asian boston issue 3

ASIAN BOSTONNUMBER 3, JANUARY 2007 COMPLIMENTARY

Happy New Year!Happy New Year!

RADY MOM

LowellFrom chaos to Lowell

HSUEH-TZE LEEAcademia to the Dance FloorA Note Reads ‘TANGO’

AMAZIN LETHILiving ‘Outside the Box’A Global Success Story

CLOSE TO HOMEEducation • Prevention

LEGACIES OF WARAdversity in Laos

Hope for Tranquility

DAVID KONG

®

business spotlightAn American Tale

COVERING NEW ENGLAND & NEW YORK CITY

Jaw Maran: ‘Here For You’A Tribute to The King of ThailandTrista Meets with ‘Lourds Lane’ of NYC

a b CONNECTING CULTURES

Editor: Leslie O’Brien

Story ConsultantsElaine Lau, Newton, MA

Oxana Dmitrieva, Wellesley, MA Debbie Lee, Lowell, MALiwen Wang, Hollis, NH

Prinya Sommala, Lowell, MAHoa Mai, Dorchester, MA

Anne Hien Bui, Dorchester, MA

WritersLily, Brighton, MA

Maravanna Chan, Lynn, MA Elaine Russell, Sacramento, CA

Channapha Khamvongsa, NY, NY(Director, Legacies of War, NYC)Michael C. Tow, Brookline, MA

Russell Chin, Esq., Hingham, MAHidemi DeHays, Boston, MADr. Al Ko, West Roxbury, MA

Caroline Leonard, Boston, MACholthanee Koerojna, Burlington, MA

Donna Agnew, Marblehead, MAMeng Lang, Sherborn, MAJulie T. Pham, Boston, MA Tina Caminiti, Boston, MASondarya, S. Lawrence, MATrista Allman, Braintree, MA

Virginia Payne, Boxborough, MAMariko, Quincy, MA

Vladimir Shlimovich, Wayland, MAMichael Liane, Boston, MA

Marika Gazsi, Pine Meadow, CTAnna, Charlestown, MA

Professor Lenore Azaroff, UMass Lowell

Photography Charles Daniels, Somerville, MA 617-629-2006

[email protected] L.A., Braintree, MA [email protected]

Oxana Dmitrieva, Wellesley, MA lokagroup.comOlga Lisogurskaya, Natick, MA lokagroup.com

Tonn, Boston, MA tonnmodel.comShiran Nicholson, NY, NY shirannicholson.com

Wayne Herrschaft, Dix Hills, NY headlampdigital.comPhil Macino, Seattle, WA macinophotography.comSteve Messina, Commack, NY stevemessina.com

Jack Silberman, Vancouver, CanadaSokhelm Pot, Lowell, MA

Jing Mu, Brighton, MA

Photo Shoot/Clothing ConsultantsLeakena & Maravanna Chan, Lynn, MA

Business AdvisorDonna Agnew

Art Director / Graphic DesignerGunnar Glueck

617-407-5595 or [email protected]

TranslatorsChinese: Liwen Wang, Hollis, NHCambodian: Rith, To, Cambodia

Vietnamese: Thu Truong, Dorchester, MA

Boston Park Plaza Liaison: Sara Anderson

PrinterWinthrop Graphic Solutions Liaison: Mark Kelly

Boston, MA, 617-268-9660 winprint.com

contributors• Letters to Home (Chinese & English)……........................3• Rady Mom (English & Cambodian)…………................4-5• Legacies of War…………..…………………….....................6• Business……..……….……………..…….......................8-11• Medical…………………………………...........…..........12-13• Berkeley Community Gardens……………….......….........14• King of Thailand…………………………….......................15• Art & Poetry…………………..….....................................16• Close to Home (English & Vietnamese)……..............18-19• Restaurants……………...…………………..................20-22• Beauty Tips………………………..……….............…........24• Modeling & Fashion…………………….…..................25-27• AsianBostonNYC…………………………....................28-29• Tai-Chun Pan ……………………………….......................30• Rainbow Bridge Journal ………………….........................31• Hsueh-tze Lee…………………….................……….........31• Entertainment…….……………….................….........33-35• Teen Corner…………………………....................….........36

contact informationAsianBoston, PO Box 52137, Boston, MA 02205 Attn: Leo Anthonyp: 617-275-4249 e: [email protected] w: asianboston.com

subscription$5 per issue. Send check or money order to mailing address above.

merchandisewww.cafepress.com/asianboston

front & back cover creditsCover Model: Trinh, Worcester, MAFront Cover Location: The Swan’s Café at the Boston Park Plaza Hotel & Towers.Full photo shoot credits on page 27Front Cover Photography: Miss Sikarin (Fon) ThanachaiaryBack Cover Photography: Oxana Dmitrieva, LokagroupBack Cover Ad Design: Gunnar Glueck

A new Japanese restaurant named ‘o ya,’ located in Boston’s Leather District, is seeking full staff, including sushi chefs. Please email resumes to Nancy at [email protected] or call 617-654-9900. Please reference AsianBoston.

Kaji Aso Studio offers experience in visual arts, music, poetry, philosophy, andJapanese culture. 40 Saint Stephen St., Boston 617-247-1719 or kajiasostudio.com

The Chinatown Walking Tour Collective: To schedule a youth-led communitytour, please call 617-507-7927 or e-mail [email protected]

Original Musical: ‘Surviving the Nian.’ Performances: April 13-May 6, 2007.Calderwood Pavillion, 527 Tremont St., Boston, MA. Contact The TheaterOffensive at 617-621-6060 or thetheateroffensive.org

Have you ever wanted to take Ballet Lessons? Please contact Lucia for more information at 617-275-4249 or [email protected]

Asian American Outdoors Organization. We encourage active Asians to take advantage of the natural beauty of this spectacular region: asianoutdoors.org

Wang YMCA of Chinatown, 8 Oak St West, Boston. 617-426-2237 or ymcaboston.org

Please join our AsianBoston Yahoo E-Mail Group for updates on events in Boston,New England and New York City. Visit: groups.yahoo.com/group/asianboston

contents

message board

ISIS, 4

Garden Story, Page 14

Tai-Chun Pan, Page 30

CONNECTING CULTURES 1a b

CONNECTING CULTURES2 a b

Lion Dance courtesy of the Shaolin Hung Gar Martial Arts Academyhunggarboston.com

Phot

ogra

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Jing

Mu

Dear Mom and Dad:

Time flies like an arrow. It has been one year since I have seen your smiling faces. As you know, my the

decision to leave for America was very hard. My separation from you, my old friends, and the language and culture is

not easy. I miss m

y job as a high school English teacher and especially miss my passion for teaching piano and zither

to my students.

Everything changed upon my arrival to the United States. The first few months in Boston were the most

difficult tim

e for me. Life is a continuous series of adjustments, and the adjustments are seldom graceful. There is no

easy way to enter into a new world. How does one become accustomed to such a foreign place? There was no one to

guide me to understand the way of life in America. I felt lost as if d

rifting in a wilderness, w

andering in loneliness.

Dad, you have a wonderfully unique style of teaching, which is intelligible to my brain and delightful to my

heart. You taught me not only discipline but also love. You once told me whatever difficulties blocked my road, to never

cry and to have faith in my strength as a Chinese girl.

I knew from the beginning that returning to the past was unrealistic and needed to look to the future. In the

months that followed, because of your words, I picked myself up, started exercisin

g at a gym, borrowed books from the

library, took dancing lessons in Chinatown, and enrolled in some classes at the University of Massachusetts. S

ince then,

I was lucky to have made many wonderful and supportive friends. They helped me through rough times and are like a

family to me. Mom and Dad, you also told me that learning music did not necessarily mean becoming a professional

musician. I understand that now. For me, fulfillment comes when playing the piano and zither at home. It s

oothes away

all the troubles of my soul, and brings excitement and joy into my life.

Where I live in America is not important. The most important thing is th

e freedom and the opportunities to

do all the things that make me happy. Change makes life beautiful. Please do not worry about me. America is a

good place. I look forward to my life here, and leave all of my regrets behind.

Yours,

Li

Photography: Charles Daniels


Article design: [email protected]

By Maravanna

Chan

Rady Mom was born and raised in alittle village called Ahmbah Paylin in Cambodia.Rady’s childhood memories were that of apeaceful and friendly village. His father wasknown as the town manager and considered avery important person in the community. Thissituation gave the entire family prestige, andwould play an important role in building Rady’scharacter in the future.

Growing up, Rady was busy playingoutside, catching bugs, and running with hisfriends. One day, this carefree and wonderfullife came to an abrupt halt. Rady was confusedand could not understand why everythingbecame so chaotic around him. Amidst thischaos, he remembers seeing white flagshanging lifelessly outside every home, andpeople packing their belongings. Rady soonfound out that the flags symbolized surrender,and the people were packing to leave AhmbahPaylin forever.

Reality sunk in: Cambodia’s king wasoverthrown and the country was under the control of a communist’s regime, the KhmerRouge. They were out to kill all who opposedthem, specifically educated people. This doctrine put the family in immediate dangerbecause his father was the manager of a village,and an educated man. The Mom’s had to tryeven harder to survive since they were a targetfor execution. Consequently, they were detainedand put into camps.

Their oppressors kept moving them todifferent camps so it was very hard to keep thefamily together. The Khmer Rouge ended uptaking his parents away. As imagined, the daysbecame never ending and the nights were justas brutal without his mother and father.Sleeping on dirt floors and eating rice porridgeor whatever was given to him, was slowlybreaking his will. The only thing on his mind wasto survive and, hopefully, this madness wouldsoon end. In 1979, after four years of horrorand hardship, the country was freed and rid ofthe oppressors.

Rady and his family were reunited andthey relocated to Battambong, in westernCambodia. They were thankful to survive such

a formidable ordeal. But soon after, Rady camedown with an illness due to malnutrition andnearly lost his life. He had lost so much weightthat his rib cage was piercing his body. Althoughhe was very sick and close to death, Rady wasnot ready to leave this earth. His uncle becamehis savior by giving him medication that couldnot be found elsewhere, a remedy that savedhis life. Once again, by the grace of Buddha, hehad overcome yet another life-threateningimpasse.

The Philippines was the next stop intheir search for a better life, free from anypossible resurgence by the communists (theywere still operating as a smaller resistancemovement in western Cambodia until 1990).They remained in this tropical sanctuary until1982 when they were sponsored to come toAmerica! Their supporters welcomed them toRochester, Minnesota, and then off to Duluthand a second chance at life. In 1984, while traveling in a motor home, the Mom’s trekked1,468 miles, across eight states, in 27 hours toreach Lowell, Massachusetts, where theycurrently live today.

For 26 years, Rady has been making adifference and loves to be involved in the Lowellcommunity. He ran for city council in 2005, andhas been involved with the city’s Annual WaterFestival since its inception. Rady is 3rd generationof healers who treats the local people withailments through acupuncture. Photography andpainting are his passions; he actually took photographs of the Clintons. He likes to playthe flute and has been golfing for the past 3 years.

Rady teaches Asian Studies at UMassBoston, is a motivational speaker, peace activist,and a former monk. He has been studyingtraditional Chinese medicine for 18 years withDr. Ming Wu, and learned Tai Chi from himduring his apprenticeship.

It’s apparent that Rady Mom is living hislife to the fullest. It is here in America, in Lowell,Massachusetts, where his strong character anddemeanor is greatly appreciated. He is free tocontinue to turn dreams and talent into reality.This is truly a man of principle and integrity.



Lowell’s everything manTranslation by To, Rith Special Thanks to Linda Khem


Photography: Sokhelm Pot

Top: Rady at Green Meadows, Hudson, NH Bottom: Interview withLt. Governor Kerry Healy at the 2006 Lowell Water Festival

1

he Legacies of War National Traveling Exhibition has astory to tell about a forgotten and tragic chapter ofhistory. From 1964 to 1973, Laos became the mostheavily bombed country in the world when theUnited States dropped more than 2 million tons ofordnance as part of the wider Indochina conflict.The campaign was equivalent to a planeload ofbombs dropped every 8 minutes, 24-hours a day,for 9 years.

Although the war in Laos concluded more than 30 yearsago, the devastation and suffering continues today. Up to 30% of thebombs dropped, primarily cluster bombs, failed to detonate, leavingextensive contamination from unexploded ordnance (UXO) in 15 ofthe 18 provinces.

“Bombies,” as the local Lao call them, have killed ormaimed approximately 12,000 people since the war’s end, andevery day they claim another innocent victim. The UXO remains amajor barrier to people’s livelihood and food security. The Laogovernment, the U.S., and international organizations are clearingthe UXO, but some estimate that it may take up to 100 years tocomplete the work at current funding levels.

Founded in 2004, Legacies of War is dedicated to increasingawareness of the history of the war in Laos among the internationalcommunity, while bringing healing and hope to Laotians and theLaotian Diaspora at large. The National Traveling Exhibition isdesigned to educate with the hope of encouraging additional U.S.and international financial support for UXO removal in Laos. Througha broader understanding of the terrible and enduring legacies of thiswar and the use of cluster bombs, the exhibit will contribute tocontemporary debate on peace and global security. This isparticularly relevant given the use of cluster bombs in recentconflicts in the Middle East such as Afghanistan, Lebanon and Iraq.

The National Traveling Exhibition and Program opens in thefall of 2007 in New England, with multiple venues in Massachusetts,including Boston, Lowell and Amherst, and reaching communities in

Connecticut, Vermont and Rhode Island as well. New England ishome to more than 12,000 Laotian Americans and nearly 100,000Southeast Asian Americans, including Cambodian and Vietnamese.

Phitsamay Sychitkokhong Uy, Legacies of War coordinatorfor the New England Region states, “New England is home to a largepopulation of refugees and immigrants who had to flee theirwar-torn homeland. We hope that by sharing the story of onecommunity, we’ll encourage other communities to share, not onlytheir experiences of war, but also their hopes for a future of peace.”

The multi-media exhibit features illustrations drawn in Laosin 1971 by survivors of the US bombing; archival and contemporaryphotographs and films; original recorded interviews; as well ascollaborations among visual and performing artists.

A planning committee is under development and they areseeking space for a local office in Boston. Volunteers are needed tohelp organize the various programs related to the exhibit.


Phot

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Jack

Silb

erm

an

Laotian boy holding a clusterbomb; these bombs cover one-third of the land in Laosand harm villagers everyday.

T

Legacies of War National Office, 80 Broad Street, New York, NY 10004 212-764-1508, Ext 230 legaciesofwar.orgNew England Contact: Phitsamay Sychitkokhong Uy, [email protected]

Our team doing education outreach at Lowell Water Festival 2006.

By Elaine Russell & Channapha Khamvongsa


1

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els

If you’re a recent college graduate,you might be like many others in yourposition: spending money you don’t have, notsaving anything for the future, and generallydigging yourself a great big hole of debt.However, it’s not too late to establish somegood financial habits for your own benefit.

Take advantage of your employer’sretirement plan. Your employer may have a401(k) plan in which you can participate. Witha 401(k) plan, your employer might alsomatch a portion of the money you depositinto a retirement fund. More importantly, this is the first step in starting your retirementsavings.

Debt: Credit and College Loans

Unless you received a full scholarship,you have to pay those loans back—potentiallytens of thousands of dollars. So how canyou handle this? Consolidate your loans.Consolidation combines your loans into onelarger loan that you pay off monthly. This maylower your interest rate and help you keeptrack of payments and pay them on time.

Be selective about which debt youpay off first. Pay off high-rate debt first. Youcan refinance your debt by transferring it from a high-rate to a lower-rate loan in order to save on interest.

Pay Bills On Time

You’ve probably been hearing this foryears, but it really can’t be said enough. Manypeople have paid late or have missed a creditcard payment, and many of us have bounceda check. Not only does this earn you additionalfees and higher interest, but it also shows upon your credit report, which can affect yourability to negotiate lower interest rates or geta loan in the future.

Develop Good Spending Habitsand Budget Accordingly

Keep track of your spending—includeall money spent on entertainment, food,clothing, and even those miscellaneous pur-chases that fall through the cracks. You mayfind the money you’re spending on extraneousitems is amounting to a bigger chunk of yourpaycheck than you’d like.

This is an exciting point in your life—you probably have more freedom andopportunities for growth than you’ve everhad before, but it also exposes you to a wholenew level of responsibility. Be smart aboutyour present, and your future may look a whole lot brighter.

the Post-College Crash Course on Personal Finance

Michael Tow has been helping individuals and families with their

investments for more than ten yearsand is a registered representative ofCommonwealth Financial Network—a member firm of the NASD/SIPC.

He can be reached at 617-734-4400or [email protected]

Article By Michael Tow, President of New Boston Financial, Brookline, MA

Today, many people realize that because the governmentand employers are less able to provide financial security, they mustcreate their own personal safety net. Constructing a personal safetynet requires thinking, in broad terms, about life events that couldtrigger financial adversity and taking the requisite steps to preparefor those uncertainties. While it’s impossible to predict all of life’sobstacles, it is possible to group them into a few commoncategories. They include:

• Morbidity Risk – In our low-savings, high-debt society, medical expenses for anacute injury or illness fall outside the reach of many Americans.

• Mortality Risk – Life insurance allows an individual to insure against premature death.

• Longevity Risk – People are living longer than ever. Individuals should work with their advisors and insurers to develop a customized income plan for retirement.

Now, more than ever, insurers are in the position to helpoffset the erosion of traditional social support structures byleveraging vast asset pools and economies of scale. Most peopleshould consult their insurer and financial services representative todevelop a portfolio that will prepare them for both the possibilitiesand uncertainties they face throughout their lives – the “ifs” in life.

This article appears courtesy of Prinya Sommala. Prinya isa registered representative offering securities through New EnglandSecurities Corporation, a broker-dealer (member NASD/SIPC). Hefocuses on meeting the individual insurance and financial servicesneeds of people in Lowell, MA.

You can reach Prinyaat 100 Front Street.

Worcester, MA,508-890-6256.

New England Financial is the service mark for New England LifeInsurance Company and related

companies, Boston, MA.L0608EQVF (esp1207) ENT-LD.

CONNECTING CULTURES8 a bASIAN|BOSTON BUSINESS

David Kong is a thriving businessman by any standard.Resembling many success stories, he struggled early on, trying to findhis niche in life. He was born in Harbin, China, a city close to the Russianborder. In 1990, he landed in the United States, on the shores of sunnyCalifornia. He was living in San Francisco and working various jobs, untilone day, he decided school was his best path. David relocated to LosAngeles, where he attended UCLA and graduated in 1997. He hadmarried two years prior and shortly after graduation, moved to the eastcoast, to his wife’s home state of Massachusetts.

For the third time while living in the states, David had tosettle down in a new location; he had no friends or business contacts.Not one to be discouraged, he soon had a clever yet simple idea. Oneday, he sat down and his ‘American Road’ began with a likely resource,but underutilized for what he had in mind. The catalyst was an ordinaryitem found in nearly every home in America...it was the Yellow Pages! Hejust started flipping through it, not looking for businesses per se, butChinese names in particular and therefore started cold-callingpeople. His intentions were to earn trust and make some friends. Thiswas a unique perspective, but it wasn’t an easy approach. He stumbledupon some people who got angry and warned him never to call again;others would just hang up without hearing what he had to say.

After convincing several people that he was an honest man justtrying to get acquainted with the area, he earned their trust andacquired a foothold. David commenced networking, and started makingfriends and developing business relationships. As a result, he was invitedto conduct seminars (for mostly Asian immigrants) on the importance ofbuilding individual financial independence in America.

With a solid background in business and finance, he initiatedtalks with established business owners and actually created partnershipswith some of them.

Subsequently, he co-founded two local companies, August FinancialAdvisors and Great Wall Financial Advisors. Today, he is the proprietor ofAsian American Financial and Insurance Group.

David Kong thrives on helping clients achieve their goals. His networking technique has taken him all over New England and NewYork City. He has probably traveled to more towns and worked withmore businesses in the little time he’s spent in this area than any lifelongNew Englander.

David is also owner of Newton Corner Mart, a conveniencestore in Newton, MA. The store benefits from a notable concept called‘Yin & Yang.’ The store is stocked and lined with goods, but the definingdifference is that every aisle is evenly divided: one side Asian food, theother American. This enables his store to market to a wider range ofpatrons. There is also a deli, which serves Chinese fast food andAmerican sandwiches. David will soon be licensed to sell liquor inaddition to groceries. He is completely confident with this methodof marketing, and it’s evident in his Newton enterprise. He plans toexpand with chains of convenient stores consisting of the ‘Yin & Yang’model in cities and towns where there are considerable Asian American populations.

It has been a well traveled road from his days of flippingthrough the Yellow Pages. David Kong seems to have found his niche inlife, with many successful past and present business endeavors.“All you have to do to be successful in business is to be an honestperson.” David continues, “And when you fail, to just learn fromyour mistakes and keep on going.”

By Maravanna Chan

CONNECTING CULTURES 9a b ASIAN|BOSTON BUSINESS

Photography: Lokagroup

This is Part 1 of a new series with Attorney Russell Chin, who will respond to questionssubmitted by our readers and provide insight into common legal problems. Theadvice is intended for the general readership and no attorney-client relationship,expressed or implied, is established by this column.

Please feel free to send your legal questionsto Russel L. Chin, Esq., at [email protected]

lEGAl qUESTIONS & ANSWErS

Please contact Viet-AID for more information:Thu Truong: 617-822-3717 x18 email: [email protected] Hoa Mai: 617-822-3717 x22 email: [email protected]

SAVE A lIFE!Improve Your Floor Finishing Business!

Judy writes, I have a tenant who refuses toleave despite the fact that the lease expired.Can I change the locks and force them to move?

The landlord-tenant laws inMassachusetts are unique and complex.Both sides would do well to understand theirrights and obligations before making anyhasty decisions. Clearly, a landlord may notlock out a tenant for any reason without firstobtaining court authority. Tenants have manyrights and due process requirements mustbe met before a landlord may evict.

Some years ago, I was involved inthe eviction of a tenant and her 17 cats. Sherefused to pack or leave despite losing aprotracted court battle, thereby obligatingthe landlord to hire a constable and paymovers for 15 hours to inventory, pack, and store all of the tenant’s worldly belongings.

The landlord must first determinewhat type of tenancy relationship exists.There are two main types of tenancies: oneis at will and one is under a lease. Thoseoperating under a lease are required tofollow the terms of the lease. When thelease expires, the relationship becomes atenancy at will.

In general, under a tenancy at will,the landlord or tenant can terminate therelationship by giving notice that is equal tothe interval between the number of days ofpayment or thirty (30) days, whichever islonger. A landlord can easily obtain a Noticeto Quit from a legal stationery store,a constable, a rental housing association,or even on-line.

If the tenant refuses to leave, thelandlord must begin an eviction proceeding(known as Summary Process) and produce acopy of the written Notice to Quit in court

with proof that the tenant receivednotification of the end of the tenancy.

Most evictions are brought for non-payment of rent, although in this case,the tenant is holding over beyond the leaseterm while continuing to pay rent. If a tenancy at will is being terminated fornonpayment of rent, the landlord must givea written fourteen (14) days Notice to Quitto the tenant. Again, one can easily obtainthis notice. Please be aware that there aretwo types of 14-day notices—one for at willand one when a lease is still in effect.

In Judy’s case, even though she hada lease, it has expired and since a new leasewas not signed, the tenancy has automaticallyconverted to at will. Remember, she risksrenewing the tenant relationship if rent isaccepted after the Notice to Quit is served,which would then require starting theeviction process all over again.

Do you sand and finish wood floors for a living? When is the lasttime you had a fire? Sometimes, homes are scorched or completelydestroyed, or people are badly burned or killed by floor finishing fires.Fortunately, you can take preventive measures to help keep you safeand make your business profitable.

Avoid Using Flammable ProductsDo you use lacquer sealers? Many lacquer sealers are flammable.

This means that the vapor from the product can catch fire easily at temperatures below 100ºF (38ºC). Vapors from products can travel quickly.They can move into other rooms, up stairs, or into basements. Just onespark can start a fire in those vapors. Where do the sparks come from? Justabout anything: pilot lights in water heaters or stoves; hitting a nail or staplein the floor; friction from rubbing cloth. Fires have started when floorfinishing vapors traveled into the basement to a water heater many roomsaway from the floor work. Sadly, 3 local workers have been killed since 2004.

How Can I Know Which Products are Flammable?All products have information on documents called Material Safety

Data Sheets (MSDS). Every MSDS lists a flash point. That means the vaporswon’t catch fire easily at low temperatures. Ask your supplier for productswith flash points above 100ºF (38ºC). Local suppliers, including BostonWood Floors and Capitol Wood, will help select non-flammable products for you.

To learn ways to improve your business, protect yourcustomers’ property, and save your health, Viet-AID and the DorchesterOccupational Health Initiative are sponsoring free training seminars andadvice from experts in the floor finishing field. Participants will win couponsfor floor finishing products!

By Professor Lenore Azaroff, UMASS Lowell

CONNECTING CULTURES10 a bASIAN|BOSTON BUSINESS

Attorney Russell

Chin has represented

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1981. With a unique

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well-qualified to be

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Esquire

1011 Main St., Hingham, MA

[email protected]

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CONNECTING CULTURES 11a b ASIAN|BOSTON BUSINESS

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skay

a

A person can walk into a physician’soffice searching for a medical professionalwho can better understand his or her needs.In turn, doctors listen to our concerns, healour ailments, and give us hope. However,it’s not often that the roles are reversed andone can hear the doctor’s history, hopesand concerns. Dr. Cheng-Ta Dai’s story provides insight into a profession that interests many, but remains a mysterybeyond the white coat. It is what this doctor accentuates from years of experiencethat is truly enlightening.

Dr. Dai was born in Taiwan, China,and moved to America with his family atage 14. He completed his undergraduatework at the University of Wisconsin andcontinued medical school in Chicago. Likemany other men and women in his field, heworked hard in order to accomplish thecomplex requirements to become a medicaldoctor, and to specialize in gastroenterologyas well.

Dr. Dai now practices in NewHampshire where he consults and treatspatients who are having troubles involvingthe digestive system. He deals with an arrayof cases on a daily basis, from colonoscopies(to check the health of the large intestineand colon), to gastroscopies, (a procedure

that looks for ulcers or signs of cancer in thestomach), and other surgical procedures.

In today’s race-conscious society,it is common to assume that a hyphenAmerican yields a unique experience worthromanticizing over. Dr. Dai feels that hisracial heritage does not affect his practice inmedicine. His career was accomplishedthrough hard work, devotion and sacrificemore than any other factor. Yes, culturalbackground is important to him. His daughter studies history at Beijing University,and he visits China often.

An incredibly humble man, Dr. Daicites that a nice personality is just as important as a physician’s credentials. Themedical profession, although physically andmentally exhausting, is worth it due to theshared passion amongst health professionalsto “help people feel better,” as Dr. Daipoints out.

Although the common goal of allmedical professionals is to help people, Dr.Dai stated that a physician must “do thebest that he or she can,” and remember to“face the fact that you can’t save everybody.” In his field of gastroenterology,Dr. Dai deals with many cases of drug andalcohol abuse. In this situation, sometimesthere are limited options to help salvage a

person’s health, especially if their lifestyleinhibits the success of any treatment. He explained that the body, in the practiceof internal medicine, becomes merely aphysical structure - a ‘machine’ that mustbe repaired and nourished both mentallyand physically.

However, Dr. Dai explained that hemust remind himself that, the sickly bodiesin front of him were full of life once.Particularly, he mentioned doing roundswhile on his residency years ago, and seeing an elderly man, sick and derelict,being visited by loved ones. At thatmoment, Dr. Dai realized that the ‘structures’he operated on and treated had a beautifullife once, and are more than justmachines...they are bodies with souls.

The medical profession is a complicated process in which great obstaclesare overcome, and important life perspectives are gained. Oftentimes,patients depend on their doctors as apanacea and forget that these men andwomen are human beings. Dr. Dai isgenuinely looking to help people feel better,whether through his nice personality, or hisqualifications as a physician.

By Hidemi DeHays

CONNECTING CULTURES12 a bASIAN|BOSTON MEDICINE

Photography: Olga Lisogurskaya Article design: [email protected]

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CONNECTING CULTURES 13a b ASIAN|BOSTON MEDICINE

Ask anyone you know about plasticsurgery and I am sure you will get some strongopinions. Whether it is Dr. 90210, ABC’s ExtremeMakeover or the cover of any celebrity magazine,images of plastic surgery are everywhere. Whichaging starlet has had her face worked on, her thighslipo’d or her lips plumped with Restylane? Terms likeBotox, liposuction and breast augmentation arebecoming part of our everyday vocabulary. However,what exactly is the origin of plastic surgery?

Most people think that plastic hassomething to do with synthetic or fake. Others thinkit has to do with materials that are sometimes usedin surgery. In fact, plastic is derived from the Greekword Plastikos, which means to shape or mold.Plastic surgery is a modern sub-specialty with rootsin ancient medicine. There are recorded descriptionsof a technique for nasal reconstruction from Indiadating to 600 BCE! Most of the early development of the specialty came from surgeons attempting to repair and restore theinjured faces of soldiers wounded in battle. In fact, after every major war, new techniques

emerged which were incorporated into plastic surgery.

What most people do not know is thatplastic surgery is much more than cosmeticsurgery. Cosmetic surgery is a small part of a muchlarger specialty. Plastic surgery can be defined simply as a surgical specialty that attempts tocorrect or repair abnormal structures of the body

to restore form and sometimes function. Somecommon procedures performed by plastic surgeons are the repair of cleft lip and palate,skin grafting to repair damaged skin on burn victims, removal of skin cancer, and resetting ofhand fractures using screws and plates. Plasticsurgeons can even re-create a breast using skinand fat from a women’s stomach or the musclefrom her back, after the breast has been removeddue to cancer. These are just a few examples ofhow plastic surgeons help their patients’ everyday.

By far, cosmetic procedures grab thepublic’s attention. Who can resist watching realityshows where doctors help patients feel good bytransforming their bodies? That is the veryessence of the specialty…taking a body part thatis underdeveloped, misshapen or altered bytime…and reshaping it to be more appealing andpleasing to the eye.

Plastic surgeons must go through yearsof schooling and residency to learn their craft. Aperson considering any plastic surgery should dotheir homework. The most important thing tolook for is Board Certification by the AmericanBoard of Plastic Surgery. This will ensure thatyour surgeon is fully trained in the latest techniques and adheres to a strict code of ethics.

By Dr. Al Ko Photography: Olga Lisogurskaya

Perched in a neighborhood that has faced the commonconundrum found in so many urban neighborhoods, the BerkeleyCommunity Gardens in Boston's South End survives amidst thearea's ongoing development. For more than 30 years, with 130plots, the gardeners bridge the gap between cultures, ages andeconomic status.

On any given day from May to November, this small spacealong E. Berkeley Street, (between Tremont St. and Shawmut Ave.)reflects the diversity that encompasses most inner-city areas.Vietnamese and Chinese parents grow vegetables for their familieswhile their children run and play. Seniors, canes in hand, waterand weed their plants every morning, as they have for decades.

Young professionals learn a craft for the first time whileexperimenting with annuals, perennials, herbs and vegetables. Newfamilies in the neighborhood gather to share a hobby with theirchildren. They all mingle and pass each other by conversing oncommon grounds (often in different languages) with a simple nodand a thumbs-up for good work. There’s a buzz in this small community that permeates throughout each garden, but it hasn’talways been easy for these cultures to intermix.

Misunderstandings have occurred throughout the years,mostly due to language and cultural barriers. It’s caused tensionevery so often, since the gardens first became a community-runarea. Many of the older Asian gardeners, who have been tendingplots for decades, have felt mistreated, disregarded, undervaluedand misunderstood. Now, led by the South End Lower RoxburyOpen Space Land Trust (SELROST), the gardens have come a longway. Even with cultural challenges, the community thrives. Withmisunderstandings come solutions, especially when there isa goal at hand.

After years of reflecting the South End of days past, withbuildings being renovated and torn down faster than neighborscan bat an eye, the space formally became a community-rungarden in 1990. Dirt was trucked in; wood fencing was installed;

neighbors got involved. Many of the Asian gardeners, who tendedthe space on their own before it was officially a community garden(often referred to as ‘garden squatting’), remained in their originalspaces and are still there today.

With an organized garden comes responsibility, rules andregulations, and the Land Trust has handled them faithfully. LandTrust board members and garden tenders volunteer much of theirfree time through bi-weekly clean-ups, a mailing list for news andgarden tips, repairs, security, vandalizing issues, and the annuallottery.

Each year, onlookers who have walked by what somepeople refer to as the urban jungle, come to test their luck in theannual Berkeley Gardens Lottery. Since the plots are so reasonable($40 per summer), and are such a popular commodity, the LandTrust has set up an annual Spring Clean Up and Lottery Day. Anyonewho is interested in having a garden can enter; however,the plots aren’t easy to get. Unless a former gardener has passedaway or moved, they rarely become available. For those who doobtain one, they hear the same question from onlookers, “How’dyou get one of these?” “Luck,” they often say.

The season draws to a close in October when the fall airrustles the trees, Mums bloom and vegetables are harvested. Thatfirst evening frost is usually a sign that the gardening season hasended. Nostalgic talk and plans for the next season carry onamongst the gardeners.

On one chilly Sunday afternoon, people begin to leave forthe season. Luna Mac, an Asian gardener who has been there for 15years, is picking her titanic squashes for stir fry and soup. Anothergardener tells her that maybe next year she will try some of Mac’stricks of the trade.

Luna Mac laughs as she walks away, a squash in each hand.“See you next year,” she yells over her shoulder. “Yes,” her neighborsays. “See you next year.”

The BerkeleyCommunity Gardens

By Caroline Leonard

Luna Mac proudly displays hersquash harvest. Above, the gardens are a welcome oasisamongst the city’slandscape.

The Gardens officially became community-run in 1990.


Photography: Caroline Leonard


1

Thai food plays the most significant role in theintroduction of Thai culture to Americans. But, what mostpeople don’t realize is that His Majesty, King BhumibolAdulyadej (King Rama IX) of Thailand is the only monarch of aforeign country to be born in the United States.

King Rama IX was born at Mount Auburn Hospital inCambridge on December 5, 1927, giving him the distinction ofbeing the longest reigning king of any country in the world.During that time, his father, Prince Mahidol Songkla, studiedMedicine at Harvard Medical School and his mother, PrincessSangwan, studied at Simmons College.

December 5, 1999, marked the 72nd anniversary ofthe birth of King Rama IX. A few months prior to this juncture,an organization called the King of Thailand BirthplaceFoundation (KTBF) was established to bring to light thismomentous occasion to the people of Massachusetts.

KTBF, a nonprofit corporation and public charity wasincorporated in 1998 under a 501(c)(3) in Massachusetts.KTBF is comprised of Thai and American men and women whobelieve in cultural exchange, community service, and historicpreservation. We have come together to achieve a commongoal – a symbolic center of cultural exchange commemoratingthe birthplace of King Rama IX.

KTBF is striving to establish a museum, library andcultural center, which will serve as a place where Thai peopleand the general community can learn about the life and worksof King Rama IX.

On November 18, 2003, a pink North Americangranite pillar, the King Bhumibol Adulyadej Monument, wasinstalled at the corner of Eliot and Bennett Sts., (KingBhumibol Adulyadej Square) in Harvard Square, Cambridge,Massachusetts. This is a unique piece of art and serves as anicon of Thai culture in the USA. KTBF has been successful in itsmission to preserve a piece of Thai history, with many moreprojects on the horizon.

King Bhumibol Adulyadej Square is more attractiveand visible to the public and worthy of His Majesty the King.Long live the king as we look forward to his 80th birthdayon December 5, 2007.

By Cholthanee Koerojna

Cholthanee Koerojna, president of KTBF, proudly stands next tothe King Bhumibol Adulyadej Monument in Harvard Square.

For more information, please contact Cholthanee Koerojna,President, KTBF Phone: 781-365-0083 [email protected]


Photos courtesy of Cholthanee Koerojna and www.thaiembdc.orgArticle design: [email protected]

You can take the man out of the country, but…

This is the charming story of a man who has a great thirst fornature and all its wonders. His homeland is China. His birthplace isCanton (Guangzhou), a place far from the big city and known forbeautiful landscapes. The landscapes were his teacher, and theycreated an interest instilled in him to this day. This interest is photography, and the man is Eaden Huang, a soft spoken man whois passionate about his chosen profession.

He left his homeland in 1986 to start life in a new land...theUnited States of America. Eaden established a photography studio inMalden, MA. Although he lives in close proximity to Boston, histalent lies in capturing the essence of nature’s beauty on the outskirtsof the metropolitan area. As an artist, he loves the changing seasonsof New England. “New life begins with every season. I can keep goingback to the same place and see something new to capture,” as Eadenso eloquently expresses.

Eaden has never had formal photography training. He isself-taught and his hard work and devotion has segued into asuccessful wedding photography business, with many clients fromChinatown, Boston and the suburbs. The business side ofphotography enables Eaden to continue bringing beautiful landscapeimages to the public.

Eaden Huang proudly states that he owes his success to hiswife, and has great admiration for her continued support and beliefin his artistic talent. Eaden also has a son and daughter who are bothactive in art and music.

From what I observed in Eaden’s photography and ourwonderfully sincere discussion, his home is most likely full of thesame love and talent he shares with the world through his lens.

His camera desires that ever-changing New Englandlandscape: sunshine, snow, blooming flowers, and falling leaves. Hisimages make us want to take the time to walk in a park, water ourplants, or play in the snow. With any luck, maybe you will bump intoEaden one day in a park or on a mountainside.

…you cannot take thecountry out of this man.

By Donna Agnew

Eaden Huang’s portfolio can be found by visiting eadenphoto.com

what ourbodies hold

History travels through our bodiesThat is our life

Life travels through our bodiesThat is our gift

The gift travels through our bodiesThat is our road

The road travels through our bodiesWithin our bodies the journey concludes

All that our bodies holdIs the valor of their pure white bones?

Is anticipation in their open eyes

patriotsWinter; our nation is in the wind

A chill is upon all patriots

Does loving this nation feel colder?All the more love, all the more shivering

Only one winter is leftOnly one nation is left in the wind

My call to others; the call of millionsBlown far far away in the wind

Winter; our nation is in the windBodies of patriots are being drained of warmth

All the more love, all the more coldAll the more patriots warming one another

CONNECTING CULTURES16 a bASIAN|BOSTON ART & POETRY

Photography: Visoot Sueksagan

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Remember those summer days, when you plucked soft petalsoff moon daisies one at a time just to see if someone would love youback? Unfortunately, life sometimes gets in the way of beautifulmoments with the reality of money problems, school, work, and raisinga family. For some people, the stress of life’s obstacles can be overwhelming. Emotions can overpower you, and lead you to act outyour frustrations or anger. Such incidents sometimes result in slappingyour child, pushing or punching a significant other, or using economic orpsychological dominance over a spouse. Hence, these are just a few ofthe behaviors widely recognized as patterns of domestic violence.

Domestic violence is a formidable issue. It’s usually hiddenbehind closed doors because people are afraid, ashamed, or embarrassed to disclose such delicate personal matters. Thesesensitive and painful secrets are rarely revealed and may only besuggested by bruises on one’s face, or scrapes and cuts on one’s arms.However, the worst is when a life is taken.

Moreover, there is the lack of awareness on domesticviolence issues among our diverse population; in particular, the Asiancommunity. Fortunately, there are many non-profit organizations andcoalitions around the world that are striving to alleviate domesticviolence and bring back peace, love and understanding to families facedwith this dilemma.

One particular example is a distinctive and innovativeorganization called Close to Home - centrally located in one of Boston’smost culturally diverse towns, Dorchester, MA, and founded byExecutive Director Aimee Thompson. She created Close to Home in2002 to prevent domestic violence by providing a safe haven for the

community and families in Dorchester. Close To Home offers programson understanding the various facets of domestic violence andpreventive techniques. She explained, “Part of the reason why we’re inDorchester is because it has many wonderful community strengths,civic associations, a vibrant life and active neighborhood. There aregreat opportunities to activate these networks around this issue.”

As a result, some of their main constituents are the youthcommunity, neighbors, and the network of organizations in and aroundDorchester. Some of Close to Home’s distinguished methods consistof prevention versus crisis response, education for all on domesticviolence, and empowerment for the youth, women, and men in thecommunity. One great example is the annual interactive theaterproduction on domestic violence put on by teen volunteers.Additionally, Close to Home periodically generates a popularnewsletter on the subject offering news stories, events, andconnections within the community.

Furthermore, Close to Home provides different programs tosupport their mission and vision in preventing domestic violence. Suchprograms include discussion groups, community leadership teams,community events, and digital stories. For instance, Aimee and hercolleagues, Heather Benjamin and Anne Hien Bui, CommunityOrganizers, often attend open dialogues through “kitchen table” talkswhere several friends, family members, or neighbors get together for ameal and discussion on what’s happening in the community related todomestic violence. Anne also frequents some ESL classes to provideconversations and training to the Vietnamese community, whichexhibits a language and cultural barrier. She asserts, “Many of theVietnamese don’t know what’s available out there and they’re notfamiliar with the programs.”

Consequently, Anne provides them with the necessary meansand resources to recognize and thus help prevent domestic violence intheir own homes, or help support their friends andneighbors. Lastly, the abovementioned digital stories are short videoscreated by community residents. They use multi-media tools to tell oftheir own experiences with domestic violence.

From events and programs like these along with the strengthof the community and local residents, some of Close to Home’s keyachievements are: • Reaching more than 10,000 residents with information and resources.• Developing strong associations with 30 or more community-basedorganizations by providing training in handling domestic violence.• Implementing public awareness events and community buildingaround Dorchester.• Convening youth forums and training programs in combating teendating violence.• Producing more than 22 digital stories that are featured throughoutBoston Neighborhood Television Network.

The Dorchester community is benefiting from the wonderfulwork this outreach organization is achieving. Close To Home isstriving to bring troubled families many opportunities for a better andhealthier lifestyle. If you want more information or would like to getinvolved with Close To Home, please visit their website atwww.c2home.org or call 617-929-5151.

a prevailing resourceBy Julie T. Pham


Translation by Thu Truong


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CONNECTING CULTURES20 a bASIAN|BOSTON DINING

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CONNECTING CULTURES 21a b ASIAN|BOSTON DINING

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This restaurant follows strict standards on service, qualityand presentation. Only the finest ingredients are used to deliverexceptional and exotic cuisine. You will be impressed with Kaze'sbeautifully appointed dining room and full service bar.

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It’s only in the last decade that thebeauty industry has offered numerous productsfor eyebrows. In the past, the choices wereeither a black or brown pencil. Today, we haveaccess to an array of colored pencils, powders, gels and entire eyebrow kits! Myfriend and I are huge fans of Nars eyebrowpencil in Ipanema. It’s not too dark or toolight. But use caution when applying. Use lightstrokes so it doesn’t look painted or harsh.

My suggestion is to sweep a coat ofclear brow gel or clear mascara to keepeyebrows in place, and prevent them fromsticking straight out. I recommend Sephorafor all of your cosmetic purchases. They offerapproximately 60 different productsfor eyebrows!

Another option is permanentmakeup, which is a state of the art form ofcosmetic tattooing. This specialized techniqueis often referred to as micropigmentation,micropigment implantation or dermagraphics.The cosmetic implantation technique depositstiny individual implants of pigment into thedermal layer of the skin. The procedure isperformed using machines similar to machinesused for tattooing, as well as other machinesspecific to the industry. When having yourbrows down, the procedure could take upto four visits—the initial consultation, initialapplication of pigment and one or two follow up visits to adjust shape, color anddensity of pigment.

While this is definitely a more drasticapproach to beautiful eyebrows, it makessense in a lot of ways. If you’re like me, you’realways running late and don’t have the time toapply brow makeup. Also, I find it a greatinconvenience to reapply after every shower,swim or workout. But keep in mind that this ispermanent, and the individual performing theprocedure can be inexperienced. This maycause unsatisfactory results or infection fromcontaminated needles. My suggestion is to doyour homework and obtain referrals if youchoose this particular procedure.

If you would like your beauty productsreviewed in this column, please contact Tinaat [email protected].

Surprisingly, men's spa services are one of the fastest growingin the industry. Spa personnel are recognizing the need for men’sservices and understand a man’s hesitation to walk into a salon. Moreand more men are choosing spas for help in a range of treatments.

The following services are usually available to menin neighborhood salons.

Basic Treatments:

• Facial: Deep cleansing and exfoliation to reduce the impurities foroverall healthy and glowing skin.• Manicure: Cleans hands and nails for a more professional appearance. • Pedicure: For healthy and clean feet.• Massage: To relax and sooth muscles from sports, exercise andstress. Massage also helps injuries heal faster and useful for preventivemaintenance.

Advanced or Clinical Treatments:

• Microdermabrasion: A progressive skin re-surfacing technique thattargets lines, wrinkles, superficial scarring, stretch marks, acne, andsun damage.• Threading: Tweezing or waxing, to clean up bushy eyebrows, upper-lips, chin, etc.• Laser hair removal: A permanent solution to rid thick terminal hair onthe chest, legs or back. However, laser treatment is not for everyone.Please research before you proceed with this treatment.

At Sondarya, we are fully aware of the concerns and needs ofmale and female clients who are new to spa services. We make ita point to have clients leave our establishment more relaxedand confident.

For more information, please visit www.healthnspa.com

CONNECTING CULTURES24 a bASIAN|BOSTON BEAUTY TIPS

CONNECTING CULTURES 25a b ASIAN|BOSTON MODELING & FASHION

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AsianBoston is proud to have the Boston Park Plaza Hotel &Towers as the backdrop for this issue. I extend a personal thanks toSara Anderson for allowing us the privilege of holding the event at thehotel, and especially for coordinating theshoot on such short notice. From the staff ofAsianBoston Magazine, we sincerely thankthe hotel employees who helped make thatday a success. ~Leo Anthony

Please Welcome This Month’s Fashion Retailer...

Sanghee Kim ofPIXI Accessories

Allston, MA

175 Harvard Avenue, Allston, MA Phone: (617) 782-1150

Special thanks to Lisa Lee for referring PIXI, and oursister team, Leakena & Maravanna Chan of Lynn, MA, forcoordinating the models and clothing for the photo shoot.



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Photography & Makeup by Tosak ImagesPlease see ad on page 32

Photographers: Visoot Sueksagan, Tosak Hoontakul& Miss Sikarin (Fon) Thanachaiary

Assistant Photography: Jatechan Khiaophan

Assistants: Mui Mui, O-Ba& Miss Sutavan Chairatanangamdaj

Makeup: Duanguedee Sueksagan & Polin Wilaireungsuwan

Hairstylist

Cheryl Tarara & Jill LawlerPlease see ad on page 32

Men’s clothing provided by Grandasiagrandasia.com

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By Trista Allman

The rock band, LOURDS, from NYC,performed at the elusive ‘Greatest Bar’ inBoston one night in October. They performedten songs and put on a high-energy showworthy of a capacity-filled 60,000 seat arenaconcert. After the performance, Lourds Lane—lead singer and band namesake—ran from thestage to their portable media booth wherethey sold merchandise, and most importantly,shared their time with new fans.

Still energized after her monstrousrock-out session, Lourds followed me up aspiral staircase and into the bar’s storageroom. It was the perfect spot to interview thisspirited prodigy. Lourds Lane is a fast talkingNew Yorker with a sexy-low voice. She movedthrough each question I put forth with smooth confidence.

She was born into struggle, raised bya single matriarchal Filipino mother (alsonamed Lourds) in Jamaica, Queens, NY. Her mother sold eggs in the Philippines toraise money to come to America, to make abetter life for her children.

“My mother falls into an Asianstereotype, which is actually true in my case:Asians are raised to become overachievers.Asian parents encourage their children to excelat every challenge in life, until they reach thetop. But hey, screw it, man! Asians Kick Butt!You know…we rule! I am proud to be Asian.”

Lourds continues, “My mother hadme playing the violin and piano by the age ofthree. I was reading sheet music way before Icould read literature. I spent every ounce of

time practicing, learning, excelling and beingsupported and pushed by my mother andmusic conductors. They said I needed tomaster classical music and instruments inorder to be the best.” Lourds had indeedexcelled, and was entertaining people withclassical music at an early age. At age seven,Lourds, with violin in hand, actually performed at Carnegie Hall!

She began a rebellious stage as ateenager by playing everything but classicalmusic. Lourds was a rock ‘n roller to the bone.To quote lyrics from a song by Stevie Nicks,“She could go her own way.” Go her own wayshe did.

One day, Lourds had an epiphany;she reached back to her classical music rootsand began fusing it with hard rock. She wieldsan electric guitar, mandolin, and violinexpertly on stage, all the while exerting somuch energy that it could light up TimesSquare! She wears a super girl charm aroundher neck and wrote a song called ‘Supergirl.’Lourds explained that this song is mostimportant because it allows her to get throughlife when she is feeling vulnerable, yet stillgiving her fans the super-charged performancethey’ve come to expect.

She sings about, sometimes "needingthe protective wings of her angel, who willwrap her wings around her, to save her frompain and weakness." Lourds believes, "There'sa melody to pain, and although your angel'swings can sometimes feel like daggers, at thedarkest times of your life, you'll find that your

angel has been with you all along."She loves the band Queen and would

have loved collaborating musically with FreddyMercury, or any other member. It’s hard topick a favorite song by Queen, but sheemphasized that “they harnessed an energythat ran the gamut of their time.” Lourds feels,“Our generation is filled with A.D.D, incapableof truly feeling the emotional roller coasterthat Queen put forth.” She also hopes to workwith David Bowie and Missy Elliot in the nearfuture. “Her tracks make my ass shake and Iwould love to play violin on anything she produces.”

This super girl’s favorite word is‘perseverance,’ and that is what she continuesto do every waking moment. She finds that thegreatest melodies, harmonies, and lyrics comealive when she sits in silence and listens to themusical voices in her head. Lourds emphasizes,“I'm filled with so much music that it needs tocome out."

What are the plans for the bandsfuture? Lourds quickly answers, “WorldDomination!” With a slight pause, and acompelling half smile, she says, “Our goal is tohave each performance affect people whetherit’s for 2 or 10,000 screaming fans. We alwaysbring the noise and perform with the highestenergy.” Please visit lourdsmusic.com

CONNECTING CULTURES28 a bASIAN|BOSTON NYC

LOURDSFrom Left to Right:Sarah Vasil - drumsGene Blank - guitarsLourds Lane - electricviolin, lead singerJoey Sagarese - bass

Photography L-R: Phil Macino, Wayne Herrschaft, Steve Messina, & Shiran Nicholson


With only the clothes on her back,Amazin LeThi came from the streets ofSaigon, Vietnam, armed with only a dreamthat one day; she would make somethingfrom nothing! It took absolute willpower andthe belief that she could overcome anyobstacle, when many said it was impossible.

Since leaving Vietnam, Amazin hastraveled the world and now resides in NewYork City. She has a strong sense ofindividuality, and is a living embodimentof the ‘art of possible.’

Before becoming the Renaissancewoman we see today, Amazin laid thefoundation for her global success throughperseverance, hard work and talent. Neverone to let-up, Amazin remains active infitness, sports, fashion, business, publishing,film, music, television and much more.

The following is an interviewcovering one aspect of Amazin LeThi’sendeavors...bodybuilding.

AB: How would you define your success as abodybuilder? Amazin: My success has become less aboutlifting weights and competing, and moreabout being a positive role model forVietnamese women. I hope to help breakdown conventional barriers and stigmas ofAsian women in general. I have been noted asthe first Vietnamese born woman to have asuccessful career in the mainstreamentertainment industry.

AB: How has society challenged you as athriving Vietnamese woman?Amazin: I was never challenged by society.Society has always been challenged by me. I like to make people think outside their ownboundaries, their definitions of each other andthe world around them. I certainly did that bybecoming a bodybuilder. I’ve always lived mylife outside the box, not limited by conventional thinking. My unconventionalchoices in life have now been rewarded. Asianwomen are defining their place in society; wetoo can be independent, strong and chooseany career path that we desire.

AB: Have you received positive feedback from the Asian community?Amazin: I’m very happy with the supportfrom my community, and I support the

community in kind. Society in generalbombards women with unobtainable imagesof how they should look. I have found, as anAsian woman, that it was hard to find rolemodels because I could never look like NaomiCampbell or Kate Moss. Women come in allshapes and sizes. Beauty is in the eye of thebeholder. This career is about redefining whatis beautiful.

AB: What type of build do you have and howdo you maintain your healthy body? Amazin: I have an athletic ectomorph build. I am naturally strong and build muscle easily. I weight train at least 4-5 times a week andpartake in martial arts, boxing, yoga, Pilates,dance, Tai Chi, surfing, skiing and horse back

riding. Everything should be done inmoderation, which is good for balance. I stick to my Asian eating plan; rice, leanmeats, fruits and vegetables. I believe theVietnamese diet is one of the healthiest.When I have treats, it’s chocolate, Frenchpastries or fish & chips.

AB: How has bodybuilding affected yourphysique and what advice can you givewomen interested in pursuing it?Amazin: Once I started weight training, I was able to define my physique, broadenmy shoulders, tone my arms and widen myback. I could truly sculpt my body into anydesired shape, like a piece of art. My adviceto women is to try bodybuilding; it candramatically change your physique andalso help improve your self-esteemand confidence.

AB: What are your future plans?Amazin: My most exciting entertainmentdeal at the moment is signing a contract withMurdercap Records, the most controversialhip-hop label in the US. I’m a shrewdbusinesswoman and have my finger in manypies so to speak. I have a book coming outin early 2007 called “Free Weight Training.”You can find this and my other works onamazon.com.

Amazin is a sensational entertainer, andwe are certain that this former street kidfrom Saigon will continue to live the“American Dream.” www.amazinlethi.com

“We begin to love with

an open heart when it’s

guided by compassion

rather than separation.

We are all the same

inside. It’s only our

conditioned social belief

that separates us.

Sometimes, all we need

is an open heart.”

-Amazin LeThi

By Trista Allman

CONNECTING CULTURES 29a b ASIAN|BOSTON NYC


Tai-Chun Pan a thirst for tradition

I first met Tai-Chun Pan in 1991 atDigital Equipment Corp., in Littleton, MA. Myimmediate impression was that he carried afriendly and relaxed demeanor. I remember acolleague nicknamed him ‘The Zen Master.’Come to find out, Tai-Chun was not only a Taijipractitioner, but also a teacher of this movingmeditation.

Tai-Chun began his study of Taiji inTaiwan at an early age, and started teachingthis art form soon after he came to the US in1980 to pursue his master’s degree inComputer Science at Northeastern University.

Taiji (a.k.a. Tai Chi) is an ancientinternal martial arts form, consisting of asequence of balanced, relaxed postures, connected by slow graceful movements,emphasizing body/mind coordination andrelaxed breathing. Although there are manystyles of Taiji, the one practiced by Tai-Chun isthe “Older Form,” which was passed down byGrandmaster Hsiung Yang-Ho.

The Yang family style is a longer form,which is the more traditional, but lesser knownstyle. Tai-Chun chose this less popular stylebecause it offers a more complete set oftraditional forms that include San-Shou (thematching forms), sword, saber and staff.

In his teaching, he explains that onecan apply the Taiji principle of staying relaxedand concentrating on body/mind coordinationto help cope with the stresses in one’s life aswell as improve relationships with others.

Upon my modest request, Tai-Chungracefully agreed in 1991 to teach his colleagues this meditative exercise at lunchtime, which he has continued for the last 15years accepting nothing in return. For the past26 years, he has been tirelessly teaching Taiji

every Wednesday night in Arlington, and, alongwith his brother, Tai-Sheng, every Sundayafternoon at the Chinese Language School inLexington.

Tai-Chun is not only a colleague, afriend and a Taiji teacher of mine; he’s also myflute teacher! When he was nine, his olderbrother gave him a hand-made Chinesebamboo flute, and he has been playing it eversince. He was the first prize winner of the1972 Taipei Chinese Music InstrumentsCompetition, and has been a member of theChinese music ensemble in the Boston areasince 1981. He conducts a flute class everySunday afternoon; and with the little sparetime left, he also squeezes in private flutelessons for a selected few.

In addition to his many obligations,Tai-Chun is also the president of the GreaterBoston Chinese Cultural Association (GBCCA)Chinese Music Ensemble of Newton, MA, forthe past 20 years. The Ensemble was foundedin 1984 by members and friends of theChinese Music Ensemble of Boston. Tai-Chuntook over the leadership of the Ensemble in1986 with one main goal in mind: to promoteChinese music literacy and appreciationamong the Chinese ethnic population as wellas the general American public.

The Ensemble has achieved manyaccomplishments since its inception thanks toTai-Chun’s enthusiasm and the members’ dedication. A couple of undertakings havebeen the tradition of giving yearly large-scalefree concerts and frequently hosting visitingChinese musicians, while performing regularlyin various events all over New England.

The “promotion of Chinese musicliteracy and appreciation” under Tai-Chun’s

direction has been so successful, especiallyamong the ethnic Chinese youth that theGBCCA Youth Chinese Music Ensemble wascreated in 2000; its members are chosenthrough auditions every year thanks to overwhelming interest and talent.

However, Tai-Chun’s musical interests could not be easily pursued withoutthe unconditional support from his wife, Tung-Mei, who is equally active in the ChineseMusic Ensemble, and has been the director ofthe Youth Ensemble for the past five years.

Musical talent definitely runs in thefamily: their son Jason practically grew up withthe Ensemble, playing the lead Erhu (a Chinesebow & string instrument, similar to the violin).Currently a sophomore at Harvard University,he collaborated with a few of his collegefriends, and together they have recentlyfounded the Harvard Chinese MusicEnsemble.

Twenty-five years ago, perhaps only ahandful of folks in Boston heard traditionalChinese music. Today, music halls are usuallyfilled to capacity when such performancestake place. Tai-Chun is elated to see thisever-growing appreciation of Chinese musicamong the American public.

He is equally delighted to pass downthe more traditional form of Taiji to the greaterBoston community and to see his studentscarry on this custom, which many of them arenow in turn teaching to their own community.

Undoubtedly, Tai-Chun’s enthusiasticefforts have helped spawn a growing culturalawareness.

By Virginia Payne


Photos: Tai-Chun playing Chinese flute,teaching Sanshou (fighting form) class,and demonstrating the Saber form.

A little more than a yearago, on the verge of summer’s end,my friend Eva Ng and I just finisheda theatre performance and decidedto sit down and talk. We discussedthe possibility of forming a groupfor our actor friends to get togetherand further explore our craft. Eightof us gathered at Eva’s house fortea a few days later. A discussiongroup was formed that night: theActors Refugees Repertory Theatre(ARRT). Our mission is to serve ourcommunity and help one anotherthrough theatre art.

Since then, ARRT hasevolved into an actors’ workshop inwhich we share our knowledge andhelp one another develop ouracting skills. The activities consistof physical and vocal warm-ups,IMPROV acting, scene studies,monologues and cold readings.Occasionally, the meetings areconducted by some of our advancedgroup members or guest instructors.

We welcome all aspectsand levels of theatre from actors,

producers, directors and playwrights.Playwrights have the opportunity topresent their original material.Producers are especially encouragedto explore our group for possibleproduction value and potential sponsorship.

ARRT encourages newmembers to participate in ourgroup activities...there are noadmission or membership fees.Meetings are held every Sundayfrom 7pm - 9pm at the MIT buildingat 50 Vassar St., Kendall Sq., inCambridge, MA.

ARRT contact information: myspace.com/arrtheatreemail: [email protected]

“The rain will makethe flowers grow, andthe sunshine will makethem smile brightly”-Mariko

Mariko’s Rainbow Bridge JournalActors Refugees Repertory Theatre (ARRT)

As I entered the Church of Our Saviorin Brookline, MA, there was a simple postcard-sized note that read “TANGO”pinned to the door. This was my destination, toconduct an interview with one of the mostprominent Tango teachers in the GreaterBoston Area. The teacher, delicately built,maintains her presence with a soft-spoken, yeteloquent and mesmerizing manner. Her nameis Hsueh-tze Lee, and she was one of thepioneers of Argentine Tango in the USA,becoming an accomplished dancer andinternationally acclaimed Tango teacher.

Hsueh-tze was born in Canton, NY,just 20 miles from the Canadian border. Herparents were Chinese immigrants. At age 5,she moved to Hong Kong to live with hergrandparents, and returned to the US after fouryears, to Philadelphia, PA. Later, Hsueh-tzemoved to Boston to study at Tufts, MIT, andHarvard University. She became a biologyprofessor at Wellesley College, and then…

AsianBoston: When did you start todance Tango?

Hsueh-tze Lee: I started dancing when I was 3years old; it’s been a big part of my life sincethen. I learned everything from Scandinavian,English, Scottish, modern, to swing, but when Idiscovered Tango, it went straight to my heart.I’ve been dancing Tango for 16 years now.

AsianBoston: Everyone says that you have aunique style of teaching. How would youdescribe your teaching style?Hsueh-tze Lee: Tango is often taught as asequence of figures. The approach I’ve taken ismore conceptual. I try to find a theme andwork around it. At the beginning, our classesare oriented around technique. I feel this isimportant. Whether you dance a simple walkor the fanciest of figures, it will not be pleasantif it does not feel good. At first, students mightnot appreciate working hard on basics, butthen…boom, overnight it clicks. Studentstypically begin dancing well in a much shortertime. At times, some have even been mistakenfor Argentines because of how well they danceon many levels: musically, dynamically andemotionally. For me, one of the most gratifyingthings is hearing people say how much theyenjoy dancing with my students.

At the end of our conversation,Hsueh-tze contemplates her transition from anacademic career to teaching Tango full time:

“Many Asians tend to pursue aprofessional route, such as science ormedicine. Teaching Tango is an unusualprofession for someone in the United States,

and culturally, even more unusual for someonewho is Asian. I came from a professionally driven background, went to competitiveschools, and worked hard on a career.” Hsueh-tze continues, “So to make a switch todancing is an unusual step. In the process Iturned down two tenure-track positions. Mymother and sister have been very supportive.I’m making a living, and I am happy pursuingwhat I love.”

A Road LessTraveled

By Vladimir Shlimovich


Photography: Tonn

Hsueh-tze teaching Tango to one of herstudents, Emerson Liu.

Photography: Oxana Dmitrieva

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Ad design: [email protected] Photography: Tosak Hoontakul AsianBoston Model: Trinh

Professional Hairstyling for all OccasionsPlease contact Cheryl or Jill at 617-943-3118



1

By Michael Liane

It’s close to midnightand Jaw Maran, tiredand weary, needs to stay awake toput some final changes to what he hopes will be his next hit song.Writing music for his upcoming album, Here for You, along with Grammywinning songwriters and producers, seems like a full time job.According to Jaw, the creativeness is not a job, but rather his destinyever since his days back in Burma.

His relationship with music began at age eight when he wasmade to sing in his family’s musical group at church. Immediately,Jaw’s exceptional voice was recognized, and he was encouraged tocontinue in music. Over the next few years, he focused his energy onlearning the guitar and piano as well as strengthening his vocals.

His passion for music was put on hold in his late teens as Jawfocused his attention on learning business. The skills that he developedas a young entrepreneur would be invaluable to his success in thefuture.

With a career in music and business already underway, Jawearned a scholarship and attended a music university in Osaka, Japan.His plan was to fine-tune his vocal techniques by studying classicalsinging. Never one to be satisfied, Jaw attained yet another scholarshipand soon moved to Boston to study music production at BerkleeCollege of Music.

During his downtime at Berklee, he started working as a freelance songwriter and producer and began traveling the UnitedStates from Boston to New York, and Los Angeles to San Francisco.It was during this time that Jaw was blessed with great success andrecognition for his work. Some of his work was used as theme musicfor a hit Chinese Soap Opera. A second piece was a chart-topping hitin the Taiwanese and Asian markets for more than two weeks. Anotherwas an album he contributed to on a Gospel record that grew to beone of the best selling in the history of Burmese music.

With years of experience and schooling behind him, Jaw knewit was time to bring a dream of his to fruition—opening a full serviceproduction company. In January 2005, he founded Living SoundEntertainment (LSE), based in Allston, MA. LSE has fourdivisions: Studio LSE, a recording facility for radio and visual media;j’mar records, for represented artists; j’m publishing, for placing artists'songs in the hands of record label personnel; and the largest entity,j’maran productions, which deals with all aspects of industrynetworking, to create marketable artists and products.

After a year and a half of business thus far, Living SoundEntertainment is gaining momentum and earning a great reputation inthe entertainment industry. Jaw and LSE have developed thisreputation by engineering records for many successful artists, such asKorean rap star MC Sniper, Japanese rapper group Far East Rhymers,and legendary Japanese singer Yumi ‘Yuming’ Matsutoya.

As Jaw sits with his production assistants Atsushi Tanimuraand Burak Becergen, they listen intently to the latest mix of a song offhis upcoming album; Jaw reaches for the volume control, and with asmile, turns the music up gradually. At that moment, it is apparent tome that after all these years in the industry, he is still in touch withsome of the simple pleasures that brought him to music as a child.

For more information please visit www.lseintl.com

With LSE branches in Massachusettsand Japan, Jaw plans to establish several

national and international locations.[ ]

Article design: [email protected] Photography: Charlie Cafarella Stylist: Mie Higashimoto

CONNECTING CULTURES 33a b ASIAN|BOSTON ENTERTAINMENT

By Hidemi DeHays

Seven years ago, two entrepreneurs, Jason Chung and JoeyChan, observed that the west coast had extensive productioncompanies, which facilitated Asian involvement in the nightlife andentertainment business. Consequently, they realized something wasneeded to spice up the Asian nightlife on the east coast. In retrospect,the ambitious two started ISIS Productions, an entertainment companythat provides a medium—primarily 4 Boston nightclubs on selectednights—to expand public relations, cultural awareness, and promoteamateur and professional Asian-American entertainers from acrossthe country.

ISIS also works closely with the local Asian community andAsian college student groups. For instance, ISIS collaborates with BostonUniversity, MIT, Wellesley College, and Northeastern University byhosting venues in which the respective student unions have opportunities to raise money and make intercollegiate connections aswell. The potential for building relations is evident if one participates inthe ISIS nightlife, as I was fortunate enough to experience. The conceptof networking is ubiquitous as I floated around the room observing thegroups of young individuals having a good time and meetingnew people.

In fact, I was privileged to meet two young men from Bulgariawho were enjoying the night. When I asked of their immediate thoughtson the club and Boston, they replied, “People are friendly and they wouldlove to stay in Boston longer.” So eager to soak up the club’s ambiance,the two new-comers slipped right back into the action on thedance floor.

During the night, Asian-Americans mingled with a visitingboxing team from Brazil, tourists from Bulgaria, singers, artists, students,and a myriad of other fun-loving, hard-working young adults. ISIS trulyallows for a hip atmosphere for people to experience Boston’s nightlifeand build individual connections.

I encourage you to participate in the ISIS nights to broadenhorizons, expand your knowledge of the Asian-American community, andto create your own network. After all, you never know who the personyou may dance with might turn out to be…it’s a small world after all! For information on upcoming events, nightclubs, or to contactISIS Productions, please visit isisnight.com.

THE ISIS TEAMTop Row: James Phu, Eenae Tam, Josh Vicente, Nick Phelps, Amanda

Nguyen, Pauline Mah, Alecia Huynh, Joey Chan

Botton Row: Deb Yuen, Joanna Liu, Kaye Lee, Veronica Moy, CalvinLeung, Veronica Ge, Juliana Iglesias, Antwon Trinh

Below left: Peter Chung & Jason Chung Photography: James Phu

AS IAN | BOSTONINFORM • ENTERTAIN • RELATE Ad design: [email protected]


CONNECTING CULTURES34 a bASIAN|BOSTON ENTERTAINMENT

AB: Sumie, what is your musicalbackground?Sumie: I was born in Chiba, Japan, in avery traditional Japanese musicenvironment. I started studying koto atage 5, and shamisen at age 17, along withclassical Japanese singing. I went on toTokyo University of Fine Arts and Music(Tokyo Geidai) to pursue my studies intraditional Japanese music.

AB: When did jazz come into the picture? Sumie: When I was at Tokyo Geidai, theatmosphere was extremely conservative.The formality was too much for me; youare expected to ‘fit in.’ There was noflexibility to do what you wanted, whichwas a huge dilemma for me. So, when Iencountered jazz music at age 19, myfirst impression of it was ‘ultimateoriginality.’ Up until then, I thought musiconly existed on score sheets. I wasamazed that the 36 measures of musiccould be shaped into anything youdesired. It’s like water!

AB: You attended Berklee School of Musicin Boston. What did you study there?Sumie: I studied jazz vocal. I had neversung jazz nor could I read the codes priorto coming to Berklee.

AB: Can you describe your music?Sumie: I fall into three categories: jazzvocalist, Japanese/jazz instrumentalist,and traditional Japanese singer/musician.I tour frequently, performing the latter.I also compose, arrange and perform myown music.

AB: What kind of compositions doesThe Spin perform?Sumie: We perform ‘cover material’ bothin English and Japanese, and originalinstrumental and Japanese songs.

Sumie has started writing original songsin English, with a blend of Japanese words.We wish her and The Spin the best ofluck in future endeavors.

Sumie & The Spin can be seen at Kaji AsoStudio, Rutman’s in Boston, Lily Pad ArtGallery, and Ryle’s in Cambridge.

For more information, please visit sumiekaneko.com

Boston born, Walter F.Y. Wong, hasbig dreams and he is making them cometrue. Son of divorced parents, Walter wasraised by his father and grandparents inBoston's Chinatown. His family later movedto Brighton, MA. "My father brought me upto be a good person and he disciplined me

well.” Walter continues, “I spent a lot of timewith my grandparents as my dad was oftenat work. It was very painful for me when mygrandfather passed away, then a year later,my grandmother. They were the backbone ofmy character.”

In 1989, Walter began martial artstraining in Kempo Karate, and then in1992, he studied Tae Kwon Do with Jae HunKim, and Wah Lum Kung Fu at theWah Lum Academy with Sifu Bob Rosen in1993. In 1994, Walter entered WentworthInstitute of Technology, but left after a year.He went on to hold various jobs and earneda certificate in computer technology whiletaking night courses at Boston University.

Soon, Long Fist Kung Fu and WhiteCrane Kung Fu captured his interest and hebegan studying at Yang's Martial ArtsAssociation. "Dr. Yang Jwing Ming is like asecond father to me,” Walter says. “I amforever his devoted student." He has alsotrained in Liu He Ba Fa with Master LiangShou Yu, and for the past year, in Nami RyuAiki Heiho with Sensei James Williams.Walter is currently teaching Long Fist Kung Fu,White Crane Kung Fu, Liu He Ba Fa and NamiRyu Aiki Heiho.

One day, a friend at BostonUniversity asked Walter to play the lead ina film project and his passion for acting was

awakened. He has decided to move to LosAngeles. "I hope to showcase my martial artsabilities in films, but also plan to train as anactor.” Bruce Lee, Jet Li, Jackie Chan andBoston born Donnie Yen, have all made theirmark on the silver screen. Their martial artsskills broke down Hollywood doors, andhelped pave the way for many Asian actorsto follow.

Walter recently worked on the film,The Departed, shot in Boston and directedby Martin Scorsese. “Working with Scorsesewas an honor,” states Walter. "I was happy tobe on the set, ready to follow direction. I willcontinue to share my passion with those sincerely interested in learning from me, yet,acting is my career choice. If you really wantto do it, then just do it. I've come a long waywith minimal training and I am prepared towork harder. It is my hope that great thingsare in store for me this year.”

Walter sincerely emphasizes, “I donot have to face life's challenges alone, myfather and I are very close and I have goodfriends.”

For more information, please visitmyspace.com/walteryfwong

The Spin, a jazz fusion and traditionalJapanese music group from Boston, consists ofthree highly talented musicians: Sumie Kaneko,vocals, koto and shamisen (traditional Japanesestring instruments), Toshio Tanaka, handpercussion, mokugyo (Japanese woodblocks),and Casper Gyldensoe, guitar.

I had the pleasure of sitting down withSumie, a beautiful Japanese girl with long blackhair. Her speaking voice is as mesmerizing asher singing voice.

QUICKVIEWS

Sumie KanekoA Japanese Spin on Jazz

By Mariko

Walter WongDirection & Fortitude

By Marika Gazsi

Sumie oftenuses thistraditionalJapanese woodeninstrument, called the koto.

CONNECTING CULTURES 35a b ASIAN|BOSTON ENTERTAINMENT

1

What do you want to be whenyou grow up? Do you ever worry aboutmaking enough money to support yourselfand possibly a family? What if I told youthat there is a way to have money goinginto your pocket without even having towork for it? There is a way, and it’s calledinvesting. I was clueless about what investing was until I read Rich Dad Poor Dadby Robert Kiyosaki.

Robert Kiyosaki is an author,businessman, and an investor. He is afourth-generation Japanese American whowas born and raised in Hilo, Hawaii. WhileKiyosaki was growing up, he had two dadswhom he learned from. His Poor Dad washis real father who was an intelligent manwith a PhD, but he did not care very muchabout money and ended up dying in debt.His Rich Dad was his friend Mike’s dad.He only finished eighth grade, but he wasvery savvy about money and became aself-made millionaire. At age nine, Kiyosakiwas already beginning to learn how to thinkrich and manage money. He was able toretire at the age of 47 in 1994 and his wiferetired at age 39.

Do not think his books are abouthow to get rich quick...it is more than that.Through his books, he gives his life teachings and philosophies. By reading his books, I have been inspired and

motivated to become financially independent. He has made me more

aware of changing society and how money works.

I am currently a junior in highschool. I’m an honor roll student andclueless as to what I want to be upongraduation. I’ve thought about becoming amodel or an actor, but now that I’ve readRich Dad Poor Dad, I would also like to bea good investor.

Being born into an Asian family,my parents expect me to get good gradesin school, get a scholarship, attend a goodcollege and get a good paying job such asa doctor or lawyer. If I took this road, itwould be an example of what Kiyosaki callsthe “Rat Race.” In the Rat Race, all you dois work, pay bills, work harder, make moremoney, buy a lot of unnecessary things,pay higher bills, work even harder, andcontinue to pay bills. Ninety percent of thepopulation lives in the Rat Race, accordingto Kiyosaki. His purpose in writing hisbooks is to teach readers how to get out ofthe Rat Race and into the “Fast Track,”where money works for you and not youhaving to work for money.

I strongly encourage everyone,especially teens and women to startthinking about money and to start spendingwisely. School teaches us book smarts, butit doesn’t teach us how to be financiallysmart. It is never too early or too late tostart thinking about your financial freedom.

By Anna

Artmosphere

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[email protected]

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CONNECTING CULTURES36 a bASIAN|BOSTON TEEN CORNER

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asian boston issue 3

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