How are you?
Miss you.

Nothing good in life is ever free.
Friendships are mutual and take work.
Love-in anything, it's give and take, and more often than not, if you love someone, you're willing to give and sacrifice.
Success takes hard work and perseverance.

So, who ever said that good things in life are free? There's no such thing as a free lunch.

Circle of Life

It's funny how we always start back where we started.
When we're young, falling down means scraping your knees.
Then, as you get older, bruising doesn't only happen on the surface. Heartbreak, failure to meet expectations, etc. We're confronted with sometimes invisible forces that inescapably shape our lives. It's no longer about the physical wounds, but the marks that scar our lives for a long time to come.
But when we reach our senior years, maybe "getting up" isn't about climbing the corporate ladder anymore, and falling down really results from decreasing bone density and old age. Maybe when we've experienced all that life has to offer, we'll realize that we just want to be with the ones we love, to take a walk on a sunny day.
When I was running yesterday, I saw an old lady on the ground. She was a distance away from me and seemed to be trying to get up. She must've fallen down and was trying to get up. I ran towards her and asked if she was okay, and she smiled and said in korean: "kin cha na." I think that means it doesn't matter, she's okay? (this is where korean dramas come in handy haha). She didn't just get up. She really struggled to get up, and she tried to many times and failed. It just reminded me of how many times we fall down and how hard it is to get up, and how difficult it is to do it all with a smile. Stop feeling sorry for yourself and get up, just like she did.

Songs trigger so many memories for me. It's like that one melody strengthens that synapse even more than it needs to be. It's funny how songs can do that to you. I remember putting on "I don't wanna miss a thing," by Aerosmith, and my friend saying: "ugh don't listen to that song. It was our song." (meaning her and her ex).
I guess we all have songs that we can listen to forever, the songs that somehow never get old because they represented a moment in time you want to remember forever, but then you grow up and realize that "forever" has an expiration date, and all you have are often the songs that accompanied those moments.
You also grow up and realize that there are always going to be new songs to fall in love with, and that life has an abundance of blessings to offer. So, in everything you do, you learn to embrace challenges, to go through the open doors, and live as if you've never been wronged. You live being a little less than content because you can't live without a drive. And lastly, you go on with life and don't look back.

I love gingers because of rupert.

Don’t ask yourself what the world needs;
ask yourself what makes you come alive.
And then go and do that.
Because what the world needs is people who have come alive.
—-Harold Whitman

Prayers for Oslo

My thoughts and prayers go out to those affected by the Oslo bombing and shooting. I honestly don't understand why things like this happen, but I know that regardless, there is a God.
I don't understand why anyone would hurt innocent people, especially innocent youth. Innocent bloodshed? For what? Religious beliefs? Justice?
I'm starting to think that therapy and counselling should be more widely advertised and accessible to the public. The stigma associated with people that have anxiety disorders and other psychological orders has to stop because people need to feel comfortable asking for help if they need it. There is so much societal pressure in our generation that can easily lead people down a road of insanity or extremity in their beliefs.
When I was waiting to meet with my advisor, I was looking at some of the ads posted on the bulletin board, and was kind of surprised and sad to see that half the info strips for an organization for suicide help were taken. I'm guessing for the average teenager, "life's tough" is a grand understatement. The rest of us just realize that yes, life is tough, but we're never alone.

funnaythings

A Spanish Teacher was explaining to her class that in Spanish, unlike English, nouns are designated as either masculine or feminine.

'House' for instance, is feminine: 'la casa.'
'Pencil,' however, is masculine: 'el lapiz.'

A student asked, 'What gender is 'computer'?'

Instead of giving the answer, the teacher split the class into two groups, male and female, and asked them to decide for themselves whether computer' should be a masculine or a feminine noun. Each group was asked to give four reasons for its recommendation.

The men's group decided that 'computer' should definitely be of the feminine gender ('la computadora'), because:

1. No one but their creator understands their internal logic;

2.The native language they use to communicate with other computers is incomprehensible to everyone else;

3. Even the smallest mistakes are stored in long term memory for possible later retrieval; and

4. As soon as you make a commitment to one, you find yourself spending half your paycheck on accessories for it.

(THIS GETS BETTER!)

The women's group, however, concluded that computers should be masculine ('el computador'), because:

1. In order to do anything with them, you have to turn them on;

2. They have a lot of data but still can't think for themselves;

3. They are supposed to help you solve problems, but half the time they ARE the problem; and

4. As soon as you commit to one, you realize that if you had waited a little longer, you could have gotten a better model.

goal

Okay. I'm trying this thing where I don't get overly upset, stressed, mad, or any other negative emotion. I literally take deep breaths when I'm stressed, and I try not to let little things or insignificant people alter my equilibrium. I want to be a better friend, family member and person.

arrogant people

Holy smokes. You guys think you're so smart and cool and better than everyone else.
Can't wait till you enter the real world and realize that you know nothing.
Please, humble yourselves and look beyond your little circle of friends.

stage4

Hang in there, bud. Hang in there.

japan rocked it

I am sooo proud of Japan for winning the women's world cup! They went into the final as the underdogs, and made 2 comebacks to tie the game for the shootout. They played skillfully and were so gracious. I'm so happy that Japan has this to celebrate over after everything that they've been through these couple of months. This team has taught me never to give up. Even with the height disadvantage, Japan fought hard even though they were less experienced and it was a well-deserved win. It gives me hope that looming obstacles aren't impossible to overcome if we have the heart to do it. Thank you, Japan, for teaching me that, and congratulations on your glorious win.

"you only live once"

At least once in my life, I want to:

-go to a hardcore rock concert
-attend an indian wedding
-be a bridesmaid
-buy my own pair of christian louboutins
-find true love
-go parasailing

to be continued...

ironyofironies

inventingshadows

You see the world in only grey and black
Now how could anybody live like that
Without screaming
Without dying for dreaming

And you stare out the window at the passing cars
And you look at the sky, thank your unlucky stars
No you're never quite happy right where you are

364

I'm scared. I only seem to be tough, but really, I get intimidated so easily. I mean, okay the intro post was supposed to make us feel good, right? Okay, so everyone in my class is in 4th year, majoring in Polisci or international relations and aspire to be corporate lawyers. I mean, I wouldn't be so scared if I hadn't just taken one polisci course before this. I have 3 credits under my belt, while they have like..40?
Breathe, breathe. No one made me do this, I got myself into this. I can do it.
Just because I'm young doesn't mean I'm incapable of critical analysis.
Tiff, stop being such a baby.
I like new challenges, right? Righhhtt.

Start your day with coffee, mine with tea
Humming with my guitar as you read
I write a song
The words all find me
Assembling into this picture of things
With all that they bring

To the world in front of me
Watch as it unfolds so beautifully
Fitting all the pieces perfectly
It's the world in front of me

promise that i'm here
i'll never be gone.

bbm

Soooo I don't know if this is blog-worthy, but hey, I blog about a lot of random things, but yay, i finallyyyy got a blackberry! I'm not a tech-saavy person, actually I'm quite technology handicapped, but I'm faring well with my new toy at the moment. So, the best thing about a blackberry is definitely having bbm. Now, I can bbm my friends outside of the country and stay in touch with them all. The best part of it is that you can basically have never-ending massive msn group convos on bbm. It's a lot easier than telling the same story to 5 different people on 5 different occasions. I mean, my life's exciting, but 5 times over, it gets a bit dull :P I'm so happy to have been able to catch up with different groups of friends all at once, and not have to go through the hassle of forgetting what they said in the previous message when I'm responding. With bbm, all the messages are right there. And by the way, this isn't a sponsored message haha.
You know, I wish I could bbm God. I know, it's weird. I just wish I could continue from where I left off and just reconnect my faith like I can reconnect with my friends. I know it's not even that difficult, I just have to take the first step.
Maybe He's pinging me right now, and I want to respond.

xx

When you love someone, deep down, you know you'll always love them, no matter how they've changed their clothes, hair, style, sometimes personality. And even though communication is sparse and likens a sacred occasion that only happens every so often, you know that you'll always still love them.
And even if they've forgotten you, you still love them. I've realized that

“Love is patient; love is kind
and envies no one.
Love is never boastful, nor conceited, nor rude;
never selfish, not quick to take offense.
There is nothing love cannot face;
there is no limit to its faith,
its hope, and endurance."

It's not love if you're unwilling to love someone for everything that they are. Love is never selfish. If you stop loving because they've changed, then it isn't love. That's only selfish love because you're loving for yourself, not for them. Regardless of how much you've changed, I'll still be here. I may not be vocal about it, and you may think I've stopped showing it, but I am.
And even though everyone writes "friends forever" and "love you" now, well, when I wrote it, I meant it.

xx

lastwords

Life is so fragile. You never know when you might lose someone forever. How do we know when we say "later," it might be too late? How do people know that you're going to be there when you don't tell them you are? How do they know you love them when you're the only one that knows it?
Sometimes, you hold grudges against your best friends because you know you'll forgive them sooner or later, but what if it's too late? We have to remember not to take anyone or anything for granted because it's not a right, it's a privilege. Don't let anyone miss your "i love you."

Hold them close to heart and hug like you mean it.
Appreciate all the little things they do for you and know that they don't owe you anything.
Call up old friends. Don't forget people.

junior musings

I find it so funny how freshmen are so excited about university. I mean, of course, it's a good thing, hold on to that as long as you can before the work starts piling up. I'm reading these comments in facebook groups and apparently, this is the new way to make friends:
"Who's in Econ 101 L2C?" and then people respond and then somehow, this common class immediately bonds them.
or
"Who's from HK?" LOL really? Grouping yourself within a particular group before you even start.. hmm okay.

Have fun, first-years. Remember, work hard, play hard, but please, don't mess up.

So, half of summer is over..what?
I'm taking a summer course that starts next week... again, what?
Not going to lie, not super excited about going back to school 2 months earlier than I had planned to, but some things have to be done, and hopefully 2 years from now, I'll be moving on to more exciting things:)

I need to stop.
"if they're dumb enough to walk away, be smart enough to let go."

nothinglastsforever

Or not.

Today's a good day. After holding the line for 25 mins, I finally got through to arts advising and got my problem solved so I could register in the LAST spot in the summer course I wanted. Scoreeee. TYG. Now, I'm sitting at starbucks studying my LSAT book.

I took a chance, I took a shot
And you might think I'm bulletproof but I'm not
You took a swing, I took it hard
And down here from the ground, I see who you are

I'm sick and tired of your attitude
I'm feeling like I don't know you

Here's to you and your temper
Yes, I remember what you said last night
And I know that you see what you're doing to me
Tell me, why? Why? Tell me, why?

I take a step back, let you go
I told you I'm not bulletproof
Now you know

emotionaldrunksdrunkonemotions

When did things get so complicated? Maybe we just tried to grow up too fast. Disappointed would be an understatement. How can you just do that, lie and forget about everyone?
I think all of us care more than we say we do, even though we don't want to admit it.
I loved you like family, but now, I don't even know who you are anymore. I don't know what "cool" is, but all I know is the person I knew back then cared about people other than himself.
Times change and people change, but honestly, I thought we were stronger than that, and I saw us at the end of the road. All of us.