Dreams- Langston Hughes
"Hold fast to dreams
For if dreams die
Life is a broken-winged bird
That cannot fly.
Hold fast to dreams
For when dreams go
Life is a barren field
Frozen with snow."
We all need something to live for
Monday, January 31, 2011
On stress and taking a vacation
Have you ever found yourself in one of those conversations where you have no idea what the other person is talking about? Well, maybe "no idea" is an overstatement. I guess what I'm trying to say is that I remember a conversation with a good friend a couple years ago in which she told me that she wished she could just get away- just pack up and go somewhere far and leave everything behind for a while. We were really close and I knew her super well- she had a lot going for her and I thought she was a happy person. That's why it confused me when she said she just wanted to leave. Why was she trying to escape her life? I guess I never really understood why until recently.
As I may have mentioned before, I could consider myself a very fortunate person. Not to sound cocky, but so far in my life, things have seemed to work out for me- yes, I work hard, but I would also consider myself a pretty lucky guy. However, as many of you probably know, with ambition and success, comes stress. We all have different levels of stress and deal with it in our own way. I like to talk it out, exercise, eat, watch tv/movies, or a combination of these things- whatever seems to work at the time. Unfortunately, there are times when our stress levels soar and we don't know how to deal with it and many of haven't found that one thing that can help them relax and unwind. I think it's important to note that we are all going through this at one point or another and that we're not alone.
Back to what my friend was saying...
When I was younger, I always thought vacations were just trips to go far away and do something fun. I never really understood the reasons for the vacation- I was just excited to go. Now I realize that taking a vacation- taking a break- is so incredibly important for our well-being. Sometimes, we just need to give our minds a break and let loose. I finally get what my friend was saying- she wasn't unhappy with life- just needed a little break. I unfortunately lost touch with her, but I truly hope she found what she was looking for.
This past weekend, I took the train up to Santa Barbara to visit my friend Nicole. It was so great being there, going to the zoo, and getting to experience Isla Vista and Carpinteria, the town she's from (and now I can vouch that it is in fact, an awesome place). It was so cool to see where she grew up- walking around downtown and going to the beach. The area is so chill and relaxing, especially compared to LA. I absolutely love going to school down here, but being in SB was amazing. It was such a great mini-vacation and she told me that it felt like a vacation for her too- showing me around everywhere. We were both happy to get away from work and midterms and just hang out and enjoy the weekend.
Sometimes we have to give ourselves that vacation we need, the one we deserve. It makes such a big difference.
View from the train to Santa Barbara
(more pictures on facebook)
As I may have mentioned before, I could consider myself a very fortunate person. Not to sound cocky, but so far in my life, things have seemed to work out for me- yes, I work hard, but I would also consider myself a pretty lucky guy. However, as many of you probably know, with ambition and success, comes stress. We all have different levels of stress and deal with it in our own way. I like to talk it out, exercise, eat, watch tv/movies, or a combination of these things- whatever seems to work at the time. Unfortunately, there are times when our stress levels soar and we don't know how to deal with it and many of haven't found that one thing that can help them relax and unwind. I think it's important to note that we are all going through this at one point or another and that we're not alone.
Back to what my friend was saying...
When I was younger, I always thought vacations were just trips to go far away and do something fun. I never really understood the reasons for the vacation- I was just excited to go. Now I realize that taking a vacation- taking a break- is so incredibly important for our well-being. Sometimes, we just need to give our minds a break and let loose. I finally get what my friend was saying- she wasn't unhappy with life- just needed a little break. I unfortunately lost touch with her, but I truly hope she found what she was looking for.
This past weekend, I took the train up to Santa Barbara to visit my friend Nicole. It was so great being there, going to the zoo, and getting to experience Isla Vista and Carpinteria, the town she's from (and now I can vouch that it is in fact, an awesome place). It was so cool to see where she grew up- walking around downtown and going to the beach. The area is so chill and relaxing, especially compared to LA. I absolutely love going to school down here, but being in SB was amazing. It was such a great mini-vacation and she told me that it felt like a vacation for her too- showing me around everywhere. We were both happy to get away from work and midterms and just hang out and enjoy the weekend.
Sometimes we have to give ourselves that vacation we need, the one we deserve. It makes such a big difference.
View from the train to Santa Barbara(more pictures on facebook)
Saturday, January 22, 2011
On true friendship
A true friend is someone who tells you something you don't want to hear, yet need to hear, not to be mean, but in the hopes of helping you become a better person.
On running
When I was younger, I played so many sports and for a lot of the teams I was on, there was a bit of running during practice. I remember that for a couple of years during high school, I was playing soccer and baseball at the same time in the fall. Our baseball team practiced everyday after school and two of those days were reserved strictly for conditioning. For soccer, we had three practices a week, one of which was only running- we didn't even touch the ball. I hated those days so much. I didn't mind doing the drills for both sports, because they helped me become a better athlete and some were reasonably fun. However, I would dread the days where we would be running a lot.
Going through this routine week after week got me into really great shape- probably the best I've ever been in. My conditioning level was high so I didn't get tired during games, but I think I had this mental block that really affected the way I performed during conditioning practices. For some reason, I didn't think I could keep up, even though I did every time. Being the captain of my soccer team helped me in that I couldn't show any weakness. I just had to suck it up and lead them during the practices. Still, I hated all the running and working out that we did- why couldn't we just play?
I don't think I truly appreciated running until maybe a few years ago. It's possible because I stopped playing organized sports and I was able to control my own run- time, duration, intensity, etc. I would go out for a run, not because I had to, but because I wanted to. It also became less of me trying to stay in shape (although that is one of the reasons I do it) and more of a stress reliever. Running, although it's a strain on the body, can be so relaxing. I feel that my brain is constantly going and doesn't really ever stop, so getting out there and running really allows me clear my head.
I still don't run as much as I want to, or rather, need to- I think it's because I still prefer to get my exercise by playing sports instead. However, I'm glad to have found some joy from an activity I previously detested.
Going through this routine week after week got me into really great shape- probably the best I've ever been in. My conditioning level was high so I didn't get tired during games, but I think I had this mental block that really affected the way I performed during conditioning practices. For some reason, I didn't think I could keep up, even though I did every time. Being the captain of my soccer team helped me in that I couldn't show any weakness. I just had to suck it up and lead them during the practices. Still, I hated all the running and working out that we did- why couldn't we just play?
I don't think I truly appreciated running until maybe a few years ago. It's possible because I stopped playing organized sports and I was able to control my own run- time, duration, intensity, etc. I would go out for a run, not because I had to, but because I wanted to. It also became less of me trying to stay in shape (although that is one of the reasons I do it) and more of a stress reliever. Running, although it's a strain on the body, can be so relaxing. I feel that my brain is constantly going and doesn't really ever stop, so getting out there and running really allows me clear my head.
I still don't run as much as I want to, or rather, need to- I think it's because I still prefer to get my exercise by playing sports instead. However, I'm glad to have found some joy from an activity I previously detested.
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
On being in a hurry
Do you ever feel like you're in a hurry to get somewhere, but you don't know exactly where or why? Why do you suppose that is? Maybe it's because life appears to be moving so quickly that we feel the need to keep up. It's nice when everything slows down for a bit- gives us a chance to catch our breath and enjoy it all.
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
On Amy Chua's "Why Chinese Mothers Are Superior"
Before reading this post, I want everyone to understand a couple things. It's important to note that I haven't read her book and have no interest or intention to do so. Based on this article, it would be a waste of time (in my opinion). This woman really pisses me off. If you agree with her views, you are entitled to your opinion, but aren't going to like what you read here. Just saying...
First of all, DO NOT BUY THIS BOOK. Seriously, DON'T BUY IT. Please don't support or contribute anything to this woman, much less money. Why are they letting her go on a book tour? There's already enough bad in this world. What a backward, elitist, and just plain awful person. Being Chinese American, I can understand what she is saying- the only thing is, I completely disagree with her. Based on the Wall Street Journal article (linked below), she's saying that "Chinese mothers" know how to raise the best kids. So basically, she's saying that she's a better mother than most of the world. This is so insulting to so many people.
Like I said in an earlier post, I understand that many people think they're better than others. Although I obviously don't agree with this, people should never act like they're better. Who gives them the right?
Chua says that "Western mothers" care too much about their child's self-esteem and Chinese mothers swear at their kids and call them "fatty." She also claims that "Chinese parents understand that nothing is fun until you're good at it." She then goes on to say that Chinese mothers are better mothers. Uhh...what? Better than who? The point she's trying to make is that Chinese mothers are motivating and push their kids to be the best they can be. Fair enough. However, this woman doesn't understand balance and it seems that she doesn't care about her kids either.
Chua says that her father once called her "garbage" and she "didn't actually think [she] was worthless or feel like a piece of garbage." Apparently, if it didn't affect her back then, it wouldn't affect anyone else today and this is a perfectly acceptable assumption. I don't think she knows what happens when people assume. Yes, she has made an ass out of herself. You don't call your kids names. Let me rephrase: If you care about your kids, you don't call them names!
I understand the need for parents to motivate their children. My parents pushed me to always do my best, but at the same time, they knew what balance is. They wanted me to put as much effort as possible into things and I continue to do so today. I talk to my mom almost everyday and she always asks how I am- it's nice to know that my mom is genuinely interested in how I'm doing. But if Amy Chua met my mom, she would call her a Westerner and say she wasn't a good mom.
I think that the Chua family should just go back to Asia. God forbid one of her daughters meets a Westerner-raised boy and marries him. There is almost always more than one way to do something successfully- someone should write a book about that.
I can think of tons of things that I'm not good at, but are still a lot of fun.
In college, classes are curved so not everyone can get an A. What if there was a class full of students that were raised by "Chinese mothers?" Someone has to get a B and it's going to be a "Chinese-raised" kid. Does that mean that their mothers are inferior? I mean, children are a reflection of their parents, right?
Bill Gates' mom wasn't Chinese and he is very successful.
There seem to be a lot of holes in Mrs. Chua's argument. Maybe I should be a professor at Yale too.
First of all, DO NOT BUY THIS BOOK. Seriously, DON'T BUY IT. Please don't support or contribute anything to this woman, much less money. Why are they letting her go on a book tour? There's already enough bad in this world. What a backward, elitist, and just plain awful person. Being Chinese American, I can understand what she is saying- the only thing is, I completely disagree with her. Based on the Wall Street Journal article (linked below), she's saying that "Chinese mothers" know how to raise the best kids. So basically, she's saying that she's a better mother than most of the world. This is so insulting to so many people.
Like I said in an earlier post, I understand that many people think they're better than others. Although I obviously don't agree with this, people should never act like they're better. Who gives them the right?
Chua says that "Western mothers" care too much about their child's self-esteem and Chinese mothers swear at their kids and call them "fatty." She also claims that "Chinese parents understand that nothing is fun until you're good at it." She then goes on to say that Chinese mothers are better mothers. Uhh...what? Better than who? The point she's trying to make is that Chinese mothers are motivating and push their kids to be the best they can be. Fair enough. However, this woman doesn't understand balance and it seems that she doesn't care about her kids either.
Chua says that her father once called her "garbage" and she "didn't actually think [she] was worthless or feel like a piece of garbage." Apparently, if it didn't affect her back then, it wouldn't affect anyone else today and this is a perfectly acceptable assumption. I don't think she knows what happens when people assume. Yes, she has made an ass out of herself. You don't call your kids names. Let me rephrase: If you care about your kids, you don't call them names!
I understand the need for parents to motivate their children. My parents pushed me to always do my best, but at the same time, they knew what balance is. They wanted me to put as much effort as possible into things and I continue to do so today. I talk to my mom almost everyday and she always asks how I am- it's nice to know that my mom is genuinely interested in how I'm doing. But if Amy Chua met my mom, she would call her a Westerner and say she wasn't a good mom.
I think that the Chua family should just go back to Asia. God forbid one of her daughters meets a Westerner-raised boy and marries him. There is almost always more than one way to do something successfully- someone should write a book about that.
I can think of tons of things that I'm not good at, but are still a lot of fun.
In college, classes are curved so not everyone can get an A. What if there was a class full of students that were raised by "Chinese mothers?" Someone has to get a B and it's going to be a "Chinese-raised" kid. Does that mean that their mothers are inferior? I mean, children are a reflection of their parents, right?
Bill Gates' mom wasn't Chinese and he is very successful.
There seem to be a lot of holes in Mrs. Chua's argument. Maybe I should be a professor at Yale too.
* After writing this blog post, I did a bit of additional research on this woman and her book. If you do the same, you will find some favorable reviews and some not-so-favorable reviews regarding the book. What I wrote above was simply my opinion on what she conveyed in the WSJ Article, which I do understand was biased- but so is everything else.
http://online.wsj.com/article_email/SB10001424052748704111504576059713528698754-lMyQjAxMTAxMDEwNjExNDYyWj.html
On not appreciating things until they're gone
The fact that I only have eight weeks of classes (plus finals) left until I graduate makes me quite sad. My time here at UCLA has been truly amazing and I wouldn't trade it for anything in the world. I love this place and I'm not sure I want to leave just yet. Since starting fall quarter back in September, I've been overwhelmed with a sense of nostalgia and that feeling continues to grow stronger as time passes. I guess what they say is true- You don't truly appreciate something until it's gone.
As I sit here writing, though, I realize that I still have a good chunk of my senior year remaining and I intend to take full advantage of it, just like I did in the fall. I'm glad that my brother goes to school here with me- it's nice to hang out with him every once in a while and I'm going to miss him when I'm back in the bay area and he's in LA. I'm also glad that I finally climbed the rock wall, and that Byron was there to help catch me when I fell haha.
It's easy to enjoy yourself when you're out having good times, but hard to appreciate them until they're over. Don't get me wrong; I've enjoyed the hell out of the past three and a half years, but haven't truly learned to appreciate them until recently, as I looked back on everything I've experienced. It's been a great ride and I'm excited for the months to come- "ending college the right way", cruise to Mexico, trip to Boston, starting my career, and everything else in between :)
As I sit here writing, though, I realize that I still have a good chunk of my senior year remaining and I intend to take full advantage of it, just like I did in the fall. I'm glad that my brother goes to school here with me- it's nice to hang out with him every once in a while and I'm going to miss him when I'm back in the bay area and he's in LA. I'm also glad that I finally climbed the rock wall, and that Byron was there to help catch me when I fell haha.
It's easy to enjoy yourself when you're out having good times, but hard to appreciate them until they're over. Don't get me wrong; I've enjoyed the hell out of the past three and a half years, but haven't truly learned to appreciate them until recently, as I looked back on everything I've experienced. It's been a great ride and I'm excited for the months to come- "ending college the right way", cruise to Mexico, trip to Boston, starting my career, and everything else in between :)
On meeting famous people
Going to UCLA has been amazing for so many reasons. One of which, is the fact that you can see famous people walking around campus or the streets of Los Angeles. This is simply a list of the people I remember running into during my time here:
Kevin Love
Russell Westbrook
Doc Rivers
Ray Allen
Paul Pierce
Craig Robinson
Adam Sandler
Kevin James
Nick Cannon
Michael Boatman
Rick Neuheisel
Darren Collison
Tyra Banks
Kevin Love
Russell Westbrook
Doc Rivers
Ray Allen
Paul Pierce
Craig Robinson
Adam Sandler
Kevin James
Nick Cannon
Michael Boatman
Rick Neuheisel
Darren Collison
Tyra Banks
Monday, January 17, 2011
On pick-up football
Earlier today after the NFL divisional playoff games, some friends and I played some pick-up football on campus, and after moving from the IM Field to Drake Stadium, these four guys asked if they could play with us. Pretty soon, we realized that we were playing under the lights with UCLA's starting quarterback, Richard Brehaut. I ended up on his team (he was playing quarterback) and I made four catches, two of which were touchdown receptions (one of my touchdown catches actually won the game for our team). It was such a cool experience and I'll never forget it.
Friday, January 14, 2011
On perspective
Sometimes we can get so caught up in our own lives that we forget what's going on in the world around us. We sit around and complain about all the things that are going wrong in our little bubble, and fail to remember that there are a lot of people that have it worse off than we do. Now it's important to know that, to some extent, this is not our fault. It's all relative- relative to our lives, some people's issues don't seem important to us and relative to the lives of others, our issues may seem minor.
However, I do think it's important to remember that there are so many people in this world- people that come from different backgrounds and are currently in different situations than ours- that aren't as fortunate as we are. We need to remember to be thankful for the opportunities we've been given and make sure not to waste them. If other people were given these same opportunities, I'm sure most would take advantage of them as much as they could. We should do the same.
I'll admit that I often get caught up in my own life and I'll worry about certain things that most of the world would consider completely immaterial. Every once in a while, though, I'll come across something that will help me put everything back into perspective and I'll realize how lucky I am to be in the situation I'm in. To be honest, I think it sucks that we have to be constantly reminded about how blessed we are and that we can't just simply remember it at all times. Yet we are human and we are flawed.
Sometimes it's just good to reflect on all of the good we have.
However, I do think it's important to remember that there are so many people in this world- people that come from different backgrounds and are currently in different situations than ours- that aren't as fortunate as we are. We need to remember to be thankful for the opportunities we've been given and make sure not to waste them. If other people were given these same opportunities, I'm sure most would take advantage of them as much as they could. We should do the same.
I'll admit that I often get caught up in my own life and I'll worry about certain things that most of the world would consider completely immaterial. Every once in a while, though, I'll come across something that will help me put everything back into perspective and I'll realize how lucky I am to be in the situation I'm in. To be honest, I think it sucks that we have to be constantly reminded about how blessed we are and that we can't just simply remember it at all times. Yet we are human and we are flawed.
Sometimes it's just good to reflect on all of the good we have.
On playing instruments
When I was seven years old, I started taking piano lessons at the local parks and recreation center. I don't know if it was because I had any interest in learning or if it was because my parents forced me to, but regardless, I was learning how to play. I remember it being cool taking lessons, but I hated the practicing. We had a small keyboard and my mom was always reminding me to practice, and even though it might have seemed annoying back then, I did get better and I now appreciate what she did for me.
Soon after I began taking lessons, my younger brother, Derek, also started them and we shared this love for playing the piano. One day we asked my dad if we could get a piano for our house and he told us that we could get one after five years of lessons. Five years?! Not too long after we asked (maybe a year), something exciting happened: I remember like it was yesterday- Derek and I came home and there was a piano sitting right there in the living room. I remember us screaming out of excitement and running over to it so we could play.
We eventually got another piano teacher who came to our house to give us lessons, but soon after, we decided that we weren't really learning anything more. My parents didn't push us to find another teacher and I'm so grateful for that. My mom told us that all they wanted was for us to know enough so we would be able to just sit down, play, and enjoy it- and we accomplished that. We started learning songs on our own and to this day, we love it and continue to play a lot whenever we're home. Derek is actually pretty phenomenal.
In fourth grade, I started playing the clarinet. Why the clarinet? Well, it was because the clarinet is small and easy to carry, and we happened to have one in the family. I was pretty good at it, and I think being able to play the piano made it a lot easier. I eventually learned how to play the alto saxophone as well in the 8th grade because it was cooler than the clarinet haha. In high school, I played both- clarinet in the symphonic band and alto in the marching and pep band. I liked marching band so much in high school that I auditioned for the UCLA Marching Band and was accepted. I was in the saxophone section for three years, met so many awesome people, and had some amazing experiences!
Music has played such a monumental role in my life. Being able to play the piano when I'm upset or stressed out is so calming. I also enjoy playing for other people because music is something that everyone can appreciate. When I can, I'll find a piano in the music building at school and just play for a while. I love to play with a lot of passion and emotion and it's such a good outlet during hectic times. I'm so grateful for the people who taught me and encouraged me to learn how to play these instruments.
As a final thought, I'm also trying to learn how to play the guitar, so if you have some time and can be patient with me, I'd appreciate your help.
Soon after I began taking lessons, my younger brother, Derek, also started them and we shared this love for playing the piano. One day we asked my dad if we could get a piano for our house and he told us that we could get one after five years of lessons. Five years?! Not too long after we asked (maybe a year), something exciting happened: I remember like it was yesterday- Derek and I came home and there was a piano sitting right there in the living room. I remember us screaming out of excitement and running over to it so we could play.
We eventually got another piano teacher who came to our house to give us lessons, but soon after, we decided that we weren't really learning anything more. My parents didn't push us to find another teacher and I'm so grateful for that. My mom told us that all they wanted was for us to know enough so we would be able to just sit down, play, and enjoy it- and we accomplished that. We started learning songs on our own and to this day, we love it and continue to play a lot whenever we're home. Derek is actually pretty phenomenal.
In fourth grade, I started playing the clarinet. Why the clarinet? Well, it was because the clarinet is small and easy to carry, and we happened to have one in the family. I was pretty good at it, and I think being able to play the piano made it a lot easier. I eventually learned how to play the alto saxophone as well in the 8th grade because it was cooler than the clarinet haha. In high school, I played both- clarinet in the symphonic band and alto in the marching and pep band. I liked marching band so much in high school that I auditioned for the UCLA Marching Band and was accepted. I was in the saxophone section for three years, met so many awesome people, and had some amazing experiences!
Music has played such a monumental role in my life. Being able to play the piano when I'm upset or stressed out is so calming. I also enjoy playing for other people because music is something that everyone can appreciate. When I can, I'll find a piano in the music building at school and just play for a while. I love to play with a lot of passion and emotion and it's such a good outlet during hectic times. I'm so grateful for the people who taught me and encouraged me to learn how to play these instruments.
As a final thought, I'm also trying to learn how to play the guitar, so if you have some time and can be patient with me, I'd appreciate your help.
On "Hey Leonardo"
This is one of my all-time favorite songs- very old school (nothing fancy), but just listen to the lyrics and enjoy!
Hey Leonardo (She likes me for me)- Blessid Union of Souls
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vSdbQLXpmPQ
- The music video is a little strange, but the song is amazing
"She don't care about my car
She don't care about my money
And that's real good because I don't got a lot to spend
But if I did it wouldn't mean nothin'
She likes me for me
Not because I look like Tyson Beckford
With the charm of Robert Redford
Oozing out my ears
But what she sees
Are my faults and indecisions
My insecure conditions
And the tears upon the pillow that I shed
She don't care about my big screen
Or my collection of DVD's
Things like that just never mattered much to her
Plus she don't watch to much t.v.
And she don't care that I can fly her
To places she ain't never been
But if she really wants to go
I think deep down she knows that
All she has to say is when
She likes me for me
Not because I hang with Leonardo
Or that guy who played in "Fargo"
I think his name is Steve
She's the one for me
And I just can't live without her
My arms belong around her
And I'm so glad I found her once again
And I'm so glad I found her once again
And I'm so glad I found her once again
Gazing at the ceiling
as we entertain our feelings in the dark
The things that we're afraid of are gonna show us
what we're made of in the end
She likes me for me
Not because I sing like Pavarotti
Or because I am such a hottie
I like her for her
Not because she's phat like Cindy Crawford
She has got so much to offer
Why does she waste all her time with me?
There must be something there that I don't see
She likes me for me
Not because I'm tough like Dirty Harry
Make her laugh just like Jim Carrey
Unlike the Cable Guy
But what she sees
Is that I can't live without her
My arms belong around her
And I'm so glad I found her once again
Found her once again
Once again
I'm so glad I found her once again
Once again"
Hey Leonardo (She likes me for me)- Blessid Union of Souls
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vSdbQLXpmPQ
- The music video is a little strange, but the song is amazing
"She don't care about my car
She don't care about my money
And that's real good because I don't got a lot to spend
But if I did it wouldn't mean nothin'
She likes me for me
Not because I look like Tyson Beckford
With the charm of Robert Redford
Oozing out my ears
But what she sees
Are my faults and indecisions
My insecure conditions
And the tears upon the pillow that I shed
She don't care about my big screen
Or my collection of DVD's
Things like that just never mattered much to her
Plus she don't watch to much t.v.
And she don't care that I can fly her
To places she ain't never been
But if she really wants to go
I think deep down she knows that
All she has to say is when
She likes me for me
Not because I hang with Leonardo
Or that guy who played in "Fargo"
I think his name is Steve
She's the one for me
And I just can't live without her
My arms belong around her
And I'm so glad I found her once again
And I'm so glad I found her once again
And I'm so glad I found her once again
Gazing at the ceiling
as we entertain our feelings in the dark
The things that we're afraid of are gonna show us
what we're made of in the end
She likes me for me
Not because I sing like Pavarotti
Or because I am such a hottie
I like her for her
Not because she's phat like Cindy Crawford
She has got so much to offer
Why does she waste all her time with me?
There must be something there that I don't see
She likes me for me
Not because I'm tough like Dirty Harry
Make her laugh just like Jim Carrey
Unlike the Cable Guy
But what she sees
Is that I can't live without her
My arms belong around her
And I'm so glad I found her once again
Found her once again
Once again
I'm so glad I found her once again
Once again"
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
On strength
Growing up playing sports, I felt as if I were invincible. I was in great physical shape- strong as could be- and had this competitiveness and leadership that set me apart and made me a great teammate. I loved playing baseball and soccer more than anything else in the world; they were everything to me. When I was playing, I was having the time of my life because I was with my friends and I was always one of the best in the league. At that point in my life, success wasn't hard to find- whenever I struck out, I would step back up to the plate and get a hit. Everything was good and I had years of high school sports to look forward to.
On my 14th birthday I had a soccer practice scheduled with a Burlingame select team. My parents told me I could skip this one because of my birthday, but because I was the team captain, I felt that I needed to be there for my team. Unfortunately, my night ended with me breaking my right tibia (shinbone- the big one). I had broken it before when I was six, but I knew that this injury would really set me back. I was in a cast for about five months (not including the time for rehab) and missed out on the entire Freshman year soccer and baseball seasons.
After spending a lot of time practicing and getting back into shape, I was able to play on the JV soccer and baseball teams during Sophomore year. It was so great playing the sports that I loved and representing my school at the same time. During the summer, I played baseball in a city league and was very excited to play varsity sports.
On Labor Day, September 5, 2005, I broke my leg for the third time, during an AYSO soccer game. Same sport, same leg, same bone. This was probably one of the worse days of my life- I had broken my leg twice within two years. I immediately imagined how difficult the next five to six months would be for me and completely lost my composure and sense of self. This final injury ended my baseball and soccer career- I didn't get to play on the varsity teams and haven't played either since.
The doctor told me that my right tibia bone was bowed with a weak point right in the middle. To this day, it isn't shaped like it should be and if I break it again, I would need surgery. I'm still not supposed to play sports that are too physical and I lost most of my speed. When I work out too much, my leg starts to hurt and I have to let it rest. I no longer feel invincible.
I believe that as we get older, we're supposed to get stronger- physically and emotionally. We spend so many years working out and having life experiences that as life goes on, we should be able to handle more things that are thrown at us. Unfortunately for me, my leg isn't ever going to get any stronger and I have to live with that. No matter how much I work out and try to brush away the pain I may feel, it eventually gets to me. I wish I had more strength.
On my 14th birthday I had a soccer practice scheduled with a Burlingame select team. My parents told me I could skip this one because of my birthday, but because I was the team captain, I felt that I needed to be there for my team. Unfortunately, my night ended with me breaking my right tibia (shinbone- the big one). I had broken it before when I was six, but I knew that this injury would really set me back. I was in a cast for about five months (not including the time for rehab) and missed out on the entire Freshman year soccer and baseball seasons.
After spending a lot of time practicing and getting back into shape, I was able to play on the JV soccer and baseball teams during Sophomore year. It was so great playing the sports that I loved and representing my school at the same time. During the summer, I played baseball in a city league and was very excited to play varsity sports.
On Labor Day, September 5, 2005, I broke my leg for the third time, during an AYSO soccer game. Same sport, same leg, same bone. This was probably one of the worse days of my life- I had broken my leg twice within two years. I immediately imagined how difficult the next five to six months would be for me and completely lost my composure and sense of self. This final injury ended my baseball and soccer career- I didn't get to play on the varsity teams and haven't played either since.
The doctor told me that my right tibia bone was bowed with a weak point right in the middle. To this day, it isn't shaped like it should be and if I break it again, I would need surgery. I'm still not supposed to play sports that are too physical and I lost most of my speed. When I work out too much, my leg starts to hurt and I have to let it rest. I no longer feel invincible.
I believe that as we get older, we're supposed to get stronger- physically and emotionally. We spend so many years working out and having life experiences that as life goes on, we should be able to handle more things that are thrown at us. Unfortunately for me, my leg isn't ever going to get any stronger and I have to live with that. No matter how much I work out and try to brush away the pain I may feel, it eventually gets to me. I wish I had more strength.
On lecture fail
Today was a typical day in lecture. It's second week and with the midterm a while away, not everyone showed up for our 9:30 class. Those of us who did come were probably doing one or two of the following: trying to stay awake (because let's face it, 9:30 is early for a college student, especially when you don't go to bed until 3), sleeping (I mean we did go to bed at 3, right?), texting (because it must be more important than what we're learning in class), daydreaming, or actually trying to pay attention and learn something. I can honestly say that today I was making the effort to pay attention, take notes, and understand the lecture (also, trying to stay awake and the occasional text here and there).
With about 15 minutes left in class, this student raised his hand to ask a question. No big deal, right? Wrong- this guy proceeded to explain his own personal hypothesis that he came up with based on the data of a graph that was in the powerpoint presentation. He then proceeded to interrupt the professor as she was trying to respond to his comment, causing her to stop mid-sentence. She had to wait for him to finish talking before she could finally reply, leading her to go on a bit of a tangent.
IT'S CALLED OFFICE HOURS
Did you ever notice that whenever a professor teaches with powerpoint slides, they are fairly consistent about concluding their presentation just as class ends? I think it's pretty impressive and can imagine that it's something that would take a lot of practice. I must say, though, that it can suck if their timing is off- like if they don't finish in time, they keep going and we all have to stay later, or they just don't cover certain slides and move on to new ones for the next lecture, making us learn it on our own.
Well it doesn't help the flow of the class when a student wastes everyone's time by asking irrelevant or obscure questions. If you need something to be clarified, please make it quick so we can move on. Otherwise, wait until after class so you don't piss off everyone else. If you have a relevant question or comment that could potentially help the class then it's fine, but really make sure you're adding value to the lecture and it's not just so you can hear your own voice.
As a side note, if you want to eat food during lecture, don't bring corn nuts. That's just messed up. Also, isn't it awkward when the professor asks the class a question and expects someone to answer, but nobody does, so we're all just chillin there in complete silence?
With about 15 minutes left in class, this student raised his hand to ask a question. No big deal, right? Wrong- this guy proceeded to explain his own personal hypothesis that he came up with based on the data of a graph that was in the powerpoint presentation. He then proceeded to interrupt the professor as she was trying to respond to his comment, causing her to stop mid-sentence. She had to wait for him to finish talking before she could finally reply, leading her to go on a bit of a tangent.
IT'S CALLED OFFICE HOURS
Did you ever notice that whenever a professor teaches with powerpoint slides, they are fairly consistent about concluding their presentation just as class ends? I think it's pretty impressive and can imagine that it's something that would take a lot of practice. I must say, though, that it can suck if their timing is off- like if they don't finish in time, they keep going and we all have to stay later, or they just don't cover certain slides and move on to new ones for the next lecture, making us learn it on our own.
Well it doesn't help the flow of the class when a student wastes everyone's time by asking irrelevant or obscure questions. If you need something to be clarified, please make it quick so we can move on. Otherwise, wait until after class so you don't piss off everyone else. If you have a relevant question or comment that could potentially help the class then it's fine, but really make sure you're adding value to the lecture and it's not just so you can hear your own voice.
As a side note, if you want to eat food during lecture, don't bring corn nuts. That's just messed up. Also, isn't it awkward when the professor asks the class a question and expects someone to answer, but nobody does, so we're all just chillin there in complete silence?
Monday, January 10, 2011
On meeting new people and talking to strangers
If you know me well enough, you know that I love meeting new people and engaging in solid, deep conversation. I wasn't always this way- I claimed to be an open person, but was still somewhat hesitant when it came to meeting others. I guess it was because I cared way too much about what people thought of me. Gaining the confidence to open myself up to new people has completely changed my life.
I think it started when I came to college and really kicked into gear when I started recruiting for internships last Winter. After attending workshops about networking and the recruiting process I began to become more comfortable in my own skin. This helped me so much and played a huge role in me landing an internship and also a full-time job upon graduation. During the internship, I met so many awesome people in my intern class, who I became pretty close to, and also professionals at the firm.
These experiences really helped me gain perspective on the positive aspects of taking the initiative to start a conversation with people I didn't know. Now I start up conversations and meet new people almost wherever I go.
It's interesting to think of the dynamics of a public space. For example, when you take public transportation like a bus, you basically get on, find a seat, wait for your stop, and exit the bus. There is very little conversation, unless you're riding with a friend. This is because, in this particular example, the bus is the site of contested public space. No one wants to interact with each other, most likely out of fear for awkward moments or potential danger- people just stay in their seats and keep to themselves (trying not to encroach onto the personal space of others).
The way I see it, when we share public spaces with others, we can all just sit around and wait for whatever it we're waiting for, or we can make the experience more enjoyable for ourselves. I love talking to people I don't know and starting up random conversations. I know this sounds unusual, but it has positively affected my life. People aren't always very receptive to this, but I would say that smiling and being friendly to others definitely increases the chance of it working.
About six months ago, I was at the airport terminal waiting for my flight to San Diego and I started talking to the woman sitting next to me. She looked friendly, so I asked what she was going to do in San Diego. She told me that she was visiting her daughter there, asked me the same, and proceeded to ask about college and my major. Pretty soon after, we were having a conversation about how recent legislation has affected public accounting. It turns out that she was an accounting professor at UC Davis. What a coincidence!
I have similar stories that started with me making conversation with a complete stranger and ended with me getting advice about my first year as an assurance associate and getting a ride from LAX back to UCLA (two different occasions).
Coming into my senior year, I didn't think that I would meet that many people. I mean, I already spent three years trying to get involved so there wouldn't be many opportunities to meet more. Boy was I wrong- I think I've met more people this year than I have in the last two years combined, some of whom I've had great conversations with.
It's crazy how much the world opens up to you when you open yourself up to the world.
I think it started when I came to college and really kicked into gear when I started recruiting for internships last Winter. After attending workshops about networking and the recruiting process I began to become more comfortable in my own skin. This helped me so much and played a huge role in me landing an internship and also a full-time job upon graduation. During the internship, I met so many awesome people in my intern class, who I became pretty close to, and also professionals at the firm.
These experiences really helped me gain perspective on the positive aspects of taking the initiative to start a conversation with people I didn't know. Now I start up conversations and meet new people almost wherever I go.
It's interesting to think of the dynamics of a public space. For example, when you take public transportation like a bus, you basically get on, find a seat, wait for your stop, and exit the bus. There is very little conversation, unless you're riding with a friend. This is because, in this particular example, the bus is the site of contested public space. No one wants to interact with each other, most likely out of fear for awkward moments or potential danger- people just stay in their seats and keep to themselves (trying not to encroach onto the personal space of others).
The way I see it, when we share public spaces with others, we can all just sit around and wait for whatever it we're waiting for, or we can make the experience more enjoyable for ourselves. I love talking to people I don't know and starting up random conversations. I know this sounds unusual, but it has positively affected my life. People aren't always very receptive to this, but I would say that smiling and being friendly to others definitely increases the chance of it working.
About six months ago, I was at the airport terminal waiting for my flight to San Diego and I started talking to the woman sitting next to me. She looked friendly, so I asked what she was going to do in San Diego. She told me that she was visiting her daughter there, asked me the same, and proceeded to ask about college and my major. Pretty soon after, we were having a conversation about how recent legislation has affected public accounting. It turns out that she was an accounting professor at UC Davis. What a coincidence!
I have similar stories that started with me making conversation with a complete stranger and ended with me getting advice about my first year as an assurance associate and getting a ride from LAX back to UCLA (two different occasions).
Coming into my senior year, I didn't think that I would meet that many people. I mean, I already spent three years trying to get involved so there wouldn't be many opportunities to meet more. Boy was I wrong- I think I've met more people this year than I have in the last two years combined, some of whom I've had great conversations with.
It's crazy how much the world opens up to you when you open yourself up to the world.
On certainty
Ben Franklin was quoted saying, "but in the world nothing can be said to be certain except death and taxes."
I'd like to revise this quote by saying that in the world, nothing can be said to be certain except death, taxes, and Bruins>Trojans (just kidding- not everyone pays their taxes)
From this, we can see that virtually nothing is certain. There really isn't any "sure thing" in the world and that's why it's so important to follow up with everything we do. As we set goals for ourselves and make plans for the future with other people, we need to see them through. We have to stay on top of things to help ensure they go as planned.
There will often be times where things take a turn and start moving in different directions than we originally planned or hoped. As I mentioned in an earlier post, that's why it's important to make adjustments. However, to be able to adjust the best we can, we need, to a certain extent, to be on top of things. I'm not saying that we should try to control every little detail of our lives. It just helps to have your ducks in a row.
In a way, I think it's a good thing that nothing is certain in life. It gives us a sense of purpose and keeps us on our feet. If we knew exactly what was going to happen, we would become lazy, complacent, and ultimately lose our sense of self.
I'd like to revise this quote by saying that in the world, nothing can be said to be certain except death, taxes, and Bruins>Trojans (just kidding- not everyone pays their taxes)
From this, we can see that virtually nothing is certain. There really isn't any "sure thing" in the world and that's why it's so important to follow up with everything we do. As we set goals for ourselves and make plans for the future with other people, we need to see them through. We have to stay on top of things to help ensure they go as planned.
There will often be times where things take a turn and start moving in different directions than we originally planned or hoped. As I mentioned in an earlier post, that's why it's important to make adjustments. However, to be able to adjust the best we can, we need, to a certain extent, to be on top of things. I'm not saying that we should try to control every little detail of our lives. It just helps to have your ducks in a row.
In a way, I think it's a good thing that nothing is certain in life. It gives us a sense of purpose and keeps us on our feet. If we knew exactly what was going to happen, we would become lazy, complacent, and ultimately lose our sense of self.
Sunday, January 9, 2011
On quicksand and fighting back
"You're playing and you think everything is going fine. Then one thing goes wrong. And then another. And another. You try to fight back, but the harder you fight, the deeper you sink. Until you can't move... you can't breathe... because you're in over your head. Like quicksand"
I'm sure that many of us can relate to this situation. This quote is from the movie The Replacements, which is about misfit football players getting a second chance to play, but I believe that it applies to more than sports.
I think that sometimes we can get caught up in something, so much that we stop thinking clearly. We're in too deep and it's too late to get out. We try everything we can, but the harder we try, the quicker we fall. We are so afraid of sinking that we kick more and more.
I believe that in the face of adversity, we can show our true colors. We don't know what we're made of until presented a specific challenge for the first time. However, instead of trying to use brute force to fight back, I think it's important to remain calm under pressure and attempt to see how things start to unfold. This can help us make the best possible choices to help us overcome obstacles.
I'm not saying that we shouldn't fight back- I just want to advocate taking our time to ensure we are being as effective as we can. Don't force anything. We need to fight smart to get out of quicksand- be efficient and strategic to be successful.
I'm sure that many of us can relate to this situation. This quote is from the movie The Replacements, which is about misfit football players getting a second chance to play, but I believe that it applies to more than sports.
I think that sometimes we can get caught up in something, so much that we stop thinking clearly. We're in too deep and it's too late to get out. We try everything we can, but the harder we try, the quicker we fall. We are so afraid of sinking that we kick more and more.
I believe that in the face of adversity, we can show our true colors. We don't know what we're made of until presented a specific challenge for the first time. However, instead of trying to use brute force to fight back, I think it's important to remain calm under pressure and attempt to see how things start to unfold. This can help us make the best possible choices to help us overcome obstacles.
I'm not saying that we shouldn't fight back- I just want to advocate taking our time to ensure we are being as effective as we can. Don't force anything. We need to fight smart to get out of quicksand- be efficient and strategic to be successful.
On faith and trust
I understand that the content of this post may seem naive depending on your life experiences, but I truly believe in the core principles of what I'm saying.
We only really know what's going on inside our own minds (though sometimes we actually have no idea what we're thinking) and can only control our own actions. We don't necessarily know what others are thinking or what they are going to do in certain situations. Now this is a scary thought because so much of our lives is affected by those around us; we don't really have as much control as we would like. So how do we deal with this?
Trust
We need to trust those around us and have faith that strangers will be civil and respectful and our friends and family will have our backs. Please understand that I'm not saying to trust others blindly. We all learn from past experiences and I'm sure that at some point, most of us have been let down by someone we thought we could trust. They say it takes years to build trust and only seconds to destroy it. Therefore, if you know that someone trusts you, respect it and act in a way that demonstrates that you deserve it.
If someone proves to be untrustworthy, keep that in the back of your mind, but don't let that affect the way you trust others. We need to continue to trust people and have faith in the world. I know that might sound cliche, but it's true. It's crucial to be optimistic about how the future will unfold around us and cannot go about our lives expecting others to let us down- that's just unhealthy.
I think that the most important thing is to trust ourselves. We know ourselves better than anyone else and from our experiences, we need to make judgments about who to trust and who to be aware of. We have to trust our instincts above anything else regarding the people and situations surrounding us. We have to trust ourselves to make the right choices and have faith that the world will reward us for doing the best we can.
Trust me.
We only really know what's going on inside our own minds (though sometimes we actually have no idea what we're thinking) and can only control our own actions. We don't necessarily know what others are thinking or what they are going to do in certain situations. Now this is a scary thought because so much of our lives is affected by those around us; we don't really have as much control as we would like. So how do we deal with this?
Trust
We need to trust those around us and have faith that strangers will be civil and respectful and our friends and family will have our backs. Please understand that I'm not saying to trust others blindly. We all learn from past experiences and I'm sure that at some point, most of us have been let down by someone we thought we could trust. They say it takes years to build trust and only seconds to destroy it. Therefore, if you know that someone trusts you, respect it and act in a way that demonstrates that you deserve it.
If someone proves to be untrustworthy, keep that in the back of your mind, but don't let that affect the way you trust others. We need to continue to trust people and have faith in the world. I know that might sound cliche, but it's true. It's crucial to be optimistic about how the future will unfold around us and cannot go about our lives expecting others to let us down- that's just unhealthy.
I think that the most important thing is to trust ourselves. We know ourselves better than anyone else and from our experiences, we need to make judgments about who to trust and who to be aware of. We have to trust our instincts above anything else regarding the people and situations surrounding us. We have to trust ourselves to make the right choices and have faith that the world will reward us for doing the best we can.
Trust me.
Thursday, January 6, 2011
On what could have been and taking the leap
I wonder what would have happened if...
I'm almost positive that each and everyone of us has asked ourselves this question at least once in our lives. Sometimes it can increase to once a week, and maybe even once a day.
Personally, I used to ask myself this question quite often. Although I consider myself one who has taken advantage of many opportunities presented to me, there are still so many that I let pass me by. I guess it was because I was afraid- afraid of stepping outside of my comfort zone, afraid of the unknown, and afraid of failure. Like I mentioned earlier, I now believe that you cannot truly fail unless you quit trying, but I wish I knew this earlier.
We don't know what we are really capable of until we try new things. I think that sometimes we can surprise ourselves and find joy in unexpected places. It's just that our fear of the unknown holds us back and keeps us wondering what could have been. This fear is something that we need to overcome.
The movie Yes Man was about this very issue. As entertaining as Jim Carrey is, I believe this movie brings up an important message. There are so many advantages to taking a leap of faith, but at the same time, we have to remember to stay within ourselves and make conscious decisions. I feel that college has introduced me to so many new experiences- it really opened up my mind and helped me develop this new outlook on life.
I would rather regret doing something than regret not doing something. Now I want to qualify this by reiterating that we shouldn't just act carelessly. We need to understand why we're doing something, even though we may be experiencing it for the first time. It's important to again, stay within ourselves and act with purpose. Nonetheless, I would encourage you to open yourself up to the world and take advantage of what it can offer.
I've recently had a few conversations about the notion of "the one who got away." This is such an interesting concept because it's completely rooted in the question, I wonder what would have happened if... I believe that this thought is unique in that it's something that is rarely solved. I wonder if I should have fought harder for her. I wonder if I should have asked her out. In terms of taking a leap, there are so many who are afraid to do it in this context- possibly in fear of ruining a friendship. But couldn't it have become something more? For many, their chance to find out has already passed.
Often times, we do take the leap and the experience isn't what we thought, or what we hoped it would be. We can be disappointed with the outcome of the chance we took. But at least we know now, and we can learn from it. I would say that this is better than being left to wonder.
At some point in our lives, we have to take the leap and see where we land.
I'm almost positive that each and everyone of us has asked ourselves this question at least once in our lives. Sometimes it can increase to once a week, and maybe even once a day.
Personally, I used to ask myself this question quite often. Although I consider myself one who has taken advantage of many opportunities presented to me, there are still so many that I let pass me by. I guess it was because I was afraid- afraid of stepping outside of my comfort zone, afraid of the unknown, and afraid of failure. Like I mentioned earlier, I now believe that you cannot truly fail unless you quit trying, but I wish I knew this earlier.
We don't know what we are really capable of until we try new things. I think that sometimes we can surprise ourselves and find joy in unexpected places. It's just that our fear of the unknown holds us back and keeps us wondering what could have been. This fear is something that we need to overcome.
The movie Yes Man was about this very issue. As entertaining as Jim Carrey is, I believe this movie brings up an important message. There are so many advantages to taking a leap of faith, but at the same time, we have to remember to stay within ourselves and make conscious decisions. I feel that college has introduced me to so many new experiences- it really opened up my mind and helped me develop this new outlook on life.
I would rather regret doing something than regret not doing something. Now I want to qualify this by reiterating that we shouldn't just act carelessly. We need to understand why we're doing something, even though we may be experiencing it for the first time. It's important to again, stay within ourselves and act with purpose. Nonetheless, I would encourage you to open yourself up to the world and take advantage of what it can offer.
I've recently had a few conversations about the notion of "the one who got away." This is such an interesting concept because it's completely rooted in the question, I wonder what would have happened if... I believe that this thought is unique in that it's something that is rarely solved. I wonder if I should have fought harder for her. I wonder if I should have asked her out. In terms of taking a leap, there are so many who are afraid to do it in this context- possibly in fear of ruining a friendship. But couldn't it have become something more? For many, their chance to find out has already passed.
Often times, we do take the leap and the experience isn't what we thought, or what we hoped it would be. We can be disappointed with the outcome of the chance we took. But at least we know now, and we can learn from it. I would say that this is better than being left to wonder.
At some point in our lives, we have to take the leap and see where we land.
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
On happiness and the little things in life
I truly believe that happiness is the root of all the decisions we make everyday. Ultimately, everything we do, no matter what it is, is a result of our innate desire to be happy. Unfortunately, happiness is a state of mind- it comes and goes with each fleeting moment of our lives. It's not something that we can simply achieve; it isn't absolute. It's also a relative feeling- there wouldn't be happiness without sorrow. So I guess our real desire is to experience constant periods of happiness and minimize the time we feel sad or angry.
What makes us happy?
This may seem like a simple question, but let's think about it for a minute. If we knew exactly what made us happy, shouldn't we just strive for those things and as a result be happy all the time? Sounds too easy. I think we get a lot of joy out of achievement. Meeting a goal or overcoming an obstacle can really lift us up and the more difficult the challenge, the more gratification we get as we accomplish our goal. Unfortunately, sometimes we can get caught up in this notion. We set our goals too high (I'm not advocating against dreaming big) or take on challenges that unfold too far in the future and forget about the present.
I have this friend who is the only guy I know that can find so much joy in the littlest things in life. It's truly amazing. I would consider myself to be similar, and this is one of the reasons I believe we're such good friends, but this guy is on a level of his own. Now I'm not saying that he doesn't set long terms goals like I mentioned above (or maybe I'm wrong about that lol), but he, better than anyone else I know, finds so much joy in the present.
Whether it be good food, a funny youtube video, or even recalling a past event, this guy is so often smiling or laughing. The crazy part about this is that his happiness is infectious- it's so evident in the joy he brings to the people around him. I think that I personally am a more happy individual because of this guy.
It's important to dream big and find pleasure in your journey to achievement. Just remember not to overlook the little things in life that you come across along the way.
What makes us happy?
This may seem like a simple question, but let's think about it for a minute. If we knew exactly what made us happy, shouldn't we just strive for those things and as a result be happy all the time? Sounds too easy. I think we get a lot of joy out of achievement. Meeting a goal or overcoming an obstacle can really lift us up and the more difficult the challenge, the more gratification we get as we accomplish our goal. Unfortunately, sometimes we can get caught up in this notion. We set our goals too high (I'm not advocating against dreaming big) or take on challenges that unfold too far in the future and forget about the present.
I have this friend who is the only guy I know that can find so much joy in the littlest things in life. It's truly amazing. I would consider myself to be similar, and this is one of the reasons I believe we're such good friends, but this guy is on a level of his own. Now I'm not saying that he doesn't set long terms goals like I mentioned above (or maybe I'm wrong about that lol), but he, better than anyone else I know, finds so much joy in the present.
Whether it be good food, a funny youtube video, or even recalling a past event, this guy is so often smiling or laughing. The crazy part about this is that his happiness is infectious- it's so evident in the joy he brings to the people around him. I think that I personally am a more happy individual because of this guy.
It's important to dream big and find pleasure in your journey to achievement. Just remember not to overlook the little things in life that you come across along the way.
Monday, January 3, 2011
On the lessons we learn
This is something I wrote during my senior year of high school:
Byron's Lesson 3/22/2007
With every rose, comes thorns
the tragic failure from climbing too high
we target the heavens,
and leave our feet,
the earth that had made us.
We look not out or forward,
but up
and in turn miss it
right before our very eyes
life passing before us as
we stand still
opportunities wasted
no second chances.
But then I realize I am not Superman,
nor an angel of the Lord almighty
and so I fall
back into life
the truth.
She's beautiful.
Right.
Byron's Lesson 3/22/2007
With every rose, comes thorns
the tragic failure from climbing too high
we target the heavens,
and leave our feet,
the earth that had made us.
We look not out or forward,
but up
and in turn miss it
right before our very eyes
life passing before us as
we stand still
opportunities wasted
no second chances.
But then I realize I am not Superman,
nor an angel of the Lord almighty
and so I fall
back into life
the truth.
She's beautiful.
Right.
Sunday, January 2, 2011
On the joys of airports
First of all, who likes airports? Not many. Other than the fact that they get you to where you need to go, they suck. There's really nothing fun about them- carrying heavy luggage, getting physically violated at security, waiting in really long lines, and paying ridiculous amounts of money for mediocre food (not to mention delays).
Today was the last day of winter break, so I was not in a good mood as it is- having to leave my friends and family at home and not looking forward to all of the work I have to do in this upcoming quarter. After finally getting through security with my brother (luckily, I didn't get "randomly selected") we found our gate and looked for places to sit. The airport was incredibly crowded so seats were scarce. There was no place for us to sit, but we did find, however, three seats being occupied by a stupid lady who decided to sprawl out and take a nap.
WTF
Who does this? Is it that hard to lean your head back and close your eyes? I get that it's not that comfortable, but it's not supposed to be- we're at an airport! Thanks to you, I had to sit on the floor for a couple hours- yes, my flight got delayed- and the lower half of my body fell asleep so it wasn't very easy to get up. Thanks lady- hope your nap was worth the inconvenience you caused everyone else.
On change and making adjustments
A couple years ago, there was no one who hated change more than I did. I was so happy and content with the way my life was and didn't want anything to change. I mean, I had worked so hard to get to be where I was, shouldn't I be able to enjoy it? Unfortunately, being content turned into being complacent. The relationships I had with people, my views, opinions, and values on life- everything basically stayed the same and I was okay with that.
I realize now that this wasn't the best situation for me to be in, for anyone to be in, and at the time, I was blinded from the reality that change is inevitable, and in many cases a good thing. I gotta say that learning this has made a huge impact on my life- I can stop wasting energy on trying to keep things the same and concentrate on adjusting to the changes that come with life.
Adjusting to different situations isn't by any means an easy task. When our lives take a turn, we have to turn with them- we need to adapt, or we will be left behind. Life is a fairly consistent flow of events and choices to be made. I say "fairly consistent" because, as we know, sometimes our lives can change drastically. Either way, we must accept the changes that life brings us and make the necessary adjustments to the best of our abilities.
As I sit here writing, I'm not going to lie and say that I like change. However, I accept it and even welcome it. Without change, without adjustments- there is no growth. Try to think back to who you were four years ago, or even two years ago. Are you the same? I would guess that most of us would say no. We've adjusted our values and opinions and have created new relationships with people we didn't even know existed years ago; I would hope that we now are better people for it.
Change is certain and adjustments are essential. Because of this, we are all able to grow.
I realize now that this wasn't the best situation for me to be in, for anyone to be in, and at the time, I was blinded from the reality that change is inevitable, and in many cases a good thing. I gotta say that learning this has made a huge impact on my life- I can stop wasting energy on trying to keep things the same and concentrate on adjusting to the changes that come with life.
Adjusting to different situations isn't by any means an easy task. When our lives take a turn, we have to turn with them- we need to adapt, or we will be left behind. Life is a fairly consistent flow of events and choices to be made. I say "fairly consistent" because, as we know, sometimes our lives can change drastically. Either way, we must accept the changes that life brings us and make the necessary adjustments to the best of our abilities.
As I sit here writing, I'm not going to lie and say that I like change. However, I accept it and even welcome it. Without change, without adjustments- there is no growth. Try to think back to who you were four years ago, or even two years ago. Are you the same? I would guess that most of us would say no. We've adjusted our values and opinions and have created new relationships with people we didn't even know existed years ago; I would hope that we now are better people for it.
Change is certain and adjustments are essential. Because of this, we are all able to grow.
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