belated self-intro

[aelward]

Here I am, snowed in and bored on a Saturday night, reading old topics in the forum, and realized.... I have never introduced myself here. Probably because I was with the mass exodus from ModelMinority last June, I figured that everyone knew me. But I realized after reading a lot of the posts that I know very very few of you!

About me: I am an ABC, parents came to the US in the 1950s via Taiwan, although both were originally from the mainland. Mother unfortunately passed away not long after I was born, and my dad remarried to a Caucasian woman-- combined with living in the South (Virginia) where we were one of only a handful of Asians at the time and most of my Asian peers were recent immigrants, you can imagine that I was quite white-washed (or more-likely black-washed). Was in denial about being Asians for the longest time, being a self-hating sellout who bought into the stereotypes and thus did everything to prove he was not a socially inept bookworm.

That all changed when I got to college, where I met lots of hip Asian folks and realized that I had been weak-minded and believed the Man's message that was spoken through a very powerful mouth: the media. Got highly involved in Asian organizations and spent a summer in Taiwan.

After graduating, I did JET for a year in Japan, then lived in Taiwan for 3 doing a myriad of nefarious endeavors like learning martial arts, classical Chinese, and acupuncture. Oh yes, and making money in the stock market everytime China decided to hold a missile test. Met the Japanese woman who would eventually become my wife.

Coming back to the States, I lived in California for four years and worked for an Asian cultural center in San Francisco while trying to get a degree in Traditional Chinese Medicine.

Have since moved back to Virginia to start an acupuncture practice and teach martial arts; and I am happy to see that the Asian community here has significantly grown. Am involved with a few Asian organizations.

Had a daughter along the way, who is now approaching her first birthday.

That about sums things up, as if you wanted to read all that!

[Scowl]

Welcome aboard, and thanks for checking out the site. Just curious, but whereabouts in VA are you?

Since it looks like you've been reading for a bit, you probably don't need it, but here's the standard greeting:

Our forum is composed of six categories, each with its own theme and function.

1) The first category, "Welcome to the Fighting44s!" focuses on the community and the website itself. In Declarations of Intent (http://www.thefighting44s.com/discussion/viewforum.php?f=1) we describe our philosophy and management practice, and it's very important that you read our vision and stance (http://www.thefighting44s.com/discussion/viewtopic.php?t=536). Rules of Engagement (http://www.thefighting44s.com/discussion/viewforum.php?f=29)contains guidelines for the type of posting we want to see here: if you don't have the time or the inclination to read the threads themselves, then at least read the subject headings to get an idea of what we do and do not allow. Dramatis Personae (http://www.fighting44s.com/discussion/viewforum.php?f=13) is a forum for members to introduce themselves and get a big warm welcome, and you now have access to Sleeper Cells (http://www.thefighting44s.com/discussion/viewforum.php?f=14), where you can check if fellow 44s are organizing any parties and gatherings in your area. Finally, Wetwork (http://www.fighting44s.com/discussion/viewforum.php?f=20) is the place to ask questions and offer comments on the website itself.

2) The second category, "All beings without number I vow to liberate," is my personal favorite: it's the place where 44s help each other become better people. In the Afterparty (http://www.fighting44s.com/discussion/viewforum.php?f=22) forum we discuss the themes, style, structure, and content of our Feature (http://www.thefighting44s.com/archive/) pieces. Causes Worth Fighting For (http://www.fighting44s.com/discussion/viewforum.php?f=24) calls attention to issues of advocacy and equality which you can support; in Omega Attractors (http://www.fighting44s.com/discussion/viewforum.php?f=37) you may share or help support the achievement of personal goals and aspirations; and in Integral Slanted (http://www.thefighting44s.com/discussion/viewforum.php?f=39) we discuss the more complex aspects of Integral Theory and Practice (http://www.integralinstitute.org/home.html), the principles of which we use to develop this site, and on which Dialectic conducts his life.

3) The third category, "The Analects," gives you a further glimpse into the hearts, minds, and everyday experiences of both the Founders (http://www.fighting44s.com/discussion/viewforum.php?f=25) of this site, as well as the most witty, eloquent, and passionate of our members (http://www.fighting44s.com/discussion/viewforum.php?f=26). This forum is also where you can receive news of the latest artistic, academic, and business endeavors of various North American Asians on the frontline (http://www.fighting44s.com/discussion/viewforum.php?f=31).

4) The fourth category, "The Beauty of All Forms," discusses Art in its myriad and infinite forms of expression. This is, quite frankly, the primary reason why The Fighting 44s was formed: to show the world the beauty and horror and elegance of what we see, so that we may all recognize the great humanity and depth in one another.

5) The fifth category, "Let a hundred flowers bloom," distributes information and analyses of events, patterns, and systems in the functional world. Here you may discuss world events, politics, media, and personal experiences not necessarily related to growth or aspirations.

6) The sixth and final category, "Smile and smile and be a villain," is the space for anger and venom and kneejerk reactions. You now have access to NC-17 (http://www.thefighting44s.com/discussion/viewforum.php?f=9) and Fight Club (http://www.thefighting44s.com/discussion/viewforum.php?f=28): these two forums contain the most controversial and least reasonable discussions, so read them for amusement, but please don't take them too seriously or think that they represent The Fighting 44s in any way, other than for the propensity of some of our members to kick up shit. The Kamikaze Chamber is, in fact, specifically a place for some of our angrier, more hurt, and more damaged members here to discuss things which they may not wish to share in the open, and to say things which we quite frankly would not wish to present to the world. It is not to be construed as some type of elite or exclusive forum: it is simply a way to let some of the crazier 44s out there know that we do indeed care about them, and while we cannot condone their ideas and opinions, we do appreciate their passion and candor here.

If you have any more questions or concerns, please give the appropriate forums a read, and feel free to post, private message, or email someone here to clarify your understanding of what we are about. Thanks for joining, and we look forward to more of your posts!

[angi]

Aelward is also extremely smart and can do you right with some homegrown, traditional Chinese medicine :)

[cattygurl]

Welcome, aelward!

I have thought about getting my L.Ac degree. Unfortunately, I have not been able to get over my fear of needles, nor am I cut out for that on a physical level, I think. I find it extremely draining for me to work with the general public, esp on a healer/patient basis. I went through a massage therapist training almost 10 years ago in my late teens, and I found the learning experience enjoyable. I do enjoy giving massage on friends and family, but chose not to go into proactice for health/physical stamina related reasons after working at the school clinic.

I have studied Chinese / Western herbalsim on my own for over 10 years and I find it fascinating! I started going to an acupuncturist in my teens to help me with my health problems. If I could afford it, I would go regularly (along with getting chiropractic adjustments).

Catty

[Dialectic]

Whassup ael, I'm sure I've welcomed you before, and Scowl gave you the official spiel, I just wanna say I'm damn glad you're here, and I wanna thank you for sharing a piece of your life with us.