I have been on a plane for 12 hours and have been waiting for a connecting flight for another 5 hours, only to find out that the connecting flight to Taipei was cancelled. Low and behold, our flight is rescheduled for tomorrow morning, and Korean Air is putting Mehul, Fong, and me up at a pretty nice hotel (Seoul Royal Hotel) in downtown Seoul. I read up on some hotel reviews, and this place gets solid ratings.

The first thing that crossed through my mind was, “wow, this almost works way too well.” We pretty much have a free trip to Korea since the airline is paying for our rooms and meals. Each of us has our own room. Talk about awesome!

So right now as I’m typing this I am sweaty, tired, and in need of alcohol. Seoul beware… cuz Fongie, Mehul, and Chang are here…

Rockin’ out to: Brown Eyes – With Coffee

My family and family friends have been on my case over the past few months about my love life. It’s always, “do you have a girlfriend yet?”, or “when are you going to get a girlfriend?”. Really? I’m flattered that people care about my love life that much, but even I don’t care about it as much as they do. I’m taking it as I go. If I meet someone, or if someone already in my life happens to become that girl, then great. If she doesn’t come along, that sucks, but I’ve been alright on my own for so long, I’ll be fine… I think.

I’ll be the first to admit that there are times when I am with my ‘couple’ friends and I sometimes roll my eyes in frustration. I know that being single and being in a relationship has it’s own respective advantages and disadvantages, but you gotta admit, it’s kind of boring. Life is more fun with someone else in it.

I definitely need to change my outlook on love. For me, it feels like a chore, but a necessary one. I absolutely want to experience this love so many people rave about. But I hate it at the same time because it is so difficult to continuously micro-manage your relationship in an effort to keep it healthy. It’s almost like working another job.

All this being said, there is someone on my mind. I care about her very much, and I can only hope she cares about me the same way. Whether I will ever figure that out, only time will tell.

Jammin’ on: AI feat. EXILE – So Special (Version AI)

Hi everyone! It’s been quite a long hiatus for me, but I’m finally back. It’s mostly because of a friend’s influence that I feel like writing again, but it also may mean I’m becoming a little bit more emo… hopefully not. If anyone reads this at all, I’m very grateful that you take your time to read this. I think that’s why people write. We all like to claim we’re trying to let off steam, but it’s obvious in a public forum like this we want people to read our thoughts.

I hope I’m not the only one that says politics with a negative connotation. Everyone’s talking about the election, but in the end, are any of the candidates going to work for you? They may work for what their party believes in and their personal ideals (i.e. George Bush), but in the mean time all the small people that grant them their power get left behind. Also, it’s not even like McCain is the one running for president now. Sometimes, I even think Sarah Palin is the one running for pres., and everyone loves to criticize the Obama because of his… “lack of experience.” I don’t even think Obama should be president, although he would shake things up a bit. If all you needed to be president was to be rich and have lots of connections, then how many idiots would have been elected by now?

However, I don’t think we can really blame Bush and republicans for everything. Everyone fucked up over the last decade, no doubt. But the fact remains that the current Republican platform remains mostly ‘reactionary’, instead of being proactive. What did Bush do when the housing market started to crumble and bring down the world economy with it? He blamed Congress for not being able to agree on a bailout, even Republicans were pissed off at him. Really, when you look at the way the world is, one person can’t really do anything. But in retrospect, one person can do anything. Bring down a dictator one day, eat BBQ at his ranch in Texas the next. Shit… imagine if I could have a bowl of ramen with friends, and then within the next 30 minutes I would have to make a decision that would directly affect the lives and well-being of millions of people. Pressure? I think so.

So what does everyone think about Obama as the next sex symbol of the first decade of the 2000’s? I think that’s already been established…

That is all. Stay strong in adversity, friends.

I was looking through some pictures on myspace/facebook and I came upon one of my many drunk pictures from vegas. However, after reading Fong’s comment, it immediately made my day.

the pic

THAT’s chang’s signature drunk/ohshit/tv/ahh face!” – Fong

haha, what I would do for a return trip to Taipei… btw, congrats Fong on getting the job! hookups in vegas woot! haha.

This may sound very depressing, but right now I feel like an recycled can; not thrown away but people think nothing of re-using you over and over again.

I know you’ll be back… as long as I’m around you’ll be back when I’m usable again.

even though I got a promotion, I feel more like I just lost my job.

I’m sure there have been many times in your life when you’ve done something so stupid, that you can only smile and shake your head at your idiocy. I know I have, but what about those friends that always happen to make really stupid decisions. You know who these people are. These are your friends that happen to choose the worst possible path they could take. This is the friend that looks at a fork in the road, and decides to follow the road that has a big fat red warning sign with a picture of a bear on it. They may not even be stupid, this friend could be one of the brightest people you know. They’re just not exactly great at common sense. But I digress.

I don’t believe that stupid people always make stupid decisions. Yes, I do think that everyone does make incredibly dumb choices sometimes, but to each his own. In fact, some of the most intelligent people repeatedly make stupid, and i mean stupid, decisions. A stupid decision is exactly what it is; a decision. However there are exceptions. Personally I think that if you repeat the same mistake more than twice in a row, you’re not making a stupid decision, you might just be an idiot. Intelligence without logic is simply madness.

I could go on and talk about all the people I know and all the stupid things they’ve done, but that would be unfair to them. We all make some stupid choices – financially, emotionally, etc. I think the most stupid things happen when a number of variables mix together to make a simply shit-tacular situation. For example, if you are feeling down, don’t go out and go shop at Nordstrom’s. What could you possibly buy that would make you feel better? (other than some emo pills and a vibrator for the ladies)  If you need to buy a new car, and you know you can’t afford a Mercedes, but you still really really want one, resist the urge! Personally I don’t like the idea of being in debt for the next 10 years.

What makes smart people make constant stupid decisions is their emotions. Emotions block all common sense and logic your brain tries to feed you. Emotions make you add the word ‘but’ to the end of every sentence in an attempt to justify your actions. I’m not saying to be cold and calculating. But you get the idea. (I hope)

Now, don’t think this entry is about you. It is in no way directed at a specific person or group. I like to spread my disbelief evenly . However, collectively, these people and groups make me feel that while I may not be intelligent in academia, I certainly do not lack in common sense.

Simply, stupidity is contagious. Like the common cold and a virus from a zombie movie, it spreads whether your are aware of it or not. Think your smart? Think back over the past month, and count how many ’stupid’ decisions you have made. That’s right, I thought so.

<3 – aaro

So I’ve decided to continue on with my survival tips for the now working college graduate due to a couple requests for me to continue with it. These also might apply to those currently going through undergrad or graduate programs.

- Keep track of your bills. Most people get screwed over and get put in debt because they forget to pay their bills. What’s also important is to make sure you pay off your bills in full. Interest is a big reason why people live in debt most of their lives. This is especially true if you are an addict of the credit card. They might as well make credit card addiction an actual disease, I mean, it’s driven people to their deaths! Swiping plastic is great and convenient, but make sure you have enough money in the bank before you start swiping it left and right.

- Don’t be cheap. There’s a big difference between being smart with your money, and just being a cheap SOB. Cheap is when you take your girl out on a date and think she’s gold digging you because she bought that extra expensive dessert that she loves. Being smart with your money is knowing when you should spend, and when you shouldn’t. My philosophy is: if you’re gonna live, you should live well. An example of being smart with your money? I know those Seven jeans are really nice and they’re the most comfortable things ever, but should you really be spending over $150 on jeans? You could, but somehow I don’t think that’s a great idea.

- Think it out financially. I know it sucks, but sometimes your decision just doesn’t make sense… on a financial level. Example? Say you want to get married. You make $2000/month, your gf/fiance makes $2000 a month. You live in the a suburb close to or outside of a metropolitan area (example: the bay area), it costs about $1000 (probably more) to rent a very small apartment. You and your future wife will barely fit in it, let alone fit a kid. Don’t forget about insurance for cars, utilities, cell phone bills, gas, food, miscellaneous things (gym membership, etc.) that you have to pay. I’ve calculated it before, if you’re lucky, you’ll barely be able to save $500 for personal spending, and that’s if you’re lucky. All this doesn’t even include your wedding expenses… and your honeymoon (don’t say you don’t need one, because i know that’s a lie). Wait for a period where your financial situation is more stable and you can afford a big lifestyle change. It will make your life much easier and possibly save you trouble down the line.

- Think before you act. You know what costs the most money? Stupidity. Stupidity costs $$$. Fixing up your car to look nice is one thing. Fixing up your car and then racing down the freeway at 120+ mph is another. Even if you don’t die, if you cost someone else something, you’re going to pay for it. Driving drunk? Walk home instead. Don’t like that idea? Then don’t drink, unless you enjoy paying legal fees and state penalties.

- Don’t be an ass. I can’t stand people who are jerks about everything. If you think your better than me, tell someone who cares. You aren’t the center of the universe. Being an ass isn’t really going to cost you financially, although you’ll probably get fired from whatever job you end up in. The more enemies you have in this world, the less friends you will have as well. Public opinion about you spreads quickly, and people will be quick to judge on what their hear about you. Lets just say, that if people like you, they will be more inclined to help you out when you need it. Everyone will have a time where they will need help from other people, it helps to be looked on positively by people.

- Be positive. Yes, I know. This sounds incredibly lame, but it’s true.  Whether you think you’re can or you can’t, you’re usually right. I forget who the quote is by, but it’s definitely very true. Stop complaining about how you can’t find a job, because the more you complain the more likely it is that you won’t get one after all!

I’m tired… so this will be continued at some later date. I’m not sure when, but check in from time to time, and I’ll let you know!