Kevin So -- Sexy Asian Man

Phenomenal musician, folk, R&B, rock and sexy, sexy, sexy:

Kevin So playing at various venues in NYC

check him out!

http://www.myspace.com/kevinsoandmidnightsnack

Plushgun band

My friend Sam's band: Plushgun

When? May 1st, 2008 at 11PM (it's a Thursday)

Where? The Annex -

152 Orchard St. Lower East Side (between Rivington + Stanton St.)

myspace.com/plushgun

Murakami and Sakura Matsuri

Brooklyn Museum Exhibition: MURAKAMI

April 5–July 13, 2008
Morris A. and Meyer Schapiro Wing and Iris and B. Gerald Cantor Gallery, 4th and 5th Floors

http://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=7875860499700316959

For info on Murakami:

http://www.takashimurakami.com/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Takashi_Murakami

Sakura Matsuri at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden

May 3–May 4, 2008

10 a.m.–6 p.m. | Rain or Shine* | Free with Admission

http://www.bbg.org/exp/cherries/sakura.html

I miss this every year and this year I'll have to miss it again :( But I hope everyone else has a great time!

Asian Cultural Festival, Queens Theater

Reminder! This week, starting tomorrow April 23, 2008 until April 27, 2008

http://queenstheatre.org/7AsianMenu.htm

Asian Cultural Festival!

Cross of Korean traditional and modern music

Kang Eun-il’s Haegumplus

May, 3 2008 at Gana Gallery
564 W. 25th Street, New York, New York 10001
Cost :

Korea’s New Traditional Music: Kang Eun-il’s Haegum Plus Presented by Center for Korean Research of Columbia University & CUNY Graduate Center’s Department of Music

Hanami Party and Sakura Matsuri

Date: Apr 25 (Thur)
Event: The Hanami Party (means cherry blossom viewing in Japanese.)
Place: The Pub in the International House
Address: 155 Claremont (between 122nd and La Salle)
Entrance: Claremont Entrance (There are other entrances on Riverside
Drive, but please do not use these.)
Time: 9:00pm
RSVP: Yes

Friends of Japan (FoJ) is having a Hanami Party this Friday night at
the International House.
As the end of this semester is coming, this is the last event of this
school year by FoJ. There will be a traditional drum performance by
Manhattan Taiko. The International House has three huge HD TVs, a
wall size Widescreen, drinks at very affordable prices and the
possibility of making friends from around the world!

Notes:
1) You need RSVP (Nani: nanipease@yahoo.com) before 4 pm on April 25.
Otherwise you can't get in the International House.
2) You need to bring a valid picture ID in English. You need to leave
it at the security desk.
3) If you are a resident of the International House, you do not need
RSVP. Just come to the Pub.
4) The Pub has three huge HD TVs, a wall size Widescreen, and some
games.
5) The Pub serves Japanese sake, umeshu (plum wine), beer, and more.
6) All drinks are at very affordable prices. We also have snacks.

If you have any questions, please email Nani (nanipease@yahoo.com) or
call Nani at (212)678-3613.

FYI, the website of FoJ is www.tc.columbia.edu/students/foj

We hope to see you there!!

Co-sponsored by Friends of Japan and The Office of Residential
Services



Date: May 3 (Sat)
Event: Sakura Matsuri - Cherry Blossom Festival
Addr: 900 Washington Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11225
Time: 10am - 6pm
RSVP: Yes

Sakura Matsuri, New York City's "Rite of Spring," marks its 27th year
with over 60 events and performances celebrating Japanese culture and
the blossoming of (Brooklyn Botanic Garden) BBG's 220 cherry trees.
Visitors to the weekend-long Cherry Blossom Festival can enjoy J-pop
concerts, traditional Japanese music and dance, taiko drumming,
martial arts, bonsai pruning workshops, Japanese Manga art, tea
ceremonies, and workshops for all ages. New this year is the Sakura
J-Lounge, featuring some of the country's hippest DJ's spinning
Japanese pop sounds. Free with Garden admission.

Lots of family friendly events so bring the kids, nieces, nephews,
grand kids, etc.

For agenda:
http://www.bbg.org/exp/cherries/sakura.html

Directions:
http://www.bbg.org/vis2/directions.html

Admission
Adults = $8.00
Seniors (65+) =$4.00
Students (w/valid ID) / Children 12+ = $4.00

RSVP Pauline at: PaulineL@gmail.com
- full name
- School (BC, CC, SIPA, etc)
- Year
- Guest (full name & school)

Movie and Closing Ceremony

Asian Heritage Month Closing Ceremony @ NYU

Website link: http://www.nyu.edu/clubs/asian.heritage/nycaasc/entertainment.html

April, 24 2008 at THE KIMMEL CENTER @ NYU
60 Washington Square South, New York, New York 10012

Dark Matter (the movie)

Opened April 11th and is playing at City Cinemas Village East

http://movies.aol.com/theater/city-cinemas-village-east/922/showtimes?date=20080424

Matsuri, concerts, more Asian events!

Columbia University's Japanese club is having a Matsuri (a Japanese festival)

When: April 17, 2008 (Friday)

Time: 4-8pm

Place: Columbia University

http://www.columbia.edu/cu/japansociety/matsuri.html

Wisdom of Choice

Sir Gordon Wu Distinguished Speaker Forum

With Kai-Fu Lee, VP, Google, Inc., President, Google Great China

Thursday, May 1, 2008

Columbia Club

15 West 43rd Street

New York City

6:00 p.m.- 8:00 p.m.

$25 alumni, $40 guests and $10 for students

For more details and to RSVP, please visit

www.gsb.columbia.edu/chazen/events/wuspeakerseries

Play "Tea" at Bank Street

When: April 16-19

Times: various

Where: Bank Street theater (155 Bank street between
Washington and West street in the West Village)

Admission: $15

Kevin So and other entertainers at NYU Asian Heritage closing ceremony:

http://www.nyu.edu/clubs/asian.heritage/nycaasc/entertainment.html

April, 24 2008 at THE KIMMEL CENTER @ NYU
60 Washington Square South, New York, New York 10012
Cost :

April 24th Oriented Happy Hour Networking Event 7-9pm

Date and Time: April 24th, 7-9 PM
Venue: Solas Bar (Adjacent Lounge on Street Level)
Location: 232 East 9th Street (between Second & Third Avenues)
Subway: "6" to Astor Place, "4", "5", "6", "N", "R", "W", "L" to
Union Square

In connection with Coalition of Asian Pacific Americans and YESYAS,
ORIENTED will be holding this month's Happy Hour at Solas Bar.

Dress code: Professional Attire or Business Casual

Tell your friends and colleagues about this exciting event, and
don't forget to bring your business cards!

Happy Hour drink specials (UNTIL 8PM):
$3 Draft. $4 Mojito. $4 Margarita, Sangria, and Sex on the Beach

RSVP at http://www.oriented/rsvp or send your full name to
abcgirls2@yahoo.com by 8:00 PM on Wednesday, 4/23.

$5 w/RSVP, $10 at the door

ORIENTED is a global network of international professionals
interested in Asian businesses and partnerships, with almost 30,000
members worldwide. Our signature service, the ORIENTED Happy Hours,
are "simultaneously" held on the last Thursday of every month in
more than twelve cities around the world, providing international
networking opportunities for our members.

Koto and Shamisen performances in in May

Who: Masayo Ishigure

Location: Various

http://masayo-koto.home.att.net/schedule.html

Columbia University Japanese Matsuri

My friend just let me know about this:

http://www.columbia.edu/cu/japansociety/matsuri.html

looks like it might be fun

Matsuri is a Japanese festival and it looks like Columbia's having one :)

I'm debating about going. hmmm, it's tempting but there's also an acting class I want to take that evening.

Well, I'll leave it to fate then :)

Asian American and Secret Asian Man

been going through youtube videos about asian american history. I used to get in to heated debates with guys from China who didn't understand why being identified as an American means so much to Asians who live here in America. They didn't 'get it' because they already had an identity, they are Chinese, from China. That's their deal. And when I asked other Asian Americans about Vincent Chin, those who knew brushed the incident off as 'the past'.

Well, check out American media. The top two Asian men on television are portrayed as foreigners.

But the people I spoke with were all from finance and banking jobs. They have their lives, they feel no need to rock the boat. Whereas I had to leave my old finance job because I called the boss out on being a jerk. (On a sidenote, he's still there, starting fights with people from other departments.)

So here are a few youtube videos that I thought were thought provoking:

Asian American Identity
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LW4rFV5EJJg&feature=related

Don't Stereotype Asian American Men
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AHIi11HX0tE&feature=related

Why Asian Guys Can't Get Girls
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=63bWYFGBTuE&feature=related

Vincent Who?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8QtdFeDx48Q


And a really funny comic, Secret Asian Man by Tak Toyoshima has a small contest.

Two dudes at urinals (one Asian, one not). The non Asian dude is looking down at the Asian dude. What's he thinking? You put in what you think. Oh, what dirty, dirty minds will come up with.

http://www.secretasianman.com/home.htm

Classical Piano

I used to play classical piano for almost 8 years. I can still sight read but all in all, learning piano was a traumatic experience. Between a very angry teacher and parents who made me practice like a machine, I found no enjoyment in playing music. I didn't understand how to enjoy classical. Piano was an instrument I wanted to learn but through my years of lessons I eventually had all desire beat out of me.

But the mind really does gloss over bad memories. In Japan I found myself wanting to try music again. But that's another story. Just to summarize, I found a really nice teacher who really loved music and I'm rediscovering what I loved about music.

Well, the Yamaha piano salon is having Frederick Chiu in concert during the month of April

More info here:

http://yamaha.com/yasi/eventdetail.html?CNTID=560850&CTID=560264

hope you will all enjoy!

Superhero Costumes!

I am a big comics fan! Well, I was mainly manga but since the Batman animated series, Batman Beyond and Justice League series I've been very curious about American comics. I just got the Frank Miller Batman's from Amazon.

Well, for all those who love superhero costumes, the Met is going to have an exhibition:

http://www.metmuseum.org/Special/se_event.asp?OccurrenceId=%7B5B98D8A0-AB67-4137-8F5E-873FDB82EE73%7D

I'm not in to cosplay but I love tech. If I can make Ultraviolet's outfit ... (yeah yeah, for those who don't like her, boo hoo, I loved the color changing nanites)

Make-up and Make-up Removers

I might add more on make up later on but for now, on to makeup

My old regiment for makeup consisted of:

Moisturizer (Missha deep sea water makeup fitting gel)
Sunblock (spf 50 and whitening)
Primer (MAC)
Concealer (liquid)
Foundation (liquid, I switched around)
Powder

Like I said in my last article, I really hated putting on makeup. My skin gets very dry and after a few hours of makeup my t-zone would get oily and spots of my skin (like the tip of my nose) would peel. It was really annoying and felt weird. Hence, lots of moisturizer

After putting on the first layer of moisturizer then sunblock, I followed with a primer. It is supposed to protect your skin from the makeup.

I would put concealer on a few key areas like under the eyes, the corners of the nose, and on imperfections. With a small flat brush I'd go under the eyes and for imperfections I would dab on and around, gently blending it to the skin around the imperfection.

For the liquid foundation I would put it on the back of my hand, near the large thumb knuckle and add a few squirts of moisturizer, (milky or lotion). I would then mix it well. Using a makeup sponge I would dab a spot on the left and right jaw area, a touch on the nose, and a few spots along the edge of the forehead close to where it meets the hairline. The first application of makeup is the heaviest so to avoid the 'heavy' look I would then blend in with the sponge, working inward toward the nose.

Then I would gently pat the powder instead of caking it on.

My new regiment:

Moisturizer
Primer
mineral powder makeup (Bare Essentials i.d. Bare Minerals)

Pouring a little bit of powder in to the cap of the foundation jar I use my concealer brush and put a little product on it, then I dab it under my eyes and other areas like above.

Using a brush with a very roundhead I swirl the product in the cap and using a circular motion, apply it to my skin. Works as foundation and powder.

I swear this is the first makeup I have that doesn't feel all heavy and caked on and it is much easier to remove!

Make-up Removers

I have to admit, I'm not a big fan of make-up. I consider it akin to high heels, looks great, can hurt me, but are one of life's necessary evils. If I have to put on makeup I REALLY want to get it all off. I would rather spend 5 minutes getting makeup off even though I'm completely exhausted than see clogged pores and have my skin punish me later on. I used to wash my face at least five times because I could still see traces of makeup (and feel it).

I now use a lotion makeup remover as well as a clear makeup remover (both from Missha). Technically, I mainly use the lotion makeup remover because my skin doesn't feel dried out after I wash it (because of the lotion in it ;) )

For the clear makeup remover I squirt a little on to a cotton swab or a folded up piece of tissue and I gently remove traces of makeup from the eye area, corners of the nose, etc. Basically, the hard to reach areas.

There are also makeup removing oils (DHC) but I don't have an affinity for oils. All moisture for me.

As for brands I've used and liked:

Clinique
Origins
Bare Essentials
Acseine
Missha
MAC

Others:

Benefit
Bath & Bodyworks
Bodyshop
Lancome
Prescriptives

If anyone has any makeup removing tips please recommend!

Toners and Moisturizer

The biggest problem I had growing up was dry skin. Then there was a point in my life where my skin became very problematic. Pimples spread out all over my forehead and dotted my chin. They were painful and they were definitely not pretty. I went to the only dermatologist my mom was willing to take me too and employed a very aggressive regiment of skin peeling topical medications. They hurt as well. My skin was still having problems. When I switched to a better doctor (much later on) he put me on Accutane and a topical steroid. He also was able to determine that I was one of the 10% of Americans that are allergic to benzoyl peroxide (he had a good laugh about that one. 'Wow! finally got to meet one of you!'*).

I don't think Accutane was the best idea for me and the steroid caused what a Japanese doctor diagnosed as steroid induced dermatitis. Basically, a lot of reddening and increased sensitivity because the skin had been thinned out. So I stopped using it.

So my skin was weakened, damaged, easily irritated and had uneven coloration. The Japanese called it 'atropy'. A lot of children have it but eventually grew out of it. I had great skin and eventually developed it. Luckily, I met someone who gave me a lot of good advice and I developed a skin care regiment out of it.

It follows the same logic as my 'Cleaners' entry. But the hardest part about finding good facial products is the testing because there are so many products out there. Which ones are good and which ones are bad depend on the person using it. I was using this product called NOV when I was in Japan. Worked great. My Belgian friend really liked how my skin looked so she used the same product. Her face ended up blowing up like a red balloon (and was about the same color).

So the first rule you use when looking for a good facial product:

Test

Using the crook of your elbow or an area near the back of your jaw where your neck meets your face, dab a small amount of product on. Those are the most sensitive areas. If it stings or turns red, the product is definitely not for you! Best of all, the spots are inconspicuous so no one will notice. If after a little while (or if you're really sensitive, give it about 48 hours) it feels fine then the product might be fine.

On to the next area ...

Toner

In Japan they call it 'water'. Toner is like moisturizer that adds water moisture, hydrating your skin. I use toners with no alcohol or only have a little alcohol. Alcohol evaporates faster than water and can leave your skin dry. Asian skin needs water moisture, not so much oil moisture (which is what lotions are for) so I always use toner as soon as I finish washing my face, which is the best time to apply moisturizers, when the skin is still a bit damp and receptive.

Application:

Putting about a dime sized amount on to the palm of my hand I use the third and fourth fingertips of the other hand to dab the toner on to my face. A cotton pad can also be used but I like using my fingers. I hit the key areas, forehead, cheeks, nose, chin and then spread the toner evenly over my skin by patting my hands over it.

Another method is to press the dime sized amount of toner between the palms and using your palms to gently pat all over your face. Both methods work as long as you spread the toner evenly everywhere.

Moisturizer / Lotion

I follow with a milky moisturizer. As I said before, lotion adds the oil moisture skin needs. Asian skin doesn't need a lot of oil because it is thin. Oily Western lotions end up clogging pores because they are so thick. I like milky lotions because they are still very liquid but can glide over the skin and they aren't heavy. Apply the same way as toner. About a dime sized amount, maybe a bit more and dab on the key areas: forehead, nose, cheeks and chin and then using the third and fourth fingers, gently massage or glide the product all over the face. Don't neglect the area on the bridge of your nose and between your eyebrows as well as on the sides of your eyes where your skull indents. By the way, those are great accupressure points!

Cream

I generally only use creams during the winter and before I go to bed at night. Creams have a lot of oil moisture. Oil moisture does have the advantage of lasting longer. My dry areas are generally the tip of my nose and around my mouth area so I dab on a little cream in those areas. I just found this great hyaluronic acid cream from Aquamoist (Japanese product) and it is more like a jelly than a cream. It holds a lot of moisture and it feels really light. I use it as a night cream because of that.

For those with drier skin, a thin layer of cream might help. But again, experimentation is key. Everyone's skin is different so everyone's reaction to a skin product may also be different.

People have also been asking me to recommend some brands. I don't vouch for all the products but from experience I have used them with favorable results.

Missha (yes, I recommend them a lot, I know. And no, I do not work for them :) )
L'Occitane
Prescriptives
Origins
Benefit
Body Shop
Bath & Bodyworks
Clinique

Some people like Shiseido but I'm allergic (even to their D program)

For Japanese products:

Acseine
Arouge
Nov
Avene (okay, French but only lately have I been able to find it in Duane Reade)
DHC
Kanebo

And Sephora is a good place to find products because there are always test products and they give samples.

Tinted Moisturizers

And for those who hate makeup like me (I'll cover a bit on makeup in my next article) they can go for tinted moisturizers. Dior used to have it but not anymore. Good news is there are others here:

http://www.sephora.com/browse/section.jhtml?categoryId=C10550

Seasons

The rule for Cleansers goes the same for lotions, change them and also use ones appropriate for the season. Rotate facial products so your skin will not get used to them and hence they lose effect. For spring and summer, toner and milky lotion that aren't heavy are great. During winter, a heavier lotion and a cream to make up for the moisture getting zapped out of your skin is better.

Cost

A good toner can run cheap, like Missha has big sales and can cost you around $10 or less or can go as much as $50. On average I'd say $30. I don't think of this as expensive because first off, it's my skin, I want it to be as healthy as it can, and second, using only about a dime sized amount once a day, facial products can last upwards of 3 months or more.

Good to stay in the know. If anyone has any other brands or products they'd like to recommend feel free to shoot me an email or a comment.

Planet B-boy

I am the first to admit it, I love watching b-boy dancing. I think I get the same thrill watching rhythmic gymnastics and martial arts, the gravity defying, the creativity, the moments that make you go, 'OOOHHHH!'

Great news is there's a documentary out there. My favorite clip on youtube is by far, the T.I.P. crew (one of Korea's best b-boy teams) and the Tigers (their Taekwondo team) 'battling' it out. Way cool!

http://youtube.com/watch?v=NVxMPzY8IEA&feature=related

And I am no expert on b-boy dancing. I want to learn but I've got too much on my plate at the moment. But I can watch a documentary on it!

Planet B-boy

http://www.planetbboy.com/tickets.html

from Benson Lee

I hope people will check it out. I was surprised to find out that Korean society looked down on b-boying (it takes a lot of strength and athleticism) but some of the best b-boys are from Korea. That's understandable because I found that the more something is surpressed, the stronger it becomes.

Other events:

1) MOMA's got a great design exhibition:

http://moma.org/exhibitions/exhibitions.php?id=5632

Design and the Elastic Mind
February 24–May 12, 2008

2) Spa Week April 14-20

http://www.spaweek.org

3) Scavenger Hunts in NYC (ongoing)

https://www.ovationtix.com/trs/cal/487

Asian events in NYC

There are quite a few events going on now.

1) April 12, The 2nd New York City Asian American Student Conference

more info here:

http://www.nyu.edu/clubs/asian.heritage/nycaasc/index.html

"The New York City Asian American Student Conference is an annual gathering dedicated to promoting awareness of APA issues and history among college students."

2) Throughout April, Kevin So's got a few concerts going. If you don't know him he's an Asian American indie artist who's really talented and has got great energy.

Check out his webpage here:

http://www.myspace.com/kevinsoandmidnightsnack

Music videos on youtube as well featuring 'Brighter Day', one of my favorite songs

3) April 23 - 27, Asian Cultural Festival

http://www.queenstheatre.org/7AsianMenu.htm

A host load of shows and goodies from standup talent to theater to music. Directions here:

http://www.queenstheatre.org/directions.html

4) April 3 and April 14 Museum of the Moving Image feature Won Kar-Wai evening and a preview screening of 'Forbidden Kingdom'

http://www.movingimage.us/site/calendar/index.html

5) April 20, Vienna Teng at the Green Apple Festival

http://www.greenapplemusicfestival.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=blogcategory&id=16&Itemid=33

Another great Asian American indie artist. I first saw her in a show before Kevin So and she was phenomenal!

Check these out if you can! I'll post up more as I find out about them. Feel free to send me info on events as well!

Cleansers

I've been getting a lot of questions about facial cleansers, what's good, what's not. The truth of the matter is, there is no simple answer for Asian skin.

Based on experience, Western cleansers are too oily and / or too harsh because Asian skin tends to be thinner. There is a pro and con to this natural trait. Pro: Asian skin does not need a lot of exfoliation. A few times or even just once a week can work for a person. Con: Because skin is thinner it is more sensitive which can lead to redness, irritation, dryness, basically, a lot of issues you don't want to deal with.

Okay, back to cleansers.

I switch cleansers. I try to have at least 2 or 3 different ones for warm and for cold seasons. The reason for this is because our skin adapts. So what can be very effective one month may not work so well in the long run. Switching cleansers also gives skin the benefits of each product.

As for the seasons, warm and hot weather doesn't cause our skin to need too much moisture whereas cold weather sometimes requires a cleanser with a bit more oil.

I love foam cleansers because they get all frothy and you can lather it up and spread it all over your face. Don't scrub! Using my third and fourth fingers (they use less force than the index finger) I gently massage or just clean gently using a circular motion.

I use Asian cleansers like Missha and Kanebo. For hot/warm weather I look for the clear liquid or gel cleansers because they aren't as heavy. What's great about these is you only need about a dime sized amount, place it in your palm, add a bit of water, and using a vigorous circular motion (you don't need to put your back into it, just have enough friction that it causes it to froth).

For cool / cold weather I use cleansers from Softymo and others. They also foam up but the foam is creamier.

After thoroughly cleansing the face I rinse off with warm or lukewarm water until the product is completely off. Okay, I also add a few splashes of cold water because I really can't wake up in the morning!

For exfoliation, I love foaming scrubs. The foam gives a thin viscous layer that the scrubbing beads can use so they aren't as harsh on your skin and also makes it easier to move the beads around your skin, going over rough areas.

Clean n' Clear, Ponds, Missha, they all have foaming scrubs I believe but I love Utena. I'm trying to stock up and find the brand here in the US. The Western brands have beads that are just too smooth and Missha has too much foam. Utena has lots of these mini little scrubbers and my skin is really smooth after.

I'll try to get a list of products I use and post them up.

Hope you enjoyed reading. Keep it clear!