Home Sweet Home, Canada, Asthma

It's good to be home.

On our way to Canada, we visited New York (again) and a military museum - the Intrepid.

We stayed in the heart of Niagara, and we couldn't miss the Niagra Fall (including the Maiden of the Mist boat tour). We also caught a magic show and visited the Butterfly Conservatory. I bought a porcleain doll (my first), as it wasn't too expensive (the exchange rates helped too). I might write all about it later. (I have yet to watch the video that I filmed). The trip was a bit rushed, like the trip to London last year.

I am just glad we are home. I came home to find dozens of e-mails and a several mail (mostly junk), a week's newspapers, and a lovely wedding invitation from a friend.

P.S. I think I have asthma. I suspected it in the past, but I didn't think much of it. Well, when we first arrived at a hotel, my sister had the keys when the car alarm went off. I ran very quickly to the registration desk where my sis and dad were waiting in line, and then quickly back out to parking lot. The distance was short, but as I slowed down (to steady my heart beat), I realized I was not only breathing heavily but I was having problems breathing, period. The more I tried to take in air, the harder it seemed. I was wheezing soon enough, and had to sit down. I think I gave my mom a huge fright, even though it's not entirely new to her ). Thankfully, though, I am all well and better now.

Posted 11:55 AM by hiu k.

Harry Potter, other tidbits

I am feeling very unsettled these days.

The balance of peace within me has shifted (at least as of this very moment).
Let's just hope it's only temporary.

P.S. My sis. bought the Harry Potter's DVD. I had watched that movie twice at the theater, and I absolutely loved it. Yes, it's childish and imaginary, but it's also lots of fun and creative. I read all the books after I watched the movie, just as I did for Lord of the Rings. I enjoy fantasy films far more than action films, though either way, I am not a big fan of television/movies. Don't get me wrong. Action movies are great when they come with good plots, but typically, it's just a way to show cool fighting moves. As such, I find many action films to be distasteful, though others might disagree. Oh well, different strokes for different folks, right?

Posted 11:49 AM by hiu k.

Political stuffs, Constitutional rights, College graduation
Many people have probably heard about Jose Pidilla by now - a former gang member turned radical Muslim who was recently captured by the United States. He was suspected of having ties with Al-Qaeida and was accused of planning to build a "dirty bomb" to use against the U.S. Pidilla was arrested when he arrived at the airport., where agents found a bit over ten thousand dollars in cash on him. He is a U.S. citizen. And he is currently held without a trial. Of course, holding Pidilla without a trial is against constitutional rights and civil liberty groups have argued that Pidilla is entitled to due process. Now, the problem lies in the fact that the FBI won't have enough evidence to convict him without releasing sensitive intelligence information. And if Pidilla is freed, would he not still be a threat? So what to do, what to do? I guess most people don't mind giving up some civil liberties for safety and security in this day and age, but I am still a little bit undecided on this issue. I guess if the FBI is concerned about releasing sensitive intelligence information, military-court trials might be one way to deal with it. Even so, there are problems with that "solution". It's no wonder that this is causing huge controversy. I mean, what would you do?

On more personal matters, I finally picked up my graduation portraits. I didn't take them at school, but my mom insisted on it. I think, for the most part, graduations are over-rated. Just after graduation last month, I simply stuffed my college diploma into a drawer. Diplomas are the similar anyway, except for the name of institution, individualized information, the size , and the honors designation. Otherwise, it's just a piece of paper, albeit an expensive one. Besides, I'd like to think that I took more away from school than just a piece of paper.

And yes, reservations have been made. :)

Posted 1:27 PM by hiu k.

Planets, Conspiracy Theory, Fortune Cookie
I listened to an entertaining program on the radio the other night, with discussions on the detection of new planets . Of course, when it comes to stars and planets, many prophecies have been made. Well, the show talked about the speculations that the "Jupiter cousin" would make a close pass to earth in mid 2003 (I can't confirm the accuracy of that statement). While it (supposedly) won't be a direct hit, its tail would cause huge disruptions on earth (some go as far as to say that as many as 90% of the earth's population would be wiped out). Because of its gravitational pull (since its mass is three times as much as Jupiter), it (supposedly) caused the drastic weather changes as well as the increasing number of earthquakes these days. Say, this sounds like a plot for a movie, doesn't it? :)

The only talk show I like on the radio is probably jay severn (politics). While I don't agree with everything he believed in, he is - nonetheless - an engaging talk show host.

P.S. My fortune cookie said, " Vai sempre in avanti. Look forward, not backward and you'll never trip over the past". That, of course, is easier said than done.

Posted 4:19 PM by hiu k.

New Planet?
I find this article and others like it to be absolutely fascinating. But, more on that later.

Posted 1:01 PM by hiu k.

To get a master's or not

I want to get a master's degree, but I want to get it when the right time comes along. I could earn a master's degree by studying an additional year at my college (five-year program), but that plan is currently postponed, if not eliminated. For one, I am not sure if my alma mater has the graduate program that I need. What exactly do I intend to study? How am I going to finance it? (dreaded question). And if I apply to other schools, what graduate entrance exams would I need to take?

I am twenty years old, so I don't think I'll be too behind even if I continue my education a year or two down the road. But who knows what'll happen? A year or two is still a long time away, and many, many things can change between now and then.

P.S. This piece of news is sickening.

Posted 10:25 PM by hiu k.

New blog title?

I can't stand to be treated rudely by someone just because he/she happened to be in a rotten mood.

Maybe I shouldn't have titled this blog as "A New Journey". Given the content of postings thus far, perhaps "My Pet Peeves" would be more suitable.

P.S. I've made changes to the template and the blog looks o.k on my browser. If you have suggestions (maybe something needs improvement), or if you have a general comment, please feel free to do so.

Posted 11:10 PM by hiu k.

Ramblings, 2002 NBA Championship
I am beginning to think that I cannot get a good night's sleep without being disrupted by loud noises (constructions or major refurnishing of some sort next door). Just when I thought I'd finally get some peace, a voice amplifed by the microphone can be heard announcing street cleaning, followed by a loud conversation between two people, asking if the owner(s) have been contacted to move their vehicles within the next five minutes. D'oh!

On a sidenote, Lakers swept the Nets to win the NBA championship, and the games reminded me just how much I love sports. I've done sports all four years of h.s. (track, swimming and tennis), in addition to gym and intramural sports. I did not continue in college, as the choice between sports or my g.p.a. and work commitments is a clear one. It is also one that I have already warned my sports-loving, college-bound brother in the event that he also attends college on a merit scholarship.

Posted 12:07 PM by hiu k.

The beginning of another new blog

Pessimistic outlooks have been looming over me like a dark shadow these days. Still, everyone has ups and downs, and it seemed that I am currently on my "down" cycle. No doubt I shall be back up in my usual cherry and optimistic self shortly.

Posted 10:25 PM by hiu k.