Sheenae.com

I just took a look at a series of photos taken of people before and after they died. The portraits are the work of Walter Schels and his partner Beate Lakotta.

At first, looking at the photos and reading the captions made me think about death and how people handle it. I thought about the process of preparing for one's own death and the mental struggle of facing our own end.

Then my thoughts turned to life and how these people, when faced with their death, reflected on their own life. One woman had regrets and felt cheated by death because it came too soon for her to enjoy her retirement, which she had worked her whole life towards.

Last year, my uncle died from ALS after a many year long battle. It made me sad to watch this big man full of life deteriorate year after year. However, it was inspiring to see how peacefully he came to terms with his own death.

We all have this one life to live, but most of us choose to focus our time on things that don't really matter. I admit, I live my life by checklists - things I feel I must get done. I know each minute of life is precious and I should not waste it on accumulation of materials things or minor irritants. I know this and yet, I don't live each day as if it were my last. I guess I feel I'm OK with that because I have one redeeming thing that makes me happy - love.

I have the unconditional love of my mom and I have found the love of my soul mate and husband and I feel that is an accomplishment that trumps all the other lists in my life.

I saw this the other day. Most adorable Korean baby, singing "Hey Jude."

And as if you needed further proof, another study that says Asians are awesome. The wage gap for ethnic minorities and women still exists, but apparently not for Asians. It's like white people have decided Asians aren't real minorities or at least not threatening. They don't know we're just laying low and waiting for the "signal" from the mother country.

Earlier this week I read a list of warning signs to watch out for that your boss may be trying to “manage” you. The list was produced by Valleywag in response to Business Week’s list of tips to managers of Generation Y. I am posting the link because I think education is important. It’s obviously a Generation X viewpoint, as they’re the only ones suspicious enough to come up with these counterpoints.

The only other interesting thing I found is that veganism is just a euphemism for anorexia, according to the authors of Skinny Bitch.

I have a new favorite blog: Stuff White People Like. My mother is Korean and my father is caucasian, so it makes sense that about half of the things applied to me. I eat expensive sandwiches for lunch, I just came back from a trip to Japan, and my husband and I are talking about getting a Prius. That must be my white side. On the other hand, I believe natural medicine is bunk, and I do not like dogs or lawyers.

I especially like the tips they give you on how to take advantage of white people and their weaknesses.

#58 Japan

"If you find yourself in an awkward silence with white people, just mention how you want to go to Japan. They will immediately begin talking about how their trip to Japan, or their favorite stuff from Japan, but it will be entirely about them. This is useful as you no longer have to talk, and they will like you for letting them talk about themselves."

#59 Natural Medicine

"How can you use this for gain? It’s easy! When a white person you work with is feeling sick or says they have no energy, ask them to tell you more about their problems. After pretending to listen for a little while, tell them that in your culture/home country “we cured that using a special herbal powder from [insert made up tree] root.

Then the next day bring them a small bag of basil or oregano and tell them to boil it in a tea (white people love to believe in magic teas) and see how they feel in the morning. One of two things will happen. They will either wake up feeling great because they want to feel great and they’ll thank you profusely. Or they will wake up feeling like crap, and when you confront them at work, they will lie and say they feel good.

Either way, you did them a favor so now they owe you a favor."

Check out my other favorite blogs on the right, under "Blogs."

I learned the Superman dance by Soulja Boy.

Paul and I arrived early at my family's house and while waiting for my mom and sister to return from a shopping trip we decided to learn the dance and perform for them when they returned. They were very pleased and gave us much clapping. I know the latest internet trend is to make a video of your performance, but my husband and I are content with our two-person fan base. Below is an instructional video for those who wish to learn the dance and become an internet superstar!

I know, the song is misogynistic. To counter this I will take this opportunity to formally announce my joining the boycott against Starbucks for their support of gender apartheid, which means their stores segregate genders in nations that allow this practice. The decision to boycott Starbucks is easy because I don't drink coffee, but it is mostly influenced by this Los Angeles Times article.

Why target Starbucks? Because they promote themselves as socially responsible. Their entire annual report is about how giving and wonderful they are. This is hypocritical when they are supporting a culture and tradition that promotes gross discrimination against women. Global corporations have taken stands on civil rights issues in the past and been agents of change. in 1988, Ford Motor Company took a stand on apartheid in South Africa and pulled their company out in support of international condemnation of the country's practice of segregation based on race.

Obviously, Starbucks cares more about making money than gender equality. At least some companies are willing to make a stand. Their direct competitor, Dunkin Donuts, does not allow gender segregation in their stores in the Middle East.