Lets Not Hate

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.

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Why Must I Get Married?

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!!!*

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Bangkok, Thailand: HERE I COME!!!

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.

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Adoption in Asia

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.

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Asian Supermodel: KIMORA LEE SIMMONS

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.

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Happy Valentines Day

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!!!

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All Asians Are Smart

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.

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Gerald Anderson

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!!

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Happy Chinese New Years

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*

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Superbowl 42: Patriots vs. Giants

Superbowl 42 has officially ended. It was such a close game but kind of disappointing to me at least. I had such high hopes for the New England Patriots to come through and win another Superbowl, but unfortunately they couldn't pull it together and get pass the Giants' defense. I guess it was kinda good cause both teams were from the East Coast and I was raised in Connecticut.

So I lost money on the team but I also won on the spread. Not a lot of people know how to play the spread, well the gals at work that is so I had to bet with the only guy there which is our IT guy. I won at least $200 on this game alone but not as nearly as much as I would've liked, oh well there's always next year.

CONGRATS TO THE NEW YORK GIANTS ON SUPERBOWL 42!!!

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