Nearly four years ago, I noticed fliers around my high school promoting a guest speaker with a pretty amusing name -- apparently he was running for Illinois' Senator seat in a month, and rather than campaigning to constituents, he was coming to talk to students about government and civics.

"Politicians." I scoffed and rolled my eyes. "Why does he want to speak to us, anyway? Even most of the seniors still can't vote."

Rather than attending, I went home early to study.

The next morning, the school hallways were abuzz with what some students had experienced at the candidate's session.

"It was really inspirational. I wasn't expecting that at all from speeches about politics." A friend said in surprise.

"I wish all of our teachers could speak like he did!" I overheard from another conversation in a classroom.

"I shook his hand!" One of my best friends raved with excitement (She would continue mentions of this significant moment in her life to this very day).

A part of me immediately regretted the decision to skip out on the event, but the part of me that was still incredibly cynical convinced myself that it was no big deal. After all, I was never a fan of the political system or the deviance of politicians.

Not to mention that this unknown man named "Barack Obama" was probably going to lose, anyway.


Fast forward four years --

I'm standing in the midst of 240,000 people -- easily one of the most eclectic crowds I have ever seen (And probably ever will see) -- where a thick cloud of anticipation looms over the enormous gathering. This is no longer a group of curious high school students: the experienced elderly stand proudly next to young, first-time voters, with no apparent generation gap as they grasp sweaty hands in unity (Though there was a moment when an older gentleman asked "Who is this William?" when Will.I.Am of the Black Eyed Peas appeared as a hologram on CNN); Visiting foreigners speak in their mother tongue to one another in excitement, with only the words "Barack," "Obama," and "President" decipherable from their quick enunications; Wheelchair-bound citizens smile widely, basking in the occasion as those next to them lead them into unique dances of celebration with each projected Democratic state; Skin colors of white, yellow, black mesh together upon a palette of red and blue to create a natural canvas depicting the most wondrous painting the world has ever beheld.

Suddenly, the large screen displaying CNN's Live Election Coverage echoes a familiar sound.

PROJECTION.

Virginia goes to Barack Obama.

The crowd erupts into the most incredible cheer, expressions of pure, unadulterated joy. There is no need to see more -- even an official declaration of victory or the official projection of California -- everyone has already finished adding two and two together.

Or in this case, 207, 13 (VA), and the 55 certain electoral votes from California.

YES WE DID.

Suddenly there are tears creeping down my eyes; I'm shocked as I wipe them away quietly, but then I see that nearly everyone around me -- men, women, young, old -- are doing the same.

I smile as I remember the day I purchased my Obama '08 bumper stickers -- the very day the official webstore opened to the public and not long after the young senator announced his decision to participate in the Democratic Primaries. I smile as I remember the strange looks directed towards my car at numerous parking lots, and the occasional question of "Who in the world is this?" I smile as I remember my grandfather chuckling and telling me that this Obama fellow, with his minority status, probably has no chance for presidency here in the U.S.

Like Tim Russert and Senator President Obama's grandmother, grandpa didn't live long enough to witness this result. But I know when God told him as he arrived at the pearly gates that his granddaughter was right to hope, he probably laughed and shook his head in wonderment.

Amongst the happiness, my mind contemplates a few more questions -- how did this man turn around my previous apathy? Better yet, how did he turn around an entire generation's indifference? How did he successfully transform our anger and frustration into faith and optimism that we actually wanted to fight for through the most traditional, American process?

In the end, these may be an unanswerable inquiries. If so, then let it be.

Some label us a "cult." I say: If this is a cult comprised of 63,000,000 American members (Who knows how many internationally) and bases its ideals on Positivity. Then sign me up.

Now, just let me enjoy the live speech and make up for what I missed out on four years ago.

And here is to the next four years.

ETA: ( And speaking of the rest of the world (Do click this)... )

God, that is beautiful. Never, ever forget that this was also an election for the world. Never, ever underestimate the Audacity of Hope.

When China opened its doors to western trade a few hundred years ago, it eventually led to a disruptive period of foreign colonization (Because, in case you didn't notice, Europe really enjoyed that back then). For a country that possessed such a long, prosperous past, giving up pieces of itself for the sake of swift economic progress was not something the government and its people agreed upon. When those in charge allowed additional openness and more and more of the west moved in, being called "Yellow sick men" became an everyday endurance for Chinese citizens, especially those in the lower classes; witnessing the results of government/western greed and corruption -- extreme social class segregation within one's own society that wasn't manifested internally and naturally -- would quickly become unbearable; being battered by the invading Japanese armies served as even further proof that only the Chinese could understand the Chinese -- only the Chinese people could save the Chinese. Soon, fast-forwarding pessimism against the west emerged, isolation became a method of self-healing, and both mentalities became primary reasons the wave of nationalist/socialist ideals came to possess such a stronghold upon the people. Everything eventually transforms into a communist legacy, starting with a frightening period called the Cultural Revolution in which all foreign ideals are banned for "tainting" 5,000 years of culture, as many thought they did years ago. The resulting government manages to control its people a great deal for the next few decades.

And now, in the 21st century, it's the western media criticizing the government that their ancestors had a hand in creating. And it's China constantly hiding itself again behind an overzealous amount of paranoia -- disguised as national pride.

So...history repeats itself ironically? I would hope not.

For China's government: Do NOT possess such doubt towards your citizens and the rest of the world. When you close off completely in "fear" of negative press, you prevent the observation of abuse as WELL as progress. When you exercise excessive control, you prevent the freedoms that were denied to everyone during that period of chaos that set the whole country back at least a few centuries. When will you realize that countless years have passed since so many looked down upon you? When will you realize that foreigners nowadays want to respect you but can't because of so many reasons that you unnecessarily caused? Stop trying to save face already. Trust your people, trust the world.

For Everyone Else: Do NOT assume you understand the underlying principles of Chinese belief or how its historical background has affected such principles. Live through an ordeal similar to the Cultural Revolution alongside a billion other people, and then see if you can govern those who come out from it and simultaneously develop a nation economically as well as China has within a few decades. Just because you maybe anti-Communist does not mean it has done nothing but damage to China; just because China is not up to your standards doesn't mean they can change overnight; just because you only hear about CCTV's propaganda doesn't mean media outlets like Phoenix TV aren't thriving and serving as a sign of better times ahead.

I am Chinese-American, and I'm proud of my heritage despite my personal differences with its current state. I believe that Beijing is the rightful host of the Olympics in 2008. I believe that the country can change in a positive way -- but not all of that change does has to adhere to what the rest of the world wants it to do.

ETA 08/15/08: I've made this post public.

I can't believe that Tim Russert passed away so suddenly today. I just started to watch Meet the Press loyally this year and really enjoyed it week after week...RIP :(

I was going to journal about Berlin, but this news has me so shocked right now.

...this is why I love advertising so much :)

A brief reminiscence through marketing history with Pepsi-Cola:


1958 - "Pepsi: For Those Who Think Young."


( A few more...watch them all! )

Finally, the montage of references to the past, featuring a rather familiar (And now controversial) figure:

2002 - "Millenium/The Joy of Pepsi"



And suddenly, that last commercial makes 100% sense, doesn't it? :)

Do not let child trafficking continue on.






It has been estimated that there are at least 1000 child slaves working in the brick kilns of northwestern Shanxi. Besides child slaves, adult slaves have been found recently in Shangxi.

A Chinese reporter working for a Henan media, who tried to rescue the child slaves accused the local police in Shanxi as being totally unhelpful. Reportedly, the police even turned parents away by saying that the "slavery" was nothing more than labor dispute. Some parents have been sent away from the factories because of the collusion between local officials and the kiln owners.

According to an article in the Chicago Tribune, Liu Cheng, a professor of labor law at Shanghai Normal University, had a different explanation.

"My first reaction is that this seems like a typical example of a government-business alliance," Liu said. "Forced labor and child labor in China are illegal, but some local governments don't care too much." The local police, she said, were unwilling to help. Outside one factory, they demanded bribes.

When you're in any building, consider the fact that the construction materials might've came from these very kilns. Consider the fact that tiny hands moved such large rocks for little more than nothing. Consider the fact that this is one example within too many in this world...

Click here to help.

Thank you ♥

在我的心中有一個夢想
我希望世界會關心您...

I'm going to a town that has already been burned down
I'm going to a place that is already been disgraced
I'm gonna see some folks who have already been let down.
I'm so tired of America

I'm gonna make it up for all of the Sunday Times
I'm gonna make it up for all of the nursery rhymes
They never really seem to want to tell the truth
I'm so tired of you America

Making my own way home
Ain't gonna be alone
I got a life to lead America
I got a life to lead

Tell me do you really think you go to hell for having loved?
Tell me and not for thinking every thing that you've done is good
(I really need to know)
After soaking the body of Jesus Christ in blood

I'm so tired of America
(I really need to know)

I may just never see you again or might as well
You took advantage of a world that loved you well
I'm going to a town that has already been burned down
I'm so tired of you America

Making my own way home
Ain't gonna be alone
I got a life to lead America
I got a life to lead
I got a soul to feed
I got a dream to heed
And that's all I need

Making my own way home
Ain't gonna be alone
I'm going to a town that has already been burned down

This song gives me the chills, my God -- I felt like my heart was torn out of my chest the first time I listened to it. It's so blatantly honest, yet there still exists so much unspoken emotion that grasps at your conscience.

I'm rendered speechless.

Part I


Part II



A much less "HOLY MOLY!" show than last season's amazing spectacle -- but still absolutely ingenious. This man designs for the future (Literally) of fashion, and it's not only through the technology he uses, but also through his intriguing use of patterns and juxtapositions.

(Trivia: He employs special effects technicians from the Harry Potter films to help him design and install the computer chips within his futuristic pieces :D)

Nothing too impressive happened at NYFW yesterday, and since I ended up watching my Cirque DVDs to make myself feel better about the Bears' loss (Oh well, it's all good now!), I thought I'd share some of my favorite acts out of all their shows. Enjoy! (Youtube is the greatest invention!)

Alegria:

Alegria: Hula Hoops by Elena Lev - Combined with Cirque's signature makeup/costuming and hypnotic music, her showcase of flexibility and hula hooping skills is truly unmatchable. It's too bad that she already left Alegria when I saw them in Boston a few years back, but I'm glad this performance is at least captured on the DVD version.

( More from Alegria )

( Corteo )

Dralion:

Dralion: Juggling by Viktor Kee - There is no one in the world who can match Viktor Kee in his combination of juggling and choreography. He makes the balls he juggles seem like PART of his body, and he manipulates them to cause illusions to our eye...

( More from Dralion )

( La Nouba )

Quidam:

Quidam: Statues - Quite possibly the most JAWDROPPING display of human strength you will ever see. I won't say anymore - just watch :O

( More from Quidam )

Varekai:

Varekai: Handbalancing on Canes by Olga Pikheniko - She is beautiful and skilled, but the part that draws me in the most is the emotion in her performance. She works so well through the haunting music, and she becomes this beautiful illustration of what Varekai is all about: The firey, unrelenting human spirit.

( More from Varekai )

Hopefully, now you'll see why people spend so much to see this brilliant troupe. The live music of beautiful compositions, the world-class acrobatics that are all on one stage, the beautiful backdrops/costumes/makeup...the experience is priceless ♥

In four beautiful parts...







The only thing that marred perfection was the music :/ I wish they used slow, pleasant Japanese folk songs throughout!
Thanks to Devereaux!!

I also bring forth more HQs...I only posted my favorite girls', but if there's another one you'd like to see in HQ format, just request by comment :)



Thanks to Celeb City and JR1!

Yesterday, I saw something so beautiful that it made my heart stop and my eyes water. Thus, I'm ignoring everything else for the sake of posting this :)



This collection can only be summed up in one word: Perfection. Other than a couple of pieces (Namely Ekaterina's), the fabric choice, the soft colors, the origimi-style folds (Shalom's dress, my goodness), the Japanese-inspired patterns, the stunning headpieces (Bonsai, Samurai), the makeup...everything accumulates together to form this magnificent, unadulterated vision of Japanese culture, haute couture-style -- and it's a mirage that can be applied to all historical periods, because Japan still retains so much tradition in their society. I had hoped that John would choose a slow rendition of "Sakura" as the background music, because it would've fit gloriously with the theme, but he went with a mix of pleasant English songs mixed with Japanese folk tunes...good enough :)

I am just so, so amazed. This is no doubt a collection I'll still be telling people about when I'm 80. A truly legendary set of mind-blowing clothes that will be worth every penny of their (Just as mind-blowing) price tag.

ETA: I have to add this, because Solange is absolutely breathtaking here:


ETA #2: One more piece of unrelated, exciting news: Ryan Gosling got an Oscar nomination for Half Nelson!! :D

The snow is so beautiful outside :)

It's not the new year yet, but the weather is so symbolic of the times -- a cleansing of the earth, a sign to start anew :)

Moment of silence.