My formative years were a little confusing, as the only son of a Japanese mother and a caucasian father. My dad trained me to think like a scientist; he encouraged me to study chemistry, microbiology, and math at an early age. I loved it. I loved exploring how the world works. I didn’t think anything could stop me, until classmates began stereotyping me as being smart because I looked Asian. Granted, they didn’t force me to do anything, but in these formative stages of identity development, no one wants to be pigeonholed. Prejudice is shallow no matter the judgment. I worked hard to separate myself from the stereotype throughout grade school.
I rediscovered my love of learning during my second semester of college. I began to view college as a chance to start over. I decided that of the various insecurities that woefully shaped my identity, I would not let the Asian stereotype rob me of my love of learning.
My Christ identity is still in process: it is still incarnating.
So, in the spirit of combining the serious with the spiritual, here are a few select quiz questions you might be interested in, compliments of virtually every myspace survey ever made.
What superstition do you believe/practice? Surprisingly, a lot of tech support involves illogical, superstitious practices, especially when trying to recreate the problem. I’m superstitious about how soon you should press a key-combination on boot, and I have about a million superstitious thoughts as I try to troubleshoot people’s computers. Superstition, religion, and science are not too unlike. They’re all attempts to figure out how things work. Superstition is the hypothesis of science, faith of religion, and practice of tech support.
Would you rather die in a blaze of glory or peacefully in your sleep? Definitely sleep. I imagine dying in your sleep feels like the sort of sleep you crave when you wake up 2 minutes before your alarm goes off.
In one word, how would you define yourself? Curious.
Do you get along with your parents? Yes. Allegedly, because I am above the age of 20. But seriously, we have dinner with them once a week and they’re super sweet people.
Travel by bike or walk? Definitely walk. I love walking and would love to live someplace where I could walk to everything I needed within 30 minutes. Walking triggers contemplation in a way that biking doesn’t.
What do you think of politics? It is the best way to not get anything done. It seems liberals are too concerned with culture and change while conservatives are too concerned with tradition and the status quo. It seems like they are more concerned with their agendas than truth, which is particularly hazardous when it comes to running a country, institution, religion, or church. Remember, the politician’s primary job isn’t public service, it is re-election.
Do you plan outfits? No. I can’t remember the last time I bought clothes for myself. I mostly wear T-shirts I get for free and the same pants and shorts for decades; and sandals with as much as I can get away with. Wait. Does this mean I just planned an outfit?
Do you own a gun? Yes. Please do not break into my house or assault my family. Ever.
Do you use chap stick? NO! It feels gross. It feels like rubbing bacon grease on your lips, without the benefits of actually rubbing bacon grease on your lips.
Can you use chop sticks? Yes and no. I can use them to get food into my mouth, but I have never used them correctly. If it’s genetic, it got overwritten with my dad’s whiteness.
Are you sarcastic? Is the pope Catholic?
Have you ever crawled through a window? A couple of times. One time because my van got stuck on a gate, but then it rolled away without me. One time to go fishing with a friend.
What is your favorite holiday? Thanksgiving. Mostly because of the food and the eating of it.
Do you eat healthy? Nah. I don’t believe the hype. Even though my cholesterol IS out of control, I think it’s because I don’t exercise.
How did u get one of your scars? I have a scar on my right thigh where I was running along my fence in the backyard at night and I got stabbed by a old piece of wood sticking out of it. Thankfully no hair grows out of it because that would be sick.
Would you ever get a tattoo? I would if 1. They didn’t involve needles and 2. If I could think of something awesome enough to write down permanently.
Are you a morning person or a night person? Night is my preference, but I can be a morning person. 2-5AM is the best time for me to work. Unfortunately, most academic jobs frown upon those hours. If I wake up at 2AM for the day, I definitely seem like a morning person by the time my 8AM class rolls around.
How long does it take you to shower? 15 minutes.
Have you ever brushed your teeth while in the shower? Maybe once. That’s a really good idea though.
