My background

Mario, my peer in Kindergarden class, shouted, "Ching, Chong, Bing, Bong."  I giggled and looked around to see who he was directing those racist remark to.  When I looked around and noticed that I was the only one in the room, I realized that he was referring to me.  It never dawned on me that I was Asian until that very moment.  You see, as a youth, I didn't see color.  I never labeled myself as anything.  To me, I was just a kid.

So that evening when I got home, I started to notice that my family members spoke a different language from the English that I spoke to my peers at school.  We ate different types of food from the food served in the cafeteria.  We all have almond eyes too.  AHHHHHH! I AM ASIAN!!!  It was like waking up from a dream but only this wasn't a dream.  This is my life.

After discussing my ethnicity with my parents, I found out that not only am I Asian, I am a breed of multiple Asian nationalities.  I'm a mixture of Vietnamese, Korean, Chinese, and Cambodian.  Eeek! Not only am I a minority, but I am a freak! 

Most Americans would think, "What's the difference?"  Well, each has it's own culture and language.  In fact, the ethnocentricity of each culture would not accept that of the other culture--if that even makes sense.  So this is the answer to the email question that a lot of people tend to ask me.

11:07 AM - 50 Comments - 53 Kudos - Add Comment

My move to California
Category: Life

Almost a year ago, I was living in  Houston, Texas with just dreams of relocating to California.  "Well," I thought to myself, "I'm not getting any younger and with no obligations to anyone, now is the time." 

It was frightening to think that I would be leaving my family and friends to live a life of uncertainty.  I remember a feeling of sadness come over me as I was driving away from Houston.  I would be leaving my Nephew Nicholas, my favorite person in the world, whom I would sacrifice my life for.  Also the thought of visiting my parents a couple of times a year, for the rest of my life, just pained me.

It was 4am…I had to hit the road before I hit rush hour traffic.  Almost like in the movies, flashbacks and images of people and events filled my mind.  Tears filled my eyes as I drove away from the city that I lived in all my life. 

"Am I doing the right thing?"  I thought to myself.   I have no family in California and didn't even have employment.  "Ok now, what the hell am I doing?" I was having doubts and had to remind myself of all the reasons why I wanted to move out to California. 

My friends and I used to take monthly trips out to California to vacation.  I loved the outdoor landscape and recreational activities, the beaches and mountains, the fun nightlife, not to mention the perfect weather.  All these attributes contributed to my decision to move to California.

The journey to California would be 1,500 miles.  It was my first road trip to California.  It was the first trip to California…BY MYSELF!!!    I wouldn't know what to do if my car broke down.  What would happen if I got lost?  Suppose I got attacked.  No one would be there to aid me in any of these situations.  Not only did sadness overwhelm me but the feeling of fear came into play.  

With a Wal-Mart purchased Atlas on my lap and my car filled with nothing but my clothes and shoes, I drove 24 hours non-stop through New Mexico, Arizona, Nevada, into California.  It was a straight shot on the I-10.  I occupied my time by singing to alternative/rock bands tunes, calling up friends to tell them my exact location on the map, and snacking on junk food.  I also remembered praying to God to look after me and for him to aid me with any future decisions.  I don't mean to get all religious but I do give him credit for have given me courage to make the move. 

Within a week, I found a place to stay and employment.  Every waking day, I still get giddy about the thought of living out here.  Many people who have lived in California for all or most of their life may take it for granted.  I never have lived in a paradise like this before and so I appreciate every aspect of it. 

I left my comfort zone, a place that I have been sheltered and complacent with, to explore other options.  I would never have experience another lifestyle if I wasn't open-minded.  So I guess the moral of this story is that sometimes you have to take chances, even if it means leaving your comfort zone, to experience something new and the other moral of the story is that CALIFORNIA ROCKS!

8:30 PM - 64 Comments - 85 Kudos - Add Comment

"A"

When I first meet people, I start everybody out by giving them an A in my book. That way, I would not judge people by appearance or rumors. After that, if they F*%& up, I take points away, kind of like a teacher. Some say that approach is naive and that I should take the opposite approach. They think I should start people out w/ an F and then let them earn there As. I guess that way, I would not be hurt if someone were to be malicious. I just think my approach is just fair b/c I would not like to be judged initially by appearance or preconceived notions.

8:32 AM - 16 Comments - 18 Kudos - Add Comment

Koman Race for the Cure

On October 1, 2005, I will be participating in the Komen Race for the Cure Series, the largest series of 5K runs/fitness walks in the world. Proceeds raised will go into the local community to fund educational outreach, screening and treatment programs for underserved women and those without access to these services. Also, the run will raise awareness of breast cancer and encourage early detection, the strongest method of surviving this life-threatening disease. The five-year survival rate is 95 percent when the disease is discovered while still confined to the breast.

There is a thirty dollar entry fee, a minute fee that will make a difference in the lives of cancer survivors. Please look into participating or contributing to the Komen Race for the Cure.

9:18 AM - 6 Comments - 7 Kudos - Add Comment

Just another one of my brain farts...

The one thing more attractive than a handsome face is a man w/ confidence. Ever seen a not-so-handsome man with a drop-dead-gorgeous girl in his arms? Know what quality he possesses that any other average Joe does not have? (No,the answer’s notMoney) That’s right, the answer is confidence. Think about it, a girlwould not want to go out w/ a guy who walks with his head down.

I’m not talking about the type of guy who has a shit loadof confidence that his mentality is that he is God’s gift to women. No…no. The confidence that I’m referring to is that of the guy who has the courage to approach a woman with poise. Sure she may not be receptive to you the first time you approach her but at least she knows that you exist.

So next time you see a beautiful woman, don’t avoid eye contact with her. Look her in the eye and believe that you are at the same level that she is at. Because you know what?...youare as good as any guy out there….Sure God may not have given you what he has given Kianu Reeves. But hey, work with what you got. Believe in yourself.

5:10 PM - 18 Comments - 17 Kudos - Add Comment

Bad Boyz

I can recall a time when I fell for the type of guys that drove the fast and the furious type cars (you know--the bad boyz). Nevermind the guys that drove CLKs or Porsches. I remember thinking when the older, more sophisticated guys asked me out, "Ewh, he drives a Porsche Carrera. Forget it. He is not bad enough." Hahahha. What the hell was I thinking? Thank God the bad boy infatuation was just a phase. Now, I would pick a suit wearing business man anyday. Although...I will always think Motorcycles drivers are sexy (but only w/ a helmet). I guess there still is just a hint of ghetto love in me. ***wink***

2:01 AM - 6 Comments - 6 Kudos - Add Comment

Insane?

8:25 PM - 6 Comments - 8 Kudos - Add Comment

Senior Moment?...

If you were to ask me what I did two days ago, I would have a hard time recalling what I actually did. Could it be that I am getting senior moments? Or perhaps I have a goldfish`s memory, which BTW, a scientist discovered that they only have a three second memory retention. (That scientist must have had a bundle of time in his hand) I would be Dorey in Finding Nemo. So you see kids, you don`t need alcohol or weed to make you lose brain cells. It just comes naturally with age. Now if you excuse me, I need to find out where I left my keys....

10:16 PM - 0 Comments - 0 Kudos - Add Comment

Smile

Just the other day, as I was driving home from work, a smile manifested itself on my face. No...no, I didn`t win the lottery. It was smile of serenity.I guess b/c I don`t have anything to be angry or sad about. Here`s my reasoning: I may not be a millionaire but I have money in the bank. I may not be a celebrity, but my nephew thinks that I am a superstar. I am not queen, but my hubby treats me like royalty. My friends are not in a band, but they rock. My house is not a mansion, but it is my castle. My extended family is not so extended, but the immediate family that I have are super supportive. I may be short, but when I walk into a room, I AM 6ft tall. Jesus is in my heart and Serenity is on my side.

5:57 AM - 7 Comments - 8 Kudos - Add Comment

Get a life!

A couple of days ago, former coworker was complaining to me about how her b/f was not giving her enough attention. He would always put his friends before her. My advice to her was this: FIND YOURSELF A DAMN HOBBY! Go workout at the gym, hang out w/ your g/fs, take a salsa class. You don`t have to be stuck-on-the-hips. Think about it--You existed before the guy came along, therefor he is not your damn pacemaker or your air supply!

6:50 PM - 2 Comments - 4 Kudos - Add Comment