I found this short story and thought it was pretty clever. 

"A son and his father were walking on the mountains.

Suddenly, his son falls, hurts himself and screams: "AAAhhhhhhhhhhh!!!"

To his surprise, he hears the voice repeating, somewhere in the mountain: "AAAhhhhhhhhhhh!!!"

Curious, he yells: "Who are you?"

He receives the answer: "Who are you?"

And then he screams to the mountain: "I admire you!"

The voice answers: "I admire you!"

Angered at the response, he screams: "Coward!"

He receives the answer: "Coward!"

He looks to his father and asks: "What's going on?"

The father smiles and says: "My son, pay attention."

Again the man screams: "You are a champion!"

The voice answers: "You are a champion!"

The boy is surprised, but does not understand.

Then the father explains: "People call this ECHO, but really this is LIFE.

It gives you back everything you say or do.

Our life is simply a reflection of our actions.

If you want more love in the world, create more love in your heart.

If you want more competence in your team, improve your competence.

This relationship applies to everything, in all aspects of life;

Life will give you back everything you have given to it." 

Sadly, Spring Break is coming to an end. It was a nice relaxing and well-needed break. Tomorrow, it is back to hitting the books hard, sort of. I am ending my break on a high note. I'm getting ready for the 2009-2010 mlb season w/ a fantasy draft accompanied by Kelly Clarkson and her new album. Surprisingly, it is pretttttttty sweet. 

Thus far, spring break has been pretty chill. Nothing super noteworthy, which is totally fine. All I really needed was some time off from school to relax. My Spring break has consisted of Chuck, Berkeley, basketball, Amy's birthday, and gym. I'm having lunch w/ Joomee tomorrow which is always fun. Aside from that, I don't have much planned. But the possibilities are endless! Anything can happen, I suppose. 

Today started off with the gym with Matt. It was a very sufficient workout. We followed that w/ a hearty meal at Dino's grill. After all that I went home and watched Chuck. I planned to do homework, but I figured thats what Sunday is for. Then I get a call from Jinjer 

 I went to the hospital today with Jinjer to visit our buddy Daniel Ayap. There's a problem with his kidney. It's been a really long time since I've been to any hospital. Actually, I think the last time I went to a hospital was about 5 years ago? It was so weird seeing Daniel just like laying there - helpless. For people who dont know Daniel, he is anything but helpless. He's this short but sturdy dude that will knock anyone out if you cross him; which is why I am glad he is on my side. He'll always have your back unconditionally. Jinjer and I just stayed for about an hour and i got teary eyed as I was leaving his room. I mean, I know he's gonna be ok but I just had a hard time seeing him so...vulnerable? I dunno. 

After visiting Daniel, Jinjer and I snuck into Costco to get some good ol' polish dogs. The person at the register was a girl named Diana. I had a class with her my freshman year and she remembered me and hooked me and Jinjer up w/ some free dogs! That was really nice of her. If you ever read this - which I highly doubt you will - thank you! I really appreciate it. 

I ended my night by watching I love you man with Billy, Matt, and Lisa. To no ones surprise, Matt was being ridiculously loud. It was a pretty funny movie. . The whole time I was thinking about how Robbie will kill all the lines after he watches it. 

Get well soon Daniel. My thoughts are with you brother. I need you out there at Ash; Ariels throwing up bricks left and right.

agree to disagree

Today, my friend and I had a very interesting conversation. It was probably one of the most interesting discussions I've ever had. Actually, it was more him just ranting and me listening to what he had to say. It was captivating nonetheless . I was taken away by what he had to say. I never knew this person felt this way about certain people and that he held himself higher than anyone. 

In my head, I'm thinking to myself, "who is he to judge them"?. He doesn't know these people and he is basing his accusations on nothing. 

Him: Who are they?

Me: Who are you?

Him: I am everything. I have these potentials and gifts that I am now unraveling. 

Him: I can tell who someone is after knowing them for 5 minutes. 

He made many other generalizations which I did not agree with. However, he is entitled to his opinion. He was pretty mad that I didn't argue back but in his world, he can never be wrong. We just agreed to disagree, which didn't really solve anything but whatever.

That discussion got me thinking about how I view others. I try my best not to judge andI honestly feel that I do give people the benefit of the doubt. I am a firm believer in trusting someone until they give me a reason not to. Maybe I am to trusting? I don't know

I never saw this side of him. Maybe it was that half beer he had. 

March Madness

8:00 -  My alarm "Its a beautiful morning" by The Rascals goes off and I step out of bed. I know its gonna be a good day. The weather is sunny, no more midterms, NCAA tourney is here, and most importantly spring break, for me,  starts tomorrow. 

Man, life has been stressful the last 2 days. I've been studying all day for the past 2 days to make up for not studying all semester. All the sleepless nights, cramming, and whatever else is gone...for a week. I hope to just chill, watch my tourney bracket not get busted! 

Jk, Berkeley decided to be douches and mess up my bracket.

weekend.

Saturday: Originally, I was suppose to start the day by hiking mission peak w/ Joomee and Brian but she felt sort of sick so we postponed it. Instead, I went to Berkeley with Jester, Deja, Joomee, and Sierra. Joomee wanted to get her belly button pierced. While we were there, me and Deja were hella contemplating getting something pierced. She wanted her nose or lip pierced and I wanted my lip pierced but I decided against it for 3 reasons: 

1) I wasn't sure if I was able to pull it off

2) No money

3) My mom and grandma would have killed me

After we left Zebra's we went off to Blondies to get some pizza. Jester and I got to catch up which is always nice. Hopefully I will be seeing more of him in the near future. After eating we just went home. We probably would have stayed longer if Deja didn't have work and I didn't have to go to my grandmas. 

Later that night, Billy calls me to come through to his house. Me, Brian, Robbie, and Billy were initially going to head to Frisco to visit Matt but we figured we were just gonna do nothing there. As an alternative, we decided to go to wingstop. I felt like shit afterwards. We go to back to Billy's and watch him slaughter Robbie in Halo...again. At this point, its like 1:30 and I still feel like shit so I just go home and watch Chuck(great show btw; thanks Derek), while they all go to Tommy's kick it thingy. 

Sunday: Wake up, study, study, study, Chuck, study, study, study, study, Warriors game, study, study, study, study, Chuck, and sleep. 

Today: I'm just gonna recap w/ bullet points seeing as its getting sorta late and I need to finish my studying. 

• History class; boring lecture
• P.F Changs with Joomee
• Hyman hall; study and take tests w/ my brother booth
• nap
• newark campus to study w/ Ronnie and Willy
• dinner
• Chuck
• Gym
• Homework
• Blog

Gratitude: 

• Today I had an exceptional workout with Chung. I've seen good improvements since I started lifting with him. I maxxed out at 235 the other day. He's been getting stronger too. I'd like to think I had some role in that.
• I made a new friend on Thursday

Thats all I can think of right now. Spring break needs to come NOW.

when in doubt, pick C

Wow, that midterm kicked my ass. I was in doubt a lot  -___-

Oh well. There is no point in worrying over it now. After the midterm I went home and took a well deserved nap after cramming all night and morning. Actually, I wouldn't say its well deserved, seeing as I waited till last minute but whatever. After my nap I picked up Robbie and went to Cheryl's birthday dinner at Tomodachis. The food was really good. 

Good thing Robbie came along. There were about 30 people who went and I knew maybe like 5 at the most? I use the term "knew" loosely. They were just acquaintances whom I met through Cheryl a while back and they didn't even remember me, which was fine lol. It was pretty awkward. Robbie and I were just sitting by ourselves playing with our iphones. I guess it was pretty apparent too, cause Cheryl came over and apologized for not knowing anyone and what not. 

After dropping Robbie off, I went home to study for a little bit. Following my "studying" I went to the gym to lift. It was a pretty shitty workout but it was a workout nonetheless. When Chung and I were done lifting we chatted w/ Ryan for a bit, as we usually do. He then realized that he got his keys jacked or something so I had to take him home to get his spare. After taking him home and then back to the gym, I went to Billy's house to chill and watch him get owned in that sorry excuse for a game known as Halo. It was long but fulfilling day. 

Today is just going to be a relaxing day for me. I plan to update my ipod/itunes, lift with Chung, and maybe go to Cheryl's party I just came back from Panera where I enjoyed a chicken bacon dijon sandwich and french onion soup accompanied by sports illustrated. Derek recommended I watch Chuck so I'm gonna be productive and watch that now. I hope everyone has a nice Friday!

Gratitude

• Robbie came to dinner w/ me
• My blood donor card that I lost in my previous wallet was sent back to me
• I found my old mini ipod 
• Night class got out early
• I had a pleasant conversation with Luci  who is an employee at Panera. She is possibly the nicest person you'll ever meet

"To laugh often and much;

To win the respect of intelligent people

and the affection of children;

To earn the appreciation of honest critics

and endure the betrayal of false friends;

To appreciate beauty;

To find the best in others;

To leave the world a bit better, whether by

a healthy child, a garden patch

or a redeemed social condition;

To know even one life has breathed

easier because you have lived;

This is to have succeeded"

- Ralph Waldo Emerson 

Kill me now!

Life has been pretty stressful/annoying as of late. I'm at Hyman hall right now doing homework cause I have no internet at home. I haven't had internet for the past 5 days? There is something wrong with my router or something? The AT&T guy is coming on Thursday to take a look at it. Hopefully he'll be able to fix it. To add to the annoying-ness of no internet is the always annoying midterms. I've once again have pushed everything off until the last minute and its all building up right now. I have a habit of doing that and I need to break that cycle. I also need to break the cycle of saying I'm going to break the cycle and just do it. I bet I can look back at all my posts and find at least 4 other times were I said I need to stop procrastinating. 

Gratitude journal:

• Lunch at Olive Garden with Joomee and Brian
• Chilling around the dinner table at Billys w/ him and ammo. It reminded me of summer
• Cleaned my car
• Went for a long run
• Got hooked up by my friend John Ryan. 

"Let us be grateful to people who make us happy; they are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom" - Marcel Proust

In the midst of all this annoying-ness, I'm glad that I still have the little things that help me get through the day. 

Its a Saturday night and I'm at home studying  -___-

Highlight of my day: My mom accidently ate dog food. The reaction she had when she bit into the food was priceless. I wish had a photographical evidence. 

Gratitude:

• Went to lunch with Matt
• I received a very nice facebook comment from an old elementary friend
• I got my graduation stuff taken care of
• Sunny weather
• Found 10 dollars in my pocket

Nothing big has happened in my life lately but I'm okay with that. Its the small things that make the biggest differences right? I'm content with my life as of now. Hopefully I can say that in a week, month, and a year from now. 

Today was a good day. Long, but good. I was pretty productive and got to spend some quality time with Jinjer. Us hanging out have been far and few between recently. However, when we do spend time together, its just a reminder of why she is important to me and still in my life. After hanging out with her I went to the gym with Chung and got in a good workout. I then proceeded over to Billy's house and chilled with him for a bit. Don't worry bout them stupid girls, billy. I then went home where homework awaited me. Midterms are coming up soon so I have to start preparing for those. 

I didn't get around to blogging last night so for todays blog I'm just gonna combine my gratitude list(If I ever miss a day of blogging - which is more than likely- than I'll just do the whole combo thing. 

• I got accepted to SJSU
• Maria called and we caught up; I might go w/ her to New Orleans to help build houses for Katrina victims.
• Had some milk tea with Jinjer while watching some American Idol
• My classmate sold me his ticket to a speech that was sold out
• Took a nice and needed nap

And to continue with my gratitude journal...

• Pilates was cancelled giving me extra time to finish some homework
• I used a gift card hoping it had enough money for my purchase and it did!
• Random text from Maureen
• I got an A on my research proposal
• Watched American Idol with my dad while enduring his terrible impressions of each contestant 

grat·i·tude

I was hella bored in my intercultural class so i was browsing through the app store and I came across this application called the gratitude journal. In this application, you're suppose to write down 5 things you're grateful for each day. They recommend doing this for at least a month and it will supposedly change your life forever. I didn't want to pay for the app so I decided to just do it here. I think that it was a great idea for an application. Writing down what you're grateful for throughout the day really keeps your life in perspective. 

"The gratitude journal truly changed my life" - Oprah Winfrey 

• Me, Ronnie, Joomee, and Robbie planned a snowboarding trip
• Lunch with Joomee 
• Home cooked meal with the family
• Night class got let out early
• Good intense workout at the gym