On Passion and Applause

This summer semester, I'm taking 3 classes:
- Asian American Studies. It's a critical thinking class. It's about race and racism.
- Art & Mass Medias. How fine & pop arts and medias are related.
- some junior-level English (writing) class.
As I'm majoring in Economics, I've always been taught by mostly hardcore conservative professors.
That is my comfort zone. Although, I do not consider myself a pure conservative, I lean towards it.
From others' experiences, I hear things about other social sciences professors. They are very liberal.
That is the complete opposite of what I believe in.
The Asian American Studies is really interesting. Obviously the professor teaches us some materials that I might classify more as "theory," not really proven.
For example, she opposed the idea of Americans invasion over Iraq. She believes that it is not our business to get involved in it. And, she mentioned that US used the "weapon of mass destruction" as an excuse.
Well, here's my take on it:
This is what I learned from a friend of mine, who is a soldier and served in Iraq few years ago.
- The soldiers help to re-build Iraq. They build houses, schools, they play sports with the local kids, etc.
- Before the invasion, we know that Saddam Husein was in absolute power. He went out to the street killing and raping people.
Therefore, for whatever reasons or excuses Americans might use, I think the invasion brought out something good for Iraqis people. They are no longer living in fear (at least there's no Saddam Husein).
I AM AGAINST WAR. I hate the idea of invasion to other countries. But, if one country is trying to help (esp. toppling down authoritarian leaders), it might lead to a better future for the people.
I am speaking out of my own experience. Indonesia was not a free country. Being a minority was something you had to regret since the day you were born.
Freedom and peace come in a high price.
Although my professor and I may not on the same side in most cases, but she respect others opinion, and does not bring down your grade for this reason. She is a really lovely person. :)
This class is really an eye-opening for me. Not only it really makes me more critical about this kind of issues, but also my professor's passion.
She is passionate in educating students and passionate in spreading what she believes in.
Passion separates the extrodinaries from the ordinaries! It does make a difference.
I am always in awe of passionate people. If only everyone follows their own passion. I think our civilization might progress more rapidly.
Passion is something that motivates you, makes you want to learn more. It gives you satisfaction out of what you do. Isn't great to love what you do? Isn't great to get paid for what you love to do?
There will be rocky roads. But, passionate people won't give up.
People can see you clearly when you show them that you love what you do.
I see it in the dance world and academic world. Sometimes you might lead others to love what you love. Or if not, others can see your enjoyment and find their own.
When they do make a change in my life, I always give them some acknowledgment or respect. Just let them know that they are doing a great job and how it impacts you. Some of them might not respond well, but hey that's their problems.
I believe in treating others the way you want to be treated. Therefore, regardless of their responses, I still say or do it. You never know that a lot of people really need this "pat on the back." They might be this close to give up, or quit doing their things, because they think that it doesn't make any difference or people don't respect their works. Showing your sincere, and truthful appreciation may keep them going.
It is never wrong to say positive things to others. Express it!
Cheers! :)

Dream is One Thing; Reality is Another

These days I've hooked on Taiwanese dramas. It is extremely bizarre, since I had never been in touch with any Asian movies/ TV shows or music for the last 4 years. I think I started to explore it again because of one of my friends said that she likes to watch some Korean dramas on this site, called mysoju.com. Out of curiosity, I went to that website, and GOSH!! it's like a crazy website. They have ALL (well almost all I guess) Asian movies and TV shows. CRAZY!
I usually watch American TV shows, so I think this was gonna be a refreshing thing.
Ok, so I like this one Taiwanese actress, Ella Chen. She seems like a funny, bubbly person. I think she is kind of person you want to be friend with. I watched most of the dramas that she was on.
Anyways, from the last time I watched these kind of TV shows, back in 2005/6, the plot hasn't changed. Here's how it goes:
There's this one innocent-pitiful-likeable girl has a crush on a-super-cool-out-of-your-league kinda guy. How hard it is to win his heart, and then come along another dude who pursues the girl and another girl who competes to win the supercool guy. Then the supercool guy realized that he falls for the pitiful girl. He can't just say it to her for whatever reason. They have to go through a long painful process just to be together. Dramatic, but a happy-ending.
With a little bit of twist and change of actors and actress, but the plot is like damn fixed!
I watch the shows only when I like the actors/actress, but if not then forget it. Sometimes I am so bored up to the point that I want to scream or cry. Seriously from the first episode, I know right away what is going to happen next and after that and how it is gonna end. It is that predictable!! AAAAAAAHHH.....!!!
There's one thing that I like and I hate about Asian TV shows: It is a fairytale.
They always picture that if you set your heart into it, you're eventually gonna get it. It's love life in particular. If you don't give up on pursuing the man of your dream, he's gonna fall for you.
Still related to that, it's the notion that: the "soulmate" or "your true love" who loves you no matter what. S/he loves you despite...(fill in the blank.. -you hurt him/her badly, you are a jerk, or good-at-nothing, etc-.)
In my opinion, those are LIES.
As much as I do not like spreading negativity, but I really think that this kind of lies actually make people even more disappointed or frustated with their own realities. Feeding people lies just make them to feel that if they are not in the "ideal" situation, they are failed in life.
They always picture this ideal soul-mate who treasure you like some kind of god/goddess/whatever.
On this matter, I think American shows picture a more realistic condition. You might be hurt because s/he is with someone else, or your partner might cheat on you, or do not treat you well. That is how I see the circumstances that majority of people are in.
However, all kind of medias always have this ideal element. Look at advertisement, like BMW, TV shows, like Gossip Girls.
It is really funny and sad when I see people who try so hard to live the "Gossip Girl life."
People are dictated to posses certain things, to be like this model or that actress, etc. They are trying to make you feel miserable if you are not up to that standard.
We have to be a wise consumer. Remember that: WE can define our own perfect life, our own standard of beauty, our own standard of worthiness. Keep that in mind, and you take all those lies as not more than just entertainment values.
It is your choice to be or not to be dictated.