The State of Abe, Inc.

A Melodramatic Halloween

One doesn't need classes to be busy. The social life and interesting books to read can be enough to make a college career quite busy.

Abe Futures in Sharp Upward Rebound Following Invention of New Personal Statement Thesis:

A law degree isn't required to help people... anyone can help feed the homeless in a meaningful way at the weekly soup kitchen.

But having a law degree can allow me to help others in a specific and substantial way that most people cannot... like providing the homeless with homes.

Potential Law Schools:

I was cross-referencing 3 ranking sheets
1. Chinese Yellow pages... chances are if it has a chinese name, it is
acceptable to chinese mommies.
2. US News and world report... the leader in subjective rankings
3. LSAC... directly crosses LSAT/GPA for percentage chance of getting in.


I came up with a tentative list of 20 schools... please imput...
_____________________________________________
Top Schools (to sell soul for)...

1University of Texas,
2Vanderbilt
3University of Iowa,
4University of Minnesota
5Emory
6Nortre Dame
7University of Illinois
8university of wisconsin


Mid-Sized (be a jolly man to enter)

1Washington University-- st. louis
2University of N.C.--Chapel Hill
3William and Mary
4Fordham
5Davis (CA)
6Wake Forest
7Bridgham Young
8Hastings (CA)
9Loyola (CA)


Safety (Fire Insurance, cuz sometimes shit happens)

1Santa Clara (CA)
2Pepperdine (CA)
3Southwestern (CA)
_____________________________________________

Basically my strategy is that if a school is good enough, I'll go out of state for it. If the schools are comparable, I'm staying in state.

My life as well as blog feels like an erratic rollercoaster ride... hang on folks, buckle ur seatbeats, and place one hand on the guardrail please.

*Haven't received my CD from LSAC that has all the applications on it. I can't start my law school apps without it. Sigh.

*Aww freakin, went to bookstore to read up on how to write a law school personal statement, and came back groaning... aborting old statement, REWRITE TIME!!!

*Gotta get my statement done by tomorrow and have all the materials in nice manila envelopes for my recommendators... DEADLINES!!! The sadness of it all is that I actually started early... sigh, delaying expected application completion date from Nov15 to Nov 30th. All this makes a difference cuz i'm borderline in my chances of getting in to a great school... and I intend to cross

Good news on the Travel Front:

Roommate Daniel declares interest in 40 day/40 night Europe trip this summer. Approaching critical mass...

Why don't more females wear skirts these days?

Watched Harry Met Sally:

My roommate Daniel recommended it when I asked if males and females could be friends...

It's an awesome movie, an awful movie to watch single. Ughhhhhhhhh. Got me thinking about the future Lady Wang... If I could speak with her now, I would ask her "what took us so long to find each other?!" Sigh.

After teaching, I came back and three fellow Ambassadors and I started chatting... the chat got so interesting we all stuck around... one person even skipped one of her classes. The initial clincher topic was "whether gals and guys can be plutonic friends?" ... it was so interesting, and we were so loud, that there were a couple sets of strangers who joined in with their opinions. We finally decided to do lunch together at around 2pm... in total we talked for about three hours covering some weird ass topics...

We all agreed that it was a relief to find people who cared about life and had intelligent conversations and knew how to express their opinions. I feel thankful that I stuck to Ambassador Council and pre-emptively invested much in it with a leap of faith... I've been meeting great people individually and in small groups, even though as a group we are too big to really hang out.

I love college, and as the end of this era in my life approaches, it is all the more precious. College is all about meeting people, not what you learn in class... unless u are an engineering major, bio major, etc.

Next topic: Whats the minimum time courtship should last before marraige?

Teaching was okay today, I was a bit quieter than usual. I was called out in the middle of class though during a fellow interns' presentation though cuz the teacher wanted me to explain college applications to this person...

To them, I was a successful person, a success story. To me, I am abe, mediocre in most things, and aspiring to be great. Apparently, this person had just took the real SAT without practice and was going to take it again this weekend without practice... I shockingly assumed that everyone studied it nowadays... all my friends did, afterall. So on the way home, instead of chatting about the day's lesson like I usual do, I quietly thought about how I could go back and help this person take her second SAT this saturday... I sent an email to this person offering my help, but I don't know what will become of it...

The importance of today is that I learned how for granted I take my life... I bet if I had been in this persons' place I probably wouldn't have asked for help either cuz I hate asking for help. I would have just let things play out, and unless if someone took the time to lead me, I would probably end up not studying for the SAT either. Thank God I have the family I have who pushed me forward to achieve. If you guys wonder about why I have such family pride, that's why... I am in debt to them for the thousands of blessings I have received.

I also learned the importance of knowledge, expert knowledge, in resolving situations. In this case, my limited knowledge is sufficient, and I wish I could use it to help someone. I'm not selfless, don't get me confused with Mother Teresa, but I feel that in this case, no one else has both sufficient time and knowledge to help this student except me. I think I may have found a calling ladies and gentlemen...

Where are all the members of my Elven Advice Council?! sheesh... of all the times I need advice...

Thinking about aborting personal statement and starting a new one...

Thank you to all that follow my thought processes and bloggin life. May my voyages become your voyages.

Law School On the Brain:

Big BeeBee: choice 1: get into tier 1 law school out of state
Big BeeBee: choice2: get into tier 2 law school in state
Big BeeBee: which looks tasty?

I GOT MY SCORE!!!

I did decently, could have done better, but I got a shot at the gold....

Big BeeBee: tonight is big
Big BeeBee: because i'm borderline
Big BeeBee: basically, i'm somewhere between tier 1 and tier 2 schools
Big BeeBee: i have a shot at the lower schools u may have heard of, and i pretty good chance at the ones u haven't heard of
Big BeeBee: i think when the dust settles, the choice will pan out like this: if i go outside of CA, i may be able to get into a lower prestigious school.

Today I have found my position, now I need to plot my direction. Where shall I set my sights?

Will keep u updated as events unfold....

can't get thru... been calling all day and night...

Big BeeBee: might stay an extra year
Big BeeBee: get a couple internships in the area
Big BeeBee: study lsat like crazy
Big BeeBee: dude i don't know
Big BeeBee: totally lost
Big BeeBee: i can't call in
Big BeeBee: the grand irony of all this is that i am placed into a category of smart students for being able to graduate in 3.25 years... and WITH a double major...
Big BeeBee: and if i stay, i will be fifth year.
Big BeeBee: all the asian parents will be asking:
Big BeeBee: abe!!! how did u manage THAT?!
Big BeeBee: that is pretty much dropping the ball, letting it roll away,
Big BeeBee: and then forgetting where it rolled to

I can't get my LSAT score, the lines have been busy all day!!! :o(

Big BeeBee: i'm in the screw the costs, screw the sacrifices, i need to get into law school mode
Big BeeBee: cuz the weather is great out here in irvine, but the inner turmoil is like hailstormin'
Big BeeBee: at this point, i'd be fine with a 157
Big BeeBee: i'll even go to 155
Big BeeBee: in fact, if it is above 157, i'm booking a flight straight to europe 40 days/40 nights
Big BeeBee: dude, i'd sacrifice a cow to the heavens for Davis...

Gold didn't pan out today, but the important thing is that I took a step that I was scared to take for 21 years. I also held my own under pressure and displayed true abeness in the midst of fear.


Game night tonight...
Special guest Diep comes to visit us for the first time. She brought laughter, we sprinkled spice.
Imagine Jenga and Cranium.. with a dog named Luckie and Pizza Hut delivery.


My hair is long I know. It's three and a half months in the making... I swear I'll cut it next time I go home.

Roommate bonding time on the decrease as midterms hit, but we refuse to sacrifice quality!!! Bond baby bond!!! Andy has joined us instead of sleeping early or playing Warcraft as our fold increases. If you would like to be placed on our guest list, leave a beep on my IM.

statement thesis: individuals are weak, it takes a group of people to do great things. I want to do great things and so I need to get people together in teams. Law school teaches a great combination of those skills needed to convince people that it is in their self interest to work toward common interest. Therefore, I want to go to law school.

Prototype of my personal statement for law school completed.
I'm gonna let it sit for the weekend so I can give it a fresh eye later. People have been cool about checking up on my progress and offering their help in editing. Thanks to all the investors in Abe Futures.

This weekend the LSAT scores are gonna get released... I'm nervous because this single moment is the cornerstone which will allow me to begin to plan out where I'm going to apply to.

I have been going to the Career Center to research law schools and law careers, and slowly have realized that I have underestimated... Law school needs to be priority one and sacrfices may have to be made. My best asset is my youth-- I don't have kids or a significant other, some financial backing, and better learning and memory skills than older adults-- and I have to take advantage of this fact.

I'm applying to schools outside California... I have decided to apply everywhere to 14 schools. I'll basically take my GPA and LSAT score and cross-reference then with 10 schools that are in those ranges and apply to them regardless of location or price... the last 4 will be crappy backups in California.

Sunny Cooks Curry:

Sunny am cool. Lunch yesterday was great because Sunny took the time to cook for both Jenn and I, and it was GOOD!!! The three of us haven't hung out properly since high school and it's cool to start catching up even as graduation approaches.

my roommates and i came up with a theory

which is if u know a gurl for three weeks
the chances of hooking up plummet
unless if u know someone really well
then chances increase slowly... think U shaped curve.

based on the male component of our group,
me included,
operating within the friend zone to turn it into something more has been like alchemy...
therefore, the theory seems to hold true for us...
go for it gentlemen, do the research later.

Lawyer Abe?

I have had a negative impression of lawyers in general for a long time. But I realize now that the profession of law is like any other--a barrel of good apples with a few rotten ones in the mix. Most lawyers are decent... it's simply the media repeatedly reporting the bad, and raising fear... after a while, the uncommonly bad becomes everyday evil thru daily reporting. If it ain't extrordinarily bad, there is no reason to report it.

I have heard a lot of bad things about lawyers, but I have also heard a lot of scandalous things about people in other professions like teachers and priests but I still hold them in high regard. Lawyers are the only group I have condemned, and something seems biased about that... I am victim of mainstream media.

For the first time, I think I can be a lawyer... as long as I don't do it for the money.

Abe Futures Stabilize Following Regained Investor Confidence:

I summoned the nerve to call, and later call back. REDEMPTION from attempt!!!


All in A Day's Work:

Fellow mentor commented that she liked my nose on the way back from our weekly high school outreach fieldwork. Came home, vainly stared at the mirror for ten min wondering...

If I wanted to, I bet I could fit into high school as a student. Most of them could go on onto our campus and I would have trouble telling them apart from real college students. So I got to thinking, whats the difference between me and them? I came up with these things...

attitude
spirit
knowledge of the rules & how to manipulate them
More contact with grownups
expectations of self
expectations of others towards me

In summary, the difference lies in mindset. What does this suggest? That if I can change my mindset, I can become anything. It's a Matrix-like idea oft said, but it was only today that I got such a concrete example.

Abe Futures Drop Sharply Following Lack of Self-Confidence:

I am the supreme chickenass wuss. Perfect opportunity, PERFECT. and I BLEW IT!!! I have no excuse, I simply dropped the ball.

Abe Futures Rise Slightly Following Email Response From Professor About Letter of Thanks Written to Her..
Wow!! that is one of the nicest thanks I've ever had!!! I am going to
print it out and keep it forever!

Spent my day sifting thru law school applications... and writing a third draft of my personal statement.

I wanted to see what the brochures had to say about law students and what skills they hoped these students would have at the end of law school. My thinking is that all I have to do is take notes on these skills, then go thru the list and reflect the ones I like back in my personal statement as qualities and skills I want to go to law school for. Reverse engineering ideas baby!!!

Basically, tell them what they want to hear. I don't do this to be devious, but because I have a whole bunch of reasons for going to law school... I just can't express them effectively at the moment...

I'll have it typed up and put on the blog soon...

Shoppin on Saturday:

I don't like to shop unless if it is food shopping.

Farmer's market again, this time with Eric and Chris. We went late to get the good deals, and I showed them where to get the good but cheap stuff, and we finished in 10 min. When in doubt about the pricing, I told them, look and listen for the loud and rich Taiwanese people filling up bags of stuff. That's where the deals are. ;o)

Grapes 50 cents a pound (Albertson's $2 ON SALE, and not organic)... I bought $2.25 worth, and later froze half, ate 1/5, and stored the rest in the fridge. With those prices, we could make real decorative fruit baskets for the hell of it to decorate our dinner table, and wine to serve our guests.

I also got a mix of plums and peaches for $1 a pound. I decorated my table with them in front of my computer so that I can have accessible munchies on my every whim for the coming week. hecks yeah!!!

Awww, Isn't That Cute!!!

What one student emailed to me after Ambassadors Council's first teaching class in our high school outreach mission:

Dear Abe:
Thank You so much for answering my questions and
there are a lot more questions I might have later on.
Thanks so much again for every thing and see you
Tuesday.

Another student wrote thanks on the signup sheet when I wasn't looking. I didn't know that my helping capability was so great and that I could offer so much.

World War IV:

After playing Risk, other games seem so bland... we attempted Uno in the early evening and that ended real quick... tried Rummy, but it was complicated. Maybe majong can be the next revolution in Oxford gaming. First it was hearts, the big2, then Risk... We need bonding fodder, so if u have any ideas, please IM suggestions.

Friday night, we watched The Hunt for Red October... which got our blood boiling and launched another bloody war on the battlefields of Risk at 1am. Rachel and Angelo joined us. I didn't play and kept silent cuz I wanted them to see what life would be like without community service... I passed out at like 3am and they kept playing... the irony is that we STILL didn't finish the game.

WE HAVE NEVER FINISHED A GAME BEFORE... IT IS GETTING ANNOYING DAMMIT!!!

Law School Continues to Drain Resources:

Spent 5 bucks to send my transcripts...

Spent 63 bucks to buy the LSAC CD, which contains the applications of all the law schools...

The good news: Professor Solinger is willing to write a recommendation for me even though she is in New York. I know she can write a good one and she has the best memory in the world.

World War III:

Risk again till late, but this time we had three guests (Rachel, Angelo, and Doug) play with us. We didn't finish the game (AGAIN), but it was interesting to see and analyze how and why people choose to do what. Of course, I had to bust out my "community service" tactics, which means I protect the weak and ping the strong... to the complaints of the hardcore vicious world domination players who thought it prolonged the game and defeated the purpose of the game (world domination). I am reluctant to play simply for self tho, because I stubbornly maintain that the reprocussions of the game go beyond the game itself (meaning that people who lose bitterly will be bitter weeks AFTER the game).

Sucked and Drained:

Donated blood for the first time today.

Filled out the forms, told them explicity to tell me when the needles were going in... with the feeling that my body was reluctant to give up it's bodily fluids.

Apparently, I had small veins, so they had to poke around for a while while I tried to think good thoughts of altruism and concentrate on K-Earth oldies music... the head nurse eventually came to do some precision poking and after about 20 min of laying down on the cot, I was done. Two other people who came after me finished a lot earlier, which confirmed my theory that my body was attempting to withhold it's blood resources.

Afterwards, I felt fine, but they pulled out a chair for me at the "canteen section" and pointed to the state law requiring that I stay for 15 min. So while I sat, I chatted with another fellow donor (an urban planning professor who had weird names for his kids and interesting opinions of how Irvine was planned). I also force fed myself by drinking 4 Costco orange/apple juices, ate a bag of chips and took down a granola bar. Now full, I thanked the nurses, and walked out with my rather bright "Donate Life" T-shirt.

I made Frances day when I told her I donated, thereby making my day by making her day. Frances also said Cynthie was donating too, thereby proving that great minds DO think alike. :)

World War II:

Risk again for tonight, started new game cuz a couple old roommates couldn't play tonight. Attempted to resurrect Brazilian army, got massacred by Daniel... the two of us fought it out as Kevin colonized the world. I got exterminated from the board except the Australias.... But I came back with my Siam Troops and broke thru Kevin's enormous barrier... even Daniel was suprised at that. We may reach balance of power yet...

I also cooked campbell soup for everyone with salsa condiments we jacked from Tacos & Co yesterday during din... the roommate bonding that takes place around here is awesome... And next week we plan to invite others over...

Office Hours:


For those of you that have been following Abe Affairs, I pledged a while back to go to meet all the professors in the social sciences personally before graduation. Today I met another professor, Professor Tate, who is head of the political science dept... It went okay, could have went better because it seemed like she thought I wrote the letter cuz I wanted something concrete in return... I felt like it was her asking the questions and me responding, and my real interest was to get to know her as a person. At the close of the day, however, I think what was important was that I gathered the spirit and the guts to show up and be proactive.

Investors in Abe saw a Decline in Abe Day Today Until...

Big BeeBee: i just won the lottery!!!
Big BeeBee: 30 bucks off barnes and noble!!!
Big BeeBee: thats right!!!
Big BeeBee: i basically got paid to go to career night!!!
Big BeeBee: hecks yeah!!!

more importantly... I got to hear some alumnis talk about their law school experiences.

Risk, World Domination:

Our apartment borrowed the board game Risk from Doug's place and started conquering each other and slinging shiat around... and three hours later, we quit for the night with hoarse voices and mental what ifs. I think friendships have not been damaged altho cynical understandings of each others' tactics have improved.

Clips from our Night: The Brazilian Army rules!!!! Kevin's not taking all of Europe dude. Dude, I'm worried about Daniel, he's too good. Eric, dude, i'm the only one that's helping u, what the heck are u doing?! Eric, let's form a perimiter around Daniel. Stop attacking each other dammit!!!

Abe Futures on the Rise

Today I woke up thinking it was definitely an Abe Day...

I skipped my Human Memory class today intending to go to Estancia High School to "observe" the first lesson by the Ambassadors Council Global Connect group. We were practicing till late yesterday as my supportive role is to help plan lessons....BUT plans went awry...

I wasn't intending to teach today (or ever), but it turns out there was a misunderstanding and two of the four people teaching couldn't stay to teach the second class. So I stepped in out of necessity... and it looks like I'll be staying till the end of the quarter cuz of the personel oversight. I was at the right place at the right time.

I helped teach a class of 10th graders today!!! And they like me!!! I got them to listen to me and even laugh!!! Somewhere between telling them a story about getting lost on campus, to telling them how far and how big UCI was, to explaining globalization, they understood Abeness. My name memory skills clicked in and I remembered everyone in my small group, and after it all I was "jumpy" with excitement... I also dressed out with all my UCI gear and made sure to add it plenty of pro-Irvine propoganda.

I also won the respect of the other student teachers (Teni, Hugo, Andi, Setoshi) and our advisor (Ellen) both for showing up when I didn't have to as a community planner and stepping in to add an extra dimension to the team. I definitely not as good as the rest of them in terms of teaching experience and skills, but I think I held my own today. Nothing like pre-teaching jitters to bond everyone together... We totally rocked!!!

The highlight of the day: After we finished, and were leaving the building during lunch hour, we passed by a group of high schoolers. Within the group was a student from my small group, and as we passed, she called out to me saying "hi Abe!!" I happened to be on top of things today, so I promptly responded equally vocally saying "hi L***!!" This is important because it shows that our impact must have been immediately felt OUTSIDE of the classroom. My fellow teachers were like: WOW!!! :oO (cuz today was our first group discussion and it was only like 10 min long...)

General Mood: I'm all prancing flagwaver style :-)

Virgin Daters:

My roommates and I are all single. Last year, it was the same for most of the year. Most of the inner group is single as well. Why is that? What's the common denominator here? My choice in friends reflects the type of person I am.

Is it chickenassedness that prevents us from asking? Is it cuz we are not attractive in some odd way? Is it pickiness of high standards? Is it cuz we don't fit gender stereotypes that mainstream media portrays?

I have confidence in myself and most of my single guy and gal friends that we would make great future boyfriends and girlfriends. We are decent human beings who wouldn't cheat on the other. We are understanding and have great listening skills. We wouldn't forget anniversaries because we are attentive. I don't get it...

Looking in the Mirror:

I'm not particularly humorous or witty... altho I have my moments. I am slightly above average in thinking ability. What seems to set me apart seems my willingness to do things differently... as Justin puts it, i'm an "odd duck."

I think I'm nice in that I really do care about how people are doing, but it takes strangers a while to see it.

I'm loud (if you can get me to talk)... my voice is one of my biggest assets... because attention usually goes to the one that can be heard. I'm a chickenass, altho certain people can embolden me through their presence or words of inspiration. I am a product of society, and people around me have a great power affecting how I decide things...altho I have a stubborn, independent streak which likes to flick off conventional actions.

Selfishness and pessimism are the worst traits a person could have.

I praise teamwork, coalition building is the only way true way to get truely great things accomplished.

I'm traditionalist in values, liberal in ways of doing things (I will open doors and offer jackets, but I will probably submit to Lady Wang's every wish rather than lord it over her).

I am extremely loyal to those that I hold dear... that means family (WE: Wang Empires). I consider good friends family.

I'm superstitious, altho I deny it.

My Sayings Are Becoming Mainstream Faster Than I Can Generate New Ones to Replace Them:

I'm honored people think the things I say are cool... Must think harder about new language. Losing my innovative edge. Help me think!!!

On a sidenote, a roommate mentioned today that I say "sadness" a lot, and after pointing it out, I realize I do say the word a lot... "sadness" refers to anything that happens to go wrong.... must... correct... I add "ness" to words or names now... I also say "hell yeah!!!" a lot when things turn out well.

Jumpiness:

People have recently commented that I have a really high energy level. I don't think I have more energy than anyone else, and I can be quite apathetic, but the key is to act energetic. Act and you shall become.

For those of u that are skeptical or don't think it is important to be energetic, think of it this way: energy in public suggests that u will have lots of energy in bed. And everyone wants the guy or gal who can hook up the all night love making.

No AIM Access:

I can't go on AIM cuz of some glitch... the buddy list won't load, but I suppose it will fix itself eventually... my roommates have no probs with AIM, so I suspect Fate has pounced on me.

Big2 again tonight. We want to play hearts, but not enuf people. Once AIM works, I'm IMing to invite people over for Hearts. If u want to play, pre-emptively IM me please.

Ambassador's Council:

Gradually meeting people and getting involved in AC... my approach this time is to meet one or two people at a time rather than go out and meet a lot of people at once. I'm looking for quality friendships and understanding rather than a bunch of aquantences. So far it is working really well as I focus on meeting people who stand alone.

I'm taking responsibilities that are really getting me to step out of my comfort zone and my awkwardness shows. But my campaign to point out all the good I see others do is encouraging smiles which is making up for the double left feet... my hope is that I won't ever forget again to appreciate others... on a sidenote, I still haven't been able to get thru to calling macy and telling her sorry for the crumbling in TVC leadership in high school.

I'm doing "Global Community" which is the high school outreach in AC... altho I'm also helping the social campus branch by staffing booths and participating. Tomorrow morning I'm gonna be going with and observing my colleagues teach their first class... I can't teach now because I can't take classes this quarter and I missed the first two weeks of school... the good news is that I havea flexible schedule and can ditch tomorrow's class without consequence. I'm a community programmer who helps plan the lessons the ACers will teach, so but observing I will be able to give more precise imput.

Futures Stablize:

Registered for LSAC (law school info service) and ordered 14 law school reports to be sent in the future (meaning I can apply to 14 schools). Frances walked me thru my stupid and naive questions which made my day. Paid $229 in one fell stroke. Law school is a go.

I am once again considering law school out of state. The schools in California are really good or really bad, while out of state offers more middle ground... I also may be able to get into a better school cuz the other schools want diversity from the West Coast. Main causes of concern for out of state schools:

--I have never lived in an area where asians were a minority
--Away from family
--Increased cost

Late night pizza and cards with roommates. Daniel hooked up the pizza as promised 50% off as promised.

Futures Plummet:

Indecision once again threatens to unravel my beautifully ornate career plans. Dentistry or law?

Earlier today I was determined to push the dentistry envelope across the table, but after talking to a couple more members of the Elven Council, I think the best thing for me and my family to do is for me to see law thru. I have invested too much to backstep at the moment.

I have to decide soon cuz I have to register for LSDAS, the testing services that compiles law apps, in about a week. Troubling.

I still love life, still have high confidence in my future, it just seems uncertain at the moment.

Feedback Found!!!!

I got a call from Dr. Nick, my old stats professor, today in response to my letter. I got caught off guard because I didn't expect a personal call and so I started bumbling and mumbling... but he said that my career plans were a bit "unusual," asked if my letter was an idea from someone or something spontaneous (it was spontaneous), and said that if I wanted to stop by for advice that would be cool.

So far the feedback count is... two emails of thanks, two or three thanks from profs in person in the mailroom, one renewed offer to write a recommendation, and one call.

Time spent writing letter: 3-4hrs.
Money spent in printing: $11
Time spent for delivery and personalizing: 6hrs.
General mood: Elf-like

Roommate came back with boba for everyone. I found out he favors green tea boba (boba nai-luree), which is cool cuz I have been thinking all this time that i'm the only one who favors green tea. In the process of building consensus....

As some of yall know, I can't bargain worth crap. So that's why I show up at closing time during Farmer's Markets to get my cheap organic fruits. Todays unexpected deal was 75 cents a pound for really fresh grapes... I also got some peaches and such for a buck a pound. So for four bucks, the fruit requirement is fulfilled.

The on campus garage sale sucked, but at least my roommates and I went together so that was cool. We came back an hour later with (what looked like) a lifetime of kettle korn to show for it...

Din with Roommates:

Brought Daniel over to A&J for some hardcore Taiwanese food. Good news, we chose hearts over cable modem. The roommates that claimed they had things to do have slowly become curious and started lookin over our shoulders, so i'm optimistic of the possibility of geniune friendships. We also talked about the possibility of board games... monopoly?

I never thought we would fit together as well as we have because everyone has different friendship groups and belong to different cultures. I swear we have a bunch of bridge builders willing to befriend each other... The bonding taking place is doubly good because it was so unexpected. My roommates last year all had their own things to do so we never really hung out and doing our own thing became status quo. But this bunch of strangers, now friends, amazes me.

Dan's going home this weekend, and when he comes back, he's gonna bring us Jewish cuisine, and hook us up with the Gina's pizza where he works so Din #2 is planned. I figure if things keep going as they are, i'm gonna be able to impress Lady Wang with some cultural understanding.


**For those that don't know, I have six roommates in my 3bed/3bath townhouse... Chris, Eric, Kevin, Andy, Daniel, & Justin. Eric and Chris are in my room. Kevin, Chris and Daniel are my hearts partners.

Another Night of Hearty Roommate Spading:

Nothing bonds better than a downed cable modem connection and a pack of cards. Unfortunately, the cable modem was fixed this morning... the first thought a roommate I both had was: awwwww, does that mean no more late night hearts?

Well, we'll see if we can get four people at the tables tonight then I guess.

To listen to Ted and Lauren in the morning, I gotta get up at 6am to listen in on 95.9FM the Fish. Ted and Lauren, especially Lauren, have motivated me to become a morning person and put a smile on my face and strength in my spirit... so I decided to leave feedback. Today I got a reply from the fan mail I sent and it made my day to know that I made someone elses' day....

My Original Comment:

Hi Lauren,

you have the coolest voice in the world, on the coolest radio station in the
world.

abe
UC Irvine student & daily morning show listener


Her Reply:

Hey.....(Abe???)
You simply made my day...Thank you for taking the time to bring a smile to
my face. Life can be challenging with the hours I keep and dear ones like
make it all worthwhile... Bless you above and behind measure....Lauren



**Lesson Learned?... never forget the profound effect you have on others around you in what you say and do. I'm gonna try to make someones' day once every day.

happy fridayness people!!! :o)

Declared Abe Day 43hrs in the running...


---Life is awesssssssssssome!!! Being all old and graduating, I wrote a letter to all the profs at UCI, and I started getting feedback in my mailbox today... yes!!! UCI rules!!!! Oh life is a fine grade of grand. Below is an example of an email reply from one prof:

Abe,
I rec'd your note in my mailbox this morning. I'd be happy
to meet with you. My office hours are next Wed from 10-12,
and I'm in SSPB 5225. I also can schedule an appointment with
you. I have some time on Friday, and some time on Tuesday.
I won't be in next Monday.
Best, K.T.


---oh! oh! and I found a travel center at UCI which will pretty much book my traveling plans AND it will be student discounted too!!! Simple and convienient. Hecks yeah!!! The gal behind the counter, Ashley, was kinda stunned as I peppered her with questions cuz I was kinda loud-- but she knew her stuff and was impressed that I had done as much research as I did on my own. Two things that she said could alter the course of Europe 40/40 (aside from there being a thankful absence of communal showers)...

1. She said that Superior tours were better than Budget tours, so errrm, if that's the case, then our tour may be shorter and out self-tripping afterward in England longer.
2. The last time we can book is December or January, and no, you do NOT have to be a UCI student.


---I've been meeting and talking to ol' friends I haven't seen and talking to them on a level not experienced since Freshman year. In Freshman year, it was the shared experience of fear of arriving at a new place in a whirlwind. Now, it's the parting (hopefully temporary) of old friends as graduation approaches. The good news is that as everyone is taking advantage of their final moments to do all this crazy stuff so everyone has something to report. Never a dull moment here on out.

---Played hearts with my roommates till late tonight. Can u believe it?... putting down homework to hang out. Swwweet action.

--I wake up every morning to 95.9 the Fish, a christian radio station which features ted and lauren, and I gotta say it's a great way to wake up in the morning because it makes u realize how thankful we should be in life. Lauren also has the best radio voice in the world, with the cutest southern accent in the world. So if u hear me and detect a southern twange, it's cuz i've been picking it up as I make listening in a habit.

Hi everyone, my cable modem is in a coma, so i'm at the student center updating you on exciting events of an official Abe Day....

Dohs, I just realized that yall can't archive my old entries under this layout. But I like the "angels at work" web-blog layout and a lot of people like it as well. What do u think ladies and gentleman? Shall we let the new people look thru my old laundry?

I have become the ultimate morning person. Went to sleep at 9:30pm, and woke up at 5am. It is a different world with different peoples.

Those of you that are reading this please comment thru AIM. Thanks.

The Jon-Abe Dialogues:

SupaTantei: dentistry is more stable because doctors are more needed, and generally more liked, than lawyers
SupaTantei: If you are a dentist/any really accredited medical professional
SupaTantei: you are always needed
SupaTantei: Jobs are easier to find
SupaTantei: and competition isn't quite as cut throat
SupaTantei: you are too nice
SupaTantei: you aren't cut throat

SupaTantei: but it (dentistry) does require you to hunker down for the long hual
SupaTantei: its not going to be easy
SupaTantei: you have people skills
SupaTantei: which helps in being a lawyer but is only a frill when being a dentist
SupaTantei: dentists need lots of determination

SupaTantei: Dentist = Better field, less saturated, but requires hard work now, and certain skills I'm not quite sure you are proficient in. though your dad may be able to help you greatly
SupaTantei: Lawyer = just as you have said the field is cut throat, but you have the skills now and have been working at it
SupaTantei: If you really can't bring yourself to become a lawyer then your only chance is to be come a dentist

Big BeeBee: i can't attack people
SupaTantei: but you can talk
Big BeeBee: not with strangers
SupaTantei: and you can argue proficiently and passionately when enticed
SupaTantei: its just that your mind set is bad
SupaTantei: too noble for the cause
SupaTantei: however, your persistence in some cases may allow you to overcome.
SupaTantei: however it will cost you
SupaTantei: a lot
SupaTantei: it will suck the life from you
Big BeeBee: ewww
SupaTantei: and the world will definitely change
Big BeeBee: yes that would be why i got OUT of bio

Career Options in Flux:

I went to Bio Counseling today to research the viability of a 5th year at UCI to get some chem and physics in the system (need these classes for dental school). I came back enlightened but feeling "errrm." The logistics show that that it is definitely possible, but...

--Main Errrrrrms about taking the 5th...
*it's basically two years of extra classes (dental school is still 6yrs), which means no time is saved.
*I could go to law school first, then go to a community college instead whose classes are cheaper so no money saved.
*Double session summer school, packed year schedule.
*No time to gain work experience (if I grad early I would have time for 1-2 internships)


---This has reprocussions on...
*what law school I go into (bio classes deflate gpas)
*When Europe will happen (summer 2003 or 2004)

Things you may not have known:

--Taking this quarter off. why?
*because I can
*cuz I can sit in classes for free & save $1500 in tuition
*don't need the extra units to graduate, already double major
*law school applications
*LSAT studying (took it saturday)
*To protect GPA
*Ambassador Council needs me


--Considering law AND dental school... might stay 5th year to pick up the chem and physics courses needed for dental...I think my first date is gonna happen at age 31.... the plan is:
*finish undergrad polisci and soc (.33 year)
*undergrad chem and physics (extra 1 year)
*law school (3years)
*lawyering practice(2 years)
*dental school (4 years)
**total= 10-12 years

I need my wall of law:

I just saw the importance of law once again. Mom's trying to get rid of a meddlesome tenant who knows the law better than she does. I dunno what that guy is thinking, but he's been dishing rent priaces that even been keeping up with inflation... a moderate increase is still under market value.

I learned a while back from Rh and Edric that a wall cannot attack, but it can be a great defense. Even though I don't know how a law degree will make me money, I can think of a myriad of ways it can prevent me and my friends from losing money.

Looked thru another travel publication...

In order to satisfy me sufficiently, it would take 9 trips, $30,000, and 150 days.

Title page of the magazine that sucked me in:

"Let's plan a vacation." Is there any suggestion more welcome? Vacation. One simple word that connotes so many alluring images. Leisure time. Time together. Time with friends. A chance to leave your responsibilities at home and do whatever you dream of doing when your time is all your own. A long walk in Paris... an evening of Flamenco dancing in Madrid... a cruise to the Greek Islands... a week of theater and shopping in magical London. Where your dream vacation takes you is up to you. Making it happen is up to us. Go Ahead Vacations does more than plan trips-- we help you realize your dreams and make memories to last a lifetime. Let us show you the way.

New Roommates are cool. We keep the doors open and visit each other with food. Everyone has a set of headphones and actually uses them.

Dawggie Dawg News:

My dog likes vegetables... He wouldn't choose them over a good bone, but he eats them just as quickly.

etting into the routine of nightly walks I take him on when I'm back home. Today, there was this huge brushfire in a neighboring city which polluted the air and left a fine layer of ash everywhere, but DiDi still insisted we walk. So I took him around the block to semi-pacify him... It partially worked cuz it is trash day tomorrow and people had their bins out on the curb so he had plenty of exciting new territory to mark (which made up for the shorter distance).

He is starting to get old... I think he is 7 (49 in human years) and his hearing is starting to go... before he could hear someone coming from across the street, but now our live doorbell springs into action after someone opens/knocks on our creaky gate. Judging from the alarmed expression on his furry face (which wasn't there before from our domestic noisemaker) he is probably surprised that his prey can get so close to him without alerting his sensors. He makes up for it by barking louder and longer which may exacerbate his deafness.... remind you of someone? Well, DiDi and I must agree on at least one thing-- THANK GOD FOR THE CREAKY GATE!!!!

Snapshots of my two weeks of com-blackout:

Realizing that LSAT (and thereby law school by association) is entirely within my control. I can totally go far out into the school in the East or get a scholarship to a closer school if I just start mind investing. I just need to get we few more questions right, finish these problesm before I go to sleep... then it is all mine for the taking. 10 days left, 7 packets left. I can totally do it.

*sigh* getting tired, still have 16 prob sets left, and it's 3:30am... the good news is that I have the spirit of Hitler's troops in the late 30s.

7 probs left, just finished lasagna and tea, feeling mentally exhausted, physically okay. Shifted rooms a while back cuz I think the dawg was getting frustrated from the lights. Of course he wouldn't bark cuz of my lack of consideration, but he did shift away from the light and turn his back towards it. In his paws, I would want a considerate owner, so I decided to let him sleep. At least one of us would get some sleep tonight.

I always label and date my jounal entries. Today, it is "1:34am, home, 9/26/02." I wonder if "home" will be written as often as it is now in the coming three years... To conquer the world in any worldly, significant way requires leaving home, and I'm not sure if greatness and respect of my fellow man is worth the price. I am currently satisfied with occassional travel, kinda like sample conquering. For those reluctant to leave home and leave the flock unattended, raiding party excursions seem best. But I still get the feeling that halfway means half-ass.

A copy of this letter is going to be sent out on monday to each professor of the social sciences... this idea is one of the manifestations of my thoughts since my disappearance (and reappearance) two weeks ago...

Dear Professor , 10/06/02


My name is Abe, and I’m a graduating Political Science and Sociology Major at UC Irvine with one more quarter left. Thank you for your willingness to teach students. Your profession has all the makings of a passionate commitment to creating a better society through education—this is most evident in your offices that are often cluttered with student papers and your thought provoking performances in class. I have occasionally heard grievances within your ranks about indifferent students and lonely office hours, and this makes me admire you more because the difficult job you do well often comes without thanks and adequate feedback.

You have helped me become who I am, and who I will grow to become in the future… so it is my hope that you will be able to share in my successes to come. I pledge that when you and your family step into my office in the future for my services, my services will be as free and welcoming as the service you have provided me when I have visited you.

To give you some idea of what professions I’m interested in, my plan is to tackle law school first; practice for about 2-3 years afterward; enroll in dental school, and eventually help out my dad at the office. So in five years I’ll hopefully be able to provide experienced legal counsel, and in 12 years I’ll be able to provide… dentures and toothpaste? Kidding. Or sort of… I think the typical professor is 50-something, so 12 years from now, healthcare may be more of a priority. In any case, I’ll be back in five years.



Best wishes in AND out of the classroom,


Abe Wang
(phone and email)

P.S. Any real advice is welcome; I’ll pack the sack lunch for both of us if time allows.

Marking Territory: Tried to scare off squirrels from fruit trees by following a tactic I have observed DiDi using...pissin. So I gathered some rags, drank a lot of tea, pissed on the rags, then hung the rags from the trees. It's been three days, and I haven't seen the likes of a squirrel yet.

For those that are thinking "ewwww," my thinking is that we have to manure the fruit trees annually anyway, and i'd rather touch rags I just pissed on than be squishin cow shiat in my hands anyday.

**Note: this tactic also saves water costs in that I don't have to piss and flush... thats like 3 gallons saved per piss!!!

**Note: wouldn't recommend to females.

A Club Miracle: Arrived in Irvine after LSAT to check my washloads of email, and found multiple correspondence between different SHOUT members taking charge and getting essential things for Welcome Week done... like reserving a room for the quarter, manning a booth, securing a meeting room...

I was really just umph about SHOUT before cuz my officers were graduating, I was in com-blackout for two of the most important weeks for all clubs on campus, and the members were reluctant and seemed lethargic. Even as the self-appointed flag waver, I was feeling defeated.

But now, I'm wow.

People are proactive.
People are asking questions.
People are involved.

So before I could finish reading up on the emails back and forth, I got so excited that I called up a couple of the more prominent "leaders" and was lavish in my praise and hearty in my approbation!!!

I need a haircut... it's been like 3 months and I simply haven't gotten around to doing it. I'm willing to allow (and thankful toward) whoever wants to practice their haircutting skills on me, as long as I don't end up with some neo-nazi cut.

LSAT felt like Disneyland...long lines, much excitement, and high admission fees. The difference was that I was the only one smiling-- I took the standpoint that the test was an adventure about to begin, that the test was what I wanted to make it out to be, that no matter what score I got on this test I would be one of the lucky few with the opportunity to go law school.

Stats-wise, I think I got somewhere around 155-157... I'd be excited if I got a 160 on this guy. Got jacked on the logic games and one reading passage felt like an encrypted manuscript from the 15th century. The good news is that I got all the sections done…usually I run out of time...I was in hyper-concentration mode (basically I went into travel mode before and during the test... before the test I literally imagined that night we went to the Ontario airport to board the plane to NYC... like I was hoisting my sail about to set out on a grand expedition).

During break, my UC Irvine sweater seemed like a rallying flag to all the UCI peoples at the test center. We may be anteaters, but I swear we swarm like ants. So we chatted it up comparing notes in defiance of the no-talking-about-test rule in front of the testing room with a group composed of mostly Crim and PoliSci majors. The great thing about being around Irviners is that there is less hufflepuffing egos who think they are better than everyone else...the focus is more on teamwork, as in, hey, we should work together to take down those elitist bastards!!! Afterward, I realized I should have asked the really important questions like "why do YOU want to go to law school???"

More good news, I got a fone number of the person sitting in back of me and we are gonna call each other up after we get our scores to compare. I figure I can spring a couple of those important questions then. Sweet action!!!

Impressive Blogging: I read the blog updates over the last two weeks today about several people, and since I can't comment on everyone's blog, i'm gonna quickly do a shout-out:


Sunny--Your comment about me dragging you to fill out that job app made me feel like I have somehow succeeded as a human being. You have blogged the most of everyone, and most of it is quality introspection, not rambling. I'll limit the you-know-who comments.

Hsing--You have the most fun of the bloggers I read about. You may truely be one of the few college people that can say "i've lived it up and lived it full."

Jules--I'm glad your conquering your chickenassedness... first surfing, then public speaking... you inspire me.

Linda-- Your blogs are starting to define your character, and the insight you have about what is going on around u is amazing. Teaching is a crazy hard thing to do, but u seem to instinctively know what to do. I think you have the propensity for educating the future.

Frances--Of all the females I know of, you are one of the deepest. You are able to put into words the struggles all women AND men go thru at our age in an empathetic way. We live in a time when gender roles are shifting like desert sands and your journey to find your place in society is refreshing and reassuring as a cool bottle of Evian.

Thank you all for your continued faithfulness in checking my blog. I have been in com-blackout for the last two weeks because I was studying for LSAT and concidentally without internet access. But I have returned!!!,... and after returning the quilt of post-it messages I have on my desk, and the bins of mail I have in front of me and online, I shall update you in an organized fashion. I have half a notebook of ideas and thoughts, and it requires refining and polishing.