SDAFF @ SDSU and Dishing with the Stars

My life in one word: chaos.

But I love it. I love running around from one SDAFF event to another, catching one movie and then a panel. I just wish school wasn't in the way. =) I kid.

Yesterday Justin Lin, director of the festival opener Finishing the Game, and actors Dustin Nguyen and Roger Fan came to San Diego State to promote the film and to promote the power of the Asian American voice to my fellow schoolmates. It was truly inspiring to hear them speak. I started crying when I was speaking to another SDAFF blogger Craig Reid about my passion for my Chinese heritage and pride in being an Asian American. To hear people in the media industry such as Justin, Roger, and Dustin speak of their trials and tribulations in the industry and seeing them fight for the Asian American voice was truly moving and inspiring. It is so difficult to put into words the emotion that I felt when I realized that I am not alone in this fight, and that we all have the power through the media to bring about Asian American awareness. We need to utilize this power!

After the Q&A, I headed over to the Hazard Center with my friend Stephanie to watch Bridging the Gap. The various short films were all beautifully done and each helped me reflect on my own experiences in "bridging the gap" of cultures and generations with my friends and family. It can be difficult balancing two cultures being Asian American or of any other ethnicity. When I go to China, I stand out like a sore thumb because people there wonder, "She looks Asian, but not so much at the same time." When I was in China this past summer, most people in Beijing asked if I was Korean. Others can just tell that I am American based on the way I present myself [and my slight American "accent" when I speak Chinese.] In the United States, I have had people asking me if I speak English. When you think "American" you don't usually picture an Asian American face. So where do we Asian Americans fit in?

Also, having immigrant parents can be a challenge at times as well. They must balance the values of their home countries as well as embrace the new. My parents, for the most part, are very Americanized, but they still hold on and enforce certain Chinese values and beliefs. As Asian Americans with immigrant parents and/or grandparents, we are like the liason of their "old world" and the new.

Today I attended the celebrity panel and I got to speak to many of the celebrities. I even met the two stars of the film I reviewed American Pastime, Leonardo Nam and Aaron Yoo! After finishing this blog, I'm going to have to get ready for tonights gala.

Time for some pictures...

Roger Fan with his nifty camera, Justin Lin, Lee Ann Kim, and Dustin Nguyen take the stage at SDSU on Friday.

Work it Lee Ann!

Dustin, Roger, and Justin answer questions from the audience.

Dustin and me. "I ain't gonna do your laundry."


Roger and me. Love his shirt!

*If I wasn't crying like a baby, I would have Justin Lin's picture here. I'm such a sap*


I'm seeing stars! The celebrities at the celebrity panel. James Kyson Lee from Heroes, Roger Fan, Jelynn Rodriguez, the host of "The Drop," Yul Kwon from Survivor, Leonardo Nam from The Perfect Score & American Pastime, Aaron Yoo from Disturbia & American Pastime, Ron Yuan of CSI, and Joy Bisco of Days of Our Lives.

The American Pastime boys, Leonardo & Aaron. Darn the lighting!

Aaron Yoo and me. What a cutie! Aaron, that is.

Leonardo and me. He is such a nice guy! I asked him if he knew anything about Japanese internment prior to American Pastime and being an Australian native, he said he didn't and that was why he chose to act in the film. It's funny how the entire world knows about the Jewish relocation camps from WWII, but not about what the United States did to the Japanese, many of them being Japanese-Americans. American Pastime brought about a different perspective of Japanese internment, and I'd go into more detail, but instead you should read my article! Haha
I also asked Leo what it's like to speak with an American accent and he said, "It's like speaking through jam."

That's all I have for now. Time to get ready for the gala!