Saturday, May 31, 2003
Here's how the day went.
I slept at 3 am last nite just cuz I had insomnia. Woke up at 6 am today and went got to school around 7. I studied a bit and then took my first test at 8:30. I was the first one out of the exam and tried to study for the second exam, but I was too burned out so I ended up just surfing the net, eating lunch, and blogging. Hence the previous entry.
After finishing the second exam, I came home and slept a nice, deep, drool-filled sleep.
Then went to El Cholo's with some classmates and got a little drunk off of a shared margarita pitcher. I don't know if it's just me, but for some reason I don't believe in "gourmet" mexican food. You shouldn't have to pay more than $5 for a burrito or taco or enchilada. I paid $15 for a taco and enchilada ($3.50 for my share of the margarita pitcher). And to be honest... Taco Bell tastes just as good...
Then watched Bruce Almighty. Great movie. I miss Jim Carrey in funny movies. I liked it's message of taking responsiblity for yourself and generally becoming a better person (nice comedy and feel good movie rolled into one).
At one point Bruce was talking to God and God asked him what he truly wanted and of course being a movie he wanted his girlfriend. Thinking about what I really want (other than the continued health of my loved ones of course) more than money, more than glory, more than an easy/relaxed life, is to be really good at something and be able to use that to make a valuable contribution.
A line I heard somewhere went something like this:
The measure of a man is not what or how much he has, but how he uses what he has.
I slept at 3 am last nite just cuz I had insomnia. Woke up at 6 am today and went got to school around 7. I studied a bit and then took my first test at 8:30. I was the first one out of the exam and tried to study for the second exam, but I was too burned out so I ended up just surfing the net, eating lunch, and blogging. Hence the previous entry.
After finishing the second exam, I came home and slept a nice, deep, drool-filled sleep.
Then went to El Cholo's with some classmates and got a little drunk off of a shared margarita pitcher. I don't know if it's just me, but for some reason I don't believe in "gourmet" mexican food. You shouldn't have to pay more than $5 for a burrito or taco or enchilada. I paid $15 for a taco and enchilada ($3.50 for my share of the margarita pitcher). And to be honest... Taco Bell tastes just as good...
Then watched Bruce Almighty. Great movie. I miss Jim Carrey in funny movies. I liked it's message of taking responsiblity for yourself and generally becoming a better person (nice comedy and feel good movie rolled into one).
At one point Bruce was talking to God and God asked him what he truly wanted and of course being a movie he wanted his girlfriend. Thinking about what I really want (other than the continued health of my loved ones of course) more than money, more than glory, more than an easy/relaxed life, is to be really good at something and be able to use that to make a valuable contribution.
A line I heard somewhere went something like this:
The measure of a man is not what or how much he has, but how he uses what he has.
Friday, May 30, 2003
Just finished first test of the day. Next test, gross anatomy practical, in 2 hours. Long long day....
And talk about unlucky, THIS poor "wanted man" was arrested at a baseball game after the "kiss-cam" focused in on him kissing his girlfriend. His parole officer just happened to attend the same game and recognized him on the giant screen.
It's things like this that make me belive in karma.
And talk about unlucky, THIS poor "wanted man" was arrested at a baseball game after the "kiss-cam" focused in on him kissing his girlfriend. His parole officer just happened to attend the same game and recognized him on the giant screen.
It's things like this that make me belive in karma.
Wednesday, May 28, 2003
I was eating dinner at my grandma's house and just had to re-tell this story. She heard about THIS, a $1 million reward for a nickel minted in 1913, so she went and searched through all her change to see if she had it and told us to look through ours.
Then she came up with a scheme to give us all her change so that when we're 80 years old we could sell them for millions.
Too cute....
Then she came up with a scheme to give us all her change so that when we're 80 years old we could sell them for millions.
Too cute....
And just cuz I liked it so much, I'm going to put this quote up again:
"The written word is all that stands between memory and oblivion. Without books as our anchors we are cast adrift, neither teaching nor learning. They are windows on the past, mirrors on the present, and prisms reflecting all possible futures. Books are lighthouses erected in the dark seas of time."
It's said by a fictional writer named Jeffery Robbins from a cartoon called Gargoyles. The episode was called "A Lighthouse in the Sea of Time" and stressed the importance of literacy and books.
Today was the last day of classes in Med school!
I have 2 exams this Friday and a monster cumulative next Friday. That's it.
To do list for the next 10 days. Study study study study study study study. But first...
I'm going to take a nap.
"The written word is all that stands between memory and oblivion. Without books as our anchors we are cast adrift, neither teaching nor learning. They are windows on the past, mirrors on the present, and prisms reflecting all possible futures. Books are lighthouses erected in the dark seas of time."
It's said by a fictional writer named Jeffery Robbins from a cartoon called Gargoyles. The episode was called "A Lighthouse in the Sea of Time" and stressed the importance of literacy and books.
Today was the last day of classes in Med school!
I have 2 exams this Friday and a monster cumulative next Friday. That's it.
To do list for the next 10 days. Study study study study study study study. But first...
I'm going to take a nap.
Monday, May 26, 2003
A Balanced Meal
It wasn't until this year that I was introduced to the idea of a balanced meal. I'm not talking in terms of fat, protein, and carbs. I'm talking in terms of a Chinese meal. I've been chastised by some friends, all female, about my food ordering habits. If the meal were up to me, I'd order everything that I liked, orange chicken, mushroom chicken, kung pao chicken, with a side of peking duck etc. Notice a pattern?
It was pointed out to me that a decent, respectable Chinese meal includes soup, vegetables (bleagh), some meat of the land variety, and some meat of the sea variety. The quantity, of which still escapes me, just the right amount to balance the others to provide a healthy meal.
Now first of all, I'm not saying I don't like soup or sea food (the latter is debatable), I just simply like chicken much much more. Why eat a meal filled with dishes that I only like partly, when I can get one filled with foods that I love?
One of lifes many unanswerable questions...
It wasn't until this year that I was introduced to the idea of a balanced meal. I'm not talking in terms of fat, protein, and carbs. I'm talking in terms of a Chinese meal. I've been chastised by some friends, all female, about my food ordering habits. If the meal were up to me, I'd order everything that I liked, orange chicken, mushroom chicken, kung pao chicken, with a side of peking duck etc. Notice a pattern?
It was pointed out to me that a decent, respectable Chinese meal includes soup, vegetables (bleagh), some meat of the land variety, and some meat of the sea variety. The quantity, of which still escapes me, just the right amount to balance the others to provide a healthy meal.
Now first of all, I'm not saying I don't like soup or sea food (the latter is debatable), I just simply like chicken much much more. Why eat a meal filled with dishes that I only like partly, when I can get one filled with foods that I love?
One of lifes many unanswerable questions...
Last bit of trivia... I promise.
Who and what piece of literature:
"Fair is foul, and foul is fair.
Hover through the fog and filthy air."
and as an added bonus... one of the most poetic things I've ever heard.
"The written word is all that stands between memory and oblivion. Without books as our anchors we are cast adrift, neither teaching nor learning. They are windows on the past, mirrors on the present, and prisms reflecting all possible futures. Books are lighthouses erected in the dark seas of time."
If anyone can tell me where that came from... I'd be surprised.
Who and what piece of literature:
"Fair is foul, and foul is fair.
Hover through the fog and filthy air."
and as an added bonus... one of the most poetic things I've ever heard.
"The written word is all that stands between memory and oblivion. Without books as our anchors we are cast adrift, neither teaching nor learning. They are windows on the past, mirrors on the present, and prisms reflecting all possible futures. Books are lighthouses erected in the dark seas of time."
If anyone can tell me where that came from... I'd be surprised.
Sunday, May 25, 2003
"Happiness comes from within," is a maxim my Dad likes to remind me of. And I was reminded of it again when I came across this, which says the same about happiness as well as despair:
"The mind is its own place, and in itself can make a Heav'n of Hell, a Hell of Heav'n."
bonus points if you know where this comes from and who says it. :)
"The mind is its own place, and in itself can make a Heav'n of Hell, a Hell of Heav'n."
bonus points if you know where this comes from and who says it. :)
Saturday, May 24, 2003
Finished "The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay" today. It's every bit as good as people have said it was and deserved the "Pulitzer Prize" it won. I don't know if anyone else experiences this, but when I read a book I use a bookmark and the more I read the more I see the bookmark move from one end of the book to the other. As the bookmark approaches the back cover I start feeling kind of sad, like I see the approaching end of what I'm reading and it's something I always dread. When I'm reading a good book I never want it to end even though I know in the back of my head that it wouldn't be as good of a book if it were dragged on.
The moral of this blog I guess is: in books as in life, whether or not you want it to, things must inevitably come to an end.
p.s.
Big ups to my cousin Ruth for introducing me to this book and to my good friend Eddie for giving me the extra kick in the ass to read it.
The moral of this blog I guess is: in books as in life, whether or not you want it to, things must inevitably come to an end.
p.s.
Big ups to my cousin Ruth for introducing me to this book and to my good friend Eddie for giving me the extra kick in the ass to read it.
I just got home from having a very fascinating night. Met some people, Howard, David, and a free-lance japanese magazine writer named Kelly. Too tired now... so I'll talk about it some other time. But in the mean time some trivia! 10 eprops to anyone who can tell me where this came from (no looking it up):
If we shadows have offended,
Think but this and all is mended:
That you have slumber'd here,
While these visions did appear.
And this weak and idle theme,
No more yielding than a dream.
Gentles -- Do not reprehend.
If you pardon -- we will mend.
And -- as I am an honest puck,
If we have unearned luck
Now to 'scape the serpents' tongue,
We will make amends ere' long.
Else the puck a liar call.
So good night unto you all.
Give me your hands if we be friends
And Robin shall restore amends.
.. and 5 extra eprops if you can give me the full name of this "merry wanderer of the night."
If we shadows have offended,
Think but this and all is mended:
That you have slumber'd here,
While these visions did appear.
And this weak and idle theme,
No more yielding than a dream.
Gentles -- Do not reprehend.
If you pardon -- we will mend.
And -- as I am an honest puck,
If we have unearned luck
Now to 'scape the serpents' tongue,
We will make amends ere' long.
Else the puck a liar call.
So good night unto you all.
Give me your hands if we be friends
And Robin shall restore amends.
.. and 5 extra eprops if you can give me the full name of this "merry wanderer of the night."
Friday, May 23, 2003
I do not agree with flag burning and I think that if you hate America so much that you're willing to burn it's flag you better back it up by moving the hell out and stop enjoying the protection and privileges afforded by all our tax dollars.
Having said that, I DO believe that it is important for us to protect the right to burn the flag. Being able to voice your disagreement and disapproval for America is the fundamental idea behind America. Where would we be if we weren't able to express outloud and in public our disapproval for the government? How many times have we criticized the policies of the current administration?
Is it unpatriotic? Yes. Is it disrespectful? Yes. Are there better ways to show your dislike? Absolutely.
After a brief google search, I've discovered that the Supreme Court agrees with me. Here's a link to the decision Texas vs. Johnson (1989).
Since the Supreme Court has ruled that burning the American Flag is protected by the First Amendment, the only way Congress can make ant-flag-burning laws is to amend the Constitution itself. Which it has tried to do in '95, '97, and '99 only to fail by a narrow margin (which is a little scary to me). Flag burning is still a raw issue especially with the recent war against Iraq. At peace demonstrations people have been arrested for "reckless endangerment" and "disorderly conduct."
Do you really want to live in a country where it is illegal to express your thoughts, unpatriotic or not?
Here's a good resource for more info on the topic, The Flag Burning Page.
Having said that, I DO believe that it is important for us to protect the right to burn the flag. Being able to voice your disagreement and disapproval for America is the fundamental idea behind America. Where would we be if we weren't able to express outloud and in public our disapproval for the government? How many times have we criticized the policies of the current administration?
Is it unpatriotic? Yes. Is it disrespectful? Yes. Are there better ways to show your dislike? Absolutely.
After a brief google search, I've discovered that the Supreme Court agrees with me. Here's a link to the decision Texas vs. Johnson (1989).
Since the Supreme Court has ruled that burning the American Flag is protected by the First Amendment, the only way Congress can make ant-flag-burning laws is to amend the Constitution itself. Which it has tried to do in '95, '97, and '99 only to fail by a narrow margin (which is a little scary to me). Flag burning is still a raw issue especially with the recent war against Iraq. At peace demonstrations people have been arrested for "reckless endangerment" and "disorderly conduct."
Do you really want to live in a country where it is illegal to express your thoughts, unpatriotic or not?
Here's a good resource for more info on the topic, The Flag Burning Page.
Freedom of expression. Freedom of speech. Sometimes I think those rights are used stupidly, THIS for example. Although this isn't exactly happening in the US, I'm just sayin... playboy on your cell phone? I can barely see the numbers on my cell phone let alone a picture of a playmate.
My favorite line in the article is:
"However, for those subscribers who only read Playboy for the articles, there will be no access to written content."
Now don't get me wrong, I haven't changed my stance at all, I'd be against it if they banned this and I'm not entirely sure how I feel about the age restriction regarding porn, but I just think this is a pretty silly idea. I'm guessing the success of this enterprise will be determined by whether or not its subscribers are willing to use a magnifying glass to enjoy their porn.
I'm reminded of a dialogue from The West Wing. It went something like this,
"May I ask you a question sir?" asks a reverend to the President. "If our children can buy pornography on any street corner for $5, isn't that too high a price to pay for free speech?"
"No," replies President Bartlet.
"Really?" inquires the reverend.
And in a smug tone President Bartlet then says, "On the other hand, I do believe $5 is too high a price to pay for pornography."
My favorite line in the article is:
"However, for those subscribers who only read Playboy for the articles, there will be no access to written content."
Now don't get me wrong, I haven't changed my stance at all, I'd be against it if they banned this and I'm not entirely sure how I feel about the age restriction regarding porn, but I just think this is a pretty silly idea. I'm guessing the success of this enterprise will be determined by whether or not its subscribers are willing to use a magnifying glass to enjoy their porn.
I'm reminded of a dialogue from The West Wing. It went something like this,
"May I ask you a question sir?" asks a reverend to the President. "If our children can buy pornography on any street corner for $5, isn't that too high a price to pay for free speech?"
"No," replies President Bartlet.
"Really?" inquires the reverend.
And in a smug tone President Bartlet then says, "On the other hand, I do believe $5 is too high a price to pay for pornography."
Thursday, May 22, 2003
Funny joke I read on a message board:
In Iraq, all of Sadam's doubles were called into a room. They were told, "There is good news and bad news. The good news is Sadam is alive." They all cheered knowing that they would get to use the many homes of Sadam once more. "The bad news, Sadam lost his arm in the last bombing attack."
And yeah, I don't think they should regulate CD's or movies. I just realized that I think I might be a liberal. At least with regard to freedom of expression.
In Iraq, all of Sadam's doubles were called into a room. They were told, "There is good news and bad news. The good news is Sadam is alive." They all cheered knowing that they would get to use the many homes of Sadam once more. "The bad news, Sadam lost his arm in the last bombing attack."
And yeah, I don't think they should regulate CD's or movies. I just realized that I think I might be a liberal. At least with regard to freedom of expression.
Wednesday, May 21, 2003
When I read the news I'm usually not one to have an outright emotional reaction.. but after reading THIS I'm somewhat fuming. The state of Washington has become the first state to regulate the sale of videogames. They are forbidding the sale of certain "violent" games to anyone under 17.
1. It's unconstitutional.
2. It's bad enough that they have that videogame rating system (Mature, Teen, etc.) now they're taking the next step and banning them.
3. Most games available involve violence of some sort (killing, car crashes, etc.), I wonder how many games they'll ban.
4. What's next? Books with violence? Movies? TV?
Sometimes I think people forget that they're living in AMERICA. The land of the FREE. Man.. I can't believe kids'll actually be carded when they buy games.
1. It's unconstitutional.
2. It's bad enough that they have that videogame rating system (Mature, Teen, etc.) now they're taking the next step and banning them.
3. Most games available involve violence of some sort (killing, car crashes, etc.), I wonder how many games they'll ban.
4. What's next? Books with violence? Movies? TV?
Sometimes I think people forget that they're living in AMERICA. The land of the FREE. Man.. I can't believe kids'll actually be carded when they buy games.
Someone pointed me in to THIS site...
They're talking about the high school I went to. It looks like I'm a part of "generation stressed." Who woulda thought...
They're talking about the high school I went to. It looks like I'm a part of "generation stressed." Who woulda thought...
Tuesday, May 20, 2003
Just got back from swimming. I was swimming back and forth in a lane when I suddenly noticed a girl in a 2 piece in my same lane. I wasn't wearing my contacts so I couldn't tell if she was cute or not but a small, mischievous part of my mind wanted to say,
"GREAT TASTE!"
After a few laps I looked around for the girl in my lane... and instead I found a large man wearing semi speedos (it was a little longer than speedos).
uh...
"great taste?"
"GREAT TASTE!"
After a few laps I looked around for the girl in my lane... and instead I found a large man wearing semi speedos (it was a little longer than speedos).
uh...
"great taste?"
Monday, May 19, 2003
I just read my sister's xanga site... and reading how she refers to some guys as "nice ass eye candy" with their sexy voices just made me feel really weird.
Then those feelings were compounded with my Dad's latest comment about girls' bodies and asses and christina aguilerra....
Families and sex... man... it definitely goes on my top ten list of things I don't like to think about.
P.S.
When the hell did my sister grow up?! What's going on here?
Then those feelings were compounded with my Dad's latest comment about girls' bodies and asses and christina aguilerra....
Families and sex... man... it definitely goes on my top ten list of things I don't like to think about.
P.S.
When the hell did my sister grow up?! What's going on here?
Sunday, May 18, 2003
The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and over and over again, but expecting a different result.
-Albert Einstein
I remembered this quote because last night I went to the Century Club and again arrived at the same inevitable conclusion that I always do when I go clubbing: Clubbing is not my scene.
There were pretty girls abound.. that's the one good thing I have to say. Well.. I don't really know if they were really pretty or if what I saw was influenced by how scantily clad they were. Perhaps a little of both.
I didn't dance at all either. I don't really like having to go through the rim of guys surrounding the dance floor and then dancing up to random girls, and I don't think they appreciate me dancing up to them either because in the past the usually responded by dancing away.
Near the end I tried to approach a girl not because I really wanted to but more so I wouldn't feel like the night was a complete loss. The long and short of it was that I got her a cup of water and her subsequently telling me to go away. She wasn't cute anyways!
The best part of the night was just hanging out with the guys, talking, catching up, making fun of each other, making fun of girls, and going to Norms after the whole ordeal to eat ourselves into a stupor at 3 in the morning.
Before I went clubbing THIS happened to me. And at the club I spilled beer all over the same area. It was just one of those nights....
-Albert Einstein
I remembered this quote because last night I went to the Century Club and again arrived at the same inevitable conclusion that I always do when I go clubbing: Clubbing is not my scene.
There were pretty girls abound.. that's the one good thing I have to say. Well.. I don't really know if they were really pretty or if what I saw was influenced by how scantily clad they were. Perhaps a little of both.
I didn't dance at all either. I don't really like having to go through the rim of guys surrounding the dance floor and then dancing up to random girls, and I don't think they appreciate me dancing up to them either because in the past the usually responded by dancing away.
Near the end I tried to approach a girl not because I really wanted to but more so I wouldn't feel like the night was a complete loss. The long and short of it was that I got her a cup of water and her subsequently telling me to go away. She wasn't cute anyways!
The best part of the night was just hanging out with the guys, talking, catching up, making fun of each other, making fun of girls, and going to Norms after the whole ordeal to eat ourselves into a stupor at 3 in the morning.
Before I went clubbing THIS happened to me. And at the club I spilled beer all over the same area. It was just one of those nights....
Friday, May 16, 2003
This is something I definitely want to take part in at least once.
"It's cherry blossom season in Japan, and people are emerging from the long, cold winter to raise a toast -- again and again -- to the pale pink, white and blood-red blossoms that fill the air and blanket the country's green mountains and city parks for only a few days each spring, setting off a frenzy of hanami, or "flower viewing," parties."
I can't think of any type of American cultural festival that celebrates and brings us so close to nature (ground hogs day doesn't count), especially in Southern California where we don't really get "true" seasons. But then again, we probably wouldn't want to see Los Angelinos drinking so publicly. It'd turn into a celebration of nature in the form of riots.
"It's cherry blossom season in Japan, and people are emerging from the long, cold winter to raise a toast -- again and again -- to the pale pink, white and blood-red blossoms that fill the air and blanket the country's green mountains and city parks for only a few days each spring, setting off a frenzy of hanami, or "flower viewing," parties."
I can't think of any type of American cultural festival that celebrates and brings us so close to nature (ground hogs day doesn't count), especially in Southern California where we don't really get "true" seasons. But then again, we probably wouldn't want to see Los Angelinos drinking so publicly. It'd turn into a celebration of nature in the form of riots.
Thursday, May 15, 2003
My day...
07:45 Wake up
08:30 get to first class.
09:15 Fall asleep for second class
10:05 wake up and decide to ditch the rest of day having attended only 1.5 classes (and only being awake for 0.5).
10:55 get to star bucks in westwood and meet up with college friend Jeff. We study.
12:45 get to norms for steak and devour my entire plate and some of Jeff's as well.
01:30 get to Borders with Jeff to continue studying. I also learned what an espresso is. Espresso is to Coffee as Vodka is to Beer.
05:00 finish studying and go to Veteran park to throw foot ball and shoot the shit with Jeff.
06:10 left park and drive to Jon and Ray's place. I sit outside and study while waiting for Jon to get home.
06:30 arrive to the movie theatre for Matrix for special midnite showing (@10:00). We had two friends waiting there since 2:00 saving a spot. Big props to Tony Chen and John Ni. Waited until start of movie.
08:00 go to Inn & Out to piss.
09:45 let into the movie. There was a stampede to get the first seats. Beach balls were thrown around, human waves were made.. and basically college students being college students. I miss college.
12:30 finish Matrix Reloaded. Great movie by the way. Go watch it. Great imagination and creativity with some unforgettable scenes.. that's all I'll say.
1:30 after several detours because of midnight freeway construction I get home.
I left out a few parts with Jeff getting a parking ticket for parking in front of a red zone on his way to meet up with me, and Brian getting a parking ticket for parking somewhere he wasn't supposed to during the movie. Everyone I'm involved with somehow ends up getting a parking ticket.. so I'm just warning all of you out there... be careful when I'm around...
I had a very productive (I'm all caught up with my studying.. except for gross), very entertaining, and very long day... which I must say couldn't have been any better. Life is good.
If any of you have a spare moment... click on over to Jen Hung's site (column on left) and see how her day went. Leave a comment and a word of encouragement.. her day didn't seem to go quite as well as mine... in fact it went terribly.
07:45 Wake up
08:30 get to first class.
09:15 Fall asleep for second class
10:05 wake up and decide to ditch the rest of day having attended only 1.5 classes (and only being awake for 0.5).
10:55 get to star bucks in westwood and meet up with college friend Jeff. We study.
12:45 get to norms for steak and devour my entire plate and some of Jeff's as well.
01:30 get to Borders with Jeff to continue studying. I also learned what an espresso is. Espresso is to Coffee as Vodka is to Beer.
05:00 finish studying and go to Veteran park to throw foot ball and shoot the shit with Jeff.
06:10 left park and drive to Jon and Ray's place. I sit outside and study while waiting for Jon to get home.
06:30 arrive to the movie theatre for Matrix for special midnite showing (@10:00). We had two friends waiting there since 2:00 saving a spot. Big props to Tony Chen and John Ni. Waited until start of movie.
08:00 go to Inn & Out to piss.
09:45 let into the movie. There was a stampede to get the first seats. Beach balls were thrown around, human waves were made.. and basically college students being college students. I miss college.
12:30 finish Matrix Reloaded. Great movie by the way. Go watch it. Great imagination and creativity with some unforgettable scenes.. that's all I'll say.
1:30 after several detours because of midnight freeway construction I get home.
I left out a few parts with Jeff getting a parking ticket for parking in front of a red zone on his way to meet up with me, and Brian getting a parking ticket for parking somewhere he wasn't supposed to during the movie. Everyone I'm involved with somehow ends up getting a parking ticket.. so I'm just warning all of you out there... be careful when I'm around...
I had a very productive (I'm all caught up with my studying.. except for gross), very entertaining, and very long day... which I must say couldn't have been any better. Life is good.
If any of you have a spare moment... click on over to Jen Hung's site (column on left) and see how her day went. Leave a comment and a word of encouragement.. her day didn't seem to go quite as well as mine... in fact it went terribly.
Tuesday, May 13, 2003
Silver Linings.
I just finished reading THIS ARTICLE about the effect SARS has had on China. Two very profound statements jumped out at me:
"Not only is SARS a serious threat to lives, but the epidemic has also exposed with embarrassing clarity — to the Chinese people and to the world — the costs of China's tight political control over information and bureaucracy. "
and
"'The SARS epidemic is forcing us to rethink the whole theoretical framework for government that was developed under Jiang Zemin,' [an official] said, including the blindered emphasis on social stability and economic growth. 'We're seeing that growth and stability need to be balanced by social development and equity.'"
Big words for an even bigger country. I wonder if SARS will provide the necessary kick in the ass to bring about some social change in China. The world is sure as hell watching.
I just finished reading THIS ARTICLE about the effect SARS has had on China. Two very profound statements jumped out at me:
"Not only is SARS a serious threat to lives, but the epidemic has also exposed with embarrassing clarity — to the Chinese people and to the world — the costs of China's tight political control over information and bureaucracy. "
and
"'The SARS epidemic is forcing us to rethink the whole theoretical framework for government that was developed under Jiang Zemin,' [an official] said, including the blindered emphasis on social stability and economic growth. 'We're seeing that growth and stability need to be balanced by social development and equity.'"
Big words for an even bigger country. I wonder if SARS will provide the necessary kick in the ass to bring about some social change in China. The world is sure as hell watching.
The emotional roller coaster that is the Lakers...
AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH Did you see that last shot? Wide open..... damnit.... damnit.. damnit.. it had me whining and banging my hands and feet on the floor.... it was in their grasp.
I seriously almost cried. It was that close of a heart breaker. The Lakers came back from being down 20...
They were down 2, with 14 seconds left. Laker ball. Kobe had the ball in the corner and passed it to a wide open Horry at the 3 point line. He set his feet, cocked his arm and fired. The ball bounced in and out.
damn damn damn damn... friggin damn.... ARGH!!!!
AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH Did you see that last shot? Wide open..... damnit.... damnit.. damnit.. it had me whining and banging my hands and feet on the floor.... it was in their grasp.
I seriously almost cried. It was that close of a heart breaker. The Lakers came back from being down 20...
They were down 2, with 14 seconds left. Laker ball. Kobe had the ball in the corner and passed it to a wide open Horry at the 3 point line. He set his feet, cocked his arm and fired. The ball bounced in and out.
damn damn damn damn... friggin damn.... ARGH!!!!
So to add on top of that funny thing I did... here's a funnier thing my friend Kyle did
CLICK HERE
Today I had middle eastern food with Sabrina and her friend Amy. It was good and cheap. The restaurant was called Zankou Chicken. I can't remember the names of anything I had... It sounded kinda like Tarwin and Suwarna... ... but yeah.. it was good. I'll take you some time... as long as you ask nicely! :)
CLICK HERE
Today I had middle eastern food with Sabrina and her friend Amy. It was good and cheap. The restaurant was called Zankou Chicken. I can't remember the names of anything I had... It sounded kinda like Tarwin and Suwarna... ... but yeah.. it was good. I'll take you some time... as long as you ask nicely! :)
Sunday, May 11, 2003
Happy Mothers Day!
Today I did something kind of funny. But I won't say anything because it might ruin the entertainment value, I'm just waiting for a friend of mine to send me pictures so I can post them online. And hopefully it will amuse you as much as it amused me.
It seems like I get the best sleeps of my life when I go back to Cerritos. I think it's partly due to the fact that it feels like I'm just entering a completely different world. At home, school and all its responsibilities and problems seem so far away and doesn't bother me as much allowing me to sleep deeply and soundly.
Spent mothers day at my old roommate Ben's house where he bar-b-qued and I stood on the side lines encouraging him. :) I think it was better for both of us since he's much better at cooking than I am. In fact he's probably better at a great deal of things than I am, except perhaps for eating... and weighing a lot. He doesn't even come close to me in those areas.
Eddie's family was there too. He came back from New Jersey on leave, and is heading to Kuwait this week. I offered to give him some sun tan lotion because, well, it's bound to be hot there and I don't want him to get skin cancer but the army already provides it. One of the best moments of the day was when I got to take a picture of Ben's, Eddie's, and my moms together.
My mom couldn't remember the other moms names so every once in a while I'd hear, "Hey Ben's mom... come here," and "Eddie's mom... I need help with something.."
The weather was beautiful, the Lakers kicked ass (although the officiating sucked for the Spurs AND Lakers) and tied the series at 2-2, and I got to spend time with my family and and some life long friends. I couldn't have asked for a better Sunday afternoon.
Today I did something kind of funny. But I won't say anything because it might ruin the entertainment value, I'm just waiting for a friend of mine to send me pictures so I can post them online. And hopefully it will amuse you as much as it amused me.
It seems like I get the best sleeps of my life when I go back to Cerritos. I think it's partly due to the fact that it feels like I'm just entering a completely different world. At home, school and all its responsibilities and problems seem so far away and doesn't bother me as much allowing me to sleep deeply and soundly.
Spent mothers day at my old roommate Ben's house where he bar-b-qued and I stood on the side lines encouraging him. :) I think it was better for both of us since he's much better at cooking than I am. In fact he's probably better at a great deal of things than I am, except perhaps for eating... and weighing a lot. He doesn't even come close to me in those areas.
Eddie's family was there too. He came back from New Jersey on leave, and is heading to Kuwait this week. I offered to give him some sun tan lotion because, well, it's bound to be hot there and I don't want him to get skin cancer but the army already provides it. One of the best moments of the day was when I got to take a picture of Ben's, Eddie's, and my moms together.
My mom couldn't remember the other moms names so every once in a while I'd hear, "Hey Ben's mom... come here," and "Eddie's mom... I need help with something.."
The weather was beautiful, the Lakers kicked ass (although the officiating sucked for the Spurs AND Lakers) and tied the series at 2-2, and I got to spend time with my family and and some life long friends. I couldn't have asked for a better Sunday afternoon.
Thursday, May 08, 2003
Walking today, a friend of mine (Alison) started cat-calling and whistling at me from behind in jest. And while wanting to appear cool and unaffected, I turned my head and flashed her the slickest smile I could manage....
and then I slammed my head into a wall.
and then I slammed my head into a wall.
What I did today:
Watched Identity after school. It was a great movie, a good murder mystery with a few unexpected plot twists. Go watch it. If you want a better review of it, go to Ant's or Christine's sites (see left column). They did a much better job than I did.
Afterwards I went to my grandma's house and took a nap. They woke me at around 6 to eat dinner which was delicious. It consisted of pork, spinach, noodles (spicy and with added meat), and chicken. Good ole chinese home cooking, food just doesn't get any better. My grandma is a very funny person, both when she's trying to be and when she isn't. Today she said something that just tickled me, but it was one of those times when she wasn't trying.
During dinner she said (for those of you who can read pin-ying) "he lu dou tang jo bu hui SARS," which translates into, "if you drink green bean soup you won't get SARS." I must've laughed for a good 5 minutes. And then my grandpa says, "wo yao jien fei," meaning "I want to lose weight," even though he barely weighs 110 lbs and already looks like skin and bones. That one even got my grandma to laugh... and she subsequently started making fun of him about his skin and bones.
One of the most entertaining dinners I've had. And I think since I've been going there my mandarin has improved. YAY!
When I finished eating I went over to Yvonne's place to watch the Laker game. I don't want to talk about the Laker game. You can probably go to Kentaminators site for a good update but I bet you he'll be bummed too. Yvonne's apartment is very nice and being surrounded by so many med students all cheering for the Lakers and booing that damn Argentinian Ginobili and Frenchie Parks helped lessen the pain of the loss.
Then I came home and changed and went to the gym to work out. And here I am. I have successfully managed to spend an entire half day for leisure. Needless to say I had a lot of work planned for today as well... but I think I'm just going to read some more Kavalier and Clay and sleep.
Good nite!
Watched Identity after school. It was a great movie, a good murder mystery with a few unexpected plot twists. Go watch it. If you want a better review of it, go to Ant's or Christine's sites (see left column). They did a much better job than I did.
Afterwards I went to my grandma's house and took a nap. They woke me at around 6 to eat dinner which was delicious. It consisted of pork, spinach, noodles (spicy and with added meat), and chicken. Good ole chinese home cooking, food just doesn't get any better. My grandma is a very funny person, both when she's trying to be and when she isn't. Today she said something that just tickled me, but it was one of those times when she wasn't trying.
During dinner she said (for those of you who can read pin-ying) "he lu dou tang jo bu hui SARS," which translates into, "if you drink green bean soup you won't get SARS." I must've laughed for a good 5 minutes. And then my grandpa says, "wo yao jien fei," meaning "I want to lose weight," even though he barely weighs 110 lbs and already looks like skin and bones. That one even got my grandma to laugh... and she subsequently started making fun of him about his skin and bones.
One of the most entertaining dinners I've had. And I think since I've been going there my mandarin has improved. YAY!
When I finished eating I went over to Yvonne's place to watch the Laker game. I don't want to talk about the Laker game. You can probably go to Kentaminators site for a good update but I bet you he'll be bummed too. Yvonne's apartment is very nice and being surrounded by so many med students all cheering for the Lakers and booing that damn Argentinian Ginobili and Frenchie Parks helped lessen the pain of the loss.
Then I came home and changed and went to the gym to work out. And here I am. I have successfully managed to spend an entire half day for leisure. Needless to say I had a lot of work planned for today as well... but I think I'm just going to read some more Kavalier and Clay and sleep.
Good nite!
Wednesday, May 07, 2003
So today instead of doing anything I was supposed to have doing which includes:
1. Folding my laundry
2. Doing report write up
3. Doing a Gross Anatomy Lab key terms list
4. Doing an ICM write up revision
I read and made significant progress in "The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay."
Here's to throwing your responsibilities out the window and doing whatever the hell you wanna do (at least for a night). CHEERS!
1. Folding my laundry
2. Doing report write up
3. Doing a Gross Anatomy Lab key terms list
4. Doing an ICM write up revision
I read and made significant progress in "The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay."
Here's to throwing your responsibilities out the window and doing whatever the hell you wanna do (at least for a night). CHEERS!
Yesterday I finally saw the movie "Better Luck Tomorrow," and I have to say that it got me a little depressed. It was a good movie and very much worth the time and money (unlike friggin Daredevil) so those weren't the reasons for my being unhappy. The movie is about a bunch of asian kids that were "too smart for their own good." They knew how to play the academic game to get excellent SAT's, top notch GPA's, and first rate resume building activities in order go get into an Ivy League school.
They basically got bored with all of that because it came too easy for them and got involved in a bunch of bad stuff which lead up to a murder. These kids had everything they wanted, loving parents, money, great academics, every material thing they desired, which was the precise reason they weren't content. They had nothing else to challenge them, so they got into all that other stuff.
This movie was based loosely on a true story that happened a few years ago and some of my friends actually knew the people involved. I remember my mom reading about the event to me from the Chinese newspaper. It sent shockwaves throughout the asian community at the time.
It was set in an upper middle class suburb at a very academic high school which is very similar to my home town, Cerritos, and my high school Whitney High School (which is pretty much as academic as they come). But other than the similar environments the reason I got depressed after this movie was because I saw how similar I was to those guys.
All throughout high school and college I was preoccupied with the whole academic game (even now I still am.. Med school is just an even bigger game) and I'm one of those kids that has everything he wants. I have a great car, my parents provide for my living expenses, I have everything I need materially, my parents love me, I go to a great school, for which I am grateful and happy, but there are still those moments when I feel discontented, if even a little empty. So I could relate to what the characters were going through.
What happened to these guys could've very easily happened to me if I had fallen in with a slightly different crowd and that is what I found to be the most unsettling. Just a slight change in circumstances and that could've been me. The only difference is that I'm not too smart for my own good, I'm just smart enough to get by and maybe fake it (that's a depressing thought in itself).
This movie troubled me the entire day yesterday but I definitely recommend to anyone who hasn't seen it. You should watch it not only to "support the asian community" since it was an almost all asian production, but more importantly to see if you can relate to it.
And if anyone's interested you can click HERE to read about the real story. It's under the "High School Killers" section of the page.
They basically got bored with all of that because it came too easy for them and got involved in a bunch of bad stuff which lead up to a murder. These kids had everything they wanted, loving parents, money, great academics, every material thing they desired, which was the precise reason they weren't content. They had nothing else to challenge them, so they got into all that other stuff.
This movie was based loosely on a true story that happened a few years ago and some of my friends actually knew the people involved. I remember my mom reading about the event to me from the Chinese newspaper. It sent shockwaves throughout the asian community at the time.
It was set in an upper middle class suburb at a very academic high school which is very similar to my home town, Cerritos, and my high school Whitney High School (which is pretty much as academic as they come). But other than the similar environments the reason I got depressed after this movie was because I saw how similar I was to those guys.
All throughout high school and college I was preoccupied with the whole academic game (even now I still am.. Med school is just an even bigger game) and I'm one of those kids that has everything he wants. I have a great car, my parents provide for my living expenses, I have everything I need materially, my parents love me, I go to a great school, for which I am grateful and happy, but there are still those moments when I feel discontented, if even a little empty. So I could relate to what the characters were going through.
What happened to these guys could've very easily happened to me if I had fallen in with a slightly different crowd and that is what I found to be the most unsettling. Just a slight change in circumstances and that could've been me. The only difference is that I'm not too smart for my own good, I'm just smart enough to get by and maybe fake it (that's a depressing thought in itself).
This movie troubled me the entire day yesterday but I definitely recommend to anyone who hasn't seen it. You should watch it not only to "support the asian community" since it was an almost all asian production, but more importantly to see if you can relate to it.
And if anyone's interested you can click HERE to read about the real story. It's under the "High School Killers" section of the page.
Tuesday, May 06, 2003
I think I'm going to be one of those really grumpy residents after med-school. Why you ask? Today I started the day waking up at 7am and after class and gross anatomy lab and Chorda Tympani practice, I didn't get home till 6pm. That's almost a 12 hour day. By the end of the day I turned crabby and snappy and generally in a very bad mood.
Now during residency one can expect to be on call and work 36 hour shifts.... so imagine how shitty I'd be feeling by then. My knees and feet were already hurting after this long day... and to take that times three... I'm scared thinking about it. I never imagined myself being a bastard doctor... but dang... I can understand why some people turn out like that.
It's easy to be nice and polite if you work a 9-5 and sleep 8 hours a night, but if you work 36 hours straight... I applaude anyone who can stay nice and polite after that because I certainly don't think I can.
Now during residency one can expect to be on call and work 36 hour shifts.... so imagine how shitty I'd be feeling by then. My knees and feet were already hurting after this long day... and to take that times three... I'm scared thinking about it. I never imagined myself being a bastard doctor... but dang... I can understand why some people turn out like that.
It's easy to be nice and polite if you work a 9-5 and sleep 8 hours a night, but if you work 36 hours straight... I applaude anyone who can stay nice and polite after that because I certainly don't think I can.
so if anyone's curious about the cost of med school... this is what I the financial aid office emailed me... pretty scary if you ask me..
HERE
It's the May 6th Entry. Sorry for making you guys bounce back and forth.
HERE
It's the May 6th Entry. Sorry for making you guys bounce back and forth.
Monday, May 05, 2003
A funny conversation I had today...
Quiz Show3: phil, will you ask jen why she is sending me links sites that sell mens leopard print thong underwear?
Philipyen: hahaha
Philipyen: it's probably cuz she thinks you'd like geof in them
Quiz Show3: eeew. nasty. you might want to ask her for the link....they're premium undies
Philipyen: nah
Philipyen: i don't like thongs
Quiz Show3: heehee. i don't know what i would say if you said you liked wearing them =-Oscary
Philipyen: i think
Philipyen: they're just fundamentally uncomfortable
Philipyen: you don't think I'd look goo din a thong? :-(
Philipyen: j/k
Quiz Show3: actually, thong underwear is not so bad.
Quiz Show3: i think you'd look good dancing around in a hip hop video
Philipyen: you know.. i always wanted to be a rap star so I could make music videos like jay z and have like 50 half naked fine ass women dancing next to me
Quiz Show3: you mean that doesn't happen to you in real life?
Philipyen: well.. not when I'm awake anyways
Quiz Show3: haha
Quiz Show3: phil, will you ask jen why she is sending me links sites that sell mens leopard print thong underwear?
Philipyen: hahaha
Philipyen: it's probably cuz she thinks you'd like geof in them
Quiz Show3: eeew. nasty. you might want to ask her for the link....they're premium undies
Philipyen: nah
Philipyen: i don't like thongs
Quiz Show3: heehee. i don't know what i would say if you said you liked wearing them =-Oscary
Philipyen: i think
Philipyen: they're just fundamentally uncomfortable
Philipyen: you don't think I'd look goo din a thong? :-(
Philipyen: j/k
Quiz Show3: actually, thong underwear is not so bad.
Quiz Show3: i think you'd look good dancing around in a hip hop video
Philipyen: you know.. i always wanted to be a rap star so I could make music videos like jay z and have like 50 half naked fine ass women dancing next to me
Quiz Show3: you mean that doesn't happen to you in real life?
Philipyen: well.. not when I'm awake anyways
Quiz Show3: haha
Sunday, May 04, 2003
I typed that last nite at around 3 in the morning. And now.. I am not drunk. I woke up at around 7 with a hangover and then I threw up and then I drew myself up a bath and just soaked for a few minutes. Afterwards I went to McDonalds to get the 2 Sausage McMuffins for $2.50, ate them and then fell asleep again.
I don't have a hang over anymore... but it's kind of funny reading what I typed last nite... heh heh.. my favorite part is when I wrote "piretty" because I think that's the way the word sounded in my head at the time. Drunk blogging... maybe we can make it into a competitive sport! You think it'll catch on?
I don't have a hang over anymore... but it's kind of funny reading what I typed last nite... heh heh.. my favorite part is when I wrote "piretty" because I think that's the way the word sounded in my head at the time. Drunk blogging... maybe we can make it into a competitive sport! You think it'll catch on?
Hello all.. I am completely piss drunk right now.. which is why I can’t seem to update my blog, so I’m first writing this in a Microsoft word docutment. There will be many typos and faulty grammar and everything, which is basically because I am completely intoxicated. Very very piss piss piss piss drunk. This is a great feeling I have to say. I haven never read a drunk entry before… but now you guys will have the chance to… heh heh
This is the kind of drunk I am… a very loving, jovial, and sometimes piss people off type of drunk. I think I pissed someone off tonite… but it was the alcohol talking so it’s all good :) . Someone told me that a girl thinks I like her but I really don’t… and another person told me some girl likes me but I don’t really have interest in… so… I’m … yes… incoherent right now.. and yess… I’ m still piretty pissy drunk……. Excuse my grammar.. please… this is the alcohol typing. :) heh heh… yes… alcohol is running through my veins. Ok enough… I think I’ve pissed off enough people tonite.. see ya laterz
This is the kind of drunk I am… a very loving, jovial, and sometimes piss people off type of drunk. I think I pissed someone off tonite… but it was the alcohol talking so it’s all good :) . Someone told me that a girl thinks I like her but I really don’t… and another person told me some girl likes me but I don’t really have interest in… so… I’m … yes… incoherent right now.. and yess… I’ m still piretty pissy drunk……. Excuse my grammar.. please… this is the alcohol typing. :) heh heh… yes… alcohol is running through my veins. Ok enough… I think I’ve pissed off enough people tonite.. see ya laterz
Saturday, May 03, 2003
Good luck to Steph on her SAT II's. I don't remember taking mine at all. But then again I have a terrible memory and really don't remember much of anything.
Finished the last of a series of Neuroscience exams today. I've gotta say, this has been one hellish week. One of the toughest mental and intellectual experiences of my life. The good news is that I passed! One step closer to getting that degree!
I celebrated today by playing a few hours of basketball after the exam with some classmates. My team was 0 for 3. Didn't win a single one. I think I was the X factor that held us back. Oh well, I'm over it. Afterwards I ate at "Carmine's," an Italian restaurant that served a very delicious Chicken Ca..something.. (I forget what the hell it's called now) but it was good.
My friend Jeff then drove us to the club that was to be the Med school post-neuro-final celebratory club, "Club 66" but when we arrived there were only about 5 other med students there and a live band playing (we were expecting their to be hip hop). So we waited around a bit and then decided to go on to "Dublin's," an Irish pub/Club on Sunset Blvd. It's a very happening place that's always crowded. Well we drove around looking for parking in the pouring rain. Every parking lot near the Dublin's charged $20. What the hell is that?! I'm already against paying for parking, but paying $20 for parking is sacrilege to me. It is something I am fundamentally against to my very core.
So being the cheap bastards we were we drove further down and found a lot that charged $10. Now one thing I have to say about the comfort of being inside a car is that you don't realize how hard it actually is raining, nor how far you've actually driven. It turned out we parked a good half-mile away from the club so we had to run in the friggin rain for about 15 minutes to get to the club. By the time we got there we were soaked, but at least word got out to other med students so there were a good amount of classmates already there. In retrospect I think we would have been better off paying the damn $20 in order to have stayed a good deal dryer and less out of breath (there is a time and a place for running and exercise, but doing so on the way to a club is not it).
In the end we had a good time, danced a few dances etc.( I didn't drink at all because I had taken a few pills of Tylenol before hand for my headache from lack of sleep). Although I've come to realize that clubbing is really not my scene. I don't enjoy the whole talking to random girls and trying to get their numbers and all that, although it might be due to the fact that I'm not particularly savy at it. But it's what people my age do so I guess I'll go along for now!
It makes for a much more exciting story than, "I stayed home and played Medal of Honor and killed lots of Germans."
I celebrated today by playing a few hours of basketball after the exam with some classmates. My team was 0 for 3. Didn't win a single one. I think I was the X factor that held us back. Oh well, I'm over it. Afterwards I ate at "Carmine's," an Italian restaurant that served a very delicious Chicken Ca..something.. (I forget what the hell it's called now) but it was good.
My friend Jeff then drove us to the club that was to be the Med school post-neuro-final celebratory club, "Club 66" but when we arrived there were only about 5 other med students there and a live band playing (we were expecting their to be hip hop). So we waited around a bit and then decided to go on to "Dublin's," an Irish pub/Club on Sunset Blvd. It's a very happening place that's always crowded. Well we drove around looking for parking in the pouring rain. Every parking lot near the Dublin's charged $20. What the hell is that?! I'm already against paying for parking, but paying $20 for parking is sacrilege to me. It is something I am fundamentally against to my very core.
So being the cheap bastards we were we drove further down and found a lot that charged $10. Now one thing I have to say about the comfort of being inside a car is that you don't realize how hard it actually is raining, nor how far you've actually driven. It turned out we parked a good half-mile away from the club so we had to run in the friggin rain for about 15 minutes to get to the club. By the time we got there we were soaked, but at least word got out to other med students so there were a good amount of classmates already there. In retrospect I think we would have been better off paying the damn $20 in order to have stayed a good deal dryer and less out of breath (there is a time and a place for running and exercise, but doing so on the way to a club is not it).
In the end we had a good time, danced a few dances etc.( I didn't drink at all because I had taken a few pills of Tylenol before hand for my headache from lack of sleep). Although I've come to realize that clubbing is really not my scene. I don't enjoy the whole talking to random girls and trying to get their numbers and all that, although it might be due to the fact that I'm not particularly savy at it. But it's what people my age do so I guess I'll go along for now!
It makes for a much more exciting story than, "I stayed home and played Medal of Honor and killed lots of Germans."
