thetedpanda

[thetedpanda]

The Coronavirus Just Makes U.S. Look Dumb

It’s a shame to be an American, nowadays. Or at least, that’s how I feel. We’re one of the strongest countries to ever exist in history. Yet, the way we handle this pandemic just shows us that we’re the most foolish.

First, it’s stupid that there are people who deny that the virus exist. There’s many credible sources around the world, regarding the nature of the virus. Many medical professionals have confirmed that it is real. There are numerous reports of the virus and its effects in various countries. But, there are still Americans who claim that the virus is fake. Many of those in denial argue that the virus is fake and that “God will protect me from it.” Well, no. I’m Christian, and God did not promise us that He will protect us from a certain virus. Instead, He promised us everlasting life, protecting us from living eternity in Hell. Therefore, the religious argument is stupid. Additionally, in a Christian perspective, their flawed argument just proves that they have a major flaw in their faith.

Second, now is not the time to spread misinformation. Recently, there was a documentary called Plandemic, which endorsed the falsehood that vaccines were dangerous, that masks did not protect us, and that the coronavirus was a plot by rich people to gain money. Gosh, the nonsense that the documentary spewed out just infuriates me. Also, we’ve eradicated so many viruses with the help of vaccines. Such viruses include tetanus, measles, polio, etc., so the ill argument that vaccines are harmful simply is buffoonery. Don’t get me started with the masks... These claims are so dangerous because they affect our health. If people start believing that vaccines are fake or that masks are useless, they have a higher chance in contracting the virus. Also, it’s unethical to spread such conspiracies because they can play a huge role in other people’s life, or death.

Third, there are people protesting stay-at-home orders. Seriously? I understand that staying at home sucks, but I’m doing it for the sake of my health, for the sake of my community’s health, for the sake of my country’s health. There is no cure or vaccine to the coronavirus; the number of cases are only rising; the fatality rate is worsening. So, protesting by going outside in large gatherings can increase the rate at which the virus spreads, which will only lengthen the time that we need to quarantine ourselves. Also, there are medical workers, risking their lives, to alleviate the current situation. There are many medical facilities that are at maximum capacity. There is a limited resource of masks and gloves that are necessary in combatting the effects of the virus. Yet, here we are complaining about how “we need haircuts!” There are so many people who are struggling given the current situation. So, to the people who are are protesting, your haircut argument is inconsiderate. Also, YOU DON’T CARE ABOUT THE ECONOMY! Your concern for the economy is secondary to your concern for a haircut. You only care about yourself. You just want service from others. You’re just plain selfish, and that’s the truth. Just shut up, and go watch your TV show or do something that is actually productive. If you really care about the economy, make a donation to coronavirus relief organizations that provide money for people who need it or support medical facilities.

Fourth, we could have at least prepared for the virus, but we chose not to do so. After the troublesome spread of the Ebola virus, former President Obama made a guideline about procedures future presidents should take when there is a risk of global pandemic. However, President Trump removed the pandemic response team in 2018 and refused to follow the guideline. Also, considering that the United States wasn’t the first country to be affected by the coronavirus, we had the opportunity to have a head start and prepare for the virus. We could have observed the virus’ effect on affected countries and take appropriate steps. In other words, WE COULD HAVE BEEN IN A BETTER SITUATION THAN THE SITUATION THAT WE ARE CURRENTLY IN! South Korea wisely started making test kits before their first case. The country was able to test patients in massive numbers. Now, the country is a success story because they were able to avoid the worst situation possible and now have a decreasing rate of cases.

Finally, the United States’ position as a global superpower is laughable. I mean, just look at it. We are performing the worst in the world right now. We have the highest number of cases. The rate at which people are contracting the virus is only increasing. Also, one would expect that a global superpower would have the best systems. Instead, the opposite is happening. The U.S. is barely surviving, and the situation is only becoming worse.

I hope that this pandemic will foster major change in our country. We need better protocol for the next time this happens. We need to bolster our healthcare system because this pandemic has revealed that our healthcare is too weak. We need better leadership. We need to better support for those who are considered essential workers: those who work in hospitals, those who work in stores, those who work deliver goods. We just need to improve as a whole by learning from this situation. And if this situation doesn’t lead to any significant change, we’re going to continue living in a stupid world.

[thetedpanda]

Guilty of the Past

I was an ignorant fool. I held onto the belief that being part of the LGBT community is wrong, and I acted upon it. Perhaps this stemmed from my upbringing in a Christian household, and on top of that, growing up in a Korean household meant that more conservative ideals were instilled in me. But, I don’t want to merely blame my environment for my past beliefs because the beliefs that I held onto were the beliefs that I chose.

In middle school, I posted online that I was strongly against LGBT, and starting from 8th grade to now, I’ve come to regret such a decision. My action was one that was motivated by hate and bigotry. I am downright ashamed to have done this, and this past will forever be engraved in my memories.

I still hold onto my Christian beliefs. I still believe in the Bible. I still believe in God. But, there is one difference from the “middle school me” and the “present me.” Back then, I held onto the idea that, because homosexuality was a sin according to the Bible, I was to be against it and those who “engaged” in it.

I’ve realized that these past beliefs weren’t necessarily Christian beliefs. Those beliefs were never Christ-centered in the first place.

True Christians are supposed to act upon love. Why? Because Jesus Christ showed love. Of course, Jesus Christ hates sin, but He still died on the cross for everyone on this planet because He loved us. Despite the numerous sins that we commit, He still loved us so much. He looked past our wrongful actions and instead chose to look at us as family, as love ones.

But, for many years, I’ve been living a double standard, failing to adopt the view that Christ has for me. I criticized the LGBT community because homosexuality is a sin, and I refused to see its members as actual people. Even more, I had my own sins. I lie. I have feelings of dislike toward people. I disobey my parents. Many times, I do not treat others with love. In fact, I am very unrighteous. I’m a sinner, too. God hates my sins, too. Nevertheless, He still loves me, and this is the type of view that I should have held.

I shouldn’t have been judging others in the first place. Now, it just saddens me that I took the course of hypocrisy and hate. I was blinded from my own evil and instead, arrogantly pointed out other people’s wrong actions.

I decided to change in 8th grade. I realized that just as everyone around me sins, I was a great sinner, too. Who am I to judge others? I’m no better than anyone else. Thereafter, I tried to not be as judgmental, not be as bigoted toward others. I was more accepting in my view of the LGBT community, and I began to humanize those people in the community. I’ve also realized that these people suffer not only in their slanted society, but also in their own families. I realized that my beliefs and my actions were exacerbating an already existing suffering. If I wanted to be part of the better half of my society, I needed to be compassionate. I needed to be aware of the fact that many people are struggling in this world, and I should be sympathetic. It doesn’t do any good if I mistreat others.

I thank God that He is still able to look past my dirty past and still stick with me, still listen to me, and—most of all—still love me; this is true for everyone else, of course. I know my past transgressions are inexcusable, but I hope that the world in which I live in today will do the same. That’s not to say I want the world to “go easy on me.” I know I don’t deserve forgiveness because forgiveness is only up to the discretion of the person that I have committed a wrong against. I am still responsible for my very actions. But, I hope the world can help me grow as a person.

I have much to improve as a human. But, I believe that I am a better person than I was 5 years ago. I believe that I have become more compassionate. I believe that I have changed. And most importantly, I learned that love should be the basis of how I treat and view others.

[thetedpanda]

all I've been doing this coronacation is watch buzzfeed tasty videos

[thetedpanda]

anne hathaway’s “I dreamed a dream” from les miserables always has me crying

[thetedpanda]

playing the time trial in mario kart gives me a heart attack

[thetedpanda]

playing Handel’s Hallelujah Chorus is the most glorious thing that can happen to a violinist

[thetedpanda]

idk why but whenever I see the word photograph or photo, I always think of the photo channel from Wii

[thetedpanda]

I've been craving a fat burger for over a month now. I can’t go outside because of the quarantine, so once it’s over, I’m gonna get my fat burger.

[thetedpanda]

it’s only been 3 months of 2020, but it already feels like a whole eon

[thetedpanda]

OMG THESE PENGUINS ARE SO CUTE. ALSO, SCREW THAT UGLY BIRD THAT TRIED TO EAT THE BABY PENGUIN.

[thetedpanda]

omg today, I tried to watch one video of ucla gymnastics floor exercise and honestly, I really want to watch the floor routine as well as listen to the floor music but OMG THE FREAKING COMMENTATORS WON’T SHUT UP SO I CANT HEAR THE MUSIC WHEN KATELYN OHASHI IS NAILING HER 10.0 FLOOR EXERCISE. FJKLA;FJKLDAJFKDJAKFLJDAKJFKDLAJFKDAJFLK

[thetedpanda]

lately, I've been obsessed with videos of representative Katie Porter firing questions at congressional hearings. all these business pipsqueaks are scared. also, this CEO keeps on saying “I hAve tO thInK aBouT iT” when the answer to all her questions should have been “NO!” I can't believe this buffoonery in the business world...

[thetedpanda]

school and covid19

a lot of the kids at my school worried about prom and graduation and awards nights (and so am I because we all seniors expecting to do all these stuff but its sad that there's a chance that we won't be doing these things; also i do want to experience prom once) because of the coronavirus, but fingers crossed. also my heart goes out to the performing arts department at my school. choir lost its 7-year streak of winning national championships because the district banned all field trips and competitions. jazz band could not perform for spotlight concert. dance has an upcoming show in April but it is highly probable that the show may be canceled. drama had a thespian competition but it looks like they will not be attending the event. orchestra had one more festival and weekend trip to San Diego but we’re not going anymore; I don’t have any details about our possible trip to Walt Disney Concert Hall. improv show was cancelled (but my friend in improv was happy about this, haha). idk what’s happening with concert band, but they won’t be going anywhere either.

[thetedpanda]

Yesterday, I performed at Segerstrom Hall (specifically the Renee and Henry). I messed up a lot. And I think the whole orchestra did. I led the 2nd violin section because the principal couldn’t, so I filled in for him. I was sweating, A LOT! Anyways, I saw other high schools play, and Tesoro High School was AMAZING! Their rendition of Dvorak was just amazing. I was left speechless. I got chills. I almost cried. Also, let me take a moment to just appreciate their cello section. The cello section wasn’t just playing. The cello section was LIVING, no THRIVING! That section pulsated with life during the Moderato of Dvorak’s Serenade for Strings in E major, Op. 22. Just absolutely lovely.

Also, note: great music doesn’t make you feel only good. Negative emotions like anger and sadness also make music great.

PS: I’m guilty. One of the schools played Beethoven’s Symphony 5, and I gave the biggest eye roll. In the classical music world, Symphony 5 is such a meme. I can’t. So predictable. So “overrated.” A great piece. But, overplayed. Nonetheless, the high school orchestra played just fine. My warmest regards to Oxford Academy. But I do hope I don’t hear Symphony 5 at a concert, again. It’s not even in my classical music playlist. Hahaha...I’m sorry, again. Goodbye. ;-)

[thetedpanda]

I listened to The Bodyguard: The Musical album on Spotify. WOW! Alexandra Burke is such a good singer. Like I know Whitney Houston is the BEST. But Alexandra Burke also NAILED the songs. Just an appreciation post.

[thetedpanda]

super super tuesday.

i voted today!

vote vote vote vote

didn’t let my vote burn to waste !

[thetedpanda]

listening to harp music in the morning is like being blessed with pancakes in the morning, but instead of happening in the mouth, it’s happening in the ears

thank Spotify for making this playlist for me