Although not nearly as devastating as observing her first wedding anniversary without my father just last month, Mother’s Day this year has to be yet another solemn, almost empty celebration without her life partner for almost 53 years. We miss dad tremendous and he was such a dynamic figure in our lives. But on this day when we celebrate the one who brought us into this world, I cannot put into words what my mom has meant to me. I have been blessed all these many years to have such a God fearing, loving, committed, caring, gracious, patient, giving and supportive mother like my own. Thank you, Lord that she is still in my life! I promised dad I will take care of you now and do my best to make you proud and happy. I know this day is hard without dad but things will get better soon. I promise. Happy Mother’s day, (엄마) Momma!
Still Hurting
I just found this note (below in italics) under my Drafts section. I guess I never finished the blog and forgotten about it until now. This was obviously several months old, before my father passed away. Oh, how I miss him! But no one has been hurting more than my mother. I can only imagine the depth of her pain. The deep pain of losing a life partner can only be surpassed by the loss of a child. My mom is still reeling over the loss of her’s. She is lonely and full of despair. I just wish we could do something more to ease the pain.
I am blessed to grow up with my family in tact, not perfect, but my parents have lived long fulfilling lives and are still together and their marriage is as strong as ever. How blessed were we to have a mother that cooked for us? It was so wonderful to grow up getting a great home-cooked meal every night and having the value of family time instead of eating out and not spending that time together.
President Obama Speaks on Explosions in Boston (by whitehouse)
Sharing a prayer tonight for Boston and those impacted by the explosion this morning at the Boston Marathon. In another day mired by tragedy, Americans and Bostonians are standing together to help and bring resolution to this latest act of evil.
http://latimes.tumblr.com/post/48073328943/accounts-of-the-tragedy-at-the-boston-marathon
BREAKING NEWS: Kobe Bryant tears Achilles
Los Angeles Lakers’ Kobe Bryant said he suffered a torn Achilles tendon in his left leg in the fourth quarter of the Lakers’ 118-116 win over the Golden State Warriors on Friday, putting an end to his season no matter how far L.A. advances in the playoffs should it qualify.
Commentary: out indefinitely, certainly what remains of this season. Could we have seen the last of what has been an absolutely remarkable career? If anyone can comeback from such a devastating injury, it is Kobe Bryant. One of the toughest, most durable athletes to have ever played the game of basketball, will he be able to overcome what he calls “by far” the biggest disappointment of his illustrious 17 year career? At the age of 34, however, can he will himself to return and play at such an elite level again? Only one year remains on Kobe Bryant’s contract with the Lakers. No one doubts he will return to play out his last year of his contract in Los Angeles but we may have seen the last of Bryant as one of the game’s premier players. If it is, how sad is it to see him go out like this?
I remember my father making mention of the passing of John Denver during senior class. He always gave a brief lecture in his martial arts classes. He was saddened that the voice of one of his favorite artists was now silenced and at such a young age.
Hard to believe it’s been nearly sixteen years since his passing. Now, whenever I think of John Denver, I think of my father too. Annie’s Song was my personal favorite.
You fill up my senses
Like a night in a forest
Like the mountains in springtime
Like a walk in the rain
Like a storm in the desert
Like a sleepy blue ocean
You fill up my senses
Come fill me again
Come let me love you
Let me give my life to you
Let me drown in your laughter
Let me die in your arms
Let me lay down beside you
Let me always be with you
Come let me love you
Come love me again
You fill up my senses
Like a night in a forest
Like the mountains in springtime
Like a walk in the rain
Like a storm in the desert
Like a sleepy blue ocean
You fill up my senses
Come fill me again
REBLOGS: Images & Random Likes
Taking images of the last few images I viewed, I created a collage of my random likes…
- Candice Swanepoel is a beautiful and visually stunning woman
- I still like to look up, stare and wonder (and no, I am not a woman)
- I don’t like the Twilight movies but really like Ashley Greene
- The Big Cats are gorgeous and most fascinating of the animal kingdom
- I love homes built by stone
- I also want a mult-story home on the hills with a pool
- I want to rock climb a mountain and just gaze out into the scenery
- I want to be atop the Grand Canyon in isolation
- I like minimizing and living a simple life
- I am a fan of Ashley Vee and think she is very sexy
The Six Best Since MJ
In honor of the 50th birthday of arguably the greatest player to have ever played the game - Michael Jordan, here is a gallery of the six best players to have come after him. Any questions?
IMAGES: Animal Kingdom
Approaching..beautiful, intense and…oh yes, yikes!!!
MY TEN FAVORITE LOCAL EATS
If I had to pick ten, these would probably be it. They are the following:
- WooGa Korean BBQ House
- DonerG Turkish & Mediterrean Grill
- Arturo’s Puffy Taco
- G Burger
- Han Yang
- Gondola Pizza
- Yoko
- BBQ Chicken
- Tacos Baja
- Wako Honey Pig
Pictures taken off my Droid. Please follow my food adventures here on ocandreweats!
Park Geun-Hye Inaugurated As First Female President Of South Korea
An historic day in the country of South Korea as its very first female President was sworn in today. Park Guen-hye - the 61 year old daughter of the late military dictator Park Chung-hee - took to the podium for her official pronouncement as South Korea’s new President.
Park faces a tremendous foreign policy challenge from its increasingly tense relations with North Korea and addressed the deadly serious threat their neighbors to the north posed in her inaugural address.
My father, Kang Myung Kyu, knew Park Guen-hye and would no doubt have been very proud of this day.
I hope the new President continues to adopt a strong stance against the North as did her processor, Lee Myung-bak. South Korean and the United States must not make concessions with the North and their foolish ambitions to build nuclear weapons. Park says, “I will not tolerate any action that threatens the lives of our people and the security of our nation,” she said. “I urge North Korea to abandon its nuclear ambitions without delay and embark on the path to peace and shared development.”
About the only enjoyment I get nowadays is a rare opportunity to sleep in on a Saturday morning. Sometimes I miss waking up as a kid to watch my favorite Saturday morning cartoons. Those were much simpler times when I did not seem to have a care in the world, when I dreamed big and had years to think about what I wanted to do. Where has the time gone?
Note: artwork courtesy of Sarah Johnson; follow her on http://sarahj-art.tumblr.com/
When Jerry Buss bought the Lakers in 1979, he wanted to build a championship team. He also wanted to put on a show. (via Jerry Buss dies at 80; Lakers owner brought ‘Showtime’ success to L.A.)
The passing of yet another major sports icon and perhaps the greatest, most successful owner of a sports franchise ever in Dr. Jerry Buss is a tremendous loss. He was the same age as my father and I often thought of dad as being the same visionary as Jerry Buss just without his business acumen and ability to delegate responsibilities to others.
I was most impressed with Jerry Buss’ passion to help those in need, his generous contributions to the community and never forgetting his humble beginnings. Although I will never inherit all his ample resources and wealth, I would like to do the same and make a real impact with my community as he did. My father and mother tried to do as much with much limited resources and I believe I have inherited this trait from them.
The death of Jerry Buss is a huge loss to the sports world and to the city of Los Angeles. His legacy is intact but he will be sorely missed.
We first lived in Midtown Sacramento before moving into a more affluent area in East Sacramento. I also spent much of my early childhood living with my grandmother in several places around downtown. An influx of South Koreans moved to the city years after our family had settled there.
I have since moved throughout California. I went to the University of California, Davis and graduated with a degree in Organizational Studies and a minor in Economics. I then lived in San Francisco for a few years before settling down in southern California. I lived briefly in Los Angeles and now reside in the city of Fullerton.
My Korean heritage, college campus life, a diverse group of friends, and living and working in cities like Los Angeles and San Francisco - both which are truly a large melting pot of ethnicities and culture - are reflected in my varied taste in music, film and, of course, food. I enjoy food immensely and think I'm fairly adventurous when it comes to trying new things. It has helped me develop a discerning palate for all kinds of cuisine.
For some time now, I have tried to live my life by certain key principles. My motto and outlook remains virtually unchanged. These are to keep disciplined and discard unproductive thoughts and vices, show resolve in the mist of pain or disappointment, always have hope, seek and remain faithful to God, show character and patience, and maintain a healthy, active lifestyle.
The mind, body and spirit must be balanced and in harmony with each other in order for me the individual to function at full capacity; they all need to grow or be strong, not polluted and never stagnant. This is why I believe it is important to exercise some discipline in my life.
I have trained in various forms of martial arts for many years, due largely in part because of my father. My dad is a grandmaster in tae kwon do, aikido and judo. He has taught thousands of students and I was one of them. In fact, my dad has owned and operated his martial arts studio since the early sixties! I have also practiced several other disciplines of martial arts, including jujitsu and muay thai. Perhaps the one form of hand to hand combat I have spent the least amount of time learning but feel almost equally adept in is boxing. It is still one of my favorite sports to watch.
Injuries and age have relegated me to other forms of exercises and recreational activities. They are far less taxing on the body than combative sports but equally beneficial. I still place a high value in health and fitness. I try to workout at the gym everyday. And I enjoy cooking my own healthy meals.
My other hobbies include reading, blogging, traveling, listening to jazz, blues or traditional pop music, watching classic and mostly Asian films, trying foods from different cultures and regions and picking up a new hobby every year. I want to learn Spanish and improve my Korean. Hobbies I vowed to pick up in the past few years have included mixed martial arts, cooking Thai food, surfing and learning to play the guitar. I have enjoyed learning them in various levels of success.
I also plan to pursue a Masters degree in either Business, public policy or psychology. It has been a goal of mine for some time.
My family and I believe salvation comes by God's grace. We have all placed our faith in Jesus Christ as Our Lord and Savior. I go to a Four Square church in Anaheim called the Rock and serve in different ministries there.
I would like to travel to Asia again. My trip to Korea in 2009 was my first trip outside the U.S. and only my second time traveling out of the continental states.
I thank you for visiting my page and allowing me to share my thoughts and my world with you.
