Asian Parents

Hello World,

I'm here today to talk about being an Asian American child. There's a lot of stuff that's said about being ABC, or American born Chinese. Recently the whole tiger mom thing has been getting a lot of attention. My parents, thankgod, are nothing like tiger mom. They are strict and believe in filial piety, typical of most Chinese or Asian parents. As a kid I did get disciplined (aka spanked) when I acted up. Academics are a huge part of my life. I really fought against this as a kid. I didn't at all embrace the ideals that they held me too. During middle school I really did not focus on academics at all. But once I reached high school I realized why they wanted me to excel. So now I do try, and I try hard. But still it's not always that great. First of all, when your Asian you're expected to be smart. This is obnoxious. Thanks to the over achieving Asians in America getting into college is harder. I not only have to be a stellar student, but I have to bring more. This is very hard because generations after generations of Asians just keep raising the anti... now playing piano or violin is almost valued at nothing. Asians (and caucasians) are expected to just excel. Therefore creating your own identity is tough. Standing out is tough. Getting straight A+'s or making JV just isn't good enough. I also hold myself to a different standard than some people. Apparently a C is average... yea okay America you try telling that to my parents. It goes like this: A=Average B=Bad C=Crap D=Death F=Fucked. And yes, fucked is WAY worse than death. I've never reached below bad. Bad is scary enough. At first I didn't have much of a choice, I followed this because of my parents, but now I just follow this because of me. A 90 on a test is okay. A 95 is what I expect to get. This is normal. I don't really know what the point of this post really is. It's 11:15 at night today I've painted, played guitar, played ukulele, studied for chemistry, studied for the SATs, searched colleges, fed my neighbors cat, watched TV, and eaten. In the end I still consider myself a normal American teen, just with a couple weird quirks that make me, me. So for all of you out there who don't like me.... good for you. Cause I really don't give a crap.

Cheers!

Cloudy with a Chance of Snow

Hello World,

I am a through and through New-Englander, born and raised right here in the North East. I love it here, the liberal, democratic, aka "homosexual loving" states (home sweet home). One thing I hate, the weather. Unless you've been living in a cave you've heard about the low pressure system terrorizing the North East. Where I live we've gotten around four feet of snow! How wonderful is that? This weather has resulted in dozens and dozens of school cancelations and missed practices. To be honest. It's obnoxious, the first few 90 minute delays and such are nice, but after a while I actually want to go to school. That's a first.... But sitting at home waiting for the snow to end has made me form into this mass of uncontrollable laziness, from eating grotesque amounts to not even lifting a finger to get the remote... I've really packed on the pounds since this snow's started. It's really bad. And the worst part is I can't even go out to exercise without the looming possibility of humiliation, injury, or death from this snow! It's been ages since I've gone for a walk, much less a run without falling on my face or nearly breaking my leg and tumbling into a snowbank to face a more than likely [cold] death. (NOT AN EXAGGERATION) The snow makes me do weird things though. Whenever I see snow stacked sky high I have the burning urge to tunnel through it. Recently I have also started knitting. I don't know if it's the weather or my neck's need for a partner. I also built a snow fort the other day. Yes, I built a snow fort than took a two hour nap inside of it. Actually it was a wonderful day. However other than the occasional shoveling I really have not engaged in any physical activity other than changing the channel, selecting a youtube video to watch, or getting off the couch to refill my bowl with goldfish. Of course this sounds like a charmed life, but please mother nature... woman to woman.... please stop this snow soon so I don't turn into Jack Black. And to all you doubters out there. It will happen, if this snow doesn't stop I will turn into a fat, hairy, and thirty year old man.

Cheers!

Standardizing

Standardization: the condition in which a standard has been successfully established

You know what I say? SCREW THAT SHIT! It's basically derailing everything we were taught as children. If everyone is so unique, why must we all take the same test? Why can't people have different strengths? Basically if you haven't figured out yet I'm talking about the SATs, PSATs, ACT, and all of the SAT IIs. But I'm not only talking about those, I have quite a few friends who run track. FCIACS, search up what that means because I don't even know, is apparently a big deal. It's after the last meet of the normal season, you have to qualify to get in. And just like the SATs they're making it harder and harder to qualify. The SATs a few years back made the big ass jump from 1400 to 2400. What's up with that? I guess for athletes it's much more important because the times get the best of the best; it's just hard watching those few friends in agony because a stupid board decides that 5 seconds slower just isn't good enough. Are there any believers out there of good ol' try your best?

btw the picture is totally unrelated, it's the sunset from my house last night. Ain't it perrty?

Cheers!

Being Classy

What is the definition of a "classy girl"? Everyone's been blowing up facebook with the whole classy idea. Of course a lot of the time the people who use the word classy aren't classy at all. Accord to webster dictionary classy means "stylish and sophisticated" which I guess is a acceptable definition. Now let's see... urban dictionary:There's more to understanding class than meets the eye. Classiness is divided into 3 categories, or degrees.

1. Classy to the 1st degree: used in a sarcastic way, generally meaning slutty, trashy, etc.

2. Classy to the 2nd degree: used in a sarcastic way as well, but in more of a humerous way, generally meaning cheap, ridiculous, gross, etc.

3. Classy to the 3rd degree: used in a serious way, generally meaning stylish, fancy, sophisticated, etc.
1. "Dude, look at that girl. She's having sex with ANOTHER guy! That's like the sixth one tonight!"
"She is so classy."

2. "My mom got me some new clothes from walmart."
"That is such a classy place to shop."

3. "Audrey Hepburn is classy."

I think I like urban dictionary's definition. Especially because of the 3rd example. Audrey Hepburn is one classy gal. So I guess this post can be dedicated her! Long live classy gals! All you sluts, whores, and skanks are classy too! (according to urban dictionary, just not in the same way)
"A girl should be two things: classy and fabulous.
-Coco Chanel
Cheers!

Mental Snapshots

Time flies! Take Pam's advice and take mental snapshots of the highlights in your life. Yep that picture is from the office wedding :) one of the best episodes ever. Long live Pam and Jim!

Cheers!

Btw, Check out The Places You'll Go. I'm trying to promote childhood literacy and reading comprehension! Thanks.

New Year's Resolutions

January 8th, 2011

So it's a new year. People are making new year's resolutions right and left. I guess they think cause it's a new year that they should start to change? I really have no idea. I don't make resolutions during new years. I think if you want to do something than what's stopping you? Easy answer, nothing. I still enjoy hearing about new years resolutions though. Sometimes they're funny. I think a lot of women's resolutions revolve around weight or health. "I want to loose __ pounds" "I'm going to stop eating junk food." I think these are great resolutions if they stick with them, but I've seen many good intentions end badly. Some of the more entertaining ideas or new years resolutions I've heard are: "I'm going to talk to everyone I'm friends with on facebook" (which in reality is a pretty good resolution), "I'm going to stop procrastinating" (LOL if you've ever been a student you know how hard that is), and my personal favorite is my mom's (which fits into the stereotype of every woman's new year's resolution) "I'm going to loose 5 pounds." So finishing this first post off is a question and a challenge. Have you ever made a new years resolution? and if so, what was it? I am also challenging all of you to stick with your new years resolutions.... hey you made them for a reason! Try and remember that.

Cheers!

mzhang

(I like whales)