I'm up in the air!
Friday, December 24, 2010
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Thursday, October 21, 2010
Big Red Ambition: 44 Things This Cornellian Did
(Note: An article in today's Cornell Daily Sun inspired me to write this blog post)
There's a list of 161 things that every Cornellian should do. Now that graduation is over (nearly 5 months over, actually), it might be a good time to reflect and comment on items of that list from my personal experience. So, in numerical order:
11. Go sake bombing in Collegetown (for the over-21 crowd only!).
I was wearing a red Dragon Day shirt that day too. Ironic for an Asian person going sake bombing.
12. Order ice cream at the Dairy Bar.
One day, our ENGRG 150 class walked to the Dairy Bar and ordered ice cream for everyone out of the course budget.
14. Listen to a full chimes concert from the clock tower and guess the songs played.
Well, I have listened to 3 chimes songs from the top of the clock tower. I'm not saying that they're bad at playing music (quite opposite that, in fact), but I don't recognize most of the songs they play, likely due to my lack of popular culture knowledge.
20. Play frisbee on the Arts Quad.
Quite a common activity, especially during junior and senior years. An equally-viable alternative location would be the Engineering Quad.
25. Bomb a prelim.
Yes. Especially if final exams count too.
31. Enjoy Ithaca's two months of warm weather by spending a summer here.
Summer after freshman year. It was really warm during the summer.
33. Watch the AAP students parade down East Avenue on Dragon Day.
To tell the truth, the AAP dragon >> ENG phoenix.
34. Enjoy corn nuggets at the Nines.
I have had corn nuggets at the Nines on more than one occassion, and I have enjoyed them thoroughly.
35. Build a snow penis, or count how many you see around campus.
Both, actually. I'll omit pictures here.
48. Have dinner at a professor's house.
During junior year's ENGRG 1050 class, as a peer advisor for the class of freshmen. We had chicken parm at the professor's house, and listened to cool stories all night long.
49. Get wasted at a professor's house.
Not really "wasted," but had some dranks at a professor's house, along with most other people in the class.
62. Go to Wegmans on a Friday or Saturday night.
What can I say? Food is important.
66. See the brain collection in Uris Hall.
Arriving too early for class in Uris Hall, I'd wander the halls and stare at brains in jars behind a glass display.
69. Take part in a psychology experiment.
Quick and easy way to make $5 at a time.
73. Ace a prelim.
I think "ace" is a universally-agreed synonym for getting 100% or higher. Only three instances of this though.
76. Eat in the Risley dining hall.
Ate there once for dinner during freshman year. It was meh.
77. Play at least one game of Texas hold-'em.
Does online count? During sophomore year Taylor and I played on Facebook often.
84. Go bowling at Helen Newman Lanes.
Fun physical activity, just like frisbee on a quad.
85. Hand out quartercards on Ho Plaza.
Thanks CSA for giving me several opportunities to perform this envious task.
86. Take an unplanned nap in the library.
I think this speaks for itself.
90. Boys: Get thrown out of Balch Hall.
Fun fact: if you are unaccompanied by a female resident inside Balch Hall, the RA's will escort you out the door. Literally.
93. Walk to the Commons and back.
This was usually done during university breaks or for the law school's Trial Advocacy Finale that I had to videotape. I did walk past the Commons to Kinko's to print CSA membership cards on more than one occassion though.
96. Eat pizza at the Nines.
It's difficult to surpass the excellence that is Nines pizza.
98. Drink bubble tea.
Countless times. Usually on a whim too, like when someone randomly suggests "wanna get bubble tea?!" while walking home from class or studying. It was at Cornell that I learned what bubble tea is (freshman year fall break).
99. Eat a Pinesburger.
I did eat a Pinesburger once, which was followed immediately by three more Pinesburgers, my photo on the wall, and a Glenwood Pines t-shirt.
100. Walk to a fraternity party with your entire freshman floor.
It actually wasn't my freshman floor, but once upon a time I did go to a frat party with Mickey's freshman floor.
106. See a concert at Barton Hall.
It was a free concert, so it wasn't anything like All-American Rejects or Maroon 5. It was a concert at Barton Hall nonetheless, and it was pretty cool.
108. Eat brunch on North Campus.
This was a frequent activity when I lived on North Campus.
109. Do your Freshman Reading Project before you graduate.
I did the freshman reading project before freshman orientation, back when I tried to be a good student.
112. Go ice skating at Lynah Rink.
My only time ice skating, ever.
118. Make a chalking; weep when it rains that night.
Thanks again CSA for the opportunity.
120. Meet Bill Nye '77, "The Science Guy," and give him a hug.
Well, I didn't actually meet him nor give him a hug, but during fall break junior year I spotted Bill Nye from across an empty and dark Upson Hall.
121. See how long you can go without doing laundry.
This was another frequent activity, although unintentional. It was usually no more than 10 days I can last without doing laundry.
127. Go to the Pyramid Mall, realize it is severely lacking, then drive to Carousel Mall in Syracuse.
The only times I went to Pyramid Mall was to buy stuff at Target or to watch a movie. Carousel Mall was pretty cool, especially watching Stephen build a Lego tower at the toy store only to have to come crashing to the ground. Don't worry, we cleaned up the place afterward.
128. Eat mongo at RPCC.
Probably the only reason I'd ever eat at RPCC after freshman year.
129. Attend Cross Country Gourmet at a dining hall near you.
These did not live up to their hype and characteristic long waiting lines.
130. Complain about your writing seminar to no one in particular.
I complained during the fall semester, but little did I know that writing seminar was nothing compared to the one during the spring semester.
136. Go to a coffee house in JAM.
Went to one of these when Mickey lived in JAM. Watched people play music in a room.
138. Watch people play Dance Dance Revolution in Appel.
Usually, I also participaed in DDR in Appel.
146. Wake up at 6a.m. for CoursEnroll, realize that it is still better than waiting outside Barton.
Who would have guessed that waking up at 6 AM in college was near-impossible, even though I did so everyday in high school?
151. Take the BASICS program.
What a joke.
153. Walk to class in the snow, uphill both ways.
Story of my life, especially during freshman year.
156. Eat at each dining hall at least once.
Appel, RPCC, Risley, Cook, Becker, Bethe, Rose, Keeton, Okenshields, Jewish Living Center...did I miss any?
161. Climb all 161 steps to the top of McGraw Tower.
Well worth the climb, in my opinion. Great photo opportunities at the top.
----------------------------------------
So, that's something like 44 out of 161 items. At that rate I'd need to be at Cornell for ~16 years before I exhaust the list.
There's a list of 161 things that every Cornellian should do. Now that graduation is over (nearly 5 months over, actually), it might be a good time to reflect and comment on items of that list from my personal experience. So, in numerical order:
11. Go sake bombing in Collegetown (for the over-21 crowd only!).
I was wearing a red Dragon Day shirt that day too. Ironic for an Asian person going sake bombing.
12. Order ice cream at the Dairy Bar.
One day, our ENGRG 150 class walked to the Dairy Bar and ordered ice cream for everyone out of the course budget.
14. Listen to a full chimes concert from the clock tower and guess the songs played.
Well, I have listened to 3 chimes songs from the top of the clock tower. I'm not saying that they're bad at playing music (quite opposite that, in fact), but I don't recognize most of the songs they play, likely due to my lack of popular culture knowledge.
20. Play frisbee on the Arts Quad.
Quite a common activity, especially during junior and senior years. An equally-viable alternative location would be the Engineering Quad.
25. Bomb a prelim.
Yes. Especially if final exams count too.
31. Enjoy Ithaca's two months of warm weather by spending a summer here.
Summer after freshman year. It was really warm during the summer.
33. Watch the AAP students parade down East Avenue on Dragon Day.
To tell the truth, the AAP dragon >> ENG phoenix.
34. Enjoy corn nuggets at the Nines.
I have had corn nuggets at the Nines on more than one occassion, and I have enjoyed them thoroughly.
35. Build a snow penis, or count how many you see around campus.
Both, actually. I'll omit pictures here.
48. Have dinner at a professor's house.
During junior year's ENGRG 1050 class, as a peer advisor for the class of freshmen. We had chicken parm at the professor's house, and listened to cool stories all night long.
49. Get wasted at a professor's house.
Not really "wasted," but had some dranks at a professor's house, along with most other people in the class.
62. Go to Wegmans on a Friday or Saturday night.
What can I say? Food is important.
66. See the brain collection in Uris Hall.
Arriving too early for class in Uris Hall, I'd wander the halls and stare at brains in jars behind a glass display.
69. Take part in a psychology experiment.
Quick and easy way to make $5 at a time.
73. Ace a prelim.
I think "ace" is a universally-agreed synonym for getting 100% or higher. Only three instances of this though.
76. Eat in the Risley dining hall.
Ate there once for dinner during freshman year. It was meh.
77. Play at least one game of Texas hold-'em.
Does online count? During sophomore year Taylor and I played on Facebook often.
84. Go bowling at Helen Newman Lanes.
Fun physical activity, just like frisbee on a quad.
85. Hand out quartercards on Ho Plaza.
Thanks CSA for giving me several opportunities to perform this envious task.
86. Take an unplanned nap in the library.
I think this speaks for itself.
90. Boys: Get thrown out of Balch Hall.
Fun fact: if you are unaccompanied by a female resident inside Balch Hall, the RA's will escort you out the door. Literally.
93. Walk to the Commons and back.
This was usually done during university breaks or for the law school's Trial Advocacy Finale that I had to videotape. I did walk past the Commons to Kinko's to print CSA membership cards on more than one occassion though.
96. Eat pizza at the Nines.
It's difficult to surpass the excellence that is Nines pizza.
98. Drink bubble tea.
Countless times. Usually on a whim too, like when someone randomly suggests "wanna get bubble tea?!" while walking home from class or studying. It was at Cornell that I learned what bubble tea is (freshman year fall break).
99. Eat a Pinesburger.
I did eat a Pinesburger once, which was followed immediately by three more Pinesburgers, my photo on the wall, and a Glenwood Pines t-shirt.
100. Walk to a fraternity party with your entire freshman floor.
It actually wasn't my freshman floor, but once upon a time I did go to a frat party with Mickey's freshman floor.
106. See a concert at Barton Hall.
It was a free concert, so it wasn't anything like All-American Rejects or Maroon 5. It was a concert at Barton Hall nonetheless, and it was pretty cool.
108. Eat brunch on North Campus.
This was a frequent activity when I lived on North Campus.
109. Do your Freshman Reading Project before you graduate.
I did the freshman reading project before freshman orientation, back when I tried to be a good student.
112. Go ice skating at Lynah Rink.
My only time ice skating, ever.
118. Make a chalking; weep when it rains that night.
Thanks again CSA for the opportunity.
120. Meet Bill Nye '77, "The Science Guy," and give him a hug.
Well, I didn't actually meet him nor give him a hug, but during fall break junior year I spotted Bill Nye from across an empty and dark Upson Hall.
121. See how long you can go without doing laundry.
This was another frequent activity, although unintentional. It was usually no more than 10 days I can last without doing laundry.
127. Go to the Pyramid Mall, realize it is severely lacking, then drive to Carousel Mall in Syracuse.
The only times I went to Pyramid Mall was to buy stuff at Target or to watch a movie. Carousel Mall was pretty cool, especially watching Stephen build a Lego tower at the toy store only to have to come crashing to the ground. Don't worry, we cleaned up the place afterward.
128. Eat mongo at RPCC.
Probably the only reason I'd ever eat at RPCC after freshman year.
129. Attend Cross Country Gourmet at a dining hall near you.
These did not live up to their hype and characteristic long waiting lines.
130. Complain about your writing seminar to no one in particular.
I complained during the fall semester, but little did I know that writing seminar was nothing compared to the one during the spring semester.
136. Go to a coffee house in JAM.
Went to one of these when Mickey lived in JAM. Watched people play music in a room.
138. Watch people play Dance Dance Revolution in Appel.
Usually, I also participaed in DDR in Appel.
146. Wake up at 6a.m. for CoursEnroll, realize that it is still better than waiting outside Barton.
Who would have guessed that waking up at 6 AM in college was near-impossible, even though I did so everyday in high school?
151. Take the BASICS program.
What a joke.
153. Walk to class in the snow, uphill both ways.
Story of my life, especially during freshman year.
156. Eat at each dining hall at least once.
Appel, RPCC, Risley, Cook, Becker, Bethe, Rose, Keeton, Okenshields, Jewish Living Center...did I miss any?
161. Climb all 161 steps to the top of McGraw Tower.
Well worth the climb, in my opinion. Great photo opportunities at the top.
----------------------------------------
So, that's something like 44 out of 161 items. At that rate I'd need to be at Cornell for ~16 years before I exhaust the list.
Thursday, September 30, 2010
Brobots
Recently I began "mentoring" a short-term (6-week) robotics project for a local high school (Southwest Early College, in downtown Denver). The project is organized by Rocky Mountain BEST. This would be the first time that I've worked directly with inner city high school students. I had another potential chance to work with inner city schools with Teach For America, but at that time I wasn't sure about working such a job.
So far I've attended the local RMBEST kickoff meeting and two of the after-school meetings with the students, and I think the teacher leading the project said it best: "these students have character." Sure, most of them aren't gunning for four-year colleges after graduation, but that doesn't make them any less interesting as people and fun to work with (albeit challenging at times). Sometimes, it's worth it to see "the other side" and experience it yourself.
So far I've attended the local RMBEST kickoff meeting and two of the after-school meetings with the students, and I think the teacher leading the project said it best: "these students have character." Sure, most of them aren't gunning for four-year colleges after graduation, but that doesn't make them any less interesting as people and fun to work with (albeit challenging at times). Sometimes, it's worth it to see "the other side" and experience it yourself.
Saturday, June 26, 2010
Bytes of News
- Some things never change. During the winter break 2009 rush for CUSat, I volunteered myself as "food lead," gathering everyone's dinner order everyday, then calling in the order for delivery. I think we tried every delivery restaurant in Ithaca over the course of 2 weeks. Yesterday at work, we decided to order Chinese food from down the street, and once again I went around the office asking people what they wanted, then called in the order. < / coolstory >
- After a 4-year hiatus of reading a book for fun (last book I read for fun was Message in a Bottle, back in 2006), I've picked up reading again, starting with In the Lake of the Woods. Like what many of the reviews say, the story can become quite chilling at times, but is very well-written and tends to keep you guessing and reading. Then there's the fact that the author leaves the central mystery of the story unresolved, and instead offers a few different hypotheses for what might have happened, with plenty of evidence to back up all hypotheses while simultaneously not refuting any of them. I must say that I thoroughly enjoyed the book, especially its ideas regarding human nature.
- I'm starting to realize that I can relate to more and more of the media that I immerse myself into (movies, books, etc.). It's like a wake-up call for myself to recognize my perceived shortcomings and do something about it.
Saturday, May 22, 2010
Before Sunrise/Before Sunset
Ever since classwork has finished (since Tuesday 5/18!), I've been watching movies more frequently than I usually do. Those who know me well know that I (usually) watch so few movies during an entire year that I can count them all on my fingers. Maybe on fingers of one hand.
Among the movies that I watched (and convinced some friends to reluctantly watch with me) were Before Sunrise and Before Sunset. I first heard of the two movies shortly after the latter was released (on NPR en route to 6 AM swim practice before school one day, and again in AP English class). Now, to lots of people the movies are rather boring and cliche, but personally I really liked both of them, and after these recent viewings I like them even more (last time I watched them was maybe 3-4 years ago).
Now, what do I like about these movies, you might ask? The premise is pretty cliche I must admit, but these movies revolve around dialog and conversation between two people (literally), which I think is the interesting part and what makes Before Sunrise and Before Sunset unique. The topics that the conversation hits are interesting, with viewpoints that I can relate to personally, especially the cynicism that was explored deeper in Before Sunset.
Among the movies that I watched (and convinced some friends to reluctantly watch with me) were Before Sunrise and Before Sunset. I first heard of the two movies shortly after the latter was released (on NPR en route to 6 AM swim practice before school one day, and again in AP English class). Now, to lots of people the movies are rather boring and cliche, but personally I really liked both of them, and after these recent viewings I like them even more (last time I watched them was maybe 3-4 years ago).
Now, what do I like about these movies, you might ask? The premise is pretty cliche I must admit, but these movies revolve around dialog and conversation between two people (literally), which I think is the interesting part and what makes Before Sunrise and Before Sunset unique. The topics that the conversation hits are interesting, with viewpoints that I can relate to personally, especially the cynicism that was explored deeper in Before Sunset.
Friday, May 7, 2010
Happy Slope Day
"What this means to me is more than I know you believe
What I thought of you now has cost more than it should for me
What I thought was true before were lies I couldn't see
What I thought was beautiful is only memories."
Sunday, April 18, 2010
Lawl school stories
I've been working various part-time jobs at the Cornell Law School during the last 3.5 years, including library assistant, Interlibrary Book and Copy Service, A/V tech support, and computer lab consultant. I don't think I ever fully knew my way around the corridors and stairways of the law school until this semester. There are so many secret shortcuts you can take through doors and stairs.
One perk of working with the A/V team is filming all-day law school events. Of course, you're stuck in a room for most of the day, but they have free food (usually breakfast and lunch). This weekend and next weekend are the Trial Advocacy finales downtown in the real courtrooms.
The mock trial cases are interesting sometimes. Today's was interesting in particular. In the beginning of the trial, it felt like the objection rulings were always in the defense's favor (despite the numerous objections that the plaintiff's team threw out), but at the end of the trial when the defense called up their last witness to testify as an expert, they were unable to have her admitted as an expert. Three times the defense tried to lay foundation questions for expertise of their witness in a different (but related) field, and three times an objection against the defense was sustained. It must be very frustrating to prepare questions for a witness that you couldn't actually ask because they could not be identified as an expert, but it was impressive how calm the law students were.
I think that watching mock trials for the Trial Advocacy class for 4 semesters has familiarized me with some legal jargon, but if I use legal jargon in my everyday language, I'd be talking about stuff that I know nothing about. I feel more comfortable sticking with cameras and projectors.
I think that watching mock trials for the Trial Advocacy class for 4 semesters has familiarized me with some legal jargon, but if I use legal jargon in my everyday language, I'd be talking about stuff that I know nothing about. I feel more comfortable sticking with cameras and projectors.
Thursday, April 8, 2010
Random facts
Here is a list of things (not exhaustive) that I don't care about, in bullet form and in no particular order:
- Luxury
- Class
- Drama
- MAE 4180
Saturday, March 27, 2010
Victory Burgers
Today, we went to Glenwood Pines for dinner. On a last-minute whim (and under peer pressure), I decided to go for the Pinesburger Challenge to eat 4 Pinesburgers in under an hour (vegetables are optional). This is what 4 Pinesburgers on 1 plate looks like:
First burger was finished at 7 minutes. Second burger at 15 minutes. Third burger at 28 minutes. Fourth burger at 49 minutes. Thanks to Kevin for keeping time with his iPhone. Here was the aftermath:
First burger was finished at 7 minutes. Second burger at 15 minutes. Third burger at 28 minutes. Fourth burger at 49 minutes. Thanks to Kevin for keeping time with his iPhone. Here was the aftermath:
(Also included in the aftermath was 1 t-shirt and my picture on the wall)
Sunday, March 14, 2010
Happenings around campus
Two (2) Cornell engineering students committed suicide via gorge bridge jump 2 days apart from each other this past week. Also, a month ago another student jumped the bridge, which brings the campus suicide rate to 3 within the past month. As I understand, in the past there is an average suicide rate of n per year here, where n is between 0 and 1.
Why have campus suicides spiked in frequency lately? I wish I knew, but may never know. It's disheartening, for sure, even though I did not know any of these students.
Why have campus suicides spiked in frequency lately? I wish I knew, but may never know. It's disheartening, for sure, even though I did not know any of these students.
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Airports
In the news today was a study of large North American airports and how travelers like them. I found it interesting how Detroit and Denver were listed as the top two airports, because I had the opportunity to travel to both for a job interview earlier this year. They are definitely some of the nicest airports that I've seen, both in appearance and facilities. The blue tunnel at Detroit was spectacular, and the airport train at Denver plays a cool tune every time the train stops and goes.
I also had the opportunity to travel through Philadelphia several times for interviews, and it was a pretty run-down airport compared to the others. Also, the food selection wasn't that great (especially at the C terminal), and moving between terminals isn't very convenient either.
I also had the opportunity to travel through Philadelphia several times for interviews, and it was a pretty run-down airport compared to the others. Also, the food selection wasn't that great (especially at the C terminal), and moving between terminals isn't very convenient either.
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Lightening Up
"Hans, you need to lighten up. You look so tense."
That's what one of my AEW students said to me today at the end of class. To tell the truth, I am excited about AEW. We have a lively and fun group of students this semester, and I foresee a great semester of differential equations with them. I was lightened up.
To tell the truth again, it seems that I am pretty good at hiding my emotions behind a stoic facade. Whether it is healthy for me or not is another story.
That's what one of my AEW students said to me today at the end of class. To tell the truth, I am excited about AEW. We have a lively and fun group of students this semester, and I foresee a great semester of differential equations with them. I was lightened up.
To tell the truth again, it seems that I am pretty good at hiding my emotions behind a stoic facade. Whether it is healthy for me or not is another story.
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Winter Break Weight
I weighed myself every morning during winter break. Below is a plot of my weight (in pounds) versus date, up until the Fat-Off Weigh-In Day:
It appears that prolonged lack of sleep leads to significant weight loss, as seen around the New Years period in the plot. I consciously ate more throughout the days after the New Year, which can be seen in the rise in weight following January 4. I hope to continue this upward trend for the Fat-Off, as well as for my own sake. We'll see when Spring Break rolls around.
It appears that prolonged lack of sleep leads to significant weight loss, as seen around the New Years period in the plot. I consciously ate more throughout the days after the New Year, which can be seen in the rise in weight following January 4. I hope to continue this upward trend for the Fat-Off, as well as for my own sake. We'll see when Spring Break rolls around.
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
You
I have been falling for you for quite some time now. You might not feel the same way towards me, and you might know who you are, but alas, I cannot tell if you do or not. I wrote this to let out some of the many things that I keep bottled up inside, in an effort to purge what keeps me restrained.
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
DC Highways
From my trip to Springfield, Virginia, I learned that it's really easy to take the wrong exit near Washington National Airport and wind up in the parking lot of the Pentagon. I did it twice, once upon arrival in DC and again before departure from DC.
Monday, January 11, 2010
Soap
Does soap actually kill germs like they claim, or does it simply force you to run your hands in water longer in order to rinse off the lather that you put on your hands, resulting in cleaner hands due to longer washing time in water?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
