My Muse...

I've been sitting here thinking about all of the crazy things in life; the things that have happened recently, in the past, and day-to-day struggles. There was a bombing that happened at the Boston Marathon not a week ago. When I heard the news, I was so angry. I mean, how could someone do something like that? They chose to permanently maim people, or take away the lives of loved ones in a family or another. The victims are forever marked with the scars and horrors of that day, and must live a different life because of the outcome of the catastrophe. It's horrible what humans do to each other. I don't even have words to describe how angry I was. I wanted to cry and to be angered at the same time. Sometimes I wish I had the ability to heal people, and maybe even to find and stop bad things from happening even before it happened.

Then there was the explosion in Texas. I have relatives there, so I was very worried. And not to mention, once I saw some actual clips of people taking footage outside their door, and then the giant explosion knocking them off their feet... the first thing I thought of was "what do you think you were doing?! Get away get away! I hope you're not hurt." Why do bad things have to happen? I know, I know. It's life, it makes the world what the world is. But that doesn't mean I like it, neither do I wish to accept how horrible things are.

Then of course... there are the day to day struggles in my personal life. I speak, possibly, for much of the people in my age-group or position. I graduated with a bachelor's degree in the sciences, and a year since then, have not been able to find a decent job. I have applied everywhere from McDonalds, to Starbucks, to Ross, to Target, the local mall and their shops, hospitals, restaurants, you name it. Nobody has even said so much as boo. I have received solicitation from sales-rep companies, but they turned out to be somewhat of a scam, so I avoided them. Other than that, I have had maybe one or two interviews. What's the big deal? I have had my resume critiqued over and over again to be most appealing and to the point. I have sent literally hundreds of applications out to every place that I could get my hands on. I have searched many websites and spent countless hours applying for jobs. I have also walked in personally to ask for the hiring manager, and yet nothing has happened. I have even called companies over and over asking if they had received my application as of yet. I spoke with individuals that I was acquainted with, hoping to get some connections so I can get a job. But alas, nothing has come about. I have school loans to pay, cannot even afford my own car or cell-phone bill, and I still live at home. I have nothing in my bank, and cannot get unemployment because I have used it up already. The best I can do is put my school loans on deferment. But what does that do? It makes the bills sky-rocket next time I see them because interest would have accumulated, greeting me warmly and saying "well hello thanks for letting us collect a little dust and extra interest too!" For a person who only has a bachelor's degree, and no car or house payments, that's a bad foot to start off on in life. There are thousands of people who are like me. But is it getting better? I don't think so. I have many friends who went back to school because they decided that they'd wait the storm and get more education. But I have found that the higher your education, the harder to get a job... particularly if you don't have adequate experience. The only friends of mine that are getting jobs are those who have family in a company, have a lot of experience, are willing to work for free, or have nothing but a high school diploma.

Here's another thing, for a company to hire you, you don't only need the education, but the experience. Endless applications say "Bachelor's degree and five years experience in..." So I'm thinking... okay, and how do I get that experience unless you hire me? I had someone ask me what work I've been doing for the past ten years, and when I didn't have ten years of work experience in customer service they turned me down flat. I then asked them "How can I get the experience unless you hire me?" I mean who needs ten years of experience talking on the phone saying "hello, how may I transfer your call?" And if it isn't the enormous amount of experience that they want, maybe they want extra certification that can take anywhere from 1-3 years. For example, there's a job posting that says 2-3 years experience in customer service, check. Experience cash-handling, check. Certification as a medical assistant... uhhhh excuse me? And you want this certification for a job that simply takes a patient's card and punches them into the computer records? I'm telling you right now I already have some experience here. But a certification? That's a little over the top. And what person with a bachelor's degree wants to spend an extra two years getting certification when they could spend those two years getting a master's degree? Well let me tell you something... I am almost tempted. I mean I can get a Master's in Teaching right now, and I would get out of school at the same time as I would if I went and got a certification in medical assisting at the local college. What looks more appealing? That highly depends, unfortunately. Is your local area in need of teachers or medical assistants? By the time you earn one or the other, will there be a glut of one and a need of another? Do you want to walk out with an extra $40,000 in debt (minimum) or maybe just $7000, on top of your current student loan? Once you get the certification or degree, will you have a better chance of getting a job, or worse? So many questions, and no answers.

I have heard tell that more and more companies will not hire you if you have been out of a job for six months or more. They would rather accept someone with no relevant experience but less gap between jobs than someone with more experience and six months gap since the last job. Besides that, some schools are contracted with companies to hire people straight out of college/university. Life is so unfair. The rich get richer, and the poor get more poor. The educated ones get left in the dust while the brown-noses gain status.

Things have got to change. America isn't what it used to be. And what's worse, the Americans aren't what they used to be either. I wish I had answers. I wish I could say "this is the answer to getting a job... to paying off that debt... to living a happy and peaceful life." We are all crying for help, but nobody answers. We're all stuck in a whirlpool with no known way out. I go to bed, despairing every night. I cry a lot, because there seems to be absolutely no future for my generation. For the simple things in life, I cry. Will I ever get a good job that rewards me for my education? Will I ever have my own average-income car? Can I ever have a little kitty and puppy to cuddle? Will I ever get to have my own little home? A garden of my own? Can I even have a family? A kitchen to cook food for my hubby and kids? Will my children suffer worse than I? Is it even fair of me to have children in such a despondent day and age? We're all dumb, jobless, in debt, and despairing. But every day I remind myself... there's got to be a way. There is hope. There must be a light at the end of that dark, long tunnel.

Procrastination At Its Best!

Greetings folks!

It has been quite a very long time since the last time I actually posted, and I was sitting here thinking hm... I really should write something. I have been quite busy, but not so busy as to make it an excuse for not writing. I just have been procrastinating. I've been practicing my beloved violin every week to my great satisfaction as well as keeping up with close friends and actually some family as well! As I get older, I feel that the need of staying connected with people grows more important. The people we care about won't stay forever, and now is a better time than ever to get to know the people who are around me.

Back in February I had the opportunity to go to Huntington Beach, CA for a mini vacation with my boyfriend. It was wonderful! I hadn't realized  how much I loved the sun, nor how much it actually affected my mood. Everyone always said how the sun made them smile. I never thought that I would be saying the same thing. :P We visited the local aquarium near Long Beach, CA and got lots of pictures. I haven't uploaded them as of yet onto my computer but I'll be sure to do that and post some pictures! We even went to the Universal Studios in Hollywood!! That was the most exciting experience ever. It was fun, hot (80 degrees in February!), and tiresome on the legs, but well worth it. We stayed at the Hyatt Regency in Huntington Beach where I felt very pampered. It was my first time in such a fancy resort! When it was time to go, I was dragging my feet because I didn't want to leave the luxuries! When I have a house, I want to have it real fancy and sophisticated just like a resort. Shhhhh, let me dream a little. :P

I suppose I won't bore you with details just yet. When I get the pictures, *crosses fingers* I SHALL upload them for your viewing pleasure. ^_^

LOL-----> Lots Of Love!!

New Earrings!!

Yes indeed I went shopping some more while in Korea. I'm almost done writing about the trip in Korea so please bear with me! ^^

This one is going to be EXTREMELY short. Mostly consists of pictures of the new earrings I got! I am so excited that I found these earrings!... or did they find me? I don't know. I love them though. You'll see why in just a second!

Below are first some pictures of the beautiful and decorative brooches, earrings, and other flashy decor that I  really wanted to buy, but didn't. If I could, I would buy the whole store of bling bling! ^^

This is actually me with a messy but ADORABLE bun!... I think so anyways. Sadly, I've not been able to replicate it ever since. =(

Brooches! Ahhhh me want...

Anything from rustic...

To classy!

Just admiring the sink. Notice the soap dispenser attached to the mirror. Did not approve. =P

Can you see me? ^^

A stuffed bus on our way home

My first set!! Gorgeous earrings. Probably my favorite. If you look up close, they look JUST like standard earrings, but they clip on! No I don't have piercings. But lookee lookee isn't it awesome? =D Sadly it DOES hurt after a while. I found a specific point on the ear that actually doesn't hurt that bad.

More vanity... ^^

White crystal. Teardrops!

More autumny and Asian in my opinion

Yes yes I'm done flaunting the jewels. ^^

And that's all folks! See? Short a sweet. ;) ^^

LOVE YOU!!!!!!

Hyundai Department Stores

Sorry it's taken soooo long for me to make another blog post about my trip in Korea! Getting back home to the States has proved very hectic compared to what I imagined having just graduated. :-/ I thought I'd get a break!... well... I guess I have been procrastinating quite a bit. Hehehe. ^^

Anyways! So this is about my day trip with my aunt, mom, and sis to the Hyundai Department Store. I was quite excited to go to this clothing department store, because I was told that actors, models, and rich people went to shop there. I was hoping that I might run into somebody that I was a fan of. Or if not, at least maybe they'd have some fashionable clothing that I could drool over. =P

To say the least, I was quite disappointed in both aspects. I didn't meet any model or actor, and as you will see per the photos, the clothing looked just like the stuff at home!! Oooh but that's not all of course. They had stores such as Guess, Levi's, Chanel, Lancome, Zenith, among others. In the USA on the West Coast, it's not too hard to find very nice clothing that would be at most $100, or makeup kits that would cost around that same price in brand name stores. As a matter of fact, we could get the same brand name items for cheaper at places like Ross or TJ Maxx. In Korea, the prices are astronomical! There was a pair of 501 pre-washed Levi's selling for 890,000 won... about $800. Besides this, I saw a gorgeous, simple, light, and elegant Ralph Lauren dress made of 100% cotton, having a flowery pattern and an off-white background, running for 1,600,000 won! That's almost $1600!! O_o YIPES! So, if anything, I was entertained at how expensive all of the name-brand products cost, things that could get at home for maybe $30-50 depending on where you shop. Basically, the Hyundai Department Stores consisted of Western brands that came from Europe and the USA. Personally, I was quite happy shopping at Myong Dong Department Stores. ^^

Of course, I didn't buy anything, I just snuck pictures, as I believe that the store employees didn't want anyone taking pictures of their products. After browsing around, we found a food department in the basement. It looked similar to that of Myong Dong, but it had macaroons, ice cream, fresh baked goods, and soo jeh bi!! =D ... did I spell that right? Anyways, su jae bi is a delicious soup made of some sort of broth and typically wheat/rice chunks (could never figure it out). You eat it with barley rice (yum!!) and kimchi!... speaking of which I want some right now. ^^

I won't hold back the pics any longer. Hehehe. ENJOY!! ^^

The clothing that greeted us upon entrance

New Balance shoes

Can you Guess? ;)

 Well hello there!

 This was one of the cheapest pairs of Guess jeans

More clothing

DKNY!

This is a shorter version of that $1600 Ralph Lauren dress

Purses... She stole on! Kidding.

Okay um.. so that guy is sitting on something that is supposed to help stabilize your spine or something... it just looks wrong the way he's rocking on that thing.

CAKE!! Oooh I wanted some so bad.

Say hello to a relative 

This is a blade-less fan. The guy couldn't figure out how it worked. =P

Sorry for the blur. :( I was kinda on the run. But I LOVE those dishes!

Fresh dried foods

Fresh bread!

I want some....

Macaroooooon!

Did you know they had rice ice cream?

Now THAT'S the stuff!

Makeup floor

Ooooh shiny!

This was the bathroom... I was kinda intrigued by the baby seat... 

In case you can't read, the bathrooms are blatantly color-coded. Can you guess?

Just the Average

This whole time I've been talking about all the fancy stores and the weird things in Korea that I've run across... well, mainly the brand names and the exotic attire. If I'm not running around shopping, stumbling upon something new and weird... or cool... then I am usually settled down in my aunt's 10th floor apartment home. ^^

Self side profile!

Can you guess??

Blub blub blub they're much cuter in big tanks

My aunt in front is AWESOME! She's using cardboard for shade!!! =D

I finally decided to settle down a little and just talk about the basics of at-home life. Lately I've found myself sitting at home a lot, just writing blogs, sleeping, chatting with friends in the US, and the like. Oh yes!! And eating ICE CREAM SANDWICHES!!!

 FISHYYYYY!

It's missing part of it's tail. Uh oh. =P

My fishy goooone. ='( =P

After a tasty snack of ice cream sandwich mid-afternoon, I sometimes go about getting the laundry done, whether it's hanging them to dry (I never really washed them) or folding them... or just looking at them for fun. =P

This is the way we dry our clothes!

 And get a view of the neighbors...

If was not doing any of the above, I may be found cleaning dishes from lunch or cleaning the ever dusty floors. I tell you, my laptop gets COVERED in dust by mid-afternoon... having JUST cleaned it this morning >.< By evening time however, at around 7:00pm or 8:00pm, it's time for munchies!! Either we go out to eat at a local restaurant, or we have get to cozy up around a shin-high wooden-fold-up table on nice fluffy cushions. In any case. I thought I was going to crave home food like there wasn't another life left!! Strangely enough... I only miss a few things... Pizza, pho, and Krispy Kreme! YUM!

~XOXO!!~