How are you

I blogged on a similar topic a while ago, but I just wanted to share how it happened again, today. This weekend was my grandpa’s 80^th birthday. I was super excited since it is quite the event. We would get to see my cousins from the states that we rarely get to see and we would be having a huge party all in celebration of my harabojee (grandpa). I had my gift all prepared and I was ready to give him lots of hugs.

I know it’s selfish of me to think that just because I didn’t have a good time, doesn’t mean he didn’t. I mean it is his birthday and I guess to have your friends and family all in one place equals a pretty great party. I think I was hoping that I would get to talk to him a lot more, though, and this kind of saddened me that I didn’t get to do just that. Instead, I was ushered by my aunts and uncles being showed off like a possession with the following comments:

“oh she’s in university going and she’s going to go to med school”

Really? I pretty much know I don’t think I’m going that path anymore

“oh she’s really smart”

Really? Do you know my marks?

“This is her second co-op term working at a hospital and helping people”

I don’t work with patients and I don’t really work at a hospital right now…

“The next event is going to be your wedding right?

1. I don’t have a boyfriend

2. Wow, really? There’s no events for the next 7-8 years?

3. Who says I’ll get married first?

I know a lot of this “showcasing” is part of the Korean culture but sometimes it really bugs me. I guess later on, I might want to show off my kids too or the kids of my brother, but still – I wish my family would get to know me first before showing off my “trophies.” I don’t’ want to be known for those kinds of things – I want to be known for the things about me that you can only know if you get to know me.

Sidenote, here are some photos from the event:

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Leaving Niagara with a flat tire, waiting for CAA until 1:30 in the cold, and getting home at 3:30 did not help and by the end of the night I was just drained. I woke up to the reminder that I was pastoral prayer and then left the house shaken because my mom was having one of her angry mood spells triggered by my brother’s failure in displaying any sense of urgence to be at church on time.

If you’ve skimmed until now, here’s where to listen

It’s funny how God can talk to you directly through other people. First was Pastor Joe. As soon as I went up on stage to help set up for praise, he goes “Audrey are you okay? Either you’re super drained, or you’re a little grumpy, or you’re both.” I was like wow… either you’re super perceptive because I came up on stage laughing, or that’s God.

Second was Alice. I’ve been super blessed by her this year and her open relationship with me. I don’t even remember what she said, but I remember her asking me “how are you”. Those three simple words are words that we always say but never really are interested in the answer. But coming from someone who I’m that close with and after someone had just unveiled my “happy mask”, I really felt true community. I spoke with Alice at the back before worship and she had said that she didn’t think I would be here so she had prepared pastoral prayer. Praise God! because I was dreading that if I did go up there, I would bawl and not even be able to finish.

1 Corinthians says that God will not give you something that you cannot bear/handle.

It’s true.

Today, I experienced God’s grace and how close He wants to be that He will say the exact words that I need at the exact time that I need it.

do you ever feel..

like you know yourself, but then you think... that's it?

desired gadgets part 2: completely unnecessary

3D Wraparound Shower

I think this is awesome. Imagine being able to watch movies or shows while you're taking a shower and also being able to control the water, using touch screen of course. I don't think i'd have enough time to watch a movie, though - maybe an episode of Friends.. (via DVICE)

Airborne Chemical Detector for the iPhone

This is pretty cool, but
1. I don't own an iPhone nor do i think I'm going to get one
2. it seems a little paranoid for me...
3. i'd hate to have a thing sticking out of my phone
(via PopSci)

Turkey Deep Frier

all i can say is.. gross
(via DVICE)

in the real world

You'd think that blogs like Wired, DVICE, or Gizmodo would focus on gadgets / technology? Yet there's a huge growing interest in architecture which I'm paying more attention to because of my brother and a couple of artsy friends that i have acquired over the past couple of years.

Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen Airport

Istanbul was hit by a massive earthquake about 10 years ago, and I'm really glad to see that they're doing something about it. Designed with earthquake simulation programs, Istanbul is using the same technology used in San Francisco's hospitals to protect them from earthquakes.
Instead of built onto the ground, the terminal is built so that if an earthquake of up to magnitude 8.0 were to occur, the building would move so that the shaking of the ground wouldn't affect the building. (via Wired)


HOMErgent

"easily transportable, flat-packed, high-quality"
has water, electricity, cooking ability, lights
can operate OFF-GRID

Is this a possibility for relief work? Maybe.

(via HOMErgent)

Hoover Dam Bypass Bridge

After visiting the Hoover Dam on our family road trip this summer, I don't think I'll ever see a dam as awesome as the hoover dam. Taking only 5 years to complete and having already paid off its 49 million dollar debt, you kind of wonder how they were so productive back then when they had a lot less than we did. Anyways, this bridge is going to be super useful since the main way to get to Las Vegas is through the Hoover Dam area, which is always packed by tourists and moves at the speed of the Don Valley Parkway. The bridge would be good if you don't want to stop to see the dam, but just want to go to Vegas.

Interesting fact: So Hoover Dam is on the border of Arizona and Nevada. But one side (i think it was nevada) had no life insurance for the workers - if someone died on the Nevada side, their families were given nothing. So what a lot of people did was if someone died, their friends would carry them to the Arizona side and proclaim them dead, thus allowing for life insurance to be secured.

Sleep Box

Japan has some pretty awesome stuff and i am in love with this sleep box for the airport(although i don't know how hygenic it is....) Sheets are changed on a roller system (it's like the doctor's office) and the boxes have wi-fi, luggage storage, and electricity.

desired gadgets part 1: bedside gadgets

random audrey fact: i LOVE gadgets. Now if only i had enough money...

Chumby One
This thing is so cute! It's sort of like an iphone in a clock or a mini computer. There's tons of apps that you can download with its wifi connectivity or usb port. It's better than the iphone though in that all the apps are already paid for which is awesome. The general consensus among reviews from Endgadget, DVICE, Gizmodo say that although it's functionality is about the same as a smart phone, it's quite cute and cheap for a gadget with its capability.

Bed Alarm Clock
Working with electroactive polymers and silicone, this alarm clock is basically embedded in your bed. My problem with it though... when the alarm goes off, i'd probably just roll over the snooze button... functionally might not work with me..



Nabaztag
I saw this with jocelyn and i FELL IN LOVE. key thing was voice recognition and being able to sync it with your computer. Although it's mad expensive, i've always wanted a robot pet....







On a side note, for DOLLY
the LightSleeper is apparently supposed to project soft light onto your ceiling which is supposed to help you to fall asleep! Too bad it's $209... i'd so buy it for you