I got geek glasses today!! Two pairs actually, for only W110,000 (to convert to approximate USD, knock off three decimal places). Eeekk...

All the pictures I've taken so far are on my facebook albums. For you lazy bums, . There ya go.

Neeeeeeeeed to update...

In good news, I'm planning on studying abroad for at least a semester here at Seoul. :) Wow what a 180 turn, huh?

Think about this one...

I feel like a Windows program on a Mac. I have Korean skin but yet run on American "programs."

Barbie

Roberto Martocci, manager of a dental office, with Sophia, Jacob, and CJ Sachs
That’s a lot of Barbie gear.
My oldest daughter is very into princesses and Barbies. But we have them trained: They know what matches. We say, “Okay, here are your choices,” and they get to make a choice, but it has to be a correct choice. In our family, we match.

What’s the vibe like here in the mornings?
It’s very diverse in terms of parents. There are kids with every type of family. We’re two dads and three kids, and this is a warm and caring place where the kids get to be themselves.




Read the quotes on the bottom and you'll know why I put this up. This is absolutely heart-warming picture. I just had to post.

It's raining on and off outside so I think I'll rest for a day....

Don't question the will of God and surely don't contest it.

I woke up today fairly early to go get some medicine or what-not (hanyak in Korean) but my grandparents are running late.

It's so strange to me how there's so many blips of Western culture influence here in Korea. Everyone speaks or attempts English. Every public sign is posted in Korean and English. Also, I want to thank my mom for forcing me to take Korean. I speak just enough that I can easily deceive a native as being just one of them.

Today I'm going to visit the National Museum or somethin' like that.

Now for an editorial cartoon I came across while on The Onion that infuriated me:



Now WHY does this make me so angry? FIrst of all, isn't the purpose of all these endangering acts and preservation to save lives, regardless if they're human or not? Life on Earth should be beautiful and not be ruined by preventable things, such as hunting and toxins in the air. Secondly, how can anyone pretend to know the thoughts of God and rightfully say that the intent of the animals was to be with him in heaven and that human intervention of prolonging their lives is against His will? What if our role in the process was actually part of God's will for these animals? Last but not least, why would any mammal see a long life as hazardous to its health? I'm sure (most) humans would do nearly anything to live as long as they would. I'm sure the animals would like the same. I mean, why in the world do they have a fight-or-flight response if they didn't want to live longer?

OW

So the whole day I've been hauling my green backpack with the bunch of sh!t in it. It's been the biggest mistake walking probably 8-10 miles with the laptop strapped to my back. My left shoulder feels like it's straining for its life back! I got lost in the hubbub that is Seoul (but much rather enjoyed it). But whenever I needed a break, I would go to a Starbucks or some cafe, pay W6,000 for a small iced drink, and steal Wifi off of neighbors.

Today I actually went around one of those huge palaces and was too chicken to take a picture of legit looking guards. The part that wasn't so fun was when I took a detour, foolishly thinking it was a shortcut out. It turned out that I needed another hour to find the exit. I saw some pretty water lilly gardens and old architecture however.

And it's a little overwhelming how advanced the Korean metropolitan is.

The most humble egg

As contrary as it may sound, I'm slowly beginning to enjoy Korea. It seems like it has the best of many worlds. My mornings are humble with family members, which I got the pleasure to eat the most humble egg this morning. It didn't need any flavors to enhance its taste but the rawness of it was just pleasant enough. Yesterday I spent hours fixing and building things in the rural side of my grandmother's house. Right now, I'm surprisingly writing this on my computer while stealing other's Wifi and experienced the best subway ride of my life. Sorry BART, but you can't compare to the complexity and chicness of the Korean metro. Korea has a wonderful recycling system going on and everything seems to be within a walking distance. I'm so amazed!

The only bad thing is that I got bitten multiple times by a mosquito yesterday. They really are the ear ghost.



I don't feel like typing more right now. I'm gonna go explore more Korean art! Woohoo!

Obama secures nomination

This is such exciting news. I'm just so relieved that we, the nation, have such a good chance of letting someone with so much positive influence take over the government. Go Obama!




Now vote in November!!

The relative maximum of a function

So the title had to do with a combination of me being into a calc trance and also the great feeling of loving life. I've established that life is a series of ups and downs, and right now I'm feeling I'm on an "up." It's so pleasurable to know that although high school is really ending, it's not a definite goodbye. We're simply parting with those we love to pursue higher and varying goals. Once you accept the fact that the past is, well, the past, you seem so blessed to have gotten where you are safely. Hopefully nothing horribly tragic has happened within the four years and regretting is a worthless thought that can either way not be retraced. All you can do is look ahead and hope for the best. While destiny (and God some may argue) are responsible for the roller coaster you're about to experience, reaction really is the most of it. Make life more enjoyable: not just for yourself but more importantly for others around you. Happiness will only flow in like rich wine when you follow this simple concept.

Life is great.