Wow, a whole wk without updates ... sorry 'bout that, to my few but loyal visitors. =) Well, Monday nite I spontaneously agreed to go to Sacramento via bus to support some sort of bill to increase the # of academic hrs in the acu program to 3000 hrs. There's ppl out there arguing that this will raise the competency of acupuncturists. I don't agree, but I was bribed into going with clinic hrs ... anyhoo, here are my conclusions from the trip (which are pretty unrelated to the whole reason we went):

Sadly, when a group of older-generation Chinese get together in a big gathering, they forget they are in America. Their actions perpetuate the stereotype and ridicule of all Asians. This makes it more & more difficult for Asians to emerge in America, for us to be taken seriously ... I don't feel that it necessarily has to do w/ English language ability, but w/ attitude and respect for American culture. Not that I agree w/ all aspects of American culture, but that's how it is in ANY country - we need to respect that particular country's ways and policies.

It was very sad that the most embarrassing ppl were the Asian MALES. Asian males already have enough stereotype against them as it is - their actions on Tuesday, in the eyes of all onlooking Americans, can only feed those negative stereotypes.
Specific examples of embarrassing behavioUr:

not turning off cell phones: more than 5x

clapping (the committee chair had already stated "no clapping" at the onset of the hearings): 3x

physically obstructing the opposition from speaking: 1x
But anyways, despite all this, Lily and I somehow dragged Hiroko into going, and we had our own fun - pics will be up soon. =)

Here are pics from hiking up at Santa Anita Park and Henry's BBQ! Yo Lily, get me the pics you captured on your camera =) (the girlz both got digital cams as well - copycats! hehe ... but Lily scored the best deal, and Hiroko has the cutest one)