A yi

Had planned to go skiing this weekend with a couple of friends, but wasn't sure if I would be over my cold by then, so I had to cancel.  Instead, I'll be staying put in the city.  There are few fun things going on, but nothing super crazy.  Regardless, a relaxing long weekend is better than an over tired one in the cold in which I will probably get worse.

It's one of my really good friend's bday today (midnight)!  23!  The song that Blink 182 alluded to when we rocked out to their songs back when we were in middle school.

It really hit me that I'm an adult a few weeks back.  I was visiting a second cousin.  In the past, I've always been introduced as "jie jie," (older sister) to friends and family.  However, when I began to do so this time, my second cousin intervened, refering to me as "A yi," (auntie).  It would be weird for her if I were considered "jie jie" she stated.  Wow.   Though "A yi" doesn't have the old stuffy connotation that it does in English, it's a general term equvalent to "Ms" or "Miss" in age, it was a bit of a shocker to be "a yi" for the first time.  The first one hits hard.

Its true.  I'm now one of the ones giving advice to college students.  I'm the one on the alumni panel. Woah, it's like seriously... next steps in life!

2 m walk.

Reset

Hacking away the day.  Some must have been sick on Sunday.

4 mi walk + 1 mi run

Costco run = blarring bass, Kanye rap, windows down, rotiserie chicken, traffic light and groceries on everyone's lap = memories

Idea blog #1

I was inspired by a girl I met this weekend who had made it her resolution to come up with a new creative idea every day.

I don't think I'm quite up to that yet, instead I hope to share a entrepreneurial idea here each week.  They my be half-bake or more thought out, solutions to the problems may already exist, or there may never be an ideal solution ever, it all depends on the idea/problem itself.  Consequentially, I'm going to make this site private (in about a week) should I one day decide to take any of these ideas public.  Email me if you would like to get the access to this site.  I trust you as the reader to give me your feedback and hopefully join me in one of these ventures.

Cheers,

A

Idea #1

Title: Engagement ring selection

Problem: Guys spend tens of thousands of dollars, the girl wears it her entire life (hopefully), yet it's usually completely concealed process in which the girl has no say.

Girls are picky about their styles--I have friend who wouldn't be caught dead in my jewelry, and me the same for my friends.  However, the in a typical situation, the guy chooses the wedding ring without consulting the potential fiancee.  How can a poor guy select a ring?  How can a poor girl have a say in a ring that she will wear "forever"?

Potential solutions:  

*Engagment ring or jewelry online consultant -- guy posts pictures of the girl and her current fashion style.  Consultants give recommendations on rings based the perceived style.

*Faux websites that the guys sends the girl on in which she inadvertantly reveal her ring preferences.

*Amazon-esque gift registry, problem of decreased element of surprise

*A placeholder ring -- the guy presents the girl with a diamond and a band, then they go to a store and "build a ring" together as in "build a bear"

Forever stamps

One of the most frustrating things about sending mail is that you never know how many stamps to put on an envelope. The cost of postage increases every couple of years and one constantly needs to buy 1, 2, and 3 cent stamps to make up for the difference. An ingenious solution to this issue is forever stamps--stamps that can be use on a 1oz regular sized envelope regardless of postage increases. Thank you USPS.

Past remembered

I just found these writing samples from emotional periods many years past--one's most powerful writing definitely emanates from the heart. In a content state of being, but seeking reasons to create again.

Unnamed Sonnet

Four heartfelt jewels roll down my sunburned cheeks,

With gentleness he wipes away these tears,

A glaze so silent yet so warm, he seeks,

For any signs from whom he holds most dear.

A pensive face returns his profound glance,

The thoughts that plague within remain unknown,

That mutual silence, craving thus enhanced,

Of parted future, distance, they bemoan.

No picnics, movies they together go,

No laughs, no secrets they together share,

Of conversations, sweet memories both no,

A separation many leagues to bear.

Still left with questions, thoughts unvoiced from both,

The dismal future, clouded period loathe.

Betrayal “Peering into her eyes, I witness the raw lashes—results of the whipping my actions have brought her. Her feelings of betrayal, of lost hope, and of pure suffering leave me feeling so stupid and so cruel. We were in the mist of a crisis, and I, I loaded even more suffering upon their already sagging shoulders. I am inane, I am inept, I am worthless. I wasn’t thinking. How could I have foreseen any of this happening? Did I even bother to look, to think, to consider consequences? I hear her now—her sobs permeate the house. Like whispers, their ubiquitous presence leaves me questioning. Why? Why? Why? They demand to know. Ironic how tears catch on like laughter. Grief is contagious. I too fight back convulgens, I too try to swallow my pain. I tore her heart, I tore her soul and I tore the sacred relationship of mankind. I took all that we had, I trampled and shattered it to pieces. Now, I deliriously try to tear out my own heart to mitigate the suffering of hers. I want to present it to her, humbly with all my useless apologies. Yet she will never hear my silent pleas —but no matter, I am sorry. Please. We were connected—and we still are. Please, I beg of you. Forgive me.”

Oceanic Wonderment A hazy streetlight illuminated the beach with a soft misty glow. A cool, yet gently breeze whispered through the trees and across the sand, softly blowing waves into my hair and playfully tugging at the helm of my dress. My bare toes grasped the still warm sand as the gleaming white crystals parted at my touch and caressed the sole of my worn feet. The cool air chilled my body but could not douse the fire burning within my heart. The snow-white foam ebbed with the inundating tide; the crashing water lapped against the shore and the ocean fell into a steady rhythm. Back and forth, back and forth it rocked, matching perfectly with our synchronized steps. The ocean sang for us- she vocalized the silent song that hummed within our souls. So vast, so power yet so comforting, she wrapped her arms around us. Her misty embrace sheltered us from the peeping eyes of a thousand starts and she presented us with the gift of detachment from the world. Together, we accepted her offer and drifted contently into her welcoming arms.

Major life hurdles

As we enter each different phase of life, we tackle issues critical to each stage. Here are what I believe to be the major topics of each phase in life (in pseudo order of importance).

Middle school/high school
Social
○Finding a group of friends to hang out with
○Wearing the right clothes, watching the right shows, saying the right things and working hard to be part of the in crowd
○ Persuading parents to let you go to the movies, the dinner, the school dance
○ Asking and getting asked to the formal dances
Emotional
○ First experiences of love and lust
○ First rejections and losses
○ Learning to understand the opposite sex
Physical
○ Dealing with body image and physical changes from puberty
○ Coping with social pressures on the range of bulimia, anorexia, body building, etc.
Intellectual
○ College application and decision processes
§ Doing well in school
§ Succeeding in extracurricular activities (sports, community service, leadership, music, arts, etc.)
§ Mastering standardized tests (SATs, APs, etc.)
○ Future life questions
§ Deciding concentration/college major questions
§ Addressing issues of what you want do with your life

College
Intellectual
○ Concentration issues become more paramount if one is still undecided
○ Considering careers and graduate school options
§ Recruiting process for jobs
§ Applications for graduate school
○ Having productive summer vacations
§ Internships, study abroad, research programs, volunteer causes
Physical
○ Learning about your body and understanding it's needs
○ A continuation of body image questions
Emotional
○ Engaged in more serious relationships
○ Or less serious exploration and one night stands
Social
○ Finding a group to explore bars and clubs
○ Finding a group of life long friends

Post-College/First Job
Emotional
○ Pressure to start finding your long term partner in life begins--this becomes the topic of conversation for friends and a concern of parents/family
Intellectual
○ Keeping that first job (esp. during recession) and doing well
○ Living independently by securing apartments, paying bills, filing taxes, creating savings, etc.
○ Deciding on graduate school and applications if applicable
Social
○ Friends mostly set, not too much angst anymore
Physical
○ Learned to appreciate body, though not necessarily happy with it


Aside: I'm so sick of hearing about the depreciating asset theory.

Bro.

I got it out of my brother--he does have a crush on a girl at school!!! Didn't press him on it, but it was exciting to know. 7th grade, it's the time. I still recall my middle school years pretty clearly. My first major crush started then as well. I personally think that my brother a is quality young man. He does super well in school, which of course automatically classifies him as a "nerd," but hey, I was there too -- and probably still am, and proud of it. Continuing, my brother (credit to my mom) dresses well. None of that high water crap. He has well fitted shirts and pants (not too sagging to qualify for detention, but "cool"). Though, he does wear glasses..., which isn't the coolest thing for middle schoolers. Nevertheless, my brother is also in fantastic shape and plays a mean game of tennis. He's one of the top runners of his entire class--pretty impressive. Playing at least 2+ hours of tennis a day, he's pretty damn fit. If he keeps these sports up, he's bound to have a 6 pack. Seriously, I want to be like him, well, maybe not the 6 pack. If only I were that fit... Now, next step is to teach him how to dance and ask that girl out successfully, while working around the 'rents of course.


Conversing with X is like my daily shot of coffee, except I don't drink coffee. But it makes me giddy and gives me a shot of adrenaline! If X only knew. X very well may. X is one of the few people I am completely comfortable around. I've shared more with X than I have with most other people.