good bye.

2008, it's been good.

2009, let's make it even better.


Thorough recap and resolutions to come.

Manly Things: Tackle Football

Some things are just meant to be like Sundays and tackle football.

Today a bunch of my friends gathered together to play our annual game of tackle football. It was a beautiful day and we had a good number of guys come out. It was great game and yours truly was playing pretty well (prob 5 receptions, 3 tackles, 2 sacks). And then the unthinkable happened, we had an injury. On defense two of the guys collided with each other head first; one guy came up holding his head, the other holding his nose. Suddenly blood was spilling out of his hand and down his entire arm. It wasn't just leaking, it was pouring. At first we told him to shove some tissues in, but the blood continue to spill. He began getting faint headed and we realized his nose was probably broken.

That put a bit of a damper on the day. Also, it confirmed my concern for my aging body. No joke, I'm more and more worried about getting hurt each time I do any thing physical whether it's snowboarding, playing tackle football, or just wrestling in the backyard. Guess we're not little boys any more... we're MEN.

New Blog Name?

So, after a couple of years with this blog, I think it's about time to change my blog name. It's not that I don't like the name, it's just that it's too long. And I think I can save 1 second a day by typing a shorter, simpler name. Plus, change is nice every once in a while.

I spent some time thinking about a good blog name, but thus far I've come up empty. Being a man of the people, I wanted to ask for your input. What do you think I should rename this blog to be?

Let me know if you have a good idea. Perhaps, I'll dedicate a post to the winner.

extreme love.

I think I've mentioned this before on this blog or to others, but one of my biggest pet peeves is when people talk during movies. It's just one of those things. If you know what's going to happen, why do you have to ruin it for me? If you don't know what's going to happen, why don't you just find out with the rest of us?

I get peeved at very few things, but this one definitely irritates me a little. I think it's just because I love watching movies. Reminds me of an encounter I once had at the theaters in Philly. It was the beginning of the movie, and a large group of people were talking through the entire thing. Me and my friends were getting a little frustrated so I asked one of the guys in the group to keep it down. I heard him say, "They want us to keep it down." Then I heard the response, "Do they know we're BLACK?!"

Just heard about this incident in Philadelphia where a man was so upset that a family was talking through a movie that he got up and shot the father in the arm. Amazingly, after everyone ran out of the theater, the shooter sat back down and continued to watch the movie until the policemen came and arrested him. (News Story)

Talk about a love for movies.

Lee Family's 21st Century Christmas Card

Recorded in Kansas with the cousins 12/25/08.

Christmas Eve Quandary: Wings or no wings?

They call it last minute shopping, but seriously... who is buying Christmas presents 4 weeks out? This week I did all my shopping and it went rather well, I think I've made some purchases and the Lee Family should be pretty pleased with all their gifts. I've also just learned I probably won't be getting a gift from the 'folks.

My Mom asked me two days ago what I want, to which I respond, "Nothing in particular, I'm pretty flexible." Then she decides to take me shopping to purchase some gifts (aka my gift). Nothing really caught my eye and we returned empty handed. I'm pretty sure that means that I'm not getting anything. Eh, atleast there's always Santa!

Speaking of shopping, this week I've also had to do a lot of last minute grocery shopping for guests and cousins driving in for Christmas Eve dinner. On my list were: water, chips, random food, and KOTEX. Yes, that Kotex. Boys, if you don't know what that is, look it up. If you still don't understand... we can have a long discussion later. Anyways, this is the first time that I've had to shop for womens products. I didn't imagine myself doing this for atleast another decade until I got married, but there I was in the aisle looking at all the different choices and selections. Thin, thick, long, short, wings, no wings. What are the wings for anyways?

Actually I don't want to know. Anyways, thought I'd share. Last minute shopping is wonderful, even if it's for womens products. Have a wonderful Christmas Eve folks!

Final Score

In case you were waiting suspensefully for the final score... we lost Illegal Touching 163.82 - IvyLeague All-Stars 146.03 . Here was my final post on the league board:

Congrats Chaddy on a well-played, well-fought match up.

Although I'm a little disappointing with this final result, I'm pretty happy and proud of my team this year. Most of my stars didn't live up to their potential, but some of my other boys began stepping it up. Props to C.Portis, DeAngelo, Donovan, Robby Bironas and Dallas for helping me grind out some clutch match ups. This was a great season, but me and my boys are going right back into the gym, we're going to work hard during the off season and bring it back harder and stronger next year.

Next year is REDEMPTION YEAR.

Great season boys, it was fun.

fantasy GLORY

Everyone has their vices...

Some people waste away watching anime or youtube clips, others spend all day playing tetris or word scramble online, as for me... I spend hours watching football games for Fantasy Football.

For those of you who are completely ignorant to this wonderful game, here's a brief primer. At the beginning of the season, 7 friends and myself had a fantasy draft where we took turns selecting players who would be a part of our team. Mine was called "Ivy League All-Stars" (only after they vetoed Barack Stars). Anyways, every week you match up with another friends team and accumulate points based on how well your players do. I actually didn't have a great draft and had few true all-stars but my boys were scrappy and we had a great season (7-6).

Then we began the playoffs a couple of weeks ago and I got past the quarterfinals and the semifinals and I'm currently playing for LEAGUE CHAMPION. So, I'm winning the matchup right now, but my opposing team still has a running back and a D/L playing, so chances are looking slim. So, tonight root against Forte and Briggs.


(Click on photo for clarity)


Sure I spend quite a bit of time watching football and changing my team, but it's all worth it. To be LEAGUE CHAMPION.

wedding surprise boogie

My brother showed me this clip, I thought it was HILARIOUS and AWESOME. Kind of makes me excited for my wedding one day. My wife and I are going to get our groove on.

Until then, I'm looking forward to the weddings that are beginning to happen now with people my age.

hanging loose

Today, Eddie and I went boarding at Snowcreek and we had a blast. As I was up there getting bumps and bruises while carving down the slopes, I began thinking, who came up with this crazy idea anyways? I got it, let's strap a piece of plastic to our feet and see how quickly we can move down the slope!

Anyways, being on the slopes, I became amazed by how skillful people are on snow. We saw people flying 15 feet in the air, doing 360 turns, and tail grabs. As for myself, I was excited to carve down the black diamond in one piece. Let me tell you that there are few things as beautiful and therapeutic as carving down an empty mountain lit by the moonlight and stars.

In case you just look at pictures instead of reading, here's the drawing again with notes.

One day soon, it'll be me up there hanging loose. Until then, I'm going to rest my old, aching body.

next steven spielberg?

So, have you ever noticed that it can be really awkward hearing your voice on tape or watching yourself on video? I always watch myself and ask, "Do I really sound like that?" "That's how I look?" It's bizarre, this weird dynamic between self-perception and reality.

Anyways, the reason I bring this is up is because we have a new video announcing the KASCON23 Foundations Video Contest!


If you're interested please check out the website www.kascon.com or send me an email/comment. Please forward this on to any friends of yours who enjoy making films/videos.

spin suicide.

For some reason, whenever I come back home for break I always end up doing a ton of exercise. Maybe it's cause I have so much time, maybe it's cause there's not much to do in Kansas. Regardless, today my brother thought it'd be fun for us try out the spin class. I figured why not. Get some good cardio in and have some fun.

I had absolutely NO idea what was in store for me. What ensued was 1 hour of pushing my body to the complete limit. I guess that's what happen when they turn down the lights, begin the pump-up music and a random woman in the front begins screaming at you to "crank it up!" "We're going up a hill, a steep, steep hill!" "Lance Armstrong is in sight!"

It was spin suicide, but when I was done I felt this overwhelming sense of accomplishment. I sat there aching, drenched with sweat and a puddle of sweat under me, but I felt like a champion.

People seemed to like my earlier drawings so I thought I'd do some more paint practice. Let me tell you, not that easy without a mouse.

No place like... KANSAS!

So glad to be home.




Chilling with the family for the night, but more posts to come.

nightmare.

Have you ever taken an exam where halfway through you want to tear it up and run out of the room?

Yah, that was me 30 mins ago. I think I was just schooled by an exam. Hardcore. Like to the point that every question could have been written in another language...

It's moments like these that I'm so thankful for God. I know I gave tried my best and he's got me covered, even if I fail this course.

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding, in all your ways acknowledge him and he will make your paths straight. " - Prov 3:5-6

D-DAY.

Only two exams stand in my way of freedom today. It's been tough grinding it out this week in the libraries and study rooms as the numbers dwindle each day. You build a strong kinship with others also suffering late into the finals period.

I also have begun to grow slight resentment towards those playing and resting at home right now -- and I don't feel bad at all for saying it. I hope that those of you that are free, are really enjoying it and rocking out hard for the rest of us. As for myself, I'll be joining you in less than 20 hours.

Until then, let's git 'er done.

The Essence of College Life

Sent to me by a friend, I thought this captures college life so well.

http://hellofabest45.hyperphp.com/


Home is SO close, let's finish strong folks!

Sunny :D! Semester Recap

I seriously HEART these kids so much. It's been an amazing semester and a true privilege serving as their fg servant.


Let's run after God with all of our hearts and have a blast doing it.


May those who delight in my vindication shout for joy and gladness; may they always say, "The LORD be exalted, who delights in the well-being of his servant." Psalm 35:27

wiki, wiki, WHAT would i do...

without WIKIPEDIA?

Seriously, what was life like without Wikipedia? I should remember considering it began in 2001 and started being commonly used in last couple of years. (BTW, I used Wikipedia'd "Wikipedia" for that info).

It's amazing. I remember being in elementary school and using these archaic books they called "encyclopedias." Oh, how things have changed. Now Wikipedia is a verb and a common educational tool. Sometimes I feel like I learn more from Wikipedia sites than from my professors' lecture slides.

And oh the joys of Wikipedia. SO much useless, yet fascinating information at the tip of your finger tips. If you're bored for an hour, search a random topic and follow the Rabbit Hole. You can be reading the different Islands of Hawaii one minute and then learning about Harold Koh, the Dean of Yale Law School the next.

8:45 Heaven

An amazing song by Tiger JK of Drunken Tiger, a Korean rap group. He wrote the song about his grandmother who raised him as a child, and died at 8:45. Most of it is in Korean, but I think the message is universal.




DRUNKEN TIGER 7TH ALBUM MV
8:45 Heaven

Lyric
[VERSE 1]
I should've done better when you were here
I should've told you when you could hear
that morning which had no difference
I already felt by the ring which woke me up
it's too late to put back the time
One last cry. oh please god try
please don't let her die on me I know it's a lie
I told you to wait for me to make you happy
you told me that you'll wait till I rise to the top
please endure it bit more, don't leave this world
God please pretend as you've never saw it just for once
it must be a mistake, god is not also perfect
he's trying to take the most precious thing in the world

[CHORUS]
8:45 you're going up to heaven, the peaceful world where only virtue exists
8:45 you're going up to heaven, if you can hear me..know that I love you
8:45 you're going up to heaven, the peaceful world where only virtue exists
8:45 you're going up to heaven, if you can hear me..know that I love you

[VERSE 2]
Holding your speachless hand..I just yell out that you might hear if do so..
please wake up, open your eyes
One last cry Let me say good bye
please don't let her die on I know it's a lie
even the world hates me I'm your best
no matter what people say you never blamed me the question less love..
that's the thing like God which makes miracle, the perfect, perfect beauty after God
The most beautifulist thing in the world
the most precious thing in the universe my love

[CHORUS]
8:45 you're going up to heaven, the peaceful world where only virtue exists
8:45 you're going up to heaven, if you can hear me..know that I love you
8:45 you're going up to heaven, the peaceful world where only virtue exists
8:45 you're going up to heaven, if you can hear me..know that I love you

[VERSE 3]
where did you go whithout your last goodbyes
My heart is filled with pain
Tho I drive 'em out with a deep sigh
Only pain remains
I see nothing in this empty world
But I try to smile
You might be sad if you see me so sad
I promise you I'd never ever forget you
I'mma let go of your hand

some perspective for the holiday season.

Sometimes we all need to take a 40 min break from studying. Sometimes we all need to take a step away for the difficulties/stresses of our own lives and take a look at the lives of others around us.

Secret Millionaire
I just watched this episode and it brought me to tears. It's amazing to see how those with barely anything at all can give with such open hearts, yet so many of us that have so much, fail to give much at all. Hopefully this will offer some perspective during this finals and holiday season.


God blesses those who serve the hungry, poor and afflicted.
Is. 58:10. "And if you give yourself to the hungry, and satisfy the desire of the afflicted, then your light will rise in darkness, and your gloom will become like midday. And the LORD will continually guide you, and satisfy your desire in scorched places, and give strength to your bones; and you will be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water whose waters do not fail."

laughing is theraputic.

I found this quite funny after hours of studying.


Cyanide & Happiness @ Explosm.net

i love the inventor of utensils.

My life is full of embarrassing, interesting, and awkward moments. But I'm a strong believer that these moments just make life that much more interesting.

Today I arrived at Biomed Library after buying a meatball and rice plate at a food truck. I got settled in and then prepared to eat quickly before writing my paper when I realized that I hadn't been given an eating utensil. No fork, no spoon, not even a knife. It was quite a predicament, I wasn't sure what to do. I didn't want to leave the library because it was cold out and I had just begun to get in the zone. So I went on a search throughout the library for utensils. I went into the librarian lounge, the security room, random other rooms... and there were no utensils to be found.

So, what did I do? After strongly considering just eating the meal with my hands. (This is perfectly normal in many cultures by the way). I decided to be resourceful and used the cap of my Powerade bottle as a spoon/shovel to eat my meal. It worked decently well. Now some of you may be thinking, "Jason, why didn't you just walk 5 minutes back to the food truck or houston to get a utensil." I believe that this episode is a demonstration of my HARDCORE-ness (or my laziness).

Makes me really appreciate the simple pleasures in life, like sporks.

so unmotivated right now.

I am INCREDIBLY unmotivated right now... so much so that I don't even want to write a real blog post. I promise, there are better posts to come.

But I have decided that I'm going to be INCREDIBLY hardcore beginning Tuesday. And for those of you who know me, you know that I have what it takes to be HARDCORE.

I was the hardcore frosh that would find a desk in the corner of the library, shut off my phone, hide all references to time and work until I was kicked out. I was the hardcore sophomore that would sit with noise-canceling earphones in a room full of people chilling and continue to study while shooting quick glances at those disrupting my hardcoreness. I was the hardcore junior that was living in Huntsman cranking out cover letters and resumes.

Now I'm the unmotivated Senior... but I know deep down inside there is an ounce of hardcore left. I just have to find it on Tuesday.. as for tonight, tonight is MAN-Night. A night of meat, movies, and manly things.

so what, i'm skinny.

Let me begin by saying that I love the fact that God created us as unique individuals special in our own particular ways. I think this is the reason that I have always been comfortable with myself through all of my growing pains, bad skin, and awkward stages.

This is also the reason that I've never particularly cared too much when people call me "too skinny" or tell me "you have to gain weight." Quite frankly, I don't dwell on such comments because I believe that God made me exactly the way I am: skinny.

That said, I believe that it is really important that we take care of our bodies. And recently that has become something I'm more concerned with because I realized how poorly/insufficiently I eat sometimes. So a couple weeks ago I made a conscious effort to eat more during regular hours, and a miraculous thing began happening: I started gaining weight. Interestingly enough, my fat didn't go to my lanky arms or face; instead it ALL went directly to my stomach. It's what someone once referred to as my "Little Jimmy." (See exhibit A)

This brought me to my second revelation that I can no longer solely rely on my fast metabolism instead I have to actively exercise. So, I began going to the gym with some of my friends and a miraculous thing happened: I began to enjoy it. After a couple weeks, "Little Jimmy" disappeared and what I like to call "Little Jasons" began appearing. (See exhibit B)




Who knows, maybe one day my Little Jasons won't be so little. Regardless, I'm really enjoying being healthy, fit and skinny. Hopefully this post will encourage you to appreciate how God made you too: special.

Ultimate Study Distraction.

Sometimes there's nothing better than a nice study break to cap off a couple hours of solid studying. I often spend study breaks chatting, blogging, or reading news articles. Today a friend of mine introduced me to a great Study break: typeracer.com

You can practice or race others typing. I found that I was mediocre at it averaging around 72 WPM with 97% accuracy. If you need a study break, go for it. Try to beat my score. But proceed with caution, it can be a bit addicting.

my love-hate relationship with flying.

After an excruciating 11 hour journey, I have finally arrived in Philadelphia.

I think I've written about this before, but I tend to have the worse luck in the world involving flights and airports. I've had luggage lost, I've slept a night in Raleigh, I've been on a plane where over 20 people have puked, the list goes on. Today wasn't so bad but what should have taken about 5 hours took 11 hours. Needless to say it was not fun, and layovers are what I HATE about flying.

There was some silver lining though. While I was waiting in Kansas for my delayed flight I randomly ran into an old friend from middle school and high school that I hadn't seen in years. It was bizarre, first our eyes met and there was a twinge of familiarity but I couldn't place it. Then I doubled back to confirm it was my friend before approaching her. It was a risky move because I was only 50% sure it was her, and also she has a twin sister, decreasing my odds of being right at 25%. But sure enough it was her and we had a great talk for an hour before our flights.

Then, in Milwaukee, I ended up being delayed another 3 hours or so. I joined several others sprawled on the floor near the outlets and began watching some episodes of "Friday Night Lights" to pass the time. Several episodes and a terrible reheated airport pizza later it was time to board. Everyone gathered their stuff and began boarding the plane, but I noticed that a neighbor who had been waiting next to me had fallen asleep. There was a chance that he was waiting for another flight, but I figured I should wake him just in case. He bolted up and we were the last to board the plane. He thanked me several times, apparently if he missed this flight he would be missing several Law School exams. I told him to pass on the favor (pay it forward style).

This is why I LOVE flying; I love running into old friends and also feeling a deep sense of camaraderie with others who are similarly suffering from delays. Moral of the story? There is always some silver-lining.