behind the chicken
A soured Father-Son Parnership, murder and gyros...For those of you in LA who love chicken with garlic butter (aka garlic-flavored crisco), here's a story about the family behond our beloved Zankou. I drove by the site of the new westside location everyday on my way to school, waiting for it to open. After reading this story, I will never look at my tarna chicken plate the same.
Metropolitan News-Enterprise
Monday, November 20, 2006
Page 1
‘Zankou Chicken’ Trademark Remained With Founders Of Restaurant, Not Their Son—Court of Appeal
By TINA BAY, Staff Writer
The dissolution of a father-son partnership so that the son could expand the family business did not result in the transfer of exclusive business or trademark rights to the son, this district’s Court of Appeal ruled Friday.
Affirming an order by Los Angeles Superior Court Judge John Shepard Wiley Jr.,
Div. Eight concluded that rights to the trademark “Zankou Chicken” were validly assigned by one of the restaurant’s founders to her three adult children.
Markrid Iskenderian and her husband Vartkes, both deceased, opened a chicken restaurant decades ago in Beirut, Lebanon called Zankou Chicken. After immigrating to the United States in the 1980s, the Iskenderian family—the couple and their three children, Mardiros, Dzovig, and Haygan Iskenderian—opened the first stateside Zankou Chicken in Hollywood.
Though no written partnership agreement existed, the business filed taxes as a father-son partnership with a 60 percent interest held by the father and 40 percent by son Mardiros Iskendarian.
Markrid Iskenderian, who created Zankou Chicken’s signature garlic sauce, worked in the Hollywood restaurant with her husband and son. The partnership registered the Zankou Chicken trademark with the state in 1984.
In late 1991, a disagreement between parents and son regarding expansion of the business led to the dissolution of the partnership, with father paying son $40,000 for his partnership share. The parents, who did not want to open stores in other locations, continued operating the flagship store while allowing their son to open additional restaurants of his own.
He eventually opened Zankou Chicken restaurants in Glendale, Van Nuys, Anaheim and Pasadena, retaining all the profits from the additional locations while his parents kept the profits from the Hollywood store.
After Vartkes Iskenderian’s death in 1992, Markrid Iskenderian continued operating the Hollywood restaurant, and created a living trust conveying her sole ownership interest in the store to the trustee for the benefit of her two daughters. Though she once amended the trust to include her son as a beneficiary, she ultimately designated the trust only for her daughters’ benefit.
Since he had reaped the benefit of his parents’ fortune and had four stores of his own, she told her son in a letter, she was designating the flagship store for his sisters.
Without her knowledge, her son in 1992 registered the Zankou Chicken service mark in the United States Patent and Trademark Office, declaring in the application that he owned the mark and no other person had the right to use it. The registration was canceled in 2000 after Markrid Iskenderian discovered the action.
In 2002, Markrid Iskenderian created a second trust in which the trustees of the first trust assigned to the 2002 instrument’s trustees “all of her right, title and interest in the restaurant business, the trade name, service mark, or trademark commonly known as ZANKOU CHICKEN.” The trust provided for distribution of the trademark rights to her three children in equal shares, and of the Hollywood restaurant to her daughters.
In January 2003, Mardiros Iskenderian, who had been diagnosed with cancer two years earlier, shot and killed his mother, his sister Dzovig Iskendarian, and himself.
Eight months later, his widow, Rita Iskenderian, filed a petition in probate court asserting that she exclusively owned the Zankou Chicken Mark. She sought an order declaring the mark was not property of the 2002 trust and directing the trustee to execute a quitclaim of the mark to her. Haygan Iskenderian and Dzovig Iskenderian’s surviving sons and successors in interest agreed that she owned the mark, she alleged.
At a bench trial, she testified that after the partnership’s dissolution, her husband told her he “gave away” the Hollywood restaurant to his parents in return for the Zankou Chicken trademark.
Wiley declined to believe her, saying there was “no sensible reason” why parents who devoted their lives to building a business would forfeit all of their rights to the trademark embodying their lifelong work.
The judge found that the 1991 dissolution merely marked a realignment of the family members’ duties and the start of a “generally unified and cooperative family enterprise” that operated for decades until the 2003 tragedy. The Zankou Chicken mark was owned by the family enterprise on the day Markrid Iskenderian was killed, Wiley ruled, and she had validly transferred her interest in the mark to the 2002 trust.
The judge ordered that the trademark rights be equally distributed among Markrid Iskenderian’s three children, effectuating the trust.
Writing for the Court of Appeal, Justice Paul Boland agreed with Wiley:
“[T]he court expressly found, as a matter of fact, that the mark was not transferred to Mardiros when the partnership was dissolved. Therefore, ownership of the mark either remained with the family enterprise (as the trial court described it) or with Vartkes alone (as the partner who retained the mark). In either case, on Vartkes’s death, Markrid succeeded to his rights (and necessarily had community property rights of her own) in the mark, and had the authority to transfer those rights to the trust.”
Boland also rejected Rita Iskenderian’s argument that joint ownership of the mark was unlawful.
“To be sure, the joint ownership of a trademark can raise difficult problems when joint owners refuse to cooperate,” the justice wrote. “However, no evidence indicates Rita and the other family members with interest in the Zankou Chicken mark will be unable to agree on terms for the continuation of the family enterprise, or for a buyout of interests in the enterprise should they decide not to cooperate as they have in the past.”
Presiding Justice Candace Cooper and Justice Madeleine Flier concurred in the opinion.
Peter B. Gelblum, Douglas Bordewieck and Valentine Shalamitski of Mitchell, Silberbert & Knupp represented the plaintiff on appeal. Tulane M. Peterson and Gary W. Morris of Hart, Mieras & Morris represented the defendants.
The case is Iskenderian v. Iskenderian, 06 S.O.S. 5576.
11/14/2006
awkward dinner
On wednesday I attended a swanky dinner for a certain LA-based non-profit that begins with APA and ends with LC at the Beverly Hilton. I was invited because my non-profit was given a grant by an organization who bought a table at the dinner.
Ack, and it was awkward...
6:20pm -- my attempt at arriving post-reception/silent auction was foiled by good traffic. I am pissed that I have to pay $10 to self-park my car.
6:40pm -- Spend 20 minutes wandering around the crowd looking for a familiar asian face. No such luck, even though I'm at a freakin' asian event. I guess I don't know enough rich Asian lawyers in LA. After wandering around I find a marble pilar to stand behind and call minsoo and my sister to pass the time and avoid the awkward standing alone and staring at strangers pose. I realize cell phones were made not just for convenience but also to avoid socially awkward situations.
6:55 -- I decide to go to my assigned table. Find it empty so I go to the bar to buy an $8.75 glass of wine to pass the time. I thought I'd get a free dinner, but I've already spent almost $20 just waiting to eat.
6:57 -- Run into the husband of an NU alum that I know from church. Yes! A familiar face. The guy isn't a lawyer and doesn't know anyone either. We spend a few minutes exchanging "I didn't know this event was going to be like this" and then go to our respective tables.
7:00pm -- Find people at my table; I sit with a nice woman who's in charge of the grants. She seems to know everyone and everyone else at the table knows other people. I'm the only one who doesn't know a soul. I stare intently at my program to avoid the awkwardness of knowing zero people.
7:15 -- The program starts and the M.C. turns out to be cute local sportscaster that I've had a crush on since high school. Maybe this event isn't so bad. Too bad the room is huge and I'm sitting in the nose bleed table, only able to see the guy from the large screens. I also spot another cute Asian news reporter. Watch cheesy but compelling videos about the non-profit's work. Is it weird to have a crush on an organization?
8:20pm -- The woman at my table introduces me to some Asian Judges. They ask me if I'm in the legal profession. The conversation ends there. Almost as awkward as talking to no one.
8:55pm -- Hells yes. People are leaving so I take my chance and book it out of there before dessert and more awkward conversation.
*SIGH* I really thought it'd be an awesome event. I still have a crush on the organization.
On wednesday I attended a swanky dinner for a certain LA-based non-profit that begins with APA and ends with LC at the Beverly Hilton. I was invited because my non-profit was given a grant by an organization who bought a table at the dinner.
Ack, and it was awkward...
6:20pm -- my attempt at arriving post-reception/silent auction was foiled by good traffic. I am pissed that I have to pay $10 to self-park my car.
6:40pm -- Spend 20 minutes wandering around the crowd looking for a familiar asian face. No such luck, even though I'm at a freakin' asian event. I guess I don't know enough rich Asian lawyers in LA. After wandering around I find a marble pilar to stand behind and call minsoo and my sister to pass the time and avoid the awkward standing alone and staring at strangers pose. I realize cell phones were made not just for convenience but also to avoid socially awkward situations.
6:55 -- I decide to go to my assigned table. Find it empty so I go to the bar to buy an $8.75 glass of wine to pass the time. I thought I'd get a free dinner, but I've already spent almost $20 just waiting to eat.
6:57 -- Run into the husband of an NU alum that I know from church. Yes! A familiar face. The guy isn't a lawyer and doesn't know anyone either. We spend a few minutes exchanging "I didn't know this event was going to be like this" and then go to our respective tables.
7:00pm -- Find people at my table; I sit with a nice woman who's in charge of the grants. She seems to know everyone and everyone else at the table knows other people. I'm the only one who doesn't know a soul. I stare intently at my program to avoid the awkwardness of knowing zero people.
7:15 -- The program starts and the M.C. turns out to be cute local sportscaster that I've had a crush on since high school. Maybe this event isn't so bad. Too bad the room is huge and I'm sitting in the nose bleed table, only able to see the guy from the large screens. I also spot another cute Asian news reporter. Watch cheesy but compelling videos about the non-profit's work. Is it weird to have a crush on an organization?
8:20pm -- The woman at my table introduces me to some Asian Judges. They ask me if I'm in the legal profession. The conversation ends there. Almost as awkward as talking to no one.
8:55pm -- Hells yes. People are leaving so I take my chance and book it out of there before dessert and more awkward conversation.
*SIGH* I really thought it'd be an awesome event. I still have a crush on the organization.
11/13/2006
a silent fraternity
Angela's daughter came to work today to begin her internship with us. I really enjoyed catching up with her -- we talked about a bunch of random stuff -- her classes, our separate H&M trips, her mom's fashion, their old apartment, how we both hate abercrombie but for very different reasons... It was really nice to hang out with her. After she left, I started to feel really sad. It's been less than a month since A's passed away and even though work is getting back to normal and things are returning back to normal, I still feel that deep sense of loss constantly.
I was driving home today and there was a story on All Things Considered on NPR about a writer and her desire to document her father's final days. It was a beautiful story and my eyes were watering as I listened to her. During the story she said something that was so profound and applied so well to the way I was feeling today after seeing my friend's daughter.
"Grief scares people and my pain was so raw I think it was difficult for some of my friends to tolerate. I connected best to others who were wounded, many of them strangers. Serious loss brings you into one of the world's silent fraternities."
Angela's daughter came to work today to begin her internship with us. I really enjoyed catching up with her -- we talked about a bunch of random stuff -- her classes, our separate H&M trips, her mom's fashion, their old apartment, how we both hate abercrombie but for very different reasons... It was really nice to hang out with her. After she left, I started to feel really sad. It's been less than a month since A's passed away and even though work is getting back to normal and things are returning back to normal, I still feel that deep sense of loss constantly.
I was driving home today and there was a story on All Things Considered on NPR about a writer and her desire to document her father's final days. It was a beautiful story and my eyes were watering as I listened to her. During the story she said something that was so profound and applied so well to the way I was feeling today after seeing my friend's daughter.
"Grief scares people and my pain was so raw I think it was difficult for some of my friends to tolerate. I connected best to others who were wounded, many of them strangers. Serious loss brings you into one of the world's silent fraternities."
11/07/2006
Today is election day.
Don't know where to vote?
Here you go...
http://www.smartvoter.org/
Don't know what issues you want to vote for?
www.aaa-fund.org has some good info... just a suggestion. Take it or leave it.
Not voting is for suckas. Please get your lazy ass out there and vote for goodness sake. I could go on but I won't.
I'm working helping to get out the vote today until the polls close at 8pm. VOTE please! There, now I'm done.
Don't know where to vote?
Here you go...
http://www.smartvoter.org/
Don't know what issues you want to vote for?
www.aaa-fund.org has some good info... just a suggestion. Take it or leave it.
Not voting is for suckas. Please get your lazy ass out there and vote for goodness sake. I could go on but I won't.
I'm working helping to get out the vote today until the polls close at 8pm. VOTE please! There, now I'm done.
11/06/2006
some cheering up
October flew by in a whirlwind of confusion and sadness. I'm still getting my bearings and still trying to deal with life in general. Fortunately, I was able to accompany minsoo to Hawaii for a short, much-needed weekend getaway. We went to Honolulu for the film festival and I got to see my relatives, including my cute little new second cousin. While I don't think the vacation was long enough, nor thorough enough to really help me begin to heal, there were some cool higlights. Here are some pics:
Pretty beaches...
Shrimp Truck on the side of the road... So yummy.
Butter and Garlic shrimp -- so good, the stray cats sat under Minsoo's legs just waiting for the scraps.
My cousin's baby, Kyle (a girl)... she's so cute, with her big head and fuzzy hair!
She was highly amused by me and my funny faces.
October flew by in a whirlwind of confusion and sadness. I'm still getting my bearings and still trying to deal with life in general. Fortunately, I was able to accompany minsoo to Hawaii for a short, much-needed weekend getaway. We went to Honolulu for the film festival and I got to see my relatives, including my cute little new second cousin. While I don't think the vacation was long enough, nor thorough enough to really help me begin to heal, there were some cool higlights. Here are some pics:
Pretty beaches...
Shrimp Truck on the side of the road... So yummy.
Butter and Garlic shrimp -- so good, the stray cats sat under Minsoo's legs just waiting for the scraps.
My cousin's baby, Kyle (a girl)... she's so cute, with her big head and fuzzy hair!
She was highly amused by me and my funny faces.
10/17/2006
f****** insane day
My co-worker Angela is the one who convinced me to take a full time job at the South LA non-profit. She tried to bribe me with drinks at a boring conference and promised me "fun" research projects. What really convinced me to take the job was that she promised she'd be there. I really enjoyed our comraderie and how much fun we had while talking about everything from green building standards to the latest celebrity gossip. She always talked about quitting and so I made a deal with her that I'd stay on if she agreed to stay on with me. On Wednesday, when I dropped her off at the airport for a long weekend, we were talking about our next projects and I was totally motivated for an awesome year.
So when she didn't show up for work on Monday and today, my boss and I got worried. It wasn't like her not leave a voicemail telling me she'd be working from home or an email about our next research steps. The last time I got an email was on Saturday.
Today, I drove circles around the city with my boss, trying to track down her friends to find out what happened to her. By the end of the day, I learned the most horrific news:
On Saturday night, Angela returned from out of town to host a birthday party for a friend. She planned on spending the night at her friend's house and was last seen by one of her close friends at 4am on Sun morning, when she walked her friend to car after the party. Later that morning she went out for brunch with the birthday boy and a friend and when they got back, the friend (who had been doing drugs the previous night) apparently gave Angela a fatal dose of heroin via a shot in the neck. Just to clarify, Angela does not do drugs and, although there were some hard partying people at the party that night, she was fine when her friend left her at 4am. I doubt that Angela would have consented to doing drugs.
I heard this story while driving my boss and two of Angela's friends through the mid-Wilshire area. One of her friends, on the cell phone with Ang's mom as I was driving, was sobbing while the mom shared what she learned from the police report. Apparently, the woman who shot up was book on murder charges. Her friend relayed the message as we were driving up Hauser toward Wilshire in rush hour traffic and I almost had to pull over as everyone in my car was sobbing uncontrollably.
I know, I know. This S*** is F****** INSANE. There's no other way to describe it but to use profanity to describe this horrific story. But I kid you not, this is what I found out about my co-worker, my friend today. Her friends and I sat in horror and disbelief at this. On top of this, she has a wonderful 15 year old daughter who is amazing and who now thinks that everyone will remember her mom as a druggie -- which is NOT true.
I am sitting here right now, in disbelief that I am writing about this, but I need an outlet. Angela is a FRIEND, not just a co-worker, and I am struggling with her sudden and tragic and horrific death. My head hurts from holding the tears in, and from trying to wrap my head around the things I heard today. On top of everything, my boss and I don't want to tell our co-workers the lurid details of her death, so as to not ruin her reputation by focusing on her untimely death.
My boss and I spent all day wishing it was some really horrible mistake. I don't know how I'm going to get through my job without her and our lunchtime drinking sessions where she'd tell me all the dirt and help me figure out what the hell I'm supposed to be working on. I used to sit at my desk and think "What would Angela do?" when I couldn't figure things out. I can't believe that she's not going to be at her desk tomorrow. I seriously don't know how I'm going to do my job without my friend and partner in research crime. Her friend whom I met today, said to me, "Sweetie, she really liked you. She used to talk about how much she liked you."
Thanks for everything, Gigi. You are missed already.
My co-worker Angela is the one who convinced me to take a full time job at the South LA non-profit. She tried to bribe me with drinks at a boring conference and promised me "fun" research projects. What really convinced me to take the job was that she promised she'd be there. I really enjoyed our comraderie and how much fun we had while talking about everything from green building standards to the latest celebrity gossip. She always talked about quitting and so I made a deal with her that I'd stay on if she agreed to stay on with me. On Wednesday, when I dropped her off at the airport for a long weekend, we were talking about our next projects and I was totally motivated for an awesome year.
So when she didn't show up for work on Monday and today, my boss and I got worried. It wasn't like her not leave a voicemail telling me she'd be working from home or an email about our next research steps. The last time I got an email was on Saturday.
Today, I drove circles around the city with my boss, trying to track down her friends to find out what happened to her. By the end of the day, I learned the most horrific news:
On Saturday night, Angela returned from out of town to host a birthday party for a friend. She planned on spending the night at her friend's house and was last seen by one of her close friends at 4am on Sun morning, when she walked her friend to car after the party. Later that morning she went out for brunch with the birthday boy and a friend and when they got back, the friend (who had been doing drugs the previous night) apparently gave Angela a fatal dose of heroin via a shot in the neck. Just to clarify, Angela does not do drugs and, although there were some hard partying people at the party that night, she was fine when her friend left her at 4am. I doubt that Angela would have consented to doing drugs.
I heard this story while driving my boss and two of Angela's friends through the mid-Wilshire area. One of her friends, on the cell phone with Ang's mom as I was driving, was sobbing while the mom shared what she learned from the police report. Apparently, the woman who shot up was book on murder charges. Her friend relayed the message as we were driving up Hauser toward Wilshire in rush hour traffic and I almost had to pull over as everyone in my car was sobbing uncontrollably.
I know, I know. This S*** is F****** INSANE. There's no other way to describe it but to use profanity to describe this horrific story. But I kid you not, this is what I found out about my co-worker, my friend today. Her friends and I sat in horror and disbelief at this. On top of this, she has a wonderful 15 year old daughter who is amazing and who now thinks that everyone will remember her mom as a druggie -- which is NOT true.
I am sitting here right now, in disbelief that I am writing about this, but I need an outlet. Angela is a FRIEND, not just a co-worker, and I am struggling with her sudden and tragic and horrific death. My head hurts from holding the tears in, and from trying to wrap my head around the things I heard today. On top of everything, my boss and I don't want to tell our co-workers the lurid details of her death, so as to not ruin her reputation by focusing on her untimely death.
My boss and I spent all day wishing it was some really horrible mistake. I don't know how I'm going to get through my job without her and our lunchtime drinking sessions where she'd tell me all the dirt and help me figure out what the hell I'm supposed to be working on. I used to sit at my desk and think "What would Angela do?" when I couldn't figure things out. I can't believe that she's not going to be at her desk tomorrow. I seriously don't know how I'm going to do my job without my friend and partner in research crime. Her friend whom I met today, said to me, "Sweetie, she really liked you. She used to talk about how much she liked you."
Thanks for everything, Gigi. You are missed already.
10/05/2006
why i love fall
PUMPKIN dessert!!!
However, this news does not bode well for the season's orange delight:
Fungus causes pumpkins to develop mold
Could affect this year's crop of Halloween jack-o-lanterns
Updated: 4:02 a.m. PT Oct 5, 2006
LAFAYETTE, Ind. - Halloween lovers hoping to create the perfect jack-o-lantern might want to shop carefully this year because of a pumpkin fungus that has put a dent in some crops.
Two types of fungus or rot have affected crops from the Midwest to New England, causing pumpkins to develop mold in some spots and then begin decomposing, said Daniel Egel, a Purdue University Extension plant pathologist. The entire inside of the pumpkin eventually rots until the shell falls apart.
A combination of high temperatures and record rain in August has helped the fungi flourish, Egel said.
PUMPKIN dessert!!!
However, this news does not bode well for the season's orange delight:
Fungus causes pumpkins to develop mold
Could affect this year's crop of Halloween jack-o-lanterns
Updated: 4:02 a.m. PT Oct 5, 2006
LAFAYETTE, Ind. - Halloween lovers hoping to create the perfect jack-o-lantern might want to shop carefully this year because of a pumpkin fungus that has put a dent in some crops.
Two types of fungus or rot have affected crops from the Midwest to New England, causing pumpkins to develop mold in some spots and then begin decomposing, said Daniel Egel, a Purdue University Extension plant pathologist. The entire inside of the pumpkin eventually rots until the shell falls apart.
A combination of high temperatures and record rain in August has helped the fungi flourish, Egel said.
9/22/2006
a favor
VOTE FOR JANE!!!
I'm ripping this off from my sis in laws' websites, but wanted to put in a plug for a friend -- many of you might remember her as one of the ladies that sang at our wedding... She's one of minsoo's oldest friends and has become a true friend of mine as well. Not only is she a kick-ass singer, but a great human being in general so PLEASE take a few and vote for her!! I don't know anything about that "wicked" musical, but I know a good thing when I see it and Jane is one of those good things. Voting for her is like voting for good things in this world. :)
Jane is one of 30 finalists for this singing contest sponsored by the musical "Wicked." You can watch her singing online, and then vote for her... if she wins, she'll get a free trip to New York and tickets to the show and a chance to sing live. So VOTE for her PLEASE!!!! And get all your friends to vote.
Here's what you have to do: Go to www.wicked-week.com
- Click on the "Wicked Week First Round 'Be Wicked' Singing Contest" link
- Click on the "Wicked Fan" area to register (yeah, its a pain, but it's just one step so please please please do it anyway)
- Once you're in, click on the East Coast link in the Round One Online Voting area.
- Listen to Jane (from Massachusetts, 26) sing! And then vote for her!!
** Random Fact: the background of her audition tape is Minsoo & Jane's home church!
VOTE FOR JANE!!!
I'm ripping this off from my sis in laws' websites, but wanted to put in a plug for a friend -- many of you might remember her as one of the ladies that sang at our wedding... She's one of minsoo's oldest friends and has become a true friend of mine as well. Not only is she a kick-ass singer, but a great human being in general so PLEASE take a few and vote for her!! I don't know anything about that "wicked" musical, but I know a good thing when I see it and Jane is one of those good things. Voting for her is like voting for good things in this world. :)
Jane is one of 30 finalists for this singing contest sponsored by the musical "Wicked." You can watch her singing online, and then vote for her... if she wins, she'll get a free trip to New York and tickets to the show and a chance to sing live. So VOTE for her PLEASE!!!! And get all your friends to vote.
Here's what you have to do: Go to www.wicked-week.com
- Click on the "Wicked Week First Round 'Be Wicked' Singing Contest" link
- Click on the "Wicked Fan" area to register (yeah, its a pain, but it's just one step so please please please do it anyway)
- Once you're in, click on the East Coast link in the Round One Online Voting area.
- Listen to Jane (from Massachusetts, 26) sing! And then vote for her!!
** Random Fact: the background of her audition tape is Minsoo & Jane's home church!
9/18/2006
Feed the need
Thanks to all who sent bday messages awhile back... I'm sorry I haven't responded -- it's been a bit crazy.
My kick ass sisters in law sent me the best birthday gift -- Anne 0f Green_Gables -- the original AND the sequel. YEEEEAAAAHHHHHHH!!!! Watching it on DVD sure beats downloading each 10 minute clip via Y0uTube. I've already watched an hour between watching season premieres of new shows.
Real life pales in comparison to Anne and her turn-of-the-century hijinks. Ha ha ha... I'm so sad.
Thanks to all who sent bday messages awhile back... I'm sorry I haven't responded -- it's been a bit crazy.
My kick ass sisters in law sent me the best birthday gift -- Anne 0f Green_Gables -- the original AND the sequel. YEEEEAAAAHHHHHHH!!!! Watching it on DVD sure beats downloading each 10 minute clip via Y0uTube. I've already watched an hour between watching season premieres of new shows.
Real life pales in comparison to Anne and her turn-of-the-century hijinks. Ha ha ha... I'm so sad.
9/14/2006
Yesterday was one crazy day.
After a long plane ride home from St. Louis, my co-worker and I had to head up to fancy-pants Bel-Air to attend an event for our latest campaign. Our boss called us just as we were about to leave for the airport and told us that we needed to be there to help represent (I think she meant, help represent for all the ugly, poor, non-white people). Minsoo picked us up from the airport and we headed back to my place to transform ourselves from schlepy non-profit research nerds, to "hollywood casual" (whatever that means).
When we were driving to the house, we noticed the homes in the area got larger and larger and farther and farther from the street. Pretty soon we couldn't see the properties because of the tall gates and foliage surrounding the mansions. When we got to the house, there was only valet parking for my dust and pigeon-poo covered civic. Hollywood elites, here I come!
As I greeted people at the sign in table, I realized I had NO idea who owned the home. It turns out that the homeowner was the producer of Al G0re's movie and all of Tarentin0's movies -- CRAZY!!! I had no idea what the guy looked like, but when I walked into the house, the first photo I saw was the producer, who was with Bill and Hillary (Clinton). Um, yeah.
There were a bunch of hollywood producers and other entertainment people, but the only person I recognized was a gal from Melr0se Place.
Anyway, in one day I went from hangout in a cheesy ballroom in the midwest falling asleep to the sounds of obnoxious policy-makers to hanging out with well-groomed hollywood types in a mansion in Bel-Air. Surreal.
Today, after sleeping for 9 hours, I woke up and felt like a train hit me.
After a long plane ride home from St. Louis, my co-worker and I had to head up to fancy-pants Bel-Air to attend an event for our latest campaign. Our boss called us just as we were about to leave for the airport and told us that we needed to be there to help represent (I think she meant, help represent for all the ugly, poor, non-white people). Minsoo picked us up from the airport and we headed back to my place to transform ourselves from schlepy non-profit research nerds, to "hollywood casual" (whatever that means).
When we were driving to the house, we noticed the homes in the area got larger and larger and farther and farther from the street. Pretty soon we couldn't see the properties because of the tall gates and foliage surrounding the mansions. When we got to the house, there was only valet parking for my dust and pigeon-poo covered civic. Hollywood elites, here I come!
As I greeted people at the sign in table, I realized I had NO idea who owned the home. It turns out that the homeowner was the producer of Al G0re's movie and all of Tarentin0's movies -- CRAZY!!! I had no idea what the guy looked like, but when I walked into the house, the first photo I saw was the producer, who was with Bill and Hillary (Clinton). Um, yeah.
There were a bunch of hollywood producers and other entertainment people, but the only person I recognized was a gal from Melr0se Place.
Anyway, in one day I went from hangout in a cheesy ballroom in the midwest falling asleep to the sounds of obnoxious policy-makers to hanging out with well-groomed hollywood types in a mansion in Bel-Air. Surreal.
Today, after sleeping for 9 hours, I woke up and felt like a train hit me.
9/13/2006
smell you later, policy weirdos
I'm about ready to check out of the hotel. Yay for free wireless in my room -- boo for the suckiness of downtown St. Louis.
I'm so excited to be out of here that I want to run laps around the ice cold partioned ballroom with the tacky red chairs & flower patterned rug and high-5 all of the bald heads of the middle aged white men at the conference while screaming, "I'm out SUCKASSSSSSSS!!!!! Take your boring policy-speak and annoying nasal voices and obnoxious 'tude and go back to D.C. or wherever the hell they keep boring policy wonks! Um, and by the way, YOU'RE UGLY!"
Needless to say, apparently policy wonks are not my type of nerd.
I need to get back to LA. Peace Out Midwest. The arch was only OK.
I'm about ready to check out of the hotel. Yay for free wireless in my room -- boo for the suckiness of downtown St. Louis.
I'm so excited to be out of here that I want to run laps around the ice cold partioned ballroom with the tacky red chairs & flower patterned rug and high-5 all of the bald heads of the middle aged white men at the conference while screaming, "I'm out SUCKASSSSSSSS!!!!! Take your boring policy-speak and annoying nasal voices and obnoxious 'tude and go back to D.C. or wherever the hell they keep boring policy wonks! Um, and by the way, YOU'RE UGLY!"
Needless to say, apparently policy wonks are not my type of nerd.
I need to get back to LA. Peace Out Midwest. The arch was only OK.
9/12/2006
wow, i am so cool
Live from Nerd Fest 2006...
If I had to be here any longer, I might actually convince myself that I'm really cool...
Just spent sometime at the happenin' hotel bar, where my co-worker and I just got free drinks and food, courtesy of some dude who showed up after food service had closed. We gave him a half of our sandwich and he bought us our food and drinks in exchange for the sandwich and some "stimulating" conversation. He told us that he'd be happy to go to work if he'd see us everyday. EW. Thanks for the free booze dude, but you're 36 and you look like you're 46. GROSS. Also, I noticed that the ring finger on your left hand has big fat tan. EW. I guess I just experienced my first skeezy pick up at an out-of-town conference. Sad.
I'm leaving tomorrow. Yay. These humorless policy nerds are driving me crazy.
Live from Nerd Fest 2006...
If I had to be here any longer, I might actually convince myself that I'm really cool...
Just spent sometime at the happenin' hotel bar, where my co-worker and I just got free drinks and food, courtesy of some dude who showed up after food service had closed. We gave him a half of our sandwich and he bought us our food and drinks in exchange for the sandwich and some "stimulating" conversation. He told us that he'd be happy to go to work if he'd see us everyday. EW. Thanks for the free booze dude, but you're 36 and you look like you're 46. GROSS. Also, I noticed that the ring finger on your left hand has big fat tan. EW. I guess I just experienced my first skeezy pick up at an out-of-town conference. Sad.
I'm leaving tomorrow. Yay. These humorless policy nerds are driving me crazy.
9/11/2006
please tell me i'm cooler than this.
I am at nerd conference 2006.... aka the econ. analysis and research network conf in st. louis,mo. The opening plenary included jokes about tax reform and about how policy related to King Frederick of Prussia and his speech on how beer should not be replaced by coffee. I know, true nerd-fest.
You know you're at a nerdfest when...
You feel like the coolest person there.
Being drunk doesn't not make it better.
There is a woman with terrible dandruff and a man with terrible breath talking to you at the same time.
On the plus side, there's free internet and I can see the arch from my room.
Aw, how sad... and how nerdy.
Yes, a rockin' time in St. Louis.
I wanna go home.
I am at nerd conference 2006.... aka the econ. analysis and research network conf in st. louis,mo. The opening plenary included jokes about tax reform and about how policy related to King Frederick of Prussia and his speech on how beer should not be replaced by coffee. I know, true nerd-fest.
You know you're at a nerdfest when...
You feel like the coolest person there.
Being drunk doesn't not make it better.
There is a woman with terrible dandruff and a man with terrible breath talking to you at the same time.
On the plus side, there's free internet and I can see the arch from my room.
Aw, how sad... and how nerdy.
Yes, a rockin' time in St. Louis.
I wanna go home.
9/07/2006
social ambush
Earlier today, minsoo asked me if I wanted to "go see a free screening" of Co1ma:the musical (yes, a musical about the place with all the cemetaries and car dealerships on the way to SF. Funny funny). I was really tired from a long day at work, but I had wanted to see this film awhile ago, so I changed into grubby clothes, my comfy sweater and we headed to the theater in Little Tokyo. I figured it'd be a good way to veg out after a long day at work.
However, when we arrived, I was very surprised to find a semi-fancy reception gala going on outside the theater. I saw the business casual-dressed crowd sipping wine from clear cups and immediately felt under-dressed and unprepared for what I like to call "the schmooze". I wanted to just hop inside the theater, but we were forced to crash the party, not intentionally, but because the gala was blocking the entrance to the theater. We were socially ambushed.
We were spotted by a few acquaintances who directed us to the name tag and buffet table. I felt really underdressed and all-around uncomfortable and dying to escape into the theater. Note to self: in LA, going to see a movie may also require wearing heels and something trendy.
We also ended up in a few group photos. The photographer showed me the first photo, where I look so frumpy (Think Wai-Ling circa 1998). The second time the photographer asked if he could take a group shot of "Us" (aka people we were standing next to), I wanted to say no, but that would have been rude. So I tried to smooth out the lumps of food in my mouth and do a pressed-lip smile (never a good look for a "round" faced girl like me). Mmm, so beautiful.
When we first arrived, we met up with the guy who was going to get us free tickets and he introduced us (or rather, he introduced Minsoo) to a random girl who did PR for film festivals. She was young -- like, just out of undergrad young. And very enthusiastic, which made me feel even more awkward given that I was unprepared for social interaction. Under better conditions, I think we might have hit it off. However given my state, I just wanted her to stop talking. She went away after a bit, but then popped up as we were getting food and introduced us to her friend. I think she thought we were her age or not that much older because when minsoo introduced me to her friend as "my wife", she was taken aback, I hope because of how "young" we look/seem not because she was disappointed that minsoo was taken.
Pet peeve: standing right by a person being introduced by another person (who knows you) and not being introduced to that person. What the hell? How rude.
Earlier today, minsoo asked me if I wanted to "go see a free screening" of Co1ma:the musical (yes, a musical about the place with all the cemetaries and car dealerships on the way to SF. Funny funny). I was really tired from a long day at work, but I had wanted to see this film awhile ago, so I changed into grubby clothes, my comfy sweater and we headed to the theater in Little Tokyo. I figured it'd be a good way to veg out after a long day at work.
However, when we arrived, I was very surprised to find a semi-fancy reception gala going on outside the theater. I saw the business casual-dressed crowd sipping wine from clear cups and immediately felt under-dressed and unprepared for what I like to call "the schmooze". I wanted to just hop inside the theater, but we were forced to crash the party, not intentionally, but because the gala was blocking the entrance to the theater. We were socially ambushed.
We were spotted by a few acquaintances who directed us to the name tag and buffet table. I felt really underdressed and all-around uncomfortable and dying to escape into the theater. Note to self: in LA, going to see a movie may also require wearing heels and something trendy.
We also ended up in a few group photos. The photographer showed me the first photo, where I look so frumpy (Think Wai-Ling circa 1998). The second time the photographer asked if he could take a group shot of "Us" (aka people we were standing next to), I wanted to say no, but that would have been rude. So I tried to smooth out the lumps of food in my mouth and do a pressed-lip smile (never a good look for a "round" faced girl like me). Mmm, so beautiful.
When we first arrived, we met up with the guy who was going to get us free tickets and he introduced us (or rather, he introduced Minsoo) to a random girl who did PR for film festivals. She was young -- like, just out of undergrad young. And very enthusiastic, which made me feel even more awkward given that I was unprepared for social interaction. Under better conditions, I think we might have hit it off. However given my state, I just wanted her to stop talking. She went away after a bit, but then popped up as we were getting food and introduced us to her friend. I think she thought we were her age or not that much older because when minsoo introduced me to her friend as "my wife", she was taken aback, I hope because of how "young" we look/seem not because she was disappointed that minsoo was taken.
Pet peeve: standing right by a person being introduced by another person (who knows you) and not being introduced to that person. What the hell? How rude.
9/06/2006
=sum(number 1, [number2],...)
5: Hot dogs consumed on Labor Day weekend
2: Part-time jobs
0: Full-time jobs
1: Lock picked this weekend (using a vons card and a paper clip)
3: Ants at work that crawled across my desk/computer/bag
4: Trips down to the 'rents house to play with my sister's cat
2: AnneofGG marathons this weekend
3: Margaritas mixed and enjoyed courtesy of my sister
3: Hours spent tonight working job #2 after working all day at job #1
5: Days until I go to a conference for job #1 & experience St. Louis...*YAWN*
-----
28.
5: Hot dogs consumed on Labor Day weekend
2: Part-time jobs
0: Full-time jobs
1: Lock picked this weekend (using a vons card and a paper clip)
3: Ants at work that crawled across my desk/computer/bag
4: Trips down to the 'rents house to play with my sister's cat
2: AnneofGG marathons this weekend
3: Margaritas mixed and enjoyed courtesy of my sister
3: Hours spent tonight working job #2 after working all day at job #1
5: Days until I go to a conference for job #1 & experience St. Louis...*YAWN*
-----
28.
8/31/2006
no turning back now
Minsoo and I decided to merge our CD collections and sell off our duplicates for some extra cash. I used this opportunity to cleanse myself of my past music sins.
Among the exorcised late 90s-era CDs:
- The Titanic Soundtrack
- Savage Garden
- Can't Hardly Wait soundtrack... I had 3 copies of this one
- The Bodyguard Soundtrack
- All for One
- Backstreet Boys
I'll stop there. Suffice it to say, I had forgotten about my horrible CD collection so I was pretty shocked at the crap I collected over the years. It was minsoo's job to sell back the CDs, which must have been embarrassing for him.
I think it was a big deal to merge CD collections. I had to say good bye to some good CDs because Minsoo already had a copy and it made me think about the process of giving up part of your individual life for a partnership as a married couple -- something that was a huge deal for me during my engagement year. I guess becoming "one" is a long process.
Minsoo and I decided to merge our CD collections and sell off our duplicates for some extra cash. I used this opportunity to cleanse myself of my past music sins.
Among the exorcised late 90s-era CDs:
- The Titanic Soundtrack
- Savage Garden
- Can't Hardly Wait soundtrack... I had 3 copies of this one
- The Bodyguard Soundtrack
- All for One
- Backstreet Boys
I'll stop there. Suffice it to say, I had forgotten about my horrible CD collection so I was pretty shocked at the crap I collected over the years. It was minsoo's job to sell back the CDs, which must have been embarrassing for him.
I think it was a big deal to merge CD collections. I had to say good bye to some good CDs because Minsoo already had a copy and it made me think about the process of giving up part of your individual life for a partnership as a married couple -- something that was a huge deal for me during my engagement year. I guess becoming "one" is a long process.
8/25/2006
I'm on AoGG crack
I just finished watching AnneofGreenGables: The Sequel on Y0utube. The entire movie was uploaded onto the site as 23, 3-10 minute clips. Yeah! Watching both of the movies on Y0utube was like being on crack... I'd finish watching a 10-min segment and then immediately load the next clip. I had to have it. I watched half of the sequel yesterday and only watched a few today before I had to go down to my parents' house to do some cleaning. I thought I'd have a chance to watch some more at their house, but I was totally busy. The entire time, I was thinking to myself: I can't wait to be done, I need to watch the "diamond sunbursts and marble halls" part. I raced home and immediately finished the movie. *sigh* I think if I saw the actor who plays Gilbert Blythe right now I'd pass out. This movie is like a drug. I'm basically now on an AoGG high.
Wow this post is really disturbing/scary/pathetic. I'll be back to talking about real issues and my daily mishaps soon.
I just finished watching AnneofGreenGables: The Sequel on Y0utube. The entire movie was uploaded onto the site as 23, 3-10 minute clips. Yeah! Watching both of the movies on Y0utube was like being on crack... I'd finish watching a 10-min segment and then immediately load the next clip. I had to have it. I watched half of the sequel yesterday and only watched a few today before I had to go down to my parents' house to do some cleaning. I thought I'd have a chance to watch some more at their house, but I was totally busy. The entire time, I was thinking to myself: I can't wait to be done, I need to watch the "diamond sunbursts and marble halls" part. I raced home and immediately finished the movie. *sigh* I think if I saw the actor who plays Gilbert Blythe right now I'd pass out. This movie is like a drug. I'm basically now on an AoGG high.
Wow this post is really disturbing/scary/pathetic. I'll be back to talking about real issues and my daily mishaps soon.
8/23/2006
wai-ling's definition of awesomesad
SCORE! I found the ENTIRE Anne of Green Gables movie on Y0utube last night... Someone had uploaded 10 minute portions of the movie so I watched 16 of 20 clips last night and just finished it. I haven't seen it in years and forgot how much I love it. I heart Gilbert Blythe!
On another A.o.G.G. note... there are some weird-ass fan videos out there. Apparently it's pretty popular to take clips of the movie and create (ahem) interpretive music videos... Among the songs used for the videos --
- You're Beautiful: James Blunt sings over clips of Gilbert gazing at Anne and each share longing looks
- Miss Independent: Kelly Clarkson belts it out as Anne maddogs Gilbert
- Lovefool: The Cardigan's girly song plays as Gilbert stalks Anne. This one makes him seem really creepy.
There are others, such as Eternal Flame (not the Bangles version, some other crappier version) and Hungry Eyes. Oh... my... goodness. I laughed so hard I almost peed. It just seemed so wrong. There's only one real song that goes with that movie -- All you fans know what I'm talking about.
Anne of GG fans, check it out... disturbing yet hilarious. And I guess sort of sad. I want to create my own definition of "AwesomeSad", messy and minsoo's term, to include this.
SCORE! I found the ENTIRE Anne of Green Gables movie on Y0utube last night... Someone had uploaded 10 minute portions of the movie so I watched 16 of 20 clips last night and just finished it. I haven't seen it in years and forgot how much I love it. I heart Gilbert Blythe!
On another A.o.G.G. note... there are some weird-ass fan videos out there. Apparently it's pretty popular to take clips of the movie and create (ahem) interpretive music videos... Among the songs used for the videos --
- You're Beautiful: James Blunt sings over clips of Gilbert gazing at Anne and each share longing looks
- Miss Independent: Kelly Clarkson belts it out as Anne maddogs Gilbert
- Lovefool: The Cardigan's girly song plays as Gilbert stalks Anne. This one makes him seem really creepy.
There are others, such as Eternal Flame (not the Bangles version, some other crappier version) and Hungry Eyes. Oh... my... goodness. I laughed so hard I almost peed. It just seemed so wrong. There's only one real song that goes with that movie -- All you fans know what I'm talking about.
Anne of GG fans, check it out... disturbing yet hilarious. And I guess sort of sad. I want to create my own definition of "AwesomeSad", messy and minsoo's term, to include this.
8/21/2006
My reunion: One big, ugly cliche
Top 10 reasons why my reunion was not awesome:
10. Seeing one of the prettiest girls in high school, 50 pounds heavier. While it could have been one of those moments of sweet justice, I actually felt sort of sad for her and I could tell how uncomfortable she looked. Her awkwardness actually made it so uncomfortable that I didn't even talk to her.
9. None of the people I really missed from high school were there because those were the people least likely to go to a school event. The only other people I actually wanted to hang out with were people that went to my wedding and had seen within the past 6 months.
8. I realized 10 minutes into the reunion that I really didn't have any desire to talk to most of the people there.
7. I paid $170 (for 2) and THERE WAS NO OPEN BAR. I want my money back.
6. I ate half of my meal and then it was taken away from me by the aggressive waitstaff.
5. Explaining to people what I did and then getting blank stares. I should have made up my occupation, like actress/professional mover. Or maybe I could have said petite model/ninja.
4. Seeing a girl that I'd known since I was 4 who had gained 100 pounds and looked like she was into goth-slash-ren-faire stuff. When she came up to hug me (which was kinda intense), she pulled her cell phone out of her cleavage to show me a picture of her 6 month old daughter. Scaaaary.
3. Karaoke after dinner. Enough said.
2. It was one of those events that looked classy... from far away. Close up, the cheesy hotel ballroom, red/white ("sprited") carnation centerpieces, overweight drunk white guys who still party like they're 18 and the dirty-dancing big-chested girls who now strip for a living just made me feel like the whole evening was one skanky ass wedding gone awry.
1. No open bar.
Am I glad I went? Hm, ask me in 10 years.
Top 10 reasons why my reunion was not awesome:
10. Seeing one of the prettiest girls in high school, 50 pounds heavier. While it could have been one of those moments of sweet justice, I actually felt sort of sad for her and I could tell how uncomfortable she looked. Her awkwardness actually made it so uncomfortable that I didn't even talk to her.
9. None of the people I really missed from high school were there because those were the people least likely to go to a school event. The only other people I actually wanted to hang out with were people that went to my wedding and had seen within the past 6 months.
8. I realized 10 minutes into the reunion that I really didn't have any desire to talk to most of the people there.
7. I paid $170 (for 2) and THERE WAS NO OPEN BAR. I want my money back.
6. I ate half of my meal and then it was taken away from me by the aggressive waitstaff.
5. Explaining to people what I did and then getting blank stares. I should have made up my occupation, like actress/professional mover. Or maybe I could have said petite model/ninja.
4. Seeing a girl that I'd known since I was 4 who had gained 100 pounds and looked like she was into goth-slash-ren-faire stuff. When she came up to hug me (which was kinda intense), she pulled her cell phone out of her cleavage to show me a picture of her 6 month old daughter. Scaaaary.
3. Karaoke after dinner. Enough said.
2. It was one of those events that looked classy... from far away. Close up, the cheesy hotel ballroom, red/white ("sprited") carnation centerpieces, overweight drunk white guys who still party like they're 18 and the dirty-dancing big-chested girls who now strip for a living just made me feel like the whole evening was one skanky ass wedding gone awry.
1. No open bar.
Am I glad I went? Hm, ask me in 10 years.
my keyboard is burning my fingers
My boss and co-worker are out of the office today so I've taken the opportunity to waste as much time as possible while still doing enough work not to get caught slacking off. My other co-worker does as much work in a day as I've done in the past hour slacking off so I think I can pull a "case of the Mondays."
I haven't blogged in awhile about anything substantial so I guess this a preview of things to come:
- Reunion. Yes I went. Was it worth it? Only because the new 3.5/4 inch heels I bought for the occasion are my new favorite shoes.
- The Mayor. I got to see him at a launch for our new campaign for "green" jobs for LA's working class. He looked as slick as ever.
- Baby. No not us, silly fools. My cousin just had a baby. Her name is Kyle, which does a number on my gender identification skills, especially since the baby is very androgenous looking, as all babies are. The nurses put a green cap on her head because they couldn't figure out what gender she was. Ha ha! They live in Hawaii so I can't wait to visit them in Feb when our other cousin gets married.
- Jobs. Still waiting to see which one can give me the best deal. For now, still working at two part time, still trying to make ends meet.
Will post more... now back to sitting under a hot skylight in a black shirt, trying not to sweat on the keyboard and pretending to work.
My boss and co-worker are out of the office today so I've taken the opportunity to waste as much time as possible while still doing enough work not to get caught slacking off. My other co-worker does as much work in a day as I've done in the past hour slacking off so I think I can pull a "case of the Mondays."
I haven't blogged in awhile about anything substantial so I guess this a preview of things to come:
- Reunion. Yes I went. Was it worth it? Only because the new 3.5/4 inch heels I bought for the occasion are my new favorite shoes.
- The Mayor. I got to see him at a launch for our new campaign for "green" jobs for LA's working class. He looked as slick as ever.
- Baby. No not us, silly fools. My cousin just had a baby. Her name is Kyle, which does a number on my gender identification skills, especially since the baby is very androgenous looking, as all babies are. The nurses put a green cap on her head because they couldn't figure out what gender she was. Ha ha! They live in Hawaii so I can't wait to visit them in Feb when our other cousin gets married.
- Jobs. Still waiting to see which one can give me the best deal. For now, still working at two part time, still trying to make ends meet.
Will post more... now back to sitting under a hot skylight in a black shirt, trying not to sweat on the keyboard and pretending to work.
8/18/2006
why, West LA, why?
My neighborhood is going to the dogs. From 7-9 tonight, my local BestBuy is hosting a she-who-shall-not-be-named in-store appearance. (That was for you, messy.) I feel a bit betrayed by my local BB for hosting such an event. Just knowing that she'll be in my zip code makes me feel a bit skeezy.
My neighborhood is going to the dogs. From 7-9 tonight, my local BestBuy is hosting a she-who-shall-not-be-named in-store appearance. (That was for you, messy.) I feel a bit betrayed by my local BB for hosting such an event. Just knowing that she'll be in my zip code makes me feel a bit skeezy.
8/12/2006
full disclosure
I've been getting a lot of flak for being so stressed out about my reunion. However, in my defense, let me show you why I am so concerned:
Hey little boy, why are you wearing lipstick?
Winter, 1995. I got the worst haircut of my life right before my senior winter formal, ironically the same venue that tonight's reunion will be held.
Now, do you get it?
I've been getting a lot of flak for being so stressed out about my reunion. However, in my defense, let me show you why I am so concerned:
Hey little boy, why are you wearing lipstick?
Winter, 1995. I got the worst haircut of my life right before my senior winter formal, ironically the same venue that tonight's reunion will be held.
Now, do you get it?
8/10/2006
10 years later...
So I've decided that I'm probably going to the reunion (Thanks to the 3 people who filled out my survey). I went shopping for an outfit and ended up shopping at the mall near my parents house. As I was wandering the mall, I realized that I was shopping at the same stores I would have gone to as a high schooler shopping for a high school dance -- Macy's, Robinsons-May, Charlotte Russe, Forever 21, Windsor Fashions. How apropos. However, while these places had a lot of dance-appropriate outfits none of these stores carried my future reunion outfit. It was weird walking through the mall, remembering myself 10 years ago, doing the same thing (actually it was over 10 years since I graduated June 96, but that's a minor point, I suppose), wondering what all the high school kids would think about my outfit. Now, here I was, walking the same mall, wondering the same thing.
On another note, I was talking to my co-workers about the reunion and comparing stories about high school and talking about 5-year college reunions, when the youngest co-worker (a dude who just finished undergrad) said: "Wait, you've been out of college over 5 years!!???" Yes, I'm older than you, sucka.
So I've decided that I'm probably going to the reunion (Thanks to the 3 people who filled out my survey). I went shopping for an outfit and ended up shopping at the mall near my parents house. As I was wandering the mall, I realized that I was shopping at the same stores I would have gone to as a high schooler shopping for a high school dance -- Macy's, Robinsons-May, Charlotte Russe, Forever 21, Windsor Fashions. How apropos. However, while these places had a lot of dance-appropriate outfits none of these stores carried my future reunion outfit. It was weird walking through the mall, remembering myself 10 years ago, doing the same thing (actually it was over 10 years since I graduated June 96, but that's a minor point, I suppose), wondering what all the high school kids would think about my outfit. Now, here I was, walking the same mall, wondering the same thing.
On another note, I was talking to my co-workers about the reunion and comparing stories about high school and talking about 5-year college reunions, when the youngest co-worker (a dude who just finished undergrad) said: "Wait, you've been out of college over 5 years!!???" Yes, I'm older than you, sucka.
8/03/2006
crappy day
I haven't had a "bad day" in awhile. I might have "bad situations" that make a day, I rarely have a day when I get tons of bad news.
Yesterday was one of those days. I got several pieces of bad news. On top of this, I feel a bit guilty about having a "bad day" because I know that we have it better here than most of the world (i.e. wartorn countries, poor and starving countries, etc.). I'm still allowed a bad day here and there, right?
One of the most heartbreaking was finding out about marriage breaking up. It was one of those, I-knew-it-was-a-bad-idea-from-day-1-but-you-guys-seemed-happy situations. It made me really sad to know how hurtful one of the parties was to the other, particularly after over a decade of marriage. It made me really mad and sad... I wanted to go over to the other person's house and taken that person down. I'm small, but scrappy, and I could have bodyslammed that stick figure like that *snaps fingers*. Sometimes I wish I was the hulk. My temper could transform me and I'd get all green and muscle-y. I digress.
Today has got to be better. We'll be driving up in the bay area briefly for a wedding.
** Note: Take the survey linked in the post below! **
I haven't had a "bad day" in awhile. I might have "bad situations" that make a day, I rarely have a day when I get tons of bad news.
Yesterday was one of those days. I got several pieces of bad news. On top of this, I feel a bit guilty about having a "bad day" because I know that we have it better here than most of the world (i.e. wartorn countries, poor and starving countries, etc.). I'm still allowed a bad day here and there, right?
One of the most heartbreaking was finding out about marriage breaking up. It was one of those, I-knew-it-was-a-bad-idea-from-day-1-but-you-guys-seemed-happy situations. It made me really sad to know how hurtful one of the parties was to the other, particularly after over a decade of marriage. It made me really mad and sad... I wanted to go over to the other person's house and taken that person down. I'm small, but scrappy, and I could have bodyslammed that stick figure like that *snaps fingers*. Sometimes I wish I was the hulk. My temper could transform me and I'd get all green and muscle-y. I digress.
Today has got to be better. We'll be driving up in the bay area briefly for a wedding.
** Note: Take the survey linked in the post below! **
8/02/2006
R.U.H.S
I can't decide whether or not to go to my high school reunion next weekend (Aug. 12). So I've designed a survey so my friends (that's you, I think) to help me make my decision. Please take it!
Click here to help me decide!
I can't decide whether or not to go to my high school reunion next weekend (Aug. 12). So I've designed a survey so my friends (that's you, I think) to help me make my decision. Please take it!
Click here to help me decide!
7/31/2006
drinking and smiling
This past weekend we went to a film premiere and after-party for a film. It was an "industry" party, Asian American style. We ran into a snag at the beginning because though we'd RSVP'd for the invitation-only party, they didn't have our name on the list. However, Minsoo mentioned he was AAM and the dude let us in right away. It was also crazy because half the night, people were introducing Minsoo to other people and other people kept coming up to him to meet him.
When I went to the bathroom halfway through the night, the girl in line in front of me turned to me and started talking to me. It was a weird exchange:
bathroom girl: I really enjoyed your film!!
me: Huh, What? [blank look & thinking to myself, is she mistaking me with someone who was in the film we just saw? Um, the only Asian girl in the movie was like 16.]
BG: The one with you and your husband!
me: Ohhh, huh huh huh. Thanks. [wow, she actually saw it??]
[says a couple of things I can't remember...]
BG: So, what is it like being married to AAM??
me: [blank look, long pause] Um, well, I knew him before he started the site sooo...
bathroom girl: Ohhhh, [nervous laugh]
...and then a stall opened up. She proceeded to shout through the stall door to the girl who just exited that I was AAM's wife.
Yeah, weird.
The party was interesting. We saw the actor who plays Sun's tutor from L0st again, the guy who played the doctor that makes everyone take off their pants in Scrubs, and some other actors and marketing people. Oh yeah, and most importantly, the dude who holds the boombox playing push it in the nextel commercial (you know what I'm talking about). I had to do a good job of being AAM's wife. It's like being a politician or pastor's wife. I guess I could just stay quiet and let him talk and hide behind him or make him leave when I get anxious to go, but I tried to be a good partner and interact and be engaged with the schmoozing. I even met a musician who does urban planning type stuff for his day job. Anyway, I guess I had fun, but I'm definitely not used to playing the "wife" sidekick part. I'm also not used to people asking me what it's like to be with my husband.
This past weekend we went to a film premiere and after-party for a film. It was an "industry" party, Asian American style. We ran into a snag at the beginning because though we'd RSVP'd for the invitation-only party, they didn't have our name on the list. However, Minsoo mentioned he was AAM and the dude let us in right away. It was also crazy because half the night, people were introducing Minsoo to other people and other people kept coming up to him to meet him.
When I went to the bathroom halfway through the night, the girl in line in front of me turned to me and started talking to me. It was a weird exchange:
bathroom girl: I really enjoyed your film!!
me: Huh, What? [blank look & thinking to myself, is she mistaking me with someone who was in the film we just saw? Um, the only Asian girl in the movie was like 16.]
BG: The one with you and your husband!
me: Ohhh, huh huh huh. Thanks. [wow, she actually saw it??]
[says a couple of things I can't remember...]
BG: So, what is it like being married to AAM??
me: [blank look, long pause] Um, well, I knew him before he started the site sooo...
bathroom girl: Ohhhh, [nervous laugh]
...and then a stall opened up. She proceeded to shout through the stall door to the girl who just exited that I was AAM's wife.
Yeah, weird.
The party was interesting. We saw the actor who plays Sun's tutor from L0st again, the guy who played the doctor that makes everyone take off their pants in Scrubs, and some other actors and marketing people. Oh yeah, and most importantly, the dude who holds the boombox playing push it in the nextel commercial (you know what I'm talking about). I had to do a good job of being AAM's wife. It's like being a politician or pastor's wife. I guess I could just stay quiet and let him talk and hide behind him or make him leave when I get anxious to go, but I tried to be a good partner and interact and be engaged with the schmoozing. I even met a musician who does urban planning type stuff for his day job. Anyway, I guess I had fun, but I'm definitely not used to playing the "wife" sidekick part. I'm also not used to people asking me what it's like to be with my husband.
7/27/2006
some things never change
So I just got back from the second night of hanging out with high school friends. This time, my friend tried to convince me to go to the reunion because in his words, "this has the potential to be the biggest train wreck." Also, it's worth it just to collect the anecdotes from this experience. Hm, those reasons don't sound so bad. He also tried to convince me to drive out to the inland empire and egg one of our old friend's houses. Um, yeah. Earlier in the week my other friends tried to convince me that it would be a chance to catch up with all of those people who I never talked to in high school -- not such a convincing reason.
Anyway, I had a good "reunion" of sorts with my friend, who's probably one of the closest friends I had in high school. I think he has enough embarrassing stories (with the evidence to prove those stories are true) that I have a feeling we'll be friends forever. It's not like blackmail, but I think if there was a smoking gun site about my life, he'd be a large contributor.
Circa 1994/5, Winter formal. Later this year, I apparently dissed my date (who had a crush on me but never said anything) by dating my first boyfriend. Luckily, I'm still friends with both of them. Shamefully, back then I was stupid and dissed an Asian guy to date a white guy. To quote the fish that eats poo in Finding Nemo, I am ashamed.
So I just got back from the second night of hanging out with high school friends. This time, my friend tried to convince me to go to the reunion because in his words, "this has the potential to be the biggest train wreck." Also, it's worth it just to collect the anecdotes from this experience. Hm, those reasons don't sound so bad. He also tried to convince me to drive out to the inland empire and egg one of our old friend's houses. Um, yeah. Earlier in the week my other friends tried to convince me that it would be a chance to catch up with all of those people who I never talked to in high school -- not such a convincing reason.
Anyway, I had a good "reunion" of sorts with my friend, who's probably one of the closest friends I had in high school. I think he has enough embarrassing stories (with the evidence to prove those stories are true) that I have a feeling we'll be friends forever. It's not like blackmail, but I think if there was a smoking gun site about my life, he'd be a large contributor.
Circa 1994/5, Winter formal. Later this year, I apparently dissed my date (who had a crush on me but never said anything) by dating my first boyfriend. Luckily, I'm still friends with both of them. Shamefully, back then I was stupid and dissed an Asian guy to date a white guy. To quote the fish that eats poo in Finding Nemo, I am ashamed.
7/25/2006
seahawks reunite
My high school reunion is less than three weeks away and I haven't decided whether I should shell out $85 times 2 to mingle with the old gang (whatever that means).
What's the point? I mean, I still look like I'm in high school so I got nothing to show for it (although I do look 10 years younger than many of my classmates).
Ah, whatever. It's too hot. I can't make decisions. This computer is too hot. I need to log off...
Here's a fun picture for you all... This is why I love LA's Chinatown...
My high school reunion is less than three weeks away and I haven't decided whether I should shell out $85 times 2 to mingle with the old gang (whatever that means).
What's the point? I mean, I still look like I'm in high school so I got nothing to show for it (although I do look 10 years younger than many of my classmates).
Ah, whatever. It's too hot. I can't make decisions. This computer is too hot. I need to log off...
Here's a fun picture for you all... This is why I love LA's Chinatown...
7/23/2006
a list for minsoo
Today is our 1-year wedding anniversary. In honor of this special occasion, I'll write a list of my favorite minsoo-related things, because no one wants to hear me gush about Minsoo -- I mean NO ONE (because that's just gross and you should keep that stuff private because it makes people uncomfortable and not want to hang around you). So I'll talk about minsoo-related things because I think one of the most important things in a relationships is not only how that person treats you, but how you relate to the things that he/she loves as well.
So here goes, a minsoo-related list of things that I enjoy:
- Laughing about (real) poo stories so hard I sometimes pee a little
- Being unafraid to have an opinion
- Being okay with telling people I'm gassy, etc.
- Playing with his childhood friends like they're my childhood friends
- Playing with his sisters like they're my sisters
- Being introduced to good TV shows like L0st, Scrubs, The Office (both British and US)
- Having the best soundtracks to long road trips, short road trips, slide shows and everything in between
- FINALLY having a neat roommate with very little psychotic tendencies
- Being myself and slowly understanding that it's enough
Here's to another year!
Today is our 1-year wedding anniversary. In honor of this special occasion, I'll write a list of my favorite minsoo-related things, because no one wants to hear me gush about Minsoo -- I mean NO ONE (because that's just gross and you should keep that stuff private because it makes people uncomfortable and not want to hang around you). So I'll talk about minsoo-related things because I think one of the most important things in a relationships is not only how that person treats you, but how you relate to the things that he/she loves as well.
So here goes, a minsoo-related list of things that I enjoy:
- Laughing about (real) poo stories so hard I sometimes pee a little
- Being unafraid to have an opinion
- Being okay with telling people I'm gassy, etc.
- Playing with his childhood friends like they're my childhood friends
- Playing with his sisters like they're my sisters
- Being introduced to good TV shows like L0st, Scrubs, The Office (both British and US)
- Having the best soundtracks to long road trips, short road trips, slide shows and everything in between
- FINALLY having a neat roommate with very little psychotic tendencies
- Being myself and slowly understanding that it's enough
Here's to another year!
7/18/2006
probably over compensating
Today my co-worker and I had a meeting with one of the biggest a-holes I'd ever met. We were supposed to ask him about financing development projects but he spent half the time telling us how important and valuable his advice was ("If I was doing this for other people, this conversation would cost $1000") and staring at our chests.
About 3 minutes into the meeting, both of us wanted to end the meeting, but we kept going because he eventually gave us some good info and because our executive director was the one that set up the meeting for us. The entire meeting he spoke to us like we were little girls and he was the big, knowledgeable man. Most of the time I gave him my non-expressive face and stared at him through my glasses. My co-worker was much more charming and tried nicely to let him know we know what operating costs and interest rates are. I've met with a lot of people like this, but man, I really wanted to punch this guy's lights out. The dude was one of the most sexist, arrogant bastards I've ever met. He was almost unreal, like a caricature, but real and lame. It helped remind us about the type of people we're up against.
After the meeting, another co-worker who was sitting in an adjacent cubicle (and had been eavesdropping on our convo) came up to us and told us that she'd spoke to that dude on the phone regarding his involvement in another project and he was a total jerk to her a few weeks back. But when we told my other male co-worker, however, said that he had also met the dude awhile back and was totally friendly to him. Lovely.
Today my co-worker and I had a meeting with one of the biggest a-holes I'd ever met. We were supposed to ask him about financing development projects but he spent half the time telling us how important and valuable his advice was ("If I was doing this for other people, this conversation would cost $1000") and staring at our chests.
About 3 minutes into the meeting, both of us wanted to end the meeting, but we kept going because he eventually gave us some good info and because our executive director was the one that set up the meeting for us. The entire meeting he spoke to us like we were little girls and he was the big, knowledgeable man. Most of the time I gave him my non-expressive face and stared at him through my glasses. My co-worker was much more charming and tried nicely to let him know we know what operating costs and interest rates are. I've met with a lot of people like this, but man, I really wanted to punch this guy's lights out. The dude was one of the most sexist, arrogant bastards I've ever met. He was almost unreal, like a caricature, but real and lame. It helped remind us about the type of people we're up against.
After the meeting, another co-worker who was sitting in an adjacent cubicle (and had been eavesdropping on our convo) came up to us and told us that she'd spoke to that dude on the phone regarding his involvement in another project and he was a total jerk to her a few weeks back. But when we told my other male co-worker, however, said that he had also met the dude awhile back and was totally friendly to him. Lovely.
7/17/2006
all I want is some garlic fries at pac bell park
These past few weekends have been pretty crazy, with a trip up north and visits from the Yu family. I've been working part time to pay the bills and have taken on another part time job, but it's been so tempting to just want to take some time off. Our anniversary is this coming weekend and we are hoping to make a trip up north, but I've been looking at our finances and it's not looking good. So sad. We're trying to figure out how to scrape together some funds, but so far, all we've come up with is trying to cash in our remaining gift cards. I have to admit, I'm a bit sad.
These past few weekends have been pretty crazy, with a trip up north and visits from the Yu family. I've been working part time to pay the bills and have taken on another part time job, but it's been so tempting to just want to take some time off. Our anniversary is this coming weekend and we are hoping to make a trip up north, but I've been looking at our finances and it's not looking good. So sad. We're trying to figure out how to scrape together some funds, but so far, all we've come up with is trying to cash in our remaining gift cards. I have to admit, I'm a bit sad.
7/13/2006
ain't no hollaback girl
On my way to work today, I was in my car in the right turn lane, preparing to turn and looking left toward the cars heading across the intersection when a dude in the car next to me started shouting at me. I had the radio on and my window was half open so I couldn't hear what he was saying. When I turned down the radio and looked at the guy, he shouts "EXCUUUUSE ME. YOU'RE SOOOOO BEAUTIFUL. YOU'RE SOOOO BEAUTIFUL."
I promptly rolled up my window and made a sharp right turn so I could get the hell away from this stupid mo-fo. This incident did not, in fact, make me feel beautiful and actually made me feel a little bit scuzzy. Why are there so many freaks? I need freak-repellent.
On my way to work today, I was in my car in the right turn lane, preparing to turn and looking left toward the cars heading across the intersection when a dude in the car next to me started shouting at me. I had the radio on and my window was half open so I couldn't hear what he was saying. When I turned down the radio and looked at the guy, he shouts "EXCUUUUSE ME. YOU'RE SOOOOO BEAUTIFUL. YOU'RE SOOOO BEAUTIFUL."
I promptly rolled up my window and made a sharp right turn so I could get the hell away from this stupid mo-fo. This incident did not, in fact, make me feel beautiful and actually made me feel a little bit scuzzy. Why are there so many freaks? I need freak-repellent.
7/11/2006
update
This weekend minsoo and I made an unplanned trip up to nor cal for a funeral. Our friends' grandmother passed away and since we'd visited her a few times when she was in LA and these friends are like Minsoo's extended family, we felt like we needed to make a trip up there to pay our respects. Although a sad occassion for a reunion, It was really good to spend time with friends we hadn't seen in awhile. I'm also always entertained by the antics of Minsoo and his Childhood friends. There's a certain comfortable dynamic that reminds me of how blessed he is to have good friends and how blessed I am to have been welcomed into their craziness. It makes me wonder where all my old childhood church friends are and what they're up to.
I'm still super tired and not motivated to do work, but I've just been offered the chance to do research for an APA org part-time, leading to a full-time job. It's a bit tricky since I told my current work I'd go full time so I'm going to have to tread carefully with both jobs and figure out which one should be my next full-time gig. Either way, it's awesome to have people recruiting me to work instead of having to throw myself into the scary world of cover letters and fancy-paper resumes.
My July vacation is looking more like an August vacation. *Sigh*
This weekend minsoo and I made an unplanned trip up to nor cal for a funeral. Our friends' grandmother passed away and since we'd visited her a few times when she was in LA and these friends are like Minsoo's extended family, we felt like we needed to make a trip up there to pay our respects. Although a sad occassion for a reunion, It was really good to spend time with friends we hadn't seen in awhile. I'm also always entertained by the antics of Minsoo and his Childhood friends. There's a certain comfortable dynamic that reminds me of how blessed he is to have good friends and how blessed I am to have been welcomed into their craziness. It makes me wonder where all my old childhood church friends are and what they're up to.
I'm still super tired and not motivated to do work, but I've just been offered the chance to do research for an APA org part-time, leading to a full-time job. It's a bit tricky since I told my current work I'd go full time so I'm going to have to tread carefully with both jobs and figure out which one should be my next full-time gig. Either way, it's awesome to have people recruiting me to work instead of having to throw myself into the scary world of cover letters and fancy-paper resumes.
My July vacation is looking more like an August vacation. *Sigh*
7/06/2006
new skool
The web is a funny place. It's been almost 5(!) years since this blog began... ah the days when blogs were filled with complete sentences and we html'd old skool style.
Now we've got skankspace, friendstalk, and host of other journal-slash-messaging-slash-placetoshowoffyourskankyassphotos sites that have put the W in "What the ?#$%???"
And now, podcasts. Yes ladies and gents, minsoo and I have decided to dive into the world of vocal blogging. Forget all of that cutsy couple blogging, the podcast is where it's at. While not altogether riveting, we're hoping that it provides a good summer diversion (for us) while we're waiting for the next season of L0st to start up. E-mail me if you'd ready for this jelly.
The web is a funny place. It's been almost 5(!) years since this blog began... ah the days when blogs were filled with complete sentences and we html'd old skool style.
Now we've got skankspace, friendstalk, and host of other journal-slash-messaging-slash-placetoshowoffyourskankyassphotos sites that have put the W in "What the ?#$%???"
And now, podcasts. Yes ladies and gents, minsoo and I have decided to dive into the world of vocal blogging. Forget all of that cutsy couple blogging, the podcast is where it's at. While not altogether riveting, we're hoping that it provides a good summer diversion (for us) while we're waiting for the next season of L0st to start up. E-mail me if you'd ready for this jelly.
6/29/2006
the 4th
I was at TJ's last week picking up some "consolation sorbet" after a failed attempt to see a free showing of an Inconvenient Truth with Messy (we got denied from a FREE event! Maybe we weren't hippie enough...). When I was paying for my goods, I inadvertently greeted the cashier (too friendly to the cashier at TJs=too much talking from the cashier) so the cashier asked me if I wanted a 4th of july sticker. I said yes (why not?) and he asked me if I was planning to celebrate. Still bummed from not being able to see the movie, I said, no not really. He said something else, but I wasn't really listening to him so I mumbled "Yeah, huh huh" and walked out. However, as I was walking to my car, I realized he said to me, "What, you don't celebrate fourth of july? Did you not grow up in this country?"
Ugh, once again, I let another opportunity to address ignorance slide by. Um, dude, did you NOT notice my PERFECT FREAKING ENGLISH? I get this question like one every other month. Weird.
Anyway, I digree. The main point of this post was to mention that I have no plans for the 4th yet and I'll be stuck here with all of the poor people who can't afford vacations. Yay for us.
I was at TJ's last week picking up some "consolation sorbet" after a failed attempt to see a free showing of an Inconvenient Truth with Messy (we got denied from a FREE event! Maybe we weren't hippie enough...). When I was paying for my goods, I inadvertently greeted the cashier (too friendly to the cashier at TJs=too much talking from the cashier) so the cashier asked me if I wanted a 4th of july sticker. I said yes (why not?) and he asked me if I was planning to celebrate. Still bummed from not being able to see the movie, I said, no not really. He said something else, but I wasn't really listening to him so I mumbled "Yeah, huh huh" and walked out. However, as I was walking to my car, I realized he said to me, "What, you don't celebrate fourth of july? Did you not grow up in this country?"
Ugh, once again, I let another opportunity to address ignorance slide by. Um, dude, did you NOT notice my PERFECT FREAKING ENGLISH? I get this question like one every other month. Weird.
Anyway, I digree. The main point of this post was to mention that I have no plans for the 4th yet and I'll be stuck here with all of the poor people who can't afford vacations. Yay for us.
6/26/2006
5-0,5-0
There's a helicoper circling our neighborhood, shining a light onto an apartment building less than 1 block south of our apartment. I was just about to go to sleep but the noise of the helicopter is so loud... plus I kinda want to know what is going down. It's too bad there's no 1am newscasts because I'm sure the local newscasters would love it. Just a few months ago, there was a high speed chase that went by our neighborhood as well. Never a dull moment on the westside.
There's a helicoper circling our neighborhood, shining a light onto an apartment building less than 1 block south of our apartment. I was just about to go to sleep but the noise of the helicopter is so loud... plus I kinda want to know what is going down. It's too bad there's no 1am newscasts because I'm sure the local newscasters would love it. Just a few months ago, there was a high speed chase that went by our neighborhood as well. Never a dull moment on the westside.
6/23/2006
c/o '96
I received the official invitation to my reunion in the mail. The first thing I did was jump on to myspace (a.k.a. skankspace) to spy on RUHS grads. I found that my fellow alum now includes the following:
- a newly-converted Hasidic Jew (the beard rocks!)
- a brunette (stripper? i can only assume given the photos) that used to be blond
- jocks who have big ol' beer bellies
- former jocks who look 38
- dorky girls who are now married and still look the same as they did in high school(doh --- do I fit in that category?)
- lots of divorcees
Awesome, I can't wait.
Now I need to take a shower to get rid of what I like to call "the myspace nasty".
I received the official invitation to my reunion in the mail. The first thing I did was jump on to myspace (a.k.a. skankspace) to spy on RUHS grads. I found that my fellow alum now includes the following:
- a newly-converted Hasidic Jew (the beard rocks!)
- a brunette (stripper? i can only assume given the photos) that used to be blond
- jocks who have big ol' beer bellies
- former jocks who look 38
- dorky girls who are now married and still look the same as they did in high school(doh --- do I fit in that category?)
- lots of divorcees
Awesome, I can't wait.
Now I need to take a shower to get rid of what I like to call "the myspace nasty".
6/18/2006
*POP*
That was the sound of my dad, opening a can of worms.
Minsoo and I had dinner with my parents and my cousin and his wife for father's day tonight. I'm not a huge fan of my cousin's wife but I try and make nice. However my Dad (i don't know why) brought up the May 1st immigration rallies with my cousin and his wife and she started to talk smack about the rallies and immigrants. I wanted to keep my mouth shut and just avoid talking to her about it since our conversations are always really trivial, but I had to say something, especially since I was marching at the rallies. I mentioned that I was there and that I agree there needs to be reform but not the way they are trying to do it. She told me that I "shouldn't have been there" and I had to tell her that the rallies were not just "filled with illegals." I was aware that the march had its supporters and haters, but I was really annoyed that she was telling me that it was wrong for me to participate. I was also annoyed that my dad had brought up this conversation topic as I knew it was only going to lead to a conversation that would go nowhere.
The conversation was quite frustrating on many levels. My APA progressive friends are always talking about starting a larger APA "movements" but I keep reminding them that there are many APAs who don't give a crap about this stuff (we put the APA in Apathy) or who have bought into the model minority pull yourselves up by the bootstraps divisive bullcrap that is used to criminalize certain races and immigrants. When is it going to matter for APAs?
That was the sound of my dad, opening a can of worms.
Minsoo and I had dinner with my parents and my cousin and his wife for father's day tonight. I'm not a huge fan of my cousin's wife but I try and make nice. However my Dad (i don't know why) brought up the May 1st immigration rallies with my cousin and his wife and she started to talk smack about the rallies and immigrants. I wanted to keep my mouth shut and just avoid talking to her about it since our conversations are always really trivial, but I had to say something, especially since I was marching at the rallies. I mentioned that I was there and that I agree there needs to be reform but not the way they are trying to do it. She told me that I "shouldn't have been there" and I had to tell her that the rallies were not just "filled with illegals." I was aware that the march had its supporters and haters, but I was really annoyed that she was telling me that it was wrong for me to participate. I was also annoyed that my dad had brought up this conversation topic as I knew it was only going to lead to a conversation that would go nowhere.
The conversation was quite frustrating on many levels. My APA progressive friends are always talking about starting a larger APA "movements" but I keep reminding them that there are many APAs who don't give a crap about this stuff (we put the APA in Apathy) or who have bought into the model minority pull yourselves up by the bootstraps divisive bullcrap that is used to criminalize certain races and immigrants. When is it going to matter for APAs?
master of arts, urban planning
I am officially an "M.A" but will not make people refer to me as Wai-Ling, M.A. because it's not cool and no one cares if you have a master's degree, unlike doctors and lawyers. It just means that I have more school debt.
Anyway, there was a lot of graduation drama in terms of some of the end of the year activities students wanted to plan. One drama stemmed from a pin that some of the students of color wanted to wear symbolizing working for social justice. We asked the entire class if they wanted to participate, but some people got bitter b/c it seemed exclusive at the beginning even though it was informally discussed and later opened up to everyone. Ugh. Then the girl that the students of color nominated for the speech used part of the speech to bring up a petty issue in our department that wasn't a battle that needed to be aired at our graduation. People in the audience were audibly uncomfortable. Finally, a few people wanted all of us to do a cheer that we did at the May 1st march after the speech. We did it -- but it was really awkward and sort of lame. Ugh, I think I'm glad graduation is over not because I'm glad I'm done, but because GRADUATION itself is finally over.
That being said, here are some pictures of me having fun with my friends, despite the craziness. And although most of the pics are of Asians, no, I don't only have Asian friends from grad school, but these guys are "my crew"...
Before the processional...
My thesis project group
Our reaction when someone said: "Look, it's the slackers on the left and the hard workers on the right."
At the party we hosted at a restaurant in Little Tokyo:
I am officially an "M.A" but will not make people refer to me as Wai-Ling, M.A. because it's not cool and no one cares if you have a master's degree, unlike doctors and lawyers. It just means that I have more school debt.
Anyway, there was a lot of graduation drama in terms of some of the end of the year activities students wanted to plan. One drama stemmed from a pin that some of the students of color wanted to wear symbolizing working for social justice. We asked the entire class if they wanted to participate, but some people got bitter b/c it seemed exclusive at the beginning even though it was informally discussed and later opened up to everyone. Ugh. Then the girl that the students of color nominated for the speech used part of the speech to bring up a petty issue in our department that wasn't a battle that needed to be aired at our graduation. People in the audience were audibly uncomfortable. Finally, a few people wanted all of us to do a cheer that we did at the May 1st march after the speech. We did it -- but it was really awkward and sort of lame. Ugh, I think I'm glad graduation is over not because I'm glad I'm done, but because GRADUATION itself is finally over.
That being said, here are some pictures of me having fun with my friends, despite the craziness. And although most of the pics are of Asians, no, I don't only have Asian friends from grad school, but these guys are "my crew"...
Before the processional...
My thesis project group
Our reaction when someone said: "Look, it's the slackers on the left and the hard workers on the right."
At the party we hosted at a restaurant in Little Tokyo:
6/08/2006
i heart al.
Today I went to Borders to look for a book for school and when I got there I noticed TV news vans parked outside and tons of people hanging out in the store. There was a line wrapped around both floors of the store and as a result I couldn't get to the book I needed as people were camping out near that bookshelf.
It turns out that Al G0re was doing a book signing for An Inconvenient Truth. Yes, I'm talking about the true WINNER of the 2000 presidential election. I was totally excited.
Unfortunately I parked in metered parking and only had enough change for 20 minutes (which was almost up) and I needed to work on my final paper. So I booked it back home, grabbed laundry money and my papers and zoomed back to the store. When I got there I was informed that they were all sold out of the book, but I managed to obtain a display copy and bought an already signed version. I got in line behind the most annoying guy who had verbal diarrhea and an unfortunately loud voice, however, a guy behind me was sympathetic and eventually convinced the loud guy to stand behind us while talking to his friend farther back in the line.
Anyway, I spent an hour in line, practicing what I'd say to Al and reading his book. When I got up there, I nervously delivered half of my prepared comments and got a "That's great. Keep up the good work!" as I was shuttled away from him. In the 30 seconds I spent in front of him, I found him to be relaxed and very personable, attentive and not at all insincere or full of himself. I am impressed. Ha.
After this happened, I wanted to tell my politics-loving friends about this encounter. Yes, all three of them. However, Hannah is in Korea, I didn't have Danny's cell phone number (although later tracked him down and shared the story) and I had to leave a vm with Karen. I suppose this outlet will have to do:
I MET AL GORE TODAY. IT WAS COOL. WOW.
Today I went to Borders to look for a book for school and when I got there I noticed TV news vans parked outside and tons of people hanging out in the store. There was a line wrapped around both floors of the store and as a result I couldn't get to the book I needed as people were camping out near that bookshelf.
It turns out that Al G0re was doing a book signing for An Inconvenient Truth. Yes, I'm talking about the true WINNER of the 2000 presidential election. I was totally excited.
Unfortunately I parked in metered parking and only had enough change for 20 minutes (which was almost up) and I needed to work on my final paper. So I booked it back home, grabbed laundry money and my papers and zoomed back to the store. When I got there I was informed that they were all sold out of the book, but I managed to obtain a display copy and bought an already signed version. I got in line behind the most annoying guy who had verbal diarrhea and an unfortunately loud voice, however, a guy behind me was sympathetic and eventually convinced the loud guy to stand behind us while talking to his friend farther back in the line.
Anyway, I spent an hour in line, practicing what I'd say to Al and reading his book. When I got up there, I nervously delivered half of my prepared comments and got a "That's great. Keep up the good work!" as I was shuttled away from him. In the 30 seconds I spent in front of him, I found him to be relaxed and very personable, attentive and not at all insincere or full of himself. I am impressed. Ha.
After this happened, I wanted to tell my politics-loving friends about this encounter. Yes, all three of them. However, Hannah is in Korea, I didn't have Danny's cell phone number (although later tracked him down and shared the story) and I had to leave a vm with Karen. I suppose this outlet will have to do:
I MET AL GORE TODAY. IT WAS COOL. WOW.
6/06/2006
6/04/2006
no, YOU tell me why.
On tonight's Datel1ne (I know, I know, a horribly sensationalist "news program"), I saw a report on popular videos being passed around on the internet. One of the videos they highlighted were some Asian boys doing a lipsync to BackstreetBoys. I was websurfing so I missed the entire story and wanted to look up the video on the web.
Holy crap, there are waaayyyy too many videos featuring Backstreet-lipsyncing Asian boys. I knew they were out there, but it seems like every 13-21 year old Asian guy has one out there on the web. I know I didn't grow up with brothers, but I find this phenomenon totally weird, especially since no males in my inner circle have participated in such activity (although I can't be certain...)
I know that I shouldn't go all model-minority on them, but man, I sometimes feel like this does not bode well for the Asian male stereotype. It's not the lipsyncing that's offensive, it's that so many of them are so BAD. I did a brief survey of the videos via youtube and was horrified.
Anyway, the Northwest AA Film fest has a hilarious clip featuring a horrible lipsync
duo via youtube... you should check it out.
On tonight's Datel1ne (I know, I know, a horribly sensationalist "news program"), I saw a report on popular videos being passed around on the internet. One of the videos they highlighted were some Asian boys doing a lipsync to BackstreetBoys. I was websurfing so I missed the entire story and wanted to look up the video on the web.
Holy crap, there are waaayyyy too many videos featuring Backstreet-lipsyncing Asian boys. I knew they were out there, but it seems like every 13-21 year old Asian guy has one out there on the web. I know I didn't grow up with brothers, but I find this phenomenon totally weird, especially since no males in my inner circle have participated in such activity (although I can't be certain...)
I know that I shouldn't go all model-minority on them, but man, I sometimes feel like this does not bode well for the Asian male stereotype. It's not the lipsyncing that's offensive, it's that so many of them are so BAD. I did a brief survey of the videos via youtube and was horrified.
Anyway, the Northwest AA Film fest has a hilarious clip featuring a horrible lipsync
duo via youtube... you should check it out.
5/30/2006
superhero blues
It's late and I'm still up as I take on my alter-ego. Micromanage-girl. Yes, the most anal, and probably lamest and most useless, superhero of the bunch. I can't fly or carry heavy objects or use my brain to kill things, but I can organize the hell out of anything. Like many superheros, I did not choose this life. It chose me. I was given great power and as a result, I've been forced to take on the responsibility. My current mission is to make sure that the boys in our group don't screw up our project.
Example #1: One guy's task was to put together a poster board for our class presentation. I didn't give him any direction nor did SpicyT, but we did ask him to do it at the beginning of this month. This weekend he sends us prototypes of the boards (because SpicyT wanted to see them).
They were a mess, he literally cut out sentences from our 100+pg paper and stuck them onto the board. Time for micromanage-girl to step in.
The thing is, at first, I was hestitant to take on this role... but I am almost to the point where I think the guys f-around and do crappy jobs because they know we'll save them.
I don't want this superhero power. I wish I could carry large rocks or run fast or something. Then I could drop some fat rocks on those idiots and run away to some island and for a much needed vacation.
It's late and I'm still up as I take on my alter-ego. Micromanage-girl. Yes, the most anal, and probably lamest and most useless, superhero of the bunch. I can't fly or carry heavy objects or use my brain to kill things, but I can organize the hell out of anything. Like many superheros, I did not choose this life. It chose me. I was given great power and as a result, I've been forced to take on the responsibility. My current mission is to make sure that the boys in our group don't screw up our project.
Example #1: One guy's task was to put together a poster board for our class presentation. I didn't give him any direction nor did SpicyT, but we did ask him to do it at the beginning of this month. This weekend he sends us prototypes of the boards (because SpicyT wanted to see them).
They were a mess, he literally cut out sentences from our 100+pg paper and stuck them onto the board. Time for micromanage-girl to step in.
The thing is, at first, I was hestitant to take on this role... but I am almost to the point where I think the guys f-around and do crappy jobs because they know we'll save them.
I don't want this superhero power. I wish I could carry large rocks or run fast or something. Then I could drop some fat rocks on those idiots and run away to some island and for a much needed vacation.
5/25/2006
no secret heat beach this weekend
It's a big 'ol holiday weekend.
And I got no plans.
We're not heading up to the bay area as the sisters-in-law are out of town (at least one is right now and the other one is heading out this weekend) and we just didn't feel up to making the drive up north. Plus I still got my busiest weeks ahead of me so I need to keep working on my papers/project.
I have no life.
It's a big 'ol holiday weekend.
And I got no plans.
We're not heading up to the bay area as the sisters-in-law are out of town (at least one is right now and the other one is heading out this weekend) and we just didn't feel up to making the drive up north. Plus I still got my busiest weeks ahead of me so I need to keep working on my papers/project.
I have no life.
5/23/2006
things in my head that i need to get out
my fortune cookie says that i have more sleepless nights ahead of me. I keep thinking things are going to let up and I'm going to have room to breathe, but apparently that is not in my near future.
Our stupid #$%^&*$ thesis project is still not done. It won't be fully finished until the end of June when we finally present the whole thing to our "client." I'm so sick of it that I literally cannot talk to the other guys about the project anymore without getting angry. I'm trying to control myself, but I think SpicyThai had to talk me down from the ledge a few times. Those guys are, to put it in the words of my mom: Mow-yoong.
In the next two weeks, I have two more projects/papers/presentations plus that one paper I was working on with my advisor. Unfortunately I'm so unmotivated to any work. I'm also really burnt out.
Our next door neighbor's apartment reeks like dirty sweatsock, human waste and ass. They keep their windows (which are adjacent to our front door) open all day so I gag slightly whenever I leave or return to my apt.
My class is creating a yearbook. Um, are we in 7th grade? I didn't think so. SpicyT and I were talking about how we'd sign our yearbooks like, "Stay Sweet." and "KIT" and "Have a bitchin summer."
I'm starting to get stressed about jobs. For the first time, I'm not worrying about getting hired, but the sad sad salary. Unfortunately, I've set a dangerous precedent of taking less than minimum wage jobs in really hard jobs. Now I want to work less and make more. Hm, a problem indeed. Does anyone know of a job where I can work for social change and APA issues and do research and write AND make enough to get me out of debt? Yeah, I didn't think so.
I just saw a mosquito in my apt. I'm armed with a spatula but the flying monster disappeared behind the futon. Your ass is mine, buggie!
my fortune cookie says that i have more sleepless nights ahead of me. I keep thinking things are going to let up and I'm going to have room to breathe, but apparently that is not in my near future.
Our stupid #$%^&*$ thesis project is still not done. It won't be fully finished until the end of June when we finally present the whole thing to our "client." I'm so sick of it that I literally cannot talk to the other guys about the project anymore without getting angry. I'm trying to control myself, but I think SpicyThai had to talk me down from the ledge a few times. Those guys are, to put it in the words of my mom: Mow-yoong.
In the next two weeks, I have two more projects/papers/presentations plus that one paper I was working on with my advisor. Unfortunately I'm so unmotivated to any work. I'm also really burnt out.
Our next door neighbor's apartment reeks like dirty sweatsock, human waste and ass. They keep their windows (which are adjacent to our front door) open all day so I gag slightly whenever I leave or return to my apt.
My class is creating a yearbook. Um, are we in 7th grade? I didn't think so. SpicyT and I were talking about how we'd sign our yearbooks like, "Stay Sweet." and "KIT" and "Have a bitchin summer."
I'm starting to get stressed about jobs. For the first time, I'm not worrying about getting hired, but the sad sad salary. Unfortunately, I've set a dangerous precedent of taking less than minimum wage jobs in really hard jobs. Now I want to work less and make more. Hm, a problem indeed. Does anyone know of a job where I can work for social change and APA issues and do research and write AND make enough to get me out of debt? Yeah, I didn't think so.
I just saw a mosquito in my apt. I'm armed with a spatula but the flying monster disappeared behind the futon. Your ass is mine, buggie!
5/22/2006
an aa legends ball?
I'll admit it: I watched Oprah's_Legends_Ball tonight. I didn't send out invitations for a party, like she recommended, but I did watch the whole thing. As much as I think she is like a cult, I have to admit that I admire the woman. I mean, come on, why wouldn't I watch a woman of color with that much money, influence and power do whatever the damn well she pleases? You gotta give her props for that. Although the whole show was one big self-gratifying, over-the-top ridiculous "celebration," I couldn't help but watch in awe. Not only was the party beautiful and an event planner's dream-come-true, but I appreciated the act of celebrating role models. I think it'd be amazing to be able to gather a room full of Asian American women who had paved the way for other Asian American women. My dream room would only have like Grace Lee Boggs, Yuri Kochiyama, Patsy Mink, March Fong Eu, and my mom... maybe Connie Chung. I know that I would purposely NOT invite Elaine Chao or Michelle Malkin.
I'll admit it: I watched Oprah's_Legends_Ball tonight. I didn't send out invitations for a party, like she recommended, but I did watch the whole thing. As much as I think she is like a cult, I have to admit that I admire the woman. I mean, come on, why wouldn't I watch a woman of color with that much money, influence and power do whatever the damn well she pleases? You gotta give her props for that. Although the whole show was one big self-gratifying, over-the-top ridiculous "celebration," I couldn't help but watch in awe. Not only was the party beautiful and an event planner's dream-come-true, but I appreciated the act of celebrating role models. I think it'd be amazing to be able to gather a room full of Asian American women who had paved the way for other Asian American women. My dream room would only have like Grace Lee Boggs, Yuri Kochiyama, Patsy Mink, March Fong Eu, and my mom... maybe Connie Chung. I know that I would purposely NOT invite Elaine Chao or Michelle Malkin.
5/18/2006
i want to be loafed.
... by LAcity_councilmember Tom_LaBonge. Apparently he hands out loaves of PUMPKIN bread made by nuns at a Hollywood Monastery--part of his district. I've heard the bread is "exquisite" and "special... made by the hands of nuns who are close to God"
I think good pumpkin bread is _always_ made by those close to God.
I want to be loafed... but apparently localnewscaster Jim_Hill did not. Check out this picture:
... by LAcity_councilmember Tom_LaBonge. Apparently he hands out loaves of PUMPKIN bread made by nuns at a Hollywood Monastery--part of his district. I've heard the bread is "exquisite" and "special... made by the hands of nuns who are close to God"
I think good pumpkin bread is _always_ made by those close to God.
I want to be loafed... but apparently localnewscaster Jim_Hill did not. Check out this picture:
5/13/2006
5/07/2006
the debut
Minsoo's films "debuted" at the festival yesterday. The first short film was in a bunch of shorts that were -- how do I say it? -- kinda weird and sort of bad. I prepped my parents (who came to support us) that it was going to be weird but I forgot to also mentioned that they might also be bad. When shorts are bad, a 20 minute piece can feel like an hour. So although the program was only 1.5 hrs, it felt so long. On top of that, they showed the wrong version of Minsoo's film, without any credits or title. Minsoo's film was the first one, so people weren't sure if the film was part of the program or a pre-show trailer or preview. No one clapped. No one laughed. It was awkward to say the least. I'm glad I suggested people to go to the evening show, although some people showed up for the afternoon. Sorry, you all saw a sucky-ass show. :( I think a few of my friends left after ours showed. I don't blame them -- I wish I could have left.
After that, Minsoo and I went home tired and a bit worried about the later evening film. When we went back to the festival later that night we were hopeful that the next film would go over well with the audience. A bunch of friends showed up to the film and the theater was packed so I was a little bit nervous. Also, more directors and actors were there, including Tamlyn_Tomita!
Minsoo's film was the fourth in a set of 8 films, smack dab in the middle. When the whole show started, the festival director announced the filmmakers and minsoo got a loud cheer -- a good sign. The first two films were pretty cute and funny, the third was a bit weird, but I wasn't really paying attention. When Minsoo's film started, we braced ourselves, gripping each others hands. A few people cheered for us at the beginning, so I felt the support. We've shown this film to many friends/family but it's different when you show it to people who don't give a crap who you are. Anyway, it went pretty well. The audience (probably guided by my friends, who snickered throughout the film) caught all the funny looks and slapstick humor. We got a good round of applause when it ended. Phew!
At the end, there was a q&a section. Surprisingly, most of the audience questions -- okay, the 2 out of the3 questions asked -- were directed toward Minsoo. One of the guys asking the questions asked how the overarching theme (secrets between husbands and wives) fit in with real life or something. Minsoo ended up talking about us half the time, which was weird.
So all in all, the final show made up for the first one and I was proud of Minsoo for being up there and doing his thing. It was also cool to see people laugh *WITH* me during the film. One of the other filmmakers even commented on my performancing, saying that he enjoyed the part where I fall over and my feet fly in the air. I was glad he appreciated the artistic license I took in order to get into my role. HA ...HA.
I'm keeping my day job.
Minsoo's films "debuted" at the festival yesterday. The first short film was in a bunch of shorts that were -- how do I say it? -- kinda weird and sort of bad. I prepped my parents (who came to support us) that it was going to be weird but I forgot to also mentioned that they might also be bad. When shorts are bad, a 20 minute piece can feel like an hour. So although the program was only 1.5 hrs, it felt so long. On top of that, they showed the wrong version of Minsoo's film, without any credits or title. Minsoo's film was the first one, so people weren't sure if the film was part of the program or a pre-show trailer or preview. No one clapped. No one laughed. It was awkward to say the least. I'm glad I suggested people to go to the evening show, although some people showed up for the afternoon. Sorry, you all saw a sucky-ass show. :( I think a few of my friends left after ours showed. I don't blame them -- I wish I could have left.
After that, Minsoo and I went home tired and a bit worried about the later evening film. When we went back to the festival later that night we were hopeful that the next film would go over well with the audience. A bunch of friends showed up to the film and the theater was packed so I was a little bit nervous. Also, more directors and actors were there, including Tamlyn_Tomita!
Minsoo's film was the fourth in a set of 8 films, smack dab in the middle. When the whole show started, the festival director announced the filmmakers and minsoo got a loud cheer -- a good sign. The first two films were pretty cute and funny, the third was a bit weird, but I wasn't really paying attention. When Minsoo's film started, we braced ourselves, gripping each others hands. A few people cheered for us at the beginning, so I felt the support. We've shown this film to many friends/family but it's different when you show it to people who don't give a crap who you are. Anyway, it went pretty well. The audience (probably guided by my friends, who snickered throughout the film) caught all the funny looks and slapstick humor. We got a good round of applause when it ended. Phew!
At the end, there was a q&a section. Surprisingly, most of the audience questions -- okay, the 2 out of the3 questions asked -- were directed toward Minsoo. One of the guys asking the questions asked how the overarching theme (secrets between husbands and wives) fit in with real life or something. Minsoo ended up talking about us half the time, which was weird.
So all in all, the final show made up for the first one and I was proud of Minsoo for being up there and doing his thing. It was also cool to see people laugh *WITH* me during the film. One of the other filmmakers even commented on my performancing, saying that he enjoyed the part where I fall over and my feet fly in the air. I was glad he appreciated the artistic license I took in order to get into my role. HA ...HA.
I'm keeping my day job.
5/06/2006
starstruck
Today, after the asianam film festival, I went to an "after party" and got to hobnob with some pseudocelebs. Unlike the parryshenincident of 2002(where I made a fool of myself and lost my ability to converse), I managed to keep it cool as I knew I'd have to represent as AAM's wife. As we drove away from the party, I sat in the passenger's and giggled like a little star-struck fan. My most notable meeting? SungKangfrom BLT and theMotel. We actually had a real conversation and talked about his childhood and growing up and the industry, etc (even though I was totally starstruck). He's such a personable guy and has *gasp* possibly replaced PS as my fav BLTboy. As I was leaving, I also met JohnCho but was less impressed, for various reasons. I actually think I sort of ignored him as I was saying goodbye to the director of theMotel (a cool guy)--- a great movie, by the way.
I also met singerSusieSuh----ANDDDDDDDD the dude from LOST and WEST WING.... Yes,TonyLee who plays Sun's "tutor" on Lost and the NorthKoreanpianistdude who wants to defectafter vising the US in WW. He came up to us to meet minsoo after the movie screening that Minsoo MC'd. WOW!! I was cool and I told him when he complemented minsoo's site, "It's good to see you on TV!"
I'm slowly learning how to be cool when inside I'm totallystar struck.
Tomorrow our films play at the festival... I'm kind of nervous. My big face on like a 20 feet high screen. Yikes!
Today, after the asianam film festival, I went to an "after party" and got to hobnob with some pseudocelebs. Unlike the parryshenincident of 2002(where I made a fool of myself and lost my ability to converse), I managed to keep it cool as I knew I'd have to represent as AAM's wife. As we drove away from the party, I sat in the passenger's and giggled like a little star-struck fan. My most notable meeting? SungKangfrom BLT and theMotel. We actually had a real conversation and talked about his childhood and growing up and the industry, etc (even though I was totally starstruck). He's such a personable guy and has *gasp* possibly replaced PS as my fav BLTboy. As I was leaving, I also met JohnCho but was less impressed, for various reasons. I actually think I sort of ignored him as I was saying goodbye to the director of theMotel (a cool guy)--- a great movie, by the way.
I also met singerSusieSuh----ANDDDDDDDD the dude from LOST and WEST WING.... Yes,TonyLee who plays Sun's "tutor" on Lost and the NorthKoreanpianistdude who wants to defectafter vising the US in WW. He came up to us to meet minsoo after the movie screening that Minsoo MC'd. WOW!! I was cool and I told him when he complemented minsoo's site, "It's good to see you on TV!"
I'm slowly learning how to be cool when inside I'm totallystar struck.
Tomorrow our films play at the festival... I'm kind of nervous. My big face on like a 20 feet high screen. Yikes!
5/01/2006
mayday in LA
Today's march was incredible. I marched on Wilshirefrom MacArthurPark to (well almost to) La Brea. On one hand, I was disappointed that I was in the minority -- that more Asians were not representing, even though immigration is a HUGE issue, and yes, there tons of illegal Asian immigrants. Anyway, it was huge and like LA, sprawled out over miles and miles along Wilshire. Starting the march at MacArthur Park, one of the places where I went during the urban mission trip to pray for the city, was another "God, were you preparing me for this?" moment. Traveling PEACEFULLY through Ktown with hundreds of thousands of people was something I'll never forget.
below are some pics I took. it was crazy so I didn't get a chance to take a pic. will post others.
Today's march was incredible. I marched on Wilshirefrom MacArthurPark to (well almost to) La Brea. On one hand, I was disappointed that I was in the minority -- that more Asians were not representing, even though immigration is a HUGE issue, and yes, there tons of illegal Asian immigrants. Anyway, it was huge and like LA, sprawled out over miles and miles along Wilshire. Starting the march at MacArthur Park, one of the places where I went during the urban mission trip to pray for the city, was another "God, were you preparing me for this?" moment. Traveling PEACEFULLY through Ktown with hundreds of thousands of people was something I'll never forget.
below are some pics I took. it was crazy so I didn't get a chance to take a pic. will post others.
4/30/2006
almost...final
some stats on my thesis project:
Pages = 132, single spaced
Pages written by SpicyT & I: 120
Pages copied from the other group members' papers: 12
Wai-Ling's new wrinkles: 5 on bridge of nose from squinting, 3 large ones on forehead
Days until final draft is due: 1
Tentative number of presentations for our project: 3+
Date when it's finally over: June 16 aka graduation day
some stats on my thesis project:
Pages = 132, single spaced
Pages written by SpicyT & I: 120
Pages copied from the other group members' papers: 12
Wai-Ling's new wrinkles: 5 on bridge of nose from squinting, 3 large ones on forehead
Days until final draft is due: 1
Tentative number of presentations for our project: 3+
Date when it's finally over: June 16 aka graduation day
4/27/2006
no good title for this post
Something is wrong. 11pm is SexandtheCity Time on channel 5... But it's not on. Instead the annoying network news is on and there's a lame-ass story about a restaurant with beds in it (soooo LA). My tv schedule is all out of whack.
Our final draft of the client project is due on Monday. Hopefully after that, we'll be on our way to finalizing it. Because you can't hear this too many time (I know you can) --- ARGH! I'M SOOOO SICK OF THIS PROJECT. I think the project is wearing down SpicyThai too, as she seems almost MORE annoyed than I am, which is slightly scary given that she's like 10 times nicer and more patient than I am. I feel like an ass-kicking is in order for our other two group members for turning super-nice SpicyT into a cranky girl. As for me? I'm usually this cranky.
Something is wrong. 11pm is SexandtheCity Time on channel 5... But it's not on. Instead the annoying network news is on and there's a lame-ass story about a restaurant with beds in it (soooo LA). My tv schedule is all out of whack.
Our final draft of the client project is due on Monday. Hopefully after that, we'll be on our way to finalizing it. Because you can't hear this too many time (I know you can) --- ARGH! I'M SOOOO SICK OF THIS PROJECT. I think the project is wearing down SpicyThai too, as she seems almost MORE annoyed than I am, which is slightly scary given that she's like 10 times nicer and more patient than I am. I feel like an ass-kicking is in order for our other two group members for turning super-nice SpicyT into a cranky girl. As for me? I'm usually this cranky.
4/25/2006
diving head first into the real world
On top of the dreaded client project, still reeling from my star$s experience, this week hss been filled with stressful craziness including:
- being nominated by the students of color group to do our graduation speech... i wasn't even part of any of the conversations or voting for the graduation speaker, my name just got thrown in. luckily someone else got voted in - phew! i don't think my classmates knew how stressful it was for me to hear that i was being nominated (as I tried to play it cool). it was nice to get a shout out from my classmates and i guess affirming that they'd think enough of me to want me to represent them at graduation. i've made it -- the cool kids like me, they really like me... sort of.
- going on a pseudo job interview --- a non-profit group contacted me to be their first research director. it's a cool job -- managing interns, bringing down slumlords, combatting gentrification, etc etc. but the pay sucks so much poo even _I_ am slightly offended. I'm wrestling with this decision because i may end up being the "breadwinner" and the pay is reminiscent of the salary i earned my first year out of college. what to do, what to do. i'm not money hungry by any means, but dude, i thought that grad school might help my earnings, and not put me further in the hole. my parents, the understanding people they are, might kick my butt if they found out how much i'd be making. i know they expect me to *finally* get my act together and make a decent living.
yay for opportunities. boo for money in general. my old co-worker once said that she wish we'd go back to the trade and barter system. i agree. i'll trade you my keen planning skills for some money.
On top of the dreaded client project, still reeling from my star$s experience, this week hss been filled with stressful craziness including:
- being nominated by the students of color group to do our graduation speech... i wasn't even part of any of the conversations or voting for the graduation speaker, my name just got thrown in. luckily someone else got voted in - phew! i don't think my classmates knew how stressful it was for me to hear that i was being nominated (as I tried to play it cool). it was nice to get a shout out from my classmates and i guess affirming that they'd think enough of me to want me to represent them at graduation. i've made it -- the cool kids like me, they really like me... sort of.
- going on a pseudo job interview --- a non-profit group contacted me to be their first research director. it's a cool job -- managing interns, bringing down slumlords, combatting gentrification, etc etc. but the pay sucks so much poo even _I_ am slightly offended. I'm wrestling with this decision because i may end up being the "breadwinner" and the pay is reminiscent of the salary i earned my first year out of college. what to do, what to do. i'm not money hungry by any means, but dude, i thought that grad school might help my earnings, and not put me further in the hole. my parents, the understanding people they are, might kick my butt if they found out how much i'd be making. i know they expect me to *finally* get my act together and make a decent living.
yay for opportunities. boo for money in general. my old co-worker once said that she wish we'd go back to the trade and barter system. i agree. i'll trade you my keen planning skills for some money.
4/24/2006
mistaken web identity
Tonight I checked my gmailaccount -- which is a rare occurence -- and saw a suspicious e-mail from exped1a entitled "your itinerary..." I was like, uh oh, I'm not planning a vacation. Sure enough, it was a hotel reservation for WashingtonDC for a person named "JoHanna"
Uh oh.
My theory was 1. This e-mail is a virus. DELETE! DELETE! or 2. Some Johanna chick made a stupid mistake.
So I log onto exped1a (by the way, I don't HAVE an exped1a account) and sure enough, there's my account and after a few clicks, I've managed to "find" my password, log into my account and see my reservation for may 26th. Shoot. I also discover that my new telephone number has also changed from a 408 to a 718. Uh oh.
I call customer support and try to sort this out. It's a little bit confusing at first as they keep trying to "confirm" my hotel and I keep telling them that it's not my reservation. Eventually the guy on the phone gets it and we just decide to change the e-mail address to the account, adding an "H" to the e-mail and hope the chick figures it out.
This type of stuff *almost* makes me want to change my name to something "unique". Wai-ling is good, but without the dash, it looks pretty bad. Maybe I should start spelling my name with additional "silent" letters like Qs and Zs.
Tonight I checked my gmailaccount -- which is a rare occurence -- and saw a suspicious e-mail from exped1a entitled "your itinerary..." I was like, uh oh, I'm not planning a vacation. Sure enough, it was a hotel reservation for WashingtonDC for a person named "JoHanna"
Uh oh.
My theory was 1. This e-mail is a virus. DELETE! DELETE! or 2. Some Johanna chick made a stupid mistake.
So I log onto exped1a (by the way, I don't HAVE an exped1a account) and sure enough, there's my account and after a few clicks, I've managed to "find" my password, log into my account and see my reservation for may 26th. Shoot. I also discover that my new telephone number has also changed from a 408 to a 718. Uh oh.
I call customer support and try to sort this out. It's a little bit confusing at first as they keep trying to "confirm" my hotel and I keep telling them that it's not my reservation. Eventually the guy on the phone gets it and we just decide to change the e-mail address to the account, adding an "H" to the e-mail and hope the chick figures it out.
This type of stuff *almost* makes me want to change my name to something "unique". Wai-ling is good, but without the dash, it looks pretty bad. Maybe I should start spelling my name with additional "silent" letters like Qs and Zs.
4/20/2006
i hate my neighborhood star$s
Whooo. It's been a long week, as usual. Well, not quite. I was involved in another *ahem* incident (see: Chinatown sicko and bleeding guy at SBs).
Wednesday I ditched class to study (I know, I'm such a badass) with SpicyThai. We met up at the Star$s down the street from my apt. It's a great location: in addition to being walking distance from my apt, it also boasts a fireplace, ample tables and chairs and plugs. We were sitting at THE best table (the handicapped square one) right next to an outlet, eyes glued to our own laptops, when a dude comes up to SpicyT and asks her to plug in his computer. I was a tad bit annoyed at this request, given that the general plug outlet etiquette is first-come-first-dominates: you don't plug in if someone else called it, unless you're in dire need and/or sitting next to you in a table. ST was nice and plugged it in. A girl sitting next to us also asked us to use the plug for 10 min, so I unplugged and let her charge for awhile.
Awhile later, the dude comes back and asks ST to unplug the cord. She unplug a cords and resumes working on her laptop. However it's the wrong one (the other girl's plug) and the guy gets pissed that she doesn't unplug his. He starts yelling at her because she's wearing earphones to unplug HIS computer. She unplugs his computer and he walks away.
At least 30 minutes later, he returns, walks up to the girl next to us whose computer was plugged into the same outlet, and leans over to say something to her. She looks totally offended and says that the dude -whom she didn't know -- said something really offensive to her. The ladies at the next table ask her what the dude says and I start asking her, but she refuses because she says it's too offensive. The dude then, comes back to our area, stops near our table and says, loudly, "No, I didn't mean YOU, I meant HER!" and he points at SpicyThai. And then he goes outside and sits at a table near the entrance.
Um, what??? So we ask the girl again to tell us what he said, because obviously, ST needs to know as the offensive comment was directed toward her. The girl says, "He said, 'Tell that girl that she is a C**T'" - Yes, that is a bad word for a female body part.
WHAT THE HELL KIND OF INAPPROPRIATE BULLS*** IS THAT!!! WHAT A F****** BASTARD!!! I am in disbelief that 1. he used such offensive language for a minor misunderstanding that was altogether completely unprovoked 2. he decided tospread the harassment by sharing the offensive message with another woman 3. he came back to make sure that his message was delivered. What a friggin nutcase!
So SpicyThai and the girl go up to the counter to tell the employees that some guys is harassing us. Being the ever helpful service employees, they tell them that they have to call the manager. A few minutes later, SpicyThai goes to ask the employees if they've talked to the manager and what they can do about the situation and they tell her that they can't tell him to leave because they'll lose a customer. [by the way he only got like a cup of water.]
UM HELLO AREN'T THE 3 OF US CUSTOMERS??? [i bought 2 drinks and 2 desserts!] And a restaurant SHOULD ask a person to leave if they are creating an unsafe environment for other customers. Anyway, by this time, I've text messaged minsoo to get the hell over here because I no longer feel safe and I'm afraid the bastards going to come back to get another dose of his ego-boosting little girl bullying.
Anyway, after both SpicyThai and the other girl complain to the employees that they should tell offensive dude to leave, we all get fed up and decide to leave the place. An employee offers to walk us out in case the guy needs another round. As we're waiting for the employee, I go to the trash can/sugar/cream area to throw out my trash. A big old middle aged guy is in my way so I wait for him to get his gi-normous gut out of the way for me to toss in my trash. The guy turns around and sees me, mumbles a few uninteligible words and then says, "Where's your passport?" chuckles and then walks away.
MY PASSPORT???? OH HELL NO. First SpicyThai is harassed and now some jerk thinks it's okay to ask me for my passport? I'M AMERICAN BORN, YOU IGNORANT FOOL.
I am boycotting the Star$s on National&Barrington in WestLA. It's not right for an establishment to allow harassment to take place on their property. One of the employees even said that since they didn't see anything, they couldn't believe our word over the other guys. Yes, girls lie about this stuff, mister. UGH!
That is pure bull and pisses me off. Women should be able to be in public spaces without being harassed and called horribly offensive names. Establishments should not allow this kind of behavior. I know crazy stuff like this happens all the time, but I guess it also makes me mad that often women decide NOT to say anything about it. We stay silent, which doesn't make us "rise" above it, but in fact disempowers us. Even when this happened, all of us were silent... we didn't know how to respond -- we didn't feel empowered to respond. I'm sure if someone said something to guys, they'd scream something back, but we as women aren't always encouraged or feel safe to yell back. When we told the older ladies in the table next to the girl about the incident, they totally disregarded it, saying that the guy was crazy and not to worry about it. I understand where they were coming from, but at the same time, if we never speak out about this s*** people aren't going to think it's happening or something that needs to change.
It makes me mad that even though I consider myself to be an "independent" person, I am still intimidated to go out and study alone or walk around alone because of these incidents. I want to continue to be independent but the more I encounter this bull, the more it makes me want to stay inside and that's not right.
Whooo. It's been a long week, as usual. Well, not quite. I was involved in another *ahem* incident (see: Chinatown sicko and bleeding guy at SBs).
Wednesday I ditched class to study (I know, I'm such a badass) with SpicyThai. We met up at the Star$s down the street from my apt. It's a great location: in addition to being walking distance from my apt, it also boasts a fireplace, ample tables and chairs and plugs. We were sitting at THE best table (the handicapped square one) right next to an outlet, eyes glued to our own laptops, when a dude comes up to SpicyT and asks her to plug in his computer. I was a tad bit annoyed at this request, given that the general plug outlet etiquette is first-come-first-dominates: you don't plug in if someone else called it, unless you're in dire need and/or sitting next to you in a table. ST was nice and plugged it in. A girl sitting next to us also asked us to use the plug for 10 min, so I unplugged and let her charge for awhile.
Awhile later, the dude comes back and asks ST to unplug the cord. She unplug a cords and resumes working on her laptop. However it's the wrong one (the other girl's plug) and the guy gets pissed that she doesn't unplug his. He starts yelling at her because she's wearing earphones to unplug HIS computer. She unplugs his computer and he walks away.
At least 30 minutes later, he returns, walks up to the girl next to us whose computer was plugged into the same outlet, and leans over to say something to her. She looks totally offended and says that the dude -whom she didn't know -- said something really offensive to her. The ladies at the next table ask her what the dude says and I start asking her, but she refuses because she says it's too offensive. The dude then, comes back to our area, stops near our table and says, loudly, "No, I didn't mean YOU, I meant HER!" and he points at SpicyThai. And then he goes outside and sits at a table near the entrance.
Um, what??? So we ask the girl again to tell us what he said, because obviously, ST needs to know as the offensive comment was directed toward her. The girl says, "He said, 'Tell that girl that she is a C**T'" - Yes, that is a bad word for a female body part.
WHAT THE HELL KIND OF INAPPROPRIATE BULLS*** IS THAT!!! WHAT A F****** BASTARD!!! I am in disbelief that 1. he used such offensive language for a minor misunderstanding that was altogether completely unprovoked 2. he decided tospread the harassment by sharing the offensive message with another woman 3. he came back to make sure that his message was delivered. What a friggin nutcase!
So SpicyThai and the girl go up to the counter to tell the employees that some guys is harassing us. Being the ever helpful service employees, they tell them that they have to call the manager. A few minutes later, SpicyThai goes to ask the employees if they've talked to the manager and what they can do about the situation and they tell her that they can't tell him to leave because they'll lose a customer. [by the way he only got like a cup of water.]
UM HELLO AREN'T THE 3 OF US CUSTOMERS??? [i bought 2 drinks and 2 desserts!] And a restaurant SHOULD ask a person to leave if they are creating an unsafe environment for other customers. Anyway, by this time, I've text messaged minsoo to get the hell over here because I no longer feel safe and I'm afraid the bastards going to come back to get another dose of his ego-boosting little girl bullying.
Anyway, after both SpicyThai and the other girl complain to the employees that they should tell offensive dude to leave, we all get fed up and decide to leave the place. An employee offers to walk us out in case the guy needs another round. As we're waiting for the employee, I go to the trash can/sugar/cream area to throw out my trash. A big old middle aged guy is in my way so I wait for him to get his gi-normous gut out of the way for me to toss in my trash. The guy turns around and sees me, mumbles a few uninteligible words and then says, "Where's your passport?" chuckles and then walks away.
MY PASSPORT???? OH HELL NO. First SpicyThai is harassed and now some jerk thinks it's okay to ask me for my passport? I'M AMERICAN BORN, YOU IGNORANT FOOL.
I am boycotting the Star$s on National&Barrington in WestLA. It's not right for an establishment to allow harassment to take place on their property. One of the employees even said that since they didn't see anything, they couldn't believe our word over the other guys. Yes, girls lie about this stuff, mister. UGH!
That is pure bull and pisses me off. Women should be able to be in public spaces without being harassed and called horribly offensive names. Establishments should not allow this kind of behavior. I know crazy stuff like this happens all the time, but I guess it also makes me mad that often women decide NOT to say anything about it. We stay silent, which doesn't make us "rise" above it, but in fact disempowers us. Even when this happened, all of us were silent... we didn't know how to respond -- we didn't feel empowered to respond. I'm sure if someone said something to guys, they'd scream something back, but we as women aren't always encouraged or feel safe to yell back. When we told the older ladies in the table next to the girl about the incident, they totally disregarded it, saying that the guy was crazy and not to worry about it. I understand where they were coming from, but at the same time, if we never speak out about this s*** people aren't going to think it's happening or something that needs to change.
It makes me mad that even though I consider myself to be an "independent" person, I am still intimidated to go out and study alone or walk around alone because of these incidents. I want to continue to be independent but the more I encounter this bull, the more it makes me want to stay inside and that's not right.
4/11/2006
even AAM's farts smell bad
Yesterday I received an e-mail from a friend in my class advertising a special appearance at my school by... my husband! He was asked by the API group in my public affairs school (of which I am not a member... I think it's an unspoken rule that urbanplanning students aren't allowed to socialize with the other icky policy/social welfare softies). I got a kick out of this because this ad was forwarded twice and had comments left on by the forwarders, one of which writes:
"holy crap!! angry_asian_man is coming to ucla!!! too bad i have class. =( you should check him out! he's cool. =)"
When I read this, I thought, "holy crap, i live with him and his farts stink just like mine and yours do!"
I feel really proud that I'm married to a guy that other girls have weird-Asian-Am-nerd-crushes on, but at the same time, it's really weird, especially when the events are at MY school in MY classroom and I didn't even know about it until I got the e-mail. Minsoo mentioned something about it to me, but I totally forgot until I got an e-mail that had been forwarded at least 3 times. I'm tempted to going to go to the event and heckle him the entire time, asking him questions like "Why are you so angry?" and "I don't think that there's no more racism against Asians. We're the model minority!"
Yesterday I received an e-mail from a friend in my class advertising a special appearance at my school by... my husband! He was asked by the API group in my public affairs school (of which I am not a member... I think it's an unspoken rule that urbanplanning students aren't allowed to socialize with the other icky policy/social welfare softies). I got a kick out of this because this ad was forwarded twice and had comments left on by the forwarders, one of which writes:
"holy crap!! angry_asian_man is coming to ucla!!! too bad i have class. =( you should check him out! he's cool. =)"
When I read this, I thought, "holy crap, i live with him and his farts stink just like mine and yours do!"
I feel really proud that I'm married to a guy that other girls have weird-Asian-Am-nerd-crushes on, but at the same time, it's really weird, especially when the events are at MY school in MY classroom and I didn't even know about it until I got the e-mail. Minsoo mentioned something about it to me, but I totally forgot until I got an e-mail that had been forwarded at least 3 times. I'm tempted to going to go to the event and heckle him the entire time, asking him questions like "Why are you so angry?" and "I don't think that there's no more racism against Asians. We're the model minority!"
4/06/2006
a message i needed to hear
I don't think I've ever heard a sermon on Humility that really hit me like this one..Once again invoking Micah6:8....just thought I'd share in case you can relate...
Lenten reflection: 'Humility is difficult'
by Jim Wallis (sojourners)
We all know Lent is meant to be a time of reflection, deepening, and preparation for Easter. Lent is also a call to repentance and, especially, humility. With Lent's beginning on Ash Wednesday, we impose (I love that word) ashes as a very physical, visual, and tangible act of repentance and humility - a mark and act of commitment, not merely a rote ritual.
Some members of our staff have suggested to me that the events of recent weeks and months call us to humility. But humility is a difficult virtue for those who are called to a prophetic vocation - people like us.
Humility is difficult for people who think they are, or want to be, "radical Christians."
Humility is difficult when you're always calling other people - the church, the nation, and the world - to stop doing the things you think are wrong and start doing the things you think are right.
Humility is difficult for the bearers of radical messages.
When we're always calling other people to repent and change, it's not always easy to hear that message for ourselves.
I want to suggest that there is a real and very deep tension between humility and the prophetic vocation. And most prophetic Christians I have known - present company and preacher included - are really not very good at humility.
You see we are always making judgments of others - church leaders, political leaders, majority cultures - but are not often good at applying the judgment to ourselves. Even when the prophetic judgments we are making are necessary, they seldom lead us to humility. After all, we are the ones who know how other people are supposed to change. We are the ones with the answers. We are the ones who are doing it right.
How do we preach like Amos - "Let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like a mighty river!" - without becoming self-righteous ourselves? I think that is very difficult. Perhaps Micah had it right: "What does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?"
And we are especially prone to turn our righteous judgments on each other, at those close at hand, even within our own community - and that can be especially destructive. When that happens, if the truth be told, radical Christian communities are not always pleasant places to be.
When the prophetic indignation we offer daily to the world is turned toward those who happen to be in judging, glaring, or shouting distance of us when we decide they too have fallen short of our ideals - look out!
And let me be human and honest enough to say that leaders in church, state, and certainly faith-inspired organizations should always be held accountable, but being a leader in a prophetic Christian community is often a very hard place to be. Just look at the qualities necessary for the prophetic vocation: The capacity to speak clearly, strongly, boldly, decisively, distinctively, and of course, visibly. I would say, from my experience, that none of those qualities lead directly to humility.
Likewise, the call to be and offer an alternative reality, community, vision, lifestyle, etc., requires an energy and confidence that, again, is not necessarily prone to humility.
So what can save us radical Christians? The same thing that saves everybody else: the grace of God.
I've found myself remembering an old article prompted by a time in the life of Sojourners when these issues were very much at play. It was an article I felt quite convicted to write as a correction to ourselves, to myself, to the prophetic vocation we had chosen. I remember I stayed home from a prophetic anti-nuclear action that many of us were undertaking because I felt the need to think and write instead. It's from May of 1979. It's pretty faded now, but I think it might be relevant to us today:
"Sojourners has written much and often about the abuse and cheapening of grace. In many ways, it is the place where we began. That concern still stands; cheap grace continues to be the greatest affliction of the churches.
"Radical Christians, however, face another problem. It is the tendency to seek justification in our lifestyle, our work, our protest, our causes, our movements, our actions, our prophetic identity, and our radical self-image. It becomes an easy temptation to place our security in the things we stand for and in the things we do, instead of in what God has done. It is a temptation to depend on things other than God's grace.
"'For by grace you have been saved through faith; and this is not your own doing, it is the gift of God - not because of works, lest [anyone] should boast (Ephesians 2:8-9).' Grace is the logic of a loving God. There is nothing we can do to earn it, win it, or deserve it. Grace is simply a gift, not a reward. We can receive it only by faith, not through good works.
"Grace saves the prophetic vocation. The knowledge and experience of grace can ease the seriousness with which we tend to take ourselves. Grace can restore our humility, our sense of humor, and our ability to laugh at ourselves. All are regularly needed by prophets.
"To trust grace is to know that the world has already been saved by Jesus Christ. It is to know that we cannot save the world any more than we can save ourselves. All our work is done only in response to Christ's work. To receive the gift of grace is to let go of self-sufficiency and to act out of a spirit of gratitude.
"Radical Christians must pursue more than a successful strategy; we must seek a deeper faith. Only then will we have the assurance of salvation, not because of what we have accomplished, but because we have allowed God's grace and mercy to flow through our lives."
This article was adapted from Jim Wallis' reflections at Sojourners' Ash Wednesday service March 1, 2006.
I don't think I've ever heard a sermon on Humility that really hit me like this one..Once again invoking Micah6:8....just thought I'd share in case you can relate...
Lenten reflection: 'Humility is difficult'
by Jim Wallis (sojourners)
We all know Lent is meant to be a time of reflection, deepening, and preparation for Easter. Lent is also a call to repentance and, especially, humility. With Lent's beginning on Ash Wednesday, we impose (I love that word) ashes as a very physical, visual, and tangible act of repentance and humility - a mark and act of commitment, not merely a rote ritual.
Some members of our staff have suggested to me that the events of recent weeks and months call us to humility. But humility is a difficult virtue for those who are called to a prophetic vocation - people like us.
Humility is difficult for people who think they are, or want to be, "radical Christians."
Humility is difficult when you're always calling other people - the church, the nation, and the world - to stop doing the things you think are wrong and start doing the things you think are right.
Humility is difficult for the bearers of radical messages.
When we're always calling other people to repent and change, it's not always easy to hear that message for ourselves.
I want to suggest that there is a real and very deep tension between humility and the prophetic vocation. And most prophetic Christians I have known - present company and preacher included - are really not very good at humility.
You see we are always making judgments of others - church leaders, political leaders, majority cultures - but are not often good at applying the judgment to ourselves. Even when the prophetic judgments we are making are necessary, they seldom lead us to humility. After all, we are the ones who know how other people are supposed to change. We are the ones with the answers. We are the ones who are doing it right.
How do we preach like Amos - "Let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like a mighty river!" - without becoming self-righteous ourselves? I think that is very difficult. Perhaps Micah had it right: "What does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?"
And we are especially prone to turn our righteous judgments on each other, at those close at hand, even within our own community - and that can be especially destructive. When that happens, if the truth be told, radical Christian communities are not always pleasant places to be.
When the prophetic indignation we offer daily to the world is turned toward those who happen to be in judging, glaring, or shouting distance of us when we decide they too have fallen short of our ideals - look out!
And let me be human and honest enough to say that leaders in church, state, and certainly faith-inspired organizations should always be held accountable, but being a leader in a prophetic Christian community is often a very hard place to be. Just look at the qualities necessary for the prophetic vocation: The capacity to speak clearly, strongly, boldly, decisively, distinctively, and of course, visibly. I would say, from my experience, that none of those qualities lead directly to humility.
Likewise, the call to be and offer an alternative reality, community, vision, lifestyle, etc., requires an energy and confidence that, again, is not necessarily prone to humility.
So what can save us radical Christians? The same thing that saves everybody else: the grace of God.
I've found myself remembering an old article prompted by a time in the life of Sojourners when these issues were very much at play. It was an article I felt quite convicted to write as a correction to ourselves, to myself, to the prophetic vocation we had chosen. I remember I stayed home from a prophetic anti-nuclear action that many of us were undertaking because I felt the need to think and write instead. It's from May of 1979. It's pretty faded now, but I think it might be relevant to us today:
"Sojourners has written much and often about the abuse and cheapening of grace. In many ways, it is the place where we began. That concern still stands; cheap grace continues to be the greatest affliction of the churches.
"Radical Christians, however, face another problem. It is the tendency to seek justification in our lifestyle, our work, our protest, our causes, our movements, our actions, our prophetic identity, and our radical self-image. It becomes an easy temptation to place our security in the things we stand for and in the things we do, instead of in what God has done. It is a temptation to depend on things other than God's grace.
"'For by grace you have been saved through faith; and this is not your own doing, it is the gift of God - not because of works, lest [anyone] should boast (Ephesians 2:8-9).' Grace is the logic of a loving God. There is nothing we can do to earn it, win it, or deserve it. Grace is simply a gift, not a reward. We can receive it only by faith, not through good works.
"Grace saves the prophetic vocation. The knowledge and experience of grace can ease the seriousness with which we tend to take ourselves. Grace can restore our humility, our sense of humor, and our ability to laugh at ourselves. All are regularly needed by prophets.
"To trust grace is to know that the world has already been saved by Jesus Christ. It is to know that we cannot save the world any more than we can save ourselves. All our work is done only in response to Christ's work. To receive the gift of grace is to let go of self-sufficiency and to act out of a spirit of gratitude.
"Radical Christians must pursue more than a successful strategy; we must seek a deeper faith. Only then will we have the assurance of salvation, not because of what we have accomplished, but because we have allowed God's grace and mercy to flow through our lives."
This article was adapted from Jim Wallis' reflections at Sojourners' Ash Wednesday service March 1, 2006.
native americans are not indian,for goodness sake
Today in my graduate-level built form history class we learned about the Native American settlements in the US. It was like revisiting our 4th grade lesson about the pueblos in the southwest and how the native americans used tipis and wigwams. It was such a waste of time...I remember making a diarama of a pueblo and here I am, 18 years later, getting the same lesson. Also, the professor (who's from Europe) kept referring to Native Americans as "indians" and ironically our TA (a guy from INDIA) had to give a presentation at the end of the class about Native American settlements. He refered to "indians" as "the Natives"... I wondered if Ashok was thinking to himself during class "I can't believe the professor made me do this presentation... Doesn't she know that I'm Indian because I'm from India? Why am I giving this presentation, I know nothing about Native Americans!"
Also, I learned that the first settlement in LA was the "Yang Na_Village". I kept thinking to myself, if my dad saw that he'd go, "See?? Yang Na -- it's Chinese. Native Americans are Chinese too!" It's all about the bering strait peoples.Proper.
Today in my graduate-level built form history class we learned about the Native American settlements in the US. It was like revisiting our 4th grade lesson about the pueblos in the southwest and how the native americans used tipis and wigwams. It was such a waste of time...I remember making a diarama of a pueblo and here I am, 18 years later, getting the same lesson. Also, the professor (who's from Europe) kept referring to Native Americans as "indians" and ironically our TA (a guy from INDIA) had to give a presentation at the end of the class about Native American settlements. He refered to "indians" as "the Natives"... I wondered if Ashok was thinking to himself during class "I can't believe the professor made me do this presentation... Doesn't she know that I'm Indian because I'm from India? Why am I giving this presentation, I know nothing about Native Americans!"
Also, I learned that the first settlement in LA was the "Yang Na_Village". I kept thinking to myself, if my dad saw that he'd go, "See?? Yang Na -- it's Chinese. Native Americans are Chinese too!" It's all about the bering strait peoples.Proper.
4/03/2006
a cornucopia of thoughts
This past week was my "spring break", however I did little breaking and worked and spent time on my thesis project. I did get a chance to meet up with some high school friends to celebrate a friend's birthday. I also saw some college friends due to a west coast wedding. I feel like I've been living in forced seclusion for months and it was nice to be out and talking with friends.
minsoo and I rediscovered the fun of puzzles. We spent a good chunk of our weekend "puzzling" (yes we verb-ed it) and finished this 750 piece puzzle of some weird Chinese godess this afternoon. Puzzling is ridiculously addictive. Really, it is.
MiracleWorkers-the new TV show is a one-hanky show. I still cry more during ExtremeMakeoverHomeEdition, but it's probably b/c it's more urbanplanning related. That beings said both shows make my eyes leak.
My new quarter of boring-required classes started today. As a special treat, 4 out of the 5 most annoying class talkers are in one of my class. Fun fun fun :( -- only 10 more weeks to go!
This past week was my "spring break", however I did little breaking and worked and spent time on my thesis project. I did get a chance to meet up with some high school friends to celebrate a friend's birthday. I also saw some college friends due to a west coast wedding. I feel like I've been living in forced seclusion for months and it was nice to be out and talking with friends.
minsoo and I rediscovered the fun of puzzles. We spent a good chunk of our weekend "puzzling" (yes we verb-ed it) and finished this 750 piece puzzle of some weird Chinese godess this afternoon. Puzzling is ridiculously addictive. Really, it is.
MiracleWorkers-the new TV show is a one-hanky show. I still cry more during ExtremeMakeoverHomeEdition, but it's probably b/c it's more urbanplanning related. That beings said both shows make my eyes leak.
My new quarter of boring-required classes started today. As a special treat, 4 out of the 5 most annoying class talkers are in one of my class. Fun fun fun :( -- only 10 more weeks to go!
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