Sunday, May 26, 2013

Red Flags (girls): 1) PLASTIC SURGERY: - check if double eyelids -> more chance of further surgery having been done. - further surgery is normally a) shaving off the V of Chinline (V-line means beauty) b) Making the nose higher (like western nose = beauty)

Red Flags (girls):

1) PLASTIC SURGERY:
- check if double eyelids -> more chance of further surgery having been done.
- further surgery is normally a) shaving off the V of Chinline (V-line means beauty)
                                          b) Making the nose higher (like western nose = beauty)
- Ask for childhood photos (- can see about nose and chin)

2) ONLY WANT MONEY (SOCIAL STATUS) or FREE ENGLISH LESSONS

3) MAKEUP <-> NO MAKEUP

4) SHORT, FAT and STUBBY (- average 80%)

5) PARTY-ER (while still old.. = no loyalty)

6) FAMILY CONDITION (family's work/siblings and spacing)

Friday, May 24, 2013

Conversation Flow: 1) KakaoTalk -> 2) Facebook -> 3) Age -> 4) Connection = same hobbies -> put in same circle (= on the same side against the world). -> 5) Sharing stories of past/funny/fun experiences/teaching things.

Conversation Flow:

1) KakaoTalk
->
2) Facebook
->
3) Age
->
4) Connection = same hobbies -> put in same circle (= on the same side against the world).
->
5) Sharing stories of past/funny/fun experiences/teaching things.

미팅

미팅

위키백과, 우리 모두의 백과사전.
이동: 둘러보기, 찾기
미팅은 이성 친구들끼리 모여 마주 보고 앉아 이루어지는 그룹 데이트의 한 형식이다. 대한민국에서는 주로 대학생을 중심으로 한 대학생 문화로서의 특징을 지니고 있다. 남녀간의 만남을 가리키는 미팅은 한국식 영어로서 영어 meeting에는 이러한 뜻이 없다.

목차

대한민국의 미팅

방식

남녀양측에서 미팅을 주선하는 사람이 동성 친구들을 모으고 날짜를 정하고 자리를 마련한다. 이 때, 남녀수는 일반적으로 짝이 맞아야 하므로 동수가 되거나, 주선자를 빼고 동수이다. 남자측과 여자측이 한 테이블에서 서로 마주 보고 앉아서 서로 이런 저런 이야기를 나누면서 자신의 마음에 드는 사람을 찾게 되는데, 이때 자신의 마음에 드는 상대를 골랐다는 표시를 간접적인 방식으로 하게 된다. 서로 마음에 맞는 사람이 정해지면 그 커플이 함께 자리를 뜨는 방식으로 2차 데이트가 시작된다. 헤어질 때는 서로 연락처를 주고 받는데, 서로 마음이 맞으면 연락을 지속하고, 그렇지 않으면 미팅이 1회로 종료된다.

용어

  • 퀸카(←Queen Card):미팅에 나온 여성중에서 남성들의 주목을 끄는 가장 매력적인 사람을 가리킨다.
  • 킹카(←King Card):미팅에 나온 남성중에서 여성들의 주목을 끄는 가장 매력적인 사람을 가리킨다.
  • 폭탄:미팅에 나온 남녀중에서 외모적 매력이 매우 떨어지는 사람을 일컫는다.
  • 폭탄제거반:폭탄으로 지목된 사람을 먼저 데리고 나오는 임무를 맡은 사람.

미팅의 여러 형식과 파생어

미팅의 마지막 글자인 -팅이 접미사 파생을 통하여 여러 데이트 방식을 일컫는 말로 쓰인다.
  • 폰팅:모르는 사람에게 전화를 거는 데이트 방식으로, 휴대폰 보급이전에 유행하였다.
  • 소개팅:한 사람이 다른 사람을 소개시켜 1:1로 만남을 갖는 데이트방식이다.
  • 번개팅:온라인에서 알게 된 사람을 오프라인에서 실제로 만나는 것을 말한다. 줄여서 번개라고도 한다.
  • 데이팅:웹사이트에서 실제 데이트코스를 조합하여 만나는 방식을 말한다.
  • 문자팅,문팅:휴대폰의 문자메시지를 주고 받는 데이트를 말한다.
  • 쪽지팅:웹사이트에서 1:1 쪽지 서비스를 이용한 데이트를 말한다.

EPIK Cultural Shock

Korean base privacy on the status and relationship of that person meaning certain personal information such as age, marital status etc are necessary in order to maintain that relationship.

Koreans give personal information to strangers or casual acquaintances to become more intimate whereas Westerners require intimacy first. We like to know someone first.

Restrictions among western friends are
1. Not borrowing money. We have a saying in the US “If you want to loose a friend loan them money “
2. Respect a friend’s privacy
3. Not putting another under obligation. Again we don’t mind if you ask but learn to accept no without being offended.

Korean ways are
1. Respecting the elderly (though I do not see this on the subways and buses nor with the handicapped or mentally ill) Korean society has been influenced by the West to wait in line, but it is still uncommon. Westerners and Koreans have opposite views on courtesy in a business relationship.
Westerners place business and personal relationships separate as to keep neutrality in decision making and to process quickly. Whereas Korean’s value personal connections for a long-term, trusting business relationship. Both of these practices have their good and bad points. I personally will not rent an apartment to a friend, close associate or a friend or a friend. It can cause too many problems and cause one to make decisions based on that relationship and not what is necessarily good for the business.

Let’s talk about what we are all here for “English Education.” I grew up in a family of teachers and have many friends who are teachers in the US so I was really taken back when I came to Korea.

Though Korea has a national curriculum there seems to be no conformity in English Education. Even in the Universities where Native Teachers have a Master Degree and are teaching Koreans about English Education the majority of their degrees are not in English. In Korea’s thirst for English Education they have been bomb-barded by many Koreans and foreigners who lack the skills or the passion as teachers. In choosing a NT, recruiters first seem to look for someone who is white; between the ages of 22- 35 then they consider their experiences last.

Rumor has it in the foreign community that NT’s will no longer be considered for coveted positions in public schools in Seoul or Busan if you are over 50 and sometimes down to 40. I have seen this myself on the websites. Recruiters have told me to only look for positions in the country or less popular areas.

Korean teachers have too much power in what goes on in the relationship and when something goes wrong they have no where to turn. Again I am lucky at my school as the teachers there are real cool.

(Maybe a board of Koreans and NT’s who are trained in conflict management and cultural differences and can give needed information to live and work in Korea).

2.
Consistency in teaching methods- Though I like to do many things in teaching we want consistency in certain teaching methods. Being from a family of teachers I have learn that students in the elementary schools need to build a solid foundation and some things are just not negotiable.

In the English language there are 220 Sight Words. These are all taught from pre-kindergarten through 3rd grade in western schools. This starts a foundation where children will be able to recognize the meaning of a sentence even though they may not understand every word. At least one sight word is in every sentence in the English language.

In Korea this should be mandatory starting in the first level in which English is taught and should be finished within 4 years or the 6th grade whichever comes first. Students can do many things to learn these sight words through stories, games etc. Word families should also be apart of that program. Scholastic and Spectrum are my favorite companies in providing books etc for this purpose. I can also provide you with other favorites upon request. Most can be bought in Korea. Also word families should be taught in the upper elementary levels. Students want more than anything to be able to talk to foreigners. This can be done by doing Surveys. A great book for this is “The Survey Says” 100 Surveys for Students to Conduct by John Cabot. It gives them a sense of pride and makes them want to continue learning. Yes, English is difficult but like all languages English is based on a timeline and rules. Once these rules are taught it makes it easier to comprehend why English is the way it is. I am including with this essay what I would teach in the ideal situation on the elementary level to build a foundation for the middle schools and above. But since most NT’s only assist and the curriculum in mandatory it makes it more difficult but not impossible.

Most after school programs are also difficult due to the different levels placed in one classroom. How I deal with that is to pair two lower level students with 3 higher level students so they can help them.

I have spent millions of won on my students in Korea. Many NT’s tell me I am crazy and maybe I am. But I love what I do and I love these kids. I believe that to teach English one must also live it. In Korea too much emphasis is based on the tests they take to enter college making English a dreaded and most hated subject among the Korean students.

This is why after years of language learning they still cannot speak it. That is sad. I teach English but I also teach hip hop and yoga (which teaches English words about movement and dance. It also builds confidence. I tell my students that hip hop, like English looks difficult but if you break it down and make it fun it is much easier. Also students in after-school programs need to be able to use English more with foreigners through doing surveys, eating in English restaurants and going where foreigners are.

because really after all the cultural and personal differences are put aside, are we really all that different? I don’t think so. We all want the same things, Love, Happiness and success for ourselves and our children.



Dolch word list SIght Words

Dolch word list

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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The Dolch Word List is a list of frequently used words compiled by Edward William Dolch, PhD, a major proponent of the "whole-word" method of beginning reading instruction. The list was prepared in 1936. The list was originally published in his book Problems in Reading in 1948.
Dolch compiled the list based on children's books of his era, which is why nouns such as "kitty" and "Santa Claus" appear on the list instead of more high-frequency words. The list contains 220 "service words" that have to be easily recognized in order to achieve reading fluency in the English language. The compilation excludes nouns, which comprise a separate 95-word list.
These lists of words are still assigned for memorization in American elementary schools. Although most of the 220 Dolch words are phonetic, children are sometimes told that they can't be "sounded out" using common sound-to-letter implicit phonics patterns and have to be learned by sight; hence the alternative term, "sight word." The list is divided into grades in which it was intended that children would memorize these words.

Contents

Dolch list: Non-nouns

Pre-primer: a, and, away, big, blue, can, come, down, find, for, funny, go, help, here, I, in, is, it, jump, little, look, make, me, my, not, one, play, red, run, said, see, the, three, to, two, up, we, where, yellow, you
Primer: all, am, are, at, ate, be, black, brown, but, came, did, do, eat, four, get, good, have, he, into, like, must, new, no, now, on, our, out, please, pretty, ran, ride, saw, say, she, so, soon, that, there, they, this, too, under, want, was, well, went, what, white, who, will, with, yes
1st Grade: after, again, an, any, as, ask, by, could, every, fly, from, give, giving, had, has, her, him, his, how, just, know, let, live, may, of, old, once, open, over, put, round, some, stop, take, thank, them, then, think, walk, were, when
2nd Grade: always, around, because, been, before, best, both, buy, call, cold, does, don't, fast, first, five, found, gave, goes, green, its, made, many, off, or, pull, read, right, sing, sit, sleep, tell, their, these, those, upon, us, use, very, wash, which, why, wish, work, would, write, your
3rd Grade: about, better, bring, carry, clean, cut, done, draw, drink, eight, fall, far, full, got, grow, hold, hot, hurt, if, keep, kind, laugh, light, long, much, myself, never, only, own, pick, seven, shall, show, six, small, start, ten, today, together, try, warm

Dolch list: Nouns

apple, baby, back, ball, bear, bed, bell, bird, birthday, boat, box, boy, bread, brother, cake, car, cat, chair, chicken, children, Christmas, coat, corn, cow, day, dog, doll, door, duck, egg, eye, farm, farmer, father, feet, fire, fish, floor, flower, game, garden, girl, good-bye, grass, ground, hand, head, hill, home, horse, house, kitty, leg, letter, man, men, milk, money, morning, mother, name, nest, night, paper, party, picture, pig, rabbit, rain, ring, robin, Santa Claus, school, seed, sheep, shoe, sister, snow, song, squirrel, stick, street, sun, table, thing, time, top, toy, tree, watch, water, way, wind, window, wood

See also

External links

Culture Shock - 4. Agreeing to an appointment, promise etc and later changing it. ut as a whole we consider a broken promise a character flaw and frown heavily on this practice.

4. Agreeing to an appointment, promise etc and later changing it (Westerners do this to a small degree depending on the situation concerning appointments but as a whole we consider a broken promise a character flaw and frown heavily on this practice. Also the breaking or trying to change a contract is a no- no unless agreed upon by both parties. This is also where manipulation comes in and westerners don’t like to be manipulated. This happened to a native teacher in one of the schools with their contract. In the middle of the year the stipulation changed on the airfare going home in the next year contract and the Korean co teacher asked them to honor the change .Even though their contract was signed the previous year. The native teacher refused saying they wanted to keep the agreement they already signed. This caused a conflict in the relationship. We as foreigners don’t understand this behavior. Koreans sign contracts to buy cars, homes etc. Can they change these agreements on a whim or if their situations change? I hope not. How can a country be a civilized society if agreements mean nothing or excuses are so easily acceptable? This is how westerners generally feel

EPIK - Can you get along with Korean co-teacher? - Relationship with Korean co-teacher is the deciding factor in future work, and career prospects.

EPIK
- Can you get along with Korean co-teacher?
- Relationship with Korean co-teacher is the deciding factor in future work, and career prospects.

Thursday, May 23, 2013

Getting Up After Hitting Rock Bottom

Getting Up After Hitting Rock Bottom

Getting Up After Hitting Rock Bottom
Motivation

Getting Up After Hitting Rock Bottom

The ups and downs of life are what make it so valuable. We hit the lows before the highs, and the cycle repeats itself all over again, and most often, it’s without warning. The mayhem that is life is controlled by a clock that is watched by all who operate on a calendar schedule. We’re always waiting for the next big thing to go down, not knowing what the future holds.
It’s at times when we’ve hit the bottom that we’re most anxious for the next moment to be one of salvation to pull us from the sinking sand. Fear not, friends. Even if you feel you’ve hit rock bottom, it is not the end. That’s right — life goes on. Can you believe it? In times of desperation, when you feel like the world is against you, stay in check and get back up on your feet with these reminders.
Don’t pity yourself.
Remember, everything happens for a reason. We are meant to suffer through misfortune before we can reach the high points in life. Battling through the tough times makes you a stronger person, challenging you to rise to the occasion and conquer the bullish*t that gets in your way. If you’re feeling like you’ve finally hit the bottom, don’t pity yourself.
Everyone falls down sometimes. Surprise yourself with your inner strength and bravery. You can do anything if you want it badly enough. Instead of feeling sorry for yourself, take the negative sh*t that’s weighing you down and turn it into motivation. Let the lows bring you higher by developing a thicker skin each time you’re brought down.
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Make an everyday to-do list.
Sometimes recovering from whatever it is that has you down is really f*cking hard to do. If you’re feeling so down that it’s hard to get out of bed and get started with your day every morning, make an everyday to-do list. It may sound petty and stupid, but it also might drastically improve your quality of life.
Getting yourself motivated to do anything when your mind is totally consumed with overwhelming negative thoughts can become a challenge to conquer every single day. Instead of focusing on the bad, an everyday to-do list gives you a handful of things to focus on day-in and day-out. Mine looks a little something like this:
1. Maintain a positive mind. Look on the bright side of negative situations.
2. Remove the word “hate” from your vocabulary. Is there anything worth so much negative emotion, anyway?
3. Forget revenge. Feel bad for those who bring you down — karma comes back around.
4. Make someone smile. It’s uplifting to know that you’ve made someone’s day just a little bit better.
5. Look for the good in people. Use their likenesses as motivation to better yourself.
Out with the bad; In with the good.
What is it that’s weighing you down? Is it your own mind, or is it some outside factor? Is it controllable? Many times, the things that have the greatest impact are within our control. If you’ve hit the bottom and there is clearly something you can do about it, what the hell are you waiting for? People will come and go in your life.
If there are bad people making a mess of your life and affecting your happiness, say goodbye. The number one person in life is yourself. If you don’t have happiness, then what do you have? Even if the negative factors aren’t physical people, the negative might be some other controllable situation like your current job or place in life. Make changes; sometimes change is good and should be embraced. If you absolutely dread going to work in the morning, find another job.
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Even if your finances take a temporary hit, so be it. Money does not equal happiness. If you’re not happy with where you are in life, figure out where it is you want to be. You must first discover yourself and what you want from this life before you can enjoy it. Dismiss the bad, and embrace all of the good that this world has to offer.
Focus on yourself.
Rather than focusing your attention on the negative sh*t that’s keeping you on the bottom, focus on bettering yourself. If you have a negative mind, you’re going to have a negative life. Worry about getting healthy: mind, body and soul. Start working out if you don’t already. Working out not only improves your bodily health, but it energizes your mind, too.
If you’re feeling good about the way you look, you have a better self-esteem, which leads to a more positive outlook on life. Get a new haircut, go on a date, spend time with your family or go on a weekend vacation. Worry about bouncing back up from the low, rather than the low itself.
Stop waiting; Start doing.
Stop waiting for the next big thing to happen. If you’re living in the past, or looking forward to the future, you’re not living right. Live in the present and embrace all that you have to be grateful for. If nothing else, you’re alive and reading this, and that’s something to be thankful for. Stop looking back, stop looking forward and start working on the present.
You cannot change past mistakes or regrets; you cannot predict or alter what’s going to happen next. You can only make the most out of this moment, so make it a f*cking good one.
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Let go.
It’s always darkest before the dawn. I live by this proverb, and it’s a constant reminder that no matter what situation is at hand, there’s always brightness ahead. No matter what you’re going through, it’s not going to last forever, and it’s not going to define who you are, or the life that you are living. Overcoming hardships is just a part of life. Sometimes mourning is necessary, but don”t linger. You have to let go. Let go of whatever is weighing you down, and move on with your life.
Life throws you curves, but you learn to swerve. In the end, you will get out of whatever sh*thole you’re in right now, and you will come out on top. Keep swervin’ friends.

Want to Marry a Korean? Here’s 6 Things You Should Know!

Want to Marry a Korean? Here’s 6 Things You Should Know!


So without him knowing it, you’ve been planning on marrying G-dragon for a whole year now. And in your stalker mind, you’ve even dreamed up your own wedding! Well if it ever becomes a reality, make sure you know what’s expected of you if you’re marrying a Korean! (Weirdo :P )
Note: This is a list of common expectations for when Koreans marry other Koreans. But of course if you’re a non-Korean, you will become a multicultural family, and that means your Korean lover and his/her family will have to adjust to you as well. So not all may apply.

1. You’ll Need Mommy and Daddy’s Permission
Son, don’t you be marrying no crazies!”
So you’ve been dating that Korean for a while now and you’ve even got the whole Korean style proposal thing done. The girl’s got the ring and the boy’s got the swag. Congratulations! But it aiin’t official yet. Although getting married is about love, in Korea, many people also see marriage as a union of two families. And that means most marriage plans are on hold until the scary moment when both sides of the family meet. The families of the potential bride and groom will get together for an official dinner at a nice restaurant to make sure no one’s getting married to a family of crazies. And even if it’s a real life Korean drama love story full of childhood first kisses, life threatening diseases and sacrificial eye transplants, if the parents say no, then the wedding might not happen. (Of course, people sometimes go ahead and do it anyway. :P )

2. Parents will Pick up the Tab
“Daddy, Can you buy me a wedding?”
Weddings are expensive ordeals in any part of the world, and people everywhere don’t hesitate to spend butt loads of money on that one special day. And of course, weddings can be very expensive in Korea too. But if you’re still at the bottom working your way up to the top manager position at the local McDonalds, don’t worry too much. In Korea, most young people are broke too. That’s why most families will pay for their share of the wedding costs. That means most brides and grooms in Korea will not pay for the wedding themselves, but their families (parents) will. Korean parents see marrying off their children as their very last duty as a parent. Goodbye, so long, fare thee well young child. It’s a crazy butt load of money (see #3), but they’ll get it back. Big time (see #6).

3. Splitting Wedding Costs is Crazy Complicated
Or just avoid by marrying a Samsung heir

Wedding costs are always tricky arrangements for any marriage, and that’s why most families will figure out things amongst themselves (i.e. if one family is richer than the other, they may offer to cover more of the costs). So if you somehow convinced the heir to the Samsung empire to marry you, you’ll most likely get the most bomb wedding ever for basically just being an awesome husband or wife. For the rest of the not-so-lucky 99.999941%, many Korean families will split marriage costs like this:
Groom Side Bride Side
Wedding Ceremony (50%) Wedding Ceremony (50%)
Honeymoon (50%) Honeymoon (50%)
Apartment/Housing – the home itself (100%) Furnishings like furniture, appliances, etc. (100%)
Yemul (예물) – Wedding gift for the bride Yedan (예단) – Wedding gift for the groom’s family
Splitting wedding costs can be crazy complicated and that’s why we need the scientific chart above. It’s easy enough to see the wedding ceremony and honeymoon are usually split down the middle. But the groom’s side typically provides the payment for the home/apartment, and the bride’s side usually provides all the furnishings inside the home. Fair and simple enough to follow right?
Ok, now see if you can follow this! The gifts involved might be the cultural part you might not have known about. Yemul (예물) comes from an old tradition of giving a bridge wedding gifts of red and blue yarn. Unfortunately for modern day cash-strapped grooms, that usually translates to a matching jewelry set: diamond ring, earring and necklace (or other jewelry). But brides return the favor with yedan (예단), a gift for the groom’s family, typically a cash gift that equals 10% of the housing costs as well as gifts for the family such as nice silverware, bags, jackets, etc.
Of course, none of this is set in stone as it’s different for every marriage (especially true for multi-cultural marriages!). This one you’ll have to talk out with your future Korean spouse/in-laws.

4. You Might Not Get that Cool Korean Name You’ve Always Wanted
Unofficial ones are still gravy tho :P  
In many places in the world, it’s common for the bride to take the groom’s family name. Ms. Smith becomes Mrs. Johnson in many places everyday. But if you’ve ever made up a Korean name for yourself because you think they just sound so darn cool, your dream of having an official Korean name might not come true. In Korea, brides keep their family names, even after getting married. That means even if Seonmi Choi marries Kyungsu Park, she will still keep the name her daddy gave her, Choi. But if you’re kind of creepily obsessed with having an Korean name, there’s no law against it. You can still do it at city hall. :)

5. Holidays Might mean Work (for Women)
Follow orders from bossy Korean aunts
Now that you’re married to the love of your life, you’ll probably be spending time with his family on the big national holidays. And the two big ones out of the year, Chuseok (추석) and Seollal (설날), are typically when families gather with their aunts, uncles, cousins and grandparents, the whole shebang with lots of people and lots of food. But in most Korean families, women are in the kitchen all day to prepare the food. If you’re a woman that’s married into a Korean man’s family, don’t worry too much. It’s usually pretty fun to talk with the other ladies of the family while preparing the food. And even if you don’t have any idea how to do anything, there’s usually a bossy aunt in every family that takes over the kitchen like she’s running an army.
Tip: For Koreans, a new female family member not helping out in the kitchen isn’t always the best. So even if you’re all thumbs when it comes to cooking, try to offer your help (if you’re trying to get on their good side!).

6. New Years Mean Less Money
In exchange for hardcore bowing
Just like in many Asian countries, New Years in Korea (Seollal – 설날) is a time for little kids to receive cash envelopes from their elders to bring to school and compare with everyone how much they got. If you’re Asian, you know how awesome it feels to have envelopes piling up in your back pocket. But for all you non-Asians out there that’s never experienced counting that stash of New Years money in some corner when no one’s looking, sorry to say that you’ll only be counting the money you’re giving out. That’s because if you’re married into a Korean family, that means you’re part of the adult side. And even though you’ve never received money as child, you’ll be expected to give money to your own kids, as well as your nieces and nephews. At least they give you a hardcore New Years bow  in return.

6. You Might Have to Live with Parents (Again)
Korean mama food 
You thought it was over when you moved out didn’t you? Well remember when your Korean in-laws paid for all your crazy wedding expenses that almost mortgaged the house? Well they’re old and retired now. And for Korean families with more traditional values, many sons and/or daughters will invite their parents to live with them when they reach an elderly age. Although this is a changing trend in Korea, and many Korean families just tend to get the elderly parents their own home/apartment nearby (if they can afford it), if the Korean family that you married into has more traditional values, you might have to live with the in-laws for a while, which is not necessarily a bad thing. You’ll get real Korean mama food and a someone to help take care of the kids, too :) .
Special thanks to TalktoMeinKorean.com‘s Kyeongeun Choi for the help!
If you’re going to a Korean wedding, here’s the gifts you should give:
Korean Culture Says Buy These Gifts!

Dating in Korea: 11 Things You Should Expect!

Dating in Korea: 11 Things You Should Expect!

Dating can be difficult sometimes. Meeting the expectations of your significant other may not always be easy. But add on top of that cultural differences and you got a whole new pandora’s box. Read on to see what to expect if you want to date in Korea!
1. How to Meet Korean Singles
Meeting singles in any country can be a daunting task. That’s why in Korea, most of cupid’s work is done through friends. Instead of leaving things up to chance encounters (which can result in murderous strangers), Koreans prefer potential mates to have a reference to make sure both of you will be (to some degree) a match. Having that friend as a buffer will make sure he/she isn’t some crazy drunk that’ll come banging on your door at 3AM. Blind dates in Korea are extremely common and one of the most common ways to meet people in a relatively ‘safe’ way.
Note: Of course, this is not the only way Koreans meet potential baby mamas and daddys. People meet at schools, work, random encounters on the streets, etc. But sogaeting is one of the most preferred ways to meet other singles.
There’s even a few other “types” of blind dates, but those are specifically for different purposes:
미팅 (meeting) – A group blind date, mostly for young college students. A group of guy friends will meet a group of girl friends to hangout and have a good time.
선 (seon) – A blind date arranged by parents. This is a very serious date, where both parties have expectations of marriage right from the beginning (including/especially parents).
Here’s our video on “How to Meet Korean Singles”:
2. Public Displays of Affection (PDA)
Courtesy of Dustin Cole
Public displays of affection in Korea isn’t as open as it may be in other parts of the world. Although the younger generation’s mentality is undergoing a change, many Koreans are still not open to kissing in public. Simple pecks might be tolerable to some, but most Koreans will refuse to be seen in public participating in one of those movie-style open mouth kisses. Even something as simple as hugging significant others may be a bit more awkward than what you’re used to. You might be told to chill out if you’re being too affectionately touchy on a Seoul subway. Holding hands and linking arms, however, are quite common. 
Want to read more about hugs in Korea? See your homie’s personal blog about Hugging in Korea.
3. Splitting the Bill
If you’re hanging out with Koreans, you might want to split the bill the Korean way. That’s when one person pays for the bill and another person will pay for the next round. Some contemporary Koreans prefer to split the bill evenly, and that’s cool if you’re friends and all. But if you’re dating in Korea, that’s kind of a big nono (probably related to that complicated concept of jeong). When going to a restaurant, cafe, movie theater, or ice cream shop, it’s common practice for 1 person to pay at each of those stops. Now, who pays for what is up to debate for all couples around Korea. Some old school Korean dudes pay for everything, but recently, many Korean women have been offering their share, too. So it really depends on the person.
4. Lots of Couple-y Stuff
Couple culture is huge in Korea, and if you’re here with your Korean shorty, you’ll have the chance to enjoy all the perks of being part of a couple in Korea. To the dismay of lonely single people in Korea, couple shirts are all the rage and are very visible anywhere you go. It’s a clear declaration to the world to say “You’re MINE” (optional addition: ”MUHAHA”). You might get a couple ring for your 100 Day Anniversary (see below), to declare your love in ring form. Being a couple can be a highly public affair. With that said, that’s the highly visible side of dating in Korea. There are many people in Korea that aren’t fans of being over-the-top couple-y, and refuse to get couple shirts and rings. Yea, it’s a little too much for some Koreans too :P
See this Korea Q&A about why Koreans wear couple shirts!


5. Celebrating Every 100 Days
People around the world celebrate yearly anniversaries; really lovey-dovey couples celebrate monthly anniversaries; and unhealthily obsessed teenagers celebrate even more often. But in Korea, it’s a little bit different. Of course the big yearly milestones are celebrated just the same. But instead of counting months, the Korean equivalents to the lovey-dovey couples that celebrate monthly will instead celebrate anniversaires in denominations of 100 days (i.e. 100, 200, 300, 500, 1000). It’s more common for younger and more affectionate couples to celebrate this way, so not everyone pays attention to this. But this is definitely a Korean way to celebrate being in love.
Note: Before you bust out your calendar to start counting each day, just use the 100 day calculator on Naver!
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6. Carrying Bags
Generally speaking, most men are physically stronger than their girlfriends, and many women have big bags full of rather undefinable “stuff.” And in Korea, these general truths are practicalities. When hanging out with girlfriends, many Korean men will offer to hold their girlfriend’s big bag full of mysteries to save aching shoulders around the peninsula. There are no fears of looking strange when holding a bag with pink and frills; in Korea, it’s common practice for men to hold the girliest of bags. If you’re a guy, all those one-armed exercises you did when you were single might come in handy ;) .
7. Less Sleepovers
Ain’t nothing like spooning the night away in the comfort of your own bed. But if you’re in Korea, you might have way less spooning sessions than you’re used to, as it’s more common for unmarried people to live with their parents. And even if your parents are totally liberal with the whole idea of their kids having… relations… in the room next door, the vast majority of Korean parents are NOT cool with it. Of course, many single people in Korea live alone, too, and that’s when it’s up to the individual. But when living with parents come as part the package, it changes things up a lot. Like…
8. Curfews
You thought curfews were done when you went off to college. But in Korea, curfews are still relatively common for those still living with mommy and daddy. And although we would like to say this is equally true for men and women, unfortunately it’s more common for women to have daddy imposed curfews than it is for men. Age and employment status can’t override the “as long as you’re living in this house” argument, and that can sometimes result in women in the prime of their dating lives with curfews before midnight.
Curfew time up and need to go home by taxi? Read Keith’s Guide to Taxi Manners for Dudes.
9. Hanging Outside
Courtesy of Dustin Cole
Some of the best dates can take place at home. You know the type: candles, wine, and Marvin Gaye. But in Korea, since so many people live with curious and nosey parents, many Koreans prefer to hang outside away from their family members. So the majority of the time couples will spend with each other are outside of the home. That means heading out to some of Seoul’s unique and quirky theme cafes or maybe even discovering some good Korean food at hidden markets around Seoul. Doesn’t sound too bad does it? :D
Looking for more stuff to do on a date? We got you covered home slice! Check out these 25 Places to Go on a Date in Seoul.
10. Parents Might Break You Up
If you enjoy dating casually and just having a good time, parents probably won’t come into the equation. But if things ever get really serious with your boyfriend or girlfriend, you might be talking about marriage. And when it comes to Korean marriages, parents usually have the final say. If team mama and papa don’t like you, that most likely means the end of your Korean love affair as many Koreans find it very difficult to go against their parents, especially when it comes to marriage. It sucks, but what can be said to the woman who carried a nine pound ham in her stomach for the better part of a year. You win momma.
11. Meeting Friends & Family
Because people are scared of parents that might put their summer romance to rest, it’s not that common to introduce family members to a new boyfriend or girlfriend. That’s usually reserved for when you know a relationship is getting serious. But in Korea, you might not be introduced to friends either. Although many Koreans would totally introduce you to everyone he/she knows, some people in Korea do not want to see George Costanza’s “World’s Colliding” theory come true. It might be cool to hang out with your mutual friends from the photography class. But you might not ever meet your significant other’s college buddies. We don’t want these world’s exploding now, do we :)

Have you dated Koreans? Write your experiences in the comments!
If you’ve survived the pitfalls of dating in Korea, you might want to get ready to get married:
Here’s 6 Things You Should Know If You Want to Marry a Korean!

Tuesday, May 21, 2013

Employment possibilities in South Korea


Jobs

Employment possibilities in South Korea

As a newly industrializing economy, South Korea offers many opportunities for employment for foreigners; anywhere from teaching English, to international project managers, to placement in high-tech industries.
Jobs
South Korea experienced a financially devastating crisis in 1997. However, its economy has been steadily progressing ever since and continues to grow today.
Following the Asian Financial Crisis of ´97, many Westerners fled the area and took with them the important resource of language. Due to the shortage, English-speaking foreigners are highly sought after in every occupational field. Whether you speak English or not, it is to your advantage to have a high school diploma and a college degree in order to heighten your marketability.

Typical industries and sectors

South Korea is one of the most technologically advanced and digitally linked countries in the world. As a leading exporter of automobiles, cell phones, and other high-tech devices and a growing competitor in information technology, specialists in these fields are needed in Korea.
Seoul, the capital and largest city in Korea, is the center of everything from economy and politics to culture and international business. Some of the world’s largest companies are headquartered in Seoul and its surrounding area.
Aside from its agricultural aspect, most of South Korea’s economic activity takes place in the capital city. It is also easier to find jobs as an English tutor/teacher in big cities like Seoul where the pay tends to go up in proportion to the cost of living. For those looking for work outside of Seoul, other metropolitan cities in South Korea include Busan, Daegu, Daejeon, Gwangju, Incheon, and Ulsan.

Employment trends

Due to the high demand of native English speakers in South Korea, expatriates can easily find jobs tutoring and teaching English. Translators for any industry are also sought after. Most foreigners who choose to teach English in Korea end up working at "hakwons" (private foreign language institutes).
Other popular places to utilize your language skills include:
  • university language institutes
  • corporate in-house language exchange programs
  • private tutoring courses
  • editing/public relations at an advertising company
  • government/private research institutes
Current employment trends show a favorable lean towards certain jobs in:
Finance:
  • fund managers
  • foreign exchange dealers
  • insurance brokers
  • insurance specialists
  • securities analysts
  • stockbrokers
Information technology:
  • database administrators
  • information system analysts
  • Internet consultants
  • IT system consultants
  • network specialists
  • programmers
  • web designers
  • web masters
International business:
  • foreign market researchers
  • international project managers
  • international outsourcing specialists
  • copyright specialists
  • database specialists
  • marketers
  • merchandisers
  • microelectronics specialists
  • robotic specialists
and especially in marketing:
  • direct marketing system designers
  • IR specialists

Further reading

Monday, May 20, 2013

Calories: 3100/day muscle gain

Calories: 3100/day muscle gain

Training Schedule: (HEAVY & INTENSE)
5 days on 2 days rest; compound lifts.
Day 1: Chest, Tricieps, Abs
(1. pushups, 2. tricep extension, 3. dead lift, 4. chest push)
Day 2: Shoulders, Legs
(1. dumbbell military press (O-O ^^ O-O), 2. upright rows, 3. squats, 4. legs push, 5. walking lunges)
Day 3: Back, Biceps, Forearms
(1. wide grap late pulldown, 2. wide grip pulldown behind neck, 3. hammer curls (vertical stick), 4. alternating curls (horizontal stick), 5. wrist curls)
Day 4: Chest, Triceps, Abs
(1. pushups, 2. tricep extension, 3. dead lifts, 4. chest push)
Day 5: Shoulders, Calves
(1. dumbbell military press (O-O ^^ O-O), 2. upright rows, 3. squats, 4. legs push, 5. walking lunges)
> Bedtime 11.30pm

CHANGE: Supersets / Dropsets / FastSpeed / SlowSpeed / Sets / Reps
Balance → (front & back; chest & back; biceps & triceps).

---
Meal 1 - 10.00am (Calories: 380):
> Protein: x 6 egg whites, 3 yolks scamble or boiled.
> Carbs: 45g oats cook in skim milk cinnamon or natvia sweetener
  • oats should be superbarley oats from Woolworths


Meal 2 -13.00pm before gym (Cals: 700):
>Protein: 200 g chicken breast
>200g cooked brown rice
> Fibre: 100g
1 tbsp natural peanut butter

Meal 3 - 4.00pm after gym (cals: 600):
Supps: 1 scoop whey, 5g creatine
> Protein: 200g chicken breast
1 banana
200g sweet potato
1 tbsp natural peanut butter
2 dates

Meal 4 - 7.00pm (cals: 500):
Protein: 200g salmon or other fish
handful of almonds
200g cooked brown rice

Meal 5 - 10.00pm (cals: 400):
100g chicken breast
100g mixed veg
1 cup strawberries and blueberry mix, with 100g no fat Greek Yoghurt
1 scoop whey protein


Drink Plenty of water! Around 3 litres per day at least!

Sunday, May 19, 2013

Girl - Ideal

- Younger: 2-3 years; natural tendency to help them grow and learn
- University-educated: somewhat high level uni
- Similar interests (museums/galleries/parks) -> even as time passes because you share and want to do the same thing, you both head in same direction and grow in same direction (even if you change, you still are together)
- Importance on family: but still want to work in some job for money
- English? (or maybe travelled/studied overseas...past tense... watch out for possibility of long distance...)
- Family open about foreigners, and daughter marriage with foreigner.
- Seoul?
- Personality: outgoing/talkative/extrovert

Thursday, May 16, 2013

Ariadne's thread (logic)

Ariadne's thread (logic)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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Ariadne's thread, named for the legend of Ariadne, is the solving of a problem with multiple apparent means of proceeding - such as a physical maze, a logic puzzle, or an ethical dilemma - through an exhaustive application of logic to all available routes. It is the particular method used that is able to follow completely through to trace steps or take point by point a series of found truths in a contingent, ordered search that reaches a desired end position. This process can take the form of a mental record, a physical marking, or even a philosophical debate; it is the process itself that assumes the name.

Contents

Implementation

The key element to applying Ariadne's thread to a problem is the creation and maintenance of a record - physical or otherwise - of the problem's available and exhausted options at all times. This record is referred to as the "thread", regardless of its actual medium. The purpose the record serves is to permit backtracking - that is, reversing earlier decisions and trying alternatives. Given the record, applying the algorithm is straightforward:
  • At any moment that there is a choice to be made, make one arbitrarily from those not already marked as failures, and follow it logically as far as possible.
  • If a contradiction results, back up to the last decision made, mark it as a failure, and try another decision at the same point. If no other options exist there, back up to the last place in the record that does, mark the failure at that level, and proceed onward.
This algorithm will terminate upon either finding a solution or marking all initial choices as failures; in the latter case, there is no solution. If a thorough examination is desired even though a solution has been found, one can revert to the previous decision, mark the success, and continue on as if a solution were never found; the algorithm will exhaust all decisions and find all solutions.

Distinction from trial and error

The terms "Ariadne's thread" and "trial and error" are often used interchangeably, which is not necessarily correct. They have two distinctive differences:
  • "Trial and error" implies that each "trial" yields some particular value to be studied and improved upon, removing "errors" from each iteration to enhance the quality of future trials. Ariadne's thread has no such mechanic, making all decisions arbitrarily. For example, the scientific method is trial and error; puzzle-solving is Ariadne's thread.
  • Trial-and-error approaches are rarely concerned with how many solutions may exist to a problem, and indeed often assume only one correct solution exists. Ariadne's thread makes no such assumption, and is capable of locating all possible solutions to a purely logical problem.
In short, trial and error approaches a desired solution; Ariadne's thread blindly exhausts the search space completely, finding any and all solutions. Each has its appropriate distinct uses. They can be employed in tandem - for example, although the editing of a Wikipedia article is arguably a trial-and-error process (given how in theory it approaches an ideal state), article histories provide the record for which Ariadne's thread may be applied, reverting detrimental edits and restoring the article back to the most recent error-free version, from which other options may be attempted.

Applications

Obviously, Ariadne's thread may be applied to the solving of mazes in the same manner as the legend; an actual thread can be used as the record, or chalk or a similar marker can be applied to label passages. If the maze is on paper, the thread may well be a pencil.
Logic problems of all natures may be resolved via Ariadne's thread, the maze being but an example. At present, it is most prominently applied to Sudoku puzzles, used to attempt values for as-yet-unsolved cells. The medium of the thread for puzzle-solving can vary widely, from a pencil to numbered chits to a computer program, but all accomplish the same task. Note that as the compilation of Ariadne's thread is an inductive process, and due to its exhaustiveness leaves no room for actual study, it is largely frowned upon as a solving method, to be employed only as a last resort when deductive methods fail.
Artificial intelligence is heavily dependent upon Ariadne's thread when it comes to game-playing, most notably in programs which play chess; the possible moves are the decisions, game-winning states the solutions, and game-losing states failures. Due to the massive depth of many games, most algorithms cannot afford to apply Ariadne's thread entirely on every move due to time constraints, and therefore work in tandem with a heuristic that evaluates game states and limits a breadth-first search only to those that are most likely to be beneficial, a trial-and-error process.
Even circumstances where the concept of "solution" is not so well defined have had Ariadne's thread applied to them, such as navigating the World Wide Web, making sense of patent law, and in philosophy; "Ariadne's Thread" is a popular name for websites of many purposes, but primarily for those that feature philosophical or ethical debate.

See also

References

Wednesday, May 15, 2013

The Post Grad Dilemma: Adjusting To Life After College

The Post Grad Dilemma: Adjusting To Life After College

The Post Grad Dilemma: Adjusting To Life After College
Life
The world after college can be a scary and awkward place. You leave college thinking you are an adult ready to start the career you’ve spent years preparing for. Honestly, this could not be further from the truth. You think freshman year was difficult? Well once you graduate college, you are back at the bottom of the totem pole.
You are likely to go through a lot of career changes as you try to figure out the path you want to take in life. These are the times to gain experience and decide who you want to become. College was a bubble where you were only surrounded by people in your same age bracket. The real world is filled with people of all ages with tons of more experience than you. You think what you learned in the classroom is going to get you further in life? No, it’s what you learn throughout your 20s that will shape the rest of your life.
“The party’s over. What am I going to do with my life now?”
There is no coasting through life after college. Sure you may have gotten an A by doing minimal amounts of work, but that sh*t don’t fly in the real world. There are no pledges to check into your job for you. Your responsibilities are your own and your success is determined by your hard work. If you want to become lucrative, you need to exert every ounce of strength and determination you possess. You determine your future.
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Dating in college was a temporary commitment revolving around partying and schoolwork. Dating in the post grad world tends to focus around long-term commitment. You realize that you are getting older and that each person you date comes with the question, “Can I see myself with this person for the long run?” Learn what you can from each person you date so that you better know what qualities you do and don’t want from a partner. There’s no reason to stay in a relationship at this age if it is not completely fulfilling you. Interact with as many people as possible and learn what it is you truly desire.
“I used to think it was lame to live with your parents after college. Now, I see the true value of not paying rent and free laundry.”
There are no meal plans in the real world; you are responsible for feeding yourself. Your parents no longer support your basic needs. You need to learn how to be fiscally responsible, a huge task that college does not prepare you for. This is not the time to waste money on things you don’t need, this is the time to save.
The emotional rollercoaster you go through at this time can be gut wrenching. The uncertainty this world offers can make you happy one day and lonely and depressed the next. This is normal and should deter you from accomplishing your goals. Your friends will all be on different career paths, earning different salaries. You cannot fall into the trap of comparing yourself to these people; jealously is a limit you place on yourself.
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It takes a long period of adjustment to become acclimated to the functioning of the real world. It helps to remember that you are not alone and there are thousands upon thousands of people going through the same feelings and situations you are. Everyone is just as confused as you are; everyone experiences the same highs and lows.
“You are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem and smarter than you think.”
Long gone are the days where you could go out seven days a week, the rigor of your career prevents that. There are no more tequila Tuesdays and no more wine Wednesdays. As you get older and more involved in your career, you finally realize all those college nights of staying up until 4 a.m. are not an option here.
You’re in bed by 11, since skipping “class” is not an option. There’s no hitting the snooze button and saying I’ll get the notes from some chick in class. If you don’t go to work, you’re fired. There’s no doctor’s note or excuse you can pull. Your attendance in the real world is mandatory, not optional.
collegeparty
Your weekends that once were filled with day drinking and smoking are now replaced by running errands because you’re too busy during the week. Instead of focusing on what you’re going to wear to that party, you’re concerned about grocery shopping, dry cleaning and buying toiletries. For guys, that Novem-beard is a notion of the past since the real world demands you show up clean-shaven everyday.
Life in college was basically a carefree ride, but now is the time to buckle down. Face it, we’re adults and we’re all in this together. Don’t be discouraged that college is over, but instead embrace the new lifestyle the post grad world has to offer and make the most out of it. Lean on your friends since you are all going through the challenges. It will be an adjustment at first but soon you will realize that your twenties can be the best time of your life. You have a whole new world to explore.

The 20 Mistakes You Don’t Want To Make In Your 20s

The 20 Mistakes You Don’t Want To Make In Your 20s

The 20 Mistakes You Don’t Want To Make In Your 20s
Life

The 20 Mistakes You Don’t Want To Make In Your 20s


Your 20s are undoubtedly the most pivotal time in your life. While there are plenty of temptations and distractions, the decisions you make here are truly what dictate your future, as the weak fall and only the strong survive.
Do you have what it takes to become a monumental success? Or will you live out a life of mediocrity? The choice is up to you. While many think they have all the answers and the keys to success, we have seen too many times before those people make the same pitfalls.
This is the time for you to hustle, scrap and fight for the life that you want for yourself. You manifest your own destiny during these crucial years.
Every move you make is a test. Don’t f*ck it up. These are the 20 Mistakes You Don’t Want To Make In Your 20s.
  • 20. Working for money, not for building your dreams

    20. Working for money, not for building your dreams
    Never do anything just because it’s convenient for you. Look to challenge yourself and build your own dream instead of building someone else’s. Even if it doesn’t exactly make sense now, create something with great value so you can cash out big. Always look to the future and never for immediate compensation. What are you going to do with those weekly wages anyways? Stop being so entitled and pretending like you deserve cash, prizes and vacations just yet. You will soon realize once you’ve made it that making money doesn’t make you happy. It’s the journey.
  • 19. Thinking that this is the right time to fall in love

    19. Thinking that this is the right time to fall in love
    While all of your friends might be doing it, don’t fall into the trap of getting into a relationship. Sure it seems like the right thing to do, but your 20s are entirely too crucial for your personal growth for you to be focusing on fulfilling the wishes of another individual. Not only does it make you complacent with where you are in life, but it makes your boring. When your business is at stake and your future is resting on your shoulders, the last thing you need is to be bogged down by an insecure lover rushing you home. Get out there, meet new people, test the limits and have fun. It will take you to the places you’ve dreamed of going.
  • 18. Trying to act like the man rather than learning how to become one

    18. Trying to act like the man rather than learning how to become one
    Instead of going overboard on the Gucci monogram and bottles in the club, as if you just signed to Rocnation, spend the time focusing on your career. Every second counts and if more time is spent pretending to be the person you want to be instead of becoming that man, then you’ll sink in quick sand without even knowing it. A real man is willing to make sacrifices. If you aren’t down to put in the work, then please don’t act like you are. You can enjoy the success when you actually attain it.
  • 17. Making friends instead of earning trust

    17. Making friends instead of earning trust
    The in-crowd may be tempting, but you’ll probably fall victim to surrounding yourself with social climbers and bottle whores. We know you feel entitled to celebrate, but please relax. It’s never attractive when you act as though this is the last time you’ll ever see this in life. Make connections with people based on trial and error, not presuppositions and drunk ranting about what they can do for your business. If you ever want people to take you seriously, then you have to take them seriously. Just because you think you trust someone doesn’t always mean you can. Heed any red flags in the past before jumping into any kind of venture with them.
  • 16. Not caring because you only live once — that is for fools

    16. Not caring because you only live once — that is for fools
    We all are guilty of irrational decision-making in our 20s. Fast people and fast times with money in your pocket always lead to over-extending yourself. A life of partying, heavy drugs and pretty much having that YOLO attitude will leave you flat on your ass. Get focused and lock into what you’re supposed to be doing. If you don’t know what that is, then you better figure it out ASAP.
  • 15. Making all your wants, needs

    15. Making all your wants, needs
    Expensive women and cheap thrills coupled with the expensive sneakers should not be on the list of your needs. Setting the foundation for your business and team is far more important than updating your wardrobe and chasing sex. Distinguish between what you want and what you actually need. Make sure your priorities are in tact or you will lose your track.
  • 14. Forgetting that family comes first

    14. Forgetting that family comes first
    Those who supported you before anything deserve to be taken care of when you reach your success. If you aren’t doing this for the ones you love, then you’re not doing it right. Family comes first, no matter what happens. If you work for whom you love instead of just yourself, you will get far.
  • 13. Blaming anyone else but yourself for anything in life

    13. Blaming anyone else but yourself for anything in life
    Hold yourself accountable for everything. At the end of the day, all you have in the world is yourself — so go hard. Don’t look to anyone for answers and instead of making problems, create solutions. Whether it was that job you wanted, the funding you needed or the love you think you can’t live without, there is no one that can be held accountable in this universe except for you.
  • 12. Getting comfortable like you actually deserve down time

    12. Getting comfortable like you actually deserve down time
    Unless you’re fornicating with Victoria’s Secret models in Monaco this weekend, you shouldn’t even be thinking about taking a break any time soon. You need a vacation? What have you accomplished? Mark Cuban spent 7 years building out his first business before he even took a break. Don’t get lazy now.
  • 11. Sticking with jobs that didn't teach you anything

    11. Sticking with jobs that didn't teach you anything
    A bad job is like a bitchy girlfriend that gives bad head. Truthfully, the only reason you’re there is because it is the safest and easiest thing you know. Any job or relationship that allows for you to get comfortable should be avoided at all costs. The last scenario you could ever want is becoming like the rest of those miserable, 40-somethings faced with weekends of minivans and soccer practice.
  • 10. Following the crowd instead of forging against it

    10. Following the crowd instead of forging against it
    You can be aware of the trends, but never follow them. If all your time is spent trying to adjust to your surroundings, you’ll get lost in the crowd all the more easily. Success and greatness are constructed by trendsetters themselves, not those who latched on to what’s currently trending. We hope that you don’t have any aspirations to look like your favorite rapper. Temptation to be influenced by those who you aspire to be like is easy, but no one finds their calling following in the footsteps of another.
  • 9. Failing to energize those around you

    9. Failing to energize those around you
    Although you may sometimes think there is a lack of talent in your networks — this is never the case. It is your sole responsibility to inspire, encourage and drive those around you to success. Failing to do so only confirms that you fall victim to that which you accuse others of. Change and greatness can be sparked everywhere, but bring it upon yourself to trigger it.
  • 8. Think you need to stop learning and growing

    8. Think you need to stop learning and growing
    You have more zeros at the end of your bank statement, stamps in your passport and women in your bed than you had ever imagined. Don’t consider this your victory lap, but rather as a taste of greatness. Do you live to enjoy the moments you dreamed of or a lifetime of unimaginable success? The common misconception that once things are in your favor, you no longer have to put in the 3:00AM work hours is a dangerous problem. The fewer nights that you’re willing to put in the work, the fewer opportunities you will have to celebrate your achievements in the future.
  • 7. Thinking that anyone will ever pay you back

    7. Thinking that anyone will ever pay you back
    Your 20s will be accompanied with a slew of poor investments by yourself and those around you. Whether rich or poor, there will always be someone in your circle that will need a helping hand. If you ever think you’re going to see that money again, you’re sorely mistaken. If there were a plan of action and re-investment, then the truth is that you will not see $1 back. Times are tough, especially in your 20s and finding a route back to financial freedom is often seen only when winning the lotto or signing your first deal with Ca$h Money Records. Of course miracles do happen, but the probabilities that you’ve essentially given the money away are far too high.
  • 6. Spending your money on women who aren't escorts

    6. Spending your money on women who aren't escorts
    Your sex life is an investment — and the smarter the deals you execute, the savvier of an investor you become. Free sex is the most expensive sex in the world. Instead of navigating through an ambiguous investment in which you shower your woman with cash and prizes for the mediocre sex provided, deal with a professional as soon as possible. Although some of you may immediately jump to the negative connotations of a woman who is paid for sex, we suggest you take one step back. As an entrepreneur herself, why would you not want to deal with someone who has the same honesty and integrity that you do. Want a best friend? Buy a puppy. Want great sex? Call an escort.
  • 5. Holding on to friends that waste your time and add no value to your life

    5. Holding on to friends that waste your time and add no value to your life
    You’ll be sucked down into the abyss right with them if you don’t cut the fat of the group. Family and friends could have been great to you as a child, but if they no longer hold the value and inspiration that is needed for you to thrive in life, then cut them loose. The only individuals you should be surrounding yourself with are those that challenge your ideas and motivate you to find the next solution to your problems. No, not the pessimistic assholes who shoot down your ideas with their negativity, but rather the ones who genuinely want to see you succeed no matter what you do in life.
  • 4. Forgetting about the piggy bank and spending every dollar you have

    4. Forgetting about the piggy bank and spending every dollar you have
    If our check is for $9, than we’re most likely spending $30. Between credit cards, school loans and every other avenue for attaining a quick dollar, our need for immediate gratification is worse than ever. The truth is it’s about making more money, not saving it. But at the same time, if you have no means for expanding your revenue channels then you must be able to save a few dollars here and there. No one like to have to walk to work because they blew every dollar at LAVO.
  • 3. Mistaking safe sex for anything besides anal

    3. Mistaking safe sex for anything besides anal
    If you don’t want to have a child then you better limit your excuses. As vulgar as it may sound, sometimes there are only a few options in life, so you must avoid all potential margins of error. The road to success is not paved with having responsibilities of children and your future wife to be. This is a somewhat lonely journey that you must take by yourself and those you love will be able to celebrate with you after.
  • 2. Dating unstable women with mommy and daddy issues

    2. Dating unstable women with mommy and daddy issues
    We need to control the invincibility we all feel when it comes to women. Whether she’s a stripper or a sorority girl, we feel the need to be the knight in shining armor for our women. As chivalrous as this may seem, we hate to break it to you, but you will never be able to change anyone. By setting yourself up for a losing battle, you’ve only ensured your misery for the next few months. She’s clingy for a reason, don’t be her Dr. Phil.
  • 1. Forgetting that karma is a huge b*tch

    1. Forgetting that karma is a huge b*tch
    Whether it’s burning bridges with people you loved, stealing your friend’s girlfriend, or plotting against an ex-partner, we must always remember that karma is the biggest b*tch we’ve ever met. There is nothing more true than the fact that whatever goes around comes around, and you are not immune to the cosmic forces that be. We’re not asking you to go on your Mother Teresa pilgrimage, but don’t be surprised when reality catches back up with you and brings you to your knees. Be a good person. You’ll get further in life.