As I re-connect with many of my high school peers within the past few weeks, I thought about how high school was for me and how different I was back then. Being one of the few Asian people who graduated from Towers High School in 1994 -- damn I make it sound like I'm so freaking old now, don't I? -- I thought about what kind of person my classmates perceived me as. The quiet, shy, nerdy Chinese girl, I believe. Hey, not many people cared what my ethnicity was back then. If I was yellow and had slanted eyes, than I was considered Chinese. Forget educating others about my ethnicity being Hmong. Plus it had to do with how my parents raised me. They raised me to not make a big deal out of little things - to let these just be so there would be no trouble. So about me being Hmong was on that list. But when I was around my Hmong and Lao friends, I was this outgoing person with a sense of humor, always making people laugh because I'm silly. They even considered me to be more daring so they would always let me do the more "bold" things. However, when I get back to high school, it's totally different. After high school, I got married to my hubby and started my own family and didn't have my parents around me to guide me. I started to have my own identity, my own voice of what kind of person I really was. Now, I'm not those crazy girls who went on "Girls Gone Wild" or anything. Just saying I'm the type who would tell you what's up. It has gotten to where I am right only, hahaha. But I've gotten better at that. Sometimes it's better just to agree to disagree.
Having a family of my own, I understand where my parents are coming from. They escape from Laos to Thailand to come to the USA. In 1975, General Vang Pao was the first Hmong man to come to the USA and helped many of the Hmong people to re-locate to start a new life because many Hmong people have lost their lives helping the USA fight in the Vietnam War, also known as the "Secret War." I was born in 1976 and all my parents wanted to do was make sure I was safe and still had to adapt to the American ways.
In the past few years, my heart has gone out to teaching others more about my ethnicity. Even though I've been criticized for not being with a Hmong man, I believe my heart is more Hmong than others who claim they are Hmong. I started a Hmong blog - http://nickihawj.blogspot.com/ - for me to keep up with Hmong news as well as educate others. The disturbing YouTube videos that circulating a couple of years ago is what got me so emotional. Plus a couple of weeks ago, Duce and Pagnia's lyrics on their "The Hmong Movement" song really teared me up. How can we Hmong people help out America and still no one knows about us?
Friday, January 2, 2009
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
Satire on common nations from natural news health ranger mike adams
Here are my rules of thumb regarding common nations (satire):
If you want it cheap and dirty, buy from China.
If you want it affordable and usable, buy from Taiwan.
If you want it precise and durable, buy from Japan.
If you want it overpriced and unhealthy, buy from America.
If you want it over-engineered and unjustifiably expensive, buy from Germany.
If you want it expensive but high quality, buy from Canada.
If you want it cheap and fast, and you don't really care if it actually
works, buy from Mexico.
If you want it cool-looking but useless because it's broken, buy from
Korea.
If you want it cheap and late, buy from India (and keep your fingers crossed).
If you want to pay triple taxes on it, buy from the UK.
If you want it to snub your friends and make them feel inferior, buy it from
France.
If you'd rather just talk about buying it instead of actually buying it,
then do it in Italy.
If you don't want it at all, send your money to the email scamming guy in
Nigeria!
Hopefully, you have a sense of humor about all this. Most people find these lists funny, but if you feel offended by this list then feel free to send me a funnier list you write yourself. If it's sufficiently funny (and insightful), I'll publish it.
If you want it cheap and dirty, buy from China.
If you want it affordable and usable, buy from Taiwan.
If you want it precise and durable, buy from Japan.
If you want it overpriced and unhealthy, buy from America.
If you want it over-engineered and unjustifiably expensive, buy from Germany.
If you want it expensive but high quality, buy from Canada.
If you want it cheap and fast, and you don't really care if it actually
works, buy from Mexico.
If you want it cool-looking but useless because it's broken, buy from
Korea.
If you want it cheap and late, buy from India (and keep your fingers crossed).
If you want to pay triple taxes on it, buy from the UK.
If you want it to snub your friends and make them feel inferior, buy it from
France.
If you'd rather just talk about buying it instead of actually buying it,
then do it in Italy.
If you don't want it at all, send your money to the email scamming guy in
Nigeria!
Hopefully, you have a sense of humor about all this. Most people find these lists funny, but if you feel offended by this list then feel free to send me a funnier list you write yourself. If it's sufficiently funny (and insightful), I'll publish it.
Monday, December 1, 2008
One more month until 2009
Should I be happy or sad?
This year has been wasted for me. I need a new start. How about a new job?
Weather definitely is getting colder. Definitely feels like Winter time now. Had to wear my gloves today. My lips feel dry and chapped even though I've put chapstick on. Just feel so lazy, extra lazy.
This year, I realized I definitely am not a fan of turkey meat. When I stopped eating it, I didn't have a migraine. Maybe it's just this year cause hubby brined turkey for the first time this year. Lemme marinate and inject it instead. Much tastier. :)
All I want to do right now and watch more Bollywood movies. I have a bunch at home. Haven't updated my spreadsheet of Bollywood films I own yet. I'm still sad about Mumbai. Now when I want to visit Mumbai in the future, it's going to be tougher.
This year has been wasted for me. I need a new start. How about a new job?
Weather definitely is getting colder. Definitely feels like Winter time now. Had to wear my gloves today. My lips feel dry and chapped even though I've put chapstick on. Just feel so lazy, extra lazy.
This year, I realized I definitely am not a fan of turkey meat. When I stopped eating it, I didn't have a migraine. Maybe it's just this year cause hubby brined turkey for the first time this year. Lemme marinate and inject it instead. Much tastier. :)
All I want to do right now and watch more Bollywood movies. I have a bunch at home. Haven't updated my spreadsheet of Bollywood films I own yet. I'm still sad about Mumbai. Now when I want to visit Mumbai in the future, it's going to be tougher.
Friday, November 28, 2008
My heart goes out to all those in Mumbai right now
I have been following the terriost attacks in Mumbai for the past few days.
If you haven't heard what happened in Mumbai, where in the heck have you been?????
Anti Terrorist Squad (ATS) chief Hemant Karkare, two senior police officers and 78 others were killed when terrorists struck with impunity in Mumbai on Wednesday tonight (November 26) in coordinated multiple blasts and gunfire in a dozen areas including at iconic landmarks Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus (CST) railway station and two five star hotels--Oberoi and Taj. Karkare (54), who is probing the Malegaon blasts case, was gunned down when he was leading an operation at Hotel Taj against terrorists who had taken 15 people, including seven foreigners, as hostages. He was hit by three bullets in his chest. One MP Krishan Das and 200 people were stranded in Taj hotel..........
President-elect Barack Obama and UN chief Ban Ki-moon led the global community condemnation of the terror attacks in Mumbai and called on the nations of the world to work together to "root out and destroy terrorist networks".
At least 80 people, including Anti-Terrorism Squad chief Hemant Karkare, were killed when terrorists struck with impunity in Mumbai in coordinated multiple blasts and gunfire in a dozen areas across the city. "These coordinated attacks on innocent civilians demonstrate the grave and urgent threat of terrorism," Obama's Chief National security Spokesperson Brooke Anderson said in a statement.
"The United States must continue to strengthen our partnerships with India and nations around the world to root out and destroy terrorist networks," he said. "We stand with the people of India, whose democracy will prove far more resilient than the hateful ideology that led to these attacks," Anderson added.
In a statement, the US State Department condemned the terrorist attacks in Mumbai. "We are monitoring the situation very closely and stand ready to support the Indian authorities as they deal with this horrific series of attacks. At this point, we are unaware of any American casualties," it added.
The UN chief also strongly condemned the attacks, saying "such violence is totally unacceptable." He said that no cause or grievance can justify indiscriminate attacks against civilians and called for the perpetrators of the attacks to be brought to justice.
British Prime Minister Gordon Brown said the "outrageous" attacks will be met with a "vigorous response". "I have sent a message to Prime Minister (Manmohan) Singh that the UK stands solidly with his government as they respond," Brown said, adding the UK is ready to offer all necessary help to India.
British Foreign Secretary David Miliband said the attacks were a reminder of the threat from violent extremists. "Today's attacks in Mumbai which have claimed many innocent victims remind us, yet again, of the threat we face from violent extremists," he said.
"Our thoughts are with the families and friends of those killed and injured. The UK and India will continue their joint efforts to counter the actions of terrorists," he said. The European Union strongly condemned the attacks and expressed its "horror and indignation" at the series of shootings and blasts.
Canada's Foreign Affairs Minister Lawrence Cannon condemned the attacks, saying "these cowardly attacks are truly appalling." "Canada strongly condemns the savage terrorist attacks in Mumbai, which have left hundreds of innocent civilians injured or killed," Cannon said.
Britain's Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg said: "When violent terrorism raises its ugly head, it is crucial that the international community stands together. Conservative leader David Cameron said his thoughts were with all those who had been caught up in the attacks. "India and Britain stand together at this time in the face of terrorism," he said. The British Foreign Office has also issued an emergency number for people with relatives in Mumbai: 0207 008 0000.
http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/group.php?gid=37837016526
If you haven't heard what happened in Mumbai, where in the heck have you been?????
Anti Terrorist Squad (ATS) chief Hemant Karkare, two senior police officers and 78 others were killed when terrorists struck with impunity in Mumbai on Wednesday tonight (November 26) in coordinated multiple blasts and gunfire in a dozen areas including at iconic landmarks Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus (CST) railway station and two five star hotels--Oberoi and Taj. Karkare (54), who is probing the Malegaon blasts case, was gunned down when he was leading an operation at Hotel Taj against terrorists who had taken 15 people, including seven foreigners, as hostages. He was hit by three bullets in his chest. One MP Krishan Das and 200 people were stranded in Taj hotel..........
President-elect Barack Obama and UN chief Ban Ki-moon led the global community condemnation of the terror attacks in Mumbai and called on the nations of the world to work together to "root out and destroy terrorist networks".
At least 80 people, including Anti-Terrorism Squad chief Hemant Karkare, were killed when terrorists struck with impunity in Mumbai in coordinated multiple blasts and gunfire in a dozen areas across the city. "These coordinated attacks on innocent civilians demonstrate the grave and urgent threat of terrorism," Obama's Chief National security Spokesperson Brooke Anderson said in a statement.
"The United States must continue to strengthen our partnerships with India and nations around the world to root out and destroy terrorist networks," he said. "We stand with the people of India, whose democracy will prove far more resilient than the hateful ideology that led to these attacks," Anderson added.
In a statement, the US State Department condemned the terrorist attacks in Mumbai. "We are monitoring the situation very closely and stand ready to support the Indian authorities as they deal with this horrific series of attacks. At this point, we are unaware of any American casualties," it added.
The UN chief also strongly condemned the attacks, saying "such violence is totally unacceptable." He said that no cause or grievance can justify indiscriminate attacks against civilians and called for the perpetrators of the attacks to be brought to justice.
British Prime Minister Gordon Brown said the "outrageous" attacks will be met with a "vigorous response". "I have sent a message to Prime Minister (Manmohan) Singh that the UK stands solidly with his government as they respond," Brown said, adding the UK is ready to offer all necessary help to India.
British Foreign Secretary David Miliband said the attacks were a reminder of the threat from violent extremists. "Today's attacks in Mumbai which have claimed many innocent victims remind us, yet again, of the threat we face from violent extremists," he said.
"Our thoughts are with the families and friends of those killed and injured. The UK and India will continue their joint efforts to counter the actions of terrorists," he said. The European Union strongly condemned the attacks and expressed its "horror and indignation" at the series of shootings and blasts.
Canada's Foreign Affairs Minister Lawrence Cannon condemned the attacks, saying "these cowardly attacks are truly appalling." "Canada strongly condemns the savage terrorist attacks in Mumbai, which have left hundreds of innocent civilians injured or killed," Cannon said.
Britain's Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg said: "When violent terrorism raises its ugly head, it is crucial that the international community stands together. Conservative leader David Cameron said his thoughts were with all those who had been caught up in the attacks. "India and Britain stand together at this time in the face of terrorism," he said. The British Foreign Office has also issued an emergency number for people with relatives in Mumbai: 0207 008 0000.
http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/group.php?gid=37837016526
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