Senior Year on the Horizon

I'll be flying back to school tomorrow for my Senior year of college, frightening isn't it? How time passes so quickly? I thought I'd make the most of my last day at home by riding my bike to the local pool, taking a dip and reflecting on the three years that have passed and the final year on the horizon. Here are a couple of goals I have in mind:

1. Quality time with Quality People.
My last year with some dear friends. I want to make sure I really take the time to love people.

2. Serve with a thankful heart.
God calls us to serve and love him with all our heart. I think there are unlimited opportunities to do God's work during our college years.

3. Have fun, be joyful.
Much of my earlier years of college were spent stressing, worrying and being "too busy;" I want to make sure I savor the precious time I have remaining and have a blast doing it.

growing up as a PK

Many of you probably know that both of my parents are professors which makes me a "PK," a professor's kid. My life has been pretty interesting growing up with two parents as professors. From a very early age people would call the house asking for "Dr. Lee" I would subsequently ask them "which one?"

People always seem pretty impressed by their subject-matter too. My Dad teaches Pharmacy; perks being that he deals with a lot of lab rats so we always had free hamster cages/food. Mamma Lee teach Computer Science; perks being that she knows a lot about computers, downside being that she knows A LOT about computers. She even has a facebook account, a MSN/GChat SN, and is probably reading this post now ( hi mom!).

Today I spent some time at my Dad's lab and had a chance to speak briefly with some of his students. It's really interesting hearing from students talk about your parents/their professors. Consensus is that my Dad is a hard-worker and good professor (not too scary either). And apparently Mamma Lee is pretty well-known on campus for being a challenging teacher with high expectations that you learn a lot from (also, students know they can reach her by email/chat at 1am in the morning).

I think I've got some pretty great parents who I respect and admire a lot; I just wish Mamma Lee would stop poking me on facebook.

important life lessons.

This morning I woke up to an empty house really itching for some eggs, so I went down to make some and I got owned. I'd say I learned some pretty important life lessons:

1. Don't pour too much oil onto the frying pan, it jumps.

2. Don't make eggs without a shirt on, it stings.

3. Don't keep an egg on the pan for too long, it burns.


If at first you don't succeed, fry fry again.

making melodies with the lee family.

As a child, I used to love it when my parents came back from trips because they always brought me gifts. This time around, I figured I'd bring some gifts back from Korea. In addition to some Korean movies and eye cream I brought a NRB/Karaoke machine.

At first my Dad was dubious and questioned my purchase. But once we opened the box and plugged in the mics... the good times began. My Dad especially liked the machine. We spent several hours singing ABBA and the Beatles. Once I got tired my Dad continued singing old Korean songs.

So if you're looking for a good time come party at the Lee home.

finally, home sweet home.

"You are now puking at an altitude of 40,000 feet." You may or may not this about me, but I'm slightly prone to motion sickness; I can't really do repetitive spinning motions at amusement parks. My flight back to Korea was like one of those rides x5. The ride was so rough there were moments I considered whether I'd survive the flight. After about 20 mins of that it finally calmed down, and then there was a rush for the bathrooms. No joke, there was a like of like 20 people at each bathroom. Mostly people who had puked already or looked like they were going to puke. I waited until the line was gone and went into the bathroom as a precaution, and sure enough all of Korean Air provided meals came out just as fast as it had came in.

I look forward to a night of restful sleep in my bed. There's no place like Kansas, home.

going to America.

Today.


Farewell, Korea.

lotteworld: a lesson on perspective

Today I went with a couple of friends to Lotteworld (imagine Korea's Disney World) and I had a blast. It's funny because I went to Lotteworld often as a kid and I always loved it. It just seemed so... BIG. There was a ride called the "Viking" which was a big wooden ship that sailed through the air back and forth in the sky. Another called "Gyro Drop" which slowly lifted you into the heavens before dropping you hundreds of feet to the ground.

I rode those rides again today and it's funny how things seem so different. Everything was not quite as large as I remembered. It kind of reminded me about the importance of perspective in life.

When I was in high school SATs were huge to me. I felt like my score on the SAT would dictate the success of the rest of my life. And I studied for and worried about that score in a way that reflected this perception. Now I look back at that time and chuckle; it's funny how a number I barely recollect now could have meant so much to me then. Unfortunately, there is a version of this story that I can tell for almost every period in my life; some how there always seems to be something of utmost importance that will dictate the rest of my life: college admissions, finals, on-campus recruiting... the list goes on.

As this new school year begins, I plan on taking some time to remember what is really important to me and reestablish some perspective on life. I encourage you to do the same.

the bane of my existence: mosquitoes

I hate mosquitoes. If there is one thing I hate in this world, it is mosquitoes. I can live with spiders and flies, alligators and sharks, bears and tigers, but I hate mosquitoes.

During the 13 days that I've been in Korea I've been bitten 31 times. No joke, they love me. Even when everyone else doesn't seem to be bothered by them, I some how end up with a ton of bites. The problem is there's no stopping them.


Which begs the question, why on earth did God create mosquitoes?

After seriously pondering this question for a couple days I had an insight: to teach us discipline.



There few things in life more challenging than resisting the itch of a mosquito bite.

climbing the mountain of life.

Sorry for the recent lack of posts. I've been in GwangJu (smaller city in the south) for the weekend and haven't had too much time to update.

Yesterday I got my butt kicked by a mountain, my Uncle and my asthma. I've learned that here in Korea people like to climb mountains (not rock-climb, mountain-climb.. subtle difference). Anyways, this is a particularly popular hobby among adults and old folks. Yesterday my Uncle proposed that he and I go climb a mountain behind their apartment. He said it pretty nonchalantly so I figured what the heck, I'm pretty sure I can keep up with this 50 year old.

What I didn't realize is how serious Koreans are about mountain climbing. We got the hats on, the towel, the climbing sticks, the boots... everything. We began climbing, and didn't stop until about an hour later when we were at the top. I was tired and exhausted, but at the top was the most amazing view of the city. Certainly well worth it.

During the climb (as I was frantically chasing my Uncle up the hill), I had a lot of time to think: and I realized that climbing a mountain is a lot like life...


Insights are often more meaningful when uncovered by oneself; think about it.

have you ever wondered...

what it'd be like to have hundreds of fish nibbling on your feet?

Not something I put much thought into until right before I stuck my feet in the water. Today a friend and I went to a book and spa cafe where you can read books and, that's right, get a "pedicure" from fish who supposedly eat all the dead skin off your feet.

The friend I went with was petrified, so being the man of course I stick my feet in first. And it was the most bizarre feeling in the world, yet TREMENDOUSLY ticklish. I started giggling like a little boy. Then when she stuck her feet in she started squealing and almost began crying. I'm sure we were a sight to see. Anyways this went on for a good 15 minutes. If you are ever in Korea I definitely recommend it.

(By the way, those are not my feet)

just do it: crash and burn.

I've never been one to randomly solicit numbers or dates. It's just one of those things that I'm not likely to do because I need to know the girl decently well if I'm planning on spending money on her not just be impressed by her looks.

I share this because today I went to COEX (a huge mall in Korea) with some friends from GCC and played some Jenga at a Board Game Cafe (yes, there is such a thing). Of course, I thought it'd be a great idea to have some kind of punishment for losing and I suggested that the loser has to solicit a number from a stranger (of the opposite gender). The first game I was victorious and escaped the punishment, but the second game I think my nerves got to me and I ended up losing.

Of course, this was followed by all of us walking around looking for someone I needed to ask. Finally, there was this pretty girl in her mid/early twenties waiting for her order. We collectively decided that she was a good choice. And I made my move.

I wouldn't necessarily say that I'm smooth at this kind of maneuver but couple my lack of experience with my horribly apparent English accent and my chances were not looking so good. But true to my word I did it. "Excuse me miss, I'm sorry to bother you but you're really pretty. I was wondering if I could have your number." (It translates a little better in Korea). Then followed the crashing and burning. She put her hand to her mouth, shook her hand no and bowed slightly.

Sure I was rejected, but I think it was character building. Sometimes in life you have to just do it.

random notes from korea.

1. I love watching the Olympics in Korea. For several reasons... one being that there's only an hour difference from Beijing. So I don't have to stay up in the wee hours of the night to cheer on the Olympians. Also, Koreans have a lot of spirit and fight. As a Korean American I cheer for both America and Korea, but it's always a little more exciting with the Korean team because they have so many fewer chances to medal so when they do, they go crazy.

2. Sesame Street is solid. I've had to watch a lot of Sesame Street these past couple days on account of my cousin and I have to admit that I'm rather impressed. The songs are really well made and also they do some pretty good parodies. I'm pretty sure I just watched an Elmo rap mimicking Vanilla Ice/MC Hammer. "It's Elmo Time!"

3. Korea is hot, humid and polluted. Deadly combo.

fam-time.

Growing up I was never fortunate enough to have a large family around me. It was always me, Eddie and my parents... everyone else was in Korea.

Now that I'm in Korea I can spend some quality fam-time. For the past couple days I've been on a roadtrip with my cousin, her husband, and my 1.5 year-old nephew! It was really fun playing Uncle Jason ("Sam-Chun") the whole way. We spent 7 hours in traffic singing Korean baby songs and the ABC's, it was awesome.

Being Sam-Chun is awesome because I can play with him and feed him food, yet I don't have to get up at 4 in the morning to put him back to sleep. Now that's what I call quality fam-time.

I sure hope my wife wants a lot of kids.

finally.

After several hours, 4 movies on the plane, 2 delicious Korean Air meals and a short drive... I've arrived.

Now I just have to get over this jetlag and I'll be able to really enjoy Korea.

the motherland.

In less than 12 hours I'll be on a flight to Korea; a very far away place, the motherland, and the home of my ancestors. What do I love about Korea?

My extended family (especially playing with my new baby nephew!)
Cheap Korean BBQ (Kalbi, SamGyubSal)
Sappy Korean Movies/Dramas
Watching Starcraft on TV/Playing in PC rooms/Arcades
Pottbingsu
Meeting up/playing with friends (email/msg if you want to hang)


KOREA, here I come.

home sweet home.

The recipe to rejuvenation:

-1 day of sleeping in
-1 meal of mamma lee's home-cooked food
-2 trips to the neighborhood pool
-1 meal of Korean BBQ
-1 round of golf
-1 night with hometown friends

Feeling pretty rested already.