Amanda Hwang's Blog

I thought about how I'm going to complete a master's degree in nursing since I'll need to pay bills and help my parents. Working full-time and going to school part-time sounds the most reasonable. USC has a FNP program, both full-time and part-time. I hope I can receive acceptance into a program like their part-time program for the FNP.  There was a civilian shooting in Midtown East of Manhattan today. It saddens me to find out there are individuals out there angry enough to kill people and then to kill oneself. It's also scary. This isn't the only shooting in NYC. There was one targeted shooting previously by the Luigi Manigione guy. In his case, he didn't shoot himself and rather, ended up on trial for murdering the chief executive officer of a healthcare or insurance company. Being near a gun or having a gun directed at you is the scariest thing. I've had both happen in my past. Your life is literally on the line.  I was in a bad part of town in Rio de Ja...

 I get jealous of the weirdest things. I own my own Beat headphones, but when I went up to SF city, I saw some people wearing Apple headphones. I found myself wanting those, even though they cost more. Even my Beats were unaffordable. I clearly can't afford Apple headphones. My Beats serve the same purpose. Still, I want Apple headphones. Their aesthetics and design is hip. I don't know, I guess I've outgrown my Beats. I probably won't ever own my own Apple headphones. They're double the price of Beats.  Since returning from the trip up to SF Bay Area, I've wondered which city is better and why: SF or NYC?  I went to the nearby Starbucks from home to try reading more of J.I. Packer's Knowing God. I read one chapter, which is better than none. I've mentioned that reading is becoming more arduous for me. My brain cells aren't working like they used to.  I enrolled in an additional class for the upcoming semester. It's Counseling for Mental Health, ...

This is what the search engine says about social tact:  Social tact refers to  the ability to handle delicate social situations with grace and sensitivity, saying or doing the right thing without causing offense or hurting feelings .  It involves being aware of social cues, understanding how others might react, and choosing words and actions that are appropriate and respectful.  Essentially, it's about navigating social interactions with empathy and consideration for others' feelings.  In my years of meeting new Koreans, I find that Koreans from Seoul have greater social tact than Koreans from say... Busan. It's an observation that's I've noted about Korean society. It could be a generalization though. I could also be biased, since my origins root from Seoul, South Korea and my grandparents on both sides of the family come from Seoul. Seoul city is the best city in South Korea.  The reason I say this about Seoul Koreans versus other South Koreans, such as t...

SUMMER 1 SUMMER 2 FALL SPRING SUMMER 1 SUMMER 2 FALL TOTALS 2017 2017 2017 2018 2018 2018 2018 ACCELERATED NURSING TUITION $4,460 $17,840 $22,300 $22,300 $23,250 $23,250 $113,400 General Fee $348 $348 $2,376 $2,376 $370 $2,461 $8,279 Technology Fee $410 $410 $424 $1,244 Clinical Fee $281 $281 $290 $852 Nursing Fees $350 $605 $200 $395 $150 $1,700 LIVING EXPENSE BUDGETS $2,882 $2,882 $8,645 $8,645 $2,968 $2,968 $8,905 $37,895 TOTAL COST OF ATTENDANCE* $7,690 $21,420 $34,617 $34,212 $26,983 $2,968 $35,480 $163,370 PENN NURSING GRANT $8,540 $8,540 $8,540 $8,540 $8,540 $42,700 ACCELERATED NURSING SCHOLARSHIP $500 $500 $500 $500 $500 $2,500 **FEDERAL DIRECT LOAN $5,250 $5,250 $6,250 $6,250 $12,500 $35,500 **FEDERAL PERKINS LOAN $2,750 $2,750 $2,750 $2,750 $11,000 **FEDERAL WORK-STUDY $2,000 $2,000 $4,000 $4,000 $12,000 TOTAL FINANCIAL AID $8,000 $17,040 $20,040 $20,040 $13,040 $0 $25,540 $103,700 * YOUR RESPONSIBILITY ($310) $4,380 $14,577 $14,172 $13,943 $2,968 $9,940 $59,670 These are the...

 I've attempted many times to read the book Knowing God. Yet again, I'm making another attempt. Hopefully, each read is fruitful and adds to my preexisting knowledge of who God is. As I struggle to find a church at home, I'm reminded by this book of why I'm in continual need to seek out God. It's been over 10 years since I left Columbia University and returned to the home church ministry VOG. Although it's been that long, I wonder why couldn't the VOG ministry do it's job of compelling to remain a wholesome Christian. I had maintained my Christian integrity up until I left for Columbia University. Even when I was a student at Columbia Uni., I eventually sought out a church. Why is it that as soon as I came home to VOG, I lost interest in all things that a church represents, including Christian integrity and Christian morals?  JJ Packer's book Knowing God is a reminder that God is powerful and merciful. He's also gracious. These attributes of God ...

 Once I finish my BSN at Fresno State, the plan is to get a job in San Diego. My parents say they'll sell the current house in Fresno and purchase a small place in San Diego. I don't know how realistic and practical that is but I can't resist the idea of living in the paradise-like city of SD. I'll have to make monthly payments on the house or 2 bedroom condominium, though, if I can afford them as a nurse. That's in a year, which is so close. I'm super excited. I've been wanting a change of scenery. The San Diego lifestyle contradicts the frugal life that I've been meaning to live in accordance with. Everyone deserves happiness. What makes happiness differs from person to person. I am pretty sure that I want to complete a master's degree in nursing, but while I do that, I'll have responsibilities towards my parents. They really want me to live in San Diego with them, which means I'll have to pay the bills. Although I like that idea, I want to...

I don't know what happened in my past but I feel like I had a brain insult. I definitely can't read like I used to, and it's really bothering me a lot.  I'm starting to read Michael Lewis' Liar's Poker. It's an entertaining story about the Investment Banking profession. I have mixed feelings about the book. The author comes across as racist towards Asians, often stereotyping them.  My mom and I went to a new-ish Thai restaurant in Fresno called Satay. It was really good. We ordered Pad Thai and Yellow Curry. Both were good. I originally enrolled in the psychology course Human Sexuality to apply myself to a master's program in Social Work. I believe the purpose of taking Human Sexuality is to become versed in sexual acts that victimize individuals or groups and aiding them in times of need. Rather than learning about that, I became versed in sex itself, which wasn't the original intention. I went to the gym and tried the Climbmill machine for the firs...

My mom and I were supposed to go up to San Francisco today. We ended up postponing the day trip to sometime in the next few weeks. I've been looking forward to visiting San Francisco. We're going to drive to Rockridge Bart (I love this part of Berkeley), take BART to Embarcadero. From there, we are going to the Pier and then take the bus to Japantown. It'll be an epic trip. According to my mom, we are going to stay the night in San Jose where we can drive through Gilroy for some shopping on the way back home. 

 Back when my mom saw a magazine ad for the Korean plastic surgeon in Los Angeles Koreatown, she decided to take me there. It was the worst idea to have plastic surgery done at such young of an age. It was the year 2008, just two years after my undergraduate graduation. I had returned from trying to live and work in Los Angeles. Not only did the doctor perform liposuction on various parts of my body but he also performed a chin augmentation. Now most of you will think "What's the problem with improving the appearance and becoming more beautiful?" It's a major problem and has been problematic.  One of the problems with the chin implant was the discomfort of talking, smiling, and laughing, which are normal necessities for human interaction. Due to the prolonged effect of the cosmetic chin implant, even when I had it removed in 2016, I've had issues relating to my inability to communicate and feel those emotions that smiling and laughing produces. I've had hormon...