"After 26 Years, Dawson Meets Dad"
"A DNA test conducted with the help of the KTO confirmed that Kim Jae-soo, a 53-year-old bus driver in Pusan, was Dawson's father."
"Kim said he lost his son in a crowded street market near his home in 1981."
Other articles:
"Olympic Skier Reunites With Family"
"Dawson was 3 when he was lost in a market by his mother in the southern port city of Busan, Kim said. A truck driver at the time, Kim said it was too late when he got home to start searching for his missing child, whose original Korean name was Bong-seok. Over the next few days, he said he scoured local orphanages but was unable to find his son.
"'I went to many orphanage houses only to hear that they didn't have anyone like him. They wouldn't let me come inside and look for him,' the 53-year-old Kim said, adding he would search orphanages whenever he had time but eventually gave up."
"Dawson meets father after 26 years"
"Dawson's mother, who is believed to have started another family after her divorce from Kim, has been located but has yet to reveal herself publicly, according to Dawson's Korean lawyer."
"Dawson to Reunite With father"
"Dawson, however, was sentimental for a moment as he talked about what he has been through as an adoptee, which eventually led him to begin his quest for his parents.
"'It's kind of been uphill for me ever since the beginning,' Dawson said.
"'(I) really struggled with the fact that I never looked like my parents... It's kind of always like the Bolds and Italics.'
"'Everyone could definitely tell the difference and it was tough for me because all I wanted to do was just to look like average (with) brown hair, blonde hair.'
"'I was a little bit shy, and I didn't want to have all the attention. I wanted kind of just to be somewhere in the middle.'"
Wednesday, February 28, 2007
Tuesday, February 27, 2007
I had a dream last night
I had a dream last night
But it looked unlike a dream
The Butthole Surfers song keeps playing in my head since this morning.
I tend to have very vivid dreams, which I usually remember in the morning.
Last night I dreamed that I was at this beach house in California with a group of friends for the weekend. In the house, I saw a childhood photo of one of the women who lived there, but the odd thing was that I recognized her from the photo.
The woman and I started talking, trying to figure out how we knew each other. She told me she was just two years older than I was.
I realized I recognized her from a photo that I have from my early years in Korea. In the photo, I'm sitting with two other children. I'm the youngest based on my size and there's another little girl who looks to be just a few years older than I am.
We discovered that we were first cousins, and that we would play together whenever our families got together for a visit in Korea.
I woke up after that, but I had a picture of her as a grown woman in my mind.
The strange thing is that I actually have the photo from my dream. I've always wondered who the other children are in the photo, if they are my cousins or just friends I used to play with.
But it looked unlike a dream
The Butthole Surfers song keeps playing in my head since this morning.
I tend to have very vivid dreams, which I usually remember in the morning.
Last night I dreamed that I was at this beach house in California with a group of friends for the weekend. In the house, I saw a childhood photo of one of the women who lived there, but the odd thing was that I recognized her from the photo.
The woman and I started talking, trying to figure out how we knew each other. She told me she was just two years older than I was.
I realized I recognized her from a photo that I have from my early years in Korea. In the photo, I'm sitting with two other children. I'm the youngest based on my size and there's another little girl who looks to be just a few years older than I am.
We discovered that we were first cousins, and that we would play together whenever our families got together for a visit in Korea.
I woke up after that, but I had a picture of her as a grown woman in my mind.
The strange thing is that I actually have the photo from my dream. I've always wondered who the other children are in the photo, if they are my cousins or just friends I used to play with.
Friday, February 23, 2007
More on the Anna Mae He case
"After custody battle, Chinese girl set to be united with birth parents"
It seems that the Bakers have taken their case to the media, releasing photos of 8-year-old Anna Mae and inviting ABC News and USA Today into their home to film video segments.
"After years of being 'very careful and very protective' in shielding Anna from the spotlight, they decided to open their home to USA TODAY and ABC News in hopes of drawing public attention to their case. 'We're obviously more desperate,' Jerry says."
"The Bakers are candid about their strategy to show Anna to the public now. 'We want people to rise up and say this is not right,' Jerry says. What difference could that possibly make at this point? Perhaps, he says, a court will rehear their case and let them keep the child. Losing her, he says, would be like suffering a death."
Uh, so it's OK to make the Hes feel that way?
The USA Today article has a sidebar on the left, "All Eyes on Anna Mae," which I find disturbing. If the Bakers only care for her best interest, then why are they exposing her like this and asking her to answer questions such as "What do you want your last name to be, Baker or He?"
That's just not right.
Updated (3/2/07):
Found this disturbing article ...
"Adoptive Parents Lose Eight-Year Custody Battle"
"'She doesn't understand that it's very likely that she will be put into a car and taken to strangers. She doesn't understand those things. All she knows is the family that she's known since she was 3 weeks old,' Baker said."
Uh, maybe that's because you wouldn't let her biological family visit her while this was all being worked out?!
It seems that the Bakers have taken their case to the media, releasing photos of 8-year-old Anna Mae and inviting ABC News and USA Today into their home to film video segments.
"After years of being 'very careful and very protective' in shielding Anna from the spotlight, they decided to open their home to USA TODAY and ABC News in hopes of drawing public attention to their case. 'We're obviously more desperate,' Jerry says."
"The Bakers are candid about their strategy to show Anna to the public now. 'We want people to rise up and say this is not right,' Jerry says. What difference could that possibly make at this point? Perhaps, he says, a court will rehear their case and let them keep the child. Losing her, he says, would be like suffering a death."
Uh, so it's OK to make the Hes feel that way?
The USA Today article has a sidebar on the left, "All Eyes on Anna Mae," which I find disturbing. If the Bakers only care for her best interest, then why are they exposing her like this and asking her to answer questions such as "What do you want your last name to be, Baker or He?"
That's just not right.
Updated (3/2/07):
Found this disturbing article ...
"Adoptive Parents Lose Eight-Year Custody Battle"
"'She doesn't understand that it's very likely that she will be put into a car and taken to strangers. She doesn't understand those things. All she knows is the family that she's known since she was 3 weeks old,' Baker said."
Uh, maybe that's because you wouldn't let her biological family visit her while this was all being worked out?!
Tuesday, February 20, 2007
Korea's suicide rate on the rise
Read this Reuter's article this morning ...
"South Korea seeks to curb rising suicide rate"
"In 2004, South Koreans killed themselves at a rate of 24.2 per 100,000 citizens, making suicide the fourth leading cause of death in the country, ahead of traffic accidents. There were 12,047 deaths by suicide in 2005."
"One reason behind the increase in suicides may be a widening gap between the haves and the have-nots in South Korea, with poorer citizens more likely to kill themselves than the affluent, according to government data."
Another recent article ...
"Suicide surges in South Korea, fuelled by economic development, online boom"
"Lee said he recently won agreements from Internet search engines to link the keyword 'suicide' with centres providing counselling, instead of sending the people to sites that would help them devise ways to kill themselves."
"South Korea seeks to curb rising suicide rate"
"In 2004, South Koreans killed themselves at a rate of 24.2 per 100,000 citizens, making suicide the fourth leading cause of death in the country, ahead of traffic accidents. There were 12,047 deaths by suicide in 2005."
"One reason behind the increase in suicides may be a widening gap between the haves and the have-nots in South Korea, with poorer citizens more likely to kill themselves than the affluent, according to government data."
Another recent article ...
"Suicide surges in South Korea, fuelled by economic development, online boom"
"Lee said he recently won agreements from Internet search engines to link the keyword 'suicide' with centres providing counselling, instead of sending the people to sites that would help them devise ways to kill themselves."
Wednesday, February 07, 2007
Lose the "loose"!
Back in October I posted a brief note about the AP misusing "loose" in an article.
But it seems that the incorrect use of "loose" is everywhere.
I've seen it incorrectly used a lot lately. I recently saw it again in an article about the Anna Mae He case on the Nashville City Paper Web site: "'Basically what's going to happen is that we're going to have to file paperwork to start the appeals process, or we're going to loose that right,' Baker said."
Folks, in that sense as a VERB, the correct word/spelling is "lose" (pronounced with a long "O" and a "Z": looz) -- one "O"!
Now, I realize that the long "O" sound may confuse some of you into spelling it with a second "O" -- but it is WRONG!
The word "loose" (pronounced with a long "O" and an "S") can be used as verb (meaning to let loose or release, to free from restraint, untie, to make less tight, etc.), but it is often used as an adjective.
Here's a phrase to help you remember that "loose" is not pronounced or used as "lose": Goose on the loose.
Some examples of each:
The little girl's tooth is loose. She's afraid of losing it if she bites into an apple.
Be careful of what you say around her -- she's got a loose tongue.
I'm going to lose my mind soon with people's loose use of these words.
But it seems that the incorrect use of "loose" is everywhere.
I've seen it incorrectly used a lot lately. I recently saw it again in an article about the Anna Mae He case on the Nashville City Paper Web site: "'Basically what's going to happen is that we're going to have to file paperwork to start the appeals process, or we're going to loose that right,' Baker said."
Folks, in that sense as a VERB, the correct word/spelling is "lose" (pronounced with a long "O" and a "Z": looz) -- one "O"!
Now, I realize that the long "O" sound may confuse some of you into spelling it with a second "O" -- but it is WRONG!
The word "loose" (pronounced with a long "O" and an "S") can be used as verb (meaning to let loose or release, to free from restraint, untie, to make less tight, etc.), but it is often used as an adjective.
Here's a phrase to help you remember that "loose" is not pronounced or used as "lose": Goose on the loose.
Some examples of each:
The little girl's tooth is loose. She's afraid of losing it if she bites into an apple.
Be careful of what you say around her -- she's got a loose tongue.
I'm going to lose my mind soon with people's loose use of these words.
Tuesday, February 06, 2007
Beijing cleans up English translations
"Tired of Laughter, Beijing Gets Rid Of Bad Translations"
(The WSJ may restrict access to this article to subscribers after a few days. If so, can probably find it by doing a Google search.)
"For years, foreigners in China have delighted in the loopy English translations that appear on the nation's signs. They range from the offensive ('Deformed Man,' outside toilets for the handicapped) to the sublime (on park lawns, 'Show Mercy to the Slender Grass').
Last week, Beijing city officials unveiled a plan to stop the laughter. With hordes of foreign visitors expected in town for the 2008 Summer Olympics, Beijing wants to cleanse its signs of translation nonsense. For the next eight months, 10 teams of linguistic monitors will patrol the city's parks, museums, subway stations and other public places searching for gaffes to fix."
(The WSJ may restrict access to this article to subscribers after a few days. If so, can probably find it by doing a Google search.)
"For years, foreigners in China have delighted in the loopy English translations that appear on the nation's signs. They range from the offensive ('Deformed Man,' outside toilets for the handicapped) to the sublime (on park lawns, 'Show Mercy to the Slender Grass').
Last week, Beijing city officials unveiled a plan to stop the laughter. With hordes of foreign visitors expected in town for the 2008 Summer Olympics, Beijing wants to cleanse its signs of translation nonsense. For the next eight months, 10 teams of linguistic monitors will patrol the city's parks, museums, subway stations and other public places searching for gaffes to fix."
Year of the ... harmonious society
In China, it seems that the pig -- pig images, cartoons or slogans -- has been banned from advertisements.
"Ban Thwarts 'Year of the Pig' Ads in China"
"CCTV has ordered major advertising agencies not to use pig images, cartoons or slogans 'to avoid conflicts with ethnic minorities.' That's a reference to China's 20 million Muslims, about 2 percent of the country's population."
"'The underlying reason goes to the very core of what it is Chinese government views as its patriarchal responsibility to maintain harmony of the entire society,' said Tom Doctoroff, China CEO for the JWT advertising agency."
"Ban Thwarts 'Year of the Pig' Ads in China"
"CCTV has ordered major advertising agencies not to use pig images, cartoons or slogans 'to avoid conflicts with ethnic minorities.' That's a reference to China's 20 million Muslims, about 2 percent of the country's population."
"'The underlying reason goes to the very core of what it is Chinese government views as its patriarchal responsibility to maintain harmony of the entire society,' said Tom Doctoroff, China CEO for the JWT advertising agency."
Monday, February 05, 2007
Tuesday, January 23, 2007
Finally!
In the long, drawn out custody battle over now 8-year-old Anna Mae He, a Tennessee Supreme Court ruling will allow the Chinese parents, Shaoqiang and Qin Luo He, to regain custody of their daughter, who was placed in foster care at the age of 3 weeks old.
"Chinese Parents Win OK to Reclaim Girl"
An article that gives some more background info on the case ...
"In the Name of Love"
More on the Supreme Court's decision ...
"Court orders Anna Mae He returned to parents"
"Chinese Parents Win OK to Reclaim Girl"
An article that gives some more background info on the case ...
"In the Name of Love"
More on the Supreme Court's decision ...
"Court orders Anna Mae He returned to parents"
Wednesday, January 17, 2007
Complete surrender
An interesting adoption story about British writer Ian McEwan and his brother ...
"Tale of love leads writer McEwan to lost brother"
"The prize-winning writer publicly acknowledged on Wednesday that he has built a warm relationship with a long-lost brother, who was given away by his mother at a railway station when he was a few weeks old."
"A blunt advertisement in a local paper in 1942 marked the start of a life of separation for the brothers."
"'Wanted, home for baby boy aged one month: complete surrender,' it said."
"Tale of love leads writer McEwan to lost brother"
"The prize-winning writer publicly acknowledged on Wednesday that he has built a warm relationship with a long-lost brother, who was given away by his mother at a railway station when he was a few weeks old."
"A blunt advertisement in a local paper in 1942 marked the start of a life of separation for the brothers."
"'Wanted, home for baby boy aged one month: complete surrender,' it said."
Tuesday, January 09, 2007
Japanese-American animator dies at 81
Another legendary animator has died ...
"Scooby-Doo Creator Dies at 81"
"Iwao Takamoto, the animator who created the beloved Scooby-Doo and directed the cartoon classic 'Charlotte's Web,' has died. He was 81."
He helped animate features and TV shows for Disney and Hanna-Barbera, including "Cinderella,""Peter Pan,""Lady and the Tramp,""101 Dalmatians,""The Jetsons" and "The Flintstones." He also created Astro from "The Jetsons."
"Born in Los Angeles to parents who had emigrated from Japan, Takamoto graduated high school when World War II began. He and his family were sent to the Manzanar internment camp in the California desert, where he learned the art of illustration from fellow internees."
"Scooby-Doo Creator Dies at 81"
"Iwao Takamoto, the animator who created the beloved Scooby-Doo and directed the cartoon classic 'Charlotte's Web,' has died. He was 81."
He helped animate features and TV shows for Disney and Hanna-Barbera, including "Cinderella,""Peter Pan,""Lady and the Tramp,""101 Dalmatians,""The Jetsons" and "The Flintstones." He also created Astro from "The Jetsons."
"Born in Los Angeles to parents who had emigrated from Japan, Takamoto graduated high school when World War II began. He and his family were sent to the Manzanar internment camp in the California desert, where he learned the art of illustration from fellow internees."
Wednesday, December 20, 2006
Transitions
An article on North Korean defectors on SF Gate ...
"How defectors cope in South Korea: The sense of loss remains, and while life may be more free, the transition isn't easy"
I was surprised to read this ...
"Last month, Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist introduced a bill that would authorize $10 billion in relief to refugees who have escaped from North Korea, reconstruction aid in the event of reunification, and aid if a new national government emerges with respect for human rights."
"How defectors cope in South Korea: The sense of loss remains, and while life may be more free, the transition isn't easy"
I was surprised to read this ...
"Last month, Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist introduced a bill that would authorize $10 billion in relief to refugees who have escaped from North Korea, reconstruction aid in the event of reunification, and aid if a new national government emerges with respect for human rights."
Tuesday, December 19, 2006
China adds new adoption restrictions
I saw this segment on my local news station in San Francisco (the video is available on the station's Web page) ...
"China Reportedly Tightening Foreign Adoption Rules"
"China is imposing new restrictions on foreign adoptions, barring applicants who are unmarried, obese, over 50 or who take antidepressants, according to U.S. adoption agencies."
Starting May 1, 2007, prospective adoptive parents must be married for at least two years, and a divorced parent who has since remarried must be married for five years. The parents must have a body mass index (BMI) of less than 40, and be between 30 and 50 years old, although the age limit increases to age 55 for children with special needs.
The new rules also restrict parents who take medication for depression and anxiety, as well as those with a "severe facial deformity."
Vietnam, though, is going to reopen international adoption to the U.S. after a two-year restriction, according to the TV segment.
Based on what I've heard about potential adoptive parents and how they work around Korea's weight restrictions, I'm sure adoptive parents will find a way around China's new restrictions.
New York Times article: "China Tightens Adoption Rules, U.S. Agencies Say"
Hmm, according to this article ...
"And a prospective adoptive family's net worth must now exceed $80,000."
"China will also disqualify families that already have more than four children in the home."
"China Reportedly Tightening Foreign Adoption Rules"
"China is imposing new restrictions on foreign adoptions, barring applicants who are unmarried, obese, over 50 or who take antidepressants, according to U.S. adoption agencies."
Starting May 1, 2007, prospective adoptive parents must be married for at least two years, and a divorced parent who has since remarried must be married for five years. The parents must have a body mass index (BMI) of less than 40, and be between 30 and 50 years old, although the age limit increases to age 55 for children with special needs.
The new rules also restrict parents who take medication for depression and anxiety, as well as those with a "severe facial deformity."
Vietnam, though, is going to reopen international adoption to the U.S. after a two-year restriction, according to the TV segment.
Based on what I've heard about potential adoptive parents and how they work around Korea's weight restrictions, I'm sure adoptive parents will find a way around China's new restrictions.
New York Times article: "China Tightens Adoption Rules, U.S. Agencies Say"
Hmm, according to this article ...
"And a prospective adoptive family's net worth must now exceed $80,000."
"China will also disqualify families that already have more than four children in the home."
Horrible way to die
A small plane carrying three Japanese nationals, a flight instructor and two students, crashed into a sewage pond at a wastewater treatment plant. The crash site is hampering rescue efforts.
"Bodies Found In Plane Crash At Gilroy Sewage Pond"
I hope they died on impact, rather than drowning in the raw sewage.
"Bodies Found In Plane Crash At Gilroy Sewage Pond"
I hope they died on impact, rather than drowning in the raw sewage.
Monday, December 18, 2006
New Asian TV show premiering on PBS
A new TV show called "My Life Disoriented" from director Eric Byler ("Charlotte Sometimes," "Americanese") is debuting on PBS after Christmas ...
"Life gets turned upside down for Bay Area teens Kimberlee and Aimee when their father loses his job and relocates the family to Bakersfield. Suddenly, Kimberlee and Aimee are two of only a handful of Asian American kids at their school."
Check to see if the show will air on the PBS channel in your area here. Looks like it is showing in San Francisco, Honolulu, and Minneapolis.
According to the Center for Asian American Media, the show's future could depend on audience response to the pilot episode, airing as part of PBS' "Independent Lens" series. The show features Karin Anna Cheung ("Better Luck Tomorrow"), Tamlyn Tomita ("The Joy Luck Club"), Dennis Dun ("Big Trouble in Little China"), Autumn Reeser ("The O.C."), and Di Quon ("Maid in Manhattan").
"Life gets turned upside down for Bay Area teens Kimberlee and Aimee when their father loses his job and relocates the family to Bakersfield. Suddenly, Kimberlee and Aimee are two of only a handful of Asian American kids at their school."
Check to see if the show will air on the PBS channel in your area here. Looks like it is showing in San Francisco, Honolulu, and Minneapolis.
According to the Center for Asian American Media, the show's future could depend on audience response to the pilot episode, airing as part of PBS' "Independent Lens" series. The show features Karin Anna Cheung ("Better Luck Tomorrow"), Tamlyn Tomita ("The Joy Luck Club"), Dennis Dun ("Big Trouble in Little China"), Autumn Reeser ("The O.C."), and Di Quon ("Maid in Manhattan").
Korean-American wins 'Survivor'
Yul Kwon of San Mateo won this season's "Survivor" show ...
"'Survivor' winner hopes he shattered some Asian stereotypes"
"'Survivor' winner hopes he shattered some Asian stereotypes"
Thanks for the memories
Joe Barbera, of the Hanna-Barbera animation team, died Monday. He was 95.
"Joe Barbera, half of Yogi Bear creator team, dies at LA home"
"Animation Legend Joe Barbera Dead At 95"
I grew up watching the reruns and syndicated shows of the Hanna-Barbera duo -- "Tom and Jerry," "The Flintstones," "The Jetsons," "Yogi Bear" ("Hey, Boo Boo!"), and "Scooby-Doo." OK, and "The Smurfs."
Watching Saturday morning cartoons was a weekend ritual. And I always looked forward to getting home and watching the shows after school, too.
They just don't make cartoons like those anymore.
"Joe Barbera, half of Yogi Bear creator team, dies at LA home"
"Animation Legend Joe Barbera Dead At 95"
I grew up watching the reruns and syndicated shows of the Hanna-Barbera duo -- "Tom and Jerry," "The Flintstones," "The Jetsons," "Yogi Bear" ("Hey, Boo Boo!"), and "Scooby-Doo." OK, and "The Smurfs."
Watching Saturday morning cartoons was a weekend ritual. And I always looked forward to getting home and watching the shows after school, too.
They just don't make cartoons like those anymore.
Thursday, December 14, 2006
O'Donnell apologizes, sort of
"O'Donnell apologizes for Chinese parody: But comedian warns she is likely to spoof languages again"
"Comedian Rosie O'Donnell, a co-host on the television talk show 'The View,' apologized this morning for mocking spoken Chinese - following mounting protest from Asian Americans in the Bay Area and across the country."
"On Thursday, O'Donnell expressed surprise when she learned that some Asian Americans considered speaking in that kind of sing-song accent an insult as grave as calling a black person by the N-word."
Previously, according to an SF Gate article, she had written on her blog ... that she "wasn't mocking / that's my best impression" and that her "bad accent was not meant to insult or degrade / linguistic incompetence -- guilty / mocking -- never." She tells one detractor to go "f- urself."
Accent? That was an accent?! I don't think so.
After viewing the video of the segment online, I wrote a complaint to ABC -- one of the many Asian Americans from the Bay Area that did it seems.
"Comedian Rosie O'Donnell, a co-host on the television talk show 'The View,' apologized this morning for mocking spoken Chinese - following mounting protest from Asian Americans in the Bay Area and across the country."
"On Thursday, O'Donnell expressed surprise when she learned that some Asian Americans considered speaking in that kind of sing-song accent an insult as grave as calling a black person by the N-word."
Previously, according to an SF Gate article, she had written on her blog ... that she "wasn't mocking / that's my best impression" and that her "bad accent was not meant to insult or degrade / linguistic incompetence -- guilty / mocking -- never." She tells one detractor to go "f- urself."
Accent? That was an accent?! I don't think so.
After viewing the video of the segment online, I wrote a complaint to ABC -- one of the many Asian Americans from the Bay Area that did it seems.
Dolphins in China in the news
"World's Tallest Man Saves China Dolphins"
(See photo here.)
Good news, I guess, following the sad news that the white dolphins in China may be extinct ...
"Rare White Dolphin Declared As Extinct"
(See photo here.)
Good news, I guess, following the sad news that the white dolphins in China may be extinct ...
"Rare White Dolphin Declared As Extinct"
Let's play ball!
The latest Asian player to come to the U.S. to play ball ...
"Matsuzaka, Boston Reach Preliminary Pact"
The deal, worth more than $100 million in total, has Japanese pitcher Daisuke Matsuzaka playing for the Boston Red Sox.
"Matsuzaka, Boston Reach Preliminary Pact"
The deal, worth more than $100 million in total, has Japanese pitcher Daisuke Matsuzaka playing for the Boston Red Sox.
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