30 things about me

1. 

    My name is Jinho Kim, 김진호, in Korean. In Chinese character, Jin stands for being ‘real’, and Ho stands for a ‘lake’, which makes my name a Real-Lake Kim. My grandfather gave me the name, since he hoped me to be a person that everyone likes to be nearby. My 자 for 성년례 ‘하연’ also has the similar meaning, a ‘summer pond’, which my mom suggested me, to also have people nearby and give them energy. I really like my name, which made my email to be real.lake050317@gmail.com.

2. 

    I was born on March 17th, 2005, at 3:15 PM. Having a birthday in March comes with its share of both positive and negative aspects. On the positive side, I often find myself being the first among my friends to celebrate my birthday, granting me the privilege of playfully insisting that they address me as "bro." Additionally, my early birthday has afforded me certain advantages, such as being able to watch movies rated for older age groups, like 12+ or 15+, before my peers. It has also allowed me to take on responsibilities such as calling an Uber in America as an 18+, going through border interviews by myself, and having access to my own bank account and online purchasing capabilities earlier than others. However, there is also a downside to having a March birthday, particularly during my younger years. Since the school year had just begun, and I hadn't yet formed close relationships with my classmates, I often found myself lacking sufficient celebration for my birthday. Having birthday in March meant that my early birthday didn't receive the same level of excitement and recognition as those of my peers who had their birthdays later in the year.

3. 

    During my elementary school years, I had the privilege of attending Cheongwon Elementary School, a private institution in Nowon-gu, Seoul. While most students and their parents had to pay big amount of tuition fees for an 'Elementary School', I was fortunate enough to receive free education at this esteemed establishment. This was made possible because my mother worked as a physics teacher at Cheongwon High School, which shared the same founder and educational institution. Looking back, I hold fond memories of my time at Cheongwon Elementary School. I would wake up early at 7 a.m., accompanying my mother on her way to work, and then engage in spirited football matches with my friends, starting from the early morning. I also had the pleasure of encountering exceptional teachers who left a lasting impression on me. There were two years in which my elementary education was interrupted since my family's temporarily moved to the United States. During that time, I attended Mary Paxton Keeley Elementary School, located in Boone County, Columbia, Missouri. This experience brought a mix of positive and negative memories. I cherish the moments spent playing American football with my friends and participating in exciting school fairs. However, there were also instances that left a negative mark, such as receiving a detention for being involved in a food fight with a group of 30 kids in the cafeteria or receiving a 'yellow card' for being late to class after recess. Despite these challenges, the overall experience at Mary Paxton Keeley Elementary School contributed to my growth and provided me with a diverse set of memories.

4. 

    During my middle school years, I attended to Eonju Middle School, a public institution located in Gangnam-gu, Seoul. My parents held the belief that all children in Gangnam were kind-hearted and work hard on their school works, which influenced their decision to send me to Eonju. Unfortunately, their belief didn't align with the reality I encountered. Eonju Middle School was where all the gangsters nearby attended. It was interesting to witness students smoking in the school hallways, engaging in post-school alcohol consumption, getting into fights with students from other schools (and sometimes being part of those myself as one of the crowds), senselessly breaking classroom windows with their fists, sneaking out of school to enjoy a tasty lunch (which I also participated in), or even resorting to extreme measures like jumping out of third-floor classroom windows just to reach the soccer field faster. Despite the chaotic environment, I do have some enjoyable memories from my time at Eonju Middle School, most of which revolve around playing football. It is true that times at Eonju let me have fun with whole bunch of funny guys, but also made me become one of the dumb kid. Thankfully, in my final year at Eonju, circumstances allowed me to spend most of my time away from the school grounds. With the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, I had the fortune of attending online classes from the comfort of my room, although I must admit that I occasionally used this opportunity to catch up on sleep. Based on my experiences, I would not choose Eonju as a school for my own children. 

5. 

    Sports have played a pivotal role in shaping my identity. From a very young age, I developed an immense love for sports, which was greatly influenced by my family members, particularly my sports enthusiast mother. How many people can say their moms are well-versed in Jacob DeGrom's Hall of Fame prospects, Lamar Jackson's new contract, or the greatness of Miroslav Klose? Growing up with my mom's sports fan DNA, I naturally became a teenager who could engage in discussions about a wide range of sports with fans of each respective sport. Whether it's football, soccer, baseball, MMA, F1 racing, tennis, fencing, or countless other sports, I have immersed myself in the knowledge and excitement surrounding each one. Beyond being a spectator, I actively participate in sports myself. In fact, my involvement in sports is evident through my membership in four different sports clubs during my time at KMLA, two of which I initiated. Whether it was soccer, baseball, fencing, or flag football, I dedicated myself to each team, working hard and cherishing every moment spent as part of the collective effort. Sports serve as more than just a source of everyday energy and a hobby for me; they act as a effective tool for building relationships and connecting with others who share the same passion.

6. 

    Being born as a sports fan, I found myself being deeply invested in my teams, sometimes to the point of being labeled a hooligan. I have supported numerous sports teams throughout my life, including Manchester City in soccer, the Cardinals in baseball, Ferrari in F1 racing, and the University of Missouri in college sports. However, my strongest love lies with the Kansas City Chiefs in the NFL, a team that has earned the prestigious title of three-time Super Bowl champions. During my two years in America, I developed a profound affection for American football, particularly the Kansas City Chiefs. Since the stadium was close from the city I used to live, just an hour and a half away, allowed me to establish a deep connection with the team. Despite their challenging season with a 2-14 record at the time I fell in love with them, I became an die hard Chiefs fan. I fell in love by the players, the passionate fanbase, and the team's strong spirit. In recent seasons, being a Chiefs fan has been an absolute joy. From the exhilaration of drafting a talented quarterback from Texas to witnessing the team secure two Super Bowl victories and witnessing the rise of a franchise star on his path to becoming one of the GOATs, the last few seasons have exceeded all my expectations. My allegiance to the Chiefs runs deep, and the team's success has only made my loyalty to the team stronger. It's safe to say that my blood will forever run red. (Which actually is)

7. 

    As a role model, I admire two people, Tim Berners-Lee, and Dennis Ritchie. Both two are the legends in the field of computer science, both following their faith, not the profit they could have made. Tim was the one who made the World Wide Web, which allows us to access to web, the internet, and all the informations. He could have sell the license to a big tech company, and become a billionaire himself, but he did not. Instead, he opened his inventions to the public, and granted everyone to gain a free access on the internet. On the other hand, Dennis was the one who made the C language and the UNIX system. C language is one of the most important computer programming languages ever made, from letting humans to have PCs to give human the ability to fly outside their own planet and to get to the moon. Also, the UNIX system lies on the very bottom of the operating systems we all use in daily basis, such as Windows, or Mac OS. Dennis also did not choose to commercialize his own inventions, he let everyone use C language and UNIX systems for free. These two people help me set a strong values; to make the world a better place with the skills I have.

8. 

    During my teenage years, I was an ardent fan of rap music. I had an aversion to songs with melodic singing and instead fell in love towards the captivating rhythms and powerful lyrical content found in rap. One artist who I most liked during that time was Kendrick Lamar. I admired his exceptional rap skills, the thought-provoking messages he conveyed through his lyrics, and his unique style as an individual. I always argued that there was no artist superior to Kendrick, and this belief remained unchanged for a long time. However, as time went on, my musical preferences began to evolve. I started exploring other genres, gradually expanding my listening habits. While there are still certain genres that don't resonate with me, I have developed an appreciation for a broader range of music. I find myself drawn to modern genres like alternative R&B and alternative soul. Artists such as Mac Miller, SZA, and Steve Lacy have become some of my newfound favorites, and I can proudly recommend their music to others. At one point, I also developed a hobby of collecting vinyl records. It brought me joy to gather albums that I loved, admire the intricate album covers, and experience a sense of pride as my collection grew. However, I eventually discontinued this hobby for two reasons. Firstly, it became quite expensive to buy each one of it, and secondly, I began questioning the practicality of purchasing a physical medium meant for playing music only to have it sit on a shelf.

9. 

    Throughout my life, I have had variety of hobbies, each contributing to my personal growth and sense of fulfillment. Among these hobbies, one that stands out as particularly unique, at least in my eyes, is my passion for collecting money. It all began during my time in the US when I developed an interest in collecting coins. The quarters caught my attention since their designs were all different which represented each states. This fascination quickly spread to my father, and together we started our journey in the world of coin collecting. In fact, our dedication to completing the collection led us to exchange an entire $50 bill for quarters at the laundry room in hotel just to find the Texas quarter, the only piece missing from our set. In addition to coins, I also have a collection of bills from various countries. From a standard 5 euro bill to a specially issued polymer Canadian dollar bill, I found it so interesting to collect currency from different nations. I even requested a Jordanian coin from a friend I met at international competition, which shows my passion towards the money collecting. Collecting money caught my interest since it allows me to feel each country's unique cultures, artistic styles, and historical backgrounds. Simply by examining the notes and coins, we can gain a glimpse into the heritage and stories of different nations. For me, collecting money is not just about money itself; it is a way to connect with the world, expand my knowledge, and appreciate the beauty and diversity that exists beyond my culture.

10. 

    As many know, my greatest academic passion resides within the field of computer science. My love affair with computers began long ago, back when I first delved into the realm of programming using block coding tools at my elementary school. Since then, I started to study about diverse field of computer science, from CPUs to AI models. Over time, my fascination with computers has only grown, transforming me into a person who always stays in front of a laptop screen for whole bunch of hours, with dry eyes and aching wrists.

11. 

    I have been to many countries during my 18-year short period of life since both my parents and I love to travel abroad. I have visited countries near, such as Japan, China, and Thailand, as well as countries far away, such as the US, Canada, Mexico, and Italy. I have been to various countries and experienced diverse cultures in each of them. My love for traveling will not decrease as I continue to live. I hope to have enough money and time to travel freely when I grow up.

12. 

    I was also a big fan of planes as I grew up. It wasn't just about the aircraft itself; I also enjoyed comparing the paint designs of different flight carriers to determine which ones were cool and which ones weren't. I preferred taking flights with carriers I hadn't been on before and enjoyed visiting as many airports as possible. However, this eventually made our family trips more challenging because I would urge my parents to stop over in other countries and take different carriers, even when direct flights were available. For example, during our family's trip to Italy, despite the availability of direct flights, I would plead with my parents to make a transit stop in Qatar to catch a different flight. Just so you know, Delta's new plane paint design is currently my favorite.

13. 

    I do not enjoy watching movies. I find it challenging to sit in front of the screen for more than two hours, keeping my mouth shut, fully concentrating on a fictional story, and becoming tense from the ongoing narrative. However, I do have a few favorite movies, for instance, 'Interstellar', 'American Sniper', 'Gifted', and 'Moneyball'. I like these movies because they are quite realistic, convey strong messages, and allow me to ponder the hidden meanings within them. When I find a movie interesting, I watch it repeatedly until I can develop my own interpretation of it. By the way, I highly recommend all four of the  movies mentioned above as they were fascinating to me.

14. 

    Although I generally don't dislike many foods, there are a few that I strongly dislike. My biggest aversion is towards cucumbers, followed by eggplants. Additionally, unlike most people, I don't enjoy eating chocolates because I find them too sweet. For the same reason, I dislike candies as well. Moreover, I don't have a liking for any coffee-related products, including not only a cup of coffee but even coffee-flavored milk or coffee-flavored candies.

15. 

    I rarely find myself shedding tears, which might come as a surprise to many. It's been an incredibly long time since I last experienced the release of tears (except when yawning). Whether I'm feeling sad, depressed, angry, scared, or even incredibly happy, tears simply don't come. Even when watching a profoundly heartbreaking movie or reading a deeply moving book, my eyes remain dry. Unfortunately, this has led some people to mistakenly perceive me as lacking empathy or having psychopathic tendencies. I don't see my inability to cry as a positive trait; in fact, I wish I were more comfortable with openly expressing my emotions.

16. 

     Despite being an extroverted individual who enjoys engaging in conversations with strangers, I hold high standards when it comes to choosing my friends. However, the challenge arises when I encounter people who don't meet my criteria, making it difficult for me to maintain a close bond with them. Interestingly enough, my standards for friendship can be quite peculiar and arbitrary, as I find myself disliking people for seemingly random reasons. This particular aspect of my personality is one that I despise the most, as I genuinely desire to have a larger circle of friends and refrain from harboring unwarranted dislikes towards others.

17. 

     Ever since my arrival at this school, I ran a private Instagram account for me and my close friends dedicated to capturing and preserving the precious moments of my daily life. Without filtering or compromising the human rights of my friends, I posted every day videos and pictures of our shared experiences, both the joyous and the challenging times we encountered within the school premises. With over 300 posts to date, averaging approximately one post every two to three days, this account serves as a treasured repository of memories I have built throughout my journey in KMLA. What sets this Instagram account apart is I do not add any captions to my posts. I made this decision with the intention of preventing my future self from the immediate influence of my current emotions when revisiting these images. By relying solely on visual representation, I aim to evoke a raw recollection of past events and encourage introspection. I wanted my future self to revisit these snapshots, reflect upon them, and reinterpret their significance without being confined by the immediate emotions attached to them, especially those of a negative ones.

18. 

    While my passion for computer science has burned brightly since my early years, I have yet to pinpoint a definitive career path that stirs a deep sense of longing within me. Although I hold strong values of making a positive impact on the world through my skills, I have not yet discovered the precise avenue through which I can bring this vision to life. Entrepreneurship has always got my interest, igniting dreams of charting my own path and creating innovative solutions. Simultaneously, the prospect of becoming a computer science professor, involving into cutting-edge research within a lab peers, has also captured my imagination. As I continue to journey through the field of computer science, I remain open to the possibilities and experiences that lie ahead. I eagerly anticipate the moment when a particular occupation resonates with me, igniting a powerful desire to devote my skills, knowledge, and energy to its pursuit. With each step I take in my educational and professional journey, I am optimistic that clarity will gradually emerge, leading me toward a career path that can also meet my passion and life values. Until that moment arrives, I remain dedicated to honing my skills, expanding my knowledge, and remaining receptive to the myriad opportunities that wait in my path.

19. 

     Although I was born into a Christian family and raised with religious practices, I eventually became an atheist. During my youth, I would attend church with my parents on Sundays, participating in chanting, praying, and reading the bible. However, at some point, I was confronted with a fundamental question: "Does God exist?" This question became the focal point of my thoughts, and I embarked on the journey of reading the entire Bible in search of evidence that would negate the existence of God. It took me over a year to read the entire Bible, but my ultimate conclusion was that God was not real, and even if God did exist, He/She/It was not a benevolent being. Long story short, since then, I have stopped attending church, despite my parents' continued devout Christian beliefs. I now firmly oppose the concept of God's existence.

20. 

     I started growing my hair at the beginning of my second year in KMLA. This decision was driven by my desire to stand out among other children who all wore the same clothes, backpacks, shoes, and hairstyles. I hoped that my unique hairstyle would serve as a visual representation of my individuality, making people remember me at first glance. I have indeed achieved my goal of being distinctive; everyone recognizes me even from a distance and remembers me after our initial encounter. Interestingly, having long hair has also helped me gain credibility as a software engineer, thanks to the prevailing bias that associates long-haired developers with excellence. However, when I initially started growing my hair, I didn't plan for it to become this long. Yet, as I encountered challenges in growing my hair, I began to see cutting it as a waste of the progress I had made, which motivated me to let it grow even longer.

21. 

    Unlike the common stereotype that programmers are often avid gamers, I personally do not enjoy playing computer games at all. During my younger years, I did enjoy playing games with my friends and would spend a significant amount of time on computer games. However, as I continued playing, I discovered that I had no natural talent for gaming. I struggled to navigate virtual racing cars on appropriate circuits, aim my weapons accurately at enemies, or use my character's skills effectively at the right moment. At first, I attempted to improve my gaming skills, but once I realized that no amount of practice seemed to make a difference, I lost interest and passion for computer games. This led me to gradually shift away from gaming as a whole.

22. 

    One of the skills I possess is the ability to lie shamelessly. However, it's important to note that I never engage in lying during genuinely serious situations. Instead, I use this skill primarily for harmless pranks or playful banter with my friends. I can effortlessly fabricate nonsensical lies without even a hint of change in my facial expression. Those who haven't spent much time with me often fall for these lies, while my long-time friends have become so accustomed to my penchant for falsehoods that they may mistake a true story for a lie.

23. 

    My favorite topics to discuss with my friends is the concept of balance games. Being someone who constantly daydreams and ponders over various non-utilitarian subjects, I thoroughly enjoy engaging in debates with my friends on seemingly trivial matters for the sake of a balance game. It's incredibly entertaining to argue about a topic with insufficient logic or that doesn't make any sense at all. However, balance games can also provide insights into an individual's perspectives on certain real-life scenarios, adding an extra layer of enjoyment to the activity. Just for the sake of fun, some of my favorite balance game topics include questions like "Are there more doors or wheels in the world?" or "If you could time travel, would you choose to revisit your happiest moment and relish it or go back to your worst moment to alter the course of your life?" These topics allow for imaginative and thought-provoking discussions among friends.

24. 

    The biggest aspect of myself that I genuinely dislike is my difficulty in reconciling with someone after having experienced conflict. Even if I genuinely feel remorseful for something I have done or no longer harbor any ill feelings towards the other person, I find it challenging to initiate a process of reconciliation. I wish I possessed the ability to express my deepest regrets to someone and effortlessly rebuild a positive relationship with them. It is something I aspire to improve upon and work towards in order to foster better connections with others.

25. 

    One of my greatest talents is my ability to memorize people's faces and their names exceptionally well. It doesn't take me long to commit someone's face to memory and associate it with their name. Not only am I able to memorize the majority of students at KMLA, but I also have the capacity to remember individuals I rarely encounter. For instance, I can recall the face and name of a referee or the coach of an opposing team in a fencing competition, even if I only met them once a year ago. This talent allows me to easily recognize and connect with people, even in situations where others might struggle to remember unfamiliar faces.

26. 

    I have a strong fondness for Apple products and appreciate the sense of connectivity they provide me. Due to this reason, I have owned a variety of Apple devices throughout my life, including MacBook, Mac Mini, iPads, iPhones, and even lesser-known products like AirTags or HomePods. I am aware that Apple products can be expensive and have faced criticism for certain aspects of their policies, such as App Store guidelines. However, despite these concerns, I find it difficult to break away from the Apple ecosystem unless I transition to a different company's products, which would require replacing all my laptops, phones, tablets, and even earphones simultaneously. Sometimes, I even dream about being a part of Apple's decision-making team and argue for the company to lower its product prices in the future. I believe that more affordable pricing would make Apple products accessible to a wider audience, while still maintaining their quality and the seamless integration that I enjoy within the Apple ecosystem.

27. 

    My favorite season is fall, specifically from September to early November. I am drawn to the pleasant weather during this time - it's not excessively hot nor too cold. The clear skies, cool breeze, and balanced humidity create a comfortable atmosphere. Additionally, I find the changing colors of the leaves, particularly when they turn red, to be a spectacular sight. Fall is a season that typically avoids heavy rain or snowfall, as well as the presence of yellow dust, making it ideal for outdoor activities. It also marks the beginning of the NFL season, which is a source of great excitement for me. During fall, I become more active and actively engage in outdoor activities while also enjoying my favorite sport indoors.

28. 

    Personally, I don't consider myself particularly organized when it comes to keeping my room and desk tidy. However, I have a strict rule when it comes to my laptop background - it must always be clean and clutter-free. I only keep essential files and folders on my desktop, usually limited to less than 10 items. Interestingly, during busy periods, the number of icons on my desktop tends to increase, but during less hectic times, the icons decrease significantly. This habit of maintaining a tidy desktop background is something I learned from Mr. Kim Chang Hwan. He emphasized that a clean background promotes productivity and enhances coding skills. Being greatly influenced by his advice, I have made it a habit to keep my laptop background organized at all times.

29. 

    I have a deep passion for books, and I must admit that I enjoy buying them even more than reading them. While I love reading a wide range of books, I have a preference for owning my copies rather than borrowing from the library. There is something special about having my own book that I can cherish and keep as a permanent part of my collection. Whenever I come across a new book that sparks my interest, I instinctively opt to purchase it instead of searching for it in the library. Furthermore, even after finishing a book, I never sell or discard it; instead, I hold onto it and store it carefully in a dedicated section of my bookshelf. Some may argue that this habit is a waste of money, but I view it as a way to track and remember the books I have read. Each time I see those books on my shelf, they serve as a reminder of the moments I spent reading them, allowing me to revisit and recall the experiences they provided.

30. 

    I have a strong affinity for fluffy pillows, and I find it essential to have several of them on my bed. One pillow for my head is never enough; I always require an extra pillow to cuddle with while I sleep. The sensation of being surrounded by pillows and tucked into a cozy bed brings me great comfort. However, this habit sometimes leads me to unintentionally take pillows from others while I am asleep. It has become instinctual for me to seek an additional pillow for a quality night's sleep.