Okay, so it's been a while since I have posted to this blog. In fairness, it's been a while since you have responded to my postings. So I guess that makes us even.

I am currently finishing up my second week of classes here at the Annenberg School. Fortunately, my experience here is absolutely nothing like my undergrad prison sentence experience.

As an undergrad, it was not enough to memorize tons of material and regurgitate the information in examinations. That would have been too easy. Most of my undergrad experience was not only boring memorization; it was also interpreting the information in the way my professors wanted. Original thinking? No way. Fresh ideas? Ha! Many of my undergrad profs seemed to say, "What do you think this "education" thing is for, education? No, it's to pay me money. Sucker!!!!" Although this was by no means a universal sentiment shared with all my undergrad profs, too many approached education in this way, thus souring my UMBC experience.

At Annenberg, I am actually appreciated for my, er, contributions precisely because they are so, er, esoteric. For instance, one of my classes is a class on communications policy, which is largely a role-playing class. I will be playing the part of a Republican Secretary of Commerce, testifying before a Senate, who will be influenced by money-grubbing lobbyists and all sorts of pressures. It's a fascinating class.

The fools! They have no idea what I am going to do as Secretary of Commerce!! Bwahahahahaha!!!!!

Okay, so I don't even know what I am going to do. But once I do I'll let you know. Rest assured, friends and family, it will not be pretty. The way I see it, I am paying $14,000 per semester, so I had better make the most of this time and blast them with my, er, unique perspective.

The fools!!

Sorry, I'll stop saying that.

My neighbhorhood is really cool. It is made up of 49.99% Latinos, 49.99% Koreans... and 0.01% white folks, namely me and my property manager. You remember, the nameless guy with a wife and three girlfriends? To be honest I thought he was lying about that, but I since met two of them. Rest assured, he is not exaggerating. Most white folks are scared to come to my neighborhood, which suits me fine. It is actually quite safe and fun. Walking to the mall next to my apartment building is a surreal experience. There is not one person in that mall who is not Korean... except, of course, when I walk in there. Luckily, when I enter the mall, I do not encounter anybody pointing, staring or terrified crying children like I did in China. But I still half-expect such reactions, since I feel like such a minority in my own neighborhood.

The food in my 'hood is freaking phenomenal. There are Mexican food trucks, like hot dog stands, except they offer a full menu of stuff for dirt cheap. Perhaps referring to the food as dirt cheap is a tad too appropriate; these trucks are referred to as "roach coaches" here in LA, but a few insects never stopped me from getting tasty, cheap food. I can get a huge, tasty burrito for $3, or a full yummy plate of stuffed jalapeno peppers, beans rice and veggies for $5. Its worth the risk. Also, the local Korean restaurants serve top-notch Korean grub, and there are dozens of them within one block of my place.

So, life here is good. Again, please post to this blog, or better yet, stop by my 'hood some time. Would that be called a "real-time posting"? It would be great to see you here. The weather is perfect, the people are beautiful and the hospitals are very nice. (I spent last weekend helping my buddy Sean, who spent three days hospitalized with a leg infection and a fever. He's doing better now, thanks for asking.) So come visit any time.

Take care...