Toughest Semester

As I flew back home for this Christmas break, two of my finals were graded and posted. They weren't as good as I wanted it to be, or even expected. I put my best on it. Now, it became clear I'm most likely to get B's on at least these two classes. I hope I pull out A on the other one.

I didn't think it would be an easy semester, but rather I knew it would be one of the hardest. The reason is that from previous semester, I knew the professors were not good at teaching.

One professor taught two of my three classes and another did the other. And they are from other countries. And first I would mention that language was not the issue. But, the problem is their teaching method. Or should I say skill?

Their primary method is to let PowerPoint somehow teach the classes. They flood slide shows with words and equations. What happens is that my brain stop interpreting the things on the screen. There is too much information.

Reviewing them for tests becomes time-consuming task. And I don't get much out of it. After the exam is over, it's gone.

For a research class, my professor did not perform calculation on chalkboard. She simply put equations on PowerPoint. Excuse me? This is not a class for math problem solving strategy. And when you learn new equations, is it not better to see someone actually do calculation? She was same with budgeting class.

For this matter, American professors tend to have better skills on lecturing. I was actually worried since all my professors are non-American. And they don't know that PowerPoint is just supplement to lecture and not your own textbook.

I hope they take those evaluations seriously and improve their teaching.

Too educated to vote for Romney...

That's what a friend of mine described voters in one of swing states as we discussed about this presidential election. And I agree.

As I see my news feeds of Facebook or comments on online articles, I'm surprised how some people blindly believe in the GOP candidate or just simply against everything Obama does. I just want to say... Educate yourself, think rationally.

I'm sick of people saying something like, Obama is a Muslim, socialist, lead this nation broke. First of Obama is a Christian. American health care must get out of complete control and corruption by private sector. The nation is in deficit because of the Republican policies.

Something about healthcare... Romney said the states should be allowed to deal with it. Well, how many states do you think are willing to do that? At least not in the South. Alabama even put a referendum of state constitution to prohibit the mandate of health insurance.

As I mentioned before, what choice do we have if we don't have insurance, and insurance itself is getting expensive? This completely private medicine is clearly mess already. The cost have to be lowered and evened.

I agree also that investment needs to be made to infrastructure, education, among other things and support the population up from bottom. The rich should pay a little bit more in taxes since they are still well off after all.

Yes, too much regulation is not effective, but too much deregulation is also bad. We don't need to turn back to the old policy that led to recession in the first place. We don't need people financially vulnerable to go bankrupt and bailout banks again. Rather, we need people to make smart choice.

For Romney's agenda, how can he reduce the deficit with lower tax rate he said he would propose? By reducing deduction and closing loophole? With defense spending increased but reducing other spending? Isn't it a little too obvious that military industries is on his back?

I can go on and on, but just want to say Romney doesn't make sense. He is not capable of handling the task of the President of the United States. It's not just about the U.S. but all over the world. I hope the voters makes smart decision tomorrow.

Keeping in touch with friends

I was blessed to attend a wedding of my friends today and catching up with old friends from JSU BCM. For years and years, I have not some of them since my sophomore or junior years. I miss those days.

Two couples already have kids. One of them has a twin and  I like to play with them. In August when a friend of mine, living in Michigan now, came to visit, she stayed with them. As I picked up her at the airport and dropped her off at their house, I get to see them for the first time and they seemed to like me too.

The couple invited me along with other friends after the wedding and reception. I thought I would go, but I decided to head straight to another friend's house where I'm staying over the weekend. First because no one else was going and it was already 7:30. The babies might be asleep already (they left an hour earlier than we did as we talked for extra one hour. Second, I was a little tired and also as I was wearing suits, I thought I wanted to be more casual to go into their house.

Then I thought, how difficult it is to keep in touch with old friends! Especially when they are far or married and have kids.

The couple even told me that I should visit them sometimes. I'm grateful for that, but then I find myself searching for the reason to visit, like a old friends from far coming over. Should I just think that I want to visit because I haven't seen them for a long time?

How should I keep in touch with friends? Even with Facebook, it seems difficult for me. Not that I'm shy to friends or anything (but I'm shy in general) nor I don't value friendship. But, even with friends in reachable distance, I don't see them unless there is a reason. Something in my mind makes me think that I shouldn't even talk to them without a reason.

I know some people call just randomly friends and ask what they have been up to. Is that something I should do?

And one other thing. I feel like I've been left out. I mean everybody gets married and often at younger age than mine. The fact that majority of my Sunday School class members (GAP-Graduates and Professionals) are married also enhance that feeling. Since breaking up with a girl I dated during the summer of last year, I haven't seen possibility of .even dating.

I know someone may come up to me at time the least expected, and certainly that was the case when I met the girl whom I dated last year. Just I feel behind. I'm not the person who has determined to stay single. I want to marry some day and make a family. I want to show my parents their grandchildren. I had a blessing to have been able to see my grandparents for my first twenty years of my life. And I want my kids to have same blessing. Not only my future wife's side family, but also mine.

I know I'm different because I'm one of a few Asians around here and from different cultural background. But is that too much to ask for.

Scared if Romney gets elected

I just saw the highlight of DNC. Even though I didn't get to watch RNC, I read some of the speech at the convention.

I can't imagine the case that Romney would get elected. They would cut social security, health care, investment for infrastructure, and deregulation among other things. He claimed solar power as a waste of time (http://t.co/bfa9e21r). And some people actually believe that. Really?

As Bill Clinton said, Republican policy got the economy into the mess in the first place. I'm scared of what would happen if Romney is elected. Why don't they (Republicans) get it?

Obama is more intelligent, better equipped to make good leadership. I know many people in the right.

Health Care... You want more choice, not the government telling what to do? Well, what choice do you have if you cannot afford health insurance?

Please think about it carefully as we go into the election season.

Summer passing by...

I've never had a summer as busy as this one. Now it's already August? I just finished the summer class and I'm starting class in less than two weeks. As an International Mentor, I have to be in information session for new international students. No time for vacation or relaxing time.

Some thoughts that just came up during this summer.

Some people ask me if I'm going back to Japan after the MPA program. I say I want to work in the States or globally. I don't like the work ethic or custom in Japan. They work too hard, too busy. They force you to work too hard. It's hard to take vacation. I want to do things I have learned in school. I wanna be a professional, not generalist (although I have to be somewhat a generalist while being a professional).

 

Election is coming up. Although I'm able to vote, President Obama has my support. He is obviously more intelligent than Romney, who just told the public Jerusalem is the capital of Israel and upset the Palestine. He doesn't know how foreign affair works, he doesn't think. He is just pushing how he is with the conservatives. He argues the government should pulled out of the economy. But, isn't it the exact policy that led to the Great Recession? I agree and support Obama for not going back to the same policy that led us to this economic mess.

I was watching the Olympic opening ceremony with friends. All of my friends got bored and soon after the performance started, they began to criticize. I was the only one there that fully enjoyed the show. I see them how they are proud of their history with their play of Industrial Revolution, National Health Services, etc. I appreciate the influence and culture of the British. One friend, out of his boredom, said "this is why their health care is bad." Excuse me? Their health care is far better than the U.S. It's affordable, well organized. The health care of the U.S. is just a mess. The video below talks about Taiwanese health care, that the government official learn from U.S. health care how not to do it.

How to Fix U.S. Health Care

For some reason, they don't appreciate the British heritage. One of the most annoying thing there was that they are laughing at the queen, for not smiling. They may not like any ruling figure, but she is well respected, admired head of the state. Maybe because I'm more international minded. Or maybe they've never been out of the country?

One reason that I like about my internship is that the staffs know the world outside of the U.S. They are intelligent and objective.

I hope I have some relaxing time before another busy week starts. I pray that my path ahead will be revealed.

"Choice"

"Choice" is the key word when taking about American politics. And many people get outraged when their choice is going to be limited. Even if the policy works for the benefit of people, they oppose to it when they know it narrows the range of choice, or when media, especially Fox News,  says it does.

The U.S. Supreme Court upholds the universal health care reform, commonly called "Obama Care." This decision would help millions of those uninsured to get health insurance.

As I live in Deep South and among so many conservatives, I see a lot of opposition to the decision. On TV, newspaper, and Facebook. But since I'm from a country where most of its residents are insured and health care cost is much cheaper, I'm more than happy about this ruling.

Alabama governor Robert Bentley said "People need more choices, not fewer choices. Bigger government is not the answer. Market-based solutions are the best solutions to giving the public the most affordable options" (Chandler, al.com).

Well, first of all, if you are denied from coverage and not able to get Medicaid, what choice do they have? None! Or hopefully the treatment is not something that you can afford. And when car insurance is required to own a car even in Alabama (there is no such choice as not having insurance), why is it not the case for health care? Even the safest driver has to have it.

Market-based solution? That is exactly what the American health care industry has had for decades, isn't it? As a result, insurance premium rises, people who needs treatment are denied from coverage.

Some people just don't like anything with Federal government. They want the Feds to let the state decide what it wants to do. But, I think the states of the US are so united that each cannot decide solely on its own behalf. Plus, history proves that the Feds need to intervene to lead the country where it needs to go. Slavery, Civil Rights Movement.

Some states cannot take care of themselves. Health care is one of those things.

Watch this video. Fareed Zakaria on CNN discuss how other developed countries provide good and affordable health care while the U.S. pays twice or more than them.

I agree with him. As he quotes an economist, health care does not work with regular market economy. You don't know when you need it and when you need it, you cannot buy it.

I think the most serious issue is how to educate those conservatives, maybe educated to hate any kind of government intervention, so that they can all cooperate for the health care system.

Selfish or what?

Japan is about to raise sale tax. Current 5% will go up to 8% then eventually 10%. This is a proposal that Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda made in international community as concerns of ever increasing debt of Japan.

While Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ), Noda's own party, sees large number of its member departing the party on this issue, I support him. I think he is brave to touch and change this issue. Look at Greece. Even though we don't owe to other countries like Greece, the size of debt against GDP is just absolutely ridiculous. Looking at the fact that majority of voters oppose to the tax increase, I wonder why they don't see the big picture.

Well I guess they don't see because media leads them that way. They emphasize the waste of government spending more than the need of revenue increase. I admit there is huge waste of tax money in the government. But even if they completely erase the waste, Japan cannot make up the deficit. Japan now rely on bond for over the half of revenue on the general budget. It cannot support this rapidly aging population.

I want to ask a question to those who argue for cutting waste before tax increase. Do they ever agree on tax increase even if the government successfully cut the waste? Because I doubt that. Rather they would say, "Now waste is gone, why should we pay more tax?"

First of all, they cannot cut the waste because everyone in the legislature is playing political game and nothing is going forward. When DPJ took over the cabinet, Japan was in huge recession after the financial crisis. It would take years to turn around the economy, which was already in bad shape.

Democracy is good, but the voters have to be intelligent. I'm proud of Japan, but I don't like how the many Japanese interpret politics. They are just whining, selfish. It can be same in the U.S., but Japan is worse. They don't think in long term.

5% sales tax is considerably low among developed countries. And Japan keeps one of the highest quality of social security. In Alabama sales tax is 10% for Federal, state, and city altogether, but the U.S. is yet to have developed social security like Japan. I know defense spending by Japan is much smaller, but don't you think it's crazy to keep the social security with this low tax and this deficit?

The fact that the half of revenue is from treasury bond is more than enough to blow my mind. But even more surprising is that there are politicians oppose the necessary tax increase and majority of voters are supporting them.

特にこのポストは日本人にも読んでもらいたいので、以下に簡単に日本語で要約のようなものを書こうと思う。

消費税が５%から上がろうとしているが、それは野田首相が日本の財政悪化を危惧する国際社会への約束したことでもある。たが国民の大半は増税に反対だ。もしくは増税の前に税金の無駄遣いをなくすべきだとの主張もある。

民主党も分裂寸前だが、私は野田首相を評価する。増税というだれもが触れたくないトピックにメスを入れたからだ。無駄遣いが存在するのは明らかなことだが、それでも財政赤字を埋め合わせるまでには至らないだろう。なにせ歳出の半分を国債発行に頼っているのだ。

無駄遣いも政治闘争でなかなか進まない。それ首相を非難するのは少し筋違いではないか。行政の長とはいえ、できることできないことがある。むしろ国政の最高機関たる国会が無駄遣いをなくすよう法案を考えるべきではないか。いうまでもなく、行政府を監視は国会の役目である。

それから、仮に無駄遣いが完全になくなったとしよう。そのうえで増税は支持されるだろうか？どのみち国民は反対するだろう。むしろ無駄がなくなって楽観し、増税は必要ないと言い出すのではなかろうか。

民主党が政権を取ったとき、日本はアメリカの金融危機を受けて不況だった。しかもバブル崩壊後も改善しないデフレの中で打撃を受けたのだ、アメリカでさえようやく持ち直してきたとはいえ、いまだ苦しい状況だ。すぐに状況が反転するわけでもない。

民主主義はいいが、そのなかで日本国民はもっと知的になるべきだ。日本を誇りに思うこともあるが、日本人の政治の見方は好きではない。ただわめいて、メディアに踊らされて、自分勝手だ。アメリカでも同じことを見るが、日本はそれ以上だ。長期的に考え、政治を見るべきだ。

５％の消費税は先進国の中では明らかに低い。ここアラバマ州バーミングハムでは連邦、州、市の消費税合わせて10%だ。それでも日本ほどの社会保障はない。防衛費が日本より大きいとはいえ、５%の消費税といまのままの財政状況、高齢化していく社会を支えられるだろうか？

驚かされるのは、こういった事実が存在するにも関わらず、国民の半分が増税反対ということだ。さらに専門家たる政治家までもが増税に反対するとは。日本はどうなるのだろう。

以上が要約である。英語の本文には書いていないが、日本は産業を含め総合的な改革が必要だ。たとえば、消費税増税の応じて、法人税を下げたり、日本でまた産業が活発化するような環境を整えるべきだ。いまや日本産業は海外進出に活路を見出している。ホンダは円高を受けてアラバマ工場での中国輸出用の車の生産を始める。むしろ国際化の波に乗って、日本への投資を促すべきだ。日本の産業を留め置くのではなく、産業そのものを日本で活発化させるべきだ。そうすれば雇用も生まれる。正規非正規雇用の差別、新卒一括採用など、人材の流動性を妨げる制度は廃止し、公平な人事制度を設ける。

もはや海外とのやりとりなしに日本は生き残れない。それならばむしろ積極的に市場を開放し、経済活動を活発化させるべきだ。この閉鎖的な環境では成長の余地がない。日本が成長を見込める分野が何かはわからない。だが、少子高齢化でこのままでは日本の体力は確実に衰えていく。投資を引き付け、経済が回り始めるなにかを見つけなければ、日本の破綻は確実だ。

Know when you met?

I sometimes hear and read some stories about... you know... how they met each other, falling in love, and get married... and on and on. Well, I actually like to hear about these things.

Some of them are something like that they know they are going to get married when they met first time. And I wonder how it feels like. Well, if I knew, I might have already been married... haha. I guess I'll just wait and see.

I have had a girlfriend once, but not sure if I felt that way.

Is it like "I WANT to get married with this woman" or you just know you two are compatible, make a great couple. No doubt. Like when you go into a restaurant and smell the food, you already can imagine you are enjoying the food.

I guess I started to wonder about it because friends around me get married every year. One guy in my Sunday School just got married with a girl just after 5 month of dating. Recent marrying couples are younger than me.

But there seems to be no explanation than you "just know." I hope I meet someone whom I feel just like that one day.

What to be above US280

Last Wednesday, for the first time I was in the middle of reverse commute traffic of US 280 on the way to church. It was a little bit flowing, and I assume LA is far worse than Birmingham.

But, still, it's waste of time and gas. Assuming the traffic is heavier in the morning, it's really bad. And wide spoken solution is to build a toll elevated road right above US 280. Commuters from Shelby County can use the toll road to get to downtown faster while local traffic of Homewood and Mountain Brook can use the highway with reduced congestion.

Don't you think it's funny? The fact that solution to congestion of highways is always another highway. Think about it. If you are looking at growth by the new highway, isn't it matter of time until even this new toll road will be filled as badly as it is now?

How many of those commuters to Birmingham ever think of commuter rails or other forms of mass transit? When you are stuck in the traffic on 280, imagine a commuter rail running above you, carrying hundreds of people just like you, free from traffic, much faster than cars barely moving.

Think in another way, One car with only one people in it occupies 6-7 times as large space as he  does in train. And cars from all around Shelby County gather on 280 and I-65. Don't you think it's smarter to have train stations in Pelham and Alabaster, where they can park their car and get on trains and 20-30 minutes later you are in downtown Birmingham. The terminal in downtown can be above the Amtrak station or underground.

Of course you have to pay for that project and it's expensive. But Rather than building a toll road that will get bad traffic, it would be better to have a solution that is built to last, such as commuter rails. If you want a rail connecting Birmingham and Montgomery or even Mobile, just extend the rail from Pelham. If trains get more crowded, simply increase the frequency of services, or add more passenger cars.

I know many are doubtful on transit system due to failing BJCTA, but transportation leaders need to think comprehensively.

Struggle in building network

I have been so blessed to have made so many good friends when I was at JSU. As a shy and quiet student, it is amazing how my life was filled with this many friends. It was the church and BCM. The pastors were so friendly and engaged to college students, and I could not thank enough to BCM friends for fill those days with fun and joy.

Now, the new life at UAB and in Birmingham is a little different.

The church that I go to is about 25 minutes drive from my apartment. As a graduate student, I'm in GAP (graduates and professionals) of the Sunday School, not in college class. There is no one from UAB BCM. So I see people at this church only on Sunday. Most attendees of the service live in Mountain Brook, wealthy neighborhood in Birmingham area and where this church is also located. I prefer this church over other church that many BCMers attend because this is a moderate size church. I attended the latter and it was overwhelming... too much, too big for me.

Fall and Spring were still fine. I still get to hang out with friends at BCM a lot. Now it's summer. Many went home. I started internship. I don't get to see friends during the week or even on the weekend.

I have been feeling in need of getting to know more people in this church for a while, but at the service yesterday, I felt it more strongly as I sit by myself, couldn't find a friend that I usually sit with. I guess she attended the first service and went home after Sunday School.

My Sunday School class is different from the one in Jacksonville, other than it's GAP. Most people there works. About half are married. A few are in UAB, but they are in the medical school (UAB medical school and other programs are practically totally different schools). A couple of them are seminary students at Beeson Divinity School in Samford. I don't think even in college ministry, UAB population is not big.

Unlike Jacksonville, where there is only one college, I'm in a church where I don't have much common factors with church attendees.

This church in Birmingham has similar air to the church I go to in Tokyo. There, I became rapidly engaged to the church activities, especially youth ministry. Now I came to a similar church and I'm struggling to find a place to be a part of. Of course there are several factors to this. I could not join Wednesday night Bible Study due to class. College ministry is distant from UAB BCM.

I am wondering whether I should go to another church. I mean I like this church. I like the pastor. I like the people at GAP class. It's just seem everyone is distant, comparing to the church in Jacksonville. Perhaps, I want friends that I get to hang out with often or feel connected.

It's funny, though, that I feel so connected in a small city of Jacksonville, and in Birmingham, where everything is closer, cars are main transportation as in Jacksonville, I feel a bit lonely. Maybe because the church is far? or different focus of ministry? Not even like in Tokyo either.

Even Schedule Requires Effort...

I always have trouble with scheduling, and it depresses me really bad.

One couple of my friends are getting married later this month. Mysteriously, the invitation disappeared and never reappeared. But I got to met them and put the date they told on my phone.

Then, at UAB, I was chosen for International Mentor Program, which supports incoming international students. I made commitment to participate required retreat and training. They asked me whether the date they set works for me. As I was looking at my paper planner, where the date asked was shown clear, I said I'm able to go.

Now, very recently, I realized these two events fell on the same date. Plus, I set the date of my oral surgery to extract wisdom teeth, which I already pushed to a month later.

Both of them are important to me. The friends who are marrying this month have been so good friends to me and I have been so excited about them getting married. But, the retreat was commitment and requirement.

Only if I had remembered to put the wedding date in my phone onto my planner, I would have said the date they asked on the retreat would not work. Even if they hadn't changed the date, at least they would've known I had other thing to do. But I told them otherwise. I said I could make it.

I know it's rude to them, but I think I have to choose the retreat. I cannot say at this point that I cannot be on the retreat and not being on it can jeopardize this one year of my international mentorship. The International Mentor needs teamwork too. I could not miss this opportunity to build  up relationship with other mentors.

Just one thing... Where did the invitation go? It's like its existence or molecules that consist of paper of the invitation just physically disappeared, without trace. I looked everywhere in my room, but couldn't find it. I know it happens sometimes, but the invitation? Such an important document! Just in three days or so after I received it in mail it was gone! Geez...

Thoughts from Driver's License Renewal

This past weekend, I went back to Jacksonville for JSU graduation. It ended up spending most of the weekend with some of my friends at JSU. We went to see Avengers, Civil War Inactment, etc. It was so much fun.

Then, today, Monday, I went to driver's license office in Jacksonville. It turned out to be something unpleasing.

They only gave me a license effective until next August, not for four years. The explanation was that my Form I-20, school document that proves my legal presence in the States, states that I am expected to complete the program in next August.

I was confused because when I got the first license, I was going to finish undergraduate program at the end of 2011, and they still gave me the license good until May 2012. It seems that as the Alabama Immigration Law was written, they also added regulation on driver's license for foreign nationals.

This may be problem because I am considering to graduate in December 2013, instead of August. For me to get license, I must have minimum of 160 days that I'm allowed to stay. If I decide to push back the graduation date to December, there is only five months of stay when I have to renew my license again. How am I gonna live in Birmingham without being legally able to drive?

I need to talk to school's immigration officer, but at least on the record, I need to push the date even further, May 2014. This will also require some paperwork. I need my advisor's letter and proof of financial support.

Good grief!!

First of all, why in the world does there need to be a limitation on international students getting a license? Especially in a state where you drive everywhere you go? Not sure if this is constitutional, but this is a kind of discrimination.

Anyway, this leads me into deep thoughts.

I realized there was only a little bit more than a year in the school. I spent five years in undergrad, so it's especially short for me. I need to look for job. Maybe OPT then H1B visa. Hopefully I can get permanent residency.

I know there are many talented people choosing to reside in the U.S. Comparing to them, I'm just working on MPA. I've never heard of any international student who gains MPA, authorized to work for nonprofit organizations and end up earning permanent residency.

There are something not appealing, but overall I love to live here. There are so many friends here. I don't want to leave this place just because I finish the school. There should be something more than that.

Not that I hate Japan. I'm proud of my country. But I feel the U.S... Alabama is the place where I belong.

I have been long wondering whether God wants me to stay in the U.S. or go back to Japan. I never saw that I would enjoy this place. As a Christian, I see the need in Japan of more believers witnessing the Gospel to Japanese people. I pray that God show me the path he wants me to take.

A Lot Happened Last Year

As today marks one year anniversary of Alabama tornadoes outbreak, I look back the year of 2011. There is nothing like 2011. There was a earthquake that hit Japan, of course tornado. Personally, I got to have girlfriend but experienced break up too. I graduated from JSU and started master's at UAB. New friends, and friends gone far. Some got married.

It's amazing all those things have happened and passed. Time flies. Now one year since tornado outbreak.

My second semester in graduate school is almost over too. I feel this semester is the shortest I have ever had. Strange. UAB has a little longer semester than JSU, but it's passing by really fast.

There were some 1st ever's this past year too.

I started to live in an apartment by myself. I started cook like never before.

First bus ride from one side of the U.S to the other. May not be so great though. I flew to New York and ride back to Alabama.

It's first time that I have a place in the States that I want to go back sometimes. I have so many friends in Jacksonville, and reuniting with them is something special to me.

Oh, I have to renew my Alabama driver's license in next month. This will be a first too.

God has blessed me with so many things... and lessons. Definitely the Year 2011 remains deep in my heart.

Emotion over rationality

At last night class we had a very interesting discussion.

We talked about how American politic is in gridlock. Health care reform has been on the topic of news lately. The U.S. has a well developed health care, yet access to it is limited. Costs are on a rise, insurances charge high premium. It's clear to everyone that something is not right. Medicine is not for keeping patients coming back to hospitals. It's for well-being of people.

Everyone knows it. Then, why is even some of general public opposed to the healthcare reform? It's fear and emotion that rules over rationality.

The opposition's popular reasons are something like, "It's socialist way," "It's not American way," "It takes away choices."

I agree with the professor. They don't know what socialism is.

I was astounded when I first heard people around me, clearly conservatives as living in the South, condemning the new proposal as socialist. It shows me how they label socialism not knowing what it exactly is. It's prejudice, hate.

What would happen if you took away socialistic aspect from this country? No Social Security, no Medicare and Medicaid. Just leave everything to private sector. Great Depression is one example. That event is the reason why Social Security was created. To protect people from injustice and things unexpected, the government has adapted socialistic approach while keeping capitalist economy. 

If it's not the American way, then what is? Market-based competition as some Republicans argue? Then that very system has led us where we are right now. This system has already failed. The whole health care market raised the expense.

This reform takes choices away? Then, what are the other choices? Is there an alternative? We don't have many choices in the first place. Paying high premium for insurance or paying good chunk of money at once. If insurance rejects you, you don't even have the first choice.

One more thing. It's mandate to purchase auto insurance when owning a car. States enforce the rule and state by state, necessary amount of insurance is different, but it's universal across the country. And it's good because you never know when accident is sometimes out of your control.

If it's acceptable that car insurance is mandate universally, why is it not for health insurance? Illness is not under your control. Is it not good that everyone can afford health insurance and necessary care?

But, I guess that's the constant problem of democracy. Different value, ways of thinking that contradict always make gridlock in the process.

Following is an interesting article about universal health care.
Harvey Rosenfield: Why the Supreme Court Wants to Kill Universal Health Care

Cabs that never come...

Lots have gone on in this month. School, wedding, spring break...

I went to New York for spring break. I went there for sightseeing last year, but this time was for mission project. We helped the churches in Long Island to reach out local neighborhoods. BCM team left Birmingham on a bus on 16th in Friday evening and arrived there next day. I had to stay in Alabama for my friend's wedding in Gadsden. My plan was to come back to Birmingham after the wedding, then pack, and leave my car at BCM, take a cab to Greyhound station since all my friends were already gone to New York. Greyhound was to take me to Atlanta overnight, and I was going to take a plane to New York.

Plans don't go as it's supposed to sometimes. What happened was that the cab didn't show up to pick me up. My bus was to depart at 3:20 a.m. I read reviews that the cabs often delay so I was at BCM by 12:30 a.m. I called them and waited for them. At 3:00 a.m. I decided to drive to the station. I was not familiar with parking deck around the station and the area was sketchy at night. So, instead of walking several sketchy blocks at night, I parked at the station, hoping they wouldn't tow my car (which ended up being towed...)

Bus delayed for about an hour. But rest of trip was smooth. It was interesting too. In Birmingham, there is no other good way than driving to get from point A to B. Even taxi cabs don't pick you up. In Atlanta, you may have to drive a little bit, but there are subways and buses. If you want to avoid getting lost or stuck in traffic, you park your car at subway station and get on subway. In New York, you definitely take subways and commuter rails. Everything is close and driving is for getting to train station and for shopping if you live in suburb.

It was like looking at each step of city development. Birmingham is well-behind of Atlanta and New York. Atlanta is still dependent on cars, but they have subways and buses. So you don't have to drive on complex roads in the downtown. New York has fully developed subway network.

While in New York, I walked a lot. We walked around neighborhood handing out fliers about Easter service to houses. I hope this mission work have big impact on these neighborhoods.

On Thursday, we had a free day in Manhattan. We took Staten Island Ferry to see the Statue of Liberty, walked around Freedom Tower (9-11 site). M&M Shop and Hershey's Store were fun. My favorite was UNIQLO near Empire State Building. The saddest part was that Yoshinoya restaurant was closed.... At the end, we went to the Phantom of Opera.

After the show, we took train to Newark Penn Station to meet up with our bus. We came back to Birmingham around 4 on the next day. I had a friend to drive to bus station, then to a towing service after finding out my car was towed. I'm so thankful of those wonderful friends.

One thing that I just can't help saying... I just don't understand why Birmingham stays behind like this. There is practically no alternative to driving. Traffic and road condition have been terrible. But they just stay in the same place. There has been complain about transportation, but nothing changes. Bus doesn't serve public adequately, so people drive. There is no room for extra lane on freeways, but they don't take a step toward effective mass transit. The city is stuck behind even when there needs to be improvement somewhere... It's strange to see the city seemingly doesn't even try to go forward.

Tired of politicians complaining everything

First of all, I usually don't put political issues, but this is going to be a very political post...

As you may know, gas price is on the rise. two weeks ago it was $3.49 per gallon, and now it's around $3.60 in Birmingham. I know there are places where regular gasoline is well over $4, and it's still cheaper than some other countries, but this is crazy.... I looked through my past Facebook status, and about a year ago, I complained the gas price was $3.35 in Jacksonville. It's like nothing comparing this rising price.

What I hate is the fact that there is no alternative transportation. BJCTA doesn't offer adequate service. By the time I got out of class, there are no bus running.

And high-speed rail is not really progressing. Florida and Wisconsin rejected the fund. It seems we will continue to be oil-dependent.

Now, the gas prices are rising, and GOP candidates criticize Obama's energy policy. This is something I don't get it, or just it looks selfish to me.

Republican governors turned down the high-speed rail projects for the high cost, then Republicans start complaining once gas price gets high.

Okay, so what do they propose to solve this issue? Are they just waiting for automakers to develop cars as efficient as trains? How long do they think it will take till a car most likely carrying one person catch up with a train that can easily carry 50 people at once? How much money spent on gas until then and road maintenance? What about the cost caused by accident?

Or we can build efficient high-speed rails that last and less dependent on oil. Instead of using so much fuel with flying or driving 4 hours from Birmingham to Atlanta, we can get on efficient train for just 1 hour.

Same with MAX bus in Birmingham. Many people probably won't stop driving. But that's because the buses don't cover what people want them to cover. If they can reach them well and go faster, ridership should increase as well. They just need to make decision of transition. It's not going to be easy and short, but they know this oil-dependency is not durable. Then why don't they stop complaining and make a change?

Don't get me wrong. I like driving, but not driving on congested roads with risk of someone running into me, not knowing how to drive.

I should sound like Democrats, but doesn't it make sense? I don't get to vote, but I think this is agreeable statement.

PowerPoint with Too Many Texts

As I write this post, I'm taking a break from study for a test tonight. Actually break has been taking more time than actually studying. I just can't concentrate on it.

For this particular test, I don't know what to do to prepare for this class. Its professor is the same one that I took last semester. She is the one that gives lecture that is not concise. And on a test, she gives questions that she didn't cover in her class. Or the questions comes from somewhere on a textbook or lecture not emphasized enough.

She says they are not tricky, but as from students' side, I doubt her definition of "tricky" is the same as we do.

She loves PowerPoint. She puts everything on the slide show. From definition to detailed examples and sample questions. Reviewing the slideshow is one huge task, causing me headache. And that's why I'm struggling now.

Obviously it's better studying than doing nothing, but you have no idea what's on the test. She doesn't know what is good teaching and what's not.

I just wanna get over it...

Everyday...

Food Network and Cooking Channel have some of my favorite shows. For example, I would love to visit Iron Chef Morimoto's restaurant one day.

Since I started my graduate program and all my classes moved to night, I have had much of daytime spared for whatever I want to do. Of course, I have to use this time for my schoolwork, but this part of the day is filled with cooking shows. Among them, I like to watch Giada at Home and Everyday Italian.

GIada, the host of the show, introduces recipes with Italian background. Giada at Home is the newer show that came out after the birth of her daughter.

First, she is a beautiful lady. And she speaks perfect English.

Second, some of the recipes are easy. I picked a couple of them and actually cooked. Especially, I like Pasta a lot, so when pasta dishes come out, I go online and check the recipes.

If I get to be married, (and I really hope I do) I want to marry someone like her... I mean... don't you agree? She comes up with so many delicious dishes, and she is a nice presenter, of course beautiful...

I enjoy cooking. But, if I get to make a family, I want to enjoy cooking with her.

Restaurant Impossible is another favorite. When each episode starts, I cannot believe some of the kitchen situation, service quality, and even owners' attitude. But, it's amazing how the restaurants change in two days and turn around the business.

Anyway, since I have limited food option, by which I mean I have to drive long or simply there are not many affordable restaurants around, I have some fun out of actually cooking good food by myself.

65 on 70

On the other day, I was talking with friends and topic shifted to about how fast to drive on Interstate Highway. It started when said he would get upset when someone is driving 70 miles per hour on passing lane (left lane). Then, other said he had driving 120 MPH once when he noticed.

If you don't know, speed limit on freeway is usually 70 MPH (about 110 km/hr).

I drive 65 MPH on 70 speed limit. I know in this case I'm not normal.

I do this because it saves gas. I used drive 70 on 70 but when I started to drive more on backroads to Atlanta or Birmingham and less on freeway, thus driving 65 or 55, I found I got better mileage.

I got the best mileage last time when I went back to Jacksonville. I drove 65 on I-20 to Riverside, then got on US-78 and AL-144 and 77 whose speed limits are 55. I spent the three days weekend there and before heading back to Birmingham, I filled up tank. I found out I drove 44 miles per gallon.

44 MPG!

It's like hybrid.

My car's manufactures MPG is about 37 MPG on highway.

I think most cars are designed to run around this speed range. At least I don't see points driving faster risking for accident and consuming more gas. I'm fine with driving 65 miles.

Of course I wish there were high speed rails. That would make life a lot easier. You would just pop in to a train for a couple of hours ride to Atlanta or Nashville, not having to drive for three or four hours along with some crazy drivers or 18-wheelers.

Did it again!

Am I normal? Normal that I forget things important to me this often? Come on. I wrote it down on my scheduler because it is important. But still this had been gone until I got an email reminder.

There will be a career forum at UAB for government and nonprofit job, internship, and volunteer seekers. Since I found it hard to find nonprofit jobs in Alabama online, this is a perfect chance for me to get to know local opportunity.

But, for some reason, I thought this event's dates, 17th and 18th, are a couple of weeks away when I first got an email about it. So I was just relaxing over this four-day weekend. I was even planning to stay here to join JSUBCM Celebration at Tuesday night because I have no class.

Now, this four-day weekend turned into three-day weekend. I have to leave here for my apartment early in the morning tomorrow, and get dressed for this career forum. Just like last weekend!

I know I wrote a few days ago about my forgetfulness. But, this really frustrates me. Why didn't I even check my scheduler? It exists to record and be checked. I don't even know how many times this has happened.

As for an internship, I find most of internships in Washington D.C. or New York. Nearly none can be found in Alabama. I had to stay in an extended stay hotel when I finally found an internship in Atlanta two summers ago.

It would be a nice experience if I get to intern in D.C. but it would be costly. This time I would rather stay in Birmingham to intern...

To-do lists

Do you use "to do list"? Is it useful? For me it isn't for some reason. I guess it's because I even forget to make the list.

Since I was little, I have been forgetful. I think I forgot to bring things to be brought to school more often than most of others at elementary school. I think I got better in college, but still. When I plan to bring something on a certain day and something else, more or less urgent, comes up later, I forget about the former.

Today, I was going to bring a souvenir from Japan for my friend as I came back to Jacksonville. Before getting on freeway, I had to make a stop at Jefferson County courthouse to renew my car tag.

My original plan was to do this on Wednesday after I picked up my textbooks at the post office. But, I didn't get to pick them up until Thursday afternoon because the redelibery that I scheduled on Wednesday instead of pickup didn't happen. I had been checking the package tracking all day but nothing changed and I had no idea where my books were. So I wasted Wednesday.

On Thursday, still not sure what's the status. If the package is out for redelibery and I went out to pick up, I would miss it again. USPS had not screwed me up yet and I got confirmation email, so it was hard to think that they would miss my request. I waited till three o'clock, and then I decided to go. Then, soon after I got on the road, USPS truck pulled into the apartment property. I thought it might have my stuff, so I turned around and waited for one more hour. Nothing happened, and finally I went to the post office. Fortunately or unfortunately, they still had my stuff.

When I picked it up, it was already 4:40 p.m. I could not make it to the courthouse by the end of office hour, so I decided to go early in this morning.

So, here it is. More urgent thing came up. My priority changed. First, I had to get textbooks, or I could not study. Second, I had to register my car this month. And I reserved a personalized tag for a week, so I had to finish registration by Tuesday, but I won't be back until Tuesday night. I had to do it before I headed back to Jacksonville. As soon as the first one came up, I no longer remembered about the souvenir.

Even if I make a to-do list, I even forget to check it. What's the point of making such a list then?

Sometimes I regret so much that I decide to start making the lists. But once I go without trouble for a while, I stop doing it.

I have been looking forward to the chance to give this souvenir to this friend for a couple of weeks.Then, the chance is here, and when it's here, I notice the gift is all the way back in my room in Birmingham... It's so depressing. I cannot make this trip to Jacksonville so frequently anymore. It's a long drive and costly.

It's a four-day weekend, and of course I don't want to drive back to Birmingham just to bring  this thing back. I'm not sure when I get to be back next time. And if it's a while later, I may forget again.

I guess I was born this way and have to live with it. But what should I do?

Group project? I don't think so...

One of my classes this semester, there is a final group project. We form a group of five and work on a project paper and presentation.

Well, the issue is that I don't like a group project. If someone does not do a good job, it affects all members and, of course, their grade. Maybe burden on each member is lighter, but it can be inefficient and frustrating too.

Plus, all classes of this program are in night. They start at 7:30 pm. Many students work in daytime. And then we have to make additional time to meet with other members? If we all had this one class in this semester, that would be fine. But I have two other classes. Some may have one more. It's just too much! What is he (professor) thinking?

I wish they offer both day and night classes. Class size would be smaller, and I can focus better. I could have more time to hang out with friends and actually go to UAB sports game. Only because I have night classes, I misses all basketball game except one right after I finished all assignment last semester. I know UAB is urban school, but come on, I think they still have room for daytime classes.

Aren't you a little too careless?

It was a really short three-week stay. I didn't do anything big or go somewhere far. I just stayed with my family. But the three weeks passed by really fast. Tokyo is a good place to live... I still don't like the recruitment custom, but other than that, everything is close and reachable. You can take a train or subway to anywhere.

I wanted to go to Nagasaki, a city in west Kyushu. The issue is that it's way far from Tokyo. Even on bullet trains, it would take 5 or 6 hours. You can fly, but not sure how much it would cost.

We could use Seishun 18 ticket, a set of five tickets, each of which let you ride local trains as much as you want on a day. You cannot take any express trains including bullet trains, but surely it's cheap.

But, we ended up not going. Furthest place I got to go to was Kamakura.

And now here I am. Back in Alabama. It's hard to believe that most of my break has already gone. I have to be back in school next week.

On my way to Atlanta, I made one stop to transfer. For some reason, direct flights between Atlanta and Tokyo are always expensive, so I always choose a plan with one stop.

At the first airport, I have to go through immigration and customs. It usually take a while to go through the immigration for non-immigrant visitors. While in the room of immigration, you are not supposed to talk on a phone or take a picture.

Now, there is a Japanese man a few people behind me on a line. He was with his wife and two children, and they probably came for sightseeing. Then all of sudden, he took a picture of one of his children with flash.

I thought "Wait... I thought it was prohibited to take a picture here... I hope they didn't notice..."

Then, a few seconds later, a officer in the immigration counter went, "Who did take a picture?" The man had no idea, but a guy behind him told him that he was not supposed to take pictures. As officers were asking, he ended up not telling them about what he did.

I didn't hear clearly, but the officer said she could check the whole room.

As I gazed at the man and the officer, I thought he'd better hold up his hand to let them know. This shouldn't keep me from connecting flight.

It didn't delay the process, and the family seemed having had no problem. But, I think he was too careless. He should surely know how seriously the U.S. government takes the security. The end of Iraq War was declared, but the U.S. is still at war. Hopefully he learned a lesson.