Sawatdee Kha

Being asian and growing up here in the US was not easy. With the US history of discrimination, some of what I could remember growing up was not healthy to a child's developing self esteem. Although being a teenager and not being accepted into either the American crowd because of the way I looked and the Asian crowd because I was too American, I managed to dig my way out of that hole of self doubt. It was ok to be myself and if being Asian was part of that...then that's who I am.

To learn more about my culture, the traditions and to get some good Thai and Laotian food to eat (my parents live across country, so I am missing this terribly), my friend Laura, her son, Nick and I headed to the Asian Pacific Rim Festival. I just knew there was going to be an abundance of bright colors spread across the scene. The reds, yellows, blues ...textures and designs. It was absolutely amazing. I was so taken aback by the crowd and performers that I forgot about how heavy the camera was. Indeed, I felt it the next day...my arms and shoulders were killing me.

Just the smell of food wafting through the air was enough to fill empty stomachs. I got pictures more colorful than any I have taken in a while. It was a good day. It was a peaceful day of togetherness...Americans and Asians alike.