The receptionist said "Happy Chinese New Year" to me this morning and I am so embarrassed I didn't even know it was Chinese New Year. My grandma on my dad's side is Chinese and growing up I don't remember ever celebrating it or even acknowledging it. Never received those pretty red envelopes embossed with gorgeous gold foil, nothing. I am really sad that I was never brought up "Asian" or at least familiarized with the Asian culture or traditions. (Many will argue that Filipino isn't "Asian", but it doesn't matter to me.) Both parents have always spoken to me in English, mom's side would speak Spanglish, and dad always talked to me in English, and if I was in trouble- tagalog. I never liked Filipino food other than the desserts, adobo, and pancit. I thought the taste of Horchata, Pasole, and of course Taco Bell (not real Mexican food!), was so much better. Now that I am older, I love Korean, Japanese, and Thai food, but I still don't like Filipino food. I am glad I can at least UNDERSTAND both Tagalog and some Spanish, but my sisters are so Americanized (after all one was born in Canada and one was born in the US) that they don't even know what "Pinay" means. No joke.
I don't know if it's the price of being raised in a bi-racial home where traditions and values can cross paths, but inevitably it motivated me to gain the experience via my Asian friends. I have learned a lot just by talking to them, sharing their pictures with me of their travels to China, Taiwan, Beijing, Japan, even India. It's amazing and I do hope that one day I can see these places myself and just take it all in. I am not embarrassed of who I am or what ethnicity I am, so I hope it doesn't come off that way, because not at all. I am proud to be raised by two loving parents who raised me to be independent and strong-minded. I identify more with the Hispanic culture more because I was mostly exposed to my mom's side, and didn't really meet my dad's side until later on in life. Everyone always justifies my ethnicity with "you look Asian", but yet I can't really identify with anything beyond that. It's like since I 'look' Asian does that mean i'm suppose to be good at math? (common stereotype). Yeah that does NOT apply to me! LOL. I guess I just wish I could have been part of those lovely traditions growing up and be able to truly appreciate it and experience it.
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So my good friend Izar made a post listing some fellow bloggers she appreciates, and she was so sweet to list me down so I thought id do the same!
Also, many of you asked me about the Fafi event, if you called and made an appointment, your time is whichever time they told you, 5pm, 6pm, etc. It's at MAC Freestanding Stores near you.
So I've been given the "You Make My Day Award", I am to pass it on to ten other bloggers according to these rules:
"Give the award to 10 people whose blogs bring you happiness and inspiration and make you feel happy about blogland. Let them know by posting a comment on their blog so they can pass it on. Beware you may get the award several times."
I think this is a wonderful way of saying thank you to those people who regularly come to my blog and leave comments. As a blogger, I find myself more and more enthralled with it because of all you ladies who stop by everyday, even if it's just to say hello. I know we are all busy and I do appreciate each and every one of you who DO take the time to leave a comment every now and then, and I apologize if I can't reply back to all of you sometimes. I just really appreciate the awesome people I have "met" here whose continuous friendship and support I cherish. So thanks!
[no particular order] Oh! And since there are so many people I wanted to say hello to, I just clumped y'all together!
Izar- You are such a kind-hearted lady and I always enjoy hearing from you, you it's your kindness that really pushes me through the day.
Maha G., Chloe, LS, Christal, Xuanie, KaiKai,and Jocelyn- You gals recently came about and I am so glad you did, you are very sweet and I really appreciate your support and I am glad that you find the site useful.
Sisters The Muse, Ren, Stephie, Christiana, Lynne, Anne, Anna, Lisa, Gezebel, Arashi, Fei, May (Aquadisia), EtherealPrey (Jen), my lovely partner in crime Alienman, Shawnta, Kia, Brittany, Liz, Emilee, Mayaari, Chastity, Stephanie, Nilla, Grayburn, Mimi, etc. (sorry if I missed anyone!): I love you girls. I know I haven't "met" some of you, but I feel like I've known you gals my whole life. I enjoy reading all your blogs, listening to your life stories, and most of all just the enjoyment we have with each other, we can relate and learn so much from one another, and I am really happy to know you gals. I love going online everyday and hearing from each and every one of you and catching up on your posts, it's great to unwind to the words of great friends after a hard day. I really appreciate your friendship and support and you ladies are awesome. :)
Achara, the C-Box commenters, Lilo, Melody, Akame22, Rachel, ALL the Julies (lol), All That Glitters, and many more of you: THANK YOU!
I am so sorry if I forgot some of you, my mind is dead since it's before 1pm when I am really awake, haha, but I do thank you!
Thursday, February 7, 2008
Shoutouts! & Happy Lunar New Year!
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if it wasn't for one of my friends (and a few bloggers) I would've forgotten that today was Chinese New Year as well :) My dad's side has some Chinese background, but I don't know all the details.
I know what you mean about growing up without knowing too many cultural traditions. I'm a first generation Fil-Am, but my parents put more effort into instilling Filipino culture with my 2 older brothers. By the time my younger brother and I came around, I think my parents had given up for the most part...so there's still a lot I have to learn about Filipino culture.
and I got the Tagalog hardcore whenever I got into trouble - still do, when they start scolding me about "life decisions" and such :)
Have you ever had lumpia, or bistek? maaaan..now I miss the Philippines...
Awe you're so sweet! Thanks for thinking of me! I think I would do the same on my blog if anyone actually read it hee hee...but i think I will....I've met a lot of great ppl online and even though we've never met, we've been friends for years, its strange I know, but online I feel as if i can say whatever, and they won't hate me or tell me i smell in rl, not that I stink well maybe sometimes, but it brings ppl from different places together and its great.
i say you start collecting on those red envelopes, i think you' missed out on a lot of years worth :) don't think about it too much, they assume all asians or ppl who look asian celebrate the lunar new year. But being flip is kinda cool, you get some spanish in there too, and omg the food...the things they do with pork truly amazes me...:)
hello there V,
Aww thnks for thinking of me!! your such a swty!!! love you!! hehe. and happy lunar new years to you too. oh and about your last post, that was very helpful i was kind of on the fence about getting a new eye lash curler so thnks a bunch again!!!
aww thanks vanessa. =) anyway, i was born in the philippines and i will treasure it forever.. the culture, the people, traditions... it is my heritage. however, having grown up here in america, i'd say that i have become heavily influenced by its culture and would consider myself more american in that respect, so i have some understanding of what you mean. it's all about how we take in everything that we've gone through, the people we grew up with and the like.
-Maha
'nessa I feel like I've known you ages too. You're the sweetest thing for listening to me rant and rave about the looney blogging world and always taking time out of your business schedule to leave a sweet comment for me!
You're absolutely adorable and I've been touched by knowing you even if it be the "virtual" world.
Don't let anyone tell you anything different! Freak the negative and enjoy the positive! You're perfect, your blog is amazing, and anyone who says different can take it up with me ;)
*MWAH*
It is true that whatever one gives one will get it back tenfold. I do nothing big really just list all my friends and tell them how much I love them and I'm blown away by all the love I get in return. It truly is a miracle! ^_^
Thank you for your kind words here and on my blog! Just like you, I often find myself wishing we could all come together and have a great big party. (And bring along our makeup bags of course. :-)
You have a great week too! *hug*
Lots of love,
Izar
Aawww, I dont know if that "Chloe" up there is me because I've seen another Chloe comment you. Haha its okay though.
Hmmm. Even I know what pinay means and Im vietnamese! Or at least, I think I know what it means.. filipino girl, right?
Chloe- It can be for both Chloe's haha, and yes Pinay is for "filipino girl". :)
hey honey bunches :) thanks so muchhhhhh for giving me a shout out...everytime i take a few minutes out of my workday to catch up on your happenings on your blog, i get a little bit of joy in my humdrum day...you were one of my original inspirations and my BF even knows who I'm talking about when I mention your name...he he...i'm inspired to do a post as well :)
Aww....Thank you so much for mentioning me. Its like you get sweeter by the day :)
I LOVE the stairs pic and the one from the plane. God gave you many more helping of creativity than he did for many of us, I'd say ;)
Rock on Girl!
Cheers
Achara
what?! filipinos aren't asian?! damn -- i better find another beauty blog. is there such a thing as Pacific Islander Beauty Blog? hahaha
oh, you know we're your groupies. :0P
I actually learned about Chinese New Year in school, not from my parents. My dad's mom is Chinese (who moved to the Philippines) yet they do not tell me anything about the culture. I do get a lot of the Filipino culture from my moms side, though. I love most of the food, (well at least the sweets) and I also understand Tagalog, but when I'm in trouble, lol. Anyway, I'm rambling. I just wanted to say how nice it is to have a post I can relate to in this huge beauty blogging world.
awww thanks for the shoutout! :D thank YOU too nessa, for all the tips and reviews you keep posting :) and you always have time to comment on my posts even though you're so busy. i'm glad to have known you online and would love to meet you in person someday :)
See this is perfect! All the resolutions that i haven't done squat with that I made on 1/1 I can start from today! :D
Thanks for the shout out hun!
Awwww you are too sweet....I love checking up on your site to see the latest finds!
P.s about ppl assuming you are "chinese" just cuz you look it.....doest that get annoying?? The worst thing is when ppl say "yah I can't tell any of you asians apart, you all look the same....". I'm taking a cross cultural psychology class and we are learning about what culture means, how it affects different aspects of psych OR if it actually does. Its quite insightful. Ppl often assume that your race=culture, but its so much more then that. I mean I'm what you call genetically 100% Chinese, yet I speak very little Cantonese nor am I familiar with many Chinese customs. We have defn adopted the Canadian/American way of life. I highly recommend paying those countries a visit. When I save enough money I want to visit China, HK, Seoul and Japan. Anyways please take care, and happy chinese new yr.....I'm sending you a virtual RED POCKET filled with money and blessings. Well I think you are only supposed to give out red pockets when you are married but whatever! hahahha
GUNG HAY FAT CHOY and SUN NIN FAI LOK! (wishing you prosperity and a happy new year :)) im actually filipino and a quarter chinese, and i didn't know about chinese new year until i got to college, haha! my dad is half cantonese, but since he didnt grow up with chinese traditions, neither did i. i grew up knowing most filipino traditions, but my parents still let me grow up and become "americanized". i actually look much more chinese and have always been interested in my "chinese-side"... im dating someone who is cantonese and whose family follows the traditions so im learning as i go! im even trying to learn some cantonese on the side so i could communicate with his parents better :)
Aww sis! Thanks for making my day. I can't wait of the day that we are sipping Mai Tai's near the beach :)
I have big hearts for you and just getting to know the gals on here and how sweet and supporting everyone is just makes blogging that much more fun.
You're so sweet Ness! YaY! Cant wait til Sunday. You make me want to make my own makeup blog, but gosh I dont think i have the time. But I'm glad you have yours , it just keeps me super entertained. By the way, what kind of SLR camera did Jon get you ?
Hi beautiful lady!
What matters is you help other ladies with what you do best. :) You inspire us and give the best makeup advice.
you unite the diversity of various ladies with similar passions! Cheers to you! :)
i love love love your blog! thanks for the tutorials!
teng
Thanks for the shoutout. :) You could always revive the red envelope tradition with your own family. I'm sure your kids wouldn't mind receiving red envelope money. lol.
Happy Lunar New Year!!! Awwww, girlfriend~~~~ so sweet of you to mention me! I'm super-glad to have met you, too! If I ever visit LA I'm a-lookin' you up! Can you say "makeovers and Thai food"????
hey ate vanessa is that kaikai me?! lol\
hahaha whaaa.. dont worry it old you if your gonna go here iuun the Phil. i'll make sure you gonna like Filipino foods.hahahaha
and you are a very :pretty PINAY!" hahaha
you can be a celebrity here!!! hahahaha
sorry havent post for a while too busy with my school. ^__^
anywho....miss yah ate:)
hey ate vanessa is that kaikai me?! lol\
hahaha whaaa.. dont worry it old you if your gonna go here iuun the Phil. i'll make sure you gonna like Filipino foods.hahahaha
and you are a very :pretty PINAY!" hahaha
you can be a celebrity here!!! hahahaha
sorry havent post for a while too busy with my school. ^__^
anywho....miss yah ate:)
thanks sis. you were my inspiration to start a beauty blog on here! :] also, you've been extremely helpful with all of your great reviews, tuts, and just everything you do on this blog. :] thank you for the shouts, i feel so special. haha. :D lurve you! :D
Happy lunar new year! :) It's really sweet of you to make a shout out. :)
I've definitely enjoyed reading your blog, and I was a silent reader for a long time, lol.
thanks vanessa!!! thanks for the shoutout :) you're one of the most awesome, most creative & most talented woman out there!!
Hey Vanessa, thanks for the mention. I've always been a reader, I used to somment under "Lea" I'm not really sure when and why I switched to my initials "LS".
Funny that you mention about Filipino and the culture because just a few days ago I had I little discussion with my boyf. He has this funny way of making me feel like I'm not proud of my Filipino culture. I told him I am proud of my Filipino culture, my heritage, our values and I will always have that in me. I made it very clear to him that: I might not be born here in America but I've lived here more than I've been in the Philippines...my family, career, friends are here. I'm going to have my family here, probably retire and die in America. I don't know, it's just strange how he thinks I'm turning away from my motherland and doesn't like that I'm "americanized". He's English and he's very loyal to his country. I don't like to say he "hates" America/Americans (but most of them do) but he sometimes makes me feel weird about being a Fil-Am. Anyways, sorry for the rant, I feel better now that I've vented, haha.
Thanks again for your blogs and it's wide scope. I like that every once in a while you can turn off the "make up mode" and talk about other stuff.
vanessa!!! thanks so much for the shout out. i feel special and i'm glad i can be apart of the makeup network and e-support of sorts! continue in your makeup and obsessions with your great talent!
i'm glad you are comfortable in who you are because cross cultures/heritage can be tricky. many african americans like me only know that possibly their grandparents are from the south. imagine that when you are in a group where people they can rattle off their heritage and ancestral connections dating back to the 1500's! it's startling. however, like you said, nothing is better than having two loving parents. as long as you start out with that foundation, the research, books, your friends, etc. will aid you in finding out the rest of what you want to know ;)
gong xi fa cai! hi V! thanks for the shout out!!! your blog makes me happy too, in case you don't know, i stalk your site about 5 times a day to check for updates. =P
i love your photography. i just started picking up on it too. i should post the shots i took too, though they are very ammature. =X my friend lent me his $4000 canon and a $1000 lense, talk about the pressure to not to drop it. lol.
love your blog darling! thanks for updating so often for bored people like me. =)
Aww, thanks for thinking of me, Ness! I truly feel touched :) You are such an inspiration in that you are such a beautiful, caring, and kind person, not to mention you have so many hobbies that you actually indulge in! I would love to be like that! Don't forget if you ever need someone to listen, I am always here :)
I know what you mean about the heritage issue. I'm Cantonese-American, yet there are practically no Cantonese-American people around here. I used to get made fun of by the Taiwanese and Korean kids in middle and high school, so I was pretty much a loner back then. My mom isn't very traditional, plus I always spoke english to her, so my Cantonese is horrible :P I've also never had a Chinese BF (they've all been mixed with Chinese and other ethnicities), so I'm very out-of-touch with my Chinese background. I've never even been to Hong Kong or China! However, I will be glad to have a chance to make traditions of my own when I start a family and you will, too!!
Aww, thanks for thinking of me, Ness! I truly feel touched :) You are such an inspiration in that you are such a beautiful, caring, and kind person, not to mention you have so many hobbies that you actually indulge in! I would love to be like that! Don't forget if you ever need someone to listen, I am always here :)
I know what you mean about the heritage issue. I'm Cantonese-American, yet there are practically no Cantonese-American people around here. I used to get made fun of by the Taiwanese and Korean kids in middle and high school, so I was pretty much a loner back then. My mom isn't very traditional, plus I always spoke english to her, so my Cantonese is horrible :P I've also never had a Chinese BF (they've all been mixed with Chinese and other ethnicities), so I'm very out-of-touch with my Chinese background. I've never even been to Hong Kong or China! However, I will be glad to have a chance to make traditions of my own when I start a family and you will, too!!
Awww, I'm honored and proud!! Thanks for showin' me the love, blog sista!! I hate to tell you but I've moved to Florida so we won't be able to do our PRO store run anytime soon. Until I make it back to the West Coast for visits. We'll get there one day but if you ever feel like visiting FLA, you've got fam here.
Finding your place in a cultural/ethnicity is tricky. As an African American with zero roots to Africa, I'm struggling with the same thing. It's crazy but I found solace in my Japanese and Mexican families. I'm absolutely obsessed with the foods, language and even feel apart of both groups....more so than my African family; which I don't even exists. So heyyyy, you're not alone there. Muah, love youuuu!
I know how you feel about growing up multi-racial. I'm Filipina/Scottish/chinese. I always felt like I had a hard time identifying with my asian side growing up because they always just said I looked latina and never really made me feel welcome as a kid. (i have no idea why the kids were so segregated in school) My school teacher would even send me papers in spanish for my parents to sign! I also had a hard time identifying with my white side because growing up we were the only "ethnic" people on the block and I could remember the white neighbors being really mean to my dad, making fun of his accent. To be honest, this might sound sad, but I hated white people for a long time because of this. Now I know that it was just my neighbors who were ignorant, trashy bastards. I'm actually proud of both sides of my heritage now. I'm glad I'm mixed and that my look is versatile. I don't speak tagalog though. I wish my dad would have taught me.
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