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

Any plans for winter break?

Catch up on Youtube!








Thought of the Day: Burgers
Song of the Day: Wu-Tang Clan-People Say

Indebted

I've never suffered from credit card debt before. I spent a couple of hours yesterday calculating how long it would take for me to pay off all my debt. Credit card debt, that is, not my student loans. Student loans are like a faithful companion; they will never, ever, leave me. Anyway, let's just say that I am really looking forward to 2018. I will finally have my car paid off and my salary should see a slight raise as well.

This morning, I read an article on a 42-year-old millionaire and his advice on spending and saving. My biggest takeaway from his wisdom was making a spreadsheet of your finances. I had done this when I first moved back to the states but stopped keeping up with it because my spending and earning patterns were fairly consistent. But now that I am in debt, I figured tracking my money again would help me restart my journey towards becoming a millionaire high school teacher.

I must say that the past month did not look too pretty. But I guess when you're at the bottom, you can only go up, right?


Right?


Thought of the Day: Soup Plantation
Song of the Day: Matthew Heath & Grady Griggs-Slow Down

Nobody Knows

but Jesus.

Thought of the Day: Salary Points
Song of the Day: Sam Cooke-Nobody Knows the Trouble I've Seen

Devotionals for the Undevoted

I recently found out that Banner of Truth posts a free daily devotional from The Valley of Vision, a book of Puritan prayers and devotions. I recall my passionate days of promoting reformed theology and even giving a copy of The Valley of Vision to those who were remotely interested. The irony is that I never read the book myself except for a handful of prayers that sounded like they were reserved for the lips of holy people.

I've been going through the Psalms in my personal devotions, but my prayers have felt repetitive, dry, and pointless for a while now. Like one of my small group members once shared, it often looks something like "God, you know, you know, you know, thank you, thank you, thank you. Amen." I suppose that is one of the many reasons why the author of The Valley of Vision researched and wrote those amazing prayers. The Holy Spirit groans our heart, but it is nice to also have guided carefully chosen words that we can ponder upon and express to the Father who listens.

If you are struggling with conversing with God, I would recommend these accessible Puritan prayers as an addition, not substitution, to your prayers. They are definitely for UNholy people. Like me.


Thought of the Day: Amazon Prime Day
Song of the Day: A Flock of Seagulls-I Ran

Man With the Master Plan(s)

Summer School Plans
Plan A: Take Math course and add Spanish course at city college.
Plan B: Test out of Math course early and add Spanish course at city college.
Plan C: Test out of Math course early at city college and take Spanish course next summer.

Summer Vacation Plans
Plan A: Parents visit us this summer.
Plan B: Visit Snugs in NY.
Plan C: Visit Enoch in NC and his sister in DC and visit Snugs and Brian in NY.
Plan D (TBD): Plan C + Sam in NJ.


Proverbs 16:9 - The mind of man plans his way, But the LORD directs his steps.


Thought of the Day: East Coast
Song of the Day: Childish Gambino-Redbone

This Math T-Shirt is Funny

and true!

Thought of the Day: Hollywood
Song of the Day: Eminem Piano Medley

Math is Funny

I usually give an extra credit opportunity for my students whenever they take a quiz. All they have to do is answer a reflection question on something they learned, something that was helpful, or something that could improve their learning.

This week, my reflection question was: This year, do you think you have improved, stayed the same, or become worse as a math student? Why?

I get all kinds of answers ranging from not understanding anything to Mr. Chung is the best, but one of my students wrote: "improved because with a happy mindset and a golden heart, anything can be accomplished."

I can't tell if the student is being sincere or not, but either way I had a good laugh. I recently heard from another teacher that she had students who would write things like JESUS IS THE ANSWER for her math problems. Haha. Kids are funny.


Thought of the Day: Valentine's Day
Song of the Day: Dead Prez- Hip Hop