I miss all of you. Now that I've been up north for about 4 months, it's made me realize how precious you all are to me. I'm thankful for times we shared together. I'm thankful for all the laughter even through all the tough times. I'm thankful for helping me keep my head on straight when I so badly just wanted to give up. I'm thankful for forgiving me during those times that I did stray. I'm thankful for all the free meals you blessed me with. I'm thankful for the comfort and solace during and after my grandpa's passing. I'm thankful for you sharing your lives with me. I'm thankful for showing me what true friendship consists of. I'm thankful for allowing me to not only come to but be a part of your family traditions. I wanted to let you all know how much you have meant to me over the last 7 years or so of my life. I hope that our friendships will continue to grow. I love you all very much and can't wait to see you again.
Love,
Chris
Friday, March 20, 2009
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Top Ten Favorite Childhood Toys
I really must be reminiscing a lot lately...
Here is my list of the toys I used to play with as a kid.
1. Legos
This was by far my favorite toy. It was so much fun creating different things. I was also never one of those kids that used to build the things on the packages.
2. Big Wheel
What I remember most vividly about the big wheel was when you'd have ridden it too much and it ended up getting that flat side of the big tire.
3. Voltron
I remember being 5 when I received my first Voltron. It was the coolest toy in the apartment building.
4. GI Joes
The thing I remember most about these is they had interchangeable parts. We used to unscrew the backs, take them apart, and fully customize our Joes. I used to put the big muscular arms on the ninja, Snake Eyes, to make him look even more bad ass.
5. Transformers
These are still some of the coolest toys on the market. Nowadays, you virtually need some kind of engineering degree to get it to transform. Ahhh...the good ole days.
6. Teddy Ruxpin
I never actually had this toy. It was my brothers. I just remember you used to be able to put in any audio tape and his mouth would move. Teddy used to be able to get down on some "Love In An Elevator".
7. Tonka Trucks
This is the quintessential little boy's toy. I don't know many boys who didn't have one. I remember having it up until I was in high school. Was I really that big of a nostalgic dork back then as well?
8. He Man
This was one of those toys that, had it not been for the cartoon, none of us would have owned one. It was like the masculine version of a barbie doll. I'm surprised more males aren't scarred from owning this very homo-erotic action figure.
9. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
When these came out, I was pumped. These have got to be the most randomly named toys ever. It's as if they took a hat, filled it with a bunch of preadolescently appealing key words and just drew these four words. So random...
10. Micro Machines
The marketing team behind these little stupid toys were geniuses. All of us were completely enthralled by the Micro Machine Man. He just talked so fast. Kudos to you, Micro Machine people.
Here is my list of the toys I used to play with as a kid.
1. Legos
This was by far my favorite toy. It was so much fun creating different things. I was also never one of those kids that used to build the things on the packages. 2. Big Wheel
What I remember most vividly about the big wheel was when you'd have ridden it too much and it ended up getting that flat side of the big tire.
3. Voltron
I remember being 5 when I received my first Voltron. It was the coolest toy in the apartment building.
4. GI Joes
The thing I remember most about these is they had interchangeable parts. We used to unscrew the backs, take them apart, and fully customize our Joes. I used to put the big muscular arms on the ninja, Snake Eyes, to make him look even more bad ass.5. Transformers
These are still some of the coolest toys on the market. Nowadays, you virtually need some kind of engineering degree to get it to transform. Ahhh...the good ole days.6. Teddy Ruxpin
I never actually had this toy. It was my brothers. I just remember you used to be able to put in any audio tape and his mouth would move. Teddy used to be able to get down on some "Love In An Elevator".7. Tonka Trucks
This is the quintessential little boy's toy. I don't know many boys who didn't have one. I remember having it up until I was in high school. Was I really that big of a nostalgic dork back then as well?8. He Man
This was one of those toys that, had it not been for the cartoon, none of us would have owned one. It was like the masculine version of a barbie doll. I'm surprised more males aren't scarred from owning this very homo-erotic action figure.9. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
When these came out, I was pumped. These have got to be the most randomly named toys ever. It's as if they took a hat, filled it with a bunch of preadolescently appealing key words and just drew these four words. So random...10. Micro Machines
The marketing team behind these little stupid toys were geniuses. All of us were completely enthralled by the Micro Machine Man. He just talked so fast. Kudos to you, Micro Machine people.
Thursday, March 12, 2009
My Top 10 Favorite Viral Videos
Well, I started thinking about some of my favorite internet videos yesterday and decided to post a list of my faves. Some of these are ridiculous and I apologize for my odd sense of humor. Click the title to see the video.
1. Aicha
I don't know what possessed this guy to make this video, but thank you.
2. Completely Uncalled For
This is the greatest knock-knock joke EVER!
3. Scissors In Arm
I think this guy is secretly a ninja.
4. Laughing Baby
This kid is just plain adorable.
5. Here It Goes Again
Greatest choreographed music video EVER! (I really like capitalizing that word.)
6. The Landlord
Will Ferrell's best work to date.
7. I Feel GREAT!!
My favorite commercial of all time.
8. Kick a Monster's @$$
This little girl talks a big talk, but can she really back it up?
9. Omazing Grace
I almost feel bad posting this one...almost.
10. Extra Steering Wheel
Another great commercial.
1. Aicha
I don't know what possessed this guy to make this video, but thank you.
2. Completely Uncalled For
This is the greatest knock-knock joke EVER!
3. Scissors In Arm
I think this guy is secretly a ninja.
4. Laughing Baby
This kid is just plain adorable.
5. Here It Goes Again
Greatest choreographed music video EVER! (I really like capitalizing that word.)
6. The Landlord
Will Ferrell's best work to date.
7. I Feel GREAT!!
My favorite commercial of all time.
8. Kick a Monster's @$$
This little girl talks a big talk, but can she really back it up?
9. Omazing Grace
I almost feel bad posting this one...almost.
10. Extra Steering Wheel
Another great commercial.
Monday, March 9, 2009
My All-Purpose Marinade
So, here it is...the base marinade for a lot of Korean barbecue. Well, it's my version anyway.
1 cup soy sauce
1/4 cup sesame seed oil
1 cup water
1 tablespoon finely minced ginger
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
3 green onions, green part only, cut into 1/2" ringlets
1/2 cup honey
1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds
Once all these ingredients are combined, whisk together really well. I like to marinate over night with this. This sauce is also good for wontons, eggrolls, or toss it with some noodles of your choice. If you want to concentrate the sauce, reduce it over med-low heat. If you want to give it a little kick, try adding 1 tablespoon of ground red pepper or 2 tablespoons of hot sauce. Enjoy.
1 cup soy sauce
1/4 cup sesame seed oil
1 cup water
1 tablespoon finely minced ginger
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
3 green onions, green part only, cut into 1/2" ringlets
1/2 cup honey
1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds
Once all these ingredients are combined, whisk together really well. I like to marinate over night with this. This sauce is also good for wontons, eggrolls, or toss it with some noodles of your choice. If you want to concentrate the sauce, reduce it over med-low heat. If you want to give it a little kick, try adding 1 tablespoon of ground red pepper or 2 tablespoons of hot sauce. Enjoy.
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
10 Things I've Learned In My First 30 Years
Well, the big 3-0 is approaching and I'm not quite sure what to make of it. I haven't aged that much. Here's a close up of my eye.
See, it's not that bad. Nothing a little lotion can't take care of. I feel I'm aging wonderfully.
Here is a list of some of the things I've learned in my first thirty years on this planet. I have not amassed riches or land nor have I invented the next cure for the next communicable disease. I'm really only an authority on my life and the things that have and have not worked for me.
1. Do not be afraid to try (and retry) new things. I've learned that, especially with food, sometimes something just doesn't taste right at that moment. I used to hate sauer kraut. Now, it's something I love, especially on a reuben. Trying new things not only helps you open your eyes to a whole new world, but could potentially change the way you see yourself.
2. Don't drink the water...That means don't use the ice and don't brush your teeth and anything else associated with tap water in another country. Trust me when I say, it's not worth running to the bathroom every 10 minutes because you wanted to enjoy an ice cold beverage and forgot to ask for "no ice" Plus, diarrhea has a way of ruining anybody's trip abroad.
3. Wipe good. Trust me, it'll come back to haunt you in the end. (ha ha, see what I did there with the pun...uhh...nevermind)
4. Excessive sarcasm can really be harmful to relationships. I've learned to tone it down over the years, but for a while, even amongst my closest friends, I was known as the "asshole". It's funny sometimes, but there is always a time and place for joking. Some people can't handle sarcasm. I should know, I've made people cry because of it.
5. Save money. It doesn't matter how much. $5 bucks a week, whatever. Just save it. You never know when you'll need it. There have been far too many times in my past where my car's broke down and I've had to borrow money to fix it. Had I put away just a little at a time, I wouldn't be in the mess I find myself in now.
6. Take care of your body. It's the only one you get. I wake up almost every morning feeling like I'm falling apart. I'm not even that bad off. I wish I would have started at an earlier age taking care of myself. I'm not saying be a gym rat or anything like that, but do you really need that last bowl of ice cream or bag of potato chips.
7. Anything worth having is gonna take work. This has taken me many years to learn, and I'm still learning it. Things may periodically fall magically out of the sky and into your laps, but seriously, how often does that really happen? Bust your butt to make your dreams come true. It helps to have something like faith to lean on for strength, but it's gonna take your own work to make it happen.
8. Don't mess up your credit. Pay your bills and pay them on time. And don't take on more than you can handle. I've had to learn this one the hard way. I'm constantly struggling to fix mistakes I've made financially as well as break some bad habits I have concerning my finances. Live within your means.
9. Be courteous. As I stated above, I wasn't always the nicest person. And it doesn't take a nice person to have manners. You'd be surprised how far a "thank you" and a "please" will go.
10. Don't hold grudges. I know it's tough. You want to hate that person that wronged you, but the more you dwell on it, the more power you're giving to that person. Power through it. This way, you can move on with your life. I'm not telling you to forget, just forgive. Get to a point where whatever wrong was done to you will now empower you to help someone else who may have had the same happen to them.
These are just some suggestions. As I wrote this, I started to think that this is probably the advice I would have given myself if I could have talked to an 18 year old me. Weird huh? One last thing... Each of us has a purpose, whether we know it or not. Once you have that figured out, run with it. It'll make life so much more fulfilling.
See, it's not that bad. Nothing a little lotion can't take care of. I feel I'm aging wonderfully.Here is a list of some of the things I've learned in my first thirty years on this planet. I have not amassed riches or land nor have I invented the next cure for the next communicable disease. I'm really only an authority on my life and the things that have and have not worked for me.
1. Do not be afraid to try (and retry) new things. I've learned that, especially with food, sometimes something just doesn't taste right at that moment. I used to hate sauer kraut. Now, it's something I love, especially on a reuben. Trying new things not only helps you open your eyes to a whole new world, but could potentially change the way you see yourself.
2. Don't drink the water...That means don't use the ice and don't brush your teeth and anything else associated with tap water in another country. Trust me when I say, it's not worth running to the bathroom every 10 minutes because you wanted to enjoy an ice cold beverage and forgot to ask for "no ice" Plus, diarrhea has a way of ruining anybody's trip abroad.
3. Wipe good. Trust me, it'll come back to haunt you in the end. (ha ha, see what I did there with the pun...uhh...nevermind)
4. Excessive sarcasm can really be harmful to relationships. I've learned to tone it down over the years, but for a while, even amongst my closest friends, I was known as the "asshole". It's funny sometimes, but there is always a time and place for joking. Some people can't handle sarcasm. I should know, I've made people cry because of it.
5. Save money. It doesn't matter how much. $5 bucks a week, whatever. Just save it. You never know when you'll need it. There have been far too many times in my past where my car's broke down and I've had to borrow money to fix it. Had I put away just a little at a time, I wouldn't be in the mess I find myself in now.
6. Take care of your body. It's the only one you get. I wake up almost every morning feeling like I'm falling apart. I'm not even that bad off. I wish I would have started at an earlier age taking care of myself. I'm not saying be a gym rat or anything like that, but do you really need that last bowl of ice cream or bag of potato chips.
7. Anything worth having is gonna take work. This has taken me many years to learn, and I'm still learning it. Things may periodically fall magically out of the sky and into your laps, but seriously, how often does that really happen? Bust your butt to make your dreams come true. It helps to have something like faith to lean on for strength, but it's gonna take your own work to make it happen.
8. Don't mess up your credit. Pay your bills and pay them on time. And don't take on more than you can handle. I've had to learn this one the hard way. I'm constantly struggling to fix mistakes I've made financially as well as break some bad habits I have concerning my finances. Live within your means.
9. Be courteous. As I stated above, I wasn't always the nicest person. And it doesn't take a nice person to have manners. You'd be surprised how far a "thank you" and a "please" will go.
10. Don't hold grudges. I know it's tough. You want to hate that person that wronged you, but the more you dwell on it, the more power you're giving to that person. Power through it. This way, you can move on with your life. I'm not telling you to forget, just forgive. Get to a point where whatever wrong was done to you will now empower you to help someone else who may have had the same happen to them.
These are just some suggestions. As I wrote this, I started to think that this is probably the advice I would have given myself if I could have talked to an 18 year old me. Weird huh? One last thing... Each of us has a purpose, whether we know it or not. Once you have that figured out, run with it. It'll make life so much more fulfilling.
Monday, March 2, 2009
I've Done It!!
For most of you, you already know about my passion for cooking and what not. And several of you have had the opportunity to try my semi-famous wontons. Well, I've taken the first step toward marketing and selling them. Here's my logo.
Kay is my mom's nickname, considering her real first name, Kyong, doesn't exactly roll off the tongue. Tell me what you think. I'm gonna start with the wontons, I think, and work my way from there.
Kay is my mom's nickname, considering her real first name, Kyong, doesn't exactly roll off the tongue. Tell me what you think. I'm gonna start with the wontons, I think, and work my way from there.
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