What's Going On?
Okay. Do you wanna know what I've been up to? Well, most of my past five or so years were devoted to being in a band trying to make it big and after that was over, I joined a not-for-profit organisation whose primary focus is on Asian American [Youth] issues. I guess you could say "empowerment". To find out more about these groups check out their websites.
Empty Stares
From late 1992 to early 1996, I was in a Philly local band called Empty Stares. I joined the group with the intent of being a temporary bass player for the group until they got someone else. This was in my junior year in high school. Actually, we--Ted, Tom, Mario, and Kevin--were all in the same grade. Ted, Mario, and Kevin grew up together, and Tom knew Ted somehow, and I knew Tom, and Mario since freshman year. The reason I joined the group was because Tom had asked me to try out for them since their old bass player left. Everyone took a liking to me rather quickly and wanted me in. I remember when I tried out, that was the day Kevin had purchased his drum kit. I also remember the guys playing me some of their material mixed in with some Metallica. Their stuff really impressed me for being original because I thought it was someone else's stuff. So we got together and started writing more material. There's a site which Mario originally maintained, but has since been taken over by Ted. Check it out!
http://www.voicenet.com/~ted/emptystares/
AS I Am
In late 1997, I started going to a new lil' program started at Temple University called the "Asian American Coffee Hour". It was created by my friend Hue-Sun Ahn whose intent was to have a forum for Asian Americans to get to know each other and discuss issues important to them. Suddenly, some of the regulars thought that it would be ideal to start up a non-profit organisation to cater to the needs of Asian American youth. Hence, AS I Am got started. We've since then did a few things, but we are still young and new to the workings of such an organisation, i.e. we're still learning. I love working with them, they're fun to hang out with and they're still going. Here you can find out more about AS I Am.
Meanwhile, I've been going to school, working for a bit and I am now gonna be in Korea to teach English at least until late 1999. So I must say that it was all fun and I'll be back!