Onward, South Dakota!

Yesterdays schedule basically meant packing and preparing to leave the KOA park in Maple Grove, MN. Before leaving, I added a new addition to the Toyota FJ Cruiser: a bike rack, which I must say, makes it look more adventurous. I drove following my parents in the RV a total of around 3 hours yesterday towards Sioux Falls, SD on highway 35S & highway 90W. Our gas fee is double due to using two vehicles, but it will have to do since we don't have a trailer or towing system hooked up yet. We look more like a traveling caravan, as we move from city to city, in the beautiful land of South Dakota. I am currently at a nice quiet library on the outside of Sioux Falls. Hopefully I can find a near YMCA because I haven't showered in a while...

Here are some photos of our progress:

See you in a couple of months Minnesota!

Fancy New Bike Rack

Rest Area
Location: Unknown

Nice Motto.

Wi-Fi on the Road

Traveling in an RV can be adventurous and even cost-savvy. But like many things, there are always pros and cons. A huge barrier is getting a steady and reliable internet source. My family and I rely on the internet for many things whether it be checking email, paying bills, research, communication, blogging, etc. Although smart phones have brought society many freedoms with the internet, it is not the most efficient way to do these things due to high data cost and the lack of a keyboard. So how can a person always on the move get a reliable source for internet? Let's look at our options:

Local Wifi Hot Spots: It seems like there is wifi available nearly everywhere you go. There is wifi available at many locations on the road. To list a few guaranteed ones:

1. Nearly all coffee shop including Starbucks and Caribou
2. McDonalds
3. Public Libraries
4. Barnes & Noble

These places can come in handy but since these are public places, the connection can be insecure. Although unlikely, personal data could be viewed or even hacked into more easily. Also, using these services requires physically going inside and if at a cafe or restaurant, you should probably buy a cup of coffee or Big Mac. Many RV campsites offer wifi service at an extra cost, but these networks can also be insecure and unreliable. Wifi hot spots are commonly used because it decreases data usage from cellular carriers and are usually free, but unfortunately, you cannot take the wifi on the road.

Satellite Internet: At first glance, a satellite seems like a great idea. Take your internet anywhere. In places like the Rocky Mountains, even cell phone signal is hard to find, satellite will be there for you. But the satellite equipment can be difficult to set up and one must be technically-inclined to be able to figure out all the complications. They are also extremely expensive. Expect to pay around $6000 and also a monthly fee. There is a cheaper option but that involves having a manual satellite which requires setting it up every time and aligning to the perfect direction. Another setback is the internet speed is slower than DSL which would mean laggy video play-back and limited users. By personal research, buying and setting up an internet satellite seems cumbersome because it is not very common meaning there are less experts in the field. It is still a good option and many vagabonds find the price to be worth it.

MiFi Hotspot: Using your phone carrier, you can also purchase a device that creates its own wifi to connect to your laptop, cell phone, or even game system. This internet is pricey since you have to get a data plan but it allows extremely fast 4G&LTE connection. The two main devices I found were the Verizon Ellipsis JetPack and the AT&T Liberate. The Jetpack has two versions, one is $0.99 and the pro is $49.99 with a 2-year contract. The AT&T Liberate is $29.99 with a 2-year contract. For both of these, the prices may vary depending on location. Although these are both great options, the data plan is pricey and it comes with the uncomfortable feeling of limited internet meaning you have to calculate how much data you use. On an unlimited data plan, I could easily use 20GB of data in one month watching movies, browsing Facebook, and uploading pictures. But though a MiFi, prices range from $40/month for only 6GB of data to $335/moth for 50GB. With a family and many internet users, you would have be extra careful how much data is being used. Although MiFi seems the most convenient, it is definitely very pricy and brings the anxieties of limited usage.

We are known as the communication generation. It has become normal to see people crouched over and poking at a piece of glass for hours. Everyday people rely on the internet for business, social media, and entertainment. The world would not function as smoothly as it does without the internet because big corporations including the internet, use it as a main tool. And for the common traveller, it can be a difficult task to stay connected. If you are a fellow vagabond who wants to keep tweeting, write on someone's wall, or filter pictures on instagram, I hope this article came of some use.

2nd Movement

Our lease on the apartment ended today so my parents and I migrated to a new location. The RV allows endless of opportunities. We decided to stay in the Twin Cities a few more days because my sister (who lives in Saint Paul) wants us to watch her sing at Macalester's African Music Ensemble. We found a nation-wide KOA campground North-West of Minneapolis and we just got done setting camp up.

Last picture of the apartment we stayed at during April.

Took apart the bike to fit it in the RV!

Drove by the beautiful Saint Paul Cathedral

Since we still have a car AND an RV, I drove the car separately. Future plans of towing?

At the campsite..Trying to figure out the sewage piping...

The final setup for the next couple of nights!

한 글!

I am Korean-American with Korean Parent who both speak Korean as a first language. Unfortunately, I never learned how to speak any Korean. After going to a couple of different Korean churches, I realized it was an inconvenience not know any of my native language. So I decided to learn some basic 한국어 (hangug-eo). Hangug-eo meaning Korean language. I first learned the alphabet and how to read aloud in Korean (not knowing the meaning of what I am saying) and now learn some common Korean words. It is fun learning a new language because it uses a different part of the brain! I learned that nationality 국 is pronounced 'gook' which is also a known derogatory term for Asian. 'American' translated in Korean is pronounced migook 미 국 and when American soldiers went to Korea during the Korean war, they thought the Koreans were saying 'me gook'.  Language can be fascinating and it has given me a bigger perspective on how people communicate around the world. Try it out sometime!

Notes!

Scattered Thoughts + 1st Coffee Review

There is only a week until I move out of Saint Paul and start my journey with my family. This month has felt perfectly timed. It feels exactly like I have been here for a month. Every day is steady. There is a slight feeling of excitement for my adventure but at the same time, each day is very relaxed and calm. I have felt very content: like the part in the roller coaster theory of life where I am waiting in line to board onto the ride.

Saint Paul has treated me very nicely. It is like a transitory place for me because it is the first place I have lived outside of Rochester that I can recall (I was born in California but I have lived in Rochester since I was two). It was not too much of a culture shock here because I still felt the "Minnesota Nice" in people. My pop had always told me to not let my environment affect my mood or happiness too much. Being in Saint Paul has not really changed who I am, but more how I wanted it to change me. I am in control, and so far, I really enjoy living in a bigger city. There are more resources and opportunities here. I also learned how to use the bus system which I am more proud than I should be. Saint Paul is already awesome, but it is only 1/2 the package of the Twin Cities because Minneapolis is just across the river. Overall, the Twin Cities is a delightful place to be and a place I could picture myself in the future being here for a long period of time.

 I have become fond of observing all the different types of "feels" in each moment. Every second has a feeling that is distinguishable and has its own vibe.  These vibes can differ tremendously from others, or they may only differ slightly. This event of emotions always occurs when I am in an elevator. I use the elevator at least four times a day to get to and from the apartment I live in and depending on the time, there is usually another person in the moving box with me. There is small pressure that always sparks whether to start a conversation or just stay quiet. Either way, I always end up with this question in my head. When the person gets to his or her floor and I am left alone, the air changes. More or less, the air feels emptier and in a sort of way, I feel relieved. Now this is an example of a very slight change of vibe throughout my day. Explaining elevator trips in this way makes me sound like I have a social problem, but I usually end up trying to spark some light conversation which I enjoy doing.

Dunn Bros Coffee- West 7th St. Saint Paul

On a busy street just outside down town Saint Paul and a block away from the Xcel Center, a lone Dunn Bros stands. There are may bars and restaurants nearby including the famous Italian restaurant Coestta's (top-notch cannolis). I am usually not a big fan of Dunn Bros from my experience in Rochester, but it was raining outside and I needed a place to blog. I walked in to a brightly lit place with lots of color. There are three baristas here and the lady who took my order was average in her politeness. I personally need to work on my eye contact. I would also like to note that she forgot to ask me if I wanted cream in my coffee which is a small matter but a matter nonetheless. The girl who filled my coffee then asked if I wanted cream which I replied with a "no-thank-you" and she actually filled it up all the way unlike Starbucks who never fill the coffee to the brim. The ambiance of the cafe is quite pleasant. Everything is spaced out nicely and the light fixtures are unique and effective. Now the coffee I got was a dark roast but honestly, my tongue has not yet developed an acquired sense of taste yet so the coffee was nothing special or too exotic. Overall, a good experience and I would probably take a friend here if we were in the area. Still a little biased against Dunn Bros because of it high prices (even higher than Starbucks) and a bad experience in Rochester (another story).

Jason's Professional Opinion on Local Cafes (JPOOLC): 5.5/10

Dunn Bros West 7th St. Saint Paul, MN

Friday

This morning I went out to the Mississippi river. There had been a heavy fog in the early morning, heavy enough that I could not see the buildings outside the window. But the fog cleared away as the sun came out revealing a vibrant sky. The warm sun rid of the goosebumps on my skin created by the light breeze in the air. The river flowed towards my left with countless ripples and sparkling reflections from the sky. The river made no sound but kept eager to listen. The sounds of downtown behind me muted by the steady flap of the flags in the wind. I sat there. I sat for quite some time.

Spring Snow Storm

Arriving back from Rochester by RV, we got hit by a snowstorm. While in Saint Paul it was only raining, as we drove more up north, the precipitation got thicker and thicker. Ten minutes North of Saint Paul, I saw two cars in ditches. After careful driving, we finally arrived at the RV parking lot. The snow was coming down pretty hard. While trying to back into our space, the wheels had lost friction and spun in fury to get out of the miniature ditches they created. Our RV was stuck in an awkward position blocking half the pathway. Our FJ Cruiser also got stuck. It was already around 9:30PM and we were stuck in a small suburb with nothing nearby but a Gander Mountain. My parents and I had a very unexpected extra night in the RV. We were lucky that the heater was working but running water was a no go. I slept on the couch and we had some cereal but that was basically it. When I woke up the next morning, nature was calling hard. I could not use the bathroom in my natural way because there were security cameras everywhere. So I had to wait till the Gander Mountain opened. When I came back from Gander Mountain, a snowplow guy helped us get our car unstuck. We had to leave the RV as it was and come back when the snow melts park it properly because it was dangerously close to the next RV. The plowman said that it had snowed 14 inches. We got the FJ Cruiser out and drove back to the condo in Saint Paul where it only rained. 9/1o of not ever wanting to do that again but overall an exhilarating experience.

14 inches of snow in Mid-April! Minnesota<3

Visiting Rochester

My parents have finally bought an RV. To test out the new whip, we decided to drive back to Rochester and also to pick up some of our belongings from a storage unit we have. Instead of staying with my parents, I caught up with some of my buddies. It is weird being in Rochester knowing that I don't have a house here anymore. But it's also nice just wandering around and not really caring because my only objective was to see the people that I might not see again for awhile. I am in a town that is familiar, but is no longer a part of me. Someday I will come back here and reminisce of all the memories this place has created.

There are two qualities that I find essential in any human being: Self-discipline and openness. I believe that these can be the keys to lead a happy life.

Self-discipline and freedom may seem like opposites, but I have concluded that they are synonymous in feeling the most free. My theory is that because there are always things we as people do not want to do throughout life, for example, work, cleaning, wash the car, study, etc, these endless tasks must be done before one can genuinely enjoy the rest of the day. There will always be things that need to be done. Priorities are not always the same for each individual, but every person has this or her own priorities. Allow me to paint a picture of my average day as a young adult 3 months ago. I was a senior in high school with several duties. Involved in many school clubs, captain of a swim team, and having a rigorous schedule, I had many priorities. A perfect day would not precisely mean a day where practice was cancelled or I did not have homework. A perfect day was having a regular schedule and accomplishing everything. That last one hour of freedom after I finished all the tasks that need to be done is the most satisfying time of my whole life from that moment. Freedom is the time when everything else is done. Freedom is not an excuse of being lazy. Freedom is relative. One feels free when one has felt liabilities. Laziness is simply ignoring responsibility and the attempt to indulge in one's own ways without burden. Laziness does not exactly feel the best and is usually a term used in a negative context. With self-discipline, one can get things done and truly feel the bliss of freedom.

Openness is the second characteristic that I feel is necessary for everyone. Openness not only means open to new things, but to keep an open mind on everything. Allow the mind to flow without boundaries and become vulnerable to new thoughts. Openness brings understanding. To have an open mind can portray the beauties in life. It brings the love of humans and the opportunity of free will. After exploring briefly on the concepts of Existentialism, I found an interesting explanation on free will. Existentialist believe that free will is the most valuable thing that humans have. Value is a sort of mental point system we assign to everything in life. We have the freedom to choose what we value. For example, I probably value my parents more than my friend because he probably values his parents more than I do. Therefor the free will to choose what is value is on a different level of value. This power is great. It allows us as human to value life in anyway we choose. The freedom to believe anything we want. In this way, we as humans are gods ourselves. There are many religions with a primary god, but we as humans have the choice to believe in this god. Is it possible that a person does not conform to Christian religion and instead chooses to become buddhist? Yes. A person can choose to believe in anything. This is the amazing and endless power of free-will that everyone obtains. I have gotten a little off topic, but this is sort of relevant to openness. An open mind can truly bring out beauty. We have the power to live a happy life.

I firmly believe that self-discipline and openness is essential in living. With these two qualities, there is an infinite amount of opportunity. There are no boundaries. In conclusion, these are my thoughts and whatever I say, does not have to influence you. I simply just want to speak out this idea and see if it can clarify thoughts of others or maybe even embed new ones. Try to keep an open mind.

 META

Where is the Shortcut to Success?

I hope I am not alone in saying that I have been in a slump. In this slump, laziness takes over and productivity is at a stalemate. I tend to ask myself, "How do I motivate myself?" I tend to compromise and stray away from the solution when it is actually painfully simple. In order to get out of a slump, is to simply do. If I wake up at 7:00AM and my room looks messy, clean it right away. It seems like there is not enough time in a day to get everything accomplished, but it is more efficient to stop thinking and just do. I have become more efficient by doing whatever needs to be done then and there. It is the small steps of action that leads to success. You will eventually learn what is most important after you start getting things done first.  Have a non-zero day. Do at least one thing productive whether it be reading that one chapter in the book lying in your bedside corner to applying for that one barista job downtown. GET SOMETHING DONE. Once this ball of success is moving, it gets easier and easier to push. It's annoying to hear, and every time I hear this phrase, I get a little pissed, but NO PAIN, NO GAIN. It's a phrase that should be embedded in your head every day. But be aware because there is trap that the human mind plays on us. We tend to think comparatively. Working hard is relative. Something is hard because there have been easier times prior. This "easy time" is an illusion. Don't compare things to the past.  It is better to think about now and how to accomplish whatever in the best of your ability. Whatever you do, try your best at it. It will seem like a struggle to study 4 hours a day in college if you compare it to your summer break after 2nd grade always playing outside. Sure, those were good times, but your time is now. Things have and always will be changing. Adapt to these changes. Remember, you deserve whatever happens. If you don't study for that Calculus test and get a 55% on it, you deserve it. If you have a great work ethic and receive a fat promotion, you deserve it. We as humans have grown up with this concept. We know what we have to do to become successful but we have to constantly remind ourselves. You know what to do, start now.

Here's a helpful excerpt that inspired me.

http://www.reddit.com/r/getdisciplined/comments/1q96b5/i_just_dont_care_about_myself/cdah4a

Family Time

   After graduating early and moving to a different city, I have been with my parents for 24/7. It is kind of new to me. I usually will be out doing my own things whether it be school, swim practice, or on my own studying. But here, I am basically just going to the public library (with my parents) planning ahead for my trip, college, and other personal endeavors. The weather has gotten nicer which expands my boundaries because it allows me to use my bike as transportation because my dad doesn't like me using his truck. It is startling to think that I have already lived here for one week. I still feel like I am in a transitional period since my surroundings are completely unfamiliar. It is fun being in a new city, but I always have a slight feeling of being lost.

   Going back to always being with my parents, I want to explain that honestly, I don't mind too much. There is a misplaced feeling since I am legally an adult and I am still with my parents, but there should be an understanding because when I leave to college and move out, I won't be seeing my parents much throughout the rest of my life. For example, my older sister is a junior in college and ever since the fall of 2011, we see her maybe 2 weeks of the year. I am trying to savor these last few moments in the nest, but the awkward feeling of being a man-child lurks around me. But with the nicer weather, I can find my own things to do and still have a quality time with my parents. That is one thing about living in a metropolis; there are so many things to do that it is hard to narrow things down to actually do. Saint Paul also comes with a slight culture shock coming from a city that is 25 times smaller. Back in Rochester, I felt a type of bond amongst every person I came by. Here in Saint Paul, I feel every person I meet I probably won't come across long enough to remember. With this type of relationship with others, there tends to be a less caring attitude and less polite. I have only been here for a week so I might not have the most accurate judgement.

I looked into an interesting subject called hedonic adaptation which states that humans have the tendency to return to a state of happiness even with the exposure of positive and negative life changing events. That humans have a set point of happiness and tends to always end at this point whether something dramatic happens or not. This theory is also known as the hedonic treadmill because no matter how hard one works, he or she will end up back where they are. In one perspective, it seems that this theory than diminishes one's motivation to work hard but looked at in a different perspective, it is comforting to know that humans have the ability to adapt well to the surroundings. The world can seem to be full of suffering but knowing that we can adapt and be imperious to the despair and pains is very fortunate.  I found this concept quite interesting because not only is it very insightful, but the whole concept is quite simple. Anyways, check it out so we can discuss it!

Books + Big Building = ☮

Public Libraries are awesome. They are a perfect place to let inspiration flow and conjure up new ideas. Each public library I go to, becomes my own personal niche.

Saint Paul

Moving into a new city has brought me mixed feelings. Growing up in Rochester, Saint Paul is a big change. I'm leaving behind the city that has molded me into the person I am today. With an intense lifestyle transition, I have now landed on one foot in the great Twin Cities. It seems at the moment that this is a very significant point of my life. But I have to keep reminding myself to keep my thoughts and actions organized. Being here provokes a fresh feeling sprinkled with fear of what's going to happen next.

Yesterday, I Biked from Rochester to Saint Paul

Previously living in a long term suite, a condominium was found in Saint Paul. With my bike the only oversized item, it had to be transported someway from Rochester to Saint Paul. Why not ride it? I mean that's what it's made for, to transport itself. Due to weather, I biked a day earlier. Leaving at 6 AM, I arrived in Saint Paul downtown at approximately 5:30 PM. What an adventurous ride. I kept people updated online via instagram, here are the picture I took.

Last Day of Work!

Work has finally come to an end. Although it was only a month, it was a nice release to walk away. I have improved my ability to communicate with people and I feel less awkward making small talk. At my barista job, while I would foam the milk, I would always try to conjure up a conversation with the person waiting for his or her drink. I also formed a small relationship with the regulars who come. One thing I learned about serving coffee, Indians always drink their coffee with cream. Not one customer who was Indian drank black coffee. It brings curiosity to how what nation a person is from affects how one enjoys coffee. Anyways, it was a good run of work and I am proud of the small sum of money I have saved towards my future endeavors.

New Gear!

This week has been a spendy but exciting week. Besides the long hours at work, when I did have free time, I bought some fancy new gear for my trip. I bought a hiking backpack made by High Sierra which is even waterproof! I also purchased a hefty chain that can cut diamonds to protect my bike from raiders. Yesterday, I received my water proof pannier bags (they go on the rear of my bike) and today, I was able to attach them to my bike because my friend helped me attach a bike rack to the back of my bike. Although I've spent around $400 in the past few days, it is satisfying because it was my own money. All the gear I purchased are in my existence from the sweat as I made an infinite amount of lattes, cappuccinos, and Chinese food.

Today was a nice break. After working double shifts at both job three days in a row, not having to get my face covered in mocha syrup or chicken grease is a really nice. At home, we have sold most of our big belongings and now we are trying to sell the smaller things. We had a small house sale (similar to a garage sale but in the house because it's Minnesota and it's cold outside) and I helped organize and sell. Afterwards, I biked to an old friend of mine who is back from college for spring break. We drove out of town to a Cabela's which is a huge store for outdoor activities including hunting, fishing, and camping. The store was pretty overpriced but I did end up buying a durable pot for my everyday cooking and drinking. Honestly, it was a nice get away to be with a good friend just driving and listening to music. When we got back to his place, he helped me install the holding rack and pannier bags on the bag of my bike. Elliot, if you are reading this, my deep gratitude. As I was biking back home, my back was pretty soaked from all the mud produced by the melting snow but it was still a thrill to be outside after a cold winter.  I have an odd feeling of excitement due to the fact that in exactly one week, my family and I will be homeless. Let the freedom dawn upon us!

We Should Start Seeing Other Bicycles...

Last known photo of my beloved Univega fixed gear bicycle. This piece of fine machinery has efficiently got me from point A to point B without fail. I do hope your new owner grows a similar bond of trust and love.

Why hello there (;

2014 Specialized Compact Secteur

Piling in the Cheddar

With one month left in Rochester, I have strategically dedicated the rest of my stay to work and to generate a decent sum of money to fund the trip. Along with my normal job as a barista, I have reluctantly crawled back to my former job as a Chinese Chef (more mellifluous than "cook").
Having 40+ hours of espresso dripping/orange chicken flipping brings me into the world of the minimum wage survival game. I keep in mind that the more grease staining my apron and sugar-free mocha splashed in my eyebrows, the more I will be able to appreciate biking towards a setting sun on a empty highway.

February 26th 2014 First Post

Early mornings are always the prime part of my day. I've started getting used to waking up at 5AM and it gets easier every morning. The first thing I do after washing my face is brew a cup of coffee while reading in the kitchen with one light. There is a surreal stillness around me; it is peaceful. This morning I continued to read "The Catcher in the Rye" where Holden goes out on a date with a girl he thinks is phony (like everyone else he meets).  Then I went to the local YMCA for my usual workout and shower. Coming home I took a quick nap. A friend advised me that 20 minute naps are the most beneficial because anything more than 20 minutes either interrupts the REM cycle or causes grogginess. After, I went to Hy-Vee which is a Midwestern grocery store joint to get my job back as a Chinese Chef. Not the most enjoyable job, but it pays pretty decently for my age. I'm currently at the public library doing research and updating this blog. I haven't opened it yet because I am still learning the basics of how to use this site. Hopefully my formatting and posting skills improves by the time you are reading this.

Here's a relevant picture of my favorite childhood comic.