http://BokChoy.tigblog.org/ What's on the minds of young leaders from around the globe? en-us http://BokChoy.tigblog.org/post/25900
The explosions, and thus the extent of the damage, was contained within Central London. As I am living 30 miles north in Greater London, and none of us were commuting today, we are all very safe and sound. A lot of people we know do commute and they did bomb our station in the city but thankfully, no one that we know has been hurt. One person almost boarded the bus that exploded but it was too full so he boarded the next one and just suffered from the loud noise.

The BBC has been televising and broadcasting the most up to date news all day long and to date, they've linked it to Al Quaida (sp?) and the G8 talks are resuming with the Foreign Minister acting in place of PM Blair who has returned to London. The major is also enroute since he was in Singapore for the Olympic bid vote yesterday. Talk about politics in the making!!! So far, they have counted 33 dead and 400 injured. Though this is tragic, we are so grateful it's not a worse count.

All the same, I'm rather shaken since we're so close to central London and all and use those same train and subways whenever we go into the city. Not that we must live in fear but it's still scary when it happens right next to you!

My heart goes out to everyone who lives in an area where such twisted tragedy unfortunately happens on a regular basis...]]> Thu, 07 Jul 2005 14:39:00 EDT http://BokChoy.tigblog.org/post/25900 http://BokChoy.tigblog.org/post/21834 to give on my behalf.

Last summer, I was contacted by a good friend (whom I first met through TIG, neato, eh?) who heads up an organisation named "Five Minutes to Midnight (FMM)". This group began as an online webzine by youth concerned about human rights and current affairs and has now branched into many other projects and efforts that are run by youth internationally. Their mission statement is "To give youth a voice and media outlet that will allow them to become aware and get involved in political and international issues."

To celebrate their first-year anniversary, FMM started a project to publish their many articles into a book form. With support from the Toronto (Canada) Branch of the United Nations Association (UNA), they began to compile many of their key articles to cover various international issues and topics that had been written throughout the
year by young people around the world. As it turns out, my friend (Wojciech Gryc, if you want to look up his TIG profile) kindly asked me to contribue an article (which I did) and the book went to press this past fall and is now available for purchase worldwide. The best part of all this is that 100% of the proceeds from buying this book will be used to aid the organisation "War Child" (www.warchild.ca) and their human rights work. Currently, War Child is directing its efforts towards the children who have survived the tsunami crisis in Sri Lanka through:

1)Food, safe water, shelter, sanitation and health care;
2)Expert psychosocial support and related interventions to help emotionally traumatized children cope with the tragic effects of the tsunami disaster and its aftermath;
3)Financial support to provide building materials and other related items to enable families to rebuild their homes and regain hope.

Here is a breakdown of how they are using the funds (in CDN $):

$20 will provide food for one week for a family of six.
$50 will provide plastic sheeting and blankets to give shelter to a homeless family.
$100 will provide psychosocial counselling to children traumatized by the tsunami.
$500 will provide construction materials to help a family begin to rebuild their destroyed home

I thank you if you have already somehow contributed towards this wonderful global effort to aid the people recovering from this immense tragedy. But if you haven't yet, I kindly encourage you to consider doing so by purchasing a copy of this book. Instead of receiving
something for myself this year for my birthday, it would bless me infinitely more to know that something I wrote will be able to help these hundreds of thousands of children who really need to be loved and aided during this time.

So please consider visiting FMM's website at "www.i2r.org/fmm" and help me help these children by buying a copy of this book. It is set up so you can order the book from there via PayPal and your credit card and the cost (includes shipping and handling) will be as follows depending on which country you currently reside. I've done the currency conversion myself via "www.xe.com" international currency converter (so those who currently reside outside these areas can check for themselves):

Canada: $12.50
USA: $10.17
UK: £7.61
Europe:10.94 Euro (sorry, can't figure out how to make the symbol work!)

The article that I wrote for this book is entitled "The Naming of a Nomad" that describes some of my experiences of immigrating with my parents to Canada as refugees and growing up in a foreign land. I'm really grateful and honoured for the opportunity of having it appear in this book. I'm really excited that my writing is being published around the world and that my dreams of becoming a meaningful writer have been coming true (now I just need a publishing agent to sign me a book contract, eh?)!

Do message me or post a comment to let me know if you've
decided to help me celebrate my 26th by buying an FMM book to help War Child and other efforts of other young people around the globe out there making a big difference in it!]]> Thu, 20 Jan 2005 15:02:00 EST http://BokChoy.tigblog.org/post/21834 http://BokChoy.tigblog.org/post/21779
Great to catch everyone's news and see what the world is doing to help with the post-earthquake and tsunami crisis in Asia. My own parents are over there now in Indonesia as volunteer relief workers. I really admire them and understand why they want to be there physically. After the horrors they have both endured from living through a war and the refugee camps, they instintively know what people need in these situations. I'm so honoured to have such giving parents.

It's amazing to see the efforts of the British here. Tonnes of items have been donated within the first few days and shipped off to the most needy areas. I'm so happy to be surrounded by these globally-minded people!

Anyway, back to the plough now. Have continued working on my long-dormant novel now that I've gained more of the necessary experiences and insights to do so. Mostly, it's to help me figure out this jigsaw puzzle known as MY LIFE!]]> Tue, 18 Jan 2005 10:26:00 EST http://BokChoy.tigblog.org/post/21779 http://BokChoy.tigblog.org/post/18350
Even now, I was curious enough to join the writing group on here only to find that the cut-off age is 24. It doesn't help to feel "old" as the idea of feeling useless veers up more and more. Ideas are always floating around in my head waiting to be birthed on screen or paper. It just helps to have a topic, a deadline, some recognition and well, frankly, some financial compensation ;).

Been thinking about the reality of life as a post-undegrad and feeling the pressure to head to grad school because of the limitations I keep facing in realizing my dreams (to work with refugees and immigrants on an international scale-e.g. UNHCR). *big sigh* Just seems like every promising lead I've grasped has only managed to slip right through my fingers and disappear forever before I could barely enjoy the idea.

I'm expecting something to happen soon.... It'd be enough to at least know which country I can settle down in for at least the next year or two!!! It's a challenge to be carrying out two types of currency as it is while living out of a suitcase and camping on all my friends' and family's living room couches!

Compared to what others experience daily, however, I know I really shouldn't complain....]]> Mon, 26 Jul 2004 23:05:00 EDT http://BokChoy.tigblog.org/post/18350 http://BokChoy.tigblog.org/post/17849
Currently scanning for REALLY CHEAP airfare (that should be an oxymoron: cheap airfare) to England actually. Have an opportunity to work with international students at Cambridge University across the Pond. Anyone with ideas or sites, etc. that I have not yet scoured from Google...do let me know!!!

For now, I'm going to stick around my adopted homeland and see what is to be done here. Humid Houston is now simply the place where most of my immediate family lives...]]> Sun, 04 Jul 2004 16:35:00 EDT http://BokChoy.tigblog.org/post/17849 http://BokChoy.tigblog.org/post/17334
The thought of seeing all my favourite people and places again, however, brief, truly refreshes the soul. In some ways, I'm a bit hesitant because I know things and people will have changed...the joys of being nomadic, eh? But in so many other ways, it's a welcome change from the endless days of monotony I've been experiencing here in Texas. I will miss my friends that I've connected with here dearly...but I know deep down that my being simply cannot exist here much longer before I succumb to the surroundings. Definitely NOT what I was destined for!!!

In some ways, I suppose the entire nation has slowed down to match my internal musings of late with the death of former President Reagen. His state funeral was aired across the country today wherever I went and struck a chord deep down. His death has affected so many across the world for many, many reasons, I feel. It's like a passing of an era and significant age and not just of a great leader. Incredible for someone to be able to embody so much. That is what life is all about while we still have the chance! To be able to leave such impact on the rest who remain behind to continue trekking on. I want my life to be used in that way...every so badly. Another reason why I know Houston is not my final destination.

But where to next? Only faith can answer that for me as I keep putting one put in front of the other and move on. Hopefully my time back in my homeland will reveal some new and extraordinary path. I'm learning to find the extraordinary in the seemingly ordinary, however. Just the change of scenery in itself will be quite welcomed. And to be able to hold and laugh with my many other loved ones again. The intermingling of story and flesh as Sam Keen once put it.

I am ready to fly...and to chase my dreams now that the internal stuff is slowly sorting itself out. Adventure beckons...I will be freeeeeeee!!!

]]> Fri, 11 Jun 2004 22:35:00 EDT http://BokChoy.tigblog.org/post/17334 http://BokChoy.tigblog.org/post/17068
"We don't read and write poetry because it's cute. We read and write poetry because we are members of the human race. And the human race is full of passion. Medicine, law, business, engineering…those are noble pursuits necessary to sustain life. But poetry, beauty, romance, love...these are what we stay alive for."
~Mr. Keating (played by Robin Williams) in Dead Poets Society

And while I'm at it, just HAVE to add this great one from the ending of another equally inspiring film in the same tradition, Mona Lisa Smile:

"'But to change for others is to lie to yourself'". She lived by her own definition and would not compromise that....[She was] an extraodinary woman who lived by example and compelled us all to see the world through new eyes. By the time you read this, she will be sailing for Europe where I know she will find new walls to break down and find new ideas to replace them with. I've heard her called a quitter for leaving, an aimless wanderer. But not all who wander are aimless, especially not those who seek truth beyond tradition, beyond definition, beyond the image".

And a few others to stir the soul and challenge us to truly LIVE:

“I must obey the inscrutable exhortations of my soul.”
~Calvin and Hobbes, There’s Treasure Everywhere

“Always remember that whether you are alive or dead matters nothing. What matters is what you live for and what you are prepared to die for.”
~Anthony Bloom quoting his father

And finally, from one of the most piercing novels I have ever read, A Prayer for Owen Meany (by John Irving) in which all of Owen's dialogue is always in capitals:

"IT DOESN'T MATTER WHERE YOU LEARNED IT [referring to John's love of reading that he claimed he learned from Owen]--IT'S A GIFT. IF YOU CARE ABOUT SOMETHING, YOU HAVE TO PROTECT IT--IF YOU'RE LUCKY ENOUGH TO FIND A WAY OF LIFE YOU LOVE, YOU HAVE TO FIND THE COURAGE TO LIVE IT."

Carpe Diem toujours!]]> Sun, 30 May 2004 17:55:00 EDT http://BokChoy.tigblog.org/post/17068 http://BokChoy.tigblog.org/post/16592
Anyway, it was a bit frustrating to think I'd finally found someone and then not be able to get any useful information on how to contact them (unless I paid that Gold Membership fee). Like, sheesh, sometimes, it's fine to pay for something that makes sense...but not this. Unless one is coordinating a mass class reunion and has the time and the funds and the need to bother.

So far though, I'm glad to still have maintained contact with most of my friends from every school I've attended so don't have to worry that Classmates.com is witholding me from this. All the same, it's a neat idea and I from the amount of alumni signing up even under my former educational institutions (and I indeed attended quite a number: 3 elementary, 3 secondary and one university but 3 different college campuses...guess I like having triangular knowledge, harhar).

Well, if any of you are out there and remember the strange yet bubbly Asian kid from your class (after all, I was usually the only one)...let me know (and from what school although I will most likely know as soon as you do).

It's incredible to try to find people from over a decade and know where they are and what they're up to! Long live the Colts (St.Clair High in Sarnia), Lancers (The Pines in Chatham) and Mustangs (Purple and Proud UWO)! And playing "Capture the Flag" and "British Bulldogs" at New Life!!!]]> Mon, 17 May 2004 00:35:00 EDT http://BokChoy.tigblog.org/post/16592 http://BokChoy.tigblog.org/post/16506
Anyway, since I don't want to risk getting electrocuted by remaining on my computer during this storm (I've heard of people getting injured and killed from doing this!), just wanted to add a little quote that I have been reminiscing upon recently by Sam Keen:

"Love me, love my story. Human intercourse is an intermingling of flesh and story."

As we all strive to be change in our own pockets of the world, it's good to remember that each individual is unique and has his/her own unique story to tell. All our stories make up chapters of this great book called "Life" or "Humanity"..."History". Anyway, enough for now as I am getting news about a tornado warning now! Hopefully will expand more later.

Hope everyone else in this area is keeping safe and inside somewhere!]]> Thu, 13 May 2004 16:27:00 EDT http://BokChoy.tigblog.org/post/16506 http://BokChoy.tigblog.org/post/16263 To Become a Nigerian Gazillionaire

I must say, internet scammers are getting to be slicker these days. This morning, I received my second of urgent emails within a few months regarding some multi-million dollar funds being held in consignment or a will that needed personal, foreign assistance to be released. All manner of stories and stints...and yet, it wasn't until I received the one from today that made me go do some googling for more details.

The letter I received was superbly written and oh-so-sincere-sounding. Incidentally, the part about the barrister (lawyer/attorney) becoming a Christian from watching a Benny Hin thing on TV was still more or less easy to swallow. It wasn't until he got to the part about feeling the intense need to confess his embezzlement of $20 million US that a warning bell came off. That and the whole part about him finding my exact email from a "Christian internet" site and hoping and "honest Christian" or "Christian ministry" would have use of the stolen money that he'd taken from his deceased, British, Christian clients who lived in Nigeria and wished for all their inheritance to be given to God's work. Hmmmm...

ANYWAY...I found this fantastic site dedicated to publishing these "Nigerian 4-1-9 Scam emails" plus some great counter-active initiatives on behalf of people who have been scamming the scammers! Check this one out called "Quatloos: Scams Frauds Exposed" and be sure to read a few of the HILARIOUS responses by Brad Christensen in his own scam exhibit! Honestly, the extent that some of these people will go to in trying to dupe the public is ridiculous. Even worse though is how many are falling victim to it and have even lost their lives. All in the search for "quick wealth".

It's so not worth it but interesting to note how greed can work. Who hasn't wondered how nice it'd be to receive a suprise inheritance from some distant yet fabulously wealthy relative? Or why else is the lottery such a major money-maker...but not for those hoping to win?

For me, it all boils down to...need little and thus hopefully desire less. Things are so temporal compared to what truly lasts and satisfies...maybe I ought to send this back in response to Barrister Frank Emeka and his burning $20 million.

For reading enjoyment (and public awarness!), here's the original email he sent:

----Original Message Follows----
From: frank_emeka1
Reply-To: frank_emeka1@voila.fr
To: frank_emeka1@voila.fr
Subject: MY TESTIMONY.
Date: Wed, 5 May 2004 12:22:41 +0200 (CEST)

Dear Beloved in Christ,
It is by the grace of God that I received Christ,
knowing the truth and the truth have set me free.
Having known the truth, I had no choice than to do
what is lawful and right in the sight of God for
eternal life and in the sight of man for witness of
God´s mercy and glory upon my life.

I have the pleasure to share my testimony with you,
having seen your contact from the Internet. I am
Barrister Frank emeka, the legal adviser to late Mr.
and Mrs. Bright Williams, a British couple that lived
in my Country Nigeria for 25 years before they both
died in the plane crash late last year. These couples
were good Christians, they so dedicated to God but
they had no child till they died. Throughout their
stay in my country, they acquired a lot of properties
like lands, house properties, etc.

As their legal adviser, before their death, the
husband Mr. Bright Williams instructed me to write his
WILL. Because they had no child, they dedicated their
wealth to God. According to the WILL, the properties
have to be sold and the money be given out to a
ministry for the work of God. As their legal adviser,
all the documents for the properties were in my care.
He gave me the authority to sell the properties and
give out the fund to the Ministries for the work of
God.

In short, I sold all the properties after their death,
as instructed by Mr. Bright Williams before his death.
And as matter of fact, after I sold all their
properties, I realized more than $20,000,000.00
(twenty million US dollars plus), and what supposed to be the
percentage interest of my right legal fee was firstly
deducted by me out of the total amount realized from
the sold properties, this was base on the initial
agreement between me and the owner of the properties
before his death. Therefore the total amount left to
be invested into God's work as instructed by the
owner, is $20,000,000.00 (twenty million US dollars)
only. But Instead of giving the main fund out for the
work of God as instructed to me by the owner before
his death. I converted the fund to myself with the
intention of investing the fund abroad for my personal
use. I was afraid of putting the fund in the Bank,
because I have to give account to the bank on how I
got the money. I then packaged the fund in
consignments and deposited the consignments with a
security company. I did not want the management of the
Security Company to know the content of the
consignments, therefore I registered the content of
the consignments as Gold Bars. Now, the security
company believes that what I deposited with them was
Gold Bars.

I had encounter with Christ when Pastor Benny Hinn was
preaching on television concerning Ananias and Saphira
in Acts 5:1-11. After hearing the word of God, I gave
my life to Christ and became a born again Christian.
As a born again Christian, I started reading my bible
and one day, the Lord opened my eyes to Ezekiel 33: 18
and 19 where the word of God says: "When the righteous
truth from his righteousness, and committee iniquity,
he shall even die thereby. But if the wicked turn from
his wickedness, and do that which is lawful and right,
he shall live thereby". From the scripture, I
discovered that the only way I could have peace in my
life is to do what is lawful and right by giving out
the fund as instructed for the work of God by the
owner before his death.

I have asked God for forgiveness and I know that God
have forgiven me. But I have to do what is lawful and
right in the sight of God by giving out the fund to
the chosen ministry for the purpose of God's wok as
instructed by the owner before his death.
After my fasting and prayers, I asked God to make his
choice and direct me to a honest Christian or the
chosen ministry that deserves this fund by his Grace.
I then came across your address on the Internet as I
was browsing through a Christian site, and as a matter
of fact, it is not only you or your ministry that I
picked on the Christian site initially, but after my
fervent prayer over it, then you were nominated to me
through divine revelation from God, so these are how I
received such a divine revelation from the Lord, how I
got your contact information, and I then decided to
contact you for the fund to be used wisely for things
that will glorify the name of God.

I have notified the Security Company where I deposited
the consignments that contained the fund, that I am
moving the consignment abroad and the security company
has since been waiting for my authority for the
consignment to leave my country and move to abroad.
So if you know that you will use this fund honestly
and wisely for things that will glorify God's name,
then do contact me back first through this my email
address frank_emeka1@voila.fr

You should also forward to me your telephone and fax
number for easy communication and to fax you the
documents concerning the consignments.
Your prompt response will be highly appreciated.

Yours in Christ.

Barrister Frank Emeka.
------------------------------------------

Faites un voeu et puis Voila ! www.voila.fr
]]> Wed, 05 May 2004 15:02:00 EDT http://BokChoy.tigblog.org/post/16263 http://BokChoy.tigblog.org/post/16135
At the root of all life is this great, universal truth that has stimulated, empowered and baffled humanity from the beginning of time. English fails in its limitations to adequatly portray the word in its multi-levels of meaning. But the essence is there nonetheless. Love...what we all aspire to and hungrily desire for ourselves, our families, societies and our world. The strongest power on earth in the midst of so much tragedy, catastrophe and violence. "For perfect love destroys all fear..." (as found in John's first letter in the New Testatament of Scripture).

Love can only be effective however if it is to emerge beyond mere ideas and theories. Whatever cultural or spiritual background one possess or derives from, love is something that must be activated - acted out - lived, expressed in order to be real. Also, it is an act made to bless, uplift and to change another and thus we get touched or benefit from it in return...but it should not be our motivation to love if it is just to gain something in return. Love is not selfish but looks to others. Love is sacrifice. It costs something.

How are you being and sharing love today?]]> Sat, 01 May 2004 16:46:00 EDT http://BokChoy.tigblog.org/post/16135 http://BokChoy.tigblog.org/post/16115
But today is to remember Saigon and the battles that the South Vietnamese and those against the Northern Communists fought. Though we lost on such a large scale, those of us who fled and survived still remember and daily live in testimony to the freedom and the dignity that they couldn't rob from us. We who are still loyal to our yellow flag with the three red stripes. We who are fortunate enough to continue living now in democratic lands.

Since arriving in Houston and encountering so much more of my fellow countrypeople here, today is a special day because I have others to share it with. Others who know its significance. Who loss pieces of themselves, their families, their lives because of it. Yet they are still here, still remembering, still paying tribute and still fighting the current government that stole their homeland.

It is significant to me because I was born in Saigon after the "Fall" but am proud of that fact. Though I grew up across the globe, I cannot deny my origins and am trying to remember the impact that April 30th holds for all the Vietnamese across the world.

For most, it is an anniversary of death as many still vividly recall watching the last of the American troops pulling out and destroying all last remnants of hope that still existed. Only to be greeted by the approaching ominous rumblings of the communist tanks breaching this last remaning stronghold. It is impossible to imagine for those of us not present what horrors, despair and brokeness must have enveloped each soul as it witnessed Saigon take its dying last breath.

Thus, today, we honour and remember you, Saigon, and hold you in our hearts for what you still represent. For our hopes for the future of our country and for the memories, both good and bad, of the past. We are your living battle scars as we live on, grafted into other soil abroad. But our branches all turn towards you today.

You are not forgotten.

You are the heart from which our blood flows.]]> Fri, 30 Apr 2004 15:52:00 EDT http://BokChoy.tigblog.org/post/16115 http://BokChoy.tigblog.org/post/15482
At any rate, those have been some of the thoughts going on in my head while I've been learning how to do everything and where to find everything, etc. at the office. As young people, we often hear about "starting at the bottom" and all that once we've gotten the degree in hand but that's not what I'm talking about now.

I'm talking about how reality all-too often seeps or crashes into our lives and steals our well-meant ideals, hopes and aspirations. It all sounds so great while we're "young" and "innocent" but then the necessity of getting bills, student loans and car payments, etc. paid hounds and threatens to shatters all that. Then the societal/cultural norms (which are great, I'm not knocking them!) to find a spouse, settle down and populate the earth with more fine citizens hits. And the dreams get dustier and pushed back even more onto the shelf of existence.

Hmm, I'm beginning to sound so ancient without meaning to but guess this sort of thing has been on my mind a lot since my earthly years registered a quarter century at the beginning of this year ;). And now that I've started this new position, I guess I'm afraid of becoming "entrenched" and that my dreams will shrivel up and die before I've had the chance to fly with them! All one step at a time, I know. So for now, just taking it a day at a time seems like good self-advice and who knows how others dreams may spring forth from all this. After all, law is somewhat related to my political and other ultimate aspirations :D.

One of my dear friends sent me this excellent poem by John Milton who also panicked about his life purpose and contribution to the world when he turned 23 and still hadn't "done anything". It's been such a great reminder to realize that he didn't finish "Paradise Lost" until he was 45. Yahoo...that means I've still got 20 years left to leave my mark on the world too!

Seriously though, hang onto your dreams but better yet, live them as best as you can no matter how old are you, where you are, or with whatever life's given to you!
]]> Tue, 06 Apr 2004 23:57:00 EDT http://BokChoy.tigblog.org/post/15482 http://BokChoy.tigblog.org/post/15330
Right now, we're working on a project to build and run a Community Resource Center to aid low-income families of Harris County here in Houston. The director is envisioning a place with a computer informational room, classes to provide education on job hunting, substance awareness and English as a Foreign Language to the youth and famillies there. Most of them are immigrants, welfare recipients and disadvantaged.

I also found the contact info for an acquaintance of mine, Dr.Jean Chamberlain-Froese whom I had the privilege of meeting several years ago. She is an amazing gyenocologist who has dedicated her life to saving mothers in Uganda, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Pakistain and soon, Afghanistan. I remember how down-to-earth she was and enjoyed speaking to her after the lecture talk she gave that we organized at Western (my alma mater...PURPLE AND PROUD, GO MUSTANGS!) through the UWO Navigators. Anyway, since I am now in charge of helping to distribute medical supplies through HACE International, I'm hoping to get in touch with her and see what can be done. Incidentally, she started her own organization that operates out of Yemen called "Save the Mothers" which has enabled her to save even more women and their babies. Maternal deaths is definitely one of the most unpublicized killers in these developing countries. Something so common yet so fatal...it's sobering to realize that 1 out of 90 women die in Sub-Saharan Africa and Asia compared to the 1 out of 4,000 women die from childbirth complications in our Western, industrialized countries. Mega difference. For a recent article by Dr.Jean herself, check out this CBC Indepth News page I found just found titled "Mothers are Dying".

Also recommended is the org that supports and runs "Save the Mothers" (www.savethemothers.org) called Interserve Canada (www.hardplaces.ca) for Canadians interested in short or long-term development volunteer work. It's a branch of Interserve International for anyone else also interested. They send workers to areas like Bangladesh, Lebanon, Central Asia, Nepal, Mongolia and Pakistan. There are sooo many fantastic opportunities to help change the world!]]> Thu, 01 Apr 2004 01:20:00 EST http://BokChoy.tigblog.org/post/15330 http://BokChoy.tigblog.org/post/15286
http://www.nosweatapparel.com/miva/merchant.mv?Screen=CTGYCategory_Code=NSS

Press Release: For Immediate Release

Contact: Adam Neiman

877.992.7827, cell # 617-686-5434

No Sweat Apparel, the pioneer fair trade fashion brand, is rolling out the world's most revolutionary sneaker in time for World Fair Trade Day,May 8, 2004. It may look like a converse all-star knock off, but this sneaker comes with a feature that no sneaker in history has ever had. Each shoebox contains a detailed fact sheet that tells consumers exactly what wages and benefits the union workers who produced the sneakers get paid. The upstart start up has challenged Nike and Reebok to do the same.

"If a little company like No Sweat can do this and make a good profit, there's no reason why Nike and Reebok can't," said No Sweat's Founder and CEO, Adam Neiman "We hope every sneaker company in the world will imitate this innovation. In fact, we dare them to." No Sweat believes
their sneaker will become the model for ethical outsourcing.

The no sweat sneaker is selling like hotcakes on line at
nosweatsneaker.com and will be in stores in North America on May 1 of this year. The May Day launch of the world's first fair trade sneaker is no coincidence. The shoe is produced at a union shop in Jakarta, Indonesia. The workers, represented by SMTP, receive a benefits and pay
package starting at some 785,000 rupiah per month. That's almost 30% above minimum wage in Indonesia, with 100% health care for employees and 80% coverage for family members. Plus a pension! Additional benefits include things less common in a western collective labor agreement, like a 30-liter a month rice allowance.

"This isn't a socialist workers paradise," said No Sweat co-founder Jeff Ballinger. "It's just decent and fair. But the difference between bad and decent is huge." Ballinger should know. He's the man who wrote the original expose of Nike for Harper's Magazine in 1992. While working in
Indonesia for the AFL-CIO, he discovered one excellent union shop, producing shoes primarily for the local market. Twelve years later that factory became the source for No Sweat's new sneaker.

The fair trade sneaker comes at a fair price too. At $35 a pair the no sweat sneaker is a competitive alternative to the Nike owned converse all star.

"It's not rocket science," said operations manager Anne O'Loughlin, who's returning from Jakarta after inspecting the union shop in person. "You just give everyone -workers, consumers and investors, a fair shake. Then you do it again the next day. Is there really any other
sustainable business model?"]]> Tue, 30 Mar 2004 13:49:00 EST http://BokChoy.tigblog.org/post/15286 http://BokChoy.tigblog.org/post/15254
Maybe the chord strikes especially deep because the tragic crime took place in Toronto which has always been so close to and so familiar to me. Or maybe it's because she shared my ethnic heritage of being an Asian immigrant child with parents who came here hoping for a better future for their children. Or maybe it's because she was a little girl and the cruel irony hammers deeply because countless of precious, little girls like her are continually killed at birth or in their infancy by the hands of their own parents...in her native homeland of China. It is ALL of the above and MUCH, MUCH more that rips my heart because she was a living, breathing human being with dignity and beauty and whose parents DO love her and came to Canada to give her a bright future. And this has all been harshly and tragically denied her before she ever had a chance to even really, truly grow up.

I know that billions across the globe are feeling this outrage at her killer even as we fight to forgive whoever is responsible. It is not my place to judge or to decide how...but I can at least hope and pray that justice WILL prevail and he or she or them will be found out and dealt with accordingly.

I hope and pray that not just hers but ALL parents, families and friends will continue to live boldly and bravely and not fear for our children. That is not the way to live...not in Canada nor anywhere else on this earth!!! We must ALL continue to live on in the confidence of perfect love, peace and joy, the only powers strong enough to defeat fear, bitterness, evil. I'm not just saying this because it sounds good but because it's true. Though saying or living this will not bring back Cecilia nor any other child or person whose life has been visciously murdered...it WILL defeat those who are ruled by the malice and evil and have/do/will commit these despicable crimes against their fellow humans. If not now in this lifetime, to be sure, God will have his vengeance in the next (it will happen whether they will acknowledge His existence or not).

For now though, we will never forget you, Cecilia, and truly trust you are safely in the arms of your Creator now...away from all this tragedy, hurt and tears. Your short life will live on with the rest of us who are determined to stamp out the indecency and the muck of our society that allows such wounded people to grow as sick as the person or people who hurt you. I'm not just talking about legal justice and consequences and punishment though these are not to be neglected. But I am talking about offering the love and forgiveness that will heal this brokeness that runs rampant amongst us. Only then will the pain and fear be stopped and not be permitted to continue to spread and to erupt into tragic behaviour...like the one that ended your life.

If every child in this world could be offered the full love, care and devotion that Cecilia deserved, we would not have to worry about a person growing up into someone capable of willfully hurting another child or person like her. We can do this...we must.]]> Mon, 29 Mar 2004 02:04:00 EST http://BokChoy.tigblog.org/post/15254 http://BokChoy.tigblog.org/post/15033
Also makes me wonder what I would have done had I lived during the 60s when people my age were protesting the Viet Nam War. After all, my family and I were on the other side of that one. Many are comparing this present conflict with that one that tore up my birth country...I can see what they mean and am no expert on military strategy or intelligence to give "logical" thoughts myself.

I can only say that on the part of the South Vietnamese, we were glad for the defense against the Communists and that perhaps the Americans erred because they could/should have finished what they began. This time around, with regards to Iraq, it's somewhat different and they are trying to "finish" what they started...but maybe it really is something they shouldn't have started in the first place? Just seems to be a bigger mess than anything else and then the pro-American supporters will have to face the consequences once that last American pulls out. It's all so messy...but since when has war been neat and logical and "gentlemenlike"?! Well, I'm not about to get into my pacifistic ramblings now...already did that once for school. I should dig the paper out and read it again to myself some day to gain some sense of calm.

I do have one thing to say and that's kudos to the protesters who climbed Big Ben in London today with their anti-war sign. Talk about making a statement! And what a way to do it! I also liked the other signs protesters were carrying: MAKE TEA NOT WAR! It's just sooo, well, British, hehe (cheers to my mates "across the pond"...hope to see you soon)! It's good to know the people over there are still standing up and telling their government what they think! ]]> Sun, 21 Mar 2004 18:54:00 EST http://BokChoy.tigblog.org/post/15033 http://BokChoy.tigblog.org/post/14993
Take this morning, for instance! By filling out a protest form and sending it off to the CEO who owns Taco Bell, I could tell him what I thought about the unfair wages tomato farmers and harvesters were getting as a result of the tomatoes that countless Taco Bell restaurants buy (via Oxfam American's e-community). Or a click here or there and I'm catching up with my good friends who are about to eat dinner over in England. Then another click and I've sent off an inquiry regarding volunteer position with a local international relief agency right here in Houston. It's crazy once you think about it.

Imagine what people even fifty to a hundred years ago would have done if they had this great resource? No more waiting around for ages for hand-written letters, applications, forms, etc. Now, I realize that with every good thing there is a shadow side and maybe the world of electronics and technology will take away from the human element of things. We just have to be determined to use it towards better communication and contact amongst us...instead of using it to replace all that.

There's my thought for the day.]]> Fri, 19 Mar 2004 13:24:00 EST http://BokChoy.tigblog.org/post/14993 http://BokChoy.tigblog.org/post/16589
Anyway, it was a bit frustrating to think I'd finally found someone and then not be able to get any useful information on how to contact them (unless I paid that Gold Membership fee). Like, sheesh, sometimes, it's fine to pay for something that makes sense...but not this. Unless one is coordinating a mass class reunion and has the time and the funds and the need to bother.

So far though, I'm glad to still have maintained contact with most of my friends from every school I've attended so don't have to worry that Classmates.com is witholding me from this. All the same, it's a neat idea and I from the amount of alumni signing up even under my former educational institutions (and I indeed attended quite a number: 3 elementary, 3 secondary and one university but 3 different college campuses...guess I like having triangular knowledge, harhar).

Well, if any of you are out there and remember the strange yet bubbly Asian kid from your class (after all, I was usually the only one)...let me know (and from what school although I will most likely know as soon as you do).

It's incredible to try to find people from over a decade and know where they are and what they're up to! Long live the Colts (St.Clair High in Sarnia), Lancers (The Pines in Chatham) and Mustangs (Purple and Proud UWO)! And playing "Capture the Flag" and "British Bulldogs" at New Life!!!]]> Tue, 30 Nov 1999 00:00:00 EST http://BokChoy.tigblog.org/post/16589 http://BokChoy.tigblog.org/post/17069
"We don't read and write poetry because it's cute. We read and write poetry because we are members of the human race. And the human race is full of passion. Medicine, law, business, engineering…those are noble pursuits necessary to sustain life. But poetry, beauty, romance, love...these are what we stay alive for."
~Mr. Keating (played by Robin Williams

And while I'm at it, just HAVE to add this great one from the ending of another equally inspiring film in the same tradition, Mona Lisa Smile:

"'But to change for others is to lie to yourself'". She lived by her own definition and would not compromise that....[She was] an extraodinary woman who lived by example and compelled us all to see the world through new eyes. By the time you read this, she will be sailing for Europe where I know she will find new walls to break down and find new ideas to replace them with. I've heard her called a quitter for leaving, an aimless wanderer. But not all who wander are aimless, especially not those who seek truth beyond tradition, beyond definition, beyond the image".

And a few others to stir the soul and challenge us to truly LIVE:

“I must obey the inscrutable exhortations of my soul.”
~Calvin and Hobbes, There’s Treasure Everywhere

“Always remember that whether you are alive or dead matters nothing. What matters is what you live for and what you are prepared to die for.”
~Anthony Bloom quoting his father

And finally, from one of the most piercing novels I have ever read, "A Prayer for Owen Meany" (by John Irving) in which all of Owen's dialogue is always in capitals:

"IT DOESN'T MATTER WHERE YOU LEARNED IT [referring to John's love of reading that he claimed he learned from Owen]--IT'S A GIFT. IF YOU CARE ABOUT SOMETHING, YOU HAVE TO PROTECT IT--IF YOU'RE LUCKY ENOUGH TO FIND A WAY OF LIFE YOU LOVE, YOU HAVE TO FIND THE COURAGE TO LIVE IT."

Carpe Diem toujours!]]> Tue, 30 Nov 1999 00:00:00 EST http://BokChoy.tigblog.org/post/17069