And the winner is...

과속스캔들 aka Speedy Scandal.

Thought of the Day: Mongolia
Song of the Day: Third Day & Fernando Ortega-Our Great God

This week's Persecuted Church: Burma
According to statistics, almost 90% practice Buddhism, 6% practice Christianity, and 4% practice Islam. Burma is ruled by a highly repressive, authoritarian military regime that acts as a dictatorship. The severe deficit of Bibles has forced many Christians to painstakingly copy by hand and memorize entire books of the Bible.

9 hours of Go Stop. I gotta stop doing things like this.

Thought of the Day: 갈비찜
Song of the Day: 2PM-Again & Again

This week's persecuted church: Iraq
Gunmen broke into a home and killed two Christian women. In a separate attack, one man was killed and two were wounded in a shooting in their home. The main objective of these crimes is to create chaos and divisions among the people. People fear that this kind of violence will happen when U.S. forces leave Iraq, causing more Christians to follow the thousands who have already left the country.

Thought of the Day: Casey.
Song of the Day: Spice Girls-2 Become 1

So you like donuts, ey?

If you're in Cali, you're bound to see the new and improved Dinko fresh off of China/Korea. I usually like to upload a buttload of pictures every time there is a visit, but I think this video gives a more succinct summary:

Korea can now eat, sleep, and live in a more healthful and wealthful way.

Thought of the Day: Ask, seek, and knock.
Song of the Day: Jimmy Eat World-The World You Love

Here is the email that I sent to some of my beloved church members today:

Fantastic news, everyone!

1. I got very good sleep last night. I fell asleep before 11 and woke up at 6:50 for this morning's prayer. I don't know if you guys were able to wake up and have a time yourself, but I prayed for each and every one of you. If you are discouraged, be encouraged. If you are encouraged, be even more encouraged!

2. I unexpectedly had a mom introduce me to a couple of new students for tutoring. It all worked out with all of our crazy schedules so well that I was even able to squeeze in two more unexpected family members. I got 4 new students to tutor in one day!!!

3. As soon as I came home from my interviews and told my dad the good news, he told me that he had really good news with his business too. Today was supposedly his biggest "hill" but was able to overcome it and get some great developments. It looks like the company is on its way to signing by the end of next month. I've never seen my dad this excited about the progress of his business...it's gotta be good!

If you have been praying for me, the Lord is listening and ANSWERING! Thank you all for all. But don't stop now...let's keep the ball rolling!!!

Phil

Thought of the Day: Simon's going to LA!
Song of the Day: Park Ji Yoon-돌아오면 돼

This week's Persecuted Church: Sudan
A Sudanese woman who recently converted from Islam to Christianity was forced into hiding after the people closest to her suddenly turned on her and left her beaten, homeless, and in jail for becoming a Christian. After her husband was ostracized by the Muslim community, he threw an armchair at her back, burned all their belongings, and chased her away. She never expected these hardships.

My blog has been so shallow this year. When did writing about your thoughts become such a hassle? Well, one thing God's been showing me lately in a new and deeper way is just how arrogant I really am, not necessarily arrogant in an "I'm better than you" sort of way but more like a "Things shouldn't be like this" kind of arrogant. To be more specific, I worry a lot. I may appear to be cool and chill about everything, but my heart is actually amazingly restless. I daydream about the things that I do not have. I fear criticism and gossip. I am very insecure about myself. I am arrogant because I think my ways are better than God's ways.

One thing that always encourages me is when I think about the time when Zen told about an episode she watched on Oprah where a woman had lost her legs because her crazy husband had run over her with a car. But on the show, she responded, "If God doesn't want me to have legs, then I'm going to learn to be happy with that." I am also reminded of God's words to Samuel, "The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart (16:7)." It's comforting and also scary to know that God focuses on my worrisome heart.

People have been telling me that the reason why I've been having insomnia (including right now) is because I have unsettled issues. Truly, my body is weary and burdened. But I'm now realizing that I feel this way because my heart has been weary and burdened all along. Jesus said that he would give us rest. I am asking for it now and waiting to receive it.

Thought of the Day: Notorious.
Song of the Day: Biggie-Juicy

I can't believe 김옥빈 is 1986. A December 29, 1986. How can someone so young do something so intense like 박쥐?
Days Remaining: 0

Thought of the Day: Seoulland or Lotte World?
Song of the Day: Taru-Bling Bling

I just woke up after 5 hours of Go Stop. Hold'em seriously has nothing on this game.

Days Remaining: 2

Thought of the Day: Godori!
Song of the Day: Fly To The Sky-Day By Bay

I ate 삼겹살 again last night.
I had another dream that Dinko came again last night.

Days Remaining: 5

Thought of the Day: 윤희 누나
Song of the Day: Hamasaki Ayumi-Bridge To The Sky

HOLY COW!

Dude, I've been eating so well lately...especially meat!

Fri-소고기
Sat-삼겹살
Sun-삼겹살과 LA 갈비
Mon-소고기
Tues-소고기
Wed-삼겹살
Tonight-닭갈비

Pig, cow, and chicken. My kinda trinity.

I visited Sharon in 안산 today. Her friend introduced us to 돈까스 waffle, and I immediately thought of Roscoe's Chicken & Waffles. Totally not the same. I also learned that Roscoe's isn't an LA thing. It's a southern thing!
Nevertheless, it was pretty good...kinda like my favorite pork sandwich in China. You can even ask for two pieces of 돈까스! Big Mac, baby!

Days Remaining: 7

Thought of the Day: Captain Korea
Song of the Day: Super Junior-Sorry Sorry

Today...
I left the house 10 seconds too late.
So I missed that last second subway.
So I missed that last minute bus.
So I was 15 minutes late to EVERY single appointment...

...and the taxi didn't hit Phil, and his leg wasn't crushed.

There are no accidents.

Days Remaining: 10

Thought of the Day: Saguaro.
Song of the Day: H.O.T-환희

I know I shouldn't have played, but passion works in mysterious ways. My game totally sucked today, and now so do my feet. The ironic thing is that the sock in the picture happens to be the same exact sock that I bled in the first time. Smells like a curse to me.

But one curse I was finally able to break was my insomnia. I finally fell asleep! It was crazy cause apparently, there had been these young shekis outside being loud all night until like 5 in the morning. I didn't hear a peep while my dad couldn't sleep a wink.

During today's sermon while Mike was talking about The Karate Kid, I was daydreaming about one of my most favorite movie scenes of all time:

"You're like a big bear, man!"

Days Remaining: 11

Thought of the Day: MnK
Song of the Day: Younha-Peace Love & Ice Cream

Student: English is so hard!
Me: That's why you have to study that much harder.
Student: That's why I hate it that much more.

"counting sheep but running out..."

I've had insomnia for two days in a row. I think I'm developing a fear of going to bed because I might have another insomniac night. For those of you who can fall asleep in a snap, be sure to thank the Lord for His blessing (and to ask Him to give some to Phil too). Third time's a charm.

Thought of the Day: 불만
Song of the Day: Montell Jordan-This Is How We Do It

Remember Easter Sunday's performance by the high school group? If you were like me, I was thinking more about SNSD than the resurrection of our Lord. These days, I'm reading THE GAME. On the back of the book, it says that it "is guaranteed to change the lives of men and transform the way women understand the opposite sex forever." The beginning of the book starts off with...

IS THIS TRUE?

DID IT REALLY HAPPEN?

ARE THESE GUYS FOR REAL?

THE FOLLOWING IS A TRUE STORY.
IT REALLY HAPPPENED.

Men will deny it,
Women will doubt it.
But I present it to you here,
Naked, vulnerable, and
disturbingly real.
I beg you for your forgiveness in advance.

DON'T HATE THE PLAYER...HATE THE GAME.

It's over 400 pages, but you can imagine how fast the read is. So far, I'm not convinced.

Thought of the Day: Mongolia.
Song of the Day: Epik High-Let It Rain

Natalie from Thailand came to Korea with eight of her friends. On Saturday night, I met them in 명동. Last night, I took them to 홍대. At first, they were really reluctant to go to 노래방, especially since there weren't any Thai songs. But as soon as I got back from the bathroom, they were busting out Big Bang and Wonder Girls the whole night. I was so amazed that they even knew songs like "Lollipop" and "Gee"! It was so funny seeing them mumble through the Korean words and then singing the English chorus all loudly. Thai people are hilarious. They love Korea! They love me!

Thought of the Day: LOST
Song of the Day: Sara Groves-He's Always Been Faithful

Spring is here!

Spring cleaning #1
The weather was so nice today that it convinced me to make my room look nice too. So after several months of neglecting maintenance, I finally busted out the spray and toilet paper. After tutoring, I even came home with an air freshener for my room! My room and I feel great!

Spring cleaning #2
Monthly haircut.

Spring cleaning #3
Finished watching 꽃남. Started Lost Season 3. Gotta start Jae's inspiring documentaries.

Spring cleaning #4Daniel had his own form of spring cleaning today. From time to time, he has an itchy belly button. SO, he'll use his color pencil(s) to get the job done. Yeah, it ruined my day too.

Thought of the Day: Thanko!
Song of the Day: S.O.S. Band-Just Be Good To Me

"So when are you coming back home?" "Everyone always asks when you're coming back home." "When's the next time you're going to visit home?"

I. Don't. Know. But one thing that I do know is that it's not going to be easy whenever it is that I do go home. Little things like picking up 1,000won kimbab and eating it while walking to my next student. 삼겹살 노래방 nights. Supermarket ice cream bars on hot summer nights. Warm 순대 and 떡볶이 next to the bus stop on cold winter nights. Notice how everything involves food?

But it's funny seeing how far I've come in living in this country. You can totally tell the difference between the first years and the second years. The new ones are always happier and more excited about everything. So optimistic and full of energy. It's really similar to college when you contrast the freshmen vs. the sophomores. A lot happens in that one year gap.

One interesting thing that I notice though is that no one really gets homesick. Sure they want to see family and friends or eat that really good burger/burrito from back home, but I rarely hear of people really really wanting to go back home. I guess I feel the same way too. But one thing you often hear is people who do go home wanting to come back to Korea. What is it about this country?

One of my students didn't believe that I was still single until I insisted that he find someone for me. On my way out...

"Teacher, I have someone for you. They want to meet you. I showed them your picture. Her name is King Kong."

Thanks, Jimmy.

I finally watched Saturday Night Fever. Not that great but awesome dance scene.


Thought of the Day: No basketball.
Song of the Day: KC and the Sunshine Band-Boogie Shoes

This was the best birthday in Korea!

Thought of the Day: Giordano
Song of the Day: Verbal & Double-Summertime

Pas"sion\, n. [F., fr. L. passio, fr. pati, passus, to suffer. See Patient.]1. A suffering or enduring of imposed or inflicted pain.

Basketball. So tiring. So painful. So wonderful.

I finally had my first real 보신탕 meal. Although I didn't hear barking as I was chewing, I couldn't finish it. I'm not known for being a picky person, but dog meat is a NO-GO.


This boy always fools around while we're studying and begs his mom not to hit him after I leave. "한번만 더! 제발!" He knows exactly what he is not supposed to do during class time but lets loose and seeks his mother's mercy after the crimes have been committed. How ironic. I'm just like that with God.

Thought of the Day: F-word
Song of the Day: Jisun-어떡하죠

For all you old school KCPC kids, guess who's becoming an ordained pastor???
I finally found and bought a Rubik's Cube. I was so happy when I found it because it came in a little plastic coin jar (something that I really needed it as well). I haven't touched one of these things since I was a little kid, so I was surprised by how small the cube felt in, now, my adult hands. But yeah, this crap is still so very hard.
"I love this game." I balled last week with some church people. They caused me to invest in a basketball and some new shoes. Now we're gonna play every Saturday morning. But really, I'm definitely no Kobe. I'm more like an Iverson. Ha.

Last night, my student asked me what I wanted for my birthday. When I got home, my dad asked me what I wanted for my birthday. Unfortunately, I'm too embarrassed to tell them that I still want that yellow Lamborghini.

Thought of the Day: LG
Song of the Day: BoA-Universe

Every single bus had the radio on. Cell phone stores had workers watching the game on their phones. Students and teachers gathered around TVs during class time. I was even able to hear (and feel) everyone cheering during the 5th inning homerun from the floor below me while I was having conversation class with Angelo at LG. In the 9th inning after Korea tied 3-3, I literally almost cried. It was the first time I ever gave my dad a high-five.

And then we lost. To Ichiro. The perfect way to lose.

Our 10th inning pitcher won't be sleeping tonight.

Thought of the Day: 방분.
Song of the Day: Yoon Do Hyun Band-물고기와 자전거

A Muslim-born policeman recently decided to make his conversion to Christianity public and applied to have his religion changed from "Muslim" to "Christian" on his ID card. In Egypt no one has access to even basic needs without their ID card, but his brother and parents have threatened to kill him because they feel that he has dishonored them. The man has been in hiding and has a 14-year-old daughter who is officially considered Muslim and must study the Koran at school.

Romans 15:30-33-I urge you, brothers, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, to join me in my struggle by praying to God for me. Pray that I may be rescued from the unbelievers in Judea and that my service in Jerusalem may be acceptable to the saints there, so that by God's will I may come to you with joy and together with you be refreshed. The God of peace be with you all. Amen.
Today, 종성 was telling me how he had tried to find Life of Pi but realized that he couldn't find it because he had searched for "Pie" instead of "Pi." It reminded me of the time in college when Lisa Crawford was helping me with my online math homework problem for a long long time. No matter what, we'd keep getting the answer wrong until I finally realized that I had written in "pie" instead of "pi" in the answer box. Haha. Great memories and lessons...not for Crawford though.

Korea's going to the championship!

Thought of the Day: Psalm 73
Song of the Day: Hungry

MY BROTHER GOT INTO IRVINE!!!

Thought of the Day: Basketball
Song of the Day: Utada Hikaru-On And On

This week's persecuted church: Saudi Arabia
In September, a Saudi man associated with the religious police cut off his daughter's tongue and then killed her because she had become a believer through the Internet. Her conversion had been discovered after she had posted a blog a few days before her murder. The father used her killing as a warning to others. Saudi Arabia's educational curriculum teaches that is is permissible to kill an apostate.

"I'm not in here with you. You're in here with ME!"
Watchmen was pretty political and long. But it was fun. With Enoch. For his birthday.

Simon has the same birthday as Enoch. Although my brother is five years younger than me, he is five times heavier, five times uglier, and now, five times more mature. Ironically, he is the only person in my life who rebukes me these days. As everyone says, "Simon's a good boy."

Thought of the Day: 황사
Song of the Day: Ginny Owens-Be Thou My Vision

After watching this scene, I really wanted to play with a Rubics Cube. Anyone know where I can find one in Seoul?

This one's for you, Linda.

If only they had shown more of their tears and joys.

Thought of the Day: 멍
Song of the Day: Brown Eyed Girls-My Style

"...cause the greatest rapper of all time died on March 9th.
God bless his soul rest in peace kid
It's because of him now at least I know what beef is."
-Canibus

My white friend, Mike, thinks that Jay-Z is so much better than Biggie. What's wrong with him?!
Today, I finally finished reading 콩쥐팥쥐전 (Korean version of Cinderella). In the Korean version, freakin' 팥쥐 drowns 콩쥐, and at the end of the book, 팥쥐 and her mother go to hell! Why do I keep getting the Rated R version of these fairytales? Nevertheless, I finally finished it, so I am very happy. Even my dad congratulated me today!
And yet another matter of death. I also just found out today that "Sunny," one of the mean girls in 꽃남, hanged herself on Saturday. What's with these celebrity suicides in Korea?
World Baseball Classic 2009
Korea vs. Taipei: 6-0 (Grand slam in the 1st inning!)
Korea vs. Japan: 2-14
Korea vs. China: 14-0
Korea vs. Japan: 1-0 (Today's redemptive game)


One of my students thinks that Bruce Lee was really Korean but was just born in Thailand. To top it off, he is convinced that Bruce Lee died because somebody shot him. What's wrong with him?!

Thought of the Day: Vaseline
Song of the Day: Eddie-Over

This week's persecuted church: Pakistan
Two young Christian girls were kidnapped by Muslim men and forced to convert to Islam. The 13-year-old girl named Sala was even forced to marry one of the men. Both girls were tutored and brainwashed into thinking that their Christian parents would harm them if they were to return home. Even after appearing in court before their parents, Sala chose to stay with her Muslim husband.
I FINALLY finished reading Edith Hamilton's "Mythology." It was, by far, the boringest book I've read for leisure. It was so bad that I even considered leaving it in the subway after finishing it today. But even with the most dissatisfying books, there are always a handful of quotes that are worth sharing:

"Man is born to sorrow as the sparks fly upward. To live is to suffer and the only solution of the problem of life is to suffer with courage."

"In a maiden's words let no man place faith,
Nor in what a woman says.
But I know men and women both.
Men's minds are unstable toward women."

Some friends of mine have been sharing about going through a quarter-life crisis. I didn't think it really existed, but I think I'm going through one right now too. I keep thinking that I should be doing something different with my life, but I can't seem to think of what that something is. I'm constantly thinking of how I'm not taking advantage of my 20s (whatever that's supposed to mean). Maybe I'm just having workaholicism withdrawal. Whatever, I'm done with "Mythology."

I hadn't seen the Little Mermaid in so many years that I decided to watch it again. Here's the best scene, hands down.


YAH-YAH-WAH-WAH!!! Haha.

Thought of the Day: American Gangster
Song of the Day: Jessica Simpson & Nick Lachey-A Whole New World

This week's persecuted church: India
Christians' homes are being burned down, and they are being forced to convert to Hinduism in Orissa. Nearly 50,000 are homeless and thousands of homes and churches have been burned down. One 32-year-old woman and mother said that her neighbors told her, "If you go on being a Christian, we will burn down your house and your children in front of you, so make up your mind quickly." Although she gave in, inside she prays for peace and freedom from this situation. About half of the Christians of one village have converted to Hinduism and the rest have fled to the jungle to escape. Remember these people.


I know I know. I'm ashamed and am a hypocrite. But I need something to help me with my listening. At least the girl's funny.


I've been sleeping very well these days (like 9+ hours), but I always have disturbing dreams. The most recent one was about meeting a species between humans and monkeys that looked pretty much like us except for a funny looking nose. However, I had fallen in love with one of them, which caused a moral dilemma. What do all these nightmares mean?

I haven't been sick since August. I was on such a good streak and felt so unstoppable that I went out for a run on a really cold night a few days ago even though my dad had warned against it. *sneeze* *sniff* *cough* This is the only time my dad was right about something...that I'll admit. Dang.

Thought of the Day: 3.1
Song of the Day: Girls' Generation-Gee

Last week, my friend, Mike, texted me:

box = 북수?

I texted him:

북수 = revenge 상자 = box

He texted me back:

i totally wanted revenge at the post office


Thought of the Day: Lost Season 4
Song of the Day: Biggie Smalls, Tupac, Cypress Hill, & Wu-Tang Clan-Freestyle