fair weather friends

I'm realizing more and more that there are very few people who will really stand by you when it involves personal investment or a risk. I think these days I'm very puzzled and somewhat annoyed by the fact that I have a great many people who will claim to stand in my camp, but when the bullets start firing, they're nowhere to be seen. Someone who claims to be advocating for you who then turns around and gets blown by the wind and can't stand up for themselves - now that's disappointing.

On the flip side of that, it's rather comforting to see who DOES stay in your camp, who defends you, and is willing to fight for your cause. I guess I didn't really need proof of that, but it's nice to be reminded sometimes.

so true...

Sadly...they're so true...Haha, 10 points if you guess which one best describes me. I laughed at at least half...so sad...SO SAD!

I will not ever take up smoking cigars...never ever ever! But yes, it got my mind off things for about 2 minutes so mission accomplished, I suppose.

>Here's something to get your mind off those wild cards.
>
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: (SCW)
> > Sent: Tuesday, April 26, 2005 2:33 PM
> > Subject: You Know You Are A Korean Stylist If...
> >
> > You Know You Are A Korean Stylist If
> > By: Anonymous
> >
> > You think about Korean martial arts everyday.
> > You begin to sprinkle Korean words and phrases into your conversation.
> >
> > You have a Korean dictionary which you never use.
> > When you see a magazine rack you quickly check for new martial arts
> > magazines first and read the articles on Korean martial arts first.
> > You always make it a point to check the martial arts section of the
> > bookstore and look for Korean martial arts books first.
> > You shop for clothes based on your ability to high kick in them.
> > Adidas is your favorite sports clothing brand.
> > You sewed your school patch onto your bathrobe.
> > You tie your monogrammed bathrobe belt (which you never wash) into a
> > square knot and then check to make sure the ends are exactly even.
> > You open the refrigerator door with a roundhouse kick and shut it
> > with a side kick.
> > You develop a taste for Korean food and other Asian food as well.
> > You develop an interest in Korean members of the opposite sex.
> > You look more to your sabumnim/kwanjangnim for guidance and advice
> > rather than your priest.
> > You take up smoking because your sabumnim/kangjangnim smokes.
> > You take up drinking because your sabumnim/kwanjangnim drinks.
> > You take up karaoke because your sabumnim/kwanjangnim likes to sing
> > karaoke.
> > You take up golf because your sabumnim/kwanjangnim plays golf.
> > Even though you might hate to admit it, you secretly and
> > subconsciously believe that Korean masters from Korea are better at
> > Korean martial arts, even though they spend most of their time
> > drinking, smoking, golfing and singing karaoke.
> > Every time you see a Korean gentleman, you wonder what he knows
> > about martial arts and what his rank is.
> > You say "Yes sir!" more in class than you would if you were in the
> > military.
> > You donate more free time to your Korean martial arts school than
> > you do your church.
> > Your vacation time is devoted to attending Korean martial arts events.
> >
> > You visit cities that you would otherwise never visit because of
> > Korean martial arts events.
> > When visiting a new city, you grab the yellow pages and check out
> > all the Korean martial arts listings.
> > You plan on visiting Korea some day.
> > You have a deeper interest in Korean martial arts culture and
> > history than you do your own culture and history.
> > You are prouder of your 1st Dan black belt certificate than your
> > high school diploma, even though the high school diploma took you 13
> > years of 6 hour/day, 5 days/week training to get.
> > The happiest moments of your life and your fondest memories have to
> > do with Korean martial arts.
> > You check out a potential place to live based on the suitability of
> > working out and hanging a heavy bag.
> > You don't lift heavy weights because it might slow you down.
> > Being able to do the chinese splits is a major life goal for you.
> > You like kicking walls when no one is looking.
> > You view every little hand held item as a potential weapon.
> > If you are younger than Chuck Norris, you think his kicks are slow
> > and his techniques suck.
> > If you are Chuck's age, you wish you could do half the things he is
> > able to do.
> > You try to figure out a way to incorporate techniques you see in
> > movies and TV into your martial arts.
> > You wonder why Blockbuster never carries any of those martial arts
> > videos you see advertised in martial arts magazines.
> > You buy your kids martial arts items for their birthday or for
> > Christmas.
> > You surf the internet looking mostly for Korean martial arts sites.
> > The overwhelming majority of the email you receive is related to
> > Korean martial arts.

"don't get worked up yet"

There are certain phrases that people say to you that put you on guard. Like "I have some good news" is typically followed with "and some bad news". I don't see how anyone can possibly use the phrase "don't get worked up yet, but..." and then expect you not to get worked up. It's about as pointless as someone telling you "I have a secret...but I can't tell you".

That being said, I'm not sure if I'm impressed that he tried to hide it from me and prevent worrying until I found out, myself, or whether I'm annoyed that he didn't just tell me up front, off the bat. Either way I guess it's moot because I'm worked up now...but it's always nice to know what people's intentions are, I suppose.

Day 1 of Hardcore Discipline was somewhat of a success - after oversleeping and not getting to the gym in the am, I dragged myself there before TKD and forced myself to lift and do some cardio. I don't understand how normal people use the gym as their main form of exercise. It's so painfully not fun. If it wasn't for the tv's, I think I would have given up a lot sooner...this combined with sparring practice (darn intermediate class that's turning into a beginner/intermed class, mmph) meant walking up stairs this morning was not pretty. Confirmation that I must live in a building with an elevator.

Hot & Spicy Cheez-Its are my downfall. They took my two favorite junky things (Cheez-Its and Tabasco) and put them together. Genius.

people who rock

YAY MIT!!! So proud of my kids...it was so awesome to see them all yesterday. I couldn't tear myself away from the tournament, but forced myself to go to sparring practice for a couple hours and come back. It was SO GOOD to be with the team again...with the obvious exception of the newbies, it was just like old times. Agh I miss the INCTL and all that ... though I realized I must be getting old if I found it too stressful. Everyone just looked so good, and it was really nice that Dan let me coach a bunch of the teams. Just like old times. I almost got on the bus to go back to Boston with them, but alas, being old means needing sleep. *sigh*

One of the things I really miss are the days of riding the bus back from tournaments. All the games of Mafia, the "storytimes" where I'd whip out the brackets of teams that won and do my silly trashtalking narrations that people actually thought were funny, the bad kung fu movies, teaching people how to play violent Korean games that involve hitting as punishment, taking pictures of people sleeping, always having a shoulder to sleep on, even the bad food at McDonald's on the pit stop...there is really no way for me to measure how much I miss those days and more so, how much I miss my teammates. I've been on a lot of teams - All-star teams, Collegiate teams, NY teams, even with WS - but none of them are like my experience with MIT, and how comprehensive that was.

But I'm glad that you didn't get on that bus back to Boston. Because life isn't about always looking back to the past and what you did way back when - it's about embracing the future. As in business and in life, it's about "what have you done lately?". Relish and appreciate and be proud of what you have done, but always look for what you will accomplish next.

I know he's right. But still...uprooting is never easy. There are pros and cons, benefits to cover the things you give up...but it's still hard and it's still sad.

*********************

On a miserable note, I lost my USA hat yesterday. I left it at the tournament and apparently the tournament directors decided to leave it to the janitor to toss when no one claimed it. I don't recall hearing any announcement, and besides that...it's a very specific hat, don't you think you'd leave it to the lost and found and not the janitor? MMPH.

*********************

But on another positive note - I love hardworking kids. Scott makes me so happy. We had a lesson today, and in the middle of some drills he says

"Can I make a request?"

"Sure"

And I'm thinking he wants to work on a specific kick or something.

"Can we work on pushups? Mine are really bad and I want to have good pushups"

And as we did the pushup drills, he didn't complain. Red faced and grunting, he gave 110% to do the best pushups he could do. This after all the kids in our Fri sparring class got severely chastised by me and James for faking pushups, and having to stay in pushup position until they cried last week - the rest of them are probably hiding from us. But not Scott - he took the lesson to heart and is determined to do them properly.

Sometimes you have kids who make it all worth it.

men and boobs

Now that I have your attention, I will rant.

WHAT is it about men that make them incapable of realizing that if you hit a girl in the chest, it HURTS? You don't see me going up to you and kicking you in the crotch, do you? So please stop aiming for my freaking chest!

This all goes way back to the fact that I've going to a dermatologist to get injections and laser treatment for this painful and itchy keloid thing that popped up on my chest after years and years (OK, like 3 yrs) of getting punched (in the exact same place) by Jr. Fine.

Then I noticed that sometimes when we do hogu drills, they kick high. Still on the hogu, but...not quite the middle. Fine, but how would you like it if the next time I kick I kick the lower half of the hogu? But whatever, they hit the right part 98% of the time so I guess that's OK. And I've been known to miss once in a blue moon as well. So fine.

And then there are those times when we're not wearing gear and just sparring and I just get punched in the chest. And besides "OW THAT HURTS!" as I writhe on the side, I'm thinking...excuse me??? but they just like to punch me so I guess that's just the way it is. Fine.

But you know, that's Sabs and they can do whatever the heck they want because they're Sabs amd this stuff happens during hogu drills or sparring when it's anything goes. Fine, fine, fine.

BUT.

When other people ( messy messy people) start flailing and KNEEING you in the chest (that's right - knee straight to chest) when you're doing NO CONTACT SPARRING - I draw the line. The next guy who does this gets a kick to the groin. And if you're not wearing a cup, then that's too bad.

poetry

HAHAHA...oh man...life is too funny sometimes. The poetry of sparky returns...

So I wrote a limerick to tell everyone to email Sue and wish her a happy birthday. And of course Jr decides to take the opportunity to make fun of me. So to prove him wrong and take my jabs, I wrote a poem:

Ode to Sab Jr

Hold 'Em, he taught me, to bet must be willing -
He then lost his money to Derek and Dylan;
Addicted to Starbucks, he goes all the time;
He won't let me drink it, but still pours me wine;

The man loves his back kick, but just on the right;
his face will turn red when he gets in a fight;
He threatens with punches, my arms get so sore;
We check and we stare, then we check some more;

Won't wear a mouthpiece and loves to be cocky;
When he scores a point, he dances like Rocky;
He claims that he's nice, though constantly mocks;
When he is coaching he pulls up his socks;

He never leaves home without his Blackberry;
He acts like he's mean but deep down? Not scary.

**************************

But then I figured it wasn't fair to write a poem for one twin and not the other, so I wrote one for Sr:

Ode to Sab Sr

Calm, unexpressive, through any trouble...
'Till his Blackberry fell in a puddle;
What will he do without his Brickbreaker?
Talk to his fighters? The effort's much greater!

Composed at the locals, smiling with ease;
Except watching Derek - face red, hardly breathes;
When sparring he grunts, he yells, sometimes roars;
He punches Adolfo, deep down to the core;

No sympathy here, but tough love instead;
Encouragement shown with hits on the head;
"It hurts to get kicked? Get up off the floor!"
He'll beat out the fear, 'till tears are no more;

"Free, Hallelujah! At last, April 6th!"
Be-Nice-to-Christina - a month I sure miss.

**************************

And then I got crap that my poems don't rhyme. Hrmph. So I replied with this:

Complain complain, it's all the same -
You do it too, but pass the blame;
I'm doubleteamed, my chance is slim;
It's never fair - I'll never win.
Class tonight - when will you show?
Inquiring minds would like to know...

**************************

HAHAHA...so the end result is Jr wrote a poem...it was the funniest thing I've ever seen even if he didn't get details right. Sometimes they surprise me. Haha, heck, I suprise myself. =)

totally made my day

This was so cute:

I bought a Pepsi today after school and i won which is surprising because I never win at those things. Since you have an Ipod and I don't and because you always try to get a wining cap at work, here is the code: XXXXXXXXXX.
Pick a good song.
Scott

Funny what kids will remember about the mundane things you talk about day to day. I needed a pick-me-up, too...I had 2 fillings done and they were NO FUN. Aww, I love that kid, he totally made my day.

field trip

MY TOE!!!!!! =( =( =(

******************

We had a field trip today at work - to a waste water treatment plant. It was a beautiful day to go out to Long Island...until I realized that WWTP's mean they treat sewage...which means...it STINKS.

We had to take as-built drawings and verify them against the actual structures and dimensions in this secondary gas compressor thing. Now...the definition of "as-built dwgs" is that once they build it, they check the drawings and modify anything that has changed. Any dimensions, locations, whatever. And I guess because we don't trust them, we have to double check them.

Clearly whoever made these drawings was lazy and decided not to modify them because there were a slew of errors. It was 4 of us with tape measurers and hardhats, trying to figure out what all these little symbols meant. And then my boss took us on an impromptu tour of the facility. Let me just say...wastewater treatment is DISGUSTING. He took us into the bowels (yes I used that word on purpose) of the plant where you have the sewage that's being boiled. You can see it bubbling and burping. And if that weren't enough, the stench would kill you.

OK it's actually kind of an interesting process. And I did get to do the mechanical drawings. And it was vaguely mechanical-ish enough. But...it SMELLED so bad!!!

That was my field trip...but it sure beat computer modeling.

pretty colors

My toe freaking hurts. As in, walking is difficult, putting pressure on it is painful, and this could be a very big problem considering I'm supposed to go out for 4 hours tomorrow with a tape measurer and measure a gas compressor (or some big construction project like that).

I don't even know how I hurt it. I totally didn't notice until we were done sparring and then I started writhing on the ground. I must've hit something really hard, like his elbow. Mmph. It feel dislocated.

I've decided that working out is the cure to all things. If you're sore and you work out, it sucks but the net result is you're unsore. If you're poopy and you work out and sweat hard, you forget that you're poopy. If you're tired and you train, it gets oxygen pumping and blood flowing. And if you're sick and you suck it up and work out, you just might get better. So, much like Greeks think Windex is the magical cure (ref: mbfgw) - I think going to dojang is my universal cure. And for everything else more serious than that, there's prayer. =)

It's so good they're back...YAY! No more having to teach 4 sparring classes a week. No more having to wonder who's going to be my partner. No more having to be the hardass because everyone gets all lax. On the contrary, now there's more decorum in the dj. More attention and getting to work out instead of having to think about everyone else. And best of all - more bruises! Ah...so good...

"You have to score a point on me to get me going"

"But then you're going to get mad and come after me"

"I know, that's the point"

"But I don't like it when you get mad"

Yeah well, like it or not it was going to happen. See, this is what I don't understand about men. When they get mad, they get motivated. Something about anger causes them to focus and channel their anger in productive ways. Me, if I got mad enough I think I'd just want to cry or quit. I noticed today that Adolfo and Sr were sparring and they basically just had roaring contests between them. Like one person would score a point, the other would growl, the other would respond with a roar, and so on. At one point I looked up (I was sparring Jr at the time) and looked around the room and realized I was the only person without testosterone. Hrmm, I think I'm at a severe disadvantage. Maybe they're trying to make me into a guy.

Hrmm...if I could be one of the boys...I'd be unstoppable...

But for now, I'll count my bruises and see what pretty colors pop up tomorrow...

regionals

Regionals - so freaking STRESSFUL. I can't say how much I dislike having to coach when I have to compete. This is the second time they've done this to me - not having come and leaving me without a coach and then telling me that I have to be responsible for the team. I guess I don't mind a whole lot, but it really stinks to be that tired and it added a whole lot of unnecessary stress. Some people can make any group dynamic supremely stressful...gotta love 'em, but...just STRESSFUL.

The upside is I won so that's a big relief. The bet didn't work out because they changed the rounds from 3 rounds of 2 min to 3 rounds of 1 min. ONE MINUTE??? What can you do in one minute? Apparently, not much. There was no way I was going to score 20 points in 3 minutes, especially after not having warmed up at all (unless you count running from ring to ring coaching).

Things that made me happy this weekend:

-I got to see the Boston crew! Though I didn't really get a chance to hang out with them.

-Frankie fought so hard - even though she lost, she really made the girl earn that win

-Medical rocks!

-Jr actually called me from London on Sat for my pep talk. Even though he happened to call RIGHT when Scott was about to fight. But I didn't think he was going to do it...it was cool he remembered. Yeah, maybe he really is nice...well...maybe.

-Sr's reaction when he called on Sun for the results:

"What was the score?"

"Well, they changed the length of the rounds"

"So what was the score?"

"4-2"

"WHAT??? 4-2? Oh my God! FOUR...to...TWO??? What happened?!?!"

"You didn't come, THAT's what happened!!"

HAHAHA...I think that was my favorite part of the entire weekend - getting to yell at him for yelling at me. Heh =)

over - edited

----- Forwarded message from SCW
Date: Wed, 6 Apr 2005 08:50:49 -0400

I've done my month of penance. At 2 pm, "be nice to Christina month" ends. Hallelujah!

------------------------------------------

Aww...SO SAD! I was getting so used to it, I completely forgot...I must admit I didn't think he could make it through the month, but I guess all good things must come to an end. Too bad, I was getting used to the peace around here...

Edit:

Wed, 6 Apr 2005 14:09:53 -0400 (EDT)
Subject: Emancipation
From: SCW

I am FREE! I am FREE!

But it's OK...there's a new bet for this weekend, except this time with Jr.

floss

Flossing is very important. I previously thought flossing was something that was just good for your gums. You know, keep them tough to prevent gingivitis or whatever. Little did I know that, the second most common place to get a cavity (other than the top of your tooth) is that exact miniscule space where your teeth touch.

Until I went to my new dentist yesterday, had him scrape and ultrasonically chisel around and make me bleed cleaning my teeth (I *hate* the noise the drill makes) - and was told I had 4 cavities. FOUR. And all because I don't floss enough, they were all tiny and between my teeth.

So my advice to all - FLOSS PEOPLE! It's important. For you, your teeth, and your budget.

so proud...

Wahoo, just got off the phone and MIT sweeped the Yale tournament and blew Cornell out of the water! Ah...so proud. Especially to see my kids who started 2-3 years ago now totally leading the team...love it. Makes me so sad that I'm not in the thick of things with them anymore, but it's such a good feeling to watch your baby walk on its own after falling a few times. Columbia is going to be so sweet, especially since I haven't seen a lot of them since I left. Keep it strong, guys, you're totally awesome!

Only added to my excitement that West Side was totally awesome yesterday at NY States. We won some gaudy 8 ft trophy for being the school with the most competitors - and a whole slew of medals to boot. Our car got there late so Derek missed his forms competition, but we were there just in time for him to spar. Ah...so proud of him, he even scored a back kick! And then Scott was totally on fire, winning his division and sparring exhibition matches to boot. Despite the tiredness, it was totally worth it. I only had to spar one match and I'm rather pleased with it even if it wasn't terribly hard, and I was way out of shape. Going to Cancun in May or something like that.

So so so so SO proud of all my kids, past and present. Ah...now to get ready for the slew of tournaments to come...and sadly...to do all my freaking homework for these classes...man, community college is no walk in the park!

quiz

Your dating personality profile: Religious - Faith matters to you. It is the foundation that you build your life upon. You trust that God has a plan for you. Conservative - You take a conservative stance on most issues and aren't shy about saying so. Your political views are an important component of who you are. Traditional - Modern culture does not move you. You hold traditional values dear to your heart.

Your date match profile: Religious - You seek someone who is grounded in faith and who possesses religious values. You believe that a religious person can enhance your life. Traditional - You need someone who is a bit old-fashioned. A person with traditional values and beliefs will perfectly compliment your lifestyle. Big-Hearted - You want someone compassionate, someone gentle and kind. A loving, nurturing person will fill that hole in your life.

Your Top Ten Traits 1. Religious 2. Conservative 3. Traditional 4. Stylish 5. Big-Hearted 6. Athletic 7. Wealthy/Ambitious 8. Romantic 9. Adventurous 10. Intellectual

Your Top Ten Match Traits 1. Religious 2. Traditional 3. Big-Hearted 4. Practical 5. Liberal 6. Stylish 7. Romantic 8. Adventurous 9. Outgoing 10. Athletic

Take the Dating Personality Quiz - Get Dating Advice


OK Susan's got me hooked on these...she's finding good ones lately?

CONSERVATIVE?? I'M CONSERVATIVE?? Not that there's anything wrong with that, I think I'm just upset that it tells me I have political views. I don't want any of those...they tricked me! And if I'm conservative, what would I do with a liberal, argue all the time? Mmph, please no.

And how did stylish rank higher than athletic? Please. I guess this is my obsession with men having to shave. Hahaha....

are they closed? or am i asian?

"Yeah, I see you sleeping over there in your cube"

"No way man"

"Your eyes are totally closing"

"I'm ASIAN! They're just small!"

HAHAHA...yes, that shall be my response when I'm caught napping. But the irony is, this time I actually wasn't dozing. Today was the most productive day in a long time - it was so exciting, I finally solved something. I can't believe that after all my efforts, I've essentially become a programmer. *sigh* But whatever - bring it on, H20Net, I will conquer you, queries and all!

(Famous last words before my summer is turned into life at the cube farm).

so. tired.

Realization of the day: being a full-time employee, a full-time student, a tutor, a teacher, and an athlete means I need at least two more bodies or 48 hours in a day to get everything done and still be able to sleep.

Sleep...if I could get more than 6 hours a nightI'd probably be able to at least walk straight. The thing that sucks most about working life vs. student life is that there's no such thing as a nap anymore. You can't just skip a class or take a break to take a 2pm nap. No, when you're in food coma and all the blood has rushed to your butt because you've been sitting on it in front of a computer all day - you have to at least PRETEND that you're awake and being productive. Even when you don't have anything to do, it's unacceptable to put your head down and close your eyes.

If I ever own my own company - mandatory 2pm nap for all. Siesta will increase productivity all around. Get people out of their food coma.

I've had 3 people independently ask me this week if I've lost weight. Normally this would be a good thing. However, I know it's just because when I get really fatigued I start looking thinner. I think it's the baggy eyes and droopy face. In fact, I haven't even gotten to work out for over a week because of the stupid knee and fatigue and having to teach a whole bunch. So it's definitely not weight-loss.

*sigh* Sometimes I think I need a break from the dojang. Not just from working out, but altogether.

OK. Sleep, sleep. PT in the morning.

asian

You scored as asian. Yur Asian! asian 50% white 33% latino 33% black 25% Are you a different race than you think you are? created with QuizFarm.com

You have GOT to be kidding me. I'm only 50% Asian?? Mmph. I'm as Asian as you can get. Mmph.

Speaking of which (not that Asians are necessarily dorky but I suppose that could be correlated) - people at my work didn't like my joke. Are you kidding me??? That d/dy joke was the best joke ever. It wasn't just that they groaned - they actually didn't like it!

I think I'm offended. Clearly it's all the Cornell-ness that exists in my office. I think it's just because they had to think about it and didn't get it right away. So now I've been deemed as the office dork. Great. It's like being in high school at church all over again.

Ah...MIT. It really was the only place where I truly belonged...whatever, that joke was awesome, I can't think about it without remembering the first time I heard cktsai tell it at chapter camp...it still makes me laugh.