Sorry it's been months without a post. As a reward, I'm going to tell you my favorite childhood story.
When the Wong kids were young, the youngest of us liked to keep pet hamsters. By the time she had her last hamster, we had our first family dog, Jackie. Jackie loved to watch my little sister's hamster in its cage. She'd be focused on the hamster for hours. One night, Mom was helping Meredith clean the hamster cage. It was necessary to restrain Jackie during this process. Unfortunately, Mom forgot to put the lid back on the hamster cage before letting Jackie into Meredith's room. Jackie went into full stalk mode, jumped on the table, and grabbed the hamster with her mouth. Mom screamed, "Jackie", and Jackie gave a little squeeze before letting go. Hamster, back in the cage, was traumatized and had an eyeball hanging out of its socket after Jackie gave the squeeze. Mom's hysterical, Meredith is crying, and Dad had to take the hamster away and "take care of it". His solution... putting the hamster in a bag and sticking it in the car's tailpipe. He GASED the hamster!! I still laugh whenever I think about it. It's an awful story... sorry, sister...
April 26, 2012
April 1, 2012
Me and Dirt Don't Get Along
If there's one thing you should know about me is that I hate being dirty. Not that I'm not messy... I am messy. But I literally cannot stand to be dirty. Watch me eat chicken off the bone or something sticky. I'm meticulous, not to make sure I get all the meat off the bone... but meticulous in not getting my hands or face dirty. I hate it.
If there's one thing you don't want to do, if you hate getting messy, is warrior dash. But, I will say.. it was fun. Running in mud is the least pleasant thing to do. Your shoes stick in it, and many people were left shoeless during the last 2/3rds of the course. Then, people stop in front of you and ruin your running momentum. I think that was the most annoying part. People didn't want to get muddy, so they tiptoed through the mud causing a huge pile up. The obstacles weren't difficult. A lot of climbing and swimming in mud (as seen below). Sliding down a wet tarp was fun. There was a nice waterfall at the top of the hill that I showered in only to get muddy again.
If there's one thing you don't want to do, if you hate getting messy, is warrior dash. But, I will say.. it was fun. Running in mud is the least pleasant thing to do. Your shoes stick in it, and many people were left shoeless during the last 2/3rds of the course. Then, people stop in front of you and ruin your running momentum. I think that was the most annoying part. People didn't want to get muddy, so they tiptoed through the mud causing a huge pile up. The obstacles weren't difficult. A lot of climbing and swimming in mud (as seen below). Sliding down a wet tarp was fun. There was a nice waterfall at the top of the hill that I showered in only to get muddy again.
February 8, 2012
Insert Fast Forward Sound
And... we're back.
Have you ever thought to yourself: I wish I could fast forward [insert time period]... life is going to be so much better.
What a crappy and lazy thought! I actually thought about what my life would be like in 3-4 years... hopefully done with my phd program, doing research for real, blah blah blah. I'd have a degree that comes with a funny looking robe and hat, a nice paying salary, etc... But, then I'd be 30! What's the rush? Sure, the lifestyle would probably be better, but the story is more fun than the end. I think that at times, we want to rush through life because the issues we face now seem so tough.
For me, it's tough to be told that I'm wrong. Recently, I submitted a research idea to my advisor, something that I was extremely excited about. He thought it wasn't good enough and/or that there wasn't enough application, implication or tension behind the story to make it a good research idea. And, now the idea is shelved and will probably be laid to rest. The disappointment stings. It's one of those times where I really wanted to destroy something, like this:
But I think there's a sense of liberation once the fear of being wrong is gone, or at least caring if you're right or wrong. I'm beginning to realize that 95% of my ideas, as far as accounting research, is garbage (not scientific. I'm still searching for that 5% of good ideas). But because I'm starting to release my desire to always be right or on point, I feel more inclined to offer up as many ideas as possible to see if anything sticks. Most won't, but that's okay. My holster runs deep and I've got a million bullets to fire.
Have you ever thought to yourself: I wish I could fast forward [insert time period]... life is going to be so much better.
What a crappy and lazy thought! I actually thought about what my life would be like in 3-4 years... hopefully done with my phd program, doing research for real, blah blah blah. I'd have a degree that comes with a funny looking robe and hat, a nice paying salary, etc... But, then I'd be 30! What's the rush? Sure, the lifestyle would probably be better, but the story is more fun than the end. I think that at times, we want to rush through life because the issues we face now seem so tough.
For me, it's tough to be told that I'm wrong. Recently, I submitted a research idea to my advisor, something that I was extremely excited about. He thought it wasn't good enough and/or that there wasn't enough application, implication or tension behind the story to make it a good research idea. And, now the idea is shelved and will probably be laid to rest. The disappointment stings. It's one of those times where I really wanted to destroy something, like this:
But I think there's a sense of liberation once the fear of being wrong is gone, or at least caring if you're right or wrong. I'm beginning to realize that 95% of my ideas, as far as accounting research, is garbage (not scientific. I'm still searching for that 5% of good ideas). But because I'm starting to release my desire to always be right or on point, I feel more inclined to offer up as many ideas as possible to see if anything sticks. Most won't, but that's okay. My holster runs deep and I've got a million bullets to fire.
December 30, 2011
2011 - Best Year Ever!
What a year! A year of transition, a year of quasi-new beginnings.
Towards the end of 2010, I made the decision to try my luck applying to graduate schools for accounting Ph.D. programs. Somehow I ended up with two offers, maybe three if the University of Florida had their act together. Anyway, Missouri and Texas A&M accepted me into their program.
Towards the end of 2010, I made the decision to try my luck applying to graduate schools for accounting Ph.D. programs. Somehow I ended up with two offers, maybe three if the University of Florida had their act together. Anyway, Missouri and Texas A&M accepted me into their program.
Ghetto Announcement Sign
It certainly wasn't an easy decision. Certainly a lot of factors to think about... number of cohort members, compilation of members, location, compensation, faculty. Fairly comparable programs, but the fact that there was only one other student in the cohort at Missouri was a huge factor. In March, I decided Texas A&M was the place to be.
There were two amazing weddings I attended in 2011. The Loebs (in March) and the Gaetanos (in June and in Kansas City). Best memories from the weddings:
- Guys standing in the Loeb wedding approaching me right after the ceremony asking if I was sitting on phone books. Apparently, I have a REALLY long torso. Stop makin' fun of me, ROB! What are you, 45?
- Finding out the photo booth had an asian inspired hat. This happened:
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| Friends you can't take anywhere... |
3. Singing Meatloaf as loud as possible to Dunja Stefanovic. You're welcome, Dunja.
4. Luke Ernst bringing dice to the reception and rolling a 7 off of Katie Loeb's wedding dress. EPIC!
Gaetano Wedding:
5. Power & Light District. That place is amazing! Wild world of open air drinking with food and bars everywhere. Thanks to Brad Boldt, people started calling me "'The Iceman' Paul Wall".
6. Uncorking a bottle of champagne with a sword. I want to learn how to do this!!!
7. Dancing like a maniac with strangers. Everyone loves a fun reception, especially one where you can act crazy and not care.
June was my last month in Chicago. Certainly, it was difficult to leave Crowe. Great people to work with. In fact, the people kept me there. And, it was VERY difficult to leave Chicago. I managed to establish a great network of friends from all types of circles. DePaul, Crowe, Purdue people, kickball... all great people. No shout outs.. I'll tear up... especially you, Kyle Conforti.
Thankfully, I had a great going away party. Most memorable night of my 8 years in Chicago. All my favorite people in one place for an amazing night. Well, most all my favorite people... some couldn't make it. People traveled up from Texas and from Ohio, and we had over 100 people on a boat on Lake Michigan. Open bar, fireworks, perfect weather, great people. Can't ask for much more than that.
Great and epic party. Going away party part deux in 2012? Stay tuned...
In July, I moved to Texas to start my first semester as a doctoral student. I'll have to say being a college student again comes with it's challenges. I feel old on a campus of 18-22 year olds. Transitioning from not having to do all that much after work to having homework to do isn't fun. But, there are definitely some sweet perks. Like how everything is cheaper in Texas (gas and $3.75 movies.. oh and $6 pitchers of beer), and how there are student discounts everywhere. Student tickets to football games on Saturdays is great. Cheap tickets, first pull... wish TAMU had a better team.
I've been incredibly blessed to have a solid network of friends in Texas before I moved back. It's made the transition a hell of a lot easier. I love the people I've had in my life since high school, even those since 5th grade. If I'm ever bored, I know I have a place to crash in a more fun city. I've been introduced to a lot of great people through these old friends, in particular the Houston people. HoustonHolly, Sarah, Reagan, Kara, Nicole, Joey, Katie, etc... SO AMAZING! Fun and enjoyable people who like to have fun and do fun things. Like... BINGO (attended one time, and was the first in the group to win!) and brunch.
I have to say that I've been incredibly blessed with amazing fortune this year. Great friends all over the country and I'm continuously adding new friends. I've experienced a lot of fun events this year, and great opportunities keep popping up. 2012, you have a lot of work to do to be anywhere as epic as 2011... but I have faith you'll be able to match and surpass 2011's greatness.
Recap: Acceptance into Texas A&M's Accounting PhD program, great weddings, amazing friends, perfect going away party, new people, college life, college football, bingo...
The Future:
2012 is already shaping up to be an amazing year. In August and November of 2011, I found out that my best friends (James and Courtney Burkett) and my sister and brother-in-law, respectively, are expecting. I'll be an "uncle" and a real uncle in the same year. So excited. Courtney and James, if you're reading this... you know I'll make a great "godfather" to Baby Bea!
Here's to a great 2012! Work hard, be nice, and enjoy the ride.
P-Dubs
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| Amy and her Wangsta |
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| DePaul Ladies: Zoe, Katie Siems, Huizar, Lovelyn, Brooke |
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| Crowe Family: Matt, Nick, Seth, Marylou, Garner, Me, Susanna, Nina, Kristen, Stephanie |
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| Travis, Adam, Kyle, Melissa |
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| Luke, Lauren, Koppelman |
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| Me and Luke |
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| Crowe Buddies - With Adam |
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| Luke Went Crazy with the Camera... Hi Steven |
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| The Dunja |
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The Boys  |
In July, I moved to Texas to start my first semester as a doctoral student. I'll have to say being a college student again comes with it's challenges. I feel old on a campus of 18-22 year olds. Transitioning from not having to do all that much after work to having homework to do isn't fun. But, there are definitely some sweet perks. Like how everything is cheaper in Texas (gas and $3.75 movies.. oh and $6 pitchers of beer), and how there are student discounts everywhere. Student tickets to football games on Saturdays is great. Cheap tickets, first pull... wish TAMU had a better team.
I've been incredibly blessed to have a solid network of friends in Texas before I moved back. It's made the transition a hell of a lot easier. I love the people I've had in my life since high school, even those since 5th grade. If I'm ever bored, I know I have a place to crash in a more fun city. I've been introduced to a lot of great people through these old friends, in particular the Houston people. HoustonHolly, Sarah, Reagan, Kara, Nicole, Joey, Katie, etc... SO AMAZING! Fun and enjoyable people who like to have fun and do fun things. Like... BINGO (attended one time, and was the first in the group to win!) and brunch.
I have to say that I've been incredibly blessed with amazing fortune this year. Great friends all over the country and I'm continuously adding new friends. I've experienced a lot of fun events this year, and great opportunities keep popping up. 2012, you have a lot of work to do to be anywhere as epic as 2011... but I have faith you'll be able to match and surpass 2011's greatness.
Recap: Acceptance into Texas A&M's Accounting PhD program, great weddings, amazing friends, perfect going away party, new people, college life, college football, bingo...
The Future:
2012 is already shaping up to be an amazing year. In August and November of 2011, I found out that my best friends (James and Courtney Burkett) and my sister and brother-in-law, respectively, are expecting. I'll be an "uncle" and a real uncle in the same year. So excited. Courtney and James, if you're reading this... you know I'll make a great "godfather" to Baby Bea!
Here's to a great 2012! Work hard, be nice, and enjoy the ride.
P-Dubs
December 17, 2011
The Descendants and Cynicism
With the Golden Globes announcing their nominations this week, I have to say that the best actor category is a true "who's who" of Hollywood. I'm always skeptical of the nominations because it seems like awards are too political. Seeing the perennial George Clooney nomination, made me wonder if his new role in The Descendants was any good. I'll have to admit, that I enjoyed the movie very much.
The Descendants is a story about a Hawaiian family that can trace its history back to the last King of Hawaii (hence the title) told in the perspective of the head of the family, George's character. The movie opens with his wife in the hospital after a boating accident. You come to find that she had an affair with some local realtor. And, while his wife is in the hospital, he and his two daughters seek more information about this dude. At the same time, the family, along with a generation of cousins, are practically being forced to sell family property on Kauai... a huge tract of virgin Hawaiian land that would yield a very large sum of money for all family members....
One thing that Clooney's character reminded me of is the idea of cynicism and its place in society. How easy is it to be a cynic? You don't get the promotion you think you deserve... CYNICAL! You're late to work, it's raining, and a car splashes a puddle on you... time to be CYNICAL! You get dumped... why not hate the world and be CYNICAL! (just examples... not a meditation on my current life) It's become the norm to blame other people or at least take out frustration on other people for negative situations we, as people, find ourselves in. Doesn't it suck how the better road is usually the tougher path to take?
So where am I in the world of cynicism? Full disclosure... I love a good rage. The problem with being a person who is expressive with emotions is that sometimes... emotions get the best of me. Both good and bad emotions can come out full throttle. I'd like to say that I turn most of my negative emotions on myself... what could I have done differently, where did I go wrong. You can call bull shit on that, anyone who's reading this.
I'll end this post with this quote... "If you work really hard and you're kind, amazing things will happen." - Conan O'Brien in his farewell speech. Something to work on, something to be cognizant of... and go see The Descendants. It's worth a trip to the theater.
The Descendants is a story about a Hawaiian family that can trace its history back to the last King of Hawaii (hence the title) told in the perspective of the head of the family, George's character. The movie opens with his wife in the hospital after a boating accident. You come to find that she had an affair with some local realtor. And, while his wife is in the hospital, he and his two daughters seek more information about this dude. At the same time, the family, along with a generation of cousins, are practically being forced to sell family property on Kauai... a huge tract of virgin Hawaiian land that would yield a very large sum of money for all family members....
One thing that Clooney's character reminded me of is the idea of cynicism and its place in society. How easy is it to be a cynic? You don't get the promotion you think you deserve... CYNICAL! You're late to work, it's raining, and a car splashes a puddle on you... time to be CYNICAL! You get dumped... why not hate the world and be CYNICAL! (just examples... not a meditation on my current life) It's become the norm to blame other people or at least take out frustration on other people for negative situations we, as people, find ourselves in. Doesn't it suck how the better road is usually the tougher path to take?
So where am I in the world of cynicism? Full disclosure... I love a good rage. The problem with being a person who is expressive with emotions is that sometimes... emotions get the best of me. Both good and bad emotions can come out full throttle. I'd like to say that I turn most of my negative emotions on myself... what could I have done differently, where did I go wrong. You can call bull shit on that, anyone who's reading this.
I'll end this post with this quote... "If you work really hard and you're kind, amazing things will happen." - Conan O'Brien in his farewell speech. Something to work on, something to be cognizant of... and go see The Descendants. It's worth a trip to the theater.
December 15, 2011
The Things You Remember Driving Around Austin
Today, I made a one-day trip into Austin to visit some long time friends and family friends. It's been 3 years since I've been to Austin, but there's still a lot of familiarity to the city. From College Station to Austin takes about 2 hours, driving on all minor roads...
Between Taylor and Hutto is this intersection (not sure what it is really...) called Norman's Crossing. Everyone has heard of the Urban Legend of the spirits of some murdered children pushing cars away from a bridge. Well, in High School I distinctly remember a group of us driving to Norman's Crossing, putting the car into neutral to see if they rolled away from the bridge. The second part of the urban legend is to put baby powder on the rear of your car, in which finger prints appear. Obviously, this is stupid because bridges are usually crowned and the finger prints are your own...
I also drove past the spot where I flipped over my bike and was bleeding everywhere. Luckily, there were no cars around at the time and we were by a hospital. I definitely remember a nurse wrapping my wounds.
It's also bizarre how your car just drives itself in the town you grew up in and how you associate certain places with people. For instance, Yucca Drive... The Burketts. Taking the back way from my house to The Burketts would yield seeing Kelly Tryce's old white station wagon, and a drive by Caroline Fisher's house just to see if she was outside... I'll admit what everyone once knew, I was definitely into Caroline in high school.
Also, Austin wouldn't be Austin without this:
I remember seeing this car and thinking how cool it would be to see this on the road... it never moved.
Between Taylor and Hutto is this intersection (not sure what it is really...) called Norman's Crossing. Everyone has heard of the Urban Legend of the spirits of some murdered children pushing cars away from a bridge. Well, in High School I distinctly remember a group of us driving to Norman's Crossing, putting the car into neutral to see if they rolled away from the bridge. The second part of the urban legend is to put baby powder on the rear of your car, in which finger prints appear. Obviously, this is stupid because bridges are usually crowned and the finger prints are your own...
I also drove past the spot where I flipped over my bike and was bleeding everywhere. Luckily, there were no cars around at the time and we were by a hospital. I definitely remember a nurse wrapping my wounds.
It's also bizarre how your car just drives itself in the town you grew up in and how you associate certain places with people. For instance, Yucca Drive... The Burketts. Taking the back way from my house to The Burketts would yield seeing Kelly Tryce's old white station wagon, and a drive by Caroline Fisher's house just to see if she was outside... I'll admit what everyone once knew, I was definitely into Caroline in high school.
Also, Austin wouldn't be Austin without this:
December 6, 2011
Before I Die, I Want To...
I love these things! Before I die, I want to....
Someone should put this up on all college campuses. I'd be curious to see the contrast in responses from DePaul and Texas A&M. Student bases are totally different.
Here are a few things on my list:
1) Become certified to skydive solo
1a) Skydive on every continent
2) Have something (Street, Building, School, Gallery, Terminal, etc) named after me. Could you imagine living on Paul Wong Way?
3) Celebrate New Years Eve in multiple time zones.
4) Trend on Twitter
Someone should put this up on all college campuses. I'd be curious to see the contrast in responses from DePaul and Texas A&M. Student bases are totally different.
Here are a few things on my list:
1) Become certified to skydive solo
1a) Skydive on every continent
2) Have something (Street, Building, School, Gallery, Terminal, etc) named after me. Could you imagine living on Paul Wong Way?
3) Celebrate New Years Eve in multiple time zones.
4) Trend on Twitter
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