Today, I spoke at my high school to juniors about the college application process. Most of the students asked the same questions: effectiveness of grades, AP exams, and sometimes dorm life (my high school was pretty nerdy). I was in the same room as someone who is currently attending Columbia University and all the students seem to be more interested in him than me. To be honest, two years ago, I was in the same position as them. I wanted to go to a prestigious university and never expected to end up in Syracuse. Well, I did and I do not regret it.
I was an overconfident freshman. Coming from a large city and from an advanced high school track, I felt like I can do anything at Syracuse. I always had a hard time talking about transitioning into college because I never had issues in doing so. As heartless as this may sound, my mindset fueled me to get involved on campus and do well academically. This coincided much with my involvement in Student Association. After I accomplished my first initiative, I felt like I can do anything on campus in terms of influencing changes on behalf of students. I did accomplished many initiatives afterward but it became more about the experience and that helped me grow to love the school. It was not just about me leaving my mark here but how I can make it a better place. As a student at Syracuse University, I was given the chance to not just grow academically but to tailor make my experience here. I probably would not have received these opportunities at another institution.
Now that I am officially done with everything, it just hit me that I am in the limbo stage between sophomore and junior year and the feeling is a bit surreal. How have I changed these last two years? For one thing, my overconfidence has tapered off and into different directions where it became more about the people around me. That was a result of my experiences and the people I had the pleasure of knowing. For another, I gained a greater awareness of my capabilities- what I can do and cannot do. Together, I hope to use what I have learned and apply it to issues beyond the hill for my last two years of college.
Saturday, May 15, 2010
Saturday, May 8, 2010
Stars of Cyberspace: The Asian Variety
One of my final papers for this semester was for my Contemporary Asian Americans class. The research topic? Asian Americans on YouTube. Because it is a blog worthy topic, here is an excerpt/ summary.
From Nigahiga to Happyslip to David Choi, Asian Americans are proliferating the channels of YouTube. Many of the top 50 channels on YouTube were created by individuals of Asian descent and has caught the attentions of the blogosphere and Asian American based panels. This is surely a phenomenon. The videos range from beauty tutorials by Michelle Phan to humorous portrayals of everyday life by KevJumba. All of these individuals are second generation Asian Americans and almost all of them are under 30 years old. YouTube and the internet have collectively become a venue that allows accessibility and advocacy of groups that are traditionally underrepresented. These videos have promoted the image of Asian Americans by presenting common issues and topics in a positive manner as they are created by the very individuals themselves.
The videos portray a wide variety of issues faced by Asian Americans. KevJumba, for example, frequently has his father in his videos. The relationship portrayed between him and his father can be related to many individuals' own relationship with their parents. Between the accent and affectionate teasing, he might as well be Papa Kong. Interracial dating was brilliantly discussed in "Yellow Fever," a video by Wongfu Productions. Yes, many White men date Asian girls- sorry to all the Asian men who think this is an issue. Timothy DeLaGhetto's videos are very much influenced by hip hop culture, showing much of his persona. Do you know how many Asian guys follow the hypebeast/sneakerhead culture? Well I know too many.
So why YouTube? YouTube is easy to use and has a large audience. For individuals like KevJumba and Nigahiga, who are currently college students (both my age in fact), it is a noncommital venue. Thus, they can upload videos at their own leisure. Other individuals like Michelle Phan and Wongfu Productions have used YouTube as a springboard to launch their careers. In fact, many of them have received recognition and opportunities because of their videos. YouTube has proved to be a valuable venue for self expression. For Asian Americans that find it difficult to have their breakthrough in Hollywood, YouTube and the internet will always be there, creating new stars with changes in time.
From Nigahiga to Happyslip to David Choi, Asian Americans are proliferating the channels of YouTube. Many of the top 50 channels on YouTube were created by individuals of Asian descent and has caught the attentions of the blogosphere and Asian American based panels. This is surely a phenomenon. The videos range from beauty tutorials by Michelle Phan to humorous portrayals of everyday life by KevJumba. All of these individuals are second generation Asian Americans and almost all of them are under 30 years old. YouTube and the internet have collectively become a venue that allows accessibility and advocacy of groups that are traditionally underrepresented. These videos have promoted the image of Asian Americans by presenting common issues and topics in a positive manner as they are created by the very individuals themselves.
The videos portray a wide variety of issues faced by Asian Americans. KevJumba, for example, frequently has his father in his videos. The relationship portrayed between him and his father can be related to many individuals' own relationship with their parents. Between the accent and affectionate teasing, he might as well be Papa Kong. Interracial dating was brilliantly discussed in "Yellow Fever," a video by Wongfu Productions. Yes, many White men date Asian girls- sorry to all the Asian men who think this is an issue. Timothy DeLaGhetto's videos are very much influenced by hip hop culture, showing much of his persona. Do you know how many Asian guys follow the hypebeast/sneakerhead culture? Well I know too many.
So why YouTube? YouTube is easy to use and has a large audience. For individuals like KevJumba and Nigahiga, who are currently college students (both my age in fact), it is a noncommital venue. Thus, they can upload videos at their own leisure. Other individuals like Michelle Phan and Wongfu Productions have used YouTube as a springboard to launch their careers. In fact, many of them have received recognition and opportunities because of their videos. YouTube has proved to be a valuable venue for self expression. For Asian Americans that find it difficult to have their breakthrough in Hollywood, YouTube and the internet will always be there, creating new stars with changes in time.
Saturday, April 17, 2010
A Lusterless Dimon
Syracuse University has caught the attention of national media not for its basketball team or academics, but for students' discontent over this year's commencement speaker, Jamie Dimon, the CEO of JP Morgan Chase.
Personally, I do not see anything wrong with the choice of commencement speaker but I am not overly ecstatic to hear him speak. Dimon certainly has a long list of accomplishments. In fact, he is the badass of Wall Street. During the financial crisis, JP Morgan reluctantly accepted TARP funding from the government, but paid it back. As CEO, Dimon oversaw the acquisition of Bank One and Washington Mutual and made JP Morgan into one of the leading banks in domestic assets. His personality can be defined by him accepting $1 as his yearly salary but a $16 million bonus, something he is not ashamed of. His bank has constantly been lobbying against government reforms and Dimon himself, has wrote a few op-ed articles on this issue. I am neither a supporter nor opponent of JP Morgan, but I am pretty impressed with what he has accomplished.
So why are SU students so worked up about this? Dimon may be the hero of Wall Street but a villain to humanity (or at least as regarded by students). Students overlook Dimon's achievements and become upset over what he represents. Because of our current state of economy, people do not want to see a figure of Corporate America, someone with so much, to be lecturing them. Also, JP Morgan Chase has a strong presence on campus. From its name plastered on the first floor of Lyman Hall to the creation of the GET program, it seems like Dimon "bought" his title to be this year's commencement speaker. As a result, students believe that they did not have a say in the choice in their speaker because it looked too easy. As a student liaison to the Board of Trustees, I can attest that it is not true. Syracuse University is one of the few schools that allows students to decide on their commencement speaker. A list of speaker is created by a student committee, which includes class marshals and Trustees representatives. Although I did not play a part in this process last year, I am fairly certain that Jamie Dimon was on their short list.
Commencement speakers are chosen based on the premises of innovation, humanitarianism, and honor and connection to the university. Jamie Dimon does embody those qualities but I wish that a less controversial speaker was selected, perhaps someone who isn't such a strong political figure for our state in time. I respect my fellow students' right to free speech and protest so those who don't want to hear him speak shouldn't have to. However, as a change agent of our time, I think his speech will be worthwhile.
Personally, I do not see anything wrong with the choice of commencement speaker but I am not overly ecstatic to hear him speak. Dimon certainly has a long list of accomplishments. In fact, he is the badass of Wall Street. During the financial crisis, JP Morgan reluctantly accepted TARP funding from the government, but paid it back. As CEO, Dimon oversaw the acquisition of Bank One and Washington Mutual and made JP Morgan into one of the leading banks in domestic assets. His personality can be defined by him accepting $1 as his yearly salary but a $16 million bonus, something he is not ashamed of. His bank has constantly been lobbying against government reforms and Dimon himself, has wrote a few op-ed articles on this issue. I am neither a supporter nor opponent of JP Morgan, but I am pretty impressed with what he has accomplished.
So why are SU students so worked up about this? Dimon may be the hero of Wall Street but a villain to humanity (or at least as regarded by students). Students overlook Dimon's achievements and become upset over what he represents. Because of our current state of economy, people do not want to see a figure of Corporate America, someone with so much, to be lecturing them. Also, JP Morgan Chase has a strong presence on campus. From its name plastered on the first floor of Lyman Hall to the creation of the GET program, it seems like Dimon "bought" his title to be this year's commencement speaker. As a result, students believe that they did not have a say in the choice in their speaker because it looked too easy. As a student liaison to the Board of Trustees, I can attest that it is not true. Syracuse University is one of the few schools that allows students to decide on their commencement speaker. A list of speaker is created by a student committee, which includes class marshals and Trustees representatives. Although I did not play a part in this process last year, I am fairly certain that Jamie Dimon was on their short list.
Commencement speakers are chosen based on the premises of innovation, humanitarianism, and honor and connection to the university. Jamie Dimon does embody those qualities but I wish that a less controversial speaker was selected, perhaps someone who isn't such a strong political figure for our state in time. I respect my fellow students' right to free speech and protest so those who don't want to hear him speak shouldn't have to. However, as a change agent of our time, I think his speech will be worthwhile.
Thursday, April 1, 2010
Just Like in "The Deer Hunter" But for Hipsters
What I meant by the awkward title is the deadly game of chance known as "Russian Roulette," which was the center of the 1978 film The Deer Hunter. I remembered watching that movie when I was little with my dad, not knowing what the plot line was about nor the concept of the game. My dad had to explain what "Russian roulette" was to me and I was a bit horrified. Now 32 years since the film's release, a new spin on the classic game of roulette by a Russian teenager hits the internet known as Chatroulette.
Chatroulette is a game of interactional chance on your computer. All you need is a webcam, and it brings you face-to-face to a world of strangers and potential new friends. The attention that the site has gotten is incredible. Celebrities are using it. Reporters are using it for their "articles." Creepers use it to creep. And hipsters use it because they think that it is cool as it breaks the boundaries of social media. A chatroulette party took place in a Brooklyn bar as the website was projected onto a big screen as patrons sat in auditorium-style seating and watched. Ben Folds used it in a segment of his concert as he serenaded users with his audience cheering him on. So is this site all that it is hyped up to be? I gave it a spin myself.
For a long time, I was scared to use the site. So for my first time, I made a few of my friends to go on it with me. As we huddled over my macbook, we explored the wild west of the internet. Together, we saw awkward teenage boys, awkward middle-aged men, random college students like us, musicians, blank screens, imperative writing on paper, and a few inappropriate images. We had a few conversations with people but we didn't know how genuine the other end was because we made up fake names for ourselves. Although a warning pops up when you first go the site about being over 16 and no pornography, no one follows that rule, which makes it kind of funny. My first time on chatroulette was a bit traumatizing because I would never look up some of these things up. Yet, my intrigue trumped that trauma and I went on it a second time but by myself.
My second run with the service was a bit disappointing. There were less conversations but more awkward moments. For many of the people that I came across, our conversation only lasted about 10 seconds as they automatically deemed me boring and clicked off to the next person. At first, I was offended bur frankly, I did the same thing. I did not want to have a conversation with a strange man, cradling his laptop in bed. It was much less awkward and more fun with a group of friends because you do not have to take it as seriously and you have other people to work with. Thus, despite the accessibility of the site to people around the world, human nature trumps as many people do not want to be face to face alone with a stranger.
Chatroulette is a game of interactional chance on your computer. All you need is a webcam, and it brings you face-to-face to a world of strangers and potential new friends. The attention that the site has gotten is incredible. Celebrities are using it. Reporters are using it for their "articles." Creepers use it to creep. And hipsters use it because they think that it is cool as it breaks the boundaries of social media. A chatroulette party took place in a Brooklyn bar as the website was projected onto a big screen as patrons sat in auditorium-style seating and watched. Ben Folds used it in a segment of his concert as he serenaded users with his audience cheering him on. So is this site all that it is hyped up to be? I gave it a spin myself.
For a long time, I was scared to use the site. So for my first time, I made a few of my friends to go on it with me. As we huddled over my macbook, we explored the wild west of the internet. Together, we saw awkward teenage boys, awkward middle-aged men, random college students like us, musicians, blank screens, imperative writing on paper, and a few inappropriate images. We had a few conversations with people but we didn't know how genuine the other end was because we made up fake names for ourselves. Although a warning pops up when you first go the site about being over 16 and no pornography, no one follows that rule, which makes it kind of funny. My first time on chatroulette was a bit traumatizing because I would never look up some of these things up. Yet, my intrigue trumped that trauma and I went on it a second time but by myself.
My second run with the service was a bit disappointing. There were less conversations but more awkward moments. For many of the people that I came across, our conversation only lasted about 10 seconds as they automatically deemed me boring and clicked off to the next person. At first, I was offended bur frankly, I did the same thing. I did not want to have a conversation with a strange man, cradling his laptop in bed. It was much less awkward and more fun with a group of friends because you do not have to take it as seriously and you have other people to work with. Thus, despite the accessibility of the site to people around the world, human nature trumps as many people do not want to be face to face alone with a stranger.
Sunday, March 21, 2010
In Opposition to the Health Care Bill
Tonight history was made when the Health Care bill passed on the House Floor, 219-212. Call me a closet conservative but I am very against the bill and here's why:
1. The government doesn't have the money for it
With our national debt in the trillions, the United States government is in no shape in providing universal health care. Supporters of the bill cite that countries such as Holland and Australia have a similar system. However, the debt in these countries aren't as high as the US. In addition, these other countries do not face the same issues we do and not as extreme. Personally, I think this money (if it exists) can be put into better use like education reform, research, and technological innovations, moving our country forward.
2. Higher taxes
One of the greatest concerns of the bill is the higher taxes that people have to pay. These taxes will affect all people on the income spectrum. This bill only benefits a small percentage of Americans who are uninsured and hurting many hard working middle-class Americans with insurance. I am not calling anyone out as lazy but it is simply not fair for those who worked hard for their insurance. Nancy Pelosi in her closing remarks stated that this is groundbreaking change, similar to the Social Security Act. In my opinion, the Social Security Act led to detrimental consequences and the consequences of this bill are that of the Social Security Act on steroids.
3. Mandated insurance?
Health care is not an inalienable right and not everyone wants health care insurance in their lives. Thus, having the government mandating that you need health care is just wrong. Who is to say what you can and can not have? I am a staunch believer in individual choice and free society, as these ideologies promote able citizens. Supporters of the bill exemplifies a group of elitists deciding what is right for individuals, limiting citizens ability to choose.
4. People taking advantage of the system
As soon as the bill passed, I called my parents up letting them know the news. Their initial response was of outrage, mostly because of higher taxes. My mom went on ranting about how people in Chinatown clinics take advantage of Medicare and Medicaid without really needing it. As outlandish as her example may be, she proves a point. How do you determine who is really sick and who is taking advantage of the system? Although I would like to believe their are good people out there, people take advantage of what is free. As time progresses, corruption of the health system will take place, limiting its quality.
1. The government doesn't have the money for it
With our national debt in the trillions, the United States government is in no shape in providing universal health care. Supporters of the bill cite that countries such as Holland and Australia have a similar system. However, the debt in these countries aren't as high as the US. In addition, these other countries do not face the same issues we do and not as extreme. Personally, I think this money (if it exists) can be put into better use like education reform, research, and technological innovations, moving our country forward.
2. Higher taxes
One of the greatest concerns of the bill is the higher taxes that people have to pay. These taxes will affect all people on the income spectrum. This bill only benefits a small percentage of Americans who are uninsured and hurting many hard working middle-class Americans with insurance. I am not calling anyone out as lazy but it is simply not fair for those who worked hard for their insurance. Nancy Pelosi in her closing remarks stated that this is groundbreaking change, similar to the Social Security Act. In my opinion, the Social Security Act led to detrimental consequences and the consequences of this bill are that of the Social Security Act on steroids.
3. Mandated insurance?
Health care is not an inalienable right and not everyone wants health care insurance in their lives. Thus, having the government mandating that you need health care is just wrong. Who is to say what you can and can not have? I am a staunch believer in individual choice and free society, as these ideologies promote able citizens. Supporters of the bill exemplifies a group of elitists deciding what is right for individuals, limiting citizens ability to choose.
4. People taking advantage of the system
As soon as the bill passed, I called my parents up letting them know the news. Their initial response was of outrage, mostly because of higher taxes. My mom went on ranting about how people in Chinatown clinics take advantage of Medicare and Medicaid without really needing it. As outlandish as her example may be, she proves a point. How do you determine who is really sick and who is taking advantage of the system? Although I would like to believe their are good people out there, people take advantage of what is free. As time progresses, corruption of the health system will take place, limiting its quality.
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Beware the Ides of March
Unless you go to one of few select universities, March is the longest month for many people, with no breaks or long weekends. Thus, the creation of many random holidays, including Pi Day and National Potato Chip Day last Sunday and St. Patrick's Day tomorrow. Yesterday was the Ides of March. No, it is not really a "holiday" but I feel a need to write about my night for it is the right amount of absurdity for a blog.
I met up with a friend to see "Next to Normal" on Broadway. We got there at the 6PM for the lottery only to face over 100 tourists and gay men as our competition for the 26 front two row seats that were available. We didn't win the lottery but we got partial view seats as "lottery losers," which we were very happy with because this was our third time trying to get tickets. The show was amazing despite Alice Ripley and Aaron Tveit's absence. I was tearing up throughout the entire second act but was comforted to hear so many people sniffling besides me.
After the show, we had dinner. My friend's parents gave us a call and said they were in the city and can pick us up in about half an hour. This was 11:15PM. Since the restaurant was closing, they were very much ready to kick us out but in a friendly way. We decided to wait at Parson's nearby Fashion Building, home of Project Runway. As we walked down the street, I witnessed stressed out men in suits walking disorderly down the street. Who were these men? Surely, accountants. In fact, that is exactly what my friend's parents were doing- trying to get their taxes in before 12AM deadline. As we waited in Parson's lounge, my friend received frantic phone calls from her parents about postage stamps because they apparently don't sell stamps at the post office after hours. When they finally picked us up at 12:15AM, they told us horrific stories of people at the post office. Picture hundreds of Manhattan businessmen trying to get their forms postmarked on time- it can get pretty scary.
March 15th is always a frantic day for New Yorkers. Whether you are trying to win lottery tickets for a Broadway musical or trying to get your taxes on time, chaos ensues. Well maybe it is just like any other day in the city.
I met up with a friend to see "Next to Normal" on Broadway. We got there at the 6PM for the lottery only to face over 100 tourists and gay men as our competition for the 26 front two row seats that were available. We didn't win the lottery but we got partial view seats as "lottery losers," which we were very happy with because this was our third time trying to get tickets. The show was amazing despite Alice Ripley and Aaron Tveit's absence. I was tearing up throughout the entire second act but was comforted to hear so many people sniffling besides me.
After the show, we had dinner. My friend's parents gave us a call and said they were in the city and can pick us up in about half an hour. This was 11:15PM. Since the restaurant was closing, they were very much ready to kick us out but in a friendly way. We decided to wait at Parson's nearby Fashion Building, home of Project Runway. As we walked down the street, I witnessed stressed out men in suits walking disorderly down the street. Who were these men? Surely, accountants. In fact, that is exactly what my friend's parents were doing- trying to get their taxes in before 12AM deadline. As we waited in Parson's lounge, my friend received frantic phone calls from her parents about postage stamps because they apparently don't sell stamps at the post office after hours. When they finally picked us up at 12:15AM, they told us horrific stories of people at the post office. Picture hundreds of Manhattan businessmen trying to get their forms postmarked on time- it can get pretty scary.
March 15th is always a frantic day for New Yorkers. Whether you are trying to win lottery tickets for a Broadway musical or trying to get your taxes on time, chaos ensues. Well maybe it is just like any other day in the city.
Friday, March 12, 2010
To Be An Orange Technite
So, I started writing about the Health Care Summit two weeks ago but got distracted by schoolwork, meetings, and bi-polar weather conditions. It is a bit irrelevant to continue and post it so instead, I am making better use of this post by writing about the start of my Spring Break (aka yesterday morning).
I flew down from Syracuse to NYC Wednesday night in for my Trustees meeting Thursday morning. This was the first time that I flew from 'Cuse to NYC. It was the shortest flight I have ever been on and I have never been on such a small plane. There were approximately 30 passengers and it was safe to say that none of them were convicts but many of the NY Times crossword puzzles bearing type.
I got up excruciatingly early in the morning to commute to the Upper East Side. On the subway, I ran into my high school music teacher. We have ran into each other on the train a few times in high school and our conversations were usually awkward. Conversations like what kind of toast I was having for breakfast or how my mallets are missing again. But I guess things change when you graduate where either I became more mature or there were less limitations on what I am able to know. During that 45-minutes ride from Coney Island to Atlantic Avenue, I learned the latest Brooklyn Tech gossip, how 80% of teachers never intended to be teachers, and how people think you are important if you are dressed up. When my teacher stepped off the train, I became immensely grateful to have had teachers that were so passionate with what they do and their devotion to their students. Things like this make me proud to be a Technite.
As I continued with my ride and eventually arriving at the Lubin House, I became aware of the things that make me proud to be Orange. I felt out of place with my attire but for a good reason. All the trustees and Chancellor's cabinet were wearing orange for the game against Georgetown at noon, prompting me to go want to go shopping for more orange business casual wear. They actually moved the meeting from 11AM to 8AM so they can make the game at noon. It makes me happy to see how alums are so proud of where they came from and how trustees are so enthusiastic about the decision-makings of the university. Despite the fact that many people do not agree with the decisions that are made, including I some times, trustees go out of their way to give back to the University the best they can.
Needless to say, I am incredibly proud of the schools I have attended for some really good people shaped my experiences. It is a bit nerdy to talk about school to kick off my spring break but I am looking forward to a busy week ahead.
I flew down from Syracuse to NYC Wednesday night in for my Trustees meeting Thursday morning. This was the first time that I flew from 'Cuse to NYC. It was the shortest flight I have ever been on and I have never been on such a small plane. There were approximately 30 passengers and it was safe to say that none of them were convicts but many of the NY Times crossword puzzles bearing type.
I got up excruciatingly early in the morning to commute to the Upper East Side. On the subway, I ran into my high school music teacher. We have ran into each other on the train a few times in high school and our conversations were usually awkward. Conversations like what kind of toast I was having for breakfast or how my mallets are missing again. But I guess things change when you graduate where either I became more mature or there were less limitations on what I am able to know. During that 45-minutes ride from Coney Island to Atlantic Avenue, I learned the latest Brooklyn Tech gossip, how 80% of teachers never intended to be teachers, and how people think you are important if you are dressed up. When my teacher stepped off the train, I became immensely grateful to have had teachers that were so passionate with what they do and their devotion to their students. Things like this make me proud to be a Technite.
As I continued with my ride and eventually arriving at the Lubin House, I became aware of the things that make me proud to be Orange. I felt out of place with my attire but for a good reason. All the trustees and Chancellor's cabinet were wearing orange for the game against Georgetown at noon, prompting me to go want to go shopping for more orange business casual wear. They actually moved the meeting from 11AM to 8AM so they can make the game at noon. It makes me happy to see how alums are so proud of where they came from and how trustees are so enthusiastic about the decision-makings of the university. Despite the fact that many people do not agree with the decisions that are made, including I some times, trustees go out of their way to give back to the University the best they can.
Needless to say, I am incredibly proud of the schools I have attended for some really good people shaped my experiences. It is a bit nerdy to talk about school to kick off my spring break but I am looking forward to a busy week ahead.
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