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