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Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand

Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption by Laura Hillenbrand

I love nonfiction books that read like a novel and Laura Hillenbrand does an excellent job of doing this. She makes it so fun to read this story about Louis Zamperini and educates me about World War II.  If you’re interested in learning about what it was like to fight Japan and be imprisoned in one of their POW camps, this is a great book to read.

This book has to be one of the best non-fiction biography I have ever read. I have always been a fan of war stories. There is a reason why included among my top 3 movies is Gladiator. I’m in love with the notion of heroism, bravery and all the other synonyms. I feel that people who serve in a war have this aura of heroism and to me, it is a very appealing characteristic that normal every day people do not get to have. So I get to experience this special kind of heroism through the stories of brave soldiers. I am honored and privileged to have gotten to know about Louis Zamperini’s life.

Cheers to Louis Zamperini!

Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother by Amy Chua

I walked into my co-worker’s room the other day to tell her this: “I just finished this book called Battle Hymn … Tiger something by a Chinese lady name Chua … AND SHES CRAZY! SHES FREAKING CRAZY!!”

Despite that crazy outburst, this book filled me with horrible and fond memories as I traveled back in time to my own childhood. I wasn’t allowed to go to sleep-overs. I had screaming matches with … actually, my DAD about having to practice piano every day. I had no summer or winter breaks as a stack of books (one for every school subject) greeted me at the end of the “last day of school.” I wasn’t allowed to do what I wanted, I had to do what they told me to do. And absolutely no talking back or questioning what my parents said because I would then be an ungrateful, shameful, disgraceful daughter bringing dishonor to my parents and the family.

I explained this book to my dad who shook his head in disapproval. Yes, he disapproves. Granted, Amy Chua was absolutely one of the most extreme “tiger moms” out there, but I know he and my mom had both utilized this mentality and this way of upbringing on me. Was he just denying that his methods were not as harsh or disapproving the way that she raised her kids for future generations to follow? I’m not sure. There was a lot of wine involved.

Reflecting on the child rearing methods of the tiger mom, I’m not sure it is necessary for us to implement it anymore. I am 2^nd generation – born and raised in the US and going through the US education system. My parents are 1^st generation, having immigrated to the states after the age of 20 with little to nothing and making a new a life here.

In my opinion, I believe that my parents were strict with me and wanted me to succeed through the US education system because it opens up a lot of doors; doors that were closed to them. Because they couldn’t speak English, did not understand the culture, did not know the justice system or any other systems for that matter, their future consisted of working blue collar jobs and working their ass off in every way possible. My parents did not want to see their kids having to work physical labor, or being discriminated against or being made fun of because we were different; a minority.

This however is not the case anymore. The 2^nd + generations are moving in and we are well educated and familiar with the US culture.

So the bottom line for me – am I going to be tiger mom should one day I have kids? Probably. At least to a certain degree. Why? Because there is something about pushing your kids, having your kids be well educated and having music and/or sports in their daily lives (Drama is not an extra-curricular). I’m not quite sure what it is – perhaps a sense of accomplishment when they accomplish, a sense of well-roundedness, a certain pride in knowing answers, the drive to find new ideas and find ways to save the world perhaps? Ok, that’s my own dream. But it is better than letting the TV babysit or allow them to do what they want (eat ice cream, watch tv, play video games, shopping?) all the time. I like discipline.

Long Overdue - Kristin's Baby Shower Picture 2010

I apologize to Kristin for this very long overdue photographs from Saveah's (then known as BABY girl) baby shower. This was a very special baby shower for me because it was Kristin's, a childhood sister and best friend. As a very amateur want-to-be photographer, I tried my best to capture the gracious, generous and warm atmosphere that I was surrounded by amongst Kristin and her friends and family.

Enjoy :) <3 to Kristin and Saveah

New Car :)

Pretty .... I bought this today :)

Finally an Attorney?

Wow it's already 2011 and I haven't been on my blog since June. I'm finally employed and I feel like I can come out of my shell.

Here are a few things to sum up the past few months of my life up until now:

ok that's pretty much it!! :)

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Freakonomics

Interesting interesting book.

I'm not sure if I'm convinced by all his arguments ... - Hey, is a economics more of a scientist or a sociologist?

My favorite chapters included the one that says Roe v. Wade is what dropped the crime rate down and the one where they analyze whether or not a parent naming someone Shithead affects their lives.

I feel smarter already! ^^

Carrie Diaries by Candace Bushnell

Cute book ... Annie liked it more than I did. I've never actually read one of Bushnell's books yet, but I figured since there are no movies or tv shows after this book, seeing how I love Sex and the City the television show - I took a stab at it.

I thought it was ... ok .... ^^

Something Blue by Emily Giffin

I can't seem to stop reading these books.

This one was ok. I liked Darcy's transformation ... it made me think that anyone can change for the better.

Love the one you're with by Emily Giffin

My favorite quotes:

"A son is a son until he finds a wife. But a daughter is a daughter forever."

"... that love is the sum of our choices, the strenth of our commitments, the ties that bind us together."

"But maybe that's what it all comes down to. Love, not as a surge of passion, but as a choice to commmit to something, someone, no matter what obstacles or temptations stand in the way. And maybe making that choice, again and again, day in and day out, year after year, says more about love than never having a choice to make at all."





It is now time to pull it together, snap out of these sappy love stories and read something literary ... or at least non fiction, informative, intelligent and/or not pathetic!

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Something Borrowed

Good book!! ... I am officially in love with the author. Her stories seem to be all messed up stories, but she definitely knows how to toy with my emotions.

The Lost Symbol by Dan Brown

Finished this book today. It wasn't as good as the Da Vinci Code. It was quite boring compared my reading experience with Dan Brown's famous book. Is this whole crypic, mythical, religious symbology crap boring me now? Maybe it's been overly played these many years since the Da Vinci Code came out. I use to really enjoy historical novels ...

The constant referrals to the holy bible is getting to be quite annoying. Maybe its' just my mood today.

Brooklyn by Colm Toibin

Finished this book the other day. It was alright ... the reviews were correct - the author writes very well and very beautiful. But perhaps I'm just not very literary or appreciate of this story because I found it to be a bit dull. Is it because it wasn't about vampires, sex, drugs? :)

Saveah Moreno

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