a matter of life and death.

I have been fortunate throughout my lifetime to have very few encounters with death. I grew up rather unfamiliar with the reality, finality, and pain of death. In today’s society of constant news I have even become jaded to the daily reports of lives lost in war or in other tragic circumstances. Unfortunately, today death has become evermore real to me. This morning I learned that a high school peer of mine died this weekend in a motorcycle crash. I can’t say that I was very close friends with him or that we spoke more than a dozen times over the six years I knew him, but it’s still hard to believe that he’s gone.

In the news report he was referred to as a “21-year-old Overland Park man.” I was struck not only because he was so young, but also that he was referred to as a “man.” When did we become men? Weren’t we just teenage boys playing basketball together in P.E and anxiously talking about girls?

It’s moments like this that reminds me of the frailty of life and the suddenness of death. Although I still can’t fully grasp the reality of death, I am reminded of the meaning and purpose of my life.

The lyrics of a MercyMe song say, “You never know why you’re alive, until you know what you would die for.” I would die for Christ. Maybe it’s time for you to consider what you would die for.

Mike, Rest in Peace.

a tribute to great men

(Clockwise from top-left: Secretary Norman Mineta, Dr. David Ho, Toby Dawson, Yul Kwon)

Aside from shaking my hand, what do all these men have in common? They are all great Americans. They have served this country as Secretary of Commerce and Transportation, they have identified the HIV virus, they have won the bronze medal in skiing and they have won a season of Survivor. In their respective fields they have excelled and made a tremendous contribution or achievement that has improved this country. They are all leaders who make me proud to be an American.

By the way, did I mention that they all happen to be of Asian decent as well? As an Asian-American, meeting these people was a particularly great honor. Perhaps it's because I can see within this handful of men the potential that lies in Asian-Americans like myself. Slowly we are emerging from years of discrimination and glass-ceilings to bring about a better future for our country, the United States of America.

I myself feel a great responsibility to excel and make great achievements as I serve my God, my country and pay tribute to my heritage. I want to one day be remembered as someone who did something for others, who truly served others to his utmost ability, and someone who was proud to be Asian and American.

Asian-American Pioneers

Tonight was the most outstanding night. I just returned from a Gala of Asian-American Leaders and I had the wonderful pleasure of meeting Dr. Ho (Time's 1996 Man of the Year), Secretary Mineta (Secretary of Treasury under "dubya"), Toby Dawson (Olympic Bronze Medal Skier), Ambassador Lee (S. Korea's ambassador to US) and finally.. Yul Kwon (recent winner of Survivor).

More photos/follow-up to come. But for now...

One of these two men were voted one of "People's Sexiest Men Alive." M.. take your guess.

family matters

Growing up, one thing I always felt was missing was my extended family. It's not that I didn't have any extended family, I did. The problem was that they all lived in Korea. So that meant that aside from the occasional summer trip to Korea, it was simply the four of us. Don't get me wrong I have a wonderful and loving family, but I always used to wonder what family reunions were like or how Thanksgiving dinner would be different with more seats at the table. Perhaps this is the reason that I'm excited for when Eddie and I both begin having children, and we'll have to have many of them so they don't feel the same way.

But yesterday, I met my mother's aunt for the first time (that I can recall atleast). I had dinner with my "immo halmuni" (my Aunt-Grandmother), her daughters, and their children who all live in Virginia. At first it was quite awkward, we spoke about the job and the weather. But soon we got to know each other and I slowly became "Uncle Jason" to the young boys.

Last night was the first time that I've felt that larger sense of family in America and it was wonderful. There's something about being related to someone that creates an inherent bond of trust and familiarity. For most of my life I've wondered what this feeling would be like and now I know (it's warm and tingly).

As I left last night my immo halmuni promised me that this was just the beginning and that we would have many more encounters to come. Perhaps it's time to buy more chairs for the dinner table...

walk the walk: register to vote.

On Nov. 2, 2004, 10.5 million under-25 voters went to the polls, compared to 8.7 million in 2000, raising the turnout rate to 42.3 percent from 36.5 percent. The past presidential election was a dramatic demonstration of the power, influence and ability of America's young people. Still, we can do better.

This summer in DC has been especially exciting for me because it has marked the beginning of the first presidential election I can vote in. Tonight a bunch of my friends and I watched a really exciting debate between the Democratic candidates, then we spent a couple hours afterwards discussing the issues and sharing our opinions. And as excited as I am about being knowledgeable about the issues and being involved in the democratic process, I know that there are those young people out there who are simply apathetic. To be honest, their apathy or lack of interest in politics doesn't bother me.

However, what does bother me is when young people complain about issues and express dissatisfaction about the status quo but do absolutely nothing about it. They talk the talk, "We shouldn't be in Iraq" "College tuition is way too high" "I believe in protecting life" yet when election time rolls around and they have a chance to do something about it, they sit idly.

So my challenge to young people today, regardless of political affiliation, is to walk the walk. Don't simply talk about what you don't like about this country, about what could be better, rather be the catalyst to that change. Now I'm not saying that young people should blindly register to vote, rather, I believe that young people have the ability and the responsibility to become educated on the issues and make their voices heard.

If you'd like to become more educated on the issues:
CNN Election Center, Rock the Vote, NYT Political Blog

hairspray.

This is a feel-good movie that'll have you dancing and singing out of the theater. I couldn't help but smile like a fool throughout the entire film. I thought it was great and would highly recommend it. 4.5/5

sad day: So You Think You Can Dance results

For those of you who may not know, I'm an avid dancer. I'm all about swing and hip-hop. There's something about feeling the music and dancing that is simply undescribable.

It's for this reason I have no shame in admitting that this summer I have also become an avid fan of the show "So You Think You Can Dance." My Wednesdays and Thursdays in the office pass treacherously slowly as I anticipate the show those evenings. The show is great because there is so much talent and diversity of dance displayed. Plus, a lot of the girls are... really nice.

Today, however, is a sad day as my favorite guy dancer "Hok" was voted off. Hok was the b-boy, hip-hopper with crazy hair from Canada who I steadfastly supported throughout the show. Unfortunately his reign on the show is over but life must go on.

rock the vote.

new layout: better or worse?

let me know.

hermaphro.. what?

So recently I decided that I would get back to one of my favorite old-school hobbies reading (another old-school hobby? pogs). I didn't have a book that I had heard much about or really had an urge to read, so I wandered into the bookstore and began browsing. I came across a book called "Middlesex" by Jeffrey Eugenides author of "The Virgin Suicides." It had a nice looking cover (I always judge a book by it's cover) and it also happened to be recommended by Oprah (who btw also is a strong supporter of Obama), so I bought it.

now reading: Middlesex by Jeffrey Eugenides

Only a couple days later did I open it up to read what it was about... "This wondrous epic from the author of 'The Virgin Suicides' travels from Mt. Olympus to Detroit to tell the story of an all-American hermaphrodite." That's right, I'm currently reading a coming of age novel about a hermaphrodite. At this point, I'm half way through the book but still unsure about what I think. I must say it's quite different: quite interesting at times, also quite disturbing at times. But I'm trying to keep an open mind and I'll let you know my thoughts when I finish.

marriage: i do?

Recently the idea of marriage has become abundantly real to me. No, I'm not considering marriage myself (far from) but it turns out many of my peers are. Within the last couple months I have learned that 2 friends my age have gotten married and 2 friends younger than me have gotten engaged.

When I learned about all these developments my response was one of shock, then disbelief, then joy, and finally puzzlement. At my age, I can't even fathom proposing to someone let alone getting married to someone. Marriage is such a binding commitment, it's such an adult commitment, and it's forever. Goodness, these days I still have second-thoughts selecting my own ice cream flavor, obviously I'm no where near selecting my wife. But I have a great amount of respect and joy for my friends who are taking their steps down the aisle. In this department, they are far more mature than I am (hopefully).

As for myself, I am completely content with living my single life and developing myself so that when the "right girl" comes along I'll be ready to take the plunge myself.

do you believe in magic?

About 7 years ago I could have legitimately called myself a Harry Potter fan, but my impatience got the best of me, I couldn't bear the idea of waiting a year for each new book release. Last night, I went to go see Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix to relive some of my childhood magic. I thought it was quite entertaining, but not much more than that. 3/5

Siskel, Ebert, Roper & Lee weigh in.

In high school one of my passions was journalism. I was the editor in chief for my school paper and also a guest movie reviewer for the teen section of the Kansas City Star, my favorite part of which was watching films one or even two weeks before they premiered and then writing scathing or gushing reviews. This summer as an old man, I have been watching many movies and now I’ll share with you some of my “expert” opinions:

Evan Almighty

-Slightly disappointing. I found 40 year old Virgin hilarious, so with Carell’s new movie I had quite high expectations. I thought Evan Almighty would be a clever, light-hearted comedy but I found the film a little surface level and predictable (spoiler! there’s a flood at the end). 2.5/5

Ratatouille

-Pixar has never failed me, now add Ratatouille to their list of successes. Pixar just has a magical, Disney early-90’s formula of great characters and deep story lines that warms my heart. 4.5/5

Transformers

-Rather than warming my heart, Transformers got my heart racing and kept me glued to my seat. With past success like Independence Day, Armageddon and Bad Boys, director Michael bay has proven himself the master of action films. The film was wildly entertaining and certainly worth the terribly inflated prices of DC movie tickets. 4.5/5

Movies I still plan to see: Ocean’s Thirteen, Die Hard, Harry Potter.

perspective

I want to introduce you to a man named Brett Leake.

He's hilarious. He's been on Jay Leno. He was also born with muscular dystrophy and has spent 43 years of his life confined to a wheelchair.

Yesterday I saw Brett do an hour of stand up (sit down, rather) comedy and it was really funny but also really inspiring. His philosophy is that life is full of problems but you've got to be able to find the humor in every problem. As he spoke about his life, he really put things in perspective: life is a miracle, life can be difficult, but life is SO precious. It's amazing to see someone who's lived such a difficult life, love life so much more than those more fortunate.

So next time you get caught off on the highway or have a rough day at work... take a moment to consider how lucky you are to be living.

for his glory

God gives us all different talents and abilities so that we may glorify him…

K.J. Choi: I just want to thank the Lord for just bringing me this win and all of the success I’ve had in my career. I’m just shocked at myself being able to win Jack and Tiger’s tournament. You know, I can’t really express in words what this means to me. All I can say is I just did my best. I just believed in the Lord, felt like He was with me all this time. I just tried to make myself as comfortable as I could, just pray hard, and just give it my best shot and approach it like a professional.

“I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father.” -John 14:12-13

a glimpse of greatness

Every so often in sports someone special comes along, an athlete who seems to break all the rules and changes the nature of the game: Jordan, Ali, Mantle, Gretzky... and Tiger.

Today I got a glimpse of greatness. I went to the ATT National and watched Tiger tee off an amazing 300 yards. One day when they talk about the golf legend Tiger Woods, I'll be able to say I saw him play. Today I also saw KJ Choi, Stuart Appleby, Vijay Singh, and Anthony Kim (got his autograph).

It was a beautiful day and quite enjoyable following KJ (who began as the leader) around the course. It was slightly bizarre being part of the huge Korean horde following him around, but I certainly felt a sense of pride. There's something about seeing someone who looks like you doing well in a sport with so few minorities.

Anyways, boy do I still feel fortunate. Be thankful for your blessings.

july4th: belated reflection

This was pretty much the view I got Wednesday night sitting on the national mall watching the fireworks, it was spectacular.

As I watched the stunning show, I experienced a deep sense of appreciation. I am so fortunate... to live in the United States, to have been born into a middle-class home, to have gone to a good school, and to have traveled the world. This privileged life I live was not mere coincidence or good fortune, rather, it came with a price. The price was paid by my forefathers, by the brave men/women of the armed forces and by my immigrant parents...

and to them I say thank you.

stupid-people anonymous

Let’s face it, nobody is perfect and everyone does stupid things. Isn’t it one of the most foolish feelings getting caught doing something stupid? This includes everything from leaving your cell phone on during church service to picking your nose when you think no one is looking.

I’m constantly caught in the same act: dancing in public. I have this tendency to practice random dance moves throughout my day, but I can’t tell you how many times elevators have opened with me dancing in them or someone walks into the bathroom with me practicing my newest rave move.

Today was a pretty empty day at the office. And as I was walking down the hallway to the bathroom I get the urge to do a robot/harlem-shake-esq dance. I’m doing my thing when suddenly this woman comes out of no where; she sees me and gives me a confused look. I decide to go with the “play it off cool method” by doing the same motion less vigorously as if I was simply practicing the drums.

I’m sharing my stupid moment with hopes that you will do the same; to create a forum of sorts embracing human imperfection and debunking our perfectionist standards. Please if you’re reading this (if anyone’s reading this) leave a comment sharing your moment(s) of stupidity.