Through My Eyes...

Getting Back Into It

2010-08-24T22:36:00.002-04:00

Well hello again to the blog world. I've been gone for a really long time from my blog and you'll have to forgive me for I have had so many things going on. It's been a really hectic couple years since I've last written anything on here.

I moved from Sydney to Brisbane. I've been working and going to school all at the same time, let alone got married and a baby underway. I know crazy right, I was the one asking "why I should get married?" and "what's so cute about babies?". Well I'll soon get to experience it on my own.

Life in Brisbane is such a blur. It's not the same experience as it was when I was living in Sydney. It's a different kind of atmosphere. Sydney has the culture, the attractions and the vast majority of people. Brisbane on the other hand has culture but its more of a laid back kinda atmosphere. Attractions here are far and wide, you have to travel to the Gold Coast or the Sunshine Coast to basically see anything that is remotely amusing. But I have to give it to living here in Brisbane though, the weather is great year round. It's warm even in the winter, and during the summer you get a massive tan (I've gone black and had this tan for over a year now).

I've found my husband here. Family I never knew I had is here. It's been a whirl wind of a year, I'm still trying to wrap my head around everything. Brisbane has been good to me in ways that I never knew and yet in a way it has been cruel to me as well. When I'm in Brisbane I think of the days of being in Sydney...basically my single life. Sydney was the last stop in my single life and boy what a fun ride that was. I partied til the wee hours, I didn't have to think of anyone but myself, I had fun meeting new people and exploring the city...most of all I was carefree.

My experience in Queensland had me go up the Queensland coast and seen some amazing things. I experienced all this with my husband, the person who took me out to see these amazing places. There has been a year and a half of me discovering Queensland and along the way I kind of discovered myself.

In Remembrance of 9/11

2008-09-12T05:05:00.006-04:00

As an American, I can still remember the day that everyone will have in their memories for their whole life...September 11th, 2001. I was a freshman at Eastern Connecticut State University and it was only 2 1/2 weeks since I started school. On 9/11 I was in my communications lecture waiting for the professor when he came in and asked the students if they've seen or heard the news yet. We looked at each other dumbfounded because he had no idea what he was talking about. Then he gave us the news, I can still remember it so vividly, he said "There were planes crashing into the Twin Towers. Go home call your loved ones make sure they're alright and stay tuned to the news for anything else just in case." We left our lecture in horror of what was happening around us. We could literally see the smoke in the sky from the crashes. The tri-state was in lock down, no one could go in or out of the States around New York. Our cell phone receptions were limited, and when we could get service the servers were busy due to all the panic calls I suppose. Those images of the Towers burning seen all around the world will be forever etched into my mind, it's an image that you can't really forget.

I remember trying to comfort my roommate because she's from Long Island and her father works in the city. It took her hours to get in touch with her family, believing her father was in the city on that day but from some miracle he wasn't there. I remember the look on her face when she received that news, relief, but she was scared for all her friends as well that live in the city. That day will always be burned into my memory and as times goes it doesn't fade when something so horrific, so inhumane, so catastrophic happens. It shook our nation to it's core.

As another anniversary of September 11th passes, I reflect on this date every year. I can't imagine all those people who have lost a loved one in the Towers. My heart goes out to them as they have to relive this date over each year and have to face life knowing how their loved one died, in a senseless act of terrorism. It's hard to express the gratitude for all those who helped in trying to save lives within the Towers and those who died trying to save lives. Those are the heart and soul of a nation, those willing to help when there are enormous risks for themselves but do it to help bring someone home to their families. Those heroes of 9/11 will also be remembered for their bravery, and courageous effort.

Our nation has progressed forward with the grief since that sad day. We have risen together as a nation. I know that when I go back to the States that I will make a visit to the monument in dedication of all those who's lost their lives. I'll pay my respects even though I didn't lose anyone on that day, I'll do it as an American who will remember that day for as long as she lives.

Aussie Treat: Pavlova Cake

2008-07-26T06:12:00.004-04:00

Normally I don't have a sweet tooth and so I don't eat sweets all that much. I will crave it from time to time but rarely do you see me eating anything too sweet. I can't have any chocolates nowadays for some reason I can't have it. Well when I went to this Patesserie with a friend of mine to buy him some sweets there was this delightfully colorful cake that was displayed. I was intrigued.

When I asked the woman behind the counter what kind of cake it was she told me it was a Pavlova cake named after a famous ballet dancer, Anna Pavlova that toured here in Australia and in her honor this cake was made for her (New Zealand says that they made the cake first and it originated there so there's conflict in that part between the two countries). It's a meringue on the outside and fluffy white cake on the inside topped off with fresh fruits. It looked delish so I bought a piece and boy was my tastebuds in for a treat. It was so fluffy, light and not too sweet that normally would make me spit it out. I was hooked, I had 3 pieces of cake and bought a whole cake to go home with like a fatass I am.

But here is a recipe for the Pavlova Cake:

PAVLOVA CAKE:

Ingredients:
3 egg whites
1 g salt
200 g white sugar
8 g cornstarch
5 ml lemon juice
295 ml heavy whipping cream
60 g confectioners' sugar
355 g fresh strawberries

Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 300 degrees F (150 degrees C). Line a sheet pan with parchment paper. Draw a 9 inch circle on the parchment. An easy way to do this is to draw around the outside of a 9 inch pan with a pencil.

2. In a large bowl, beat egg whites on high speed until soft peaks form. Add 3/4 cup of the sugar gradually, while continuing to whip. Make sure sugar is completely dissolved. Mix together the remaining 1/4 cup sugar with the cornstarch; lightly fold into meringue with lemon juice.

3. Spread a layer of meringue to fit circle on parchment, approximately 1/4 inch thick. With remainder of mixture, pipe or spoon swirls around the edges to form a shallow bowl shape.

4. Bake at 300 degrees F (150 degrees C) for 1 hour. Turn off oven, but leave meringue in oven for an additional 30 minutes. When cool, the meringue should be hard on the outside, and slightly moist on the inside.

5. In a large bowl, combine the cream and half a cup of confectioners sugar, and whip until thickened. Decorate with fruit of your choice; strawberries are excellent.

Photo Credits and Recipe: http://www.aussiecynic.com/

http://www.allrecipe.com/ http://www.24-7partypaks.com.au/

What are you?

2008-07-26T05:37:00.003-04:00

As an American living in Australia is a little different. Let me explain...My looks are distinctly of Asian features. My speech is American as well as my mannerisms and such. You can say I'm more Westernized but can speak fluently my native language as well as other languages. Here in Sydney it's a diverse place where there's definitely different cultures mixing but one thing that still gets on my nerves. Why do people think I can't speak English???

I've had this happen to me a couple of times by some locals and some foreigners as well. My school is mainly of International students coming from China, India, Malaysia, etc. as well as Aussie students but seems like I'm the only American. With my looks people categorize me as Chinese automatically of course and think my English is either poor to none. Ah still getting on my nerves!!!

I have this one Indian guy come up to me and ask a question about directions. Well since I'm not a local the look on my face is a little confused because 1.) I'm not great with directions 2.) I don't really know where everything is at and 3.) I had a hard time trying to interpret what he was saying with his heavy accent. Well I guess the confused look on my face said it all because he just turned to his friend and said "Oh she's Chinese she doesn't understand what I'm saying".

Ha!...to their surprise this "Chinese girl" speaks and understands perfect English. I tell them "Excuse me but I'm American and I understand English just not with the accent that you have so it's not like you're easy to understand thanks."

Wow the "Chinese girl" has an American accent and isn't completely dumb. Gosh these people just assume one thing and are in for a heavy surprise. Has this happened to anyone else or is it just me?? Or are these type of people just plain old ignorant??

No Comment

2008-07-09T09:10:00.002-04:00

I've just noticed something after my last post. What did I notice?? Well it seems like my counter is gradually going up each day but I don't get any response or feedback. NOTHING!!!

It's not like I expect for everyone that comes on here to leave a comment or anything but some people come more than a couple of times and still nada aside from Jake Tornado who is a gentleman and a couple of people here and there. Alright so I don't post everyday or granted every week but I post when I can. I was slacking for the last couple of months but people forgive me. I'm back now and not travelling til the end of Oct. and plus I can't blog every day that'll be like worthless cause I'm all not that interesting. It's just kinda common courtesy you know to say "hi" or "how's it going".

Speak Chinese

2008-07-09T08:43:00.004-04:00

I have a couple of new flatmates now. I thought it would be alright since we're all girls and we're Asian right. Well boy was I WRONG!!!! Don't get me wrong I have no problems with having flatmates and I really can get along with people quite fine.

Here's my problem though...they don't speak English in the house to each other. They speak Chinese all the time. When I mean all the time, it's constantly, all I hear in the house is Chinese all day long. Now I wouldn't have a problem with them speaking their native language because I speak to my family in my native language also, but when I speak to them it's in ENGLISH. They sometimes respond or speak to me in Chinese and expecting me to understand. Yeah the American accent gives it away that I speak and understand fluent Chinese.

I sometimes think that they're secretly talking about me behind my back...well not so much behind my back as to in front of me and me not knowing what the hell is being said. I want to just shout at them "Hey I'm not Chinese so please speak English"!!! Gosh I speak 4 languages and I can't pick up Chinese in 2 weeks now. A little English does help me understand or not even English just use hand signals if need be.

Do anyone know any kind of Chinese to prepare me??? I want to be able to pick up little bits...a word here or there...just to see if my flatmates are talking about me or not. If they are give me some phrases or words in Chinese so that I can retaliate...HA!!!

Great Shop Name

2008-07-09T06:51:00.004-04:00

I was walking down Oxford St. today and found the best shop name so far. It is quite unique and funny also. What's it called? Well...drumroll please...LICK-HER SHOP.

Do you get it?? It's quite an eye catching name since I had to do a double take lol.

Happy 4th of July

2008-07-04T21:13:00.004-04:00

I just wanted to wish everyone back in the United States a HAPPY 4TH OF JULY!!! This is America's Independence Day, so enjoy it with great bbqs, fireworks with friends and family.

Photo Credit: Wikimedia.org

Lions, Tigers, Bears...Baby Showers

2008-07-03T06:33:00.006-04:00

I had gotten a baby shower invite from one of my co-workers a couple of weeks back and I just threw it on my desk (to be buried with the pile of garbage that's already there). Well I had forgotten all about it til a co-worker asked if I was going to attend and what I was going to get this person's new bundle of joy.

I'm not the type of person to get all giddy about going to a baby shower. It only brings up the question about when I'm going to have one on the way. If you've read my earlier post about marriage you'll see why I'm in no hurry on this part either. Don't get me wrong I'm all for babies but what is it that baby showers bring out in people? They go gaga over onesies, pacifiers, diapers & so forth. It's all cute but nothing like a LV handbag...ha!

Well this upcoming baby shower has got me thinking of other baby showers that I've been to for friends. My question is "How many baby showers is one person allowed to have"?

The friends that have invited me to their showers in the past has had more than one shower. Are you allowed one shower per person? Or is it a shower for every kid you have? Shouldn't there be a limit? If I counted all the showers I've been to it won't even come close to when and if I should have a kid. I think I spend more money on other people's showers than anything else. These people are like baby making machines.

For instance a friend of mine has had one kid every 2 years and she now has 4 kids. For every one of her kids she's had a shower. Wouldn't you get what you wanted during the first 2 showers?

My co-worker told me that "normally" a person is suppose to have ONLY one baby shower and ONLY for their first kid. Can I get this in writing or something? This needs to be distributed to my friends that are popping out babies and having showers left and right.

We single non-parent people should be allowed showers and able to register for things. Lets register for wine, wine glasses, or lingerie if possible. Wouldn't that be nice for us to do that? We can only dream.

What is the baby shower protocal?

Photo Credit: cutest-baby-shower-ideas.com
formomsandkids.com
parentweekly.com

Aussie Treat: Lamington Cake

2008-07-01T02:36:00.003-04:00

I had a real treat this past weekend. I was out in Vaulcluse with my newly found cousins here in Sydney visiting their older sister who just moved to a new flat. Well we went to this delightful little coffee shop around the corner from where they live and I had my first bite of a Lamington cake.

Some of you are probably like "A what cake????". Well trust me you're not alone, I said the same exact thing too. The name doesn't sound so appetizing but the cake looks way better than the name. It was supposedly named after Baron Lamington the governor of Queensland from April 1896 - December 1901. They should've came up with a better name for the cake to match how yummy it looks.

The cake is a white sponge cake dipped in chocolate and sugar with coconut on the outside. The inside is filled with jam and cream. Sounds a lot better than the name right? Well here's a recipe for it.

SPONGE CAKE

3 eggs
1/2 cup castor sugar
3/4 cup self-raising flour
1/4 cup cornflour
15g (1/2oz) butter
3 tablespoons hot water

Beat eggs until thick and creamy. Gradually add sugar. Continue beating until sugar completely dissolved.
Fold in sifted SR flour and cornflour, then combined water and butter.
Pour mixture into prepared lamington tins 18cm x 28cm (7in x 11in).

Bake in moderate oven approximately 30 mins.
Let cake stand in pan for 5 min before turning out onto wire rack.

CHOCOLATE ICING

3 cups desiccated coconut
500g (1lb) icing sugar
1/3 cup cocoa
(extra cocoa can be added, according to taste)
15g (1/2oz) butter
1/2 cup milk

Sift icing sugar and cocoa into heatproof bowl.
Stir in butter and milk.
Stir over a pan of hot water until icing is smooth and glossy.

Trim brown top and sides from cake.
Cut into 16 even pieces.
Holding each piece on a fork, dip each cake into icing.
Hold over bowl a few minutes to drain off excess chocolate.
Toss in coconut or sprinkle to coat.
Place on oven tray to set.

Fill the inside with your choice of jam and cream. Trust me it's even better with these two things added on.

Recipe found on Aussi-Info.com
Pictures found on : aussiethings.biz & taste.com.au

Life in Sydney

2008-06-24T02:11:00.002-04:00

Alright so I've been in Sydney on and off for a little bit and I haven't said a thing about being in Sydney so let me say something now.

To start Sydney is such a metro place. It seems like it's such a big city from what others say like East Sydney, Paddington, Surry Hills, Darling Harbour and so on. Well let me tell you it is a big enough city that you can get lost in. You'll turn the corner and BAM!!!...you're like where the hell am I??? Yeah so as you can see I've done this a couple of times in the beginning, I know blonde moments right lol.

I swear everyone is like basically here in Sydney. If you want to see the Chinese, Japanese, Germans, Thais, Laotians, and so forth it's no problem. Walk down any street in Sydney and you'll see like 5 different nationalities within a 2 minute walk.

If you're ever in Sydney you'll have to walk down Oxford Ave., Elizabeth St. and Pitt St. Those are where the shopping is at. Elizabeth St. is more of the posh boutiques with all the higher end qualities. Pitt St. is a variety of different stores. You can find basically anything on Pitt St. Oh let me tell you about Oxford Ave...this has to be one of the most eccentric streeets yet. They have gay pride flags hanging everywhere and it's quite awesome. People here are more open to being out and about with their partners without being persecuted.

It's just as busy or maybe even busier than everyone thinks it is. When people think of Sydney what do they think of? Beaches right? Well there's much more to Sydney than the beaches. They have some clubs that are open 24 hrs a day...I haven't ventured out to see those quite yet but maybe one of these days I'll have to give it a go.

I think for us Americans we should have like a Aussie slang book. We Americans do not talk the way people on this side of the world talk at all. I find myself having to really pay attention and sometimes having to ask the person to repeat themselves. Can someone come up with an American to Aussie language book???

Asian Supermodel: Chanel Iman

2008-05-28T01:34:00.007-04:00

I've been seeing this girl everywhere in my Vogue magazine and in other fashion magazines. Her name is Chanel Iman. Yes her name consists of one of the greatest fashion houses and a supermodel. She is of Korean and African American decent.

At the tender age of 18 years old she's done tons of runway shows. She stomped on the runways for the likes of D&G, Anna Sui, Marc Jacobs, Oscar de la Renta and of course Chanel just to name a few. She's done plenty of endorsements like Express, GAP & Bottega Veneta.

Vogue featured her on the cover of upcoming supermodels. She is dubbed the next Naomi Campbell of the fashion world. Well not really the next Naomi because we haven't heard of her throwing any cell phones at her assistants just yet. Ok all joking aside this girl at this young age can stomp with the best of the older models. She's making her exotic looks work for her and the fashion world is eating it up.

I say go get them!!! Now check out the pictures....

Spirit Houses

2008-05-27T21:00:00.004-04:00

You experience different things when you decide to go to a foreign land other than what you're used to. You see different things, some unusual to you but for the locals is apart of their life, their heritage. Well this isn't really new to me but new to other people not use to our SE Asian cultures.

What is it you ask? Well it's the spirit houses that you see literally at every house, everywhere. What are these you ask? Well these are mini temple-like houses set outside of your house to house the spirit of your relatives. These spirit houses can be any color but most common are red, white and gold ones (not that any other colors can't be used as well). What are you suppose to do with them? You put offerings such as rice, fruits or small drinks for your relatives and "wai" them.

These spirit houses are suppose to be sacred and not disturbed. I've seen some foreigners posing in front of these spirit houses and making it seem like it's a historic monument or something. Hello people...these are some people's relatives' spirits in them. Don't put your arms around them, smile and act like it's a celebrity.

While I was in Laos visiting Vang Vieng I seen this happen. This German dude was with a couple of people and they stopped by this family's house on the side of the road (which was near the local market) to take goofy pictures next to and around the family's spirit house which was near the front of the house. Well I also stopped by the local market on the way to kayak and seen this...I felt I had to step up and let these guys know that their actions wasn't something to take pictures of and that they should respect the family's spirit house and not mock it nor take disrespectful pictures amongst it. I also asked them how they would feel if I took goofy pictures on their family's grave site? I don't think they would like it much if I were to do that. They didn't know what the spirit house was for and now they do.

Lets just hope they share the knowledge.

Burma (Myanmar), What a Disaster

2008-05-13T13:20:00.004-04:00

Alright so I've been slacking a bit on blogging but you guys are going to have to forgive me as I've had no time at all to blog anything let alone have time to sleep. Like I've said before I've been travelling so freaking much that I have no idea what time zone I'm in or what I did in the last city I was in. Anyways I've been meaning to blog about the recent disaster in Burma or Myanmar as it's now known to the rest of the world.

It's been what...about a week and a half or so since Cyclone Nargis hit the country. I've been seeing in the news and in newspapers that villages are wiped out, families are seperated or in the worst of it gone, lives are distroyed. There's no consistent supply of food for the remaining survivors and they have to stay in monastaries, fields...well basically anywhere that they can fit lets just say it like that.

I know that countries around the world want to help out with the relief effort. There are aide workers standing by in nearby Thailand ready and willing to go into the country to help with the cleanup, medical efforts, supplies and so on. Seems like the military in Burma is keeping a tight grip on the situation and not opening up to relief efforts from anyone. They want to handle it themselves. Come on now a big relief effort like that by yourself??? Who are you kidding?

I know that the situation in Burma and the political aspect of it is very sensitive for people. I just don't get the idea of them trying to handle this disaster themselves. There's bodies in the middle of the streets just floating and decomposing giving off stench and possibly harming others that have survived. Everyone needs some kind of help, it's simply impossible to handle this alone. People are starving and you want to confiscate the food supply that is coming in from other countries to help and pass it out yourselves. How many people are starving and how are you going to distribute to everyone? Get it through your heads that these survivors need medical attention, they need food, they need to be HELPED!!!

These are your country people, regardless of how you think that they're not important they are actually what makes the country. If you're in a position of power you should think of the people that you are in power of and their lives not just your political quest for control. Take care of your people, give them hope that you as a country will triumph this horrible catastrophe together. Do not just smash what little hope they have and not allow the help that they need and everyone knows it. It's not like the aide workers are going to go into the country and overthrow your military. Everyone just wants to help contrary to what you may think.

My heart goes out to all the survivors and victims. I guess this is kind of a sore spot for me because I am part Burmese and my grandfather was from there. Come on now who in their right mind wouldn't have compassion for what these people have gone through. Some people have lost children, parents, sisters, brothers and even in some cases their entire family all together. I know if I were in their shoes I would be devastated and would want some kind of help and hope that there will be some kind of future to rebuild and not want to be gone like the rest of my family.

Here is my plea for Burma (Myanmar): Please let the rest of the world help in the recovery effort. Think of your people and not of politics for once. Look at their faces, look at what they've gone through. Put yourself in their shoes. Would you want help if you were them? Of course. Would you want to know that you'll have some kind of future? Of course. Put your politics aside and do the right thing for your people. Come together as a country and you'll get through this together.

HAPPY NEW YEARS

2008-04-13T12:55:00.004-04:00

It's been about a month since my last post. I've been travelling so much for work that I haven't even had a chance to update or anything like that, sorry people. I didn't expect to travel this much in such a short amount of time.

Anyways it's that time of the year for us. It's New Years for the Laotians, Thais and Cambodians. I want to wish everyone a very Happy New Years and may all the water playing keep you guys cool in the hot, humid weather.

New Years is a time for us to enjoy the three days with our families. It's the time to enjoy fabulous food, drinks and each others' company. I wish I was there for all the water works, but what can I do can't get off work you know.

HAPPY NEW YEARS TO THOSE CELEBRATING THIS TIME OF THE YEAR!!! BE SAFE!

Bangkok Early

2008-03-04T22:21:00.002-05:00

I am going to be in Bangkok, Thailand a litttle earlier than expected. I will be there from next week Thursday the 13th to Sunday the 16th. This is going to be a business trip but then I still have the weekend to see some sights. I don't know how much I'll be able to see since it's such a short trip. I didn't expect to be in Bangkok or even in SE Asia til about New Years next month. Well even better I'm kinda glad that I get to go sooner.

I'm missing the food and people around SE Asia. Being an American you can appreciate the politeness, the common courtesy, and the soft spoken demeanor of those people. I'm ready to be back the days of early last summer when I spent a month in SE Asia. Ahh I can't wait til next week...hurry up and come already jeez!!

Lets Not Hate

2008-02-29T22:03:00.007-05:00

There is this story coming out of Oxnard, California that is sending shockwaves throughout the US. A 15 year old boy, Lawrence King had asked a classmate that was a boy to be his Valentine. Lawrence King was killed by a shot to the head by one of his classmates. This is a junior high school that this happened at.

Personally I am digusted that this has happened to such a young boy. Why should he be killed for being who he is? Are we that ignorant in 2008 that we can't open our minds to different things? Are we that closed-minded that we can't see past preferences and get to the heart of the person?

People should be able to express themselves without being scared that there will be consequences. Gays, Bis, Lesbians, Transexuals should be able to be as open about their feelings, their relationships as we heterosexuals. They are just as we are if we take the time to get to know them. Some of them like the same things we do, they're fun to be around, and they can relate to the same things that we relate to. They are not aliens what so ever. It is not contagious people.

This is such a sensitive subject for me. I have family members that are gay and transexuals. Some of my closest friends are gays and I would not trade them for anything. I take such offense when I hear someone saying something so ignorant about gays, lesbians, bis and transexuals. I am not trying to preach my beliefs on anyone, but does it have to come to violence? I think people should just leave them alone, let them be themselves as they let us be ourselves.

It is not what we look like, it is not our relationships, it is not our careers, it is not our social status, it is not the company we keep, it is not how we interact, it is not who we love that makes us who we are but it is what is in our hearts that should count.

Why Must I Get Married?

2008-02-22T20:36:00.010-05:00

I get this news that all of my cousins have settled down. They are either "married", got kids, or engaged. Every time this subject comes up there's always the question..."When are you going to get married?" I hate this question so much that it makes me want to puke every time I hear it. Seriously I just want to blow chunks on anyone that asks me this question, maybe next time I just might (well not puke but maybe water out the mouth or something).

My answer to this question is always the same. "What is so good about being married in your mid twenties?" I mean seriously is there an expiration date on yourself if you're not married by a certain age? I think being in your mid twenties is the time that you find yourself, it's the time that you have for yourself. This is the time that you can be a self-fish bitch and pleasure yourself (alright not in that way).

I don't see the rush in taking the big plunge. Isn't the divorce rate up? Come on now being married so young is not all it's cracked up to be...to me that is. I want to travel, I want to meet new people, I want to spend money on myself damn it. Let me flirt with as many hot boys and lay on as many beaches as I can before I settle down with one guy. It does not mean that if you're not married by a certain age that you're going to be a lonely hag for the rest of your life. To me it means that you're an independent person that is going to put yourself first before having to answer or compromise with someone else.

Alright I'm sounding like I'm a self-fish bastard, but who cares. I'm not ready to give my life up at an early age right now. Let me indulge in my travels, my career, let me amass my LV collection first. I have no qualms with marriage but it's not for me right now. Good for those who want to be tied down and have found that person you want to be with forever. Do not force marriage on those who are not ready for it and still want to have some fun.
*To my family: When I decide to get married, you'll receive an invite or else you'll just see pictures...HA!!!*

Bangkok, Thailand: HERE I COME!!!

2008-02-21T22:46:00.006-05:00

I just got some really good news from work. It seems like the President of my company's franchise is taking it to Bangkok!!! That's not even the best part yet. Ok so here it is...they picked me to be there for 6 months to 1 year. YAY!!! I could not tell you how excited I was to know I would be there close to a year.

I'm looking forward to all the new things I will be experiencing in Bangkok. The sights, the food, the weather, the people...how much fun it's going to be. I especially miss the food...yum fruits, pad thai and so much more (Ok I'm sounding like a fatass now). Oh yeah Bangkok is only an hour plane ride to Laos anyways. I get to explore more of Asia now, can't wait. The only thing that kind of scares me is that I'll be alone in a different city and not knowing anyone there will be kind of different. You know what screw being scared...I'm more excited than scared. I can't wait to get back to my birth country and explore it. Does anyone know any nice places to stay or where to explore? Suggestions are great.

Adoption in Asia

2008-02-20T16:06:00.003-05:00

A coworker of mine is considering international adoptions and asked me for my advice. It's a great thing to want to adopt a child that needs a loving home. I've no idea what kind of advice she wanted from me since I've never adopted before or even close to wanting a child. I've been seeing celebrities adopting from Asia the last couple of years. I've mostly seen and heard about Angelina Jolie adopting from Cambodia and Vietnam. There have also been stars adopting from China. I know that there is a huge demand for overseas adoption especially from China, there's like a waiting list that you have to be on for some time. But what about the other Asian countries that we don't hear about? Are adoptions available there for foreigners? Well here's the rundown.

Vietnam: As you already know that Vietnam has just opened adoption to foreigners within the last couple of years again. As far as I know, you are able to adopt from Vietnam even if you're single. You can't adopt as a couple if you're just boyfriend/girlfriend (like Angelina Jolie). Normally there is a bigger demand for girls so the waiting could be longer than for boys. Most of these kids have special needs that need to be tended to. Adoption in Vietnam costs between $9,000 - $12,000 depending on the agency you choose. Vietnam is the place everyone wants to adopt from now.

Cambodia: Well we know that Angelina Jolie adopted her first child Maddox from Cambodia and put the country on the map. Not a lot of us knew that we were able to adopt from Cambodia (well at least I wasn't aware of that news). To adopt from Cambodia you have to be a married couple within the age of 25-55 and if you're not married then you have to be 40-50 years of age. So anyone younger than 25 try Vietnam cause you won't have a chance in Cambodia. All the paperwork is basically the same, you still have to do the homestudy and file paperwork from your home country and the adoption country.

Thailand: Alright you're able to adopt from Thailand. You can be single to adopt but at least 25 yrs. old and you have to be at least 15 years older than the child that you plan to adopt. Of course you have to file the paperworks and all that fun stuff. There's not a lot of adoptions from Thailand. In 2006 only 56 Immigrant Visas were issued, down from 2005 which issued 72.

Laos: The Lao government has suspended all adoption to foreigners of any Lao children. There's no orphanages or government responsible so it's not really clear who they can categorize as "orphans". So if you want a Laotian child your best bet would be an orphan from Thailand or neighboring countries because you will not get a child from Laos (my parents learned that early on).

China: Ok China is the major place for adoptions. Mostly girls are in the orphanages and they are in demand. But be warned you'll be on the waiting list for a long time.

I'm not exactly sure about the other Asian countries so if anyone has any info for me to pass along to my coworker please feel free to leave some. Giving a child a second chance at a good life is the greatest gift that anyone can give.

Asian Supermodel: KIMORA LEE SIMMONS

2008-02-19T01:39:00.008-05:00

Kimora Lee Simmons is one word... F A B U L O U S!!!!

Kimora is the product of a Japanese mother and African American father. She started her modeling career at the tender age of 13 (this is when everyone else is still developing) with Chanel. This lady has modeled for the best designers in the world and she's starred in a couple of music videos.

She eventually married Russell Simmons, who's had Phat Farms at the time. She had 2 kids with him before splitting. She is the Creative Director for Baby Phat which she launched under Russell's Phat Farms. Her line is like the big "it" clothing line for the young urbanites. She has also launched a haute couture line called KLS. She's also written a book called Fabulosity: What it is and How to Get it. She launched her own Barbie Doll. She had her own tv show that was all about her fabulous self and how she lives so fabulously. A Supermodel, Creative Director of one of the top selling clothing lines, TV Star, Writer and so much more. You can hate her or love her but she's an Asian doing it big. She's the epitomy of the word FABULOUS, so here's some pics to enjoy.

Happy Valentines Day

2008-02-14T23:28:00.003-05:00

Valentines Day is a day of love. Seems like all the couples out there are super mushy today with the holding hands, the sweet compliments to each other, the gifts and etc. We spend so much money today buying gifts for each other that its ridiculous. We spend around 17 million worldwide on Valentines Day alone. I can't believe we actually spend so much on candy, flowers, cards, hearts, and gifts. This is such a greeting card holiday and we feed right into their hands.

On a more mushy sentiment I can still remember the most romantic Valentines I've had. It was about 2 years ago. I won't go into details but it involved a beach, sunset, champagne and gifts. It wasn't something flashy or what no but it was just nice. Every year on this day I always think about the bad Valentines dates and now I finally have a good one in the books.

What is your most romantic Valentines Day memory?

HAPPY VALENTINES DAY EVERYONE!!!

All Asians Are Smart

2008-02-12T22:15:00.005-05:00

Here is another myth about Asians that I get asked about a lot.

Myth: All Asians are super smart and they spend their spare time doing homework, reading, studying or researching.

Answer: Ok lets get this straight. Not all of us are super smart. We don't spend all our spare time studying, homework, reading and surely not researching. Come on now some of us have a natural ability to not study but absorb information that's given to us. Wouldn't it be boring and tedious for all the Asians out there to be studying all the time.

Some of us have to try hard to get good grades in school while some of us are just natural at learning. If we were all super smart then we would be the CEOs, Presidents, Doctors, Lawyers, and all the high powered positions. (Don't we all wish we were these.)

In reality we're just like everyone else. We have struggles, we have obstacles, and we have triumphs. We have to try hard just like everyone else, so this myth is partly false and partly true.

Gerald Anderson

2008-02-07T22:19:00.002-05:00

My friend has introduced me to a hottie by the name of Gerald Anderson Jr. Gerald is of American and Filipino descent. Gerald rose to fame on Pinoy Big Brother where he was the "Amboy Hottie" on the show. Gerald has done several ads and television shows with his Pinoy Big Brother teammate. He is also a dancer with two dance albums out. This guy is not even 21 yet but he is on the rise. Such good Eye Candy!!

Happy Chinese New Years

2008-02-07T21:26:00.002-05:00

Happy New Years to everyone that is celebrating Chinese New Years all around the world. The Chinese year 4706 begins today. The New Years festivities normally start on the first day of the month of the lunar New Year and lasts through the fifteenth when the moon is the brightest. In China people can takes weeks off from work to plan for the festivities.

Legend has it that in ancient times Buddha called all the animals to meet him on the Chinese New Years and only twelve came, which Buddha named each year after each one. He announced that anyone born on that animal's year would have the some of the characteristics of that particular animal.

During Chinese New Years people wear red, decorate with poems on red paper and give children "lucky" money in red envelopes. According to legend red is suppose to drive away the bad luck. There are firework festivities and long ago people in China would lite bamboo stalks and it is said that the crackling would frighten the evil spirits.

The Chinese New Years is a chance for a family reunion. Families gather together for visits at each other's homes and share meals together. The marking of the end of New Years is the Lantern festival which is held on the fifteenth of the month. The lanterns are pieces of art painted with animals, flowers, zodiac signs, or legends in history. The lanterns are hanged in temples as well as carried to the parade under the light of the full moon. The dragon dance is the highlight of the lantern festival. The dragon may stretch up to a hundred feet long by young men guiding the dragon through the streets.

This is the year of THE RAT. People who are born in the year of the Rat tend to be leaders, pioneers and conquerors. They're also charming, passionate, charismatic, practical and hardworking.

*I also want to say Happy Vietnamese New Years to all those celebrating the Vietnamese New Years*