Saturday my boss Carolyn took us out to a really nice seafood buffet for our company Christmas dinner. It was good, but I was disappointed in the lobster. Actually, the catfish was the best fish by far, suprisingly enough. It was really fun, Carolyn is the best boss I could ever ask for.
Today I registered for next semester. I was a little bit upset because I had to wait until today to do it even though there's been online registration available to the upperclassmen for almost a full week already, but I went and spoke to a couselor and got everything worked out. I'm signed up for 19 credits, which seems like a lot, but 6 of them are Korean, which shouldn't be too hard, and 4 of them are Japanese 101, which should also be pretty easy. Plus, if it ends up being too much, I can always just drop one after the first week or whatever.
Monday, December 8, 2008
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
Friends
The past week my friends Mike, Matt, and Craig came to visit. I felt like a bad host at times, because I don't have a car, so I couldn't really show them around,(we ended up renting a car) and I had to go to class for the first 2 days, because UH only gives 2 days of break for Thanksgiving. But, I don't think those guys really cared that much about that stuff, it seems they had fun anyway. Next time anyone comes to visit I'll do better though, I swear.
We had fun hanging out at the beach, Hanauma bay, the Dole pineapple farm, Polynesian Cultural Center, and the swap meet. It was actually really fun to just hang out with the guys again, it didn't really matter what we did.You know what? It's kinda weird that I've only been around enough to hang out with my friends for fewer than 4 months of the past year, but when we get together, it's pretty much the exact same as it always has been. We're all pretty blessed to have such good relationships with one another I guess. I'll post some pics of the trip later.
So today I found a few cool websites. The first is www.studentsreview.com. I wish I'd found it when I was in high school. It has a bunch of surveys from students of over 3000 colleges in the U.S.(and perhaps elsewhere) detailing what they like, and don't like about their school. Interesting stuff. BYU has a satisfaction rating of B+ which puts it right alongside Harvard, and Arizona State(go figure). My current school, however, is a C+, and over 60 percent of the students said if they could do it over again they would choose another school. hmmm...
Ok, the second website is a bit funnier. It's an emo band name generator. You simply type in your name, and it comes up with some kind of ridiculous name perfect for your own personal emo band. Everyone should try it, my emo band's name is Without My Vanilla Satellite. It could work...
We had fun hanging out at the beach, Hanauma bay, the Dole pineapple farm, Polynesian Cultural Center, and the swap meet. It was actually really fun to just hang out with the guys again, it didn't really matter what we did.You know what? It's kinda weird that I've only been around enough to hang out with my friends for fewer than 4 months of the past year, but when we get together, it's pretty much the exact same as it always has been. We're all pretty blessed to have such good relationships with one another I guess. I'll post some pics of the trip later.
So today I found a few cool websites. The first is www.studentsreview.com. I wish I'd found it when I was in high school. It has a bunch of surveys from students of over 3000 colleges in the U.S.(and perhaps elsewhere) detailing what they like, and don't like about their school. Interesting stuff. BYU has a satisfaction rating of B+ which puts it right alongside Harvard, and Arizona State(go figure). My current school, however, is a C+, and over 60 percent of the students said if they could do it over again they would choose another school. hmmm...
Ok, the second website is a bit funnier. It's an emo band name generator. You simply type in your name, and it comes up with some kind of ridiculous name perfect for your own personal emo band. Everyone should try it, my emo band's name is Without My Vanilla Satellite. It could work...
Try it at
the Emo Band Name Generator
Sunday, November 16, 2008
Stupid name, smart movie
I saw Quantum of Solace Friday night, and I have to say, It was sweet. Loads of cools places: Italy, Haiti, Bolivia- not to mention the sweet action,(minus the boat scene, it was a bit to jerky for my liking; it looked like they actually filmed it from the boat)nice cars,and babes made it a real treat for the eyes. In fact, other than the boat scene, and name, (Although I guess ridiculous names are in line with the Bond tradition)I liked this one better than the last. On top of that, the song for the opening credits was done by the beautiful and talented Alicia Keys,(and the weird looking guy from the White Stripes)and you've got yourself one heck of a movie.In fact, I thought this was the best action movie I've seen this year. Then again, I still haven't seen The Dark Knight. My friend and I were talking about it after, and we decided this James Bond is more rebellious and bad to the bone than ever. He's basically James Dean on steroids. And HGH. Also, I was lucky enough to fall in love during the movie too...
Just look at her. Her name is Olga Kurylenko, and she plays a half-Bolivian, half-Russian chick with revenge for her dead family on her mind. People said she did a bad job, but I don't think so. Although... it is possible I just didn't pay any attention to her acting. Now that I think about it I can't remember much in particular about her acting...Dang she's fine!
The past few weeks have been kinda crazy. With my boss out of town, I have had to go clean a few more places than I typically do; luckily, she let me use her car while she's gone visiting her son's fam (having a car here is so great, I can't even tell you). On top of that, I house-sat and took care of her dog Ellie at her place for a week. She lives way up in the mountains, and it has great views, and is incredibly beautiful. There are Lemon, avocado, and Guava trees right outside her house, too. Ellie is an english cocker spaniel, and she's super smart, but spoiled. She even has her own treadmill that she walks on every day.
So anyway, today my boss came back, and I gave the car back. Part of me is relieved, because that mean I have less responsibility, but I know it won't be long until I really wish I had a car.
Just look at her. Her name is Olga Kurylenko, and she plays a half-Bolivian, half-Russian chick with revenge for her dead family on her mind. People said she did a bad job, but I don't think so. Although... it is possible I just didn't pay any attention to her acting. Now that I think about it I can't remember much in particular about her acting...Dang she's fine!
The past few weeks have been kinda crazy. With my boss out of town, I have had to go clean a few more places than I typically do; luckily, she let me use her car while she's gone visiting her son's fam (having a car here is so great, I can't even tell you). On top of that, I house-sat and took care of her dog Ellie at her place for a week. She lives way up in the mountains, and it has great views, and is incredibly beautiful. There are Lemon, avocado, and Guava trees right outside her house, too. Ellie is an english cocker spaniel, and she's super smart, but spoiled. She even has her own treadmill that she walks on every day.
So anyway, today my boss came back, and I gave the car back. Part of me is relieved, because that mean I have less responsibility, but I know it won't be long until I really wish I had a car.
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
NBA basketball
I love the NBA, especially the Jazz. Maybe I'm a loser with no friends,and nothing better to do, but almost everyday since I've been in Hawaii I thought about how I won't be able to see them on TV this year, because I don't have good ole KJAZZ in Hawaii. Then on Saturday, I made a discovery. We have some channel that pretty much just shows LA sports; UCLA, USC, Lakers, everything. And it just so happened that the Jazz played the Clippers Saturday and Monday night. Needless to say I was most pleased. I'll tell you what else I'm pleased with...the Jazz! They haven't lost yet despite playing without Deron Williams. I know it's too early too tell for sure, but Brewer, Millsap, Korver, and Kirilenko all look improved from last year, and I like Brevin Knight too(although I dunno how many minutes he'll get this year competing for second-string point with Ronnie Price). Two things I don't like though, are C.J. Miles sucking it up(they should start Harpring when he's healthy, at least he can rebound), and Fesenko looking like he doesn't even care when he's out there. Granted, he only plays if it's a blowout, so there really is nothing to play for, but come on man! He's got a freakin incredible build for the NBA, I mean a lot of size. 7'1", 290 lbs!! In fact, my favorite part of both games against the Clippers was when the announcers started talking about the size of his calves.
"Do you think those things are as big as Yao Ming's?"
"I dunno...actually, I'm still trying to figure out how to say his name. Tell you what, if he gets the ball you're taking over the play-by-play."
Hilarious stuff. Really the highest of comedy. Maybe you had to be there, but it makes me wish they played the Clippers every game- Ok every other game.
Monday, October 20, 2008
School in Hawaii(+/-s)
Today I've decided I'll write about some of the pluses and minuses of attending school in Hawaii. Here goes...
+ Tropical Paradise
Hawaii, in case you didn't know, is tropical. The temperature is pretty much around 85 every day, except in the "winter", when it's like 5 degrees cooler and rains. As Steve called and reminded me, many people come to Hawaii for vacations, because the weather is so nice, and there are many beaches.
- Tropical Paradise
It's sometimes too warm and humid for me here. Not a minus at all if I had a car, but since I walk everywhere it's really hot, especially with my backpack on. It's gross because I get way sweaty. Also, It can become a distraction when you're trying to do schoolwork when the beach is less than 2 miles from your house.
+ Diversity
I guess UH is the most ethnically diverse campus in the US. At least that's what everyone keeps saying. So that means there are lots of different kinds of food to eat, and people to meet. Very cool.
-Bugs
Okay, there are tons of freakin bugs here. If you try to walk anywhere once the sun's started to go down and it's started getting cool, (you know, when it doesn't suck to walk places because it's too hot) you will invariably almost step on about a million cockaroaches(read it like Tony Montana). This is disgusting, and definitely a minus. On the other hand, there are almost as many lil' lizards, which are fun to try and catch.
+ Asian stuff
I'm an Asian studies major, so this is pretty cool for me. I posted pics of the Center for Korean studies last week, but there are much more cool things here than just that. For example-
East West Center- The East West center is an education and research organization established by the U.S. Congress in 1960 to strengthen relations and understanding among the peoples and nations of Asia, the Pacific and the US. There are a lot of seminars and other pretty cool stuff that goes on there.
Thai Royal Sala(pavilion)- This was given by the King of Thailand earlier this year to replace one given in 1967 or 68. It has the royal seal( I assume that's what I took a picture of in the bootom right) and was reassembled on site by some Thai dudes. As you can see from the picture in the bottom right in particular,it is very detailed. Pretty cool, no?
Japanese Garden- There also happens to be a very beatiful Japanese style garden and tea house on campus. Check it out.
You get the picture I'm sure; I'm digging all the cool asian stuff.
-Cost of living
I'm definitely not digging the cost of living here. I pay 600 bucks a month for a room in a crummy apartment. Luckily I only signed a lease that's through the end of the year. Food is a lot more too. Even dollar menus at Jack in the Box and Mcdonald's are considerably smaller, beacause a lot of the typical value menu stuff is a bit pricier here.
Overall though, the pluses outweigh the minuses, and I am happy to be here.
+ Tropical Paradise
Hawaii, in case you didn't know, is tropical. The temperature is pretty much around 85 every day, except in the "winter", when it's like 5 degrees cooler and rains. As Steve called and reminded me, many people come to Hawaii for vacations, because the weather is so nice, and there are many beaches.
- Tropical Paradise
It's sometimes too warm and humid for me here. Not a minus at all if I had a car, but since I walk everywhere it's really hot, especially with my backpack on. It's gross because I get way sweaty. Also, It can become a distraction when you're trying to do schoolwork when the beach is less than 2 miles from your house.
+ Diversity
I guess UH is the most ethnically diverse campus in the US. At least that's what everyone keeps saying. So that means there are lots of different kinds of food to eat, and people to meet. Very cool.
-Bugs
Okay, there are tons of freakin bugs here. If you try to walk anywhere once the sun's started to go down and it's started getting cool, (you know, when it doesn't suck to walk places because it's too hot) you will invariably almost step on about a million cockaroaches(read it like Tony Montana). This is disgusting, and definitely a minus. On the other hand, there are almost as many lil' lizards, which are fun to try and catch.
+ Asian stuff
I'm an Asian studies major, so this is pretty cool for me. I posted pics of the Center for Korean studies last week, but there are much more cool things here than just that. For example-
East West Center- The East West center is an education and research organization established by the U.S. Congress in 1960 to strengthen relations and understanding among the peoples and nations of Asia, the Pacific and the US. There are a lot of seminars and other pretty cool stuff that goes on there.
Thai Royal Sala(pavilion)- This was given by the King of Thailand earlier this year to replace one given in 1967 or 68. It has the royal seal( I assume that's what I took a picture of in the bootom right) and was reassembled on site by some Thai dudes. As you can see from the picture in the bottom right in particular,it is very detailed. Pretty cool, no?
Japanese Garden- There also happens to be a very beatiful Japanese style garden and tea house on campus. Check it out.
You get the picture I'm sure; I'm digging all the cool asian stuff.
-Cost of living
I'm definitely not digging the cost of living here. I pay 600 bucks a month for a room in a crummy apartment. Luckily I only signed a lease that's through the end of the year. Food is a lot more too. Even dollar menus at Jack in the Box and Mcdonald's are considerably smaller, beacause a lot of the typical value menu stuff is a bit pricier here.
Overall though, the pluses outweigh the minuses, and I am happy to be here.
Saturday, October 18, 2008
Be excellent to each other
Today in class my teacher said the Chinese emperor during the Han dynasty was "morally excellent... excellent." I couldn't help but think of the dynamic duo that is Bill and Ted, and I of course, began to chuckle. My teacher noticed, however, and asked what was so funny. Everyone of course looked at me, and gave me that look, you know the one. I responded "oh it's nothing", but he insisted. I just couldn't tell him, because honestly, it would have been a little weird. It was an awkward moment, to say the least. But the chuckle was worth it.
Thanks guys.
OK, onto more serious business. Tuesday I read an article in the newspaper by a guy named Cal Thomas. I didn't know, but this dude's a pretty famous columnist. It's an interesting article, titled "The End of 'We the People'". I found it again here-http://www.calthomas.com/index.php?news=2395. It's about how in Connecticut there was a recent ruling by the state supreme court allowing same-sex marriages. The ruling cannot be appealed. You may think, "so what? The world is becoming more tolerant of homosexuals, and so this seems pretty normal." As far as I'm concerned, homosexuality is not even the issue. The problem I see with this is that the judges have the power to create sanctions which deprived Connecticut citizens of the legal right to limit marriage to the legal relationship between a man and a woman. Whatever happened to "We the people"? Doesn't a ruling class of judges seem super unconstitutional? If judges in our present time are to be as powerful as King Solomon in their rulings, I wanna be a freakin judge;)
Thanks guys.
OK, onto more serious business. Tuesday I read an article in the newspaper by a guy named Cal Thomas. I didn't know, but this dude's a pretty famous columnist. It's an interesting article, titled "The End of 'We the People'". I found it again here-http://www.calthomas.com/index.php?news=2395. It's about how in Connecticut there was a recent ruling by the state supreme court allowing same-sex marriages. The ruling cannot be appealed. You may think, "so what? The world is becoming more tolerant of homosexuals, and so this seems pretty normal." As far as I'm concerned, homosexuality is not even the issue. The problem I see with this is that the judges have the power to create sanctions which deprived Connecticut citizens of the legal right to limit marriage to the legal relationship between a man and a woman. Whatever happened to "We the people"? Doesn't a ruling class of judges seem super unconstitutional? If judges in our present time are to be as powerful as King Solomon in their rulings, I wanna be a freakin judge;)
Thursday, October 16, 2008
That one hurt...real bad.
Well, that was embarrassing. Unless something crazy happens, BYU just lost 32-7 to TCU. I knew it wasn't gonna be good when I noticed Max Hall was telegraphing his passes in the first quarter, but I had hoped it would be a little closer. The worst part about it is that I'm gonna have to read about how the team was a "pretender" or something like that for at least the next week. Well, in spite of the loss, I found something else I read the other day that made me smile. Read Matt stairs' quote in the fifth paragraph down of the article at this address.
http://www.philly.com/philly/sports/phillies/20081014_Just_A_Win_Away.html
If you don't see what I'm talking about, don't ask.
http://www.philly.com/philly/sports/phillies/20081014_Just_A_Win_Away.html
If you don't see what I'm talking about, don't ask.
BYU v.TCU
Today I get to watch my first BYU football game of the season. Thank heavens I have I have Versus(I never thought I'd say that). The Game started out rough. Max Hall fumbled on BYU's first series, and then it only took 2 plays for TCU to score. Then they drove down and scored again pretty quickly, and Max Hall threw an interception. It's not looking good...I actually want to vomit. On a related note, Versus sucks. The announcers have said that O'neill Chambers got "jackknifed" when he was tackled on a kickoff return, and that when the officials checked to review a call it was a "mangled mess". I could come up with better crap than this.
Yesterday I met with the counselor for the Korean Flagship BA program, and she was very encouraging. She asked why I wasn't in a higher level Korean class, and I said I didn't know, they just put me in 302. Apparently she thinks I'm better than that. Nice! I feel like everything is working out for me, even if it's not going just like I expected. I'll write more after the game- maybe
Yesterday I met with the counselor for the Korean Flagship BA program, and she was very encouraging. She asked why I wasn't in a higher level Korean class, and I said I didn't know, they just put me in 302. Apparently she thinks I'm better than that. Nice! I feel like everything is working out for me, even if it's not going just like I expected. I'll write more after the game- maybe
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Center for Korean Studies
This is the Center for Korean studies at UH Manoa. It was built in the 1970s, and adopted the design of the throne hall of Kyongbok Palace. It is very authentic. The granite around the bottom was imported from Korea, as were the carpenters who built it.
It cost 1.5 million to build at the time, one third of which was supplied through gov't grants and donations from Korea.
I have classes here 3 days a week. Well, inside the bigger building, not this pagoda looking thing. Niiice!
First post!
Well, I've finally arrived. I had so much fun reading everyone else's blog, I decided I had to get in on it. My guess is this blog will be one of the most popular on the internet, so consider yourself lucky to have stumbled upon it in it's infancy.
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