So I'm flying out of Bristol tomorrow morning, bright and early at 7:16AM.
However, guess who's coming to speak at my local high school later in the afternoon?
BARACK OBAMA
*fumes*
Anyway, away I go. The next time I sign on, it will be from another continent!
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
Deadweek, Graduation Stress, Sunsets, Rib-offs!
Deadweek
After two semesters of hard work and endless stress, it was such a welcomed change to have all the time in the world with nothing to do. It got to a point where I had to schedule in fun activities just so I wouldn't waste the day away by being lazy and sleeping all the time. Determined not to allow that to happen, I made an Excel sheet (yeah, don't judge) with time in one column and activities in the other. Each hour of the day had to be filled in. Movies. Dinners. Hikes to East Rock (see picture below). Siestas. Hehe, it was glorious.
Cornell Graduation
So in the picture, we look like a normal family on a graduation day. The parents are proud of their son, the siblings of their brother. The day is as perfect as it can be... warm, sunny, clear.
It is a happy day.
But not. Stress, anxiety. Familiar? Yes.
This past weekend is the first time the ENTIRE family was together in.. months? Years? Seriously. I had forgotten how hectic it could be!
I now sympathize with the military generals who have to mobilize entire battalions... I couldn't even mobilize the few members of my family! One brother didn't bother to check the pants he brought with him. It ended up being khakis from years ago... way too small. The other brother forgot his clothes at another apartment. My mom was cooking even though the ceremony was set to begin in less than an hour. My grandmother, thinking that we were heading home right after the ceremony, was packing busily. Oh my, indeed...
While all of this is happening, the parents of my graduating brother's girlfriend were saving seven seats in a very coveted section in the stadium. They had been sitting there for more than two hours, fending off the masses who attempt to take them. My family showed up one minute before the ceremony started. Yeah... O_o
Now that I'm thinking about it again... this probably is the typical family, yes? Hehe...
Afterwards, we went to a Thai Restaurant called Thai Cuisine. If you are ever in Ithaca, NY, do NOT make the mistake of going there. Enough said. I have warned you.
With all that said, I want to congratulate Yi for successfully graduating and, for the last four years, resisting any impulses to inflict self-harm. Bravo!
Lake Erie
After my sister went back to med school and my family went back home, Yi (the grad) and I embarked on an expedition to find an apartment in Erie, PA. We looked at everything from townhouses to lofts. My favorite was this loft located downtown. Huge living room, big dining room with a bar... very trendy. Plus, it's on a corner of the building with massive windows overlooking the neighborhood. Super sweet. However, a group of girls put down a deposit for it a couple of hours later. Sadness.
Two cool experiences while at Erie: The sunset by the beach on the lake and the city's Rip Cookoff. We had planned on going to the peninsula to see the sunset, and it was absolutely breath-taking. I don't think I could ever get tired of seeing the sunset. This is a photograph my brother took of me taking photographs of the scenery.
I had not planned on going to the Rib-Off. In fact, it was purely by luck that I happened upon this wonderful event. Tired after having been woken up way too early by Yi, I was in dire need for coffee and programed my GPS device to lead me to the nearest Starbucks. About a couple of blocks before we were suppose to arrive, there was a roadblock. Rather than trying to drive around the roadblock and risk getting lost in the endless number of senseless one-way roads (think New Haven), I decided to park and just walk through the roadblock. Best decision of the week! Viola- stands after stands of people perfecting their ribs. Ribs galore. Let's just say, lunch was delicious.
Fame - Continued.
Kelly was very fast in letting me know where to find the guide used by Light Fellows regarding blogs. So, here is the portion with my blog:
Thanks Kelly!!
After two semesters of hard work and endless stress, it was such a welcomed change to have all the time in the world with nothing to do. It got to a point where I had to schedule in fun activities just so I wouldn't waste the day away by being lazy and sleeping all the time. Determined not to allow that to happen, I made an Excel sheet (yeah, don't judge) with time in one column and activities in the other. Each hour of the day had to be filled in. Movies. Dinners. Hikes to East Rock (see picture below). Siestas. Hehe, it was glorious.
Cornell Graduation
So in the picture, we look like a normal family on a graduation day. The parents are proud of their son, the siblings of their brother. The day is as perfect as it can be... warm, sunny, clear.It is a happy day.
But not. Stress, anxiety. Familiar? Yes.
This past weekend is the first time the ENTIRE family was together in.. months? Years? Seriously. I had forgotten how hectic it could be!
I now sympathize with the military generals who have to mobilize entire battalions... I couldn't even mobilize the few members of my family! One brother didn't bother to check the pants he brought with him. It ended up being khakis from years ago... way too small. The other brother forgot his clothes at another apartment. My mom was cooking even though the ceremony was set to begin in less than an hour. My grandmother, thinking that we were heading home right after the ceremony, was packing busily. Oh my, indeed...
While all of this is happening, the parents of my graduating brother's girlfriend were saving seven seats in a very coveted section in the stadium. They had been sitting there for more than two hours, fending off the masses who attempt to take them. My family showed up one minute before the ceremony started. Yeah... O_o
Now that I'm thinking about it again... this probably is the typical family, yes? Hehe...
Afterwards, we went to a Thai Restaurant called Thai Cuisine. If you are ever in Ithaca, NY, do NOT make the mistake of going there. Enough said. I have warned you.
With all that said, I want to congratulate Yi for successfully graduating and, for the last four years, resisting any impulses to inflict self-harm. Bravo!
Lake Erie
After my sister went back to med school and my family went back home, Yi (the grad) and I embarked on an expedition to find an apartment in Erie, PA. We looked at everything from townhouses to lofts. My favorite was this loft located downtown. Huge living room, big dining room with a bar... very trendy. Plus, it's on a corner of the building with massive windows overlooking the neighborhood. Super sweet. However, a group of girls put down a deposit for it a couple of hours later. Sadness.
Two cool experiences while at Erie: The sunset by the beach on the lake and the city's Rip Cookoff. We had planned on going to the peninsula to see the sunset, and it was absolutely breath-taking. I don't think I could ever get tired of seeing the sunset. This is a photograph my brother took of me taking photographs of the scenery.
I had not planned on going to the Rib-Off. In fact, it was purely by luck that I happened upon this wonderful event. Tired after having been woken up way too early by Yi, I was in dire need for coffee and programed my GPS device to lead me to the nearest Starbucks. About a couple of blocks before we were suppose to arrive, there was a roadblock. Rather than trying to drive around the roadblock and risk getting lost in the endless number of senseless one-way roads (think New Haven), I decided to park and just walk through the roadblock. Best decision of the week! Viola- stands after stands of people perfecting their ribs. Ribs galore. Let's just say, lunch was delicious.
Fame - Continued.
Kelly was very fast in letting me know where to find the guide used by Light Fellows regarding blogs. So, here is the portion with my blog:
Thanks Kelly!!
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Fame and Sophomore Year Reminiscencs
So apparently Kelly and Adam (administrators over at the Light Fellowship) created a guide on how to use this blogging website.
To demonstrate how to add friends to your blog, they chose mine as an example! Hehe, my fifteen (or fewer) minutes of fame! Sweet.
I will post a picture of the guide if I find one to scan.
Annnyways, sophomore year of college has finally ended. Looking back on it, I've realized I've traipsed across almost the entire east coast, from the cold, New England town of Providence, RI to the warm, tropical city of Jacksonville, FL. I've logged tens of thousands of miles on my lovely white Mazda.
Fresh from an entire summer in Beijing, I rushed head-first into Fall semester of my second year at Yale in September. New Haven was just starting to become colorful as the leaves on the trees turned into the many splendid shades of red, yellow, and orange.
The picture above are my friends Sannya, Lily, and Adrianne, all lying in the leaves!
As the air turned crisp in the Have, I married. Twice. Yes, I now have two wives and four kids. =)
Before any nasty rumors are spread, let me explain. These "families" are part of a program headed by the Chinese and Taiwanese student groups on campus. Basically, upper-class students pair up and "marry," then adopt a couple of freshmen to take care of throughout the year. I am raising a family in the Chinese organization as well as the Taiwanese. It's like having a family in the United States and another one in England or something, right? Perfectly legit.. yes? No? Oh. Hahaha...
These "families" really were a significant part of my second year. I frequently dined with them, played games (Speed Scrabble - so much fun!) with them, and even went out with them.
Here's a picture of my CASA family at one of my favorite places in New Haven- Lighthouse Point. Besides having the lighthouse, this park has a beach, a carousel, a large play ground (with swings and slides!), and a field of green grass to frolic on.
The families really had an impact on my experiences this year. I got to know people whom I wouldn't have met otherwise. I learned about different places in the United States and internationally. They introduced me to new books, new movies, and different outlooks on life. I grew. My mind grew.
And, oh yeah, most importantly, I received the excuse to dine at restaurants where I would never have been able to convince myself to visit.
Compared to my freshman year, I was definitely more excited to go home during breaks, and when I was home, I enjoyed myself much more. Why? I'm not sure... Perhaps it was because in the first year, I was just thrilled to be in college and away from where I lived for most of my childhood. The new experience negated any homesick. Or, maybe it was because this past year was more stressful, and the inviting atmosphere of home was just too tempting.
I missed my parents. I missed my siblings. I miss my grandmother. The breaks seemed so short. I felt like I was missing so much that was going on in my family. When did Devon grow past my waist? Jie is starting to look at colleges, reeaally? Sigh...
I also took my first long-distance roadtrip this past year. For Spring break, a couple of friends and I decided we were going to drive down to Florida. Sun, beach, and alligators... what more could a guy ask for during Spring break?
The entire experience only lasted a few seconds I'm sure, but it felt like time was frozen. This is definitely a memory I will tell my grandchildren. Yay!
Anyways, although the year is over, I am still living on campus for "Dead Week." Dead Week is actually the two weeks before commencement, where there is no classes. I will update on my life once Dead Week is over.
Until then.
To demonstrate how to add friends to your blog, they chose mine as an example! Hehe, my fifteen (or fewer) minutes of fame! Sweet.
I will post a picture of the guide if I find one to scan.
Annnyways, sophomore year of college has finally ended. Looking back on it, I've realized I've traipsed across almost the entire east coast, from the cold, New England town of Providence, RI to the warm, tropical city of Jacksonville, FL. I've logged tens of thousands of miles on my lovely white Mazda.
Fresh from an entire summer in Beijing, I rushed head-first into Fall semester of my second year at Yale in September. New Haven was just starting to become colorful as the leaves on the trees turned into the many splendid shades of red, yellow, and orange.The picture above are my friends Sannya, Lily, and Adrianne, all lying in the leaves!
As the air turned crisp in the Have, I married. Twice. Yes, I now have two wives and four kids. =)
Before any nasty rumors are spread, let me explain. These "families" are part of a program headed by the Chinese and Taiwanese student groups on campus. Basically, upper-class students pair up and "marry," then adopt a couple of freshmen to take care of throughout the year. I am raising a family in the Chinese organization as well as the Taiwanese. It's like having a family in the United States and another one in England or something, right? Perfectly legit.. yes? No? Oh. Hahaha...
These "families" really were a significant part of my second year. I frequently dined with them, played games (Speed Scrabble - so much fun!) with them, and even went out with them.
Here's a picture of my CASA family at one of my favorite places in New Haven- Lighthouse Point. Besides having the lighthouse, this park has a beach, a carousel, a large play ground (with swings and slides!), and a field of green grass to frolic on.
The families really had an impact on my experiences this year. I got to know people whom I wouldn't have met otherwise. I learned about different places in the United States and internationally. They introduced me to new books, new movies, and different outlooks on life. I grew. My mind grew.
And, oh yeah, most importantly, I received the excuse to dine at restaurants where I would never have been able to convince myself to visit.
Compared to my freshman year, I was definitely more excited to go home during breaks, and when I was home, I enjoyed myself much more. Why? I'm not sure... Perhaps it was because in the first year, I was just thrilled to be in college and away from where I lived for most of my childhood. The new experience negated any homesick. Or, maybe it was because this past year was more stressful, and the inviting atmosphere of home was just too tempting.
I missed my parents. I missed my siblings. I miss my grandmother. The breaks seemed so short. I felt like I was missing so much that was going on in my family. When did Devon grow past my waist? Jie is starting to look at colleges, reeaally? Sigh...
I also took my first long-distance roadtrip this past year. For Spring break, a couple of friends and I decided we were going to drive down to Florida. Sun, beach, and alligators... what more could a guy ask for during Spring break?
Coolest part of the trip? Space shuttle launch at 2:27 in the morning.
I don't remember the last time I was that excited for anything. Sitting 12 miles away in the dark and waiting for the countdown to the launch, I felt like something big was about to happen. And it did. The flames from the rockets lit up the entire sky like it was day. Space shuttle Endeavour was a ball of light shooting into the sky, disappearing into the cloudy night. The rumbling of the launch was felt only moments later.
I don't remember the last time I was that excited for anything. Sitting 12 miles away in the dark and waiting for the countdown to the launch, I felt like something big was about to happen. And it did. The flames from the rockets lit up the entire sky like it was day. Space shuttle Endeavour was a ball of light shooting into the sky, disappearing into the cloudy night. The rumbling of the launch was felt only moments later.The entire experience only lasted a few seconds I'm sure, but it felt like time was frozen. This is definitely a memory I will tell my grandchildren. Yay!
Anyways, although the year is over, I am still living on campus for "Dead Week." Dead Week is actually the two weeks before commencement, where there is no classes. I will update on my life once Dead Week is over.
Until then.
Tuesday, April 8, 2008
Return of The Blog
Wow, I have not updated my blog in almost a year. Failure.
I will try to be better about it. I will.
Anyway, my 2008 summer plans are set!
So far, this is what it looks like:
May 12............Last day of final exams
May 12-24........Staying at Yale to work for Davenport College
May 24-26........Going to Cornell for brother's graduation
May 26-Jun 4.....Home!
Jun 5-Aug 16.....Shanghai, China
Aug 16-Sep 1.....Home again!
Around Sep 1.....Back at Yale!
Finals Week Apr 27-May 12
Four final exams.
Three term papers.
Two weeks of stress.
One unhappy Gang.
It is not going to be fun. Bring me food.
Graduation Week May 12-24
I will be working as a master's aide during this time. I don't know what exactly I will have to do, but it probably entails planning/running events for seniors and their families.
If you are staying as well, give me a call and we'll keep each other company. I will probably be bored a lot. If you are in the vicinity, please pay me a visit! (NYC is only a $14, 1.5 hr train ride)
Cornell Graduation May 25-26
Congratulations to Yi! Majoring in electrical and computer engineering, he has (so far, knock on wood) survived eight very intense semesters at Cornell.
If I have financial troubles in the future, I am banking on him bailing me out. =)
Home - A Good Place to Live! May 26-Jun 4
Home = Bristol, Virginia!
I know I have been away for a while, but
I really am coming back!
Let me know if you are in town so we can meet up!
Shanghai, China
Jun 5-Aug 16
I am going to be working for the U.S. Consulate General in Shanghai, China. I am soo excited, even though I don't really know what exactly my responsibilities are yet. I can't even imagine what the atmosphere in China will be like. The Olympics are creating such a commotion and generating a lot of buzz, both positive and negative. Therefore, I am bracing myself for something big happening...
Anyway..
This summer is going to be fantastic! I finally get to see a sibling graduate from college (I was in an econ final when my sister Jing graduated), I finally get to stay at home for an extended time, and I get to travel abroad!
I will (promise!) be updating this blog regularly, especially during the summer. Adventures and thoughts will be posted. Please check in once in a while. =)
I will try to be better about it. I will.
Anyway, my 2008 summer plans are set!
So far, this is what it looks like:
May 12............Last day of final exams
May 12-24........Staying at Yale to work for Davenport College
May 24-26........Going to Cornell for brother's graduation
May 26-Jun 4.....Home!
Jun 5-Aug 16.....Shanghai, China
Aug 16-Sep 1.....Home again!
Around Sep 1.....Back at Yale!
Finals Week Apr 27-May 12
Four final exams.
Three term papers.
Two weeks of stress.
One unhappy Gang.
It is not going to be fun. Bring me food.
Graduation Week May 12-24
I will be working as a master's aide during this time. I don't know what exactly I will have to do, but it probably entails planning/running events for seniors and their families.
If you are staying as well, give me a call and we'll keep each other company. I will probably be bored a lot. If you are in the vicinity, please pay me a visit! (NYC is only a $14, 1.5 hr train ride)
Cornell Graduation May 25-26
Congratulations to Yi! Majoring in electrical and computer engineering, he has (so far, knock on wood) survived eight very intense semesters at Cornell.
If I have financial troubles in the future, I am banking on him bailing me out. =)
Home - A Good Place to Live! May 26-Jun 4
Home = Bristol, Virginia!I know I have been away for a while, but
I really am coming back!
Let me know if you are in town so we can meet up!
Shanghai, ChinaJun 5-Aug 16
I am going to be working for the U.S. Consulate General in Shanghai, China. I am soo excited, even though I don't really know what exactly my responsibilities are yet. I can't even imagine what the atmosphere in China will be like. The Olympics are creating such a commotion and generating a lot of buzz, both positive and negative. Therefore, I am bracing myself for something big happening...
Anyway..
This summer is going to be fantastic! I finally get to see a sibling graduate from college (I was in an econ final when my sister Jing graduated), I finally get to stay at home for an extended time, and I get to travel abroad!
I will (promise!) be updating this blog regularly, especially during the summer. Adventures and thoughts will be posted. Please check in once in a while. =)
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