Home Going Celebration
I went to a funeral service this week for Reverend George Stevens. However, the word "funeral" was not printed once on the program. It was more appropriately and correctly called a home going celebration. Reverend Stevens was a prominent African-American activist and politician in San Diego. It was a beautiful celebration of his life and an amazing worship service for God. The choir was awe-inspiring. I liked how the congregation was so expressive. People would respond throughout the service, randomly stand up, clap, lift their arms.
Roxy
On a random note, I went horseback riding yesterday for Beverly Day. My horse's name was Roxy. Beverly's horse, Cooper was quite temperamental. JJ's horse was huge and steady. Roxy kept stopping to smell the flowers. I think she had allergies like me because she kept sneezing.
Visits
I have had quite a few visitations in the last month. Andy inadvertently visited me. Johny came by last Friday, which was exciting because it was a mini surprise. For some reason, Johny makes me say goofy things. I feel that half of our conversations don't make any sense. The other half of our conversations, we're actually having three different conversations. It's hard to explain, but I always feel very comfortable around Johny although we haven't been close-close friends for a long time. I find Johny very insightful and understanding.
Johny minus the 'y'
John MSN visited yesterday. He brought Shayna and Nathan. I absolutely adore them. Sena and Sharon joined us for dinner. We had a nice time.
Arrested Development vs. Scrubs
I can't believe I never watched Arrested Development until now. To put all the peer-pressuring from Dan and Drew to rest, here is my statement: I like both shows equally. I truly do. Dan and Drew don't believe me when I say that, but both shows are hilarious to me in very different ways. I think Dan needs to watch more of Scrubs and Drew needs to watch more of Arrested Development. We can all get along.
Plus One
Sophia's wedding is on a yacht. I think it's going to be quite elegant, yet freezing because it's on a yacht in December. It feels like a date wedding (where one must or should take a date) and this unecessarily annoys me. It's probably perfectly fine if I don't take a date and go with Kristine and Hana. I like going to places alone and doing things alone because I like to observe people. I never feel uncomfortable with the idea of being alone. But, when I imagine looking at people and jotting down notes on my napkin at a wedding, I feel a bit uncomfortable to be honest.
Relationships
In response to the comment on my last post, I'm not exactly sure of the answer. When I think about successful or failed relationships, I can vaguely picture what they look like in my mind. However, it's hard to imagine how we got there. I see various turning points in the relationships, but it all seems so blurred. I wonder if any relationship really fails. What does it mean to succeed or fail in a relationship? I suppose one must first define success and failure. I don't think I've ever looked at relationships in terms of success or failure. I see them as broken, renewed or sustained. In conclusion, I have not provided any new or profound thoughts as a reply to the comment because I have no idea. Relationships. They're a mystery to me. My mind isn't ready to handle just yet.
How in the hell do we get ourselves in these situations?
The bridge from "Makes No Sense At All" is stuck in my head. Someone, please help. Can't. get. it. out.
27.10.06
20.10.06
White/Red
I work downtown right by the harbor, so we usually see all the tourists on cruises at restaurants and walking down the street during lunch break. This week, I saw a lot of white. White uniforms, white hats and white shoes. Sailors everywhere. They're from Korea on this world tour.
JJ and I went to Sushi Deli (JJ's favorite place to eat) for lunch the other day. JJ saw someone he knew and left me to talk to her. I looked around and saw five sailors in a small circle. They started talking to me because they noticed that I was Korean. They were all very friendly and excited to see San Diego. One guy was so excited he got to see dolphins on their way here.
There's something about sailors that makes them seem like little boys to me. I think it might be the uniform.
---------------------
I went to a Red Ribbon Luncheon today. The National Red Ribbbon Campaign began in 1985, following the murder of DEA Special Agent Enrique Camarena, killed by drug traffickers. His son, Enrique Camarena Jr. spoke at today's function. He works here at the District Attorney's Office. I had no idea how Red Ribbon Week started. Here's what he wrote about what happened:
In 1985, my father was a DEA Agent working undercover in Mexico. As a DEA Agent, he was stationed in Calexico, CA, Fresno, CA and then Guadalajara, Mexico. His work in Guadalajara brought him close to unlocking a multi-billion dollar drug pipeline which he suspected extended into the highest reaches of the Mexican army, police and government. Nearly eleven years after he joined the DEA, his life came to a tragic end. On February 7, 1985, just three weeks before he was to be reassigned to San Diego, he was kidnapped by five men, who shoved him into a sedan just outside the United States Consulate. He was kidnapped in broad day light with the complicity of the Mexican Police. On March 6, his body, and the body of his pilot, Alfredo Zavala-Alvera (who had been kidnapped separately on the same day ) were found in a shallow grave.
His death sparked a debate in this country. All of which was followed by a well orchestrated cover up. It drew media attention from the day that my dad went missing to months and even years after. My father's murder drew the outrage of the American public who, maybe for the first time, saw the true dark side of drug trafficking and to what depths the drug cartel leaders would sink to maintain control of their business.
The events surrounding my dad's murder sparked a grass roots campaign to reduce the demand for drugs and encourage a healthy, violence-free lifestyle across the United States. Saddened by his death, his friends, family and youth in his hometown of Calexico, California began wearing Red Ribbons in his honor. The movement has grown every year. The Red Ribbon Campaign symbolizes support for efforts to reduce demand for drugs through prevention and education programs.
Each year from October 23rd to October 31st thousands of schools, communities and drug abuse prevention organizations throughout the country distribute red ribbons to honor my father's memory and visibly show a dedication to be drug free. It is estimated that 80 million people participate in Red Ribbon Week around the nation.
Thank you in advance for participating.
JJ and I went to Sushi Deli (JJ's favorite place to eat) for lunch the other day. JJ saw someone he knew and left me to talk to her. I looked around and saw five sailors in a small circle. They started talking to me because they noticed that I was Korean. They were all very friendly and excited to see San Diego. One guy was so excited he got to see dolphins on their way here.
There's something about sailors that makes them seem like little boys to me. I think it might be the uniform.
---------------------
I went to a Red Ribbon Luncheon today. The National Red Ribbbon Campaign began in 1985, following the murder of DEA Special Agent Enrique Camarena, killed by drug traffickers. His son, Enrique Camarena Jr. spoke at today's function. He works here at the District Attorney's Office. I had no idea how Red Ribbon Week started. Here's what he wrote about what happened:
In 1985, my father was a DEA Agent working undercover in Mexico. As a DEA Agent, he was stationed in Calexico, CA, Fresno, CA and then Guadalajara, Mexico. His work in Guadalajara brought him close to unlocking a multi-billion dollar drug pipeline which he suspected extended into the highest reaches of the Mexican army, police and government. Nearly eleven years after he joined the DEA, his life came to a tragic end. On February 7, 1985, just three weeks before he was to be reassigned to San Diego, he was kidnapped by five men, who shoved him into a sedan just outside the United States Consulate. He was kidnapped in broad day light with the complicity of the Mexican Police. On March 6, his body, and the body of his pilot, Alfredo Zavala-Alvera (who had been kidnapped separately on the same day ) were found in a shallow grave.
His death sparked a debate in this country. All of which was followed by a well orchestrated cover up. It drew media attention from the day that my dad went missing to months and even years after. My father's murder drew the outrage of the American public who, maybe for the first time, saw the true dark side of drug trafficking and to what depths the drug cartel leaders would sink to maintain control of their business.
The events surrounding my dad's murder sparked a grass roots campaign to reduce the demand for drugs and encourage a healthy, violence-free lifestyle across the United States. Saddened by his death, his friends, family and youth in his hometown of Calexico, California began wearing Red Ribbons in his honor. The movement has grown every year. The Red Ribbon Campaign symbolizes support for efforts to reduce demand for drugs through prevention and education programs.
Each year from October 23rd to October 31st thousands of schools, communities and drug abuse prevention organizations throughout the country distribute red ribbons to honor my father's memory and visibly show a dedication to be drug free. It is estimated that 80 million people participate in Red Ribbon Week around the nation.
Thank you in advance for participating.
18.10.06
I want to be a quitter
It's hard to quit something. It was incredibly difficult for me to quit coffee. I probably haven't and will never fully quit coffee. It's a sad realization; the truth that something can have such a hold on me. I'm now trying to let go of another vice of mine and I'm surprised by how difficult it is to quit. I feel that once I get through this week, it might get a little bit easier. So far, I think about it everyday. Once I get past the two-month mark, I'll probably share this vice of mine. For now, please excuse the ambiguity. It's just embarrassing because it's so silly.
13.10.06
WoW
in a bad way.
JJ and I figuratively got punched in the stomach about four times this week. I am so disgusted with the politics, bureaucracy and selfishness of the corrections system. It's all very disturbing and disheartening.
I'm
JJ and I figuratively got punched in the stomach about four times this week. I am so disgusted with the politics, bureaucracy and selfishness of the corrections system. It's all very disturbing and disheartening.
I'm
- looking forward to the museum reception tonight.
- having trouble sleeping again. I've had two nightmares about marriage and my future the past week.
- not learning too much in my French class. It's a lot of working on conversations and pronunciation, which is great. I don't mind so much because I'm taking it for fun. The teacher has basically taught us most everything related to dating, so if anything, I'll be able to flirt in Paris. We had to describe our ideal mate in French on Wednesday. The teacher said I have "bizarre taste" in men.
- glad it's so grey outside. It rained a little bit here. I wish I was outside right now so I could enjoy the beautiful grey day. I can't wait to wear my polka-dot wellies on a pouring day and walk around without fearing puddles.
12.10.06
10.10.06
with dashel: walking in the alley, blue sky, smelly dumpsters
(sigh)
hm?
another day.
they just keep happening, don't they?
yeah.
crazy world.
Dashel is Andrea's friend who has visited a couple of times. When I first met him, he had hot pink hair the length of Kurt Cobain's hair. He writes plays, sings and plays the guitar. Dashel is an eccentric character straight out of an indie flick.
hm?
another day.
they just keep happening, don't they?
yeah.
crazy world.
Dashel is Andrea's friend who has visited a couple of times. When I first met him, he had hot pink hair the length of Kurt Cobain's hair. He writes plays, sings and plays the guitar. Dashel is an eccentric character straight out of an indie flick.
5.10.06
I want to hold your hand
A Simple Show of Hands
I think the second page is better than the first.
“We found that holding the hand of really anyone, it made your brain work a little less hard in coping,” Dr. Coan said, adding that any sort of hand-holding relaxes the body.
------------------
The aja project (where I almost worked and where Andrea does work):
The mission of The AjA Project is to empower refugee and underprivileged youth through educational programs and to help them create better opportunities for their future. We fulfill our mission by fostering a sense of belonging and self-worth in refugee youth, as they develop valuable vocational, technical, and photography skills.
If you're free next Friday, October 13, 2006, I invite you to:
Re+COLLECT: Reception
San Diego Museum of Art Sculpture Garden / The Prado, Balboa Park
6pm-9pm
(Suggested donation $100.00) but at this point, Andrea said they need people to attend, so a donation in any amount ($5, $10, or whatever you can afford) is appreciated.
I think a few of the students will discuss their photographs.
Here's the website for the aja project: www.ajaproject.org You can see some of the photos on the Re+COLLECT link. Let me know if you want to go. :)
I think the second page is better than the first.
“We found that holding the hand of really anyone, it made your brain work a little less hard in coping,” Dr. Coan said, adding that any sort of hand-holding relaxes the body.
------------------
The aja project (where I almost worked and where Andrea does work):
The mission of The AjA Project is to empower refugee and underprivileged youth through educational programs and to help them create better opportunities for their future. We fulfill our mission by fostering a sense of belonging and self-worth in refugee youth, as they develop valuable vocational, technical, and photography skills.
If you're free next Friday, October 13, 2006, I invite you to:
Re+COLLECT: Reception
San Diego Museum of Art Sculpture Garden / The Prado, Balboa Park
6pm-9pm
(Suggested donation $100.00) but at this point, Andrea said they need people to attend, so a donation in any amount ($5, $10, or whatever you can afford) is appreciated.
I think a few of the students will discuss their photographs.
Here's the website for the aja project: www.ajaproject.org You can see some of the photos on the Re+COLLECT link. Let me know if you want to go. :)
3.10.06
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