Soul sucker

Hmm... seems to me that every time I write in my blog, it's either to get my frustrations out or just to update my friends in how I'm feeling, especially to the few who actually read my blog while they are away abroad.

Well. I have calmed down significantly from this event, but it is something I will never forget about one of the campus resources. My friend basically took the words right out of me - he described it simply as a "soul sucker", which I'm afraid I have to agree with... I usually like to be optimistic and give things the benefit of doubt, but today truly made me unhappy and enervated. This event made me think of the times when I was frustrated fall quarter, and just needed a friend to vent and make me breathe. It seems like as more time goes by, the more I am looking forward to finals and summer. Ah summer, can't wait.


Just breathe Del. You got this. 9 more weeks.

UGH...Frustrations

Rants, rants, and more rants.

I understand that I am an RA and what the job entails - enforcing housing policy and creating a community within my hall, but nowhere in this job description does it say take sh*t from your residents. I am truly sick and tired of hearing these freshmen whine about stupid stuff, complain, and disrespect me. I am definitely a person they can come to for information, problems, just to talk, but in no way am I going to take any of this bullshit they are feeding me.

I feel that my residents are at this state where they are so comfortable with me that they do not understand the boundaries they cross. I am not saying I am all high mighty and powerful because of the position I am in, but I am definitely not here to be offended. The whole point of college is to actually GROW UP! Seriously. I never thought of my residents are merely residents just fresh out of college. The older you get the more responsibility you acquire, I am not sure if my residents understand this concept. However, don't get me wrong, not all my residents get on my nerve, and you cannot blame me when I can truly say some residents annoy me. Honestly, they bother me, but this is the job I signed up to do - have no private life.

I am definitely only focusing on the negative aspects of my residents. This year is one year I will never forget. There were so many 'firsts' I've done with my residents, and I have gone through thick and thin. I hope I get over this phase soon, I need to get some programming done. -_-.


Adios.

Privilege, rights, wants, & needs

Growing up ever since my eighth grade winter intermission cooking class with Mrs. Bodiford and Mrs. Fitzpatrick, I started to question the difference between having certain rights and being privileged in different situations. Then came my ninth grade health class with Ms. Polk, who questioned what the our actual needs and wants in life.

These different lessons definitely have been applied to various events in my life, and I have also questioned the decisions of other people as well. As a Resident Advisor this year, and especially this week, I have tried to apply these questions to my own residents. I am not sure if people understand when they are privileged or actually have the right. For example, in my situation, freshmen residents definitely do not understand that for them, housing is a privilege that they earned, they do not have the right to receive on-campus housing from the university. -_-.

However, in my actual life, different to my life associated with housing, as an Asian American, Asians have consistently been stereotyped with their frugal ways. I am definitely not disappointed to say that I actually can be categorized under this stereotype. Besides the point, I always question what my actual needs and wants are based on how the item affects me and/or my family economically. Ode joy to saving money. :)

But, truly think about each of these words; they all are simplistic words that each of us understand and can appreciate.


Fin.

Motivationnnn!

Last quarter I thought I was going to die with constitutional law, but after a successful grade, I now feel like I can conquer any course head on. I'm really excited for this quarter, all my classes seem really legit and I have awesome professors thus far: Prof. Douglas and Beckmann. One more class to go, we will have to see how that goes. EXCITED!

Summer is what I am looking forward to now.

I'm not sure if I am giving it my all, when it comes to internship searching... -_- I really need to get on it. Other than that, I feel like almost everyone I know will be having a fantastic summer that will be unforgettable. My friends and I are now in training for a healthier body. I think Anna motivated me into running. I ran two miles today on the track and it felt amazinggg, I feel like I have power thighs. :) Well we have 70 days to complete our goals: be healthy, lose some weight along the way, and train to run at least a 10k/half-marathon for the summer. Hip hip HURRAY! I'm excited.


Ciao.

Understanding Myself

I have always grown up with the mentality that in the United States if you do not ask or demand an answer you have to seek it yourself. Our American customs are very different from those of Korean or Asian in general, we can not be that shy, timid person in order to get what we want. Yes, respect in any culture is important and an essence of how someone is brought up, but without a demand there is no action.

Quantrell is poppin'

Right now I am definitely sad, yet glad that I am heading back down to Irvine in a few hours, but I never realized that break would be pulled from underneath me in a blink of an eye.

San Francisco 2009.
Hmm.. another spring break that I will never forget.
Spontaneity \ˌspän-tə-ˈnē-ə-tē, -ˈnā-\: arising from a momentary impulse
If I had to choose one word that defined our trip, this would be it.

It all started with the little facebook status feature, who knew they would come in handy and create something I would cherish for a lifetime. I could never forget how within a matter of 16 hours we were planning our trip to norcal for a 3 day, 2 night trip. Unusual to me because I am a total programmer - there is no such word as spontaneity in my vocabulary. However, the RA team has definitely challenged me on that one this year, which I am very happy about. Our journey consisted of the two 6 hour drives that John, Andy, and I made up and down California, making it a whopping 12 hours on the road and 800 miles. From the loud, "cray cray" singing we did, to the talks, Andy's obsession with his second Twilight book, and even the tumbleweeds rolling around the highway 5. Indeed, this is something we can never forget.

Alas, our destination, Millbrae, CA - home to Eric Kim. It is indeed a quaint little town that according to Eric is only 3 miles long. To me, it reminded me of the SFV, but 10 years in the past; apparently, in norcal, Luckys markets still exist, brings back the good ol' days, the kids who live in this town do exactly what the upper west side of the Valley does - go to the malls, hang out at each others houses, and watch movies. The theme of this trip was "give us things only available in norcal, not socal". Our first night, dinner at Happy Chef, a fusion of Chinese and Korean foods. We ran into Eric's dad at this restaurant too, funny because this was the only time we got to see his dad. All in all satisfied dinner, we were also watching the Korea vs. Japan World Baseball Finals as well. After lounging around a little, we decided to go into the city a little with some suggestions from our friend, Ken Tran we went to a Chinese dessert place called Creations on 16th and Geary. [It was John's favorite place, hahaha just kidding.] We also saw the Castro District of SF, I'm sure this area is different in the day than at night around 11PM.

Then comes our adventures at Safeway. hahahaha! What we bought at Safeway, I cannot disclose, but just put two and two together - we are college students, some who are over 21, all bored in suburbia, you get the picture. Finding a place to hang out made us think back to our high school days, but it was still a fun night. Our late night talks were so random and fun as well, from just being in Eric's sister's room, goofing around.

Our first official day begins on Tuesday at 9AM. After getting ready, and trying to make 3 boys wake up, this questioned how I would do with sons. hahaha. We went to Millbrae Pancake House (MPH!) for breakfast. The minute you walk into the restaurant you see 70s styled wood paneling and a restaurant filled friendly old people. Pancakes were definitely satisfying and a VERY good break away from commons! I consider Commons breakfast to be the best meal that they offer, but MPH was definitely something better. Yum.

We get on the Bart by around 11AM after a 40 min. ride we arrive at the Powell stop in the heart of San Francisco!!! On the Bart, we were discussing how people from norcal don't include the article "the" when describing objects. In socal, we would say, get on THE Bart or go on THE 405, but people in norcal say, get on Bart or go on 405... interesting how cultures are so different in two sections of metropolitan California.

When we got to San Francisco, all our traveling was done either through walking or public transportation, something I have never done when I travel; my family usually gets a rental car, but that is probably because it is more convenient. I realize our trip was amazing because of the times we spent walking and taking crazy pictures. I mean, when would we ever have another trip like this to SF with amazing friends...?

The weather was definitely in our favor, it was as if we never left socal. In SF, our first adventure was a view of Union Square and trotting up and down the crazyy hills of SF arriving in Chinatown, the biggest in the U.S. We walked 3 miles into Chinatown with the many Chinese women trying to lure us into their restaurants, passed Lombard St., crooked street going downhill in SF, then finally at Pier 39 and Fisherman's Wharf filled with tourists and silver and gold men who acted like statues. I also got a little surprise when I ran into a few of the Puentenians from last year at the Wharf. :) We walked to Ghirardelli Square, sat down for two minutes and left to go to Alamo Square.

Alamo Square is the park that the beginning of Full House was filmed when they are having their picnic in front of the SF styled colorful houses. I remember the night before when I was talking to John, he was so passionate about going to Alamo Sq. to see the Painted Ladies. When we got there, it was so beautiful and peaceful might I add. Breezyyy and just perfect.

Next onward ho to Haight&Ashbury. We definitely got to see more of the SF culture here, but I think all of us were really tired by then. Haight has a lot to offer from their shops to the people walking on the street. I think throughout this trip, and even later we thanked Andy and his iphone for not getting us losted during the trip. hahaha We then went to Pluto's Food for a Hungry Universe - had some yummy sandwichs and salad. I think we all felt a little rejuvinized after lunch/dinner. One of our final attractions was THE GOLDEN GATE BRIDGE. I think all of us were thinking that we might skip the bridge because we did technically see it from Ghirardelli Square. Walking on the bridge was nice, however more scary than nice. For someone who is scared of heights it's no bueno, but how could someone resist such an amazing structure. :)

After the bridge, we went back to Union Square, bought some cheesecake for Eric's family and all their last minute sincerity, and went heading back on BART. We had some more late night cravings at Thai Sticks and McDonalds, then called it a night.

Next day, I woke up to a face that was as big as a balloon - never eating passed 7PM ever again. hahaha Oh wells. We bid Eric farewell from his amazing house, and were off to see Christa in CASTRO VALLEY. Castro Valley is definitely suburbia part dos filled with hills, it actually reminded me and Andy of Porter Ranch. Funny because John was mentioning how all our houses were located on hills everyone - me, Andy, Eric, and Christa. We went to Pyzano's Pizza place - the record holder for the most amount of spins of pizza dough. The pizza was good, try it if you're ever in Castro Valley. To put a cherry on top after pizza, we hit up dessert at Loard's Ice Cream place. We bid Christa good bye, and hit the road.

So, I realized while going through my pictures that the boys are so cooperative in taking them. I'm definitely one that likes to snap shots of everything, and they followed so nicely! Thank you John Kim, Andy Chung, and Eric Kim - you totally made my break worthwhile. :)

Fin.

Busan

I HAD SO MUCH FUN IN PUSAN/BUSAN!

Busan is the second largest city in South Korea and is also a port city, so the seafood there is great!

I slept over at Dianne/Grace/Glory's place and woke up at 8am to get on our bus and be on a long 5 hour journey. Usually I know that Koreans take a train called the KTX, it goes like 200+ mph and can get people from Seoul to Busan in 2 1/2 hours! For us who were traveling in a group of 90 people, the EAP folks were not going to take a mass of U.S. students on KTX.

So, after 2 rest stops and 5 hours... we finally make it to Busan!

L-O-S-T

Today was seriously not too eventful at school other than the fact that I am constantly meeting people, which I love! BUT then my adventure begins when I meet up with my friend GLORY aka Glo from UCSD. Good times, f'sho.

Us, being the cool kids get out of school around 3, and I really wanted to go to a supermarket shore equivalent to Wal-Mart in the U.S. called E-mart, but there really isn't a close one to Yonsei or where we live. Anywho before we could even get to E-mart or another supermarket we needed to go back to S-House/Vabien where Glory lives to drop off all our stuff. WOW. The normally 15 minute bus ride took us around 45 minutes instead!

We ended up going on the bus going the opposite direction from our destination. -_- We ended up in the bus pits, where all the buses gather up after their route is done. So, we had to wait and go the opposite direction, finally making it home. Phew. Before I got home, Glory bought me some yummy dok-bok-gi and soon-dae. It was good then, but when I told my aunt that I ate that she suggested I don't eat that during the summer, since the food sits in the hot sun all day in the po-jang-mat-chae. BLAH!

Anywho, we start asking some Korean ladies where the closest E-mart is, but they all say there really isn't one around the area we were in, so we ask about Lotte Mart a similar super market. One of the ah-jummas tell us that the closest one is a 30 minute walk from the subway station we were at... Us, being the lazy Americans were like, nahh... we can just ride the subway to Seoul station and go from there, so that is what we end up doing.

We ended up going to the farther Lotte Mart, but whateves what matters is that we finally made it. We do all our shopping, buying all the American and Korean products we need, and tons of snacks for Glory. On our way back, we finally get to the subway station, and AGAIN we take the subway going the WRONG directions! GAH! I don't think I have ever gotten lost this much while in Korea. HAHA! But it was lots of fun!

Thankfully, on the way home, I did NOT get lost!