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Starting a Korean-Australian Business from Scratch: Tim O'Sullivan & Bae Juice
August 29, 2019 August 25, 2019 by Alexander Ekkel
AsiaOptions sat down with Bae Juice co-founder Tim O'Sullivan to find out how he brought a much-loved Korean product to the Australian market for the first time, and his experiences in getting a Korean-Australian business off the ground.
Parts of this interview have been adapted for readability.
Hyundai is Korean?
Hendrick Hamel was a Dutch sailor who shipwrecked on Korea's Jeju Island in 1653, at a time when the peninsula wasn't much more than a few mentions on nautical charts projecting off the Chinese mainland. Despite Australia's significant trading relationship with South Korea over the past decades, now Australia's fourth-largest two-way trading partner, it is only in recent years that South Korea's cultural influence has skyrocketed into mainstream consciousness.
Tim O'Sullivan's knowledge of Korea was obviously not as low as Hamel's, but before meeting his Korean partner, Sumin Do, in Australia, it is fair to say his interactions with the country were somewhat limited. Several months after meeting his partner, Tim went on his first trip to Korea and instantly fell in love with the country. Compared to other countries he had visited, Tim says, Koreans genuinely seemed interested in his story. "I talked to owners of coffee shops, chicken restaurants… they all asked me where I was from and showed so much love."
Rediscovering the Wheel
This first trip was also Tim's first exposure to bae or the Korean pear.
Our agenda in the first week was hectic. Every single night it was a different bar, karaoke, soju, fried chicken… in five days we went out five nights.
Every night when I came home, Sumin's mum would have a freshly cut Korean pear waiting for us and she'd make sure I ate it. I didn't understand why at the start [she made us eat it], but I just keep eating it because it was delicious. After a while she started cracking open cans of bae juice, which we drank before we went out each night. The fridge was full of it.
Eventually, Sumin explained that her mum is actually from Naju – the home of the Korean pear – so she has a passion for the bae. She just kept feeding it to me, and I just kept waking up feeling good.
Initially, Tim wasn't sure why he felt so good every morning. "I didn't feel a million bucks, but I knew I should feel worse." He wondered if alcohol volume was less in Korea, was Cass weaker then Carlton Draught? Maybe it was the spicy food making him sweat it out? Eventually, Sumin's mother explained that the Korean pear has been used traditionally for generations to prevent hangovers, a fact later confirmed in Tim's initial investigations. Everyone he asked, from diverse demographics, seemed to regard the Korean pear's benefits as common knowledge. Moreover, pages of Google results and scientific studies talked about their health benefits. As Tim delved further, he was more convinced he had hit a gold mine.
Tim's Korean experience with the fruit had planted a seed in his mind. Back in Melbourne, he discovered there were only a few places that sold bae juice, whose stock he quickly depleted.
I asked everyone at work who ordered a coffee from me, from optometrists, to solicitors to uni students… 'what are you doing tonight?' and if they were going out, I gave them a sachet [of bae juice]. A couple people came back to me and asked, 'what was that?' – they all said it tasted good, and they felt good too'… I knew I was onto something.
The effects varied between individuals, but many reported lack of dryness in the throat, no headaches, a cleansed feeling, and less sensitivity to light – all symptoms backed up by past scientific research which point toward the bae's natural richness in alcohol detoxifying enzymes.
What appealed to Tim, even more, was the lack of natural hangover 'cure' offerings on the market. Several $10 concoctions were available, but "at $4 a pop, 100% natural, and with generations of proven use behind it," there seemed to be a significant gap in the market for his product.
Tim returned to Korea with an idea, but with limited business experience outside a year-long stint managing events in Vietnam after high school, and co-owning his family's cafe in Melbourne. For round two in Korea, Tim's vision was clear, "I want to find the biggest bae supplier in Korea and pitch a repackaged product for Australia." With the help of Sumin's parents, three meetings were set up with major Korean pear farms that week. It was at the peak of summer, so "we were wearing shorts and a t-shirt." Several stars aligned from the get-go, as not only was the first farm visited the largest Korean pear farm in the country, they had coincidentally been exploring international opportunities at the time, none of which had materialised yet. Tim's pitch, based around Australians' propensity to drink, a lot, was well received. Within the half-hour, they had a full tour of the factory. Another hour later, they shook hands and the factory agreed to package and fulfill an order if Tim could put together a proposal.
The Bae Juice production line.
K-Business
Back in Melbourne, Tim and his business partner Liam Gostencnik contracted designers, marketing plans, and nutritional certifications, out of their own pockets. All 'consulting' was done via Korea's most popular messaging platform, KakaoTalk. "We would shoot them a message at 2am with a question, and the managing director would answer within two minutes. There were no dumb questions, and they were great at explaining everything. It was a super-efficient process."
With the Australian summer approaching, Tim had to put aside any hesitation in seeking out help to have his 50,000 unit order placed in time. This means reaching out to mutual connections on Linkedin, or even someone he played footy with 10 years ago who had experience in logistics.
When you've got so much on the line (7.5 thousand kilograms of juice!) you don't really hold off pushing send on a question if you feel uncomfortable or not… people were generally pretty fascinated with the idea and willing to help.
As was revealed during our chat, more than anything it was Tim's belief in his idea that saw it come to fruition, the how-tos of business were something that could be picked up on the way. When it comes to learning business he says, "I'd never do it any other way… Every issue we've had has had some sort of positive outcome."
Building-your-own Korean-Australian Business?
Ripe Conditions for Trade: Korea presents an attractive opportunity for import-led businesses into Australia, in part thanks to advantageous pricing, established trade channels, and increased Australian demand for Korean products. The 2017 Free Trade Agreement only enhances this equation, and according to Tim, has made the process relatively seamless, while removing the costs which would previously impact new businesses.
Quality Won't be Neglected: Put simply, poor quality products with bad branding don't cut it in Korea's ultra savvy marketplace. If you're planning on partnering with a Korean producer, you can rest at ease when it comes to attention to detail.
At every station [on the juice production line] there were two people – lab coats, goggles, notepad… anything with a hint of residue was thrown out…having a really high standard product means there's less risk involved.
Language Can Open Doors: With a deadline looming, Tim and his supplier rushed to locate a mandatory trading license, only to realise after two weeks that both parties had been referring to the same document, which they already possessed. Outside of the large chaebol, professional English may vary. It would pay to have a local guide, or seek the aid of a Korean-Australian business organisation. "Even though Sumin was fluent in Korean, she wasn't familiar with the specific business terminology." Tim explained that this language barrier wasn't even restricted to Korean, "we were asked to send something by business today, but there were ten words every day I didn't understand."
Deals Over Dinner: As you may have heard, Korean business relationships do not generally start and end in the boardroom. Tim enjoyed the personal and affable relationships established with his business partners over dinner, drinks, and noraebang. For Tim, these were occasions to further build mutual trust with his partners and helped confirm that both sides would work toward actualising their business' vision.
What's to Come
"Before Bae juice, we wanted to call it liquid gold. 100% natural juice that's proven to help your hangover, and it's not in Australia," Tim explained. Australian's have responded to the product's traditional usage, as well as the 'natural product' angle, which aligns with Aussies' increased interest in wellness.
Indeed, Tim expressed his intention to broaden the scope of the drink from just a drinking aid – it can help during pregnancy, with cholesterol levels, blood, cell development, is low in salt and high in fibre, along with many other health benefits. Because of his positive experience with working in Korea, Tim is actively looking at other opportunities to expand his business and networks in the Korea-Australia space, especially around wellness products drawing from Korea's plethora traditional healthy foods.
The journey of Bae Juice, from inception to first shipment, demonstrates the readiness of untapped Korean markets to engage with unique international opportunities, attested to by the recent introductions of many well-known Korean stalwarts into Australia across diverse industries.
As the Korean wave has by now truly reached Australian shores, it is hard to ignore the inviting conditions for Korean-Australian partnerships and indeed, bi-lateral investment. It is only a matter of time before these opportunities are realised, and Tim's example shows that with the right mindset, the Korean marketplace is more accessible to anyone than ever before.
You can taste some Bae Juice yourself through selected suppliers or on their website.
Alexander Ekkel
Director at Asia Options
Alexander has studied and travelled extensively in South Korea for over a year. He enjoys actively keeping up to date with the goings-on in the country and is dedicated to acquanting Australians further with this exciting nation. He studied Economics and Chinese at the University of Melbourne.
Latest posts by Alexander Ekkel (see all)
Starting a Korean-Australian Business from Scratch: Tim O'Sullivan & Bae Juice - August 25, 2019
Korean Language Study Tips: Noraebang? - April 5, 2018
Categories Recent Posts, Korea: Work Tags business, interview, Korea, Korean, working in korea
1 thought on "Starting a Korean-Australian Business from Scratch: Tim O'Sullivan & Bae Juice"
Karen Kim
a great read, thank you


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Moving to Australia: Ultimate Guide
Think about moving to Australia? You are not alone! In fact, did you know that 30 per cent of people living in Australia today were born aboard? Thanks to its strong economy, long life expectancy, excellent schools, and overall high standard of living, the Land Down Under draws people from around the globe.
But what is it really like to live in Australia? Is it still a good option for those of us who are looking to boost our careers and build a brighter future? Let's take an in-depth look at the cost of living, visa options, taxes, healthcare, education, and all of those other key factors.
Living / Lifestyle
What Is It Like to Live In Australia?
The Cities of Australia
What Is the Cost of Living in Australia?
How Much Do I Need to Earn to Live in Australia?
What Is the Household Expenditure Measure?
What Moving Documents are Needed For Moving to Australia?
Legal / Visas
How Can I Get an Australian Visa?
Skillselect FAQ: What Is the General Skilled Migration Program?
General Skilled Migration Program Points Structure
What Is Your English Level?
How Many Years of Skilled Work Have You Done Abroad?
How Many Years of Skilled Work Have You Done in Australia?
What Is Your Education Level?
Do You Have a Skilled Spouse Moving with You?
Have You Previously Studied/Done a Professional Year In Australia?
Money & Taxes
What Will I Pay in Income Tax in Australia?
How Do Taxes In Australia Work?
How Do I Open a Bank Account in Australia?
What's the Weather like In Australia?
Buying & Renting a Home
How Does Housing Work in Australia?
How to Find a Rental in Australia
What about Healthcare Work in Australia?
How Does Healthcare Work in Australia?
How Does The Education System Work in Australia?
Types of Schools in Australia
What Are the Types of Schools in the Australia?
What Is the Australian Qualifications Framework?
To understand what it's like to live in Australia, it is essential to understand a few things about its geography. Australia is one of the biggest countries in the world. Just to get from one side of the continent to the other, it would take a five hour flight or of you are brave enough to drive it would take 4-5 days.
Though Australia takes up about as much space as the continental United States, it has far fewer cities. The Outback in the centre of the country, which is about the same size as all of Europe, has a population of fewer than 12,500 people spread out over 834,679 square kilometres. The remaining 85 per cent of Aussies live within 30 miles of the coast.
Australia is one of the most urbanised countries in the world. Almost 90 per cent of people live in a city and half of those people are within the urban areas of either Sydney and Melbourne.
When you think about moving to Australia, you will likely be looking at the handful of cities that dominate the urban landscape: Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, and Adelaide.
While each city has its charms, Melbourne holds the special distinction of having been named the world's most liveable city as well as the world's happiest city. Nearly 90 per cent of people in Melbourne like their city and nine out of ten residents report feeling happy during the last 24 hours. Of course, it's all subjective but most Aussies agree that the quantity of life in their home country is amongst the best in the world.
Compared to most of Europe, the UK, and the US, the cost of living in Australia is high. In particular, housing and petrol are notably more expensive than you would find elsewhere in the developed world. Having a clear picture of your transport and housing costs is a crucial step to making a decision on a job offer.
You will also find everyday goods, especially those that have been imported, to be more expensive. Things like iPhones and computer gear cost about 50 per cent more on average in Australia than they would in the United States.
The cost of living in Australia will depend considerably on where you live. The cities of Sydney and Melbourne tie for the most expensive places to live in Australia. Following closely behind with only a slightly lower cost of living, you will find the cities of Perth and Canberra. Meanwhile, cities like Brisbane and Adelaide are surprisingly affordable and offer some of the lowest living costs in the country.
In terms of absolute numbers, the Household Expenditure Measure (HEM) is a good starting point. When evaluating a mortgage for a new client, banks use the HEM to determine how much the average person needs to live in Australia.
The Household Expenditure Measure, often just called the HEM, suggests the amount of money that you need to live comfortably. It is essential to note that these costs do not include rent. In areas like Perth and Canberra, these figures will be high. If you are living in Sydney and Melbourne, however, this is a good picture of the cost of living.
According to the HEM, here is how much the average household will spend, before housing expenses:
Average monthly expenses for one person: $2,835 Australian Dollars
Average monthly expenses for a family of two: $4,118 Australian Dollars
Average monthly expenses for a family of four: $5,378 Australian Dollars
Copy of passport (photo and signature page)
Completed Australian Customs form B534
Copy of visa or e-visa approval (non-citizens)
Detailed inventory / packing list (in English)
Alcohol inventory, if applicable
Original bill of lading if no telex release / waybill issued (OBL) / air waybill (AWB)
Vehicle import approval (VIA)
Import declaration (prepared by Customs broker)
Registration papers from country of origin
Proof of ownership and purchase receipt
Import application
Import permit
Specific Information
All animals imported to Australia must meet the requirements of the Australian Department of Agriculture and Water Resources and will be quarantined upon arrival.
Import permits take approximately 10 business days from the date receipt by the Department of Agriculture to be approved; however, incomplete or incorrect applications may take longer.
Owners of the goods must select a quarantine station for the animal prior to import.
Animals may be visited by only the person identified as the importer during the quarantine period
If you are thinking about moving to Australia, figuring our your visa options is truly the first step. There is an exceptionally large number of visa options but, luckily for would-be ex-pats, the Australian government makes it fairly simple to get started.
To determine the best visa option for you, start the Explore Visa Options website from the Australian government. Their short questionnaire will guide you in the right direction to starting your visa process. You can also check out the full list of Australian visa options on their website.
If you're a skilled worker looking at moving to Australia, you will most definitely want to look into the General Skilled Migration Program (GSM). From diving instructors to dentists, the country is keen to bring in people with the right skills.
The GSM program is a points-based system that gives you points for a wide range of factors. The more points that you have in the end, the more likely you are to get your visa.
To be eligible for the General Skilled Migrant Program, you need to earn at least 60 points. Here is a general overview of the points awarded by category in the GSM.
18-25: 25 Points
Competent English: 0 Points
Proficient English: 10 Points
Superior English: 20 Points
Note: Your English level can be harder to self-assess than you might think. In fact, there has been some controversy surrounding the requirements as numerous native English speakers, including an Irish doctor, have failed to meet the minimum English requirements. Read more about the required English levels to know what to expect.
Fewer than Three Years: 0 Points
Three to Five Years: 5 Points
Five to Eight Years: 10 Points
More than Eight Years: 15 Points
Less Than a Year: 0 Points
One to Three Years: 5 Points
Three to Five Years: 10 Points
Occupational Qualification/ Trade Diploma: 10 Points
Bachelor's Degree: 15 Points
Doctorate: 20 Points
Add 10 points
Read the full details here to see if you're eligible for more points.
In Australia, there is a progressive tax system. As you earn more money, you pay more taxes. The current tax-free threshold is $18,200, which means that you don't pay tax under this amount.
Here is what you can expect to pay in taxes in Australia. Do note there are exemptions and a range of variables, but this will give you a general idea of what to expect.
As soon as you start working in Australia, you will need a tax file number (TFN). Ideally, you will want to start getting organised for your TFN application before moving to Australia and starting work. It is free to get a TFN and you can get all of the information online at the government's tax website. Note that an application can take up to 28 days to be processed.
Once you start work, you have 28 days to give your employer a TFN. If you don't have one, you will be charged an extremely high rate of tax.
If you are 16 years of age or older and have permanent residency, opening a bank account is quite straightforward. You can do it online with pretty much any large bank and it only takes about ten minutes.
Of course, it is an advantage to open a bank account before moving to Australia and having all of your residency paperwork in place. Thankfully, this expat-friendly country makes it fairly simple to do just that. You can apply for an account remotely using your own passport from any country. You just need to tell them which city you are going to live in then arrive there within one year of the date of your applications.
While you might tend to think of Australia as having a warm and beachy climate, there are actually a total of eight unique climate zones in the country.
Although the climate is distinct in these eight different regions, you can very generally divide the weather of the country into north and south. In the north, you will find a more tropical climate. The summer is hot and humid in the north while the winters are relatively dry and warm. Meanwhile, in the south, the climate is cooler through the year and the winters tend to be rainy.
If you're coming from the Northern Hemisphere, you will also want to keep in mind that the seasons are the opposite. The coldest months of the year are July and August while the warmest weather comes in December and January.
In Australia, just over half of the population owns their own home. When you are first moving to Australia, however, you will definitely want to start in the rental market.
Most Aussies search for their new home online then contact the advertiser to see how the property is managed. In the majority of cases, you are likely to find that homes are managed by agencies. In these cases, each property will have a managing agent who fields questions and manages the application process.
While you can get a lot done on the internet, agents and the bulk of homeowners will not rent a place to you without meeting you in person. It is risky for them and it is incredibly risky for you. That's why it is essential to plan on organising temporary accommodation like a hotel or Airbnb before you arrive then start your search.
Though Australia is a huge country, the population is highly concentrated. This can be a great thing for anyone who loves an active lifestyle and busy social life. At the same time, it can be a total nightmare for anyone searching for a home.
The urban rental market, especially in Sydney and Melbourne, is extremely competitive. It is commonplace to attend open showings where countless other people are competing for the same apartment.
To find a nice place in a good neighbourhood, it is crucial to come prepared. Before you move to Australia, read these essential insider tips on renting.
In Australia, there is a public health system as well as a private health system. After moving to Australia, you will have the option to use public, private, or a mix of both systems if you'd like.
Access to healthcare is covered by Medicare. Available to citizens of Australia and New Zealand as well as permanent residents, Medicare covers the cost of all public hospital services. It also reduces the cost of a wide range of other services like GP visit. To help with the cost of medications, the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) is also available.
Note: Thanks to the Reciprocal Health Care Agreements that Australia has with a range of countries, you may not have to wait for your permanent residency to access Medicare. If you have a passport for one of the following countries, you are entitled to Medicare on arrival: Belgium, Finland, Italy, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, Ireland, Slovenia, Sweden, and the United Kingdom.
Australian Government's free Medicare system does indeed cover all of your basic medical expenses. It certainly will not cover it all though. Since essentials like dental and optical care are not included, nearly everyone will end up with extra fees at some stage.
Private healthcare is there to help you pay for the treatments that Medicare doesn't cover. It will make expenses easier to pay and also give you more choices in your care options.
To help you decide how to plan your healthcare, you can read all of the details on the government's healthcare system website.
School education is required from ages of six and sixteen years of age, which means that all kids are obligated to attend school from Year One to Year 9 or 10.
In total there are 13 years of education and they are divided up into primary and secondary schools. Primary school starts with kindergarten/preparatory courses then continues onto year six or seven, depending on the school.
Next, secondary school runs from years seven to ten or eight to ten, again dependent on the school's structure.
If you are moving to Australia with kids, it's essential to familiarise yourself with the educational system. As a resident of the country, your kids will be entitled to free education.
While you will find a wide range of schooling options, they all fall within three basic categories: Government, Independent and Catholic schools.
Following secondary school, teenagers have the opportunity to continue on to senior secondary school which runs for an additional two years.
Post-secondary in Australia is called Tertiary education. Continued education can include universities or vocational education and training (VET) options.
The Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) brings together all educational qualifications into one single national system that connects schools and universities. It is easy to move between levels and educational facilities and have a centralised system where you can see everything that you need.
Moving to a new country can be a little disconcerting, and left unchecked these feelings can develop into anxiety and stress. Moving to Australia, as we have seen, brings with it both exciting opportunities with some potential challenges. However, embracing the changes and adopting a proactive approach through the advice, tips and links we have provided sets you firmly on course to a successful relocation to Australia.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


Imagine your thoughts as a community college student. They go to school, and the majority of their life is spent growing pathways of knowledge into growth. The mind has been given an opportunity to expand itself, gain social mobility and become a contributing member of the larger world.
But like most community college students? The mind has hobbies. Distractions from what is really important. Some extracurricular activities that don't really serve the larger goal of whole life education.
So you take your pot-smoking, netflix-watching, class-ditching, binge drinking thoughts and what do you do?
Replace old attentions with new ones. Find the mechanism for each old thought and welcome a new way of thinking.
One of my favorite books of the last few years has been The Power of Habit : Why We Do What We Do in Life and Buisiness. In this book, Charles Duhig outlines our mind's underlying connection to our habits and breaks it down in three steps.
Say our college student is going into finals week. He has to be out late studying. Since he doesn't study, his mind goes to the exact same thought pattern the last time he crammed for finals. Red Bull. He has drank so much Red Bull in the past during finals week that it is ingrained as symbiotic with studying. That would be his visual cue. Finals + Late Night Studying =Red Bull. Not only that, but he also has a cue of the kiosk next to the library, which is the same place he bought a Red Bull the last time he forgot to study.
Then we enter routine. Drink Red Bull. Study several hours. He moves through his routine and pattern and doesn't even think about how he came to this choice. It's no coincidence that most habit-forming addictions come from places called "convenience stores". The mind is lazy. When making decisions, it will choose routine every time out of convenience as a way to expend less energy.
Finally, we have the reward phase. Sugar high. Seven hours of energy. An overnighter spent cramming semesters worth of knowledge into one evening.
The one thing I find absolutely crucial in this book, and something that I consider every time I focus my attention on habits is this : this cue and reward system cannot be changed, it can only be replaced with alternate cues and rewards.
Say our college student has made it to the last semester. He no longer has school, but now he is working at Save Mart to pay off student loans while he finds a job. Does he go to the Red Bull whenever there is an early morning job, or has he learned from the constant shaking and does he switch to juice or tea?
This week, I am trying to change one pathway involving my yoga practice. For the past months, I have been trying to get up at 5:30 every morning to do my daily Sadhana. It's been a struggle. So what do I do, when faced with a pathway that doesn't have a cue in place yet? Change the cue.
When I wake up, the first thing I do will be my practice. Before I answer any email, look on Facebook or eat breakfast, I am going to hit the mat this week.
Have I been successful? Not entirely. Am I giving up? Hell no.
May you commit to change one small pathway in your practice of life this week. May all of your unconscious habits benefit a life that is healthy, happy and whole. May you look at your habits with love, and look to change the ones that don't serve your love. May you move forward, even in the dark.
Because he does what he loves, even though no one understands him. I want to be just like that.
May your bork be borkity bork bork. May your bork shine through the dimensions of derpity flerpity berk. May all power, love and prosperity be borkity bork derp dorp.
Happy April Fool's day, readers!
Tribal Warriors, Bridesmaids, Receptionists, Fashion Models and Incoming High School Freshmen Girls. All approach the ritual of the face with stunning discipline. Growing up, I had a friend who had a ceremonial way of putting her face on and taking it off. White headband, wash, foundation, powder, eyeliner, mascara. Every day, same time and same stunning attention to protocol.
When I was a waitress, I called makeup my "War Paint". When waiting tables, you need to feel like you are in control as the elements around you swirl with chaos. Wearing makeup was a way to show my tables "I got this". You would be amazed how many naked-face days came up with fewer tips than when I wore eyeliner. I don't think it had anything to do with aesthetics – more the fact that when I looked in the mirror I knew no one would call me "dearie" that day, or think it was my first day on the job. That gave me confidence.
But what kind of ritual was really engaged in the putting on and taking off of a public mask? Are the foundations we create for ourselves, even on a surface level, foundations for soulful development?
We see a movement in celebrity culture towards the "naked face" and "non photoshop" photo. People commend these culture makers for being so brave and honest and open about what they look like, but the ritual of our criticism remains the same. We judge naked-face photos just as rigidly as we judge bad photoshop; with stunning cruelty and love it or hate it rigidity.
I participated in The Color Run last week, a 5K where participants are bathed in colored chalk. A celebration of happiness, health, and fun. Some of it felt like the selfie olympics – people would stop to take group photos during the race. Some of it looked like fun, as people played pranks on each other and recorded them with cameras, but the constant posing? Part of me was like, hey guys – want to actually walk or run in this and see the world around you that is happening?
Have we reached an era where we are more interested in recording the surface aspect of our lives rather than participating in them? Do we want our face-value image more than we crave the actual experience?
Last night, I did an impulsive meditation. It wasn't a part of my yoga practice, but it felt like real life. My skin, after being drowned in colored chalk and bathed in hard water? Has been breaking out. I wanted a soulful remedy for an irritation – to be PRESENT with my face as I cared for it and ceremoniously created a ritual of small amounts of self-love.
I took a Q-Tip, put cleanser and water on it and I traced all the dirt off with the ends. I rubbed the edges of my blemishes with precision and curiosity. I was tempted to break the skin, even use tweezers. But like all problems the gentle solution is usually the easiest one. I took a warm washcloth, soaked as steamy water rose off of the edges. I gently washed every corner of my face and neck and took stock in the places missed and re-worked. I must have spent 20 minutes with myself, the water, the mirror, and the present moment. It felt amazing.
I think the best part of this ritual was the eye contact. When looking yourself in the face and seeing all the history of your experiences, the laugh lines and the dark marks, it becomes valuable to you. The warmth and love that I give to my face is like the warmth and love I want to give to myself : every day, and acknowledging all the things that I am and am not with joy and cleansing ritual.
Your naked face is what you live with every day. No matter what you put on and take off, learning to lean into the deep and infinite parts of yourself will bring you peace. May you learn to make loving rituals for yourself that truly give you grounding. As you put on and take off life's tasks and rituals, may you value the person who participates in them. May everyone who looks at you be healed by the love behind your eyes. May your face heal others as it communicates kindness and compassion. May your joy be present in your face.


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Soulja Boy Preps First Headlining Tour
by Singersroom January 26, 2010
Nearly three albums deep, Soulja Boy is more than ready for his first headlining tour! While he has toured with the likes of Chris Brown, Lil Wayne, T-Pain and Young Jeezy, Soulja Boy has yet to interact with fans as a headlining act. Plotting a major tour to be announced in the near future, Soulja Boy tells HipHopDX "I don't know what I have in store yet, it's no telling when it comes to SouljaBoyTellem. I just know that it's my first headlining tour and it's going to be the biggest ever. We're going to do some big venues. I plan on hitting all of the major cities." Not intent on hogging the stage, Soulja Boy plans to make the forthcoming tour a party with a strong list of opening acts. "I'm going to bring some great artist out on the road with me," says Soulja Boy. "I don't have a name for the tour yet but as soon as I do I'll let the people know." In related news, Soulja Boy is slated to release his third album "The DeAndre Way" mid-2010.
Taggedsoulja boy
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Hello from a fellow control freak :) Even though I learnt the hard way that I can't plan my children (I tried very hard to plan the way my first single child would enter the world... ha ha ha!) I still haven't learnt my lesson!
But perhaps you are just having a bad day, or may be week? And you are right, you'll grit your teeth and get through the tough stuff and things will get better. But I also don't think we are meant to parent or educate our children in isloation - so maybe you are just craving some input and understanding from someone else???


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Q: Simple CPU design in Verilog I am trying to use a wire variable which will hold the output of some other module and provide it as an input to the another module. While trying to change its value initially from the test bench, it's showing an error as described below. Here tb.v is the name of the test bench file.

tb.v:39: error: a is not a valid l-value in TB.
   tb.v:4: error: a is declared here as wire. 1 error(s) during elaboration.

Can anybody tell me what I am doing wrong?

A: Use your testbench to control when the module2 input is driven by the module1 output or the testbench.
reg tb_in, tb_drive;
wire out1;
wire in2 = (tb_drive) ? tb_in : out1;
mod1 mod1 (out1);
mod2 mod2 (in2);

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