Happy Birthday Jimmy V

To the namesake of the V Foundation, Jimmy V.

A link to his speech, which is now 26 years old itself.

Jimmy V ESPY SPEECH

Words though tough, are words we should all strive to live by daily.

All Glad - A Take on Coffee Culture in Korea

A few things you can always count on here in Korea - there will always be plenty of construction, plenty of blaming China for that "yellow dust epidemic", and new coffee shops are always opening up in this place.

At this moment (when I was writing this) I am sitting in a coffee shop with Eun Byeol, my little Korean sister who is getting married in a few days. The name of this place is All Glad - sometimes these folks can be creative with their names. There are more cafes with funky names all around this city. Hands Coffee, A Twosome Place, Davinci, Angel-in-us Coffee, Ediya Coffee, Holly's Coffee, Caffe Bene, Tom N Toms, and you can't forget the ones with excellent baked goods such as Paris Baguette, and Tous Les Jous.  Don't worry, there are plenty of Starbucks around here as well. They are usually set in the busiest areas of the big cities.

There are quite a few that are more locally owned and not so corporate as well. They usually tend to have more charm, from what my few experiences can share. The only reason I really spent much time in these places was for the tutoring jobs I held when I lived and worked here in Daegu. The students buy you a nice snack and/or drink, pay you a little cash money and you help them become better students.

I used to sit in some of these places and just cringe at the number of couples, and groups of friends that sit around wasting their time together not being together. Yes, families all around the world can be seen partaking in the same type of activity, so it's not exclusive to one area. These folks here can take it to a whole new level though. Selfie sticks, duck faces (or whatever that pose is), and the constant checking oneself out on your phone (just as many dudes do it too). There are always the groups that spend half of their time together attempting that to make that one awesome selfie. Granted, it may take 20 to get to that one. As I think back to a time I once met a neighbor, yeah I must have been feeling really nice to oblige in all of that! Some of these folks just spent nearly all of their time together submerged into their little distraction device texting their boo, trolling boo's former boo, trolling their future boo, or just chatting away on some group text with friends about that boo.

These people probably might take me for a creeper if they paid any mind to my analyzing their activities. Beanies with sport coats on bald men over six feet tall are not exactly a regular sight. Creeper alert! My old man and I both have thing where we can get dressed all fancy and stuff, but  having that supply of beanies in the winter time just adds the icing to the cake. No pun intended!

On a list I previously published on this blog, I made a mention of putting one's phone down, and investing time in the people that we are privileged to have in our lives. The fine patrons of this cafe have impressed me quite a bit. They seem so in tune to those that are in the presence of at the current moment.  I am in total shock at how these people seem to be so interested in one another. These aren't just middle aged adults catching up on life. I have glanced around this place multiple times - still not a creeper, I promise! Perhaps they realize that having social skills is kind of important after all. Either way, good job folks!

Now, when they walk out of this place and are so glued to distraction device that they walk into said bald guy that towers over them - another post for another time! Focus, focus and pow! Could be a light pole, or even a car that finds them not paying attention as well.

I realize that coffee shops/cafes are more of a place where people back home meet to discuss important work/church matters, have study time, or just have peace and quiet. Here it is a huge social thing. Couples always seem to have dates, and the ladies always seem to catch up wile kids are in school and husbands are at work.

One more random fact - you can always count on your receipt having a wi-fi password on it after you have purchased your tiny over-priced waffle and latte.

Here is an article that describes more about the coffee chains in Korea.
Coffee Chains in Korea

A List - Wits, Wisdom, Life Lessons and More

These come in no particular order. If you would like to add something to this list, please let me know.

1. Hug someone. Every single day.
2. Honor women like Jesus would. 
3. Go enjoy some "French Fried" taters with your burger, even if it is a veggie burger. 
4. Some part of every holiday should be used to honor what that holiday stands for.
5. If you look in the mirror and you are not satisfied with something you see (inside or outside), it's your choice. 
6. Cats love YouTube also. Fish, birds, squirrels, and even the commercials.
7. Gift someone with an experience not just an object.
8. Control your temper. All. The. Time. 
9. A drink or two , or quite a few truly won't solve much at all. 
10. When you go to the rental car counter, make you sure walk out with the keys to the big truck. Be sure to let the lady drive it as well.
11. Eat your vegetables. You only get one chance on Earth, so eat some vegetables. 
12. Get off the couch and take a hike. Seriously.
13. Change your hair color. If you have hair. This one is for the pure enjoyment of others. Ha ha.
14. Go to a Farmer's Market. Make sure you buy plenty. 
15. If you don't know the answer, that's okay. You can always phone a friend, ask a "know it all", ask Google, Siri or perhaps Alexa will know. 
16. Speaking of Alexa, you should ask her to make animal sounds in the presence of your pets. This one is pretty fun.
17. Speaking of Siri, she doesn't know the answer to "Who let the dogs out" anymore, does she?
18. Teach your dog or cat to fist bump.
19. Never, ever give up. When you realize you did, it will hurt like crazy! 
20. One should always answer the phone with a little "Who Dat?", when they answer a call.
21. Vegan sweets? They are actually pretty darned good.
22. Make someone's day.
23. Be thoughtful, and not just sometimes. 
24. Be prudent and give thought to each step you take. 
25. Snowy days in the South are special. 
26. Snowy days in the South are bad reasons for people to drive. 
27. Some people just can't drive know matter what the weather is like.
28. Live like you have a timeline. 
29. Pick up your dog or cat high in the air and sing that Lion King song to them. 
30. Lose your independence for the sake of others in your life. 
31. People watching at airports - very fun.
32. Go run at sunset. At least take a walk if you don't run.
33. Share your awesomeness with others. Sharing is caring.
34. Write down your thoughts, fears, joys, etc, daily. 
35. Try using a calendar. I'm not talking about that one that auto syncs on your phone.
36. Plan a trip with someone. You do all of the planning though. 
37. Write a poem for someone. Be creative and corny.
38. Dress up for friends and loved ones as if you they were the most important people in the world. 
39. Open every single door for every single woman.  
40. Never let the lady walk on the side of danger when walking on a sidewalk. 
41. Plant something and learn how to properly care for it.
42. Always see a sunrise or sunset when on vacations.
43. Learn about another country's currency.
44. Kids love foreign currency. 
45. Then again kids love money.
46. I paid two bucks for a newspaper recently. Heck fire, where did the days of giving two quarters for a paper go?
47. Sudoku. That's all.
48. Those ads in flight magazines. Goodness gracious folks.
49. Home Depot is super fun on a Black Friday. 
50. Learn to play an instrument. There is still time. 
51. Boys II Men anyone?
52. All the past can do is educate you.
53. Get off the couch and go for a run.
54. Read this until the end and then go for a run.
55. Open the door for all women and children.
56. Be brutally honest with everyone.
57. Take care of yourself as a favor to those who love you.
58. Help a homeless animal find a home.
59. Give some food or warmth to a homeless person. 
60. Apologize sincerely and take responsibility when you hurt someone dear to you.
61. If someone doesn't forgive you, always love, honor and respect that person no matter what. 
62. Forgive abundantly. Jesus would appreciate you.
63. Take risks.
64. Branch out of your foodie comfort zone.
65. Watch your mouth, especially around kids and the ladies. 
66. Do you know about Jesus's gene pool? Maybe yours isn't so bad after all. 
67. Give up something, especially if it is harmful your mind, health, or your relationships with others. 
68. Visit a state park. I'll find one that you will be guaranteed to enjoy.
69. Go vegan for a day. It ain't that hard. 
70. Bake something, and not just a 'tater. 
71. Use a Crock-Pot. That was an awesome invention.
72. Buy an Instant Pot thing. I wouldn't, but go ahead. 
73. Pray for someone you do not know, every day. 
74. Compliment someone every single day of your life. 
75. If you see someone drifting off their path or needing some direction in life, then help them out. You might be their light.
76. If you have a fear of doing something, just do it anyway. 
77. Get a passport and use it. You have ten years to do so when you get it.
78. Take that hike. Or tell someone else to take a hike - I'm sure their reaction will be priceless. 
79. Go play some putt-putt. 
80. Put that phone down in the presence of others that are close to you.
81. Texting is great, but make that call. Please make that call.
82. Visit a national cemetery and honor those that are buried there. 
83. Kimchi - it is good for you and me. Like my rhyme? 
84. Bake some cookies. I might even do that one soon!
85. Go ride a horse. 
86. Hit a punching bag. It's better on your hand than a wall, or a window, or a face. 
87. Do some burpees - or watch someone do burpees, and then do them.
88. Clean out your closet. You probably have way too much stuff in there anyway. 
89. Go a week without TV - as long as football as season isn't around, right?
90. Practice abundant forgiveness. 
91. Hold yourself accountable for all that you do.
92. Honor, respect, and love your family and friends. 
93. Buy a stranger coffee/lunch/dinner. 
94. Wake up and watch a sunrise. 
95. Go walk the dogs. They need it and you probably do too.
96. Find the best places in your area to watch the sunset. Then take a bunch of pictures of it.
97. Send thank you cards. 
98. Find significant events that took place on your birthday. 
99. Learn some words in a foreign language. Use them in a sentence. 
100. Those "white lies" are still lies. They aren't cool either. 
101. Don't give up on people. Don't ever give up on people.
102. Taco Tuesday. Heck, tacos any day of the week.
103. Moderation is important.
104. It is okay to cheat. . . on your exercise routine or diet. 
105. Many of us cheat, but we don't realize it. We cheat through over committing ourselves to jobs, and other obligations that take keep us away from loved ones more than we should let them.
106. Turn off the car radio and spend time talking.
107. If you are going to have that car radio on, then at least sing the songs together. 
108. ALWAYS support loved ones in their endeavors. 
109. Don't be so hard on yourself. 
110. Help someone conquer their fears. 
111. Go get in a kayak. 
112. If they treat you like family, love them, honor them, and cherish them.
113. Please and Thank you. 
114. Chivalry will never die. Some of us boneheads just need a little lesson here and there. 
115. Everything in life works out for a greater purpose. 
116. Buy a Sunday paper. You'll find something in it that you like. 
117. Learn something about another culture.
118. Learn how to make or build something new. 
119. Invest in those around you. The dividends will be priceless. 
120. Spend ten minutes a day in silence and prayer.
121. Fear is a liar. 
122. Be that person that pulls someone out of their darkness. 
123. Pancake suppers are some awesome. 
124. Pancakes are awesome. 
125. If you had to choose between waffles or pancakes, what would you do?
126. Be grateful.
127. Dogs Rule.
128. Run for a long time. Then you can really eat lots of pancakes. 
129. Buffets are overrated. 
130. You are never, ever alone. 
131. Get off the couch and go for a drive. 
132. While on said drive, go eat somewhere new. 
133. Mexican Ice Cream is amazing. 
134. Pick berries. 
135. Go dance. Wherever you please. Keep it clean, as well.
136. Do some Karaoke. That kind where the windows are down and the car next to you can hear it all. 
137. Respect others and their beliefs. 
138. Always vote. Then you can always complain.
139. Go photo-bomb some tourists.
140. Learn new words and use them correctly. 
141. Always use spell check and grammar check. I hope to do the same with this. 
142. Prayer works. 
143. The bible is full of stories that still apply to the world we live in.
144. LeBron definitely whines and complains a lot. He is also a heck of an athlete, businessman, and philanthropist as well. He seems to be a pretty good dad too. 
145. Tom Brady, eh, he's Tom Brady. 
146. Drew Brees - that is one incredible dude. 
147. In Louisiana, many people wear Black and Gold on Sundays in Fall. It's fun to experience.
148. If you can't touch your toes, then you got work to do. 
149. Speaking of Saints, we all have those in our lives that can be truly considered Saints. 
150. Donate some books to a library or school
151. Run a race, don't it for just the medal
152. Read something.
153. Go dig for diamonds (there is a state park in AR for it)
154. Go eat a doughnut, if you have another one, that is completely fine.
155. Drink 64 oz of water in a day, and not just in a week.
156. My alma mater has a much cooler mascot than your's does (hint: it's a big red blob). 
157. Choose kindness.
158. Show mercy.
159. Be grateful.
160. Travel, and not just across town.
161. Take a look at your spending habits. 
162. Make a budget for once. 
163. Choose your words very, very wisely. 
164. Put in overtime for God, family and friends, not just your company. 
165. Learn how to use chopsticks.
166. Read a biography about someone you admire. 
167. Cancer sucks. Cancer really does suck.
168. Stop smoking. 
169. Go a week without something.
170. Some of it you learn the hard way. Most of it comes with age. Thanks Eric Church.
171. Do yard work with your old man or son. 
172. Help a family member.
173. Be a leader for your family. 
174. Be a leader, period!
175. Start a new hobby.
176. Make a photo album. Google Photos will help. I'm sure Apple can help too.
177. Go do a Polar Bear Plunge!
178. Have your steak and 'taters. I'll have beans and cornbread!
179. Amazing cornbread is not easy to find.
180. Use proper grammar when texting.
181. Use proper grammar in public.
182. Use proper grammar at home.
183. Always make eye contact with others. 
184. Don't judge unless you are a picture of perfection. 
185. You aren't, so just don't judge. 
186. Work hard. Always work hard. Someone will notice and appreciate it.
187. Put your phone down when you are ordering food or paying someone at a business. 
188. Don't just walk your dog, or dogs and use your phone the whole time. They might need to use a phone too. Or at least take a selfie with your dog.
189. Always be a protector and leader for the women in your life. It doesn't matter if they are friends, girlfriends, wives, co-workers, or family members, or the ladies at church. They are all created in the image of God.
190. Make goals. Make reasonable goals. Work your butt off to reach those goals.
191. Become a gentleman. A true gentleman. Thanks Mark.
192. Never give up.
193. Every single one of us is gifted. We may not always know what that gift is, but we must become aware of it. Others can tell you if you need help.
194. Stop what you are doing and call or text someone you haven't spoken with in a long time. 
195. Do what you say. Say what you mean.
196. Stop, and help someone. 
197. Hold yourself accountable for your actions. 
198. Hold those closest to you accountable for their actions.
199. Almond butter? I'll stick with peanut butter!
200. Speaking of, peanut butter, banana and honey. YES!
201. Take an unexpected road trip.
202. If you make a mistake, take a step back, pray for those who have been affected, and become a better version.
203. Think twice and be nice. 
204. Drugs tests. Every business or company should test once a year. Athletes have to have them, why not the workforce?
205. Forrest was right, "stupid is as stupid does."
206. Don't let the past dictate your future. 
207. Sports can help people heal. 
208. Dogs can help people heal. 
209. Cats, well they can be cute.
210. We are all tempted by certain things in this world. We can choose not give in to those temptations. 
211. Blame is lame. 
212. Clarity and courage. Those are important.
213. Teach your pets some cool tricks.
214. I could go without TV for a long, long time. Then again there are sports. Never mind that idea. 
215. Headstands always make my face turn flush red. Yes, I understand why. 
216. Learn a martial art. They are fun.
217. Break free from those chains.
218. Ladies love some Tractor Supply. 
219. Tractor Supply is pretty awesome!
220. My dog loves Tractor Supply. 
221. I confess Tractor Supply is one of the happiest places on earth to go shopping.
222. Ask for help. Heck, even ask for directions. 
223. We have Siri and Google Maps for directions, but it's still fun to think we (men) know the way.
224. Pecan Pie.
225. Take a compliment sometimes. Accept credit. You deserve it.
226. Pay it forward.
227. Everyone should have a guy like Dabo coach their kids. He lives by faith and instills some great values in the young men he coaches. 
228. Sports are awesome. Find a sport to like. 
229. Have some darn compassion sometimes. 
230. Weather in the South is jacked up. Almost 70 degrees one day, 25 the next. Shorts one day, barn coat and jeans the next. 
231. Don't repeat the same mistake more than once. 
232. Put the same effort into your family or personal life as you do your work life. 
233. Enjoy every single moment of it!
234. I recently used a paper map. It was fun, only it couldn't tell me where to find the  nearest gas station, so I had to cheat just a little bit.
235. I have two waffle makers. I love to make waffles. Everyone should have a waffle maker. 
236. I learned this year that due to a few recent innovations there is always time to make dinner. See Air Fryer, or Instant Pot -- thought I'm a big Crock Pot guy in Fall and Winter 
237. Steve Gleason has coined a phrase "Awesome ain't easy." I have a feeling that Jesus probably said those words too. 
238. Tennessee has a lot of waterfalls. Around 500 to be exact. You should see one or two of them. I can tell you where to find some of them!
239. Books are awesome.
240. My dog loves a good squirrel chase. Thankfully she isn't that fast. 
241. I named my dog after a lady in the Old Testament. She's that awesome.
242. Driving is so much more fun than flying. You never know what you might see.
243. Kids can teach us so much about life.
244. Dogs can also teach us so much about life. 
245. Fasting is important, especially when combined with some prayer. 
246. It feels good when you reach out to others for help. 
247. Spend time listening, really spend time listening. 
248. Practice taking 12 hours to log out, or log off. Or just turn off your wifi, or data. You can be asleep during some of it, don't worry. 
249. Drive the Natchez Trace. 
250. Eat lots of biscuits. If you can, don't eat those hypocrite biscuits!! Hint, hint. . Involves a dough boy!
251. Photography is fun. So take pictures, and take lots of pictures. 
252. Write letters. 
253. Get a pair of overalls. 
254. Always be thankful. 
255. Have at least two pairs of boots. Then you'll have your goin' out boots and your work boots.
256. Having my dog in the car during a recent car accident has taught me a little bit about PTSD, though on a smaller scale. Ruth didn't take it well. 
257. I have watched an air fryer make cornbread multiple times this year, and it was really cool. 
258. FYI - I ate cornbread as a pre-run snack and I thought it made me faster. Yeah, whatever. 
259. If you make really good cornbread, please let me know. j
260. I really love the city of Huntsville. It is very kid friendly.
261. When taking road trips with a dog, always find a nearby Tractor Supply as a pit stop. You'll thank me later. 
262. Don't resolve to make a change. Just make it. Just do it. FYI - I still struggle too. 
263. New Year's resolutions are tough. Try monthly resolutions. I listen to the radio!
264. Winters in the South are incredibly. I mean, incredibly strange!
265.