Dear Friends and Family,
Over the past week, it became clear to me how important you are in my life, and that I should do a better job keeping in touch. If you know what I'm up to, and I know what you're up to, we can continue to be involved in each other's growth and well-being. I care greatly about all of you, and there are so many events that I've missed over the past few years. So many times, after hearing stories of friends going to concerts, traveling, graduations, and so forth, I've thought, I wish I had known about it, I would have flown over for that in a heartbeat. I keep getting all these free flights because I get stuck at the airport so much (so far on my way home i've been stuck in D.C. and Fort Lauderdale for a night each), and I'd love to make it back for exciting and important as well as random and trivial moments in your lives.
OK, so here is a reflection on what is going on with me, a newsletter of sorts, something we will affectionately refer to as:
TIEN BEAT august two thousand and seven
My fall classes at USC are starting in 4 hours, and I will be sitting in my first class as a philosophy major. As I mentioned before, I got stuck in D.C. and Fort Lauderdale for the past two nights, so currently I'm sitting in an aisle seat on a Boeing 737. These are the kinds of situations that no longer stress me out. I have no control over the chaos of air traffic control, and though I may miss a few classes, I can spend that time reading a book, writing a song, or meeting someone. Why invest energy in self-destructive anger? Time is too precious to be yelling at flight attendants.
Something deep inside me has shifted as a result of our immense loss, and my recent ruminations/discussions have led me to an unwavering conviction in Plan A. Plan A is the life that I want to lead. Plan A involves short term and long term goals. Plan A is a philosophy. Plan A is never taking a day for granted.
Plan A (to be revised and expanded continuously as desired)
1.) Love. Recklessly. Generously.
2.) Create inspiring and insightful music that will reach millions (I have this posted on a big poster board in my room)
Side note: give me your address and I will send you cd's of any music that I create. If you haven't yet, check out the websites for my band, Dayplayer, and my Solo page. Dayplayer will have a demo done by Christmas.
3.) Travel. What's all this jazz about Semester at Sea? Anyone else curious, envious, and willing?
Side note: I visited the overseas office today and they do not offer a semester at sea program or a vietnam program. Yet. Can you believe that? It took the receptionist a few minutes to realize that I wasn't taking no for an answer, but I have an appointment with the director tomorrow to talk about this small flap in my plans
4.) Learn. All of these philosophy classes will probably make my mind explode. I will share these brain busting revelations in future editions of "Tien Beat"
5.) Save the world. This is a daunting task, so I'm going to partially delegate it to Barack Obama. I'm working on his campaign now; I hope that you'll do some research on what he stands for, and when you realize how amazing he is, I hope you will get off your butt and vote.
6.) Support all of this with work that supports my growth and my spirit
That's a lot to do. Let me know what you're up to. Let's support each other in this awesome adventure, this unbounded opportunity, this wonderful, yet transient, gift of life. And, of course, never ever hesitate to call me. Please forward this to whoever you think would like to receive it!
Love,
Tien
Over the past week, it became clear to me how important you are in my life, and that I should do a better job keeping in touch. If you know what I'm up to, and I know what you're up to, we can continue to be involved in each other's growth and well-being. I care greatly about all of you, and there are so many events that I've missed over the past few years. So many times, after hearing stories of friends going to concerts, traveling, graduations, and so forth, I've thought, I wish I had known about it, I would have flown over for that in a heartbeat. I keep getting all these free flights because I get stuck at the airport so much (so far on my way home i've been stuck in D.C. and Fort Lauderdale for a night each), and I'd love to make it back for exciting and important as well as random and trivial moments in your lives.
OK, so here is a reflection on what is going on with me, a newsletter of sorts, something we will affectionately refer to as:
TIEN BEAT august two thousand and seven
My fall classes at USC are starting in 4 hours, and I will be sitting in my first class as a philosophy major. As I mentioned before, I got stuck in D.C. and Fort Lauderdale for the past two nights, so currently I'm sitting in an aisle seat on a Boeing 737. These are the kinds of situations that no longer stress me out. I have no control over the chaos of air traffic control, and though I may miss a few classes, I can spend that time reading a book, writing a song, or meeting someone. Why invest energy in self-destructive anger? Time is too precious to be yelling at flight attendants.
Something deep inside me has shifted as a result of our immense loss, and my recent ruminations/discussions have led me to an unwavering conviction in Plan A. Plan A is the life that I want to lead. Plan A involves short term and long term goals. Plan A is a philosophy. Plan A is never taking a day for granted.
Plan A (to be revised and expanded continuously as desired)
1.) Love. Recklessly. Generously.
2.) Create inspiring and insightful music that will reach millions (I have this posted on a big poster board in my room)
Side note: give me your address and I will send you cd's of any music that I create. If you haven't yet, check out the websites for my band, Dayplayer, and my Solo page. Dayplayer will have a demo done by Christmas.
3.) Travel. What's all this jazz about Semester at Sea? Anyone else curious, envious, and willing?
Side note: I visited the overseas office today and they do not offer a semester at sea program or a vietnam program. Yet. Can you believe that? It took the receptionist a few minutes to realize that I wasn't taking no for an answer, but I have an appointment with the director tomorrow to talk about this small flap in my plans
4.) Learn. All of these philosophy classes will probably make my mind explode. I will share these brain busting revelations in future editions of "Tien Beat"
5.) Save the world. This is a daunting task, so I'm going to partially delegate it to Barack Obama. I'm working on his campaign now; I hope that you'll do some research on what he stands for, and when you realize how amazing he is, I hope you will get off your butt and vote.
6.) Support all of this with work that supports my growth and my spirit
That's a lot to do. Let me know what you're up to. Let's support each other in this awesome adventure, this unbounded opportunity, this wonderful, yet transient, gift of life. And, of course, never ever hesitate to call me. Please forward this to whoever you think would like to receive it!
Love,
Tien
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