So I just found my little 7 yr old cousins in Korea playing Warcraft. Wondering if I should introduce them to dota...

On the topic of being nice...

I had an interesting chat tonight with a friend about "nice guys" and being "too nice". For good or bad, since high school, I've had this reputation of being super duper Mr. Nice Guy. Back in the day, I used to do randomly nice things for people, even those who I wouldn't consider my close friends. Although I've grown a bit jaded over time and have become more "selectively nice" only to people I care about, I think that my reputation has changed little, if at all.

But maybe the reality is that people naturally start to appreciate gestures less if they come too frequently. Maybe people even start to "value" someone less if he or she is "too nice" to them. For some reason, I often feel an obligation to be nice to certain people, and I go out of my way to do so. Even if they don't reciprocate, as long as they show appreciation, it makes me happy to do nice things for them. But here's a thought: when someone expresses verbal appreciation, how can you really be sure they're not taking you for granted? After all, actions do speak louder than words.

Moral of the story: maybe I'm too nice.

5:30 am. I look out my window upon the empty quad. In the quiet stillness, I sit alone submerged in my reflections, and a wave of nostalgia washes over me. Even though graduation is still a few months away, I can't avoid that sense of uncertainty and solitude that fills so many seniors as the end of college looms in the not-so-distant horizon.

So much has happened to me since I first arrived here as a lowly freshman. My first awe-filled steps onto this campus are a moment that I'll never forget. Since then, I've had many other "firsts" here at Harvard. I remember the first time I stayed up all night with friends for a midterm, a "study" session in the basement of Greenough that was more like a ping pong marathon. I remember my first college date; it was at Bangkok House, a cute and cozy Thai place that has since been replaced by 9 Tastes. I remember my first HRO rehearsal, the excitement of meeting a new circle of musicians, and how a super-friendly Alex Misono randomly asked me afterwards if I wanted to go drinking. I remember the first time I cried at college (yes, even big, tough men like me do cry on very rare occasions).

Certainly, what's kept me going through it all has been the love and care of my friends. It's true that your college memories are really defined by the experiences you share with those closest to you. But even in these four short years, people have come and gone in my life, and it saddens me to think what will happen to my relationships here when I leave. It's eccentric how even the people who gifted you with some of your most treasured moments don't always stay in your life in the same capacity.

Now, as I near the end of the road, I look back with memories both fond and bitter. I see the relationships that made me smile, yet I also remember the people I wished I hadn't let go. But there are still a few good months to be shared, and in the end, I entertain the hope that I'll be able to hold onto the people who matter most to me.

Maybe I'm just getting old. I am turning 22 today after all.

great experience today. got hit on by this awesome gay guy. yayy!

judith and schonmei weren't able to get a pic of this but u gotta believe me, he was hot hot hot.

edit: this is not me. me = joe, not the person who wrote this.

So recently, I've been helping out a few junior friends with recruiting stuff. At the same time, some sophomores came and asked for my advice on economics tutorials, and some freshmen sought my wisdom regarding good expos classes. It all made me feel so old, so I had to take this quiz to reassure myself that I'm still young at heart. And whew...I still am. =)

You Are 21 Years Old

21 Under 12: You are a kid at heart. You still have an optimistic life view - and you look at the world with awe. 13-19: You are a teenager at heart. You question authority and are still trying to find your place in this world. 20-29: You are a twentysomething at heart. You feel excited about what's to come... love, work, and new experiences. 30-39: You are a thirtysomething at heart. You've had a taste of success and true love, but you want more! 40+: You are a mature adult. You've been through most of the ups and downs of life already. Now you get to sit back and relax.