Today, I had a wonderful experience at California Academy of Science’s new pre-opening event. I’m so much in love with this city (and inner Richmond) again.
California Academy of Science consists of Acquarium, Planetarium, and exhibition of many interesting creatures such as aligators and penguins. Today, Planetarium was still not open. But I am very interested in going back there again to see it. They also have an educational space for people to make a research. They are going to open for public for free on their grand-opening day, which is September 27th Saturday. So, don’t miss it!!
First time I heard they are making acquarium in Golden Gate Park, my cynical side thought “another waste of money…first of all, what kind of acquarium can they make in a middle of park?” Well, they made one of the best acquarium I’ve ever been in my life!!! While I was in the building, I completely forgot that I was in Golden Gate Park.
One of the factors contributing to the success of this museum is that it takes you to the great scientistic world. There are so many undiscovered things in this world. And people romanticize them, and try to find out. I think that’s what is science is all about. Even though I am not the “scientist type,” and certainly all the science classes (physics, chemistry, biology) weren’t my favorites, I felt like I became a kid again, who is wondering and excited about all the mysteries in this world.
Here’s alittle preview for you.
There are many many kinds of creatures from ancient period.
You also can have a view of the fish tank from the bottom, which is very cool and surrealistic view. It looks like fishes are flying in the sky.
I’ve been a huge fan of acquarium. I can spend hours and hours just looking at fish. But I think in this acquarium, anybody can spend hours.
Jason Mraz’s new album, We Sing. We Dance. We Steal Thing succeeded to make him transform from “a” artist to “the” artist. The album has sold over 35,000 copies just in US until now, and it is currenly ranked second in iTune’s most downloaded album. I think after he became 30, he started to be more laid back although his personality hasn’t changed. He’s still a funny, playful, and explicit dude. The album makes me feel like I am on a trip to Caribbean or Hawaii. It shows what kind of person he is, his lifestyle, and what’s great in life to us. Mercifulness. People you care about care about you. That’s my most important element in any form of art. By the way, I worship Sting religiously for the same reason. What’s really great in life? The answer should be already in you. If you still don’t get it, listen to this album. It might help you.
You can listen to the album here ↓ It’s in the order of my favorite though.
My initial purpose to watch this film was solely for the extra credit in my Econ class although I was alittle intrigued that this documentary film was put on the screen as well as any other Hollywood movies. However, after the film, I’m really glad that I watched it.
The film is about the reality of the United States’ huge deficit, which most of the people are unaware of. $8.7 Trillion. That is just too far amount beyond my imagination. It is 264% of GDP. And it’s still growing.
Imagine the United States as one big family. Under president George W. Bush administration, which is like a bad parenting, by Tax cuts and money supply (which causes high inflation), American citizens have become like spoiled kids given credit cards. They have no idea about the family’s financial situation and they spend money as much as they want. Consequently, it caused subprime issues already. Like any other normal family, there’re only two ways to decrease their deficit. 1) Increase their revenue. 2) Decrease their spending. With all the deficit they already had, simply, they could not afford tax cuts. And 911, Iraqi War, and Hurricane Katrina happened, which resulted in huge adds on spending. What is going to happen when Baby Boomer generation retires? Can we take care of them with this debt?
Until I saw this truth, I thought American people are very rich. Luxury cars, gorgeous house, expensive lifestyle (gym, foods, gas, and etc.), traveling for weekends, and extravagant tastes (designer’s clothes, upper scale furniture, and etc.). I’ve seen many people from any other countries, but I feel American people have the most luxurious lifestyle. Maybe it is a time for us to review our lifestyle and to be back to the old style; spend alittle and save money for the future.
P.S. I couldn’t tell what I.O.U.S.A stands for. If anybody knows…?
