People Make Mistakes

It's why they put rubbers on the ends of pencils.

-Fleabag

Thought of the Day: Spotify

Song of the Day: CityAlight-There Is Mercy

The 'Nevers' of the Gospel

O LORD,

May I never fail to come to the knowledge
        of the truth,
  never rest in a system of doctrine, however
    scriptural, that does not bring or further
      salvation,
  or teach me to deny ungodliness and
    worldly lusts,
  or help me to live soberly, righteously, godly;
  never rely on my own convictions and resolutions,
    but be strong in thee and in thy might;
  never cease to find thy grace sufficient
    in all my duties, trials, and conflicts;
  never forget to repair to thee
    in all my spiritual distresses and outward
      troubles,
  in all the dissatisfactions experienced in
    creature comforts;
  never fail to retreat to him who is full of grace
    and truth, the friend that loveth at all times,
    who is touched with feelings of my infirmities,
    and can do exceeding abundantly for me;
  never confine my religion to extraordinary
    occasions, but acknowledge thee in all my ways;
  never limit my devotions to particular seasons
    but be in thy fear all the day long;
  never be godly only on the sabbath
    or in thy house, but on every day abroad
      and at home;
  never make piety a dress but a habit,
    not only a habit but a nature,
    not only a nature but a life.
Do good to me by all thy dispensations,
  by all means of grace,
  by worship, prayers, praises,
And at last let me enter that world where is
  no temple, but only thy glory
  and the Lamb’s.

Thought of the Day: Seating Charts
Song of the Day: Mazzy Star-In The Kingdom

Teaching Hope

One of my students told me she would be missing class tomorrow to attend the court trial for the man who recently murdered her father. It saddens me to think how much trauma many of my students carry with them every day, trauma that has probably not been addressed or processed in a healthy way. She is in my largest class of 47 enrolled students and I often wonder what I can do to best support them when there's only one of me and...so many of them.

I just finished reading Teaching Hope, a book that I had borrowed from a good teacher friend of mine. Years ago, I had read the Freedom Writers, stories written by high school students who were taught by Erin Gruwell in Long Beach. This book is a collection of stories written by teachers who show the perspective of working in many challenging situations and environments; hence, its title. My biggest takeaway is that teaching will always be hard, but students need good teachers in their lives.

How do I become the good teacher that my students need?

Thought of the Day: Instant Pot
Song of the Day: Vince Guaraldi-A Taste of Honey

Seasons Finale

I think for the first time in my adult life, I do not have a show I am excited to watch. I tried to start one new show and four different seasons of different shows in the past month. Everything feels repetitive. Nothing original is engaging. With the hundreds of shows available at the click of a button, I have finally run out of things I want to watch.

And it feels liberating!


Thought of the Day: Day 1
Song of the Day: Green Day feat. Miranda Lambert-Ordinary World

Serenity Prayer

O God, 
give us the serenity to accept what cannot be changed, 
the courage to change what can be changed, 
and the wisdom to know the one from the other.
-Reinhold Niebuhr, 1932

Thought of the Day: Testimony
Song of the Day: Vince Guaraldi - Star Song

Upgrades and Downgrades

The past couple of weeks have been filled with consecutive life improvements.

New Phone
I probably could have used the S7 for a bit longer, but it's kinda hard to say no to a brand new phone for $500. I even got Verizon to waive the $40 upgrade fee! Glad I waited till post-Cambodia.


New TV
My brother and I were watching Gran Torino and thought it was strange how they had filmed the movie with these weird horizontal lines. Turns out Clint did not film the movie with those lines; they are signs of failing graphics or damage. It is not easy watching a TV that resembles binder paper. Also kinda hard to say no to a 4K TV for $380!

New Rice Cooker
We knew Simon's rice cooker from college was on the older side, but it still got the job done...until yesterday. The rice smelled something evil even though I had just made it a couple of days ago and it left a permanent stain on the inner lid. Kinda hard to say no to a new multi-purpose pot for $50.



But school has been a different story.

The principal left our school (again).
My school buddy, the Librarian, emailed me today that he would not be returning.
The assistant principal hired someone today to replace my current co-teacher.

The upcoming school year feels like a downgrade.


Thought of the Day: Prepping
Song of the Day: Beach Boys-Good Vibrations

Cambodia

was amazing.

This is a picture of Mark and his medical team that works with many rescued victims of human trafficking. The woman in orange is one of the few second generation Khmer Christians in the country. Her parents lived through and survived the Khmer Rouge out of 210 Christians. Incredible.

There are too many crazy stories that were told, but there is one about a former prostitute that cleaned up her life and married a Christian guy. When Mark asked the guy if he knew everything about her past, he said that he did. But Mark asked him if he knew EVERYTHING everything. The guy said he cried for so many days that his stomach hurt after hearing everything about the girl's past. In the end, he had to ask himself, "Why shouldn't I accept her if Jesus has accepted us?"

God is doing some amazing things in that country.


Thought of the Day: Morning Hike
Song of the Day: CityAlight-Ancient of Days

Phases?

I got into this strange phase of listening to Khalid. He's pretty popular with my students, which is why I thought the generational gap would keep me from appreciating this Mumble R&B. I can't believe he's only 21, and I'm embarrassed to admit that I like his Free Spirit album. I hope this is just a phase.

In the past month, I met various people who genuinely enjoy hiking. I've always thought of it as something nice to do but never thought of turning it into a hobby. But I happened to be nearby an outlet mall over the weekend and decided to finally invest in a pair of hiking shoes. And I actually went for a hike today. By myself. And I loved it! I hope this is NOT just a phase.

Thought of the Day: Cambodia
Song of the Day: Khalid-Better

Golden Buzzer

I got really into America's Got Talent last summer when I would take YouTube breaks in between my online courses. Like any reality talent show, I think the appeal of this show comes from seeing the reaction of the judges and subsequently the reaction of the performer. We usually see the best reactions from the Golden Buzzer moments because they represent total acceptance and acknowledgement from a judge. Isn't that what we are all constantly striving for in life? Acceptance.


We sang this song at church recently and it reminded me once again that I've already been fully accepted by the ultimate judge. Even if I experience painful fleeting moments of rejection in life, I should remember that I've already gotten my Golden Buzzer.

On that note, the Golden State Warriors were rejected another championship last night and my dad texted me ㅜㅜㅜ, but I like how Steph ended his post-game interview: "It's kind of hard to talk about it cause it's a tough way to go out. It's tough to lose in the finals, but story's not over yet."

I should get back to my online course.


Thought of the Day: Scenarios
Song of the Day: Sam Cooke-Nobody Knows

GoFundMe

If you haven't received my support letter but would like to support our summer mission support team to Cambodia this summer, click here!

Thought of the Day: Clarity
Song of the Day: Cory Asbury-Reckless Love

I think I'm in love

with Red Hot Chili Peppers.

I remember when a former student of mine argued that Red Hot Chili Peppers' Stadium Arcadium album was clearly better than Foo Fighters' One by One album. I thought he was absurd even though I had never even heard the Chili Peppers' album all the way through. It's incredible just how many good songs are on this 2-CD album!

I'm still buying CDs and have absolutely no regrets! I also highly recommend De La Soul's 3 Feet High and Rising. An absolute hip hop masterpiece.


Thought of the Day: Matcha Scone
Song of the Day: Red Hot Chili Peppers-Stadium Arcadium Album

I Love Dating Apps!

said no one ever.

It's like browsing through Slickdeals and trying to find the best deal(s).

It's like sending out your resume to several job offers that never get back to you.

It's like a kick in the nuts but to your heart, self-esteem, and personal time.

It's like an emphatic YES to Tony Soprano's "Am I such a toxic person?"

It's like...


not working.

Thought of the Day: Bowling
Song of the Day: Oasis-Wonderwall

And Bye Bye

Barry, you inspire me!


Thought of the Day: Half-Day
Song of the Day: Best Of DJ Premier Vol 1

Happy Fools Day

Wise men say only fools rush in.


Thought of the Day: HBO Go Chrome
Song of the Day: Elvis-Can't Help Falling In Love

Support the Cause!

Thought of the Day: Sorry To Bother You
Song of the Day: The Hubbards-Just Touch

Music and Videos

I don't know too many people who still buy cds, but it is one of the things I still enjoy collecting. I think one reason for my purchases is that my taste in music can change, which means I can appreciate songs I didn't care for before. For instance, I bought The Killers' Hot Fuss back in college only because I liked Mr. Brightside and Somebody Told Me. I completely ignored all of the other songs all these years...until this year. It turns out that this debut album had all these hidden gems I was never aware of.

In more recent days...I think watching these videos will suffice my case.

Is that the best intro or what? Once Upon a Time in the West harmonica for those of you who didn't notice the significance. Even their music video is lots of fun!

I'm glad I bought this album too! And would you believe it? The Killers AND Muse will be playing at The Forum next month! But since we're on the topic of music and videos, I also wanted to share that I just got an email from a former student of mine in Korea who was deleting her old emails and stumbled upon an email I had written her 10 years ago. Turns out she ended up becoming the singer she said she'd always become.

I can't tell which one she is in this video, but Naver confirms her identity. I doubt I'll be buying their album though.

Thought of the Day: Finals Week

Song of the Day: Muse-The Dark Side

Roached

I've been living in Koreatown for nearly four years and have gotten used to many of its challenges. Driving and parking. Loud drunk people late at night (and early in the morning). Thrown out furniture. Landmines of dog crap. LAPD and LAFD. The smell of weed. The music of ice cream trucks way past ice cream hours. It's all part of the Koreatown residency.

Unfortunately, the one challenge I have not been able to get used to is cockroaches. I see them ALL THE TIME. On the streets. In my school restrooms. In my classroom. Apparently, my brother found a dead one last week in my car! I can honestly tolerate all of this roach business everywhere I go, but the one place I cannot tolerate it is in my home.

We've been finding them dead and alive in our bathrooms, closets, and living room. But their favorite place to greet us is the kitchen. I don't have enough fingers or toes to count how many cockroaches I have had to take care of in the past year. Turning on our kitchen light is always stressful. Pulling up the shower curtains is always stressful. There is definitely real trauma I have experienced, and pest control does not seem to have a solution.

Our annual lease is coming to an end, so my brother and I have been looking for potential places to move to. With the rent and parking being so bad throughout LA, it's really hard to find some place that will meet all of our needs at an affordable price. We even had our moments of deep discouragement and started to consider just staying another year. But one night after my brother turned on the kitchen light that revealed the biggest live roach I have ever seen, I knew we could stay here no longer.

So, as of today, I am happy to announce that in approximately two months, we will finally end our relationship with Koreatown...and hopefully with cockroaches forevermore. 벌래 shekis!


Thought of the Day: Gomtang
Song of the Day: Green Day-Wake Me Up When September Ends

Magicians Wanted

I signed up for some online courses that have turned out to be much more work than I had anticipated. Every time I sign in to do the next module, I try to find some shortcuts that will help me to finish everything sooner than later. In the end, I'm gonna need a magician to complete these courses before the summer ends.

Or I just need to get off Youtube and Blogger and start the next module. Greatest regret of 2018.

Thought of the Day: CAD
Song of the Day: J-Cole-Stir of Echoes

3! 4!

My mom told me she remembers how beautiful the weather was when I was born. It's been beautiful almost every year for as long as I can remember. Sunny sky in the 70s. Usually right around spring break, if not during.

My friends usually feel sad on their birthday as they turn a year older. For me, apart from the free drink from Starbucks and a nice meal with friends, I feel happy because it's a reminder of how good God has been to me all these years. My life is VERY good with so much to be thankful for. If only my life reflected more of that gratitude.

Thought of the Day: Kaiser
Song of the Day: The Cranberries-Linger (Acoustic Version)

Korean American Pride

I don't recall ever seeing any Korean Americans compete in the Olympics before. It's really exciting to see someone who looks like you on the outside but has many similar experiences on the inside go out in front of the whole world and show some amazing talent. Only 17 years old. Same age as the students I teach. Go, Chloe!


Thought of the Day: MLK
Song of the Day: 한희정-내일