This is a general testing for yangman blogs. ^^

Just got back from a trip to the Bay City-San Francisco! This was only my second time in California and first to San Fran. If I could only use one word to describe the whole experience, it would be PULCHRITUDINOUS! Wow! I've pratically been to all four corners of the continental US and to countless large cities and I would have to say that San Francisco is indubitably on my top two (a toss-up between San Francisco and Seattle) cities to visit.

We stayed in the Hostrell International Hotel located in Little Saigon which was such an amazing place! There were people from all over the world staying there. One could take a short walk from their room on any floor to the front desk and hear not less than four different languages being spoken! I've met people from France, Belgium, Russia, Brazil, Japan, Taiwan, etc.

Just based off of this experience, I would have to say that San Francisco is very liberal and welcoming. It seems like everytime we stood at a random corner turning the map around in circles and trying to figure out where we are, someone approaches us and ask if if we need directions! These types of beneficent gestures definitely makes the experience more soothing (as well as saving us from headaches).

We visited Chinatown (which in my opinion is the BEST Chinatown that I've been to, and I've been to quite a few). The streets are lined with marvelous statues and there were hundreds of chinese lanterns hung over streets that created a 'tunnel-like' atmosphere. While in Chinatown, I was fortunate enough to find two huge, very traditional and elaborate Buddha shrines. I'm not very religious but must admit it felt good to follow the old ladies instructions and go through the procedure of worship (made me feel at peace).

Other areas that we visited were the Golden Gate Bridge, Japantown, the crazy street that's in the Guiness Book for World Record for being the street with the most bends, the Asian Art Museum, Pier 37 (or is it 39), Alcatraz and other tourist hotspots.

Finally, I must say that the people there are (for the most part) beautiful. I rarely saw anyone who's 'over-weight' (those that I did saw were probably tourist...hahahaha). There were people of all colors and creeds. I met people from countries I've didn't know exist (Suriname, anyone)?

Overall, I would hop at the first opportunity to go back and would definitely recommend it to anyone who's thinking of going or are looking for a great place to visit!

In the words of the California Governator (Arnold)- "I'll be BACK! (to San francisco).

Xav luaj ntuj xus luaj nyuj

Moua, Keng
Hmong Culture
26 June 2009

Reflection

When I became serious about helping my fellow Hmong people out and informing them about the answers, the truths, and the evidences to back the claims that the Christian view holds, which are: First, there is one God and only one God but is revealed in three distinct persons: Father, Son, Holy Spirit. Second, people are evil in nature since the Fall of Adam and Eve. Third, that God provided a way out for humanity through His Son Jesus Christ on the Cross and rose again. I needed to be knowledgeable about my own language so that I can speak properly when conversing with the older Hmong generations. Little did I know that I had registered for the wrong course! It’s true; initially I meant to take Hmong language course. I was surprised when you (Mr. Vang) started out teaching about the origin of the Hmong people.

My reaction was surprised. I knew I had taken the wrong course but I really didn’t have much of a choice because the tight work schedule I had. So I decided to stay put and at the very least finished the first day. To my surprise again, this course was just what I needed. I thought it was the perfect class for me in my current state. Learning about the history of my people was just as important, if not more, than the language.

The most memorable things I’ve learned in your class that I never knew, and stood out the most as a Hmong Christian, are the theories behind the origin of the Hmong people, specifically the Mesopotamia Theory. Now, of course, I already believed all people came from Adam and Eve created by God in the image of God. This “discovery” of the Hmong people and its supposed origin, only reassures my belief. Therefore, this is the most logical theory to go with. Mesopotamia is such an ancient city dealing with biblical accounts of people, events, and other neighboring cities, that it’s hard not to use it as a source.

The other memorable thing was learning about the similarity between the historical religious beliefs of Hmong and that of the Israelite or Christians. Some of the few obvious similarities are: a spiritual belief of a supreme being, a global flood, life after physical death, judgment after death, murdering of people is wrong, lying (not telling the truth) is wrong, homosexuality is wrong, sex outside of marriage (adultery/fortification) is wrong no matter how people try to justify it, etc. This should lead to the question: Is it possible that the Hmong people or Asian people in general, came out from one of the three sons of Noah of Biblical time? Oh, my friend, isn’t it an exciting thought?

In the end, I’m glad I’ve stayed in your class. I’m sorry for not mentioning this and sharing it to the class. My reason was I didn’t want to end of debating with other students and also, that would take up your time to teach which would be rude for my part, perhaps some other day, God willing Mr. Vang.

I want to apologize for not turning in the research paper/presentation. I felt I picked a subject that was far more complex than I had ignorantly thought. During my research, I grew frustrated and tired, and gave up, and admitting that I was not ready to take this challenge. If I fail this class, I would definitely retake it next year. Hoping my knowledge would be far greater than now. Being Hmong and understanding my root is important to me but knowing the real truth of our people is a million times more important. Being Hmong and a believer in Christ is not impossible as many Hmong people had put it. In fact, being free from sin because of what Jesus did on the Cross is the epitome of what it truly means to be Hmong. It is the epitome of what it truly means to be “free”.

A few days ago, I went to an old friends' wedding. I have not seen this particular person in a few years so thought it would be fun. Needless to say, I was disturbingly suprised by the proportion of babies/kids to adults! I swore, for every one adult, there were like three kids! Most of the adults my age, I knew from childhood. We talked and reminisced about days gone by and how we've changed. It was a great time but it was also a sad reunion. Sad because I see that most of these 'friends' are lost with no clear direction in life. Most are on welfare, their kids walking around in clothing that could probably stand by itself. The carefree people I once knew are now a shell of their former self...no job, no degree, no goals in life. Waiting months after months for that government check on come so they can buy milk and cereal for the little ones. What's even more disturbing was that young Hmong adults in their late teens and early twenties are also lugging around little ones. They gathered and talk about how 'cute' and 'cuddly' babies are but they are babies themselves. Once again, no job, no source of income except for the monthy welfare check and what they get from child support. After stepping back and analyzing what I was seeing, I began to see a trend. It seems like these young teens are having babies because it's all they know, it's all they can accomplish. Ask any person on the street and they'll tell you that making babies does not require any conscious or abstract thought, in another words; it doesn't take rocketscience to make babies. The simplest form of life such as amoebas and bacterias even possess the innate urge to reproduce so as to pass on their genetic variations to the next generations. Are the intelligence level of these young Hmong people at the same level as those of a water daphnia or a single cell organisms? I surely hope not. I like to believe that we as human being are capable of making sound judgement and moral choices, especially when it comes to this sensitive topic. Am I against people having kids? Of course not, but only if the parent can actually take care of them and not depend on governmental welfare programs. And yes, 'accidents' do happen but based on what I've been told, most of these babies are running around because the mother or the father wanted a kid without thinking about how to care for the child. This is a trend that I believe must be weaned out of the Hmong culture before it results in the community subsidizing to subpar living conditions. I think we, as a people must strive to make the best of what our parents gave us and must strive to be the best that we can be. This means eliminating having kids UNTIL one is ready both physically and finanically.

hey i'm broing so..............do u want to chat?
hate summer cuz it's broing just want to go back to school

Koj nyob ib leeg ua rau kuv nplooj siab yaj ntshawv ntshis nco txog koj thaum lub caij koj sawv, koj zaum,thiab koj pw.

dojo

I'm a lonely girl.