Arizona and Immigration

Yesterday Arizona passed a bill that will use their police force to determine whether or not someone looks like they may not be a U.S. citizen. Police will now have the authority to pull over persons who look like they are an "illegal" immigrant and ask for their paper work to prove that they are "legal". So now, all persons in AZ who are legally "allowed" to be here have to carry around their paper work at all times. Sort of reminds me of Nazi Germany. Why don't we just tattoo them to make sure?

As a naturalized citizen of America, I already have received attitude from other people that I wasn't American. It is the sentiment that if you are not white, you must not be American. I have friends who are born here in the states, and still get questions like, "Where are you from?". I know that these types of questions are often innocent, but they do add to the attitude that only white Americans are considered U.S. citizens.

My issue with Arizona's law is that it only promotes racial profiling based upon the color of your skin. This in my opinion is unconstitutional and violates civil rights. To determine who looks like they are "legal" and who is not is completely ridiculous since they both look exactly the same. If I had to carry around my naturalization papers with me everywhere I went with the fear that at any time I could be questioned would be awful. That would make me feel like a second class citizen, and only create more boundaries within our country.

A friend pointed out that there is no such thing as an illegal human being. And based on the fact that our country relies heavily upon undocumented workers, I find it interesting that people in this country have such strong opinions in regards to them being here. First off, the jobs that many of these undocumented workers are doing are the jobs that no U.S. "citizen" would want to do. Not for the pay anyway. I have yet to see fellow citizens standing in line to pick fruit or work in a slaughter house for low pay and no benefits. Instead, I see them standing in the unemployment line waiting for their government hand out, complaining about their mortgage they cannot afford because they live out of their means.

Summer Travels and Dinner with my Family

This summer I am lucky enough to travel for an Urban Studies field experience program. The program is only one month long, but will give me 12 credits toward my degree. We will fly into Amsterdam, visit Turin, Italy and do most of our studies at the University of Utrecht in the Netherlands. We have a couple of weekends off, so I plan to see Berlin and perhaps Brussels. Then, to end our studies, some of us will extend our trip down to Paris for a few days.

I don't have to tell you that I am beyond thrilled to have the opportunity to do this, not just because of the chance to once again visit Europe - but also the possibility of some first hand experience of studying old world cities that still function today. As I get further into my degree, I find myself extremely interested in aspects of Planning, Policy, and Sustainability issues within cities. I think that this program will enhance my learning, and hopefully give me guidance to where I would like to continue on for grad school.



Last night, Greg and I got to visit with my family in Olympia for dinner. It was my Dad, both brothers and their partners, and two of my Aunts. We had such a fabulous time, I love my family and enjoy their humor tremendously. We laughed, told stories and it made me realize how important it is to make the time and effort to cultivate my relationship with them. We are lucky in the sense that there is no holding back in my family. We say whats on our minds, and we accept one another for who we are. Couldn't ask for anything more from a family. xoxo

Mexico Vacation

To celebrate the end of the quarter as well just take some time to relax, Greg and I arranged to visit Sayulita again this year. This time, we went with our friends Jennifer and Pat for whom we have grown close to since my moving up in the area with Greg. They are our "go to" couple, and have been very good friends to us, and Jen especially to me. She was the first friend I made, and is one of the most generous and outgoing people I know. Needless to say, we were looking forward to having an adventure with them.

Our vacation started out great, the weather was in the mid 80's everyday - and it was fun to revisit a place that is very special to Greg and I. We spent most days relaxing next to the ocean, watching surfers, eating and for me reading. It had been so long since I got to read for pleasure, I wanted to fully enjoy this luxury and was able to start and finish "Committed: A skeptic makes peace with marriage," the book to follow Elizabeth Gilbert's "Eat, Pray, Love." It was a great book with some really interesting facts of the history of marriage, and her experiences with finding a place to accept it.

I would say all in all the trip was good. Not great, we had some setbacks that will somewhat taint this experience - but I still feel good overall about the trip. First, halfway through the trip Greg realized that he was missing his debit card. Come to find out, someone had picked it up at the airport upon our arrival and charged $900 onto it. Bummer. Then, Pat and Jenny kept having some issues with the food that somewhat made their experience less than what it could have been. Finally, Greg got completely sick our last day there. I'm talking cold sweats and unbearable body aches. Not to mention a vomit scene right in the middle of the town. Poor guy! Luckily it only lasted 24 hours, and he was good to go for the plane ride home.

Highlights of the trip were getting to talk with some of the locals who were extremely friendly. One guy in particular who was our server named, Chris who hooked us up on a fishing trip. He kept popping up throughout our trip and would chat with us and gave us some tips on where to go and what to do. The fishing trip was really fun, Greg got to pull in a giant fish - and the guys who ran the boat were very friendly and fun. For me, the food was great! I was the only one who didn't get sick, and gobbled up as many tacos that I could. Half of the Mexico experience for me is eating street vendor tacos and sharing some of that local flare.



Like I said, there were some bumps in the road - but all travels can't be perfect... can't wait to prepare for the next adventure!

End of the Quarter Hell, my thoughts on birthdays...

So as my second quarter here at UWT comes to an end, I am faced with two presentations, 3 finals, and one 10-page paper... YIKES! Luckily, I am the type of person who works very well under pressure. I may not take the pressure well (poor Greg), but I do seem to accomplish a lot when there are many things on my plate. We'll see how that hard work pays off!

I just celebrated my 29th birthday, which was one of the most mellow birthdays yet. By the way, Greg is the best partner in the whole world. He took me out to a lovely restaurant, La Rustica in West Seattle and then sent me for a spa day that consisted of a 90 min. massage, 90 min. facial, and a pedicure... I've never felt so indulgent in my entire life! xoxo love you Greg!

So here's the thing about birthdays... yes, I love to celebrate the fact that you were born. That's cool, but everyone was born. You might say that I am a little bitter to the fact that people still insist on making a huge deal about their birthday - and insisting on having everyone come out and celebrate them. Now in our early twenties, this was just another excuse to go out and drink, which I'm all for. These days, to be upset if people cannot make your narcissistic excuse to celebrate yourself - well, don't be offended if Im not overly thrilled to do so.

I guess where I'm going with all of that is - there are certain people that make a big deal it's their birthday... those are the same people who don't go out of their way to do anything for you. Guess what? I don't care if you don't buy me dinner or send me a card, so please don't get dramatic if I don't do the same for you anymore... "why is it, the first to ask - is the last to give, every time?" - Ben Harper says it best.

Wow, this blog has quickly turned into something negative... what my initial intention to say about birthdays is, I am not making any big deals about my birthday until I turn 30. Next year I will be graduated from college and celebrating my birthday all in the same month... so get ready! ...P.S. I won't expect anyone to go out of their way for it, I will organize everything!

Now, countdown till our Mexican vacation...

Scotty

Today is the anniversary of the death of a friend, Scott Taylor. To his friends, Scotty. Three years ago Scotty died in a motorcycle accident after leaving my brother's house who lived just down the street from him. Scotty was the type of person who had no enemies, was someone you could count on, and always had a goofy smile on his face. The loss of his life deeply affected many people, and his memory will live on forever.

Through his passing, I met Greg - who I have been with ever since. Greg is my partner, lover and best friend. He is the most amazing and kind person who would do anything for his family and friends. I am lucky to have him in my life, and he teaches me so many lessons every day. We will always have a special place in our hearts and remember Scotty as we celebrate every year we have together. He reminds us that life is short, and that we must live life with intention, love and passion.

Rest in peace Scott Taylor, we will miss and love you always.

3.8 GPA

Oh yeah!!! It feels good to be done with my first quarter at UW, but it feels even better to finish it off with a 3.8! I put in a lot of hard work this quarter, and to be rewarded in the end with an overall "A" is so worth it all!

I have to brag, because I really did put in so much work - and this degree means a lot to me. I am passionate about the topics, and had a couple really wonderful professors. One in particular challenged me and pushed me to do my best. I hope to take more classes from her, she is absolutely amazing, smart and engaging.

I am really excited for the next quarter to start, although don't get me wrong--- I am fully enjoying my break! Now I can enjoy it even more knowing how I did!

UWT

So, unrelated to my adventures with Korea... I have started my 4th week at school at the University of Washington Tacoma. So far, I have been able to have my schedule all days Tuesdays and Thursdays. It has been overwhelming with the amount of work that comes with upper division classes, but at the same time, the challenges are really exciting.

My degree that I'm pursuing is Urban Studies with a minor in Environmental Studies. These topics deal with public policy, social rights, civil rights, urban planning and development. I find the program to be really awesome and engaging. I have a little less than two years to finish, so I'm trying to take in all that I can in order to fully gain every experience this program has to offer.

I am commuting this quarter down to Tacoma, although in the future I will have the opportunity to use the Bothell and Seattle campus. Right now I'm able to use the Sounder train, and I must say it is a great experience! To be able to drink some coffee, do some reading or even surf the internet instead of fighting traffic is so awesome!

Right now I am finding the balance between having a relationship, working 3 days a week, being a full-time student and getting in my hours of writing and the endless reading... oh lord the reading! It seems easy enough, but finding time to be able to truly engage in the reading is a challenge in itself.

So, I am pretty much surrendering to my education at this point and hope to at least be able to get in my yoga once a week and get out on a social level once a month. There are strange guilty feelings when I'm not spending my time with my nose in an article or paper. Don't be upset if I can't make it out for drinks and basically any fun activity. School and grants for school have me on serious lockdown. See you during the break!

BIG NEWS!!!

Yesterday I decided to write to the woman from WACAP (the adoption service that my parents used, who work with HOLT in Korea) to tell her how great my trip to Korea was as well as how much I appreciate the work that she does. I just felt it important to let her know how her services had really touched my heart, and how it changed my life.

When I got home from school, I checked my email - and the woman from WACAP had written me back. She told me that my foster mother was sad that I had to leave early because she remembered me when I was a baby and had wanted to meet me all grown up. I thought that was really cool until I got to the next line...

(Here is the email)

Hello Tami,

I’m so glad you had a good trip. Ms. Toni-ma told me that your foster mother was upset that you had to leave early. She remembered you as a baby and wished to meet you again someday.

Your birth mom called Toni-ma after receiving their telegram. She admitted being you birth mother immediately; some mothers are in denial at all times. She stated that she would be interested in corresponding with you but needed some time. "Not much, just a little bit of time" to prepare herself and children. She has already told her daughter about the you, but not to her son yet.

Your birth mother got divorced and lives with two children – one daughter (24 yrs old) and one son (20 yrs old). Recently she received an operation (do not know which part of her body) and is recovering from it now.

Holt will surely send the her letter and photos when they hear back from your birth mother again.

Good news!

Best wishes,

XXXXX

I am obviously thrilled to find out this information and cannot wait to find out more! It is hard to explain, but when you have an chunk of time in your past that you have no knowledge of - it is something that you feel is missing. Some people deal with this differently, I chose to not really deal with it, and focus on the good things in my life that I did have. But finding out just this little piece of information has filled my heart and it is all I can do to keep my energy at bay. I have a half brother and sister! My birth mother is open to connecting with me! I can find out medical history, who my father is, what exactly my heritage is... so many things.

Stay tuned!!!