Well this has been a rollercoaster day. I woke up not good because I missed my class, which I actually wanted to go to. I missed it since I stayed up studying for a test. So I was in a sad mood. But then I took the test, and I pretty much feel like I aced it, so then I was feeling good.
Then tonight, I started to play online blackjack. I won a lot at first, which was awesome. And then I lost it all. Which sucked. And it was...a large amount. So it REALLY is not cool. I actually wanted to throw up.
Then off to Tyler's, where we, Brian, and Steve played fifa. Fifa was good, but it was great when Tyler and I beat the dynasty of Brian and Steve. Glorious and amazing and awesome.
And then I came home. And blackjack was there. And I played. And I won. And then I lost it all. Again. It is sick and disgusting and weak and evil and greedy.
Never play online blackjack, you may have a system (yes, I had a system) that looks good and works, but it will come and bite you in the ass.
I am ashamed at how much I just threw away. And again, I want to throw up.
Forget to mention. Tyler picked me up today to go watch the Illinois baseball game. And who may you ask was sitting in the seat that I was sitting in only hours earlier? None other than Luther Head baby. tee hee hee!
Long overdue pictures from Spring Break:
So here are the Illinois players in California for Spring Break - Clockwise from Brian, then Erika, Jeff, Justin, Grace, Roger, Erin, and me. Chillin in a hot tub. Ooh yea.
Dinner with my two Aunts, Uncle, and Cousin.
My two aunts Mei and Michelle.
Seven kids staying at Aunt Michelles house makes for crowded bathroom at night.
Tuesday morning Erika, me, Erin, and Justin went to visit Justin's friends at Scripps-Howard. Erika didn't get the button shirt memo.
We ate lunch at a burger place, with a very boisterous and friendly manager. He said "Hey Kids!" to everyone who came in the door, including the old men who came in with walking canes and looked at least twenty years older than him. AND, his voice was so loud that he sang happy birthday to a customer by himself. No other waiters or waitresses needed.
Back in the afternoon, Karen and Chris CC came by.
And we saw Susana that night at dinner! My friend Jared, of Augustana, joined us to eat too.
And here's Augustana playing a set after dinner. They're goooood.
Springfield picture. Me, Erika, Jared, Brian.
Next day, off to the Third Street Promenade in Santa Monica for shopping. It's the closest thing to a night market in America I think. Jeff, Erin, Erika, me.
Justin and Jeff. Imitating dinosaurs trimmed out of bushes. Large bushes.
And for dinner, we met up with Young! And Theresa!
And took an obligatory TAF pic. Young, Jeff, Theresa, Me, and Justin.
Next day, dim sum for lunch. Erin, Eleanor, Grace, and Brian.
My cousins Richard and Winston at dim sum. My cousin Andrew later that night at his house.
And my Aunt Lily and Uncle Terry in their garage turned Violin Workshop. Pretty cool eh? Oh and, what I am supposed to call my little sister, their pet dog, Lo Mei Mei.
Back at the other house, you can see here our computer room.
And the hot tub! Oh how I love a hot tub. You should know the names by now.
King Justin in his "fur coat". And a red, red, red, sunburnt Brian.
The shadows of trees create by the light of the sun.
California.
Panoramics
::One - In the house.
::Two - Notice the same woman tripled.
::Three - Dim sum. Notice my Aunt in the background buying more food. Maybe you can notice all the food we already had. We ate a lot of food that day.
Ok, so I am rich. Being honest and brunt, I am a rich kid. Two monitors and a laptop. A digital camera and an iPod. Trips to Taiwan every year. And the ability to eat out once a day. Yea. Rich kid.
I am also a lucky kid. I dont have to worry about financial issues very often, and if I do, it's because I was stupid and bought too much clothes or dvds. But my point:
I dont have to worry.
The less rich. Basically, the poorer (even though the "poorer", middle middle class, is quite rich in America in comparison to other places). They have to worry. They have to graduate college in four years, because a fifth year is an expensive thing. Or they have to fill out FAFSA forms. They cannot go to Taiwan every year. They usually have only one of the aformetioned electronic goodies. I am such a bitch.
So where is the silver lining in this. I could mess up, and be safe (financially), because my dad is paid much and works hard and earns it. Luckily, my dad doesnt spend money on much. He spends a lot of it on me (but I would like to point out that I really never decievingly ask my dad for ridiculous amounts of money and that I actually won most of the money for my iPod and monitor via online poker, and that seed money came from Brian...but partly my dad too).
But back to my point. I have no worries. I am carefree. And. Someone has to take care of people in this world, someone has to do volunteer work, someone has to give to charity. It should be me, right?
Less rich people do it. Which makes them even more amazing. Less rich (or basically poorer) people have their own worries and stresses. I do not. I do not. So it only makes sense that I be someone who worries and helps the people that are at the bottom. And not bankrupt Enron execs. But people who starve. For food and attention. I am so rich. I can give so much. It should be my burden. But I am afraid, unfortunatly, that I'm quite selfish.
I am all talk. And no walk. Credit should be given where credit is due. I dont deserve credit yet. And dont give me credit for realizing this, because either way, someone, be it the homeless guy who roams the UI campus asking for change, or a child in Africa, is still with an empty stomach.
I dont know the point in posting this. But it is what I'm thinking about. I wish thoughts could become actions. I pray someday it will. But remember. No credit until I've earned it.
Hello! I bought 7 dvd's yesterday. I remember telling myself to stop spending money, not because I need to save it (even though I should), but because everything silly thing I buy (such as a $10 Collateral DVD) could be much better spent donated to a family in Africa and feeding them for a whole week. Or even closer to home, feeding the homeless guy on Green St. for a few days. Yea. The worlds' on fire, and I should do something.
But turning completly in the opposite direction, the single greatest luxury someone can have here in the US is an iPod + a large collection of one's favorite music. Yea, best thing ever, hands down.
Sometimes, I feel like I am 16 again. But not 16 and smart. 16 and stupid.
I've been very minorly thinking about doing a peace corp/volunteer/mission to Africa after college and after my PD-stint at TAF. So sometime in 1.5 - 3 years from now. But I think thats just me thinking. Too bad.
Starting to see something good in Jack Kerouacs On the Road. School has gotten in the way of reading it, which I started back in December.
Attaboy, attagirl. Fight the good fight.
Anyone else noticing all of the Asian males in TV commercials now?
Two songs:
1. Michael Buble - Home
2. Snow Patrol - Run
My condolensces out to the Chiou family.
I realized exactly why it is much more heartbreaking when a child life ends rather than an adult. There is a loss of dreams, experiences, and love. It might be as simple as that.
RIP Tyler Chiou.
Only five years old. You would have made a great TAFer. But we'll always consider you as one anyways. Keep the Chiou family in your thoughts please, because they're our family.
And take advantage of every day. Seize it, love it, live it.
The future is no place to place your better days.
Your 2005 Asian Pacific American Olympic Champions:
The Taiwanese American Students Club. Huzzah!
Justin and I went to Antonio's Pizza tonight.
There were no TV's.
Sports were not involved.
We did not talk about business.
MAN DATE!
Well shit. I'm ridiculously sad.
Taiwan: June 11 - July 1.
Sam and Lindsey's Wedding: June 18
Beth and Jeff's: June 25
SON OF A BIZZLE. I've been looking forward to the weddings for over a year. Gah gah BLLLAAAAHHHH.
Jeff says Margaret says Bruce Willis is dating/hooking up with Lindsey Lohan. Bruce is 32 years older than Lindsey. BUT, Demi did date Ashton, so...
I really wonder how their three kids feel.
-------------------------------------------------
In other news, I have devised a plan to get myself on the OC. Ohhhh yeaaaa.
Here we go again:
TAFers in Taiwan: Summer 2005
Michelle H: May 14 - May 22
Jessica F: May 16 - June 7
Betty L: May 18 - June 1
Roger L: May 24 - Aug 26
Dave H: May 25 - Aug 27
Angie H: June 10 - June 27
Mike W: June 10 - June 27
Steven W: June 10 - June 27
Gloria P: ?
Jon Lee: June 11 - Jul 1
Alice W: ?
Bryan L: ?
Margaret C: July 4?
Grace P: May 26 - Aug 18
Who else, who else?
Proud to be an Illini.
Our team lost, but the students are still proud of them, and our school. I left Brian & Steve's expecting to see a lot of pissed off people on Green Street, but I was wrong. It was a lot of people, celebrating the success of an amazing team's amazing season. The Alma Mater statue was covered and surrounded by hundreds of students, a lot of them climbing on top. But a lot of them turned around to face away from the Alma Mater, to see the stream of orange-clad people coming to join the party. Chants of I-L-L! I-N-I! we're yelled, and then I walked to the Quad, were there were even more people. All celebrating, recognizing victory despite defeat. Illinois love.
And that is all so much better than some people I watched the game with. Really, some of you have issues. Sure it hurts, sure it sucks, but there no need to riot and be stupid. Grow up.
On a lighter but still serious note, watching sports with people (or a majority of the girls I was with) who don't understand sports, is really really hard.
ILLINO1S!
::edit::
It is 2:42am, and people are still yelling I-L-L! I-N-I! outside. Awesome.
5:15am:
Look at aaallll those little yellow away messages, except for Justin. He may be idle, but I bet he's awake.
Yes, ladies and gentleman. I am the reason why you leave those witty little sleep away messages up for people to read. Because it is what I do at 5:15am (and not study for my test, which is why I'm awake in the first place). Thank you. It's kinda lonely though.
I saw Sin City tonight. It's...interesting. Entertaining. It's like really being in a comic book. Good? Yea I guess. Yea.