Day twelve:
I found out that my last name was misspelled on the Asian Cultural Festival's website, which in turned effected some important documents. Already in ultra sensitive mode from earlier events, I flipped out. Majorly.
It's funny how something so deceivingly simple as misspelling a name can trigger such a huge reaction. But really, as Juliet so eloquently puts it, “What's in a name?” Names are powerful things, and the power to name someone or something is even more so (think, a kid finds a stray, but the parents won't let him/her keep it and the kid says, “but I already named it!” or the parents bring home a crab to cook for dinner and the kid names it, and then cries because the parents end up eating it). Names are not just identifiers, but in Chinese tradition, names contain the invisible fate and visible meaning of the characters. So it is not uncommon for people to change their name, and in turn their fate and luck. It was also not unheard of for artists/writers to change their name at the peak of their careers. If I remember correctly, it was because they didn't want to be stuck in that genre they started out in or to keep things fresh. As you can see, a lot of consideration goes into choosing a name (for newborns, for places, for buildings, everything!).
So don't spell my name wrong!
Day thirteen:
I had Panda Express for lunch, and wondered what the deal was with Chinese fast food. It's all more or less the same thing and I've become desensitized. Or maybe just disenchanted. I think it's time to introduce something new.
Chinese restaurants in America began popping up post 1849 California gold rush and completion of the transcontinental railroad. Most of the workers, poor working-class men, became cooks and opened up restaurants, cooking and serving food they remembered eating before leaving China to other Chinese patrons. Unfortunately, they cooked with unfamiliar ingredients (and lacked refined knowledge of the cuisine), and as they accumulated non-Chinese customers, they cooked with more meats and less vegetables than commonly served in China. (No wonder!)
After 150 plus years and the green-eating-healthier movement on the rise, it is definitely time for something new.
Day fourteen:
I went to the San Diego opening of THE GOOD THE BAD AND THE WEIRD and it was AAAWESOOOOMME! Directed and co-written by Kim Jee-woon, the movie follows three guys, a bounty hunter (Jung Woo-sung), a pretty bad-ass (and really hot) bandit (Lee Byung-hun), and a “petty thief” who just won't die (Song Kang-ho), hunting for a treasure/treasure map. It's pretty action-packed and definitely violent. Kids cover your eyes! Lol.
After wards, a bunch of us were hanging around discussing the merits of this movie and how it compares to IRON MAN 2. I haven't seen IRON MAN 2 yet, but THE GOOD THE BAD AND THE WEIRD definitely has my vote for hotties. Mmmm.
I recently found out that the American cut was different (and therefore had a less satisfying ending) from the Asian version. My friend was explaining the differences and I'm like, the Asian version sounds so much better!!! Why did they cut it so differently?! Geez.
Also, if you want to compare movies, THE GOOD THE BAD AND THE WEIRD will be playing at the Reading Gaslamp Theater downtown. Go see it! =D
Day fifteen:
I had a Raspberry Milk Tea with no boba (I don't like boba) at Tea N More. It was ok, a lot more sour than I anticipated, but it's all good. I'm not too picky, especially if I'm trying out something new. And the last time I was at Tea N More, I had ordered two drinks, and neither tasted like what I had ordered. So...low expectations for this round.
I remember seeing boba milk tea at a Chinese supermarket when I was visiting my cousins in LA when I was a kid. I thought it was coffee, so I didn't pay much attention to what it really was (and no doubt some of it probably was coffee with boba balls). So it always bothered me when boba milk tea got popular in middle school (circa 2000) and people claimed it was “a new Filipino drink.”
Boba milk tea actually originated in the 1980s in Taiwan, where tea stands were set up near elementary schools. One particular concession started adding fruit flavoring to their teas and popularity shot up. Of course the other concession stands followed suit. For an all around good taste, the fruit flavored teas needed to be shaken, which created bubbles or bobas, hence the name boba tea. Clear/white tapioca pearls were added later to give the look of bubbles at the top of the drink and at the bottom of the cup.
Today, there is a huge variety of flavored teas, shakes, drinks, types of jellies, and cafes/shops to choose from. Additionally, some of these cafes/shops will also serve tea snacks or meals. Yum.
Day sixteen:
The ACF committee had a picnic at La Jolla shores, and it really wasn't the best day to be at the beach. It was cold, overcast, and sprinkled on and off. One of the guys who came later with some of his friends brought their surfboards and wetsuits even though the waves were small – just to get their blood going. I've been wanting to learn how to surf and he offered to teach me, but I was too chicken of the cold (not to mention hungry and getting ready to fire up the grill!).
I plan on learning how to surf this summer and I'm super excited!
Surfing originated over 3000 years ago in Western Polynesia from fisherman who found that riding waves was the best way to get their catch to shore. Eventually, surfing developed into a pastime activity and people began stand-up surfing. Then the Polynesians settled in Hawaii and they developed a scared ritual for constructing surfboards, and surfing was done with respect.
However, surfing almost died out because the number of native Hawaiians dropped drastically (that whole imperialism thing that comes with a religious takeover). This resulted in surfing going back to basic techniques, an unskilled activity and practiced by few. At the turn of the century, “Father of Modern Surfing” Duke Kahanamoku (Olympic swimmer who started a surf club) drew a lot of attention to the sport. Hawaiians began picking up the sport and soon surfing was making a comeback as ambitions to be better became more intense. Boards were developed, contests were held, and people were hooked.
Ah, I can hardly contain myself!
Day seventeen:
My friend scored some really awesome Padres tickets, compliments of Cox, right behind home plate, row 8. It was sick. Padres vs Giants and Padres won. And there were a couple of crazy fans that made their way onto the field. It was cool. But I'm kinda bummed that I didn't get to see Ichiro Suzuki. I don't follow baseball and even I know that this guy is crazy good. And hot.
I came across an older article that questioned whether baseball will be the turning point of the Asian male image. For those who are unfamiliar with the current Asian male image, Asian guys have been portrayed as super geeks, martial artists with no love/sex interest, or sketchy businessmen. Granted, Asian Americans have been struggling to change this image and I like to think we’ve made some progress, but let’s be real. How often in mainstream media do you see an Asian guy as the leading man who gets the girl?
Anyway, in the past decade or so, there have been quite a number of outstanding Asian baseball players, mostly Japanese and Korean “imports.” The article asks, “Is baseball really a sport that can do much for the Asian male image or will we have to wait for a few quarterbacks and tight ends or maybe centers and power forwards? Or is sports just not up on a par with TV and the movies as a stud maker?”
Personally, Asian guys are already hot. But for everyone else, I think it's a collective effort that's going to take a lot of work.
Day eighteen:
A significant day in the San Diego Asian Film Foundation's history: After an intensive email and phone call campaign, about 100 people showed up at the city council hearing where city officials would be voting on whether or not to delay the Hazard Center Redevelopment Project. Below is the official statement for Executive Director Lee Ann Kim regarding the outcome of the hearing.
FROM LEE ANN:
On behalf of the San Diego Asian Film Foundation, we want to THANK YOU for taking the time to make a huge difference and impact on our future. The city council and mayor received 600 emails from you regarding the Hazard Center Redevelopment Project, and we had nearly 100 people show up at the council hearing. I am personally humbled and grateful from this show of force. (And believe me, I've heard from various city staff that this kind of response is not only impressive but truly made them take notice of us!)
After a long hearing, the Council voted unanimously to pass the Hazard Center Redevelopment Project, which means it is a done deal. The UltraStar Theater, which has been our home for 10 years will be turned into a parking lot.
But here's all the positive things that came out of this experience:
1) We are promised 2 more annual festivals at Hazard, and possibly 3. So we have time, but need to start our transition planning soon.
2) Councilmembers went out of their way before the vote to say - they are not only committed in finding us a new, affordable home for film festivals, but also guaranteed additional financial support from the city. Council members Kevin Faulconer, Carl DeMaio, Todd Gloria, Tony Young, and Ben Hueso put their comments on public record. Councilmember Donna Frye who was sick and not in attendance, has also committed her support through the end of her term.
3) Under pressure by the council and the community, developer Oliver McMillan has reached out to us and Latino Film Festivals to offer $25,000 seed money for our "transition". The company's principal, Dene Oliver, commented publicly at the hearing he will personally get involved to leverage his contacts to ensure more resources.
I have also been told that this kind of reaction from a developer for a community group is UNPRECEDENTED. For now, we don't know where we will be moving to, but we want to assure you, our members and supporters, that we will not compromise the quality of our festival or our mission during this process. I believe we have already begun to turn a crisis into something much bigger and better.
The arts prevailed today, and the future of the San Diego Asian Film Festival is BRIGHT!
If you are so inclined, please send an email to thank those Council Members and the Mayor who have promised their support to keep SDAFF alive! Here are their emails: donnafrye@sandiego.gov, JerrySanders@sandiego.gov,
FINALLY, to cap off an inspiring day, we also received word from County Supervisor Ron Roberts' Office that they will fund our request for outdoor film screening equipment. So we will be able to go MOBILE!
We are feeling so grateful and blessed for this experience... and for YOUR SUPPORT!
Hugs,
Lee Ann Kim
600 emails!!!! Six hundred emails! Man. SDAFF rocks.
Day nineteen:
I got to know one of my friends better today. I learned that she lived a double life, being the perfect honor roll student while trying to follow her dreams. Eventually following the footsteps of her older siblings and not able to continue living a lie, she was disowned by her family for following her dreams. While being disowned is not an uncommon thing, her story touched me in such a profound way. I could never understand how someone's pride could completely shadow one's love for their own child.
I'm not sure how often this happens in Asian American communities, but there are several ways to get disowned by your parents. For example, dating/marrying someone of a different ethnicity or religion, getting pregnant while unmarried, or even not following a specific career path.
Someone explained to me that this still happens because 1) there's still a huge generation/cultural difference between parents who immigrated here and the kids who grew up here 2) the older generation are stubborn and will hold onto the values they brought with them and 3) we'd rather pretend there isn't a giant elephant in the room.
*sigh*
Day twenty:
I spent a good chunk of my day writing, researching and proofing. I’m pretty exhausted, but totally loving the fact that I was able to write. I’m not sure how full time writers do it, spending eight hours working on their stories. I get tired of staring at the screen, and my hand gets tired from writing so much, and frankly, I can hardly stand to sit for so long. I’m constantly getting up and stretching and moving about.
Anyway, I can totally appreciate someone spending so much time and effort on their project. And today I’d like to spotlight Gene Yang’s latest work PRIME BABY, colored by Derek Kirk Kim. I haven’t picked it up yet (still saving up for it) but I can hardly wait. Gene Yang’s previous works (AMERICAN BORN CHINESE and THE ETERNAL SMILE) were kick ass and I look forward to reading PRIME BABY. Plus he’s a really cool guy. I met him a couple of times last year, once at SDSU where he was a guest lecturer and at Comic Con. Really laid back and humble guy. And I got to meet Derek Kirk Kim at Comic Con last year too. He’s so cute! And his work is awesome. He was the artist for THE ETERNAL SMILE and man, that guy is so versatile. Comic book nerd love.
All right, I’ve been writing all day, I’m going to bed now. And since I’m all caught up now, hopefully I can post daily again. Take care and thanks for reading!
