March 30, 2006

  • vascon2-
    may i always remember- and live by- your words.
    may i always dream dreams greater than myself.
    may i always cherish these beautiful friendships.

    "In order to end human trafficking, it depends on YOU.
    It's not just Vietnam's problem- this is OUR problem."
    - Father Cuong, VietACT


    -art courtesy of fielding licht gallery, austin

    "There are ways for us to make our parents proud other than being
    [what they want us to be]- we just haven't explored them yet."
    - Uyen Le, NAVASA


    "There's this window of opportunity and if you don't jump through it, it will be gone."
    - Uyen Le, NAVASA

    "Don't believe everything you read.
    Question! Think!"
    - KimOanh Nguyen-Lam

    "I became that voice because there was a need- an urgency- for that voice. Find a way to make yourself heard, tell others what you think is important."
    -Bao Phi

    "Who else can we get our history?
    Who else will tell our story but us?"
    -Bao Phi

    "Being of color, [being of] a woman...
    have become virtues to me."
    -Anh Dao



    "Let me sink into song, believing every lyric as I lip synch along.
    See it talks to me- it whispers in rhymes, relating life
    stories that ain't too different than mine."

    -Magnetic North

    Random ...
    Watching clips from "Journey from the Fall" was emotional. [Did you feel that too? I was tearing up like no other.] Although I'm not Vietnamese-American, it still struck a chord that resonated deep within my heart. How our parents stories- yours and mine - are different but the same. How beautiful it is that we can all come and share them together. It's inspired me to begin writing again- not just xangaing- but real writing. What's your story? I want to hear it.

    Lastly, 3 final thoughts...


    [Magnetic North's debut album is HOT! check it out]

    1) Support your fellow Asian American artists.
    You know- the amazing talented performers who rocked VASCONlive- Thomas' Apartment, Pete Nguyen, EMC Monkeys, Vudoo Soul, Magnetic North, and Bao Phi. They put their heart and soul into their work- help a asian brotha/sista out! Don't burn their music/poems from your friends- BUY IT and support them, danggit.

    2) Follow your dreams.
    It was so encouraging to see artists doin' their thang. But for those of us who may not be musically talented, or artistically creative, be not discouraged! Whatever your dream is- whether it be in health care, engineering, law, sciences, or art- your dream is worthwhile to not only yourself but to your community. Chase after it... it is possible.

    On a side note, I didn't meet many students interested in healthcare (where my nurses at?) So if you're a future healthcare professional who aspires to change the world by bringing healthcare to where there is none... let's be friends. =)

    3) Human trafficking... Ok. Now what?

    What you can do at your campus:

     

    -Begin an anti-human trafficking campaign or join a social justice organization which aims to combat the issue. (join UT Austin as they host their campaign on 4/26-4/28!)

    -Host a documentary screening (films on trafficking include: Dying to Leave, Born into Brothels, Children for Sale. 'Children for Sale' is produced by Dateline NBC but in conjunction with IJM. If you like'd to obtain a copy you can email me or you can contact IJM and they will send you a copy.)

    -Organize a silent protest. (make posters and hold them up in a public place and put tape over your mouths to represent all the victims who live in oppression/ we did this for our Darfur campaign and got a pretty cool response from our campus.)

    -Raise awareness by telling people about what you learned at VASCON2- how it affected you- how these women and children are affected- how humanity is affected. Tell your friends to tell others. Spread it. Write it. Post it. Announce it. Let their voice be heard.

    -Organize events to sponsor organizations which address the issue, such as VietACT or International Justice Mission. (Last year our ministry hosted a talent show in which we raised over $1,000 to help IJM combat trafficking.) Put your talent to work! (e.g.: "Fast"-athon, fundraising dinner, talent show, etc)

    -Network. Call your congressmen- Write them a letter. (In fact, do it now! Find and email your Representative - or your Senator). Find an internship.

    Do something. Do anything.

     


    more than a conference...a     movement.
    hopes, aspirations... for something more.
    to everyone at vascon2, thank you.

    ~ ~ ~
    and...


    happy birthday to the
    exec director herself,
    my P.I.C., kym pham. =)
    please wish her a happy birthday!

Comments (13)

  • Beautiful entry. =) 1,2,3, "vasssssconnnn 2!"

  • hey Sophia! thanks again for making us feel so very welcome! y'all showed us what southern hospitality is all about! it was truly memorable to share such a unique and inspiring experience with you. i'm sure our paths will cross again in our fight against injustice! say hi to calvin for me! ^_^

  • next year i'm staying the whole time!  =)  where's the video?

  • picccccccc. this is beaaaautiful entry -- very sophia. ;) i don't know what to say to you except that i love you so much for always supporting me in everything i seek to do. your gift meant so much to me on sunday -- and is one of the few gifts that has ever brought me to tears (embaaarassing). i can't thank God more for our friendship -- it's so precious and beautiful and pure. thank you, my pic, for being a testament of God's love for me. :)

    i love you, sophia hong, the most compassionate/passionate nurse in the whole world. <3

  • you wrote down some great quotes! i scribbled a few myself in the notes section of the program... just too much goodness to let it slip by. =P i also liked how you outlined things we can do after the conference is done... it's good to take what you've learned and put it to action and i hope a lot of people will do that after the conference.

    it was unfortunate that we didn't meet.. seems like i'm missing out on something great. =) take care, and maybe our paths will cross again...

  • =) no words can say....

  • In Common Unity building local power
    july 13–16, 2006
    san josé state university
    http://www.uNAVSA.org
    registration www.uNAVSA.org
    contact Huy.Tran@NORCALUVSA.org
    Join us this year for ourThird Annual Conference

  • hey soapie, MAN why didn't i talk to you more! i soo wanted to hear your stories in person. i miss yah :-x

  • hi soapie =] i'm sad that you felt that way, i love meeting and seeing the eyes of the people who enjoy my work. but i'm glad you took the time to write me such a thoughtful msg. the opportunity to perform at vascon, as well as attend as a member, was very powerful to me. i can't wait to return to texas in the near future to go at it again! stay in touch... u seem like a very inspiring spirit, i'd love to meet you someday =]

    sincerely, Vu

  • hii theeters! i hope nursing is going well. i wish you could've stayed with us. byee.

  • hi sophia...i'm sorry we didn't get to meet.  but i am sure one day...as long as we are on the same path in making the world a better place (starting with eradicating the evils of human trafficking)...we definitely will! especially if you go to uNAVSA Conference this July! ;op   please feel free to contact me if you have any questions regarding VietACTor the cause against human trafficking in general ...i am learning as I go as well.  thanks for taking the lead in this cause!

    PeaceLoveUnityRespect,

    KimChi

  • hiii! thanks, yea i always pray i only have to stick 'em once! i do a lil mental visual of the IV going in. i know weird, but it helps me. haha... i can't believe you have 7 patients at night! gosh that's a big load. how do you do it?? the highest we take is 6 and i'm only on 3 now. what kind of floor are you working on? i'm on a meg-surg floor, starting my 3rd week this week. don't you hate it when the MDs chew ya out? ughh... it feels horrible but you do what you can you know? i'm sure you did what's right. nurses have backup! i'm glad we can share too. makes me feel better! =)

  • Hey Sophia...that's your name right?

    It's too bad that we didn't get to meet, but thanks for the comment on my entry.  Yeah...I took that elevator picture.  Though, I think someone else did too.  Thanks for advice you left on my post.  Anyhow, just wanted to return the eprops favor.  Take care.

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