Kevin Kwak’s Blog

There is a fairly new grocery market near my neighborhood and I visited several times so far. I wasn’t aware of the market and according to wikipedia, Fresh & Easy Market “is a subsidiary of the UK-based retailer Tesco, the world’s fourth largest retailer, and is Tesco’s attempt to expand into the United States.”

I went to check out the market after receiving one of their flyers in the mail. The flyer contained a perforated coupon discounting five dollars if you spend more than $20. The building is a stand alone retail building with about 50 parking spaces or so. It is located on a high traffic street a block to another grocery market and few restaurants. The building is not adjacent to any other retail building. The one I went to was next to a Chevron gasoline station.

The first thing I notice upon entering the store is that all the checkout lanes were self service. Neat idea, saves the company money. I usually go in a market, grab only the things I need and head out but I did go through each lanes at Fresh and Easy. More than 50% of their product carry the Fresh and Easy label. The vegetables, fruits, dairies (milk, cheese, ice cream), microwaveable food, meat, condiments, etc. are Fresh and Easy labeled and are very fresh.

Fresh and Easy put great emphasis in freshness and green. Their labeled products prominently displays the expiration date and when the product is a day or two away from its expiration, a Fresh & Easy paste a 50% off sticker on its label. I picked up a few microwaveable food that evening.

An interesting marketing strategy that Fresh and Easy depends on is their $5 coupon. For the business to maintain its positive cashflow, it needs to bring in the new and repeat customers and the coupon would eventually convert these customers to become a loyal customer. But personally, I would not shop at Fresh & Easy unless I was near the market and am carrying in one of the coupon. I find their food a bit on the high price compared to the big guys but you can certainly find some items at a reasonable price. But I find myself heading there twice a month when I have those coupons with me, and the last visit there, one of the employee was passing out those coupons when customers were checking out their bags. I guess the business is a little slow especially in today’s economy.

Hi folks,

I finally hopped on the Facebook bandwagon this morning and I am amazed by the simplicity and the level of addiction Facebook gets in the beginning. Playing around with the site for three full hours, I could understand why Facebook is highly preferred over other online social networks. If you haven’t yet joined in one of the numerous social networks, I would recommend Facebook over Linkedin, Myspace, and Xanga (more of a blog website). Facebook is like all those combined plus Twitter.

When you start Facebook, you’re able to customize many of the options and features readily available for social networking. The concept is rather simple: connect with your friends online. The search function works flawlessly and you can narrow down the search results by inputting college info, work info, and even high school. You’ll be surprised who you’ll find on Facebook because everyone is on it. You can go on “Friend Finder” and type in the required info to find your friends. But what makes Facebook so unique and addicting to use is the reality that we are very much interconnected. Your friend is a friend of your other friend and those two can become friends through Facebook by creating a new friendship via Facebook, and who knows whether they will become close friends face to face outside of Facebook.

Another fun fact about Facebook is that it helps you get to know the other person and feel closer even although you may not be a very close friend. I tend to add people I know and talked to on Facebook even though we may not really hang out and such. You can get updates and update others of how you’re doing and the News Feed on your homepage is really convenient. If you do not wish to share too much info on Facebook, there are privacy options you can opt in to prevent non-friends from peeking.

Just visit www.facebook.com and read the About page to get further details. And add Kevin Kwak Facebook.

Vulnerability
As like all other vastly used computer programs and websites, Facebook is a popular target for online hackers. In one instance this morning, a friend sent a Mail to several of his other friends and within the mail was a suspicious link and a provocative title. It was apparently a porn-related website that indiscreetly installs virus, malware, and spywares.

EDIT: I do NOT add people who I have never met.

Liberty in North Korean (LiNK) Presents Shin Dong-Hyuk
There are three exciting events happening in the LA/ OC area that I want to share with you for three main reasons: 1) it’s a very unique opportunity; 2) I feel like this will be of some interest to you; and 3) your support could make a difference.

Who
Shin Dong-Hyun (Shin) was born on Nov. 19, 1982 and called the camp home until 2005. While at the camp, Shin endured daily beatings, torture, starvation-level rations, saw forced abortions and even witnessed the public execution of his mother and brother in 1996. Shin described his life of total isolation from the world: “In South Korea, although there is disappointment and sadness, there is also so much joy, happiness and comfort. In Kaechon, I did not even know such emotions existed. The only emotion I ever knew was fear: fear of beatings, fear of starvation, fear of torture and fear of death.”

Articles on Shin:
http://www.washingtontimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071030/FOREIGN/110300055/1001&template=printart
http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSSEO16870720071029
http://www.csmonitor.com/2007/1106/p07s01-woap.html
His book: http://book.naver.com/bookdb/book_detail.php?bid=3292618

What
LiNK is hosting a speaking tour for Shin entitled, “Born and Raised in a Concentration Camp,” from Wednesday, April 30 to Wednesday, May 14. Shin will recount his experiences as a North Korean who was born into slavery as a political prisoner in a North Korean concentration camp. Mr. Shin, along with LiNK’s Executive Director Adrian Hong and Deputy Director Hannah Song, will arrive in LA on May 14. For more info: http://www.libertyinnorthkorea.blogspot.com/

Where/ When

UCLA (Westwood), Wed. 5/14, 4:00 - 6:15 PM, Bunche Hall 1209B
Hear Shin’s testimony, watch riveting clips, hear updates from LiNK and ask questions, get answers!

Further details: 405 Hilgard Ave. Los Angeles, CA 90095. [http://www.admissions.ucla.edu/map/directions.htm ]
M-Grill (Koreatown), Wed. 5/14, 8:30PM - 10:30 PM ($20 cover (donation to org.); RSVP necessary. Limited space!)
Come join us for this special after-hours event for your opportunity to meet and speak with Shin more personally, learn more about LiNK, watch film clips, and mingle with other young professionals. Light appetizers will be served. Link to Facebook invite: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=16668681994
UCI (Irvine) Thurs., 5/15, 8:00 - 9:20 AM, Social Science Lab 228.
Hear Shin’s testimony, watch riveting clips, hear updates from LiNK and ask questions, get answers!
Further details: This public event is during a Conflicts Management in Cross-Cultural Perspective course taught by Prof. Paula Garb (Founder and Co-Director of UCI’s Center for Citizen Peacebuilding: http://www.socsci.uci.edu/~cpb/)
E6 on map: http://today.uci.edu/pdf/uci_07_map_campus.pdf

Why
When will you again be given the opportunity to listen to a survivor of a prison camp who is willing to openly share his story so much so that he will come to you (from Korea)? Seize the opportunity to learn, be educated, and discover ways in which you can take action. Thanks in advance for your attendance and support!

Born and Raised In a Concentration Camp Video

Yikes! Prices of bananas (produce), rice, gasoline, utilities bill, are all up. Gasoline prices will continue to go up for few more months and who would’ve ever guessed that a barrel of gasoline would reach $200.

Off-topic: This drummer dude got groove.

Hello everyone,

I planned on writing the blogs on a more frequent basis but things here and there took a lot of my time. I hope that all of you are doing well and in great health.

Heading home from church this afternoon, an aggressive driver abruptly cuts left into my lane when everyone is speeding at around 70mph. (roll eyes) His reckless driving eventually led to a severe car accident right there and then. As soon as the driver came onto my lane, another driver drove to her/his left (to my right) and within seconds, these two drivers crashed into each other. Luckily there was no other car driving close behind me as I had to stomp on that brake pedal. Quickly turned on the hazard light and made my way out of there.

The first thing that came to my mind was “Wow, thank you Lord!” I’m just thankful and lucky to get away from the accident and maintain a low auto insurance rate. Well we know that those drivers will see an increase in their insurance rate.

I’ll cut it short as I’m studying for an exam coming up this week. Wish me luck.
P.S. Please drive carefully.