rant about stupid computer and BB
I am writing on a "borrowed" laptop from BestBuy. My little S0ny is once again in the shop. This is frustrating not only because one of my classes is 100% computer-based and I haven't had my computer for more than like 5 days this month, but also because I've been getting the run around from the beginning... Not only did the store not fix the computer the first time I sent it in (the weekend before Finals), but the second time they had it, they took it for 3 weeks and failed to notify me that it was completed by the second week. I waited an extra week for my computer until I finally called the 1-800 number. A few days after I got it back, the computer wouldn't start. I brought it back and they started it and said I had viruses. I went home, reinstalled the anti-virus and it didn't do a whole lot. This is when I noticed that 1. My keyboard was warped and curved up by the delete key, 2. my touchpad clicked the mouse everytime i pressed the space bar or typed any keys near the bottom, and 3. my power adapter was dying. I was up in LA so I went to another BB to get a power adapted and was told that I had to call the 1-800 number. Okay. I called the number this morning and they told me that I needed to go into the store. Hm. So I went to another BB and they said they had to put in a work order and THEN I could call the number. Unfortunately they couldn't put in an order because my old order (you know, when my computer was in the shop for 3 weeks) was still "active". Instead, I would have to go down to the store by my parents' house and get them to close it because they don't do it over the phone. So I drive down to my parents' house, pick up my mom so she can give me some moral support, then go to BB 30 minutes before it closes to demand they give me a new computer. Of course they don't, because they won't replace until the 4th time you bring it into be serviced. The guy says that I can "buy" an open box laptop and then return it for a full refund when the computer is fixed. Uh, okay. So this is what I did. Yes, if you had the patience to read all of this crap, you must be as frustrated as I am right now. GRRRRRRRRRR!!! I'm just glad that I did some of my classwork this weekend instead of waiting until the week. I guess I know by now that worse case scenarios can happen.

Anyway, at least I have a computer. Minsoo says to look on the bright side: At least I'm one more service order closer to getting a replacement.

some good stuff and some things to think about
Today was my 11-hours-at-school day. I came home AFTER scrubs was already finish (boo!) and watched some bad tv with my roommate. However, I happened to catch the Da1ly show and guess who was on... Jim Wallis, editor of Sojourners -- my FAVORITE magazine. I couldn't believe my eyes. Wallis has a new book out and I guess he was doing his plug on the DS, which is awesome since I love the DS and Jon Stewart (another so-dorky-but-so-smart-and-therefore-so-cute tv personality). They totally had some good chemistry, too. I wanted to cheer everytime Wallis answered a question. Sometimes I feel like he says almost exactly what I'm thinking about in terms of faith and politics. Anyway, after a long day, it was nice to end it with the J0n Stewart and Jim Wallis, two of my favorite smart men.

Lately, the whole tsunami aid thing has been bothering me. There just wasn't something right about the whole aid situation. I mean, yes, it's a tragedy and there are countless lives lost. It's a horrible disaster and I'm glad people are helping out financially and the stars are showing up to sing a few songs on a telethon. Still, I couldn't articulate my discomfort. However, here's an article about the disparity between the US aid provided to tsunami victims in Asia and the lack of aid provided to African countries (like Sudan) who have or are currently experiencing genocide. This is what I've been trying to say... We need to help out those in need, but how come we don't do it all the time? Why are some disasters more worthy of attention than others? Do we need catastrophic natural disasters to bring us to the point of caring about human suffering? Why do we not stand united when entire races of people are being murdered by other people? I am not saying the tsunami is not worthy of the aid it's been given, but what about the other atrocities happening around the globe? Are those dying children less worthy?

http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/commentary/la-oe-george16jan16,1,1100605.story?coll=la-news-comment-opinions&ctrack=1&cset=true

yay for the sun
The weather was beautiful this weekend! Unfortunately, I spent the weekend trying to figure out a huge computer assignment I had due tomorrow. I know, it's week two and already I have tons of work. Anyway, I spent 10 hours stuck inside doing the dumb computer assignment (no, my computer isn't fixed yet, I'm borrowing my parents') today instead of enjoying the weather outside. My only consolation was the warm breeze wafting into my apartment from our sliding glass door. I don't think I've opened that door since September. Anyway, it's January and it's warm enough to wear flip flops. Once again, gotta love So Cal.

boo computer!
I'm going on my second week minus my laptop and it's killing me. One of my classes is a computer-based class and so I'm basically screwed as I haven't completed the 7 chapters of work I have due Tuesday. On top of this, I just broke my backup CD that I created the first time my computer died. This is totally my fault, though. Minsoo complains constantly about the way I treat CDs. This is notable because 1. I am usually pretty good about taking care of my things, almost anal, and 2. Minsoo NEVER ever complains about my habits. I know that I'm careless, but I've never broken a CD... until just now when I broke the most valuable CD I have. Ugh. Let's just hope that my computer gets fixed without wiping out the hard drive.

Anyway, boo for computer woes! Gah!

long day
On Tuesdays I have 8.5 hours of class and am on campus for almost 11 hours. It's ridiculous. On top of the crazy long day, my last class doesn't end until 9pm -- when Scrubs is on tv! It takes me about 20 minutes to get home and I don't have a VCR! What to do... what to do...

I have to take a really useless professional development seminar as part of my internship. I think it might be helpful for those recent grads trying to negotiate the "working world", but for those of us with more experience, it's kinda insulting. Anyway, at the beginning of class one of my classmates asked me where I was interning. When I told him, he says to me: "Bastard! I KNEW you would get [insert name of organization]. Oh man! I mean, congratulations... that's cool." Another classmate was listening and was like, "Oh, YOU got it?" I laughed and was sort of affirmed but felt sort of weird about it. I feel good that I got one of the "coveted" internships, but it's sorta weird to get such strong responses. I also feel like I need to do really well in the internship so that I can live up to the hype. It was weird to be called a bastard, but in a good way.

Vegetable of evil
Minsoo, messy, the Chious and I went to eat dinner at a Thai place that boasts a "Thai Elvis". I'm not kidding. Anyway, I was looking forward to some good food and weird karaoke-like singing because it would make for a interesting blog entry. However, this experienced was usurped by what I will now refer to as the "vegetable of evil." Two bites into my meal, I bit into the MOST FEROCIOUS PEPPER I have ever tasted in my life. I was drinking some yummy sour and spicy soup when I mistook the "vegetable of evil" as a harmless green bean. The soup was a little bit spicy and oddly sour so I ate the "vegetable of evil" assuming it would dull the flavor a bit. Oh my goodness. I couldn't figure out why the soup became so spicy as I crunched into the bean. I almost swallowed the bean, but then realized something was terribly wrong. When I finally spit it out, I saw the little seeds and put two and two together. I am probably the most weak sauce when it comes to spicy food so it was really painful.

I hope that I either swallowed the rest of the spicy remnants or spit it out. My throat feels sort of sore and my tongue does not feel so hot either. Why do hot chili peppers look like green beans? Why? Why? Anyway, singing Thai Elvis became sort of background noise to the taste of burning in my mouth. So sad.

tooth
I went back to the dentist to get a filling and ended up getting a crown instead! Ugh. Not only is a crown totally expensive, but it's a major procedure. My teeth feel funny right now. This is not a good thing.

grrrr
I am writing from my parents' computer. My other computer died -- AGAIN!! I am so mad. Once again, it's perfect timing. Classes start tomorrow.