More Jabba...they've been around long before America's Best Dance crew, obviously..or they wouldn't have been that good :) But it's weird to see so many more of them!
Monday, March 31, 2008
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
Revolution is a funny thing...
To what extent is "revolution" good? I realize that's a very loaded question, and I don't attempt to answer it discretely. I suppose in the wake of Castro stepping down from Cuba and my family's history with Vietnam, and of course with the war in Iraq, along with several lectures I've had on Latin American history, I've come to question the intentions and repercussions of all these political conflicts. And to what extent do we support revolutions hypothetically, until they affect us personally in a negative way? It's easy to say you want democracy and equality in an essay or over coffee. But how much would you sacrifice to attain it for your country?
For example: My great aunt is sick, so my great uncle is visiting. My parents have repeatedly commented about how my great aunt and uncle used to be extremely wealthy "before 1975." Then afterwards, they lost everything. A sad but common tale for many refugees. But when we look back on Vietnam from an objective, historical perspective, some would argue that the revolution finally ousted years of French occupation, which also helped attain Vietnamese sovereignty (albeit under Communist rule). Politics aside, what I mean to say is that behind all the rhetoric and the policy are innocent people who get caught in the crossfire. If the people are theoretically who we are fighting for, then what are we really accomplishing? Sure, the Communists freed Vietnam from the French, but they also sent hundreds of thousands either fleeing for their lives or to re-education camps. Diem's government and the Americans were also to blame as well for religious repression, corruption, the My Lai massacre, etc.
I think Vietnam is in a much better place now. It is on the rise economically, it is developing exponentially, and it isn't regarded as the political pariah that Cuba is, or the money-mongering, corner-cutting, human-violating mess that China is. Considering Vietnam's high profile for its war with the U.S., the two countries are surprisingly friendly. And I think my great aunt and uncle were still able to make very wonderful lives for themselves despite losing all they had. But some people weren't so lucky, going from high government positions to janitorial services. Others simply died at sea or were killed in re-education camps. Including some of my own family members. So, even though Vietnam was politically "freed" of European colonialists, with all these casualties and displacements, can we really say that it was all worth it? As a young Vietnamese-American who had the privilege of being born here as a result of my parents' escape, I can say yes. But what about my great aunt and uncle? What about my cousins who lost their father and brother in a boating accident? It must be more bittersweet.
I don't even know how my grandparents' and parents' generation would define the word "freedom." I think they have the harsh reality that freedom is not free, and gaining freedom in one aspect of your life almost guarantees your relinquishing it in another. My guess is they are glad to be here in America. They most likely would have been killed, had they stayed. I can't help but wonder if it will ever happen to me. I've been spoiled here. But will it last? And how would I handle it?
Need I even start on Iraq? We got in because of completely fabricated evidence. Though the death toll in Iraq over 5 years is only equivalent to 3 days of battle during WWII, our country is broke, at odds with the whole world, and our president is STILL IN DENIAL. And for me at least, this is no longer hypothetical. My sister's husband is an Air Force JAG, and was recently promoted to Major. So he accepted the promotion, signed on to 4 more years of service and accepted a signing bonus that ensures he will be deployed. If deployed to Iraq, he will be done anywhere from 6 months to a year. Yeah, it sucks.
Even though I'm not running for my life, this war has come to my doorstep. I've never believed in this war. But if I did, what would I be thinking right now? There are people who supported Iraq at the beginning, got deployed there, and still do. Would you be unpatriotic/hypocritical for having a change of heart? Or is it that you just finally had a reality check that actually made you question your own values and needs? Did my aunt and uncle really believe in the war as they were running and watching their houses go up in flames? My guess is they were just trying to get out of there alive. But now that they have time to think...I guess I really do just wonder what they are thinking.
For example: My great aunt is sick, so my great uncle is visiting. My parents have repeatedly commented about how my great aunt and uncle used to be extremely wealthy "before 1975." Then afterwards, they lost everything. A sad but common tale for many refugees. But when we look back on Vietnam from an objective, historical perspective, some would argue that the revolution finally ousted years of French occupation, which also helped attain Vietnamese sovereignty (albeit under Communist rule). Politics aside, what I mean to say is that behind all the rhetoric and the policy are innocent people who get caught in the crossfire. If the people are theoretically who we are fighting for, then what are we really accomplishing? Sure, the Communists freed Vietnam from the French, but they also sent hundreds of thousands either fleeing for their lives or to re-education camps. Diem's government and the Americans were also to blame as well for religious repression, corruption, the My Lai massacre, etc.
I think Vietnam is in a much better place now. It is on the rise economically, it is developing exponentially, and it isn't regarded as the political pariah that Cuba is, or the money-mongering, corner-cutting, human-violating mess that China is. Considering Vietnam's high profile for its war with the U.S., the two countries are surprisingly friendly. And I think my great aunt and uncle were still able to make very wonderful lives for themselves despite losing all they had. But some people weren't so lucky, going from high government positions to janitorial services. Others simply died at sea or were killed in re-education camps. Including some of my own family members. So, even though Vietnam was politically "freed" of European colonialists, with all these casualties and displacements, can we really say that it was all worth it? As a young Vietnamese-American who had the privilege of being born here as a result of my parents' escape, I can say yes. But what about my great aunt and uncle? What about my cousins who lost their father and brother in a boating accident? It must be more bittersweet.
I don't even know how my grandparents' and parents' generation would define the word "freedom." I think they have the harsh reality that freedom is not free, and gaining freedom in one aspect of your life almost guarantees your relinquishing it in another. My guess is they are glad to be here in America. They most likely would have been killed, had they stayed. I can't help but wonder if it will ever happen to me. I've been spoiled here. But will it last? And how would I handle it?
Need I even start on Iraq? We got in because of completely fabricated evidence. Though the death toll in Iraq over 5 years is only equivalent to 3 days of battle during WWII, our country is broke, at odds with the whole world, and our president is STILL IN DENIAL. And for me at least, this is no longer hypothetical. My sister's husband is an Air Force JAG, and was recently promoted to Major. So he accepted the promotion, signed on to 4 more years of service and accepted a signing bonus that ensures he will be deployed. If deployed to Iraq, he will be done anywhere from 6 months to a year. Yeah, it sucks.
Even though I'm not running for my life, this war has come to my doorstep. I've never believed in this war. But if I did, what would I be thinking right now? There are people who supported Iraq at the beginning, got deployed there, and still do. Would you be unpatriotic/hypocritical for having a change of heart? Or is it that you just finally had a reality check that actually made you question your own values and needs? Did my aunt and uncle really believe in the war as they were running and watching their houses go up in flames? My guess is they were just trying to get out of there alive. But now that they have time to think...I guess I really do just wonder what they are thinking.
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
JabbaWockeeZ - America's Best Dance Crew Episode 5
Dancing to: PYT - Michael Jackson
I usually hate these types of reality shows, but I have to admit, they are extremely talented and entertaining! Plus I think it's really awesome that the top two groups of the competition are both Asian groups. Power to our people! :)
Sunday, February 24, 2008
Glen Hansard Marketa Irglova - Oscars 2008
Yay for them!!! Considering all the other choices sucked royally, I would have been so pissed if they didn't win. Plus props to the TV producers for letting Marteka Irglova back on...I'd be pissed if I won an Oscar and didn't even get to have my 30 seconds of glory!
Saturday, January 5, 2008
Photos from Madrid, Christmas 2006
It's been a year, so I think it's high time I finally uploaded some pictures from my trip. I was going to take the original prints out of their mats and scan them again for better quality, but what the hell. I am lazy, and the scans turned out ok. Plus I spent way too much time on those damn mats.
Anyway, I never really narrated my trip back to Madrid in 2006 online, so here goes: I decided I would attempt the San Silvestre 10k, an annual race held on New Year's Eve that runs through the heart of Madrid. A whole portion of the city is closed off to about 20,000 runners. There are bands set up at major intersections to keep up group morale, the streets are lit up...it's a very exciting event and a great way to kick off the new year. I finished the race in 1:05...which is on the slower side admittedly, but honestly I'm not a runner. I'm more about quick movements and hand-eye coordination than endurance. But I'm happy I even finished, and had I trained harder I could probably shave it down to a solid hour.
These are pics taken in the days prior to the race, when I flew in over Christmas and spent the holidays with Antonio's family.
Roasted chestnut stand
Kids playing in streamers blowing up from a street vent on the Plaza Mayor
The Plaza Mayor at night
Vendor on Plaza Mayor selling Christmas lights
Paseo del Prado, the street that runs past the world-renowned Prado Museum. This is a souvenir picture since this street will be torn up soon :(
Anyway, I never really narrated my trip back to Madrid in 2006 online, so here goes: I decided I would attempt the San Silvestre 10k, an annual race held on New Year's Eve that runs through the heart of Madrid. A whole portion of the city is closed off to about 20,000 runners. There are bands set up at major intersections to keep up group morale, the streets are lit up...it's a very exciting event and a great way to kick off the new year. I finished the race in 1:05...which is on the slower side admittedly, but honestly I'm not a runner. I'm more about quick movements and hand-eye coordination than endurance. But I'm happy I even finished, and had I trained harder I could probably shave it down to a solid hour.
These are pics taken in the days prior to the race, when I flew in over Christmas and spent the holidays with Antonio's family.
Roasted chestnut stand
Kids playing in streamers blowing up from a street vent on the Plaza Mayor
The Plaza Mayor at night
Vendor on Plaza Mayor selling Christmas lights
Paseo del Prado, the street that runs past the world-renowned Prado Museum. This is a souvenir picture since this street will be torn up soon :(
Wednesday, January 2, 2008
No quiero una vida siempre con subtítulos
Me siento que se me está escapando el español. Hace mucho que no lo he hablado en voz alta con nadie. No es culpa de nadie, lo juro! Es que últimamente no me he encontrado con ningún hispanohablante. Entonces la oportunidad para hablar viene con menos frecuencia. Así que intentaré escribir mis pensamientos en español de vez en cuando para poder retenerlo.
No es una lista de resoluciones exactamente, pero sin querer me ha salido así.
Es un poco cursi y cliché, pero cuando reflejo sobre los últimos años de mi vida desde el comienzo de la uni, estoy alucinada con los cambios. La gente con quien me identifico, mis interéses, mis prioridades...me gustaría pensar que se han mejorado y que me quedan mejor que entonces. Me gustaría pensar que he madurado, que ya no me preocupo de las tonterías de la juventud. Quiero pensar que estoy más segura en yo misma y que he tomado algunos pasos adelante.
Pero por otro lado, me siento igual al "yo" de los años adolescentes. Que aunque me encuentro con mucha gente nueva, tengo las mismas inseguridades y los mismos problemas. Cuando me enfado, tengo siempre la misma angustia, da igual el tema. Como es que uno cambia? Me hace cuestionar si la gente verdaderamente es capaz de cambiar del carácter. A veces pienso que no. Que después de una epoca en la vida (y que es sorprendamente pronto), somos fijos. Que aunque algun día seré una profesional, una adulta, una madre, una esposa...me acostaré cada noche con el alma de una niña asustada.
Es frustrante. Quiero ser mas fuerte y no darme vueltas sobre cualquiera cosa. Quiero no disgustarme cuando una amiga en que confío me decepciona. Cuando pierdo algo o alguien, quiero no echarlo de menos tanto. Quiero no darme palizas o pensar que me he fallado con todo. Sé que la vida tiene muchos obstáculos que extienden mas allá del mundo en que vivo ahora, y necesito estar más preparada para ellos. La gente piensa que tengo todo bien manejado. Es cierto que tenía privilegios y suertes que me han apoyado, y por eso he tenido éxito. Eso lo reconozco, y lo agradezco. Pero la verdad es que con cada paso más, me entran unas olas de angustia que a veces me ahogan. He visto la película "The Kite Runner" (también una novela preciosa) en la cual el protagonista sufre un golpe de conciencia terrible. El cuento le muestra como una persona fea, pero me he identificado con él porque a veces yo me siento fea también. Aunque no he sido tan cobarde como él, pienso, puedo entender ese sentido de auto-tortura. Es irónico, pero cuando era niña, era mas valiente. Pensaba que era invincible y que era perfecta. Ahora me siento mas niña que nunca. Y si no la aguanto?
No es una lista de resoluciones exactamente, pero sin querer me ha salido así.
Es un poco cursi y cliché, pero cuando reflejo sobre los últimos años de mi vida desde el comienzo de la uni, estoy alucinada con los cambios. La gente con quien me identifico, mis interéses, mis prioridades...me gustaría pensar que se han mejorado y que me quedan mejor que entonces. Me gustaría pensar que he madurado, que ya no me preocupo de las tonterías de la juventud. Quiero pensar que estoy más segura en yo misma y que he tomado algunos pasos adelante.
Pero por otro lado, me siento igual al "yo" de los años adolescentes. Que aunque me encuentro con mucha gente nueva, tengo las mismas inseguridades y los mismos problemas. Cuando me enfado, tengo siempre la misma angustia, da igual el tema. Como es que uno cambia? Me hace cuestionar si la gente verdaderamente es capaz de cambiar del carácter. A veces pienso que no. Que después de una epoca en la vida (y que es sorprendamente pronto), somos fijos. Que aunque algun día seré una profesional, una adulta, una madre, una esposa...me acostaré cada noche con el alma de una niña asustada.
Es frustrante. Quiero ser mas fuerte y no darme vueltas sobre cualquiera cosa. Quiero no disgustarme cuando una amiga en que confío me decepciona. Cuando pierdo algo o alguien, quiero no echarlo de menos tanto. Quiero no darme palizas o pensar que me he fallado con todo. Sé que la vida tiene muchos obstáculos que extienden mas allá del mundo en que vivo ahora, y necesito estar más preparada para ellos. La gente piensa que tengo todo bien manejado. Es cierto que tenía privilegios y suertes que me han apoyado, y por eso he tenido éxito. Eso lo reconozco, y lo agradezco. Pero la verdad es que con cada paso más, me entran unas olas de angustia que a veces me ahogan. He visto la película "The Kite Runner" (también una novela preciosa) en la cual el protagonista sufre un golpe de conciencia terrible. El cuento le muestra como una persona fea, pero me he identificado con él porque a veces yo me siento fea también. Aunque no he sido tan cobarde como él, pienso, puedo entender ese sentido de auto-tortura. Es irónico, pero cuando era niña, era mas valiente. Pensaba que era invincible y que era perfecta. Ahora me siento mas niña que nunca. Y si no la aguanto?
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