Phillip Yang - The daily news of his life

Dear John:

You've got the grades. You've certainly got the PSAT scores. And now you've got a letter from MIT. Maybe you're surprised. Most students would be.

But you're not most students. And that's exactly why I urge you to consider carefully one of the most selective universities in America.

The level of potential reflected in your performance is a powerful indicator that you might well be an excellent candidate for MIT. It certainly got my attention!

Engineering's not for you? No problem. It may surprise you to learn we offer more than 40 major fields of study, from architecture to brain and cognitive sciences, from economics (perhaps the best program in the country) to writing.

What? Of course, you don't want to be bored. Who does? Life here *is* tough *and* demanding, but it's also *fun*. MIT students are imaginative and creative - inside and outside the classroom.

You're interested in athletics? Great! MIT has more varsity teams - 39 - than almost any other university, and a tremendous intramural program so everybody can participate.

You think we're too expensive? Don't be too sure. We've got surprises for you there, too.

Why not send the enclosed Information Request to find out more about this unique institution? Why not do it right now?

Sincerely,

Michael C. Benhke
Director of Admissions

P.S. If you'd like a copy of a fun-filled, fact-filled brochure, "Insight," just check the appropriate box on the form.

May 5, 1994

Michael C. Behnke
MIT Director of Admissions
Office of Admissions, Room 3-108
Cambridge MA 02139-4307

Now here is a letter in response to Michael from MIT...

Dear Michael:

You've got the reputation. You've certainly got the pomposity. And now you've got a letter from John Mongan. Maybe you're surprised. Most universities would be.

But you're not most universities. And that's exactly why I urge you to carefully consider one of the most selective students in America, so selective that he will choose only *one* of the thousands of accredited universities in the country.

The level of pomposity and lack of tact reflected in your letter is a powerful indicator that your august institution might well be a possibility for John Mongan's future education. It certainly got my attention!

Don't want Bio-Chem students? No problem. It may surprise you to learn that my interests cover over 400 fields of study, from semantics to limnology, from object-oriented programming (perhaps one of the youngest professionals in the country) to classical piano.

What? Of course you don't want egotistical jerks. Who does? I *am* self-indulgent *and* over confident, but I'm also amusing. John Mongan is funny and amusing - whether you're laughing with him or at him.

You're interested in athletes? Great! John Mongan has played more sports - 47 - than almost any other student, including oddball favorites such as Orienteering.

You think I can pay for your school? Don't be too sure. I've got surprises for you there, too.

Why not send a guaranteed admission and full scholarship to increase your chance of being selected by John Mongan? Why not do it right now?

Sincerely,
John Mongan

P.S. If you'd like a copy of a fun-filled, fact-filled brochure, "John Mongan: What a Guy!" just ask.

He should just get admitted into the school just for that.

Posted by Phillip Yang at 10:28 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Posted by Phillip Yang at 05:11 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

I am currently in my third day of working with the Community Development Commission CDC for the Los Angeles County and got a chance to work with several people such as William Huang, Larry, John, Blair, and many others within this organization.

Today's trip was a particular interest to me because of the opportunity to visit many places such as the county building where all the supervisors were debating the issues on their agenda including my professor in my PPD 225 who was a deputy for Supervisor Antonovich. After an interesting meeting with Carlos Jackson in the "back room" where all the deals are discussed and many questions are answered informally.

We had a chance to visit skid row in Los Angeles and saw two public work projects called the George Hotel & Rainbow Apartments. Rainbow apartments received enormous attention for not their homeless program but its architecture. These buildings offer services such as rehabilitation, drug counseling, and many other programs to help low income individuals make a positive step towards improvement. Many of the apartments are subsidized and often paid for by the CDC and non profit organizations. After visiting one of the poorest region in the city, we were then sent up for a meeting between the director and a group of lawyers who specialize in the emerging New Market Tax Credit program. The location was at the US Bank Tower in downtown and the picture above was the view I had before entering the building.

Overall, I had a great experience and I highly recommend this externship to anybody who wishes to experience a government job in any agency. I am going to participate in it next year so contact me if you need more info. I have 3 more days left!

Posted by Phillip Yang at 06:40 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Song: My Chemical Romance - Welcome to the Black Parade

When I heard this song, it struck me hard.

When I was a young boy, My father took me into the city To see a marching band. He said, "Son when you grow up, will you be the saviour of the broken, The beaten and the damned?" He said "Will you defeat them, your demons, and all the non believers, the plans that they have made?" Because one day I leave you, A phantom to lead you in the summer, To join the black parade."

When I was a young boy,
My father took me into the city
To see a marching band.
He said,
"Son when you grow up, will you be the saviour of the broken,
The beaten and the damned?"

Sometimes I get the feeling she's watching over me.
And other times I feel like I should go. Through it all, the rise and fall, the bodies in the streets.
When you're gone we want you all to know We'll Carry on,
We'll Carry on
Though your dead and gone believe me Your memory will carry on
Carry on
We'll carry on
And in my heart I cant contain it
The anthem wont explain it.

And we will send you reeling from decimated dreams
Your misery and hate will kill us all
So paint it black and take it back
Lets shout it loud and clear
Do you fight it to the end
We hear the call to
[ these lyrics found on http://www.completealbumlyrics.com ]
To carry on
We'll carry on
Though your dead and gone believe me Your memory will carry on
We'll carry on
And though you're broken and defeated You're weary widow marches on

And on we carry through the fears
Ooh oh ohhhh
Disappointed faces of your peers Ooh oh ohhhh
Take a look at me cause
I could not care at all Do or die
You'll never make me
Cause the world, will never take my heart
You can try, you'll never break me
Want it all,
I'm gonna play this part
Wont explain or say i'm sorry
I'm not ashamed,
I'm gonna show my scar
You're the chair, for all the broken Listen here, because it's only..
I'm just a man,
I'm not a hero
Just a boy, who's meant to sing this song
Just a man,
I'm not a hero
I -- don't -- care
Carry on
We'll carry on
Though your dead and gone believe me Your memory will carry on
We'll carry on
And though you're broken and defeated You're weary widow marches on
We'll carry on
We'll carry on
We'll carry on
We'll carry
We'll carry on

I never meant to hurt

Posted by Phillip Yang at 01:19 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)