best fit the workflow of our everyday routine!

My room especially needs that kind of treatment. Too late now though!

We only miss something because we are afraid of change. I am at fault of that. When I first came here, I was unhappy with its lackluster life. But sometimes, there is really so much more. A review apparently says it all.

While compiling a list of things I must do before leaving in May, I realized I have done it all. The Andy Warhol. The Mattress Factory. Falling Waters. Boomerangs. A Southside bar hop. The Matrix. A walk through the Strip on the weekend. Go to the ER at UPMC. The Sharp Edge. Talk to 65+ residents (overpopulating the city). Mt. Washington and Duquense Incline.

1. Go to the Shadow Lounge again. Actually sit down and listen to music.
2. Eat brunch at Sunnyledge.
3. Eat brunch at Lidia\’s.
4. Visit the church on Craig/Forbes.
5. Eat at a restuarant at Mt. Washington.
6. Have dinner at Mallorca.
7. Go to the Carnegie Science Center.
8. Try Club Havana.
9. Eat at Eleven.
10. Eat at Chaya.
11. Enjoy a day at Point State Park
12. Go to Phipps and actually experience the botany.
13. Ross Park Mall
14. Steelers game? What?
15. Nationality rooms at the Cathedral of Learning.
16. Cafe at the Frick.
17. Tour the Homewood Cemetery.
18. Visit the Negley tomb in the Allegheny Cemetery.
19. Cross the river on the good ship lollypop?
20. Go into the church in East Liberty.
21. Walk through Station Square.
22. Find fight club at cmu. Try to stay out of harm\’s way.
23. Appreciate the sun on the mall.
24. Stephen Foster Memorial and cabin.
25. Eat a cookie at Prantil\’s.
26. Pig\’s hill?
27. Go to Kennywood.
28. Have a moment from the view at Mt. Washington.
29. Be posh at the red room.
30. Relax at the Shadow Lounge
31. Eat wings at the wing zone.
32. Be a carnivore at the Pittsburgh Steak Company.
33. Breakfast at a riverside hotel.
34. Dine at the Cafe Du Jour.
35. Satisfy my sweet tooth at El Dolce
36. See a movie at Harris Theater.