0330 by U-Kiss

I was never a big fan of Korean group U-Kiss to begin with. I have always found their music to be purely auto-tune and I've always argued that they only ever had one or two proper singers in the group. I'm sorry U-Kiss fans but I could never take a group with 4 rappers seriously.

However, the recent departure of what I think are 2 of the group's rappers is exactly what the group needs to become a serious force in Kpop. Alexander and Kibum left U-Kiss with one pursuing further studies while the latter quits to form a company of some sort with his ex-SS501 member brother Hyunjung. (U-Kiss fans, correct me if I got anything wrong)

Instead of continuing with the members that they still have, U-Kiss is joined by 2 new members. Both new members are said to be vocalists and that is why I think it is a good step ahead for U-Kiss. Don't get me wrong, I loved their auto-tuned songs like Insignificant, Round & Round, and Shut Up but their latest track is really good. It took me a few painful times of listening to like their past 3 hits but it only took once for me to like their new song 0330. in fact, I'm listening to it now (2nd/3rd/4th/5th/6th/7th time).

The song is about not being able to sleep after the departure of their loved one. 0330 means 03:30am which says something like they couldn't sleep till 03:30am. Anyway enough of my blabbing. Just listen to the song. I believe even my sister, the real anti-U-Kiss person will love this song.

Penang for Japan!

For those who are reading this through Facebook, I am still off Facebook. This is just Networked Blogs sharing it on my wall.

The beautiful state of Penang recently held a charity event for Japan's Tsunami Relief. The Pink Hibiscus Club which an organization for Japanese women in Penang, organized this event sponsored by Penang's State Government and the Japanese Consulate in Penang. It was held at our newly opened Straits Quay. Many Penangites flocked to Straits Quay to show their support for Japan's recovery efforts. An amazing effort by by beloved state to help Japan. Even though the money collected will not be enough to rebuild the entire nation, I am happy that my Penang is doing much more than is expected from a small island of 1 million people.

I have read in several blog posts that really fired me up. I have seen many people calling the earthquakes and the tsunamis in Japan RETRIBUTION and KARMA for what Japan has done in the past to many Asian countries. Some have also gone too far by saying that we shouldn't donate money to Japan because they are so wealthy and flaunt their wealth each year by loaning out billions to other nations.

ARE YOU PEOPLE SICK?

Try imagining if YOUR nation falls to the wrath of Mother Nature. IMAGINE for one second. IMAGINE what you would do and expect others to do for you if your country were to fall to such an enormous force of nature. Just imagine.

Sometimes when you speak of a tragedy, it is best to analyze your words before speaking out loud. No one deserves the disaster that hit Japan. No country should ever suffer such a force. If Japan has to suffer for their past, then am I only being logical to suggest the UK deserves it too? Hey, they weren't exactly nice to many countries as well. At a time like this, it is best to focus on what makes us human and share our resources to aid those in need instead of dwelling in the past and telling them they deserved it.

On another note, it took a major disaster in Japan for people to unite (or pretend to unite) and help. This makes me wonder, what about Africa? Thousands of children die each day in Africa due to the lack of a steady food source and clean water. They also need shelter and proper treatment for diseases. Why is it that it took an earthquake and a killer tsunami for people to help Japan now when all along, the people in Africa are suffering?


We call ourselves charitable and say we have humanity. Can we still call ourselves that when we come to realize that all along we have neglected those in need in Africa? How many of you have done your part to help Africa? I sure haven't. I know. That's why I am writing this. I came to realize that helping Japan does not make me any better than everyone.

I have been considering this for years now and I think I am more sure than ever. I will volunteer for UNICEF to try and make up for being naive and help those in need. To also be fair to myself and to my parents, I will first complete my studies and get a steady job before doing so.

I shall leave my post here. Gotta get to class. Till next time, goodbye!

eIVANne

Random: Nationalities that I am NOT.

This is a random post. Irrelevant since I already put "RANDOM" on the title.

Well since I came to the USA, I have been mistaken by many people to be of certain nationalities that I am not part of. Ironically, no one ever guessed Malaysia and whenever I say I'm from Malaysia, they always give me the same responds: "OH..........*awkwardness*"

So what have I been mistaken as?

Korean (actually makes me kinda happy.. LOL)
Japanese (my Japanese friends kindly objects whenever that happens)
Malay (not a nationality and I am Chinese)
Chinese (I'm not Chinese. LOL confused? I'm Malaysian Chinese. NOT from China.)
ABC (American Born Chinese - nope. My English too good? =P)

Next time before you make a guess, let me list some that I am definitely NOT just to narrow your list down. This is not to offend or show distaste towards certain nationalities. I just don't look anything like them.

Indonesian
Thai
Cambodian
Vietnamese
Indian
Any European country
Any South American country
NORTH KOREAN (over my dead body)
Laosian
Any Pacific Islander
Aussie
Kiwi
Middle-Eastern
African

I think that narrows it down to like what, 5 countries? Happy guessing.

eIVANne

China's Three Gorges Dam: An Essay For Environmental Science Class

The entire class was asked to write an essay on what we think about China's Three Gorges Dam and talk about the pros and cons of the construction. I could actually write a full report on this but we were asked to write a 200-300 word essay and I've already exceeded by twice the amount. So here it is:

China’s Three Gorges Dam

by Ivan Ng

The Three Gorges Dam located on the Yangtze River is the world’s largest reservoir and hydroelectric station. The dam was considered a marvel of modern engineering and a milestone for the development of technology. It was said to be another monument to prove that mankind could control nature.

            When I first saw the documentary about the Three Gorges Dam on Discovery a few years ago, I was amazed by its size and the technology involved. I was particularly amazed by the way it transported ships upstream from a lower level up to the high water levels in the reservoir. Before writing this essay, I watched the documentary again. My opinions about the technology remains the same but after learning more about the environment, my general view towards the construction of the dam has changed completely.

            Firstly, the economic benefits that came from the construction of the dam were relatively high to ignore the environmental factors for those who have analyzed this issue from the surface. Employment rate increased along the Yangtze River as more jobs were offered at the dam ranging from security officer to head engineer. Most importantly, the dam is doing a great job at what it was built for. It has generated an immense amount of electricity through its hydroelectric plant and also resulted in the reduction of coal-burning power plants in the area. That has helped reduced emissions and improved air quality along the Yangtze. For years, people who lived along the Yangtze have been endangered by the unpredictability of the Yangtze River’s strength and many have died during high tides. The construction of the dam allows the Chinese government complete control of the flow of the river. This has brought an increase in trade because ships can travel up and down the Yangtze more safely. It has also resulted in many small cities along the lower Yangtze River to be developed into a bustling metropolitan.

            However, I would have to argue that the loss suffered from this engineering feat far surpasses the benefits of the dam. Throughout the construction of the dam, many villages and cities upstream were forced to be displaced as the water was set to rise over 500 feet. Villages with rich cultures and history were wiped out as the villagers were forced to move and abandon their way of life that has been practiced for centuries. Ancient artifacts buried beneath the soil will be lost forever as the dam fills up. Archeologists have managed to save thousands of artifacts that were discovered while demolishing villages and cities on the banks of the river but it was too little compared to the ones that have yet to and will never be found. Many ancient practices have stopped due to the new water levels and villages in the three gorges had to stop their traditional trades. Constant erosions have also been a problem as the water rises. Erosion has also led to a serious damage towards the flora and fauna of the surroundings. Forestation has decreased from 20% to 10% along the Yangtze and that is a big blow to the biodiversity of the ecosystem. The completion of the dam also brought a new threat to the Hubei province where the dam is located. The increased volume of water could potentially lead to an earthquake due to the immense weight of the water that has been stores. The Yangtze has been flowing for thousands of years and stopping the flow will test the limits of what the ground beneath it could hold.

            Although the economic profits and short term benefits seems enough to justify the construction of the dam, we have all yet to see what effects this dam will bring in the long term. No matter what the economic gains were, nothing could ever replace the culture, history, and biodiversity of the Yangtze River.

I would love to hear your feedback if there are any. Thank you!

eIVANne

Midnight Urge.

It's 1:30am here and I just have the urge to write. I believe that out of all the courses offered at Mount Union, writing would be something that I would never fear. I love giving opinions. I love reading random stuff (unfortunately the same feeling does not apply to my textbooks). I love writing.

I still hold a grudge on my high school English teacher for calling that one essay of mine long and boring. Psshh...

So why am I here? For no reason. For fun. I've just spoken to my adviser about what my next move should be once this semester is over and we both agreed that it would be hell to remain at Mount Union for Summer. That being said, I have decided to look for the right university in the United States where I can take classes and have my credits transferred back to Mount union when I return for Fall. I will try to get at least 8 credits for the entire Summer. With those 8 credits, I will catch up with those in my year and jump up to a Junior just in time for Fall. Me being a Junior in the Fall semester also means that if any Malaysian guys happen to come in Fall, I could try negotiating for 4 of us to live in an apartment instead of a dorm.

On to other matters, I have just followed Justin Bieber on Twitter. As shocking as that may seem, being in the USA really changed my opinion of him. Sure he makes stupid comments during interviews and yes he does sound like a chipmunk sometimes but there is no reason to hate on him when there are so many governmental people to hate on. Kim Jong-il for example. That's one guy everyone should hate. Crazy bastard, that guy.

My Environmental Science class was asked to do a brief research on China's Three Gorges Dam and write a paper about it. It's basically to talk about your opinion on the construction of the dam. I like these papers. These papers are what I need to save me in Environmental Science. I will work on the paper within the next few days hopefully and post it here.

Random pictures from the past that I took from my friend's Facebook. above: 2003-aged 12 below: 2002-aged 11. These are pictures from primary school (elementary school in the USA?)

I have a confession to make. The only reason I was writing is because I wasn't feeling sleepy. Guess what? I'm sleepy now. So yes, i am going to bed. Will update soon.

I miss home...


eIVANne

Sometimes, you just need to STFU.

I can't hold it in anymore and to prevent myself from spamming Facebook which I would, I have decided to blog about this instead.

I have just returned to my room from an awesome 2 hours of music. The Midwest Dueling Pianos came and it was 2 guys, 2 pianos, all fun. So we were having fun with all the different songs and their medleys singing and clapping along. To sum it all up, it was BIG FUN.

Then I came back here and I signed into Facebook. First thing I saw was a video about a comment made by the wife of Malaysia's Prime Minister. When asked about the crisis japan is currently facing, the dumbass said "This, in my opinion, is a lesson to the other countries for whatever they wish to do or any development they wish to pursue must have the surroundings studied beforehand and relate it to the climate change and green technology. Including our country". What the f*** does the planning of the development and green technology have to do with what happened in Japan? Even climate change for that matter. I mean come on knucklehead the tsunami was a freak accident which resulted from an 8.9 magnitude earthquake which is very COMMON in Japan. Sure it is unfortunate for Japan to have to worry about 2 nuclear power plants while still trying to recover from this incident but CAN'T YOU THINK BEFORE YOU OPEN THAT THING YOU CALL A MOUTH? If I am Japanese, I'd be pissed the eff off. I know I hate the shit that's been happening back in Malaysia with all the police problems and the issues with politics but this has to be the day I feel embarrassed to be called a Malaysian. How can she represent our country when she can't even say something before thinking? How am I to face my Japanese friends when my country's FIRST LADY speaks of Japan's crisis this way?

Here is the video I saw for those who understand Bahasa Malaysia.


On other matters regarding shutting mouths, this girl from UCLA made a vlog and posted it up on YouTube ranting about how inconsiderate Asians are and how our parents didn't teach us to be independent because apparently Asians in UCLA have their family members over in the weekends to cook for them and do their laundry. She also talked about how Asians didn't know American manners where you have to be silent in the library. She was bitching about Asians because she was studying for her final exam and apparently those Asians were on the phone. She said that she is sorry for what happened to Japan but if they were gonna make phone calls at least go outside. Bitch FYI, its not American manners. It's the same around the world. WE KNOW THAT. And I assume you were dealing with Japanese people in the library. THEY ARE GRIEVING! I agree that it is unethical to be on the phone in the library but cut them some slack. And how about confronting them instead of bitching about Asians on the internet? And about the families coming over to cook and whatever, WE (unlike you) ARE NOT FROM AROUND HERE. So maybe they wanted some home-cooked food. What have they done to you to make you bitch about them? UCLA is such a big campus you're telling me the Asians are effing crowding up the campus? Go somewhere else! You stupid moron! DON'T GENERALIZE ASIANS you dumb shit. You don't see us generalizing Americans, DO YOU?

Here's the bitch:



"I know I'm not the most politically correct person" - Well DUH! Idiot =.=

Those ASIANS probably have a higher GPA and will do better in life than you.

So this ends my very heated rant about two people who should really shut the f*** up. If you have nothing nice to say, DON'T SAY IT!

My heart goes out to Japan. What happened was a major disaster that affects not only the nation, but all Japanese around the world. I hope the recovery would go along smoothly and hope to see Japan back to its advanced self in no time.

Flashback..!!

I spent my entire Sunday morning on YouTube listening to those Eurodance pop songs from back in the 90's. I'm proud to say I was born in a very musically productive decade. It was a pretty peaceful decade too!

Since the new millennium, the world has witnessed 9/11, countless terrorist threats, increasing fear of flying, catastrophic national disasters, and even worse........... JUSTIN BIEBER! Ok, I'm kidding. I don't hate her anymore. HIM! I mean him. It's not his fault he got famous. He's just talented enough to get spotted and lucky for him, his producer happens to be Usher. So yes, I don't hate the Bieber anymore. Hating = Jealousy.

So I'm going off topic here but my point is that the world has changed since the 90's. Heck every decade has a different trend. 2000-2010 saw an increase in rap music and people who collaborate with rappers. No offense to rap lovers but rap music is a complete 180 degrees on what the 90's used to be.

The 90's was filled with love songs from those cheesy boy bands that can't go through a song without the words "LOVE", "FOREVER", and "BABI". Sorry, typo. I meant to say "BABY". *It wasn't planned I swear!* The 90's was also filled with this genre of music called Eurodance. It's basically songs with club style beats with lame lyrics that doesn't make any sense.

So I finally get to the main point of my post. Here are some of the Eurodance tracks from groups like Vengaboys, Aqua, and The Cartoons. IT. IS. EPIC. I will also include some of the boy band songs from groups like Backstreet Boys, N'Sync, 98 degrees, Westlife, 911!! (I WAS A HUGE FAN!).....man that's a lot of boy bands. They do have upbeat tracks as well. In fact, I'm gonna post up some of the upbeat tracks instead.

Eurodance:

Vengaboys - Boom Boom Boom Boom


The Cartoons - Witch Doctor


Aqua - Dr. Jones


Boy Bands:

Backstreet Boys - Everybody


98 Degrees - I Do


N'Sync - POP


Westlife - Flying Without Wings


911 - All I Want Is You


BONUS! I just remembered that the 90's was also the SPICE GIRLS' era! lol

Spice Girls - Wannabe (One of my favorites) Apparently, some of them have never heard of a bra before. You'll know what I'm talking about when you watch the video.


Did you know that Simon Cowell was the man behind the Spice Girls? And did you know that Simon Cowell also formed SClub7? HAHA!

SClub7 - SClub Party (TOTALLY OWNS HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL & GLEE)


I'm done for now. LOL. It's just good to listen to the old songs that shaped our childhood.

eIVANne

Spring Break.

Hey there!

Its been a boring Spring Break and I regret not going to New York but I am going to an outlet mall tomorrow. Time to spend money, again.


This has to be the worst first Spring Break ever! Get it? Well, I bought a carpet which turns out feels more like a floor cover than a carpet. I had people over in my room and we ate and listened to music and watched movies. Pretty good start.

 

Many of my Vietnamese friends went to New York so I was left with little to do. Basically slept, ate, and went to the gym. Judy did invite a few of us over to her house. She prepared dinner and it was the most Malaysian meal I've had since I came here. Awesome!

I actually had a very intellectual conversation with a friend of mine from Penang but its too long to explain here so I won't do that. It was mainly about high fashion brands and their ridiculous prices.

I was a guest DJ on Chopstick Flick @ WRMU last Monday night! It was a show on South Korea and I just had to be there! We had lots of fun recording that show and I will be posting up a video of the highlights soon. I'm still working on the editing.

Well I'm going to sign off here. I'm feeling pretty tired.

Random pictures: