Japan’s Womens Soccer Team and the Power of Healing

Posted on July 22, 2011 by Ernie

“In New York City—the one place in the U.S. with a sizable contingency of faithful soccer followers—and I’m the only one cheering for Japan over the red, white and blue in the Women’s World Cup Final. The ‘short little ladies,’ as the Japanese coach called them, of the Nadeshiko Japan has just pulled off one of the greatest upsets in the history of sports.” Masahito Ogasawara writes about what Japans Women’s World Cup victory over the United States means for a still-healing nation.

Posted in (simple), Sports | Leave a comment

ToyToyota’s Backseat Driver Allows Just That

Posted on July 22, 2011 by Ben

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-mjudtrwdS4

This Backseat Driver app from ToyToyota is awesome. It’s an iPhone app that allows kids to drive on a virtual road in their virtual cars where the lanes are created by the car’s GPS. It’s easier just to watch the video than explain it. Just wait until they make a racing one for older kids.

Posted in Entertainment, Family, Video Games | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Facebook Giveaway: Harry Potter Exhibition in NYC or HP7 Prize Pack

Posted on July 21, 2011 by jozjozjoz


UPDATE 7/24/2011: Congrats to the Harry Potter Exhibition winner: MaiHan Nguyen. Congrats also to our runner ups: Frank Huynh, Kimberly Pham, ting ybanez, Calvin H, & Lily Le!

Now that Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2– the final installment of the Harry Potter movies– has been released, fans are wondering what else they can do to get their Harry Potter (and Cho Chang) fixes. Other than re-reading all the books, or watching a really long Harry Potter Marathon on DVD, there’s another choice: going to the exclusive, limited engagement Harry Potter Exhibition at Discovery Times Square in New York City. Ending on September 5, 2011, this is the final North American stop in this popular exhibit which features an amazing collection of Harry Potter props and costumes used in the Harry Potter films.

Experience the amazing craftsmanship of more than 200 authentic costumes and props from the Harry Potter™ films displayed in settings inspired by the films sets – including the Great Hall, Hagrid’s hut and the Gryffindor™ common room. While touring through the exhibition space, discover iconic items such as Harry’s original wand and eyeglasses, the Marauder’s Map, Gryffindor school uniforms as well as costumes worn at the Yule Ball. Enter the Quidditch™ area and toss a Quaffle, pull your own Mandrake in the Herbology vignette, encounter Buckbeak™ the Hippogriff and even a giant Acromantula spider.

Showcasing the supreme artistry and amazing craftsmanship that went into the making of the ever popular film series, Harry Potter: The Exhibit is sure to spark curious minds and foster an excitement of discovery among guests of all ages.

Ok, ok, you just want to find out how to win some free Harry Potter stuff?! Read on!

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Posted in Entertainment, Movies, New York, Promotions | Leave a comment

Begging Mercy for James Malecek: Isn’t Hate Speech Weighted At All?

Posted on July 21, 2011 by akrypti

The other day I was prompted with the question which ought to be valued more, justice or mercy. As two theories, I really have no idea how I would answer, but in the case of James Malecek, without hesitation I choose mercy.

On July 4th, Independence Day, near an idyllic lakeside community in Indiana, 19-year-old and 16-year-old Korean adoptees James Malecek and his little sister were attending a teenage beach party. Individuals at the party were harassing the sister, telling her she should not be wearing the red, white, and blue patriotic bandanna she had on because she wasn’t “American” enough.

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Posted in Current Events, Discrimination, Observations, Politics | 40 Comments

My Tiger Mom & Me Writing Contest Open For Submissions

Posted on July 21, 2011 by Guest Writer

Has your Tiger Mom ever called you “garbage”? Or helped you succeed academically? While, yes, we may be a little tired of the Amy Chua saga, the reason it struck a chord initially is because we as Asian Americans could relate to it. Submit your Tiger Cub stories by July 29, and digital publisher Hyperink will include the best entries into an anthology; the winner gets $500 and a book deal.

Posted in (simple), Books, Discrimination, Education, Family | 4 Comments

APA Spotlight: Tammy Chu, Co-Founder, Adoptee Solidarity Korea

Posted on July 21, 2011 by Koji Steven Sakai

APA Spotlight is a weekly interview of Asian Pacific Islander Americans (APIA) community leaders. It is a spotlight on individuals who have dedicated their careers to issues surrounding the APIA community with the goal of bringing much deserved recognition to their work and cause(s).

Tammy Chu was born in Seoul, Korea and adopted to the U.S. She studied Cinema and Photography at Ithaca College. Her award-winning first short documentary, Searching for Go-Hyang, was broadcast on PBS, EBS (Korea), and screened at film festivals internationally.

Tammy has been living in Korea for several years and is a co-founding member of Adoptee Solidarity Korea, an adoptee activist organization based in Seoul.

Resilience is Tammy’s first feature documentary, which won Best Documentary Film at the 2010 Asian Film Festival of Dallas and DC APA Film Festival, among other awards.

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Posted in 8Questions, APA Spotlight | 1 Comment

The Petition For Bruce Lee Commemorative Stamp

Posted on July 21, 2011 by John

July 20th was the 38th anniversary of the passing of iconic Bruce Lee in 1973 at age 32. His daughter, Shannon Lee, shared a video on that day remembering her father and calling on everyone to help her on a commemorative project for her father.

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Posted in Current Events, Entertainment, Movies, TV | 1 Comment

What Asian American Kids Watch on TV: Bucket and Skinner’s Epic Adventures

Posted on July 20, 2011 by Jeff

“There’s more Asians on this show.”
— Number Two Son

Bucket and Skinner’s Epic Adventures, a new show on Nickelodeon, definitely has more Asians than A.N.T. Farm.  Two out of five lead characters are Asian American!  One of those two characters is played by the amazing Ashley Argota, who was not only a lead actress in Nickelodeon series True Jackson VP but played young Nala in The Lion King Musical.   I like how she plays Bucket‘s love interest Kelly despite having a very Filipino look, much different from the typical “beauty” pushed by Filipino media and sellers of whitening creams.  Ashley’s character Kelly is not only pretty but atypically (for an Asian role) athletic, as Kelly is an expert surfer.  Her younger sister on the show, Piper, is played by Tiffany Espensen, another Asian American actress with a fairly long resume for her age, including Phineas and Ferb.  Piper is anything but a shy and passive Asian girl.  Lots of positive aspects here, but Bucket and Skinner’s Epic Adventures also has some not so positive aspects. Continue reading →

Posted in Entertainment, TV | Tagged , , , | 4 Comments

Katie Leung Returns as Cho Chang for Harry Potter 7 Finale

Posted on July 20, 2011 by jozjozjoz

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2, the final installment of the franchise, opened over the weekend and made a gazillion dollars on Opening Day with hordes of fans lining up for midnight screenings. The film marks the return of Cho Chang, Harry’s one-time girlfriend (and the one who got to be Daniel Radcliffe’s first onscreen kiss!) and member of Dumbledore’s Army, played by Chinese Scottish actress Katie Leung. Also making an appearance is Bangledeshi British actress Afshan Azad, who reprises her role as Padma Patil.

So what else has Katie been up to? In addition to her role in the HP films, Leung has lent her voice to the Harry Potter & The Order of the Phoenix and Harry Potter & The Half-Blood Prince video games released by Electronic Arts. She also appears in Leo Ku’s music video for his single, Love Coming Home (愛回家).

Posted in Entertainment, Movies | 17 Comments

I’m a Third Culture Kid, Not a 1.5 Generation Asian American

Posted on July 20, 2011 by JohnnyC

By Johnny C

Whenever people meet me for the first time, I come off as just another friendly neighborhood Asian kid who gives his seat up on the bus for the elderly and pays all his taxes. A little later during most conversations, people learn that I immigrated to the United States when I was 18, and are amazed I don’t have an accent. Usually my response is that everyone has an accent, but if they mean I sound like an American instead of a foreigner, then that’s because I went to international school growing up.

Wait a second, what?

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Posted in Discrimination, Lifestyles | 18 Comments

Japanese Tea Ceremony to be held at Pearl Harbor

Posted on July 20, 2011 by sachi

From the Star Advertiser: Despite Japan’s recent World Cup win that spawned many hateful comments, there is a spark of hope and unity as the first Japanese tea ceremony will be held at the USS Arizona Memorial in Pearl Harbor. Although the anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor is in December, “the event this week is being planned to honor Americans who died when Japan attacked Hawaii on Dec. 7, 1941. Organizers hope it will serve as a gesture of reconciliation between two nations that once fought fiercely but are now close allies.” Veterans from both the Japanese and United States Armed Forces will be in attendance.

Posted in (simple), Current Events, History | 1 Comment

Tiger Wife Wendi Deng Pounces to Protect Husband Rupert Murdoch

Posted on July 20, 2011 by John

http://youtu.be/dHkozESv3MM

The other day, 80-year-old media mogul and owner of the News Corp. empire Rupert Murdoch was testifying in front of a British Parliament investigative committee in regards to the recent discovery of a voice mail hacking scandal. In the midst of his testimony, self-proclaimed British comedian Jonnie Marbels protested Murdoch’s testimony by attempting to throw a shaving foam pie in Murdoch’s face. Murdoch’s third wife, Wendi Deng, who was sitting behind Murdoch in a pink blazer, had other ideas:

She sprang from her seat behind her husband to smack the assailant, in a scene witnessed by millions around the world watching television coverage of the latest developments in the News of the World telephone hacking scandal.

Apparently, this has made Deng an Internet sensation, with even Katie Couric (formerly of CBS News fame) to tweet: “Wow wWendy murdoch giving whole new meaning to the term tiger mother…insanity!”

Personally, I think Murdoch is a morally reprehensible person the way he has distorted news and politics in the United States with his Fox News network, but I don’t condone any physical harm against him, including a pointless silly shaving cream pie in his face. Deng, age 42, I don’t think is exactly an innocent saint either and I can’t imagine she was attracted to Murdoch for his lack of charming good looks when they both met back in 1998 when she worked for one his television networks in Hong Kong (you do the math in age). But talk about standing by your man!

Posted in Current Events, TV | 20 Comments