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| All hail Dean Frank Wu, Esq.:
http://news.asianweek.com/news/view_article.html?article_id=c0514adcfe5648acd9b72e5ef02f64e8&this_category_id=169
The man is great, as his next project is: "to write a book about the Asian American community, about the Midwest, about the 1970s, [using] the Vincent Chin case to think about the context.” | | |
| "I Have Chosen to Stay and Fight" from the honorable Ms. Cho is now on your local bookshelf. Get yourself a copy, and 15 for your closest friends. You will then see why she is a mentor-in-my-head.
For those in the NYC, I hope the transit strike clears soon. But, I'm sure you are enjoying your early holiday vacations, and the fact that you don't have to trek into the city in the cold. I am sympathetic, upon seeing the images of y'all bundled up on CNN.
As for sharing more CBWCHC empowering and uplifting experiences, I can only say for now that it is just waiting for those who have left to return and revolutionize the community. Taking note from Ms. Cho indeed.
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| I'd like to take some time to reflect about the past year, specifically
about my experience working at the fabulous CBWCHC. After reading
an ex-co-worker's insights about her current SW internship and
schooling, it has made me think about how my SW experience has come
full-circle...
- Who would have thought I'd end up, much less, enjoy working in
NYC's Chinatown? Especially since I was so depressed from coming back
from LA. This experience has taught me never to jump the gun and
create preconceived notions.
- I am so thankful that I transferred for my 2nd year of SW school,
because I totally knew that I wouldn't have gotten this type of
experience in LA. That is not to say that I would not have gotten
a good experience, either. But, come on now...
- Imagine me with so many Chinese and Chinese-Am friends,
colleagues, and people that I actually like! It was unthinkable
for some time in my life, but I am happy to say that I have broken
through those steel cages. I've met some of the most amazing
people ever-and they work or are affilated with the CBWCHC.
- I miss the community-engaging the community, serving the
community, researching the community. It is truly and wholly a
different mindset, reality and perspective upon stepping outside of
those 268 Canal St. or 193 Centre St. doors.
- I am grateful to have been at the CBWCHC during one of its most
burgeoning and progressive phases. To witness its transformation
and understand that its future is huge has been amazing. To know
that I will always have a home there is reassuring. This place is
expanding each day, and by the time I do return, I wouldn't be
surprised if the entirety of Chinatown is consumed by the CBWCHC empire!
- I remember fondly:
- The HOT summer days without air conditioning at 193 Centre St.
, and going to Thai Son to have cooling lunches...It was not the most
pleasant experience temperature-wise, but those were some of the most
bonding moments that I had with my friends. I think we all lost
about 20 lbs just sweltering and sweating off the fat.
- The craziness that was GHD. But, what a learning experience which I am eternally grateful for.
- Who could forget the flood on my "last day?"
- Jin
- The ground-breaking research that I had a hand in.
Imagine if I wasn't there, this would still be going on, and I would
just read about it someday. But now, I can say that I was there,
did the work, and can advocate for the community. Exhilarating.
- PA Interns and basketball! Picture cannot be posted since I don't have Premium.
That's all for now. I miss the community and my ppl @CBWCHC.
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| Another beautiful day ! It's so weird, the mornings start out so
gray that I feel that I'm back in NJ about to get thundered and poured
on. But then, the "mist, fog and inland overcast" clears up to
brilliant blue skies.
UCLA must be the most ideal campus. There are no other campuses with such great scenery, flowers, hills!, programs....
Missed those deadlines last year that could have allowed me to
go!! I found out just recently that it has the NATION'S only
MSW& MA in Asian American Studies joint program. Paying all
that f$%$#%in' $$ to USC and there is not even such a program!
The flowers here in SoCal are phenomenal, ones that I have never seen
before, abundant and lush. They're everywhere, in even the most
ghetto-est and ugly of places. The least expected areas have
random dashes of vibrancy. I was saying to my friend, who grew up
here, how I'm still fascinated to be in the midst of palm trees,
whereas she is used to it...no big thing for her. It's funny how
a place with no rain maintains its beautiful plantlife..
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| Did the 5-11 around Bev Hills tonight. It felt so good to have
that last wind, and the energy and adrenaline rush to sprint back
to Niketown. It felt as if I was just cruising on Rodeo...I love
it! Too bad the training runs will come to an end soon, I've had a
hell of a time.
If I could, I would give e-props (don't exactly know what they are) to
my kind, gracious professor who is allowing me to do an alternative
assignment due to my crazy off-the-wall topic that had no relevance to
begin with. E-Props to you! 
(Of course, I still wanted the challenge of rewriting my paper in a
week's time, plus the 45666767 other things I have to do).
Yesterday, I learned a valuable lesson as a SW, that family influences
and practices play a major role in a child's development. I
learned that compassion, language capability and an ounce of caring go
a long way. Sometimes, it is truly God's will of how one turns
out, and we are so blessed to be healthy and happy.
Damn..the things I take for granted sometimes. This is the reward
of SW, being able to help others. Thinking about the situation
all day and night yesterday made me realize this, and just how much
they need additional help...I wish I could continue working with them
for a longer time. And the countertransference that was
going on was remarkable, how much I could identify with them...
Easter was really enriching, as I was describing to a friend. I
reunited with an old friend and co-worker. Isn't it such a small
world-my cool-ass neighbor is classmates with her fiancee. We
found each other by accident, with her help! So she invited me for an
Easter get-together. It was great. I really treasure
moments like this and look forward for more. Her friends are
hilarious, "palm pilot dance!!" I miss Jersey boys and their humor..! 
I know that next month around this time, that "renewed valuable
treasured friendship" feeling will surface again, I'm looking forward
to celebrating birthdays and graduations with everyone.
"Now and forever, we were the lucky ones." -Carole King
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