21 Days Later....Hagum, Asperger, and the Village People

What it do folkers? Your favorite earthling blogger is alive and back like he left his house keys. Its been some time since we last connected, how've you been. I hope your answer was "Fine. Thank you, and you?" Well I've been good. Let's catch up. I started taking this music class with the instrument being the hagum. Its an ancient, traditional Korean instrument (did I really need to say ancient and traditional?). I believe it was created to see how long P.O.W.s could play it before their fingers started to bleed. The class is 2 hours and when I'm finished the tips of my fingers look like Popeye's red beans. Also, the instrument is similar to the violin in the sense that if you don't know how to play it sounds like what Spartan soup must taste like. Man, hearing 15 people play at the same time was not pleasant. Plus, the notes are in Chinese, not even Korean. But with all that said, I really enjoy the class. I'm getting the hang of the instrument, the class is improving to the point where we almost sound half-decent, and I once my fingers become numb I don't feel the pain anymore. Fashiggady.

What else is on the plate? How about my relationship with family. It has reached a new level of comfortability (is that a word??). I'm really glad my family members speak some sort of English. It allows us to connect on a more substantive level. For example, the youngest brother is what I call a brat with an attitude problem, but me and him have the closest relationship. At times I don't appreciate the way he treats his mother and siblings but it wasn't my place to jump in. Until, one day, me and the mother had a long talk. She told me about her oldest son who has Asberger syndrome. It is a form of autism with the biggest symptom being difficulties with social interaction and restricted, stereotyped patterns of behavior and interests. This explained a lot. She went on to talk about how she looked after him very carefully for students would tease him and, even today, he has no friends. Its a shame because this kid is one of the sweetest and smartest people you'll meet. He's a gentle soul. Her other children did not receive the same amount of love, and the youngest acts out because of that. As a result her guilt, the mother allows him to behave like a problem child. She asked me to have a talk with him (he locked himself in her room). So after a while I persuaded him to watch a movie with me. We rented, yes, Terminator 2. HAHAHAHAHAHA. When my mother had to tell me something she always made me watch this (I guess she was telling me she would kill me or have someone come from the future to kill me if I didn't listen). J/P. She never did that. Long story short, we talked and things are getting better, albeit slowly. The mother was very appreciative. Its an ongoing process. Ill keep you posted (sike). And he likes the movie esp the part where John says, "Do you have to kill everybody?" and Arnold looks at sternly and says, "I'm a terminator." What kinda question was that?

Lastly, there is a school festival tomorrow and its sort of a big deal. Each class performs and they've been practicing for weeks. There are cool games, face-painting, contests, performances, art displays. Its crazy. And yes, yours truly has to perform. I chose to sing Y.M.C.A. by Clay Aiken's favorite band because Koreans know the chorus and it comes with 4 choreographed moves. Additionally, I am dancing with one of my girl classes (shh...its a secret). They sort of adopted me and we've been inseparable since. So be on the lookout for pictures and videos. Until next time (hahaha), holla at your gwolla.

Go Phillies. Bud Selig is a chump.