Status Update

My most recent Facebook status update? "Enjoy what's left of 12/12/12, it's the last repetitive day in our lifetime"With that said, I've decided to write a blog post summarizing some things I have been absolutely grateful for the past 12 months.


January 2012:

Started off the year right with awesome friends at the Long Beach New Year Celebration

February 2012:

Got my new baby, my car

March 2012:

Good times celebrating St. Pati's Day

April 2012:
One of my biggest dreams for the past couple of years came true, I went to Italy to visit amazing people and sites

Unfortunately, upon my return, I lost my grandfather Fernando

However, in trying to make as much of a mark as I can, I did my first walk for Autism Speaks

May 2012:
Got to see my buddy Phoebe (http://phoebejanesblog.blogspot.com) graduate, Go Toros!

June 2012:

Got to celebrate a year away from Korea by having a mini reunion with friends

I also got to see my first class of eighth graders graduate from my current job, having marked a year at NDA then

July 2012:

End of July, got to have good times in Hawaii (celebrating a year since I had been there, hehehe)

August 2012:

More Hawaiian good times with friends

And got to visit Hawaii with family

And it was upon my return that I lost my grandmother exactly three months after having loss my grandfather, it was not a good time for my mother.  Glad to know she is better.

Got to try zip-lining, FUN!

September 2012:

It is my birthday when I feel truly blessed for the people who have come into my life.

October 2012:

Though I wasn't initially excited about the idea of Watsonville, it was nice to see a childhood friend in the area and enjoying my trip. (Lizzy from http://secretariesinaphonebooth.blogspot.com)

I also got to see the amazing Alanis Morissette live once again. Concert number four of hers that I have attended.  Icing on the cake...I won the tickets in a contest

November 2012:

Korea super reunion in Fresno.  Love these guys, we have been through a lot together.

December 2012:

Another Korean reunion, how awesome is that? It's not that easy to accomplish, but we find a way when the will is there.

Things still to come: Christmas, Christmas parties, and New Year's Day of course!

Among these 12 months my amazing friends have accomplished great things from moves in career, location and family size.  Happy for all of them.

My family continues strong, and I am in great hopes that continues.

Unreal

It always blows my mind when I go to trips with people in which we know each other from one place and end up somewhere completely different.  A not-so-distant occurrence was the Hawaii trip I took this summer.  However, a much more current event even made this idea more real yet unreal.

This happened in the city of Pyeongtaek in South Korea in the summer of 2011:

Then this happened at Clovis in Fresno, California in November 2012:

Yes, same people, and even MORE!
We had a blast catching up, eating, sharing stories, eating, going down memory lane and eating.  The fun stuff consisted of the Korean slip-ups (I called Korea "back home" at one point), using our Hangul skills in the Korean restaurant (where we had our fortunes told), board games, and wine tastings.  Good times, surreal it happened, glad it happened, and looking forward to the next one.

Heights

It's November 6th, 9pm, and Obama has won a second term as president of the US.


I'm watching the propositions' results come in....it's getting interesting.  As an educator, minority, son of immigrants, I care deeply about politics, but I don't discuss them much.  Mainly because I feel everyone is entitled to his or her opinion, but also that I really don't want to fuel a conversation that leads to disrespect and will never lead to someone changing his or her mind.  It's like convincing someone to change religion....actually, more like getting someone to quit vegetarianism.  Good luck, but there are no winners.

People just need to get out there and vote, because there are some many people that live in countries they contribute to every single day, but cannot.  Don't let your vote go to waste ever, because then it's a waste that you got the right to vote.






On another topic, I was thinking about heights.  Not the same type of heights as posted here when I ziplinned just this past August, but close.

But in the same fashion, it's difficult to be up high.  I see people work extremely hard for the places they are in, and for the things they want to achieve, but at the same time I see them stop themselves for fear of those successes.  I know it's a difficult topic to articulate, but I hope I've given it a good try just now.  This idea crossed my mind yesterday as I noticed someone who continuously stops themselves from achieving amazing things.  Not to say I'm not guilty of the same thing, as I have been and probably will in the future, but this was clearly evident.  I hope nothing but that everyone I know is happy, and finds themselves over and on top of their high points.

California Calling

Two trips outside of So-Cal, one past, one future.

Let's start with the past one before I forget what happened there. I had a conference I went to on behalf of work to the great, wondrous, metropolitan city of......Watsonville :-/

To quote some previous tweets of mine:

No great place to visit ends with the syllable "ville."

I am so exited to go to Watsonville!!!!!! SAID NO ONE EVER.

The trip was actually quite productive, but there are some quarky stories I'd like to share.  The first, my arrival to the San Jose Airport.  Landed at about 11pm, and by the time I got my rental car and was well into the road it was around 1am.  Well, the drive up to this town (about 45 mins away from SJ) was extremely interesting/death-defying.  The road was pretty much going up a mountain, with zig-zags a la Dr. Seuss's designs.  Turn here, turn there, turn everywhere! Uphill in the middle of the night.  The following thought actually ran through my head while driving up there:

"So this is how I'm going to die...driving...a rental car...at 1am....going through a mountain....in Watsonville!!!!"

Got to the hotel, which I was less than satisfied with, and turned in for the night as much as I could as my first meeting was only a few moments away.  The school I was sent to wasn't a school, IT WAS A TOWN WHERE CLASSES JUST SO HAPPENED TO BE TAUGHT.  This school was just acres beyond acres of campusy goodness.  Not to mention that they have an equestrian club that houses 20 or so horses.  AH!

The conference was good, and I got a lot of great information I could bring back to LA with me.  Best thing about this trip was seeing a good friend of mine, Lizzy (http://secretariesinaphonebooth.blogspot.com)!  She lives in San Jose right now, so it was great making it into town (especially because at that point I knew what to expect from the roads going to and fro), seeing some shops, getting some food, and just talking.  It's just like we're fourteen, but now with master's degrees.

(Outside of Sushi Confidential in Campbell near San Jose)

Now let's dive into the future!  A note, as I was typing this blog I had a Skype conversation with Audrey affecting the dates of this trip.

So there's a group of us in Cali that once upon a time taught in Korea. We currently have two from our circle of friends in Pyeongtaek that are visiting Cali and found in a perfect time to organize a reunion.  So far, the following individuals are scheduled to appear in Fresno in two weeks:

Mel (http://italymel.blogspot.com)
Audrey
Josh (http://singinginkorean.blogspot.com)
Brooke
Pam
Lindsey
Jaime

Some tentative, but I hope it works out because the more the gears are going in these plan, the more exciting it feels.  I feel like it doesn't matter what we do, it'll be fun just like in SK.  It's like riding a bicycle, or in this case a 2,300 won taxi :-)  Whoop whoop!

Slumpdog Millionaire

The slump seems to be rising, and stars with the planets align one by one.  This feels better, more at peace.  We shall see.

I'll be gone most of next week, have to go to a North Cal conference which, despite it's location, I'm really looking forward to it.

There's nothing that family, friends, and a good cup of coffee can't overcome.


p.s. One of my favorite times in entertainment is when all of my favorite musicians have new songs and albums, now is that time.

Wake me up when October begins...

So it goes.

You see it in those you know.
You see it in the faces of your loved ones.
October is here.
It's not easy.
It's the norm of a slump.
To feel like a slump.
To let others' slumps affect you.

I see it in my friends.
I see it in my family.
I see it in my students.
I see it in my colleagues.

But it doesn't last long.
That's the good thing.
It makes you appreciate the other eleven months.
It's not even a whole month.
And then it's gone.
Then it's a memory.
Then October begins once more.
And then it's the time for the "here we go again."




Comment: This post didn't start out looking so poetic, but I went with it, and I have to admit it, I like it.

It's been one month since you looked at me

As you read the blog title, keep the Barenake Ladies' song in mind, as I do.

A lot of things can change in a month's time, and they have.  An update on the previous neighbor blog, I've gotten a new apartment, and am enjoying it.  It's great being in the South Bay, where my friends are, my family is close, and even my sister lives like five blocks away.  This place is a lot bigger, and the best thing is the storage.  <-Lame I know, but this was a big deal at the last place.

(yes, this is was my rockin' laptop looks like)

School has begun in two senses, both as a teacher and a student.  I started the clear credential program at MSMC in downtown LA a few weeks ago.  It's going to be couple of semesters of fine tuning work and school, but it's the way it has to be.  I must say I have a lot of nice things to say about the school and its community.  It's like the grad school equivalent of where I work.  Speaking of where I work, our first two weeks are now done, and I'm really feeling confident about this school year.  The staff where I work is amazing, and seeing these systems I implemented last year roll the way they are, has made me happy.  Even though my teaching schedule has intensified with the addition of two classes, it's going back to that dine tuning that will help me find some equilibrium with my pseudo free time.

My summer was intense, no joke there.  I taught summer school, had to set up my new apartment, had to upgrade our equipment at work, and dealt with some family things (will go back to that in a little bit).  However, one of the best things was going to Hawaii this summer.  I'd like to think that I was celebrating the anniversary of my last Hawaii trip.  This time around I got to do some island hopping with going to Oahu with friends and being in Kauai with family.  Oahu was amazing, and even though the original intentions of being there changed, it was great seeing so many people I know and get along with all in one resort in Waikiki.  Not sure how that would happen again, and I'm even amazed it happened in the first place.  We had so much fun, have some great stories we brought back with us.

(Pearl Harbor)

(Waikiki)

It was also great going to Kauai where I have family in Lawai.  We had a great time, I got to meet my cousin-niece, and enjoyed relaxing.  We took it pretty mellow, which is just what I needed before I started school.

(At the Kauai Lighthouse with my awesome fam)

(Getting a late night treat)

Unfortunately, when I got back from Hawaii, things with my family took a bad turn. Shortly after my return, my grandmother, Esperanza, passed away. She was my mother's mother and she passed away suddenly. It all happened so quickly one night.  In a two hour span, the calls I got went from her being sick , to being in a hospital, to passing on.  It was dejavu of the worst possible kind.  My mother saw both of her parents go exactly four months apart.  She lost her father on April 14th and her mother on August 14th.  According to many, and I agree, he came to get her.  It took 24 hours after my grandmother's passing to get my mother to Guatemala, and those 24 hours her intense.  We went all over LA running errands for things my mom had to finalize before she left.  When I dropped her off at LAX, all I could think of was "Wow, I was just here doing the same thing." I have to give my mom kudos though, she kept her game face on given the advice she got from our whole family that she needed to hold it together and that she could let go (or explode) once she got to Guatemala. I still cannot imagine what's going on through her head then and now.  Losing a parent is bad enough, losing both, especially while she was still mourning and grieving over one, is something I can't even phantom dealing with.  The consensus amongst the people I know is that my grandfather came to get my grandmother so that they could spend the rest of their days in the next life together.  I'm keeping a special eye on my mom, as they are sure watching over her.

(My grandmother and I at the temple entrance in Esquipulas, Guatemala)

So my summer had its ups and downs, but keeping my head up and looking forward to what September and the time thereafter will bring.

Boarding

Sitting at my airport gate and my flight has been delayed an hour. What a better than any to catch up on my blogging. My excuses this time around for neglecting my blog vary from work keeping me über busy this past month, my sister having had emergency surgery, moving to a new apartment, and now here I am flying to Hawaii.

New apartment. Got a new place, now I'm in the Southbay, insert personal parade.  I'm glad to not be "in India" and it's been nice to have people over. It's way more people that I've had the entire year in DTLA. The building is older, but the apartment is way roomier.  I love things that the last apartment made me appreciate like storage room, laundry facilities, and my own bathroom (yes!).  It's also in a primo location to walk to many places to get errands done like grocery shopping.  Liking it so far, hope this third move in the last three years last.

Sister. She's doing fine now. She had an emergency surgery for her gallbladder.  She wasn't feeling well for a few days, and when she went to see the doctor, they zoomed her into the operating room.  She's been doing well, but just recently her ex, my niece's father, also went under for a heart and blood pressure condition.  That hospital has sure gotten business from my niece's parents.  He's recovering well, he just needs to watch what he does now. Glad my sister is doing better, even went out and got herself a new car the same weekend I moved.

Hawaii. I'm glad I'm meeting up tons of people who are special to me in a place meant for total enjoyment.  Although the original intention of the trip changed, it's still going to be blast.  As soon as the plane I'm on decides to board, I'm hoping on board to fun! Seeing friends in Oahu and then seeing family in Kauai, heck yeah!

Can't wait.

Renaissance

I feel like many friends and family members have had sudden rebirths around me. Many have opened new chapters in their lives, some by choice, and some circumstantial. Either way, because change is e only constant, I think it's interesting because it keeps life interesting. Currently, I'm looking for a new apartment. The one I'm in right now is fine, but I feel like I live in India sometimes. No one, and I mean NO ONE, is in DTLA. I chose this place because of it was a halfway point for the workplaces of my sister and I. Seeing how she moved out not long after she moved in (she never successfully unpacked), this reasoning for staying in this place is out the window. I also had a neighbor situation I had to go all Jenna Marbles on: It really wasn't as bad as that, but it still bothered me. So here I am apartment applying, I'd like to stay somewhere in the start of the Southbay area like Hawthorne so that my commute time to work remains the same, my family is within a decent proximity, as well as my friends (most, if not all, whom reside deep in the Southbay). This should be an interesting hunt. Submitting an application for one I've grown attached to tomorrow and the landlord took a shine to my roommate and I. The next thing that's going to change with me this year is school. It is bittersweet. I mean, come on, 100% of the times I've graduated I've needed more school afterwards. I might as would've gone to med school. I'll be starting a clear credential program in the fall to make my teaching credential permanent before I lose it. The sweet part is that my workplace takes care of practically all of my tuition. Paying just a little over 100 bucks a semester to attend a private university? Not too shabby. Also, I'll be picking up a new class to teach next school year. This has to do with my own schooling as my credential is in English and I have to be teaching the subject in order to be in my school program. It worked out perfectly my employer, so once again, things fell right into place. Needless to say that once August gets rolling, I will be a busy bee. Like I wasn't busy enough already. In terms of my friends and loved ones, I believe that everything happens for a reason and I have all the faith in the world they will be fine. Off to freedom, and glory!

Italy...2 months later

I finally got around to making a video of my Italy trip :-) Thanks again to Mel, Julie, and Jason.

Año

The massive schedule of things to get done towards the end of the school year has gotten to me, and has been the main contribution to my lack of blogging. But alas, it is better late than never.

I've thought a lot about the past year, given that it was a year ago that I moved back to LA after having live in South Korea. Sometimes I can't believe some of the things I've done. Not in a self-flattery conceited sense, but in a wow-I-have-been-super-blessed-sense. Since being back I've also been able to meet up with friends I made in Korea here in the US and even in Europe. Mel and I drove up to Modesto on a day trip to visit Audrey and Lindsey. Lexi had a layover where we had sushi and she met my friends. I stayed with Mel in Italy and we had many adventures, including Easter with Jason and Julie. And this weekend I get to see Lexi again but this time with Jaime who is also back in LA. There are still many more friends from the ROK I would love to see, and hopefully it gets to happen.

If you've watched the news recently, especially in Cali, it hasn't been going well in school. That's why I thank my lucky stars all the time that I am in the position I am in. I left Korea with a job already on track for me to start, I job I love. I don't know what I did in this universe to get so lucky in the job situation because I really do like what I do, the people I get to work with, and the school community I am at.

A year ago I also had a Hawaiian detour. Glad to say I am excited to be returning again in August to have even more fun. I'll be going to Oahu to vacation with friends and well as returning to Kauai to stay with family. I can't wait.

This year had been really good to a lot of friends too. I've seen many of them move into a family life, improve their career goals, reach academic milestones, and grow as individuals. The same goes for my family. Even though we lost my grandfather recently, I think our bond as a unit that can be there for one another has greatly improved.

I do also appreciate these moments where I get to look into the rear view mirror and think about how much has happened in so little time.

Familia

Middle of the night and I can't sleep.
Monday Osc is going to be tired and moody, I can feel it.
This was a good family weekend. Saturday was the last night of a nine night rosary prayer gathering in honor of my grandfather who passed away a few weeks ago. It was great to see family and friends that reflected both sides of my family. After the rosary prayer, we ate good food and had great talks. Jokes were exchanged and I think that my grandfather, being such a happy go-lucky guy, would have enjoyed it.
Mother's day was today, so I hope all moms out there were able to get a feeling of appreciation for all they do.
I'm glad my mom is doing better (considering).
Appreciate your family, it's the only one you have.
(the picture here is my grandfather's altar at my parents' house)

Italia 2012

I really enjoyed Italy, can't believe I already went.  If all went well with the Trevi Fountain, I shall be back.  It was great seeing Mel, Julie, Jason, meeting Xavier, and others along the way all over Italy. Recap time!


Bergamo
Mel lives in Bergamo at the moment with a great family.  Most of my time was spent here.  Thanks to Misha and Monica for never having me worry about a meal, a booking, and overall preparedness.  Bergamo is a beautiful city, about an hour away from Milan, in northern Italy. It is very quaint, has good city qualities, and the beauty of a traditional Italian town.

From the wall of Cita Alta in Bergamo

Mel and I acting tough/thug on a Bergamo bus

Bell Tower in Cita Alta

Milan
When I first came to Italy, I first flew into Milan.  Because I was on a mission to get to Bergamo safely, I didn't really get to enjoy it.  So we went back and made a day out of Milan, the fashion capital of the world.

Me right in front of the Duomo Cathedral, the heart of Milan

Having a little too much fun in at this fountain, right outside of a castle

Lunch in the middle of the street in Milan

Enjoying my new pair of Milan sunglasses on the ride back to Bergamo

Rome
We were in Rome for two days with a hostel/travel-mate Jaimee.  We saw EVERYTHING Rome had to offer. Mel was right, let Rome come to you.

Best Artesian gelato? Lemon basil!

Pantheon

Colosseum

Lunch at the hostel

Throwing my coin into the Trevi Fountain, hope it worked

At St. Peter's Basilica in Vatican City

Piazza Venezia

Vicenza
I was SUPER EXCITED to be in Vicenza for Eater.  I went to visit Julie, Jason, and their baby, Xavier. Granted, we all spent last Easter together in Korea, so it was great to see that this Easter was spent in Italy.  Felt very full circle :-)

From 평택 to Italy

Easter Dinner is served!

Welcome to Vicenza :-)

Venice

Once the Easter festivities concluded, we headed over to Venice, the water city, the next day. 
 It was beautiful to see left and right and only view water.  
Even taking the "bus" which is really a boat was a lot of fun.  I really enjoyed this city.

Hope you can view the water street behind me :-)

The water-ness of it all still amazes me

On the water bus, check out the gondella

Piazza San Marco

Lunch at the Hard Rock Cafe Venice

Recap of the Recap

Overall, Italy was amazing.  It's crazy walking on the streets and seeing structures,
columns, and statues that have been there since Ancient Roman times and seeing it juxtaposed with modern life. 
And the food! The cheese, wine, pizza, pasta, bread, and gelato!!! 
It was a mix of Italian deliciousness.  Here go some of my favorite shots:

 Train pic, lol.  Okay so keep this in mind for the next shot.
This picture is supposed to be like this so that people don't stand in a train door's way.

A mutilated stop sign, transformed in the name of HILARITY!

Simpson beer is sold all over Rome!

Statue Garden in Rome