Together

Most things out there that makes us happy would involve "together." Eating. Partying. Marriage. Family. All these things bring people together and they are usually synonymous with being happy. So, in other words, together is usually a good thing!

Whenever I am at a friend's party or a family gathering, I am usually in a good mood for some reason. Maybe because I haven't seen some of them for a while? Or is it because the smiles and laughter of the others are rubbing off on me? Whatever it is, the feeling of togetherness is pretty much..... magical. It imbues us with this uncontrollable and sometimes unexplainable sense of joy. It doesn't even have to be a big group. When I think of all the things I do for fun, like playing a sport, playing video games, or watching a movie, having a person by your side makes everything so much more interesting and enjoyable.
Which is why I would never do something fun by myself unless I really have to. It just seems like such a waste when I'm not sharing it with someone else.

Alone

I don't think any of of us are truly alone. The feeling is all in our head. Unless someone is stranded on an uncharted island, we all have family and/or friends that we can turn to and get help from. 

Being "alone" is probably the feeling we get when things in our life are not going so well. The times when we feel that everything in the world is going against you and that wherever you go, some misfortune is lurking somewhere to get you. I am sure we all have had those days before. On days like these, we feel as if no one can help us which leads to us being "alone." But like I said before, this is all in our head. We have friends or family that we can talk to and work things out with. 

Some could argue that I am alone write now as I am writing my blog. In a literal sense it could possibly be true, but there are people living in my house, people living around me, and people online for me to talk to. If people actually feel like they are alone, they are only imprisoning themselves from the outside world. There are so many people out there, they just have to take the initiative. 

Save the Earth, Do this!

Our Earth is slowing dying. The cause of it? Us. We create the problems in the world and we are the ones who aren't doing anything about it. People say that pollution is destroying our Earth, but where does pollution really come from? Greed. Laziness. Gluttony.
We consume more than we actually need. We take and take but we never give back. We sit by and expect things to come to us instead of doing it ourselves. These are many of the issues that affect our world today. Nobody is perfect and I am sure all of us have committed one of these acts before, but that does not mean it's okay to constantly do it. I think the thing that drives people to act this way is because they probably think it's okay for them to do it because others are doing it as well. People like to take the easy path than the more difficult one. The easy path is smooth and easy to walk through, but the reward and the benefits to society is minimal. The difficult path...... is the more difficult one. The path that has many bumps, detours and road blocks, but it is the path that must be take to make ourselves and the world a better place.
Give back to society. Help those who are in need and consume enough only to survive. It is hard to ask, since I probably can not do it myself but I think that is one of the best ways to save the Earth.

Invisible

Invisibility. What is it really? How can we describe something that can not be seen? I think the idea of invisibility is all in the mind. It is based on how we perceive it. Like the main character in the book Invisible Man. It can be argued whether he was truly visible because in a literal sense, people around him were able to see and talk to him. However, the subject of invisibility in philosophy is more about how we perceive it. The main character was there, but he played no significant role. He was only a cog of a machine. Expendable.


Is it a bad thing for us to feel this way? I have different views on it.
People who feel like they are well known and useful would not feel invisible. They feel as if they are the machines that run the world and that they aren't being controlled by the world. They have a very optimistic view for themselves.
Then there are people who feel invisible. Feeling invisible makes our life seem... dull. We walk down the hall of school and you feel as if people do not acknowledge your existence. This feeling would bring despair but... I think that this feeling can be turned into a strength. This feeling can be the motivation for us to become someone great, for us to live a life outside of the machine.
I believe that we are all invisible. We are all cogs in the machine, but some of us evolve into a bigger and more important cogs. A cog that if it were to be removed, it would cause a bit of chaos in the machine but eventually it will still be replaced. It is true that we are all replaceable, but that does not mean I will accept it. Accepting it would destroy any meaning, any value in life. Invisibility may seem like a weakness, but it can definitely be used as a strength as well.

Movie Review

So many movies that I want to review.... but I guess I will just do the most recent one that I have seen. It is the movie The Town directed by Ben Affleck. This movie has just about everything..... intense action, good acting, a nice story, and a good lesson is taught.

The movie starts off with a group of experienced bank robbers going for a heist. Ben Affleck's character holds the bank manager hostage but he ends up forming a connection to her. Throughout the movie, Ben Affleck's relationship with the bank manager ends up ruining their bank robbery group. My short plot sounds a little lame, but you will understand what a good movie it is when you go and see it.

The movie is packed with some intense gunfights and probably one of the best car chases in movie history. Some very good acting is displayed by Ben Affleck and Jeremy Renner. One of my favorite lessons that the story tries to teach is that you can't just change yourself without paying for the mistakes you have made in the past. Spoiler alert: Towards the end, when Ben Afflect decides that he wants to get out of the bank robbing business, he finds himself in quite a bit of trouble.

The lesson I learn in the movie can be directly applied to myself. I expect to get good grades and be good at stuff like music and sports, but I haven't paid for being lazy in the past. Anyways, this was a really good movie and I think anyone should watch it when they have the chance to do so.

Art Review

I am not too familiar with famous art pieces or artists, so I had to go online to look up some pieces. I searched famous art pieces and I found this piece by Vincent Van Gogh called a starry night. I know there are different interpretations of this art piece, but I will give my own opinion of it.
The many stars in the sky can light up the world in mysterious ways, giving us a sense of hope. But when there is hope, there is also doubt. The towering black plant looking thing represents the doubt and the evil in this world. Another way that I see it is that everything looks dreamy and bright because it is being compared to the dark plant. The "beautiful" in this world are made more "beautiful" because of the "ugliness" in this world. People in this world only want more because we compare. We only recognize "beauty" because we  see some people as "ugly."
Sure, Van Gogh was in the mental asylum when he painted this but just because you are insane doesn't mean you are stupid. His painting here shows so much that the interpretations of it could be unlimited. In a way, he was a philosopher of his own.

We Have the Right

We have the right.... or do we really? Who or what is it that determines what we have the right to do? We live our life, doing things that we see as the "right" thing for us to do, blindly following a path. No one is there to tell you whether or not we should keep going or if we should stop because we have the "Right" built into all of us.
This blog makes me question everything around me and my motives in life.. Sure, I have the right to do whatever I want right now. Not only do I have the ability to do it, but I also have my parents to back me up with whatever decision I make. But, instead of doing something that it is worthwhile, I feel like I lose a part of myself everyday. More paths, problems, and questions pop into my mind. Having the Right to do whatever want might sound like a good thing, but in my case it seems like it actually limits me instead. I would want to do something but I always hesitate because I think of the other options that I can be taking instead.
I have the right to just lay on my bed and to just give up but I choose not to. The right to do whatever I want should be a blessing, a blessing that should not be forsaken. I guess what I should work on in college is to determine where all this freedom can go to.

McCarthy’s Birthday Week

Happy Birthday Mr. McCarthy!
Choosing to take philosophy as my senior English class was definitely a good idea. I had my doubts at first. My English classes for the past years have not been very interesting so I was worried that this class would be like them too. However, your style of teaching and the class environment in general makes philosophy in literature one of my favorite classes this year. From the heated arguments to the movies based on books, this class is definitely better and more interesting than other English classes I have had.
Before I took this class, I have been a person who liked to question myself and the things around me. This class makes me question myself more and add more meaning to my life. It is your birthday week and I hope my thoughts of your class make your birthday a little happier! Even though I am a little late......

X is Known

I am guessing that this blog is suppose to be about Malcolm X. Now that we are pretty far into the book and the movie now, it is fair to say that Malcolm has developed into a person he was born to be. His X has finally been found after his time in prison. Malcolm X develops a strong belief that black people should separate themselves from the white people. Black Nationalism.
Malcolm X resolve and dedication to his cause are two things that deserve high respect. Many people would have just given up if so many obstacles stood before them, but he persists in his cause. I think in order to achieve something great, we have to be as persistent as X was. He was able to blindly serve under someone without any doubt of him. Some people might say that this is ignorant but in order to pursue a dream we shouldn't think too much about it or our cause will falter.
I am not too sure about what this blog is about, but this is the way that I interpret it. The more we learn about Malcolm X, the more fascinating his character becomes. Some of his beliefs are controversial, but his persistence is admirable.

X Marks the Spot

X marks the spot on a map, indicating that there is something at this point for us to discover. Something for us to obtain. For most of us, reading this is our first time reading Malcolm X's autobiography. His life is like the X on the map. From reading about his struggles and his thoughts, we get a better understanding of America's history and how people can easily change for the better or the worst.
Our life will become more valuable as we mature, learn, and become aware of things around us. It probably will not be as drastic as Malcolm X's life, but most of our lives will have something valuable to share. A treasure for the future generation to read about and appreciate.
Before we can make our own maps for others to follow, we have to go out and find other X's that have been set in place for us. We have to live life to the fullest by taking opportunities offered to us or going out to find opportunities. Malcolm X set a good example with this. Even though some of the things he did were not very wise, but he is able to learn from his mistakes and experiences to evolve into a powerful figure.

Recovery

Eminem's 2010 album, Recovery, is one that everyone should have a little knowledge of. Driven by his need for redemption, Eminem's Recovery album is new and fresh. In many of his lyrics, like in Not Afraid, he raps about how sorry he is for his fans because he felt that his last album, Relapse, was not as good as he thought it could have been.

And to the fans, I’ll never let you down again, I’m back/I promise to never go back on that promise, in fact/Let’s be honest, that last Relapse CD was eh/Perhaps I ran them accents into the ground/Relax, I ain’t going back to that now

Rapping about his fears, insecurities, and all his different emotions, Eminem is able to properly deliver what his fans always loved. Winning Rap Album of the Year for 2010 and being nominated for Album of the Year, Recovery is a very successful album. Selling 741,000 copies in its first week in the United States and 5.7 million copies worldwide, it ranks number 1 in the most sold albums of 2010.

My two favorite songs from the album are Not Afraid and Love the Way You Lie. There are other ones that are pretty good, like 25 to Life and No Love, but these have more powerful lyrics and they are the two most successful songs of Recovery. Everyone should give this album a chance.

“I’m not afraid to take a stand/Everybody come take my hand/We’ll walk this road together, through the storm/Whatever weather, cold or warm/Just let you know that, you’re not alone/Holla if you feel that you’ve been down the same road.”

I Know This Means Something

I know this means something... I don't really know what this is but okay. The changes that we see in people today means something that our world will face in the future. The emphasis people put on their own life and the greed and corruption in societies today can not be contained. This might not mean so much to us today because it doesn't have a direct impact yet, but I believe it will in the future. People will be doing things only for themselves rather than benefiting the whole population. It will be hard to trust people and the world will eventually fall apart. We won't be consumed by global warming but the greed of people.
There are other problems other than people's greed. The food we consume, new technology that encourages us to be lazy, and how busy people are making themselves. Food goes through so much processing that by the time it reaches our dinner table, we are only eating something that looks like what the food actually was. New forms of technology like video games and social media like Facebook can be beneficial but it is often abused. People today would stay home and use hours of their day on them. We do not get enough sleep because of this, causing many health problems. I know this means something.

Ultimate Recipe

Is there really an ultimate recipe out there in our world? The way I perceive the ultimate recipe is a recipe that everyone in the world will enjoy and demand for. I am pretty sure no such recipe in our world today exists. What the people like in the United States can be perceived as garbage in our countries and vice versa. Our taste for things just are not the same, which is why there are so many recipes out there. The day the world everyone is able to agree on one subject is the day the world ends.
Although there is not a recipe in the world that everyone will like, I believe that there are still some that many people will enjoy. One of these recipes would have to be Lou Malnati's deep dish pizza with the butter crust. I think this might be one of the best pizzas I have ever had. Their cheese to meat ratio is just right and their crust is just amazing. Usually I eat the crust last but at Lou Malnati's, I would sometimes start with the crust first. They have a good recipe for deep dish pizza, but it should not be considered an ultimate one.

Good Food Review

A good food review is pretty hard to write. I believe that in order for a person to write a good review for a restaurant, two or more visits is required. The person also can not be bias and can only write about what they really experienced. I had to complete two food reviews as homework in the past two weeks and the way I did it was that I just wrote about the things that I experienced at the restaurant and what I truly felt about their way of doing things.

The two restaurants I reviewed were the Snail, a Thai restaurant, and Saint's Alp, an Americanized Chinese restaurant. Both restaurants were pretty good.

The food  at the Snail was definitely top tier. The yellow curry with chicken that I ordered was sensational. I have never tasted anything like it before-sweet, salty, and spicy all into a single bite. The price range at the Snail is about eight to ten dollars for an entrée. Overall, I would definitely recommend the Snail to anyone. They serve up a variety of dishes with so many different flavors that people can experiment with.

The Saint’s Alp environment is one of the best in Chinatown. With their simple yet modern design, people dining in can really enjoy their stay there. The service there is a little sloppy though. Not once did a waiter or waitress ask us how our meal was going or if we needed anything else. Other than that, I would recommend Saint’s Alp to most people.

From doing this project, I realized that there are so many kinds of food out there that I still have to experience and I will definitely try to try them all in the future.

King is still King

Martin Luther King Jr. remains king. His actions and his speeches will remain in America's history as long as we still exist. Not many people today or in history are capable of changing the world as much as he did. His leadership and his charisma are unparalleled and he is honored and respected by most people in this world. All his characteristics and achievements earn him the title of Philosopher King.
Philosopher Kings, like Martin Luther King Jr., should be people who can make a difference in the world with what they truly believe in. Their actions and words are wise and should be directed at the people and only for the people. They should not be doing and saying things that only benefit themselves. Their view on society and the world as a whole is unique in its only way and it is something that inspires the world to think and change.
Unfortunately, our world today is not lead by Philosopher Kings. Leaders today are influenced by power and money, not driven by the motivation to truly help our society. They speak words of value but they lack actions.

I'm a Shoe

The way some people view the value of shoes can be indirectly related to the way people treat others. When we first see someone that we really want to meet or be with, kind of like that feeling when you glare through the window at a new pair of Air Force Ones, we would do anything to get it. We think about the person and long from him/her everyday, that is, until we actually meet them and get to know them. Like when we get that new pair of shoes, we are filled with unexplainable excitement. As we start to wear the shoes more often though, they start become old and worn out, kind of like the person you really wanted to be with. I do not actually perceive people this way, but I know that peculiar excitement definitely dies down after a while for anybody.
If I were to be a shoe, I would want to be one that is highly durable but not high in price. Being high in price, people will expect much out of me because that is how most people in society perceives value. Most expensive shoes are made the same way as those of cheaper prices. If I am so much higher in price than other shoes around me, people will be very upset with me if I let them down. But..... if I am relatively low in price but still function the same way, people will not be as disappointed because they were expecting it. This is basically how I live life. I don't really want people to put high hopes in me because I do not want to let them down or waste their time. Thus, I walk a quiet and mellow road.

Winter Poem

As Fall slowly fades away
Winter quickly makes its way
Invading us with cold and snow
Disturbing us and our natural flow
You make people get up to shovel this mess
Every passing year makes me like you less
Your arrival brings darkness
Filling our souls with emptiness
You take away our sun
Forcing us to have less fun
Annoying us with your snow and ice
You know, that is not very nice
Our world have enough problems
We do not want to add more to them
Beautiful at first sight
But you are nothing but a blight
Oh winter please make this your last
There is a suitable seat for you, the past

Globalization

The presence of globalization is undeniable. Our world is constantly changing today and will continue to do so. Countries now are starting to put high values on certain things and ideas and we are starting to idolize the same things.
Our world today is all about fast and efficient methods. We want things to come to us with the easiest and quickest method. People today are getting greedier. We idolize that 1% of the population that are considered rich and people try to be like them. Other countries look at how powerful and rich the United States is and they try to be like us in certain ways.
Globalization fails in some places though. With the example of soccer club cultures, globalization is not able to break down the culture and their enthusiasm for soccer.
The presence of globalization is a double edged sword. It can be good for us but it also creates serious problems. Many jobs can be created and poor countries can be liberated of poverty, but the rich and power can use it to their advantage by exploiting the poor. Let us hope that people use it more for the world's well being than for their self interest.

Sports

Sports in my life. Where to begin? First of all, I am not that great at sports. The first two sports I learned to play were basketball and ping pong. Yes, ping pong. All Chinese people love ping pong. I do not know why I chose basketball though.... I played on my grade school's team for a few years and I would play at the neighborhood park once in a while. My shooting was decent and so were my free throws, but that's about it. No defense, no dribbling, no speed. Probably should have gotten myself an ankle protector too...... Anyways, I had better luck with ping pong, but I was never on a team. I only played at some Chinese club in Chinatown. I was pretty good, at least compared to those amateurs.
Somewhere along the way, I learned to swim. Again, I didn't join a team for it but I really enjoyed swimming. I would go to the neighborhood park with friends and race against them. Good times.
So I continued with those sports until high school came. I tried playing tennis with some of my friends and I kind of liked it, even though I did not know the correct forms for hitting the ball. I decided to join the team along with a few of my friends and I pretty much grew into it, learning to hit and serve ball and the different styles that can be used. Tennis is my favorite sport now and probably the one that I am best at.

Thankful for classmates

To be fair, I am thankful for all my classmates. There are some who I talk to more than others, but everyone in the class contributes to making the class entertaining and fun. The questions and the comments that my classmates make usually make me think and question my own beliefs. This helps me to come up with new ideas to support my own beliefs and to get another perspective on things. Everyone is very intelligent, which inspires me to do better in school and to try harder.
The classmates that I am more thankful for would be Dohyun and Anil because they are usually the ones who work with me in group work or discussions. They are both very smart and clever and they have many good ideas to contribute. I do not know if they feel the same way, but I think that we work pretty well as a group. We get work done rather efficiently. They are not the ones who get all worked up about getting things done either. We know when to joke around and when to get down to work. I do not feel pressured or left out when I am working with them. They make work enjoyable and easy. I am thankful for my group.