So pathetic July 16, 2010
Posted by Sina in : Daily , add a commentThe government here in Veitnam is blocking Facebook.
I didn’t really care to use it, but it’s really bugging me now that I can’t.
When will these oppressive governments learn?
Same same July 15, 2010
Posted by Sina in : Daily , add a commentProbably my last update.
- I love the unexpected hiccups that pop up when travelling
- the pho I had on my first night in Vietnam is going to haunt me the rest of my life. (“that’s not dramatic at all.” “fuck you george, it’s going to haunt me forever.”)
- Ho Chi Minh City is so damn filthy
- I still prefer the name Saigon
- motor bikes everywhere. and crazy traffic, but that makes jaywalking a lot of fun.
- shuttle cock in the main square with locals? damn right.
- An Hoi is not as bizarro as I would’ve liked
- I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, biking is the best way to explore
- custom made suits and shoes is pretty bad ass
- I am not looking forward to my interviews upon my return.
More on my travels.
Or at least Rock Stars July 9, 2010
Posted by Sina in : Daily , add a commentMy parents arrived in Thailand with three kids, stayed a year, and then left to Canada with four kids. That was in 1984. For the first time ever, I can sorta see what their life was like during that year.
What I’m basically saying is my parents are super stars.
China: The Cradle of Hypocrisy July 8, 2010
Posted by Sina in : Daily , add a commentFuck the people’s republic.
Some other remarks:
- my friend Terry’s parents are awesome
- had an authentic Chinese experience at customs during a stopover in Guangzhou.
- I am sooooo glad to be out of China. even just four hours there rubbed me the wrong way. *shivers*
- in Siem Reep. it smells really nice – incense or something. about to head out for some Cambodian curry. yum.
- I finally feel halfway around the world. up to this point I just felt like I was at a large Pacific Mall.
- it’s not as humid as I expected to be. but it is rainy. enjoying a lightning show right now.
- live free or die.
A typical Korean conversation July 5, 2010
Posted by Sina in : Daily , 1 comment so farTerry: yo, let’s have another competition
Sina: what kind of competition?
Terry: a back-flip competition
Sina: psshhh
George: we might as well have a Korean speaking competition
Terry: fuck you. I will back-flip all over your mother.
Seoul with a capital S July 3, 2010
Posted by Sina in : Daily , add a commentSome notes:
- I’m genuinely shocked at how little culture shock I’m experiencing. I guess I’m just so used to my asian peeps.
- staying up all night catching up with friends is the best thing ever.
- for the first time in a really long time, I feel like myself again.
- those Korean Air flight attendants….man, they get to you.
- Korean kids love the peace sign.
- watching Korean kids at figure skating practice is the most adorable thing I’ve seen in a really long time.
- “yo, ever since you guys came I swear all the time” -Terry
- I love my friends <3
Korea’s got Seoul July 1, 2010
Posted by Sina in : Daily , add a commentLeaving in about 15 mins. Updates (possibly) to follow.
Stay cool June 30, 2010
Posted by Sina in : Daily , add a commentMy must-see list updated from last night:
The Roots
Lauryn Hill
John Legend
Alicia Keys
Norah Jones
They were soooooooooo good.
The Next Movement June 30, 2010
Posted by Sina in : Daily , add a commentThis happened to me this past Friday right outside the fenced G20 secure zone in Toronto:
Police: Can I see your ID?
Sina: I don’t have my ID with me.
Police: You don’t have your wallet with you?
Sina: Well I do. I’d just rather not show my ID to you, since I don’t have to. It kinda creeps me out.
Police: Actually, by the Public Works Protection Act, anyone within 5 metres of that fence can be arrested if they don’t provide ID. So if you have your ID with you I’d suggest you provide to me.
Sina: Listen, I don’t want any trouble. Can I just turn back and go home? I don’t really need to pass by this area, and I really don’t want to show you my ID.
Police: No you may absolutely not go. Please hand over your ID.
Sina: argh [reluctantly hands officer ID]
Police: [looks over ID] Where were you born?
Sina: I’d rather not say. I’m from Canada, I’m Canadian.
Police: You know, this will be a lot easier if you cooperate. If I think you’re obstructing public safety I can arrest you and I really don’t want to have to do that.
Sina: argh. I was born in Thailand.
Police: I thought you said you were born in Canada.
Sina: No, I never said where I was born. I said I’m Canadian, which I am.
Police: Where you are from?
Sina: I’m from Canada.
Police: No but where are you from? Where are you parents from?
Sina: They’re Canadian too.
Police: Where did your parents originally come from?
Sina: argh. They’re from Iran.
Police: So you’re not Canadian.
Sina: No, I’m Canadian.
Police: You see when people ask me where I’m from, I tell them I’m Canadian but my parents are from Guyana.
Sina: That’s great for you. I’m not “Canadian but” though, I’m “Canadian”.
blah blah blah…. This went on for a good 30 mins. He asked where I lived, where I worked, where I went to school, when I graduated, etc….and wrote everything down. My favourite was “do you have a street name?”.
I’m really glad the officer educated me on the fact that I’m not Canadian — and not even because I wasn’t born here, but just because I’m not a “real Canadian”, which I think meant “white” or something. It’s actually good to know, otherwise I would have been really confused as to why my civil rights were being so blatantly violated using what turned out to be an invented law.
Just for the record, the officer was very very very polite and was genuinely a nice guy, even if it doesn’t seem so the way I summarized it above. We may have had different views on what it means to be Canadian, but that’s okay. I know he was just doing his job, was an honest man, and for sure he didn’t know that the 5-metre law was actually fabricated (no one did) — and so I don’t blame him for anything. I sincerely love police officers and have great respect for the dangerous work they do every day and did this past weekend. In fact, other than the initial shake-up which left me feeling dirty, I was generally okay with this incident. That was, until I found out the 5-metre law was, actually, not a law at all. It wasn’t, well, anything. It was completely fabricated. The media had been reporting for several days of this “new secretly passed law”, and not even the premier thought it was necessary to make a clarification. Great.
The police inventing imaginary laws and then demanding citizens abide by them? Just not cool with me.
What have we become?
The Legendary Foundation June 29, 2010
Posted by Sina in : Daily , add a commentI’m seeing The Roots today in concert today and so I’m just keeping with what has become tradition.
I think every hip hop act should have a tuba.