Ramadan

Let me begin by telling you I am a Christian.  To me, faith by definition cannot be proved so I’ve simply believed in what I feel and observe.  Therefore I find it extremely important to explore, observer, and consider.

Having been raised in a Buddhist family I’ve always been open to exploring other faiths.  How can you truly know how strong your faith is if you can’t explore other faiths to verify your own decision.  If I had never explored, I would either be agnostic or what many people are: their parent’s religion.  I was just recently reminded of Plato’s Allegory of the Cave (think Matrix) and if my beliefs are truly incorrect, I want to know.  Back to the story at hand:

I recently met and became rather good friends with two wonderful people of Pakistani decent.  They happen to both be Muslim.  So for most of August, they were going to observe Ramadan.  Being the exploratory type of person, I decided to join in on the fasting (solidarity).  I learned a few things and wanted to share my experience.

Ramadan is a time for fasting and prayer.  The fast begins prior to daylight (which is before sunrise) and ends at sunset.  During the light hours you refrain from eating, drinking, and perhaps some other stuff (including chewing gum).  It is a time to reflect and I took full opportunity of that.  By far the hardest part was not drinking.  Hunger you deal with and your body eventually just adjusts to eating before and after the fasting hours.  However, not drinking meant your mouth was dry the whole day and you never forgot you were fasting.

Things I learned and contemplated:

1.  For starters you start to consider how much of your life revolves around food and drink.  You plan your day around lunch and dinner.  You socialize and just hang out with people surrounding food.  People go out for drinks.  You start to realize how spoiled you are.  People around the world work and search for food and I’m wasting and using food as entertainment. You reflect on the blessing that is clean running water.  You just look at the world differently and thank God for all that you already have.

2.  You realize how weak you are.  I failed at fasting on many occasions and didn’t even observe it on most weekends.

3.  Your body adapts to situations pretty quickly.  My appetite changed in only a few days and I was naturally waking up before dawn because I was hungry and needed to eat, regardless of the fact that I didn’t eat dinner the night before until after sunset.  The body is an amazing mechanism.

4.  I enjoy trying new things, religious or not.  This situation was no different.

 

Overall I had a good experience.  Even though Ramadan is an Islamic practice, fasting is observed in multiple occasions in Christianity.  Did I find myself less of a Christian during the fast?  Not at all, but I did find myself appreciating life and what I have been given, something I appreciated being raised Buddhist (contentment) and being Christian (blessings).

 

Rockets

With the NBA lockout threatening the upcoming season, what do Rockets fans really have to look forward to this year?

The entire Rockets organization can be currently described as having ‘potential’.

At the top, we still have boy genius, Daryl Morey. While the Rockets have overachieved in the absence of McGrady and/or Yao, a few playoff appearances and a single playoff series win, does not exactly make Morey a legend just yet. He has however, filled the team with a young roster containing multiple lottery picks. He has attempted to upgrade the team, but never at the cost of giant contracts. This last step allows the addition of a big name, but alas, the hole still exists and all we have is the potential.

Next we have the new coach. While Rick Adelman brought the reputation of a fun and creative offense from his days in Sacramento, Kevin McHale brings memories of a sub-par Minnesota team. Granted, McHale wasn’t given much to work with in Minnesota, but as our roster reflects, we are a team without a star. So, if McHale was not given much of a chance in his previous stint as a head coach and being a great player implies he has plenty of basketball knowledge to pass down to the young talent, then we’re left with a coach who has a recognizable name, at least some tricks up his sleeve, and the potential to be a decent coach.

With Luis Scola and Chuck Hayes being the only players I see as having reached their potential, the Rockets roster is filled with players who have the ability to become better. Just like Kyle Lowry’s addition of a 3pt shot, each Rockets player can become more than who they were and continue to contribute in larger ways.

The team is young and low risk. Each player can be swapped out for another and there is room for improvement in all their games offensively and/or defensively. All a Rockets fan can hope for is that a few of these eggs hatch and the potential of a player is truly tapped.

In 2009, the Blake Griffin draft, Hasheem Thabeet was taken #2, Johnny Flynn was taken #6, Jordan Hill was taken #8, and Terrence Williams was taken #11. These are all players who can step up and fill the rolls around our existing structure or even blossom into a mid level star. Kyle Lowry ended the season as one of the top guards, Kevin Martin gets his points no matter what, Louis Scola always holds his own down low, and even Courtney Lee brings tough defense and NBA Finals experience.

This team has the ability to become better and is perhaps a trade, draft pick, or free agent signing away from returning to NBA relevancy. Even with little hopes of reaching the post season, or even having a season at all, Rockets fans can look forward to whatever might grow out of the seed that is planted.

end of an era

My life went through quite the roller coaster this year. Luckily, I’m on a upswing. Last week, was a great week in my opinion. I met new friends, played basketball, killed it in football (and saw people get owned), and basically ended a (long) chapter of my life…opening a new one still to be written.

As I watched Harry Potter Part 7 sub-part 2, I thought all the way back to when part one came out. I remember waiting in line to watch a movie I knew nothing about. As the story progressed through all the movies, so did my life. I went from being a computer science major, to being a software QA engineer, to going to law school, to not finding a job. While I’m still not ‘permanently’ employed, I’m at a happy temporary spot in my life. As the movie came to a close, so has the past few years of my life.

So cheers to new adventures, new people, new jobs, and enjoying these new things with the people who stuck it out with me at my low point.

In other news, I went to a concert…can’t believe how long it has been since the last one: http://jasonwu7890795.wordpress.com/concerts/

no reason

Humans are a funny bunch.

“It’s modern-day slavery, you know? People kind of laugh at that, but there are people working at regular jobs who get treated the same way, too.”

Adrian Peterson, star running back for the Minnesota Vikings, whose base salary is reportedly more than $10 million.

Most people would love to make just a million dollars a year and be so physically healthy and gifted as Adrian Peterson.  However from his perspective, things are bad.  This example was used by one of my business school teachers:

If I find $20 on the floor I’m happy.  Most people would rank it like, lets say 5.  +5 happy

If I lose $20 I’m unhappy.  Even though it is still just $20, most people rank it at a much higher level of discontent, like 8.  -8 happy 

Even though the actual amount is the same ($20), humans tend to be affected more by negative things.

Right now I’m in a situation where my brain knows I should be grateful and happy, but my emotions do not reflect that.  I grew up with loving parents that I still get to see almost every week.  Instead of being raised in Taiwan, I’m here enjoying the benefits of being a US Citizen.  I have two siblings who are both great in their own right.  I have nephews that love me too.  I woke up today in my comfy full size bed, enjoyed a hot shower in my own private bathroom.  I pay ridiculously low rent and live with a friend from childhood.  I got into my car and drove to McD where I enjoy a hot breakfast every now and then, made instantly for me.  They make me food and off I go in my car that I don’t have to make payments on and rests nightly in a garage bigger than a lot of people’s homes in Japan.  I drive out to work, against traffic so I’m never stuck in it, going 70 MPH on a massive freeway. 

I instantly communicate with all my friends.  I have friends who know who I am and are there when I’m down.  I love sports and I get to play it, watch it, talk about it, write about it.  I have a law degree and a computer science degree and no student debt.  I don’ t worry about where I’ll sleep at night.  I don’t worry about where my next meal will come from.  I don’t worry about any kids.  I don’t worry about my soul.  Besides not having a full time job with a future, I’m pretty set.  Even not having a job is a blessing because I’m going to use the opportunity to travel to Seattle and visit my brother, friends, and snowboard.  So many good things in my life. 

I’ve traveled to Europe, Asia, all over the US.  I’ve swam with dolphins, ate exotic animals, flown first class.  I’ve loved and have been loved.  I’m not terrible at sports, I’m not terrible at video games, I’m not even that terrible at school.  I’m the master of standardize tests and I don’t worry about my weight.  I have a cell phone that lets me contact anybody I know instantly.  I’ve seen the sunset in Hawaii and I’ve sat close enough to NBA players to hear them curse.  I’ve taken pictures of so many of my adventures that I can relive them over and over.  I drink too much soda because clean refreshing water is too boring for me.  I have an incurable autoimmune disease but I get free medicine for it and so far it has only affected my skin. 

I can write decently enough.  I can do basic math and algebra.  I learned calculus and higher level math and will likely never use it.  I’ve watched musicals and attended so many concerts.  I’ve sang along to Pearl Jam live and played the violin against my will as a child.   I’ve stood next to Yao Ming, took a picture with Shawn Kemp, I even took a picture of a friend with Magic Johnson that was used on a sports blog.

I’m really good with directions.  I know what I like to eat and I eat it.  I’ve been drunk, I’ve been high.  I’ve experienced fear, I’ve experienced joy.  I know what love is, I know what loss is.  I laugh, I cry, I smile, I frown. 

I have so many things that I am thankful for, but…

I know someday you’ll have a beautiful life, I know you’ll be a sun in somebody else’s sky

billy corgan once refused to tell people the meaning behind his songs,  he felt that the lyrics touched each person differently and in the way they wanted and/or needed.  while there are many interpretations for black, i know what this song means to me now.  a lot of songs hit me differently these days.  songs i didn’t like have new meaning.  i’ve always loved black.  i remember the first time i heard it, we were in lance’s car driving around PL.  peter was still introducing me to pj at the time.  it was a good ‘cassette’.  lol i’m old.

Sheets of empty canvas, untouched sheets of clay
Were laid spread out before me as her body once did.
All five horizons revolved around her soul
As the earth to the sun
Now the air I tasted and breathed has taken a turn

Ooh, and all I taught her was everything
Ooh, I know she gave me all that she wore
And now my bitter hands chafe beneath the clouds
Of what was everything.
Oh, the pictures have all been washed in black, tattooed everything…

I take a walk outside
I’m surrounded by some kids at play
I can feel their laughter, so why do I sear?
Oh, and twisted thoughts that spin round my head
I’m spinning, oh, I’m spinning
How quick the sun can drop away

And now my bitter hands cradle broken glass
Of what was everything?
All the pictures have all been washed in black, tattooed everything…

All the love gone bad turned my world to black
Tattooed all I see, all that I am, all I’ll be… yeah…
Uh huh… uh huh… ooh…

I know someday you’ll have a beautiful life,
I know you’ll be a sun in somebody else’s sky, but why
Why, why can’t it be, can’t it be mine

February Blues

Winter is always a tough time.  The days are short, the nights are cold.  I’m determined to never live in a winter climate.  I’m currently in Texas, sitting in 60 degree winter weather and I’m complaining about the harsh winter.  We did have a bit of a cold spell at the end of last week.  Friday the city was basically shut down because of ice on the road.  I showed up at work and was the only person, so I went back home.  Of course, by Saturday, we were outside playing football already and it was pretty warm in the 60s with plenty of sunshine.  I suffer from Psoriasis so the winters are double tough.  Not only does the lack of sunshine make my Psoriasis flare up, but the dry winter weather makes my skin feel like it will crack off my body.  Sleeping through the night gets harder with the itching, with makes my daytime equally miserable.  I’m a Pacific Islander and I long for the sunlight.

This post gets a ‘Movies’ category too because Friday I watched Socialnetwork.  It was probably hyped up a little too much.  It was kind of inspiring to see programmers at work, but I’ve left that boat.  I enjoyed the movie, but I wouldn’t not have ranked it number one in any category.  I’m kind of at a loss for words right now to review it.  Anyway, peace out.

fun with ATM machines

Today I went to the bank to deposit something.  A lot of drive thru ATMs now have the two machines lined up in a row.  I like it because it allows two people to do business and drive off.  While it isn’t as good as two side by side, it is better than just one.  However this particular pair was surrounded by concrete.  So if the person in back finishes, they cannot just pull to the right and drive off.

So this one white camry was at the first ATM, I assume the person in front of her had already finished and drove off.  So an empty machine was in front of this person.  Fine, no rush, finish your transaction and me and the next car will start ours simultaneously.  After about 15 minutes, I wonder what is up.  This person kept pushing buttons and referring to a sheet of paper she kept holding up.  So FINALLY she takes out her card and moves…but only to the next machine.  I wondered if the first one was broken as I pulled up to it.  I looked and everything looked fine.  I deposited my check and was ready to go…except I was trapped.  With the machine to my left, concrete and grass to my right, a fellow who also waited 15 minutes behind me and this dumb person in front of me.  So I wait…I assumed it was a lady who didn’t use the ATM much and was trying to follow instructions somebody wrote on a sheet of paper for them.  Maybe it is a language thing, who knows, I’m trying to be understanding.

So another 5 minutes later I’m like … you clearly need help, please go inside.  So I beep beep.  No response.  Of course, my beep means the 5 cars behind me are like WOO time to honk and begin going at it.  So after she removes her card again, I think she will move.  Nope, she sits for another minute before I blare on my horn.  The response was a please wait, just one more thing hand sign.  I’m like, this has gone too far.

I step out of my car and go talk to this person, half expecting somebody who won’t understand me.  It was a relatively young female who spoke to me in perfect English.  She apologized, probably a little frightened by the fact, somebody came out of their car, yet still insisted that we need to wait, because all she has to do is make a deposit!  She motions her ATM card toward the machine and I was like NO.  I place my hand over the slot and told her…Look we’ve been here for over twenty minutes, there are five cars waiting behind you.  There is an ATM machine right outside the front door of this bank.  You can park your car and take your time at that machine.  At that point she’s like…it’s the same as this machine?  I’m like YES.  So she is like sorry and closes her window.  I stay a few seconds in case she was just bluffing and just wanted me to remove my hand from the card slot.  I return to my car and we finally get to leave.  WOW

reflect

This is a response to Jing’s ‘Getting to Know You’ note on Facebook.  I know people think these are lame but they really do help you get to know somebody better.  Sure it would be better if I just hung out and talked with the person to find all this out, but I’m introverted and forgetful.  Like I didn’t know Jing liked mushrooms on his pizza that much.  I might have learned he isn’t like Duffy who hates mushrooms, but would I know it was his favorite topping?

These things are also great for self reflection.  It is always good to look inward and examine how things are going.  I’m adjusting to having to go to work every day, but I also know how lucky I am to even be employed.

1. What time did you get up this morning?

8:10am

 

2. How do you like your steak?

Medium – most places don’t do it right anyway, so I aim for the middle

 

3. What was the last film you saw in the cinema?

JackA**3D – I probably shouldn’t have gone to see it.  I do not recommend it.  Sure it was funny but a lot of things are.  There are okay scenes and there are scenes I never want to mention again.

 

4. What is your favorite TV show?

Running Wilde  –  Mainly because my funny bone cannot separate it from Arrested Development.

 

5. If you could live anywhere in the world where would it be?

California.  Sadly, the cost of weather is too great, I fear earthquakes, and my family doesn’t live there.

 

6. What did you have for breakfast?

These Oatmeal To Go things Annette told me about over the weekend.  I’m not sure if it is any healthier than just a plain breakfast bar, but they taste ok and judging from my bowel movements, do contain a good amount of fiber.

 

7. What is your favorite cuisine?

Cheesey Cuisine (like with cheese)

 

8. What foods do you dislike?

I do not like to mix my sweet and savory.

 

9. Favorite Place to eat?

I go through phases.  I would currently say… Taco Cabana.  We moved right next to one and I can’t stop eating it.

 

10. Favorite dressing?

Ranch

 

11. What kind of vehicle do you drive?

Asian Stereotype Honda Accord

 

12. What are your favorite clothes?

If I could, I would wear t-shirt and jeans every day and throw on a hoodie in the winter when it gets cold.  This dress shirt and tie business is already getting old.  If I don’t see a single client all day, why do I need to be dressed like this?

 

13. Where would you visit if you had the chance?

Greece

 

14. Cup 1/2 empty or 1/2 full?

The cup is simply filled half way, it is neither full nor empty.  It is both good and bad.

 

15. Where would you want to retire?

Texas, dirt cheap, international airports, no snow, and my family is here

 

16. Favorite time of the day?

The second I leave the building at work.  The sweet smell of freedom regardless of if there will be traffic.

 

17. Where were you born?

HsinChu, Taiwan, once small town, now the silicon valley of Taiwan

 

18. What is your favorite sport to watch?

Basketball

 

19. Who do you think will not tag you back?

I’m not tagging anybody.

 

20. Person you expect to tag you back?

See #19

 

21. Who are you curious about their responses to this?

See #19 again.

 

22. Bird Watcher?

If I see a bird, I might watch it.  I do not have bird watching gear like binoculars.  Which reminds me, somebody cannot say binocular.  I can’t remember who.  I can’t even remember how they say it…Bye-Nocular vs Buh-Nocular?

 

23. Do you consider yourself attractive?

Could be worse

 

24. Pets?

None

 

25. Any new and exciting news that you’d like to share?

The job I guess.  Of course, it won’t be official until after this three month contract period and when I get paid a real salary with benefits.

 

26. What did you want to be when you were little?

Stock broker – only remember this because somebody told me I said it in middle school.

 

27. What is your best childhood memory?

Define childhood…I think I’m still in it.  Early childhood, probably renting video games from the video store and trying to finish them over the short rental period.

 

28. Are you a dog or cat person?

Dog (not toy dogs either)

 

29. Are you married?

No

 

30. Always wear your seat belt?

Yes

 

31. Been in a car accident?

Not one where anybody was hurt.

 

32. Any Pet peeves?

Do not touch my monitor screen.

 

33. Favorite pizza topping?

Pepperoni (I’d say cheese but it isn’t even a pizza w/o cheese)

 

34. Favorite flower?

I’m not a fan of flowers, they bring butterflies.

 

35. Favorite Ice cream?

Vanilla (it is the finest of the flavors)

 

36. Favorite Fast food?

Dinner and Dancing and Taco Bell

 

37. How many times did you fail your driver’s test?

0, I think people should have to take a driver’s test every ten years or so.  I think people forget how to drive, especially when the weather changes.

 

38. From whom did you get your last email?

AT&T home internet

 

39. Which store would you like to max out your credit card?

Academy

 

40. Do anything spontaneous lately?

I went to Sam’s to get gas and grab a slice of pizza for lunch, even though I was running on empty and packed a sandwich last night.

 

41. Like your job?

As a person who is not a fan of jobs, it really could be worse.

 

42. Broccoli?

I like broccoli a lot.

 

43. What was your favorite vacation?

This one is really hard.  All vacations by definition are great.  What do I rank on…the people, the experience, the locations?  If I could only go on one more trip and it would be exactly like the one I went on…I’d pick Taiwan, winter 2004.  Seriously too hard of a question.

 

44. Last person you went to dinner with?

Duffy, Sunny, Helen, Vanhdy, Jenny

 

45. What are you listening to right now?

Silence, but I am about to turn on BBC news b/c it is way past 3pm now.

 

46. What is your favorite color?

Blue

 

47. How many tattoos do you have?

0

 

48. Coffee drinker?

Nope, when I go to Starbucks I get Vanilla Bean Frap, Hot Chocolate, or Tea with a ton of sugar.

 

49. How many children do you have?

0

Monday

Friday 10/18/2010:

1. tried to get up at 9am, failed
2. washed my bedding and towels
3. started sorting out old clothes I no longer wear to donate (have to lighten load before moving)
4. joined AABA again to attend some events
5. looked for jobs at Xerox because a classmate told me they hire attorneys, even for non-legal positions

last Friday

Friday 10/15/2010:

1. went to the dermatologist to get the results of my TB test read (no issues)
2. emailed a contact at a IP firm here in town about jobs and just to pass along info
3. vacuumed the inside of my car
4. went bowling but didn’t bowl – to save a little money (since I make $0)

Monday has been pretty slow so far.  Got a likely source for employment that I will be calling tomorrow.