Audi Driving Experience

This year's Audi Driving Experience was much better than last year's. Instead of just one measly lap around the race track, we were able to drive about 3.75 laps around the Auto Club Speedway track with the new 2009 Audi A4's. Also, we were able to drive around an autocross track in the parking lot with the A4's along with their direct competitors: the BMW 328xi, Lexus IS250 AWD, and Mercedes C300 4Matic AWD. Last year, we just drove the Audi line-up around the autocross track. It was kinda chaotic because you have to quickly get in and get out of the cars so that everyone can get a turn driving the cars within the short time allotted. This year seemed better organized.

They split the group into 2 different autocross tracks while another group got to drive around the Speedway Track where some NASCAR races are held.

One track went clockwise while another clock went counter-clockwise. I liked the counter-clockwise course better. It seemed better laid out. I had no problem on that one and was able to drift around the first big turn.

The clockwise track was a different story. This course seemed to be laid out entirely wrong. The turns were just not proportioned properly for great drifts. I love stomping on the gas pedal and really making the cars scream out in pain. Unfortunately, when I was driving the BMW, I mashed the throttle trying to drift around the last turn but the car understeered horribly into the cones. I got a scolding by one of the instructors. Hopefully, I'll be invited back next year.

All the cars were All Wheel Drive (AWD) so that we can compare the Audi Quattro system to the competition. The Mercedes C300 4Matic was last place in my book because of the soft suspension. The car seemed to fishtail around corners. The Lexus IS 250 AWD was 3rd. They should have had the IS 350, but they said that would make it much more expensive. So, we got the underpowered IS 250 which was sluggish getting to the first major turn. In 2nd place was the BMW 328xi. It was excellent handling (except for the part when it understeered into the cones), but the Audi A4 Quattro performed the best. Their new Audi Drive Select System is awesome. You can select between comfort, auto, and dynamic. It can also automatically sense changes to your driving and accommodate the input accordingly. You can also manually change individual settings like accelerator response, shift points for the automatic transmission, amount of power steering assistance, steering ratio, the electronically adjustable shock absorbers, and a number of other chassis settings just like in a race car. There is a ton of technology packed into this car. The new 2009 model looks elegant on the outside, and I still think that Audi's have the best looking interiors out of all the other manufacturers.

The Audi A4's handled pretty well along the Speedway track. I love the way it handled. If only I could have driven the RS4 or the R8. That would have been awesome.

After driving the awesome new A4's around the track, we were able to sign up to drive a different car from Audi's line-up. I was able to drive the TT and the A3.

I had an absolute blast drifting around the turns in the TT. That little sports car is a ton of fun to drive. The track was just perfect for testing out the handling capabilities of the car. About 4 cars followed closely behind the instructor in a paceline. The TT was just so nimble I was able to flick it around turns and mash the throttle for some drifting action. The A3 was pretty good too for a station wagon. I'm sorry I think it likes to be called a sport wagon, especially since it was Audi's S-line, which is their sporty line.

This was definitely a fun event to go to especially for car maniacs such as myself. Last year, I was able to drive the S5. The new 2009 A4 looks like it was modeled after the A5/S5 except with 4 doors. I can't wait for next year.

Pasadena Marathon

There were no actual fires in Pasadena during this latest batch of L.A. wildfires, but the Marathon was canceled due to very poor air quality. The afternoon before the race, you could see smoke across the entire sky of L.A. I went to the Marathon Expo the day before and nobody said anything about canceling. The air quality got worse as the day progressed. There were so many fires going on at the same time: Montecito, Santa Barabara, Yorba Linda, Brea, Corona, Diamond Bar, Placerita, Sylmar. It seemed that L.A. was in a warzone with all the smoke in the air.

I still biked to the marathon bike tour by 6:00 a.m. When I got there I saw people on bikes, but there weren't that many people. When I asked when the race was starting, someone told me it was canceled due to the smoke. I think it's going to be rescheduled to another date. I had some time, so I biked to church by 7:00 a.m. and then biked back home in the late afternoon. There was so much nasty smoke in the air, it felt like I smoked a pack of cigarettes after my bike ride.

I feel bad for the thousands of people who lost their homes in the fires. This a tough time with the economy falling apart and now the fires burning L.A. County. Most of the homes that burned down are located near the mountains. Now I know never to buy a home in the hills...if we can ever afford to buy a home in L.A. Homes in L.A. are still ridiculously expensive despite all the foreclosures.

2008-2009 Sunday School Classes

The Sunday School Faculty: James JDSN, John, Ji Yeon, Pearl, Hye Jin "Grace Bae", Soo Jin, Tony "PonJin", Jun, Eun Jung, Sarah, Kate, HeeJin "Irene", Grace Lee, Michelle "MJ" "Moon Jung", Jenny, Sharon, David.






5th Grade Class: Teachers: David, Jun, Michelle.





6th Grade Class: Teachers: Eun Jung, Kate.






1st Grade Class: Teacher: Jenny.





1st Grade Class: Teachers: Grace Lee and Grace "Hye Jin" Bae.





4th Grade Class: Teacher: John Moon.





3rd Grade Class: Teachers: Tony "Pon Jin" and Soo Jin Koo.





3rd Grade Class: Teachers: Sharon Park, Pearl.






2nd Grade Class: Teachers: Sarah, Ji Yeon, Whoony (Not Pictured).

Also not pictured: Joseph Teacher (4th Grade).



Here are the pictures of this year's classes. Everyone looks really great! Thanks to Jay for taking the professional pictures. Click on the pictures to view a larger image.

4th Wedding Anniversary

Today is our fourth wedding anniversary. I can't believe it. The years go by so fast. It's like a dream. On one hand, time went by so quickly. On the other hand, it's hard for me to imagine my life without Sarah. I can hardly remember what life was like before I married Sarah. My single years are like a distant memory now. Well, I've always had a bad memory. I'm always thinking about the future and not the past. This blog helps me to remember the things I've done in my life.

Since Sarah works until late at night on many weekdays, including today, we went out yesterday when she was not scheduled to work. We went out to one of our favorite local Japanese restaurants. After that we ran some errands at Target and Bed Bath & Beyond. Whenever we go shopping, it feels like we've been shopping all day long.

It's my blog's 4th Anniversary as well. I wanted to make a new template for the 4th Anniversary, but Sarah said my template was fine. That's cool with me, because I just don't have time to tinker with different layouts and stuff. I kind of get obsessive with stuff, and that would take a long time. It feels like my life is getting busier and busier all the time. It's hard to get all the stuff I want to do and get done accomplished. I'm always running behind. Such is life.

Holy Eve

Everyone had a blast at the Holy Eve celebration on Friday, October 31. We had a rousing worship and praise time. Then, we had delicious snacks. Finally, we had a night of fun relay games.

Most of the pictures are of children praying since it was a lot easier to take pictures of them when they're sitting still. The pictures of the games turned out to be too blurry due to shutter lag and speedy kids.

Celebrating Holy Eve at church with our friends was so much better than going out and trick-or-treating. It was a lot safer and wholesome than wandering out at night in dangerous neighborhoods.

You can see the Sunday School blog at:

www.bsbckids.blogspot.com

or click the link below:

BBQ Fellowship Dinner

We had a bbq fellowship dinner for the teachers at BSBC church at Eun Jung and John's house. Everyone seemed to be really hungry especially since the Korean BBQ Calbee (Kalbi, Galbi, however you choose to spell it) was so good. In fact, I was so busy eating, I forgot to take pictures earlier in the day.

After everyone was stuffed from eating the delicious triple berry cheese cake, we played some games. As the fellowship director, Pastor James appointed me as the Game Master. We had fun playing a few games such as Smackers, Tell me, tell me lies, and Never Ever Have I.

There were a lot of people who attended. Those who attended were James, Sarah, Ji Yeon, Miju, Irene, Jenny, Michelle, Jun, Erwin, Fenny, Tony, Soojin, Whoony, Grace, Laura Kim and her husband, Richard, Olga, Mikey, Jonah, and Tyler.

In the morning I ran to church again. My legs and feet were hurting, especially my left foot. I was running on the concrete sidewalk for almost 13 miles. I think the slants in the sidewalks whenever there were driveways, were affecting the way my foot landed. My foot was landing a little bit at an angle. After thousands of those footsteps, my foot really began to hurt. Plus, I only slept an hour the night before. I was so tired, I couldn't think straight. When it was my turn to do QT quiet time sharing, all the wonderful things I planned to say turned into crap. I couldn't remember a thing, and everything I said sounded dumb.

Honda Ya Japanese Restaurant

On Saturday, Sarah and I had dinner with Andy and Ayako. I haven't seen them since their wedding back in March. These days it's hard to meet up with friends since our schedules are so busy. We met at Honda Ya in Tustin. The food was good, but Japanese restaurants usually don't give enough food for me. I could eat those $6 sushi rolls in one bite. Afterward, we ate at Yogurtland. I liked the fact that you could make your own cup of frozen yogurt from the big variety of flavors they have. It's cheaper than Pink Berry's, but Sarah likes Pink Berry's better than Yogurt Land. Then, we went to a pumpkin patch and saw some farm animals. We went grocery shopping at the new Korean H Market and bought some food. Earlier that day we bought a lot of stuff, ran some errands, and bought an ottoman at a furniture store.

Naples

Sarah and I had a good time riding our bikes along the canals of Naples. It's quiet and peaceful there. It seems like a fairytale land with gondolas going by and wind chimes in the air.

On Sunday morning, I ran to church. I was only able to get an hour of sleep. Trying to sleep early when I usually sleep at a later time backfires horribly. I'm just too much of a light sleeper and am too sensitive to noises. I just couldn't fall asleep. Plus, I was kept awake by some cats having an orgy. These neighborhood cats were having such loud cat sex by screaming their little lungs out that I couldn't sleep. They sound like little kids crying and screaming for hours.

I think it takes about a week to fully adjust to a new sleep schedule. I can't just go to sleep at 10:00 p.m. when I sleep later at 1:00 a.m. and expect to sleep soundly through the night.

Anyway, I ran 13 miles to church. It took me about 1 hour 45 minutes. Since I left a little early, I got there at 6:30 a.m. The church was locked, so I ran all the way to Whoony's house and ran back to church. I just got there a few seconds before they opened the door at 7:00 a.m. I ran almost 18 miles. After that, I was really tired. The last couple of miles really tired me out. I had blisters on my feet and sore muscles for a couple of days.

I need to start training for the L.A. Marathon and Triathlon for next year.

Long Beach Marathon Bike Tour

It was a pretty cold Sunday morning when I started biking. I was just in my short sleeve jersey and short lycra shorts. I knew that I would start getting hot after biking for awhile so I didn't wear my long sleeve jersey. I had to spin really fast in order to increase my body temperature. It started at 6:00 a.m. so it was dark. One old guy fell when he either hit a pole or the curb when he was riding in a pack. He was crying out in pain. I wanted to stop and help him, but there was a woman who was already running out to help him. I think she was a volunteer. I'm sure she would have done a better job of assisting him than I could have.

There was a shorter Filipino rider who was really fast. All the tall riders seemed to be amazed at his speed. At the mile 25 mark, I started sprinting towards the finish. Unfortunately, that last mile seemed pretty long. I think I started sprinting too early. It was a 26.2 mile ride. There was still 0.2 miles to go and I got passed by the Filipino rider at the end. I almost ran into one of the volunteers at the Finish Line who was trying to slow me down as he was yelling at me "This is not a race!"

Then, I sped back in my car to church and got there before the 8:00 a.m. service.

My First Blog Award

Thank you to Portia from her multi-award winning blog, Groove On.

She has passed on this lovely award to me. I only hope that I can live up to this award. Sometimes, I feel I am unworthy, especially since I don't like editing my work. I just like recording my thoughts and moving on to my next project.

I know that my blog is long overdue for a newer version. I've got to find something cool for the 4th anniversary of my blog which is coming in November.

Check out Portia's Blog "Groove On" here:

http://grooveonward.blogspot.com/

or click on the link here:

Biking to San Diego

This past Saturday, I went with the Young Nak Cycling Team to San Diego. Personally, I think it was the most fun road bike ride ever. Cycling along the coast for 100 miles was really fun and the views were breathtaking. The YNC team had great support along the way. They had snacks, lunch, and dinner stops. There were 15 riders total. It was a charity ride raising money for the community around Young Nak Church. I'd totally like to ride there again. Sorry for the lack of updates these past few weeks, but I've been working non-stop. Some days I didn't even sleep. It was the toughest few weeks ever for me in terms of lack of sleep. I seemed to have gotten used to surviving on 3 hours of sleep a day. Other days were worse than some though.

Last Thursday, the Young Nak Cycling team had a carbo-load dinner at the Olive Garden to get ready for the ride to San Diego.

The riders were Joel, Joshua, Phil, Michelle, Yun Hui, Brian, George, Kirk, Tallis, John, Ken, Steve, John, Jay, and me. We also had delicious Hodad's $12 hamburgers at the end of the ride in Mission Bay, San Diego. I wish I took better pictures along the way, but I was biking too fast to be taking pictures.

Next time, I want to bike to San Diego and back to Los Angeles. That will make it over 265 miles round trip for me. I will have to make sure I bring enough drinks, money for food, and know the directions back home without getting lost at night. I'll also have to make it back to church at 7:00 a.m. the next day. Now that will be a challenge.

Sorry my post is all over the place. As you can tell, I don't like editing my posts. I just like recording my thoughts as fast as possible and then moving on to the next thing in my life. Although, I probably should work on my editing skills.

Biking to Naples and Other Bike Adventures

Naples

I biked from my place to Long Beach, Naples, Seal Beach, and back. It was a 70 mile round trip that took me 5 hours total time including breaks and my bike travel photography sessions. I took the Los Angeles River Trail down to Long Beach. I biked to Belmont Shores and then to Naples.

Naples is like a Californian version of Venice, Italy. There are homes along the canals, and you can even ride on gondolas. I think it's a great place to walk and see the nice homes there. I might come back here with Sarah and ride around here. I think it's quite lovely.

After that, I biked to Seal Beach. I took the San Gabriel River Trail up. I got another freakin' flat tire as I started biking back home. I tried to pump my rear tire up, but my mini-pump sucks. I can only put in about 20 psi instead of the 120 psi needed. I just tried to be careful biking home. Somehow, I was still able to average over 20 mph going back up. I was passing everyone left and right even on my low pressure tires. I took a bunch of drinks and powerbars so I had enough energy to get back home.

I need to get CO2 inflators so that I can pump air in my tires quickly. I also should get slime self-sealing bike tubes so that the tubes seals themselves up when I get a flat.

The beginning of the L.A. River Trail is terrible. It starts in the City of Vernon which is not a good area. This is mostly a warehouse district. There are terrible roads filled with glass. There are cars and semi-trucks that almost hit me as they pass really close by. The City needs to make the bike paths better by extending it all the way up the river instead of stopping the project right in the middle of this terrible place.


La Tuna Canyon Revisited

I went back to La Tuna Canyon. In my previous post, I wrote that I got 3 flat tires each time I tried to bike there. On my last ride there, I was able to successfully conquer that road without any flats! Yaay! Well, I did get a slow leak after I did the L.A. Triathlon, but I did not get any flats on the ride. The horse mom and colt in La Tuna Canyon where I fixed my flat seemed happy to see me as well.

I biked 50 miles in less than 3 hours when I went there and back. Unfortunately, one of my extra Gatorade bottles fell out of my bike jersey back pocket when I was in aero tuck position going fast downhill. All these cars kept running over my Gatorade bottle! Dang it! I was thirsty, but I wanted to save that bottle for my ride back.

YNC Cycling

I went cycling with YNC Cycling again this past weekend. We had even more riders show up. This time I didn't get any flats, but another rider did. We rode about 50 miles as a group. I rode over 70, because I bike to the rides and back home.

Correy took videos of the cyclists for church. Joel was preparing for the Nautica Malibu Triathlon the next day. His wife, Christina, came to run in a race in Pasadena. Phil, George, Thomas, John, David Park, Joshua, Yun Hui, and Ken Chong were also there to ride. We had another great ride riding to Duarte from the Rose Bowl. We biked all around the San Gabriel Valley area. We also had a bike clinic at Performance Cyclery in Pasadena. One of the employees gave us a clinic on bike maintenance. I can't wait for our next ride. I'm pumped up for the ride down to San Diego. We'll be meeting in Long Beach and riding down to San Diego for a 100+ mile ride. I'm going to be biking to the starting point in Long Beach so that will add another 30+ miles to the ride.