What I learned so far in 2009...

Six-pack of facts that I have been able to learn from so far in 2009. 1 good month down, 11 interesting more to go. Here is some tough facts:

Lesson #1: I can't turn away from things that I have grown accustomed to. Example: Going back to Chaminade for grad School.

Lesson #2: Hard to say goodbye to someone who really has feelings for you. Example: Another good friend, this time one who I was really close to for the past few months, is leaving, & now because of her, Screw Ohio! Hello Cali!

Lesson #3: I learned that you can never lose anything if you remember some of it. Example: Playing kickball, I never lost my groove as a pitcher, & I am still undefeated as a pitcher by default (thanks to Ocean's usual blown calls).

Lesson #4: I have been able to move on, even though i don't want to admit it. Example: Still have feelings for Angela, Kristin, & others I remember from 2008.

Lesson #5: My luck can be hot or cold, depending on the circumstances. Example: I get lucky one day, then fall flat the next. This also means that for every person I meet, they can be cool with me one day, then blow me off the next.

Lesson #6: I still haven't found what I'm looking for.
Example: A new job, new love interest, & a purpose for me being me.

For now, I can say that I am Ok with how my life is for now. Especially after going all out last night. I will not back out of my friday night class the rest of the term. I can say I got lucky last night. I accomplished my task without regret, without surrender & with purpose. AQ was happy to be with me @ the Shiny Toy Guns concert & I was able to hang out with Sara afterward. The concert was great; too bad i didn't get to V-Lounge in time to chill @ the after-party with my boys I saw @ the show. I also got back to basics this week to get my life straight & met some new people in the process. But all in all a good start to 2009 (including Sony Open & Elevaters concert, not the BJ Penn fight). February will be better, especially with whats ahead. Off to bed. Steelers will win tomorrow super bowl! Rock Money out!







MGMT

Revolutionary Reunion Coming...

The next couple weeks will be very good to me. Friday despite class will be a great night. Debating whether to go to the Shiny Toy Guns concert or go to a friend's last dinner. Either way, one will be happy, the other I will break their heart. I don't, however, want to spend too much money. But I gotta do what I gotta do to be happy. I definitely will be happy either way while having regret for someone else. I also gotta carry stuff going straight from class. Will make a decision before friday afternoon and sticking too it. Also, got the Super Bowl, the BJ Penn Fight, then the Pro Bowl. Going to be a great couple weeks, outside of Grad School n work. Def need a new job.

Good last couple of days away from staying out late. Too tired from work & class. Taking a little break. Chinese New Year Chinatown was great. So was Revolutionary Road. Sad but good. Better than Slumdog Millionare, Notorious, or even that Underworld movie. Great choice. Second great movie I saw lately. Well off to bed. More to do, less time to do it later. Shoots.
-D-Mo-Ro-So-Lo-Bo-Yo-Sho

Mixed Plate

Great but dreaded week for me. I started my Grad School journey. I added my 2 classes i needed. Sadly, friday nights (early evenings) suck for me but it will be over before I know it. Also, I can party after class. So my new classmates can kick back & chill after a dreaded 4 hour class. But I will miss first friday & the friday before pro bowl, but its not that big a deal. Luckly the other class is online, so I can go to chaminade anytime to check in & do all the things I need to do. Also, the job fair sucked, so I need to look for better jobs elsewhere (& avoid the soap opera that is Sears). I need to comitt to class so I can look forward to a better future. Great night watching the Elevaters as well as Deadbeats, & Matty Liu throws it down fridays @ Tikis & saturdays @ Red Lion UH. It's gonna be crackin again! Can't wait for pro bowl week. Well, off to Waialae tomorrow. Laters.
-Money-Rock-D

All In!

I am a grad school student now! I can't wait to start going back to school after a nearly 8-month hiatus. Well, why back to grad school? There are several reasons:

1. The Economy. Most everyone who graduated in the past year is having trouble finding a job in something they love, with few exceptions. As for me. I don't want to work a dead-end job anymore. I want to take control of my destiny. My life. I spent last semester on the sidelines because I wanted to see if I can land a job on my own. Found some interesting companies, but no jobs came up. I'm going back to school because there are better jobs out there that I can get with an advanced degree. I gotta buckle down so I finish my degree before 2011.

2. The surroundings. I miss being on campus, with friends as well as professors who push me to work hard and study hard. I enjoy the atmosphere even though the classes suck. But I gotta suck 'em up and do my best to survive and finish, then I can relax. I relaxed too much & now I am starting to fall behind. At least I know most of the faculty I would be learning from.

3. My experience. It seems like most jobs these days require experience on top of a college degree. Also, resources that were supposed to help you ends up being useless. I am an assistant-manager now @ Sears, but it is a job that is not satisfying & not worthwhile in the long run as I seek a better job to no avail. My internship for my senior research project is no good because the non-profit organization I worked with my senior semester (who needs us students to come up with a plan to keep it alive) is no longer operating, losing a valuable resource and against my future goals. At least I am building up resources during my time away to make myself a better person and to work smarter and harder to better shape me as I go through a grueling 2-year process of going from a BA to an MBA.

4. The Lifestyle. I like the fact that classes are once a week (including one online). But sadly, my friday nights (@ least early evenings for two and a half months) will be in a classroom on a dead campus. It's something I am willing to sacrifice for the short-term for a better career later. I also have fridays off anyway, so its no big deal & I can go to my friend's events afterward.

5. The Sacrifice. I am paying big now to make it big later. 'Nuff said.

Well, that's why I'm going back to school. Real Life can wait! Parties can be on hold too. Time to hit the books again! I also will be busy next week with only 3 shifts, a friend graduating from HPU, as well as VIP greenside on the #17th Hole @ the Sony Open in Hawaii. Late.

-D-Rockmoney

The New Beginning...

2009 is fresh & great. My first couple days included work & laying low watching a few games, then checking out First Friday. Worst decision I made so far? Watching The Spirit. I can see why this movie is nothing like 300 & Sin City. I walked out 15 minutes into the movie & got a quick refund since I knew the beginning wasn't special. Also, I wanted to see how the Blue Scholars was. I got in free, then took a quick trip across town to Waikiki, where I saw this dude on the ground, & people were saying "you got knocked the F*** out" over him. Cops everywhere. Most nightclubs slow. Cirque is history, my boy Matty Liu got me working with him for Pink Fridays @ Tikis, but that was slow also. Level 4 packed, but going down sooner or later. The Shack was ok, but not my type of place with a $15 cover. Zanzabar the same old boring spot. Of course, too many ghetto people & pros (you know, the other kind). Then back to Chinatown, where I saw a great performance from the Blue Scholars. Every spot bumping, & of course more cops. Got home shortly before 2. Looks like I will enjoy my new friday night(& select saturday) job.

2009 will also be different & a new era is begining. Because President Sue Wesselkamper, a good friend of my former high school headmaster @ the Academy of The Pacific (my high school) passed away early this morning. She was a great leader, & role model for all. Despite being busy, she was very helpful for getting me into Chaminade when I looked at a scholarship offer to going to the mainland @ either the University of the Pacific or Seattle University. I wanted to stay home. Great choice. I was also able to graduate on time. When I last saw her healthy, @ the commencement ball & again @ graduation, I was able to thank her for everything she has done for Chaminade & for me. That was when I got Senior of the Year & my diploma, respectively. Time flys fast & you don't know what you've got until its gone. May god bless the her family. She will be missed. Chaminade will never be the same. Ever. Everything changed for the better since she came in. Her permanent successor will have big shoes to fill.

My message to everyone this coming year, continue to let god's light shine in your life so you can be able to shine & reach out to others even when you or anyone else is down & out. Do it always. Day or night, down or up, near & far. I leave you with a song that relays the message. Watch the video & understand the meaning of this David Cook song. RIP President Sue!
-Daniel

The Closer

Finally, Daniel Lee Soon has woke up in 2009! Great blessings have come from the past year & I look forward to pushing myself to a better future. One that I have to leave behind the great memories from 2008 & the confusion that is entering the real world. Like the end of the D-Money era @ Chaminade, & the beginning of a long rest of my life. Before that, my year looked promising. I did all that I could have wanted to do, & then some. I went to New York City as an added bonus. There were also many good decisions & bad (no comment on the bad) ones. But overall, I was stoked to meet & chill with different people throughout the past year. Also reunite with people I haven't seen in years or months. I also said my last goodbyes to friends I may never see again. But I will grow stronger as I gained a lot through others as they gained a lot through me over my years in college & @ social events to get my name out there. I am due to have a breakthrough year & there should be fewer distractions. I thank the lord for the many blessings in my life thus far. I am now 22 & a half & look forward to the challenge of getting a new job (since being an assistant manager @ Sears sucks) & start graduate school. I will try to leave a light on for those who want back in my life as I move forward. But I can only hope for the best in the next year. Gotta work tomorrow, but have 2 days off afterward. Hope 2 have a great tomorrow & live for today everyday. Peace.
-Daniel Lee Soon aka D-Moro

The End has come

Its time to move on from a great friendship. I am about to go 3/3 in chilling with three of the first girls I met my first semester (after a long time away from chilling with them). One has been here all summer & just graduated. One went home & came back to work & graduated with me. The third came back just for graduation. The third girl I chilled @ The Varsity with & partied like the good old days. The second I was thrilled to take to a concert & we had a great time. The first was the one I really got to know over the past 4 years, including several concerts we had a blast @. All three are great friends & we had great memories, but its time to say goodbye to all three. I did what I had to do with the first 2. But tonight, I will say goodbye to one of my best friends after meeting up with her. This is going to be good. The eve of New Years Eve will go down as one of the most interesting moments of 2008. Can't wait to see what final memory I can make before 09. I will miss them all, as will the great year of 2008. New Blog before the New Year coming. I leave you with a life lesson through this music video. New Stuff.
-D-Money

Ready for 2009?

2008s coming to an end. 2009 is fast approaching. Before I look forward to 2009, here is what I can be thankful for in 2008 (top 10 & honorable mention, & of course no bad memories incl.):

10: Incubus Concert & pre-show, Mar 19-21. Went to preshow with Silversun Pickups as well as concert w/ them & Incubus. Great show & afterparty.
9. Awakening Weekend, Apr 4-6. Able to overcome tough struggle to staff my final retreat.
8. Bayfest Hawaii, July 5-6. Able to return home & see 3 Doors Down, Everclear, & Live @ Kaneohe Marine Corps Base. Live was on my plane & got to re-meet 3DD on my birthday!
7. Hoobastank & Secondhand Serenade Concert, November 26 & December 19. Two great shows, four great acts, & got to chill with each of the artists before & after show!
6. Industry Parties, Dunno. Went all over, met cool people, good times.
5. North Shore trips, December 4 & 12. Sunset Pro, Eddie Aikau kickoff, & Pipe Masters!
4. Commencement Ball & Kokua Fest, April 2008: Saw good concert, chill with good friends, & was announced as Senior of the Year @ the ball (like HS king).
3. Reunited, December 10-11, 15, 19-20 2008. Hung out with the best of friends, chill with new ones. Got to see my good friends finally walk the line & homies return. Also Disco!
2. New York City, June 26-July 5. Went to NYC & went all over! I ran NY!
1. Graduation Weekend, May 9-13, 16. Partied hard like there's no tomorrow. But I completed my goal of graduating on time & making my time last!

Honorable Mention: 311 Concert, Chris Brown Concert/ Pro Bowl Week, Heavywater Parties, NP Concert, & other stuff I could mention but don't remember.

2009 will be the year I take control of my destiny. This is where I don't lie down for no one. My friends have moved on, & now I am more motivated than ever to get to where I want to be. The industry the people i have met in the past year will play a larger part in determining my future, as I will be driving again after a 6-month hiatus. I also plan to leave Sears & start grad school (likely April now). Looking back @ 08, it could have been better, but I have no excuses for why I could be in a better situation except to work harder & smarter. 08 was great, 09 will be devine!
-Daniel

Mele Kalikimaka...

from the 808! Hope everyone has a great christmas. Great to have a great christmas & hope all is good. Hate that I work early tomorrow but since I am manager @ Sears, it goes with the responsibility until I can find better work. Like I said, I am planning to leave Sears sometime within the next three months since the economy is expected to improve & Sears has nowhere to go but in the "right" direction (you know what i mean, downhill!). Well I did enjoy the Disco last week & after work tomorrow, I'm gonna get what Santa forgot (but thrilled to have a new phone) & go chill with my homegirl for her b-day & take advantage of a few open bars around town. I am featured in a photo with Hoobastank, taken right after the concert @ Dennys. Check it out:
http://www.dennysallnighter.com/index.php/site/blog-entries/aloha_from_hoobahawaii
Photos of the best of 2008 coming, as well as a new years resolution. Til Next time!
-D-RoMo

Affirmations

Things I have to say about top friends that graduated this semester (& last):

Kristin- You were an awesome friend. You are so funny too. Coming from a small town to the 808 you are all i appreciate. Will miss chillin. Best memory: Almost got taken out by softball as well as few drunken nights.

Angela- Since Day 1, you were an interesting person. Despite being busy all the time, you found a way to make it through & hang out whenever you can. Funny I run into you all over @ times but good times when we did. Best Memory: Gwen Stefani & 30 Seconds To Mars concerts.

Anina- Another friend that has been there since day one (& we made it through 4 years on time). Great person to talk to & not too hard to convince. Love those random moments whether @ beach or house parties. Best Memory: 2ndhand concert after a being MIA since grad day & those great parties (close second). Props to your best friend Katie too.

Bhasie- Got the street kred. But like a bro to me through Awakening & Campus Ministry. Good chilling in class as well as around the clubs. Best Memory: Awakenings.

Andrew- Cool dude. Got to hangout a lot & chill with different people from different walks of life. Still gets around & knows anyone & everyone. Best Memory: Long night drifting on campus.

Gabe- Known since day 1 @ Chaminade. Though you went to UH we were cool through retreat as well as off-campus. Will still see u around & prob @ games too. Best Memory: Awakening 14.

Hale- Lucky kid. One of few people who actually get close to action better than me. Works it out too but he is cool to chill & hangout with whenever. Best Memory: kickball.

Tim G- This guy does a lot & gets away with a lot too. Best of friends since year 2 for me. Good chillin @ random places & all over. Best Memory: U2 Concert & random photo nights.

Chris Rags- Great to work with, fun to chill with. Best memory: All-nighter on Halloween.

Derrick & Grant: 2 almost never separated (cept w/ their girls) but great to hangout since that boring photography class. Best moment: Clubbin!

Props to all those that I missed for graduating, & good luck to y'all. X-mas in less than 2 days!

-D-Romo

P.S. Rock & Money, my two favorite nicknames (sorry no D-dog)