About Me:

lan (lawn), n. 1. college aged asian male, usually found in the southern california vicinity. 2. outspoken for the most part, refuses to be categorized within a shallow structural framework called a "stereotype." 3. partial to the subjects of biology, education, child development, and psychology. be warned: is not afraid to voice his opinions in the face of adversity. 4. future doctor/teacher/father/kicker of asses. 5. definition of lan is not restricted to words, but only to the mind of the beholder

About Me:

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call 1.800.get.a.life

Event Recap:

Over the weekend I had a chance to visit Northern California & at first I was a little bummed because my good friends threw two parties over the weekend down here in southern california, one karaoke & one drinking party but, I have to say Ryan & I had a crazy & tiring weekend.

The ride up:

1) San Luis Reservoir - The moon was shimmering across the whole reservoir on a cloudless night, fucking beautiful.
2) The Stars - Growing up I used to make the ride from Orange County to San Jose & the biggest highlight was always stopping at a rest stop in the middle of the night & laying on the grass to stargaze.

Places I hit up:

1) Ryan's Grandparent's house in Mountain View - Wish they were my grandparents
2) Spring Training Conference @ UC Davis - "Where are the girls at?"
3) Filipino Culture Night @ Berkeley - Very Political & hilarious. Much props to PCN @ CAL. Met someone new, Kelly who's going to NY in the fall
4) Home cooked meal @ Ryan's Grandparent's house - Four words "Baby Spinach, Almonds, Dressing, & Mandarin Oranges"
5) Visited Thida @ the San Francisco Art Institute - You have to walk through her bathroom to get to her room, artists are weird =P
6) Hung out @ Kat & Suzi's place in Berkeley - It was great seeing my old friend Kat (I truly do miss getting to spend time w/ her) & hanging out w/ my new one Suzi
7) Failed drinking kickback @ Dustins, ended up at Alice's apt - Don't always need alcohol to have fun....or seem drunk.
8) Chowder's and watching Seals @ Fisherman's Wharf - OMG clam chowderi n a sourdough bowl......god's gift to man.

Stats:

1,174 - # of Miles I racked up on my trip
15 - Hours on the road
$$$$$$$$ - Way to much money spent
4 - The number of friends I wish came with me to SF - Mikie, Kristine, Stephanie, Liss (there are others, but these four have been part of my core crew the past several weeks)
2 - Times I almost got hit by crazy SF buses

All in all a great weekend, if you haven't been to San Francisco or it's been awhile since you have been, head out there the first free weekend you have. I was up there for a couple of days and fell in love w/ the city all over again.

Event Recap:

Last night Alex, Mikie, Stephanie, Kristine, & I all jumped in our cars and headed out to The Greenway Court Theater, where every Tuesday Da’ Poetry Lounge is held. This particular Tuesday Slam Arena Semi-Finalists were gracing the mic.

This is the third slam contest I've been a part of & I was not disappointed. Just as the first time I went it was a pleasant surprise to find people (black, white, hispanic, & asian) from all over coming together. Even with the diverse crowd & line-up one thing was for sure, and that was the seven poets spitting last night were all just that, poets nothing more nothing less. On this stage they would be judged not by what color their skin is but by what kind of message they had for the crowd, be it happy or sad, funny or serious, or words of love or hate.

All the poets were amazing but my favorite, and last night's winner, was Sekou Tha Misfit, his poem of choice for the final round of the slam, actually started out as a marriage proprosal but grew into this epic poem mostly about sex but funny as hell. People were on their feet laughing & cheering after stepping for just a few minutes into Sekou's mind.

I had a great time last night and I was glad to share it with friends. It will all be going down again in one week's time for the second round of semi-finals, so anyone interested in going?

If someone's knows his name.  100 eprops for you.

Upcoming Event:

Slamarena Semi-Finals
9pm Tonight at Da Poetry Lounge

What is a Slam?
1st of all, slams and open mics are not the same thing.  An open mic is a non judgmental means of expression while slamming, is a battle of lyrical prowess where judges are chosen at random from the audience to score poetry and the poet reading based on creativity and performance.

Writings on the Wall:

Confused...life is so confusing and frustrating sometimes you just have to let go.  Get your mind off things, read a book, go to the park, go to the gym, hang out with friends, anything to give your brain and heart a breather.  SCREAM OUT AT THE TOP OF YOUR LUNGS HOW YOU FEEL INSIDE.  But above all don't let life get you down.  Realize that there is always something to look forward to when things are there bleakest.  Be content in the fact that worst has happaned to many others less deserving than you and that "shit happens" =)  It's nice to vent a little and I hope everyone who needs to vent knows that I'm hear for you guys, when I have problems I find it cathartic to help others with there problems.  I've always been weird like that, but I guess it's becaise I don't always have control of these things that happen to me maybe I can help others deal with the things that happen to me.  True friendship is a very hard thing to discover and I hope everyone out there knows who there true friends are and strives to keep some connection with those you've chosen.

Writings on the Wall:

Well just happy to say that last night, christine spent 5 minutes with me to teach me how to drive a stick and i have to say i passed with flying colors.  I stalled a couple times in beginning but i got the hang of it and shifted to 2nd gear and stopped with out stalling.  Hhahah my lazy ass has to swasy i prefer automatics still, but i have to wait and see until i get my hands behind a car that i can play with.

Hey everyone just commenting on saturday night and the weird happenings with sherry's birthday.  I have to say i felt weird not being included in going to les mis.....but i guess it's my fault for not keeeping in good contact with you guys.

I also felt weird that we weren't invited to the play but we were asked to go eat diner though, which would have been nice to see everyone but big miscomunication problem occured.  We were supposed to be called at 10 but didn't recieve info until we called you guys at around 10:30 i think.  Also you guys ate at bj's in long beach and not down in oc with us which is cool but when we tried to get there we didn't get good info and also i hear u guys left.  We spent hour or so trying to look for BJS and when we finally got to phone and long beach convention area you guys had already left.

Oh well hopefully "next time" we can all meet up somewhere we know and all hang out as a group and remember old times.  =)

Writings on the Wall:

Cheer Cheer for Lucy.  She is right we shouldn't let distance drive us apart (just because we are from davis to diego doesn't me we can't all still hang out and be friends)  I say we start planning now for a possible trip to mountains a weekend possibly during christmas vacation.  Tell me what you guys think.  hahah well I'm writing this to Lucy in her comments but I'll think I'll quick paste this to my site =)  hehehe guess that's all Lucy and I'll hopefully see you soon as everyhone else.

-LAN =P

Writings on the Wall:

Hey everyone, I know I’ve been lazy but I’m at henny's house right now about to go see her pictures at the new art gallery in la.  They've been hassling me for ages to finally make a post so I’m sitting here finally making a post.  With them intently watching me type away.  Hopefully I’ll get into it, because I have so many good friends on xanga right now.  I know I’ll spend countless hours trying to "catch up" as best I can with their daily updates.  It will be good for me to get a leeway into everyone's lives again.  I have been non existent for awhile and would love to get to reacquaint my self with henny, cecile, lucy, sherry, & mikie.  Well I think I’ll keep writing right now to make up somewhat for being so lax.  Until they kick me off this computer.  Well I guess I’ll talk about the topic everyone has been obsessed with over the past week.  (Including me)  Well my personal opinion is that those lost over the past week can take some solace in the fact that they're lives do have meaning even after their deaths.  They're lives have affected countless others in ways they may never know.  The families of these countless victims should be confident in the fact that those lost will be remembered for what they have shown this country and the world.

Next while I grieve for those lost I do not think we should be so rash in are thinking i.e. (we should bomb afgan to hell)  I believe those responsible should be brought to justice but not until they have been proven to be responsible and shown some consideration as human beings.  Also before we act we should hear their side of the story.  While any terrorist acts can not be atoned I am sure that for some reason they had cause to act.  For instance I am constantly aware that to every story there are two sides.

Next the country has been more patriotic and unified this past week that I am completely overwhelmed at times.  While some may just have this overwhelming feeling at the moment, the better for them.  We do have to start somewhere, and I see no reason why it can't be now.  There are those who can be cynical and say these people don't care and it won't last but even thought it is for but a moment there are those children and stand outs that will remember and in the future will stand out as role models for future generations.

Finally I have to say I am actually impressed with the way our government is handling the situation.  Yesterday I sat in front of my computer to watch our president address a joint congress.  His speech was beautiful, eloquent and touching.  His most important speech to date I was proud he was our president.

Now onto more personal matters yesterday I had a chance to meet an old friend named Thida.  Well she hits me up with this big urge to go dancing.  While I love dancing I am currently in no mood for the atmosphere of clubs and frat parties.  To many people there for the wrong reasons.  I am sure if I go dancing again it will be great though and I will enjoy more the people I go with then the people I try to meet.

Tomorrow I'm heading to the Ronald McDonald House to serve to terminally ill children.  This will be my first real service project in ages and I just want to say good luck to my club, christine, mikie, vu, & mark.  I'm glad we are doing a worthwhile service project and I am thankful that you guys are there to help me, and the other members.  I can genuinely say I feel excited again to finally get out there to help.

Afterwards me, mikie and several other computer nerds are heading over to Mark Okuda's Apartment for my very first LAN (local area network not Lan like me) party.  I know I’ll enjoy my first LAN party and will kick everyone's ass at games like Starcraft, Unreal Tourney, & Counter-Strike hahah especially Mikie's.  Well Lucy is here and I guess my time is up.  I hope everyone has a chance to at least glance at my thoughts and I’ll repay the favor.  hhheheheheh hit up my guest book so I know u stopped by =P

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