A Birthday Cake

May 29, my older brother turned 25 years old! As the both of us are currently avid players of Digimon Masters Online, I decided to make a cake designed like his favorite digimon, Agumon.

I asked for Chabby's help on this one because she's a lot better than me in creative stuff. It was messy (very!) and it took a long time for us, but here is the finished product!

I especially like the caption that we piped on the cake - so fitting haha! On June 6 will be my mom's birthday, so I'm planning to make another one for her. Hopefully, I've gotten the hang of making the marshmallow fondant, so it would be easier this time around.

I'll post more pictures and a guide for making marshmallow fondant next time. It's simple to make in your own kitchen, and the ingredients are basic and simple. :)

And So I Removed My Earrings

I had my left ear pierced twice at the helix portion around nearly two months ago. (If you don't know where the helix is, here's a picture!)

When I had my ears pierced, the lady told me that it would heal in at least two weeks, but I didn't believe her xD. Instead, I waited for at least a month and yesterday I finally removed my earrings, even though it was still a bit tender to move around too much. There was some crusted dead skin (ew!) and the hole didn't look too pretty yet, but I'm glad I removed them so that I can clean it all thoroughly before putting it on again.

I poked and wiped the earrings free of debris, and soaked them in alcohol overnight xD. Today, I'm putting them back on again! I figured that I'd have to repeat this process every night just to be sure that my ears don't get infected or something. Also, I'm hoping that the holes would permanently set soon and all the pain would go away.

My first piercings in a long time... I had two in both ear lobes when I was in high school but they closed almost immediately because I refused to wear earrings where they can be seen. However, I'm quite happy with my new piercings because I can hide them under my short hair. Once my left ear is totally healed, I'm planning to do the right one, too. :)

It was fun, NPL :D

I started my part time job as an English tutor at NPL 6 months ago. Before I know it, my contract is up and today's my last day! It was an interesting experience to say the least. I didn't really enjoy studying for my classes (who does?) but the different people that I've met through my classes have made this part time job really AWESOMESAUCE! :D

First off, my EPICCCC students xD. I'm bad at faces, and I quickly forget names and details like that, so I thought I'd post their pictures here and write a bit about the wonderful and unique memories they've each given me... :)

Alice

She was my first class every afternoon for around 3 months. Such a sweet kid, but very quiet and reserved that it was somewhat a challenge to teach her! It felt very rewarding when she retained the lessons that we discussed. What I liked about her, though, was that she allowed me to act all goofy-like and she didn't even bat an eyelid. Although I guess that made my weirdness even worse xD. Thank you, Alice~

Belle

 Belle was another really sweet girl. She was a breath of fresh air compared to my otherwise limited number of friends and acquaintances. I forgot to take a picture, so instead I pasted here a clip of her profile picture on Skype after we said our goodbyes. She used to spend a long time making her sentences - but BOY were they good sentences! I think she can be an English writer if she wants to. It was too bad that I wasn't able to be her teacher for long because she had to enter high school. Thanks, Belle~

Edward

 

Edward also stayed as my student for 6 months. He is an interesting fellow.  He doesn't talk too much, so I got used to trying out all kinds of styles to fish for information xD. It was quite heartening (and added a huge boost to my confidence) whenever I managed to make him crack a smile and laugh. I would usually call him "Beautiful" and I guess he never got over that compliment hahaha. Thanks, Edward~

Jane

Jane was such a joy to teach because she was so eager to learn and was such a good student! I like her classes because that was one time when I really felt like I was doing a swell job as a teacher xD. We made an agreement that 10 years from now (when I'm a doctor and she'd have a family of her own), I would come visit her in Japan and we would have a picnic under the blooming Sakura trees! Aw, I'm seriously hoping that becomes a reality! Thanks, Jane~

Marley

Marley is like my long lost mother and sister rolled into one! She's very funny and I enjoyed my classes with her. She was one of my students to whom I could really open up to and tell about things happening in my life. She often calls me an "oddball" xD. I admire her talent as an artist both with the pen and the needle. I laugh every time I remember how frustrated she gets when she messes up her sentences. So down-to-earth and friendly, you've taught me a lot as well for the past 6 months! Thanks, Marley~

Matthew

Matthew's pose in this picture is the "Whatever~" pose that I taught him during class xD. This kid is sooo smart and witty! We liked to tease each other and I used to call him "Grandpa" because he often pretends to be more mature than he really is. When I told him I was going to be a doctor in the future, he told he would become one, too - and that one day he was going to operate on my brain. Unfortunately, we only had classes for one month before he was transferred. Thanks, Matthew~

Susan

The first thing that comes into my mind when I think of Susan is "demure". She is like a real life Yamato Nadeshiko or something, and it is one of her very endearing qualities. I liked teaching her classes because I would change my voice sometimes when reading dialogues and she would compliment me on it! xD. She's good at Japanese, too! I'm hoping that in the future she finally meets a great guy and becomes a master violinist! Thanks, Susan~

Mr. Ahn

This picture was taken at my request because I was so curious about his dog Lily (which he just took to the parlor to get its hair cut). I enjoyed talking about random things with Mr. Ahn, because he has a lot of experience in life and tells such good stories! He often had phone calls from work interrupting our classes, though xD. Such a workaholic! I pray that his success continues with his business and that his daughter becomes a doctor like me in the future, too. Thanks, Mr. Ahn~

I had another student named Leo, he was a funny guy who liked to tease his wife and call her fat and ugly xD. But I wasn't able to take his picture because he had another important appointment on our last day of class.

I spent 6 months teaching these interesting students, and also I got the chance to work with awesome bosses and wonderful coworkers. We went out for company dinners, braved storms together, and we even made a music video when Carmeigh's contract ended!

  Thank you so much to Boss Sam and Ms. Gloria for your patience in guiding and teaching me, for the free dinner and movies, and for treating me really well these past 6 months. Thank you to Manang Frances, Carmeigh, Tracy, Chabby, Ghia, Jetsy, Amado and Manang Kristle who accepted me as their friend and giving me precious memories. I WILL NEVER FORGET ALL OF YOU.

Top: Kristle, Frances, Amado, Sir Sam, Tracy, Aldrin (Tracy's boyfriend); 2nd row: Chabby, Carmeigh; Bottom: Me, Ms. Gloria. (Ghia and Jetsy weren't our coworkers yet when we had our Xmas Party last December) I'll pray for everyone's good health and success in the future. I hope we meet each other again someday, guys! Goodbye!