SD Obon 1:09 AM

On Saturday, a handful of us decided to check out the Obon Festival in SD. I've never been to one before, and I figured it'd be exciting. I imagined it would've been like those crazy festivals you see in anime, with lots of people, lights, vendors, and food. Obon was nothing like that hahaha. It's supposed to be a Buddhist tradition to honor the deceased.

It was a lot smaller than I imagined (it was the size of a small parking lot). But a good amount of people were there. I guess that's what you get for not having a big Japanese community in SD. But after getting familiar with the quirks of Obon, it was really enjoyable.

We participated in the folk dances. haha, none of us really knew what we were doing, but you just stand in the outer circles and follow the teachers in the inner circle and copy what they're doing. Each dance revolves around a series of moves that are repeated throughout the song. The moves are really simple once you get it down, but I kept getting confused lmao I guess it would've made more sense if we all understood the songs cuz I think the dances reflect the lyrics.

Here's a massive image dump!

INSANE 11:32 PM

I can't believe it's only been a week since I first started working at AQUAholics Anonymous. I still can't believe how fast I managed to score this internship. They interviewed me on the 10th, and then they called me back 3 hours later asking if I could come in for training the following Tuesday. Ever since, I've been working hard to build water conservation projects with the other intern and student director. It's a really fast-paced job, but it's also really chill.

Earlier this summer, I also found out that I got the Bonobo internship at the SD Zoo starting in the Fall through the Winter. I'm not sure what that one will entail, but I guess I'll find out once Fall Quarter starts. I'm excited.

Even though both of them are unpaid, I'm getting really good experience for my resume. It's unreal. It all started when I had to look for a project for my ESYS Senior Internship. I thought it'd be hard considering my lack of experience, but damn. Now I have 2 lined up, and I'm not sure which one I want to use.

To top it off, I'm going to help a Kiwanian with a PowerPoint project. She's working on a seminar for Mobile TV Systems, and she's paying for PowerPoint help! $10/hour, expected 60 hours. That's $600 + potential bonuses! But the scope of the project seems a bit scary. She's preparing it for a 2-day technical seminar. She said it might be up to 300 slides! Holy crap. I'm going to meet up with her on Thursday to discuss her notes/vision. But yay for a paid job?? haha

I'm in LA trick 4:46 PM

I went to LA this weekend to hang out with Peter and Drew. It was kinda weird at certain times when they had family stuff to do, and I kinda just interjected myself into their lives at home. But it was a fun weekend haha Lots of moving back and forth between Peter's and Drew's.

Drew and I went to a service project Saturday morning with Temple City Kiwanis, setting up for their annual BBQ fundraiser. Afterward, we went to The Hat, a famous pastrami place in LA. He's bought me their Pastrami Dip before, but today, we went on a different adventure.

We ordered a side order of Chili Cheese Fries and split a Pastrami sandwich with Orange Bang (a sort of orange juice). The Chili Cheese Fries were ridiculous. So much meat and chili. I think it's worse than Roberto's Carne Asada Fries. hahaha We managed to finish most of it, and ended up only eating a few bites from our sandwiches. I think I ate a week's worth of meat in that meal.

Drew wanted us to go to his sister's birthday party, but Peter had family stuff to do for dinner. So I spent the rest of the day with Drew, helping with the party and whatnot. There was a lot of food. Mrs. Vo's chicken was reeeally good and addicting. haha When it got cooler outside, we set up the chocolate fountain and the bonfire in the backyard. How cool is that?? haha

After the party ended and we helped clean up a bit, Drew and I met up with Peter at Guppy's for some shaved ice! I was going to sleep over at Drew's, but he thought it would've been nice if I stayed with Peter since I spent the whole day with him already. I think that worked out pretty well since Drew was going to spend Sunday out with his family. So I went home with Peter after Guppy's.

Sunday was kinda just a whatever day. We went to Costco with Vicki, their mom, and little sister; had lunch; and Peter and I napped for the next 2 hours. lmfao GG. We woke up, and it was pretty much time for dinner even though it was a bit early. Peter and I went to Lee's Sandwiches to get food for everyone. Somehow, every time I go to Peter's, I go to Lee's. haha I love Lee's.

After eating, we started heading back to SD. I kinda fell asleep for most of the ride, but now I'm back! So I guess I'm actually in Diego trick. Time to do laundry, wash the dishes, and maybe get some work done!

By the way, what the hell does trick mean in that context?

This Too Shall Pass 11:42 AM

Every year, I've always dreaded the 4th of July weekend. For the past 6-7 years, I've spent that weekend in Seattle for the annual Tao summer youth retreat. I hate thinking about going because I'm always forced to go. But somehow, by the time I get out, I always feel like I've gained something valuable.

This year was no exception.

Among the jargon-filled lectures over the 2-day period, I've found a time of self-reflection. The retreat has always helped me put things into perspective. As we live our busy lives the other 363 days of the year, we eventually forget the reasons why we've met the people we've met, done the things we've done, gone the places we've gone.

Sure, we may consider these things our independent actions, but perhaps it's something bigger than us - fate. Fate doesn't mean that things will just happen. How we live every moment is a choice. And our individual choices will determine the track our lives take. It's like a choose-your-own-adventure story. And with every action we take, there will be results and consequences - whether it be now, 10 years from now, 200 years from now.

I think the hardest thing to do is to understand and to have faith. It's something so fragile and intangible that it's beyond us. But upon reflection, that's all there is left when we leave this world for another, until we return to our true home.

A lecturer brought up the quote "This too shall pass." It struck a solemn note deep inside me. Whatever riches, joys, and troubles we feel now will pass because when we leave this world, we can't take any of that with us. Instead, all we will have is our souls. The purpose of our time here is to cultivate our souls as much as we can so that one day, in another lifetime, we may reach the merits of sage-hood. Using this as a framework to make our choices isn't something easy to do or to understand.

There are still many things I have yet to grasp. Call the BS Card on me, but I hope that one day I find the courage and wisdom to help the people closest to me "see the light," so to speak; to help them cultivate their merits, and to understand and appreciate the complexities that life has in store.