The Paw Print

Unidentifiable fragrances shocked me as I entered the American Airlines airplane to become a part of a unique group of people, the 1.5 Generation.

I first heard this term during the National Coalition for Asian Pacific American Community Development Convention in Anaheim, Calif. in May 2008. I previously classified myself as a Chinese-American immigrant. I was unaware that being raised in China until 7 years old and then coming to the U.S. and having a second childhood here put me in a whole new group –the 1.5G.

When people ask me to identity myself, they ask: “Are you the first generation or the second generation?” I always had a hard time answering them. I came here young enough to assimilate into the American culture, but I was also old enough to have certain ideologies picked up from my seven-year experience in China. I am both.

I don’t blame them for not knowing that 1.5G exists because the problem is we didn’t know we have this category to define our experiences. We are not American-born second generation. Nor are we the first generation who came here as mature students, with our native country’s ideologies and traditions.

We are individuals that know a little of everything. I can read, communicate, and type Chinese but not write in Chinese. Like what my friends say, “Your Chinese sounds American.” I use the English styles for Chinese writing, which they say makes no sense.

We know at least two languages but don’t necessarily master both. Like many others, I still carry my Chinese accent. Some of our English is not good enough to be like the American Born Chinese (ABCs) and our Chinese is not good enough to be like the first generation. This confuses some 1.5Gs and makes us feel out of place with the ABCs.

When my first-generation friends say, “you are so ABC!” after I’ve done something clumsy, I respond, “No, I am CBC [Chinese Born Chinese]” because I want to fit in with them.

Sometimes I love it when people think of me as an ABC. It feels superior and better to be ABC, for some reason. The second generation’s language advantage gets them better access to resources and makes them well assimilated to the American culture, giving them power over the first generation.

Sometimes I don’t know if I like the things I purchase or I’m trying to act ABC. The high Nike shoes, American Eagle, and Holister: do we really like the design or is it because all the other ABCs and Americans wear it?

Feeling out of place, as 1.5Gs we shouldn’t have to choose which group we want to be like. More information and studies need to be done on us to preserve our uniqueness and to encourage us not to assimilate and disappear into other groups.

Some people see magic as an escape some see it as smoke and mirrors but some people don’t use props and use deserted isolated place to perform. Some people feel that magic is a lie but you need to believe in any thing if you have dreams you must believe in anything to make your dream a reality and to become famous you must believe it is mot magic it does not happen that way you can’t just snap your fingers an poof you have fame and money you have to work hard and believe in what you want. Just create a dream follow it and work for it and any positive way don’t let any negative feedback bring you down like if you want to be a singer you have to practice till your voice is perfect or for any instrument you have to practice till its perfect and sound right. You cant forget those who helped you get there because without them there would be no magic or fame and you would be just a normal person like everyone with a dream wanting more from life. You need to pick a star and follow it as my best friend would say to me.

My whole life, the only thing I could think of was giving up. It’s like there are only so many things that can hit a person at one time while growing up. Especially when the person is so young. People say just because I’m a teenager, I have nothing on my plate, meaning I’m not going through anything. That isn’t true at all. My problems started at the age of 5. And I have always let them get the best of me. But not anymore.

The fact that I’m such an isolator makes things worse. People say in order to get something or get somewhere you have to open your mouth to get it. And I don’t know how to do that.

But this time, I’m going to make a change. Being locked up isn’t going to help me get anywhere any time soon. I’m going into my senior year and I’m going to stand out. Being the little innocent, quiet girl is cute, but it can only be used in certain places and at certain times.

As my school’s Peer Leader my job is to open my mouth and say how I feel, and that’s exactly what I’m going to do.

My anger and attitude problems aren’t going to get me anywhere. Often times I can’t help it because of what I grew up with. And sometimes I don’t notice it, but it is now my job to be happy and stay happy because you can only live life once, and to live life always sad and frustrating isn’t healthy and I’m going to wake up one day and regret it.

It will be a different me going into 12th grade. I notice I am growing up and that means that I’m not getting any younger, so why waste time on things that aren’t worth wasting time on?

I feel that I was put in this world to make a difference, and that’s exactly what I am going to do.

There aren’t many times when you can see a female lead in an action movie but Angelina Jolie does an admirable job playing the character Salt in this summer’s action movie by the same name.

“Salt” was written by Kurt Wimmer, who wrote action movie “Equilibrium” in 2002, and was directed by Phillip Noyce, who directed and got his ideas from similar movies such as “Patriot Games” and “Clear and Present Danger.” Salt was released in July, giving the summer a great action movie to be proud of.

Evelyn Salt (Angelia Jolie), a CIA agent, is accused of being a Russian spy and goes on the run from the CIA, FBI and Secret Services to prove that she is innocent of crimes.

Her co-worker Peabody (Chiwetel Ejiofor) doesn’t believe her when Salt says she’s not a spy, while Salt’s co-worker Winter (Liev Schreiber) tries to convince Peabody that Salt isn’t a spy.

Salt goes through a series of flashbacks in the movie that make her seem more than an innocent person on the run. The flashbacks make the movie a little confusing: it’s hard to know whether Salt was supposed to be a Russian spy or not, but the flashbacks made the movie more interesting, and had the audience guessing.

Salt’s biggest fear is that her German husband (August Diehl), who once was tough enough to bust her out of a North Korean prison, could be affected by the claim that she is a Russian spy.

Scenes in the movie such as Salt jumping from truck to truck on the highway are very exhilarating, as she tries to escape the blame of being a Russian spy.

The ending of the movie is confusing because whether Salt is supposed to be on the run for the rest of her life isn’t exactly clear.

This movie is worth seeing. It talks about a character who is constantly being accused of being this Russian spy. But the character doesn’t know who she is herself, and what see was went to do. As she goes on the run, flashbacks bring back memories of what she was made to do.

From previous movies Angelina Jolie did, such as “Mr. and Mrs. Smith,” Jolie brought more performance in Salt. To be a 35-year-old action female star, Jolie does great acting, and does a super job with bringing her character out, which explains why the Daily News made her number five of the top 10 female action stars of all time.

While the oil spill may be capped, the repercussions will be long lasting. BP would like to say they are optimistic about their future, but the truth is that there are still many questions to be asked and it is unlikely that people will put their trust in BP ever again. They have ruined their reputation and as anyone who has been scorned by the media can tell you, a tarnished reputation can be almost impossible to get back.

So what will it take for BP to gain some trust and have the eyes of the world taken off them? For one thing, they need to take stronger precautions, so that this type of spill, or any spill for that matter, will happen again.

As I’ve seen and read, it is inevitable that they will drill more. The government and the companies make too much money from it for it to be to stopped. With corporations, money comes before safety. Being that it is inevitable, BP has to lead the way in safety precautions now. They have to show the world that they have learned from their mistakes and take the initiative, so that the other corporations will enact the same safety measures. I am against drilling because even when something does not go wrong, it is still negatively affecting habitats and innocent animals, but if there is no way of changing the minds of the companies and the government, then at least, we must ensure the safety of individuals and make it a somewhat less dangerous job.

Another thing BP must do is answer any and all questions the public may have and show they have some sense of selflessness. BP’s former CEO, Tony Hayward, enraged many Americans affected by the spill, when he said that he wanted his “life back.” Americans saw this as the ultimate selfish remark and looked at BP in an even worse light. The corruption and lack of communication inside BP has been incredible during this spill, and needed to take a backseat while they found a way to cap this spill. Now, that this spill seems to be somewhat fixed, BP needs to communicate within themselves and to the public. BP needs to be ready to address everything they’ve done since April and face the American Public.

While BP’s reputation is most likely forever tarnished, by doing these things, they may reduce the amount of scorn they are receiving.

Kids are probably going to talk to their pillows after watching the episodes of the newly released drama “A Pillow Case of Mystery II.” This drama has been broadcasted in Hong Kong by TVB from July 12 to August 6 and has been internationally viewed by audiences on Youtube.com. Starring Bobby Au-Yeung, Jessica Hsuan, Joel Chan, Leila Tong and Johnson Lee, the drama is hilarious yet extraordinary.

“A Pillow Case of Mystery II” is a 21-episode Chinese drama with English subtitles. Each episode could work as a stand-alone show. Combined of comedy, romance, fantasy, and mystery, it adds a fresh taste of mixed genres to the existing series.

Sze Sai-Lun (Bobby Au-Yeung), the protagonist, comes across a pillow that follows him everywhere he goes. The pillow contains a spirit who gives him hints and clues to solve mysterious cases that occur in the village. While solving cases, he gradually falls in love with his enemy. He and his new wife, Ng Kwan-Yau (Jessica Hsuan) unite to solve the challenging mysteries ahead.

Though the chemistry between Sai-Lun and Kwan-Yau melts the hearts of the audience, creating touching scenes, Ting Mei-Yan (Leila Tong) and So Ying Tsun (Joel Chan) express a light-hearted love story as well.

The spirit in the pillow is played by Lee, a wise choice for Director Lam Chi Wah. Lee has been funny before in the “Poker Face” show, but now he is more entertaining when mimicking people, a skill put to good use in this series.

It is difficult to stop laughing scene after scene because Lee dresses up in bizarre costumes. In episode two, he is mesmerizing as a mermaid. Lee wears a shimmering sequined caramel-colored tail fin. The golden seashells on his chest thrust outward while his long, luminous blond hair tosses in the air. From the back, he looks like a gorgeous, stunning mermaid but the trick is on the audience when he turns around to reveal Ngau Tai Lik – the pillow spirit.

A high-quality drama makes its audience watch episode after episode without going to the bathroom or sleeping because it’s so riveting that people don’t want to miss anything. In “A Pillow Case of Mystery II,” each case has its own breathtaking moments where the audience can solve along on the side.

“A Pillow Case of Mystery I” has won the “Best Drama” award at the 39th TVB Anniversary Awards in 2006. In 2010, the sequel to “A Pillow Case of Mystery I” might win the awards again at the upcoming 40th TVB Anniversary Awards.

Why did the chicken cross the road? To get away from the three Korean fried chicken restaurants between 32nd and 33rd streets.

Bon Chon Chicken, a franchise restaurant sandwiched nicely between Kyochon Chicken and Mad for Chicken on 5th Avenue near Korean row, just opened in August. The store adds to existing locations in Manhattan, Flushing, New Jersey, California, Virginia, Massachusetts, and South Korea. The new restaurant, however, strays away from the original Bon Chon image.

The solid, white walls, the shiny, black tables and the unique silhouette design point to the ubiquitous Bon Chon style. But unlike the other restaurants, the new location doesn’t keep the original splash of red to create that bright modern look. It maintains some of sleek modern look but incorporates new elements like dimmed ceiling lights, mahogany pillars, tall black tables, high brown stools and beer taps to create a jazzy bar theme.

The new Bon Chon also introduces some tech savvy. Customers can view the menu on three big monitors above the front counter. While customers wait for their orders, they are invited to sit down and watch music videos, news or sports that are projected on walls from the ceiling-mounted projectors.

The new restaurant will be serving similar dishes to the original Bon Chon. Appetizers will include zucchini fries, pot stickers, and popcorn chicken, and entrees such as bulgogi (Korean BBQ) taco, Korean scallion pancake, Pork cutlet, will be offered. Currently, the only dish available is the star of the restaurant: Korean Fried Chicken.

The Bon Chon chicken is not like Kentucky Fried Chicken. There’s plenty of garlic in the soy garlic chicken, but it is not overpowering. It balances nicely with the salty and sweetness from the soy sauce. The best feature of the Bon Chon chicken is the texture. The crunchy crust balances the moist tender meat to create a crispy, pleasant chicken.

And there is no mess. The sauce isn’t so sticky that it’s everywhere. It mainly sticks to the fingertips. And the chicken is light. No oil stains, no puddles, no splotches—just a few pieces of that crispy skin on the plate.

At Kyochon Chicken, next door, customers pay $8.99 for five wings, a side dish and beverage. Four drumsticks cost another $8.99, while they cost $7.95 in the nearby Mad for Chicken. But in Bon Chon, six wings, five pieces of white meat, or four drumsticks, mixed with either soy garlic or soy garlic hot sauce cost $6.99. The meal also includes pickled radishes, side dish and drink of their choice. Although the chicken order in Bon Chon is a great deal, the other dishes are a bit pricey. But when unique foods like bulgogi taco and zucchini fries are on the menu, it’s worth trying out.

The new Bon Chon is very welcoming. Waiters immediately greet people at the door and send their farewells to those leaving. Waiters also check often on customers sitting at tables, offering refreshments or service.

Unlike the 45-minute wait in the other Bon Chon restaurants, the new store actually finishes and delivers the order to the table in 15 minutes. Waiters make sure that everyone gets their order quickly by frequently checking in the kitchen.

The new Bon Chon went up a level. With its new looks, better service, and tasty chicken, the 32nd street Bon Chon may be better than its franchise counterparts and up for competition with the other Korean fried chicken contenders.

It is hard to believe Director Feng Xiaogang (“Assembly”, “If You Are the One”) could direct an emotional and serious movie, since he mostly writes and directs comedy movies. 

The movie “Aftershock” opens with an epic, tragic and realistic recreation of the 1976 Tangshan earthquake, which killed more than 240,000 people and left the village with nothing.

With cranes falling, buildings rumbling and collapsing and blood-spattered ground, this movie keeps you in suspense, wondering what will happen next throughout the movie.

After the earthquake, Li Yuan Ni [Xu Fan] finds out her twin son and daughter have been buried beneath a concrete slab, and she must decide which one to save.  Lifting the concrete slab will potentially kill both.  Under pressure, Li chose to save her son, Da Feng (Zhang Jiajun), leaving her daughter, Fang Deng (Zhang Zifeng) under the concrete to die.  But, Fang Deng astoundingly lived without her mother knowing and leaving her alone with a painful memory that haunts her forever.

The director, Feng Xiaogang did a great job portraying the idea of how important things are when they are gone.

Zhang Jingchu does an excellent job depicting the older Fang Deng by capturing the essence of a girl struggling through adulthood.  Also, actress Xu Fan, who plays Li Yuanni, does a brilliant job as a mother compared to other movies she was in.  In other movies, Xu Fan plays more of a funny person than an emotional person, which captivates the audience’s emotions in this movie.

But despite having strong actors that seize people’s attention, the plot was confusing. It left the audience hanging by a cliff when some dramatic things happen in the twin lives. The director gave too little information about the struggle the twins had to go through in their life, which left the audience baffled to know what will happen to them.  Instead of explaining, they just go into more details about the future of the twin’s life. Other than a confusing plot, the way the director recreated the scene of the Tangshan earthquake was remarkable because the scene was lively and authentic. 

Despite his background in comedy, Feng Xiaogang did a wonderful job directing this emotional and serious movie.  He kept it surreal and vigorous, without needing to push it too emotional. This movie is out of the ordinary and compelling and the English subtitles will keep you going without realizing you are watching a Chinese movie. 

I finally turned eighteen just in time for the primary election. As a first time voter and a teenager, I question why there were no letters send to me about the upcoming election. The red and white letter that explained where to go to vote and who is running, only my sister got it in my family.

Was all the responsibilities put on to me because “I should be an active citizen”? Was I supposed to research all the information regarding this upcoming election without a clear understanding of how the election actually works?

No, it shouldn’t be. High school students should be educated about how the election works. Aside from the presidential elections, I have no idea how the other elections work.

I have registered many of the Chinese citizens before the 2008 presidential election. I have the knowledge of how to register people to vote but I have no exposure of the candidate’s ideas of this year’s election.

“I am going to vote,” I said days before my eighteen birthday. I have always wanted to vote and I regret not being able to vote in the 2008 election. I registered others to vote as my way of evolving myself in the election.

Now that I have turned eighteen, I have no idea who to vote for. After the presidential election, all the other local elections seem to be hidden to the constituents.

President Obama uncovered the voting potentials of the young adults ages 18 and up. A great sum of young adults started to vote not because they wanted to vote but because someone [Obama] gave their votes a much greater value.

With this new angle aimed at the young voters, young voters like me need to be well exposed and educated about all elections in order for us to make a well thought out vote.

Do you have any talent?  Talent is such a broad word.  Talent doesn’t have to be only from singing and acting; there are all sorts of talent.  When I look up the word “Talent” in the thesaurus, it gave me: aptitude, flair, gift, bent, capacity, ability, genius, etc.  Talent comes from different age groups or different types of acts. 

Talent is what makes people self-conscious because they believe they cannot do anything, but I believe everyone has talent no matter what they do.  Talent can be hobbies they have or what they are good at.  Even though people discourage you and say that you are not good at something, you are good inside your heart.  Everyone has a talent; you just have to see if it is a natural gift or not.

But, yesterday when I was watching “America’s Got Talent” a girl’s talent surpassed me of what I original thought of her.  She was only 10 years old, but her voice is a voice of a grown-up opera singer.  Her name is Jackie Evancho and she only started singing at the age of 8.  She has a natural talent and that is a gift from heaven because it is hard to have a natural talent that will stun the entire world.

You don’t have to be expert on things to have talent because talent comes from your heart and your inner mind.  Also, talent is about expressing your feelings through what you are good at.  Personally, I never thought I had talent because I grew up thinking that I am not good at anything.  But I believe if I am passionate about something that will be my own talent because it is what I like to do.  People may tell me I have no talent or I am not good at something, I will tell them they are wrong because I do have a talent that I enjoy doing.