I’d just like to shout out to my student organization that I Chair this year. I’m coming to a close of my final year in grad school, and my participation in this student organization, and it has made all the difference in making my graduate experience amazing. We are blessed with some amazing students who are involved in so many ways on campus, but also personally in each others lives. I am so grateful for this experience, and want to thank everyone on SUSDA for making it a great year.
If you’re thinking about going into student development/student affairs, I’d like to offer you Seattle University’s graduate program in Student Development Administration. Through the lens of social justice, and through the institution’s mission of empowering leaders for a just and humane world, this program enables you to do the work interpersonally as well as academically as you learn to become an ethical practitioner in higher education. Here’s some links for you all to go to:
Last week I went to visit my very sweet mother. I walked into her apartment in a senior living home, and went into her bedroom to find an 8×10 photo of my dad. I haven’t seen this particular photo of him since his funeral. This was the very photo they used at the mortuary. How my dad turned out looking, wasn’t as cute as this photo. His eyes are shining, his smile is warm, his face full of familiar wrinkles. I had a flashback when I looked at that photo, of the day he told us his cancer was back. I remember having to walk out of the living to the bathroom, and my dad followed me. His hands were itching, and I think the doctor’s mentioned this was one of the first signs of the cancer returning. I looked at his hands and felt the grooves of the palms, the rough patches where he had worked so hard, and the soft patches of the back of his hand. His hands were beautiful. I noticed a tear drop on his hand, and realized it was my tear. It was Fall when we started hospice care, and in December, after I had cooked the Christmas meal, we sent him to the hospital. He never returned. Continue reading →
It’s about 4am pacific time, and I am awake. I had a few bad dreams last night, and when I woke up, I could not get back to sleep. Instead my mind moved towards my never ending to-do list and all my fears came up about my life. Continue reading →
I was telling my friend, about what kind of man I’d like to spend forever with, and he told me very frankly that I might never meet that fellow. I described this future partner of mine as someone who loves sports (mainly basketball, but other sports will do as well), taller than me, someone who is invested in his community, wants to make a difference in the world, donates to philanthropic causes close to his heart, and understands issues of race, diversity, cultural nuances, social disparity, gender, sexuality, as well as other social justice causes. Maybe I’m asking for too much, but I don’t know if I can settle at this point. I’m going to hit 30 in less than 6 months, and I a lot to take inventory of.
Earlier this year, after living over 3 years in Seattle, I was finally introduced to the music of the Blue Scholars. It was an epic experience, one that I wasn’t expecting at all. I had heard about them through various sources, seattle-born friends, SU folk, etc. Since going to a Jesuit institution and being so enmeshed in the culture of social justice and reflection, I came to really appreciate what the Blue Scholars were saying. They were writing music and lyrics that spoke to my heart. Being two minority kids out of UW and making music that respects women, pays homage to their own journeys in American life, and call people towards advocacy and social justice was more than I had imagined music could be about. Every time I see them live, I am blown away. I know I’m too old to be a fan girl, but its hard not to be with these dudes. The two of these men are living proof that socially minded men are out there, and they are smart, witty, funny, and talented. I have hope once again.
Tonight they performed at the Capitol Hill Block Party and then again at the Cafe Vita lounge for KEXP. It is the first time I have seen them without my beloved Jessica, whom I have so many conversations about love, social justice, and the Blue Scholars. We discovered them together, and have gone to see every show of theirs that we are able to see until now. I miss her a lot. We have yet to fight over DJ Sabzi, but the day may come! We love that dude in all of his awkward glory. I’m attaching a video from today’s performance at the KEXP lounge. This is a new song from their upcoming album Cinemetropolis (I think that title is going to stick) and shouts out to all the Seattle neighborhoods. If you watch closely, you can see sabzi almost eat it after trying to climb on an amp. lol (caution: this video is loud – you may want to turn down your speakers)
For those of you who haven’t heard of Blue Scholars, here’s a link to their blog, with the free EP on the right side.
I know I usually write when I’m distressed, but during this Christmas day (or soon before it ends) I hope you will allow this last entry of heartache.
I went to Canada today. I left the country this evening taking the wrong turn after being grilled by my unfriendly U.S. border patrolman because I saw a sign that read, “return to Canada”. I quickly turned the other direction only to be stopped by another border patrolman (much nicer this time). I told him what happened and how I freaked out and said, “hell no, I’m not going back there!” He chuckled, greeted my dogs, and pointed to the sign underneath “return to Canada” that said something to the effect of “Freedom!” (not really). My car crossed the border, and my spirit was just a little bit lighter. I was never happier to be a citizen of the U.S.A. Continue reading →
I’m in the middle of many conversations about race.
There’s some S(*&t going down at Zondervan over one of their bible study guides that is pretty insensitive and racist towards AsiAms.
My friend has just left a Christian Counseling grad school where she felt completely unaccepted as a person of color, not only by her classmates, but also by the administration. (sad) <sigh>
There’s a great class at SU that I took last summer that is being re-taught this Fall by a professor who I’ve heard isn’t helping students learn about the issues presented on race.
My church is hosting a Faith and Race conversation this month and ending with a little conference next Saturday, and i am coming to a harsh reality that it is easier to talk about race relations within our own ethnic group than it is with others present.
all that to say… there’s a lot. It is now a moot point whether it is good or bad, IT IS ONLY IMPORTANT THAT IT IS MOVEMENT. A chance at an important conversation. A time for us to be honest with each other and unravel the smelly onion. I am learning to EMBRACE THE STRUGGLE… and to give you a chance to see my heart broken so that I too can be broken by you. verstehen
You know that look – when you get out of the shower, and your hair is fresh and clean? Or when you get out of the ocean and that salty wet hair molds into this amazing ‘do that won’t stop. That’s what I’m talking about! (Is this a California thing?)
I’ve been in-between hair dressers for about a year now. I had the worst hair cut for about 4 months, and got it fixed – but the fix cost me about one pair of Gap blue jeans. Now I’m letting my hair grow out again, and I’m hoping that I can get a decent trim that won’t cost me a ton of money. One problem: I have that straight, very thick “Asian” hair. It’s a pain, and if you don’t cut it right, it can be a bad situation and say bad things about yourself (similar to a mullet).
So I got thinking about what it takes to look your best – or what it communicates about you to other people. I listened to an episode of This American Life (on podcast) awhile ago, and there was a story about this couple who were in just the beginnings of their relationship (the puppy dog stage). She wore these horrendous pants that she thought made her look hot. But every time this guy would see her, he would wonder why she was wearing those ugly pants. She would plan on wearing the pants whenever she’d see him, and she even wore them on her first date. Continue reading →
Born in Dumaguete City, Philippines. Came to the states when I was 3. Grew up in California, but call the town of Seattle home, and never want to move again. Love me some higher ed. Attended Westmont, attending Seattle U. Love the UW Medical system, and more importantly, my nephrologist. Can't wait for my 30's.
