Live and Learn

Jake

2012-02-04T23:24:00.000-08:00

What can I write about Jake? Plenty. I would have written this particular blog sooner, but he stopped me a couple of years ago. I'm glad that he did because I now have more material to write about. Jake has been a good friend of mine for more than 3 years now. I would say that I love him like a brother despite our vast differences in opinion regarding civilization, love, altruism, mannerisms, and fashion. He and Matt are quite similar, but that's not a surprise as they come from the same state.

My 1st meeting with Jake was at McMenamin's in Forest Grove after the orientation for optometry school. I came straight from the orientation in my dress clothes while most people there wore jeans or shorts. I was feeling a bit awkward from being overdressed and not knowing the people there. Jake was drinking beer and offered me a beer when he noticed that I was empty-handed. After I thanked him, I asked for his name and introduced myself. The following weekend, there was a trip to Rockaway Beach. I brought some Newcastle, my favorite beer, and gave a bottle to Jake.

Over the years that I have known him, we have learned much about one another. Sometimes, I think that he knows a little too much about me. So what do we have in common? Well, we both enjoy karaoke and hiking. We also share libertarian political views. Also, we're both pensive and unique. The similarities end there.

I question his taste in women and wine. I remember going to the local club to celebrate Jake's birthday one year. That night he was dancing scandalously with an overweight female in a zebra-print dress. He seems to have a penchant for women with high BMIs whenever he goes out drinking. As for his taste in wine, I remember inviting him over for a dinner party. He graciously asked if he could bring anything. I suggested wine. That evening, Jake came over with a couple of boxes of 2-buck Chuck. Needless to say, I never asked him to bring wine to any of my other dinner parties. As for his sense of fashion, I would say that it is nonexistent.

Jake is certainly a unique character. I would say that his strengths are his philosophical thought, intellect, coherence, and boldness. He is very analytical and critical--especially when it concerns societal norms. He questions everything and doesn't adhere to the ways of his parents. He enjoys philosophy despite never taking a philosophy class in college. I don't always agree with his views on things such as altruism, love, and culture, but I appreciate his rationale.

As for his weaknesses, he can be presumptuous, flatulent, and selfish. Also, he believes that stereotypes are true. Jake does not hesitate in asking presumptuous questions. He probably does not believe in the existence of them. I will not repeat some of the questions that he has asked me and others since I want to keep my blog clean. I'm sure that everyone has experienced a gas problem, but Jake seems to take pride in his flatulence. He also does not believe in altruism or love. He thinks that they do not exist and that being selfish is a good thing. Jake is an iconoclast.

Overall, he's a good guy and I'm grateful that he's a close friend of mine. A part of me worries about him due to his iconoclastic views, but I'm sure that he will be fine. He's rational and strong.

Home for the holidays?

2011-12-25T09:41:00.000-08:00

Around this time of year, people often ask me if I will be going "home" for the holidays. I tell them that I am already home. To me, home is where I sleep. It is where I have most of my possessions. It is where I am most comfortable. My home is not my hometown. It has not been my hometown since I was 18 years old. My hometown is my parents' home. When I was living in Italy, my home was in Italy.

Yes, under ideal circumstances, the holidays should be spent with one's family. However, due to my finances, relations with family members, and responsibilities, I am unable to go back to my hometown for the holidays. I do talk to family over the telephone. I'm just perfectly happy staying at home for the holidays. I like the sense of independence and not worrying about the nuisance associated with holiday travel.

What is a gentleman?

2011-12-18T21:06:00.000-08:00

I am taking a few moments to define and describe one of the words that I often use. I write this entry in response to popular demand from friends. This word may seem simple, but it is often misused or used too liberally in colloquial English. A gentleman is a man who is civil, cultured, educated, and sophisticated.

A gentleman knows how to conduct himself at formal settings. A gentleman knows etiquette. He knows all about removing his hat indoors and opening doors for ladies. At a formal dinner, he would know which fork to use for each plate, where to sit, and what attire to wear. A gentleman would know about the different knots for a necktie and when to use each one. A gentleman not only knows how to dress appropriately for formal occasions, but he would be comfortable in his dress clothes.

Aside from appearances, a gentleman would know how to carry on a conversation with ladies and other gentlemen at social gatherings. He may not be an artist, writer, or musician, but he would be cultured enough to speak about art, literature, and music. A gentleman knows how to appreciate different cultures. At social gatherings, he would know which topics are appropriate and which ones are taboo.

Last, but not least, gentlemen are educated and sophisticated. They know about politics and social issues. Gentlemen are informed about the ways of the world and know about civility. Gentlemen treat others fairly.

To conclude, not every man is a gentleman and not every woman is a lady. If there were more ladies and gentlemen in this world, there would be more civility, cultural appreciation, and peace in this world.

Dan

2011-10-30T11:31:00.000-07:00

I am taking time out of my busy life to write about a very special friend of mine. I don't use superlatives much, but I would say that my buddy Dan truly is a GREAT person. I am fond of him for many reasons. He is very bright, open-minded, altruistic, adventurist, and fun. I feel very fortunate in being close friends with this fine young man.

Of course he's human and not perfect, but his strength of character, intelligence, and many other positive attributes trivialize his flaws. I would say that the things that I admire most about Dan are his uniqueness, open-mindedness, courage, and intelligence. Dan is way cool as he's not afraid to be different and does not care what people think of him. I also admire his earnestness and reason. Dan is calm and rational. I have never seen him lose his temper and he has the ability to see humor in just about anything.

His attention to detail is amazing. On 2 separate occasions, he spotted a newt on the bike path as we were speeding along. Some of the things that Dan enjoys are nature--especially the desert, music, gardening, and bicycling. His selflessness and respect for the wilderness are particularly refreshing in this day and age. The world would be a better place if there were more people like my buddy Dan.

White after Labor Day

2011-09-06T20:35:00.000-07:00

There's an absurd notion going around that one should not wear white after Labor Day. This is utterly ridiculous and has obviously come from those with no sense of fashion. Fashion should be flexible and practical. While I acknowledge that white clothing does not look so good with autumn colours, I realise that summer does not officially end in the northern hemisphere until September 20th. White is the best colour to wear during summer since it reflects sunlight and keeps you cool. Dark colours absorb sunlight and keeps you feeling warm.

I love wearing white, and would certainly do so post Labor Day. As long as the temperatures are still in the 80s and 90s and the trees are still green, it's still summer! I would take pride in wearing white as it's the smart thing to do. Those who fault you for wearing white after Labor Day lack fashion sense. They should fault those who wear black immediately after Labor Day because it's rather foolish.

Sushi with Ben and Jess

2011-01-23T20:28:00.000-08:00

I had a delightful dinner on Saturday night at Ben and Jess's home. They graciously had a few friends over for some delectable home-made sushi. Ben is an amazing cook. His cooking talent is so extensive and spot on. Besides our hosts, there were Matt, Jake, Dani, Jim, and Ben's friends from his nursing program Tanya and Robert.

Jess and Ben are such a wonderful pair. They are very clever, fun to be around, very decent and wholesome. Although they are from small town New England, they are cultured and possess worldly knowledge. Jess is one of the smartest and sweetest young ladies that I've ever met. Ben is a man's man. I will definitely miss their presence when the semester is over.

It was not until last summer that I started to appreciate and enjoy sushi. That was when Matt, Jake, and I went to Forest Grove Sushi for dinner. I've had sushi several times before and was troubled out by the sensation and thought of cold, raw seafood in my mouth and sliding down my esophagus. I used to think that seafood should not be eaten cold. However, last summer, I decided to keep an open mind and forget about the aspect of eating cold, raw seafood. After all, I do adore seafood. That was when I started to see how delicious and fun eating sushi can be.

After a fabulous meal of sushi, beer, and wine, we chatted, took shots, and danced the night away. It was so much fun tormenting Jake by pulling his hair and making him do things on Facebook that he normally wouldn't do. Soon after my single shot of Bacardi 151, I was out cold. 151 is strong stuff. When I woke up, it was 4:30 AM and I was on Ben and Jess's couch.

I wrote this blog to thank Ben and Jess for a great evening and also to emphasise the importance of being open-minded and willing to try new things. To quote one of my favourite movies, Australia, "Just because that's how it is, does not mean that's how it should be."

Farewell 2010

2010-12-28T22:18:00.000-08:00

For me, 2010 has been a year full of emotion--elation, melancholy, angst, disconcertedness, treachery, disappointment, pride, and humiliation to name a few. However, the same can be said of previous years. These feelings are there to let us live life as human beings and remind us of ourselves. In this entry, I will not bore you with the minute details leading up to the different emotions that I have felt in 2010. I want to focus on some of the important lessons that I have learned in the past year as life is full of experiences and lessons. That's why my blog is entitled "Live and Learn."

This was a year of discovery for me, but more so, a confirmation of things that I've known all along. I accept and confess that I have my prejudices. Everyone is prejudice about something. Having prejudices may be wrong, but in many ways, it is a defense mechanism. For instance, if you were walking down the street and spotted some rough-looking guys in over-sized attire,bandanas, and brass knuckles, your best option would be to stay clear of them. That there is just one of the many instances where it's perfectly okay, even reasonable, to judge based on our prejudices. What's key is being CIVIL to people.

Some may think that one's appearance, i.e. clothes, does not matter. I firmly disagree. I do not completely agree with the adage, "Clothes make the man," but I will say that they suggest how we want to be judged. For instance, someone who wears dirty, old clothes that look slept in would give others the impression that he is an untidy and careless individual. Clothes also project how we feel. For instance, someone who wears dark and gloomy colours all the time would seem depressed or serious; whereas, someone who wears bright and cheery colours would seem bold and animated.

However, outward appearance is not the entire story. People can easily put on disguises. The people around you may not be who they say they are. Be wary of those who say that they are your friends, but relish humiliating or deriding you. Some friends they are. Aside from the ridicule, these people are doing you a favour. They're giving you reason not to trust them. Nevertheless, I must ask, "Why is there so much insincerity and so little civility in this world?"

On the brighter side, I did have a wonderful Christmas eve dinner at my home. Of course I'm not Christian, but it was nice to have good friends such as Cristin, Mark, Jess, and Ben over for a delectable feast. I made bourbon honey-glazed ham, sauteed Swiss chard, and steamed green beans. Cristin made mashed potatoes and gravy. Ben and Jess made a delightful chocolate mousse and brought wine. I embellished the dining table with a centerpiece made of pine boughs and holly. I had Harry Connick, Jr.'s Christmas CDs playing in the background. I even had Saffron and Beau perched on their T-stand on the coffee table munching on my steamed green beans. We played a game of Monopoly where getting out of jail requires taking a shot of bourbon. It was astonishing how Jess won despite having a very slow start. It's certainly a blessing to have friends around for the holidays.

In spite of any adversity or pain, I am grateful and content that I have the privilege of being able to live. It's absolutely better than the alternative. To sum, I would suggest living your life as you see fit and pleasing yourself first and foremost. Never mind what people think or say--especially when they are not significant to you. Just be civil and enjoy. Happy holidays and may 2011 be a brighter, more prosperous year for everyone.

Walmart in Town

2010-08-22T22:36:00.000-07:00

Last week, a Walmart Supercenter opened in Cornelius, the next town over. I’ve heard about a Walmart opening up even before I started optometry school. I wish that it would have opened up sooner. I would have saved so much money. It’s great not having to drive more than 10 miles in order to find reasonable prices or visit multiple stores in order to find all the things that one is looking for.

There are those that despise Walmart, but for me, it’s certainly convenient to have a Walmart nearby. The hatred that people have for Walmart is unjustified. Why hate a company that provides convenience and offers low prices to the consumers? Why hate a company that puts people who would otherwise be unemployed to work? Why hate a company that can put your community on the map? Why hate at all? I suppose that small businesses may resent Walmart as it can drive them out of business. However, if a business were charging consumers high prices and is unable to compete with other retailers, then it does not deserve to stay in business.

I’ve been to the Cornelius Walmart a couple of times since it opened. The store is brand-new, clean, and spacious. I certainly appreciate the low prices and convenience that Walmart has to offer. One can certainly find all of the everyday items for the lowest prices in town. Some of the low prices include corn for 10 cents an ear or bananas for 47 cents a pound. Not even Winco can beat that. I only wish that they would have a better beer selection.

Walmart will certainly rock the tranquil, rural communities of Cornelius, Forest Grove, Banks, etc. It will give the local stores a run for their money. Walmart is great! I would even shop there even after I’m a successful doctor, however never for clothes.

SALT

2010-08-05T23:08:00.000-07:00

If you’re looking for a great summer movie, go see Salt. It’s a thrilling spy movie full of twists and turns and the ultra sexy Angelina Jolie in the title role. This movie will keep you guessing and on the edge of your seat until the very end. It’s full of surprises.

What I liked most about Salt is that it is an atypical action/spy movie. First and foremost, we have female rather male lead character. Evelyn Salt is well-developed and multi-faceted. Throughout much of the movie, we do not really know whether she is a heroine or villainess.

Salt is a CIA agent who is accused of being a Russian spy that is out to assassinate the Russian president. Rather than being detained for further investigation, she panics and runs home to look for her husband. He turns up missing and she finds herself evading federal agents. She is on the run from the feds as she carries out her secret mission.

The movie is action-packed and filled with many stunt sequences; however, it does have a developed plot. Many of the stunts, especially at the beginning are rather unrealistic. For instance, jumping from a bridge onto a moving big rig and then onto another moving truck does not seem feasible to me.

Despite the fantastic stunts, the movie is definitely remarkable and worthwhile. This role was written solely for Angelina to play. She plays a sly, smart, and sexy Salt.

White Coat Ceremony

2010-05-23T13:54:00.000-07:00

May 10, 2010 was certainly an eventful day in my life as an optometry student. It was the day that I received my white coat. After the toughest semester in optometry school, the day had finally arrived. The semester consisted of hours and hours of studying and practicing for procedures. There were times when I didn't even think that I would get to that point.

As I sat on stage in the Taylor-Meade auditorium, I felt a tingling sensation down my spine. My eyes were glazed with tears. Was this really happening? When it was my turn to go up to get my white coat, I kept reminding myself to shake hands with the doctors and to walk smoothly. I had made it safely. Once everyone had on a white coat, we read the oath together. It was challenging for me to read as my voice was trembling. With power comes responsibility. I first heard those words in Spider-man. I was reminded of it in the keynote speaker's speech.

It was a pleasant ceremony. Dr. Yudcovitch delivered a fine speech and Dr. Eakland and Dr. Horn passed out the coats. I was especially pleased that my full name is embroidered on my coat. Everybody else only has the first and last name embroidered. My family wasn't there since I didn't bother telling them. I didn't want them to spend money on airfare. They'll certainly be there for my graduation.

The white coat ceremony is a rite of passage for students in the health profession. It marks the beginning of one's clinical experience. The student is no longer a student, but an intern training to become a clinician. Having a white coat enables us to work in clinic and to see patients. The white coat has been worn by doctors for over 100 years. It is what distinguishes doctors from nurses. The white coat conveys authority, wisdom, and compassion.

After the ceremony, I went outside for the reception. There was wine, hors d'oeuvres, and fruit. I chatted with professors and took plenty of pictures with friends. I went to Jenn and Dan's for a very tasty home-made Mexican meal of fajitas. I definitely had too much to drink that night. Especially since it was a Monday and we had classes at 8 o'clock the next day. I felt tired and sleepy in class, but I certainly don't regret drinking all that delicious booze.

My New Home

2009-08-15T16:51:00.000-07:00

Last month, I moved in with my 2 best friends from optometry school. Things have been really nice and I wish that I could have moved in sooner. I would have if it weren’t for my lease. Negotiating for a shorter lease may be more important than bargaining for lower rent. Anyway, my new place is a great deal more spacious than my former residence and Matt and Corey have been the coolest roommates. They are certainly the best roommates that I’ve ever had. If I believed in an almighty god, I would say that they are godsends. I feel blessed for having them as friends.

When I was moving, Corey diligently helped me moved. He helped me lift and load my plethora of boxes to the UHaul truck. He even drove the truck. What would I have done without him? He made my move a smooth one. For that I am profusely grateful. Corey is certainly a special young man. He’s so thoughtful and altruistic. I’m regretful that I had my phone off when Corey and Matt were moving last December. I was unable to help them move since I wasn’t able to pick up. They called me repeatedly that day.

Matt said that he wouldn’t help me move because of that. I’m sure that Matt would have helped me move had he not been working. He did help me carry some boxes up to my room.

My new home is a 3-bedroom duplex on a small street a few blocks from the university. It’s quite new and all the houses on the street look identical except for minor variations in colour. It’s great to live in a house rather than an apartment or guest house. I’m happy that I have the master bedroom. It’s so big, especially since my bed is twin size. It’s also great to have my very own bathroom. I’m also pleased about the amount of light that I get in my room. It’s perfect for my orchids and African violets. I even have a garden in the backyard. I’m growing tomatoes, bell peppers, strawberries, basil, mint, arugula, lettuce, roses, and zinnias.

Living with these guys has been fun. I’ve certainly learned more about them and appreciate them more. I have no complaints. They’re not neat freaks, but they’re not slobs either. They’re moderately clean just like me. It’s been far better than living alone. They’re roommates that I actually socialise with. We do things together like eat meals and shop. We even go bicycling together. I only wish that they knew how to cook.

Matt

2009-05-25T10:35:00.001-07:00

I’m writing this because I feel that there were things that I wanted to convey about my good friend Matt that were overlooked in my previous blog about him. It was not meant to criticize or lambast this special young man. You may think that I should be reticent to write another blog about Matt after some crazy bitch from his harem wrote a negative comment in response to my post, but no I am not. I don’t intimidate easily.

I spent 2 days hiking with Matt. We went hiking at Tualatin Valley Nature Park and Multnomah Falls. This was pleasing to me as most of the time that we hang out, we do what Matt and Corey want to do. The hikes were very pleasant and I enjoyed learning more about my amazing friend. What’s most amazing about Matt is his brilliant mind. He seems to have a photographic memory and superior test-taking ability. He learns at an alarming rate. In addition, his ability to reason is astounding. I wouldn’t call him an avid reader, but he certainly has a thorough understanding of many things.

Classmates frequently ask him for further clarification or asistance. I truly believe that Matt could have easily become anything he wanted to be. He could have been a neurosurgeon, rocket scientist, concert pianist, or even composer. His mind is that incredible. Matt is one of the most brilliant people that I have ever met. I only wish that he would spend more time on activities that involve self-improvement and philanthropy rather than “beer, sports, and bitches.”

Even though he is not a fine gentleman, I would certainly invite him to my formal wedding reception if I were to get married. I am not ashamed of him. To the contrary, I am proud that I can call him my one of my best friends as he has so much greatness. Deep down, he is a good and decent person. Matt is a diamond in the rough. I hope that someday the roughness would be stripped away and the gem inside of him will be revealed to everyone.

Dental Visit

2009-05-20T13:49:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, I went to see the dentist for the 1st time in about a year. I had been putting off my much needed dental visit due to school. I was so afraid that the dentist would give me such bad news as “You have all these cavities” or “This is going to cost this much money.” I was really worried since I don’t have dental insurance. Years and years ago, every dental visit resulted in the discovery of new cavities and even root canals. I could have procrastinated going to the dentist further, but that would not have been wise. I wanted to see a dentist STAT. I figured that it’s better to have a cavity filled than a root canal, or worse an extraction.

My dental visit went well. The dental hygienist thoroughly cleaned my teeth. I haven’t been drinking much tea or coffee, but she mentioned stains on my teeth. We concluded that it must have been red wine. She was quite affable and we chatted a bit. The dentist was pleasant also. He introduced himself to me simply by his 1st name which I thought was peculiar. I was pleased to hear that I do not have any gum disease or cavities.
I was thrilled that my frequent brushing, flossing, and use of mouthwash paid off. I regularly brush after every meal and floss daily. I would then rinse it off with mouthwash. I even avoided drinking soda and fruit juices. Unfortunately, one of my previous cavities had cracked and need to be replaced. It was due to no fault of mine. Actually, had I taken better care of my teeth years ago, that filling would not be there. Live and learn.

What I learned from the dental visit was that the majority of fillings were amalgam, an alloy of mercury, zinc, and lead, rather than silver. I had no idea. I also learned that it is best for me to use a soft bristled toothbrush. It’s easier on the gums. I have been using a medium bristled brush all along.

Many people are fearful of going to see a dentist. As Franklin D. Roosevelt said, “There is nothing to fear but fear itself.” I certainly agree. Living in fear is one of the worst things in life. Although there are things to be fearful of, a dental visit should not be one of them. The dentist is your friend (so to speak). If you have procrastinated going to see the dentist, do so no longer. Nip any dental caries in the bud before they become problematic. Root canals and extractions are not fun or cheap.

Cristin

2009-05-12T11:56:00.000-07:00

I spent last Saturday hiking with Cristin at Cape Lookout and Kiawanda Beach. The hike was fun and scenic and Cristin was certainly delightful company. We had much to talk about along the trail and in the car.

She is certainly one of the kindest, most decent, most gracious, and most altruistic people that I have ever met. She is wise beyond her years and has left an indelible impression on me. What impresses me most about this young lady is her altruism and wholesomeness. She has tremendous strength of character and virtue. Those are characteristics that all fine doctors have. What’s most wonderful is that she is that way on her own and not out of any religious obligation. It’s very pleasing that there is someone as wonderful as she in a class of competitors, devout church-goers, and hedonists.

I met Cristin over a year and a 1/2 ago when we were interviewing for optometry school at Pacific and Berkeley. I got the impression that she was very nice and intelligent. In retrospect, I’m glad that she decided to go to Pacific instead of Berkeley. She’s one of my dearest friends here and we’ve had so many fun times together. I’m delighted that she will be in town this summer.

I am very fond of Mark, her husband, as well. He is just as fun, reasonable, and wholesome as she. They fuel my belief that one need not be religious to be decent. If more people were like them, the world would be a much better place. Despite their youth, they have one of the best marriages that I have seen. They are a great match. I am proud to have such fine and wholesome friends.

My thoughts on love

2009-04-23T07:52:00.000-07:00

I’m going to be more revealing than ever by writing about something that I have never ever written about—my love life. In short, the best word to describe it at this point in time is nonexistent. Despite this fact, I will still manage to write about my romantic feelings. I’m not in pursuit of romance or a fling at this moment in time. I have optometry school to keep me occupied. However, should the right person come along, I will definitely not let her pass me by. A great lady is hard to come by.

You may ask what do I seek in a girl. People tend to believe that I am so superficial, but I will dispute that. Sure, I may be a little vain and find certain things physically attractive in women, but I am just as much, if not more interested in a person’s strength of character and values than her outward appearance. Many people have no idea that I am a Romantic. Cyrano de Bergerac is one of my favourite books. Physical beauty and dress are what initially attract me to a woman, but it’s how she is as a person that keeps me interested.

The women that I would be most interested in are intelligent, charming, and classy ladies. A lady is a woman who is refined, cultured, and virtuous. A lady would comfortably conduct herself at formal ceremonies. She would do and say all the dearest things and be full of grace and charm. Cindy McCain is a fine example of a lady. I find an intelligent, classy, and strong young lady to be sexier than an attractive woman that sleeps around. Promiscuity and STDs completely turn me off.

For a relationship, I am interested in romance rather than flings. I’m at an age where I do not want to waste my time or money on a relationship that does not have a promising future. By promising, I do not mean easy sex. I am interested in a long-term partner rather than a sex buddy. I do not believe it’s morally fitting to have casual encounters. First and foremost, I’m interested in someone who has similar values as I. After that, I am interested in someone who is intelligent, charming, lovely, and gracious. I am interested in a young lady who is accomplished and interested in having a family. The woman that I will marry will be a fine mother and have a place in the world. She would know how to treat others and support her loved ones. She would be strong, yet feminine.

At the rate that I’m going, my younger brothers are beating me to the altar, but that is of no concern to me. I would rather be single for life than to be in a bad marriage.

My thoughts on life

2009-04-17T07:58:00.000-07:00

Lately, I have been thinking so much about this. This will be a serious blog. This entry is about what is most important in my life and how I view life in general. It is by no means an attempt to tell you how to live your life. Live as you like.

I will start off by mentioning the 3 things that are most important to me (in no particular order): family (+friends), health, and education. These are things that I cherish and appreciate most in life and could not live without. My life is centered on these 3 values. Everything that I do is in the name of one or more of these things. I will make sacrifices for any of my top 3 values for without them; my life would be painful and dreadful.

Now that what’s most important in my life has been established, I will address the more complicated topic of what the meaning of life is. I do not believe that the purpose of my life is the pursuit of happiness. I do confess that I had once thought so many, many years ago. Of course I want to be happy and laugh every once in a while, but the pursuit of happiness is not a fulfilling enough objective for me. To live life only to please oneself is rather narcissistic and simple. Furthermore, life is not all about fun and games. There are rough, depressing, painful, and tragic events in life as well. Death is a part of life. We will all experience such things in life and must deal with them accordingly.

I also do not think that the purpose of my life is to reproduce. That may be true for animals in the wild, but it does not and should not apply to civilization. Just imagine how overpopulated this world would be if that were the case. Where would people live and what would they eat? It bothers me that there are pious people out there that are adamantly against things such as abortion and stem cell research because they value life so much. I wonder why they value the lives of embryos and fetuses more so than the lives of young soldiers or impoverished people in developing nations. If they’re so concerned about life, why don’t they do something to help the people whose lives are being threatened? I certainly want to be a father someday, but the bottom line is there is more to life than just making babies.

The purpose of my life is not the pursuit of happiness or procreation. The purpose of my life is to help others and to make a difference. I firmly believe this. This certainly coincides with my top 3 values. My family and friends mean a great deal to me and I will certainly do my utmost to aid and support them whenever necessary. I value my own health as well as the health of others. I do make an effort to eat good food and exercise to stay healthy and avoid things that are damaging to my health such as smoking, alcohol abuse, and extreme sports. I want to be a doctor because I want to be in a guardian of people’s health. Last, but not least, education is what separates humans from animals. With education, people will behave in a more civilized and rational manner. People will act based on reason rather than instincts or hormonal drive and the world would be a better place. With education, we can solve many of the problems facing the world. As a doctor, education is a continuing process. Being a doctor entails a lifetime of learning. Ignorance certainly is not bliss.

I know that if these 3 things are in good-standing, I will be content. Hence, I do not live my life in the pursuit of happiness or procreation. I will maintain and build upon those values, and in the process, I will be happy.

Best Buds

2009-02-24T19:01:00.000-08:00

Optometry school has been more than what I had expected. In some ways that's good, while in other ways it isn't. I am glad to be enrolled in optometry school and I do enjoy what I'm learning in most of my classes. I certainly don't enjoy all of them, and do not see the relevance of a few of them. I wish that there were fewer classes though. The course load is a bit much. Despite that, I do think that attending optometry school is one of the best things that has happened to me.

Anyway, my intention today is not to write about school. I wanted to write about my best buds in school. I didn't think that I would have any close friends prior to beginning the program due to my advanced age. Most of my classmates are fresh out of college. There are some that are older than that, but they have families. I didn't think that I would have anything in common with anybody. My 2 best buds in school are Matt and Corey. They are a couple of fun, smart, and wild boys. I knew that we would be close since our trip together to Rockaway Beach last September. The morning after drinking and socialising at the beach, we got dressed and all 3 of us had on red T-shirts. I predicted then that we would have some special bond and I was right. They are quite different from me, especially Matt, but I see a little bit of myself in both of them when I was 23. They are like little brothers to me.

Matt is a rough and tough Wyoming boy. He has said that we are polar opposites, but I don't think so despite our numerous differences. I remember his introduction during the 1st week of classes. He said that he liked football and drinking beer. The entire class bursted out in laughter. I remember adding him as a Facebook friend last summer. He was in groups like "Hillary, make me a sandwich" or "Stop Hillary Clinton." I never thought that I would be close friends with a guy like that. Now, after watching my 2nd ever Superbowl and many alcoholic beverages later, I must say that I was wrong. Matt is a bit of a paradox. He doesn't seem to study much, yet he aces every class. He is a bit crude, macho, egocentric, and sexist, but the girls seem to like that. Despite his faults, Matt is a good guy and I'm proud to have him as a buddy. He's a bit of a bad boy, but I've seen worse. I do question his ethics though. I've seen his vulnerable and sensitive side before, and I feel touched. He is fun, clever, and highly gifted. If I had his mind, I would be in med school.

Corey is different from Matt, though not as different as Matt and I. Where Matt is crude, Corey is smooth and gentlemanly. Where Matt is macho, Corey is sensitive. Where Matt is egocentric, Corey is thoughtful and altruistic. Corey is also a very gifted, fun, and clever young man. In many ways, he seems more like a boy than a man. He always makes silly, goofy expressions when his picture is being taken. He likes to do things like play paintball and video games. He loves little kids and is very mischievous, fun-loving, and youthful. However, he certainly has a sense of maturity and responsibility that's impressionable for someone of his age. I really admire Corey's altruism and thoughtfulness. He can act tough, crude, and macho like Matt, but I know it's all an act.

To conclude, I could not have asked for more memorable and great friends as Matt and Corey. We aren't so different despite our age difference and different home states. For instance, we all are nonreligious and come from working class households. I care about these boys as if they were my little brothers. I look forward to seeing them develop into sophisticated gentlemen one of these days. It will certainly take a while longer for Matt. They both have tremendous potential and will certainly become dependable doctors.

Why I voted for McCain

2008-10-26T10:42:00.000-07:00

Last month, I mailed in my ballot for John McCain. You may wonder why I, someone who believes in things such as universal health care, stem cell research, gun control, and equal rights for all would vote for a Republican. This election is bigger than all of the issues and political parties combined. This country is facing an economic depression and conflicts abroad. It's about doing what's necessary to save America. It should not be about party affiliation. I've compiled my reasons for supporting the best Republican presidential candidate that we've had in a long, long time below.

Experience
McCain has 22 years of experience in the Senate for Arizona. Experience is of integral importance during these times of crisis (unemployment, foreclosures, stock market instability, 2 wars against terrorism, security). McCain is a tough man who has fought and will fight for America and Americans. If he can resist the Viet Cong in HaNoi for 6 years, he can certainly fight the corruption and mismanagement in corporate America and the government. He will certainly stand up to the special interests groups.
Contrast that with Obama's lack of experience. Obama hasn't even finished a Senate term and he's running for president. He's the least experienced presidential candidate ever. Being able to deliver a speech or raise hundreds of millions of dollars does not qualify Obama to be president. Yes, Sarah Palin may not be so experienced, but I'd rather have an inexperienced vice-president than an inexperienced president. The Oval Office is not the place for on-the-job training.

Bipartisanship
McCain has a history of working with members of Congress from both parties. Obama certainly has not. This isn't about Republican vs. Democrat. It's much bigger than that. We need someone who can work with and stand up to both parties. We need a maverick in the White House. Obama thinks that he can move into the White House with his lack of experience and fix all of America's problems with "hope." We need action and not speeches or promises.

Civil service
McCain is the candidate with a history of serving this country and the American people. McCain has served his country as a naval aviator as well as a member of Congress throughout his adult life. How has Obama served his country? How has Obama served Illinois? We need someone who will put country first rather than himself first. That's the major problem in our political system.

Economy
McCain has the right economic relief plan for working Americans as well as corporations. He will not raise taxes on those who can not afford to pay them. He has the expertise to properly manage our economy and create new jobs for Americans by drilling for oil and finding alternative energy. This will reduce our dependence on foreign oil and create jobs for America. We need oil and nuclear energy rather than pressure guages for our tires. Raising taxes on citizens and corporations at this time will not solve the economic crisis. Increasing capital gains tax doesn't encourage people to invest. A McCain administration will cut down on wasteful spending. We need someone in charge who will ensure that our tax dollars are spent wisely. We need someone with a plan to grow the economy rather than redistribute the wealth.

Leadership
We need a leader who has the strength and expertise to lead us through these rough economic and social times. McCain has been a leader in the U.S. Navy as well as the Senate. He has stood up to members of both parties. What leadership experience does Obama have?

War
Everyone knows that aside from our economic problems, there are two wars that we are involved in. We need a commander-in-chief who has the expertise to make tough decisions. As much as I disagree with Bush's pre-emptive war in Iraq, I know that the troops need to be properly funded and they should return home when the mission is complete. An immediate withdrawal of troops and slashing of funding will only endanger our troops and Iraqi civilians even further and ultimately be more costly. Furthermore, an immediate withdrawal will only require a return to the region in the immediate future.

Character
McCain is an honest and honorable man. During times of crisis, people often forget about the importance of values. Values and strength of character are even more important during tough times. We can count on McCain to do what is right rather than what is popular.
Obama certainly has not been completely truthful about his ties with Ayers and his pastor. How can anyone trust someone who has been friends with a terrorist? How can anyone trust a guy who has delivered racially offensive sermons over the span of 20 years? As Hillary stated, one can not choose his family, but he can certainly choose his friends and religious leaders. Obama disassociated with his pastor and church only after the footage was repeatedly aired on national television. His church ties made him less popular with the American people so he abandoned his church and pastor.

After 8 years of a Bush administration, America deserves a president who is truthful and competent. Aside from all of the issues and problems, ask yourself, "Who do you want representing the U.S.A.?" "Who do you trust to handle foreign policy and diplomatic relations?"

Swim Briefs

2008-08-11T14:01:00.000-07:00

For the first time in oh such a long time, I went swimming in my swim briefs. No, they're not "Speedos." I bought them in Italy or Malta and they were not made by Speedo. Just think about this before you call swim briefs "Speedos." Similarly, not all jeans are Levi's. There are many companies besides Speedo that make swim briefs. Nike, Tyr, and Adidas are some examples. Furthermore, Speedo doesn't just produce swim briefs. They make swimwear and goggles for men, women, and children. Now that that is settled, I will continue by saying that it is okay for men to wear swim briefs out in public--provided that they have the body to do so.

I was a swimmer for my high school swim team and every boy on the team wore Speedo swim briefs. They were worn to enhance performance in the pool and not for fashion or exhibitionism. As a child and adolescent, I was very, very thin and quite modest of my body. It was next to impossible for me to gain weight. I wore the Speedos, but covered up with a towel whenever I could. For that reason, I haven't worn swim briefs since high school swim until this morning.

So what changed? I was really thin up until a couple of years ago. I had fewer classes and started driving to school instead of taking the bus. My mother spoiled me by overfeeding me. She cooked LARGE portions and I didn't want all that delicious food to go to waste. Anyway, I started to gain weight, but in all the wrong areas. My abdomen suffered the most. I gained 4 inches around my waist. My face also became rounder. Unfortunately, my arms and legs were still skinny. All that excess fat was stored in all the wrong areas. I had gained 20 lbs.

I was really upset with myself and my mother. I was upset with myself for being a pig, and upset with my mother for feeding me like one. I started to reduce my food intake and began to run, ride my bike, and walk. All that hard work and determination paid off. I lost 3" from my waist and dropped 15 lbs. I'm still determined to lose that excess inch off my waist. I even started to swim again. Swimming is definitely my favourite form of exercise. I find running and weight-lifting tedious and unrewarding, but swimming and bicycling are fun to me.

I had been wearing my tight, square-cut swim shorts. They are not as revealing as swim briefs are, but they are just as comfortable and serve their purpose in the pool. I rinse them and hang them out to dry after every use. Last Saturday, I could not wear them because had I left them hanging overnight, unaware that it would rain that night. I wore my swim trunks to the pool. It was difficult to swim in them and flip turns were uncomfortable. Imagine doing sit-ups with boxers on. Fortunately, I found my swim briefs the next day.

I checked in the mirror to decide if I would look decent in them. The flab was gone from my abdomen and I did not see any love handles. My pectoralis muscles were bigger and definition had returned to my abdomen. I was also feeling less self-conscious about my body since I had been bicycling in my biker shorts. I put on my swim briefs, swam efficiently and comfortably, and was no longer ashamed of my body. In fact, being able to look decent and feel comfortable in my swim briefs made me proud. As long as my family and friends aren't around, I am comfortable wearing swim briefs.

For those who are completely against men wearing swim briefs, I question your antipathy and simplicity. Chances are, if you see a man and he's wearing swim briefs, he isn't doing it for fashion or attention. He's wearing it to swim better. In Europe, men often wear swim briefs and women go topless. It's no big deal. Americans can be so conservative and uptight about sex and the human body. I say, if you're in good shape and comfortable with your body, go for it! Never mind what others have to say.

Oregon

2008-08-04T17:30:00.000-07:00

I have been living in Oregon for about a month now and loving it. I'm living in a rural town 25 miles west of Portland. I must say that I am happy here. It's a beautiful state with friendly people and a lower cost of living. I do enjoy what Oregon has to offer. I haven't been here long, but I can see myself becoming an Oregonian.

I drove up here from Los Angeles in late June. I was glad to leave that crowded apartment and overpopulated city behind. My road trip took 3.5 days. I stopped at Napa, Crater Lake, and Silver Falls. Napa was okay. Wine tasting there was expensive, and I wasn't pleased with the wine there. The Cabernet Sauvignon wasn't to my liking. I have an affinity for French and Italian wine. If that makes me a snob, then I'm a snob.

My next stop was Crater Lake. It was a long drive to get to the lake, but well worth the trip. The view was spectacular. The water appeared as brilliant blue as the sea at the French Rivera. There was still plenty of snow remaining, and the trees were lush and green. The ambiance was beautiful and serene. Crater Lake is the most beautiful lake that I've ever seen.

I wanted to see Silver Falls especially upon learning that one can walk behind some of the waterfalls. The roads to Silver Falls were long and winding, but again, it was worth it. I hiked through the park and saw most of the waterfalls. It was a fun and good exercise. I took pictures and picked salmonberries along the trail. The only problem was that some parts of the trail were muddy.

Portland is the largest city in Oregon. It's the only big city in the U.S. that I can see myself living in. The public transportation system is excellent. The city is also very accommodating to bicyclists. I will surely bring my bike the next time that I'm there. Parking is rather expensive in Portland. I've been to the International Rose Test Garden, the Japanese Garden, Crystal Springs, Rhododendron Garden, the Audubon Nature Park, the Saturday Market, and Powell's bookstore. I enjoyed all those attractions except for the Saturday Market. That didn't impressive me much. Perhaps because I have seen bigger markets elsewhere.

My latest stop was Cannon Beach and Seaside. The Oregon coast sure is picturesque. I was there in the morning until dusk. I walked along the beach, took pictures, went to the aquarium in Seaside, flew my kite, and had delicious seafood. It was a long and fun day.

I hear that summer is the best season here. I suppose that all that rain isn't so fun. Oh well. I'll be studying most of the time anyway. School starts in 3 weeks. Until then, I will explore Portland and perhaps go to Mt. Hood.

Why Everyone needs Health Care

2008-07-19T19:30:00.000-07:00

Prior to last week, I thought that I was a healthy young man who could live without health insurance for the time being. I was wrong. I have not been as sick as I was last week since the winter of 2003 when the ship that I was aboard was underway in the eastern Mediterranean Sea. My illness on the USS La Salle was directly due to seasickness. The rough waters tossed that old ship around and I was feeling nauseous and vomitting for days. I had always felt nauseous during deployments, but that was the worst deployment ever for me. To this day, a cruise will never be my idea of a dream vacation. I will avoid that like the plague.

My illness last week initially seemed trivial. On Monday, I started developing a sore throat. The next day, I purchased Ricola cough drops and began taking them. The last sore throat that I had was a month ago. I treated it with those cough drops and it was gone in a couple of days. However, this time that did not happen. I had taken those cough drops for three days and my condition worsened. I throat had become very dry. I noticed swelling in the back of my mouth and began sensing an acute pain in my upper neck. It was really painful for me to speak, eat, or drink. Opening my mouth brought me to tears. I was rudely awakened by the excrutiating pain in my throat for the second straight night. In addition to my sore throat, I was experiencing congestion in my nasal cavity and fever. By then I was on Sudafed, Aspirin, and Lozenges, but there was no improvement. I forced myself to slurp watered-down hot cereal, yogurt, and soup for sustenance. My condition seemed to worsen by the hour.

I noticed that there was more swelling and redness in the back of my mouth. Any activity that involved opening my mouth or swallowing was an excrutiating ordeal. I finally decided on Wednesday that it was all that I could bear and that I did not have the expertise or training to treat myself. I searched the Internet for local medical clinics. I called them up and struggled to request an appointment. Most of the clinics that I called told me that their doctors were seeing new patients. One of them even told me to try back in two months. The receptionist at the community hospital transferred me to voice mail. It was almost 5:00 in the afternoon when I reached a private clinic 15 miles away that was seeing patients on walk-in basis and was open until 8:00. I felt as if I had hit the jackpot as I rushed over there.

I was so excited about being able to see an M.D. who would explain my condition and prescribe something to make all this pain go away. When I arrived, the receptionist had me fill out paperwork and pay $120 up front since I didn't have health insurance. A few minutes later, the medical assistant weighed me and took my blood pressure and temperature. I struggled in answering questions about my condition as speaking involved opening my mouth and subjecting myself to further pain. When the doctor arrived, she asked me more questions then proceeded to observe my breathing with her stethoscope and looked in my mouth. She took a swap sample of the back of my throat to test it for streptococcus, bacteria that cause strep throat. She said that she would have the result in five minutes.

When she returned, she told me that it was not strep throat that I had. I felt a bit better until she said that my throat did not look "impressive" to her, meaning that it was only minor. I felt stupid for making a big fuss over my pain. I struggled to utter that the back of my mouth was swelling and that this had gone on for three days, but she wasn't moved. I asked her why there was swelling. She nonchalantly answered that it was only my lymph nodes. I wanted to shout at her or at least question her some more, but my throat was aching so badly, and speaking was so hard for me. I asked if there was anything that she could prescribe. She said that I was right in taking the over-the-counter medication and even suggested that I could take twice the recommended dosage on the label. She also said that Advil could also be taken for my pain. I was a bit relieved that the M.D. didn't think much of my throat condition. It didn't seem right to me due to my immense pain and suffering, but she was the one with the M.D. I was disappointed that she didn't write me a precription, adequately answer my questions, or seem to empathize.

I started taking twice the dosage as she suggested for the next couple of days. Doubling the dosage seemed to only worsen my fever. There was no improvement whatsoever. The swelling was bigger than ever and my throat was dry like a desert. I started coughing as soon as I tried to drink water. Any movement in my mouth was more painful than ever. I could only sleep for a couple hours at a time throughout the day. On Friday night, I could not fall asleep due to the immense pain. I drove myself to the emergency room at the community hospital. I should have done that instead of seeing that quack the other day. I was reticent to go to the ER because I didn't think that my condition was exigent. I decided to go anyway because I did not see any other way to stop the pain and suffering. The swelling in my throat was obstructing the opening of my esophagus. Furthermore, my left ear was now especially sensitive to the slightest sounds. I had spent a small fortune on over-the-counter medication and an incompetent doctor and my condition never improved. It only worsened.

It was a good thing that I had gone to the ER that night. The doctor and nurse were proficient, empathetic, and helpful. By then, talking was most excrutiating. My speech was impaired. I communicated with the nurse mainly by nodding, gesturing, and writing. The doctor performed all of the tasks that the other doctor performed, only he did it with more care. He answered my questions thoroughly and explained things to me. When he told me that the swab test for streptococcus was negative, he added that a fast test for strep throat may often be a false negative and that he will request a culture test for me. He told me that what I had was most likely a viral infection due to the swelling of my tonsils and pain in my ear. He prescribed Penicillin should the culture test positive. He also prescribed Hydrocodone for the pain, and Dexamethasone for the swelling. The nurse started me on the medication. That night, I was able to sleep through dawn.

I woke up feeling significantly better. The pain had diminished. After brushing my teeth, I suddenly began coughing. I was coughing up blood. I was perturbed and rushed to the ER. There was now a different doctor and nurse on duty. The doctor explained that the blood was from the lysis of my cyst. He doubled the dosage for my prescription of Penicillin and sent me on my way. I've been on the medication for less than 24 hours and already feeling so much better. The swelling is almost entirely gone and my throat is not as dry and sore as before. Swallowing and talking are not nearly as painful as before. I still feel a bit of pain in my throat from the dryness, but that's about it.

I have not received my bills from the ER visits. I am sure that I will pay a handsome fortune, but such is the case when one does not have health insurance in this country. I am fortunate that I have a credit card that charges a low rate of interest. I have great pity for those who need to pay their medical bills for surgery or hospitalization with credit cards that charge high rates of interest.

One would think that a country that has the best hospitals, staffed with the best doctors in the world, would have a better health care system for its people--a system that makes it possible for those seeking medical care to have access at the onset of their illness rather than that the peak of their illness. It's irrational that a country that is spending billions and billions of dollars policing a civil war in the Middle East in order to "spread freedom and democracy" does not have a system in place to provide for the well-being of its own. That is why there are over 47 million Americans without health insurance.

That is why I believe in universal health care. Health is one of the most important things in life. Mandating health care would be an improvement to the welfare of Americans and thus beneficial to the government. Without health insurance, a person would not have access to cheaper preventative care or medical attention from the onset of an illness. He would need to wait until his condition is critical and get costly emergency care. His medical bills would either be paid for by credit card or by those with health insurance in the form of higher premiums. This is wrong for the patient and wrong for the insured.

Uninsured patients are a burden to the health care system the same way that uninsured motorists are to everyone on the roads or unvaccinated children on the playground. They raise the cost for everybody. If health insurance were mandated, the cost of health care would be spread out and lowered. Everyone would be responsible for his own health costs. There would be more preventative care and routine medical visits and fewer emergency visits. I don't have an M.D., but I know that it would be more effective and economical to treat an infection from the onset than to do so at the height of an infection. Furthermore, treating an infection early on will limit the spread of infection onto the rest of the population. I believe that everybody wins with universal health care--everybody except for credit card companies and HMOs.

Some might say that mandating health insurance unfairly taxes people who can not afford health insurance. My ordeal last week has proven to me that everyone needs health care. Everyone will find himself in need of medical attention at some point in his life. If the federal government mandates Social Security and the state government mandates auto insurance, why would it be unfair to require that everyone have health insurance? Not everyone will live long enough to receive Social Security benefits, but everyone will be ill at some point in his life. Viral or bacterial infections could happen to anyone and at anytime. Why not have a system in place that will reduce the cost of treatment and limit the spread of the infection? When people are healthy, they are less likely to call in-sick. Moreover, a worker in good health would be more productive than an ailing worker. Having more people working productively is of great benefit to employees, employers, and the government. For the government, a more productive work force would yield higher tax revenues.

Others may think that universal health care means uniform health care. They think that government involvement in health care would result in inferior service. Nothing could be further from the truth. Is academics at a public university inferior to academics at a private university? In my opinion, when people who are in need are not able to get the services that they need until it's too late, when hospitals are dumping patients on Skid Row, or when health care administrators and HMOs make medical decisions and deny treatment recommended by doctors; there is something wrong with the system. It is problematic when one needs to go to the ER to receive adequate medical attention. It is the government's duty to step in and do something to rectify injustice and inefficiencies. If the government were to leave the funding of childhood vaccines entirely up to parents, poor children would not get vaccinated and disease would be widespread and the population is left worse off. If there were no public schools, children from poor families would not be able to afford an education and more likely turn to crime.

Universal health care would enable patients to make their own medical decisions based on the advisement of their doctors. To work properly, a universal health care plan must provide several options for the population. At the very least, everyone should have minimal health care coverage. Nobody is safe from infections or accidents. Those wanting or requiring more medical services would pay higher premiums. People may choose to buy the government offered health insurance or a private health insurance. With universal health care, we could build a stronger defense against infectious diseases and the country would be better off. Universal health care is an investment with extensive and immeasurable benefits.

I have learned many things from this ordeal. Many of the things that happened to me last week affirmed my convictions that health is one of the most important things in life, health care reform is needed in America, and that I am truly committed to becoming a health care professional. I have also learned that questioning authority may be necessary and that no one knows your body as well as you do. A wise woman once stated "Pain is the warning that something's wrong." I could not agree more.

McCain '08

2008-06-08T10:35:00.000-07:00

Now that Hillary is out of the running for the presidency, who will I vote for? This is an easy choice for me. Despite Hillary's endorsement of her former rival, I will vote for John McCain. Even if Hillary were Obama's running mate, I would vote for McCain in a heartbeat. Although I am a registered Democrat, I have resolved to vote for McCain over Obama. Any one of the Democratic contenders for the nomination, would have been a far better choice than Obama. Besides Hillary, I especially liked Joe Biden. Unfortunately, idiotic Democrats bought into all the media hype surrounding that ugly, big-eared fool and turned the primary elections into a popularity competition.

Obama will never get a free pass from me. I have never been impressed with Obama. What is there to be impressed about? Okay, he has raised more money than any other presidential campaign ever. Just because a movie is most popular at the box office does not mean that it's a quality movie. Similarly, just because Obama has rampant support and great pools of funds does not mean that he is the most qualified candidate for the toughest job in the world.

I have never perceived him as "eloquent" or "brilliant" as the liberal media often say he is. I see him as pompous, egocentric, self-serving, inexperienced, dishonest, problematic, unqualified, and undeserving of the presidency. Sure, he can be a good speaker, but where's the substance? Where's the experience? Where's the foreign policy expertise? Where are the plans? Being president requires more than just rhetoric and hope. Of course he could have a vice-president and cabinet that have the experience, knowledge, and qualifications that he obvious lacks, but that's absurd! We must demand more from our leaders. We must hold them to higher standards. A leader should be a leader because he is most qualified for the job; not because he is most popular or good at public speaking. Especially when he plagiarises speeches.

Obama is a self-serving and inexperienced politician who will do or say anything just to be popular. Over 20 years ago, he converted to Christianity not for spiritual enlightenment, but for his political ambitions. He joined the most popular black church in Chicago for networking purposes. He has followed Jeremiah Wright for all these years and denies hearing anything controversial. He dismissed Wright's egregious sermons caught on video as being small aberrations that have been overplayed. A month after calling Wright an "uncle" to him, he disassociated with him. Later, he disassociated with his church after a stupid guest pastor made wrongful comments about Hillary.

To me, Obama is not an honest or honourable man. He's a coward. His attempts to repress the revote in Michigan was a clear example of his cowardice and indecency. He can not be entrusted with the presidency. I may agree with him on issues such as Iraq, health care, and gun control, but I firmly believe that it is more important to have a proven leader and someone who has earned the privilege to be president than someone that I merely agree with. Especially when the person that I agree with does not have any experience to substantiate his claims. The person who is elected must be ready on day one. The presidency is not an internship! There's no on-the-job-training.

There's more to my support of McCain than simple default that Obama is a POOR choice for president. To the contrary, McCain is honest, sincere, trust-worthy, wise, courageous, patriotic, and knowledgeable. He is a strong individual who has fought for his country and has EARNED the privilege of being president. I may not agree with many of his stance on important issues, but I respect and trust him as a leader. I trust that he has the experience and wisdom to do what is best for this country. Obama has repeatedly falsely accused McCain of being just like Bush. I completely disagree. McCain, like myself, is a maverick. He will work with both Democrats and Republicans in the best interest of the nation that he is devoted to.

I really wanted to vote for Hillary, but I will have no regrets about voting for McCain. It's an easy choice. Vote for the experienced candidate. There's too much at stake. Besides, if McCain wins, Hillary could return in 2012.

Hard Candy is no treat

2008-04-30T02:59:00.000-07:00

With the success of her last album, Confessions on a Dancefloor, Madonna has followed up with more dance music. Only this time, she has dropped the electronica, technopop, synthesized grooves, and poignant lyrics that she has become known for and replaced them with cacophonic beats and simple, ludicrous words that carry no significance to pop music or the events of this time.

I was anticipating the release of this album until I found out that it was going to be hip-hop based. I've never cared for the work of Madonna's collaborators from this album (Justin Timberlake, Timbaland, Kanye West, or Pharrell Williams). I listened to the 30-second demos of each song online and only the last song, "Voices," sounded okay for me. The 1st single "4 minutes" does absolutely nothing for me. The music for that song is catchy, but the words are senseless and absurd. After listening to the album in it's entirety, I am still disappointed with it. Madonna can certainly do much better.

Madonna has said that she worked on this album in intervals. Listening to this album leaves me asking "What's the point?" Most likely, the purposes behind this album are Madonna's last stand at being sexy before she turns 50 this summer and self-promotion. Judging from the cover with Madonna in a tight bodysuit and big boxer belt and legs wide open, she is still interested in selling her sexuality. She certainly still has the body and youthful appearance to wear tight clothing and pose seductively, but as a mother of 3, she should ease up on the sexuality. Madonna has tried hip hop/R&B before with her Bedtime Stories album. That attempt was successful and beautiful largely due to the pensive lyrics of "Secret," "Survival," and "Inside of me."

"Candy Shop" opens the album with steady drum beats and a feeble attempt to be sexy. Lyrics like "My sugar is raw" does not sound appropriate for Madonna. Artistically, "Give it 2 me" is easily the best and most enjoyable song on this album. However, it's certainly not impeccable. The tedious and redundant repitition of "Get stupid" could have and should have been omitted. "Miles away" with it's acoustic opening and thoughtful lyrics is noteworthy. "She's not me" would have sounded better without Pharrell's horrible singing. "Spanish lesson" is the dumbest song on this album. A child could probably have written a better song. The acoustic sound was a major relief from all of the horrendous hip hop. "Voices" is the only song that makes the most of Madonna's much improved richer vocals following Evita.

To sum, this album does nothing for Madonna as a singer or musician. It's the WORST album of her career and would be best forgotten. I predict that it will have mass appeal and but it will be soon forgotten among the superfluous array of hip hop out there today. Banal is the word that best describes Hard Candy. Unlike past albums by Madonna, there isn't a single song here that I love. The majority of the songs are vacuous and uninspiring. Much of the album consists of filler songs. The words often sound less pleasing when sung. It's such a shame that it took so long for Madonna to develop such an awful album. Furthermore, it's a chagrin that critics ridiculed American Life and Erotica, but praise Hard Candy. I would recommend passing on Hard Candy. C-

Lifehouse at the House of Blues

2008-03-08T13:20:00.001-08:00

I went to my 1st Lifehouse show on Thursday at the House of Blues in Anaheim. I've never seen a major band in concert before, and it was certainly a good time. Lifehouse truly is my favourite band. Jason Wade's voice was as terrific as usual and so was the music. I did not like waiting 3 hours for them to perform though. They started the show at 10. I got home at 12:30. That would have been okay had it been a Friday or Saturday night, but it was Thursday night and I had to work the next morning. Nevertheless, it was well worth it. The only other disappointment was when Bryce Soderberg sang lead for 2 of the songs--Bridges and The Joke. Bryce's voice is rather thin and his range is limited. He should definitely stick to playing the guitar and singing back-up. The set list was also strong. They opened the show with Disarray. They performed the hits Spin, Hanging by a moment, First time, and Take me away. They also performed Somebody else's song, Quasimodo, Who we are, Storm, Whatever it takes, and From where you are. Unfortunately, they did not perform Blind (my favourite), Come back down, Sick Cycle Carousel, or Breathing. Hopefully they'll peform Blind the next time that I see them.

Heath

2008-01-22T23:36:00.000-08:00

After class, I went online to http://www.msn.com/ to check my stocks. I saw the headline "Heath Ledger dead at 28" and could not believe it. It's such a tragedy. He was such a young and talented actor. After seeing him in Brokeback Mountain with Jake Gyllenhaal, I thought that his future would only get better. Instead, his life came to an abrupt end like so many young stars of the past--James Dean, Marilyn Monroe, Natalie Wood, and River Phoenix.

Heath was a gifted and good-looking actor who chose roles to enrich his acting abilities. He was more interested in the art of acting than getting by on his good looks. Like James Dean, he was more than just a handsome actor. He had the talent to have a promising career. Unfortunately, that's not going to happen. An autopsy has yet to be performed, but they say it could have been an overdose of sleeping pills that killed Heath. He was found nude and in bed. He was only 28.

I first saw him in The Patriot with Mel Gibson. Then he was in Monster's Ball. For me, he was most notable in A Knight's Tale and Brokeback Mountain. His portrayal of a gay, reserved cowboy demonstrated his range as an actor. He brilliantly showed us the character's strength and vulnerability. He depicted love, anger, toughness, and sensibility. It was such a chagrin that he didn't win an Oscar for that role. Heath Ledger was one of the best young actors of this era. He leaves behind a 2-year old daughter, Matilda, with actress Michelle Williams.

Hillary

2008-01-16T22:36:00.000-08:00

I just watched the Brian Williams's interview with Sen. Hillary Clinton, and I'm more convinced than ever that she is the one who should be the next president. I firmly believe that she has the intelligence, open-mindedness, experience, diligence, tenacity, and altruism necessary to repair the damage left behind by the current incompetent, wasteful, and foolish Bush administration. Her qualifications SURPASS those of any of her contenders Democrat or Republican. In that interview, Hillary came across as a strong, authoritative, informed, reasonable, and caring person. In other words, she's the antithesis of Bush.

That is what America needs as the next president. Of course we are in dire need of change. However, we need responsible change. We need someone who is has a history of fighting for and delivering change. Experience should be an asset and not a liability. We need a doer and not a talker. We need someone who has a deliberate plan and is ready to assume command on day one. We need someone who will take charge and not rely heavily on the experience and expertise of his staff. We need someone with the resolve, courage, and intellect to champion what is right and listen with an open mind in the White House. We need President Hillary Rodham Clinton!

I would be greatly disappointed in the American people if they don't make Hillary president. She should at least get the nomination. I'm greatly disappointed that Obama has so much support. It suggests to me that Democrats aren't thinking rationally. Moreover, they're not thinking at all! So what if he's "charismatic." So what if he's been forthcoming about his past drug use. So what if he is a good talker. DOES HE HAVE THE KNOWLEDGE, EXPERIENCE, AND LEADERSHIP NECESSARY TO MAKE HIM A GOOD PRESIDENT? HELL NO!!!

If voters would have thought logically and asked themselves that question in 2000 and 2004, Bush would not be president today. The presidency is a powerful and influential office. The presidential election should not be a game or popularity contest. Voting should be based on reputation and qualifications and not likability. We need someone in the White House who can lead and get the job done. If Americans are so interested in charisma and likability, why don't we just set up a monarchy? We could pick an attractive young couple and make them king and queen. For the record, I do not find Obama so charismatic, likable, or trustworthy. I'm skeptical about people who are excessively ambitious and inconsistent. Think people, think!!! This election is for the next world leader and not for homecoming king/queen.

Hillary has the right combination of optism, strength, integrity, reputation, resolve, and reason to make things happen. She has the best solutions for many of today's problems and would be able to assert her authority whenever necessary, but also talk to her opponents and compromise. This ability is of integral importance in these times of disarray.

Without a doubt, the most critical issue is the war in Iraq. It is not making a difference, wasteful, and irrational. It is an enormous onus for the military, American families, and taxpayers. Ending the war in Iraq does not mean ending the war on terrorism. Other issues that concern me are health care, education, stem cell research, immigration, and gay rights. Hillary has elaborate plans to for all of these important matters. That is why I support Hillary Rodham Clinton for president.

Dan

2008-01-06T19:20:00.000-08:00

Today, I was delighted to receive an email from on old friend of mine. We served together on Diego Garcia back in 2001. I haven't heard from him since he left in September of that year. He's such a terrific person. I remember him as a good-natured, athletic, and smart young man of integrity. I regret that I didn't spend more time with him and lost contact after he left. It was good to learn that things have been going really well for him after all these years. He desserves it. He has accomplished muchsince the last time that I saw him. He remained in the Navy for 6 more years and earned his master's in ocean engineering and established himself in D.C. I even learned that he's now engaged.

You may wonder how I was able to find my long lost friend. I knew that he was from Texas so I looked him up on http://www.whitepages.com/. I wasn't sure because there were about a dozen other people with the same name. I was sure after I saw his age. I found an address and sent him a Christmas card. He wrote me 2 weeks later. It was great to hear from him. I hope to hear more from him in the future. I also hope that this inspires you to do the same thing to locate the people that you've lost contact with over the years.

A Tribute to Madonna

2007-12-14T08:08:00.000-08:00

Madonna has just been inducted into the Rock n' Roll Hall of Fame. It's about time that a superstar like Madonna, the Queen of Pop music, gets recognized for her contributions to music. This lady has done it all for over 25 years and with insufficient praise--especially in the U.S. Worldwide, she has been the number 1 female music artist. Madonna is an amazing and unique woman. She has sold hundreds of millions of CDs, performed in sold-out concerts, acted in movies, and written children's books.

Unfortunately, Madonna's music is usually overshadowed by controversy and prejudice. People would make judgements even before her music has been released. As a fan of 14 years, I know that Madonna's music is largely positive, uplifting, and avant garde. Her music isn't simply superficial dance or pop. It conveys important messages of love, equality, and being true to oneself. She is a strong, intelligent, open-minded woman who puts 100% into whatever she does. Madonna's success however, is not attributable only to her blond ambition and tenacity. The woman has talent!

She was a dancer who learned to write music, sing, and play guitar. She has written dozens of beautiful songs throughout the course of her career. Among them are "La Isla bonita," "Like a prayer," "Oh Father," "Secret," "Frozen," "Ray of light," and "Get together." With every new album, there's a new look, feel, and style. She is the ultimate diva--far ahead of any other. Madonna seems to know what the next big thing will be in the music scene and she boldly tries it. Although she tries new things, she never compromises the integrity of her image. She doesn't reinvent herself. Rather, she reveals more and more of herself throughout the years, but she still leaves more to figure out as she's such a complex woman. Congratulations Madonna for being such a remarkably talented woman. I don't care what anybody else says, you are a beautiful and talented woman!

That don't impress me much

2007-12-13T13:49:00.000-08:00

No, I'm not writing about a Shania song. I'm actually going to write about Barrack Obama. I really don't understand this guy or the strong support that he's receiving. Supposedly, his support is just about even with Hillary's in New Hampshire. Obama is an ambitious first-term senator from Illinois who thinks that he can be a great president. Ambition is good, but Obama is just too ambitious and presumptuous. He's charismatic and gifted--I'm not disputing that. He seems to be a great orator and usually says the right things. However, does he have qualities that will make him a great president, a world leader? No, I don't think so.

I see Obama as a talker rather than a doer. He said that he was opposed to sending troops over to Iraq from the beginning. He wasn't even in office at the time! It's so easy for Obama to say that. What has Obama done for Illinois so far in his unfinished term as a senator? He's even won the endorsement of Oprah Winfrey--another great talker. Of course Winfrey is successful, smart, and altruistic, but what does she know about politics? I would take advice from her about talking to people, cocker spaniels, and gaining weight. Definitely not when it comes to politics.

If you were looking to hire a chauffeur to drive you around town, would you hire a 17-year old who got his license the previous year? If you're smart, you wouldn't. Not even if he had a perfect driving record and scored high on his driver's test. You would hire someone who's at least 25 and has a good driving record. Why should we entrust the presidency, the highest office in the land, to a first-term senator who thinks living in a foreign country between 5 and 10 counts as international experience? You must be kidding, right? What would a kid know about foreign policy or international relations?

Obama should step aside and let a seasoned professional get her well-deserved nomination. He should be aiding her rather than challenging her. From Obama, I get all this talk, but not enough action. If he wants to be president, he should focus on his job as a senator and gain experience. Even if he were to get the nomination, I doubt that he would win. From first-hand experience, I know that Americans generally don't like foreign names. Despite being a diverse country, Americans are xenophobic and Obama is a foreign name. It's not a presidential name like Adams, Jefferson, Wilson, or McKinley. I really hope that Hillary not only gets the nomination, but also that she wins the presidency. She has the intellect, experience, leadership, courage, and expertise that America so desperately need in the White House. She's a great person who would bring credibility back to the office of the presidency. Why not support someone who has a done more than talk? As Hillary said, the office of the presidency is no such place for a novice who requires on-the-job training.

Best Dressed Women 2007

2007-12-04T09:40:00.000-08:00

I firmly believe that I have a sense of fashion, taste, and style. It's just one of those things that people either have or don't have. Of course it can be acquired by paying close attention to detail. I think that it's about time for me to write about the 10 best dressed women of 2007. I've seen other lists from fashion magazines and old men who think that they have a sense of fashion, and I have been largely disappointed with their horrible choices (ex. Cameron Diaz, Drew Barrymore, Jennifer Lopez). Not only are their faces ugly, their clothes are ugly too. I feel that I owe it to the stylish ladies and to the world to announce who I think dress well. I urge you to read, take note, and emulate how these women dress to impress.

The women that I have selected look great on the red carpet and in everyday life. They dress well whether they're promoting movies or running errands. They wear things that flatter their bodies and skin tones. Nicole Kidman, Angelina Jolie, Reese Witherspoon, Anne Hathaway, Naomi Watts, Emmy Rossum, Elizabeth Hurley, Michelle Pfieffer, Gwyneth Paltrow, and Claudia Schiffer are women who have style. They were all so chic this past year. What I like is that their clothes are feminine, classic, modest, and sexy. Yes, it is possible to be modest and sexy at the same time. The things Britney Spears wears are not sexy at all.

All women should try and learn something from these 10 best dressed ladies. The dresses that I especially liked this past year were Angelina's little black dress at the Cannes film festival, Reese's little yellow dress at the Golden Globes, and Naomi's yellow maternity gown at the Academy Awards. Brad and Angelinia looked absolutely fabulous in Cannes last May. He was wearing a Gucci tuxedo and she was wearing a lovely black lace dress to the premiere of A Mighty Heart. Reese wore a golden yellow Nina Ricci dress to the Golden Globes. It was fitting and glossy like satin. I do think that blondes look terrific in yellow. Naomi's dress at the Oscars was an off-the-shoulder creamy yellow gown with a black empress-waist sash. The colour complimented her fair skin and golden locks and the light material flowed off her belly.

I'm disappointed that many of my picks did not make it on anybody else's best dressed list. I will be sure to write another best dressed list next year. I'm sure that there will be women recognized on other lists that I would find to be bad dressers.

A Teddy Bear Named Mohammed

2007-11-30T16:45:00.000-08:00

I was disturbed and disappointed when I heard the news that Gillian Gibbons, a Briton who had been teaching in Sudan since last summer, was convicted of blasphemy when she allowed her class to name the class teddy bear "Mohammed." As an atheist, I personally would not be offended if someone were to name a stuffed animal Mohammed, Jesus, Buddha, Zeus, etc. It's only a name. Religion seems archaic and obsolete to me.

I do not know the woman, but I think that she had no intention of offending Sudanese religious zealots. I don't think that she had been in Sudan long enough to understand the controversy behind naming the class teddy bear after the Muslim prophet. Madonna certainly was right on when she sang "Ignorance is not bliss" in her song "In this Life." Furthermore, it was the class that decided upon the name. The teacher allowed it for she did not know. Knowing how mischievous children can be, I wouldn't be surprised if they chose that name just to get their teacher in trouble. Why wasn't that issue mentioned?

Gibbons was sentenced to 15 days in jail and deportation back to the U.K. It could have been worse, but it's still not right. I am grateful to be living in a country where there's a separation between church and state. I say that the only thing that she did wrong was go to Sudan. I enjoy travelling, but there are parts of the world that I would avoid like the plague. I would not want to set foot in primitive, poor countries. Perhaps starvation stupifies people.

Thanksgiving

2007-11-22T14:48:00.000-08:00

Today is Thanksgiving and I've been thinking about all the things that I have to be thankful for. I believe that everybody should have something to be thankful for. At the very least, one can be thankful for being alive. One can be thankful for his life.

Fortunately, I have much more to be thankful for. For starters, I am thankful that I have the bare necessities such as food, shelter, and clothing. I know that there are many people in this world who do not have any of those things. It's tragic that there are people who don't have access to one or more of those basic needs.

Aside from those things, I am thankful that to be home and not risking my life in a foreign country. I am thankful that I'm a civilian and not fired upon. I am thankful to be able to live my life and not dying for what I don't believe in. I'm thankful that I have the opportunity to further my education. I am thankful that I will be able to pursue my goal of becoming an optometrist. Thankful that I have the ability and ambition to do so. I'm thankful that I'm living in a country where I can become the best that I could possibly be. It certainly is a blessing.

I'm also thankful that I have my health, family, and friends. I believe that health, family, and education are among the most important things in life. To those of you who aren't thankful for anything, I suggest that you think again.

Lifehouse: Who we are

2007-10-14T10:33:00.000-07:00

I must take time from my busy schedule to express my feelings about this band. They are the greatest band out there today. This is the band known for songs such as "Hanging by a moment," "You and me," "Come back down," and "Blind." For the past few years, Lifehouse has brought positive, thoughtful, encouraging, provocative, well-crafted, and pleasing music to an era of reality TV stars, government deception, and talentless lyp-synching trashy underachievers. Their latest album has themes of love, struggle, and moving forward. It is pleasing to listen to from beginning to end and repeatedly. I highly recommend this album for those who enjoy acoustic music and Jason Wade's awesome voice.

Jason's voice and lyrics are as noteworthy as ever. "First Time," the first single, is fun, fast, and fabulous. "Whatever it takes" is thoughtful, contrite, and could easily be a hit single. "Make me over" is another one of my favourites from this album. It is upbeat and a classic Lifehouse tune. The piano introduction for "Learn you inside out" is different from the usual acoustic introductions, but beautiful and fitting. It's a song worthy of release as a single and laud. "Storm" is a poignant a capella piece which underscores Jason's outstanding vocal talent. It's a nice finish to a remarkable album.

A Mighty Heart

2007-07-21T16:27:00.000-07:00

If you haven't seen this movie then you are missing out. It's a well-told story and shows Angelina Jolie at her best. Angelina stars as Mariane Pearl, the pregnant wife of journalist Daniel Pearl. Angelina's acting in this movie was superb. Her Cuban-French accent and courageous portrayal were right on. Daniel Pearl (played by Dan Futterman) was abducted and brutally killed in Pakistan. If this movie doesn't get any Oscar nominations, that would be a great injustice to movie-making.

The film was filmed like a documentary on location in India and Pakistan. It's realistic and poignant. It depicts Mariane's collaboration with Pakistani authorities in trying to bring home her beloved husband. Though most people know what happpened to Daniel, the film is successful in captivating the audience by revealing what happened behind the hostage crisis. It's a story of love, hope, and courage. The message of the movie is essential for today's society. DO NOT BE FEARFUL OF TERRORISM AS IT ALLOWS THEM TO WIN. LIVE EACH DAY TO THE FULLEST AND HAVE COMPASSION FOR OTHERS.

Segue

2007-07-21T15:39:00.000-07:00

My last post was 5 months ago! I've been quite busy, but the main reason for this time lapse is my inability to access my blog from my home computer due to some technical difficulties. I'm typing from my brother's computer. There's been quite a few things that I've really wanted to write about. For instance, I've seen so many terrific movies. There have also been things that have peeved me. For instance, the imbecile rantings of a dumb bitch named Ann Coulter and the idiotic policies of our vacuous president. To think that there are fools out there that support these morons is disconcerting. Unfortunately, it's a bit too late for certain things. My next blogs will be about a handful of movies that I've enjoyed since my last blog entry. Those movies include "The Devil wears Prada," "A Mighty Heart," and "North Country."

Madonna's Confessions Tour DVD and CD

2007-02-03T09:52:00.000-08:00

Finally, the most spectacular show of 2006 is out on DVD. In addition, the CD featuring 13 tracks from the show is also included. The DVD features the show in it's entirety, crucifixion scene and all. This show is the best Madonna show ever! The show is undisputable evidence of Madonna's well-earned reign as the Queen of pop music. The set and choreography are amazing. Madonna looks stunning for a woman in her late 40s. The costumes are as sexy as ever, yet age appropriate. Her voice as improved much from the Blond Ambition tour. The DVD was filmed in London.

Highlights from the show are the opening number "Future Lovers," "Get Together," "Music Inferno," "Lucky Star," and "Hung Up." In "Future Lovers," Madonna is dressed in black riding gear and beautifully sings a few lines from Donna Summers's "I Feel Love." She hits the notes right on. "Get Together" and "Music Inferno" are brilliantly choreographed. "Lucky Star" sounds fresh yet still reminiscent of Madonna's early works. The transition from "Lucky Star" to "Hung Up" is smooth and flawless. The use of ABBA's irresistible background music from "Gimme gimme gimme (a man after midnight)" for both numbers is smashing. "Hung Up" not only revives the groove, it reinvents it.

The CD is a pleasure to listen to. It includes some of the best performances from the show. I wish that "Get Together" was included in lieu of the confessions and "Sorry" remix. This DVD/CD package is well worth the money. Hail to the Queen!

Clinton '08

2007-01-20T07:03:00.000-08:00

I'm really excited to see that Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton is announcing her bid for the presidential nomination. She is truly a remarkable political figure and someone I would vote for. She's an intelligent, accomplished, caring, and strong woman. She has characteristics of a fine president. A president with her political experience, accomplishments, intellect, egalitarianism, and humanitarianism is just what this country needs. Somebody needs to stand up to and rectify all of the injustices and wrongdoings of the backward Bush administration. Someone needs to nurture scientific advancements, promote education, work with world leaders, and clean up the environment.

I would vote for Hillary because she would do what's right for the U.S. and the world. She would not shoot first and ask questions later like Bush. She would make informed decisions based on facts and not emotions. I would vote for her because she would get us out of Iraq. To this day, there are still Neanderthals that support Operation Iraqi Freedom. Enough already! It's time to cut our losses. Over 3,000 servicemembers and countless of thousands of Iraqi civilians have lost their lives due to Bush's unjust, costly, gratuitous, and irrational war. Whether 3,000 or 30,ooo military personel die in Iraq, it is certain that: our freedom is not protected and the world is not any safer. I would vote for Hillary because she would work with the different world leaders and not against them or without any regard to them. She knows about cooperation and listening to the others.

Need I say more? She is certainly the most influential, intelligent, and significant first lady in the history of this country. She's light years ahead of Laura Bush (whose ignorance and stupidity were demonstrated in her remark about embryonic stem cell research bringing "false hopes"). And women actually admire this pathetic female? She's much more influential than some presidents of the past. There's only 1 person that I would vote for over Hillary and that's Wesley Clark. I really think that as motivational as Barrack Obama may be, he does not have enough experience to be president. He should serve in the Senate for another 10 years or so.

The only issues surrounding Hillary are her polarising effect and the fact that she's a woman. Well think about America, how polarising has Bush been? Furthermore, Hillary has a reputation for being able to work with people. About the other issue, what does sex have anything to do with work? There are women presidents, leaders, doctors, lawyers, military officers, etc. throughout the world. When it comes to work, there's nothing that a man can do that a woman cannot. Hillary Rodham Clinton may become the first woman president in the U.S. and I'm all for it.

Amaryllis

2007-01-10T11:56:00.000-08:00

I am so pleased with this plant. I would highly recommend amaryllis bulbs as houseplants during the holidays. They are so easy and fast to grow. They provide beautiful colour that will brighten up any winter season. Above is my "Red Lion" amaryllis 4 weeks after planting. Amaryllis bulbs provide instant gratification.

I selected a big bulb so that it would give rise to 2 flower stalks. I planted my bulb about a week before Christmas in a pot with some potting soil. I left about 1/3 of the bulb exposed. I watered it once to initiate growth. I placed the pot next to a sunny window. When I noticed growth, I watered it some more, keeping the soil moist. There was growth within a week's time. The stalks kept growing taller until the end of the 3rd week. That was when the flower bud broke open. Then 2 flowers began to bloom during the 4th week. I moved my amaryllis away from the direct sunlight so that the colour won't fade.

After the flowers fade, I will cut the dead stalks a couple of inches from the top of the bulb and place the plant in direct sunlight again. This will allow the leaves to grow and photosynthesis to take place. This will provide energy for next year's growth and will be stored in the bulb. When the leaves die, I will stop watering and place the plant in the closet for a month. Then I will water it again to get it to rebloom. That's easy enough, right?

Watch this movie

2007-01-03T01:40:00.000-08:00

If you're in need of some witty comic relief, just watch American Dreamz. That's "Dreamz" with a Z. This movie is hilarious and thought-provoking at the same time. I love this movie. Its characters are comical and representive of American society. This is perhaps the most overlooked movie of 2006.

This movie tries to capitalize on the success of American Idol. It was triumphant in substance, but not revenue. As Martin Tweed, the host of the TV singing competition show, Hugh Grant is sensational. This is his best performance since Four Weddings and a Funeral. He's sneaky, wicked, and manipulative, yet aimiable.

Wilhem Dafoe is remarkable as the advisor (puppet-master) to a dim-witted president played by Dennis Quaid. Doesn't that sound familiar? I think this is art imitating life.

Mandy Moore is terrific in the role of Sally, a dumb, but scheming and manipulative contestant. Her singing is commendable. Other noteworthy performances were Sally's agent, Omer an Arab contestant, gay choreographer, and Sally's slow Army boyfriend played by Chris Klein. These characters are so colourful and comical that they'll have you out of your seats laughing hysterically.

Aside from the humor, this film makes us question our frivolous and materialistic aspects of American culture (materialism, overabundance, superficiality, and bigotry). It leaves the audience asking "What is the American dream?," "Is it really how it seems?," and "Is this right?." This movie gives you things to laugh about and things to think about.

2006: In Retrospect

2007-01-01T07:47:00.000-08:00

2006 has certainly been a memorable year for me. It was a year full of highlights and disappointments. I suppose that we must take the good with the bad.

It was the year that I finished my organic chemistry requirement with the exception of the lab. It was not an easy class, but it certainly challenges all some major areas of the brain--the frontal lobe, the occipital lobe, and both sides of the cerebrum. It requires cognition, spatial reasoning, attention to detail, and logic. Though it was fun, I certainly would not take it as an elective. It was also the year that I took the MCAT--twice. I got the same mediocre score both times. I hate that this test could destroy my aspiration of becoming a doctor. I plan to retake it a final time this May. I know that I would regret it if I don't and I'm already burdened with a plethora of regrets. I think that that will be my new year's resolution--to not do anything that I'll regret.

It was also the year that I did my volunteering at UCLA Medical Center. I really do appreciate the health profession and know that it's the right career path for me. It is a dynamic field that demands the logic, objectivity, and expertise of science as well as a humanitarian concern for the well being of others.

This was the year that I lost a long-time friend of mine due to me divulging my feelings for her. On the bright side, I didn't have to tell her about my disappointing MCAT scores. It was also the year that I got reconnected with a Navy friend after more than a year. Leo is doing fine. He's about to get married and move to a different state. He really is a good man and I know that he will be successful.

2006 was also a year that I discovered the finer things that L.A. has to offer. I'm referring to the museums such as the Getty Center and Villa. I love museums. Aside from the traffic, materialism, and lack of monuments, L.A. isn't so bad. However, I would not want to raise my kids here.

2006 was when I saw Madonna in concert for the 2nd time. Though the ticket was expensive, I don't regret going. She is a fabulous performer. Her show was well-choreographed and had elaborate sets and lighting. She certainly has developed her singing voice. She is a true professional. I wish that she would have toured Australia. Unfortunately, there are bigots out there who don't see it or who are threatened by the presence of a strong, intelligent woman. Other examples of this are Hillary Rodham Clinton, Angelina Jolie, and Sharon Stone.

Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt had their beautiful baby girl Shiloh. Madonna adopted a baby boy from Malawi. Tom Cruise (the most overrated actor) and Katie Holmes got married in an Italian castle. Nicole Kidman married Keith Urban in Australia. I hope that they have a child together.

I also remember 2006 as a year when Ford died and Hussein was executed. It was also a year that John Edwards announced that he's running for president. I hope that he wins, or at least a Democrat wins in 2008. We need to steer clear away from Republican policies if we want to get out of Iraq and improve American society.

Saddam Hussein hanging

2006-12-31T18:42:00.000-08:00

This weekend, Saddam Hussein, dictator of Iraq was hanged to death for his crimes against humanity. Although I don't agree with the reasons for going to war with Iraq, I'm glad that he was killed for his crimes. Justice has been served.

Some may say that capital punishment is cruel and unusual punishment, but I do not think so. I agree that certain forms of capital punishment qualify as being cruel and unusual (electric chair, beheading, quartering). Hangings and lethal injections are not cruel or unusual punishments. They bring about quick and easy death. I don't see why some people who may support war oppose capital punishment. Capital punishment is in many ways fairer than war. No soldier is put on trial before getting shot to death on the battlefield. Soldiers are only shot at and killed for being the enemy at the wrong place and time.

As long as there's a fair trial and the criminal is in fact guilty, I don't see any reason against capital punishment. People who kill others should be put to death. Society would be better off without them. Why waste tax money on housing, feeding, and guarding a convict who's as guilty as sin? What good is imprisonment when there's the possibility of escape? I believe that assassins like Sirhan Sirhan and Ted Kaczynski should be executed.

I won't argue that Hussein's execution will be peace or end the war in Iraq since it won't. It certainly will not bring the victims back to life. It does bring justice and shows that crimes and atrocities will not go unpunished. Executions are not "an eye for an eye" as some may think. The criminals are often executed in a painless manner compared to their victims. Capital punishment brings law and order to human civilization.

Nicole Kidman--highest paid actress 2006

2006-12-28T16:23:00.000-08:00

I'm so happy to see Nicole Kidman as the top paid actress in Hollywood. At last, there's a bit of justice in this world. Not only is Nicole exquisitely beautiful, she has tremendous acting talents. This top salary is long overdue.

I knew that Nicole would be an A list actress after watching her in Malice, Dead Calm, and Far and Away. I think that the only thing in her way was her marriage to Tom Cruise. Their divorce was his lost and her gain. She was no longer known as Cruise's wife and was able to stand on her own. She has certainly done so with talent and grace. She was stunning in Moulin Rouge and at her best in The Others and To Die For. Brava to Nicole. Women like Nicole Kidman, Naomi Watts, and Kylie Minogue make me want to go to Australia. With beauties like them, I can overlook their ancestry.

I'm also glad to see Reese Witherspoon, Charlize Theron, and Angelina Jolie being among top 10 highest paid actresses. Reese is a pretty cute actress with remarkable acting talents. Just watch Legally Blonde (both I and II) and Walk the Line. She can do comedy and drama. Her portrayal of June Carter Cash was outstanding and certainly Oscar worthy.

Not only is Charlize Theron is the most beautiful woman alive, she can certainly act. Her portrayal of a serial killer in Monster was right on. She certainly deserved an Oscar for that. I knew that she would be a success after I was captivated by her beauty in Cider House Rules.

Angelina Jolie is ultra SEXY. I didn't care for her when she was married to that nasty old Billy Bob Thorton. She certainly has cleaned up very nicely after adopting her son. Her humanitarian efforts and donations to charity alone are worthy of praise. Nevertheless, Angelina is an excellent actress. She worked so well with Brad Pitt in Mr. and Mrs. Smith. They do make a hot couple. Their daughter Shiloh is a beautiful baby girl. She looks just like her mom, only with blond hair.

Aside from those 4 fabulous leading ladies being among the highest paid actresses, I'm also thrilled that Julia Roberts didn't make the list. She is not pretty and certainly overpaid. Her mouth is so wide, it could swallow a turkey. Her eyes are kind of small and her nose is too long. The only good performance from her was in Pretty Woman. I was disappointed to see names like Jennifer Aniston, Halle Berry, Cameron Diaz, Drew Barrymore, and Renee Zellwegger making the list of top paid actresses. I certainly don't find them attractive at all and strongly feel that they are overpaid for their unimpressive acting. I won't waste any more time discussing them.

My new houseplant

2006-11-04T22:30:00.000-08:00

I have recently learned that it's possible to grow hibiscus indoors as a houseplant. All you need is a sunny south or east window. Other than that, there isn't much to it. Hibiscus are not high maintenance plants. They like warmth, sunlight, and moist soil. Look how healthy my yellow hibiscus is. It blooms almost every day. I place it at a southern window. I water it every other day and it rewards me with big yellow and red flowers and lovely green foliage. It does not require much fertilizer either. A feeding every other week during the growing season should suffice. The name of this cultivar is "Sunny Wind." I look forward to the day when I have a place of my own and plant this beauty where it can grow and prosper. Until then, I am happy with it just the way it is.

Stuck in Iraq

2006-11-03T16:24:00.000-08:00

As a former naval officer, I was not offended by John Kerry's comment about studying hard and doing one's homework being or else get stuck in Iraq. At 1st glance, it may seem like he insulted the military by saying that, but he actually wasn't. He was obviously criticising Bush. Bush's weak academic performance is no secret. Furthermore, his failure to look for accurate information and prepare a strategy has resulted in this catastrophe of a war. His stupidity and arrogance has cost thousands of soldiers their lives, not to mention the Iraqi civilians that have lost their lives.

After 4 years of military service, I can honestly say that military members are not among the brightest people that I have encountered. 1st of all, most service members only have a high school diploma. After spending time in college, I have come to realise that the high school curriculum in this country is lacking. Moreover, those who had college degrees did not seem to value it. They probably barely got by. High schools in general, do not adequately prepare students for college. Sure, it prepares a person for a vocational school or the military.

One may argue that a person can be smart or educated without going to college. I won't dispute that. However, human beings are social creatures and we learn from one another. The college setting is the ideal setting for an exchange of ideas and exposure to new things. It is a place to become cultured. In college, one is exposed to math, science, literature, foreign language, and art among other things. The military certainly does not expose its troops to any of those things. It exposes them to rigor, monotony, conformity, and intolerance. One cannot learn from being closed-minded.

To conclude, I applaud Kerry for standing up to those nasty Republicans. I only wish that he hadn't apologised. I suppose that's just a part of being in politics.

Duke lacrosse rape scandal

2006-10-17T21:57:00.000-07:00

This story and the OJ Simpson trial make me happy that I don't have any intention of practicing law. I cannot help but to lose faith in the justice system in this country. It is not about problem solving or uncovering the truth. It's more about politics and overpowering others in order to benefit. It does not seem completely fair and impartial to me.

I don't understand why that idiot of a D.A. in North Carolina is wasting time and money charging 3 college boys from Duke in light of the DNA evidence. As a premed student, I am partial to scientific evidence. I know that no 2 samples of DNA can be identical unless they were taken from the same person or identical twins. The fact of the matter is that DNA samples were collected from the entire Duke lacrosse team and none of the samples match what was found on the "victim." The charges should have been dropped then and there. That was the case with Karr when his DNA did not match the DNA found at the crime scene.

Furthermore, the "victim," who's a stripper, was unable to identify her "attackers" in the initial line up. The consistency of her story is lacking. To make matters worse, the other stripper did not substantiate anything that the "victim" claimed. It does not take much to see that there should not be a case. The motive of that fool of a D.A. is re-election. It just so happens that the accuser is African-American and the defendants are Caucasians. He did not want to lose black votes.

If we cannot manage to look beyond physical appearances in our judicial or electoral processes, then we Americans are nowhere as advanced or superior as we think we are. I can understand the notion of allowing a guilty man walk freely rather than convicting an innocent man. What I don't understand is why legal battles should be racially motivated. Why should an idiot that doesn't understand the significance of DNA evidence and prosecutes based on popularity be re-elected?

Madonna's adoption

2006-10-17T21:24:00.000-07:00

Madonna and her husband Guy Ritchie have been subjected to criticism for adopting a baby boy from Malawi. What is this world coming to? Taking on a parental role for a child that is not one's own is a highly commendable act. It's even more commendable for someone to look beyond physical appearances and adopt a child of a different race. Not many, even in this day and age would be able to do that. It certainly shows open-mindedness and sincere altruism. If more people could do that, there would be fewer orphans suffering in crowded orphanages.

What Madonna and Guy are doing is laudable and should not be subjected to scrutiny or criticism. They say that adopting outside of one's ethnicity is wrong as it removes the child from his culture. Well, what choice is there? Should orphanages deny couples the right to adopt an orphan of a different race or ethnicity? That is irrelevant. What is relevant is whether or not the couple can provide the child with a good home. No matter the race, we are all Homo sapiens. Why should the parents' ethnicity or sexual orientation matter? So what if the child gets to grow up away from his homeland. There are immigrants all over the world. I'm sure that given a choice, anyone would rather be well off in a foreign country than to starve in his native country.

The people who are contesting Madonna and Guy's adoption are fools with too much time and money in their hands. If they're so concerned about the orphans of Malawi, why don't they devote their resources to the orphanages rather than a legal battle? Madonna's pledge to raise $3,000,000 to aid Malawi orphans whose parents died of AIDS is philanthropic and genuine. I suppose it's true that no good deed goes unpunished.

Goldfish

2006-10-01T08:22:00.000-07:00

Fishkeeping is something that I have enjoyed ever since I was a little boy. I'm fascinated by the bright colours of fish, how fish are able to live in water, and the upkeep of a fish santuary. Keeping a thriving aquarium requires a commitment and knowledge of science. Yes, science is involved in maintaining the fish's diet, water quality, and temperature. All of these things must be properly controlled or else the fish would die.

I like to keep fancy goldfish. That's my 29-gallon aquarium with my 10 goldfish. Yes, they're a bit overcrowded, but I couldn't help it. Their names from left to right are Pearl, Malachi, Benny, Pierre, Luca, Teddy, Daphne, Florette, and Beatrice. I feed them thrice a day and remove 5 gallons of water every week using a siphon. This gets rid of the ammonia-containing wastes too. Ammonia can be fatal to fish. I then add 5 gallons of clean and treated water. It's a labour of love. As you can see, my aquarium is thriving with elodea, pennywort, and sword plants.

Goldfish were selectively bred by the Chinese from the common carp. This artificial selection is evidence that evolution takes place! It proves that there is genetic variation among populations. Some traits are better suited for surviving and reproducing than others. The only difference is that humans have selected the ones that are to survive and reproduce rather than nature. Take a biology class if you're skeptical. Anyway, the science involved in fishkeeping includes genetics, biology, chemistry, and physics. Aside from the science, having an aquarium gives me something to do. My fish depend on me to provide for them. At the very least, the purpose of my daily existence is to take care of my fish.

I also keep tropical fish. They include gourami, guppies, platys, and neon tetras. Tropical fish are lower maintenance and less expensive than fancy goldfish. Do not keep them together since they have different diets and temperature needs.

9/11

2006-09-11T10:51:00.000-07:00

Today is the 5th anniversary of the 1 of the darkest and most terrifying days in history. It was a day that changed everything. I was stationed on the British island of Diego Garcia at the time. Diego Garcia is a tiny tropical island in the Indian Ocean, 7 degrees south of the equator. It was after work at around 6 p.m. I was heading back to my room after collecting seashells on the beach. I ran into a coworker who informed me that a plane had crashed into a trade tower in New York. I rushed into my room and turned on the TV. It was initially thought of as an accident. That suddenly changed after the 2nd plane collided into the other tower. Moments later, both towers exploded and came crashing down. It was horrifying to see the footage. There were also reports of another plane crashing into the Pentagon and another plane crash in Pennsylvania. Around 3,000 people had lost their lives. This day could have been a day of unity. A day when the leader of the free world gathers support from the free nations and collectively fight terrorism.

These attacks were attacks on capitalism and democracy. They were acts of religious fervor and animosity towards Americans. It's pathetic that religious beliefs can make people do such egregious and stupid acts. It was justified for the Bush administration to go after Osama bin Ladden and Al-Qaida in Afghanistan. They were obviously the culprits of these atrocities. It's an enormous failure that bin Ladden is still loose. Bush and his administration would later prevaricate to the American people that Iraq had weapons of mass destruction, planned to use them against us, and had ties to Al-Qaida. None of this has been substantiated. These lies were simply used to manipulate the minds of the American people and rally support for his administration and the war against Iraq. People were led to believe that a pre-emptive war with Iraq was the right thing to do and that anybody that does not support this cause was un-American or even anti-American. Bush used the fear and ignorance of the people to gain political and military power. To learn more about this, see Fahrenheit 9/11. It's an excellent documentary. The film was thoroughly researched and comprehensive. The war scenes and actions of Bush were rather disturbing.

To conclude, going after Al-Qaida was the right thing to do since they initiated it by disturbing the peace. Bin Ladden should have been captured by now. Pre-emptive war does not resolve anything. It's terrorism using government funds. The military makes up the Department of Defense not the Department of Offense. Pre-emptive strikes only lead to other forms of retaliation. The vicious cycle just continues back and forth. Of course if every country were a democracy, there would be a stronger likelihood for world peace. However, freedom and democracy would not be a favourable form of government for countries which have factions and no separation between church and state. A strong central governmental authority is needed to repress the warring factions. Freedom and democracy cannot be spread as Bush foolishly misconceives, but rather it must be demanded and achieved by the people within a nation. Bush was wrong to go after Iraq pre-emptively and Americans were foolish to believe the Bush administration and dump their champagne.

I'm going to tell you a secret.

2006-09-10T23:19:00.000-07:00

This long yet cleverly titled sequel to Truth or Dare features a more mature and profound Madonna. You won't see her "in bed" with her dancers or demonstrating fellatio with a bottle. It shows her as a caring, spiritual, smart, and talented middle-aged woman balancing her career and family. We see the different facets of her life as it is today--her work, family, and spirituality. Madonna isn't really "re-inventing herself," but rather revealing more of herself (figuratively).

The DVD is lengthy and would be of greatest interest to her true fans. It is a documentary of her 2004 Re-invention tour. The performances were amazing and filmed in Paris. Unfortunately, they're abridged. Better editing could have been done to keep the performances in their entirety. My least favourite part was the black and white close-up of Madonna with her eyes closed contemplating her spirituality prior to her visit to Jerusalem. Though not as fun, bold, and entertaining as Truth or Dare, I'm going to tell you a secret offers insight into Madonna's mind and Kabbalah. It's certainly more honest and revealing than her 1st documentary. Although it was precious to see her kids Lola and Rocco, I wish that Madonna would have simply released a Re-invention Tour DVD. The same message could have been conveyed to her audience in a less lengthy and more enjoyable way. The key to viewing this would be to do so with patience and open-mindedness.

This also includes the 1st ever live CD from Madonna. The song selection on the CD certainly could have been improved. The "Hollywood" remix, "Die Another Day," "Lament," and "Holiday" could have been replaced with superior performances such as "Deeper and Deeper," "Frozen," "Burning Up," and "Secret." Madonna's vocal performances of these songs in particular were superb. Fortunately "Vogue," "American Life," "Like a Prayer," "Imagine," "Into the Groove," and "Music" are included to enhance the CD. The bagpipe music that accompanies "Into the Groove" was brilliant. Much of the repetoire has been remixed and revamped.

Peyton Place

2006-09-09T08:51:00.000-07:00

I'm writing this entry because I feel that this movie has not been given the recognition that it deserves. Peyton Place is a breakthrough movie of the 1950s. I would place it in the same league with A Streetcar Named Desire, Suddenly Last Summer, and From Here to Eternity. Though it was nominated for 9 Academy Awards in 1957, it did not receive a single 1. How unjust is that? More unjust than last year's Brokeback Mountain only receiving an award for best director. But that's a different story. Why must Academy voters shun a little controversy?

Peyton Place is a quiet, picturesque small town in New Hampshire where appearances are everything and sex is taboo. It's just a facade since the people aren't so prim and proper. The teenagers all have raging hormones and the parents do what they can to repress sexuality. The residents are active church goers, but they certainly don't practice what is preached to them. They gossip and judge each other to the fullest degree. Conflict arises from the hypocrisy, ignorance, intolerance, and sexual repression. The story deals with sexual issues such as rape, abortion, sex education, and sexuality itself.

The 2 subplots are the conflict between a rebellious teenager and her sexually-repressed mother (Lana Turner) and the rape and abuse of a teenage girl (Hope Lange) by her stepfather. In the 1st subplot, the audience learns that things aren't as they appear to be. The 2nd subplot results in a murder trial. Though controversial at the time, the film seems tame by today's standards. I really like classic movies. Why can't they make movies the way they used to? Perhaps too many Americans don't want to be provoked when going to the movies. They just want to see dumb comedy, torrid sexuality, or brutality. What does this say about Americans? The performances are stunning--especially those of Lana Turner and Hope Lange. This film was avant garde.

Oh Brother!

2006-09-08T08:05:00.000-07:00

I learned yesterday that my brother's returning to his submarine. The last time that we spoke, he didn't sound happy about it. He didn't want to leave his girlfriend behind. He was back in Hawaii for 6 weeks of training. I wish that he would have listened to my advice and stayed away from the Navy. I guess some people need to learn the hard way. I'm relieved that my life does not revolve around a ship's schedule anymore.

On the bright side, my brother met his girlfriend while serving in the Navy. He was planning to separate until a few months ago. Now, he's applying to Officer Candidate School. That was sheer hell for me. There was so much pain and degradation just become a pawn. I wish him well.

For more information about my brother, visit www.maxpham.com.

African violets

2006-09-06T20:38:00.000-07:00

After experiencing peaks and troughs with my African violets, I have finally discovered how to grow lovely and healthy violets. 1st and foremost is light so that the plant can perform photosynthesis. They need bright indirect light. African violets will burn when exposed to direct afternoon sunlight--especially during the summer. An east-facing window would be ideal. A north-facing window is 2nd best. Temperature is also of great importance. African violets enjoy room temperature. If you're feeling hot or cold, chances are, so is your violet. Keep it away from air conditioners or heaters. Keep the soil moist, but never soggy. I use wicks to water my violets. It's easy to set up and saves time. The last bit of advice is to never fertilize your violet. They do just fine without any fertilizer. The slightest excess of fertilizer results in plants with deformed crowns. That is, the center leaves will be spaced really closed together and have thick stems. The buds are deformed too. For more information, go to www.avsa.org. By the way, the violet pictured is my trailing violet. It's called Honeysuckle Rose. I've had it for a year. Take it from me and happy growing!

Michael Buble/ Caught in the Act

2006-09-05T07:03:00.000-07:00

I 1st heard of him 2.5 years ago when I saw a TV commercial for his album Michael Buble (bu-blay) in my Paris hotel room. It featured the song "Fever." He sounded so wonderful that I rushed over to the music store to buy his album. I'm still hooked. I was amazed that he was young and crooning like that. Michael Buble has an amazing voice and is a fabulous performer. He's the Sinatra of today. He performs every song on this DVD effortlessly and as if they were his own. The song selection, sequence, and arrangements are brilliant. Bravo David Foster. Though some of the songs may be arranged and mixed much differently than the originals, they still sound great. It's as if they were written for Buble. There's a good mix of lively jazz standards and ballads. My favourites include "Feeling Good," "Sway," "Fever," "Moondance," "Save the Last Dance," and "How Sweet it is." The musicians are marvelous performers too. He interacts with the audience and has a good sense of humour. I think that I'm pretty good at spotting stars in the making (Nicole Kidman, Charlize Theron, and Jake Gyllenhaal). Michael Buble is definitely 1 of them. Get this CD/DVD, enjoy, and expect to hear more from him in the future.

Les Choristes

2006-08-25T07:41:00.000-07:00

I have just seen an outstanding movie. It's a French film about a music teacher who reforms his unruly lot of orphaned boys into a finely orchestrated chorus. The boys were terrible to their teachers, but he never gave up on them. The film's theme is about perseverance, kindness, patience, and making the most of one's gifts. This movie contains beautiful music. It provokes all sorts of emotions--laughter, anger, appreciation for humanity, pride, and tears. It has instantly become one of my favourite films.

I would recommend this film to someone who appreciates music, education, and children. I would not recommend this to people like the numerous bigots that served with me on the USS La Salle. If more people were like them, this world would be in ruins. I'm so glad that I won't see them ever again. What Neanderthals!

Madonna

2006-06-06T13:39:00.000-07:00

Madonna's Confessions tour was terrific. The tickets are a bit pricey, but it's to see the 1 and only Madonna--the Dancing Queen. It's well worth it. I went to the last show at the Forum on the 24th. She was sensational and the show was well-conceived and well-choreographed. There was so much dancing in contrast to Re-Invention. Everyone was up dancing and clapping throughout most of the show. Madonna looked so lovely and healthy. She performed many songs from her latest album and some classics like "Ray of Light," "Lucky Star," and "Like a Virgin." I wish that she would have performed "Open Your Heart" and "Everybody." I didn't like the version of "Erotica" that she sang. The spoken parts were omitted and it was all chorus. Though the choreography was fabulous, I also didn't care for the version of "Music" that was performed. I know that change is good, but the classics should not be altered. Madonna's grand entrance was spectacular. She emerged from a giant crystal-encoated disco ball in equestrian gear complete with whip and sang "Future Lovers." That was brilliant! I personally had no problem with the crucifixion since I'm not religious. However, those religious zealots that find it objectionable are completely missing the point. It wasn't an offense to Christianity, but a reminder that others are suffering and in need of aid. Helping the children in Africa is the Christian thing to do. I suppose people will believe what they want to believe. The costumes were nice, but I was expecting to see something more extraordinary from Jean-Paul Gaultier. On the way home from the concert, KBIG was playing entirely Madonna's songs. What a terrific ending to a thrilling night.

Military service

2006-02-25T15:26:00.000-08:00

Today I received an email from an old friend of mine regarding his return to the U.S. from being stationed in Afghanistan. I'm so relieved that he made it home safely and that he's out of harm's way. He's serving in the Army, but his obligation ends this year. He has no intention of re-enlisting. Though military service is important to national security, it certainly is not for everyone. It's a tough lifestyle. I can't believe that I was able to do it for 4 years. I suppose it was all mind over matter.

I am certainly elated that I'm a civilian again. I never should have signed up for the Navy in the 1st place. Every day, I am grateful for all the little things in life that people may take for granted. Being able to choose what to wear, hairstyles, and sleeping on one's own bed are things that I fully enjoy. As Martha Stewart would say, "Freedom is a good thing." The military is a highly regulated institution where there's no tolerance for differences and independent thinking. Every aspect of one's life revolves around the mission and individual sacrifices are expected to be made. Service members are subjected to uncomfortable living conditions and the Uniform Code of Military Justice rather than the U.S. constitution. Rights that Americans are entitled to in every day life such as freedom of speech and privacy are nonexistent in the military. So is the notion that all men are created equal.

This is who I am

2006-02-23T17:19:00.000-08:00

Welcome to my Blog site. I'm Vietnamese-American and in my 20s. I'm a post-baccalaureate student at UCLA. I'm trying to get into medical school. I'm interested in a wide array of things as I am open-minded. I like to have an opinion about everything. The classes that I have enjoyed most in school have been French, math, physics, and organic chemistry. I don't care much for classes such as philosophy, history, psychology, sociology, cultural anthropology, or English. My favourite cities so far are Paris, London, Roma, Athens, and Washington, D.C. Feel free to contact me for travel advice. Right now, I'm most interested in travelling to Canada (esp. British Columbia and Quebec) and Australia. I like bright, cheerful colours such as yellow, royal blue, turquoise, red, and green. I can't stand purple, orange, or pale pink. I like magenta though I wouldn't wear it. It's a girl's colour! My favourite movies include October Sky, La vita e bella, and Gone with the Wind. My favourite musical artists include Madonna, Michael Buble, Kylie Minogue, Shakira, and Chris Isaak. Though I watch TV very infrequently, I love to watch CSI (except for the Miami one). My favourite foods are Vietnamese, French, and Greek. For leisure, I like to tend my fancy goldfish, houseplants (African violets and orchids), and read novels. My favourite works of literature include Great Expectations, A Tale of Two Cities, Les Miserables, The Da Vinci Code, and A Streetcar Named Desire. I will try and update this periodically as my busy schedule dictates.