"refreshment."

once again...things didn't quite go the way i wanted them to during my short break from school but it's all good. bowling didn't go down due to complications about more fire and things were a bit messed up but the night sorted itself out with a good time at more fire. on a random note...as i'm making this blog my mom is watching the simpsons which she never does. moving along...i spent a majority of tuesday at home watching atonement and love in the time of cholera. two movies made from two books i've wanted to read but haven't had the time. four hours of oscar-worthy filmmaking. you can imagine how lethargic i became on the couch. i loved both movies but atonement really got me more...what a story and ending. had gyukaku for dinner and then had a painting/singing/scrabble session at the huynh residence. i finally finished my piece i've been working sporadically on for the past month. it's inspired by no reservations...with the painting displaying the quote..."i'll dim all the stars so i can truly see you shine." yeah...romance finds its way into the things i love to do. after a rough wednesday morning...i was able to enjoy a highlight of the year by visiting melinda in long beach with tash. it was great because i haven't chilled with both in awhile and i got to catch up on their lives. we went to tracht's restaurant which is where mel works and we had an amazing lunch...truly refreshing and without a doubt the best lunch i've had all year. the environment was beautiful, the service was impeccable, and melinda was the best server ever. the cured salmon and the fries were so on point i was in a state of euphoria. even if the day died down with me having to close at starbucks...it was a good day and the lakers whomping on the jazz made it a good night. respiratory begins tomorrow morning and i have no doubts about doing well after living so well these past couple of days. God is truly present in my life through the wonderful things i experience. i know things will not always be this great but the moments of greatness i do have will be worth it and the other moments will only give it more substance. it's not just "pain is universal but so is hope" like the tagline of babel. it really is "suffering is inevitable...but so is love." love rules...end of discussion. end of entry. good night.