An Afternoon Worth Remembering...

Well, I said in a previous post that I would touch back on this story sooner or later, so here it is.

I'm pretty sure a lot of people have at least one or two experiences where they would develop a greater sense of appreciation for life and mortality; an experience that could've directly or indirectly been caused and sometimes the situation may have been life threatening. Unfortunately for me, the two "life-appreciating" moments I remember were BOTH potentially life threatening. The first experience took place back during the 2008 Thanksgiving weekend and you may have already heard/read it. The second occurred exactly 3 months later and I share it with you now. This occurred around the beginning of second semester of my Senior year:

It was a sunny afternoon when the school day ended. I was driving home from school and roads were wet as a result of the rain the fell earlier in the day. The roads were not just wet; it looked like black ice as a result of the sunlight. Water on the ground that you can see a reflection of yourself or any other object. As I was slowing down for a red light, just before the intersection was when the good day went bad. It all happened so fast yet in slow motion, as I felt this sudden forward impact. In an instant my right foot pushed down on the break pedal as far as my strength would allow me to. I then felt this burning sensation on my face as the airbags deployed. The impact also pushed me into two cars in front of me. When it was all over, I felt like I was thrust into a nightmare; a nightmare of momentary pain and horror.

In the end, I was feeling bruised and sore all over. I was left with minor propellant burns on my left forearm and a scar (that eventually healed) on my face, below and to the left of my chin. I was able to drive the now totaled car onto the side of the road and get out of the way. I killed the engine and got out of my car. Although nothing was broken, I could barely stand because my mind was still in shock of what just happened. My heart was racing and I was breathing heavy, but I kept my composure. To my surprise, the person that rear-ended me was a someone I knew pretty well; a friend. That's all I want to say about that.

I was taken to the hospital to be checked on; for internal injuries (which I knew was highly unlikely) and a concussion (which WAS highly possible). My friend was there too. After spending about an hour or so at the hospital lobby, I went home. I've been out of the house for almost 12 hours; but it felt more like an eternity. But when I got home that evening, aside from feeling minor pain from the impact, I could never have been happier to be alive. From that day, I had a greater appreciation for life and mortality and I tried to live in a more optimistic fashion. I also easily found it in my heart to forgive the person that did this to me. I'm sure the majority of motorists are bound to get into an accident at least once... This experience taught me that you only live once (at least in this world unless you believe in reincarnation) and that there's more to life than meets the eye.

So there you have it. The story of my established appreciation (no pun intended).

NOTE: This post was prepared prior to my departure.

Again, I'll see you readers in 2 years.

It Is Time...

Well my fellow readers and bloggers, it is finally time for this day. Today, I report to the Missionary Training Center in Provo, Utah. I will stay there for two months before I'm sent to the port city of Nagoya in Japan. And believe me, it'll be an adventure.

That means no more blog posts from me for two years. And I advise you to be patient...

In the meantime, during my absence, why don't you check out the things I've left online before my departure???


If you wanna see my aviation photography, go to http://picasaweb.google.com/michaelwithak.

And I don't have much, but if you like to use YouTube and check out my account, go to http://www.youtube.com/user/mwithak.

Until then, I'll see you all in two years! And remember, "It's not good-bye until we meet again."

A GREEN WAL * MART!?!?!

No this isn't a fake, it is real!

So I was cruising around Salt Lake City and I came up to a Wal * Mart with a green sign (actual picture above). I'm thinking, "You've gotta be kidding me." Turns out it was just like any other grocery store. Now I shop at Wal * Marts a lot and I'm fine with their regular stores and their Super Centers with everything that a regular Wal * Mart's got plus groceries. But just groceries!?!? I didn't believe it until I've seen it. I'm not complaining, but I speak for the average Joe's driving up, seeing it and going, "Oh good! A Wal * Mart!" And he goes in and the store and next thing you here is "What the %*&# (heck!?)!?"

This was definitely one of those things that came out of the blue... That, plus realizing that In-N-Out Burger opened up at least THREE locations in the Salt Lake City area.

The Hardest Things In Life...

Fellow readers/bloggers, today's the day I leave home and never to come back for two years. That doesn't mean that blogging from me stops, yet. I'll be spending some time in Salt Lake City before the real work begins, but time will be short.

Today, I never realized how difficult it would be to say good-bye to the immediate members of my family... I drove my mother to work, water works begin to pour. I take my two sisters to school, water works pour... My dad takes me to the airport to see me off, I feel discomfort in the fact that this was the last time I'll see him for two years.

It really depends on how much the individual members of the family unit are connected I guess... Today, I realized that; through the difficulty of leaving home and saying good-bye. I don't have much to say but I have one thing. And that is take the time to express your appreciation. Take a minute to say "I love you" or something, because you'll never know when that inevitable time will come to part ways...

And you will, if not all, have to part ways someday, whether it's today, the next day, ten years from now, etc.

Quote Generated Blog: Quotes From Those I Admire

Whether they are funny, serious, or inspirational, I really love these quotes:

Historical Quotes

"If you are going through hell, keep going."
-Winston Churchill (British Prime Minister during WWII)

"Women desire six things: They want their husbands to be brave, wise, rich, generous, obedient to wife, and lively in bed."
-Geoffrey Chaucer (Author of The Canterbury Tales)

"When once you have tasted flight, you will forever walk the earth with your eyes turned skyward, for there you have been, and there you will always long to return."
-Leonardo Da Vinci


Anime Quotes

"There are times when you can't turn back, even if you want to..."
-Yuki Judai (Jaden Yuki) (Yu-Gi-Oh! GX Season 4)

"Power is not for satisfying our desires. It's for carrying out a great mission."
-Yuki Judai (Jaden Yuki) (Yu-Gi-Oh! GX Season 4)

"Screw the rules! I have money!"
-Seto Kaiba (Yu-Gi-Oh! The Abridged Series)

"I am NOT a freaky fish-guy!"
-Mako Tsunami (Yu-Gi-Oh! The Abridged Series)

"Friends do stupid things don't they?"
-Yusei Fudo (Yu-Gi-Oh! 5DS episode 12)

"We can't see how our thoughts will take its course now. But I'll gear up for the worst and press forward."
-Yusei Fudo (Yu-Gi-Oh! 5DS, episode 41)

"Only unity of companions can save a companion."
-Yusei Fudo (Yu-Gi-Oh! 5DS, episode 55)

"Our wishes will cluster together and be completed."
-Yusei Fudo (Yu-Gi-Oh! 5DS, episode55)

"Everyone has the right to wish for happiness. If you're saying that's a crime, then I'm just as guilty."
-Jack Atlus (Yu-Gi-Oh! 5DS, episode 59)


Video Game Quotes

"Those without strong wills can be easily turned to evil."
-Peppy Hare (Star Fox Assault)

"Don't hesitate! When the time comes, just act!"
-Wolf O'Donnel (Star Fox Assault)

"Everything has its beginning...
But it doesn't start at 'one'.
It starts long before that...
In chaos.
The world is born...
From zero.
The moment zero becomes one is the moment the world springs to life.
One becomes two...
Two becomes 10.
10 becomes 100.
Taking it all back to one solves nothing.
So long as zero remains...
One...
Will eventually grow to 100 again."
-Big Boss (Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots)

"Everyone dies. You can't stop it. You can't run away from it."
-Big Boss (Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots)

"Don't waste the life you have left fighting."
-Big Boss (Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots)

"It's not about changing the world. It's about doing our best to leave the world the way it is. It's about respecting the will of others and believing in your own."
-Big Boss (Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots)

"You only need one snake. No... The world would be better off without snakes."
-the dying words of Big Boss (Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots)

"This is good... Isn't it?"
-the final words of Big Boss (Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots)


TV Show Quotes

"I've always hated the cold, but I hate frostbite even more."
-Edward Michael Bear Grylls (Man Vs. Wild, Syberia)

"You can always learn from those who've gone."
-Edward Michael Bear Grylls (Man Vs. Wild, Turkey)

"Quack, damn you."
-Jamie Hyneman (Mythbusters)

"When in doubt, C-4!"
-Jamie Hyneman (Mythbusters, episode 100, McGyver Special)

"Is that beautiful or what!?"
-Jamie Hyneman (Mythbusters)

"That's what we do on Mythbusters! We blow (bleep) up!"
-Jamie Hyneman (Mythbusters)

"Am I missing an eyebrow?"
-Adam Savage (Mythbusters)

"I reject your reality and substitute my own."
-Adam Savage (Mythbusters)

"Failure is always an option."
-Adam Savage (Mythbusters)

"Well, there's your problem!"
-Adam Savage (Mythbusters)

"(Oh) Damn you and your science!"
-Grant Imahara (Mythbusters Shark Week Special 2008)

Adam: "So, you ever try to make yourself sneeze?"
Jamie: "No. I get boogers all over my mustache."
(Both break out in laughter)
-Mythbusters Viewers Special 1

"I'm an idiot. I'm a moron. I forgot my line. As if to really drive the point home, I will continue talking and saying nothing at all as the director comes over, shaking his head, casting espurgence on what's left of my dignity. It's what I do. You don't have to do that."
-Mike Rowe (Dirty Jobs bloopers)

"Like a one-legged man in an ass-kicking contest!"
-Phil Harris (Captain of F/V Cornelia Marie, Deadliest Catch Season 2)

"Retaliation Cornelia Marie style!"
-Phil Harris (Captain of F/V Cornelia Marie, Deadliest Catch Season 2)

"Shut up and fish!"
-Sig Hansen (Captain of F/V Northwestern, Deadliest Catch Season 2)

"On a crab boat, if you're not bleeding or dead, it's funny!"
-Mike Rowe (Narrator, Deadliest Catch Season 3)

"Now you know why lions eat their young."
-Phil Harris (Captain of F/V Cornelia Marie, Deadliest Catch Season 4)

"If you don't like it, get the hell off."
-Sig Hansen (Captain of F/V Northwestern, Deadliest Catch Season 4)

"If this thing works, I'm gonna have that thing chromed and set it up in my front yard!"
-Edgar Hansen (Deck Boss of F/V Northwestern, Deadliest Catch Season 4)

"If they don't like my style, they can kiss my ass."
-Sig Hansen (Captain of F/V Northwestern, Deadliest Catch Season 5)

"Heroes on crab boats don't last that long."
-Sig Hansen (Captain of F/V Northwestern, Deadliest Catch Season 5)


Movie Quotes

"With great powers, come great responsibility."
-Uncle Ben Parker (Spider Man)

General Grey: "Is that glass bullet-proof!?"
Major Mitchell: "No sir..." (Multiple Gun shots Fired)
-from the film Independence Day


Miscellaneous Quotes

"We were too busy [to be scared]. You must maintain your composure in the airplane or you will die. You learn that from your first day flying."
-Alfred C. Haynes (Captain of United Airlines Flight 232)

"As a captain, you have to trust your crew. As a crew, you have to trust your captain."
-Alfred C. Haynes

"Music is what feelings sound like."


"The good thing about flying solo is it's never boring."
-Steve Fossett (Record Setter, Aviator)

"The ground will always be there. I promise."
-a former S.O.M.B. member

"Even rich people have dead batteries."
-Doug Livermore (Sprague High School Mechanical Technology teacher)

"Hey! Hey! I said I was sorry!"
-Nintendood

"(Well,) That bites!"
-Nintendood (a.k.a. Rack Boy!)

"Card games and blood, (it's) the Japanese dream."
-Nintendood

"Young men speak about the future because they have no past. Old men speak about the past because they have no future."
-Boyd K. Packer (General Conference April 2009 Priesthood Session)

"Fear is the opposite of faith."
-Boyd K. Packer (General Conference April 2009 Priesthood Session)

"Turds!"
-A cousin of mine...

"Turkeys!"
-Brad Howard (Sprague High School Band Director 2006-2009)

“Life's Journey is not to arrive at the grave safely in a well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, totally worn out shouting: WOW! What a Ride!"


"Every parents' worst nightmare is to outlive their children."

“When you conquer that fear, you become stronger. And I fell in love with what I was afraid of.”
-Sean D. Tucker

Happy Valentine's Day From Michael With A "K"!

And here's a shout-out to all you love birds and couples out there! Happy Valentine's Day! Although there will be times of happiness and joy for some, others will in times of isolation, sadness, and lonliness. But for those of you who are still soul-searching, there will always be fish in the sea...

Cooking With Michael With A "K": Ramen Noodles

Are you living on terms called "broke" food? You might be if you're living on your own, living off welfare, or school with minimum wage jobs or no job at all. Broke foods include Spam (No, not the ones you find in e-mails; the canned kind), Hamburger Helper, Hot Dogs, Pasta Roni, Cup Noodles, and Ramen Noodles. Today, we tackle the common staple, Ramen Noodles. This is meant to give you variety to the instant noodles. It gives you a break from the boring flavors of Chicken, Beef, Shrimp, Oriental, etc.

I learned this from my uncle and credits of this goes out to him and one of his LDS missionary companions that he learned this from.

Things needed

Package of Ramen Noodles
Onion
Ketchup
Stove-safe Pan
Knife & Cutting Board
Soy Sauce (Optional)
Butter

1.) Take a package of Ramen Noodles and start boiling water as you would always do so.

2.) Take the packaged soup powder and put it in right away while waiting for the water to get boiling. You can also put in the optional Soy Sauce in for extra flavor.

3.) Take an onion (white or purple) and use a knife to cut a thin layer off to put into the cooking pan. Using the whole onion is not recommended.

4.) Put in 1/2 cup of Ketchup into the cooking pan.

5.) Once the soup is brought to a boil, put in the noodles.

6.) Put in 1 Tablespoon of Butter to thicken the soup.

7.) Continue to stir at a boil until noodles are soft and add any extra ingredients until it's the way you like it to taste and enjoy.

A Trip Down 'Memory Lane'

So today I was able to drive down to the old community I grew up in Illinois. A place called Cary. I was able to drive by the house my family and I lived in as well as the old elementary school I attended for 2 years. After that, I headed over to the apartment complex we lived in before moving into that house.

They say things in the movies or TV shows about taking a trip down 'Memory Lane'. That pretty much described the majority of my day today. It also got me thinking about a lot of things too. I may or may not have said this before, but we live in such an odd world. We live in a small world because where we currently reside at is nothing more than a mere speck on a map or in the universe. Yet, we live in a big world because there is so much to do, so much to accomplish, and many possibilities to go to.

If you've lost track, I am pretty much down to my final week before my departure into the mission field on the behalf of the LDS church. On Facebook, I came across a page titled 'I've lived in 3 decades, 2 centuries & 2 millenniums & I'm not even 20 yet!' If you don't get it, allow me to map it out for you...

1.) It's 2010, the third decade you lived to see.

2.) Between 2000 and 2009 was the previous (second) decade you saw go by.

3.) You were born in the 1990s, the first decade you lived in since your date of birth.

4.) 1999-2000 was obviously the turn of the century as well as the turn of the millennium.

If you still don't get it...

A decade = 10 years

A century = 100 years

A millennium = 1000 years

If you still don't get it, well I don't know what to say about that. You're an idiot...

Sorry about that!

It's kinda funny in a way that my generation and the several generations that soon followed was put into uncommon portions of the year. It's one of those things that make you feel so small, yet so special. It makes you wanna say "Don't grow up too fast." And that's what happened to me: I grew up too fast. I moved to Oregon about 3 years ago and those days have come and gone.

Now I'm no motivational speaker, but I can still give out my best advice based on my experience. As said before, don't grow up too fast. Enjoy where you are in life. You only live once (unless you believe in reincarnation). And remember that "Life is molded from broken high school dream." You've got a whole life ahead of you to chase down your true dream; your lifelong dream. If you've only had dreams in high school, you've pretty much wasted your life before it even got started...

I've had a lot to think about while I was out here in my old hometown near and around the Chicago, Illinois area. Just traveling out here has just boosted my confidence. Just what am I thinking about you ask? I'll never tell you. You've got your own life to think about and I've got mine. Let's leave it at that...

If you have any blog post ideas that you wanna see on my blog, drop me a line in the comments section. Thanks for reading!

A Part Of Me Died/Life As I Once Knew It...

So today, I drove out to the town of Lafayette in the state of Indiana with my uncle to visit my aunt and cousin. We were also meeting my uncle from Idaho out there because he and a friend were ferrying a light-sport aircraft over to a buyer in Maryland after it got repossessed. After crossing the state line, it dawned on me that I was back in the Eastern Standard Time Zone; the first time in over 3 years. And that got me thinking that this felt like going back the life as I once knew. Sure, I lost an hour of time when I switched time zones, but this was indeed the time I was once accustomed to for 7-8 years of living in the Washington D.C. metro area.

Trivia: Lafayette, Indiana is home to Purdue University, one of the best schools in the country if you're interested in Engineering.

To go along with this blog post, check out this previous post. Story of my life thus far...

This blog post is also dedicated to 'Deadliest Catch' Captain Phil Harris, of the F/V Cornelia Marie and his family. For those of that knew of Captain Harris, may we all remember his devotion to the fishing industry and television legacy. May he rest in peace in the presence of God...

The Truth About Shopping Malls

So I arrived at Chicago, Illinois to visit my uncle after a luxurious flight from Portland, Oregon. I go to lunch, eat some deep-dish Chicago style Pizza, get settled in, life is FINALLY good after getting more than two states away from So-lame, Oregon (No offense...). Later that evening, one of my cousins from Chicago (who comes into town from time to time) came home, and invited me out to the mall.

Now before I go on, let me remind you that the Chicago area got slammed by a winter snow storm 24 hours prior to my arrival and it was still snowing when I flew into Chicago O'Hare International Airport. It was still snowing when we went to the mall.

So we're at the mall now and I haven't been to one in a long time. And the reason is that shopping there IS expensive. A pair of brand-new Blue Jeans is like 40 to 50 bucks minimum. And as may know, these places have food courts, jewelry shops, electronic stores, and list can go on. When I was living in the D.C. area, I liked going to the mall because of the various food vendors that you may not find everywhere. What I did was go for some lunch or dinner, buy a pack or two of trading cards and go home. Other times, I went holiday shopping or shopping to find a gift for someones's birthday (which I still do if needed).

And don't even let me get started with the malls in the Salem, Oregon area!!!

But needless to say, I now hate shopping malls. It's really for the people I classify as "Rich Snobs". And even with the passing of Measures Sixty-something in Oregon (don't quote me on this), they've got a lot of money. And even if they pay THEIR fair share, they'll keep making tons money.

"Screw the rules! I have money!"
-Seto Kaiba (Yu-Gi-Oh! The Abridged Series)

Shopping malls...

They are overrated.

Internet Generated Blog: Traditions, Customs, And Facebook Fan Pages

Once again, I do apologize for the lack of any graphics or illustrations on some of my most recent posts... The lack of ideas have led to laziness on my posting. I am hoping to reach at least 50 blog posts total in the archive before I leave home for a good while... I have two weeks and two days left to go...

So onward to today's blog post.

If you're a Facebooker, do you recall the some of the fan pages that were created by fellow users in additions to group pages??? Have you noticed that were CRAZY fan pages for almost EVERYTHING??? Things such as a group/fan page that has something to do with making a wish when the time reads 11:11? How about a page dedicated to people that open a pack of gum and everybody is your best friend?!?!?!

Now don't take this the wrong way. Some Facebook pages are quite legit. I'll join them if it's something that I can support with ease or if it's something I believe in. What I'm saying is that some things can be overrated and some things are quite stupid. But I'm not gonna really do anything about it because these things, no matter how stupid they tend to be, gives a place or a network where people with common ideals and beliefs to socialize; A type of brotherhood/sisterhood. It also shows off the unique character of that individual. The important thing is to be yourself and not be someone who you are not.

Now I suppose you heard superstitions such as...

1.) Broken mirror = 7 years of bad luck

2.) Black cat = bad luck (that can be countered when a white cat comes by)

3.) Walking under a ladder = bad luck

The list probably goes on and on.

I'm not saying that I believe in these sort of things. But I've come to believe SOME bad luck exists in the world. For example, I believe in sayings such as...

"Red sky in the morning, sailors take warning. Red sky at night, sailors delight."

It's quite catchy if I might say so myself. If you read my other blogs, do you recall in one of my earliest posts on my aviation blog about the flight number "191"? It has been associated with numerous crashes and incidents over the years. It has even prompted some airlines to stop the use of this number. As an aviation enthusiast and supporter of the aviation industry, I believe that the number "191" is like your unlucky number "13". And after watching the movie 'Stealth' a few years ago, I came to a ridiculous belief that all prime numbers, including the number "13", are all lucky numbers. All except "191" of course!

Remember in one of my most previous posts where I mentioned that the laws of this country is full of loopholes and thus it has been founded on loopholes? The way I see it is that this country has it's loopholes and traditions, while people in certain generations have their own stupid traditions and dreams. As an American citizen, I believe that everyone has their own "American" Dream, no matter how crazy it might sound. As a Japanese former Japanese citizen, I also have a strong sense of honor. Remember:

"Life is molded from broken high school dreams."

So go out and face the world around you. Believe in what you wanna believe. Support the things that you see fit. Be proud of the good things you've done in your life so far and strive to get more out it! Chase down and achieve your life-long dreams and ambitions so that you get that feeling of satisfaction.

Your comments are always welcome in the the comments section. I am also considering to the idea of opening up an email address just for this blog. Stay tuned for any updates. Thanks for reading as always!

The Cute Little Computer Symbols That Many Of Us Use...

I have a question for you:

;-)

How big of a computer user are you?

:S

Do you use online chats on websites such as Facebook or MySpace??

(?_?)

Do you have a way to express your feelings???

(<.<)

If so, you probably know what chat icons are, right????

If not, well let's recap with some classic examples:

NOTE: One rule-of-thumb is that you SHOULD use these things on informal occasions such as at home computer networking (such as Facebook). You should NEVER do this in the place of your employment or profession. You might get fired from your job if you do. That goes for same with the chat abbreviations (ie. luv, c u l8tr, h8, etc. etc.).

Western Examples

Smiling or happy:
:-)
:)
=]
=)

Frowning or sad:
:-(
=(
:[
:<
=[
:(

Wink:
;-)
;)
;]

Large grin or laugh:
:D
=D
XD
BD

Tongue out, or after a joke, I'm an idiot:
:P
=P
XP

Love:
<3 br="br">
Shocked or surprised:
:O
=O
D:
o_o

Bored, annoyed or awkward; concerned; 'what?' face:
=I
:/
:-\
:|
O_o

Confused, embarrassed or uneasy:
:S
=S
:?


Eastern Examples

(^_^) smile
(^o^) laughing out loud
d(^_^)b thumbs up (not ears)
(T_T) sad (crying face)
(-.-)Zzz sleeping
(Z.Z) sleepy person
\(^_^)/ cheers, "Hurrah!"
(*^^*) shyness
(-_-); sweating (as in ashamed), or exasperated.
(*_*) "Surprise !."
(?_?) "Nonsense, I don't know."
(^_~) wink
(o.O) shocked/disturbed/raised eyebrow
(<.<) shifty, suspicious
v(^_^)v Peace


Now you MAY not know this, but there are also "@*$ Icons" That's right! *** icons! If you find these offensive, please don't give me crap about. I only found online randomly one day... I find it funny, but rarely use them myself. But it's a good way to get-back at people that MAY have insulted or crossed you >;-)

(_!_) a regular ***
(__!__) a fat ***
(!) a tight ***
(_*_) a sore ***
{_!_} a swishy ***
(_o_) an *** that's been around
(_x_) kiss my ***
(_X_) leave my *** alone
(_zzz_) a tired ***
(_E=mc^2_) a smart ***
(_$_) Money coming out of his ***
(_?_) Dumb ***


Did I miss some icons? Drop me a line and let me know pronto!

Questions? Comments?? Complaints??? Hate mail???? Comments section! That's all there's to it. :-)

Okay! I'm gonna stop using these for now!