Riding On Bad Luck

Sun Nov 1 I got a flat tire on my driver's side rear. I saw the flat tire when I walked to my car after buying dinner at Safeway. I said, "Fuck, not again!" I have bad luck on my tires. There were three past incidents:

*Nov 2007. My passenger side rear ran over a nail. I didn't know I ran in a nail. I watched the tire's air pressured decreasing when I checked the tires months before. The air pressure was critically low just after Thanksgiving. I took the tire to get checked and the tire shop found the nail.

*Jan 2008. I was on the freeway driving to Sacramento when my driver side rear tire blew off. The California Highway Patrol stopped traffic for me to drive my car from the center divider to the right shoulder. I installed my spare tire. After the incident, I fill my tires at 36psi instead of 41psi.

*Oct 2009. My driver side front tire was involved even though no damage. I parked my car on a dirt area perpendicular to the highway to hike at Castle Rock State Park. My driver side front tire got stuck in a ditch. Out of all the dirt area, my spot had the softest dirt area and got stuck. The tow truck pulled my car out of the ditch. I wanted to park away from the highway as possible to avoid collision. Lesson learned. Park as close to the highway shoulder line to avoid the soft dirt.

What did I do regarding the Safeway incident? I went back to Safeway and purchased Fix A Flat sealer. I believed my flat tire was too low for me to drive home. I was about 4-5 miles from home. The nearest gas station was .25 miles to fill my flat tire with air. I didn't want to risk it. I filled my flat tire with the sealer and drove home. I arrived home safely.

On Mon Nov 2, I went to American Tire to get my flat tire fixed. Coincidentally, my tires needed to be rotated and balanced. The tire technician said two screws caused the flat. Damn!! The flat tire was fixed and the tires were rotated and balanced. The next maintenance is alignment check.

I now check my tires every two weeks. All tires have 34psi air pressure. I add air when the tires are 32psi. I continue to visual inspect for objects such as nails and screws when I fill up for gas that I have been doing. I hope the added two week air pressure check increases my luck such that I ride on good luck, lol ^__^ And the next air pressure check I check the spare tire's air pressure.

I Continue To Find Myself Finding Raymond Mar

Gratitude

We're in December. 2009 is ending quickly. Are you having a bad year? If yes, then you may say, "2010 is going to be a good year." 2010 happens. It's another bad year because you do nothing to make 2010 a good year. You're hopeful, you have wishful thinking. That is an example of taking life for granted.

I took life for granted. I don't today. Most of my opportunities I earned were luck. Luck is not infinite. I must create opportunities. I must control my life. I must earn success and what I want in life. I must create luck.

There were many moments, events, and experiences I took for granted. Something bad happened to me. I hoped for something good to happen. Sometimes good did happen. That's taking life for granted.

Flashback to 2002 and 2003

2003 is the best example how I took life for granted. 2002 was a bad year. My manager who did nothing and my dumb-ass co-worker still worked in my company. The anime conventions I attended were terrible. I re-watched anime series too many times. I quit playing role playing games in 2001. I had extra time since I spent less time with my friends. I was lonely. I tried to teach myself JavaScript, Visual Basic, XML, and other programming language. All failed. 2002 was a bad year I said to myself, "2003 is going to be a good year." I didn't change my life nor planned how to make 2003 a good year.

Sep 2002 began the turnaround for a good 2003 year. I planned none of this. It just happened like fate, like chance, like luck, taking life for granted. First, my manager who did nothing was fired. Work became a happy place. Second, one of my co-workers introduced me to Rich Dad Poor Dad by Robert Kiyosaki. I started to read financial and business books during my extra spare time. Third, I watched the anime Spirited Away in the move theatre. I found new anime to watch thereafter. (Spirited Away won the 2003 Academy Award for Best Picture.) Fourth, my family and I and my uncle's family took a mini vacation to Santa Barbara and Los Angeles during Thanksgiving weekend. Fifth, I created an eBay account to buy and sell. I sold lots of junk.

I planned none of the five events above. All five events came to me. All five events gave me opportunities. Life gave me the opportunities. I didn't create the opportunities. I knew about Spirited Away days before the movie was released. The eBay just happened after I talked with my brother who had an eBay account.

2003 continued the momentum of unearned good luck and good moments that came to me. The economy started to recover. I continued to read business books. I continued to buy and sell on eBay. The anime conventions I attended were awesome. I watched new anime series. I went on family vacations to Las Vegas, Grand Canyon, and San Diego. All of the 2003 activities and moments I had nothing to do with. They just came to my life; although, I planned one activity that was my new webpage www.innovateinfintely.com that went online on May 1, 2004. Other than my new webpage, I took life for granted. I expected good things to happen in my life and it did. What happened in 2004? 2004 was a bad year.

Life Is All Me

All my actions, all my choices, all my hard work, all my efforts, all my responsibilities, everything in my life I must learn, earn, make mistakes, and create action for a good life. A good life is not a guarantee; however, a bad life is a guarantee when I do nothing.

They say life somehow find ways to work itself out for the good. That's true if you do something to make your life work out for you positively and you actually do it.

I Continue To Find Myself Finding Raymond Mar

I'm Keeping The Door Closed

Death is everywhere. I keep the door closed when death knocks at my door. I'm not ready to die. There is so much I want to do death is not an option now. I'm a late bloomer. I'm catching up. There are many little and big "I want to do" in life. Here are some:

*Shaving with a razor blade.

*Going back to school and most likely earning another bachelor's degree.

*Learned Weiss Schwartz, Japanese Mahjong (Riichi), and more card games.

*Visiting Washington and Canada.

*Hiking and ballroom dancing.

*Watching anime.

*Wearing new clothes.

Those above are some of the latest and greatest happenings since I realized I must grow up. I'm living the best life. My past years, overall, were bad. Recently, I'm having lots of ups and some downs. I desire higher ups and less downs. I'm not ready to die.

I Continue To Find Myself Finding Raymond Mar

Just Five Minutes

There Is More Than Beauty In The Eye Of The Beholder

Everyone sees beauty differently. Some people think a person is beautiful and some people think a person is ugly. I believe the more I know the person, the more beautiful the person is. Good people are beautiful. Bad people are, well, need to take their head out of their ass. Eventually, we get wrinkled skin, gray hair, and walk slower.

Does Jennifer Aniston look more beautiful as she grows older? How about Sean Connery? How about Harrison Ford?

What The Heck Is "What Not"?

The worse sentence I hate people saying is, "What not?" I hate it. I can take "you know." Please for the love of God, stop the habit saying, "What not?" I don't know what is what not.

Just Park, Dammit

Jan 20, 2009. Yes, I remember the date. I was sick and not being myself. I was difficult, and my face clearly shows it. I'm not myself when I'm sick (and hungry and in a bad mood). A friend and I were shopping. We stopped at a shopping center at night time about five minutes from my house. There were plenty of parking spaces. I drove around three times finding a good spot. Just park dammit my friend said. There were plenty of spaces close to the stores and far. Stop being difficult.

The Asian Curse Being Late

One of my Uncles got married in Los Angeles in 1990. The church assistant told everyone in my family that Asians are always late. He is still correct. Most of my appointments I'm late. It's just the way it is. Fortunately, important appointments such as interviews I arrived in time. Even if I leave the house early, something beyond my control happened that caused me to be late.

I can control myself by preparing extra time for appointments. Don't take extra time doing anything unnecessary before an appointment, an engagement, a commitment for granted. Don't be late.

Let It Be

Is the answer to our problems "Let It Be," a number one song and one of the most popular songs from The Beatles? "When I find myself in times of trouble, mother Mary comes to me, speaking words of wisdom, let it be. . . ."

The problems I experience I think too much, I over-analyze, I ponder too long. I know those are bad habits. It's a weakness I still have. I know there is a simple solution sometimes. I have been doing a better job dealing and solving my problems. There are no escaping problems. Problems are part of life. Just let it be and the answers come in time.

I Continue To Find Myself Finding Raymond Mar

Get Out Of The House

Everyone experiences many times we are working on projects at work, studying for exams, thinking of solutions for a problem, completing homework assignments, and then all of a sudden, we freeze. We lose our train of thought. We think for hours and there is no solution, no answer, no idea what's going on.

What are you waiting for? The solution? The answer? The idea? Chances are they're not coming to you soon. Get out of the house. Get out of the dorm. Get out of the office. Get out of the apartment. Going to a different location with a different environment may trigger a solution, an answer, an idea.

Two examples. The first is my belt for my Edward Elric anime cosplay costume. I went to a hobby shop. I walked around and I saw an aisle on leather works. There were kits on making leather belts. I thought of an idea. There must be a professional leather craftsman to make my belt. I found a leather craftsman. He specialized in leather gun holsters. I asked him if he could make my belt. He said yes. The belt was perfect.

The second is a Christmas version for my Toushiro Hitsugaya anime cosplay costume. I walked around a department store looking for ideas. I thought about a vest, green dress shirt, red dress shirt, green tie, red tie, Christmas scarf, . . ., many combinations. I thought of a solution. Red scarf, red tie, and green shirt combined with my leather jacket and part of my Hitsugaya costume.

Do something outside. Walk in a mall, drive randomly somewhere, visit the library, shop in a grocery store, walk in the park, workout in a gym. The best ideas and solutions I think is when I don't think of them at all.

I Continue To Find Myself Finding Raymond Mar

A Lesson From The Ants

Everytime I come home and leave my house I see ants walking or running perpendicular to the walkway. The ants are eight feet in front of the door and travel between the grass on the right and the dirt area where the garden hose is on the left when I walk to the front door.

Why are the ants still here? Why do the ants continue to walk or run along the same pathway? I'm not an ant expert. My guess is the ants' home is in the grass. The grass sprinklers turn on in the morning. The water destroys their home. The ants rebuild their home. The process repeats each day.

Can the ants learn their mistakes? The home is destroyed every day. They must find another place to live or else they must rebuild every day. Maybe there is a big supply of food in the lawn and the ants get the food for their home someplace else? I don't know.

There is a lesson I learned from the ants. The lesson is never make the same mistake twice. Learn from your mistakes. I see an ant, I'm reminded the lesson. If there are ants in my pants, then I get hype up to get rid of the ants and remember the lesson.

I Continue To Find Myself Finding Raymond Mar

The L word: Listen. An important word. Few people listen. Too much talking. Listen is quiet. One person talks. Rest listen. Husbands and bf listen to your woman

The best books are the family books--the family photo albums. Pictures tell a thousand words. The stories are non-fiction. These books cheer up a sad person ^^^

What Have You Significantly Improved In Your Attitude?

I was a cocky person big time before I realized I needed to grow up. I was a big time cocky person. I remembered I raise my voice, yell, criticize, express frustration, acted furious . . . just be an uncomfortable person. I'm surprised I had friends back then.

If anything was wrong big or small, I raised my voice. My voice was loud, frightening, and made me a jerk. I had that attitude at Blockbuster, Grubb & Ellis, Colliers International, and even at Cisco. I felt I was doing my part in my life and everyone else was not; for example, I saw a baby cry and my thinking was, "Those parents suck they couldn't take care of their baby." Another example was in group projects at work I always completed my responsibilities and everyone took too long or did a terrible job. I said to myself, "Man, you guys suck!" I had unnecessary stress and conflict towards my co-workers. Fortunately, the last two months at Cisco I calmed down. I know about don't sweat the small things in life. The problem was I never acted and behaved to forget the small things.

I'm calmer, more relax, more open, more friendly, and a comfortable person since the day I realized I needed to grow up. There is no more hatred, no more piss off attitude, and no more raise my voice. There is no more serious attitude. I'm opening up a little each day and loosening up. I'm becoming more sarcastic and saying jokes even if it's cheesy.

I realize there are moments my cockiness comes back and I don't consciously realize it. I still have more improvement. Nobody wanted to associate with me two years ago.

Speaking of calm, calm is one of my five rules for daily living. Here are my five rules:

1. Don't criticize, condemn, and complain, and don't compare with others.
2. Don't act like a jerk or bitch.
3. Always speak calmly and be calm.
4. Don't daydream when driving.
5. Keep your head up high . . . look at the cute face when talking.

I Continue To Find Myself Finding Raymond Mar

De Anza Week Dec 7, 2009

Mon Dec 7, 2009

I remembered to print my accounting term project before I went to class. I placed more emphasis on the final than the term project. Regardless of the grade I earned on the project, I learned something reading financial statements.

The first five minutes of class the instructor showed us real time pics of skiing mountains in Utah. We saw Snowbird Ski and Summer Resort and Alta Ski Area. I'm going to ski one of these days.

The rest of the class the instructor reviewed for the final. There is so much to know it's information overload. I'm reminded of the days at SJSU. Cumulative finals were harsh.

The instructor didn't spend time finishing Chapter 9 homework. Looking at the review outline, it doesn't look like a Chap 9 problem is going to be included. I'm iffy at Chap 9 because we went fast on Chap 8 and Chap 9. However, looking at Chap 9 at home earlier today, I'm making the material hard. It's not as hard as I thought.

My plan is to begin with Chapters 6-9 and then continue with Chapters 1-5. The end of each chapter I work on the big problems and skip the brief exercises. Next, I look at the lecture notes. Finally, I look at the outline. I should follow the plan twice. If I study a third time, then I'm overstudying. I either understand it or I don’t.

Wed Dec 9, 2009

My accounting final is Thur Dec 10. Today I attended my dance class. We learned a new Salsa move and reviewed Salsa, Cha Cha Cha, West Coast Swing, and Fox Trot. The instructor mentioned Winter '10 classes begin at a later time. She encouraged us to take dancing again next quarter.

Comparing Mon and Wed classes, Wed class was the better of the two. The dances I learned Mon and Wed were great. The difference was the students in the Wed class was much better than Mon; in particular, the students I met in Spring '09 some returned for Fall '09.

Thur Dec 10, 2009

Accounting final. My first final since I graduated at San Jose State in Dec 1997. The extra studying before I went to class was useless. The accounting class proved to me extra studying is useless. The extra studying when I attended San Jose State was mostly useless. I say extra studying helped me about 5-10% of the time. Next quarter I repeat my studying habits avoiding extra studying. It's either I know it or I don't.

The final was comprehensive. Most of the multiple choice questions were straight forward. A few were tricky. There were three questions I had no idea the answer. I don't remember reading nor remember the instructor lecturing the concept. To repeat, it's either I know it or I don't. The short answer questions and the math were no problems.

I picked up my term paper after I submitted my final. I got an A grade. My score entering the final looks good for an A grade.

Before the final, a few students wanted to check their grade to know what they have entering the final. That delayed the instructor passing out the final. The instructor should have passed out the grade sheet on the last day of class for students to know where they are entering the final.

Highlights

There was one highlight that took place on Sun Nov 1. I realized I'm a human being just like my classmates and just like the students at the campus center. The month of Oct was one of my worse months in 2009. I was borderline depressed. I was lucky I took one class that was significant. If I had more classes and felt depressed, I don't think I earn high scores in my exams and homework. I'm human. I experience positive feelings such as happy and cheery and negative feelings such as depress and lonely.

I Continue To Find Myself Finding Raymond Mar

Eight Essential Pantry Items

Sara Schwartz wrote an article detailing the eight must have ingredients for meals for yourself and your family.

*Canned Tomatoes. Fresh tomatoes can be a juicy, sun-ripened treat. But anyone who's tasted a mealy, bland tomato knows that quality is of the utmost importance. Tomatoes canned at the peak of freshness are a low-cost luxury not to be underestimated.

*Olive Oil. Oil choices abound on the grocery shelves, but olive oil wins our vote for most essential. This Mediterranean staple contains monounsaturated fat, which can lower your risk of heart disease, and its rich, smooth flavor improves everything from salads to sautés.

*Garlic. Ever since ancient Egyptians began cultivating garlic more than 5,000 years ago, cultures around the world have recognized the value of this strongly flavored bulb.

*Couscous. Couscous, which is composed of little grain-shaped bits of pasta, cooks up in five minutes flat, making it a great addition to simple weeknight dinners. Serve it as an easy side dish in place of rice or potatoes or as a salad mixed with dressing and vegetables.

*Potatoes. Everyone loves potatoes as a side dish, but you can also use these low-fat tubers to thicken soups or turn an egg dish into a meal.

*Lemons. Whether you use just a few drops or a whole lemon's worth, lemon juice adds crucial acidity and brightness to recipes of all kinds, from dressings to soups and cakes.

*Onions. Onions have grown wild since history was first recorded and they have been cultivated for more than 5,000 years. We like having onions on hand since they don't perish quickly and offer an easy way to add flavor.

*Apples. Crisp, juicy apples make a satisfying and nutritious snack, but they are also great in salads, savory recipes, and desserts. Throw together a quick dessert or whip up a tasty main dish with this extraordinary everyday fruit.

I Continue To Find Myself Finding Raymond Mar

SOMT: 20 years ago I used home phone and letters to communicate. Today I KIT using cell, email, chat, text, Facebook, blogs. Technology keeps us together.

The most importance in life is people. Family, friends, acquiantances. They're with you happy and sad. Don't take them for granted. Continue to meet new people.

My Face And My Voice

I admit I hate two of my physical features. They are my face and my voice. First, my face. Nobody successfully guessed my age. I'm 35 years old. The guesses range from 24-26 in 2009. On the positive side, I look younger than my age. The negative side is my face has acne. I have been getting acne on my face since 8th grade. I look terrible. The worse is blackheads on my nose. If my nose didn't have blackheads, then I'm probably content, and that's a big probably.

Second, my voice. I hate my voice. My voice is too kind. My voice is not strong, not authoritative, not confident enough. I have a bad habit talking too loud. In most instances, my tone is appropriate. For the times I'm too loud, it's bad and impolite.

Action is called forth to transform my hate to love. I have been taking Accutane, a powerful acne drug. My research told me Accutane has a high success rate. In Winter Quarter '10 at De Anza, I enrolled in a singing class. I'm not sure the signing class improves my voice. I do know the singing class improves my singing for singing in Beatles Rock Band video game. Good luck for a beautiful face and a confident voice!

I Continue To Find Myself Finding Raymond Mar

The Sign Of My Times

ABC's Nightline has a segment titled the "Sign Of The Times." We live in the information age. Our lifestyles changes quickly. Times have changed. Nightline documents the sign of the times.

Adapting Nightline's "Sign Of The Times," I create an occurring blog segment titled, "Sign Of My Times" or SOMT pronounced SOM-T for short. My life has been changing, especially since Sat Oct 4, 2008, the day I realized I must grow up. SOMT is my blogs sharing the changes and innovations my life from yesterday to today. I start SOMT with a common moment almost every driver experienced that is owning their first car.

Sign Of My Times: My First Car

Everyone has a dream car. My dream car is the Audi A6. For some of us, our dream car was not our first car for legitimated reasons including cost and practically. My second dream car is the Toyota Tundra. I don't need a truck in my life now. My first car is the 2005 Toyota Camry purchased in May 2007.

Before I purchased my Camry, I drove my parent's cars. From 1997-2007, the family owned a 1984 Toyota truck, a 1991 Honda Civic, a 1992 and 1997 Mercury Sable, and a 2000 Toyota Camry (purchased in 2005). The Sables were junk. The Toyota truck and Honda Civic were old and unpractical as it grew older, but reliable. My Dad could have done a better job taking car of the Toyota and Honda. I digress.

My Dad purchased a 2007 Toyota Tacoma in Aug 2007. Currently, my Mom drives the 2000 Camry, my Dad drives the Tacoma, and I drive the 2005 Camry. Oh, my sister drives her 2004 Camry. My family and I drive better technology and more efficient cars.

I went on new adventures, created new experiences, and my friends were able to ride with me when I hung out with them thanks to my car. I drove to anime conventions in Southern California. I drove to Santa Rosa to visit the Charlie Brown museum. I drove to Monterey two times since 2007. I helped my friends by giving rides.


Owning a car shows independence. I do whatever I want to. I go wherever I want to. I take care of my car myself including car washes, top of the line tires, and 5,000 mile oil changes.

Everything great that happened to me involving my 2005 Camry is small moments. The big moments are coming soon.

Side note: If I blog a SOMT from my cell, the blog begins with "SOMT:" or SOMT followed by a colon.

I Continue To Find Myself Finding Raymond Mar

De Anza Week Nov 30, 2009

Mon Nov 30, 2009

Happy Thanksgiving! I hope everyone had a fun and relaxing holiday. My Thanksgiving was great. We had good meals for a change and no more boring dinners. I played video games and shopped on Black Friday finding bargains. Those were two different activities I usually don't do. No complains because I have other important activities than video games and I save money spending less.

In accounting, we finished Chapter 8. Wed is Chapter 9. The term project is due Mon Dec 7. Chapter 8 talked about fraud and safeguarding a business. The lecture reminded me when I worked at Blockbuster. I was naive working there. I trusted everyone. I never thought Blockbuster employees could steal and couldn't be trusted. I was wrong. There was an incident in the Los Altos store where the store manager, an assistant manager, and a worker stole. I have a better understanding the procedures managers and employees must follow. The procedures protected the company from fraud, theft, and unscrupulous workers.

The instructor shared stories from his clients. A few of his client's companies committed fraud. A few of his client's committed theft. One time the instructor worked at a company. One co-worker didn't show up for work for two weeks. His motorcycle was found two weeks later in Nevada. He was never seen again. He was suspected of theft. And another company the instructor worked at someone broke into his office to steal blank checks. He needed money because he was addicted to drugs.

Side note on drugs: oxycodone is a pain-killing drug that is highly addictive. It's more addictive than cocaine. Wiki: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oxycodone

There was a great turnout for dance class after the Thanksgiving weekend. We reviewed the Nite Club Two Step for the Dance Demonstration Wed night. We started entering in the stage, dancing three times, and exiting out the stage. We repeated for the second time. Perfect practice makes perfect. The rehearsal was good. Then we spent the rest of the class on the Hustle. I didn't have time to review the Hustle before Accounting.

Wed Dec 2, 2009

I woke up at 4:50am to register for Winter Quarter '10 classes at 5am. There were problems with registration. I successfully registered and got my classes around 8:30am. I'm taking Financial Accounting II, Payroll and Business Tax, Peachtree Software Training, Social Dance-Wed, and Beginning Singing. The singing class is for Beatles Rock Band. I mentioned in past De Anza blogs that I'm spoiled (and lucky) I don’t need to take GE classes.

The instructor took the entire class meeting to lecture Chap 9. He went fast. He stopped to share personal stories. The lecture wasn't boring. I didn't feel sleepy. The end of the class some students left class early. The instructor was pissed. He gave everyone four points for staying the entire class meeting.

Mon Dec 7 the term project is due. The instructor is going to review for the final giving us an outline. The rest of the week I finish the term project and then I study Chap 1-8. I start on Chap 9 on Sun Dec 6. I feel it's better to review what I learned already instead of reviewing all nine chapters.

The dance demonstration was today. All students must arrive at 6:30pm. We practiced at the lobby before 7pm, the time doors opened. My Nite Club Two Step and Cha Cha Cha classes danced around 7:15pm. The Nite Club Two Step went perfect. Unfortunately, the Cha Cha Cha was not perfect. For some reason, everyone forgot the last steps in the Cha Cha Cha. Everyone. What were the chances everyone forgot? We all froze. Could someone continue the Cha Cha Cha and everyone else followed? Nope. Fortunately, the second and third times we danced the Cha Cha Cha correctly. There was a long pause between the first time and the second time because we ended the first Cha Cha Cha early. No worries. The dance demonstration was informal and it was all dance classes showing their dances. No awards for first place.

I'm still in the dance mood as I finish the blog. Friday morning and afternoon I self practice all the dances I learned.

I Continue To Find Myself Finding Raymond Mar

Accutane Day 301

I went to my routine appointment on Mon Nov 30. I'm on my second month taking 40mg of Accutane. The new side effects are sore muscles and fatigue. The sore muscles happen when I workout at the gym. My workouts are affected such that I'm going to the gym inconsistently. The fatigue happens at night sometimes. Eczema is under control on my face; however, it's appearing on the opposite side of my palms on my hands. I apply Topicort ointment. And I have dry lips. The photo shows my Blistix lip balm. Man, I look sleepy (-,-)

I discussed about my goal finishing Accutane at 40mg around Apr 2010. The dermatologist was optimistic saying I could finish earlier. Let's hope so. There is no time table when a person must finish the treatment. My research found the average time is six months. I'm over six months.

New acne has appeared. The significant acne happened on my lower left cheek near my mouth. White residue popped out of the acne. The acne was not the acne with a white spot in the middle. Blackheads are still on my nose. I hate it.

I apply Vanicream on my face only when my face looks and feels dry; otherwise, I leave my face alone. I applied Vanicream on my face to prevent Eczema in Aug and Sep. It turned out applying Vanicream daily has plugged up my pores. My dermatologist told me to apply Vanicream when necessary.

I Continue To Find Myself Finding Raymond Mar

Humans have the ability to improve ourselves. We can't change our genes. We can change our physical & mental attributes. Exercise, eat right, read, take classes

De Anza Week Nov 23, 2009

Mon Nov 23, 2009

The instructor finished reviewing Chapter 6 homework. The class was interrupted for two minutes from three students who wanted to wish a classmate happy birthday. The instructor approved it. Personally, it was rude.

Next, the instructor lectured and completed Chapter 7. He said 90% of the material is useless. I agree. In my opinion, the chapter should have been skipped. I believe good instructors never finish the book. They concentrate their time on the most important concepts. When I was at San Jose State, only one class the instructor finished the book. All my other classes the instructor didn't finish the book. If I was teaching Accounting 1A, I skip Chapter 7 and concentrate more time on another chapter.

At the Campus Center, I purchased a one item Chinese meal. I broke the rule not eating at the cafeteria to save money because the dance classes last week I was tired and weak. After eating, I got a mild stomach ache. I didn't think it's the Chinese meal. I ate Chinese in the past. I'm guessing it was the leftovers I ate at home before class.

The minor stomach ache was no factor. The instructor taught us the Hustle. We reviewed the Tango, started the Hustle, and reviewed the Nite Club Two Step. I liked the instructor reviewing the Nite Club last instead of first. It was a variety. Tonight's class was in a better mood compared to recent Monday night classes.

Wed Nov 25, 2009

Thanksgiving is tomorrow. Maybe it's just me. I observed there were some people in a pissy mood. It's the holidays. Take it slowly and cheer up. Given the economy and any personal problems Thanksgiving can't solve, I can see people not in a holiday mood. However, don't take it on others.

Anyways, today's Accounting class was a half day. The instructor started Chapter 8. I read Chap 8 and continue on the project on Sat or Sun. Time is running out and the quarter finish fast.

I learned something new out of the book. Some retail places have a sign saying if the customer doesn't receive a receipt, the customer receives a free meal. The reason customers must receive a receipt is internal controls. The retail business assures there is a legitimate transaction. The cashier can't pocket the cash from the transaction because the transaction is recorded in the cash register.

Dance class was a full turnout. Nobody cut. We reviewed the Cha Cha Cha and Salsa. Then we started learning the West Coast Swing. The next Wed class meeting is the Dance Demonstration.


I Continue To Find Myself Finding Raymond Mar

No Chet Baker

I listen to classical jazz when I eat breakfast. I rotate my CDs such that I always listen to all my CDs before I start a new rotation. One of my CDs is "Let's Get Lost" by Chet Baker. I listen to Baker's CD when I feel depressed. (We all get depressed. We are humans.) I felt depressed, Baker's CD was ready. If I listened to Baker's CD, I was not going to be depressed for the rest of the rotation. If the rotation reset, I was going to be depressed soon. I felt better after listening to the CD. Always happened.

I broke the cycle for the first time. I realized I'm human on Sun Nov 1, 2009. I'm human, everyone around me is human. I never felt more relaxed, more easy going, more kind since Oct 2008. I realized I must grow up on Oct 4, 2008.

Currently, I have a new rotation. The last rotation I skipped Chet Baker. There are no guarantees in life. If I feel depressed again, Chet Baker is in the rotation. For now, I'm enjoying life at my best, a feeling I missed in a long time.

I Continue To Find Myself Finding Raymond Mar

I have no faith in today's college students. They fail to clean their mess when they leave the cafeteria. Good courtesy. Good impression when meeting new people

I have faith todays kids are going to be great. I see parents at an amusement park with their kids smiling, having fun, and exploring. Thats what life is about.

Accutane Day 288

The 40mg Accutane seems to be working. I experience muscle aches and fatigue since I doubled the dosage. The muscle aches happen when I work out. The fatigue is minor and happens one or two times a week. I apply Desoximetasone ointment when dermatitis appears on my hand that has been minor, too. I apply lip balm for my dry lips and Vanicream hand moisturizer for my dry skin. The side effect eczema has not happened. That's good news!

Moreover, since Mon Nov 16, a pimple appeared on my lower left cheek closer to my mouth. Last night, two small red bumps appeared on my lower left side of my forehead just above the eye brows. I wonder if I'm going to experience an acne breakout. Acne breakouts are supposed to happen days after taking Accutane for the first time. I didn't experience an acne breakout when I started taking it back in Feb.

Sometimes I see red spots on my forehead. The red spots appear after I workout at the gym. I apply Vanicream and the red spots disappear two days later. I told the dermatologist and she said there is nothing to worry. I keep watch.

I'm going to modify my workouts at the gym. Fortunately, I know two workout plans. The first workout plan is all machines and the second workout plan is mostly free weights. I'm going to modify the first workout plan by lower the weight and increase the number of reps. I do two sets of reps per machine. If I want to workout with the second workout plan, then all workouts are two sets. Some workouts are three sets. I thought about taking one week off from going to the gym. I want to try the modified workouts first.

I'm approaching 300 days on Accutane. All the people I know who took Accutane the treatment worked. I continue being patient. For instance, it took 135 days for the warts to be removed. The average treatment is six months from my research. Talk about being a late bloomer.

Finally, one side effect not happening is being depressed. On the contrary, I'm in the best mood, probably the best mood for all of 2009 now I think about it.

I Continue To Find Myself Finding Raymond Mar

De Anza Week Nov 16, 2009

Mon Nov 16, 2009

This morning I learned washing your face with warm water before shaving makes the shave smoother. I shaved without washing my face and my shave was rough. I wash my face half-ass and I realized it still made a difference.

We got our accounting mid-terms #2 back. The average score was 80. I scored a 94. One question I thought I knew the formula; unfortunately, I didn't. The second question I missed I got partial credit. The partial credit question I failed to read all the choices because there were two correct answers. Lesson learned for the final: read all the multiple choice questions. Read all!

The class was missing quite a few students. Most students and the instructor guessed they dropped the class. My thinking is if they can't pass Accounting 1A, maybe business is not cut out for them. The same thinking applies to me when I was a math major. I couldn't prove math theories, I changed majors.

The instructor started chapter 6 after we discussed mid-term #2. There is going to be a quiz on Wed.

I need to check my De Anza registration for Winter '10. I plan to take Accounting 1B, two other accounting classes, singing (for Rock Band), and Social Dance-Wed. I'm taking advantage of one accounting class to catch up on anime. I should find time to read a fiction book after I catch up on anime. I find time for cooking, working out at the gym, and time with my friends. I feel spoiled I don't have the work. I respect full times students who work.

The beginning of dance class I was out of it. We started the class reviewing the Nite Club Two Step. I didn't follow the routine, and my partner didn't help me. I vowed to stay focus on the Dance Demonstration on Wed Dec 2 where the class dance the Nite Club in front of other students from the other dance classes. After Nite Club, we learned the Tango. There was a new spin move the instructor forgot the name. I ask my sister tonight.

Wed Nov 18, 2009

I checked my registration date. I register on Wed Dec 2. I plan to take Accounting 1B, two more accounting classes, singing, and social dance. None of my classes are general education. I shouldn't have any problems.

There was another quiz in accounting. It was a simple question. The purpose of the quizzes was to take attendance more than quizzing how the students know the material. After the quiz, the instructor finished lecturing Chap 6 and started the homework. The instructor said Wed Nov 25, the day before Thanksgiving, we have class for one hour. There is dance class Wed night. More free time between accounting and dancing.

OK, for the rest of the quarter, I must eat something before dance class. If I must buy food at the cafeteria, then I buy something. The first part of the class we reviewed the Cha Cha Cha for the Dance Demonstration on Wed Dec 2. I started dancing the Nite Club Two Step. Bad move. I vowed to stay focus on the demonstration. The rest of the class we learned more Salsa. I had problems concentrating; fortunately, I memorized the footwork and the arm moments. Need more practice.

I'm growing up Finding Raymond Mar

The beer test. You have friends, co-workers, someone you just met. Who do you feel most comfortable with? The person(s) you want to have a beer is your answer.

De Anza Week Nov 9, 2009

Mon Nov 9, 2009

Today was another example you never know too many people. One of my classmate's friend got a contractor job at Google. She was the student who got laid off at Yahoo! in Feb'08. She continues to take Accounting 1A while working. She's not going to attend classes. Congrats!

Today we reviewed the upcoming second mid-term covering Chaps 4 and 5 on Wed. I did OK on the pre mid-term. The questions were straightforward. The second mid-term is 1/3 multiple choice, a couple of short answer, and lots of journal entries. After I take the mid-term, I start on the class project.

Dance class we finished learning the East Coast Swing and started the Tango. I knew the basic Tango from my sister. The instructor taught the Tango at an intermediate level. And I want to say today's class reinforces my opinion the Wed class is better than the Mon class.

Wed Nov 11, 2009

Veteran's Day. The drive to school was much easier. Schools were closed. I took my second mid-term. It was trickier and harder than the first. Some of the questions were harder and wasn't clear cut. Thinking was involved. I liked the instructor telling the students to write their thinking on multiple choice questions if they're not sure for partial credit. The last question was a fun question that asked our favorite ice cream. The second to last question was calculating the inventory of ice cream, and that was one of a few tricky questions. My thinking was beginning inventory plus added inventory minus used inventory equals inventory now.

The second mid-term convinced me over-studying is useless. Even though I'm taking one class requiring homework and studying, I believe over-studying is a waste of time. Studying and reviewing today is useless. Both are not going to help me increase my score. It's either I know it or I don't.

I over-studied too many times when I attended San Jose State. Thinking back, I say almost all of my over-studying was useless. Over-studying increased my worries and anxieties. I could have used the wasted time for something more productive. Over-studying was more memorizing and less thinking. Taking Accounting 1A and going back to school made me realize I failed to think in class. I could have gotten better grades, understood the concepts efficient, and had extra time to learn and grow outside my classes.

I had a light lunch. The extra time between accounting and social dance because of the mid-term I use to eat dinner. I know I'm not supposed to eat at Campus Center to save money. Today I made it an exception. I wanted to eat Chinese. I timed getting Chinese because around 6pm the cook prepared new food. Unfortunately, it was not the case. There were lots of people at the Campus Center. I walked up to Chinese and the food was gone. I settled for a burger and fries. I talked to one of the cooking staff waiting for my burger and fries. He and I small talked during Spring Quarter '09.

Dance class we reviewed the Cha Cha Cha for the Dance Demonstration on Wed Dec 2. Then the rest of the class we learned the Salsa. Good choice, instructor to skip the Fox Trot. The Wed dance class has been much better than the Mon dance class. I sign up for the Wed dance class for Winter Quarter '10.

I'm growing up Finding Raymond Mar

De Anza Week Nov 2, 2009

Mon Nov 2, 2009

Daylight standard time began yesterday. It's different seeing dark after my accounting class. I'm behind in my accounting even though I'm taking one class. There were events last weekend beyond my control. Tonight and tomorrow I want to finish Chap 5 homework. The second mid-term is Mon Nov 9; however, one student asked the instructor after class if the second mid-term is actually Mon Nov 9. The instructor said he thinks about it. I'm struggling with Chap 4 concepts. It's not getting easier and an anticipated more challenges as I continue to take accounting classes.

The first part of the class we had another quiz. The quiz was funny because two students arrived after the instructor told the class the question. The first student thought it was the beginning of the lecture and said part of the answer. The class laughed and said jokes including, "What she said." Likewise with the second student. The class laughed and said, "What he said." The quizzes were attendance checks and lighthearted. The instructor took it lightly.

I find it sad to see some tables in the Campus Center common area dirty with food and packaging. I find the behavior disturbing and rude.

Mon dance class almost everybody was tired and not eager to dance including me. As class went on, everyone woke up. We're happy and almost everyone was focused on Nite-Club Two Step and East Coast Swing. I was surprised because the Wed class is more exciting. The instructor added another quarter turn, side-cross-side, and basics to the Nite-Club Two Step. We learned a few new moves in East Coast Swing.

Wed Nov 4, 2009

The instructor made a mistake in the class schedule. We meet on Wed Nov 11 that is Veterans Day. De Anza celebrates Veterans Day on Fri Nov 13 that is Friday The 13th. Friday the 13th has been a good luck day for me. In addition, the instructor moved the second mid-term to Wed Nov 11 instead of Mon Nov 9. I liked the delay because I have been struggling with Chap 4. The instructor passed out candy as an apology for the confusion.

After class, I thought about full time students who work part-time or even full-time. I have more respect for those students taking classes and working. I imagine it's tough. Working means less time studying. It's tougher when the students have a relationship, family obligations, and any other important priorities. I admit I'm spoiled. I worked part-time during part of my life at San Jose State. I didn't have external priorities and commitments outside school, work, and family.

Dance class I forgot to step back when I do the underarm turn for the Cha Cha Cha. Must remember. We finished the Fox Trot and we started on the Salsa. I believe students who cut the class for any reason stop cutting now that we learn the Salsa.

I'm growing up Finding Raymond Mar

I'm Human Just Like The Person Next To Me

Everyone around me is human. We are happy, sad, depress, cheerful, frighten, brave, angry, forgiving, lonely, friendly, crying, understanding, gloomy, laughing, lost, (have) resolve, loving, hating, respectful.

Humans are not perfect. We make mistakes and we learn from our mistakes. Gather courage to make mistakes and be wise to learn from them. Dealing and overcoming the pains determine how much we grow up. Walk tall with our backs straight up and our eyes watching, ears listening, and hands feeling.

We are lonely. Everyone is going to be lonely. Everyone is going to experience the lonely feeling. We meet new people and make new friends so there is one less lonely person in the world.

Humans have weaknesses. We gain strength overcoming their weaknesses, and that's victory. I'm tired of acting tough. I must be brave to show, to express, to tell everyone my weaknesses. My weakness is loneliness. I feel better letting it all out.

I want to tell everyone in the world I'm a human being. To avoid misunderstandings that really affects me, from my perspective, too many times for me. I'm a person looking for something. I don't know what. So then, what's holding me back?!?

I'm growing up Finding Raymond Mar

This is a test message. the quick brown fox jumps over the layy dog. THE QUICK BROWN FOX JUMPS OVER THE LAZY DOG 0123456789 .@?!-,:' Helvetica

De Anza Week Oct 26, 2009

Mon Oct 26, 2009

I arrived just in time for the quiz. I was 10 minutes late leaving home. The quiz was a surprise to me because the instructor didn't start lecturing Chap 4. I did the best I could. I did read Chap 4 and did some of the homework.

The mood in the class was tired and lazy. The instructor's first joke was here is Chap 4 and if you understand this you know Chap 4 and we leave early. We didn't of course. The instructor finished lecturing Chap 4 and we review the homework on the next class meeting. By the way, if I forgot to mention earlier, the instructor uses PowerPoint for his lectures.

I'm back on AIM and maybe Yahoo instant messaging. I'm going to be on both during my break between Accounting and Social Dance in the campus center. I'm happy to say I haven't purchase any food in the cafeteria. I'm trying to save money. My unemployment benefits are out.

Dance class I was out of it. I was sweating on the state and above normal evening temperatures outside made me worse. I was tired when the instructor taught us the East Coast Swing. I asked my sister for additional help on the East Coast Swing. Tomorrow, I find time to practice East Coast Swing.

Wed Oct 28, 2009

There were two thoughts before class. The first thought was I start dating when I move out of the house and find my own residency. I wonder how students who work and study find quality time to date? The second though was my laptop cooler pad. It's dusty and I need to blow compressed air inside the pad.

Before class one student asked me did I finish my homework. I replied, "Almost." I forgot to ask him the same question to keep the small talk going :< Too much in my mind—always thinking =P

The instructor reviewed Chap 4 homework. He used Excel to review some of the problems. He included running totals below that was a great idea. I took some notes to reinforce my knowledge. The concepts seemed easy; however, my mind makes them complicated. The complication is another reminder when I was at San Jose State. The instructor finished the class lecturing Chap 5.

In the campus center, there was a student on my right eating curly fries and studying flash cards. He reminded me when I crammed a final at San Jose State. It was Spring Semester 1996. I crammed my Religion in American 190 final. The students got the questions. The final include some of the questions. I crammed in the library in the morning, ate lunch in the student union including eating curly fries, and finished cramming in the afternoon. The final was in the evening. My final grade was B+. What a miracle!

The Wed dance classes have been better than the Mon dance classes. The reasons include more people, easier dances to learn, and I know a few people. There were disruptions meaning those students who disrupt are having fun. The disruptions were small.

I'm growing up Finding Raymond Mar

Accutane Day 266

Yesterday I thought I saw another wart. I shaved and on my left side of my face and to the left of my eye there was a spot that bled and oil-like substance oozed out. It had the characteristics of a wart. I told the dermatologist and he saw nothing. He asked if there were an acne. I said there was one in my left arm pit, lol. I popped it because it was irritating. The acne was noted in my records.

The dermatologist continued to look at my face. There are granular (I think it's granular) acne on my forehead. I told him I apply moisturizer on my forehead to keep from drying. The moisturizer is the reason the granular acne appears. I sweat when I work out. Sweat and the moisturizer don't mix well. He said starting today apply moisturizer on my face when it's dry. If the face is not dry especially the forehead, don't apply moisturizer. It looks like I apply moisturizer on my face before I go to sleep. The weather is colder and drier.

I requested to receive 40mg of accutane instead of 20mg. The dermatologist approved. I have been taking accutane for nine months. The average time is six months. I need stronger dosage. If I experience eczema and/or severe dry skin, then I take the 40mg every other day. I continue to apply lip balm on my lips and moisturizer on my hands.

I'm growing up Finding Raymond Mar

A Top Must See Vacation Visiting USA's Best

USA Weekend Sep 18-20, 2009 published an article by Ken Burns "10 National Parks Every American Should See." I visited two of the ten. I like to visit as many as I can. I don't know about the Everglades because of Florida's weather. I still consider it.

*Yosemite. Located in California's Sierra Nevada. I visited in 1995.

*Yellowstone. Northwest Wyoming. The world's first national park. Old Faithful and Castle Geyser geysers.

*Grand Canyon. Arizona's best. Full of awe books and pictures does no justice.

*Denali. The tallest mountain on the continent officially called Mount McKinley in Alaska.

*Glacier. Glacier National Park located in Montana with peaks, lakes, and glaciers.

*Great Smoky Mountains. Located in western North Carolina and eastern Tennessee.

*Acadia. A national park translated in French as "heaven on Earth." Located along the Maine coast and Mount Desert Island.

*Everglades. South Florida's rivers with sawgrass, mangrove islands, and cypress swamps with hundreds of birds, alligators and crocodiles, and many exotic plants.

*Zion. Zion National Park in Utah. Park at the visitor's center and take buses up and down the canyon.

*Shenandoah. Shenandoah National Park located in Virginia. Ken Burns' personal favorite from his childhood.

I'm growing up Finding Raymond Mar

De Anza Week Oct 19, 2009

Mon Oct 19, 2009

I took my first mid-term at De Anza and my first after I graduated San Jose State in 1997. The mid-term was OK. I never say I did good, great, or aced it. If I know I did poorly, I say I did poorly and I treat myself to a vanilla shake, lol! Most of the questions were straight forward. There were some tricky questions I hoped I figured out.

I know I'm taking Accounting 1A, the basics of the basics. Throughout the first third of the quarter, I understood and comprehended the concepts either the first time or the second time from the lectures and/or from the readings. I felt smart—really smart. I never felt this smart ever in my life. These four weeks reminded me of a classmate at San Jose State. His name was Richard King. I took Calculus I, II, and III and C++ programming. He saved my ass many times. He rarely wrote notes. He focused on the lectures. Homework, quizzes, mid-terms, and finals he earned A's. I felt like Richard King. Of course, this is De Anza. What if I took basic accounting at San Jose State?!? Final word, maybe I'm focused because I'm mature compared to when I was a student at San Jose State. Another possibility is I eat breakfast everyday and I workout. I don't think the reason is I'm taking one class.

There was a surprised storm. The campus became wet in a matter of hours.

In dancing, we finished the Nite Club Two Step routine for the mandatory Dance Demonstration on Wed Dec 2. Girls or followers, let the guy or the leader lead. The next dance we learned was East Coast Swing. Two students stayed after class for practice and questions. I didn't. I had to leave to buy milk. I drink whole milk. Ballroom dancing is great. I hope more people learn how to dance. I have nobody to go social dancing with *cries*

Wed Oct 21, 2009

I arrived at class late. I knew there was no quiz so I was OK. The reason I was late is I played Japanese Mahjong online. I found a flash version and I played for two hours. Not good.

The mean was 78 and the median was 81. One of the students told me the students' mood was gloomy. Many students didn't do well. The instructor mentioned possible extra credit work and assured students most beginning accounting students don't do well in the first exam. Some of the students with low scores were understandable such as work and raising a family. The student who was laid off at Yahoo is a mother. My score? I aced it.

The rest of the class the instructor talked about the project. We are going to look at Wal-Mart's annual report and do a project on it. The requirements are straightforward. The project is due on the last day of class; however, we're not ready to start on the project because we still need to learn more accounting concepts.

The instructor didn't start lecturing Chap 4. The homework is due on Sat Oct 24. It looks like I'm on my own. I reread the chapter and start on the homework Thur morning.

We continued to practice the cha cha cha and we continued learning the fox trot. Lots of students arrived late. There were a few students who were rude when the instructor was teaching. I didn't stay afterwards for additional practice.

I'm growing up Finding Raymond Mar

It's Not All Academic

Most schools are failing our students to be successful in today's world and lifestyle. Here are my suggestions to improve, to innovate the classroom for education success.

*Physical Fitness. Physically fit is just as important as academics. Students concentrate better and can learn faster when they have lots of energy and stamina.

*Eat Properly. I bet one year's salary when I worked at Cisco my GPA at San Jose State is at least .3 points higher if I ate breakfast. I stopped eating breakfast the last three semesters. Bad idea. Today, I make sure I eat breakfast every day. I don't know how people function without breakfast.

Also, eat fruits and vegetables. Minimize processed foods. Eat healthy and you concentrate sharper in class.

*Work Smarter, Not Harder. Schools tell students working hard is the key to success. That's a good idea if working hard is giving you progress. The correct mentality is work smarter. Never stop innovating. Find ways to complete your work efficiently.

*See With Your Mind. Obi-Wan Kenobi said it best in Star Wars IV. Your eyes can deceive you, don't trust them. See with your mind, not with your eyes.

*You Must Have Friends. I was alone most of my senior year in high school. My senior year was not fun. You can't be successful being alone in life. You must have friends.

*Read a contemporary fiction book. Overall, the fiction books I read in my English class sucked. Today's fiction books give students a better idea how to live the world today. If you can read more, then do it.

*Listen To Classical Music. Listening to classical music improves your concentrating and makes your smarter. I don't understand how students study without listening to music. If students must listen to hip-hop, that's cool with me.

*Prepare to learn on your own. At Cisco, my manager gave me an assignment, told what was needed to be completed, and said to contact me with questions. The manager walked away. The manager didn't tell you how to complete the assignment. I was responsible to figure out how to complete the assignment. I was responsible to learn on my own. If I contacted my manager with questions, I got a response the next day.

The example above is how life is. You're responsible to learn by yourself. And you need friends (and family and acquaintances) in your life to help you. If you need to seek others for help, do it.

I'm growing up Finding Raymond Mar

It's OK I Want To Be Alone

The last two weeks I have the feeling I want to be alone, and it's OK. I believe it's normal to take a time out and spend time for yourself. I fear I lose my friends since I stop spending time with them. The scary feeling is normal, yet my fear wastes my time thinking about the untrue loss. I spend my Fri nights hanging out with my friends; however, the rest of my friends I neither hang out with them nor keep in touch in quite a while. Moreover, I haven't updated my Facebook, posted in forums I'm active, and I haven't logged on to AIM in a long, long time—since Apr.

I experienced the feeling I wanted to be alone in the past. The last time was in late Dec'08 and Jan'09. The good news is the feeling is temporarily. There have been stumbles:

*I applied whitestripes to whiten my teeth. I peeled the strip from the liner and some of the whitening liquid remained on the liner.

*I hiked at Castle Rock State Park on Fri Oct 9. My car got stuck in a ditch. I called AAA for a tow truck. I waited one hour. Also, I almost got sick and I skipped a workout at the gym.

*I have been clumsy dropping keys, clothes, food when I cook, papers, pens, deodorant (yes, I dropped it and the deodorant stick cracked), bottle water, and much more.

*I purchased costume supplies for my next costume or cosplay. The buttons were not what I expected.

I keep myself upbeat, positive, and moving along daily. I'm going with the flow. I'm watching anime again. I watched Cloudy With A Chance Of Meatballs and Where The Wild Things Are movies. I purchased a pair of jeans I never worn since Summer'05. I'm brushing my teeth left handed. Two friends challenged me to learn Japanese Mah Jong in ten days. And I realized my cell phone records video.

I keep myself busy. I update my Facebook and post in the forums soon. Maybe I find time to log on to AIM and see who pings me or surprise some by pinging them. I still keep myself open to meeting new people and making new friends. I gotta learn Japanese Mah Jong, finish anime series I'm behind, continue working out, attend classes, write blogs ^__^, and seek new adventures and experiences. More importantly, it's not Accutane making me depressed.

I'm growing up Finding Raymond Mar

Do You Have Fire Extinguishers?

Let's do a residence safety check. Do you have fire extinguishers? My house has four fire extinguishers? One in the kitchen, one in the dining room, one in family room where there is a wood burning stove, and one in my room on the second floor.

If you don't have fire extinguishers, go to Costco or a hardware store and buy fire extinguishers at least one in each floor. If you live in an apartment, buy one even though landlords must provide an extinguisher outdoors. Prevent the nightmare of a fire destroying your personal belongings and possessions. Buy fire extinguishers. Save your life and save your residence!

I'm growing up Finding Raymond Mar

De Anza Week Oct 12, 2009

Mon Oct 12, 2009

I shopped at Borders before I attended class. I wanted to buy the Japanese comic (manga) D.Gray Man Volume 12. Borders didn't have it. I shop another Borders between Accounting and Social Dance.

The instructor lectured Chap 3. I was half asleep. I woke up when the instructor talked about the continued budget in California. He predicted Michigan is the first state to declare bankruptcy. He ended the class reviewing Chap 3 homework. He finished the review and review Chap 1-3 for the first mid-term on Wed class.

The instructor engages the class by asking questions to the students. Sometimes the questions are good, sometimes the questions are obvious, and sometimes the questions are cheesy. Regardless, the class stays focused for the most part. That's OK with me. He's not boring.

I drove to another Borders after Accounting. I drove on a street that led me to my kindergarten and first grade school. There is a park before the school. The playground that was there when I was a child is still there. Wow!

The second Borders store didn't have Volume 12. WTH?!? I purchased Volume 14 with a 40% coupon and $5.00 Borders Bucks. I walked to the children's section and saw a display for the movie Where The Wild Things Are. Cell phone pic below:


In dance class, we finished the Nite Club Two Step we perform at the Dance Demonstration on Wed Dec 2. The class needs more practice, and I mean it. More practice. I need more practice. It seemed everyone was busy and nobody stayed afterwards to practice. The girls must trust the guys to lead. Maybe that's why the divorce rate is around 50%. The girls need to trust the guys to lead and the guys need to be a man and lead ^__^ Everything goes both ways. It's just like in accounting where assets must balance with liabilities and owner's equity. Debits must balance with credits. OK, I stop now and go again another day, lol!

Wed Oct 14, 2009

I drove to De Anza at 2:55pm and I arrived at De Anza in 20 minutes. That was the fastest I arrived. Usually the drive has been 25-30 minutes because of signal lights and traffic. I waited 10 minutes for the instructor to arrive.

The instructor finished reviewing Chap 3 homework. I completed the homework before class. There was some challenge and it took a long time. I understood the review and it looks like I’m ready for the mid-term on Mon Oct 19. I still want to study and review and don't take what I already know for the mid term granted. The second half of the class the instructor reviewed the material. No problem on the review. I wrote some concepts to emphasize my understanding.

There was a delay in Social Dance. The projector screen was down on the stage. It seemed the speaker or maintenance forgot to raise the projector screen up. We finished practicing the Cha Cha Cha chorography. Now it's practice and practice. The instructor started teaching us the Fox Trot. Awesome! I stayed after class as usual and got some corrections for the Nite Club Two Step.

Side Note: There was a power outage at De Anza yesterday. I walked around campus and there were debris and water puddles from yesterday's big storm.

I'm growing up Finding Raymond Mar

Show and Tell

Remember in grade school the teacher asked all students to bring something from home to school? We show the item to our classmates and tell them what the item is? Show and Tell is a simple way to teach how to communicate, how to describe, how to stand up in front of an audience and talk, how to interact with others when the classmates ask questions, and how to ask questions.

I'm confident Show and Tell is used in grade schools. How about at home? Are the parents teaching Show and Tell indirectly? For example, at the dinner table, Mom or Dad ask their son or daughter about something, anything such as a stuffed animal, video game, doll, sports, book, glass, and the son or daughter must tell about it. If yes, congrats parents, you're doing a good job? If no, parents, get your heads out of your asses and start parenting.

I'm growing up Finding Raymond Mar

Accutane Day 236 Follow Up

I got my Accutane on Tue Oct 6. My insurance company didn't contact Costco pharmacy. The pharmacist entered the number code and I got full coverage. I picked up my Accutane, thank the pharmacists, and headed out. The manager walked up to the register and told me customers shouldn't experience what I experienced. It was wrong.

I'm growing up Finding Raymond Mar

De Anza Week Oct 5, 2009

Mon Oct 5, 2009

I went to the post office, returned rice to Smart & Final (it's not a big deal, Mom), and shopped for jeans at Kohl's in the morning and early afternoon. The last time I wore jeans was in 2005. I forgot how jeans are durable and comfortable XD I ate a quick lunch and headed to class.

I arrived in class just in time for the quiz. The questions were straightforward, and if a student either attended the Wed Sep 30 or read Chap 2, the quiz was an easy 100% score. The rest of the class the instructor finished Chap 2 and started reviewing Chap 2 homework. If I didn't read Chap 2 last Sat, I write more and messy notes, lol. Today's lecture was a good example to read ahead and do the homework. I completed half of the homework. It was all reinforcement of Chap 2 concepts for me. The instructor gave the students a one week extension for Chap 1 homework because some students had trouble logging on to the website to submit the homework.

I finish Chap 2 homework tonight.

I walked around the first floor of the Campus Center. I saw a poster on bi-polar. There was a study taking place in Palo Alto, and the study was looking for volunteers. Pics taken with my cell phone camera.


I had to eat again. Bring a banana next time.

Dance class the instructor returned after missing last week. We continued the nite club two step. We learned new moves. The instructor told us something about dance events I thought was good information. Dance is a conversation itself. There is no talking, except for small talk. Dancing most of the time there is no talking. Your attend a dance event, check in your coat or put your coat somewhere, dance with people, and leave. The exception is meeting a person or people and going with them afterwards; otherwise, most of the time you leave by yourself. The instructor has been dancing for at least 20 years including at dance events. She knows many people and doesn't know their last names at the dance events.

The instructor emphasized the man (or leader if same sex dance) must lead. The right arm must be confident, strong, firm, and knows what's going on. Eye contact with the woman (or follower if same sex dance) is a key.

Wed Oct 7, 2009

One thing lead to another. Yesterday I did errands most of the day I didn't finish Chap 2. I'm taking one class with homework and exams and I couldn't even finish it. Pathetic!

Before lunch, I worked on Chap 2 homework. I'm almost done. Then I ate lunch hoping I don't eat at the cafeteria.

The instructor reviewed Chap 2 homework and gave us the solutions. I paid no attention to the review because I finished the homework and I rather learn from my mistakes instead of the instructor giving me the answers. The rest of the class he discussed Chap 3 accrual and deferrals. The class approved delaying the first exam from Wed Oct 14 to Mon Oct 19.

I talked to two students who sat on my left. One of the student has a computer science degree laidoff from Yahoo. The second student attends San Jose State and De Anza. Both of them like me are considering accounting as a second degree or change in major. I told them my story my contract at Cisco was terminated.

Wed dance class the instructor taught us more cha cha cha. We learned the basic cha cha cha moving vertically and practice the chase, a common move my sister told me. Monday and tonight's class very few stayed afterwards to practice. It seems everyone was busy. I wrote on paper the new moves I learned immediately at home.

I want to finish Chap 3 homework before Mon Oct 12 to have one week to study for my first mid-term since I graduated San Jose State in 1997.

I'm growing up Finding Raymond Mar

De Anza Week Sept 28, 2009

Mon Sep 28, 2009

I drove to De Anza from my house at 2:50pm. To repeat, it's faster to drive to De Anza on surface streets instead of freeway. On Wed Sep 30, there were so many cars I forgot there was a clean green light. I didn't want to be late because I almost missed the quiz.

I arrived in plenty of time. It appears there is no class before my class. Everyone waited for the instructor to open the room. The instructor arrived at 3:27pm. The students settled in and the instructor asked as a quiz question. If a student read the first 5 pages or attended the lectures, the question was easy to answer. After the quiz, the instructor reviewed the homework. I don't know why he reviewed the homework because the green sheet said the homework is due on Sat Oct 3. I finished reading Chap 1 and I'm ready to complete the homework. I ignored most of the lecture and wrote down information not related to Chap 1. For example, he talked about how Oracle submitted falsified financial statements. I wrote down how Oracle did. I say it was genius. The final ten minutes he started on Chap 2.

FOB = Freight On Board

I headed to the Campus Center. I choose to keep my car in the parking garage instead of parking my car near the Visual Arts Center. I wrote Blogs. There was a student who asked me about WiFi and her Mac laptop seemed to not work. I asked questions trying to diagnose the problem. She tried the library to access the internet. I think the problem was she has a Mac laptop.

I brought my dancing shoes for Social Dance. The instructor was out for the week because she has work for her dance company. There was supposed to be a substitute. He couldn't make it. Half of the class attended because an email was sent informing the students the class was cancelled.

The instructor's assistant taught the class. The assistant's husband helped, too. Before class started, I talked to one student taking a singing class. I asked for more information because when I play Rock Band, I'm vocals. We reviewed the Nite-Club Two Step for half of the class. The other half of the class some students danced other dances. I danced the Waltz and Fox Trot with a couple of students.

Wed Sep 30, 2009

There was no quiz today in Accounting 1A. I must complete the Chap 1 homework tonight. The instructor lectured Chapter 2. Some of the information was straight forward. Some was not and I need to read the chapter. Cooke Cutter Accounting is a company takes profit from one quarter financials to use for quarter financials. There was one student who kept asking questions. The student needed to think more, or maybe he was thinking too much. The questions were good. The timing was bad because the instructor needed to stop his lectures too many times.

I talked to a classmate about the Chap 1 homework. She said it was straightforward and easy to complete online. Tonight, I create my account and complete the homework. I don't know how I'm going to use the homework to study since I only need the answers.

Here is a pic of the table I sat in the Campus Center. If you can't see the pic, it's a happy cloud made out of salt. I took the pic with my cell phone camera.


There was a substitute in dance. The substitute, with all due respect to the regular instructor, was better. He was detailed, funny, and controlled the flow of the class. We learned a new move for the Cha Cha Cha. I wonder if the regular instructor incorporates the move in the chorography for the upcoming Dance Demonstration event.

I want to thank Joseph for the DVD copy of Dancing With The Stars Week 1 first episode =)

Side Note: I forgot to mention my Accounting instructor is left handed ^__^

I'm growing up Finding Raymond Mar

Personal Feedback At Anime Expo 2009

I finished all the Anime Expo (AX) cosplay pics and uploaded to my webpage. I thought about my experiences at AX while editing the pics. I had my share of positive and negative experiences. I thought about my negative experiences and how I solve them for AX 2010, and use the solutions for my daily life.

Hotel. The hotel problems are easily solved. I'm not staying at the Westin because the room was small. I bring my fragile cosplay myself including my wigs if I can. The bellhop dropped my wigs.

I bring food instead of buying food in the hotel and finding a store to buy food. The restaurants prices were reasonable; however, I saved more money if I brought food. One of my friends told me of a good store close to the convention center. I use the store for emergencies.

Being Alone. The biggest worry was being alone. Day 1 was the day I was alone most of the time. I was afraid I don't find my friends. I was afraid I don't meet any new people. Both fears were a waste of my time and waste of my energy. I hung out with my friends and I met new people. There were a few times my friends called me to check up on me. I felt wanted and I appreciated the calls.

I wanted to post at least 1,000 cosplay pics. I was successful. I could have taken more pics if I just spent my time alone taking cosplay pics and not worry about being left behind from my friends and not worry about meeting new people. I made the same mistake at the 2009 San Francisco Cherry Blossoms Festival. I worried too much and I had time being alone I could have walked around taking cosplay pics; although, San Francisco was in the low 90s and I was so hot and I was tired =P

Not Being Myself. There were moments I was not myself. I forgot the friendly, easy going me. There were times I was cocky. There were times I was speaking too loud and laughing too loud. There were times I said something without thinking. I didn't want everyone to forget me. I forgot the lesson I learned at Cherry Blossoms: trust myself and don't be a stuck up. Cheer up and don't be a stuck up.

AX'09 was a good con. I had a good time. I need cosplay upgrades next year. And I correct my mistakes. Oh, and I hope the weather is cooler next time, too.

I'm growing up Finding Raymond Mar

Accutane Day 236

It's been a long time since my last Accutane blog update. My dermatologist made me wait six weeks for today's appointment because my Accutane supply was greater than 30 days. Mon Sep 28's appointment was routine. There is a big acne on my lower forehead above my left eye. The acne has been on my face at least 10 days. And blackheads continue to appear on my nose *sniff, sniff* My dermatologist said Accutane shrinks the oil glands. Acne and blackheads still appear on my face at a much lesser degree. I have bad genetics. I have big oil glands and I still have acne and blackheads.

I have an option to double the strength from 20mg a day to 40mg a day. My dermatologist talked me against doubling; however, I have the choice to double. The reason I should stay at 20mg is because I had bad eczema and dry face skin during the summer. I remain patient and take the 20mg. There is no timeline when I stop taking Accutane.

I went to Costco to receive my next 30 day supply of Accutane. I thought about my bad genetics and my big oil glands. I said to myself, "I rather have big oil glands than a bad back. A handsome actor's face doesn't save me from running from a fire in a building, lol." I waited for my prescription by shopping for lunch and dinner. I walked up to the pharmacy cash register to get my prescription. There was a problem. I asked for information what is the problem. The pharmacy manager explained the process how Costco Pharmacy gets reimbursed from the insurance company. My insurance company isn't paying for my Accutane. He said my problem is "not unusual." Costco Pharmacy submitted a request to my insurance company to investigate why I'm not getting my drug coverage. I contact Costco Pharmacy on Wed Sep 30. The pharmacist also said drug prices change daily.

I post an update to the drug problem.

I'm growing up Finding Raymond Mar

De Anza Week Sept 21, 2009

Mon Sep 21, 2009

The first day of school. I'm taking Financial Accounting 1A 3:30pm-5:40pm and Social Dance 24A 7:00pm-8:40pm Mondays and Wednesdays. I'm taking accounting because accounting may be my second major. I plan to transfer to San Jose State majoring in accounting (or something else). I'm taking dancing because dancing is one of my favorite and newest hobbies thanks to my sister.

I arrived at 2:30pm to secure parking. Plenty of parking. I parked in the garage to keep the car cool. The weather was hot! I walked around the lecture buildings to find my room. No problem. I walked to Campus Center to stay cool. The main areas were packed with students. I found an open bench downstairs and rested. I saw a list of clubs in De Anza. There was an anime club listed; unfortunately, there were no meetings. Even if there was a meeting, I doubt I join. I check out the De Anza clubs. The website is http://www.deanza.edu/clubs.

I walked to accounting at 3:25pm. I entered the room and sat in the front row. I wore my driving glasses to see the white board and projector clearer. The instructor has been teaching part time for 10 years. He works part time and has an MBA. Homework is turned in online or hard copy. It's the first time I complete homework online. Times have changed.

After class, I walked to my car and I reparked closer to the bookstore and the Visual Arts Center where the dancing class is taught. I kept my laptop in the trunk because backpacks were prohibited inside the bookstore. The accounting textbook is actually papers that needed a binder to keep together. The cost is $65 $-( I walked out of the bookstore after waiting a long time in line I saw Chun. I was surprised to see him because I thought he attended De Anza Tues and Thur. I got his scheduled confused. We chatted a bit and he told me about his classes.

Chun went to his night class and I walked back to my car to put my accounting book in the trunk. I saw Phong walking out of a classroom. Phong tried to add a night class. No go. We hung out for the rest of the six o'clock hour. We both walked back to my car. I dropped off my accounting book and I picked up my laptop.

Phong and I split up at 6:55pm. I had my dance class at 7pm. I saw three classmates from my Spring '09 class. The instructor and her assistants were back. We are learning the Nite Club Two Step. In Spring '09, there was no dance lesson on the first day. Tonight, there was. I also saw a classmate from my Japanese class in Spring '09. She said about half of the students dropped. And there was a student who spoke Japanese. Coincidentally, they were next to each other as the ladies switch partners.

One requirement was to attend a dance show. The ticket was $17. I paid my $17 and a few classmates and I purchased tickets for the Fri Oct 2 show. Finally, I signed up for the Wed class via the add code. I attend both Mon and Wed night dance classes. My sister approved!

Wed Sep 23, 2009

Man, what's with the cars! I drive surface streets to De Anza from my house. The freeway takes longer. I arrived at class five minutes late and just in time for the quiz. The quiz was lighthearted and a great way to take attendance. Teachers, take note of another way to take attendance.

The class voted on Mon for no breaks. I voted for a break. The class starts at 3:30pm and ends at 5:25pm instead of 5:40pm. Today's class I almost went out. I went out just in time when the lecture was almost over. The instructor finished lecturing Chapter 1 on the introduction of accounting including what is accounting and the basic accounting principle.

I always sit in the Campus Center between accounting and dance classes. I work on my blogs and surf the web. I purchase food if I'm hungry that actually happened =( I'm trying to save money $-) I bring snacks from home. Usually, I repark my car closer to the Visual Arts Center. Today, I keep my car in the parking garage because of the hot weather.

The dance class we are learning the cha cha cha—again, at least for me and a few classmates from Spring '09. It's good ^^ Great to review and to improve my cha cha cha. There were a few students from Mon's class taking the Wed's class. I recognized a few. Next week's dance class I wear my dancing shoes.

Side note: If I find a job, I drop my accounting class.

I'm growing up Finding Raymond Mar

I Remember That Guy

This blog entry is delicate and fragile. I do my best to write without offending anyone. If I do, I apologize in advanced. I'm going to type as is without proofreading.

I was at Costco on Thur Sep 17 buying dinner. I paid for the groceries and walked to the exit. I pass by the food court on my right. I saw a group of mentally and physically handicapped people. I recognized one of the people in the group. He went to my junior high and high school.

I thought about how he's living life today. He lives his life fully dependent 24/7. Comparing my life with other people is a no-no, yet I still do it when I converse with people. My life is good compared with him. I bet he rather be laid off, little money, and going back to school than living mentally and physically handicapped. I saw him alone everytime I walked around campus. He talked with himself, shook his body, and needed a walker. He must be with other people for mental, physical, emotional, financial, and probably spiritual needs. He's not going to get a job. It's highly likely he's going to get married. He can't drive a car. He can't even travel to a foreign country on vacation assuming he can't ride an airplane.

Yeah, something to think about.

I'm growing up Finding Raymond Mar

What Is The Number One Problem Possibly Throughout The World?

I ask the question to hundreds of people and I get a variety of answers. Some answers are poverty, hunger, the economy, AIDS, health care, global warming, over-population, illiteracy, depletion of natural resources, and education.

Those are good answers. My answer is loneliness. There are plenty of lonely people. If you feel you're the only lonely person in the world, then you're wrong.

We experience the lonely feeling. Many of us deny loneliness because it's powerful that pauses our lives, makes us depress, lose interest in our daily lives, and we want to be alone even though we want to be with our friends and family. How ironic.

It's normal to experience the lonely feeling. I experience the lonely feeling at least two times a month, and I have family and friends. The lonely feeling is temporarily. The feeling disappears. I keep myself busy and remember my family and friends.

It's impossible to live life alone. I never understand how hermits live. I must have human interaction. I must have people in my life. My success, my experiences, my adventures, and my growth depend on people.

Everywhere I walk, everywhere I visit, every place I shop, sometimes I feel like I'm the only person alone. I see other people with other people together. I feel I'm the only person alone in the world is false. I have bad luck meeting people like me—wanting to meet new people and make new friends. There are millions of lonely people who want to make new friends. I have my family, and many people think I have lots of friends. I actually don't. I just want to meet new people and make more friends. Everyone must have that attitude and thinking. I believe there is no such thing as having too many friends.

What is the solution to not be lonely anymore? It's not simple; otherwise, loneliness doesn't exist. The solution takes time and can take money. Common solutions are volunteer, find a group with a common interest or a common hobby and join their club or association, and attend an outdoor event such as a festival. Those solutions are good assuming you're a person who gets along well with others, a good conversationalist, sincere, true to yourself, a person in good company, and not a jerk, creep, weirdo, idiot, faker, and/or bitch.

If you experience the lonely feeling constantly like the feeling happens daily or is chronic, then chances are you need significant changes in your life (or it's a medical condition?). You must ask serious questions. Need new clothes? Lose weight? Read books? Watch too much TV? Spend little time keeping up with the current events? Learn a new skill? Lack adventures?

For me, I continue to meet new people and make new friends. I continue to improve myself socially to attract people and be a "there he is person." I continue to be a better person on the outside such as being in good health and working out, and dressing well. I continue to be a better person on the inside such as reading books, staying informed, and learning new skills.

We live in the information age where it's easier to communicate including email, cell phones, blogs, instant messaging, and social network sties. However, nothing replaces the need, the want, the desire, the necessity for human physical interaction, human face to face contact, and the human touch. Being with humans is a must to live our lives to the fullest and to assure ourselves we live our life for other people and they live our lives for us. We are not alone. All is one and one is all.

I'm growing up Finding Raymond Mar