LEAP Gala

The Gala was a pretty crazy extravagant event, I must say. Scott was never really able to convey the crushing crowds, explosion of silent auctions or vastness of a tabling nightmare.

It was a very impressive event, albeit intimidating. All the interns were split up, which I think was a good and bad thing. Personally, it was a little hard to socialize at my table; everybody was familiar with each other from work, and it was difficult to cut (*makes cutting motion with hands, fatima style*) into a conversation. Especially when they were droning on and on about work or whatever. When they did give me 30 seconds of their time, it seemed like they were looking right through me and into the stripey-giraffey-pink colored chair I was sitting on. They looked right through everything that I've achieved and ever done. I was a nobody, and they made me feel that way. Actually, that's unfair. A few people were kind to me and made a point to introduce themselves and ask a few questions. But I did get the icy feeling from a few, and it got me to thinking about what their first impression of me might have been. It also made me very aware of how certain people make distinguishes in the way they treat each other. They were pretty distant and cold to me, but very animated with talking to a well-known fellow who sat at my table. All I can say is that you should be kind to everyone.. who knows, one day i'll be the bigger person, and maybe i'll see right through you. through your blank eyes, cold smile, and boring demeanor.


anyways. sorry i went off on the tangent. while some people were offsetting (haha to say the least...) i did have a great time. many of the speakers were inspiring and great to listen to (especially our key note speaker duy-loane le!!!!!! SHE WAS AMAZING!!!! and very sweet!) and I got to see a lot of familiar people from the community. i was very surprised and greatly pleased that brian takeda of the nikkei federation remembered me. i probably would not have been able to pick him out from a hole in the wall, but i must have met him through NSU in the near past... so that was a very exciting moment. See Mean Person from Table ## (aka my table), I am rememberable and worth something!

SHOWED YOU!!!!!!

also. i was very happy i got to take home so many pretty centerpieces... haha ^_^v thanks hann li and kirstie for helping me take so many!!! (PS christable i hope your mom likes all the orchids you got for her!)

oh yeah!! (so many things i'm remembering.. it was such a long day) the interns and i had basically a free day and ran around with our pants off. .... so to speak. =] we went to the MOCA which was an epic fail (we basically waited around 30 min outside the door in the shade waiting for it to open... only to realize there was no exhibit currently on display. lol) so we saw the mike shinoda & ikebana exhibit at JANM. that was really fun. we made the worst group ikebana ever. and we also took lots of fun jumping pictures outside. =] (PSS hann li/fatima can you send them to me?)

i love my fellow interns =] i'm so happy i get to see them tomorrow too, instead of waiting until next week!!! :D