tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-233300802024-03-17T23:01:15.696-04:00Tae Yoon: Life from 2006-2021thwanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05690167352588554316noreply@blogger.comBlogger3777125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23330080.post-84826744387921154292021-03-03T02:28:00.008-05:002021-03-03T03:32:14.766-05:00<div>Is a home-cooked meal considered to be of lesser quality than dishes available at a restaurant? Or is the written work on a personal blog all that much different than what's found in published articles or books?</div><div><br /></div><div>With so many people creating amazing things and content out there in the world, my answer is no. Talent and quality exists in all types of methods, approaches, and corners.</div><div><br /></div><div>When I wrote my <a href="https://thwany.blogspot.com/2006/03/" target="_blank"><b>first blog entry</b></a> here exactly 15 years ago today, my only intention was cathartic release. But now, after what feels like a lifetime later, I've come to appreciate my long collection of thoughts and life phases documented in this open-book journal.</div><div><br /></div><div>Back in 2006, life remained dominantly analog—and thinking about it now, it was probably the last era ever for that type of existence. Social media and the groundbreaking technology of smartphones had yet to transform everyday life and the online landscape into what it is today. Instead of the Internet feeling extremely crowded like it currently does, it still composed an element of uncharted territory back then. Curiosities could still lead to exciting new unknowns, and the online world was still mostly looked at as a clean slate where we could start our new digital selves. It was a destination where those seeking connection of any type could find it without all of the negative aspects commonly attached to it now. And it was this exact mindset that I created this Blogspot.</div><div><br /></div><div>Currently in 2021, I'll be honest and say blogging here has come to feel somewhat outdated. What once felt fresh and untraveled now has a part of me thinking that if I don't switch things up soon, I'll begin to really lag behind the times. And I'm not sure if it's because of the quality of my writing or perhaps the fact that it lives on a platform that most people dismiss and don't want to click on in our modern times—but I do want my work to be seen by others, and I'm not sure if this blog is the place where that'll happen. </div><div><br /></div><div>However, that's totally okay, because I've learned and benefitted a million times over from having it. Through so many difficult periods in my younger life where I was figuring stuff out, it was my only constant ally that gave me a space to truly be myself with absolutely no judgements. With straight up survival as my only intention, forcing myself to release my emotions here for 15 years pretty much formed the strong foundation I now have that's rooted in a literary way of being. And for that priceless lesson and growth, I will forever be grateful.</div><div><br /></div><div>At the age of 23, I genuinely used to feel like I lived at a local stop of the subway, and the only thing I saw was the express train of life zooming by to my intended destination without me. I was in such a rush to accomplish the things that I thought I wanted to, but now at my age I totally know better. And upon reflection, none of that was ever for me or mine to have. But damn, now at 38, I am so happy to have gotten to where I have while making all of those local stops. It let me get off at each one and explore what I needed to before hopping back on to keep moving forward, all with a renewed strength and outlook to tackle whatever came next.</div><div><br /></div><div>To anyone else with a dream, know that there is no expiration date for it. Keep. Fucking. Going. Don't limit yourself to your expectations, because there's so much more in store for you.</div><div><br /></div><div>Some friends have asked me what I'm going to do with all of the extra time and effort that used to be dedicated to this blog. Well, I haven't figured that out just yet. But, I do know that I plan to put all that bandwidth into another medium or project where I can continue to express myself. </div><div><br /></div><div>Until then, thanks for your time. And let's definitely catch up then.</div><div><br /></div><div>Love,</div><div>Tae</div>thwanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05690167352588554316noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23330080.post-12292688896767189432021-03-03T00:56:00.003-05:002021-03-03T00:56:12.896-05:00Chew twice before scarfing.thwanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05690167352588554316noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23330080.post-57436920398873895322021-03-03T00:26:00.003-05:002021-03-03T01:33:08.427-05:00Check out my first ever podcast segment linked <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/thrillist-explorers/id1481261969" target="_blank"><b>here</b></a>. <div><br /></div><div>I'm proud that its focus was on a topic that's near and dear to me.</div>thwanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05690167352588554316noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23330080.post-12055176566439235222021-02-28T21:03:00.004-05:002021-02-28T21:03:55.033-05:00<i>"We said we wanted a new start. This is it."</i><div><br /></div><div><i>Said by Jacob in the movie Minari.</i></div>thwanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05690167352588554316noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23330080.post-71567183281018601312021-02-28T20:55:00.006-05:002021-03-02T00:24:05.259-05:00Even though it's the weekend, I've been getting terrible sleep. Since Friday night, I've been falling asleep at a ridiculous late-night hour that feels more like my ideal time to wake up early and start my day on the right foot. I've also been having the weirdest dreams the past few days and opening my eyes to this heaviness and exhaustion.<div><br /></div><div>After waking up today, I lied in bed for a bit not sure of what to do with my thoughts or my day. I used cleaning my room as a reason to get motivated and on my feet, and as I was Swiffering my floor with Natalie Merchant's Tigerlily album playing in the background, my phone rang—it was my good friend Annie calling. </div><div><br /></div><div>Annie and I have been close since high school and she's been living in Seattle for a while now. Honestly, at our age, with most people having life partners, kids, and generally, different interests, it's natural that all friendships evolve or fizzle out. And that's totally okay, because as we get busier with more responsibilities, that's just how life works. I could say that outside of my core group of friends, it's inevitable that I've become mutually untethered from most other people I used to know, and now keeping in contact through Instagram likes is more than sufficient. If there's nothing left connecting us or no longer any genuine effort put forth into friendship, people grow apart and move on and there's nothing wrong with that. But that's why I'm so thankful to the forever friends who do check in on me to make sure I'm doing alright. Annie has always been one of those friends, and is one of my dearest pals who genuinely knows me so well (and vice versa). Getting her call today couldn't have come at a better moment. We gabbed for about an hour-and-a-half and she helped me with a lot of the mental blockers and stuff I've been recently trying to process. By the time we hung up, I was feeling much better about everything.</div><div><br /></div><div>Afterwards, I got some air from a walk and have been vegging at home doing absolutely nothing since.</div><div><br /></div><div>Now, Sunday is nearing its end and it's time to mentally prepare for my upcoming workweek.</div>thwanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05690167352588554316noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23330080.post-67597698086823848832021-02-28T14:55:00.003-05:002021-02-28T14:55:37.897-05:00<p><i> "Lost in emotion."</i></p><p><i>From the song Lost In Emotion by Lisa Lisa & Cult Jam.</i></p>thwanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05690167352588554316noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23330080.post-72935283953189973272021-02-26T01:22:00.007-05:002021-02-26T11:09:36.824-05:00All of the snow has melted.thwanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05690167352588554316noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23330080.post-54388164055686295962021-02-23T23:36:00.005-05:002021-02-23T23:36:46.165-05:00<i>"It gave me a reason to exist."</i><div><br /></div><div><i>Said by Mariah Carey in her audiobook The Meaning of Mariah Carey. Track 3.</i></div>thwanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05690167352588554316noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23330080.post-20961340749189567712021-02-23T23:21:00.003-05:002021-02-23T23:24:21.461-05:00Honest mistake.<div>On his mist ache.</div><div>Was asked to wait.</div><div>What’s so damn great?</div><div>Relax your face.</div>thwanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05690167352588554316noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23330080.post-20467593776851124192021-02-23T22:56:00.001-05:002021-02-23T22:56:06.559-05:00Stretching is the start to my revolution.thwanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05690167352588554316noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23330080.post-34562136704306168032021-02-23T22:41:00.004-05:002021-02-23T22:41:28.110-05:00<p>Giant.</p>thwanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05690167352588554316noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23330080.post-8042469150673447872021-02-23T22:40:00.004-05:002021-02-23T22:40:48.220-05:00I've got less than a week left of blogging here, and I'm okay with that.thwanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05690167352588554316noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23330080.post-42142948227450891162021-02-23T21:26:00.001-05:002021-02-23T21:26:04.450-05:00Text reading skills are knowing when a question is rhetorical.thwanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05690167352588554316noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23330080.post-31635451644038805542021-02-22T01:49:00.001-05:002021-02-22T01:49:15.568-05:00That is <i>so</i> funny.thwanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05690167352588554316noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23330080.post-20217156729696867882021-02-22T01:35:00.004-05:002021-02-22T01:37:32.934-05:00Pile it.<div>Pilot.</div><div>Pile of shit.</div>thwanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05690167352588554316noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23330080.post-61123814156252274052021-02-22T01:25:00.007-05:002021-02-28T20:58:15.557-05:00<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><u>Taken All On the Same Day of September 28, 1994</u></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">1. Usual shelf </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">2. After showering </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">3. Done up with a fake earring put on by my oldest sis</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-X-vM9TsQFtg/YDNN1NQVx0I/AAAAAAAASIk/muYNFlyejiUo-EPs-F13aDqyuSCfAulAQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2089/1stPOLAROID.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="833" data-original-width="2089" height="256" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-X-vM9TsQFtg/YDNN1NQVx0I/AAAAAAAASIk/muYNFlyejiUo-EPs-F13aDqyuSCfAulAQCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h256/1stPOLAROID.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p>thwanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05690167352588554316noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23330080.post-91142199033929409372021-02-21T23:53:00.005-05:002021-02-21T23:53:39.958-05:00<i>"But how was I to,</i><div><i>know which way the story'd go?"</i></div><div><br /></div><div><i>From the song Take a Bow by Madonna.</i></div><div><br /></div><div>As a kid, I was obsessed with this music video when it first came out.</div>thwanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05690167352588554316noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23330080.post-36489555578419132042021-02-21T23:39:00.004-05:002021-02-21T23:39:38.520-05:00<p><i>"Do you mean what you say when there's no one around?"</i><br /><br /><i>From the song Take a Bow by Madonna.</i></p>thwanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05690167352588554316noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23330080.post-70553784005248503102021-02-21T23:27:00.001-05:002021-02-21T23:27:02.333-05:00<i>"Swaying room,</i><div><i>as the music starts.<br />Strangers making the most of the dark.<br />Two by two,</i></div><div><i>their bodies become one."</i></div><div><br /></div><div><i>From the song Crazy for You by Madonna.</i></div>thwanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05690167352588554316noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23330080.post-82518829920651191002021-02-21T22:39:00.007-05:002021-02-21T22:39:49.648-05:00<i>"There's no easy explanation for it."</i><div><br /></div><div><i>From the song Love Will Never Do (Without You) by Janet Jackson.</i></div>thwanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05690167352588554316noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23330080.post-22923526444488612842021-02-21T22:35:00.007-05:002021-02-21T22:35:46.627-05:00<i>"So don't hold back,<br />just have a good time."</i><div><br /></div><div><i>From the song Escapade by Janet Jackson.</i></div>thwanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05690167352588554316noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23330080.post-82485156465114788242021-02-21T22:34:00.007-05:002021-02-21T22:34:47.912-05:00<i>"My mind's tired,<br />I've worked so hard all week."</i><div><br /></div><div><i>From the song Escapade by Janet Jackson.</i></div>thwanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05690167352588554316noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23330080.post-64408116019282361452021-02-21T22:15:00.002-05:002021-02-21T22:17:36.922-05:00One of my oldest pop culture memories is watching Janet Jackson's <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qH-rPt1ftSo" target="_blank"><b>Black Cat</b></a> music video.<div><br /></div><div>It must've been around 2nd grade, but damn, I still remember watching that music video in complete awe and staring up at the television screen. That mic in her hand and white button-down shirt is forever burned into my brain.</div>thwanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05690167352588554316noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23330080.post-16265047965326172432021-02-21T21:20:00.004-05:002021-02-21T21:21:14.481-05:00BLAST THE F'N MUSIC.thwanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05690167352588554316noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23330080.post-87347563125320051892021-02-21T21:12:00.006-05:002021-02-21T21:12:50.135-05:00<i>"Glad to wake up every day without you on my brain."<br /></i><div><br /></div><div><i>From the song Unfoolish by Ashanti. </i></div>thwanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05690167352588554316noreply@blogger.com0