My thoughtful father sent me an early happy birthday e-card two days before the actual date. Unfortunately, it turned out to be a happy belated birthday card. =]
The ominous real world out there really doesn't seem so bad when facing it with some �Ϻ�� and your lifelong friends.
Sunday, June 13, 2004
In tribute, I post this entry written exactly a year ago. My, my, things have definitely changed.
"I just got back from Las Vegas and before I conk out, I wanted to write a little something that I learned about each person on the trip. I will write about the full details of the trip later.
Andy: Andrew Chon is exactly like Marlin in Finding Nemo. He will be the quintessential paranoid father figure who will freak out if even one hair is out of place on his future children's heads. He always lectured us on using the crosswalks and was always extra careful when stepping on and off the escalators. Despite this however, I can honestly say that Andrew is an intelligent guy except when he tries to prove me wrong about his acclaimed smartness. Andy has never tried ��뺺= although he claims that he loves ��� and is shockingly successful at Indy 500 and water shooting games. He was the first boy's leg that I've ever touched, and now I know not to touch them anymore. He let me watch while he applied his Old Spice deodorant. He is utterly useless on road trips and he does not enjoy sweet foods such as barbeque sauce or ���ø�.
Josei: Josephine Kim likes to sleep the earliest every night so that she can maximize her fun time during the day. She is also so fashionable that Nancy and I took alternate turns matching her outfits with one of ours every day. One of the most important qualities that Josei looks for in the opposite sex is their drive for ambition. Josei was also perceptive enough to know that I was going through Diet Coke withdrawal symptoms the first night and was kind enough to buy me one when I was at my all-time low. She also had really cute flowers embossed onto her toes, and didn't know that she was supposed to tip the pedicure lady. Josei thoroughly enjoyed the butternut squash ravioli at the Bellagio buffet.
Kwansoo: Kwansoo Jun likes orange juice and has never heard of �Ϻ�� in his life. It was also his first time in Las Vegas so he and I were really excited when we saw the "Welcome to Las Vegas" sign. Kwansoo doesn't like to eat fancy foods and instead prefers steak over everything else. He also packs excessively for a guy and was the only other person that wanted to ride the New York New York roller coaster with me. He wanted to hire a hooker to seduce Royee although it was he who received the lap dance at the Egg and I, and was the only guy who knew how to eat somewhat healthily. He has also seen the vast majority of movies, and laughed the longest after Nancy had her incident. He constituted the first 1/3 of the Third Wheel Party.
Nancy: Nancy Kim is crazy and thus has my complete respect. Not only does she have this limitless amount of energy that everyone feeds off of, but she is cool enough to try and steal a dollar from the fountain at the Bellagio. She is also really classy, piquing my interest not only in Andy Warhol, but in fine delicacies such as fruit salad in mint julep chutney. She is not ashamed to vocalize her appreciation for the finer looking specimens of the male species and her new hairstyle looks really good on her. However, I do not understand how she does not like ��κ� that much. She also never wore the baseball cap she brought to protect her face from the sun after her a surgery.
Robert: Even though Robert Kim was quite sick throughout the trip, he was still the most sensible and rational one out of everyone. He was the one that reminded us to get rest or to not get too carried away when we wanted to start our Vegas trip early. Rob was also the exemplary tour-guide, never ceasing to amaze me that a North Cali-er knew more about Vegas than So Cali-residing Nancy, Andy, Royee, and Josei. He also waits for opportunities to use terms such as "ghetto fabulous" in ordinary conversation, and Andy and him were kind enough to teach me how to play Worms before they regretted doing so. He was the one who also quarantined himself off whenever possible so that we wouldn't catch his germs. Robert taught me to never take anything from the men who slap ads against their palms, and that after 9/11, people came to pay their respects at the New York New York hotel.
Royee: Royee Chung is surprisingly good at BlackJack and surprisingly horrible at performing magic tricks with cards. He also does not like mushrooms and believes that "Pho is what they serve in Hell." He likes to stroll around Vegas, alarming people with his ghastly pallid upper arms and tooting praise songs on his kazoo. He takes ridiculously short 5 minute showers and believes that one pair of underwear is sufficient for a 3 day-long trip. Royee likes to drink orange juice and lemonade. He is also remarkably adept at water shooting games and hence won Brownie, the stupidest rhinoceros I have ever seen. =] He is by far the unhealthiest person of the group, but enjoys popsicles almost as much as I do. He constituted the last 1/3 of the Third Wheel Party.
Thanks to Rob and Kwansoo for driving everywhere. Thanks to Nancy for planning the trip and all our fun activities. Thank you Andy, Billy, Butch/Brian, Josei, Kwansoo, Nancy, Robert, and Royee for making my first Vegas trip so memorable and fun. =]"
"I just got back from Las Vegas and before I conk out, I wanted to write a little something that I learned about each person on the trip. I will write about the full details of the trip later.
Andy: Andrew Chon is exactly like Marlin in Finding Nemo. He will be the quintessential paranoid father figure who will freak out if even one hair is out of place on his future children's heads. He always lectured us on using the crosswalks and was always extra careful when stepping on and off the escalators. Despite this however, I can honestly say that Andrew is an intelligent guy except when he tries to prove me wrong about his acclaimed smartness. Andy has never tried ��뺺= although he claims that he loves ��� and is shockingly successful at Indy 500 and water shooting games. He was the first boy's leg that I've ever touched, and now I know not to touch them anymore. He let me watch while he applied his Old Spice deodorant. He is utterly useless on road trips and he does not enjoy sweet foods such as barbeque sauce or ���ø�.
Josei: Josephine Kim likes to sleep the earliest every night so that she can maximize her fun time during the day. She is also so fashionable that Nancy and I took alternate turns matching her outfits with one of ours every day. One of the most important qualities that Josei looks for in the opposite sex is their drive for ambition. Josei was also perceptive enough to know that I was going through Diet Coke withdrawal symptoms the first night and was kind enough to buy me one when I was at my all-time low. She also had really cute flowers embossed onto her toes, and didn't know that she was supposed to tip the pedicure lady. Josei thoroughly enjoyed the butternut squash ravioli at the Bellagio buffet.
Kwansoo: Kwansoo Jun likes orange juice and has never heard of �Ϻ�� in his life. It was also his first time in Las Vegas so he and I were really excited when we saw the "Welcome to Las Vegas" sign. Kwansoo doesn't like to eat fancy foods and instead prefers steak over everything else. He also packs excessively for a guy and was the only other person that wanted to ride the New York New York roller coaster with me. He wanted to hire a hooker to seduce Royee although it was he who received the lap dance at the Egg and I, and was the only guy who knew how to eat somewhat healthily. He has also seen the vast majority of movies, and laughed the longest after Nancy had her incident. He constituted the first 1/3 of the Third Wheel Party.
Nancy: Nancy Kim is crazy and thus has my complete respect. Not only does she have this limitless amount of energy that everyone feeds off of, but she is cool enough to try and steal a dollar from the fountain at the Bellagio. She is also really classy, piquing my interest not only in Andy Warhol, but in fine delicacies such as fruit salad in mint julep chutney. She is not ashamed to vocalize her appreciation for the finer looking specimens of the male species and her new hairstyle looks really good on her. However, I do not understand how she does not like ��κ� that much. She also never wore the baseball cap she brought to protect her face from the sun after her a surgery.
Robert: Even though Robert Kim was quite sick throughout the trip, he was still the most sensible and rational one out of everyone. He was the one that reminded us to get rest or to not get too carried away when we wanted to start our Vegas trip early. Rob was also the exemplary tour-guide, never ceasing to amaze me that a North Cali-er knew more about Vegas than So Cali-residing Nancy, Andy, Royee, and Josei. He also waits for opportunities to use terms such as "ghetto fabulous" in ordinary conversation, and Andy and him were kind enough to teach me how to play Worms before they regretted doing so. He was the one who also quarantined himself off whenever possible so that we wouldn't catch his germs. Robert taught me to never take anything from the men who slap ads against their palms, and that after 9/11, people came to pay their respects at the New York New York hotel.
Royee: Royee Chung is surprisingly good at BlackJack and surprisingly horrible at performing magic tricks with cards. He also does not like mushrooms and believes that "Pho is what they serve in Hell." He likes to stroll around Vegas, alarming people with his ghastly pallid upper arms and tooting praise songs on his kazoo. He takes ridiculously short 5 minute showers and believes that one pair of underwear is sufficient for a 3 day-long trip. Royee likes to drink orange juice and lemonade. He is also remarkably adept at water shooting games and hence won Brownie, the stupidest rhinoceros I have ever seen. =] He is by far the unhealthiest person of the group, but enjoys popsicles almost as much as I do. He constituted the last 1/3 of the Third Wheel Party.
Thanks to Rob and Kwansoo for driving everywhere. Thanks to Nancy for planning the trip and all our fun activities. Thank you Andy, Billy, Butch/Brian, Josei, Kwansoo, Nancy, Robert, and Royee for making my first Vegas trip so memorable and fun. =]"
Wednesday, June 09, 2004
"Love does not seek its own interest, but that of the other, and before all the common good." -Martin Luther.
My father and I have been raising a tomato plant together. He thinks I'm crazy, but I have affectionately named the plant Bob. I hope that the tomatoes will grow up to be as nice and red as Bob from Veggie Tales. I like living with just my father and me.
I received one of the best gifts ever today. It makes me look utterly ridiculous, but I absolutely love it. =]
My father and I have been raising a tomato plant together. He thinks I'm crazy, but I have affectionately named the plant Bob. I hope that the tomatoes will grow up to be as nice and red as Bob from Veggie Tales. I like living with just my father and me.
I received one of the best gifts ever today. It makes me look utterly ridiculous, but I absolutely love it. =]
Wednesday, June 02, 2004
Too much has happened within the past week and a half for me to accurately depict all the emotions and memories that I wish to cherish forever. I plan to leave Berkeley tomorrow, but something happened tonight that I'm still reeling from. Happiness marked by sadness... this seems to be the continual pattern of my life.
"God places the heaviest burden on those who can carry it's weight." -Reggie White.
"God places the heaviest burden on those who can carry it's weight." -Reggie White.
Wednesday, May 26, 2004
A group of students were asked to list what they thought were the present "Seven Wonders of the World." Though there were some disagreements, the following received the most votes:
1. Egypt's Great Pyramids
2. Taj Mahal
3. Grand Canyon
4. Panama Canal
5. Empire State Building
6. St. Peter's Basilica
7. China's Great Wall
While gathering the votes, the teacher noted that one student had not finished her paper yet. So she asked the girl if she was having trouble with her list. The girl replied, "Yes, a little. I couldn't quite make up my mind because there were so many."
The teacher said, "Well, tell us what you have, and maybe we can help."
The girl hesitated, then read, "I think the 'Seven Wonders of the World' are:
1. to see
2. to hear
3. to touch
4. to taste
5. to feel
6. to laugh
7. and to love."
The things I take for granted and dismiss as simple and ordinary are what are truly wondrous. The most precious things in life cannot be built or bought by man. It's ironic how simple everything's becoming just as the year is drawing to an end.
1. Egypt's Great Pyramids
2. Taj Mahal
3. Grand Canyon
4. Panama Canal
5. Empire State Building
6. St. Peter's Basilica
7. China's Great Wall
While gathering the votes, the teacher noted that one student had not finished her paper yet. So she asked the girl if she was having trouble with her list. The girl replied, "Yes, a little. I couldn't quite make up my mind because there were so many."
The teacher said, "Well, tell us what you have, and maybe we can help."
The girl hesitated, then read, "I think the 'Seven Wonders of the World' are:
1. to see
2. to hear
3. to touch
4. to taste
5. to feel
6. to laugh
7. and to love."
The things I take for granted and dismiss as simple and ordinary are what are truly wondrous. The most precious things in life cannot be built or bought by man. It's ironic how simple everything's becoming just as the year is drawing to an end.
Tuesday, May 18, 2004
I AM DONE! =]
I wanted to take a picture of my thesis like Andy Chon did, but I don't have a digital camera. So I took one with my regular camera but I don't think it'll have the same effect. Eh, I don't care.
This is cheesy, but I am very thankful for the friends who have empathized with me and who have encouraged me throughout this past semester. I can't believe I suffered an entire semester for one large conglomerate of words. It almost doesn't seem worth it at all. But regardless, there are some people who really made this semester bearable. Granted no one will know the extent of what I went through, and I say this without trying to be presumptuous at all, and I was never as lonely as I was this past semester, but every concerned question, every inquiry about my progress, every encouraging phone call, email, smile, postcard, helped. Thank you so much. =]
It hasn't yet sunk in that this will be the last time I'll probably ever have to deal with my thesis paper again. All the paper, all the notes, all the highlighters I went through, all for a measly 78 pages. Haha. It's ludicrous.
To finally be done is such an anticlimactic feeling.
I wanted to take a picture of my thesis like Andy Chon did, but I don't have a digital camera. So I took one with my regular camera but I don't think it'll have the same effect. Eh, I don't care.
This is cheesy, but I am very thankful for the friends who have empathized with me and who have encouraged me throughout this past semester. I can't believe I suffered an entire semester for one large conglomerate of words. It almost doesn't seem worth it at all. But regardless, there are some people who really made this semester bearable. Granted no one will know the extent of what I went through, and I say this without trying to be presumptuous at all, and I was never as lonely as I was this past semester, but every concerned question, every inquiry about my progress, every encouraging phone call, email, smile, postcard, helped. Thank you so much. =]
It hasn't yet sunk in that this will be the last time I'll probably ever have to deal with my thesis paper again. All the paper, all the notes, all the highlighters I went through, all for a measly 78 pages. Haha. It's ludicrous.
To finally be done is such an anticlimactic feeling.
Monday, May 17, 2004
I say that my life is ironic. People think I'm being dramatic or just wanting attention, but honestly, it really is. To take some examples that happened within the past 24 hours...
1. My thesis professor finally got back to me about my rough draft. She told me that she'd place it in her mailbox today because the final draft is due tomorrow. I trekked all the way to the JSP building to find that it wasn't there.
2. I never get sick, but I'm actually starting to feel the sickness coming on. However, I just gave the last bit of my cold medicine to Sewon who herself was sick, so I no longer have any for myself.
3. I always have problems with Calmail, so I decided to be smart and email myself my thesis to my Yahoo email account. A few hours later, my Calmail account is working fine and my Yahoo one won't open.
4. I've been meaning to speak to this person but haven't gotten around to it because of my own pride and fear. I've been thinking a lot about resolution with this person and tonight I randomly saw him on the street. It was weird, but it affirmed what I needed to do.
1. My thesis professor finally got back to me about my rough draft. She told me that she'd place it in her mailbox today because the final draft is due tomorrow. I trekked all the way to the JSP building to find that it wasn't there.
2. I never get sick, but I'm actually starting to feel the sickness coming on. However, I just gave the last bit of my cold medicine to Sewon who herself was sick, so I no longer have any for myself.
3. I always have problems with Calmail, so I decided to be smart and email myself my thesis to my Yahoo email account. A few hours later, my Calmail account is working fine and my Yahoo one won't open.
4. I've been meaning to speak to this person but haven't gotten around to it because of my own pride and fear. I've been thinking a lot about resolution with this person and tonight I randomly saw him on the street. It was weird, but it affirmed what I needed to do.
I took my last final ever at Berkeley right now. It was a very anti-climactic feeling.
I also received something that I don't deserve. I don't know what to do about it because it feels like I'm wearing a lie.
In sheer delirium, Sewon and I traipsed all over the Bay area in search for the prettiest flowers.
It was surreal watching Judy and Slum walk across the stage.
I had a good time catching up with Brian, one of my favorite little people in the entire world. =]
Judy's reception at King Yen was the perfect way to end the long day. Danny's surprise treat at Fentons'. David's sleaziness. Everyone giving me lip about my previous blog entry on pimply backs. Getting the crap scared out of me in the car.
Re-watching an old episode of Sang-Doo and crying again.
Saturday: Carolina time. =] Costco is a representation of the real world. The random 4 East freeway. Reacquainting ourselves with Great Khan. Ice cream cones and cookies. Welcome Julie Oh. =] Dinner at Jong Ga Jib. The nice waiter man who gave us extra noodles at my request. Talking about the real world vs. Ficb world. It's scary to realize that my growing and self-discovery process is not over yet.
Laker game 6. Watching with girls is so much better. Characterizing the players and no one agreeing with me. Susan's Shaq impersonation. Esther's blueberry cheesecakes. Buffalo wings and West Coast pizza. Diet Coke. A sad loss for the Spurs. Tony Parker looks like Elijah Wood. Movie time with Julie and Esther. Dong Gam with Kim Ha Neul and Yoo Ji Tae. I love Yoo Ji Tae when he smiles. The good background music. Talking about pimples, graduations, and life in general.
Sunday: Last nursery for a while. Sydney is so cute with her corndog arms and pale white skin in the creases of her fat. Hayley's cuteness while still being so sad. Winston making us late and his roundabout shortcut to church. Kukje market and bi-bi-bik. Shopping for more flowers. Doing something that I vowed I'd never do again. Seeing Andy as he was walking down Piedmont and thrusting Jane's graduation gift to him. Making Sharon turn back. Sigh. Andy's reception. Ester's melodious voice. Alex tuning out on me before I got to finish my explanation of baklava. The cute Chon family with especially cute parents.
I also received something that I don't deserve. I don't know what to do about it because it feels like I'm wearing a lie.
In sheer delirium, Sewon and I traipsed all over the Bay area in search for the prettiest flowers.
It was surreal watching Judy and Slum walk across the stage.
I had a good time catching up with Brian, one of my favorite little people in the entire world. =]
Judy's reception at King Yen was the perfect way to end the long day. Danny's surprise treat at Fentons'. David's sleaziness. Everyone giving me lip about my previous blog entry on pimply backs. Getting the crap scared out of me in the car.
Re-watching an old episode of Sang-Doo and crying again.
Saturday: Carolina time. =] Costco is a representation of the real world. The random 4 East freeway. Reacquainting ourselves with Great Khan. Ice cream cones and cookies. Welcome Julie Oh. =] Dinner at Jong Ga Jib. The nice waiter man who gave us extra noodles at my request. Talking about the real world vs. Ficb world. It's scary to realize that my growing and self-discovery process is not over yet.
Laker game 6. Watching with girls is so much better. Characterizing the players and no one agreeing with me. Susan's Shaq impersonation. Esther's blueberry cheesecakes. Buffalo wings and West Coast pizza. Diet Coke. A sad loss for the Spurs. Tony Parker looks like Elijah Wood. Movie time with Julie and Esther. Dong Gam with Kim Ha Neul and Yoo Ji Tae. I love Yoo Ji Tae when he smiles. The good background music. Talking about pimples, graduations, and life in general.
Sunday: Last nursery for a while. Sydney is so cute with her corndog arms and pale white skin in the creases of her fat. Hayley's cuteness while still being so sad. Winston making us late and his roundabout shortcut to church. Kukje market and bi-bi-bik. Shopping for more flowers. Doing something that I vowed I'd never do again. Seeing Andy as he was walking down Piedmont and thrusting Jane's graduation gift to him. Making Sharon turn back. Sigh. Andy's reception. Ester's melodious voice. Alex tuning out on me before I got to finish my explanation of baklava. The cute Chon family with especially cute parents.
Friday, May 14, 2004
I decided that I need a husband with pimples on his back. Not so much that when I run my fingers down his back, all I feel are variegated bumps, but enough so that his back is nicely speckled with them. Then I can pop them to my heart's content. I like popping pimples. It's like bubble wrap. I like to pop bubble wrap. It makes me happy.
Thursday, May 13, 2004
Tuesday, May 11, 2004
It's late. My heart is heavy, and my body, exhausted.
I had a good talk with a friend today. It's ironic because this friend is going through some of the very same questions and struggles that I myself went through earlier this semester and throughout the year. I wish we could have experienced some of this together, because I know we could have helped one another to be strong. I was struck again by how my life is riddled with so much irony. But I pray that whatever may happen will not result in the same hurt and distress that I had to endure.
"God grant me the serenity
To accept the things I cannot change;
Courage to change the things I can;
And the wisdom to know the difference.
Living one day at a time;
Enjoying one moment at a time;
Accepting hardships as the pathway to peace;
Taking as He did this sinful world as it is,
Not as I would have it;
Trusting that He will make all things right
If I surrender to His will;
That I may be reasonably happy in this life
And supremely happy with Him Forever in the next."
-Reinhold Neibuhr.
I had a good talk with a friend today. It's ironic because this friend is going through some of the very same questions and struggles that I myself went through earlier this semester and throughout the year. I wish we could have experienced some of this together, because I know we could have helped one another to be strong. I was struck again by how my life is riddled with so much irony. But I pray that whatever may happen will not result in the same hurt and distress that I had to endure.
To accept the things I cannot change;
Courage to change the things I can;
And the wisdom to know the difference.
Living one day at a time;
Enjoying one moment at a time;
Accepting hardships as the pathway to peace;
Taking as He did this sinful world as it is,
Not as I would have it;
Trusting that He will make all things right
If I surrender to His will;
That I may be reasonably happy in this life
And supremely happy with Him Forever in the next."
-Reinhold Neibuhr.
Monday, May 10, 2004
Blogger just changed everything with "a new look, new features, new templates, and that new Blogger smell." I'm sad. I never even adequately learned how to operate the first one, and this one suddenly appears out of nowhere.
"And you can open it and stuff." I need to learn to be more articulate. This reminds me of another insightful comment I made about children actors: "But as they get littler and littler, they get smarter and smarter." I disgust myself sometimes.
At the EM bbq, I witnessed the best moment between Pastor Eugene, Hailey, and Nicole. It made me so happy I openly kept staring while trying to inconspicuously take pictures of them. I really hope no one noticed.
Eating watermelon makes me happy.
"And you can open it and stuff." I need to learn to be more articulate. This reminds me of another insightful comment I made about children actors: "But as they get littler and littler, they get smarter and smarter." I disgust myself sometimes.
At the EM bbq, I witnessed the best moment between Pastor Eugene, Hailey, and Nicole. It made me so happy I openly kept staring while trying to inconspicuously take pictures of them. I really hope no one noticed.
Eating watermelon makes me happy.
