The Gift of Giving

'Tis the Season, as most would say this holiday season.
I would like to first announce that I passed all three sections of my Praxis Exam. Since college, I've always been most proud of my writing ability; however, this exam showed that I still have much to work on in my grammar abilities. Should my grammar section be handicapped, considering English is my Second Language? I performed only average on Grammatical Relationships, as well as Idiom and Word Choice (Mechanics). However, I scored towards the top of the Average Performance Range in Structural Relationships and on my Essay. Apparently, I can write a silly, structurally-correct essay without proper grammar and idiom usage. Craig, you are right, I am going to need a tutor for all of these English/American Idioms.

In my previous entry, I hinted at the importance of reading, no matter the subject. I feel that my test scores have proven to be a result of such behavioral adaptations. I scored above average in the Critical and Inferential Comprehension; I've always been told that I had poor reading comprehension skills. I'm also surprised that my math skills have not deteriorated to an unpleasant level - I missed 6 total points.

This brings me to a question at hand that politicians often quibble over during elections. Education is the core of a country's innovation abilities. As Schumpeter once said (paraphrasing), "Innovate or die." Going through this process of attempting prerequisite courses and a Masters Degree has caused me to believe that other than the fact that people want to give back to the community, there is no incentive for qualified individuals from other fields to become teachers of our youth. As a Finance/International Business double-major, I will be taking 24 credits before I am able to begin my Masters program. For me, this raises a curious question:

In high school, I am sure I wasn't the only one, we often asked how we would ever use what we learned. Well, how can people teach something that they never implemented, but instead, read only from a manual? Wouldn't it be practical for someone that has been a bank teller to teach our children how to balance our checkbooks? Doesn't it sound reasonable for someone that has spent time studying our Constitution, worked/volunteered at the Smithsonian, to teach our high school History classes? Or better yet, who wouldn't love to have J.K. Rowling teach your middle school English class? In fact, she can teach us all of the grammar that most of our primary education English teachers missed out on. I have to say, that as far as I can recall, I've only had one English teacher (Thank you, Dr. Horstman) in my 12 years of primary education to tell me (One day after school):

"Mr. Chen, your English level is terrible. There is absolutely no reason for you to be in my Honors English class. I can help you improve your writing skills if you are willing to stay after school, miss football practices if need be."

It seems as if all of my other English teachers turned a blind eye to my writing deficiencies. Had it not been for Dr. Horstman, I doubt I would've dramatically turned things around in college. Even the UBERextreme-feminist T.A. in my Women-In-The-Holocaust course had trouble giving me grades lower than a "B" on my papers (this was ludicrous, in my opinion). Teachers are the main clogs in supporting the growth of our youth; those that make a direct impact in the progression of innovation ought to be the millionaires of our society.

Charter schools make no sense to me, as tax-payers have no say in a vehicle that they are directly funding. Many argue that those that need the exceptional education the most can't afford to attend the top private schools. My rebuttal is simply, "Who doesn't need an opportunity in obtaining an exceptional education?" Moreover, the idea of Charter schools isn't a substitute for this, as the more power they are given, they merely form as a dictatorship (give me your money and don't say anything, as you can't tell me what to do). There is still hope in public schools, and those of us that have graduated from Howard and Montgomery County, Maryland know that. Teachers are what makes that difference, and we need to provide incentive to attract those that are most qualified to become instructors of our free minds.

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Okay, so I am a strong proponent in the "Twins-Factor". It is amazing how small this world can be... Last night, Mark and I had Bennigan's, when one of the waiters came up to us, "Excuse me, we've got a running bet going around, and we are curious, are you Harold (John Cho) from the movie, Harold & Kumar?"

At this time, I had stuffed my face with Chicken Fajitas, I almost choked and puked it all out at the same time. After I finally downed my food, I couldn't help but let out a girly chuckle.

I've also got to show this one to you... While what happened last nite was no lie, I personally don't see that strong a resemblance. However, this next one, well... There is no doubt about it, my girl, 米恩, looks exactly like 蕭亞軒 (Elva Hsiao). See for yourself:

I'll hit again:

Season Greetings to all. I will be sending holiday postcards from out-of-town next week. Yes, you heard me right, I like to send them in the *HEART* of the holiday season. Thus, for those that haven't yet, please email me with your postal addresses if you would like one~! Happy Holidays ^_^

Wish me luck, I am playing against Craig Madiou in the Championship Game of our fantasy league. An 8-6 team in the championship? You better believe it, I'll play the darkhorse role.

Latest Movies:
The Da Vinci Code (2006)
Harold & Kumar Go To White Castle (2004)
The Good Shepherd (2006)

Back

It has been a full week since I last published. I am finally home, after spending two weeks on the road. I can be a celebrity.

I was in Houston, Texas visiting family from 12/3 - 12/10. During this time, I played a driver role, escorting my grandmother where she pleased. Having a Verizon Wireless broadband card is golden, as I can easily game and surf the information superhighway (as Mark likes to call it) whenever I wait for her.

I went to church w/ my Uncle and Auntie on Sunday, 12/10. They attend Lakewood Church. This was the second time that I attended service w/ them; the previous time, I don't remember when, but I do remember I was wearing a pair of carpenter jeans, Air Force Ones, and my YELLOW Nike Oregon Ducks long-sleeve tshirt. This time, I was dressed more appropriately, although not much better - Ralph Lauren Polo zip-up, the same pair of carpenter jeans, and Jordans. WUTEVA. :-p

We left service a bit earlier, as I needed to get to the airport for my flight to Las Vegas. This past week, from 12/10 - 12/14, I stayed at the Mirage. It was a solid vacation from the previous week's chauffeur duties. My last two days was a fasting type of deal - I would eat breakfast at the Carnegie Deli downstairs, and then not eat anything for the remainder of the day. I would drink hot water w/ a dash of honey or hot water w/ one lemon continuously though. I really wanted to catch the LOVE show, but sadly, I was too lazy to walk the mere 25 yards from the green chip double-deck blackjack games to the box office. No, I am just kidding, tickets were unfortunately sold out on weekday nights.

I've got a couple more weeks of vacation and then the classes begin. Starting 1/2, I will be going to class from Monday - Sundays. This will be exciting, as it has been several years since I was last an academic student.

Speaking of being a student. I was perusing the news today and found this ridiculous outcry for "freedom." Please tell me that I am not the only one to find this completely ludicrous. Okay, I will admit, I am biased - I love all of the Harry Potter works. But, I have spoken in the past about how censorship, limitations, and any other form of inefficiency serves as a hindrance or deterrant from maximization. For example, people don't gain their entire worth when they are taxed - not all of us need public education (the financially wealthy are more likely to send their children to private schools), not all of us need roads (some of us out there enjoy the invention of the internet), etc etc... Thus, taxing these individuals don't allow them to maximize their net worth, and utilize these funds in a more effective manner. Censorship, to me, serves as a similar negative ideal. The first thought that came to mind was when we read 1984 in Ms. Kump's senior english class at River Hill.
Banning books is like saying to the world, "You guys aren't qualified to read these books."

First of all, am I the only one to think that we ought to encourage our society to read? Who out there can honestly tell me that they still read anymore?
Secondly, why should we not read the best? We, as a society, spend so much time wasting away on such trivial, nominal, and garbage products/ideals (materialism, terrible movies such as The Holiday, Unaccompanied Minors, and Deck the Halls). Wouldn't a road to overall/general move toward an improvement in direction be switching everything to the best?

Personally, I encourage everybody to read. Find time to read. It is amazing what is out there. Moreover, read the best of the best, spend time learning from the greatest minds of this world. Coming back from Germany this past April, I mentioned that I really wanted to read Mein Kampf. For those that know me, understand that this isn't because I support merciless killings or supporting a racist dictatorship of a totalitarian estate. However, understanding how a great mind works is truly intriguing.

Up to this day, the greatest leaders have all read Sun-Tzu's The Art of War. None of these leaders are able to definitively tell you whether Sun-Tzu is male or female, but they can all tell you of the invaluable lessons they all learned from the text.

Go out and grab a book. May I suggest Harry Potter?

Latest Book:
Beyond the Band of Brothers: The War Memoirs of Major Dick Winters (2006)

Cholesterol and Blood Pressure

Before we start the blogging, being the history buff that I am, I wanted to bring everybody's attention to this day in history. On this day in 1941, the Imperial Japanese Navy demolished Pearl Harbor. As my Grandmother is Japanese-educated, I asked her about this day, and she is fervent in claiming victory on December 8th. "Toro, Toro, Toro," she exclaims! No, I am just kidding; however, this devastating day in US History was December 8th in Asia. I also found out today that Toro actually means FAT Tuna. For those that speak Japanese out there, correct me if I am wrong.

What have I been doing these days? Eating. Allow us to increase Cholesterol and Blood Pressure levels. Yesterday, for lunch, Grandma and I went to Hokkaido on Bellaire to have sashimi. In the evening, we had Korean food at A-Ri-Rang, which is also on Bellaire. For lunch today, Grandma and I went to Koto on Westheimer to have Japanese food. It has been a healthy supply for fish for me, and I love it. I wonder if I'll be able to take any more when I get to my vacation spot Sunday.

Latest Movie:
The Graduate (1967)

Get Your Sexy On

Justin Timberlake, you are a lucky man. I managed to catch the beginning of The Victoria Secret Fashion show. I told myself this morning, if I didn't catch the show from the beginning, that I wasn't going to watch it at all. Luckily, we made it back from dinner just in time. My grandmother and I had met up with my Uncle, another Uncle and his wife at DoZo off of Westheimer. The dinner was pretty good - they did this All-You-Can-Eat type of deal, which was pretty solid as I made sure I had my fix of Sashimi.

Okay, just saw Derek Jeter on this jammy. I didn't know Jessica Biel was a runway model. I hope she isn't one, as I would just as quickly turn off the TV. I'm a hater, I admit it. Just like how I don't find Kirsten Dunst attractive either. UUHHHP, Kevin Connolly, AKA Eric Murphy from Entourage, is here as well... WHERE IS ARI GOLD?

Anyways, these ladies are gorgeous, the lingerie they are wearing are out of this world - what fascinating ideas!?!?! Spread your wings and fly type of deal. Just saw a supermodel walk out in a playing deck cape. I'm game, I'll gamble. Last year, it was clearly evident that Alessandro Ambrosio was the SILLY pick of last year. This year, I don't know, I've seen 21 minutes of the show, and I've got to say that Adriana Lima is straight CISE. But, I'm a donkey, who am I to judge. All Brazilians are gorgeous, All Women are gorgeous.

Latest Movie:
My Fair Lady (1964)

Cise

So I am sitting here at the lobby of 24-hr Fitness, Houston's equivalent to our LifeTime Fitness, Bally's, or on a smaller scale, the Columbia Association. My grandma enjoys exercising, and believe me when I say that I've done my fair share of exercising already. I've been here since Sunday afternoon, and every morning, we get up, have a slice of toast and head to West Oaks Mall to walk three laps. Houston's sillies are ridiculous, let me tell you - Elaine at the Bath & Body Works is mixed (Mexican, Caucasian, and Asian; don't know how it works, but it is SILLY); needless to say, the sillies at Victoria's Secret are no joke either. Speaking of VS, their runway show will be on tonight, I am sure that is going to be cise. Last year, I vividly remember Craig, Mark, and I watching the jount on HD, in our living room (AKA Mark's Bedroom) at our townhouse in Newport Beach, California.

Ahh... Southern California. What an unfortunate loss to their cross town rivals! The National Championship will be played in Glendale, Arizona, w/ the two star teams being the University of Florida and the Ohio State University. I wonder what 5-star recruit from Oaks Christian, Jimmy Clausen, is thinking right now. He chose Notre Dame over USC, succeeding Brady Quinn as the starting quarterback next year. However, after USC's dismal offensive performance this past weekend, that could've been Coach Pete's sell - Stay in SoCal, become best friends w/ Snoop and Will Farrell, move my offense for me, and let us win another national championship.

Not much news to report. No matter how things go this month, I'm keeping a positive mindset and allowing myself to become straight silly. Last month of freedom before I have to honker down and hit the books again.

I never really liked Woody Allen (Alvy Singer, HA). However, I watched Annie Hall yesterday, and I've got to say that he is silly funny. His humor is out of this world; for those that never taken a taste, please do give it a try. Diane Keaton plays Annie Hall, and is surprisingly a solid actress/fit for the role.

Latest Movie:
Annie Hall (1977)

Houston, Texas

After a 30-minute delay, and a 3.5 hour flight, I arrived in Houston yesterday afternoon. I brought a laptop and a verizon wireless card, so I shall remain in contact with you Sillies back home for the next two weeks, while I am out-of-town (not to mention, these are the only two items, along with food, to have a sturdy livelihood). So, I will be in Houston til Sunday, the 10th, which means I'll be here for the Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day on 12/7. I am a huge history buff, but without cable tv, I shall be perusing the Information Superhighway for some classic films. What will I be doing these next two weeks? I shall be taking it nice and slow, as starting in January, I will be going to class every day of the week, Monday-Sunday, at HCC. Thus, this entire month will be a relaxation session.

Not much to report on my end. I am almost finished reading another book. I strongly recommend this book for every other history buff out there - a story about a soldier's life in WWII. I'll share with you guys later.

Congratulations to Craig Madiou, as he crushed me in the final week of Yahoo! College Football Pick'em.

This past Friday, I was watching CNBC. They invited two Economists whom had opposing views on the potential Federal increase in the minimum wage. As you all know, I love economics, and to have theorists speak about the effects of such legislative actions is intriguing. After watching these two go at it for 5 minutes, this thought came to mind:

Is there a fine line between morality and just downright failure? True, living with morals and ethics should be applauded and encouraged. However, aside from the minimal amount of unfortunate cases, for those that have chosen a life of despot or failure, what morals should we have in encouraging such behavior?

Just a thought.