Must read article for NBA finals fans

The link below shows why we, as middle class and under people, must
root for the Lakers in this NBA finals.

Orlando Magic = Amway

Period.

http://iphone.cbsnews.com/site?t=qVjhefCrOaH9AkFk1ZexPA&sid=cbsnews_ip

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Jonathan Li
Post from my iPhone

Race - Revisited

I am not Chinese.

Well, I have Chinese blood, but I don't really consider myself Chinese. My Chinese reading and writing is primitive, and my verbal abilities are far from fluent. And yet, when people ask me for my ethnicity, I answer that I am Chinese. But does it mean anything when I was born and raised in the United States?

So here it is, the thought of the day: it doesn't matter what your blood or heritage is; you define your cultural and ethnic identity.

Think about it. Who's more Japanese? The Caucasian born and raised in Japan immersed in the Japanese culture, or the Japanese who grew up in France and doesn't know a lick of Japanese and Japan's culture and traditions? I argue that the Caucasian in this situation is more "Japanese" because he understands practices and respects the Japanese customs, culture and norms – regardless of his blood.

The world gets smaller with each passing generation and people are more mobile than ever before. Asking someone what their ethnicity is can no longer clue you in as to where they originated from. The day is quickly coming where your ethnicity by blood is irrelevant, especially as people marry and reproduce – regardless of their partner's ethnicity – at an exponential rate to produce children of mixed ethnicity.

It's not fair to judge someone based on their blood – they had no control over it and it shouldn't be held against them. But we can evaluate a person on their alignment, background and adaptation towards a particular race; these are the people who will carry on the culture to the next generation.

What has been happening in Hawaii will soon occur throughout the world – which is the integration of several traditional cultures into one, new common norm for the people to practice and follow. After all, minorities such as Blacks, Asians and Latinos are judged and evaluated on how well they adapt to traditionally White, but increasingly mixed America. I don't know if this inevitable shift towards a generic and colorblind society is a positive or a negative. But it's happening.

It's difficult to imagine, but we may soon find that the humorous but occasionally offensive stereotypes that we toss around carelessly today will be considered distasteful and outdated.

Race is irrelevant; don't let it be a factor as you carry out your daily goal in being the best person you can be.

Thoughts on the Lakers – Rockets Game 2

Both Fisher and Kobe should be suspended.

Fisher's hit was malicious and clearly intended to hurt Scola, which should get him a suspension, maybe a fine on top that.

Kobe should also get suspended, as he went for a hit above the shoulders. If Dwight Howard got suspended for elbowing Dalembert, then it's only fair that Kobe get suspended also - especially since not even a foul was on Kobe was called on that play.

And Kobe deserves the hate, he admitted on a national press conference that he committed adultery and there's no doubt he loves putting on a show for attention.

Kobe has great talent, but sometimes you have to look past ones skill and into their heart and character before evaluating if they are worth respecting and admiring.

Rebound

I recently applied for a position and was rejected.

That's a fairly common storyline, but I really felt confident and certain that I would obtain the position. The interview went well, and I put a large amount of effort in the application packet. Unfortunately, it didn't work out, and I'm left feeling inadequate and incompetent. No amount of sweet and generous words can compensate for an introduction of "We regret to inform you…." Initially, I was pretty disappointed – as one could expect. But that feeling was only temporary, as I quick came out of my rut.

The reality is that I didn't get my desired job, and no amount of depression and moping would change that. So I had to begin the process of rebounding.

First, I reminded myself that I was still very successful in my own right. Holding three jobs while being a successful full time student isn't easy and is a task not many individuals can maintain. Not many individuals can sustain themselves completely based off of student loans and their bi-weekly paycheck. I didn't need this new position to be a successful individual. In fact, not getting the position was probably best, as now I can focus on improving the areas I am already invested and involved in. I am looking forward to the challenges of being a third year mentor and stepping up to maximize the acknowledged potential of our team, I am excited to be promoted into the Training department of Student Computing Services with the intention of increasing the production of the department and I am thrilled to continue recruiting and assisting the Office of Enrollment Management as a Cougar Connector, the student ambassador for the university. I also intend to use my time to continue to increase my focus on school and my GPA. The new position would have required a minimum of 10 hours a week, on top of the 20+ I was already putting in my other three positions. It's probably best I didn't get it.

Next, after I had assured myself that I was still a successful person and that it was best I didn't get the position; I looked objectively at reasons why I didn't get it. It's never easy to self-criticize, but I find that "you are your own worst critic," and blunt criticism won't come from any external source – it has to come from within. After analyzing my flaws and weaknesses, I began to take an even more difficult task – I began to look at ways to correct these flaws. Some were correctable for future interviews and positions, others required a process of self-improvement and self-education, all of them could only be revealed after I experienced this form of failure. As long as I can make these adjustments, I will retroactively be thankful for being rejected.

Finally, I ran down what I had to be thankful for. My friends, my family and my situation in life are all positive aspects I have going for me. Many have not been given the blessings and opportunities I have, and I am so thankful for what I have.

Life isn't easy and is admittedly based on chance, but I refuse to let luck and my weak background determine my success. Although I missed this shot, I'm going to rebound back and follow up with a better one.