Tokyo Time
Seoul Time
Annyeong everyone,
Unfortunately this idiom doesn't apply to me. Ever since I was 12 I've had trouble sleeping. I've absolutely no problem with waking up though; I always wake up at 10 to 6 am. ALWAYS. No matter if it's the weekend or a holiday. I might stay in bed longer, but I'll always be doing something. Reading, thinking, daydreaming. Anything but sleeping.
It's just my biological clock, can't help it. But sleeping, now that's the real problem. It takes several hours for me to fall asleep, even when I'm dead tired. I've tried to make myself physically tired, didn't work. I've tried listening to music, didn't work. It even makes it worse.
You see, even when I'm not listening to music, there's always a song playing in my head. Even if I'm busy with other things, there's always a song playing through my mind on repeat. I can't seem to stop it, merely change the song. OTL
I've even tried to empty my mind - which I'm no good at, I fail miserably at meditating - but all that happens is this: I try to force my thoughts out by thinking things like "Stop" or "Go away!" or "Don't think". However this only makes things more difficult. That one thought becomes the only thought in my head. And it repeats itself on and on and on. Something like this: "Don't think" "Don't think" "Don't think" "Don't think" "Don't think" "Don't think" "Don't think" "Don't think" "Don't think" "Don't think" X 100000000000000000 into infinity.
I think my sleeping problems come from my over-active brain. I'm always thinking or brooding or daydreaming or picturing. My brain is always busy. So I usually go to bed around 8 pm (yeah I know, early) to give my body the rest it needs, but I'll be staring at the ceiling for hours, fantasizing away until I finally fall asleep. Yet I'm never tired when I wake up. What's up with that?
Curse ya faulty brain! Kekeke, I'm just kidding. Even though my brain is always working and making me daydream, even when I'm watching tv or listen to music - which means I'm living my life zoned out completely ^0^ - I'm content. That's just the way I am and how I work.
Besides, my over-active brain has given me a lot of advantages too. It has given me my own imaginary realm of wonder from which I get inspiration for my novels and provides me with an escape from the real world when I need a break. My brain has given me the capacity and ability to be open to, love and understand cultures/languages other than mine and given me a special interest I will treasure for the rest of my life.
Maybe my brain is wired differently compared to others, but that doesn't make it any better or worse. Just different. Unique. And we should all treasure our uniqueness, right?
Uniqueness hwaiting!! Special interest gambare!! Repeated music in my head hwaiting!!
Sayonara mina!
2/27/10
The time is now!
Annyeong everyone,
I wasn't going to post today but to quote Lee Hyori: "The time is now!" I should't postpone if I don't have to. Today I finally finished IRIS and though it was epic, the ending was very sad. I heard there is going to be a season two, but I have no idea how they want to pull that one of. Most of the important characters are dead. But who knows? It might be another epic drama.
I also went to my aunt and my cousins. I might have told you about it already; they've got an American bulldog puppy. He is the cutest thing ever! He was so enthusiastic and happy to meet us! He was very eager to play with us and cuddle with us, kekeke.
I had my doubts about him at first, but not anymore. I do hope he calms down a little when he's older and bigger, because he's already very strong! He almost pulled my arm off!
Oh! I totally forgot! Yesterday I watched a movie called Ip Man, about Chinese martial arts and the history of China. Too bad it had poorly translated subtitles..I hardly had any inkling of what was going on! I understood the dialogue alright, but the Chinese writings weren't translated. Anyways, I would strongly suggest it. Great movie.
Sayonara mina!
I wasn't going to post today but to quote Lee Hyori: "The time is now!" I should't postpone if I don't have to. Today I finally finished IRIS and though it was epic, the ending was very sad. I heard there is going to be a season two, but I have no idea how they want to pull that one of. Most of the important characters are dead. But who knows? It might be another epic drama.
I also went to my aunt and my cousins. I might have told you about it already; they've got an American bulldog puppy. He is the cutest thing ever! He was so enthusiastic and happy to meet us! He was very eager to play with us and cuddle with us, kekeke.
I had my doubts about him at first, but not anymore. I do hope he calms down a little when he's older and bigger, because he's already very strong! He almost pulled my arm off!
Oh! I totally forgot! Yesterday I watched a movie called Ip Man, about Chinese martial arts and the history of China. Too bad it had poorly translated subtitles..I hardly had any inkling of what was going on! I understood the dialogue alright, but the Chinese writings weren't translated. Anyways, I would strongly suggest it. Great movie.
Sayonara mina!
2/21/10
Slush reading, Seuss style
Annyeong everyone,
I just found this on the internet and thought I'd share it with you:
http://www.jimchines.com/2009/09/slush-reading/
Hope you enjoy it!
Sayonara mina
I just found this on the internet and thought I'd share it with you:
http://www.jimchines.com/2009/09/slush-reading/
Hope you enjoy it!
Sayonara mina
2/19/10
12 days of fleshing out characters
Annyeong everone *^o^*
Well, I'm not really going to be fleshing out characters: one per day seems pretty slow to me, kekeke. But yeah, I'm STILL working on them non-stop.
And the worst part is: when I finished one and begin to work on another, I suddenly get these brilliant ideas for the former! It's like I'm not getting any further and keep working on the same character over and over and over again. It's driving me crazy!! ToT
Anyhow, the plotting isn't going so well either. I have the basic plan in my head and the beginning on paper and now I'm stuck. I know what I want, but I just can't jot it down. But jotting it down is very important, because I have an unreliable memory. I sometimes forget something 2 seconds after it's been told. I even have times when I walk into the kitchen/my room/any other place in the house and then realize I forgot what I was going to do. (EPIC FAIL)
That's why it's important for me to write ideas down or record them.
Well, I'm sure my head gets unstuck after a while and I'll be able to plot out my entire novel on paper or the computer. I'll probably write it down first anyways and then type it all out on the computer...And I'll probably hit my head against my imaginary wall for giving myself extra work.
Ah well....story of my life. OTL
Sayonara mina!
Well, I'm not really going to be fleshing out characters: one per day seems pretty slow to me, kekeke. But yeah, I'm STILL working on them non-stop.
And the worst part is: when I finished one and begin to work on another, I suddenly get these brilliant ideas for the former! It's like I'm not getting any further and keep working on the same character over and over and over again. It's driving me crazy!! ToT
Anyhow, the plotting isn't going so well either. I have the basic plan in my head and the beginning on paper and now I'm stuck. I know what I want, but I just can't jot it down. But jotting it down is very important, because I have an unreliable memory. I sometimes forget something 2 seconds after it's been told. I even have times when I walk into the kitchen/my room/any other place in the house and then realize I forgot what I was going to do. (EPIC FAIL)
That's why it's important for me to write ideas down or record them.
Well, I'm sure my head gets unstuck after a while and I'll be able to plot out my entire novel on paper or the computer. I'll probably write it down first anyways and then type it all out on the computer...And I'll probably hit my head against my imaginary wall for giving myself extra work.
Ah well....story of my life. OTL
Sayonara mina!
2/18/10
Happy birthday Changmin!
Annyeong everyone,
Today is the 22nd birthday (or 23rd in Korea) of the funniest maknae in the Korean entertainment business! I hope you have a wonderful day and I wish you good health and happiness for all the years to come, Changminnie!
I've always liked Changmin, even when Junsu stole his cute image, kekeke. He's witty, smart and serious all at the same time. Changmin usually doesn't say that much, but when he does, he's just as funny as JaeJoong. He has the greatest comebacks!
He's often described as a young boy with old man's brain...and it's often been said that I have an old mind as well. Let's just take that as a compliment, Max. Put all your worries behind you and have a great day! You deserve it.
Watch their debut song to see him still being cute:
Sayonara mina
Today is the 22nd birthday (or 23rd in Korea) of the funniest maknae in the Korean entertainment business! I hope you have a wonderful day and I wish you good health and happiness for all the years to come, Changminnie!
I've always liked Changmin, even when Junsu stole his cute image, kekeke. He's witty, smart and serious all at the same time. Changmin usually doesn't say that much, but when he does, he's just as funny as JaeJoong. He has the greatest comebacks!
He's often described as a young boy with old man's brain...and it's often been said that I have an old mind as well. Let's just take that as a compliment, Max. Put all your worries behind you and have a great day! You deserve it.
Watch their debut song to see him still being cute:
Sayonara mina
2/15/10
Just a QuickE!
Annyeong everyone,
I watched DBSK's newly released drama Dating on Earth. I think it's actually a lot better than their banjun dramas, because there's more drama. But SME totally ruined the thing by editing out vital scenes! You should really watch the scenes that were cut out, becaue if you've seen those, the story suddenly makes a lot more sense!
All in all, a fun drama to watch. =D
Sayonara mina!
I watched DBSK's newly released drama Dating on Earth. I think it's actually a lot better than their banjun dramas, because there's more drama. But SME totally ruined the thing by editing out vital scenes! You should really watch the scenes that were cut out, becaue if you've seen those, the story suddenly makes a lot more sense!
All in all, a fun drama to watch. =D
Sayonara mina!
2/14/10
Adoption is when a child grew in its mommy's heart instead of her tummy
Annyeong everyone,
Now, everyone who 'knows' me - and with knowing I actually mean: has had a deep and meaningful conversation with - knows I've always wanted to adopt. Ever since I was young and knew the meaning of adoption, I wanted to do it. It's become a dream for me, an ambition (just like emigration, because I ain't staying here!!!). I'm only 18 while I'm writing this, so technically I shouldn't be thinking of having children at all (only the way of 'making' them) but I've caught myself often daydreaming and worrying about my future adoptive children.
My reason for adoption? Why not give an orphan the love/care he or she needs? Why overpopulate the world even more when there are so many parentless children who need your love and affection? Now I'm not saying you shouldn't have children of your own, but that's not the only possibility to create a family.
Ever since I was little I began searching for information on adoption (mostly through English sites though) and I think I have an good idea what it's gonna be like.
Of course, you never know what it will BE like until you experience it.
I want to adopt Asia...specificly Japan, South-Korea and in a lesser sense China. Why? Because I think when you from adopt, you should always teach your children about their culture. I happen to know a bit more about the cultures of Japan and South-Korea. I want to adopt from China for a number of other reasons: one being that my ancerstors came from China.
I realize that it's going to be blaringly obvious for everyone to see that my future adoptive kids are adopted, but should that matter?
To illustrate what I'm talking about, I'll explain my heritage. I'm a mix of a lot of races, but I guess you could classify me as black. I'm not a big fan of being called black, because my hair is black and my skin brown, but that's beside the point. Those who don't care about my descent: please, scroll on down!
My blood comes from:
~ China --> my ancestors from my mom's side appearantly. This doesn't show in my appearance at all, though when I tell my friends about my ancestory they often mention the eyes. My eyes however aren't slanted, they're almond shaped. Angelina Jolie also has almond shaped eyes...get my point? Nothing Asian about that. I do have to mention that I'm the only one in my family that is SO fascinated by Asia and it's culture. My niece often jokingly calls me an alien. I also feel more connected with the Asian culture than any of the other cultures my blood/birth links me to. I'm especially proud of my surname: Tjong Ayong.
~ Suriname (Surinam) --> Everyone who knows a little about Suriname, knows there are a lot of different cultures and races present there. A lot of Surinamese people are mixed. As am I. Eveyone of my family is Surinamese, but they also have other ancestory. My mother's Surinamese side has its roots in China. If you want to know more about Suriname, please look it up, don't ask me. I hardly know anything about Suriname, I can't even understand/speak/read/write the language. Is that a bad thing? Maybe. My mom has often said I should be more interested in my heritage, but isn't the Asian culture part of my heritage too? Okay, I'm more interested in Japan and South-Korea...let's move on, shall we?
~ Java --> My father's side. An island belonging to Indonesia, please correct me if I'm wrong. I really don't know much about Java, but I want to learn more. It lies in Southeast Asia (maybe that's another reason why I love Asia so much).
~ India --> My father's side. I also don't know as much about India as I should. Only that it's in the south of Asia. I've watched a few Bollywood movies (hated them) but I don't think that's representative for it's culture. I know cows are holy...That's pretty cool.
~ The Netherlands --> Born and raised here! Still being "raised" here XD. Born in Amsterdam, lived there for 7 years. There is an article about Dutch customs and etiquette: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dutch_customs_and_etiquette . Some things are true, some somewhat, some not. But I found it quite entertaining. I've read a couple of discussions on the internet about how the Dutch are insanely rude and how the country's going to pot. This isn't true (not for all Dutch people anyways). If you want me to adress these aspects, let me know. I'll give you my two cents.
We also have some Indian (read Native American) blood in the family, but let's not go there right now. I'm totally clueless about anyways.
~~~~~~~Back to the topic of adoption:
I can see myself adopting children from firstborns to toddlers. I wouldn't consider teenagers if it were my 'first' child, because I wouldn't be experienced enough for that. However I just read somewhere that South-Korea is trying to reduce the percentage of transracial/transcultural adoptions. And that they want to put a full stop on it in 2012. And I hear adopting in Japan is frowned upon. I don't know if I should be worried or not.
Two things about adoption are bothering me though:
1) The fact that adopting seems to have become a trend. Everyone is doing it nowadays. It's the celebrities like Angelina Jolie and Madonna who have made it so popular. Now there's nothing wrong with that, but when people start adoption only because famous people are doing it and it's IN, that's when it becomes dangerous. People don't really think about the consequences any more. You need to adopt because you want to and have wanted to for a long time, not because the Rich and Famous are doing it!
2) Renaming those kids. I believe that if you adopt you should try to maintain their birthname, or at least give them a name in their own language. If their birthname is completely pronounceable, keep it. If it isn't, try to change it to a similar name in the same language, or one with the same meaning. IF, and I emphasise IF, you change the name; give the kid a cool name. Don't give them a totally Dutch or American or whatever country your from name. Just don't. A name is part of one's identity. Don't change a name like Seul Gi (pronounceable) into Kitty.
For the love of [insert prefered deity here] DON'T. And please, don't give them names that will invite bullying from everyone from children to adults. You don't name your kid 'Pilot Inspector' unless you want him to be bullied. Don't you think your kids will hate you when you give them a name like Pixie, AudioVisual or Chemical reaction? Don't give them car brand names, don't name them after your dog and don't give them 57 middle names! JUST DON'T!
Well, that was my rant about adoption. If there are like-minded people out there of my age, drop me a comment. I'd like to have a deep and meaningful conversation with you, if possible.
Sayonara mina!
Now, everyone who 'knows' me - and with knowing I actually mean: has had a deep and meaningful conversation with - knows I've always wanted to adopt. Ever since I was young and knew the meaning of adoption, I wanted to do it. It's become a dream for me, an ambition (just like emigration, because I ain't staying here!!!). I'm only 18 while I'm writing this, so technically I shouldn't be thinking of having children at all (only the way of 'making' them) but I've caught myself often daydreaming and worrying about my future adoptive children.
My reason for adoption? Why not give an orphan the love/care he or she needs? Why overpopulate the world even more when there are so many parentless children who need your love and affection? Now I'm not saying you shouldn't have children of your own, but that's not the only possibility to create a family.
Ever since I was little I began searching for information on adoption (mostly through English sites though) and I think I have an good idea what it's gonna be like.
Of course, you never know what it will BE like until you experience it.
I want to adopt Asia...specificly Japan, South-Korea and in a lesser sense China. Why? Because I think when you from adopt, you should always teach your children about their culture. I happen to know a bit more about the cultures of Japan and South-Korea. I want to adopt from China for a number of other reasons: one being that my ancerstors came from China.
I realize that it's going to be blaringly obvious for everyone to see that my future adoptive kids are adopted, but should that matter?
To illustrate what I'm talking about, I'll explain my heritage. I'm a mix of a lot of races, but I guess you could classify me as black. I'm not a big fan of being called black, because my hair is black and my skin brown, but that's beside the point. Those who don't care about my descent: please, scroll on down!
My blood comes from:
~ China --> my ancestors from my mom's side appearantly. This doesn't show in my appearance at all, though when I tell my friends about my ancestory they often mention the eyes. My eyes however aren't slanted, they're almond shaped. Angelina Jolie also has almond shaped eyes...get my point? Nothing Asian about that. I do have to mention that I'm the only one in my family that is SO fascinated by Asia and it's culture. My niece often jokingly calls me an alien. I also feel more connected with the Asian culture than any of the other cultures my blood/birth links me to. I'm especially proud of my surname: Tjong Ayong.
~ Suriname (Surinam) --> Everyone who knows a little about Suriname, knows there are a lot of different cultures and races present there. A lot of Surinamese people are mixed. As am I. Eveyone of my family is Surinamese, but they also have other ancestory. My mother's Surinamese side has its roots in China. If you want to know more about Suriname, please look it up, don't ask me. I hardly know anything about Suriname, I can't even understand/speak/read/write the language. Is that a bad thing? Maybe. My mom has often said I should be more interested in my heritage, but isn't the Asian culture part of my heritage too? Okay, I'm more interested in Japan and South-Korea...let's move on, shall we?
~ Java --> My father's side. An island belonging to Indonesia, please correct me if I'm wrong. I really don't know much about Java, but I want to learn more. It lies in Southeast Asia (maybe that's another reason why I love Asia so much).
~ India --> My father's side. I also don't know as much about India as I should. Only that it's in the south of Asia. I've watched a few Bollywood movies (hated them) but I don't think that's representative for it's culture. I know cows are holy...That's pretty cool.
~ The Netherlands --> Born and raised here! Still being "raised" here XD. Born in Amsterdam, lived there for 7 years. There is an article about Dutch customs and etiquette: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dutch_customs_and_etiquette . Some things are true, some somewhat, some not. But I found it quite entertaining. I've read a couple of discussions on the internet about how the Dutch are insanely rude and how the country's going to pot. This isn't true (not for all Dutch people anyways). If you want me to adress these aspects, let me know. I'll give you my two cents.
We also have some Indian (read Native American) blood in the family, but let's not go there right now. I'm totally clueless about anyways.
~~~~~~~Back to the topic of adoption:
I can see myself adopting children from firstborns to toddlers. I wouldn't consider teenagers if it were my 'first' child, because I wouldn't be experienced enough for that. However I just read somewhere that South-Korea is trying to reduce the percentage of transracial/transcultural adoptions. And that they want to put a full stop on it in 2012. And I hear adopting in Japan is frowned upon. I don't know if I should be worried or not.
Two things about adoption are bothering me though:
1) The fact that adopting seems to have become a trend. Everyone is doing it nowadays. It's the celebrities like Angelina Jolie and Madonna who have made it so popular. Now there's nothing wrong with that, but when people start adoption only because famous people are doing it and it's IN, that's when it becomes dangerous. People don't really think about the consequences any more. You need to adopt because you want to and have wanted to for a long time, not because the Rich and Famous are doing it!
2) Renaming those kids. I believe that if you adopt you should try to maintain their birthname, or at least give them a name in their own language. If their birthname is completely pronounceable, keep it. If it isn't, try to change it to a similar name in the same language, or one with the same meaning. IF, and I emphasise IF, you change the name; give the kid a cool name. Don't give them a totally Dutch or American or whatever country your from name. Just don't. A name is part of one's identity. Don't change a name like Seul Gi (pronounceable) into Kitty.
For the love of [insert prefered deity here] DON'T. And please, don't give them names that will invite bullying from everyone from children to adults. You don't name your kid 'Pilot Inspector' unless you want him to be bullied. Don't you think your kids will hate you when you give them a name like Pixie, AudioVisual or Chemical reaction? Don't give them car brand names, don't name them after your dog and don't give them 57 middle names! JUST DON'T!
Well, that was my rant about adoption. If there are like-minded people out there of my age, drop me a comment. I'd like to have a deep and meaningful conversation with you, if possible.
Sayonara mina!
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