The English Language

I have a confession to make. I used to think the English language was ugly.     Once my dad, who was born and raised in South Korea, told me why he thought Korean was the most beautiful language in the world.      "You can create sounds to describe sensations. The sound of footsteps going up the stairs, the sound of rain on the pavement, the sound of pages turning in a church."     That always stuck with...

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Myers-Briggs Personality Type

You know what's really popular? Myers-Briggs. Mention it in any social setting, and people will all start comparing their personality types, pulling up the test on their iPhones so that those who have never taken it before will be able to find out, then and there, who they really are.     Do I sound a little sarcastic? I think the Myers-Briggs types are fascinating, and can hold some truth for many people. However, I don't like the idea...

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Thursday Thoughts

It's almost Friday!     I know that Fridays are considered the golden day, but personally, I love Thursdays. It's that transition day when the week is winding down so you feel lazy and content, but you're anticipating the weekend so you feel excited and buzzed.     THE LOW: I got a paper back for a literature class, and the teacher gave me a C.     THE HIGH: It was my birthday yesterday! Happy birthday to me. Random...

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Amortentia

I have always been fascinated by this one potion that first makes an appearance in Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, Amortentia. It's the strongest love potion in the world and has a different aroma for everyone who smells it.     I've always wondered, if I ever smelled it, what would I smell? What smells are most attractive to me? I like to think I have a good nose, and my sense of smell has always been important to me. Plus,...

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Goodbye Facebook

I've decided to deactivate my Facebook.     As a college student, I've seen many friends deactivate their Facebook accounts, usually to waste less time. There seems to be some idea that Facebook is the reason why students don't study. I admit, there are some days when I spend hours on Facebook, but for some reason I don't buy into the idea that Facebook is why people refuse to study. It seems like too easy an answer.     So why am I deactivating my Facebook? I've realized that Facebook was replacing real communication for me....

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Etymology: Compassion

Compassion.     When we're suffering, we'd rather feel nothing at all. We'd prefer a white canvas, untouched, over one splattered with paint. We push our emotions away.     My friend told me that this was compassion, and that it was a gift. It made me want to know more about what the word means, so I looked it up.     Compassion comes from Latin; com- means "together" and pati means "to suffer.     So, the prefix com- means "together," which is simple enough. To do some further digging, I looked up the meaning...

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Song of the Day: Two Door Cinema Club's Changing of the Seasons

Two Door Cinema Club is an indie band from Northern Ireland. Their first album, Tourist History, was released in 2010, and they just released their EP, Changing of the Seasons, on September 30.     Compared to their first album, Changing of the Seasons sounds smoother, slicker. Along with their title song (posted above), I love "Golden Veins." Two Door Cinema Club knows how to lay down a beat that complements the song's lyrics. Out of all the indie bands out there, they consistently release music that not only sounds...

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Malcolm Gladwell: David and Goliath

Everyone loves an underdog.     Just look at movies like 300, Remember the Titans, and Rocky. These are all stories of courage, stories that have an undercurrent of vitality coursing through the narrative. When the underdog wins, it's inspiring. Suddenly, the world is open to possibilities. That gym you've been avoiding? Go run five miles! That girl you've been too shy to talk to? Ask for her number! You can do it!    ...

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Tuesday Rants: Fashionable Charities

Lately I've seen a growth in fashionable charities.     What do I mean by "fashionable charities?" These are for-profit companies that have some kind of charitable element, but may give consumers misleading information on how much they donate and to whom they donate.      One of the most well-known of these is Toms Shoes, a for-profit company that operates on a "one for one" policy. For every pair of Toms Shoes bought,...

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