Too soon?

I am not here to talk about what’s wrong and what’s right. I am sorry for all the families that lost their loved ones in the Connecticut tragedy. This might be too soon for some people but I honestly think that this IS a good opportunity to talk about the public being able to own firearms.

Correct me if I’m wrong, but I think the US is probably the only developed country that legally allows the public to own guns and be able to keep them at their own properties. This, I think, is stupid. It is interesting to see how Americans react to this tragedy compared to people around the world. Some Americans believe that this IS the reason why the public should own firearms, to protect themselves. But to others, this IS the reason why they shouldn’t. To people around the world, this tragedy could’ve been prevented and that Americans have themselves to blame. They think that the general public is able to bear arms is just an absurd idea. What I don’t understand is, if the rest of the developed countries in the world are able to function without privately owned and kept firearms, why can’t US do the same? News reported that the all the victims were found with multiple gunshot wounds. Hypothetically speaking, if the attacker wanted to attack, he is going to do it either way. However, if he could only find a knife to do so, I’m pretty sure the amount of damage he could cause would be significantly lower. The children might have a higher survival rate if they were to be attacked by, say a machete or a knife or a sword. I don’t think anyone is capable of handling such a powerful weapon and that is why people, such as law enforcement, have to go through rigorous training. In UK, only a small amount of police officers carry guns and most of them even preferred to stay unarmed!

With so many studies showing that a high number of gunshot victims in the States is the result of children playing with their parents’ guns, shouldn’t people realize it’s just not good to own firearms themselves?! No matter how ‘safe’ you lock away your guns, we are humans, and we make mistakes. You will forget to lock that drawer you hold your guns. You will forget to put your gun away. Isn’t it better to leave it at the shooting range to minimize the chances of someone else getting to it? I’m pretty sure if a robber comes into your home with a gun, you would be shot dead before you could get to your own gun to protect yourself. And even if you did manage to shoot the robber, do you know how much you need to prove in court to actually justify you shooting that person? Self defense isn’t as easy as it sounds.

I personally think that this gun control issue is a vicious cycle. If the number of firearms in circulation is lower, the chances of someone being able to obtain one will be lower and that the crime someone can act on with a gun will be lower which leads to lower casualty. Your Second Amendment was created in the 18^th century. We’re certainly not living in the 18^th century anymore and I’m pretty sure you have way better technology to protect yourself, such as a phone to call the police, rather than battling it out with the intruder yourself. I understand that if someone is determined to obtain a piece of firearm, s/he will be able to do so no matter what law you put in, but the chances of one actually being able to get one will be significantly lower.

O Kwismustwee~ O Kwimustwee~

Yay! It's December!

Yesterday was my 1 year anniversary working at this museum. I honestly can't believe I've lasted this long since I wanted to quit this job almost every week. Hahaha. Almost all of my friends that I'd made here left me during the past two months... :( I feel that this shows the government will never be able to attract youngsters that are passionate in this field because of all these bureaucracy and hierarchy restrictions at work. Everyone got frustrated and left. Right now, I'm glad my supervisor is super helpful, albeit too busy to really assign work for me, and is trying to settle my next move with another team since nobody here seems to know what to do with me, again. I feel like an orphan most of the time until someone realized that I exist and give me work to do. Really, they should know by now how this works since there's been 4 trainees thus far, with the fifth coming. I honestly wish the new trainee best of luck since I’ll be leaving in 6 months, at the latest. Of course, this means an update of my graduate school status.

I have submitted two out of three of my graduate school applications. Since the third one is my safe school and the deadline isn't till April, I won’t be handing that application unless I failed to get into either of the first two to save me some moolah. Wish me luck!

Before I talk about Xmas and the New Year, let me make a quick recap of my Thanksgiving. I immensely enjoyed my Thanksgiving break and it was such a relaxing vacation for me. I love my home in the States and can't wait to move back there. I miss my own kitchen, which I managed to use once during the 5 days there. I baked these pumpkin doughnuts that everyone complemented and made me warm and fuzzy inside. I finally got to meet everyone in Pete's family and this time, we got to sleep in the same room at his house!!! Hahaha. His mom actually asked us whether we wanted to sleep in the same room as we arrived... didn't even know there's an option~ Saw my friends that I made since Nat Geo days and caught up with college roommate in this 8 days trip and also managed two tours at the Capitol and Library of Congress. Super eventful.

Took down our mega exhibition once I came back to HK. Then a guy that I met during my Nat Geo days from Shaanxi was here for the deinstallation as well, plus he remembered me! What comes around, goes around. Now everyone at the museum is impressed... well, ya... you should be. Hahaha. Anywho, said bye to the terracottas again (and maybe say hi to them in the future for 5 more times).

Looking forward to Xmas! Tree arrived at home, will be decorating this weekend, hopefully. Will probably be making gingerbread houses as well. Also watching BIG BANG's concert this Sat.!!! Super excited about seeing them. Next up will be Dev's Xmas dinner at their family's new place. Yay~