Welcome Back

School's in session and I wasn't the least excited.  I saw all these freshie girls all dolled up for the move in, and the freshie guys with a little swagger in their step- seemed to me the newcomers are all ready for the academic year, yet I felt so detached from this sense of excitement.

This feeling of apathy was overwhelming.  I just could not care for this new year.  Slowly, however, I began to ease back into the groove.  Met with old friends, made new ones and ultimately I felt back.  But I still couldn't shake the feeling of detachment from reality.  It was akin to me viewing my life in a third person point-of-view.  Has anyone ever felt this way?

There was one thing, however, I was very excited about: The Kitchen.
YEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!
Having my own kitchen to make whatever the hell I want is amazing.  It took me awhile to organize where all the pots and pans were going to go, as well as all the dishes.. but when all was said and done, I marveled at what I had before me.

As of now, I've made Kimchijjigae, a korean kimchi stew of sorts, and other assorted spam, eggs, and rice combinations.  I recently dabbled with making hash browns and while trying to hand cut the potatoes ended up cutting myself in the process....... Life became much easier when I realized I could use my cheese grater to make those small slices.  Biggest "A-ha" moment in a while.  The hash browns, bacon, and spam&egg combo with rice for breakfast, although very fattening, was delicious (and even more so because I made them :D)

So, welcome back; let the partying studying/ cooking begin.

Summer&Photography

This Summer I was finally able to purchase a camera I have wanted for years.



The Canon T1i. YAY! so sexy.
It still feels so surreal that I have this beautiful camera next to me... except I'm not a good enough photographer to take amazing pictures.  :\ but over time hopefully I'll be able to get better and make this blog much more visually appealing.

I have aptly named her Summer for the season in which I purchased it in.  I really like the whole smooth, roll off the tongue feel it has :D

Update on the P90x I was supposed to publish way before........ I have postponed it due to the San Francisco trip I'm embarking on very soon! If any of you guys live in SF and want me to visit you, nows the time to say it! But I shall continue right after my trip.. and start back from Day 1. I'm restarting because of the overwhelming response from people on the forums explaining that a hiatus from P90x undermines the whole vision of the "90" day workout regiment- that following as close as you can without missing a day is the best way to see results.  Personally, I'm very curious as to how everything will work out and am thoroughly excited to see how this turns out for me.  I'll post up statistics and logs for those of you curious... (stalkers..) and will make this whole ordeal much more transparent than last time! Hopefully everything will fall into place.  I have a few set plans and strategies in mind, especially considering the continuation of the p90x through college.

But back on the subject of San Francisco.... What a long drive ahead of me -__-;; , but I feel it'll all be worth it once I see all the iconic building and eat all the amazing food San Francisco prides itself for.  Can't wait to meet my friends in the bay area! I'm super duper excited :D! Good Friends, Good Food, make for GOOD TIMES :D!

Longboarding

I've forgotten how good longboarding felt.  Especially since longboarding has been such an integral part of my life in college, doing without it - mainly because I didn't need to - made me feel empty.  But damn, it felt good to be back on my beautiful Autumn.

For those of you who don't know (or read my blog.. losers..) Autumn is the name of my board.  Suggested by a very wise man, Jesse Sanderson, the same man who took me to the shop to get my board custom made, and the same man that took care of me as my House Advisor during my freshman year of college.  He's a pretty cool guy :).  If you're ever down in SD and want to surf hit him up. He'd probably be more than willing to go with you.

Autumn recently fell apart :'(.. so I trekked to Home Depot fully determined to fix her back up.  The staff was more than helpful and one particular gentlemen poked through several bags (shh...) of screws just to see if it was the right fit. And after putting her back together I have the Home Depot guy to thank..  I don't exactly remember his name.. but if you ever see a pretty hefty white bearded old man, with the potential of looking like a certain someone wearing red and white during the winter.. AND for some reason you're at the Valley View and Lincoln Home Depot.. thank him for me please.

After I had all the screws, washers, and nuts in place.  I took her out for a quick ride. Beautiful. When I pushed off with my left leg (Goofy stance) the feeling was akin to gliding on water.  You push off once and it feels like five times the power.  You push off twice, you feel as if nothing could break this glide.  And if you push off three times, it feels like it could go on forever, until you hit a bump. I hate bumps.  Bumps bring me back to the sad reality that nothing is smooth and perfect, straight and clean. darn. haha

It's good to be back on Autumn during the summer(:

Look for another entry soon...
I've decided to go crazy this summer and start up P90x and its pretty hard.  I'll make an effort to put weekly updates of my failed attempts to keep up with Tony Horton.. oh yea. whats the saying? FML

Chick Flicks and Good Food

Chick Flicks.

Not going to lie, watching "Chick Flicks" is not bad.  I actually enjoy watching them.  In fact, one of my favorite movies of all time, When Harry Met Sally, is an outstanding film that I love to watch time and time again.  And I would be lying if I said there didn't exist a taboo for guys to watch chick flicks.  I understand that there is a male image that guys sculpt themselves after--not watching chick flicks except with their girlfriend for one--but what I don't understand is why chick flicks have this dark curtain over a guy.  Stupid. haha

Talking about Chick Flicks, there's a tradition developing in college, and I don't want it to ever end.

Before any strenuous tests, generally before the first set of midterms and the week or two before finals week an epic trip occurs to Zack's house.  This time John Son, Tim Young, Zack (of course..) and I arrived at the gorgeous house ready to relax.  There's something about a place that just sets you free from the worries of the world and this place definitely has a magic to it.  NAHH. ITS THE FOOD.

Although the sofas are heavenly, the swimming pool as well as the jacuzzi relaxing, what really takes the cake is the food.  No joke.  Zack's dad knows how to smoke and BBQ.

The Pork Sandwich.

The pork, while lacking its own voice, was succulent with the crust perfectly clothing the meat adding a nice layer to it.  The buns, however, were far from magical.  The store bought buns became too flimsy as the sauce soaked through it and the composure of the burger ruined because of it.  The sauce, on the other hand, is definitely something else.  It singed compared to the bun and the pork, and for whatever the other components were lacking, this made up for it and then some.

The first sauce had a sweet mesquite initial hit and slowly the smoky flavor crept in.  It was beautifully multi-dimensional and I couldn't get enough of it.  The second sauce was on a level of its own.  It had a slight sweetness, but that obviously wasn't supposed to be the main note as the spice waved in and tingled my taste buds with the tangy flavor serving as the backdrop. This was completed by the smoky dimension that set in at the end.  Overall the burger, although a bit dry because of the smoked pork, was delicious because the sauces were excellent.  Overall, the sandwich was reminiscent to a Sloppy Joe, except with quality pork.. and phenomenal sauce.

The Chicken.

Smoked chicken.  Ever had it? Its awesome.  The skin was perfectly crisp, while the meat was as moist as I have ever tried.  The meat would literally just fall off the bone.  WHAT? yea. It would just fall off the freaking bone. Just a slight tug and everything would just come off. *thats what she said. The chicken had a strong, but not overpowering taste of smokiness, which I enjoyed heavily.  Additionally, the skin of the chicken had an interesting rub of salt, pepper, and other herbs and spices I couldn't pinpoint. Not rotisserie, not baked, this chicken was a class of its own.  Altogether, the chicken was heavenly. Mmmmmm...  :)

With the baked beans and the corn on the cob as the side dishes, the meal was complete--but by no means were the baked beans and corn underplayed by the main dishes; they were just as excellent.  Just take my word for it.

I definitely ate my fill here and then some.

After all the good food and watching the Lakers create a substantial lead and almost lose it again to almost losing, the guys and I were down for a movie.  While deciding between 300, Watchmen, and Saving Private Ryan we finally decided to watch Garden State.  Curveball.

While some were opposed to the idea of watching a "Chick Flick", we decided it was the best option out of the other movies because it was the only movie we all haven't watched.  And it ended up being a very interesting movie with a serious humor I haven't laughed to in a long while.  You can find all the interesting synopsis, reviews, and blah blah blah online.

So there you go.

Memorial Day weekend before things start to go crazy... yay?

....

yay.  *sarcasm sign*

Balls to the Walls

Regret.

I feel ashamed of myself.

Not because I haven't been studying for Econ1 or a math quiz tomorrow. no.  I feel ashamed of myself because I saw, quite honestly, the prettiest girl my eyes have ever laid eyes on.

Set the scene.

Beautiful, sunny day with the weather just about as perfect as it can get. The temperature a cool sixty-four degrees with a nice breeze blowing on the side.  God, I love San Diego.  My friend Zack and I were on our way to In N Out. No big.  Went inside and switched up my order with a double-double, an extra whole grilled onion, well-done fries with the chiles on it as a kicker.  What a wonderful day it was.  I sit down as I wait for my order when it happens.  It's as if In N Out became the backdrop and the girl the focus of attention in the room.  She walked in, flanked by two of her friends, through the double doors with her dirty brunette-bond hair tied up, with loose hair bangs on the side, strolling in -- her head swung a little to the side, making the bangs on the side of her head wave with the graceful beauty she emitted.  Her face glowed a pure innocent white, while garbed in a green-black flannel with jeans loosely form fitting her legs.  Simple, but simply intoxicating.  Completely speechless, I just stared.  And much like an idiot, I just garbled some words to Zack, not knowing exactly what was coming out of my mouth, the whole time trying to think of something to say to her.  She was an angel.

You don't give up this opportunity.

Yet, I did.  my order was called up and as I got up to get my order I passed by her and caught a fleeting glance of her eyes.  Heart struck.  Is this what it feels like to fall in love at first sight?  I fumbled and got my order, forgetting to get the ketchup, napkin, extra chiles, and spread.  Damn.  I walked back to where Zack and I were sitting, sipping on my weird concoction of a drink: two lemon squeezed and a creamer with Coca Cola.  But even with this weird and tasty mixture in my mouth, all I could think of was how I would approach her and somehow get her number...

Balls to the walls.

I couldn't find a good line, good approach, good anything to approach the girl who I deemed as the prettiest girl I have ever met. Wondering, who was I to approach such an angel?  I couldn't come up with the courage to say anything.  God damn- balls to the walls.  There I was stumbling, pathetically mumbling, stupidly indecisive over what I wanted to do.  But the last bite of the double-double sunk in and grudgingly so.

I wanted to stay for longer.  Because maybe, I could muster up some unknown courage to ask her for her number.. something.  Something could've been done.  And if it failed well, at least I wouldn't have any regrets.  I left In N Out my back turned in shame, leaving behind the prettiest girl that radiated something beautiful all around her.  And as I left, the world went back to the way it was.

But I know, the sun shined a little dimmer than this girl.  Because I glimpsed, for a brief moment, the most angelically breathtakingly girl in the world.

Music

Music.

I don't really understand why, but when I listen to music I can't just listen to it once.. I have to listen to it 'till its dead to me.  I can tell that the guys I hang out with get annoyed by this... I'm sorry.. hahaha

For me, I can't really enjoy a song unless I fully understand a lot of the little trills and hidden bass lines I didn't pick up the first, second, or even third time.  To me, each song holds trinkets the artist hides within the music, and its your job as the listener to try and unveil it.  I guess this is why I love ballads, RnB, and some other select songs much more than say rock.  Ironically, a lot of my favorite songs are from the band Switchfoot.  Back to the point, ballads and RnB have a way to expressing to me, emotion on a very personal level.  I can really feel the sentiments the songs convey.. it can't just be the lyrics, because other songs have great lyrics. hrm.. I wonder if not the lyrics than do the melodies and harmonies themselves appeal to me more?  it has to be.  I guess the presentation of ballads and RnB styled melodies and harmonies touch something in me that I can connect to, therefore I feel its superiority over other genres.. as for Switchfoot its just awesome. haha

I need to stop listening to the same song over and over again.. hrm...

N.A.S.A. "Gifted" (ft. Kanye West, Santogold, & Lykke Li)

Korean Ballads

Ballads.

Something about these ballads make life seem so graceful. Whether it be depressing or carefree, ballads have a way of making everything free of worries for me.  

A ballad strings together emotions and makes it flow.  And this flow, much like a river, has a beginning and end.  There may be rough patches and very smooth calming straights, but what really matters is the journey.  Its how you live the life and how you choose to live it.  

Would you live it calmly or take action?  Or would you choose to sit back and let the world direct your flow?

Right now.. I think I would live my life calmly(:

jchang