First, I'd like to apologize for the bad puns. I just thought I should be consistent with the lame title for my previous "Amish" post. Hopefully this is the last of my posts on this subject, so you will not have to endure further excruciation...
If you've been following along with my blog for a while, you might recall that I once posted a list of reasons that make me Amish. Basically, I'm not with the times and have odd similarities with the Amish stereotype. Even though I called them my "Top 10", they were really only the ten things that I could remember while writing that post, so I've decided to continue the list here...
1. Never traveled on a boat, plane, or train completely by myself.
2. Never seen the Grammy's or Academy Awards or Oscars.
3. Not sure what the distinctions are between the items mentioned in #2.
4. I have trouble talking to people older than me, regardless of how chill or cool they are...family members are no exception, sadly.
5. Have never ordered anything online, other than course registrations (even that was with the express permission/command of my parents).
6. I am STILL afraid of looking at, nearing, and (God forbid) entering lingerie stores.
7. Although the purpose of comedy shows is to relax and have a good laugh, I find them stressful because if the jokes aren't funny, watching becomes pointless, and thus I feel forced to laugh.
8. I feel nauseated just before I have to write a test or do something nervewracking (e.g. performing something for others).
9. Bought my first real posters a couple months ago at my school's poster fair.
10. I don't have a camera of my own, and thus I do not have any awesome pictures/polaroids of me and my friends plastered all over my wall. (Instead I have reflective stick-on butterflies from Dollarama :( )
Thursday, April 7, 2011
Friday, March 25, 2011
Mastering the Craft of War
"SO IT'S (almost) FINALS WEEK"...
and I've been looking for a new fix. No, I haven't quite ventured into the ominous world of chemical fixes (yet), but rather have stumbled upon a psychological (?) fix. And considering my ethnicity, what an appropriate fix it is...
If you haven't guessed by now, I'm talking about Warcraft, or more specifically Warcraft III: The Frozen Throne (or something along those lines). Not really being very skilled with typical gaming maneuvers and the pressure of real-time gaming, I've tended to shy away from these types of games, so how could I have possible gotten myself into WC3, you may ask?!
Well, it all began...
this term when my good buddy/roommate, Luke, would blast crazy music from his room next door. We call it his "one man rave" soundtrack. Anyway, when I commented on his crazy music one time, he mentioned that it got him pumped up for DOTA, and he offered to teach me how to play sometime. The opportunity to finally uncover the mysteries of defending the ancients was too tempting to resist. Only a couple weeks ago, I infected my computer with WC3, and have been playing it every so often when I feel like searching for my inner Korean. :)
I still suck...like a LOT. Even when half-decent players team with me against an easy computer, it usually ends up being a close win because the other hero tends to level up super fast from killing me--not to mention that I haven't even DARED to play online yet.
ME PLAYING ONLINE = INSTANT TROLL TARGET :(
Anyway, if we all started out perfect, there wouldn't be a need for the dreaded entity we know as "practice". Although, admittedly, I thought I'd have a steeper learning curve than most--what with my decent manual dexterity, perseverence/motivation to learn (games), and my genetics. Before I actually tried the game, I imagined myself reaching at least 100 APM (assuming that's fast...else, how am I supposed to know? I'm a n00b...cut me some slack) in a couple hours...pfft, guess I'm truly not as Asian as I thought. Gotta be careful what I wish for...
P.S. I realize the truly Korean game is SC2, but aren't they all basically the same? APM's and all...? -_-"
and I've been looking for a new fix. No, I haven't quite ventured into the ominous world of chemical fixes (yet), but rather have stumbled upon a psychological (?) fix. And considering my ethnicity, what an appropriate fix it is...
If you haven't guessed by now, I'm talking about Warcraft, or more specifically Warcraft III: The Frozen Throne (or something along those lines). Not really being very skilled with typical gaming maneuvers and the pressure of real-time gaming, I've tended to shy away from these types of games, so how could I have possible gotten myself into WC3, you may ask?!
Well, it all began...
this term when my good buddy/roommate, Luke, would blast crazy music from his room next door. We call it his "one man rave" soundtrack. Anyway, when I commented on his crazy music one time, he mentioned that it got him pumped up for DOTA, and he offered to teach me how to play sometime. The opportunity to finally uncover the mysteries of defending the ancients was too tempting to resist. Only a couple weeks ago, I infected my computer with WC3, and have been playing it every so often when I feel like searching for my inner Korean. :)
I still suck...like a LOT. Even when half-decent players team with me against an easy computer, it usually ends up being a close win because the other hero tends to level up super fast from killing me--not to mention that I haven't even DARED to play online yet.
ME PLAYING ONLINE = INSTANT TROLL TARGET :(
Anyway, if we all started out perfect, there wouldn't be a need for the dreaded entity we know as "practice". Although, admittedly, I thought I'd have a steeper learning curve than most--what with my decent manual dexterity, perseverence/motivation to learn (games), and my genetics. Before I actually tried the game, I imagined myself reaching at least 100 APM (assuming that's fast...else, how am I supposed to know? I'm a n00b...cut me some slack) in a couple hours...pfft, guess I'm truly not as Asian as I thought. Gotta be careful what I wish for...
P.S. I realize the truly Korean game is SC2, but aren't they all basically the same? APM's and all...? -_-"
Sunday, February 13, 2011
WHAT THE HEAVEN
Sooo, I decided to update my itunes with a few new songs that I've heard on the radio. In the process of searching them up on mediafire, I found a couple Avril songs that I HAVEN'T OBTAINED A COPY OF YET!!! WHATTT??? Obviously, I had to remedy this serious problem immediately, and I loved them as soon as I heard em. Brings so many memories about the music I used to listen to in my "rebellious" preteen days. -_-" Plus it makes me feel really old now! =S
Unlike most of the other artists I USED to listen to, I can still enjoy Avril--and regardless of what the trend-following masses say, Avril is "the original" that Taylor Swift bases her video and song ideas from, and originals tend to be 239487293847298347 times better than copycats. Avril is no exception. :)
Except from new song "What the Hell":
All my life I've been good but now, woah, I'm thinking what the hell
All I want is to mess around and I don't really care about
If you love me, if you hate me, you can't save me, baby, baby
All my life I've been good but now, whoa, what the hell
You never fail to un-complicate my life, Avril ;)
Unlike most of the other artists I USED to listen to, I can still enjoy Avril--and regardless of what the trend-following masses say, Avril is "the original" that Taylor Swift bases her video and song ideas from, and originals tend to be 239487293847298347 times better than copycats. Avril is no exception. :)
Except from new song "What the Hell":
All my life I've been good but now, woah, I'm thinking what the hell
All I want is to mess around and I don't really care about
If you love me, if you hate me, you can't save me, baby, baby
All my life I've been good but now, whoa, what the hell
You never fail to un-complicate my life, Avril ;)
Sunday, February 6, 2011
Don't Dump on my Dumplings!
Ever since I shared my dumpling lunch with the Korean international students in my elementary school, I've earned myself the nickname of "Mandu", meaning dumpling in Korean. I can't remember if I first tried Korean or Chinese dumplings, but I love dumplings of all varieties--including their distant Polish cousin, the perogy!
They have also taken good care of me throughout both secondary and post secondary school. Whenever I go out for dim sum or family new year gatherings, my darlings never fail to make an appearance. In university, whenever I can't think of a new way to food poison myself, I fry up a batch of my dearest babies! Luckily, I've been cooking them long enough that I'm an expert at frying dumplings, so I haven't managed to poison myself with them just yet.
As many of you can probably guess, I'm pretty excited about the Chinese New Year Mandarin dumpling festival. I'm not sure if they have it every year, but I certainly have the time and means to go for it this year. When I googled: DUMPLING FESTIVAL MANDARIN, I got some guy's ranty post about how a dumpling buffet is a ripoff due to the filling carbs. As a self-proclaimed dumpling connoisseur, I don't see the logic in this argument at all.
First of all, I believe that eating is a highly psychological experience--the right/wrong mood, atmosphere, or presentation can alter one's perceived "appetite". This means that the theoretically "filling" composition of a dumpling will not apply to MY stomach. Secondly, there are WAY WORSE things that are standard to a buffet's menu. By WAY WORSE, I mean oily, and carb-filled. Dumplings can be relatively healthy and non-filling, if you know how to properly choose and enjoy them. Thirdly, I have a few comments about his comment on dumplings not being worth the money you pay for a buffet experience. Again, there are worse things that people can fill up on at a buffet--namely salad, soup, bread, rice, fries, deep fried items (e.g. onion rings), mashed potatoes, ice cream, etc.--and I see people eating these at buffets all the time. I'm sure that these foods are typically cheaper than dumplings when you're talking about grocery store prices ($/unit of food or $/calorie of energy or my favourite: $/units of utility).
Lastly, whenever you're eating at any buffet, I think it's still important to ENJOY what you're eating and avoid getting too hung up on "getting your money's worth". I don't typically see people going to buffets and filling their plates with all the expensive meats. Why? Well, obviously because that would just taste disgusting! Bear in mind, I'm obviously not suggesting you go the totally opposite extreme and eat only 10 bowls of ice cream or a salad. I believe that part of the walk around buffet experience is getting to put together plates of yummy goodness from a wide variety of choices. Just seeing the food, being around the food, and getting ideas from other people and your mealtime companions of what tastes good or not is a crucial part of the experience that you are paying for.
When eating at a normal dine-in restaurant, doesn't it suck when the dish you order doesn't turn out to be anything like the description (in a bad way), but your buddy beside you seems to have ordered the goddess of all foods? Well, too bad! You're stuck with that, and only THAT, disgusting pile of mush for the whole meal!! At best, if your buddy isn't too engrossed in his delectable heaven and is self-sacrificing enough, he'll share maybe a bite or two with you. Well... unlike typical restaurants, at buffets, if someone has something that looks/tastes good, you get multiple opportunities to try to create an enjoyable eating experience for yourself.
Sooooo...on top of all the goodness of buffets, Mandarin is going to have a dumpling buffet! Thank you, God, for the Chinese just this once.
They have also taken good care of me throughout both secondary and post secondary school. Whenever I go out for dim sum or family new year gatherings, my darlings never fail to make an appearance. In university, whenever I can't think of a new way to food poison myself, I fry up a batch of my dearest babies! Luckily, I've been cooking them long enough that I'm an expert at frying dumplings, so I haven't managed to poison myself with them just yet.
As many of you can probably guess, I'm pretty excited about the Chinese New Year Mandarin dumpling festival. I'm not sure if they have it every year, but I certainly have the time and means to go for it this year. When I googled: DUMPLING FESTIVAL MANDARIN, I got some guy's ranty post about how a dumpling buffet is a ripoff due to the filling carbs. As a self-proclaimed dumpling connoisseur, I don't see the logic in this argument at all.
First of all, I believe that eating is a highly psychological experience--the right/wrong mood, atmosphere, or presentation can alter one's perceived "appetite". This means that the theoretically "filling" composition of a dumpling will not apply to MY stomach. Secondly, there are WAY WORSE things that are standard to a buffet's menu. By WAY WORSE, I mean oily, and carb-filled. Dumplings can be relatively healthy and non-filling, if you know how to properly choose and enjoy them. Thirdly, I have a few comments about his comment on dumplings not being worth the money you pay for a buffet experience. Again, there are worse things that people can fill up on at a buffet--namely salad, soup, bread, rice, fries, deep fried items (e.g. onion rings), mashed potatoes, ice cream, etc.--and I see people eating these at buffets all the time. I'm sure that these foods are typically cheaper than dumplings when you're talking about grocery store prices ($/unit of food or $/calorie of energy or my favourite: $/units of utility).
Lastly, whenever you're eating at any buffet, I think it's still important to ENJOY what you're eating and avoid getting too hung up on "getting your money's worth". I don't typically see people going to buffets and filling their plates with all the expensive meats. Why? Well, obviously because that would just taste disgusting! Bear in mind, I'm obviously not suggesting you go the totally opposite extreme and eat only 10 bowls of ice cream or a salad. I believe that part of the walk around buffet experience is getting to put together plates of yummy goodness from a wide variety of choices. Just seeing the food, being around the food, and getting ideas from other people and your mealtime companions of what tastes good or not is a crucial part of the experience that you are paying for.
When eating at a normal dine-in restaurant, doesn't it suck when the dish you order doesn't turn out to be anything like the description (in a bad way), but your buddy beside you seems to have ordered the goddess of all foods? Well, too bad! You're stuck with that, and only THAT, disgusting pile of mush for the whole meal!! At best, if your buddy isn't too engrossed in his delectable heaven and is self-sacrificing enough, he'll share maybe a bite or two with you. Well... unlike typical restaurants, at buffets, if someone has something that looks/tastes good, you get multiple opportunities to try to create an enjoyable eating experience for yourself.
Sooooo...on top of all the goodness of buffets, Mandarin is going to have a dumpling buffet! Thank you, God, for the Chinese just this once.
Saturday, January 15, 2011
Not-so-new Beginnings
Well, it's certainly been a while since I've posted anything substantial on my blog, so "now" just seemed appropriate. When exactly is now? Two weeks into my 3A undergraduate term, 6-course load, orchestra/euchre/intramural soccer, supportive and sensitive boyfriend, and a new house with 75% of my housemates being good university friends. So far so good.
Ew, that phrase is actually pretty annoying because it's the title of several of my biochem prof's unenlightening lecture slides. In reality, her unclear, disorganized teaching style does not make things good so far. I have to listen to additional online lectures to completely understand the course material. Resist as I might, it seems that the need to attend her lectures will soon obsolesce.
While I'm on the subject of courses, this is what I'm taking this term:
-AFM 231 Business Law
-CHEM 237 +L Intro Biochem
-CHEM 267 Organic Chem 2
-ECON 201 Microeconomic Theory
-ECON 371 Business Finance
-PSYCH 232 Psychology of Evil
I'm pretty interested in the content of most of my courses surprisingly! With the exception of biochem, my profs are pretty good too! =) I anticipate that, if I find the long-dormant inner discipline I once possessed, I can be successful this term. And what a welcome change that would be.
...Sooo here's the big news: Recently, I've been pushed into a certain direction of life, and I have no reason and/or desire to resist whatsoever. That direction being CAREER-RELATED! Finally, with a goal in mind, I have some concrete objectives and the opportunity to go for them, which I intend to do. I suppose much of this is rather vague and uninformative, but it's not the WHAT (i.e. objectives, direction) that is important, but rather the HOW (i.e. renewed outlook on life and school). So far, I've already tried to make it a habit of completing all readings prior to lecture, putting my cell phone away for the majority of lectures, and decreasing the game:study ratio. Unfortunately (or perhaps fortunately) for you, I will be posting much less frequently as well, so get used to it early on.
For people who have come to know my blog posting style, probably one of my favourite parts of blogging is to think of a sarcastic, ironic, witty--whatever you want to call it--title for my posts and proceed to explain them in the post. Here is that explanation:
For my facebook friends, you may have seen this comment in my ABOUT ME, "I have recently taken quite a fall from grace, in many aspects."
One of these aspects is my schoolwork. Ever since grade 11, my work habits and actual concern for my academic well-being has dwindled at an exponential rate. Like most students, I go into the beginning of each term with high hopes for my work habits and dedication to my schooling. That never worked for me...until now.
Sometimes I wonder why I can't remember things I've learned only a term ago. Secretly, I hope it's just my poor memory, but sometimes this guilty feeling creeps up on me, telling me that my lack of knowledge is simply a result of not learning the material properly in the first place. This term, some of that is already coming back to bite me in the behind. Fortunately, my new purpose gives me something to work for. Something to hope for. Something I haven't had for a long time.
I just hope this newfound resolve isn't another cliche example of too little too late.
Ew, that phrase is actually pretty annoying because it's the title of several of my biochem prof's unenlightening lecture slides. In reality, her unclear, disorganized teaching style does not make things good so far. I have to listen to additional online lectures to completely understand the course material. Resist as I might, it seems that the need to attend her lectures will soon obsolesce.
While I'm on the subject of courses, this is what I'm taking this term:
-AFM 231 Business Law
-CHEM 237 +L Intro Biochem
-CHEM 267 Organic Chem 2
-ECON 201 Microeconomic Theory
-ECON 371 Business Finance
-PSYCH 232 Psychology of Evil
I'm pretty interested in the content of most of my courses surprisingly! With the exception of biochem, my profs are pretty good too! =) I anticipate that, if I find the long-dormant inner discipline I once possessed, I can be successful this term. And what a welcome change that would be.
...Sooo here's the big news: Recently, I've been pushed into a certain direction of life, and I have no reason and/or desire to resist whatsoever. That direction being CAREER-RELATED! Finally, with a goal in mind, I have some concrete objectives and the opportunity to go for them, which I intend to do. I suppose much of this is rather vague and uninformative, but it's not the WHAT (i.e. objectives, direction) that is important, but rather the HOW (i.e. renewed outlook on life and school). So far, I've already tried to make it a habit of completing all readings prior to lecture, putting my cell phone away for the majority of lectures, and decreasing the game:study ratio. Unfortunately (or perhaps fortunately) for you, I will be posting much less frequently as well, so get used to it early on.
For people who have come to know my blog posting style, probably one of my favourite parts of blogging is to think of a sarcastic, ironic, witty--whatever you want to call it--title for my posts and proceed to explain them in the post. Here is that explanation:
For my facebook friends, you may have seen this comment in my ABOUT ME, "I have recently taken quite a fall from grace, in many aspects."
One of these aspects is my schoolwork. Ever since grade 11, my work habits and actual concern for my academic well-being has dwindled at an exponential rate. Like most students, I go into the beginning of each term with high hopes for my work habits and dedication to my schooling. That never worked for me...until now.
Sometimes I wonder why I can't remember things I've learned only a term ago. Secretly, I hope it's just my poor memory, but sometimes this guilty feeling creeps up on me, telling me that my lack of knowledge is simply a result of not learning the material properly in the first place. This term, some of that is already coming back to bite me in the behind. Fortunately, my new purpose gives me something to work for. Something to hope for. Something I haven't had for a long time.
I just hope this newfound resolve isn't another cliche example of too little too late.
Sunday, December 12, 2010
Word of My Recent Life
One of my favourite adjectives to describe some of my least favourite things is
PRETENTIOUS
I'm sure many of you can guess why...
I'm sure many of you can guess why...
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
The Magic of Music
Although the music is quite pop-ish and the musical performance that I saw from years ago was a little disappointing, I just remembered what I like most about Wicked. Other than the magic-oriented setting, I love the lyrics and agree with the life philosophies it presents. Hopefully this makes it clear why Dancing through Life and For Good are my favourite songs:
From Dancing through Life:
Life is fraughtless
When you're thoughtless
Those who don't try
Never look foolish
Woes are fleeting
Blows are glancing
When you're dancing through life
Nothing matters
But knowing nothing matters
From For Good:
I've heard it said
That people come into our lives for a reason
Bringing something we must learn
And we are led
To those who help us most to grow
If we let them
And we help them in return
Well, I don't know if I believe that's true
But I know I'm who I am today
Because I knew you...
Like a comet pulled from orbit
As it passes a sun
Like a stream that meets a boulder
Halfway through the wood
Who can say if I've been changed for the better?
But because I knew you
I have been changed for good
It well may be
That we will never meet again
In this lifetime
So let me say before we part
So much of me
Is made of what I learned from you
You'll be with me
Like a handprint on my heart
And now whatever way our stories end
I know you have re-written mine
By being my friend...
Like a ship blown from its mooring
By a wind off the sea
Like a seed dropped by a skybird
In a distant wood
Who can say if I've been changed for the better?
But because I knew you
I have been changed for good
From Dancing through Life:
Life is fraughtless
When you're thoughtless
Those who don't try
Never look foolish
Woes are fleeting
Blows are glancing
When you're dancing through life
Nothing matters
But knowing nothing matters
From For Good:
I've heard it said
That people come into our lives for a reason
Bringing something we must learn
And we are led
To those who help us most to grow
If we let them
And we help them in return
Well, I don't know if I believe that's true
But I know I'm who I am today
Because I knew you...
Like a comet pulled from orbit
As it passes a sun
Like a stream that meets a boulder
Halfway through the wood
Who can say if I've been changed for the better?
But because I knew you
I have been changed for good
It well may be
That we will never meet again
In this lifetime
So let me say before we part
So much of me
Is made of what I learned from you
You'll be with me
Like a handprint on my heart
And now whatever way our stories end
I know you have re-written mine
By being my friend...
Like a ship blown from its mooring
By a wind off the sea
Like a seed dropped by a skybird
In a distant wood
Who can say if I've been changed for the better?
But because I knew you
I have been changed for good
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