University Application.

I thought it would be interesting to make a word cloud out of my university applications

The keywords would give you a brief idea of what I wrote in response to the 'reason of applying'

Thoughts of the Day.

 One of my major reason to start a blog was to write down my thoughts and organize them, so that I could figure out the priorities or if there's anything that I'm missing out. This series of the 'Thoughts of the Day' (or any potential title) is going to be the place for that. There will be no specific format or topic but only the things that I'm thinking of at the moment. Each post will always have a vertical picture with the date on it and writings of several paragraphs or sentences for each topics that matter to me.

 I got selected from the #Ottawa-Carleton District School Board All-Star Band (just using the full term for an exaggeration hehe) as a second clarinet. The first rehearsal was quiet hard challenging and found myself on a thin ice. I definitely need serious work on sight reading skill. The good thing is that it's at least something I enjoy doing. There will be regular rehearsals in the Brookfield High School and final concert at the beginning of the May. The director is Captain Peter Archibald, whose also the Commanding Officer / Director of Music of The Central Band of the Canadian Forces.

Thinking about the #university application is always making me nervous 24/7. Some already received an early admission but the rest is just waiting for something to happen. The rests, including myself, don't know where they will be by the end of the summer. The regular admission will be issued from the end of the April to May. The ongoing semester's mid-term is around mid-April, so the admission people will be looking at our both first and second semester mid term marks. The second semester... ahh English, Chemistry, and Calculus are not going so great as I expected and that's what I'm worry about the most.

Last Saturday, I met #Phil Castro who contacted me through this blog for my photographic works. He was a real friendly+active guy and gave me many positive feedback on my photos (who knew someone would like my photo!). It was also great to hear about his experience in the professional field, which I'm also hoping to go (urban planning). He gave me tour to his infill, which was one of the most interesting house I've ever been to. The inside was pretty amazing and had more space than what appeaers on the outside. There are several ideas and photography project that we've talked about and I'm looking forward to work with him.

I'm thinking about changing the #Blog template that I've been using since the last summer (Start of the blog). The current grey-basic one was chosen really quick without thinking for the temporary look and it has been remained unchanged since then. Although the problem I'm facing is whether to choose a gallery-like photoblog template or remain as an one column diary style. Maybe it would be better to make a visual portfolio later on instead of turning this personal blog (more of personal log, in fact) into an ambiguous one.

From Dawn till Sunset.

Shadow of the Day.

'Shadow of the Day' by Linkin Park

Visual+Music = Atmosphere

"And the sun will set for you

The sun will set for you

And the shadow of the day

Will embrace the world in grey

And the sun will set for you"

The Spirit of Haida Gwaii.

As featured on the Canadian 20$ Bill.

Plaster sculpture by British Columbia Haida artist Bill Reid.

 According to the direct quotation from Wikipedia, "The sculputre is representing the Aboriginal heritage of the Haida Gwaii region in Canada's Queen Charlotte Islands. The variety and interdependence of the canoe's occupants represents the natural environment on which the ancient Haida relied for their very survival: the passengers are diverse, and not always in harmony, yet they must depend on one another to live. The fact that the cunning trickster, Raven, holds the steering oar is likely symbolic of nature's unpredictability." I personally think this sculpture makes a good representation of the culturally-diverse Canada. The society sometimes suffer from direct impact of global conflicts and issues but it's amazing that people with different ethnicity and religions can share the same identity as 'Canadians'. Multiculturalism, it's perhaps one of the best thing I learned  while staying in Canada. (South Korea is among the world's most ethnically homogeneous nations.)

Escalation.

Muse.

v. Be absorbed in thought

동. 생각에 잠기다

Watching Sunset.

I desire nothing more than to get accepted from the university that I want and study what I want.

When the admission officials are reading my essays and seeing my academic records,

I hope they could also see my potential, beyond the numbers and words.

At this moment, I have absolutely no clue where I'm going to be after the summer.

This uncertainness of future will be pending until May or possibly June. lawl.

However, I shall prevail at the end.

Geometric Organization.

Geometric organization of the each city was formed by the types of mobility.

Pedestrian, horse wagons, automobile, and public transportation.

Some cities have significant boundaries of working and living areas. Some cities don't.

Some cities are located close to water. Some cities are located on a desert.

Can the 'geography of city' shape our life style and even personality?

Post-Canadian Winter.

Post Apocalyptic Canadian winter scene.

It was a lot worse in the previous days and these picture only show some of it.

However, don't be too depressed because this means the spring is coming.

By the way, my march break has been officially started.

* 'Terran' is supposed to be spelled 'Terrain'

Piet Mondrian.

My doodle version of the Composition II in Red, Blue, and Yellow

Winter Blues.

G20 Summit Time Line.

Washington D.C. 2008 - London 2009 - Pittsburgh 2009 - Toronto 2010 - Seoul 2010 - Cannes 2011

[June 22, 2010] Front and Yonge Street. Toronto

 I planned one day trip to the Rogers centre to watch a major league game with my friend on the day after the last exam. When we got there, the downtown was full of police officers with a riot helmet and temporary installed security fences, even though the summit was 4 days away. The fences were barricading every blocks and intersections, leaving only small door open for people to pass.  The scenery was so eerie and gave me the feeling of watching a fictional apocalyptic city where they isolate certain area because of contamination or outlaw. It was also surprise to see a group of anarchy activists marching down the street and many undercover police officers were silently watching them in a black Cheverlot Tahoe. The typical SUV is almost like the symbol  of undercover law enforcement in North America along with the Ford Crown Victoria. On that evening, the Blue Jays lost to St.Louis Cardinals by 9-4.

[June 27, 2010] Toronto Pearson International Airport.

 This was the big day for me because I was on the flight heading (back) to Seoul, which was also the last day of the two-day world summit. While transferring to the international line at the Pearson airport, I was able to see the fleet of presidential aircrafts parked in a space. Lined as if they were cars. It was very cool to see the each plane representing their country by colours and logos. Of course, there was the famous 'Air Force One' too.

[July 14, 2010] Seoul Plaza. South Korea

 Right after my arrival, I saw the news headlines and pictures regarding the protests that went on the other side of the world, Toronto. In the picture, there was a burned patrol car in the middle of a street and anarchists standing on it. I could feel the atmosphere of terror and chaos from the picture. In the description, It was very ironic for me to see the word, Canada, with such an image, because it wasn't the usual image to describe this country with peace, order, and good government. As I was following the Canadian news during the stay, I was even more sadden to read about the the Toronto Police chief's ignorant reaction and attitude of justifying the violent force that was used against the protesters. On the other side of the world, the Korean media was doing a case study on the Canadian's summit for their Seoul summit in November. Just like Canada did, there was a lot of concerns with possible protests and security threat, but it turned out to be no violent collision. However, Korea did face different kind of issue, such as an interrogation of internet based activists.

 The reason I'm bringing this memory back is because of the recently aired Fifth Estate report on CBC network. It contained very shocking stories, testimonies, and amateur footages that weren't broadcasted at the time. While watching it, I was very upset to find out about the police brutality and their over used power, and mistreatment of the detainee. I received very contrast feeling, because long ago when I saw the videos of extreme anarchists breaking windows and burning patrol car, I just found them ridiculous and believe the police should use force to arrest them and bring order. However more important things were going on behind the headline, such as the officers striking people down with their riot shields, using rubber guns and sound cannons, and arresting in very aggressive and insulting manner. It was very hard for me to believe this all happened in Canada, since it was not the Canadian value I felt through living here. Although most people probably forgot this issue long ago, I hope they could look this issue again in various aspects and become aware of the importance of civil liberty.

83rd Academy Awards.

Even though I watch movies a lot, I only wrote about the two impressive films on this blog

and the two exact films both received the most number of awards last Sunday. Coincidence? Yes :)

The King's Speech won the Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor, and Best Original Screen play.

Inception won the Best Cinematography, Best Sound Mixing, Best Sound Editing, and Best Visual Effects.

I enjoyed both of the movies more than a few times and believe that they truly deserve the awards.