Since I haven't blogged, here goes

It's mid March of 2013 and I haven't been blogging much, I still tweet randomly and check my FB from time to time. Busy season hits me at work and I've been overwhelmed with a lot of work but it's been great overall. I work with wonderful people.

I've decided to take a look at my life and decided what I want to focus on because life is too short and we don't have enough time to do everything what we want to either. We have to pick and choose what we feel is important in our lives. Those without the same dreams or goals will never understand.

In the past few months, I've done a lot of soul searching with friends, in general. Making me think to myself who is a friend and what makes a good friend? I have to admit that a few of my close friends now are those who I've met within the past five years. Some people think growing up together makes you bff's but to me, those who understand and been there for you are more bff's than someone who you grew up with. 

My bff is and always have been my hubby. A lot of people put up a front and make it seem like their love life is perfect. No one's is. It's just how you present it.

There's nothing really much to update on my end. Well, not anything worth mentioning prematurely until news is confirm. I hate to jump the gun on some news and then people ask about it later. My goal is to blog at least once a month. I have to really think about my movie blogs because that's what got me blogging in the first place and meeting so many of you wonderful people online.

Pic of hubby & me - Christmas party 2012

Victor Kim

All I have to say is I'm very impress how my one post of Victor Kim is the most viewed on my personal blog! I just posted it less than a month ago!!!!! 

Wow!!!!!!

I am very impress. I know I don't post links to my personal blog much and I have 4 blogs in all - Indian cinema blog, Asian cinema blog, Hmong blog, and this one - my personal blog.

In general, movies is my passion...along with music. With that, I love to watch dancing.

Besides his dancing (ahem I love Quest Crew and ABDC), Victor really attracts me with his personality on his YouTube channel and personal blog. The man can sing and play instruments. Gotta love him.

Here are just a few more photos of him that I love.

Quest Crew: Victor Kim

It is no secret that I am in love with Quest Crew. They are the best dance crew. Ever. Period.
I found an old post where I confessed I had a dream of them two years ago, lol

I have been really obsess with them (again) lately. Blame it on their recent appearance on ABDC 6 finale cause they are just that good. I loved them so much with D-Trix but even without him, they are still the best. Every member compliments each other. They always let each one shine.

But even though I've been obsess and watching Quest Crew on YouTube and following them on Twitter....I've been really crushing hard on Victor Kim lately.

I love his personality, his dancing, his musical talent, singing, you name it. I read his blog. I follow him on Twitter. I subscribe to his YouTube channel. I've been searching for his photos recently too. Boy. Oh Boy.
There's just something about Victor Kim.
The funny part is I'm a Kim too! But that's through marriage :) but my hubby is not Korean, but Khmer, hehe.

Here are some of my favorite photos of Victor Kim. The man is just so sexy and talented. It's sad that I've been thinking how my life would've been if my parents never moved to Atlanta and stayed in Los Angeles, hehe. I know, I was only four when my parents moved to Atlanta. I would've had a chance to meet Victor and the Quest Crew members :D

GA Hmong New Years

Click on image to view larger

It's this weekend! I am going to support my Hmong peeps.

What I find strange is that people are saying they go to the Hmong New Years just for the food, I'm puzzled cause I believe my food taste better than that being served at the New Years.

Seriously. I'm not just saying that.
Even my kids prefer my food over the New Years (and even my parents, their grandma!)

IMO, most foods are *not* marinated good enough for me.
What's the purpose of frying chicken thighs/legs? I rather have it grill. I don't eat beef. I don't like pork grilled by others, most of the time it's dry and/or raw.

Oh well! Hmong New Years!

Phir Bhi Dil Hai Hindustani

I should blog about this on my Indian cinema blog but I'm going to do it here since it's my personal blog.

The more I learn about India, the more obsess I am about India. So many of my friends think I was Indian in my previous birth! Some think of me when there’s anything associated with India.

The sad part is I’ve never been to India. You would think??

I lack money. Yes! I surely do! I had children at a young age and they have been on my #1 list first. Over the years and with them growing older, I have had more time to myself. So within that time frame, I slowly am loving India more. It used to be all about Bollywood (Hindi films) but in the past 5 years, I’ve grown to love the other parts of India and learn about many, many other languages that are not in the limelight like Hindi.

From Kannada to Tamil to Bengali to Telugu, I've learn that India is full of richness of colors. The history and gorgeous landscapes and monuments in this country is just worth talking about. One day, I will see the country with my own eyes.

I used to want to go to the Taj Mahal because it's the most popular place to visit.

However, within the past few years, I want to look beyond that! I want to see the Hindu temples in the South. See the backwaters and waterfalls of Kerala. Many more!

I used to want to avoid anything rural in Asia, but not India! My parents took me to the USA when I was only 6-months-old so I am a spoiled American. Never did I want to live that rural livestyle!

But because of India, I see the beauty of the nature!

Right now, I am more than obsesess with India!

I am making myself learn the different states and capitals of India, along with learning the different saree style draping! Also am planning to play with mehndi!

Phir Bhi Dil Hai Hindustani!

There's so many times when I come on here and start

blogging away because I have so much to say...then stop because I have something to do.

Then I never finish up because I lost my train of thought.

And then realized that maybe I shouldn't blog all that. TMI

Another blog????

08/25/2010

Yes, I am really thinking about it....

A blog on food. Just mainly pictures. Not recipes but the final dish. Or from restaurants.

Just a thought.

Food blogs are my latest obsession....

09/15/2010

As you can see now, I have updated the blog with pictures of foods!

Again, I'm not making this a recipe blog :D

25 Random Facts about me

I posted this on Facebook but wanted to share with others who didn't have Facebook...

Here's 25 Random Facts About ME =)

Rules: Once you've been tagged, you are supposed to write a note with 25 random things, facts, habits, or goals about you. At the end, choose 25 people to be tagged. You have to tag the person who tagged you. If I tagged you, it's because I want to know more about you. To do this, go to "notes" under tabs on your profile page, paste these instructions in the body of the note, type your 25 random things, tag 25 people (in the right hand corner of the app) then click publish...

1. I am on Twitter more now just because I could connect with people with the same interest as me (movies!!!) on there (and stalk my celebs).

2. My hair is growing out and I plan to keep it that way. Short hair is cute but with long hair, I feel sexier, just need to learn about stylish cuts.

3. I still often get mistaken the most for Hawaiin and Filipinas. It’s the dark skin, I tell you!

4. I cannot swim and sometimes am terrified of the water, being surrounded by that much water, especially anything waist up. I have dreams of drowning sometimes.

5. Drowning is scary but I want to fly, goal to skydive soon. I want that rushed feeling. I love roller coasters!

6. As I’ve grown older, I am impatient and hate crowds. I often go to the store really early to avoid the rushed crowd.

7. Although I love my celeb men (especially Bunny), I am still madly in love with my hubby. He is the reason for my sanity, he supports and stands by my side no matter what.

8. My son is a teenager and is going to be 14 next month, time flies. My daughter will be 11 this year.

9. Still have our dog. She’ll be 10 in a few weeks. I recently got a letter from the vet congratulating me on having “senior citizen” dog. It’s okay. She still looks like a puppy because she’s so tiny (still only 12 lbs) and is still hyper! Hubby was telling my daughter that he’ll get her a bunny (no, it’s not because of me! I swear!!) but had to change his mind because she wouldn’t know how to take care of it. We’ll see ;P

10. I am a picky eater, depending on what is in the dish, particularly the type of meat. But I will eat any type of cuisine. I believe there is something in every ethnic dish that someone will like. Just have to be open minded.

11. Over the years, I’ve had a lot of celeb crushes but the two main ones are younger than me (consist too much of my time reading up on their lives, collecting pictures, making videos, etc) Guesses? Sad part is they are both my brothers’ ages, hahaha! Never thought about that until just now…

12. Even though I may seem to be disconnected from my Hmong people by marrying a Khmer guy, I believe I have more Hmong pride than those who are married to Hmong people. I take the time to educate others by telling them about Hmong people and have a blog about all the news/articles I find online.

13. Blogging has helped me reach out to others. Whether it’s on Indian, Korean, or Hong Kong movies on Hmong information, I have met so many people online (Bollywhat too) and love it.

14. I’ve definitely been pushing and trying to convert Bollywood fans into South Indian films because Bollywood has lost it :D Once you see a South Indian film, you’ll know why. Telugu is still my fave (and it’s not because of you know who!). I’ve had the most success with Magadheera and Anand :P (see, they don’t even star my hottie!) Hello, the dancing in South India is enough!

15. Looking through my movie list, I need to stop buying movies because there are plenty that I still haven’t seen. For example, I bought Bips film, Shob Charitro Kalponik, around February of this year and still have not watched it. It’s mainly because Bengali films are artsy and I want to be in the mood to watch it.

16. I get at least one e-mail a week from Bollywood fans (mostly Hmong) who ask me about helping them find the original Hindi movie that they saw when they were younger or helping find the title of that film.

17. I love men with some facial hair, especially the 5 o’clock shadow. It’s funny because some guys who I never had the hots for, I suddenly do think that they are fine when they sport that look. I love my hubby with it, he looks sexy.

18. I still know nothing about makeup. I am very impatient and a perfectionist. If I don’t get it right the first few times, I give up. I need to be more patient.

19. YouTube is wonderful! I just mentioned how impatient I am with makeup. I still love watching the tutorials, or the latest music videos from my favorites, or even clips on shows, even in Korea or India ! Amazing!

20. I loooove music. I must have music in the car while driving, while I’m cooking and cleaning, and even on when getting ready to work in the morning.

21. Sometimes I miss volleyball. Sometimes I don’t. However, I know I won’t play competitively anymore, only just for fun. It’ll be almost a year the last time I played (last time I injured myself, sprained tail bone!)

22. There are quite a few places in the USA that I must visit before I take a trip overseas. LA is one of them. And no, I don’t have my passport yet.

23. I am jealous at non Desis who have visited India and I haven’t. Mainly because I am so obsess and in love with India that I wish money didn’t stop me from going there.

24. Some people say money do not make the world go round but it would sure make my life easier. I do think without money, you won’t have as much fun either. Sure, I could just chill and watch a movie and be entertain….but I need money for more movies :D

25. Learning about culture is a part of history. I have this weird obsession about maps. I love looking at old maps, how many new countries form, why it happened and so forth. Although there are many countries now, many countries still are similar with the language and clothing.

Random rants & thoughts

My hubby always tells me that he doesn’t understand why I care for my so-called “friends” and “family.”

It’s no secret that I am not close to my siblings. I am there for them but we are not close and do not open up to each other.

The “friends” that I have are more like social butterflies. We usually meet because of gatherings for whatever reasons. I’m not close to many of them. Honestly, maybe because I feel that I tell them a lot about my life but they don’t open up to me. Therefore, I don’t want to tell them anything else about myself.

I know a lot of people. I often introduce myself to many people and continue to keep in touch. Sometimes, I wonder why I do that. To make conversation? To see how that person is doing?

I swear social networking makes it so easy to make “friends.” You meet once, then you add them on Facebook as a “friend.” Then you get status updates. So now, you two are cool and BFFs.

Yeah, right. It really isn’t that easy.

Too many assumptions on Facebook. Instead of being straight forward, you just “assume” something because of a vague status update.

Then you have others who lurk and lurk. And lurk some more. Never ever comment but behind your back, talk about you because they’ve been keeping up with the status updates.

Wow, this is turning to be a Facebook thing….

Hubby continues to tell me that he has let go of those who don’t care in life (friends & even family members)…maybe I should too? He says I always make the extra effort to visit and plan to meet others, but it’s not the other day around.

I get it. I do. Again, why do I care for others if they don’t? That’s something I have to do a lot of meditation and think some more about.

However, in the end, I know for a fact that no one else cares for me more than my hubby. Not even my parents or kids.

I want to travel!!

But I have no passport :(

When people say they want to travel, they just specifically say I want to go to Europe (that's one whole continent!!!) or China (that's one country, where in China do you want to go??) It's like saying, I want to go to America. Where in America? Los Angeles? New York? Miami?

My goal this summer is to get a passport. Seriously. I have friends who has said they are going on vacation and asked me to tag along, places like Mexico, Jamaica, or even Bahamas. I just don't have a passport.

I always wanted to go to India (okay, I will explain where below!!) Everyone should know why.

One of my Filipino friends had a chance to go to India and asked if I wanted to go. She went to Agra and Mumbai! I saw the pictures after the trip. She is always traveling and is in Greece at this very moment. We talked about going to India together. Two non Desi chicks going to India, that would be something. She has been very helpful with getting me Telugu and Tamil films in the past.

However, I do want to travel with someone who is fluent with the language. My Filipino friend was traveling with her Tamil friends at that time. My biggest concern is money! I don't have much of it. If I go, I may have to open new credit cards, just to go, lol.

Now, I am so head-over-heels for South India, I want to visit all the beautiful temples. I want to be away from the urban settings. I still want to see the Taj Mahal in Agra. But I have my eyes set on South India.

How could I resist the beautiful beaches, waterfalls, and coconut trees in Kerala

the gorgeous Mysore palaces and St Mary's Island in Karnataka

Vidhana Soudha in Bangalore (and I have no idea where the second pic is!! Except that it's in Bangalore.  I have been saving pictures of India for the past few years and I found it!)

the same place where Jism was shot in Pondicherry!! I want to see the beautiful cathedrals and the beach

Oh yeah, of course Hyderabad to stalk my favorite Indian hottie, Allu Arjun :)

And maybe see the beautiful buildings

Golconda Fort

Birla Mandir

Allu Arjun, what have you done to me? :)
http://apunbindaas.blogspot.com/2009/10/theres-just-something-about-allu-arjun.html

I love my online friends

We all have friends, we meet from childhood to the present.

Whether or not, we actually hang out with them to go shopping or just chit-chat. We have them as a friend for a reason.

My main passion is movies, celebs, music, fashion, something in that nature. I love the entertainment world. I'm not an expert to judge but I put my heart and soul into that.

I grew up watching movies, mostly Bollywood. I devoted a whole blog just for Indian cinema.

Hmong people, in general, watch different types of film industries from Hong Kong, Thai, Korean, to India (Hindi). Probably because we don't have a country of our own.

Even though my Hmong friends do enjoy watching movies, I haven't found one who shared my passion for films, in general. Not even a non Hmong person.

I turned to Yahoo Clubs, then Groups, whatever they are called now to read about the latest news and gossips. Then, I found a message forums, particularly Bollywhat. I love it. Many non Desi from all over the globe uniting together.

Atlanta is one of the few cities in the 90s that had a Bollywood theater. Yet, I have not found a Desi friend to hang out with. I take that back. I found her few years ago when she married and moved to Atlanta. But since then, she moved again. :( I miss her. We met through Bollywhat too.

Finally, I turned to blogging. I wanted to share my passion through pictures and my silly randomness. That was a whole new world. With blogging, I can be who I want to be. I didn't have to go rules from a forum. I could blab nonsense if I wanted to.

With screen caps, I could show people what a film could offer. Share with others my love of films. Write about the soundtrack. I cannot live without music, whenever I cook, I have to have music on.

Some of my "real" life friends think it's silly for me to be in my own world of films. But they don't know how good it feels to escape from reality sometimes.

They don't share or understand the love I have for movies.

Heck, if my hubby and kids understand that is a part of me, I shouldn't care. Right?

But I love my online friends. I love making new friends too. I hope to meet each and everyone of them one day. We connect in a totally different type of world.

That's why I am always willing to share my passion and send out films I enjoy.

Less than two months before my Twin Cities vacation

Wow!!!

I. Can. Not. Wait!

I am even more excited now that I re-connected with a few of my cousins on Facebook!!!

Not only that, I get to meet some online friends who love Indian cinema as much as I do. Yes, that's more than Bollywood (Hindi)! We're gonna talk about my favorite Telugu hottie, Allu Arjun :D

The main reason why I was going to MN was to see my first cousin (from my mom's side) daughter get married. I've watched her grown up. I just had to go. First of all, she was sweet enough to work out a wedding date for me to just attend. I love her that much!

So no, I am *not* going for the annual Hmong July 4th tournament. I have no reason to go for that. It would be a waste of my time. I am not going to play volleybal. I am not single. So it would be really boring for me.

Weekend

This weekend was going to be fun but now it's raining and gloomy.

My mom wanted me to go help out with this funeral. I don't know the girl that well but we have mutual friends. The sad part is her mother passed way earlier this year. I didn't even go to the funeral either. In less than four months later, her dad passed away. Even though, I don't know her that well, my mom has asked me to come since I didn't go to the funeral earlier this year.

She is a Hmoob Hawj. In the Hmong culture, it's good to stick with your clan for support for financial and emotional reasons. I never understood that. I was debating whether or not to go to the funeral tomorrow. My mom wanted me to help out with the food preparations. She said to me, "you need to know all this when we pass away."

I was like, are you kidding me? First of all, we grew up as Christians and you want me to learn the traditional Shaman way? What kind of funeral do you really want?

However, I gave in. I do need to learn more about my culture. What's the use of me trying to educate others about my culture when I am not even going to participate and help out? Why do I even have a blog to keep up with the Hmong news? Action speaks louder than words.



When I was younger, I used to want to deny anything Hmong because I was lost in a world of two cultures. Modernization and Americanizing won. I don't regret my decision. Or my decision to be with a non Hmong man. I love my husband. Without him, I am not who I am today.

With the love and support from him, since he has never asked me not to participate in anything Hmong. I've always continued to go to Hmong events and functions. Even without him. He has never made me go to Cambodian events. My kids think they are more Hmong than Cambodian and even know how to speak more Hmong than their full-blooded cousins!!!

I do fear that one day, the Hmong culture will slowly be dimish, just like the Native-American (heck, we don't even know what to call them, they were killed off!!) culture. The youngers today don't even care much about the culture. They can't even mutter more than two phrases besides "Kuv Hlub Koj" and "Nyob Zoo."

In the end, I can relate to the Hmoob Hawj girl because she doesn't have family in Georgia. Even I don't. Only my immediate family. So in the end, it's all about supporting your clan, doesn't matter if you know the person.

My parents are just very involved in the Hmong community. They've been that way ever since we moved to Georgia in the 1980s.

So basically, yeah, I'm popular, just kidding. I'm only known as Mr. & Mrs. Her's oldest daughter, the really dark one, haha

Everyday, I'm still learning about the Hmong culture. I found this Wikipedia article on the traditional Hmong funeral. I know not everything on Wiki is accurate but this is more than I ever knew!!

Hinduism

Over the past few years, I've been very curious about Hinduism. I didn't know much except that it's one of the main religions in India. As much as I love India, I didn't know much about the religion.

The last few weeks, I've been reading and researching about Hinduism. I don't understand and often get confused with the many different gods.

After visiting the Hindu temple again, I just had to learn more about Hinduism. It is a beautiful and peaceful religion.

Most Hmong people are Shamans. Many Hmong-Americans are now Christians because of the missionaries bringing a lot of Hmong families to the USA. Many Hmong people got clearance to come to the USA because they helped the USA in the "Secret War" during the Vietnam War.

I grew up as a South Baptist and have been going to church since I could remember. However, all that changed.

It was because of marriage. My hubby did grow up as a Christian too but overtime, his family just let it be. His mother still practices Buddhism. He just got confused and practice nothing.

But for me, I still have this inner-spirtual need for something. I'm still soul-searching. He doesn't mind that I do all this. He just ask if I don't involve him, which I can understand.

The more I learn about Hinduism, the more I gear towards that direction.

Yah!!!!!!!!!!! I just won tickets to see Jay Sean!!!

I've been on cloud 9 for the past hour!!!!!!!

Yes, I've met him before...but now it's different...

Soooo excited.

Will blog more about it when I get the tickets. Can't wait.

Actually will blog about it on my Indian cinema blog since I posted a dream I had of Jay Sean.

Blood is *not* thicker than water

People who say blood is thicker than water grew up in a home that was very close.

For me, and even my hubby, it's not like that. We can *not* rely on our family members.

Maybe that's how we found each other. We rather be with each other with our kids. Overall, our family members disappoint us.

When there are get togethers for "family" events, it seems forced or fake. There are no depth emotions, just something that we *must* and *have* to do.

This Thanksgiving, I'm just thankful to have found my soulmate, my hubby, and is blessed to have two wonderful children with him.

I'm famous...well, not really

It's no secret that I love Indian movies. Anything from Hindi, Telugu, Tamil, Telugu, to Bengali. I hope to be able to watch Malayalam films in the future and have watched one Kannada film.

India is a country with multiple languages and enrich with a colorful culture.

My interview/article has been featured on Webneetech for my blog that has the most views, and the reason why I started blogging again.

Hmong Chick who Loves Indian Cinema
http://apunbindaas.blogspot.com/

Screenshot of it.

I'm too nice

Since last week was Diversity Week at work, for those who work on my floor who helped contribute towards the costs of drinks, I am going out of my way to make them eggrolls.

I don't have to do so but I am going to show them I really appreciate their efforts.

I'm off this Friday from work but I am coming and bringing them the food. I want to make sure the eggrolls are fresh and warm by the time I come in.

For those who didn't contribute, they are getting nothing.

I am individually wrapping three eggrolls for each person. And for those who contributed more and helped me out that day, they are getting more eggrolls.

This is just my way of saying THANK YOU.

Special shoutout to DIANE

Not only is Diane a beautiful person inside and out, she is the first person, to send me a letter to the Hmong refugees.

I hope she won't be the last either.

On top of it, she written it in Hmong.

Check out her blog, a helpful guide for beauty

http://diane-yi.blogspot.com/

I really appreciate her for doing this.

She didn't have to write it all in Hmong because I do have some help in translating the letter into Hmong. Plus Yvonne has told me that a few of the Hmong refugees are able to read in English because they went to school in Bangkok.

Thank you Diane!

Refer back to my Hmong blog.

Georgia Hmong New Years

is coming up!

Next weekend! November 14 - 15th.

Last night, my mom wanted me to make a flyer for the party event. I know, so last minute. The flyer is going to be crappy-looking though. Oh well.