Just got back from Big Sur - the final drive down was a whopping 12 hours (forgot everybody was driving back this weekend) - I hit traffic in every conceivable place... trying to leave Big Sur, all alone the 101, then all around LA, then around SD as well.
Anyways, I think I'll be largely disappointed with the photos I took once I load them all on my computer - I was mostly active midday (which means the sun was way too bright and washed out any good photos). (I may also break my own rule of doing some post-production work in Photoshop with these photos)
Anyways, this one is from the drive up Friday night:
More to come as I get a chance to sift through them.
Update: I ended up pruning the whole collection down to 24 tonight and I've posted them up at http://roykim.net/photos/big-sur/
They turned out pretty decent, actually!
Written by roy at 02:44 AM. Filed under Photography.
I started my Snow Patrol album download four minutes ago and it's 74.1% done.
But no, more important things! I just got back from this event hosted by WISE, a new organisation dedicated to building a mosque here in west Edmonton. I was invited by a friend from my high school and I thought, sure, I'd love a mosque here. But I wasn't expecting an organisation, an executive who was taking this so seriously; I guess previous experience has kind of made me form a prejudice against the idea that the Muslim community would take the initiative and tackle a huge project like this one. And not only is the board comprised of incredibly well-established people, mostly doctors and parents of doctors, that are willing to invest so much time and money in this, but I've never seen a Muslim crowd react so passionately to something like this either. I was so surprised to see them as excited as me. It was refreshing!
My download's done.
More than that, one of the guys on the board attended my school's awards night. He heard them announce that list of honours, most of which were much more modest than they sounded (after all, top IB student out of six IB students isn't as spectacular as they make it seem). But he got the impression that I was some big overacheiving, leadership type, and whenever he's seen me after that, he's always treated me that way. Normally it wouldn't matter to me, but today, after I heard them announce the proposal for the mosque, and explain that they really needed the support of the Muslim community, something sparked in me. I didn't want to just donate to help build the mosque, I wanted to really build the mosque. I mean, if Arif Khan thinks I am a go-getter, a 110% student, and a leader, I really should be a go-getting, 110% leading student. So I ran up to Arif afterwards and told him I wanted to be involved on a more executive level. He introduced me to a girl at the U who just got into med, and basically decided that we would be forming a group at the university, organising events and informing as many students as we can about the proposal, and, if things work out, leading our student group into the youth group at the mosque/community centre. Like, what the hell? I've never been president of a student group or chair of a committee or executive of a youth group. But frick, I could be. I want to be. I don't know what it was, but something in me really wanted to be more than another kid, getting by with passable marks, decent friends, decent connections. I really wanted to make my mark, and this is something that would leave a dent in this city, go noticed by all. But it's not really the recognition I'm after; I want to be pushing myself again. As soon as Arif started talking about being in the leadership position, all I could think about was the high I was on during the whole Operation Invisible Children thing. I mean, that was a measly low-scale fundraiser compared to this, and I still felt like I was on top of the world when it went successfully. So imagine how I'd feel if I could really say, I've accomplished something. I've done something extraordinary, beyond what others would expect of me and beyond what I've expected of myself. I want that now, and I want it badly.
Oh. That's why. The songs are bleeped. That's a shame, I liked their new sold-out sound.
{ music } Snow Patrol - Crack The Shutters
Written by rosetinted at 12:38 AM.
Sometimes I envy my peers. I know quite a few people my age who are achieving A LOT, A LOT and they seem to know exactly what they want and how to get it.
I have an acquaintance studying in Harvard Business School, friends seemingly living the life in Singapore, a former ukay-buddy now turned global jetsetter and academician extraordinaire.
And it's not so much what they have achieved as having the clarity of mind and the guts to go after what they want. I'm sure their path in life has been peppered with challenges and uncertainties as well, but they still trudged on. I, on the other hand, am floundering in limbo and is miserable in the process.
Sureeee, I am cheerful and happy. And God knows, I live a very colorful life--at least, more colorful than the average. But sometimes, there's this little voice in me that tells me: it's not enough. Something's missing. Just what, I do not know...
And maybe I should just jump. Take a leap of faith. Do something extremely uncharacteristic of me. Take a 9-to-5 structured, corporate job and see where it leads. Apply for work abroad and leave all my safety-nets behind. Maybe I should, just to test my character.
But I'm too scared, and I'm wondering if it's too much, too soon. Which leads me back to a cycle of anxiety and indecisiveness.
With a whole world of choices ahead of me, shouldn't I feel blessed? How come I feel so scared? Of mistakes, failure, regret.
Never has the word opportunity cost meant so much. Currently, it is the specter that haunts my waking life. *brrr*
------
Onto some good news, I absolutely loved Toastmasters last night. I am happy I joined. Thanks guys!
{ mood } emo
Written by anokaya at 01:45 AM.
I succeeded in helping to cook a Thanksgiving dinner! It wasn't as hard as I imagined - just really time consuming. I now feel confident I can fly solo next year and do the whole meal myself ;)
Some pictures from tonight: (full album)
The turkey came out really well - was not overcooked, and had great flavor!
I helped make this cheesecake last night - which turned out really great. I'm gonna get a copy of that recipe for myself!
Enjoying the company in the kitchen while cooking
Coworker Guerric (on left), who owns the awesome cheesecake recipe, and did a ton of cooking (I just helped out)
Dinner is served!
Mmm, deserts.
Chairs were in great demand; we ended up with quite an assortment.
This is the solution we came up with when trying to make more space.
Post-meal happiness
. . .
Now I'm getting ready for my 3-day road trip up to Carmel-By-The-Sea and Big Sur tomorrow. I've figured out the most important thing: the soundtrack. I'm leaning heavily towards Red Hot Chili Peppers (very chill, cruising music).
I'll see you guys on Sunday night, and I hope all of you had a fantastic Thanksgiving!
And on a more serious note, my heart goes out to the families of those affected by the Mumbai attacks ... such senseless violence...
{ music } Mamas and the Papas - California Dreamin'
Written by roy at 11:52 PM. Filed under San Diego.
The sun has recently set and I just awoke from a massive food coma because some Einstein decided that it would be a good idea to have TG dinner at 3:00 pm.
I know it's cheesy, but I've always wanted to put a Transformers emblem on my car. So I spent half the morning online looking for an Autobot emblem because there is an actual Autobot in the new animated series that transforms into what I have parked in the garage. Problem is, they're all generic. and to have one where I want it, I'd have to get it custom made.
Written by HK1997 at 04:41 PM.
The things you have to do are usually going to be the hardest things to do. Make sure its the right thing. It will pay off. Fin.
Happy Thanksgiving Everyone.
Written by calvin at 11:21 AM.
One of the things I miss about North Carolina are the cool fall rains. There's nothing better to fall asleep to than the pitter patter of the rainfall.
It does not rain in San Diego. Ever. But, as luck would have it, it is raining very steadily tonight - it's just like the rainfalls at home!
To go to bed, hearing the melodic drumming of the raindrops on the streets below ... so awesome.
Written by roy at 01:33 AM. Filed under Ramblings, San Diego.
so here's a fun game to play at the beach. you take a group of your friends, and you line them up, with their backs towards you.
the game is, you throw the football at them, and they have to all jump and turn around and try to catch the football.
now, your goal is to aim for their nads - the moment they turn around, you want to nail them. their goal, much like those guys who defend against soccer free kicks, is to defend their crown jewels.
i had a lot of fun playing this game when i was back in nc - you can tell by how much i'm grinning:
by the way, doesn't that picture make me look somewhat athletic? like i know what i'm doing?? doesn't it??? this could be the most normal picture of me ever taken.
Written by roy at 10:56 PM. Filed under Ramblings.