So I was talking to my girl Christine last night, and we came to this conclusion: John Kerry looks like Treebeard! It's the long, kind of craggy face, and his overall longness. Seriously. Next time you watch The Two Towers, think of John Kerry.

What am I going to do with my life???!!

COLD It is damn cold out here. Cold and snowy, which has turned into cold and icy. And the DC government don't know how to plough snow worth ddong. It is slushy, icy, snowy gross on the sidewalks and streets. I wish I was in Californiiiiiaaaa.

Politics New Hampshire primary today. Who's going to win? Who's got the momentum? Big intrigue. Wish I was there.

Robbed Academy Award nominations are out. I haven't seen most of the movies. But I gotta say, Sean Astin was robbed!! Totally should have been nominated. I just want Lord of the Rings to win everything it was nominated for.

The Cooler Power went out last night. Just sitting and talking with Joy and Julie (who's crashing with us yay!) and the lights go out. Electricity turned back on in the middle of the night. Unfortunately, the heat and hot water did not. So my heater was blowing cold air allll night, turning me into an icicle. I woke up freeezing. Sucks dude! My morning has not been a jolly one.

When I grow up, I want to be special.

Hey! Register to vote! It's important!
www.rockthevote.com

Sooo... state of the union was last night. This is my opinion-- nothing more, nothing less. Here's what I thought:

First of all, I thought it was a pretty good speech for him. Didn't talk about anything controversial, played up the issues that are his strengths. I thought it was a little too long, and he didn't pace the amount of time he spent on the issues well. I also thought it was way long on rhetoric and way short on anything substantive.

The first half hour on Iraq was useless I thought. He didn't say anything new, didn't give any answers-- just made a lot of rousing comments and made us feel very proud to be big bad America. Exit strategy? Weapons of mass destruction? Osama??

And then the domestic part. Oh goodness. It's really good that in five years we'll have halved the deficit. Which, by the way, is something like 500 billion. Call me crazy, but isn't a balanced budget/surplus a better thing than a 500 billion dollar deficit? Also, I think the Patriot Act, in the way that is has been executed, is scary. I think tax cuts should be repealed. Oh, and I think that abstinence only programs are a good idea but let's be real here folks-- kids are gonna have sex. They should learn about abstinence, and the consequences of sex, but to assume that that's enough, and not provide other protection from STD's and pregnancy, is irresponsible.

I don't know enough about the medicare/prescription drug plan to comment on it, but I thought Ted Kennedy's facial expressions were priceless. I thought the education plan sounded good-- but dude, how you gonna pay for it? It's all about money, and right now, too many people don't have enough of it. Rich are getting richer, poor are getting poorer, and that's a fact.

But my number one irritation with the speech was his whole tangent on steroid use and professional athletes. Great sentiment-- athletes, be examples, don't use steroids. But in the State of the Union? When you only spend five minutes on the economy, two minutes on education, and none on crime, you should not be devoting any time to professional athletes and steroid use. COME ON.

Hey, but I gotta say, Bush's public speaking has become so much better. He actually looks comfortable up there now. It still bothers me that when he speaks, he always gets this smirk on his face that just makes him seem so smug. Drives me nuts.

As for the democratic response, I thought Pelosi's response was pretty good. I'm a little biased-- I think she rocks. She had good points on the war, America's reasons for entering, building international coalitions and sharing the burden. But dude-- she needed to move her facial muscles and blink more. Daschle's response was pretty bland. Go dems.

Honestly, I don't know if the dems have it in them to beat Bush next fall. We'll just have to see. I just hope that we can steer away from this course of being a country that disregards the rights and opinions of its citizens, rewards the rich and marginalizes the poor even further, and thumbs its nose at our role in an international community. Which is what I think is happening now more than ever. Please please please please please let's not re-elect Bush.

So as you can see, I'm not a huge fan of Bush. Or his policies. But hey, that's just my opinion, and I have a right to it. This is Hannahs Brain Online after all. What can I say? I'm a Bay Area super liberal Christian Asian-American woman. Proud of it!

Coming soon: Hannah's opinion on the Democratic candidates for president, and then... my official endorsement. DUM DUM DUUUUMMMMM.

"Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in his own words:

Nonviolence means avoiding not only external physical violence but also internal violence of spirit. You not only refuse to shoot a man, but you refuse to hate him.

I said to my children, "I'm going to work and do everything that I can do to see that you get a good education. I don't ever want you to forget that there are millions of God's children who will not and cannot get a good education, and I don't want you feeling that you are better than they are. For you will never be what you ought to be until they are what they ought to be.'
- 1.7.68

I submit that an individual who breaks a law that conscience tells him is unjust, and who willingly accepts the penalty of imprisonment in order to arouse the conscience of the community over its injustice, is in reality expressing the highest respect for law.
- "Letter From Birmingham Jail ", 4.16.63

In the end, we will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends.
- "The Trumpet of Conscience", 1967

We must learn to live together as brothers or perish together as fools.
- "Remaining Awake Through A Great Revolution ", 3.31.68

Whatever career you may choose for yourself -- doctor, lawyer, teacher -- let me propose an avocation to be pursued along with it. Become a dedicated fighter for civil rights. Make it a central part of your life. It will make you a better doctor, a better lawyer, a better teacher. It will enrich your spirit as nothing else possibly can. It will give you that rare sense of nobility that can only spring from love and selflessly helping your fellow man . Make a career of humanity. Commit yourself to the noble struggle for human rights. You will make a greater person of yourself, a greater nation of your country, and a finer world to live in.
- 4.18.59

Our scientific power has outrun our spiritual power. We have guided missiles and misguided man.
- "Strength to Love", 1963

A nation that continues year after year to spend more money on military defense than on programs of social uplift is approaching spiritual doom.
- "The Trumpet of Conscience", 1967

Even if I knew that tomorrow the world would go to pieces, I would still plant my apple tree.
- quoting Martin Luther

Freedom is never voluntarily given by the oppressor; it must be demanded by the oppressed.
- "Letter From Birmingham Jail ", 4.16.63

I submit to you that if a man hasn't discovered something he will die for, he isn't fit to live.
- 6.23.63

I refuse to accept the view that mankind is so tragically bound to the starless midnight of racism and war that the bright daybreak of peace and brotherhood can never become a reality... I believe that unarmed truth and unconditional love will have the final word.
- Nobel Prize Acceptance Speech , 12.10.64

If you succumb to the temptation of using violence in the struggle, unborn generations will be the recipients of a long and desolate night of bitterness, and your chief legacy to the future will be an endless reign of meaningless chaos.
- "Justice Without Violence", 4.3.57

It may be true that the law cannot make a man love me, but it can keep him from lynching me, and I think that's pretty important.
- Wall Street Journal, 11.13.62

Never succumb to the temptation of bitterness.
- "Strength to Love", 1963

Rarely do we find men who willingly engage in hard, solid thinking. There is an almost universal quest for easy answers and half-baked solutions. Nothing pains some people more than having to think.
- "Strength to Love", 1963

The first question which the priest and the Levite asked was: "If I stop to help this man, what will happen to me?" But... the good Samaritan reversed the question: "If I do not stop to help this man, what will happen to him?"
- "I've Been to the Mountain Top ", 4.3.68

The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.
- "Strength to Love", 1963

The hope of a secure and livable world lies with disciplined nonconformists who are dedicated to justice, peace and brotherhood.
- "Strength to Love", 1963

The time is always right to do what is right.
- "Letter From Birmingham Jail ", 4.16.63 "

Remember, celebrate, act.

Hey buddies! Yay week is over! This week was sooooo long. And I ate soooo much. You see, it was restaurant week in DC. $20 for a three course meal for lunch, $30 for a three course dinner. I ate at Butterfield 9 for lunch on Wednesday, and Ceiba for lunch today. Swanky places I would never normally go to, but hey! It's Restaurant Week! Tomorrow lunch I'm meeting up with Kerri and Demelza for another swanky lunch. Holla.

It's been damn cold here lately. Stay warm, all my New York and Boston friends.

Bought tickets to go to California for Hyunhee's wedding. Sweet dude. Can't wait to see her, see her get married, and see all the cousins.

So Joy is in Chicago, and I am jeaaalous. This week, I've really been missing NU-- my DZs, my AACM girls, just being there. I miss all my friends! Call me!

Hooray for three day weekends! Hooray for Martin Luther King, Jr. Honoring him is an excellent thing.

What a weekend!! Headed to New York on Friday afternoon on the Washington Deluxe ($35 round trip, baby) with Joy, Laura and Sylvia. Me and Sylvia met up with Jess, and then headed to dinner at Katz' Deli, where the infamous orgasm scene in "When Harry Met Sally" was shot. That was cool, but the pastrami sandwich was even cooler. It was two normal slices of rye, mustard, and then a HUGE PILE O' MEAT. Seriously. I think I did major damage to my arteries. After Katz', we headed to Magnolia Bakery, where I had a slice of red velvet cake. Let me tell you, red velvet cake rocks. It was DEEEELicious. Then we watched "Bridget Jones' Diary" which is still funny, no matter how many times you watch it.

Saturday the three of us met up with Janet, Joy, Tina and Emmy for lunch! Hooray for college friends! Then Emmy, Joy, TIna and I went to SoHo and shopped, and met up with June! I love my girls! I was sad not all of us could be there, but it was still great hanging out with those girls.

We also met up with Mike Vea, Tina's friend from high school, who also went to NU. This guy rocks. It was the first time I really talked and hung out with him, and I was sooo impressed. He's doing Teach for America in WAshington Heights, and he kicks ass. Hooray Mike Vea!

So the highlight of the weekend was watching Wicked with Jess. Wicked is a musical that is a retelling of "The Wizard of Oz," from the Wicked Witch's point of view. It was soooo good. SO GOOD. Idina Menzel was AWESOME. Taye Diggs was the male lead, and he was also awesome. Coincidentally, he's married in real life to Idina Menzel. Now, I think most people would look at Taye, and just think, damn, she's lucky. But yo, after watching Wicked, it made me think, damn, he's lucky! His wife is SO FREAKIN' TALENTED. And, Taye Diggs is hot. H.O.T. Jess and I were freakin' out when he came on, cause his hotness just overwhelmed us. People! Watch this show! If only for the talented cast. It's a show I would definitely recommend. And watch again.

Now the real story of the weekend is that it was MOTHERF***IN COLD. Seriously. I think it was in the single digits all weekend, worse with wind chill. I've felt cold in Chicago, and this was WORSE. I seriously thought I was becoming a human icicle. My face still feels windburned. Note to self: Do not visit NYC when it is mofo bootyfreezin freakingcoldass COLD.

So, that was my weekend. I'm contemplating heading to New York for grad/law school. But can I handle two/three years in that city? I don't know. I guess I'll cross that bridge when I get to it. One things for sure: nothing beats California!!

Oh, and in case you didn't know already, I am the hugest DORK. Why? Because I looove figure skating. Not as much as I used to, but I still love watching it. So I'm sad that I missed the National Championships this weekend! Michelle Kwan rocks! Dude, I think she's so cool. Yeah. Next thing you know, I'll be one of those old ladies who joins a fan club and makes signs. Yessss.

Dude. Alias was CRAAAZY last night. OH MY. AH. Can you believe...??? I knew it!!

Props to Jess Ko, who bought me "Anne of the Green Gables: The Sequel" for Christmas. Gilbert and Anne 4-Ever!!!

Props to the women of Delta Zeta! You girls are awesome, I know you'll have a great rush!

Back in D.C! Flew in on New Year's Day. I happened to be on the same flight to Chicago with a certain Ms. Jane Kim, which made the flight that much more bearable. New Year's Eve was awesome-- hung out and ate and played games with my favorite brothers and sisters out there, the Bethel Young Adults. There's no one I would rather celebrate the New Year. Except for Orlando Bloom and Karl Urban. But that's a given.

This is how well my friends know me: for Christmas, I got a Lord of the Rings calender, and two Lord of the Rings posters. I don't think all three will be going up, but I'm glad my friends know and encourage my obsessions.

I am the Suave Dave Han Member of the Month. It's hard following One Shoe Girl (she only has one shoe, but it's a big one to fill), but I tried to be as honest as possible. www.suavedavehan.com

New Year's Resolutions:
Spend more time with Jesus
Work out two or three times a week
Eat more fruits and vegetables, and less carbs
Budget money wisely, and spend less.
Pretty standard. But important.

So I've been reading that it's really cold in Chicago. That sucks. I'm glad I'm not there. I just remember that feeling of being soooo cold. It was not fun. Stay warm NU folk!!

Happy New Year's. Have a blessed 2004.

My New Year's resolutions will be posted later. As soon as I figure out what they are.

I'm off to D.C. today! Here's to a safe flight. I don't wanna leave, but I suppose I must. I will return triumphantly to California someday! Oh yes, I will.