I got tagged. Twice. By different people. For different things. Oooooook.
10 YEARS AGO:
* I was 12, and the same age as most of my JH campers. I think I was relatively shy towards the staffers, but not quiet with my peers. Yea, I was basically Jason Lai/Justin Wang/Joshua Lin. Hah.
5 YEARS AGO:
* I was 17, and a high school senior, and I lived it up with school organizations and activities. I was super-outgoing then too, being friends with everyone, being Mr. High School. I wonder if that was the best or not.
1 YEAR AGO:
* I was pretty much doing the same thing I'm doing now...nothing much, other than being a year older (wiser?) and a bit more reflective.
YESTERDAY:
* I woke up at 2:00, went to a TASC event with a huge amount of free leftover food, I played football with a lot of friends there, caught the end of CFC Praise Night, and mentally came up with swing choir moves for JH 2006. I then came back to the apartment and played games. The entire day was virtually spent with Albert, Jessica, Eric, Ming, Angie, with a little bit of Alex and Karla.
SNACKS:
* Lime Tostitos
* Fiery Hot Lime Cheetos. Only found in California. Which means...GRACE CAN YOU FIND THESE FOR ME AND BRING A LOT WHEN YOU COME IN NOVEMBER!?!?
* Cheez-Its...regular or Cheddar Jack.
* Cheesecake
* deerr...I think I just like junky foods...so I'll say raw vegetables like cauliflower, carrots, celery etc...as my favorite snacks.
Actual food on the other hand would be totally different than this list.
DRINKS:
* Dasani water
* Fruit Punch Powerade
* Orange juice with lots of pulp
* Hot spiced apple cider when outside on chilly autumn evenings
* Arizona Iced Tea
5 songs I REALLY know:
* Dave Matthews Band - The Best Of What's Around
* Something Corporate - Konstantine
* Alphaville - Forever Young
* Jason Mraz - 0% Interest (the not Live at Java Joe's version)
* Jars of Clay - Worlds Apart (live). I was hesitant to put this one, because I think I could know more about it.
5 things I would do with a million dollars:
* Tithe 10% to a variety of different churches/charities.
* Donate to TAF.
* Travel the world with a few close friends.
* Buy a house somewhere...the Meditteranean? SoCal? NorCal? Springfield? St. Louis? Wrigleyville?
* Buy and Escalade and pimp my ride.
5 things i would never wear:
* A pro-China shirt.
* Flourescent little tank tops from the 80's.
* Uh...dirty crusty socks?
* Another human's skin?
* ...out my welcome, I hope?
5 favorite tv shows:
* Friends
* Sportscenter
* The Wonder Years
* Two Guys, a Girl, and a Pizza Place
* Saved by the Bell
5 bad habits:
* staying up later than Erin and Grace
* waking up later than Erin and Grace
* procrastination...well actually, I've gotten good at it. So I'll say worrying too much about other people.
* overanalyzing. same thing as worrying?
* eating when i'm bored more and more often than Erin and Grace
5 biggest joys:
* The first day of TAF when all the campers arrive and the buses are pulling up. For me, I can literally feel the excitement and anticipation and laughter and smiles in the air.
* Reading a book or watching a movie and being like, "Holy geez!" and sharing a moment of insight or enlightenment with the author.
* Music.
* Big big hugs. Not because you want to make a show of it or to hug just to hug, but to actually pull that person as close to you as possible because they are closer to your heart and mean more than they get credit for, and to somehow let them know that by sqeezing them as tight as you can. And to have them do the same thing back.
* Love. Their would be no reason for other joys if there wasn't love, right?
5 favorite toys:
* iPod. iPod iPod iPod iPod iPod iPod EYE-POD.
* a football or two baseball gloves and a baseball. Throwing a baseball or a football is how a lot of men bond.
* my now rarely used digital camera.
* my laptop with the internet.
* Legos will always be the proverbial "shit".
5 fictional characters I would date:
* KELLY KAPOWSKI
* I hope this doesn't sound weird or anything, but Summer from the OC. Calm down Karen. Her sassiness attracts me.
* Helen of Troy. I mean...she had to be pretty hot right?
* The girl from Center Stage?
* Uhh...I'm having a hard time seperating the real people from the fictional characters they play...so I'll stop.
onto the next one...
I think it's supposed to be 5 random facts?
1) I've been getting a rash on my back in the same spot for the last 3 years during the fall. I realized last year that it had something to do with wearing Under Armor during flag football games. Either I'm allergic to Under Armor or I just need to wash it more often.
2) When my family moved to a new neighboorhood on the other side of town after 3rd grade, my grandma and grandpa came to visit in the summer. I didn't go out and make new friends in the hood, so I stayed home all day, and my grandma cooked for me all day. I then gained a lot of weight, and was no longer the 3rd fastest kid at Butler Elementary :(
3) I have been a Chicago Cubs fan since I was 6 years old. It is the one thing I can identify with the longest, longer than being a Taiwanese American, an Asian American, a Christian, etc etc.
4) I can never spell, or at least I don't think, I ever spell "neccessary" or "neccessarily" correct.
5) Lastly, and I'm sure most people are the same, but I like to look back on the very first times I see people. Not neccesarily (this is how I came up with #4) meet, but see. A few:
*Justin - in the Helman Great room sitting at a round table of four in 2002. I didn't talk to him until later though.
*Traci - At an SHS football game, walking up to the bleachers.
*Erin - At shaved ice last year. Wearing one of those white skirts and an light orange top (is it weird that I rememebr that?) and thinking she looked really young.
*Grace - At ABEL Thanksgiving Dinner, walking up to share on the microphone...and then crying. Oh you wiley Grizzle.
*Angie - At TAF in 2001, for a second, when she was in JH, and Jeff talking about this "really tall girl in JH" who he saw earlier and had just walked in.
*JW - not the first time I saw him, but the first time really "befriending" him. First day of 5th grade. New school. First time on a school bus. Last stop. No empty seats near the front. Walking back. A recognized face that recognized me back. And a little 11 year old kid offering his empty seat to the nervous new kid with glasses. I owe JW a lot.
And I'm spent.
If you read this...you've been tagged.
edit:
Ok, Howa says its 5 weird habits, not facts. Um...
1) When I hear songs, I am likely to imagine how well they could be used as TAF slideshow songs.
2) I'll sometimes memorize a 7-letter word when I see it while reading to use it later in Scrabble
3) When I'm driving with my hand hanging out the window feeling the breeze, I tap my fingers in the air to the syllables of the lyrics...NOT the beat of the song.
4) I like to drink a lot of water before going to bed so I have to pee in the morning. It helps me wake up.
5) I do my best thinking at night laying in bed before I go to sleep. I think it ensures me that I was productive with my day or something, either thinking about an event I have to plan or being reflective. It works. But it also keeps me awake at night...
I just finished the USA Today crossword puzzle in like, 20 minutes. I am so awesome.
OMG!!!!
ahahahahahahahaha. Erin showd me Gizoogle!!!!
Check it out, and then check out my translated page: http://sites.gizoogle.com/?url=http://www.jonlee.blogspot.com/
"You may remember my posts on having 350-400 pages to read a week...well as you can tell, I didn't do it,"
becomes...
"You may playa mah posts on doggy stylin' 350-400 pages ta read a week...well as you can T-to-tha-izzell, I didn't do it."
What?!?! AHAHAHAHAHA!
Lucky for Grace, I planned an update today. And today was good.
I got an A in the 6-page paper that I did a lot of bs-ing on due to not reading the two books it was based on. In 5 years of college, I believe that is one thing I've gotten really good at.
I also did really well in my Hawaii class midterm. Again, I didn't do any of the reading. I just studied well and got lucky that the material was on what I studied. I was the 3rd one done. I am awesome.
And last night, I got a 10/10 on my online quiz for another class. Again, no reading done.
You may remember my posts on having 350-400 pages to read a week...well as you can tell, I didn't do it, and managed to get by. BUT on the flip side, as I was cramming for my Hawaii midterm, I skimmed the material, and it seemed really interesting. I was kind of sad that I didn't read them when I was supposed to. I think I may have enjoyed them a little. So, to all my campers reading this, DO YOU READING. Yes. I'm a great role model, haha.
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After people ask what my major is (Media Studies), most people ask me what it is about. I usually just say its just communications, or give them the humorous "media studies is...the study of the media" response with a shrug and a smile. But you know, I think my major is quite important, and I feel like talking about it.
The media system in the United States is HORRIBLE. The way we American's recieve our news is unbelievably flawed. I could talk forever about the media system's faults (in the form of a 6-page paper etc), but I'll keep it short, and you can ask me more later.
- Newspapers and TV newscasts do not have freedom. They are controlled by commercial interests, by the power of money. And this money comes from advertisers. Advertisers therefore, have power over what goes into the news, and what does not, because they control the money.
- Newspapers and TV newscasts also have given in to lower standards of news coverage. Tell me what you know more about; the Laci Peterson murder trial, or what is going on in Afghanistan. It's pathetic that we as citizens don't know anything because the news media is not doing their job.
Did You Know...
Right now in the United States, we have the highest percentage of people in prison in comparison to the national population ever. EVER. In the HISTORY OF THE WORLD. MORE than Stalinist Russia and more than South Africa under apartheid. Part of why we don't know is because an abnormally large portion of inmates are of color and come from the lower 35% of income. Kinda like what Kanye said, the Media doesn't like poor people. The news we have today is tailored to the upper middle class and higher.
We have a prison crisis, but I just found out today from my teacher. Not by the news. Now how many of you knew that? Odd's are you didnt, but at the same time, I bet you know who Kato Kaelin is. Yea.
I guess my point in all of this, which is just the tip of the iceberg, is that we as active and responsible citizens, have to seek out information and truth, but it shouldnt have to be that way.
FYI: FOX News is horrible. But find out why for yourself.
Lastly, I mentioned how little we know about Afghanistan earlier. We were at war there, and we didnt know much. Imagine what it was like before 9/11. Afghanistan was probably never mentioned in the nightly news for years. But there were American journalists there, but their stories werent broadcast or printed by their editors, because they believed that the public wouldnt care and not watch, which would make advertisers lose target audiences. So the US was ignorant to everything happening there, despite documented warning signs.
So, this is not audacious to say:
Problems of media >> Based on profit >> Advertising >> Removal of foreign correspondants to save money >> Not knowing about Afghanistan in the late 90's >> September 11th, 2001.
That's an example of why the media has to change. We need to know. Our lives depend on it.
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I found $5 in the elevator last night. I decided to give it to one of the homeless people that are always sitting out on Green St. begging for money. Now, yes, I have reservations as to how poor they really are (I've seen one with a cell phone). And some of you might be thinking, "if I give someone like this money, they're just going to use it for alcohol or drugs."
Well you know, if I give a guy, who is homeless, $5, he can do whatever he wants with it. And that includes trying to get drunk with it. I mean c'mon, he's homeless, let's give him a break, right?
Anyways, he was really thankful when I gave it to him and he realized it was a 5 dollar bill. Hopefully he was able to get some enjoyment out of it.
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I bought tampons for...my friend...tonight. It was funny. Some guys were standing next to the tampon aisle and saw me looking at them. And I couldn't find the right kind (Pearls) right away, so I had to sloooowly go up and down the wall of tampons to find them. And then I had to choose which pack to get. I got the multi-variety one for...variant flow. Hahaha.
Yup. I'm awesome.
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I have some more to say, but I will continue to formulate it in my mind and save it for a later date so Grace will be entertained.
Good day!
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3 DVD's for $12
I got Mumford, Mystery Alaska, and Big Trouble! All 3 are movies I really like that aren't too popular. And since I bought Big Trouble, I went ahead and got Galaxy Quest too, har har.
http://www.yungching.com.tw/promote940928v9.asp
Click on the lower left picture and you can see Steve Lin in his newest Taiwanese commercial. hahahaha.
I realized that two recent, not well known, yet really really funny movies, are Galaxy Quest and Big Trouble, both starring Tim Allen. I mean really. Refreshingly funny.
(Justin & Grace...you'll like them)
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And looking at who's been visiting me blog the past hour...
2.18 October 03:18 Philippine Long Distance Telephone Company, Philippines
3.18 October 03:20 AT&T Broadband, United States
4.18 October 03:25 AT&T Broadband, United States
5.18 October 03:44 AT&T Broadband, United States
6.18 October 03:45 SingNet Pte Ltd, Singapore
7.18 October 03:45 British Telecommunications plc, United Kingdom
8.18 October 03:46 Chunghwa Telecom Co., Taiwan
The Phillipines, Singapore, the UK, and Taiwan? Who are you...?
Dang, I didn't know Jonizzle was international.
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Ding ding ding!
Erin wins!
I drove back to Springfield tonight to eat dinner with my dad and sister, that was nice. Having my dad live far away (Taiwan) and come back less and less, with the prospects of him coming even less and less in the future, is kinda sad. And I miss Springfield too. Whenever I drive from/to Champaign, I never take the direct route to the highway, but the route that leads past my friend's houses and my high school. I wonder what it is about me that still makes me a sucker for high school more than others.
Speaking of high school, my dad was inquiring about my post-grad plans again. Nothing set, but hey, maybe I should actually consider being a high school teacher. People say they can see me doing that. I think I'd like it. And then the added bonus of summer vacations...that would give me time to write my screenplays (and TAF...). Yea, I started writing a screenplay this weekend. Hah. Romantic comedies seem right up my alley. And one day, a blockbuster about 228.
Anyways, while I was driving, I realized if we are what we eat, and had to describe ourselves with one type of food, then I would definitly be some sort of cheese and corn stuffed mushroom.
If you know me, you can probably figure out why. But I am actually interested to see what your guesses are, so let's see who can get this right! har har har.
- I flossed last night, My gums hurt.
- Every time I watch the swing choir, I feel as if my heart will explode in a surge of happiness out of my chest. Kinda like that cartoon Karen has.
- A visit from Howard this weekend.
- Not talking to people is STUPID. In this case, 100% pissing me off.
Annoyed. I need to go watch swing choir again.
Tampax: 68
Opponents: 9
We gave up 9 points. I'm pissed.
- Brisk autumn air is hitting the Midwest, and I, like others, am excited. Driving with the windows down is fun and all in the summer, but sometimes its too hot and muggy. In the fall though, the breeze bites back at you, and I like that. It's been cold in my room the past few nights too. Getting warm under the covers is a favorite.
- Dave Matthews Band - The Dreaming Tree, from the album Before These Crowded Streets, is my "autumn song". I listened to this album and song a lot the first fall after I got my driver's license, many many years ago (6), so it always reminds me of driving with the windows down with the cold wind biting back. Ah, memories of high school. It's a fun time kids, enjoy it. Don't let yourself get dragged down by too much. Actually that applies to all times in life. Remember that.
- Life is about the relationships we make. The good ones, the bad ones, the familial ones, the friendships, the romantic loves, the bitter dislikes, and so on and so forth. I don't know where I'm going with this. I'll work on it some more.
- I haven't seen my mom since March. That's 6 months. That is a long time now that I think about it. Sadly, I think it has been good for us. And I think just believing that is sad in it's own way. If life is about the relationships we have, then what does not having a relationship with my mom for the past 6 months mean? What does it mean for those I will not have a relationship with/to for the next 6 months? Lots of questions to think about. I sense hard answers on the horizon.
- Just what DOES it mean to be a man? And of course, how many roads must we walk down before we can call ourselves men?
- I don't like food so much right now.
- Despite talking about The Dreaming Tree earlier, I leave you with some lyrics from the next song on the album:
We need the light of love in here
Don't beat your head
Dry your eyes
Let the love in there
There are bad times
But that's ok
Just look for love in it
Don't burn the day away
Hmm yea...write that down.
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Dear Life,
One day I will own you.
Sincerely,
Jon Lee.
- I hope my life is filled with many "dare to be great" moments, and that I take full advantage of them when they are present before me. And if I take the dare, I hope I won't fall.
- I also kinda want to be Van Wilder. Ryan Reynolds might usurp Jason Lee as my dark-horse selection for favorite actor. And forreal. That man be ripped. Two Guys, a Girl, and Pizza Place needs to come onto dvd.
- Other things I want more of: discipline, wit, charm, a perceptively open heart and mind, and the ability to speak 5 or 6 other languages. And a repeat flag football championship! And how to be a better writer...
- If I won the WSOP, I'd buy a Range Rover and pimp it out. And iPods for friends. I love you my dear iPizzle.
- I hope God grants me a late growth spurt. I'd like to be 6'0 at least.
- For the past six years, Forever Young has given me the warm fuzzies every time I hear it. "Let's dance in style, let's dance for awhile, Heaven can wait we're only watching the skies..." Yea, right then at the start.
- Love?
- Yea, moments of personal greatness. I want some of that.
Well let them come true.
- Augustana was on One Tree Hill last night, VH1 today, and MTV next Tuesday for the "10 Spot Drop" where they feature Augustana music throughout commercial breaks of the Real World and that reality show. Awesome! And One Tree Hill? I think that means you've made your mark. Congratulations Jared. You and the rest of the guys are about to blow up.
- I took a midterm and was the 3rd person done. The reason I am telling you this is because I didn't really know much of what I was doing. I was quite confused as to how I was the 3rd person done. It may just be test-taking experience as a 5th year senior, or I could have missed a whole page, or actually known what I was doing. I even triple checked it all. Yea this grade will be interesting.
- 5th Year Senioritis is worse than 4th Year Senioritis.
- Yes, boys are stupid. Yes, girls, throw rocks at us. But make sure you knock us out of our misery, because girls are evil. EVIL EVIL EVIL! (ok not that evil, but stupid too. Ok fine, you're all wonderful and beautiful. Blah)
- Fu and I are going to design new tafCrush shirts this weekend. Get in line. I'll take orders soon.
- Angie Lin and I have the same jacket and shoes. We're going to be twins.
- There was one other random thing I wanted to say that was the basis for making this whole entry, but I can't remember it. How deeply tragic.
- And in case you didn't know, I'm magically delicious.
A song to get:
Mae - The Sun and the Moon
And she thinks she doesnt look like her...
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I win:
karma attacKk: and the more i look at this me/summer picture, the more i start to think we kind of DO look similar
karma attacKk: dangit jon lee! right again
Mmm :)
Elliot's video of the JH Swing Choir this year still doesn't work, but I figured it would be nice to just listen to the audio, hear the mix, and hear the reactions of the audience to our kids performing on stage. It gave me chills to hear how our campers who worked so hard on the swing choir were able to ellicit such applause for their efforts. Pure fun. Tears of joy. It reminded me of much happier times.
Speaking of happier times, a thumbprint has been left inside of me for years, but I'll have to now keep listless. Beh.
I need to watch the whole video. Elliot, where you at?!?!
Also of note: I found the new version of Forever Young. It's pretty sweet.
Tyla!: 29
Opponents: 0
We're now outscoring our opponents 48-0. Awesome.
In related news, my hamstring is dying. Will someone please come massage it?