/laɪf/: To the Fullest.

Life is treated just as the event before death. Yes, although Virginia Woolf does mention that "death is stronger" than life, it is not viewed like that in our society. We are all so caught up on trying to fulfill daily tasks that we forget that we are just "Temporarily Abled Persons".  (Thanks Nancy Mairs for that wonderful enlightenment). 

Papa Jeong and I had a walk down the #90skid lane and pulled out "Dead Poets Society" as a prehistoric VHS tape. It consists of a very sentimental story plot and witty humor, with quite the many tears shed. The all-famous quote "Carpe Diem" is what struck me the most, even though it is the most overused phrase(that you will most likely find tattooed on the back of a biker). It brings out an interesting point. It makes the suggestion that death should be overlooked at the moment because it makes no impact on our current lives. This point is rarely acted out, especially the students surrounding me with the struggles of balancing a social and academical life. However this movie and Woolf's piece assisted me to come to a conclusion on my attitude upon life and death. Although the presence of upcoming death must be acknowledged and is inevitable to all, it only serves as proof that each day, each hour, each minute is precious and must be spent on what our desires yearn for. 

/ˈfɑðər/: Fueled from Passion

As we were reading Sherman Alexie's piece, Beacuse My Father Always Said He Was The Only Indian Who Saw Jimi Hendrix Play "The Star-Spangled Banner" At Woodstock, I couldn't help but compare this always-lives-life-on-edge dad to Papa Jeong.

A brief introduction of what kind of person my father is. There's a photo of my dad from when he first immigrated to America, sitting in front of a boulder-sized computer and smiling with a thumbs-up and thick-lensed glasses framed on his face. So you can say that he's basically the stereotypical Asian.  He is not afraid to burst out singing opera music in the car, ESPECIALLY when an acquaintance of mine just happens to be witnessing this spectacle. He will brag of his time that he served in the military, which is quite ironic actually because every male Korean citizen is required to serve four years anyways. Also my dad will smack his food during dinner while he feasts on his second bowl of rice. Oh. And did I mention that he's a "golf star". 

It may seem like Sherman Alexie's father and my father have no connection whatsoever. However, I realized that these two men have one thing in common. They both have a passion that drives them. There is something in them that causes them to continue their lives in enthusiasm, even in rough situations. Alexie's father uses music, especially Jimi Hendrix's "Star Spangled Banner", to continue through his days. For a fact, I know that my dad is empowered by family and his job of being able to help others. He never prominently shows these actions but it is the unseen acts of love that is the most powerful. Although he has a high chance of winning most embarrassing father at certain times, I take pride that my father is a man of motivation and passion

groans at sight of Papa Jeong

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/ˈhændikæpt/: Consistency of a Flaw

The definition of disabilities is skewed; it is misconception that society as a whole is not technically handicapped because it is in human nature to contain flaws.

"Disability is the consequence of an impairment that may be physical, cognitive, mental, sensory, emotional, developmental, or some combination of these"

(pulled straight out of google search)

The subject of disabilities seems to make a fair amount of audience uncomfortable, or bring out pity. It is almost as if a spotlight is immediately placed upon a limping child, making it"...easy to spot even in a crowd." (Mairs 13) It's mind-boggling that one single, microscopic chromosome determines what society's view is upon your education, social, and mental values. As distasteful it may seem, it is unfortunately a very reoccurring issue.  

The discrimination of placing the title of "disabled" is actually quite ironic. It is stated that if a person has a flaw, they are handicapped. So does that mean the rest of society is innocent of this characteristic? It is unjust that just because there is no ideal physical or mental defect that is noticeable to the naked eye, it does not mean that he or she is not technically handicapped. The human race has been programmed to contain flaws. That is the definition of humanity. So in a way, are we not all handicapped? There is a lack of conjoining between the world of “disabled” and “abled” due to the nonrecognition that we are all dysfunctional in our own exclusive ways.