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Sunday, 12 April 2009

Please view the Project MotiVATe Gala video (1 min) below and consider attending and/or supporting a mentorship program for Vietnamese American youth in Orange County.
Why?

“Vietnamese-Americans are the largest Asian racial subgroup in Orange County, CA. Nearly 4 in 10 Vietnamese Americans, Orange County’s largest Asian subgroup, live under “poor” or “near poor” economic conditions. Vietnamese Americans were the most linguistically isolated major Asian racial/ethnic subgroup in Orange County, with approximately 43.2% of their population over the age of 5 living in linguistically isolated households.” Excerpts from “The Health Status of Asians and Pacific Islanders in Orange County, California: An Overview of Selected Indicators” (Health Promotion Division, County of Orange Health Care Agency, Fall 2005)

Driving down Bolsa Avenue in Little Saigon, stopping for a baguette and coffee, or wandering the aisles at Saigon City Market….one often forgets that behind each face upon face of Vietnamese Americans in Orange County exists lives, families, and stories. And a younger generation. Not every Vietnamese teen stands at the Honor Roll podium. Not every Vietnamese teen understands their culture and their history. And tell me, how does parent and child communicate if they don’t speak the same life language?

There are many Vietnamese American youth around us who need a role model, guidance, and simply a friend. Please support Project MotiVATe. Friday, April 17^th @ 7pm; Paracel Seafood.

Located in the heart of Garden Grove, CA, Project MotiVATe mentors Vietnamese American teens by developing their academic, cultural, and social skills to achieve educational goals and personal success.

Through its annual summer camp, one-on-one mentoring, weekly study halls, monthly events and an all-volunteer staff, Project MotiVATe ensures that all mentees graduate high school and pursue higher education while creating opportunities for personal growth, cultural connectedness and social responsibility.

In the spirit of service, Project MotiVATe (Mentoring Vietnamese American Teens) will host its 3rd Benefit Gala: Mentoring Today to Empower Our Tomorrow on Friday, April 17th, 2009 at 7pm. The event will be held at Paracel Seafood Restaurant. Bringing together community leaders, parents and educators, the event will feature live performances by popular Vietnamese American artists, a keynote speaker, an opportunity drawing and seven-course dinner. Please support and attend our Gala to help our youth achieve personal success and strengthen the future of our community.

Paracel Seafood Restaurant is located at 15583 Brookhurst Street, Westminster, CA 92683.

To purchase tickets, please contact projectmotivate@gmail.com or www.projectmotivate.org
*Video by PLT Studio (www.pltstudio.com)

Saturday, 27 December 2008

It's two days after Christmas and a few days before the end of another year, and I'm wondering how time breezes by so quietly and steadily without any reason or reminder. I realize that for some time, I've surrendered to the half-conscious state of apathy and survival. I feel perplexed by the reality of my condition and how the memories of a passionate and inspired existence have become muted images floating hazily in a far off distance. I sit here gripping my cup of tea trying to sort through some of these realizations. I close my eyes and bits and pieces of everything make figure eights around my peripheral blind spots. I don't know whether to laugh or cry.

There are moments in life in which we feel alive, when thriving is the norm and daily surges of learning and living and growth are experienced. And then there are times like these, and maybe it's a side effect of growing into a full fledged adult, when idealism is threaded with cynicism and the trick is to recognize the tapestry of one's life and continue--to weave and thrive and struggle and cry and love and change. As I traverse various life obstacles, there are moments of self-doubt, of bitterness, of pain, but also moments to take pride and hope in, to continue to love and be loved, to pursue goodness and take risks. I realize that for myself, what I need to thrive is God, community, learning and my one and only. These are what make me feel whole and alive and these are what I must fight for.

Now, all I need is a practical action-oriented plan to re-gain and resume these things. Here's to 2008 and for better things in 2009.

Sunday, 07 September 2008

random thoughts

1. this election is utterly fascinating...though I choose to invest my energy in chuckling about the ironies with jon stewart.

2. gaaah, moving is horrid. well, looking for a place to move TO is horrid. then packing and moving is equally horrid.

3. i have grown a heart for badminton. a recent trip to the fluorescent and cost-savings terrific 99 cent store gave me the pleasure of indulging in miniature 99 cent watermelons (sweet n' delightful) and a badminton set. 2 net-like scarves and a roll of clear tape produced the closest thing to a tennis that $2 could buy. love it.

4. 58 days and counting.

Tuesday, 02 September 2008

Currently Listening
Yael Naim
By Yael Naïm, David Donatien
see related

It's about time.
It's about time that I come to my senses, that after running at full speed for the last year, I take a deep breath and retreat. Retreat not into despair but into the life-giving moments that will help me (re)collect those pieces of me I left in a muddled heap not too long ago.
It's about time I took a deep breath, wiped that last lingering teardrop and take a look around. To see the gift of life and livelihood that I've been blessed with. To shake things off and rise up from the ashes into hope and life and to take care of 'me'. It's about time.
First task: A damn good cup of coffee on a breezy summer day. Here
Second: The power of exceptional art and the way it can encapsulate and draw out feelings and emotions far beyond words on a page.
Dinh Q. Le "A Quagmire This Time"
Third: COMMUNITY
My bread n' butter: Healthy Smiles
Youth Matters: Project MotiVATe
Upcoming event
VAALA
6th Annual Moon Festival Children's Art Contest is September 13th & 14th
Let me know if you'd like to volunteer!