Seoul, South Korea

Hello! I am writing this to keep my friends and family informed on an upcoming chapter of my life. Starting June 23rd I will be spending 6 months in Seoul, South Korea through a study abroad program provided through Miami University (Ohio). I am in my 2nd year of study at Miami, and this will help me advance at a faster pace. I will be there for the summer term (a fast paced month of classes) 1 month on my own, and then for the fall term of 4 months. I am both excited and nervous. I have never been on my own, or out of the country. I’ve been away from home for a few months before because of touring with All the Day, but I don’t think it’ll be the same as living in Seoul. We’ll see.

I have been lucky enough to receive some great scholarships, and most of my tuition will be covered. My major expenses will be the plane ticket there, food, and any items I desire/need to purchase (spending cash). I have been doing my best to pick up extra shifts at the local Starbucks I work at in an attempt to have enough money for the 6 months there. My fingers are crossed! I’ve been thinking about putting up some songs under Old Lasso that people could donate $$$ to download. This would help me soften the expense of traveling overseas (is that one word?). Would love for some friends to collaborate on some music with me to help. Let me know if you are interested.

If you are like me, I lost you after the first paragraph, so here is a quick summary for those who like to skim

SUMMARY
- Mark Ventura is going to study abroad in Seoul, South Korea
- June 23 – December 21
- expensive, but scholarships are helping
- wants to hang out with friends and loved ones before leaving.
- MIGHT put out an Old Lasso record/songs for people to download ($$$) to raise money. I would like, and hope, my friends will donate their skills and music to help as well. I’d love to put out a compilation or  just collaborate on some stuff.

Facebook

people seem to respond more on Facebook statuses dealing with complaining or negativity

Young Prisms – “Floating In Blue”

Economics

The reason I chose to seek a degree in Economics is because I believe it to be very important. I think the study of how we allocate resources is vital for predicting market behavior, which is a reflection of what the people want. What is missing in this equation though is the people without a dollar to vote. How do we find a way to hear what the people without a vote want? Or is it only “worth it” to find a way to hear the vote of someone WITH the voting dollar/currency?

A song I wrote and recorded recently

All sounds heard in this recording are made by Mark Ventura of Old Lasso

http://soundcloud.com/old-lasso/dus-brellae-6000

videos

Good to be alive!

Scary to be alive!

Joe Rogan

A lot of things that he says.

Let the record show

I aspire to live the most out of life. Experience it to the fullest. I am determined, and will work hard to do so.

Here it is

Such a simple, but peaceful song.

Waiting for “Superman”

I just watched Waiting for “Superman” and am very intrigued by the public school system now. I suppose that is the nature of a good documentary, but they really do raise some interesting points. Our system is flawed. Our scores reach new lows every year. Is it possible that our college system is flawed as well. We are more focused on results rather than students actually learning. Hmmmm.